Spectroscopic and Structural Properties of β-Tricalcium Phosphates Ca9RE(PO4)7 (RE = Nd, Gd, Dy)

Rare-earth-basedCa9RE(PO4)7 (RE = Nd, Gd, Dy) materials were synthesized by solid-state reaction at T = 1200 °C. The obtained tricalcium phosphate (TCP) materials are efficient light emitters due to the presence of RE3+ ions, although these ions are present at high concentrations. Moreover, in these host structures, these ions can be used as optical probes to study their local environments. Thus, photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of the powder samples clearly indicated, for Dy3+ and Gd3+ ions, the presence of the RE3+ ion in low-symmetry sites with some local structural disorder, and the spectra show the presence of vibrational features (in the case of Gd3+). For the Nd3+ phase, emission bands are present around 900, 1050, and 1330 nm, originating from the 4F3/2 level. In general, these RE-TCP samples are interesting luminescent materials in the visible (Dy), UV (Gd), and NIR (Nd) regions, due to weak concentration quenching even for high concentrations of the emitting ion.

Poor correlation between meropenem and piperacillin plasma concentrations and delivered dose of continuous renal replacement therapy

There is insufficient data on the relationship between antibiotic dosing and plasma concentrations in patients treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). In this prospective observational study, we explored the variability in plasma concentrations of meropenem and piperacillin in critically ill patients treated with CRRT and the correlation between concentrations and CRRT intensity. Antibiotic concentrations were measured at the mid and end of the dosing interval and repeated after 2-3 days when feasible. Measured concentrations were compared to the clinical susceptible breakpoints for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 16 and 2 mg/L for piperacillin and meropenem respectively. CRRT intensity was estimated by delivered, time-averaged, total effluent flow (Qeff), corrected for predilution. Concentrations were also compared between patients with different residual diuresis. We included 140 meropenem concentrations from 98 patients and 47 piperacillin concentrations from 37 patients. Concentrations at the mid of the dosing interval were above target at all occasions for both antibiotics. For meropenem, 6.5% of trough concentrations were below target, for piperacillin 22%. Correlations between Qeff and antibiotic concentrations or concentration T½ were either statistically not significant or weak. Meropenem concentrations and T½ differed between patients with different residual diuresis. Thus, when treating ICU patients with CRRT and recommended doses of meropenem or piperacillin, both low, suboptimal, and unnecessary high, potentially toxic, plasma concentrations are common. Plasma concentrations cannot be predicted from CRRT intensity. Residual diuresis is associated with lower meropenem concentrations, but the correlation is weak. Concentration measurements is likely the most useful approach to avoid suboptimal treatment.

The influence of flavour on voluntary water intake in horses

The equine athlete is subject to increasing demands on its physiology; more efficient transport means we are able to travel horses for further and longer, as well as competing them in more challenging conditions. As with humans, the industry surrounding maintenance and recovery of athletes is ever growing, with more and more products being developed in order to gain a competitive edge. Prolonged transport can result in dramatic losses in bodyweight and therefore dehydration, caused by excessive sweating and increased faecal output; this can have a dramatic effect on performance, as electrolyte derangements cause a range of issues such as muscle degeneration and impaction colic. In this study, two synthetic variations of flavours, banana and cherry, were selected to be added to water to determine if they encouraged a greater voluntary water intake compared with plain water and might therefore be a mechanism for mitigation of dehydration in horses. Two trials were carried out using Latin square and Randomised Block designs. Trials 1a and 1b used 6 horses and three different concentrations of each flavour with the aim to ascertain the preferred concentration for both flavours. Trial 2 consisted of 12 horses and tested the palatability of the flavours when offered alongside plain water. Each trial consisted of 3 repetitions in order to eliminate bucket location bias. All horses were without water for 1 hour before each trial period and underwent a standardised exercise test before being offered the waters. Trials 1a and 1b showed no preferred concentration for either flavour. There was a tendency, albeit weak for a preference for the medium concentration of banana and weak concentration of cherry thus those concentrations were chosen for Trial 2. The results from Trial 2 showed that plain water was preferred when offered alongside the 2 flavoured waters, average voluntary fluid intake for plain water was 5.33 litres, which was more than double that of the flavoured waters with average intake for banana of 2.07 litres and cherry of 2.19 litres. In summary, adding banana and cherry flavour to water did not encourage an increase in voluntary fluid intake, and as such cannot be used as a method for mitigating dehydration in horses. Further research is required to ascertain if other flavours, are preferred in water, as this could be added to electrolyte solution in order to make them more palatable and so encourage drinking.

Some aspects of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to disinfectants in the focus

The article presents assessment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to disinfectants in the focus of the disease according to the results of microbiological examination of the material selected in Altai Regional Tuberculosis Dispensary in 2017-2019. Analysis of the examined mycobacterium resistant to disinfectants was multiple: resistance to disinfectants with different concentration, growth rate, bacterial excretion rate, comparison of the tuberculocidal activity of chloramine in archival and clinical strains with varying degrees of antibiotic resistance. The results indicated: dependence of M. tuberculosis resistance to disinfectants on weak concentration, duration of exposure and low efficiency of some disinfectants against Mycobacterium tuberculosis; higher bacterial excretion rate among resistant M. tuberculosis strains and growth rate among sensitive M. tuberculosis strains.

Associations between serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3) and clinical symptoms in patients diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Introduction: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), with prevalence of about 0.8%, is one of the most common autoimmune disorders in the world. Due to the fact that HT affects level of thyroid hormones, symptoms of HT are from almost every body system. Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the correlations between symptoms reported by patients with HT and the level of TSH, fT3 and fT4 and also to check the frequency of reporting each symptom at presentation and to estimate the frequency of other co-existing with HT autoimmune diseases. Material and methods: This study included 65 patients with HT who decided to complete the online survey. Results and discussion: The most common among the reported symptoms were fatigue (77%), sleepiness (60%) and weak concentration (57%). The results also showed higher prevalence of: rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease, systemic lupus erythematous, diabetes mellitus type 1, inflammatory bowel disease and atopic dermatitis than in general population. Significant correlations were found between TSH level and the symptoms including: weak concentration (P = 0.0002), easy freezing (P = 0.02) and body weight gain (P = 0.02). There was also a correlation between level of fT3 and physical exercise (P = 0.02). Conclusions: The findings in this study suggest that there is a higher relative risk for some autoimmune disorders (especially rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and systemic lupus erythematous) for people with HT. The findings also suggest that some symptoms of HT correlate with the level of thyroid parameters.

Evaluation Of Carbon Paste Electrode Modified With Heavy Metals For The Analysis Of Paracetamol By Voltammetry And Impedance Spectroscopy

The present document reports on the electrocatalytic activity of heavy metals (Copper(II), Nickel(II), Manganese(II) and Lead(II)) modified carbon paste electrodes (HM/CPE) for the paracetamol (Pr) oxidation where its results are compared with carbon paste electrode. The voltammetric behavior of Pr is explored where a sensitive anodic peak has appeared at about 0.27 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl) in 0.1 M Na2SO4 (pH 12). This peak results from the irreversible oxidation of Pr at HM/CPE surface. The catalytic effect was evaluated using cyclic and square wave voltammetry. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy also confirms our experimental results as the HM/CPE shows the least charge transfer resistance. Also, HM/ CPE can be utilized successfully to ameliorate the electroanalysis of Pr at very weak concentration with excellent sensitivity. The calibration curves were linear from 6.0 · 10-5 to 8.0 · 10-4 mol L-1. The detection limits were found approaching 10-9 mol L-1. Then, the proposed method was applied to detect Pr in river water samples with satisfactory results.

Development of Voltage Fields in Titanium VT1-0 while Forming a Thin Wedge-Shaped Twin

In the selected treatment modes, a thin wedge-shaped twin was observed, it passed through a section of the crystal with a weak concentration of visible defects. Additional etching of the titanium film revealed an ordered arrangement of dislocations with contrast that appeared on the surface inside the circular sites, which are the stacking faults inside the dislocation loop. The authors provide an explanation of the formation of stacking faults using the detected oscillating contrasts of the faults that are close to the surface. The voltage fields around the wedge-shaped twin, which were constructed with the use of computer simulation, made it possible to determine the value of the elastic stress when it comes into contact with the stopper.

Impact of oblique magnetic viscous dissipative transport on chemically reactive micro-rotations submerged in porous medium

The present communication aims to investigate the influence of inclined magnetic field and Joule heating phenomenon in the presence of chemical reaction on micro-rotation of particles suspended in a viscoplastic fluid submerged in a porous medium. Casson fluid is considered as a viscoplastic fluid. Governing physical problem modeling and formulation is performed in the Cartesian coordinate system. A system of partial differential equations is reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations by means of suitable transformation. Nonlinear coupled system is solved numerically with the help of a shooting algorithm. Numerical investigation is carried out for strong and weak concentrations at the boundary. Emerging parameters’ effects on fluid micro-rotation velocities and temperature distribution are displayed and analyzed through graphs for strong and weak concentrations. Further, numerical values of skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number are tabulated for pertinent parameters. From the present analysis it is concluded that fluid decelerates with an increase in Casson fluid parameter, medium porosity, magnetic parameter, and inclination angle in both cases of strong concentration as well as weak concentration while it accelerates with the increase in micropolar parameter and Eckert number. Micro-rotation velocity seems to accelerate at the vicinity of stretching surface for β, K, γ, M, and Γ while it decelerates with the increase in Ec. Temperature rises with the increase in Eckert number, Biot number, inclination angle, magnetic parameter, and thermal convection parameter for strong and weak concentration. Skin friction coefficient increases with an increase in micropolar parameter, magnetic parameter, and medium porosity whereas it decreases with an increase in Casson fluid and thermal convection parameters. Nusselt number magnitude rises with an increase in K, Pr, and Bi, while it lessens with an increase in M, Ec, and γ.

Stochastic Dominance and Weak Concentration for Sums of Independent Symmetric Random Vectors

Kwapień and Woyczyński asked in their monograph (1992) whether their notion of superstrong domination is inherited when taking sums of independent symmetric random vectors (one vector dominates another if, essentially, tail probabilities of any norm of the two vectors compare up to some scaling constants). We answer this question positively. As a by-product of our methods, we establish that a certain notion of weak concentration is also preserved by taking sums of independent symmetric random vectors.