Green Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles (via Thermal Decomposition Method) with Controllable Size and Shape

Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with controllable size and shape were synthesized by the thermal decomposition method. In contrast to previously reported thermal decomposition methods, our synthesis method had utilized a much cheaper and less toxic iron precursor, iron acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)3), and environmentally benign and non-toxic polyethylene oxide (PEO) was being used as the solvent and surfactant simultaneously. Fe3O4 nanoparticles of controllable size and shape were prepared by manipulating the synthesis parameters such as precursor concentrations, reaction durations and surfactants

Association between serum concentrations of soluble lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 and serum amyloid A in type 2 diabetes

This journal suppl. entitled: Abstracts of the 10th International Diabetes Federation-Western Pacific Region Congress and the 6th AASD Scientific MeetingPosters: no. PO020BACKGROUND: Lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) mediates the uptake of oxidized LDL in endothelial cells and macrophages, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. The extracellular domain of LOX-1 can be proteolytically cleaved and released as a soluble form (sLOX-1). It has been suggested that circulating level of sLOX-1 reflects LOX-1 expression and can act as a biomarker. LOX-1 expression is inducible and recent experimental data have shown that serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute phase protein, can induce LOX-1 expression in macrophages in vitro. Since type 2 diabetes is associated with subclinical inflammation, we have evaluated whether serum sLOX-1 level is ...postprin

Influence of interfacial nitrogen on edge charge trapping at the interface of gate oxide/drain extension in metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors

The influence of interfacial nitrogen on edge charge trapping at the interface of gate oxide/drain extension in metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors was investigated. Positive edge charge trapping was observed for both pure and nitrided oxides with an oxide thickness of 6.5 nm. Results showed that nitrogen at the interface enhance the edge charge trapping.published_or_final_versio

Synergetic enhancement of organic solar cell thermal stability by wire bar coating and light processing

OPV film deposition by wire-bar coating and light soaking result in polymer:fullerene solar cells with synergetically enhanced thermal stability.</p

Demonstration of InAsBi photoresponse beyond 3.5 μm

An Indium Arsenide Bismide photodiode has been grown, fabricated, and characterized to evaluate its performance in the Mid Wave Infrared region of the spectrum. Spectral response from the diode has been obtained up to a diode temperature of 225 K. At this temperature, the diode has a cut off wavelength of 3.95 μm, compared to 3.41 μm in a reference Indium Arsenide diode, indicating that Bismuth has been incorporated to reduce the band gap of Indium Arsenide by 75 meV. Similar band gap reduction was deduced from the cut off wavelength comparison at 77 K. From the dark current data, shunt resistance values of 8 and 39 Ω at temperatures of 77 and 290 K, respectively, were obtained in our photodiode

Low handgrip strength is a predictor of osteoporotic fractures: Cross-sectional and prospective evidence from the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study

Handgrip strength (HGS) is a potentially useful objective parameter to predict fracture since it is an indicator of general muscle strength and is associated with fragility and propensity to fall. Our objective was to examine the association of HGS with fracture, to evaluate the accuracy of HGS in predicting incident fracture, and to identify subjects at risk of fracture. We analyzed a cross-sectional cohort with 2,793 subjects (1,217 men and 1,576 women aged 50-101 years) and a subset of 1,702 subjects which were followed for a total of 4,855 person-years. The primary outcome measures were prevalent fractures and incident major fragility fractures. Each standard deviation (SD) reduction in HGS was associated with a 1.24-fold increased odds for major clinical fractures even after adjustment for other clinical factors. A similar result was obtained in the prospective cohort with each SD reduction in HGS being associated with a 1.57-fold increased hazard ratio of fracture even after adjustment for clinical factors. A combination of HGS and femoral neck bone mineral density (FN BMD) T-score values (combined T-score), together with other clinical factors, had a better predictive power of incident fractures than FN BMD or HGS T-score alone with clinical factors. In addition, combined T-score has better sensitivity and specificity in predicting incidence fractures than FN BMD alone. This study is the first study to compare the predictive ability of HGS and BMD. We showed that HGS is an independent risk factor for major clinical fractures. Compared with using FN BMD T-score of -2.5 alone, HGS alone has a comparable predictive power to BMD, and the combined T-score may be useful to identify extra subjects at risk of clinical fractures with improved specificity. © The Author(s) 2011.published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

Effect of starvation on growth, histology and ultrastructure of digestive system of juvenile red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii Girard)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 20 d starvation on growth, survival, histomorphology and ultrastructure changes in the digestive system of juvenile red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Juveniles were divided into two groups: a food-deprived group and a control group at 9 day after hatch (DAH). Individuals were sampled at 14, 20, 29 DAH. During the 20 d fasting period, the mean body weight and total body length of crayfish fluctuated around 10.17 mg and 8.12 mm respectively, and the mortality was zero. Histomorphological changes of digestive system were observed in the food-deprived group after 20 days of starvation: the esophagus and stomach walls were thinning, the epithelium atrophied to cuboidal, nuclei were darker and smaller, and nucleolus was difficult to observe; the midgut and hindgut showed wider volume, thinning wall, atrophied epithelial and muscularis and shorter ridges; and hepatopancreas tubule lumens were wider, the lipid droplets in R-cells were smaller and less, and the quantity of typical B-cells decreased. Changes in the ultrastructure of starved crayfish were also observed: the mitochondria of midgut epithelium and R-cells were swollen and vacuolated, and the ridges of which were fractured and reduced. In addition, the electron density of cytoplasmic matrix of R-cells decreased, and the quantity of glycogen granules and lipids also decreased. Changes in the ultrastructure of B-cells were similar to those of R-cells. Though degeneration in histological structure and function of digestive organs were obvious during starvation, juvenile P. clarkii was able to endure a relative long-term starvation

Aqueous Angiography with Fluorescein and Indocyanine Green in Bovine Eyes.

PurposeWe characterize aqueous angiography as a real-time aqueous humor outflow imaging (AHO) modality in cow eyes with two tracers of different molecular characteristics.MethodsCow enucleated eyes (n = 31) were obtained and perfused with balanced salt solution via a Lewicky AC maintainer through a 1-mm side-port. Fluorescein (2.5%) or indocyanine green (ICG; 0.4%) were introduced intracamerally at 10 mm Hg individually or sequentially. With an angiographer, infrared and fluorescent images were acquired. Concurrent anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed, and fixable fluorescent dextrans were introduced into the eye for histologic analysis of angiographically positive and negative areas.ResultsAqueous angiography in cow eyes with fluorescein and ICG yielded high-quality images with segmental patterns. Over time, ICG maintained a better intraluminal presence. Angiographically positive, but not negative, areas demonstrated intrascleral lumens with anterior segment OCT. Aqueous angiography with fluorescent dextrans led to their trapping in AHO pathways. Sequential aqueous angiography with ICG followed by fluorescein in cow eyes demonstrated similar patterns.ConclusionsAqueous angiography in model cow eyes demonstrated segmental angiographic outflow patterns with either fluorescein or ICG as a tracer.Translational relevanceFurther characterization of segmental AHO with aqueous angiography may allow for intelligent placement of trabecular bypass minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries for improved surgical results

An assessment of western North Pacific ozone photochemistry based on springtime observations from NASA's PEM-West B (1994) and TRACE-P (2001) field studies

The current study provides a comparison of the photochemical environments for two NASA field studies focused on the western North Pacific (PEM-West-B (PWB) and TRACE-P (TP)). These two studies were separated in calendar time by approximately 7 years. Both studies were carried out under springtime conditions, with PWB being launched in 1994 and TP being deployed in 2001 (i.e., 23 February - 15 March 1994 and 10 March-15 April 2001, respectively). Because of the 7-year time separation, these two studies presented a unique scientific opportunity to assess whether evidence could be found to support the Department of Energy\u27s projections in 1997 that increases in anthropogenic emissions from East Asia could reach 5%/yr. Such projections would lead one to the conclusion that a significant shift in the atmospheric photochemical properties of the western North Pacific would occur. To the contrary, the findings from this study support the most recent emission inventory data [Streets et al., 2003] in that they show no significant systematic trend involving increases in any O3 precursor species and no evidence for a significant shift in the level of photochemical activity over the western North Pacific. This conclusion was reached in spite of there being real differences in the concentration levels of some species as well as differences in photochemical activity between PWB and TP. However, nearly all of these differences were shown to be a result of a near 3-week shift in TP\u27s sampling window relative to PWB, thus placing it later in the spring season. The photochemical enhancements seen during TP were most noticeable for latitudes in the range of 25-45°N. Most important among these were increases in J(O1D), OH, and HO2 and values for photochemical ozone formation and destruction, all of which were typically two times larger than those calculated for PWB. A comparison of these airborne results with ozonesonde data from four Japanese stations provided further evidence showing that the 3-week shift in the respective sampling windows of PWB and TP was a likely cause for the differences seen in O3 levels and in photochemical activity between the two airborne studies. Copyright 2003 by the American Geophysical Union

Analysis of drug resistance determinants in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from a tertiary-care hospital in Beijing, China.

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