Significant Differences in Bacterial and Potentially Pathogenic Communities Between Sympatric Hooded Crane and Greater White-Fronted Goose

The gut microbiota of vertebrates play a crucial role in shaping the health of their hosts. However, knowledge of the avian intestinal microbiota has arguably lagged behind that of many other vertebrates. Here, we examine the intestinal bacterial communities of the hooded crane and the greater white-fronted goose at the Shengjin Lake of China, using high-throughput sequencing (Illumina Mi-Seq), and infer the potential pathogens associated with each species. Intestinal bacterial alpha-diversity in the greater white-fronted goose was significantly higher than that in hooded crane. The intestinal bacterial community compositions were significantly different between the two hosts, suggesting that host interactions with specific communities might have profound implications. In addition, potential pathogens were detected in both guts of the two hosts, suggesting that these wild birds might be at risk of disease and probably spread infectious disease to other sympatric vertebrates. The gut of hooded crane carried more potential pathogens than that of the greater white-fronted goose. The potentially pathogenic community compositions were also significantly different between the two hosts, suggesting the divergence of potentially pathogenic communities between hooded crane, and greater white-fronted goose. Finally, bacterial and potentially pathogenic structures showed strong evidence of phylogenic clustering in both hosts, further demonstrating that each host was associated with preferential and defined bacterial and potentially pathogenic communities. Our results argue that more attention should be paid to investigate avian intestinal pathogens which might increase disease risks for conspecifics and other mixed species, and even poultry and human beings

Line identification of extreme ultraviolet spectra from aluminum ions in EAST Tokamak plasmas

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectra emitted from aluminum in the 5-340 A wavelength range were observed in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) discharges. Several spectral lines from aluminum ions with different degrees of ionization were successfully observed with sufficient spectral intensities and resolutions using three fast-time-response EUV spectrometers. The line identification uses three independent state-of-art computational codes for the atomic structure calculations, which provide the wavelengths and radiative transition probabilities rate coefficients. These programs are HULLAC (Hebrew University - Lawrence Livermore Atomic Code), AUTOSTRUCTURE, and FAC (Flexible Atomic Code). Using three different codes allows us to resolve some ambiguities in identifying certain spectral lines and assess the validity of the theoretical predictions

Strategies for Giant Mass Sensitivity Using Super-High-Frequency Acoustic Waves

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are powerful platforms for mass sensing, chemical vapor or gas detection, and biomolecular identification. Great efforts have been made to achieve high sensitivities by using super-high-frequency SAW devices. Conventional SAW sensing is based on mass-loading effects at the acoustic wave propagation (or delay line) region between two interdigitated transducers (IDTs). However, for many super-high-frequency SAW devices with their small sizes, there is a huge challenge that the sensitivity is difficult to be further increased, simply because there are very limited areas between the IDTs to deposit a sensing layer. Herein, we proposed a novel strategy based on giant mass-sensitivity effects generated on the global area of acoustic wave device (defined as areas of both delay line region and IDTs), which significantly enhances sensitivity and reduces the detection limit of the SAW device. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results proved this new strategy and mechanism, which are mainly attributed to the efficient energy confinement at the IDTs' region for the super-high-frequency SAW devices. The achieved mass sensitivity using this new strategy is as high as 2590 MHz · mm2·μg-1, which is about 500 times higher than that obtained from only using the acoustic wave propagation region with a SAW frequency of 4.43 GHz. Hypersensitive humidity detection has been demonstrated using this newly proposed sensing platform, achieving an extremely high sensitivity of 278 kHz/%RH and the fast response and recovery times of 37 and 35 s, respectively

Machine Learning Empowered Thin Film Acoustic Wave Sensing

Thin film based surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology has been extensively explored for physical, chemical and biological sensors. However, these sensors often show inferior performance for a specific sensing in complex environments, as they are affected by multiple influencing parameters and their coupling interferences. To solve these critical issues, we propose a methodology to extract critical information from the scattering parameter and combine machine learning method to achieve multi-parameter decoupling. We used AlScN film-based SAW device as an example, in which highly c-axis orientated and low stress AlScN film was deposited on silicon substrate. The AlScN/Si SAW device showed a Bode quality factor value of 228 and an electro-mechanical coupling coefficient of ~2.3. Two sensing parameters (i.e., ultraviolet or UV and temperature) were chosen for demonstration and the proposed machine-learning method was used to distinguish their influences. Highly precision UV sensing and temperature sensing were independently achieved without their mutual interferences. This work provides an effective solution for decoupling of multi-parameter influences and achieving anti-interference effects in thin film based SAW sensing

A4. En tekst om å ville â og ikke ville være vanlig

People living outside conventional families have to grapple with the concept of ordinariness. If their lives are not seen as ordinary intimate lives, what life choices and narrative choices do they have in claiming and responding to this extraordinariness? The article explores ordinariness as a theoretical and cultural concept, and shows how both theoretical approaches and self-narratives can have very different as well as ambivalent attitudes towards ordinariness

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Nanostructured manganese oxide catalysts for water oxidation

The storage of solar energy into chemical bonds, such as hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels, through system mimicking photosynthesis is attracting intensive attention at the moment as a potential pathway to provide cheap and affordable source of renewable energy. The obstacle for the practical application of the artificial photosynthesis system is the low efficiency of the solar energy conversion. The development of active and efficient catalysts based on earth abundant elements is critically important for improving the efficiency of solar driven systems, especially in respect of the water oxidation process. These catalysts can be semiconductors capable of converting light into chemical bonds either by harvesting solar energy in their own right or combined with light harvesting materials, as in Photosystem II (PSII). Manganese, which has been identified as one of the key elements in water oxidation catalysis in PSII, is of great interest in the development of catalytic water oxidation systems. The activity of catalysts is highly determined by the fabrication technology and post treatment. In this work, a novel low-cost method for the synthesis of manganese oxide films was developed by electrodeposition from an ionic liquid at high temperature. By varying the acidity of the deposition electrolytes, the chemical composition of the obtained films was controlled from birnessite (manganese dioxide), Mn₂O₃ to hausmannite (Mn₃O₄), and the micro-structure varies from a porous to a dense morphology. Films composed of birnessite and Mn₂O₃ exhibits highly catalytic performance in water oxidation, while the Mn₃O₄ exhibits low activity. In addition, a facile heat treatment of the as-grown manganese oxide was proven to remarkably improve the water oxidation performance. Investigation into the effects of the heat treatment reveals that the dehydration process removes structural water and hydroxyl groups, and the growth of reduced Mn species (Mnᴵᴵ or Mnᴵᴵᴵ) in the heat treated MnOₓ contributes to the higher catalytic water oxidation activity. The light-harvesting and conversion performance on manganese oxide were also investigated. Although the manganese oxide exhibits good harvesting of visible light, previous studies have shown that the solar energy conversion efficiency is very low. This work developed a buffered organic/inorganic electrolyte for solar water splitting, in which the manganese oxide nanomaterial is capable of effectively using solar energy to promote water oxidation with photocurrents as high as 4.5 4.5 mA cm⁻² at η =540 mV. Long-term stability is another important property for practical water splitting. It is still a big challenge for MnOx to maintain high performance in long-term testing, as its activity decays with time. This research shows that the doping of nickel or iron into the manganese structure improves the water oxidation activity and long-term stability

Nanostructured manganese oxide catalysts for water oxidation

The storage of solar energy into chemical bonds, such as hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels, through system mimicking photosynthesis is attracting intensive attention at the moment as a potential pathway to provide cheap and affordable source of renewable energy. The obstacle for the practical application of the artificial photosynthesis system is the low efficiency of the solar energy conversion. The development of active and efficient catalysts based on earth abundant elements is critically important for improving the efficiency of solar driven systems, especially in respect of the water oxidation process. These catalysts can be semiconductors capable of converting light into chemical bonds either by harvesting solar energy in their own right or combined with light harvesting materials, as in Photosystem II (PSII). Manganese, which has been identified as one of the key elements in water oxidation catalysis in PSII, is of great interest in the development of catalytic water oxidation systems. The activity of catalysts is highly determined by the fabrication technology and post treatment. In this work, a novel low-cost method for the synthesis of manganese oxide films was developed by electrodeposition from an ionic liquid at high temperature. By varying the acidity of the deposition electrolytes, the chemical composition of the obtained films was controlled from birnessite (manganese dioxide), Mn₂O₃ to hausmannite (Mn₃O₄), and the micro-structure varies from a porous to a dense morphology. Films composed of birnessite and Mn₂O₃ exhibits highly catalytic performance in water oxidation, while the Mn₃O₄ exhibits low activity. In addition, a facile heat treatment of the as-grown manganese oxide was proven to remarkably improve the water oxidation performance. Investigation into the effects of the heat treatment reveals that the dehydration process removes structural water and hydroxyl groups, and the growth of reduced Mn species (Mnᴵᴵ or Mnᴵᴵᴵ) in the heat treated MnOₓ contributes to the higher catalytic water oxidation activity. The light-harvesting and conversion performance on manganese oxide were also investigated. Although the manganese oxide exhibits good harvesting of visible light, previous studies have shown that the solar energy conversion efficiency is very low. This work developed a buffered organic/inorganic electrolyte for solar water splitting, in which the manganese oxide nanomaterial is capable of effectively using solar energy to promote water oxidation with photocurrents as high as 4.5 4.5 mA cm⁻² at η =540 mV. Long-term stability is another important property for practical water splitting. It is still a big challenge for MnOx to maintain high performance in long-term testing, as its activity decays with time. This research shows that the doping of nickel or iron into the manganese structure improves the water oxidation activity and long-term stability