Surface plasmon resonance devices typically rely on the use of gold-coated surfaces, but the use of more abundant metals is desirable for the long-term development of plasmonic biochips. As a ...substitute for gold, thin copper films have been deposited on glass coverslips by thermal evaporation. As expected, these films immersed in a water solution initially exhibit an intense plasmonic resonance comparable to gold. However, without protection, an angle-resolved optical analysis shows a rapid degradation of the copper, characterized by a continuous angular shift of the plasmonic resonance curve. We show that copper films protected with a thin layer of aluminum oxide of a few nanometers can limit the oxidation rate for a sufficient time to perform some standard measurements. As the process is simple and compatible with the current biochip production technique, such an approach could pave the way for the production of alternative and more sustainable biochips.
Arterial stiffness is a precursor for the development of hypertension and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical activity has been associated with lower arterial stiffness among largely ...White populations, but the types of activity required and whether these findings apply to Black adults remain unknown. We examined whether physical activity levels were associated with arterial stiffness among Black adults in two independent cohorts. In the Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular (MECA) Center for Health Equity, 378 Black adults (age 52.8 ± 10.3, 39.7% male) without known CVD living in Atlanta, GA were recruited. Arterial stiffness was measured as pulse wave velocity (PWV). Total and domain-specific physical activity were assessed by self-report. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate differences across physical activity levels after adjusting for age, sex, CVD risk factors, and socioeconomic status. Findings were validated in an independent cohort of Black adults (n = 55, age 50.4 ± 9.2, 23.6% male). After adjustment for covariates, lower arterial stiffness was associated with higher self-reported levels of sport/exercise (6.92 ± 1.13 vs 7.75 ± 1.14, p < 0.001, highest vs lowest quartile) and home/life activities (7.34 ± 1.24 vs 7.73 ± 1.07, p = 0.04, highest vs lowest quartile), but not work, active living, or the overall physical activity scores. These findings were replicated in the independent cohort where higher levels of sport/exercise remained associated with lower arterial stiffness (6.66 ± 0.57 vs 8.21 ± 0.66, p < 0.001, highest vs lowest quartile). Higher levels of sport/exercise and home/life-related physical activities (in comparison to occupational physical activity) are associated with lower arterial stiffness in Black adults.
In this study, we fabricated a hybrid plasmonic/semiconductor material by combining the chemical bath deposition of zinc oxide nanowires (ZnONWs) with the physical vapor deposition of aluminum ...nanostructures (AlNSs) under controlled temperature and atmosphere. The morphological and the optical properties of the ZnONWs/AlNSs hybrid material fabricated at different temperatures (250, 350, and 450 °C) and thicknesses (5, 7, and 9 nm) of Al layers were investigated. By adjusting the deposition and annealing parameters, it was possible to tune the size distribution of the AlNSs. The resonant coupling between the plasmonic AlNSs and ZnONWs leads to an enhanced photoluminescence response. The photocatalytic activity was studied through photodegradation under UV-light irradiation of methylene blue (MB) adsorbed at the surface of ZnO. The MB photodegradation experiment reveals that the ZnONWs covered with 7 nm aluminum film and annealed at 450 °C exhibit the highest degradation efficiency. The comparison between ZnONws and ZnONws/AlNSs shows a photoluminescence enhancement factor of 1.7 and an increase in the kinetics constant of photodegradation with a factor of 4.
Here, we demonstrate for the first time a strategy to self-assemble ZnO nanoparticles (NP) on a large area by a facile one-step process. First, rough and random ZnO nanocrystals (NC), were produced ...by free-stabilizing aqueous synthesis. Therefore, a post thermal treatment at various temperatures ranging from 80 to 800 °C was necessary to obtain size-tunable and photoluminescent crystalline NP. The fabricated NP had both efficient UV photoluminescence and photocatalytic activity by photo-degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye. The annealed NP showed an absorption blue shift in the UV region with decreasing size. This shift was attributed to high quantum confinement effect since ZnO NP diameter reached values lower than the Bohr radius of ZnO (~2.7 nm). The photocatalytic activity displayed dependency on the particle’s size, number, and crystallinity. Subsequently, the NP were self-assembled inside poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoholes. Subsequently, large area substrate of homogenous properties ZnO NP was obtained. Moreover, the synthesis facility, photoemission and photocatalytic properties of ZnO NP could be a new insight into the realization of high performance and low cost UV laser devices.
This paper reports research on deep etching of silicon carbide (SiC) to achieve isolated deep trenches in the same thick SiC substrates. This paper combines both plasma etching and electrochemical ...etching on p-type SiC above n-type SiC layers. Uniform and
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in the spike protein is raising concerns about the efficacy of infection- or vaccine-induced antibodies. We compared antibody binding and live ...virus neutralization of sera from naturally infected and Moderna-vaccinated individuals against two SARS-CoV-2 variants: B.1 containing the spike mutation D614G and the emerging B.1.351 variant containing additional spike mutations and deletions. Sera from acutely infected and convalescent COVID-19 patients exhibited a 3-fold reduction in binding antibody titers to the B.1.351 variant receptor-binding domain of the spike protein and a 3.5-fold reduction in neutralizing antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant compared to the B.1 variant. Similar results were seen with sera from Moderna-vaccinated individuals. Despite reduced antibody titers against the B.1.351 variant, sera from infected and vaccinated individuals containing polyclonal antibodies to the spike protein could still neutralize SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351, suggesting that protective humoral immunity may be retained against this variant.
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•Antibodies from infected and vaccinated individuals bind to the B.1.351 RBD•Convalescent sera through eight months can neutralize the B.1.351 variant•Serum from vaccinated individuals retains neutralization against the B.1.351 variant
In this study, Edara et al. (2021) report that, despite reduced antibody binding to the B.1.351 RBD, sera from infected (acute and convalescent) and Moderna (mRNA-1273)-vaccinated individuals were still able to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant, suggesting that protective humoral immunity may be retained against this variant.
This study reports research on Nickel etch mask used for deep plasma etching of silicon carbide (SiC) substrates, aiming to fabricate power integrated devices. Ni masks with significant thicknesses ...are requested when performing deep etches of SiC, which are less compatible with classic thin film physical vapor deposition (PVD) methods. Uniform and smooth plasma etched surfaces of SiC were obtained without micromasking phenomena upon using Ni masks deposed by electroplating. Detailed here is this Ni masks based technology we developed beyond its limitation, in order to obtain a high-etched thickness of silicon carbide substrates.
Purpose of Review
The balance between inflammation and its resolution plays an important and increasingly appreciated role in heart failure (HF) pathogenesis. In humans, different chronic ...inflammatory conditions and immune-inflammatory responses to infection can lead to diverse HF manifestations. Reviewing the phenotypic and mechanistic diversity of these HF presentations offers useful clinical and scientific insights.
Recent Findings
HF risk is increased in patients with chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders and relates to disease severity. Inflammatory condition–specific HF manifestations exist and underlying pathophysiologic causes may differ across conditions.
Summary
Although inflammatory disease–specific presentations of HF differ, chronic excess in inflammation and auto-inflammation relative to resolution of this inflammation is a common underlying contributor to HF. Further studies are needed to phenotypically refine inflammatory condition–specific HF pathophysiologies and prognoses, as well as potential targets for intervention.
Abstract only Introduction: Previously, we used plasma metabolomics profiling to identify metabolites underlying cardiovascular health (CVH) in participants of the Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular ...(MECA) Center for Health Equity study, a cohort of Black adults living in the Atlanta area. To determine whether a health intervention could alter expression of metabolites associated with CVH, metabolomics profiles were assessed pre- and post-intervention in participants with poor CVH. Hypothesis: Metabolites previously shown to be associated with CVH in MECA participants would be altered after the health intervention. Goal: To identify metabolites that could be markers for improved CVH and therapeutic targets. Methods: Seventy-one Black adults without known cardiovascular disease and with poor CVH (AHA Life’s Simple 7 LS7 score <8), used a technology-enabled behavioral intervention platform for 6 months with or without a health coach. Metabolomics profiles were assessed pre- and post-intervention by high-resolution metabolomics profiling. A metabolome wide association study (MWAS) identified differentially expressed metabolites and enriched metabolic pathways. Metabolites were annotated by matching to an in-house library of confirmed metabolites. Changes in clinical metrics after intervention were also explored. Results: Mean age was 55 (standard deviation SD 9.0) years, 69% female. Total LS7 scores improved from 6.2 (SD 1.49) to 6.5 (SD 1.74) after the intervention. While total and subcomponent LS7 scores and clinical metrics (BMI, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels) trended toward improvement, the changes were not statistically significant. MWAS identified 18 confirmed metabolites that were significantly changed after intervention, including glutamine and glutamate. Pathway analysis identified 29 enriched metabolic pathways, including those for glutamate, aspartate, asparagine, arginine and proline metabolism. Conclusion: A six-month lifestyle intervention significantly altered activity of select plasma metabolites while only modestly altering clinical metrics. These metabolites appear to be sensitive indicators of a healthier lifestyle, potentially supporting their use as markers of CVH and therapeutic targets.
Abstract only
Introduction:
Previously, we used plasma metabolomics profiling to identify metabolites underlying cardiovascular health (CVH) in participants of the Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular ...(MECA) Center for Health Equity study, a cohort of Black adults living in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. To determine whether a health intervention could alter expression of metabolites associated with CVH, metabolomics profiles were assessed pre- and post-intervention in participants with poor CVH.
Hypothesis:
Metabolites previously shown to be associated with CVH in MECA participants would be altered after the health intervention.
Methods:
Seventy-one Black adults without known cardiovascular disease and with poor CVH (AHA Life’s Simple 7 LS7 score <8), used a technology-enabled behavioral intervention platform for 6 months with or without a health coach. Metabolomics profiles were assessed pre- and post-intervention by high-resolution metabolomics profiling. A metabolome wide association study (MWAS) identified differentially expressed metabolites and enriched metabolic pathways. Metabolites were annotated by matching to an in-house library of confirmed metabolites. Changes in clinical metrics after intervention were also explored.
Results:
Mean age was 55 (standard deviation SD 9.0) years, 69% female. Total LS7 scores improved from 6.2 (SD 1.49) to 6.5 (SD 1.74) after the intervention. While total and subcomponent LS7 scores and clinical metrics (BMI, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels) trended toward improvement, the changes were not statistically significant. MWAS identified 18 confirmed metabolites that were significantly changed after intervention, including glutamine and glutamate. Pathway analysis identified 29 enriched metabolic pathways, including those for glutamate, aspartate, asparagine, arginine and proline metabolism.
Conclusions:
A six-month lifestyle intervention significantly altered activity of select plasm metabolites while only modestly altering clinical metrics. These metabolites appear to be sensitive indicators of a healthier lifestyle, potentially supporting their use as markers of CVH and therapeutic targets.
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