The formation of two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) at complex oxide interfaces is directly influenced by the oxide electronic properties. We investigated how local electron correlations control ...the 2DEG by inserting a single atomic layer of a rare-earth oxide (RO) (R is lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), or yttrium (Y) into an epitaxial strontium titanate oxide (SrTiO₃) matrix using pulsed-laser deposition with atomic layer control. We find that structures with La, Pr, and Nd ions result in conducting 2DEGs at the inserted layer, whereas the structures with Sm or Y ions are insulating. Our local spectroscopic and theoretical results indicate that the interfacial conductivity is dependent on electronic correlations that decay spatially into the SrTiO₃ matrix. Such correlation effects can lead to new functionalities in designed heterostructures.
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•A new approach for the angularity quantification of general-shape particles is proposed.•Morphology of general-shape particles is reconstructed using Fourier series analysis.•The ...gradient-based angularity index is evaluated from the reconstructed morphology.•Images in commonly used standard charts are evaluated for their angularity indices.•A simple-to-use criterion is suggested for the classification of particle angularity.
Particle angularity significantly affects the macroscopic mechanical behavior of aggregate assemblages. However, most of the current approaches used for quantifying particle angularity are only applicable to star-like particles. This study presents a new approach allowing the quantification of angularity of general-shape particles. The method first reconstructs the particle morphology by applying Fourier series analysis to the two-dimensional image of the particle. The gradient-based angularity index (AIg) is then evaluated from the reconstructed morphology through numerical integration. AIg is zero for images of any circularly shaped particles, including circles and ellipses, and it increases with increasing particle angularity. Images included in commonly used standard charts are evaluated for their AIgs. The results show a consistent pattern in regard to the qualitative angularity ranking of the particles. Based on the findings, a simple-to-use criterion is suggested for the quantitative classification of particle angularity.
A 55-year-old man sought treatment for an uncomplicated febrile illness after returning to Canada from the Philippines. A suspected diagnosis of Plasmodium knowlesi infection was confirmed by PCR, ...and treatment with atovaquone/proguanil brought successful recovery. We review the evolving epidemiology of P. knowlesi malaria in the Philippines, specifically within Palawan Island.
In atherosclerotic lesions, blood-derived monocytes differentiate into distinct macrophage subpopulations, and further into cholesterol-filled foam cells under a complex milieu of cytokines, which ...also contains macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Here we generated human macrophages in the presence of either M-CSF or GM-CSF to obtain M-MØ and GM-MØ, respectively. The macrophages were converted into cholesterol-loaded foam cells by incubating them with acetyl-LDL, and their atheroinflammatory gene expression profiles were then assessed. Compared with GM-MØ, the M-MØ expressed higher levels of CD36, SRA1, and ACAT1, and also exhibited a greater ability to take up acetyl-LDL, esterify cholesterol, and become converted to foam cells. M-MØ foam cells expressed higher levels of ABCA1 and ABCG1, and, correspondingly, exhibited higher rates of cholesterol efflux to apoA-I and HDL
. Cholesterol loading of M-MØ strongly suppressed the high baseline expression of CCL2, whereas in GM-MØ the low baseline expression CCL2 remained unchanged during cholesterol loading. The expression of TNFA, IL1B, and CXCL8 were reduced in LPS-activated macrophage foam cells of either subtype. In summary, cholesterol loading converged the CSF-dependent expression of key genes related to intracellular cholesterol balance and inflammation. These findings suggest that transformation of CSF-polarized macrophages into foam cells may reduce their atheroinflammatory potential in atherogenesis.
To examine the association of anesthesiologist sex on postoperative outcomes.
Differences in patient postoperative outcomes exist, depending on whether the primary surgeon is male or female, with ...better outcomes seen among patients treated by female surgeons. Whether the intraoperative anesthesiologist's sex is associated with differential postoperative patient outcomes is unknown.
We performed a population-based, retrospective cohort study among adult patients undergoing one of 25 common elective or emergent surgical procedures from 2007 to 2019 in Ontario, Canada. We assessed the association between the sex of the intraoperative anesthesiologist and the primary end point of the adverse postoperative outcome, defined as death, readmission, or complication within 30 days after surgery, using generalized estimating equations.
Among 1,165,711 patients treated by 3006 surgeons and 1477 anesthesiologists, 311,822 (26.7%) received care from a female anesthesiologist and 853,889 (73.3%) from a male anesthesiologist. Overall, 10.8% of patients experienced one or more adverse postoperative outcomes, of whom 1.1% died. Multivariable adjusted rates of the composite primary end point were higher among patients treated by male anesthesiologists (10.6%) compared with female anesthesiologists (10.4%; adjusted odds ratio 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05, P =0.048).
We demonstrated a significant association between sex of the intraoperative anesthesiologist and patient short-term outcomes after surgery in a large cohort study. This study supports the growing literature of improved patient outcomes among female practitioners. The underlying mechanisms of why outcomes differ between male and female physicians remain elusive and require further in-depth study.
Abstract
As a novel X-ray focusing technology, lobster-eye micropore optics (MPO) feature both a wide observing field of view and true imaging capability, promising sky monitoring with significantly ...improved sensitivity and spatial resolution in soft X-rays. Since first proposed by Angel, the optics have been extensively studied, developed and trialed over the past decades. In this Letter, we report on the first-light results from a flight experiment of the Lobster Eye Imager for Astronomy, a pathfinder of the wide-field X-ray telescope of the Einstein Probe mission. The piggyback imager, launched in 2022 July, has a mostly unvignetted field of view of 18.°6 × 18.°6. Its spatial resolution is in the range of 4′–7′ in FWHM and the focal spot effective area is 2–3 cm
2
, both showing only mild fluctuations across the field of view. We present images of the Galactic center region, Sco X-1, and the diffuse Cygnus Loop nebular taken in snapshot observations over 0.5–4 keV. These are truly wide-field X-ray images of celestial bodies observed, for the first time, by a focusing imaging telescope. Initial analyses of the in-flight data show excellent agreement between the observed images and the on-ground calibration and simulations. The instrument and its characterization are briefly described, as well as the flight experiment. The results provide a solid basis for the development of the present and proposed wide-field X-ray missions using lobster-eye MPO.
The use of LED lighting products is growing rapidly. However, there are no in-depth, updated studies that show how to assess and compare these products for eco-design purposes. This research aims to ...inform eco-design by assessing and comparing the environmental impact of a new LED eco-lighting product with an existing LED lighting product. A cradle to grave life cycle assessment is conducted. The system boundaries include all product life cycle stages, except the maintenance of the luminaires and the manufacturing of the packaging. A novel functional unit is defined for the assessment, which is more suitable for LED lighting products. Six scenarios are considered, including three probable useful lives of the luminaires (1000, 15,000 and 40,000 hours) and two end of life options (domestic bin and recycling centre). The life cycle assessment results reveal that the new eco-lighting product has about 60% less environmental impact than the existing lighting product in all scenarios. The life cycle stages with the biggest impacts are, in decreasing order: (1) use, (2) manufacturing, (3) end of life and (4) transport. Recommendations for the eco-design of LED lighting products are proposed, and the challenges in applying life cycle assessment for eco-design are discussed.
•Governing differential equations of the cylindrical cavity expansion problem are solved as an initial value problem.•Rigorous definitions of the invariant stresses permit the examination of the ...effect of k0 value.•Model parameters that are of paramount importance for the cylindrical cavity expansion analyses are presented.
This paper presents a semi-analytical drained solution for cylindrical cavity expansion in sand. By introducing an auxiliary variable, defined as the ratio of the original position to the current position of a material particle, the governing differential equations of the cylindrical cavity expansion problem can be transformed into a group of first-order ordinary differential equations. These equations are solved as an initial value problem by incorporating a bounding-surface model with state-dependent dilatancy. This approach does not require the division of the material around the cavity into an elastic zone and a plastic zone. The state-dependent dilatancy model employed in this study allows the investigation of the effects of the initial relative density and mean normal stress of the sand, whereas the rigorous definitions of the invariant stresses permit the examination of the effect of the initial ratio of the horizontal stress to the vertical stress. Moreover, the model parameters that are of paramount importance for the cylindrical cavity expansion analyses are determined via comprehensive parametric studies.
Neurotrophic corneal disease is a degenerative eye condition that occurs due to damage to the trigeminal nerve. This condition presents as a persistent corneal epithelial defect, corneal ulceration, ...or even perforation, and the main cause is a loss of corneal nerve function. While traditional treatments mainly focus on supportive measures to repair corneal damage, they cannot cure the condition completely. A new surgical treatment option called corneal sensory reconstruction surgery can rebuild the corneal nerve, slow down the progression of the corneal disease, promote corneal epithelial repair, and improve vision. This article reviews the surgical techniques used in corneal sensory reconstruction, including direct nerve repositioning and indirect nerve transplantation, and discusses their treatment outcomes and future prospects.
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