IoT-Based Data Size Minimization Using Cluster-Based-Similarity- Elimination

This paper proposes a new redundancy reduction approach for continuous data flow from IoT devices based on minimizing the size of IoT data using a novel cluster-based-similarity-elimination algorithm. The continuously flowing data from IoT devices are characterized by the existence of redundant records. This redundancy not only leads to the overfitting of models but also requires a large processing power because of the large number of records. Feature selection is a technique used to partially reduce the data and thus redundancy, however, this is not sufficient. Removing redundant data is considered of utmost importance because as smart city scenarios are implemented, flow data generation requires more advanced analytics to deal with the evolution and regrowth of the IoT environment. Thus, this study aims to minimize processing time while maintaining the best accuracy by minimizing data similarity, therefore addressing the overfitting problem, and saving time. The proposed approach minimizes the data size, considering the number of tuples. The effectiveness of the proposed approach was validated using various classification algorithms and evaluation metrics. The results show a significant improvement compared with traditional approaches, resulting in a reduction in the real-time classification execution time to only 9% of the original time. This approach can be used to optimize data size and achieve accurate results with a fast execution time while also addressing overfitting issues

Biochar: The Black Diamond for Soil Sustainability, Contamination Control and Agricultural Production

Production of biochars from agricultural wastes reduces significantly the volume and weight of the wastes, and hence, it can be considered as a promising means for managing the agricultural wastes. Biochar has received great interest during the last few years, due to its beneficial role to mitigate CO2 emission through enhancing the long-term carbon sequestration. The effects of biochar on soil properties vary widely, depending on the characteristics of soil and the biochar. Most types of biochars are of alkaline nature and of high C content. Addition of biochar to the soil can improve the cation exchange capacity enrich soil with the nutrients and enhance the microbial growth, and improve some soil physical properties such as water retention and aggregation. For contamination control, biochars have proven to be a suitable tool for controlling the contaminants in the environment. The high surface area, porous structure, alkaline nature, and the presence of functional groups characterized the biochar as alternative option for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated waters and soils. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the effects of biochar in the presence of mineral and/or organic fertilizers on the plant growth and nutrient transformation in soils. In addition, biochar is successfully used for treating the acid soils; therefore, future studies are needed to investigate the neutralization of alkaline performance of biochar to be used safely in alkaline soils

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLURBIPROFEN SUSTAINED RELEASE MATRIX TABLETS USING AN ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUE AS POTENTIAL ECONOMIC APPROACH

Objective: Development of sustained released tablets of flurbiprofen (FP) using an alternative technique to the traditional method of wet granulation process aiming to lower labor cost of the granulation process and formulating tablets with better characteristics. Methods: Eight matrix tablets formulae of FP were prepared by the alternative technique. The various characteristics of FP prepared tablets were investigated and comparatively evaluated by FP tablets prepared by the traditional method. The release data was analyzed according to various kinetic equations. The ulcerogenic effects of some FP tablets formulae were evaluated. Results: FP tablets prepared by the alternative technique displayed the best physical characteristics. All FP prepared tablets displayed good sustained-release patterns. FP tablets prepared by the traditional method showed a progress decrease in drug dissolution by increasing matrix concentration and hence, more matrix agent or multiple granulations was needed which makes granulation process to be difficult and cost. While, FP tablets prepared by the alternative technique displayed dissolution profiles with minimal differences in-between reflecting the low labor cost of granulation process where good sustained patterns could be obtained by a minor of the matrix agent. Histologically, the ulcerogenic effects of FP on the rats were highly reduced by FP tablets prepared by the alternative technique rather than others. The release kinetics of different prepared FP tablets displayed a coupled release pattern between diffusion and dissolution. Conclusion: This work proved the potential of the alternative technique as an effective economic approach for formulating FP sustained released tablets with better characteristics and low labor cost

Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vivo Study of Some Novel 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzylidene-hydrazinecarbothioamides and Thiadiazoles as Anti-Apoptotic Caspase-3 Inhibitors

The present study aims to discover novel derivatives as antiapoptotic agents and their protective effects against renal ischemia/reperfusion. Therefore, a series of new thiadiazole analogues 2a–g was designed and synthesized through cyclization of the corresponding opened hydrazinecarbothioamides 1a–g, followed by confirmation of the structure via spectroscopic tools (NMR, IR and mass spectra) and elemental analyses. The antiapoptotic activity showed alongside decreasing of tissue damage induced by I/R in the kidneys of rats using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as an antiapoptotic reference. Most of the cyclized thiadiazoles are better antiapoptotic agents than their corresponding opened precursors. Particularly, compounds 2c and 2g were the most active antiapoptotic compounds with significant biomarkers. A preliminary mechanistic study was performed through caspase-3 inhibition. Compound 2c was selected along with its corresponding opened precursor 1c. An assay of cytochrome C revealed that there is an attenuation of cytochrome C level of about 5.5-fold, which was better than 1c with a level of 4.1-fold. In caspases-3, 8 and 9 assays, compound 2c showed more potency and selectivity toward caspase-3 and 9 compared with 1c. The renal histopathological investigation indicated normal renal tissue for most of the compounds, especially 2c and 2g, relative to the control. Finally, a molecular docking study was conducted at the caspase-3 active site to suggest possible binding modes

Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vivo Study of Some Novel 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzylidene-hydrazinecarbothioamides and Thiadiazoles as Anti-Apoptotic Caspase-3 Inhibitors

The present study aims to discover novel derivatives as antiapoptotic agents and their protective effects against renal ischemia/reperfusion. Therefore, a series of new thiadiazole analogues 2a–g was designed and synthesized through cyclization of the corresponding opened hydrazinecarbothioamides 1a–g, followed by confirmation of the structure via spectroscopic tools (NMR, IR and mass spectra) and elemental analyses. The antiapoptotic activity showed alongside decreasing of tissue damage induced by I/R in the kidneys of rats using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as an antiapoptotic reference. Most of the cyclized thiadiazoles are better antiapoptotic agents than their corresponding opened precursors. Particularly, compounds 2c and 2g were the most active antiapoptotic compounds with significant biomarkers. A preliminary mechanistic study was performed through caspase-3 inhibition. Compound 2c was selected along with its corresponding opened precursor 1c. An assay of cytochrome C revealed that there is an attenuation of cytochrome C level of about 5.5-fold, which was better than 1c with a level of 4.1-fold. In caspases-3, 8 and 9 assays, compound 2c showed more potency and selectivity toward caspase-3 and 9 compared with 1c. The renal histopathological investigation indicated normal renal tissue for most of the compounds, especially 2c and 2g, relative to the control. Finally, a molecular docking study was conducted at the caspase-3 active site to suggest possible binding modes

Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vivo Study of Some Novel 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzylidene-hydrazinecarbothioamides and Thiadiazoles as Anti-Apoptotic Caspase-3 Inhibitors

The present study aims to discover novel derivatives as antiapoptotic agents and their protective effects against renal ischemia/reperfusion. Therefore, a series of new thiadiazole analogues 2a-g was designed and synthesized through cyclization of the corresponding opened hydrazinecarbothioamides 1a-g, followed by confirmation of the structure via spectroscopic tools (NMR, IR and mass spectra) and elemental analyses. The antiapoptotic activity showed alongside decreasing of tissue damage induced by I/R in the kidneys of rats using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as an antiapoptotic reference. Most of the cyclized thiadiazoles are better antiapoptotic agents than their corresponding opened precursors. Particularly, compounds 2c and 2g were the most active antiapoptotic compounds with significant biomarkers. A preliminary mechanistic study was performed through caspase-3 inhibition. Compound 2c was selected along with its corresponding opened precursor 1c. An assay of cytochrome C revealed that there is an attenuation of cytochrome C level of about 5.5-fold, which was better than 1c with a level of 4.1-fold. In caspases-3, 8 and 9 assays, compound 2c showed more potency and selectivity toward caspase-3 and 9 compared with 1c. The renal histopathological investigation indicated normal renal tissue for most of the compounds, especially 2c and 2g, relative to the control. Finally, a molecular docking study was conducted at the caspase-3 active site to suggest possible binding modes.Peer reviewe

Frequency of abdominal aortic aneurysm in persons who have been examined with ultrasound at Kasr Al-Ainy Hospitals: a single center pilot study

Introduction: To know frequency of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using ultrasound and clarify associated risk factors in 1000 Egyptians. Material and methods: Prospective study. 1000 patients aged 50 years or more (mean: 57.97 ± [7.68]) were examined by B-mode ultrasound at our radiology department to measure suprarenal maximum diameter of the abdominal aorta (wall to wall measurement) and to identify the occurrence of AAA (aneurysms were defined as 1.5 times the mean diameter). Demographic data and risk factors were also noted. Results: Mean aortic diameter in study population was 18.9 ± (3.2) mm. AAA diameter was 28.3 mm. Frequency of AAA was 1.5%. AAA prevalence: 2.35% in males versus 0.75% in females. Prevalence of AAA in different age groups: < 60 years (n = 653), 60–70 (n = 282), > 70 years (n = 65) was 6 (0.9%), 6 (2.1%), 3 (4.6%) respectively. Patients with AAA were older (P < 0.001), more often male (P < 0.001), smokers (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Study showed that mean aortic diameter was 18.9 mm and AAA is present in 1.5% of the study population which was less than that seen in previously conducted studies in other countries

Universal gates for protected superconducting qubits using optimal control

We employ quantum optimal control theory to realize quantum gates for two protected superconducting circuits: the heavy-fluxonium qubit and the 0-$\pi$ qubit. Utilizing automatic differentiation facilitates the simultaneous inclusion of multiple optimization targets, allowing one to obtain high-fidelity gates with realistic pulse shapes. For both qubits, disjoint support of low-lying wave functions prevents direct population transfer between the computational-basis states. Instead, optimal control favors dynamics involving higher-lying levels, effectively lifting the protection for a fraction of the gate duration. For the 0-$\pi$ qubit, offset-charge dependence of matrix elements among higher levels poses an additional challenge for gate protocols. To mitigate this issue, we randomize the offset charge during the optimization process, steering the system towards pulse shapes insensitive to charge variations. Closed-system fidelities obtained are 99% or higher, and show slight reductions in open-system simulations.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure