University at Buffalo

About: University at Buffalo is a education organization based out in Buffalo, New York, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 33773 authors who have published 63840 publications receiving 2278954 citations. The organization is also known as: UB & State University of New York at Buffalo.

A polydimethylsiloxane-coated metal structure for all-day radiative cooling

Abstract: Radiative cooling is a passive cooling strategy with zero consumption of electricity that can be used to radiate heat from buildings to reduce air-conditioning requirements. Although this technology can work well during optimal atmospheric conditions at night, it is essential to achieve efficient cooling during the daytime when peak cooling demand actually occurs. Here we report an inexpensive planar polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/metal thermal emitter thin film structure, which was fabricated using a fast solution coating process that is scalable for large-area manufacturing. By performing tests under different environmental conditions, temperature reductions of 9.5 °C and 11.0 °C were demonstrated in the laboratory and an outside environment, respectively, with an average cooling power of ~120 W m–2 for the thin film thermal emitter. In addition, a spectral-selective structure was designed and implemented to suppress the solar input and control the divergence of the thermal emission beam. This enhanced the directionality of the thermal emissions, so the emitter’s cooling performance was less dependent on the surrounding environment. Outside experiments were performed in Buffalo, New York, realizing continuous all-day cooling of ~2–9 °C on a typical clear sunny day at Northern United States latitudes. This practical strategy that cools without electricity input could have a significant impact on global energy consumption. Radiative cooling can reduce air-conditioning requirements. In this study, the authors demonstrated an inexpensive thermal emitter that provided continuous daytime cooling up to 9 °C outdoors on a clear, sunny New York day.

Methotrexate and psoriasis: 2009 National Psoriasis Foundation Consensus Conference

Abstract: Background Methotrexate remains a valuable option for the treatment of psoriasis. This report will summarize studies regarding the use of methotrexate since the last guidelines were published in 1998. Objective A task force of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board was convened to evaluate treatment options. Our aim was to achieve a consensus on new updated guidelines for the use of methotrexate in the treatment of psoriasis. Methods Reports in the literature were reviewed regarding methotrexate therapy. Results A consensus was achieved on use of methotrexate in psoriasis including specific recommendations on dosing and monitoring. The consensus received unanimous approval from members of the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. Limitations There are few evidence-based studies on the treatment of psoriasis with methotrexate. Many of the reviewed reports are for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusions Methotrexate is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of psoriasis. Appropriate patient selection and monitoring will significantly decrease the risks of side effects. In patients without risk factors for hepatic fibrosis, liver biopsies may not be indicated or the frequency of liver biopsies may be markedly reduced.

Recent Progress in Syntheses and Applications of Dumbbell-like Nanoparticles

Abstract: This paper reviews the recent research progress in syntheses and applications of dumbbell-like nanoparticles. It first describes the general synthesis of dumbbell-like nanoparticles containing noble metal and magnetic NPs/or quantum dots. It then outlines the interesting optical and magnetic properties found in these dumbbell nanoparticles. The review further highlights several exciting application potentials of these nanoparticles in catalysis and biomedicine. Keywords: Dumbbell nanoparticles, multifunctional nanoparticles, nanoparticle catalyst, nanomedicine 1. Introduction Dumbbell-like nanoparticles (DBNPs) described in this paper are referred to as those with two different functional NPs in intimate contact, as shown in Figure 1. The interfacial interactions originated from electron transfer across the nanometer contact at the interface of these two NPs can induce new property that is not present in the individual component NPs. For example, gold (Au) NPs are normally chemically inert but Au NPs deposited on a metal-oxide support, a structure similar to what is described in Figure 1, have shown high catalytic activity for CO oxidation.[1] In these Au-oxide composite catalyst systems, the choice of the oxide support plays an important role in the catalysis even thought the oxide is not in nanometer scale. This high activity of Au-oxide catalysts has been rationalized in terms of a junction effect, arising from transfer of electrons from the oxide support to the Fermi level of the adjacent Au NP.[2] Figure 1 Schematic illustration of a dumbbell-like nanoparticle sturcture described in this reveiw. With the example shown in the enhanced catalysis of the Au-oxide catalyst, the importance of studying the dumbbell structure is evident because each side of the NP in the structure is restricted to the nanometer scale and a small variation in electron transfer across the interface between these two limited electron “nanoreservoirs” may lead to drastic property change on each NP. Therefore, DBNPs offer an interesting platform for studying physical and chemical properties of the materials based not only on each NP dimension and shape but also on the communication between the two NPs. Furthermore, magnetically and optically active DBNPs containing two different chemical surfaces are particularly suitable for the selected NP functionalization with both targeting agent and drug molecules, facilitating their applications as multifunctional probes for target-specific imaging and delivery applications.[3] This report summarizes the recent research progress in preparing and studying DBNPs with interesting optical and magnetic properties. In particular the report focuses on the DBNPs containing noble metal NPs and magnetic NPs or quantum dots (QDs). The nanoscale junctions present in these structures allow electron transfer across the interface, changing the local electronic structure and therefore their physical and chemical properties. These DBNPs offer an ideal nano-system for catalytic and biomedical applications.

Angiotensin II and inflammation: the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin II receptor blockade.

Abstract: Angiotensin II (Ang II) increases adhesion molecules, cytokines and chemokines and exerts a proinflammatory effect on leucocytes, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Acting via the type 1 receptor, Ang II initiates an inflammatory cascade of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear factor-kappaB, which mediates transcription and gene expression and increases adhesion molecules and chemokines. An excess of ROS decreases nitric oxide bioavailability, causes endothelial dysfunction, and promotes atherosclerosis. Moreover, Ang II interrupts the anti-inflammatory effects of insulin. Together, these effects promote a prothrombotic state as well as plaque rupture. Ang II receptor blockers suppress mediators of inflammation, including ROS and C-reactive protein, and they increase expression of inhibitory kappaB (an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB). These anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, which are probably due in part to unopposed stimulation of the Ang II type 2 receptor, may be beneficial in acute coronary syndromes and may also contribute to the prevention of type II diabetes mellitus, as insulin resistance is mediated by inflammatory processes.