Characterization of AlInN layer grown on GaN/Sapphire substrate by MOCVD

The AlInN layers have been grown with different growth parameters on GaN/sapphire substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The effects of growth parameters such as pressure and temperature on the Al incorporation during AlInN material growth have been investigated. The results showed that lower pressure provides a tendency for higher Al incorporating in the AlInN layer. Besides, as the temperature was increased from 700°C to 780°C, an estimation of 4% reduction on the indium composition has been observed for each 20°C increment. XRD analysis showed that the best crystal quality of AlInN occured at 80% Al composition because of the higher lattice matching with GaN. Based on the above criteria, an Al0.8In0.2N/GaN HEMT device with 2 μm gate length has also been fabricated. The DC characteristics showed a saturated current, Idss of 280 mA/mm and transconductance of 140 mS/mm

Molecular evolution in Panagrolaimus nematodes: origins of parthenogenesis, hermaphroditism and the Antarctic species P. davidi

10.1186/1471-2148-9-15BMC Evolutionary Biology911

Pathways between soil moisture and precipitation in southeastern South America

Southeastern South America (SESA) is found to be the main hot spot of soil moisture?evapotranspiration coupling of South America during a dry summer. However, only its eastern part is a soil moisture?precipitation hot spot. Pathways between soil moisture and precipitation are evaluated through studying the coupling of soil moisture with surface and boundary layer variables. The outcome suggests that both the moist static energy and its vertical gradient are important for the development of precipitation, as a result of the total surface heat fluxes that are affected by soil moisture only in the eastern part of SESA.Fil: Ruscica, Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; ArgentinaFil: Sörensson, Anna A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; ArgentinaFil: Menendez, Claudio Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y los Océanos; Argentin

Major adverse cardiovascular events of enzalutamide versus abiraterone in prostate cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background While the cardiovascular risks of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors have been studied, they were seldom compared directly. This study compares the risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) between enzalutamide and abiraterone among prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Methods Adult PCa patients receiving either enzalutamide or abiraterone in addition to androgen deprivation therapy in Hong Kong between 1 December 1999 and 31 March 2021 were identified in this retrospective cohort study. Patients who switched between enzalutamide and abiraterone, initiated abiraterone used without steroids, or experienced prior cardiac events were excluded. Patients were followed-up until 30 September 2021. The primary outcomes were MACE, a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), Heart failure (HF), or all-cause mortality and a composite of adverse cardiovascular events (CACE) not including all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were individual components of MACE. Inverse probability treatment weighting was used to balance covariates between treatment groups. Results In total, 1015 patients were analyzed (456 enzalutamide users and 559 abiraterone users; mean age 70.6 ± 8.8 years old) over a median follow-up duration of 11.3 (IQR: 5.3–21.3) months. Enzalutamide users had significantly lower risks of 4P-MACE (weighted hazard ratio (wHR) 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59–0.86], p < 0.001) and CACE (wHR 0.63 [95% CI: 0.42–0.96], p = 0.031), which remained consistent in multivariable analysis. Such an association may be stronger in patients aged ≥65 years or without diabetes mellitus and was independent of bilateral orchidectomy. Enzalutamide users also had significantly lower risks of MI (wHR 0.57 [95% CI: 0.33–0.97], p = 0.040) and all-cause mortality (wHR 0.71 [95% CI: 0.59–0.85], p < 0.001). Conclusion Enzalutamide was associated with lower cardiovascular risks than abiraterone in PCa patients

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and correlates among individuals who self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection after optimizing the COVID-19 response in China

BACKGROUND: The burden of depression symptoms has increased among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 during COVID-19 pandemic. However, the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 remain uncertain after optimizing the COVID-19 response in China. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among the public from January 6 to 30, 2023, using a convenience sampling method. Sociodemographic and COVID-19 pandemic-related factors were collected. The depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the associated factors with depressive symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 2,726 participants completed the survey. The prevalence of depression symptoms was 35.3%. About 58% of the participants reported experiencing insufficient drug supply. More than 40% of participants reported that they had missed healthcare appointments or delayed treatment. One-third of participants responded experiencing a shortage of healthcare staff and a long waiting time during medical treatment. Logistic regression analysis revealed several factors that were associated with depression symptoms, including sleep difficulties (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 2.34-3.44), chronic diseases (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.64-2.82), inpatient treatment for COVID-19 (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 2.19-4.77), with COVID-19 symptoms more than 13 days (OR, 1.30, 95% CI 1.04-1.63), re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.07-2.15), and the increased in demand for healthcare services (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.08-1.61). CONCLUSION: This study reveals a moderate prevalence of depression symptoms among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. The findings underscore the importance of continued focus on depressive symptoms among vulnerable individuals, including those with sleeping difficulties, chronic diseases, and inpatient treatment for COVID-19. It is necessary to provide mental health services and psychological interventions for these vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 epidemic

The Estimation of First-Phase Insulin Secretion by Using Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in a Chinese Population

Aims. There are two phases of insulin secretion, the first (FPIS) and second phase (SPIS). In this study, we built equations to predict FPIS with metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and fasting plasma insulin (FPI). Methods. Totally, 186 participants were enrolled. 75% of participants were randomly selected as the study group to build equations. The remaining 25% of participants were selected as the external validation group. All participants received a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test, and acute insulin response after the glucose load (AIRg) was obtained. The AIRg was considered as FPIS. Results. When MetS components were only used, the following equation was built: log (FPIS) = 1.477 − 0.119 × fasting plasma glucose (FPG) + 0.079 × body mass index (BMI) − 0.523 × high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). After FPI was added, the second equation was formulated: log (FPIS) = 1.532 − 0.127 × FPG + 0.059 × BMI - 0.511 × HDL-C + 0.375 × log (FPI), which provided a better accuracy than the first one. Conclusions. Using MetS components, the FPIS could be estimated accurately. After adding FPI into the equation, the predictive power increased further. We hope that these equations could be widely used in daily practice

Fasting plasma glucose is an independent predictor for severity of H1N1 pneumonia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged during 2009 and has spread worldwide. This virus can cause injuries to the lungs, liver, and heart. However, data regarding whether this influenza virus can affect pancreatic islets are limited. We investigated the effects of influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and islet function, and evaluated possible correlations between biochemical test results and the severity of H1N1 pneumonia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a retrospective analysis of patients either diagnosed with or suspected of having H1N1 pneumonia who were admitted to our hospital in 2009. Possible associations between FPG levels and H1N1 virus infection were assessed by logistic regression. Correlation and regression analyses were used to assess relationships between FPG and biochemical test results. Associations between admission days and significant data were assessed by single factor linear regression. To evaluate effects of H1N1 on pancreatic β-cell function, results of a resistance index (homa-IR), insulin function index (homa-β), and insulin sensitivity index (IAI) were compared between a H1N1 group and a non-H1N1 group by t-tests.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>FPG was significantly positively associated with H1N1 virus infection (OR = 1.377, 95%CI: 1.062-1.786; p = 0.016). FPG was significantly correlated with AST (r = 0.215; p = 0.039), LDH (r = 0.400; p = 0.000), BUN (r = 0.28; p = 0.005), and arterial Oxygen Saturation (SaO₂; r = -0.416; p = 0.000) in the H1N1 group. H1N1 patients who were hypoxemic (SaO₂<93%) had higher FPG levels than those who were not hypoxic (9.82 ± 4.14 vs. 6.64 ± 1.78; p < 0.05). FPG was negatively correlated with SaO₂in the H1N1 group with hypoxia (SaO₂<93; r = -0.497; p = 0.041). SaO₂levels in patients with high FPG levels (≥7 mmol/L) were significantly lower than those of H1N1 patients with low FPG levels (<5.6 mmol/L). There were no significant differences in homa-IR, homa-β, or IAI between the H1N1 and non-H1N1 groups after adjusting for age, sex, and BMI.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>FPG on admission could be an independent predictor for the severity of H1N1 pneumonia. Elevated FPG induced by H1N1 pneumonia is not a result of direct damage to pancreatic β-cells, but arises from various factors' combinations caused by H1N1 virus infection.</p

High Rate of Large Deletions in Caenorhabditis briggsae Mitochondrial Genome Mutation Processes

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations underlie a variety of human genetic disorders and are associated with the aging process. mtDNA polymorphisms are widely used in a variety of evolutionary applications. Although mtDNA mutation spectra are known to differ between distantly related model organisms, the extent to which mtDNA mutation processes vary between more closely related species and within species remains enigmatic. We analyzed mtDNA divergence in two sets of 250-generation Caenorhabditis briggsae mutation-accumulation (MA) lines, each derived from a different natural isolate progenitor: strain HK104 from Okayama, Japan, and strain PB800 from Ohio, United States. Both sets of C. briggsae MA lines accumulated numerous large heteroplasmic mtDNA deletions, whereas only one similar event was observed in a previous analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans MA line mtDNA. Homopolymer length change mutations were frequent in both sets of C. briggsae MA lines and occurred in both intergenic and protein-coding gene regions. The spectrum of C. briggsae mtDNA base substitution mutations differed from the spectrum previously observed in C. elegans. In C. briggsae, the HK104 MA lines experienced many different base substitution types, whereas the PB800 lines displayed only C:G → T:A transitions, although the difference was not significant. Over half of the mtDNA base substitutions detected in the C. briggsae MA lines were in a heteroplasmic state, whereas all those previously characterized in C. elegans MA line mtDNA were fixed changes, indicating a narrower mtDNA bottleneck in C. elegans as compared with C. briggsae. Our results show that C. briggsae mtDNA is highly susceptible to large deletions and that the mitochondrial mutation process varies between Caenorhabditis nematode species

A broadly implementable research course in phage discovery and genomics for first-year undergraduate students

Engaging large numbers of undergraduates in authentic scientific discovery is desirable but difficult to achieve. We have developed a general model in which faculty and teaching assistants from diverse academic institutions are trained to teach a research course for first-year undergraduate students focused on bacteriophage discovery and genomics. The course is situated within a broader scientific context aimed at understanding viral diversity, such that faculty and students are collaborators with established researchers in the field. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Science Education Alliance Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) course has been widely implemented and has been taken by over 4,800 students at 73 institutions. We show here that this alliance-sourced model not only substantially advances the field of phage genomics but also stimulates students\u27 interest in science, positively influences academic achievement, and enhances persistence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Broad application of this model by integrating other research areas with large numbers of early-career undergraduate students has the potential to be transformative in science education and research training