Elastic and structural instability of cubic Sn3N4 and C3N4 under pressure

We use in-situ high pressure angle dispersive x-ray diffraction measurements to determine the equation of state of cubic tin nitride Sn3N4 under pressure up to about 26 GPa. While we find no evidence for any structural phase transition, our estimate of the bulk modulus (B) is 145 GPa, much lower than the earlier theoretical estimates and that of other group IV-nitrides. We corroborate and understand these results with complementary first-principles analysis of structural, elastic and vibrational properties of group IV-nitrides, and predict a structural transition of Sn3N4 at a higher pressure of 88 GPa compared to earlier predictions of 40 GPa. Our comparative analysis of cubic nitrides shows that bulk modulus of cubic C3N4 is the highest (379 GPa) while it is structurally unstable and should not exist at ambient conditions.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Recent advancement in the method of transdermal drug delivery system: A review

A transdermal patch is a medicated adhesive patch that is applied to the skin and used to deliver a particular amount of medication into the bloodstream through the skin. It aids in the recovery of an injured bodily part. The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) provides an alternative safe means of drug delivery to previous intrusive techniques. In the past, topically applied lotions and ointments were the most commonly utilised systems for dermatological issues. The fact that some of these formulations cause systemic side effects indicates that they are absorbed through the skin. All topically applied medication formulations intended to transport the active ingredient into the general circulation are included in the transdermal delivery system. To overcome the skin's formidable barrier to topical medication administration, several substances have been utilised. Because of their unique qualities, such as improved bioavailability, regulated pharmaceutical release, and improved patient compliance, TDDS have recently gained increased attention. The current review focuses on the various advancements in transdermal drug delivery, as well as the various available methods for preparing transdermal patches, characterization and assessment tools for transdermal patch preparation, patents, transdermal compound clinical trials, and drug approved and future applications of transdermal drug delivery systems. As a result, in recent years, the Transdermal Drug Delivery System has received a lot of attention

An Integrated Decision Support Toolbox (DST) for the Management of Mountain Protected Areas

New tools and methodologies are required in systemic planning and management of mountain protected areas. Among others we propose here a decision support toolbox (DST) conceived as an integrated collection of both soft and hard system methodologies, consisting of participatory and computer-based modules to provide a set of integrated, self-contained tools and approaches to support decision-making processes in the management of mountain protected areas. The Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (SNPBZ) in Nepal was taken as a pilot case. A number of participatory exercises such as participatory 3-dimensional modeling, scenario planning, and qualitative modeling were carried out to understand social-ecological processes and generate a systemic view over space and time. The qualitative models were then converted into computer-based system dynamics models. The design and development of DST software were carried out with an incremental and modular approach. This process involved stakeholder analysis and decision-making processes through a series of consultations. The software was developed with the main modules including scenario analysis, spatial analysis, and knowledge base. The scenario analysis module runs system dynamics models built in Simile software and provides functions to link them with spatial data for model inputs and outputs. The spatial analysis module provides the basic geographic information system functions to explore, edit, analyze, and visualize spatial information. The knowledge base module was developed as a metadata management system for different categories of information such as spatial data, bibliography, research data, and models. The development of DST software, especially system dynamics modeling and its linkage with spatial components, provided an important methodological approach for spatial and temporal integration. Furthermore, training and interactions with park managers and concerned stakeholders showed that DST is a useful platform for integrating data and information and better understanding ecosystem behavior as a basis for management decisions

Non-mulberry Silk Fibroin Biomaterial for Corneal Regeneration

Successful repair of a damaged corneal surface is a great challenge and may require the use of a scaffold that supports cell growth and differentiation. Amniotic membrane is currently used for this purpose, in spite of its limitations. A thin transparent silk fibroin film from non-mulberry Antheraea mylitta (Am) has been developed which offers to be a promising alternative. The silk scaffolds provide sufficient rigidity for easy handling, the scaffolds support the sprouting, migration, attachment and growth of epithelial cells and keratocytes from rat corneal explants; the cells form a cell sheet, preserve their phenotypes, express cytokeratin3 and vimentin respectively. The films also support growth of limbal stem cell evidenced by expression of ABCG2. The cell growth on the silk film and the amniotic membrane is comparable. The implanted film within the rabbit cornea remains transparent, stable. The clinical examination as well as histology shows absence of any inflammatory response or neovascularization. The corneal surface integrity is maintained; tear formation, intraocular pressure and electroretinography of implanted eyes show no adverse changes. The silk fibroin film from nonmulberry silk worms may be a worthy candidate for use as a corneal scaffold

Centralised versus local measurement of glycated haemoglobin in clinical trial settings: a comment on Arch et al., Trials. 2016

Abstract Arch and colleagues in their 24 October 2016 paper in Trials focus on the issue of centralised versus local measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in clinical trial settings. Resolution of the debate is important: while local HbA1c measurement is less costly, and would thereby ease the stretched funding situations for clinical trials worldwide, it cannot be implemented at the expense of clinically unacceptable disparities between centralised and localised measurements. Arch and colleagues favour centralised measurement in their paper’s conclusion. However, critical questions regarding the methods require a closer look. In this letter, we discuss some of the issues that the authors could clarify in order that the reader can agree (or disagree) to their inference with greater confidence

Current developments in prevention and treatment of candidiasis: A review

Invasive fungus infection affects about six people out of every 100,000 people each year. Only half of these infections are detected throughout the patient's lifetime, making it one of the most common causes of death among intensive-care patients. The low detection rate is due to the diagnostic work's complexity, which comprises clinical, radiographic, and microbiological results. Antimycotic drug-resistant fungi are on the rise all over the world. Guidelines for identifying and treating invasive fungous infections caused by Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Mucorales, and Fusarium spp. are the topic of this review. In typical hospital care, intrusive fungous infections are frequently ignored. They must include it as a necessary component of antimicrobial stewardship programmes. There is also a great need for novel antimycotic medication classes to be develope

Vertically aligned ZnO nanowire arrays in Rose Bengal-based dye-sensitized solar cells

We fabricate dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) using vertically oriented, high density, and crystalline array of ZnO nanowires, which can be a suitable alternative to titanium dioxide nanoparticle films. The vertical nanowires provide fast routes or channels for electron transport to the substrate electrode. As an alternative to conventional ruthenium complex, we introduce Rose Bengal dye, which acts as a photosensitizer in the dye-sensitized solar cells. The dye energetically matches the ZnO with usual KI- I2 redox couple for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

Rectifying junction in a single ZnO vertical nanowire

The authors introduce dopants in vertically grown single crystalline ZnO nanowires in a controlled manner. A section of the nanowires is doped with aluminum as donor during crystal nucleation, resulting in n-n<SUP>+</SUP> junction. Current-voltage characteristics of these single nanowire junctions via scanning tunneling microscopy and mercury-probe methods are asymmetric, displaying rectifying behavior. By inversing the junction during the growth or by introducing lithium as acceptor to form a n-p junction, the directionality of current flow in the nanowires becomes reversed. The single nanowire diode junctions are very stable in ambient condition and hence open up a new dimension in nanoelectronics