11237 research outputs found
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Circular economy approach for thermal regeneration of graphene-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient adsorbent forsustainable wastewater management
No full textHigh-performing nanostructured magnetic adsorbents, featuring enhanced dye adsorption from wastewater at various conditions of pH, and separability through the application of magnetic fields, offer significant technical advantages for streamlined water purification processes. Moreover, the efficient regeneration of exhausted magnetic adsorbents provides additional benefits in terms of the sustainability of adsorption process and promoting circular economy principles. Here, we explore the performance of the graphene encapsulated magnetic adsorbent Ni0.4Fe2.6O4/(Fe,Ni)@graphene (GMA) for decolorization of wastewater containing crystal violet (CV), and its reusability properties through thermal regeneration of the exhausted adsorbent at temperatures ranging from 200 to 600 ◦C. The graphene layer around GMA provides an enhanced adsorption capacity and stability for the agent. Meanwhile, the application of a straightforward and potentially low-cost thermal treatment offers a rapid regeneration strategy, facilitating efficient recycling of the adsorbent. While maintaining structural and morphological stability up to 400 ◦C, samples regenerated at this temperature exhibit a BET surface area and pore volume of 207.46 m2/g and 0.44 cm3/g, respectively, closely resembling those of the original adsorbent. The regenerated sample recovers over 92 % of the original adsorption capacity. At the same time, approximately 86 % of the saturation magnetization (Ms) of the sample can also be restored through the thermal regeneration, with magnetic remanence and coercivity remaining nearly unchanged compared to the original adsorbent, ensuring the functionality of the regenerated adsorbent.</p
Humanising Healthcare: Assessing the impact of an educational resource to share real patient stories with eye care students
No full textDepression is prevalent in people with low vision and is often not acknowledged or treated. Eye care practitioners are well placed to identify suspected depression and refer patients for support. But first, they need to view this as an appropriate aspect of their role and receive relevant training. Patients can play an important role in their education. In this project we invited four individuals with vision impairment to share their personal stories with eye care students in short film clips. These were provided to educators alongside written materials and filmed role plays of screening and referring for depression to use in their teaching. The impact of the resources on students was evaluated using pre- and post-use surveys. Educators and patients also provided feedback. Students experienced an increase in understanding, knowledge and confidence around addressing depression. They reported an increased appreciation of the patient perspective and would be more likely to communicate about mental health in future. Educators felt more confident in teaching students about depression and patients felt more able to talk to others about the psychological impact of vision loss. Sharing real patient stories via film clips proved a useful way of educating eye care students about depression. </p
Reconfigurable frequency response masking Multi-MAC filters for software defined radio channelization
No full textMobile technology is currently trending toward supporting multiple communication standards on a single device. This means that some reconfigurable techniques must be the foundation of their design. The two essential requirements of channel filters are minimized complexity and reconfigurability. In this research, a novel extension of Frequency Response Masking (FRM) was investigated by employing Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)-based single Multiply and Accumulate (MAC) architecture using the principle of resource sharing to realize multiple sharp filter responses from a single prototype constant group delay low pass filter. This paper uses a single multiply and add units regardless of the quantity of channels and taps. The suggested reconfigurable filter was synthesized on technology based on 0.18-µm CMOS and put into practice. Further trials were carried out on Virtex-II 2v3000ff1152-4 FPGA device. The outcomes revealed that the suggested channel filter, which was synthesized using FPGA, provides 21.36% of the area curtail and 14.88% of power scaling down on average and put into practice using ASIC provides 5.18% of the area reduction and 9.08% of power scaling down on average.</p
Temporomandibular disorders in migraine and tension-type headache patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis
No full textThe simultaneous occurrence of primary headaches and temporomandibular disorders can pose a challenge in determining the best clinical management of patients. Therefore, we aimed to summarize evidence regarding the risk and prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in migraine and tension-type headaches (TTH) patients. Cross-sectional studies published in English comparing the presence of TMDs in adults with TTH or migraine to subjects without headaches were included, International Classification of Orofacial Pain, Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders or Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, and large epidemiological studies (sensitive diagnostic criteria (SDC)). The methodological quality was assessed by Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Odds ratio (OR) and random effects were calculated. 1405 articles were identified in PubMed, Embase and Central databases, and 13 cross-sectional studies were finally included. Overall Risk of TMDs was statistically significantly higher than control groups in both Migraine (SDC: 11 studies; OR: 3.79 (2.43, 5.90); I2 = 99%), with higher values in chronic migraine (OR: 24.27; (95% Confidence interval (CI): 5.84, 100.82); I2 = 0%) and TTH populations (SDC: 8 studies; OR: 4.45 (2.63, 7.53); I2 = 86%). Headache subjects presented a higher risk of muscular TMDs (5 studies; OR: 2.01 (1.62, 2.50); I2 = 0%), Combined TMDs (5 studies; OR: 2.74 (1.40, 5.36); I2 = 63%), or Painful TMDs (8 studies; OR: 5.31 (2.96, 9.54); I2 = 96%). Headache patients didn’t show the risk of arthrogenous TMDs (4 studies; OR: 0.96 (0.54, 1.71); I2 = 33%) or nonpainful TMDs (2 studies; OR: 1.10 (0.28, 4.26); I2 = 84%). The high heterogeneity in the results was reduced following subgroup analysis. Migraine and TTH appear to increase the risk of painful, myogenous or combined arthrogenous and myogenous TMDs. </p
Measuring Absolute Coronary Flow and Microvascular Resistance by Thermodilution
No full textDiagnosing coronary microvascular dysfunction remains challenging, primarily due to the lack of direct measurements of absolute coronary blood flow (Q) and microvascular resistance (Rμ). However, there has been recent progress with the development and validation of continuous intracoronary thermodilution, which offers a simplified and validated approach for clinical use. This technique enables direct quantification of Q and Rμ, leading to precise and accurate evaluation of the coronary microcirculation. To ensure consistent and reliable results, it is crucial to follow a standardized protocol when performing continuous intracoronary thermodilution measurements. This document aims to summarize the principles of thermodilution-derived absolute coronary flow measurements and propose a standardized method for conducting these assessments. The proposed standardization serves as a guide to ensure the best practice of the method, enhancing the clinical assessment of the coronary microcirculation.</p
La intersección de la inteligencia artificial y los derechos humanos: Un análisis desde el constructivismo y el realismo en la política exterior chilena
No full textEste estudio examina la intersección entre la inteligencia artificial (IA) y los derechos humanos en la política exterior chilena desde las perspectivas del constructivismo y el realismo. Se destaca cómo Chile ha integrado los derechos humanos en su identidad nacional y su política exterior, proyectándose como un defensor global de estos principios. Sin embargo, se identifican desafíos estratégicos relacionados con la dependencia tecnológica y la posición geopolítica del país. El análisis de experiencias regulatorias en América Latina sugiere una tendencia hacia la armonización con estándares internacionales, lo cual puede fortalecer la posición regional en discusiones globales sobre IA. Finalmente, se propone que Chile puede liderar en la regulación ética de la IA en América Latina, mediante un enfoque coordinado y consistente entre sus políticas nacionales y su proyección internacional.</p
Efficient removal of antibiotics from water by highly crosslinked metal-alginate particles: Preparation, isotherms, kinetics, and microbiological assay
No full textTraces of antibiotics reaching aquatic environment lead to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The efficient removal of antibiotics (ATBs) traces from wastewater is essential to tackle the AMR. In this study, a novel solid-state crosslinking method of alginate (ALG) was developed and applied to specifically remove ATBs from water. A wide range of crosslinkers (Ca2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Fe3+ and Al3+) was used and the crosslinking nature, density, and distribution were evidenced by FTIR, ICP-MS, and SEM-EDS. Compared with ionotropic gelation, the novel solid-state crosslinking method proved superior in term of ease of production, high crosslinking degree, and ATBs removal capacity. Fe-ALG and Zn-ALG showed high removal capacity of ciprofloxacin (356.5 mg/g and 928.6 mg/g) and doxycycline (90 mg/g and 690 mg/g), however, they were less effective toward amoxicillin (11.5 mg/g and 6 mg/g). Removal isotherms and kinetics followed type I and pseudo-second order suggesting a chemisorption removal mechanism. Fe-ALG was successfully regenerated with no loss in ATB removal capacity. The microbiological assay showed significant reductions of antibacterial activities after ATBs removal from water. Overall, metal-ALG systems obtained by solid-state crosslinking are promising for ATBs removal from wastewater giving the ease of production, high efficiency, regenerability, and scalability potential.</p
The Relationship Between Personal Resources and Work Engagement and the Mediating Role of Home Resources/Demands
No full textPersonal resources have been widely investigated in studies on work engagement. They have been mainly viewed as affected by individuals’ situated environments and as the most proximal predictor of work engagement. Unlike those studies, we aimed to investigate whether personal resources can be crafted by individuals and whether there are mechanisms embedded in the relationship between personal resources and work engagement. Using a diary study conducted over seven consecutive days with 70 individuals who were either married or living with a partner and who were considering and subsequently underwent cosmetic surgery on their pelvic region during the survey period (n = 490 observations), we investigated differences in the individuals’ personal resources (i.e., self-efficacy, self-esteem, and optimism) pre- and postsurgery. We further investigated the relationship between individuals’ personal resources after surgery and their work engagement by using home elements (i.e., home resources and home demands) as mediators. The proposed hypotheses are underpinned by the conservation of resources theory (COR theory) and are empirically supported. We claim that individuals’ personal resources can be crafted outside the work environment (i.e., nonwork environment) and that such personal resources contribute to work engagement by motivating individuals to develop a nonwork environment (e.g., home) that allows them to successfully control and influence their work environment by increasing/decreasing home resources/demands.</p
Artificial neural network inference analysis identified novel genes and gene interactions associated with skeletal muscle aging
No full textAbstractBackgroundSarcopenia is an age‐related muscle disease that increases the risk of falls, disabilities, and death. It is associated with increased muscle protein degradation driven by molecular signalling pathways including Akt and FOXO1. This study aims to identify genes, gene interactions, and molecular pathways and processes associated with muscle aging and exercise in older adults that remained undiscovered until now leveraging on an artificial intelligence approach called artificial neural network inference (ANNi).MethodsFour datasets reporting the profile of muscle transcriptome obtained by RNA‐seq of young (21–43 years) and older adults (63–79 years) were selected and retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data repository. Two datasets contained the transcriptome profiles associated to muscle aging and two the transcriptome linked to resistant exercise in older adults, the latter before and after 6 months of exercise training. Each dataset was individually analysed by ANNi based on a swarm neural network approach integrated into a deep learning model (Intelligent Omics). This allowed us to identify top 200 genes influencing (drivers) or being influenced (targets) by aging or exercise and the strongest interactions between such genes. Downstream gene ontology (GO) analysis of these 200 genes was performed using Metacore (Clarivate™) and the open‐source software, Metascape. To confirm the differential expression of the genes showing the strongest interactions, real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) was employed on human muscle biopsies obtained from eight young (25 ± 4 years) and eight older men (78 ± 7.6 years), partaking in a 6‐month resistance exercise training programme.ResultsCHAD, ZDBF2, USP54, and JAK2 were identified as the genes with the strongest interactions predicting aging, while SCFD1, KDM5D, EIF4A2, and NIPAL3 were the main interacting genes associated with long‐term exercise in older adults. RT‐qPCR confirmed significant upregulation of USP54 (P = 0.005), CHAD (P = 0.03), and ZDBF2 (P = 0.008) in the aging muscle, while exercise‐related genes were not differentially expressed (EIF4A2 P = 0.99, NIPAL3 P = 0.94, SCFD1 P = 0.94, and KDM5D P = 0.64). GO analysis related to skeletal muscle aging suggests enrichment of pathways linked to bone development (adj P‐value 0.006), immune response (adj P‐value </p
Clinical Impact of Intracoronary Imaging in the Management of Stent Thrombosis
No full textObjectives: Use of intracoronary imaging (ICI) in cases of stent thrombosis (ST) is recommended and tailored treatment appears reasonable. Nevertheless, data supporting such a strategy are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of ICI in the management of ST. Methods: The unadjusted study population was consecutive patients with definite ST presenting in a single tertiary cardiac centre and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The presumed major mechanism of ST was assigned according to the real-time ICI interpretation by the PCI operator. Propensity score matching was performed with regard to ICI use to form the adjusted population and Kaplan–Meier analysis was applied to compare survival free of cardiac death (CD) or target lesion revascularization (TLR). Results: The unadjusted population included 130 ST patients, with the majority presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (88%) and very late ST (86%). ICI was performed in 45 patients, of whom optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed in 30 cases. When the individual ST mechanisms were viewed as groups, there was an interaction observed between type of treatment (stent vs. non-stent) and ST mechanism, with non-stent treatment being more prevalent in cases of underexpansion, malapposition, in-stent restenosis and mechanism uncertainty. After application of matching, two groups of 30 patients were formed. ICI-guided management resulted in better survival free of CD–TLR at 2 years (93% vs. 73%, p = 0.037). Conclusions: Intracoronary imaging guidance during PCI for ST had a direct impact on management (stent vs. non-stent) and resulted in a lower event rate at mid-term follow-up when propensity matched analysis was applied
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