Production networks and resilience: How dense production networks shield economies in financial crisis.

The research delves into the underexplored area of how production network structures influence the severity of economic downturns, particularly during the last financial crisis. Utilizing the RSTAN database from the OECD, we meticulously derived critical measures from the input-output matrices for 61 economies. Our methodology entailed a panel analysis spanning from 2008 to 2010, which is a period marked by significant recessionary pressures.

Metal-Organic Frameworks: Versatile Platforms for Biomedical Innovations.

This review article explores the multiple applications and potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the biomedical field. With their highly versatile and tunable properties, MOFs present many possibilities, including drug delivery, biomolecule recognition, biosensors, and immunotherapy. Their crystal structure allows precise tuning, with the ligand typology and metal geometry playing critical roles.

Failure Analysis of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Tibial Insert in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Knee osteoarthritis is treated based on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) interventions. The most frequent failure cause identified in surgical practice is due to wear and oxidation processes of the prothesis' tibial insert. This component is usually manufactured from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Selective Mid-IR Metamaterial-Based Gas Sensor System: Proof of Concept and Performances Tests.

In this paper, we propose a highly selective and efficient gas detection system based on a narrow-band IR metasurface emitter integrated with a resistive heater. In order to develop the sensor for the detection of specific gases, both the microheater and metasurface structures have been optimized in terms of geometry and materials. Devices with different metamaterial structures and geometries for the heater have been tested.

Mesoporous Silica Platforms with Potential Applications in Release and Adsorption of Active Agents.

In recent years, researchers focused their attention on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) owing to the considerable advancements of the characterization methods, especially electron microscopy methods, which allowed for a clear visualization of the pore structure and the materials encapsulated within the pores, along with the X-ray diffraction (small angles) methods and specific surface area determination by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique. Mesoporous silica gained important consideration in biomedical applications thanks to its tunable pore size, high surface area, surface functionalization possibility, chemical stability, and pore nature. Specifically, the nature of the pores allows for the encapsulation and release of anti-cancer drugs into tumor tissues, which makes MSN ideal candidates as drug delivery carriers in cancer treatment.

Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Variants in CFH and CFHR4 Associated with Systemic Complement Activation: Implications in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To identify genetic variants associated with complement activation, which may help to select age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients for complement-inhibiting therapies.

Design: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) followed by replication and meta-analysis.

Participants: AMD patients and controls (n = 2245).

Nano-hybrid plasmonic photocatalyst for hydrogen production at 20% efficiency.

The efficient conversion of light energy into chemical energy is key for sustainable human development. Several photocatalytic systems based on photovoltaic electrolysis have been used to produce hydrogen via water reduction. However, in such devices, light harvesting and proton reduction are carried separately, showing quantum efficiency of about 10-12%.

Systemic and ocular fluid compounds as potential biomarkers in age-related macular degeneration.

Biomarkers can help unravel mechanisms of disease and identify new targets for therapy. They can also be useful in clinical practice for monitoring disease progression, evaluation of treatment efficacy, and risk assessment in multifactorial diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a highly prevalent progressive retinal disorder for which multiple genetic and environmental risk factors have been described, but the exact etiology is not yet fully understood.

A Novel Complotype Combination Associates with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and High Complement Activation Levels in vivo.

The complement system is the first line of defense against foreign intruders, and deregulation of this system has been described in multiple diseases. In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), patients have higher complement activation levels compared to controls. Recently, a combination of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes of the complement system, referred to as a complotype, has been described to increase complement activation in vitro.

Genetic Variants and Systemic Complement Activation Levels Are Associated With Serum Lipoprotein Levels in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: Genetic variants in genes encoding components of lipid metabolism have been associated with AMD. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relation of these genetic variants with serum lipid levels in AMD in a large case-control cohort (n = 3070) and to test for correlations between lipids and complement activation.

Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight lipid metabolism genes, previously described to be associated with AMD, were genotyped and tested for their association in our case-control cohort.

Catalytically Active and Spectator Ce(3+) in Ceria-Supported Metal Catalysts.

Identification of active species and the rate-determining reaction steps are crucial for optimizing the performance of oxygen-storage materials, which play an important role in catalysts lowering automotive emissions, as electrode materials for fuel cells, and as antioxidants in biomedicine. We demonstrated that active Ce(3+) species in a ceria-supported platinum catalyst during CO oxidation are short-lived and therefore cannot be observed under steady-state conditions. Using time-resolved resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy, we quantitatively correlated the initial rate of Ce(3+) formation under transient conditions to the overall rate of CO oxidation under steady-state conditions and showed that ceria reduction is a kinetically relevant step in CO oxidation, whereas a fraction of Ce(3+) was present as spectators.

Quantitative depth profiling of Ce(3+) in Pt/CeO2 by in situ high-energy XPS in a hydrogen atmosphere.

The redox property of ceria is a key factor in the catalytic activity of ceria-based catalysts. The oxidation state of well-defined ceria nanocubes in gas environments was analysed in situ by a novel combination of near-ambient pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and high-energy XPS at a synchrotron X-ray source. In situ high-energy XPS is a promising new tool to determine the electronic structure of matter under defined conditions.

Analysis of rare variants in the C3 gene in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive retinal disorder affecting over 33 million people worldwide. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for AMD identified common variants at 19 loci accounting for 15-65% of the heritability and it has been hypothesized that the missing heritability may be attributed to rare variants with large effect sizes. Common variants in the complement component 3 (C3) gene have been associated with AMD and recently a rare C3 variant (Lys155Gln) was identified which exerts a large effect on AMD susceptibility independent of the common variants.

Impact of the common genetic associations of age-related macular degeneration upon systemic complement component C3d levels.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition that leads to severe vision loss and dysregulation of the complement system is thought to be associated with the disease. To investigate associations of polymorphisms in AMD susceptibility genes with systemic complement activation, 2655 individuals were genotyped for 32 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or near 23 AMD associated risk genes. Component 3 (C3) and its catabolic fragment C3d were measured in serum and AMD staging was performed using multimodal imaging.

Transatlantic ticket to work.

While European Union (EU) trade agreement negotiations effectively make it easier for British nurses to obtain American or Canadian licences to practise, progress could be hindered by fragmented nursing regulations in North America.

Work passports offer ease of access.

European Union (EU) member countries are negotiating the final practical details for the introduction of an electronic professional card, with a decision expected to be adopted by the relevant European Commission committee this month.

A functional variant in the CFI gene confers a high risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Up to half of the heritability of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is explained by common variants. Here, we report the identification of a rare, highly penetrant missense mutation in CFI encoding a p.Gly119Arg substitution that confers high risk of AMD (P = 3.

A novel crumbs homolog 1 mutation in a family with retinitis pigmentosa, nanophthalmos, and optic disc drusen.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the genetic defect in a Turkish family with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa, nanophthalmos, and optic disc drusen.

Methods: Ophthalmological examinations consisted of measuring the best-corrected visual acuity and the refractive error, electroretinography, optical coherence tomography, B-mode ultrasonography, and fundus photography. The involvement of the membrane frizzled-related protein (MFRP) gene in this family was studied with direct DNA sequencing of the coding exons of MFRP and with linkage analysis with microsatellite markers.

Evaluation of Pt and Re oxidation state in a pressurized reactor: difference in reduction between gas and liquid phase.

Determination of metal oxidation state under relevant working conditions is crucial to understand catalytic behaviour. The reduction behaviour of Pt and Re was evaluated simultaneously as a function of support and solvent in a pressurized reactor (autoclave). The bimetallic catalysts are used in selective hydrogenation of carboxylic acids and amides.

High-resolution homozygosity mapping is a powerful tool to detect novel mutations causative of autosomal recessive RP in the Dutch population.

Purpose: To determine the genetic defects underlying autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) in the Dutch population and in a subset of patients originating from other countries. The hypothesis was that, because there has been little migration over the past centuries in certain areas of The Netherlands, a significant fraction of Dutch arRP patients carry their genetic defect in the homozygous state.

Methods: High-resolution genome-wide SNP genotyping on SNP arrays and subsequent homozygosity mapping were performed in a large cohort of 186 mainly nonconsanguineous arRP families living in The Netherlands.

Highly selective and efficient hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to alcohols using titania supported Pt catalysts.

Selective hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to alcohols and alkanes has been achieved under remarkably mild reaction temperatures and H(2) pressures (333 K, 0.5 MPa) using Pt/TiO(2) catalyst.

Optical properties of Nd3+ doped ionic liquid immobilized on mesoporous silica support.

The synthesis of a new material based on Nd3+ ions doped into an imidazolium-type ionic liquid with further immobilization on a mesoporous silica support is reported. The material was investigated by DR-UV/VIS, FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis, N2 adsorption measurements and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. The intensity of the near-infrared emission of Nd3+ was weak and the lifetime measured at about 910 nm was 7 micros.

[194 laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anesthetic and surgical details].

In this clinic and prospective study we investigated the anesthetic and surgical particularities in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for 194 patients. Approximately the two third of patients have had a great mortality risk (ASA III and IV). 139 patients have had severe comorbid conditions.

[The potentials for immunization against influenza using liposome-incorporated viral surface antigens].

Studies were conducted using uni- and multilamellar liposomes to establish optimum conditions for influenza antigen incorporation in view of their transport to the target cells for experimental influenza prophylaxis in hybrid white mice. Radiometric determinations showed a good level of preparation purification, a good efficiency of incorporation in liposomes of the active biological material, the liposome linked radioactivity distribution among different organs. Charged liposomes induced solid and long lasting resistance against influenza control infection.