The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in a population-based study in Golestan Province, northeast Iran. Methods: From the randomly invited individuals (2,292), 698 out of the 916 males and 1,351 out of the 1,376 females participated in the study (participation rate: 76.2 and 98.1, respectively). One hundred and twenty-one participants were excluded due to positive hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C virus antibody and/or drinking more than 20 grams of alcohol per day. A total of 1,928 participants (1300 females) were included. The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level was defined as the 95th percentile. Results: The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in normal weight and nondiabetics was significantly lower than the total study group (36 versus 45 U/L). Serum alanine aminotransferase level was independently associated with male gender, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.05; 95Cl: 1.44 - 2.94, OR=2.76; 95Cl: 1.84 - 4.13, and OR=2.96; 95Cl: 1.56-5.61, respectively). Conclusion: Considering the lower calculated upper normal limit in normal weight nondiabetic participants in this study, we recommend setting new upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level, It seems reasonable to set upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level in males and females separately

The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in a population-based study in Golestan Province, northeast Iran. Methods: From the randomly invited individuals (2,292), 698 out of the 916 males and 1,351 out of the 1,376 females participated in the study (participation rate: 76.2 and 98.1, respectively). One hundred and twenty-one participants were excluded due to positive hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C virus antibody and/or drinking more than 20 grams of alcohol per day. A total of 1,928 participants (1300 females) were included. The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level was defined as the 95th percentile. Results: The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in normal weight and nondiabetics was significantly lower than the total study group (36 versus 45 U/L). Serum alanine aminotransferase level was independently associated with male gender, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.05; 95Cl: 1.44 - 2.94, OR=2.76; 95Cl: 1.84 - 4.13, and OR=2.96; 95Cl: 1.56-5.61, respectively). Conclusion: Considering the lower calculated upper normal limit in normal weight nondiabetic participants in this study, we recommend setting new upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level, It seems reasonable to set upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level in males and females separately

Landfill Gas To Energy Incentives And Benefits

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management strategies typically include a combination of three approaches, recycling, combustion, and landfill disposal. In the US approximately 54% of the generated MSW was landfilled in 2008, mainly because of its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. However, landfills remain a major concern due to potential landfill gas (LFG) emissions, generated from the chemical and biological processes occurring in the disposed waste. The main components of LFG are methane (50-60%) and carbon dioxide (40-50%). Although LFG poses a threat to the environment, if managed properly it is a valuable energy resource due to the methane content. Currently there are over 550 active LFG to energy (LFGTE) facilities in the US, producing renewable energy from LFG. A major challenge in designing/operating a LFGTE facility is the uncertainty in LFG generation rate predictions. LFG generation rates are currently estimated using models that are dependent upon the waste disposal history, moisture content, cover type, and gas collection system, which are associated with significant uncertainties. The objectives of this research were to: Evaluate various approaches of estimating LFG generation and to quantify the uncertainty of the model outcomes based on case-study analysis, Present a methodology to predict long-term LFGTE potential under various operating practices on a regional scale, and Investigate costs and benefits of emitting vs. collecting LFG emissions with regards to operation strategies and regulations. iii The first-order empirical model appeared to be insensitive to the approach taken in quantifying the model parameters, suggesting that the model may be inadequate to accurately describe LFG generation and collection. The uncertainty values for the model were, in general, at their lowest within five years after waste placement ended. Because of the exponential nature, the uncertainty increased as LFG generation declined to low values decades after the end of waste placement. A methodology was presented to estimate LFGTE potential on a regional scale over a 25-year timeframe with consideration of modeling uncertainties. The methodology was demonstrated for the US state of Florida, and showed that Florida could increase the annual LFGTE production by more than threefold by 2035 through installation of LFGTE facilities at all landfills. Results showed that diverting food waste could significantly reduce fugitive LFG emissions, while having minimal effect on the LFGTE potential. Estimates showed that with enhanced landfill operation and energy production practices, LFGTE power density could be comparable to technologies such as wind, tidal, and geothermal. More aggressive operations must be considered to avoid fugitive LFG emissions, which could significantly affect the economic viability of landfills. With little economic motivation for US landfill owners to voluntarily reduce fugitive emissions, regulations are necessary to increase the cost of emitting GHGs. In light of the recent economic recession, it is not likely that a carbon tax will be established; while a carbon trading program will enforce emission caps and provide a tool to offset some costs and improve emission-reduction systems. Immediate action establishing a iv US carbon trading market with carbon credit pricing and trading supervised by the federal government may be the solution. Costs of achieving high lifetime LFG collection efficiencies are unlikely to be covered with revenues from tipping fee, electricity sales, tax credits, or carbon credit trading. Under scenarios of highly regulated LFG emissions, sustainable landfilling will require research, development, and application of technologies to reduce the marginal abatement cost, including: Diverting rapidly decomposable waste to alternative treatment methods, Reducing fugitive emissions through usage daily/intermediate covers with high oxidation potential, Increasing the lifetime LFG collection efficiency, and Increasing LFG energy value – for instance by producing high-methane gas through biologically altering the LFG generation pathwa

Efficacy of a Dissolvable Strip with Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate (NovaMin®) in Providing Rapid Dentine Hypersensitivity Relief

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a dissolvable strip containing 15% w/w calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSPS) (Novamin®) in providing rapid relief from dentine hypersensitivity (DH). Methods In this examiner-blind, proof-of-principle study, 120 healthy adults with DH were randomized 1:1 to the Test strip, professionally applied to facial surfaces of two selected teeth, or to No treatment. Sensitivity was assessed at baseline and 10 min, 2 h and 4 h post-application in response to evaporative (air) and tactile stimuli (measured by Schiff sensitivity scale/a numeric rating scale and tactile threshold, respectively). Change from baseline was analyzed by ANCOVA. Results At 10 min post-application, mean Schiff score change from baseline (primary endpoint) was statistically significant with the Test strip (−0.46; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: −0.563, −0.356; p \u3c 0.0001) but not with No treatment (−0.02; 95% CI: −0.119, 0.088; p = 0.7664). The between-treatment group difference favored the Test strip (difference: −0.44; 95% CI: −0.591, −0.297; p \u3c 0.0001). Similar improvements with the Test strip were reported for all other evaporative (air) and tactile sensitivity endpoints (p \u3c 0.0001 vs no-treatment) at all timepoints (10 min, 2 h, 4 h). Test strips were considered by most staff and participants slightly/moderately easy to apply (98%). Many participants rated the overall usage experience as “like moderately” (40%) or “like extremely” (20%). There were no treatment-related adverse events. Conclusion This new CSPS-based technology may provide a novel treatment option for rapid relief from DH (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02937623). Clinical significance A dissolvable strip containing 15% w/w calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSPS) demonstrated significantly greater dentine hypersensitivity reductions following a single application compared with no treatment. Strips were well-liked by participants and generally well tolerated. A strip containing CSPS, which dissolves within 10 min, may provide rapid relief from dentine hypersensitivity

Pengaruh Ukuran Perusahaan, Leverage Dan Profitabilitas Perusahaan Terhadap Tingkat Pengungkapan Tanggungjawab Sosial (Pada Perusahaan Manufaktur Yang Terdaftar Pada Bursa Efek Indonesia (Bei) Periode 2008-2010)

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh ukuran Perusahaan, tingkat leverage danprofitabilitas terhadap tingkat pengungkapan tanggung jawab sosial Perusahaan Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah Perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia tahun 2008-2010 sebanyak 137 Perusahaan. Pemilihan sampel dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode Simple Random samling, ada 58 sample . Analisis data untuk pengujian hipotesis menggunakan analisis regresi linier berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ukuran Perusahaan, tingkat leverage danprofitabilitas secara simultan terbukti berpengaruh terhadap tingkat pengungkapan tanggung jawab sosial Perusahaan. Secara parsial ukuran Perusahaan, tingkat leverage,berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap tingkat pengungkapan tanggung jawab sosial Perusahaan, sedangkan tingkat profitabilitas tidak berpengaruh terhadap tingkat pengungkapan tanggung jawab social. Hubungan antara ukuran Perusahaan, tingkat leverage danprofitabilitas dengan tingkat pengungkapan tanggung jawab sosial Perusahaan termasuk dalam kategori kecil, karena masih pada tingkat 31,8 %. &nbsp

On the generalization of linear least mean squares estimation to quantum systems with non-commutative outputs

The purpose of this paper is to study the problem of generalizing the Belavkin-Kalman filter to the case where the classical measurement signal is replaced by a fully quantum non-commutative output signal. We formulate a least mean squares estimation problem that involves a non-commutative system as the filter processing the non-commutative output signal. We solve this estimation problem within the framework of non-commutative probability. Also, we find the necessary and sufficient conditions which make these non-commutative estimators physically realizable. These conditions are restrictive in practice.Comment: 31 page

Interpolation Approach to Hamiltonian-varying Quantum Systems and the Adiabatic Theorem

Quantum control could be implemented by varying the system Hamiltonian. According to adiabatic theorem, a slowly changing Hamiltonian can approximately keep the system at the ground state during the evolution if the initial state is a ground state. In this paper we consider this process as an interpolation between the initial and final Hamiltonians. We use the mean value of a single operator to measure the distance between the final state and the ideal ground state. This measure could be taken as the error of adiabatic approximation. We prove under certain conditions, this error can be precisely estimated for an arbitrarily given interpolating function. This error estimation could be used as guideline to induce adiabatic evolution. According to our calculation, the adiabatic approximation error is not proportional to the average speed of the variation of the system Hamiltonian and the inverse of the energy gaps in many cases. In particular, we apply this analysis to an example on which the applicability of the adiabatic theorem is questionable.Comment: 12 pages, to appear in EPJ Quantum Technolog