Finely Tunable Carbon Nanofiber Catalysts for the Efficient Production of HMF in Biphasic MIBK/HO Systems.

This work proposes catalytic systems for fructose dehydration to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using a series of functionalized carbon nanofibers. The catalysts were synthesized via finely selected covalent grafting in order to include a variety of functionalities like pure Bronsted acid, tandem Brønsted/Lewis acid, and tandem Lewis acid/Lewis base catalysts. After the characterization and evaluation of acidity strength and the amount of acid centers, the catalyst series was screened and related to the product distribution.

[Disseminated tuberculosis revealed by epididymal localization in an immunocompetent patient: a case report].

Epididymal tuberculosis is rare and often presents diagnostic difficulties. It may be indicative of a disseminated form of the infection, which is the case of our patient. A 19-year-old man, with no past medical history, was admitted for a swollen painful left scrotum that had been evolving for 8 months.

Functionalized Biochars as Supports for Ru/C Catalysts: Tunable and Efficient Materials for γ-Valerolactone Production.

Cotton stalks-based biochars were prepared and used to synthetize Ru-supported catalysts for selective production of γ-valerolactone from levulinic acid in aqueous media. Different biochars' pre-treatments (HNO, ZnCl, CO or a combination of them) were carried out to activate the final carbonaceous support. Nitric acid treatment resulted in microporous biochars with high surface area, whereas the chemical activation with ZnCl substantially increases the mesoporous surface.

Comparison of Vocal Fatigue in Speech Therapists With Other Rehabilitation Therapists.

Introduction: Voice, as one of the most important communication tools in humans, can cause many problems in a person's daily life if it is damaged. One type of voice complaint is vocal fatigue, which is common among people who use their voices a lot. Rehabilitation therapists may be more vulnerable to a variety of vocal disorders and complaints due to extensive voice use and long-term relationships with clients.

Validation of the Arabic version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale in Tunisian adolescents.

Background: Facebook is by far the most popular social network. Thus, it is important to use a valid measuring tool. This study aimed to validate an Arabic version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS).

[Corticosurrenaloma: an exceptional cause of primary hyperaldosteronism].

Corticosurrenaloma is a rare malignant tumor of the adrenal gland that often secretes corticosteroids, sex steroids and precursors. Aldosterone-producing corticosurrenaloma is very rare, accounting for 1 case/10million inhabitants. We report the case of a 38-year old man presenting with severe arterial hypertension associated with deep hypokalaemia (2.

Chemometrics applied to cathodoluminescence images: a new approach to classify pre-Columbian artefacts from northern Peru.

In most archaeological researches, ceramic cathodoluminescence images are conventionally exploited in a descriptive way (paste colour, inclusions). In this study, a new approach was employed: image's RGB histograms were used in order to differentiate several ceramics recently discovered at the archaeological site of San José de Moro located in northern Peru. Cathodoluminescence coupled with chemometric methods appears as a good method to characterize and particularly to produce a systematic classification of complex materials such as archaeological ceramics.

Pregnancy outcomes in relation to different types of diabetes mellitus and modes of delivery in macrosomic foetuses in Bahrain.

Objectives: The mode of delivery in diabetic patients is debatable. This study was designed to assess the pattern of delivery of macrosomic babies with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Bahrain.

Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted on mothers who delivered babies weighing ≥4.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for elemental characterization of calcitic alterations on cave walls.

Cave walls are affected by different kinds of alterations involving preservative issues in the case of ornate caves, in particular regarding the rock art covering the walls. In this context, coralloids correspond to a facies with popcorn-like aspect belonging to the speleothem family, mostly composed of calcium carbonate. The elemental characterization indicates the presence of elements that might be linked to the diagenesis and the expansion of the alterations as demonstrated by prior analyses on stalagmites.

Multi-block analysis coupled to laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for sorting geological materials from caves.

In this study, multi-block analysis was applied for the first time to LIBS spectra provided by a portable LIBS system (IVEA Solution, France) equipped with three compact Czerny-Turner spectrometers covering the spectral ranges 200-397nm, 398-571nm and 572-1000nm. 41 geological samples taken from a laboratory-cave situated in the "Vézère valley", an area rich with prehistoric sites and decorated caves listed as a UNESCO world heritage in the south west of France, were analyzed. They were composed of limestone and clay considered as underlying supports and of two types of alterations referred as moonmilk and coralloid.

Detection of orange juice frauds using front-face fluorescence spectroscopy and Independent Components Analysis.

The aim of this study was to find simple objective analytical methods to assess the adulteration of orange juice by grapefruit juice. The adulterations by addition of grapefruit juice were studied by 3D-front-face fluorescence spectroscopy followed by Independent Components Analysis (ICA) and by classical methods such as free radical scavenging activity and total flavonoid content. The results of this study clearly indicate that frauds by adding grapefruit juice to orange juice can be detected at percentages as low as 1%.

3D front face solid-phase fluorescence spectroscopy combined with Independent Components Analysis to characterize organic matter in model soils.

Soil organic matter (SOM) is a very complex and heterogeneous system which complicates its characterization. In fact, the methods classically used to characterize SOM are time- and solvent-consuming and insufficiently informative. The aim of this work is to study the potential of 3D solid-phase front face fluorescence (3D-SPFFF) spectroscopy to quickly provide a relevant and objective characterization of SOM as an alternative to the existing methods.

Study of the heat stability of sunflower oil enriched in natural antioxidants by different analytical techniques and front-face fluorescence spectroscopy combined with Independent Components Analysis.

The aim of this study was to find objective analytical methods to study the degradation of edible oils during heating and thus to suggest solutions to improve their stability. The efficiency of Nigella seed extract as natural antioxidant was compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) during accelerated oxidation of edible vegetable oils at 120 and 140 °C. The modifications during heating were monitored by 3D-front-face fluorescence spectroscopy along with Independent Components Analysis (ICA), (1)H NMR spectroscopy and classical physico-chemical methods such as anisidine value and viscosity.

Stage of change of 6 health-related behaviors among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: Assessing patients' current stage of change toward 6 healthy behaviors related to diabetes control. Behaviors studied were smoking cessation (2) regular exercise; (3) consuming 5 servings or more of fruits and vegetables; (4) decreasing intake of refined sugar; (5) reducing saturated fat; and (6) self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).

Methods: Stage of change (SOC) for several diabetes control-related behaviors was assessed for 737 patients with type 2 diabetes using a staging algorithm.

Food insecurity is related to glycemic control deterioration in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background & Aims: Poor glycemic control has been shown to play a major role in the development and progression of diabetes complications. This cross-sectional study tested the hypothesis that food insecurity may deteriorate glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of food insecurity among type 2 diabetics in a major hospital that serves the area of northern Jordan, and to investigate its relation to glycemic control.

[Tuberculosis of finger bones: three cases].

Tuberculosis dactylis is exceptional. We report tuberculous dactylitis in three women who were 51, 44, and 62-year-old, respectively. The diagnosis was suspected on chronic and insidious clinical presentation, and confirmed by histology.

Elevated glycosylated hemoglobin is associated with subclinical neuropathy in neurologically asymptomatic diabetic patients: a prospective study.

The association between poorly controlled diabetes and higher risk of polyneuropathy is well established. The American Diabetes Association recommends that glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) should be less than 7%. Most previous studies, which reported HbA1c correlation with polyneuropathy, used higher HbA1c cut points and focused on neurologically symptomatic patients.

Association of abnormal foot angles and onychocryptosis.

Objectives: To find if there is any association between the abnormal interphalangeal (IPA) and/or hallux valgus angles (HVA) and onychocryptosis.

Materials And Methods: Eighty consecutive patients with proven ingrowing toenail of all grades had their interphalangeal and hallux valgus angles of the great toe been measured on a stress view standing radiograph, and compared with a control group of normal people.

Results: The mean age (SD) of our patients was 20 (6.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones: a comparison of outcome between acute and chronic cholecystitis.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is now a common method of treating symptomatic gallstones, and it is increasingly being requested by the informed general public. Our aim was to evaluate the role of LC for cholelithiasis and to establish its outcome and the effect of gender on the results.

Patients And Methods: Between September 1994 and June 1999, all patients who underwent LC for cholelithiasis were retrospectively reviewed.

Neurophysiological changes in neurologically asymptomatic hypothyroid patients: a prospective cohort study.

This is a prospective cohort study on neurologically asymptomatic patients with primary hypothyroidism. It was conducted to evaluate the frequency and pattern of neurophysiological changes in this group of patients. Twenty-three subjects were included over a period of 2(1/2) years.

Fever of unknown origin in North Jordan.

This is a retrospective study of all patients admitted to Basma Teaching Hospital with a diagnosis of fever of unknown origin (FUO). The study took place from January 1995 to December 2001. Fifty-two patients fulfilled the criteria of FUO.

Sleepwalking associated with hyperthyroidism.

Objective: To report several cases of hyperthyroidism in patients presenting with the unusual symptom of sleepwalking and to discuss the possible pathophysiologic basis for this novel association.

Methods: After encountering and reporting the first case of new-onset somnambulism in a patient presenting with thyrotoxicosis at our institution, we routinely inquired about the sleep history of patients with thyrotoxicosis, questioning both the patients and family members when applicable. Those patients who actually had sleepwalking episodes coinciding with the onset of thyrotoxicosis underwent close follow-up, and the relationship between the sleepwalking and the results of thyroid function tests was analyzed.

Faecal incontinence in patients with anal fissure: a consequence of internal sphincterotomy or a feature of the condition?

Background And Objective: The function of the internal sphincter is disturbed in patients with chronic anal fissure due to persistent hypertonia and it may lead to a certain degree of incontinence. Our aim is to assess the results of lateral internal sphincterotomy and to identify any degree of incontinence related to the disease.

Methods: This prospective study included a review of all patients operated upon by the authors who performed division of the internal sphincter at or below the upper limit of the fissure.