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Lifetimes of excited states of the 98;100;102Zr nuclei were measured by using the Generalized Centroid Difference Method. The nuclei of interest were populated via neutron-induced fission of 241Pu and 235U during the EXILL-FATIMA campaign. The obtained lifetimes were used to calculate the B(E2) transition strengths and β deformation parameters which were then compared with the recent theoretical predictions obtained with Monte Carlo Shell Model.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the major contributing factors of sexual dysfunction in males. Given the presence of limited literature on prevalence of T2DM associated sexual dysfunction in North Indian population, the following study was conducted with aim of investigating the prevalence of ED. Materials and methods: A multicenter observational study was conducted across 11 centers in Lucknow, North India. A total of 460 patients were asked to fill a validated International Index of Erectile function (IIEF) Questionnaire, and sexual dysfunction was assessed based on scoring for erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction over a period of 4 weeks. Chi-Square analysis was performed to form an association between ED or OFD and other confounding factors. Results: ED and OFD were found to be prevalent in 32% and 43.3% of patients, respectively. Their presence correlated significantly with T2DM duration (ED, p = 0.0101; OFD, p = 002). In Indian context, the prevalence of ED was found to correlate with, presence of macrovascular complications and serum creatinine levels, whereas OFD significantly correlated with T2DM duration, macro– and microvascular complications among other factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of ED and OFD in men suffering from T2DM is on significant rise, considerably impacting the lives of millions of men worldwide. Thus, the findings of this study highlight the significance of taking follow-up of sexual discomfort and disorders by the clinicians during the visits.

The motive of present article is to attract attention on conformational analysis and electronic features of 4-carboxy-3-fluorophenylboronic acid compound via computational method. To comply this, density functional theory (DFT) in combination with Becke 3-parameter Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) functional was considered to identify possible conformers and hence the ground state conformation. The stability reaction of formation quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), natural bond analysis (NBO) and thermodynamical stability of dimerization of 4-carboxy-3-fluorophenylboronic acid is computed by using DFT/6-31G(d, p) method. The Eigen value of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), and related energy bandgap were computed at B3LYP. In addition to these, thermodynamic properties and nonlinear properties (NLO) are also computed. Study of NLO (nonlinear optical behavior) reveals the nonlinear properties of the title molecule. The UV-Vis spectra of title molecule were calculated by time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT/6-31G(d, p)) on optimized geometry by same level theory. The biological activity of title molecule is computed by PASS online server which predict 4000 types of biological activities, counting pharmacological effects, mechanisms of action, toxic and adverse effects, interaction with metabolic enzymes and transporters, influence on gene expression, etc. The title molecule showed good activity against antineoplastic (0.914), peptidyl transferase inhibitor (0.969), aminoacylase inhibitor (0.960), sugar-phosphatase inhibitor (0.913), ribulose-phosphate 3-epimerase inhibitor (0.896), antiviral (0.862), TP53 expression enhancer (0.860). To determine antiinflammatory potential, we have performed docking of title molecule with drosophila, which is a muscleblind like splicing regulator 1 (MBNL1) protein, by using Swiss dock online server. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A continuum grain boundary model is developed, which uses experimentally measured grain boundary energy data as a function of misorientation to simulate idealized grain boundary evolution in a one-dimensional (1D) grain array. The model uses a continuum representation of the misorientation in terms of spatial gradients of the orientation as a fundamental field. The grain boundary energy density employed is non-convex in this orientation gradient, based on physical grounds. Simple gradient descent dynamics of the energy are utilized for idealized microstructure evolution, which requires higher-order regularization of the energy density for the model to be well set; the regularization is physically justified. Microstructure evolution is presented using two plausible energy density functions, both defined from the same experimental data: a "smooth" and a "cusp" energy density. Results of grain boundary equilibria and microstructure evolution representing grain reorientation in 1D are presented. The different shapes of the energy density functions representing a common data set are shown to result in different overall microstructural evolution of the system. Mathematically, the constructed energy functional formally is of the Aviles–Giga/Cross–Newell type but with unequal well depths, resulting in a difference in the structural feature of solutions that can be identified with grain boundaries, as well as in the approach to equilibria from identical initial conditions. This study also investigates the metastability of grain boundaries. It supports the general thermodynamics belief that they persist for extended periods before eventually vanishing due to the lowest energy configuration favored by fluctuations over infinite time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ahmed Morad Asaad,1 Shamshul Ansari,2 Soma Elsayed Ajlan,3 Samah Mohammed Awad4 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; 2Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chitwan Medical College School of Medicine, Bharatpur, 44200, Nepal; 3Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt; 4Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Microbiology in Liver and GIT, National Liver Institute, Menoufia, EgyptCorrespondence: Shamshul AnsariDepartment of Microbiology, Chitwan Medical College School of Medicine, Bharatpur, 44200, Chitwan, NepalTel +977-9840656933Email shamshulansari483@yahoo.comObjective: This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of biofilm-producing A. baumannii nosocomial isolates from a tertiary care hospital, as well as to investigate any possible association of biofilm formation with the distribution of biofilm-related genotypes and antibiotic resistance phenotypes.Methods: A total of 94 non-duplicate A. baumannii nosocomial isolates were identified, their biofilm formation was quantitatively detected using the modified microtiter plate assay, and their susceptibilities to different antibiotics were determined using the breakpoint method. Isolates were then subjected to PCR assays targeting bap, ompA and blaPER-1 genes.Results: The majority (70.1%) of isolates were biofilm producers. The most prevalent biofilm gene was ompA (63.8%), followed by bap (13.8%) and blaPER-1 (10.6%). The presence of multi- and extensive-drug resistance (MDR and XDR) was significantly associated with biofilm producers (p = 0.017 and 0.002, respectively). The length of hospital stay (aOR= 0.023), the presence of ompA gene (aOR = 0.286) or bap gene (aOR = 0.346), ampicillin/sulbactam resistance (aOR = 1), and the presence of MDR (aOR = − 0.329) or XDR (aOR = − 0.252) were considered significant risk factors associated with biofilm-producing isolates.Conclusion: The high prevalence of biofilm-producing MDR and XDR nosocomial isolates in this study is worrisome and alarming. Characterization of risk factors could help control the continuous selection and transfer of this serious A. baumannii phenotype inside hospitals and improve the quality of patients’ care.Keywords: Acinetobacter, biofilm, MDR, XDR, nosocomial infection

Simin Taghipour,1 Forough Shamsizadeh,2 Ivan M Pchelin,3 Ali Rezaei-Matehhkolaei,4 Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi,4 Reza Valadan,5 Saham Ansari,6 Farzad Katiraee,7 Keyvan Pakshir,8 Kamiar Zomorodian,8 Mahdi Abastabar9 1Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran; 2Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology, North‐Western State Medical University Named After I.I. Mechnikov, Saint Petersburg, Russia; 4Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 5Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; 6Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 7Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; 8Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Parasitology & Mycology Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; 9Invasive Fungi Research Center, Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IranCorrespondence: Ali Rezaei-MatehhkolaeiInfectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranTel +98-912-7112573Fax +98-61-33332036Email a.r.matehkolaie@gmail.com Mahdi AbastabarInvasive Fungi Research Center, Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IranTel +98-911-2111347Email mabastabar@gmail.comIntroduction: Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. interdigitale are important causative agents of superficial mycoses, demonstrating emergent antifungal drug resistance. We studied the antifungal susceptibility profiles in Iranian isolates of these two species.Methods: A total of 96 T. interdigitale and 45 T. mentagrophytes isolates were subjected to molecular typing by ribosomal ITS region. Antifungal susceptibility profiles for terbinafine, griseofulvin, clotrimazole, efinaconazole, luliconazole, amorolfine and ciclopirox were obtained by CLSI broth microdilution method. The squalene epoxidase (SQLE) gene was subjected to sequencing for mutations, if any, in isolates exhibiting elevated MICs for terbinafine.Results: Luliconazole and efinaconazole showed the lowest MIC values against T. mentagrophytes and T. interdigitale isolates. There were five isolates with terbinafine MICs ≥ 32 μg/mL in our sample. They belonged to T. mentagrophytes type VIII and harbored two alternative SQLE gene sequence variants, leading to Phe397Leu and Ala448Thr or Leu393Ser and Ala448Thr substitutions in the enzyme. All terbinafine resistant strains could be inhibited by luliconazole and efinaconazole.Conclusion: This study documented a step in the global spread of resistance mechanisms in T. mentagrophytes. However, treatment alternatives for resistant isolates were available.Keywords: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, SQLE, terbinafine, antifungal drug resistance, Iran

Smoking cessation reduces the risk of developing smoking-related diseases. Although smoking prevalence has declined, many continue smoking cigarettes. Switching completely to smoke-free alternatives like the Tobacco Heating System (THS) 2.2—a heated tobacco product for which there is evidence demonstrating significantly reduced formation and exposure to harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes—has the potential to reduce the harm caused by continuing to smoke cigarettes. We conducted a 6-month clinical study (NCT02396381) with a 6-month extension (NCT02649556), initially randomizing 984 adult smokers to continue smoking or switch to THS (non-mentholated), of which 672 continued into the extension study. Endpoints were evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. We longitudinally assessed biomarkers of potential harm (BoPHs) known to be reversible upon smoking cessation as indicators of pathways involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular or respiratory diseases and carcinogenicity. The need to cough and safety profile were also assessed. Impact on eight key BoPHs was used as a proxy to evaluate harm reduction potential. At 12 months, comparison of BoPH levels between the predominant THS use and cigarette smoking groups showed a positive effect in favor of switching, partially or in full, to THS. These results provide additional evidence of the harm reduction potential of THS for smokers who would otherwise continue smoking, but they need to be verified in long-term confirmatory studies. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT0264955. Date of registration: January 7, 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We detail a case of overshunting associated myelopathy, or Miyazaki syndrome, in a patient with an implanted ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This case is unique because the cord compression was mainly due to a subdural effusion, which did not resolve after correction of CSF over-shunting. We aim to show that the presence of bilateral internal jugular vein stenoses may have led to preferential development of cervical epidural venous drainage and congestion, which subsequently led to subdural effusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this manuscript is to present an effective numerical technique for solving nonlinear fractional differential equations. The proposed approach, known as the fractional Legendre-Picard iteration method, utilizes the shifted Legendre polynomial and the Picard iteration method. The Picard method is a recursive algorithm commonly used to solve initial value problems. However, the main challenge of this method is computing the integral of the complex and nonlinear function. In this study, we aim to approximate the function within the integral using Legendre polynomials, thereby resolving this issue. Furthermore, the fractional integrals of the shifted Legendre polynomials are easily calculated at each step. Additionally, we provide a detailed explanation of the proposed method in the form of a vector matrix, which reduces CPU time. The convergence analysis of the method is conducted, and numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Separation of neptunium from an acidic feed containing 0.063 mol/L uranium in 3 mol/L HNO3 was demonstrated in counter-current extraction in mixer-settlers with TBP (tri-n-butyl phosphate) and DHOA (N,N'-dihexyl octanamide) as the organic extractants. With a feed solution of 0.063 mol/L uranium (in the absence of neptunium) and at an organic to aqueous phase ratio (O/A) = 1, >99.9% uranium could be extracted into the organic phase in 6 stages with the raffinate containing <10−5 mol/L of uranium. The extraction results with TBP and DHOA were comparable. However, stripping of uranium with 0.01 mol/L HNO3 from the loaded organic phase was better with DHOA vis-a-vis TBP phase. From the DHOA phase, loaded with 0.063 mol/L uranium, the entire metal ion could be stripped in 6 stages at an O/A = 1. However, ca. 17% uranium remained in the TBP phase even after 6 stages of stripping. With these preliminary results, the extraction of neptunium was systematically studied in mixer-settlers from feed containing uranium, and from simulated high level liquid waste. Our results of neptunium extraction in the presence of 0.021 mol/L uranium yielded excellent result. Similarly, the extraction of neptunium from simulated high level liquid waste was also demonstrated with good extraction efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Zirconium (Z = 40) isotopic chain has attracted interest for more than four decades. The abrupt lowering of the energy of the first 2 + state and the increase in the transition strength B(E2; 2 1 + → 0 1 +) going from 98 Zr to 100 Zr has been the first example of “quantum phase transition” in nuclear shapes, which has few equivalents in the nuclear chart. Although a multitude of experiments have been performed to measure nuclear properties related to nuclear shapes and collectivity in the region, none of the measured lifetimes were obtained using the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift method in the γ γ -coincidence mode where a gate on the direct feeding transition of the state of interest allows a strict control of systematical errors. This work reports the results of lifetime measurements for the first yrast excited states in 98 - 104 Zr carried out to extract reduced transition probabilities. The new lifetime values in γ γ -coincidence and γ -single mode are compared with the results of former experiments. Recent predictions of the Interacting Boson Model with Configuration Mixing, the Symmetry Conserving Configuration Mixing model based on the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov approach and the Monte Carlo Shell Model are presented and compared with the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of the National Brain Injury Awareness Week and public interest in the concussion topic in Australia through an analysis of Internet search activity data from Google Trends. Online retrospective observational study. For the keyword "concussion", the search interest rate over a period of 10 years between August 2012 and August 2022 within Australia has been analyzed using the Google Trends tool. The rising related topics that contributed to the months with the highest search interest were extracted for each year and a trendline analysis was performed to capture temporal patterns. There was a significant difference in the average search interest between the month of August, when the Brain Injury Awareness Week is annually held, and the rest of the year (d = 0.09, p = 0.017). Also, May and August were the two months with the overall highest search interests (mean ± SD: 73.3 ± 5.16 and mean ± SD: 70.1 ± 5.49, respectively). Trendline analysis showed a positive slope of 0.3081 with R2 = 0.4462 for search interests of concussion over the 10-year period. The data suggest that there is a growing interest and potential awareness of concussion in Australia that seems highly limited to the context of sports such as football, rugby, and soccer. Major sports events, news coverage, and media exposure appear to be associated with this trend. The study highlights the importance of more investment in producing engaging media content to educate the public on concussion of different causes and improving strategies for National Brain Injury Awareness Week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus flavus is a major fungal phytopathogen and an opportunistic pathogen to humans and livestock. The fungus produces immunosuppressive and carcinogenic aflatoxins that act as a burden in food and feed industries. An earlier phylogenetic analysis indicated that the cell wall protein, A. Flavus Mannoprotein 1 (AFLMP1), is mainly present in Aspergillus section Flavi such as A. parasiticus and A. flavus. This makes AFLMP1 a great candidate for siRNA-based control of aflatoxigenic fungi in farms and processing units, and fungal therapy in hospitals. Here and for the first time, mode of action of a chemically synthesized RNA interference (siRNA) was investigated for the control of AFLMP1 synthesis. The efficacy of direct uptake of different concentration of siRNA on spore germination of A. flavus was monitored via Opera High Content Screening confocal microscope. siRNA caused growth inhibition at lower concentrations (0.65 nM) and germination failure (more than 90%) at higher concentrations (5 nM), most likely by interfering in mannoprotein biosynthesis. It is assumed that siRNA technology can be implemented as a promising suppressive agent in inactivation of target genes. It can be considered as an intervention in food/feed industries to control the development and reproduction of fungi to keep the fungal population below hazard critical points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]