Effect of bismuth in lead germanate glass system on shielding properties for development of gamma-rays shielding materials

In this study, the shielding properties of bismuth lead germanate (BPG) glass system in composition x(Bi2O3)40-x(PbO)60(GeO2) where x = 0 to 40 mol% have been investigated. The shielding parameters, mass attenuation coefficients(µ/ρ), mean free path (MFP) and half value layer (HVL) values have been computed using WinXCom program and variation of shielding parameters of the BPG glasses are discussed for the effect of photon energy and Bi2O3 addition into the glasses. The replacement of PbO by Bi2O3 causes an increase in mass attenuation coefficient, while the MFP and HVL values were decreased. The investigation would be very useful for shielding applications in nuclear technologies

Investigation of shielding parameters of some boron containing resources for gamma ray and fast neutron

Mass attenuation coefficient (μt) of some boron containing resources in China were investigated in the paper at 0.001–20 MeV through XCOM and Geant4. What’s more, half value thickness layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Zeff) and electron density (Ne) were calculated. In addition, fast neutron removal cross sections of these resources were calculated by partial density method. It has been found that Boron bearing iron concentrate has the maximum μt, Zeff Ne and ∑R, and its HVL and MFP are lowest. The investigation would be useful for potential application of the boron containing resources in the field of neutron and gamma ray shielding materials

Exploration of gamma radiation shielding features for titanate bismuth borotellurite glasses using relevant software program and Monte Carlo simulation code

In this work, gamma radiation shielding parameters for six titanate bismuth borotellurite glasses were investigated. The mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) have been calculated using XCOM software and MCNP5 code within the photon energy range 0.015–10 MeV. The (μ/ρ) values were then used to calculate the effective atomic number (Zeff), electron density (Ne), mean free path (MFP) and half-value layer (HVL) values. By using the Geometric progression (G–P) method, the exposure buildup factor (EBF) values at 0.015 MeV–15 MeV photon energy range, with penetration depths up to 40 mfp at intervals 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mfp were evaluated. The 30 TeO2–30 B2O3–30 Bi2O3–10 TiO2 (mol %) glass possesses better gamma ray shielding effectiveness due to a higher value of (μ/ρ), Zeff and lower values of HVL and MFP. The studied glasses exhibit excellent gamma ray shielding features compared to different types of concretes

Electrochemical behaviour of Ti/Al2O3/Ni nanocomposite material in artificial physiological solution: Prospects for biomedical application

Inorganic-based nanoelements such as nanoparticles (nanodots), nanopillars and nanowires, which have at least one dimension of 100 nm or less, have been extensively developed for biomedical applications. Furthermore, their properties can be varied by controlling such parameters as element shape, size, surface functionalization, and mutual interactions. In this study, Ni-alumina nanocomposite material was synthesized by the dc-Ni electrodeposition into a porous anodic alumina template (PAAT). The structural, morphological, and corrosion properties were studied using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and electrochemical techniques (linear sweep voltammetry). Template technology was used to obtain Ni nanopillars (NiNPs) in the PAAT nanocomposite. Low corrosion current densities (order of 0.5 μA/cm2) were indicators of this nanocomposite adequate corrosion resistance in artificial physiological solution (0.9% NaCl). A porous anodic alumina template is barely exposed to corrosion and performs protective functions in the composite. The results may be useful for the development of new nanocomposite materials technologies for a variety of biomedical applications including catalysis and nanoelectrodes for sensing and fuel cells. They are also applicable for various therapeutic purposes including targeting, diagnosis, magnetic hyperthermia, and drug delivery. Therefore, it is an ambitious task to research the corrosion resistance of these magnetic nanostructures in simulated body fluid. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Government Council on Grants, Russian FederationBelarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research, BRFFR: Ф18Д-00720163522Funding: The work was performed with support of State Scientific and Technical Program “Nanotech” (ГБЦ No 20163522), Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research (Grant No. Ф18Д-007), Act 211 of Government of Russian Federation (contract No. 02.A03.21.0011). Additionally, the work was partially supported by the Grant of World Federation of Scientists (Geneva, Switzerland)

Borotellurite glasses for gamma-ray shielding: an exploration of photon attenuation coefficients, structural, and thermal properties

Gamma-ray attenuation characteristics and vibrational and thermal features have been studied for singly doped erbium (Er), dysprosium (Dy), and Er/Dycodoped sodium lithium zinc lead borotellurite glasses. For all glasses, the amorphous nature was confirmed from the x-ray diffraction profiles, and BO3, BO4, TeO4, TeO3 +1, and TeO3 structural units were identified by both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Glass transition (Tg), onset crystallization (Tx), peak crystallization (Tc), and melting (Tm) temperatures including thermal stabilities (DT) were evaluated following the glass differential scanning calorimetry profiles. An enhancement in Tg (359 fi 399C) and DT variation at 131–169C with Er2O3, Dy2O3, and Er2O3/ Dy2O3 incorporation suggested that the prepared glasses possess good thermal stability. The radiation shielding properties within the 0.356–1.33-MeV photon energy range were assessed for all the glasses. The mass attenuation coefficient (l/q) values have been calculated using Monte Carlo simulation code. Further, photon interaction parameters like effective atomic number (Zeff), half-value layer (HVL), and mean free path (MFP) were also computed. The host and 1.0 Er/1.0 Dy (mol.%)-codoped glasses possess the lowest and highest Zeff values and their magnitudes are varied within the range 11.40–15.99 and 12.14–17.26, respectively. For the host glass, exposure buildup factor values were calculated by the geometric progression (GP) fitting method within the 0.015–15-MeV energy range and up to a penetration depth of 40 MFP. The removal cross sections RR (cm1) for fast neutrons were calculated to evaluate the attenuation of neutrons through the prepared glasses

Early ACEI/ARB use and in-hospital outcomes of acute myocardial infarction patients with systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Findings from the CCC-ACS project

BackgroundFew studies have evaluated whether acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with relatively low blood pressure benefit from early ACEI/ARB use in the era of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).ObjectivesThis study evaluated the associations of ACEI/ARB use within 24 h of admission with in-hospital outcomes among AMI patients with SBP < 100 mmHg and undergoing PCI.MethodsThis study was based on the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-ACS project, a collaborative registry and quality improvement project of the American Heart Association and the Chinese Society of Cardiology. Between November 2014 and December 2019, a total of 94,623 patients with AMI were enrolled. Of them, 4,478 AMI patients with SBP < 100 mmHg and undergoing PCI but without clinically diagnosed cardiogenic shock at admission were included. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score-matching analysis were used to evaluate the association between early ACEI/ARB use and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), a combination of all-cause death, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest.ResultsOf AMI patients, 24.41% (n = 1,093) were prescribed ACEIs/ARBs within 24 h of admission. Patients with early ACEI/ARB use had a significantly lower rate of MACEs than those without ACEI/ARB use (1.67% vs. 3.66%, p = 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, early ACEI/ARB use was associated with a 45% lower risk of MACEs (odds ratio: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33–0.93; p = 0.027). Further propensity score-matching analysis still showed that patients with early ACEI/ARB use had a lower rate of MACEs (1.96% vs. 3.93%, p = 0.009).ConclusionThis study found that among AMI patients with an admission SBP < 100 mmHg undergoing PCI, early ACEI/ARB use was associated with better in-hospital outcomes. Additional studies of the early use of ACEIs/ARBs in AMI patients with relatively low blood pressure are warranted

Prevalence and in-hospital outcomes of diabetes among patients with acute coronary syndrome in China: findings from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome Project

Abstract Background Guidelines have classified patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and diabetes as a special population, with specific sections presented for the management of these patients considering their extremely high risk. However, in China up-to-date information is lacking regarding the burden of diabetes in patients with ACS and the potential impact of diabetes status on the in-hospital outcomes of these patients. This study aims to provide updated estimation for the burden of diabetes in patients with ACS in China and to evaluate whether diabetes is still associated with excess risks of early mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) for ACS patients. Methods The Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-ACS Project was a collaborative study of the American Heart Association and the Chinese Society of Cardiology. A total of 63,450 inpatients with a definitive diagnosis of ACS were included. Prevalence of diabetes was evaluated in the overall study population and subgroups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the association between diabetes and in-hospital outcomes, and a propensity-score-matched analysis was further conducted. Results Among these ACS patients, 23,880 (37.6%) had diabetes/possible diabetes. Both STEMI and NSTE-ACS patients had a high prevalence of diabetes/possible diabetes (36.8% versus 39.0%). The prevalence of diabetes/possible diabetes was higher in women (45.0% versus 35.2%, p < 0.001). Even in patients younger than 45 years, 26.9% had diabetes/possible diabetes. While receiving comparable treatments for ACS, diabetes/possible diabetes was associated with a twofold higher risk of all-cause death (adjusted odds ratio 2.04 [95% confidence interval 1.78–2.33]) and a 1.5-fold higher risk of MACCE (adjusted odds ratio 1.54 [95% confidence interval 1.39–1.72]). Conclusions Diabetes was highly prevalent in patients with ACS in China. Considerable excess risks for early mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events were found in these patients. Trial registration NCT02306616. Registered December 3, 201

Magnetic Properties of the Densely Packed Ultra-Long Ni Nanowires Encapsulated in Alumina Membrane

High-quality and compact arrays of Ni nanowires with a high ratio (up to 700) were obtained by DC electrochemical deposition into porous anodic alumina membranes with a distance between pores equal to 105 nm. The nanowire arrays were examined using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and vibration magnetometry at 300 K and 4.2 K. Microscopic and X-ray diffraction results showed that Ni nanowires are homogeneous, with smooth walls and mostly single-crystalline materials with a 220-oriented growth direction. The magnetic properties of the samples (coercivity and squareness) depend more on the length of the nanowires and the packing factor (the volume fraction of the nanowires in the membrane). It is shown that the dipolar interaction changes the demagnetizing field during a reversal magnetization of the Ni nanowires, and the general effective field of magnetostatic uniaxial shape anisotropy. The effect of magnetostatic interaction between ultra-long nanowires (with an aspect ratio of >500) in samples with a packing factor of ≥37% leads to a reversal magnetization state, in which a “curling”-type model of nanowire behavior is realized

A Study of Ta2O5 Nanopillars with Ni Tips Prepared by Porous Anodic Alumina Through-Mask Anodization

The paper discusses the formation of Ta2O5 pillars with Ni tips during thin porous anodic alumina through-mask anodization on Si/SiO2 substrates. The tantalum nanopillars were formed through porous masks in electrolytes of phosphoric and oxalic acid. The Ni tips on the Ta2O5 pillars were formed via vacuum evaporation through the porous mask. The morphology, structure, and magnetic properties at 4.2 and 300 K of the Ta2O5 nanopillars with Ni tips have been studied using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The main mechanism of the formation of the Ta2O5 pillars during through-mask anodization was revealed. The superparamagnetic behavior of the magnetic hysteresis loop of the Ta2O5 nanopillars with Ni tips was observed. Such nanostructures can be used to develop novel functional nanomaterials for magnetic, electronic, biomedical, and optical nano-scale devices

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely