Experimental assessment of a novel eutectic binary molten salt-based hexagonal boron nitride nanocomposite as a promising PCM with enhanced specific heat capacity

In this study, novel nanocomposites containing the pre-defined mass ratio of binary molten salt (NaNO3-KNO3: 60-40 wt. %) dispersed with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticles with nominal size of 70 nm, were prepared through one-phase preparation method. Four different types of samples including pure binary molten salt and binary molten salt-based hBN nanocomposites with loading concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 wt. % were prepared. The proposed amount of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate was added to certain amount of DI water, comprising with 0.5, 1 and 1.5 wt. % concentration of hBN nanoparticles. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was conducted to evaluate the uniformity of the synthesized binary molten salt-based hBN nanocomposites. The SEM images revealed uniform dispersion of hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles and fractal-like structures were observed clearly. Specific heat capacity (cp) and melting temperature measurements were performed using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The experimental achieved data for melting temperature proved that hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles do not affect the melting temperature of the synthesized nanocomposites. The experimentally achieved data for the average cp values of the binary molten salt in solid and liquid phases were 1.14 and 1.13 J/g K, respectively. While, the average cp values for the binary molten salt-based hBN nanocomposite with the highest loading concentration of nanoparticles (1.5 wt. %) in solid and liquid phases were 2 and 3.17 J/g K, respectively. The measured average cp value in the liquid phase for binary molten salt-based hBN nanocomposite with the highest loading concentration (1.5 wt. %) of nanoparticles revealed enhancement of ~180% in comparison with pure binary molten salt. Thermal stability measurements expressed enhancement of thermal stability in binary molten salt induced with hBN nanoparticles. Binary molten salt-based hBN nanocomposite with loading concentration of 1.5 wt. % represented ~16% enhancement in thermal stability over the binary molten salt

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

"Evaluation Of Humoral And Cellular Immunity Of Children Before And After Adenotonsillectomy "

Background and Aim: Adenoids and tonsils are active lymphoid organs and playing an important role against invading antigens of upper aero digestive tract in children. The purpose of this study is observing the changes in cellular and humoral immunity of children six months after adenotonsillectomy. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 30 children (aged 4-10 years) with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy and 30 age- matched healthy children. In all children serum level of IgM and IgG, percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3) , T helper (CD4) , T (CD8) and B lymphocytes (CD20) were measured. These parameters were re-measured in patients 6 months after adenotonsillectomy. Results: Before the operation, a reduction in percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3) , TCD4, TCD8 and B CD20 was seen compared with control group. This reduction was only significant in T lymphocytes (CD3) (P.Value=0.03). The serum IgM level was not different in two groups and IgG level was elevated in two groups but not significantly different. Six months after operation the percentage of lymphocytes T CD3+, TCD8+, TCD4+ and BCD20+ was increased and reached the control group. The IgG level was also significently decreased in patients after operation (P.Value=0.00). Conclusion: Our results indicate that cellular and humoral immunity decreases in children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy preoperatively and increases to healthy children level, six months postoperatively. It means that chronic adenotosillar hypertrophy affects some parameters of cellular and humoral immunity and adenotonsillectomy by removing chronic stimulations reverses these changes without any negative effect on immune function of patients

The Perception of Malaysian Architects towards the Implementation of Green Roofs: A Review of Practices, Methodologies and Future Research

The implementation of green roofs or vegetated roof as a sustainable tool to mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect is relatively new in Malaysia. Although it has not been tested on an urban scale, many research findings have indicated that green roofs can contribute towards enhancing the environmental and aesthetical quality of the built environment. It was hypothesized that the low application of green roofs in the Malaysian construction industry is due to the lack of awareness, understanding and experience in its benefits especially among building practitioners. As a result, this research was initiated to determine the perception and understanding of Malaysian architects in green roofs implementation issues, as well as to identify their level of acceptance and readiness. This paper reviews practices and different research approaches in understanding the factors that influence architect’s perception towards the implementation of green roofs in the Malaysian construction industry. Architects were chosen as the only respondents due to their intensive involvement in the conceptualisation, planning, design and construction stage of a built environment project. Extensive literature review was conducted to explore past experiences in green roof implementation and to develop the theoretical framework for this research

The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background In estimating the global burden of cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer are often overlooked, despite being a distinct subgroup with unique epidemiology, clinical care needs, and societal impact. Comprehensive estimates of the global cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (aged 15–39 years) are lacking. To address this gap, we analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, with a focus on the outcome of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), to inform global cancer control measures in adolescents and young adults. Methods Using the GBD 2019 methodology, international mortality data were collected from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and population-based cancer registry inputs modelled with mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Incidence was computed with mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated using modelled survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated as age-specific cancer deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. The main outcome was DALYs (the sum of YLLs and YLDs). Estimates were presented globally and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles (countries ranked and divided into five equal SDI groups), and all estimates were presented with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). For this analysis, we used the age range of 15–39 years to define adolescents and young adults. Findings There were 1·19 million (95% UI 1·11–1·28) incident cancer cases and 396 000 (370 000–425 000) deaths due to cancer among people aged 15–39 years worldwide in 2019. The highest age-standardised incidence rates occurred in high SDI (59·6 [54·5–65·7] per 100 000 person-years) and high-middle SDI countries (53·2 [48·8–57·9] per 100 000 person-years), while the highest age-standardised mortality rates were in low-middle SDI (14·2 [12·9–15·6] per 100 000 person-years) and middle SDI (13·6 [12·6–14·8] per 100 000 person-years) countries. In 2019, adolescent and young adult cancers contributed 23·5 million (21·9–25·2) DALYs to the global burden of disease, of which 2·7% (1·9–3·6) came from YLDs and 97·3% (96·4–98·1) from YLLs. Cancer was the fourth leading cause of death and tenth leading cause of DALYs in adolescents and young adults globally. Interpretation Adolescent and young adult cancers contributed substantially to the overall adolescent and young adult disease burden globally in 2019. These results provide new insights into the distribution and magnitude of the adolescent and young adult cancer burden around the world. With notable differences observed across SDI settings, these estimates can inform global and country-level cancer control efforts