Normal Rate Research Articles

<i>In vitro</i> culture of cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i> L.): influence of disinfection, antioxidants and carbon source on germination and growth

This study aimed to determine the impact of disinfection protocol, antioxidants, and carbon sources on the germination and growth of cashew plants grown in vitro. Two disinfection techniques, single and double disinfection, were used on cashew seeds. The seeds were then grown on a medium supplemented with antioxidants and carbon source at different concentrations. The results showed that double disinfection resulted in the lowest contamination rates of 5.29% and 9% for calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite, respectively. Germination rates, mean germination times, and viable seedling rates were not affected by the disinfection technique nor type of disinfectant used. However, plants from seeds that underwent double disinfection had the highest growth rates. The presence of antioxidants and the interaction between antioxidants and their concentrations did not have a significant influence on germination rates, normal seedling rates, or mean germination time. On the other hand, these parameters were affected by the carbon source used. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the factors that affect cashew seed germination and growth in.

Mutational analysis of consanguineous families and their targeted therapy against dwarfism

Dwarfism is a medical term used to describe individuals with a height-vertex measurement that falls below two standard deviations (−2SD) or the third percentile for their gender and age. Normal development of growth is a complicated dynamic procedure that depends upon the coordination of different aspects involving diet, genetics, and biological aspects like hormones in equilibrium. Any severe or acute pathologic procedure may disturb the individual’s normal rate of growth. In this research, we examined four (A–D) Pakistani consanguineous families that exhibited syndromic dwarfism, which was inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. The genomic DNA of each family member was extracted by using phenol-chloroform and Kit methods. Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) of affected family members (IV-11, III-5, IV-4 and III-13) from each group was performed at the Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Belgium. After filtering the exome data, the mutations in PPM1F, FGFR3, ERCC2, and PCNT genes were determined by Sanger sequencing of each gene by using specific primers. Afterward, FGFR3 was found to be a suitable drug target among all the mutations to treat achondroplasia also known as disproportionate dwarfism. BioSolveIT softwares were used to discover the lead active inhibitory molecule against FGFR3. This research will not only provide short knowledge to the concerned pediatricians, researchers, and family physicians for the preliminary assessment and management of the disorder but also provide a lead inhibitor for the treatment of disproportionate dwarfism. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Abstract B002: Phase I study of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided NBTXR3 delivery activated by radiotherapy (RT) for locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC or BRPC)

Abstract Patients with LAPC or BRPC often receive radiation therapy (RT) after chemotherapy (chemo) if no metastatic progression has occurred. Historically, CA19-9 normalizes in ~20 to 30% of patients after all therapy. While escalated dose radiotherapy (EDR) has shown promising survival in selected patients, extending use of EDR to all patients is challenging due to RT dose limitations of the bowel. To overcome this limitation, we are investigating NBTXR3, composed of functionalized hafnium oxide nanoparticles administered by a single intratumoral injection, locally amplifying the RT dose. In this phase 1 trial, the primary objective is to determine the NBTXR3 recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Secondary objectives are to measure anti-tumor effects. The study uses a Bayesian optimal interval design (BOIN) and has two parts: dose-finding (NBTXR3 at [level 1] 33% of gross tumor volume [GTV] or [level 2] at 42% of GTV) and cohort expansion at RP2D. In part 1, eligibility criteria included only LAPC patients with no evidence of metastatic disease after 2-6 months of chemo, part 2 allows BRPC. NBTXR3 was administered once prior to RT via an EUS-guided intratumoral injection. All patients received 45 Gy in 15 fractions with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Patients were followed up to 1 year. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were defined as any grade ≥ 3 adverse events definitely or possibly related to NBTXR3 and/or RT. Target tumor response was per RECIST v1.1 criteria. CA19-9 was measured serially. We defined CA19-9 normalization as a value of 37 U/ml after finishing NBTXR3/RT. We compared rates of CA19-9 normalization in this phase 1 trial to a historical cohort of patients who received modern chemo/RT without NBTXR3. As of July 12, 2023, 15 LAPC patients have been treated with NBTXR3/RT. The median age was 63 years [range 43-81], 8 males, 7 females. The first patient (level 1) and subsequent 14 patients (level 2) had no injection complications. Level 2 had 1 non-serious DLT related to RT. At 4 weeks post RT, 13 had stable disease (SD) locally (2 had progressive disease [PD] overall), 1 had PD locally, and 1 had radiographic complete response (CR). At 3 months post RT, 11 had SD locally (1 PD overall), 1 PD locally, and 1 had surgery with negative margins and no residual viable tumor. 9 patients had elevated CA19-9 before NBTXR3/RT, 7 of these 9 (78%) had a decrease in CA19-9 subsequently, and 2 of these 9 (22%) had CA19-9 normalization eventually. 12 patients had elevated CA19-9 at diagnosis, and 5 out of 12 patients (42%) had normalization of CA19-9 after all therapy. We reviewed 455 patients with LAPC/BRPC between 2015-2019 who were treated at our institution as a comparison cohort for CA19-9 normalization rates. Out of 307 patients with elevated CA19-9 at diagnosis and normal bilirubin, 95 normalized (31%) and 212 did not normalize (69%) within 6 months of receiving cytotoxic therapy. The RP2D of NBTXR3 is 42% of GTV. The responses and CA19-9 results in comparison to historical data suggest promising anti-tumor efficacy of NBTXR3/RT. Citation Format: Gabriela Fuentes, Maria J. Rodriguez, Matthew H.G. Katz, Naruhiko Ikoma, Ching-Wei D. Tzeng, Michael Overman, Shubham Pant, Michael S. Lee, Robert A. Wolff, Milind Javle, Cullen M. Taniguchi, Emma B. Holliday, Ethan B. Ludmir, Prajnan Das, Albert C. Koong, Omar I. Vivar, Suyu Liu, Eric P. Tamm, Leonard A. Farber, Manoop S. Bhutani, Eugene J. Koay. Phase I study of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided NBTXR3 delivery activated by radiotherapy (RT) for locally advanced or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC or BRPC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Pancreatic Cancer; 2023 Sep 27-30; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B002.

The Interplay of Proteinuria and Cachexia from the Perspective of Persian Medicine (PM)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impacts approximately 15-20% of adults globally and is identified as an independent risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and poses a threatening condition as it is becoming a major public health concern in connection with metabolic syndrome (1). Due to the connection it has with several metabolic disorders, proteinuria - the detection of proteins excreted in the urine - is gaining prevalence with the increase of chronic diseases such as CKD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, brain strokes, preeclampsia, cancer, and obesity. Normal urinary protein excretion is less than 150 mg/24 hours and consists mostly of secreted proteins. The normal mean albumin excretion rate (AER) is 5-10 mg/day, with an AER of more than 30 mg/day considered abnormal. Poor kidney and cardiovascular outcomes are caused by structural damage to the glomerular filtration barrier. Proteinuria often manifests clinically in the forms of cachexia, foamy urine, and edema (2). The term Cachexia (kak-ex-ee-a) comes from the Greek words “Kakos” (meaning bad) and “Hexis” (meaning condition). Characterized by a hypercatabolic state that alters the body’s utilization of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the context of a chronic inflammatory response, cachexia is defined as the accelerated loss of skeletal muscle and is distinct from ordinary weight loss. What exactly happens in cachexia is still a mystery to scientists due to its complex process that involves several organs and systems in the body. Cachexia manifests in individuals with chronic illnesses, such as cancer, heart failure, cirrhosis, and hepatic or renal failure. Foamy urine is an indicator of protein in the urine (2). Food, when digested by the liver, is converted into secondary metabolites, a collection of substances that are called Humor in PM. The process of food digestion is divided into four stages: gastric, hepatic, vascular, and tissue metabolism. Disturbance in any of these four stages can lead to the production of bad humors and eventually cause diseases, such as su-ol-qonyeh which corresponds to cachexia in terms of clinical symptoms and refers to widespread tissue damage throughout the body caused by chronic diseases, such as heart failure and chronic liver and kidney disease. Su-ol-qonyeh, when advanced, develops into a disease called Estesqua - equivalent to Ascites - which is categorized into different types. As stated in PM resources, these diseases share similar symptoms with proteinuria, such as foam in the urine and edema in various degrees appearing in different organs. In the past, a method of diagnosis used by PM physicians was to examine the patient’s urine in a glass container made in the shape of a human bladder, called a Qarooreh . Foamy urine was seen in the same way in some diseases. By comparing these two points of view, it can be concluded that chronic diseases caused by underlying factors trigger the release of pathogenic mediators and tissue damage. PM states that these predisposing factors are divided into two categories: cold and hot. Treatment and drug selection are based on this division, and the treatment protocols differ for each patient (3). Taking PM into consideration when treating patients, especially those with proteinuria accompanied by weight loss, edema, or ascites, not only helps the process but also provides a basis for further research and improvement in the prevention and control of these diseases.

P-76 Down Syndrome and Thyroid hormone levels - how low can you go?

Abstract Introduction Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal condition among live-born infants. It is associated with intellectual disability as well as medical issues ranging from congenital heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, celiac disease, to endocrinopathies, namely thyroid disorders. The spectrum of thyroid dysfunction in patients with DS include congenital hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, acquired hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. Identifying medical comorbidities in these patients can be crucial to optimize their quality of life. Clinical Case This is the case of a male patient, 30 years old, caucasian, institutionalized, with DS and known medical history of esophageal dilation, macroglossia, valvular heart disease with mild aortic insufficiency and left ventricular moderated hypertrophy, macrocytic anemia, and pulmonary embolism 10 months earlier. Due to pallor, somnolence, fatigue, thin and fragile hair, and bradycardia, blood tests were requested and revealed an elevated TSH (385.20 mUI/L, N 0.27-4.20) with undetectable free T4 levels (<0.5 pmol/L, N 12.0-22.0), macrocytic anemia (Hb 11.4 g/dL; MCV 102 fL), renal dysfunction (creatinine 1.73 mg/dL) and hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol 310 mg/dL; LDL 236 mg/dL). The chest X-ray revealed an heart silhouette enlargement and the echocardiogram showed left ventricular hypertrophy with preserved ejection fraction, diastolic dysfunction, and mild pericardial effusion. The thyroid ultrasound revealed a globally reduced gland, with diffuse hyperechogenicity and heterogeneity, suggesting thyroiditis. The patient was referred to the emergency department and the additional study revealed the presence of anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies and a severe CK elevation (9280 UI/L, N 46-171). The patient, although lethargic, presented with normal blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature during the hospital admission. Searching our national health system database, it was found the patient already had TSH elevation with undetectable free T4 levels at least 12 years before, in another hospital, but had lost follow-up there after the blood tests, and therefore remaining undiagnosed and untreated. Oral levothyroxine reposition was started, first with 50 micrograms and then 100 micrograms and the patient was discharged after 5 days with follow-up at the Endocrinology department. Two months later, there were already clinical and laboratory changes, with improved level of consciousness and normalized free T4 levels. Conclusion Although hypothyroidism is a common and widely recognized condition, this case emphasizes how challenging the diagnosis can be in a person with DS. Knowing that this syndrome is associated with several organic dysfunctions, namely endocrine disorders with non-specific clinical manifestations, there must be a high level of suspicion in order to screen, diagnose, and treat the comorbidities that may appear.

The correlation between sperm percentage with a small acrosome and unexplained in vitro fertilization failure

PurposeSince the unexplained in vitro fertilization failure occurs frequently, it is of great importance and clinical value to identify potential underlying predictors. This study aimed to explore whether the percentage of sperm with a small acrosome was correlated with unexplained in vitro fertilization failure.MethodsA new acrosomal function evaluation index (the percentage of sperm with a small acrosome) was introduced into the analysis of sperm morphology. The association between the index and acrosome function by acrosin activity detection test and acrosome reaction test was investigated. In addition, the correlation with unexplained in vitro fertilization failure was further explored. Finally, the ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy on the failure of in vitro fertilization and the cutoff value was calculated.ResultsAs the increasing of the percentage of sperm with a small acrosome, the value of acrosin activity, acrosome reaction rate, and in vitro fertilization rate were reduced, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The index in the low fertilization rate group was significantly higher than that in the normal fertilization rate group (P < 0.05). Finally, the results of ROC curve found that when the index was 43.5%, the sensitivity and specificity were 74.2% and 95.3%, respectively.ConclusionThe percentage of sperm with a small acrosome was positively correlated with unexplained in vitro fertilization failure, which could be potentially used as a prognostic index for the failure of in vitro fertilization.Trial registration[Ethics review acceptance No IIT20210339B]

Optimized systolic array filters with noise classification for extracting FECG

To preserve the lives of both mother and foetus during the early phases of childbirth, heart abnormality diagnosis is essential. In remote places where understanding of maternal care is limited, the death rate caused by carelessness or a failure to detect abnormalities is still a problem. The signal will contain various external or internal noise sources to isolate the key components of the foetal heart rate from the mother's belly during labour. The likelihood that the genuine signal would be misinterpreted and result in a false report will increase in the presence of such noise sources. Although there are many software programs available for extracting the QRS features from foetal ECG signals, it is unavoidable that specialized hardware is required for a significant reduction in both area and power. This paper's main goal is to extract the QRS complex using LDA, then improve Social Spider classifier performance using the suggested TAODV as a distance metric calculator, and then compare against existing methods to discover sounds that are distorting the normal heart rate. Systolic array filter with suggested Glitch Avoidance Circuit employing MUX is simulated using Cadence Virtuoso in 65nm technology to remove noise from the observed QRS complex. Over 100 records with the necessary examples from MIT-BIH Arrhythmia were used in the simulations, and it was discovered that MATLAB 2010b was used to adopt a unique technique for classifying noise. The suggested TAODV-based SSA classifier's accuracy is 96.8%, whereas the accuracy of a filter with a glitch avoidance circuit is 96.13%. The primary benefit of these strategies comprises cutting-edge hardware and computational solutions.

The Corrosion Behavior of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Chaya) Leaf Extract on Mild Steel in H2SO4 and Brine (NaCl Solution) Environments

The inhibition efficacies of extracts of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Chaya) leaves in the corrosion of mild steel were investigated in H2SO4, and NaCl media. Weight loss method was employed to determine corrosion rate. The ribbed mild steel rod was cut into forty (40) coupons, each measuring 16 mm (diameter) by 8 mm (length) and their initial weights taken and noted. Twenty (20) beakers containing 0.5M and 1.0M each of H2SO4 and NaCl solution separately with varying volumes of the extracts ranging from 5ml to 20ml were set up with four (4) coupons in each beaker fully immersed using nylon strings. The set up was allowed to stand for an exposure time of 672hrs with a coupon withdrawn from each beaker every 168 hours and processed using standard procedures before being reweighed using digital weighing balance. The weight difference for each coupon was obtained and used for corrosion rate calculation using the formula, CPR= K∆W/ρAt. Other corrosion parameters were also obtained using the relevant formulae: inhibition efficiency, IE%=(〖CR〗_c-〖CR〗_i)/〖CR〗_c ×100 and surface coverage, , θ=(〖CR〗_c-〖CR〗_i)/〖CR〗_c .The results obtained indicated that the normal corrosion rate profile for passivating metals was followed with the weight loss by the coupons being higher in the control media than those ones in the inhibited media. It was also observed that increase in volumes of these extracts from 5ml to 20ml decreased the corrosion rate of mild steel in the media. We found that in both media Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Chaya) exhibited high inhibition efficiencies of 78.14% in H2SO4 and 64.15% in NaCl at extract concentration of 20 ml. Plots of the Langmuir adsorption isotherms suggest uniform surface covering of the adsorbent molecules at equilibrium state of the adsorbate–adsorbent system, with very strong adsorption forces. Based on these findings, the results suggest that Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Chaya) leaves extract is a veritable green inhibitor for both acidic and salt media and can be a suitable alternative to the synthetic inhibitors widely used in the oil and gas industry.

Photoactivation of Chlorine and Its Catalytic Role in the Formation of Sulfate Aerosols.

We present a novel mechanism for the formation of photocatalytic oxidants in deliquescent NaCl particles, which can greatly promote the multiphase photo-oxidation of SO2 to produce sulfate. The photoexcitation of the [Cl--H3O+-O2] complex leads to the generation of Cl and OH radicals, which is the key reason for enhancing aqueous-phase oxidation and accelerating SO2 oxidation. The mass normalization rate of sulfate production from the multiphase photoreaction of SO2 on NaCl droplets could be estimated to be 0.80 × 10-4 μg·h-1 at 72% RH and 1.33 × 10-4 μg·h-1 at 81% RH, which is equivalent to the known O3 liquid-phase oxidation mechanism. Our findings highlight the significance of multiphase photo-oxidation of SO2 on NaCl particles as a non-negligible source of sulfate in coastal areas. Furthermore, this study underscores the importance of Cl- photochemistry in the atmosphere.

Entecavir versus tenofovir for prevention of hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection: study protocol for a randomized, open-label trial

BackgroundEntecavir and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are standard first-line treatments to prevent viral reactivation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individuals chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), but the long-term efficacy of the two drugs remains controversial. Also unclear is whether the drugs are effective at preventing viral reactivation or HCC recurrence after hepatectomy to treat HBV-associated HCC. This trial will compare recurrence-free survival, overall survival, viral indicators and adverse events in the long term between patients with HBV-associated HCC who receive entecavir or TDF after curative resection.MethodsThis study is a randomized, open-label trial. A total of 240 participants will be randomized 1:1 into groups receiving TDF or entecavir monotherapy. The two groups will be compared in terms of recurrence-free and overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery; adverse events; virological response; rate of alanine transaminase normalization; and seroreactivity at 24 and 48 weeks after surgery.DiscussionThis study will compare long-term survival between patients with HBV-associated HCC who receive TDF or entecavir monotherapy. Numerous outcomes related to prognosis will be analyzed and compared in this study.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02650271. Registered on January 7, 2016.

Analysis and Forecast of China's Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate is an important economic indicator that measures the proportion of the unemployed labor force. The natural unemployment rate is the normal unemployment rate based on economic fluctuations. Analyze the unemployment rate to determine its root causes. By forecasting the unemployment rate, people can obtain an estimate of the future conditions of the labor market. Not only can the government make policy adjustments based on this, people can use this prediction to make wise career choices and planning, or to learn the necessary skills. The risk of unemployment is closely related to everyone, especially now during the economic downturn due to the impact of global catastrophic events such as COVID-19. Understanding the unemployment rate is an important part of analyzing the characteristics of the current labor market. If we can make more connections about the labor market and even make rough predictions about future trends, college students will be able to make future career choices that are more suitable for them. This study predicts the unemployment rate in the next nine years based on China's unemployment rate from 2012 to 2022, which will fluctuate within a fixed range. The government can increase spending (such as on education) and use monetary and finance polices to ensure that unemployment does not exceed forecasts.

Sulphur-template method for facile manufacturing porous silicon electrodes with enhanced electrochemical performance

Sulphur (S)-template method based on conventional slurry-casting method has been developed to produce porous silicon (Si) electrodes. The facile fabrication technology is suitable for current production line and expected to be widely applied to various electrode materials under large volume change during operation. Specifically, S particles as template agent are mixed with active material Si, carbon conductor and binder forming uniform slurry. After casting and drying, the electrodes are immersed in carbon disulfide solution to remove S particles rapidly, generating pores in-situ at the original position of S particles. Electrochemical analysis shows that the pores inside electrodes are able to shorten lithium ion diffusion paths, reduce normal expansion rate and decrease formation of cracks in the Si electrode (2 mgSi/cm2), demonstrating a reversible capacity of 951 mAh/g at 0.5 A/g after 100 cycles (with a capacity retention of 99.5%) and a capacity of ∼826 mAh/g at 2 A/g.

Optimization of Low-Tech Protected Structure and Irrigation Regime for Cucumber Production under Hot Arid Regions of India.

Water scarcity and climate variability impede the realization of satisfactory vegetable yields in arid regions. It is imperative to delve into high-productivity and water-use-efficient protected cultivation systems for the sustained supply of vegetables in harsh arid climates. A strenuous effort was made to find suitable protected structures and levels of irrigation for greenhouse cucumber production in hot arid zones of India. In this endeavor, the effects of three low-tech passively ventilated protected structures, i.e., naturally ventilated polyhouse (NVP), insect-proof screenhouse (IPS) and shade screenhouse (SHS), as well as three levels of irrigation (100%, 80% and 60% of evapotranspiration, ET) were assessed for different morpho-physiological, yield and quality traits of the cucumber in a two-year study. Among the low-tech protected structures, NVP was found superior to IPS and SHS for cucumber performance, as evidenced by distinctly higher fruit yields (i.e., 31% and 121%, respectively) arising as a result of higher fruit number/plants and mean fruit weights under NVP. The fruit yield decreased in response to the degree of water shortage in deficit irrigation across all protected structures. However, the interaction effect of the protected structure and irrigation regime reveals that plants grown under moderate deficit (MD, 20% deficit) inside NVP could provide higher yields than those obtained under well-watered (WW, 100% of ET) conditions inside IPS or SHS. Plant growth indices such as vine length, node number/plant, and shoot dry mass were also measured higher under NVP. The greater performance of cucumber under NVP was attributed to a better plant physiological status (i.e., higher photosystem II efficiency, leaf relative water content and lower leaf water potential). The water deficit increased water productivity progressively with its severity; it remained higher in NVP, as reflected by 20% and 94% higher water productivity than those recorded in IPS and SHS, respectively, across different irrigation levels. With the exception of total soluble solids and fruit dry matter content (which were recorded higher), fruit quality parameters were reduced under water deficit conditions. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering suitable low-tech protected structures (i.e., NVP) and irrigation levels (i.e., normal rates for higher yields and moderate deficit (-20%) for satisfactory yields) for cucumber in hot arid regions. The results provide valuable insights for growers as well as researchers aiming to increase vegetable production under harsh climates and the water-limiting conditions of arid regions.

Assessing the Impact of Acute Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Performance

Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of aerobic exercise, such as improved metabolism, strengthened muscle groups, enhanced physical fitness, and potential anti-aging effects. Additionally, research has suggested that aerobic exercise may have a positive impact on mood regulation and the alleviation of negative emotions. This study employs eye tracking as a measurement tool to investigate the influence of acute aerobic exercise on cognitive performance. Participants were randomly assigned to exercise and non-exercise groups. Those in the exercise group engaged in a five-minute session of acute aerobic exercise, followed by a return to normal heart rates. Subsequently, exercise and non-exercise group participants completed reading comprehension tasks, during which an eye tracker tracked their eye movements. According to the eye-tracking results, acute aerobic exercise did not significantly improve participants’ cognitive task performance.Meanwhile, it was found that short time and high-intensity exercise negatively affected attentional shifting during the tasks. Participants in the exercise group exhibited delayed attentional transfer. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the intricate relationship between acute aerobic exercise and cognitive performance. The findings offer recommendations for brief exercise breaks during work or study. Moreover, it is a valuable resource for researchers by offering new insights and methodologies for future investigations.

Numerical study on microscopic behaviour of non-crushable cemented granular media subjected to direct shear test

ABSTRACT Granular media, though discontinuous and heterogeneous, exhibit discrete behaviour at the grain scale and continuum behaviour at the macroscopic level. Understanding the correlation between micro-macro-mechanical parameters is crucial. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) effectively bridges this micro-macro-mechanical gap. This study simulates the Direct Shear Test (DST) using DEM software PFC2D on synthetic cemented granular media (CGM) under varying normal loads and strain rates. It examines micromechanical features and correlates them with macroscopic observations, focusing on confinement pressure and strain-rate dependency. Significant volumetric dilation is observed during shearing at low normal loads, which diminishes at higher normal loads. Particle-scale shear mobilization is explored through shear band formation in the sample. Grain-scale contact force distribution is highly heterogeneous throughout the sample. A probability distribution study is carried out to explore the bond breakage effect on the global response, which confirms the bond breakage to be a pressure and strain-dependent phenomenon.

MARRIAGE: A Randomized Trial of Moxonidine Versus Ramipril or in Combination With Ramipril in Overweight Patients With Hypertension and Impaired Fasting Glucose or Diabetes Mellitus. Impact on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate and Metabolic Parameters.

Moxonidine, an imidazoline I1 receptor agonist, is an effective antihypertensive drug that was shown to improve insulin sensitivity. RAAS-blockers are recommended as first-line therapy in patients with diabetes, alone or in combination with a calcium-channel antagonist or a diuretic. This study compared the effects of moxonidine and ramipril on blood pressure (BP) and glucose metabolism in overweight patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes. Treatment-naïve patients for hypertension and dysglycemia were randomized to 12 weeks of double-blind moxonidine 0.4 mg or ramipril 5 mg once-daily treatment. At 12 weeks, for a further 12 weeks non-responders received combination of mox/ram, while responders continued blinded treatment. Moxonidine and ramipril were equivalent in lowering SiDBP and SiSBP at the end of the first 12 weeks. The responder rate was approximately 50% in both groups, with a mean SiDBP and SiSBP decrease of 10 and 15 mm Hg in the responders, respectively. The normalization rate (SiDBP < 85 mm Hg) was non significantly different between treatments groups. Moxonidine reduced heart rate (HR) (average -3.5 bpm, p = 0.017) during monotherapy, and when added to ramipril. HbA1c decreased significantly at Week 12 in both groups. Neither drug affected glucose or insulin response to the oral glucose tolerance test. In non-responders, moxonidine/ramipril combination further reduced BP without compromising metabolic parameters. Moxonidine 0.4 mg and ramipril 5 mg were equally effective on BP lowering and were well tolerated and mostly metabolically neutral either as monotherapies or in combination. HR was lowered on moxonidine treatment.

Study of soil pollution with heavy elements in the city of Islah

This study was conducted to estimate the concentrations of some heavy elements (cadmium, lead, nickel, zinc and copper) in the soil, in addition to some physical and chemical properties. Samples were collected from five different sites (residential, commercial, agricultural, adjacent to the river and industrial) in Islah City/Thi-Qar Governorate in order to investigate the possibility of contamination in these areas with thesepollutants.The results of laboratory analyzes using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer showed an increase in the concentration of the element lead compared to the other elements, as it reached (54.37) mg /kg at the site (E) close to the brick making plant. While the concentrations of zinc, copper and nickel elements were within the normal rates, the concentration of cadmium exceeded the critical limits, as the highest rate reached (1.06) mg/kg at site (B) within the commercialarea.

A systematic review to investigate whether birth weight affects the autonomic nervous system in adulthood.

To evaluate the relationship between birth weight and the autonomic nervous system in adulthood through a systematic review. This is a systematic review of publications without limitation of year and language. We included studies involving the autonomic nervous system and birth weight in adults. Manuscripts were selected based on electronic searches of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science Cochrane Library and Scopus databases, using "Autonomic Nervous System" OR "Heart Rate" OR "Heart Rate Variability" AND "Birth Weight" as a search strategy. This review is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews - PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020165622). We found 894 articles; 215 were excluded for duplicity. Of the remaining 679 studies, 11 remained. Two were excluded because they did not specifically treat the autonomic nervous system or birth weight. There were nine publications, two cohort and seven cross-sectional studies. The main findings were that extreme, very low, low or high birth weight may have some impact on the autonomic nervous system in adult life. Birth weight outside the normality rate may have a negative influence on the autonomic nervous system, causing autonomic dysfunction and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adult life. Thus, the importance of the follow-up of health professionals from pregnancy to gestation and throughout life, with preventive care being emphasized.

A Comparative Study of Z-Score and Min-Max Normalization for Rainfall Classification in Pekanbaru

Data preprocessing plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance of machine learning algorithms for classification tasks. Among the essential preprocessing stages is data normalization, which aims to standardize data into a comparable range of values. This study focuses on normalizing rainfall data in Pekanbaru from 2019 to 2023. The objective is to compare various data normalization techniques, including Min-Max Normalization and Z-Score Normalization. The comparison of these particular strategies is justified becausethey are widely applied and have different approaches. Min-max normalizationis an easy-to-implement technique that makes the data sensitive to outliers by scaling it to a specific range, often from 0 to 1. However, Z-Score Normalization, sometimes referred to as Standardization, standardizes the data by dividing by the standard deviation and subtracting the mean, maintaining the shape of the distribution and making it resistant to outliers.The findings demonstrate that applying normalization techniques effectively enhances classification performance compared to using unnormalized data. Specifically, the optimal classification performance is achieved through Z-Score Normalization, yielding accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity rates of 74.59%, 82.48%, and 63.92%, respectively

Transient Voice Loss after Spinal Anaesthesia for Lower Limb Surgery: A Case Report

Transient Voice Loss after Spinal Anaesthesia for Lower Limb Surgery: A Case Report