Search

The current study aims to introduce a new polymeric composite consisting of epoxy resin as the matrix and gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) as the neutron adsorption ingredient. The shielding performance of the composite was assessed by neutron attenuation experiments with an Am-Be source and polyethylene moderator. The results of these experiments showed an appreciable agreement with the Monte Carlo simulations. Other characteristics of the composite, including mechanical strength, thermal stability, microtexture, and its chemical compositions, were examined using standard tensile test, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, static light scattering analyses, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated that the new composites offer appreciable neutron absorption properties so that samples with 0.5%, 2%, 5%, and 10% Gd2O3 content could reduce the neutron beam intensity by 54%, 63%, 66%, and 70% at a thickness of 4 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the changes in current speeds and the related energies in the Caspian Sea using the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) output during 2018. Identifying and extracting eddies is crucial for determining the energy transfer of water masses, as well as the distribution of temperature and salinity. The results indicate that temperature variations at the western boundary of the central basin during cold months reflect the inflow of cold waters from the northern basin to the western section due to the counterclockwise circulation of the central basin. Moreover, in warm seasons, the decrease in temperature at the eastern boundary compared to the western boundary may be attributed to the phenomenon of upwelling. Furthermore, the changes in eddy kinetic energy (EKE) relative to mean kinetic energy (MKE) are associated to variations in Reynolds stress (RS). During warm seasons, the positive trend in RS, which signifies a change in flow direction, leads to an increase in the difference between EKE and MKE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries are well known for their long cycle life. However, there are many reports of significant capacity degradation in LFP battery packs after only three to five years of operation. This study assesses the second-life potential of commercial LFP batteries retired from electric vehicles (EVs) by evaluating their aging characteristics at the cell and module levels. Four LFP cells and four modules were subjected to aging tests under various conditions. The results indicate that LFP cells exhibit long life cycles with gradual capacity degradation and a minimal internal resistance increase. Module-level analysis reveals significant balance issues impacting capacity recovery. Incremental capacity analysis (ICA) and post-mortem analysis identify the loss of active materials and lithium inventory as key aging mechanisms. This study provides the optimal working conditions of second-life LFP batteries and suggests that, with proper balancing systems, LFP batteries can achieve extended second-life use in stationary energy storage applications, emphasizing the importance of effective balance management for sustainable battery utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) is a broadly applied nitroaromatic compound with multiple applications, and its simple production has resulted in its extensive utilization in producing explosives, dyes, and rubber. This substance is hazardous and induces genetic mutations in humans, fish, and microorganisms. Thus, this research was done to assess the effectiveness of the three-dimensional electro-Fenton (3D/EF) process employing magnetic activated carbon particle electrodes (GAC/Fe3O4) in eliminating 2,4-dinitrotoluene from water-based solutions. In this experimental investigation, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were created using the chemical co-precipitation technique. The G/β-PbO2 anode was fabricated by electrochemically depositing PbO2 layers on graphite sheets. G/β-PbO2 and stainless steel were utilized as the anode and cathode, respectively. The structure, particle size, and properties of the GAC/Fe3O4 nanocomposite were analyzed using FESEM, XRD, and EDX. The morphology of the G/β-PbO2 electrode was also examined using SEM. The Taguchi experimental design method was employed to identify the optimal conditions. The outcomes demonstrated that higher reaction time and current density, as well as lower pH and pollutant concentration, resulted in improved 3D/EF efficiency. Accordingly, the optimum values of parmeters were identified to be a concentration of 2,4-DNT = 50 mg/L, pH = 3, electrolysis time = 100 min, and current density = 8 mA/cm2. With these parameters, the degradation efficiency of 2,4-DNT through the examined system was 98.42 %, alongside removal efficiencies of 84.69 % for COD and 79.67 % for TOC. Additionally, the results indicated an increase in the average oxidation state (AOS) (from 1.27 to 1.95) and carbon oxidation state (COS) (from 1.27 to 2.75) in the 3D/EF process, along with a decrease in the COD/TOC ratio (from 1.81 to 1.36), indicating the effectiveness of the 3D/EF system in enhancing the biodegradability of 2,4-DNT. Overall, the combined 3D/EF process with a G/β-PbO2 anode has relatively high efficiency in degrading solutions containing DNT and can be considered a viable treatment option for wastewater containing substances such as 2,4-DNT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of review: This review sought to define the emerging roles of urinary tumor DNA (utDNA) for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of bladder cancer. Building from early landmark studies the focus is on recent studies, highlighting how utDNA could aid personalized care. Recent findings: Recent research underscores the potential for utDNA to be the premiere biomarker in bladder cancer due to the constant interface between urine and tumor. Many studies find utDNA to be more informative than other biomarkers in bladder cancer, especially in early stages of disease. Points of emphasis include superior sensitivity over traditional urine cytology, broad genomic and epigenetic insights, and the potential for non-invasive, real-time analysis of tumor biology. Summary: utDNA shows promise for improving all phases of bladder cancer care, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies. Building from current research, future comprehensive clinical trials will validate utDNA's clinical utility, potentially revolutionizing bladder cancer management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: One of the most interesting methods to deliver therapeutic doses of ionizing radiation to tumor sites is radiolabeled compounds. Bombesin peptide binds to gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) with great affinity. Through its appropriate physical characteristics and accessibility as the 188W/188Re generator, 188Re can be effectively used to develop a therapeutic radio complex. In this study, 188Re-HYNIC-BBN was prepared under optimal conditions. Methods: Optimization of the effective parameters on 188Re-HYNIC-BBN radio-labeling yield like ligand concentration, pH, reaction time, and temperature were performed. The final product's radiochemical purity was measured by RTLC and HPLC. The stability of the radio-complex was checked in PBS buffer (4 °C) and human blood serum (37 °C). The partition coefficient of the final radio-complex was studied using standard procedure. Finally, the biodistribution of 188Re-HYNIC-BBN and free 188Re in different organs of the rats were compared in various intervals. Results: The final product was prepared with a specific activity of 7.11 TBq/mmol and radiochemical purity > 95% at the optimized conditions (pH = 4–5, reaction time = 45 min, temp = 95℃). This radio-complex was found to be stable in PBS and blood serum over 24 h. LogPo/w was − 1.78, showing the high hydrophilic nature of the radio-complex. The biodistribution of 188Re-HYNIC-BBN demonstrated the fast clearance of the radio-peptide from the blood circulation. The most portion of the radioactivity was excreted from the body via the urinary tract and the remaining activity was accumulated in GRPR-expressing organs. Conclusion: The special characteristics of the complex introduce 188Re-HYNIC-BBN as a new therapeutic agent for targeting GRPRs, however, more biological data is still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Data acquisition and image reconstruction protocols affect image quality and quantification accuracy in PET imaging. We aimed to standardize and optimize image acquisition, and reconstruction parameter sets using a simultaneous quantitative and qualitative assessment framework for a lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO)-based PET/CT scanner. Methods: The NEMA IEC Body Phantom acquisition was performed in list mode for 10 minutes with four spheres to background ratios (SBRs). Raw PET data were reconstructed using 60 different protocols. Image quality was evaluated for standardization using contrast, CNR, and noise. Recovery coefficient (RC) measurements were performed for different common VOI definitions. Results: No significant differences were observed between RCs for various acquisition durations. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) increased at all SBRs by expanding the acquisition duration from 60 to 600 seconds. PET scan time was reduced to 90 seconds per bed position while preserving image quality. Up to 50% improvement in CNR for the highest sub-iteration with a high level of smoothing was observed. PSF-based reconstruction produced a positive bias of RCmax in high SBRs (8 and 10) using higher sub-iterations (30 to 60) with Gaussian filters less than 6 mm FWHM. Moreover, a Sub-iteration of more than 32 with a 4-6 mm FWHM Gaussian filter provides optimized reconstruction sets. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates it would be feasible for PET image acquisition and reconstruction settings to simultaneously allow optimal lesion detection with high image quality while providing accurate quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a single-phase, transformer-less, seven-level inverter that utilizes eight switches, three capacitors, and two diodes to produce seven voltage levels with triple boosting ability. The availability of the common-ground point eliminates the leakage current in PV applications. The proposed Transformer-Less Triple-Boosting Seven-Level Inverter (TLTB7LI) has the ability to feed different types of loads from non-unity to unity power factors. The voltage balancing of capacitors takes place naturally without the need for auxiliary circuits and complicated control strategies. This paper investigates the appropriateness of the proposed TLTB7LI for grid-connected application. The Peak Current Controller (PCC) is employed to generate the switching pulses and regulate the active/reactive power transfer between the converter and the output, which guarantees the high quality of injected current to the output. Moreover, the operational principles, its control technique, as well as the design procedure of the key components of the proposed inverter have been presented. The superiority of the proposed inverter over existing counterparts has been verified through comparative analysis. The simulation and experimental analysis validated the proper operation of the proposed TLTB7LI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Dairy industry workers face numerous ergonomic risk factors in their workplace, including improper posture, manual material handling, and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Fewstudies have been conducted on the correlation of postural stress, MSDs, and chronic fatigue among workers in the dairy industry. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the level of postural stress, MSDs, and chronic fatigue in a dairy company. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 260 male workers were included in the research based on specific inclusion criteria. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, Chalder Fatigue Scale, and a researcher-made demographic questionnaire were used to collect data. The posture of workers was evaluated using RULA and REBA software, and the evaluation of the manual lifting of loads was assessed using the WISHA lifting calculator. Finally, the collected data were entered into the SPSS software version 26.0 and analyzed. RESULTS: The findings revealed a significant statistical relationship between the level of postural stress and chronic fatigue and a significant positive correlation between MSDs and chronic fatigue. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was observed between MSDs, chronic fatigue, and ergonomics training experience. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study support the notion that high levels of postural stress and MSDs can produce an increase in chronic fatigue among workers, and lack of ergonomics training for workers can increase both MSDs and chronic fatigue. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out intervention measures in the field of ergonomics management in similar industries through the implementation of ergonomic intervention programs with a focus on proactive and preventive measures and the use of participatory ergonomic programs and educational demands assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There are still controversies on the effect of grafting during open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fractures. The aim of this study was to compare the radiological and functional outcomes in patients with or without intraoperative grafting. Methods: In a comparative retrospective study, among 442 operatively-treated calcaneal fractures, 60 patients with unilateral closed sanders type II intraarticular calcaneal fracture who underwent ORIF via lateral extensile approach using locking anatomical plates with at least 1 year follow-up without any postoperative wound complication were enrolled. The patients were separated into 2 groups: with bone allograft and without bone allograft. The functional outcome of the patients was assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale, foot function index (FFI), and short-form (SF-36) health survey. Radiographic variables included Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal width, calcaneal height, and talar declination angle. Also, the differences (delta) of these values in comparison to the uninjured foot were calculated. Results: The mean age was 39.1 ± 12.7 (range, 13–67) years with 54 males, 90.0%. No statistically significant differences were detected in age, gender, affected side, and subtypes of calcaneal fractures between the two groups (p > 0.05). The average follow-up was 25.1 (range, 12–48) months. The differences for all radiographic measurements and also, the delta values between the groups were not statistically significant, except talar declination angle which was more in cases without grafting (p = 0.007). Although the differences between the two groups regarding AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale (p = 0.257), VAS for pain (p = 0.645), and FFI (p = 0.261) were not statistically significant; the group with bone graft experienced less pain (19.7 ± 22.0) than the other group (26.7 ± 22.8). The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.87) according to the SF-36 questionnaire. Conclusions: Incorporating allografts into the void defects during ORIF of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures may not improve functional outcomes and recover postoperative radiological parameters. Therefore, routine use of allograft to fill the defects during ORIF of calcaneus may not be recommended. Of note, that these findings solely relate to the treatment of Sanders type II fractures. Level of evidence III: Comparative retrospective study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study examines the role of different machine learning (ML) algorithms to determine which socio-demographic factors and hand–forearm anthropometric dimensions can be used to accurately predict hand function. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 7119 healthy Iranian participants (3525 males and 3594 females) aged 10–89 years. Seventeen hand–forearm anthropometric dimensions were measured by JEGS digital caliper and a measuring tape. Tip-to-tip, key and three-jaw chuck pinches were measured using a calibrated pinch gauge. Subsequently, 21 features pertinent to socio-demographic factors and hand–forearm anthropometric dimensions were used for classification. Furthermore, 12 well-known classifiers were implemented and evaluated to predict pinches. Results. Among the 21 features considered in this study, hand length, stature, age, thumb length and index finger length were found to be the most relevant and effective components for each of the three pinch predictions. The k-nearest neighbor, adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) and random forest classifiers achieved the highest classification accuracy of 96.75, 86.49 and 84.66% to predict three pinches, respectively. Conclusions. Predicting pinch strength and determining the predictive hand–forearm anthropometric and socio-demographic characteristics using ML may pave the way to designing an enhanced tool handle and reduce common musculoskeletal disorders of the hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the impact of the pre-ionization technique, facilitated by an optimal shunt resistor, on a DPF device operating with deuterium gas. The investigation unveils enhancements in critical parameters within the plasma column environment during the pinch phase, specifically the total and plasmoid hard x-ray yields. Employing a combination of time-resolved detectors, such as plastic scintillator and magnetic probe arrays, alongside time-integrated detectors like pinhole camera, and just by using this technique, the research illustrated an augmented plasma sheath velocity during the axial phase. Notably and other than the enhancement of hard x-ray yield, the optimal pressure of DPF device experienced an upward shift to higher working points, accompanied by a reduction in deviation from the optimum point (52.7% and 66.6% for total and plasmoid hard x-rays respectively). This, in turn, bolstered the Lawson criterion, impacting both particle density and temperature in the plasma column. A nuanced examination further discerned that, while the pre-ionization technique amplified the intensities of total and plasmoid hard x-rays, it maintained a consistent contribution to the emitted hard x-ray intensity from the device, refraining from establishing clear superiority between these two kinds of hard x-rays, with or without using the shunt resistor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cue-induced craving is central to addictive disorders. Most cue-reactivity functional magnetic resonance imaging studies are analyzed statically and report averaged signals, disregarding the dynamic nature of craving and task fatigue. Accordingly, this study investigates temporal dynamics of the neural response to drug cues as a functional magnetic resonance imaging study among methamphetamine users. Methods: A total of 32 early abstinent methamphetamine users underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while viewing visual methamphetamine cues. A craving > neutral contrast was obtained in regions of interest. To explore the changes over time, the pre-processed signal was divided into three intervals. Contrast estimates were calculated within each interval, and were compared using the analysis of variance followed by the post hoc t-tests. The results were compared with those from a static analysis across all blocks. Results: A priori expected activations in the prefrontal cortex, insula, and striatum not detected by static analysis were discovered by the dynamic analysis. Post hoc tests revealed distinct temporal activation patterns in several regions. Most patterns showed rapid activation (including both ventral/dorsal striata and most regions in the prefrontal, insular, and cingulate cortices), whereas some had delayed activation (the right anterior insula, left middle frontal gyrus, and left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex). Conclusion: This study provided preliminary insights into the temporal dynamicity of cuereactivity, and the potential of a conventional blocked-design task to consider it as a simple dynamic analysis. We highlight regional activations that were only uncovered by dynamic analysis and discuss the interesting and theoretically expected early versus late regional activation patterns. Rapidly activated regions are mostly those involved in the earlier stages of cue reactivity, while regions with later activation participate in cognitive functions relevant later, such as reappraisal, interoception, and executive control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociology of Culture & Art is the property of University of Kurdistan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The aim of this study was to determine morphological variations and normal parameters of the cross-sectional tibiofibular syndesmotic anatomy. Methods: Configurations of syndesmosis, anterior syndesmotic width (ASW), posterior syndesmotic width (PSW), and overlap distance, defined as the overlap of medial fibula with a drawn line from tip of anterior tubercle of incisura fibularis to the posterior tip, were measured on normal computed tomography (CT) scans of 110 cases. Results: Seventy seven male (70%) and 33 female (30%) (left: 50 and right: 60) were assessed. Mean age of the cases was 33 ± 13 (range: 15-80) years. Three different syndesmotic configurations were crescent (55.5%), rectangular (39.1 %), and semicircle (5.4 %). Overall, mean ASW, PSW, and overlap distance were 2.72, 3.98, and 1.02 mm, respectively. Upper limit of normal ASW in crescent, rectangular, and semicircle was 4.80, 4.85, and 3.89 mm, respectively. The maximum of PSW in crescent, rectangular, and semicircle was 6.25, 6.50, and 4.97 mm, respectively. There was not significant difference between syndesmotic configurations based on age (P =.69) and sex (P =.16). Conclusions: During interpreting axial CT scan to diagnose syndesmotic injuries, the normal range of parameters according to the different configurations of the tibiofibular syndesmosis should be carefully considered. Level of Evidence: Level 4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The reliable data on the incidence of hypermobile lateral meniscus (HLM) and its clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches are limited. This systematic study aimed to review available treatment options for HLM and the outcomes of each approach. Methods: A systematic search was performed in four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science) to identify studies in which arthroscopically confirmed cases of HLM were treated surgically or nonsurgically, and the required data comprising study characteristics, patient data, treatment approaches and outcome measures were extracted from eligible studies. Results: Twenty studies with a total of 212 patients (138 males and 74 females) and 219 knees were included. The most frequently reported symptoms were locking sensations, knee pain, giving way and snapping. Treatments used by the studies were: radiofrequency energy in two studies; arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in one study; open surgery in two studies; and arthroscopic meniscal repair in 17 studies. Eleven studies used an all‐inside repair method and an inside‐out meniscal repair was reported in eight studies. Three studies reported the usage of posterior arthroscopy for therapeutic or diagnostic approaches. Evaluation of symptom resolution was the main outcome measurement for which almost all of the studies stated relief of symptoms after intervention. Conclusion: Despite the lack of definite consensus about the most appropriate intervention for HLM, therapeutic preference was directed towards arthroscopic all‐inside and inside‐out repair techniques. Although the surgeon's decision remains the key factor in choosing the most suitable treatment option for each individual, posterior arthroscopic meniscal repair may be considered as a better option for HLM treatment according to the findings of this review. Level of Evidence: Level IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microporous titanosilicate ETS-4 zeotype membrane, with its 4 Å pore openings, is an adequate material for the kinetic separation of nitrogen from methane. Obtaining high N2/CH4 permselectivity, small-sized ETS-4 powder was synthesized by aging method, and then utilized as membrane seeding powder. Highly N2-selective ETS-4 membranes were fabricated utilizing a new recipe and the secondary growth approach on α-alumina supports. XRD, FESEM, and EDX studies were used to analyze the synthesized ETS-4 powder and membranes. The effect of membrane activation temperature (80–140 °C) on permeance of N2 was evaluated. In addition to N2 and CH4, the membrane permeance was also evaluated for O2 and Ar gases. Regarding the ETS-4 membranes, N2 permeance increased gradually as the activation temperature was raised in the 80–140 °C range, reaching its highest value (i.e., 2.6 × 10−8 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1) after activation at 140 °C. The permeances of N2 and CH4 gases were measured at 30, 50, and 70 °C, and a pressure difference up to 600 kPa. N2/CH4 permselectivity of 75.19 (N2 permeance of 1.94 × 10–8 mol m-2 s−1 Pa−1) were obtained at 30 °C and 200 kPa of feed pressure. The results revealed that ETS-4 membranes have great potential for N2 removal from natural gas due to highest N2/CH4 permselectivity among the other membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular characteristics of metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) are not well understood, and there is a lack of knowledge regarding the genomic and transcriptomic differences between primary and metastatic UTUC. To address these gaps, we integrate whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and Imaging Mass Cytometry using lanthanide metal-conjugated antibodies of 44 tumor samples from 28 patients with high-grade primary and metastatic UTUC. We perform a spatially-resolved single-cell analysis of cancer, immune, and stromal cells to understand the evolution of primary to metastatic UTUC. We discover that actionable genomic alterations are frequently discordant between primary and metastatic UTUC tumors in the same patient. In contrast, molecular subtype membership and immune depletion signature are stable across primary and matched metastatic UTUC. Molecular and immune subtypes are consistent between bulk RNA-sequencing and mass cytometry of protein markers from 340,798 single cells. Molecular subtypes at the single-cell level are highly conserved between primary and metastatic UTUC tumors within the same patient.Detailed molecular studies are required to understand the differences between primary and metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Here, the authors use genomics, transcriptomics and imaging mass cytometry to characterise the molecular profiles of primary and metastatic UTUC, and find that molecular subtypes remain highly conserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past two decades, the use of robotic arms in knee arthroplasty has changed from a concept to a reality. These systems promise precision and accuracy while shortening the required learning curve. Although still largely in the early stages, there are currently several commercially available platforms with varying degrees of flexibility. The available models can be classified into several categories based on their mode of operation (whether the system requires imaging input) and degree of autonomy. The present study aimed to review the existing body of literature and provide an outlook of the current landscape. The strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of such systems in knee arthroplasty are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study examines which of the heart rate variability (HRV) and morphologic variability (MV) metrics may have the highest accuracy in different stress detection during real-world driving. Methods. The cross-sectional study was carried out among 93 intercity mini-bus male drivers aged 22–67 years. The Trillium 5000 Holter Recorder and GARMIN Virb Elite camera were used to determine heart rate and vehicle speed measurements along the path, respectively. We considered the HRV and MV metrics of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals including the mean RR interval (mRR), mean heart rate (mHR), normalized low-frequency spectrum (nLF), normalized high-frequency spectrum (nHF), normalized very low-frequency spectrum (nVLF), difference of normalized low-frequency spectrum and normalized high-frequency spectrum (dLFHF), and sympathovagal balance index (SVI). Results. The analysis showed that the HRV metrics mHR, mRR, nVLF, nLF, nHF, dLFHF and SVI are effective in mental stress detection while driving as compared to rest time. We obtained a high accuracy of stress detection for MV metrics as compared to the traditional HRV analysis, of approximately 92%. Conclusions. Our findings indicate that driver stress could be detected with an accuracy of 92% using MV metrics as an accurate physiological index of the driver's state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, with >40% of the US population affected. Although traditionally managed by lifestyle modification, and less frequently by bariatric therapies, there are significant pharmacological advancements. Aims: To conduct a narrative review of the neurohormonal and physiological understanding of weight gain and obesity, and the development, clinical testing, indications, expected clinical outcomes, and associated risks of current FDA‐approved and upcoming anti‐obesity medications (AOMs). Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review in PubMed for articles on pathophysiology and complications of obesity, including terms 'neurohormonal', 'obesity', 'incretin', and 'weight loss'. Next, we searched for clinical trial data of all FDA‐approved AOMs, including both the generic and trade names of orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, bupropion/naltrexone, liraglutide, and semaglutide. Additional searches were conducted for tirzepatide and retatrutide ‐ medications expecting regulatory approval. Searches included combinations of terms related to mechanism of action, indications, side effects, risks, and future directions. Results: We reviewed the pathophysiology of obesity, including specific role of incretins and glucagon. Clinical data supporting the use of various FDA‐approved medications for weight loss are presented, including placebo‐controlled or, when available, head‐to‐head trials. Beneficial metabolic effects, including impact on liver disease, adverse effects and risks of medications are discussed, including altered gastrointestinal motility and risk for periprocedural aspiration. Conclusion: AOMs have established efficacy and effectiveness for weight loss even beyond 52 weeks. Further pharmacological options, such as dual and triple incretins, are probable forthcoming additions to clinical practice for combating obesity and its metabolic consequences such as metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the complex nature of safety culture and process industries, several factors influence process safety culture. This paper presents a novel framework that combines the hidden content analysis method with Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Fuzzy logic to achieve a comprehensive set of influential factors and their relationship. The proposed methodology consists of two primary stages. Firstly, combined methods of literature review and Delphi study were used to identifying influential factors of process safety culture. Secondly, the Fuzzy-DEMATEL approach is employed to quantify and determine the relationships between different influential factors. A diverse pool of experts' opinions is leveraged to assess the impact of each factor on others and process safety culture. In the first stage, 18 factors identified as influential factors on process safety. The findings of second stage revealed that eight variables were identified as causes, while ten variables were classified as effects. Also, the Organization management's commitment to safety factor had the greatest influence among all of the factors. As well as, the most significant interaction was associated with the risk assessment and management aspect. The integrated approach not only identified the influential factors, but also elucidates the cause-effect relationships among factors. By prioritizing factors and understanding their interconnections, organizations can implement targeted safety measures to improve process safety culture. Its effectiveness in quantifying qualitative data, identifying influential factors, and establishing cause-effect relationships make it a valuable tool for enhancing safety culture in process industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The occurrence of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international alarm was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 30, 2020. The identified transmission path is due to direct close contact or via respirational droplets. There is uncertainty about other ways, such as transmission of surfaces, air, and other sources. This study follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines to investigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus in environmental surfaces, water, wastewater, and air. Materials and Methods: In this study, we performed a systematic literature search in PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Web of Science (ISI) databases in August 2022. The investigation on electronic databases resulted in a total of 2049 articles. A total of 249 potentially relevant were identified for full-text evaluation. Meanwhile, 30 articles were included in the synthesis. Results: According to four included studies, negative detection of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in water is established. A laboratory study has shown that viable SARS-CoV-2 could be found in aerosols for about 3 h. Also, the virus can be found on dry surfaces, depending on the material of the surface, for 8 to 72 h. Our results showed it is possible to exciting SARS-CoVs in air, environmental surface, and wastewater. Conclusion: These results can help healthy policymakers make suitable assessments of main prevention measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, filamentous algae-based activated carbon was composited with Fe3O4 nanoparticles and applied as a potential adsorbent to remove Basic Blue 41. AAC/Fe3O4 nanocomposite was synthesised by the impregnation method and characterised by several techniques including, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, TGA, XRD, VSM, and BET. The characterisation results confirmed the existence of Fe3O4 in the nanocomposite structure, which had uniformly dispersed over AAC with mesoporous texture. The effects of various operational parameters on removal efficiency were investigated. The maximum AAC/Fe3O4 nanocomposite adsorption capacity (141 mg g−1) and removal rate (96.76%) were determined under optimum conditions (initial concentration of 100 mg L−1, solution pH of 9, nanocomposite dose = 1 g L−1 at 25°C for 90 min). The obtained adsorption data fitted well with the pseudo-second-order Langmuir isotherm model. The reusability assessment of AAC/Fe3O4 nanocomposite (with acidic solution) revealed about 11% decreases in the removal efficiency after five consecutive runs. Finally, bioassay studies using D. Magna confirmed AAC/Fe3O4 nanocomposite could create low toxicity and acceptable quality effluents. These attractive features make it a potential adsorbent for practical application in actual textile wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) pivotal to the success of COVID-19 mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines hold substantial promise for expanding the landscape of mRNA-based therapies. Nevertheless, the risk of mRNA delivery to off-target tissues highlights the necessity for LNPs with enhanced tissue selectivity. The intricate nature of biological systems and inadequate knowledge of lipid structure-activity relationships emphasize the significance of high-throughput methods to produce chemically diverse lipid libraries for mRNA delivery screening. Here, we introduce a streamlined approach for the rapid design and synthesis of combinatorial libraries of biodegradable ionizable lipids. This led to the identification of iso-A11B5C1, an ionizable lipid uniquely apt for muscle-specific mRNA delivery. It manifested high transfection efficiencies in muscle tissues, while significantly diminishing off-targeting in organs like the liver and spleen. Moreover, iso-A11B5C1 also exhibited reduced mRNA transfection potency in lymph nodes and antigen-presenting cells, prompting investigation into the influence of direct immune cell transfection via LNPs on mRNA vaccine effectiveness. In comparison with SM-102, while iso-A11B5C1' s limited immune transfection attenuated its ability to elicit humoral immunity, it remained highly effective in triggering cellular immune responses after intramuscular administration, which is further corroborated by its strong therapeutic performance as cancer vaccine in a melanoma model. Collectively, our study not only enriches the high-throughput toolkit for generating tissue-specific ionizable lipids but also encourages a reassessment of prevailing paradigms in mRNA vaccine design. This study encourages rethinking of mRNA vaccine design principles, suggesting that achieving high immune cell transfection might not be the sole criterion for developing effective mRNA vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite tremendous progress in research on self-assembled nanotechnological building blocks, such as macromolecules1, nanowires2 and two-dimensional materials3, synthetic self-assembly methods that bridge the nanoscopic to macroscopic dimensions remain unscalable and inferior to biological self-assembly. By contrast, planar semiconductor technology has had an immense technological impact, owing to its inherent scalability, yet it seems unable to reach the atomic dimensions enabled by self-assembly. Here, we use surface forces, including Casimir–van der Waals interactions4, to deterministically self-assemble and self-align suspended silicon nanostructures with void features well below the length scales possible with conventional lithography and etching5, despite using only conventional lithography and etching. The method is remarkably robust and the threshold for self-assembly depends monotonically on all the governing parameters across thousands of measured devices. We illustrate the potential of these concepts by fabricating nanostructures that are impossible to make with any other known method: waveguide-coupled high-Q silicon photonic cavities6,7 that confine telecom photons to 2 nm air gaps with an aspect ratio of 100, corresponding to mode volumes more than 100 times below the diffraction limit. Scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements confirm the ability to build devices with sub-nanometre dimensions. Our work constitutes the first steps towards a new generation of fabrication technology that combines the atomic dimensions enabled by self-assembly with the scalability of planar semiconductors.Silicon photonic nanocavities based on surface forces and conventional lithography and etching are developed, demonstrating pioneering technology that integrates atomic dimensions with the scalability of planar semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of the rod-to-rod distance on the mechanical stability of single-rod and double-rod external fixator frames. Methods: Four different constructs, one single-rod and three double-rod constructs with different rod–rod distances, were subjected to the axial, bending, and torsional forces. The stiffness of different configurations was calculated. Results: Single-rod configuration had statistically the lowest stiffness when subjected to the axial, bending, and torsional forces. Maximum stiffness against the axial and anterior–posterior bending forces was achieved when the rod–rod distance was adjusted to 50 mm (halfway between the first rod and the end of the Schanz pins). There was no statistically significant difference in lateral bending stiffness among different double-rod configurations (p value: 0.435). The maximum stiffness against torsional forces was achieved when the rod–rod distance was adjusted to 100 mm (the second rod at the end of the Schanz pins). Conclusion: Double-rod uniplanar external fixator frames are significantly stiffer than the single-rod constructs, and however, the rod–rod distance can significantly affect the construct stiffness. We found that a frame with 50 mm rod–rod distance was the optimum fixator among tested configurations that allowed a balance between axial, bending, and torsional stiffness of the construct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Finite element (FE) study. Objective: Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is a surgical method to correct sagittal plane deformities. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biomechanical effects of lumbar disc degeneration on the instrumentation following PSO and assess the effects of using interbody spacers adjacent to the PSO level in a long instrumented spinal construct. Methods: A spinopelvic model (T10-pelvis) with PSO at the L3 level was used to generate 3 different simplified grades of degenerated lumbar discs (mild (Pfirrmann grade III), moderate (Pfirrmann grade IV), and severe (Pfirrmann grade V)). Instrumentation included eighteen pedicle screws and bilateral primary rods. To investigate the effect of interbody spacers, the model with normal disc height was modified to accommodate 2 interbody spacers adjacent to the PSO level through a lateral approach. For the models, the rods' stress distribution, PSO site force values, and the spine range of motion (ROM) were recorded. Results: The mildly, moderately, and severely degenerated models indicated approximately 10%, 26%, and 40% decrease in flexion/extension motion, respectively. Supplementing the instrumented spinopelvic PSO model using interbody spacers reduced the ROM by 22%, 21%, 4%, and 11% in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, respectively. The FE results illustrated lower von Mises stress on the rods and higher forces at the PSO site at higher degeneration grades and while using the interbody spacers. Conclusions: Larger and less degenerated discs adjacent to the PSO site may warrant consideration for interbody cage instrumentation to decrease the risk of rod fracture and PSO site non-union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is a pivotal inhibitory checkpoint ligand known to induce T-cell exhaustion via interaction with the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor. Beyond this, PD-L1's intrinsic signaling pathways within cancer cells warrant further exploration. This study aims to elucidate the effect of PD-L1 stimulation on the proliferation, survival, and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines. Two human AML cell lines, HL-60 and THP-1 were cultured and treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to induce PD-L1overexpression. Post-treatment PD-L1 expression was confirmed via flow cytometry. Subsequently, cell surface PD-L1 was stimulated using a recombinant PD-1, 24 hours post-PMA treatment. The expression alterations in pivotal genes including BCL2, MKI67, BAX, and CASP3 were monitored using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction 24 and 48 hours post-treatment. Additionally, annexin-V through flow cytometry. Findings reveal that PD-L1 stimulation augments AML cell proliferation and survival by enhancing MKI67 and BCL2 expressions while concurrently inhibiting cell apoptosis due to decreased BAX and CASP3 expression following PD-L1 stimulation. Notably, stimulated cells expressed exhibited reduced annexin-V compared to control cells. This study underscores that PD-L1 stimulation fosters AML cell proliferation and survival while impeding cell apoptosis. The results hold potential implications for targeting PD-L1 in AML treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Internet usage is widely increasing among the new generation, shaping a crucial aspect of people's lives. Social media use can influence body image concerns, social isolation, and social mood. This study aims to assess body image concerns, social isolation, and mood based on the amount of social media use. Methods: This study was conducted using a descriptive and correlational method. The study population included all people aged between 20 and 40 years in Shiraz City, Iran, among which 311 people (191 women and 119 men) were selected by the convenience sampling method. The tools used in this study were the body image concerns inventory (BICI, 2005), the social isolation assessment standard questionnaire (SIASI, 2013), the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS, 1988), and the social media addiction scale (SMAS_AF, 2017). Correlation coefficients (using the SPSS software) and structural equation modeling analysis (using AMOS statistical software) were employed to investigate the variables of the social isolation prediction model. Results: The results of the study showed that mood (ß=0.15, P=0.007) and use of social media (ß=0.19, P=0.0001) can predict social isolation with the mediating role of body image concerns (ß=0.18, P=0.001). The results showed that the mood and use of social media can predict social isolation both directly and with the mediation of body image con. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, mood, and use of social media can predict social isolation with the mediating role of body image concerns. Negative moods can make people sensitive to their body image. People have a distorted perception of their body image and this concern leads to social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are one of the most important ways of releasing microplastics (MPs) into the environment. In this study, the size, number, color, and shape of MPs during the wastewater treatment process were investigated in six WWTPs with different processes, which include WWTPs A and B (activated sludge process, ASP), WWTP C and D (aerated lagoon, AL), WWTP E (sequencing batch reactor process, SBR), and WWTP F (stabilization pond, SP). The MP particles were detected by the polarized light microscopy. In all six WWTPs, the clear color was observed as the dominant color in the effluent. Among the forms of MPs, fibers had the highest removal efficiency in WWTPs A (97.3%), B (99.2%), C (95.5%), and D (94.3%). In both WWTPs E and F, the highest removal rate of MP shapes was related to films (96.1%) and granules (86.1%), respectively. MPs with size 25–125 μm had the highest amount (0.39 to 4.08 MP/L) in the effluent of WWTPs compared to larger sizes. With respect to the type of the wastewater treatment process, the number of MPs during the treatment process decreased from 3.75–25.31 to 0.51–6.28MP/L. Based on the results of this study, ASP with a removal rate of 91.87% had the highest efficiency compared to other processes. However, daily 4.95 × 104 to 1.49 × 108 MP enter the environment via the effluent of these WWTPs. The study recommends reducing the use of MPs and plasticizers in widely used products as much as possible and replacing them with nature-friendly materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of advanced oxidation processes (electrochemical, Fenton, and electro-Fenton) in the removal of oxytetracycline antibiotic from aquatic environments using SS316 and SS316/β-PbO2 anodes. This study was performed experimentally on a laboratory scale in a 250-mL reactor. First, experiments were designed for the electrochemical process using a central composite design (CCD), and the optimal conditions for the variables pH (3.53), current density (3.85 mA/cm2), initial concentration of oxytetracycline (20 mg/L), and electrolysis time (42.35 min) were obtained; then, under these conditions, the efficiency of Fenton process with FeSO4 variable without the presence of electrodes was evaluated, and its optimal value was 0.3 g/L, and then in the presence of optimal values ​of the above four variables, the efficiency of the electro-Fenton process with H2O2 changes was investigated and the optimal value of 0.12 mg/L was obtained for H2O2. The removal efficiencies of oxytetracycline in electrochemical, Fenton, and electro-Fenton processes were 84.7%, 73.4%, and 98.2%, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the SS316/β-PbO2 anode electrode enhanced the oxytetracycline efficiency by electro-Fenton process to 100%. The results of bioassay with microorganisms showed that the reduction of toxicity of the effluent treated by the electro-Fenton process for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was 84.5% and 69%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platinum compounds are the main chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment. 195mPt is a promising theranostic radionuclide for targeted radionuclide therapy. This study presents 195mPt production through neutron activation of natural Platinum target in Tehran Research Reactor. Theoretical production yield of 195mPt was calculated through simultaneous solution of differential equations of decay chains, and also simulation with MCNPX. Theoretical results were compared with experimental values. Moreover, liquid–liquid extraction using ethyl acetate was used for chemical separation. The results showed a good agreement between the experimental and theoretical values. In addition, high separation efficiency (> 99%) was achieved via solvent extraction separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: he occurrence and characteristics of Extended Spectrum- and AmpC-ß-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE and AmpC-PE) in an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were investigated. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 wastewater samples were collected from all sections of WWTP. Enterobacterales were isolated and identified using standard microbiological tests. The antibiotic resistance profile was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Phenotypic screening for ESBL-PE and AmpC-PE isolates was performed by double-disk synergy and boronic acid disk potentiation tests, respectively. The isolates were examined for AmpC- and ESBL-encoding genes by PCR and sequencing methods. Results: Among 146 Enterobacterales isolates, 8.9% (n=13) [ESBL-only; 5.48% (n=8) and ESBL + AmpC; 3.42% (n=5)] were ESBL-producers and 15.75% (n=23) [AmpC-only; 12.33% (n=18) and ESBL + AmpC; 3.42% (n=5)] AmpC-producers. Hafnia spp. with 33.33% (n=1/3) and E. coli with 20.58% (n=7/34) [ESBL-only; 17.64% (n=6/34) and ESBL + AmpC; 2.94% (n=1/34)] were the most common ESBL-producing bacteria. Enterobacter spp. with 37.50% (n=6/16) of isolates were the most common AmpC-producing organisms. ESBL- and/or AmpC-producing isolates were identified in all parts of the WWTP including 80% (n=8/10) of samples taken from effluent. Among ESBL-producing isolates, blaCTX-M TEM, and blaSHV ESBL-encoding genes were found in 61.5% (n=8), 15.3% (n=2), and 7.7% (n=1) of isolates, respectively. All CTX-Mtype enzymes belonged to the CTX-M-1 group and CTX-M-15 subgroup. blaTEM and blaSHV type genes belonged to blaTEM-20 and blaHSV-12 subtypes, respectively. bla with 73.9% (n=17/23), and blaCIT and bla with 30.4% (n=7/23) each, were the most common AmpC-encoding genes among AmpC-producing isolates. Overall, 75% of ESBL-producing and 55.5% of AmpC-producing isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance phenotypes. The organisms were most resistant against ampicillin (82.2%) nalidixic acid (43.8%) and cephalexin (41.1%). Conclusion: ESBL- and AmpC-producing Enterobacterales spp. with diverse genetic resistance backgrounds in WWTP effluent poses a significant risk to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diazinon (DZ), an organophosphorus pesticide, has a large consumption for agricultural activities, which its discharge into groundwater and surface is associated with serious concerns for the animal and plants. Thus, the degradation of the mentioned pesticide from an aqueous environment was examined in the electro-Fenton (EF) and sono-electro-Fenton process (SEF) process using SS316/β-PbO2 anode. To characterize the synthesized anode, the analyses, e.g., XRD, SEM, and EDX, were used. The central composite design (CCD) was the method used to assess the effect of selected parameters (DZ concentration = 25–75 mg/L, voltage = 5–15 V, pH = 3–9, and electrolysis time = 20–80 min) and their interactions on the DZ degradation in the evaluated system. Detecting the intermediates of DZ degradation was carried out by LC–MS analysis, and its degradation pathways were proposed. To conduct the toxicity tests for inlet and outlet, the growth inhibition percentage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was estimated. SEF process could represent the DZ degradation, COD, and TOC removal efficiencies of 92.2%, 73.2%, and 67.4%, respectively. According to kinetic studies, the pseudo-first-order kinetic (R2 > 0.99) was detected to be an adequate model for the enlightenment of data of the degradation of DZ by the evaluated system. Finally, DZ is converted into carbon dioxide (CO2(and water (H2O). The results of this study showed that the degradation and mineralization of DZ using the SEF process were successfully carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]