ADVANCED AMPLITUDE CENTERING AS AN INVIGORATING MANIPULATION FOR UNIFIED WAVELENGTH SPECTRAL RESOLUTION OF TERNARY MIXTURES

Objective: This work presented the novel spectrophotometric approach namely, advanced amplitude centering (AAC). The method was applied for the resolution of ternary mixtures with partially or completely overlapped spectra.Methods: Advanced amplitude centering was based on the determination of ternary mixtures using single divisor where the concentrations of the components are determined through progressive manipulation performed on the same ratio spectrum. The centered amplitude at unified wavelength was resolved and applied for the determination of three components with partially and severely overlapped spectra. The work discussed the applications and advantages of the novel univariate advanced amplitude centering compared to the chemometric model, partial least square (PLS).Results: The specificity of the proposed methods was checked using laboratory-prepared mixtures of amlodipine (AML), valsartan (VAL) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) and was successfully applied for the analysis of two pharmaceutical formulations. The validity of results was assessed by applying the standard addition technique.Conclusion: The results obtained were found to agree statistically with those obtained by a reported method, showing no significant difference with respect to accuracy and precision

LABORATORY COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO COMMERCIAL FUNGI COMPOUNDS AND TWO ISOLATES OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI, ON PUPAE OF THE COTTON LEAFWORM Spodoptera littoralis (BOISD.) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

The pupae of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boise.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a pest affecting many economic crops were treated with two commercial fungi compounds and two isolates of entomopathogenic fungi, by applying the pupal dipping technique. Results showed that all of the tested entomopathogenic fungi adversely affected the adult emergence, Suspensions (1x108 spores /ml)    of conidia harvested from M. anisopliae isolate resulted in the highest mortality (62%) followed by B. bassiana isolate (60%) than M. anisopliae commercial (51%) and the lowest mortality (49%) with B. bassiana commercial, the treatment also led to reducing the egg-laying capacity and egg hatchability. Treatment with these entomopathogenic fungi also caused several malformations in pupae and adults resulting from the treatment of pupae. Conclusion of our results that the two tested entomopathogenic fungi isolate M. anisopliae and B. bassiana was efficient and can be recommended as bio-insecticides to control the cotton leafworm S. littoralis, within the integrated pest management (IPM) program

Subjectivity in a context of environmental change: opening new dialogues in mental health research

In a period of unstable experimentation with challenges of globalization of associated risks, and disenchantment with ‘enduring injustice’, we bring forward a consideration of subjectivity to the study of environmental change and mental health. We begin by identifying how mainstream climate change and mental health studies are unable to explain the emergent and co-evolutionary pathways of agency. As a means of freeing these studies of their objective dimensions of linear-causation, we argue in favour of a re-positioning of subjectivity within an appreciation of recognition conflicts and beyond the over-deterministic interpretations of power centres—state, market or religion. We draw on one example of scientific research that was conducted in a region undergoing strong environmental, social and cultural changes, in the state of São Paulo/Brazil, with the aim to open mental health research to new dialogues, to which we contribute with the notion of the ‘pluriversal subject’

Recent Progress in the Use of Glucagon and Glucagon Receptor Antagonists in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Glucagon is an important pancreatic hormone, released into blood circulation by alpha cells of the islet of Langerhans. Glucagon induces gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in hepatocytes, leading to an increase in hepatic glucose production and subsequently hyperglycemia in susceptible individuals. Hyperglucagonemia is a constant feature in patients with T2DM. A number of bioactive agents that can block glucagon receptor have been identified. These glucagon receptor antagonists can reduce the hyperglycemia associated with exogenous glucagon administration in normal as well as diabetic subjects. Glucagon receptor antagonists include isoserine and beta-alanine derivatives, bicyclic 19-residue peptide BI-32169, Des-His1-[Glu9] glucagon amide and related compounds, 5-hydroxyalkyl-4-phenylpyridines, N-[3-cano-6- (1,1 dimethylpropyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-benzothien-2-yl]-2-ethylbutamide, Skyrin and NNC 250926. The absorption, dosage, catabolism, excretion and medicinal chemistry of these agents are the subject of this review. It emphasizes the role of glucagon in glucose homeostasis and how it could be applied as a novel tool for the management of diabetes mellitus by blocking its receptors with either monoclonal antibodies, peptide and non-peptide antagonists or gene knockout techniques

Global Buckling Analysis of Tapered Steel Members with Nonsymmetric Sections via an Updated-Lagrangian Line-Element Formulation

With the advancement in manufacturing technology, fabricating nonsymmetric steel sections by cold-forming or robotic welding is feasible, enabling innovative structural forms of being more structurally efficient. Nevertheless, members with nonsymmetric sections usually experience complex behaviour such as torsional, flexural-torsional, and lateral-torsional buckling, complicating their buckling strength prediction. The line-element method is proven efficient and robust for the stability analysis of framed structures. This paper develops a new tapered line-element suiting for nonlinear elastic buckling analysis of steel structures comprising tapered members with nonsymmetric sections. The approximate prediction of the varied cross-sectional properties along the length via the tapered variability indexes shows more accurate results than the stepped-element representation approach. Extensive parametric studies are conducted for the geometric parameters of typical shapes of nonsymmetric sections. The element tangent stiffness matrix, compatible with the existing frame analysis programs, is derived via the total potential energy principle. Moreover, the numerical procedure of the proposed method via the Updated-Lagrangian (UL) approach is elaborated and validated through several benchmark examples generated by shell-finite elements. Finally, the practical application of the proposed method is explored. This paper provides a new line element for a nonlinear elastic analysis to examine global buckling behaviours that represent an initial basis for forthcoming nonlinear collapse simulations with imperfections that are the primary goals in future studies.The first author would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Competitive Research Projects, Postgraduate, Research, and Cultural Affairs Sector, Mansoura University, Egypt

Modeling and control of a voltage-lift cell split-source inverter with MPPT for photovoltaic systems

In this study, a new single-stage inverter with improved boosting performance was proposed to enhance the recently developed split-source inverter (SSI) topology. The study introduced new SSI configurations with high voltage gain. The proposed design features a voltage-lift cell made of capacitors, inductors, and diodes, which increases the boosting capability. The decoupled control technique, where The DC input current is controlled by the AC modulation signals,allows for independent adjustment of both the DC input and AC output current. The research also employed a modified space vector modulation approach to manage the inverter switches and reduce current ripple. The combination of the proposed topology and the modified SVPWM scheme significantly improves the DC-boosting capabilities. the validity of the proposed solution was confirmed through simulation using three-phase SSI models in MATLAB/SIMULINK®. Finally, The validity of the simulation and experimental investigation of the analysis and performance of the topologies provided

Congenital and childhood atrioventricular blocks: pathophysiology and contemporary management

Atrioventricular block is classified as congeni- tal if diagnosed in utero, at birth, or within the first month of life. The pathophysiological process is believed to be due to immune-mediated injury of the conduction system, which occurs as a result of transplacental pas- sage of maternal anti-SSA/Ro-SSB/La antibodies. Childhood atrioventricular block is therefore diagnosed between the first month and the 18th year of life. Genetic variants in multiple genes have been described to date in the pathogenesis of inherited progressive car- diac conduction disorders. Indications and techniques of cardiac pacing have also evolved to allow safe perma- nent cardiac pacing in almost all patients, including those with structural heart abnormalities

The Accuracy Degree of CFD Turbulence Models for Butterfly Valve Flow Coefficient Prediction

Abstract Although engineers are mainly interested in the prediction of mean flow behavior, the turbulence cannot be ignored, because the fluctuations give rise to the extra Reynolds stresses on the mean flow. These extra stresses must be modeled in commercial CFD by selecting convenient turbulence model. The flow inside the control valve is complex and the control valves performance is precisely evaluated by determining the valve coefficient named, flow coefficient. Hence, aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of turbulence model type on the solution accuracy for the valve disk angles 40° and 60° as well as to implement the degree of agreement between experimental and numerical results. The numerical verification has been investigated by FLUENT 6.3 and the valve is meshed by GAMBIT 2. The mesh independent test has been carried out only by standard k-ε to evaluate the mesh effectiveness and attain the best accuracy. Among from these several turbulence models which have been studied here are standard k-ε, realized k-ε, k-ω, and RSM. Butterfly valve, STC model and (DN 50) diameter is chosen to be the test specimen in this research. The results showed that, there is no general turbulent model that can deal successfully with all cases. Numerical and experimental results are in general in good agreement, however are different in details, and showed that, RSM model is the most efficient numerical solver when applied to butterfly valve flow coefficient evaluation. For the future, a significant amount of work still needs to be undertaken in experimental unsteady butterfly valve flow analysis with RSM numerical model

Ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal lung histogram versus lamellar body count in the prediction of fetal lung maturity

Objective: The current study aims to compare the ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal lung Gray-level histogram width (GLHW) ratio with an amniotic fluid lamellar body count (LBC) in the prediction of fetal lung maturity. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary University Hospital in the period between May 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018. The study included pregnant women with a single fetus at ≥37 weeks of gestation scheduled for delivery by elective cesarean section (CS). Ultrasound evaluation was performed for assessment of the fetal lung to liver GLHW ratio to predict lung maturity. Lamellar body count was determined from an amniotic fluid sample obtained via amniotomy during CS. The lamellar body count for this sample was measured using a hematology analyzer. These data were further compared to Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes after delivery to assess the condition of the newborn immediately after birth, the degree of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and the need for resuscitation. Results: One hundred twenty women and their neonates were included in the study. There was a statistically significant decrease in the levels of both GLHW and LBC among those neonates that showed distressed respiration after Apgar testing as compared with those who did not show similar distress, with p-value <0.001. The Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) for LBC levels in the prediction of respiratory distress shows the best cutoff point for LBC was found at ≤20214/μL with a sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 75.47% and area under the curve (AUC) of 88.4%. The ROC curve for GLWH levels in the prediction of respiratory distress shows the best cutoff point for GLWH was found at ≤0.93 with sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 84.91% and AUC of 97.1%. Conclusions: Ultrasonographic evaluation of GLHW of the fetal lung and liver is a non-invasive, inexpensive and time-efficient test for prediction of fetal lung maturity that has higher sensitivity and specificity