The underpotential deposition that should not be : Cu(1x1) on Au(111)

Peer reviewedPostprin

Development of functional ectopic compound eyes in scarabaeid beetles by knockdown of orthodenticle

Complex traits like limbs, brains, or eyes form through coordinated integration of diverse cell fates across developmental space and time, yet understanding how complexity and integration emerge from uniform, undifferentiated precursor tissues remains limited. Here, we use ectopic eye formation as a paradigm to investigate the emergence and integration of novel complex structures following massive ontogenetic perturbation. We show that down-regulation via RNAi of a single head patterning gene—orthodenticle—induces ectopic structures externally resembling compound eyes at the middorsal adult head of both basal and derived scarabaeid beetle species (Onthophagini and Oniticellini). Scanning electron microscopy documents ommatidial organization of these induced structures, while immunohistochemistry reveals the presence of rudimentary ommatidial lenses, crystalline cones, and associated neural-like tissue within them. Further, RNA-sequencing experiments show that after orthodenticle down-regulation, the transcriptional signature of the middorsal head—the location of ectopic eye induction—converges onto that of regular compound eyes, including up-regulation of several retina-specific genes. Finally, a light-aversion behavioral assay to assess functionality reveals that ectopic compound eyes can rescue the ability to respond to visual stimuli when wild-type eyes are surgically removed. Combined, our results show that knockdown of a single gene is sufficient for the middorsal head to acquire the competence to ectopically generate a functional compound eye-like structure. These findings highlight the buffering capacity of developmental systems, allowing massive genetic perturbations to be channeled toward orderly and functional developmental outcomes, and render ectopic eye formation a widely accessible paradigm to study the evolution of complex systems.Fil: Zattara, Eduardo Enrique. Indiana University; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Macagno, Anna L. M.. Indiana University; Estados UnidosFil: Busey, Hannah A.. Indiana University; Estados UnidosFil: Moczek, Armin P.. Indiana University; Estados Unido

Gold Nucleation Inhibition by Halide Ions: a Basis for a Seed-Mediated Approach

In the present work, we examine the effect of halide ions on gold nucleation, a typical synthetic variable in the wet-chemical production of gold nanostructures. It was found that the homogeneous nucleation of gold by the chemical reduction of aqueous gold ions is kinetically quenched by an increase in the concentration of halide ions, and this effect grows stronger as the Au–halide complex stability increases. The nucleation quenching is not exclusively related to a specific reducing agent, but appears to be a more general behavior, and is affected by the pH of the media. While no nucleation is observed, Au(I) metastable species coexist together with the reducer, constituting metastable solutions. It is demonstrated that nucleation inhibition by halide ions can be employed as a basis for a seed-mediated approach to produce gold nanostructures. The metastable solutions are proved to function as growth baths, where Au(I) reduction is triggered on the surface of previously synthesized gold nanoparticles, driving their growth in the absence of secondary nucleation. It is also shown how, with this approach, the synthesis conditions can be rationally designed to obtain gold nanoparticles with the desired properties in a controlled and reproducible fashion.Fil: Moiraghi, Raquel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Douglas Gallardo, Oscar Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Coronado, Eduardo A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Macagno, Vicente Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Manuel Alejo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentin

Kinetics and mechanisms of electrochemical reactions on platinum with solutions of iodine-sodium iodide in acetonitrile

The kinetics of the iodine-tri-iodide-iodide electrode in acetonitrile has been investigated in the temperature range from 0 to 30°C. Current/voltage curves were determined using a platinum rotating disk electrode working at 200 to 3000 rpm. The anodic and cathodic current/voltage curves are characterized by two well defined waves. The total reactions related to the first and second anodic waves are respectively 3I− = I3− + 2 e and 2I3− = 3I2 + 2 e, while the reverse reactions represent the second and first cathodic waves respectively. The diffusion coefficients of the diffusing species have been evaluated. Current/voltage curves in the region preceding the limiting cd exhibit a measurable irreversibility. The kinetic parameters related to the activated process were determined, and the kinetics of the reactions interpreted in terms of reaction mechanisms that involve an ion plus atom reaction as rate determining step for the anodic process and the reverse reaction for the cathodic process.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA)Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Wayfinding and Glaucoma: A Virtual Reality Experiment.

PurposeWayfinding, the process of determining and following a route between an origin and a destination, is an integral part of everyday tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of glaucomatous visual field loss on wayfinding behavior using an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 31 glaucomatous patients and 20 healthy subjects without evidence of overall cognitive impairment. Wayfinding experiments were modeled after the Morris water maze navigation task and conducted in an immersive VR environment. Two rooms were built varying only in the complexity of the visual scene in order to promote allocentric-based (room A, with multiple visual cues) versus egocentric-based (room B, with single visual cue) spatial representations of the environment. Wayfinding tasks in each room consisted of revisiting previously visible targets that subsequently became invisible.ResultsFor room A, glaucoma patients spent on average 35.0 seconds to perform the wayfinding task, whereas healthy subjects spent an average of 24.4 seconds (P = 0.001). For room B, no statistically significant difference was seen on average time to complete the task (26.2 seconds versus 23.4 seconds, respectively; P = 0.514). For room A, each 1-dB worse binocular mean sensitivity was associated with 3.4% (P = 0.001) increase in time to complete the task.ConclusionsGlaucoma patients performed significantly worse on allocentric-based wayfinding tasks conducted in a VR environment, suggesting visual field loss may affect the construction of spatial cognitive maps relevant to successful wayfinding. VR environments may represent a useful approach for assessing functional vision endpoints for clinical trials of emerging therapies in ophthalmology

Kinetics and mechanisms of electrochemical reactions on platinum with solutions of iodine-sodium iodide in acetonitrile

The kinetics of the iodine-tri-iodide-iodide electrode in acetonitrile has been investigated in the temperature range from 0 to 30°C. Current/voltage curves were determined using a platinum rotating disk electrode working at 200 to 3000 rpm. The anodic and cathodic current/voltage curves are characterized by two well defined waves. The total reactions related to the first and second anodic waves are respectively 3I− = I3− + 2 e and 2I3− = 3I2 + 2 e, while the reverse reactions represent the second and first cathodic waves respectively. The diffusion coefficients of the diffusing species have been evaluated. Current/voltage curves in the region preceding the limiting cd exhibit a measurable irreversibility. The kinetic parameters related to the activated process were determined, and the kinetics of the reactions interpreted in terms of reaction mechanisms that involve an ion plus atom reaction as rate determining step for the anodic process and the reverse reaction for the cathodic process.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA)Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

The impact of fixed triple therapy with beclometasone/formoterol/glycopyrronium on health status and adherence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in an italian context of real life: The TRITRIAL study protocol

Background: The fixed triple combination Beclometasone dipropionate/Formoterol fuma- rate/Glycopyrronium (BDP/FF/G, Trimbow\uae), an extrafine formulation in a unique pressur- ized metered dose inhaler, is indicated for the maintenance treatment in adult patients with moderate to severe COPD, not adequately treated by ICS/LABA or LABA/LAMA. Besides the evidence from three randomized controlled trials, the impact of fixed triple therapy has not been extensively evaluated in a real-world population of COPD patients. TRITRIAL (TRIple Therapy in Real life: Impact on Adherence and HeaLth status) is a non- interventional study to assess the effect of BDP/FF/G in a real world setting in Italy. Design: TRITRIAL is a 12-month, multicenter, cohort, prospective, longitudinal observational study. Two follow-up visits will be performed at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The study includes the collection of anamnestic clinical and functional data before the start of BDP/FF/G. The study is built for digital conduction, from signature of the informed consent on a dedicated web platform, to the collection of questionnaires and clinical data on the eCRF. Population: A total of 800 patients with COPD ranging from Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages 2 to 4, receiving therapy with BDP/FF/G accord- ing to the Summary of Product Characteristics and local clinical practice, will be recruited. All concomitant therapies will be permitted for the duration of the study. Evaluations: The primary endpoint is the change of CAT score at 12 months versus baseline. Secondary endpoints are adherence, health-related quality of life, sleep quality, disease-related outcomes (lung function and COPD exacerbations), device usability, eco- nomic resources consumption, and safety. Conclusion: TRITRIAL study is expected to give relevant information about effectiveness of BDP/FF/G fixed triple therapy in a real-life setting of patients with COPD, where adherence, usability of inhalers and patient\u2019s preference of the device are crucial factors for the success of the therapy