Activated carbon is the most widely used electrode material in electrochemical double‐layer capacitors. Cashew nutshell‐derived activated carbon (CNSAC) exhibits a highly porous structure with ...reasonable surface area and high pore volume, which indicates that it is a good electrode material. Electrochemical characterizations confirmed the formation of the electric double layer in the system with high specific capacitance and excellent retention in capacitance even after thousand cylces of charge/discharge. It is found that CNSAC has great potential as a low‐cost and environmentally friendly electrode material for highly efficient supercapacitors.
Porous cashew nutshell‐derived activated carbon (CNSAC) is synthesized by KOH chemical activation followed by carbonization. The remarkable microporosity and high specific surface area of CNSAC results in high specific capacitance and excellent cycling stability. For supercapacitor electrode applications, CNSAC is a promising candidate with significant economic as well as environmental benefits.
Early diagnosis and risk-stratification among infective endocarditis (IE) patients are limited by poor microbiological yield and inadequate characterization of vegetations. A simple tool that can ...predict adverse outcomes in the early phase of management is required.
To study the prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at admission and its role in predicting various clinical outcomes.
In a prospective study of consecutive IE patients diagnosed by modified Duke’s criteria, we measured the peak levels of CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the first 3 days of admission and correlated it with in-hospital mortality, six-month mortality, embolic phenomena and the need for urgent surgery. Predefined laboratory-microbiological sampling protocols and antibiotic-initiation protocols were followed. Receiver-operating-characteristics curves were generated to identify a reliable cut-off for CRP in predicting various outcomes.
Out of 101 patients who were treated, 85 patients had ‘definite’ IE. Blood cultures were positive in 55% (n = 39); and Staphylococcus species was the most common organism. Major complications occurred in 74.1% (n = 63) and in-hospital mortality was 32.9% (n = 28). Mean ESR and CRP levels were 102 ± 31 mm/h and 51 ± 20 mg/l, respectively. In multivariable analysis, high CRP levels were independently predictive of mortality, major complications, embolic events and need for urgent surgery. A CRP >40 mg/l predicted adverse outcomes with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 99%.
The study shows that baseline CRP level in the first 3 days of admission is a strong predictor of short term adverse outcomes in IE patients, and a useful marker for early risk stratification.
We describe the materials aspects and electrical characteristics of W-(Cu/WO 3 )-Cu switching elements. These materials are compatible with back-end-of-line processing in CMOS integrated circuits ...where both tungsten and copper already play a significant role. Devices based on Cu/WO 3 solid electrolytes formed by photodiffusion of copper into tungsten oxide switch via the electrochemical formation of a conducting filament within the high resistance electrolyte film. They are able to switch reversibly between widely spaced nonvolatile resistance states at low voltage (<1 V) and current (<10 muA). Electrical characterization revealed that devices consisting of plasma-grown oxides have a variable initial threshold voltage and poor retention, whereas devices based on deposited oxide exhibit a stable switching threshold and good retention, even at elevated operating temperature (>125 degC). This difference in behavior was attributed to the observation that the copper tends to oxidize in the plasma-grown oxide whereas the copper in the deposited oxide exists in an unbound state and is, therefore, more able to participate in the switching process
Latent tuberculosis (TB) is the main hurdle in reaching the goal of “Stop TB 2050”. Tuberculin skin and Interferon-gamma release assay tests used currently for the diagnosis of TB infection cannot ...distinguish between active disease and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and hence new and sensitive protein markers need to be identified for the diagnosis. A protein Rv3716c from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtbRv3716c) has been identified as a potential surrogate marker for the diagnosis of LTBI. Here, we present characterization of MtbRv3716c (∼13 kDa) using both biophysical and X-Ray crystallographic methods. EMSA study showed that MtbRv3716c binds to double stranded DNA. X-ray diffraction data collected on a crystal of MtbRv3716c at 1.9 Å resolution was used for structure determination using the molecular replacement method. Significant electron density was not observed for the N-terminal 21 and C-terminal 41 residues in the final electron density map. The C- terminal disordered region is proline rich and displays characteristics of intrinsically disordered proteins. Although the crystal asymmetric unit contained a protomer, a tight dimer could be generated by the application of the crystal two-fold symmetry parallel to the b axis. Packing of dimers in the crystal is mediated by a cadmium ion (Cd2+) occurring at the interface of two dimers. Molecular packing analysis reveals large cavities that are probably occupied by the disordered segments of the N- and C-termini. Structural comparison with other homologous hypothetical DNA binding proteins (PDB codes: 1PUG, 1YBX) highlights structural features that might be significant for DNA binding.
•The dimeric MtbRv3716c has a “tweezers” like structure with a head and two tails.•The spacing between the tails is appropriate to accommodate double helical DNA.•The N- and the proline rich C-terminal ends exhibit flexibility.•Packing of molecules in the crystal structure is mediated by Cd2+ ions.•The 25QQQ27 motif might be important for divalent metal ion binding.
As a unique approach to enhance the heat transfer properties of fluids with the inclusion of multiple solid particles with sizes less than 100 nm is called hybrid nanofluids (HNF). Due to the ...exceptional heat transfer capabilities of HNF, they are being evaluated as prospective working fluids for high heat flux systems such as solar collectors. In this paper, the effect of volume fraction and temperature on thermal conductivity (TC), viscosity, and density of Al2O3-MWCNT/radiator coolant hybrid nanofluid are experimentally investigated. X-ray diffraction was used to characterize the Al2O3 and multiwalled carbon nanotube. The experiment was carried out at different volume fractions (0.1–0.5 vol%) and different temperatures (20–60 °C). The experimental results found that the TC, viscosity, and density of Al2O3-MWCNT/radiator coolant hybrid nanofluid increase as a function of vol% of nanoparticles. However, the viscosity and density decrease with an increase in temperature. The maximum enhancement of TC was found to be 11% at 0.5 vol% and 60 °C. Therefore, the Al2O3-MWCNT/radiator coolant hybrid nanofluid enhances thermal properties over the base fluid. Thus, the results encourage to use of Al2O3-MWCNT/radiator coolant hybrid nanofluid in solar applications.
The purpose of this study was to chemically modify the surface of chitin whiskers and to investigate the effect of the incorporation of these modified whiskers into a natural rubber (NR) matrix on ...the properties of the ensuing nanocomposite. Different chemical coupling agents were tested, namely, phenyl isocyanate (PI), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) (Accosize 18 from American Cyanamid), and 3-isopropenyl-α,α‘-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate (TMI). The extent of chemical modification was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and surface energy analysis. After chemical modification, nanocomposite films were obtained using a toluene natural rubber solution in which the whiskers were dispersed. Their mechanical properties were found to be inferior to those of unmodified chitin/NR composites presented in our previous study. In fact, even though there is an increase in filler−matrix interaction as a result of chemical modification of the chitin whiskers, this does not contribute to the improvement in the mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposite. It is concluded that this loss of performance is due to the partial destruction of the three-dimensional network of chitin whiskers assumed to be present in the unmodified composites.
PurposeLimited published data exist on the clinical epidemiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) in South Asia including India. Most of the published data are from the Western countries and the Far East. ...The Kerala AF registry was initiated to collect systematic, prospective data on clinical characteristics, risk factors, treatment pattern and outcomes of consecutive AF patients who consulted cardiologists across the state of Kerala, India.ParticipantsAll newly diagnosed and previously reported patients aged ≥18 years with documented evidence of AF on ECG were included. Patients with transient AF due to infection, acute myocardial infarction, alcohol intoxication, metabolic abnormalities and AF seen in postoperative cases and critically ill patients with life expectancy less than 30 days were excluded.Findings to dateA total of 3421 patients were recruited from 53 hospitals across Kerala from April 2016 to April 2017. There were 51% (n=1744) women. The median age of the cohort was 65 (IQR 56–74) years. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia were present in 53.8%, 34.5% and 42.2% patients, respectively. Chronic kidney disease was observed in 46.6%, coronary artery disease in 34.8% and heart failure (HF) in 26.5% of patients. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of the cohort was 2.9, and HAS-BLED score was 1.7. Detailed information of antithrombotic and antiarrhythmic drugs was collected at baseline and on follow-up. During 1-year follow-up, 443 deaths (12.9%) occurred of which 332 (9.7%) were cardiac death and 63 (1.8%) were due to stroke. There were 578 (16.8%) hospitalisations mainly due to acute coronary syndrome, arrythmias and HF.Future plansCurrently, this is the largest prospective study on AF patients from India, and the cohort will be followed for 5 years to observe the treatment patterns and clinical outcomes. The investigators encourage collaborations with national and international AF researchers.Trial registration numberCTRI/2017/10/010097.
Abstract Aims We sought to evaluate the correlation between PCWP and LAP and to compare transmitral gradients obtained with LAP and PCWP in MS, before and after balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV). ...Methods Consecutive patients with MS for BMV were included in this prospective cohort study. Simultaneous PCWP and LAP were recorded followed by simultaneous left atrium–left ventricular (LA–LV) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure–left ventricular (PCWP–LV) gradients before and after BMV. Results There were 30 patients with a mean age of 41 yrs (males 10 (33.3%), females 20 (66.7%)). There was no significant difference between mean LAP and mean PCWP before BMV (21.3 mmHg and 22.3 mmHg, respectively) or after BMV (15.3 mmHg and 17.3 mmHg, respectively). There was excellent correlation between mean PCWP and mean LAP before BMV ( r = 0.95) ( p < 0.001) and after BMV ( r = 0.85) ( p < 0.001). The phasic components of the pressures (a and v waves) of LAP and PCWP also showed good correlation before and after BMV. Further, transmitral gradients assessed by LA–LV and PCWP–LV pressures showed excellent correlation before BMV ( r = 0.95) ( p < 0.001) and after BMV ( r = 0.95) ( p < 0.001). Conclusion In patients with MS undergoing balloon valvotomy, PCWP shows good correlation with LAP. Transmitral gradients obtained with PCWP and LAP also correlate well after correction of phase lag in PCWP tracing. Hence, PCWP can be used for reliable measurement of transmitral gradient.
Abstract Aim Mitral stenosis (MS) is found to produce left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in some studies. We sought to study the left ventricular function in patients with rheumatic MS undergoing ...balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV). Ours is the first study to analyze effect of BMV on mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE), and to quantify prevalence of longitudinal left ventricular dysfunction in rheumatic MS. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we included 43 patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis undergoing BMV. They were compared to twenty controls whose distribution of age and gender were similar to that of patients. The parameters compared were LV ejection fraction (EF) by modified Simpson's method, mitral annular systolic velocity (MASV), MAPSE, mitral annular early diastolic velocity ( E ′), and myocardial performance index (MPI). These parameters were reassessed immediately following BMV and after 3 months of procedure. Results MASV, MAPSE, E ′, and EF were significantly lower and MPI was higher in mitral stenosis group compared to controls. Impaired longitudinal LV function was present in 77% of study group. MAPSE and EF did not show significant change after BMV while MPI, MASV, and E ′ improved significantly. MASV and E ′ showed improvement immediately after BMV, while MPI decreased only at 3 months follow-up. Conclusions There were significantly lower mitral annular motion parameters including MAPSE in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Those with atrial fibrillation had higher MPI. Immediately after BMV, there was improvement in LV long axis function with a gradual improvement in global LV function. There was no significant change of MAPSE after BMV.
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