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This article presents the results of the simulated irradiation with protons and alpha particles of two different geometrical models, representing a cell nucleus and its chromatin content. The characteristics of the energy deposition are studied at both micrometric and nanometric length scales. In particular, the stochastic distributions of the quantities associated with the total energy deposit in the micrometric volume are derived and compared with the physical characteristics of the clusters of energy deposits. An innovative multi-scale correlation method is introduced and tested against the simulations' data. This new approach links the two relevant length scales exploiting the differences in the kinetic energy spectra of the secondary electrons produced by the primary particles. The characteristics of the energy deposition of the electrons in the chosen material are determined in the first instance. Few free parameters of the model, linking the electrons energy deposits with the total energy deposit of the primary particles, can be used for summarising the characteristic of the irradiation with the chosen radiation quality at the two different length scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subchondral bone tissue plays a key role in the initiation and progression of human and experimental osteoarthritis and has received considerable interest as a treatment target. Elevated bone turnover and remodeling leads to subchondral bone sclerosis that is characterized by an increase in bone material that is less mineralized. The aim of this study was to investigate whether perturbations in subchondral bone-resident progenitor cells might play a role in aberrant bone formation in osteoarthritis. Colony formation assays indicated similar clonogenicity of progenitor cells from non-sclerotic and sclerotic subchondral trabecular bone tissues of osteoarthritic knee and hip joints compared with controls from iliac crest bone. However, the osteogenic potential at the clonal level was approximately two-fold higher in osteoarthritis than controls. An osteogenic differentiation assay indicated an efficient induction of alkaline phosphatase activity but blunted in vitro matrix mineralization irrespective of the presence of sclerosis. Micro-computed tomography and histology demonstrated the formation of de novo calcified tissues by osteoblast-like cells in an ectopic implantation model. The expression of bone sialoprotein, a marker for osteoblast maturation and mineralization, was significantly less in sclerotic progenitor cells. Perturbation of resident progenitor cell function is associated with subchondral bone sclerosis and may be a treatment target for osteoarthritis., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Main Conclusion: A and B genome copies of DRF1 gene in durum wheat were isolated and sequenced using gene variability. B genome specific polymorphism resulted, in a RIL population, in relationship with grain yield mainly in drought condition. Drought tolerance is one of the main components of yield potential and stability, and its improvement is a major challenge to breeders. Transcription factors are considered among the best candidate genes for developing functional markers, since they are components of the signal transduction pathways that coordinate the expression of several downstream genes. Polymorphisms of the Triticum durum dehydration responsive factor 1 (TdDRF1) gene that belongs to DREB2 transcription factor family were identified and specifically assigned to the A or B genome. A panel of primers was derived to selectively isolate the corresponding gene copies. These molecular information were also used to develop a new molecular marker: an allele-specific PCR assay discriminating two genotypes (Mohawk and Cocorit) was developed and used for screening a durum wheat recombinant inbred line population (RIL-pop) derived from the above genotypes. Phenotypic data from the RIL-pop grown during two seasons, under different environmental conditions, adopting an α-lattice design with two repetitions, were collected, analyzed and correlated with molecular data from the PCR assay. A significant association between a specific polymorphism in the B genome copy of the TdDRF1 gene and the grain yield in drought conditions were observed.

The recent availability of low-cost wearable continuous wave (cw) fNIRS/DOT devices is supposed to revolutionize cortical human brain mapping in the real-life. Ecological paper-pencil tests, as the Trail Making Test (TMT), are commonly used in neuropsychological clinics but its neural substrates are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to map, using a new cw wearable fNIRS/DOT imager (NIRSIT), the prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamic response in healthy subjects while performing the TMT. The ANOVA analysis, performed on the 60 region-DOT data, shows a significant task-related activation of the PFC. These preliminary results support the validity of this wearable technology to provide online high-density PFC activation maps.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is the persistent abnormal increase in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure and in dogs is usually secondary to congenital disease causing pulmonary over circulation, chronic respiratory disease and elevated left atrial pressure. Sildenafil (SF) is a phosphodiesterase (PDE) V inhibitor that causes pulmonary artery (PA) vasodilation by increasing pulmonary vascular concentrations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate which subsequently increases the activity of endogenous nitric oxide. Pimobendan (PB) is a PDE III inhibitor with calcium sensitizing effects thereby exerting positive inotropy and vasodilation. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long-term survival of dogs with severe PH treated with SF and PB compared to SF alone. The use of PB in combination with SF did not result in a statistically significant increase in survival times in dogs with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic respiratory disease compared to SF alone.

We demonstrate the eclipsing binary detection performance of the Gaia variability analysis and processing pipeline using Hipparcos data. The automated pipeline classifies 1067 (0.9%) of the 118 204 Hipparcos sources as eclipsing binary candidates. The detection rate amounts to 89% (732 sources) in a subset of 819 visually confirmed eclipsing binaries, with the period correctly identified for 80% of them, and double or half periods obtained in 6% of the cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the utility of Yunnan Baiyao (YB) alone or in combination with epsilon aminocaproic acid (EAC) for the treatment of dogs with echocardiographically identified right atrial (RA) masses and pericardial effusion (PE)., Design: Retrospective case-controlled study., Setting: Two private practice referral hospitals., Animals: Client-owned dogs with RA masses and PE identified echocardiographically over a 3-year period., Interventions: None., Measurements and Main Results: There were 67 dogs identified with RA masses and PE during the study period. Sixteen dogs were treated with YB alone while 8 dogs were treated with YB in combination with EAC in addition to pericardiocentesis. Forty-three dogs were treated with pericardiocentesis alone and were considered to be the control group. There was no difference between the groups in regards to signalment, physical examination abnormalities, and diagnostic test results on presentation. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to number of pericardiocenteses performed and there were no side effects attributed to the YB or EAC in any of the dogs. Median time to recurrence of clinical signs was not significantly different between the treatment (12 d, range 1-186 d) and control group (14.5 d, range 1-277 d). The median survival of dogs treated with YB alone or in combination with EAC (18 d, range 1-186 d) was also not significantly improved compared to dogs treated with pericardiocenteses alone (16 d, range 1-277 d)., Conclusions: This study suggests YB alone or in combination with EAC is relatively safe but does not significantly delay recurrence of clinical signs or improve survival in dogs with RA masses and PE. Due to the small cohort size, further prospective studies evaluating these drugs and their effects on hemostasis in dogs with RA masses and PE are warranted., (© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2016.)

There is a demand for providing evidence on the effectiveness of research investments on the promotion of novice researchers' scientific productivity and production of research with new initiatives and innovations. We used a mixed method approach to evaluate the funding effect of the New Investigator Fund (NIF) by comparing scientific productivity between award recipients and non-recipients. We reviewed NIF grant applications submitted from 2004 to 2013. Scientific productivity was assessed by confirming the publication of the NIF-submitted application. Online databases were searched, independently and in duplicate, to locate the publications. Applicants' perceptions and experiences were collected through a short survey and categorized into specified themes. Multivariable logistic regression was performed. Odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Of 296 applicants, 163 (55 %) were awarded. Gender, affiliation, and field of expertise did not affect funding decisions. More physicians with graduate education (32.0 %) and applicants with a doctorate degree (21.5 %) were awarded than applicants without postgraduate education (9.8 %). Basic science research (28.8 %), randomized controlled trials (24.5 %), and feasibility/pilot trials (13.3 %) were awarded more than observational designs (p   <  0.001). Adjusting for applicants and application factors, awardees published the NIF application threefold more than non-awardees (OR = 3.4, 95 %, CI = 1.9, 5.9). The survey response rate was 90.5 %, and only 58 % commented on their perceptions, successes, and challenges of the submission process. These findings suggest that research investments as small as seed funding are effective for scientific productivity and professional growth of novice investigators and production of research with new initiatives and innovations. Further efforts are recommended to enhance the support of small grant funding programs., Competing Interests: and adherence to ethical principles Authors acknowledge that they have adhered to the ethical principles and have no commercial associations or any other arrangements that might be a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted manuscript.

Introduction: After acute coronary syndromes (ACS), the so-called dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), which usually consists of low-dose of aspirin in combination with a thienopyridine (clopidogrel, prasugrel) or with a cyclopentyltriazolopyrimidine (ticagrelor), reduces the risk of ischemic events. Ticagrelor, un particular, is an effective drug as it isn' a prodrug, doesn't require metabolic activation and demonstrates a rapid onset and faster offset of action. Areas covered: This article evaluates the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety and tolerability of ticagrelor during DAPT after ACS and its potential use beyond the canonical twelve months after PCI. The review discusses studies comparing: ticagrelor and clopidogrel (DISPERSE, DISPERSE-2, PLATO, RESPOND Trial, ONSET/OFFSET Trials), ticagrelor and placebo (PEGASUS TIMI 54 Trial). Expert opinion: For ACS patients, the PLATO trial showed that ticagrelor was superior to clopidogrel in the reduction of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke. PEGASUS TIMI 54 showed that patients in whom ischemic events and cardiovascular death outweigh the risk of life-threatening bleeding, may benefit from prolonged ticagrelor-based dual antiplatelet therapy, over 12 months. This strategy has been recently approved by the ACC/AHA guidelines. Further studies are needed to evaluate and eventually validate the role of the prolonged DAPT in patients treated with new generation stents.

Il dato dell'Organizzazione per la cooperazione e lo sviluppo economico (OCSE) del 2012, che indicava l'Italia come il Paese con la più bassa spesa in prevenzione sanitaria, ha dato lo spunto per una raccolta sistematica e un'analisi critica dei flussi disponibili sulla spesa per le attività di prevenzione in Italia. Le statistiche correnti di spesa sanitaria sono raccolte centralmente dall'Agenzia nazionale per i servizi sanitari regionali (Agenas) attraverso i modelli di rilevazione dei costi dei livelli essenziali di assistenza (LEA) delle aziende USL. Le tre macroaree dei LEA sono: assistenza distrettuale, assistenza ospedaliera e assistenza sanitaria collettiva in ambiente di vita e di lavoro. Le spese per la prevenzione rientrano in quest'ultima e sono ripartite nelle seguenti voci: attività di prevenzione rivolte alle persone, igiene degli alimenti e della nutrizione, igiene e sanità pubblica, prevenzione e sicurezza negli ambienti di lavoro, sanità pubblica veterinaria, attività medico-legale per finalità pubblica. Tra il 2006 e il 2013, ultimo dato disponibile, la spesa per le attività di prevenzione del Servizio sanitario nazionale (SSN) è rimasta costante in rapporto alla spesa sanitaria totale (4,2%), pari a 4,9 miliardi nel 2013. Nel periodo di studio considerato (2006-2013) appaiono in aumento le spese per le attività rivolte alle persone (+8,7%), attribuibili soprattutto a vaccinazioni e screening, e in diminuzione le attività di igiene pubblica (-5,7%) e quelle della sanità pubblica veterinaria (-3,8%). I confronti internazionali indicano una spesa per la prevenzione del 2,9% rispetto alla spesa sanitaria totale, costante negli anni e nella media dei Paesi OCSE. Per la prevenzione, l'Italia spende tanto quanto i Paesi che non possiedono un servizio sanitario pubblico; il dato risulta inferiore del 5% rispetto alla programmazione nazionale, con poche eccezioni e molta variabilità regionale all'interno delle componenti delle voci di spesa. In questo contesto si sottolinea l'importanza di investire maggiori risorse nella pianificazione e nell'implementazione di interventi preventivi di provata efficacia e costo-efficacia.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of rivaroxaban (RIV), an oral direct factor Xa inhibitory drug, in dogs with presumed primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (pIMHA)., Design: Prospective, multicenter, positive-controlled, unblinded clinical trial. Client-owned dogs were enrolled between October 2012 and March 2014., Setting: Private referral centers., Animals: Twenty-four client-owned dogs with pIMHA. Enrolled dogs were randomized in 2 treatment groups to receive by mouth RIV or clopidogrel (CL) and low-dose aspirin (LDA). All dogs were monitored for 90 days from the enrollment in the study., Interventions: Enrolled dogs were given a standardized immunosuppressive protocol and RIV or CL and LDA., Measurements and Main Results: There was no identifiable adverse drug reaction, evidence of hemorrhage, significant prolongation of prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time, or increase in transfusion requirements associated with RIV therapy compared to CL and LDA in dogs with pIMHA. There was no significant difference between treatment groups with respect to thrombotic events, survival rates to discharge, at 1 month and 3 months from diagnosis., Conclusions: This study suggests that RIV at a median dose of 0.89 mg/kg by mouth once daily was safe and well tolerated in a small group of dogs with presumed pIMHA able to tolerate oral medications and treated with a standardized immunosuppressive treatment protocol. Conclusions regarding the relative efficacy of RIV as compared to CL and LDA cannot be made due to the small size of the treatment groups and because pharmacodynamic effects were not assessed., (© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2016.)

Objective: To describe leflunomide as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of non-associative immune-mediated thrombocytopenia., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of dogs with a diagnosis of non-associative immune-mediated thrombocytopenia treated with leflunomide March 2008 to September 2021 was conducted. Data collected included signalment, clinical signs, physical examination findings and diagnostic testing performed. Medications administered, duration of hospital stay, time to platelet concentration >150×10 9 /L and adverse events during leflunomide therapy were recorded. Relapses within a year of diagnosis were reported., Results: A total of 20 client-owned dogs met inclusion criteria. Nineteen of 20 dogs (95%) achieved a platelet concentration >150×10 9 /L with leflunomide and prednisone combination therapy and four dogs (21.1%) relapsed during treatment or shortly after treatment. Adverse effects included diarrhoea (n=5), mild lymphopenia (n=9) and mild intermittent anaemia (n=1). A single dog developed hepatotoxicity presumed to be secondary to leflunomide therapy that resolved after drug discontinuation. One dog was treated for aspiration pneumonia during treatment. Two dogs were euthanased while receiving leflunomide., Clinical Significance: Length of hospitalisation, time to platelet recovery, treatment response and relapse rate were comparable with alternative treatment protocols. Most adverse effects did not require leflunomide dose adjustment; however, two dogs died while undergoing leflunomide treatment and there is compelling evidence that one of these dogs experienced fatal infection secondary to immune-suppression. Hepatotoxicity remains a known complication of leflunomide treatment and serial biochemistry testing is recommended., (© 2024 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

The E1 response in 208Pb is studied within a microscopic multiphonon approach which solves the nuclear eigenvalue problem in a basis of microscopic multiphonon states generated iteratively starting from the Tamm-Dancoff phonons. Attention is focused on the low-energy excitations below the giant dipole resonance peak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the complications and frequency of thrombosis associated with the use of enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin, in dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)., Design: Retrospective case series., Setting: Two privately owned veterinary referral hospitals., Animals: Twenty-one client-owned dogs with primary IMHA., Interventions: Dogs were treated with enoxaparin (0.8 mg/kg subcutaneously every 6 h) as the sole anticoagulation therapy starting at admission to the hospital., Measurements and Main Results: Only 2 dogs had minor hemorrhagic complications associated with enoxaparin therapy. Frequency of thrombosis was not assessed. Long-term survival was comparable to other anticoagulation protocols reported for dogs with primary IMHA., Conclusions: The use of enoxaparin was safe in a small group of dogs with primary IMHA. Whether enoxaparin therapy can reduce mortality and thrombotic complications in dogs with primary IMHA compared with other anticoagulation protocols remains unknown., (© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2015.)

The phenomenon of exchange bias has been extensively studied within crystalline materials, encompassing a broad spectrum from nanoparticles to thin-film systems. Nonetheless, exchange bias in amorphous alloys has remained a relatively unexplored domain, primarily owing to their inherently uniform disordered atomic structure and lacking grain boundaries. In this study, we present a unique instance of exchange bias observed in Fe–B–Nb amorphous thin films, offering insights into its origins intertwined with the system's spin-glass-like behavior at lower temperatures. The quantification of exchange bias was accomplished through a meticulous analysis of magnetic reversal behaviors in the liquid-helium temperature range, employing a zero-field cooling approach from various initial remanent magnetization states (±MR). At reduced temperatures, the appearance of asymmetric hysteresis, a hallmark of negative exchange bias, undergoes a transformation into symmetric hysteresis loops at elevated temperatures, underscoring the intimate connection between exchange-bias and dynamic magnetic states. Further investigations into the magnetic thermal evolution under varying probe fields reveal the system's transition into a spin-glass-like state at low temperatures. We attribute the origin of this unconventional exchange bias to the intricate exchange interactions within the spin-glass-like regions that manifest at the interfaces among highly disordered Fe-nuclei. The formation of Fe-nuclei agglomerates at the sub-nanometer scale is attributed to the alloy's limited glass-forming ability and the nature of the thin-film fabrication process. We propose that this distinctive form of exchange bias represents a novel characteristic of amorphous thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant global health crisis is predicted to emerge due to antimicrobial resistance by 2050, with an estimated 10 million deaths annually. Increasing antibiotic resistance necessitates continuous therapeutic innovation as conventional antibiotic treatments become increasingly ineffective. The naturally occurring antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral compounds offer a viable alternative to synthetic antibiotics. This review presents bacterial resistance mechanisms, nanocarriers for drug delivery, and plant-based compounds for nanoformulations, particularly nanoantibiotics (nAbts). Green synthesis of nanoparticles has emerged as a revolutionary approach, as it enhances the effectiveness, specificity, and transport of encapsulated antimicrobials. In addition to minimizing systemic side effects, these nanocarriers can maximize therapeutic impact by delivering the antimicrobials directly to the infection site. Furthermore, combining two or more antibiotics within these nanoparticles often exhibits synergistic effects, enhancing the effectiveness against drug-resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial agents are routinely obtained from secondary metabolites of plants, including essential oils, phenols, polyphenols, alkaloids, and others. Integrating plant-based antibacterial agents and conventional antibiotics, assisted by suitable nanocarriers for codelivery, is a potential solution for addressing bacterial resistance. In addition to increasing their effectiveness and boosting the immune system, this synergistic approach provides a safer and more effective method of tackling future bacterial infections. Targeted drug delivery approach through nanoantibiotics against drug resistant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leadless pacemakers offer a safe and effective alternative pacing strategy. However, limited data are available for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), a population of significant relevance. Methods: Using the Nationwide Readmission Database, we extracted data from all adult patients with ESRD who underwent traditional transvenous or leadless pacemaker implantation between 2016 and 2021. We compared in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission rates, complication rates, and healthcare resource utilization between the two cohorts. Results: A total of 6384 (81.2%) patients were included in the transvenous pacemaker cohort, and 1481(18.8%) patients were included in the leadless pacemaker cohort. In patients with ESRD, leadless pacemaker implantation was linked to higher in-hospital complications when compared to transvenous pacemakers. These included the need for blood transfusion (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.32–2.60, p < 0.01), vascular complications (aOR 3.6, CI 1.40–9.26, p = 0.01), and cardiac complications (aOR 4.12, CI 1.70–9.98, p < 0.01). However, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission rates. The median length of stay was longer for leadless pacemaker implantation than transvenous pacemaker implantation (5 days vs. 4 days, p < 0.01). The total hospitalization charges were also higher ($139,826 vs. $93,919, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Although previous studies have demonstrated lower long-term complication rates with leadless pacemakers than transvenous pacemakers, our analysis shows a higher risk of short-term in-hospital complications in ESRD patients, though no differences in in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the implementation of agile practices in Industry 4.0 to assess the financial performance measurements of manufacturing firms. It also investigates the relationship between supply chain performance and financial performance. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on an experimental research design by collecting data from 329 responses from key officials of manufacturing firms. The analyses are carried out to explore this modern concept with the help of the SPSS program, which is used to conduct a confirmatory factor and reliability analysis and Smart-partial least square (PLS) version 4.0 with structural equation modeling. Findings: This research demonstrates the positive effect agile supply chain strategies in Industry 4.0 may have on manufacturing companies' financial performance as a whole. Everything throughout the supply chain in Industry 4.0, from the manufacturers to the end users, is taken into account as a potential performance booster. The values obtained from the model's study show that it is both dependable and effective, surpassing the threshold for such claims. The research is supported by factors like customer involvement (CUS), continuous improvement (CI), integration (INT), modularity (MOD), management style (MS) and supplier involvement (SI) but is undermined by factors including postponement (PPT). Research limitations/implications: According to the findings of the study, Industry 4.0 firms' financial performance and overall competitiveness are significantly improved when their supply chains are more agile. A more agile supply chain helps businesses to more rapidly adapt to shifts in consumer demand, shorten the amount of time it takes to produce a product, enhance product quality and boost customer happiness. As a consequence of this, there will be an increase in revenue, an improvement in profitability and continued sustainable growth. Originality/value: There are literary works available on agile practices in various fields, but the current study outlines the need to understand how supply chains perform financially under the mediating effect of agile supply chains in Industry 4.0 which contribute most to the organization's success. The study will aid companies in understanding how agile practices will further the overall performance of the organization financially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite interest in opportunities that Industry 4.0 offers for Supply Chain Resilience (SCR), little is known about the underlying mechanisms for such contributions. The study develops a roadmap that explains how supply chains can capitalize on Industry 4.0 SCR functions. The study conducted a content-centric literature review and identified 16 functions through which Industry 4.0 enhances SCR. Results reveal that the Industry 4.0 SCR functions identified are highly interrelated, and supply chain members should align their digitalization strategies with the sequence in which Industry 4.0 delivers these functions. Industry 4.0 contribution to SCR first involves delivering data-centric functions such as supply chain automation, information and communication quality, process monitoring, and visibility. Industry 4.0 further allows supply chain partners to collaborate better on improving supply chain mapping, complexity management, and innovation capabilities. Through these functions and by increasing transparency, flexibility, and agility of supply chain operations, Industry 4.0 delivers more dependent but consequential resilience functions such as supply chain responsiveness, adaptive capability, and continuity management. The roadmap further explains how each pair of Industry 4.0 SCR functions mutually interact while contributing to the overall resilience of the supply chain. The study discusses possible implications and outlines important avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lean Six Sigma continues to be used by various industries to make their processes more efficient. The Lean Six Sigma approach is re-evaluated and possibly upgraded to enhance its suitability with Industry 4.0 technologies to provide maximum benefits for any organisation. However, the integration of Industry 4.0 within the lean six sigma framework is associated with various challenges like privacy issues and the non-availability of skilled labours which was not studied extensively in the existing literature. Hence, this study identifies the challenges in adopting the Industry 4.0 technologies within the lean six sigma framework and provides a detailed overview of their interrelationships and hierarchy. A Delphi-assisted total interpretive structural modelling was designed for this study in which the Delphi method was utilised to identify the challenges and the total interpretive structural modelling method was employed to process the challenges and decide the contextual interrelationships. The categorisation of the challenges was done by the application of cross-impact matrix multiplication to the classification. This study indicates the necessity for information technology infrastructure development specifically catering to data security and its important role in enhancing the intellectual capacity of an organisation through the development of its personnel. The finding of the study and the roadmap developed will help the practitioners and managers towards successful adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies within the lean six sigma framework for their operation excellence, and enhance the performance of the business and organisational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism (CATE) is a life-threatening complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with a high mortality rate. As the primary responders in hemostasis, platelets play a crucial role in the progression of CATE. Procoagulant platelets are a subpopulation of activated platelets that facilitate thrombin generation to strengthen thrombus structure. Since their discovery, procoagulant platelets have gained a considerable amount of attention due to their potential role in thromboembolic complications. Uncovering the key phenotypic markers and agonists underlying the procoagulant response in feline platelets may provide diagnostic and therapeutic insights in the treatment of CATE. However, species differences in platelet physiology and the sensitive nature of feline platelets pose some significant challenges in studying procoagulant platelets in cats. Objectives: To first devise a flow cytometric method to sequentially assess procoagulant platelet markers and to identify agonists that could induce procoagulant platelet phenotypes. Furthermore, a novel scoring system was established to evaluate the procoagulant tendency of platelets in cats. Methods: Platelets were isolated from eight healthy cats and activated by thrombin in the presence or absence of collagen (COL) and convulxin (CVX). The following markers were measured sequentially by flow cytometry: (1) loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), (2) phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, and (3) P-selectin upregulation. Results: Thrombin in the presence of CVX significantly reduced ΔΨm and induced P-selectin upregulation (p = 0.0078, p = 0.0128, respectively). In addition, thrombin-treated platelets in the presence of COL and CVX augmented PS externalization significantly (p = 0.043, p = 0.0172, respectively). Of the agonists tested, thrombin and CVX resulted in the highest procoagulant tendency score with 75% cats reaching a score ≥2/3. The number of cats with a procoagulant tendency score of 2 or 3 for thrombin and thrombin + COL was 4/8 (50%) and 5/8 (62.5%), respectively. Discussion: Sequential analysis of procoagulant markers via flow cytometry may be an effective technique for studying procoagulant platelets in cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compounds in pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) that may be potential environmental pollutants include metformin and triclosan. The suitable method to estimate the presence of metformin (MET) and triclosan (TRI) in wastewater treatment facilities is developed and validated in this research study. This study aimed to quantify the MET and TRI in sewage through a liquid chromatograph – mass spectrometer (LC-MS 8040) by a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) technique of sample preparation. In LC-MS 8040, the Milli-Q water and sewage were examined at three different concentrations (0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 mg L−1) of MET and TRI. The recoveries of MET in both the matrixes ranged between 88.10 to 116.10% whereas the recoveries were ranged from 86.70 to 116.30% for TRI (n = 7, RSD <10%). The respective limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for MET and TRI were 0.005 and 0.01 mg L−1. With the matrix effect of < 10% in sewage, the approach was shown to be very linear (R2 = 0.9969 for MET and R2 = 0.9939 for TRI) and reliable. The precision was also exemplary with the RSD value of < 10% (n = 6). This method accurately assessed MET (BDL to 0.0657 mg L−1) and TRI (BDL to 0.1833 mg L−1) concentrations in sewage samples of Ukkadam sewage treatment plant (USTP) and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University treatment plant (TSTP). This is a unique use of the QuEChERS method for calculating these two compounds from aqueous matrixes with substantially greater outputs (20–25 samples per day) than typical Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on the foundations of Resource-based view theory, Resource dependence theory, and dynamic capabilities theory, we derived theoretical support for the proposition that companies can sustain their operational activities and organizational economic performance during conflict and political instability. The study presents a conceptual model designed to reduce offshore dependence and maintain operational organizational capabilities. The study applies a systematic literature review approach to synthesize existing theories and research on the topic of crisis management and its impact on organizational sustainability during a war-induced crisis. A literature review encompassed identification of the themes that was followed by conceptualizing the model, and development of the propositions. The search terms included "organizational operational performance," "sustained economic performance," "economic crisis," "crisis management", "war crisis" and "conflict crisis". Selection criteria for existing literature were based on relevance to the topic, quality of research, and theoretical contribution. Content analysis was performed to identify key themes and patterns referencing war, supply, sourcing capabilities, and sustainability. A detailed, systematic, and rigorous review of relevant literature, theories, and concepts in the field resulted in the identification of strategic activities for fostering cost-effective practices. Sustainable performance, by this account, can be achieved by assessing damage to supply chains and compensating for oil, gas, and energy flow vulnerabilities during crises. When pre-existing channels are cut off, resilient enterprises quickly use their human, infrastructural, and technological internal capabilities to rapidly obtain distinct auxiliary resources for production and manufacturing. By analyzing and synthesizing existing frameworks and concepts, we integrated current knowledge and recent developments on key variables. The research indicates that functional capabilities, such as continuous material flow, input diversification, environmental constraint management, and coordination among different organizational units, improve organizational sustainability. This will help to avoid bankruptcy when resources are scarce, and first-tier suppliers are located in conflict-affected countries. The paper identifies the drivers of resource availability, namely frequency in resource discovery, technological change in extraction methods, consumption, substitution, re-usage, and loss. Business capabilities explored in this paper are primarily stabilization-oriented and were chosen due to their potential for mitigating the consequences of resource scarcity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the challenges of solving the quantum many-body problem, particularly within nuclear physics, through the configuration interaction (CI) method. Large-scale shell model calculations often become computationally infeasible for systems with a large number of valence particles, requiring truncation techniques. We propose truncation methods for the nuclear shell model, in which angular momentum is conserved and rotational symmetry is restored. We introduce the monopole-interaction-based truncation and seniority truncation strategies, designed to reduce the dimension of the calculations. These truncations can be established by considering certain partitions based on their importance and selecting physically meaningful states. We examine these truncations for Sn, Xe, and Pb isotopes, demonstrating their effectiveness in overcoming computational limits. These truncations work well for systems with either a single type of valence nucleon or with both types. With these truncations, we are able to achieve good convergence for the energy at a very small portion of the total dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes claims that the Federal Reserve is principally responsible for the decline of inflation in the U.S. We compare several different quantitative approaches. These show that at most the Fed could plausibly claim credit for somewhere between twenty and forty percent of the decline. The article then examines claims by central bankers and their supporters that a steadfast Fed commitment to keeping inflationary expectations anchored played a key role in the process. The article shows that it did not. The Fed's own surveys show that low-income Americans did not believe assurances from the Fed or anyone else that inflation was anchored. Instead, what does explain much of the decline is the simple fact that most workers nowadays cannot protect themselves by bargaining for higher wages. The article then takes up the obvious question of why steep rises in interest rates have not so far led to big rises in unemployment. We show that recent arguments by Benigno and Eggertson that shifts in vacancy rates can explain this are inconsistent with the evidence. The biggest factor in accounting for the strength in the economy is the continuing importance of the wealth effect in sustaining consumption by the affluent. This arises, as we have emphasized in several papers, from the Fed's quantitative easing policies. Absent sharp declines in wealth, this wealth effect is likely to feed service sector inflation in particular, even as a majority of households in America's dual economy find themselves mired in recessionary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of microplastics in the environment is of significant concern, yet the exact extent of this pollution remains largely unknown. The ocean is of particular interest as the monitoring of microplastics presents a challenge in that in situ fluid stream solutions are not readily available and traditional sampling methods are labor‐intensive and costly. This study introduces an imaging‐based lensless polarization‐sensitive fluid stream analyzer (FSA) for automated, label‐free, and cost‐effective detection and classification of microplastics. The FSA incorporates digital in‐line holography and birefringence computation, enabling quantitative polarization‐sensitive imaging and machine‐learning‐based activities including sample classification. Birefringent textures of synthetic polymers are investigated owing to their optical anisotropy. A microplastic classifier is developed for the FSA and integrated to form an end‐to‐end workflow capable of sampling fluid streams and determining marine and microplastic particle presence. Cultures of two phytoplankton species form a simplified marine environment for FSA evaluation. The device is tested in a two‐class configuration for marine microorganisms and microplastics, as well as a five‐class configuration for marine microorganisms and four individual microplastic types (polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polystyrene). The results demonstrate high classification accuracy, supported by experiments in the simulated marine environment that validate the proposed implementation's efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Dronedarone is a recent antiarrhythmic drug that has been developed for treatment of AF, with electrophysiological properties similar to amiodarone but with a lower incidence of side effects., Areas Covered: This review evaluates the efficacy, safety, tolerability and side effects of dronedarone in the treatment of AF. In particular, the review includes studies comparing: dronedarone and placebo (ANDROMEDA, ATHENA, DAFNE, ERATO, EURIDIS/ADONIS, HESTIA, PALLAS trials), dronedarone and amiodarone (DIONYSOS trial), ranolazine and dronedarone given alone and in combination (HARMONY trial)., Expert Opinion: Dronedarone is an interesting antiarrhythmic agent in well-selected groups of patients. It also has several other pleiotropic effects that may potentially be beneficial in clinical practice, such as the reduction of the risk of stroke and acute coronary syndromes. In addition, combination therapies such as those with dronedarone and ranolazine, currently being investigated in the HARMONY trial, may provide another interesting approach to increase the antiarrhythmic efficacy and further reduce the incidence of side effects. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying dronedarone's pleiotropic actions is expected to facilitate the selection of patients benefiting from dronedarone, as well as the development of novel antiarrhythmic drugs for AF.

Objective: To describe a case of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) after massive Africanized bee envenomation in a dog., Case Summary: While boarding at a kennel, a dog was stung by approximately 300 Africanized bees. During initial veterinary examination, the dog was deemed to be in shock, characterized by collapse, with hypotension, bradycardia, and hypoglycemia. In addition, severe diffuse erythema and edema were noted over the entire body. Supportive care, including IV crystalloid and colloid fluids, dextrose, fresh frozen plasma, oxygen therapy, broad spectrum antimicrobials, dexamethasone, and diphenhydramine was initiated. The dog's condition stabilized over the next 2 days. Forty-eight hours after admission the dog developed hematemesis and hematochezia, and severe thrombocytopenia was identified. Extensive diagnostic investigation revealed no likely trigger other than the Africianized bee exposure, and a diagnosis of IMT was made. Following a red blood cell transfusion and immunosuppressive doses of dexamethasone and gastroprotectant therapy, the dog's condition stabilized, and the platelet count returned to normal after 7 days from initiation of therapy., New or Unique Information Provided: IMT is a possible sequelae of massive Africanized bee envenomation in the dog., (© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2013.)

Purpose: To analyze the integration of the circular economy and Industry 4.0 in agtechs through lean integration and people. Design/methodology/approach: Following in-depth interviews with key informants, data tabulation was performed via families of viewpoints supported by the primary elements mapped in the investigated context. Findings: The integration of the circular economy with Industry 4.0, and integrated into lean production, aiming to eliminate waste and maximize customer value, and the valorization of people are fundamental in the context of recycling, reuse and reutilization of materials not only in the agricultural sector but also, since it is the object of study of this research. The use of I4.0 technologies and solutions, such as applications, sensors, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, allows for the collection and analysis of real-time data, facilitating decision-making and monitoring of agricultural operations. Research limitations/implications: The research limitations may include the limited sample of Agtechs analyzed, which might not cover all innovations and trends existing in the sector; data and information available up to the study date (April 2023), which might not reflect more recent developments in the field of Agtechs and the circular economy. Practical implications: The circular economy seeks to minimize waste and maximize resource use, promoting recycling, reusing and repurposing of materials. In contrast, Industry 4.0 refers to the application of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things and automation to optimize productive processes and make them more efficient. Lean integration, which aims to eliminate waste and maximize customer value, and the appreciation of people are fundamental in this context. Social implications: The use of technologies and solutions from Industry 4.0, like apps, sensors, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, allows real-time data collection and analysis, facilitating decision-making and monitoring of agricultural operations. In addition, the provision of online consulting and technical assistance services contributes to producer training and the maximization of results. Originality/value: Significant benefits for the agricultural sector, such as greater efficiency, sustainability, product quality, traceability, cost reduction and productivity increase. The use of advanced technologies and the valorization of people are key elements to drive this integration and promote digital transformation in the field. The integration of the circular economy and Industry 4.0 in agtechs, integrating lean production and people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The advent of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and the requirements imposed on companies still need to be clarified. Companies still strive to understand I4.0 requirements and technological, organizational, operational and management challenges. Current literature on I4.0 underlies the importance of a roadmap with structured steps to achieve the benefits of I4.0, mainly focused on augmenting operational performance. Therefore, this paper proposes a roadmap to implement I4.0 focused on operational management concepts, mainly aiming to augment operational performance and bridge the gap between theory and practice regarding roadmaps focused on the operational management dimension. Design/methodology/approach: This paper follows a research approach divided into the following stages: a literature review to analyze the I4.0 roadmaps and identify the main components of I4.0; development of the proposed I4.0 roadmap presented; field research to test the roadmap by collecting data from a manufacturing company in the automotive industry; validation of the roadmap through modeling and simulation. Findings: The authors presented a production line design with real-time control, fast response, shop floor coordination and predictive capacity. The results prove that the proposed I4.0 roadmap augments operation performance in the investigated automotive company. The main results were work in process reduction, lead time reduction, output increase, real-time control, shop floor coordination and fast response. Originality/value: The main novelty of the proposed roadmap is to move toward I4.0 implementation with a focus on the operational management dimension. The roadmap has an innovative combination of the two approaches – lean manufacturing and factory physics – a straightforward roadmap with only three steps: (1) requirements, (2) real-time control and (3) predictive capacity, a structured definition of the approaches and operational management concepts fundamental in each step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe a clinical case of postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction in a dog., Case Summary: An 11-month-old, 2.37 kg female spayed Chihuahua was referred for management post CPR after suffering cardiopulmonary arrest. Postresuscitation a gallop rhythm was identified and an echocardiogram revealed severe left ventricular dilation and severely impaired myocardial contractility with a mild eccentric jet of mitral regurgitation on color Doppler interrogation. The primary differentials were idiopathic or nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, end-stage myocarditis, or postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction. Echocardiogram was repeated 48 hours later and showed normal left ventricular dimensions and contractility assessed as consistent with postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction., New or Unique Information Provided: Postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction is a common complication of CPR in human medicine and is associated with a worse outcome. This is the first clinical report of postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction in a dog., (© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2012.)

Objective: To review the therapeutic options for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT)., Data Sources: Original research publications and review articles using the PubMed search engine for the phrases "immune-mediated thrombocytopenia" or "immune thrombocytopenic purpura" or "immune thormbocytopenia." VETERINARY AND HUMAN DATA SYNTHESIS: There are a number of therapeutic options for adult-onset immune thrombocytopenia in human medicine with demonstrated efficacy in clinical studies although corticosteroids and immunoglobulin therapy remain the first-line medical treatments. Thrombopoietin receptor agonist therapy and, to a lesser extent, rituximab have shown great promise in initial clinical trials and may become standard of care in human medicine for the management of IMT. Therapeutic options in veterinary medicine are less diverse and only vincristine and human intravenous immunoglobulin therapies have been evaluated in controlled clinical studies., Conclusions: There are a number of therapeutic options in the management of IMT veterinary medicine, most of which have not been investigated in clinical studies. Further research is warranted to best identify the optimal treatment strategy for IMT in veterinary patients., (© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2012.)

Objective: To identify and characterize the syndrome of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) with concurrent severe thrombocytopenia (

An 11-year-old, spayed female miniature schnauzer with diabetes mellitus was presumptively diagnosed with Evans' syndrome (ES). Because of the potential adverse effects of immunosuppressive doses of glucocorticoids in a diabetic dog, a single infusion of human intravenous immunoglobulin and oral leflunomide were used as first-line immunomodulatory therapy, after informed owner consent was received. This treatment resulted in complete remission of the ES, and leflunomide was discontinued after 10 months of therapy. Over a 19-month follow-up, the dog did not relapse and has remained a well-regulated diabetic.

Feline primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (pIMT) is a rare hematological disorder. Platelet-bound antibody assays for cats have variable specificity and sensitivity and are not widely available. Diagnosis of pIMT is made on the basis of exclusion of other identifiable causes of thrombocytopenia and the response to immunosuppressive therapy. This report describes four cats with severe thrombocytopenia and no detectable underlying disease. One cat was euthanased because of pulmonary hemorrhage, while the other cats had frequent relapses, two of these cats developed diabetes mellitus due to long-term corticosteroid therapy. In these cats IMT had a chronic course and responded poorly to therapy with prednisolone. Alternative immunomodulatory drugs may be considered in the treatment of feline IMT.