Mie theory and the dichroic effect for spherical gold nanoparticles: an experimental approach.

The attractive optical properties of metallic nanoparticles include the optically interesting but surprisingly not well understood dichroic effect, defined in this research as when particle colloids display different colours in transmitted and reflected light. Here we use a systematic experimental approach supplemented by theoretical Mie theory analysis to study the origin of this effect. The CloudSpec spectrophotometer has been utilised to produce quantitative scattering and absorption spectra for monodisperse spherical gold nanoparticles, allowing precise links to be made between the optical spectra and the colours observed.

Neonatal diagnosis of Marcus Gunn jaw-winking syndrome.

This report highlights the importance for neonatologists/pediatricians of considering Marcus Gunn jaw-winking syndrome among differential diagnoses of ptosis. A detailed clinical assessment is crucial to promptly recognize and appropriately manage it.

Folate and Vitamin B-12 Status Is Associated With Bone Mineral Density and Hip Strength of Postmenopausal Chinese-Singaporean Women.

The role of micronutrients such as folate and vitamin B-12 in bone quality has been widely studied with conflicting results. Ethnicity seems to play a large role on nutrient intake, as diet varies across cultures. In this study, we examined the relationships of BMD, proximal femur strength, and bone resorption with plasma folate and vitamin B-12 in a cohort of 93 healthy postmenopausal women of Chinese-Singaporean descent.

Access to Healthcare and Harm Reduction Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic for People Who Use Drugs.

: Globally, there are concerns about access to healthcare and harm reduction services for people who use drugs (PWUD) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Members from the Network of Early Career Professionals working in Addiction Medicine shared their experiences of providing treatment to PWUD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on these qualitative reports, we highlight the similarities and discrepancies in access to services for PWUD in 16 countries under COVID-10 restrictions.

DNA degradation in fish: Practical solutions and guidelines to improve DNA preservation for genomic research.

The more demanding requirements of DNA preservation for genomic research can be difficult to meet when field conditions limit the methodological approaches that can be used or cause samples to be stored in suboptimal conditions. Such limitations may increase rates of DNA degradation, potentially rendering samples unusable for applications such as genome-wide sequencing. Nonetheless, little is known about the impact of suboptimal sampling conditions.

Recurrent hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy in an adult with bronchiectasis.

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) is a well-documented complication of pulmonary malignancy and cystic fibrosis (CF). However, HPOA associated with exacerbations of non-CF bronchiectasis has only been reported once previously in an adolescent. We describe a case of an adult patient with bronchiectasis and HPOA, whose joint symptoms flared during pulmonary exacerbations and improved with treatment of each exacerbation.

Dual or multiple drug loaded nanoparticles to target breast cancer stem cells.

Breast cancer stem(-like) cells (BCSCs) have been found to be responsible for therapeutic resistance and disease relapse. BCSCs are difficult to eradicate due to their high resistance to conventional treatments and high plasticity. Functionalised nanoparticles have been investigated as smart vehicles to transport across various barriers and increase the interaction of therapeutic agents with cancer cells, as well as BCSCs.

Highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution promoted by O-Mo-C interfaces of ultrafine β-MoC nanostructures.

Optimizing interfacial contacts and thus electron transfer phenomena in heterogeneous electrocatalysts is an effective approach for enhancing electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we successfully synthesized ultrafine β-MoC nanoparticles confined within hollow capsules of nitrogen-doped porous carbon (β-MoC@NPCC) and found that the surface layer of molybdenum atoms was further oxidized to a single Mo-O surface layer, thus producing intimate O-Mo-C interfaces. An arsenal of complementary technologies, including XPS, atomic-resolution HAADF-STEM, and XAS analysis clearly reveals the existence of O-Mo-C interfaces for these surface-engineered ultrafine nanostructures.

Genetic divergence and phenotypic plasticity contribute to variation in cuticular hydrocarbons in the seaweed fly .

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) form the boundary between insects and their environments and often act as essential cues for species, mate, and kin recognition. This complex polygenic trait can be highly variable both among and within species, but the causes of this variation, especially the genetic basis, are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated phenotypic and genetic variation of CHCs in the seaweed fly, and found that composition was affected by both genetic (sex and population) and environmental (larval diet) factors.

Performance of metal-organic frameworks for the adsorptive removal of potentially toxic elements in a water system: a critical review.

Elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in aqueous environments have drawn attention recently due to their presence and toxicity to living beings. There have been numerous attempts to remove PTEs from aqueous media. The potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in removing PTEs from aqueous media has been recognized due to their distinctive advantages (, increased removal capability, large surface area, adjustable porosity, and recyclability).

Are preferences for yeasts stable or contextual?

Whether there are general mechanisms, driving interspecific chemical communication is uncertain. yeast and fruit flies, both extensively studied research models, share the same fruit habitat, and it has been suggested their interaction comprises a facultative mutualism that is instigated and maintained by yeast volatiles. Using choice tests, experimental evolution, and volatile analyses, we investigate the maintenance of this relationship and reveal little consistency between behavioral responses of two isolates of sympatric species.

A new leaf-mining moth from New Zealand, sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae, Gracillariinae), feeding on the rare endemic shrub (Lamiaceae), with a revised checklist of New Zealand Gracillariidae.

Hoare & Patrick, (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae, Gracillariinae) is described as a new species from New Zealand. It is regarded as endemic, and represents the first record of its genus from the southern hemisphere. Though diverging in some morphological features from previously described species, it is placed in genus Triberti, based on wing venation, abdominal characters, male and female genitalia and hostplant choice; this placement is supported by phylogenetic analysis based on the COI mitochondrial gene.

Ammonia Detection Methods in Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Experiments: How to Improve the Reliability of NH Production Rates?

The enzyme nitrogenase inspires the development of novel photocatalytic and electrocatalytic systems that can drive nitrogen reduction with water under similar low-temperature and low-pressure conditions. While photocatalytic and electrocatalytic N fixation are emerging as hot new areas of fundamental and applied research, serious concerns exist regarding the accuracy of current methods used for ammonia detection and quantification. In most studies, the ammonia yields are low and little consideration is given to the effect of interferants on NH quantification.

Orchid diversity: Spatial and climatic patterns from herbarium records.

Aim: We test for spatial and climatic patterns of diversification in the Orchidaceae, an angiosperm family characterized by high levels of species diversity and rarity. Globally, does orchid diversity correlate with land area? In Australia, does diversity correlate with herbarium collecting effort, range size, or climate niche breadth? Where are Australia's orchids distributed spatially, in protected areas, and in climate space?

Location: Global, then Australia.

Methods: We compared orchid diversity with land area for continents and recognized orchid diversity hotspots.

Ectopic expression of the homologous inhibits fruit tissue growth and changes fruit shape in apple.

Fruit shape represents a key trait that consumers use to identify and select preferred cultivars, and although the manipulation of this trait is an opportunity to create novel, differentiated products, the molecular mechanisms regulating fruit shape are poorly understood in tree fruits. In this study, we have shown that ectopic expression of the apple ortholog of the floral organ identity gene regulates apple fruit tissue growth and shape. is a single-copy gene, and its expression is high during flower development but barely detectable soon after pollination.

Magnetic carbon nanotubes for self-regulating temperature hyperthermia.

Magnetic hyperthermia can enhance the anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy. As carbon nanotubes are ideal drug carriers for chemotherapy, their combination with magnetic nanoparticles provides a novel chance for multi-modal thermo-chemotherapy. Most related work focuses on attaching FeO nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes, however the hyperthermia temperature for this combination can not be self-regulated due to the high Curie temperature of FeO.

Infrared Video Pupillography Coupled with Smart Phone LED for Measurement of Pupillary Light Reflex.

Clinical assessment of pupil appearance and pupillary light reflex (PLR) may inform us the integrity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Current clinical pupil assessment is limited to qualitative examination, and relies on clinical judgment. Infrared (IR) video pupillography combined with image processing software offer the possibility of recording quantitative parameters.

Multishelled Ni-Rich Li(Ni Co Mn )O Hollow Fibers with Low Cation Mixing as High-Performance Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries.

is proposed to synthesize highly porous multishelled Ni-rich Li(Ni Co Mn )O hollow fibers with very low cation mixing. The low cation mixing results from the cation confinement by the novel "egg-box" structure in the alginate template. These hollow fibers exhibit remarkable energy density, high-rate capacity, and long-term cycling stability when used as cathode material for Li-ion batteries.

Further Work on the Shaping of Cortical Development and Function by Synchrony and Metabolic Competition.

This paper furthers our attempts to resolve two major controversies-whether gamma synchrony plays a role in cognition, and whether cortical columns are functionally important. We have previously argued that the configuration of cortical cells that emerges in development is that which maximizes the magnitude of synchronous oscillation and minimizes metabolic cost. Here we analyze the separate effects in development of minimization of axonal lengths, and of early Hebbian learning and selective distribution of resources to growing synapses, by showing in simulations that these effects are partially antagonistic, but their interaction during development produces accurate anatomical and functional properties for both columnar and non-columnar cortex.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Zn-containing Heterogeneous Catalysts.

Monovalent Zn (3d4s) systems possess a special electronic structure that can be exploited in heterogeneous catalysis and photocatalysis, though it remains challenge to synthesize Zn-containing materials. By careful design, Zn-related species can be synthesized in zeolite and layered double hydroxide systems, which in turn exhibit excellent catalytic potential in methane, CO and CO activation. Furthermore, by utilizing advanced characterization tools, including electron spin resonance, X-ray absorption fine structure and density functional theory calculations, the formation mechanism of the Zn species and their structure-performance relationships can be understood.