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The very low frequency (VLF) communication system is characterized by a limited transmit bandwidth. Due to the low operating frequency, the dimensions of VLF antennas are significantly smaller than the corresponding wavelength. Therefore, VLF antennas are considered electrically small antennas (ESAs) with high Q values and narrow bandwidth. To achieve broadband VLF communication, synchronous tuning technology is commonly employed. In this study, we focus on analyzing the performance of the switching device in the synchronous tuning system using coupled inductors and IGBT as core components. By considering the equivalent circuit of the controlled source associated with coupled inductors, we propose an adaptive input impedance optimization algorithm based on the variable capacitor (hereinafter referred to as VC-ADIO) to address issues arising from coupling coefficient variations and internal parameters within IGBTs that affect primary loop input impedance. The radiated power of the VLF antenna is improved effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Describe the emotional support animal (ESA) experience of college students detailing the process of obtaining an ESA, as well as the benefits and obstacles. Participants: Nine students who had an ESA at college provided preliminary information while an additional four offered insights into their COVID experience with their ESA. Archived records from the Accessibility Resource Center added detail on the ESA process. Methods: This mixed-method study included qualitative interviews (9 students prior to COVID and 4 during COVID) as well as a quantitative analysis of archived data. Thematic analysis was used to extract themes from the interviews. Archived data were analyzed for frequency of select topics. Results: Four positive themes (presence of animal, empowerment, symptom alleviation, and social catalyst) and three negative themes (housing accommodations, lack of ESA education on campus, and social consequences) were extracted from initial interview responses. Analysis of COVID interviews also revealed positive and negative themes with many similar to the pre-COVID responses but also included unique themes reflective of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Archived data revealed a substantial increase in the number of ESAs on campus, a wide range of species, and an array of complaints such as safety concerns, ESA behavior, ESA cleanliness, and ESA in unauthorized areas. Conclusions: Overall, the college ESA experience appears beneficial, facilitating the adjustment to college for students with mental health concerns. However, there are drawbacks. Knowledge of obstacles and concerns will help ease the ESA process for all constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breakthrough in erythropoietin-stimulating agents in the 1990s improved the prognosis and treatment of complications in chronic kidney disease patients and renal anemia. Discovery of the novel molecular mechanisms for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcription factor under hypoxic conditions has led to the development of oral drugs, HIF-Prolyl Hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs), that constantly activate erythropoietin by inhibiting prolyl hydroxylase. HIF-PHIs have gained rapid approval in Asian countries, including Japan, with six distinct types entering clinical application. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest literature, with a particular focus on the effectiveness and safety of vadadustat. A phase 3, randomized, open-label, clinical trial (PRO2TECT) demonstrated that vadadustat had the prespecified non-inferiority for hematologic efficacy as compared with darbepoetin alfa in non-dialysis-dependent patients not previously treated with ESA. However, vadadustat did not show non-inferiority in major adverse cardiovascular events in the non-US/non-Europe patients. It may partly because of imbalances of the baseline eGFR level in those countries. In dialysis-dependent patients, a phase 3 clinical trial (INNO2VATE) showed vadadustat was non-inferior to darbepoetin alfa in cardiovascular safety and maintenance of hemoglobin levels. Adverse events including cancer, retinopathy, thrombosis, and vascular calcification should be evaluated in future clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dicle University Journal of Engineering / Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Dergisi is the property of Dicle Universitesi 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.)

The presented study is concerned with a new multi-step method to synthesize PtCo/C materials based on composite CoxOy/C that combines the advantages of different liquid-phase synthesis methods. Based on the results of studying the materials at each stage of synthesis with the TG, XRD, TEM, SEI, TXRF, CV and LSV methods, a detailed overview of the sequential changes in catalyst composition and structure at each stage of the synthesis is presented. The PtCo/C catalyst synthesized with the multi-step method is characterized by a uniform distribution of bimetallic nanoparticles of about 3 nm in size over the surface of the support, which result in its high ESA and ORR activity. The activity study for the synthesized PtCo/C catalyst in an MEA showed better current–voltage characteristics and a higher maximum specific power compared with an MEA based on a commercial Pt/C catalyst. Therefore, the results of the presented study demonstrate high prospects for the developed approach to the multi-step synthesis of PtM/C catalysts, which may enhance the characteristics of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumonia is a chest disease that occurs as a result of inflammation of the lung tissue. Although pneumonia can occur at any age, it is quite dangerous in people under the age of two and over the age of sixty-five. According to World Health Organization data, approximately 7% of all deaths in the world are due to pneumonia. Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease is an important factor in reducing mortality rates due to the disease. In the study, an effective convolutional neural network (ESA) model was proposed for pneumonia detection from three-dimensional (3D) chest x-ray images. The proposed model is designed using transfer learning approach with pre-trained ResNet. The performance of the model has now been increased by skipping block connections and some layers in the deep learning architecture. An open access dataset consisting of 5617 X-Ray images, labeled pneumonia and normal, was used in the analysis. The performance of the proposed method is compared with three different models. The first model is a simple ESA model. The second model is an ESA model in which some blocks are removed from the proposed model. The third model represents a widely used pre-trained network known as ResNet-18. According to the analysis, the accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, precision and F-1 score values of the proposed method are 98.42%, respectively; 97.52%; 99.35%; It was obtained as 97.47% and 98.90%. When the results obtained from the analyzes are examined, it is revealed that the proposed method is successful in detecting pneumonia from chest X-ray images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to examine the potential of optical satellite data and spectral indices to assess surface changes induced by permafrost melting. Surface changes related to permafrost melting on Livingston Island, Antarctica, were examined using optical satellite data from Sentinel-2 sensors of the European Space Agency (ESA). The study area coincides with previous field studies by electrical resistivity tomographic profiles made to establish and visualize the presence of permafrost. Utilizing the advantages of remote sensing methods and calculation of optical indices, it was tracked whether and to what extent there was a surface change and melting of the permafrost in the study area. The observation period encompasses the astral summer seasons from 2016 to 2023. The results show that the combination of different optical indices gives a better understanding of changes in the terrain. The combined use of the Normalized Difference Glacier Index (NDGI), Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI), Normalized Difference Snow and Ice Index (NDSII), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Moisture Stress Index (MSI) indicates for a pronounced trend of melting of the active layer of the permafrost periglacial area of research in March 2016 and 2017, and from January to mid of March 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Al-Mustansiriyah Journal for Pharmaceutical Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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: Erythropoietin (EPO)-deficient anemia occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) are the standard treatment for CKD anemia, but patient responses vary. Hemodialysis patients are often anemic due to hypo erythropoiesis and their chronic inflammatory state. Inadequate dialysis is considered one of the factors that are linked to ESA hypo responsiveness. Dialysis patients may experience many symptoms that lower their quality of life. End stage renal disease (ESRD) symptoms are assessed using Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI). Objective: The current study was designed to measure the association between physical, and emotional symptoms and ESA responsiveness. Also, to determine how dialysis adequacy affects response level. Materials and Methods: The current study included 150 CKD anemic patients in a multicenter dialysis units. patients were examined for the response to Epoetin alfa (Eprex) after 12 weeks in this cross-sectional study. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were collected. The erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) evaluated the effect of erythropoietin dosage on hemoglobin levels. Dialysis adequacy (Kt/V) measured the efficacy of dialysis. The severity of symptoms was evaluated using the 30-question Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI). Results: 150 patients in all were enrolled, with a mean age of 51.6 ± 14.9 for the male patients. There was a significant difference in kt/v among study groups, mainly between hypo response and resistance groups (P-value < 0.01). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the DSI mean (P = 0.4). kt/v was positively correlated with the duration of dialysis and parathyroid hormone (PTH) (R = 0.27, P-value < 0.001), (R = 0.19, P-value = 0.01). additionally, The DSI was strongly connected with the age of the patients (R = 0.18, P-value = 0.02). Conclusion: One of the main causes of Eprex resistance in this study was insufficient dialysis. Patients who received longer hemodialysis sessions exhibited higher hemodialysis sufficiency. However, there was no significant association between DSI and degree of response across research groups, and older hemodialysis patients experienced higher dialysis-related symptoms.

Effective spatial planning plays a pivotal role in defining the progress and growth of a certain region. One aspect of spatial planning by PLANMalaysia involves the incorporation of environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs), which comprises eleven different landscape management. Integrating biological features is crucial when defining ESA Permanent Forest Reserve, as relying solely on physical attributes may not accurately reflect the true sensitivity of the environment. Therefore, there is a need to gather biological information to strengthen existing ESA. A study was conducted in Gunung Tebu Forest Reserve (GTFR) from April to July 2023. Multiple trapping approaches were deployed to assess volant and non-volant small mammal assemblage. In total, 155 individuals comprised of 31 species of small mammals were documented with the highest species abundant recorded by Maxomys rajah (n = 29) and Leopoldamys sabanus (n = 27). The diversity indices were varied throughout five sampling sessions, (Shannon = 1.841 to 2.543), (Simpson = 0.7951 to 0.9056). Comparison on species assemblage between GTFR and forest reserves in Hulu Terengganu showed a moderate similarity level. This finding offers the most recent insight of the small mammals in GTFR and highlights the significance of conserving and preserving (ESA) in permanent forest reserves.

The current study focuses on reactive extrusion of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) based blend films using epoxide styrene–acrylic (ESA) chain extender, pentaerythritol (PEOL) as a nucleating agent and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC). The blown films were subjected to various mechanical, thermal, barrier, and microstructural analyses to determine their suitability for packaging. Test results indicated that the incorporation of 0.5 wt% of chain extender significantly improved the elastic modulus and yield strength of PLA/PHB blend films. Further addition of 1 wt% of PEOL improved the crystallinity as well as mechanical strength in the films. FTIR analysis suggested chain conformations in different crystalline regions of PLA/PHB blend films whereas nucleation density and arrangement in crystal growth have been analysed by POM and SEM micro graphical studies. Additionally, the presence of CNCs within the PLA/PHB blend films showed an improved water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of 90.53 g/m2.day revealing the creation of a tortuous path. Evaluation of optimum glossiness and haze of the films were done and the co-efficient of friction analysis depicted more anti-slip properties of the films. [Display omitted] • Successful preparation of PLA/PHB blend films with varying concentrations using reactive blending and blown film extrusion. • Addition of 0.5 wt% ESA and 1 wt% PEOL to PLA/PHB (75:25) blend revealed optimum mechanical properties. • Synergistic effect of CNCs enhanced the crystallinity of the blend, positively impacting the surface smoothness of the film. • CNCs incorporation led to improved barrier properties due to strong interatomic interaction with the polymer blend, making it suitable for packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-biodegradable polyolefin based plastic mulch residues in agricultural fields after the end of a crop cycle have raised several concerns as an environmental pollutant in recent years. This study explores the potential of Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly (butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT) based compostable films reactively blended with compatibilizers and chain extenders as a promising solution to environmental challenges associated with traditional plastic mulch films. Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and Epoxy-functionalized styrene acrylic copolymer (ESA) have been used as reactive compatibilizers and chain extenders respectively. In-depth analysis of the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of the developed films, revealed that the PLA/PBAT blend films at 75:25 weight ratio in the presence of 5 phr ESO and 0.5 phr ESA exhibit improved performance characteristics for application as mulch films. Furthermore, the films were subjected to 360-h UV exposure to gauge their stability under prolonged exposure, specifically investigating changes in the carbonyl index. Additionally, a rigorous real-time field trial of the mulch films spanning eight months with various crops was carried out to understand their performance in practical agricultural settings. The study also involved the identification of microorganisms responsible for the degradation of the developed mulch films employing 16S rRNA sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]