CrO2: a self-doped double exchange ferromagnet

Band structure calculations of CrO2 carried out in the LSDA+U approach reveal a clear picture of the physics behind the metallic ferromagnetic properties. Arguments are presented that the metallic ferromagnetic oxide CrO2 belongs to a class of materials in which magnetic ordering exists due to double exchange (in this respect CrO2 turns out to be similar to the CMR manganates). It is concluded that CrO2 has small or even negative charge transfer gap which can result in self-doping. Certain experiments to check the proposed picture are suggested.Comment: 4 pages, 4 Figure

Effect of alkali/mixed alkali metal ions on the thermal and spectralcharacteristics of Dy3+:B2O3-PbO-Al2O3-ZnO glasses

Thermal and spectroscopic features of 50 B2O3–10 PbO–10 Al2O3–10 ZnO–(x) Li2O–(y) Na2O–(z) K2O–1.0 Dy2O3 (mol %) (x = 19, y = 0, and z = 0; x = 0, y = 19, and z = 0; x = 0, y = 0, and z = 19; x = 9.5, y = 9.5, and z = 0; x = 9.5, y = 0, and z = 9.5; x = 0, y = 9.5, and z = 9.5) glasses, that were fabricated by utilizing melt-quenching approach, are investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical absorption, photoluminescence excitation (PLE), photoluminescence (PL), and PL decay lifetimes. PL spectra for all the Dy3 +-doped samples show emission bands at 453 nm (blue), 482 nm (blue), 573 nm (yellow), 662 nm (red), and 752 nm (red) corresponding to the 4I15/2 → 6H15/2, 4F9/2 → 6H15/2, 4F9/2 → 6H13/2, 4F9/2 → 6H11/2, and 4F9/2 → 6H9/2 transitions, respectively, upon excitation at 350 nm. Here, Dy3 +: Li–Na glass shows the highest PL intensity for all identified emissions. The yellow-to-blue (Y/B) emission intensity ratio (varied within the range 1.257–1.376), CIE chromaticity coordinates (x,y) (slight variation between (0.3410, 0.3802) and (0.3495, 0.3872), and correlated color temperatures (CCTs) (changed from 4953 K to 5212 K) are calculated following the PL spectra. Dy3 +: 4F9/2 decay curves show non-exponential behavior and are fitted by the Inokuti-Hirayama (I–H) model, where S = 6 shows best fit, indicating dipole-dipole (d-d) interactions for Dy3 + excited (donor) and ground state (acceptor) ions

A high bandwidth dimension ratio compact super wide band-flower slotted microstrip patch antenna for millimeter wireless applications

A compact high bandwidth ratio (BDR) super wide band flower slotted micro strip patch antenna (SWB-FSMPA) for super wide band (SWB) applications is presented. The SWB-FSMPA is constructed on a FR-4 substrate having a size of 16 × 22 mm2. The SWB-FSMPA incorporates a 50 Ω tapered micro strip line and a rectangular beveled defected ground structure (RB-DGS). This design enables a simulation bandwidth from 3.78 to 109.86 GHz, allowing for coverage of various wireless applications such as WiMAX (3.3–3.6 GHz), 5G (3.3–3.7 GHz), WLAN (5.15–5.825 GHz), UWB (3.1–10.6 GHz), Ku– (12–18 GHz), K– (18–27 GHz), Ka– (27–40 GHz), V– (40–75 GHz), and W– (75–110 GHz) millimeter wave bands. The SWB-FSMPA antenna exhibits a gain that varies within the range of 3.22–7.23 dBi and a peak efficiency of 93.3 %. The SWB-FSMPA possesses a bandwidth ratio (BR) of 29.1:1, a BDR of 5284 in the frequency domain, a minimal group delay (GD) fluctuation of <0.48 ns, and a linear phase in the time domain, making it well-suited for SWB applications

Analytic philosophy for biomedical research: the imperative of applying yesterday's timeless messages to today's impasses

The mantra that "the best way to predict the future is to invent it" (attributed to the computer scientist Alan Kay) exemplifies some of the expectations from the technical and innovative sides of biomedical research at present. However, for technical advancements to make real impacts both on patient health and genuine scientific understanding, quite a number of lingering challenges facing the entire spectrum from protein biology all the way to randomized controlled trials should start to be overcome. The proposal in this chapter is that philosophy is essential in this process. By reviewing select examples from the history of science and philosophy, disciplines which were indistinguishable until the mid-nineteenth century, I argue that progress toward the many impasses in biomedicine can be achieved by emphasizing theoretical work (in the true sense of the word 'theory') as a vital foundation for experimental biology. Furthermore, a philosophical biology program that could provide a framework for theoretical investigations is outlined

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Variance of the SGK1 Gene Is Associated with Insulin Secretion in Different European Populations: Results from the TUEF, EUGENE2, and METSIM Studies

HYPOTHESIS:Serum- and Glucocorticoid-inducible Kinase 1 (SGK1) is involved in the regulation of insulin secretion and may represent a candidate gene for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans. METHODS:Three independent European populations were analyzed for the association of SGK1 gene (SGK) variations and insulin secretion traits. The German TUEF project provided the screening population (N = 725), and four tagging SNPs (rs1763527, rs1743966, rs1057293, rs9402571) were investigated. EUGENE2 (N = 827) served as a replication cohort for the detected associations. Finally, the detected associations were validated in the METSIM study, providing 3798 non-diabetic and 659 diabetic (type 2) individuals. RESULTS:Carriers of the minor G allele in rs9402571 had significantly higher C-peptide levels in the 2 h OGTT (+10.8%, p = 0.04; dominant model) and higher AUC(C-Peptide)/AUC(Glc) ratios (+7.5%, p = 0.04) compared to homozygous wild type TT carriers in the screening population. As interaction analysis for BMIxrs9402571 was significant (p = 0.04) for the endpoint insulin secretion, we stratified the TUEF cohort for BMI, using a cut off point of BMI = 25. The effect on insulin secretion only remained significant in lean TUEF participants (BMI< or =25). This finding was replicated in lean EUGENE2 rs9402571 minor allele carriers, who had a significantly higher AUC(Ins)/AUC(Glc) (TT: 226+/-7, XG: 246+/-9; p = 0.019). Accordingly, the METSIM trial revealed a lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes (OR: 0.85; 95%CI: 0.71-1.01; p = 0.065, dominant model) in rs9402571 minor allele carriers. CONCLUSIONS:The rs9402571 SGK genotype associates with increased insulin secretion in lean non-diabetic TUEF/EUGENE2 participants and with lower diabetes prevalence in METSIM. Our study in three independent European populations supports the conclusion that SGK variability affects diabetes risk

Liver and Muscle in Morbid Obesity: The Interplay of Fatty Liver and Insulin Resistance

INTRODUCTION: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be seen as a manifestation of overnutrition. The muscle is a central player in the adaptation to energy overload, and there is an association between fatty-muscle and -liver. We aimed to correlate muscle morphology, mitochondrial function and insulin signaling with NAFLD severity in morbid obese patients. METHODS: Liver and deltoid muscle biopsies were collected during bariatric surgery in NAFLD patients. NAFLD Activity Score and Younossi's classification for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were applied to liver histology. Muscle evaluation included morphology studies, respiratory chain complex I to IV enzyme assays, and analysis of the insulin signaling cascade. A healthy lean control group was included for muscle morphology and mitochondrial function analyses. RESULTS: Fifty one NAFLD patients were included of whom 43% had NASH. Intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) were associated with the presence of NASH (OR 12.5, p<0.001), progressive hepatic inflammation (p = 0.029) and fibrosis severity (p = 0.010). There was a trend to an association between IMCL and decreased Akt phosphorylation (p = 0.059), despite no association with insulin resistance. In turn, hepatic steatosis (p = 0.015) and inflammation (p = 0.013) were associated with decreased Akt phosphoryation. Citrate synthase activity was lower in obese patients (p = 0.047) whereas complex I (p = 0.040) and III (p = 0.036) activities were higher, compared with controls. Finally, in obese patients, complex I activity increased with progressive steatosis (p = 0.049) and with a trend with fibrosis severity (p = 0.056). CONCLUSIONS: In morbid obese patients, presence of IMCL associates with NASH and advanced fibrosis. Muscle mitochondrial dysfunction does not appear to be a major driving force contributing to muscle fat accumulation, insulin resistance or liver disease. Importantly, insulin resistance in muscle might occur at a late point in the insulin signaling cascade and be associated with IMCL and NAFLD severity