Conformal multilayer coatings on fine silica microspheres by atmospheric pressure fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition

Surface properties of fine particles can be tuned through deposition of films or coatings. This approach is an area of science and technology of interest in numerous fields such as catalysis, energy production, microelectronics, optoelectronics, etc. Surface coating of powders can be applied by a dry technique (i.e., the use of a reactive gas phase), so-called chemical vapor deposition (CVD). However, conventional CVD processes cannot provide an efficient conformal deposition while fine particles are considered as substrates. This is due to the fact that mixing of particles, in such a way that their entire surface is exposed to the reactive gas phase, is rather complicated and not often addressed. Therefore, fluidization, as a recognized particle treatment process which meets the requirement of gas–solid contact, can be associated with the gas–solid reactions that are often used in the context of various CVD processes. The combination of such mature techniques, namely fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition (FBCVD) leads to innovative, flexible and cost-effective particle treatment processes [1]. In the present investigation, soda lime spherical particles with a particle size of ca. 27 µm were used as the substrate. Single- and multi-layer depositions composed of TiO2 and SiO2 films were applied to the surface of the particles by the FBCVD at atmospheric pressure, while employing, respectively, titanium and silicon tetrachloride as precursors, and using water as an oxidation agent. TiO2 and SiO2 films were deposited at 300oC and ambient temperatures, respectively. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

THE EFFECT OF ALTITUDE ON BREAKING SEED DORMANCY AND STIMULATION OF SEED GERMINATION OF PERSIAN HOGWEED (HERACLEUM PERSICUM)

Persian hogweed is a odorous perennial herb which has pharmaceutical and fodder values. seed is the main propagation method of this species. A seed analysis test was designed to survey the effects of high altitude on breaking dormancy and germination stimulates of Persian hogweed seeds. For this purpose seeds were collected from three different elevations (1700, 2200, 2700 masl) in Kojoor area. After primary cleanings, germination percent(GP) and germination speed (GS) of each elevation were determined by cold stratification compared to control. According to results control seeds were not germinate then seeds of this species need to treat. Statistical analysis of results showed that there are sensible differences between GP and GS of each elevation. As seeds of higher elevation germinate slower and less than higher elevation but in a longer periods. So changes of elevation is an effective factor on germination characteristics of Persian hogweed seeds which have to be considered for every seed collection and rehabilitation program of this species

Evaluation of rK39 rapid diagnostic tests for canine visceral leishmaniasis : longitudinal study and meta-analysis

Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by the intracellular parasite Leishmania infantum. It is an important veterinary disease, and dogs are also the main animal reservoir for human infection. The disease is widespread in the Mediterranean area, and parts of Asia and South and Central America, and is potentially fatal in both dogs and humans unless treated. Diagnosis of canine infections requires serological or molecular tests. Detection of infection in dogs is important prior to treatment, and in epidemiological studies and control programmes, and a sensitive and specific rapid diagnostic test would be very useful. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been developed, but their diagnostic performance has been reported to be variable. We evaluated the sensitivity of a RDT based on serological detection of the rK39 antigen in a cohort of naturally infected Brazilian dogs. The sensitivity of the test to detect infection was relatively low, but increased with time since infection and the severity of infection. We then carried out a meta-analysis of published studies of rK39 RDTs, evaluating the sensitivity to detect disease and infection. The results suggest that rK39 RDTs may be useful in a veterinary clinical setting, but the sensitivity to detect infection is too low for operational control programmes

Community based needs assessment in an urban area; A participatory action research project

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Community assessment is a core function of public health. In such assessments, a commitment to community participation and empowerment is at the heart of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, reflecting its origins in health for all and the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. This study employs a participation and empowerment plan in order to conduct community assessment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The method of participatory action research (PAR) was used. The study was carried out in an area of high socio-economic deprivation in Ardabil, a city in the northwest of Iran, which is currently served by a branch of the Social Development Center (SDC). The steering committee of the project was formed by some university faculty members, health officials and delegates form Farhikhteh non-governmental organization and representatives from twelve blocks or districts of the community. Then, the representatives were trained and then conducted focus groups in their block. The focus group findings informed the development of the questionnaire. About six hundred households were surveyed and study questionnaires were completed either during face-to-face interviews by the research team (in case of illiteracy) or via self-completion. The primary question for the residents was: 'what is the most important health problem in your community? Each health problem identified by the community was weighted based on the frequency it was selected on the survey, and steering committee perception of the problem's seriousness, urgency, solvability, and financial load.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The main problems of the area appeared to be <it>the asphalt problem</it>, <it>lack of easy access to medical centers</it>, <it>addiction among relatives </it>and <it>unemployment of youth</it>. High participation rates of community members in the steering committee and survey suggest that the PAR approach was greatly appreciated by the community and that problems identified through this research truly reflect community opinion.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Participatory action research is an effective method for community assessments. However, researchers must rigorously embrace principles of mutual cooperation, respect for public ideas, and a robust belief in community empowerment in order to pave the way for responsible and active citizen participation in the various stages of research.</p

Green chemistry and coronavirus

The novel coronavirus pandemic has rapidly spread around the world since December 2019. Various techniques have been applied in identification of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 infection including computed tomography imaging, whole genome sequencing, and molecular methods such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This review article discusses the diagnostic methods currently being deployed for the SARS-CoV-2 identification including optical biosensors and point-of-care diagnostics that are on the horizon. These innovative technologies may provide a more accurate, sensitive and rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 to manage the present novel coronavirus outbreak, and could be beneficial in preventing any future epidemics. Furthermore, the use of green synthesized nanomaterials in the optical biosensor devices could leads to sustainable and environmentally-friendly approaches for addressing this crisis. © 202

Impact Factor: outdated artefact or stepping-stone to journal certification?

A review of Garfield's journal impact factor and its specific implementation as the Thomson Reuters Impact Factor reveals several weaknesses in this commonly-used indicator of journal standing. Key limitations include the mismatch between citing and cited documents, the deceptive display of three decimals that belies the real precision, and the absence of confidence intervals. These are minor issues that are easily amended and should be corrected, but more substantive improvements are needed. There are indications that the scientific community seeks and needs better certification of journal procedures to improve the quality of published science. Comprehensive certification of editorial and review procedures could help ensure adequate procedures to detect duplicate and fraudulent submissions.Comment: 25 pages, 12 figures, 6 table

Role of polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in predicting slow-flow phenomenon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between 2 polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) gene (-786T>C and +894G>T) and the no-reflow/slow-flow phenomenon in post-primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) patients. Methods: A total of 103 post-PPCI patients were enrolled. Coronary no-reflow phenomenon was defined as a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 0-1 and coronary slow-flow phenomenon (CSFP) was defined as a TIMI flow grade �2. Results: Due to the small number of post-PPCI patients with the no-reflow phenomenon (n=4), the primary comparison was made between CSFP (n=20) and normal flow (n=83) groups. There was a greater frequency of CSFP among carriers of the-786C allele of the eNOS-786T>C polymorphism (odds ratio OR: 3.90; 95% confidence interval CI: 0.87-17.45; p=0.07). However, no such association was detected between the +894T allele of the eNOS +894G>T and CSFP (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.21-3.98; p=0.91). In the adjusted analysis, the-786T>C polymorphism did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: There was no significant association between CSFP and 2 of the most common polymorphisms of the eNOS gene in post-PPCI patients. © 2020 Turkish Society of Cardiology