Nanomechanical characterization by double-pass force-distance mapping

Cataloged from PDF version of article.We demonstrate high speed force–distance mapping using a double-pass scheme. The topography is measured in tapping mode in the first pass and this information is used in the second pass to move the tip over the sample. In the second pass, the cantilever dither signal is turned off and the sample is vibrated. Rapid (few kHz frequency) force–distance curves can be recorded with small peak interaction force, and can be processed into an image. Such a double-pass measurement eliminates the need for feedback during force–distance measurements. The method is demonstrated on self-assembled peptidic nanofibers

Using Eddy Covariance Sensors to Quantify Carbon Metabolism of Peatlands: A Case Study in Turkey

Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide (CO2) was measured in a cool temperate peatland in northwestern Turkey on a continuous basis using eddy covariance (EC) sensors and multiple (non-)linear regression-M(N)LR-models. Our results showed that hourly NEE varied between −1.26 and 1.06 mg CO2 m−2 s−1, with a mean value of 0.11 mg CO2 m−2 s−1. Nighttime ecosystem respiration (RE) was on average measured as 0.23 ± 0.09 mg CO2 m−2 s−1. Two best-fit M(N)LR models estimated daytime RE as 0.64 ± 0.31 and 0.24 ± 0.05 mg CO2 m−2 s−1. Total RE as the sum of nighttime and daytime RE ranged from 0.47 to 0.87 mg CO2 m−2 s−1, thus yielding estimates of gross primary productivity (GPP) at −0.35 ± 0.18 and −0.74 ± 0.43 mg CO2 m−2 s−1. Use of EC sensors and M(N)LR models is one of the most direct ways to quantify turbulent CO2 exchanges among the soil, vegetation and atmosphere within the atmospheric boundary layer, as well as source and sink behaviors of ecosystems

EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) : Study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial

More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369

Evaluation of an extract of the Punica granatum flower as a biological stain of rat tissues: a preliminary study

Natural dyes and especially hematoxylin, which is herbal, are widely used in staining tissues. The aim of this study is to evaluate the staining status of different tissues taken from rats with pomegranate flower extract. For this reason, 2 Wistar albino rats, one male and one female, were used as stain biomaterial. A histological follow up procedure was applied to the lung, kidney, liver, and heart tissue samples taken from the rats and the unstained preparates of these tissues were prepared. As the source of the dye, the dry flowers of Punica granatum (PG) obtained from local markets of Kayseri were used. Each tissue sample underwent the same staining procedure with the same temperature, duration, and dye solution. Before and after the staining procedure, x40 images of the tissue preparates were taken using a light microscope. Generally, different tones of staining were observed in the nuclei and cytoplasms of all cells and epithelium cells. Staining in parts specific to each tissue occurred. For example, there were light stains on the glomerular cells and the Bowman capsule in the kidney tissue Differences in staining can only be explained by molecular diversity differences in tissue. However, in order to improve the initial staining results obtained in this study, it is possible that working with different temperatures, pH values, mordant substances, and dye that the dye molecules in the extract will provide more vivid colors with different molecules in the tissues

Nano crystalline TiO2 thin films as negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries

PMID = 2344798

Unusual optic disc placement of toxoplasmosis in a diabetic patient

A 44-year-old woman presented to our clinic with reduced vision in the right eye for two weeks. Visual acuity was 4/10 in the right eye. A swelling optic disc, vascular attenuation in the optic nerve head, a few splinter hemorrhages around the optic disc, and moderate vitritis were detected in the right eye. The left eye was normal. She had a diabetes mellitus (DM) history for five years. Serum IgM and IgG found a high titer for toxoplasmosis. A papillitis was diagnosed that was caused by primary toxoplasmosis without any chorioretinal focus. The patient was treated with an appropriate systemic antibiotics for toxoplasmosis and per oral corticosteroid. Optic disc swelling resolved within four weeks. Visual acuity was 9/10 two months later. We aimed to emphasize that the unusual placement of toxoplasmosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of papillitis in diabetic patients. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2015; 4(2.000): 111-113

Agroecosystem model simulations reveal spatial variability in relative productivity in biomass sorghum and maize in Iowa, USA

Biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an annual C4 grass that has emerged as a candidate bioenergy crop but has not been widely grown in the United States. Corn (Zea mays L.), another annual C4 grass, has been produced on a large scale in the United States for biofuels. Iowa leads the nation in both corn and ethanol production. The high productivity of corn in Iowa creates the research question: could biomass sorghum be as or more productive than corn in the state in terms of bioenergy? Efforts to use crop models to fill the gaps left by field experimentation on biomass sorghum have also been limited thus far. To address our research question, we collected biophysical data on biomass sorghum grown in Iowa for two growing seasons, used them to develop a biomass sorghum module in an agroecosystem model (Agro-IBIS), and predict the potential performance of biomass sorghum across Iowa compared to maize. Despite dry conditions in 2019 and 2020, average biomass sorghum yields were 17.20 Mg ha−1. By comparison, average corn aboveground biomass was higher in 2020 (22.02 Mg ha−1). Soil cores indicated average belowground biomass of 1.46 Mg ha−1, with roots concentrated near the surface (73% of biomass above 50 cm in a 1 m core). When biomass sorghum model parameters were calibrated with measured values, model output was in close agreement with measured biomass (slope = 0.932, R2 = 0.91) and evapotranspiration (slope = 0.757, R2 = 0.64). Subsequent regional simulations revealed a notable latitudinal gradient in biomass sorghum yield, with a strong linear relationship between yield and seasonal growing degree-days (R2 = 0.89). When these yields were compared to simulated corn aboveground biomass yields, only 3.4% of the state had biomass sorghum yields that were significantly higher than corn. This number was reduced to 0.3% when comparing the crops in terms of energy ethanol yield. Thus, we conclude biomass sorghum must be improved to be competitive with corn as an annual biofuel crop in Iowa. This study provides a baseline against which to compare advancements in sorghum breeding for biomass and stress tolerance in Iowa.This article is published as Bendorf, J., Heaton, E., Hartman, T., Aslan-Sungur, G. (., & VanLoocke, A. (2022). Agroecosystem model simulations reveal spatial variability in relative productivity in biomass sorghum and maize in Iowa, USA. GCB Bioenergy, 00, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.13004. Posted with permission.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Evaluation of bone mineral density, osteoporosis prevalence and regional risk factors in Turkish women living in Kastamonu: KASTURKOS study

Objectives: This study aims to identify the bone mineral density (BMD) values and the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in Turkish women living in Kastamonu within the purpose of contributing to, Turkish database and to explore whether the characteristics of the regional climate and demographics in different provinces of Turkey, are risk factors, comparing our results with similar studies

Internet Use Among High School Students In Ankara, Turkey

Objective: Internet use has grown considerably in recent years throughout the world, particularly among young people. This study aimed at assessing Internet use among high school students. Methods: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study involving 246 students in 7 classes representing first, second, and third year students (754 persons) at a high school in Ankara, Turkey during March 2001. An Internet use questionnaire comprising 34 questions was used. Results: It was found that 86.5% of the students used the Internet at home. The mean daily Internet use was 2.5 hours during vacation, and less while school was in session. Although 86.5% of students with computers at home had Internet connections, approximately half of the students reported that they had frequently gone to Internet cafe's. Conclusion: Significant differences between boys and girls were found in terms of hours spent on the Internet and purpose of use, and changes over time in hours spent. "Daily" and "weekly" Internet use is more frequent among boys than girls. Boys visit cyber-sex sites more than girls. Those whose weekly Internet use was 4 hours or more were found to have been using the Internet for 36 months or more; they had irregular eating habits, and their relatives complained more frequently on the amount of time they spent on the Internet.Wo