Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Applied To The Study Of Clay Soils

The study of clay soils using photoacoustic spectroscopy was presented. The observation of the photoacoustic spectra showed the transition bands associated with Fe3+ ions in octahedral or tetrahedral symmetry. Rietveld refinements showed that the Al3+ cations were partially substituted by the Fe3+ cations in the octahedral states of kaolinite structure.741 II355357Alexandre, J., Saboya, F., Marques, B.C., Ribeiro, M.L.P., Salles, C., Da Silva, M.G., Sthel, M.S., Vargas, H., (1999) Analyst, 124, p. 1209Ambikadevi, V.R., Lalithambika, M., (2000) Appl. Clay Sci., 16, p. 133Mehra, O.P., Jackson, M.L., (1960) Clays Clay Miner., 7, p. 317Young, R.A., Sakthivel, A., Moss, T.S., Paiva-Santos, C.O., (1995) J. Appl. Crystallogr., 28, p. 366Sugano, S., Tunabe, Y., Kamimura, H., (1970) Multiplets of Transition-Metal Ions in Crystals, , Academic, New YorkAbritta, T., De Souza Barros, F., (1988) J. Lumin., 40, p. 187Abritta, T., Cella, N., Vargas, H., (1989) Chem. Phys. Lett., 161, p. 12Lima, G.A.R., Baesso, M.L., Arguello, Z.P., Da Silva, E.C., Vargas, H., (1987) Phys. Rev. B, 36, p. 9812Rosencwaig, A., Gersho, A., (1976) J. Appl. Phys., 47, p. 64Baesso, M.L., Mansanares, A.M., Da Silva, E.C., Vargas, H., (1989) Phys. Rev. B, 40, p. 188

Identification of common genetic risk variants for autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable and heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental phenotypes diagnosed in more than 1% of children. Common genetic variants contribute substantially to ASD susceptibility, but to date no individual variants have been robustly associated with ASD. With a marked sample-size increase from a unique Danish population resource, we report a genome-wide association meta-analysis of 18,381 individuals with ASD and 27,969 controls that identified five genome-wide-significant loci. Leveraging GWAS results from three phenotypes with significantly overlapping genetic architectures (schizophrenia, major depression, and educational attainment), we identified seven additional loci shared with other traits at equally strict significance levels. Dissecting the polygenic architecture, we found both quantitative and qualitative polygenic heterogeneity across ASD subtypes. These results highlight biological insights, particularly relating to neuronal function and corticogenesis, and establish that GWAS performed at scale will be much more productive in the near term in ASD.Peer reviewe

Genome-wide by Environment Interaction Studies of Depressive Symptoms and Psychosocial Stress in UK Biobank and Generation Scotland

Stress is associated with poorer physical and mental health. To improve our understanding of this link, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of depressive symptoms and genome-wide by environment interaction studies (GWEIS) of depressive symptoms and stressful life events (SLE) in two UK population-based cohorts (Generation Scotland and UK Biobank). No SNP was individually significant in either GWAS, but gene-based tests identified six genes associated with depressive symptoms in UK Biobank (DCC, ACSS3, DRD2, STAG1, FOXP2 and KYNU; p < 2.77 x 10(-6)). Two SNPs with genome-wide significant GxE effects were identified by GWEIS in Generation Scotland: rs12789145 (53-kb downstream PIWIL4; p = 4.95 x 10(-9); total SLE) and rs17070072 (intronic to ZCCHC2; p = 1.46 x 10(-8); dependent SLE). A third locus upstream CYLC2 (rs12000047 and rs12005200, p < 2.00 x 10(-8); dependent SLE) when the joint effect of the SNP main and GxE effects was considered. GWEIS gene-based tests identified: MTNR1B with GxE effect with dependent SLE in Generation Scotland; and PHF2 with the joint effect in UK Biobank (p < 2.77 x 10(-6)). Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) analyses incorporating GxE effects improved the prediction of depressive symptom scores, when using weights derived from either the UK Biobank GWAS of depressive symptoms (p = 0.01) or the PGC GWAS of major depressive disorder (p = 5.91 x 10(-3)). Using an independent sample, PRS derived using GWEIS GxE effects provided evidence of shared aetiologies between depressive symptoms and schizotypal personality, heart disease and COPD. Further such studies are required and may result in improved treatments for depression and other stress-related conditions

Integrated analysis of environmental and genetic influences on cord blood DNA methylation in new-borns

Epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation (DNAm), are among the mechanisms allowing integration of genetic and environmental factors to shape cellular function. While many studies have investigated either environmental or genetic contributions to DNAm, few have assessed their integrated effects. Here we examine the relative contributions of prenatal environmental factors and genotype on DNA methylation in neonatal blood at variably methylated regions (VMRs) in 4 independent cohorts (overall n = 2365). We use Akaike’s information criterion to test which factors best explain variability of methylation in the cohort-specific VMRs: several prenatal environmental factors (E), genotypes in cis (G), or their additive (G + E) or interaction (GxE) effects. Genetic and environmental factors in combination best explain DNAm at the majority of VMRs. The CpGs best explained by either G, G + E or GxE are functionally distinct. The enrichment of genetic variants from GxE models in GWAS for complex disorders supports their importance for disease risk

Effect Of Processing Parameters On Control Of Defect Centers Associated With Second-order Harmonic Generation And Photosensitivity In Sio2:geo2 Glass Preforms

In this research, the effect of the H2/O2 ratio and the processing temperature parameters on the inducing and enhancement of the defect centers associated to the second-order optical non-linearity in SiO2:GeO2 glass preforms, prepared by vapor-phase axial deposition method, have been investigated. The formation of germanium oxygen deficient centers and the development of paramagnetic structures induced in the glass preforms after X-ray irradiation were investigated using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and electronic spin resonance. The results indicate that the concentration of germanium oxygen deficient centers increases exponentially when the H2/O2 ratio decreases, while the processing temperature increases, simultaneously. The electronic spin resonance spectra profiles, shows that defects of the electron trapped centers type [Ge(1), Ge(2)] are induced by the effect of X-ray irradiation. An efficient generation of defect centers associated to the second-order optical non-linearity in SiO2:GeO2 glass preforms, occurring in samples prepared with low H2/O2 ratios and high processing temperatures, have been observed. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.2472285289Potter Jr., B.G., Simmons-Potter, K., (2000) Nucl. Instr. and Meth. B, 166, p. 771Griscom, D.L., Friebele, E.J., Long, J., (1983) Appl. Phys., 54, p. 3743Tsai, T.E., Saifi, M.A., Friebale, E.J., Griscom, D.L., Osterberg, U., (1989) Opt. Lett., 14, p. 1023Fujiwara, T., Matsumoto, S., Ohama, M., Ikushima, A., (2000) J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 273, p. 203Cuevas, R.F., Sekiya, E.H., Garcia-Quiroz, A., Silva, E.C., Suzuki, C.K., (2004) Mater. Sci. Eng. B, 111, p. 135Cuevas, R.F., Sekiya, E.H., Gusken, E., Ogata, D.Y., Torikai, D., Suzuki, C.K., (2000) J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 273, p. 252Smakula, A., (1930) Z. Phys., 59, p. 603Neustruev, V.B., (1994) J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, 6, p. 6901Simmons, K.D., Larochelle, S., Mizrahi, V., Stegeman, G.I., Griscom, D.L., (1991) Opt. Lett., 16, p. 141Fuyimaki, M., Watanabe, T., Katoh, T., Kasahara, T., Miyazaki, N., Ohki, Y., Nishikawa, H., (1998) Phys. Rev. B, 57, p. 3920Friebele, E.J., Griscom, D.L., Sigel Jr., G.H., (1974) J. Appl. Phys., 45, p. 3424Shigemura, H., Kawamoto, Y., Nishii, J., Takahashi, M., (1999) J. Appl. Phys., 85, p. 3413Miller, T.J., Potkay, E., Yuen, M.J., (1987) AichE Symp. Ser., 258, p. 83Nishii, J., Fukumi, K., Yamanaka, H., Kawamura, K., Hosono, H., Kawazoe, H., (1995) Phys. Rev. B, 52, p. 1661Dong, L., Archambault, J.L., Reekie, L., Russell, P.St.J., Payne, D.N., (1995) Appl. Opt., 34, p. 343Yuen, M.J., (1982) Appl. Opt., 21, p. 13

Dependence Of H2/o2 Ratio And Geo2 Content On The Enhancement Of Second-order Non-linearity Related Defects In Ge-doped Optical Fiber Preforms

In this research, we studied the influence of the process conditions through the H2/O2 ratio and the GeO2 content, on the formation of germanium oxygen deficient centers and paramagnetic defects center induced by X-ray irradiation in SiO2:GeO2 glass preform prepared by the vapor-phase axial deposition method. The absorption band at around 5.1eV, characteristic of germanium oxygen defect center was observed in all glass preform sample absorption spectra. The absorption coefficient increased when the GeO2 concentration increased, however, the absorption was higher in samples prepared with high H2/O2 ratio. The electronic spin resonance spectrum profiles suggest that paramagnetic structures, such as, electron trapped centers and positively charged germanium oxygen deficient centers, assigned as Ge(1) and Ge(2), respectively, are induced in all samples after being X-ray irradiated for 1h. It was found that the concentration of induced paramagnetic centers is linearly proportional to germanium oxygen defect center concentration and that the efficiency in the enhancement of paramagnetic defect centers associated with second-order optical non-linearity increased as H2/O2 ratio used in the fabrication process was decreasing. It was concluded that SiO 2:GeO2 glass preform with low H2/O2 ratio and higher GeO2 content must be prepared for the enhancement of the second-order non-linearity. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.1112-3135141Bruckner, R., (1970) J. Non-cryst. Solids, 5, p. 123Saleh, B.E.A., Teich, M.C., (1991) Fundamentals of Photonics, , Wiley Interscience, New YorkHenry, J.L., De Vilbiss, D.L., Tsai, E.T., (1995) J. Opt. Soc. Am. B, 12, p. 2037Yuen, M.J., (1982) Appl. Opt., 21, p. 136Awasu, K., Kawazoe, H., (1990) J. Appl. Phys., 68, p. 2713Hosono, H., Abe, Y., Kinser, D.L., Weeks, R.A., Muta, K., Kawasoe, H., (1992) Phys. Rev. B, 46, p. 11445Gallagher, M., Österberg, U., (1993) J. Appl. Phys., 74, p. 2771Pandey, R., Coolidge, M., (1994) J. Non-cryst. Solids, 179, p. 281Tsai, T.E., Saifi, M.A., Friebele, E.J., Griscon, D.L., Österberg, U., (1989) Opt. Lett., 14, p. 1023Simmons, K.D., Larochelle, S., Mizrahi, V., Stegeman, G.I., Griscom, D.L., (1991) Opt. Lett., 16, p. 141Kohketsu, M., Awazu, K., Kawazoe, H., Yamame, M., (1989) Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 28, p. 622Tsai, T.E., Willians, G.M., Friebele, E.J., (1997) Opt. Lett., 22, p. 224Fujiwara, T., Matsumoto, S., Ohama, M., Ikushima, A., (2000) J. Non-cryst. Solids, 273, p. 203Martini, M., Meinardi, F., Paleari, A., Portinari, L., Spinolo, G., (1997) J. Non-cryst. Solids, 216, p. 26Potter Jr., B.G., Simmons-Potter, K., (2000) Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B, 166-167, p. 771Takahashi, M., Shigemura, H., Kawamoto, Y., Nishii, J., Yoko, T., (1999) J. Non-cryst. Solids, 259, p. 149Izawa, T., Sudo, S., Optical fiber: Materials and fabrication (1987) Advances in Optoelectronics (ADOP), pp. 115-122. , KTK Scientific Publishers, TokyoSekiya, E.H., Torikai, D., Gusken, E., Ogata, D.Y., Cuevas, R.F., Suzuki, C.K., (2000) J. Non-cryst. Solids, 273, p. 228Cuevas, R.F., Gusken, E., Ogata, D.Y., Sekiya, E.H., Torikai, D., Suzuki, C.K., (2000) J. Non-cryst. Solids, 273, p. 252Garcia-Quiroz, A., David, L.A., Da Silva, E.C., (2002) J. Phys. Chem. Solids, 63, p. 1863Smakula, A., (1930) Z. Phys., 59, p. 603Shigemura, H., Kawamoto, Y., Nishii, J., Takahashi, M., (1999) J. Appl. Phys., 85, p. 3413Kameyama, A., Yokotani, A., Kurosawa, K., (2001) J. Appl. Phys., 89, p. 4707Nishii, J., Fukumi, K., Yamanaka, H., Kawamura, K., Hosono, H., Kawazoe, H., (1995) Phys. Rev. B, 52, p. 1661Fuyimaki, M., Watanabe, T., Katoh, T., Kasahara, T., Miyazaki, N., Ohki, Y., Nishikawa, H., (1998) Phys. Rev. B, 57, p. 392

Cavity Design via Entrapment of Tetrapyrrole Macrocycles in Sol–Gel Matrices for Catalytic, Optical or Sensoring Functions

The physicochemical and luminescent properties of tetrapyrrole macrocycles, such as the porphyrins (H 2 P) and phthalocyanines (H 2 Pc), were preserved by trapping or bonding these species in silica matrices. The method involved used hydroxy-aluminium tetrasulphophthalocyanine OH(Al)TSPc as a probe to find optimal conditions for the entrapment of tetrapyrrole molecules. This methodology made possible the trapping or fixing of macrocyclic species or their respective complexes in the interior of pores existing in monolithic, translucent, normal, or organo-modified silica xerogels. The average pore sizes ranged from 2.0 to 3.6 nm in these systems and depended on the structure, the nature of the cation in the complex and on the identity and position of the substituents at the periphery of the macrocyclic species. Under appropriate conditions, the tetrapyrrolic species can be trapped or bonded to the pore network in stable and monomeric form; however, the interactions with Si–OH groups on the pore walls inhibit the efficient displaying of its properties. To avoid this deleterious effect, some strategies are used, such as to place the macrocycle far from the pore walls through long bridges or by substituting Si–OH groups with alkyl or aryl species. Average pore diameters vary from 3.5 to 9.4 nm when long unions are established between the macrocycle and the pore walls or when more of one macrocyclic species are trapped inside each pore. The spectroscopic properties of the macrocycles trapped in these systems are similar to those displayed by the same species in solution. When phthalocyanines or porphyrins are trapped or bonded to the pore walls of organo-modified silica, the spectroscopic properties are better preserved and their intensities are a function of the chain length of the alkyl group present in the silica matrix. This last result suggests the possibility of tuning the pore size and polarity inside them by choosing the tetrapyrrole species that can be trapped or bonded; in this way, it is possible to create more efficient systems for catalytic, optical, sensoring and medical applications

One maternal lineage leads the expansion of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) in the New and Old Worlds.

ABSTRACT.The bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus, an Australian native insect, has become a nearly worldwide invasive pest in the last 16 years and has been causing significant damage to eucalypts (Myrtaceae), including Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp. Its rapid expansion leads to new questions about pathways and routes that T. peregrinus used to invade other continents and countries. We used mtDNA to characterize specimens of T. peregrinus collected from 10 countries where this species has become established, including six recently invaded countries: Chile, Israel, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal, and the United States of America. We then combined our mtDNA data with previous data available from South Africa, Australia, and Europe to construct a world mtDNA network of haplotypes. Haplotype A was the most common present in all specimens of sites sampled in the New World, Europe, and Israel, however from Australia second more frequently. Haplotype D was the most common one from native populations in Australia. Haplotype A differs from the two major haplotypes found in South Africa (D and G), confirming that at least two independent invasions occurred, one from Australia to South Africa, and the other one from Australia to South America (A). In conclusion, Haplotype A has an invasion success over many countries in the World. Additionally, analyzing data from our work and previous reports, it is possible to suggest some invasive routes of T. peregrinus to predict such events and support preventive control measures. © 2020, The Author(s)