One of the most classic size-effects in materials is the increase in the strength and hardness as the grain size decreases. However, a practical low size limit for this so-called grain boundary ...strengthening has been extensively reported for both metals and ceramics. Here, it is demonstrated that this limit is not observed in fully dense nanocrystalline magnesium aluminate, where hardness increases from 17.2 to 28.4GPa (surpassing sapphire hardness) when grain sizes are refined from 188nm to 7.1nm, respectively. The increasing trend is proportional to the square root of the grain size, following the Hall-Petch relationship, reassuring that common weakening mechanisms described in nanocrystalline metals might not be present in ceramics. To achieve such small grain sizes in fully dense ceramics, a new processing technique is introduced, Deformable Punch Spark Plasma Sintering, DP-SPS, in which nanoparticles are sheared under high pressures (~2GPa) during densification at moderate temperatures (720–870°C). This inhibits grain growth due to the low processing temperatures and destabilizes/eliminate isolated residual pores, known to detrimentally affect mechanical behavior of ceramics. Noticeably, the sintered material showed high transparency in the visible spectrum, being reported as one of the hardest transparent oxide material to date.
•Fully dense nanocrystalline transparent magnesium aluminate was produced.•Unprecedented hardness of 28.4GPa was observed for 7.1nm grain size.•Hall-Petch relation held true from micro to nano-sizes.•Mechanism of densification relates to punch deformation during sintering.
Microtus ochrogaster is a rodent with a monogamous reproductive strategy characterized by strong pair bond formation after 6 h of mating. Here, we determine whether mating-induced pair bonding ...increases cell proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ), rostral migratory stream (RMS), and dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus in male voles. Males were assigned to one of the four groups: (1) control: males were placed alone in a clean cage; (2) social exposure to a female (SE m/f): males that could see, hear, and smell a sexually receptive female but where physical contact was not possible, because the animals were separated by an acrylic screen with small holes; (3) social exposure to a male (SE m/m): same as group 2 but males were exposed to another male without physical contact; and (4) social cohabitation with mating (SCM): males that mated freely with a receptive female for 6 h. This procedure leads to pair bond formation. Groups 2 and 3 were controls for social interaction. Male prairie voles were injected with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) during the behavioral tests and were sacrificed 48 h later. Brains were processed to identify the new cells (BrdU-positive) and neuron precursor cells (neuroblasts). Our principal findings are that in the dorsal region of the SVZ, SCM and SE m/f and m/m increase the percentage of neuron precursor cells. In the anterior region of the RMS, SE m/f decreases the percentage of neuron precursor cells, and in the medial region SE m/f and m/m decrease the number of new cells and neuron precursor cells. In the infrapyramidal blade of the subgranular zone of the DG, SE m/m and SCM increase the number of new neuron precursor cells and SE m/m increases the percentage of these neurons. Our data suggests that social interaction, as well as sexual stimulation, leads to pair bonding in male voles modulating cell proliferation and differentiation to neuronal precursor cells at the SVZ, RMS, and DG.
In-situ X-ray diffraction coupled with thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry were used to elucidate the crystal phase transition from akaganeite to hematite nanorods. The results ...indicate that though complete phase transformation occurs at ∼663 K, residual chlorines from the hydrothermal synthesis conditions strongly affect spin moment. The high temperature (>1023 K) shock-annealing reduced the chlorine concentration and consequent suppress most of surface defects on the rods. High temperature annealed hematite nanorods were then studied in terms of magnetic properties under different applied hydrostatic pressures and exhibited a shift of TM to higher values, from 261 to 282 K with initial rate (∂TM/∂P coefficient) of 46 K GPa−1. Such positive dependence of TM with hydrostatic applied pressure is consistent with several works reported in the literature investigating different morphologies in bulk and at nanoscale. In fact, gradual reduction of Cl species increases the spin mobility allowing the appearance of weak-ferromagnetism at room temperature. The crossover results strongly support the hypothesis that Cl dominates spin mobility.
•In-situ XRD technique exhibited a complete hematite formation at 663 K.•Chlorine residues profoundly affect spin moment at room temperature.•Shock-annealing promoted chlorine removal and consequent reduction of surface defects.•Hydrostatic applied pressure favored a shift in Morin transition temperature.
A significant fraction of massive main-sequence stars show strong, large-scale magnetic fields. The origin of these fields, their lifetimes, and their role in shaping the characteristics and ...evolution of massive stars are currently not well understood. We compile a catalogue of 389 massive main-sequence stars, 61 of which are magnetic, and derive their fundamental parameters and ages. The two samples contain stars brighter than magnitude 9 in the V-band and range in mass between 5 and 100 M⊙. We find that the fractional main-sequence age distribution of all considered stars follows what is expected for a magnitude limited sample, while that of magnetic stars shows a clear decrease towards the end of the main sequence. This dearth of old magnetic stars is independent of the choice of adopted stellar evolution tracks, and appears to become more prominent when considering only the most massive stars. We show that the decreasing trend in the distribution is significantly stronger than expected from magnetic flux conservation. We also find that binary rejuvenation and magnetic suppression of core convection are unlikely to be responsible for the observed lack of older magnetic massive stars, and conclude that its most probable cause is the decay of the magnetic field, over a time span longer than the stellar lifetime for the lowest considered masses, and shorter for the highest masses. We then investigate the spin-down ages of the slowly rotating magnetic massive stars and find them to exceed the stellar ages by far in many cases. The high fraction of very slowly rotating magnetic stars thus provides an independent argument for a decay of the magnetic fields.
Background
In Sweden, social restrictions to contain SARS‐CoV‐2 have primarily relied upon voluntary adherence to a set of recommendations. Strict lockdowns have not been enforced, potentially ...affecting viral dissemination. To understand the levels of past SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the Stockholm population before the start of mass vaccinations, healthy blood donors and pregnant women (n = 5,100) were sampled at random between 14 March 2020 and 28 February 2021.
Methods
In this cross‐sectional prospective study, otherwise‐healthy blood donors (n = 2,600) and pregnant women (n = 2,500) were sampled for consecutive weeks (at four intervals) throughout the study period. Sera from all participants and a cohort of historical (negative) controls (n = 595) were screened for IgG responses against stabilized trimers of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike (S) glycoprotein and the smaller receptor‐binding domain (RBD). As a complement to standard analytical approaches, a probabilistic (cut‐off independent) Bayesian framework that assigns likelihood of past infection was used to analyse data over time.
Setting
Healthy participant samples were randomly selected from their respective pools through Karolinska University Hospital. The study was carried out in accordance with Swedish Ethical Review Authority: registration number 2020–01807.
Participants
No participants were symptomatic at sampling, and blood donors were all over the age of 18. No additional metadata were available from the participants.
Results
Blood donors and pregnant women showed a similar seroprevalence. After a steep rise at the start of the pandemic, the seroprevalence trajectory increased steadily in approach to the winter second wave of infections, approaching 15% of all individuals surveyed by 13 December 2020. By the end of February 2021, 19% of the population tested seropositive. Notably, 96% of seropositive healthy donors screened (n = 56) developed neutralizing antibody responses at titres comparable to or higher than those observed in clinical trials of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike mRNA vaccination, supporting that mild infection engenders a competent B‐cell response.
Conclusions
These data indicate that in the first year since the start of community transmission, seropositivity levels in metropolitan in Stockholm had reached approximately one in five persons, providing important baseline seroprevalence information prior to the start of vaccination.
The genus Acinetobacter encompasses biotechnologically relevant species and nosocomial pathogens. In this study, nine isolates recovered from different oil reservoir samples showed the ability to ...grow with petroleum as the only carbon source and possessed the ability to emulsify kerosene. The whole genomes of the nine strains were sequenced and analyzed. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values of all strains were compared to the reference strains, and the results were below the reference values (<97.88 and 82, respectively), suggesting that the isolates belong to a new subspecies of Acinetobacter baumannii. The name Acinetobacter baumannii oleum ficedula is proposed. A comparison of the whole genome repertoire of 290 Acinetobacter species indicated that the strains in this study resemble non-pathogenic Acinetobacter strains. However, the new isolates resemble A. baumannii when comparing virulence factors. The isolates in this study carry many genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation, indicating the potential to degrade most toxic compounds listed by environmental regulatory agencies such as ATSDR, EPA, and CONAMA. In addition, despite the absence of known biosurfactant or bioemulsifier genes, the strains showed emulsifying activity, suggesting the presence of new pathways or genes related to this process. This study investigated the genomic, phenotypic, and biochemical features of the novel environmental subspecies A. baumannii oleum ficedula, revealing their potential to degrade hydrocarbons and to produce biosurfactants or bioemulsifiers. Applying these environmental subspecies in bioaugmentation strategies sheds light on future approaches to bioremediation. The study shows the importance of genomic analysis of environmental strains and their inclusion in metabolic pathways databases, highlighting unique enzymes/alternative pathways for consuming hazardous hydrocarbons.
Display omitted
•Acinetobacter baumannii strains were isolated from oil reservoirs.•The phenotypic and genomic characterization indicates a novel subspecies.•A. baumannii oleum ficedula shows hydrocarbon degradation specialization.•A potential new pathway of biosurfactant production was suggested.•This subspecies has unique genes for the degradation of hazardous hydrocarbons.
The classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs and wild boar. The CSF causes great economic losses for pork production and the occurrence of the disease is notifiable to ...the OIE. The objective of this work was to identify and characterize CSF virus isolates from Brazil. Seven viral isolates were obtained and the full-length E2 sequences were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a different segregation pattern between Brazilian isolates and members of subgenotype 1.1, forming a separate group within genotype 1. Genetic distance analysis suggested the existence of two new subgenotypes, designated subgenotypes 1.5 and 1.6.
Purpose
Almost two-thirds of the population undergoing bariatric surgery (BS) suffers from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for ...moderate to severe OSA and is recommended in patients undergoing BS perioperatively. A severe and dreaded complication after BS is anastomotic leakage. There is theoretical concern that perioperative CPAP use may result in increased distension of the gastrointestinal tract and increase the risk of developing an anastomotic leakage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postoperative CPAP use on the risk of developing anastomotic leakages after BS.
Methods
Retrospectively, all patients from a single bariatric center who underwent BS from November 2007 to August 2019 were included. Presence and severity of OSA were determined using poly(somno)graphy. To evaluate the effect of postoperative CPAP use on anastomotic leakage, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.
Results
A total of 4052 patients were included, with OSA being diagnosed in 62%. Overall, 970 patients (24%) used CPAP after BS. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 64 (1.6%) patients after BS. Leakage rate was 1.3% in non-CPAP group versus 2.5% in CPAP group (
p
= 0.01). CPAP use was associated with anastomotic leakage; however, after adjustment, CPAP use was not an independent predictor (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 0.60–3.28,
p
= 0.44).
Conclusion
There is no independent relation between postoperative CPAP use and anastomotic leakage after BS. Only revision surgery was an independent predictor of anastomotic leakage.
Objective
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has an increased risk of coagulopathy with high frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Recent reports of thrombosis associated with ...adenovirus-based vaccines raised concern that SARS-CoV-2 immunization in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) patients may trigger clotting complications. Our objectives were to assess immunogenicity, safety, and aPL production in PAPS patients, after vaccinating with Sinovac-CoronaVac, an inactivated virus vaccine against COVID-19.
Methods
This prospective controlled phase-4 study of PAPS patients and a control group (CG) consisted of a two-dose Sinovac-CoronaVac (D0/D28) and blood collection before vaccination (D0), at D28 and 6 weeks after second dose (D69) for immunogenicity/aPL levels. Outcomes were seroconversion (SC) rates of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG and/or neutralizing antibodies (NAb) at D28/D69 in naïve participants. Safety and aPL production were also assessed.
Results
We included 44 PAPS patients (31 naïve) and 132 CG (108 naïve) with comparable age (p=0.982) and sex (p>0.999). At D69, both groups had high and comparable SC (83.9% vs. 93.5%, p=0.092), as well as NAb positivity (77.4% vs. 78.7%, p=0.440), and NAb-activity (64.3% vs. 60.9%, p=0.689). Thrombotic events up to 6 months or other moderate/severe side effects were not observed. PAPS patients remained with stable aPL levels throughout the study at D0 vs. D28 vs. D69: anticardiolipin (aCL) IgG (p=0.058) and IgM (p=0.091); anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) IgG (p=0.513) and IgM (p=0.468).
Conclusion
We provided novel evidence that Sinovac-CoronaVac has high immunogenicity and safety profile in PAPS. Furthermore, Sinovac-CoronaVac did not trigger thrombosis nor induced changes in aPL production.
PDF
