Spin dependent photoelectron tunnelling from GaAs into magnetic Cobalt

The spin dependence of the photoelectron tunnel current from free standing GaAs films into out-of- plane magnetized Cobalt films is demonstrated. The measured spin asymmetry (A) resulting from a change in light helicity, reaches +/- 6% around zero applied tunnel bias and drops to +/- 2% at a bias of -1.6 V applied to the GaAs. This decrease is a result of the drop in the photoelectron spin polarization that results from a reduction in the GaAs surface recombination velocity. The sign of A changes with that of the Cobalt magnetization direction. In contrast, on a (nonmagnetic) Gold film A ~ 0%

A rare form of biological response to the exposure to asbestos dust (multiple lung asbestomas)

Opisan je primer neobične biološke reakcije na udisanje azbestne prašine u smislu velikih, multiplih, okruglih, homogenih i oštro ograničenih zasenčenja u radnika iz azbestocementne industrije starog 35 godina. Bolesnik nije imao znake reumatskog artritisa. Histološki nalaz lezija pokazao je hijalinizirano vezivno tkivo s brojnim sitnim zakrečenjima i minimalno veziva s Iimfocitarnim infiltratima. Autori raspravljaju o sličnosti odnosno razlikama ovog primera sa slikom Caplanovog sindroma.A case of an unusual biological response to the exposure to asbestos dust in the form of large, multiple, round, homogenous and well-defined opacities in a 35-year old asbestos-cement worker without evidence of rheumatoid arthritis is described. A histological examination revealed hyalinized connective tissue with numerous tiny calcifications and connective tissue with lymphocyte infiltrates. The authors compare the reaction with the features of Caplan\u27s syndrome

Оцінка неелектричного обладнання, що пов'язане з європейською директивою atex 2014/34 / ue та його предметного використання в підземних виробках з рудничним газом

When using equipment and components in hazardous locations must be made checks to see if the ignition hazards may occur, considering the ignition processes. If there is the possibility of occurrence the fire hazards must be take measures for eliminate ignition sources to the hazardous location. If this is not possible, additional protective measures should be implemented to ensure an adequate protection level. The measures shall be made the ignition sources harmless or shall be reduce the likelihood of occurrence of effective ignition sources. This may be achieved through an adequate design and construction of equipment and components, by operating procedures and also by adequate measuring and control systems. Protective measure depends on the probability of occurrence an explosive atmosphere and the consequences of possible explosions. In this sense the classification and conformity assessment of non-electrical equipment is achieved through a difference between different categories of equipment, as specified in Directive 2014/34/UE – ATEx. The conformity assessment methods of non-electrical equipment intended for underground use presented in the paper, have as main purpose to increase the level of safety and protection of workers in the mining industry. The applied measures must make the ignition sources harmless or shall reduce the occurrence probability of the ignition sources.При використанні обладнання та компонентів у небезпечних місцях повинні бути проведені перевірки, чи не може виникнути небезпека займання, з урахуванням процесів займання. Якщо існує ймовірність виникнення пожежі, необхідно вжити заходів щодо усунення джерел займання в небезпечному місці. Якщо це неможливо, слід вжити додаткових захисних заходів для забезпечення належного рівня захисту. Заходи повинні зробити джерела запалення нешкідливими або зменшити ймовірність виникнення ефективних джерел займання. Цього можна досягти за допомогою адекватного проектування та побудови обладнання та компонентів, експлуатаційних процедур, а також за допомогою адекватних систем вимірювання та контролю. Захисний захід залежить від ймовірності виникнення вибухонебезпечної атмосфери та наслідків можливих вибухів. У цьому сенсі класифікація та оцінка відповідності неелектричного обладнання досягається шляхом різниці між різними категоріями обладнання, як зазначено в Директиві 2014/34 / UE - ATEx. Представлені в роботі методи оцінки відповідності неелектричного обладнання, призначеного для підземного використання, мають на меті підвищити рівень безпеки та захисту працівників гірничодобувної галузі. Застосовувані заходи повинні зробити джерела займання нешкідливими або зменшити ймовірність появи джерел займання

Circadian clock components control daily growth activities by modulating cytokinin levels and cell division-associated gene expression in <i>Populus</i> trees

Trees are carbon dioxide sinks and major producers of terrestrial biomass with distinct seasonal growth patterns. Circadian clocks enable the coordination of physiological and biochemical temporal activities, optimally regulating multiple traits including growth. To dissect the clock's role in growth, we analysed Populus tremula x P. tremuloides trees with impaired clock function due to down-regulation of central clock components. late elongated hypocotyl (lhy-10) trees, in which expression of LHY1 and LHY2 is reduced by RNAi, have a short free-running period and show disrupted temporal regulation of gene expression and reduced growth, producing 30-40% less biomass than wild-type trees. Genes important in growth regulation were expressed with an earlier phase in lhy-10, and CYCLIN D3 expression was misaligned and arrhythmic. Levels of cytokinins were lower in lhy-10 trees, which also showed a change in the time of peak expression of genes associated with cell division and growth. However, auxin levels were not altered in lhy-10 trees, and the size of the lignification zone in the stem showed a relative increase. The reduced growth rate and anatomical features of lhy-10 trees were mainly caused by misregulation of cell division, which may have resulted from impaired clock function

Fabry Disease Caused by the GLA p.Phe113Leu (p.F113L) Variant: Natural History in Males

Background, aims and methods: The α-galactosidase gene (GLA) c.337T>C/p.Phe113Leu variant was originally described in patients with late-onset cardiac forms of Fabry disease (FD), who had residual α-galactosidase activity. It has since emerged as the most commonly reported GLA variant in Portuguese subjects diagnosed with FD but is also prevalent in the Italian population, where two boys carrying the GLA Leu113 allele were identified in a large-scale newborn screening program, the variant allele segregating in both cases with the same surrounding haplotype. To further delineate the genotype-phenotype correlations of this GLA variant, we have reviewed the natural history and clinical phenotypes of 11 symptomatic Portuguese males, from 10 unrelated families originating from several different areas in mainland Portugal and Madeira Island, who were diagnosed with FD associated with the GLA Leu113 allele in a diversity of clinical and screening settings. Nine of the patients were the probands of their respective families. To test whether the GLA Leu113 allele inherited by the 10 Portuguese and the two Italian families resulted from independent mutational events, we have additionally performed a haplotype analysis with 5 highly polymorphic, closely linked microsatellite markers surrounding the GLA gene. Results and conclusions: Hemizygosity for the GLA Leu113 variant allele is associated with a late-onset form of FD, invariably presenting with severe cardiac involvement. Clinically relevant cerebrovascular and kidney involvement may also occur in some patients but the pathogenic relationship between the incomplete α-galactosidase deficiency and the risks of stroke and of chronic kidney disease is not straightforward. The observation that the Leu113 allele segregated within the same GLA microsatellite haplotype in both the Portuguese and Italian families suggests its inheritance from a common ancestor.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Electronic self-doping of Mo-states in A2FeMoO6 (A=Ca, Sr and Ba) half-metallic ferromagnets - a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance study

A systematic study of (A,A')2FeMoO6 (A,A'=Ca, Sr, Ba) ferromagnetic oxides with double perovskite structure has been performed using 95,97Mo and 57Fe NMR spectroscopy. These oxides are isoelectronic but have substantially different Curie temperatures. The NMR analysis provides clear evidence that the magnetic moment at Mo sites is not constant but varies sensitively with the ionic size of the alkaline ions. The 95,97Mo frequency, and thus the electronic charge at Mo ions, is found to be smaller in Ba and Ca than in Sr-based oxides. The charge release from Mo sites is accompanied by an uptake at Fe sites, and thus a self-doping Fe-Mo process is observed. This process is controlled by relevant structural parameters: the Fe-O-Mo bond length and bending. A clear relationship between the Curie temperature and the magnetic moment and thus electron density at Mo sites has been disclosed. The relevance of these findings for the understanding of ferromagnetic coupling in double perovskites is discussed.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figure

A High-Protein Diet With Resistance Exercise Training Improves Weight Loss and Body Composition in Overweight and Obese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of two low-fat hypocaloric diets differing in the carbohydrate-to-protein ratio, with and without resistance exercise training (RT), on weight loss, body composition, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk outcomes in overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 83 men and women with type 2 diabetes (aged 56.1 ± 7.5 years, BMI 35.4 ± 4.6 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to an isocaloric, energy-restricted diet (female subjects 6 MJ/day, male subjects 7 MJ/day) of either standard carbohydrate (CON; carbohydrate:protein:fat 53:19:26) or high protein (HP; 43:33:22), with or without supervised RT (3 days/week) for 16 weeks. Body weight and composition, waist circumference (WC), and cardiometabolic risk markers were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-nine participants completed the study. There was a significant group effect (P ≤ 0.04) for body weight, fat mass, and WC with the greatest reductions occuring in HP+RT (weight [CON: −8.6 ± 4.6 kg, HP: −9.0 ± 4.8 kg, CON+RT: −10.5 ± 5.1 kg, HP+RT: −13.8 ± 6.0 kg], fat mass [CON: −6.4 ± 3.4 kg, HP: −6.7 ± 4.0 kg, CON+RT: −7.9 ± 3.7 kg, HP+RT: −11.1 ± 3.7 kg], and WC [CON: −8.2 ± 4.6 cm, HP: −8.9 ± 3.9 cm, CON+RT: −11.3 ± 4.6 cm, HP+RT: −13.7 ± 4.6 cm]). There was an overall reduction (P < 0.001) in fat-free mass (−2.0 ± 2.3 kg), blood pressure (−15/8 ± 10/6 mmHg), glucose (−2.1 ± 2.2 mmol/l), insulin (−4.7 ± 5.4 mU/l), A1C (−1.25 ± 0.94%), triglycerides (−0.47 ± 0.81 mmol/l), total cholesterol (−0.67 ± 0.69 mmol/l), and LDL cholesterol (−0.37 ± 0.53 mmol/l), with no difference between groups (P ≥ 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: An energy-restricted HP diet combined with RT achieved greater weight loss and more favorable changes in body composition. All treatments had similar improvements in glycemic control and CVD risk markers.Thomas P. Wycherley, Manny Noakes, Peter M. Clifton, Xenia Cleanthous, Jennifer B. Keogh and Grant D. Brinkwort

Repeatability and validity of a standardised maximal step-up test for leg function-a diagnostic accuracy study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Objectively assessed physical performance is a strong predictor for morbidity and premature death and there is an increasing interest in the role of sarcopenia in many chronic diseases. There is a need for robust and valid functional tests in clinical practice. Therefore, the repeatability and validity of a newly developed maximal step up test (MST) was assessed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The MST, assessing maximal step-up height (MSH) in 3-cm increments, was evaluated in 60 healthy middle-aged subjects, 30 women and 30 men. The repeatability of MSH and the correlation between MSH and isokinetic knee extension peak torque (IKEPT), self-reported physical function (SF-36, PF), patient demographics and self-reported physical activity were investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The repeatability between occasions and between testers was 6 cm. MSH (range 12-45 cm) was significantly correlated to IKEPT, (<it>r </it>= 0.68, <it>P </it>< 0.001), SF-36 PF score, (<it>r </it>= 0.29, <it>P </it>= 0.03), sex, age, weight and BMI. The results also show that MSH above 32 cm discriminates subjects in our study with no limitation in self-reported physical function.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The standardised MST is considered a reliable leg function test for clinical practice. The MSH was related to knee extension strength and self-reported physical function. The precision of the MST for identification of limitations in physical function needs further investigation.</p