Surface and optical properties of phase-pure silver iodobismuthate nanocrystals

The study of surface defects is one of the forefronts of halide perovskite research. In the nanoscale regime, where the surface-to-volume ratio is high, the surface plays a key role in determining the electronic properties of perovskites. Perovskite-inspired silver iodobismuthates are promising photovoltaic absorbers. Herein, we demonstrate the colloidal synthesis of phase pure and highly crystalline AgBiI4 nanocrystals (NCs). Surface-sensitive spectroscopic techniques reveal the rich surface features of the NCs that enable their impressive long-term environmental and thermal stabilities. Notably, the surface termination and its passivation effects on the electronic properties of AgBiI4 are investigated. Our atomistic simulations suggest that a bismuth iodide-rich surface, as in the case of AgBiI4 NCs, does not introduce surface trap states within the band gap region of AgBiI4, unlike a silver iodide-rich surface. These findings may encourage the investigation of surfaces of other lead-free perovskite-inspired materials.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Study of Anticholinergic Effect of Moringa Pterygosperma Leaves Extract on Intestinal Smooth Muscle in comparison with Atropine

Anticholinergics are the agent that inhibits neurotransmitter acetyl choline in the parasympathetic outflow. Moringa pterygosperma is a commonly available plant that has been used commercially for its anticholinergic property. It also possesses antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and hypocholesteromic properties. The aim of the study is to assess the Anticholinergic activity of ethanolic extract of Moringa pterygosperma in comparison with Atropine using in vitro experimental models. Ethanolic extract was prepared by soxhlation method. For in vitro study, isolated chick ileum was used. Chick ileum was suspended in an organ bath containing Tyrode solution at 37◦C with adequate oxygen supply. Effect of the Moringa pterygosperma extract was studied on ileum contractions induced by Acetylcholine and compared with that of atropine. Mean percentage response was calculated for ethanolic extract of Moringa pterygosperma and atropine. Ethanolic extract of Moringa pterygosperma and atropine inhibited ileum contraction induced by Acetylcholine. From this study it was concluded that Moringa pterygosperma extract have significant anticholinergic activity compared to atropine. These findings therefore raise hope for the development of a new anticholinergic drug with few side effects that may be useful in the treatment of conditions like diarrhoea, asthma, incontinence, peptic ulcer, and muscle spasms

Access to Urological Care for Medicaid-Insured Patients at Urology Practices Acquired by Private Equity Firms.

ObjectiveTo characterize appointment access for Medicaid-insured patients seeking care at urology practices affiliated with private equity firms in light of the recent national trends in practice consolidation.MethodsWe identified 214 urology offices affiliated with private equity firms that were geographically matched with 231 non-private equity affiliated urology offices. Using a standardized script, researchers posed as an adult patient with either Medicaid or commercial insurance in the clinical setting of new onset, painless hematuria. The primary outcome was whether the patient's insurance was accepted for an appointment. The secondary outcome was appointment wait time.ResultsWe conducted 815 appointment inquiry calls to 214 private equity (PE) and 231 non-PE-affiliated urology offices across 12 states. Appointment availability was higher for commercially-insured patients (99.0%; 95% CI: 98.1%-99.9%) vs Medicaid-insured patients (59.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 55.0%-64.6%) (P < .0001). Medicaid acceptance was higher at non-PE affiliated (66.8%; CI 60.4%-73.2%) than PE-affiliated practices (52.1%; 95% CI 45.0%-59.2%) (P = .003). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, state Medicaid expansion status (odds ratio [OR] 2.20; CI 1.14-4.28; P = .020) was independently associated with Medicaid appointment availability, whereas PE-affiliation (OR 0.55; CI 0.37-0.83; P = .004) was independently associated with lower Medicaid access. Appointment wait times did not differ significantly for commercially-insured vs Medicaid patients (19.2 vs 20.1 days; p = .59), but PE-affiliated practices offered shorter mean wait times than non-PE offices (17.5 vs 21.4 days; P = .017).ConclusionAccess disparities for urologic evaluation in patients with Medicaid insurance at urology practices and were more pronounced at private equity acquired practices

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortiu (INICC) report, data summary of 43 countries for 2007-2012. Device-associated module

We report the results of an International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2007-December 2012 in 503 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. During the 6-year study using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) U.S. National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care–associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 605,310 patients hospitalized in the INICC's ICUs for an aggregate of 3,338,396 days. Although device utilization in the INICC's ICUs was similar to that reported from ICUs in the U.S. in the CDC's NHSN, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals: the pooled rate of central line–associated bloodstream infection in the INICC's ICUs, 4.9 per 1,000 central line days, is nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.9 per 1,000 central line days reported from comparable U.S. ICUs. The overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher (16.8 vs 1.1 per 1,000 ventilator days) as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (5.5 vs 1.3 per 1,000 catheter days). Frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (42.8% vs 10%) and imipenem (42.4% vs 26.1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (71.2% vs 28.8%) and imipenem (19.6% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC's ICUs compared with the ICUs of the CDC's NHSN