A Pleomorphic Puzzle: Heterogeneous Pulmonary Vascular Occlusions in Patients with COVID-19

Vascular occlusions in patients with coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) have been frequently reported in severe outcomes mainly due to a dysregulation of neutrophils mediating neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. Lung specimens from patients with COVID-19 have previously shown a dynamic morphology, categorized into three types of pleomorphic occurrence based on histological findings in this study. These vascular occlusions in lung specimens were also detected using native endogenous fluorescence or NEF in a label-free method. The three types of vascular occlusions exhibit morphology of DNA rich neutrophil elastase (NE) poor (type I), NE rich DNA poor (type II), and DNA and NE rich (type III) cohort of eleven patients with six males and five females. Age and gender have been presented in this study as influencing variables linking the occurrence of several occlusions with pleomorphic contents within a patient specimen and amongst them. This study reports the categorization of pleomorphic occlusions in patients with COVID-19 and the detection of these occlusions in a label-free method utilizing NEF.     

Comparison Between Amylose-free and Amylose Containing Potato Starches

This paper describes the comparison of potato amylose-free starches obtained by two different approaches: mutation induction of the gene encoding the key-enzyme in amylose biosynthesis Granule Bound Starch Synthase (GBSS) and antisense inhibition of the expression of GBSS, with that of normal amylose containing potato starch. One of the most prominent differences between the amylose-free and amylose-containing starches was their phenotype after staining with iodine. The amylose-free starch obtained via mutation induction stained completely red whereas the amylose-free starch obtained by the antisense approach always had a very small dark-blue staining core in a further entirely red staining granule. Amylose-containing starch stained blue with iodine. Differences were also observed with regard to the absence of GBSS protein and activity in the amylose-free potatoes. Furthermore the lambda max and the blue value of the amylose-free starches was markedly different as would be expected since they almost completely lacked (< 0.1%) amylose in both types of amylose-free starches. Determination of a number of different chemical parameters including particle size distribution, ion content, as well as phosphate levels of the starch indicated that these were not different in the amylose-free containing starches as compared to the normal amylose containing starches. The absence of amylose resulted in improved gel stability and paste clarity of gels even after prolonged durations at 5°C and at room temperature.     

The incubator hypothesis: Re-vitalization of metropolitan areas?

In this paper spatial and temporal dimensions of technical innovations will be dealt with in both a theoretical and an empirical sense. In this framework, a first aim is to make a systematic typology of different innovations. As far as the regional context is concerned, a theoretical framework will be designed for identifying which regions will most likely “specialize” in certain kinds of innovations. In this respect, our analytical framework can ascertain, for example, whether the central (metropolitan) areas tend to be in a favourable position regarding high quality product innovations, while the more peripheral zones will be more oriented towards process innovations. These hypotheses are then tested, using industrial survey data, by means of contingency table and regression analysis. In general, the empirical results give (some) support to the above mentioned “spatial specialization” hypothesis.     

Filtering Soil Surface and Antenna Effects From GPR Data to Enhance Landmine Detection

The detection of antipersonnel landmines using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is particularly hindered by the predominant soil surface and antenna reflections. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to filter out these effects from 2-D off-ground monostatic GPR data by adapting and combining the radar antenna subsurface model of Lambot with phase-shift migration. First, the antenna multiple reflections originating from the antenna itself and from the interaction between the antenna and the ground are removed using linear transfer functions. Second, a simulated Green's function accounting for the surface reflection is subtracted. The Green's function is derived from the estimated soil surface dielectric permittivity using full-wave inversion of the radar signal for a measurement taken in a local landmine-free area. Third, off-ground phase-shift migration is performed on the 2-D data to filter the effect of the antenna radiation pattern. We validate the approach in laboratory conditions for four differently detectable landmines embedded in a sandy soil. Compared to traditional background subtraction, this new filtering method permits a better differentiation of the landmine and estimation of its depth and geometrical properties. This is particularly beneficial for the detection of landmines in low-contrast conditions     

Effect of particle size and weight fraction on the flexural strength and failure mode of TiO2 particles reinforced epoxy

Effect of inclusions size and weight fraction on flexural strength and failure mode of composite containing SC-15 epoxy resin and TiO₂ particles has been studied in this investigation. The sizes of particles varied from macro (0.02 mm) to nano (5 nm) scale, and these particles were infused into the part-A of SC-15 through sonic cavitations and then mixed with part-B of SC-15 by using a high speed mechanical agitator. Three-point bending tests were performed on unfilled, 0.5 wt.%, 1.0 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% particles filled SC-15 epoxy to identify the loading effect on mechanical properties of the composites. Results show that 1.0 wt.% nanoparticles reinforced epoxy exhibit the highest mechanical performance. Higher than 1.0%, strength of composite decreased because of poor dispersion. Experimental results also shown that micro-sized particles have little effect on strength of epoxy at such low loading, and strength of composite increased as the size of particles decreased to nano scale. However, degradation in strength was found in 5 nm TiO₂/epoxy system due to agglomeration.     

Creation of stepwise concentration gradient in picoliter droplets for parallel reactions of matrix metalloproteinase II and IX

We present a new methodology for generating a stepwise concentration gradient in a series of microdroplets by using monolithic micro valves that act as "faucets" in micrometer-scale. A distinct concentration gradient of a substrate was generated for the determination of the kinetic parameters of two different enzymes using only 10 picoliter-scale droplets. With a single experiment on a chip, we obtained K(M) and k(cat) values of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and compared the catalytic competence of the two enzymes. The present system and method are highly suitable for applications where the reagents or samples are limited and precious.     

Relations between economic wealth,ecological footprint,and environmental protection depend on climatic demands

It is an incomplete story that richer societies have larger ecological footprints and are more inclined toward environmental protection. Our 116-nation study shows that all countries, but especially richer countries, have larger ecological footprints under more demanding thermal climates. Further, business executives’ ratings of the prevalence of environmental regulations and practices in their country are lowest in poor countries with demanding thermal climates (Armenia, Mongolia), moderate in poor and rich countries with undemanding climates (Mauritius, Nigeria), and highest in rich countries with demanding thermal climates (Canada, Finland). The same holds for efforts to respond to ‘green’ consumer demands. Explanations are sought in livability appraisals and behavioural adaptations to climato-economic environments. Some speculation is offered about the future management of national ecosystems.