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The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted post-hospitalization care facilities in the United States and hindered their ability to accept new patients for various reasons. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on discharge disposition after colon surgery and associated postoperative outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Participant Use File and targeted colectomy. Patients were divided into the following 2 cohorts: (1) pre-pandemic (2017–2019) and (2) pandemic (2020). The primary outcomes included discharge disposition—post-hospitalization facility versus home. The secondary outcomes were rates of 30-day readmissions and other postoperative outcomes. The multivariable analysis assessed for confounders and effect modification on discharge to home. Discharge to posthospitalization facilities decreased by 30% in 2020 compared to 2017 to 2019 (7% vs 10%, P <.001). This occurred despite an increase in emergency cases (15% vs 13%, P <.001) and open surgical approach (32% vs 31%, P <.001) in 2020. Multivariable analysis revealed that patients in 2020 had 38% lower odds of going to post-hospitalization facilities (odds ratio 0.62, P <.001) after adjusting for surgical indications and underlying comorbidities. This decrease in patients going to a post-hospitalization facility was not associated with an increased length of stay or an increase in 30-day readmissions or postoperative complications. During the pandemic, patients undergoing colonic resection were less likely to be discharged to a post-hospitalization facility. This shift was not associated with an increase in 30-day complications. This should prompt further research to assess the reproducibility of these associations, especially in a setting without a global pandemic. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the performance of interconnected queueing systems and queueing-inventory systems (IQSQIS) in stochastic modeling. IQSQIS features two types of service facilities with dual service stations: one providing non-commodity service with a multi-server, and another handling commodity sales with a single server. As directed, a customer type i , i = 1 , 2 can approach the station i , i = 1 , 2 whose arrival pattern follows the marked Markovian arrival process (MMAP) since we assume that both service stations have an equal arrival phase. The IQSQIS gives an offer to the type-2 customer to choose type-1 service at the end of their service completion. Numerical results suggest that this option reduces customer wait times, orbit size, and overall system costs. The comparative analysis of heterogeneous and homogeneous servers in station-1 and queue-dependent and non-queue-dependent service facilities in station-2 is presented and investigated using the numerical outputs. • This paper explores interconnected queueing and queueing-inventory systems with marked MAP arrivals. • The interconnected system allows a customer to approach a queueing system from a queueing-inventory system for further service. • The optimum expected total cost is obtained and graphically illustrated with varying parameters. • The monotonicity of the parameters is illustrated for necessary system performance measures of the interconnected system. • The waiting time of a customer and the number of busy servers have been discussed with various distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• After implementation of our CardioOB program, overall patient follow-up was relatively low. • We identified several sociodemographic factors and pregnancy characteristics associated with CardioOB follow-up. • These data may be useful in developing strategies aimed to increase follow-up and provide care for patients in this select population. Given the association of adverse pregnancy outcomes with risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cardiac events later in life, our institution launched a CardioObstetrics (CardioOB) program aimed to provide long-term care for patients at risk. We performed a retrospective cohort study in order to investigate which patient characteristics were associated with CardioOB follow-up following the inception of the program. We identified several sociodemographic factors and pregnancy characteristics such as increased maternal age, non-English language preferred, married marital status, referral during the antepartum period, and discharged with antihypertensive medications after delivery associated with a higher likelihood of CardioOB follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In-person, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improves physical activity and reduces morbidity and mortality for patients with cardiovascular disease. However, activity levels may not be optimized and decline over time after patients graduate from cardiac rehabilitation. Scalable interventions through mobile health (mHealth) technologies have the potential to augment activity levels and extend the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation.Methods: The VALENTINE Study is a prospective, randomized-controlled, remotely-administered trial designed to evaluate an mHealth intervention to supplement cardiac rehabilitation for low- and moderate-risk patients (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04587882). Participants are randomized to the control or intervention arms of the study. Both groups receive a compatible smartwatch (Fitbit Versa 2 or Apple Watch 4) and usual care. Participants in the intervention arm of the study additionally receive a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) delivered as contextually tailored notifications promoting low-level physical activity and exercise throughout the day. In addition, they have access to activity tracking and goal setting through the mobile study application and receive weekly activity summaries via email. The primary outcome is change in 6-minute walk distance at 6-months and, secondarily, change in average daily step count. Exploratory analyses will examine the impact of notifications on immediate short-term smartwatch-measured step counts and exercise minutes.Conclusions: The VALENTINE study leverages innovative techniques in behavioral and cardiovascular disease research and will make a significant contribution to our understanding of how to support patients using mHealth technologies to promote and sustain physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, engineered biochar and hydrochar derived from paddy husk were compared for the adsorption tetracycline (TC) in water effluents. Biochar was produced at three different pyrolysis temperatures (e.g., 250 °C, 300 °C and 350 °C) while hydrochar was produced using three different HTC temperatures (e.g., 180 °C, 200 °C and 220 °C). The adsorptive experiments were performed for both biochar and hydrochar using well-defined experimental conditions: pH (3); initial TC concentration (10 mg/L); adsorbent dosage (1 g/L); and temperature (27 °C) to study their adsorptive performances (q e in mg/g). After selecting the best q e values for both biochar and hydrochar, both materials were modified using 20% H 3 PO 4. A comprehensive scientific evaluation of both engineered biochar (EBC 350) and hydrochar (EHC 220) was performed using adsorption isotherm, adsorption kinetics, rate-limiting, and thermodynamics tests along with their characterization using FTIR and point of zero charge (pzc). The effects of temperature, dosage, and initial TC concentration on the adsorption process were studied for both EBC 350 and EHC 220. Acid activation improved the adsorptive performance of EHC 220 almost four times (from 1.9 to 7.5 mg/g), whereas adsorptive performance of EBC 350 improved 2.4 times from 3.8 to 9.1 mg/g. The best pH for TC adsorption onto EHC 220 was 5, whereas it was 3 for EBC 350. EBC 350 exhibited a good fit with the Freundlich model, whereas EHC 220 followed the Langmuir model. At 100 mg/L TC concentration, EHC 220 exhibited higher q e value (46.9 mg/g) compared to EBC 350 (41.7 mg/g). The Pseudo-first order kinetic model was the best fit for EHC 220 adsorption, whereas Pseudo-second order model was most suitable for EBC 350. The adsorption mechanisms involved in TC adsorption by EHC 220 included hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effect, and π − π interaction, whereas cation exchange, mass diffusion, and π − π interaction were involved for EBC 350. The results of this study will facilitate the development of cost-effective filters with the incorporation of engineered biochar/engineered hydrochar for the active removal of emerging contaminants, like tetracycline, from wastewater so as to increase its reusable potential. [Display omitted] • Engineered biochar and hydrochar were examined for the removal of tetracycline from synthetic wastewater. • H 3 PO 4 activation enhanced the adsorption capacity of engineered hydrochar and biochar. • Pseudo-second order model and Pseudo-first order model were well-suited to explain adsorption kinetics of the engineered biochar and hydrochar, respectively. • π − π interaction, mass diffusion and cation exchange were fundamental adsorption processes for engineered biochar. • H-bond, hydrophobic interaction and π − π interaction were fundamental adsorption processes for engineered hydrochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers a stochastic queueing-inventory system with dual service stations, two groups of heterogeneous multi-servers, two finite waiting halls, and two classes of customers. Station-1 and station-2 provide an inventory sales service and feedback service, respectively. The feedback service option can be given to customers at the service completion epoch. If a customer requires feedback service, moves to an orbit; otherwise, leaves the system permanently. The classical retrial policy is applied to get feedback service. For the replenishment process, the system follows an (S − 1 , S) base stock ordering policy. This study analyzes the model under four classifications: 1) orbit size is finite and servers have homogeneous service rate; 2) orbit size is finite and servers have heterogeneous service rate; 3) orbit size is infinite and servers have homogeneous service rate; and 4) orbit size is infinite and servers have heterogeneous service rate. The steady-state probability vector for an infinite-size orbit case is computed using the Neuts and Rao truncation method. An expected total cost function is derived with sufficient system indicators for the four classifications. An optimized expected total cost is gained for classifications 2 and 4. The probability that a server is busy, the customer's waiting time, and the customer's loss rate are minimized for classifications 2 and 4. • Two groups of servers are used to perform distinct service facility, including an optional feedback service in a queueing-inventory system. • The stochastic inventory system explores the base stock ordering policy for the replenishment of storage space. • The system examines its performance under four classifications. 1) finite orbit size-homogeneous servers; 2) finite orbit size-heterogeneous servers; 3) infinite orbit size-homogeneous servers; 4) infinite orbit size-heterogeneous servers. • An optimized expected total cost, the probability that a server is busy, the customer's waiting time, and loss rate are minimized for classifications 2 and 4. • As predicted, the numerical results shows that the heterogeneous service facility will be more efficient than the homogeneous service facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution is severely threatening the wetland habitats. Heavy metals are one among of the major pollutants in wetland habitats. The cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn), were assessed in the water, sediment, benthic species (polychaetes, mollusc and crustaceans), prawn and fishes. The assessment of heavy metals was done by using double-beam Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The Hg, Cr and Co were greater in sediment, Ni and Cd were higher in polychaetes and molluscs respectively. However, the Cu and Pb greater in crabs and the Zinc was greater in fishes. The concentration of metals showed significant differences among the various sources examined (P < 0.05) except Cr (P > 0.05). The inter-correlational analysis among the metals assessed from the various sources showed that the Cr and Pb not correlated among the eight metals examined. However, the Cu and Co were correlated with Hg (r = 0.307) and (r = 0.788) respectively. The nickel was correlated with Hg (r = 0.367), Cu (r = 0.362) and Co (r = 0.432). The Zinc was correlated with the Cd (r = 0.331) and Hg (r = 0.737). However, correlation of metals among the different sources shown that the metals of polychaetes correlated with sediment r = 0.637, the metals of crabs correlated with the sediment and polychaetes r = 0.630 and r = 842 respectively, the metals of molluscs was also correlated with sediment (r = 0.636), polychaetes (r = 0.889) and crabs (r = 0.894). In addition to that the metals of prawns was correlated with the polychaetes (r = 839), crabs (r = 0.628) and molluscs (r = 0.634). The metals of fishes correlated with polychaetes (r = 0.529), crabs (r = 0.710), molluscs (r = 0.493) and prawns (r = 0.593). Indeed the multiple regression model explained that the metals of sediments influence the accumulation of metals in biotic species such as polychaetes, molluscs, crustaceans, prawns and fishes with 84% (F = 21.079; p < 0.001).The order of the heavy metals in the water, sediment and biotic species was Hg > Pb > Ni > Cr > Zn > Co > Cu > Cd. The study found that the level of heavy metals at various sources in the sanctuary is showing considerable warning and the sanctuary is required intensive assessment on various aspects of pollution since the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary is supporting several species of migratory and endangered shorebirds seasonally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the farmers are struggling with polyphagous insect pest, and it is the number one enemy of agri-products, which made plenty of economic deterioration. Spodoptera litura and Helicoverpa armigera are the agronomically important polyphagous pests. Most of the farmers are predominately dependent on synthetic chemical insecticides (SCIs) for battle against polyphagous pets. As a result, the broad spectrum usage of SCIs led a lot of detrimental outcomes only inconsequently the researchers search the former-friendly phyto-pesticidal approach. In the present investigation, leaf ethanol extract (LEE) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of A. catechu (Ac) were subjected to various spectral (TLC, CC, UV, FTIR, XRD and SEM) analyses. Larval and pupal toxicity of A. catechu Ac -LEE and Ac -AgNPs were tested against selected polyphagous insect pests. The significant larval and pupal toxicity were experimentally proven, and the highest toxicity noticed in AgNPs than Ac -LEE. The larval and pupal toxicity of Ac -AgNPs tested against S. litura and H. armigera LC 50 /LC 90 values were 71.04/ 74.78, 85.33/ 88.91 µg/mL and 92.57/ 96.21 and 124.43/ 129.95 µg/mL respectively. Ac -AgNPs could be potential phyto-pesticidal effectiveness against selected polyphagous insect pests. In globally, it is significantly sufficient ratification giving towards the prevention of many unauthorized SCPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hospital mortality rate for IPF patients with acute respiratory failure is 43.8% • Hospital mortality rate for IPF patients requiring ventilator support is 56.7% • Outcomes are poor in those with IPF exacerbations requiring ventilator support To date, studies have provided conflicting results regarding the outcomes of patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) admitted to the ICU with acute respiratory failure (ARF). To understand the characteristics and outcomes of these patients. Retrospective study using a large single-center ICU database. We identified 48 unique patients with IPF admitted for ARF from 2001-2012. The most common causes of ARF were IPF exacerbation and pneumonia. The overall hospital mortality rate was 43.8% and was 56.7% in those who required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). In patients requiring IMV for IPF exacerbation, the mortality rate was 81.3%. In multiple regression analysis, the presence of diabetes mellitus was associated with decreased mortality whereas the need for IMV was associated with increased mortality. Although the overall mortality rate for IPF patients with ARF has improved, the need for IMV due to IPF exacerbations is associated with increased mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The entomofaunal survey and its toxicity of Blumea mollis (Asteraceae) leaf aqueous extract-mediated (Bm -LAE) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were assessed against selected human vector mosquitoes (HVMs). A total of 1800 individuals of 29 species belongs to 7 genera were identified. Month-wise and Genus-wise abundance of HVMs larval diversity were calculated and one-way ANOVA statistically analyzed the average physico-chemical characteristics. The relationship between physicochemical characteristics and HVMs larvae in KWS was interpreted. The total larval density and container index were 23530.18 and 1961.85 examined against 10 different containers. Various spectroscopic and microscopic investigation characterized Bm -AgNPs. The Bm- AgNPs tested against HVMs larvae, the predominant LC 50 /LC 90 values of 18.17/39.56, 23.45/42.49 and 21.82/40.43 μg/mL were observed on An. subpictus Cx. vishnui and Ae. vittatus, respectively. The findings of this investigation, improperly maintained drainages, containers and unused things in study sites, are engaged to HVMs development. This will be essential for designing and implementing HVMs control. The larval toxic potentiality of Bm- AgNPs had a prompt, inexpensive and compelling synthesis of multi-disperse action against HVMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exotic woody weed plants are a very serious threat to seed dispersed by ungulate in the tropical forest of Asia. The ungulates in Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (PCWS) are a significant role in native indigenous seed dispersal. The exotic woody weed tree Prosopis juliflora prevalence distributed in the PCWS and they might potentially alter the native medicinal plant species. In the present investigation, we have assessed the seed dispersal by ungulates in PCWS from January to March 2017. Four different ungulate species were selected to understand their seed dispersal rate of different plant species in selected sanctuary. This investigation was planned to confirm the seed dispersal by ungulates of blackbuck, spotted deer, wild boar and feral horse. Among the four different ungulates tested, the maximum numbers of pellets collected from blackbuck and no seed found in their pellets. The low quantities of pellets were collected from wild boar and this study has recorded medium-sized ungulates which dispersed variety of plant. However, the dispersal of the seed of medicinal plants were not considerably high and relatively moderate percentage of seeds dispersal occurred in medium-sized ungulates like wild boar and spotted deer. P. juliflora had 100% seed germination rate were observed from the faecal samples of wild boar and feral horse. The control seed achieved maximum seedling rate than the ungulates seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metals are major toxic elements and cause various diseases and damage shorebirds. The study envisaged the heavy metals content in the feathers of shorebirds, prey, water, and sediment from Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (PMF). Primary feathers of shorebirds species such as Curlew Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, and Painted Stork were collected and analyzed the following metals viz., Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Pb, Hg, Ni, and Zn. The levels of Hg, Cr, Pb and Ni varied significantly among the metals studied (p < 0.05). The metal contamination pattern of shorebirds followed in the following order: Painted stork > Eurasian Curlew > Curlew sandpiper. However, in the habitat, Cd, Co, Pb, Hg, Ni and Zi varied significantly between water and sediment (p < 0.05) and Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Ni, and Zi differed significantly among the prey species (p < 0.05). Overall, except for Cd, whereas, other seven metals showed significant differences between the feathers of shorebirds and the environment such as water, sediment, polychaetes, mollusc, crabs, prawns and fishes (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the resident bird (Painted stork) had a higher level of metal accumulation than migratory species, showing that PMF is under threat and requires proper monitoring, management and conservation strategies to sustain organisms that depend on it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synergizing catalytic advanced oxidation with ultrasound. • Zinc Oxide and Silicon Dioxide show equivalent activity as titanium dioxide. • Surface changes on the catalysts after treatment. • Response Surface methodology studies on the reduction of COD, BOD and TDS. Advanced oxidation of wastewater is a promising technique for tannery wastewater treatment, as it consumes less chemical addition and energy and it doesn't liberate any secondary effluents. However, advanced oxidation can be improved by conjoining it with energy sources like ultraviolet radiation, ultrasound, etc. Catalysts capable of oxidation like titanium dioxide and iron oxide have been utilized for advanced oxidation of tannery effluent. The present work studies the synergic effect of ultrasound assisted advanced oxidation using two oxy-catalysts, namely zinc oxide and silicon dioxide. The effect of variables like time of treatment, catalyst loading, and power of ultrasound on the reduction of BOD, COD, and TDS were estimated and the results indicated a proficient reduction of contaminants. Upon treatment with silicon dioxide under ultrasound, the COD, BOD, and TDS reduction were found to be 88%, 89%, and 88% respectively, while zinc oxide catalyst indicated 89%, 85%, and 88% reduction. Response Surface Methodology has been utilized for derivation of a mathematical model for COD, BOD and TDS reduction. The spent catalysts were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction to understand the changes in the characteristics of the spent catalyst. The deposition of contaminants on the catalysts and slight changes in the surface morphology were evident. Hence silicon dioxide and zinc oxide are promising catalysts for the treatment of tannery effluent combined with ultrasound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in patients with diabetes mellitus lacks understanding. We hypothesized that impaired beta-oxidation of fatty acids leads to worsened stress response in this patient population after cardiac surgery. Methods After Institutional Review Board approval, right atrial tissue samples were collected from 35 diabetic patients and 33 nondiabetic patients before and after CPB. Patients with glycated hemoglobin of 6.0 or greater and a clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were considered to be diabetic. Immunoblotting and microarray analysis were performed to assess protein and gene expression changes. Blots were quantified with ImageJ and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with multiple Student's t test comparisons after normalization. All p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Immunohistochemistry was performed for cellular lipid deposition assessment. Results Diabetic patients had significantly lower levels of PGC-1α before and after CPB (p < 0.01 for both) compared with nondiabetic patients. Several upstream regulators of PGC-1α (SIRT1 and CREB) were significantly higher in nondiabetic patients before CPB (p = 0.01 and 0.0018, respectively). Antioxidant markers (NOX4 and GPX4), angiogenic factors (TGF-β, NT3, and Ang1), and the antiapoptotic factor BCL-xL were significantly lower in diabetic patients after CPB (p < 0.05). The expression of genes supporting mitochondrial energy production (CREB5 and SLC25A40) and angiogenic genes (p < 0.05) was significantly downregulated in diabetic patients after CPB. Immunohistochemistry results showed significantly increased lipid deposition in diabetic myocardial tissue. Conclusions Decreased PGC-1α in diabetic patients may lead to impaired mitochondrial function and attenuated antiapoptotic and angiogenic responses after CPB. Therefore, PGC-1α and upstream regulators could serve as a target for improving beta-oxidation in diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mitochondria are the major site of cellular oxidation. Metabolism and oxidative stress have been implicated as possible mechanisms for postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac operations. Establishing the precise nature of mitochondrial dysfunction as an etiologic factor for oxidative stress–related cell death and apoptosis could further the understanding of POAF. To establish this relationship, mitochondrial function was studied in patients undergoing cardiac operations that developed POAF and compared it with patients without POAF. Methods Right atrial tissue and serum samples were collected from 85 patients before and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Microarray analysis (36 patients) and RNA sequencing (5 patients) were performed on serum and atrial tissues, respectively, for identifying significantly altered genes in patients who developed POAF. On the basis of these results, Western blot was performed in 52 patients for the genes that were most altered, and functional pathways were established. Results POAF developed in 30.6% (n = 26) of patients. Serum microarray showed significant fold changes in the expression of 49 genes involved in inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and amyloidosis ( p < 0.05) in the POAF group. Similarly, RNA sequencing demonstrated an increased expression of genes associated with inflammatory response, fatty acid metabolism, and apoptosis in the POAF group (false discovery rate > 0.05). Immunoblotting showed a significant increase in TNFAIP6 (tumor necrosis factor, α-induced protein 6; p = 0.02) and transforming growth factor-β ( p = 0.04) after cardiopulmonary bypass in the POAF group. There was a significant decrease in PGC-1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α; p = 0.002) and CPT1 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase I; p < 0.0005) in the POAF group after cardiopulmonary bypass. Conclusions Compared with patients without POAF, those with POAF demonstrated mitochondrial dysfunction at various levels that are suitable for potential pharmacotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To provide (1) an overview of the aortic valve (AV) apparatus anatomy and nomenclature, and (2) data regarding the normal AV apparatus geometry and dynamism during the cardiac cycle obtained from three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE). Design Retrospective feasibility study. Setting A single-center university teaching hospital. Participants The study was performed on data of 10 patients with a nonregurgitant, nonstenotic aortic valve undergoing cardiac surgery. Interventions Intraoperative 3D TEE was performed on all the participants using the Siemens ACUSON SC2000 ultrasound system and Z6Ms transducer (Siemens Medical Systems, Mountainview, CA). Measurements and Main Results Dynamic offline analyses were performed with Siemens eSie valve analytical software in a semiautomated fashion. Forty-five parameters were exported of which 13 were selected and analyzed. The cardiac cycle was divided into 4 quartiles to account for frame-rate variations. The annulus, sinus of Valsalva (SoV) and sinotubular junction (STJ) areas, diameter, perimeter and height, aortic leaflet height, leaflet coaptation height, and aortic valve-mitral valve angle changed significantly during the cardiac cycle (p < 0.001). STJ expanded more than both the annulus and the SoV (p < 0.001). The maximum aortic valve leaflet height change was greater in the left and right versus noncoronary leaflet (p < 0.001). Conclusions The semiautomated AV apparatus dynamic assessment using eSie valve software is a clinically feasible technique and can be performed readily in the operating room. It has the potential to significantly impact intraoperative decision-making in cases suitable for AV repair. The AV apparatus is a dynamic structure and demonstrates significant changes during the cardiac cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of obtaining hemodynamic metrics of echocardiographically derived 3-dimensional printed mitral valve models deployed in a pulse-duplicator chamber. Design Exploratory study. Setting Tertiary-care university hospital. Participants Percutaneous MitraClip procedure patient. Interventions Three-dimensional R-wave gated, full-volume transesophageal echocardiography images were obtained after deployment of the MitraClip device. A high-quality diastolic frame of the mitral valve was segmented using Mimics Innovation Suite and merged with a flange. The data were exported as a stereolithography (.stl) file, and a rigid 3-dimensional model was printed using a MakerBot Replicator 2 printer. A flexible silicone cast then was created and deployed in the pulse-duplicator chamber filled with a blood-mimicking fluid. Measurements and Main Results The authors were able to obtain continuous-wave Doppler tracings of the valve inflow with a transesophageal echocardiography transducer. They also were able to generate diastolic ventricular and atrial pressure tracings. Pressure half-time and mitral valve area were computed from these measurements. Conclusion This pulse duplicator shows promising applications in hemodynamic testing of patient-specific anatomy. Future modifications to the system may allow for visualization and data collection of gradients across the aortic valve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of a multifunctional drug delivering system without side effects and compromising its therapeutic efficacy is a major concern in anticancer research. Recently, we have developed and demonstrated doxorubicin conjugated gold nanorod (DOX@PSS-GNR) as a sustained drug delivery vehicle. Here, we investigate the biodistribution, antitumor and photothermal efficacy of DOX@PSS-GNR along with its potential impact on cardiotoxicity in in vivo . The studies revealed that the accumulation of Free DOX in myocardium was 4-fold reduced in DOX@PSS-GNR animals, which further minimizes its cardiotoxicity by decreasing cardiac injury via preservation of cardiac markers. Further, DOX@PSS-GNR exhibits effective antitumor efficacy against Dalton lymphoma ascites (DLA) as evidenced by cell cycle analysis, apoptotic signals and reduced tumor volume and weight. In addition, DOX@PSS-GNR exhibits higher photothermal response and dominates DLA growth upon 0.1 W/cm 2 laser irradiation. In conclusion, multifunctional DOX@PSS-GNR with improved therapeutic index and reduced cardiotoxicity represents a promising candidate for cancer treatment. From the Clinical Editor Doxorubicin is a widely used agent for cancer therapy. However, the side effects are still significant, despite the development of liposomal formulation. In this study, the authors investigated the use of doxorubicin conjugated gold nanorods (DOX@PSS-GNR) in terms of biodistribution, antitumor activity and systemic side effects. The much reduced cardiotoxicity of the new delivery system should provide an improved agent for future clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A saddlepoint-based bootstrap (SPBB) method for inference on the spatial dependence parameter in Gaussian lattice regression models is proposed. The method handles any estimator that is expressible as the root of a quadratic estimating equation (QEE), and includes common estimators like maximum likelihood (ML) and restricted ML (REML). Since the underlying QEE has a moment generating function in closed-form, this is inverted via the saddlepoint method to produce accurate approximations to the respective distributions of the estimators. Confidence intervals are then produced by pivoting the distribution function. The approach provides a unified perspective by viewing estimators in the simultaneous autoregressive (SAR), conditional autoregressive (CAR), and simultaneous moving average (SMA) models, through their underlying QEEs. The key assumption of monotonicity for the respective QEEs is verified, and results derived concerning their bias. Of importance for spatial modeling practitioners, is the finding that simulation studies show SPBB confidence intervals outperforming those based on standard (first-order) asymptotic theory in small to moderate sample size settings, and being orders of magnitude faster than computationally intensive approaches like the bootstrap. The methodology is illustrated on two classical lattice datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, protease producing Bacillus subtilis GA CAS8 was isolated from marine ascidian Phallusia arabica and identified by 16 S rRNA gene sequence. Optimization of culture condition for protease production using agricultural wastes had done by response surface methodology. The statistical optimization studies revealed that the protease production was higher when the groundnut oil cake and cabbage leaf were used as substrate. The protease activity was optimum at 50 °C and pH 9 and it retained more than 60% of activity, even at pH 12 and the molecular weight of the purified protease was 41 kDa. The activity of the purified protease was stimulated by Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ and it was resistant to Tween 20, Tween 40 and SDS. The protease activity was strongly inhibited in the presence of EDTA. The remarkable properties such as temperature and pH stability found with this enzyme assure that it could be a potential candidate for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement in satellite technology in terms of spatial, temporal, spectral and radiometric resolutions leads, successfully, to more specific and intensified research on agriculture. Automatic assessment of spatio-temporal cropping pattern and extent at multi-scale (community level, regional level and global level) has been a challenge to researchers. This study aims to develop a semi-automated approach using Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite data and associated vegetation indices to extract annual cropping pattern in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, India at a fine scale (1:50,000). Three vegetation indices (VIs) – NDVI, EVI2 and NDSBVI, were calculated using three seasonal (Kharif, Rabi and Zaid) IRS Resourcesat 2 LISS-III images. Threshold reference values for vegetation and non-vegetation thematic classes were extracted based on 40 training samples over each of the seasonal VI. Using these estimated value range a decision tree was established to classify three seasonal VI stack images which reveals seven different cropping patterns and plantation. In addition, a digitised reference map was also generated from multi-seasonal LISS-III images to check the accuracy of the semi-automatically extracted VI based classified image. The overall accuracies of 86.08%, 83.1% and 83.3% were achieved between reference map and NDVI, EVI2 and NDSBVI, respectively. Plantation was successfully identified in all cases with 96% (NDVI), 95% (EVI2) and 91% (NDSBVI) accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the development and application of spatial statistical models in satellite optical remote sensing. The paper focuses on the development of a conceptual model that includes the measurement and sampling processes inherent in remote sensing. We organized this paper into five main sections: introducing the basis of remote sensing, including measurement and sampling; spatial variation, including variation through the object-based data model; advances in spatial statistical modelling; machine learning and explainable AI; a hierarchical ontological model of the nature of remotely sensed scenes. The paper finishes with a summary. We conclude that optical remote sensing provides an important source of data and information for the development of spatial statistical techniques that, in turn, serve as powerful tools to obtain important information from the images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of the chelating agents desferrioxamine (DFO) and deferiprone (DFP) in aluminum intoxicated liver tissue of mice by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The finding reveals the alterations on the major biochemical constituents, such as lipids, proteins, collagen, glycogen and nucleic acids of liver tissue at molecular level. The significant decreased in the peak areas of CH3 asymmetric and CH2 symmetric groups from control 0.120±0.073 and 0.924±0.041 to aluminum intoxicated 0.023±0.003 and 0.111±0.006, but treated with chelating agents DFP and DFO+DFP improved from 0.055±0.006 and 0.345±0.077 to 0.091±0.005 and 0.671±0.046 respectively for near to control values. This result suggests that due to aluminum poisoning decreased the lipids contents in the biological system. The bands ratio at I2958/I2850 significantly decreased from control (0.380±0.003) to aluminum (0.292±0.013), but improved it by DFP (0.323±0.002) and DFO+DFP (0.370±0.001) respectively. This decreased ratio indicates a decrease in the number of methyl groups in protein fibers compared to methylene groups in aluminum intoxicated liver tissue. The significant decreased in the peak areas of amide I and amide II groups from control 3.362±0.152 and 1.980±0.225 to aluminum intoxicated 0.713±0.022 and 0.258±0.020, but treated with DFP and DFO+DFP enhanced from 1.428±0.140 and 0.763±0.024 to 2.281±0.144 and 1.283±0.046 respectively for near to control values. This result suggests an alteration in the protein profile. Further, the absence of olefinic CH stretching band in aluminium exposure liver suggests an altered lipid levels. Therefore, FTIR can be used successfully applied to toxicological studies at molecular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study was considered to assess the antihypertensive and antioxidant effect of valproic acid, against Nω- nitro-L arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) induced hypertension in male Wistar rats. Hypertension was prompted in adult male albino rats of the Wistar strain, weighing 180–220g, by oral administration of the L-NAME (40mg/kg body weight/day) in drinking water for 4 weeks. The L- NAME hypertensive rats revealed significant (P <0.05) rise in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, water intake and heart weight L-NAME hypertensive rats also revealed significant (P <0.05) increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides in plasma and tissues (heart and aorta), and significant (P <0.05) drop in the body weight, nitrite and nitrate levels in plasma and aorta. Activities of enzymic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in erythrocyte and tissues and the levels of non-enzymic antioxidant such as reduced glutathione in plasma and tissues, ET-1 mRNA expression in aorta was significantly (P <0.05) increased in L-NAME rats. Valproic acid (VPA) supplementation (100mg/kg) daily for four weeks brought back all the above parameters to near normal level. The above outcomes were confirmed by the histopathological examination. No significant (P <0.05) effect was observed in control rats treated with valproic acid (100mg/kg). These results suggest that valproic acid performed as an antihypertensive and antioxidant agent against L-NAME induced hypertension. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study was designed to study aluminum chloride which caused marked alterations in biochemical parameters such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and TBARS in brain tissues of mice. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra reflect the alterations on major biochemical constituents in brain tissues of mice such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids due to the overproduction of ROS. Furthermore, administration of deferiprone and deferoxamine significantly improved the level of protein and shifted back the peak positions of amide I and II to near control values indicating tau protein, β-amyloid, amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles decreased, consequently protected from Alzheimer's disease and other major risk factor of many neuronal dysfunctions in brain tissues. Therefore, aluminum toxicity is a widespread crisis to all living organisms, including both flora and fauna. Furthermore, it causes widespread degradation of the environment and health. Therefore, the present investigation suggested that DFO and DFP are efficient chelators for aluminum poisoning and they reduced the aluminum concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of diosgenin a proven antioxidant on chronic renal failure (CRF) induced abnormalities linked with oxidative stress in heart. CRF was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding the animals with 0.75% adenine-containing diet and diosgenin was given orally (everyday at the dose of 40mg/kg). Effect of diosgenin on cardiac tissue lipids, trace elements (iron, zinc, magnesium, copper and manganese) and activity of cardiac mitochondrial enzymes were assayed. Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was also assessed. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was employed to indicate the oxidative stress related molecular changes in heart tissue. The outcomes of the study indicated that, diosgenin reduces the tissue lipid abnormalities induced by CRF. Cardiac elemental concentration was not changed in all groups but the plasma zinc was altered and diosgenin have no effect on it. Cardiac mitochondrial enzymes abnormalities and proinflammatory cytokines expression was also significantly reduced by diosgenin. Finally, the molecular and structural changes of proteins were also reduced by diosgenin treatment. The overall study shows that diosgenin with antioxidant function have enough potential to improve cardiac tissue abnormalities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Outcomes after tricuspid valve reoperation have not been published before. This study examines our 32-year experience in this cohort of patients. Methods: Between May 1979 and January 2011, a total of 68 patients who had previous tricuspid valve surgery (49 repairs and 19 replacements) had reoperations on their tricuspid valves. The median age was 60 years (19 to 75). Redo tricuspid valve pathologies included 18 functional and 50 organic. Follow-up was 100% complete, with a mean follow-up of 87 months (5 to 248). Results: Re-repair of the tricuspid valve was feasible in 26 patients (16 of 18 [89%] functional and 10 of 31 [32%] organic, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 13.2%. Factors related to early mortality were nonelective surgery, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III/IV, left ventricle ejection fraction less than 0.40, cardiopulmonary bypass time greater than 136 minutes, and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (p < 0.05). Postoperative complications included 9 reoperations for bleeding, 11 postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, 5 renal failure requiring dialysis, 3 strokes, and 13 pacemaker implantation. Factors related to late mortality were age greater than 60 years, male sex, ventilation time greater than 24 hours, cardiopulmonary bypass time greater than 136 minutes, and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (p < 0.05). Survivors had 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival rates of 86%, 64%, and 33%, respectively. Functional class improved in hospital survivors; NYHA class I/II 80.6% compared with preoperative NYHA class III/IV of 90% (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Redo tricuspid valve surgery is associated with high operative mortality and morbidity; however, survivors benefited from reasonable survival rates. Re-repair of the tricuspid valve is feasible in the majority of patients with functional tricuspid valve pathology, while the majority of patients with underlying organic pathology required a valve replacement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fine spatial resolution (e.g., <300m) thermal data are needed regularly to characterise the temporal pattern of surface moisture status, water stress, and to forecast agriculture drought and famine. However, current optical sensors do not provide frequent thermal data at a fine spatial resolution. The TsHARP model provides a possibility to generate fine spatial resolution thermal data from coarse spatial resolution (≥1km) data on the basis of an anticipated inverse linear relationship between the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) at fine spatial resolution and land surface temperature at coarse spatial resolution. The current study utilised the TsHARP model over a mixed agricultural landscape in the northern part of India. Five variants of the model were analysed, including the original model, for their efficiency. Those five variants were the global model (original); the resolution-adjusted global model; the piecewise regression model; the stratified model; and the local model. The models were first evaluated using Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) thermal data (90m) aggregated to the following spatial resolutions: 180m, 270m, 450m, 630m, 810m and 990m. Although sharpening was undertaken for spatial resolutions from 990m to 90m, root mean square error (RMSE) of <2K could, on average, be achieved only for 990–270m in the ASTER data. The RMSE of the sharpened images at 270m, using ASTER data, from the global, resolution-adjusted global, piecewise regression, stratification and local models were 1.91, 1.89, 1.96, 1.91, 1.70K, respectively. The global model, resolution-adjusted global model and local model yielded higher accuracy, and were applied to sharpen MODIS thermal data (1km) to the target spatial resolutions. Aggregated ASTER thermal data were considered as a reference at the respective target spatial resolutions to assess the prediction results from MODIS data. The RMSE of the predicted sharpened image from MODIS using the global, resolution-adjusted global and local models at 250m were 3.08, 2.92 and 1.98K, respectively. The local model consistently led to more accurate sharpened predictions by comparison to other variants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The spatial variability of remotely sensed image values provides important information about the arrangement of objects and their spatial relationships within the image. The characterisation of spatial variability in such images, for example, to measure of texture, is of great utility for the discrimination of land cover classes. To this end, the variogram, a function commonly applied in geostatistics, has been used widely to extract image texture for remotely sensed data classification. The aim of this study was to assess the increase in accuracy that can be achieved by incorporating univariate and multivariate textural measures of Landsat TM imagery in classification models applied to large heterogeneous landscapes. Such landscapes which difficult to classify due to the large number of land cover categories and low inter-class separability. Madogram, rodogram and direct variogram for the univariate case, and cross- and pseudocross variograms for the multivariate one, together with multi-seasonal spectral information were used in a Random Forest classifier to map land cover types. The addition of spatial variability into multi-seasonal Random Forest models leads to an increase in the overall accuracy of 8%, and to an increase in the Kappa index of 9%, respectively. The increase in per categories Kappa for the textural Random Forest model reached 30% for certain categories. This study demonstrates that the use of information on spatial variability produces a fundamental increase in per class classification accuracy of complex land-cover categories. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) is one of the mitochondrial genes, an excellent marker used for the DNA barcoding of various organisms. The COI was isolated from twelve different species of waterbirds using the Gene Elute DNA miniprep Kit. The relationship among the waterbirds was assessed by making a phylogenetic tree with the software MEGA-X. The phylogenetic tree's dendrogram showed two main branches in which seven species of water birds aligned one group with four subgroups and the remaining five species aligned with two subgroups based on their similar COI sequences. The Little egret showed 96% similarity with the Cattle egret, Purple heron and Oriental Darter produced 94% similarity with the Grey heron, pond heron shared 90% similarity with the Black-crowned night heron, Asian openbill shared 89% with Pheasant-tailed Jacana and the Common coot 94% similarity with White-breasted waterhen. The pond heron and the Black-crowned night heron showed zero % pairwise distance, but the Cattle egret, Little egret, Oriental Darter, Purple heron and Grey heron showed < 0.29%. However, the other seven species of water birds showed > 12% of the pairwise distance. Twenty-one conserved haplotypes have been shown in their COI sequences based on the multiple sequences alignment. DNA barcoding identifies the species with their genetic property rather than based on their ecology and behvaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological progress has influenced the way we acquire knowledge and learn. On the other hand, the Internet provides fast access to information technology in different fields and thus, improves efficiency and saves time. The importance of online technology is especially emphasized in new methods for learning and education. This is particularly important among Generation Z ("Gen Z″), which derives knowledge from the Internet and is focused on a quick search of information. The aim of this paper is to determine how technology and the Internet affect the acquisition of knowledge by Generation Z, and which forms of knowledge acquisition this generation prefers. In our paper, the problem concerns various forms of learning and acquiring knowledge. Research was conducted among 498 young people actively using an online peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing community. The results of ANOVA analysis showed the respondents being more partial towards learning via mobile applications and video content over the traditional form. It also discovered that the students tended to emulate their teachers who integrated modern technologies into their curriculum and used it outside classroom hours for learning. The results of this research make several important theoretical contributions to the gap in knowledge acquisition by Gen Z, and provide several important practical recommendations for educators. • Data analyzed 498 young people who actively using an online peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing community. • The respondents being more partial towards learning via mobile applications and video content. • Students tended to emulate their teachers who integrated modern technologies into curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic coronary artery fistulas are rare, but 80% are secondary to penetrating injuries. Although the left coronary artery is involved in 46% of cases, these are usually associated with fistulas to the right ventricle. We describe a successful repair of a traumatic fistula from the proximal left anterior descending artery to the pulmonary artery after delayed presentation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]