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Cardiovascular disease is a complication of systemic inflammatory diseases and anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is an exemplar. Mechanisms are poorly understood, and risk-reduction strategies are lacking.In a series of double-blind, randomized case-control forearm plethysmography and crossover systemic interventional studies, we examined arterial stiffness and endothelial function in AAV patients in long-term disease remission and in matched healthy volunteers (n=32/group). The primary outcome for the case-control study was the difference in endothelium-dependent vasodilation between health and AAV, and for the crossover study was the difference in pulse wave velocity (PWV) between treatment with placebo and selective endothelin-A receptor antagonism. Parallel in vitro studies of circulating monocytes and platelets explored mechanism.Case-control study: Compared to healthy volunteers, AAV patients had ~30% reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation (mean difference: -6.1 mL/100mL of tissue/min, pCrossover study: Compared to placebo, both selective endothelin-A and dual endothelin-A/B receptor blockade reduced PWV and increased tPA release in AAV. Mechanistically, patients with AAV had increased platelet activation, more platelet-monocyte aggregates, and altered monocyte endothelin receptor function, reflecting reduced endothelin-1 clearance. AAV patients in long-term remission have elevated cardiovascular risk. Endothelin-1 contributes, and our data support a role for endothelin-blockers to reduce this risk by reducing arterial stiffness and increasing circulating tPA activity.

Mycoviruses may influence the pathogenicity of disease-causing fungi. Although mycoviruses have been found in some chytrid fungi, limited testing has not detected them in Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the cause of the devastating amphibian disease, chytridiomycosis. Here we conducted a survey for mycovirus presence in 38 Bd isolates from Australia (n = 31), Brazil (n = 5) and South Korea (n = 2) with a combination of modern high-throughput sequencing and conventional dsRNA cellulose chromatography. Mycoviruses were not detected in any isolates. This result was unexpected, given the long evolutionary history of Bd, as well as the high prevalence of mycoviruses in related fungal species. Given our widespread sampling in Australia and the limited number of Bd introductions, we suggest that mycoviruses are uncommon or absent from Australian Bd. Testing more isolates from regions where Bd originated, as well as regions with high diversity or low fungal virulence may identify mycoviruses that could aid in disease control.

Determine the effectiveness and acceptability of a text message intervention (DTEXT) on HbA1c and self-management behaviors for Australian adults with type 2 diabetes.Using intention to treat analysis and generalized estimating equations, this randomized controlled trial of 395 adults determined change in HbA1c at 3 and 6 months between the intervention and control group. Secondary outcomes included change in nutrition, physical activity, blood lipid profile, body mass index, quality of life, self-efficacy, medication taking and program acceptability.No significant difference was observed between the intervention or control group for HbA1c at 3 months (P = 0.23) or 6 months (P = 0.22). Significant improvements were seen in consumption of vegetables at 3 months (P0.001) and 6 months (P = 0.04); fruit at 3 months (P = 0.046) and discretionary sweet foods at 3 months (P = 0.02). No other significant effects seen. The intervention demonstrated high rates of acceptability (94.0%) and minimal withdrawal (1.5%).DTEXT was an acceptable text message intervention that improved some nutritional behaviors in people with type 2 diabetes, but did not significantly improve HbA1c or other outcomes. Further research is required to optimize DTEXT.DTEXT provides an acceptable, feasible form of self-management support that may complement existing diabetes care.

Properties of the adsorbed hydrogen phase have been studied for hydrogen adsorption in three carbide derived carbons: SiC-CDC, steam/CO2 activated SiC-CDC and TiC-CDC. Using the excess hydrogen uptake isotherm at hydrogen pressures above 120 MPa where adsorption has finished, the adsorbate volume has been determined and the adsorbate density has been calculated at ambient temperatures. Absolute adsorption isotherms have been constructed by assuming the adsorbate volume is equivalent to the pore volume and is therefore constant. This study indicates that all three CDCs had the same maximum adsorbate density, with the adsorption proportional to the total pore volume.

In 2019, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) issued a substantial revision of the 2007 guideline on community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Despite the fact that generalization of infectious disease guidelines is limited because of substantial geographic differences in microbiologic etiology and antimicrobial resistance, the ATS/IDSA guideline is frequently applied outside the United States. Therefore, this project aimed to give a perspective on the ATS/IDSA CAP recommendations related to the management of CAP outside the United States. For this, an expert panel composed of 14 international key opinion leaders in the field of CAP from 10 countries across five continents, who were not involved in producing the 2019 guideline, was asked to subjectively name the five most useful changes, the recommendation viewed most critically, and the recommendation that cannot be applied to their respective region. There was no formal consensus process, and the article reflects different opinions. Recommendations welcomed by most of the international pneumonia experts included the abandonment of the concept of “health-care-associated pneumonia,” the more restrictive indication for empiric macrolide treatment in outpatients, the increased emphasis on microbiologic diagnostics, and addressing the use of corticosteroids. Main criticisms included the somewhat arbitrary choice of a 25% resistance threshold for outpatient macrolide monotherapy. Experts from areas with elevated mycobacterial prevalence particularly opposed the recommendation of fluoroquinolones, even as an alternative.

Background Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) guidelines have improved the treatment and outcomes of patients with CAP, primarily by standardization of initial empirical therapy. But current society-published guidelines exclude immunocompromised patients. Research Question There is no consensus regarding the initial treatment of immunocompromised patients with suspected CAP. Study Design and Methods This consensus document was created by a multidisciplinary panel of 45 physicians with experience in the treatment of CAP in immunocompromised patients. The Delphi survey methodology was used to reach consensus. Results The panel focused on 21 questions addressing initial management strategies. The panel achieved consensus in defining the population, site of care, likely pathogens, microbiologic workup, general principles of empirical therapy, and empirical therapy for specific pathogens. Interpretation This document offers general suggestions for the initial treatment of the immunocompromised patient who arrives at the hospital with pneumonia.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common, with hypertension and diabetes mellitus acting as major risk factors for its development. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and the most frequent end point of CKD. There is an urgent need for more precise methods to identify patients at risk of CKD and cardiovascular disease. Alterations in microvascular structure and function contribute to the development of hypertension, diabetes, CKD, and their associated cardiovascular disease. Homology between the eye and the kidney suggests that noninvasive imaging of the retinal vessels can detect these microvascular alterations to improve targeting of at-risk patients. Retinal vessel–derived metrics predict incident hypertension, diabetes, CKD, and cardiovascular disease and add to the current renal and cardiovascular risk stratification tools. The advent of optical coherence tomography (OCT) has transformed retinal imaging by capturing the chorioretinal microcirculation and its dependent tissue with near-histological resolution. In hypertension, diabetes, and CKD, OCT has revealed vessel remodeling and chorioretinal thinning. Clinical and preclinical OCT has linked retinal microvascular pathology to circulating and histological markers of injury in the kidney. The advent of OCT angiography allows contrast-free visualization of intraretinal capillary networks to potentially detect early incipient microvascular disease. Combining OCT’s deep imaging with the analytical power of deep learning represents the next frontier in defining what the eye can reveal about the kidney and broader cardiovascular health.

Background: Diagnosis of paradoxical tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) is challenging and new tools are needed for early diagnosis as well as to understand the biochemical events that underlie the pathology in TB-IRIS. Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from participants from a randomized HIV/TB treatment strategy study (AIDS Clinical Trials Group [ACTG] A5221) with (n = 26) and without TB-IRIS (n = 22) for an untargeted metabolomics pilot study by liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry. The metabolic profile of these participants was compared at the study entry and as close to the diagnosis of TB-IRIS as possible (TB-IRIS window). Molecular features with p

Background Mortality following lung cancer resection has been shown to double between 30 and 90 days and readmission following surgery is associated with an increased risk of mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the causes of readmission and mortality and enable the identification of potentially modifiable factors associated with these events. Methods Prospective cohort study at a United Kingdom tertiary referral centre conducted over 55 months. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with death within 90 days of surgery. Results The 30 day and 90 day mortality rates were 1.4% and 3.3% respectively. The most common causes of death were pneumonia, lung cancer and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome/Multi Organ Failure. Potentially modifiable risk factors for death identified were: Postoperative pulmonary complications (Odds ratio 6.1), preoperative lymphocyte count (OR 0.25), readmission within 30 days (OR 4.2) and type of postoperative analgesia (OR for intrathecal morphine 4.8). The most common causes of readmission were pneumonia, shortness of breath and pain. Conclusions Postoperative mortality is not simply due to fixed factors; the impacts of age, gender and surgical procedure on postoperative survival are reduced when the postoperative course of recovery is examined. Perioperative immune function, as portrayed by the occurrence of infection and lower lymphocyte count in the immediate perioperative period, and pain control method are strongly associated with 90 day mortality; further studies in these fields are indicated as are studies of psychological factors in recovery. Clinical registration number ISRCTN00061628.

Zr3Fe and Ni-substituted Zr3Fe alloys with 30 and 50 at.% Ni were synthesized and their hydrogen absorption/desorption characteristics were compared experimentally (pressure–composition isotherms, thermal desorption spectroscopy, in-situ neutron diffraction) and by computational methods (ab-initio molecular dynamics (AMD), nudged elastic band theory (NEB)). All the alloys absorbed hydrogen to a hydrogen-to-metal atomic ratio of about 1.7, but the hydrides formed were stable at room temperature. The Zr3Fe0.5Ni0.5 alloy and its hydrided form were multi-phase. The Zr3Fe0.7Ni0.3 alloy was single-phase and retained the C m c m structure of the parent intermetallic. In-situ neutron diffraction with D2 in place of H2 showed that the hydride formed in the isotherm measurements, Zr3Fe0.7Ni0.3H6.88, had the same structure ( C m c m ) as Zr3FeH7, while disproportionation was observed in the hydrogenation of Zr3Fe. The kinetics of hydride formation was slower in both the Ni-substituted alloys. Thermal desorption spectroscopy showed that substitution of 0.3Ni significantly destabilized the hydride, lowering the temperature of the principal desorption peak by about 300 K relative to Zr3Fe–H2, without loss of hydrogen capacity, and avoiding disproportionation. Based on the structures determined by neutron diffraction, AMD and NEB calculations were conducted to compare Zr3Fe and Zr3Fe0.7Ni0.3 and their hydrides. The AMD calculations predicted that H diffusion was slower in Ni-substituted Zr3Fe, in agreement with the experimental observation of slower kinetics, implying a higher activation energy for H migration. The NEB calculations also predicted a higher energy barrier for H migration in Ni-substituted Zr3Fe.

Water in aviation fuel is a destructive contaminant and can cause serious problems that compromise aircraft’s safe operation and reduce its efficiency and lifetime. Online monitoring of water content in aviation fuel would permit the control of water content before it builds up to dangerous level. Optical fibers made of PMMA have water affinity. In a PMMA based optical fiber Bragg grating (POFBG) its refractive index and volume vary with the water content. This feature is used to detect tiny water content in aviation fuel in this work. The sensing mechanism of POFBG is analyzed. POFBG wavelength is found to be the function of both temperature and equilibrium relative humidity (ERH). POFBG response to water content in fuel can be determined by the ERH. The sensor is experimented at different environmental conditions to identify its sensitivity. As a result, a general expression of POFBG response is achieved. Water content in Jet-A1 is measured by using POFBG sensor calibrated with both environmental chamber and coulometric titration. POFBG sensor is finally tested in a simulation fuel tank, demonstrating a better performance than coulometric titration. A sensitivity of POFBG wavelength change to water content of 33 pm/ppm is achieved at room temperature, indicating detectable water content of 0.03 ppm.

Hydrogen storage in nanoporous materials has been attracting a great deal of attention in recent years, as high gravimetric H2 capacities, exceeding 10 wt% in some cases, can be achieved at 77 K using materials with particularly high surface areas. However, volumetric capacities at low temperatures, and both gravimetric and volumetric capacities at ambient temperature, need to be improved before such adsorbents become practically viable. This article therefore discusses approaches to increasing the gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen storage capacities of nanoporous materials, and maximizing the usable capacity of a material between the upper storage and delivery pressures. In addition, recent advances in machine learning and data science provide an opportunity to apply this technology to the search for new materials for hydrogen storage. The large number of possible component combinations and substitutions in various porous materials, including Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), is ideally suited to a machine learning approach; so this is also discussed, together with some new material types that could prove useful in the future for hydrogen storage applications.

The non-psychoactive cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), is FDA-approved for treatment of two drug-resistant epileptic disorders, and is seeing increased use among the general public, yet the mechanisms that underlie its therapeutic effects and side-effect profiles remain unclear. Here, we report a systems-level analysis of CBD action in human cell lines using temporal multi-omic profiling. FRET-based biosensor screening revealed that CBD treatment resulted in a sharp rise in cytosolic calcium, and activation of AMPK and ERK kinases in human keratinocyte and neuroblastoma cell lines. CBD treatment led to alterations in the abundance of metabolites, mRNA transcripts, and proteins consistent with activation of cholesterol biosynthesis, transport and storage. We found that CBD rapidly incorporated into cellular membranes and altered cholesterol chemical activity, suggesting direct perturbation of cholesterol-dependent membrane properties. CBD treatment induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in multiple human cell lines, which was rescued by inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, and potentiated by compounds that disrupt cholesterol trafficking and storage. Our data point to a pharmacological interaction of CBD with cholesterol homeostasis pathways, with potential implications in its therapeutic use.

The frequency and severity of shocks to food systems is accelerating globally, exemplified by the current COVID-19 outbreak. In low- and middle-income countries, the impacts have exacerbated existing food system vulnerabilities and poverty. Governments and donors must respond quickly, but few tools are available that identify interventions to build food system resilience, or emerging opportunities for transformation. In this paper we reflect on the application of a systems-based rapid assessment which we applied across 11 Indo-Pacific countries in May-July 2020. Our approach was shaped by three design parameters: the integration of key informants' perspectives engaged remotely within the countries, applicability to diverse food systems and COVID-19 experiences across the region, and the consideration of food systems as complex systems. For the rapid assessment we adopted an analytical framework proposed by Allen and Prosperi (2016). To include a development lens, we added the analysis of vulnerable groups and their exposure, impacts, recovery potential and resilience, and pro-poor interventions. We concluded that the framework and approach facilitated integration and triangulation of disparate knowledge types and data to identify priority interventions and was sufficiently flexible to be applied across food systems, at both national, sub-national and commodity scales. The step-wise method was simple and enabled structured inquiry and reporting. Although the systems concepts appeared more easily transferrable to key informants in some countries than others, potentially transformational interventions were identified, and also some risks of maladaptation. We present a refined framework that emphasises analysis of political, economic and institutional drivers of exposure and vulnerability, the constraints that they pose for building recovery potential and resilience, and trade-offs amongst winners and losers inherent in proposed interventions.

International audience; Belle II is the next generation B Factory experiment operating at the SuperKEKB accelerator complex at KEK in Tsukuba, Japan. It is expected to collect 50 ab−1 of data, with a target instantaneous luminosity of 6.5 × 1035 cm−2s−1, which is about 30 times larger than its predecessor, Belle. In view of the ever increasing Belle II data sample, accurate simulation of the detector is growing in importance. This poses a challenging task of compromising between the realistic modeling of the response of individual detector components and reasonable performance in terms of CPU time of the simulation. In this paper we describe the simulation of the silicon vertex detector, its performance against collision data and optimization.

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, stratifying risk is increasingly important. The Intermountain Risk Score (IMRS) uses the complete blood count (CBC) and basic metabolic profile (BMP) as a first-line predictor of mortality and is widely validated. We hypothesized that IMRS predicts COVID-19 outcomes. Methods: Intermountain Healthcare patients aged ≥18 years were evaluated if they had CBC and BMP measured in 2019 and tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020. Viral RNA testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was conducted March 3 through November 2, 2020. IMRS used published sex-specific weightings and associations were evaluated for the composite of COVID-19 hospitalization or mortality. Findings: Among 3,883 patients, 8.2% were hospitalized, 1.6% died. Subjects with low, mild, moderate, and high-risk IMRS had the composite endpoint in 3.5% (52/1,502), 8.6% (108/1,256), 15.5% (152/979), and 28.1% (41/146), respectively. Versus low-risk, subjects in mild, moderate, and high-risk groups had HR=2.33 (95% CI: 1.67, 3.24), HR=4.01 (CI: 2.93, 5.50), and HR=8.34 (CI: 5.54, 12.57), respectively. Subjects aged

The aim of the present study was to examine whether parents' reported use of controlling feeding practices (restrictive feeding and pressure to eat) change over 6 months, and whether parents' concerns about their own weight and shape are prospectively associated with increasing use of controlling feeding practices. Participants were 48 Australian parents (92% female; Mage = 37.8 years) who completed questionnaires twice, with a 6-month time lag, regarding a target child aged 7.6 years on average (52% female). Results revealed that, in general, parental feeding practices and body dissatisfaction showed little change over 6 months. As expected, parental body dissatisfaction predicted increased use over time of restrictive feeding practices for the purpose of managing child weight, but (unexpectedly) not restrictive feeding for child health or pressure to eat. The findings provide key evidence that parents who use higher levels of controlling feeding practices are likely to continue to do so over time, and that parental body dissatisfaction poses a small but significant risk for parents' increasing use of restrictive feeding for management of child weight. The present findings support suggestions that the connection between parent body dissatisfaction and maladaptive feeding practices play a role in the intergenerational transmission of body image and eating pathology.

A comprehensive comparison of the dominant sources of radiation-induced blur for radiographic imaging system performance is made. End-point energies of 6, 10, 15, and 20 MeV bremsstrahlung photon radiation produced at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Microtron facility were used to examine the performance of large-panel cerium-doped lutetium yttrium silicon oxide (LYSO:Ce) scintillators 3, 5 and 10 mm thick. The system resolution was measured and compared between the various end-point energies and scintillator thicknesses. Contrary to expectations, it is found that there was only a minor dependence of system resolution on scintillator thickness or beam end-point energy. This indicates that increased scintillator thickness does not have a dramatic effect on system performance. The data are then compared to Geant4 simulations to assess contributions to the system performance through the examination of modulation transfer functions. It was determined that the low-frequency response of the system is dominated by the radiation-induced signal, while the higher-frequency response of the system is dominated by the optical imaging of the scintillation emission.

A study of the effect of the ball-milling gas environment on the kinetic enhancement of MgH2 with different additives was conducted using argon and hydrogen. The as-sourced MgH2 was milled for 20 h and then milled for a further 2 h after adding 1–2 mol% of one of the additives titanium isopropoxide, niobium oxide or carbon buckyballs, varying the gas environment for both ball-milling stages. The milling environment had little or no effect on the desorption kinetics in most cases. However, in some cases, the absorption uptake differed by up to 2 wt%, depending on the gas used. This effect was not consistent among the composite samples surveyed, demonstrating the importance of reporting all information about the ball-milling processes used, including the gas environment.

IL-12 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that induces the production of interferon-γ (IFNγ) and favours the differentiation of T helper 1 (Th1) cells. In the presence of IL-12 human Treg cells acquire a Th1-like phenotype with reduced suppressive activity in vitro. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune cholestatic liver disease characterised by high Th1 and Th17 infiltrating cells, reduced frequencies of Treg cells, and a genetic association with IL-12 signalling. Herein, we sought to evaluate the IL-12 signalling pathway in PBC pathology, by studying human samples from patients with PBC, alongside those with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS)(autoimmune disease with IL-12 signalling gene association), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (cholestatic liver disease without IL-12 gene association) and healthy individuals. Our data revealed that TLR stimulation of PBC (n = 17) and pSS monocytes (n = 6) resulted in significant induction of IL12A mRNA (p 0.05, p 0.01, respectively) compared to PSC monocytes (n = 13) and at similar levels to HC monocytes (n = 8). PSC monocytes expressed significantly less IL-12p70 (108 pg/ml, mean) and IL-23 (358 pg/ml) compared to HC (458 pg/ml and 951 pg/ml, respectively) (p 0.01, p 0.05). Treg cells from patients with PBC (n = 16) and pSS (n = 3) but not PSC (n = 10) and HC (n = 8) responded to low dose (10 ng/ml) IL-12 stimulation by significant upregulation of IFNγ (mean 277 and 254 pg/ml, respectively) compared to PSC and HC Treg cells (mean 22 and 77 pg/ml, respectively)(p 0.05). This effect was mediated by the rapid and strong phosphorylation of STAT4 on Treg cells from patients with PBC and pSS (p 0.05) but not PSC and HC. In the liver of patients with PBC (n = 7) a significantly higher proportion of IL-12Rβ2

Sedimentary rocks cover ∼73% of the Earth's surface and metamorphic rocks account for approximately 91% of the crust by volume. Understanding the average behavior and variability of heat production for these rock types are vitally important for developing accurate models of lithospheric temperature. We analyze the heat production of ∼204,000 whole rock geochemical data to quantify how heat production of these rocks varies with respect to chemistry and their evolution during metamorphism. The heat production of metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks are similar to their respective protoliths. Igneous and metaigneous samples increase in heat production with increasing SiO2 and K2O, but decrease with increasing FeO, MgO and CaO. Sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks increase in heat production with increasing Al2O3, FeO, TiO2, and K2O but decrease with increasing CaO. For both igneous and sedimentary rocks, the heat production variations are largely correlated with processes that affect K2O concentration and covary with other major oxides as a consequence. Among sedimentary rocks, aluminous shales are the highest heat producing (2.9 μW m−3) whereas more common iron shales are lower heat producing (1.7 μW m−3). Pure quartzites and carbonates are the lowest heat producing sedimentary rocks. Globally, there is little definitive evidence for a decrease in heat production with increasing metamorphic grade. However, there remains the need for high resolution studies of heat production variations within individual protoliths that vary in metamorphic grade. These results improve estimates of heat production and natural variability of rocks that will allow for more accurate temperature models of the lithosphere. Keywords: Heat generation, Density, Metamorphic rocks, Sedimentary rocks, Igneous rocks, Continental lithosphere

To mimic the reactions that have occurred between plutonium dioxide (PuO2) and degraded polyvinyl chloride during prolonged storage, batches of PuO2 powders with varying specific surface area (4–38 m2 g−1) were exposed to dry hydrogen chloride gas forming a surface-sorbed exchangeable chloride species that was readily leached by dilute caustic solution. One batch was also humidified under a 95% relative humidity atmosphere. Heat treatment at temperatures between 100 and 950 °C steadily reduced the leachable chloride content at least when the initial leachable chloride surface coverage was calculated to be > 0.5 monolayer (ML). Variations between samples are attributed to differences in surface area as well as production route and period of interim storage in air or humidified atmospheres. The data are consistent with surface species and reactions proposed in the literature for HCl adsorption on to TiO2. This indicates that it is interactions between hydrogen chloride/chloride and water/hydroxyl species on the PuO2 surface that are key to understanding the behaviour of these materials when heated in a furnace. These data will inform the design of a future thermal stabilisation process for chloride-contaminated PuO2.

Vinyl acetate is used as an acetylene equivalent in rhodium(III)-catalysed C-H activation/annulation with aryl ketoxime esters. Extension to an aldoxime ester allows for a concise formal synthesis of decumbenine B.

Primary biliary cholangitis is an archetypal autoimmune disease that causes cholestasis, fibrosis, and liver failure. Ursodeoxycholic acid and obeticholic acid are approved for its treatment. Not all patients respond, some are intolerant, many have ongoing symptoms, and new therapies are required. Herein we describe drugs in development and potential future biological targets. We consider compounds acting on the farnesoid X receptor/fibroblast growth factor 19 pathway, fibrates and other agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor family, transmembrane-G-protein-receptor-5 agonists, and several immunological agents. We also consider the roles of bile acid reuptake inhibitors, nalfurafine, and fibrates in pruritus management.

A model has been developed for a metal-hydride tank for hydrogen storage, based on linked modular mathematical models in Simulink®. The objective of the work was a tank-level model suitable for incorporation into a whole-of-system model, implying modest computing demands and reduced complexity. Finite-element analysis was not used. Because the apparent kinetics of a practicable metal-hydride tank is dominated by heat flow originating in the enthalpy of hydrogen absorption/desorption, particular attention was paid to modelling the effective thermal conductivity, based on a detailed description of the thermal resistance between hydride particles. The model was tested against our own experimental data for a pair of tanks with 6.4 kg total hydrogen capacity, and compared with a published 2D model and published experimental data. In all cases, the new model performed very well. The incorporation of a physical model of the effective thermal conductivity means that the tank model can also be used as a research tool to investigate ways of improving tank performance by altering the physical characteristics of the metal-hydride itself to achieve an optimal thermal design and enhanced reaction kinetics.

In this study, we examined whether peer appearance-related victimization was associated with adolescents' increasing body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptoms over 12 months. Also, given emotion regulation and mindfulness have been associated with less body dissatisfaction, we expected that they would protect against the negative impact of peer victimization on BDD symptoms. Participants were 367 Australian adolescents (Mage=13years). In multiple regressions, two aspects of emotion regulation, strategies and clarity, and two components of mindfulness, acting with awareness and being non-judgmental, were uniquely associated with fewer BDD symptoms at T2 relative to T1. There was evidence that one mindfulness component, observing, was a risk factor for more BDD symptoms. Further, acting with awareness and observing moderated the prospective relationship between victimization and BDD symptoms; low acting with awareness and high observing were risks for symptoms regardless of victimization, whereas high acting with awareness and low observing appeared protective of BDD symptoms, but only for adolescents who reported lower victimization.

There is increasing interest in use of ‘alternative’ soil amendments in agriculture, but the wide range of resources and products available differ greatly in their potential to overcome soil constraints and improve nutrient use efficiency. The three main types of biological amendments can be categorised as biostimulants, organic amendments and microbial inoculants. Many have potential to influence biological, chemical and physical conditions of soil, but most are not well researched or easily used in agriculture. The main exception is legume inoculants, which are very well researched and contribute enormously to agricultural productivity when legumes are incorporated into farming systems. Biostimulants include amino acids, chitosan, seaweed extracts and humic substances. Organic amendments include manures, composts, compost derivatives and biochars. Microbial inoculants include specific bacterial inoculants for legumes, and less specialised rhizosphere bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, ectomycorrhizal fungi and a range of disease suppressing microorganisms. Some biological amendments applied to soil may be more effective when used in combinations rather than singly. Furthermore, those used over longer periods may have potential for cumulative effects not captured when used over shorter timeframes. Such differences in effectiveness would occur primarily where benefits involve microbial interactions with chemical and physical soil processes leading to slow transformations within the soil matrix that influence soil fertility and soil health. Similarly, addition of manures and composts may require several years for any quantifiable increase in soil organic C. Although considerable knowledge of the modes of action of many biological amendments is available, their performance under field conditions is usually less well understood. The wide variety of natural and manufactured products available in most cases precludes adequate peer-reviewed research to support claims about their effectiveness. This can lead to proliferation of unsubstantiated assertions of efficacy. This review highlights the lack of field-scale evidence of benefits for many biological amendments with potential to be used in agriculture. We propose complementary approaches of (i) laboratory- or glasshouse-scale research to understand modes of action, and (ii) targeted field-scale participatory research involving groups of farmers using on-farm trials as a forward pathway. Use of biological amendments to overcome soil constraints is expected to expand with intensification of agriculture and as a result of climate change. Therefore, information that enables farmers to discriminate among products that have different levels of effectiveness is necessary, and on-farm participatory research should contribute to addressing this need.

Large photovoltaic arrays are becoming common as the world moves to replace fossil-fuelled electricity generators. As the array size and project cost increase, it becomes increasingly important to know accurately what the array’s performance will be before it is built. Large arrays inevitably contain modules with a spread of performance characteristics such as short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage, and suffer from temperature differences between modules. In this first study of these problems, a model has been developed that accurately predicts the behaviour of a photovoltaic array subject to variability between modules and inhomogeneity of cell temperature across the array. The model was applied to a real rooftop array consisting of 912 modules (298 kW nominal peak power). Based on measured string currents, the predicted average string temperature was compared the temperature measured by a radiometric survey using a drone-mounted IR camera and matched very well. The five-parameter model of cell I - V characteristics was fitted to manufacturer’s data, with highest weighting given to the region around the maximum-power point (MPP) where a real array should operate via active MPP tracking. The model was used to explore separately the effects of a spread in module characteristics arising in the manufacturing process and of temperature inhomogeneity across the array. The current in each module of a string was constrained to be the same, and the voltage of every parallel-connected string was also constrained to be the same. These constraints lead to greater power loss than is predicted based on an average module at an average temperature. Compared to a hypothetical array assembled from identical average modules at the same average temperature, variability caused a loss of power of about 2%, depending on the detailed form of the distribution function chosen to represent the spread of characteristics in the manufacturer’s tolerance band. As a rule of thumb, de-rating the maximum power to the lower end of the manufacturer’s tolerance band is recommended to account for module variability during the design phase. The effect of temperature inhomogeneity is more serious, because temperature affects V oc strongly, causing parallel-connected strings to be pulled away from their ideal operating points to obey the constraint of equal voltage. A modest 10 °C temperature gradient across the studied array was predicted to cause about a 4% loss of power at the MPP. Much higher real temperature differences could be expected in summer and were observed. The study confirmed that temperature inhomogeneity poses a serious design problem for large arrays, requiring careful thermal design to achieve not only acceptably low average array temperature, but also the least possible temperature spread.

Committing to a differentiation pathway means leaving alternative pathways behind. Adoue et al. (2019) report that the H3K9-methyltrasferase Setdb1 plays a role in inhibiting the Th1 program in committed Th2 cells, and mechanistically, its role might relate to the selective targeting of endogenous retroviruses adjacent to Th1 enhancers.

An enhanced one-dimensional model has been developed for an alkaline electrolyser cell for hydrogen production, based on linked modular mathematical models in Simulink®. Where possible, the model parameters were derived on a physical basis and related to the materials of construction and the configuration of its components. This means that the model can be applied to many alkaline electrolyser cells, whereas existing semi-empirical models were generally developed for a specific cell. In addition to predicting the overall equilibrium electrolyser cell performance, the model is a powerful tool for understanding the contributions to cell voltage from the various internal components. It is thus useful as a guide to researchers aiming for improved performance through modified geometry and enhanced electrode materials. The model performed very well when compared to published models tested against the same sets of experimental data.

In this work, we investigate the time-dependent variation of both the reflectivity and resonance wavelength of microstructured polymer optical fiber Bragg grating (mPOFBG) array sensors embedded in silicone rubber and polyurethane resin diaphragms in contact with water and aircraft fuel, respectively. The array sensors were inscribed using two different phase masks with pitches of 557.5 and 580 nm and the thermal annealing of the inscribed fiber was used to change the Bragg wavelengths. Both the reflection and the resonance wavelength shift were monitored over 90 days submerged in liquid and two studies were investigated. In the first study, in addition to the mPOFBGs coated with the diaphragm, also the rest of the fiber is totally protected between the sensors with the same material used for diaphragms. On the other hand, in the second study, the fiber between sensors is unprotected – in direct contact with liquid. PMMA and TOPAS fibers were used and this study suggests that TOPAS fiber should be a good option for long-term liquid monitoring applications.

Radiogenic heat production is a physical parameter crucial to properly estimating lithospheric temperatures and properly understanding processes related to the thermal evolution of the Earth. Yet heat production is, in general, poorly constrained by direct observation because the key radiogenic elements exist in trace amounts making them difficulty image geophysically. In this study, we advance our knowledge of heat production throughout the lithosphere by analyzing chemical analyses of 108,103 igneous rocks provided by a number of geochemical databases. We produce global estimates of the average and natural range for igneous rocks using common chemical classification systems. Heat production increases as a function of increasing felsic and alkali content with similar values for analogous plutonic and volcanic rocks. The logarithm of median heat production is negatively correlated ( r 2 = 0.98) to compositionally-based estimates of seismic velocities between 6.0 and 7.4 km s −1 , consistent with the vast majority of igneous rock compositions. Compositional variations for continent-wide models are also well-described by a log-linear correlation between heat production and seismic velocity. However, there are differences between the log-linear models for North America and Australia, that are consistent with interpretations from previous studies that suggest above average heat production across much of Australia. Similar log-linear models also perform well within individual geological provinces with ∼1000 samples. This correlation raises the prospect that this empirical method can be used to estimate average heat production and natural variance both laterally and vertically throughout the lithosphere. This correlative relationship occurs despite a direct causal relationship between these two parameters but probably arises from the process of differentiation through melting and crystallization.

A high-pressure Sieverts apparatus, specifically designed to investigate carbon and other low-density materials for hydrogen storage, has been constructed and used to investigate potential storage materials for which the volume of the sample is uncertain or difficult to define. The apparatus can be managed from a computer via a graphical interface and used to measure gas sorption isotherms from 77 K to 873 K, utilising a computer driven piston pressure booster to compress the gas to 340 bar. Based on measurements of activated carbons and graphene-like samples, this article demonstrates the low sensitivity of the apparatus to uncertainty in the sample volume and the quality of data obtained for H2 adsorption isotherms measured at 296 K and 77 K at pressures up to 300 bar.

The current state of research into polymer optical fiber (POF) sensors linked to safety in human life is summarized in this paper. This topic is directly related with new solutions for civil aircraft, structural health monitoring, healthcare and biomedicine fields. In the last years, the properties of polymers have been explored to identify situations offering potential advantages over conventional silica fiber sensing technology, replacing, in some cases, problematic electronic technology used in these mentioned fields, where there are some issues to overcome. POFs could preferably replace their silica counterparts, with improved performance and biocompatibility. Finally, new developments are reported which use the unique properties of POF.

A novel antifungal strategy targeting the inhibition of calcineurin is described. To develop a calcineurin based inhibitor of pathogenic fungi, analogs of FK506 were synthesized that were able to permeate mammalian but not fungal cells. Antagonists in combination with FK506 were not immunosuppressive and retained antifungal activity in A. fumigatus. To reduce the dosage burden of the antagonist, murine oral PK was improved an order of magnitude relative to previous FK506 antagonists.

An in-situ neutron investigation of the spatial variation in hydride composition of LaNi5 after a single absorption pressure step was performed. Compositional inhomogeneities are formed due to the strong temperature gradients created by the rapid absorption process coupled with the pressure and temperature hysteresis of the metal–hydrogen interaction. The hydride fraction of LaNi5 in a cylindrical cell was mapped using the ENGIN-X stress/strain instrument and quantitative phase analysis performed using the Rietveld technique. The material was observed to preferentially absorb hydrogen close to the edges of the cell where heat transfer out of the material was more efficient. This spatial variation was maintained even after thermal equilibration. The experimental results are compared to predictions of a 3D multiphysics model solved by the software package COMSOL. The good agreement achieved demonstrates the suitability of this model for optimisation of metal hydride tank systems.

Reliably attaching a structured biomolecule to an inorganic substrate would enable the preparation of surfaces that incorporate both biological and inorganic functions and structures. To this end, we have previously developed a procedure using the copper(I)-catalyzed click reaction to tether synthetic α-helical peptides carrying two alkyne groups to well-ordered alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAM) on a Au(111) surface, in which the SAM is composed of a mixture of methyl and azide termination. Proteins, however, are composed of many diverse functional groups, and this composition directly effects protein structure, interactions, and reactivity. Here, we explore the utility of mixed SAMs with alternative terminating functional groups to tune and direct the reactivity of the surface through noncovalent peptide-surface interactions. We study both polar surfaces (OH-terminated) and charged surfaces (COOH- and NH 3 -terminated, which are negatively and positively charged, respectively, under our reaction conditions). Surfaces were functionalized with a bipolar peptide composed of Lys and Leu residues that could express different interactions through either hydrophilic and/or charge (Lys) or hydrophobic (Leu) influences. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and surface infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize surfaces at all stages of the peptide functionalization procedure. This strategy resulted in a high density of surface-bound α-helices without aggregation. Mixed SAMs that included a positively charged alkanethiol along with the azide-terminated thiol resulted in a more efficient reaction and better alignment of the peptide with the azide on the surface. Negatively charged surfaces increased physisorption of the peptide, which was then removed during sample rinsing. This work demonstrates that varying easily controlled chemical inputs during the functionalization steps allows the reaction conditions to be balanced for the chemical needs of a particular biomolecule or substrate.

The Huisgen cycloaddition reaction (“click” chemistry) has been used extensively to functionalize surfaces with macromolecules in a straightforward manner. We have previously developed a procedure using the copper(I)-catalyzed click reaction to tether synthetic α-helical peptides carrying two alkyne groups to a well-ordered azide-terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a Au(111) surface. While convenient, click-based strategies potentially pose significant problems from reagents, solvents, and reaction temperatures that may irreversibly damage some molecules or substrates. Tuning click chemistry conditions would allow individual optimization of reaction conditions for a wide variety of biomolecules and substrate materials. Here, we explore the utility of simultaneous SAM formation and peptide-attachment chemistry in a one-pot reaction. We demonstrate that a formerly multistep reaction can be successfully carried out concurrently by mixing azide-terminated alkanethiols, CuCl, and a propargylglycine-containing peptide over a bare gold surface in ethanol and reacting at 70 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface infrared spectroscopy, surface circular dichroic (CD) spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) were used to determine that this one-pot reaction strategy resulted in a high density of surface-bound α-helices without aggregation. This work demonstrates the simplicity and versatility of a SAM-plus-click chemistry strategy for functionalizing Au surfaces with structured biomolecules.