Oxygen Vacancy Induced Ferromagnetism in V2_2O5−x_{5-x}

{\it Ab initio} calculations within density functional theory with generalized gradient approximation have been performed to study the effects of oxygen vacancies on the electronic structure and magnetism in undoped V$_2$O$_{5-x}$ ($0 < x < 0.5$). It is found that the introduction of oxygen vacancies would induce ferromagnetism in V$_2$O$_{5-x}$ with the magnetization being proportional to the O vacancy concentration $x$. The calculated electronic structure reveals that the valence electrons released by the introduction of oxygen vacancies would occupy mainly the neighboring V $d_{xy}$-dominant band which then becomes spin-polarized due to intra-atomic exchange interaction, thereby giving rise to the half-metallic ferromagnetism.Comment: To be published as a Letter in J. Phys. Soc. Japa

Optimal sparsity allows reliable system-aware restoration of fluorescence microscopy images

Incluye: artículo, material suplementario, videos y software.Fluorescence microscopy is one of the most indispensable and informative driving forces for biological research, but the extent of observable biological phenomena is essentially determined by the content and quality of the acquired images. To address the different noise sources that can degrade these images, we introduce an algorithm for multiscale image restoration through optimally sparse representation (MIRO). MIRO is a deterministic framework that models the acquisition process and uses pixelwise noise correction to improve image quality. Our study demonstrates that this approach yields a remarkable restoration of the fluorescence signal for a wide range of microscopy systems, regardless of the detector used (e.g., electron-multiplying charge-coupled device, scientific complementary metal-oxide semiconductor, or photomultiplier tube). MIRO improves current imaging capabilities, enabling fast, low-light optical microscopy, accurate image analysis, and robust machine intelligence when integrated with deep neural networks. This expands the range of biological knowledge that can be obtained from fluorescence microscopy.We acknowledge the support of the National Institutes of Health grants R35GM124846 (to S.J.) and R01AA028527 (to C.X.), the National Science Foundation grants BIO2145235 and EFMA1830941 (to S.J.), and Marvin H. and Nita S. Floyd Research Fund (to S.J.). This research project was supported, in part, by the Emory University Integrated Cellular Imaging Microscopy Core and by PHS Grant UL1TR000454 from the Clinical and Translational Science Award Program, National Institutes of Health, and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.S

The real Nemo movie: Description of embryonic development in Amphiprion ocellaris from first division to hatching

BACKGROUNDAmphiprion ocellaris is one of the rare reef fish species that can be reared in aquaria. It is increasingly used as a model species for Eco-Evo-Devo. Therefore, it is important to have an embryonic development table based on high quality images that will allow for standardized sampling by the scientific community. RESULTSHere we provide high-resolution time-lapse videos to accompany a detailed description of embryonic development in A ocellaris. We describe a series of developmental stages and we define six broad periods of embryogenesis: zygote, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, segmentation, and organogenesis that we further subdivide into 32 stages. These periods highlight the changing spectrum of major developmental processes that occur during embryonic development. CONCLUSIONSWe provide an easy system for the determination of embryonic stages, enabling the development of A ocellaris as a coral reef fish model species. This work will facilitate evolutionary development studies, in particular studies of the relationship between climate change and developmental trajectories in the context of coral reefs. Thanks to its lifestyle, complex behavior, and ecology, A ocellaris will undoubtedly become a very attractive model in a wide range of biological fields

Effects of crystallinity and point defects on optoelectronic applications of β-Ga2O3 epilayers

This study evaluates the effect of crystallinity and point defects on time-dependent photoresponsivity and the cathodoluminescence (CL) properties of β-Ga2O3 epilayers. A synchrotron high-resolution X-ray technique was used to understand the crystalline structure of samples. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy was used to determine the net chemical composition of the samples to examine the type and ratio of their possible point defects. The results show that in functional time-dependent photoresponsivity of photodetectors based on β-Ga2O3 epilayers, point defects contribution overcomes the contribution of crystallinity. However, the crystalline structure affects the intensities and emission regions of CL spectra more than point defects

All-trans retinoic acid ameliorates glycemic control in diabetic mice via modulating pancreatic islet production of vascular endothelial growth factor-A.

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus are associated with impairment in vitamin A metabolism. This study evaluated whether treatment with retinoic acid, the biologically active metabolite of vitamin A, can ameliorate diabetes. All-trans retinoic acid (atRA) was used to treat streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice which revealed atRA administration ameliorated blood glucose levels of diabetic mice. This hyperglycemic amelioration was accompanied by an increase in the amount of β cells co-expressed Pdx1 and insulin and by restoration of the vascular laminin expression. The atRA-induced production of vascular endothelial growth factor-A from the pancreatic islets was possibly the key factor that mediated the restoration of islet vascularity and recovery of β-cell mass. Furthermore, the combination of islet transplantation and atRA administration significantly rescued hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. These findings suggest that vitamin A derivatives can potentially be used as a supplementary treatment to improve diabetes management and glycemic control

Exercise training with negative pressure ventilation improves exercise capacity in patients with severe restrictive lung disease: a prospective controlled study

BACKGROUND: Exercise training is of benefit for patients with restrictive lung disease. However, it tends to be intolerable for those with severe disease. We examined whether providing ventilatory assistance by using negative pressure ventilators (NPV) during exercise training is feasible for such patients and the effects of training. METHODS: 36 patients with restrictive lung disease were prospectively enrolled for a 12-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. During this program, half of them (n:18; 60.3 ± 11.6 years; 6 men; FVC: 32.5 ± 11.7% predicted ) received regular sessions of exercise training under NPV, whilst the 18 others (59.6 ± 12.3 years; 8 men; FVC: 37.7 ± 10.2% predicted) did not. Exercise capacity, pulmonary function, dyspnea and quality of life were measured. The primary endpoint was the between-group difference in change of 6 minute-walk distance (6MWD) after 12 weeks of rehabilitation. RESULTS: All patients in the NPV-exercise group were able to tolerate and completed the program. The between-group differences were significantly better in the NPV-exercise group in changes of 6MWD (34.1 ± 12.7 m vs. -32.5 ± 17.5 m; P = 0.011) and St George Score (−14.5 ± 3.6 vs. 11.8 ± 6.0; P < 0.01). There was an improvement in dyspnea sensation (Borg’s scale, from 1.4 ± 1.5 point to 0.8 ± 1.3 point, P = 0.049) and a small increase in FVC (from 0.85 ± 0.09 L to 0.91 ± 0.08 L, P = 0.029) in the NPV-exercise group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Exercise training with NPV support is feasible for patients with severe restrictive lung diseases, and improves exercise capacity and health-related quality of life

The Impact of Climate Change on Rainfall Frequency in Taiwan

The purpose of this research is to assess climate change impacts on rainfall frequency in Taiwan. The changes in future precipitation were projected statistically from general circulation model (GCM) outputs. Based on five downscaled GCM outputs [China’s FGOALS-g1.0, Japan’s CGCM2.3.2, the USA’s CM2.0, Canada’s CGCM3(T47), and France’s CM3] under the SRES A1B scenario, the frequency of the maximum consecutive dry days and maximum 1-, 2-, and 3-day rainfall during 2080 - 2099 are evaluated and compared with those in the period of 1980 - 1999. The results show that by the end of the 21st century, the risk of droughts and floods over Taiwan has a tendency to increase. The distribution of water resources in Taiwan will be more uneven, with a noticeable change in the ratio of wet and dry seasons. Due to these climate change impacts, future water conservation work will be a major challenge for governments

Surgical treatment of congenital biliary duct cyst

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is acknowledged that total cyst excision is a safe and ideal surgical treatment for congenital biliary duct cyst, compared to simple internal drainage. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal operation occasion and the effect of laparoscopy on congenital biliary duct cyst based upon total cyst excision.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From January 2002 to January 2011, 217 patients were admitted to Southwest Hospital for congenital biliary duct cyst. To determine the optimal surgery occasion, we divided these subjects into three groups, the infant group (age ≤ 3 years), the immaturity group (3 < age ≤ 18 years), and the maturity group (age > 18 years), and then evaluated the feasibility, risk and long-term outcome after surgery in the three groups. To analyze the effect of laparoscopic technique on congenital biliary duct cyst, we divided the patients into the laparoscopy and the open surgery groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the three groups, the morbidity from cholangiolithiasis before surgical treatment had obvious discrepancy (p < 0.05) (lowest in the infant group), and intraoperative blood loss also had apparent diversity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, long-term outcomes (secondary cholangiolithiasis, stoma stenosis and cholangiocarcinoma) showed no significant difference between different groups (p > 0.05).</p> <p>Similarly, no significant discrepancy was observed in the morbidity from postoperative complications or long-term postoperative complications (p > 0.05) between the laparoscopic and the open surgery groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that total cyst excision should be performed as early as possible. The optimal treatment occasion is the infant period, and laparoscopic resection may be a new safe and feasible minimally invasive surgery for this disease.</p