Electromechanical Modulations in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanosheets: Implications for Environmental Sensors

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are key players in the two-dimensional materials nanoarena due to their exquisite optoelectronic properties under a standard environment (room temperature and atmospheric pressure). Nevertheless, as reported in the literature, they may also portray interesting physical properties under different environments. Here, we show two distinct and significant electromechanical modulations in TMD nanosheets which are tuned by the environmental conditions (applied pressure and adsorbents). Using scanning probe microscopy techniques, we modify the environmental conditions and observe steplike rises in the electrical response of all studied TMDs (MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, and WSe2—monolayers and few layers). Ab initio calculations enable full understanding of specific mechanisms behind these electromechanical modulations, which may find important applications in the design of TMD-based environmental sensors

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Estudo da influência das concentrações de monômero principal e de agente reticulante na estrutura do gel poli(N-isopropilacrilamida) através de espectroscopia de aniquilação de pósitrons

Neste trabalho, os géis termossensíveis poli(N-isopropilacrilamida) - IPAA - foram caracterizados através de Espectroscopia de Vida Média de Pósitrons (EVMP) e Análise Térmica como função das concentrações do monômero principal N-isopropilacrilamida e do agente reticulante N,N'-Metilenobisacrilamida. A EVMP foi usada para determinar o raio médio dos volumes livres dos géis. Os géis IPAA foram sintetizados em solução aquosa via radicais livres. Após a síntese, os géis foram cortados em cubos, lavados e secos em estufa. Depois de secos foram moídos e caracterizados através de Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC). Os géis com composição de monômero principal e agente reticulante variando de 10x1 a 10x6, 10x1 a 16x1 e 10x1 a 16x6 mostraram um raio médio em torno de 2,8Å. O volume livre estimado para os géis não variaram com a variação da composição de monômero principal e agente reticulante. Os resultados foram interpretados em termos da estrutura desses géis

Experimental yellow fever in the Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri spp.): hematological, biochemical, and immunological findings

National Council for Scientific and Technological Development—CNPq to PFCV (process 401,558/2013-4 and process 303.999/2016-0). RBT was a visiting scientist at the IEC during the experimental study with financial support of CNPqMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil / Federal University of Pará. Postgraduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents. Belém, PA, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilUniversity of Texas Medical Branch. Department of Pathology. Galveston, TX, USA.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil / Pará State University. Department of Pathology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Between 2016 and 2018, Brazil experienced the largest sylvatic epidemic of yellow fever virus (YFV). Despite to the magnitude and rapid spread of the epidemic, little is known about YFV dispersion. The study evaluated whether the squirrel monkey is a good model for yellow fever (YF) studies. Methods: Ten animals were infected with 1 × 106 PFU/mL of YFV, with one negative control. Blood samples were collected daily during the first 7 days and at 10, 20 and 30 days post infection (dpi) for detection of viral load and cytokines by RT-qPCR; measurements of AST, ALT, urea and creatinine were taken; IgM/IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA, and hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization tests were performed. The animals exhibited fever, flushed appearance, vomiting and petechiae, and one animal died. Viremia was detected between 1 and 10 dpi, and IgM/IgG antibodies appeared between 4 and 30 dpi. The levels of AST, ALT and urea increased. The immune responses were characterized by expression of S100 and CD11b cells; endothelial markers (VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and VLA-4), cell death and stress (Lysozyme and iNOS); and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β). The squirrel monkeys showed changes similar to those described in humans with YF, and are a good experimental model for the study of YF