Sensing of explosive vapor by hybrid perovskites : effect of dimensionality

Funding: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council under grants EP/T01119X/1 and EP/K503940/1, and the NATO Science for Peace & Security programme under grant agreement MYP G5355.Lead halide perovskites are very promising materials for many optoelectronic devices. They are low cost, photostable, and strongly photoluminescent materials, but so far have been little studied for sensing. In this article, we explore hybrid perovskites as sensors for explosive vapor. We tune the dimensionality of perovskite films in order to modify their exciton binding energy and film morphology and explore the effect on sensing response. We find that tuning from the 3D to the 0D regime increases the PL quenching response of perovskite films to the vapor of dinitrotoluene (DNT)—a molecule commonly found in landmines. We find that films of 0D perovskite nanocrystals work as sensitive and stable sensors, with strong PL responses to DNT molecules at concentrations in the parts per billion range. The PL quenching response can easily be reversed, making the sensors reusable. We compare the response to several explosive vapors and find that the response is strongest for DNT. These results show that hybrid perovskites have great potential for vapor sensing applications.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Distribution and abundance of cephalopods in UK waters: long-term trends and environmental relationships

As part of a project which aimed to evaluate the feasibility of developing indicators of marine ecosystem status based on cephalopods, we analysed spatiotemporal variation in abundance,, and environmental relationships, using trawl survey catch data for cephalopods in UK waters (1980-2013) from Cefas and Marine Scotland Science databases. These data presented some challenges, notably the use of several different trawl gears, variable tow durations, and varying levels of taxonomic resolution. Accounting for gear type and tow duration, data were analysed separately for each cephalopod family and season to account for different phases of the life cycles being present at different times of year. The families investigated were Loliginidae, Octopodidae, Ommastrephidade, Sepiidae and Sepiolidae. A GAM framework was used to summarise spatiotemporal variation in abundance at family level and the relationships of spatial and long-term temporal variation with environmental variables, including depth, substrate (available for inshore waters) and several oceanographic variables (e.g., SST, chl signals), also considering fishing pressure. Long-term trends for each family varied between areas and seasons, although this may reflect the presence of several species within families. In Scotland, where Loligo vulgaris is rare and L. forbesii is normally distinguished from Alloteuthis spp., survey data suggested a peak in abundance of this species around 1990 and a generally increasing trend since the mid-1990s. Spatial patterns in distribution in all families were related to both physiographic and oceanographic features. As expected substrate type had most effect on those families in which eggs are attached to objects on the seabed

Human Leukocyte Antigen Profile Predicts Severity of Autoimmune Liver Disease in Children of European Ancestry

Background and Aims Genetic predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in adults is associated with possession of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I (A*01, B*08) and class II (DRB1*03, ‐04, ‐07, or ‐13) alleles, depending on geographic region. Juvenile autoimmune liver disease (AILD) comprises AIH‐1, AIH‐2, and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC), which are phenotypically different from their adult counterparts. We aimed to define the relationship between HLA profile and disease course, severity, and outcome in juvenile AILD. Approach and Results We studied 236 children of European ancestry (152 female [64%], median age 11.15 years, range 0.8‐17), including 100 with AIH‐1, 59 with AIH‐2, and 77 with ASC. The follow‐up period was from 1977 to June 2019 (median 14.5 years). Class I and II HLA genotyping was performed using PCR/sequence‐specific primers. HLA B*08, ‐DRB1*03, and the A1‐B8‐DR3 haplotype impart predisposition to all three forms of AILD. Homozygosity for DRB1*03 represented the strongest risk factor (8.8). HLA DRB1*04, which independently confers susceptibility to AIH in adults, was infrequent in AIH‐1 and ASC, suggesting protection; and DRB1*15 (DR15) was protective against all forms of AILD. Distinct HLA class II alleles predispose to the different subgroups of juvenile AILD: DRB1*03 to AIH‐1, DRB1*13 to ASC, and DRB1*07 to AIH‐2. Possession of homozygous DRB1*03 or of DRB1*13 is associated with fibrosis at disease onset, and possession of these two genes in addition to DRB1*07 is associated with a more severe disease in all three subgroups. Conclusions Unique HLA profiles are seen in each subgroup of juvenile AILD. HLA genotype might be useful in predicting responsiveness to immunosuppressive treatment and course

Aberrant hepatic trafficking of gut-derived T cells is not specific to primary sclerosing cholangitis

Background and Aims The “gut homing” hypothesis suggests the pathogenesis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is driven by aberrant hepatic expression of gut adhesion molecules and subsequent recruitment of gut‐derived T cells to the liver. However, inconsistencies lie within this theory including an absence of investigations and comparisons with other chronic liver diseases (CLD). Here, we examine “the gut homing theory” in patients with PSC with associated inflammatory bowel disease (PSC‐IBD) and across multiple inflammatory liver diseases. Approach and Results Expression of MAdCAM‐1, CCL25, and E‐Cadherin were assessed histologically and using RT‐PCR on explanted liver tissue from patients with CLD undergoing OLT and in normal liver. Liver mononuclear cells were isolated from explanted tissue samples and the expression of gut homing integrins and cytokines on hepatic infiltrating gut‐derived T cells was assessed using flow cytometry. Hepatic expression of MAdCAM‐1, CCL25 and E‐Cadherin was up‐regulated in all CLDs compared with normal liver. There were no differences between disease groups. Frequencies of α4β7, αEβ7, CCR9, and GPR15 expressing hepatic T cells was increased in PSC‐IBD, but also in CLD controls, compared with normal liver. β7 expressing hepatic T cells displayed an increased inflammatory phenotype compared with β7 negative cells, although this inflammatory cytokine profile was present in both the inflamed and normal liver. Conclusions These findings refute the widely accepted “gut homing” hypothesis as the primary driver of PSC and indicate that aberrant hepatic recruitment of gut‐derived T cells is not unique to PSC, but is a panetiological feature of CLD

Fibronectin rescues estrogen receptor α from lysosomal degradation in breast cancer cells

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is expressed in tissues as diverse as brains and mammary glands. In breast cancer, ERα is a key regulator of tumor progression. Therefore, understanding what activates ERα is critical for cancer treatment in particular and cell biology in general. Using biochemical approaches and superresolution microscopy, we show that estrogen drives membrane ERα into endosomes in breast cancer cells and that its fate is determined by the presence of fibronectin (FN) in the extracellular matrix; it is trafficked to lysosomes in the absence of FN and avoids the lysosomal compartment in its presence. In this context, FN prolongs ERα half-life and strengthens its transcriptional activity. We show that ERα is associated with β1-integrin at the membrane, and this integrin follows the same endocytosis and subcellular trafficking pathway triggered by estrogen. Moreover, ERα+ vesicles are present within human breast tissues, and colocalization with β1-integrin is detected primarily in tumors. Our work unravels a key, clinically relevant mechanism of microenvironmental regulation of ERα signaling.Fil: Sampayo, Rocío Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Instituto de Nanosistemas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Toscani, Andrés Martin. Universidad Nacional de Luján; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Rubashkin, Matthew G.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Thi, Kate. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Masullo, Luciano Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Violi, Ianina Lucila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Bionanociencias "Elizabeth Jares Erijman"; ArgentinaFil: Lakins, Jonathon N.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Caceres, Alfredo Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; ArgentinaFil: Hines, William C.. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Coluccio Leskow, Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján; ArgentinaFil: Stefani, Fernando Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Chialvo, Dante Renato. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología. Centro Internacional de Estudios Avanzados; ArgentinaFil: Bissell, Mina J.. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Weaver, Valerie M.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Simian, Marina. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Instituto de Nanosistemas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentin

Total column ozone climatology from MY34 to MY36 from measurements by the NOMAD-UVIS spectrometer

Near continuous radiance measurements of the martian atmosphere in the 200-650 nm wavelength range by the Ultraviolet and VISible spectrometer (UVIS) (Patel et al., 2017) as part of the NOMAD instrument on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) (Vandaele, et al., 2018) provides a powerful tool for investigating the ozone climatology, the water cycle (from the well established photochemical anti-correlation between water vapour and ozone), and by extension photochemical reactions in the martian atmosphere. Previous observations have shown that, spatially, ozone is observed in three main regions (1) at high northern latitudes (50° - 90° N) through the northern autumn, winter and spring seasons, (2) at equivalent high southern latitudes during the aphelion season, and (3) at low latitudes between 30°S - 30°N from Ls = 30° - 120°, coinciding with observations of the aphelion cloud belt (Bertaux et al., 2000; Clancy et al., 2016; Holmes et al., 2018). Entrapment of ozone in deep depressions, such as Hellas basin (Clancy et al., 2016), has been observed and associated with the meridional transport of O-rich air from northern latitudes and from south polar air being transported to equatorial regions after southern winter. In this study, radiative transfer modelling, that includes multiple scattering from aerosols and surface reflectance, has been used to model the UVIS radiances in the wavelength range 220-310 nm to retrieve the O3 column abundances for the latter half of Mars Year (MY)34 through MY36. We report the spatial distribution of ozone as measured by UVIS, including the observed entrapment and diurnal cycle of ozone within Hellas basin

Evaluation of the feasibility, diagnostic yield, and clinical utility of rapid genome sequencing in infantile epilepsy (Gene-STEPS): an international, multicentre, pilot cohort study

BACKGROUND: Most neonatal and infantile-onset epilepsies have presumed genetic aetiologies, and early genetic diagnoses have the potential to inform clinical management and improve outcomes. We therefore aimed to determine the feasibility, diagnostic yield, and clinical utility of rapid genome sequencing in this population. METHODS: We conducted an international, multicentre, cohort study (Gene-STEPS), which is a pilot study of the International Precision Child Health Partnership (IPCHiP). IPCHiP is a consortium of four paediatric centres with tertiary-level subspecialty services in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA. We recruited infants with new-onset epilepsy or complex febrile seizures from IPCHiP centres, who were younger than 12 months at seizure onset. We excluded infants with simple febrile seizures, acute provoked seizures, known acquired cause, or known genetic cause. Blood samples were collected from probands and available biological parents. Clinical data were collected from medical records, treating clinicians, and parents. Trio genome sequencing was done when both parents were available, and duo or singleton genome sequencing was done when one or neither parent was available. Site-specific protocols were used for DNA extraction and library preparation. Rapid genome sequencing and analysis was done at clinically accredited laboratories, and results were returned to families. We analysed summary statistics for cohort demographic and clinical characteristics and the timing, diagnostic yield, and clinical impact of rapid genome sequencing. FINDINGS: Between Sept 1, 2021, and Aug 31, 2022, we enrolled 100 infants with new-onset epilepsy, of whom 41 (41%) were girls and 59 (59%) were boys. Median age of seizure onset was 128 days (IQR 46-192). For 43 (43% [binomial distribution 95% CI 33-53]) of 100 infants, we identified genetic diagnoses, with a median time from seizure onset to rapid genome sequencing result of 37 days (IQR 25-59). Genetic diagnosis was associated with neonatal seizure onset versus infantile seizure onset (14 [74%] of 19 vs 29 [36%] of 81; p=0·0027), referral setting (12 [71%] of 17 for intensive care, 19 [44%] of 43 non-intensive care inpatient, and 12 [28%] of 40 outpatient; p=0·0178), and epilepsy syndrome (13 [87%] of 15 for self-limited epilepsies, 18 [35%] of 51 for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, 12 [35%] of 34 for other syndromes; p=0·001). Rapid genome sequencing revealed genetic heterogeneity, with 34 unique genes or genomic regions implicated. Genetic diagnoses had immediate clinical utility, informing treatment (24 [56%] of 43), additional evaluation (28 [65%]), prognosis (37 [86%]), and recurrence risk counselling (all cases). INTERPRETATION: Our findings support the feasibility of implementation of rapid genome sequencing in the clinical care of infants with new-onset epilepsy. Longitudinal follow-up is needed to further assess the role of rapid genetic diagnosis in improving clinical, quality-of-life, and economic outcomes. FUNDING: American Academy of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Children's Rare Disease Cohorts Initiative, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Epilepsy Canada, Feiga Bresver Academic Foundation, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, Medical Research Council, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute for Health and Care Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, One8 Foundation, Ontario Brain Institute, Robinson Family Initiative for Transformational Research, The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation, University of Toronto McLaughlin Centre

Removal of straylight from ExoMars NOMAD-UVIS observations

We present an in-flight straylight removal method for the Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrometer (UVIS) channel of the Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery (NOMAD) instrument aboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO). The presence of a ‘red-leak’ straylight signal in the UVIS instrument was discovered post-launch in ground calibration measurements of spectral lamps; UVIS observations of lamps with negligible UV light emission (RS12) showed a significant signal at UV wavelengths. Subsequent analyses of nadir observations of the martian atmosphere revealed that at UV wavelengths the red-leak straylight was in excess of 300% of the true UV signal, jeopardising the primary science observations of the instrument (retrievals of atmospheric ozone). By modifying the UVIS readout method to obtain a region of interest around the illuminated region on the Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) detector, instead of a binned one-dimensional spectrum, and utilising straylight profiles derived from measurements of the RS12 calibration lamp we show that the majority of the straylight at UV wavelengths can be successfully removed for the nadir channel in a self-consistent manner. The corrected UVIS radiances are compared to coincident Mars Color Imager (MARCI) instrument observations with residuals between the two instruments generally remaining within 15%

US Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter 2017: Community Report

This white paper summarizes the workshop "U.S. Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter" held at University of Maryland on March 23-25, 2017.Comment: 102 pages + reference

Vertical Aerosol Distribution and Mesospheric Clouds From ExoMars UVIS

The vertical opacity structure of the martian atmosphere is important for understanding the distribution of ice (water and carbon dioxide) and dust. We present a new data set of extinction opacity profiles from the NOMAD/UVIS spectrometer aboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, covering one and a half Mars Years (MY) including the MY 34 Global Dust Storm and several regional dust storms. We discuss specific mesospheric cloud features and compare with existing literature and a Mars Global Climate Model (MGCM) run with data assimilation. Mesospheric opacity features, interpreted to be water ice, were present during the global and regional dust events and correlate with an elevated hygropause in the MGCM, providing evidence that regional dust storms can boost transport of vapor to mesospheric altitudes (with potential implications for atmospheric escape). The season of the dust storms also had an apparent impact on the resulting lifetime of the cloud features, with events earlier in the dusty season correlating with longer‐lasting mesospheric cloud layers. Mesospheric opacity features were also present during the dusty season even in the absence of regional dust storms, and interpreted to be water ice based on previous literature. The assimilated MGCM temperature structure agreed well with the UVIS opacities, but the MGCM opacity field struggled to reproduce mesospheric ice features, suggesting a need for further development of water ice parameterizations. The UVIS opacity data set offers opportunities for further research into the vertical aerosol structure of the martian atmosphere, and for validation of how this is represented in numerical models