208 research outputs found
Squeezing out the last 1 nanometer of water: A detailed nanomechanical study
In this study, we present a detailed analysis of the squeeze-out dynamics of
nanoconfined water confined between two hydrophilic surfaces measured by
small-amplitude dynamic atomic force microscopy (AFM). Explicitly considering
the instantaneous tip-surface separation during squeezeout, we confirm the
existence of an adsorbed molecular water layer on mica and at least two
hydration layers. We also confirm the previous observation of a sharp
transition in the viscoelastic response of the nanoconfined water as the
compression rate is increased beyond a critical value (previously determined to
be about 0.8 nm/s). We find that below the critical value, the tip passes
smoothly through the molecular layers of the film, while above the critical
speed, the tip encounters "pinning" at separations where the film is able to
temporarily order. Pre-ordering of the film is accompanied by increased force
fluctuations, which lead to increased damping preceding a peak in the film
stiffness once ordering is completed. We analyze the data using both
Kelvin-Voigt and Maxwell viscoelastic models. This provides a complementary
picture of the viscoelastic response of the confined water film
Environmentally conscious consumption patterns in Hungarian households
This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature on the theoretical aspects of sustainable consumption. The conditions for consumers’ social responsibility and the formation of environmentally conscious behavior patterns will also be discussed, along with possible methods for motivating behavioral changes. The authors have completed a primary research study with the purpose of surveying environmentally conscious consumption patterns in Hungary. They also examined how the provision of appropriate information and the raising of awareness might encourage sustainable consumption. According to their findings, the respondents’ knowledge on environmentally conscious behavior was rather limited, and reinforcement was needed in identifying appropriate activity alternatives. This paper provides a summary of the qualitative research phase which employed in-depth interviews, logging and focus groups. The consecutive application of these methods enabled the authors to keep track of the process and the consequences of raising awareness
Gender invariance and psychometric properties of the Non-Productive Thoughts Questionnaire for Children
Landscape of transcription in human cells
Eukaryotic cells make many types of primary and processed RNAs that are found either in specific subcellular compartments or throughout the cells. A complete catalogue of these RNAs is not yet available and their characteristic subcellular localizations are also poorly understood. Because RNA represents the direct output of the genetic information encoded by genomes and a significant proportion of a cell’s regulatory capabilities are focused on its synthesis, processing, transport, modification and translation, the generation of such a catalogue is crucial for understanding genome function. Here we report evidence that three-quarters of the human genome is capable of being transcribed, as well as observations about the range and levels of expression, localization, processing fates, regulatory regions and modifications of almost all currently annotated and thousands of previously unannotated RNAs. These observations, taken together, prompt a redefinition of the concept of a gene
Antimycobacterial activity of peptide conjugate of pyridopyrimidine derivative against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a series of in vitro and in vivo models
New pyridopyrimidine derivatives were defined using a novel HTS in silico docking method
(FRIGATE). The target protein was a dUTPase enzyme (EC 3.6.1.23; Rv2697) which plays a key
role in nucleotide biosynthesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Top hit molecules were
assayed in vitro for their antimycobacterial effect on Mtb H37Rv culture. In order to enhance the
cellular uptake rate, the TB820 compound was conjugated to a peptid-based carrier and a
nanoparticle type delivery system (polylactide-co-glycolide, PLGA) was applied. The conjugate had
relevant in vitro antitubercular activity with low in vitro and in vivo toxicity. In a Mtb H37Rv
infected guinea pig model the in vivo efficacy of orally administrated PLGA encapsulated
compound was proved: animals maintained a constant weight gain and no external clinical signs of
tuberculosis were observed. All tissue homogenates from lung, liver and kidney were found
negative for Mtb, and diagnostic autopsy showed that no significant malformations on the tissues
occurred
Signatures of Stripe Phases in Hole Doped
We study nickelate-centered and oxygen-centered stripe phases in doped
LaNiO materials. We use an inhomogeneous Hartree-Fock and
random-phase approximation approach including both electron-electron and
electron-lattice(e-l) coupling for a layer of LaNiO. We find that
whether the ground state after commensurate hole doping comprises Ni-centered
or O-centered charge-localized stripes depends sensitively on the e-l
interaction. With increasing e-l interaction strength, a continuous transition
from an O-centered stripe phase to a Ni-centered one is found. Various low- and
high-energy signatures of these two kinds of stripe phases are predicted, which
can clearly distinguish them. These signatures reflect the strongly correlated
spin-charge-lattice features in the vicinity of Ni-centered or O-centered
stripe domains. The importance of e-l interaction for recent experiments on
stripe phases is discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures, to appear in Phys.Rev.B(July 1,1998
(U-Th)/He geochronology of the Late Pleistocene dacite of the Csomád (Ciomadul) volcano (South-East Carpathians)
Effect of Temperature and Mechanical Stress on Barrier Properties of Polymeric Films Used for Food Packaging
Integrating Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for people with COPD and frailty starting pulmonary rehabilitation: the Breathe Plus feasibility trial protocol.
One in five people with COPD also lives with frailty. People living with both COPD and frailty are at increased risk of poorer health and outcomes, and face challenges to completing pulmonary rehabilitation. Integrated approaches that are adapted to the additional context of frailty are required. The aim of the present study is to determine the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial of an integrated Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for people with COPD and frailty starting pulmonary rehabilitation. This is a multicentre, mixed-methods, assessor-blinded, randomised, parallel group, controlled feasibility trial ("Breathe Plus"; ISRCTN13051922). We aim to recruit 60 people aged ≥50 with both COPD and frailty referred for pulmonary rehabilitation. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to receive usual pulmonary rehabilitation, or pulmonary rehabilitation with an additional Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. Outcomes (physical, psycho-social and service use) will be measured at baseline, 90 days and 180 days. We will also collect service and trial process data, and conduct qualitative interviews with a sub-group of participants and staff. We will undertake descriptive analysis of quantitative feasibility outcomes (recruitment, retention, missing data, blinding, contamination, fidelity), and framework analysis of qualitative feasibility outcomes (intervention acceptability and theory, outcome acceptability). Recommendations on progression to a full trial will comprise integration of quantitative and qualitative data, with input from relevant stakeholders. This study has been approved by a UK Research Ethics Committee (ref.: 19/LO/1402). This protocol describes the first study testing the feasibility of integrating a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment alongside pulmonary rehabilitation, and testing this intervention within a mixed-methods randomised controlled trial
- …