Ultra-fast sampling of terahertz pulses from a quantum cascade laser using superconducting antenna-coupled NbN and YBCO detectors

We demonstrate the ultra-fast detection of terahertz pulses from a quantum cascade laser (QCL) using superconducting NbN and YBCO detectors. This has enabled both the intrapulse and interpulse dynamics of a THz QCL to be measured directly, including interpulse heating effects on sub-μs timescales

Isolation of Resistance-Bearing Microorganisms

To better exploit the principles of gas transport and mass transport during the processes of cell seeding of 3D scaffolds and in vitro culture of 3D tissue engineered constructs, the oscillatory cell culture bioreactor provides a flow of cell suspensions and culture media directly through a porous 3D scaffold (during cell seeding) and a 3D construct (during subsequent cultivation) within a highly gas-permeable closed-loop tube. This design is simple, modular, and flexible, and its component parts are easy to assemble and operate, and are inexpensive. Chamber volume can be very low, but can be easily scaled up. This innovation is well suited to work with different biological specimens, particularly with cells having high oxygen requirements and/or shear sensitivity, and different scaffold structures and dimensions. The closed-loop changer is highly gas permeable to allow efficient gas exchange during the cell seeding/culturing process. A porous scaffold, which may be seeded with cells, is fixed by means of a scaffold holder to the chamber wall with scaffold/construct orientation with respect to the chamber determined by the geometry of the scaffold holder. A fluid, with/without biological specimens, is added to the chamber such that all, or most, of the air is displaced (i.e., with or without an enclosed air bubble). Motion is applied to the chamber within a controlled environment (e.g., oscillatory motion within a humidified 37 C incubator). Movement of the chamber induces relative motion of the scaffold/construct with respect to the fluid. In case the fluid is a cell suspension, cells will come into contact with the scaffold and eventually adhere to it. Alternatively, cells can be seeded on scaffolds by gel entrapment prior to bioreactor cultivation. Subsequently, the oscillatory cell culture bioreactor will provide efficient gas exchange (i.e., of oxygen and carbon dioxide, as required for viability of metabolically active cells) and controlled levels of fluid dynamic shear (i.e., as required for viability of shear-sensitive cells) to the developing engineered tissue construct. This bioreactor was recently utilized to show independent and interactive effects of a growth factor (IGF-I) and slow bidirectional perfusion on the survival, differentiation, and contractile performance of 3D tissue engineering cardiac constructs. The main application of this system is within the tissue engineering industry. The ideal final application is within the automated mass production of tissue- engineered constructs. Target industries could be both life sciences companies as well as bioreactor device producing companies

Microbial Community Structures of Novel Icelandic Hot Spring Systems Revealed by PhyloChip G3 Analysis

Microbial community profiles of recently formed hot spring systems ranging in temperatures from 57°C to 100°C and pH values from 2 to 4 in Hveragerði (Iceland) were analyzed with PhyloChip G3 technology. In total, 1173 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) spanning 576 subfamilies and 38 archaeal OTUs covering 32 subfamilies were observed. As expected, the hyperthermophilic (100°C) spring system exhibited both low microbial biomass and diversity when compared to thermophilic (60°C) springs. Ordination analysis revealed distinct bacterial and archaeal diversity in geographically distinct hot springs. Slight variations in temperature (from 57°C to 64°C) within the interconnected pools led to a marked fluctuation in microbial abundance and diversity. Correlation and PERMANOVA tests provided evidence that temperature was the key environmental factor responsible for microbial community dynamics, while pH, H_(2)S, and SO_2 influenced the abundance of specific microbial groups. When archaeal community composition was analyzed, the majority of detected OTUs correlated negatively with temperature, and few correlated positively with pH. Key Words: Microbial diversity—PhyloChip G3—Acidophilic—Thermophilic—Hot springs—Iceland. Astrobiology 14, xxx–xxx

Associations between dietary patterns and post-bronchodilation lung function in the SAPALDIA cohort

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not restricted to smokers. Dietary habits may contribute to the disease occurrence. Epidemiological studies point to a protective effect of fruit and vegetable intake against COPD. Objective: To investigate the associations between dietary patterns and parameters of lung function related to COPD in the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA). Methods: Data were included from the second follow-up assessment of the SAPALDIA cohort in 2010-2011 using a food frequency questionnaire. Principal component factor analysis was used to derive dietary patterns, whose association with FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF2575, and COPD was investigated by applying multivariate regression analyses. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, the “prudent dietary pattern” characterised by the predominant food groups vegetables, fruits, water, tea and coffee, fish, and nuts was positively associated with FEV1 (increase of 40 mL per SD, p < 0.001). Also for factor 3 (“high-carbohydrate diet”), we found a significant positive association with FEV1 (with an increase per SD of 36 mL, p = 0.006). Conclusions: The main results are consistent with a protective effect of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts against age-related chronic respiratory disease. If confirmed in prospective cohorts, our results may guide nutritional counselling towards respiratory health promotion

Urban Dust Microbiome: Impact on Later Atopy and Wheezing

INTRODUCTION: Investigations in urban areas have just begun to explore how the indoor dust microbiome may affect the pathogenesis of asthma and allery. We aimed to investigate the early fungal and bacterial microbiome in house dust with allergic sensitization and wheezing later in childhood. METHODS: Individual dust samples from 189 homes of the LISAplus birth cohort study were collected shortly after birth from living room floors and profiled for fungal and bacterial microbiome. Fungal and bacterial diversity was assessed with terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (tRFLP) and defined by the Simpson diversity index. Information on wheezing outcomes and co-variates until the age of 10 years was obtained by parental questionnaires. Information on specific allergic sensitization was available at 6 and 10 years. Logistic regression and General Estimation Equation (GEE) models were used to examine the relationship between microbial diversity and health outcomes. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses revealed a significantly reduced risk of developing sensitization to aero-allergens at 6 years and ever wheezing until the age of 10 years for exposure to higher fungal diversity (adjusted Odds Ratio aOR (95%CI): 0.26 (0.10-0.70)), and 0.42 (0.18-0.96), respectively), in adjusted analyses. The associations were attenuated for the longitudinal analyses (GEE) until the age of 10 years. There was no association between higher exposure to bacterial diversity and the tested health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Higher early exposure to fungal diversity might help to prevent from developing sensitization to aero-allergens in early childhood, but the reasons for attenuated effects in later childhood require further prospective studies

Generator voltage stabilisation for series-hybrid electric vehicles

This paper presents a controller for use in speed control of an internal combustion engine for series-hybrid electric vehicle applications. Particular reference is made to the stability of the rectified DC link voltage under load disturbance. In the system under consideration, the primary power source is a four-cylinder normally aspirated gasoline internal combustion engine, which is mechanically coupled to a three-phase permanent magnet AC generator. The generated AC voltage is subsequently rectified to supply a lead-acid battery, and permanent magnet traction motors via three-phase full bridge power electronic inverters. Two complementary performance objectives exist. Firstly to maintain the internal combustion engine at its optimal operating point, and secondly to supply a stable 42 V supply to the traction drive inverters. Achievement of these goals minimises the transient energy storage requirements at the DC link, with a consequent reduction in both weight and cost. These objectives imply constant velocity operation of the internal combustion engine under external load disturbances and changes in both operating conditions and vehicle speed set-points. An electronically operated throttle allows closed loop engine velocity control. System time delays and nonlinearities render closed loop control design extremely problematic. A model-based controller is designed and shown to be effective in controlling the DC link voltage, resulting in the well-conditioned operation of the hybrid vehicle

Factors associated with cessation of smoking among Swiss adults between 1991 and 2011: results from the SAPALDIA cohort

Smoking is still the most preventable cause of disease and premature death in Switzerland, as elsewhere. We aimed to assess the main determinants of smoking cessation in the population-based cohort of SAPALDIA (Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults).; The SAPALDIA study was initiated in 1991 with 9651 participants aged 18 to 60 years from eight areas (S1). Follow-up assessments were conducted in 2002 (S2; 8047 participants) and 2010/11 (S3; 6088 participants). At each survey, detailed information on health and potential health-related factors was collected and lung function measured. Using logistic regression, we assessed predictors of smoking cessation between S1 and S2 and between S2 and S3.; In both periods, highest educational level (summary odds ratio [OR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-2.06; ref. lowest level), FEV1/FVC &lt;0.5 (OR 6.19, 95% CI 2.44-15.7, ref. FEV1/FVC ≥0.7), higher age in men (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03, per year) and overweight (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.16-1.64) were significant predictors of smoking cessation. Nicotine dependence (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.98, per cigarette smoked a day) and female sex between age 45 and 60 (e.g., OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.61-0.91, at age 50) were negatively associated with smoking cessation. Moreover, smokers at S2 reporting a diagnosis of depression were less likely to quit smoking by S3 (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.30-0.93).; Prospective tobacco control policies in Switzerland should be addressed to women, younger persons and persons of lower education