Interfacial Tensions near Critical Endpoints: Experimental Checks of EdGF Theory

Predictions of the extended de Gennes-Fisher local-functional theory for the universal scaling functions of interfacial tensions near critical endpoints are compared with experimental data. Various observations of the binary mixture isobutyric acid $+$ water are correlated to facilitate an analysis of the experiments of Nagarajan, Webb and Widom who observed the vapor-liquid interfacial tension as a function of {\it both} temperature and density. Antonow's rule is confirmed and, with the aid of previously studied {\it universal amplitude ratios}, the crucial analytic ``background'' contribution to the surface tension near the endpoint is estimated. The residual singular behavior thus uncovered is consistent with the theoretical scaling predictions and confirms the expected lack of symmetry in $(T-T_c)$. A searching test of theory, however, demands more precise and extensive experiments; furthermore, the analysis highlights, a previously noted but surprising, three-fold discrepancy in the magnitude of the surface tension of isobutyric acid $+$ water relative to other systems.Comment: 6 figure

Effects of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery: an international prospective cohort study

We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05-1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4-7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04-1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11-1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care

Kombinovaná oxidativní a ne-oxidativní dehydrogenace n-butanu pomocí VOX částic nanesených na HMS

The combination of oxidative and non-oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane as an attractive possibility for production of C4 olefins was studied over VOX based catalyst. Long-term activity and selectivity to desired products could be achieved over the catalysts with well dispersed monomeric vanadium oxide species supported on mesoporous silica support.Kombinace oxidativní a ne-oxidativní dehydrogenace n-butanu jako atraktivní možnost produkce C-4 olefínů byla studována pomocí VOX katalyzátorů. Dlouhodobá aktivita a selektivita na požadovaný produkt mohla být dosažena pomocí katalyzátoru s dobře dispergovanými monomerickými částicemi oxidů vanadu nanesenými na mezoporézní siliku

Support Care Cancer

OBJECTIVE: Spiritual well-being was found to have some protective effect against end-of life despair in cancer patients. We aimed at assessing the impact of spirituality on the quality of life, depression, and anxiety of Lebanese cancer patients. METHODS: Our observational transversal monocentric study was conducted between January and April 2016 among a convenient sample of 115 Lebanese cancer patients admitted to Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital (HDF), Beirut-Lebanon. In addition to socio-demographic and clinical data, three questionnaires were used: EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, 3rd version), FACIT-Sp-12 (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being; The 12-item Spiritual Well-Being Scale, 4th version), and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Eighteen patients taking anxiolytic and/or antidepressants were not included in the analysis. The remaining 97 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Better emotional and cognitive functioning was seen in patients with higher meaning, peace, faith, and total FACIT scores. Meaning, peace, and total FACIT scores were also higher among patients with better global health status and quality of life. Anxiety as well as depression was significantly associated to all spiritual well-being factors. CONCLUSION: Spirituality can improve quality of life and decrease the incidence of anxiety and depression in cancer patients. Our results highlight the need to incorporate spiritual care in healthcare systems