SERS permits identifying the nature of molecules in extremely low concentrations, but it is hindered by poor enhancement or low reproducibility. We demonstrate controllable ∼1010 signal amplification ...reaching the zeptomol detection limit for a nonresonant molecule by sandwiching the analyte between the tips of star-shaped gold nanoparticles and a planar gold surface using a simple synthetic procedure. This unprecedented control over light-intensity amplification opens a new avenue toward high-yield, fully reproducible, SERS-based, zeptomol detection and holds promise for nonlinear optics applications at the single-particle level.
Advances in nanophotonics have shown the potential of colloidal metal particles with sharp tips, such as nanostars, to focalize the plasmonic electromagnetic fields. We describe in this paper the ...performance of gold nanostars in common surface-enhanced scattering (SES) experiments, including SERS, SERRS, and SEF. The study was carried out for several analytes and demonstrated the potential of nanostars for ultradetection of nonfunctionalized analytes, by simply depositing nanostars on top of analyte thin films previously assembled onto a smooth gold surface.
Introduction
COVID‐19 predisposes patients to a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), although the extent of these implications is unclear and the risk of bleeding has been poorly evaluated. ...To date, no studies have reported long‐term outcomes of patients with COVID‐19 and VTE.
Method
Prospective observational study to evaluate long‐term (90 days or more) outcomes of patients diagnosed with VTE (PE, DVT of the extremities, or both) in the setting of COVID‐19. The main outcome of the study was a compound of major bleeding and death.
Results
The study comprised 100 patients (mean age 65 ± 13.9 years). At the time of VTE diagnosis, 66% patients were hospitalized, 34.8% of them in the ICU. Mean follow‐up was 97.9 ± 23.3 days. During the study period, 24% patients died and median time to death was 12 (IQR: 2.25‐20.75) days, 11% patients had major bleeding and median time to event was 12 (IQR: 5‐16) days. The cause of death was PE in 5% and bleeding in 2% of patients. There were no VTE recurrences. The main study outcome occurred in 29% patients. Risk of death or major bleeding was independently associated with ICU admission (HR 12.2; 95% CI 3.0‐48.3), thrombocytopenia (HR 4.5; 95% CI 1.2‐16.5), and cancer (HR 21.6; 95% CI 1.8‐259).
Conclusion
In patients with COVID‐19 and VTE, mortality and major bleeding were high and almost a third of deaths were VTE‐related. The majority of complications occurred in the first 30 days. ICU admission, thrombocytopenia, and cancer are risk factors for poor prognosis.
To asses if telemedicine with telemonitoring is a clinically useful and secure tool in the tracking of patients with COVID-19.
A prospective observational study of patients with COVID-19 diagnosis by ...positive PCR considered high-risk tracked with telemedicine and telemonitoring was conducted in the sanitary area of Lugo between March 17th and April 17th, 2020. Two groups of patients were included: Outpatient Tracing from the beginning and after discharge. Every patient sent a daily clinical questionnaire with temperature and oxygen saturation 3 times a day. Proactive monitoring was done by getting in touch with every patient at least 11a day.
313 patients (52.4% female) with a total average age of 60.9 (DE 15.9) years were included. Additionally, 2 patients refused to join the program. Since the beginning, 224 were traced outpatient and 89 after being discharged. Among the first category, 38 (16.90%) were referred to Emergency department on 43 occasions; 18 were hospitalized (8.03%), and 2 deceased. Neither deaths nor a matter of vital emergency occurred at home. When including patients after admissions monitoring was done in 304 cases. One patient re-entered (0.32%) to the hospital, and another one left the program (0.32%). The average time of monitoring was 11.64 (SD 3.58) days, and 224 (73.68%) patients were discharged during the 30 days of study.
Our study suggests that telemedicine with home telemonitoring, used proactively, allows for monitoring high-risk patients with COVID-19 in a clinically useful and secure way.
Stab resistance is a crucial material property in the case of fabrics used in personal protection equipment due to the extensive occurrence of this threat. Personal Protection Equipments (PPE) are ...commonly based on woven aramids, where the stacking sequence is critical to improve the ratio between protection and weight. PPE should combine optimal penetration resistance with ergonomic requirements. This paper focuses on experimental characterisation of the stab protective efficiency of different architectures of aramid laminates. The influence of different stacking sequences, based on the combination of not treated (N) and thermoplastic aramids (TP), is analysed showing a significant influence of this factor. In the range of the impact energies analysed in this work, it can be concluded that the TP-N-TP sequence is the best choice for stabbing protection.
Lowering the limit of detection is key to the design of sensors needed for food safety regulations, environmental policies and the diagnosis of severe diseases. However, because conventional ...transducers generate a signal that is directly proportional to the concentration of the target molecule, ultralow concentrations of the molecule result in variations in the physical properties of the sensor that are tiny, and therefore difficult to detect with confidence. Here we present a signal-generation mechanism that redefines the limit of detection of nanoparticle sensors by inducing a signal that is larger when the target molecule is less concentrated. The key step to achieve this inverse sensitivity is to use an enzyme that controls the rate of nucleation of silver nanocrystals on plasmonic transducers. We demonstrate the outstanding sensitivity and robustness of this approach by detecting the cancer biomarker prostate-specific antigen down to 10(-18) g ml(-1) (4 × 10(-20) M) in whole serum.
We present subarcsecond 7.5–13 μm imaging- and spectro-polarimetric observations of NGC 1068 using CanariCam on the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio CANARIAS. At all wavelengths, we find: (1) A 90 × 60 pc ...extended polarized feature in the northern ionization cone, with a uniform ∼44
$^\circ$
polarization angle. Its polarization arises from dust and gas emission in the ionization cone, heated by the active nucleus and jet, and further extinguished by aligned dust grains in the host galaxy. The polarization spectrum of the jet–molecular cloud interaction at ∼24 pc from the core is highly polarized, and does not show a silicate feature, suggesting that the dust grains are different from those in the interstellar medium. (2) A southern polarized feature at ∼9.6 pc from the core. Its polarization arises from a dust emission component extinguished by a large concentration of dust in the galaxy disc. We cannot distinguish between dust emission from magnetically aligned dust grains directly heated by the jet close to the core, and aligned dust grains in the dusty obscuring material surrounding the central engine. Silicate-like grains reproduce the polarized dust emission in this feature, suggesting different dust compositions in both ionization cones. (3) An upper limit of polarization degree of 0.3 per cent in the core. Based on our polarization model, the expected polarization of the obscuring dusty material is ≲0.1 per cent in the 8–13 μm wavelength range. This low polarization may be arising from the passage of radiation through aligned dust grains in the shielded edges of the clumps.
Aramid composites are increasingly used alone or combined with other composites in structural and personal protections due to the current demand of these applications against ballistic or fragment ...hazards. Drilling is a common operation required prior to mechanical joining of components, however this operation has been poorly analyzed in the case of aramid composites. Drilling induced damage of this family of composites is analyzed in the present work considering the effect of the drill geometry and cutting parameters. Fuzzing was the dominant damage mechanism both at hole entry and exit being also found delamination in most cases. Drill geometry and feed were influential parameters on resultant composite damage. Main contribution of this work is the obtainment of phenomenological expressions derived from experimental data, allowing the prediction of damage extension as a function of cutting parameters.
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungus that causes a wide range of symptoms. We report finding 17 cases of C. auris infection that were originally misclassified but correctly ...identified 27.5 days later on average. Patients with a delayed diagnosis of C. auris had a 30-day mortality rate of 35.2%.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study reports on the application of activated carbons from macadamia nut shells as adsorbents for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, a commonly used pesticide, from water. Different ...activating agents (FeCl3, ZnCl2, KOH and H3PO4) were used to obtain adsorbents within a wide range of porous texture and surface properties. The characterization of the resulting activated carbons was performed by N2 adsorption–desorption, elemental analysis, TG and pHPZC. The adsorption experiments were conducted in batch at 25, 45 and 65 °C. The adsorption kinetics on activated carbons obtained with FeCl3 H3PO4 or KOH was well described by the pseudo-second order model, whereas for the resulting from ZnCl2 activation the experimental data fit better the pseudo-first order model. The equilibrium studies were performed with the KOH- and ZnCl2-activated carbons, the two showing higher surface area values. In both cases, high adsorption capacities were obtained (c.a. 600 mg g−1) and the experimental data were better described by the Langmuir and Toth models. The thermodynamic study allows concluding the spontaneous and endothermic character of the adsorption process, as well as an increase of randomness at the solid/liquid interface. Breakthrough curves were also obtained and fitted to the logistic model.
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•Chemical activated carbons from macadamia nut shells were synthesized.•The activated carbons were tested in the adsorption of 2,4-D pesticide.•The maximum adsorption capacity achieved was close to 600 mg g−1.•Adsorption equilibrium, kinetics and dynamics were studied.•Breakthrough adsorption curves were fitted to logistical model.
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