Silicon nanoparticles of 1–5 nm size (SiNPs) were synthesized by a bottom-up (BU) approach involving a chemical wet method. The contribution of different emitters to the overall excitation–emission ...matrix was analyzed on the assumption that pure substances existing in a unique form show an excitation wavelength-invariant emission spectrum. The occurrence of emitters differing in size and aggregation was supported by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), time-resolved single photon counting, and time-resolved anisotropy experiments. The effect on photoluminescence (PL) of the particle surface oxidation as a result of aging is studied and compared to that of surface oxidized particles obtained by a top-down (TD) approach following an electrochemical method with HF etching. Surface oxidation to SiO x seems to introduce two different effects on the SiNP PL. An emission originated in surface states associated to SiO x was identified and observed for SiNPs synthesized by both BU and TD approaches. Blue-shifted excitation–emission spectra associated to a silicon core in embedded SiO x nanostructures were also identified. Theoretical studies were carried out to help understand the observed results.
We report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using daisy petals (
), leek (
) and garlic skin (
) as reducing agents and water as solvent. AgNPs are obtained with high ...monodispersity, spherical shapes and size ranging from 5 to 35 nm and characterized by UV-Vis and TEM techniques. The obtained yields in AgNPs are in concordance with the total phenolic content of each plant. We also study the incorporation of AgNPs in combination with the red algae
extracts (PCE) into cosmetic formulations and analyze their combined effect as photoprotective agents. Moreover, we carry out the inclusion of the PCE containing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), which are strong UV-absorbing and antioxidant compounds, into β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and
NIPAM nanoparticles and analyze stability and release. The thermoresponsive polymer is grown by free radical polymerization using
-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) as the monomer,
'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as the cross-linker, and 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidene) (V50) as the initiator, while βCD complex is prepared by heating in water. We evaluate the nanoparticle and βCD complex formation by UV-Vis and FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopies, respectively, and the nanoparticles' morphology, including particle size, by TEM. The cosmetic formulations are subsequently subjected to accelerated stability tests and photoprotective analyses: a synergistic effect in the combination of AgNPs and PCE in photoprotection was found. It is not related to a UV screen effect but to the antioxidant activity, having potential against photoaging.
Background The impact of changes in Doppler-derived kidney venous flow in heart failure (HF) is not well studied. We aimed to investigate the association of Doppler-derived kidney venous stasis index ...(KVSI) and intrakidney venous-flow (IKVF) patterns with adverse cardiorenal outcomes in patients with HF. Methods and Results In this observational cohort study, consecutive inpatients with HF referred to a nephrologist because of a history of diuretic resistance and abnormal kidney function (n=216) underwent spectral kidney assessments after admission (Doppler 1) and 25 to 35 days later (Doppler 2) to identify IKVF patterns (continuous/pulsatile/biphasic/monophasic) and KVSI levels. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the associations between KVSI/IKVF patterns at Doppler 1 as well as changes from Doppler 1 to Doppler 2 and risk of cardiorenal events up to 18 months after admission. Worsening HF or death occurred in 126 patients. Both baseline KVSI (hazard ratio HR, 1.49 95% CI, 1.37-1.61 per 0.1-unit increase) and baseline IKVF pattern (HR, 2.47 95% CI, 2.01-3.04 per 1 pattern severity increase) were significantly associated with worsening HF/death. Increases in both KVSI and IKVF pattern severity from Doppler 1 to 2 were also associated with an increased risk of worsening HF/death (HR, 3.00 95% CI, 2.08-4.32 per 0.1-unit increase change; and HR, 6.73 95% CI, 3.27-13.86 per 1 pattern increase in severity change, respectively). Similar results were observed for kidney outcomes. Conclusions Baseline kidney venous flow predicted adverse cardiorenal events, and inclusion of serial kidney venous flow in cardiorenal risk stratification could facilitate clinical decision-making for patients with HF. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03039959.
The radiation detection resonance ionization spectroscopy (RADRIS) technique enables laser spectroscopic investigations of the heaviest elements which are produced in atom-at-a-time quantities from ...fusion-evaporation reactions. To achieve a high efficiency, laser spectroscopy is performed in a buffer-gas environment used to thermalize and stop the high-energy evaporation residues behind the velocity filter SHIP. The required cyclic measurement procedure in combination with the applied filament collection for neutralization as well as confinement of the stopped ions and subsequent pulse-heat desorption constrains the applicability of the technique. Here, some of these limitations and also opportunities that arise from this unique measurement setup will be evaluated.
Background We examined: (i) the usefulness of the International Fitness Scale (IFIS) to correctly rank adolescents into physical fitness levels; (ii) the capacity of the IFIS for predicting ...cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; and (iii) the reliability of the IFIS in adolescents.
Methods The study comprised 3059 adolescents (aged 12.5-17.5 years) from nine European countries (HELENA study). Blood samples were collected in one-third of the participants (randomly selected, n = 981). Test-retest reliability of the IFIS was studied in a separate sample of 277 adolescents. Physical fitness-cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular fitness (MF), speed-agility (SP-AG), flexibility and overall fitness-was self-reported using 5-point Likert-scale questions (1 = very poor, 5 = very good) and measured using standard field-based tests. The CVD risk factors measured included total/central adiposity indices and mean arterial pressure, total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin resistance (HOMA) and C-reactive protein.
Results Analysis of covariance showed that adolescents reporting better fitness had higher measured fitness levels for all the variables studied (all P < 0.001), regardless of gender, age and weight status. Adolescents reporting very good overall fitness, CRF and SP-AG had a healthier cardiovascular profile in eight out of nine CVD risk factors studied. Perfect agreement (same test-retest answer) was observed in 65% of the adolescents and perfect-acceptable agreement (same answer or ±1) in 97% of the adolescents.
Conclusions (i) The IFIS is able to correctly rank adolescents according to their measured physical fitness levels; (ii) adolescents reporting a good/very good overall fitness, CRF or SP-AG have a more favorable cardiovascular profile; and (iii) The IFIS is reliable in adolescents.
IntroductionHeterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (heFH) is the most common monogenic cause of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The precise diagnosis of heFH is established by ...genetic testing. This systematic review will investigate the risk factors that predict cardiovascular events in patients with a genetic diagnosis of heFH.Methods and analysisOur literature search will cover publications from database inception until June 2023. We will undertake a search of CINAHL (trial), clinicalKey, Cochrane Library, DynaMed, Embase, Espacenet, Experiments (trial), Fisterra, ÍnDICEs CSIC, LILACS, LISTA, Medline, Micromedex, NEJM Resident 360, OpenDissertations, PEDro, Trip Database, PubPsych, Scopus, TESEO, UpToDate, Web of Science and the grey literature for eligible studies. We will screen the title, abstract and full-text papers for potential inclusion and assess the risk of bias. We will employ the Cochrane tool for randomised controlled trials and non-randomised clinical studies and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for assessing the risk of bias in observational studies. We will include full-text peer-reviewed publications, reports of a cohort/registry, case–control and cross-sectional studies, case report/series and surveys related to adults (≥18 years of age) with a genetic diagnostic heFH. The language of the searched studies will be restricted to English or Spanish. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach will be used to assess the quality of the evidence. Based on the data available, the authors will determine whether the data can be pooled in meta-analyses.Ethics and disseminationAll data will be extracted from published literature. Hence, ethical approval and patient informed consent are not required. The findings of the systematic review will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at international conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022304273.
Purpose The first aim was to determine whether there is an optimal grip span for determining the maximum hand grip strength in boys and girls aged 6 to 12 years and whether the optimal grip span was ...related to hand span. If so, the second aim was to derive a mathematical equation relating hand span and optimal grip span. Methods A total of 123 boys (9 y ± 2) and 70 girls (8 y ± 2) were evaluated. Each hand was randomly tested on 10 occasions using 5 different grip spans, allowing a 1-minute rest between attempts. The hand span was measured from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger with the hand opened widely. Results An optimal grip span to determine maximum hand grip strength was identified for both genders. Hand span and optimal grip span showed a significant linear association in the studied children. The equation relating grip span as a function of hand span in boys is formulated as y = x /4 + 0.44 and in girls as y = 0.3 x – 0.52, where x is the hand span (maximal width between first and fifth fingers) and y is the optimal grip span. Conclusions The results suggest that there is an optimal grip span to which the dynamometer should be adjusted when measuring hand grip strength in children. The optimal grip span was influenced by hand span in both genders.
•Modification of membrane surfaces by using bioactive materials.•Theophylline derivative as an alternative to biotin for monitoring streptavidin interaction.•Easy procedure for monitorization of the ...protein interaction by bright field microscopy.
Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and regenerated cellulose (RC) membranes were surface-modified by the adsorption of one adenosine receptor antagonist: the theophylline-oligo(ethylene glycol)-alkene derivative, Theo1. Surface modification was carried out by immersion of the membrane in a dichloromethane solution of Theo1 (PVDF+Theo1 and RC+Theo1 samples). Membrane surfaces with partial coverage by theophylline and/or its inclusion in the membrane structures were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SNMR), impedance spectroscopy (IS) and contact angle (CA) measurements. The Theo1 orientation was inferred from the data. Streptavidin (SA) was immobilized onto the membrane/Theo1 hybrid material. The protein–theophylline Theo1 interaction was visualized with bright field microscopy (BFM).
Solar cells based on polycrystalline thin-film Cu(In,Ga)Se2 materials have recently achieved a new level of performance with a certified efficiency of 19.5%. In this contribution, some physical ...characteristics of the absorber materials (and devices) leading to such performance are presented. From the absorber composition and the device quantum efficiency data, we found that these materials have an atomic bulk composition of 0.88 < Cu/(In+Ga) < 0.95 and Ga/(In+Ga)~0.3 leading to an empirical effective band gap of 1.14 eV for which maximum performance is attained. These chalcopyrite absorber materials are also characterized by a strong < 220/204 > preferred orientation. Because of this key structural aspect found in our high-efficiency absorbers, we present a comparison for some physical characteristics of the absorber as related to typical preferred orientations observed in this material system, namely < 112 > and < 220/204 > . We find that < 220/204 > -oriented thin films are in general more homogeneous than < 112 > -oriented films in terms of their optoelectronic properties, and they lead to materials with a lower density of nonradiative recombination centers.
•New ConvNet-based model for 3D human pose estimation from depth images.•Our ConvNet combines a set of prototype poses to obtain the 3D pose.•Multicamera is not needed but supported by our system to ...improve the final estimation.•State-of-the-art results on ITOP and UBC3V datasets, reducing error ~60% (@10 cm) on UBC3V.
Many real-world applications require the estimation of human body joints for higher-level tasks as, for example, human behaviour understanding. In recent years, depth sensors have become a popular approach to obtain three-dimensional information. The depth maps generated by these sensors provide information that can be employed to disambiguate the poses observed in two-dimensional images. This work addresses the problem of 3D human pose estimation from depth maps employing a Deep Learning approach. We propose a model, named Deep Depth Pose (DDP), which receives a depth map containing a person and a set of predefined 3D prototype poses and returns the 3D position of the body joints of the person. In particular, DDP is defined as a ConvNet that computes the specific weights needed to linearly combine the prototypes for the given input. We have thoroughly evaluated DDP on the challenging ‘ITOP’ and ‘UBC3V’ datasets, which respectively depict realistic and synthetic samples, defining a new state-of-the-art on them.
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