Self consistent determination of plasmonic resonances in ternary nanocomposites

We have developed a self consistent technique to predict the behavior of plasmon resonances in multi-component systems as a function of wavelength. This approach, based on the tight lower bounds of the Bergman-Milton formulation, is able to predict experimental optical data, including the positions, shifts and shapes of plasmonic peaks in ternary nanocomposites without using any ftting parameters. Our approach is based on viewing the mixing of 3 components as the mixing of 2 binary mixtures, each in the same host. We obtained excellent predictions of the experimental optical behavior for mixtures of Ag:Cu:SiO2 and alloys of Au-Cu:SiO2 and Ag-Au:H2 O, suggesting that the essential physics of plasmonic behavior is captured by this approach.Comment: 7 pages and 4 figure

Charge-storage process of stoichiometric and nanostructured ruthenium nitride thin films

Ti-supported RuN thin films, synthesized by rf-magnetron sputtering, have been electrochemically characterized, focusing in particular to their charge-storage capacity, and to the mechanisms that influence this important property, in view, e.g., of applications in supercapacitors. Based on cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data, a deconvolution of non-faradic and faradic contributions has been attempted, and a mechanism for the charging/discharging process has been proposed

Immunogenic cell death pathway polymorphisms for predicting oxaliplatin efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer

Background Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a tumor cell death involving both innate and adaptive immune responses. Given published findings that oxaliplatin, but not irinotecan, drives ICD, we investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ICD pathway are associated with the efficacy of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods Two randomized clinical trials data were analyzed: discovery cohort, FOLFOX/bevacizumab arm (MAVERICC); validation cohort, FOLFOXIRI/bevacizumab arm (TRIBE); and two control cohorts, FOLFIRI/bevacizumab arms (both trials). Genomic DNA extracted from blood samples was genotyped. Ten SNPs in the ICD pathway were tested for associations with clinical outcomes. Results In total, 648 patients were included. In the discovery cohort, three SNPs were significantly associated with clinical outcomes in univariate analysis: CALR rs1010222 with progression-free survival (G/G vs any A, HR=0.61, 95% CI 0.43-0.88), ANXA1 rs1050305 with overall survival (OS) (A/A vs any G, HR=1.87, 95% CI 1.04-3.35), and LRP1 rs1799986 with OS (C/C vs any T, HR=1.69, 95% CI 1.07-2.70). Multivariate analysis confirmed the trend, but statistical significance was not reached. In the validation cohort, ANXA1 rs1050305, and LRP1 rs1799986 were validated to have the significant associations with clinical outcome. No significant associations of these SNPs were observed in the two control cohorts. Treatment-by-SNP interaction test confirmed the predictive values. Conclusions The predictive utility of ICD-related SNPs for the efficacy of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy was demonstrated, warranting further validation studies to be translated into personalized treatment strategies using conventional cytotoxic agents in mCRC

COPPER DIFFUSION IN ION-EXCHANGED SODA-LIME GLASS

Cu-alkali ion exchange in silicate glasses gives rise to a peculiar copper distribution, with the presence of both the Cu2+ and Cu+ oxidation states. Grazing incidence X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry were performed on different ion-exchanged samples. The results show that the Cu2+/Cu+ ratio is strongly depth-dependent. The relative presence of the two species throughout the exchanged region turns out to be governed by their different diffusion regimes, while the chemistry of the redox process is shown to play a minor role. A phenomenological model is proposed to describe the diffusion process

Silver doping of silica-hafnia waveguides containing Tb3+/Yb3+ rare earths for downconversion in PV solar cells

The aim of this paper is to study the possibility to obtain an efficient downconverting waveguide which combines the quantum cutting properties of Tb3+/Yb3+ codoped materials with the optical sensitizing effects provided by silver doping. The preparation of 70SiO(2)-30HfO(2) glass and glass-ceramic waveguides by sol-gel route, followed by Ag doping by immersion in molten salt bath is reported. The films were subsequently annealed in air to induce the migration and/or aggregation of the metal ions. Results of compositional and optical characterization are given, providing evidence for the successful introduction of Ag in the films, while the photoluminescence emission is strongly dependent on the annealing conditions. These films could find potential applications as downshifting layers to increase the efficiency of PV solar cells. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Relationship between programmed cell death and the cell cycle in the tobacco BY-2 cell line

Ethylene is an established plant growth regulator linked with programmed cell death (PCD). To investigate the relationship between the cell cycle and PCD, ethylene was used to see if it induced mortality in a cell cycle specific manner. Tobacco BY-2 cultures synchronized with aphidicolin were treated with ethylene. Cell cycle progression and mortality, measured at hourly intervals, showed distinct peaks of mortality at the G2/M boundary and S-phase. In conjunction with this, DNA fragmentation increased at G2/M. Furthermore, ethylene caused a significant reduction in cell size of the cycling population. Simultaneous addition of silver nitrate with ethylene ameliorated ethylene-induced G2/M mortality, although a toxic effect of silver alone was evident. Due to the toxicity of silver, 1-MCP, an alternative chemical for blocking ethylene receptors was used. 1-MCP neither affected the BY-2 cell cycle nor mortality levels. In addition, 1-MCP ameliorated ethylene-induced G2/M mortality. To balance the chemical approaches to blocking ethylene receptors, tobacco BY-2 cells were transformed with Atetrl that encodes a dominant insensitive form of the Arabidopsis ETR1 ethylene receptor. Atetrl expression caused a massive perturbation to the tobacco BY-2 cell cycle, especially in S-phase, and resulted in high levels of mortality throughout the cell cycle. Ethylene treatment caused a doubling of G2 duration but did not affect temporal distribution of mortality. However, ethylene treatment generated a peak of mortality in S-phase. These results suggest that ethylene induces PCD at G2/M through the known ethylene signaling pathway. Furthermore, it confirms that 1-MCP and Atetrl result in ethylene insensitivity. To examine the G2/M transition, Spcdc25, a positive regulator of G2/M in fission yeast was transformed into the tobacco BY-2 cell line. This resulted in premature entry into mitosis, a shortened cell cycle, and reduced cell size. This was similar to Spcdc25 over-expression in fission yeast and suggests the presence of a CDC25-like phosphatase in plants.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Musicians as Researchers - Insight or Insanity?

In the current university context, many highly-proficient music performers enrol in higher education degrees by research. While at first glance those enrolled may seem to be moving from an area of expertise to an area of inexperience, in many cases the individual may in fact have already developed a range of research skills in the course of becoming highly proficient in their chosen field. Many expert musicians seek to further develop their craft through embarking on research degrees and/or seek inspiration through what they aim to discover. Research is a highly valued skill among many musicians pursuing fine music making. In this paper, we will investigate the motivations of musicians for enrolling in a higher degree by research, including the reasons why they choose research as a way of expanding their skills as performers, and the expected outcomes of their research studies

Fertilizing Nature: A Tragedy of Excess in the Commons

Why has nitrogen fertilizer use declined in some countries while increasing in others, despite significant environmental harm? Proper crop management strategies offer environmental and economic benefits without sacrificing yields

SILVER-SENSITIZED ERBIUM-DOPED ION-EXCHANGED SOL-GEL WAVEGUIDES

Ag- and Er-doped glass films have been synthesized with a combined sol–gel and ion-exchange route. The introduction of silver as erbium sensitizer in the film was obtained by ion exchanging Er-doped SiO2–Al2O3–Na2O sol–gel films. The films were subsequently annealed under controlled atmosphere to induce the migration and aggregation of the metal ions. Films showed different Er3+ photoluminescence behaviors depending on silver concentration and aggregation state. The interaction between erbium ions and Ag centers has been investigated and enhancement of the excitation cross section due to the silver sensitizing effect has been demonstrated. The developed synthesis also allowed the realization of erbiumdoped channel waveguides by a selective Na–Ag ion-exchange process

Effects of Glyphosate and its Formulation, Roundup, on Reproduction in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

This is an open access article that is freely available in ORE or from the publisher's web site. Please cite the published version.Copyright © 2014 American Chemical SocietyRoundup and its active ingredient glyphosate are among the most widely used herbicides worldwide and may contaminate surface waters. Research suggests both Roundup and glyphosate induce oxidative stress in fish and may also cause reproductive toxicity in mammalian systems. We aimed to investigate the reproductive effects of Roundup and glyphosate in fish and the potential associated mechanisms of toxicity. To do this, we conducted a 21-day exposure of breeding zebrafish (Danio rerio) to 0.01, 0.5, and 10 mg/L (glyphosate acid equivalent) Roundup and 10 mg/L glyphosate. 10 mg/L glyphosate reduced egg production but not fertilization rate in breeding colonies. Both 10 mg/L Roundup and glyphosate increased early stage embryo mortalities and premature hatching. However, exposure during embryogenesis alone did not increase embryo mortality, suggesting that this effect was caused primarily by exposure during gametogenesis. Transcript profiling of the gonads revealed 10 mg/L Roundup and glyphosate induced changes in the expression of cyp19a1 and esr1 in the ovary and hsd3b2, cat, and sod1 in the testis. Our results demonstrate that these chemicals cause reproductive toxicity in zebrafish, although only at high concentrations unlikely to occur in the environment, and likely mechanisms of toxicity include disruption of the steroidogenic biosynthesis pathway and oxidative stress.Natural Environment Research Counci