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In this paper, we report the effect of sulfur doping on the electrical and dielectric properties of semiconducting Sb2Se2S over wide ranges of temperatures (298–473 K) and frequencies (42–106 Hz). Sb2Se2S system has been prepared by the direct fusion and cooling cycle of a mixture of the constituent elements, in stoichiometric ratio and purity 99.999%, in vacuum-sealed silica tubes. X-ray analysis showed a decrease in the cell parameters a , b and c upon doping with sulfur. However, the pure and doped Sb2Se3 showed the single orthorhombic phase structure. The permittivity of Sb2Se2S showed a decrease with increasing frequency due to a decrease in the average bond strength. While, ac conductivity increased with the frequency increase, obeying the Jonscher's universal dynamic law. The conductivity temperature dependence is well described by the correlated barrier hopping model. The activation energy calculated from DC conductivity is found at higher value (0.79 eV) as compared to that reported in the literature for other antimony selenide compounds. Accordingly, a new Sb2Se2S compound is suggested which may be useful for electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Bulk materials of Sb2Se3-xSx solid solutions (x = 0, 1, 2 and 3) have been synthesized by fusion of the constituent elements in the stoichiometric ratios in vacuum-sealed silica tubes. The materials compositions were confirmed by using energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). X-ray powder diffraction measurements were performed for all the prepared samples at 300 K. The analysis of X-ray data has indicated that all the prepared materials are polycrystalline of single-phase and belonging to the orthorhombic system with space group Pbnm (62). The crystal structural parameters were refined by Rietveld method using the FullProf program. The influence of the S-content in the ternary compounds on the structural properties was discussed. It was verified that the investigated compositions are formed of infinite puckered chains of stoichiometric composition indefinitely extended in the plane parallel to the c-axis. These larger chains are, in turn, bonded into sheets roughly perpendicular to the b-axis through sets of Sb-Se/S bonds, weaker than that within the chain. Finally, the sheets are held together to make the crystalline solid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AgGa0.5In0.5Te2 thin films were deposited, by thermal evaporation of presynthesised bulk ingot material, onto a Corning 7095 glass substrates. EDXS studies on the prepared films show that the as-deposited films are nearly stoichiometric. Also, XRD studies on the as-deposited and annealed films revealed an amorphous-to-crystalline phase transition at Ta ≈ 473 K. The optical constants (n, k) of the amorphous and crystalline AgGa0.5In0.5Te2 films, were determined from the transmittance and the reflectance data at normal incidence in the spectral range 400-2500 nm. The high frequency dielectric constant and the carrier concentration and the effective mass ratio were determined from the analysis of the refractive index at long wavelengths. The analysis of the absorption spectra of the investigated films revealed non-direct energy gaps, characterizing the amorphous films, in contrary to the crystalline films which exhibited only direct energy gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regeneration is one of the most important phenomena in forest ecosystems and the most important factor of development and sustainability of forests. Assessment of the regeneration is one of the best criteria for monitoring forest function stability. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial variability of regeneration diversity and its relationship with tree species diversity in Zagros Forests, Kermanshah (Gahvareh).This study was conducted at 70 hectares of Gahvareh forests. In this area, 67 sample plots (400 m2) were used in a 100 × 100 m sampling grid. In each plot, total number and species of trees and all seedlings which had diameter less than 7.5 cm were recorded. We also recorded asexual regeneration in 1/4 plots (100 m2). Then the spatial continuity was described using geostatistics (variogram and cross- variogram). The variograms of variables revealed the presence of spatial autocorrelation except evenness index (Sheldon) of trees and sexual regeneration. They had spatial dependence at large ranges that showed the large distance of dependency and homogeny of condition. In addition, cross-variograms indicated a strong spatial relationship between diversity of sexual regeneration and tree diversity and between diversity and richness of asexual regeneration and tree abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocrystalline thin films of Sb37.07Mn1.95Se60.98 with different thickness (7, 20, 40, and 80 nm) were successfully prepared via inert gas condensation technique. As-deposited films showed amorphous structure by grazing incident in-plane X-ray diffraction (GIIXD) technique. All films of different thicknesses were heat treated at 433 K for 90 min. The GIIXD pattern of annealed films showed nanocrystalline orthorhombic structure. The effect of thickness of annealed films on the structure and optical properties was studied. Calculated particle sizes are 20.67 and 24.15 for 40 and 80 nm thickness of heat treated film. High resolution transmission electron microscope HRTEM images and their diffraction patterns proved that 40 nm film thickness annealed at different temperature has nanocrystalline nature with observed (high) crystallinity that increases with annealing temperature. Blue shift of optical energy gap was observed from 1.68 to 2 eV with decreasing film thickness from 80 to 7 nm. Film thickness of 40 nm was exposed to different heat treated temperatures from 353 to 473 K to detect its effect on structure and optical and electrical properties. Blue shift from 1.73 to 1.9 eV was observed in its optical band gap due to direct transition as heat treatment temperature decreasing from 473 to 353 K. Electrical conductivity was studied for different heat treated films of thickness 40 nm, and intrinsic conduction mechanism is dominant. The activation energy Ea was affected by heat treatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parapneumonic pleural effusions are common in patients with pneumonia. When colonized by pathogenic bacteria or other microorganisms, these effusions can progress to empyema. Additionally, empyema formation may result in extension of the infection into the infradiaphragmatic region, further complicating the clinical scenario. Many subphrenic collections are found to be mesothelial cysts, which are congenital in origin. However, data regarding the potential association between mesothelial diaphragmatic cysts and parapneumonic effusions are limited. We herein describe a toddler with pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic effusion and a lung abscess with a subphrenic collection. After abscess drainage and a full course of antibiotics, imaging revealed clear lung parenchyma with an interval resolution of the effusion and a persistent unchanged subphrenic collection that was confirmed to be mesothelial diaphragmatic cyst. This case highlights the fact that not every subphrenic collection associated with parapneumonic effusion is a communicated collection formed by seeding. Such a collection can instead be an incidental cyst, which is congenital in origin and known as a mesothelial diaphragmatic cyst. A diaphragmatic mesothelial cyst is an uncommon benign congenital cyst that is unrelated to an adjacent parapneumonic effusion. It is usually incidental and can be monitored without invasive intervention., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestAll authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

The present study aimed to review monkeypox infection during pregnancy: its epidemiology and etiology, transmission, clinical manifestations and complications, diagnosis, management, antenatal testing and delivery, prevention, awareness, and recommendations. Monkeypox can spread via vertical transmission. The usual clinical symptoms include fever, rash (vesicles, crust), new genital lesions, or sore throat. It is only recommended to use cidofovir in pregnant patients when they are severely infected with monkeypox. All woman who are at high risk of exposure for monkeypox need to be vaccinated with the smallpox vaccine regardless of their pregnancy status. Monitoring includes regular non-stress test monitoring in addition to ultrasound performed at various stages of pregnancy. High index of suspicion, informed physicians, reporting of cases, and support of research are all needed for the management of monkeypox infection during pregnancy., (© 2022 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.)

Introduction: Discuss the impact of cholera infection on pregnant women, fetus, and neonates and review the safety of cholera vaccines in pregnancy., Methods: This study was carried out as a narrative review during November 2022. A thorough literature review was conducted on the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The following parameters were assessed from the included studies: type of cholera vaccine, cholera symptoms, cholera treatment, effect of cholera on pregnancy, effect of cholera treatment on pregnancy, effect of cholera vaccine on pregnancy, risk factors for fetuses and neonates, and prevention of cholera. The authors independently extracted data from the 24 included studies., Results: Cholera infection is a serious threat on pregnancy as it could lead to increased stillbirths and neonatal death. Fetal death was shown to occur mainly in the third trimester as most of the pregnant women infected with cholera had spontaneous abortions even after controlling for other confounding variables such as maternal age, dehydration level, and vomiting. Neonatal death was attributed mainly to congenital malformations and low Apgar scores with no improvements. Besides, cholera vaccines have shown to be safe in pregnancy and have proven to lower fetal and neonatal malformations among vaccinated compared to nonvaccinated pregnant women., Conclusion: This narrative summarizes the different complications due to cholera infection in pregnancy. It also reviews the safety of cholera vaccine administration in pregnant women., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Pamela El Hayek et al.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Introduction: Arcanobacterium haemolyticum causes pharyngotonsillitis in children and young adults. It is rarely isolated in pharyngeal swabs as testing for it is not routine. Data on complications, management, and antibiotic susceptibility testing is limited. We sought to review the available literature on the presentation and management of A. haemolyticum pharyngotonsillitis in this age group., Methods: A systematic review of eligible studies reporting pharyngotonsillitis and related complications in children and young adults caused by A. haemolyticum was conducted. Literature from case reports, case series, and available cohorts was compiled. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics., Results: The initial database search yielded 63 articles, after applying exclusion criteria 17 studies were included. 191 patients were identified with a median age of 16.5 years. The most common presentation was throat pain reported in 93.7% of patients. Tonsillar exudates, fever at presentation and rash were present in more than half of the reviewed cases. The diagnosis was established by a positive culture on a pharyngeal swab in 98.8% of swabs collected. Complications described included peritonsillar abscesses, Lemierre's syndrome, pneumonia, and sepsis. Penicillin was the first line antibiotic in 81% of patients followed by macrolides in 19 patients (18%)., Conclusions: A. haemolyticum occurs in children and young adults and may result in complications. Our review supports its susceptibility to penicillin. We suggest a diagnostic and management algorithm to guide clinicians in targeted testing and aid with decision making regarding timely and appropriate antibiotic therapy, in an effort to reduce the burden of its complications., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) usually involves the renal and respiratory systems, but the paediatric literature on pulmonary manifestations and outcomes is limited. We aimed to describe pulmonary manifestations and outcomes after therapy in a cohort of paediatric AAV (pAAV) patients., Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients <19 years presenting to our institution with AAV between 1/2008 and 2/2018 was conducted. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, therapy and pulmonary outcomes over the first 3 years after presentation were evaluated., Results: A total of 38 patients were included; all had ANCA positivity by immunofluorescence. A total of 23 had microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), 13 had granulomatosis with polyangiitis and 2 had eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. A total of 30 (79%) had pulmonary manifestations, with cough (73%) and pulmonary haemorrhage (67%) being the most common. Abnormalities were noted in 82% of chest CT scans reviewed, with nodules and ground-glass opacities being the most common. At 6, 12 and 36 months follow-up, respectively, 61.8%, 39.4% and 29% of patients continued to show pulmonary manifestations. Five MPA patients with re-haemorrhage are described in detail., Conclusion: MPA was more common than granulomatosis with polyangiitis, with pulmonary involvement being common in both. MPA patients had more severe pulmonary manifestations. Chest CT revealed abnormal findings in a majority of cases. A subgroup of young MPA patients experienced repeat pulmonary haemorrhage. Treatment modality and response were comparable in different subtypes of AAV, except for this young MPA group. Additional prospective studies are needed to better understand the different phenotypes of pAAV., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Earthworms are an important soil taxon as ecosystem engineers, providing a variety of crucial ecosystem functions and services. Little is known about their diversity and distribution at large spatial scales, despite the availability of considerable amounts of local-scale data. Earthworm diversity data, obtained from the primary literature or provided directly by authors, were collated with information on site locations, including coordinates, habitat cover, and soil properties. Datasets were required, at a minimum, to include abundance or biomass of earthworms at a site. Where possible, site-level species lists were included, as well as the abundance and biomass of individual species and ecological groups. This global dataset contains 10,840 sites, with 184 species, from 60 countries and all continents except Antarctica. The data were obtained from 182 published articles, published between 1973 and 2017, and 17 unpublished datasets. Amalgamating data into a single global database will assist researchers in investigating and answering a wide variety of pressing questions, for example, jointly assessing aboveground and belowground biodiversity distributions and drivers of biodiversity change.

Introduction: In 2019, an alarming number of cases coined as e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) were described in adolescents ranging from mild respiratory distress to fulminant respiratory failure. Limited data have been published on outcomes at short-term follow-up. We aimed to describe pulmonary manifestations, function, and radiologic findings after corticosteroid therapy in a cohort of adolescent patients. Methods: A retrospective chart analysis of all patients presenting to our institution between July 2019 and December 2019 with EVALI was conducted. Patients who had pulmonary follow-up were included. Spirometry was performed before discharge from the hospital and during outpatient follow-up. A paired t -test was used to compare serial spirometry data between visits. Results: Eight patients (6 males) were included. Two patients required intubation with mechanical ventilation, 2 required bilevel positive airway pressure, and 3 required oxygen supplementation. All patients received glucocorticoids (3 receiving pulse dosing). Initial spirometry revealed decreased forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity with clinically and statistically significant improvement at follow-up (mean follow-up was 46.5 days). Radiographic manifestations also improved after vaping was discontinued. Conclusion: In our cohort of patients with EVALI, at short-term follow-up, all normalized their spirometry parameters and showed clinical resolution of symptoms.

Background: Scarce data exist about colorectal cancer (CRC) presentation and outcomes in Lebanon. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of Lebanese patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, particularly the method of detection, age of onset, stage at presentation, treatment modalities, and survival., Methods: This is a retrospective study of a cohort of patients with CRC, diagnosed between 2005 and 2010, admitted to 6 major university-affiliated medical centers in Lebanon., Results: The total sample consisted of 586 patients (median age: 64 years; M:F ratio: 1.25). The most common presenting symptoms were changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and blood per rectum. Only 3% had been diagnosed by screening colonoscopy. Of the patients diagnosed with CRC younger than 50 years of age, 72.5% had a positive family history ( P = .07). More than two-thirds of patients had an advanced stage of the disease III and IV at presentation. The Kaplan-Meier-estimated survival rate was 0%, 44.5%, 70.2%, and 78.5% for those with stage IV, III, II, and I, respectively ( P = .0001), and did not vary by age nor gender of the patient. There was no differential in survival estimate for patients with stage II and III by number of chemotherapy cycles received. However, there was a significant difference in median survivorship for patients with metastatic stage IV disease; those who received less than or equal to 9 cycles had a median survivorship of 2 years (CI: 1.31-2.68) compared to 4 years (CI: 2.36-5.63) for those who received more than 9 cycles ( P = .047). The cox regression showed while controlling for age and gender that patients diagnosed at stage IV had a hazard ratio of 8.81 (3.20-24.22) compared to those who were diagnosed at stage I ( P = .047)., Conclusions: Lebanese patients affected by colorectal cancer tend to present with advanced disease stages, leading to poor prognosis and survival.

Objective: To investigate pulmonary histopathologic features in a cohort of pediatric patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) who underwent a lung biopsy as part of their evaluation. We report the safety and the findings of lung biopsies in this population., Methods: After IRB approval, we performed a retrospective chart review of all patients <18 years of age presenting to our institution with a diagnosis of pediatric AAV (pAAV) who underwent lung biopsy. We reviewed histopathologic features, serologies, the timing of biopsy, and complications., Results: Fourteen patients met inclusion criteria, nine patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and five patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). All patients had positive ANCA serology. 13/14 patients required admission on initial presentation for respiratory symptoms; 11/13 required respiratory support. The indication for biopsy was confirmation of diagnosis before initiating therapy in 11 patients (78%), part of the infectious evaluation in two (14%), and part of interstitial lung disease evaluation in one (7%). 11/14 (78%) biopsies had findings consistent with AAV diagnosis: 6/9 (67%) of the MPA patients compared with 5/5 (100%) of the GPA patients. The most common findings on histopathology were vascular inflammation and signs of alveolar hemorrhage. The only reported complication after lung biopsy was pneumothorax in four patients (28%)., Conclusion: Lung biopsy had a higher diagnostic yield in GPA compared with MPA patients. In our cohort, a diagnosis of AAV could be made with clinical features and positive serology but was confirmed by lung histopathology in the majority of cases. Obtaining a lung biopsy for diagnostic purposes in pAAV should be reserved for uncertain cases where the diagnosis cannot be confirmed clinically and with serology., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: To identify different presentations, referral patterns, comorbidities, and laryngoscopy findings in children and young adults with exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO)., Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 112 patients, age <26 years, with EILO between 2013 and 2016., Results: Of the 112 patients who met criteria, 91 were female and 21 were male. Patients were most frequently referred by pulmonologists (60.7%). The majority of patients (93%) participated in organized sports, most of them at a competitive level. The mean age at symptom onset was 13.8 ± 3.3 years, and the mean age of diagnosis was 15.4 ± 3.0 years. Sixty-seven (59.8%) patients presented with a prior diagnosis of asthma, the majority of whom had failed asthma treatment. The most common symptoms reported were dyspnea (93.8%), wheezing/stridor (78.6%), and throat tightness (48.2%). Ninety-one (81.3%) patients had spirometry performed, with 46 (51.1%) showing inspiratory loop flattening. On flexible laryngoscopy, 87 (78.4%) of 111 patients had paradoxical vocal fold motion. Supraglottic involvement was observed to obstruct the airway in 26 (23.9%) patients, with patterns of obstruction similar to those observed in children with laryngomalacia., Conclusion: Most patients participated in competitive sports, were female, and presented with exertional dyspnea. Most patients were diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma but treated unsuccessfully. Almost one-quarter of our patients showed supraglottic collapse obstructing the airway. Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction is a more descriptive term than paradoxical vocal fold motion or vocal cord dysfunction, which only describe vocal fold involvement. The time to diagnosis of EILO was shorter than previously reported, suggesting that awareness of this condition is increasing., Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:E400-E406, 2020., (© 2019 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Soil organisms, including earthworms, are a key component of terrestrial ecosystems. However, little is known about their diversity, their distribution, and the threats affecting them. We compiled a global dataset of sampled earthworm communities from 6928 sites in 57 countries as a basis for predicting patterns in earthworm diversity, abundance, and biomass. We found that local species richness and abundance typically peaked at higher latitudes, displaying patterns opposite to those observed in aboveground organisms. However, high species dissimilarity across tropical locations may cause diversity across the entirety of the tropics to be higher than elsewhere. Climate variables were found to be more important in shaping earthworm communities than soil properties or habitat cover. These findings suggest that climate change may have serious implications for earthworm communities and for the functions they provide., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)