Quantum manipulation via atomic-scale magnetoelectric effects

Magnetoelectric effects at the atomic scale are demonstrated to afford unique functionality. This is shown explicitly for a quantum corral defined by a wall of magnetic atoms deposited on a metal surface where spin-orbit coupling is observable. We show these magnetoelectric effects allow one to control the properties of systems placed inside the corral as well as their electronic signatures; they provide alternative tools for probing electronic properties at the atomic scale

Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor β/δ Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cytokine Production in Adipocytes by Lowering Nuclear Factor-κB Activity via Extracellular Signal–Related Kinase 1/2

OBJECTIVE—Chronic activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in white adipose tissue leads to increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are involved in the development of insulin resistance. It is presently unknown whether peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ activation prevents inflammation in adipocytes

Selective photocatalytic conversion of guaiacol using g-C3N4 metal free nanosheets photocatalyst to add-value products

11 pags, 8 figs, 3 tabs. -- Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2021.113513.Valorization of lignin into high valuable chemical is a critical challenge. Its availability is a key factor for the development of viable lignocellulosic processes to replace fossil derived compounds. In this work, new insights on the high photocatalytic conversion of guaiacol (82%) as a lignin model compound was achieved, also, high selectivity to p-benzoquinone (59%), catechol (27%), and pyrogallol (6%) was obtained using metal-free pyrolyzed g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation. To highlight the new insights, experimental parameters were modified to control the reaction mechanism to increase selectivity and photo-conversion. g-C3N4 photocatalyst was synthesized through urea calcination at 550 ◦C and the photocatalytic performance was assessed in terms of pyrolysis time, where higher time resulted in better photocatalytic activity. This effect was attributed to smaller structures and therefore better quantum confinement of the charges. The oxidation was promoted by •OH radicals, which were detected through EPR operando mode and the addition of radical scavengers. A reaction pathway was proposed, in which the ⋅OH attacks guaiacol through a methoxy group. The photocatalytic reaction can be tuned using external oxidant agents such as O2 and/or H2O2 to promote certain radical formation, enhancing conversion rates and promoting selectivity for a specific product, where yield shifting from p-benzoquinone to pyrogallol was experimentally observed.The authors thank the funding from ANID Millennium Science Initiative Program NCN17_040, Fondequip EQM150101, EQM160070, Fondecyt proyect No 3210554 and PIA CCTE AFB 170007 projects. To VRI Puente Project No 3913-556-81 and Proyecto Apoyo Investigacion Basica 3913-406-81 at PUC Chile and DICYT-USACH for financial support. To PID2019-107106RB-C32 project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for financial support. The use of Servicio General de Apoyo a la Investigacion (SAI, University of Zaragoza) is also acknowledged.Peer reviewe

Selective photocatalytic conversion of guaiacol using g-C3N4 metal free nanosheets photocatalyst to add-value products (vol 421, 113513, 2021)

1 pag. -- Refers to: Selective photocatalytic conversion of guaiacol using g-C3N4 metal free nanosheets photocatalyst to add-value products Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, volume 421, 1 December 2021, Pages 113513The authors regret that in the above article, affiliation c is mistaken. Therefore, afiliation c should be: c Departamento de Química de los materiales, Laboratorio de electroquímica Medio ambiental, LEQMA, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, Estación Central, Santiago 9170376, Chile The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of Nutritional Practices in the Critical Care Patient (The ENPIC Study): Does Nutrition Really Affect ICU Mortality?

Background & aims: The importance of artificial nutritional therapy is underrecognized, typically being considered an adjunctive rather than a primary therapy. We aimed to evaluate the influence of nutritional therapy on mortality in critically ill patients. Methods: This multicenter prospective observational study included adult patients needing artificial nutritional therapy for >48 h if they stayed in one of 38 participating intensive care units for >= 72 h between April and July 2018. Demographic data, comorbidities, diagnoses, nutritional status and therapy (type and details for <= 14 days), and outcomes were registered in a database. Confounders such as disease severity, patient type (e.g., medical, surgical or trauma), and type and duration of nutritional therapy were also included in a multivariate analysis, and hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were reported. Results: We included 639 patients among whom 448 (70.1%) and 191 (29.9%) received enteral and parenteral nutrition, respectively. Mortality was 25.6%, with non-survivors having the following char-acteristics: older age; more comorbidities; higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (6.6 +/- 3.3 vs 8.4 +/- 3.7; P < 0.001); greater nutritional risk (Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill [NUTRIC] score: 3.8 +/- 2.1 vs 5.2 +/- 1.7; P < 0.001); more vasopressor requirements (70.4% vs 83.5%; P=0.001); and more renal replacement therapy (12.2% vs 23.2%; P=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that older age (HR: 1.023; 95% CI: 1.008-1.038; P=0.003), higher SOFA score (HR: 1.096; 95% CI: 1.036-1.160; P=0.001), higher NUTRIC score (HR: 1.136; 95% CI: 1.025-1.259; P=0.015), requiring parenteral nutrition after starting enteral nutrition (HR: 2.368; 95% CI: 1.168-4.798; P=0.017), and a higher mean Kcal/Kg/day intake (HR: 1.057; 95% CI: 1.015-1.101; P=0.008) were associated with mortality. By contrast, a higher mean protein intake protected against mortality (HR: 0.507; 95% CI: 0.263-0.977; P=0.042). Conclusions: Old age, higher organ failure scores, and greater nutritional risk appear to be associated with higher mortality. Patients who need parenteral nutrition after starting enteral nutrition may represent a high-risk subgroup for mortality due to illness severity and problems receiving appropriate nutritional therapy. Mean calorie and protein delivery also appeared to influence outcomes. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism

Risks of dengue secondary infective biting associated with aedes aegypti in home environments in Monterrey, Mexico

Abstract. Secondary dengue virus infections are a major risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever. Recent exposure to infectious bites of Aedes aegypti (L.) females in previously diagnosed dengue cases fulfills the epidemiological model of dengue hemorrhagic fever. A study was comprised of 357 (89.2%) dengue and 43 (10.8%) dengue hemorrhagic fever cases confirmed by laboratory tests and clinical manifestations. An entomological survey was done in homes and backyards. Concurrently, a questionnaire was used to assess the impact of healthpromotion campaigns through knowledge of the vector and its epidemiological role. Seventy-six (28.4%) of the 268 (67.0%) total wet or dry oviposition sites were positive for the presence of larvae or pupae, while adult Ae. aegypti were found in 32 (8.0%). One hundred thirty-two (33%) householders who formerly had dengue fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever had knowledge of either larval or adult dengue vector stages. According to gender distribution, 145 (36.2%) and 14 (3.5%) of the males confirmed with cases of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever lived in houses with 17.9 and 2% of the Ae. aegypti larval and pupal habitats. Houses with females who had dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever were 212 (53%) and 29 (7.3%), with containers with immature Ae. aegypti in 19.4 and 7%, respectively. Lack of sustainability of government-targeted health education campaigns is the major problem for involving communities in prevention and control of dengu

Single-mode Bragg gratings in tapered few-modes and multimode fibers

We propose the implementation of fiber Bragg gratings in tapered few-modes, and multimode fibers to accomplish single-mode operation by reducing the core diameter while preserving the core-cladding structure. Gratings present a single reflection band and the device show low insertion losses after the taper fabrication and the fiber Bragg gratings inscription. The excitation of high order odd-modes in the core of the fiber has been identified as the main loss mechanism; it can be prevented by means of symmetric illumination of the fibers. We also demonstrate the excitation of high order cladding modes (cladding-air modes) along the taper transitions; these modes can be removed without a significant increment of the insertion loss

Mechanism of Splicing Regulation of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Genes

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the major genetic disorders associated with infant mortality. More than 90% cases of SMA result from deletions or mutations of Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. SMN2, a nearly identical copy of SMN1, does not compensate for the loss of SMN1due to predominant skipping of exon 7. However, correction of SMN2 exon 7 splicing has proven to confer therapeutic benefits in SMA patients. The only approved drug for SMA is an antisense oligonucleotide (Spinraza™/Nusinersen), which corrects SMN2 exon 7 splicing by blocking intronic splicing silencer N1 (ISS-N1) located immediately downstream of exon 7. ISS-N1 is a complex regulatory element encompassing overlapping negative motifs and sequestering a cryptic splice site. More than 40 protein factors have been implicated in the regulation of SMN exon 7 splicing. There is evidence to support that multiple exons of SMN are alternatively spliced during oxidative stress, which is associated with a growing number of pathological conditions. Here, we provide the most up to date account of the mechanism of splicing regulation of the SMN genes