[en] This dissertation presents an investigation of the application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as an analytical tool for improved monitoring, diagnostics, and characterization of the wastewaters associated with food waste. NMR uses a non-targeted approach to gather high-resolution molecular-level data relating to the makeup of complex organic mixtures. One and two-dimensional experiments are used to generate an NMR fingerprint of anaerobic bioreactor samples after exposure to a known contaminant. The results determined by NMR are compared to biogas compositions measured using gas chromatography. In all bioreactor samples, key metabolites as well as the contaminant itself are clearly identified, demonstrating changes in the chemical profile in response to stress. For more simple mixtures of food waste, NMR has shown potential to be used as a tool to quickly quantify and predict biodegradability based on macromolecular structure of the organic material in the wastewater. (author)

[en] In this article, we define the infinite Dirac operator and explore some key properties, particularly its conformal invariance. En route, we also establish the conformal invariance of the p-Dirac equation. We also introduce the infinite Dirac operator on the sphere Sⁿ and establish the relationship between the two infinite Dirac operators via the Cayley transformation. Also we introduce an infinite Laplace operator on Sⁿ.

[en] A major new report into the impact of nanotechnology finds no need to ban research into the subject, but calls for more work on health-related issues. And, as John Ryan explains, scientists must be much more frank about the uncertainties in this rapidly developing field. His report reviews the current state of the field in a way that is accessible to non-scientists and describes realistic future developments. It does not find evidence of significant health risks, but it recognizes that no evidence of risk is not equivalent to evidence of no risk. The report also finds that there are no new ethical issues arising from the introduction of nanotechnology, but that the broader issue of public acceptance of new technology is once again brought into focus. Its recommendations will be regarded as being both cautious and pragmatic: there is no justification for a moratorium on nanotechnology research, as called for by some environmental groups, and there is no need to appoint a special regulatory body to oversee nanotechnology. But there are important issues that scientists and politicians should pay urgent heed to. (U.K.)

[en] Detection and quantification of hepatic iron with dual-echo gradient recalled echo (GRE) has been proposed as a rapid alternative to other magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Co-existing steatosis and T1 weighting are limitations. This study assesses the accuracy of routine dual-echo GRE. Between 2010 and 2013, 109 consecutive patients underwent multi-echo (ME) MRI and dual-echo GRE for quantification of hepatic iron. Liver iron concentration (LIC) was calculated from ME-MRI. Relative signal intensity (RSI) and fat signal fraction (FSF) were calculated from dual-echo GRE. Four radiologists subjectively evaluated dual-echo GRE (±subtraction). Diagnostic accuracy was compared between techniques and correlated with biopsy using Fisher's exact test, Spearman correlation and regression. The sensitivity of visual detection of iron ranged from 48 to 55 %. Subtraction did not increase sensitivity (p < 0.001). Inter-observer variability was substantial (κ = 0.72). The specificity of visual detection of iron approached 100 % with false-positive diagnoses observed using subtraction. LIC showed a higher correlation with histopathological iron grade (r = 0.94, p < 0.001) compared with RSI (r = 0.65, p = 0.02). Univariate regression showed an association between RSI and LIC (B = 0.98, p < 0.001, CI 0.73-1.23); however, the association was not significant with multi-variate regression including FSF (p = 0.28). Dual-echo GRE has low sensitivity for hepatic iron. Subtraction imaging can result in false-positive diagnoses. (orig.)

[en] Background: In recent years there have been significant developments in the use of 3D Power Doppler (3DPD) imaging and quantitative 3DPD histogram analysis to estimate both placental volume and intra-placental vasculature. This study aims to determine if placental volume, vascularisation and blood flow are correlated with gestational age in normal pregnancy. It also examines whether or not a new software method for analysis of percentage calcification (the ‘placentometer’) correlates well with gestation. Material and method: This was a prospective cohort study of 250 women with normal pregnancies (12 + 6 to 39 + 5 weeks gestation). 3DPD ultrasound was used to evaluate placental volume, vascularisation index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularisation-flow index (VFI). Placental volume (calculated at 35–40 weeks gestation), was correlated with birth weight. Following each scan the percentage of calcification was also calculated using the placentometer. Results: Placental volume correlated significantly with gestational age: 66.676 + 0.623 × GA (P < 0.001). No significant change with gestation was noted in VI, FI and VFI (VI: P = 0.199, FI: P = 0.299, VFI: P = 0.557). Software analysis of the percentage of calcification, demonstrated the expected increase in calcification as gestation increased: −4.605 + 0.032 × GA (P < 0.001). From 35 to 40 weeks gestation volume was related to birth weight (P < 0.01). Conclusion: This study shows that in normal low-risk pregnancy placental volume increases with gestational age, whereas vascularisation and blood flow are independent of gestation. Placental volume in late pregnancy is related to birth weight. Software analysis of the percentage of calcification demonstrates an increase with advancing gestation

[en] We show that statistical criticality, i.e. the occurrence of power law frequency distributions, arises in samples that are maximally informative about the underlying generating process. In order to reach this conclusion, we first identify the frequency with which different outcomes occur in a sample, as the variable carrying useful information on the generative process. The entropy of the frequency, that we call relevance, provides an upper bound to the number of informative bits. This differs from the entropy of the data, that we take as a measure of resolution. Samples that maximise relevance at a given resolution—that we call maximally informative samples—exhibit statistical criticality. In particular, Zipf’s law arises at the optimal trade-off between resolution (i.e. compression) and relevance. As a byproduct, we derive a bound of the maximal number of parameters that can be estimated from a dataset, in the absence of prior knowledge on the generative model.

Furthermore, we relate criticality to the statistical properties of the representation of the data generating process. We show that, as a consequence of the concentration property of the asymptotic equipartition property, representations that are maximally informative about the data generating process are characterised by an exponential distribution of energy levels. This arises from a principle of minimal entropy, that is conjugate of the maximum entropy principle in statistical mechanics. This explains why statistical criticality requires no parameter fine tuning in maximally informative samples. (paper: interdisciplinary statistical mechanics)

[en] We report on the fabrication of electrically conducting, ultra-sharp, high-aspect ratio probes for atomic force microscopy by electron-beam-induced deposition of platinum. Probes of 4.0 ±1.0 nm radius-of-curvature are routinely produced with high repeatability and near-100% yield. Contact-mode topographical imaging of the granular nature of a sputtered gold surface is used to assess the imaging performance of the probes, and the derived power spectral density plots are used to quantify the enhanced sensitivity as a function of spatial frequency. The ability of the probes to reproduce high aspect-ratio features is illustrated by imaging a close-packed array of nanospheres. The electrical resistance of the probes is measured to be of order 100 kΩ. - Highlights: • Electrically conducting, ultra-sharp, high aspect-ratio probes for AFM with radius-of-curvature 4.0±±1.0 nm. • AFM probe fabrication by electron-beam-induced deposition of platinum. • Enhanced spatial resolution demonstrated through AFM of sputtered gold grains. • AFM imaging of deep clefts and recesses on a close-packed array of nanospheres

[en] We show the dielectrophoretic actuation of single-crystal diamond nanomechanical devices. Gradient radio-frequency electromagnetic forces are used to achieve actuation of both cantilever and doubly clamped beam structures, with operation frequencies ranging from a few MHz to ∼50 MHz. Frequency tuning and parametric actuation are also studied

[en] We have probed the mechanical properties of purple membrane (PM) in a physiological environment using the atomic force microscope (AFM). By suspending PM over nano-trenches, the elastic properties of PM can be evaluated free from the interaction with the substrate. Force-displacement curves were obtained on the suspended membrane and the data was compared to that of a simple model of a thin film over a trench. By fitting the data to the model, the elastic modulus of PM was estimated to be 8 MPa. When the membrane is repeatedly indented, we observed a change in the force-distance data consistent with damage to the two-dimensional crystal of PM. In this paper we demonstrate that the AFM allows us to evaluate the mechanics of biological membranes in their native conditions

[en] Highlights: • A resource-limiting soil favors dieldrin dissipation. • The persistent organic carbon pool is associated with great biodegradation potential. • Supply of labile carbon delays biodegradation of chlorinated pollutants. To improve biodegradation strategies for chlorinated pollutants, the roles of soil organic matter and microbial function need to be clarified. It was hypothesised that microbial degradation of specific organic fractions in soils enhance community metabolic capability to degrade chlorinated pollutants. This field study used historic records of dieldrin concentrations since 1988 and established relationships between dieldrin dissipation and soil carbon fractions together with bacterial and fungal diversity in surface soils of Kurosol and Chromosol. Sparse partial least squares analysis linked dieldrin dissipation to metabolic activities associated with the highly decomposed carbon fraction. Dieldrin dissipation, after three decades of natural attenuation, was associated with increased bacterial species fitness for the decomposition of recalcitrant carbon substrates including synthetic chlorinated pollutants. These metabolic capabilities were linked to the decomposed carbon fraction, an important driver for the microbial community and function. Common bacterial traits among taxonomic groups enriched in samples with high dieldrin dissipation included their slow growth, large genome and complex metabolism which supported the notion that metabolic strategies for dieldrin degradation evolved in an energy-low soil environment. The findings provide new perspectives for bioremediation strategies and suggest that soil management should aim at stimulating metabolism at the decomposed, fine carbon fraction.