Weight Range Research Articles

A study on molecular taxonomy of South Indian species Selaginella sweared by DNA barcoding using rbcL

In this study, genetic polymorphisms using DNA barcoding has been performed on selected ten species of Selaginella collected form Tamil Nadu and the Hills of Kerala. The main aim of this study was to estimate a phylogenetic and evolutionary relationship between selected species of Selaginella using DNA barcoding. The genomic DNA of selected species of Selaginella was isolated and were examined for DNA polymorphisms. The method described by Sanger has been used to sequence the PCR rbcL products. The phylogenetic analysis was carried out using four methods viz., minimum evolution, neighbor joining, UPGMA and maximum parsimony. For the studied species, the PCR amplification result was good, the molecular weight range from 500 to 600 base pairs and the amplicons were sequenced. The obtained sequences were aligned, annotated and submitted in GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis of studied Selaginella species using minimum evolution, NJ and UPGMA methods showed similar trees whether maximum parsimony tree displayed varied tree. The sequence alignment results illustrated that the sequence of S. involvens, S. intermedia, S. inaequalifolia, S. wightii and S. tenera were distinct from the other studied Selaginella species viz., S. brachystachya, S. repanda, S. radicata, S. bryopteris and S. delicatula. The cladistics tree also explains the relationship between S. delicatula with and without cones. This concludes that rbcL data is most valuable for inferring phylogenetic relationship between closely related species. DNA barcoding using rbcL gene was applied to distinguish the inter-specific variation among the selected Selaginella species.

Revisiting Breast Reduction Insurance Coverage: How the Schnur Scale Discriminates against Women Based on Body Habitus.

The Schnur scale used body surface area (BSA) to determine the amount of breast tissue resection in reduction mammaplasty, resulting in a greater requirement of breast weight removal in patients with larger BSA. The authors aimed to demonstrate BSA variance among women with similar mastectomy weights and the range of mastectomy weights among women with comparable BSAs. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent mastectomy from October of 2021 to June of 2022 was performed. Patients were included if they underwent skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy with a minimum specimen weight of 700 g. Patient's BSA, body mass index (BMI), mastectomy weight, and Schnur weight requirement (SWR) were collected. A total of 130 patients (194 breasts) were included. There was significant variance in mean BSA, BMI, SWR, and SWR-to-mastectomy weight ratio among women with similar mastectomy weights. BSA varied by as much as 0.82 units, BMI varied by as much as 32 kg/m 2 , and SWR varied by as much as 1365 g within the same mastectomy weight group. There was also significant variance in mastectomy weights among women with comparable BSA, especially in BSA groups greater than 2.20, with the greatest range in mastectomy weights being 1684 g. Analysis of mastectomy patients showed no predictable relationship between BSA and breast weight. There was significant variance in the BSA of patients with similar breast weights, and conversely in breast weights of patients with comparable BSA. Therefore, strict adherence to the Schnur weight requirement can prevent patients with macromastia from receiving breast reductions.

Cleaning Up California Culture History: The Malaga Cove Leaf Projectile Point Type

ABSTRACT The Malaga Cove Leaf projectile point was originally defined based on three specimens from CA-LAN-138, the Malaga Cove Site, and nine from other sites in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The point’s time range was somewhat ambiguous, and it showed a wide range of sizes and weights. A larger sample of 151 points, including the original Malaga Cove specimens along with points from two single-component sites in San Luis Obispo County (CA-SLO-9 and CA-SLO-239), one ethnographic village (CA-SLO-51/H), and two multi-component sites (CA-SLO-2 and CA-SLO-585) was evaluated here. Based on measurements (weights and the Hildebrandt-King Index), we show that the Malaga Cove Leaf can be divided into two size-based subtypes: a smaller variant associated with bow and arrow and dating ca. 600–120 cal BP, and a larger subtype used with a different pre-arrow weapon system, dating ca. 1,700–560 cal BP.

Ensuring the quality of 3D printed medicines: Integrating a balance into a pharmaceutical printer for in-line uniformity of mass testing

Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing has great potential to be integrated in a clinical setting, with the use of pre-filled and disposable pharma-ink syringes meeting regulatory good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements. Uniformity of mass testing is a critical quality attribute and is carried out by weighing a specific amount of dosage units in a single batch and finding the average mass to evaluate any deviations. However, this test for small batches of 3D printed medicines may require weighing the entire manufactured batch. To overcome this limitation, an in-line analytical balance was implemented inside a GMP pharmaceutical 3D printer, with a specialised software-controlled weighing system for the automated mass uniformity testing of the entire printed batch. Three different dose batches (n = 28) of hydrocortisone pharma-ink were 3D printed and subjected to in-line mass uniformity testing. The developed software was capable of registering the weights of all individual printlets and accurately detecting any deviations within the accepted limits. Only one printlet was outside the accepted weight range, a result of the first print often being imperfect due to the semi-solid nature of the pharma-ink. The weight results were compared against an external analytical balance, and no significant differences were found. This study is the first to integrate an analytical balance inside a pharmaceutical printer, automating the dosage form mass uniformity testing which can save time, labour, and resources, whilst improving the quality control testing of 3D printed pharmaceuticals.

Comparison of Analgesic Efficacy of Levobupivacaine with or without Dexamethasone in Lower Abdominal Surgeries under Subarachnoid Block: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

Introduction: Subarachnoid Block (SAB) is a commonly used technique for lower abdominal surgery. Dexamethasone has been proven effective as an additive when used with bupivacaine. However, there has been no study comparing the analgesic efficacy of dexamethasone with levobupivacaine under SAB. Aim: To compare the analgesic efficacy of levobupivacaine with or without dexamethasone in patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgeries. Materials and Methods: A pilot randomised doubleblind controlled trial was undertaken in the Department of Anaesthesiology, University College of Medical Sciences Guru Tagh Bahudur (UCMS-GTB) Hospital, New Delhi, India on 60 patients with Americian Soceity of Anaesthesiolgy (ASA) grade I or II, aged 18-65 years, undergoing lower abdominal surgeries under SAB from January 2021 to August 2022. In Group LS, 12.5 mg of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine (2.5 mL) with normal saline (1 mL) was administered, and in Group LD, 12.5 mg of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine (2.5 mL) with 4 mg dexamethasone (1 mL) was given. Patients were assessed for sensory and motor block, haemodynamic parameters, pain score, and side-effects. Unpaired t-tests/Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine significance. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The two groups were comparable in terms of demographic profile. The age in the LS group was 37.80±9.98 years, and in the LD group, it was 38.63±12.37 years. The maleto-female ratio in the LS and LD groups was 17:13 and 21:9, respectively. The weight range in both groups was between 50 to 67 kg. The Basal Metabolic Index (BMI) was 22.40±2.43 kg/ m2 and 21.70±2.21 kg/m2 in the LD and LS groups, respectively. All these parameters, including height, had a p-value of more than 0.005, except for the duration of analgesia. The duration of effective analgesia was also longer in the LD group (247.00±36.69 min) than in the LS group (138.50±22.52 min) with a p-value of <0.001. The time of onset of sensory block was 9.13±2.98 minutes in the LD group and 10.30±3.06 minutes in the LS group, which was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Authors concluded addition of 4 mg (1 mL) of dexamethasone to 2.5 mL of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine provides a clinically longer duration of effective analgesia with early onset and better quality of sensory and motor block than 2.5 mL of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine alone. Therefore, 4 mg of dexamethasone with 2.5 mL of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine is recommended for lower abdominal surgeries under SAB.

Next generation dry strength additives: Leveraging on-site synthesis to develop high performance glyoxalated polyacrylamides

Although glyoxalated polyacrylamides (gPAMs) have been described since the 1950s, the freedom to design new materials based on this chemistry has been limited by practical concerns; namely, a balance between solution concentration and material characteristics must be met to make the economics of gPAM strength additives work for the paper industry. For traditional “delivered” gPAMs, only a very narrow range of polyacrylamide molecular weights and compositions could be considered for glyoxalation. However, the development and successful implementation of automated reactor equipment that allows for the synthesis of gPAMs from glyoxal and polyacrylamide copolymers at the mill, known as “on-site” glyoxalation, obviates the shipping and stability concerns that have traditionally held back gPAM development. As such, on-site generators represent a platform that enables the glyoxalation of materials that would otherwise not have been suitable for use in a traditionally delivered gPAM product. These on-site generators therefore open new avenues for polymer design to allow for the creation of the next generation of strength additives. By leveraging the synthetic freedom of the on-site generators, a suite of high performance gPAMs has been designed, yielding materials that provide both exceptional strength and drainage performance in poor quality furnishes.

Управление электротяговыми нагрузками на основе взаимодействия с системой электроснабжения железных дорог

Currently, the principles of electric rolling stock management do not involve consideration of the instantaneous load of traction substations and the operating mode parameters of other electric traction loads in the inter-substation zone of an electrified section of railways. The inter-train travel intervals on the section are set based on the preliminary software-based calculation of the traction power supply system for trains with a given range of train weight. The article provides the reasonable approach to managing electric traction loads based on their interaction both with each other and the railway power supply system in real time with instantaneous limitations of the energy infrastructure. The results of experimental synchronized measurements with two trains in the substation area of an electrified AC section are presented. Using a mathematical model of the pilot site and measurement data, the coefficients of the influence of electric traction loads on the voltage in arbitrary nodes and on the loading of the feeders of the contact network are calculated.

Comparison of Binary Alcohol/Water Solvent Systems to Blood for Extractions of Blood-Contacting Medical Devices.

The analysis of extractables and leachables and subsequent risk assessment is an important aspect of the determination of biocompatibility for many medical devices. Leachable chemicals have the potential to pose a toxicological risk to patients, and therefore it is required that they be adequately characterized and assessed for potential safety concerns. One important consideration in the assessment of leachables is the choice of a suitable simulating solvent intended to replicate the use condition for the device and its biological environment. This aspect of study design is especially difficult for blood-contacting medical devices due to the complexity of simulating the biological matrix. This publication reports a comparison of the extracting power of different binary solvent mixtures and saline in comparison with whole blood for a bloodline tubing set connected to a hemodialyzer. Ten different known extractables, spanning a range of physicochemical properties and molecular weights, were quantified. The results indicated that for low-molecular-weight analytes, a suitable exaggeration for whole blood can be obtained using a low-concentration ethanol/water mixture (≈20%), and in general, extracted quantity increases with the concentration of alcohol cosolvent. For polyvinylpyrrolidone, the opposite trend was observed, as solubility of the polymer was found to decrease with increasing alcohol concentration, resulting in lower extracted quantities at high alcohol concentrations. Analysis of ethanol/water concentrations in the extract solutions post extraction indicated no change in solvent composition.

The demographic profile, clinical spectrum, and outcome of term neonates requiring continuous positive airway pressure in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Respiratory distress is the major cause of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission of full-term neonates for which they require different levels of mode of ventilation. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the demographic profile, clinical spectrum, and outcome of term neonates, requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in tertiary care teaching hospitals. Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective observational study conducted from December 2020 to November 2022 in the neonatal section of the department of pediatrics. Results: A total of 261 neonates were included in the study. The male-to-female ratio was 1.7:1, the range of birth weight was between 2.1 kg and 3 kg (60.91%), the gestation age was 38 weeks (59.2%), and 73.6% were lower-segment cesarean section born. The age of starting CPAP in most of the newborns was at admission to NICU (in 69.73% of cases). The success rate of CPAP therapy was high (60.9%) and the rest 39.08% of patients did not settle with CPAP and required higher modes of respiratory support such as nasalintermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) (5.89%) and IPPV (94.11%). Conclusion: In the resource-limiting settings, due to the non-availability of higher levels of ventilatory gadgets, the early use of CPAP as a mode of ventilation in full-term babies with transient tachypnea of newborns is well-documented and it can be safely used in other common neonatal conditions which can cause respiratory distress in full-term neonates. The low-middle-income countries are facing challenges to improve comprehensive neonatal care; there is a dire need for simple and cost-effective methods of respiratory support. Bubble CPAP is one such promising ventilatory support intervention, which may reduce the need for costly mechanical ventilators.

Predictive machine learning for optimal energy management in sustainable transportation systems

This study explores the use of predictive machine learning techniques to enhance energy management in sustainable transportation systems, with a specific emphasis on electric vehicles (EVs). The analysis of EV specifications has shown a wide variety of battery capacities, ranging from 55 kWh to 75 kWh. These capacities have a direct impact on the energy storage capacity and the possible driving range of the vehicles. The range of vehicle weights, ranging from 1400 kg to 1700 kg, emphasized the possible effects on energy consumption rates and overall efficiency. The performance capabilities were shown with maximum speeds ranging from 160 km/h to 200 km/h. The energy consumption rates ranged from 0.18 kWh/km to 0.25 kWh/km, suggesting different levels of efficiency. An analysis of energy management data revealed that the lengths traveled varied from 180 km to 220 km, while the average speeds ranged from 50 km/h to 60 km/h. These variations directly affected the rates at which energy was used. The vehicles exhibited higher efficiency metrics by attaining energy consumption rates of 4.0 km/kWh to 5.6 km/kWh. The analysis of ambient variables indicated temperature fluctuations ranging from 20°C to 30°C, as well as a variety of terrain types that impact driving conditions and energy requirements. Predictive machine learning models demonstrated high accuracies, with Mean Absolute Error (MAE) values ranging from 0.13 to 0.18 kWh/km, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values ranging from 0.18 to 0.22 kWh/km, and R-squared (R^2) scores ranging from 0.80 to 0.88. These results emphasize the need of using predictive machine learning to estimate energy consumption, optimize energy management systems, and address sustainable transportation concerns in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of electric vehicles.

Branched copolymer surfactants impart thermoreversible gelation to LAPONITE® gels.

This investigation seeks to integrate LAPONITE® clay gels with thermoresponsive branched copolymer surfactants (BCSs) to develop advanced functional materials with temperature-induced sol-gel behaviour. It is known that a diverse range of molecules adsorb strongly to clays which may be used to control liberation of the species in healthcare applications, and as such the development of polymer/clay hybrid materials which can add function to the native clay behaviour are of great interest. BCS were synthesised with a structure that encompasses poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate (PEGMA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and dodecanethiol (DDT), conferring versatile and tuneable thermoresponsive attributes. Systematic modulation of the monomer : DDT/initiator ratio was used to facilitate the synthesis of BCS architectures spanning a range of molecular weights. Through application of small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) rheology and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) in conjunction with controlled temperature variations, the sol-gel transition dynamics of these nanocomposite materials were elucidated. Complementary insights into the mechanisms underpinning this transition and temperature-induced alterations in the constituents are gleaned through the utilization of SANS techniques employing contrast-matching methodologies to mitigate clay and polymer scattering interference. It is found that heating systems from room- to body- temperature induces self-assembly of BCS in the bulk aqueous phase with concurrent structuration of clay in gel-forming samples with lower number average molecular weight (Mn). SANS study unpicks this phenomenon to find that gelation occurs with concurrent aggregation of BCS in the bulk, inducing clay-clay interactions only in lower Mn BCS systems with large nanoaggregates.

Range of Molecular Weight of Different Effective Components in the Aqueous Extract of Angelica-Radix Hedysari Ultrafiltration Content by HPLC-MS

The molecular weight range of effective components in the aqueous extract of Angelica-Radix Hedysari (1:5) was analyzed, providing a foundation for understanding its chemical composition and pharmacodynamics. Ultrafiltration technology was used to prepare different forms of the extract, including water extract powder, ultrafiltration powder, ultrafiltration saponin component powder, and ultrafiltration polysaccharide component powder. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS) were used to analyze these extracts. Comparison between the components of Angelica-Radix Hedysari using HPLC and HPLC-MS showed that the ultrafiltration products contained fewer components than the original extract powder. However, the content of some components in the ultrafiltration products increased. The components with molecular weight greater than 10 kDa were removed during ultrafiltration, resulting in fewer components in the ultrafiltration products compared to Angelica Hongqi extract powder.

Phase Behavior of Biodegradable Poly(L-lactic acid) in Supercritical Solvents and Cosolvents

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), a biodegradable polymer from plant sources, is widely employed in biomedical applications for its biocompatibility and versatile mechanical properties. However, comprehending its phase behavior in various solvents poses a challenge for broader applications. In this study, the phase behavior of the polymer was investigated in various solvent and cosolvent media and combinations at a wide range of temperatures and pressures to gain insight into the polymer properties. PLLA of varying intrinsic viscosity (IV): [0.15dl/g, with an estimated weight average molecular weight (Mw) range of approximately: 1,600 to 2,400g/mol; 1.0dl/g (Mw): 100,000g/mol); and 1.8dl/g (Mw): 80,000 to 100,000g/mol] was employed for this study. The phase behavior of the polymer across different compositions of PLLA and solvent (CH2F2, CHF3, CO2, DME, F-22) in a wide range of temperatures from 333 to 425K and high pressure 1.55 to 172MPa was investigated. Miscibility of PLLA in DME and F-22 is predicted to be higher with increasing in concentration than the other cosolvents. Furthermore, in the case of the supercritical solvent CHF3 and DME the phase transition pressure curve of PLLA was observed to exhibit a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) type with a positive gradient with increasing temperature. However, lower phase transition pressure was noticed for lower molecular weight PLLA in supercritical solvent CHF3 and DME, i.e., of the order IV 0.15dl/g<IV 1.0dl/g<IV 1.8dl/g. The phase transition pressure of PLLA (IV 1.8dl/g) in solvent CO2 with increasing the concentration of co-solvent (F-22, DME) from 0 to ~97wt% shifted from UCST to LCST type. The LCST curve of PLLA (IV 0.15) in DME intersects with the vapor(V)-liquid(L) curve at T: 353K and P below 5MPa, indicating the coexistence of V+L phases.

Cognitive-motor interference during walking with modified leg mechanics: a dual-task walking study.

The use of mobile exoskeletons as assistive walking devices has the potential to affect the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system due to their weight and restricted range of motion. This may result in physical and cognitive load for the user. Understanding how lower extremity loading affects cognitive-motor interference is crucial for the design of wearable devices, including powered exoskeletons, and the development of effective training interventions. This study aims to examine the effects of modified leg mechanics on cognitive-motor interference in dual-task walking. Gait variability, as an indicator of motor control, was analyzed to investigate its relation to cognitive task difficulty and to determine whether lower extremity loading modifies this relationship. Additionally, the impact on the gait pattern, as represented by the mean values of spatio-temporal gait parameters were investigated. Fifteen healthy young adults walked on a treadmill with and without weight cuffs bilaterally attached to their thighs and shanks while performing a visual-verbal Stroop test (simple task) and a serial subtraction task (difficult task). Dependent variables include mean values and variability (coefficients of variation) of step length, step width, stride time and double support time. Additionally, secondary task performance as correct response rates and perceived workload were assessed. Double support time variability decreased during dual-task walking, but not during walking with modified leg mechanics while performing the difficult secondary task. Walking with modified leg mechanics resulted in increased gait variability compared to normal walking, regardless of cognitive load. During walking with modified leg mechanics, step length, step width, and stride time increased, while double support time decreased. The secondary tasks did not affect the gait pattern. The interplay between an external focus of attention and competition for attentional resources may influence the variability of double support time. The findings suggest that walking with modified leg mechanics could increase cognitive-motor interference for healthy young adults in demanding dual-task situations. Therefore, it is important to analyze the underlying mechanisms of cognitive-motor interference in the context of human-exoskeleton interaction.

Combination of machine learning algorithms with natural language processing may increase the probability of bacteremia detection in the emergency department: A retrospective, big-data analysis of 94,482 patients.

Prompt diagnosis of bacteremia in the emergency department (ED) is of utmost importance. Nevertheless, the average time to first clinical laboratory finding range from 1 to 3 days. Alongside a myriad of scoring systems for occult bacteremia prediction, efforts for applying artificial intelligence (AI) in this realm are still preliminary. In the current study we combined an AI algorithm with a Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithm that would potentially increase the yield extracted from clinical ED data. This study involved adult patients who visited our emergency department and at least one blood culture was taken to rule out bacteremia. Using both tabular and free text data, we built an ensemble model that leverages XGBoost for structured data, and logistic regression (LR) on a word-analysis technique called bag-of-words (BOW) Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF), for textual data. All algorithms were designed in order to predict the risk for bacteremia with ED patients whose blood cultures were sent to the laboratory. The study cohort comprised 94,482 individuals, of whom 52% were males. The prevalence of bacteremia in the entire cohort was 9.7%. The model trained on the tabular data yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 73.7% for XGBoost, while the LR that was trained on the free text achieved an AUC of 71.3%. After checking a range of weights, the best combination was for 55% weight on the XGBoost prediction and 45% weight on the LR prediction. The final model prediction yielded an AUC of 75.6%. Harnessing artificial intelligence to the task of bacteremia surveillance in the ED settings by a combination of both free text and tabular data analysis improved predictive performance compared to using tabular data alone. We recommend that future AI applications based on our findings should be assimilated into the clinical routines of ED physicians.

Protein profiles of follicle fluid of different sizes in cows and buffaloes

In vitro embryo production systems in buffaloes have great productive perspectives and opportunities for improvement. Among these, comparative studies with species with more significant advances in reproductive biotechnology have been developed. Accordingly, this work aimed to identify the differences in the electrophoretic profiles of proteins in the follicular fluid (FF) of cows and buffaloes and their possible association with follicle size. FF was obtained at the central abattoir in Medellín (Antioquia), Colombia, from small (&lt;7 mm) and large (&gt;7 mm) follicles from the ovaries of 25 cows (Bos indicus) and 20 buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The total protein content of the FF was quantified and subsequently depleted of albumin and immunoglobulins. Samples were subjected to denaturing electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels (SDS-PAGE) to determine the electrophoretic profiles using a photodocumenter. The values obtained for the relative amount of each band were compared between species and follicle sizes using the Mann-Whitney test. The results showed no significant differences in total protein concentration between the different follicle sizes and species. Further, 72.6% of the FF proteins are immunoglobulins and albumin. The profiles of small follicles (&lt;7mm) in cows presented 19 bands and 11 in buffaloes. The molecular weight range of the bands detected was between 5 and 250 kDa. Quantitative differences of the proteins in the follicular fluids evaluated were identified. The information obtained may contribute to elucidating the physiological differences between large and small follicles but does not explain the differences between species.

Key Influences on Oral Feeding Achievement in Preterm Infants: Insights From a Tertiary Hospital in Indonesia.

Objective: Effective oral feeding is one of the critical milestones that must be achieved by preterm infants. While gestational age and birth weight have been recognized as influential factors, recent studies have found additional variables impacting the achievement of full oral feeding (FOF). This study is aimed at describing factors associated with the attainment of FOF in preterm infants. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examines preterm infants born between 28 and 34 weeks' gestation admitted to Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Jakarta between July and December 2016. Comparative analysis utilized the Kruskal-Wallis test, while Cox's regression was employed for multivariate analysis to assess factors influencing the achievement of FOF. Results: This study included 87 preterm infants meeting the inclusion criteria. The median gestational age was 33 weeks (IQR: 3). The most common birth weight range was 1500-1999 g (51.7%). Median durations from birth to the first feed, full enteral feed, and FOF were observed to be 1 day (IQR: 1), 6 days (IQR: 10), and 14 days (IQR: 24), respectively. Notably, the duration of oxygen therapy, episodes of sepsis, and frequency of blood transfusions showed significant associations with the time taken to achieve FOF. Conclusion: This study found significant associations between the time to achieve FOF and factors such as oxygen therapy duration, sepsis episodes, and frequency of blood transfusion. These findings highlight the importance of considering these factors in managing preterm infants. However, a further prospective study is warranted to identify additional factors that influence feeding milestones in preterm infants.

Advantages of Curcuma longa in preventing male infertility caused by thioacetamide.

Thioacetamide (TAA) is known to cause damage to various organs, including the testes, posing a significant health threat. On the other hand, Curcuma longa (Cl) has been recognized for its antioxidant properties, suggesting a potential protective role against TAA-induced toxicity in the testes. This study aims to investigate the effect of TAA on testicular function and structure while exploring the therapeutic and protective potential of C. longa versus TAA toxicity. Thirty-two male albino rats, with an age range of 11-12 weeks and a weight range of 180-200 g, were randomly allocated into four distinct groups. The control group received normal saline, while the Cl group ingested Cl orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg daily. The TAA group, received TAA through intraperitoneal injections at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight three times per week. Lastly, the Cl with TAA group received Cl orally 2 hours before the TAA injections. After 8 weeks of treatment, we anesthetized the rats and saved blood samples for biochemical analysis. The study revealed significant alterations in various biochemical parameters in the TAA-treated group, as compared with the control. Specifically, there was a significant increase in bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein, white blood cells, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and platelets levels. Conversely, the Cl-treated group exhibited significant reductions in these parameters, along with notable increases in red blood cells, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hemoglobin. C. longa demonstrates a protective effect on the testes against TAA-induced toxicity, potentially attributed to its antioxidant properties. This suggests a promising avenue for the use of Cl in mitigating the harmful effects of TAA on testicular function and structure.

Convex Optimization Algorithm for Maximizing Directivity of Conformal Array With DRR Constraint

The inconsistency of conformal array elements poses a huge challenge to pattern synthesis. Based on convex optimization theory, this paper proposes a novel directivity pattern synthesis method. It can maximize the directivity of dual‐polarized conformal arrays with a low dynamic range ratio (DRR). Firstly, the directivity function is presented under a dual‐polarized conformal array. Then the pattern synthesis based on maximizing directivity is summarized as a multiconstraint optimization problem. In addition, the DRR constraint is introduced to control the weight range. By using Taylor expansion, the problem is transformed into a convex optimization problem and solved iteratively. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively achieve a good directivity pattern with low sidelobe level (SLL) and low DRR.

The road to virtual control groups and the importance of proper body-weight selection.

Virtual control groups (VCGs) created from historical control data (HCD) can reduce the number of concurrent control group animals needed in regulatory toxicity studies by up to 25%. This study investigates the performance of VCGs on statistical outcomes of body weight development between treatment and control groups in legacy studies. The objective is to reproduce the statistical outcomes of 28-day sub-chronic studies (legacy studies) after replacing the concurrent control group with virtual ones. In rodent toxicity studies initial body weight is used as surrogate for the age of animals. For the assessment of VCG-sampling methods, three different approaches were explored: (i) sam­pling VCGs from the entire HCD, ignoring initial body weight information of the legacy study, (ii) sampling from HCD by matching the legacy study’s initial body weights, and (iii) sampling from HCD with assigned statistical weights derived from legacy study initial body weight information. The ability to reproduce statistical outcomes using virtual controls was determined by the congruence between the legacy study and the HCD weight distribution: regardless of the chosen approach, the ability to reproduce statistical outcomes was high for VCGs when the legacy study’s initial body weight distribution was similar to the HCD’s. When the initial body weight range of the legacy study was at the extreme ends of the HCD’s distribution, the weighted sampling approach was superior. This article demonstrates the importance of proper HCD matching by the legacy study’s initial body weight and discusses conditions to accurately reproduce body weight development.