Cu-doped SnO2 nanoparticles: size and antibacterial activity investigations.

Nowadays, the use of self-cleaning surfaces is increasing globally, especially after the COVID-2019 pandemic, and the use of nanoparticles has been shown as a plausible option for this purpose. In the present study, Cu-doped SnO2 nanocrystals were successfully synthesized (in the copper content range of 0-30 mol%) using the polymeric precursor method. The structural, morphological, vibrational, and antibacterial activity were carefully studied to unveil the effect of copper ions on the properties of the hosting matrix, aiming at maximizing the usage of Cu-doped SnO2 nanocrystals. The results show fabrication of nanoparticles near their respective exciton Bohr diameter (5.4 nm for SnO2), however, monophasic SnO2 was observed up to 15 mol%. Above this limit, a secondary CuO phase was observed, as shown by the assessed X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopy data. Furthermore, the redshift of the primary A1g vibrational mode of SnO2 is successfully described using the phonon-confinement model, demonstrating a good relationship between the Raman correlation length (L) and the crystallite size (〈D〉), the latter determined from XRD. Regarding the antibacterial activity, assessed via the disc-diffusion testing method (DDTM) while challenging two bacterial species (S. aureus and E. coli), our results suggest a rapid diffusion of the nanoparticles out of the paper disc, with a synergistic effect credited to the Sn1-xCuxO2-CuO phases contributing to the inhibition of the bacteria growth. Moreover, the DDTM data scales with cell viability, the latter analyzed using the Hill equation, from which both lethal dose 50 (LD50) and benchmark dose (BMD) were extracted.

Multidisciplinary approach to the study of large-format oil paintings.

Cultural heritage has become a keystone for comprehending our society, as it represents and reflects our origins, passions, beliefs and traditions. Furthermore, it provides fundamental information about specific temporary spaces, materials' availability, technology, artist's intention, and site weather conditions. Our aim was to develop a multidisciplinary approach with a main focus on investigating two Italian large-format paintings located in highly diverse environments such as the National Theater of Costa Rica. We monitored environmental conditions and quantified fungal aerial spores. Then, we determined regions of possible biodeterioration with the software MicroorganismPattern and used the software PigmentArrangement to elucidate the apparent colour of the paintings based on distribution and arrangement of the pigment crystals. Finally, we characterized eight genera of calcareous nannofossils found in the ground layers of the artwork. The former Men's Canteen at the National Theater of Costa Rica presented a mean air temperature of 23.5 [Formula: see text]C, a relative humidity of 72.7% and a concentration of CO[Formula: see text] of 570 ppm. The fungal aerial concentration was 1776 spores/m[Formula: see text]. The software MicroorganismPattern identified 32 sampling regions, out of which 11 were positive for microbial contamination. The software PigmentArrangement determined that the blue crystals (ultramarine pigment) had the shortest distances between themselves (29 [Formula: see text]m). Finally, the nanofossils identified enabled us to restrict the age of the material to a biostratigraphic interval ranging from Coniacian to Maastricthian ages. By using a multidisciplinary approach we were able to explore the diptych, suggest a set of minimally invasive perspectives in tropical environments to be used worldwide and obtain key information about the artist's artistic process, materials used along with better understand its state of conservation.

Tropical tree foliage supplementation in ruminants improves rumen fermentation and the bacterial profile and decreases methane production.

The main of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of tropical tree foliage in ruminant diets on the in vitro fermentation, bacterial population, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and enteric CH4 production. Seven experimental diets were evaluated: a control treatment of Pennisetum purpureum (T7) and six treatments of P. purpureum supplemented (30%) with the foliage of Neomillspaughia emargiata (T1), Tabernaemontana amygdalifolia (T2), Caesalpinia gaumeri (T3), Piscidia piscipula (T4), Leucaena leucocephala (T5), and Havardia albicans (T6). The T2, T7, and T5 treatments had the highest (p < 0.05) digestibility of dry matter. Overall, supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of propionic and butyric acid and decreased acetic acid. Methanogenic bacteria decreased (p < 0.05) in T1, T2, T5, and T6. Ruminococcus albus decreased in T1, T2, T3, and T5 and Selenomonas ruminiantum increased in T3. Fibrobacter succinogenes increased, except in T5. Methane production decreased (p < 0.05) in T1, T4, T5, and T6. The supplementation with Leucaena leucocephala, Tabernaemontana amygdalifolia, Neomillspaughia emargiata, Piscidia piscipula, Havardia albicans, and Caesalpinia gaumeri is a potential alternative nutritional strategy for ruminants that results in positive changes in VFAs profile, a decrease on CH4 production and methanogenic bacteria, and changes on fibrolytic and non-fibrolytic bacteria composition.HIGHLIGHTSTropical tree foliage supplementation increased propionic and butyric acid and decreased acetic acid concentrations.Fibrolytic, non-fibrolytic, and Methanogenic bacteria were selectively modulated with the supplementation of tropical tree foliage.The enteric methane (CH4) production decreased with the supplementation of tree foliage.The supplementation of Tabernaemontana amygdalifolia and Leucaena leucocephala had the highest digestibility and is a potential alternative nutritional strategy for ruminants.

Bilateral vestibulopathy and disabling vertigo: A CARE case series.

INTRODUCTION: The term bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) was recently defined by the Bárány Society. Loss of otolith function was not included in their criteria. Although spontaneous progression to complete bilateral impairment of vestibular function is expected, it is unlikely that patients with advanced BV will continue to present episodes of intense vertigo. Here, following CARE case report guidelines, we report the case of patients meeting the criteria for BV and still disabled by vertigo. CASE SERIES: Three patients evaluated in our department meeting the Bárány criteria for definite BV but still complaining of disabling rotatory vertigo were included. All underwent clinical and instrumental vestibular examination. The observations are reported. CONCLUSION: In case of BV, the conservation of a stable otolithic reference frame could allow patients to optimize postural strategy. It would be useful to revisit a classification of BV by stages, by introducing an evaluation of otolithic function and postural control for possible subsequent vestibular implantation.

Breast cancer chemotherapy treatment monitoring based on serum sample Raman spectroscopy.

In this paper, breast cancer patients were monitored throughout their chemotherapy treatments (CHT), with blood serum sample Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis, approximately for a year. First of all, we discriminate between healthy and clinically diagnosed breast cancer patients. Breast cancer detection in terms of sensitivity and specificity were 87.14% and 90.55% respectively. Although no shifts of peaks in mean spectrum of samples from breast cancer patients were found with respect to the mean spectrum from control patients, some peaks did show clear differences in intensity, the greatest disparities found at 509, 545, 1063, 1103, 1338, 1556, 1083 and 1449 cm- 1 are associated with amino acids and phospholipid, 1246 and 1654 cm- 1, corresponding to amide III and I, respectively. Other peaks of interest encountered at 450, 661, 890, 917 and 1405 cm- 1 are associated to glutathione. Then, 6 breast cancer patients were monitored during their chemotherapy treatments, the results were in complete correspondence with their medical records, enabling a detailed study of the evolution of each patient's cancer. A special interest arose in the possible correlation between the intensity of Raman peak, 450 cm- 1, corresponding to glutathione and evolution of cancer throughout CHT, i.e., glutathione appears to be a good candidate as breast cancer biomarker. The results confirmed that Raman spectroscopy and PCA are, not only a good support to current breast cancer detection techniques, but could also be excellent techniques to monitor more efficiently breast cancer patients undergoing CHT, using blood serum samples which are a lot less invasive than other methods.

Estudio comparativo lesional en judocas de élite / Lessional Comparative Study in Elite Judocas

El Judo es un deporte estático alto y dinánimo bajo, con alto riesgo de colisión corporal y lesional. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar la incidencia lesional y comparar los distintos factores de riesgo que pudieran estar implicados. Se estudió a un total de 86 judocas del Equipo Nacional de Judo español (ENJE) durante dos períodos olímpicos: Beijing-Río. Se produjeron 2028 lesiones con mayor frecuencia en miembro inferior, sin diferencias significativas por sexo. Se objetivó mayor incidencia lesional cuando el judoca era tori y durante el momento del entrenamiento. No existen trabajos previos que comparen estos parámetros, por lo que este estudio aporta datos que pueden ser utilizados para prevenir los riesgos de lesión en el judo de alta competición. (AU)

Judo is a high static and low dynamic sport, with a high risk of bodily and injury collision. The objective of this work is to determine the incidence of injury and to compare the different risk factors that may be involved. A total of 86 judokas from the Spanish National Judo Team (ENJE) were studied during two Olympic periods: Beijing-Rio. 2028 injuries occurred more frequently in the lower limb, without significant differences by sex. A higher incidence was observed in tori judoka and during training. No existing work has examined these parameters. The present study provides data that can be used to reduce the risk of injury in elite judokas. (AU)

Revealing time's secrets at the National Theatre of Costa Rica via innovative software for cultural heritage research.

Establishing affordable, efficient, accessible, innovative, and multidisciplinary methodologies to the diagnosis of the conservation state of an artwork is key to carry out appropriate strategies of conservation and consequently to the creation of modern public policies on cultural heritage. Limited access to large-format paintings is a challenge to restoration scientists seeking to obtain information quickly, in a non-destructive and non-invasive manner, and identify regions of interest. Therefore, we put forward two unique software tools based on multispectral imaging techniques, with the long-term aim to assess the artist's intentions, creative process, and colour palette. This development paves the way for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary understanding of the mysteries encompassed in each pictorial layer, through the study of their physical and chemical characteristics. We conducted the first ever study on Musas I and Musas II, two large-format paintings by Italian artist Carlo Ferrario, located in the National Theatre of Costa Rica. In this study, we used our novel imaging techniques to choose regions of interest in order to study sample layers; while also assessing the works' state of conservation and possible biodeterioration. We explored the applications of our two versatile software tools, RegionOfInterest and CrystalDistribution, and confirmed paint stratigraphies by means of microscopy and spectroscopy analyses (OM, SEM-EDX, Fluorescent microscopy, FTIR-ATR and micro-Raman). In a pilot study, we identified the artist's main colour palette: zinc white, lead white, chrome yellow, lead read, viridian, along with artificial vermilion and ultramarine pigments. We were able to identify artificial vermilion and ultramarine and distinguish them from the natural pigments using CrystalDistribution to map the average size and diameter of the pigment crystals within the paint layers. This study demonstrated that software-based multidisciplinary imaging techniques are novel in establishing preventive and non-invasive methods for historical painting conservation studies, in addition, this study provides tools with great potential to be used in the future in applications such as virtual restoration.

High-frequency semicircular canal deficit affects postural control in hearing-impaired children.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to analyse the impact of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain deficit on postural control (PC) in children with sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: A retrospective study included 55 children with sensorineural hearing loss between 4 and 17 years of age. The Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT®) was used to assess semicircular canal function. PC was assessed on the Balance Quest® posturographic platform testing sensory organisation. RESULTS: Spatial and temporal postural parameters (area and mean speed of centre of pressure oscillation, spectral power index) in the OKN-U condition (optokinetic with unstable platform) were significantly better in children with than without VOR deficit. CONCLUSION: Posturographic exploration in the OKN-U condition can screen for semicircular canal deficit in hearing-impaired children. VOR deficit also seems to predict PC deficit.

The use of spectrograms improves the classification of wheezes and crackles in an educational setting.

Chest auscultation is a widely used method in the diagnosis of lung diseases. However, the interpretation of lung sounds is a subjective task and disagreements arise. New technological developments like the use of visSual representation of sounds through spectrograms could improve the agreement when classifying lung sounds, but this is not yet known. In this study, we tested if the use of spectrograms improves the agreement when classifying wheezes and crackles. To do this, we asked twenty-three medical students at UiT the Arctic University of Norway to classify 30 lung sounds recordings for the presence of wheezes and crackles. The sample contained 15 normal recordings and 15 with wheezes or crackles. The students classified the recordings in a random order twice. First sound only, then sound with spectrograms. We calculated kappa values for the agreement between each student and the expert classification with and without display of spectrograms and tested for significant improvement between these two coefficients. We also calculated Fleiss kappa for the 23 observers with and without the spectrogram. In an individual analysis comparing each student to an expert annotated reference standard we found that 13 out of 23 students had a positive change in kappa when classifying wheezes with the help of spectrograms. When classifying crackles 16 out of 23 showed improvement when spectrograms were used. In a group analysis we observed that Fleiss kappa values were k = 0.51 and k = 0.56 (p = 0.63) for classifying wheezes without and with spectrograms. For crackles, these values were k = 0.22 and k = 0.40 (p = <0.01) in the same order. Thus, we conclude that the use of spectrograms had a positive impact on the inter-rater agreement and the agreement with experts. We observed a higher improvement in the classification of crackles compared to wheezes.

Prevalence and clinical associations of wheezes and crackles in the general population: the Tromsø study.

BACKGROUND: Wheezes and crackles are well-known signs of lung diseases, but can also be heard in apparently healthy adults. However, their prevalence in a general population has been sparsely described. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of wheezes and crackles in a large general adult population and explore associations with self-reported disease, smoking status and lung function. METHODS: We recorded lung sounds in 4033 individuals 40 years or older and collected information on self-reported disease. Pulse oximetry and spirometry were carried out. We estimated age-standardized prevalence of wheezes and crackles and associations between wheezes and crackles and variables of interest were analyzed with univariable and multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: Twenty-eight percent of individuals had wheezes or crackles. The age-standardized prevalence of wheezes was 18.6% in women and 15.3% in men, and of crackles, 10.8 and 9.4%, respectively. Wheezes were mostly found during expiration and crackles during inspiration. Significant predictors of expiratory wheezes in multivariable analyses were age (10 years increase - OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.09-1.30), female gender (1.45, 1.2-1.8), self-reported asthma (1.36, 1.00-1.83), and current smoking (1.70, 1.28-2.23). The most important predictors of inspiratory crackles were age (1.76, 1.57-1.99), current smoking, (1.94, 1.40-2.69), mMRC ≥2 (1.79, 1.18-2.65), SpO2 (0.88, 0.81-0.96), and FEV1 Z-score (0.86, 0.77-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly over a quarter of adults present adventitious lung sounds on auscultation. Age was the most important predictor of adventitious sounds, particularly crackles. The adventitious sounds were also associated with self-reported disease, current smoking and measures of lung function. The presence of findings in two or more auscultation sites was associated with a higher risk of decreased lung function than solitary findings.

Runaway electron imaging spectrometry (REIS) system.

A portable Runaway Electron Imaging and Spectrometry System (REIS) was developed in ENEA-Frascati to measure synchrotron radiation spectra from in-flight runaway electrons in tokamaks. The REIS is a wide-angle optical system collecting simultaneously visible and infrared emission spectra using an incoherent bundle of fibers, in a spectral range that spans from 500 nm to 2500 nm, and visible images using a CCD color microcamera at a rate of 25 frames/s. The REIS system is supervised and managed using a dedicated LabVIEW program to acquire data simultaneously from three spectrometers every 20 ms (configurable down to 10 ms). An overview of the REIS architecture and acquisition system and resulting experimental data obtained in FTU are presented and discussed in this paper.

The impact of hip fracture on health-related quality of life and activities of daily living: the SPARE-HIP prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The medical morbidity and mortality associated with neck of femur fractures is well-documented, whereas there is limited data for patient-reported outcomes. The aim of this study was to characterize the impact of neck of femur fractures on activities of daily living and patient-reported health-related quality of life. METHODS: Design and participants: Multicentric prospective cohort study. Consecutive sample patients with fragility hip fracture over 50 years old admitted in 48 hospitals in Spain. OUTCOMES: daily living activity function (Barthel Index) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) pre-fracture, admission to hospital and at 1- and 4-month follow-up post-fracture. STATISTICS: Barthel and EQ-5D over time are described as mean (SD) and median (interquartile range). RESULTS: A total of 997 patients were recruited at baseline with 4-month outcomes available for, and 856 patients (89.5%). Barthel Index fell from 78.77 (23.75) at baseline to 43.62 (19.86) on admission to hospital with the fracture. Scores partially recovered to 54.89 (25.40) and 64.09 (21.35) at 1- and 4-month post-fracture, respectively. EQ-5D fell from a median of 0.75 (0.47-0.91) to - 0.01 (- 0.03 to 0.51) on admission. Partial recovery was observed again to (0.51 (- 0.06 to 0.67)) and (0.60 (0.10 to 0.80)) at 1- and 4-month post-fracture, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hip fracture results in a large decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living and patient-reported health-related quality of life with only partial recovery amongst survivors 4-month post-fracture.

Discrimination of different cancer types clustering Raman spectra by a super paramagnetic stochastic network approach.

Based in high sensitivity and specificity reported recently in detection of the cancer, the technique of Raman spectroscopy is proposed to discriminate between breast cancer, leukemia and cervical cancer using blood serum samples from patients officially diagnosed. In order to classify Raman spectra, clustering method known as Super Paramagnetic Clustering based on statistical physics concepts with a stochastic approach was implemented. Comparing firstly average Raman spectra of the three cancers, some peaks that allowed differentiating one cancer from other were identified, however, other peaks allowed concluding that there are biochemical similarities among them. According to these spectra, the band associated with amide I (1654 cm-1) and one of two shoulders assigned to amide III (1230-1282 cm-1) allowed discriminating leukemia from breast and cervical cancer, whereas band 714 cm-1 (polysaccharides) achieves to differentiate cervical cancer from leukemia and breast cancer, and bulged region, 1040 - 1100 cm-1 (phenylalanine, phospholipid) discriminated breast cancer from leukemia and cervical cancer. Subsequently, Super Paramagnetic Clustering method was applied to Raman spectra to study similarity relationships between cancers based on the biochemical composition of serum samples. Finally, as a cross check method, the standard method to classify Raman spectra of breast cancer, leukemia and cervical cancer, known as principal components analysis, was used showing excellent agreement with results of Super Paramagnetic Clustering method. Preliminary results demonstrated that Raman spectroscopy and Super Paramagnetic Clustering method can be used to discriminate between breast cancer, leukemia and cervical cancer samples using blood serum samples.

Estado nutricional, factores sociodemográficos y de salud en estudiantes de nuevo ingreso a la UAZ / Nutritional status and social-demographical and health factors among newly enrolled students at UAZ / Estado nutricional, fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde em estudantes de novo ingresso à UAZ

Introducción El sobrepeso y obesidad son factores de riesgo para desarrollar complicaciones a corto y largo plazo. La población de nuevo ingreso a la universidad se considera un colectivo, especialmente, vulnerable desde el punto de vista nutricional. Objetivo Describir el estado nutricional, factores sociodemográficos y de salud en estudiantes de nuevo ingreso a la UAZ. Metodología Estudio de tipo observacional, transversal y descriptivo, que se realizó a 3,972 estudiantes universitarios de nuevo ingreso. Se logró el consentimiento verbal de los alumnos. Se capacitaron y estandarizaron a los pasantes de enfermería, medicina y nutrición, para llevar a cabo las mediciones. Se obtuvo información del estado nutricional, factores sociodemográficos y salud, así como mediciones antropométricas. Resultados Los hombres tienen mayor prevalencia de sobrepeso (24.1%) y obesidad (9.2%) que las mujeres (p < 0.001). Los hombres realizan mayor actividad física (73.6% vs 51.1%), consumen más alcohol (58.3% vs 34.3%) y tabaco (20.8% vs 9.5%) (p < 0.000). Se encontró una asociación positiva en los momios de sobrepeso en relación con los hombres (RM=1.22, IC 95% 1.02-1.45), edad de 19 años (RM=1.36, IC 95% 1.02-1.45), en las áreas de ciencias de la salud (RM=1.88, IC 95% 1.05-3.35), ciencias sociales (RM=1.93, IC 95% 1.06-3.48), humanidades y educativas (RM=1.90, IC 95% 1.01-3.53), ingenierías y tecnologías (RM=1.83, IC 95% 1.01-3.30). Discusión y conclusión Se puede contribuir a reducir las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad de los estudiantes, a través de intervenciones dirigidas a modificar las conductas de riesgo durante la estancia universitaria, mejorar la alimentación y promover estilos de vida saludables.

Introduction Obesity and overweight are risk factors to developing short and long-term health-related complications; and newly enrolled university students are considered a vulnerable group in terms of their nutritional progression status. Objective To describe the nutritional status, and social-demographical and health factors among newly enrolled students at UAZ. Methodology This is an observational, transversal, and descriptive study on a sample of 3,972 newly enrolled university students who verbally consented on their participation. Nursing, medicine, and nutrition intern students were trained to carry out diverse assessments related to the nutritional status, social-demographical and health factors, and anthropometric data on the sample. Results Newly enrolled male students showed a higher prevalence of overweight (24.1%) and obesity (9.2%) in comparison to their female counterparts (p < .001). Male students showed having more physical activity (73.6% vs 51.1%) but also consuming more alcohol (58.3% vs 34.3%) and tobacco (20.8% vs 9.5%) (p < .000). Positive associations were found between the overweight numbers and, being male (RM=1.22, CI 95% 1.02-1.45), being 19 years old (RM = 1.36, CI 95% 1.02-1.45), being in the areas of health sciences (RM=1.88, CI 95% 1.05-3.35), being in the areas of social sciences (RM=1.93, CI 95% 1.06-3.48), being in the areas of humanities and education (RM=1.90, CI 95% 1.01-3.53), and being in the areas of engineering and technology (RM=1.83, CI 95% 1.01-3.30). Discussion and conclusion It is necessary to address to obesity and overweight problems among university students through interventions aimed at modifying risky behaviors during their university stay, improving the quality of nutrition, and promoting healthy life-styles.

Introdução O sobrepeso e a obesidade são fatores de risco para desenvolver complicações a curto e longo prazo. A população de novo ingresso à universidade considera-se um coletivo, especialmente, vulnerável desde o ponto de vista nutricional. Objetivo Descrever o estado nutricional, fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde em estudantes de novo ingresso à UAZ. Metodologia Estudo de tipo observacional, transversal e descritivo, que se realizou a 3,972 estudantes universitários de novo ingresso. Conseguiu-se o consentimento verbal dos alunos. Capacitaram-se e padronizaram os formados de enfermagem, medicina e nutrição, para levar a cabo as medições. Obteve-se informação do estado nutricional, fatores sociodemográficos e saúde, assim como medições antropométricas. Resultados Os homens de novo ingresso têm maior prevalência de sobrepeso (24.1%) e obesidade (9.2%) quanto as mulheres (p < 0.001). Homens realizam mais atividade física que mulheres (73.6% vs. 51.1%), consomem mais álcool (58.3% vs. 34.3%) e tabaco (20.8% vs. 9.5%) (p < 0.000). Encontrou-se uma associação positiva nas chances de sobrepeso em relação com aos homens (RM = 1.22, IC 95% 1.02-1.45), ter 19 anos de idade (RM = 1.36, IC 95% 1.02-1.45) nas áreas de ciências da saúde (RM = 1.88, IC 95% 1.05-3.35), ciências sociais (RM = 1.93, IC 95% 1.06-3.48), humanidades e educativas (RM = 1.90, IC 95% 1.01-3.53), engenharias e tecnologias (RM = 1.83, IC 95% 1.01-3.30). Discussão e conclusão Pode-se contribuir a reduzir as prevalências de sobrepeso e obesidade dos estudantes, a través de intervenções dirigidas a modificar as condutas de risco durante a permanência universitária, melhorar a alimentação e promover estilos de vida saudáveis.

Factores que influencian el retraso diagnóstico en el cáncer oral / Factors that influence the diagnostic delay of oral cancer

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Composites of ZnO nanoparticles and biomass based activated carbon: adsorption, photocatalytic and antibacterial capacities.

Composite material (AC-ZnO) was prepared by growing ZnO nanoparticles during the production of biomass based-activated carbon (AC) via the incorporation of zinc acetate in the process. Comprehensive analyses confirmed the presence of ZnO nanoparticles over the AC surface and described the particular nature of the composite adsorbent. Methylene blue (MB) equilibrium data fitted the Dubinin-Radushkevich model. The MB adsorption capacity was higher for the bare activated carbons (197.9-188.7 mg/g) than the activated carbons with ZnO nanoparticles (137.6-149.7 mg/g). The adsorption of the MB on the adsorbents is physical because the mean adsorption energy (E) is between 1.76 and 2.00 kJ/mol. Experiments that combine adsorption and photocatalysis were carried out with different loads of adsorbents and with and without UV-light exposure. Photocatalytic activity was identified mostly at the first stage of the adsorption process and, in the case of experiments with less load of the composite AC-ZnO, because the light obstruction effect of the activated carbon is more for higher loads. The ZnO grown over AC improves the adsorption of cations such as Pb, Al and Fe in aqueous phase (polluted river water) and provides antibacterial capacity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium.

Femtosecond laser writing of photonic devices in borate glasses compositionally designed to be laser writable.

The design and performance of borate glass samples compositionally pre-designed to be femtosecond laser writable via laser-induced ion migration is reported in this Letter. It is demonstrated that borate glasses modified on purpose with small amounts of La2O3 and Na2O can be straightforwardly used to produce high-index contrast (Δn) waveguides by femtosecond-laser-assisted ion migration. The positive Δn of the waveguides is caused by the local enrichment of La2O3 in the guiding region with a slope of 8·10-3(mol.%)-1. The value of this is consistent with numerical aperture measurements of the waveguides and local compositional measurements at the guiding region performed by energy-dispersive x-ray micro-analysis. The maximum achievable Δn values can be controlled through the initial La2O3 content of the glass. Maximum Δn values >10-2 for samples with just 5.5 mol. % of La2O3 have been produced. This compositional design approach could be potentially used to produce highly efficient femtosecond laser writeable glasses in other glass families.

Type 2 diabetes detection based on serum sample Raman spectroscopy.

In this work, we propose to the Raman spectroscopy as a new technique for the detection of the type 2 diabetes using blood serum samples. The serum samples were obtained from 15 patients who were clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 20 healthy volunteers. The average spectra showed equally intense peaks as, 695 cm-1, the doublet of tyrosine at 828 and 853 cm-1, phenylalanine at 1002 and 1028 cm-1, the phospholipid shoulder at 1300-1345 cm-1, and proteins (amide I) at 1654 cm-1. The major differences were found at 661 and 1404 cm-1 (glutathione), 714 (polysaccharides), 605 (Phe), 545 cm-1 (tryptophan), and the shoulder of amide III at 1230-1282 cm-1, where seem to disappear in the diabetes spectrum. On the contrary, the region that is more highlighted due to that diabetes peaks are clearly more intense was 897-955 cm-1. Principal component analysis and linear discriminate analysis were employed for developing discrimination method. The first three principal components provided a classification of the samples from healthy and diabetes patients with high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, when the first principal component was plotted as a function of the Raman shift, it revealed these shifts accounted for the greatest differences between control and diabetes samples, which coincided with the shifts of spectral differences shown by mean spectra. Our results demonstrated that serum sample Raman spectroscopy promises to become a non-invasive support tool of the currently applied techniques for type 2 diabetes detection, decreasing the false-positive cases.