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Chlamydia psittaciis a zoonotic bacterial infection that most commonly causes mild flu-like symptoms in humans. However, in pregnancy, it can present as fulminant psittacosis associated with systemic illness, disseminated intravascular coagulation, renal and hepatic failure. We describe a case of a veterinary nurse in her 30s who presented at 32 weeks’ gestation with rapidly progressive multiorgan failure, with positive,C. psittaciserology. Further history revealed that she had delivered a number of dead lambs in the preceding weeks to her illness, highlighting the importance of a thorough social history.C. psittacishould be suspected in the differential as a causative organism for severe pneumonia with multiorgan failure particularly in pregnant women with animal or bird contacts.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a disorder affecting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor genes. Patients typically have a triad of elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), xanthomatosis and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Our patient, a preteen boy, presented with signs of hypertensive encephalopathy. Physical examination showed arcus cornealis, planar xanthomas and tuberous xanthomas. After appropriate investigations, a direct aetiology of the hypertension could not be elucidated; however, our patient’s hypertension resolved with the reduction in serum lipid levels. β-hydroxy β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and cholesterol absorption inhibitors were administered as first-line treatment. A significant proportion of patients with HoFH continue to have elevated LDL-C levels, thereby requiring second-line agents, such as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type inhibitors (evolocumab), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitors (lomitapide) and angiopoietin-like protein inhibitors (evinacumab). This case report aimed to raise awareness among paediatricians to consider HoFH as a possible aetiology in a child presenting with hypertension and suggestive physical findings.

The primary objective of this research was to advance, through experimental research, knowledge on the use of agricultural straw fibre reinforcement in concrete. The focus is on the manufacture of straw composites, development of concrete matrix and investigation of concrete samples by various tests and standards to assess suitability for using in ground-floor slab application. Synthetic fibres such as steel and polypropylene used in construction industry are not only expensive, but carbon emissions produced during their manufacture and non-renewability of such fibres have been a big challenge in the construction industry. Due to recent trends and growth towards sustainable building materials, the focus of this research was into the use of straw fibres, which are a by-product of crops and are produced in large quantities. Straw also do not have significant economic usage and generally is disposed of by farmers often by open air burning. This practice has caused huge air pollution and deteriorates health of many people all over the world. Development of straw composites through this research not only helps to utilize the straw that are not utilized currently for any economic benefits, but also prevents unsafe disposal. This in fact leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions by reducing open air burning, use of biodegradable locally available material and replace synthetic non-renewable fibres in construction practices. The composite fibres developed embodies a sustainable path for future researchers and fibre manufacturers towards a clean construction industry. Both rice and wheat straw fibres treated with boiled water displayed increase in tensile strength. There was increase in strength by 38% and 55% respectively as compared to its raw state. However, the tensile strength was not sufficient enough to form a stronger bond with concrete as a replacement of commercial fibres. Hence composite fibres were manufactured and tested that comprise of straw fibres mixed with different polymer compounds. Composite fibres with up to 35% straw fibre content was determined to be optimum fibre reinforcement in concrete. These composite fibres have similar tensile strength and ductility characteristics as industrially available synthetic fibres. For 1% volume fraction of concrete of straw composite fibre, the residual tensile strength was 1.88 MPa at 0.47 mm deflection of the beam and 1.33 MPa for 3.02 mm deflection. Through the successful completion of development of several series of straw polymer composite fibres, this study demonstrates that the use of straw fibres can be a viable alternative to synthetic fibres. These fibres are not only easy to manufacture and cost effective, they help to conserve energy, have higher design flexibility and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

Lead exposure that occurs from contamination inadvertently brought home from a workplace is known as take-home exposure. Take-home exposures are a public health hazard that adversely affects health equity for families and communities. This article describes coordinated action by agencies in Minnesota to curb lead exposure among children of workers at a facility that produces fishing sinkers and battery terminals. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S7):S655–S657. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306982 )

Nephropathic apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) risk alleles (G1/G2) have been associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, HIV-associated nephropathy, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-associated collapsing glomerulopathy and other glomerulonephritides. These alleles confer protection from Trypanosoma brucei infections which are enriched in sub-Saharan African populations. We present a young woman with obesity, hypertension, subnephrotic range proteinuria who was found to have obesity-related glomerulopathy on kidney biopsy while harbouring two high-risk APOL1 alleles (G1/G2). Given the potential effects on lipid metabolism and their association with obesity, the presence of APOL1 risk alleles may impact cardiovascular health in addition to renal disease in these patients.

A postmenopausal woman in her 60s was referred due to an elevated haemoglobin value found during her annual check-up. On physical examination, characteristic features of hyperandrogenism were observed which were not earlier mentioned. Laboratory investigations revealed polycythaemia accompanied by a normal erythropoietin and a negative analysis for JAK2-V617F mutation. A disproportionally and markedly elevated testosterone in combination with normal levels of adrenal androgens raised the suspicion of an ovarian source. CT scan showed nodular hyperdense lesions in both ovaries. A bilateral oophorectomy was performed and histological evaluation unfolded a Leydig cell ovarian tumour. Testosterone levels and haematological parameters normalised after surgery. Polycythaemia secondary to hyperandrogenism in postmenopausal women is an extremely rare condition and patients should be carefully analysed for the presence of androgen-secreting neoplasms. Diagnosis of the underlying pathology requires careful history, physical examination and comprehensive investigation. Treatment for this condition is surgery and resolves polycythaemia.

The research explores the main problems associated with the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in human activities, as well as with the humanization of these technologies. In a broad sense, artificial intelligence is a set of algorithms and software systems that can solve some problems the way a person would do and differ in that they are amenable to learning. An analysis of the problems of introducing artificial intelligence technologies makes it possible to substantiate the main levers of state policy aimed at the development and integrated use of digital intelligent systems. The success of the introduction and dissemination of artificial intelligence technologies largely depends on the effectiveness of state regulation of this sphere, both at the state and supranational levels. The development of machine learning systems must necessarily include an ethical aspect and some restrictions, otherwise the rapid development of intelligent machines can lead to the collapse of human civilization. To avoid such a development of events, it is necessary to create a supranational system for regulating artificial intelligence. Thus, the object of study of this article is the use of artificial intelligence systems in various fields of human activity. The authors use content analysis, systemic, adaptive and synergistic methods. In addition, the authors apply modern statistics, empirical generalization and grouping.

Past research has shown that economic inequality shapes individuals’ self-construals. However, it has been unclear which dimensions of self-construal are associated with and affected by economic inequality. A correlational (Study 1: N = 264) and an experimental study (Study 2: N = 532) provided converging evidence linking perceived economic inequality with two forms of independent (vs. interdependent) self-construal: Difference from Others and Self- Reliance. In Study 3 (N = 12,634) societal differences in objective economic inequality across 48 nations predicted feelings of Difference from Others, but not Self-Reliance. Importantly, we found no significant associations of economic inequality with the other six dimensions of self-construal. Our findings help extend previous results linking economic inequality to forms of “social distance.”

INTRODUCTION: In the 330-patient ADVOCATE trial of avacopan for the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, in which 81% of patients had renal involvement, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased on average 7.3 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the avacopan group and 4.1 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the prednisone group (P = 0.029) at week 52. This new analysis examines the results in the patient subgroup with severe renal insufficiency at enrollment into the trial, i.e., eGFR ≤20 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). METHODS: eGFR was determined at baseline and over the course of the trial. Changes in eGFR were compared between the 2 treatment groups. RESULTS: In ADVOCATE, 27 of 166 patients (16%) in the avacopan group and 23 of 164 patients (14%) in the prednisone group had a baseline eGFR ≤20 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). At week 52, eGFR increased on average 16.1 and 7.7 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the avacopan and prednisone groups, respectively (P = 0.003). The last eGFR value measured during the 52-week treatment period was ≥2-fold higher than baseline in 41% of patients in the avacopan group compared to 13% in the prednisone group (P = 0.030). More patients in the avacopan group versus prednisone group had increases in eGFR above 20, 30, and 45 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), respectively. Serious adverse events occurred in 13 of 27 patients (48%) in the avacopan group and 16 of 23 patients (70%) in the prednisone group. CONCLUSION: Among patients with baseline eGFR ≤20 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the ADVOCATE trial, eGFR improved more in the avacopan group than in the prednisone group.

A female patient in her early sixties had problems of recurrent syncopal attacks and panic attacks over the last 5 years. She had been initially managed for an anxiety disorder with psychiatric medications. During one of those episodes, she was brought to our hospital in an unconscious state with a low blood sugar level of 43 mg/dL. She was suspected to have a neuroendocrine tumour and diagnosis was established by supervised fasting up to 72 hours and imaging. Her recorded blood sugar during fasting was 37 mg/dL. She underwent surgery and presently remains asymptomatic. Physicians should have a high suspicion of insulinoma in patients presenting with repeated episodes of hypoglycaemic symptoms in the absence of any cognizable cause.

Researchers are increasingly recognizing the importance of studying and addressing intersectional stigma within the field of HIV. Yet, researchers have, arguably, struggled to operationalize intersectional stigma. To ensure that future research and methodological innovation is guided by frameworks from which this area of inquiry has arisen, we propose a series of core elements for future HIV-related intersectional stigma research. These core elements include multidimensional, multilevel, multidirectional, and action-oriented methods that sharpen focus on, and aim to transform, interlocking and reinforcing systems of oppression. We further identify opportunities for advancing HIV-related intersectional stigma research, including reducing barriers to and strengthening investments in resources, building capacity to engage in research and implementation of interventions, and creating meaningful pathways for HIV-related intersectional stigma research to produce structural change. Ultimately, the expected payoff for incorporating these core elements is a body of HIV-related intersectional stigma research that is both better aligned with the transformative potential of intersectionality and better positioned to achieve the goals of Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States and globally. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S4):S413–S419. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306710 )

A man in his 60s, with a medical history of gout, underwent total knee arthroplasty of his right knee followed by expeditious rehabilitation. Seven months after surgery, he was referred to the emergency ward with sudden onset of pain and swelling of his right knee accompanied with fever. Further inquiry revealed no trauma, infection or skin lesions besides a tongue bite several weeks earlier. An impaired range motion of the knee was seen on physical examination along with a tachycardia. Laboratory studies showed a C reactive protein of 345 mg/L, after which a debridement, antibiotics and implant retention procedure was performed. Intraoperatively obtained synovial fluid showed monosodium urate crystals consistent with crystalline arthropathy (ie, gout). However, unexpectedly

Our understanding of the still unfolding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic would have been extremely limited without the study of the genetics and evolution of this new human coronavirus. Large-scale genome-sequencing efforts have provided close to real-time tracking of the global spread and diversification of SARS-CoV-2 since its entry into the human population in late 2019. These data have underpinned analysis of its origins, epidemiology, and adaptations to the human population: principally immune evasion and increasing transmissibility. SARS-CoV-2, despite being a new human pathogen, was highly capable of human-to-human transmission. During its rapid spread in humans, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved independent new forms, the so-called "variants of concern," that are better optimized for human-to-human transmission. The most important adaptation of the bat coronavirus progenitor of both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 for human infection (and other mammals) is the use of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Relaxed structural constraints provide plasticity to SARS-related coronavirus spike protein permitting it to accommodate significant amino acid replacements of antigenic consequence without compromising the ability to bind to ACE2. Although the bulk of research has justifiably concentrated on the viral spike protein as the main determinant of antigenic evolution and changes in transmissibility, there is accumulating evidence for the contribution of other regions of the viral proteome to virus-host interaction. Whereas levels of community transmission of recombinants compromising genetically distinct variants are at present low, when divergent variants cocirculate, recombination between SARS-CoV-2 clades is being detected, increasing the risk that viruses with new properties emerge. Applying computational and machine learning methods to genome sequence data sets to generate experimentally verifiable predictions will serve as an early warning system for novel variant surveillance and will be important in future vaccine planning. Omicron, the latest SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, has focused attention on step change antigenic events, "shift," as opposed to incremental "drift" changes in antigenicity. Both an increase in transmissibility and antigenic shift in Omicron led to it readily causing infections in the fully vaccinated and/or previously infected. Omicron's virulence, while reduced relative to the variant of concern it replaced, Delta, is very much premised on the past immune exposure of individuals with a clear signal that boosted vaccination protects from severe disease. Currently, SARS-CoV-2 has proven itself to be a dangerous new human respiratory pathogen with an unpredictable evolutionary capacity, leading to a risk of future variants too great not to ensure all regions of the world are screened by viral genome sequencing, protected through available and affordable vaccines, and have non-punitive strategies in place for detecting and responding to novel variants of concern.

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System–Zika Postpartum Emergency Response study, implemented in Puerto Rico during the Zika virus outbreak (2016–2017) and after Hurricanes Irma and María (2017–2018), collected pregnancy-related data using postpartum hospital-based surveys and telephone follow-up surveys. Response rates of 75% or more were observed across five study surveys. The study informed programs, increased the Puerto Rico Department of Health’s capacity to conduct maternal‒infant health surveillance, and demonstrated the effectiveness of this methodology for collecting data during public health emergencies. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(4):574–578. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306687 )

After more than three months of lava dome extrusion, La Soufrière (St. Vincent) transitioned to a series of explosive eruptions in April 2021. Here we present a time-series petrologic analysis of the phenocryst and microlite populations during the first ∼48 hours of explosivity to constrain ascent conditions and processes that drove changes in behavior. Primary eruptive products were crystal-rich (45-50 vol%) basaltic andesites with similar phenocryst phase assemblages and compositions. The change in eruptive style is consistent with overpresurization as a consequence of second boiling from anhydrous microlite crystallization. The microlites display variation between the explosive phases, with two populations: 1) “inherited” - normally zoned high-An plagioclase (>An70) + olivine (Fo62-79) + clinopyroxene + titanomagnetite, inferred to have crystallized at depths >15 km and high water pressures; 2) “juvenile” - unzoned plagioclase (An45-65) + clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + intermediate pyroxene (Wo12-38) + titanomagnetite, inferred to have crystallized upon ascent due to decompression and degassing. Scoria from the first explosions featured extensive groundmass crystallization and a significant “inherited” microlite population. Later explosions had a more abundant “juvenile” microlite population and lower crystallinity, consistent with more rapid ascent from depth, initiated by decompression following initial blasts and destruction of the lava dome. Supplementary material at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6534864

This paper forensically reconstructs the timings, impacts and processes that drove the sequence of explosive eruptions of La Soufrière, St Vincent in April 2021 using a combination of field-based stratigraphy and textural dissection of the deposit character together with contemporary visual observations. Explosive activity on 9th and early on 10th April involved destruction of almost all of the 2020/2021 lava dome, ∼ 60% of the 1979 dome and formation of a 600 m diameter crater by 2pm UTC on 10th April. Following the initial explosion, plumes rose to altitudes of ∼15 km and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) formed by column collapse, first occurred on 10th April, only after > 24hrs of explosive activity. Dense PDCs reached the sea only in the Larikai and Roseau Valleys, and dilute PDCs were restricted to within 2.5 km of the Summit Crater rim. The tephra fallout deposits are stratified, composed of numerous layers of both lapilli-rich and ash-rich layers, which we have grouped into at least 7 Units, based on their common characteristics (Units 1 to 7). Volume estimates, using a range of techniques to constrain uncertainties, indicate that the bulk volume of tephra (fallout and PDC) is 1.19 x 108m3 +/− 20% making this a VEI 4 eruption. Supplementary material at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6474317

Under foreign policy pressure, preserving and strengthening the unity of citizens is one of the main tasks of the modern Russian state. Speaking about the challenges facing Russia, first, we are talking about the threat of losing the national and cultural identity of citizens. Ongoing discussions regarding Russia’s self-determination in the system of world and civilizational coordinates, as well as the image of unity in the consciousness of the nation, confirm the need to comprehend the value foundations of the essence of Russian statehood, summarize historical experience and determine the civilizational chronotype. The methodological basis of the research is historical institutionalism. The analysis made it possible to distinguish five priority values of the “genetic code” of Russian statehood: self-identification within the family, the self-perception of an individual as “the owner of his land”, the definition of civil identity as a sense of community with the people and the country, respect for traditions and history, as well as the perception of Russia as a country of global projects. These elements of the “genetic code,” according to the authors, reflect the value core of Russian statehood, and also determine the coordinate system for identifying Russians.

The countries of South Asia are among the most densely populated on the planet. Active migration processes are observed in the region, which have an impact on the socio-economic development of countries. The statistical data and reports of the International Organization for Migration of the United Nations served as an empirical basis for studying the migration mobility of the population of the countries of South Asia. The study is based on information on the structure of emigration and immigration of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan in absolute and relative terms. For greater clarity, a cartographic method was used: author’s maps were created that reflect the specifics of migration processes in the countries of South Asia in terms of absolute and relative indicators. The scientific base concerning economic and social development of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan is systematized. The study revealed the specifics of migration flows in the countries of the region on the basis of statistical information on the emigration and immigration of citizens, calculated in absolute and relative terms. The factors influencing the migration mobility of the population are revealed. A retrospective analysis of migration processes in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan was carried out to identify similar and different features in their history that continue to influence the current migration processes taking place in the region. The reasons for the popularity of India among migrants from neighboring countries of South Asia are substantiated. The influence of the heritage of British India on modern interstate processes in South Asia is shown. The differentiation of intraregional and interregional migration flows in South Asia is analyzed. An assessment is made of the impact of migration processes on the socio-economic development of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The characteristics of the current features in the migration situation in the countries of South Asia are formulated.

Composite materials reinforced with synthetic fibres have been used in aviation and space technology for more than half a century. Fibre-reinforced composites with high specific strength and corrosion resistance are an attractive alternative to traditional structural materials, including steels, aluminium and titanium alloys. At the same time, composites based on carbon and glass fibres are inherently brittle structural materials with high strength sensitivity to stress concentrations due to the design features of the structures or defects that occur in operation. One way to solve this problem is hybridisation which makes it possible to increase the nonlinearity of the composite stress-strain diagram and reduce sensitivity to notches. Hybrid composites combine several types of reinforcing filler with different fracture strains and exhibit a pronounced pseudo-ductile plateau in tension. Such material behaviour ensures the redistribution of stresses near the concentrator and potentially reduce notch sensitivity. When designing hybrids, it is necessary to take into account the influence of different factors including the ratio between the components and their lay-up, using various technological methods, and the specific strength of the finished material. This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the strength of hybrid composites based on glass and carbon fabrics in the open hole tests. It was found that hybrids with an extended hardening area after the pseudo-yield plateau are were more notch sensitive. A low elongation component layers rotation on angles up to 10°, as well as the use of thin polymer veils, also reduce the sensitivity of the composite strength to the presence of the defects.

The concept of consent is essential for every society society, affecting almost all its spheres - from everyday life to socio-political bases. Therefore, it cannot be considered accidental that both the idea itself and the diverse directions of its interpretation, dating back to the era of early modernity, today constitute one of the most priorities, intellectually saturated segments in modern socio-political theory. It is impossible to deny the appeal of the doctrine of personal consent (and the parallel thesis that no government is legitimate unless it acts without the consent of the governed). It has had a great influence on the political institutions of many modern states and has been a major factor in the direction that political theory has taken since 1600. In the second half of the 20th century, two approaches prevailed in political theory, within the framework of which the process of formation of the consensus tradition: personal and historical ones. The most impact to the theory is made by criticism of the unilinear model of consent analysis in the works of George Klosko, analysis by R.D. Bernstein of the problem of consent in the form of critical remarks on the philosophical position of R. Rorty, the concept of socialist “consent strategy” developed in the 1980s by E. Laclau and Sh. Mouffe, the controversy of the Canadian political philosopher James Tully with neo-Marxist theorists, the philosophical interpretation of consent by Jürgen Habermas as part of his analysis of the “rationalization paradox” etc. This theoretical and methodological frame becomes a basis for the thematic volume, where the articles on the history of socio-political thought are followed by the chapter devoted to the problems of Russia between cleavages and social harmony. Russian problems are blended with an international context, and the issue ends with an attempt to understand the ideological attitudes of modern youth.

The paper deals with the identification of a crack-like defect in a coated wedge based on ultrasonic nondestructive testing. The authors propose an approach of defect identification followed by determination of its geometrical parameters. The approach is based on a shadowed ultrasonic nondestructive testing method combined with deep machine learning technologies. A wedge-shaped area is inspected for the presence of an internal defect. On one edge of the wedge there is a source of ultrasonic vibrations, on the opposite edge there is a receiver. Passing through the coating and body of the wedge, part of the signal is reflected from inhomogeneities and defects that may be present in it. The signal reaching the opposite edge of the wedge is read by the receiver. The received data is processed by a neural network model, which predicts the presence or absence of an internal defect and, if present, determines geometric parameters such as size and position. A finite element model of ultrasonic wave propagation inside the wedge is constructed. Special damping layers are used, due to which the influence of parasitic signal reflections and its further propagation into the wedge body is significantly reduced. Based on the built model, the shadow method of ultrasonic scanning is implemented. This method implies that on one side of the wedge are installed excitation devices, and on the opposite side – receiving devices. Several numerical experiments for various combinations of geometric parameters of the wedge and the defect have been performed using a distributed computing system. Based on the obtained data, a neural network model was built and trained, capable of identifying the defect and determining its characteristics. The input of the model is spectrograms of the readout signal, and the output is values characterizing the defect.

The diseases of circulatory system take leading position in structure of mortality. The efficiency of development of scientifically-proved and modern models of medical care support is to be based on data of monitoring of level, dynamics and structure of corresponding pathology. The accessibility and timeliness of high-tech medical care support directly depends on degree of influence of relevant regional characteristics.The purpose of study was to estimate demand and accessibility of specialized high-tech medical care to residents of the Astrakhan Oblast related to leading nosological forms of diseases of circulatory system.The monographic, statistical, logical and system analysis methods were applied. The research was carried out applying continuous methodology and included data from reporting forms № 12 and № 14 in the Astrakhan Oblast in 2010-2019. The Absolute and average values, extensive indicators that model structure as well as methods of dynamic numbers derivation were applied. The mathematical methods based on specialized statistical software STATISTICA 10 were implemented too.The indicator of circulatory system general morbidity decreased up to 8,5% in 2010-2019. The leading positions are taken by cerebrovascular diseases (29,2%), ischemic heart diseases (23,8%) and diseases characterized by increasing of blood pressure (17,8%). The indicator of general morbidity of these nosological forms increased up to 16,9% and primary morbidity up to 43,9%. The average long-term level of prevalence comprised 55,3±1,23%0. At that, specialized medical care within the mentioned direction decreased from 44,9% to 30,0% and implementation of high-tech medical care increased from 2,2% to 4,0%.

Aim: Preparation of cerium containing silicious MCM-22 zeolite material and explore its application for biomass conversion. Background: Zeolites and zeolite like microporous materials are well known as potential heterogeneous acid catalysts, whose discovery has made a significant impact in the petroleum, petrochemical and fine chemical industries. In recent years, zeolite, zeolites like molecular sieves, and inorganic oxide-based heterogeneous catalysts played a significant role in biomass valorization to receive value-added chemicals. Thus we focused on utilization of zeolite for biomass transformation. Objective: Preparation of cerium containing aluminium-free siliceous MCM-22 (AF-CeMCM- 22) by the in-situ hydrothermal method and explore its importance on biomass transformation. Methods: Powder XRD, FTIR and BET surface area were used to study the microstructure of the samples. SEM and FE-SEM were used to study morphology, TGA was used to evaluate the thermal stability, and 29Si NMR and DR-UV-Vis were used to study the environment of the MCM-22 framework. The prepared and confirmed material was used for the oxidation of levulinic acid over the liquid phase setup. Gas chromatography was used to evaluate the catalytic study, such as conversion and selectivity; also, GCMS was used for the confirmation of products. Results: The powder XRD pattern showed well distinguish MCM-22 framework structure with a uniform dispersion of cerium ions in the MCM-22 framework. SEM image of the cerium AFCeMCM- 22 showed platelet structure having flaky spherical morphology and the surface area in the range of about 175 m2g−1. 29Si NMR and DR-UV-Vis studies confirmed the well-condensed nature of the MCM-22 silica framework and the cerium ions present in both tetrahedral and octahedral extra-framework environments. Conclusion: The catalyst developed in the present studies was found to be a promising catalyst for the conversion of iso-eugenol to vanillin at 60°C, using H2O2 oxidant with the vanillin selectivity of 71 %.

Background: Nanobiotechnology is a cutting-edge field that is revolutionizing the way we produce and utilize nanoparticles. With bacteria becoming increasingly resistant to traditional antibiotics, researchers are exploring new ways to synthesize antimicrobials. Objective:: The aim of this study was to investigate the biosynthesis of different forms of silver nanoparticles using different biological methods from Microcystis sp. to be used as an antimicrobial agent. Methods: We employed the direct strain powder method, ethanolic extract pellets, and ethanolic extract. Then a combination of analytical techniques was used to characterize the properties of nanoproperties. Finally, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the AgNPs against a panel of bacteria and fungi. Results: AgNPs were found in various forms, such as cubic, spherical, and rod shapes. UV-Vis detected a peak at 420 nm, and SEM identified the AgNPs with bio-capped layers ranging from 40-130 nm. The antibacterial test revealed that the pellet method produced the most effective AgNPs, specifically against Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus sp. with a clear zone of 32 mm, while the larger cubic AgNPs produced by the powder method were less effective as antibacterial agents. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that AgNPs can be produced using Microcysts sp. as a reducing and capping agent; furthermore, they are produced in different shapes as cubic, spherical, and rod shapes. Besides that, cubic nanoparticles are more effective in killing germs than spherical ones. The results of this study will help to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of AgNPs biosynthesis and pave the way for the development of new and more effective antimicrobial agents.

This paper considers optimal design of queueing networks in which each node consists of a single-server FIFO queue and an infinite-server queue, which is referred to as incubation queue. Upon service completion at a FIFO queue, a job splits (forks) into two parts: the first part is routed to the next node on its route, and the second part is placed in the incubation queue. Routing of the jobs of multiple types is governed by a central decision maker that decides on the routes for each job type and aims to minimize the mean turnaround time of the jobs, i.e., the time spent in the system until service completion at the FIFO queue in the last node, and at all incubation queues on the job's route, which may be viewed as a join operation. We provide explicit results for the turnaround time when all service and inter-arrival time distributions are exponential and invoke the Queueing Network Analyzer when these distributions are general. We then develop a Simulated Annealing approach to find the optimal routing configuration. We apply our approach to determine the optimal routing configuration in a chemistry analyzer line.

In this paper, a new simple pulse multiplication circuit (SPMC) with low current stress is proposed, in order to upgrade a normal 20-pulse autotransformer rectifier (20PAR) to a 40PAR. The proposed SPMC comprises two tapped inter-phase reactors (TIPRs) and two additional diodes with lower conduction losses. The proposed SPMC does not require a zero-sequence blocking transformer (ZSBT) compared to conventional pulse multiplication circuits, which leads to simplicity in implementation. Simulation and experimental results show that the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the input current using 40PAR is less than 3%, which meets the DO-160G requirements for aviation applications.

Abstract: This review describes the current state of knowledge concerning interactions between mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and neutrophils. MSCs are known as somatic multipotent cells with regenerative and anti-inflammatory abilities and immunomodulatory effects over other immune cells. Several studies reported that MSCs could affect the function and viability of neutrophils in their recruitment, activation, activity, survival, production of reactive oxygen species, phagocytosis capacity, and apoptosis. Moreover, neutrophils could be involved in the pro-metastatic effects of MSCs. Inversally, only a few studies pointed to the possibility of the opposite effect of neutrophils on MSCs. Understanding the interactions between MSCs and neutrophils could help promote therapeutic strategies using stromal cell-based therapeutic approaches, especially for hyper-immune pathologies, immunodeficiencies, and infectious diseases. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are essential to determine the complete mechanisms of MSCs and neutrophils interaction.