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Ionic liquid materials are viable candidates as a heat transfer fluid (HTF) in a wide range of applications, notably within concentrated solar power (CSP) technology and molten salt reactors (MSRs). For next-generation CSP and MSR technologies that strive for higher power generation efficiency, a HTF with wide liquid phase range and energy storage capabilities is crucial. Studies have shown that eutectic chloride salts exhibit thermal stability at high temperatures, high heat storage capacity, and are less expensive than nitrate and carbonate salts. However, the experimental data needed to fully evaluate the potential of eutectic chloride salts as a HTF contender are scarce and entail large uncertainties. Considering the high cost and potential hazards associated with the experimental methods used to determine the properties of ionic liquids, molecular modeling can be used as a viable alternative resource. In this study, the eutectic ternary chloride salt MgCl2–NaCl–KCl is modeled using ab-initio molecular dynamics simulations (AIMDs) in the liquid phase. Using the simulated data, the thermophysical and transport properties of eutectic chloride salt can be calculated: density, viscosity, heat capacity, diffusion coefficient, and ionic conductivity. For an initial model validation, experimental pair-distribution function data were obtained from X-ray total scattering techniques and compared to the theoretical pair-distribution function. Additionally, theoretical viscosity values are compared to experimental viscosity values for a similar system. The results provide a starting foundation for a MgCl2–NaCl–KCl model that can be extended to predict other fundamental properties.

Ionic liquid materials are viable candidates as a heat transfer fluid (HTF) in a wide range of applications, notably within concentrated solar power (CSP) technology and molten salt reactors (MSRs). For next-generation CSP and MSR technologies that strive for higher power generation efficiency, a HTF with wide liquid phase range and energy storage capabilities is crucial. Studies have shown that eutectic chloride salts exhibit thermal stability at high temperatures, high heat storage capacity, and are less expensive than nitrate and carbonate salts. However, the experimental data needed to fully evaluate the potential of eutectic chloride salts as a HTF contender are scarce and entail large uncertainties. Considering the high cost and potential hazards associated with the experimental methods used to determine the properties of ionic liquids, molecular modeling can be used as a viable alternative resource. In this study, the eutectic ternary chloride salt MgCl2-NaCl-KCl is modeled using ab-initio molecular dynamics simulations (AIMDs) in the liquid phase. Using the simulated data, the thermophysical and transport properties of eutectic chloride salt can be calculated: density, viscosity, heat capacity, diffusion coefficient, and ionic conductivity. For an initial model validation, experimental pair-distribution function data were obtained from X-ray total scattering techniques and compared to the theoretical pair-distribution function. Additionally, theoretical viscosity values are compared to experimental viscosity values for a similar system. The results provide a starting foundation for a MgCl2-NaCl-KCl model that can be extended to predict other fundamental properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, billions of people burn fuels indoors for cooking and heating, which contributes to millions of chronic illnesses and premature deaths annually. Additionally, residential burning contributes significantly to black carbon emissions, which have the highest global warming impacts after carbon dioxide and methane. In this study, we use Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze fine-particulate emissions collected on Teflon membrane filters from 15 cookstove types and 5 fuel types. Emissions from three fuel types (charcoal, kerosene, and red oak wood) were found to have enough FTIR spectral response for functional group (FG) analysis. We present distinct spectral profiles for particulate emissions of these three fuel types. We highlight the influential FGs constituting organic carbon (OC) using a multivariate statistical method and show that OC estimates by collocated FTIR and thermal–optical transmittance (TOT) are highly correlated, with a coefficient determination of 82.5 %. As FTIR analysis is fast and non-destructive and provides complementary FG information, the analysis method demonstrated herein can substantially reduce the need for thermal–optical measurements for source emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a reactivation of dormant varicellazoster virus that most often erupts as painful vesicles in a unilateral dermatomal distribution. A sequela of HZ is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is debilitating and may be persistent. Therefore, vaccination for the prevention of HZ and its sequelae is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older as well as immunocompromised adults. In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a recombinant DNA vaccine (Shingrix) that is safe to use in immunocompromised individuals and an improvement on the live-attenuated vaccine approved in 2006. This report discusses HZ, PHN, treatment of HZ and PHN, and prevention with vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMethodsResultsConclusionsThe aim of this study was to assess predictors and outcomes of subperiosteal abscess (SPA) management in adolescents and adults at two tertiary care centers.This retrospective cohort study included cases of SPA from January 1 2000 to October 9 2022 at two institutions. Patients 9 years or older were categorized into surgical and nonsurgical cohorts. Surgical subgroups included those who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) alone, external (transcutaneous or transconjunctival) orbitotomy alone, or combined FESS and external surgery. The presented features were assessed as potential treatment predictors. Outcomes included length of stay (LOS), final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), readmission rate, and reoperation rate.Of the 159 SPA cases included, 127 (79.9%) underwent surgery and 32 (20.1%) were managed nonsurgically. The nonsurgical cohort was younger (p = .003) with smaller abscesses (p < .001) that were more likely to be medial (p < .001). The nonsurgical cohort had shorter LOS (p < .001); final BCVA and readmission rates were similarly favorable. Abscess location was correlated with surgical approach. Superior SPA that underwent FESS or external surgery alone had higher reoperation rates (57.1.0% and 58.3%, respectively) than combined (17.9%). External approach and FESS alone resulted in lower reoperation rates (15.4% and 15.0%, respectively) than combined (27.3%) for medial SPA. Subgroup analysis in the sinusitis cohort yielded similar results.A trial of nonsurgical management may be safe and effective for select patients aged 9 years and older with sinusitis-derived, medial, and small SPA. When surgery is indicated, approach should be guided by abscess location to minimize reoperation risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with both benign and malignant disorders, such as genital warts and a variety of cancers, including oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs). The current 9-valent HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) protects against high-risk strains that have been shown to cause OPSCC, and widespread vaccination should reduce the rate of all HPV-associated cancers. HPV-related OPSCCs differ from non-HPV-related OPSCCs in their clinical presentations and responsiveness to treatment. To provide oral healthcare providers with a basis for effective com-munication with patients, this article will examine the evolution of the HPV vaccination schedule and the role of the HPV vaccine in the prevention of OPSCCs., Competing Interests: No conflicts of interest reported.

Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate the trend and to assess the impact of maternal region of residence in Western New York (WNY), on severe neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS)., Study Design: Term infants' born at gestational age greater than or equal to 37 weeks with severe NOWS, defined as withdrawal resulting in the receipt of pharmacologic therapy from WNY admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2016, were included. Severe NOWS admissions to our NICU from the following five regions were controlled with birth and insurance data: (1) Urban North, (2) Erie Coastal, (3) Niagara Frontier, (4) Southern Tier, and (5) Urban South., Results: "Urban South" residence was associated with an increased risk of severe NOWS (adjusted odds ratio = 1.8, 97.5% confidence interval: 1.1-2.9). The trend in admission for severe NOWS doubled between 2008 to 2010 and 2014 to 2016 ( p  = 0.01). More infants born to maternal nonprescribed opioid users were placed in foster care at discharge (36.5 vs. 1.9%, p  < 0.001)., Conclusion: In WNY, neonates born to mothers from the "Urban South" were twice at risk of being admitted for severe NOWS. One-third of infants with severe NOWS after nonprescribed opioid use were placed in foster care. Implementing targeted strategies at the community level may help improve outcomes in NOWS., Key Points: · Maternal region of residence is a risk factor for severe neonatal opioid withdrawal.. · Admissions for severe neonatal opioid withdrawal trended up from 2008 to 2010 to 2014 to 2016.. · One-third of the infants born to mothers on nonprescribed opioids were discharged to foster care.., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a rare condition traditionally associated with high morbidity and mortality. More recent case series report more favorable outcomes, including full functional recovery. A comprehensive assessment of the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of visual and survival outcomes in septic CST is warranted to contemporize current understanding and help guide management., Methods: A multicentered retrospective cohort study was conducted at 2 tertiary care centers using an electronic medical record search of the term, "thrombosis of cavernous venous sinus" between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2021. Inclusion criteria consisted of active infection and radiographic evidence of associated CST. Demographic and clinical data extracted included age at presentation, sex, infection type and extent, and ophthalmic examination findings at presentation-best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), presence of relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD), intraocular pressure (IOP), and extraocular motility (EOM) limitation. Management data collected consisted of type and length of antimicrobial therapy, type and length of anticoagulation administration, and surgical intervention. Primary outcomes assessed were ophthalmic examination findings at final evaluation and same-hospitalization mortality., Results: A total of 27 patients with imaging-confirmed septic CST were identified at 2 tertiary care centers. At presentation, 2 (8.7%) patients had no light perception (NLP) vision, 8 (29.6%) patients had RAPD, 17 (73.9%) patients had EOM limitation, and 13 (54.2%) had IOP >21 mm Hg. All patients received antimicrobial therapy, with vancomycin being the most common agent. Fifteen patients (55.6%) received anticoagulation, and 21 (81.5%) patients underwent surgical intervention. Same-hospitalization mortality was 3 (11.1%). Among the 21 patients with ophthalmic data at follow-up, 3 (16.7%) had NLP vision, 5 (23.8%) had a persistent RAPD, 7 (31.8%) had persistent EOM limitation, and no patients had IOP elevated above 21 mm Hg. Patients with RAPD at presentation had significantly worse BCVA at final evaluation (logMAR BCVA 1.43 higher on average, P = 0.01) and a significantly higher mortality rate (37.5% vs. 0.0%, P < 0.01) than non-RAPD patients. Demographic features, BCVA at presentation, EOM limitation at presentation, elevated IOP at presentation, and comorbid orbital cellulitis were not associated with worse visual or mortality outcomes., Conclusions: Septic CST may result in permanent ophthalmic functional deficit in almost one-third of cases and mortality in approximately 11% of patients under contemporary management. New RAPD at presentation may indicate higher risk of poor visual and survival outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.)