Explore the vast range of titles available.

Engineering the spectral properties of fluorophores, such as the enhancement of luminescence intensity, can be achieved through coupling with surface plasmons in metallic nanostructures 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 . This process, referred to as metal-enhanced fluorescence, offers promise for a range of applications, including LEDs, sensor technology, microarrays and single-molecule studies. It becomes even more appealing when applied to colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, which exhibit size-dependent optical properties, have high photochemical stability, and are characterized by broad excitation spectra and narrow emission bands 12 . Other approaches have relied upon the coupling of fluorophores (typically organic dyes) to random distributions of metallic nanoparticles or nanoscale roughness in metallic films 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 8 . Here, we develop a new strategy based on the highly reproducible fabrication of ordered arrays of gold nanostructures coupled to CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals dispersed in a polymer blend. We demonstrate the possibility of obtaining precise control and a high spatial selectivity of the fluorescence enhancement process.

The distribution of a species reflects its ecological adaptability and evolutionary history, which is shaped by the environment and represents a dynamic area subject to anthropogenic environmental change. We used the MaxEnt algorithm to construct ecological niche models for four thrush species within the Turdus genus; T. amaurochalinus , T. chiguanco , T. falcklandii and T. rufiventris . These models were used to predict the potential geographic distributions of these species that are expanding their ranges in South America. Using occurrence records, we estimated currently occupied areas for each species. We also identified suitable habitats and projected possible areas to be colonized by the four species at continental scale . Temperature annual range had the highest influence for T. falcklandii , while human modification was the main variable explaining the distribution of the other three species. The potential distribution area ranged from 2.5 million km 2 for T. falcklandii to nearly seven million km 2 for T. amaurochalinus. Large proportions of suitable area remain unoccupied by all four species, being 50% for T. amaurochalinus and T. rufiventris , and about 70% for T. chiguanco and T. falcklandii . Anthropogenic disturbances, such as habitat loss and ecosystem transformation, lead to non-random species extinction and biotic homogenization, highlighting the importance of predictive models as valuable tools for informing mitigation policies and conservation strategies. Thrushes are progressively expanding their ranges, and the colonization of new habitats could bring new challenges.

Invasive alien species (IAS) can act as vectors for the introduction of pathogens in ecosystems and their transmission to threatened native species (TNS), leading to biodiversity loss, population reductions and extinctions. We assessed pathogens potentially occurring in a set of IAS in the Southern Cone of South America and identified TNS potentially vulnerable to their effects. Also, we assessed how risk analysis systems proposed or adopted by national authorities in the study region value the importance of pathogens. We identified 324 pathogens in the selected IAS, which could potentially affect 202 TNS. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) was the IAS with the largest number of pathogens (91), followed by domestic dog (Canis familiaris) (62), red deer (Cervus elaphus) (58), rock dove (Columba livia) (37), American vison (Neovison vison) (18), European hare (Lepus europaeus) (17), common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) (12), common slider (Trachemys scripta) (6), and American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) (2). Most TNS were in the “vulnerable” IUCN category, followed by “endangered” and “critically endangered” species. Bacteria were the most frequently represented pathogens (112), followed by ectoparasites (78), viruses (69), protozoa and other (65). The direct effects of IAS on native wildlife are beginning to be addressed in South America, and their potential impact as pathogen spreaders to native wildlife has remained largely unexplored. Risk analysis systems associated with the introduction of IAS are scarce in this region. Although the existing systems contemplate hazard analyses for the co-introduction of pathogens, they underestimate the potential impact of diseases on TNS. Conservation efforts in the region would benefit from systems which give pathogen risk a relevant place, and from government agencies promoting targeted disease surveillance in IAS and wildlife.

We present a framework for strategic dam planning under uncertainty, which includes GHG emissions mitigation as a novel objective. We focus on the Mekong River Basin, a fast‐developing region heavily relying on river‐derived ecosystem services. We employ a multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm to identify strategic dam portfolios for different hydropower expansion targets, using process‐related and statistical models to derive indicators of sediment supply disruption and GHG emissions. We introduce a robust optimization approach that explores variations in optimal portfolio compositions for more than 5,000 state‐of‐the‐world configurations, regarding sediment origins and trapping and GHG emissions. Thus, we can rank dam projects' attractiveness based on their frequency of inclusion in optimal portfolios and explore how uncertainty affects these rankings. Our results suggest that developing dams in the upper Mekong would be a more robust option for near‐term development than, for example, the lower Mekong and its tributaries, for both environmental and energy objectives. Our work presents a novel approach to better understand the basin‐scale cumulative impacts of dam development in high‐uncertainty, data‐scarce contexts like the Mekong Basin. Plain Language Summary Hydropower is considered an important energy source to meet many climate mitigation targets. Its negative impacts are however often underestimated, including the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) from reservoirs. This study introduces a framework for planning dams strategically in the Mekong River Basin, a region heavily dependent on river‐related services. The framework considers uncertainties and incorporates greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and sediment transport disruption as new objectives. Using a multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm, the research identifies optimal dam portfolios for different hydropower expansion goals. To consider uncertainties in the results, the analysis employs a robust optimization approach to assess over 5,000 state‐of‐the‐world configurations. Results indicate that developing dams in the upper Mekong is a more robust option for both environmental and energy goals in the near term. These conclusions showcase the approach's usefulness in understanding dams' cumulative impacts in data‐scarce and uncertain contexts like the Mekong Basin. Key Points We identify optimal dam portfolios which balance hydropower expansion, sediment supply disruption, and GHG emissions in the Mekong We extracted optimal portfolios under multiple state‐of‐the‐world configurations, to extract robust indicators of project attractiveness Results suggest that near‐term dam development should focus more on the upper Mekong, compared to the lower Mekong and its tributaries

BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or Covid-19), which began as an epidemic in China and spread globally as a pandemic, has necessitated resource management to meet emergency needs of Covid-19 patients and other emergent cases. We have conducted a survey to analyze caseload and measures to adapt indications for a perception of crisis.MethodsWe constructed a questionnaire to survey a snapshot of neurosurgical activity, resources, and indications during 1 week with usual activity in December 2019 and 1 week during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in March 2020. The questionnaire was sent to 34 neurosurgical departments in Europe; 25 departments returned responses within 5 days.ResultsWe found unexpectedly large differences in resources and indications already before the pandemic. Differences were also large in how much practice and resources changed during the pandemic. Neurosurgical beds and neuro-intensive care beds were significantly decreased from December 2019 to March 2020. The utilization of resources decreased via less demand for care of brain injuries and subarachnoid hemorrhage, postponing surgery and changed surgical indications as a method of rationing resources. Twenty departments (80%) reduced activity extensively, and the same proportion stated that they were no longer able to provide care according to legitimate medical needs.ConclusionNeurosurgical centers responded swiftly and effectively to a sudden decrease of neurosurgical capacity due to relocation of resources to pandemic care. The pandemic led to rationing of neurosurgical care in 80% of responding centers. We saw a relation between resources before the pandemic and ability to uphold neurosurgical services. The observation of extensive differences of available beds provided an opportunity to show how resources that had been restricted already under normal conditions translated to rationing of care that may not be acceptable to the public of seemingly affluent European countries.

Extra-parenchymal intracranial cavernous angiomas are uncommon lesions, even rare when located in the posterior fossa. If compared with their intra-axial counterparts, extra-axial cavernous malformations represent a distinct entity in terms of radiologic features, clinical presentation, and natural history. In this report, we present a case of a 42-year-old man who experienced recurrent nausea, dizziness, and ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extra-axial mass at the level of the foramen magnum, with posterior left paramedian dural implant. The patient underwent en bloc removal of the lesion and histological examination surprisingly identified cavernous malformation. Despite being anecdotal, extra-parenchymal cavernous malformation of the foramen magnum should be included in differential diagnosis by virtue of their peculiar clinical behavior. Microsurgical resection of these lesions is the best treatment and is achievable without neurological impairment.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious but rare complication of aesthetic surgery, with an incidence of 0.017% for liposuction and 0.01%–0.02% for augmentation mammoplasty. Despite the low incidence and appropriate patient selection, we present two cases of VTE in low-risk patients without hypercoagulability undergoing aesthetic procedures. In the first case, a 45-year-old woman with a history of anemia developed bilateral pulmonary embolism after ultrasound-assisted liposuction. In the second case, a 33-year-old woman with a history of oral contraceptive use developed deep vein thrombosis in the right upper extremity after augmentation mammoplasty. The patients were treated early and fully recovered after 12 months. This report highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of VTE in aesthetic surgery, even in low-risk patients.

Development of prediction models for the quality of apples is useful in guiding fruit tree nutrition and in optimising fruit management. The interrelationships between the leaf nutrient contents and some fruit quality indices were studied in five apple cultivars – Generos, Florina, Delicios de Voinesti, Jonathan and Pionier. Highly significant relationships between N and Fe contents (R2 = 0.734; P < 0.01) and between Cu and K (R2 = 0.702; P < 0.01) were found. Acidity was negatively correlated with soluble solids content in the cvs Generos, Delicios de Voinesti and Jonathan, whereas the respective correlation in the apple cv. Pionier was positive. In cv. Florina fruits no significant correlation was found between acidity and soluble solids content. Among macroelements, nitrogen had a considerable contribution to fruit acidity and this allows to predict this index with a high degree of safety (R2 = 0.690; RMSEPN = 0.105). Microelements have a lower contribution to acidity and a higher one to the sugar accumulation; in case of Zn are R2 = 0.809; RMSEPZn = 4.250.

A bstract Based on flavour symmetries only, there are two ways to give rise to an effective description of flavour physics in the quark sector close to the CKM picture: one is based on U(3) q × U(3) u × U(3) d (or equivalent) and the other on U(2) q × U(2) u × U(2) d (or equivalent). In this context we analyze the current status of flavour physics measurements and we compare their impact, in the specific case of supersymmetry, with the direct searches of new particles at the LHC, present or foreseen.