Effect of Nanosilica and Titania on Thermal Stability of Polypropylene/Oil Palm Empty Fruit Fibre Composite

Degradation of polypropylene (PP) composites at elevated temperature for prolonged period has shortened the lifetime of PP composites. Thus, variety of fillers has been incorporated into PP matrix to improve thermal degradation stability. The effects of titania and nanosilica in PP reinforced with oil palm empty fruit bunch fibres (EFB) were investigated in this study. Mechanical properties of the samples were determined before and after thermal ageing. Morphology of the composite with varies fillers composition were analyzed using scanning electron microscope. The introduction of nanosilica into PP/EFB composite filled with titania has increased both the melting and glass transition temperature of PP. Chain splitting in molecular chains reduced with the incorporation of nanosilica and titania into PP and PP/FEB composites. The TGA study has showed that the addition of nanosilica has further enhanced the thermal stability effect of titania in PP/EFB composite. However, both the Izod impact strength and tensile strength of the composite reduced greatly after 20 days of thermal ageing

Macrocyclic gelators

The field of low molecular weight supramolecular gels, also known as physical gels, has grown rapidly over the last decade. In these gels, small molecules (gelators) self-assemble through non-covalent interactions, usually into a network of fibres, to trap solvent. Many physical gels are responsive to stimuli and often these types of gels can be reversibly converted from gel to sol. These properties make them ideal candidates for investigation into a range of potential applications, including biomedical, smart materials, sensors and catalysts. This review provides an overview of macrocyclic compounds, particularly the calixarenes, that can form supramolecular gels

The urban women travelling issue in the twenty-first century

Mobility generally refers to the ability or capacity to move. The subject of women's mobility has been well documented and investigated by researchers since the 1970s. Early studies were initially inspired by the issue of gender-based violence encountered by women. At the same time, there is increasing research on women transportation mobility due to the increasing percentage of women working and travelling outside the house. However, there is an absence of studies that adopted a systematic review of studies related to women's mobility. The increase of women working in the 21st century has led to an increase in the percentage of women travelling, thus engendering issues such as safety, security, mobility and accessibility. This paper attempted to identify studies related to women's mobility in the 21st century from the year 2001 until the year of 2020 by using a systematic literature review, guided by Preferred Reporting Materials for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses, also known as the PRISMA Statement, to further understand the scenario of urban women travelling in the global context. This paper reviews previous studies conducted in the 21st century, revealing slight variations of focus among the authors on the urban women travelling issue.Abstrak. Mobilitas umumnya mengacu pada kemampuan atau kapasitas untuk bergerak. Subjek 'Mobilitas Wanita' telah didokumentasikan dan diteliti dengan baik oleh para peneliti sejak tahun 1970-an. Studi terdahulu awalnya terinspirasi dari isu-isu kekerasan berbasis gender yang dihadapi perempuan. Sementara itu, penelitian tentang mobilitas transportasi perempuan semakin meningkat karena meningkatnya persentase perempuan yang bekerja dan pindah ke luar rumah. Namun, belum ada penelitian yang mengadopsi tinjauan sistematis pada artikel terkait studi terkait mobilitas perempuan. Meningkatnya jumlah perempuan yang bekerja di abad ke-21 juga meningkatkan persentase perempuan yang bepergian sehingga menggambarkan banyak masalah antara lain keselamatan, keamanan, mobilitas dan aksesibilitas. Oleh karena itu, tulisan ini mencoba mengidentifikasi kajian-kajian yang berkaitan dengan mobilitas perempuan abad ke-21 dari tahun 2001 hingga tahun 2020 dengan menggunakan Systematic Literature Review yang berpedoman pada Preferred Reporting Materials for Systematic Reviews dan Meta Analysis atau yang lebih dikenal dengan PRISMA Statement untuk memahami lebih jauh skenario perjalanan wanita perkotaan dalam perspektif global. Makalah ini mengulas penelitian sebelumnya yang dilakukan pada abad ke-21 yang telah ditafsirkan dan diuraikan dengan sedikit variasi fokus di antara penulis tentang isu perjalanan wanita perkotaan. Kata kunci. mobilitas wanita, tinjauan literatur sistematis, perjalanan, abad ke-21

UNDERSTANDING FACTORS OF USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AMONG WOMEN IN KUALA LUMPUR

In recent decades, the percentage of women working outside their homes has ascended in many developing countries depicts the needs on the understanding of how women travel daily. Many claims, public transportation facilities, and infrastructure related to it do not consider the needs of women travelers but fit men's standards. As a result, many face difficulties became dependent on men for traveling or facing safety-related issues that deter them to use public transportation independently. Thus, this study is to identify factors of public transportation usage among women users in Kuala Lumpur. The study has able to identify three main attributes in public transportation usage factors that influence women users. Using the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) researchers have found that situational attributes have a larger influence on public transportation frequency, in the use of public transportation and surrounding condition of the public transportation in the mode choice decisions of their travel preferences.

The role of head-up cardiopulmonary resuscitation in sudden cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Head-up cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HU-CPR) is an experimental treatment for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed in a ramped position. We evaluated whether HU-CPR improved survival and surrogate outcomes as compared to standard CPR (S-CPR). METHODS: Studies reporting on HU-CPR in SCA were searched for in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library from inception to May 1st 2021. Outcomes included neurologically-intact survival, 24-hour-survival, intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CerPP) and brain blood flow (BBF). Risk of bias was assessed using the GRADE assessment tool and Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Fixed- and random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled effects of HU-CPR at 30 degrees. RESULTS: Thirteen articles met the criteria for inclusion (11 animal-only studies, one before-and-after human-only study, one study that utilized human- and animal-cadavers). Among animal studies, the most common implementation of HU-CPR was a 30-degree upward tilt of the head and thorax (n=7), while four studies investigated controlled sequential elevation (CSE). Two animal studies reported improved cerebral performance category (CPC) scores at 24-hour. The pooled effect on 24-hour survival was not statistically significant (P=0.37). The lone human study reported doubled return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (17.9% versus 34.2%, P<0.0001). The pooled effect on ROSC in three porcine studies was OR =3.63 (95% CI: 0.72–18.39). Pooled effects for surrogate physiological outcomes of intracranial cranial pressure (MD −14.08, 95% CI: −23.21 to −4.95, P=0.003), CerPP (MD 14.39, 95% CI: 3.07–25.72, P=0.01) and BBF (MD 0.14, 95% CI: 0.02–0.27, P=0.03), showed statistically significant benefit. DISCUSSION: Overall, HU-CPR improved neurologically-intact survival at 24-hour, ROSC and physiological surrogate outcomes in animal models. Despite promising preclinical data, and one human observational study, clinical equipoise remains surrounding the role of HU-CPR in SCA, necessitating clarification with future randomized human trials

A common variant near TGFBR3 is associated with primary open angle glaucoma

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a major cause of blindness worldwide, is a complex disease with a significant genetic contribution. We performed Exome Array (Illumina) analysis on 3504 POAG cases and 9746 controls with replication of the most significant findings in 9173 POAG cases and 26 780 controls across 18 collections of Asian, African and European descent. Apart from confirming strong evidence of association at CDKN2B-AS1 (rs2157719 [G], odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, P = 2.81 × 10−33), we observed one SNP showing significant association to POAG (CDC7–TGFBR3 rs1192415, ORG-allele = 1.13, Pmeta = 1.60 × 10−8). This particular SNP has previously been shown to be strongly associated with optic disc area and vertical cup-to-disc ratio, which are regarded as glaucoma-related quantitative traits. Our study now extends this by directly implicating it in POAG disease pathogenesis

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

Non-invasive diagnostic tests for Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection has been implicated in a number of malignancies and non-malignant conditions including peptic ulcers, non-ulcer dyspepsia, recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding, unexplained iron deficiency anaemia, idiopathic thrombocytopaenia purpura, and colorectal adenomas. The confirmatory diagnosis of H pylori is by endoscopic biopsy, followed by histopathological examination using haemotoxylin and eosin (H & E) stain or special stains such as Giemsa stain and Warthin-Starry stain. Special stains are more accurate than H & E stain. There is significant uncertainty about the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive tests for diagnosis of H pylori. OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of urea breath test, serology, and stool antigen test, used alone or in combination, for diagnosis of H pylori infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic people, so that eradication therapy for H pylori can be started. SEARCH METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Science Citation Index and the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Database on 4 March 2016. We screened references in the included studies to identify additional studies. We also conducted citation searches of relevant studies, most recently on 4 December 2016. We did not restrict studies by language or publication status, or whether data were collected prospectively or retrospectively. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included diagnostic accuracy studies that evaluated at least one of the index tests (urea breath test using isotopes such as13C or14C, serology and stool antigen test) against the reference standard (histopathological examination using H & E stain, special stains or immunohistochemical stain) in people suspected of having H pylori infection. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened the references to identify relevant studies and independently extracted data. We assessed the methodological quality of studies using the QUADAS-2 tool. We performed meta-analysis by using the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model to estimate and compare SROC curves. Where appropriate, we used bivariate or univariate logistic regression models to estimate summary sensitivities and specificities. MAIN RESULTS: We included 101 studies involving 11,003 participants, of which 5839 participants (53.1%) had H pylori infection. The prevalence of H pylori infection in the studies ranged from 15.2% to 94.7%, with a median prevalence of 53.7% (interquartile range 42.0% to 66.5%). Most of the studies (57%) included participants with dyspepsia and 53 studies excluded participants who recently had proton pump inhibitors or antibiotics.There was at least an unclear risk of bias or unclear applicability concern for each study.Of the 101 studies, 15 compared the accuracy of two index tests and two studies compared the accuracy of three index tests. Thirty-four studies (4242 participants) evaluated serology; 29 studies (2988 participants) evaluated stool antigen test; 34 studies (3139 participants) evaluated urea breath test-13C; 21 studies (1810 participants) evaluated urea breath test-14C; and two studies (127 participants) evaluated urea breath test but did not report the isotope used. The thresholds used to define test positivity and the staining techniques used for histopathological examination (reference standard) varied between studies. Due to sparse data for each threshold reported, it was not possible to identify the best threshold for each test.Using data from 99 studies in an indirect test comparison, there was statistical evidence of a difference in diagnostic accuracy between urea breath test-13C, urea breath test-14C, serology and stool antigen test (P = 0.024). The diagnostic odds ratios for urea breath test-13C, urea breath test-14C, serology, and stool antigen test were 153 (95% confidence interval (CI) 73.7 to 316), 105 (95% CI 74.0 to 150), 47.4 (95% CI 25.5 to 88.1) and 45.1 (95% CI 24.2 to 84.1). The sensitivity (95% CI) estimated at a fixed specificity of 0.90 (median from studies across the four tests), was 0.94 (95% CI 0.89 to 0.97) for urea breath test-13C, 0.92 (95% CI 0.89 to 0.94) for urea breath test-14C, 0.84 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.91) for serology, and 0.83 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.90) for stool antigen test. This implies that on average, given a specificity of 0.90 and prevalence of 53.7% (median specificity and prevalence in the studies), out of 1000 people tested for H pylori infection, there will be 46 false positives (people without H pylori infection who will be diagnosed as having H pylori infection). In this hypothetical cohort, urea breath test-13C, urea breath test-14C, serology, and stool antigen test will give 30 (95% CI 15 to 58), 42 (95% CI 30 to 58), 86 (95% CI 50 to 140), and 89 (95% CI 52 to 146) false negatives respectively (people with H pylori infection for whom the diagnosis of H pylori will be missed).Direct comparisons were based on few head-to-head studies. The ratios of diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) were 0.68 (95% CI 0.12 to 3.70; P = 0.56) for urea breath test-13C versus serology (seven studies), and 0.88 (95% CI 0.14 to 5.56; P = 0.84) for urea breath test-13C versus stool antigen test (seven studies). The 95% CIs of these estimates overlap with those of the ratios of DORs from the indirect comparison. Data were limited or unavailable for meta-analysis of other direct comparisons. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In people without a history of gastrectomy and those who have not recently had antibiotics or proton ,pump inhibitors, urea breath tests had high diagnostic accuracy while serology and stool antigen tests were less accurate for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.This is based on an indirect test comparison (with potential for bias due to confounding), as evidence from direct comparisons was limited or unavailable. The thresholds used for these tests were highly variable and we were unable to identify specific thresholds that might be useful in clinical practice.We need further comparative studies of high methodological quality to obtain more reliable evidence of relative accuracy between the tests. Such studies should be conducted prospectively in a representative spectrum of participants and clearly reported to ensure low risk of bias. Most importantly, studies should prespecify and clearly report thresholds used, and should avoid inappropriate exclusions

Amino acid functionalised calixarenes: crystal growth modifiers and low molecular weight gelators

A selection of amino acid functionalised calix[4]arenes was studied. Acidic amino acid functionalised calixarenes were investigated as crystal growth modifiers. The self-assembly behaviour of proline functionalised calixarenes were also examined.Calix[4]arenes functionalised at the wide-rim with acidic amino acids were investigated as potential crystal growth modifiers on model mineral systems and were compared with previously investigated narrow-rim analogues. This study found that the wide-rim aspartic acid and glutamic acid functionalised calix[4]arenes had an impact on the morphology of calcium carbonate and barium sulfate. The iminodiacetic acid calix[4]arene was found to have minor impact on the morphology of calcium carbonate.In comparison with the narrow-rim analogues, the wide-rim and narrow-rim aspartic acid calix[4]arenes had similar potency on calcium carbonate while the wide-rim glutamic acid calix[4]arene appeared to be more potent than the narrow-rim calix[4]arene. Calcium carbonate crystallised in the presence of wide-rim aspartic acid and glutamic acid calix[4]arenes and their narrow-rim analogues had stepped edges which resembled calcium carbonate found in biomineral systems (e.g. mollusc shells). Desupersaturation experiments showed the wide-rim aspartic acid calix[4]arene to be a more potent inhibitor of barium sulfate crystallisation than the wide-rim glutamic acid calix[4]arene.An aqueous solution of L-proline calix[4]arene exhibited surfactant-like properties. The self-assembly behaviour of L-proline calix[4]arene in solution was characterised by UV-visible and NMR spectroscopy. The critical aggregation concentration of L-proline calix[4]arene was determined to be 4–9 mM by monitoring a selection of dye compounds using UV-visible spectroscopy. The interaction of L-proline calix[4]arene with small molecules and in the presence of electrolytes was also characterised by NMR spectroscopy. The 1H NMR spectra of L-proline calix[4]arene in the presence of small molecules (tetrahydrofuran, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, and tert-butyl alcohol) suggested that the calixarene was either acting as a host or selfassembling into larger aggregates. Variable temperature NMR experiments showed that these interactions were thermoreversible.The formation of a hydrogel by proline calix[4]arenes in the presence of electrolytes was a serendipitous discovery. Investigations with selected electrolytes showed that the anion was the dominant factor in determining if a hydrogel formed, with lesser influence from the cation. The thermostability of the calixarene-electrolyte hydrogels tended to follow the Hofmeister series, where more stable hydrogels formed in the presence of anions towards the chaotropic end of the series. A racemic mixture of the proline calixarenes gave a less stable hydrogel compared with hydrogels of the enantiopure compounds. The calixarene-electrolyte hydrogels had a fibrous appearance, as characterised by atomic force microscopy. Some hydrogels collapsed slowly and deposited crystals of sufficient quality for single crystal x-ray crystallography. These structures gave some insights into how intermolecular forces may give rise to the fibrous gel structures; in particular hydrogen bonds between proline moieties, and the inclusion of a proline group into the cavity of a neighbouring calixarene, leading to spiral-like structures. A sarcosine functionalised calix[4]arene also formed hydrogels upon addition of some electrolytes, whereas the proline-functionalised calix[5]arene analogue did not.Since a range of hydrogels have been used as matrices to control crystal growth, a proline calix[4]arene-lithium nitrate hydrogel was used as a potential template for barium sulfate crystallisation. The results suggested that lithium nitrate was the main factor in modification of the barium sulfate morphology. The hydrogel did have a minor impact by slowing the diffusion of sulfate anions into the barium-containing gel phase resulting in smaller particles.The versatility of amino acid functionalised calix[4]arenes has been highlighted here. Wide-rim functionalised acidic amino acid calix[4]arenes were found to be effective crystal growth modifiers; having an impact on the morphology and growth kinetics of model crystallisation systems, calcium carbonate and barium sulfate. Interesting supramolecular chemistry was observed with proline functionalised calix[4]arenes; the proline calixarene interacts with small molecules in solution and either act as a host or self-assembles into large aggregates. The formation of proline calix[4]arene aggregates is interesting as they give rise to hydrogels in the presence of selected electrolytes

Efficient algorithm to design quadrature mirror filters using multi-band weighted Lp error criteria

IEEE Region 10 Annual International Conference, Proceedings/TENCON1278-28185QX