Sorbent with a great quantity of highly dispersed active components is of importance to achieve excellent desulfurization performance. Thus, Zn@MnOx/porous carbon nanofibers (PCNFs) sorbents have been constructed via electrospinning, carbonization, activation and hydrothermal techniques in this study. The as-prepared sorbent realizes a sulfur capacity of 9.63 g S 100 g-1 sorbent and a utilization rate 117% of ZnO, which could be attributed to the synergetic effects of the enlarged surface area of PCNFs and uniformly distributed active components. The specific surface area of modified PCNFs is nearly five times higher than that of the pristine CNFs, providing larger loading area and more attachment sites for metal oxides. Activation with KMnO4 not only generates active MnOx components but also presets ‘seed’ for ZnO crystals growth, which is beneficial for the high dispersion of nano-sized active components. The presented method is beneficial to producing sorbents with better structure and promoted desulfurization performance.

In this work, we proposed a two-stage stochastic programming model for a four-echelon supply chain problem considering possible disruptions at the nodes (supplier and facilities) as well as the connecting transportation modes and operational uncertainties in form of uncertain demands. The first stage decisions are supplier choice, capacity levels for manufacturing sites and warehouses, inventory levels, transportation modes selection, and shipment decisions for the certain periods, and the second stage anticipates the cost of meeting future demands subject to the first stage decision. Comparing the solution obtained for the two-stage stochastic model with a multi-period deterministic model shows that the stochastic model makes a better first stage decision to hedge against the future demand. This study demonstrates the managerial viability of the proposed model in decision making for supply chain network in which both disruption and operational uncertainties are accounted for.

BaZnCuO3 (BZC) was synthesized using the sol-gel method. The BZC was incorporated in reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to produce BZC/rGO composite. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using Raman, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) analysis. The comparative effect of BZC and BZC:rGO composite was studied on the thermal decomposition of and 3-nitro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) using simultaneous Thermo-gravimetric technique (TG-DTA). BZC was a better catalyst for decreasing the thermal decomposition temperature and the thermo-kinetic parameters of both AP and NTO compared to BZC/rGO composite. BZC can reduce the thermal decomposition of AP and NTO by 121 oC, and 46 oC, respectively. The findings support BZC as a possible catalyst in the thermolysis of both NTO and AP.

Within complex chemical engineering applications, subsystems or technologies have to be pre-selected and evaluated, without being an expert in each technology. In such cases, a surrogate model can help, if it can be set up with easily available reliable tools and data from publications. Here, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) surrogate model for hydrogen separation was developed. Therefore, 90 published data sets were chosen for training and five different machine learning algorithms were tested. For these data sets a random forest regression yielded the best results when 80 % of the data was used for training and 20 % for testing. The predicted hydrogen recovery deviated from the true value by 6.6 %. The procedure of the surrogate development and analysis is described in this work as a transferable methodology to other scientific questions, not limited to PSA applications.

Legislative change to cannabis use has generated significant interest into the therapeutic utility of cannabis-derived medical products, particularly in the field of oncology. However, much of this research has focused on adults, leaving physicians and caregivers uncertain as to the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids amongst the pediatric demographic. To this end, the aim of this review is to examine the scope of pharmaceutical cannabis in treatment of pediatric cancer, evaluating its utility as an anti-cancer therapeutic as well as symptom relief agent. This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. 30 included articles comprised of 16 clinical and 14 preclinical studies. There is reasonable evidence to support the use of cannabis in CINV, with plausible utility for other facets of symptomatic relief. Preclinical pediatric cancer models, investigating anti-cancer cannabinoid effect, have provided evidence that may warrant first phase clinical trials.

COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Non-respiratory manifestations of COVID-19 include venous and arterial thrombosis. The disease can affect kidneys and lead to renal vein thrombosis leading to symptoms such as flank pain, hematuria, or acute kidney damage.

This paper presents information about Crambe Abyssinica Hochst and discusses various aspects of oil planting, extraction and treatment, chemical composition, and the physical and chemical properties of the oil. In addition, it discusses the possibility of its use as a raw material for biofuels. Crambe Abyssinica Hochst is an oilseed from the Mediterranean that has a good oil content in its seed (~ 38%). Other advantages are presented as the short growth period and can be grown in environments considered unsuitable, which are desirable requirements for use in the production of biofuels. Crambe oil has erucic acid as its main fatty acid, which is not edible, so it is an oil that does not compete with the food industry. This crop is already used in the industry in various parts of the world for the production of various products, including biodiesel with oxidative stability considered promising.

Due to the apparent demands and constraints faced by energy systems operating in the market world, the Prosumer Energy trade strategy was selected as a potential opportunity for research and industries. Energy trading has expanded due to the availability of dispersed energy sources and power users who produce more electricity than they would otherwise and can profitably export their excess fuel. The energy trading system blends energy from various sources and effectively coordinates it to ensure stable and optimal usage of available resources and better facilities for energy users. Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading is a joint research topic that involves various managerial and technical challenges. This paper provides an overview of peer-to-peer energy exchange and how blockchain can be used to increase transparency and overall performance, including the degree of decentralization, scalability, and device reliability. A thorough examination of the Prosumer Smart Grid environment is explored and clarified. The energy sharing mechanism among consumers comprises two major components: information/digital technology and optimization techniques. Three blockchain-based energy sharing models have been proposed to overcome technical and market barriers to adopt this revolutionary technology. The paper further discusses open topics and possible future paths for peer-to-peer blockchain-based energy sharing.

The paper represents the compact hybrid backward wave branch line coupler resonating at 2.68GHz suitable for various applications due to the relatively wide bandwidth (2.14-2.95GHz).The proposed design is simulated utilizing Sonnet Suites Software and the simulated results are in close match with the measured data obtained after the fabrication of the coupler. Furthermore, the S parameters of both simulated and measured results are in the acceptable range. The input match and isolation factor are approximately -30.31dB, whereas coupling factor and insertion loss are around -3.01dB respectively. In addition, the FR-4 dielectric substrate (er = 4.4) with the thickness of 1.55mm is used for the proposed design despite the tangent losses of the FR-4 substrate. The given design is somewhat inexpensive, having a very simple geometry and reliable with a wide bandwidth, it can be used in numerous microwave technological applications.

Correspondence to : Dr. Orsolya Molnár, Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstrasse 12, Klosterneuburg, 3400, AustriaEmail:orsolya.bajer-molnar@kli.ac.at ORCID: 0000-0002-2458-4659

The intra- and interspecific facets of biodiversity have traditionally been quantified and analysed separately, limiting our understanding of how evolution has shaped biodiversity, how biodiversity (as a whole) alters ecological dynamics, and hence eco-evolutionary feedbacks at the community scale. Here, we propose using candidate genes phylogenetically-conserved across species and sustaining functional traits as an inclusive biodiversity unit transcending the intra- and interspecific boundaries. This framework merges knowledge from functional genomics and functional ecology, and we first provide conceptual and technical guidelines for identifying phylogenetically-conserved candidate genes (PCCGs) within communities, and for measuring inclusive biodiversity from PCCGs. We then explain how biodiversity measured at PCCGs can be linked to ecosystem functions, which may unify recent observations that both intra- and interspecific biodiversity are important for ecosystem functions. We then highlight the eco-evolutionary processes shaping PCCGs diversity patterns, and argue that their respective role can be inferred from concepts derived from population genetics. Finally, we explain how PCCGs may shift the field of eco-evolutionary dynamics from a focal-species approach to a more realistic focal-community approach. This framework provides a novel perspective to investigate the global ecosystem consequences of diversity loss across biological scales, and how these ecological changes further alter biodiversity evolution.

Infestation of maggots in humans is rare because human is an accidental host for many dipterous larval species. We present a case of wound myiasis in a homeless person that resulted from a neglected minor insect bite wound.

Infestation of maggots in humans is rare because human is an accidental hosts for many dipterous larval species. We present a case of wound myiasis in a homeless person that resulted from a neglected minor insect bite wound.

A document by SUKUMAR BARIK. Click on the document to view its contents.

A document by Peter Socha. Click on the document to view its contents.

Objective: To explore the health-related quality of life and how this is associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, mediated by personality characteristics in women with Endometriosis Design: Quantitative, cross-sectional study Setting: Cyprus Population or Sample: 47 Cypriot women aged between 20-46 diagnosed with Endometriosis. Methods: Participants, after receiving information about the aims and objectives of the study consented to complete either online or face-to-face questionnaires. With the use of an online platform, volunteers completed three questionnaires. Main Outcome Measures: The psychometric tools used were the Endometriosis Health Profile-30, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the International Personality Item Pool - Five Factor Model 50. Results: Significant effects of health-related quality of life on symptoms of anxiety and stress emerged. Symptoms of depression showed no significant effect. Neuroticism affected symptoms of anxiety and stress in an unexpected way, as high levels of Neuroticism predicted low levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Also, Neuroticism acts as a mediating factor between health-related quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and stress. Conclusions: These results show how drastically Endometriosis can negatively affect the mental health and quality of life of women. Health-related quality of life affects symptoms of anxiety and stress, which brings upon new evidence to enhance the embodiment of psychological support in the treatment of Endometriosis.

Objective: To evaluate caesarean section (CS) rates in women with and without HIV and frequency of mother-to-child HIV transmission. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary hospital in south Brazil, epicenter of the country’s HIV epidemic. Population or Sample: Women-infant pairs delivering at one institution between 1/1/2008 to 12/31/2018 Methods: Data was extracted from hospital records CS frequencies were compared using Pearson’s chi-squared test. CS predictors were evaluated by multivariate log-linear Poisson regression using a generalized estimating equations approach. HIV viral suppression (VS) was defined as virus load (VL) of <1000 copies/ml at delivery. HIV MTCT was determined according to national guidelines. Main Outcome Measures: C-section, HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Results: Over 11 years, 48,688 pregnancies occurred in 40,375 women; HIV seroprevalence was 2.7%; 18,886 (38.8%) CS were performed; 47.7% of WLH and 38.6% of women without HIV (WWOH) had CS, p<0.001. Although HIV was a risk factor for CS (aRR: 1.17 [1.05-1.29]), WLH with VS achieved similar CS rates (36.7%) as WWOH (39.8%) by 2018. CS in WLH with unknown VL at delivery (42.6%) did not increase over time. HIV MTCT rate was 2.2%, highest in WLH with unknown VL (8.4%) versus WLH without VS (4.1%) and WLH with VS (0.5%; p<0.001). Conclusion: In the HIV epicenter of Brazil, WLH with VS had less surgical deliveries, likely due to potent combination antiretroviral use. Nearly half of WLH with unknown VL, did not undergo CS, a potential missed opportunity for HIV PMTCT.

Background: There is an increasing interest in health care systems worldwide for maternal satisfaction with childbirth experience. The WHO launched a recommendation in 2018 regarding women’s right to equal intrapartum care, where the importance of pharmacological pain relief was highlighted. Objectives: To assess the current knowledge regarding the impact of obstetric pharmacological pain relief on maternal satisfaction with childbirth. Search strategy: Pub Med, Cochrane, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched for studies in English language, published after 1999 that investigated the effect of pharmacological pain relief on women’s birth satisfaction after vaginal delivery. Selection criteria: Studies reporting assessments of subjective satisfaction with childbirth in women planned for vaginal delivery Data Collection and Analysis: Results were summarised qualitatively. A forest plot is presented for the five studies where comparable association measures were available. Due to the heterogeneity between studies and indirectness of measuring instruments, no meta-analyses were performed. Main Results: In total, 8,847 women were included from 11 studies: one randomised controlled study, ten observational studies, all with moderate or high risk of bias. Inconsistent methods were used to measure outcome; consequently, no conclusion could be drawn regarding a possible correlation between pharmacological pain relief and birth satisfaction. Conclusions: This systematic review could not show a correlation between pharmacological pain relief and women’s experiences of childbirth, mainly because a large heterogeneity between the studies. In order to evaluate pain relief during labour and improve women’s childbirth experiences, high quality research is urgently needed. Keywords Childbirth-satisfaction, Birth-experience, Pharmacological pain relief, pregnancy, labour

A first seen and extremely unusual case of a non-jugular venous malformation underlying a lipoma.

A poor understanding of factors leading to species decline can result in inefficient or ineffective species restoration. Endangered Colorado Pikeminnow ( Ptychocheilus lucius) was nearly extirpated from the San Juan River, NM, USA and recent efforts to reestablish the species via hatchery augmentation of juveniles has yet to reach the targeted number of adults in the system. To assess how changes to the river’s food web could be limiting reestablishment of this top predator, we used stable isotope (δ 13C and δ 15N) signatures of the fish community pre- (museum specimens) and post river regulation with coincident extirpations and invasions. Following river regulation, four of five community-wide trophic structure metrics used to quantify resource use diversity were reduced and species turnover likely had little effect per se. For species sampled in both time periods, shared trophic resources generally increased (mean niche overlap = +35.7%). However, Colorado Pikeminnow experienced a large decrease in niche breadth (-72%) and diet mixing models suggested a shift from piscivory towards insectivory in contemporary collections. Our results suggested an overall reduction in basal resource availability after river regulation. We suggest increased reliance on similar resources may be limiting fish prey for Colorado Pikeminnow, ultimately contributing to the slow and limited reestablishment in the San Juan River. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge provided by museum specimens and stable isotope analyses to identify food-web dynamics that are a departure from historical conditions which can provide novel information critical to imperiled species management in modified systems.

A patient presented to our hospital with myocarditis caused by mushroom poisoning. The early ECG changes in this patient were very similar to the ECG of hyperacute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STMEI) or hyperkalemia, but further tests eliminated these options. The patient was fully treated by timely hemodialysis treatment, confirming the diagnosis of mushroom poisoning-induced myocarditis.Although not specific to mushroom poisoning myocarditis, our experience shows that the observed ECG changes. Our findings have the potential to help diagnose and manage this potentially fatal disease in the future.

Background: Cancer patients are a particularly vulnerable risk group of the severe course of COVID-19 due to, i.e. suppression of the immune system. The study aimed to find links between parameters registered on admission to the hospital, and the risk of latter death in oncology patients with COVID-19. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: The study included patients with a reported history of malignant tumor (N=151) and the control group with no history of cancer (N=151) hospitalized due to COVID-19 between March 2020 and August 2021. The variables registered on admission were divided into categories for which we calculated the multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The median age of the study group was 68 years (min-max: 17-95). 50.33% (76/151) were women. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were successfully obtained for the following categories: Patient data, Comorbidities, Signs recorded on admission, Medications used before hospitalization and Laboratory results recorded on admission. With the models developed for oncology patients, we identified the following variables that registered on patients’ admission were linked to significantly increased risk of death: male sex, presence of metastases in neoplastic disease, impaired consciousness (somnolence or confusion), wheezes/rhonchi, the levels of white blood cells and neutrophiles. Conclusion: Identifying the predictors of a poorer prognosis may serve clinicians in better tailoring treatment among cancer patients with COVID-19. Our results can help develop prognostic models or compare the results of other studies, which will translate into better treatment management and better prognosis in this group of patients.

Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) are one leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people of all ages worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The purpose of this study was to determine epidemiological characteristics of respiratory viruses in ARI patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methods: Patients were monitored for respiratory symptoms as part of surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viral infections. Patients of all ages with respiratory symptoms less than 5 days were considered. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as nasopharyngeal samples was collected from patients. Nasopharyngeal samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction methods. Virus distribution and demographic data were analyzed with R version 2.15.1. Results: From July 2020 to October 2021, 1120 patients were included. The overall viral detection rate was 32.5%, including 9.5 % for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), 12.6 % for influenza virus and 12.8 % for SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). Co-infections were detected in 6.9% of positive cases. While RSV and influenza virus showed seasonal trends, SARS-CoV-2 was detected throughout the study period. Conclusion: We found that during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, respiratory viruses play an important role in aetiology of influenza-like illness in Cameroon, and this observation was true for patients of all ages.

The management of patients with transposition complex in combination with an interrupted aortic arch (IAA) presents a technical challenge to the surgeon to decide which is the best approach to correct both defects. This is a rare disorder and with significant variation in anatomic arrangements deciding on the ideal surgical repair. Over time a single-stage approach to repair has become standard.