Properties of coatings based on carbon and nitrogen-doped carbon obtained using a pulsed vacuum arc method

Diamond-like carbon coatings on hard-alloy substrates, including coatings doped with nitrogen about 1.0 μm thick have been obtained using a pulse vacuum-arc method. Three types of coatings have been investigated: a carbon diamond-like coating (C), a carbon coating doped with nitrogen (C : N), and a composite coating based on (C : N + C) layer

Derivation of an averaged model of isothermal acoustics in a heterogeneous medium in the case of two different poroelastic domains

We consider some mathematical model of isothermal acoustics in a composite medium consisting of two different porous soils (poroelastic domains) separated by a common boundary. Each of the domains has its own characteristics of the solid skeleton; the liquid filling the pores is the same for both domain

The local crystallization in nanoscale diamond-like carbon films during annealing

The local crystallization during annealing at 600° C in nanoscale diamond-like carbon coatings films grown by pulsed vacuum-arc deposition method was observed using modern techniques of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The crystallites formed by annealing have a face-centred cubic crystal structure and grow in the direction [011] as a normal to the film surface. The number and size of the crystallites depend on the initial values of the intrinsic stresses before annealing, which in turn depend on the conditions of film growth. The sizes of crystallites are 10 nm for films with initial compressive stresses of 3 GPa and 17 nm for films with initial compres- sive stresses of 12 GPa. Areas of local crystallization arising during annealing have a structure dif- ferent from the graphit

Resonant scattering of spin waves from a region of inhomogeneous magnetic field in a ferromagnetic film

The transmission of a dipole-dominated spin wave in a ferromagnetic film through a localised inhomogeneity in the form of a magnetic field produced by a dc current through a wire placed on the film surface was studied experimentally and theoretically. It was shown that the amplitude and phase of the transmitted wave can be simultaneously affected by the current induced field, a feature that will be relevant for logic based on spin wave transport. The direction of the current creates either a barrier or well for spin wave transmission. The main observation is that the current dependence of the amplitude of the spin wave transmitted through the well inhomogeneity is non-monotonic. The dependence has a minimum and an additional maximum. A theory was constructed to clarify the nature of the maximum. It shows that the transmission of spin waves through the inhomogeneity can be considered as a scattering process and that the additional maximum is a scattering resonance

Biodegradation kinetics of 4-fluorocinnamic acid by a consortium of Arthrobacter and Ralstonia strains

Arthrobacter sp. strain G1 is able to grow on 4-fluorocinnamic acid (4-FCA) as sole carbon source. The organism converts 4-FCA into 4-fluorobenzoic acid (4-FBA) and utilizes the two-carbon side-chain for growth with some formation of 4-fluoroacetophenone as a dead-end side product. We also have isolated Ralstonia sp. strain H1, an organism that degrades 4-FBA. A consortium of strains G1 and H1 degraded 4-FCA with Monod kinetics during growth in batch and continuous cultures. Specific growth rates of strain G1 and specific degradation rates of 4-FCA were observed to follow substrate inhibition kinetics, which could be modeled using the kinetic models of Haldane–Andrew and Luong–Levenspiel. The mixed culture showed complete mineralization of 4-FCA with quantitative release of fluoride, both in batch and continuous cultures. Steady-state chemostat cultures that were exposed to shock loadings of substrate responded with rapid degradation and returned to steady-state in 10–15 h, indicating that the mixed culture provided a robust system for continuous 4-FCA degradation

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Modeling of planning space using subsurface information

Wybór optymalnej funkcji użytkowania ziemi zależy od występowania różnych cech przestrzeni w ocenianym miejscu. Cechy na powierzchni ziemi takie jak ukształtowanie terenu, cechy bonitacji gleb, istniejące elementy naturalne i antropogeniczne, najczęściej wpływają na decyzje planistyczne co do sposobu zagospodarowania przestrzeni. W pracy uwzględniono również informacje dotyczące występowania elementów podpowierzchniowych na analizowanym obszarze, takich jak: rodzaj nośności gruntów, występowanie pustki, złóż materiałów budowlanych, ruin i obiektów historycznych, występujący wysoki poziom wody gruntowej lub infrastruktura techniczna. Przedstawiono warianty kształtu modelu na podstawie cech napowierzchniowych, bez informacji o elementach podziemnych oraz warianty zmian modelu z włączeniem tych elementów. Włączenie elementów podpowierzchniowych w proces modelowania przestrzeni planistycznej przyczyni się optymalizacji wyboru funkcji planistycznej oraz zmniejszy ilość błędów decyzyjnych planistów w procesie planowania przestrzennego.We are all using models. In daily life we need effective models to act efficiently. Similarly, in studies on selecting the optimal development function we assume that the crossed space characteristics are related to a specific function, that the problems formulated relate to reality. Those assumptions are actually models describing the shape of planning space under the influence of characteristics conditioning it. Modeling means creating the idealized but useful replica of the real space. Civilization development and increase of social needs require development of continuously new fragments of space and, related to it, continual modification of areas already developed. The land use status changes under the influence of needs related to human existence, which causes allocation of agricultural and forest areas for urbanization. Choice of the optimal land use function depends on the presence of various characteristics of the space in the place assessed. The characteristics on land surface such as terrain relief, fertility characteristics of the soil, existing natural and anthropogenous elements most frequently influence the planning decisions concerning the development method. This paper also considers the information concerning presence of subsurface elements in the analyzed area such as type of soil bearing capacity, presence of empty spaces, construction materials’ deposits, ruins and historical objects, high level of ground waters and technical infrastructure. Variants of shape model based on surface characteristics, without information on underground elements and variants of changes to the model including those elements are presented. Inclusion of subsurface element in the planning space modeling process will contribute to optimization of planned function selection and decrease the number of decision mistakes made by planners in the process of physical planning

Derivation of an averaged model of isothermal acoustics in a heterogeneous medium in the case of two different poroelastic domains

We consider some mathematical model of isothermal acoustics in a composite medium consisting of two different porous soils (poroelastic domains) separated by a common boundary. Each of the domains has its own characteristics of the solid skeleton; the liquid filling the pores is the same for both domain

Renal Transplant Recipient Response to a Cyclosporine Use Survey at Two Canadian Transplant Centres

ABSTRACTKidney transplantation has significantly improved the quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease. To gain a better understanding of kidney transplant patients' demographics and perspectives about their drug therapy, 361 kidney transplant recipients from two regional transplant centres completed a self-report questionnaire. The patients who responded (73%) were 60% male, 46±13 years, 71% had received their kidney from a cadaveric source and 61 % were greater than three years post transplant. Further demographics identified included country of origin, language of preference, level of education, number of rejections, and self-perception of health. The median dose of cyclosporine was 2.9 mg/kg/day (mean = 3.5 ± 3.9 mg/kg/day) with the majority of patients receiving the capsule formulation. The mean number of prescription medications taken by recipients was 4.5 ± 2.1 (excluding cyclosporine) with cadaveric transplant patients receiving significantly more medications than live donor recipients (p&lt;0.01). Females reported significantly more side effects (1.9 ± 1.7) than males (1.5 ± 1.3) (p=0.0 1). Overall, 24% of patients reported one side effect associated with cyclosporine, 23% two, 9% three, and 9% four or more. Eighty-three percent of patients felt that they received an adequate amount of information and instruction about their medications while in hospital and 76% felt they received an adequate amount in follow-up clinic. Patients requested more information about side effects, drug interactions, general up-to-date drug information and assistance with scheduling difficulties. This study provides pharmacists with information regarding patient demographics and perspectives on their drug therapy which will assist them with providing pharmaceutical care to kidney transplant patients.RÉSUMÉLa greffe du rein a grandement amélioré la qualité de vie des patients atteints d'insuffisance rénale terminale. Pour mieux comprendre les caractéristiques démographiques et les perspectives relatives aux traitements médicamenteux des patients qui ont reçu une greffe rénale, 361 receveurs de greffe de rein de deux centres de greffe régionaux ont répondu à un questionnaire d'auto-évaluation. Parmi les répondants (73 %), 60 % étaient des hommes (âgés de 46 ± 13 ans), 71 % avaient reçu un rein provenant d'une personne décédée et 61 % avaient reçu leur greffe depuis plus de trois ans. Parmi les autres caractéristiques démographiques relevées, on note le pays d'origine, la langue utilisée, le degré d'éducation, le nombre de rejets et la perception individuelle de la santé. La dose moyenne de cyclosporine reçue était de 2,9 mg/kg/j (moyenne = 3,5±3,9 mg/kg/j), sous forme de capsule pour la majorité des patients. Le nombre moyen de médicaments d'ordonnances (à l'exclusion de la cyclosporine) consommés par receveur de greffe était de 4,5 ±2,1; les patients qui avaient reçu un rein provenant d'une personne décédée prenaient considérablement plus de médicaments que ceux qui avaient reçu un rein d'une personne vivante (p &lt; 0,01). Les femmes ont signalé avoir beaucoup plus d'effets indésirables (1,9 ± 1,7) que les hommes (1,5 ± 1,3) (p = 0,01). Dans l'ensemble, 24 % des patients ont dit avoir éprouvé un effet indésirable associé à la cyclosporine, 2.3 % deux effets indésirables, 9 % trois et un autre 9 % quatre effets indésirables ou plus. En outre, 83 % des patients ont dit avoir reçu suffisamment de directives et de renseignements pertinents sur les médicaments qu'ils prenaient à l'hôpital et 76 % en ont jugé de même en ce qui concerne leur suivi en clinique. Cependant, les patients ont demandé davantage de renseignements en matière d’effets indésirables, d’interactions médicamenteuses, de mise à jour générale sur les médicaments et d’aide en cas de problèmes d’horaire. La présente étude fournit au pharmacien des renseignements démographiques et de nouvelles données sur les traitements médicamenteux des patients qui ont reçu une greffe de rein, qui l’aideront à prodiguer les soins pharmaceutiques à ces patients