Coefficient Of Variation Research Articles

Evaluating Bacterial Viability in Faecal Microbiota Transplantation: A Comparative Analysis of InVitro Cultivation and Membrane Integrity Methods.

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a developing therapy for disorders related to gut dysbiosis. Despite its growing application, standardised protocols for FMT filtrate preparation and quality assessment remain undeveloped. The viability of bacteria in the filtrate is crucial for FMT's efficacy and for validating protocol execution. We compared two methods-in vitro cultivation and membrane integrity assessment-for their accuracy, reproducibility and clinical applicability in measuring bacterial viability in frozen FMT stool filtrate. Bacterial viability in stool filtrate was evaluated using (i) membrane integrity through fluorescent DNA staining with SYTO9 and propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry and (ii) culturable bacteria counts (colony-forming units, CFU) under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Using different types of samples (pure bacterial culture, stool of germ-free and conventionally bred mice, native and heat-treated human stool), we refined the bacterial DNA staining protocol integrated with flow cytometry for assessment of bacterial viability in frozen human stool samples. Both the membrane integrity-based and cultivation-based methods exhibited significant variability in bacterial viability across different FMT filtrates, without correlation. The cultivation-based method showed a mean coefficient of variance of 30.3%, ranging from 7.4% to 60.1%. Conversely, the membrane integrity approach yielded more reproducible results, with a mean coefficient of variance for viable cells of 6.4% ranging from 0.2% to 18.2%. Bacterial viability assessment in stool filtrate using the membrane integrity method offers robust and precise data, making it a suitable option for faecal material evaluation in FMT. In contrast, the cultivation-dependent methods produce inconsistent outcomes.

B-028 Result Precision on the New cobas pro integrated solutions cobas ISE neo and cobas c 703 Analytical Units Under Routine-Like Conditions Across Two Sites in Europe

Abstract Background The precision of the new cobas® pro integrated solutions cobas® ISE neo and cobas c 703 analytical units (Roche Diagnostics International Ltd, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) was measured under intended use conditions in a routine simulation setting. Methods The interaction of hardware, software, assays, and samples was tested at two sites (Aalst, Belgium and Heidelberg, Germany) between October and December 2023. Reproducibility under various stressed routine-like conditions, including provocations, was tested using routine simulation imprecision experiments. To test the interaction of new and existing analytical units under routine conditions, test configurations including commercially available cobas c 503 and cobas e 801 analytical units were used. The first configuration comprised one cobas ISE neo analytical unit, two cobas c 703 analytical units, and one cobas e 801 analytical unit. The second configuration comprised one cobas ISE neo analytical unit, one cobas c 703 analytical unit, one cobas c 503 analytical unit, and one cobas e 801 analytical unit. The precision of batch type measurements was compared with the precision under routine simulated random access conditions. Random access coefficients of variance (CVs) that exceeded 1.5× reference batch CVs, or single measurements deviating by >10% from the batch mean, triggered in-depth analysis of the system components that contributed to the result. Results Overall, 56 applications were measured during the reference and random parts of seven routine simulation imprecision runs: six ion selective electrodes (ISE; three serum, three urine), 35 clinical chemistry applications on cobas c 703 (27 serum, eight urine), seven clinical chemistry applications on cobas c 503 (five serum, one urine, one whole blood) and eight immunochemistry (serum) applications. Of six ISE (serum and urine) applications, the mean reference and random CVs were 0.8% and 0.9%, respectively. Of 42 clinical chemistry (serum, urine, and whole blood) applications, the mean reference CV was 0.9% and the mean random CV was 1.0%. Of eight immunochemistry (serum only) applications, mean reference and random CVs were 1.1% and 1.4%, respectively. Conclusions The findings from this study demonstrate that the new cobas ISE neo and cobas c 703 analytical units show consistent results over a prolonged time period, with most CVs in this setting below 0.9%. These results also show the successful integration of the new analytical units into the cobas pro integrated solutions, with seamless interaction of existing and analytical units under stressed conditions.

B-027 CLSI-Based Result Precision on the cobas ISE neo and cobas c 703 Analytical Units Across Two Sites in Europe

Abstract Background Novel cobas® pro integrated solutions analytical units, the cobas® ISE neo and cobas c 703 analytical units (all Roche Diagnostics International Ltd, Rotkreuz, Switzerland), were assessed at two sites in Europe (Aalst, Belgium and Heidelberg, Germany). During the system design validation, precision was evaluated under intended use conditions in a routine simulation setting. Methods Quality control (QC) materials at two analyte concentrations were measured per site for selected assays (ion selective electrodes [ISEs], general chemistries and specific proteins, and immunochemistry assays); analyte recovery per QC was closely monitored. Precision was evaluated at both study sites based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute EP05-A3 guidelines over 21 days for 53 applications representing the entire assay menu: six ISE serum/plasma and urine applications; 40 clinical chemistry serum/plasma and urine applications (four were measured using cobas c 503 at one site only); and seven immunochemistry serum/plasma applications. Reproducibility under various stressed routine-like conditions, including provocations, was tested using routine simulation imprecision experiments. To test the interaction of new and existing analytical units under routine conditions, two test configurations were used: the first configuration comprised one cobas ISE neo, two cobas c 703, and one cobas e 801 analytical units; and the second configuration comprised one cobas ISE neo, one cobas c 703, one cobas c 503, and one cobas e 801 analytical units. The precision of batch type measurements was compared with the precision under routine simulated random access conditions. Random access coefficients of variance (CVs) that exceeded 1.5× reference batch CVs, or single measurements deviating by >10% from the batch mean, triggered in-depth analysis of the system components that contributed to the result. CVs for intermediate precision comprised measurements from ≤4 cobas c 703 reagent disks, dependent on the system set-up and application assignment. CVs for reproducibility were calculated across four ISE measuring units, ≤3 cobas c 703 reagent disks, or ≤4 cobas e 801 measuring cells. Results Using four analytical units, n=511 CVs for repeatability, intermediate precision, and reproducibility were calculated. For repeatability, the median CV for ISE (n=24) was 0.8%, for clinical chemistry (cobas c 703: n=146; cobas c 503: n=8) was 0.9%, and for immunochemistry (n=28) was 1.0%. For intermediate precision, the median CV for ISE (n=24) was 1.1%, for clinical chemistry (cobas c 703: n=146; cobas c 503: n=8) was 1.2%, and for immunochemistry (n=28) was 1.5%. For reproducibility, the median CV for ISE (n=12) was 0.9%, for clinical chemistry (cobas c 703: n=73) was 1.6%, and for immunochemistry (n=14) was 1.7%. Conclusions The novel cobas ISE neo and cobas c 703 analytical units demonstrated robust precision, comparable to the existing cobas pro integrated solutions analytical units, over a prolonged period.

Optimal tacrolimus levels for reducing CKD risk and the impact of intrapatient variability on CKD and ESRD development following liver transplantation.

This study aimed to identify the risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) following liver transplantation (LT), with a specific focus on tacrolimus levels and intrapatient variability (IPV). Among the 1,076 patients who underwent LT between 2000 and 2018, 952 were included in the analysis. The tacrolimus doses and levels were recorded every 3 months, and the IPV was calculated using the coefficient of variability. The cumulative incidence rates of CKD and ESRD were calculated based on baseline kidney function at the time of LT. The impact of tacrolimus levels and their IPV on the development of CKD and ESRD was evaluated, and the significant risk factors were identified. Within a median follow-up of 97.3 months, the 5-year cumulative incidence rates of CKD (0.58 vs. 0.24) and ESRD (0.07 vs. 0.01) were significantly higher in the acute kidney injury (AKI) group than in the normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) group. In the normal GFR group, the tacrolimus levels were identified as a risk factor for CKD, with a level of ≤4.5 ng/mL suggested as optimal for minimizing the risk of CKD. Furthermore, the IPV of tacrolimus levels and doses emerged as a significant risk factor for CKD development in both groups (P<0.05), with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate also being a risk factor in HBV-infected patients. The IPV of tacrolimus levels was also a significant factor in ESRD development (P<0.05). This study elucidated the optimal tacrolimus through level and highlighted the impact of IPV on the CKD and ESRD development post-LT.

Stability and failure probability analysis of super-large irregularly shaped deep excavation in coastal area considering spatial variability in soil properties

ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of spatial variability in coastal silty soil properties on the stability and failure probability of deep excavation. A super-large irregularly shaped deep excavation in the coastal area in Wenzhou, China, is considered. A numerical model is established based on the random field theory, finite difference method and Monte-Carlo simulation method. Focusing on the friction angle and cohesion, the effects of horizontal and vertical correlation distances and variation coefficients on excavation stability are systematically studied. Meanwhile, the reliability evaluation approach is also applied to systematically examine the impact of the correlation distance on the surface settlement and horizontal displacement of pile. The results show that the greater correlation distance leads to a larger dispersion degree of the ground settlement curve and the displacement curve of the diaphragm wall around. The influence of the horizontal correlation distance on land settlement is more significant. The horizontal and vertical displacements of the pile top are less affected by the correlation distance. Compared with the deterministic analysis, the random analysis results considering the soil spatial variability produce larger displacement.

A-368 Feasibility of a Five-Minute Sample-to-Answer Basic Metabolic Panel for Point-of-Care Testing on the Fluxergy Analyzer

Abstract Background Adoption of point-of-care (POC) platforms has been limited by their high cost and limited menu (e.g., molecular only). Fluxergy has developed a cost-effective multimodal POC platform capable of performing the most common clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, hematology, molecular tests in CLIA-waived settings. This method comparison study describes the performance of the Fluxergy’s feasibility stage basic metabolic panel (BMP) with contrived samples compared to the Siemen’s epoc® Blood Analysis System. Methods Fluxergy Analyzer: The Fluxergy Analyzer is a rapid and cost-effective multimodality platform that can perform lab-quality PCR, clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, and cytometry in a single instrument and if required, in a single cartridge. Fluxergy BMP: Fluxergy BMP rapidly quantifies key electrolytes (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Cl-) and metabolites (glucose, creatinine, and BUN) from whole blood in under five minutes on the Fluxergy Analyzer, utilizing the Fluxergy test cards with screen-printed electrochemical sensor. Feasibility Study: A method comparison study was conducted to assess the performance of the feasibility stage Fluxergy BMP using contrived samples generated by spiking known concentrations of K+, Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, and glucose into buffer solutions. Samples were tested in triplicate with both the Fluxergy BMP and Siemen’s epoc® Blood Analysis System at three different concentrations across the reportable range of the epoc® Blood Analysis System. Results The feasibility stage Fluxergy BMP demonstrated strong correlation across the reportable range for K+, Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, and glucose versus the epoc® Blood Analysis System (Table 1). The error percentage for all samples tested except one glucose sample (9.5 mM) was less than 10%. The coefficient of variance for all samples tested except one Ca2+ sample (0.44 mM) was less than ten percent. Conclusions This feasibility data demonstrates the Fluxergy Analyzer is well-suited to perform rapid and accurate metabolic testing from whole blood samples at the POC.

Fast vs slow rubidium-82 infusion profiles and test-retest precision of myocardial perfusion using contemporary 3D cardiac analog positron emission tomography-computed tomography imaging

BackgroundOn legacy 2D positron emission tomography (PET) systems utilizing a 50 mL/min Rb-82 profile, test-retest precision of quantitative perfusion is ∼10%. It is unclear whether Rb-82 infusion rate significantly impacts quantitative perfusion and/or image quality on modern analog 3D PET-CT systems. We aimed to determine whether the Rb-82 infusion profile significantly impacts test-retest precision of quantitative perfusion, perfusion metrics, and/or image quality on a modern analog 3D PET-CT scanner. MethodsNinety-eight volunteers from 3 distinct groups: healthy volunteers (Normals), patients with risk factors, and/or coronary disease (Clinicals) and patients with prior transmural myocardial infarctions (Infarcts), underwent cardiac stress testing on an analog 3D PET-CT. Participants received 3 consecutive resting scans and 2 consecutive stress scans, minutes apart, with two randomly assigned Rb-82 infusion profiles: 50 mL/min (fast [F]) and 20 mL/min (slow [S]). Perfusion metrics (resting (rMBF) and stress myocardial blood flow (sMBF)) were calculated using HeartSee software. Coefficients of variance (COV), repeatability (RC), MBF, and image quality metrics were compared. ResultsrMBF correlated well between F and S profiles, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging .91-.93. sMBF was highly correlated between F and S profiles (ICC = .97). Fast and slow profiles were associated with similar same-day test-retest precision (COV 11.5% vs 11.3% (P = .77); RC 21.5% vs 22.6%, for F–F vs S–S). There were no clinically significant differences in MBF values between F and S profiles. Image quality metrics were similar between the 2 profiles. ConclusionsThere are no clinically significant differences in precision, perfusion metrics, or image quality between Rb-82 fast and slow infusions using a contemporary analog 3D PET-CT.

Nitrogen use efficiency of open-pollinated maize cultivars and topcrosses under low nitrogen soil

The study was conducted to evaluate the nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) of open-pollinated maize cultivars under low nitrogen soil conditions. It took place at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority in Ilorin, Nigeria, during the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. The nitrogen treatments (0, 45, and 90 kg N ha⁻1) were assigned as the main plots, while the genotypes were designated as sub-plots in a split-plot design. The NUE of open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) and Topcrosses significantly increased with the application of 45 kg of nitrogen per hectare compared to 0 kg. Similarly, the maize grain yield for both OPVs and Topcrosses ranged from 1.40 to 3.57 t ha⁻1 and from 1.07 to 2.64 t ha⁻1 across the two years with the application of 45 kg of nitrogen per hectare compared to 0 kg. With the exception of days to 50 % silking, all other traits tested exhibited a significant correlation with grain yield. A gene pool for tolerance to low nitrogen may have been present in the cultivars Dmr-Esr Y Cif 2 and Acr 95 Tze Comp 4C3, which combined well with other cultivars to produce high grain yield and NUE. Topcrosses, including Ev Dt-Y 2000 Str C0 × Tze-W Dt Str C4, Dmr-Esr Y Cif 2 × Acr 95 Tze Comp 4C3, Ak 95 Dmr-Esrw × Tzb Rel D4 CO-W, Dmr-Esr Y Cif 2 × Tze-W Dt Str C4, and Br 9922 Dmr Sr × Ev Dt-Y 2000 Str C0, also demonstrated strong potential for maize grain yield and NUE. This suggests that these crosses could serve as promising candidates for developing low nitrogen tolerance in maize for low nitrogen soil environments. A positive relationship between fertilizer levels, NUE, and grain yield indicates that proper nitrogen fertilizer management can enhance both NUE and the grain yield of maize genotypes. Genetic analysis revealed that both phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and environmental variance (δ2p) were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and genetic variance (δ2g), suggesting that environmental influences were more significant than genetic factors for the tested traits. Consequently, improving these traits may be achieved by manipulating environmental conditions.

Cognitive dispersion and its functional relevance in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and prodromal behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia.

Executive dysfunction is characteristic of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) but can be challenging to detect. Dispersion-based intraindividual variability (IIV-d) is hypothesized to reflect a sensitive index of executive dysfunction and has demonstrated relevance to functional decline but has not been evaluated in bvFTD. We report on 477 demographically matched participants (159 cognitively healthy [CH], 159 clinical Alzheimer's disease [AD], 159 clinical bvFTD/prodromal bvFTD) who completed the Uniform Data Set 3.0 Neuropsychological Battery. IIV-d was measured using the coefficient of variance (CoV; raw and demographically adjusted) across 12 Uniform Data Set 3.0 Neuropsychological Battery indicators and the informant-rated Functional Activities Questionnaire assessed daily functioning. Analysis of covariance showed that participants in the bvFTD/prodromal bvFTD group exhibited higher raw and demographically adjusted CoV compared to CH participants, at a very large effect size (d = 1.28-1.47). Demographically adjusted (but not raw) CoV was lower in the bvFTD/prodromal bvFTD group than the AD group, though the effect size was small (d = .38). Both CoV metrics accurately differentiated the bvFTD/prodromal bvFTD and CH groups (areas under the curve = .84), but not bvFTD/prodromal bvFTD and AD groups (areas under the curve = .59). Regression analyses in the bvFTD/prodromal bvFTD group indicated that higher IIV-d on both metrics was associated with greater daily functioning impairment, over and above covariates. Compared to healthy adults, individuals with bvFTD/prodromal bvFTD show greater levels of performance variability across a battery of neuropsychological measures, which interferes with everyday functioning. These data demonstrate the clinical utility and ecological validity of IIV-d in bvFTD/prodromal bvFTD, though these findings should be replicated in more diverse samples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Rapid design method for composite emergency steel piers with thin-walled steel tube framework and discussion on "temporary-permanent" transition

To address the conflict between the reserve of repair materials for existing bridge piers and the demands for emergency repairs, as well as the challenge of converting temporary emergency structures into permanent ones without significant disassembly, a novel composite emergency steel pier has been developed. This pier utilizes commonly available thin-walled steel tube sections as the framework, I-beams as the connecting elements, and incorporates a "temporary-permanent" transition function. Taking the emergency steel pier for medium-height bridge piers in high-speed rail systems as an example, this study introduces three evaluation metrics—security coefficient (n), stability coefficient k), and variation coefficient (V)—analyzing the factors influencing the design and application thresholds of the emergency steel piers from perspectives of strength, stability, and load distribution uniformity. Based on this, a rapid design method for composite emergency steel piers with thin-walled steel tube frameworks that does not require numerical simulation has been developed and experimentally validated. Research findings indicate that when used for the emergency repair of medium-height or lower bridge piers in high-speed railways, the column line stiffness of the thin-walled steel tube framework composite emergency steel piers should range between 0.34 × 10 exp7 kN/mm to 4.15 × 10 exp7 kN/mm. The transverse and longitudinal spacing of the columns should be 1 m to 3 m and 1.5 m to 3 m respectively. The line stiffness of the plinth beams I and II should be greater than 0.69 kN/mm and 1.01 kN/mm respectively. Within these parameter ranges, the emergency steel pier will not experience strength failure or instability, and the load distribution among the columns remains uniformly favorable. In applications to other scenarios, the rapid generation of composite emergency steel piers with thin-walled steel tube frameworks can be achieved by following three steps: parameter selection and structural configuration determination, calculation of the pier-beam linear stiffness ratio, and criterion-based result verification. The rapid design and implementation of composite emergency steel piers help alleviate the contradiction between material stockpiling and repair demands. Furthermore, the pre-designed "temporary-permanent" transition functionality facilitates integrated operations for emergency repairs and permanent restorations.

How does AI perform in industry chain? A patent claims analysis approach

The development trajectory of AI within the industry chain can offer valuable insights for managers and policymakers. Because the industry chain includes multiple complex nodes, it becomes difficult to showcase the subtle changes in AI at each node. Since patent claims are authoritative legal documents describing technology, we first theoretically demonstrate that integrating them with deep learning can effectively reveal the development of AI within complex nodes. And then, based on claim types and dependencies, we construct a more robust AI Recognition Multiple Attention Mechanism (A&C-Mechanism). Finally, using the battery industry chain (BIC) as a case study, the A&C-Mechanism reveals differences in AI development within the industry chain: (1) The A&C-mechanism can calculate the adjustment weights of patent claims based on variations in claim types and dependencies. Therefore, integrating the A&C-mechanism into NLP models can enhance the models' robustness and sensitivity to the nuanced variations of AI within patent claims; (2) Based on the A&C mechanism, our analysis indicates that AI indeed drives technological upgrades within four BIC nodes of mineral resource extraction (MRE), raw material processing (RMP), finished product manufacturing (FPM), usage, and recycling (UR). However, there is a phenomenon of non-uniform AI development emerging across these nodes; (3) Analyzing the patent application volume and growth rates across the four nodes, we identify that AI development progresses through distinct stages within the industrial chain: early, mid-term, and improvement. With the establishing two coefficients, the AI claim dependency variation coefficient and the AI-NE variation coefficient, we demonstrate that each stage exhibits unique characteristics. AI is used directly in the early stages. As the mid-term stage approaches, AI starts to be optimized and enhanced. During the improvement stage, AI structures, procedures, etc., are adaptively adjusted to better serve each company's goals; (4) Constructing an interaction network of AI with the four nodes based on high-frequency AI named entities within patent claims, we discover that AI development within the industrial chain exhibits iteration and continuity. Moreover, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) remain the cornerstone, serving as the foundation upon which many cutting-edge technologies are built. Digital image processing and machine learning enhance problem-solving across multiple nodes. We discuss our findings and derive implications for research, managers and policymakers.

Investigating the psychological disorder and nutritional disorder during COVID-19 epidemic

BackgroundConsidering the various effects of the corona epidemic on humans, the current study was conducted to investigate adults' nutritional patterns and the psychological status during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and materialsThis cross-sectional analytical study was performed on adults in Iran during the COVID-19 epidemic. A total of 315 participants were examined by the convenience sampling method. To collect data from the standard 21 questionnaire (das) and Eating Attitudes Test - 26 items were used. The data were analysis by SPSS and independent t-test, correlation coefficient, and chi-square analysis of variance at a significance level of less than 0.05. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 31.93±10.02 years. Based on the findings, 31.1% had some degree of depression, 29.5% had some degree of anxiety, and 31.7% have been affected by varying degrees of stress. Also, 8.7% of the participants had eating disorders. A statistically significant relationship was observed between depression score, anxiety score, stress score as well as an overall score of mental disorders and eating disorders; in such a way that with the increase of each of these cases, the score of eating disorders also increases. ConclusionFollowing the prevalence of the COVID-19 epidemic and its psychological effects, the level of stress and anxiety has increased. Awareness controlled the level of anxiety and stress and prevented its adverse effects on nutrition.

Genetic variability, trait association and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield attributing traits in sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.)

Genetic variability, trait association and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield attributing traits in sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.)

Genetic variability, correlation, and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield contributing characters in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill

Genetic variability, correlation, and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield contributing characters in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill

Effect of Seed Priming Using GA3, KNO3, ZnSO4 on Germination Parameters of Vigna unguiculata

Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), an important legume is a versatile crop, also commonly known as southern pea, black eye pea, crowder pea, lubia, niebe, coupea or Frijole. The establishment of this crop is poor due to poor germination. Seed priming technique helps to overcome this difficulty. There is only less research have been carried out to enhance seed germination in cowpea by seed priming technique. This research paper focuses to study on the effects of different priming agents like GA3 at 20 ppm, 40 ppm and 60 ppm, KNO3 at 1 %, 2%, 3%, ZnSO4 at 1 %, 2%, 3% and hydro priming all in 3 hrs and 6 hrs soaking conditions. The untreated seeds serve as control. The result from the present study revealed that the germination parameters viz., germination value, germination index, imbibition, co-efficient of variation of germination, seed length, root length, seedling length, vigor index were at its maximum for the seeds primed with GA3 at 60 ppm, KNO3 at 2% and ZnSO4 at 2%. Priming of seeds at lower concentration improves the seed germination parameters which in turn increases the yield.

Comparison of piperine content, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Piper chaba root and stem

Piper chaba (locally known as “Choi Jhal”) is used traditionally as spices and folk medicine in different parts of Bangladesh. One of the most important bioactive compounds in this plant is piperine. In this study, the amount of piperine in P. chaba root and stem was investigated and the optimal solvent for piperine extraction at room temperature was also studied. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was operated using a reverse phase column where methanol and water (70:30) were used as mobile phase. The detection was performed using photo diode array (PID) detector at a wavelength of 345 nm. The standard piperine showed linearity between 0.005 % and 0.04 % and the correlation co-efficient found for the linearity was 0.9933. The percentage of relative standard deviation (RSD) for both retention time and peak area were less than 2.0 %. The theoretical plate number (N) > 3000 and a tailing factor (T) < 1.5 were found in the acceptable range. The recovery percentage (%) of standard piperine was 99.16 %. Low value of co-efficient of variation and standard deviation are recognized for high precision of the method. The highest amount of piperine was found in root extracted with methanol (MR) amounting to 1.75 % in the root powder. The maximum amount of piperine in the stem was 1.59 % when extracted with methanol (MS). The piperine quantification in other extract like n-hexane root (HR), ethyl acetate root (ER), n-hexane stem (HS), ethyl acetate stem (ES) were 0.76 %, 1.69 %, 0.33 % and 1.46 % respectively. Methanol has given the highest yield of piperine compared to ethyl acetate and n-hexane for both root and stem. The developed method was simple, rapid, economic and validated in terms precision, accuracy and recovery. This selective method is found to be repeatable, accurate and successfully utilized for the Piper extract in marketed and pharmaceutical samples with well chromatographic conditions. The ethyl acetate extract of root and stem showed promising DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 39.62 ± 0.95 μg/mL and 43.85 ± 1.50 μg/mL respectively. The study reports potential antibacterial activity and antifungal activity of P. chaba root and stem extracts. These outcomes revealed that different extracts of P. chaba may be used as natural preservatives.

A descriptive analysis of individually compounded home parenteral nutrition prescriptions provided to adults with chronic intestinal failure

Background & AimsHome Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) prescriptions should be tailored to a patient’s nutritional requirements and comprise of individually compounded regimens (IC-HPN) or standard licensed multi-chamber bags (MCB). There is a paucity of research exploring factors associated with admixture type. This study aimed to evaluate the nutrient composition of adult IC-HPN prescriptions and variance in nutrient dosing, make comparisons with the range of MCB available and dosing recommendations stated in international guidelines. MethodsThis cross-sectional observational study analysed anonymised prescription data for adults under the care of a single home care company in England, commencing IC-HPN after January 2021. ResultsThere were 155 patient prescriptions (245 HPN bags) included, with body weight available in 82 (52.9%) cases. Data were reported for each HPN bag, and summarised as an average daily amount, considering the number of different HPN bags and their daily frequency per patient prescription.A vast range of nutrients were prescribed, with variance in dosing highest for lipid, phosphate, and calcium; with coefficient of variance of 106%, 74% and 67%, respectively. One-hundred-thirty-four (54.7%) bags contained lipid, resulting in variable ratios of lipid to aqueous bags provided weekly.Negligible amounts of at least one electrolyte were prescribed in 93 (38.0%) bags, of which 52 (21.2%) contained < 2 mmol calcium. Compared with MCB (65 bags), IC-HPN bags contained higher amounts of all nutrients, apart from nitrogen and phosphate. Mean sodium intake differed substantially between types of bags (IC-HPN 187.5, SD 100.1 mmol versus MCB 49.1, SD 31.7 mmol, p<0.001). A substantial number of patients received HPN dosages beyond guideline recommendations, with higher amounts of sodium and fluid provided in 41 (50.0%) cases; conversely, lower than recommended dosages were seen in 55 (67.1%) for potassium and 61 (74.4%) for calcium. ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated vast variance in IC-HPN parenteral nutrient dosing, with minimal or an omission of at least one nutrient seen. Further research is needed to explore factors that influence usage of IC-HPN, clinical reasons related to lipid dosing and around the variation in doses prescribed outside of guideline recommendations.

Children and adolescent with suboptimal control of type 1 diabetes improve during the first 2 years on automated insulin delivery system.

This study investigates the influence of the automated insulin delivery system (AID) on glycaemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who do not reach optimal glycaemic control with traditional treatment options. All the patients aged 7 to 16 years with T1D who initiated the AID system between 24 October 2020 and 5 January 2022 in the Helsinki University Hospital and had haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels above 53 mmol/mol/7.0% (N = 79) were included. Time in tight range (TITR), time in range (TIR), HbA1c, mean sensor glucose (SG) value, time below range (TBR) and SG coefficient of variance (CV) were measured at 0, 3, 12 and 24 months. The changes in the outcome measures between the time points were included in the analyses, and statistically significant level was p-value <0.01. After the initiation of AID, glycaemic control improved, and the effect lasted throughout the study period. Between 0 and 3 months, TITR and TIR increased (mean 11.7% [10.6], mean 18.1% [standard deviation [SD] 13.7], p < 0.001), whereas HbA1c and mean SG values decreased significantly (-8.3 mmol/mol [8.7]/-2.9% [2.9], p < 0.001, -1.8 mmol/L [1.7], p < 0.001). These effects were sustainable and were still visible at 12 and 24 months. Glycaemic control in patients not reaching treatment goals improved significantly after the initiation of the AID system, and the favourable effect lasted throughout the follow-up. AID treatment could be an option for also those paediatric patients with T1D who do not have good skills in diabetes management.

Consistency Testing of Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) Tool Pusjatan on Composite Road (Case Study of Road Section Soreang New Ring Road, Bandung Regency)

In an era of rapid technological and infrastructural development, the quality of roads is critical to ensuring efficient and safe mobility. Composite roads, which consist of a mixture of different types of construction materials, have become an attractive option in road development in various regions. However, to ensure the success of composite roads, structural consistency and performance must be considered. A Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) is a device used to measure the instability of road layers by applying surface pressure and measuring the resulting deflection. Although the use of LWD is common in the road construction industry, specific research on LWD consistency testing of composite roads is limited. This study investigates and analyzes the consistency of LWD on composite roads to improve the understanding of its performance. The results of the study on composite pavements conducted at three points with 30 trials showed a coefficient of variance of less than 5%. This result indicates very strong data consistency. Based on these consistency values, the LWD is acceptable, but it needs to be correlated with other tools to determine its validity. If the consistency and correlation meet the requirements or are less than 5%, LWD has a good chance of being used in composite pavements.

B-Value Maps for Some Volcanoes Worldwide: What Do We Learn?

Abstract We evaluate, using the method of Godano et al. (2022), the b-value 3D maps for some volcanoes worldwide: Cordillera de Guanacaste, Costa Rica; Etna, Italy; Hawaii, United States; Santorini, Greece; and Yellowstone, United States. The original method (using unstructured gridding in the process of building the cells of the volume) has been modified introducing a new technique for the estimation of the completeness magnitude mc based on the evaluation of the variability coefficient cv. This provides a very efficient estimation of mc. All the b-values distributions show an anomaly (larger than the others) associated with a hydrothermal system. This suggests that our method could be efficient in characterizing the rheological behavior and the temperature of the volcanic rocks.