Decrement In Rate Research Articles

Behavior of pavement concrete mixture with cellulose materials in the severe environments for sustainability purposes

Concrete mixture is commonly prepared from cement, sand, gravel, and water to obtain the available mix that is easy to work. However, it can be prepared with different materials for better sustainable properties that are appropriate for the severe environments. Meanwhile, the concrete for highway pavement must be prepared with high-performance properties due to dramatic high traffic load and the adverse environmental effects in recent years. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of incorporating biomass waste on concrete performance. This study consisted of the production of concrete mixtures with different percentages of Papyrus Fibers (PF), Date Seeds (DS), and Olive Seeds (OS) after they were converted into powders and mixed with cement in proportions of (3, 5, 7) % by weight of cement. The samples were evaluated for compressive strength after (7, 14, and 28) of curing. The compressive strength was compared with the controlled mix. Results showed that the compressive strength of the mixture comprising PF exhibited (30, 34, 37) MPa at 28 days for percentages of (3, 5, 7) %, respectively, compared with the control mix (namely, 32 MPa). For other additives, DS exhibited (31, 28, 22) MPa, and OS (20, 18, 15) at the same curing ages and the same percentage of additives. Furthermore, the abrasion resistance test results of the 28 days cured samples with different cellulose additive types highlighted that decrement trend exists in the abrasion resistance for both wear depth and weight loss with the addition of OS (5 and 7) % or DS (3, 5 and 7) % and the decrement rate reach above (23%). Thus, adding biomass additives can improve the mechanical and durability properties if accurate optimizing percentages is comprised.

Mechanical loading reveals an intrinsic cardiomyocyte stiffness contribution to diastolic dysfunction in murine cardiometabolic disease.

Cardiometabolic syndromes including diabetes and obesity are associated with occurrence of heart failure with diastolic dysfunction. There are no specific treatments for diastolic dysfunction, and therapies to manage symptoms have limited efficacy. Understanding of the cardiomyocyte origins of diastolic dysfunction is an important priority to identify new therapeutics. The investigative goal was to experimentally define in vitro stiffness properties of isolated cardiomyocytes derived from rodent hearts exhibiting diastolic dysfunction in vivo in response to dietary induction of cardiometabolic disease. Male mice fed a high fat/sugar diet (HFSD vs. control) exhibited diastolic dysfunction (echo E/e' Doppler ratio). Intact paced cardiomyocytes were functionally investigated in three conditions: non-loaded, loaded and stretched. Mean stiffness of HFSD cardiomyocytes was 70% higher than control. E/e' for the HFSD hearts was elevated by 35%. A significant relationship was identified between in vitro cardiomyocyte stiffness and in vivo dysfunction severity. With conversion from the non-loaded to loaded condition, the decrement in maximal sarcomere lengthening rate was more accentuated in HFSD cardiomyocytes (vs. control). With stretch, the Ca2+ transient decay time course was prolonged. With increased pacing, cardiomyocyte stiffness was elevated, yet diastolic Ca2+ elevation was attenuated. Our findings show unequivocally that cardiomyocyte mechanical dysfunction cannot be detected by analysis of non-loaded shortening. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that a component of cardiac diastolic dysfunction in cardiometabolic disease is derived from cardiomyocyte stiffness. Differential responses to load, stretch and pacing suggest that a previously undescribed alteration in myofilament-Ca2+ interaction contributes to intrinsic cardiomyocyte stiffness in cardiometabolic disease. KEY POINTS: Understanding cardiomyocyte stiffness components is an important priority for identifying new therapeutics for diastolic dysfunction, a key feature of cardiometabolic disease. In this study cardiac function was measured in vivo (echocardiography) for mice fed a high-fat/sugar diet (HFSD, ≥25 weeks). Performance of intact isolated cardiomyocytes derived from the same hearts was measured during pacing under non-loaded, loaded and stretched conditions in vitro. Calibrated cardiomyocyte stretches demonstrated that stiffness (stress/strain) was elevated in HFSD cardiomyocytes in vitro and correlated with diastolic dysfunction (E/e') in vivo. HFSD cardiomyocyte Ca2+ transient decay was prolonged in response to stretch. Stiffness was accentuated with pacing increase while the elevation in diastolic Ca2+ was attenuated. Data show unequivocally that cardiomyocyte mechanical dysfunction cannot be detected by analysis of non-loaded shortening. These findings suggest that stretch-dependent augmentation of the myofilament-Ca2+ response during diastole partially underlies elevated cardiomyocyte stiffness and diastolic dysfunction of hearts of animals with cardiometabolic disease.

Kidney physiopathologic changes in diabetic Golden-Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) fed with hypercaloric diet

Diabetic nephropathy is the single major cause of end stage renal failure. The increase of visceral adipose tissue may lead to glomerular hypertrophy and chronic kidney disease. The objective is to determine renal changes in diabetic Golden-Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) supplemented with a hypercaloric diet. Methods: One group of animals (n=10) was fed with a standard diet (SD), and the other group (n=10) was fed with a hypercaloric diet (HCD) for 1 month. Afterwards, both groups were treated with three doses of Streptozotocin. Hyperglycemia was determined throughout 73 days. The animal’s weight, blood and kidney tissues were obtained for analysis. Results: Diabetic animals fed with HCD diet manifested hyperglycemia (250-350 mg/dL) with significant weight loss (40g) and important glomerular filtration rate decrement (0.491mL/min). Regarding to renal fibrosis, all animals showed an increase of glomerular, interstitial, and cortical extracellular matrix (36.3, 75.2 and 70.7%, respectively). Diabetic animals that were SD-fed showed only mild hyperglycemia and slight increase of glomerular, interstitial, and cortical extracellular matrix. A group of animals (n=5) that was fed exclusively with HCD was also included in the study. Conclusions: Our finding suggests that HCD fed can accelerate the progression of chronic kidney disease in a diabetic condition.

Optimization of nanoscale heat transport analysis of ternary hybrid nanofluid over three‐dimensional wedge geometry in magnetized environment

AbstractExponential space‐based heat source with shear‐thinning/thickening behavior offers innovative insights into the optimization of thermal transport process in complex systems, such as in the cooling of microelectronics, energy storage technologies, and biomedical devices, where accurate thermal control is critical. This study explores the investigation of an exponential space‐based heat source with effects of shear thinning/thickening behavior of a ternary infinite shear rate viscosity‐dependent Carreau water‐based nanofluid [Cu, Fe3O4, SiO2] over a three‐dimensional wedge in a magnetized environment. The interaction between heat transport and magnetic fields is explored through the behavior of the ternary nanofluid by classifying the both shear‐thinning and shear‐thickening effects. The incorporation of physical assumptions in the model gives the set of partial differential equations (PDEs) and similarity transformations are launched to convert them into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Furthermore, bvp4c scheme is used to fetch the numerical solution. Temperature profile is increasing with exponential‐based source heat parameter due to a reduction in the rate of heat absorption by the fluid. Ternary nanofluids exhibit the highest rate of temperature increment due to the effects of multiple nanoparticles as compared to hybrid or single‐nanoparticle nanofluids. Rate of velocity decrement in ternary nanofluids compared to bi‐hybrid nanofluids and single‐particle nanofluids.

Acute toxicity assessment and QSAR modeling of zebrafish embryos exposed to methyl paraben and its halogenated byproducts

Halogenated methyl parabens are formed readily during water chlorination, with or without bromide ion presence. However, research gaps persist in in vivo toxicological assessments of vertebrates exposed to halo-MePs. To address this gap, this study evaluated acute toxicities at 24−96 h-post-fertilization in zebrafish embryos exposed to methyl paraben and its mono- or di-halogenated derivatives, using various apical endpoints. Significant enhanced toxic effects were confirmed for halo-MePs compared to MeP on embryo coagulation (3–19 fold), heartbeat rate decrement (11–80 fold), deformity rate increment (9–68 fold), and hatching failure (4–33 fold), with parentheses indicating the determined toxic potency ratios. Moreover, halo-MePs showed a significantly higher increase in biochemical levels of reactive oxygen species, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde, while acetylcholinesterase activity was inhibited compared to NT and MeP. The experimental toxic potencies (log(1/EC50 or LC50)) were compared with the predicted ones (log(1/EC50 or LC50, baseline)) using the baseline toxicity Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship previously established for zebrafish embryos. Halo-MePs were specific (or reactive) toxicants based on their toxic ratios of more than 10 for apical endpoints including heartbeat rate, deformity rate, and hatching rate, while MeP acted as a baseline toxicant. Overall, this study presents the comprehensive toxicological assessment of halo-MePs in zebrafish embryos, contributing to an essential in vivo toxicity database for halogenated phenolic contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.

The difference of dynamic elasticity characteristics and stroke effect between two types of new material seamed plastic table tennis ball

The diameter and weight of different brands of table tennis ball will affect the ball’s elasticity and stroke. The purpose of this study is to analyze the difference of the dynamic elasticity and stroke effect between the two brands of new plastic ball. A self-made experiment was designed to test the dynamic elasticity characteristics of DHS D40 + and Nittaku 40+. Table tennis players (N = 18) were randomly selected from the China Table Tennis College (Mage = 15.16 ± 2.41; Mheight = 1.59 ± 0.32 m; Mweight = 45.72 ± 5.17 kg). Each participant was righthand shake-hands grip. A speedometer was used to record the ball speed and a high-speed camera was used to measure the spin speed. Data normality was verified by using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The independent t-test was conducted to assess the differences of the dynamic elasticity and stroke effect between the two types of plastic ball. Results showed that the rebound speed and decrement rate of DHS D40 + and Nittaku 40 + both increased with the increased falling speed, respectively. When falling at high speed, there was a significant difference of dynamic elasticity between DHS D40 + and Nittaku 40+ (p < 0.01). There was also a significant difference in the ball speed and spin speed between the two types of new material seamed plastic ball during the backhand backspin stroke (p = 0.041, p = 0.022, respectively), and the ball speed and spin speed of DHS D40 + were higher than that of Nittaku 40 + ball. Compared with the DHS D40+, the Nittaku 40 + has a faster rebound speed, higher rebound height, and better dynamic elasticity. Therefore, under same striking conditions, when hitting the Nittaku 40 + ball, players need to increase the swing distance and hit the ball with more strength to improve the ball speed and rotation speed; increase the spin and decrease the ball’s rebound height of the serve.

A comprehensive study of laser irradiated hydrothermally synthesized 2D layered heterostructure V2O5(1−x)MoS2(x) (X = 1–5%) nanocomposites for photocatalytic application

Abstract It has been studied that both two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 and V2O5, which are classified as transition metal dichalcogenides and transition metal oxides, are good photocatalyst materials. For this purpose, the hydrothermal method was practiced to synthesize V2O5(1−x)MoS2(x) (X = 1–5% w/w) nanocomposites with different 1–5% w/w weight percent of MoS2 as a prominent photocatalyst under laser irradiation for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min to tune photocatalytic degradation of industrial wastage water. The surface of the 2D molybdenum nanolayered matrix was efficaciously decorated with V2O5 nanoparticles. The crystal phase and layered structures of the V2O5(1−x)MoS2(x) (X = 1–5% w/w) nanocomposites samples were verified by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy respectively. In the range of the UV visible spectrum, the increment in light absorption from 3.6 to 14.5 Ω−1 cm−1 with an increase of active surface from 108 to 169 μ m 2 {{\rm{\mu }}{\rm{m}}}^{2} with increased MoS2 doping percentage. Furthermore, dielectric findings like the complex dielectric function, tangent loss, electrical conductivity, quality factors, and impedance of V2O5(1−x)MoS2(x) (X = 1–5% w/w) nanocomposites are studied. According to photoluminescence studies, the intensity of peaks decreases when laser irradiation time and doping percentages of MoS2 are increased. As a result, a small peak indicates a decrement rate of electron–hole pair recombination, which increases the capacity for separation. Thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis results revealed that weight loss decreased from 0.69 to 0.35 mg and thermal stability increased with increased doping concentrations. Methylene blue was degraded in 150 min, proving that the prepared MoS2-doped V2O5 material was a stable and economically low-cost nanocomposite for photocatalytic activity.

Saccades and Microsaccades Coupling During Free-Throw Shots in Basketball Players.

We investigated the role of saccades and microsaccades when different levels of basketball players were engaged in an ecological free-throw condition. All participants made more correct than incorrect shoots, with a movement time initiation shorter in amateurs than in near-expert groups. Near-experts had more stable gaze fixation than amateurs, with higher microsaccade rate and duration and lower peak velocity. Amateurs showed higher saccade rate, peak velocity, and amplitude than near-experts. The temporal sequence of near-experts' microsaccade rate increased after the saccade peak; on the contrary, in amateurs, the saccade peak is shown after the decrement in microsaccade rates. The spatiotemporal characteristics of microsaccades and saccades may reflect an optimal sampling method by which the brain discretely acquires visual information and can differentiate between participants who use a fixation before the critical movement time and participants who move their eyes to catch more visual cues to make decisions.

Achieving the ultra-low friction and wear rate of PEEK-PTFE composites by Ti3C2Tx MXene reinforcement

In this work, a series of poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) and poly(tetra-fluoroethylene) (PTFE) composites reinforced by Ti3C2Tx MXene are fabricated, and the mechanical as well as tribological properties are investigated. The MXene forms a strong bonding with both PEEK and PTFE, thus improving the compressive strength by 28.37 % when compared to the undoped composite. Meanwhile, the MXene selectively adheres PTFE on the ZrO2 counterpart and facilitates the formation of transfer tribofilm. Eventually, the PEEK(Ti3C2Tx)-PTFE composites reach an ultra-low coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.065 ± 0.003 accompanied by a decrement in wear rate of 40 %. The promising performances of PEEK-PTFE composites by MXene reinforcement indicate an efficient way towards self-lubricating composites.

Drought Stress Tolerance in Rice: Physiological and Biochemical Insights

Rice (Oryza sativa L.), an important food crop, necessitates more water to complete its life cycle than other crops. Therefore, there is a serious risk to rice output due to water-related stress. Drought stress results in morphological changes, including the inhibition of seed germination, reduced seeding growth, leaf area index, flag leaf area, increased leaf rolling, as well as the decrement of yield traits, such as plant height, plant biomass, number of tillers, and 1000-grain yield. Stress also causes the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O2−, H2O2, and OH−, which promote oxidative stress in plants and cause oxidative damage. The process of oxidative degradation owing to water stress produces cell damage and a reduction in nutrient intake, photosynthetic rate, leaf area, RWC, WUE, and stomatal closure, which may be responsible for the decrement of the transpiration rate and plant dry matter under decreasing soil moisture. Plants have the ability to produce antioxidant species that can either be enzymatic (SOD, POD, CAT, GPX, APX) or non-enzymatic (AsA, GSH) in nature to overcome oxidative stress. During drought, several biochemical osmoprotectants, like proline, polyamines, and sugars, can be accumulated, which can enhance drought tolerance in rice. To meet the demands of an ever-growing population with diminishing water resources, it is necessary to have crop varieties that are highly adapted to dry environments, and it may also involve adopting some mitigation strategies. This study aims to assess the varying morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of the rice plant to drought, and the various methods for alleviating drought stress.

An assessment of workability, mechanical and durability properties of high-strength concrete incorporating nano-silica and recycled E-waste materials

BackgroundPresently, the proper disposal of E-waste is a major challenge for all nations. Portland cement and aggregates continue to play a major role in the construction industry's operations. Meanwhile, natural resources like gravel (aggregates) are becoming scarce. Thus, E-waste is now offering the building industry a chance to replace traditional aggregates. The main goal of the current study is to determine the highest amount of E-waste that may be replaced with 10-mm coarse aggregates with a nano-silica associated ternary blend in M-60 grade high-strength concrete while still maintaining the designed concrete's mechanical, durability, microstructural and workability characteristics.ResultsWhen compared to normal concrete, concrete with 15% E-waste replacement maintained the design-required compressive, flexural and tensile strength properties. When the E-waste plastic component percentage is considerably high (15–30%), there is a significant decremental performance regarding the mechanical properties and the decremental rate is found to be in the range of 13–23%. Even the microstructure characteristics of concrete validate the mechanical performance of concrete. Nevertheless, the durability characteristics of E-waste incorporated concrete were found to be promising.ConclusionsThe overall outcome of the study recommends 15% as the optimal replacement percentage of E-waste for conventional concrete, and it is recommended to adopt for real-time practices.

Electrophysiological Insights: Using Repetitive Nerve Stimulation to Monitor Clinical Status and Remission in Myasthenia Gravis

ABSTRACT Objective: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder with a variable course that complicates the prediction of remission. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) in monitoring clinical status through the assessment of decremental response rates in the nasalis and trapezius muscles during treatment. Subjects and Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 52 patients diagnosed with generalized MG. Patients underwent clinical assessments, including tests for anti-acetylcholine receptor and anti-muscle-specific kinase antibodies, and were classified according to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America classification. Electrophysiological testing through RNS and single-fiber electromyography was performed. Data analysis involved comparing the RNS decrement rates with clinical and demographic variables. Follow-up for assessing remission spans 2 years. Results: Among the 52 patients, 53.8% achieved clinical remission. In the remission group, 14.3% of the patients exhibited a decremental response compared with 70.8% in the nonremission group, particularly in the nasalis and trapezius muscles, in the follow-up RNS conducted 2 years after the initial assessment (P &lt; 0.05). The remission group presented significantly lower rates of antibody positivity and less bulbar involvement. Interestingly, initial clinical severity did not correlate significantly with remission. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the usefulness of RNS in assessing the clinical status of MG patients and evaluating the effectiveness of current therapeutic strategies. These findings suggest that focusing on specific muscle responses in RNS can provide valuable information for patient management.

Simulating the spread of COVID-19 with cellular automata: A new approach

Between the years 2020 and 2022, the world was hit by the pandemic of COVID-19 giving rise to an extremely grave situation. Many people suffered and died from this disease. Also, the global economy was badly hurt due to the consequences of various intervention strategies (like social distancing, lockdown) which were applied by different countries to control this pandemic. There are multiple speculations that humanity will again face such pandemics in the future. Thus, it is very important to learn and gain knowledge about the spread of such infectious diseases and the various factors which are responsible for it. In this study, we have extended our previous work [S. Chowdhury, S. Roychowdhury and I. Chaudhuri, Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 231, 3619 (2022), doi:10.1140/epjs/s11734-022-00619-1] on the probabilistic cellular automata (CA) model to reproduce the spread of COVID-19 in several countries by modifying its earlier used neighborhood criteria. This modification gives us the liberty to adopt the effect of different restrictions like lockdown and social distancing in our model. We have done some theoretical analysis for initial infection and simulations to gain insights into our model. We have also studied the data from eight countries for COVID-19 in a window of 876 days and compared it with our model. We have developed a proper framework to fit our model on the data for confirmed cases of COVID-19 and have also re-checked the goodness of the fit with the data of the deceased cases for this pandemic. Our model is compared with other well-known CA models and the ODE-based SEIR model. This model fits well with different peaks of COVID-19 data for all the eight countries and can be possibly generalized for a global prediction. Our study shows that the rate of disease spread depends both on infectivity of a disease and social restrictions. Also, it shows an overall decrement in mortality rate with time due to COVID-19 as more and more people get infected as well as vaccinated. Our minimal model with modified neighborhood condition can easily quantify the degree of social restrictions. It is statistically concluded that the overall degree of social restrictions is above the mean when we considered all eight countries. Finally to conclude, this study has given us various important insights about this pandemic which can help in preparing for combating epidemics in future situations.

Evaluation of diethyl 4-(5-bromo-1H-indol-3-yl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate: synthesis, anti-corrosion potential, and biomedical applications

The pursuit of advanced multifunctional compounds has gained significant momentum in recent scientific endeavours. This study is dedicated to elucidating the synthesis, rigorous characterization, and multifaceted applications—encompassing anti-corrosion, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties—of Diethyl 4-(5-bromo-1H-indol-3-yl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate. The 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative was meticulously synthesized through a strategic reaction of ethyl acetoacetate, ammonium acetate, and 5-bromoindole-3-carboxaldehydein the ethanol medium at 60 C. Subsequent spectral validations were conducted using sophisticated techniques, namely FTIR, NMR, and Mass spectrometry, resulting in data that perfectly resonated with the hypothesized chemical structure of the compound. Its anti-corrosive potential was assessed on mild steel subjected to an aggressive acidic environment, employing comprehensive methodologies like gravimetric analysis, Tafel polarization, and EIS. Concurrently, its antimicrobial prowess was ascertained against a spectrum of bacterial and fungal pathogens viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Candida albicansandAspergillusniger, leveraging the disc diffusion method and using Gentamicin as a reference standard.The empirical results illustrated a substantial decrement in corrosion rates with ascending concentrations of the organic compound, achieving an apex of anti-corrosive efficacy at 81.89% for a concentration of 2 × 103 M. Furthermore, the compound outperformed Gentamicin in antimicrobial screenings, manifesting superior efficacy against all tested pathogens. The antioxidant potential, quantified using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay against ascorbic acid as a benchmark, was found to have an IC50 value of 113.964 ± 0.076 µg/ml.This comprehensive investigation accentuates the paramount potential of the synthesized dihydropyridine derivative in diverse domains—from industrial applications as a corrosion inhibitor to therapeutic avenues given its pronounced antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities. The compelling results obtained pave the way for expansive research and development initiatives cantered around this multifaceted compound.Graphical

Deciphering the shadows: an empirical exploration of corruption’s impact on SMEs credit costs in OECD countries

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the intricate relationship between corruption and the credit costs faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in OECD countries, a critical yet underexplored area in financial crime research. The primary aim is to dissect and understand how corruption impacts SMEs’ access to credit, highlighting a significant yet overlooked aspect of financial crime. This research seeks to fill a gap in the literature by providing empirical insights into the economic consequences of corruption, specifically on SMEs financing.Design/methodology/approachThis study used secondary panel data from the World Bank and OECD databases. The data covered the period 2007–2020 for 25 OECD countries. This study used interest rate for SMEs loans as a dependent variable and GDP per capita, inflation and corruption index as independent variables. This study used the panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to examine the relationship between variables.FindingsThe empirical findings derived from Panel ARDL postulate an intriguing dichotomy in the effects of GDP per capita, inflation rate and corruption on interest rates in both the short and long run. It was discerned that an increase in GDP per capita and inflation rate correlates with a decrement in interest rates in the long run, suggesting a potential compromise by central banks between controlling inflation and fostering economic growth.Originality/valueThis paper makes a novel contribution to the field of financial crime by illuminating the often-overlooked economic dimensions of corruption in the context of SMEs financing. It provides a unique perspective on the ripple effects of corrupt practices in credit markets, enriching the academic discourse and informing practical approaches to combating financial crime.

Spatial and temporal variation of cooking-emitted particles in distinct zones using scanning mobility particle sizer and a network of low-cost sensors

Exposure to ambient and household fine-particulate matter is identified as a substantial contributor to premature mortality in India, according to the Global Burden of Disease Studies. This study examines the impacts of typical Indian cooking practices on indoor air quality characteristics by monitoring the evolution of fine and ultrafine particle (UFP) concentration in the dining facility of a residential educational institute in India. The monitoring area was spread across the kitchen (zone 1) and the dining hall (zone 2). A combination of validated low-cost PM sensors (LCS), DustTrak8433, and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) was utilized for real-time data acquisition while using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as the cooking fuel. PM2.5 and UFP concentrations were monitored at 1.3 m and 1.8 m from the floor to assess the vertical variation of pollutants during cooking activities, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and processes such as preheating, reheating, stir-frying, and deep-frying. It was found that the prolonged cooking durations involved in high-heat cooking methods like stir-frying and deep-frying resulted in a rise in coarser UFP (300–550 nm) and PM2.5, causing a higher exposure to PM and UFP concentration. PM2.5 levels are higher at upper heights during typical cooking processes because of temperature-driven convection currents and hygroscopic growth of particles due to high humidity levels. Air exchange rates (AER) considerably varied by using chimneys and were low during the controlled (closed doors) compared to mixed ventilation (opened doors) conditions. The maximum AER was obtained during lunch (4.3–9.9 h−1) compared to breakfast (-7.8–6.8 h−1) and dinner (0.55–7.9 h−1). The decrement rate of PM2.5 inside zone 1 was highest during lunch (126 µgm−3 h−1), coinciding with the highest AER during mixed ventilation. It is recommended that improving ventilation and better design of the kitchen can reduce the exposure of PM and UFP in commercial and rural area kitchens.

Detrimental impacts and QSAR baseline toxicity assessment of Japanese medaka embryos exposed to methylparaben and its halogenated byproducts

Despite the theoretical risk of forming halogenated methylparabens (halo-MePs) during water chlorination in the absence or presence of bromide ions, there remains a lack of in vivo toxicological assessments on vertebrate organisms for halo-MePs. This research addresses these gaps by investigating the lethal (assessed by embryo coagulation) or sub-lethal (assessed by hatching success/heartbeat rate) toxicity and teratogenicity (assessed by deformity rate) of MeP and its mono- and di-halogen derivatives (Cl− or Br−) using Japanese medaka embryos. In assessing selected apical endpoints to discern patterns in physiological or biochemical alterations, heightened toxic impacts were observed for halo-MePs compared to MeP. These include a higher incidence of embryo coagulation (4–36 fold), heartbeat rate decrement (11–36 fold), deformity rate increment (32–223 fold), hatching success decrement (11–59 fold), and an increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) level (1.2–7.4 fold)/Catalase (CAT) activity (1.7–2.8 fold). Experimentally determined LC50 values are correlated and predicted using a Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) based on the speciation-corrected liposome-water distribution ratio (Dlipw, pH 7.5). The QSAR baseline toxicity aligns well with (sub)lethal toxicity and teratogenicity, as evidenced by toxic ratio (TR) analysis showing TR < 10 for MeP exposure in all cases, while significant specific or reactive toxicity was found for halo-MeP exposure, with TR > 10 observed (excepting three values). Our extensive findings contribute novel insights into the intricate interplay of embryonic toxicity during the early-life-stage of Japanese medaka, with a specific focus on highlighting the potential hazards associated with halo-MePs compared to the parent compound MeP.

Eimeria infections of plateau pika altered the patterns of temporal alterations in gut bacterial communities.

Intestinal parasites, such as Eimeria, are common among plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). The gut microbiome is an essential driver of the host response to gastrointestinal parasites. However, the effects of intestinal protozoal parasites on the temporal variations in the gut microbiome and behavioral and physiological activities remain unknown. Our study conducted treatments involving experimental feeding of pika with Eimeria oocysts or anticoccidia under laboratory conditions to focus on the parasite-associated alterations in gut bacterial communities, host behavioral activity, physiology, and host-bacteria relationships. The results showed insignificant differences in bacterial community structures among treatments on the basis of Bray-Curtis distance metrics, whereas the patterns of temporal alterations in the bacterial communities were changed by the treatments. Bacterial alpha diversities did not vary with the treatments, and experimental feeding with Eimeria slowed down the decrement rate of alpha diversity. Furthermore, few bacterial members were significantly changed by the treatments-only the genus Ruminococcus and the species Ruminococcus flavefaciens, which were associated with energy metabolism. Experimental feeding with Eimeria modified the temporal variations in the bacterial members, including a lower loss rate of the relative abundance of the dominant families Muribaculaceae and Ruminococcaceae in the group with Eimeria experimental feeding. Moreover, a shifting energy trade-off was suggested by the parasite-induced increments in thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine) and decrements in exploration behavior in the group with Eimeria feeding. However, we did not detect specific connections between gut bacterial communities and pika behaviors and physiology in terms of energy trade-offs. Further in-depth research is needed to examine the role of Eimeria-modified differences in the gut bacteria of plateau pika.

Kesan Umur Kenderaan Penumpang terhadap Ekonomi Bahan Api untuk Kitaran Pemanduan Bandar

Optimal service life is among the most crucial determinant factors in vehicle life-cycle planning and management. A multi-dimensional operational cost covering asset acquisition, operating, and maintenance until disposal requires a strategic analysis to ensure economic vehicle ownership. The economic service life issue is more prominent for transportation management with a high number of vehicle ownership capacity. Accordingly, twoyear fuel consumption data of a local authority passenger vehicle fleet that is mainly used for urban driving cycles was retrieved. Taking advantage of the actual fuel consumption data, this study explores the effect of vehicle age on fuel economy. Based on the fuel consumption and odometer reading, the average fuel consumption profile reveals a significant decrease following the addition of passenger vehicle age. In particular, vans showed a negative gradient in fuel consumption per year of -0.8 L/year, the highest decrement rate as compared to cars, 0.5 L/year and SUVs, -0.19 L/year. In terms of fuel economy, a comparatively low performance was recorded by cars, which is 9.38 km/L, as compared to SUVs, 27.05 km/L. Nevertheless, the fuel economy degradation for SUVs is 35% higher compared to cars. This result confirms the hypothesis that the longer the vehicle ages, the lower its fuel economy. Interestingly, this study suggests seven years as the start of a decline in the passenger vehicle fuel economy, independent of vehicle type. This research framework could be replicated to a bigger data scale for the economic vehicle service life determination in Malaysia that currently continues to be voluntary. It is vital as part of the basis for the future establishment of the national ELV definition.

Unveiling Myasthenia Gravis: A Comprehensive Analysis of Diagnostic Tools and Clinical Insights

Objective: This research offers a comprehensive analysis of Myasthenia Gravis (MG), uncovering the remarkable accuracy of spinal accessory, ulnar, and facial nerve repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS), along with the precision of single fiber electromyography (SF-EMG) in MG diagnosis. We also embark on an exploration of clinical features and autoantibody test results in generalized MG patients.&#x0D; Methods: In this prospective study, we welcomed 31 individuals definitively diagnosed with generalized MG into our quest. The categorization of patients was conducted in accordance with the criteria set by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA). We examined patients' trapezius, nasalis, and abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscles using RNS. We meticulously recorded the presence of MG autoantibodies, clinical subtypes based on affected muscle groups, and SF-EMG jitter rates.&#x0D; Results: The mean age of the 31 patients of whom 19 (61.3%) were male, was 64 ± 13.9 years. Among them, 20 showed positivity in the Anti-AChR antibody test. In 28 patients, accounting for 90.3% of the study group, single fiber electromyography (EMG) displayed increased jitter. There were 4 (12.9%), 24 (77.4%) and 12 (38.7%) patients featuring a decremental response of exceeding 10% in ADM, trapezius and nasalis muscles, respectivelyOur investigation revealed notable findings, such as the absence of substantial correlations between decremental response rates and age, gender, duration of complaints, antibody test results, thymus abnormalities, affected muscle types, familial history, or increased jitter rates in SF-EMG (p&gt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: As our findings clearly show, we can confidently attest to the remarkable sensitivity of RNS in MG diagnosis when muscle selection is precise. A gem discovered on our study is the high sensitivity of the spinal accessory nerve, a revelation that should guide the course of routine RNS studies, particularly for those facing ocular-onset myasthenia.