ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by thermal decomposition of oxalate precursor method. The nanopowders were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction technique and scanning electron microscopy ...and sample was found to have hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. Average crystallite size of ZnO was found to be ∼27nm. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO was evaluated by using methyl orange (MO) as probe molecule. It was inferred from control experiments that presence of both ZnO and UV light is necessary for photodegradation. From photocatalytic experiment it was observed that MO is completely degraded in 80min when the amount of catalyst is 1g/L and initial concentration of MO is 0.03mM. The effect of dye concentration, catalyst loading and solution pH on photodegradation rate was also investigated. It was found that optimal conditions for photodegradation of MO are 1g/L catalyst at a solution pH 9. Photodegradation of MO was found to follow pseudo-first order kinetics. Langmuir–Hinshelwood model was also used to describe the photodegradation process.
Recently, the concept of integrating oncology and palliative care has gained wide professional and scientific support; however, a global consensus on what constitutes integration is unavailable. We ...conducted a Delphi Survey to develop a consensus list of indicators on integration of specialty palliative care and oncology programs for advanced cancer patients in hospitals with ≥100 beds.
International experts on integration rated a list of indicators on integration over three iterative rounds under five categories: clinical structure, processes, outcomes, education, and research. Consensus was defined a priori by an agreement of ≥70%. Major criteria (i.e. most relevant and important indicators) were subsequently identified.
Among 47 experts surveyed, 46 (98%), 45 (96%), and 45 (96%) responded over the three rounds. Nineteen (40%) were female, 24 (51%) were from North America, and 14 (30%) were from Europe. Sixteen (34%), 7 (15%), and 25 (53%) practiced palliative care, oncology, and both specialties, respectively. After three rounds of deliberation, the panelists reached consensus on 13 major and 30 minor indicators. Major indicators included two related to structure (consensus 95%–98%), four on processes (88%–98%), three on outcomes (88%–91%), and four on education (93%–100%). The major indicators were considered to be clearly stated (9.8/10), objective (9.4/10), amenable to accurate coding (9.5/10), and applicable to their own countries (9.4/10).
Our international experts reached broad consensus on a list of indicators of integration, which may be used to identify centers with a high level of integration, and facilitate benchmarking, quality improvement, and research.
Abstract
Summary
RANGER-DTL 2.0 is a software program for inferring gene family evolution using Duplication-Transfer-Loss reconciliation. This new software is highly scalable and easy to use, and ...offers many new features not currently available in any other reconciliation program. RANGER-DTL 2.0 has a particular focus on reconciliation accuracy and can account for many sources of reconciliation uncertainty including uncertain gene tree rooting, gene tree topological uncertainty, multiple optimal reconciliations and alternative event cost assignments. RANGER-DTL 2.0 is open-source and written in C++ and Python.
Availability and implementation
Pre-compiled executables, source code (open-source under GNU GPL) and a detailed manual are freely available from http://compbio.engr.uconn.edu/software/RANGER-DTL/.
Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
In intense pulsed light sintering (IPL), pulsed large-area visible light from a xenon lamp is absorbed by nanoparticle films or patterns and converted to heat, resulting in rapid sintering of the ...nanoparticles. This work experimentally characterizes IPL of silver nanoparticle films. A newly observed turning point in the evolution of film temperature during IPL is correlated to the observation, in literature and in this work, that film densification levels off beyond a critical pulse fluence and number of pulses. A computational model is developed that couples electromagnetic finite element analysis, heat transfer models and densification models to predict the evolution of film temperature and density during IPL. This model is able to capture the experimentally observed turning point in temperature during IPL, whereas current models of IPL are unable to do so. It is shown that the temperature turning point occurs due to a coupling between optical absorption and densification in the nanoparticle film, mediated by a change in nanoscale shape of the deposited nanoparticles due to interparticle neck growth. Further, it is found that the optical fluence per pulse has a greater effect on the achievable film density in IPL, as compared to the number of pulses.
Background: Many patients come with respiratory symptoms of cough, expectoration and shortness of breath. They also exhibit history of risk factors like smoking etc. but on spirometry they do not ...meet spirometric criteria of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). GOLD 2023 updates have considered such patients in the category of pre-COPD and preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) and advised to treat and follow these patients and try to prevent them from progressing to COPD. With this objective we tried to look for PRISm and its characteristics in our area. Material and methods: We analyzed the spirometric pattern of all the patients who underwent spirometry in our institution (GS Medical College & Hospital, Pilkhuwa) from January 2022 to December 2022. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients were divided into three groups: (I) Normal Group: Patients having post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio ≥ 0.7 and normal FEV1 and FVC. (II) PRISm Group: Patients having post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio ≥ 0.7 but decreased FEV1 (< 80 %) and / or FVC (< 80 %). (III) Unrevealed COPD Group: Patients having post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7 irrespective of FEV1 and FVC. Data observed was compared among various groups and analyzed for various parameters. Results: A total of 986 patients underwent spirometry between 1st January 2022 and 31st December 2022. Of this, 302 patients were not considered for study because of exclusion criteria. 684 patients were considered for the study, of whom 261 (38.16%) had normal spirometry, 207 (30.26%) were in the PRISm group and 216 (31.58%) were found to have unrevealed COPD. Conclusion: Occurrence of PRISm is quite high (30.26%) in patients undergoing spirometry for various reasons in our area. Higher age and higher BMI may have contributed to the observations. Additionally, a considerable number of patients (31.58%) were found to have unrevealed COPD. Another finding is that smoking history is seen in more than 70% of male subjects in both PRISm and unrevealed COPD groups. However, the results need confirmation in more studies from different geographical areas.
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•Well characterized magnetic nanospinels were used in photo-Fenton reaction.•Photo-Fenton activity was influenced by inorganic oxidant and type of ferrite used.•Peroxymonosuphate was ...active at neutral pH even at 4 times less concentration.•Ferrites were magnetically recoverable hence, were recycled after the reaction.
Magnetic spinel ferrites in the nano range, having general formula MFe2O4 (M=Cu, Zn, Ni and Co) were prepared using facile sol–gel methodology. The physicochemical properties of prepared ferrites characterized using FTIR, powder XRD and HRTEM stipulated formation of single phase cubic spinel structure. The band gap of all the ferrites was found in the range 1.26–2.08eV, consequently could be photo-excited by visible light. The present study evaluates the capacity of all the synthesized ferrites to activate different inorganic oxidants i.e., hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), potassium peroxodisulphate (K2S2O8), potassium peroxymonosulphate (KHSO5) and potassium bromate (KBrO3) in photo-Fenton process. The results disclosed fascinating behavior of peroxymonosulphate as it could be stimulated at neutral pH while for all other oxidants, acidic medium was required. Furthermore, the concentration of peroxymonosulphate during the reactions was 4 times less than other oxidizing agents. The degradation rate was found to decrease in order H2O2>KHSO5>K2S2O8>KBrO3. When H2O2 and KHSO5 were used the reactivity of ferrites followed the order CuFe2O4>ZnFe2O4>NiFe2O4>CoFe2O4 and CoFe2O4>CuFe2O4>NiFe2O4>ZnFe2O4, respectively. The prepared materials were chemically stable and magnetically recoverable after the reaction hence, was reused without any significant loss in activity.
This article explores the applicability of a model of migration from the human geography literature as unifying, theoretical framework for understanding consumers' service provider switching ...behaviors. Survey data from approximately 700 consumers are used to examine the usefulness of the push, pull, and moorings (PPM) migration model. The PPM migration model performs better than an alternative model; all three categories of antecedents to switching (migration) - push, pull, and mooring variables - have significant direct, and some moderating, effects on switching intentions. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
•Antiepileptic drug induced skin reactions affect 50.000 patients a year in the UK.•Majority of individuals may safely continue medication following slower titration.•5000 or fewer are at risk per ...annum of severe hypersensitivity.•Allergy is most likely within 8 weeks of first dose of aromatic or sulphonamide drugs.•Red flags: systemic symptoms, confluent rash and mucus membrane involvement.
Adverse cutaneous reactions caused by mostly aromatic antiepileptic drugs (AED) affect 50.000 people a year in the United Kingdom (UK; incidence 75.7/100.000). Optimal management of these cases is often difficult, as the patient may report symptoms to a general practitioner, attend Accident & Emergency or inform a specialist over the telephone or via email. When clinical assessment is limited it is thought safest to withdraw offending medication and inform the patient of a new drug allergy. This may unjustifiably restrict future treatment choices, and increase cost. Most frequent offenders are aromatic AEDs: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, eslicarbazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, phenobarbitone, primidone (recently licensed lacosamide associated with lower risk) and the sulpha-derivative zonisamide.
Our study provides a summary of severe delayed allergic reactions and offers a pragmatic management pathway for patients suffering a suspected drug-induced rash. We include UK pretreatment screening guidelines, step by step clinical assessment of rash and associated symptoms aiding early identification of patients at risk of developing severe allergic reactions. At the same time our manuscript reviews published data informing best choice and titration of alternative medication when allergy confirmed.
Finally we summarize current knowledge on genetic predisposition and other personalized risks of AED allergies identifying gaps in our current understanding.
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