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Objective: There is still much to be discovered regarding the etiopathogenesis and management of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Materials and Methods: Four groups of female Wister-Albino rats were established, each with a normal estrous cycle: control, D ( + ) galactose (D-galactose), Lepidium sativum (L. sativum), and prepared secondary antibody (Ab2). Serum samples were collected, and histopathological examination was performed on ovaries and spleen tissues. Immunoreactive anti-ovarian antibody (AOA) quantities were determined using a modified antigen-based ELISA procedure. ELISA assay kits were used to quantify FSH, LH, and estradiol 17 β concentrations. Results: The study found that AOA concentration in undiluted samples was significantly higher in the second and fourth weeks after PCOS induction by D-galactose (p < 0.001). However, antibody index% and titer elevated in the D-galactose group. L. sativum's late efficacy was observed in the fourth week, while the concentration of undiluted samples in the D-galactose + Ab2 group lowered (p < 0.001). Higher basal FSH and LH levels and lower estrogen levels are associated with PCOS development. L. sativum's immunomodulatory properties may contribute to this associa¬tion. Estradiol-17ß concentrations increased in D-galactose + L. sativum and D-galactose + Ab2 groups, respectively. Conclusion: Careful extrapolation of experimental models is crucial for clinical applications, as technical advancements make Ab2 production easier. Further study is needed to fully understand its potential in immunotherapy. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(2.000): 418-428]

Mismatched power generation is a serious issue in PV systems, resulting from unequal power generation between PV components. Solutions have been proposed to reduce or eliminate the mismatch concern. One practical strategy is individually harvesting the maximum power from each PV component; the more distributed MPPT is applied to a finer level, the more power can be obtained. This study proposes three-input single-output boost converters that are employed to effectively increase PV power generation and significantly reduce mismatch issues between the PV submodule (PV SM). Each boost converter will be controlled to harvest the maximum power from a group of PV cells inside a single PV module. The outputs of the three boost converters are connected in series to provide higher output voltage for grid integration. The cascaded power converters are linked with a forwarding diode to provide a protection feature for the system and prevent the reverse current from harming the PV module. On the grid side, a single-phase Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) is used to convert the DC power from the PV module to sinusoidal AC power. The performance of the suggested inverter has been confirmed through experimental tests.

Background and Aim: New anticancer drugs are being developed to avoid the toxicity and chemoresistance of the currently available drugs. The Food and Drug Administration-approved anti-malarial drug atovaquone is known to act as a selective oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor in the mitochondria by competing with CO Q10 (mitochondrial complex II and III). This study aimed to investigate the effect of atovaquone by examining the Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) activity in various canine cell lines. Materials and Methods: Canine cell lines were treated with various concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 µM) of atovaquone for 24, 48, and 72 h. Human cell lines were used as a control to validate the canine cancer cell lines. The activities of the drugs against the cancer cell lines were measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl- 2H-tetrazolium bromideassay. The cell metabolic activity was determined by measuring the activities of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent cellular oxidoreductase enzymes. The NKA activity was measured using the single-cell patch clamping assay. Results: Atovaquone-induced apoptosis by elevating the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the tumor cells, leading to cell death. Treatment of canine cancer cells with N-acetylcysteine (ROS inhibitor) reduced the activity of the drug. Furthermore, atovaquone inhibited more than 45% of the NKA ion current. Conclusion: This study demonstrated effects of atovaquone against canine cancer cell lines. The data may prove beneficial in repurposing the drug as a new anticancer agent in canine clinical trials, which might aid in fighting human cancer.

Valvular heart conditions significantly contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, affecting around 2–3 million people in the United States. The anatomical characteristics of cardiac muscles and valves can significantly influence blood flow patterns inside the ventricles. Understanding the interaction between the mitral valve and left ventricle structures enables using fluid–structure interaction simulations as a precise and user-friendly approach to investigating outcomes that cannot be captured using experimental approaches. This study aims to develop a 3D-0D computational model to simulate the consequences of extending the anterior mitral leaflet towards the left ventricle in the presence of the thickness of the left ventricular septum and the mitral valve device. The simulations presented in this paper successfully showcased the ability of the model to replicate occlusion occurring at the left ventricular outflow tract and illustrated the impact of this blockage on the flow pattern and pressure gradient. Furthermore, these simulations conducted following anterior mitral leaflet splitting can emphasize the significance of this technique in reducing the obstruction at the left ventricle outflow tract. The computational model presented in this study, combining 3D and 0D elements, provides significant insights into the flow patterns occurring in the left ventricle before and after anterior leaflet splitting. Thus, expanding this model can help explore other cardiac phenomena and investigate potential post-procedural complications.

To the authors’ knowledge, currently, there is no review covering the different technologies applied to opening manual doors. Therefore, this review presents a summary of the various technologies available on the market as well as those under research and development for opening manual doors. Four subtopics—doorknob accessories, wheelchair-mounted door-opening accessories, door-opening robots, and door-opening drones—were used to group the various technologies for manually opening doors. It is evident that opening doors is a difficult process, and there are different ways to solve this problem in terms of the technology used and the cost of the end product. The search for an affordable assistive technology for opening manual doors is ongoing. This work is an attempt to provide wheelchair users and their healthcare providers with a one-stop source for door-opening technologies. At least one of these door-opening solutions could prove beneficial to the elderly and some wheelchair users for increased independence. The ideal option would depend on an individual’s needs and capabilities, and occupational therapists could assess and recommend the right solutions.

Energy crises and the growth of the energy demand have increased the interest in utilizing unconventional power sources. Thus, renewable energy sources have become a topic of interest to mitigate rising energy concerns and cope with increased electricity demand. With remarkable merits including cleanness and abundance, photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems are a key to solving these issues. The employed inverters should effectively utilize the maximum available power from the PV solar system and transfer this power to the utility grid without posing any further limitations. However, the unequal power generation of different PV systems caused by partial shading (PS) and other PV panel degradation factors leads to a reduction in generation capacity. One of the relatively new solutions to mitigate the mismatch concerns between the PV modules and sub-modules is to extract the maximum power of each sub-module individually. The main objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of such PV grid-connected inverters topologies associated with sub-module connection and control. It will classify the PV grid-tied inverters in accordance with the level where the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) system is implemented. A special focus has been placed on sub-module microinverters (MI) in terms of circuit topologies, conversion efficiency, and controller design. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of employing the distributed MPPT (DMPPT) approach to maximize the power generation of PV systems by mitigating the mismatch issues inside the PV module. The circuit topology, PV system configuration, and MPPT algorithms used for applying DMPPT solutions in PV SMs are discussed in detail in this study.

Strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) improve the performance of tensile properties and crack control. In this investigation, SHCC formulated based on desert sand could be used to strengthen structural members by improving their load-carrying capacity and controlling the cracking system. This work focuses on the efficient strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams using the formulated SHCC overlays for improved performance. First, an SHCC mix with improved tensile and flexure properties was prepared. In addition, two SHCC overlays with reinforcement levels of 0% and 0.4% were developed and applied on RC beams. Eight full-scale beams were prepared and tested through a 4-point bending test. The results showed that SHCC overlay beams enhanced the flexural capacity, ductility, and controlled the crack widths in the beams. In contrast to the reference beams and the SHCC-enhanced beams, the SHCC layer's presence decreased the crack opening by 23–66%. Among the overlay beams, the beam reinforced with an SHCC overlay of a thickness of 30% was found to be the most efficient in terms of crack control and flexural performance. A theoretical procedure was employed to predict the flexural response of beams. The analytical model applied in this investigation could capture the performance of the test specimens. It predicts 0.85–1.34 of the experimental cracking moments with an average of 1.03 and a standard deviation of 0.21, as well as 1.02–1.06 of the yielding moments with an average of 1.03 and experimental standard deviations of 0.02. The average of the difference between the composite beams' predictive and experimental moment capacities is less than 10%. The SHCC mix formulated based on desert sand can be efficiently used in retrofitting applications.

Background: The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused more than 1.8 million deaths, with a fatality rate of 2.5% in more than 200 countries as of January 4, 2021. Analysis of COVID-19 clinical features can help predict disease severity and risk of mortality, early identification of high-risk patients, and provide knowledge to inform clinical interventions. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics and possible predictors associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 admitted to King Fahad (KFH), Ohood, and Miqat hospitals in Madina, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This retrospective observational study to investigate the clinical characteristic and possible predictors associated with mortality for those 119 mild, moderate, or critically ill patients confirmed by laboratory results to have COVID-19 who were admitted to three hospitals in Madina, Saudi Arabia, from March 25, 2020, to July 30, 2020. Data were collected from December 1, 2020, to December 14, 2020. Results: Of the 119 patients included in the study, the mean age was 54.2 (±15.7) years, with 78.2% survivors and 21.8% non-survivors. The demographic analysis indicated that the likelihood of mortality for patients in the older age group (i.e., ≥65 years) was five times higher than those in the younger age group (OR = 5.34, 95% CI 1.71–16.68, p = 0.004). The results also indicated those patients who admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was approximately seven times higher odds of mortality compare with those who were not admitted (OR = 6.48, 95% CI 2.52–16.63, p < 0.001). In addition, six laboratory parameters were positively associated with the odds of mortality: white blood cell count (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.21, p = 0.018), neutrophil (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.22, p = 0.020), creatine kinase myocardial band (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.03, p = 0.030), C-reactive protein (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.01, p = 0.002), urea (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.11, p = 0.026), and lactate dehydrogenase (OR = 1.00, 95% CI 1.00–1.01, p = 0.020). Conclusions: In this cohort, COVID-19 patients within the older age group (≥65 years) admitted to the ICU with increased C-reactive protein levels in particular, were associated with increased odds of mortality. Further clinical observations are warranted to support these findings and enhance the mapping and control of this pandemic.

In this work, we developed a prototype that adopted sound-based systems for localization of visually impaired individuals. The system was implemented based on a wireless ultrasound network, which helped the blind and visually impaired to navigate and maneuver autonomously. Ultrasonic-based systems use high-frequency sound waves to detect obstacles in the environment and provide location information to the user. Voice recognition and long short-term memory (LSTM) techniques were used to design the algorithms. The Dijkstra algorithm was also used to determine the shortest distance between two places. Assistive hardware tools, which included an ultrasonic sensor network, a global positioning system (GPS), and a digital compass, were utilized to implement this method. For indoor evaluation, three nodes were localized on the doors of different rooms inside the house, including the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. The coordinates (interactive latitude and longitude points) of four outdoor areas (mosque, laundry, supermarket, and home) were identified and stored in a microcomputer’s memory to evaluate the outdoor settings. The results showed that the root mean square error for indoor settings after 45 trials is about 0.192. In addition, the Dijkstra algorithm determined that the shortest distance between two places was within an accuracy of 97%.

This paper proposes a modular inverter based on Cuk converters for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to mitigate the voltage and current mismatch issue at the PV module level. The proposed modular Cuk inverter (MCI) is formed by connecting several low-voltage (LV) microinverters (MIs) in series and linking their output sides to the distribution network. This architecture does not require a central inverter, and hence, it eliminates the need for large dc-link intermediate capacitors. The proposed MCI provides more controllability over the PV system by having a decentralized structure. The MCI will improve the PV system efficiency by reducing the voltage and current stresses in the MIs and will enable better voltage regulation due to the provided controllability. Since the proposed MI topology is based on the Cuk converter, it offers continuous input and output currents that will reduce the required filtering capacitance and will provide a wide range of voltage regulation for either supplying the loads or charging the storage batteries. The paper presents the associated control scheme for the proposed MCI that employs two controlling loops. The input loop at the PV side is designed and tuned to eliminate the ripples from the input current, while the outer loop at the grid side will control the output ac current and hence the MCI power. Computer simulations are presented using MATLAB/SIMULINK software to examine the validity of the suggested inverter for distributed generation PV residential applications. A scaled-down experimental prototype controlled by TMS320F28335 DSP was built and used to validate the mathematical analyses and simulation results.

The use of various Internet networks and applications, which provides cost-effective, easy-to-access, and several free and pay service have been the focus of cloud storage systems over the last few years. Throughout technology management and education, the idea of cloud storage has received considerable attention, but we are interested in investigating the purpose of using cloud storage facilities at Malaysian universities. Thus, we identified that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use social influence, facilitating conditions, and personal innovativeness have an effect on the intention of cloud storage usage. We also developed the hypotheses that these five factors can influence the intention of cloud storage usage. Through an online survey questionnaire, 366 undergraduates with convenience sampling and analyzed using the Social Sciences Application Statistical Suite (SPSS) answer data collection. Our research has shown that social influence does not show a vital role in influencing the intention of scholars to utilise cloud storage, while other influences have been recognized as they influence the intention. The results have consequences for researchers, manufacturers, and educational institutions both theoretically and practically.

In this study, we present a sensorless, robust, and physiological tracking control method to drive the operational speed of implantable rotary blood pumps (IRBPs) for patients with heart failure (HF). The method used sensorless measurements of the pump flow to track the desired reference flow (Qr). A dynamical estimator model was used to estimate the average pump flow (Q^est) based on pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals. A proportional-integral (PI) controller integrated with a fuzzy logic control (FLC) system was developed to automatically adapt the pump flow. The Qr was modeled as a constant and trigonometric function using an elastance function (E(t)) to achieve a variation in the metabolic demand. The proposed method was evaluated in silico using a lumped parameter model of the cardiovascular system (CVS) under rest and exercise scenarios. The findings demonstrated that the proposed control system efficiently updated the pump speed of the IRBP to avoid suction or overperfusion. In all scenarios, the numerical results for the left atrium pressure (Pla), aortic pressure (Pao), and left ventricle pressure (Plv) were clinically accepted. The Q^est accurately tracked the Qr within an error of 0.25 L/min.

A modified monopole patch antenna for microwave-based hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke recognition is presented in this article. The designed antenna is fabricated on a cost-effective FR-4 lossy material with a 0.02 loss tangent and 4.4 dielectric constant. Its overall dimensions are 0.32 λ × 0.28 λ × 0.007 λ, where λ is the lower bandwidth 1.3 GHz frequency wavelength. An inset feeding approach is utilized to feed the antenna to reduce the input impedance (z = voltage/current). A total bandwidth (below −10 dB) of 2.4 GHz (1.3–3.7 GHz) is achieved with an effective peak gain of over 6 dBi and an efficiency of over 90%. A time-domain analysis confirms that the antenna produces minimal signal distortion. Simulated and experimental findings share a lot of similarities. Brain tissue is penetrated by the antenna to a satisfactory degree, while still exhibiting a safe specific absorption rate (SAR). The maximum SAR value measured for the head model is constrained to be equal to or below 0.1409 W/kg over the entire usable frequency band. Evaluation of theoretical and experimental evidence indicates the intended antenna is appropriate for Microwave Imaging (MWI) applications.

Abstract The Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) complex is the master regulator of membrane potential and a target for anti-cancer therapies. Here, we investigate the effect of drug-induced oxidative stress on NKA activity. The natural product, plumbagin increases oxygen radicals through inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. As a result, plumbagin treatment results in decreased production of ATP and a rapid increase in intracellular oxygen radicals. We show that plumbagin induces apoptosis in canine cancer cells via oxidative stress. We use this model to test the effect of oxidative stress on NKA activity. Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology we demonstrate that short-term exposure (4 min) to plumbagin results in 48% decrease in outward current at +50 mV. Even when exogenous ATP was supplied to the cells, plumbagin treatment resulted in 46% inhibition of outward current through NKA at +50 mV. In contrast, when the canine cancer cells were pre-treated with the oxygen radical scavenger, N-acetylcysteine, the NKA inhibitory activity of plumbagin was abrogated. These experiments demonstrate that the oxidative stress-causing agents such as plumbagin and its analogues, are a novel avenue to regulate NKA activity in tumors.

Installing and developing a sophisticated control system to optimize left ventricular assist device (LVAD) pump speed to meet changes in metabolic demand is essential for advancing LVAD technology. This paper aims to design and implement a physiological control method for LVAD pumps to provide optimal cardiac output. The method is designed to adjust the pump speed by regulating the pump flow based on a predefined set point (operating point). The Frank–Starling mechanism technique was adopted to control the set point within a safe operating zone (green square), and it mimics the physiological demand of the patient. This zone is predefined by preload control lines, which are known as preload lines. A proportional–integral (PI) controller was utilized to control the operating point within safe limits to prevent suction or overperfusion. In addition, a PI type 1 fuzzy logic controller was designed and implemented to drive the LVAD pump. To evaluate the design method, rest, moderate, and exercise scenarios of heart failure (HF) were simulated by varying the hemodynamic parameters in one cardiac cycle. This evaluation was conducted using a lumped parameter model of the cardiovascular system (CVS). The results demonstrated that the proposed control method efficiently drives an LVAD pump under accepted clinical conditions. In both scenarios, the left ventricle pressure recorded 112 mmHg for rest and 55 mmHg for exercise, and the systematic flow recorded 5.5 L/min for rest and 1.75 L/min for exercise.

The high mortality of OvCa is caused by the wide dissemination of cancer within the abdominal cavity. OvCa cells metastasize to the peritoneum, which is covered by mesothelial cells, and invade into the underlying stroma, composed of extracellular matrices (ECM) and stromal cells. In a study using a three-dimensional quantitative high-throughput screening platform (3D-qHTS), we found that β-escin, a component of horse chestnut seed extract, inhibited OvCa adhesion/invasion. Here, we determine whether β-escin and structurally similar compounds have a therapeutic potential against OvCa metastasis. Different sources of β-escin and horse chestnut seed extract inhibited OvCa cell adhesion/invasion, both in vitro and in vivo. From a collection of 160 structurally similar compounds to β-escin, we found that cardiac glycosides inhibited OvCa cell adhesion/invasion and proliferation in vitro, and inhibited adhesion/invasion and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, β-escin and the cardiac glycosides inhibited ECM production in mesothelial cells and fibroblasts. The oral administration of β-escin inhibited metastasis in both OvCa prevention and intervention mouse models. Specifically, β-escin inhibited ECM production in the omental tumors. Additionally, the production of HIF1α-targeted proteins, lactate dehydrogenase A, and hexokinase 2 in omental tumors was blocked by β-escin. This study reveals that the natural compound β-escin has a therapeutic potential because of its ability to prevent OvCa dissemination by targeting both cancer and stromal cells in the OvCa tumor microenvironment.

The first case of COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, after which it spread across more than 200 countries. By 21 July 2020, the rapid global spread of this disease had led to more than 15 million cases of infection, with a mortality rate of more than 4.0% of the total number of confirmed cases. This study aimed to predict the prevalence of COVID-19 and to investigate the effect of awareness and the impact of treatment in Saudi Arabia. In this paper, COVID-19 data were sourced from the Saudi Ministry of Health, covering the period from 31 March 2020 to 21 July 2020. The spread of COVID-19 was predicted using four different epidemiological models, namely the susceptible–infectious–recovered (SIR), generalized logistic, Richards, and Gompertz models. The assessment of models’ fit was performed and compared using four statistical indices (root-mean-square error (RMSE), R squared (R2), adjusted R2 ( Radj2), and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC)) in order to select the most appropriate model. Modified versions of the SIR model were utilized to assess the influence of awareness and treatment on the prevalence of COVID-19. Based on the statistical indices, the SIR model showed a good fit to reported data compared with the other models (RMSE = 2790.69, R2 = 99.88%, Radj2 = 99.98%, and AIC = 1796.05). The SIR model predicted that the cumulative number of infected cases would reach 359,794 and that the pandemic would end by early September 2020. Additionally, the modified version of the SIR model with social distancing revealed that there would be a reduction in the final cumulative epidemic size by 9.1% and 168.2% if social distancing were applied over the short and long term, respectively. Furthermore, different treatment scenarios were simulated, starting on 8 July 2020, using another modified version of the SIR model. Epidemiological modeling can help to predict the cumulative number of cases of infection and to understand the impact of social distancing and pharmaceutical intervention on the prevalence of COVID-19. The findings from this study can provide valuable information for governmental policymakers trying to control the spread of this pandemic.

This paper aims to investigate the effects of edge-oxidized graphene oxide nanoflakes (EOGO) on the mechanical properties and sorptivity of cement composites. The EOGO used in this study was produced by a mechanochemical process that assists the production of EOGO in large quantities at significantly reduced costs, enabling its practical use for infrastructure construction. The scope of this work includes the use of EOGO as an additive in cement composites, including cement paste and mortar. This study explores two mixing methods: The dry-mix method and the wet-mix method. The dry-mix method uses EOGO as dry powder in cement composites whereas the wet-mix method uses a water-dispersed solution (using a sonication process). Varied percentages of EOGO, ranging from 0.01% to 1.0%, were used for both methods. To evaluate the concrete durability, the effect of EOGO addition on sorptivity of the cement composites was investigated by performing total porosity and water sorptivity tests. It was found that 0.05% of EOGO is the optimum proportion to exert the highest strength in compressive and flexural strength tests. In addition, the dry-mix method is comparable to the wet-mix method (with dispersion of EOGO), thus more practical for field engineering applications.