A prospective randomized trial comparing sequential ganciclovir-high dose acyclovir to high dose acyclovir for prevention of cytomegalovirus disease in adult liver transplant recipients

Cytomegalovirus disease is an important cause of morbidity following liver transplantation. To date there has not been an effective prophylaxis for CMV disease after liver transplantation. One hundred forty-three patients were randomized to receive either high dose oral acyclovir (800 mg 4 times a day) alone for 3 months after transplantation (acyclovir group) or intravenous ganciclovir (5 mg/kg twice a day) for 14 days followed by high dose oral acyclovir to complete a 3-month regimen (ganciclovir group). Of 139 patients available for evaluation, 43 of 71 (61%) patients from the acyclovir group developed CMV infection compared with 16 of 68 (24%) from the ganciclovir group (relative risk, 3.69; 95% confidence interval, 2.07-6.56; PcO.OOOOl). Of those randomized, CMV disease was seen in 20 (28%) of the acyclovir group compared with 6 (9%) of the ganciclovir group (relative risk, 5.11; 95% confidence interval, 2.05-12.75; P=0.0001). The median time to onset of CMV infection was 45 days in the acyclovir group compared with 78 days in the ganciclovir group (P=0.004). The median time to onset of CMV disease was 40 days in the acyclovir group compared with 78 days in the ganciclovir patients (P=0.02). With respect to primary CMV infection, there was no difference in the rates in the 2 groups, but tissue invasive disease and recurrent CMV disease were less frequent in the ganciclovir group. It is concluded that a course of 2 weeks of ganciclovir immediately after transplantation followed by high dose oral acyclovir for 10 weeks is superior to a 12-week course of high dose oral acyclovir alone for prevention of both CMV infection and CMV disease after liver transplantation. However, the lack of significant effect in seronegative recipients who received grafts from seropositive donors suggests that other strategies are needed to prevent CMV infection in this high risk population. © 1994 by Williams & Wilkins

System for detecting and estimating concentrations of gas or liquid analytes

A sensor system for detecting and estimating concentrations of various gas or liquid analytes. In an embodiment, the resistances of a set of sensors are measured to provide a set of responses over time where the resistances are indicative of gas or liquid sorption, depending upon the sensors. A concentration vector for the analytes is estimated by satisfying a criterion of goodness using the set of responses. Other embodiments are described and claimed

Co-polymer films for sensors

Embodiments include a sensor comprising a co-polymer, the co-polymer comprising a first monomer and a second monomer. For some embodiments, the first monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridine, and the second monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridinium propylamine chloride. For some embodiments, the first monomer is polystyrene and the second monomer is poly-2-vinyl pyridinium propylamine chloride. For some embodiments, the first monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridine, and the second monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridinium benzylamine chloride. Other embodiments are described and claimed

Co-polymer Films for Sensors

Embodiments include a sensor comprising a co-polymer, the co-polymer comprising a first monomer and a second monomer. For some embodiments, the first monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridine, and the second monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridinium propylamine chloride. For some embodiments, the first monomer is polystyrene and the second monomer is poly-2-vinyl pyridinium propylamine chloride. For some embodiments, the first monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridine, and the second monomer is poly-4-vinyl pyridinium benzylamine chloride. Other embodiments are described and claimed

Fractal behavior of surface oxide crack patterns on AISI 4140 high-strength low-alloy steel exposed to the simulated offshore environment

Wear and corrosion are surface-dependent degradation phenomena pertinent to the hostile environment existing in deep-sea oil and gas wells containing aggressive chemical species such as chloride/bromide salts, organic acids, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide,etc. Apart from the identification of the potential failures of alloys that can occur on a large and devastating scale by its interaction with these deleterious species, it is also essential to comprehend the nature and character, particularly the cracking pattern of the surface oxides formed on alloys undergoing corrosion in a particular environment. This article uses fractal geometry to study the branching of the surface oxide crack patterns in AISI 4140 high-strength low-alloy steel after exposure in a simulated offshore corrosive environment containing aqueous 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride solution. The fractal geometry was evaluated using the box-count technique in three different electrolytic test conditions: Electrochemical Anodic Polarization, Electrochemical Cathodic Polarization, and Immersion Corrosion for 24 h. Our results showed that the magnitude of fractal dimension is highest during immersion corrosion for 24 h and lowest during anodic polarization. Fractals can provide complementary quantifiable information about the surface geometries and fracture crack patterns from macrostructural to microstructural length scales by image analysis. This approach can be leveraged by emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Computer Vision (CV), in structural health monitoring of alloys used in exotic and challenging conditions

Synthesis, characterization and application of a non-flammable dicationic ionic liquid in lithium-ion battery as electrolyte additive

Abstract A novel dicationic room temperature ionic liquid, 1,1′-(5,14-dioxo-4,6,13,15-tetraazaoctadecane-1,18-diyl) bis(3-(sec-butyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium) bis((trifluoromethyl)-sulfonyl) imide has been synthesized and fully characterized. Its thermal and electrochemical analyses along with transport properties have been studied. We propose it as a potential nominal additive to the commonly used conventional organic carbonate electrolyte mixture and study its adaptability in Lithium-ion batteries which are the prime power sources for ultraportable electronic devices. We have compared the performance characteristics of the full cells made without and with this ionic liquid. The cells comprise lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide cathode, graphite anode and ethylene carbonate - dimethyl carbonate (1:1, v/v + LiPF6) mixture electrolyte with nominal amount of ionic liquid as additive. The major concern with conventional electrolytes such as degradation of the materials inside batteries has been addressed by this electrolyte additive. Additionally, this additive is safer at relatively higher temperature. In its presence, the overall battery life is enhanced and it shows good cycling performance and coulombic efficiency with better discharge capacities (22% higher) after 100 cycles. Even after the increase in current rate from 10 mA/g to 100 mA/g, the cell still retains around 73% of capacity