Publications by authors named "D J Santa Cruz"

Ion transport in solid polymer electrolytes is crucial for applications like energy conversion and storage, as well as carbon dioxide capture. However, most of the materials studied in this area are petroleum-based. Natural materials (biopolymers) have the potential to act as alternatives to petroleum-based products and, when derived with ionic liquid (IL) functionalities, present a sustainable alternative for conductive materials by offering tunable morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties.

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Background: Existing risk scores assessing geriatric vulnerability in the emergency department (ED) have shown limited predictive power, especially in diverse populations. We investigated the relationship of a quick and easy-to-administer geriatric vulnerability scoring system with functional decline and mortality in older patients admitted to multiple hospitals through the ED in the United States (US) and Brazil (BR).

Method: Federated, international, multicenter observational study of hospitalized ED patients aged ≥ 65 from US and BR.

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Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

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Article Synopsis
  • Covalent semiconductors from the carbon nitride family show potential in artificial photosynthesis, using sunlight to split water and convert CO into useful chemicals.
  • The study employs in-situ spectroscopic techniques to observe how surface interactions in carbon nitride change under conditions mimicking artificial photosynthesis.
  • Findings indicate that water adsorption and light exposure alter surface electron density, facilitating photocatalysis through a specific mechanism known as proton-coupled electron transfer, which is crucial for developing more efficient photocatalysts.
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Evidence has shown the clear positive effects of nature-based products on biofilm control and improved gingival health. However, most studies have used in vitro models, have tested single natural components, or have not evaluated proteomic changes after treatment. This double-blind, parallel, randomized, and controlled clinical trial evaluated the benefits of a nature-based gel in controlling gingival inflammation and its effects on the proteomic gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) profile.

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