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Objective: This study described characteristics of wounds caused by animal exposures and evaluated patient factors and wound factors associated with wound infiltration of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG).Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated wound characteristics among patients who had visible wounds and received HRIG or rabies vaccine for rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) at 15 emergency departments from May 2016 to June 2018.Results: Of 110 included patients (9 children, 82 adults, and 19 older adults), 21% (n = 23) had ≥2 wounds, and 10% (n = 11) had infected wounds. Twenty-eight (25%) patients had severe wounds, defined as receiving sutures (n = 20) or reaching subcutaneous tissue or bone (n = 20). Wounds were present on upper extremities for 42% (n = 46) of patients, lower extremities for 35% (n = 38), head/face for 3% (n = 3), and in multiple locations for 21% (n = 23). Wounds were < 3 cm in length for 64% (n = 70) of patients. Puncture wounds were present in 60% (n = 66) of patients, abrasions in 45% (n = 49), and lacerations in 38% (n = 42). Among 108 wounds from 82 patients with documented HRIG administration sites, 57% (n = 62) of wounds received HRIG infiltration. Infiltration occurred less frequently for wounds on the face/head/torso (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01 to 0.49), wounds on hands/fingers (aOR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.65), and abrasion-only wounds (aOR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.80) after adjusting for age.Conclusions: Upon presentation for rabies PEP, most patients did not have severe wounds and did not require emergency services or complex wound management. Wounds on the face, head, torso, hands, or fingers and abrasions were less likely to receive HRIG infiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Administering subsequent doses of rabies vaccine is not a medical emergency and does not require access to emergency department (ED) services. This study reviewed ED visits for rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) to identify avoidable ED visits for subsequent rabies vaccination.Methods: This retrospective study included patients who received human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) or rabies vaccine at 15 EDs of a multi-hospital health system from 2016 to 2018. All ED visits were classified as initial or non-initial healthcare visits after animal exposure. Emergency department visits for non-initial healthcare were classified as necessary (HRIG administration, worsening symptoms, other emergent conditions, or vaccination during a natural disaster) or avoidable (rabies vaccination only).Results: This study included 145 patients with 203 ED visits (113 initial and 90 non-initial healthcare visits). Avoidable ED visits were identified for 19% (28 of 145) of patients and 66% (59 of 90) of ED visits for non-initial healthcare. Contributing factors for avoidable ED visits were suboptimal ED discharge instructions to return to the ED for vaccination (n = 20 visits) and patients' inability to coordinate outpatient follow-up (n = 17 visits). Patients with previous avoidable ED visits had a 73% probability for unnecessarily returning to the ED for vaccination. The average number of avoidable ED visits observed per patient was 0.41 (95% CI = 0.25 to 0.56). Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 30,000 to 60,000 Americans initiates rabies PEP each year, we estimate that 7500 to 33,600 avoidable ED visits occur for rabies vaccination in the US each year.Conclusions: One of 5 patients who received rabies PEP in the ED had avoidable ED visits for subsequent rabies vaccination. This study highlights systemic lack of coordination following ED discharge and barriers to accessing rabies vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet the future energy demands many interesting techniques have been reported in literature for improving boiling heat transfer using nanoparticles and nano-structured surfaces. The mode of heat transfer and efficiency of water cooled reactors, direct steam generators can be substantially modified by this new technology. Boiling heat transfer is an area of increasing interest in many engineered heat transfer and cooling applications. Nucleate boiling is the efficient heat transfer region in pool boiling. The critical heat flux changes boiling mechanism from efficient mode to inefficient mode by forming a vapor film over the heater surface that leads to boiling crisis. The actual mechanism that creates this boiling crisis still remains a grey area. The CHF parameter cannot be avoided in boiling heat transfer applications; instead it can be postponed by adopting fluid and surface modification techniques. This review analyzes the present status of nano-modification for enhancing the pool boiling and critically compares the experimental results with the theoretical predictions. The existing theoretical models are not satisfactorily explaining the experimental investigations. New investigation techniques and better correlation between the modified surface properties to the heat flux is inevitable for further improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total syntheses of (−)-amphirionin-4 and (+)-amphirionin-4 have been achieved in a convergent and enantioselective manner. The tetrahydrofuranol cores of amphirionin-4 were constructed in optically active form by enzymatic resolution of racemic cis -3-hydroxy-5-methyldihydrofuran-2(3 H )-one. The polyene side chain was efficiently synthesized using Stille coupling. The remote C8-stereocenter was constructed using the Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi coupling reaction. Detailed 1 H NMR studies of Mosher esters of (−)-amphirionin-4 and (+)-amphirionin-4 were carried out to support the assignment of the absolute configurations of the C-4 and C-8 asymmetric centers of amphirionin-4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vertical structure of chlorophyll in stratified oceanic waters exhibits a maximum substantially below the surface, known as the subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM). In the southern Bay of Bengal (BoB), a 12-day high-resolution time-series observation at 89°E and 8°N, during the 2016 summer monsoon showed that the SCM was located within the barrier layer (BL) and the euphotic layer. The strong BL (N 2 = 3 × 1 0 − 4 s−2) located between 30 to 70 m, associated with a low salinity (< 33.8 psu) water near the surface, maintained the stratification and the SCM. This SCM oscillated diurnally with an amplitude of 0.1 to 0.2 mg m−3. The lowest values of average chlorophyll in the SCM occurred around 06:00 hours (local time) and reached a maximum around 16:00 hours, four hours after the maximum in surface shortwave radiation. A coupled physical–biogeochemical one-dimensional model was used to examine the formation, maintenance and diurnal variability of the SCM in the southern BoB. The wind speed (< 10 m s−1) that prevailed in the region during the weak phase of the monsoon was insufficient to break the BL and cause a surface bloom. The model results revealed that the surface shortwave radiation drove the diurnal cycle of the growth rate of phytoplankton at the SCM, hence the diurnal cycle of phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll. The model's control simulation showed the dominance of small phytoplankton, and its growth rate was limited by light and nutrients at the SCM. Whereas, in the ML, the phytoplankton growth rate was limited by nutrients. In the model, the regenerated production supported around 60% of the chl-a at the location of SCM. The subsurface high-salinity core, a prominent feature in the southern BoB, did not influence the SCM. This paper offers new insights into understanding the SCM formation, maintenance and diurnal variability in stratified tropical oceans. • We investigate the strong subsurface chl-a maximum (SCM) in the southern Bay of Bengal (BoB). • Surface shortwave radiation drove the diurnal cycle of phytoplankton biomass in SCM. • Regenerated production supports around 60% of chl-a in SCM. • Weak winds (< 10 m s − 1) can not break the barrier layer and cause a surface bloom. • Accurate simulation of salinity and barrier layer is needed to simulate SCM in BoB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal variability of the vertical structure of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) in the central Arabian Sea is described using seasonal climatology from bio-Argo floats. A quarter-degree resolution coupled OGCM-ecosystem model is employed to explain the physical and biogeochemical processes that determine the observed seasonality of the chl-a profiles. The most prominent feature of the chl-a is that seasonal surface bloom (chl-a > 0.25 mg m−3) occurs during the winter (November–February) and summer (June–September) monsoons. A sub-surface maximum (SCM) in chl-a occurs at a depth of about 60 m during the spring (March–May) and fall (October) oligotrophy. The SCM is absent during the peak of winter and summer bloom. The model simulated the observed seasonal evolution of chl-a and physical variables. Nitrate budget analysis, using the model simulation, reveals that vertical entrainment of nutrients plays a vital role in supplying nutrients into the surface mixed layer (ML) during the summer forced by wind mixing and winter due to convective cooling at the surface. Mixing is critical than Ekman pumping during the summer and winter monsoons. Further, the horizontal and vertical advection of nitrate is weak. The model showed the dominance of small phytoplankton in the central Arabian Sea. Analysis of the growth rate equation in the model shows that during the seasons of bloom, nutrients are surplus in the ML, and the euphotic depth that is shallower than the mixed layer depth drives the vertical structure of chl-a. The limiting nutrient above the euphotic depth during the winter (summer) is iron (phosphate). During oligotrophy, the growth rate of phytoplankton in the ML (SCM region) is determined by nitrogen (iron) limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Co-solvent synthesis can fabricate strain free interfaces by slow growth mechanism. • The high surface quality will enhance the photo current in a quantum dot sensitised solar cell. • Surface engineering by aqueous routes can enhance the efficiency of QDSSC. Abstract Achieving a cost-effective synthesis of QDs with superior surface quality will dictate the feasibility of quantum dots in commercial photovoltaic devices. Here we report a simple aqueous synthesis of CdTe quantum dots coated with thin CdS layer in water-ethanol solvent mixture for better surface eminence. Enhanced solubility of capping agent and slow growth rate of CdS over CdTe taking place in water ethanol solvent mixture leads to strain free interface construction resulting in 51% enhancement of Photo Luminescence Quantum Yield. Controlling the solubility and growth rate of CdS coating over CdTe core QDs via ethanol addition exhibits a 28.4% and 44.6% improvement in short circuit current densities and quantum dot sensitized solar cells with a conversion efficiency of 2.5% is achieved. Our results show that mixed solvents can be utilized for optimizing the aqueous synthesis of CdTe/CdS QDs with enhanced optical properties leading to better performing photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based upon molecular insights from the X-ray structures of inhibitor-bound HIV-1 protease complexes, we have designed a series of isophthalamide-derived inhibitors incorporating substituted pyrrolidines, piperidines and thiazolidines as P2-P3 ligands for specific interactions in the S2-S3 extended site. Compound 4b has shown an enzyme K i of 0.025 nM and antiviral IC 50 of 69 nM. An X-ray crystal structure of inhibitor 4b -HIV-1 protease complex was determined at 1.33 Å resolution. We have also determined X-ray structure of 3b -bound HIV-1 protease at 1.27 Å resolution. These structures revealed important molecular insight into the inhibitor–HIV-1 protease interactions in the active site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a deadly disease that effects both domestic and wild cats and is caused by a mutation in feline coronavirus (FCoV) that allows the virus to replicate in macrophages. Currently, there are no treatments or vaccines available for the treatment of FIP even though it kills approximately 5% of cats in multi-cat households per year. In an effort to develop small molecule drugs targeting FIP for the treatment of cats, we screened a small set of designed peptidomimetic inhibitors for inhibition of FIPV-3CL pro , identifying two compounds with low to sub-micromolar inhibition, compound 6 (IC 50 = 0.59 ± 0.06 μM) and compound 7 (IC 50 = 1.3 ± 0.1 μM). We determined the first X-ray crystal structure of FIPV-3CL pro in complex with the best inhibitor identified, compound 6 , to a resolution of 2.10 Å to better understand the structural basis for inhibitor specificity. Our study provides important insights into the structural requirements for the inhibition of FIPV-3CL pro by peptidomimetic inhibitors and expands the current structural knowledge of coronaviral 3CL pro architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical properties of different aspect ratio nanotube electrodes have been investigated. The fabrication of nanotube electrodes is done by varying the applied voltage in electrochemical anodization. The nanotube electrode (S40) with aspect ratio 45 yields an areal capacitance of 1.78 mF/cm 2 , (for a scan rate of 5 mV/s) which is 4 times higher than nanotube electrode with aspect ratio 14 (S10). Electrochemical treatment of the nanotube electrodes is carried out for further enhancement of capacitance. The electrochemically treated nanotube electrode (E-S40) provides an areal capacitance of 7.4 mF/cm 2 for a scan rate of 5 mV/s and 4.2 mF/cm 2 at a scan rate of 500 mV/s. The electrodes exhibit high capacitance retention at higher current densities and good long term stability. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals the effect of electrochemical treatment on the carrier density and the impedance of the nanotube electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a heterostructure CdS/TiO 2 nanotubes (TNT) photoelectrode is decorated with Ni nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance hydrogen generation via the photoelectrochemical method. Herein, we report a systematic study of the effect of Ni NPs heterostructure photoelectrode to improve light absorption and photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. The fabricated photoelectrodes were evaluated for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation under simulated sunlight. The optimized Ni/CdS/TNT photoelectrode exhibited an improved photocurrent density of 6.5 mA cm−2 in poly-sulfide aqueous media at a low potential of 0 V. Owing to the enhanced photocurrent density, Ni NPs also played a significant role in improving the stability of the photoelectrode. The synergistic effect with semiconductor ternary junction incites the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for light-harvesting to enhance photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation. [Display omitted] • A chemically stable Ni nanoparticle decorated CdS/TNT photoelectrode was prepared via electro-deposition method. • The surface plasmon resonance effect by Ni nanoparticle substantially enhances the photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation. • The optimized Ni/CdS/TNT photoelectrode presents an enhanced photocurrent density of 6.5 mA/cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Electromagnetic interference shielding composite materials were developed from the conductive blends of nanostructured polyaniline (PANI) and polyaniline-clay nanocomposite (PANICN) with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) as host matrix. Electrically conducting nanostructured PANI and PANICNs were prepared using amphiphilic dopants, 3-pentadecyl phenol 4-sulphonic acid (3-PDPSA) derived from cashew nut shell liquid, a low cost renewable resource based product and dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA). Effects of type and quantity of conductive fillers on the electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal stability, morphology and electromagnetic shielding efficiency were investigated. The presence of exfoliated nanoclay and interaction between the conductive filler–host matrix in conductive films containing PANICNs manifested from the measurement on rheological property. Films with conductive filler (∼15% loading) showed a shielding effectiveness of ∼40–80dB at 8GHz which makes these conducting composites potential candidate for the encapsulation as EMI shielding materials for electronic devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

All coronaviruses, including the recently emerged Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from the β-CoV subgroup, require the proteolytic activity of the nsp5 protease (also known as 3C-like protease, 3CLpro) during virus replication, making it a high value target for the development of anti-coronavirus therapeutics. Kinetic studies indicate that in contrast to 3CLpro from other β-CoV 2c members, including HKU4 and HKU5, MERS-CoV 3CLpro is less efficient at processing a peptide substrate due to MERS-CoV 3CLpro being a weakly associated dimer. Conversely, HKU4, HKU5, and SARS-CoV 3CLpro enzymes are tightly associated dimers. Analytical ultracentrifugation studies support that MERS-CoV 3CLpro is a weakly associated dimer (Kd ~ 52 µM) with a slow off-rate. Peptidomimetic inhibitors of MERS-CoV 3CLpro were synthesized and utilized in analytical ultracentrifugation experiments and demonstrate that MERS-CoV 3CLpro undergoes significant ligand-induced dimerization. Kinetic studies also revealed that designed reversible inhibitors act as activators at a low compound concentration as a result of induced dimerization. Primary sequence comparisons and x-ray structural analyses of two MERS-CoV 3CLpro and inhibitor complexes, determined to 1.6 A, reveal remarkable structural similarity of the dimer interface with 3CLpro from HKU4-CoV and HKU5-CoV. Despite this structural similarity, substantial differences in the dimerization ability suggest that long range interactions by the nonconserved amino acids distant from the dimer interface may control MERS-CoV 3CLpro dimerization. Activation of MERS-CoV 3CLpro through ligand-induced dimerization appears to be unique within the genogroup 2c and may potentially increase the complexity in the development of MERS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitors as antiviral agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrochemical behavior of fluorine containing electrolytes and its influence in controlling the lateral dimensions of TiO2 nanotubes is thoroughly investigated. Potentiostatic anodization is carried out in three different electrolytes, viz., aqueous hydrofluoric acid (HF), HF containing dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and HF containing ethylene glycol (EG). The experiments were carried out over a broad voltage range from 2 to 200V in 0.1–48wt% HF concentrations and different electrolytic compositions for anodization times ranging from 5s to 70h. The chemistry that dictates how the nature of electrolytes influences the morphology of nanotubes is discussed. Electrochemical impedance spectra were recorded for varying compositions of all the electrolytes. It was observed that composition of the electrolyte and its fluorine inhibiting nature has significant impact on nanotube formation as well as in controlling the aspect ratio. The inhibiting nature of EG is helpful in holding fluorine at the titanium anode, thereby allowing controlled etching at appropriate voltages. Thus our study demonstrates that HF containing EG is a promising electrolytic system providing wide tunability in lateral dimensions and aspect ratio of TiO2 nanotubes by systematically varying the anodization voltage and electrolyte composition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A fibrous scaffold comprising of chitosan (CS) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was electrospun from a novel solvent mixture consisting of formic acid and acetone. CS concentration was varied from 0.5% to 2% by fixing PCL concentration as a constant (6%). Selected CS concentration (1%) was further blended with 4–10% PCL to obtain fine nanofibers. The composition of mixing was selected as 25:75 (1:3), 50:50 (1:1) and 75:25 (3:1) of CS and PCL. Lower concentrations of PCL resulted in beaded fibers where as 8% and 10% of PCL in lower compositions of chitosan resulted in fine nanofibers. Viscosity and conductivity measurements revealed the optimum values for the spinnability of the polymer solutions. Optimized combination of CS and PCL (1% CS and 8% PCL) in 1:3 compositions was further characterized using SEM, FTIR, AFM and TG–DTA. The developed electrospun CS/PCL scaffold would be an excellent matrix for biomedical applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]