Karstensenparks0569

To tackle the global restriction on the use of lead-based materials, a feasible strategy of developing a piezoelectric ceramic with a ferroelectric- and relaxor-coexisted hybrid state is proposed in order to reduce the energy barrier as well as to assist polarization rotation. A significantly enhanced piezoelectric coefficient, d33, of 173 pC/N along with a broadened high-temperature stability above 300 °C has been obtained. Further probing via piezoresponse force microscopy unveils the grain boundary-governed domain structures with complicated configurations, suggesting close correlations with the coexistence of ferroelectric and relaxor states. This work demonstrates a recipe for establishing a novel grain-based ferroelectric-relaxor hybrid state with improved piezoelectric performance, which can further be beneficial for realistic applications.Zero-valent copper (Cu0) is a promising co-catalyst in semiconductor-based photocatalysis as it is inexpensive and exhibits electronic properties similar to those of Ag and Au. However, its practical application in photocatalytic hydrogen production is limited by its susceptibility to oxidation, forming less active Cu species. Herein, we have carried out in situ encapsulation of Cu0 nanoparticles with N-graphitic carbon layers (14.4% N) to stabilize Cu0 nanoparticles (N/C-coated Cu) and improve the electronic communication with a TiO2 photocatalyst. this website A facile solvothermal procedure is used to coat the Cu0 nanoparticles at 200 °C, while graphitization is achieved by calcination at 550 °C under an inert atmosphere. The resultant N/C-coated Cu/TiO2 composites outperform the uncoated Cu counterparts, exhibiting a 27-fold enhancement of the hydrogen evolution rate compared to TiO2 and achieving a rate of 19.03 mmol g-1 h-1 under UV-vis irradiation. Likewise, the N/C-coated Cu co-catalyst exhibits a less negative onset potential of -0.05 V toward hydrogen evolution compared to uncoated Cu (ca. -0.30 V). This superior activity is attributed to coating Cu0 with N/C, which enhances the stability, electronic communication with TiO2, conductivity, and interfacial charge transfer processes. The reported synthetic approach is simple and scalable, yielding an efficient and affordable Cu0 co-catalyst for TiO2.Background The optimal antithrombotic therapy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unsettled. Short and longer-term thromboembolic and bleeding risk post TAVI remain high. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant drugs (NOAC) may be attractive after TAVI but the implications of prolonged NOAC in this setting require further research. The aim of this study was to assess the HAS-BLED bleeding risk in a contemporary TAVI population and explore its correlation with the effective bleeding complications with or without (N)OAC. Methods This study included 986 consecutive successful TAVI patients from 2 tertiary care facilities. Statistical analysis consisted of Cox regression. link2 Bleedings were classified according to VARC-2 criteria. Results Mean age was 80.5 years, mean STS was 4.7 and 54% were males. A total of 483 patients (49.2%) had AF and 42.1% were on (N)OAC. The median HAS-BLED score was 2, 42.6% had a HAS-BLED≥3. Overall 216 patients (21.9%) experienced at least 1 bleeding, 166 (16.9%) occurred early after TAVI. HAS-BLED≥3 was an independent predictor of overall and pre-discharge bleeding (respectively HR 1.347 CI 1.029-1.763, P=0.03 HR 1.403 CI 1.032-1.905, P=0.05). The incidence of bleeding was similar in patient on (N)OAC vs. patients not on (N)OAC, both in the low and high HAS-BLED cohorts (P=0.93, P=0.42 respectively). Cardiovascular mortality was significantly higher in the high HAS-BLED cohort (37.5% vs. 24%, P=0.04) and HAS-BLED≥3 was an independent predictor of late mortality (HR 1.452 CI 1.028-2.053, P=0.03). Conclusions In our series, contemporary TAVI patients had an elevated HAS-BLED score. The HAS-BLED score correlated with early bleedings and mortality after TAVI. Use of (N)OAC was not associated with more bleedings after TAVI.The Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic has fast spread throughout the world in more than 200 countries, resulting in the need for a de-prioritization of elective medical care to face the demands of the global health crisis. Although the acute and catastrophic phase of the pandemic seems to have been left behind, it is also clear that the virus will not disappear soon, and we must live with it for a period of unpredictable length, the COVID-19 era. In this setting, a common coordinated approach to treat patients harboring brain tumors is urgently required to guarantee the best updated oncological care and to reduce the risk of viral infection during hospitalization. The study group on Neuro-oncology of Italian Society of Neurosurgery, SINCh gathered pieces of evidence and data and would like to suggest a practice protocol of care for neurosurgical oncologic procedures in the COVID-19 era. The present document is aimed at summarizing current evidence and expert opinions to help neurosurgeons in taking decisions on their patients harboring different brain tumors.Background The impact of COVID-19 outbreak in the neurosurgical practice has been dramatic, imposing several limitations. The aim of this study is to present how the neurosurgical departments of Emilia-Romagna, a northern Italian region, have re-set their organization to maintain the higher standard of care as possible. Methods All OR and out-patients activities performed during the COVID-19 emergency in the neurosurgical department of Emilia-Romagna have been collected and compared to the means of the same timeframe in 2018 and 2019. Results In 2020, 205 surgical procedures and 466 out-patients consultations have been performed, representing respectively 28.8% and 26.4% of the previous biennium. link3 The most of OR procedures had been emergencies/urgencies and oncological patients (respectively 113 and 66 vs 164.5 and 84.5 of the previous biennium), while elective surgeries decrease up to -97.1%, as for spinal nerves and endoscopic skull base procedures. The patients phone contacts and telemedicine evaluations of their examinations have permitted to reduce the hospital access for outpatients of 75.6%, but these modalities have, also, permitted to follow-up a large number of cases. Conclusions The outbreak of COVID-19 has imposed several limits to our current practice, however this should not represent an excuse to reduce the standard of care. In our experience, the net integration of different local centers has permitted for each of them to effectively cope the crisis, managing the local cases requiring a prompt surgery and keeping the care continuity with already discharged patients.Introduction Neonatal hypoxia-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) can lead to serious neuron damage and dysfunction, causing a significant worldwide health problem. bFGF as a protective reagent promotes neuron repair under hypoxia/ischemia (HI). However, how bFGF and downstream molecules were regulated in HI remains elusive. Methods We established an in vitro HI model by culturing primary cortical neurons and treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). We suppressed the expression of bFGF by using siRNA (small interfering RNA) interference to detect the neuronal morphological changes by immunofluorescence staining. To determine the potential mechanisms regulated by bFGF, the change of downstream molecular including IL-1β was examined in bFGF knockdown condition. IL-1β knockout (KO) rats were generated using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated technologies. We used an accepted rat model of HI, to assess the effect of IL-1β deletion on disease outcomes and carried out analysis on the behavior, histological, cellular, and moleculas for future therapeutics in treating HIBD.Social insects, i.e. ants, bees, wasps and termites, are key components of ecological communities, and are important ecosystem services (ESs) providers. Here, we review the literature in order to (i) analyse the particular traits of social insects that make them good suppliers of ESs; (ii) compile and assess management strategies that improve the services provided by social insects; and (iii) detect gaps in our knowledge about the services that social insects provide. Social insects provide at least 10 ESs; however, many of them are poorly understood or valued. Relevant traits of social insects include high biomass and numerical abundance, a diversity of mutualistic associations, the ability to build important biogenic structures, versatile production of chemical defences, the simultaneous delivery of several ESs, the presence of castes and division of labour, efficient communication and cooperation, the capacity to store food, and a long lifespan. All these characteristics enhance social insects as ES providers, highlighting their potential, constancy and efficiency as suppliers of these services. In turn, many of these traits make social insects stress tolerant and easy to manage, so increasing the ESs they provide. We emphasise the need for a conservation approach to the management of the services, as well as the potential use of social insects to help restore habitats degraded by human activities. In addition, we stress the need to evaluate both services and disservices in an integrated way, because some species of social insects are among the most problematic invasive species and native pests. Finally, we propose two areas of research that will lead to a greater and more efficient use of social insects as ES providers, and to a greater appreciation of them by producers and decision-makers.Aim To carry out cross-culture adaptation and validation of the English version of Rheumatoid Arthritis Knowledge Assessment Scale (RAKAS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted for 2 months in 2 tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. Sample size was calculated based on item-subject ratio. The translation was carried out using standard procedures for translation and cross-culture adaptation. The validation process included estimation of discrimination power, item difficulty index, factorial, convergent, construct and known group validities and reliability. Reliability of the scale was estimated using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 and a value of σ2 ≥ 0.6 was acceptable. SPSS v23, Remark Classic OMR v6 software and MedCalc Statistical Software v16.4.3, were used to analyze the data. The study was approved by the relevant ethics committee (IRB#NOV15). Results The mean score was 7.68 ± 2.52 (95% CI 7.31-8.05) for 177 patients. The σ2 = 0.601, that is, >0.6, test-retest reliability ρ = .753, P less then .05. The average discrimination power = 47.27, average Item Difficulty Index = 0.557. The fit indices were acceptable in a range that established its factorial validity and average factor loading was ≥0.7 which established convergent validity. A significant association (χ2 = 33.074, P less then .01) between score interpretation and previous counseling by pharmacists established its construct validity. A significant association (χ2 = 19.113, P less then .05) between score interpretation and patient occupation established known group validity. Conclusion The English version of RAKAS was deemed a reliable and validated tool to measure knowledge about disease in Pakistani patients with RA.