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To optimize the permethrin-based therapies for scabies infestations in infants and young children, the efficacies of 3 different regimens were evaluated.The retrospective analysis encompassed 85 infants and children aged4 years with scabies. The children had received either topical permethrin 5% on the entire body on days 1/8, on days 1/8/15, on days 1/8/15 plus interim applications restricted to hands and feet on days 2/3/4//9/10/11, or alternative treatments.The intensified regimen, consisting of full-body permethrin applied on days 1/8/15 and hands/feet on days 2/3/4//9/10/11, resulted in cure of scabies in 73.5% of the cases. The cure rates were significantly greater compared with full-body permethrin given on days 1/8, which led to eradication in 44%, and were greater compared with the clearance in children who had received full-body permethrin on days 1/8/15 (53.8%) or alternative treatments (60%). For patients in whom permethrin had previously been applied, the intensified regimen resulted in eradication of scabies in 71.4% of the cases, compared with 30% and 55.6% after full-body permethrin on days 1/8 and 1/8/15, respectively.The intensified regimen of full-body permethrin plus interim applications on hands/feet, which aims at reducing the number of mites present on the frequently heavily infested palmoplantar sites in addition to the standard entire body application, appears efficacious in curing scabies in young children.

There are various approaches to the distal humerus when managing a distal humeral fracture, and controversy exists regarding which approach is optimal. The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of the triceps tongue (TT) approach when used for osteosynthesis of AO type 13-A, B, and C distal humeral fractures. Secondarily, we aimed to compare the outcomes of the TT approach vs. olecranon osteotomy (OO) when used for osteosynthesis of AO type 13-C distal humeral fractures.We performed a retrospective review of patients with distal humeral fractures treated with open reduction-internal fixation by either a TT or OO approach between 2007 and 2019 at 2 separate institutions. TT patients with AO type 13-C fractures were matched to OO patients at a 1:1 ratio based on age, sex, and fracture characteristics. Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, elbow motion, fracture union, complications, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores were compared.A total of 28 patients treated with the TT approach were assessed, and the matched TT and OO cohorts each comprised 15 patients. The TT group showed less blood loss (119.3 mL vs. 268.5 mL, P = .03), had greater maximal flexion (126° vs. 116°, P = .03), and achieved a larger flexion-extension arc (108° vs. 93°, P = .05) than the OO group. In the OO cohort, 27% of patients had complications directly related to the OO, and OO patients had a higher rate of postoperative ulnar nerve neuritis (33% vs. 0%, P = .04). There was no difference in Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (P = .08), procedure time (P = .2), total number of patients with ≥1 complication (P = .5), difficulty with union (P = .7), or number of patients requiring revision surgery (P = .7).The TT approach is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of distal humeral fractures. When compared with the OO approach for AO type 13-C fractures, the TT approach did not differ regarding functional outcomes but showed increased range of motion, decreased intraoperative blood loss, and a lower rate of postoperative ulnar nerve neuritis. The TT approach should be considered as a safe and reliable first-line approach for intra-articular distal humeral fractures because it allows adequate visualization of the articular surface, eliminates complications related to osteotomy including delayed union or nonunion and hardware failure or irritation, and allows for easy conversion to total elbow arthroplasty.

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) cover similar to 12% of the global land surface. They are formed by an intimate association between soil particles, photoautotrophic and heterotrophic organisms, and they effectively stabilize the soil surface of drylands. Quantitative information on the impact of biocrusts on the global cycling and climate effects of aeolian dust, however, is not available. Here, we combine the currently limited experimental data with a global climate model to investigate the effects of biocrusts on regional and global dust cycling under current and future conditions. We estimate that biocrusts reduce the global atmospheric dust emissions by similar to 60%, preventing the release of similar to 0.7 Pg dust per year. Until 2070, biocrust coverage is expected to be severely reduced by climate change and land-use intensification. The biocrust loss will cause an increased dust burden, leading to a reduction of the global radiation budget of around 0.12 to 0.22W m(-2), corresponding to about 50% of the total direct forcing of anthropogenic aerosols. This biocrust control on dust cycling and its climate impacts have important implications for human health, biogeochemical cycling and the functioning of the ecosystems, and thus should be considered in the modelling, mitigation and management of global change., Nature Geoscience, 15 (6), ISSN:1752-0908, ISSN:1752-0894

Light-driven electronic excitation is a cornerstone for energy and information transfer. In the interaction of intense and ultrafast light fields with solids, electrons may be excited irreversibly, or transiently during illumination only. As the transient electron population cannot be observed after the light pulse is gone it is referred to as virtual, while the population remaining excited is called real. Virtual charge carriers have recently been associated with high-harmonic generation and transient absorption, while photocurrent generation may stem from real as well as virtual charge carriers. Yet, a link between the carrier types in their generation and importance for observables up to technological relevance is missing. Here we show that real and virtual carriers can be excited and disentangled in the optical generation of currents in a gold-graphene-gold heterostructure using few-cycle laser pulses. Depending on the waveform used for photoexcitation, real carriers receive net momentum and propagate to the gold electrodes, while virtual carriers generate a polarization response read out at the gold-graphene interfaces. Based on these insights, we further demonstrate a proof of concept of a logic gate for future lightwave electronics. Our results offer a direct means to monitor and excite real and virtual charge carriers. Individual control over each type will dramatically increase the integrated circuit design space and bring closer to reality petahertz signal processing.

Flexible behavior requires gating mechanisms that encode only task-relevant information in working memory. Extant literature supports a theoretical division of labor whereby lateral frontoparietal interactions underlie information maintenance and the striatum enacts the gate. Here, we reveal neocortical gating mechanisms in intracranial EEG patients by identifying rapid, within-trial changes in regional and inter-regional activities that predict subsequent behavioral outputs. Results first demonstrate information accumulation mechanisms that extend prior fMRI (i.e., regional high-frequency activity) and EEG evidence (inter-regional theta synchrony) of distributed neocortical networks in working memory. Second, results demonstrate that rapid changes in theta synchrony, reflected in changing patterns of default mode network connectivity, support filtering. Graph theoretical analyses further linked filtering in task-relevant information and filtering out irrelevant information to dorsal and ventral attention networks, respectively. Results establish a rapid neocortical theta network mechanism for flexible information encoding, a role previously attributed to the striatum.

ZusammenfassungDas Ulcus cruris venosum entsteht im Rahmen einer fortgeschrittenen chronisch-venösen Insuffizienz und stellt die häufigste Entität chronischer Ulzerationen der unteren Extremität dar. Da die Prävalenz im Alter deutlich ansteigt, stellen venöse Ulzera in einer alternden Gesellschaft ein zunehmend relevantes Gesundheitsproblem dar, welches mit einer signifikanten Morbidität und einer hohen sozioökonomischen Belastung verbunden ist. Die Behandlung stellt aufgrund der niedrigen Heilungsrate, der häufigen Chronifizierung und der hohen Rezidivrate eine Herausforderung dar. Die Therapie umfasst in der Regel mehrere Modalitäten, wobei stets die Reduktion der venösen Hypertension in den zuführenden Gefäßen im Vordergrund steht. Bezüglich konservativer Therapieoptionen stehen die Kompressionstherapie, die pharmakologische Therapie sowie ergänzend die lokale Wundpflege zur Verfügung. Im Rahmen der kausalen, invasiven Therapie der dem Ulkus zugrunde liegenden Varkositas finden vor allem endoluminal-ablative Verfahren, die offene chirurgische Sanierung und die Schaumsklerotherapie ihre Anwendung. Neben einer Optimierung der invasiven Verfahren, liegt vor allem in der Entwicklung adjuvanter Therapiemodalitäten noch großes Potenzial.

This presentation describes the progress in the development of two domain specific languages for weather and climate applications, PSyclone and gt4py (formerly dusk/dawn). Several models ofESiWACE-2 have been ported and adapted to use the DSLs: NEMO, ICON, LFric and IFS.&nbsp

20 pages, 3 tables, 5 figures.-- Samantha Andrzejaczek ... et al.-- Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC), Knowledge of the three-dimensional movement patterns of elasmobranchs is vital to understand their ecological roles and exposure to anthropogenic pressures. To date, comparative studies among species at global scales have mostly focused on horizontal movements. Our study addresses the knowledge gap of vertical movements by compiling the first global synthesis of vertical habitat use by elasmobranchs from data obtained by deployment of 989 biotelemetry tags on 38 elasmobranch species. Elasmobranchs displayed high intra- and interspecific variability in vertical movement patterns. Substantial vertical overlap was observed for many epipelagic elasmobranchs, indicating an increased likelihood to display spatial overlap, biologically interact, and share similar risk to anthropogenic threats that vary on a vertical gradient. We highlight the critical next steps toward incorporating vertical movement into global management and monitoring strategies for elasmobranchs, emphasizing the need to address geographic and taxonomic biases in deployments and to concurrently consider both horizontal and vertical movements, Data analysis was funded by the Bertarelli Foundation through the Marine Science program through grants to D.J.C., B.A.B., and S.A. D.J.C. is also funded through Research England, UK. S.A. and B.A.B. thank the Moore Foundation and the Packard Foundation. F.G.-M. thanks the Instituto Politecnico Nacional for fellowships (COFAA, EDI). S.B.W. thanks funding from the Darwin Initiative (DPLUS046). A.D.M.D. acknowledges funding from the Research and Conservation Budget at Georgia Aquarium, including philanthropic gifts from several anonymous donors. K.F. acknowledges funding from the Rolex Awards for Enterprise and the Whitley Fund for Nature

The sequential vertical polyfunctionalization of 2D addend‐patterned graphene is still elusive. Here, we report a practical realization of this goal via a “molecular building blocks” approach, which is based on a combination of a lithography‐assisted reductive functionalization approach and a post‐functionalization step to sequentially and controllably link the molecular building blocks ethylpyridine, cis‐dichlorobis(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium, and triphenylphosphine (4‐methylbenzenethiol, respectively) on selected lattice regions of a graphene matrix. The assembled 2D hetero‐architectures are unambiguously characterized by various spectroscopic and microscopic measurements, revealing the stepwise stacking of the molecular building blocks on the graphene surface. Our method overcomes the current limitation of a one‐layer‐only binding to the graphene surface and opens the door for a vertical growth in the z‐direction.

The speed of an active electronic semiconductor device is limited by RC timescale, i.e., the time required for its charging and discharging. To circumvent this ubiquitous limitation of conventional electronics, we investigate diodes under intense mid-infrared light-field pulses. We choose epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide as a metal/semiconductor pair, acting as an ultrarobust and almost-transparent Schottky diode. The usually dominant forward direction is suppressed, but a characteristic signal occurs in reverse bias. For its theoretical description, we consider tunneling through the light-field–modulated Schottky barrier, complemented by a dynamical accumulation correction. On the basis only of the DC parametrization of the diode, the model provides a consistent and accurate description of the experimentally observed infrared phenomena. This allows the conclusion that cycle-by-cycle dynamics determines rectification. As the chosen materials have proven capabilities for transistors, circuits, and even a full logic, we see a way to establish light-field-driven electronics with rapidly increasing functionality.

The speed of an active electronic semiconductor device is limited by

Diet is a modifiable risk factor, which may influence the gene expression and the concentration of inflammatory biomarkers related to obesity and atherosclerosis. In this substudy from Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program, we hypothesized that a nutritional intervention based on the usual Brazilian diet modulates the expression of genes involved with atherosclerosis and inflammatory biomarkers in male patients, in the secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease.Six male patients, aged 45 years or older, obese, were selected to follow a qualitative-quantitative food plan for 6 months. Glycemia, insulinemia, lipid profile, plasma concentration of inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin (IL) -1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein and adiponectin, and expression of 84 atherosclerosis-related genes in total peripheral blood cells, were measured.After nutritional intervention, the participants reduced weight (p 0.04), waist circumference (p 0.04), Homeostasis Model Assessment index for insulin resistance (p = 0.046) and overall leukocyte count (p = 0.046) and neutrophils (p = 0.028). There was no significant modification in the plasma concentration of the inflammatory biomarkers, however, there was a significant increase in the expression of Apo A1 (p = 0.011), ELN (p = 0.017) and IL4 (p = 0.037) genes.The BALANCE Program, the qualitative-quantitative food plan composed of Brazilian usual foods, did not reduce the concentration of inflammatory biomarkers, but increased in total peripheral blood cells the expression of genes involved in reducing the risk of cardiometabolic in obese patients, in secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease. The clinical trial is registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ and the unique identifier is NCT01620398.

Zusammenfassung Die Digitalisierung entwickelt sich so rasant, dass das digitale Planen, Bauen und Betreiben einen verantwortungsvollen Umgang notwendig machen. Dabei tragen die Bauunternehmen eine signifikant hohe soziale Verantwortung, insbesondere für den verantwortungsvollen Umgang mit der Digitalisierung von Unternehmen in Zeiten von Künstlicher Intelligenz (Englische Kurzform: CDR, Corporate Digital Responsibility). CDR im Bauwesen benötigt eine ganzheitliche Überprüfung des Status Quo, der Anforderungen, neuer Technologien, interdisziplinärer Schnittstellen, aktueller Forschung, der Gestaltung der praktischen Umsetzung und des gesetzlichen Rahmens. Ansätze für den erfolgreichen Transformationsprozess dieser einzigartigen Branche lassen sich daraus ableiten und die Stellschrauben, an denen gedreht werden muss, darstellen.

Quantifying vertical distributions of pelagic predators elucidates pelagic ecosystem structure and informs fisheries management. In the tropical South Atlantic Ocean, the recently designated large-scale marine protected area around Ascension Island hosts diverse pelagic predators for which basin-specific vertical habitat information is minimal or absent. We used pop-up satellite archival tags to analyse vertical habitat use in 12 species (bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus, blue marlin Makaira nigricans, blue shark Prionace glauca, dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus, Galapagos shark Carcharhinus galapagensis, oceanic whitetip Carcharhinus longimanus, sailfish Istiophorus albicans, silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis, swordfish Xiphias gladius, tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier, wahoo Acanthocybium solandri, and yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares) and quantify parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, diel cycles, lunar phase) known to constrain vertical movements. Predator depth distributions varied widely, and classification trees grouped predators into four clades: (i) primarily epipelagic; (ii) partial thermocline use; (iii) oscillatory diving with thermocline/sub-thermocline use; and (iv) extensive use of sub-thermocline waters. Vertical habitat differences were linked to thermal physiology and foraging ecology, and species-specific physical constraints from other ocean basins were largely conserved in the South Atlantic. Water column features defined species-specific depth distributions, which can inform fisheries practices and bycatch risk assessments and population estimates.

In the Amazonian rain forest, major parts of trees and shrubs are covered by epiphytic cryptogams of great taxonomic variety, but their relevance in biosphere–atmosphere exchange, climate processes, and nutrient cycling is largely unknown. As cryptogams are poikilohydric organisms, they are physiologically active only under moist conditions. Thus, information on their water content (WC) as well as temperature and light conditions experienced by them are essential to analyze their impact on local, regional, and even global biogeochemical processes. In this study, we present data on the microclimatic conditions, including water content, temperature, and light conditions experienced by epiphytic bryophytes along a vertical gradient, and combine these with above-canopy climate data collected at the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) in the Amazonian rain forest between October 2014 and December 2016. While the monthly average of above-canopy light intensities revealed only minor fluctuations over the course of the year, the light intensities experienced by the bryophytes varied depending on the location within the canopy, probably caused by individual shading by vegetation. In the understory (1.5 m), monthly average light intensities were similar throughout the year, and individual values were extremely low, remaining below 3 µmol m−2 s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density more than 84 % of the time. Temperatures showed only minor variations throughout the year, with higher values and larger height-dependent differences during the dry season. The indirectly assessed water content of bryophytes varied depending on precipitation, air humidity, dew condensation, and bryophyte type. Whereas bryophytes in the canopy were affected by diel fluctuations of the relative humidity and condensation, those close to the forest floor mainly responded to rainfall patterns. In general, bryophytes growing close to the forest floor were limited by light availability, while those growing in the canopy had to withstand larger variations in microclimatic conditions, especially during the dry season. For further research in this field, these data may be combined with CO2 gas exchange measurements to investigate the role of bryophytes in various biosphere–atmosphere exchange processes, and could be a tool to understand the functioning of the epiphytic community in greater detail.

Individual technical components are usually well optimized. However, the design process of entire technical systems, especially in its early stages, is still dominated by human intuition and the practical experience of engineers. In this context, our vision is the widespread availability of software tools to support the human-driven design process with the help of modern mathematical methods. As a contribution to this, we consider a selected class of technical systems, so-called thermofluid systems. From a technical point of view, these systems comprise fluid distribution as well as superimposed heat transfer. Based on models for simple fluid systems as extensively studied in literature, we develop model extensions and algorithmic methods directed towards the optimized synthesis of thermofluid systems to a practical extent. Concerning fluid systems, we propose a Branch-and-Bound framework, exploiting problem-specific characteristics. This framework is then further analyzed using the application example of booster stations for high-rise buildings. In addition, we demonstrate the application of Quantified Programs to meet possible resilience requirements with respect to the systems generated. In order to model basic thermofluid systems, we extend the existing formulation for fluid systems by including heat transfer. Since this consideration alone is not able to deal with dynamic system behavior, we face this challenge separately by providing a more sophisticated representation dealing with the temporal couplings that result from storage components. For the considered case, we further show the advantages of this special continuous-time representation compared to the more common representation using discrete time intervals.

Background This study provides a comprehensive, full-length assessment of radial and ulnar bowing in anteroposterior (AP) and sagittal planes. Methods Radial and ulnar AP and lateral bowing were assessed using orthogonal digital photographs of 211 randomly selected cadaveric bilateral forearms (422 radius, 422 ulna bones) from a well-preserved osteologic collection. Results In the radial AP plane, an apex-radial bow was present at a mean of 58% of bone length (slightly distal to midpoint), with a mean depth of 1.3 cm. In the radial lateral plane, an apex-dorsal bow occurred at a mean of 45% of bone length, with a mean depth of 0.8 cm. In the ulnar AP plane, apex-radial bow occurred at a mean of 32% of bone length with a mean depth of 1.0 cm. In the ulnar lateral plane, the majority of specimens (81%) had an apex-dorsal bow, whereas 19% had a reverse (apex-volar) bow. Lateral ulnar bow was located at a mean of 33% of bone length with a mean depth of 2.0 cm, with 36% of specimens possessing a lateral bow located at 35% or more distal along the ulna. Side-to-side differences for bow location and depth were less than 2% of bone length. Conclusions Ulnar lateral bow was found to be more distal than in previously published works, which analyzed only the proximal ulna, and this study describes a reverse ulnar bow in 19% of specimens. This demonstrates lateral ulnar morphology to be more variable than previously defined with minimal side-to-side variability, which are important considerations for fracture fixation and elbow arthroplasty.

Environmental data require fit-for-purpose data management systems and related spatial applications to be used effectively for management. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become a key tool to analyse and visualise spatial data with their increasing volume and variety. Well-designed data centres that combine a data management system with GIS, reduce costs and improve efficiency for spatial planning processes. Small or remote territories and islands such as the South Atlantic UK Overseas Territories (SAUKOT), with limited financial resources and capacity, face many challenges to develop such centres. In 2013 an island-based Information Management System (IMS)-GIS Data Centre was established in the SAUKOT. Until then, governments did not have the ability to use spatial planning effectively to manage their environments. The IMS-GIS Data Centre has been operating as: 1) repository of high-quality reference datasets to support decision making, 2) interactive data visualisation to share maps and information with stakeholders and 3) data portals to assist data discovery and sharing. This paper describes i) how the SAUKOT have built their own IMS-GIS Data Centres ii), how these Data Centres have provided effective and manageable solutions to support terrestrial and marine spatial planning processes and iii) the challenges the Data Centres are still facing. Thanks to relatively simple data management concepts and the use of open-source programs, the IMS-GIS Data Centre is transferable to other contexts sharing similar challenges to those faced by the SAUKOT Os dados ambientais exigem uma adequação dos sistemas de gestão de dados e respetivas aplicações geográficas para que sejam utilizados eficazmente na gestão. Os Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (SIG) tornaram-se uma ferramenta essencial para analisar e visualizar dados espaciais com seu volume e variedade crescentes. Os Data centers bem projetados, que combinam um sistema de gestão de dados com SIG, reduzem custos e melhoram a eficiência dos processos de planeamento espacial. Os territórios e ilhas pequenas ou remotas, como os Territórios Ultramarinos do Atlântico Sul do Reino Unido (SAUKOT), com recursos e capacidade financeira limitados, enfrentam muitos desafios para desenvolver esses centros. Em 2013, um centro de dados do Sistema de Gestão de Informações em Ilhas (IMS) foi estabelecido no SAUKOT. Até então, os governos não tinham a capacidade de usar o planeamento espacial efetivamente para gerir os seus ambientes. O IMS-GIS Data Center opera como: 1) repositório de conjuntos de dados de referência de alta qualidade para apoiar a tomada de decisão, 2) visualização interativa de dados para compartilhar mapas e informações com as partes interessadas e 3) portais de dados para auxiliar na descoberta e compartilhamento de dados. Este artigo descreve i) como os SAUKOT construíram os seus próprios Data Centers IMS-GIS; ii) como esses Data Centers forneceram soluções eficazes e geríveis para apoiar os processos de planeamento espacial terrestre e marinho; e iii) os desafios que os Data Centers ainda enfrentam. Graças a conceitos de gestão de dados relativamente simples e o uso de programas de código aberto, o IMS-GIS Data Center é transferível para outros contextos que compartilham desafios semelhantes aos enfrentados pelo SAUKOT. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Efficiently assembling heterostructures with desired interface properties, stability, and facile patternability is challenging yet crucial to modern device fabrication. Here, we demonstrate an interface coupling concept to bottom-up construct covalently linked graphene/MoS

Neurophysiological studies in humans and nonhuman primates have revealed movement representations in both the contralateral and ipsilateral hemispheres. Inspired by clinical observations, we ask if this bilateral representation differs for the left and right hemispheres. Electrocorticography was recorded in human participants during an instructed-delay reaching task, with movements produced with either the contralateral or ipsilateral arm. Using a cross-validated kinematic encoding model, we found stronger bilateral encoding in the left hemisphere, an effect that was present during preparation and was amplified during execution. Consistent with this asymmetry, we also observed better across-arm generalization in the left hemisphere, indicating similar neural representations for right and left arm movements. Notably, these left hemisphere electrodes were centered over premotor and parietal regions. The more extensive bilateral encoding in the left hemisphere adds a new perspective to the pervasive neuropsychological finding that the left hemisphere plays a dominant role in praxis.The brain is split into two hemispheres, each playing the leading role in coordinating movement for the opposite side of the body: lesions on the left hemisphere therefore often result in difficulties moving the right arm or leg, and vice versa. In fact, very few anatomical connections exist between a given hemisphere and the body parts on the same (or ‘ipsilateral’) side. Yet, movements produced with only one limb still engage both sides of the brain, with the hemisphere which does not control the action production, still encoding the direction and speed of the movement. Previous evidence also indicate that the two hemispheres may not have equal roles when coordinating ipsilateral movements. Merrick et al. aimed to shed light on these processes; to do so, they measured electrical activity from the surface of the brain of six patients as they moved their arms to reach a screen. The results revealed that, while the right hemisphere only encoded information about the opposite arm, the left hemisphere contained information about both arms. Finer analyses showed that, for both hemispheres, moving the opposite arm was strongly associated with activity in the primary motor cortex, a region which helps to execute movements. However, in the left hemisphere, movements from the ipsilateral arm were related to activity in brain areas involved in planning and integrating different types of sensory information. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how the motor system works, which could ultimately help with the development of brain-machine interfaces for patients who need a neuroprosthetic limb.

Alveolitis occurs after dental extraction without blood clot formation, leading to an inflammatory process and bacterial contamination. Boric acid (BA) demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and osteogenic properties. This study aims to evaluate the possible antimicrobial effects and bone repair of BA in a rat model of alveolitis (dry socket).33 male Wistar rats were submitted to the extraction of the upper right incisor and dry socket induction. They were first divided into two groups: dry socket (n = 17) and dry socket + 0.75 % BA (n = 16). Samples for the microbiological analysis were collected immediately after dental extraction, at the detection of clinical alveolitis, 7, and 14 days after BA application. For microCT and histological analysis, samples from euthanized rats were used in 14 and 28 days after alveolitis detection.Higher bacterial counts were found in 4-5 days after alveolitis induction, compared to the baseline in both experimental groups, decreasing significantly after 7 and 14 days of treatment with BA (P 0.05). The microCT evaluation displayed increased bone volume, bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, and bone mineral density in a time-dependent manner, regardless of BA treatment. On the other hand, the number of trabeculae and total bone porosity decreased over the 28 days of the experiment in the dry-socket group and both groups, respectively (P 0.05). Histological analysis did not differ on bone repair in both experimental groups.This was the first report investigating the effects of BA in a rat model of alveolitis regarding microbiological and bone repair aspects. The BA local application decreased the total aerobic and facultative bacteria counts and does not seem to benefit the bone repair after alveolitis development. This study paves the way for more studies involving alveolitis and different BA applications.

As part of the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework, nations are assessing progress over the past decade in addressing the underlying drivers that influence direct pressures on biodiversity and formulating new policies and strategies for the decade to come. For marine conservation, global marine protected area (MPA) coverage is still falling short of the 10% target set in 2010. Here we show that while this reflects a lack of progress in many low- and middle-income countries, a few of these nations have met or exceeded international commitments. To provide an in-depth explanation of how this was achieved in Gabon, we summarize the lessons learnt by our consortium of policy makers and practitioners who helped implement a comprehensive and ecologically representative network of 20 MPAs. We show the importance of creating a national framework, building long-term stakeholder support, and focusing on research that guides implementation and policy; and outline a four-step approach that countries and donors could use as an example to help meet international commitments. By responding to calls to share lessons learned to inform future Convention on Biological Diversity targets, we show how Gabon's experiences could inform change elsewhere.

Biodegradability of biomass constituents is the reason for the gap between theoretical biogas/methane yield and the maximum yield obtainable in bioconversion. The prediction of biogas/methane yields by applying thermal analysis is a relatively new development in this field. The aim of this study was to develop a bioconversion model based on thermogravimetry. Eleven substrates with a specific biogas yield within the range 104 to 572 mL

In this study, we report the impact of structural 4H-SiC epitaxial defects on the electrical characteristics and blocking capabilities of SiC power devices. The detection and classification of the various crystal defects existing in 4H-SiC epitaxial layers and substrates was carried out with a commercial inspection tool using an optical microscope with a photoluminescence channel (PL). After the fabrication of dedicated test structures, devices that contain a single crystal defect were selected and electrically tested in reverse bias mode. Photon emission microscopy was performed to enable the localization of the leakage current spots within the devices. Thus, a direct correlation of the various crystal defects with the reduced blocking capability mechanism was made. This evaluation helps to set directions and build a strategy towards the reduction of critical defects in order to improve the performance of SiC devices for high power applications.

Historically, thermal radiation is related to 3D cavities. In practice, however, it is known that almost any hot surface radiates according to Planck's law. This approximate universality roots in the smooth electromagnetic mode structure of free space, into which the radiation is emitted. Here, we study the effect for a strongly patterned mode structure and use quasi-transparent point-like thermal light emitters as a probe. As such, we choose current-driven graphene nanojunctions for which the emission into free space obeys Planck's law. Placed in front of a mirror, however, this process is highly sensitive to a node/antinode pattern of light modes. By varying the distance, we can sample the latter with atomic precision, and observe a deep imprint on the observed spectrum. The experiment allows an unprecedented view on thermal radiation in a spatially/spectrally patterned electromagnetic environment.

Electronic coherence is of utmost importance for the access and control of quantum-mechanical solid-state properties. Using a purely electronic observable, the photocurrent, we measure a lower bound of the electronic coherence time of 22 ± 4 fs in graphene. The photocurrent is ideally suited to measure electronic coherence, as it is a direct result of coherent quantum-path interference, controlled by the delay between two ultrashort two-color laser pulses. The maximum delay for which interference between the population amplitude injected by the first pulse interferes with that generated by the second pulse determines the electronic coherence time. In particular, numerical simulations reveal that the experimental data yields a lower bound on the electronic coherence time, masked by coherent dephasing due to the broadband absorption in graphene. We expect that our results will significantly advance the understanding of coherent quantum control in solid-state systems ranging from excitation with weak fields to strongly driven systems.

The Amazon rain forest plays a major role in global hydrological cycling, and biogenic aerosols are likely to influence the formation of clouds and precipitation. Information about the sources and altitude profiles of primary biological aerosol particles, however, is sparse. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), a molecular biological staining technique largely unexplored in aerosol research, to investigate the sources and spatiotemporal distribution of Amazonian bioaerosols on the domain level. We found wet season bioaerosol number concentrations in the range of 1–5 × 105 m−3 accounting for > 70 % of the coarse mode aerosol. Eukaryotic and bacterial particles predominated, with fractions of ∼ 56 % and ∼ 26 % of the intact airborne cells. Archaea occurred at very low concentrations. Vertical profiles exhibit a steep decrease in bioaerosol numbers from the understory to 325 m height on the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO), with a stronger decrease in Eukarya compared to Bacteria. Considering earlier investigations, our results can be regarded as representative for near-pristine Amazonian wet season conditions. The observed concentrations and profiles provide new insights into the sources and dispersion of different types of Amazonian bioaerosols as a solid basis for model studies on biosphere–atmosphere interactions such as bioprecipitation cycling.