Effects of a high-dose 24-h infusion of tranexamic acid on death and thromboembolic events in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (HALT-IT): an international randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma. Meta-analyses of small trials show that tranexamic acid might decrease deaths from gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: We did an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 164 hospitals in 15 countries. Patients were enrolled if the responsible clinician was uncertain whether to use tranexamic acid, were aged above the minimum age considered an adult in their country (either aged 16 years and older or aged 18 years and older), and had significant (defined as at risk of bleeding to death) upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients were randomly assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Patients received either a loading dose of 1 g tranexamic acid, which was added to 100 mL infusion bag of 0·9% sodium chloride and infused by slow intravenous injection over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 g tranexamic acid added to 1 L of any isotonic intravenous solution and infused at 125 mg/h for 24 h, or placebo (sodium chloride 0·9%). Patients, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. The primary outcome was death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation; analysis excluded patients who received neither dose of the allocated treatment and those for whom outcome data on death were unavailable. This trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN11225767, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01658124. Findings: Between July 4, 2013, and June 21, 2019, we randomly allocated 12 009 patients to receive tranexamic acid (5994, 49·9%) or matching placebo (6015, 50·1%), of whom 11 952 (99·5%) received the first dose of the allocated treatment. Death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation occurred in 222 (4%) of 5956 patients in the tranexamic acid group and in 226 (4%) of 5981 patients in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·18). Arterial thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction or stroke) were similar in the tranexamic acid group and placebo group (42 [0·7%] of 5952 vs 46 [0·8%] of 5977; 0·92; 0·60 to 1·39). Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) were higher in tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (48 [0·8%] of 5952 vs 26 [0·4%] of 5977; RR 1·85; 95% CI 1·15 to 2·98). Interpretation: We found that tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. On the basis of our results, tranexamic acid should not be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding outside the context of a randomised trial

Optimization of conditions for improved solar energy harvesting application by hydrothermally grown TiO2 nanorods

In this study, using the optimum annealing temperature and time for hydrothermally grown TiO 2 nanorods, photooxidation of water at different pH values of the electrolyte solution is investigated. The composition, crystallinity and topographic studies of films, sintered at different temperatures of 200–500 °C for 2 h and annealed for 1–4 h at 400 °C, were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The sintering at high temperature and for longer time demonstrates an increase in crystallinity, but at the same time agglomeration of nanorods for prolonged heating and at high temperature leads to cracking at the surface of the films. Further, UV–Vis spectroscopic studies revealed prolonged heating and high-temperature sintering resulted in a red shift in light absorption edge of the films. The chronoamperometric measurement results under regular interrupted chopping revealed that the sample annealed at 400 °C for 2 h gives the best photoelectrochemical response with photocurrent density of 522 µA cm − 2 using 0.5M NaOH. The chronoamperometric response under different pH values of 13.7, 7.2 and 2.5 proved that TiO 2 gives the best response under a basic pH of 13.7 and the least under acidic media. The electrochemical impedance studies provided an insight into the charge transfer mechanism under dark and illumination with R ct value of 1188.8 Ω under dark and 164.5 Ω under light conditions for the film annealed at 400 °C for 2 h. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2019, Iranian Chemical Society

Stimulation of Employees’ Green Creativity through Green Transformational Leadership and Management Initiatives

Drawing upon the componential theory of creativity and social information processing theory, this research elucidates how and why the synergy of green HR practices and green strategies stimulate green creativity. It also explores the possible mediation effect of green transformational leadership (TFL) on the relationship between organizational interventions and green creativity. Survey questionnaires were used to collect data from managers working in large manufacturing firms. The structural equation modeling technique was applied to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings of research revealed that green management initiatives and green TFL stimulate green creativity. Moreover, the intervening impact of green TFL on the relationship between the aforementioned relationships was also established. Policymakers should devise green strategies and provide support to green HR practices for the stimulation of green creativity, whereas HR managers must ensure the compatibility of HR functions with corresponding organizational green strategies. Employees involved in green creative behaviors should be rewarded and retained. Training must be provided in order to keep employees abreast of the latest practices for environment conservation. Furthermore, managers should exhibit a green TFL style to advance green management initiatives and fuel green creativity among employees. This study highlights the significance of the synergy between green HR practices and the firm’s green strategies to stimulate employees’ green creativity. Furthermore, green management initiatives were also found to be the contextual precursor of green TFL, which enhances our understanding of the green TFL style. Lastly, the mediation effect of green TFL implies that it can serve as a proximal HR outcome to implement the organizational green agenda

Molding robust S-box design based on linear fractional transformation and multilayer Perceptron: Applications to multimedia security

This study introduces a novel and refined approach for generating exceptionally efficient S-boxes. The proposed methodology employs a hybrid approach that combines linear fractional transformation (LFT) with a multilayer perceptron (MLP) architecture. This method makes use of a perceptron with three layers: input, hidden, and output. Each layer's neuron count is fine-tuned to conform to the S-box layout. In addition, a threshold nonlinear transformation is utilized to increase nonlinearity, and a novel algorithm for boosting nonlinearity is introduced. The utilization of both LFT and MLP approaches has led to the development of S-boxes that possess nearly ideal average nonlinearity values, surpassing those that have been presented in literature. Notably, one S-box achieved an exceptional nonlinearity score of 114.50. Furthermore, to demonstrate how well the S-box works, this study also employs it in an image encryption application

Propitious Escalation in Photocurrent Response from MnZnO3 Thin Films Using Methanol as Sacrificial Agent

Abstract: The thin film of MnZnO3 was prepared from Mn-Zn complex [Mn2Zn2(TFA)8(THF)4]n(1) (where TFA = trifluroactetato and THF = tetrahydrofuran) via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition. The stoichiometry and oxidation of individual elements of the films were determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The field emission gun-scanning electron microscopic images confirmed that the film deposited at 500°C show an agglomerated flower-like structure. The photoelectrocatalytic performance of as-deposited MnZnO3 was evaluated for methanol oxidation using 1Sun illumination (100 mW cm−2). The MnZnO3 photoelectrode showed a photocurrent density of 2.5 mA cm−2 in the presence of 0.6 M methanol, which is three times of that in the absence of methanol. Furthermore, the chronoamperometric results revealed that the films are highly stable and resistive towards photo-corrosion under alkaline media. Impedance studies further elucidated the addition of minute quantity of methanol accelerates the charge transfer by its rapid photoxidation. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2019, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

An analytical review of current S-box design methodologies, performance evaluation criteria, and major challenges

The expansion of worldwide networking has created new possibilities for management, development, and presentation in the form of digital data. The uncomplicated accessibility to digital resources i.e., internet banking, electronic advertising, digital marketing, and libraries has resulted in grave security concerns. Consequently, rapid use of digital information and technology, security of digital transactions is a big concern. Although many data security solutions exist, still they need further improvement. In symmetric cryptography, the strength of a Substitution Box (S-box) assures the strength of block ciphers. S-box is a critical nonlinear element of cryptosystem that creates turmoil in transactions. This study aims to formulate a variety of methodologies to measure the effectiveness of an S-box against linear and differential algebraic attacks. These malicious attacks may disrupt and leak confidential information. Therefore, a comparative analysis is presented to understand the S-box construction methodologies, key characteristics of eminent S-boxes, major challenges, and their weak cryptographic properties. S-box is considered to be secure if it meets a number of criteria, i.e., maximum linear probability, bijection, nonlinearity, input/output XOR distribution, bit independence criterion, and strict avalanche criterion. These criteria are analyzed in detail to evaluate the performance, reliability, and effectiveness of S-box

Design and optimization of nonlinear component of block cipher: Applications to multimedia security

Nowadays, various image encryption schemes based on chaotic systems have been developed, each of them has its own limitations and strength in terms of security and computational speed. The proposed image encryption scheme utilizes 2-D maps without disturbing their mathematical structure, characterized by topological features such as chaotic behavior and fractal properties, namely the Zaslavasky, Bakers, and Henon Maps. This approach utilizes both confusion and diffusion stages to achieve high levels of security against various attacks. The confusion stage utilizes chaotic values to muddle the rows and columns of the image, reducing the correlations between neighboring pixels, while the diffusion step achieves the avalanche effect with 2D Bakers map and Henon map. The proposed image encryption scheme is analyzed thoroughly to evaluate its security and performance. To evaluate the security and computational efficiency of the proposed image encryption method, various analysis such as correlation, contrast, entropy, energy, homogeneity, and performance analyses are conducted. Moreover, the three proposed S-boxes are also tested to evaluate their effectiveness using cryptographic analysis tests such as nonlinearity, strict Avalanche criterion, differential probability, linear probability, and bit independence criterion, which we also utilized in our proposed image encryption scheme

Pyrochlore-structured Y2Ti2O7–2TiO2 composite thin films for photovoltaic applications

A titanium-based heterobimetallic single-source precursor [Y2Ti4(μ3-O)4(μ2-O)3(H2O)(TFA)8(THF)5].3(THF) (1) (where TFA = trifluoroacetato and THF = tetrahydrofuran) was successfully used to fabricate pyrochlore-structured Y2Ti2O7–2TiO2 composite thin films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates using the aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition technique (AACVD). The precursor complex (1), isolated in crystalline form by reacting yttrium (III) acetate monohydrate with titanium (IV) isopropoxide and trifluroacetic acid in THF solution, was characterized by physicochemical methods such as melting point, microanalysis, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA/DTG), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Thin films prepared at 550 °C were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) which demonstrated the development of mesoporous structured microballs of Y2Ti2O7–2TiO2 with precise stoichiometry. The optical analysis showed that Y2Ti2O7–2TiO2 has a direct optical band gap of 1.8 eV. Photo-oxidation of water via Y2Ti2O7–2TiO2 thin films was carried out under simulated solar irradiation of AM 1.5 G (100 mW cm−2) using three-electrode photoelectrochemical cell in of in three separate 0.5 M electrolyte solutions of NaOH (pH = 13.5), Na2SO4 (pH = 7.2), and citrate buffer (pH = 4). A best photocurrent density of ~ 60 μA cm−2 at + 0.8 V vs. SCE was observed at pH of 13.5. These observations were further validated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies in terms of charge transportation and its recombination time. © 2019, Australian Ceramic Society

Extraction of Pb (II) and Co (II) using N,N-dioctylsuccinamate based room temperature ionic liquids containing aliphatic and aromatic cations

Synthesis and Characterization of six novel N,N-dioctylsuccinamate based room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) bearing imidazolium, pyridinium, ester imidazolium, and quaternary ammonium cations is reported. Extraction of Pb(II) and Co(II) by these RTILs has been investigated. Ionic liquids (ILs) synthesized were [C4mim][N88SA], [C8mim][N88SA], [C4Py][N88SA], [C8Py][N88SA], [α-mim-ester][N88SA] and [N2244][N88SA] termed as L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and L6 respectively. Liquid-liquid extraction was performed and all the six systems showed excellent extractability results for both Pb(II) and Co(II). During the process of extraction several factors i.e., nature of cation, pH of the aqueous phase, equilibration time, and initial metal ion concentration were investigated. The extraction efficiency of above 98 % for all types of extractants was observed. The nature of cation its concentration, equilibration time, and pH of the aqueous phase significantly influenced the extraction efficiency. Maximum extraction was observed at pH values between 4 and 8 and optimum contact time was observed to be 40–45 min. Increasing the metal ion concentration decreased the extraction efficiency. The extraction efficiency of both metal ions decreased in the order [N88SA][C8mim] (L2) > [α-mim-Ester][N88SA] (L5) > [N88SA][C4mim] (L1). This is evident from the order of extraction behaviour that increasing the bulkiness of cation, results in stronger complexation, hence increasing extraction

Synthesis and characterization of magnetite nano particles with high selectivity using in-situ precipitation method

\u3cp\u3e In-situ precipitation method is widely used and reported in the literature for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles based on their applications in many fields. However, the rate of reaction and rate constant for the production of Magnetite Phase of iron oxide did not study in depth. Reaction rates are required to design a scale-up of the process. In this study, Magnetite phase of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe \u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e O \u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e ) are synthesized by the in-situ precipitation method, and the overall reaction rate is evaluated based on the concentration of Magnetite produced during the process. Further, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are used to confirm the presence of a higher proportion of magnetite (Fe \u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e O \u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e ) in the final product, which is responsible for more top magnetic properties 74.615 emu. Changes in morphology of these nanoparticles at different intervals of the reaction are reported by transmission electron microscope. The results showed that spherical nanoparticles synthesized at different intervals of the reaction have a very narrow range of particle size, i.e. 9–15 nm. Detailed analysis reveals the presence of a higher share of maghemite (Fe \u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e O \u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e ) at the start of the reaction. However, maghemite eventually is converted to magnetite by the end of the reaction, thereby enhancing the magnetic strength of the nanoparticles. \u3c/p\u3