Carbon 2011,

49:2264–2272.CrossRef Competing interests The authors declare having no competing interests. Authors’ contributions RDR wrote the manuscript, coordinated between all the participants, contributed to the design of the study, and performed all the Raman imaging experiments and the data analysis. MT performed all the current sensing AFM experiments and the data analysis and wrote the section of CS-AFM. SH made all the CNT-FET devices and coordinated between all participants. ES contributed to the Raman spectroscopy and imaging Oligomycin A ic50 experiments, data analysis, and read and improved the manuscript. SM participated in the AFM and Raman experiments and made significant corrections and improvements to the manuscript. ODG participated in the coordination and design of the experiments and read and corrected the manuscript. HY participated in the preparation of the CNT samples. SES, MH, and DRTZ participated in the conception of the project, coordinated among all the participants, and read and improved the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.”
“Background

Recently, the Sn-doped In2O3 (indium tin oxide (ITO)) material as a transparent conducting oxides is widely used on many technological applications, such as solar cell [1] and flat panel display [2, 3]. Especially in nanoscale region, the Sn-doped In2O3 (ITO) nanowires have exhibited some superior properties PLX-4720 molecular weight such as good thermal stability, higher metallic conductivity, and excellent RAD001 price oxidation resistance, which make ITO nanowires (NWs) being suitable as a promising candidate not only as a transparent electrode but also as an emitter [4–7]. Up to now, several research groups have reported the growth of ITO nanowires, nanorods, and nanowhisker with different synthetic methods, such as thermal evaporation [8–11], electron beam evaporation [12], sputtering [13], and pulse laser deposition [14]. These nanostructures were found to exhibit a good performance at field emission

as an electron emitter Histidine ammonia-lyase due to their high aspect ratio at the nanoscale region and unique extrinsic properties. In the previous report, Wan et al. has reported the epitaxial growth of vertically aligned ITO NWs on the (100) yttrium-stabilized zirconia substrate and showed a superior field emission property [6]. For a good field emission performance from nanowires, it highly depends on the shape of the nanowire [15], circus radius of the nanowire at the tip region [16], work function [17], and packing density of the nanowire [15]. Thus, to obtain the high-density emission sites, one of the most important factors, the screen effect, due to the disturbance of electric field resulting from the interference of emission at different spacings between nanowires must be minimized [18]. Therefore, the selective area growth of nanowires was required.

Studies on multi-level interactions between informal (e.g. norms, conduct, behaviours) and formal (e.g. regulation) institutions (Checkland and Scholes 1990) should be promoted. Research focusing on knowledge flows between science and society is also underway (Cash et al. 2003; Jäger 2009a, b). Related research in sustainability science explores how scientists can navigate between the demand to provide effective policy advice on the planetary life-support ARS-1620 in vitro system and the calls for socially robust knowledge and legitimate expertise that is open for plural viewpoints and public deliberation (Nowotny

et al. 2001). But this can probably only be done in interactive participatory processes such as Integrated Sustainability Assessment (ISA) (Weaver and Rotmans 2006). In addition, efforts should be made to further develop and refine methods for stakeholder interaction (Loorbach and Rotmans 2006) to be combined with scenario construction, systems analysis and system dynamics. Critical and problem-solving research Differences in ontology and epistemology constitute one of the main obstacles to the integration of knowledge across scientific disciplines (Feyerabend 1991), especially when values, conflicting selleck products goals and difficult

choices are involved. Methodology is, therefore, no trivial issue in sustainability science. Methods are rooted in (some) methodology and are, therefore, not neutral, whereas techniques are often more neutral in the sense that they are less associated with a particular methodology. Broad research tools, like GIS and system analysis can, if they make theory and methodology explicit, assist scholars in designing and pursuing research while ensuring a high scientific standard in terms of constructing, interpreting and evaluating data. As an example, there are attempts to combine system analysis and spatial dynamics into a single conceptual BAY 1895344 in vitro framework that helps reveal the interlinkages between different

domains at a variety of scales and levels (Ness et al. 2010). In the pursuit of knowledge, we prioritise problem-solving while critically questioning conditions that created problems of un-sustainability selleck chemical in the first place. This is a reflexive approach for breaking out of a particular reference frame in order to reap the benefit of seeing beyond its boundaries. Reframing is constructive for problem resolution; it is also a useful tool for bridging critical and problem-solving research (Olsson and Jerneck 2009). A LUCID example This section shows how sustainability science research is organised and pursued at the Lund University Centre of Excellence for Integration of Social and Natural Dimensions of Sustainability (LUCID), which is a decadal effort to work jointly on the theory, methodology and education for sustainability.

However, the traits that contribute to the transition of E. faecium from a commensal to a nosocomial pathogen have not been identified [16]. Molecular

typing methods are essential click here for identifying hospital-associated outbreaks of E. faecium. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) has revealed the existence of host-specific genogroups, including a specific genetic lineage designated VS-4718 mouse clonal complex 17, associated with hospital-related isolates [1, 17]. MLST of E. faecium is based on identifying alleles from DNA sequences in internal fragments of housekeeping genes (atpA, ddl, gdh, purK, gyd, pstS and adk), resulting in a numeric allelic profile, with each profile then being assigned a sequence type (ST) [17]. Complex 17 most likely evolved Selleckchem CA4P from the primary E. faecium ancestor ST-22, while ST-17 represents an important secondary founder with additional linages designated to complex 17 [18]. Clonal

complex 17 is characterized by ampicillin and quinolone resistance and the presence of a putative pathogenicity island that includes the esp and/or hyl genes in the majority of isolates [1, 18–20]. Various STs belonging to clonal complex 17, such as ST16, ST17, ST18, ST203 and ST412, are currently being disseminated worldwide [21, 22]. Interestingly, half of the STs within the clonal complex 17 polyclonal subpopulation have also been identified in samples obtained from healthy humans, swine, poultry and pets [16]. In Mexico, there is little available information about the prevalence of VREF CYTH4 isolates, and no study related to clonal complex 17 has been performed in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to genotypically and phenotypically characterize VREF clinical isolates from 12 immunocompromised pediatric patients at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico

Gómez (HIMFG). This study involved amplification of the resistance genes vanA and vanB and two virulence genes (esp and hyl) and molecular typing via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and MLST. Methods Bacterial isolates Twelve E. faecium isolates of clinical importance were obtained from 12 patients with nosocomial infections in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit), oncology, gastroenterology and transplant wards of HIMFG during the period from July 2009 to April 2011. The isolates were maintained at −70°C in skim milk (Becton Dickinson, New Jersey, USA) and cultured on 5% sheep blood agar plates (Becton Dickinson, New Jersey, USA) at 37°C under 5% CO2 for 24 h. The E. faecalis ATCC® 29212, E. faecalis ATCC® 51299 and E. faecium ATCC® 51559 strains (American Type Culture Collection Manassas, VA, USA) were used as controls. Biochemical tests Bacteria were grown on blood agar, and identification was performed using manual methods.

Figure 1 Alignment of E. coli AmpG, PA4218 and PA4393. The primary sequence of E. coli AmpG, PA4218 (AmpP) and PA4393 (AmpG) were used as an input to M-Coffee, which Selleck SGC-CBP30 combines multiple sequence alignments using the T-Coffee platform [45, 46]. Identical and similar amino

acids were shaded black and gray, respectively, using BOXSHADE. Analysis of the sequences around ampG and ampP revealed that they were in close proximity to two respective Thiazovivin cell line upstream ORFs. Based upon sequence analysis, it is likely that ampG and ampP constitute two two-gene operons with their respective upstream ORFs (Figures 2A and 2B). PA4219 (ampO) overlaps the first seven base pairs of ampP (Figure 2A). AmpO is a putative seven-transmembrane protein with a strong lipoprotein signal peptide that has a potential cleavage site between amino acids 18 and 19 [23]. The ampG gene is located 43 bp downstream from PA4392 (ampF), which encodes a putative protein with a DNA-protein cysteine methyltransferase domain (Figure 2B). The function of this domain remains unknown. Belinostat manufacturer No lipoprotein signal was detected in AmpF. Figure 2 Physical

map of the ampO-ampP (A) and ampF-ampG (B) loci. The restriction map is based on PAO1 genome sequence with relevant restriction sites. (A) The 2779-bp ampO-ampP fragment has the PAO1 coordinates of 4721496 to 4724275. (B) The 2904-bp ampF-ampG fragment corresponds to the PAO1 coordinates of 4921591 to 4924494. The plasmids pKKF03 and pKKF04 are derivatives of pCRII-TOPO (Invitrogen, CA), whereas pKKF157 and pKKF161 are derivatives of pME6030 [41]. The Gm cassette (black Methane monooxygenase inverted triangle) was inserted into the HincII and AscI sites of pKKF03 and pKKF04, respectively. To determine if ampG and ampP constitute two-gene operons with their upstream ORFs, RNA isolated from PAO1 was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using

primers flanking the intergenic (ampF-ampG) (Figure 3A) and the overlapping (ampO-ampP) region (Figure 3B). The expected amplicon sizes are 136 and 158 bp for the ampF-G junction and ampO-P junction, respectively [23]. As expected, amplification was observed with genomic DNA (Figures 3A and 3B, Lane 3). In the RNA analyses, PCR products were observed in reverse transcription PCR when the template was prepared in the presence of reverse transcriptase (Figures 3A and 3B, Lane 1), but not in the control reaction when reverse transcriptase was omitted (Figures 3A and 3B, Lane 2). This confirms that ampO and ampP constitute a two-gene operon and ampF and ampG constitute another. In addition, reverse transcriptase real time PCR data is in agreement with ampO and ampP belonging to the same operon and ampF and ampG comprising another operon (data not shown). Figure 3 PCR analysis of ampFG and ampOP operon cDNA. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of PCR products of the junctions of the ampOP and ampFG operons.

All studies were cohort studies; no randomised controlled trials covering this topic were found. All

studies included were in English. For details of the literature search, see Fig. 1 (flowchart). Twenty cohorts were described Buparlisib mw in the selected 26 publications. Some of these 26 publications included more than one exposure model, or more than one outcome, or results were gender-stratified. Thus, 40 different analyses were described (see Tables 1, 2, 3) and considered within the following systematic evaluation. Table 1 Characteristics and results of studies using the demand–control model First KU55933 solubility dmso author/publication year Cohorta/study Country Level of evidenceb Participants (n) Age Cases (n) follow-up duration Outcomec Risk estimate (95% CI) Confounders in minimal modeld Risk estimate (95% CI) Confoundersd, e in fully adjusted model Kuper (2003) Whitehall UK 2++ 10,308 35–55 years 921 cases 11 years CHD, morbidity and mortality f + m 1.57 (1.26–1.96) Age, sex f + m 1.38 (1.1–1.75) Age, sex, employment grade, coronary risk factors Chandola (2008)f Whitehall UK 2+ 10,308 35–55 years 522 cases 12 years CHD, morbidity and mortality   Isostrain f + m 1.33 (1.04–1.69)

Age, sex, biological and behavioural risk factors, employment grade Netterstrøm (2006) MONICA II Denmark 2+ 659 30–60 years 47 cases 13 years CHD, morbidity and mortality Job strain m 2.4 (1.0–5.6) age Job strain m 2.4 (1.0–5.7) Age, biological and behavioural risk factors, this website social status De Baquer (2005) Belstress/JACE Belgium 2+ 14,337 35–59 years 87 cases 3 years CHD, morbidity and mortality Job strain m 1.35 (0.73–2.49) Isostrain m 1.91 (1.07–3.41) Age, ISCO code Job strain m 1.26 (0.66–2.41) Isostrain m 1.92 (1.05–3.54) Age, ISCO code, BMI, smoking, company Eaker (2004) Framingham offspring USA 2+ 3,039 18–77 years 149 cases 10 years CHD, morbidity and mortality   Job strain m 0.85 (0.5–1.45)

f 1.63 (0.57–4.67) Age, SBP, smoking, diabetes André-Petersson et al. (2007) Malmö cancer and diet study Sweden 2+ 7,770 47–73 years 291 cases 7.8 years CVD, morbidity and mortality Job strain MI f 1.29 (0.44–3.85) Histamine H2 receptor m 1.17 (0.53–2.99) Stroke f 1.16 (0.56–2.40) m 1.03 (0.53–2.99) No adjustment Isostrain MI or stroke f 1.51 (0.7–3.27) m 1.11 (0.6–2.06) Age, diabetes, anti-hypertensive medication, smoking, low physical activity Kivimäki (2002) Valmet Finland 2+ 812 18 to >47 years 73 cases 25.6 years CVD mortality Job strain f + m 2.2 (1.16–4.17) Age, sex Job strain f + m 2.22 (1.04–4.73) Age, sex, behavioural and biological risk factors Kivimäki (2008) WOLF Sweden 2+ 3,160 19–55 years 93 cases 9.5 years CVD, morbidity and mortality Job strain m 1.76 (1.05–2.95) Age, sex   Kornitzer (2006) JACE Spain, France, Belgium, Sweden 2+ 20,435 35–59 years 129 cases 3.