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Magnesium and calcium play crucial roles in many physiological processes and have been carried by serum albumin in blood plasma. This protein also helps to regulate the distribution of these ions in cells and tissues. Serum albumin also carries many compounds such as drugs, hormones, and fatty acids. Therefore, binding regime of a drug with albumin may affect the serum albumin level and a certain amount of calcium and magnesium in plasma. Also, the calcium and magnesium concentrations of blood influence the binding properties of all transported materials. Quinoxalines have a significant potential in pharmaceutical chemistry. In this study, we reported the synthesis and characterization of novel quinoxaline bridged bis(benzimidazolium) salts with trifluoromethyl substituents. New compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The interactions of quinoxaline bridged bis(benzimidazolium) salts with BSA were investigated. The changes of the interactions with the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ were also studied. The binding constants in the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ are approximately 104 level. Additionally, the interactions between the optimized molecules and BSA were detailed with molecular docking methods. The highest interaction was detected for 2c with −8.33 kcal/mol binding affinity. The binding affinities of other molecules are listed as 2a > 2e > 2d > 2b. H‐bonds were detected for all molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of optokinetic stimuli and dual‐task performance on vestibulo‐ocular reflex (VOR) function. The study primarily focused on understanding the effects of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its subtypes. Study Design: A case–control study. Setting: Tertiary medical centre. Methods: Thirty‐eight children diagnosed with ADHD and 40 typically developing (TD) children aged 8–18 were included in the study. According to their diagnostic reports, children diagnosed with ADHD were also examined in three subtypes: predominantly inattentive (ADHD‐PI), predominantly hyperactive–impulsive (ADHD‐HI) and the combined type. Functional head impulse test (fHIT) was applied to all participants in three conditions—with no additional stimulus, optokinetic stimulation and dual‐task. Correct responses (CR) were determined for each group, and the conditions were compared. For the dual‐task test performance, children were given a counting task. Results: The findings of the study are significant. The CR values obtained from the fHIT tests applied under three different conditions were lower in the ADHD group compared to the control group. CR values for all fHIT conditions and all semicircular canals were lower in the ADHD‐PI subtype and higher in the ADHD‐HI subtype compared to other subgroups. Conclusion: This study has significant practical implications underscoring its relevance. fHIT, when applied with different protocols, can provide valuable information about the vestibular and cognitive states of children with ADHD. These results are particularly significant as the diagnosis of ADHD often relies on subjective interpretations, and fHIT offers a more objective and reliable method of evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholera, an acute waterborne diarrheal disease, remains a major global health challenge. Despite being curable and preventable, it can be fatal if left untreated, especially for children. Bangladesh, a cholera‐endemic country with a high disease burden, experiences two peaks annually, during the dry pre‐monsoon spring and the wet post‐monsoon fall seasons. An early warning system for disseminating cholera risk, which has potential to reduce the disease burden, currently does not exist in Bangladesh. Such systems can raise timely awareness and allow households in rural, riverine areas like Matlab to make behavioral adjustments with water usage and around water resources to reduce contracting and transmitting cholera. Current dissemination approaches typically target local government and public health organizations; however, the vulnerable rural populations largely remain outside the information chain. Here, we develop and evaluate the accuracy of an early warning system—CholeraMap that uses high‐resolution earth observations to forecast cholera risk and disseminate geocoded risk maps directly to Matlab's population via a mobile smartphone application. Instead of relying on difficult to obtain station‐based environmental and hydroclimatological data, this study offers a new opportunity to use remote sensing data sets for designing and operating a disease early warning system. CholeraMap delivers monthly, color‐coded geospatial maps (1 km × 1 km spatial resolution) with household and community cholera risk information. Our results demonstrate that the satellite‐derived local‐scale risk model satisfactorily captured the seasonal cholera pattern for the Matlab region, and a detailed high‐resolution picture of the spatial progression of at‐risk areas during outbreak months. Plain Language Summary: Cholera, an acute waterborne diarrheal disease, remains a major public health challenge in developing nations. An early warning system for disseminating cholera risk has the potential to reduce the disease burden in rural, riverine, and endemic countries like Bangladesh. Current dissemination approaches typically target local government and public health organizations but largely overlook the vulnerable rural populations. We develop and evaluate the accuracy of an early warning system—CholeraMap that uses satellite remote sensing data to forecast cholera risk and disseminate geocoded risk maps directly to the remote population of Matlab, Bangladesh via a mobile smartphone application. CholeraMap delivers monthly, color‐coded risk maps to provide users with household and community cholera risk information along with associated explanations of the risks. Our results satisfactorily captured the spatiotemporal progression of at‐risk areas during high outbreak months and were disseminated to the vulnerable population of Matlab via this novel smartphone application. Key Points: An early warning system for disseminating cholera risk has the potential to reduce disease burden in vulnerable endemic populationsThis study is the first attempt to combine satellite data sets and smartphone‐based dissemination for waterborne diarrheal disease applicationsCholeraMap captured the spatiotemporal patterns and high‐resolution view of the progression of cholera risk during outbreak months [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study tested new oral plant‐based formulations (F) on rats with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)‐induced osteoarthritis, measuring inflammation, antioxidant levels, paw size, stride, and analyzing knee joint images. Fifty‐six female Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into 8 groups: (1) Control, (2) MIA (OA induced with MIA), (3) MIA + F1 [curcuminoids+gingerols+acetyl‐11‐keto‐β boswellic acid (AKBA)], (4) MIA + F2 (curcuminoids+Withania glycosides+AKBA), (5) MIA + F3 (curcuminoids+total withanolides+AKBA), (6) MIA + F4 (curcuminoids, AKBA), (7) MIA + UCII (type II collagen), and (8) MIA + GCHON (Glucosamine Chondroitin). Treatments F1 to F4 reduced right joint diameter and improved stride length and paw area in OA rats. Despite improvements with treatments F1 to F4, there was no significant difference between these groups (p >.05). In OA animals, F1 to F4 treatments decreased MDA levels and increased antioxidant enzymes activities (p <.001). This was done by reducing levels of inflammatory markers and enzymes like IL‐1β, IL‐6, MMP‐8, TNF‐α, CRP, COMP, and LOX‐5, while increasing the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10. In conclusion, these plant‐based treatments significantly reduced osteoarthritis severity, slowed disease progression by reducing inflammation, and protected joints from damage, showing a protective effect in rats with induced osteoarthritis, likely due to their anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ballistic and flexural behaviors of basalt (natural fabric), carbon, glass fiber, and their hybrid composites, were investigated in this study. The main objective of the paper was the addition of natural basalt fiber to the carbon and glass fibers with inter‐ply hybrid sequences to search for possible usage to the ballistic loads carrying structures. The composite and hybrid composite plates produced nine layers with cross‐ply stacking sequences ([0/90]9). The ballistic impact tests were conducted using a specially designed ballistic test setup and the flexural tests were performed through the standard three‐point bending test. The results showed that basalt/epoxy absorbed the most energy under ballistic loading among all models. It was observed that the basalt‐glass‐basalt/epoxy (BGB) hybrid composite had an energy absorption capacity very close to the basalt/epoxy composite. When BGB and carbon‐glass‐carbon/epoxy (CGC) hybrid models were compared, the energy absorption capacity of CGC was 62.7% less than BGB. Unlike the ballistic test result, basalt/epoxy had the lowest flexural strength, while carbon/epoxy had the highest flexural strength. Among the hybrid models, it was seen that BGB had the lowest flexural strength, while CGC had the highest flexural strength. The flexural strength of the CGC is 38% higher than BGB. The study found that basalt fiber has high ballistic resistance, whether alone or when combined with commonly used fibers. It also suggests that basalt fiber is a promising candidate for future research and development in the field of protective materials. Highlights: Basalt (natural fabric) composite materials behavior.Hybridization of basalt with carbon and glass.Target plates damage resistance according to applied ballistic loads.Target plates damage resistance according to applied flexural loads.Non‐hybrid and hybrid composites plates comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we describe a metal‐free methodology using Selectfluor with disulfane, for the deoxygenation of N‐heterocyclic N‐oxides (33 examples). This effective, robust, and simple methodology enables the synthesis of various deoxygenated analogues from a wide range of N‐heterocyclic N‐oxide cores at room temperature in short reaction times with quantitative yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Extensive studies are required to understand the behavior as well as prognosis of SS in the colorectal region. IHC staining is essential for the accurate diagnosis when a lesion is encountered at an unusual site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the behavior of composite material produced using basalt, a natural fabric, under ballistic and Charpy impact loads was investigated. The damage resistance of target plates under ballistic loads is an important design parameter in the structures that will be exposed to these loads. Cross‐ply fiber‐reinforced composite plates were produced with different numbers of layers. The composite specimens are produced using the vacuum infusion method, cross‐ply laminated with 3, 6, 9, and 12 layers ([0/90]3, [0/90]6, [0/90]9, and [0/90]12). Carbon/Epoxy specimens were also produced in identical sequences to be used as comparison material. The study aimed to understand the absorbed energy under ballistic loads and the required energy level under the Charpy impact loads of Basalt/Epoxy composite specimens with different thicknesses. Ballistic loads are applied to the specimens using a test set‐up including the sample holder mechanism and a firing system. Charpy impact tests were conducted using a standard test machine. According to the results, for 12‐layer specimens, the residual velocity difference between Basalt/Epoxy and Carbon/Epoxy is approximately 1.5 times. For the Basalt/Epoxy plate, increasing number of layers from 3 to 12 increases the amount of energy absorbed approximately 13 times. Although this increase is approximately 19 times for the Carbon/epoxy plate, when Basalt/Epoxy and Carbon/Epoxy plates are compared, Basalt/Epoxy absorbs more energy for all layer numbers. For the Charpy impact cases, it has been observed that Basalt/Epoxy absorbs approximately 34% more energy for flat wise impact and approximately 24% more energy for edgewise impact. Highlights: The behavior of composite material produced using basalt, a natural fabric.Cross‐ply fiber‐reinforced composite plates.Effect of different number of layers considered.The damage resistance of target plates under ballistic loads.Comparison of basalt and carbon‐reinforced composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to evaluate periodontal conditions and the association of periodontitis with oral‐health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with a history of bipolar disorder. Materials and Methods: A total of 160 participants were recruited in four groups for the study: 40 patients with euthymic episodes, 40 patients with depression, 40 patients with manic episodes and 40 systemically healthy individuals. Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) was used to measure the impact of oral health on the quality of life. Results: Bipolar disorder groups exhibited generally higher clinical parameters compared with the control group (p <.05). OHIP‐14 total score (β = 3.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08–6.56, p =.044), functional limitation (β =.89, 95% CI: 0.27–1.49, p =.005) and physical pain (β =.64, 95% CI: 0.01–1.27, p =.046) were associated with bipolar depression episodes. Psychological discomfort was associated with the presence of generalized periodontitis (β =.76, 95% CI: 0.01–1.51, p =.047) and psychological disability was associated with the presence of stage III–IV (β =.83, 95% CI: 0.07–1.59, p =.033) and generalized (β =.75, 95% CI: 0.07–1.42, p =.029) periodontitis. Conclusions: According to this study, a history of bipolar disorder episodes (exposure) may be associated with increased prevalence and severity of periodontitis and related reported OHRQoL impacts (outcomes). Bipolar depression episodes had a higher impact on OHRQoL than other bipolar episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infant mortality. The advent of approved treatments for this devastating condition has significantly changed SMA patients' life expectancy and quality of life. Nevertheless, these are not without limitations, and research efforts are underway to develop new approaches for improved and long‐lasting benefits for patients. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are emerging as druggable epigenetic targets, with several small‐molecule PRMT inhibitors already in clinical trials. From a screen of epigenetic molecules, we have identified MS023, a potent and selective type I PRMT inhibitor able to promote SMN2 exon 7 inclusion in preclinical SMA models. Treatment of SMA mice with MS023 results in amelioration of the disease phenotype, with strong synergistic amplification of the positive effect when delivered in combination with the antisense oligonucleotide nusinersen. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis revealed that MS023 treatment has minimal off‐target effects, and the added benefit is mainly due to targeting neuroinflammation. Our study warrants further clinical investigation of PRMT inhibition both as a stand‐alone and add‐on therapy for SMA. Synopsis: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infant mortality. To address the urgent need to develop new approaches for improved and long‐lasting benefits for SMA patients, an orally available, epigenetic‐targeting small molecule was identified and tested in SMA models alone and in combination with a recently approved treatment. From a cell‐based screening of potent and selective epigenetic probes, type I protein methyltransferases inhibitor MS023 was able to promote exon 7 inclusion in SMN2 pre‐mRNA.MS023 mechanism of action entails altering the methylation pattern and binding affinity of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNPA1), a negative SMN2 splicing regulator.Oral administration of MS023 improves the phenotype of SMA mice alone and enhances the effects of nusinersen when used in combination.Transcriptomic analyses revealed that targeting neuroinflammation in SMA is key to achieve the superior beneficial effects of the combinatorial treatment compared to nusinersen or MS023 alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Afghanistan experienced various outbreaks before and during the Covid‐19 pandemic, including dengue, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), measles, and acute watery diarrhea (AWD). Diagnostic and surveillance support was limited, with only the Central Public Health Laboratory equipped to handle outbreak responses. This article highlights initiatives taken to improve diagnostic capabilities for COVID‐19 and other outbreaks of public health concern encountered during the pandemic. Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) Afghanistan Country Office collaborated with the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO), Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL), and National Influenza Center (NIC) to enhance COVID‐19 diagnostic capacity at national and subnational facilities. To alleviate pressure on CPHL, a state‐of‐the‐art laboratory was established at the National Infectious Disease Hospital (NIDH) in Kabul in 2021–2022, while WHO EMRO facilitated the regionalization of testing to subnational facilities for dengue, CCHF, and AWD in 2022–2023. Results: COVID‐19 testing capacity expanded nationwide to 34 Biosafety Level II labs, improving diagnosis time. Daily testing rose from 1000 in 2020 to 9200 in 2023, with 848,799 cumulative tests. NIDH identified 229 CCHF cases and 45 cases nationally. Dengue and CCHF testing, decentralized to Nangarhar and Kandahar labs, identified 338 dengue and 18 CCHF cases. AWD testing shifted to NIDH and five subnational facilities (Kandahar, Paktia, Balkh, Herat, and Nangarhar labs), while measles testing also decentralized to nine subnational facilities. Conclusion: Afghanistan implemented a remarkable, multisectoral response to priority pathogens. The nation now possesses diagnostic expertise at national and subnational levels, supported by genomic surveillance. Future efforts should concentrate on expanding and sustaining this capacity to enhance public health responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess vestibular‐ocular reflex (VOR) function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using a new method called functional head impulse test (fHIT). Study Design: Case–control study. Setting: Tertiary medical center. Participants: Twenty individuals with PD were recruited for PD group, and twenty healthy individuals for the control group. Ages of both groups ranged from 47 to 76 years. Main Outcome Measures: According to the modified Hoehn‐Yahr score, PD group was classified as an early stage with a range of 1–2.5 and a mid‐late stage with a range of 3–5. Percentage of correct answers (%CA) was calculated using fHIT for lateral, anterior and posterior semicircular canal (SCC) planes. Results: PD group had statistically lower fHIT %CA in the right lateral, left lateral, and left posterior SCC planes compared to control group (p <.05). There was no statistical difference between two PD severity groups and functional VOR abnormality. Conclusion: It was concluded that the functional VOR in the right lateral and left lateral and left posterior SCC plane was affected in individuals with PD. Our results show that impaired VOR and reduced dynamic visual acuity should be considered in individuals with PD for vestibular rehabilitation exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study was designed to characterize the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Instrument (P‐SVEST). Design: This study was a methodological and cross‐sectional study. Methods: The SVEST was back‐translated into Persian and 10 experts assessed its content validity. Construct validity was determined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a total of 754 critical care and emergency nurses. Results: The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that the P‐SVEST had four factors. These four factors accounted for 51.67% of the total variance. Also, these factors were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis (root mean square error of approximation = (90%. confidence interval) = 0.058 [0.045, 0.071], goodness‐of‐fit index = 0.932, comparative fit index = 0.956, non‐normal fit index = 0.918, incremental fit index = 0.957 and Tucker–Lewis index = 0.944). Coefficients of Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, composite reliability and maximum reliability for all of the factors were >0.7, demonstrating satisfied internal consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the performance of a tubular fuel cell based on a nickel oxide–yttria‐stabilized zirconia (Ni‐YSZ) anode support containing 90 wt% NiO ≈ 82 vol.% of Ni (Ni82) is compared with a cell containing the conventional Ni‐YSZ support with 50 vol.% Ni. A Ni‐YSZ buffer layer with a tailored microstructure was added to the Ni82 support layer to provide intermediate porosity and to reduce the thermal expansion mismatch with the anode functional layer. Both cells were tested using infiltrated Nd2NiO4+δ cathodes. High peak power densities of 790 and 478 mW/cm2 were achieved at 600 and 550°C, respectively, for the Ni82 cell which was 25% and 87% higher than the performances for the conventional cell at respective temperatures. In addition, no degradation was found during four redox cycles at 550°C, making this support an attractive candidate for low‐temperature solid oxide fuel cell applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, quinoxaline‐bridged bis(benzimidazolium) salts were prepared by the reaction of 2,3‐bis(bromomethyl) quinoxaline and 1‐substituted benzimidazole. The structures of the bis(benzimidazolium) salts were characterized by NMR, FT‐IR, and elemental analysis techniques. Also, the photophysical properties of salts were investigated by UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Next, these quinoxaline bridged bis(benzimidazolium) salts were used as bidentate benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene ligand precursors in the palladium‐catalyzed Suzuki‐Miyaura and Mizoroki‐Heck cross‐couplings. These salts exhibited moderate‐to‐high activity in the palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quantitatively determine testicular tissue stiffness values using shear wave elastography (SWE) in males that have sickle cell anemia (SCA) and to evaluate the relationship between elastography results and semen analysis parameters and hormone levels. Fifty patients diagnosed with SCA and followed up in the hematology outpatient clinic were evaluated in the urology outpatient clinic as the study group. In addition, there were 88 patients without any SCA‐related complaints in the control group. We compared these groups with respect to their values, spermiogram parameters, testicular volume, and SWE values. Among patients in the SCA group, 28% had impaired sperm parameters. When testicular elastography was assessed, the testicular volumes were materially lower in the SCA group in comparison to the control group [right testicular volume: 14.76 (12.77–18.12) and 19.68 (15.12–24.18), respectively, p < 0.001; left testicular volume: 14.11 (11.06–17.32) and 16.59 (13.38–20.13), respectively, p = 0.015]. Additionally, the left testis central stiffness and the left testis inferior stiffness were significantly higher in the SCA group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively). The age and hydroxyurea use had a worse effect on sperm parameters in patients with SCA (odds ratio: −0.161 and −1.914, standard deviation: 0.071 and 0.921, and p = 0.024 and p = 0.038, respectively). We consider that the technique utilized in this study for SWE values is fast and can be adopted as a reliable diagnostic tool and follow‐up practice in routine clinical practice to evaluate the acuteness of damage to the testicles in patients having SCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics, passivated emitter and rear solar cells dominate the market in 2021 of up to 80% and are forecast to remain state of the art at least for the next 5 years. Within the production process of solar cells, it is typical to have cells with lower efficiency grades due to variations in manufacturing processes or material defects. Reprocessing such solar cells could save cost due to increased production yield and simultaneously reduced cost for recycling of unusable/unsellable low‐efficiency cells. Herein, the impact of the laser‐enhanced contact optimization (LECO) process on the power output and reliability of solar modules using commercial off‐spec cells of different manufacturers is analyzed. LECO is a downstream process for optimizing metal−semiconductor contacts on finished solar cells. The treatment leads to a significant economic gain due to enhanced cell efficiency (Wp ↑, therefore manufacturing cost per Wp ↓) even of already good solar cells. Herein, the first evaluation of the impact of the LECO process on the cell output power on an industrial scale (>1000 cells) and on module reliability is presented. The results for common short‐term effects like light‐induced degradation and light‐ and elevated temperature‐induced degradation are within expected limits and the durability against, for example, potential‐induced degradation is not changed due to the LECO process. The results further show that cell sorting is crucial for a reliable module and to avoid outliers in terms of unexpected degradation and recovery phenomena of individual cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study aims to test the effect of the Safe Individualized Nipple‐Feeding Competence (SINC) protocol on the preterm infants' weight gain, transition to oral feeding, and duration of hospitalization. Methods: The procedure was designed as a single‐blind, parallel‐group randomized controlled trial. The trial was conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Konya, Turkey. Data were collected from 80 preterm infants between February 2018 and March 2019. Infants (gestational weeks 28–33) were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 39) and control groups (n = 41). The intervention group received the SINC feeding protocol, whereas the control group received the standard feeding. Data were collected using the Family Information Form, the Preterm Infant Follow‐Up Form, and the SINC Protocol Evaluation Checklist. Infants were followed from hospitalization to discharge. The outcomes were weight gain, transition to oral feeding, and the length of hospitalization from birth to discharge. Pearson χ2 test, Fisher exact test, independent t‐test, Mann‐Whitney U test, and general linear model test were used in analyzing the data. Results: The main effects of groups on weight measurements were found to be statistically significant (P <.001). There were no significant differences in terms of the transition from gavage to full oral feeding and the length of hospitalization (P >.05). Conclusions: SINC protocol positively influences weight gain in preterm infants. It is important to evaluate different evidence‐based feeding methods both as they apply to the NICU stay and how they may affect long‐term outcomes of preterm infant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study primarily aims to describe the safety and efficacy of a novel two‐port (5 and 10‐mm) laparoscopic surgery (TPLS) approach for benign adnexal masses compared with conventional multiport laparoscopic surgery (CMLS) in excisional procedures such as salpingectomy and oophorectomy. Methods: This is a retrospective case–control study. Forty‐four patients were divided into two groups: two‐port (5 mm and 10 mm) laparoscopic surgery group (n: 22) and conventional multiport (three/four port) laparoscopic surgery group (n: 22), with similar indications. All procedures, except ovarian detorsions, included salpingectomy, oophorectomy or salpingo‐ophorectomy. The groups were evaluated using their demographic, clinical, intraoperative and postoperative data, and survey questions that were asked were used for analyzing cosmetic satisfaction, surgical satisfaction and preference rates of the TPLS. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups on demographic features. All patients were discharged within 24 h after both the procedures without any major (organ injury) or minor complication. Surgical satisfaction range was 8.82 (±1.01) in TPLS group and 7.27 (±1.6) in the CMLS group, and differences were significant (P = 0.002). Satisfaction with cosmesis was 95% in the TPLS group and 77% in the CMLS group, and this difference was not significant (P = 0.11). The preferences rate of TPLS was 68% among the 44 women. Conclusion: Novel TPLS is feasible and safe in expert hands. In addition, it provides more surgical satisfaction to patients. However, there were not significant differences in long‐term cosmesis results between the TPLS and CMLS groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Context‐awareness in energy‐efficient buildings has been considered as a crucial fact for developing context‐driven control approaches in which sensing and actuation tasks are performed according to the contextual changes. This could be done by including the presence of occupants, number, actions, and behaviors in up‐to‐date context, taking into account the complex interlinked elements, situations, processes, and their dynamics. However, many studies have shown that occupancy information is a major leading source of uncertainty when developing control approaches. Comprehensive and real‐time fine‐grained occupancy information has to be, therefore, integrated in order to improve the performance of occupancy‐driven control approaches. The work presented in this paper is toward the development of a holistic platform that combines recent IoT and Big Data technologies for real‐time occupancy detection in smart building. The purpose of this work focuses mainly on the presence of occupants by comparing both static and dynamic machine learning techniques. An open‐access occupancy detection dataset was first used to assess the usefulness of the platform and the effectiveness of static machine learning strategies for data processing. This dataset is used for applications that follow the strategy aiming at storing data first and processing it later. However, many smart buildings' applications, such as HVAC and ventilation control, require online data streams processing. Therefore, a distributed real‐time machine learning framework was integrated into the platform and tested to show its effectiveness for this kind of applications. Experiments have been conducted for ventilation systems in energy‐efficient building laboratory (EEBLab) and preliminary results show the effectiveness of this platform in detecting on‐the‐fly presence of occupants, which is required to either make ON or OFF the system and then activate the corresponding embedded control technique (eg, ON/OFF, PID, state‐feedback). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this paper was to evaluate the use of OLI spectral data as a tool to assess the steppe vegetation in a conservation context. The field sampling was conducted for two specific areas of treatment (a) an exclosure area and (b) a free grazing area. After testing several vegetation indices (VIs), the optimal results were obtained for the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)‐based aboveground biomass model with r2 = 0.61 and r2 = 0.72 for total and perennial biomass, respectively. No difference between observed and predicted total and perennial biomass was found (p = 0.700 and p = 0.306, respectively). The comparison between the two treatments using the field sampling revealed a significant difference on total plant cover (p = 0.016) and total biomass (p = 0.005), with a plant cover of 50.6% and a biomass of 325.771 kg dry matter per hectare (kg DM ha−1) on average in grazed area and 66.9%, 1,407.869 kg DM ha−1 in exclosure. Finally, a concordance is noted between the results obtained by the NDVI‐based biomass model and the field sampling‐based biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchronous reluctance motors (SynRMs) are an alternative solution in low-cost applications due to some advantages in terms of manufacturing simplicity. This study deals with a new design and implementation of a SynRM so as to operate at low-voltage level produced by solar panels without using any boost-converter. A 4-inch of standard frame size is chosen for as a submersible pump motor. Preparing for the optimisation step, the commercial design software, Infolytica is used to create the first base structure of the SynRM. As the first step the dc-link voltage, rated current, rated speed, winding layout, slots number, number of the rotor barriers and the outer/inner diameters of the stator are determined. In the next step, the base structure is optimised by using a genetic algorithm (GA) developed in Matlab environment. The developed GA script and finite element analysis software are operated together for optimisation of the rotor geometry. A direct torque control algorithm is used to analyse the performance of the designed motor. The designed motor is also manufactured and tested experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To use mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy to assess changes in the cartilaginous framework of human trachea during decellularization.Study Design: Laboratory-based study.Setting: Research laboratory.Methods: Six cadaveric human tracheas were decellularized using a detergent enzymatic method (DEM). Tissue samples were obtained from each specimen after 0, 1, 10, and 25 DEM cycles for histologic and spectroscopic analysis. Decellularization was confirmed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and 2-(4-amidinophenyl)-1H-indole-6-carboxamidine (DAPI) staining. Changes in cartilaginous framework were examined using Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy (FT-IRIS) and an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) probe in the mid-IR frequencies. Results were statistically analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA).Results: Six decellularized tracheal scaffolds were successfully created using a DEM protocol. Histologic examination showed near-complete nuclear loss following 25 DEM cycles. As observed with FT-IRIS analysis, the collagen absorbance signal (1336 cm-1) was predominantly in the perichondria and remained stable after 25 DEM cycles ( P = .132), while the absorbance from sugar rings in proteoglycans and nucleic acids in hyaline cartilage (1080 cm-1) showed a significant decrease after 1 DEM cycle ( P = .0007). Examination of the luminal surface of the trachea with an ATR probe showed raw mid-IR spectra consistent with cartilage. PCA showed significant separation of spectra corresponding to treatment cycle along the principal components 1 and 2.Conclusion: Mid-IR spectroscopy is a viable method of monitoring changes in extracellular matrix components during the decellularization of human trachea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To identify factors predictive of poor prognosis in women with stage III nonserous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who had undergone maximal or optimal primary cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by six cycles of intravenous carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with stage III nonserous EOC who had undergone maximal or optimal primary CRS followed by six cycles of carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy at seven gynecological oncology centers in Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological and survival data were collected. Results: A total of 218 women met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 64 (29.4%) patients had endometrioid, 61 (28%) had mucinous, 54 (24.8%) had clear‐cell and 39 (17.9%) had mixed epithelial tumors. Fifty‐five (25.2%) patients underwent maximal CRS, whereas 163 (74.8%) had optimal debulking. With a median follow‐up of 31.5 months, the 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 34.8% and 44.2%, respectively. Bilaterality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.44, 95% CI 1.01–2.056; P = 0.04), age (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.176–4.323; P = 0.014) and maximal cytoreduction (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.202–0.58; P < 0.001) were found to be independent prognostic factors for PFS. However, age (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.215–5.591; P = 0.014) and maximal cytoreduction (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.166–0.615; P < 0.001) were defined as independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusion: The extent of CRS seems to be the only modifiable prognostic factor associated with stage III nonserous EOC. Complete cytoreduction to no gross residual disease should be the main goal of management in these women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic factors and patterns of failure in lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI)‐positive women with stage IIIC endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC). Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, department database review was performed to identify LVSI‐positive patients with stage IIIC endometrioid EC at five gynecological oncology centers in Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological and survival data were collected. Results: We identified 172 LVSI‐positive women with stage IIIC endometrioid EC during the study period; 75 (43.6%) were classified as Stage IIIC1 and 97 (56.4%) as Stage IIIC2. The median age at diagnosis was 59 years, and the median duration of follow up was 34.5 months. The total number of recurrences was 46 (26.7%). We observed 14 (8.1%) locoregional recurrences, 12 (7.0%) retroperitoneal failures and 20 (11.6%) distant relapses. For the entire study cohort, 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) was 67.4%, while the 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 75.1%. Grade 3 histology (hazard ratio [HR] 2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34–5.12; P = 0.005), cervical stromal invasion (HR 2.33, 95% CI 1.09–4.99; P = 0.028) and myometrial invasion (MMI) ≥50% (HR 4.0, 95% CI 1.16–13.69; P = 0.028) were found to be independent prognostic factors for decreased OS. Conclusion: Uterine factors such as grade 3 disease, cervical stromal invasion and deep MMI seem to be independently associated with decreased OS in LVSI‐positive women with stage IIIC endometrioid EC. The high distant recurrence rate in this subgroup of patients warrants further studies in order to identify the most effective treatment strategy for those patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the potential of infrared fiber-optic spectroscopy to evaluate the compositional properties of human tracheal cartilage. Study Design Laboratory-based study. Methods Twenty human cadaveric distal tracheas were harvested (age range 20-78 years; 6 females, 14 males) for compositional analysis. Histologic staining, Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy data on collagen and proteoglycan (PG) content, and near-infrared (NIR) fiber-optic probe spectroscopic data that reflect protein and water content were evaluated. NIR fiber-optic probe data were also obtained from the proximal trachea in 4 human cadavers (age range 51-65 years; 2 females, 2 males) in situ for comparison to distal trachea spectral data. Results In the distal trachea cohort, the spectroscopic-determined ratio of PG/amide I, indicative of the relative amount of PG, was significantly higher in the tissues from the younger group compared to the older group (0.37 ± 0.08 vs 0.32 ± 0.05, P = .05). A principal component analysis of the NIR spectral data enabled separation of spectra based on tracheal location, likely due to differences in both protein and water content. The NIR-determined water content based on the 5200-cm-1 peak was significantly higher in the distal trachea compared to the proximal trachea ( P < .001). Conclusions Establishment of normative compositional values and further elucidating differences between the segments of trachea will enable more directed research toward appropriate compositional end points in regenerative medicine for tracheal repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by recurrent partial or complete pharyngeal closure, resulting in apnea or hypopnea, is closely associated with cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). Elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) and serum uric acid (SUA) levels have also been associated with CVDs and the consequent mortality. The aim of this study is to determine SUA levels and RDW in patients with OSA which is major a risk factor for CVDs. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 600 subjects evaluated by polysomnography. Patients were grouped according to the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), expressed as control group or as mild OSA, moderate OSA, and severe OSA groups. Results: The mean RDW and the mean SUA were significantly higher in the severe OSA group than in all other groups (P < .015 and P < .003, respectively, for all). RDW was negatively correlated with minimum SpO2 (r = −.142, P < .01) and positively correlated with mean oxygen desaturation time (r = .113, P < .05). SUA was negatively correlated with minimum SpO2 (r = −.229, P < .01). The RDW was significantly higher in the OSA patients with CVDs than in those with OSA only (P < .05), although there was no significant difference between the OSA patients with and without CVDs in terms of the SUA in any of the groups (P > .05). Conclusions: Elevated levels of SUA and RDW were associated with OSA severity, as defined by AHI. In addition, RDW was significantly higher in severe OSA with CVDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a new energy efficient V/f speed control of single-phase induction motor. The method is implemented with a single-phase inverter in which extreme learning machine technique is used to achieve selective harmonic elimination pulse width modulation. The objective is to adjust the speed of the single-phase induction motor while eliminating undesired low-order harmonics. Algorithm is developed using MATLAB/Simulink high-speed adaptation was obtained even at low- and high-speed regions. The results showed the effectiveness of the proposed method. The reduction in the total harmonic distortion is achieved in all operation range of V/f speed control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]