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This paper presents a low-loss, sharp roll-off, and wideband millimeter-wave contiguous diplexer implemented on 0.127 mm-thick TLY5 dielectric material to separate U-band frequency range into two jointed frequency ranges of 40-50 GHz and 50-60 GHz using two low-pass and high-pass filter channels. In order to integrate the diplexer in the front end of a wideband millimeter-wave down-converter and evaluate the frequency response, the proposed diplexer is supported by three add-on waveguide-to-suspended-stripline transitions. The final design of diplexer consisting of a low-pass filter with cut-off frequency of 50 GHz, a pseudo-high-pass filter with crossover at 50 GHz, and a T-junction is analyzed and optimized together with a 3D full-wave simulator. The realized diplexer features a VSWR of 2.5 : 1 across the entire operation frequency band of 40-60 GHz, low passband insertion loss of less than 2 dB in both channels, stopband rejection higher than 45 dB, and compact size with dimensions of 27 × 13 mm2 due to its intelligent and guided design and technology selection.

Motivated by the Attachment Security Enhancement Model (Arriaga et al., 2018), the present research investigated the associations between positive relationship experiences and romantic attachment avoidance in three dyadic studies that combined multiple methods, including daily diaries, laboratory observations, and longitudinal follow-ups. Frequency of daily positive relationship events (but not external positive events) during a 21-day diary period predicted declines in romantic attachment avoidance (but not anxiety) from pre- to post-diary in fledgling couples (Study 1) and newlyweds (Study 2). Video-recorded discussions of fledgling couples' shared positive experiences revealed that behaviors validating the relationship (but not simply showing conversational interest) predicted lagged declines in romantic attachment avoidance (but not anxiety) over 1 month (Study 3). The associations were mediated by positive affect during the diary period in Studies 1 and 2, and by changes in positive affect from pre- to post-discussion in Study 3. Positive relationship experiences did not significantly interact with time in predicting romantic avoidance over a 1-year follow-up with quarterly assessments of attachment orientations in Study 1, over an 8-month follow-up with monthly assessments in Study 2, or over a 2-month follow-up with monthly assessments in Study 3. Altogether, these studies provide one of the most comprehensive tests of how positive relationship experiences in nondistressing contexts are linked to romantic attachment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: Adult hypertension is a well-established risk factor for stroke in young adults (aged Methods: A nationwide, retrospective cohort study of adolescents (aged 16–19 years) who were medically evaluated before compulsory military service in Israel during 1985 to 2013. For each candidate for service, hypertension was designated after constructed screening, and the diagnosis was confirmed through a comprehensive workup process. The primary outcome was ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke incidence as registered at the national stroke registry. Cox proportional-hazards models were used. We conducted sensitivity analyses by excluding people with a diabetes diagnosis at adolescence or a new diabetes diagnosis during the follow-up period, analysis of adolescents with overweight, and adolescents with baseline unimpaired health status. Results: The final sample included 1 900 384 adolescents (58% men; median age, 17.3 years). In total, 1474 (0.08%) incidences of stroke (1236 [84%] ischemic) were recorded, at a median age of 43 (interquartile range, 38–47) years. Of these, 18 (0.35%) occurred among the 5221 people with a history of adolescent hypertension. The latter population had a hazard ratio of 2.4 (95% CI, 1.5–3.9) for incident stroke after adjustment for body mass index and baseline sociodemographic factors. Further adjustment for diabetes status yielded a hazard ratio of 2.1 (1.3–3.5). We found similar results when the outcome was ischemic stroke with a hazard ratio of 2.0 (1.2–3.5). Sensitivity analyses for overall stroke, and ischemic stroke only, yielded consistent findings. Conclusions: Adolescent hypertension is associated with an increased risk of stroke, particularly ischemic stroke, in young adulthood.

Background: Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases, affecting the lives of millions of people around the world. Introduction: A series of acenaphtho[1,2-e][1,2,4]triazine containing different thiomethyl-1,2,3-triazole derivatives were designed based on a fragment-based and molecular hybridization approach as anti-cancer agents. Methods: Designed compounds were synthesized using cycloaddition condensation followed by click reaction. Cytotoxicity of prepared compounds was evaluated by MTT reduction assay against four different cancer cell lines. Results: The biological evaluation indicated that derivative 6d with para-fluorobenzyl moiety was the most active cytotoxic agent with IC50 values of 70.1, 12.8, 41.5, and 16.0 μM against K562, MOLT-4, HT-29, and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Cell cycle analysis showed that acenaphtho triazine derivatives could induce G0/G1 phase arrest in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Conclusion: Synthesized derivatives can be ideal candidates for further exploration as anti-cancer agents.

Objective The current study aimed to compare the effectiveness of novel radiofrequency modulation (RM) therapy with a tailored physiotherapy course for patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) of myofascial origin, also known as myofascial pelvic pain syndrome (MPPS).Methods We enrolled 46 patients with myofascial CPP to compare the effectiveness of a 10-session routine physiotherapy course versus a 6-session RM with an integrated device (HIGGS) in alleviating MPPS morbidity and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) rehabilitation. The primary outcome was reduction in pelvic pain after the final session and in the follow-up period 3 months after the final intervention session.Results The 6-session therapy in the RM group and the manual, biofeedback, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapies in the physiotherapy group were similarly effective in reducing pain and improving PFM endurance after the final intervention session in each group, whereas perineometer readings and PFM strength were associated with greater improvements in the physiotherapy group.Conclusion The results of this study demonstrated comparable effectiveness of RM in the management of MPPS and improvement of PFM function compared to routine physiotherapy programs with fewer sessions of therapy.

PURPOSE Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. However, by implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, 30%-50% of cancers can be detected early with improved outcomes. At the integrated cancer prevention center (ICPC), we aimed to increase early detection by screening for multiple cancers during one visit. METHODS Self-referred asymptomatic individuals, age 20-80 years, were included prospectively. Clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological data were obtained by multiple specialists, and further testing was obtained based on symptoms, family history, individual risk factors, and abnormalities identified during the visit. Follow-up recommendations and diagnoses were given as appropriate. RESULTS Between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2019, 8,618 men and 8,486 women, average age 47.11 ± 11.71 years, were screened. Of 259 cancers detected through the ICPC, 49 (19.8%) were stage 0, 113 (45.6%) stage I, 30 (12.1%) stage II, 25 (10.1%) stage III, and 31(12.5%) stage IV. Seventeen cancers were missed, six of which were within the scope of the ICPC. Compared with the Israeli registry, at the ICPC, less cancers were diagnosed at a metastatic stage for breast (none v 3.7%), lung (6.7% v 11.4%), colon (20.0% v 46.2%), prostate (5.6% v 10.5%), and cervical/uterine (none v 8.5%) cancers. When compared with the average stage of detection in the United States, detection was earlier for breast, lung, prostate, and female reproductive cancers. Patient satisfaction rate was 8.35 ± 1.85 (scale 1-10). CONCLUSION We present a proof of concept study for a one-stop-shop approach to cancer screening in a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic. We successfully detected cancers at an early stage, which has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality as well as offer substantial cost savings. [Media: see text]

Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, and anti-microbial properties. It has been demonstrated that Aloe Vera use could accelerate healing of burn injuries in rats. The current study evaluates the effects of Aloe Vera gel and Aloe Vera leaf pulp extract (LPE) alone and together with silver sulfadiazine on third degree burn wound injuries in rats. In an experimental study, 70 male Wistar rats weighing 200–250 g were divided into 7 groups to receive topical placebo, silver sulfadiazine, Aloe Vera gel, Aloe Vera LPE and their combination. Treatment results were evaluated according to wound healing on days 3, 10, and 21 and according to pathologic findings on day 21. Wound size differed significantly between groups on day 3 (p= 0.001), day 10 (p= 0.001), and day 21 (p= 0.001). The study's findings indicate that Aloe Vera gel alone, compared to LPE, and the combination of Aloe Vera gel or LPE with silver sulfadiazine had a more significant reduction in wound size. The combined treatment of Aloe Vera LPE and silver sulfadiazine has shown several advantages, including enhanced epithelialization and reduced cell infiltration, granulation tissue formation, and vascularization in the treatment of burns. However, additional research is necessary to determine the most effective treatment for third-degree burns.

Apricot is an important stone fruit species with different cultivars cultivated worldwide. Therefore, breeding programs are necessary for developing new varieties with various fruit quality and sensory traits. The present study evaluated morphological and fruit-quality attributes of thirty-seven apricot genotypes selected from several Iranian and Italian open-pollinated cultivars together with Shahroudi cultivar (control) during two growing seasons (2019–2020) using the UPOV descriptor and GT-biplot analysis. The results showed great variability in fruit size among all apricot genotypes studied. Most genotypes showed medium-sized fruits while large and small fruits were observed in eight and four genotypes, respectively. The highest yield was recorded in G-464, G-432, G-588, Shahroudi and G-571. Genotypes G-432, G-464, G-571, G-573, and G-576 had higher fruit weight than Shahroudi. In addition, G-450 and G-553 had the highest TSS (18.2°Brix) and TSS/TA (25.4), respectively. The GT-biplot analysis revealed that fruit weight and dimensions along with pH and TSS could be indicators for selecting superior genotypes. According to the present study, G-464, G-571 and G-450 can be introduced as superior genotypes and it is expected that the inter-crossing of these three have the potential to produce cultivars with sweet fruit, high yield and large fruit size.

Human skin not only functions as a permeation barrier (mainly due to the stratum corneum layer), but also provides a unique delivery pathway for therapeutic and other active agents. These compounds penetrate via intercellular, intracellular and transappendageal routes, resulting in topical delivery (into skin strata) and transdermal delivery (to subcutaneous tissues and into the systemic circulation). Lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs) are next-generation core–shell nanostructures, conceptually derived from both liposome and polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), where a polymer core remains enveloped by a lipid layer. Although they have garnered significant interest, they remain not yet widely exploited or ubiquitous. Recently, a fundamental transformation has occurred in the preparation of LPHNPs, characterized by a transition from a two-step to a one-step strategy, involving synchronous self-assembly of polymers and lipids. Owing to its two-in-one structure, this approach is of particular interest as a combinatorial drug delivery platform in oncology. In particular, the outer surface can be decorated in multifarious ways for active targeting of anticancer therapy, delivery of DNA or RNA materials, and use as a diagnostic imaging agent. Keywords: Lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticle, Topical delivery, Drug delivery, Gene delivery.

Nanocellulose (NC) films are gaining popularity in recent years owing to their recyclability and biodegradability; however, the commercialization of this material is limited by environmental and moisture barrier constraints. The incorporation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with NC significantly improved the barrier performance but the resultant films were quite hydrophilic and hence completely disintegrated in water. The aim of this study is to produce hydrophobic NC/CMC films without compromising their barrier characteristics. For this purpose, the optimized content of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) was spray-deposited on the fully and partially dried NC/CMC films and their hydrophobic, barrier and mechanical properties were assessed. The deposition of AKD has improved the hydrophobicity and flexibility while maintaining the barrier properties of the films. However, their tensile index values decreased by 26–29% as compared with the neat NC/CMC films, but the values remained in acceptable range. Additionally, the partially dried spray deposited AKD-NC/CMC films have shown superior results as they showed higher hydrophobicity (θ = 127° ± 3), while lower percentage of mass loss after immersion for 48 h in water (15%) as compared with the fully dried spray deposited AKD-NC/CMC films. Graphical abstract

BACKGROUND: Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have motor impairment that leads to the fear of falling, which limits functional independence. AIM: To correlate the fear of falling with cognitive function, handgrip strength, upper limb pulling force and functional execution time on the task of boarding a bus in individuals with PD. METHOD: A cross-sectional study involving 31 individuals with idiopathic PD. Assessments were performed with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I). Handgrip strength and upper limb pulling force were measured using dynamometers installed on a bus prototype. Execution time was determined on the single task (ST), which consisted of climbing a bus, as well as a dual task (DT) (detecting specific letters from an audio recording during the task). Correlations between variables were determined using Pearson’s correlation test, with the significance level set at 5% (p

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic involved many uncertainties, including financial uncertainty due to the global financial crisis. Previous research indicates that financial uncertainty is negatively related to mental health and wellbeing. Aims: We tested a model suggesting that the negative impact of financial uncertainty is explained by a restriction of individuals’ view of their future possibilities. Specifically, this longitudinal study explored the relationship of financial uncertainty and anxiety, considering the mediating role of future orientation. Method: Data were collected with questionnaires administered to Israeli citizens in April, June and August 2020. Data analysis comprised 379 respondents who participated in all three times. Results: Future orientation mediated the relationship of financial uncertainty and anxiety over time. Tests of changes across time show that changes in financial uncertainty were related to changes in anxiety levels over time. Limitations: Our sample was biased toward younger ages and the measurement of future orientation referred to a general view of the future rather than specific areas. Conclusion: The results suggest that the stressor of financial uncertainty is generalized to a negative view of future possibilities, thereby increasing anxiety.

Summary Production of oil from carbonate rocks is very challenging due to their inherent nature, such as detection, complex wettability, pore structure, and low recovery factor. Nanoparticles (NPs) are recognized as remarkable materials for a wide range of research and commercial applications due to their physical properties and characteristics. Extensive research in recent years has shown that nanoscience can provide great potential for the development of carbonate reservoirs and enhanced oil recovery (EOR). In this study, the carbonate core plug samples were prepared from an Iranian reservoir. At first, the wettability capacity of the core samples was evaluated. This process was carried out by evaluating wettability changes using the contact angle of base fluid and nanofluid. The potential of the NPs (ZnO, TiO2, and ZrO2) to change the wettability was experimentally tested in the loading NPs from 0.01 wt% to 0.5 wt% by the contact angle method. Wettability studies have shown that nanofluids can influence wettability variability from oil-wet to water-wet quality. About 0.05 wt% of NPs was found to be the optimal concentration to affect wettability change. The same behavior was observed for all nanofluids at the same NP loading; while TiO2 showed better performance with a sharp change from an oil-wet state (θ = 151.9°) to a water-wet state (θ = 111.3°), ZnO, and ZrO2 changed wettability to a moderately-wet condition (θ = 108.6° and 118.6°, respectively) at 0.05 wt% NP loading. We conclude that TiO2-based nanofluids have great potential as EOR agents, and TiO2 is very impressive in its strong water-wettability. The highest oil recovery in the optimal amount for all three nanofluids was obtained as 35.2%, 23.2%, and 25.6%, respectively, for TiO2, ZnO, and ZrO2 nanofluids. Furthermore, we considered the effect of nanofluids on the recovery performance of the brine/oil system for carbonate core samples. The results showed that nanofluids can significantly imbibe into the core sample, and as a result, the final oil recovery is significant.

Quantization of the Teichm\"uller space of a punctured Riemann surface $S$ is an approach to $3$-dimensional quantum gravity, and is a prototypical example of quantization of cluster varieties. Any simple loop $\gamma$ in $S$ gives rise to a natural trace-of-monodromy function $\mathbb{I}(\gamma)$ on the Teichm\"uller space. For any ideal triangulation $\Delta$ of $S$, this function $\mathbb{I}(\gamma)$ is a Laurent polynomial in the square-roots of the exponentiated shear coordinates for the arcs of $\Delta$. An important problem was to construct a quantization of this function $\mathbb{I}(\gamma)$, namely to replace it by a noncommutative Laurent polynomial in the quantum variables. This problem, which is closely related to the framed protected spin characters in physics, has been solved by Allegretti and Kim using Bonahon and Wong's ${\rm SL}_2$ quantum trace for skein algebras, and by Gabella using Gaiotto, Moore and Neitzke's Seiberg-Witten curves, spectral networks, and writhe of links. We show that these two solutions to the quantization problem coincide. We enhance Gabella's solution and show that it is a twist of the Bonahon-Wong quantum trace., Comment: 45 pages. ver2: Author added. Sections 4, 5, statement and proof of main theorem substantially improved / ver3: Changes made for published version have been reflected

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is characterized by aggressive local invasion and metastatic spread, leading to high lethality. Although driver gene mutations during PDA progression are conserved, no specific mutation is correlated with the dissemination of metastases1–3. Here we analysed RNA splicing data of a large cohort of primary and metastatic PDA tumours to identify differentially spliced events that correlate with PDA progression. De novo motif analysis of these events detected enrichment of motifs with high similarity to the RBFOX2 motif. Overexpression of RBFOX2 in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) metastatic PDA cell line drastically reduced the metastatic potential of these cells in vitro and in vivo, whereas depletion of RBFOX2 in primary pancreatic tumour cell lines increased the metastatic potential of these cells. These findings support the role of RBFOX2 as a potent metastatic suppressor in PDA. RNA-sequencing and splicing analysis of RBFOX2 target genes revealed enrichment of genes in the RHO GTPase pathways, suggesting a role of RBFOX2 splicing activity in cytoskeletal organization and focal adhesion formation. Modulation of RBFOX2-regulated splicing events, such as via myosin phosphatase RHO-interacting protein (MPRIP), is associated with PDA metastases, altered cytoskeletal organization and the induction of focal adhesion formation. Our results implicate the splicing-regulatory function of RBFOX2 as a tumour suppressor in PDA and suggest a therapeutic approach for metastatic PDA.

The present study explores magnetic nanoliquid mixed convection in a double lid–driven U-shaped enclosure with discrete heating using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) numerical method. The nanoliquid thermal conductivity and viscosity are calculated using the Maxwell and Brinkman models respectively. Nanoliquid magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and mixed convection are analyzed and entropy generation minimisation has been studied. The presented results for isotherms, stream isolines and entropy generation describe the interaction between the various physical phenomena inherent to the problem including the buoyancy, magnetic and shear forces. The operating parameters’ ranges are: Reynolds number (Re: 1–100), Hartman number (Ha: 0–80), magnetic field inclination (γ: 0°– 90°), nanoparticles volume fraction (ϕ: 0–0.04) and inclination angle (α: 0°– 90°). It was found that the N um and the total entropy generation augment by increasing Re, ϕ: and γ. conversely, an opposite effect was obtained by increasing Ha and α. The optimum magnetic field and cavity inclination angles to maximum heat transfer are γ = 90° and α = 0.

This study investigates how sensitizing graduate L2 students about source-text use might affect their citation practices. Two summary writing tasks involving two similar published articles, one irrelevant and one pertinent to source-text use, were assigned individually to 16 graduate English language teaching students from Iran. After completing the tasks, the students participated in retrospective interviews about their source-text use. Recursive thematic data analysis indicated that while they were inclined towards more direct source-text use in the first summary, they opted for more indirect and academic source-text use that involved their contribution and interpretation in the sensitizing task. The paper discusses the significance of sensitizing students to source-text use.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been widely used in patients with COVID-19, but uncertainty remains about the determinants of in-hospital mortality and data on post-discharge outcomes are scarce. The aims of this study were to investigate the variables associated with in-hospital outcomes in patients who received ECMO during the first wave of COVID-19 and to describe the status of patients 6 months after ECMO initiation.METHODS: EuroECMO-COVID is a prospective, multicentre, observational study developed by the European Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. This study was based on data from patients aged 16 years or older who received ECMO support for refractory COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic-from March 1 to Sept 13, 2020-at 133 centres in 21 countries. In-hospital mortality and mortality 6 months after ECMO initiation were the primary outcomes. Mixed-Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate associations between patient and management-related variables (eg, patient demographics, comorbidities, pre-ECMO status, and ECMO characteristics and complications) and in-hospital deaths. Survival status at 6 months was established through patient contact or institutional charts review. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04366921, and is ongoing.FINDINGS: Between March 1 and Sept 13, 2020, 1215 patients (942 [78%] men and 267 [22%] women; median age 53 years [IQR 46-60]) were included in the study. Median ECMO duration was 15 days (IQR 8-27). 602 (50%) of 1215 patients died in hospital, and 852 (74%) patients had at least one complication. Multiorgan failure was the leading cause of death (192 [36%] of 528 patients who died with available data). In mixed-Cox analyses, age of 60 years or older, use of inotropes and vasopressors before ECMO initiation, chronic renal failure, and time from intubation to ECMO initiation of 4 days or more were associated with higher in-hospital mortality. 613 patients did not die in hospital, and 547 (95%) of 577 patients for whom data were available were alive at 6 months. 102 (24%) of 431 patients had returned to full-time work at 6 months, and 57 (13%) of 428 patients had returned to part-time work. At 6 months, respiratory rehabilitation was required in 88 (17%) of 522 patients with available data, and the most common residual symptoms included dyspnoea (185 [35%] of 523 patients) and cardiac (52 [10%] of 514 patients) or neurocognitive (66 [13%] of 512 patients) symptoms.INTERPRETATION: Patient's age, timing of cannulation (FUNDING: None.