Search

Purpose: Proximal femur fractures (PFFs) in elderly patients lead to decreased productivity. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) are non-home destinations for post-discharge disposition. This study aims to evaluate the loss of independence (LOI) following PFFs and examine the economic impact it entails. Method: The literature from various databases was collected and analyzed retrospectively. The inclusion criteria included patients age > 18 years and articles published after 1990. All studies were screened, a PRISMA chart was used to demonstrate the search process, and 24 studies were finally used for review. Results: LOI following PFFs significantly increases with age. Fractures in geriatrics avail a significant amount of post-care resources and had longer lengths of stay. Furthermore, six pre-operative risk factors were identified for non-home disposition, including age > 75, female, non-Caucasian race, Medicare status, prior depression, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Patients discharged directly to home have lower total costs compared to those discharged to rehabilitation units. Loss of independence increases with advancing age. Conclusions: PFFs can lead to a serious loss of independence among elderly patients. Female gender, advancing age, white population, co-existing morbidities, lack of proper care, post-operative infections, limitation in mobility following surgery, and impaired cognitive function following surgery are the factors that contribute to the decline in the rate of appropriate recovery following surgery. Therefore, these factors could necessitate permanent residence in a nursing facility (IRFs and SNFs), with a direct impact on economic, social, psychological aspects and the healthcare system.

A field study was carried out to study the variations in some of the biological characteristics of the green areas within two football fields (Al-Karkh stadiums in Baghdad Governorate and Najaf Stadium in Najaf Governorate). Due to the heterogeneity of the management methods used, so dirt samples were obtained from the depth of 0-30 cm after determining geographical locations 5 drill hole site examined at each stadium, and base maps were produced for the study areas using Google earth, with the aim of studying the impact of football stadium management style on some soil pedological characteristics. The results of the volumetric distribution of the soil separations of the surface samples of the playgrounds showed that the coarse texture is predominant in the two playgrounds, as the predominance in them is for the sand separated. The results also indicate a decrease in the bulk density values of all surface samples of the two playgrounds despite the predominance of the coarse separation in all surface samples, if Which was reflected in the values of porosity, as the results showed a disparity in the values of porosity in the stadiums. The results indicate a low salinity These results are consistent with the nature of the management method followed, and it was found that there is a variation in the values of organic carbon content, as the concentration of organic carbon in the soil is affected by soil management, and From the calculation of the readiness index of elements, it was found that the nitrogen readiness index was moderate in Karkh stadium, while Najaf stadium had a low nitrogen readiness index, while the phosphorus readiness index was high in Karkh and Najaf stadiums, while the potassium readiness index was low in Najaf stadium and medium in Karkh stadium.

Spine and hip abnormalities frequently occur together in most of the orthopedic population; therefore, both of these abnormalities impact the outcomes of the modalities that are being used. Few studies have reported reduced dislocation and revision rates with the use of dual-mobility cups (DMCs) in high-risk lumbar spine fusion (LSF) patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aims to clarify the relationship between pre-existing lumbar spinal fusion and the outcomes of THA with dual-mobility constructs. We systematically reviewed the current literature through several online databases following PRISMA protocol and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We used the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) to evaluate the methodological quality of the included trials. Four studies examined the feasibility and effectiveness of dual-mobility cups in patients undergoing primary THA with prior LSF. Two studies were conducted in the United States, while the other two originated in Finland and France, respectively. The included studies enrolled 284 patients. Most of these patients had instrumented fusions. Seventy-eight percent of patients received one- or two-level fusions. The average age across the studies was 68.22 and the mean body mass index was 28. No cases of postoperative DMC implant dislocations were identified. The incidence of postoperative complications was 6% (10/173), including deep venous thrombosis, periprosthetic loosening, infection, and fracture, greater trochanteric fracture, and superficial wound infections. Most included studies had some methodological limitations, with an average MINORS score of 10.5 ± 5.8. The use of dual-mobility cups in these high-risk patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty may lead to reduced dislocation rates and postoperative complications. Further long-term follow-up studies are warranted to support these findings.

Abstract In November 2023, a variety of disparate health organizations formed an international coalition to consolidate efforts and develop collaborative strategies in response to the increasing critical healthcare challenges caused by the recent war in Gaza. The coalition includes medical and public health experts, humanitarian practitioners, academics, and health policy-makers from across the world. Their membership has not much to do with mainstream humanitarian organisations. It is lead by the diaspora from the region. Their vision is the long-term reconstruction of the health system in Gaza while responding the most urgent needs. This collective effort will require explicit efforts to speak with one voice and avoid duplication. This collective movement may be an orginal initiative that may be able to beat the expected international donor fatigue.

In recent years, researchers have been interested in renewable energy as an alternative to non-renewable energy and its importance, especially solar energy. Solar chimney power plants are one of the proposed systems for energy production based on the sun. One of the most important disadvantages of the solar chimney power plant is the low efficiency of these systems. And previous research indicated the need for many studies to increase their performance. This study focused on reviewing the articles examining the performance of the main components of solar chimney power plants and the most important approaches to improve the performance of the system using various methods, including integrating the system with thermal storage materials and phase changes materials (PCMs) as well as integrating it with other technologies and in addition, integrating the solar chimney power plant with an external heat source and the engineering treatments for tower chimney design to improve the efficiency of the solar chimney power plant.

Sulfites (SO _3 ^2− ) are widely used in various industries as a preservative in beverages, pharmaceutical products, wines, foods, and cosmetics. As a preservative, it prevents foods from spoiling and is also used as a bleaching agent due to its antioxidant, anti-browning, and antibacterial activity. Despite its widespread use, inhalation of SO _3 ^2− can lead to health issues such as headaches, nausea, asthma, dizziness, and reduction of red blood cells. Thus, accurate and efficient detection of sulfite is crucial. The deployment of positively charged poly [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (PMTC) decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) offers a novel approach, enhancing sensitivity and specificity in the electrochemical detection of negatively charged sulfite ions (SO _3 ^2− ). A sensor for detecting SO _3 ^2− was developed using PMTC decorated with AuNPs on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to examine the structural morphology of the composite material, and the formation of AuNPs was confirmed through ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Zeta potential analysis affirmed the positive charge of the PMTC composite, highlighting its effective coordination with the negatively charged SO _3 ^2− . The surface conductivity of the modified GCE was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Kinetic analyses, focusing on scan rate and pH dependencies, elucidated the SO _3 ^2− oxidation dynamics and the interaction between the positively charged PMTC and negatively charged SO _3 ^2− . Quantitative evaluation was performed using the current–time (I-t) technique, achieving a limit of detection of 0.41 ± 0.003 μM (S/N = 3) within a linear range of 6.66 μM to 1020 μM. The modified electrode demonstrated remarkable stability, repeatability, and resistance to common interferents. Real sample analysis using laboratory tap water with a fixed SO _3 ^2− concentration exhibited excellent recovery. The oxidation of SO _3 ^2− on the AuNPs-PMTC-GCE proceeded via first-order kinetics and followed a stepwise pathway facilitated by the charge interactions.

This study investigated the solvent effect on the synthesis of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle using sol-gel method. Zinc acetate dihydrate and oxalic acid were used as a chemical precursor for the synthesis of the ZnO nanoparticle considering the effects of various solvents. The effect of using water, propanol, or ethanol as solvent during the synthesis were examined. The resultant gel in the aqueous and organic moderate solvent was thermally cracked into ZnO nanoparticles at 450 °C under atmospheric pressure. The results showed that the solvent type has a significant effect on the morphology and particles size of the ZnO nanoparticles synthesized. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the microstructure of the nanoparticles. The crystalline and chemical structure of the prepared ZnO nanoparticle were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The average diameter of nano-size particles obtained for ethanol, propanol and water are 79.55 nm, 83.86 nm and 85.59 nm, respectively. ZnO particles showed higher degree of crystalline in water compared to other solvents under current investigation. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Ammonia (NH3), a cornerstone in the chemical industry, has historically been pivotal for producing various valuable products, notably fertilizers. Its significance is further underscored in the modern energy landscape, where NH3 is seen as a promising medium for hydrogen storage and transportation. However, the conventional Haber–Bosch process, which accounts for approximately 170 million ton of NH3 produced globally each year, is energy‐intensive and environmentally damaging. The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) emerges as a sustainable alternative that operates in ambient conditions and uses renewable energy sources. Despite its potential, the NRR faces challenges, including the inherent stability of nitrogen and its competition with the hydrogen evolution reaction. Transition metals, especially ruthenium (Ru) and molybdenum (Mo), have demonstrated promise as catalysts, enhancing the efficiency of the NRR. Ru excels in catalytic activity, while Mo offers robustness. Strategies like heteroatom doping are being pursued to mitigate NRR challenges, especially the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. This review delves into the advancements of Ru and Mo‐based catalysts for electrochemical ammonia synthesis, elucidating the NRR mechanisms, and championing the transition towards a greener ammonia economy. It also seeks to elucidate the core principles underpinning the NRR mechanism. This shift aims not only to address challenges inherent to traditional production methods but also to align with the overarching goals of global sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowing the trees nutritional status is necessary for achieving balanced fertilization in orchards. One approach for determining the nutritional status of orchards is the compositional nutrient diagnosis method. In the present research this method was performed to evaluate the nutritional status of three important areas of lime cultivation in Hormozgan province, south of Iran, during 2014 and 2015. Comparison between the obtained results and standard nutrient concentrations in lime revealed that nitrogen, potassium, and manganese deficiency were the most limiting factors for lime production in Hormozgan lime orchards. Moreover, excess phosphorus, chlorine, iron, and boron showed negative effect on the fruit yield of lime. The optimum concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and chlorine in the lime leaves in the studied orchards for achieving 150 kg fruit per tree were 2.88, 0.28, 1.31, 0.27% and those of iron, manganese, zinc, copper and boron were 222.26, 11.57, 4.63, 6.67, and 222.80 mg/kg DW, respectively. Therefore, it is recommended that using nutrients such as nitrogen, manganese and potassium must be given a priority in these orchards. Furthermore, some approaches like leaching fraction and supplying N-NO3 fertilizers should be utilized to mitigate the negative effects of boron and chlorine on the plant growth and yield.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of fenugreek leaves powder on chemical composition and sensory evaluation for minced mutton and beef cattle patties. Fenugreek leaves powder at levels of 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% were used. Nutritional value and sensory evaluation were evaluated of this product. The data of flavor tenderness, juiciness and acceptability were significantly improved when the concentrate of fenugreek increased until 1% for minced beef cattle patties while sensory evaluation of minced mutton patties did not show any improvement by using fenugreek leaves powder. The results of chemical composition did not show any significant in protein and fat concentrations. In conclusion, the results revealed the possibility of using 1% fenugreek leaves powder in beef cattle meat patties which improved sensory evaluation and did not affect their chemical composition.

Abstract Background Closed‐incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPT) has shown promising effects for managing infected wounds. This meta‐analysis explores the current state of knowledge on ciNPT in orthopedics and addresses whether ciNPT at −125 mmHg or −80 mmHg or conventional dressing reduces the incidence of surgical site complications in hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods This meta‐analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and Cochrane Handbook. Prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with ciNPT use compared to conventional dressings following hip and knee surgeries were considered for inclusion. Non‐stratified and stratified meta‐analyses of six RCTs were conducted to test for confounding and biases. A P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results The included six RCTs have 611 patients. Total hip and knee arthroplasties were performed for 51.7% and 48.2% of the included population, respectively. Of 611 patients, conventional dressings were applied in 315 patients and 296 patients received ciNPT. Two ciNPT systems have been used across the six RCTs; PREVENA Incision Management System (−125 mmHg) (63.1%) and PICO dressing (−80 mmHg) (36.8%). The non‐stratified analysis showed that the ciNPT system had a statistically significant, lower risk of persistent wound drainage as compared to conventional dressing following total hip and knee arthroplasties (OR = 0.28; P = .002). There was no difference between ciNPT and conventional dressings in terms of wound hematoma, blistering, seroma, and dehiscence. The stratified meta‐analysis indicated that patients undergoing treatment with high‐pressure ciNPT (120 mmHg) displayed significantly fewer overall complications and persistent wound drainage (P = .00001 and P = .002, respectively) when compared to low‐pressure ciNPT (80 mmHg) and conventional dressings. In addition, ciNPT is associated with shorter hospital stays. (P = .005). Conclusion When compared to conventional wound dressing and −80 mmHg ciNPT, the use of −125 mmHg ciNPT is recommended in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty.

The number of orthopedic procedures, especially prosthesis implantation, continues to increase annually, making it imperative to understand the risks of perioperative complications. These risks include a variety of patient-specific factors, including genetic profiles. This review assessed the current literature for associations between patient-specific genetic risk factors and perioperative infection. The PRISMA guidelines were used to conduct a literature review using the PubMed and Cochrane databases. Following title and abstract review and full-text screening, eight articles remained to be reviewed—all of which compared single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The following cytokine-related genes were found to have polymorphisms associated with PJI: TNFα (p < 0.006), IL-6 (p < 0.035), GCSF3R (p < 0.02), IL-1 RN-VNTR (p = 0.002), and IL-1B (p = 0.037). Protein- and enzyme-related genes that were found to be associated with PJI included: MBL (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) and MBL2 (p < 0.01, p < 0.016). The only receptor-related gene found to be associated with PJI was VDR (p < 0.007, p < 0.028). This review compiled a variety of genetic polymorphisms that were associated with periprosthetic joint infections. However, the power of these studies is low. More research must be conducted to further understand the genetic risk factors for this serious outcome.

The poly(brilliant cresyl blue) (PBCB)-modified activated glassy carbon electrode (AGCE) shows the catalytic activity toward the oxidation of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT). The modified electrode can also separate the oxidation peaks of HQ and CT in their mixture, which is not possible with bare GCE. These properties of the modified electrode can be utilized to fabricate an electrochemical sensor for sensitive and simultaneous detection of HQ and CT. In this study, an attempt is made to control the sensitivity of the modified electrodes. This can be accomplished by simply changing the activation condition of the GCE during electropolymerization. GCE can be activated via one-step (applying only oxidation potential) and two-step (applying both oxidation and reduction potential) processes. When we change the activation condition from onestep to twosteps, a clear enhancement inpeak currents of HQ and CT is observed. This helps us to fabricate a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous detection of HQ and CT. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is carried out to explain the experimental data. The MD simulations provide the insight adsorption phenomena to clarify the reasons for higher signals of CT over HQ due to having meta-position –OH group in its structure.

This work integrates nanotechnology, adsorption, and magnetic separation to remove chromium (Cr) pollutant from industrial wastewater using magnetic nanoparticles. The magnetic nanocomposite consists of chitosan biopolymer and iron (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles. The Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by chemical co-precipitation technique and the chitosan magnetic nanocomposite (CMNC) was prepared by Ex situ process. Moreover, anoval amination of CMNC with hexamine to get functionalized CMNC was performed to remove Cr (VI) in wider range of pH. The prepared Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, CMNC and functionalized CMNC were characterized using different analytical techniques, XRD, FTIR, AFM, SEM, EDX and TGA. Batch adsorption was employed to determine the effects of pH. The adsorption results show that the functionalized CMNC possessed high activity for Cr (VI) removal in any condition of acidic, neutral and basic solutions with the percentage sorption of chromium reached to 91.7%. Sorption isotherms were fitted with the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models, it was found that the Freundlich isotherm model have the best fit with R2=0.998 with functionalized CMNC. The kinetic data of Cr (VI) sorption with functionalized CMNC were fitted well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The reuse of the functionalized CMNC indicates that the adsorbent material is more than 80% adsorption capacity after five regeneration cycles. The results of this work shown that functionalized CMNC is a potential adsorbent to removal of Cr (VI) contaminated in a wider range of pH.

Aluminum air batteries (AABs) are a desirable option for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles (EVs) due to their high theoretical energy density (8100 Wh K−1), low cost, and high safety compared to state‐of‐the‐art lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, numerous unresolved technological and scientific issues are preventing AABs from expanding further. One of the key issues is the catalytic reaction kinetics of the air cathode as the fuel (oxygen) for AAB is reduced there. Additionally, the performance and price of an AAB are directly influenced by an air electrode integrated with an oxygen electrocatalyst, which is thought to be the most crucial element. In this study, we covered the oxygen chemistry of the air cathode as well as a brief discussion of the mechanistic insights of active catalysts and how they catalyze and enhance oxygen chemistry reactions. There is also extensive discussion of research into electrocatalytic materials that outperform Pt/C such as nonprecious metal catalysts, metal oxide, perovskites, metal‐organic framework, carbonaceous materials, and their composites. Finally, we provide an overview of the present state, and possible future direction for air cathodes in AABs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum‐air batteries (AABs) are regarded as attractive candidates for usage as an electric vehicle power source due to their high theoretical energy density (8100 Wh kg−1), which is considerably higher than that of lithium‐ion batteries. However, AABs have several issues with commercial applications. In this review, we outline the difficulties and most recent developments in AABs technology, including electrolytes and aluminum anodes, as well as their mechanistic understanding. First, the impact of the Al anode and alloying on battery performance is discussed. Then we focus on the impact of electrolytes on battery performances. The possibility of enhancing electrochemical performances by adding inhibitors to electrolytes is also investigated. Additionally, the use of aqueous and non‐aqueous electrolytes in AABs is also discussed. Finally, the challenges and potential future research areas for the advancement of AABs are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise in public health awareness, research on point-of-care testing (POCT) has significantly advanced. Electrochemical biosensors (ECBs) are one of the most promising candidates for the future of POCT due to their quick and accurate response, ease of operation, and cost effectiveness. This review focuses on the use of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) for fabricating ECBs that has a potential to be used for POCT. The field has expanded remarkably from its initial enzymatic and immunosensor-based setups. This review provides a concise categorization of the ECBs to allow for a better understanding of the development process. The influence of structural aspects of MNPs in biocompatibility and effective sensor design has been explored. The advances in MNP-based ECBs for the detection of some of the most prominent cancer biomarkers (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), Herceptin-2 (HER2), etc.) and small biomolecules (glucose, dopamine, hydrogen peroxide, etc.) have been discussed in detail. Additionally, the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) ECBs have been briefly discussed. Beyond that, the limitations and challenges that ECBs face in clinical applications are examined and possible pathways for overcoming these limitations are discussed.

Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A(DGEBA) epoxy resin was cured withhardeners aliphatic amine triethylenetetramine (TETA). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique was utilized to study the kinetics of cure of (DGEBA)-(TETA) system,diverse hardener/resin ratios werestudied, (5, 13and 20) phr. Isothermal as wellas dynamic experiments were carried out of the above mentioned DGEBA/TETA system with three hardener/resin ratios, and cure kinetics were investigated at four temperatures (30, 45, 60 and 80) °C using (DSC) technique. The process of isothermal cure was simulated by the diffusion model (modified Kamal’s model and four-parameter autocatalytic model. The obtainedoutcomes are in good agreement with the experimental results in the early andlate cure stages. The eventsdeclare that complete cure at 80 °C attains atthe stoichiometric ratio (13 phr).