Relative Intensity Research Articles

Physical Activity Intensity And Specific Sedentary Behaviors Of After-school And Weekend Relation To Preschooler's Overweight/obesity

Physical Activity Intensity And Specific Sedentary Behaviors Of After-school And Weekend Relation To Preschooler's Overweight/obesity

Ginsenoside Rg1 Suppresses Ferroptosis of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells in Sepsis-induced Acute Kidney Injury via the FSP1-CoQ10- NAD(P)H Pathway.

Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury is related to an increased mortality rate by modulating ferroptosis through ginsenoside Rg1. In this study, we explored the specific mechanism of it. Human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were transfected with oe-ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 and treated with lipopolysaccharide for ferroptosis induction, and they were then treated with ginsenoside Rg1 and ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 inhibitor. Ferroptosis suppressor protein 1, CoQ10, CoQ10H2, and intracellular NADH levels in HK-2 cells were assessed by Western blot, ELISA kit, and NAD/NADH kit. NAD+/NADH ratio was also calculated, and 4-Hydroxynonal fluorescence intensity was assessed by immunofluorescence. HK-2 cell viability and death were assessed by CCK-8 and propidium iodide staining. Ferroptosis, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species accumulation were assessed by Western blot, kits, flow cytometry, and C11 BODIPY 581/591 molecular probe. Sepsis rat models were established by cecal ligation and perforation to investigate whether ginsenoside Rg1 regulated the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1-CoQ10-NAD(P)H pathway in vivo. LPS treatment diminished ferroptosis suppressor protein 1, CoQ10, CoQ10H2, and NADH contents in HK-2 cells, while facilitating NAD+/NADH ratio and relative 4- Hydroxynonal fluorescence intensity. FSP1 overexpression inhibited lipopolysaccharideinduced lipid peroxidation in HK-2 cells via the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1-CoQ10- NAD(P)H pathway. The ferroptosis suppressor protein 1-CoQ10-NAD(P)H pathway suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced ferroptosis in HK-2 cells. Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviated ferroptosis in HK-2 cells by regulating the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1-CoQ10- NAD(P)H pathway. Moreover, ginsenoside Rg1 regulated the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1-CoQ10-NAD(P)H pathway in vivo. Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviated sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by blocking renal tubular epithelial cell ferroptosis via the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1-CoQ10- NAD(P)H pathway.

Relative Intensity Noise in a Two‐Section Distributed Bragg Reflector Tapered Laser

The relative intensity noise (RIN) in a two‐section distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) tapered laser emitting around 1060 nm is being studied experimentally. By analyzing the RIN spectra, a resonance frequency and damping is obtained. Herein, the dependence of the resonance frequency and the maximum RIN at the resonance frequency is studied as functions of the ridge waveguide (RW) and tapered section currents independently. The low frequency RIN is approximately −162 dB Hz−1, and the RIN peak at currents providing high output power is as low as −154 dB Hz−1. The observed nonlinearity of the squared resonance frequency with the RW section current is attributed to carrier saturation. The measured high values of the resonance frequency, exceeding 2.5 GHz for RW currents higher than 100 mA at a tapered current of 3 A, indicate gain lever enhancement.

Public communication for handling Hoax about Covid-16 vaccine: A content analysis on official social media of Ministry of Communications and Informatics, Indonesia

There have been many victims of the circulation of hoaxes about the Covid-19 vaccine, especially for people with low literacy capacity. The impact is the community's non-compliance to carry out vaccinations. Thus, this research was carried out with the aim of knowing how the role and process of managing Twitter social media belonging to the Ministry of Communications and Informatics are through published content in order to stem hoaxes about the Covid-19 vaccine. This research was carried out using a qualitative descriptive method with the help of the Nvivo 12 Plus software application and utilizing the Ncapture feature, which is considered effective in helping qualitative research efficiently. This study reveals that the Indonesian government actively uses Twitter as a means of communication to control the spread of hoaxes about the Covid-19 vaccine, which is indicated by the high intensity of postings, actor involvement and relations, narratives, and education related to information and disinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine.This research contributes to the hoax handling strategy through social media that can be implemented through government policies and programs. In addition, this study also illustrates that the study of communication about hoaxes on social media can be carried out systematically through the use of social media data with analysis using content analysis applications such as NVivo 12 Plus.

Height growth and biomass partitioning during secondary succession differ among forest light strata and successional guilds in a tropical rainforest

In closed‐canopy systems globally, plants exhibit intense competition for light, prioritizing vertical growth to attain elevated positions within the canopy. Light competition is especially intense in tropical rainforests because of their dense shaded stands, and during forest succession because of concomitant changes in vertical light profiles. We evaluated how the height growth of individual tree differs among forest light strata (canopy, sub‐canopy and understorey) and successional guilds (early, mid‐ and late successional species) during secondary succession in a Mexican rainforest. Fourteen secondary forest stands differing in time since agricultural abandonment (1–25 years) were monitored for seven consecutive years. For each stand and census year we estimated relative light intensity (RLI) for each height and categorized trees into forest light strata: understorey (RLI ≦ 33.3%), sub‐canopy (33.3% ≦ RLI ≦ 66.6%) and canopy (RLI ≧ 66.6%), and into successional guilds based on the literature. We estimated two measures of height growth: absolute height growth (HGabs, cm year−1) calculated as the difference in tree height between two consecutive censuses, and biomass partitioning to height growth (HGbp, in kg kg−1 × 100) calculated as the percentage of total aboveground biomass growth partitioned to height growth. Earlier in succession, trees for all strata had greater HGabs and HGbp, resulting in rapid vertical forest development. HGabs was fastest for canopy trees, followed by sub‐canopy and understorey trees. These differences in HGabs among strata, combined with their inter‐specific variation and continuous recruitment of small individuals, lead to a rapid differentiation in tree sizes and increase stand structural heterogeneity. HGbp was greater for understorey and sub‐canopy trees than for canopy trees, reflecting ontogenetic changes in the light competition strategy from growth to persistence. With succession, both HGabs and HGbp decreased, most strongly for canopy trees, probably because of an increased exposure to drought stress. These successional changes stabilize stand size structure and reduce the rate of development.

The feasibility of Raman spectroscopy for accurate assessment of essential criteria in pharmaceutical industry by investigation of Metformin hydrochloride tableting process

AbstractAnalytical and real‐time technology in pharmaceutical manufacturing process is an important need to ensure that manufactured drugs are safe and effective. Raman spectroscopy is an emerging technique that is able to perform quantitative analysis nondestructively due to the molecular structure of many drugs. Monitoring the content uniformity and quantification of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the tablet preparation process, without the assistance of solvent, is one of the key concerns in the formulation design in order to provide stable, pure, and homogenous finished products. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using Raman data as an analytical method to quantify API, the intra‐ and inter‐sample uniformity of content in the tableting process of Metformin hydrochloride tablets (C4H11N5.HCl). Analysis of all standard samples for prediction of API uniformity represents an acceptable accuracy and precision with a relative standard deviation of 2.55%. Further investigation of tablets regarding to relative Raman intensity of some characteristic peaks demonstrates the amount of API content with an accuracy of ≥96%. These values have a good adaption with pharmacopeia monograph. Findings reveal that the Raman method can be routinely utilized for quantifying API, controlling the content uniformity and the stability of drugs in different stages of manufacturing.

Structural Order-Disorder Analysis of Thermally-Activated Water-Washed Kaolin Particles Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

During the calcination of kaolin particles, kaolinite is thermally activated at high temperatures, causing the crystal structure to collapse and yielding amorphous metakaolinite through dehydroxylation. This metakaolinite is used as a supplementary cementitious material, and one of the most important factors influencing the pozzolanic properties is calcination conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has become useful in distinguishing and obtaining information about structural order-disorder and phase transformation following the calcination process. In this study, water-washed kaolin particles were thermally activated at elevated temperatures ranging from 600 to 800 °C for 3–4 h at a rate of 10 °C/min before being analyzed with FTIR to determine the optimum conditions for calcining kaolin particles by examining functional groups, and also to study structural order-disorder or crystallinity of calcined kaolin particles. The most reactive metakaolinite state of water-washed kaolin particles was achieved after 3 h of calcination at 800 °C. Using both empirical and numerical approaches, variations in the position and relative intensity of O-H stretching and deformation of hydroxyl groups in the infrared spectrum can be used to classify the degree of structural order of water-washed kaolin particles. By increasing the calcination temperatures and period, the well-ordered and partially-ordered structures of kaolin particles were transformed into well-ordered, partially-ordered, and poorly-ordered structures. These structural disorder and crystallinity have a significant impact on pozzolanic activity because well-ordered kaolinite can be transformed into less reactive metakaolinite, whereas poorly-ordered kaolinite with high defects can be transformed into more reactive metakaolinite. However, in this study, the structure of water-washed kaolin particles that achieved complete dehydroxylation was discovered to be partially-ordered to poorly-ordered and can be transformed into highly reactive pozzolans.

Sex differences in fatiguability during single-joint resistance exercise in a resistance-trained population.

The primary aim of this study was to compare the fatiguability and acute recovery from a session of unilateral biceps curl exercise between habitually resistance-trained males and females. Twenty participants performed biceps curl one repetition maximum (1RM) and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) testing of the elbow flexors. The exercise protocol consisted of four sets of unilateral biceps curls at 50% of the measured 1RM to volitional failure. MVC force and EMG activity of the elbow flexors were assessed following each set and during the recovery phase. The outcome variables compare the repetition volume, MVC strength loss, and EMG responses between males and females during the exercise and recovery phases. Across the exercise protocol, females completed significantly more repetitions compared to males (p < 0.01, d = 1.7) and lost significantly less strength across time (76% versus 69%, d = 0.48, p = 0.046). Additionally, females maintained a higher level of normalized EMG amplitude compared to males across the protocol (p = 0.035; d = 0.510). However, there were no sex differences in the strength (p = 0.562) or EMG (p = 0.607) responses during the recovery phase. In a resistance-trained population, females were able to perform a greater number of repetitions during the biceps curl exercise compared to their male counterparts at the same relative intensity of exercise. The ability of females to maintain a greater proportion of their maximal elbow flexor strength and muscle excitation during exercise suggests females can tolerate greater upper-body resistance exercise volume than males.

Application of Chemical Ionization in the Analysis of Ethylphosphonic Acid Derivatives.

The microsynthesis of 32 dialkyl derivatives of ethylphosphonic acid and the same number of monoalkyl derivatives was carried out to perform comparative studies using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry in chemical ionization mode which is one of the analytical techniques recommended by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The huge number of possible representatives makes it difficult to have complete spectral libraries of all substances in this class. Therefore, we decided to synthesize and instrumentally analyze only representatives of the selected series of homologues in this work. The analysis of the obtained results allowed us to find the rules for predicting mass spectra and the factors determining the retention parameters. Symmetrical diesters and monoesters of ethylphosphonic acid were selected for this study. During the conducted experiments using chemical ionization with methane as the reaction gas, protonated analyte molecules with high relative intensities were obtained; in many cases, these are base peaks in the spectrum. The obtained results allow grouping of the synthesized compounds depending on the introduced alkyl substituent. Retention data of the tested analytes were collected during the research by using electron ionization. The retention parameters of the tested compounds from each homologous series were also summarized and compared. Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) analysis continues to be an important issue, especially in the context of the regular Proficiency Tests organized by the OPCW for identifying chemical compounds that are of interest to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Five compounds were synthesized whose spectra were not available in EI mass spectral libraries, and their retention indices were unknown. The identification of these substances was supported by the CI mass spectra and retention data, using previously developed relationships. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the research method used is useful and effective.

Polarized-SERS of non-isotropic molecules on thermally-induced corrugated plasmonic surface supporting a NIR-SPP mode

Thermally-induced surface reconstruction of α-Al2O3 was used to fabricate corrugated templates of different periods to support percolated ultrathin metal film. Reflectance analysis and simulations revealed the coupling of a hybrid NIR-SPP mode along its corrugation vector (kcorrugation). The fabricated samples enhanced Raman signals of phenyl thiolates (PT) with reduced photo-induced disadvantages at λexc = 785 nm. Polarized SERS were performed to study adsorbed molecule – polariton interaction on these corrugated thin film surface. A twofold SERS anisotropy with a cos2(σ) dependency (σ = azimuthal angle) was observed. SERS dichroism of PT Raman modes of different polarizability tensors were analysed. A more pronounced dependence on corrugation period was observed for totally symmetric a1 modes than the non-totally symmetric b1 and b2 modes. Apart from the relative SERS intensity, their SERS dichroism was determined mostly by the excitation of SPP along the kcorrugation rather than the orientation of PT on sample surface. Edge-on orientation of adsorbed PT was predicted due to the absence of a2 modes with both tensor components parallel to the surface. Shorter corrugation periods fabricated were reproducible and ample for uniform, large-area sensing due to effective SPP coupling at σ = 0° resulting in a spatially extended SERS excitation volume.

Addressing optical dynamics in CdS quantum dots through composition regulation strategy

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have received intensive attention over the past few decades because of their size-dependent properties, which enable them to be used in various applications such as displays, light-emitting diodes, and solar cells. Controlling the synthesis conditions to produce QDs with the desired size and distribution is becoming an exciting area of focused research. In addition, surface passivation of QDs is critical to increase their photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield. Because of their higher surface-area-to-volume ratio, nanocrystals contain abundant surface defects that can be reduced by the presence of excess cations. In this work, CdS QDs with different Cd:S ratios (1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1) are synthesized by the hot-injection method. Absorption and PL spectra show that the optical peaks at the beginning of growth are shifted to the shorter wavelength region with increasing Cd concentration. In particular, the sizes, size distributions, relative PL intensities, and optical bandgap properties of the synthesized QD samples are characterized to demonstrate the effect of the cation–anion ratio on the optical properties of CdS QDs.

The Ratio between Weekly Training and Match External Physical Loads in U17 Elite Youth Soccer Players: Implications for the Training Process.

Research on the external physical load on elite youth soccer players during the weekly training microcycle in competitive periods and official matches is limited. The aims of this study were twofold: a) investigate possible differences in external physical load (PL) across player positions in U17 elite youth soccer players during official matches; b) determine the weekly training to match physical load ratio (WTMLr) across player positions. The sample included 20 outfield players from an elite soccer academy (mean age 15.94 ± 0.25 years) playing in four positions: central defender (CD), full-back (FB), central midfielder (CM) and Striker (S). Data were collected during the spring in-season period for 17 official matches played in a 4-3-3 game format. Indicators of external physical load monitored were: total distance (TD); total distance in high-speed running (HSR; > 16.1 km.h-1); total distance in sprint running (SPR; > 21.6 km.h-1); and relative physical load intensity (%HSR). The WTMLr was calculated for TD, HSR, SPR and %HSR as the ratio of the average weekly sum of training PL to the average sum of PL in an official match for a given players' position. Collectively, the training intensity during a one-week microcycle (%HSR in WTMLr) achieved only 76 % of match demands. CD performed significantly lower in all measured indicators of external PL during the official match than all other positions (p < 0.05; g > 0.80) except for TD in S. S achieved significantly higher SPR during official matches compared to CD (p < 0.05; g > 0.80), CM, and FB (g > 0.80). In contrast, CD reported higher WTMLr (medium-large effect size) in HSR and SPR indicators than all other positions. CM performed significantly higher %HSR in WTMLr than S and FB (p < 0.05; g > 0.80). Results revealed insufficient training intensity relative to match demands and, at the same time, weekly training PL did not meet match demands (especially in HSR and SPR) for players across the different positions. Therefore, practitioners should select appropriate training methods (drills and games) to ensure sufficient training intensity (HSR and SR metrics) and consider using the WTMLr, which can be used to help optimise and individualise training PL for different player positions.

MiRNA and mRNA-Controlled Double-Cascaded Amplifying Circuit Nanosensor for Accurate Discrimination of Breast Cancers in Living Cells, Animals, and Organoids.

Metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with breast cancer. Detecting high-risk breast cancer, including micrometastasis, at an early stage is vital for customizing the right and efficient therapies. In this study, we propose an enzyme-free isothermal cascade amplification-based DNA logic circuit in situ biomineralization nanosensor, HDNAzyme@ZIF-8, for simultaneous imaging of multidimensional biomarkers in live cells. Taking miR-21 and Ki-67 mRNA as the dual detection targets achieved sensitive logic operations and molecular recognition through the cascade hybridization chain reaction and DNAzyme. The HDNAzyme@ZIF-8 nanosensor has the ability to accurately differentiate breast cancer cells and their subtypes by comparing their relative fluorescence intensities. Of note, our nanosensor can also achieve visualization within breast cancer organoids, faithfully recapitulating the functional characteristics of parental tumor. Overall, the combination of these techniques offers a universal strategy for detecting cancers with high sensitivity and holds vast potential in clinical cancer diagnosis.

Direct numerical simulation of a wall source dispersion in a turbulent channel flow

A comprehensive direct numerical simulation (DNS) is conducted to analyze the turbulent mixing process of a surface source dispersion emitting from the bottom wall in a turbulent channel flow. A comparative analysis of ten test cases has been conducted to examine the turbulent mixing process and its relationship with the source strength. The study involves an examination of the dispersion process in both physical and spectral spaces, which includes an evaluation of statistical moments of the concentration field, pre-multiplied spatial spectra of the velocity and concentration fields, as well as an analysis of the coherent turbulent structures in the flow. Upon normalization by friction concentration, the DNS analysis reveals that the first- and second-order statistical moments of the concentration field remain unaffected by variations in the source strength. Conversely, the relative intensity of concentration fluctuations and the thickness of the concentration boundary layer exhibit significant susceptibility to variations in the source strength. It has been observed that the dispersion process within the channel is significantly influenced by the small-scale eddies in cases where the source strength is not particularly intense. When confronted with high source strength scenarios, analysis of the simulation results establishes that both small- and large-scale eddies are crucial players in the dispersion phenomena, as evinced by a comparison of the pre-multiplied spectra of concentration and velocity fields. Furthermore, hairpin vortices have been recognized as the primary source of turbulence in the dispersal of substances from regions of high shear to the center of the channel.

High-performance PCW-DFB laser diodes using offset quantum well epitaxial structures.

We demonstrated a high-performance partially corrugated waveguide distributed feedback (PCW-DFB) laser with high output power, low relative intensity noise (RIN) and narrow linewidth. By introducing offset quantum-well structure that provides enough threshold gain difference for single transverse mode operation, the laser can achieve single mode behavior with an 8-µm-wide ridge waveguide. The laser has been designed by the simulation model based on the coupled wave equations, and the fabricated PCW-DFB laser with the cavity length of 1.3 mm exhibited an output power higher than 190 mW. Stable single mode characteristics have been achieved with a side-mode suppression-ratio (SMSR) over 55 dB. The RIN was less than -160.5 dB/Hz at an injection current of 470 mA, and the linewidth reached 45 kHz.

Safety and Efficacy of Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin Against Recurrent/Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

Although gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) prolongs survival in patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC) compared with fluorouracil plus cisplatin, no study has evaluated the efficacy and safety of GC in nonendemic regions, including Japan, yet. Therefore, we assessed the safety and efficacy of GC in Japanese patients with R/M NPC. We retrospectively reviewed patients with R/M NPC who received GC treatment at the Aichi Cancer Center Hospital from January 2017 to March 2020. The main eligibility criteria were histologically confirmed NPC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0-2, and locally recurrent disease unsuitable for local treatment or metastatic disease. The regimen was administered every 3 weeks (gemcitabine, 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8; cisplatin, 80 mg/m2 on day 1). Fourteen patients (median age, 58 years) were included in the study. Two patients had an ECOG PS of 2 and 11 exhibited nonkeratinizing histology. Of the eight patients with measurable lesions, one exhibited complete response and seven exhibited partial response, with an objective response rate of 75%. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 7.7 and 24.2 months, respectively. Common grade 3 or 4 adverse events included neutropenia (64%), thrombocytopenia (14%), and febrile neutropenia (14%). The median relative dose intensity of gemcitabine and cisplatin was 62% and 60%, respectively. No treatment-related deaths occurred. The GC regimen demonstrates promising activity and is tolerable in Japanese patients with R/M NPC.

Isomeric differentiation of bile acids using three‐dimensional MS2 spectrum

AbstractBile acids (BAs) currently occupy the research hotspot because of their unreplaceable physiological functions as well as their unique abilities to reflect the physiopathological status. It is always challenging to characterize BAs‐submetabolome using LC–MS/MS, primarily attributing to the high‐level structural diversity. The key obstructing confirmative identification is isomeric identification because of the inherent “isomer‐blind” disadvantage of MS/MS. The isomerism styles of BAs are broadly divided into: type‐I, 5α‐H and 5β‐H epimers; type‐II, α‐OH and β‐OH epimers; type‐III, C‐OH positional isomers; and type‐IV, hybrid isomers bearing two or more isomerism fashions. Herein, we aim to comprehensively pursue isomer‐selective clues for BAs through constructing three‐dimensional MS2 (3D‐MS2) spectrum that was accomplished by fortifying energy‐resolved MS (ER‐MS) program as the new dimension. The breakdown graphs of primary MS2 spectral signals composed of 3D‐MS2 spectrum namely full collision energy ramp (FCER)‐MS2 spectrum for each BA species after appropriate normalization, and seven isomeric BAs covering all isomerism styles were utilized as representative cases. After recording MS2 spectra with progressive CE levels, differences were observed for their FCER‐MS2 spectra. Diagnostic fragment ions (DFIs) occurred within type‐I, type‐II, type‐III or type‐IV isomers, and noteworthily, 2.02 Da neutral loss discriminated BAs containing cis‐6,7‐diol and trans‐6,7‐diol functional groups. Notably, the features such as the maximal relative ion intensity (RIImax) and optimal CE (OCE) enabled isomeric differentiation for all types, even type‐II and type‐III isomers. Above all, it is feasible to acquire in‐depth isomer‐selective MS/MS clues for BAs using FCER‐MS2 spectrum, regardless of the isomerism manner.

The effect of winds on atmospheric layers of red supergiants II. Modelling VLTI/GRAVITY and MATISSE observations of AH Sco, KW Sgr, V602 Car, CK Car, and V460 Car

Context. Mass loss plays a crucial role in the lives of massive stars, especially as the star leaves the main sequence and evolves to the red supergiant (RSG) phase. Despite its importance, the physical processes that trigger mass-loss events in RSGs are still not well understood. Recently, we showed that adding a semi-empirical wind to atmosphere models can accurately reproduce observed extensions in the atmospheres of RSGs, where the mass-loss events are taking place, particularly in the CO and water lines. Aims. By adding a static wind to a MARCS atmospheric model, we computed synthetic observables that match new interferometric data of the RSGs AH Sco, KW Sgr, V602 Car, CK Car, and V460 Car obtained with the VLTI/MATISSE and VLTI/GRAVITY instruments between August 2022 and February 2023. We also used archival VLTI/AMBER data of KW Sgr and VLTI/GRAVITY data of AH Sco. The MATISSE wavelength range includes the SiO molecule at 4.0 μm with a spectral resolution of R ~ 500. Methods. The model intensities with respect to the line-of-sight angle (μ) as well as the spectra and visibilities were computed using the stellar radiative transfer code TURBOSPECTRUM. We found the best-fit model, mass-loss rate, and best-fit angular Rosseland diameter for the observations. We simultaneously matched our model to the data, covering a wavelength range of 1.8–5.0 μm, which corresponds to the K, L, and M bands. Results. Our models reproduce the spectro-interferometric data over this wide wavelength range, including extended atmospheric layers of CO, H2O, and SiO. We obtain a range of Rosseland angular diameters between 3.0 &lt; θRoss &lt; 5.5 mas and a range of mass-loss rates of −6.5 &lt; log Ṁ/M⊙ yr−1 &lt; −4 for our five targets. In our best-fit models, the partial pressure of SiO relative to the gas pressure, PSiO/Pg, and the SiO 4.0 μm line intensity increase between 2 and 3 stellar radii. The relative intensity depends on the luminosity used for our models, since the more luminous models have a higher mass-loss rate. Conclusions. This work further demonstrates that our MARCS+wind model can reproduce the observed physical extension of RSG atmospheres for several spectral diagnostics spanning a broad wavelength range. We reproduce both spectra and visibilities of newly obtained data as well as provide temperature and density stratifications that are consistent with the observations. With the MATISSE data, we newly include the extension of SiO layers as a precursor of silicate dust.

Differential effects of contracting muscle mass and relative exercise intensity on arterial plasma potassium concentration during and following incremental arm and leg cycling exercise

Whilst arm cycling is commonly used during clinical testing and rehabilitation, the associated changes in arterial plasma K+ concentration ([K+]a) and thus possible risks of associated hyperkalaemia and hypokalaemia are unknown. During exercise, K+ is released from contracting skeletal muscles and simultaneously taken up by inactive muscles, with [K+]a increasing markedly during intense exercise. Hence during exercise [K+]a should be influenced by both the contracting muscle mass and the relative exercise intensity. We therefore investigated the effects of incremental one-arm (1ARM) and two-leg (2LEGS) cycling on [K+]a, and on lactate ([Lac-]), hydrogen ([H+]), adrenaline and noradrenaline. Eight healthy participants performed 1ARM, rested (3.0 ± 0.2 h, mean±SE) then performed 2LEGS, with radial arterial blood sampled at rest, during common submaximal workrates (25, 50 W), peak workrate and 1–30 min post-exercise. During exercise at 50 W, VO2, [K+]a and [Lac-]a were higher during 1ARM than 2LEGS (P < 0.05). In contrast, at peak exercise, 2LEGS (272 ± 15 W) elicited higher VO2, [K+]a, [Lac-]a, [adrenaline]a and [noradrenaline]a than 1ARM (57 ± 4 W) (P < 0.05), with [H+]a elevated only in 2LEGS (P < 0.05). A curvilinear response for [K+]a versus %VO2peak was similar between modes, until diverging close to VO2peak. The slope of the log[K+]a versus %VO2peak regression was higher in 2LEGS (P < 0.01), indicating greater [K+]a throughout exercise utilising a larger muscle mass, and similarly for [Lac-]a. In conclusion, during exercise utilising a smaller contracting muscle mass, [K+]a and [Lac-]a were greater at the same absolute submaximal work rate compared to utilising a large muscle mass. Whilst responses were similar between modes when expressed against relative exercise intensity, [K+]a and [Lac-]a were higher during exercise with a large muscle mass. Hence, for submaximal exercise, the relative intensity is more important in determining [K+]a and [Lac-]a, but the size of the contracting muscle mass still exerts a positive effect, whilst during peak exercise, the size of the active muscle mass was more important in determining [K+]a and [Lac-]a. Furthermore, arm cycling did not induce marked disturbances in [K+]a during or after exercise, suggesting minimal associated myocardial risks and thus supporting its safe use in clinical and aged populations.

Deep-Ultraviolet and Helicity-Dependent Raman Spectroscopy for Carbon Nanotubes and 2D Materials.

Recent progress of Raman spectroscopy on carbon nanotubes and 2D materials is reviewed as a topical review. The Raman tensor with complex values is related to the chiral 1D/2D materials without mirror symmetry for the mirror in the propagating direction of light, such as chiral carbon nanotube and black phosphorus. The phenomenon of complex Raman tensor is observed by the asymmetric polar plot of helicity-dependent Raman spectroscopy using incident circularly-polarized lights. First-principles calculations of resonant Raman spectra directly give the complex Raman tensor that explains helicity-dependent Raman spectra and laser-energy-dependent relative intensities of Raman spectra. In deep-ultraviolet (DUV) Raman spectroscopy with 266 nm laser, since the energy of the photon is large compared with the energy gap, the first-order and double resonant Raman processes occur in general k points in the Brillouin zone. First-principles calculation is necessary to understand the DUV Raman spectra and the origin of double-resonance Raman spectra. Asymmetric line shapes appear for the G band of graphene for 266 nm laser and in-plane Raman mode of WS2 for 532 nm laser, while these spectra show symmetric line shapes for other laser excitation. The interference effect on the asymmetric line shape is discussed by fitting the spectra to the Breit-Wigner-Fano lineshapes.