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The statistics of transmitted photons in microwave cavities play a foundational role in microwave quantum optics and its technological applications. By utilizing quantum mechanical phase-space methods, we here develop a general theory of the photon counting statistics in Gaussian bosonic networks consisting of driven cavities with beamsplitter interactions and two-mode-squeezing. The dynamics of t
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae infections pose a great burden worldwide, causing high morbidity and mortality, which are worsened by the increase in multidrug-resistant strains. New therapeutic/prophylactic strategies are urgently needed to overcome antibiotic resistance and reduce the health and economic impacts of diseases caused by this pathogen. Fimbriae are important virulence factors invo
The human brain is a complex and finely tuned organ, constantly monitored and maintained by its resident immune cells.Among these, microglia are the primary regulators of the brain immune environment under physiological conditions, and monocyte-derived macrophages contribute mainly to pathological states such as ischemic stroke and neuronopathic Gaucher’s disease (GD). These two diseases, although
Background: Reliable data on optimal fluid management in the perioperative period for patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery is limited. These patients often present with malignant ascites and are prone to significant fluid shifts perioperatively. For this reason, our objective was to define clinical targets for optimal fluid balance and determine whether initial as
Human diets play a crucial role in both human health and environmental sustainability. In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems introduced the EAT-Lancet planetary health diet, a universal reference diet designed to promote human health while minimizing environmental degradation. It is a predominantly plant-based dietary pattern, rich in whole grains, veget
The bulk micellar and surface adsorption behaviour of a bio-derived cyclic-containing anionic surfactant, sodium tetradecyl furan sulfonate (STFS), has been studied in this work. To determine its viability as an alternative to petrochemically derived surfactants in detergents, the self-assembly andadsorption properties were measured both alone and in binary and ternary mixtures with a common anion
We report the synthesis of bell-shaped Bi/Bi13S18Br2 metal/semiconductor heterostructures as a photocatalyst based on nontoxic and Earth-abundant elements. Their unique morphology arises from a multistep growth process, involving (1) the nucleation of Bi13S18Br2 nanorods, (2) the reduction of a metallic-Bi domain on their surface induced by N,N-didodecylmethylamine, and (3) the heterostructure acc
Introduction: The rat Vra1 locus, containing glutathione S-transferase alpha 4 (Gsta4), regulates the degeneration of central nervous system (CNS) neurons in toxin-, protein-, and injury-based models. We hypothesize that Piebald Virol Glaxo.1AV1 (PVG) alleles in Vra1 confer protection and increased axonal outgrowth after peripheral nerve injury and repair. Methods: DA rats (n = 14) and DA rats wit
Controlling the surface morphology and chemical interaction is necessary for the development of advanced quantummaterials, particularly in low-dimensional systems. As the research increasingly focuses on miniature and nanoscaletechnologies, a fundamental understanding of localized or interface states becomes essential for successful integrationinto functional devices. This thesis investigates atom
Natural autoantibodies (NAAbs) are immunoglobulins generated in the absence of antigen provocation, with no inherent pathogenic effect, but instead involved in maintaining immune homeostasis. We aimed to evaluate the implication of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, focusing on how those NAAbs may interfere with
IMPORTANCE: Repeating a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test after an elevated measurement is a guideline-recommended component of the prebiopsy workup. However, it is unclear whether certain patients can be exempted from repeat PSA testing and proceed directly to further workup.OBJECTIVE: To determine yearly PSA variability and implications of repeating an elevated PSA in the Prostate, Lung, Colo
BackgroundAirway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), a key feature of asthma, leads to airway narrowing in response to bronchoconstrictor stimuli. Notably, AHR is also observed in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Mannitol challenge test is an indirect method to assess airway hyperresponsiveness.ObjectiveThe primary aim of this study was to explore airway hyperresponsivenes
Waste-to-energy fly ash can be repurposed if treated to limit the leaching of potentially toxic elements such as Zn. Ashes with lime additives can be stabilised via gypsum formation, while those without additives are better suited for acid-leaching treatment (and material recovery). In this study, ashes from grate-fired boilers – three without lime addition and one ash with lime addition – were tr
Background: Celiac disease is associated with HLA-risk haplotypes, but non-HLA genes and environmental factors are also linked to disease susceptibility. In this study, we explore the molecular pathways involved in celiac disease by analyzing the differential expression of genes in both the gut and peripheral blood across various celiac disease phenotypes. Methods: Whole genome RNA sequencing was
Study region: The Limpopo River Basin (LRB) is a transboundary catchment in Southern Africa, shared by South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. The basin is increasingly affected by climate variability, land-use change, and rapid population growth, with the Chókwe floodplain in Mozambique representing a hotspot of socio-economic vulnerability to floods. Study focus: This study applies the
Pathogenic bacterial infections lead to bacterial resistance and biofilm formation, causing significant suffering and presenting an urgent issue to be addressed. Polymer materials have garnered considerable attention in the antibacterial field due to their functional moldability and molecular structure designability. These materials can achieve various antibacterial functions by regulating their m
