324 research outputs found
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Flexible and stretchable power sources for wearable electronics.
Flexible and stretchable power sources represent a key technology for the realization of wearable electronics. Developing flexible and stretchable batteries with mechanical endurance that is on par with commercial standards and offer compliance while retaining safety remains a significant challenge. We present a unique approach that demonstrates mechanically robust, intrinsically safe silver-zinc batteries. This approach uses current collectors with enhanced mechanical design, such as helical springs and serpentines, as a structural support and backbone for all battery components. We show wire-shaped batteries based on helical band springs that are resilient to fatigue and retain electrochemical performance over 17,000 flexure cycles at a 0.5-cm bending radius. Serpentine-shaped batteries can be stretched with tunable degree and directionality while maintaining their specific capacity. Finally, the batteries are integrated, as a wearable device, with a photovoltaic module that enables recharging of the batteries
Comparison of History Effects in Magnetization in Weakly pinned Crystals of high- and low-T Superconductors
A comparison of the history effects in weakly pinned single crystals of a
high YBaCuO (for H c) and a low
CaRhSn, which show anomalous variations in critical current
density are presented via tracings of the minor magnetization
hysteresis loops using a vibrating sample magnetometer. The sample histories
focussed are, (i) the field cooled (FC), (ii) the zero field cooled (ZFC) and
(iii) an isothermal reversal of field from the normal state. An understanding
of the results in terms of the modulation in the plastic deformation of the
elastic vortex solid and supercooling across order-disorder transition is
sought.Comment: Presented in IWCC-200
Serological Testing Versus Other Strategies for Diagnosis of Active Tuberculosis in India: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
This cost-effectiveness study shows that sputum smear microscopy is the most cost-effective test for active tuberculosis (TB) in India, and liquid culture plus microscopy is more cost-effective for TB diagnosis than serological tests
Variation in the observed effect of Xpert MTB/RIF testing for tuberculosis on mortality: A systematic review and analysis of trial design considerations [version 2; peer review: 3 approved]
Background: Most studies evaluating the effect of Xpert MTB/RIF testing for tuberculosis (TB) concluded that it did not reduce overall mortality compared to usual care. We conducted a systematic review to assess whether key study design and execution features contributed to earlier identification of patients with TB and decreased pre-treatment loss to follow-up, thereby reducing the potential impact of Xpert MTB/RIF testing. /
Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, and Scopus for literature published from 1st January 2009 to February 2019. We included all primary intervention studies that had evaluated the effect of Xpert MTB/RIF on mortality compared to usual care in participants with presumptive pulmonary TB. We critically reviewed features of included studies across: Study setting and context, Study population, Participant recruitment and enrolment, Study procedures, and Study follow-up. /
Results: We included seven randomised and one non-randomised study. All included studies demonstrated relative reductions in overall mortality in the Xpert MTB/RIF arm ranging from 6% to 40%. However, mortality reduction was reported to be statistically significant in two studies. Study features that could explain the lack of observed effect on mortality included: the higher quality of care at study sites; inclusion of patients with a higher pre-test probability of TB leading to higher than expected empirical rates; performance of additional diagnostic testing not done in usual care leading to increased TB diagnosis or empiric treatment initiation; the recruitment of participants likely to return for follow-up; and involvement of study staff in ensuring adherence with care and follow-up. /
Conclusion: Most studies of Xpert MTB/RIF were designed and conducted in a manner that resulted in more patients being diagnosed and treated for TB, minimising the potential difference in mortality Xpert MTB/RIF testing could have achieved compared to usual care
Validation of the ALS Assay in Adult Patients with Culture Confirmed Pulmonary Tuberculosis
BACKGROUND: We have earlier shown that Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine-specific IgG Antibodies in Lymphocyte Supernatant (ALS) can be used for diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) in adults and children. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The ALS method was validated in a larger cohort (n = 212) of patients with suspicion of pulmonary TB using multiple antigens (BCG, LAM, TB15.3, TB51A, CFP10-ESAT6-A, CFP, CW) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The sensitivity and specificity of the ALS assay was calculated using non-TB patients as controls. The sensitivity and the specificity were highest with BCG vaccine (90% and 88% respectively) followed by LAM (89% and 87% respectively). Simultaneous assessment of multiple antigen-specific antibodies increased sensitivity (91%) and specificity (88%). Using higher lymphocyte count in smaller volume of culture media increased detection and reduced the assay duration to ∼30 hrs. Twenty one patients with clinical findings strongly suggestive of TB finally diagnosed as non-TB patients were positive by the ALS assay, of which 9 (43%) were positive for 7 antigens and 19 (90%) for at least 3 antigens. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings show that simultaneous detection of antigens improves the diagnostic potential of the ALS assay; the modified method increases sensitivity and can provide results in <48 hours, and enable detection of some cases of pulmonary TB that are not detectable by standard methods
The BCG World Atlas: A Database of Global BCG Vaccination Policies and Practices
Madhu Pai and colleagues introduce the BCG World Atlas, an open access, user
friendly Web site for TB clinicians to discern global BCG vaccination policies
and practices and improve the care of their patients
A study of supercooling of the disordered vortex phase via minor hysteresis loops in 2H-NbSe_2
We report on the observation of novel features in the minor hysteresis loops
in a clean crystal of NbSe_2 which displays a peak effect. The observed
behavior can be explained in terms of a supercooling of the disordered vortex
phase while cooling the superconductor in a field. Also, the extent of spatial
order in a flux line lattice formed in ascending fields is different from (and
larger than) that in the descending fields below the peak position of the peak
effect; this is attributed to unequal degree of annealing of the state induced
by a change of field in the two cases.Comment: 5 pages of text + 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Stable and Metastable vortex states and the first order transition across the peak effect region in weakly pinned 2H-NbSe_2
The peak effect in weakly pinned superconductors is accompanied by metastable
vortex states. Each metastable vortex configuration is characterized by a
different critical current density J_c, which mainly depends on the past
thermomagnetic history of the superconductor. A recent model [G. Ravikumar, et
al, Phys. Rev. B 61, R6479 (2000)] proposed to explain the history dependent
J_c postulates a stable state of vortex lattice with a critical current density
J_c^{st}, determined uniquely by the field and temperature. In this paper, we
present evidence for the existence of the stable state of the vortex lattice in
the peak effect region of 2H-NbSe_2. It is shown that this stable state can be
reached from any metastable vortex state by cycling the applied field by a
small amplitude. The minor magnetization loops obtained by repeated field
cycling allow us to determine the pinning and "equilibrium" properties of the
stable state of the vortex lattice at a given field and temperature
unambiguously. The data imply the occurence of a first order phase transition
from an ordered phase to a disordered vortex phase across the peak effect.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures. Corresponding author: S. Ramakrishna
Effect of pinning and driving force on the metastability effects in weakly pinned superconductors and the determination of spinodal line pertaining to order-disorder transition
We explore the effect of varying drive on metastability features exhibited by
the vortex matter in single crystals of 2H-NbSe and CeRu with varying
degree of random pinning. An optimal balance between the pinning and driving
force is needed to view the metastability effects in typically weakly pinned
specimen of low temperature superconductors. As one uses samples with larger
pinning in order to differentiate the response of different metastable vortex
states, one encounters a new phenomena, viz., the second magnetization peak
(SMP) anomaly prior to the PE. Interplay between the path dependence in the
critical current density and the non-linearity in the electromagnetic response
determine the metastability effects seen in first and the third harmonic
response of the ac susceptibility across the temperature regions of the SMP and
the PE. The limiting temperature above which metastability effects cease can be
conveniently located in the third harmonic data, and the observed behavior can
be rationalized within the Beans Critical State model. A vortex phase diagram
showing the different vortex phases for a typically weakly pinned specimen has
been constructed via the ac susceptibility data in a crystal of 2H-NbSe
which shows the SMP and the PE anomalies. The phase space of coexisting weaker
and stronger pinned regions has been identified. It can be bifurcated into two
parts, where the order and disorder dominate, respectively. The former part
continuously connects to the reentrant disordered vortex phase pertaining to
the small bundle pinning regime, where the vortices are far apart, interaction
effects are weak and the polycrystalline form of flux line lattice prevails.Comment: Submitted to the Special Volume on Vortex State Studies, Pramana J.
Phy
Treatment outcomes of new tuberculosis patients hospitalized in Kampala, Uganda: a prospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND: In most resource limited settings, new tuberculosis (TB) patients are usually treated as outpatients. We sought to investigate the reasons for hospitalisation and the predictors of poor treatment outcomes and mortality in a cohort of hospitalized new TB patients in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Ninety-six new TB patients hospitalised between 2003 and 2006 were enrolled and followed for two years. Thirty two were HIV-uninfected and 64 were HIV-infected. Among the HIV-uninfected, the commonest reasons for hospitalization were low Karnofsky score (47%) and need for diagnostic evaluation (25%). HIV-infected patients were commonly hospitalized due to low Karnofsky score (72%), concurrent illness (16%) and diagnostic evaluation (14%). Eleven HIV uninfected patients died (mortality rate 19.7 per 100 person-years) while 41 deaths occurred among the HIV-infected patients (mortality rate 46.9 per 100 person years). In all patients an unsuccessful treatment outcome (treatment failure, death during the treatment period or an unknown outcome) was associated with duration of TB symptoms, with the odds of an unsuccessful outcome decreasing with increasing duration. Among HIV-infected patients, an unsuccessful treatment outcome was also associated with male sex (P = 0.004) and age (P = 0.034). Low Karnofsky score (aHR = 8.93, 95% CI 1.88 - 42.40, P = 0.001) was the only factor significantly associated with mortality among the HIV-uninfected. Mortality among the HIV-infected was associated with the composite variable of CD4 and ART use, with patients with baseline CD4 below 200 cells/µL who were not on ART at a greater risk of death than those who were on ART, and low Karnofsky score (aHR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.02 - 4.01, P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Poor health status is a common cause of hospitalisation for new TB patients. Mortality in this study was very high and associated with advanced HIV Disease and no use of ART
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