Impact of Microstructure of Nanoscale Magnetron Sputtered Ru/Al Multilayers on Thermally Induced Phase Formation

In this study, we report on phase formation and microstructure evolution in multiscale magnetron sputtered Ru/Al multilayers upon thermal annealing in vacuum at slow heating rates of 10 K/min. By specifically adjusting the microstructure and design of the as-deposited multilayers, the formation of certain desired phases can be tuned. We demonstrate that the synthesis of single phase RuAl thin films is possible in a very controlled manner in a solid state only via thermal activation without initiating the self-propagating exothermic reactions of Ru/Al multilayers. To investigate phase formation sequences and the resulting microstructures, Ru/Al multilayers were designed via magnetron sputtering with systematic variation of bilayer modulation periods and subsequent vacuum annealing. Thin films samples were characterized by in situ high-temperature XRD, TEM imaging and diffraction. It is shown that different phase sequences appear in strong correlation with the modulation length. Depending on the multilayer design, the phase formation toward single-phase RuAl thin films happens as either a multi-step or single-step event. In particular, below a critical threshold of the modulation period, the multi-step phase formation can be suppressed, and only the desired RuAl target phase is obtained with a pronounced growth in a preferred orientation. This finding may be versatile for the targeted synthesis of intermetallic phases, contributing to further understanding of phase formation in such nanoscale multilayer systems

Pharmacogenetic analysis of liver toxicity after busulfan/cyclophosphamide-based allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Unlabelled: THE AIM of this study was to evaluate the impact of genomic polymorphisms of methylene-tetrahydrofolate-reductase (MTHFR-C677T, MTHFR-A1298C) and various glutathione S-transferases (GSTP1-Ilel05Val, GSTA1*a/b, GSTM1, GSTT1) on the occurrence of liver toxicity in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients and methods: Eighty-four adult patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients were treated with busulfan/cyclophosphamide as a conditioning regimen and received cyclosporine and short-course MTX for GvHD prophylaxis. Genotyping was performed using PCR based restriction-fragment-length-polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. Results: Multivariate analysis identified the MTHFR-A1298C polymorphism as an independent predictor for maximum levels of bilirubin (p=0.0025) and duration of hyperbilirubinaemia (p=0.013). Furthermore, there was an association between this polymorphism and the occurrence of the sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) (p=0.048). No significant associations between the MTHFR-C677T or the various GST polymorphisms and liver toxicity were observed. Conclusion: The MTHFR-A1298C polymorphism might be associated with liver toxicity in patients receiving allogeneic HSCT

Impact of Microstructure of Nanoscale Magnetron Sputtered Ru/Al Multilayers on Thermally Induced Phase Formation

In this study, we report on phase formation and microstructure evolution in multiscale magnetron sputtered Ru/Al multilayers upon thermal annealing in vacuum at slow heating rates of 10 K/min. By specifically adjusting the microstructure and design of the as-deposited multilayers, the formation of certain desired phases can be tuned. We demonstrate that the synthesis of single phase RuAl thin films is possible in a very controlled manner in a solid state only via thermal activation without initiating the self-propagating exothermic reactions of Ru/Al multilayers. To investigate phase formation sequences and the resulting microstructures, Ru/Al multilayers were designed via magnetron sputtering with systematic variation of bilayer modulation periods and subsequent vacuum annealing. Thin films samples were characterized by in situ high-temperature XRD, TEM imaging and diffraction. It is shown that different phase sequences appear in strong correlation with the modulation length. Depending on the multilayer design, the phase formation toward single-phase RuAl thin films happens as either a multi-step or single-step event. In particular, below a critical threshold of the modulation period, the multi-step phase formation can be suppressed, and only the desired RuAl target phase is obtained with a pronounced growth in a preferred orientation. This finding may be versatile for the targeted synthesis of intermetallic phases, contributing to further understanding of phase formation in such nanoscale multilayer systems

A survey of preferences for respiratory support in the intensive care unit for patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.Background: When caring for mechanically ventilated adults with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF), clinicians are faced with an uncertain choice between ventilator modes allowing for spontaneous breaths or ventilation fully controlled by the ventilator. The preferences of clinicians managing such patients, and what motivates their choice of ventilator mode, are largely unknown. To better understand how clinicians' preferences may impact the choice of ventilatory support for patients with AHRF, we issued a survey to an international network of intensive care unit (ICU) researchers. Methods: We distributed an online survey with 32 broadly similar and interlinked questions on how clinicians prioritise spontaneous or controlled ventilation in invasively ventilated patients with AHRF of different severity, and which factors determine their choice. Results: The survey was distributed to 1337 recipients in 12 countries. Of these, 415 (31%) completed the survey either fully (52%) or partially (48%). Most respondents were identified as medical specialists (87%) or physicians in training (11%). Modes allowing for spontaneous ventilation were considered preferable in mild AHRF, with controlled ventilation considered as progressively more important in moderate and severe AHRF. Among respondents there was strong support (90%) for a randomised clinical trial comparing spontaneous with controlled ventilation in patients with moderate AHRF. Conclusions: The responses from this international survey suggest that there is clinical equipoise for the preferred ventilator mode in patients with AHRF of moderate severity. We found strong support for a randomised trial comparing modes of ventilation in patients with moderate AHRF.Peer reviewe

Differential predictors for alcohol use in adolescents as a function of familial risk

Abstract: Traditional models of future alcohol use in adolescents have used variable-centered approaches, predicting alcohol use from a set of variables across entire samples or populations. Following the proposition that predictive factors may vary in adolescents as a function of family history, we used a two-pronged approach by first defining clusters of familial risk, followed by prediction analyses within each cluster. Thus, for the first time in adolescents, we tested whether adolescents with a family history of drug abuse exhibit a set of predictors different from adolescents without a family history. We apply this approach to a genetic risk score and individual differences in personality, cognition, behavior (risk-taking and discounting) substance use behavior at age 14, life events, and functional brain imaging, to predict scores on the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) at age 14 and 16 in a sample of adolescents (N = 1659 at baseline, N = 1327 at follow-up) from the IMAGEN cohort, a longitudinal community-based cohort of adolescents. In the absence of familial risk (n = 616), individual differences in baseline drinking, personality measures (extraversion, negative thinking), discounting behaviors, life events, and ventral striatal activation during reward anticipation were significantly associated with future AUDIT scores, while the overall model explained 22% of the variance in future AUDIT. In the presence of familial risk (n = 711), drinking behavior at age 14, personality measures (extraversion, impulsivity), behavioral risk-taking, and life events were significantly associated with future AUDIT scores, explaining 20.1% of the overall variance. Results suggest that individual differences in personality, cognition, life events, brain function, and drinking behavior contribute differentially to the prediction of future alcohol misuse. This approach may inform more individualized preventive interventions

Differential predictors for alcohol use in adolescents as a function of familial risk

Abstract: Traditional models of future alcohol use in adolescents have used variable-centered approaches, predicting alcohol use from a set of variables across entire samples or populations. Following the proposition that predictive factors may vary in adolescents as a function of family history, we used a two-pronged approach by first defining clusters of familial risk, followed by prediction analyses within each cluster. Thus, for the first time in adolescents, we tested whether adolescents with a family history of drug abuse exhibit a set of predictors different from adolescents without a family history. We apply this approach to a genetic risk score and individual differences in personality, cognition, behavior (risk-taking and discounting) substance use behavior at age 14, life events, and functional brain imaging, to predict scores on the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) at age 14 and 16 in a sample of adolescents (N = 1659 at baseline, N = 1327 at follow-up) from the IMAGEN cohort, a longitudinal community-based cohort of adolescents. In the absence of familial risk (n = 616), individual differences in baseline drinking, personality measures (extraversion, negative thinking), discounting behaviors, life events, and ventral striatal activation during reward anticipation were significantly associated with future AUDIT scores, while the overall model explained 22% of the variance in future AUDIT. In the presence of familial risk (n = 711), drinking behavior at age 14, personality measures (extraversion, impulsivity), behavioral risk-taking, and life events were significantly associated with future AUDIT scores, explaining 20.1% of the overall variance. Results suggest that individual differences in personality, cognition, life events, brain function, and drinking behavior contribute differentially to the prediction of future alcohol misuse. This approach may inform more individualized preventive interventions

Progress in the synthesis of Al- and Cr-based sesquioxide coatings for protective applications

The challenge of synthesizing protective alumina coatings in corundum structure at moderate temperatures inspired the development of novel strategies of both thin film processing and microstructural thin film design. While the growth of pure corundum coatings is still a domain of chemical vapor deposition, new concepts developed in physical vapor deposition addressed the growth of advanced solid solutions, nanocomposites, or multilayers. The system Al-Cr-O has received huge attention as thin films of the type (Al$_{1−x}$Cr$_x$)$_2$O$_3$ could be grown at substrate temperatures even below 500 °C in laboratory model experiments. These coatings offer particular potential for applications that require chemical inertness, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and excellent tribological properties at elevated temperatures. Mastering its low temperature deposition is one of the major aims of industrial research, as it would also enable the protection of temperature-sensitive components and consequently path the way for novel, yet not realizable applications. This work summarizes the state of the art and recent progress in the development and synthesis of such sesquioxide protective coatings prepared by physical vapor deposition. General coherencies are described for (Al$_{1−x}$Cr$_x$)$_2$O$_3$ coatings. Topics covered are important growth parameters (i.e., the oxygen gas flow and the substrate bias), the chemical composition and its impact on alloying concepts applicable to (Al$_{1−x}$Crx)$_2$O$_3$ coatings, specific architectural coating designs, and relevant properties such as the thermal stability and material response upon annealing in oxidative environments. In addition, a brief outlook into the development of other Cr-based sesquioxide thin films, (Cr,Zr)$_2$O$_3$ and (Cr,V)$_2$O$_3$, is given

Effects of crystalloids and colloids on liver and intestine microcirculation and function in cecal ligation and puncture induced septic rodents

Background: Septic acute liver and intestinal failure is associated with a high mortality. We therefore investigated the influence of volume resuscitation with different crystalloid or colloid solutions on liver and intestine injury and microcirculation in septic rodents. Methods: Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in 77 male rats. Animals were treated with different crystalloids (NaCl 0.9% (NaCl), Ringer’s acetate (RA)) or colloids (Gelafundin 4% (Gel), 6% HES 130/0.4 (HES)). After 24 h animals were re-anesthetized and intestinal (n = 6/group) and liver microcirculation (n = 6/group) were obtained using intravital microscopy, as well as macrohemodynamic parameters were measured. Blood assays and organs were harvested to determine organ function and injury. Results: HES improved liver microcirculation, cardiac index and DO2-I, but significantly increased IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels and resulted in a mortality rate of 33%. Gel infused animals revealed significant reduction of liver and intestine microcirculation with severe side effects on coagulation (significantly increased PTT and INR, decreased haemoglobin and platelet count). Furthermore Gel showed severe hypoglycemia, acidosis and significantly increased ALT and IL-6 with a lethality of 29%. RA exhibited no derangements in liver microcirculation when compared to sham and HES. RA showed no intestinal microcirculation disturbance compared to sham, but significantly improved the number of intestinal capillaries with flow compared to HES. All RA treated animals survided and showed no severe side effects on coagulation, liver, macrohemodynamic or metabolic state. Conclusions: Gelatine 4% revealed devastated hepatic and intestinal microcirculation and severe side effects in CLP induced septic rats, whereas the balanced crystalloid solution showed stabilization of macro- and microhemodynamics with improved survival. HES improved liver microcirculation, but exhibited significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Crystalloid infusion revealed best results in mortality and microcirculation, when compared with colloid infusion

Impact of Microstructure of Nanoscale Magnetron Sputtered Ru/Al Multilayers on Thermally Induced Phase Formation

In this study, we report on phase formation and microstructure evolution in multiscale magnetron sputtered Ru/Al multilayers upon thermal annealing in vacuum at slow heating rates of 10 K/min. By specifically adjusting the microstructure and design of the as-deposited multilayers, the formation of certain desired phases can be tuned. We demonstrate that the synthesis of single phase RuAl thin films is possible in a very controlled manner in a solid state only via thermal activation without initiating the self-propagating exothermic reactions of Ru/Al multilayers. To investigate phase formation sequences and the resulting microstructures, Ru/Al multilayers were designed via magnetron sputtering with systematic variation of bilayer modulation periods and subsequent vacuum annealing. Thin films samples were characterized by in situ high-temperature XRD, TEM imaging and diffraction. It is shown that different phase sequences appear in strong correlation with the modulation length. Depending on the multilayer design, the phase formation toward single-phase RuAl thin films happens as either a multi-step or single-step event. In particular, below a critical threshold of the modulation period, the multi-step phase formation can be suppressed, and only the desired RuAl target phase is obtained with a pronounced growth in a preferred orientation. This finding may be versatile for the targeted synthesis of intermetallic phases, contributing to further understanding of phase formation in such nanoscale multilayer systems

Progress in the synthesis of Al- and Cr-based sesquioxide coatings for protective applications

The challenge of synthesizing protective alumina coatings in corundum structure at moderate temperatures inspired the development of novel strategies of both thin film processing and microstructural thin film design. While the growth of pure corundum coatings is still a domain of chemical vapor deposition, new concepts developed in physical vapor deposition addressed the growth of advanced solid solutions, nanocomposites, or multilayers. The system Al-Cr-O has received huge attention as thin films of the type (Al$_{1−x}$Cr$_x$)$_2$O$_3$ could be grown at substrate temperatures even below 500 °C in laboratory model experiments. These coatings offer particular potential for applications that require chemical inertness, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and excellent tribological properties at elevated temperatures. Mastering its low temperature deposition is one of the major aims of industrial research, as it would also enable the protection of temperature-sensitive components and consequently path the way for novel, yet not realizable applications. This work summarizes the state of the art and recent progress in the development and synthesis of such sesquioxide protective coatings prepared by physical vapor deposition. General coherencies are described for (Al$_{1−x}$Cr$_x$)$_2$O$_3$ coatings. Topics covered are important growth parameters (i.e., the oxygen gas flow and the substrate bias), the chemical composition and its impact on alloying concepts applicable to (Al$_{1−x}$Crx)$_2$O$_3$ coatings, specific architectural coating designs, and relevant properties such as the thermal stability and material response upon annealing in oxidative environments. In addition, a brief outlook into the development of other Cr-based sesquioxide thin films, (Cr,Zr)$_2$O$_3$ and (Cr,V)$_2$O$_3$, is given