Schwoebel barriers on Si(111) steps and kinks

Motivated by our previous work using the Stillinger-Weber potential, which shows that the [$\overline{2}11$] step on 1$\times$1 reconstructed Si(111) has a Schwoebel barrier of 0.61$\pm$0.07 eV, we calculate here the same barrier corresponding to two types of kinks on this step - one with rebonding between upper and lower terrace atoms (type B) and the other without (type A). From the binding energy of an adatom, without additional relaxation of other atoms, we find that the Schwoebel barrier must be less than 0.39 eV (0.62 eV) for the kink of type A (type B). From the true adatom binding energy we determine the Schwoebel barrier to be 0.15$\pm$0.07eV (0.50$\pm$0.07 eV). The reduction of the Schwoebel barrier due to the presence of rebonding along the step edge or kink site is argued to be a robust feature. However, as the true binding energy plots show discontinuities due to significant movement of atoms at the kink site, we speculate on the possibility of multi-atom processes having smaller Schwoebel barriers.Comment: Manuscript in revtex twocolumn format (7pgs - which includes 14 postscript files). Submitted to the The Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology (Proceedings of the Physics and Chemistry of Semi- conductor Interfaces - 23 (1996)

Composition and Functionality of Lipid Emulsions in Parenteral Nutrition: Examining Evidence in Clinical Applications

Lipid emulsions (LEs), an integral component in parenteral nutrition (PN) feeding, have shifted from the primary aim of delivering non-protein calories and essential fatty acids to defined therapeutic outcomes such as reducing inflammation, and improving metabolic and clinical outcomes. Use of LEs in PN for surgical and critically ill patients is particularly well established, and there is enough literature assigning therapeutic and adverse effects to specific LEs. This narrative review contrarily puts into perspective the fatty acid compositional (FAC) nature of LE formulations, and discusses clinical applications and outcomes according to the biological function and structural functionality of fatty acids and co-factors such as phytosterols, α-tocopherol, emulsifiers and vitamin K. In addition to soybean oil-based LEs, this review covers clinical studies using the alternate LEs that incorporates physical mixtures combining medium- and long-chain triglycerides or structured triglycerides or the unusual olive oil or fish oil. The Jaded score was applied to assess the quality of these studies, and we report outcomes categorized as per immuno-inflammatory, nutritional, clinical, and cellular level FAC changes. It appears that the FAC nature of LEs is the primary determinant of desired clinical outcomes, and we conclude that one type of LE alone cannot be uniformly applied to patient care

Nutrient Composition of Selected Cooked and Processed Snack Foods

Nutrient composition of 27 cooked snack foods and 19 processed snacks was determined. The cooked foods were mostly cereal based, made from wheat flour, rice or rice flour, and almost all of them were traditional Malaysian kuih or dishes. The processed snacks studied were chocolate, cereal, tuber, fish and prawn products. The levels of 19 nutrients were tabulated, expressed as per 100 g edible portion. Selected nutrients in each serving or packet of the foods were also presented. The paper is intended as a contribution to the knowledge on nutrient composition of local snack foods, for which information is still greatly lacking. The number of foods studied is only a fraction of the total number available. More work in this area will have to be carried out, to meet the increasing demand for such data

Review of mathematical models for production planning under uncertainty due to lack of homogeneity: proposal of a conceptual model

[EN] Lack of homogeneity in the product (LHP) appears in some production processes that confer heterogeneity in the characteristics of the products obtained. Supply chains with this issue have to classify the product in different homogeneous subsets, whose quantity is uncertain during the production planning process. This paper proposes a generic framework for reviewing in a unified way the literature about production planning models dealing with LHP uncertainty. This analysis allows the identification of similarities among sectors to transfer solutions between them and gaps existing in the literature for further research. The results of the review show: (1) sectors affected by LHP inherent uncertainty, (2) the inherent LHP uncertainty types modelled, and (3) the approaches for modelling LHP uncertainty most widely employed. Finally, we suggest a conceptual model reflecting the aspects to be considered when modelling the production planning in sectors with LHP in an uncertain environment.This research was initiated within the framework of the project funded by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [Ref. DPI2011-23597] entitled ‘Methods and models for operations planning and order management in supply chains characterised by uncertainty in production due to the lack of product uniformity’ (PLANGES-FHP) already finished. After, the project leading to this application has received funding from the European Union’s research and innovation programme under the H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions with the grant agreement No 691249, Project entitled ’Enhancing and implementing Knowledge based ICT solutions within high Riskand Uncertain Conditions for Agriculture Production Systems’ (RUC-APS).Mundi, I.; Alemany Díaz, MDM.; Poler, R.; Fuertes-Miquel, VS. (2019). 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Biocompatible nanostructured high-velocity oxyfuel sprayed titania coating : Deposition, characterization, and mechanical properties

Nanostructured titania (TiO2) coatings were produced by high-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF) spraying. They were engineered as a possible candidate to replace hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings produced by thermal spray on implants. The HVOF sprayed nanostructured titania coatings exhibited mechanical properties, such as hardness and bond strength, much superior to those of HA thermal spray coatings. In addition to these characteristics, the surface of the nanostructured coatings exhibited regions with nanotextured features originating from the semimolten nanostructured feedstock particles. It is hypothesized that these regions may enhance osteoblast adhesion on the coating by creating a better interaction with adhesion proteins, such as fibronectin, which exhibit dimensions in the order of nanometers. Preliminary osteoblast cell culture demonstrated that this type of HVOF sprayed nanostructured titania coating supported osteoblast cell growth and did not negatively affect cell viability.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Protein-energy wasting and nutritional supplementation in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Background & aims Protein-Energy Wasting (PEW) is the depletion of protein/energy stores observed in the most advanced stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). PEW is highly prevalent among patients on chronic dialysis, and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, high morbidity/mortality rates and increased healthcare costs. This narrative review was aimed at exploring the pathophysiology of PEW in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. The main aspects of nutritional status evaluation, intervention and monitoring in this clinical setting were described, as well as the current approaches for the prevention and treatment of ESRD-related PEW. Methods An exhaustive literature search was performed, in order to identify the relevant studies describing the epidemiology, pathogenesis, nutritional intervention and outcome of PEW in ESRD on hemodialysis. Results and conclusion The pathogenesis of PEW is multifactorial. Loss of appetite, reduced intake of nutrients and altered lean body mass anabolism/catabolism play a key role. Nutritional approach to PEW should be based on a careful and periodic assessment of nutritional status and on timely dietary counseling. When protein and energy intakes are reduced, nutritional supplementation by means of specific oral formulations administered during the hemodialysis session may be the first-step intervention, and represents a valid nutritional approach to PEW prevention and treatment since it is easy, effective and safe. Omega-3 fatty acids and fibers, now included in commercially available preparations for renal patients, could lend relevant added value to macronutrient supplementation. When oral supplementation fails, intradialytic parenteral nutrition can be implemented in selected patients

Reformism, Economic Liberalisation and Popular Mobilisation in Iran

Whereas in other MENA countries the impact of neo-liberal policies has been the subject of intense debate, there are at present few voices that directly analyse or critique its social and political consequences in Iran. This article seeks to address this lacuna by analysing the dynamics of reformism, economic liberalisation and popular mobilisation in Iran. It charts the country’s move from a post-revolutionary populism to a liberalised yet increasingly exclusivist model of politics and compares this to trajectories of economic liberalisation in Egypt. Two distinct outcomes of economic reform are analysed in the first part of the article: Socio-economic exclusion; and the contraction of political rights. In the second half, I investigate the ways successive post-war governments in Iran have packaged neo-liberal reforms, and how their re-imagining of the role of the state has led to differing levels of popular resistance. Finally I argue that under the present administration, political elites increasingly are oriented toward strengthening the state and seeking to limit opposition to their policies. However, the absence of neo-liberal hegemony in Iran means that growing mobilization on socio-economic issues is challenging these policies. The Right in Iranian politics is utilizing this mobilisation to present a populist challenge to the reformists in power

Pancreatic Polypeptide Controls Energy Homeostasis via Npy6r Signaling in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in Mice

SummaryY-receptors control energy homeostasis, but the role of Npy6 receptors (Npy6r) is largely unknown. Young Npy6r-deficient (Npy6r−/−) mice have reduced body weight, lean mass, and adiposity, while older and high-fat-fed Npy6r−/− mice have low lean mass with increased adiposity. Npy6r−/− mice showed reduced hypothalamic growth hormone releasing hormone (Ghrh) expression and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels relative to WT. This is likely due to impaired vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) signaling in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), where we found Npy6r coexpressed in VIP neurons. Peripheral administration of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) increased Fos expression in the SCN, increased energy expenditure, and reduced food intake in WT, but not Npy6r−/−, mice. Moreover, intraperitoneal (i.p.) PP injection increased hypothalamic Ghrh mRNA expression and serum IGF-1 levels in WT, but not Npy6r−/−, mice, an effect blocked by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VPAC) receptors antagonism. Thus, PP-initiated signaling through Npy6r in VIP neurons regulates the growth hormone axis and body composition

A comprehensive evaluation of colonic mucosal isolates of Sutterella wadsworthensis from inflammatory bowel disease

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Individually-tailored multifactorial intervention to reduce falls in the Malaysian Falls Assessment and Intervention Trial (MyFAIT): A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of an individually-tailored multifactorial intervention in reducing falls among at risk older adult fallers in a multi-ethnic, middle-income nation in South-East Asia. Design: Pragmatic, randomized-controlled trial. Setting: Emergency room, medical outpatient and primary care clinic in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participants: Individuals aged 65 years and above with two or more falls or one injurious fall in the past 12 months. Intervention: Individually-tailored interventions, included a modified Otago exercise programme, HOMEFAST home hazards modification, visual intervention, cardiovascular intervention, medication review and falls education, was compared against a control group involving conventional treatment. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary outcome was any fall recurrence at 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were rate of fall and time to first fall. Results: Two hundred and sixty-eight participants (mean age 75.3 ±7.2 SD years, 67% women) were randomized to multifactorial intervention (n = 134) or convention treatment (n = 134). All participants in the intervention group received medication review and falls education, 92 (68%) were prescribed Otago exercises, 86 (64%) visual intervention, 64 (47%) home hazards modification and 51 (38%) cardiovascular intervention. Fall recurrence did not differ between intervention and control groups at 12-months [Risk Ratio, RR = 1.037 (95% CI 0.613–1.753)]. Rate of fall [RR = 1.155 (95% CI 0.846–1.576], time to first fall [Hazard Ratio, HR = 0.948 (95% CI 0.782–1.522)] and mortality rate [RR = 0.896 (95% CI 0.335–2.400)] did not differ between groups. Conclusion: Individually-tailored multifactorial intervention was ineffective as a strategy to reduce falls. Future research efforts are now required to develop culturally-appropriate and affordable methods of addressing this increasingly prominent public health issue in middle-income nations