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Finding thermal history phosphors with high sensitivity and a consistent readout is required for reliable thermal history determination with high temperature resolution. This work presents a new thermal history phosphor based on the luminescence of Eu3+ ions in LaVO4 to meet these requirements. As demonstrated, raising the annealing temperature causes a structural phase transition from a low-temperature tetragonal phase to a high-temperature single-stranded phase. The associated change in the local point symmetry of the crystallographic site occupied by Eu3+ ions result in a significant decrease in the emission intensity ratio of the 5D0 → 7F2 band relative to the 5D0 → 7F1 band, which enables the development of the ratiometric thermal history phosphor with the relative sensitivity of 0.38% °C−1 at 800 °C. Its applicative potential for thermal history readout was proved in the proof-of-concept experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An unique strategy of Ti3 + stabilization in SrTiO3 is presented. • High thermal dependence of Ti3 + luminescence was used for luminescent thermometer (LT) • Ti3 + based LT operates in the intensity, lifetime and intensity ratio approaches. • Unprecedented temperature sensitivity of the lifetime-based LT was found (8.83%/K) Herein, we show that the substitution of Sr2+ by trivalent lanthanide ions (Lu3+, La3+, Tb3+) in SrTiO 3 nanocrystals stabilizes and enhances Ti3+ near-infrared emission (around 800 nm). This emission occurs from the 6-fold coordinated Ti3+ luminescent centers that appear in the vacancy–Ti3+–O form after lanthanide doping into the Sr2+ site. The strong dependence of the Ti3+ emission on temperature provided means for the tailored chemical engineering of luminescent nanonthermometers able to read the temperature in three ways: from the changes in Ti3+ emission intensity, excited-state lifetime, and from the ratio of Tb3+ and Ti3+ emission intensities. We demonstrated the unprecedented temperature sensitivity of the lifetime-based luminescent thermometer (8.83% K−1) with SrTiO 3 :Tb3+, along with exceptional repeatability in measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New concept of phase transition based luminescence nanothermometry was proposed. • The relative sensitivity of 12.5%/K and uncertainty of δT = 0.05 °C was achieved. • Proposed concept was used for temperature diffusion luminescent imaging. Currently available temperature measurements or imaging at nano-micro scale are limited to fluorescent molecules and luminescent nanocrystals, whose spectral properties respond to temperature variation. The principle of operation of these conventional temperature probes is typically related to temperature induced multiphonon quenching or temperature dependent energy transfers, therefore, above 12%/K sensitivity and high thermal resolution remain a serious challenge. Here we demonstrate a novel class of highly sensitive thermographic phosphors operating in room temperature range with sub-kelvin thermal resolution, whose temperature readings are reproducible, luminescence is photostable and brightness is not compromised by thermal quenching. Corroborated with phase transition structural characterization and high spatio-temporal temperature imaging, we demonstrated that optically active europium ions are highly and smoothly susceptible to monoclinic to tetragonal phase transition in nanocrystalline (54 ± 14 nm) LiYO 2 host, which is evidenced by changed number and the splitting of Stark components as well as by smooth variation of contribution between magnetic and electric dipole transitions. Further, reducing the size of phosphor from bulk to nanocrystalline matrix, shifted the phase transition temperature from 100 °C down to room temperature. These findings provide insights into the mechanism underlaying phase transition based luminescence nanothermometry and motivate future research toward new, highly sensitive, high temporal and spatial resolution nano-thermometers aiming at precise studying heat generation or diffusion in numerous biological and technology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The transition metal ions were used for sensitization of lanthanide ions. • This strategy enables the enhancement of the thermal LIR changes. • An increase of relative sensitivity by 300% was observed after co-doping. One of the most important parameters that affect the thermal resolution in the luminescent thermometry is the relative sensitivity of phosphor to temperature changes. Therefore various approaches to enhance its value are intensively investigated. The strategy of the relative sensitivity enhancement of the ratiometric lanthanide ions based luminescent thermometer by the sensitization with the transition metal ions is proposed in this work. It was found that by taking advantage of the temperature dependent energy transfer from transition metal ion (Mn4+-, Cr3+- and Ti3+/4+-) to the Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions in the YAG powder, the thermal variation of the Tb3+ to Eu3+ luminescence intensity ratio increases leading to the improvement of its thermometric properties even by 300%. Therefore, the maximal relative sensitivity increases from S R = 0.09%/°C for unco-doped powder up to S R = 0.15, 0.28, 0.30%/°C, for powders co-doped with Cr3+, Mn4+ and Ti3+/4+, respectively. The beneficial influence of the transition metal to lanthanides energy transfer was investigated in a function of the transition metal ion concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COPD has been regarded as a global epidemic due to an increase in pollution and tobacco exposure. Therefore, the study of molecular mechanism as the basis for modern therapy is important. The aim of the study was the assessment of gene expression levels, IL-6, IL-6ST, PIAS3, STAT3, and miRNAs, miRNA-1, miRNA-106b, miRNA-155, in patients with COPD. Induced sputum as well as PBMC were collected from 40 patients clinically verified according to the GOLD 2021 (A–D) classification and from the control group (n = 20). The levels of gene and miRNA expression were analysed by qPCR. In induced sputum IL6 was significantly down-regulated in COPD group compared with control (p = 0.0008), while IL6ST were up-regulated (p = 0.05). The results were also statistically significant for STAT3 (p = 0.04) and miRNA-155 (p = 0.03) with higher expression in the current smokers compared to ex-smokers. Higher expression levels for IL6ST (p = 0.03) in COPD patients with the exacerbation history compared to COPD patients without the exacerbation history were noted. Compared induced sputum and PB lymphocytes we observed higher expression of IL6 (p = 0.0003), STAT3 (p = 0.000001) miRNA-106b (p = 0.000069 and miRNA-155 (p = 0.000016) in induced sputum with lower expression of PIAS3 (p = 0.006), IL6ST (p = 0.002) and miRNA-1 (p = 0.001). Differences in gene expression levels of the IL-6/IL6ST/STAT3 pathway and miRNA depending on the smoking status and classification of patients according to GOLD suggest the importance of these genes in the pathogenesis of COPD and may indicate their potential utility in monitoring the course of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly thermally stable warm white light emission has been obtained from a single component phosphor; GdPO 4 : Dy3+/Sm3+. A series of GdPO 4 : Sm3+ (1%)/Dy3+ (x%) (x = 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2) phosphors have been synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The crystal structure and phase purity of the samples obtained were verified by X-ray diffraction. Photoluminescence spectra, luminescence lifetimes are used to study the effect of Dy3+ concentration and the energy transfer from Dy3+ to Sm3+ as a function of excitation wavelength. The nearest-neighbor contributed to the non-radiative energy transfer from Dy3+ to Sm3+ in GdPO 4 , under 273 and 363 nm excitation. A warm white light was obtained from all phosphors excited at 273 nm and for 1 and 2% of Dy3+ in GdPO 4 :Sm3+ under 363 nm excitation. Temperature-dependent luminescence properties are determined for GdPO 4 : Sm3+ (1%), Dy3+ (1%) under 273 nm and 363 nm excitation. The studied phosphor has a good luminescence thermal stability and the determined activation energy for thermal quenching is 1.26 and 0.75 eV for 273 nm and 363 nm excitation wavelengths, respectively. The effect of the Dy3+ concentration as an activator ion responsible for the white emission light, at a fixed concentration of Sm3+ as a red emission compensator in the Dy3+ emission spectrum, was discussed. The low color temperature and high thermal stability indicate that the studied material is a promising solid-state emitting phosphors for the UV chip excited warm wLED applications. • Study of the energy transfer from Dy3+ to Sm3+ in GdPO4. • Solid-state emitting phosphors for the UV chip excited warm wLED applications. • Sm3+ as a red emission compensator in the Dy3+ emission spectrum. • Warm white light emission from a single component phosphor. • Thermal stability of the white light emission from GdPO4: Dy3+/Sm3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of fine feedstock powder can extend the feasibility and scope of HVOF coatings to new fields of applications. Especially for the purpose of near-net-shape coatings, these powders facilitate homogeneous layer morphologies, and smooth coating surfaces. However, the small particle sizes also lead to several challenges. One major issue is the in-flight behavior which is distinctly affected by the low mass and relatively large specific surface of the particles. In this paper, the in-flight and coating characteristics of WC-CoCr 86-10-4 (−10 + 2 μm) were investigated. It was determined that the fine powder feedstock shows a high sensitivity to the gas flow, velocity, and temperature of the spray jet. Because of their low mass inertia, their velocity, for example, is actually influenced by local pressure nodes (shock diamonds) in the supersonic flow. Additionally, the relatively large specific surface of the particles promotes partial overheating and degradation. Nevertheless, the morphological and mechanical properties of the sprayed layer are hardly affected. In fact, the coatings feature a superior surface roughness, porosity, hardness, and wear resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Weight gain and its unfavorable consequences on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk have been observed worldwide. Determinants of weight gain were studied in a Polish cohort of 1042 men and women age 35-64 at baseline. Participants were randomly selected from an urban population in Warsaw and a rural population in Tarnobrzeg Province surveyed by investigators in Krakow. The surveys, part of the Pol-MONICA project, were conducted in 1983-1984, 1987-1988, and 1992-1993. The purpose of this report is to gain insight into the dynamics of weight gain in this population that could be helpful in identifying high-risk groups for intervention, and to determine if economic changes that took place shortly after the second survey had any impact on weight gain. METHODS: Weight, height and demographic characteristics were measured at each visit according to Pol-MONICA standard protocol. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as kg/m². Years of schooling, 7-day alcohol history and smoking history were self-reported. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the cohort gained some weight, averaging 0.3-0.7 kg/y. Weight gain was highest in younger rural women, in urban men and in rural women with low education. In multiple linear regression, low education was related to a 1.29 kg greater weight gain (P<0.01), ex-smoking status was related to a 2.54 kg greater weight gain (P<0.001), and younger age was related to a 1.14 kg greater weight gain (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a need to target intervention programs at young low SES adults. Developing effective means of reaching these vulnerable groups is a critical research goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the relation between total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and subsequent total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. These data are from 4,946 US and 5,198 Polish men and women aged 35 to 64 years at baseline with mortality follow-up over 13 years. Total cholesterol showed a U-shaped or J-shaped relation to age-adjusted total and cancer mortality across all samples, with significance only in Polish women. The multivariable adjusted relative risk for total and cancer mortality was higher in the lowest cholesterol category only in Poland and significant only for cancer. Cardiovascular mortality was positively related to cholesterol, but only in Polish men and US women was mortality significantly higher in the highest versus the lowest cholesterol category. The multivariable adjusted relative risk of cardiovascular death was greater in the highest versus the lowest cholesterol category, but this trend was significant only in the US. HDL cholesterol was inversely related to total (significant only in US men) and cardiovascular mortality (significant only in US and Polish men). A similar, but not significant, association of HDL cholesterol was found with cancer mortality. The multivariable adjusted relative risk of total mortality was inversely related to HDL cholesterol significant in both the US and Poland. The relative risk of cardiovascular mortality was significantly lower at higher HDL cholesterol levels in all samples. The relative risk of cancer mortality was highest and significant at the lowest HDL cholesterol level in the US and Poland. Elevated triglycerides were associated with increased risk of total and cardiovascular mortality, but this trend was significant only in the US. Cancer mortality was not significantly related to triglycerides. The present study indicates that in geographically and culturally diverse populations, the relation of lipids with cardiovascular mortality is similar. The relation with total and cancer mortality varies by country, gender, and lipids. This suggests that relations of total and cancer mortality with lipids or lipoproteins are weaker than associations with cardiovascular mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Do Angiotensin-converting enzyme (types 1 and 2) gene polymorphisms modify long-term survival in advanced heart failure?," by P. Leszek and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Beta-adrenoceptor polymorphisms in heart failure: Does altered receptor function modify long-term survival in advanced heart failure?," by P. Leszek and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Iron homeostasis in the failing human heart," by P. Leszek and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Failing human hearts - the correlation among iron homeostasis in the heart and serum markers," P. Leszek and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "The role of dyslipidemia in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy," by M. Skwarek and colleagues is presented.

The article presents abstract of the study "Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Gene Polymorphisms and Long-Term Survival in Advanced Heart Failure," by P. Leszek and colleagues.

An abstract of the study " Distribution of beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic receptor polymorphisms and susceptibility to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Polish population," by A. Paczkowska and colleagues, is presented.

An abstract of the study "Determinants of Brain Natriuretic Peptide Release Differ in Ischemic and Nonischemic Advanced Heart Failure," by J. Janas and E. Michalak, is presented.

An abstract of the study "Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Low BNP Plasma Levels Despite Significant Systolic Dysfunction," by J. Grzybowski and colleagues is presented.