ALD/MLD coating of patterned vertically aligned carbon nanotube micropillars with Fe-NH2TP hybrids

The creation of nanoscale organic-inorganic hybrid coatings with uniform architecture and high surface area, while maintaining their structural and morphological integrity, remains a significant challenge in the field. In this study, we present a novel solution, by utilizing Atomic/Molecular Layer Deposition (ALD/MLD) to coat patterned vertically aligned carbon nanotube micropillars with a conformal amorphous layer of Fe-NH₂TP, which is a trivalent iron complex complexed with 2-amino terephthalate. The effectiveness of the coating is verified through multiple analytical techniques, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Fe-NH₂TP hybrid film exhibits hydrophobic properties, as confirmed by water contact angle measurements. Our findings contribute to advancing the understanding of how to grow high-quality one-dimensional materials using ALD/MLD and hold promise for future research in this area.

Dupilumab for atopic dermatitis: a real-world portuguese multicenter retrospective study

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a difficult-to-treat inflammatory skin disease with a high impact on patients' quality of life. Dupilumab, an IL-4 and IL-13 inhibitor, was the first monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD and is currently approved in patients aged 6 or older.Methods: This is a nationwide, multicenter, retrospective, 48-week study designed by the Portuguese Group of AD to assess real-world efficacy and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of AD.Results: A total of 169 patients were enrolled, with a mean disease duration of 22.75 (±11.98) years. The percentage of patients achieving an improvement of at least 75% in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) compared to baseline (EASI75 response) at weeks 12 and 48 was 67.6% and 74.1%, respectively. In the same timepoints, 25.0% and 44.1% achieved an EASI90 response. Patient-reported outcome measures also improved throughout the study period. Regarding safety, 32.0% of the patients developed adverse events, with conjunctivitis (26.6%), persistent facial erythema (4.7%), and arthritis/arthralgia (3.6%) as the more frequently reported.Conclusion: Data from real-world populations are crucial to guide clinicians in their daily decisions. This study provides data demonstrating that dupilumab is an effective and safe therapeutic option for AD.

The Surfaces of the Ceratonia siliqua L. (Carob) Leaflet: Insights from Physics and Chemistry

The production of superhydrophobic coatings inspired by the surface of plant leaves is a challenging goal. Such coatings hold a bright technological future in niche markets of the aeronautical, space, naval, building, automobile, and biomedical sectors. This work is focused on the adaxial (top) and abaxial (bottom) surfaces of the leaflet of the Ceratonia silique L. (carob), a high-commercial-value Mediterranean tree cultivated in many regions of the world. The adaxial and abaxial surfaces feature hydrophobic and superhydrophobic behaviors, respectively. Their chemical composition is very simple: monopalmitin ester and palmitic acid are protuberant in the epicuticular and intracuticular wax layers of the adaxial surface, respectively, whereas 1-octacosanol dominates in the abaxial wax layers. In both surfaces, epicuticular wax is organized along a randomly oriented and intricate network of nanometer-thick and micrometer-long plates, whose density and degree of interconnection are significantly higher in the abaxial surface. The measured tilting angles for the abaxial surface (12-70°) reveal unusual variable density and water adhesion of the nanostructured plate-based texture. Optical measurements demonstrate that light reflectance/absorbance of the glaucous abaxial surface is significantly higher/lower than that of the nonglaucous adaxial surface. In both surfaces, diffuse reflectance is dominant, and the absorbance is weakly dependent on the light incidence angle. We show that the highly dense nanostructured platelike texture of the epicuticular abaxial layer of the C. siliqua leaflet works as a sophisticated light and water management system: it reflects solar radiation diffusely to lower the surface temperature, and it has superhydrophobic character to keep the surface dry. Such attributes enable efficient gas exchange (photosynthesis and respiration), transpiration, and evaporation. To mimic for the first time the abaxial surface, a templation approach was adopted using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/poly(methylphenylsiloxane) (PMPS) positive/negative replicas and a soft polymer/siloxane negative replica produced by the sol-gel process. Because high topographical variations of the biotemplate and wax adhesion to the biohybrid film affected the replication quality, the reproduction of the wax texture via the synthesis of 1-octacosanol-grafted siloxane-based hybrid materials is proposed as a suitable route to duplicate the abaxial surface with high fidelity. The natural chemical/physical strategy adopted by the C. siliqua leaflet to face the harsh Mediterranean climate is a powerful source of bioinspiration for the development of diffuse reflecting and superhydrophobic material systems with foreseen applications as dual-functional antiglare and water-repelling coatings.

Decoding a Percolation Phase Transition of Water at ∼330 K with a Nanoparticle Ruler

Liquid water, despite its simple molecular structure, remains one of the most fascinating and complex substances. Most notably, many questions continue to exist regarding the phase transitions and anomalous properties of water, which are subtle to observe experimentally. Here, we report a sharp transition in water at 330 K unveiled through experimental measurements of the instantaneous Brownian velocity of NaYF₄:Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles in water. Our experimental investigations, corroborated by molecular dynamics simulations, elucidate a geometrical phase transition where a low-density liquid (LDL) clusters become percolated below 330 K. Around this critical temperature, we find the sizes of the LDL clusters to be similar to those of the nanoparticles, confirming the role of the upconversion nanoparticle as a powerful ruler for measuring the extensiveness of the LDL hydrogen-bond network and nanometer-scale spatial changes (20-100 nm) in liquids. Additionally, a new order parameter that unequivocally classifies water molecules into two local geometric states is introduced, providing a new tool for understanding and modeling water's many anomalous properties and phase transitions.

Glycomacropeptide: long-term use and impact on blood phenylalanine, growth and nutritional status in children with PKU

Abstract

In phenylketonuria, casein glycomacropeptide (CGMP) requires modification with the addition of some essential and semi essential amino acids to ensure suitability as a protein substitute. The optimal amount and ratio of additional amino acids is undefined.

Aim

A longitudinal, parallel, controlled study over 12 months evaluating a CGMP (CGMP-AA2) formulation compared with phenylalanine-free L-amino acid supplements (L-AA) on blood Phe, Tyr, Phe:Tyr ratio, biochemical nutritional status and growth in children with PKU. The CGMP-AA2 contained 36 mg Phe per 20 g protein equivalent.

Methods

Children with PKU, with a median age of 9.2 y (5-16y) were divided into 2 groups: 29 were given CGMP-AA2, 19 remained on Phe-free L-AA. The CGMP-AA2 formula gradually replaced L-AA, providing blood Phe concentrations were maintained within target range. Median blood Phe, Tyr, Phe:Tyr ratio and anthropometry, were compared within and between the two groups at baseline, 26 and 52 weeks. Nutritional biochemistry was studied at baseline and 26 weeks only.

Results

At the end of 52 weeks only 48% of subjects were able to completely use CGMP-AA2 as their single source of protein substitute. At 52 weeks CGMP-AA2 provided a median of 75% (30–100) of the total protein substitute with the remainder being given as L-AA. Within the CGMP-AA2 group, blood Phe increased significantly between baseline and 52 weeks: [baseline to 26 weeks; baseline Phe 270 μmol/L (170–430); 26 weeks, Phe 300 μmol/L (125–485) p = 0.06; baseline to 52 weeks: baseline, Phe 270 μmol/L (170–430), 52 weeks Phe 300 μmol/L (200–490), p < 0.001)]. However, there were no differences between the CGMP-AA2 and L-AA group for Phe, Tyr, Phe:Tyr ratio or anthropometry at any of the three measured time points. Within the CGMP-AA2 group only weight (p = 0.0001) and BMI z scores (p = 0.0001) increased significantly between baseline to 52 weeks. Whole blood and plasma selenium were significantly higher (whole blood selenium [p = 0.0002]; plasma selenium [p = 0.0007]) at 26 weeks in the CGMP-AA2 group compared L-AA. No differences were observed within the L-AA group for any of the nutritional markers.

Conclusions

CGMP-AA increases blood Phe concentrations and so it can only be used partly to contribute to protein substitute in some children with PKU. CGMP-AA should be carefully introduced in children with PKU and close monitoring of blood Phe control is essential.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-019-1011-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The role of Li+ in the upconversion emission enhancement of (YYbEr)2O3 nanoparticles

The mechanism of upconversion enhancement for Li+-doped materials is still contentious. Attempting to settle the debate, here the upconversion emission enhancement of (Y0.97-xYb0.02Er0.01Lix)2O3, x = 0.000-0.123, nanoparticles is studied. Li+ incorporation in the Y2O3 host lattice is achieved via co-precipitation and solid-state reaction routes. In contrast to numerous reports, elemental analysis reveals that the former method does not afford Li+-bearing nanoparticles. The solid-state reaction route accomplishes an effective Li+ doping, as witnessed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Transmission electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction showed an increase in nanoparticle size with increasing Li+ concentration. Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction data shows that the cubic lattice parameter decreases with increasing Li+ content. The emission quantum yield increases tenfold with increasing Li+ content up to x = 0.123, reaching a maximal value of 0.04% at x = 0.031. XPS and infrared spectroscopy show that the carbonate groups increase with increasing Li+ content, thus not supporting the prevailing view that the upconversion luminescence enhancement observed upon Li+ nanoparticle's doping is due to the decrease of the number of quenching carbonate groups present. Rather, the particle size increment and the decrease in the lattice parameter of the host crystals are shown to be the prime sources of quantum yield enhancement.

A75 ROLE OF LRRK2 IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Background

Variants of the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are associated with an increased susceptibility to Parkinson disease but also Crohn’s disease (CD).

Aims

The present research is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the role of LRRK2 in immune system modulation, and how dysfunction of this pathway may lead to the development of CD.

Methods

WT and LRRK2-deficient neutrophil were infected with Gram-positive Bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes-LM) in a gentamicin protection assays and colony-forming unit assessment will determine the competence of LRRK2 deficient cells for bacterial phagocytosis as well as killing capacity). To examine how LRRK2 is involved in the generation of ROS during the respiratory burst, we will first examine if neutrophil from LRRK2-KO mice have altered ROS generation upon infection with LM and addition of PMA. We evaluate in vitro the ability of neutrophils from LRRK2-KO versus WT mice to transmigrate in vitro in a transwell assay using fMLP as a chemattractant. Also, we investigate the peritoneal cells (by FACS analysis) after injection of different microbial stimuli including FK105 (NOD1 ligand), MDP (NOD2 ligand) and LPS (TLR4 ligand) and anti-cd3 model of ielitis.

Results

We found that LRRK2 KO mice have a defect in migration of neutrophils to the peritoneal cavity after injection of different microbial stimuli including FK10565 (NOD1 ligand), MDP (NOD2 ligand) and LPS (TLR4 ligand). Neutrophils from LRRK2 mice were compromised in their ability to transmigrate in vitro in a transwell assay using fMLP as a chemoattractant. Chemotaxis was also compromised. In parallel, we designed experiments to examine reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in response to infection of myeloid cells with bacteria. Neutrophils from LRRK2 KO mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes were less able to restrict bacteria growth compared to WT cells. Consistent with these findings, cells from LRRK2 KO mice produced lower levels of ROS following bacterial infection. In order to determine whether myeloid cell migration is compromised in vivo during inflammation, we performed experiments in WT and KO mice looking at different models of ileitis/colitis.

Conclusions

With this work we will further characterize the role of LRRK2 in intestinal homeostasis and mucosal barrier maintenance, including how its deficiency may predispose an individual to developing CD.

Funding Agencies

CAG, CIHR

Freezing of Stallion Semen: in vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Sperm Motility and Acrosin Activity in Frozen-thawed Semen with Addition of Post-diluent Extenders

BACKGROUND

Post-diluents could potentially increase semen cryotolerance, but remain poorly explored in horses.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to evaluate the efficiency of post-diluents on frozen-thawed semen viability of two stallions (S1-S2).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cryopreserved semen was thawed at 50°C for 40 seconds. Semen motility and acrosin activity (AA) were determined during the thermo-resistance test (TRT).

RESULTS

Progressive motility of S2 semen decreased after 60 and 90 minutes of TRT (TRT60 and TRT90) on the control compared to both post-diluents. The total motility of both S1 and S2 decreased on TRT60 and TRT90 semen control versus both Ringer and Merk post-diluents. The AA on S1 was higher than S2 throughout the TRT. Pregnancy rates after artificial insemination (AI) were similar among post-diluents and stallions.

CONCLUSION

Post-diluents do not contribute to predicting frozen-thawed semen fertility or the efficiency of equine AI.

Treatment patterns and trends in patients dying of prostate cancer in Quebec: a population-based study

INTRODUCTION

Since just after the year 2000 in Quebec, the management of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mcrpc) has evolved considerably, with the inclusion of docetaxel-based chemotherapy, bone-targeted therapies (zoledronic acid and denosumab), and more recently, abiraterone, enzalutamide, and cabazitaxel for docetaxel-refractory patients. In the present study, we aimed to analyze contemporary mcrpc management patterns and therapy utilization trends in Quebec.

METHODS

The study cohort consisted of patients dying of prostate cancer (pca) between January 2001 and December 2013, selected from Quebec public health care insurance databases. Patient selection was based on death from a pca-related cause or therapy used according to the Canadian Urological Association guidelines on mcrpc management. Treatments included chemotherapy (mitoxantrone before 2005 and docetaxel after 2005), abiraterone, bone-targeted therapy (zoledronic acid or denosumab, or both), and palliative radiation therapy (rt). During the study period, neither enzalutamide nor cabazitaxel was publicly reimbursed in Quebec, and as a result, no capture of their use was possible for this study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the probability of receiving chemotherapy, bone-targeted therapies, and palliative rt before death from pca.

RESULTS

Overall, the database search identified 3106 patients who died of pca between January 2001 and December 2013. Median age of death was 78 years. Of those 3106 patients, just 2568 (83%) received mcrpc-specific treatments: chemotherapy, abiraterone, palliative rt, or bone-targeted therapy; the other 17% of the patients were managed solely with maximum androgen blockade (androgen deprivation therapy plus anti-androgens) despite a record of pca-related death. Logistic regression analyses indicate that patients dying after 2005 were more likely to have received chemotherapy [odds ratio (or): 1.51; 95% ci: 1.22 to 1.85] and bone-targeted therapy (or: 1.97; 95% ci: 1.64 to 2.37). Age was a significant predictor for the use of chemotherapy, bone-targeted therapy, and palliative rt (ors in the range 0.96-0.98, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient age seems to be a strong determinant in the of selection mcrpc therapy, affecting the probability of the use of chemotherapy, bone-targeted therapy, or palliative rt. Although chemotherapy is still used only in a small percentage of patients, the introduction of new therapies-such as bone-targeted therapy, docetaxel, and abiraterone-affected treatment selection over time. The availability of enzalutamide since February 2014 will likely produce additional changes in mcrpc management.

A Prospective Intervention in Patients with Complicated Grief

Introduction

Most reactions to grief are adaptive. However, there is the possibility that some individuals present a complicated grief disorder, where there is a pathological intensification of symptoms lasting more than 6 months, deserving special treatment.

Objectives/aims

Evaluate the effectiveness of two types of intervention in complicated grief: group intervention (GI) and cognitive-narrative (CN) therapy.

Methods

Patients in a complicated grief process were selected (n = 70), and distributed in three groups: cognitive–narrative therapy group (CNTG), group intervention group (GIG) and a control group (CG). Inclusion criteria: adults, with a reference to mourning situation, with personal meaning, for over six months and results in ICG ≥30points (cutoff). The Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D) and the trauma questionnaire (ICD-11) were used. Follow-up was performed 3 months after the end of each intervention. Data analysis was performed using the statistical package from social sciences (SPSS 20).

Results

With respect to complicated grief symptoms (CGx) and depression symptoms (Dx) there were statistically significant differences between the CNTG and the CG, but not with the GIG. There was no statistically significant effect in post-traumatic symptoms (PTx), even though both interventions had a slight decrease. When the CNTG and the GIG were directly compared, there was only a statistically significant difference between PTx.

Conclusions

In our single center cohort, CNTG was a more effective intervention in complicated grief patients for CGx and Dx reduction. For PTx, no intervention was superior. Larger multi-center studies are needed to validate these results.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Influence of Conditioning Time of Universal Adhesives on Adhesive Properties and Enamel-Etching Pattern

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of application protocol in resin-enamel microshear bond strength (μSBS), in situ degree of conversion, and etching pattern of three universal adhesive systems.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Sixty-three extracted third molars were sectioned in four parts (buccal, lingual, and proximals) and divided into nine groups, according to the combination of the main factors-Adhesive (Clearfil Universal, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc, Tokyo, Japan; Futurabond U, VOCO, Cuxhaven, Germany; and Scotchbond Universal Adhesive, 3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA)-and enamel treatment/application time (etch-and-rinse mode [ER], self-etch [SE] application for 20 seconds [SE20], and SE application for 40 seconds [SE40]). Specimens were stored in water (37°C/24 h) and tested at 1.0 mm/min (μSBS). The degree of conversion of the adhesives at the resin-enamel interfaces was evaluated using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The enamel-etching pattern was evaluated under a scanning electron microscope. Data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance and Tukey test (α=0.05).

RESULTS

In general, the application of the universal adhesives in the SE40 produced μSBS and degree of conversion that were higher than in the SE20 (p<0.01) and similar to the ER mode. The deepest enamel-etching pattern was obtained in the ER mode, followed by the SE40.

CONCLUSIONS

The active and prolonged application of universal adhesives in the SE mode may be a viable alternative to increase the degree of conversion, etching pattern, and resin-enamel bond strength.

Peculiar Magnetoelectric Coupling in BaTiO₃:Fe₁₁₃ ppm Nanoscopic Segregations

We report polycrystalline BaTiO3 with cooperative magnetization behavior associated with the scarce presence of about 113 atomic ppm of Fe ions, clearly displaying magnetoelectric coupling with significant changes in magnetization (up to ΔM/M ≈ 32%) at the ferroelectric transitions. We find that Fe ions are segregated mostly at the interfaces between grain boundaries and an Fe-rich phase, forming a self-composite with high magnetoelectric coupling above room temperature. We compare our results with ab initio calculations and other experimental results found in the literature, proposing mechanisms that could be behind the magnetoelectric coupling within the ferroelectric matrix. These findings open the way for further strategies to optimize interfacial magnetoelectric couplings.

Chemical characterization of a red raspberry fruit extract and evaluation of its pharmacological effects in experimental models of acute inflammation and collagen-induced arthritis

Berries are an important dietary source of fibres, vitamins, minerals and some biologically active non-nutrients. A red raspberry fruit extract was characterized in terms of phenolic content and the anti-inflammatory properties and protective effects were evaluated in two experimental models of inflammation. The antioxidant potential of the extract, the cellular antioxidant activity and the effects over neutrophils' oxidative burst were also studied to provide a mechanistic insight for the anti-inflammatory effects observed. The extract was administered in a dose of 15 mg kg(-1), i.p. and significantly inhibited paw oedema formation in the rat. The same dose was administered via i.p. and p.o. routes in the collagen-induced arthritis model in the rat. The extract showed pharmacological activity and was able to significantly reduce the development of clinical signs of arthritis and markedly reduce the degree of bone resorption, soft tissue swelling and osteophyte formation, preventing articular destruction in treated animals.

Mapping global cropland and field size

A new 1 km global IIASA-IFPRI cropland percentage map for the baseline year 2005 has been developed which integrates a number of individual cropland maps at global to regional to national scales. The individual map products include existing global land cover maps such as GlobCover 2005 and MODIS v.5, regional maps such as AFRICOVER and national maps from mapping agencies and other organizations. The different products are ranked at the national level using crowdsourced data from Geo-Wiki to create a map that reflects the likelihood of cropland. Calibration with national and subnational crop statistics was then undertaken to distribute the cropland within each country and subnational unit. The new IIASA-IFPRI cropland product has been validated using very high-resolution satellite imagery via Geo-Wiki and has an overall accuracy of 82.4%. It has also been compared with the EarthStat cropland product and shows a lower root mean square error on an independent data set collected from Geo-Wiki. The first ever global field size map was produced at the same resolution as the IIASA-IFPRI cropland map based on interpolation of field size data collected via a Geo-Wiki crowdsourcing campaign. A validation exercise of the global field size map revealed satisfactory agreement with control data, particularly given the relatively modest size of the field size data set used to create the map. Both are critical inputs to global agricultural monitoring in the frame of GEOGLAM and will serve the global land modelling and integrated assessment community, in particular for improving land use models that require baseline cropland information. These products are freely available for downloading from the http://cropland.geo-wiki.org website.

Marine regime shifts: drivers and impacts on ecosystems services

Marine ecosystems can experience regime shifts, in which they shift from being organized around one set of mutually reinforcing structures and processes to another. Anthropogenic global change has broadly increased a wide variety of processes that can drive regime shifts. To assess the vulnerability of marine ecosystems to such shifts and their potential consequences, we reviewed the scientific literature for 13 types of marine regime shifts and used networks to conduct an analysis of co-occurrence of drivers and ecosystem service impacts. We found that regime shifts are caused by multiple drivers and have multiple consequences that co-occur in a non-random pattern. Drivers related to food production, climate change and coastal development are the most common co-occurring causes of regime shifts, while cultural services, biodiversity and primary production are the most common cluster of ecosystem services affected. These clusters prioritize sets of drivers for management and highlight the need for coordinated actions across multiple drivers and scales to reduce the risk of marine regime shifts. Managerial strategies are likely to fail if they only address well-understood or data-rich variables, and international cooperation and polycentric institutions will be critical to implement and coordinate action across the scales at which different drivers operate. By better understanding these underlying patterns, we hope to inform the development of managerial strategies to reduce the risk of high-impact marine regime shifts, especially for areas of the world where data are not available or monitoring programmes are not in place.

Protective effects of hydroxytyrosol-supplemented refined olive oil in animal models of acute inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis

Virgin olive oil is the primary source of fat in the Mediterranean diet, and its beneficial health effects have been related with oleic acid and phenolic compounds content. Hydroxytyrosol, a typical virgin olive oil phenolic compound, has beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as previously reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroxytyrosol-supplemented refined olive oil at 0.5 and 5 mg/kg in a rodent model of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by intradermic administration, in male Wistar rats, of Freund's adjuvant with collagen type II on days 1 and 21. Hydroxytyrosol-supplemented refined olive oils were administrated by gavage from day 23 until day 35. The treatment at 5-mg/kg dose significantly decreased paw edema (P<.01), histological damage, cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and markedly reduced the degree of bone resorption, soft tissue swelling and osteophyte formation, improving articular function in treated animals. Acute inflammation, induced by carrageenan, was also evaluated for hydroxytyrosol-supplemented refined olive oils at 0.5 and 5 mg/kg. Both doses significantly reduced paw edema (P<.001). Our results suggest that the supplementation of refined olive oil with hydroxytyrosol may be advantageous in rheumatoid arthritis with significant impact not only on chronic inflammation but also on acute inflammatory processes.

Using the soil and water assessment tool to estimate dissolved inorganic nitrogen water pollution abatement cost functions in central portugal

Coastal aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by diffuse source nutrient water pollution from agricultural activities in coastal catchments, even though these ecosystems are important from a social, environmental and economic perspective. To warrant sustainable economic development of coastal regions, we need to balance marginal costs from coastal catchment water pollution abatement and associated marginal benefits from coastal resource appreciation. Diffuse-source water pollution abatement costs across agricultural sectors are not easily determined given the spatial heterogeneity in biophysical and agro-ecological conditions as well as the available range of best agricultural practices (BAPs) for water quality improvement. We demonstrate how the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) can be used to estimate diffuse-source water pollution abatement cost functions across agricultural land use categories based on a stepwise adoption of identified BAPs for water quality improvement and corresponding SWAT-based estimates for agricultural production, agricultural incomes, and water pollution deliveries. Results for the case of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) surface water pollution by the key agricultural land use categories ("annual crops," "vineyards," and "mixed annual crops & vineyards") in the Vouga catchment in central Portugal show that no win-win agricultural practices are available within the assessed BAPs for DIN water quality improvement. Estimated abatement costs increase quadratically in the rate of water pollution abatement, with largest abatement costs for the "mixed annual crops & vineyards" land use category (between 41,900 and 51,900 € tDIN yr) and fairly similar abatement costs across the "vineyards" and "annual crops" land use categories (between 7300 and 15,200 € tDIN yr).

All-in-one optical heater-thermometer nanoplatform operative from 300 to 2000 k based on Er(3+) emission and blackbody radiation

A single nanoplatform integrating laser-induced heat generation by gold nanoparticles and temperature sensing up to 2000 K via (Gd,Yb,Er)2 O3 nanorods is demonstrated, which presents considerable potential for nanoscale photonics and biomedicine. Blackbody emission is ascertained from the temperature increment with AuNP concentration, emission color coordinates as a function of the laser pump power, and Planck's law of blackbody radiation.

Core-shell magnetite-silica dithiocarbamate-derivatised particles achieve the Water Framework Directive quality criteria for mercury in surface waters

The sorption capacity of nanoporous titanosilicate Engelhard titanosilicate number 4 (ETS-4) and silica-coated magnetite particles derivatised with dithiocarbamate groups towards Hg(II) was evaluated and compared in spiked ultra-pure and spiked surface-river water, for different batch factors. In the former, and using a batch factor of 100 m(3)/kg and an initial Hg(II) concentrations matching the maximum allowed concentration in an effluent discharge, both materials achieve Hg(II) uptake efficiencies in excess of 99 % and a residual metal concentration lower than the guideline value for drinking water quality. For the surface-river water and the same initial concentration, the Hg(II) uptake efficiency of magnetite particles is outstanding, achieving the quality criteria established by the Water Framework Directive (concerning Hg concentration in surface waters) using a batch factor of 50 m(3)/kg, while the efficiency of ETS-4 is significantly inferior. The dissimilar sorbents' Hg(II) removal efficiency is attributed to different uptake mechanisms. This study also highlights the importance of assessing the effective capacity of the sorbents under realistic conditions in order to achieve trustable results.

Thermal properties of holmium-implanted gold films for a neutrino mass experiment with cryogenic microcalorimeters

In a microcalorimetric neutrino mass experiment using the radioactive decay of (163)Ho, the radioactive material must be fully embedded in the microcalorimeter absorber. One option that is being investigated is to implant the radioactive isotope into a gold absorber, as gold is successfully used in other applications. However, knowing the thermal properties at the working temperature of microcalorimeters is critical for choosing the absorber material and for optimizing the detector performance. In particular, it is paramount to understand if implanting the radioactive material in gold changes its heat capacity. We used a bolometric technique to measure the heat capacity of gold films, implanted with various concentrations of holmium and erbium (a byproduct of the (163)Ho fabrication), in the temperature range 70 mK-300 mK. Our results show that the specific heat capacity of the gold films is not affected by the implant, making this a viable option for a future microcalorimeter holmium experiment.

Alginate films containing Lactobacillus plantarum as wound dressing for prevention of burn infection

The topical application of lactobacilli is receiving attention for the prevention of superficial skin and burn wound infections. We studied the properties of Lactobacillus plantarum immobilized in calcium alginate films and investigated the antibacterial activity of these films in a model burn wound in rats. A multiresistant clinical isolate, VIM-2-metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was used as the indicator strain. Films incorporating L. plantarum at cell concentrations of 10(8)cfu/mL caused a reduction of 5-6 log(10) in P. aeruginosa in the model burn wounds. L. plantarum immobilized in freeze-dried calcium alginate films remained viable during six months of storage at 4 °C.

Severe α-1 antitrypsin deficiency caused by Q0(Ourém) allele: clinical features, haplotype characterization and history

α-1 Antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) caused by null alleles is associated with the total lack of protein and generally it translates into more severe clinical features of pulmonary disease. This is the case of Q0(Ourém) , a rare variant found in several families of Central Portugal caused by the L353fsX376 mutation. A total of 41 patients carrying at least one copy of Q0(Ourém) were evaluated for SERPINA1 levels, respiratory function values and lung parenchyma status (chest X-ray and computerized tomography scan). Q0(Ourém) haplotype background was characterized using seven microsatellites flanking SERPINA1 and Q0(Ourém) age was estimated by a statistical method relying on the decay of haplotype sharing at linked markers (DHSMAP). Homozygous patients showed a compromised lung function and extensive emphysema. SQ0(Ourém) , although having serum levels below the 11 µM threshold, did not necessarily result in signs of disease. MQ0(Ourém) were found to be a heterogeneous group, mainly composed of normal individuals. Eight Q0(Ourém) haplotypes were identified and the allele was estimated to have arisen 650 years ago. Q0(Ourém) was associated with mild to severe AATD and has a single origin, probably linked to the major Ourém settlements where the occurrence of severe AATD may not be explained by recent consanguinity.