Research on gallium arsenide diffused junction solar cells

The feasibility of using bulk GaAs for the fabrication of diffused junction solar cells was determined. The effects of thermal processing of GaAs was studied, and the quality of starting bulk GaAs for this purpose was assessed. These cells are to be made by open tube diffusion techniques, and are to be tested for photovoltaic response under AMO conditions

Periodic Peritoneal Dialysis in End Stage Renal Disease: Is it Still Relevant? A Single Center Study from India

Background: High cost of maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD) in India has made renal replacement therapy out of reach of many patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Repeated puncture PD although inferior to HD biochemically, is easily and freely available across Rajasthan, India, and is simple to perform, and does not require sophisticated machines, thus making it an attractive option for dialysis for ESRD. Aim: To analyze the outcomes of periodic PD in patients with ESRD requiring dialysis support. Subjects and Methods: A prospective study analyzing the data of patients who underwent PD between August 2010 and January 2013 in Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur, India was conducted. Patients were divided into three groups based on the time period between first and second session of PD. Detailed demographic and clinical data during the study period were collected along with PD related complications. The main outcome studied was technique survival 1 year post initiation of PD. Results: 234 patients received an initial session of PD, of which 174 had a good response and were included in the study. 19 patients received the second PD within 7 days of first (Group 1), 45 patients within 8–14 days (Group 2) and 110 patients within 15–21 days (Group 3). The overall 1 year technique survival was 68.4% (91/133), with a rate of 50% (5/10), 56.8% (21/37), and 75.6% (65/86) for Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3, respectively. The time duration between first and second PD proved to be reliable indicator of the subsequent response, with a technique survival rate significantly lower in Group 1 patients compared to Groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.04). Median dialysis free days were 11, 16 and 21 days in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3, respectively. Peritonitis rate observed was 2.1% (49/2261) during the study period. Conclusion: Periodic PD is a simple, safe and cheap procedure, which can be considered as used as a palliative measure in terminal uremia in underprivileged areas.Keywords: Peritoneal dialysis, End stage renal disease, Renal replacement therap

A review of pediatric femoral fracture patterns, surgical managements, and outcomes

Background: Femoral fractures are the most common pediatric orthopedic fractures that require hospitalization. The non-accidental injury should be suspected in early infancy and non-ambulatory children. Treatment of pediatric femoral fractures is widely variable and depends on intrinsic and extrinsic factors. This study presents pediatric femoral fracture epidemiology and outcomes and reviews the literature regarding best practices in pediatric femoral fractures.Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the clinical and radiological records of forty-sevens femur fractures in the pediatric age group from September 2020 until June 2021 in Prince Rashid bin AL Hassan Military Hospital in Jordan.Results: Males form 80.9% of patients. The mean age for the patients was equal to 6.70 years (±3.91). Falling is responsible for the majority of the injury. The middle femur shaft was fractured in 46.8%, and the pathological fracture was found in 17% of patients. Non-operative treatment by cast represents 42.6%. All fractures were healed at 7.90 weeks (±2.37).Conclusions: Pediatric femur fracture lacks standardized treatment. Nevertheless, most fractures healed with satisfactory results. Younger age groups are more likely to be treated non-operatively. Non-surgical treatment is more prone to shortening, angulation, and later return to weight-bearing and activity. Children older than eight years treated by plating demonstrated faster healing, return to full weight-bearing, and lower complication rate. 

SEM Analysis of MTAD Efficacy for Smear Layer Removal from Periodontally Affected Root Surfaces

Objective: Biopure® MTAD (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, USA) has been developedas a final irrigant following root canal shaping to remove intracanal smear layer.Many of the unique properties of MTAD potentially transfer to the conditioningprocess of tooth roots during periodontal therapy. The aim of this ex vivo studywas to evaluate the effect of MTAD on the removal of smear layer from root surfaces.Materials and Methods: Thirty two longitudinally sectioned specimens from 16freshly extracted teeth diagnosed with advanced periodontal disease were dividedinto four groups. In group 1 and 2, the root surfaces were scaled using Gracey curettes.In group 3 and 4, 0.5 mm of the root surface was removed using a fissurebur. The specimens in group 1 and 3 were then irrigated by normal saline. Thespecimens in groups 2 and 4 were irrigated with Biopure MTAD.All specimens were prepared for SEM and scored according to the presence ofsmear layer.Results: MTAD significantly increased (P=0.001) the smear layer removal inboth groups 2 and 4 compared to the associated control groups, in which only salinewas used.Conclusion: MTAD increased the removal of the smear layer from periodontallyaffected root surfaces. Use of MTAD as a periodontal conditioner may be suggeste

A comparison of validated methods used to assess impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes: an observational study

Introduction Clarke, Gold and Pedersen are validated methods to assess awareness of hypoglycaemia. Identifying impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia (IAH) is critical for supporting people with structured education and diabetes technologies, to reduce harm of hypoglycaemia. This study compares the Clarke score, Gold score and Pedersen methods and their correlations with features of hypoglycaemia unawareness and patient characteristics, to evaluate the accuracy of the methods in identifying IAH. Methods This retrospective, observational questionnaire-based study collected routine clinical data from 100 people with type 1 diabetes. The questionnaire included the three validated scoring methods, frequency of severe and nocturnal hypoglycaemia, knowledge and worry of hypoglycaemia and hypoglycaemia symptom scores using the Edinburgh Hypoglycaemia Scale. Data were analysed for IAH prevalence and the associations with features of IAH. The concordance of Clarke, Gold and Pedersen methods was evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results The prevalence of IAH in this cohort identified by Clarke, Gold and Pedersen methods was 18%, 19% and 61% respectively. The mean autonomic symptom score in people with IAH was significantly reduced using the Clarke method (P = 0.0002) but not on Gold (P = 0.12) and Pedersen methods (P = 0.79). For people with IAH assessed using the Clarke method, scores for night-time worry regarding hypoglycaemia (P = 0.04) and self-reported frequency of nocturnal hypoglycaemia (P = 0.001) were increased. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between Pedersen and Clarke and Pedersen and Gold were Rs = 0.555 (P < 0.001) and Rs = 0.645 (P < 0.001) respectively. A moderate association was observed between Clarke and Gold Rs = 0.5669 (P < 0.001). Conclusion Whilst Clarke and Gold methods determined a similar prevalence of IAH, people identified with IAH assessed by the Clarke method had a significant association with the features and characteristics of IAH, including reduced autonomic symptoms. This study suggests that performing more than one score is important for a reliable risk assessment of IAH

Latent cytomegalovirus-driven recruitment of activated CD4+ T cells promotes virus reactivation

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is not cleared by the initial immune response but persists for the lifetime of the host, in part due to its ability to establish a latent infection in cells of the myeloid lineage. HCMV has been shown to manipulate the secretion of cellular proteins during both lytic and latent infection; with changes caused by latent infection mainly investigated in CD34+ progenitor cells. Whilst CD34+ cells are generally bone marrow resident, their derivative CD14+ monocytes migrate to the periphery where they briefly circulate until extravasation into tissue sites. We have analyzed the effect of HCMV latent infection on the secretome of CD14+ monocytes, identifying an upregulation of both CCL8 and CXCL10 chemokines in the CD14+ latency-associated secretome. Unlike CD34+ cells, the CD14+ latency-associated secretome did not induce migration of resting immune cell subsets but did induce migration of activated NK and T cells expressing CXCR3 in a CXCL10 dependent manner. As reported in CD34+ latent infection, the CD14+ latency-associated secretome also suppressed the anti-viral activity of stimulated CD4+ T cells. Surprisingly, however, co-culture of activated autologous CD4+ T cells with latently infected monocytes resulted in reactivation of HCMV at levels comparable to those observed using M-CSF and IL-1β cytokines. We propose that these events represent a potential strategy to enable HCMV reactivation and local dissemination of the virus at peripheral tissue sites

Quality of life in patients with vitiligo: A cross-sectional study based on Vitiligo Quality of Life index (VitiQoL)

Background: Vitiligo is a multi-factorial pigmentary skin disorder. Recently, the importance of emotional and psychological issues is proposed in incidence, progression, relapse and remission of vitiligo. There are limited studies conducted in developing countries, which assess life quality of patients with vitiligo. The aim of this study was the application and evaluation of a disease-specific quality of life index in Iranian patients, for the first time. Methods: This cross-sectional biphasic study was conducted on 25 patients as a pilot and another 173 patients as the main study group, in Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran, 2013-2014. Persian version of Vitiligo Quality of Life index (VitiQoL) was developed with backward-forward method. Based on the pilot study, the validity and reliability were assessed. The Vitiligo Area and Score Index (VASI), VitiQoL, and their relationship, demographic and clinical characteristic of patients were measured. Results: The Mean and standard deviation of the VitiQoL score was 30.5 ± 14.5 (range 0-60 in Persian version). There was a significant relationship between VASI score and VitiQoL (p = 0.015, r = 0.187). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed three important factors within VitiQoL: participation limitation, stigma, and behavior. In subscale analysis based on behavior factor, female patients had poorer quality of life (p = 0.02). Concomitant psychiatric problems, e.g. anxiety and depression, were not associated with QOL; however, they were near to being meaningful (p = 0.06, r = 0.14). Conclusion: VitiQoL is a valid index in estimating life quality of vitiligo patients and has proper relation to disease severity. Focusing on patient's life quality is an important entity in the management of vitiligo patients; relevant supportive group-based consultations and therapies are also important arms when approaching vitiligo. © 2016 The Author(s)

SEM analysis of MTAD efficacy for smear layer removal from periodontally affected root surfaces

Objective: Biopure® MTAD (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, USA) has been developedas a final irrigant following root canal shaping to remove intracanal smear layer.Many of the unique properties of MTAD potentially transfer to the conditioningprocess of tooth roots during periodontal therapy. The aim of this ex vivo studywas to evaluate the effect of MTAD on the removal of smear layer from root surfaces.Materials and Methods: Thirty two longitudinally sectioned specimens from 16freshly extracted teeth diagnosed with advanced periodontal disease were dividedinto four groups. In group 1 and 2, the root surfaces were scaled using Gracey curettes.In group 3 and 4, 0.5 mm of the root surface was removed using a fissurebur. The specimens in group 1 and 3 were then irrigated by normal saline. Thespecimens in groups 2 and 4 were irrigated with Biopure MTAD.All specimens were prepared for SEM and scored according to the presence ofsmear layer.Results: MTAD significantly increased (P=0.001) the smear layer removal inboth groups 2 and 4 compared to the associated control groups, in which only salinewas used.Conclusion: MTAD increased the removal of the smear layer from periodontallyaffected root surfaces. Use of MTAD as a periodontal conditioner may be suggeste

Probing Grand Unified Theories with Cosmic Ray, Gamma-Ray and Neutrino Astrophysics

We explore scenarios where the highest energy cosmic rays are produced by new particle physics near the grand unification scale. Using detailed numerical simulations of extragalactic nucleon, gamma-ray, and neutrino propagation, we show the existence of an interesting parameter range for which such scenarios may explain part of the data and are consistent with all observational constraints. A combination of proposed observatories for ultra-high energy cosmic rays, neutrino telescopes of a few kilometer scale, and gamma-ray astrophysics instruments should be able to test these scenarios. In particular, for neutrino masses in the eV range, exclusive neutrino decay modes of superheavy particles can give rise to neutrino fluxes comparable to those predicted in models of active galactic nuclei.Comment: 15 latex pages, 5 postscript figures included, uses revtex.sty and psfig.sty. Submitted to Physical Review