Optimizing optical, dielectric, and electrical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl pyrrolidone/poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate/NiO-based polymeric nanocomposites for optoelectronic applications.

An electro- and optically favorable quaternary nanocomposite film was produced by solution-casting nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT/PSS). Based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) observations, the synthesized NiO NPs have a cubic phase and a diameter between 10 and 45 nm. The complexity and interactions observed through XRD patterns, UV-visible spectra, and FTIR measurements suggest that the NPs are not just dispersed within the polymer matrix, but are interacting with it, leading to enhanced dielectric properties and AC electrical conductivity.

Trends in sepsis-associated cardiovascular disease mortality in the United States, 1999 to 2022.

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, and sepsis significantly contributes to hospitalization and mortality. This study aims to assess the trends of sepsis-associated CVD mortality rates and variations in mortality based on demographics and regions in the US.

Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database was used to identify CVD and sepsis-related deaths from 1999 to 2022.

Impact of molecular configuration on the photoluminescence and electrical characteristics of poly-pyrrol-thiazol-imine polymers films.

The optical, photoluminescence, and electrical properties of Poly(Z)-PTI and Poly(E)-PTI, two Poly-Pyrrol-Thiazol-Imine polymers with comparable chemical structures but distinct configurations, were examined. Using the dip-casting method, polymer films were deposited on ITO substrates. UV-VIS spectroscopy revealed that both polymers diverged between 500 and 800 nm, showing the impact of molecular arrangement, but showed similar absorption behavior for wavelengths shorter than 500 nm.

Flow Dynamic Factors Correlated With Device-Related Thrombosis After Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

Background: Device-related thrombosis (DRT) occurs in up to 4% of patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. However, its pathophysiology, predictors, and optimal management remain unclear.

Objectives: This study aims to assess flow dynamic factors correlating to DRT.

Ventricular interdependent phenotype of mixed Cpc-pulmonary hypertension and HFpEF with normal left atrium: Impact on CPET metrics and clinical outcomes.

Among 45 CpcPH/heart failure with preserved ejection fraction participants, 11 with normal left atrium (compared to 34 with abnormal left atrium,  < 0.05 for all) had low left ventricle (LV) transmural pressure (2.9 ± 2.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Optimal Medical Therapy for Severe Ischemic Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart failure, which is the leading cause of cardiovascular-related death worldwide. There are insufficient data to make strong recommendations for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with severe ischemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). In that context, we performed a meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of PCI with those of optimal medical therapy alone in patients with severe ischemic LVSD.

Right ventricular outflow tract diameter change with exercise: a prospective exercise echocardiography and invasive CPET study.

While cardiac output reserve with exercise predicts outcomes in cardiac and pulmonary vascular disease, precise quantification of exercise cardiac output requires invasive cardiopulmonary testing (iCPET). To improve the accuracy of cardiac output reserve estimation with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), this prospective study aims to define changes in right ventricular outflow tract diameter (RVOTd) with exercise and its relationship with invasively measured haemodynamics. Twenty subjects underwent simultaneous TTE and iCPET, with data collected at rest, leg-raise, 25 W, 50 W ( = 16), 75 W ( = 14), and 100 W ( = 6).

Correlation between positron annihilation lifetime and photoluminescence measurements for calcined Hydroxyapatite.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) Ca(PO)(OH) is a compound that has stable chemical properties, composition, and an affinity for human bone. As a result, it can be used in odontology, cancer treatment, and orthopedic grafts to repair damaged bone. To produce calcined HAp at 600 °C with different pH values, a wet chemical precipitation method was employed.

Relationship of TAPSE Normalized by Right Ventricular Area With Pulmonary Compliance, Exercise Capacity, and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: While tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) captures the predominant longitudinal motion of the right ventricle (RV), it does not account for ventricular morphology and radial motion changes in various forms of pulmonary hypertension. This study aims to account for both longitudinal and radial motions by dividing TAPSE by RV area and to assess its clinical significance.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 71 subjects with New York Heart Association class II to III dyspnea who underwent echocardiogram and invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (which defined 4 hemodynamic groups: control, isolated postcapillary pulmonary hypertension, combined postcapillary pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary arterial hypertension).

Investigating the physical and electrical properties of LaO via annealing of La(OH).

A simple technique was utilized to fabricate pure hexagonal LaO nanorods by utilizing lanthanum(III) nitrate hexahydrate (La(NO)·6HO) and ammonia (NHOH). The LaO nanoparticles were analyzed using XRD, TGA, Raman, SEM, FTIR, TEM, PL spectroscopy, and Mott-Schottky techniques. The XRD analysis confirmed the production of La(OH) nanorods under appropriate conditions, which were then successfully converted into LaOCO and finally into LaO nanorods through annealing.

Numerical simulation based performance enhancement approach for an inorganic BaZrS/CuO heterojunction solar cell.

One of the main components of the worldwide transition to sustainable energy is solar cells, usually referred to as photovoltaics. By converting sunlight into power, they lessen their reliance on fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases. Because solar cells are decentralized, distributed energy systems may be developed, which increases the efficiency of the cells.

Pulmonary Vein Flow Morphology After Transcatheter Mitral Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair as Predictor of Survival.

Background: Data on the prognostic factors after mitral valve (MV) transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER; MV-TEER) are limited. Pulsed-wave Doppler interrogation of pulmonary vein flow (PVF) is a convenient method to assess the hemodynamic burden of residual mitral regurgitation (MR), which could be of utility as a predictor of outcomes.

Methods: Patients that underwent MV-TEER between May 2014 and December 2021 at our institution were evaluated.

Assignment of the antibacterial potential of AgO/ZnO nanocomposite against MDR bacteria Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella typhi isolated from bone marrow transplant patients.

The rate of infectious diseases started to be one of the major mortality agents in the healthcare sector. Exposed to increased bacterial infection by antibiotic-resistant bacteria became one of the complications that occurred for bone marrow transplant patients. Nanotechnology may provide clinicians and patients with the key to overcoming multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Prognostic Value of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Predicting Long-Term Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background Patient-reported outcome measures have been shown to have important prognostic value after various cardiac interventions. We assessed the association between the change in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire 12 (KCCQ-12) score after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and mortality. Methods and Results We included patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement at Mayo Clinic between February 2012 to June 2022 and who completed a KCCQ-12 before and 30 to 45 days after the procedure.

Advancement of Physical and Photoelectrochemical Properties of Nanostructured CdS Thin Films toward Optoelectronic Applications.

CdS thin films were grown on an FTO substrate at different temperatures, employing the low-cost hydrothermal method. All the fabricated CdS thin films were studied using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, PL spectroscopy, a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, photocurrent, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and Mott-Schottky measurements. According to the XRD results, all the CdS thin films were formed in a cubic (zinc blende) structure with a favorable (111) orientation at various temperatures.

Utilization and outcomes of protamine after percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the use pattern and outcomes of protamine administration for heparin reversal among sites performing percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO).

Methods: We identified 45,135 patients who underwent LAAO at 243 hospitals participating in Vizient® Clinical Database between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2021. Patients were stratified according to protamine administration after the procedure.

The effect of piezoelectric shockwave lithotripsy with 2- and 8-mm focus sizes on stone disintegration and renal injury.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) using a narrow focus or wide focus for renal stones.

Patients And Methods: A double-blind randomised trial included adult patients with a solitary radio-opaque renal pelvic stone of 1-2 cm. Patients were randomised into two groups: narrow-focus (2 mm) SWL and wide-focus (8 mm) SWL.

Correction: Controlling barrier height and spectral responsivity of p-i-n based GeSn photodetectors arsenic incorporation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA00805C.].

Enhancement of Structural, Optical and Photoelectrochemical Properties of n-CuO Thin Films with K Ions Doping toward Biosensor and Solar Cell Applications.

n-type CuO thin films were grown on conductive FTO substrates using a low-cost electrodeposition method. The doping of the n-CuO thin films with K ions was well identified using XRD, Raman, SEM, EDX, UV-vis, PL, photocurrent, Mott-Schottky, and EIS measurements. The results of the XRD show the creation of cubic CuO polycrystalline and monoclinic CuO, with the crystallite sizes ranging from 55 to 25.

Perioperative use of ketamine infusion versus dexmedetomidine infusion for analgesia in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: a double-blinded three-armed randomized controlled trial.

Background: Bariatric surgery depends on the development of novel anesthetic techniques to reduce the incidence of complications and improve postoperative outcomes. Ketamine and dexmedetomidine have been used for perioperative analgesia and we hypothesized that they would decrease postoperative morphine requirements. The objective of this trial is to study whether choice of ketamine or dexmedetomidine infusion would affect postoperative total morphine consumption.

Controlling barrier height and spectral responsivity of p-i-n based GeSn photodetectors arsenic incorporation.

GeSn compounds have made many interesting contributions in photodetectors (PDs) over the last ten years, as they have a detection limit in the NIR and mid-IR region. Sn incorporation in Ge alters the cut off wavelength. In the present article, p-i-n structures based on GeSn junctions were fabricated to serve as PDs.