Polarization reversal in KTP single crystals with surface dielectric layer and at elevated temperatures

The research was made possible in part by Government of the Russian Federation (Act 211, Agreement 02.A03.21.0006) by RFBR (grant 16-02-00724), and by President of Russian Federation grant for young scientists (Contract 14.Y30.17.2837-MK). The equipment of the Ural Center for Shared Use “Modern nanotechnology” Ural Federal University was used

Structural, magnetic and dynamic characterization of liquid crystalline iron(III) Schiff base complexes with asymmetric ligands

The iron(III) complexes that were formed by coordination of the Fe III ion with the asymmetric tridentate liquid crystalline Schiff base ligand (L), the water molecules and the different counterions [PF 6 - (1), NO3 - (2), and Cl- (3)] were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. EPR spectroscopy demonstrated that each of the complexes investigated consists of two types of iron centers: S = 1/2 low-spin (LS) and S = 5/2 high-spin (HS). LS iron complexes 2, 3 and LS complex 1 in the temperature range 4.2-250 K have a (dxz,dyz)4(dxy)1 ground state. Interesting features werefound for the monocationic FeIII complex 1, [Fe(L)X(H2O)2]+X-, with X = PF6 - as the counterion. The LS and HS iron centers of 1 are coupled together antiferromagnetically and form a dimer structure by means of the water molecules and the PF6 - counterion. The second-type of LS and HS centers that are visible by means of EPR spectroscopy were best observed in the liquid crystalline (387-405 K) phase. The monitoring and the simulation of the EPR spectra enabled us to trace the dynamics of changing the number of the second-type of LS centers with respect to the first-type of LS centers. The observed dynamic process is characterized by the enthalpy value ΔH = 27.9 kJ/mol, which was caused by reorientation of the PF6 - counterion. Calculation of the observed g values for the second-type of LS complex 1 indicated that, in this case, the (d xy)2(dxz,dyz)3 ground state is stabilized. The conversion between the electron (dxz,d yz)4(dxy)1/(dxy) 2(dxz,dyz)3 configurations was found to be temperature dependent and was detected in the same material for the first time in iron complexes. We synthesized a novel compound, namely a liquid crystalline iron(III) Schiff base complex with the asymmetric ligand [Fe(L)X(H2O)2]+X-, where X = PF 6 - is the counterion. This compound has a labilelow-spin electron configuration that switches between the (dxz,d yz)4(dxy)1/(dxy) 2(dxz,dyz)3 ground states and is temperature-dependent. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Gas emissions, minerals, and tars associated with three coal fires, Powder River Basin, USA.

Ground-based surveys of three coal fires and airborne surveys of two of the fires were conducted near Sheridan, Wyoming. The fires occur in natural outcrops and in abandoned mines, all containing Paleocene-age subbituminous coals. Diffuse (carbon dioxide (CO(2)) only) and vent (CO(2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane, hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), and elemental mercury) emission estimates were made for each of the fires. Additionally, gas samples were collected for volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis and showed a large range in variation between vents. The fires produce locally dangerous levels of CO, CO(2), H(2)S, and benzene, among other gases. At one fire in an abandoned coal mine, trends in gas and tar composition followed a change in topography. Total CO(2) fluxes for the fires from airborne, ground-based, and rate of fire advancement estimates ranged from 0.9 to 780mg/s/m(2) and are comparable to other coal fires worldwide. Samples of tar and coal-fire minerals collected from the mouth of vents provided insight into the behavior and formation of the coal fires

CariesCare practice guide : consensus on evidence into practice

This CariesCare practice guide is derived from the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) and provides a structured update for dentists to help them deliver optimal caries care and outcomes for their patients. This '4D cycle' is a practice-building format, which both prevents and controls caries and can engage patients as long-term health partners with their practice. CariesCare International (CCI™) promotes a patient-centred, risk-based approach to caries management designed for dental practice. This comprises a health outcomes-focused system that aims to maintain oral health and preserve tooth structure in the long-term. It guides the dental team through a four-step process (4D system), leading to personalised interventions: 1st D: Determine Caries Risk; 2nd D: Detect lesions, stage their severity and assess their activity status; 3rd D: Decide on the most appropriate care plan for the specific patient at that time; and then, finally, 4th D: Do the preventive and tooth-preserving care which is needed (including risk-appropriate preventive care; control of initial non-cavitated lesions; and conservative restorative treatment of deep dentinal and cavitated caries lesions). CariesCare International has designed this practice-friendly consensus guide to summarise best practice as informed by the best available evidence. Following the guide should also increase patient satisfaction, involvement, wellbeing and value, by being less invasive and more health-focused. For the dentist it should also provide benefits at the professional and practice levels including improved medico-legal protection

Counterion effect on the spin-transition properties of the second generation iron(III) dendrimeric complexes

© 2017 Elsevier B.V.The magnetic properties and the influence of counterions on the spin crossover properties of two novel Fe(III) dendrimeric complexes of the second generation, namely [Fe(L)2]+X−, where L = 3,5-di(3,4,5-tris(tetradecyloxy)benzoyloxy)benzoyl-4-oxy-salicylidene-N’-ethyl-N-ethylenediamine X = Cl− (1), ClO4− (2), have been studied for the first time by magnetic susceptibility measurements and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method in a wide (4.2–300 K) temperature range. EPR results showed that compound 1 contains about 98% of high-spin (HS, S = 5/2) and ∼2% of low-spin (LS, S = 1/2) Fe(III) centers, and undergoes an antiferromagnetic ordering below 7 K. The EPR integrated intensity of a broad line (g ≈ 2), corresponding to the HS iron(III) centers, passes through a broad maximum at Tmax ≈ 100 K, which is indicative of short-range correlation effects. The anomalous broadening of this EPR line at low temperatures with the critical exponent β = 1.5 upon approaching the long-range ordering transition (TNEPR = 7 K) from above indicates the quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnetic nature of magnetism in complex 1. The spin-crossover effect is completely suppressed in compound 1. The complex with ClO4− counterion demonstrates a different magnetic behavior. EPR data showed that compound 2 contains about 77% of LS and ∼23% of HS Fe(III) centers at TNEPR = 10.2 K. It displays a partial spin crossover (S = 5/2 ↔ 1/2) above 150 K and undergoes the antiferromagnetic ordering below 10.2 K. The obtained results and the results of DFT calculations allowed us to conclude that a bilayered packing with a chain structure of Fe(III) centers in ionic bilayers is formed in compound 1, whereas a dimeric structure of Fe(III) centers is formed in compound 2. Thus, the ability of the counterion to form an effective network of hydrogen bonds and its size define the packing motif of the [Fe(L)2]+ complexes. Therefore, the replacing of the counterion has a significant impact on the magnetic properties of the compound

Magnetic properties of novel dendrimeric spin crossover iron(III) complex

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. The synthesis and magnetic properties of novel dendrimeric spin crossover Fe(III) complex of formula [Fe(L)2]+PF6 -, where L = 3,5-di(3,4,5-tris(tetradecyloxy)benzoyloxy)benzoyl-4-oxy-salicylidene-N′-ethyl-N-ethylenediamine have been studied for the first time by magnetic susceptibility, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Mössbauer spectroscopy in the wide (2-300 K) temperature range. EPR showed that the compound is magnetically inhomogeneous, consists of two magnetic sub-lattices, displays a partial spin crossover (S=5/2 1/2) of ∼25% of the Fe(III) molecules above 160 K and undergoes the antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering below 10 K. High-spin (HS, S = 5/2) Fe(III) centers with weakly distorted octahedral environment most probably form chains in layers. The dimeric molecules, formed from low-spin (LS, S = 1/2) centers and HS centers with strongly distorted octahedral environment are likely located between the layers and are involved in the spin crossover. EPR has shown the presence of AF dynamical spin clusters in the high temperature (70-300 K) range, which are visible in the short time scale (10-10 s) and could not be registered in the static magnetic measurements. Mössbauer spectra demonstrated in a paramagnetic state of the compound a quadrupole doublet with average isomer shift of 0.35 mm/s and splitting 0.72 mm/s corresponding to HS Fe(III) centers. Below 60 K, the spectra displayed the appearance of magnetic hyperfine structure, whose relaxation nature testifies the collective spin flips of small clusters in the material. Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed the existence of AF ordering in the Fe(III) dendrimeric complex at 5 K

A pilot study to evaluate the application of a generic protein standard panel for quality control of biomarker detection technologies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Protein biomarker studies are currently hampered by a lack of measurement standards to demonstrate quality, reliability and comparability across multiple assay platforms. This is especially pertinent for immunoassays where multiple formats for detecting target analytes are commonly used.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>In this pilot study a generic panel of six non-human protein standards (50 - 10^7 pg/mL) of varying abundance was prepared as a quality control (QC) material. Simulated "normal" and "diseased" panels of proteins were prepared in pooled human plasma and incorporated into immunoassays using the Meso Scale Discovery^®(MSD^®) platform to illustrate reliable detection of the component proteins. The protein panel was also evaluated as a spike-in material for a model immunoassay involving detection of ovarian cancer biomarkers within individual human plasma samples. Our selected platform could discriminate between two panels of the proteins exhibiting small differences in abundance. Across distinct experiments, all component proteins exhibited reproducible signal outputs in pooled human plasma. When individual donor samples were used, half the proteins produced signals independent of matrix effects. These proteins may serve as a generic indicator of platform reliability.</p> <p>Each of the remaining proteins exhibit differential signals across the distinct samples, indicative of sample matrix effects, with the three proteins following the same trend. This subset of proteins may be useful for characterising the degree of matrix effects associated with the sample which may impact on the reliability of quantifying target diagnostic biomarkers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We have demonstrated the potential utility of this panel of standards to act as a generic QC tool for evaluating the reproducibility of the platform for protein biomarker detection independent of serum matrix effects.</p

Voluntary exercise can strengthen the circadian system in aged mice

Consistent daily rhythms are important to healthy aging according to studies linking disrupted circadian rhythms with negative health impacts. We studied the effects of age and exercise on baseline circadian rhythms and on the circadian system's ability to respond to the perturbation induced by an 8 h advance of the light:dark (LD) cycle as a test of the system's robustness. Mice (male, mPer2luc/C57BL/6) were studied at one of two ages: 3.5 months (n = 39) and &gt;18 months (n = 72). We examined activity records of these mice under entrained and shifted conditions as well as mPER2::LUC measures ex vivo to assess circadian function in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and important target organs. Age was associated with reduced running wheel use, fragmentation of activity, and slowed resetting in both behavioral and molecular measures. Furthermore, we observed that for aged mice, the presence of a running wheel altered the amplitude of the spontaneous firing rate rhythm in the SCN in vitro. Following a shift of the LD cycle, both young and aged mice showed a change in rhythmicity properties of the mPER2::LUC oscillation of the SCN in vitro, and aged mice exhibited longer lasting internal desynchrony. Access to a running wheel alleviated some age-related changes in the circadian system. In an additional experiment, we replicated the effect of the running wheel, comparing behavioral and in vitro results from aged mice housed with or without a running wheel (&gt;21 months, n = 8 per group, all examined 4 days after the shift). The impact of voluntary exercise on circadian rhythm properties in an aged animal is a novel finding and has implications for the health of older people living with environmentally induced circadian disruption

Navajo Coal Combustion and Respiratory Health Near Shiprock, New Mexico

Indoor air pollution has been identified as a major risk factor for acute and chronic respiratory diseases throughout the world. In the sovereign Navajo Nation, an American Indian reservation located in the Four Corners area of the USA, people burn coal in their homes for heat. To explore whether/how indoor coal combustion might contribute to poor respiratory health of residents, this study examined respiratory health data, identified household risk factors such as fuel and stove type and use, analyzed samples of locally used coal, and measured and characterized fine particulate airborne matter inside selected homes. In twenty-five percent of homes surveyed coal was burned in stoves not designed for that fuel, and indoor air quality was frequently found to be of a level to raise concerns. The average winter 24-hour PM(2.5) concentration in 20 homes was 36.0 μg/m(3). This is the first time that PM(2.5) has been quantified and characterized inside Navajo reservation residents' homes

The United States of America and Scientific Research

To gauge the current commitment to scientific research in the United States of America (US), we compared federal research funding (FRF) with the US gross domestic product (GDP) and industry research spending during the past six decades. In order to address the recent globalization of scientific research, we also focused on four key indicators of research activities: research and development (R&D) funding, total science and engineering doctoral degrees, patents, and scientific publications. We compared these indicators across three major population and economic regions: the US, the European Union (EU) and the People's Republic of China (China) over the past decade. We discovered a number of interesting trends with direct relevance for science policy. The level of US FRF has varied between 0.2% and 0.6% of the GDP during the last six decades. Since the 1960s, the US FRF contribution has fallen from twice that of industrial research funding to roughly equal. Also, in the last two decades, the portion of the US government R&D spending devoted to research has increased. Although well below the US and the EU in overall funding, the current growth rate for R&D funding in China greatly exceeds that of both. Finally, the EU currently produces more science and engineering doctoral graduates and scientific publications than the US in absolute terms, but not per capita. This study's aim is to facilitate a serious discussion of key questions by the research community and federal policy makers. In particular, our results raise two questions with respect to: a) the increasing globalization of science: “What role is the US playing now, and what role will it play in the future of international science?”; and b) the ability to produce beneficial innovations for society: “How will the US continue to foster its strengths?