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While Jamaica's fertility rate has been declining, remittance inflows have been increasing. To elucidate the empirical causal impact of remittances on fertility in Jamaica, we test for cointegration with structural break and by bounds testing using annual data from 1976 to 2019. There are two key findings. First, we find cointegration running from remittances to the fertility rate. Second, we find that after controlling for potentially confounding factors, increases in remittances are associated with a decline in the fertility rate in the long run. Important attendant policy implications arising are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of halogen bonding interactions as an alternative to acid and metal catalysts for substrate activation has gained popularity in recent years. In this work we demonstrate a halogen bond assisted activation of chalcones under visible light irradiation for the Friedel‐Crafts reaction with indole to yield β‐indolylketones. The simple and scalable protocol uses the readily available CBr4 as halogen bond catalyst. The targets are produced in 31–94% of yield with excellent functional group tolerance. The proposed mechanism of the reaction is supported by UV‐vis, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopic studies. Further it is demonstrated that the β‐indolylketones can be oxidised to indole substituted α, β‐unsaturated ketones by DDQ or cyclized to thieno[2,3‐b]indoles in the presence of elemental sulfur and base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics are viable microorganisms that confer health benefits when administered to the host in adequate amounts. Over the past decade, there has been a growing demand for the use of oral and topical probiotics in several inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne vulgaris, etc., although their role in a few areas still remains controversial. The objective of this article is to shed light on understanding the origin and implications of microbiota in the pathophysiology of these dermatological conditions and the effect of probiotic usage. We have conducted a comprehensive search of the literature across multiple databases (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar) on the role of probiotics in dermatological disorders. Commensal microbes of the skin and gastrointestinal tract play an important role in both health and disease. Increased use of probiotics has asserted a good safety profile, especially in this era of antibiotic resistance. With the advent of new products in the market, the indications, mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety profile of these agents need to be validated. Further studies are required. Oral and topical probiotics may be tried as a treatment or prevention modality in cutaneous inflammatory disorders, thus facilitating decreased requirement for topical or systemic steroids and antimicrobial agents. Tempering microbiota with probiotics is a safe and well‑tolerated approach in this era of antimicrobial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoinduced aryl radical generation is a powerful strategy in organic synthesis that facilitates the formation of diverse carbon‐carbon and carbon‐heteroatom bonds. The synthetic applications of photoinduced aryl radical formation in the synthesis of complex organic compounds, including natural products, physiologically significant molecules, and functional materials, have received immense attention. An overview of current developments in photoinduced aryl radical production methods and their uses in organic synthesis is given in this article. A generalized idea of how to choose the reagents and approach for the generation of aryl radicals is described, along with photoinduced techniques and associated mechanistic insights. Overall, this article offers a critical assessment of the mechanistic results as well as the selection of reaction parameters for specific reagents in the context of radical cascades, cross‐coupling reactions, aryl radical functionalization, and selective C−H functionalization of aryl substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kluyvera spp. is a Gram-negative bacillus and was discovered by Kluyver and van Niel, included in the family Enterobacteriaceae. We report two cases of urinary tract infection due to Kluyvera ascorbata. The first case was a 61-year-old male, who was admitted to the nephrology department of the hospital with chief complaints of fever with chills from 1 week, abdominal pain, and difficulty in passing urine. The second case was a 29-year-old female, who presented to the medicine department of the hospital with a 4-day history of fever with associated chills and rigor, abdominal pain, chills, and weakness. These patients were treated with nitrofurantoin given orally for 7 days they recovered completely. This case series highlights the role of K. ascorbata, and in general of Kluyvera species, as an unusual but potentially dangerous pathogen, the need for prompt identification to determine potential pathogenicity in the immunocompetent as well as in the immunocompromised host, and to assess the efficacy of antibiotics such as carbapenems and nitrofurantoin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fretting wear is one of the main degradation mechanisms produced in steel wire and it is widely used for the lifting and handling of equipments. The main objective of the present work is to analyse the mechanical properties of the fretting and non-fretting wire. Statics tensile tests were performed on non-fretting wire and pre-damaged artificially fretting wire subsequently, after that tensile stress (σT), tensile strain (εT), and breaking load (BL) were measured for both wires and their basic mechanical properties were compared. For the analysis wire diameter values varies from 7 mm to 9 mm and artificially pre-damaged wire having reduced diameters varies from 5.8 mm to 8.1 mm were used. From these tests the basic mechanical properties values of maximum tensile stress, tensile strain, modulus of elasticity (E), breaking load (BL) 1610 N/mm², 12.08%, 78854.3 Mpa and 56.73 KN respectively were obtained, for pre-damaged artificially fretting wire. On the other hand, for the non-fretting wire, the values of maximum tensile stress, tensile strain, modulus of elasticity, and breaking load have been obtained as 1171.5 MPa, 16.40 %, 63289.4 MPa and 58.7 KN respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, nanofiller-embedded polymer matrix-supported mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have been the center of attraction for various potential applications. In this study, we have explored the role of porous organic polymers (POPs) as proton conducting materials in a polymer membrane-supported matrix. A triazine-based benzimidazole-linked POP (TBP) was utilized as a nanofiller in an attempt to fabricate oxy-polybenzimidazole (OPBI)-embedded MMMs by loading different weight percentages of TBP-POPs into the OPBI polymer matrix. The MMMs were kept for doping in phosphoric acid (PA) to obtain proton exchange membranes (PEMs). The incorporation of TBP-POPs as nanofillers in the OPBI matrix resulted in highly altered morphology, enhanced thermal, chemical, and mechanical durability, enhanced PA doping level (PDL) and proton conductivity, and remarkable PA retention properties in the OPBI-TBP nanocomposites. The observed proton conductivity obtained for the PA-doped OPBI-TBP-10% membrane is 0.223 S cm–1 at 180 °C. The donor–acceptor type interfacial H-bonded network between the '–N' atom of the OPBI polymer and the imidazole "N–H" group of TBP nanofillers, or vice versa, generates fibrillar porous morphology, as seen from FESEM analysis, and nanofillers self-assembled network into the polymer matrix, as evident from transmission electron microscopy analysis, for the composite membranes. All of these cumulative factors are responsible for the above-mentioned superior properties of the PEMs. Therefore, our current findings clearly demonstrate the interaction pattern of TBP-POPs as nanofillers to develop OPBI-supported MMMs, which can substantially perform as super proton conductors in the temperature range between 30 and 180 °C (fuel cell operating temperature) under an anhydrous environment. This will be the first report on POP-loaded PBI-based mixed matrix PEMs in the literature to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Many patients suffered from rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in India. Diabetes is a known risk factor of COVID-19 infection and mucormycosis. Objective The present study was done to describe the clinical spectrum and histopathological findings of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients and their outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study was done over a period of two and half months. The biopsy samples or scrapings from sinonasal or periorbital tissue of 38 patients were analyzed. Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E stain) slides were evaluated along with Grocott-Gomori methenamine–silver and Periodic acid–Schiff stains to highlight the fungal elements. Results The male to female ratio was 2.5:1, and the mean age of the subjects was 53 years old. A total of 68.4% (n = 26/38) of the patients had diabetes as a comorbidity, 84.2% (n = 32/38) had a history of steroid intake, and 55.3% (n = 21/38) were given supplemental oxygen during their treatment. The common presentations were nasal blockage, discharge, eye pain, headache, and altered mentation. The sites of biopsy were: nasal cavity 76.3% (n = 29/38), periorbital fat/orbit 21.1% (n = 8/38), maxillary sinus 15.8% (n = 6/38) and ethmoid sinus 13.2% (n = 5/38). In 76.3% (n = 29/38) cases, broad, irregular, nonseptate, and right-angle branching hyphae were seen on H&E-stained tissue sections. Conclusion COVID-19 led to various complications in individuals affected by it. Mucormycosis was one such lethal complication. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment is crucial to control the progression of the disease and improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the dynamics of a submerged compound pendulum (SCP). The considered pendulum consists of a horizontal cylindrical element at its lowermost portion and a plate between the cylindrical element and the pivot. An approximate analytical expression for the natural frequency of the submerged compound pendulum is proposed. Further, a two-dimensional (2D) numerical model of the pendulum is developed using ANSYS (FLUENT). The natural periods of the SCP are determined for different geometric configurations. The analytically estimated natural periods of the pendulum match well with those obtained from numerical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkenes and alkynes are among the most fundamental and valuable synthons utilized to create atom- and step-efficient heterocyclic compounds, which are crucial components of many drugs, natural products, and essential intermediates in contemporary synthetic organic chemistry. Furthermore, because of their many physical, chemical, and biological properties, nitrogen-based motifs have become crucial building blocks in materials and pharmaceutical chemistry. Consequently, nitrogen heterocycles have been decorated with numerous chromophores and fine chemicals via novel synthetic techniques and procedures to enhance their functional properties. Traditional reactions require predetermined reagents and appropriate interacting catalysts. Alternatively, photoinduced techniques do not require these conditions as light may directly interact with molecules and increase their reactivity. Since nitrogen scaffolds are present in >50% of all medicinal and functional materials, creating an effective synthetic process employing a photo-induced approach has become a valuable tool in recent years. This study summarizes and presents photocatalytic processes for the synthesis of nitrogen-enriched heterocycles from saturated and unsaturated alkynes and alkenes. Alternative methods involving the activation of nitrogen precursors are also discussed and compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a laterally excited, partially liquid-filled U-shaped container, oscillation is the predominant motion of the liquid. However, there would be some sloshing in the liquid free surface at the vertical limbs of the container. Due to the presence of high-energy velocity pulses, near-fault ground motions can cause significant sloshing in the vertical limbs of the container. Thus, it is necessary to examine the effect of near-fault earthquake excitations on the sloshing liquid height, sloshing-induced hydrodynamic pressure, and shear stress at the walls of the U-shaped containers. The same is attempted in this paper. The standard "k-epsilon" turbulence model with enhanced wall function is considered in this study. The outcome of this study reveals that the time-wise frequency variation of the near-fault ground motions significantly affects the sloshing response of the liquid stored in the U-shaped containers. It is observed that the sloshing-induced hydrodynamic pressure is severely influenced by the frequency content of the ground motion records rather than their peak ground acceleration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Superficial mycoses are fungal infections limited to the outermost layers of the skin and its appendages. The chief causative agents of these mycoses are dermatophytes and yeasts. The diagnosis of dermatophytosis can be made by direct mycological examination with potassium hydroxide (10%–30%) of biological material obtained from patients with suspected mycosis, providing results more rapid than fungal cultures, which may take days or weeks. This information, together with clinical history and laboratory diagnosis, ensures that the appropriate treatment is initiated promptly. However, false negative results are obtained in 5%–15%, by conventional methods of diagnosis of dermatophytosis. Objectives: To study the metabolic profiles of the commonly occurring dermatophytes by NMR spectroscopy. Patients/Materials: We have used 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments along with Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) and Chenomx database search for identification of primary metabolites in the methanol extract of two fungal species: Trichophyton mentagrophyte (T. mentagrophyte) and Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum). Both standard strains and representative number of clinical isolates of these two species were investigated. Further, metabolic profiles obtained were analysed using multivariate analysis. Results: We have identified 23 metabolites in the T. mentagrophyte and another 23 metabolites in T. rubrum. Many important metabolites like trehalose, proline, mannitol, acetate, GABA and several other amino acids were detected, which provide the necessary components for fungal growth and metabolism. Altered metabolites were defined between Trichophyton mentagrophyte and T. rubrum strains. Conclusion: We have detected many metabolites in the two fungal species T. mentagrophyte and T. rubrum by using NMR spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopy provides a holistic snapshot of the metabolome of an organism. Key metabolic differences were identified between the two fungal strains. We need to perform more studies on metabolite profiling of the samples from these species for their rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction There is ambiguity regarding usage of tranexamic acid for melasma in India, be it in its pre-administration evaluation, administration route, dosing or monitoring. Hence, we conducted this study to understand various tranexamic-acid prescribing patterns and provide practical guidelines. Materials and methods A Google-form-based questionnaire (25-questions) was prepared based on the key areas identified by experts from the Pigmentary Disorders Society, India and circulated to practicing dermatologists across the country. In rounds 2 and 3, the questionnaire was re-presented to the same group of experts and their opinions were sought. The results of the practitioners' survey were denoted graphically alongside, to guide them. Consensus was deemed when at least 80% of respondents chose an option. Results The members agreed that history pertaining to risk factors for thromboembolism, cardiovascular and menstrual disorders should be sought in patients being started on oral tranexamic-acid. Baseline coagulation profile should be ordered in all patients prior to tranexamic-acid and more exhaustive investigations such as complete blood count, liver function test, protein C and S in patients with high risk of thromboembolism. The preferred oral dose was 250 mg orally twice daily, which can be used alone or in combination with topical hydroquinone, kojic acid and sunscreen. Repeated dosing of tranexamic-acid may be required for those relapsing with melasma following initial tranexamic-acid discontinuation. Coagulation profile should ideally be repeated at three monthly intervals during follow-up, especially in patients with clinically higher risk of thromboembolism. Treatment can be stopped abruptly post improvement and no tapering is required. Limitation This study is limited by the fact that open-ended questions were limited to the first general survey round. Conclusion Oral tranexamic-acid provides a valuable treatment option for melasma. Frequent courses of therapy may be required to sustain results and a vigilant watch is recommended for hypercoagulable states during the course of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports, the fabrication of cationic microgel doped MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites (CM@MnO2/Fe3O4) via free radical emulsion polymerization technique, and an economical and environmental friendly approach to some organic transformations, such as heterogeneous photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue (MB, toxic dye), para‐nitro phenol (PNP, harmful pollutant) and dimethyl amino benzaldehyde (DMAB, skin allergic reagent) in presence of UV light (38 W). First of all, three different crosslinked grades of cationic microgels (CMs) have been synthesized by using styrene, dimethyl acrylamide, cyclohexyl methacrylate, [2‐(acryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride and N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide monomers by taking different amounts of N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide, and keeping the other monomers in fixed quantities. Further, all the grades of CMs have been doped by bimetallic MnO2/Fe3O4 nanoparticles, through hydrothermal method. Fabrication of CMs and CM@MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites has been confirmed by the characteristic peaks observed in FT‐IR spectral analysis and their thermal stability has been evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis. TEM and DLS analyses have revealed their particular size. The surface morphology of CMs and CM@MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites has been visualized by scanning electrode microscope analysis. The nanocomposites have effectively and efficiently catalyzed the reduction reactions of MB, PNP, and DMAB, in presence of UV light, by 98%, 98%, and 86%, respectively. The photocatalysts have been reused up to eight cycles without any loss of their catalytic activity. The photocatalytic reductions have also been studied for their kinetics, and exhibited pseudo first order kinetics (kapp, 10−2 min−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In long-term integrated nutrient management (INM) involving organic amendments with inorganic fertilizer application, understanding nitrogen (N) mineralization is key to assessing soil functioning. In this study, soil samples were collected following rice cropping from treatments consisting of various combinations of inorganic with organic fertilizers, including farm yard manure, wheat straw or Green Leaf Manuring, as well as 100% inorganic and a control (no fertilizer). The soil samples were incubated for 120 days at 30°C for determining N mineralization potential, and the mineralization patterns were fitted to double first-order kinetic models to separate the potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) into readily available N (PMN-I) and resistant N (PMN-II) fractions. The half-lives of PMN-I and PMN-II ranged from 1.2 to 3.3 days and 22.4 to 63.0 days, respectively. In the organically amended soils, we observed that microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) increased by 43% and 41%, respectively, compared to inorganic fertilizer application alone. Moreover, the soil enzyme activity increased, revealing enhanced biological activity (dehydrogenase--31.96 µg TPF, Urease--35.69 µg urea-N, glucosidase--57.78 µg p-nitrophenol, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis--45.84 µg fluorescein, N-acetyl ß-glucosaminidase--46.47 µg p-nitrophenol released g-1 dry soil h-1). We determined that PMN-I was affected by the soil urease activity; whereas, PMN-II was regulated by soil organic carbon, MBC, MBN, dehydrogenase activity and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysing capacity. These findings elucidate the soil biological indicators associated with nitrogen (N) mineralization, which can help optimize INM practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a new version of Darbo's theorem to establish the solvability of a weighted fractional integral equation with respect to another function. To justify the validity of our results, a suitable example is provided and we construct an iterative algorithm by Sinc function to approximate the solution of the example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In critically ill and immunocompromised patients, diagnosing invasive aspergillosis (IA) is crucial. This study focuses on the Galactomannan (GM) antigen test. The study categorizes GM-positive patients into two groups based on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid GM levels: group 1 (GM index >1.5) and group 2 (GM index >0.5-1.5). Aim: This study aims to investigate the association between GM levels in BAL fluid and clinical outcomes in IA patients, specifically focusing on mortality rates. In addition, the study explores the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) as key risk factors for IA. Methods: Patients with GM-positive results were divided into group 1 and group 2 based on GM index levels. The study assessed age, sex distribution, and mortality rates in these groups. Results: While there were no significant differences in age and sex distribution between group 1 and 2, a higher mortality rate was observed in group 1, aligning with established clinical expectations. The study highlights the importance of categorizing GM interpretations based on these two groups. CRP levels, along with comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and CKD, emerged as key risk factors for IA. Conclusion: This research emphasizes the significance of GM levels in BAL fluid as a prognostic indicator for IA, especially when categorized into GM index groups. The study contributes valuable insights into mortality rates and identifies CRP levels, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and CKD as crucial risk factors. These findings enhance our understanding of IA diagnostics and risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare-associated diarrhea (HCAD) is diarrhea that develops at least after 3 days of hospitalization, with the most common infectious cause being Clostridioides difficile. Over the last decade, there has been a remarkable growth in the frequency and severity of C. difficile infection (CDI), making it one of the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and risk factors associated with CDI. Materials and methods: A total of 107 patients with clinical suspicion of having HCAD were included in this study. Enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) technique-based glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxin A/B assay were used as per the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) for diagnosing CDI. The details about associated comorbidities were retrieved from the hospital information system records. The presence of risk factors was noted. Risk factors associated with CDI were looked for. Results: Out of the 107 stool samples received in the microbiology laboratory from patients with suspected HCAD eight (7.6%) samples were positive for CDI. The most frequent comorbidity observed in these patients was renal illness (acute or chronic kidney disease). In this study, a total of 7/8 cases were on multiple antibiotics most common being carbapenem. Conclusion: The 6-year prevalence of CDI observed in this study was found to be 7.6% risk factors, associated with CDI were kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, and exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]