Related Materials Research Articles

A wanderer between the worlds: Alfred Kantorowicz in East and West (1899–1979)

ABSTRACT Alfred Kantorowicz (1899–1979), German-Jewish literary scholar, is an example of those anti-fascist returnees who were treated with utmost suspicion in both East and West. Kantorowicz, professor of German literature at Humboldt University, left East Germany in 1957 for the West, where he maintained his critical assessment of developments in post-war German society. As an independent socialist Kantorowicz remained marginalized after his flight and never found a new academic position, either in West Germany or West Berlin. However, the state pension finally awarded him allowed for relative material security. He lived in Hamburg with his third wife Ingrid until his death.

Do I have to wear mud pants? Mud pants as material agent in Finnish preschool

ABSTRACT Mud pants have protected Finnish preschool children from dirt and water for many years. However, children do not like to wear them and educators in preschools feel that mud pants cause hard work. This contradiction made us wonder with mud pants. Drawing on relational–material approaches, we understand mud pants as material agent and ask the following question: How mud pants act as material agent in everyday relations in preschool? Our wondering showed that mud pants act as material agent since they create different actions within non-human and human relations. Children in their mud pants strengthen the discourse of happy, clean and healthy outdoor child. However, mud pants limit children’s bodies and cause discomfort, making it hard for them to perform happy childhoods. We argue that it is necessary to think with mud pants and other material agents in preschool to make the material discourses more visible.

Effect of a chemically-modified-curcumin on dental resin biodegradation.

Previous studies have shown Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) esterase is a key mediator of dental composite biodegradation, which can contribute to recurrent caries. This study is to investigate the inhibitory effects of a novel Chemically-Modified-Curcumin (CMC 2.24) on esterase activities and related dental material biodegradation. Dental adhesive materials and composite resins were incubated in S. mutans suspension with CMC 2.24 and other compounds, including doxycycline, Chemically-Modified-Tetracycline (CMT-3), and curcumin for 4 weeks. The pre- and post-incubation surface roughness were evaluated by either laser diffraction pattern and/or a 3D laser scanning microscope. Esterase enzyme inhibition assays were performed with the same test groups and activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Among all experimental groups, CMC 2.24 significantly reduced surface roughness of dental composite (p < 0.01) and adhesive (p < 0.01) materials compared to bacteria-only group. Additionally, CMC 2.24 reduced porcine esterase activity by 46.5%, while other compounds showed minimal inhibition. In the S. mutans esterase assay, CMC 2.24 showed inhibition of 70.0%, while other compounds showed inhibition ranging from 19% to 36%. Our study demonstrated that CMC 2.24 inhibited biodegradation of dental composite material more effectively than its mother compound, curcumin. Moreover, the mechanism of this biodegradation was likely mediated through bacterial esterase activity. Doxycycline achieved similar inhibition by completely eradicating S. mutans with its antibiotic action; hence, it is not recommended for long-term use.

Organisational quality and hospital pharmacists’ roles of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in Belgian hospitals: a national survey

ABSTRACT Objectives Implementation of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT), also known as intravenous (IV) antimicrobial treatment at home, has increased in recent years. Ensuring OPAT quality is crucial to achieve positive patient outcomes. However, data on the Belgian quality of OPAT organisation is lacking. We aimed to monitor the organisational quality of OPAT in Belgian hospitals and identify roles of hospital pharmacists involved in OPAT. Methods A cross-sectional study applying a web-based survey on OPAT quality was conducted from 2 to 29 April 2024. The survey assessed the presence of six core and five non-core structure indicators, and OPAT-related tasks of hospital pharmacists. Results Almost two-thirds (64%; 65/101) of Belgian hospitals answered the survey, with 77% of these hospitals providing OPAT, with an increase since 2023. All 11 structure indicators were present in 6% of hospitals, while 18% had all six core structure indicators. Three of the six core structure indicators were formally present in the majority of the hospitals: a policy on patient selection criteria (76%), a structured OPAT programme (70%), and a dedicated team (64%). In contrast, a system for fast communication between the patient and OPAT team members (50%), a mechanism for urgent clinical discussions (42%), and monitoring of quality indicators (28%) were not formally present in the majority of the hospitals. The primary tasks for hospital pharmacists included overseeing OPAT prescriptions and supplying antimicrobials and related materials. Conclusion While the adoption of OPAT is increasing among Belgian hospitals, significant opportunities remain for improving the quality of the OPAT organisation and expanding the OPAT-related tasks of Belgian hospital pharmacists.

Electronic spin susceptibility in metallic strontium titanate

Metallic strontium titanate (SrTiO3) is known to have both normal-state and superconducting properties that strongly vary over a wide range of charge carrier densities, but the complex interplay between lattice and electronic degrees of freedom has hindered the development of a clear qualitative description of the observed behavior. A major challenge is to understand how the charge carriers themselves evolve with doping and temperature, with possible polaronic effects and evidence of an effective mass that strongly increases with temperature. Here we use 47,49Ti nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to perform a comprehensive study of the electronic spin susceptibility in the metallic state of strontium titanate across the doping-temperature phase diagram. We find a temperature-dependent Knight shift that can be quantitatively understood within a nondegenerate Fermi gas model that fully takes into account the complex band structure of SrTiO3. Our data are consistent with a temperature-independent effective mass, and we show that the behavior of the spin susceptibility is universal in a wide range of temperatures and carrier concentrations. These results provide a microscopic foundation for the understanding of the properties of the unconventional low-density metallic state in strontium titanate and related materials.

HIDRÓXIDOS DUPLOS LAMELARES EM PROCESSOS CATALÍTICOS PARA A QUÍMICA FINA, DEGRADAÇÃO DE POLUENTES E GERAÇÃO DE ENERGIA LIMPA: UMA BREVE REVISÃO

LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDES IN CATALYTIC PROCESSES FOR FINE CHEMISTRY, POLLUTANT DEGRADATION AND CLEAN ENERGY GENERATION: A BRIEF REVIEW. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and related materials have been studied for a long time and their application in catalytic processes remain attractive due to the tuned properties, morphologies and metal-support interactions obtained from a variety of composition and synthesis route. In this mini-review, some important reactions, such as photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, reduction, carbon-carbon cross-couplings and water-gas shift will be emphasized along with the role of LDHs as catalysts, co-catalysts or catalytic precursors when it was clearly indicated.

Soliton and rogue wave excitations in the Chen-Lee-Liu derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equation with two complex PT-symmetric potentials.

We demonstrate that fundamental nonlinear localized modes can exist in the Chen-Lee-Liu equation modified by several parity-time (PT) symmetric complex potentials. The explicit formula of analytical solitons is derived from the physically interesting Scarf-II potential, and families of spatial solitons in internal modes are numerically captured under the optical lattice potential. By the spectral analysis of linear stability, we observe that these bright solitons can remain stable across a broad scope of potential parameters, despite the breaking of the corresponding linear PT-symmetric phases. When these bright spatial solitons interact with external incident waves, they can always maintain their original shape, while the external incident wave may remain unchanged or may generate a reflected wave after the interaction. Then, the adiabatic switching of potential parameters is carried out in a way that allows these bright solitons to be excited from one unstable bound state to another alternative stable bound state. Many other intriguing properties associated with these nonlinear localized modes including the lateral power flow are further analyzed meticulously. Various high-order rogue waves induced by modulation instability in these PT-symmetric systems are generated too. These results may be useful to construct novel optical soliton communication schemes or design related optical materials.

Performance Evaluation of Composite Materials for Wind Turbine Blade Design

Due to the growing consciousness to utilize renewable sources of energy, the improvement of wind turbine technologies which is especially focused on the blade design of the turbines. The advanced composite forms of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and hybrid composites have gained tremendous importance in wind turbine blades due to their increased mechanical strength, longer life, light weight characteristics. This work assesses the efficiency of different composite materials in relation to tensile strength, fatigue life, and vulnerability to environmental factors, including cost factors. Stress distribution and deformation patterns are modelled through finite element analysis (FEA) to compare them to those obtained experimentally. Some of the current concerns such as recyclability and disposal are presented with the prospects such as bio-composites and thermoplastic recyclates. Some suggestions are given for manufacturing of hybrid composites and some of the advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance the blade capabilities and its environmental impact resistant. These findings enrich the existing understandings of material selection, enhance new wind energy solutions.

Telemedicine: A Growing Need during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The world has been facing an enormous challenge to cope with containing the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), be it alone with vaccinations or innovative ways to help people get treated. Telemedicine is one such boon for people to get some help during COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to identify the growing demand for telemedicine, investigate its use in various nations, and assess its strengths, difficulties, and prospects in the Nepalese context. This paper took a narrative descriptive technique, using Google, Google Scholar, and Pubmed as key search engines from January to February 2024, to investigate the growing need for telemedicine in emergencies, its worldwide use, and its application in Nepal. It searches for related material using keywords such as "telemedicine", "telehealth", "COVID-19", and "Nepal". The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the development of telemedicine, with patients and healthcare professionals expressing satisfaction with visits. The pandemic has prompted increased use of telemedicine, telepharmacy, teledermoscopy, artificial intelligence, and robotic machines, requiring collaboration between national and individual groups. Telemedicine's economic sustainability is threatened by increased private practitioners, potential fees, low adoption rates, lack of legal frameworks, and inadequate health facilities in developing countries, necessitating further research on visit-related factors and patient-provider connections.

IMPACT OF DIGITAL MARKETING ON BRAND AWARENESS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

This article gives opinions as to some of the current and emerging future trends in marketing. It is written in accordance with the contemporary literature available and occurrences in the business world. The work is of an empirical nature and includes data and conclusions received through secondary research. The empirical study of the work is conducted on the basis of literature and the internet. Newspapers and magazines, articles, studies, reports, websites, online material and other related material has been reviewed. In the contemporary ever evolving world, especially in the Indian context, the phenomenon of going digital is at its best. The advancement in information technology especially in the use of the Internet has contributed greatly to the changes in the business operations and in the way business communicates with the customers. This paper focuses on digital marketing and identifies its impact on the purchase decision and brand recognition. It emphasizes the shift in the environment that marketers confront and opportunities over threats that are noticeable in the contemporary world. The paper assesses all current literature, recognition of the knowledge gaps and attempts to enhance the comprehension of how digital marketing influences consumer behavior. KEYWORDS: Digital Marketing, Brand awareness, Consumer Behavior, Social Media, Literature Review.

Ear and skull base paraganglioma: review of literature

The actuality of the research is determined by the lack of systemized information on the ear and skull base paraganglioma. Currently, from 500 to 1000 cases of paraganglioma or pheochromocyte are diagnosed in the United States of America annually. The combined morbidity of benign tumor forms is evaluated to be between 0.7 to 1.0 for 100000 people per year. Even though the results in understanding the nature of paraganglioma, as well as treatment thereof, are successful, the amount of literature on this topic only increases. The research aims to analyze study of the terminology, classification, diagnostics, and treatment of paraganglioma. Special attention was brought to the preoperative preparation and embolization of vessels, which supply blood to the tumor as well as to the problem of repeated bouts of glomangioma. The objective of the research is the selection of relative sources, argumentation analysis, and material systematization. For the analysis, 53 research articles were included. During the compilation of this study, such methods, as analysis, synthesis, information collection and systematization, and genera­lization, were used. In this article, various paraganglioma classifications, endoscopic treatment methods, other aspects of paraganglioma therapy, and diagnosis and treatment thereof, were presented. More and more researchers recommend individual and adapted approaches for each case with the inclusion of factors, related to the patient, including age, treatment goals, other infections, gene status, anatomical issues, caused by the tumor growth, its sizes, and other factors. This literature review focuses on ear and skull base paragangliomas, rare, usually benign, hyper-vascularized neuro­endocrine tumors often treated surgically. Alternative treatments like cyber-knife, gamma-knife, and endoscopic approaches are also discussed, highlighting their efficacy for specific cases. The study emphasizes individualized treat­ment plans considering patient-specific factors, with stereotactic radiosurgery being a safe and effective option for many patients. Materials of the research can be used by doctors of various specializations to enrich their knowledge and for further study of paragangliomas of various localizations.

Unraveling the Growth Dynamics of Rutile Sn1-xGexO2 Using Theory and Experiment.

Rutile GeO2 and related materials are attracting interest due to their ultrawide band gaps and potential for ambipolar doping in high-power electronic applications. This study examines the growth of rutile Sn1-xGexO2 films through oxygen-plasma-assisted hybrid molecular beam epitaxy (hMBE). The film composition and thickness are evaluated across a range of growth conditions, with the outcomes rationalized by using density functional theory calculations. We find that up to 34% Ge can be successfully incorporated into Sn1-xGexO2/r-Al2O3 (x ≤ 0.34) at 600 °C. Our phase diagram calculations suggest that spinodal decomposition occurs at Ge concentrations exceeding 34%. However, the formation of a Ge-rich rutile phase is inhibited by amorphization of the Ge-rich film and volatility of GeO. We therefore speculate that maximizing the Ge content requires higher Ge flux and more oxidizing environments, providing insights into the growth mechanism of Sn1-xGexO2 and paving the way toward the synthesis of pure rutile GeO2 films.

Highly Efficient, Electro-thermal Heater Based on Marangoni-Driven, Oriented Reduced Graphene Oxide/Poly(ether imide) Nanolaminates.

Due to their outstanding electrical and thermal properties, graphene and related materials have been proposed as ideal candidates for the development of lightweight systems for thermoelectric applications. Recently, the nanolaminate architecture that entails alternation of continuous graphene monolayers and ultrathin polymer films has been proposed as an efficient route for the development of composites with impressive physicochemical properties. In this work, we present a novel layer-by-layer approach for the fabrication of highly ordered, flexible, heat-resistant, and electrically conductive freestanding graphene/polymer nanolaminates through alternating Marangoni-driven self-assembly of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and poly(ether imide) (PEI) films. The microstructure, the mechanical behavior, and the electrical conductivity of the produced Marangoni rGO/PEI nanolaminates are studied as a function of rGO content (up to 5.2 vol %). These nanolaminate thin films show excellent heating properties, with fast heating responses at high temperatures to maximum temperatures at ca. 325 °C due to the Joule heating effect, at maximum rates of 444 °C/s, thus bringing forward an impressive potential of these materials for electrothermal applications. The areal power density was found to be 30 kW/m2 for the 5.20% volume fraction of rGO and 325 °C temperature. The robust highly flexible heaters developed in this research hold great promise for a whole range of applications.

An Analysis of High School Students' Mathematical Representation Skills on Relations and Functions

This research was carried out with the aim of analyzing the abilities of high school level students in solving relationship and function problems. This research method is a qualitative method with descriptive research type. This research was carried out at one of Pekanbaru High School with subjects in classes X.1 and X.2 at YLPI Pekanbaru High School, with a total of 6 students. The data collection technique used in this research is a written test technique in the form of a description consisting of 2 questions. After the students have completed the questions, the results of the answers will be analyzed by the researcher as a percentage of the students' results and the researchers will conduct interviews with the students regarding the answers they made. Based on the research results, the percentage of the "Visual Representation" indicator was 79.16%, which is included in the high category. Then the indicator "Mathematical Equations or Expressions" was 66.66%, which was included in the high category. Finally, the "Words or Written Text" indicator is 50%, which is in the medium category. Furthermore, the percentage of questions for mathematical representation ability is 80% for question number 1, in the high category and 88.33% for question number 2, in the very high category. So a conclusion can be drawn from the score obtained by the students, namely 84.16%, which is included in the very high category. It is hoped that the results of this research will provide maximum guidance for teachers to develop students' abilities in mathematics, especially relation and function material. Keywords: Analysis of Student Abilities, Mathematical Representations, Relations and Functions

Impact On Evidence-Based Clinical Practice of Considering Therapeutic Interventions in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that may negatively affect musculoskeletal health. Patients with chronic kidney disease may experience better health outcomes when they engage in physical exercise. Objective: This literature study aims to provide a better understanding about the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease and role of therapeutic intervention and its implication in patients with CKD and to evaluate the best treatment strategies for chronic kidney disease. Method: Relevant keywords will be used for the research through the electronic database PubMed, Medline, and Google scholar from January 2016 till January 2023. An open-source reference management software Zotero was used to manage bibliographic data and related research materials. Result: Databases such as PubMed, Medline, Google scholar in which 10 articles where initially screened and meet the inclusion criteria. In PUBMED, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, MEDLINE 56,214 citations were screened from January 2015 to January 2023. After applied inclusion/ exclusion criteria such as an abstract screen, full text screen, and during data extraction 56,204 articles were excluded. Conclusion: This review highlights the wide range of approaches used in clinical practice to evaluate physical performance and activity. Enhancing symptom management is critically needed to improve quality of life in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), even if minimizing mortality is still an important objective for kidney disease. KEYWORDS: chronic kidney disease, prevalence of CKD, Physiotherapy treatment strategies.

Cultural Symbols in Teaching French as a Foreign Language

The article deals with methodological issues related to ensuring the presence of French culture in practical classes of French, with the focus that culture is an integral part of the language and provides comprehensive acquisition of the French language. This culturally related material during classes gives students the opportunity to gain knowledge about France, including current topics. When working with cultural issues students can deepen and build systematic knowledge of the country (France), its history, geography, population, political system, literature and more, as well as understand the French people’s characteristics, traditions and customs. This article will mainly look at the contemporary French language, vocabulary and spelling. In the process of teaching students modern French there is a need to discuss also French people’s character traits, beliefs and values, behaviour, sense of humour, relaxation and entertainment, eating and drinking, health and hygiene, and the government. Efficient use of culture in learning French depends on its systematic and systemic classroom practice throughout the school year.

Assessment of financial stress in Latin American countries during periods of global economic shocks

A feature of modern international markets is their susceptibility to global and local shocks that contribute to the spread of financial stress. This article presents approaches to assessing financial stress and demonstrates their application in Latin American countries. Insufficient attention of the authors to this problem in the context of the study of regional factors of instability and financial crises is noted. Particular attention is paid to the methods of constructing a generalizing indicator of financial stress. On the basis of extensive statistical material in relation to the large economies of Latin America, the author's index of financial stress has been developed and tested. Calculations for 2007—2023 made it possible to identify three periods of increasing stress in Latin American countries and record its peak values: during the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as during the 2022 food crisis. There is also a high level of correlation between stress in the United States and Latin American countries, which is explained by their close financial and trade ties. In addition, the synchronicity of the reaction of different Latin American countries to a particular shock has been empirically proven.

Interlayer Ions Control Spin Canting in Low-Dimensional Manganese Trimers in 12R-Ba4MMn3O12 (M = Ce, Pr) Layered Perovskites.

To synthetically target a specific material with select performance, the underlying relationship between structure and function must be understood. For targeting magnetic properties, such understanding is underdeveloped for a relatively new class of layered hexagonal perovskites, the 12R-Ba4MMn3O12 family. Here, we perform a detailed magnetostructural study of the layered hexagonal perovskite materials 12R-Ba4MMn3O12, where M = diamagnetic Ce4+ or paramagnetic Jeff ≈ 1/2 Pr4+. The material with M = Ce4+ is an antiferromagnet below TN ≈ 7.75 K, while the material with M = Pr4+ exhibits more complex behavior, with a net moment below 200 K and a sharp peak in the susceptibility at TN ≈ 12.15 K. Guided by the susceptibility data, we conduct variable-temperature powder neutron diffraction measurements to determine the magnetic structure of these two materials. The introduction of a magnetic interlayer cation cants the spins in the Mn3O12 trimers out of plane. We further characterize the crystal and electronic structures in these compounds using powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements coupled with first-principles theoretical calculations. The resulting detailed picture of the magnetic, crystal, and electronic structure will be useful for understanding the magnetism in similar 12R hexagonal perovskites and related materials.

Structural and electronic properties of GaN: Ab initio study within LDA and LDA+U methods

Structural and electronic properties of the GaN were simulated based on Density Functional Theory implementing Local Density Approximation methods. Hubbard U correction gives us an opportunity to find the correct energy gap for GaN in agreement with known experimental results. Choosing more accurate investigation methods leads to calculating accurate electronic band structure and in the future predicting some physical properties of related material. The bottom of the conduction band and the top of the valence band are formed mainly by p-orbitals of host Ga and N atoms. The present study shows the direct band gap character of GaN with a wurtzite structure

Facile growth of a heteroepitaxial layer on perovskite oxide surfaces for active and durable fuel cell cathodes

Polycrystalline perovskite oxide particles are promising candidates for cathode materials in solid oxide fuel cells. However, their limited activity and stability pose significant challenges for practical applications. In this study, we demonstrate a novel approach to achieve both high activity and durability in a PrBaCo2O5+δ catalyst through a simple epitaxial layer growth strategy. We found that an amorphous precursor of the highly durable catalyst SmBa0.5Ca0.5CoCuO5+δ can spontaneously adhere to the surface of PrBaCo2O5+δ particles. Upon heat treatment, it grows along the perovskite lattice, forming a heteroepitaxial layer with just a few atomic layers thickness. This heterostructure enhances the operational stability of PrBaCo2O5+δ transforming a 78% decrease over 100 h into a 7% increase. After 100 h, the power output density of the cell with the modified sample is more than 500% higher than that of unmodified PrBaCo2O5+δ. This work presents a new strategy for fabricating heteroepitaxial layers on polycrystalline ceramic catalysts and introduces a pioneering approach for developing high-performance oxygen reduction catalysts and related materials.