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• The impact of BiI 3 and Cs 2 BiAgI 6 IL in between the perovskite/HTL interface is systematically analyzed. • The mobility of charge carriers was significantly improved using the interfacial layer compared to the reference cell. • A PCE of 19.82% was obtained by optimizing the cell using Cs 2 BiAgI 6 as the interfacial layer. • The computed module costs estimated an LCOE of 4.41 US cents/kWh. In this study, solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS) was employed to investigate the impact of bismuth iodide (BiI 3) and Cs 2 BiAgI 6 on the performance of perovskite solar cell. We analyze the influence of charge carrier mobility on perovskite,IL thickness and effect of series and shunt resistance on the behavior of the cell.Results show that adding a thin layer at the interface between the Perovskite active layer and HTL effectively improve hole extraction by defect passivation,which in turn improve device performance in comparison to a common reference design. Our findings reveal that the structure with Cs 2 BiAgI 6 was more efficient where the optimum configuration was (PSi/CuO/Cs 2 BiAgI 6 /perovskite/ ZnO) with power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 19.82 %, Fill Factor (FF) of 68,04 %, open circuit voltage (Voc)of 1,438 V and, Short circuit current (Jsc) of 20,2519 mA. cm − 2. Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of PSCs was estimated using the compute unit costs, it was found to be 4.41 US cents / kWh with a lifetime of ten years,below then the cost of conventional PSC devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring secondary outputs, specifically leftover materials from steam distillation of Rosmarinus tournefortii de Noé, as agents for reducing metals introduces a novel approach to eco-friendly nanomaterial production. This concept aligns with the creation of environmentally conscious nanoparticles, showcasing potential across various fields, notably biomedicine. By utilizing R. tournefortii de Noé, successful synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was achieved, yielding nanoscale variations influenced by plant's by-products. Beyond structural aspects, investigating biomedical applications, focusing on antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Consistently observing ∼94.9–97.3% scavenging inhibition in water residues at different concentrations and enhanced antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and Rhodotorula glutinis yeast due to these residues. Moreover, a thorough examination using density functional theory unveiled a robust interaction between silver clusters and specific biomolecules found within the residues, namely homoplantaginin, protocatechuic acid-glycoside, caffeic, and rosmarinic acids (ranging from 130.62 to 357.05 kcal/mol). These compounds notably enhance reducing efficacy of Ag + ions and contribute to the enduring stability of AgNPs (ζ values: −22.8 mV and −17.2 mV). Furthermore, the study recognizes challenges in finding alternative surface modification agents and explores intricate toxicity mechanisms of silver nanoparticles, emphasizing their interactions with inflammation. Introducing promising nanomedicine approaches involving rosmarinic acid nanoparticles for inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis, highlighting the potential of rosemary by-products derived compounds in innovative therapeutic interventions for diverse inflammatory conditions. [Display omitted] • Synergistic AgNPs synthesis using eco-friendly R. tournefortii de Noé by-products. • By-products yielded spherical nanoparticles with varied nanoscale diameters. • Enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial activities were demonstrated. • DFT highlighted biomolecules (130.62–357.05 kcal/mol) enhancing stability. • AgNPs toxicity mechanisms and interactions in inflammation elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Medical Mycology / Journal de Mycologie Médicale is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and objective Personal Health Records (PHRs) are a rapidly growing area of health information technology. PHR users are able to manage their own health data and communicate with doctors in order to improve healthcare quality and efficiency. Mobile PHR (mPHR) applications for mobile devices have obtained an interesting market quota since the appearance of more powerful mobile devices. These devices allow users to gain access to applications that used to be available only for personal computers. This paper analyzes the functionalities of mobile PHRs that are specific to pregnancy monitoring. Methods A well-known Systematic Literature Review (SLR) protocol was used in the analysis process. A questionnaire was developed for this task, based on the rigorous study of scientific literature concerning pregnancy and applications available on the market, with 9 data items and 35 quality assessments. The data items contain calendars, pregnancy information, health habits, counters, diaries, mobile features, security, backup, configuration and architectural design. Results A total of 33 mPHRs for pregnancy monitoring, available for iOS and Android, were selected from Apple App store and Google Play store, respectively. The results show that none of the mPHRs selected met 100% of the functionalities analyzed in this paper. The highest score achieved was 77%, while the lowest was 17%. Conclusions In this paper, these features are discussed and possible paths for future development of similar applications are proposed, which may lead to a more efficient use of smartphone capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hexaglycidyl cyclotriphosphazene (HGCP) was synthesized, and characterized by FTIR, 31P, 1H, and 13C-NMR. This compound was used as a reactive flame retardant to blend with commercial epoxy resin DGEBA (Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A). Its effect on the DGEBA decomposition pathways was characterized by studying both gas and solid phases produced during thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The gases evolved during TGA in air were studied by means of thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–FTIR), while the solid residues were analysed by FTIR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that HGCP presents a good dispersion in DGEBA, and the blend thermoset with 4,4′-methylene-dianiline (MDA) curing agent leads to a significant improvement of the thermal stability at elevated temperature with higher char yields compared with pure DGEBA thermoset with the same curing agent. Improvement has also been observed in the fire behaviour of blend sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To test the hypothesis that significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) may occur very early after birth in preterm infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), we compared the longitudinal changes in left-to-right shunting through DA between eutrophic and preterm infants with IUGR. Study design: The preterm infants –26 to 32 weeks gestational age (GA), admitted in our neonatal intensive care unit from February to May 2004 were included. They were separated into an “IUGR of placental origin” group and an “eutrophic” group. Significant PDA was assessed by Doppler echocardiography at 6, 24, and 48 hours of age. Results: Thirty-one eutrophic (GA = 29 ± 1.4 weeks; birth weight [BW] = 1300 ± 160 g) and 17 infants with IUGR (GA = 29.3 ± 1.5weeks; BW = 810 ± 140 g) were studied. Six hours after birth, the rate of significant PDA was higher in the IUGR than in the eutrophic group (10/17 [60%] vs 5/31 [15%]; P < .05). More DA became significant in infants with IUGR (11/17 [65%]) than in eutrophic infants (12/31 [40%]) (P < .05) within the 48 hours after birth. Conclusion: Markers of high pulmonary blood flow and systemic vascular steal occur more frequently and earlier after birth in IUGR of placental origin than in eutrophic preterm infants. The management of preterm infants with severe IUGR of placenta origin should include early echocardiographic monitoring to assess for markers of significant PDA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia is a rare cause of respiratory distress in the neonatal period. Cardiac arrest may be its first manifestation.Case report. – We report the case of a full term newborn who suffered at 30 min of life a sudden cardiac arrest. Despite intensive support, the patient died 5 h later. Lung examination showed pulmonary lymphangiectasia.Conclusion. – Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia may be revealed by a sudden neonatal cardiac arrest. Pulmonary lymphangiectasia should be suspected in any newborn who develops early in life an unexplained refractory hypoxemia with radiographic reticulonodular images and uni or bilateral pneumothorax. The diagnosis is established at lung microscopy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Elastic constants and short-range force parameters for zinc-blende AlxGa1−xAsySb1−y quaternary alloys lattice matched to different substrates (InAs, GaSb and InP) are obtained for various aluminum concentrations over the range 0–1 from the pseudopotential method under the virtual crystal approximation that takes into account the effects of compositional variations combined with the Harrison bond–orbital model. Comparisons are made with the available measured values. These comparisons reveal good agreement between our results and the experimental ones. The alloy AlxGa1−xAsySb1−y is found to provide more diverse opportunities to achieve desired elastic properties while still maintaining the lattice matching conditions by controlling the composition components. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The dependence of the elastic properties on aluminum concentration for zinc-blende AlxGa1−xAsySb1−y quaternary alloys with the substrate InAs has been investigated using the pseudopotential method within the virtual crystal approximation combined with the Harrison bond-orbital model. Our results showed satisfactory agreements with the available experimental data. We paid special attention to the effect of alloy disorder on the elastic properties being studied here. For that, the effect of compositional disorder is taken into consideration. Such effect is found to be generally not negligible and should be included in the calculations of elastic properties of AlxGa1−xAsySb1−y quaternary alloys. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a finite-difference (FD) scheme for the nonlinear Maxwell''s equations describing one-dimensional scalar optical soliton propagation in polarization-preserving nonlinear dispersive media. The existence of a discrete analog of the underlying continuous energy conservation law is shown to play a central role in the global accuracy of the scheme and a proof of its generalized nonlinear stability using energy methods is given. Numerical simulations of initial fundamental-, second- and third-order hyperbolic secant ultra-short soliton pulses of full width at half peak intensity equal to 25.7 fs (FWHM) containing as few as four and eight optical carrier cycles, confirm the stability, accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm. The decay of such solitons under the combined effects of higher-order dispersion and self-steepening is clearly evidenced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cistus shells have attracted considerable attention as a potential feedstock for second-generation biofuels, specifically through fixed-bed pyrolysis. Analyzing the composition of cistus shells exhibits a high proportion of volatile products (74.82%), carbon (69.02%), oxygen (26.48%), and notably, a high calorific value (23290 kJ kg−1). Characterizing the bio-oil derived from cistus shells contains various compounds like fatty acids and alcohols that can be converted into fuels. The E α values, determined using the FWO and KAS methods, were 179.773 kJ mol−1 and 177.92 kJ mol−1, respectively. The kinetics were described by the D 3 , D 2 , F 3 , and P 2/3 models, with corresponding energies of 87 kJ mol−1, 78 kJ mol−1, 56 kJ mol−1, and 53 kJ mol−1, respectively. Increasing the conversion rate from 35% to 55% results in an increase in ΔH and ΔG values for the FWO method from 148.11 kJ mol−1 to 190.5 kJ mol−1 and from 168 kJ mol−1 to 202 kJ mol−1, respectively. For the KAS method, the values increase from 146 kJ mol−1 to 188 kJ mol−1 and from 44.44 kJ mol−1 to 85 kJ mol−1. Notably, the entropy variation decreased as the conversion rates increased, indicating a stronger tendency to approach thermodynamic equilibrium during the pyrolysis process. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]