Growth temperature induced changes of luminescence in epitaxial BN: from colour centres to donor-acceptor recombination.

Defects play a very important role in semiconductors and only the control over the defect properties allows the implementation of materials in dedicated applications. We present an investigation of the UV luminescence of defects in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) grown by Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE). Such intentionally introduced defects are important for applications like deep UV emission and quantum information. In this work, we performed photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence experiments on a set of h-BN layers grown by MOVPE at different growth temperatures (tgr). The obtained defect-related spectra in the ultraviolet range include well-known lines at about 230 nm (X230, hν = 5.4 eV) and 300 nm (C300 - the brightest one, hν = 4.14 eV) as well as a rarely observed band with a zero-phonon line at 380 nm (C380, hν = 3.24 eV). The C300 and C380 bands have the characteristic of a color centre showing sharp lines (0.6 nm width) at 5 K. These lines are most probably an internal transition of carbon-related defects. We show that for samples grown at high temperatures (tgr > 1200 °C), the lines related to the color centres C are replaced by broad bands at 330 nm and 400 nm, which we marked as D330 and D400, respectively. The D bands have similar central energies to the C bands but extend over a large energy range, so we propose that the D emission is due to a shallow donor to deep acceptor recombination. Time-resolved photoluminescence analysis determined the lifetimes of the individual lines in the range from 0.9 ns (C300), 1.8 ns (C380) to 4 ns (D400). The C300 and C380 color centre bands are composed of a series of characteristic lines that are due to the interaction with phonons. The E1u (198 meV) and A2u (93 meV) phonon replicas have been identified.

Towards practical applications of quantum emitters in boron nitride.

We demonstrate quantum emission capabilities from boron nitride structures which are relevant for practical applications and can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of heterostructures and devices. First, the optical properties of polycrystalline BN films grown by metalorganic vapour-phase epitaxy are inspected. We observe that these specimens display an antibunching in the second-order correlation functions, if the broadband background luminescence is properly controlled. Furthermore, the feasibility to use flexible and transparent substrates to support hBN crystals that host quantum emitters is explored. We characterise hBN powders deposited onto polydimethylsiloxane films, which display quantum emission characteristics in ambient environmental conditions.

A dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist inhibits pain behavior and reduces cartilage pathology in an osteoarthritis rat model.

OBJECTIVES: Pain and disability are the main clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis, for which only symptomatic therapies are available. Hence, there is a need for therapies that can simultaneously alter disease progression and provide pain relief. KBP is a dual amylin- and calcitonin-receptor agonist with antiresorptive and chondroprotective properties. In this study we investigated the effect of KBP in a rat model of osteoarthritis. METHODS: Medial meniscectomy (MNX) was performed in 39 rats, while 10 underwent sham surgery. Rats were treated with KBP and/or naproxen. Nociception was assessed by mechanical and cold allodynia, weight bearing asymmetry, and burrowing behavior. Blood samples were collected for biomarker measurements, and knees for histology. Cartilage histopathology was evaluated according to the advanced Osteoarthritis Research International (OARSI) score and KBPs in vitro antiresorptive effects were assessed using human osteoclasts cultured on bone. RESULTS: The MNX animals displayed an increased nociceptive behavior. Treatment with KBP attenuated the MNX-induced osteoarthritis-associated joint pain. The cartilage histopathology was significantly lower in rats treated with KBP than in MNX animals. Bone and cartilage degradation, assessed by CTX-I and CTX-II plasma levels, were decreased in all KBP-treated groups and KBP potently inhibited bone resorption in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of KBP in ameliorating osteoarthritis-associated joint pain and in protecting the articular cartilage, suggesting KBP as a potential drug candidate for osteoarthritis.

Low frequency of itraconazole resistance found among Aspergillus fumigatus originating from poultry farms in Southwest Poland.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the collection of avian Aspergillus fumigatus isolates for the presence of triazole resistance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was performed on 60 A. fumigatus isolates cultured from lung tissue samples from chicken (25), geese (17), turkeys (13) and ducks (5). The samples were obtained from 40 different farms located in the Southwest Poland and were collected in the period of September 2015 to November 2016. The EUCAST microdilution method, with the use of three concentrations of itraconazole (ITR) (1, 0.5, and 0.25mg/L), was used to screen the susceptibility of all isolates. Additionally, the selected 20 isolates were tested with eleven concentrations ranging 0.015-16mg/L of ITR, voriconazole, posaconazole and isavuconazole. RESULTS: Most tested isolates (59/60) were susceptible to ITR (MIC≤0.5mg/L). One isolate showed elevated MIC for ITR (16mg/L), as well as voriconazole (4mg/L), izavuconazole (4mg/L), and posaconazole (0.5mg/L). This isolate was identified on the basis of DNA analysis as A. fumigatus carrying TR34/L98H mutation. All of the ITR-susceptible isolates under study were also susceptible to other triazoles. CONCLUSION: Obtained results indicated a low frequency (1.6%) of A. fumigatus resistant to triazoles among avian isolates from the Southwest regions of Poland.

Search for CP Violation in Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations by the T2K Experiment with 2.2×10

The T2K experiment measures muon neutrino disappearance and electron neutrino appearance in accelerator-produced neutrino and antineutrino beams. With an exposure of 14.7(7.6)×10^{20} protons on target in the neutrino (antineutrino) mode, 89 ν_{e} candidates and seven anti-ν_{e} candidates are observed, while 67.5 and 9.0 are expected for δ_{CP}=0 and normal mass ordering. The obtained 2σ confidence interval for the CP-violating phase, δ_{CP}, does not include the CP-conserving cases (δ_{CP}=0, π). The best-fit values of other parameters are sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.526_{-0.036}^{+0.032} and Δm_{32}^{2}=2.463_{-0.070}^{+0.071}×10^{-3} eV^{2}/c^{4}.

The relationship between skin function, barrier properties, and body-dependent factors.

BACKGROUND: Skin is a multilayer interface between the body and the environment, responsible for many important functions, such as temperature regulation, water transport, sensation, and protection from external triggers. OBJECTIVES: This paper provides an overview of principal factors that influence human skin and describes the diversity of skin characteristics, its causes and possible consequences. It also discusses limitations in the barrier function of the skin, describing mechanisms of absorption. METHODS: There are a number of in vivo investigations focusing on the diversity of human skin characteristics with reference to barrier properties and body-dependent factors. RESULTS: Skin properties vary among individuals of different age, gender, ethnicity, and skin types. In addition, skin characteristics differ depending on the body site and can be influenced by the body-mass index and lifestyle. Although one of the main functions of the skin is to act as a barrier, absorption of some substances remains possible. CONCLUSIONS: Various factors can alter human skin properties, which can be reflected in skin function and the quality of everyday life. Skin properties and function are strongly interlinked.

Combined Analysis of Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations at T2K.

T2K reports its first results in the search for CP violation in neutrino oscillations using appearance and disappearance channels for neutrino- and antineutrino-mode beams. The data include all runs from January 2010 to May 2016 and comprise 7.482×10^{20} protons on target in neutrino mode, which yielded in the far detector 32 e-like and 135 µ-like events, and 7.471×10^{20} protons on target in antineutrino mode, which yielded 4 e-like and 66 µ-like events. Reactor measurements of sin^{2}2θ_{13} have been used as an additional constraint. The one-dimensional confidence interval at 90% for the phase δ_{CP} spans the range (-3.13, -0.39) for normal mass ordering. The CP conservation hypothesis (δ_{CP}=0, π) is excluded at 90% C.L.

Measurement of Coherent π

We report the first measurement of the flux-averaged cross section for charged current coherent π^{+} production on carbon for neutrino energies less than 1.5 GeV, and with a restriction on the final state phase space volume in the T2K near detector, ND280. Comparisons are made with predictions from the Rein-Sehgal coherent production model and the model by Alvarez-Ruso et al., the latter representing the first implementation of an instance of the new class of microscopic coherent models in a neutrino interaction Monte Carlo event generator. We observe a clear event excess above background, disagreeing with the null results reported by K2K and SciBooNE in a similar neutrino energy region. The measured flux-averaged cross sections are below those predicted by both the Rein-Sehgal and Alvarez-Ruso et al.

PCR and real-time PCR approaches to the identification of Arthroderma otae species Microsporum canis and Microsporum audouinii/Microsporum ferrugineum.

OBJECTIVES: The identification of species in the Arthroderma otae complex is essential to determine the origin of infection and to eliminate the risk of transmission. Microsporum canis is a zoophilic species, whereas Microsporum audouinii and Microsporum ferrugineum are anthropophilic species. In this paper, we propose alternative methods that permit species-specific identification of both anthropophilic and zoophilic members of the A. otae complex METHODS: Two PCR assays were designed based on differences in the DNA fragment encoding ß-tubulin and were applied in both traditional and real-time PCR using DNA isolated by rapid method from culture. RESULT: The two assays presented in this study enable the identification of M. canis and M. audouinii/M. ferrugineum with 100% sensitivity and specificity by both traditional and real-time PCR. CONCLUSION: We developed a new diagnostic assay using specific primers and both traditional and real-time PCR reactions that can be applied in routine laboratory praxis as well as in epidemiological studies to detect M. canis and M. audouinii/M. ferrugineum DNA from a pure culture.

Measurement of Muon Antineutrino Oscillations with an Accelerator-Produced Off-Axis Beam.

T2K reports its first measurements of the parameters governing the disappearance of ν[over ¯]_{µ} in an off-axis beam due to flavor change induced by neutrino oscillations. The quasimonochromatic ν[over ¯]_{µ} beam, produced with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV at J-PARC, is observed at the far detector Super-Kamiokande, 295 km away, where the ν[over ¯]_{µ} survival probability is expected to be minimal. Using a data set corresponding to 4.01×10^{20} protons on target, 34 fully contained µ-like events were observed. The best-fit oscillation parameters are sin^{2}(θ[over ¯]_{23})=0.45 and |Δm[over ¯]_{32}^{2}|=2.51×10^{-3} eV^{2} with 68% confidence intervals of 0.38-0.64 and 2.26-2.80×10^{-3} eV^{2}, respectively. These results are in agreement with existing antineutrino parameter measurements and also with the ν_{µ} disappearance parameters measured by T2K.

Materials used to simulate physical properties of human skin.

BACKGROUND: For many applications in research, material development and testing, physical skin models are preferable to the use of human skin, because more reliable and reproducible results can be obtained. PURPOSE: This article gives an overview of materials applied to model physical properties of human skin to encourage multidisciplinary approaches for more realistic testing and improved understanding of skin-material interactions. METHODS: The literature databases Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using the terms 'skin model', 'skin phantom', 'skin equivalent', 'synthetic skin', 'skin substitute', 'artificial skin', 'skin replica', and 'skin model substrate.' Articles addressing material developments or measurements that include the replication of skin properties or behaviour were analysed. RESULTS: It was found that the most common materials used to simulate skin are liquid suspensions, gelatinous substances, elastomers, epoxy resins, metals and textiles. Nano- and micro-fillers can be incorporated in the skin models to tune their physical properties. CONCLUSION: While numerous physical skin models have been reported, most developments are research field-specific and based on trial-and-error methods. As the complexity of advanced measurement techniques increases, new interdisciplinary approaches are needed in future to achieve refined models which realistically simulate multiple properties of human skin.

Myocardial MiR-30 downregulation triggered by doxorubicin drives alterations in ß-adrenergic signaling and enhances apoptosis.

The use of anthracyclines such as doxorubicin (DOX) has improved outcome in cancer patients, yet associated risks of cardiomyopathy have limited their clinical application. DOX-associated cardiotoxicity is frequently irreversible and typically progresses to heart failure (HF) but our understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying this and essential for development of cardioprotective strategies remains largely obscure. As microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play potent regulatory roles in both cardiovascular disease and cancer, we investigated miRNA changes in DOX-induced HF and the alteration of cellular processes downstream. Myocardial miRNA profiling was performed after DOX-induced injury, either via acute application to isolated cardiomyocytes or via chronic exposure in vivo, and compared with miRNA profiles from remodeled hearts following myocardial infarction. The miR-30 family was downregulated in all three models. We describe here that miR-30 act regulating the ß-adrenergic pathway, where preferential ß1- and ß2-adrenoceptor (ß1AR and ß2AR) direct inhibition is combined with Giα-2 targeting for fine-tuning. Importantly, we show that miR-30 also target the pro-apoptotic gene BNIP3L/NIX. In aggregate, we demonstrate that high miR-30 levels are protective against DOX toxicity and correlate this in turn with lower reactive oxygen species generation. In addition, we identify GATA-6 as a mediator of DOX-associated reductions in miR-30 expression. In conclusion, we describe that DOX causes acute and sustained miR-30 downregulation in cardiomyocytes via GATA-6. miR-30 overexpression protects cardiac cells from DOX-induced apoptosis, and its maintenance represents a potential cardioprotective and anti-tumorigenic strategy for anthracyclines.

Measurement of the inclusive electron neutrino charged current cross section on carbon with the T2K near detector.

The T2K off-axis near detector ND280 is used to make the first differential cross-section measurements of electron neutrino charged current interactions at energies ∼1 GeV as a function of electron momentum, electron scattering angle, and four-momentum transfer of the interaction. The total flux-averaged ν(e) charged current cross section on carbon is measured to be ⟨σ⟩(ϕ)=1.11±0.10(stat)±0.18(syst)×10⁻³8 cm²/nucleon. The differential and total cross-section measurements agree with the predictions of two leading neutrino interaction generators, NEUT and GENIE. The NEUT prediction is 1.23×10⁻³8 cm²/nucleon and the GENIE prediction is 1.08×10⁻³8 cm²/nucleon. The total ν(e) charged current cross-section result is also in agreement with data from the Gargamelle experiment.

Precise measurement of the neutrino mixing parameter θ23 from muon neutrino disappearance in an off-axis beam.

New data from the T2K neutrino oscillation experiment produce the most precise measurement of the neutrino mixing parameter θ23. Using an off-axis neutrino beam with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV and a data set corresponding to 6.57×10(20) protons on target, T2K has fit the energy-dependent νµ oscillation probability to determine oscillation parameters. The 68% confidence limit on sin(2)(θ23) is 0.514(-0.056)(+0.055) (0.511±0.055), assuming normal (inverted) mass hierarchy. The best-fit mass-squared splitting for normal hierarchy is Δm32(2)=(2.51±0.10)×10(-3) eV(2)/c(4) (inverted hierarchy: Δm13(2)=(2.48±0.10)×10(-3) eV(2)/c(4)). Adding a model of multinucleon interactions that affect neutrino energy reconstruction is found to produce only small biases in neutrino oscillation parameter extraction at current levels of statistical uncertainty.

Observation of electron neutrino appearance in a muon neutrino beam.

The T2K experiment has observed electron neutrino appearance in a muon neutrino beam produced 295 km from the Super-Kamiokande detector with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV. A total of 28 electron neutrino events were detected with an energy distribution consistent with an appearance signal, corresponding to a significance of 7.3σ when compared to 4.92±0.55 expected background events. In the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata mixing model, the electron neutrino appearance signal depends on several parameters including three mixing angles θ12, θ23, θ13, a mass difference Δm(32)(2) and a CP violating phase δ(CP). In this neutrino oscillation scenario, assuming |Δm(32)(2)|=2.4×10(-3) eV(2), sin(2)θ(23)=0.5, and Δm322>0 (Δm(32)(2)<0), a best-fit value of sin(2)2θ(13)=0.140(-0.032)(+0.038) (0.170(-0.037)(+0.045)) is obtained at δ(CP)=0. When combining the result with the current best knowledge of oscillation parameters including the world average value of θ(13) from reactor experiments, some values of δ(CP) are disfavored at the 90% C.L.

An attractive way of egg white protein by-product use for producing of novel anti-hypertensive peptides.

The aim of this study was to (i) examine how enzymatic hydrolysis with a non-commercially available proteinase of fig-leaf gourd fruit (Cucurbita ficifolia) increased the use value of egg white protein preparations, generated as byproducts in the industrial process of lysozyme and cystatin isolation from egg white, and (ii) evaluate the inhibition of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) by the obtained hydrolysates. Purification procedures including membrane filtration, gel filtration chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) led to the production of several peptide fractions. Two novel ovalbumin-derived tetrapeptides: SWVE (f 148-151) and DILN (f 86-89) with ACE inhibitory activity were obtained. Study of their inhibitory kinetics revealed a non-competitive binding mode, with an IC50 value against ACE of 33.88 and 73.44 µg for SWVE and DILN, respectively. Synthetic peptides which were designed on the basis of peptide SWVE were examined. A tripeptide sequence of SWV revealed the strongest ACE-inhibitory activity.

Measurement of neutrino oscillation parameters from muon neutrino disappearance with an off-axis beam.

The T2K Collaboration reports a precision measurement of muon neutrino disappearance with an off-axis neutrino beam with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV. Near detector measurements are used to constrain the neutrino flux and cross section parameters. The Super-Kamiokande far detector, which is 295 km downstream of the neutrino production target, collected data corresponding to 3.01×10(20) protons on target. In the absence of neutrino oscillations, 205±17 (syst) events are expected to be detected while only 58 muon neutrino event candidates are observed. A fit to the neutrino rate and energy spectrum, assuming three neutrino flavors and normal mass hierarchy yields a best-fit mixing angle sin2(θ23)=0.514±0.082 and mass splitting |Δm(32)(2)|=2.44(-0.15)(+0.17)×10(-3) eV2/c4. Our result corresponds to the maximal oscillation disappearance probability.

Parenting stress and coping styles in mothers and fathers of pre-school children with autism and Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The study examined the profile of stress in mothers and fathers of preschool children with autism, Down syndrome and typically developing children. A further aim was to assess the association between parenting stress and coping style. METHODS: A total of 162 parents were examined using Holroyd's 66-item short form of Questionnaire of Resources and Stress for Families with Chronically Ill or Handicapped Members and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations by Endler and Parker. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated a higher level of stress in parents of children with autism. Additionally, an interaction effect was revealed between child diagnostic group and parent's gender for two scales of parenting stress: dependency and management and limits of family opportunities. Mothers of children with autism scored higher than fathers in parental stress; no such differences were found in the group of parents of children with Down syndrome and typically developing children. It was also found that parents of children with autism differed from parents of typically developing children in social diversion coping. Emotion-oriented coping was the predictor for parental stress in the samples of parents of children with autism and Down syndrome, and task-oriented coping was the predictor of parental stress in the sample of parents of typically developing children. The results strongly supported earlier findings on parenting stress in parents of children with autism. They also shed interesting light on the relationship between coping styles and parental stress.

Subtyping of Listeria monocytogenes isolates by actA gene sequencing, PCR-fingerprinting, and cell-invasion assay.

Analysis of actA gene sequence polymorphism has been shown to be an effective and relatively inexpensive method for subtyping Listeria monocytogenes isolates, allowing the division of the population of this species into two deeply separate lineages. This sequence-based method as well as PCR-mediated fingerprinting were applied here for the differentiation of 49 isolates of food and clinical origin. Correlation between these two typing approaches was high. Both methods divided the isolates into two lineages, designated I (33 isolates) and II (16 isolates). All the 33 lineage I isolates were assigned to the same, or closely related, six clusters by both typing methods. For the lineage II isolates, PCR fingerprinting was found to be more discriminatory. The isolates were characterized by cell invasion assay. All highly invasive isolates were assigned to lineage I, which constituted a heterogeneous group also containing low-invasive isolates. High-invasive isolates were not found in the genetically determined lineage II. A particular actA cluster, designated Ha, contained all the isolates showing the lowest invasiveness. A common trait of the isolates belonging to this cluster was the presence of a threonine-441 of the deduced ActA sequence instead of the alanine-441 present in the remaining isolates. Thirteen human isolates were classified to lineage I and five to lineage II. A PCR-based method can therefore differentiate L. monocytogenes isolates in accordance with the current phylogenetic model of the evolution of this species.

Experimental guinea pig model of dermatophytosis: a simple and useful tool for the evaluation of new diagnostics and antifungals.

The aim of this study was to establish a simple guinea pig model for the purpose of evaluating diagnostic principles and treatment modalities for dermatophytic infections. The following variables were evaluated; pre-treatment of the skin by shaving versus tape stripping, Microsporum canis or Trichophyton mentagrophytes test strains as etiologic agents, differences in inoculum concentrations, and inoculation with and without occlusion. The course of infection was evaluated clinically by redness and lesion scores and mycologically by microscopy, culture, and histopathology. The applicability of the model was evaluated with a recently developed diagnostic pan-dermatophyte PCR and antifungal treatment was tested with an oral solution of itraconazole, 10 mg/kg, once daily during days 3-14 of the test period. Pre-treatment of the skin with a manual razor was for practical reasons preferable to tape stripping. Inoculation under occlusion showed no advantage in the establishment of experimental infections. Infection severity showed some association with the inoculum concentration and subtype of T. mentagrophytes but not in studies involving M. canis. The establishment of dermatophytosis was confirmed by histopathology. Surprisingly, microscopy was found to be less sensitive than culture and the latter was as sensitive as pan-dermatophyte PCR. Itraconazole significantly reduced lesion and redness score, with M. canis infections responding better to itraconazole treatment than those caused by T. mentagrophytes. In conclusion, we established a dermatophytosis animal model, which was proven useful for evaluating diagnostic methods and antifungal susceptibility testing.