Coating of conducting and insulating threads with porous mof particles through langmuir-blodgett technique

The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method is a well-known deposition technique for the fabrication of ordered monolayer and multilayer thin films of nanomaterials onto different substrates that plays a critical role in the development of functional devices for various applications. This paper describes detailed studies about the best coating configuration for nanoparticles of a porous metal-organic framework (MOF) onto both insulating or conductive threads and nylon fiber. We design and fabricate customized polymethylmethacrylate sheets (PMMA) holders to deposit MOF layers onto the threads or fiber using the LB technique. Two different orientations, namely, horizontal and vertical, are used to deposit MIL-96(Al) monolayer films onto five different types of threads and nylon fiber. These studies show that LB film formation strongly depends on deposition orientation and the type of threads or fiber. Among all the samples tested, cotton thread and nylon fiber with vertical deposition show more homogenous monolayer coverage. In the case of conductive threads, the MOF particles tend to aggregate between the conductive thread’s fibers instead of forming a continuous monolayer coating. Our results show a significant contribution in terms of MOF monolayer deposition onto single fiber and threads that will contribute to the fabrication of single fiber or thread-based devices in the future

Perfil lipídico, compuestos volátiles y estabilidad oxidativa durante el almacenamiento del aceite de semilla de Opuntia ficus-indica marroquí

The fatty acids, sterol, tocopherol and volatile compositions of Moroccan cold-pressed cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) seed oil were studied. The most abundant fatty acid, tocopherol and sterol were linoleic acid (60.6%), γ-tocopherol (533 mg/kg) and β-sitosterol (6075 mg/kg), respectively. In this study, 23 volatile compounds were identified with perceivable odor attributes for 14 compounds. The oxidative quality of cactus seed oil was monitored over 4 weeks at 50 °C. Increases in PV, K232 and FFA were detected during the first two weeks as well as a decrease in the induction time; whereas no change was reported for the K270 values. The amount of total phenolic content increased until it reached 0.3 mg/kg and then decreased by the end of the storage period; while tocopherols started to decrease after the first week. The fat-free residue extracts showed a very strong effect to reduce the oxidation of linoleic acid. Consequently, the extracts were significantly more effective to bleach β-carotene in the β-carotene-linoleic acid assay in comparison with the control.Se estudiaron los ácidos grasos, esteroles, tocoferoles y la composición volátil del aceite de semilla de cactus marroquí (Opuntia ficus-indica) prensado en frío. Los ácidos grasos, tocoferoles y esteroles más abundantes fueron el ácido linoleico (60,6%), γ-tocoferol (533 mg/kg) y β-sitosterol (6075 mg/kg), respectivamente. En este estudio, se identificaron 23 compuestos volátiles con atributos perceptibles para 14 de ellos. La oxidación del aceite de semilla de cactus fue monitoreada durante 4 semanas a 50°C. Se observó un aumento en el PV, K232 y FFA durante las dos primeras semanas y una disminución en el tiempo de inducción, mientras que no se apreciaron cambios para los valores de K270. La cantidad de fenoles totales aumentó hasta alcanzar 0,3 mg/kg y luego disminuyó al final del almacenamiento, mientras que los tocoferoles comenzaron a disminuir después de la primera semana. Los extractos de residuos libres de grasa mostraron un efecto muy fuerte para reducir la oxidación del ácido linoleico. En consecuencia, los extractos fueron significativamente más efectivos para blanquear el β-caroteno en el ensayo de β-caroteno-ácido linoleico en comparación con el control

Inter- and intragrain currents in bulk melt-grown YBaCuO rings

A simple contactless method suitable to discern between the intergrain (circular) current, which flows in the thin superconducting ring, and the intragrain current, which does not cross the weakest link, has been proposed. At first, we show that the intergrain current may directly be estimated from the magnetic flux density $B(\pm z_0)$ measured by the Hall sensor positioned in the special points $\pm z_0$ above/below the ring center. The experimental and the numerical techniques to determine the value $z_0$ are discussed. Being very promising for characterization of a current flowing across the joints in welded YBaCuO rings (its dependencies on the temperature and the external magnetic field as well as the time dissipation), the approach has been applied to study corresponding properties of the intra- and intergrain currents flowing across the $a$-twisted grain boundaries which are frequent in bulk melt-textured YBaCuO samples. We present experimental data related to the flux penetration inside a bore of MT YBaCuO rings both in the non-magnetized, virgin state and during the field reversal. The shielding properties and their dependence on external magnetic fields are also studied. Besides, we consider the flux creep effects and their influence on the current re-distribution during a dwell.Comment: 13 pages, 16 figures (EPS), RevTeX4. In the revised version, corrections to perturbing effects near the weak links are introduced, one more figure is added. lin

International Study of the Epidemiology of Paediatric Trauma : PAPSA Research Study

Objectives: Trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The literature on paediatric trauma epidemiology in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. This study aims to gather epidemiological data on paediatric trauma. Methods: This is a multicentre prospective cohort study of paediatric trauma admissions, over 1 month, from 15 paediatric surgery centres in 11 countries. Epidemiology, mechanism of injury, injuries sustained, management, morbidity and mortality data were recorded. Statistical analysis compared LMICs and high-income countries (HICs). Results: There were 1377 paediatric trauma admissions over 31 days; 1295 admissions across ten LMIC centres and 84 admissions across five HIC centres. Median number of admissions per centre was 15 in HICs and 43 in LMICs. Mean age was 7 years, and 62% were boys. Common mechanisms included road traffic accidents (41%), falls (41%) and interpersonal violence (11%). Frequent injuries were lacerations, fractures, head injuries and burns. Intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic injuries accounted for 3 and 2% of injuries. The mechanisms and injuries sustained differed significantly between HICs and LMICs. Median length of stay was 1 day and 19% required an operative intervention; this did not differ significantly between HICs and LMICs. No mortality and morbidity was reported from HICs. In LMICs, in-hospital morbidity was 4.0% and mortality was 0.8%. Conclusion: The spectrum of paediatric trauma varies significantly, with different injury mechanisms and patterns in LMICs. Healthcare structure, access to paediatric surgery and trauma prevention strategies may account for these differences. Trauma registries are needed in LMICs for future research and to inform local policy

Infrared Space Observatory and Ground-Based Infrared Observation of the Classical Nova V723 Cassiopeiae

We present observations of the classical nova V723 Cassiopeiae (Nova Cas 1995), obtained both with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) and from the ground. The infrared spectrum was dominated in the first year by H and He recombination lines, and at later times by coronal lines. The H recombination lines imply a reddening of E(B-V) = 0.78, an electron temperature of 7000 K, and an electron density of 2 × 108 cm-3 on day 250. We argue that the high-ionization species in the infrared are most likely the result of collisional ionization rather than photoionization and are therefore truly "coronal"; we estimate a temperature of 3.2 × 105 K in the coronal region and abundance ratios of S/Si 2.1, Ca/Si 1.6, and Al/Si 1.5. The ejected mass as determined from the Brα line was 2.6 × 10-5 M⊙ for a distance of 4 kpc; however, the mass deduced from the free-free emission, which we conclude arises primarily in the coronal zone, is 4.3 × 10-4 M⊙. V723 Cas did not display the [O IV] 25.89 μm fine-structure line, which was typically seen in the spectra of novae observed with ISO. There was no evidence of dust emission in V723 Cas

Tracking development assistance for health and for COVID-19 : a review of development assistance, government, out-of-pocket, and other private spending on health for 204 countries and territories, 1990-2050

Background The rapid spread of COVID-19 renewed the focus on how health systems across the globe are financed, especially during public health emergencies. Development assistance is an important source of health financing in many low-income countries, yet little is known about how much of this funding was disbursed for COVID-19. We aimed to put development assistance for health for COVID-19 in the context of broader trends in global health financing, and to estimate total health spending from 1995 to 2050 and development assistance for COVID-19 in 2020. Methods We estimated domestic health spending and development assistance for health to generate total health-sector spending estimates for 204 countries and territories. We leveraged data from the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database to produce estimates of domestic health spending. To generate estimates for development assistance for health, we relied on project-level disbursement data from the major international development agencies' online databases and annual financial statements and reports for information on income sources. To adjust our estimates for 2020 to include disbursements related to COVID-19, we extracted project data on commitments and disbursements from a broader set of databases (because not all of the data sources used to estimate the historical series extend to 2020), including the UN Office of Humanitarian Assistance Financial Tracking Service and the International Aid Transparency Initiative. We reported all the historic and future spending estimates in inflation-adjusted 2020 US$, 2020 US$ per capita, purchasing-power parity-adjusted US$per capita, and as a proportion of gross domestic product. We used various models to generate future health spending to 2050. Findings In 2019, health spending globally reached$8. 8 trillion (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 8.7-8.8) or $1132 (1119-1143) per person. Spending on health varied within and across income groups and geographical regions. Of this total,$40.4 billion (0.5%, 95% UI 0.5-0.5) was development assistance for health provided to low-income and middle-income countries, which made up 24.6% (UI 24.0-25.1) of total spending in low-income countries. We estimate that $54.8 billion in development assistance for health was disbursed in 2020. Of this,$13.7 billion was targeted toward the COVID-19 health response. $12.3 billion was newly committed and$1.4 billion was repurposed from existing health projects. $3.1 billion (22.4$2.4 billion (17.9%) was for supply chain and logistics. Only $714.4 million (7.7$1519 (1448-1591) per person in 2050, although spending across countries is expected to remain varied. Interpretation Global health spending is expected to continue to grow, but remain unequally distributed between countries. We estimate that development organisations substantially increased the amount of development assistance for health provided in 2020. Continued efforts are needed to raise sufficient resources to mitigate the pandemic for the most vulnerable, and to help curtail the pandemic for all. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Genome-wide association study for systemic lupus erythematosus in an egyptian population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility has a strong genetic component. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) across trans-ancestral populations show both common and distinct genetic variants of susceptibility across European and Asian ancestries, while many other ethnic populations remain underexplored. We conducted the first SLE GWAS on Egyptians–an admixed North African/Middle Eastern population–using 537 patients and 883 controls. To identify novel susceptibility loci and replicate previously known loci, we performed imputation-based association analysis with 6,382,276 SNPs while accounting for individual admixture. We validated the association analysis using adaptive permutation tests (n = 109). We identified a novel genome-wide significant locus near IRS1/miR-5702 (Pcorrected = 1.98 × 10−8) and eight novel suggestive loci (Pcorrected 0.8) with lead SNPs from four suggestive loci (ARMC9, DIAPH3, IFLDT1, and ENTPD3) were associated with differential gene expression (3.5 × 10−95 < p < 1.0 × 10−2) across diverse tissues. These loci are involved in cellular proliferation and invasion—pathways prominent in lupus and nephritis. Our study highlights the utility of GWAS in an admixed Egyptian population for delineating new genetic associations and for understanding SLE pathogenesis

Measurement of the mass difference between top quark and antiquark in pp collisions at root s=8 TeV

Peer reviewe