•BMI is used to characterize nutritional status but may not accurately depict body composition in CF.•DXA and bioelectrical impedance are the most commonly used methods for assessing BC.•Lower ...fat-free mass associates with worse pulmonary function and greater CF disease severity.•Fat-free mass associates with greater bone mineral density in individuals with CF.
Because nutritional status is intimately linked with pulmonary function and survival, nutrition has been at the mainstay of cystic fibrosis (CF) care. Body Mass Index (BMI) is traditionally used to define nutritional status because of the ease with which it can be calculated, but it has a number of limitations including its inability to differentiate fat mass (FM) from lean body mass (LBM), the latter thought to confer health advantage. A number of tools are available to quantify body composition including dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance, MRI, CT, air displacement plethysmography, and stable isotopes, and these have been used to varying degrees in studies of CF. In CF, LBM tends to be lower for a given BMI, particularly at lower BMI. In adults, lower fat-free mass (FFM) correlates with greater CF disease severity, lower pulmonary function and higher inflammatory markers. FFM is also positively associated with greater bone mineral density, while greater FM is associated with greater loss of lumbar spine bone mineral density over 2 years. In youth, LBM is positively associated with pulmonary function. The predictive value of body composition for functional and clinical outcomes and the role of improving LBM on these outcomes remain undefined. With improvements in BMI accompanying highly-effective modulator therapy, closer evaluations of body composition may inform risk for more traditional, non-CF adult outcomes in CF.
In advanced computing technologies, metal oxide-based resistive switching random access memory (RRAM) has been considered an excellent scientific research interest in the areas of information storage ...and memory computing. Herein, we described a summary of contemporary understanding of nanoscale RRAM devices, and classified them according to their current-voltage (
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) behavior, and various resistive switching features and corresponding parameters are also discussed. The existence of resistive switching effects with other experimental influential parameters explains better RRAM operation. Therefore, this review covers the abilities of RRAM to be integrated into the most sophisticated complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor integrated circuits under additional consideration with relevant selector parameters to execute the operation. Additionally, we explained the route of changing the interface barrier height regarding the interface-based systems, such as inserting the tunnel layer and using different electrodes. Our findings show that by changing the specific parameters, the switching mechanism can be switched from one mode to another, which helps scientists assess the actual effectiveness and impact of resistive switching research on technology development.
The nociceptor system in the human body and a memristor-based artificial nociceptor circuit (threshold switch), treating these nociceptors as a practical material system in a threshold switching-based device, which is beneficial for robotic systems.
Summary
This study presents some physical properties of fluoroperovskite NaQF3 (Q = Ag, Pb, Rh, and Ru) compounds computed with the help of the first‐principle study. Fundamental structural features, ...ie, basic structural parameters, are investigated and reported, including the lattice constant, bulk modulus, and its pressure derivative. The compounds of interest are founded to be structurally stable. The Goldschmidt's tolerance factor (τ) is an indicator for the stability and distortion of perovskites crystal structures; it is found that τ is 0.951 for NaAgF3, 0.954 for NaPbF3, 0.934 for NaRhF3, and 0.971 for NaRuF3; therefore, NaQF3 (Q = Ag, Pb, Rh, and Ru) are stable fluoroperovskites. Elastic properties are computed, and it is examined that all the compounds are elastically stable, anisotropic, and ductile. For all these materials, the electronic band structure and density of states in both spin‐up and spin‐down schemes are simulated and presented. In the spin‐up scheme of NaAgF3 material, an indirect bandgap of 2.54 (eV) exists from M ‐Γ, while in the spin‐down scheme, NaAgF3 has no bandgap. Bandgap of 1.44 (eV) for NaRhF3 exist in spin‐down configuration and an overlapping pattern in spin‐up case, which confirms the spin‐polarized behavior at the Fermi level. The electronic band's scheme for NaPbF3 and NaRuF3 shows that there is a bandgap in NaRuF3 of 2.37 (eV), which is indirect from M ‐Γ in both (spin‐up and spin‐down) cases, thus depicting a semiconducting nature. In NaPbF3, the spin‐up and ‐down scheme manifests a metallic behavior. In summarizing the electronic band structures, it is noted that NaAgF3 and NaRuF3 show a 100% spin‐polarized nature at the Fermi level, and are half‐metallic. NaPbF3 represents metallic and NaRuF3 represents a semiconducting behavior. Selected studied compounds are found and classified as ferromagnetic because of the total integer value of the magnetic moments. WIEN2k code is employed for these computations, in which the full‐potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP‐LAPW) approach is used within density functional theory (DFT). To treat and perform the total energies calculations, the exchange‐correlation potential of generalized gradient approximation with the additional Hubbard‐U term for indulging on‐site Coulomb interaction (GGA + U) is considered. Based on a precise and good outcome for the reported compounds, beneficial applications in electronic and magnetic technology can be predicted from the electronic and magnetic properties.
In this work, we have some physical properties of NaQF3 (Q = Ag, Pb, Rh, and Ru) flouroperovskites.
In our pursuit of enhancing material performance, our focus is centered on the investigation of sodium-based halide perovskites, specifically NaXCl3 (where X = Be & Mg). We are utilizing ...first-principles methods based on density functional theory (DFT) to delve into these materials' properties and potential improvements. This investigation is executed using the WIEN2K code, aiming to uncover a deeper understanding of these materials' properties and potential enhancements. In this study, we utilize the Full Potential Linear Augmented Plane Wave (FP-LAPW) approach to analyze the structural, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of cubic perovskite materials NaXCl3 (X = Be, Mg). We employ the Birch–Murnaghan fitting curve to assess the structural stability of these compounds, and in each case, the compound demonstrates structural stability in its optimal or ground state. The existence of real frequencies serves as confirmation of the phonon stability for both compounds. To determine the elastic characteristics, the IRelast Package is used. This involves calculating the elastic constants, which demonstrates that the compounds have anisotropic, ductile properties and demonstrate mechanical stability. We investigate the electronic properties by analyzing the density of states and the band structure. Both compounds exhibit an indirect band gap energy of 4.15 eV for NaBeCl3 and 4.16 eV for NaMgCl3. We analyze both the total and partial density of states to gain insight into the contributions of different electronic states to the band structure. Furthermore, optical characteristics, including the dielectric function, absorption coefficient, refractive index, and reflectivity, are investigated across an energy spectrum ranging from 0 to 15 eV. These findings can offer a comprehensive insight into the development of advanced electronic devices with improved efficiency and enhanced capabilities. Furthermore, they have the capacity to inspire experimental researchers to delve further into this field for subsequent explorations.
Over 30,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), and over 50% of those with CF are male. Men with CF face specific and sometimes difficult sexual and reproductive ...health (SRH) issues, including infertility and hypogonadism. Male infertility affects over 95% of men with CF, with obstructive azoospermia resulting from congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens being the primary cause of infertility. SRH education for males with CF represents an important opportunity for clinical improvement, as the majority of men with CF know that their disease impacts their fertility, however the depth of this understanding varies significantly. Hypogonadism is a clinical syndrome that affects men with low testosterone level, a common finding among men with CF that has clinical implications and can significantly affect quality of life. Better understanding of SRH attitudes, the prevalence of hypogonadism, and management of infertility in men with CF should remain future research priorities.
PurposeThe study aims to assess the relationship between cultural capital, human capital, psychological capital, social capital and perceived employability of management ...graduates.Design/methodology/approachThe data was analysed through variance based partial least square (PLS) structural equation modelling on 505 management students by an online questionnaire. The predictive relevance of perceived employability was investigated with PLS predict approach. Further, importance-performance map analysis (IPMA) was applied to assess important and performing dimensions of perceived employability.FindingsThe results indicate that social capital was found to be the strongest predictor of graduates' perceived employability. The proposed conceptual model was found to have a moderate to high predictive relevance. IPMA results suggested that investment in psychological capital leads to higher return in perceived employability of management graduates.Research limitations/implicationsData was collected using purposive sampling and confined to university students only.Practical implicationsFindings of the study provide empirical inferences in support of human capital, social capital and social cognitive theory. Practical implications offer important inputs to policy makers, higher educational institutes, career counsellors and universities.Originality/valueThis study provides novel inputs by a comprehensive model of graduate capital to determine and predict perceived employability of graduates in emerging economy like India.
To compare the efficacy of tap water iontophoresis (TWI) versus aluminum chloride (AC) hexahydrate in the treatment of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.
The study was a randomized control trial performed ...at the dermatology department of Pakistan Navy Station (PNS) Shifa Hospital, Karachi from March 2022 to September 2022. A total of 70 palmoplantar hyperhidrosis patients were included in the study after getting approval from the ethical committee. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A patients were treated with TWI three times a week for four weeks. Group B patients were treated with a 20% AC topical solution applied at night to the affected areas for four weeks. The Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) score for both groups was calculated at baseline, one, two, three, and four weeks. The final response was labeled at four weeks by comparing mean HDSS reduction in both groups. SPSS version 28 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for data analysis.
Mean HDSS was compared for both groups at the end of the study, which showed a significant reduction in the mean score from 3.40 ± 0.65 to 1.48 ± 0.78 in group A, as compared to a decline in scores in group B from 3.28 ± 0.67 to 2.14 ± 0.94 (p = 0.002). In group A, zero, one, two, and three points HDSS improvement was 2.9%, 25.7%, 48.6%, and 22.9%, respectively. Whereas in group B, it was 34.3%, 22.9%, 34.3%, and 8.6%, respectively (p = 0.001).
As compared to AC topical solution, TWI is an effective, safe, and inexpensive management option for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. It causes more improvement in HDSS scores and has lesser side effects.
Physician communication is integral for improving patients’ experience and clinical outcomes. Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores are used by the Centers ...for Medicare & Medicaid Services to assess the quality of care provided to the patients. We conducted a prospective pre–post-intervention study from March 2018 to March 2020 and included patients and residents of the community-based university-affiliated Internal Medicine Residency Program. Residents’ communication was evaluated through resident surveys and results were shared with them and attending physicians within 48 h. To correlate with the effect over a 4-year period, 839 HCAHPS surveys were obtained for attending physicians as an outcome measure. The mean overall HCAHPS score and doctor's communication scores increased by 8.52 and 6.06 points post-intervention. The doctor's performance score for respect increased by 6.18 points, listening increased by 3.12 points, and explanation increased by 8.23 points. This study demonstrates that timely, structured, and individualized resident feedback in an academic medicine service can result in a sustainable increase in the attendings’ overall HCAHPS and doctor's communication scores.
•Physical characteristics of ZnO doped PVP Nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning process.•The structural of the synthesized samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD).•The structural, ...morphological, electrical and dielectric properties were studied of ZnO doped PVP Nanofibers.
The solid solution of pure ZnO nanoparticles and doped Polyvinylepyrrolidone (PVP) green hybrid nanomaterial’s synthesized by using the electro spinning method. The synthetic polymer matrix nonwoven fibrous mats containing innovative properties are shown to shrink and encapsulated the zinc oxide materials to change the surface morphology when the concentration of PVP is increased from 1 % to 2 % dopants. The crystalline nature and morphological studies were examined by using x-ray diffraction and a scanning electron microscope. The average crystallite sizes of easily formed ZnO nanoparticles and nanorods that are 21 nm and 62 nm respectively. Moreover, the electrical and optical properties of the fibrous mesh were determined by using electrical impedance analyzer. The electrical conductivity values were measured in the pure ZnO nanoparticles in contrast to the doped ZnO/PVP. The tangent loss, dielectric constant, capacitance and relaxation time values are revealed in this study. All the characterization has been carried out at room temperature. The relaxation time for 1 %, and 2 % ZnO/PVP is (0.8 ns) and (0.79 ns) respectively which is suitable for the application of trigger using devices. The overall findings of this study implemented in a wide range of technologies i.e. photonics, electronics and super capacitor devices etc.
Summary Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder throughout the world which is characterized by recurrent unprovoked epileptic seizures. A need exists for the development of new antiseizure drugs ...with improved efficacy and tolerability, as several of the currently available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with severe side effects. A ligand based pharmacophore approach has been generated for 44 new antiepileptic compounds with emphasis on the development of new drugs by using LigandScout software and distance estimation using Jmol. The pharmacophore of the compounds contained three features hydrophobic unit, hydrogen bonding domain and electron donor. The pharmacophore models derived were then filtered using the Lipinski's rule of five criteria and orally bio-available compounds were obtained. Thus, this approach was able to reclaim few leads which had projected inhibitory activity alike to most active compounds with suitable calculated drug-like properties and therefore they could be recommended for further studies.
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