To remove the greenhouse gas N2O from the environment, recently, researchers have taken great interest in single-atom catalysts (SACs). In this study, we investigated various reaction pathways and ...barrier energies for the N2O reduction process onto Si-coordinated phthalocyanine (Si@PthC) employing density functional theory. The outcomes validate that Si decoration in PthC is energetically stable while the corresponding electronic properties show that the Si atom acts as the reactive site for catalytic activity. The N2O molecule exhibits spontaneous dissociation over the catalyst surface from the O-end with −4.01 eV dissociation energy. Meanwhile, N2O dissociation via the N-end involves chemisorption onto the Si@PthC surface with an adsorption energy (Ead) of −1.16 eV, and the dissociation needs an energy barrier of 0.51 eV. The bond distances and negative adsorption energies (−1.11 and −2.40 eV) evince that CO and O2 species chemisorbed onto the Si@PthC surface. However, these energies are smaller than the N2O dissociation energy, which demonstrates that the presence of CO and O2 molecules cannot interrupt the N2O reduction process. Additionally, the CO + O* → CO2 reaction was executed for catalyst recovery, and the reaction proceeds very quickly on the Si@PthC catalyst, with a very small energy barrier (0.37 eV), indicating the excellent catalytic reactivity of the studied catalyst. These results propose that the designed catalyst can be valuable in the progress of novel noble metal-free catalysts for the elimination of harmful N2O from the environment.
Combining DFT-based calculations with Boltzman transport formalism, thermoelectric transport properties of semiconducting two-dimensional SiC-CrS
2
and SiC-CrSe
2
van der Waal heterostructures are ...investigated in unstrained and strained conditions. We computed electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of these heterostructures. We find that these heterostructures are direct band semiconductors having type-II band alignment in unstrained conditions. The transition from the direct to the indirect band is observed in SiC-CrSe
2
with compressional strain. Switching from type-II to type-I band alignment is also observed under strained conditions in SiC-CrS
2
. For thermoelectric properties, we have calculated the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity per relaxation time and power factor at 300 K. Analysis of the power factor revealed a preference for n-type doping under zero strain conditions, whereas changes in PF values induced by strain underscored the potential for tuning the thermoelectric performance of these heterostructures.
The strength of a health system-and ultimately the health of a population-depends to a large degree on health worker performance. However, insufficient support to build, manage and optimize human ...resources for health (HRH) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) results in inadequate health workforce performance, perpetuating health inequities and low-quality health services.
The USAID-funded Human Resources for Health in 2030 Program (HRH2030) conducted a systematic review of studies documenting supervision enhancements and approaches that improved health worker performance to highlight components associated with these interventions' effectiveness. Structured by a conceptual framework to classify the inputs, processes, and results, the review assessed 57 supervision studies since 2010 in approximately 29 LMICs.
Of the successful supervision approaches described in the 57 studies reviewed, 44 were externally funded pilots, which is a limitation. Thirty focused on community health worker (CHW) programs. Health worker supervision was informed by health system data for 38 approaches (67%) and 22 approaches used continuous quality improvement (QI) (39%). Many successful approaches integrated digital supervision technologies (e.g., SmartPhones, mHealth applications) to support existing data systems and complement other health system activities. Few studies were adapted, scaled, or sustained, limiting reports of cost-effectiveness or impact.
Building on results from the review, to increase health worker supervision effectiveness we recommend to: integrate evidence-based, QI tools and processes; integrate digital supervision data into supervision processes; increase use of health system information and performance data when planning supervision visits to prioritize lowest-performing areas; scale and replicate successful models across service delivery areas and geographies; expand and institutionalize supervision to reach, prepare, protect, and support frontline health workers, especially during health emergencies; transition and sustain supervision efforts with domestic human and financial resources, including communities, for holistic workforce support. In conclusion, effective health worker supervision is informed by health system data, uses continuous quality improvement (QI), and employs digital technologies integrated into other health system activities and existing data systems to enable a whole system approach. Effective supervision enhancements and innovations should be better integrated, scaled, and sustained within existing systems to improve access to quality health care.
AimMaterial and MethodHCC of the newborn, known also as Intractable vascular autonomic dysregulation (Harlequin phenomenon), is a transient unilateral erythema that is seen in up to 10% of healthy ...newborns and was first described by Neligan and Strang in 1952. HCC is macular and blanchable displaying a sharp midline cutoff. It is often gravity dependent. HCC typically presents between 2ndand 5th day of life, but some infants may present with episodes up to the third week of life. We herein report a case of full term male who had Harlequin Color Change between upper and lower halves of his body.Results39+1w singleton pregnancy boy born by spontaneous vaginal delivery without any antenatal, intranatal issues had a bluish lower half of the body and pale upper half which lasted 4 hours and resolved spontaneously without any other symptoms. In 3rdweek of life he presented to the hospital with virus infection, bluish discoloration was noted around the umbilicus and abdomen distension. ECG, ECHO, CSF analysis and abdominal ultrasound were all normal. Patient was discharged home and presented later for troponin level follow-up which was normal. The differential diagnosis includes port-wine stain, nascent hemangioma of infancy, cutis marmorata, cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, CHILD syndrome, Acrocyanosis, Drug reaction.ConclusionsThe exact etiology of HCC is unknown, but the evidence points to sympathetic autonomic dysfunction in the control of the capillary tone, most likely secondary to hypothalamic immaturity in the newborns. Most cases are idiopathic in healthy newborns. HCC has also been noted in the setting of prematurity, low birth weight, hypoxia, infusion of prostaglandin E1(PGE1), neonatal meningitis. Learning points: Harlequin phenomenon occurs in healthy newborn. Recognition and education of this skin disorder are important as HCC is a surprising and alarming occurrence for parents, so reassurance about the benign nature of the condition, and to avoid additional diagnostic procedures and unnecessary treatments. Beyond the group age the search for an underlying cause should be vigorously pursued.
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of topical clascoterone (TC) compared to oral spironolactone for acne vulgaris treatment.
A computerized search through PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and the ...Cochrane Library was conducted to find relevant papers. We used the "netmeta" and "meta" packages for network meta-analysis (NMA) in RStudio 1.2.5019 (2009-2019 RStudio, Inc.) to conduct all of our statistical tests.
Seven articles (n = 2,006 patients) were included. The fixed-effect size showed that TC 1% bis in die (BID) showed potential effectiveness in reducing the inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion count compared to placebo (Standardized mean difference, SMD = -0.27, 95% CI: -0.36 to -0.17) and (SMD = -0.31, 95% CI: -0.41 to -0.22), respectively. The random-effect size showed that TC 1% BID was significantly associated with a 12-week treatment success compared to placebo (Odds ratio, OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.12 to 5.30). Spironolactone 200 mg was associated with a significant reduction in total lesion count (SMD = -4.46, 95% CI: -5.60 to -3.32).
TC appears to reduce both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion count and may lead to treatment success. Spironolactone at 200 mg showed potential effectiveness in terms of total lesion count reduction. These results suggest that both TC and Spironolactone could be beneficial in treating patients with acne vulgaris.
This work aims to introduce -Appell hypergeometric matrix functions and , where . New relations for these functions, such as the integral representation, important transformation formulas, infinite ...matrix summation and reduction formulas, are also presented. Finally, new results of the differential formulas associated with -Appell hypergeometric matrix functions are derived.
This paper proposes the establishment of a secure encryption system for data transmission that includes three stages: first stage is a scrambling stage that is divided into scrambling of different ...sizes blocks and scrambling bits, the second stage is the use of DNA code to flip the bits and the third stage is the encryption using the Substitution box by 256 keys. The scheme is analysed using a variety of metrics. The findings demonstrate that the proposed system is significantly more reliable and robust against various forms of attacks than several recent related speech signal encryption systems.
The occurrence of floods has the potential to escalate the transmission of infectious diseases. To enhance our comprehension of the health impacts of flooding and facilitate effective planning for ...mitigation strategies, it is necessary to explore the flood risk management. The variability present in hydrological records is an important and neglecting non-stationary patterns in flood data can lead to significant biases in estimating flood quantiles. Consequently, adopting a non-stationary flood frequency analysis appears to be a suitable approach to challenge the assumption of independent and identically distributed observations in the sample. This research employed the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution to examine annual maximum flood series. To estimate non-stationary models in the flood data, several statistical tests, including the TL-moment method was utilized on the data from ten stream-flow stations in Johor, Malaysia, which revealed that two stations, namely Kahang and Lenggor, exhibited non-stationary behaviour in their annual maximum streamflow. Two non-stationary models efficiently described the data series from these two specific stations, the control of which could reduce outbreak of infectious diseases when used for controlling the development measures of the hydraulic structures. Thus, the application of these models may help prevent biased prediction of flood occurrences leading to lower number of cases infected by disease.
The endothelial glycocalyx (EGX) contributes to the permeability barrier of vessels and regulates the coagulation cascade. EGX damage, which occurs in numerous disease states, including sepsis and ...trauma, results in endotheliopathy. While influenza and other viral infections are known to cause endothelial dysfunction, their effect on the EGX has not been described. We hypothesized that the H1N1 influenza virus would cause EGX degradation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to varying multiplicities of infection (MOI) of the H1N1 strain of influenza virus for 24 hours. A dose-dependent effect was examined by using an MOI of 5 (n = 541), 15 (n = 714), 30 (n = 596), and 60 (n = 653) and compared to a control (n = 607). Cells were fixed and stained with FITC-labelled wheat germ agglutinin to quantify EGX. There was no difference in EGX intensity after exposure to H1N1 at an MOI of 5 compared to control (6.20 vs. 6.56 Arbitrary Units (AU), p = 0.50). EGX intensity was decreased at an MOI of 15 compared to control (5.36 vs. 6.56 AU, p<0.001). The degree of EGX degradation was worse at higher doses of the H1N1 virus; however, the decrease in EGX intensity was maximized at an MOI of 30. Injury at MOI of 60 was not worse than MOI of 30. (4.17 vs. 4.47 AU, p = 0.13). The H1N1 virus induces endothelial dysfunction by causing EGX degradation in a dose-dependent fashion. Further studies are needed to characterize the role of this EGX damage in causing clinically significant lung injury during acute viral infection.
The goal of this study was to determine if IL-22:Fc would Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
No therapies exist for ARDS and treatment is purely supportive. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) plays an ...integral component in recovery of the lung from infection. IL-22:Fc is a recombinant protein with a human FC immunoglobulin that increases the half-life of IL-22.
ARDS was induced in C57BL/6 mice with intra-tracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 33.3 or 100 ug. In the low-dose LPS group (LDG), IL-22:FC was administered via tail vein injection at 30 minutes (n = 9) and compared to sham (n = 9). In the high-dose LPS group (HDG), IL-22:FC was administered (n = 11) then compared to sham (n = 8). Euthanasia occurred after bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) on post-injury day 4.
In the LDG, IL-22:FC resulted in decreased protein leak (0.15 vs. 0.25 ug/uL, p = 0.02). BAL protein in animals receiving IL-22:Fc in the HDG was not different. For the HDG, animals receiving IL-22:Fc had lower BAL cell counts (539,636 vs 3,147,556 cells/uL, p = 0.02). For the HDG, IL-6 (110.6 vs. 527.1 pg/mL, p = 0.04), TNF-α (5.87 vs. 25.41 pg/mL, p = 0.04), and G-CSF (95.14 vs. 659.6, p = 0.01) levels were lower in the BAL fluid of IL-22:Fc treated animals compared to sham.
IL-22:Fc decreases lung inflammation and lung capillary leak in ARDS. IL-22:Fc may be a novel therapy for ARDS.
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