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In this endeavor, various glass stability criteria have been discussed by using two ternary alloys of SeTePb glassy system. These criteria can be obtained based on the interrelationship between the characteristic temperatures. Differential Thermal Analysis measurements under the non-isothermal conditions can be used for this purpose. Two groups of these criteria according to the onset and peak crystallization temperaturas have been studied as a function of composition. The heating rate and composition dependences of all criteria concluded that the C ZW and C LX criteria are not suitable to discuss the glass stability (GS) for the studied compositions. The extracted data from various GS criteria and their relative change parameters reveal that the criterion C YL of Yuan et al is best and it exhibits the best ability for apprising the GS.

This study explores the activation of calcium bentonite through physical (ultrasonic) and chemical (carboxymethylcellulose and starch) methods. The bonding between bentonite and polymers was analyzed, and X-ray diffraction characterized the effect of ultrasound. Physical method considered water to bentonite ratios, while the chemical method focused on bentonite to polymer ratios following the API method. Results showed that physically activated bentonite met OCMA type specifications, with a density of 1.125g/cm3, suitable for desert drilling fluids. Chemical activation using polymers effectively regulated properties to meet OCMA, API, and high yield grade specifications, making it the preferred method for versatile drilling fluid applications.

The cytokine storm induced by duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) infection significantly contributes to severe, rapid deaths and economic losses in the duck industry in Egypt. This study aimed to investigate the potential inhibitory effect of a nanoemulsion containing turmeric and black pepper oil on the immune response and pathogenesis of DHAV-1 in ducklings. A total of 105 ducklings from nonvaccinated breeders were divided into 5 experimental groups, each comprising 21 birds. The negative control group (G1) remained noninfected with DHAV-1 and nontreated with nanoemulsion, while the positive control group (G2) was infected with DHAV-1 but not treated with nanoemulsion. The other 2 groups (G3, the supplemented group which was noninfected with DHAV-1), and group 4 (the prophylactic group G4) which was infected with DHAV-1, both received nanoemulsion throughout the experiment. Group 5 (G5, therapeutic group), on the other hand, which was infected with DHAV-1 received nanoemulsion only from the onset of clinical signs. At 5 days old, the ducklings in positive control (G2), prophylactic (G4), and therapeutic group (G5) were infected with DHAV-1. All the ducklings in the infected groups exhibited depression, anorexia, and opisthotonos, and their livers displayed various degrees of ecchymotic hemorrhage, liver enlargement, and microscopic pathological lesions. Notably, the positive control group (G2) experienced the most severe and pronounced effects compared to the other infected groups treated with the nanoemulsion. Meanwhile, the viral RNA loads were lower in the liver tissues of the infected ducklings treated with the nanoemulsion (G4, and G5) compared to the positive control group G2. Additionally, the nanoemulsion effectively modulated proinflammatory cytokine expression, antioxidant enzymes, liver enzymes, and lipid profile of treated ducklings. In conclusion, the turmeric and black pepper oil nanoemulsion has the potential to be a therapeutic agent for regulating and modulating the immune response, decreasing DHAV-1-induced cytokine storms, and minimizing mortality and economic losses in the duck business. More research is needed to understand how turmeric and black pepper oil nanoemulsion alleviates DHVA-1-induced cytokine storms and lowers duckling mortality.

Drug-target residence time, the length of time for which a small molecule stays bound to its receptor target, has increasingly become a key property for optimization in drug discovery programs. However, its in silicoprediction has proven difficult. Here we describe a method, using atomistic ensemble-based steered molecular dynamics (SMD), to observe the dissociation of ligands from their target G protein-coupled receptor in a time scale suitable for drug discovery. These dissociation simulations accurately, precisely, and reproducibly identify ligand-residue interactions and quantify the change in ligand energy values for both protein and water. The method has been applied to 17 ligands of the A2Aadenosine receptor, all with published experimental kinetic binding data. The residues that interact with the ligand as it dissociates are known experimentally to have an effect on binding affinities and residence times. There is a good correlation (R2= 0.79) between the computationally calculated change in water-ligand interaction energy and experimentally determined residence time. Our results indicate that ensemble-based SMD is a rapid, novel, and accurate semi-empirical method for the determination of drug-target relative residence time.

AbstractThe mechanism of thaumasite formation is studied in a solution of sodium silicate and ettringite stored for 12 months at 7 °C. After 7 months, the mix was carbonated by bubbling CO2gas and the pH decreased from 11 to 9.5; at the 9th month the pH was raised again to 12.5 by adding lime water. The phases formed at the different pH ranges were identified by means of X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy.The results indicate that a certain reaction occurred in the mix stored for 7 months at pH 11: A shoulder appeared at frequency of 1030 cm−1in the infrared spectrogram of the mix and the band in the frequency region ∼500–400 cm−1broadened; the X-ray patterns show, however, unchanged ettringite patterns with weak calcite phase. The ettringite phase disappears by lowering the pH to 9.5, and an amorphous phase forms instead. Diffraction lines of aragonite and calcite are identified in this sample, and its IR spectra indicate the transformation of the shoulder at 1030 cm−1to a strong broad band at 1027 cm−1and the appearance of infrared frequencies characteristic of the carbonate phases. The amorphous phase formed is a carbonated complex of hydrated silicate and of decomposed ettringite. It converts to thaumasite with the supply of lime and the rise of pH to 12.5.

The mechanism of thaumasite formation is studied in a solution of sodium silicate and ettringite stored for 12months at 7°C. After 7months, the mix was carbonated by bubbling CO2gas and the pH decreased from 11 to 9.5; at the 9th month the pH was raised again to 12.5 by adding lime water. The phases formed at the different pH ranges were identified by means of X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy.

A recently described nuclear grading system predicted survival in patients with epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma. The current study was undertaken to validate the grading system and to identify additional prognostic factors. We analyzed cases of epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma from 17 institutions across the globe from 1998 to 2014. Nuclear grade was computed combining nuclear atypia and mitotic count into a grade of I–III using the published system. Nuclear grade was assessed by one pathologist for three institutions, the remaining were scored independently. The presence or absence of necrosis and predominant growth pattern were also evaluated. Two additional scoring systems were evaluated, one combining nuclear grade and necrosis and the other mitotic count and necrosis. Median overall survival was the primary endpoint. A total of 776 cases were identified including 301 (39%) nuclear grade I tumors, 354 (45%) grade II tumors and 121 (16%) grade III tumors. The overall survival was 16 months, and correlated independently with age (P=0.006), sex (0.015), necrosis (0.030), mitotic count (0.001), nuclear atypia (0.009), nuclear grade (<0.0001), and mitosis and necrosis score (<0.0001). The addition of necrosis to nuclear grade further stratified overall survival, allowing classification of epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma into four distinct prognostic groups: nuclear grade I tumors without necrosis (29 months), nuclear grade I tumors with necrosis and grade II tumors without necrosis (16 months), nuclear grade II tumors with necrosis (10 months) and nuclear grade III tumors (8 months). The mitosis–necrosis score stratified patients by survival, but not as well as the combination of necrosis and nuclear grade. This study confirms that nuclear grade predicts survival in epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma, identifies necrosis as factor that further stratifies overall survival, and validates the grading system across multiple institutions and among both biopsy and resection specimens. An alternative scoring system, the mitosis–necrosis score is also proposed.

A recently described nuclear grading system predicted survival in patients with epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma. The current study was undertaken to validate the grading system and to identify additional prognostic factors. We analyzed cases of epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma from 17 institutions across the globe from 1998 to 2014. Nuclear grade was computed combining nuclear atypia and mitotic count into a grade of I–III using the published system. Nuclear grade was assessed by one pathologist for three institutions, the remaining were scored independently. The presence or absence of necrosis and predominant growth pattern were also evaluated. Two additional scoring systems were evaluated, one combining nuclear grade and necrosis and the other mitotic count and necrosis. Median overall survival was the primary endpoint. A total of 776 cases were identified including 301 (39%) nuclear grade I tumors, 354 (45%) grade II tumors and 121 (16%) grade III tumors. The overall survival was 16 months, and correlated independently with age (P=0.006), sex (0.015), necrosis (0.030), mitotic count (0.001), nuclear atypia (0.009), nuclear grade (<0.0001), and mitosis and necrosis score (<0.0001). The addition of necrosis to nuclear grade further stratified overall survival, allowing classification of epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma into four distinct prognostic groups: nuclear grade I tumors without necrosis (29 months), nuclear grade I tumors with necrosis and grade II tumors without necrosis (16 months), nuclear grade II tumors with necrosis (10 months) and nuclear grade III tumors (8 months). The mitosis–necrosis score stratified patients by survival, but not as well as the combination of necrosis and nuclear grade. This study confirms that nuclear grade predicts survival in epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma, identifies necrosis as factor that further stratifies overall survival, and validates the grading system across multiple institutions and among both biopsy and resection specimens. An alternative scoring system, the mitosis–necrosis score is also proposed.

Introduction The aim of this in vitro study was to assess and compare the effect of different intermediary bases on microleakage between tooth and a nanocomposite interface in Class II box cavities in primary teeth.Methods Standard Class II box cavities were prepared in 52 primary molars and randomly divided into 9 groups according to the intermediary base used (Multicore Flow, Fuji II LC, SDR, Smart Dentin Replacement, and Biodentine). All specimens were subjected to thermocycling and prepared for microleakage testing and evaluation.Results There was significant difference in the mean ranks of microleakage between the 9 groups, which was observed in the gingival side (p<0.0001) and the occlusal side (p<0.0001). The mean ranks microleakage was significantly higher with experimental SDR, experimental Multicore Flow, and positive control materials when compared with the other 6 groups. The microleakage mean ranks were statistically significantly lower in experimental Fuji II LC, experimental Biodentine, and all negative control groups when compared with the other 3 groups.Conclusions Microleakage is affected by the application of intermediate material. Experimental Biodentine and Fuji II LC showed the lowest microleakage while experimental SDR and experimental Multicore Flow showed the highest microleakage.

Nonlinear two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2DIR) is most commonly simulated within the framework of the exciton method. The key parameters for these calculations include the frequency of the oscillators within their molecular environments and coupling constants that describe the strength of coupling between the oscillators. It is shown that these quantities can be obtained directly from harmonic frequency calculations by exploiting a procedure that localizes the normal modes. This approach is demonstrated using the amide I modes of polypeptides. For linear and cyclic diamides and hexapeptide Z-Aib-l-Leu-(Aib)2-Gly-Aib-OtBu, the computed parameters are compared with those from existing schemes, and the resulting 2DIR spectra are consistent with experimental observations. The incorporation of conformational averaging of structures from molecular dynamics simulations is discussed, and a hybrid scheme wherein the Hamiltonian matrix from the quantum chemical local-mode approach is combined with fluctuations from empirical schemes is shown to be consistent with experiment. The work demonstrates that localized vibrational modes can provide a foundation for the calculation of 2DIR spectra that does not rely on extensive parametrization and can be applied to a wide range of systems. For systems that are too large for quantum chemical harmonic frequency calculations, the local-mode approach provides a convenient platform for the development of site frequency and coupling maps.

Les procédés de traitement des eaux usées tels que le lagunage, concentrent la charge microbiologique initialement contenue dans les effluents bruts reçus en station d’épuration. Les œufs d’helminthes parasites, qui en sont éliminés par décantation, constituent un danger et un risque réels liés à l’épandage des boues formées au fond des bassins. Ils sont l’un des principaux agents pathogènes ciblés dans les nouvelles lignes directrices de l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé pour la réutilisation des eaux usées et boues résiduaires en agriculture et aquaculture. Le présent travail évalue le contenu en œufs d’helminthes viables des boues de l’un des bassins anaérobie après 7 années de fonctionnement. La technique suivie pour l’isolement et la numération des œufs d’helminthes est celle de la triple flottation au sulfate de zinc améliorée. Les techniques adoptées pour apprécier la viabilité sont tributaires du genre d’helminthes, pour les œufs de Taenidés, la technique utilisée est celle fondée sur une coloration au Methyl Tetrazolium (MTT) qui est une norme expérimentale AFNOR. Pour les autres genres d’œufs d’helminthes, l’étude de leur viabilité a reposé sur leur aptitude à s’embryonner après incubation à 30 °C pendant une durée déterminée. La charge moyenne recensée est de 40 œufs/1,5 g de matière sèche avec un taux de viabilité de 34,2 %.

The optical properties of As30Se70-xSnxwith (x= 0, 1, 2 and 3 at Sn %) thin films have been investigated. The films used in these studies were thermally evaporated. The structural characterization revealed that the as-deposited films were amorphous in nature. The spectral and optical parameters have been investigated using spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance in the wavelength range (200–1100 nm). The optical constants were determined from the interference maxima and minima using the Swanepole method. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple-Didomenico model. The optical-absorption edge and the optical band gap are calculated from the absorption coefficient values using the non direct transition model proposed by Tauc’s extrapolation procedure. The relation between the optical gap and chemical composition in As-Se-Sn glassy system is discussed in terms of the average heat of atomization Hsand the average coordination number Nc.The optical properties of As30Se70-xSnxwith (x= 0, 1, 2 and 3 at Sn %) thin films have been investigated. The films used in these studies were thermally evaporated. The structural characterization revealed that the as-deposited films were amorphous in nature. The spectral and optical parameters have been investigated using spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance in the wavelength range (200–1100 nm). The optical constants were determined from the interference maxima and minima using the Swanepole method. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple-Didomenico model. The optical-absorption edge and the optical band gap are calculated from the absorption coefficient values using the non direct transition model proposed by Tauc’s extrapolation procedure. The relation between the optical gap and chemical composition in As-Se-Sn glassy system is discussed in terms of the average heat of atomization Hsand the average coordination number Nc.

Abstract High purity glasses with an average coordination number Nc in the GexSb40-xSe60 ternary system between 2.4 and 2.7, were prepared under vacuum with x = 0, 10, 20 and 30. X-ray diffraction (XRD) as, well as the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) studies were carried out to identify the amorphous and polycrystalline structure for the Ge-Sb-Se system. The dependence of properties such as the mean atomic volume Va, the glass transition temperature Tg and the number of topological constraints Ncon were studied as a function of Nc, in the light of recent model proposed for covalent random network. The occurrence of this dependence in addition to those due to topological effects leads to the conclusion that the effects of chemical ordering and the effect, which have topological origin, coexist in this system. To understand the effect of Nc on the glass-forming capability, the number of lone-pair electrons, (Ncs-Nc)/2, and the efficiency of the structural modification ? F were calculated and discussed in relation to topological consideration. This then renders support to Phillips’theoretical model.

A transgenic corn event (MON 863) has been recently developed by Monsanto Company for control of corn rootworms, Diabroticaspp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This transgenic corn event expresses the cry3Bb1gene derived from Bacillus thuringiensis(Berliner), which encodes the insecticidal Cry3Bb1 protein for corn rootworm control. A continuous feeding study was conducted in the laboratory to evaluate the dietary effect of MON 863 pollen expressing the Cry3Bb1 protein on the survival, larval development, and reproductive capacity of the non‐target species, Coleomegilla maculataDeGeer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). First instar C. maculata(less than 24 h old) and newly emerging adults (less than 72 h old) were fed individually on a diet mixture containing 50% of MON 863 pollen, non‐transgenic (control) corn pollen, bee pollen (a component of normal rearing diet), or potassium arsenate‐treated control corn pollen. In the larval tests, 96.7%, 90.0%, and 93.3% of C. maculatalarvae successfully pupated and then emerged as adults when fed on MON 863 pollen, non‐transgenic corn pollen, and bee pollen (normal rearing) diets, respectively. Among the larvae completing their development, there were no significant differences in the developmental time to pupation and adult emergence among the transgenic corn pollen, non‐transgenic corn pollen, and bee pollen diet treatments. All larvae fed on arsenate treated corn pollen diet died as larvae. For tests with adults, 83.3%, 80.0%, and 100% of adult C. maculatasurvived for the 30 days of the test period when reared on diets containing 50% of MON 863 pollen, non‐transgenic corn pollen, and bee pollen respectively. While the adult survival rate on MON 863 pollen diet was significantly less than that on the bee pollen diet, there was no significant difference between the MON 863 and non‐transgenic corn pollen treatments. During the period of adult testing, an average of 77, 80, and 89 eggs per female were laid by females fed on the MON 863 pollen, control corn pollen, and bee pollen, respectively; no significant differences were detected in the number of eggs laid among these treatments. These results demonstrate that when offered at 50% by weight of the dietary component, transgenic corn (MON 863) pollen expressing Cry3Bb1 protein had no measurable negative effect on the survival and development of C. maculatalarvae to pupation and adulthood nor any adverse effect on adult survival and reproductive capacity. Relevance of these findings to ecological impacts of transgenic Bt crops on non‐target beneficial insects is discussed.

Abstract: Necropsy of 340 stray and semi-stray dogs (Canis familiaris) and nine red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Jordan revealed that 239 dogs (70.3%) and all foxes were infected with at least one intestinal helminth species. No trematodes were found in the intestine of these hosts. The overall infection rates with cestodes, nematodes and acanthocephalans in dogs were 66.8%, 4.4% and 2.9%, respectively. The following cestodes were identified: Echinococcus granulosus (9.4%), Taenia pisiformis (11.8%), T. hydatigena (7.4%), T. ovis (4.4%), T. multiceps (3.8%), T. taeniaeformis (2.9%), Dipylidium caninum (19.4%), Joyeuxiella (3.2%), Diplopylidium (2.4%), and Mesocestoides (0.9%). Other intestinal worms in dogs were Toxascaris (2.6%), Toxocara canis (1.2%), and Protospirura (0.6%) nematodes, and gigantorhynchiid acanthocephalans (2.9%). Intestinal helminths found in foxes included cestodes (D. caninum, Joyeuxiella, Diplopylidium, Mesocestoides), nematodes (Protospirura, Uncinaria stenocephala and Oxynema) and an acanthocephalan (Macracanthorhynchus). In both hosts, most helminths were recovered from the second intestinal segment of four equally divided segments.

The accurate determination of the freezing conditions that promote intracellular ice formation (IIF) is crucial for designing cryopreservation protocols for cells. In this paper, the range of temperatures at which IIF occurs in human oocytes was determined. Fresh oocytes with a germinal vesicle, failed-to-fertilize (metaphase I and metaphase II stages) and polyspermic eggs were used for this study. The occurrence of IIF was first visualized at a cooling rate of 120°C/min using a programmable thermal microscope stage connected to a videomicroscope. Then, with a cooling rate of 0.2°C/min, the seeding temperature of the extracellular ice was modified to decrease the incidence of IIF and increase the survival rate of frozen–thawed human oocytes. After adding different cryoprotectants, the median temperature of IIF (TMED) was decreased by ~23°C in mouse and only by ~6.5°C in human oocytes. Using 1.5 M propylene glycol and seeding temperatures of −8.0, −6.0 and −4.5°C, the incidence of IIF was 22/28 (78%), 8/24 (33%) and 0/33 (0%) and the 24 h post-thaw survival rate was 10/31(32%), 19/34 (56%) and 52/56 (93%) respectively. The results show that IIF occurs more readily in human oocytes, and that ice seeding between −6°C and −8°C triggers IIF in a large number of human oocytes. Undesirable IIF can be prevented and survival rates maximized by raising the seeding temperature as close as possible to the melting point of the solution, which in our instrument was −4.5°C.

The optical constants of vanadium thin films of different thicknesses were determined in the spectral range of 2.5 to 8.5 µm. These optical constants were used to evaluate some microcharacteristics of vanadium thin films such as the free charge concentration, the relaxation time, the static conductivity, the electron velocity at the Fermi surface, the mean free path and the specularity parameter.

Thin films of stannous oxide (SnO) have been prepared by the electron-beam evaporation method. Film properties, such as refractive indexn, extinction indexk, and absorption coefficienta, were studied in the wavelength range between 200 nm and 2 000 nm with different methods. The surface roughness of SnO thin films has been found to depend linearly on the film thickness in the range 400

We apply the hit-to-lead ESMACS (enhanced sampling of molecular dynamics with approximation of continuum solvent) and lead-optimization TIES (thermodynamic integration with enhanced sampling) methods to compute the binding free energies of a series of ligands at the A1and A2Aadenosine receptors, members of a subclass of the GPCR (G protein-coupled receptor) superfamily. Our predicted binding free energies, calculated using ESMACS, show a good correlation with previously reported experimental values of the ligands studied. Relative binding free energies, calculated using TIES, accurately predict experimentally determined values within a mean absolute error of approximately 1 kcal mol−1. Our methodology may be applied widely within the GPCR superfamily and to other small molecule–receptor protein systems.

To determine the reproductive outcome of women who received a microsurgical tubal anastomosis operation at age 40 years or older.

It is critical to educate dental students on the essential aspects of oral care for persons with special health care needs (shcn) as they acquire more dental diseases and 80% not receiving routine dental care.