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Transparent and reliable communication of the safety of advanced and nanomaterials is an issue that has become increasingly important in recent times. The German initiative DaNa got involved in this topic at an early stage. It is running the Knowledge Base Materials, a web-based information platform on nanomaterials (www.nanoobjects.info) for more than 10 years, which is constantly being expanded. Recently, due to emerging developments in materials science, the focus has been expanded from nanomaterials to the variant-rich group of advanced materials, softening the restriction to particles below the 100 m size limit in one dimension to include larger particles with more complex composition. For the Knowledge Base Materials, this broader scope presents a challenge for science communication. In this paper, the authors describe the selection of materials, the workflow, and the quality control that was performed to provide reliable knowledge about the safety of advanced materials to humans and the environment.

Resumen Introducción: La cinetosis se relaciona con la presencia de una serie de síntomas que comúnmente son inducidos por situaciones cotidianas de viajes en medios de transporte. Una forma utilizada por décadas para determinar el grado de susceptibilidad a la cinetosis ha sido con la aplicación del cuestionario en su versión acortada Motion Sickness Suscep-tibility-short (MSSQ-short). Objetivo: Adaptar lingüística y transculturalmente al español el cuestionario MSSQ-short. Material y Método: Se llevaron a cabo cuatro etapas: Traducción directa, traducción inversa (retrotraducción), consolidación por un comité de expertos y pretest (aplicabilidad/viabilidad). En la etapa de pre-test 51 personas respondieron el cuestionario. Resultados: La discrepancias encontradas en las primeras etapas fueron resueltas por un tercer traductor, el cual concluyó en un documento final en español que fue analizado y revisado por el comité de expertos. Se determinaron los percentiles del 0 al 100, percentil 50 con 9,0 puntos, percentil 25 con 2,13 puntos y el percentil 75 con 17,4 puntos. La consistencia interna del cuestionario fue de 0,889. Conclusión: La traducción y adaptación transcultural fue aceptada por un comité de expertos y participantes con distintas características demográficas y educacionales. El cuestionario obtuvo buena consistencia interna y resultados concordantes con la versión original.

Domestic hot water (DHW) consumption in dwellings can play a key role in the development of policies that are focused on energy poverty, and in improving energy efficiency, among other aspects. There is an important variability observed with DHW among different countries due to technical, sociological, climatic, and economic factors. Most studies that deal with DHW predictions are based on stochastic models, and only a few apply time series or statistical methods. In the case of Chile, the country is undergoing a policy development process, and there is little information about DHW consumption. As a result, it is fundamental to have DHW consumption prediction models that are focused on dwelling. For this reason, the study analysed the possibility of using time series models to make future estimations about monthly domestic hot water consumption. To this end, consumption data obtained from 98 apartments between 2015 and 2021 were used, and 3 approaches were applied namely, exponential smoothing, basic structural model (BSM), and state-space model (SSM). The results showed that exponential smoothing and state-space methods allowed to obtain satisfactory results with regard to percentage error and confidence levels. Therefore, these models could be used to make future estimations of domestic hot water consumption.

Prolonging survival in good health is a fundamental societal goal. However, the leading determinants of disability-free survival in healthy older people have not been well established. Data from ASPREE, a bi-national placebo-controlled trial of aspirin with 4.7 years median follow-up, was analysed. At enrolment, participants were healthy and without prior cardiovascular events, dementia or persistent physical disability. Disability-free survival outcome was defined as absence of dementia, persistent disability or death. Selection of potential predictors from amongst 25 biomedical, psychosocial and lifestyle variables including recognized geriatric risk factors, utilizing a machine-learning approach. Separate models were developed for men and women. The selected predictors were evaluated in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model and validated internally by bootstrapping. We included 19,114 Australian and US participants aged ≥65 years (median 74 years, IQR 71.6–77.7). Common predictors of a worse prognosis in both sexes included higher age, lower Modified Mini-Mental State Examination score, lower gait speed, lower grip strength and abnormal (low or elevated) body mass index. Additional risk factors for men included current smoking, and abnormal eGFR. In women, diabetes and depression were additional predictors. The biased-corrected areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the final prognostic models at 5 years were 0.72 for men and 0.75 for women. Final models showed good calibration between the observed and predicted risks. We developed a prediction model in which age, cognitive function and gait speed were the strongest predictors of disability-free survival in healthy older people. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01038583).

Resumen Introducción: La cinetosis se relaciona con la presencia de una serie de síntomas que comúnmente son inducidos por situaciones cotidianas de viajes en medios de transporte. Una forma utilizada por décadas para determinar el grado de susceptibilidad a la cinetosis ha sido con la aplicación del cuestionario en su versión acortada Motion Sickness Suscep-tibility-short (MSSQ-short). Objetivo: Adaptar lingüística y transculturalmente al español el cuestionario MSSQ-short. Material y Método: Se llevaron a cabo cuatro etapas: Traducción directa, traducción inversa (retrotraducción), consolidación por un comité de expertos y pretest (aplicabilidad/viabilidad). En la etapa de pre-test 51 personas respondieron el cuestionario. Resultados: La discrepancias encontradas en las primeras etapas fueron resueltas por un tercer traductor, el cual concluyó en un documento final en español que fue analizado y revisado por el comité de expertos. Se determinaron los percentiles del 0 al 100, percentil 50 con 9,0 puntos, percentil 25 con 2,13 puntos y el percentil 75 con 17,4 puntos. La consistencia interna del cuestionario fue de 0,889. Conclusión: La traducción y adaptación transcultural fue aceptada por un comité de expertos y participantes con distintas características demográficas y educacionales. El cuestionario obtuvo buena consistencia interna y resultados concordantes con la versión original.

Resumen Las neoplasias en glándulas salivales son infrecuentes, representando menos del 3% de los tumores de cabeza y cuello. El carcinoma mucoepidermoide es el tumor maligno más común en glándulas salivales, siendo su principal ubicación la parótida. Clínicamente se asemeja a otras lesiones de mucosa oral, por lo cual, es importante realizar un correcto diagnóstico diferencial. Su comportamiento biológico se relaciona con el grado histológico tumoral, factor relevante en el pronóstico y tratamiento de esta neoplasia. Presentamos el caso de un paciente hombre de 75 años afectado con un tumor en paladar con diagnóstico de carcinoma mucoepidermoide de bajo grado. Como tratamiento se realizó una maxilectomía parcial y una placa obturadora en base a una prótesis removible y posterior reconstrucción con un colgajo libre microvascularizado. Actualmente el paciente se encuentra en controles periódicos, libre de enfermedad. Los tumores de glándulas salivales son un desafío diagnóstico, requieren de exámenes imagenológicos y del estudio histopatológico. Cuando existen dudas en el diagnóstico, se debe considerar repetir la toma de la muestra o la obtención de biopsias de más de una zona representativa que permita el diagnóstico de la lesión.

Many community-dwelling older adults develop activity of daily living (ADL) disability and subsequently regain function. Using data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) clinical trial, we examined the relationship of gender, incident disability, and persistent disability 6 months after the incident disability. Walking, bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, and eating were assessed as ADLs, at bi-annual interviews. ADL disability was defined as requiring help with or inability to do or severe difficulty with ≥1 ADL; persistent disability was an ADL loss at 6 months after a first (incident) ADL disability. Discrete time, multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was utilized to estimate associations with developing incident ADL disability described as cause-specific hazard ratios, with death as a competing outcome. For persons with incident ADL disability, odds of developing persistent disability at 6 months as compared to recovery was determined using multivariable logistic regression. These analyses included 18,414 (51.6% women) ASPREE participants in the United States and Australia aged 70+ years (65+ years if U.S. ethnic minority) without ADL disability at trial entry. During a median follow-up of 4.7 years, 1,485 participants (63.2% women) developed an incident ADL disability, and, of those, 272 (57.0% women) met criteria for persistent disability at 6 months. Women had an increased risk (HR=1.17, 95% CI=1.05 to 1.32) of developing incident ADL disability; however, women were less likely to have persistent disability versus recovery 6 months later (OR=0.66, 95% CI=0.49 to 0.89). Why persistent disability development is lower in older women needs further exploration.

There are no widely accepted pharmacologic treatments for frailty prevention. Since frailty is associated with inflammation, aspirin has the potential to reduce frailty. We investigated whether low-dose aspirin reduces incident frailty in participants of the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial. In the U.S and Australia, 19,114 healthy community-dwelling individuals aged ≥70 years (U.S. minorities ≥65 years) were enrolled in ASPREE, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 100mg daily low-dose aspirin vs. placebo. Frailty was defined according to a modified Fried frailty definition, and a frailty index which used a deficit accumulation model. Competing risk Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare time to incident frailty for aspirin vs. placebo. At baseline, 2.2% and 8.1% met criteria for frailty by Fried and frailty index criteria, respectively. Over a median of 4.7 years of follow-up, 2252 participants developed incident frailty according to Fried classification, and 4376 according to the frailty deficit accumulation index. There was no difference in the risk of incident frailty between individuals randomized to aspirin versus placebo according to either criteria (Fried frailty HR: 1.03, 95% CI 0.97-1.09, p=0.41; frailty index HR: 1.03, 95% CI 0.97-1.10, p=0.29). Change in frailty over time was not different between the aspirin and placebo treatment arms. The results were consistent across a series of sub-groups, including baseline frailty status. Based on these results, aspirin use in healthy older adults does not reduce incident frailty.

This study examined factors associated with frailty and studied the association between frailty status and mortality in healthy community-dwelling older persons. Participants included 19,114 individuals from the “ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly” (ASPREE) trial. Frailty was defined using modified Fried phenotype comprising exhaustion, body mass index, grip strength, gait speed and physical activity. A deficit accumulation frailty index (FI) using 66 items was also developed. Correlates of frailty were examined using multinomial logistic regression. The association between frailty status at baseline and mortality was analyzed using Cox regression. At baseline, 39.0% (95% CI: 38.3, 39.7) of participants were prefrail, and 2.2% (95% CI: 2.0, 2.4) were frail according to Fried phenotype, while 40.6% (95% CI: 40.0, 41.3) of participants were pre-frail and 8.1% (95% CI: 7.7, 8.5) were frail according to FI. Older age, female sex, lower education, African-American and Hispanic ethno-racial status, smoking, alcohol use, comorbidities, and polypharmacy were associated with frailty status. Pre-frailty increased risk of all-cause mortality significantly (Fried HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.71; FI HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.31, 1.81); and the risk was even higher for frailty (Fried HR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.67, 3.00; FI HR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.83, 2.99) after adjustment for covariates. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and non-CVD-related mortality showed similar trends. These results highlight a considerable burden of pre-frailty among a large group of community-dwelling, initially healthy older adults. Both Fried phenotype and deficit accumulation FI similarly predicted all-cause, CVD and non-CVD-related mortality in relatively healthy older adults.

Diabetes increases risk of malignancies, and this association increases with age. Metformin may protect against cancer development and progression, but results are mixed and limited to younger cohorts. We examined whether metformin, in the presence or absence of aspirin, reduces incident cancer and cancer-related mortality in older adults. ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) was a primary prevention trial of daily aspirin vs placebo which enrolled community-dwelling adults from Australia (70+ years) and the US (65+ years for minorities) followed for a median of 4.7 years. Invasive cancer was adjudicated by an expert panel. Cox proportional-hazards models, controlling for age at randomization and known cancer risk factors, were used to analyse the relationship between baseline metformin use, randomized treatment arm, cancer incidence (first in-trial cancer) and mortality. For participants with controlled diabetes, there was a significant reduction in cancer mortality in metformin users compared to nonusers (Adjusted [Adj] HR=0.24, 95%CI=0.07, 0.80), but not for cancer incidence (Adj HR=0.61, 95%CI=0.29, 1.27). For participants with uncontrolled diabetes, there was no significant difference in cancer incidence (Adj HR=0.95, 95%CI=0.66, 1.38) or mortality (Adj HR=1.18, 95%CI=0.62, 2.26) between metformin and non-metformin users. Uncontrolled diabetes, irrespective of metformin use, increased risk of cancer incidence and mortality compared to non-diabetics. Aspirin did not modify the effect of metformin on cancer incidence or mortality. Our findings show that metformin may have protective effects against cancer-related mortality for those older persons whose diabetes is well-controlled, and underscores the importance of diabetes control to minimise cancer risk.

This study examined the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and frailty status in relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults. Participants included 19,114 individuals from the “ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly” (ASPREE) trial. The diagnostic criteria for MetS were according to the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention and the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2009); and comprised any three of five parameters: waist circumference, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or hypertension. Frailty and prefrailty were defined using a modified Fried phenotype (FP) comprising exhaustion, body mass index, grip strength, gait speed and physical activity and a deficit accumulation frailty index (FI) of 66 items. The association between MetS and frailty was examined using multinomial logistic regression. At baseline, 51.1% of participants met the criteria of MetS; of those, 41.8% and 2.5 % were prefrail and frail, respectively, according to Fried phenotype, while 49.6% and 11.8 % were prefrail and frail, respectively, according to FI. MetS at baseline was associated with an increased likelihood of prefrailty (RRR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.33) and frailty (RRR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.01) compared to no frailty after adjustment for potential confounders according to Fried phenotype, while the association was stronger for prefrailty (RRR: 2.74; 95% CI: 2.55, 2.94) and frailty (RRR: 5.30; 95% CI: 4.60, 6.11) according to FI. Overall, at baseline, more than half of the participants had MetS, and the presence of MetS was significantly associated with pre-frailty and frailty.

The full transient dielectric-function (DF) tensor of ZnO after UV-laser excitation in the spectral range 1.4–3.6 eV is obtained by measuring an m-plane-oriented ZnO thin film with femtosecond (fs)-time-resolved spectroscopic ellipsometry. From the merits of the method, we can distinguish between changes in the real and the imaginary part of the DF as well as changes in birefringence and dichroism, respectively. We find pump-induced switching from positive to negative birefringence in almost the entire measured spectral range for about 1 ps. Simultaneously, weak dichroism in the spectral range below 3.0 eV hints at contributions of inter-valence-band transitions. Line-shape analysis of the DF above the band gap based on discrete exciton, exciton-continuum, and exciton-phonon-complex contributions shows a maximal dynamic increase in the transient exciton energy by 80 meV. The absorption coefficient below the band gap reveals an exponential line shape attributed to Urbach-rule absorption mediated by exciton–longitudinal-optic-phonon interaction. The transient DF is supported by first-principles calculations for 1020cm−3 excited electron-hole pairs in ideal bulk ZnO., Funding: project "Advanced research using high intensity laser produced photons and particles" (ADONIS) from the European Regional Development Fund [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16 019/0000789]; project "Structural dynamics of biomolecular systems"(ELIBIO) from the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15 003/0000447]; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)German Research Foundation (DFG) [SFB 762, 31047526, FOR 1616 (SCHM2710/2)]; project I-COSIMA [SAB 100315366]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports from the National Programme of Sustainability II; National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation (NSF) [DMR-1555153, CBET-1437230, OCI-0725070, ACI-1238993]; state of Illinois; Universitat Leipzig within core research area Complex Matter; Leipzig University

The full transient dielectric-function (DF) tensor of ZnO after UV-laser excitation in the spectral range 1.4–3.6 eV is obtained by measuring an m-plane-oriented ZnO thin film with femtosecond (fs)-time-resolved spectroscopic ellipsometry. From the merits of the method, we can distinguish between changes in the real and the imaginary part of the DF as well as changes in birefringence and dichroism, respectively. We find pump-induced switching from positive to negative birefringence in almost the entire measured spectral range for about 1 ps. Simultaneously, weak dichroism in the spectral range below 3.0 eV hints at contributions of inter-valence-band transitions. Line-shape analysis of the DF above the band gap based on discrete exciton, exciton-continuum, and exciton-phonon-complex contributions shows a maximal dynamic increase in the transient exciton energy by 80 meV. The absorption coefficient below the band gap reveals an exponential line shape attributed to Urbach-rule absorption mediated by exciton–longitudinal-optic-phonon interaction. The transient DF is supported by first-principles calculations for 1020cm−3 excited electron-hole pairs in ideal bulk ZnO., Funding: project "Advanced research using high intensity laser produced photons and particles" (ADONIS) from the European Regional Development Fund [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16 019/0000789]; project "Structural dynamics of biomolecular systems"(ELIBIO) from the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15 003/0000447]; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)German Research Foundation (DFG) [SFB 762, 31047526, FOR 1616 (SCHM2710/2)]; project I-COSIMA [SAB 100315366]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports from the National Programme of Sustainability II; National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation (NSF) [DMR-1555153, CBET-1437230, OCI-0725070, ACI-1238993]; state of Illinois; Universitat Leipzig within core research area Complex Matter; Leipzig University

The full transient dielectric-function (DF) tensor of ZnO after UV-laser excitation in the spectral range 1.4–3.6 eV is obtained by measuring an m-plane-oriented ZnO thin film with femtosecond (fs)-time-resolved spectroscopic ellipsometry. From the merits of the method, we can distinguish between changes in the real and the imaginary part of the DF as well as changes in birefringence and dichroism, respectively. We find pump-induced switching from positive to negative birefringence in almost the entire measured spectral range for about 1 ps. Simultaneously, weak dichroism in the spectral range below 3.0 eV hints at contributions of inter-valence-band transitions. Line-shape analysis of the DF above the band gap based on discrete exciton, exciton-continuum, and exciton-phonon-complex contributions shows a maximal dynamic increase in the transient exciton energy by 80 meV. The absorption coefficient below the band gap reveals an exponential line shape attributed to Urbach-rule absorption mediated by exciton–longitudinal-optic-phonon interaction. The transient DF is supported by first-principles calculations for 1020cm−3 excited electron-hole pairs in ideal bulk ZnO., Funding: project "Advanced research using high intensity laser produced photons and particles" (ADONIS) from the European Regional Development Fund [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16 019/0000789]; project "Structural dynamics of biomolecular systems"(ELIBIO) from the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15 003/0000447]; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)German Research Foundation (DFG) [SFB 762, 31047526, FOR 1616 (SCHM2710/2)]; project I-COSIMA [SAB 100315366]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports from the National Programme of Sustainability II; National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation (NSF) [DMR-1555153, CBET-1437230, OCI-0725070, ACI-1238993]; state of Illinois; Universitat Leipzig within core research area Complex Matter; Leipzig University

Resumen Las neoplasias en glándulas salivales son infrecuentes, representando menos del 3% de los tumores de cabeza y cuello. El carcinoma mucoepidermoide es el tumor maligno más común en glándulas salivales, siendo su principal ubicación la parótida. Clínicamente se asemeja a otras lesiones de mucosa oral, por lo cual, es importante realizar un correcto diagnóstico diferencial. Su comportamiento biológico se relaciona con el grado histológico tumoral, factor relevante en el pronóstico y tratamiento de esta neoplasia. Presentamos el caso de un paciente hombre de 75 años afectado con un tumor en paladar con diagnóstico de carcinoma mucoepidermoide de bajo grado. Como tratamiento se realizó una maxilectomía parcial y una placa obturadora en base a una prótesis removible y posterior reconstrucción con un colgajo libre microvascularizado. Actualmente el paciente se encuentra en controles periódicos, libre de enfermedad. Los tumores de glándulas salivales son un desafío diagnóstico, requieren de exámenes imagenológicos y del estudio histopatológico. Cuando existen dudas en el diagnóstico, se debe considerar repetir la toma de la muestra o la obtención de biopsias de más de una zona representativa que permita el diagnóstico de la lesión.

The full transient dielectric-function (DF) tensor of ZnO after UV-laser excitation in the spectral range 1.4–3.6 eV is obtained by measuring an m-plane-oriented ZnO thin film with femtosecond (fs)-time-resolved spectroscopic ellipsometry. From the merits of the method, we can distinguish between changes in the real and the imaginary part of the DF as well as changes in birefringence and dichroism, respectively. We find pump-induced switching from positive to negative birefringence in almost the entire measured spectral range for about 1 ps. Simultaneously, weak dichroism in the spectral range below 3.0 eV hints at contributions of inter-valence-band transitions. Line-shape analysis of the DF above the band gap based on discrete exciton, exciton-continuum, and exciton-phonon-complex contributions shows a maximal dynamic increase in the transient exciton energy by 80 meV. The absorption coefficient below the band gap reveals an exponential line shape attributed to Urbach-rule absorption mediated by exciton–longitudinal-optic-phonon interaction. The transient DF is supported by first-principles calculations for 1020cm−3 excited electron-hole pairs in ideal bulk ZnO., Funding: project "Advanced research using high intensity laser produced photons and particles" (ADONIS) from the European Regional Development Fund [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16 019/0000789]; project "Structural dynamics of biomolecular systems"(ELIBIO) from the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15 003/0000447]; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)German Research Foundation (DFG) [SFB 762, 31047526, FOR 1616 (SCHM2710/2)]; project I-COSIMA [SAB 100315366]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports from the National Programme of Sustainability II; National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation (NSF) [DMR-1555153, CBET-1437230, OCI-0725070, ACI-1238993]; state of Illinois; Universitat Leipzig within core research area Complex Matter; Leipzig University

The full transient dielectric-function (DF) tensor of ZnO after UV-laser excitation in the spectral range 1.4–3.6 eV is obtained by measuring an m-plane-oriented ZnO thin film with femtosecond (fs)-time-resolved spectroscopic ellipsometry. From the merits of the method, we can distinguish between changes in the real and the imaginary part of the DF as well as changes in birefringence and dichroism, respectively. We find pump-induced switching from positive to negative birefringence in almost the entire measured spectral range for about 1 ps. Simultaneously, weak dichroism in the spectral range below 3.0 eV hints at contributions of inter-valence-band transitions. Line-shape analysis of the DF above the band gap based on discrete exciton, exciton-continuum, and exciton-phonon-complex contributions shows a maximal dynamic increase in the transient exciton energy by 80 meV. The absorption coefficient below the band gap reveals an exponential line shape attributed to Urbach-rule absorption mediated by exciton–longitudinal-optic-phonon interaction. The transient DF is supported by first-principles calculations for 1020cm−3 excited electron-hole pairs in ideal bulk ZnO., Funding: project "Advanced research using high intensity laser produced photons and particles" (ADONIS) from the European Regional Development Fund [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16 019/0000789]; project "Structural dynamics of biomolecular systems"(ELIBIO) from the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) [CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15 003/0000447]; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)German Research Foundation (DFG) [SFB 762, 31047526, FOR 1616 (SCHM2710/2)]; project I-COSIMA [SAB 100315366]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports from the National Programme of Sustainability II; National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation (NSF) [DMR-1555153, CBET-1437230, OCI-0725070, ACI-1238993]; state of Illinois; Universitat Leipzig within core research area Complex Matter; Leipzig University

For polarization-resolved reflection experiments such as ellipsometry, not only is high reflectivity in a wide spectral range required for mirrors but also the quality of their polarization response is important. Furthermore, for VUV ellipsometry, optimal angles of incidence at the sample are between $$45^\circ $$ and $$60^\circ $$ with respect to the surface normal. In the best case, a setup should even allow variable angles. This requires reflective optics working at non-grazing incidence. In this theoretical study, a selection of potentially relevant materials and mirror designs for broadband use in the VUV is investigated. Based on the available tabulated databases of optical constants, we performed transfer-matrix calculations to obtain reflectance as well as polarization-response spectra in the desired VUV range up to 50 eV. From the variety of materials, we discuss metals that are otherwise commonly used at grazing incidence, Si, SiC, and as representatives for coating layers MgF$$_2$$, SiO$$_2$$, and Al$$_2$$O$$_3$$. While SiC is most universal, Si with only native oxide layer performs well especially below 25 eV. Aluminum has good properties but oxide layers are very detrimental, as protective coatings are in general.

3D organoids using stem cells to study development and disease are now widespread. These models are powerful to mimic in vivo situations but are currently associated with high variability and low throughput. For biomedical research, platforms are thus necessary to increase reproducibility and allow highthroughput screens (HTS). Here, we introduce a microwell platform, integrated in standard culture plates, for functional HTS. Using micro-thermoforming, we form round-bottom microwell arrays from optically clear cyclic olefin polymer films, and assemble them with bottom-less 96-well plates. We show that embryonic stem cells aggregate faster and more reproducibly (centricity, circularity) as compared to a state-of-the-art microwell array. We then run a screen of a chemical library to direct differentiation into primitive endoderm (PrE) and, using on-chip high content imaging (HCI), we identify molecules, including regulators of the cAMP pathway, regulating tissue size, morphology and PrE gene activity. We propose that this platform will benefit to the systematic study of organogenesis in vitro.

3D organoids using stem cells to study development and disease are now widespread. These models are powerful to mimic in vivo situations but are currently associated with high variability and low throughput. For biomedical research, platforms are thus necessary to increase reproducibility and allow highthroughput screens (HTS). Here, we introduce a microwell platform, integrated in standard culture plates, for functional HTS. Using micro-thermoforming, we form round-bottom microwell arrays from optically clear cyclic olefin polymer films, and assemble them with bottom-less 96-well plates. We show that embryonic stem cells aggregate faster and more reproducibly (centricity, circularity) as compared to a state-of-the-art microwell array. We then run a screen of a chemical library to direct differentiation into primitive endoderm (PrE) and, using on-chip high content imaging (HCI), we identify molecules, including regulators of the cAMP pathway, regulating tissue size, morphology and PrE gene activity. We propose that this platform will benefit to the systematic study of organogenesis in vitro.

Cost-effective strategies to maintain healthy active lifestyle in aging populations are required to address the global burden of age-related diseases. ASPREE will examine whether the potential primary prevention benefits of low dose aspirin outweigh the risks in older healthy individuals. Our primary hypothesis is that daily oral 100. mg enteric-coated aspirin will extend a composite primary endpoint termed 'disability-free life' including onset of dementia, total mortality, or persistent disability in at least one of the Katz Activities of Daily Living in 19,000 healthy participants aged 65. years and above ('US minorities') and 70. years and above (non-'US minorities'). ASPREE is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of oral 100. mg enteric-coated acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) or matching placebo being conducted in Australian and US community settings on individuals free of dementia, disability and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Secondary endpoints are all-cause and cause specific mortality, fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, fatal and non-fatal cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), dementia, mild cognitive impairment, depression, physical disability, and clinically significant bleeding. To 20 September 2013 14,383 participants have been recruited. Recruitment and study completion are anticipated in July 2014 and December 2018 respectively. In contrast to other aspirin trials that have largely focused on cardiovascular endpoints, ASPREE has a unique composite primary endpoint to better capture the overall risk and benefit of aspirin to extend healthy independent lifespan in older adults in the US and Australia. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

A study has been carried out of biohydrometallurgical processing of Chilean ores in order to avoid As volatilisation and the associated environmental problems. Processes studied included leaching, treatment of the solution for As removal and the regeneration of oxidant leaching solution. The kinetics of chemical and bacterial leaching was studied at 30 and 70 degrees C. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Sulpholobus BC had a significant effect on the kinetics, but the enargite was found to be very refractory to leaching. Ag+ was an effective catalyst and slightly increased the Cu dissolution rate in both chemical and bacterial leaching at 30 degrees C. The precipitation of ferric arsenite and ferric arsenate was studied as a function of Fe/As ratio and the pH of the solution. A flowsheet is proposed for the process., A study has been carried out of biohydrometallurgical processing of Chilean ores in order to avoid As volatilisation and the associated environmental problems. Processes studied included leaching, treatment of the solution for As removal and the regeneration of oxidant leaching solution. The kinetics of chemical and bacterial leaching was studied at 30 and 70 degrees C. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Sulpholobus BC had a significant effect on the kinetics, but the enargite was found to be very refractory to leaching. Ag+ was an effective catalyst and slightly increased the Cu dissolution rate in both chemical and bacterial leaching at 30 degrees C. The precipitation of ferric arsenite and ferric arsenate was studied as a function of Fe/As ratio and the pH of the solution. A flowsheet is proposed for the process.

Several putative neurotransmitters and metabolites were monitored simultaneously in the extracellular space of neostriatum, substantia nigra, and cortex and in subcutaneous tissue of the rat by in vivo microdialysis. Glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) were at submicromolar and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was at nanomolar concentrations in all brain regions. The highest concentration of dopamine (DA) was in the neostriatum. Dynorphin B (Dyn B) was in the picomolar range in all brain regions. Although no GABA, DA, or Dyn B could be detected in subcutaneous tissue, Glu and Asp levels were 5 and approximately 5 and approximately 0.4 microM, respectively. Lactate and pyruvate concentrations were approximately 200 and approximately 10 microM in all regions. The following criteria were applied to ascertain the neuronal origin of substances quantified by microdialysis: sensitivity to (a) K+ depolarization, (b) Na+ channel blockade, (c) removal of extracellular Ca2+, and (d) depletion of presynaptic vesicles by local administration of alpha-latrotoxin. DA, Dyn B, and GABA largely satisfied all these criteria. In contrast, Glu and Asp levels were not greatly affected by K+ depolarization and were increased by perfusing with tetrodotoxin or with Ca2+-free medium, arguing against a neuronal origin. However, Glu and Asp, as well as DA and GABA, levels were decreased under both basal and K+-depolarizing conditions by alpha-latrotoxin. Because the effect of K+ depolarization on Glu and Asp could be masked by reuptake into nerve terminals and glial cells, the reuptake blocker dihydrokainic acid (DHKA) or L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) was included in the microdialysis perfusion medium. The effect of K+ depolarization on Glu and Asp levels was increased by DHKA, but GABA levels were also affected. In contrast, PDC increased only Glu levels. It is concluded that there is pool of releasable Glu and Asp in the rat brain. However, extracellular levels of amino acids