Engineering Multidefects on Cex Si1−x O2−δ Nanocomposites for the Catalytic Ozonation Reaction

Herein, it is shown that by engineering defects on CexSi1−xO2−δ nanocomposites synthesized via flame spray pyrolysis, oxygen vacancies can be created with an increased density of trapped electrons, enhancing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and hydroxyl radicals in an ozone-filled environment. Spectroscopic analysis and density functional theory calculations indicate that two-electron oxygen vacancies (OV0) or peroxide species, and their degree of clustering, play a critical role in forming reactive radicals. It is also found that a higher Si content in the binary oxide imposes a high OV0 ratio and, consequently, higher catalytic activity. Si inclusion in the nanocomposite appears to stabilize the surface oxygen vacancies as well as increase the reactive electron density at these sites. A mechanistic study on effective ROSs generated during catalytic ozonation reveals that the hydroxyl radical is the most effective ROS for organic degradation and is formed primarily through H2O2 generation in the presence of the OV0. Examining the binary oxides offers insights on the contribution of oxygen vacancies and their state of charge to catalytic reactions, in this instance for the catalytic ozonation of organic compounds

A study on the application of solar cells sensitized with a blackberry-based natural dye for power generation

This research paper is aimed at evaluating the use of natural dyes from blackberry (Rubus glaucus) obtained naturally for their subsequent application in laboratory solar cells to place them in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) for the generation of electrical energy. The problem of the study is the high demand generated by global warming. Natural dyes were used to sensitize six solar cells, which were tested for their ability to absorb ultraviolet and visible light using a spectrophotometer in the ultraviolet-visible range, a solar simulator, and a current-voltage tester. The voltmeter was used to show how much energy each solar cell emitted over eight to 18 hours of daylight, with a required absorbance of 400-500 nm using six solar cells that had been sensitized with natural dyes. To reduce the high demand generated by global warming, use natural dyes from plant species as a supplement to improve efficiency in capturing renewable energy (solar) and converting it into electrical energy. Blackberries are lyophilized and then macerated for one day at room temperature in a dark, cool place to maximize dye's absorption. With two electrodes, the photo and contra, and an electrolyte in between, a Gratzel-type DSSC can be built. Using the doctor blade technique, the titanium dioxide film is added to the fluorine-doped tin oxide (TiO2) in the photoelectrode. By immersion, a natural colourant is then applied. TiO2 glass with a platinum film deposited on it serves as the counterelectrode

3,4-Dibromo-2,5-dimethyl-1-phenyl­sulfonyl-1H-pyrrole

In the title compound, C12H11Br2NO2S, the dihedral angle between the two rings is 78.79 (12)°. The crystal packing features C—H⋯π inter­actions

Do People Live at Sea Level and the Dead Sea Level Have Different Patterns of Anti-Hypertensive Drugs

Background: people live at various areas of sea level may have different patterns of anti-hypertensive drugs. Such a relation has never been reported in Jordan. Study objectives: the current study investigated how the sea level will impact the prevalence of hypertension in these areas, and how will affect the pharmacological properties of such a population. Methodology: a cross-sectional study design was involved to collect data from study participants. A total of 1000 participants were randomly selected from the two study areas. 500 participants from each. Participants were matched for age and gender. Blood pressure were measured for all participants. Blood samples were withdrawn to investigate the level of angiotensin II. Data was collected through organizing a working excel sheet and was further analyzed through using SPSS version 20. Data was presented as means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages. The relationships between variables were examined using independent T-test. Significance was measured at an alpha < 0.05. Study findings: the main findings of the present study were that the mean of SBP is significantly higher in the Dead Sea (122.42±10.53 mmHg) than the Sea level area (118.07±11.64 mmHg), (p=0.001). Another significant variable was MBP which its mean was 91.64 ± 8.90 mmHg in the Dead Sea and 89.84 ± 8.72 mm Hg. The difference in the mean was statistically significant (p=0.001). The level of angiotensin II was 8.84 ± 4.65pg/ml in the Dead Sea area and 11.21± 6.05pg/ml in the area of the Sea level. The difference in the mean of the two study areas was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: although the level of angiotensin II was not significantly varied between the study areas, but its trend was to be higher in the Sea level area. It was surprised to have higher levels of SBP and MBP in the Dead Sea rather than the Seal level area. It can be implied that the therapeutic options of hypertensive drugs follow different patterns independent of angiotensin II pathways

KL→π0e+e−K_L \to \pi^0 e^+ e^- and B→Xsℓ+ℓ−B \to X_s \ell^+ \ell^- Decay in the MSSM

The flavor changing neutral current processes $K_L \to \pi^0 e^+ e^-$, $B \to X_s e^+ e^-$ and $B \to X_s \mu^+ \mu^-$ are studied within the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model. We first examine the rates for these decay modes in the MSSM with a universal soft supersymmetry breaking sector at a Grand Unification scale. We later relax the universality condition and investigate the FCNC transitions in a more general class of models with negligible flavor violation in squark mixing matrices. We find that the MSSM prediction for the kaon channel's branching fraction differs from its Standard Model value by at most 30\% over the entire allowed parameter space. On the other hand, supersymmetric contributions could potentially enhance certain $B \to X_s \ell^+ \ell^-$ observables by more than 100\% relative to Standard Model expectations. The impact of supersymmetry upon the $B$ meson modes is strongly correlated with the MSSM value for the Wilson coefficient of the magnetic moment operator that mediates $B \to X_s \gamma$.Comment: 29 pages, harvmac, 6 postscript figure

A large scale hearing loss screen reveals an extensive unexplored genetic landscape for auditory dysfunction

The developmental and physiological complexity of the auditory system is likely reflected in the underlying set of genes involved in auditory function. In humans, over 150 non-syndromic loci have been identified, and there are more than 400 human genetic syndromes with a hearing loss component. Over 100 non-syndromic hearing loss genes have been identified in mouse and human, but we remain ignorant of the full extent of the genetic landscape involved in auditory dysfunction. As part of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, we undertook a hearing loss screen in a cohort of 3006 mouse knockout strains. In total, we identify 67 candidate hearing loss genes. We detect known hearing loss genes, but the vast majority, 52, of the candidate genes were novel. Our analysis reveals a large and unexplored genetic landscape involved with auditory function

Differential Expression Profile and Genetic Variants of MicroRNAs Sequences in Breast Cancer Patients

The technology available for cancer diagnosis and prognosis is not yet satisfactory at the molecular level, and requires further improvements. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) have been recently reported as useful biomarkers in diseases including cancer. We performed a miRNA expression profiling study using peripheral blood from breast cancer patients to detect and identify characteristic patterns. A total of 100 breast cancer patients and 89 healthy patients were recruited for miRNA genotyping and expression profiling. We found that hs-miR-196a2 in premenopausal patients, and hs-miR-499, hs-miR-146a and hs-miR-196a2 in postmenopausal patients, may discriminate breast cancer patients from healthy individuals. In addition, we found a significant association between two microRNA polymorphisms (hs-miR-196a2 and hs-miR-499) and breast cancer risk. However, no significant association between the hs-miR-146a gene and breast cancer risk was found. In summary, the study demonstrates that peripheral blood miRNAs and their expression and genotypic profiles can be developed as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer

Crime, Institutions and Sector-Specific FDI in Latin America

In this article, we explore how crime and institutions affect the flow of capital in the form of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Latin American and Caribbean countries in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors during the 1996-2010 period. We use three different variables related to violent crime: homicides, crime victimization, and an index of organized crime. We find that there is a correlation between the institutional and crime variables, where the significance of institutional variables tends to disappear when the crime variables are added to the model. We find that higher crime victimization and organized crime are associated with lower FDI in the tertiary sector. We do not find that crime affects FDI inflows to Latin America in the primary and secondary sector

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020