Low-Loss and Tunable Localized Mid-Infrared Plasmons in Nanocrystals of Highly Degenerate InN

Plasmonic response of free charges confined in nanostructures of plasmonic materials is a powerful means for manipulating the light-material interaction at the nanoscale and hence has influence on various relevant technologies. In particular, plasmonic materials responsive in the mid-infrared range are technologically important as the mid-infrared is home to the vibrational resonance of molecules and also thermal radiation of hot objects. However, the development of the field is practically challenged with the lack of low-loss materials supporting high quality plasmons in this range of the spectrum. Here, we demonstrate that degenerately doped InN nanocrystals (NCs) support tunable and low-loss plasmon resonance spanning the entire midwave infrared range. Modulating free-carrier concentration is achieved by engineering nitrogen-vacancy defects (InN1-x, 0.017 amp;lt; x amp;lt; 0.085) in highly degenerate NCs using a nonequilibrium gas-phase growth process. Despite the significant reduction in the carrier mobility relative to intrinsic InN, the mobility in degenerate InN NCs (amp;gt;60 cm(2)/(V s)) remains considerably higher than the carrier mobility reported for other materials NCs such as doped metal oxides, chalcogenides, and noble metals. These findings demonstrate feasibility of controlled tuning of infrared plasmon resonances in a low-loss material of III-V compounds and open a gateway to further studies of these materials nanostructures for infrared plasmonic applications.Funding Agencies|Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation [KAW 14.0276]; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009-00971]; EPSRC [EP/M024938/1]</p

Journal Staff

The aluminum–zinc-vacancy (Al Zn −V Zn ) complex is identified as one of the dominant defects in Al-containing n -type ZnO after electron irradiation at room temperature with energies above 0.8 MeV. The complex is energetically favorable over the isolated V Zn , binding more than 90% of the stable V Zn ’s generated by the irradiation. It acts as a deep acceptor with the (0/− ) energy level located at approximately 1 eV above the valence band. Such a complex is concluded to be a defect of crucial and general importance that limits the n -type doping efficiency by complex formation with donors, thereby literally removing the donors, as well as by charge compensation

Boilerplate and Party Intent

In this work we examined optical and defect properties of as-grown and Ni-coated ZnO nanowires (NWs) grown by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition by means of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR). Several grown-in defects are revealed by monitoring visible photoluminescence (PL) emissions and are attributed to Zn vacancies, O vacancies, a shallow (but not effective mass) donor and exchange-coupled pairs of a Zn vacancy and a Zn interstitial. It is also found that the same ODMR signals are detected in the as-grown and Ni-coated NWs, indicating that metal coatings does not significantly affect formation of the aforementioned defects and that the observed defects are located in the bulk of the NWs

Прогностическая ценность уровней общего белка и альбумина у пациентов в абдоминальной хирургии

АБДОМИНАЛЬНАЯ ХИРУРГИЯМУЛЬТИОРГАННАЯ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬОРГАННАЯ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬ МНОЖЕСТВЕННАЯПОЛИОРГАННОЙ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТИ СИНДРОМСМЕРТЕЛЬНЫЙ ИСХОДЛЕТАЛЬНЫЙ ИСХОДПРОГНОСТИЧЕСКАЯ ЦЕННОСТЬ ТЕСТОВОБЩИЙ БЕЛОКАЛЬБУМИНЫРЕГРЕССИОННЫЙ АНАЛИЗРЕГРЕССИОНАЯ ДИАГНОСТИКАСТАТИСТИЧЕСКАЯ РЕГРЕССИЯЦель. Изучить динамику уровней общего белка и альбумина у пациентов в абдоминальной хирургии, определить их прогностическую значимость, чувствительность и специфичность в отношении развития синдрома полиорганной недостаточности и летального исхода. Материал и методы. В проспективное когортное исследование включено 459 пациентов, которым проводились оперативные вмешательства в абдоминальной хирургии за период с 2014 по 2018 годы. Группу 1 составили пациенты без полиорганной недостаточности (n=280), группу 2 – пациенты с наличием полиорганной недостаточности (n=179). Из них в группе 2 умерло 23 пациента (12,8%). Ежедневно оценивали уровень общего белка и альбумина. Выполняли логистический регрессионный анализ, производили построение характеристических кривых (ROC-кривых), а также определяли площадь под кривой (AUC). Результаты. У пациентов после абдоминальных хирургических вмешательств отмечалось статистически значимое снижение уровней общего белка и альбумина. Установлено, что данные маркеры на ранних стадиях обладают прогностической значимостью в отношении синдрома полиорганной недостаточности. Общий белок в 1-е и 2-е сутки после операции – AUC 0,633 и 0,641 соответственно (p<0,05). Альбумин в 1-е, 2-е и 3-и сутки после операции – AUC 0,673; 0,743 и 0,664 соответственно (p<0,05). Уровень альбумина является также предиктором летального исхода: AUC 0,639; 95% доверительный интервал 0,584-0,695 (p<0,05). Общий белок не обладает прогностической значимостью в отношении летального исхода. Заключение. Изученные показатели общего белка и альбумина являются прогностическими маркерами средней диагностической эффективности, их оценка должна проводиться в комплексе с другими клиническими и лабораторными параметрами. Уровень альбумина в качестве предиктора имеет преимущества, поскольку, при похожей с общим белком диагностической ценности в отношении прогноза синдрома полиорганной недостаточности, является в свою очередь прогностическим маркером летального исхода.Objective. To study the dynamics of total protein and albumin levels in abdominal surgery patients, to determine their prognostic significance, sensitivity and specificity for the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and mortality. Methods. The prospective cohort study included patients with (n=459) previous surgical interventions in the abdominal surgery for the period from 2014 up to 2018. The 1st group consisted of patients without multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (n=280), the 2nd group – patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (n=179). Of these patients, 23 died in the group 2 (12.8%). The levels of total protein and albumin were assessed daily. Logistic regression analysis was performed, receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC curves) were plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was also determined. Results. Patients after the abdominal surgical interventions showed a statistically significant decrease in total protein and albumin. It is established that these markers in the early stages have a prognostic value in relation to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Total protein on the 1st and 2nd day after surgery AUC was 0.633 and 0.641, respectively (p<0.05). Albumin on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after surgery AUC was 0.673; 0.743 and 0.664, respectively (p<0.05). Albumin level is also a predictor of mortality: AUC – 0.639; 95% confidence interval – 0.584-0.695 (p<0.05). Total protein does not have a prognostic value in relation to mortality. Conclusions. The studied parameters of total protein and albumin are prognostic markers of average diagnostic efficacy; their evaluation should be carried out in combination with other clinical and laboratory parameters. The level of albumin as a predictor has advantages, since, with a diagnostic value similar to that of a total protein, with respect to the prediction of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, it is a prognostic marker of mortality

Идентификация веществ раздражающего действия CS и CN в следах выстрела из газового оружия

ХРОМАТОГРАФИЯ ГАЗОВА

A Transaction Cost Economizing Approach to Regulation: Understanding the NIMBY Problem and Improving Regulatory Responses

This paper develops a transaction cost economic model for regulation and applies the model to environmental siting regulations designed to overcome NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) political opposition. Negotiations between developers and resistant local communities to site waste facilities, such as landfills or solid waste incinerators, can be characterized as a contracting problem. A rudimentary application of the Coase theorem suggests that developers should be able to compensate communities adequately for hosting a waste facility, but rarely do such negotiations find success. Transaction costs associated with the requisite negotiations, communication, and implementation of the projects preclude efficient bargaining, and thus NIMBY opposition halts the siting of socially necessary and beneficial facilities. Viewing NIMBY disputes as a contracting problem within the world of positive transaction costs therefore reveals the dynamics that foil negotiations between developers and communities. Such a perspective also identifies the role that the theory of the firm can play in understanding how siting regulations overcome those transaction costs and how regulatory regimes can be optimally designed for siting alternative facilities. This paper employs the theory of the firm, specifically transaction cost economics, to articulate the functional purpose of environmental siting regulations and to chart an agenda for regulatory reform. While transaction cost economics traditionally compares mechanisms such as spot markets, contracts, and direct ownership to facilitate economic transactions, we extend transaction cost theory to political transactions between policymakers and initially resistant, though potentially supportive, constituencies. We believe this approach offers a fruitful perspective on regulatory policy. We use it to develop a taxonomy of alternative regulatory regimes and then to propose an overview of regulatory reform for siting socially desirable waste facilities that are either blocked by NIMBY opposition or are unnecessarily shielded from effective negotiations and community participation

Exploiting Mass Spectrometry to Unlock the Mechanism of Nanoparticle-Induced Inflammasome Activation

Nanoparticles (NPs) elicit sterile inflammation, but the underlying signaling pathways are poorly understood. Here, we report that human monocytes are particularly vulnerable to amorphous silica NPs, as evidenced by single-cell-based analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells using cytometry by time-of-flight (CyToF), while silane modification of the NPs mitigated their toxicity. Using human THP-1 cells as a model, we observed cellular internalization of silica NPs by nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS) and this was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Lipid droplet accumulation was also noted in the exposed cells. Furthermore, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) revealed specific changes in plasma membrane lipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC) in silica NP-exposed cells, and subsequent studies suggested that lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) acts as a cell autonomous signal for inflammasome activation in the absence of priming with a microbial ligand. Moreover, we found that silica NPs elicited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in monocytes, whereas cell death transpired through a non-apoptotic, lipid peroxidation-dependent mechanism. Together, these data further our understanding of the mechanism of sterile inflammation

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