Atmospheric pressure roll-to-roll plasma enhanced CVD of high quality silica-like bilayer encapsulation films

A glow like atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge in a roll-to-roll setup was used to synthesize 90 nm silica-like bilayer encapsulation films composed of a 30 nm dense “barrier layer” and a comparatively less dense 60 nm “buffer layer” onto a polyethylene 2,6 naphthalate substrate by means of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Tetraethyl orthosilicate was used as the precursor gas, together with a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. The microstructure, chemical composition, morphology, and permeation properties of the films were studied as a function of the specific energy delivered per precursor molecule, and oxygen concentration in the gas mixture, during the deposition of the barrier layer. The presence of the buffer layer within the bilayer architecture critically enhanced the encapsulation performance of the bilayer films, and this in conjunction with increasing the specific energy delivered per precursor molecule during the barrier layer deposition to a value of 20 keV, enabled an effective water vapor transmission rate as low as 6.9 × 10−4 g m−2 d−1 (at 40 °C, 90% relative humidity (RH)) to be achieved. Furthermore, the bilayer film structure has given rise to a remarkable 50% reduction in deposition energy consumption per barrier area with respect to single layer silica-like films of equivalent encapsulation performance and thickness.</p

Interrelations between viral load and cellular immunity in patients with COVID-19 of varying severity

Assessment of viral load levels in various biological samples taken from the respiratory tract can be an indicator of an ongoing process of active viral replication and may be used to monitor severe respiratory viral infections. The study of the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and immunological laboratory parameters is an important step in the search for clinical markers of COVID-19.The aim of this research was to quantify viral load in patients with COVID-19 and to identify the relation-ship between viral load and changes in the parameters of the cellular component of the immune system.A laboratory examination was carried out on 74 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, they were divided into 3 groups based on the severity of the disease: mild, moderate, severe. Total viral load in clinical samples was determined by the number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies per 100 copies of the reference RNaseP gene.     A comprehensive assessment of the cellular component of the immune system was performed using flow cytometry and direct monoclonal antibodies, and the IL-6, and C-reactive protein concentrations were determined.We revealed a relationship between the development of serious clinical conditions in the patients with COVID-19, and the levels of viral load. High levels of viral RNA in biological samples correlate with main indicators of the T cell component of the immune system associated with disease severity. In a subgroup of patients with an extremely high viral load, strong positive correlations were found between the relative numbers of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD3+CD8+), activated T lymphocytes (CD3+HLA-DR+), as well as absolute and relative numbers of activated B lymphocytes and NK cells (CD3-CD25+).Laboratory monitoring of the cellular component of the immune system, along with the assessment of viral loads, should improve  early assessment of clinical condition in the patients with COVID-19. Changes   in expression levels of activation markers on immune cells can be potentially viewed as indicators of recovery during COVID-19

Taming the terminological tempest in invasion science

\ua9 2024 The Authors. Biological Reviews published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd on behalf of Cambridge Philosophical Society. Standardised terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion science – a dynamic and rapidly evolving discipline – the proliferation of technical terminology has lacked a standardised framework for its development. The result is a convoluted and inconsistent usage of terminology, with various discrepancies in descriptions of damage and interventions. A standardised framework is therefore needed for a clear, universally applicable, and consistent terminology to promote more effective communication across researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers. Inconsistencies in terminology stem from the exponential increase in scientific publications on the patterns and processes of biological invasions authored by experts from various disciplines and countries since the 1990s, as well as publications by legislators and policymakers focusing on practical applications, regulations, and management of resources. Aligning and standardising terminology across stakeholders remains a challenge in invasion science. Here, we review and evaluate the multiple terms used in invasion science (e.g. ‘non-native’, ‘alien’, ‘invasive’ or ‘invader’, ‘exotic’, ‘non-indigenous’, ‘naturalised’, ‘pest’) to propose a more simplified and standardised terminology. The streamlined framework we propose and translate into 28 other languages is based on the terms (i) ‘non-native’, denoting species transported beyond their natural biogeographic range, (ii) ‘established non-native’, i.e. those non-native species that have established self-sustaining populations in their new location(s) in the wild, and (iii) ‘invasive non-native’ – populations of established non-native species that have recently spread or are spreading rapidly in their invaded range actively or passively with or without human mediation. We also highlight the importance of conceptualising ‘spread’ for classifying invasiveness and ‘impact’ for management. Finally, we propose a protocol for classifying populations based on (i) dispersal mechanism, (ii) species origin, (iii) population status, and (iv) impact. Collectively and without introducing new terminology, the framework that we present aims to facilitate effective communication and collaboration in invasion science and management of non-native species

Taming the terminological tempest in invasion science

Standardized terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion science — a dynamic and quickly evolving discipline — the rapid proliferation of technical terminology has lacked a standardized framework for its language development. The result is a convoluted and inconsistent usage of terminology, with various discrepancies in descriptions of damages and interventions. A standardized framework is therefore needed for a clear, universally applicable, and consistent terminology to promote more effective communication across researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers. Inconsistencies in terminology stem from the exponential increase in scientific publications on the patterns and processes of biological invasions authored by experts from various disciplines and countries since the 1990s, as well as publications by legislators and policymakers focusing on practical applications, regulations, and management of resources. Aligning and standardizing terminology across stakeholders remains a prevailing challenge in invasion science. Here, we review and evaluate the multiple terms used in invasion science (e.g. 'non-native', 'alien', 'invasive' or 'invader', 'exotic', 'non-indigenous', 'naturalized, 'pest') to propose a more simplified and standardized terminology. The streamlined framework we propose and translate into 28 other languages is based on the terms (i) 'non-native', denoting species transported beyond their natural biogeographic range, (ii) 'established non-native', i.e. those non-native species that have established self-sustaining populations in their new location(s) in the wild, and (iii) 'invasive non-native' — populations of established non-native species that have recently spread or are spreading rapidly in their invaded range actively or passively with or without human mediation. We also highlight the importance of conceptualizing 'spread' for classifying invasiveness and 'impact' for management. Finally, we propose a protocol for classifying populations based on (1) dispersal mechanism, (2) species origin, (3) population status, and (4) impact. Collectively and without introducing new terminology, the framework that we present aims to facilitate effective communication and collaboration in invasion science and management of non-native species

Taming the terminological tempest in invasion science

Standardised terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion science – a dynamic and rapidly evolving discipline – the proliferation of technical terminology has lacked a standardised framework for its development. The result is a convoluted and inconsistent usage of terminology, with various discrepancies in descriptions of damage and interventions. A standardised framework is therefore needed for a clear, universally applicable, and consistent terminology to promote more effective communication across researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers. Inconsistencies in terminology stem from the exponential increase in scientific publications on the patterns and processes of biological invasions authored by experts from various disciplines and countries since the 1990s, as well as publications by legislators and policymakers focusing on practical applications, regulations, and management of resources. Aligning and standardising terminology across stakeholders remains a challenge in invasion science. Here, we review and evaluate the multiple terms used in invasion science (e.g. ‘non-native’, ‘alien’, ‘invasive’ or ‘invader’, ‘exotic’, ‘non-indigenous’, ‘naturalised’, ‘pest’) to propose a more simplified and standardised terminology. The streamlined framework we propose and translate into 28 other languages is based on the terms (i) ‘non-native’, denoting species transported beyond their natural biogeographic range, (ii) ‘established non-native’, i.e. those non-native species that have established self-sustaining populations in their new location(s) in the wild, and (iii) ‘invasive non-native’ – populations of established non-native species that have recently spread or are spreading rapidly in their invaded range actively or passively with or without human mediation. We also highlight the importance of conceptualising ‘spread’ for classifying invasiveness and ‘impact’ for management. Finally, we propose a protocol for classifying populations based on (i) dispersal mechanism, (ii) species origin, (iii) population status, and (iv) impact. Collectively and without introducing new terminology, the framework that we present aims to facilitate effective communication and collaboration in invasion science and management of non-native species

ВПЛИВ НА ЛЮМІНЕСЦЕНТНІ ВЛАСТИВОСТІ АГРЕГАТНОГО СТАНУ β-ДИКЕТОНАТІВ ЛАНТАНІДІВ

The complexes Eu3+ and Tb3+ with thienyl, phenyl and alkyl derivatives of acetylacetone with different chain length and the structure of the fl uorinated substituent (RF) were studied. In accordance with the triplet levels of β-diketones, in the complexes the energy transfer from them to the Eu3+ ion is possible with all the reagents used, and to the Tb3+ ion only in complexes with the phenyl and alkyl derivatives of acetylacetone. The intensity of the luminescence of Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes is found to increase in solutions in the transition from non-fl uorinated β-diketones to fluorinated ones and also with the extension of RF: CF3–C3F7–C6F13–C8F17. However, in the transition to the sorbates of these complexes on PMMA and their fi lms, with RF elongation, their luminescence intensity is decreased, which may be due to steric hindrances for coordination of the Ln3+ ion with PMMA produced by the long fl uoroalkyl substituent. In connection with this, in a solid form, the luminescence intensity of Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes with fluorinated β-diketones is the higher, the shorter the RF. However, with all the β-diketones studied, the luminescence intensity of the Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes increases by 1-3 orders of magnitude when passing from solution to solid state. The measured lifetimes of the luminescence of Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes with fluorinated β-diketones for sorbates and films are 1.5-2.6 times higher than the corresponding values for solutions. In addition, the investigated complex compounds showed a sufficiently high photostability to short-wave radiation under continuous irradiation, which can be used to expand the possibility of their practical application in solving scientific and scientific technical problems.В роботі досліджені комплекси Eu3+ і Tb3+ з тіенільнимі, фенільними і алкільними похідними ацетилацетону з різною довжиною ланцюга і будовою фторованого заступника (RF). Згідно з триплетними рівнями β-дикетонів, в комплексах перенос енергії від них до іона Eu3+ можливий з усіма використовуваними реагентами, а до іона Tb3+ тільки в комплексах з фенільними і алкільними похідними ацетилацетону. Знайдено, що в розчинах інтенсивність люмінесценції комплексів Eu3+ і Tb3+ зростає при переходівід нефторованих β-дикетонов до фторованих, а також з подовженням RF: CF3-C3F7-C6F13-C8F17. Однак при переході до сорбатів цих комплексів на ПММА і їх плівкам, з подовженням RF, спостерігається зниження їх інтенсивності люмінесценції, що може бути обумовлено стеричними перешкодами для координації іона Ln3+ з ПММА, створюваними довгим фторалкільним заступником. У зв’язку з цим, в твердому стані інтенсивність люмінесценції комплексів Eu3+ і Tb3+ з фторованими β-дикетонами тим вище, чим коротше RF. Однак, з усіма дослідженими β-дикетонами інтенсивність люмінесценції комплексів Eu3+ і Tb3+ зростає при переході від розчинів до твердого стану на 1-3 по-рядки величини. Виміряні значення часу життя люмінесценції комплексів Eu3+ і Tb3+ з фторованими β-дикетонами для сорбатів і плівок також в 1.5-2.6 рази перевершують відповідні величини їх для розчинів. Крім цього, досліджувані комплексні сполуки показали досить високу фотостійкість до короткохвильового випромінювання при безперервному опроміненні. Таким чином, на прикладі β-дикетонатів Eu3+ і Tb3+ показано вплив на інтенсивність і час життя люмінесценції як будови ліганду, так і агрегатного стану комплексу (розчин або твердий стан), що обумовлює відмінність люмінесцентних характеристик на порядки одиниць і може бути використано для розширення можливості їх практичного застосування при вирішенні наукових і науково-технічних проблем

INFLUENCE ON LUMINESCENT PROPERTIES OF THE AGGREGATE STATE OF LANTHANIDE β-DIKETONATES

The complexes Eu3+ and Tb3+ with thienyl, phenyl and alkyl derivatives of acetylacetone with different chain length and the structure of the fl uorinated substituent (RF) were studied. In accordance with the triplet levels of β-diketones, in the complexes the energy transfer from them to the Eu3+ ion is possible with all the reagents used, and to the Tb3+ ion only in complexes with the phenyl and alkyl derivatives of acetylacetone. The intensity of the luminescence of Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes is found to increase in solutions in the transition from non-fl uorinated β-diketones to fluorinated ones and also with the extension of RF: CF3–C3F7–C6F13–C8F17. However, in the transition to the sorbates of these complexes on PMMA and their fi lms, with RF elongation, their luminescence intensity is decreased, which may be due to steric hindrances for coordination of the Ln3+ ion with PMMA produced by the long fl uoroalkyl substituent. In connection with this, in a solid form, the luminescence intensity of Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes with fluorinated β-diketones is the higher, the shorter the RF. However, with all the β-diketones studied, the luminescence intensity of the Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes increases by 1-3 orders of magnitude when passing from solution to solid state. The measured lifetimes of the luminescence of Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes with fluorinated β-diketones for sorbates and films are 1.5-2.6 times higher than the corresponding values for solutions. In addition, the investigated complex compounds showed a sufficiently high photostability to short-wave radiation under continuous irradiation, which can be used to expand the possibility of their practical application in solving scientific and scientific technical problems