Four groups (sugar, lipid, protein and waste based) of bait materials combined with boric acid were evaluated in laboratory and field conditions. When compared to all the sugar-based bait materials, a mixture of honey with boric acid registered to be the most effective in attracting the maximum number (83.00) of red ants followed by a mixture of molasses with boric acid (55.00). Likewise, among the oils tested, the highest number (47.33) of red ants registered was in the mixture of rice bran oil with boric acid followed by mustard oil with boric acid mixture (37.00). Similarly, from the protein-based bait materials, the maximum number of red ants (35.00) attraction was found in the mixture of gram flour with boric acid which was followed by dog biscuits with boric acid mixture (27.67). When all the waste-based bait materials were tested, sugarcane trash with boric acid mixture attracted most of the red ants (96.67) followed by banana peel with boric acid mixture (36.67). Based on the laboratory performance, the two best bait materials in each group were assessed against red ant, Dorylus orientalis in potato crops. Of the 8 bait materials tested, the use of rice bran oil with boric acid was found to be more attractive against red ants (1564.66, 1972.33 and 2636.33 during tuber formation, tuber maturity and harvesting stages, respectively) in potato crop when compared to other bait materials. Additionally, the attraction of D. orientalis was tested separately against rice bran oil, boric acid and rice bran oil in combination with boric acid using Y-tube olfactometer under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that rice bran oil in combination with boric acid had the highest attractiveness ratio of 86.66 per cent followed by boric acid and rice bran at 76.66 and 73.33 per cent, respectively. The outcome of the current investigation can be explored for the management of red ant menace in potato and other field crops, particularly grown under organic cultivation approach.

Plate fin-tube heat exchangers are widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems and other industry fields. Various errors made in the manufacturing process can result in the formation of an air gap between the tube and fin. Several numerical simulations were carried out for a symmetric section of plate fin-tube heat exchanger to study the influence of air gap on heat transfer under periodic flow conditions. Different locations and sizes of an air gap spanning 1/2 circumference of the tube were considered for the range of airflow velocities. Velocity and temperature fields for cases with air gap were compared with ideal thermal contact cases. Blocking of heat flow by the gap leads to the reduction of heat transfer rate. Fin discontinuity in the front of the tube causes the smallest reduction of the heat transfer rate in comparison to the ideal tube-fin contact, especially for thin slits. The rear gap position is the worst in the smallest gap range. Therefore, reversing the flow direction can lead to up to a 15% heat transfer increase, if mainly the rear gaps are present. The introduction of a thin slit in the front of the tube leads to convective heat transfer enhancement, which should be further investigated.

Steam boiler has a significant role in the industrial sector. The failure in boiler tubes significantly reduces the availability of the plant. Furthermore, deposits on the inner tube wall contribute to such failure by changing the thermal resistance of the wall, which causes a significant increase in the tube wall's temperature and, consequently, lower allowable stress. The presented thermal-fluid model is developed for the water tube. The model is implemented using ANSYS FLUENT to estimate the wall maximum water tube wall temperature considering the deposits layer and then determine the minimum thickness of the tube wall via ASME standards to assure safe operation. The model is verified via a mesh independence test. The minimum tube thickness is recommended and justified given the thermo-mechanical performance of the water tubes at several operating loads of 50, 75, and 100 %. These loads are implemented by different convective heat transfer coefficients of flue gases under different deposit thicknesses, thermal conductivity, and flue gas temperature. The present work contributes to the literature by recommending the minimum thickness of the water wall tubes and highlighting the thermo-mechanical effect of the deposits on water tube resilience under different operating conditions.

Zeolite Y with microporous and hierarchical structure containing Ti–Ni and Ti–Co oxides were obtained as active photocatalysts. Different Ti amounts (5, 10% TiO2) were supported, followed by loading of Ni or Co oxides (5 %). The X-ray diffraction evidenced the presence of TiO2 as anatase. N2 adsorption-desorption results showed type IV isotherms, for hierarchical zeolite Y samples, and a combination of type IV and I isotherms, for zeolite Y samples. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra showed shift of absorption band to visible with increasing of Ti loading and especially after Co and Ni addition. A significant effect of the support was evidenced for Ti and interaction with Co/Ni species. The zeolite Y support stabilizes Ti in the 4+ oxidation state while hierarchical zeolite Y support favored the formation of Ti 3+ species and oxidation of Co and especially of Ni to 3+. Photocatalytic activity, under UV and visible light, was evaluated in degradation of amoxicillin, used as a model test. The photocatalytic mechanism was investigated using ethanol, p-benzoquinone and KI as ·OH, ·O2- radicals and hole (h+) scavengers. The best results were obtained for the immobilized Ni-Ti species on hierarchical zeolite Y support.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the EQ-5D-Y-3L (Y-3L) and the expanded five level version, the EQ-5D-Y-5L (Y-5L). Methods: Children/adolescents with an acute or chronic health condition and from the general population completed the Y-5L and Y-3L self-report questionnaires. Performance of the Y-5L and Y-3L was determined by comparing feasibility, redistribution of dimension responses, discriminatory power, validity, and test-retest reliability. Results. Five hundred and fifty children/adolescents completed baseline measures and 173 completed repeat measures. The ceiling effect decreased by 15% from the Y-3L to Y-5L. Informativity of dimensions improved by 0.094 on the Y-5L. There was a range of 4-9% inconsistent responses moving from the Y-3L to Y-5L. Convergent validity of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Y-3L, Y-5L dimensions was similar, weak to moderate (r_s range: 0.18 – 0.38) but similar and strong on paired Y-3L and Y-5L dimensions: Kendall Tau B (range 0.69 – 0.80) and Gamma (range 0.92 – 0.98). The Y-5L and Y-3L showed moderate to substantial agreement for test-retest reliability across dimensions and VAS scores in stable chronic health conditions and fair agreement for the general population. Conclusion: The EQ-5D-Y-5L is a valid, reliable extension of the Y-3L for children/adolescents across health conditions and healthy children/adolescents. The expanded levels reduced the ceiling effect. The relative informativity of report across dimensions increased on the Y-5L compared to the Y-3L with retention of the evenness of reporting. The convergent validity and test-retest reliability of the Y-5L was comparable to the Y-3L.

The purpose of this study is to propose a consecutive manufacturing process system to secure the productivity of excellent STKN540B steel tube in the respect of economy and safety as the supporting material for mega structures such as building, bridge and ship. The components of consecutive manufacturing are press-bending, orbital auto welding and steel tube correction. By using STKN540B a high-strength steel material with low yield point that requires a special manufacturing process unlike other steel materials, an actual tube manufacturing is carried out at each stage in this experimental study. With this, the quality of steel tube and the efficiency of the manufacturing process are analyzed to draw out some points to improve in the future.

IgY antibodies are found in the blood and yolk of eggs. Several studies show the feasibility of utilising IgY for immunotherapy and immunodiagnosis. These antibodies have been studied because they fulfil the current needs for reducing, replacing, and improving the use of animals. Affinity and avidity represent the strength of the antigen-antibody interaction and directly influence antibody action. The aim of this review was to examine the factors that influence the affinity and avidity of IgY antibodies and the methodologies used to determine these variables. In birds, there are few studies on the maturation of antibody affinity and avidity and these studies suggest that the use of an adjuvant, type of antigen, strain of the animal, number of immunisations, and time interfere with the affinity and avidity of IgY antibodies. Regarding the methodologies, most studies use chaotropic agents to determine the avidity index. Studies involving solution phase and equilibrium titration reactions are also described. These results demonstrate the need for standardisation of methodologies for determination of affinity and avidity so that further studies can be performed to optimise the production of high avidity IgY antibodies.

Ti-aluminosilicate gels were used as supports for immobilization of Fe, Co and Ni oxides (5%) by impregnation, and synthesis of efficient photocatalysts in degradation of β-lactam antibiotic from water. Titanium oxide (1 and 2%) was incorporated into zeolite network by modifying the gel during the zeolitation process. The formation of the zeolite Y structure and its microporous structure were evidenced by X-ray diffraction and N2 physisorption. The structure, composition, reduction and optical properties were studied by X-ray difraction, H2-TPR, XPS, Raman, photoluminiscence and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The obtained results indicated a zeolite Y structure for all photocatalysts with tetra-coordinate Ti4+ sites. The immobilized metals from group VIII are both in the form of metal oxides such as Fe2O3, Fe3O4, CoO, Co3O4 , NiO and also in the me-tallic state (Fe0, Co0, and Ni0). A red shift of the absorption edge was observed in UV-Vis spectra of photocatalysts upon addition of Fe, Co or Ni species. The photocatalytic performances were evaluated in degradation of cefuroxime from water under visible light irradiation. The best results were obtained for iron immobilized photocatalysts. Scavenger experiments explained the photocatalytic results and their mechanisms. A different contribution of the active species to the photocatalytic reactions was evidenced.

Viruses frequently contain overlapping genes, which encode functionally unrelated proteins from the same DNA or RNA region but in different reading frames. Yet overlapping genes are often overlooked during genome annotation, in particular in DNA viruses. Here we looked for the presence of overlapping genes likely to encode a functional protein in human parvovirus B19 (genus erythroparvovirus), using an experimentally validated software, Synplot2. Synplot2 detected an open reading frame, X, conserved in all erythroparvoviruses, which overlaps the VP1 capsid gene, and is under highly significant selection pressure. In a related virus, human parvovirus (genus tetraparvovirus), Synplot2 also detected an open reading frame under highly significant selection pressure, ARF1, which overlaps the VP1 gene. X and ARF1 have exactly the same location (both overlap the region of VP1 encoding the phospholipase A2 domain), and encode proteins with similar predicted properties, such as a transmembrane region, strongly suggesting that they are homologous. These findings provide compelling evidence that the X protein must be expressed and functional. It is probably translated either from a polycistronic mRNA by a non-canonical mechanism, or from an unmapped monocistronic mRNA. Finally, we also discovered proteins predicted to be expressed from a frame overlapping VP1 in other species related to parvovirus B19: porcine parvovirus 2 (Z protein) and bovine parvovirus 3 (X-like protein).

Keywords: Y RNA; Canine hepatocellular carcinoma, canine hepatocellular adenoma

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a pleural disease that abruptly affects healthy adolescents and young adults, representing a common thoracic disorder in this age group. This study aimed to investigate the necessity of preoperative chest tube insertion in patients with PSP and to re-evaluate current clinical treatment approaches. A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for children and young adults aged 14–30 years, diagnosed with PSP and who underwent Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) between January 2016 and December 2022 at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital. Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups based on their initial treatment: chest tube insertion and non-chest tube insertion. Clinical data including demographics, treatment details, and outcomes were collected and compared. Total 128 cases of PSP were included in the study. The total length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the non-chest tube group (p=0.000), which was attributed to the omission of pre-operative chest tube insertions. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of postoperative complications or recurrence rates. In cases of young patients with PSP, omitting pre-operative chest tube insertion may be a viable option if the patient is scheduled for VATS.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction is considered a common condition among ENT patients and requires careful history, clinical examination and appropriate investigations to obtain a diagnosis. The ETDQ-7 questionnaire is a useful tool to subjectively score severity of symptoms that are related to this pathology (Appendix A). This study aimed to adapt and validate the ETDQ-7 questionnaire in Greece to ensure correct and efficient use in the outpatient setting (Appendix B). The ETDQ-7 was translated into the Greek language following appropriate methodology. Data for the main study were collected from a sample of 75 Greek patients diagnosed with ETD as well as 25 patients that did not have ETD and who served as a control group. The participants completed the adapted ETDQ-7 questionnaire and underwent a clinical examination that was statistically correlated with their ETDQ-7 answers. Face and content validity were confirmed and the questionnaire was found easy to administer and to be completed by our patients. Test-retest reliability revealed similar internal consistency for the questions and good correlation between individual items and total score. Discriminative validity confirmed statistically significant difference between the two patient groups to ensure that the Greek version of ETDQ-7 is useful to confirm the diagnosis. The Greek version of the ETDQ-7 is safe and efficient to use among a variety of investigation methods for the diagnosis of ETD in the Greek speaking population.

Accurately monitoring insecticide resistance in target mosquito populations is important to combating malaria and other vector-borne diseases, and robust methods are key. The “WHO susceptibility bioassay” has been used for +60 years: mosquitoes of known physiological status are exposed to a discriminating concentration of insecticide. Several changes to the test procedures have been made historically which may seem minor but could impact bioassay results. The published test procedures and literature for this method were reviewed for methodological details. Areas where there was room for interpretation in the test procedures or where the test procedures were not being followed were assessed experimentally for impact on bioassay results: covering or uncovering of the tube end during exposure, number of mosquitoes per test unit, and mosquito age. Many publications do not cite the most recent test procedures, methodological details are reported which contradict the test procedures referenced or methodological details are not fully reported. As a result, the precise methodology is unclear. Experimental testing showed that using fewer than the recommended 15-30 mosquitoes per test unit significantly reduced mortality, covering the exposure tube had no effect, and using mosquitoes older than 2-5 days old increased mortality, particularly in the resistant strain. Recommendations are made for better reporting of experimental parameters.

The high environmental impact of conventional methods of cooling and heating has increased the need for renewable energy deployment for covering thermal loads. Towards that direction, the proposed system aims at offering an efficient solar powered alternative, coupling a zeolite-water adsorption chiller with a conventional vapor compression cycle. The system is designed to operate under intermittent heat supply of low-temperature solar thermal energy (<90 °C) provided by evacuated tube collectors. A prototype was developed and tested in cooling mode operation. The results of separate components testing showed that the adsorption chiller was operating efficiently, achieving a maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.65. With respect to the combined performance of the system, evaluated on a typical week of summer in Athens, the maximum reported COP was approximately 0.575, mainly due to the lower driving temperatures at a range of 75 °C. The corresponding mean energy efficiency ratio (EER) obtained was 5.8.

Beginning with the discovery of the BRCA ovarian cancer susceptibility genes and subsequent detailed examination of risk reduction salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) specimens, a new paradigm of ovarian carcinogenesis has unfolded with attention to the distal fallopian tube. The primary focus has been an early cancer in the fallopian tube which is seen in virtually all incidentally discovered high-grade serous cancers in asymptomatic women. This high-frequency of tubal involvement in early serous cancer - serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma or STIC - has galvanized attention to this organ as a primary source of this disease. However, an enduring mystery has been the relatively low frequency of STIC in fallopian tubes of women with advanced malignancy. This paradox, a high-frequency of tubal involvement early and a low-frequency late in the disease process has spurred interest in other potential sources, such as the ovarian surface or secondary Mullerian system. However, because essentially all high-grade serous carcinomas are linked by TP53 mutations, and because fallopian tubes frequently contain early serous proliferations (ESPs) with these mutations, attention has turned to the possibility that nonmalignant but TP53 mutated tubal epithelium could be responsible for an eventual malignancy. Recent data have shown evidence of lineage continuity between ESPs and concurrent serous carcinomas prompting the concept of "precursor escape". This creates a 2nd component of the paradigm by which cells from early lesions can escape the fallopian tube and undergo future malignant transformation later, emerging suddenly as widespread malignancy. This dualistic model thus explains the paradox and opens new questions pertaining to the challenge of both early detection and prevention of this lethal malignancy.

INTRODUCTION: Achalasia is a pathology with an incidence of 1 in 100,000 inhabitants per year. There are very limited data on achalasia in the obese population, especially in those undergoing bariatric surgery. The approach of choice for cases of achalasia is fundoplication to correct the reflux; however, lacking a fundus due to a previous gastrectomy, an alternative that offers optimal results should be chosen. Here we present the surgical approach in a case of esophageal achalasia and a history of vertical sleeve gastrectomy, where we performed simultaneous Heller's cardiomyotomy and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, as well as the results obtained. CASE PRESENTATION: 44-year-old woman with no chronic degenerative diseases, with a previous record of vertical sleeve gastrectomy 5 years ago, who started 1 year and 5 months earlier with dysphagia to liquids, then to solids, in addition to weight loss of 10 kilograms in 4 months. The BMI before vertical sleeve gastrectomy was 32 kg/m2, her BMI at the time of admission was 20 kg/m2; she also presented regurgitation and generalized weakness. After analyzing the surgical options, it was decided to perform a Heller cardiomyotomy and a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The procedure turned out to be safe and successful in treating achalasia symptomatology, in addition to complete resolution of the reflux symptom.

As a medical student (Granada University Medical School, Spain), interested in Pediatrics, expended countless hours at the hospital pediatric facilities and got to know many of the children and their medical problems. A particular case, still vivid on my mind, awaken my scientific curiosity. One day, walking and talking with a seven years old child he unexpectedly felt down unconscious with multiple, incontrollable and erratic muscular contractions involving face, body and extremities and salivating. I was overwhelmed thinking it was the child’ last hour. At the time, my knowledge of epilepsy was nil. Following the seizures, the child was up, talking and walking with me as if nothing has happened and without any knowledge of the event. What could have caused the brain motor cortex to suddenly discharge that amount of altered activity causing generalized and erratic muscular contractions remains inexplicable. I migrated to USA, become a Pediatric (Developmental) Pathologist and Director of the Pediatrics Autopsy Service (1962-1999) at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, New Hampshire. I carried out countless postmortem studied of children brains, normal (unaltered) as well as those altered by hemorrhagic, hypoxic-ischemic and/or traumatic damage. With an NIH Fellowship, I spend one year (1967-68) at the Cajal Institute (Madrid, Spain) studying Cajal’ old Golgi preparations and learning about the method. Some of my Golgi studies of children’ brains have been published: The Human Brain. Prenatal Development and Structure, Springer, Heidelberg, Germany, 2012. The present monograph explores the developmental neuropathology of selected perinatal cortical injuries through their acute, subacute and chronic stages. Including: a) how an altered neuronal activity evolves in a damaged cortical region; b) how it moves through the cortex (epileptic auras); and c) how it reaches the motor cortex to be discharged as erratic and incontrollable muscular contractions. Understanding these processes should provide insights into the pathogenesis of epilepsy secondary to perinatal brain damage.

In this paper is proposed an analytical technique which can be used to obtain the forced response of a cantilevered tube conveying fluid. Considering the pipe subjected to an arbitrary harmonic force either distributed or concentrated, an analytical solution is found using Green’s function method. The solution obtained of the closed form satisfies the differential equations in a classical sense. The presented method giving the exact solutions is more precise than the classical eigenfunction expansion or Galerkin’s method with no need to the eigenfunctions or eigenvalues.

. The impedance change of an induction coil surrounding a metal tube adapter is investigated by the truncated region eigenfunction expansion (TREE) method. Conventional TREE method is inapplicable to this problem as a consequence of the numerical overflow of eigenfunctions of the air-metal multi-subdomain regions. The difficulty is surmounted by a normalization procedure for the numerical eigenfunctions obtained from the finite element method (FEM). Efficient algorithm is devised by the Clenshaw-Curtis quadrature rule for integrals involving the numerical eigenfunctions. Numerical results of the TREE and FEM simulation coincide very well in all cases, and the efficiency of the proposed method is also confirmed.

The sugar company Valdez S.A. Entity located within the geographical limits of the city of Milagro, needs to reduce its emissions to the environment and does not always comply with the air emissions standards for stationary combustion sources, which indicates that for equipment installed before 2003 they have a maximum limit of 300 mg / m³. A mist eliminator was designed to work inside the original wet gas scrubber of the water-tube cauldron #10, which uses Bagasse as fuel, for the generation of steam for industrial use. The research is documentary and field. The methodology used was mixed. focusing on the comparison of three types of technologies to meet the objectives, the fog eliminators types: Demister, Cyclone and Chevron. To find the appropriate complement, a comparison sheet was made, which is a table of contents evaluated quantitatively, analyzing indicators formulated in each of the contents. The results, supported by the Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis methodology, select the Chevron type fog eliminator, with the best efficiency for capture. Using AutoCAD, allows to visualize in 3D, the structural design in the gas scrubber.

Among the best-known capillarity phenomena is a capillary rise, the understanding of which is essential in fluidics. Some capillary flows rise monotonically whereas others oscillate, but until now no criteria have been formulated for this scenario. In this paper, the Levine's capillary rise modelling is computed numerically, then the critical radius of the capillary tube is formulated by using the dimensional method and data fitting for identification of exponent index. The phase space diagram of capillary velocity versus height is obtained for the first time and shows that the phase transition from oscillating to monotonic rising happens when the phase trajectory decreases exponentially to somewhere other than the "attractor." Two general Maple codes of the problem are provided as an essential part of this paper.

The impact of obesity upon bone metabolism is controversial since both negative and positive effects have been reported. Bone remodeling is modulated by the central nervous system through cytokines, hormones and neuromodulators. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects evoked by bilateral retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (rWAT) denervation (Dnx) upon bone mineral metabolism and remodeling in an experimental model of obesity in rats. Male Wistar rats were fed during 18 weeks with high-fat diet (HFD) or standard diet (SD) as controls, and rWAT Dnx or Sham surgery was performed at the 14th week. Biochemical and hormonal parameters, bone histo-morphometry, rWAT and hypothalamus protein and gene expression were analyzed. HFD group presented decreased bone formation parameters, increased serum and bone leptin and FGF23, increased serum and hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and decreased serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and PTH. After rWAT Dnx, bone markers and histomorphometry showed restoration of bone formation, serum and hypothalamic NPY decreased, without altera-tion in leptin levels. The present study showed that the denervation of rWAT improved bone formation in obese rats mediated by a preferential reduction in neurohormonal actions of NPY, emphasizing the relevance of the adipose tissue-brain-bone axis in the control of bone metabolism in obesity.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), is a family member of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and a widespread environmental pollutant and neurotoxicant that contribute to the development of cancer. Microtubules are polymers of tubulin that form part of the cytoskeleton and target for anticancer drugs. Furthermore, NPY significantly increased the percentage of cells in S and G2/M phases. However, little is known about the specific role of NPY in proliferation and the underlying protective mechanism remains unclear. Hence, the aim of this work was to investigate the effect of B[a]P on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and to explore the potential mechanism for alteration of tubulin-microtubule equilibrium causing mitotic arrest and NPY expression. The present findings showed B[a]P treatment significantly increase number of SH-SY5Y cells in S and G2/M phase as compared to G1 phase and provokes cell cycle arrest that correlated with significant decrease in G0/G1 cells. Immunofluorescence study showed significantly distorted tubulin arrangement from metaphasic plate in formation of bipolar mitotic spindle apparatus. Further, higher doses of B[a]P treatment lead to chromosomal abnormalities accompanied by DNA damage due ROS causing oxidative stress showing significant decrease in tubulin protein around spindle. The results of present study demonstrated that NPY exerts a proliferative and protective effect on B[a]P-induced oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner in vitro and importantly, these effects may be mediated via mitotic arrest and involved in spindle arrangement during cell division. Our findings addresses a novel pathological outcomes of B[a]P-induced NPY expression by oxidative stress through spindle abnormalities leading to microtubule disruption.

Balance requires constant adjustments in muscle activation to attain force steadiness. Creating appropriate training can be challenging. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two weeks front squat instability training using a water-filled training tube on force steadiness during an instability challenge. Control (CON, n= 13) and experimental (EXP, n=17) subjects completed pre and post testing for EMG variability by completing one set of 10 repetitions with a stable and unstable training tube. Electrodes were placed bilaterally on the anterior deltoid, paraspinal and vastus lateralis muscles. CON subjects completed 2 weeks of training using a stable training tube, while EXP subjects trained with a water-filled instability tube. EMG data were integrated for each contraction and force steadiness computed using the natural log of coefficient of variation. CON results showed no changes in force steadiness for any condition. EXP showed significant reductions in EMG activation variability across all muscles. These results indicate a significant training effect in reducing muscle activation variability in subjects training with a water-filled instability training device. Improvements seen in these healthy subjects supports development of training implements for a more clinical population to help improve force steadiness.

This study demonstrates the orientation and the ‘shape factor’ have pronounced effects on the development of the localized pressure fields inside of the helmet. We used anatomically accurate headform to evaluate four modern combat helmets under blast loading conditions in the shock tube. The Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) is used to capture the effect of the orientation on pressure under the helmet. The three modern combat helmets: ECH, Ops-Core, and Airframe, were tested in frontal orientation to determine the effect of helmet geometry. Using the unhelmeted headform data as a reference, we characterized pressure distribution inside each helmet and identified pressure focal points. The nature of these localized “hot spots” is different than the elevated pressure in the parietal region of the headform under the helmet widely recognized as the under-wash effect also observed in our tests. It is the first experimental study which indicates that the helmet presence increased the pressure experienced by the eyes (as evidenced by the pressure sensors in the H8 and H9 locations), and the forehead (denoted as H1 location). Pressure fingerprinting using an array of sensors combined with the application of principle component analysis (PCA) helped elucidate the subtle differences between helmets.

The overall cost of a hydropower plant is mainly due to the expenses for civil works, mechanical equipment (turbine and control units) and electrical components. The goal of a new draft tube design is to obtain a geometry that reduces investment costs, especially the excavation ones, but the primary driver is to increase the overall machine efficiency allowing for reduced payback time. In the present study, an optimization study of the elbow-draft tube assembly of a Kaplan turbine was conducted. A CFD model for the complete turbine has been developed and validated; next, an optimization of the draft tube alone was performed using a Design of Experiments technique; finally, several optimum solutions for the draft tube were obtained using a Response Surface technique aiming at maximizing pressure recovery and minimizing flow losses. A selection of optimized geometries was subsequently post-checked using the validated model of the entire turbine and a detailed flow analysis on the obtained results could make it possible to provide insight into the improved designs. It was observed that efficiency could be improved by 1% (in relative terms), and the mechanical power increased by 1,8% (in relative terms) with respect to the baseline turbine.

The value of QuantiFERON in the diagnosis of tuberculosis and in the monitoring of the response to anti-tuberculosis treatment is unclear. The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test in the diagnosis of tuberculosis and in the monitoring of the response to anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Between January 2013 and December 2015, 128 cases with active PTB and 128 controls with no mycobacterial infection, matched by age (within 3 years) and by the week that they visited Tainan Chest Hospital, were enrolled in the study. Serial testing by QFT-GIT at baseline and after 2 and 6 months of treatment was performed. At these time points, a comparison of the performance of QFT-GIT with that of sputum culture status among study subjects was conducted. Compared to baseline, 116 (87.2%) cases showed a decreased response, whereas 17 (12.8%) showed persistent or stronger interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) responses at 2 months. Their IFN-γ responses declined significantly from baseline to 2 months (median, 6.32 vs. 4.12; P < 0.005). The sensitivity values of the QFT-GIT test for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis at cut-off points of 0.35 IU/ml, 0.20 IU/ml, and 0.10 IU/ml were 74.4%, 78.2%, and 80.5%, respectively. The specificity values at cut-off points of 0.35 IU/ml, 0.20 IU/ml, and 0.10 IU/ml were 66.2%, 63.9%, and 57.1%, respectively. Our results support the QFT-GIT assay as a potential tool for diagnosing tuberculosis and for monitoring the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is expressed in kidneys and constitutes a feedforward mechanism leading to inflammation in other tissues where they form hemichannels and gap junction channels. However, the possible functional relationship between these membrane channels and their role in damaged renal cells remains unknown. Here, analyses of ethidium uptake and thiobarbituric acid reactive species revealed that TNF-α plus IL-1β increase Cx43 hemichannel activity and oxidative stress in MES-13 cells, a cell line derived from mesangial cells. The latter also was accompanied by a reduction in gap junctional communication, whereas western blotting analysis showed a progressive increase of phosphorylated MYPT (a substrate of RhoA/ROCK) and Cx43 upon TNF-α/IL-1β treatment. Additionally, inhibition of RhoA/ROCK strongly diminished the TNF-α/IL-1β-induced activation of Cx43 hemichannels and reduction in gap junctional coupling. We propose that activation of Cx43 hemichannels and inhibition of cell coupling during pro-inflammatory conditions could contribute to oxidative stress and damage of mesangial cells via the RhoA/ROCK pathway.

The object of this work is to determine the correlation on the Nusselt number on the individual rows of a four-row tubular finned heat exchanger with continuous fins with a staggered tube arrangement using CFD modelling. Correlations for calculating Darcy-Weisbach friction factors on individual tube rows were also determined. Relationships for the Nusselt number and friction factor derived for the entire exchanger based on CFD modelling were compared with those available in the literature determined using experimental data. The maximum relative differences between the Nusselt number for a four-row exchanger determined experimentally and by CFD modelling are in the range from 22% for a Reynolds number based on a tube's outside diameter of 1,000 to 30% for a Reynolds number of 13,000. The maximum relative differences between the friction factor for a four-row exchanger determined experimentally and by CFD modelling are in the range of 50% for a Reynolds number based on a tube outer diameter of 1,000 to 10% for a Reynolds number of 13,000. The CFD modeling performed shows that in the range of Reynolds numbers based on hydraulic diameters from 150 to 1,400, the Nusselt number for the first row in a four-row finned heat exchanger is about 22% to 15% higher than the average Nusselt number for the entire exchanger. In the range of Reynolds number changes based on hydraulic diameter from 2,800 to 6,000, the Nusselt numbers on the first and second rows of tubes are close to each other. Correlations on Nusselt numbers and friction factors derived for individual tube rows can be used in the design of plate-fin and tube heat exchangers used in equipment such as air-source heat pumps, automotive radiators, air-conditioning systems and in air hot-liquid coolers. In particular, the correlations can be used to select the optimum number of tube rows in the exchanger.

Density is a crucial parameter for quantitatively describing the physical properties of liquids. It serves as an important indicator for scientific research, production process control, pipeline transportation, and other aspects. In oil pipeline transportation and raw material processing, real-time online measurement of liquid density is of great significance. This paper analyzes the working principle of an on-line vibrating tube densitometer and derives the fitting equation for temperature, pressure, and density；it also conducts experiments with an on-line vibrating tube liquid densitometer and establishes a traceability chain for the experimental device. The experimental setup includes a desktop densitometer system, a multi-temperature field constant temperature stirring system, a walk-in constant temperature box, an automatic blowing system, and a frequency acquisition and calculation system. The uncertainty of the device's evaluation is U= 0.08kg/m3, k=2.The experimental research on the on-line vibrating tube liquid densitometer can be carried out within the range of (650~1400) kg/m3, (10~70)℃, (0~50)bar the metrological performance of the vibrating tube densitometer can be researched by utilizing the straight tube type and the elbow type on-line vibrating tube densitometer. A preliminary study was conducted on the effects of different densities, temperatures, and pressures on the vibrating tube system's vibration cycle. The fit coefficient and error were calculated, and the experimental results were compared to the theoretical analysis to confirm the device's conformity. The study verified the device's scientific and reasonable design, and demonstrated that it is feasible to use the device for follow-up research.

Axial compression tests were carried out on 6 square steel tube confined concrete short columns and 6 BFRP square pipe confined concrete axial compression tests. The concrete strength grades were C30, C40, and C50. The test results show that the failure modes of steel pipe and BFRP pipe are obviously different, and the BFRP pipe undergoes brittle failure. Compared with the short columns of concrete confined by BFRP pipes, the ultimate bearing capacity of axial compression is increased by -76.46%, -76.01%, and -73.06%, and the ultimate displacements are -79.20%, -80.78%, -71.71%.

Axial compression tests were carried out on 6 square steel tube confined concrete short columns and 6 BFRP square pipe confined concrete axial compression tests. The concrete strength grades were C30, C40, and C50. The test results show that the failure modes of steel pipe and BFRP pipe are obviously different, and the BFRP pipe undergoes brittle failure. Compared with the short columns of concrete confined by BFRP pipes, the ultimate bearing capacity of axial compression is increased by -76.46%, -76.01%, and -73.06%, and the ultimate displacements are -79.20%, -80.78%, -71.71%.

Expansion tube is ideal energy absorber which dissipates kinetic energy through plastic deformation and friction. There is an urgent need to understand the influence of key parameter, e.g. semi angle, tube material, and friction coefficient, on the mechanical response and energy absorption characteristics of expansion tube. In the present work, the material properties of the tubes were tested under quasi-static loading condition, and the numerical simulations were carried out by using commercial software ABAQUS. Based on the validated finite element simulation, all the semi angle, tube material, and friction have significant effects on the energy absorption capacity of expansion tube. The expansion tube with high tensile stress of parent material have high energy absorption capacity, while the specific energy absorption is linear with the tensile stress/density of tube material. This work would give a guidance to the structural design and parent materials selection for expansion tubes.

Isolated fallopian tube torsions presenting to the emergency department are a very rare cause of childhood acute abdominal pain. Since the diagnosis to be made in the early period is of importance in terms of affecting tubal damage and fertility, it was aimed to evaluate the cases in the light of literature. Materials and Methods: This study included 10 patients under 18 years of age presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain between January 2003 and December 2018. The mean age was 14.5±1.43 years (range: 12-17years). The demographic characteristics, surgical findings, and methods, concomitant pathology results of these patients were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The reason for admitting to the emergency department of 10 patients included in the study was abdominal pain. The mean duration of hospital admission with pain was 4.97 days. The onset of pain was less than 24 hours in 7 patients (70%) and was more than 24 hours in three patients (30%). Of the patients, 9 (90%) had tenderness in the lower abdominal quadrant, 5 (5%) had the defense, and 3 (30%) had a rebound. Nausea, vomiting, and leucocytosis were present in 50% of the cases. Right and left tubal involvement of the cases was equal. Seven (70%) of the isolated tubal torsions were accompanied by paraovarian cysts. Of the patients, 8 (80%) underwent open surgery and 2 (20%) underwent laparoscopic intervention. Detorsion was performed in 5 (50%) and salpingectomy was performed in 5 (50%) cases. Conclusion: Isolated tubal torsion should be considered in children presenting with acute abdominal pain in early adolescence. Early diagnosis is important for the maintenance of fertility.

This paper proposes the configuration of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) coupled to a solar domestic hot water system (SDHWS), with the purpose of analyzing the cogeneration capacity of the system. A simulation of the SDHWS was conducted at different temperatures, observing its performance to determine the amounts of useable heat generated by the solar collector; thus, from an energy balance, the amount of heat that may be used by the ORC could be determined. The working fluid that would be suitable for the temperatures and pressures given in the system were selected. The best fluid for the given conditions of superheated vapor at 120 °C and 604 kPa and a condensation temperature of 60 °C and 115 kPa was acetone. The main parameters for the expander thermodynamic design that may be used in such ORC were obtained with the possibility of generating 443 kWh of annual electric energy, with 6.65 % global efficiency of solar to electric power, or an overall efficiency of the cogeneration system of 56.35 % with a solar collector of 2.84 m².

The co-circulation of duck hepatitis A virus subtypes 1 (DHAV-1) and 3 (DHAV-3) in ducklings has resulted in significant economic losses. Because ducklings infected with DHAV-1 or DHAV-3 show similar clinical signs and gross lesions, it is important to discriminate these subtypes as early as possible for better clinical management. On the basis of multiple alignments of the 5′-noncoding region sequences of strains DHAV-1 and DHAV-3, universal and type-specific primers were designed and synthesized. Using the primers in a one-tube reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay, reference strains of DHAV-1 and DHAV-3 (isolated over a span of 60 years and covering many different countries) were successfully amplified, indicating that the primer sequences were completely conserved. The amplicon sequences results and the sizes of amplicons from reference DHAV-1 and DHAV-3 isolates correlated completely with their genotypes. Moreover, with this one-tube RT-PCR system, the amplicon sizes of liver samples of reference DHAV-1- or DHAV-3-infected birds matched perfectly with their respective genotypes, as determined by virus isolation and neutralization tests. No other RNA viruses of duck origin were detected with the synthesized primers. The sensitivity of viral RNA detection was 10 pg. With this system, 20% genotype 1, 45% genotype 3, and 9% co-infection of the two genotypes were detected in 55 clinical samples. This novel approach could be used for the rapid genotyping DHAV-1 and/or DHAV-3 infection in routine clinical surveillance or epidemiologic screening.

This study presents the comparison of heat transfer capacity and pressure drop characteristics between a basic fin-tube heat exchanger and a modified heat exchanger with the structural change of branch tubes and coiled turbulators. All experiments were carried out using an air-enthalpy type calorimeter based on the method described in ASHRAE standards, under heat exchanger experimental conditions. 14 different kinds of heat exchangers were used for the experiment. Cooling and heating capacities of the turbulator heat exchanger were excellent, compared to the basic one. As the insertion ratio of the coiled turbulator and the number of row increased, the heat transfer performance increased. However, the capacity per unit area was more effective in 4 rows than 6 rows, and the cooling performance of the 6 row turbulator heat exchanger (100% turbulator insert ratio) was down to about 6% than that of 4 row one. As the water flow rate and the turbulator insertion ratio increased, the pressure drop of the water side increased. This trend was more pronounced in 6 rows. In the cooling condition, the pressure drop on the air side was slightly increased due to the generation of condensed water, but was insignificant under the heating condition. The power consumption of the pump was more affected by the water flow rate than the coiled turbulator. The equivalent hydraulic diameter of a tube by the turbulator was reduced and then the heat transfer performance was improved. Thus, the tube diameter was smaller, the heat flux was better.

The effects of rare earth Y content on the microstructure and high-temperature oxidation properties of 47Fe-36Ni-15Cr-1.5Mn alloy at 1000°C were investigated. The results show that 47Fe-36Ni-15Cr-1.5Mn alloy oxidizes at 1000°C under laboratory atmospheric pressure to form an oxide film layer dominated by Cr2O3 and (Fe, Ni, Mn) Cr2O4 spinel, and the oxidation curve of the alloy follows the parabolic law. After the addition of rare earth Y, rare earth phases precipitated along the grain boundaries in the alloy, and the more Y content, the more precipitated phases in the grain boundaries. The alloy with added rare earths was oxidized at a high temperature of 1000 °C for 2160 min, the oxidation law still followed the parabolic law, while the rare earth phase at the grain boundary reacted with the oxygen atoms infiltrated from the outside to generate a rare earth Y-rich oxide residing at the boundary between the grain boundary and the precipitated phase of the alloy. Add 0.5 wt.% rare earth Y 47Fe-36Ni-15Cr-1.5Mn-0.5Y alloy 1000 ° C high temperature oxidation of the formation of spinel oxide crystalline particles, dense and complete oxide film layer, the surface of the addition of a small amount of (0.5 wt.%) rare earth Y after the refinement of the oxide particles, and in the alloy grain boundaries in the form of oxides reside in the alloy to inhibit the cations in the matrix and the oxygen negative ions. and oxygen-negative ions in the alloy matrix, improving the antioxidant performance of the alloy. With the further increase of rare earth Y, during the oxidation of the alloy at high temperature, the precipitation phase at the grain boundary promotes the inward diffusion of oxygen, resulting in the deterioration of the antioxidant property of the alloy.

Semi-solid feedstock of AZ80 magnesium alloy modified by minor rare-earth Y element (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 wt.%) were fabricated by strain induces melting activated (SIMA) in the form of extrusion and partial remelting. The effect of Y addition on the microstructure evolution of extruded and isothermal treated alloy was observed by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and quantitative analysis. The results show that the Y addition can refine the microstructure and make the β-Mg17Al12 phases agglomerating. During the subsequent isothermal treatment at 570℃, the average solid grain size, shape factor and liquid fractions increased with prolonged soaking time. Smaller spheroidal solid grains and the larger shape factor were obtained due to Y addition. The coalescence and Ostwald ripening of solid grains operated the coarsening process simultaneously. The coarsening rate constants of AZ80M1 (0.2 wt.% Y addition) of 164.22 μm3s-1 was approximately four times less than the un-modified AZ80 alloy of 689.44 μm3s-1. In contrast, the desirable semi-solid structure featured by fine, well globular solid grains and appropriate liquid fractions and shape factor was achieved in AZ80M1 alloy treated at 570℃ for 20-30 min.

The following system of equations {x_1 \cdot x_1=x_2, x_2 \cdot x_2=x_3, 2^{2^{x_1}}=x_3, x_4 \cdot x_5=x_2, x_6 \cdot x_7=x_2} has exactly one solution in ({\mathbb N}\{0,1})^7, namely (2,4,16,2,2,2,2). Hypothesis 1 states that if a system of equations S \subseteq {x_i \cdot x_j=x_k: i,j,k \in {1,...,7}} \cup {2^{2^{x_j}}=x_k: j,k \in {1,...,7}} has at most five equations and at most finitely many solutions in ({\mathbb N}\{0,1})^7, then each such solution (x_1,...,x_7) satisfies x_1,...,x_7 \leq 16. Hypothesis 1 implies that there are infinitely many composite numbers of the form 2^{2^{n}}+1. Hypotheses 2 and 3 are of similar kind. Hypothesis 2 implies that if the equation x!+1=y^2 has at most finitely many solutions in positive integers x and y, then each such solution (x,y) belongs to the set {(4,5),(5,11),(7,71)}. Hypothesis 3 implies that if the equation x(x+1)=y! has at most finitely many solutions in positive integers x and y, then each such solution (x,y) belongs to the set {(1,2),(2,3)}. We describe semi-algorithms sem_j (j=1,2,3) that never terminate. For every j \in {1,2,3}, if Hypothesis j is true, then sem_j endlessly prints consecutive positive integers starting from 1. For every j \in {1,2,3}, if Hypothesis j is false, then sem_j prints a finite number (including zero) of consecutive positive integers starting from 1.

Vanadium(IV) chalcogenide materials are of increasing interest for use in catalysis and energy conversion-related applications. Since no ternary compounds are yet known in the V–Se–Te system, we studied ternary VwSeyTe2–y (w = 1.10, 1.13; y = 0.42, 0.72) phases crystallizing in space group P3m1 (no. 164). Two single-crystal specimens with differing compositions of a solid solution were obtained using the ceramic method. All products were characterized by either single-crystal or powder X-ray diffraction. The lattice parameters increase with rising tellurium content in accordance to the larger ionic radius of the tellurium anion compared to selenium. The chemical compositions were confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Further, magnetic measurements revealed mostly antiferromagnetic properties. Simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetric analyses in nitrogen atmosphere showed endothermic decomposition accompanied by the formation of VN. The results of this work can serve as a basis for the synthesis of new phases in the V–Se–Te and related vanadium chalcogenide systems.

Whole blood viscosity, a hemorheological factor, is currently used for diagnosis, as it is correlated with various vascular diseases that are difficult to diagnose early with a general blood test. It was determined that it was necessary to set reference intervals for further studies and utilization of whole blood viscosity in cats, a representative companion animal, and this study was conducted. 50 healthy cats were recruited for the study and whole blood viscosity, complete blood count, and serum chemistry tests were performed. The reference intervals of whole blood viscosity were 15.169 to 43.684 cP at a shear rate of 1 s-1 reflecting diastole, and 3.524 to 5.544 cP at a shear rate of 300 s-1 reflecting systole. Red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and neutrophils in the complete blood count, and total protein, albumin, globulin, and cholesterol in the serum chemistry were significantly correlated with whole blood viscosity. The results of this study set reference intervals of whole blood viscosity for healthy cats in a wide shear rate range that has not yet been fully established and investigated its correlation with other blood indicators.

The pulsating flow is one of the techniques which can enhance heat transfer, therefore leading to energy saving in tubular heat exchangers. This paper investigates the heat transfer and flow characteristics in a two-dimensional in-line tube bundle with the pulsating flow by a numerical method using the Ansys Fluent. Numerical simulation is performed for Reynolds number Re = 500 with different frequencies and amplitude of pulsation. Heat transfer enhancement was estimated from the central tube of the tube bundle. Pulsation velocity had an asymmetrical character with a reciprocating flow. The technique developed by the authors to obtain asymmetric pulsations was used. This technique allows simulating an asymmetric flow in heat exchangers equipped with a pulsation generation system. Increase in both the amplitude and the frequency of the pulsations has a significant effect on heat transfer enhancement. Heat transfer enhancement is mainly observed in the front and back of the cylinder. At a steady flow in these areas, heat transfer is minimal due to the weak circulation of the flow. The increase in heat transfer in the front and back of the cylinder is associated with increased velocity and additional flow mixing in these areas.

In mammals, the oviduct (or the Fallopian tube in humans) can be divided into the infundibulum (responsible for oocyte pick-up), ampulla (site of fertilization), isthmus (where preimplantation embryos develop), and uterotubal junction (where embryos transit to the uterus). The oviductal fluid, as well as extracellular vesicles produced from the oviductal epithelial cells, referred to as oEVs, have been shown to improve the fertilization process, prevent polyspermy, and aid in embryo development. oEVs contain molecular cargos (such as miRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, and lipids) that can be delivered and fuse to recipient cells. oEVs produced from the ampulla appear to be functionally distinct from those produced from the isthmus. In multiple species including mice, cats, dogs, pigs, and cows, oEVs can be incorporated into the oocytes, sperm, and embryos. In this review, we show the positive impact of oEVs on gamete function as well as blastocyst development and how they may improve embryo quality in in vitro conditions in an assisted reproductive technology setting for rodents, domestic animals, farm animals, and humans.

Angiogenesis is a complex process that involves interactions between endothelial cells and various other cell types as well as the tissue microenvironment. Several previous studies have demonstrated that mast cells accumulate at angiogenic sites. In spite of the evidence suggesting a relationship between mast cells and angiogenesis, the association of mast cells and endothelial cells remains poorly understood. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between mast cells and endothelial cells during in vitro angiogenesis. When endothelial cells were co-cultured with mast cells, angiogenesis was stimulated. Furthermore, there was direct intercellular communication via gap junctions between the two cell types. In addition, the presence of mast cells stimulated endothelial cells to release angiogenic factors. Moreover, conditioned medium from the co-cultures also stimulated in vitro angiogenesis. The results from this investigation demonstrate that mast cells have both direct and indirect proangiogenic effects and provide new insights into the role of mast cells in angiogenesis.

Determination of the fetal gender in the first trimester is important in twin pregnancy cases of familial X-linked genetic syndromes and helps determine chorionicity. We assessed and compared the accuracy of first-trimester ultrasound scans, and circulating cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) performed by non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) in determining fetal gender in the first trimester of twin pregnancies. For this purpose, we enrolled prospectively pregnant women with twin during the first trimester, gestational week (GA) 11-13. The fetal gender was determined using both ultrasound scans and cffDNA screening. Both results were compared to the newborn gender at delivery. A total of 113 women with twin pregnancies were enrolled. There was 100% sensitivity and specificity in Y chromosome detection using cffDNA. The accuracy of gender assignment using ultrasound in any first-trimester scans was 79.7%. Accuracy level increased from 54.2% in CRL 45-54 mm to 87.7% in CRL 55-67 mm and 91.5% in CRL 67-87 mm. Male fetuses had significantly higher chances of a gender assignment error compared to female fetuses, odds ratio = 23.57 (CI 7.356 - 75.66). This is the first study that compared the accuracy of gender determination in the first trimester by cffDNA and by ultrasound scanning in twin pregnancy. It was concluded that the cffDNA is highly sensitive and specific in determining the presence of the Y chromosome in twin pregnancies in the first trimester. Between CRL 67-87 mm, ultrasound scanning offers a highly accurate determination of fetal gender in twin pregnancies. Larger cohorts of multi-center studies are warranted.

Anal stenosis, which develops as a result of aggressive excisional hemorrhoidectomy, especially with the stoutly use of advanced technologies (LigaSure, Ultrasonic Dissector, Laser, etc.), has become common, causing significant deterioration in the patient's quality of life. Although non-surgical treatment is effective for mild anal stenosis, surgical reconstruction is unavoidable for moderate to severe anal stenosis that causes distressing, severe anal pain, and inability to defecate. The problem in anal stenosis, unlike anal fissure, is that the skin does not stretch as a result of chronic fibrosis due to surgery. Therefore, the application of lateral internal sphincterotomy does not provide satisfactory results in the treatment of anal stenosis. Surgical treatment methods are based on the use of flaps of different shapes and sizes to reconstruct the anal caliber and flexibility. This article aims to review the functional results, postoperative care, and complications of these methods.

Here we propose a simple way in which one can considerably improve performance of the gas stripper setup at the GSI UNILAC. To do so, it will be enough to replace inside the main GSI stripper chamber the present nozzle and the short windowless storage gas cell (for pulsed gas-jet operation mode) by a simple conical diverging nozzle combined with a gas catcher tube placed on the axis of gas-jet at some distance downstream the nozzle exit. As a result, the background pressure in the main and differentially pumped adjacent vacuum chambers of the gas stripper at the GSI UNILAC will dramatically reduce, and it will make possible to achieve the required optimal thickness of gas targets. The pulsed gas stripper operation is simply realized by implementing a commercially available fast gas valve connected to the nozzle entrance. Moreover, the ion beam pulses repetition rate can be increased and it will allow for the considerably higher average intensity of the ion beams extracted from the GSI UNILAC. Performance of the proposed GSI UNILAC gas stripper modification we explored by means of detailed computer experiments, which give a realistic description of supersonic gas jets flowing out the nozzle into vacuum. Results of these computer experiments have presented and discussed.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and survival rates of trabectome-mediated ab interno trabeculectomy combined with non-fenestrated Baerveldt glaucoma implants (BT) in comparison to Baerveldt glaucoma implant alone (B).Method: A total of 175 eyes undergoing primary glaucoma surgery (60 eyes BT and 115 B) were enrolled in this retrospective comparative case series. Participants were identified using the procedural terminology codes. Groups were then matched using Coarsened Exact Matching (51 eyes in each group). The primary outcome measure was surgical success, defined as 5 mmHg < IOP ≤ 21 mmHg, and IOP reduction ≥ 20% from baseline, and no reoperation for glaucoma. Secondary outcome measures were intraocular pressure, the number of glaucoma medications, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).Results: The cumulative probability of success at one year was 61% in BT, and 50% in B. IOP decreased significantly from 23.5±2.4 mmHg at baseline to 14.1±2.7 mmHg at the final follow up in BT (P= 0.001). The corresponding numbers for B were 23.2± 2.0 and 13.9± 1.6, respectively (P= 0.001). There was no significant difference in IOP at the final follow-up (P=0.56). The number of medications at baseline was 2.3±0.3 in both groups. However, BT needed significantly fewer drops at all postoperative time intervals and used 1.1±0.3 (BT) and 2.0±0.4 eye drops (B) at the final follow-up visit (P= 0.004). No dangerous hypotony or hypertension occurred in BT.Conclusion: Similar rates of success and IOP reduction were observed in BT and B. BT needed significantly fewer glaucoma medications. Tube fenestration was not necessary in BT resulting in less postoperative hypotony and hypertension.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects on the presence and distribution of oxyntopeptic cells (OPs) and enteroendocrine cells (EECs) expressing GHR, NPY and SOM in the gastric mucosa of European seabass and seabream of dietary levels of bioactive peptides (BPs) obtained from salmon processing by-products (in silico approach). In this study, 27 seabass and 27 seabreams were divided into three experimental groups: a control group (CTR) fed a control diet and two groups fed different levels of BP to replace fishmeal: 5% BP (BP5%) and 10% BP (BP10%). The stomach of each fish was sampled and processed for immunohistochemistry. Some SOM, NPY and GHR-IR cells exhibited alternating “open type” and “closed type” EECs morphologies. In seabream gastric mucosa, the BP10% group (16.8 ± 7.5) showed a significant change in NPY-IR cell number compared to CTR (CTR 8.5 ± 4.8) and BP5% (BP10% vs. CTR P ≤ 0.01; BP10% vs. BP5% P ≤ 0.05). In seabream, SOM-IR cells in the BP 10% diet (16.8 ± 3.5) differed from those in CTR (12.5 ± 5) (CTR vs. BP 10% P ≤ 0.05) and BP 5% (12.9 ± 2.5) (BP 5% vs. BP 10% P ≤ 0.01). In seabass, EEC SOM-IR cells increased at 10 % BP (5.3 ± 0.7) compared to 5 % BP (4.4 ± 0.8) (5 % BP vs. 10 % BP P ≤ 0.05). The results obtained suggest that salmon BPs have a promising impact as circulating ingredients for seabass and seabream.

Depression and obesity are highly comorbid with one another, with evidence for bidirectional causal links between each disorder and a shared biological basis. The available evidence suggests that genetic factors play a major role in influencing both the occurrence of comorbid depression and obesity, their courses, and their response to existing treatments. The current paper is a scoping review of studies that have evaluated the contribution of specific genetic variants to the comorbidity between obesity and depression. Based on a search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases, 28 studies were included in this review, covering 54 candidate genes. Positive associations were identified for fourteen genetic loci (AKR1C2, APOA5, COMT, DAT1, FTO, KCNE1, MAOA, MC4R, MCHR2, NPY2R, NR3C1, Ob, PCSK9 and TAL1). Replicated findings across two or more independent samples were observed for the FTO and MC4R genes. Many of these gene products represent novel molecular targets for the pharmacological management of obesity which are not pharmacologically influenced by existing anti-obesity or antidepressant medications. The implications of these associations for future drug development are discussed, with an emphasis on recent evidence on the polygenic architecture of comorbid depression and obesity, and on a precision medicine approach to these conditions.

Obesity is a troubling public health problem worldwide as it increases risks of respiratory complications, systemic arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). As a measure to counteract comorbidities associated with severe obesity, bariatric surgery stands out. This study aimed to investigate the adiponectin/leptin ratio in women with severe obesity with and without MetS undergone Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and to characterize the biochemical, glucose, and inflammatory parameters of blood in women with severe obesity before and after RYGB. Were enrolled female with severe obesity undergoing RYGP with MetS (n=11) and without (n=39). Anthropometric data and blood samples were obtained before and 6 months after RYGB to analyze total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high- density lipoprotein (HDL), non-HDL total cholesterol, and glucose; and circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin. Significant reductions in weight, body mass index, and glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, and leptin were observed after surgery, with higher levels of HDL, adiponectin, and adiponectin/leptin ratio observed after surgery compared to preoperative values. This study demonstrated that weight loss induced by RYGB in patients with severe obesity with or without MetS improved biochemical and systemic inflammatory parameters, particularly the adiponectin/leptin ratio.

Vegetation has a significant influence on velocity distribution and turbulent energy in a confluence channel. A laboratory measurement with ADV was used to investigate the flow through a Y-shaped confluence channel partially covered with rigid vegetation on its inner bank. In this study, the flow velocities in cases with and without vegetation were measured by the ADV in a Y-shaped confluence channel. The results clearly show that the existence of non-submerged rigid plants has changed the internal flow structure, that the velocity in the non-vegetated area is greater than in the vegetated area, and that there is a large exchange of mass and momentum between the vegetated and non-vegetated areas. The velocity on both sides is significantly reduced when vegetation is present. In the vicinity of tributaries, due to the presence of vegetation, the high-velocity area moved rapidly to the middle of the non-vegetated area, and the secondary flow phenomenon disappeared. In the mainstream, when vegetation was present, circulation disappeared, and the degree of lateral mixing decreased. The presence of vegetation caused a great change in the internal flow structure and made the flow in non-vegetated areas more intense.

The reconstruction of traffic accidents has grown as an interdisciplinary field since the first accident occurred. Various methods have been developed over time, starting with primary data collected at the scene of the accident. In this work, I proposed a method by which the value of the force in the safety belt buckle can be determined when it is equipped with a pretensioning system with pyrotechnic trigger in the tube, PBP or PLP type. The anti-return system of the pretensioner mechanism, which prevents the passenger's body from moving forward, contains a set of balls that block the movement of the piston in the pretensioner tube after its activation. When limiting the movement, the force the human body exerts on the safety belt webbing is transformed into the deformation of the pretensioner tube by the balls of the anti-return system. Depending on the magnitude of the force, the marks left by the balls differ. I propose a relationship of dependence between the acting force and the deformation of the tube. An experimental test bench was created to perform shock traction tests on the pre-tensioning system, under similar conditions to those of the human body acting on the belt in case of a frontal collision. Following the tests, the force value of the seat belt buckle cable and the diameter of the spherical indentations that the balls left in the pretensioner tube were measured. A mathematical model was proposed to determine the normal force with which a ball from the anti-return system deforms the tube. The normal force was also determined by two other methods specific to contact mechanics and used in the specialized literature. By comparing the normal forces obtained by the three methods, a good correlation between the proposed mathematical model and the Komvopoulos-Ye method resulted, the "Hardness" method not being suitable for this study. The determined polynomial regression curve allows finding out the force in the cable of the closer depending on the size of the deformations produced by the balls in the tube. The forces in the belt webbing can be thus determined and biomechanics specialists can evaluate the injuries to the chest and abdomen of the occupants of a vehicle.

In this study, divalent Yb2+-doped silica fiber was fabricated using rod-in-tube technology. The fiber core of Yb2+-doped silica glass was prepared by high-temperature melting technology under vacuum conditions. The spectroscopic properties of the Yb2+-doped glass and fiber were studied. The experiments indicate that divalent Yb2+-doped glass has a high quantum efficiency and superbroadband fluorescence in the visible region with an excitation wavelength of 405 nm. In additionally, the results suggest that Yb2+-doped fiber has a potential for application in visible fiber laser and fiber amplification.

Micro channel tube (MCT) is widely employed in industry due to its excellent efficiency in heat transfer. An MCT is commonly produced through extrusion within a porthole die, where severe plastic deformation is inevitably involved. Moreover, the plastic deformation, which dramatically affects the final property of the MCT, varies significantly from location to location. In order to understand the development of the microstructure and its effect on the final property of the MCT, the viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) model, together with the finite element analysis and the flow line model, is employed in the current study. The flow line model is used to reproduce the local velocity gradient within the complex porthole die, while VPSC model is employed to predict the evolution of the microstructure accordingly. In addition, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurement and mechanical tests are used to characterize the evolution of the microstructure and the property of the MCT. The simulation results agree well with the corresponding experimental ones. The influence of the material’s flow line on the evolution of the orientation and morphology of the grains, and the property of the produced MCT are discussed in detail.

Discovery of inhibitors for endothelial-related transcription factors can contribute to the development of angiogenic therapies that treat diseases ranging from cardiovascular to cancer. The role of transcription factor Vezf1 in vascular development and regulation of angiogenesis has been defined by several earlier studies. Through construction of a computational model for Vezf1, work here has identified a novel small molecule drug capable of inhibiting Vezf1 from binding to its cognate DNA binding site. Using structure-based design and virtual screening of the NCI Diversity Compound Library, 12 shortlisted compounds were tested for their ability to interfere with the binding of Vezf1 to DNA using electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays. We identified one compound, T4, which has an IC50 of 20uM. Using murine endothelial cells, MSS31, we tested the effect of T4 on endothelial cell viability and angiogenesis by using tube formation assay. Our data show that addition of T4 in cell culture medium does not affect cell viability at concentrations lower or equal to its IC 50 but strongly inhibits the network formation by MSS31 in the tube formation assays. Given its potential efficacy, this inhibitor has significant therapeutic potential in several human diseases raging from wound healing to cancer.

In order to improve the performance of the draft tube in hydraulic turbine, a multi–objective optimization method for the draft tube is developed by combining the design of experiment (DOE), the radial basis function (RBF) and the non–dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA–II) in this paper. The geometrical design variables of the median section in the draft tube and the cross section in its exit diffuser are considered as design parameters in this optimization, which objective function is to maximize the pressure recovery factor (Cp) and minimize the energy loss coefficient (ζ). The limited numbers of design matrix required for the shape optimization of the draft tube is generated by optimal Latin hypercube (OLH) method of the DOE technique, of which performances are evaluated through computational fluid dynamic (CFD) numerical simulation. For reducing of the computational consumption, the approximate model is used based on the RBF. The Pareto optimal solutions are finally performed using the NSGA–II for obtaining the best geometrical parameters of the draft tube. The optimization result of the draft tube shows a marked performance improvement over the original, which verifies the theoretical validity and feasibility of the proposed method in this paper.

(1) Background: Obesity and its comorbidities can cause burdens and limitations. Bariatric surgery (BS) is indicated as a safe procedure to reduce body mass and improve present comorbidities. Yet, several complications were reported, like vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency. We evaluated if 25(OH)D serum levels relate to clinical characteristics, symptoms, or habits in women after their BS and whether the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene's TaqI and FokI polymorphisms affected 25(OH)D levels and the total body bone mineral density (TBBMD). (2) Methods: This cohort cross-sectional comparative analytical prospective study consisted of 27 women, 61.6 ± 5.0 years, submitted to BS one year prior at a public reference hospital, DF-Brazil. All participants were asked to follow the physical and dietary activity recommendations and received vitamin D3 supplements. Their anthropometric, biochemical, and immunological measurements and blood samples were obtained. (3) Results: 73.3% of participants had low 25(OH)D levels, and their levels correlated positively with TBBMD and negatively with systolic pressure. VDR TaqI did not affect 25(OH)D levels, whereas VDR FokI's allele f presence correlated to a median rise in 25(OH)D levels. Neither polymorphism correlated to TBBMD. (4) Conclusions: 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with TBBMD, negatively with systolic blood pressure, and were higher in those with the VDR FokI allele f.

Shear connectors are used in steel beam–concrete slabs of composite frame and bridge structures to transfer shear force according to design loads. The existing Y-type perfobond rib shear connectors are designed for girder slabs of composite bridges. Therefore, the rib and transverse rebars of the conventional Y-type perfobond rib shear connectors are extremely large for the composite frames of building structures. We performed push-out tests of stubby Y-type perfobond rib shear connectors for composite frames. These shear connectors have relatively small ribs than conventional Y-type perfobond rib shear connectors. To confirm the shear resistance of these stubby shear connectors, we performed an experiment by using transverse rebars D13 and D16. The results indicate that these shear connectors have suitable shear strength and ductility for application in composite frame structures. The shear strengths obtained using D13 and D16 were not significantly different. However, the ductility of the shear connectors with D16 was 45.1% higher than that of the shear connectors with D13.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of probiotics in elderly hospitalized tube-fed patients undergoing antibiotic therapy for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Probiotics were administered to 29 patients, with twice-daily doses for 7 days following the completion of antibiotic treatment. In the probiotic group, while stool form showed no significant change, there was a significant decrease in stool frequency. Conversely, the control group exhibited improved stool form but not frequency. The probiotic group maintained a significant difference in stool form during the follow-up period. Additionally, the control group showed a positive correlation between stool form, frequency, antibiotic therapy, and intensive care unit admission, which was not observed in the probiotic group. These findings suggest that supplementing with probiotics can effectively normalize stool form in elderly hospitalized tube-fed patients undergoing antibiotic treatment for CDAD, highlighting the potential benefits of probiotic intervention in this specific population.

The thoracic surgery has increased drastically in recent years, especially in the light of the severe outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Routine “passive” chest computed tomography (CT) screening of inpatients detects some pulmonary diseases requiring thoracic surgeries timely. As an essential device for thoracic anesthesia, the double-lumen tube (DLT) is particularly important for anesthesia and surgery. With the continuous upgrading of the DLTs and the widespread use of the fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB), the position of DLT in thoracic surgery is gradually becoming more stable and easier to observe or adjust. However, the DLT malposition still occurs during transferring patients from supine to lateral position in thoracic surgery, which leads to lung isolation failure and hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation (OLV). Recently some innovative DLTs or improved intervention methods have shown good results in reducing the incidence of DLT malposition. This review aims to summarize the recent studies of the incidence of left-sided DLT malposition, the reasons and effects of malposition, and summarize current methods for reducing DLT malposition and prospects for possible approaches. Meanwhile, we use bibliometric analysis to summarize the research trends and hot spots of the DLT research.

The VisionCube is a 2-unit CubeSat developed in-house, of which the primary mission is aimed at detecting the occurrence of transient luminous events in the upper atmosphere and obtaining corresponding images from the low Earth orbit. An on-board TLE observation system of the VisionCube cubesat is designed and developed by incorporating a photon-sensitive MaPMT and a CMOS image sensor. Also, a distinctive TLE observation software which enables detecting the TLEs and capturing images in a timely manner is devised. By taking into account the limited resources of a small CubeSat in size and power, the on-board observation system is developed employing a system-on-chip design architecture by which both hardware and software can be integrated seamlessly. The purpose of this study is to investigate the functionality of the hardware and the validity of the software algorithm to show the on-board system will operate properly with no human intervention during the space operation. To this end, a ground simulation facility is constructed to emulate the space environment of the TLE occurrence using a set of UV LEDs inside a darkbox. Based on the analysis of the spectral and temporal properties of the TLEs, the randomly generated UV LED pulses are opted for verification scenarios for the TLE observation system. The validation results show that the hardware and the software algorithm of the on-board observation system can effectively detect the TLEs and obtain the images during the on-orbit operation.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of graft-free short tunnel small flap (STSF) technique with that of scleral patch graft (SPG) in Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Participants: Eighty-eyes of eighty patients with medically uncontrolled glaucoma including 41 in STSF and 39 eyes in SPG. Methods: Patients were enrolled and assigned randomly to STSF or SPG. Main Outcome Measures: tube exposure, Intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), surgical complications, and success rate ( defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >5 mmHg, ≤21 mmHg, and IOP reduction ≥20% from baseline at two consecutive visits after three months, no reoperation for glaucoma). Results: only one case in SPG developed tube exposure at 1-year follow-up. The cumulative probability of success during the first year of follow-up was 70% in the STSF and 65% in SPG (P = 0.36). IOP decreased significantly from 29.6 ± 8.6 mmHg at baseline to 16.4 ± 3.6 mmHg at the final follow-up in STSF (p = 0.001). The corresponding numbers for SPG were 30.9 ± 11.2 and 15.8 ± 4.7, respectively (p = 0.001). The final IOP was comparable between both groups (p = 0.65). Mean ± standard deviation of the number of glaucoma medications was 1.8 ± 0.9 in STSF and 1.6 ± 0.9 in SPG at final follow-up (P = 0.32). Postoperative complications developed in 8 patients (19%) in STSF and 9 patients (23%) in SPG (P = 0.81). Conclusions: STSF and SPG techniques had comparable complication rate at one-year follow-up. Both techniques were comparable in terms of success rate, postoperative IOP, and glaucoma medications.

This paper examines the learning experience of an inter-faculty higher education course conducted in an expanded remote format, using digital space as facilitator. The study focuses on the implementation of personalized education, a pedagogical approach that emphasizes the diversification of resources, strategies, and actions to empower learners in assigning personal value and meaning to their learning journey. By presenting an action research project, this study highlights the pivotal role of personalized education in guiding the course design. To foster an engaging learning environment, the course incorporated open activities and leveraged tools and platforms of the social web. Through these means, the participants, forming a community of practice, were able to collaboratively generate knowledge before, during, and after synchronous sessions. Furthermore, the participants effectively disseminated this knowledge through networks and engaged in discussions with external stakeholders. The study underscores how personalized education facilitates situated and meaningful learning by fostering expanded, flexible, and distributed experiences. These experiences revolve around a transmedia narrative that seamlessly integrates digital culture into learning opportunities and processes, effectively naturalizing its presence. The results highlight the value of personalized education approaches in adapting to the complexities of the digital age and establishing meaningful learning experiences for students.

The study investigates the determinants of mobile Internet banking adoption among Gen-Y in Malaysia. Align the issue of the study and research objectives, and the study underpinned Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the main guideline or a blueprint to analyze the research model. The study applied survey research design and analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) under the PLS-SEM technique with SmartPLS 2.0. A total of 358 mobile internet banking users in Malaysia were random proportional selected as respondents and analyzed. Results from the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, facilitating condition, and personal innovativeness in IT have significantly influenced the attitude of mobile internet banking adoption in Malaysia. Additionally, perceived ease of use and facilitating conditions found to have a significant influence on the perceived usefulness of Mobile Internet Banking. Lastly, facilitating conditions and personal innovativeness in IT are significantly influence the perceived ease of use of mobile internet banking among Gen-Y in Malaysia

New experimental and clinical findings question the historic view of hydrocephalus and its 100-year-old classification. In particular, real-time MRI evaluation of CSF flow and detailed insights into brain water regulation on the molecular scale indicate the existence of at least three main mechanisms that determine the dynamics of neurofluids. (i) Inspiration is a major driving force (ii) Adequate filling of brain ventricles by balanced cerebrospinal fluid upsurge is sensed by cilia (iii) The perivascular glial network connects the ependymal surface to the pericapillary Virchow-Robin spaces. Hitherto, these aspects have not been considered a common physiologic framework improving knowledge and therapy for severe disorders of normal-pressure and post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus, spontaneous intracranial hypotension and spaceflight disease.

We quantitatively investigated the statistical behaviors of semiflexible polymer chains, which are simultaneously subjected to force stretching and rectangular tube confinement. Based on the wormlike chain model and Odijk deflection theory, we derived a new deflection length, by which new compact formulas are obtained for the confinement free energy and force-confinement-extension relation. These newly derived formulas have been justified by numerical solutions of an eigenvalue problem associated with the Fokker-Planck governing equation and extensive Brownian dynamics simulations based on the so-called Generalized Bead-Rod (GBR) model. We found that, comparing to the classical deflection theory, these new formulas are valid for a much extended range of the confinement-size /persistence-length ratio, and have no adjustable fitting parameters for sufficient long semiflexible chains in the whole deflection regime.

Let {$\Gamma(k)$} denote {$(k-1)!$}, and let {$\Gamma_{n}(k)$} denote {$(k-1)!$}, where {$n \in \{3,\ldots,16\}$} and {$k \in \{2\} \cup [2^{\textstyle 2^{n-3}}+1,\infty) \cap \mathbb N$}. For an integer {$n \in \{3,\ldots,16\}$}, let $\Sigma_n$ denote the following statement: if a system of equations {${\mathcal S} \subseteq \{\Gamma_{n}(x_i)=x_k:~i,k \in \{1,\ldots,n\}\} \cup \{x_i \cdot x_j=x_k:~i,j,k \in \{1,\ldots,n\}\}$} with $\Gamma$ instead of $\Gamma_{n}$ has only finitely many solutions in positive integers {$x_1,\ldots,x_n$}, then every tuple {$(x_1,\ldots,x_n) \in (\mathbb N \setminus \{0\})^n$} that solves the original system ${\mathcal S}$ satisfies {$x_1,\ldots,x_n \leqslant 2^{\textstyle 2^{n-2}}$}. Our hypothesis claims that the statements {$\Sigma_{3},\ldots,\Sigma_{16}$} are true. The statement {$\Sigma_6$} proves the following implication: if the equation {$x(x+1)=y!$} has only finitely many solutions in positive integers $x$ and $y$, then each such solution {$(x,y)$} belongs to the set {$\{(1,2),(2,3)\}$}. The statement {$\Sigma_6$} proves the following implication: if the equation {$x!+1=y^2$} has only finitely many solutions in positive integers $x$ and $y$, then each such solution {$(x,y)$} belongs to the set {$\{(4,5),(5,11),(7,71)\}$}. The statement {$\Sigma_9$} implies the infinitude of primes of the form {$n^2+1$}. The statement {$\Sigma_9$} implies that any prime of the form {$n!+1$} with {$n \geqslant 2^{\textstyle 2^{9-3}}$} proves the infinitude of primes of the form {$n!+1$}. The statement {$\Sigma_{14}$} implies the infinitude of twin primes. The statement {$\Sigma_{16}$} implies the infinitude of Sophie Germain primes.

The intracellular calcium dynamics in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in response to wall shear stress (WSS) and/or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) have been commonly regarded as an important factor in regulating VEC function and behavior including proliferation, migration and apoptosis. However, the effects of time-varying ATP signals have been usually neglected in the past investigations in the field of VEC mechanobiology. In order to investigate the combined effects of WSS and dynamic ATP signals on the intracellular calcium dynamic in VECs, a Y-shaped microfluidic device, which can provide the cultured cells on the bottom of its mixing micro-channel with stimuli of WSS signal alone and different combinations of WSS and ATP signals in one single micro-channel, is proposed. Both numerical simulation and experimental studies verify the feasibility of its application. Cellular experimental results also suggest that a combination of WSS and ATP signals rather than a WSS signal alone might play a more significant role in VEC Ca²⁺ signal transduction induced by blood flow.

Piriform fossa and/or esophageal injuries caused by calibration tubes are relatively rare and re-main unelucidated. Herein, we report the case of a 36-year-old woman with morbid obesity, sleep apnea, and menstrual abnormalities who was scheduled to undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We inserted a 36-Fr Nelaton catheter made of natural rubber as a calibration tube during the surgery. However, excessive resistance was observed. We confirmed a submuco-sal layer detachment of approximately 5 cm from the left piriform fossa to the esophagus using intraoperative endoscopy. Additionally, LSG was performed using an endoscope as the guiding calibration tube. We inserted a nasogastric tube under endoscopy with a guidewire before com-pleting the surgery, hoping for a guiding effect on saliva flow. After 17 months, the patient suc-cessfully lost weight postoperatively without complaints of neck pain or discomfort during swallowing. Therefore, if the damage is limited to the submucosal layer, as in this case, conserva-tive therapy should be considered, which is similar to the concept of not requiring suture closure in endoscopic submucosal dissection. This case highlights the risk of iatrogenic injuries to the pi-riform fossa and/or esophagus during LSG and the importance of careful calibration tube inser-tion to prevent them.

Keywords: bariatric surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-y gastric bypass, obesity, microbiota, gut-brain axis, beck scale, depression, diet, probiotics

To improve the understanding of soil–pile interaction of laterally loaded piles, the quasi-static test of pile group foundation in silty clay with 5 foundation piles arranged in cross shape is carried out. The direct measurement-based p–y curves at different depths showed nonlinear behavior, in which the initial stiffness and ultimate soil reaction increased as the depth increased. The loading displacement amplitude corresponding to the failure of each foundation pile in the high axial compression reinforced concrete pile group foundation is given as follows: the front-end nappe foundation pile (#3 pile) is 6mm, the middle pile is 16mm, the front-end nappe foundation pile is 20mm, and the loading displacement amplitude of side pile is 24mm. In silty clay, due to the existence of pile group effect, the edge effect has little effect on the horizontal foundation bed coefficient of foundation pile in pile group, while the influence of masking effect on the horizontal foundation bed coefficient of each foundation pile in pile group is not related to the position of pile, but only to the existence of masking effect, and the influence of different columns of masking effect on the horizontal foundation bed coefficient is the same.

Long-term nutritional studies in subjects undergoing bariatric surgery that have assessed weight regain and nutritional deficiencies are few. In this study, we report data 8 years after surgery on weight loss, use of dietary supplements and deficit of micronutrients in a cohort of patients from five centres in central and northern Italy. The study group consisted of 52 subjects (age: 38.1±10.6 yrs, 42 females): 16 patients had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), 25 patients sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and 11 subjects adjustable gastric banding (AGB). All three bariatric procedures led to sustained weight loss: average percentage excess weight loss, defined as weight loss divided by excess weight based on ideal body weight was 60.6%±32.3. 80.7% of subjects (72.7%, AGB; 76%, SG; 93.7%, RYGB) reported at least one nutritional deficiency: iron (F 64.3% vs. M 30%), vitamin B12 (F 16.6% vs. M 10%), calcium (F 33.3% vs. M 0%) and vitamin D (F 38.1% vs. M 60%). Average weight loss was constant in RYGB and SG subjects from the third year after surgery. Long-term nutritional deficiencies were greater than the general population among men for iron and among women for vitamin B12.

In the era of digital information consumption, YouTube has emerged as a prominent platform for disseminating knowledge across various domains. One such area that has gathered significant attention is teeth whitening, with a plethora of videos offering insights into professional proce-dures, home remedies, and personal experiences. This study delves into the vast landscape of teeth whitening content on YouTube, meticulously categorizing videos into professional and amateur domains. The aim is to critically analyze the information presented, considering its accuracy, re-liability, and potential impact on public perceptions and oral health choices. A total of 100 videos in Greek (n1= 73) and in English (n2= 27) were studied. The analysis was based on views, likes, publication year, duration, presence of background music, and the presence of a description. The completion date of the search was October 7, 2023. Professional videos predominantly present whitening as a painless, conservative, and economical procedure, emphasizing safety measures. Bleaching mechanisms involving hydrogen peroxide and carbamide are explored, with various application techniques discussed, including whitening strips, splints, and in-office procedures. Contradictory findings on the efficacy of home versus in-office treatments are highlighted. In-ternal and external discoloration factors are delineated, with contraindications specified. Amateur videos, garnering greater public appeal, present personal experiences, product promotions, and homemade remedies, reflecting a concerning trend of misinformation. The analysis incorporates viewer engagement metrics, emphasizing the impact of non-professional content. As social media platforms play an increasingly influential role in shaping healthcare narratives, understanding the nuances of dental discourse on YouTube becomes crucial for both practitioners and the public. This exploration encompasses a spectrum of topics, ranging from the chemical intricacies of bleaching agents to the societal dynamics influencing viewer preferences. By unraveling the complexities of online dental information, this study seeks to contribute valuable insights to the evolving land-scape of oral health education in the digital age. Future research should adopt a multi-platform approach and explore the dynamic interaction between content creators and viewers for a more holistic comprehension of online dental information.

To estimate the progressive collapse resistance capacity of a multi-column frame tube structure with the assembled truss beam composite floor (ATBCF), the pushdown analysis, and the nonlinear dynamic analysis as well, are conducted for such a structure by using the alternate load path (ALP) method. The bearing capacities of the remaining structures at three different work conditions, which are the side middle column failure, the edge middle column failure, and the corner column failure, are individually studied, and the collapse mechanism for the remaining structures is analyzed from the aspects of the internal force redistribution and the failure mode of the second defense line. Simultaneously, the influence of the column failure time on the dynamic response of the remaining structure and the dynamic amplification coefficient are discussed. The results show that the residual bearing capacity of the remaining structure with the bottom corner column failure is higher than that of the one with the side or edge middle column failure, while the latter has a stronger plastic deformation capacity. When the ALP method is adopted to operate the progressive collapse analysis, it is reasonable to take the column failure time as 0.1 times of the first-order vertical vibration period of the remaining structure, and it is suitable to set the dynamic amplification coefficient as of 2.0, which is the ratio of the maximum dynamic displacement to the static displacement of the remaining structure under the transient loading condition.

Abstract: In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was conducted to validate the CFD model with experimental data from Zimparov et.al (2012), which investigates the heat transfer performance in a spirally corrugated tube that has a twisted tape inserted. The heat transfer was then compared to a simple corrugated tube without the twisted tape and to a smooth tube with no corrugations and no twisted tape. This simulation is compared with a previous experimental study conducted by (Zimparov et al. 2012), which focuses on tubes with a height-to-diameter ratio e/Di > 0.04 and small relative pitches of the twisted tape, H/Di. The largest improvement was noticed in the tube with e/Di= 0.057 and ridge pitch-to-height ratio p/e=6.77 with a twisted tape of H/Di= 4.7. This tube is labeled 5035. Tube 5035 was found to have the most significant enhancement, hence the focus of the CFD simulation will be on this tube, and the simulation will range for Reynolds numbers, 3.5 x 103 < Re < 5.0 x 104. The focus of this simulation is the evaluation of heat transfer and friction factors; a metric was used to obtain an empirical representation of the tube’s performance. Keywords: Spirally corrugated tube; Twisted tape; Heat transfer enhancement; Friction factor; Nusselt number; Computational fluid dynamics (CFD); Star CCM+

This article utilized electrodeposition technology to fabricate Zn and Zn-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ composite coatings on Q235 steel plates. The composite coatings were obtained by adding Y₂O₃/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (0, 5, 10, and 15 g/L) to acidic chloride solutions. This study then examined the impact of these nanoparticles on the microstructure, morphology, microhardness, hydrophobicity, and corrosion resistance of the composite coatings. The results indicate that the addition of the nanoparticles increased the nucleation sites on the surface of the coating, thereby refining the grain size and reducing the roughness of the coating surface. When 10g/L of Y₂O₃ and 10g/L of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were added, the hardness of the composite coating (369 Hv) was 2.49 times higher than that of the pure Zn coating (148 Hv), which was attributed to the dispersion strengthening and grain refinement effects of the nanoparticles. The corrosion resistance of the Zn and Zn-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ composite coatings was studied using linear sweep voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy. The addition of the nanoparticles improved the corrosion resistance of the composite coating, and the composite coating prepared in an electrolyte containing 10 g/L of Y₂O₃ and 10 g/L of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibited the best corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, the composite coating exhibited good hydrophobicity, with a contact angle of 120.9°, 1.94 times that of the pure Zn coating (62.2°). The Zn-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ nanocomposite coating material has significant potential advantages in the field of steel corrosion.

Leptin is the archetypal adipokine that promotes a negative whole-body energy balance largely through its action on brain leptin receptors. As such, the sustained weight loss and food intake suppression induced by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery have been attributed to enhancement of leptin receptor signalling. We formally revisited this idea in Zucker Fatty fa/fa rats, an established genetic model of leptin receptor deficiency, and carefully compared their body weight, food intake and oral glucose tolerance after RYGB with that of sham-operated fa/fa (obese) and sham-operated fa/+ (lean) rats. We found that RYGB rats sustainably lost body weight, which converged with that of lean rats and was 25.5 % lower than that of obese rats by the end of the 4 week study period. Correspondingly, daily food intake of RYGB rats was similar to that of lean rats from the second postoperative week, while it was always at least 33.9 % lower than that of obese rats. Further, oral glucose tolerance of RYGB rats was normalized at the forth postoperative week. These findings assert that leptin is not an essential mediator of the sustained weight loss and food intake suppression as well as the improved glycemic control induced by RYGB, and instead point to additional circulating and/or neural factors.

The lung microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms that colonize the respiratory tract of individuals from or even before birth. Although the lungs were traditionally believed to be sterile, recent research has shown that there is a diversity of bacterial species in the respiratory system. Knowledge about the lung microbiota in the newborn and its relationship with bacterial infections is of vital importance to understand the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases in neona-tal patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. In this article, the current evidence on the compo-sition of the lung microbiota in the newborn will be reviewed, as well as its role in the develop-ment of bacterial infections in mechanically ventilated neonates. Although advances in many as-pects of the neonatal intensive care unit care have significantly improved the survival of preterm infants, the diagnosis and treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia has not progressed in recent decades. Avoiding dysbiosis caused by inappropriate use of antibiotics around birth, as well as avoiding intubation of patients or promoting early removal of endotracheal tubes are among the most important preventive measures for ventilator-associated pneumonia. The use of probiotics and prebiotics to prevent infectious, allergic or metabolic complications in the short or long term constitutes a very important field of research in perinatal medicine.

The early embryonic heart is a multi-layered tube consisting of (1) an outer myocardial tube; (2) an inner endocardial tube; and (3) an extracellular matrix layer interposed between myocardium and endocardium, called “cardiac jelly” (CJ). During the past decades, research on CJ has mainly focused on its molecular and cell biological aspects. This review focuses on the morphological and biomechanical aspects of CJ. Special attention is given to (1) the spatial distribution and fiber architecture of CJ; (2) the morphological dynamics of CJ during the cardiac cycle; and (3) the removal/remodeling of CJ during advanced heart looping stages, which leads to the formation of ventricular trabeculations and endocardial cushions. CJ acts as a hydraulic skeleton displaying striking structural and functional similarities with the mesoglea of jellyfish. CJ not only represents a filler substance, facilitating end-systolic occlusion of the embryonic heart lumen. Its elastic components antagonize the systolic deformations of the heart wall and thereby power the refilling phase of the ventricular tube. Non-uniform spatial distribution of CJ generates non-circular cross sections of the opened endocardial tube (initially elliptic, later deltoid), which seem to be advantageous for valveless pumping. Endocardial cushions arise from non-removed remnants of the original CJ.

In view of the limitations of the existing optimization method of suspender cable force, in order to improve the stress of suspender under completion state and avoid frequent adjustment of cable force and grid beam elevation during construction, a new method of cable force optimization is proposed. The article takes the longest large span arch bridge in the world, Pingnan Third Bridge, a Concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) arch bridge with a span of 575m as the engineering background combined with the finite element analysis and multi-objective optimization method. One cable force optimization method that suspender “Real-time correction during construction, in the process variable optimal and results reliable” during panel girder lifting of long span CFST arch bridges is clarified. Taking the panel girder weight and displacement during the construction as parameter variables, the displacement and unevenness of the panel girder under completion state as constraint conditions, the displacement and cable force during the hoisting construction as the objective equation, through the optimization of the objective equation, the suspender cable force and dis-placement of each hoisting section are calculated. The results show that it is feasible to introduce the optimization theory into the cable force optimization when lifting the panel girder. the segment displacement variation is minimized to meet the destination. The cable force distributed evenly under completion state of the bridge that further making sure the completion state satisfies the requirements. No repeating iteration is needed, thus avoiding cumberso me calculation, getting cable force once. With higher optimization efficiency and better effects, the method provides high value for the cable force calculation of same type bridge suspender construction and for guiding construction.

This paper studies the evaporative heat transfer characteristics of R744 at low temperatures in a horizontal smooth tube as a cascade refrigeration system (CRS) among hybrid cascade refrigeration systems (HCRSs). There is a lack of research on the low-temperature evaporative heat transfer characteristics of R744 under the operating conditions of evaporators used in actual CRSs used in supermarkets. Therefore, this study aims to provide basic data on the evaporative heat transfer characteristics of R744 in the evaporators of refrigerators used in supermarkets. The tube used in the evaporation experiment conducted herein was a smooth horizontal copper tube with an inner diameter and length of 11.46 mm and 8000 mm, respectively. The experimental pa-rameters were as follows: heat fluxes of 12–21.5 kW/m2, mass fluxes of 75–225 kg/(m2·s), and saturation temperatures of −50–−30 °C. The main results are summarized as follows. (1) When designing the R744 evaporator, the mass and heat fluxes must be maximized within the operating conditions, and the saturation temperature must be designed to be as low as possible. (2) The evaporative heat transfer coefficient of R744 can be predicted well by using the correlation formula of Chen at the evaporation temperature of −40 °C in the CRS.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have widespread potential biomedical applications. There is a need for large-scale in vitro production of hPSCs, and optimal culture methods are vital in achieving this. Physiological oxygen (2% O2) improves key hPSCs attributes, including genomic integrity, viability, and clonogenicity, however, its impact on hPSC metabolism remains un-clear. Here, Selected Ion Flow Tube-Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was used to detect and quantify metabolic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the headspace of hPSCs and their differentiated progeny. hPSCs were cultured in either 2% O2 or 21% O2. Media was collected from cell cultures and transferred into glass bottles for SIFT-MS measurement. The VOCs acetaldehyde and dimethyl sulfide (DMS)/ethanethiol were significantly increased in undifferentiated hPSCs compared to their differentiating counterparts, and these observations were more apparent in 2% O2. Pluripotent marker expression was consistent across both O2 concentrations tested. Transcript levels of ADH4, ADH5, and CYP2E1, encoding enzymes involved in converting ethanol to acetaldehyde, were upregulated in 2% O2, and chemical inhibition of ADH and CYP2E1 decreased acetaldehyde levels in hPSCs. Acetaldehyde and DMS/ethanethiol may be indicators of altered metabolism pathways in physiological oxygen culture conditions. The identification of non-destructive biomarkers for hPSC characterization has the potential to facilitate large-scale in vitro manufacture for future biomedical application.

This study continued the analysis of immunization with the receptor binding domain (RBD) associated with the adjuvants Dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) and Saponin (Sap) (RBD+DDA/Sap) or Aluminum hydroxide (AH) and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Neisseria meningitidis (RBD+AH/OMV); from adult to old age and assessed maternal-fetal transference of antibodies. Outbred Swiss mice were immunized with 2 intramuscular (IM) doses with the antigenic preparations RBD+DDA/Sap, RBD+AH/OMV or RBD alone. The humoral immune response was evaluated using ELISA, avidity-ELISA, Immunoblotting and a Omicron-surrogate-neutralization assay (BA.1), while the cellular immune response was analyzed by ELISpot. Our previous work studied the IgG response; here, we verified that IgM levels were higher right after the immunization doses, but, as IgG, it persisted until 368 days after the immunization. The avidity of IgM increased from low to intermediate-to-high after the booster dose. RBD+DDA/Sap presented neutralizing indexes against Omicron at days 47 and 176, while RBD+AH/OMV showed neutralization on days 21, 47 and 176. Cellular response, measured 465 days after immunization, revealed IFN-Y and IL-4 secretion. The offspring of RBD+DDA/Sap had detectable antibodies, which decreased around 45 days after birth, the last point we analyzed. The results suggested that DDA/Sap is a promising adjuvant mixture to enhance humoral and cellular immune response against SARS-CoV-2, improving maternal-fetal transference of antibodies; cross-reactivity with Omicron variant; and the maintenance of antibodies for a long period.