In this study,we analyzed the untapped energy potential of remote mountainous regions in eastern Morocco,thereby addressing the research gap on sustainable electrification in such areas.We proposed a hybrid energy sys...In this study,we analyzed the untapped energy potential of remote mountainous regions in eastern Morocco,thereby addressing the research gap on sustainable electrification in such areas.We proposed a hybrid energy system corresponding to the local conditions and integrated the solar,wind,and biomass energy using batteries and green hydrogen as storage systems,considering the grid as a backup.Simulations conducted using HOMER Pro indicate an annual energy output of 5.6 GWh from solar,6.9 GWh from wind,and 1 GWh from biomass,thereby ensuring 100%renewable self-sufficiency.The system is highly cost-effective and achieves a levelized cost of energy of 0.024$/kWh while significantly reducing the greenhouse gas emissions by over 99%for CO_(2) and 100%for SO_(2).This study presents a sustainable,reliable,and economically viable solution for rural electrification,which concurs with SDG 7.展开更多
Pesticides are chemical substances used to eliminate various pests.Currently,more than two million tons of pesticides are used annually in developing and developed countries.One of the chronic diseases associated with...Pesticides are chemical substances used to eliminate various pests.Currently,more than two million tons of pesticides are used annually in developing and developed countries.One of the chronic diseases associated with pesticide poisoning is diabetes.This review aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of action involved in the development of diabetes after pesticide poisoning.Relevant information was collected between January and May 2024,using databases such as PubMed,Google Academic,and Elsevier.Pesticides reduce the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)in the intestine,thereby decreasing the release of insulin.Moreover,pesticides are metabolized to acetic acid by intestinal microbiota.This contributes to gluconeogenesis in the liver.In addition,the accumulation of pesticides in adipose tissue affects pancreatic beta-cells(β-cells)through increases in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and the release of leptin,resulting in insulin resistance and impairments of appetite control and energy balance.These alterations caused by pesticides can contribute to the development of diabetes by affecting many organic systems.展开更多
The amber sites from the Chiapas Highlands in southwestern Mexico constitute an Oligo-Miocene Amber-Lagerstätte(ca.24 Ma)whose mines and pits at Simojovel,Totolapa,and Estrella de Belén yield exceptionally p...The amber sites from the Chiapas Highlands in southwestern Mexico constitute an Oligo-Miocene Amber-Lagerstätte(ca.24 Ma)whose mines and pits at Simojovel,Totolapa,and Estrella de Belén yield exceptionally preserved fossil inclusions,notably insects from an estuarine wetland.A comprehensive cross-referenced catalog of insects and their close relatives(Arthropoda:Hexapoda)recorded in Mexican amber has been compiled.The catalog comprises 589 fossil records,including 21 orders,180 families,230 genera,and 193 species.Data show the fossil diversity of insects based on 65 years of taxonomic descriptions.The catalog also consists of an online database for consultation and permanent updating.Accordingly,the taxonomic composition of Hexapoda in Oligo-Miocene Mexican amber is a significant addition to the current knowledge of the diversity of Lagerstätte taxa distributed worldwide.展开更多
Mountains are important reservoirs of biodiversity and endemism on a global scale, but little is known about the altitudinal configuration of this diversity and its driving factors in arid mountains. We explored varia...Mountains are important reservoirs of biodiversity and endemism on a global scale, but little is known about the altitudinal configuration of this diversity and its driving factors in arid mountains. We explored variations in composition, diversity, cover,and life forms of vascular plants along a complete altitudinal gradient(1300-4000 m a.s.l) in Sierra de Velasco, an arid mountain in northwestern Argentina.We evaluated the influence of environmental variables on plant diversity and cover. Field sampling was conducted in the northern sector of the Sa. de Velasco,on the western slope in eight 50 m wide altitudinal bands at 400 m elevation intervals. We used rectangular plots(20 × 4 m;n:10/altitudinal band) to register the vascular plants of all the growth forms, and linear transects(20 m long.;n:30/altitudinal band) to quantify the vegetation cover using the point intercept method. Diversity was calculated using hill numbers.Data analysis included non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS), indicator species analysis,generalized linear models(GLMs), and variance partitioning analysis. A total of 232 species from 51families and 158 genera were registered. Species composition showed greater similarity at intermediate elevations. Plant diversity and cover exhibited a unimodal distribution, peaking at intermediate elevations(2100-2500 m). In contrast, life forms' distribution showed divergent patterns. Therophytes and succulents predominated at low altitudes,phanerophytes and hemicryptophytes at medium altitudes, and chamaephytes and geophytes at high altitudes. The altitudinal patterns of plant diversity and cover were primarily driven by climatic factors.Conservation efforts in the Sierra de Velasco should focus on the middle and upper zones due to their high biodiversity and vulnerability to climate change.展开更多
Species of the genus Paenibacillus,especially those from extreme environments that have been reported,are known for producing bioactive compounds with agricultural and biotechnological applications.In this study,we in...Species of the genus Paenibacillus,especially those from extreme environments that have been reported,are known for producing bioactive compounds with agricultural and biotechnological applications.In this study,we investigated the genomic and biochemical potential of Paenibacillus sp.VCA1 strain isolated from a thermophilic environment.Taxonomic identification was performed using whole genome similarity analysis,TETRA four-nucleotide frequency of occurrence analysis,ANI average nucleotide identity analysis,and gene distance analysis using digital DNA-DNA hybridization(dDDH).Functional analysis of the strain VCA1 was performed by detecting genes,enzymes,and genome subsystems involved in biocontrol and plant growth promotion,which was carried out using the RAST(Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology),the seed server and antiSAMSH(antibiotics&Secondary Metabolite Analysis Shell).Genetic analyses showed the existence of 11 fatty acid and isoprenoid production genes,56 motility and chemotaxis genes,29 N-acetylglucosamine genes,and five siderophore genes.Finally,the antifungal and emulsifying activities demonstrated that strain VCA1 has activity against Fusarium oxysporum strain 45ta using integrated genomic and experimental validation,and the antifungal properties of the Paenibacillus sp.VCA1 has suggested potential use as a biocontrol agent against phytopathogenic fungi,and its continuous study can have beneficial applications in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.展开更多
Li_(6)ZnO_(4)was chemically modified by nickel addition,in order to develop different compositions of the solid solution Li_(6)Zn_(1-x)Ni_(x)O_(4).These materials were evaluated bifunctionally;analyzing their CO_(2)ca...Li_(6)ZnO_(4)was chemically modified by nickel addition,in order to develop different compositions of the solid solution Li_(6)Zn_(1-x)Ni_(x)O_(4).These materials were evaluated bifunctionally;analyzing their CO_(2)capture performances,aswell as on their catalytic properties for H_(2)production via dry reforming of methane(DRM).The crystal structures of Li_(6)Zn_(1-x)Ni_(x)O_(4)solid solution samples were determined through X-ray diffraction,which confirmed the integration of nickel ions up to a concentration around 20 mol%,meanwhile beyond this value,a secondary phase was detected.These results were supported by XPS and TEM analyses.Then,dynamic and isothermal thermogravimetric analyses of CO_(2)capture revealed that Li_(6)Zn_(1-x)Ni_(x)O_(4)solid solution samples exhibited good CO_(2)chemisorption efficiencies,similarly to the pristine Li_(6)ZnO_(4)chemisorption trends observed.Moreover,a kinetic analysis of CO_(2)isothermal chemisorptions,using the Avrami-Erofeev model,evidenced an increment of the constant rates as a function of the Ni content.Since Ni^(2+)ions incorporation did not reduce the CO_(2)capture efficiency and kinetics,the catalytic properties of thesematerialswere evaluated in the DRM process.Results demonstrated that nickel ions favored hydrogen(H_(2))production over the pristine Li_(6)ZnO_(4)phase,despite a second H2 production reaction was determined,methane decomposition.Thereby,Li_(6)Zn_(1-x)Ni_(x)O_(4)ceramics can be employed as bifunctional materials.展开更多
Bioremediation is an eco-friendly alternative for soil restoration.However,its outcomes are still variable.Different bioremediation strategies were used in a chronically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH)-contaminat...Bioremediation is an eco-friendly alternative for soil restoration.However,its outcomes are still variable.Different bioremediation strategies were used in a chronically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH)-contaminated soil,and no degradation was achieved.This work attempts to study whether the soil bacterial community has the genetic potential for aromatic compound degradation(ACD).While 16S rRNA metabarcoding of that soil showed a predominance of Proteobacteria,shotgun metagenomics indicated that 99.5%of the sequences were taxonomically assigned to Streptomycetales,and almost all genes related to ACD were assigned to the latter.As comprehension of the composition and metabolic potential of a soil community can be enhanced by exploring enrichment cultures of that soil,a culture approach followed by a shotgun metagenomic analysis was performed.These enrichment cultures were obtained by sequential transfers with pyrene conducted every 7(r-EFP)and 28(k-MSP2)d.Both r-EFP and k-MSP2 demonstrated the ability to degrade pyrene and the presence of genes related to ACD.While Pseudomonas and Olivibacter were the predominant genera in r-EFP,Mycobacterium,Chitoniphaga,Bacillus,and Pseudoxanthomonas were predominant in k-MSP2.This study demonstrated the soil bacterial community's potential to degrade PAHs of three and four rings.Therefore,exploration of bioremediation strategies aimed at activating this potential would be worthwhile.It was confirmed that shotgun metagenomics may not fully reveal potential bacterial functions when characterizing impacted soil microbiomes.Additionally,culture-based methods complemented and increased the knowledge obtained from culture-independent approaches,demonstrating their utility for bioprospecting PAH degraders and designing microbiome engineering strategies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Detailed data on the relation of post-operative complications with clinical outcomes after simultaneous pancreas-kidney(SPK)transplantation is lacking.AIM To compare Clavien-Dindo classification(CDC)and com...BACKGROUND Detailed data on the relation of post-operative complications with clinical outcomes after simultaneous pancreas-kidney(SPK)transplantation is lacking.AIM To compare Clavien-Dindo classification(CDC)and comprehensive complication index(CCI)in predicting outcomes after SPK.METHODS Data for patients undergoing SPK between 1999-2019 were analyzed.Information on recipients’baseline characteristics,peri-operative management and postoperative complications were collated.Length of hospital stay(LOS)was the primary study outcome,and the associations with CDC and CCI were evaluated using Spearman’s(ρ)correlation coefficients.RESULTS In the study period,data were available for 128 patients(female n=44,34.4%).Sixty-nine patients had at least one complication with the highest CDC grade of I,II,III,and IV in 8(6.3%),22(17.2%),32(25%),and 7(5.5%)patients,respectively. The mean LOS was 21.4 ± 17.7 days. Both classification systems were correlated with LOS, yet CCI was stronger(Spearman’s ρ: 0.694 vs 0.602, P < 0.001). Female patients (P = 0.019) and patients with pre-transplant cardiovascularevents (P = 0.02) had longer LOS. After adjusted multivariable analysis, the link between LOS and both theCDC and CCI remained relevant. CCI had a superior fit compared to CDC (r2 = 0.729 vs r2 = 0.481), with every 10CCI points being associated with a 5.27 day (P < 0.001) increased LOS.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that the CCI was better linked with LOS compared to CDC and might represent a useful scoreto evaluate the overall burden of postoperative complications in patients undergoing SPK.展开更多
Different habitat types exert particular challenges to ecological performance,ultimately having a strong influence on the evolution of morphology.Although it is well known that external morphology can evolve under the...Different habitat types exert particular challenges to ecological performance,ultimately having a strong influence on the evolution of morphology.Although it is well known that external morphology can evolve under the selective pressure of habitat structure,the evolutionary response of internal morphological traits remains vastly unexplored.Here,we test for morphological divergence between arenicolous and nonarenicolous species in a clade of tropidurid lizards,considering external morphological proportions and limb muscle dimensions.We found that arenicolous species seem to have evolved internal and external morphological adaptations that separate them from other habitat specialists.Moreover,comparative analyses suggested that the traits that differed the most between arenicolous and nonarenicolous lizards might have evolved divergently towards different optima.Additionally,the axis of higher morphological divergence between arenicolous and nonarenicolous species represented an important proportion of the morphological diversity within our sample,indicating that the hypothetical adaptive divergence of internal and external traits has contributed significantly to phenotypic diversity.Our results show that evolutionary associations between morphology and habitat use can be detected on both external body proportions and muscle morphology.Moreover,they highlight the emergent importance of internal anatomical traits in ecomorphological studies,especially when such traits are directly involved in determining functional performance.展开更多
The effect of iron concentration on the microstructural and structural properties of ZnO for electrolysis and photodetector applications was investigated.The thin layers of un-doped and doped ZnO with different percen...The effect of iron concentration on the microstructural and structural properties of ZnO for electrolysis and photodetector applications was investigated.The thin layers of un-doped and doped ZnO with different percentages of Fe(2,4,and 6 wt.%)were deposited by spin-coating on glass substrates.Sample characterization was done by X-ray diffraction(XRD),atomic force microscopy(AFM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS),UV−Vis absorption spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).Structural measurements by XRD showed that all the layers were composed of polycrystallines with a hexagonal Wurtzite structure.Two new peaks were also discovered after the doping process belonging to the Fe_(2)O_(4)(400)and(440)crystal phase.Morphological analysis showed that the surface roughness values of ZnO layers ranged between 8 and 45 nm.XPS studies confirmed the presence of Fe in 3+states in ZnO layers.An average transmittance of 90%was measured by UV−Vis in the wavelength range of 200−900 nm.The values of the energy gap(Eg)decreased with an increase in the concentration of Fe.AFM topography results confirmed that ZnO-based thin layers had a relatively uniform surface.The efficiency of these samples has been confirmed for their use in many electrical applications,including photodetectors and electrolysis of contaminated solutions.展开更多
Rare earth elements(REEs)play a crucial role in many technologies from daily appliances in cell phones to more advanced wind turbines and electric cars.Permanent magnets account for a quarter of total global REEs prod...Rare earth elements(REEs)play a crucial role in many technologies from daily appliances in cell phones to more advanced wind turbines and electric cars.Permanent magnets account for a quarter of total global REEs production and have high recycling value.In this study,smelting process was used to selectively oxidize REEs in the permanent magnets by adding Fe_(2)O_(3).This separates REEs into a slag phase from an iron-rich metallic phase.B_(2)O_(3) was also added to the system as a flux to lower the slag melting temperature.This minimizes REEs loss to the metallic phase and allows a more efficient phase separation.The effect of flux and oxidizing agent addition was investigated on both regular and cerium-rich NdFeB(NdCeFeB)magnets.At 1350℃and for 1 h,the slag phase was successfully separated from the metallic phase with the addition of 0.8 stoichiometric amount of Fe_(2)O_(3) and 40 wt%of B_(2)O_(3).Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(SEM-EDX)analysis reveals that REEs in the magnet do not migrate to the metal phase while the REE-rich slag phase contains almost no iron.After the selective removal of iron into the metallic phase,REEs are recovered from the slag phase through an acid leaching process allowing>99%of REEs recovery.Boron in the magnet can also be recovered as useful boric acid by evaporation and crystallisation technique.The proposed process in this study is reagent and energy-efficient with almost complete valorisation of both NdCeFeB and NdFeB magnets.展开更多
基金supported by CPS2E Laboratory,National Higher School of Mines of Rabat.
文摘In this study,we analyzed the untapped energy potential of remote mountainous regions in eastern Morocco,thereby addressing the research gap on sustainable electrification in such areas.We proposed a hybrid energy system corresponding to the local conditions and integrated the solar,wind,and biomass energy using batteries and green hydrogen as storage systems,considering the grid as a backup.Simulations conducted using HOMER Pro indicate an annual energy output of 5.6 GWh from solar,6.9 GWh from wind,and 1 GWh from biomass,thereby ensuring 100%renewable self-sufficiency.The system is highly cost-effective and achieves a levelized cost of energy of 0.024$/kWh while significantly reducing the greenhouse gas emissions by over 99%for CO_(2) and 100%for SO_(2).This study presents a sustainable,reliable,and economically viable solution for rural electrification,which concurs with SDG 7.
文摘Pesticides are chemical substances used to eliminate various pests.Currently,more than two million tons of pesticides are used annually in developing and developed countries.One of the chronic diseases associated with pesticide poisoning is diabetes.This review aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of action involved in the development of diabetes after pesticide poisoning.Relevant information was collected between January and May 2024,using databases such as PubMed,Google Academic,and Elsevier.Pesticides reduce the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)in the intestine,thereby decreasing the release of insulin.Moreover,pesticides are metabolized to acetic acid by intestinal microbiota.This contributes to gluconeogenesis in the liver.In addition,the accumulation of pesticides in adipose tissue affects pancreatic beta-cells(β-cells)through increases in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and the release of leptin,resulting in insulin resistance and impairments of appetite control and energy balance.These alterations caused by pesticides can contribute to the development of diabetes by affecting many organic systems.
文摘The amber sites from the Chiapas Highlands in southwestern Mexico constitute an Oligo-Miocene Amber-Lagerstätte(ca.24 Ma)whose mines and pits at Simojovel,Totolapa,and Estrella de Belén yield exceptionally preserved fossil inclusions,notably insects from an estuarine wetland.A comprehensive cross-referenced catalog of insects and their close relatives(Arthropoda:Hexapoda)recorded in Mexican amber has been compiled.The catalog comprises 589 fossil records,including 21 orders,180 families,230 genera,and 193 species.Data show the fossil diversity of insects based on 65 years of taxonomic descriptions.The catalog also consists of an online database for consultation and permanent updating.Accordingly,the taxonomic composition of Hexapoda in Oligo-Miocene Mexican amber is a significant addition to the current knowledge of the diversity of Lagerstätte taxa distributed worldwide.
文摘Mountains are important reservoirs of biodiversity and endemism on a global scale, but little is known about the altitudinal configuration of this diversity and its driving factors in arid mountains. We explored variations in composition, diversity, cover,and life forms of vascular plants along a complete altitudinal gradient(1300-4000 m a.s.l) in Sierra de Velasco, an arid mountain in northwestern Argentina.We evaluated the influence of environmental variables on plant diversity and cover. Field sampling was conducted in the northern sector of the Sa. de Velasco,on the western slope in eight 50 m wide altitudinal bands at 400 m elevation intervals. We used rectangular plots(20 × 4 m;n:10/altitudinal band) to register the vascular plants of all the growth forms, and linear transects(20 m long.;n:30/altitudinal band) to quantify the vegetation cover using the point intercept method. Diversity was calculated using hill numbers.Data analysis included non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS), indicator species analysis,generalized linear models(GLMs), and variance partitioning analysis. A total of 232 species from 51families and 158 genera were registered. Species composition showed greater similarity at intermediate elevations. Plant diversity and cover exhibited a unimodal distribution, peaking at intermediate elevations(2100-2500 m). In contrast, life forms' distribution showed divergent patterns. Therophytes and succulents predominated at low altitudes,phanerophytes and hemicryptophytes at medium altitudes, and chamaephytes and geophytes at high altitudes. The altitudinal patterns of plant diversity and cover were primarily driven by climatic factors.Conservation efforts in the Sierra de Velasco should focus on the middle and upper zones due to their high biodiversity and vulnerability to climate change.
基金funded by Tecnologico Nacional de Mexico/IT de Tuxtla Gutierrez with project number 22847.25-PFunding came from the“Consejo Nacional de Humanidades,Ciencias y Tecnologias”(CONAHCYT,Mexico),with Project No.320299.
文摘Species of the genus Paenibacillus,especially those from extreme environments that have been reported,are known for producing bioactive compounds with agricultural and biotechnological applications.In this study,we investigated the genomic and biochemical potential of Paenibacillus sp.VCA1 strain isolated from a thermophilic environment.Taxonomic identification was performed using whole genome similarity analysis,TETRA four-nucleotide frequency of occurrence analysis,ANI average nucleotide identity analysis,and gene distance analysis using digital DNA-DNA hybridization(dDDH).Functional analysis of the strain VCA1 was performed by detecting genes,enzymes,and genome subsystems involved in biocontrol and plant growth promotion,which was carried out using the RAST(Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology),the seed server and antiSAMSH(antibiotics&Secondary Metabolite Analysis Shell).Genetic analyses showed the existence of 11 fatty acid and isoprenoid production genes,56 motility and chemotaxis genes,29 N-acetylglucosamine genes,and five siderophore genes.Finally,the antifungal and emulsifying activities demonstrated that strain VCA1 has activity against Fusarium oxysporum strain 45ta using integrated genomic and experimental validation,and the antifungal properties of the Paenibacillus sp.VCA1 has suggested potential use as a biocontrol agent against phytopathogenic fungi,and its continuous study can have beneficial applications in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.
基金This work was carried out in the framework of PAPIIT-UNAM(IN-205823)project.
文摘Li_(6)ZnO_(4)was chemically modified by nickel addition,in order to develop different compositions of the solid solution Li_(6)Zn_(1-x)Ni_(x)O_(4).These materials were evaluated bifunctionally;analyzing their CO_(2)capture performances,aswell as on their catalytic properties for H_(2)production via dry reforming of methane(DRM).The crystal structures of Li_(6)Zn_(1-x)Ni_(x)O_(4)solid solution samples were determined through X-ray diffraction,which confirmed the integration of nickel ions up to a concentration around 20 mol%,meanwhile beyond this value,a secondary phase was detected.These results were supported by XPS and TEM analyses.Then,dynamic and isothermal thermogravimetric analyses of CO_(2)capture revealed that Li_(6)Zn_(1-x)Ni_(x)O_(4)solid solution samples exhibited good CO_(2)chemisorption efficiencies,similarly to the pristine Li_(6)ZnO_(4)chemisorption trends observed.Moreover,a kinetic analysis of CO_(2)isothermal chemisorptions,using the Avrami-Erofeev model,evidenced an increment of the constant rates as a function of the Ni content.Since Ni^(2+)ions incorporation did not reduce the CO_(2)capture efficiency and kinetics,the catalytic properties of thesematerialswere evaluated in the DRM process.Results demonstrated that nickel ions favored hydrogen(H_(2))production over the pristine Li_(6)ZnO_(4)phase,despite a second H2 production reaction was determined,methane decomposition.Thereby,Li_(6)Zn_(1-x)Ni_(x)O_(4)ceramics can be employed as bifunctional materials.
基金supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas(CONICET)and the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica(Nos.PICT 2018-1889 and PICT 2019-01805)of Argentina and the United Nations University Biotechnology Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean(UNU-BIOLAC).
文摘Bioremediation is an eco-friendly alternative for soil restoration.However,its outcomes are still variable.Different bioremediation strategies were used in a chronically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH)-contaminated soil,and no degradation was achieved.This work attempts to study whether the soil bacterial community has the genetic potential for aromatic compound degradation(ACD).While 16S rRNA metabarcoding of that soil showed a predominance of Proteobacteria,shotgun metagenomics indicated that 99.5%of the sequences were taxonomically assigned to Streptomycetales,and almost all genes related to ACD were assigned to the latter.As comprehension of the composition and metabolic potential of a soil community can be enhanced by exploring enrichment cultures of that soil,a culture approach followed by a shotgun metagenomic analysis was performed.These enrichment cultures were obtained by sequential transfers with pyrene conducted every 7(r-EFP)and 28(k-MSP2)d.Both r-EFP and k-MSP2 demonstrated the ability to degrade pyrene and the presence of genes related to ACD.While Pseudomonas and Olivibacter were the predominant genera in r-EFP,Mycobacterium,Chitoniphaga,Bacillus,and Pseudoxanthomonas were predominant in k-MSP2.This study demonstrated the soil bacterial community's potential to degrade PAHs of three and four rings.Therefore,exploration of bioremediation strategies aimed at activating this potential would be worthwhile.It was confirmed that shotgun metagenomics may not fully reveal potential bacterial functions when characterizing impacted soil microbiomes.Additionally,culture-based methods complemented and increased the knowledge obtained from culture-independent approaches,demonstrating their utility for bioprospecting PAH degraders and designing microbiome engineering strategies.
文摘BACKGROUND Detailed data on the relation of post-operative complications with clinical outcomes after simultaneous pancreas-kidney(SPK)transplantation is lacking.AIM To compare Clavien-Dindo classification(CDC)and comprehensive complication index(CCI)in predicting outcomes after SPK.METHODS Data for patients undergoing SPK between 1999-2019 were analyzed.Information on recipients’baseline characteristics,peri-operative management and postoperative complications were collated.Length of hospital stay(LOS)was the primary study outcome,and the associations with CDC and CCI were evaluated using Spearman’s(ρ)correlation coefficients.RESULTS In the study period,data were available for 128 patients(female n=44,34.4%).Sixty-nine patients had at least one complication with the highest CDC grade of I,II,III,and IV in 8(6.3%),22(17.2%),32(25%),and 7(5.5%)patients,respectively. The mean LOS was 21.4 ± 17.7 days. Both classification systems were correlated with LOS, yet CCI was stronger(Spearman’s ρ: 0.694 vs 0.602, P < 0.001). Female patients (P = 0.019) and patients with pre-transplant cardiovascularevents (P = 0.02) had longer LOS. After adjusted multivariable analysis, the link between LOS and both theCDC and CCI remained relevant. CCI had a superior fit compared to CDC (r2 = 0.729 vs r2 = 0.481), with every 10CCI points being associated with a 5.27 day (P < 0.001) increased LOS.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that the CCI was better linked with LOS compared to CDC and might represent a useful scoreto evaluate the overall burden of postoperative complications in patients undergoing SPK.
文摘Different habitat types exert particular challenges to ecological performance,ultimately having a strong influence on the evolution of morphology.Although it is well known that external morphology can evolve under the selective pressure of habitat structure,the evolutionary response of internal morphological traits remains vastly unexplored.Here,we test for morphological divergence between arenicolous and nonarenicolous species in a clade of tropidurid lizards,considering external morphological proportions and limb muscle dimensions.We found that arenicolous species seem to have evolved internal and external morphological adaptations that separate them from other habitat specialists.Moreover,comparative analyses suggested that the traits that differed the most between arenicolous and nonarenicolous lizards might have evolved divergently towards different optima.Additionally,the axis of higher morphological divergence between arenicolous and nonarenicolous species represented an important proportion of the morphological diversity within our sample,indicating that the hypothetical adaptive divergence of internal and external traits has contributed significantly to phenotypic diversity.Our results show that evolutionary associations between morphology and habitat use can be detected on both external body proportions and muscle morphology.Moreover,they highlight the emergent importance of internal anatomical traits in ecomorphological studies,especially when such traits are directly involved in determining functional performance.
基金the support received from the Researchers Supporting Project(No.RSP2024R404),King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia。
文摘The effect of iron concentration on the microstructural and structural properties of ZnO for electrolysis and photodetector applications was investigated.The thin layers of un-doped and doped ZnO with different percentages of Fe(2,4,and 6 wt.%)were deposited by spin-coating on glass substrates.Sample characterization was done by X-ray diffraction(XRD),atomic force microscopy(AFM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS),UV−Vis absorption spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).Structural measurements by XRD showed that all the layers were composed of polycrystallines with a hexagonal Wurtzite structure.Two new peaks were also discovered after the doping process belonging to the Fe_(2)O_(4)(400)and(440)crystal phase.Morphological analysis showed that the surface roughness values of ZnO layers ranged between 8 and 45 nm.XPS studies confirmed the presence of Fe in 3+states in ZnO layers.An average transmittance of 90%was measured by UV−Vis in the wavelength range of 200−900 nm.The values of the energy gap(Eg)decreased with an increase in the concentration of Fe.AFM topography results confirmed that ZnO-based thin layers had a relatively uniform surface.The efficiency of these samples has been confirmed for their use in many electrical applications,including photodetectors and electrolysis of contaminated solutions.
基金Project supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board of India(SRG/2020/002096)。
文摘Rare earth elements(REEs)play a crucial role in many technologies from daily appliances in cell phones to more advanced wind turbines and electric cars.Permanent magnets account for a quarter of total global REEs production and have high recycling value.In this study,smelting process was used to selectively oxidize REEs in the permanent magnets by adding Fe_(2)O_(3).This separates REEs into a slag phase from an iron-rich metallic phase.B_(2)O_(3) was also added to the system as a flux to lower the slag melting temperature.This minimizes REEs loss to the metallic phase and allows a more efficient phase separation.The effect of flux and oxidizing agent addition was investigated on both regular and cerium-rich NdFeB(NdCeFeB)magnets.At 1350℃and for 1 h,the slag phase was successfully separated from the metallic phase with the addition of 0.8 stoichiometric amount of Fe_(2)O_(3) and 40 wt%of B_(2)O_(3).Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(SEM-EDX)analysis reveals that REEs in the magnet do not migrate to the metal phase while the REE-rich slag phase contains almost no iron.After the selective removal of iron into the metallic phase,REEs are recovered from the slag phase through an acid leaching process allowing>99%of REEs recovery.Boron in the magnet can also be recovered as useful boric acid by evaporation and crystallisation technique.The proposed process in this study is reagent and energy-efficient with almost complete valorisation of both NdCeFeB and NdFeB magnets.
