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A particularly significant metric in the initial phase and in industrial applications is the contact angle (CA), which arises from the surfaces’ wetting behavior. One of the commonly employed processes for separation in the mineral processing industry is froth flotation. The principal goal of this work is to describe the behavior of flotation (collision, attachment, and detachment to the air bubble) as it corresponds to the requirement and use of CA in surface wetting behavior, especially in the context of minerals. This review and previous part provide information on the CA measurement method, the wetting characteristics of mineral surfaces, the variables affecting CA measurements, and the associated implications for the flotation process. The preceding part (Part I) included a broad examination, the idea of a static and dynamic CA, and a statement of the sessile drop method. The current part (II) for the initial-time examines multiple methods and approaches that employed both historical and existing flotation research to investigate the literature on the foundation of CA of various minerals as function of the approach used for CA assessment, which provides an in-depth analysis of questions relating to the determination of CA on real surfaces or powder materials including the evaluation of the impact of the surface heterogeneity, particle fraction size and shape, roughness, and the drop/bubble size with coordination the foremost later information on how these factors affect surface wettability. At that point, the data could be combined into a flotation demonstration or used to evaluate the viability of increasing flotation productivity and provide further insight into this procedure. There are a lot of publications on the subject of CA across several sciences, but the quantity is likewise low when looking at the CA of minerals or flotation, and much more so if it comes to review articles. Using the data and information gathered from the CA measurement and its connection to flotation recovery, the primary objective is to ascertain if any of these variables considerably impact the hydrophobicity of the mineral surface. At that point, the information could either be incorporated into a flotation demonstration or utilized to evaluate the feasibility of increasing flotation productivity and provide further insight into the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let k and n be two coprime positive integers. In this paper, we show that any $ n\times n $ n × n k-circulant operator matrix $ A_{k,n} $ A k , n with the first row $ A_{1},\dots,A_{n}\in B(H) $ A 1 , ... , A n ∈ B (H) is unitarily equivalent to a generalized permutation operator matrix, an operator matrix that has at most one nonzero entry in each row and in each column. Among other applications in the subject of invertibility, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, using this unitary equivalence in the particular cases of $ k^{2}\pm 1=n $ k 2 ± 1 = n $ ({\rm mod} n) $ (mod n) , we give the following new formulas for computing the numerical radius of these operators: \[ w(A_{k,n})= \begin{cases} \frac{1}{2}\displaystyle \max_{1\leq i\leq n} \sup_{\theta \in \mathbb{R}} \left\| \begin{bmatrix} {\rm e}^{\mathrm{i}\theta}B_{i+1} & B^{*}_{ki+1}\\ B^{*}_{-ki+1} & {\rm e}^{\mathrm{i}\theta}B_{-i+1} \end{bmatrix} \right\|, & {\rm if} \ k^{2}+1\\ & \quad =n \ ({\rm mod}\,n)\\ \displaystyle\max_{1\leq i \leq n}w \left(\begin{bmatrix} 0 & B_{k(i-1)+1}\\ B_{i} & 0 \end{bmatrix} \right), & {\rm if} \ k^{2}-1\\ & \quad =n \ ({\rm mod}\,n), \end{cases} \] w (A k , n) = { 1 2 max 1 ≤ i ≤ n sup θ ∈ R ‖ [ e i θ B i + 1 B ki + 1 ∗ B − ki + 1 ∗ e i θ B − i + 1 ] ‖ , if k 2 + 1 = n (mod n) max 1 ≤ i ≤ n w ([ 0 B k (i − 1) + 1 B i 0 ]) , if k 2 − 1 = n (mod n) , where $ B_{j}=\sum _{s=1}^{n}\omega ^{(s-1)(j-1)}A_{s} $ B j = ∑ s = 1 n ω (s − 1) (j − 1) A s and $ \omega ={\rm e}^{\frac {2\pi \mathrm {i}}{n}} $ ω = e 2 π i n , the nth root of unity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, environmental applications of copolymers such as CO2 capture and separation have become of significant interest. The development of copolymers with basic functional groups, such as amidoxime (AO) groups, represents a successful approach for enhancing absorption and separation of acidic molecules, such as CO2. In this research, acrylonitrile/N-vinyl imidazole (AN/VIM) copolymers were first synthesized through a free radical copolymerization method using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator and dimethylformamide as the solvent. The synthesized copolymers were then functionalized using hydroxylamine hydrochloride (NH2OH · HCl), the result being amidoximated (AO) copolymers. The synthesized copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The analytical results simply confirmed that the copolymers and their amidoximated derivatives had successfully been synthesized. A microstructural study of amidoximated polymers using NMR spectroscopy clearly showed the tautomerization of AO groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a vaccine-avoidable infection, is a health concern worldwide, leading to liver disorders such as acute self-constraint and chronic hepatitis, liver failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma if untreated. 'Immunogeneticprofiling', genetic variations of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines responsible for regulating the immune responses, cause person-to-person differences and impact the clinical manifestation of the disease. The current experimental–bioinformatics research was conducted to examine whether promoteric IL-18–rs187238 C > G and –rs1946518 T > G and intronic CD14–rs2569190 A > G variations are associated with chronic HBV. A total of 400 individuals (200 in each case and control group) participated in the study and were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The data was also assessed bioinformatics-wise for conservation, genomic transcription and splicing, and protein interactions. Findings proposed that unlike the IL-18–rs1946518 T > G and CD14–rs2569190 A > G, the IL-18–rs187238 C > G is a protector against chronic HBV (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.46–0.83, and p = 0.002). The TG/CC/AA, TG/CC/AG, TT/CC/AG, and GG/CC/AA combined genotypes significantly increased chronic HBV risk (p < 0.05), while the IL-18 G/T and G/G haplotypes lessened it (p < 0.05). Moreover, IL-18–rs1946518 T > G is in the protected genomic regions across mammalian species. In contrast to the IL-18–rs1946518 T > G, IL-18–rs187238 C > G is likely to create novel binding sites for transcription factors, and the CD14–rs2569190 A > G presumably changed the ribonucleic acid splicing pattern. More research on larger populations and other ethnicities is required to authenticate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the recent surge in restaurant research, there is a need for timely reviews employing quantitative methods to portray the intellectual structure of the field. This paper aims to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of restaurant research on the Web of Science database. The research investigates the dynamic evolution of the restaurant literature during three critical stages between 1995 and 2021. Based on 1146 journal articles published by 1849 authors, the paper analyzes different bibliometric networks, including co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, and collaboration networks. The study additionally highlights the most influential scholars and publications in the restaurant field. Results indicate that restaurant research has grown exponentially over the last five years. Findings also show that consumer behavior, consumer satisfaction, consumer-brand relationships, corporate social responsibility, and green restaurants represent the contemporary hotspots in restaurant research. Finally, the study provides practical implications and some opportunities for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The significant surge in poultry production observed in recent years has compelled scientists to devise strategies for more secure and cost-effective output. However, due to complete or gradual restrictions on the use of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs), enteric diseases that were formerly contained with success have now resurfaced, posing difficulties for the global poultry industry. Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a highly significant enteric bacterial disease that causes significant economic losses ($2–6 billion annually) to the poultry industry worldwide. The disease is caused by an anaerobic spore-forming bacterium, Clostridium perfringens type A, C and G strains. Several factors predispose the disease, including coccidiosis, poor management and biosecurity. Necrotic enteritis is distributed worldwide in both clinical and subclinical forms. The clinical form causes ruffled feathers, diarrhoea, weight loss, pseudomembrane formation, Turkish towel-like appearance of the intestinal mucosa, foul-smelling gases, and high mortality. The subclinical form has less noticeable symptoms, such as poor nutrient digestion and absorption, poor FCR and cholangiohepatitis. Poultry researchers are continuously seeking for novel and viable antibiotic alternatives to prevent and control this important disease. Several non-antibiotic alternatives, including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, organic acids, enzymes, phytogenic substances, bacteriophages, egg yolk antibodies, and vaccines have been utilised, with varying degrees of success and limitations. Choosing the most optimal alternative method to combat NE is challenging due to the variable influence on disease control and potential effects on cost-efficiency. However, an integrated approach that takes into account the utilisation of suitable alternatives to antibiotics, the composition of the diet and effective husbandry practices may yield highly promising outcomes. The current review provides comprehensive details of the concept, effects and mechanisms associated with the application of different non-antibiotic alternatives that have been employed for the management of NE in broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used pesticide that can impair body organs. Nonetheless, metformin is known for its protective role against dysfunction at cellular and molecular levels led by inflammatory and oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory impacts of metformin on CPF-induced heart and lung damage. Following the treatment of Wistar rats with different combinations of metformin and CPF, plasma, as well as heart and lung tissues, were isolated to examine the level of oxidative stress biomarkers like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) gene, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, lactate, ADP/ATP ratio, expression of relevant genes (TRADD, TERT, KL), and along with histological analysis. Based on the findings, metformin significantly modulates the impairments in heart and lung tissues induced by CPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The rise in opioid use for managing chronic and oncologic pain has led to a significant increase in opioid-induced constipation (OIC) that impacts patient quality of life and pain management. Areas covered: In this study, emerging therapies for OIC were criticized for refining advancements and novel treatment options. Key topics included the efficacy of peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs) such as methylnaltrexone, naloxegol, and naldemedine, which specifically target opioid-induced gut dysfunction. Other treatment options, including intestinal secretagogues like lubiprostone and linaclotide, selective 5-HT receptor agonists such as prucalopride, and emerging adjunctive therapies like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and electroacupuncture were mentioned. Current guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the European consensus were criticized. Expert opinion: Experts stress the importance of a stepwise approach to managing OIC, considering patient-specific factors and the efficacy of various treatments. While PAMORAs have demonstrated effectiveness in improving bowel function, their high cost and lack of extensive head-to-head comparisons with traditional laxatives are significant concerns. Emerging therapies and adjunctive treatments offer promising results but require further validation through rigorous studies. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and comparative effectiveness to better address the complex needs of patients with OIC and refine treatment protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless power transfer (WPT) has been developed as a suitable candidate for energy transfer in various applications, recently. Resonant tank is the main passive part of such systems and various topologies are introduced to improve WPT systems performance. Characteristics of these topologies definitely affect system overall performance. Therefore, each topology's specification and performance indexes should be evaluated and compared to choose a suitable one for a required application. In this paper, the characteristics and behaviour of voltage gain, input admittance and efficiency of well-known compensation topologies are thoroughly investigated for the first time. By calculating the voltage gain sensitivity, some analysis are performed on typical compensation including SS, SP, LCL-S, LCL-P, LCC-S, LCC-P and double-sided LCC under key parameter variations such as load resistance, switching frequency and coupling coefficient. In addition, by introducing a new formula for efficiency, the effect of resonant tank elements on efficiency is studied analytically which has not been performed before. In order to evaluate the theoretical analysis, the performance of all compensation topologies is investigated in MATLAB environment. By employing prototype SS and SP compensated inductive power transfer (IPT) test-bed system, some experimental verification are performed and the results confirm the analytical and numerical simulation findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A group G is called logically generated by a subset S, if every element of G can be defined by a first order formula with parameters from S. We consider the case where G is a direct product of finite nilpotent groups with mutually coprime orders and we show that logical and algebraic generations are equivalent in G. We also prove that in the case when G is a free non-abelian group, if S logically generates G then either it generates G algebraically or 〈 S 〉 is not a free factor of G. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the source of fat (soybean oil or tallow) on the ileal endogenous amino acid (EAA) losses in broilers. 2. Three nitrogen (N)-free diets; a control diet with no added fat and test diets with 60 g/kg of either soybean oil or tallow were formulated. Titanium dioxide (5 g/kg) was added to all diets as an indigestible marker. Each diet was assigned to six replicate cages (eight birds per cage) from d 18 to 21 post-hatch. On d 21, the digesta were collected from the lower half of the ileum. 3. The endogenous losses of nitrogen and amino acids (AA) were lower (p = 0.08; p = 0.001) in broilers fed diets with soybean oil or tallow, respectively, compared to those fed the diet with no fat. Source of fat had no influence (p > 0.05) on EAA losses. 4. The most abundant AA in the ileal endogenous protein was glutamic acid, followed by aspartic acid, threonine, leucine, serine, valine and proline. In general, the concentrations of AA in the endogenous protein were lower (p < 0.05) with added fat. The exceptions were methionine, cysteine, proline and serine, which were unaffected. The effect of fat source on the AA contents of endogenous protein were inconsistent and differed depending on the AA. 5. The inclusion of fats decreased EAA losses which implied they have beneficial effects beyond direct energy contribution. It can be proposed that the reduction of EAA flow may be an additional mechanism contributing to the extra-caloric effect of dietary fats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that patients with cancer may commit suicide due to physical and mental problems, the present study objectives were to identify particular risk factors of different subgroup of patients including type of cancer, gender, age, type and time of suicide, and geographical region to facilitate early care and psychosocial support. A comprehensive review of databases including Embase, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science was conducted for original articles published in English from January 2000 to March 2022. It is based on the PRISMA checklist. After reviewing 69 articles selected from 15 countries, the total prevalence rate of suicide among 34,157,856 patients with cancer was estimated 67,169, at 0.013 (95% CI, 0.008–0.021). The highest suicide prevalence was related to gastrointestinal cancer, estimated at 0.204 (95% CI, 0.161–0.255). A gender-based meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of suicide/suicidal ideation was higher among men, estimated at 0.013 (95% CI, 0.008–0.023) compared with women, at 0.006 (95% CI, 0.002–0.017). Based on study results, suicide-prevention strategies should be aimed at patients younger than 40 years of age to effectively resolve their mental health disorders and promote their self-efficacy in successful management of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanol-induced optic neuropathy (MION) represents a critical public health issue, particularly prevalent in lower socioeconomic populations and regions with restricted alcohol access. MION, characterized by irreversible visual impairment, arises from the toxic metabolization of methanol into formaldehyde and formic acid, leading to mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation inhibition, oxidative stress, and subsequent neurotoxicity. The pathogenesis involves axonal and glial cell degeneration within the optic nerve and potential retinal damage. Despite advancements in therapeutic interventions, a significant proportion of affected individuals endure persistent visual sequelae. The study comprehensively investigates the pathophysiology of MION, encompassing the absorption and metabolism of methanol, subsequent systemic effects, and ocular impacts. Histopathological changes, including alterations in retinal layers and proteins, Müller cell dysfunction, and visual symptoms, are meticulously examined to provide insights into the disease mechanism. Furthermore, preventive measures and public health perspectives are discussed to highlight the importance of awareness and intervention strategies. Therapeutic approaches, such as decontamination procedures, ethanol and fomepizole administration, hemodialysis, intravenous fluids, electrolyte balance management, nutritional therapy, corticosteroid therapy, and erythropoietin (EPO) treatment, are evaluated for their efficacy in managing MION. This comprehensive review underscores the need for increased awareness, improved diagnostic strategies, and more effective treatments to mitigate the impact of MION on global health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces innovative, optimized hexagonal and pentagonal PEM fuel cell models. The inlet pressure and temperature serve as input parameters, while power consumption and output power are objective parameters. The results of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis are then trained with deep neural networks and modeled using polynomial regression. Target functions are derived using the Response Surface Method (RSM) and optimized with the NSGA-II genetic algorithm. Compared to the base model, our optimized pentagonal and hexagonal PEM fuel cells significantly boost the output current density by 21.8% and 39.9%, respectively. Additionally, power consumption is lower: the pentagonal model uses 0.198%, and the hexagonal model uses 6.21% of the production power on average. Our proposed designs enhance PEM fuel cell performance by significantly boosting power production while minimizing power consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide, which is found in the mineral ilmenite as a feedstock, has the highest refractive index of any known white pigment. Therefore, two commercial techniques have been developed to produce TiO2 pigment using pyrometallurgical processes, such as melting cast iron while shrinking ilmenite. Although the leaching of ilmenite with sulfuric or hydrochloric acids to remove impurities like iron to create TiO2 pigment or SR is included in the second group of methods. In addition to studying various methods of pre-treatment acid leaching of ilmenite, such as oxidation, reduction, mechanical activation, KOH decomposition, alkali roasting, and the Becher process, with assessing the impact of leaching variables including temperature, duration, acid concentration, particle size, acid to ilmenite ratio, extra stirring speed, and other additional factors. This research attempts to explain these aims with a review of recent articles on ilmenite leaching, which means accelerating iron extraction and Ti dissolving to obtain a high content of TiO2 in the final process with low cost, ecologically friendly, and a limited number of contaminants that can be used in the pigment industry or other usage. As well, the mechanism of HCl and H2SO4 acid leaching of ilmenite has been precisely investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, road maintenance is a crucial planning task for all road authorities across the world, making them spend vast amounts of money on identification and rehabilitation programmes every year. Thus, many researchers, road engineers, and decision-makers have turned to a system called pavement management system, the critical step of which is pavement inspection. So far, several methods have been proposed for pavement distress data collection and evaluation. These methods have also evolved with the advancement of technology and intelligent transportation systems. Today, researchers have acknowledged autonomous vehicles as a sophisticated tool monitoring right of way for appropriate operating; however, little attention has been paid to using collected pavement condition data for pavement management. This study reviews the technologies and algorithms proposed so far to investigate the feasibility of using the data regularly collected by these vehicles to evaluate pavement conditions. We hope our paper paves the way for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important factors involved with soil-engaging agricultural field operations is soil adhesion. Reducing soil adhesion has significant effects on the operation and energy consumption of agricultural machines. In this study, a laboratory method has been carried out to study the effects of ultrasonic waves on soil adhesion. Normal adhesion tests were performed on two types of soil using three plates with different contact areas. The plates consisted of an iron ring as the main body covered by a stainless steel sheet on the top and an aluminum sheet at the bottom. The internal space of the plates was filled with a fluid that was capable of transmitting the waves produced by piezoelectric crystals attached under the top sheet. When ultrasonic waves reached the metal surface which was in contact with the soil, soil adhesion force was measured while the plate was separating from the soil. Experimental results revealed that ultrasonic waves have a significant effect on soil adhesion in different moisture contents. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that all the test parameters had significant effects on reducing the soil adhesion to the metal plates. However, multiple effects of frequency and other parameters on the soil adhesion were not significant. An increase in ultrasonic frequency from 0 to 1800 kHz had a significant effect on soil adhesion to metal plates at a 5% level. Results showed that the most effective application time that causes more reduction in soil adhesion is 60 s. The soil adhesion decreases with increasing frequency Ultrasonic waves significantly affect soil adhesion in different moisture contents; The effects of ultrasonic waves on soil adhesion were similar in different soil types, moisture contents, and test plate sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of this review lies in addressing the limitations of passive locomotion in capsule endoscopes, hindering their widespread use in medical applications. The research focuses on evaluating existing miniature in vivo remote-controlled capsule endoscopes, examining their locomotion designs, and working theories to pave the way for overcoming challenges and enhancing their applicability in diagnostic and treatment settings. This paper explores control methods and dynamic system modeling in the context of self-propelled remote-controlled capsule endoscopes with a two-mass arrangement. The literature search, conducted at Queen Mary University of London Library from 2000 to 2022, utilized a systematic approach starting with the broad keyword 'Capsule Endoscope' and progressively narrowing down to specific aspects such as 'Capsule Endoscope Control' and 'Self-propelled Capsule Endoscope' using various criteria. Efficiently driving and controlling remote-controlled capsule endoscopes have the potential to overcome the current limitations in medical technology, offering a viable solution for diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal diseases. Successful control of the remote-controlled capsule endoscope, as demonstrated in this review paper, will lead to a step change in medical engineering, establishing the remote-controlled capsule endoscope as a swift standard in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing upon JUUL's CSR campaign cases that were intended to rebuild people's trust during its vaping crisis, this study examined the effects of the e-cigarette company's CSR and CA messages on consumers' responses. Applying the Persuasion Knowledge Model, this study also investigated how consumers' existing beliefs about the e-cigarette industry (i.e., topic knowledge) and specific e-cigarette companies (i.e., agent knowledge) influenced their evaluation of CSR and CA messages. An online experiment (N = 275) showed that CSR messages were more likely to generate positive consumer attitudes toward the company and product, as compared to CA messages. These effects were mediated by consumers' persuasion knowledge activation and moderated by consumers' perceptions of the industry and perceived corporate legitimacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, changes many physiological functions of the body, especially the reproductive system. The malfunction of the reproductive system after BPA exposure is one of the causes of infertility reasons. BPA disrupts reproductive functions by elevating oxidative mediators and declining antioxidant enzymes, altering sex hormones, and inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. The present study focuses on the protective effects of melatonin against BPA-induced male and female reproductive alterations. A systematic literature review was conducted up to October 2023 using PRISMA principles in electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Considering the study purpose, the search keywords were selected and used to search the titles and abstracts. After screening, 19 pertinent papers were selected from 91 publications based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The literature showed that melatonin plus BPA protects reproductive cells via multiple mechanisms, including reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and modulation of mitochondrial function. Furthermore, most indicated melatonin's beneficial effects on the histopathology of reproductive tissues. Also, melatonin induced its protective effects through direct interaction with hormone receptors against BPA-induced hormonal changes. This study indicates evidence of the protective role of melatonin on reproductive injuries and infertility caused by BPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupants' spatial adjustment (OSA) is one of the critical adaptive behaviours in buildings because it affects occupants' comfort and contents of view. However, OSA for contents of view management from facade (e.g. sky, other construction, and greenery) have not been quantified to be integrated into other aspects of multi-objective building design, particularly façade design. The current study develops a design methodology and a correspondent plugin tool to incorporate OSA and content view calculation for visual comfort improvement. To this end, first, a test cell and outdoor and indoor environment were modelled, and façade geometric variables and OSA variables (location and direction of occupant's sight) were set. After that, images were captured from hypothetical occupants' locations inside in different directions of sight while façade transformation alternatives were recorded to the occupants' content view images. Next, python image processing was linked to the Grasshopper modelling environment for content view analysing and quantification to be integrated into the optimisation process linked with visual comfort objectives. The designed methodology helped improve occupants' visual comfort by optimising façade form and managing OSA for optimum daylight availability, glare minimisation, and enhancing occupants' content view. Illuminance and discomfort glare probability (DGP), useful daylight illuminance (UDI), and spatial daylight autonomy (sDA) were used to shed light on the daylight performance of the proposed scenarios. Results demonstrated that a unique OSA and integrated façade configuration at any point in time and seasons that are suitable for the occupant's daylight availability management, decreases perceived glare, and enhances the content view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis L. is a cosmopolitan aromatic and medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family, which is necessary for pharmaceutical and cosmetic production. To evaluate the impact of different harvesting times and plant materials on the essential oil content and composition of M. officinalis 4-year-old plants, the present study was conducted in Fars province, Iran, under industrial field conditions. A randomized factorial experiment with three replications was used. Each replication contained six treatments [3 harvesting of M. officinalis × 2 treatments (shade drying + fresh state)]. Hydrodistillation was used to obtain the essential oils from each treatment, which were subsequently analyzed using GC-FID and GC-MS. The results demonstrated a significant influence of harvesting times and plant materials on the essential oil content and composition of M. officinalis. The average essential oil content was 0.028% to 0.095% (w/w). At different harvest times, the fresh plant yielded a higher content of essential oil compared to the dry plant. The number of chemical constituents in the essential oils was influenced by different harvesting times and plant materials. The predominant and common constituents in all harvested plant materials were the oxygenated monoterpenes geranial (28.7-43.2%) and neral (12.9-30.9%). Based on the major compounds, the essential oils from different harvesting times and plant materials were categorized into two chemotypes: chemotype I (geranial/thymol) and chemotype II (geranial/neral). It is recommended that drying operations not be used as a post-harvest processing method to achieve the highest essential oil yield from M. officinalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The effects of limestone particle size on growth performance, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) traits, ileal morphology, duodenal gene expression of calbindin, apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AIDC) of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and tibia characteristics in broilers and pullets were assessed in broilers and pullets. These birds have different growth rates and likely different responses to parameters, such as particle size. 2. A total of 240 chicks aged one day, 120 Ross 308 female broilers, and 120 Hy-Line pullets were allocated randomly into four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two bird types (broilers vs. pullets) and two limestone particle sizes (<0.5 mm versus 1–2 mm) to give six replicates containing 10 chicks in each from 1 to 21 d of age. 3. Feed intake and weight gain were greater (P < 0.001) and feed per gain (FCR) was better (P < 0.001) in broilers compared to pullets from 1 to 21 d of age. Greater villus width (P < 0.01), villus height (P < 0.001) and crypt depth (P < 0.01) were seen for broilers compared to pullets. 4. Pullets fed coarse Ca particles had higher calbindin gene expression at 21 d of age (P = 0.05). Both AIDC of Ca and P were higher (P < 0.001) in broilers compared to pullets. The AIDC of Ca from 0.463 to 0.516 was increased (P < 0.05) by feeding coarse limestone particles. A significant interaction was found between bird type and limestone particle size (P < 0.01), where pullets fed coarse Ca particles had higher bone P concentration in tibia than broilers. 5. Broilers had better ileum absorptive capacity and growth performance compared to pullets. The AIDC of Ca and P was higher in broilers than in pullets. Increased limestone particle size elevated villus height, AIDC of Ca and concentration of P in the tibia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares diabetes management between pediatric and adult patients and identifies treatment challenges and gaps. We searched PubMed and Clinicaltrails.gov databases for studies published from 2001 to 2023 on diabetes management in different age groups. Research shows children have lower insulin sensitivity, clearance, and β cell function than adults. The US FDA only allows insulin, metformin, and liraglutide as antidiabetic medication options for children. However, some off-label drugs, like meglitinides, sulfonylureas, and alogliptin, have demonstrated positive results in treating certain types of diabetes caused by gene mutations. It's crucial to adopt personalized and precise approaches to managing diabetes in pediatrics, which vary from those used for adult patients. New studies support the classification of type 2 diabetes into several subtypes based on age, BMI, glycemia, homeostasis model estimates, varying insulin resistance, ‎different rates of complications‎, and islet ‎autoantibodies. With this insight, prevention, treatment, and precision medicine of diabetes might be changed. More research is necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of different antidiabetic drugs and improve diabetes treatment for children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many road agencies worldwide still use the empirical AASHTO 1993 pavement design method. Since the release of the AASHTO 1993 design guide, many aspects of pavement design have changed, including asphalt material properties, traffic, environmental factors, etc. However, many agencies use a single layer coefficient for asphalt mixtures and pavements are currently designed with inaccurate values, as proved by many. This paper presents a four-step procedure (called AASHTO 93 Plus method) to determine structural layer coefficients of asphalt mixtures. The AASHTO 93 Plus method considers viscoelasticity and temperature-dependency of asphalt mixtures to estimate the layer coefficient. Five-hundred-eighteen (518) flexible pavements from USA and Canada roads and 1599 HMAs from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database were analyzed. The results showed that the new material-specific layer coefficients were well above the typical value of 0.44. The total number of 3,726 IRI data records of these 518 pavements were converted to PSI and then compared to those obtained from the traditional AASHTO 93 and AASHTO 93 Plus methods for validation. Results confirmed that the conventional AASHTO 93 method predicts faster deterioration of pavement conditions over time, while the results of AASHTO 93 Plus method better aligned with the field data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute gastrointestinal cramping pain (GICP) is a debilitating condition that affects many people worldwide, significantly reducing their quality of life. As such, prompt treatment is crucial. This article will explore relevant literature from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Additionally, we searched ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO ICTRP database for the latest clinical trials. Consensus dictates that antispasmodics such as hyoscine-N-butyl bromide and mebeverine should be the primary treatment for GICP. If these prove ineffective, patients can switch to an antispasmodic with a different mode of action or add acetaminophen/NSAIDs for more severe cases. Currently, several antispasmodics are undergoing clinical trials, including drotaverine, alverine, pinaverium, otilonium bromide, fenoverine, tiropramide, otilonium bromide, trimebutine, and peppermint oil. Well-designed head-to-head studies are necessary to evaluate current antispasmodics' safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacoeconomics profiles. Recent studies have shown that fixed-dose combinations of antispasmodics + NSAIDs or two different antispasmodics can improve patient compliance and synergistically reduce GICP. Therefore, it is recommended that the global availability and accessibility of these products be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, Iranian society has experienced rapid socio-economic changes that seriously affect feelings of hope in the future (HF) among social groups, especially in metropolitan areas such as Tehran. This study on HF, which I conducted in 2019, provides a gender analysis of HF for Tehran residents based on selected demographic variables and indicators of socio-economic and psychological insecurities. It also analyzes organizational and public trust by applying the Classification and Regression Trees (CART). I selected the participants from different areas of Tehran: 590 men and 610 women out of a population of 4,839,249 (3,054,715 men and 1,784,534 women) using two-stage stratified sampling with Probability Proportional to Size (PPS), and I completed with them structured questionnaires. The results showed that HF of Tehran residents is correlated with their gender (P-value = 0.033). Thus, two distinct trees with over 60% accuracies were fitted. Three influential variables on men's HF were age, socio-economic insecurity, and public trust. Young men had higher HF than older ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the impact of a seed mixture (SM) (black cumin, fenugreek, and sesame) on broiler chickens' performance, intestinal morphology, and blood traits under chronic heat stress conditions. 330-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were divided into five treatments (6 replicates and 11 birds per each) consisting of a corn-soybean supplemented with 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6% SM for 45 days in a completely randomised design. 6% SM supplementation increased body weight (BW) at 45 days of age, average weight gain (AWG) at 26-45 days, and total rearing period under heat stress conditions (p < 0.05). Adding 3% SM to broiler diets increased average feed intake (AFI) at 26-45 and 1-45 days, feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 12-25, and the mortality rate decreased from 28.8% (0% SM) to 12.1% (6% SM) (p < 0.05). Adding SM had no significant effects on the relative weight of carcase segments and internal organs (p > 0.05) except for the duodenum, which increased weight and length at the level of 6% (p < 0.05). The red blood cell (RBC) count and haemoglobin were elevated in chicks inoculated with 3% and 6% SM, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) value increased following the supplementation of SM, while differential white blood cell (WBC) counts did not influence. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) activity declined in chicks that received 6% SM at 45 days of age (p < 0.05). SM supplementation decreased liver steatosis, uric acid, glucose, total protein, and lipid profile concentrations of serum (p < 0.05). Therefore, we conclude that adding SM to the broiler diets at 6% level significantly improves broiler performance, blood traits, and liver health under chronic heat-stress conditions. Adding a 6% seed mixture to the broiler's diet during the finisher phase improved weight, reduced mortality rate, better morphometric parameters, increased haemoglobin levels, and healthier liver function. Including a 3% seed mixture in the diet increased average feed intake throughout the rearing period and boosted FCR between 12 and 25 days and red blood cell count. Seed mixture supplementation led to an increase in mean corpuscular volume levels and a decrease in uric acid, glucose, total protein, and serum lipid profile concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune system plays a significant role in preventing and controlling diseases. Some studies reported the beneficial effects of grapes and their products on immunity. However, their results are controversial. This review aimed to discuss the effects of grapes and their products on immune system and their mechanisms of action. Although various in-vio and in-vitro studies and some human studies suggested that grapes and their products may help to improve the immune system’s function, clinical trials in this area are limited and inconsistent. In conclusions, although, consumption of grapes and their products may help to having a healthy immune syste, further studies particularly human studies are required to clarify the precise effects of them and their mechanisms regarding immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the use of permanent magnet brushless DC (PMBLDC) motors in vehicles is increasing due to the characteristics of sensorless operation. PMBLDC motor controllers can control the speed and position in the closed-loop feedback system without the need for a position sensor mounted on the shaft. Proportional – Integral – Derivative (PID) controller is one of the most common feedback control algorithms used in PMBLDC motor controllers. Optimizing problems using deterministic methods such as Lagrange and simplex methods requires basic information and complex calculations. Meta-heuristic algorithms are a type of stochastic algorithm that is used to find the optimal solution. Meta-heuristic algorithms are divided into three general categories: evolutionary algorithms, swarm intelligence algorithms, and stochastic algorithms. In this paper, using 14 metaheuristic optimisation algorithms, PID control parameters including settling time, time rise, overshoot, and stability of step response of the mentioned system are optimised. In this paper, 14 meta-heuristic algorithms are simulated and evaluated to optimise the PID coefficients of the controller, including settling time, rising time, excessive increase, and step response stability. The simulation result shows that the genetic algorithm (GA) has the best performance in terms of cost function and biogeography-based optimisation (BBO) in terms of settling time and rising time parameters. Finally, the simulation results are confirmed using experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although pulmonary drug delivery has been deeply investigated, the effect of the laryngeal jet on particle deposition during drug delivery with dry powder inhalers (DPI) has not been evaluated profoundly. In this study, the flow structure and particle deposition pattern of a DPI in two airway models, one with mouth-throat region including the larynx and the other one without it, are numerically investigated. The results revealed that the laryngeal jet has a considerable effect on particle deposition. The presence of laryngeal jet leads to 4-fold and 2-fold higher deposition efficiencies for inlet flow rates of 30 and 90 L/min, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dose-response modeling for radiotherapy-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer (HN) patients is a promising frontier for personalized therapy. Feature extraction from diagnostic and therapeutic images (radiomics and dosiomics features) can be used for data-driven response modeling. The aim of this study is to develop xerostomia predictive models based on radiomics-dosiomics features. Data from the cancer imaging archive (TCIA) for 31 HN cancer patients were employed. For all patients, parotid CT radiomics features were extracted, utilizing Lasso regression for feature selection and multivariate modeling. The models were developed by selected features from pretreatment (CT1), mid-treatment (CT2), post-treatment (CT3), and delta features (ΔCT2-1, ΔCT3-1, ΔCT3-2). We also considered dosiomics features extracted from the parotid dose distribution images (Dose model). Thus, combination models of radio-dosiomics (CT + dose & ΔCT + dose) were developed. Moreover, clinical, and dose-volume histogram (DVH) models were built. Nested 10-fold cross-validation was used to assess the predictive classification of patients into those with and without xerostomia, and the area under the receiver operative characteristic curve (AUC) was used to compare the predictive power of the models. The sensitivity and accuracy of models also were obtained. In total, 59 parotids were assessed, and 13 models were developed. Our results showed three models with AUC of 0.89 as most predictive, namely ΔCT2-1 + Dose (Sensitivity 0.99, Accuracy 0.94 & Specificity 0.86), CT3 model (Sensitivity 0.96, Accuracy 0.94 & Specificity 0.86) and DVH (Sensitivity 0.93, Accuracy 0.89 & Specificity 0.84). These models were followed by Clinical (AUC 0.89, Sensitivity 0.81, Accuracy 0.97 & Specificity 0.89) and CT2 & Dose (AUC 0.86, Sensitivity 0.97, Accuracy 0.87 & Specificity 0.82). The Dose model (developed by dosiomics features only) had AUC, Sensitivity, Specificity, and Accuracy of 0.72, 0.98, 0.33, and 0.79 respectively. Quantitative features extracted from diagnostic imaging during and after radiotherapy alone or in combination with dosiomics markers obtained from dose distribution images can be used for radiotherapy response modeling, opening up prospects for personalization of therapies toward improved therapeutic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emerging body of evidence has demonstrated the beneficial effects of probiotics on various mental health conditions. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we sought to examine the effects of probiotics supplementation on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in adults. PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched, from database inception to April 2021, for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We pooled mean differences and standard deviations from RCTs using random-effect models. Overall, meta-analysis of 11 trials (n = 648 participants) showed no significant changes in serum level of BDNF following probiotics. However, subgroup analysis revealed that probiotics increased BDNF levels in individuals suffering from neurological disorders (n = 214 participants; WMD = 3.08 ng/mL, 95% CI: 1.83, 4.34; P = 0.001; I2 = 7.5%; P-heterogeneity 0.34), or depression (n = 268 participants; WMD = 0.77 ng/mL, 95% CI: 0.07, 1.47; P = 0.032; I2 = 88.4%; P-heterogeneity < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant increase in BDNF levels was found in studies that administered the mixture of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera, and were conducted in Asia. Our main findings suggest that probiotics may be effective in elevating BDNF levels in patients with depression and neurological disorders, and a mixed of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium appear to show greater efficacy than the single genus supplement. The low quality of evidence reduces clinical advocacy, and indicates that more large-scale, high-quality, RCTs are needed to facilitate reliable conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue engineering provides novel methods for a wide variety of skin injuries, among which, the electrospun nanofibers have attracted special attention for wound dressing fabrications. In this research, we have fabricated scaffolds based on Poly l-lactic acid (PLLA) and Polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymers and have loaded the hybrid PLLA/PEO with active substances, Argireline and Dexpanthenol. The five categories of nanofiber scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning: (1) PLLA, (2) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold, (3) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold loaded with Argireline (PLLA/PEO/A), (4) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold loaded with Dexpanthenol (PLLA/PEO/D), (5) PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold loaded with Argireline and Dexpanthenol (PLLA/PEO/A/D). Our SEM analysis of the electrospun nanofibers shows that all nanofibers are bead-free and are in the range of 200–600 nm. The static water contact angle measurements via the sessile drop method have shown a transition from a hydrophobic surface for the PLLA scaffold (CA = 118.43 ± 1.6°) to a hydrophilic surface for PLLA/PEO hybrid scaffold (CA = 35.5 ± 2.8°). The addition of Argireline, Dexpanthenol, and a mixture of both has been shown to improve this wettability even further. The electrospun nanofiber scaffolds were further analyzed for their air permeability, and mechanical properties. The cytocompatibility analysis indicated superior performance for PLLA/PEO loaded with both Argireline and Dexpanthenol. The in-vivo analysis was conducted on the second-degree burn rat models in six different studied groups: 1-healthy rat, 2-negative control, and rats treated with 3-PLLA/PEO, 4-PLLA/PEO/A, 5-PLLA/PEO/D, and 6-PLLA/PEO/A/D. The wound area reduction was assessed on day 3, day 7, and day 14 in all groups along with the histology analysis based on hematoxylin/eosin. Our results show that rats treated with PLLA/PEO/A/D not only have a great reduction in the wound area, but their histology analysis demonstrates high angiogenesis and collagen formation, and epithelialization. We believe the existence of both active substances has a synergic effect on the wound healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research, we introduce a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of a new heterogeneous nanocatalyst including [Fe3O4@SiO2-L-Cu(II)] via immobilizing Cu (II) on the surfaces of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). The prepared nanocatalyst was characterized by vibration sample magnetometer (VSM), EDS, X-ray diffraction (XRD), TGA, and Field emission scanning microscopy (FE-SEM) spectroscopic methods. The obtained magnetic nanocomposite showed excellent catalytic activity for the preparation of some chromene derivatives via a three-component reaction of aldehydes, 4‐hydroxycoumarin, and 2‐hydroxynaphthalene‐1,4‐dione. This synthetic procedure provides various benefits, including cost-saving, excellent yields in short reaction times (88–98%), low catalyst loading, and catalyst reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a scarcity of studies that investigated health literacy (HL) relationships with medication adherence, bone mass density (BMD), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older adults with osteoporosis. In this study, we investigated the associations among HL, adherence to treatment, BMD, and HRQoL among older adults with osteoporosis. In this cross-sectional study, a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was employed to recruit 347 older adults with osteoporosis (60 years of age and older) in Zanjan-Iran. Data were collected applying the Iranian HL Questionnaire (IHLQ), ECOS-16 (Assessment of health-related quality of life in osteoporosis), Morisky, Green, and Levine medication adherence scale (MGL). A hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to assess the associations. About 65% of the patients had moderate HL. The results showed HL as a significant predictor for adherence to treatment (β = 0.12, p = 0.012) and bone mass density (β = 0.15, p = 0.005), but not for HRQoL. Considering the associations found between HL and medication adherence in this study, designing appropriate interventions for the elderly, including simple, clear and understandable messages seem to help promote HL and adherence to treatment. In such interventions, improving the level of access to health information and promoting the patients' knowledge and evaluation capabilities should be considered as the core categories of the programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of concentrated polyaluminum chloride (PACl) with the proper distribution of Al species (Ala, Alb, and Alc) is still a challenging issue on both industrial and laboratory scale. Hence, the effects of total aluminum concentration (AlT) at high levels, regular basicity values, and low base injection rates on the distribution of Al species in PACl solutions were investigated using quadratic models. The results confirmed the possibility to synthesize tailor-made PACl solutions with a specified value of either Ala, Alb, or Alc within the range of 22–51%, 4–51%, or 0.5–74%, respectively. For instance, in agreement with the predicted value, a PACl sample rich in both Alb (42,200 ppm) and AlT was produced by applying the basicity of 1.7, AlT of 9.07% as Al2O3, and basification rate of 0.48 ml/h. In addition, the maximum Alc could be acquired by exploiting the highest C, B, and Q values. This condition also minimized both Ala and Alb. The trends of Ala and Alc changes by the increment of basicity were concave and convex, respectively, while Alb showed either a decreasing trend or a concave pattern based on the values of injection rate and AlT. The Alb-rich PACl sample was effectively applied for turbidity removal from synthetic wastewater at various pHs and initial turbidities. At best, residual turbidity of about 1% was observed after the coagulation process. These findings can be constructive for the production and application of tailor-made PACl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levosimendan (LEVO) is a calcium sensitizer with established inotropic and vasodilator impacts associated with ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP). Although LEVO's role in modulating oxidative stress of cardiac cells has been studied, in the current study, LEVO was used, for the first time, to investigate its preventive and therapeutic roles in pancreatic islets through viability, functionality, and inflammation pathways as well as oxidative stress against the toxicity induced by sodium arsenite (NaAsO2). Following the optimization studies to select the proper concentrations of LEVO and NaAsO2, isolated pancreatic islets were exposed to different combinations of NaAsO2 and LEVO. MTT assay, glucose-dependent insulin secretion test, investigation of oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers in addition to qualification of the expressions of P16, P38, and NF-κB genes were performed to assess different underlying mechanisms to investigate the protective role of LEVO against NaAsO2-induced toxicity. This study demonstrated that NaAsO2-treated pancreatic islets' exposure to LEVO improved their viability and functionality while modulating the generation of oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Therefore LEVO caused significant recoveries in the characteristics of the islets. The main conclusion is that LEVO showed protective impacts in pancreatic islets against exposure to NaAsO2. However, therapeutic uses of LEVO in the field of diabetes need further investigations. Sodium arsenite is responsible for activating the oxidative stress and inflammation pathways in pancreatic islet cells and consequently decreasing their viability and function. Treatment of pancreatic islets with sodium arsenite results in the loss of glucose-dependent insulin secretion (GDIS) which can be alleviated by levosimendan. Levosimendan modulates the decreased level of secreted insulin by preventing formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inactivating the inflammatory biomarkers. Levosimendan improves the viability and function of sodium arsenite-treated pancreatic islets by modulating insulin secretion and glucose control. Levosimendan acts as a protective agent against the toxicity induced by sodium arsenite in pancreatic islets through modulating the viability, oxidative stress, inflammation, and function pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, first we consider cross-diagonal, in particular off-diagonal, operator matrices; those operator matrices such that all entries except those on the main and off diagonals are zero. We show that this operator matrix is unitarily equivalent to a block diagonal operator matrix whose diagonal blocks are all two-by-two, except at most one of them which is one-by-one. Then, using this unitary equivalence, we show that any left circulant operator matrix is unitarily equivalent to a direct sum of a one-by-one operator and an off-diagonal operator matrix. As an application, we give equalities for the numerical radius of some important operator matrices. In particular, for the following left circulant operator matrix, we show that w ([ A 1 A 2 ... A n A 2 ... A n A 1 ⋮ ⋱ ⋱ ⋮ A n A 1 ... A n − 1 ]) = max 1 ≤ k ≤ n w ([ 0 ∑ m = 1 n ω k (m − 1) A m ∑ m = 1 n ω (n − k) (m − 1) A m 0 ]) , where ω = e 2 π i n is the nth root of unity. Meanwhile, some inequalities for general operator matrices are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel is a valuable metal that is becoming more prevalent in the industry. Column bioleaching was used in this study to extract nickel from magnesium-bearing sulfide minerals. Two different sulfidic samples with different nickel and magnesium content were utilized to investigate the performance of column bioleaching. It was discovered that mesophilic cultures' adaptation is delayed by increasing magnesium contents. Bioleaching outperformed leaching in terms of recovery by 80% compared to 50% in sample 1 and 70% compared to 40% in sample 2. Jarosite is precipitated in samples with a high magnesium content due to the high pH and oxidation level, which lowers bioleaching effectiveness. The pretreatment method using acid washing before the start of bioleaching treatment can reduce the amount of magnesium in samples, which increases the Ni recovery in both samples. SEM analysis was performed on each bioleaching residue. The result showed that high amounts of magnesium in the second sample could be a factor in the precipitation of jarosite. Finally, it can be concluded that the pretreatment method is a feasible Bio-heap operation. Column bioleaching of nickel was tested by mix mesophile culture in two different samples. Bacteria were found to be less adaptable to magnesium-rich minerals. More than 95% of nickel was extracted from both samples. Acid washing was identified as the best pretreatment method for each sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about how varying the plane of nutrition before and after weaning can influence gene expression that drives mammary gland development (MGD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate this paradigm in a seasonal sheep breed. Forty pre-weaning 30-day old Kurdish female lambs were fed either a low-nutrient and protein (L; 2.0 Mcal ME/kg DM; 8.70% crude protein [CP]) or high-nutrient and protein diet (H; 2.5 Mcal ME/kg DM; 14.80% CP). At d 120 (weaning), lambs were allocated into a 2 × 2 arrangement based on pre- and post-weaning diets, resulting in four groups (LL, LH, HL, HH). On d 210, mammary biopsy samples were taken for histomorphological and gene expression studies. Alveoli were larger in HH compared with all other groups (p < 0.05). Whilst estrogen receptor–alpha, progesterone receptor, growth hormone receptor and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 gene expression was modulated depending on pre- or post-weaning nutritional levels (p < 0.01). Overall, a consistent high plane of nutrition promoted MGD, with more a complex relationship evident between the expression of genes critical for mammary gland function and development. These findings provide scope for future tailored nutritional strategies to optimize both liveweight gain and MGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel targeted tumor contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was synthesized based on Fe3O4@Au nanoparticle coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and decorated with trastuzumab (TZ). The prepared system was fully characterized, and relaxivity, cytotoxicity, colloidal stability, blood compatibility, in vitro cell targeting ability, cytotoxicity, and in vivo MR contrast enhancement were evaluated. The developed system with a size of about 30 nm exhibited excellent stability, blood compatibility, proper relaxivity, negligible in vitro cytotoxicity, and suitable in vivo negative contrast enhancement. Appropriate negative signal enhancement in MRI confirmed the efficiency of the system to be suggested as an encouraging candidate for accurate cancer diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failure to recycle valuable metals from lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) could directly lead to various environmental issues, such as ecological toxicity with inevitable impacts on environment and society health. This study presents a green process for selective recovery of Li from spent LIBs based on a ternary deep eutectic solvent. The effects of solid-to-liquid ratio, temperature, and variations of deep eutectic solvent (DES) component concentrations on the selectivity of the leaching process were studied. A ternary DES based on choline chloride, urea and ethylene glycol was found to be more selective than conventional binary DESs and made it possible to extract the Li in the lower temperatures (75–100°C). In such temperatures, DESs present better viscosity and higher stability. In the optimum conditions, 92.83%, 1.61%, 0.72%, and 0.42% recoveries were obtained for Li, Co, Ni, and Mn, respectively. Kinetic modeling indicates that mixed control models were best fitted to all data. Moreover, the results indicated that the activation energy for Li extraction is 21.15 KJ/mol. Pearson correlation assessment relieved that L/S was the most effective factor with a positive impact (r > +0.5) on Li recovery among all variables. Furthermore, temperature impacts the selectivity of the leaching process. The illustrated selectivity coupled with biodegradability and the possibility of re-utilization of the DESs opens a novel way for the greener recovery of values from wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral reefs around the discharge areas of desalination plants have effects on the distribution and dilution of discharged saline jet. In the present study, effects of bed obstacles with different heights on the behaviour of inclined negatively buoyant jets (INBJs), including dilution and spatial characteristics, are experimentally investigated using the light attenuation (LA) optical method. Present experiments show that as the confinement induced by the bed and obstacle intensifies, the maximum normalized jet centreline dilution decreases up to 40%. As the jet approaches the obstacle, spreading along the inner and outer edges of the jet increases. The present results also show that upstream of the maximum height point, the jet is not considerably sensitive to the bed obstacle since the momentum dominates the jet behaviour. However, the jet dilution in regions downstream the maximum height point reduces when the obstacle is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental toxicants can regulate gene expression in the absence of DNA mutations via epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs' (ncRNAs). Here, all three epigenetic modifications for seven important categories of diseases and the impact of eleven main environmental factors on epigenetic modifications were discussed. Epigenetic-related mechanisms are among the factors that could explain the root cause of a wide range of common diseases. Its overall impression on the development of diseases can help us diagnose and treat diseases, and besides, predict transgenerational and intergenerational effects. This comprehensive article attempted to address the relationship between environmental factors and epigenetic modifications that cause diseases in different categories. The studies main gap is that the precise role of environmentally-induced epigenetic alterations in the etiology of the disorders is unknown; thus, still more well-designed researches need to be accomplished to fill this gap. The present review aimed to first summarize the adverse effect of certain chemicals on the epigenome that may involve in the onset of particular disease based on in vitro and in vivo models. Subsequently, the possible adverse epigenetic changes that can lead to many human diseases were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex character χ of a finite group G is called sharp if | G | = ∏ a ∈ L χ (χ (1) − a) where L χ : = { χ (g) | 1 ≠ g ∈ G } . In this paper we give a characterization of finite groups all non-linear irreducible characters of which are sharp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a lens is applied to reduce the horn antenna's Side Lobe Level (SLL) based on controlling the phase and amplitude distribution of the electromagnetic fields over the aperture of the horn antenna in the X band (8−12 GHz) for radar applications. By locating the metasurface lens inside the standard X band pyramidal horn, the SLL is decreased by 4–15 dB in E-plane and 0.8–7 dB in H-plane. The measured results with metasurface lenses demonstrate the reduction of SLL over the entire bandwidth. Good agreement between measurement and simulation results shows the tapering of field distribution over the aperture of the horn antenna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an analytical approach to investigate the geometrically nonlinear response of doubly curved imperfect shallow shells made of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FG_CNTRC) under in-plane and lateral loads. For all of the case studies, the edges of shells are assumed to be diaphragm supports, which are subjected to in-plane edge-loads. The governing equations are developed for thin shells based on the classical theory considering the geometric nonlinear terms using the Von Karman–Donnell sense. The Galerkin method is used to solve the extended nonlinear system of differential equilibrium and compatibility equations. The solution results in a closed-form formula representing the equilibrium path (load-deflection relationship) of the shell which is validated by numerical methods, such as finite element and mesh-free methods. The parametric studies are performed for doubly curved and cylindrical shells subjected to uniform external pressure and in-plane edge loads, respectively. The effects of various parameters such as volume fraction of FG_CNTRCs and geometrical properties on the equilibrium paths are examined in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Dynamic viscosity of novel generated Copper Oxide (CuO)/Liquid Paraffin nanofluids is obtained experimentally for various temperatures and concentrations. To optimize the empirical process and for cost-efficiency, Feed-Forward Neural Networks (FFNNs) were modeled and compared with Recursive Least Squares (RLS) Fuzzy model. To prepare CuO/ liquid paraffin nanofluids, CuO nanoparticles are dispersed within paraffin. Then an input-target dataset containing 30 input-target pairs is available for T = 25 , 35 , 40 , 50 , 55 , 70 (∘ C) , and φ = 0.1 , 0.5 , 1.0 , 3.0 , 5.0 (%). Based on the empirical results, two types of FFNNs are examined and compared with RLSF model to predict CuO/liquid paraffin nanofluids. To evaluate the best optimization methods of nanofluid viscosity, Multi-Layer Feed forward (MLF), Radial Basis Function (RBF), and RLSF are compared and discussed. The MLF network provides a global approximation while the RBF acts more locally, further, RLSF provides a better fit. On the contrary, the RBF network has better properties from the generalization and noise rejection points of view. Also, RBF networks can be applied in an online manner. Further, three curves of RLS Fuzzy model by Parabola2D, ExtremeCum, and Poly2D models were fitted on the empirical data and compared. The ExtremeCum model showed the least margin of error and can be employed to predict the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]