Performance of Self-Compacting Mortars Using Ground Seashells as Recycled Sand.

The findings highlight the potential for broadening the use of shell aggregates in construction applications. This research investigated the viability of incorporating milled seashells as fine sand replacements for natural calcareous sand in the production of self-compacting mortar. These results highlight a promising avenue for coastal industries to reduce waste while enhancing the durability of construction materials.

Self-Assembled Tetrahedral [CrL] Cage Displaying Near-Infrared Spin-Flip Photoluminescence.

The thermodynamically controlled self-assembly of bis-bidentate quaterpyridine ligand, L = 2,2':5',5″:2″,2‴-quaterpyridine, with Cr and subsequent oxidation to Cr yields the first photoluminescent tetrahedral [CrL] molecular cage. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals the presence of two homochiral cages (ΛΛΛΛ and ΔΔΔΔ) in the unit cell that crystallize as a racemic mixture. Additionally, a PF anion is observed inside the cavity, in line with isostructural cages built with Ni or Fe.

Reductive Photocatalytic Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer by a Zirconium-Based Molecular Platform.

Reductive proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) has important energetic implications in numerous synthetic and natural redox processes. The development of catalytic systems that can mediate such transformations has become an attractive target, especially when light is used to generate the reactive species towards solar-to-chemicals conversion. However, such approach becomes challenged by kinetic competition with H evolution.

Magnetic circularly polarized luminescence from spin-flip transitions in a molecular ruby.

Magnetic circularly polarized luminescence (MCPL), the possibility of generating circularly polarized luminescence in the presence of a magnetic field in achiral or racemic compounds, is a technique of rising interest. Here we show that the far-red spin-flip (SF) transitions of a molecular Cr(iii) complex give intense MCD (magnetic circular dichroism) and in particular MCPL ( up to 6.3 × 10 T) even at magnetic fields as low as 0.

Use of Milled Seashell as Fine Aggregate in Self-Compacting Mortars.

This study focuses on the feasibility of using ground seashells as fine aggregates for self-compacting mortar production. The obtained results show a promising future for coastal industries as their use eliminates waste products and improves the durability of these materials. The use of recycled aggregate, in terms of durability, improves the performance of all mixes made with seashells compared to those made with natural sand, although it decreases workability and slightly reduces mechanical strength.

Socio-economic risk factors for intestinal helminthiases in selected endemic communities in Mindanao, the Philippines: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Parasitic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) or 'infectious diseases of poverty' continue to affect the poorest communities in the world, including in the Philippines. Socio-economic conditions contribute to persisting endemicity of these infectious diseases. As such, examining these underlying factors may help identify gaps in implementation of control programs.

Maximizing Nanoscale Downshifting Energy Transfer in a Metallosupramolecular Cr(III)-Er(III) Assembly.

Pseudo-octahedral CrN chromophores hold a unique appeal for low-energy sensitization of NIR lanthanide luminescence due to their exceptionally long-lived spin-flip excited states. This allure persists despite the obstacles and complexities involved in integrating both elements into a metallosupramolecular assembly. In this work, we have designed a structurally optimized heteroleptic Cr building block capable of binding rare earths.

CO Adsorption by CMK-3 at Low Temperatures and High Pressure to Reduce the Greenhouse Effect.

In this study, the maximum CO capture capacity of an ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) was evaluated at high pressure (35 atm) and several temperatures (0, 10, 20, and 35 °C). CMK-3 was synthesized with the hard template method (silica SBA-15) using furfuryl alcohol and toluene as carbon sources. The CO adsorption isotherms were fitted to the following adsorption theories: Freundlich, Langmuir, Sips, Toth, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin.

Taming 2,2'-biimidazole ligands in trivalent chromium complexes.

Complete or partial replacement of well-known five-membered chelating 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands with analogous didentate 2,2'-biimidazole (Hbiim) provides novel perspectives for exploiting the latter pH-tuneable bridging unit for connecting inert trivalent chromium with cationic partners. The most simple homoleptic complex [Cr(Hbiim)] and its stepwise deprotonated analogues are only poorly soluble in most solvents and their characterization is limited to some solid-state structures, in which the pseudo-octahedral [CrN] units are found to be intermolecularly connected peripheral N-H⋯X hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the associated high-energy stretching N-H vibrations drastically quench the targeted near infrared (NIR) Cr-based phosphorescence, which makes these homoleptic building blocks incompatible with the design of molecular-based luminescent assemblies.

Use of Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica-Benzene Adsorbent for CO Capture to Reduce the Greenhouse Effect.

The CO adsorption of a phenylene-bridged ordered mesoporous organosilica (PMO-benzene) was analyzed. The maximum capture capacity was 638.2 mg·g (0 °C and 34 atm).

Effect of the chromaticity of stimuli on night vision disturbances.

The perception of halos and other night vision disturbances is a common complaint in clinical practice. Such visual disturbances must be assessed in order to fully characterize each patient's visual performance, which is particularly relevant when carrying out a range of daily tasks. Visual problems are usually assessed using achromatic stimuli, yet the stimuli encountered in daily life have very different chromaticities.

A Nationwide, Prospective Study of Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults in Spain: Management, Associated Complications, and Outcomes.

Objectives: Our aims were to explore current intubation practices in Spanish ICUs to determine the incidence and risk factors of peri-intubation complications (primary outcome measure: major adverse events), the rate and factors associated with first-pass success, and their impact on mortality as well as the changes of the intubation procedure observed in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Prospective, observational, and cohort study.

Setting: Forty-three Spanish ICU.

Luminescence and Excited-State Reactivity in a Heteroleptic Tricyanido Fe(III) Complex.

Harnessing sunlight via photosensitizing molecules is key for novel optical applications and solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Exploiting abundant metals such as iron is attractive but becomes challenging due to typically fast nonradiative relaxation processes. In this work, we report on the luminescence and excited-state reactivity of the heteroleptic [Fe(pzTp)(CN)] complex (pzTp = tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate), which incorporates a σ-donating trispyrazolyl chelate ligand and three monodentate σ-donating and π-accepting cyanide ligands.

Parental awareness of the implications of myopia and strategies to control its progression: A survey-based study.

Purpose: Myopia has emerged as a significant public health concern. Effective methods have now been developed to delay its onset and progression. However, this information may not be reaching parents, and they are key players in terms of implementing the necessary preventive measures.

Accelerated Carbonation of Vibro-Compacted Porous Concrete for Eco-Friendly Precast Elements.

This research studied the effect of accelerated carbonation in the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of a non-structural vibro-compacted porous concrete made with natural aggregates and two types of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste (CDW). Natural aggregates were replaced by recycled aggregates using a volumetric substitution method and the CO capture capacity was also calculated. Two hardening environments were used: a carbonation chamber with 5% CO and a normal climatic chamber with atmospheric CO concentration.

Carbon Emission Evaluation of CO Curing in Vibro-Compacted Precast Concrete Made with Recycled Aggregates.

The objective of the present study was to explore three types of vibro-compacted precast concrete mixtures replacing fine and coarse gravel with a recycled/mixed concrete aggregate (RCA or MCA). The portlandite phase found in RCA and MCA by XRD is a "potential" CO sink. CO curing improved the compressive strength in all the mixtures studied.

The Effect of Shell Powder as Filler on the Performance of Self-Compacting Mortar.

In this research, the feasibility of using shell waste from the canning industry in the manufacturing of self-compacting mortar (SCM) was tested. The seashells were finely ground to be used as filler instead of the limestone filler normally used in this type of SCM. First, a physicochemical and microstructural characterisation of all raw materials was carried out, including the particle size distribution of both fillers.

Influence of Interocular Differences and Alcohol Consumption on Binocular Visual Performance.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of a moderate breath-alcohol content (BrAC of 0.40 mg/L) on binocular visual performance for different visual functions after inducing different levels of interocular differences with the use of filters. A total of 26 healthy young subjects were enrolled.

Assessing the influence of cannabis and alcohol use on different visual functions: A comparative study.

This study aimed to assess and compare the influence of alcohol intake and cannabis smoking on different visual functions. A total of 64 young and healthy volunteers took part in the study. All undertook several randomised experimental sessions in which different visual functions, namely distance stereopsis, retinal straylight, visual discrimination capacity, and contrast sensitivity, were tested.

Ternary Blends for Self-Compacting Mortars Production Composed by Electric Arc Furnace Dust and Other Industrial by-Products.

This study is framed within the circular economy model through the valorisation of industrial by-products. This research shows the results of producing self-compacting mortars (SCMs) with electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) and other industrial by-products such as fly ash, conforming (FA) or not conforming (NcFA), from coal-fired power plants, or recovery filler (RF) from hot-mix asphalt plants. Three batches of SCMs, each with one industrial-by product (FA, NcFA, or RF), and three levels of EAFD ratio incorporation (0%, 10%, 20%), were tested.

Use of Carbonated Water as Kneading in Mortars Made with Recycled Aggregates.

The increased concern about climate change is revolutionising the building materials sector, making sustainability and environmental friendliness increasingly important. This study evaluates the feasibility of incorporating recycled masonry aggregate (construction and demolition waste) in porous cement-based materials using carbonated water in mixing followed (or not) by curing in a CO atmosphere. The use of carbonated water can be very revolutionary in cement-based materials, as it allows hydration and carbonation to occur simultaneously.

Complex-as-Ligand Strategy as a Tool for the Design of a Binuclear Nonsymmetrical Chromium(III) Assembly: Near-Infrared Double Emission and Intramolecular Energy Transfer.

The chromium(III) polypyridyl complexes are appealing for their long-lived near-infrared (NIR) emission reaching the millisecond range and for the strong circularly polarized luminescence of their isolated enantiomers. However, harnessing those properties in functional polynuclear Cr devices remains mainly inaccessible because of the lack of synthetic methods for their design and functionalization. Even the preparation and investigation of most basic nonsymmetrical Cr dyads exhibiting directional intramolecular intermetallic energy transfer remain unexplored.

Comparison of the effects of alcohol and cannabis on visual function and driving performance. Does the visual impairment affect driving?

Background: Alcohol and cannabis are the most widely consumed psychoactive substances worldwide. This study compared the effects of alcohol and cannabis on visual function and driving performance, as well as self-perceived effects. Also, the relationship between visual effects under the influence and driving performance was studied.

Enlightening the Alkali Ion Role in the Photomagnetic Effect of FeCo Prussian Blue Analogues.

FeCo Prussian blue analogues of general formula ACo[Fe(CN)] are responsive, non-stoichiometric materials whose magnetic and optical properties can be reversibly switched by light irradiation. However, elucidating the critical influence of the inserted alkali ion, A, on the material's properties remains complicated due to their complex local structure. Here, by investigating soluble A ⊂ [Fe-Co] cyanido cubes (A = K, Rb, and Cs), both accurate structural and electronic information could be obtained.