Search

A probabilistic model is proposed to predict the risk effects on time and cost of public building projects. The research goal is to utilize a real history data in estimating project cost and duration. The model results can be used to adjust floats and budgets of the planning schedule before project commencement. Statistical regression models and sample tests are developed using real data of 113 public projects. The model outputs can be used by project managers in the planning phase to validate the schedule critical path time and project budget. The comparison of means analysis for project cost and time performance indicated that the sample projects tend to finish over budget and almost on schedule. Regression models were developed to model project cost and time. The regression analysis showed that the project budgeted cost and planned project duration provide a good basis for estimating the cost and duration. The regression model results were validated by estimating the prediction error in percent and through conducting out-of-sample tests. In conclusion, the models were validated at a probability of 95%, at which the proposed models predict the project cost and duration at an error margin of [+ or -] 0.035% of the actual cost and time. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0742-597X(2010)26:2(105) CE Database subject headings: Construction costs; Construction management; Project delivery; Regression analysis; Regression models; Statistics. Author keywords: Construction costs; Construction management; Project delivery; Regression analysis; Regression models.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of fetal gender on the mode of delivery in women with induced labor. METHOD We collected data retrospectively on women who underwent induction of labor in a tertiary Greek hospital over a one-year period. The maternal demographic characteristics, details of labor and delivery, and neonatal data were retrieved from the medical records. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify whether or not the fetal gender was an independent risk factor for cesarean section (CS). RESULTS The sample consisted of 359 women with a mean age of 30±5.4 years. Maternal characteristics were similar in women who delivered male and female babies. The birth weight was significantly greater in male than female babies. A significantly higher CS rate was recorded in women with male babies than in those with female babies (39.4% vs 25.5%). Multiple regression analysis showed that the male fetal gender increased almost two-fold the risk of CS, even after adjusting for birth weight (OR=2.04, 95% CI: 1.11-3.76; p=0.022). CONCLUSIONS We showed in this study that the male fetal gender is a factor that might affect the mode of delivery in women with induced labor. This gender relationship persisted after adjusting for birth weight, indicating that factors other than birth weight could explain this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

بنك المشجّرات محلّل حاسوبيّ للظّواهر التّركيبيّة في اللّغة العربيّة، استثمر مبادئ نظريّة التّحكّم والرّبط التّوليديّة، وحوسباتها وتصوّراتها للنّحو الكلّيّ، غايته في ذلك بناء نظام حوسبيّ آليّ، يحاكي في اشتغاله النّظام الحوسبيّ اللّغويّ الطّبيعيّ. وقد حقّق بنك المشجّرات نتائج مهمّة في هذا الشّأن، تتمثّل في بلوغه الانتظام والتّناسق في معالجة الأبنية الإعرابيّة، لكنّ العمل لم يخل من هنات، أهمّها عدم اتّسام السّيرورة الاشتقاقيّة بالخاصّيّة التّكراريّة المميّزة للّغة البشريّة، وخرق حوسبة النّقل للقيود الجزبريّة التي أقرّتها النّظريّة اللّسانيّة، وهو ما يجعلنا نشكّك في كفايته الوصفيّة لسانيّا.

Non-structural protein 5 (Nsp5) is a cysteine protease that plays a key role in SARS-CoV-2 replication, suppressing host protein synthesis and promoting immune evasion. The investigation of natural products as a potential strategy for Nsp5 inhibition is gaining attention as a means of developing antiviral agents. In this work, we have investigated the physicochemical properties and structure-activity relationships of ellagic acid and its gut metabolites, urolithins A-D, as ligands of Nsp5. Results allow us to identify urolithin D as promising ligand of Nsp5, with a dissociation constant in the nanomolar range of potency. Although urolithin D is able to bind to the catalytic cleft of Nsp5, the appraisal of its viral replication inhibition against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 assay highlights a lack of activity. While these results are discussed in the framework of the available literature reporting conflicting data on polyphenol antiviral activity, they provide new clues for natural products as potential viral protease inhibitors.

Over 80% of the global population addresses their primary healthcare needs using traditional medicine based on medicinal plants. Consequently, there's a rising demand for these plants for both household and industrial use at local, regional, national, and international levels. However, wild harvesting has negatively impacted natural ecosystems. Cultivating medicinal species has been proposed as a conservation strategy to alleviate this pressure. Yet, in this age of global climate change concerns, smallholder farmers' views on the benefits of such cultivation clash with the uncertainties of climate change impacts, amplifying their anxieties. In this context, the climate change dependence of ex situ cultivation of ten wild medicinal taxa with significant ethnopharmacological interest in Crete, Greece, were studied, projecting their potential habitat suitability under various future climate scenarios. The results demonstrated species-specific effects. Based on the potential cultivation area gains and losses, these effects can be categorized into three groups. We also outlined the spatial patterns of these gains and losses, offering valuable insights for regional management strategies benefiting individual practitioners.

Herein we report our synthetic efforts in supporting the development of the bile alcohol sulfate INT-767, a FXR/TGR5 dual agonist with remarkable therapeutic potential for liver disorders. We describe the process development to a final route for large scale preparation and analogues synthesis. Key sequences include Grignard addition, a one-pot two-step shortening-reduction of the carboxylic side chain, and the final sulfation reaction. The necessity for additional steps such as the protection/deprotection of hydroxyl groups at the steroidal body was also evaluated for step-economy and formation of side-products. Critical bottlenecks such as the side chain degradation have been tackled using flow technology before scaling-up individual steps. The final synthetic route may be successfully employed to produce the amount of INT-767 required to support late-stage clinical development of the compound. Furthermore, potential metabolites have been synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their ability to modulate FXR and TGR5 receptors providing key reference standards for future drug investigations, as well as offering further insights into the structure-activity relationships of this class of compounds., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Antimo Gioiello reports financial support was provided by Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc. Antimo Gioiello and Roberto Pellicciari has patent issued to Intercept Pharmaceuticals., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Over the last two decades, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) has attracted wide interest as a key player in immune regulation, fostering the design and development of small molecule inhibitors to restore immune response in tumor immunity. In this framework, biochemical, structural, and pharmacological studies have unveiled peculiar structural plasticity of IDO1, with different conformations and functional states that are coupled to fine regulation of its catalytic activity and non-enzymic functions. The large plasticity of IDO1 may affect its ligand recognition process, generating bias in structure-based drug design campaigns. In this work, we report a screening campaign of a fragment library of compounds, grounding on the use of three distinct conformations of IDO1 that recapitulate its structural plasticity to some extent. Results are instrumental to discuss tips and pitfalls that, due to the large plasticity of the enzyme, may influence the identification of novel and differentiated chemical scaffolds of IDO1 ligands in structure-based screening campaigns.

Understanding the distribution of wild medicinal plants and areas that are suitable for cultivation of these plants is important for both conservation and agriculture. Here, we study ten taxa with known ethnopharmacological uses, which have been used extensively in traditional medicine and as culinary supplements. We aim to (1) predict and map the potential habitat suitability for these taxa across the study area, (2) investigate spatial patterns that could have management implications, such as niche similarities among the taxa and suitability "hotspots" with the use of novel indices, and (3) develop a platform where parts of this information can be accessed and utilized by all interested groups, from the policy-maker level to the individual practitioner level. Ecological Niche Models developed for each study taxon, based on topographic, bioclimatic, soil, and land use variables had high predictive power and were used as the basis for suitability visualization. A series of informative indices were also calculated and mapped, revealing spatial patterns not readily observable from the single-taxon predictions, and providing valuable information to managers. Finally, a web-based, easy-to-use application was also created, where the predicted suitability scores for the study area can be made accessible to anyone interested. The application can provide information both in a visual form (i.e. maps of predicted suitability) and in a numerical form (i.e. estimated suitability scores for all taxa in a given geographical location). This study provides the scientific tools to make a step towards cultivating a group of economically important wild medicinal plants in Crete, as well as the tools to disseminate this information to decision makers and practitioners, and eventually integrate the research findings in local agricultural practices., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

To obtain therapeutically effective new antibiotics, we first searched for bacterial culture supernatants with antimicrobial activity in vitro and then performed a secondary screening using the silkworm infection model. Through further purification of the in vivo activity, we obtained a compound with a previously uncharacterized structure and named it 'lysocin E'. Lysocin E interacted with menaquinone in the bacterial membrane to achieve its potent bactericidal activity, a mode of action distinct from that of any other known antibiotic, indicating that lysocin E comprises a new class of antibiotic. This is to our knowledge the first report of a direct interaction between a small chemical compound and menaquinone that leads to bacterial killing. Furthermore, lysocin E decreased the mortality of infected mice. To our knowledge, lysocin E is the first compound identified and purified by quantitative measurement of therapeutic effects in an invertebrate infection model that exhibits robust in vivo effects in mammals.

We examined the expression of the major H(2)S-producing enzymes, cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE). CBS was ubiquitously distributed in the mouse pancreas, but CSE was found only in the exocrine. Freshly isolated islets expressed CBS, while CSE was faint. However, high glucose increased the CSE expression in the beta-cells. L-Cysteine or NaHS suppressed islet cell apoptosis with high glucose, and increased glutathione content in MIN6 beta-cells. Pretreatment with L-cysteine improved the secretory responsiveness following stimulation with glucose. The CSE inhibitor DL-propargylglycine antagonized these L-cysteine effects. We suggest H(2)S may function as an 'intrinsic brake' which protects beta-cells from glucotoxicity.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of 54 Gy in nine fractions for patients with localized lung tumor using a custom-made immobilization system., Methods and Materials: The subjects were 19 patients who had localized lung tumor (11 primaries, 8 metastases) between May 2003 and October 2005. Treatment was conducted on 19 lung tumors by fixed multiple noncoplanar conformal beams with a standard linear accelerator. The isocentric dose was 54 Gy in nine fractions. The median overall treatment time was 15 days (range 11-22 days). All patients were immobilized by a thermo-shell and a custom-made headrest during the treatment., Results: The crude local tumor control rate was 95% during the follow-up of 9.4-39.5 (median 17.7) months. In-field recurrence was noted in only one patient at the last follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier overall survival rate at 2 years was 89.5%. Grade 1 radiation pneumonia and grade 1 radiation fibrosis were observed in 12 of the 19 patients. Treatment-related severe early and late complications were not observed in this series., Conclusion: The stereotactic body radiotherapy of 54 Gy in nine fractions achieved acceptable tumor control without any severe complications. The results suggest that SBRT can be one of the alternatives for patients with localized lung tumors.

An electronic medical record sharing system, which supports management of terminally ill patients at home, was developed in Matsudo City as a trial project. The system interconnects several facilities including four general practitioners (GPs), a visiting nurse center and a supporting municipal hospital. It provides the latest patients' information from GPs to the municipal hospital in case of the acute change of the patients' condition and their transfer. Using this system the discussion between GPs and visiting nurses became much more fruitful than we had expected, while some doctors did not use the system because of their computer literacy. Problems in the system security and privacy protection as well as clarification of users' responsibility remain to be solved. A more expanded system is now being developed as a new enterprise of Matsudo Medical Association following this system.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the force of a finger could be measured with a new system based on an attachment to the Kin-Com dynamometer, and to define the reproducibility of the finger force measurement. Eleven male subjects (age, 27.6 +/- 6.12 years) took part. All were free of orthopedic problems in the tested hand. Mean forces of the index and little finger for concentric and eccentric motion were measured using the new system. Overall coefficients of variation (OCVs) were calculated as an index of reproducibility. The reproducibility of force curves was considered good when an OCV was less than 20%. The OCVs for mean force of the index finger and for eccentric motion of the little finger were less than the 20% standard, at 10.7 and 14.0, respectively. The OCV for concentric motion of the little finger was greater than 20%. The findings suggest that measurement of finger force is feasible with the new Kin-Com attachment.

Recently, much interest has focussed on fibrinolysis in malignant tumors. In our previous study, we showed that t-PA antigen was significantly increased in plasma from patients with malignant tumors with metastasis. In our present study, we measured plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels in plasmas from patients with various tumors. PAI-1 antigen was measured by means of enzyme immuno assay in plasma from 64 consecutive patients with a variety of malignant tumors. Patients were subdivided into two groups, one with (n = 47) and without (n = 17) metastasis. In the group with metastasis except for lung cancer, PAI-1 antigen level was increased compared to age-matched control subjects, while in the group without metastasis, PAI-1 antigen level was normal.

A comparative investigation of the pathogenetic factor in symptomatic cerebral vasospasm was made by quantitative histological and clinical studies in four patients who died immediately of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (Cases 1-4) and in two who died without fatal cerebral vasospasm (Cases 5 and 6). Histological examination of the brain from Cases 1 and 2 found many white and fibrin microthrombi together with ischemic and infarctic changes in the territories of spastic arteries, which corresponded to the low-density areas (LDAs) observed on computed tomographic (CT) scans and the typical neurological symptoms. In Case 3, who had suffered severe vasospasms in bilateral anterior cerebral and middle cerebral arteries, bilateral LDAs were observed on CT scans and multiple fibrin thrombi were seen diffusely throughout the brain. In Case 4, extensive bilateral LDAs (lt greater than rt) were observed on CT scans, and multiple microthrombi were seen diffusely but predominantly in the left cerebral hemisphere. Only in Case 3 the possible complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation could not be ruled out. Only negligible thrombi were observed in Cases 5 and 6, whose immediate cause of death was considered to be acute hydrocephalus and aneurysmal rerupture, respectively. Distributions of microthrombi were significantly greater in the regions clinically identified to have been ischemic or infarctic.

Forty-four women were examined for evidence of traumatic intercourse. Toluidine blue dye was employed as an objective adjunct in the evaluation because of its sensitivity for exposed superficial nuclei. Seventy percent of nulliparas and 40% of the total number of patients examined within 48 hours after complaint of sexual assault demonstrated toluidine blue-positive lacerations. Only 1 of 22 patients presenting after consenting intercourse demonstrated toluidine blue-positive lacerations. This new use of toluidine blue may prove of value in examining of the victim of sexual assault because of the dye's ability, independent of the examiner's skill, to indicate injury in collection of evidence for court proceedings.

Four hundred forty-two studies of the Valsalva maneuver were performed on 282 pregnant subjects and 37 nonpregnant female control subjects. A fetal monitor was used for graphic presentation of the subject's beat-to-beat heart rate changes. The Valsalva ratio was calculated, defined as maximum tachycardia divided by maximum bradycardia during a Valsalva maneuver. The data from the studies on pregnant subjects were grouped according to weeks of gestation: less than 13, 13 to 16, 17 to 20, 21 to 24, 25 to 28, 29 to 32, 33 to 36, and greater than 36. The mean Valsalva ratio for control subjects is higher than the mean for every gestation group, and there is a definite downward trend in the means for each successive gestation group through 29 to 32 weeks. The tendency for pregnant women to have an "abnormal" Valsalva ratio (that is, less than 1.5) also appears to be related to gestation. This exploratory study demonstrates that the Valsalva ratio is sensitive to physiologic changes associated with pregnancy. This test might have use as a noninvasive indicator of certain types of abnormalities associated with pregnancy.

In human subjects cortisol raises the osmotic threshold for vasopressin release. The presumption that this results from a direct inhibitory action of cortisol on osmotically stimulated vasopressin release has been tested in conscious rhesus monkeys. Preparatory surgical procedures included chronic bladder catheterization, placement of cannulae in the right atrium, the left jugular vein and the stomach and stereotaxic insertion of metal cannulae in both supraoptic nuclei. The osmotic threshold for vasopressin release was defined as the plasma osmolality at the beginning of the 3 min urine sample in which free water clearance first fell by greater than 2 SD below the mean control level, in response to 5% saline infusion during constant hydration. Compared with control substances (0.9% saline solution or 11-deoxycortisol crystals), cortisol solution or crystals introduced into both supraoptic nuclei significantly lowered the plasma osmolality during the water-induced pre-saline diuresis, so that a larger amount of 5% NaCl infusion was required to reach the osmotic threshold. Thus, cortisol introduced into the supraoptic nuclei prolonged the duration of 5% saline infusion needed to reach the osmotic threshold, and raised the increment in plasma osmolality needed to reach the threshold but cortisol did not significantly raise the absolute level of the threshold.

Despite a lack of proof that overall perinatal outcome is improved, physicians and patients participate in a growing regional maternal transport program in a community hospital setting. Over the course of 3 1/2 years, 129 patients were transferred from 23 institutions. Maternal transport and the changes which result in the interactions of the physicians are compared to traditional referral systems. Obstacles and guidelines for minimizing them are discussed.