Soil Damping and Its Use in Dynamic Analyses

Soil response under dynamic loading has been modeled using linear-viscoelasticity for many decades. The definitions of various damping-related quantities are reviewed and the implications of their use in the analysis of continuous masses are given. The selection of an equivalent damping ratio as a parameter for modeling damping in most geotechnical applications is discussed together with the assumptions underlying the selection procedure. The techniques for damping determination using laboratory testing are summarized, emphasizing the influence that factors such as apparatus type, loading path, rate of loading, and strain level have on the measurement. Disturbance effects in samples recovered from the ground are discussed and contrasted with the advantages and disadvantages of emerging techniques for in-situ determination of damping. Finally, the paper addresses the importance of selecting damping values for different types of analyses in earthquake geotechnical engineering and of correctly accounting for radiation damping

Synthesis and antitumor testing of certain new fused triazolopyrimidine and triazoloquinazoline derivatives

AbstractNew series of 1,2,4-triazolopyrimidine and 1,2,4-triazoloquinazoline derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antitumor activity. Compounds 6, 11, 26, 29, 41, 44, 48, 49 and 58 were tested as antitumor agents by the use of DNA-binding assay on TLC-plates, colorimetric assay for the degree of DNA-binding (Methyl green-DNA displacement assay), evaluation of antineoplastic activity against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in mice, and finally modulation of apoptosis. 5-Flurouracil, vitamin C and ethidium bromide were used as positive controls in these techniques. Compound 26 proved to be the most active member of these series as antitumor agent with IC50 value of 47±1. Several characteristic features were observed to be essential for activity such as the morpholine group and the phenylazo group, in addition the electron-withdrawing groups favor the activity than the electron-donating ones

In Vitro and In Vivo Wide-Spectrum Dual Antimycetomal Activity of Eight Essential Oils Coupled with Chemical Composition and Metabolomic Profiling

Mycetoma, a neglected infection of subcutaneous tissues, poses a significant health burden, especially in tropical regions. It is caused by fungal (eumycetoma) and bacterial (actinomycetoma) pathogens, with current treatments often providing unsatisfactory outcomes. This study aims todiscover novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents to circumvent the lengthy and costly diagnostic procedures. Eight essential oils (EOs) from the roots and aerial parts of Geigeria alata, Lavandula angustifolia, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myristica fragrans, Pimpinella anisum, Syzigum aromaticum, and Thymus vulgaris were prepared using steam distillation. The in vitro antimycetomal activity against Madurella mycetomatis and Actinomadura madurae strains was assessed using resazurin assays. The chemical compositions of the EOs were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Promising EOs underwent further in vivo toxicity and efficacy testing in Galleria mellonella larvae models. EOs of G. alata roots, M. fragrans, P. anisum, S. aromaticum, and T. vulgaris showed widespectrum dual in vitro antimycetomal activity against all tested strains, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.004 to 0.125% v/v. G. alata aerial parts and L. angustifolia EOsdemonstrated activity predominantly against A. madurae, while M. alternifolia EO did not inhibit anytested strains. M. fragrans and P. anisum EOs significantly enhanced the survival of M. mycetomatisinfectedlarvae without inducing toxicity in uninfected larvae. Notably, P. anisum EO tended toenhance the survival of A. madurae-infected larvae, ranking it as the most promising EO amongthose tested. The investigated EOs, particularly P. anisum, exhibited promising broad-spectrumantimycetomal activity against fungal and bacterial pathogens responsible for mycetoma. Thesefindings highlight the potential of essential oils as a basis for developing novel antimycetomal agents,offering hope for improved treatment strategies for this neglected disease

Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptotic Changes in the Testis of Freshwater Crab, Sinopotamon henanense

Cadmium (Cd), one of the most toxic environmental and industrial pollutants, is known to exert gonadotoxic and spermiotoxic effects. In the present study, we examined the toxic effect of Cd on the testis of freshwater crab, Sinopotamon henanense. Crabs were exposed to different Cd concentrations (from 0 to 116.00 mg·L−1) for 7 d. Oxidative stress and apoptotic changes in the testes were detected. The activities of SOD, GPx and CAT initially increased and subsequently decreased with increasing Cd concentrations, which was accompanied with the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 content in a concentration-dependent manner. Typical morphological characteristic and physiological changes of apoptosis were observed using a variety of methods (HE staining, AO/EB double fluorescent staining, Transmission Electron Microscope observation and DNA fragmentation analysis), and the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased in a concentration-dependent manner after Cd exposure. These results led to the conclusion that Cd could induced oxidative damage as well as apoptosis in the testis, and the apoptotic processes may be mediated via mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway by regulating the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9

Association between loop diuretic dose changes and outcomes in chronic heart failure: observations from the ESC-EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

[Abstract] Aims. Guidelines recommend down-titration of loop diuretics (LD) once euvolaemia is achieved. In outpatients with heart failure (HF), we investigated LD dose changes in daily cardiology practice, agreement with guideline recommendations, predictors of successful LD down-titration and association between dose changes and outcomes. Methods and results. We included 8130 HF patients from the ESC-EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry. Among patients who had dose decreased, successful decrease was defined as the decrease not followed by death, HF hospitalization, New York Heart Association class deterioration, or subsequent increase in LD dose. Mean age was 66±13 years, 71% men, 62% HF with reduced ejection fraction, 19% HF with mid-range ejection fraction, 19% HF with preserved ejection fraction. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] LD dose was 40 (25–80) mg. LD dose was increased in 16%, decreased in 8.3% and unchanged in 76%. Median (IQR) follow-up was 372 (363–419) days. Diuretic dose increase (vs. no change) was associated with HF death [hazard ratio (HR) 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–2.08; P = 0.008] and nominally with cardiovascular death (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.96–1.63; P = 0.103). Decrease of diuretic dose (vs. no change) was associated with nominally lower HF (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.33–1.07; P = 0.083) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.62 95% CI 0.38–1.00; P = 0.052). Among patients who had LD dose decreased, systolic blood pressure [odds ratio (OR) 1.11 per 10 mmHg increase, 95% CI 1.01–1.22; P = 0.032], and absence of (i) sleep apnoea (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09–0.69; P = 0.008), (ii) peripheral congestion (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29–0.80; P = 0.005), and (iii) moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37–0.87; P = 0.008) were independently associated with successful decrease. Conclusion. Diuretic dose was unchanged in 76% and decreased in 8.3% of outpatients with chronic HF. LD dose increase was associated with worse outcomes, while the LD dose decrease group showed a trend for better outcomes compared with the no-change group. Higher systolic blood pressure, and absence of (i) sleep apnoea, (ii) peripheral congestion, and (iii) moderate/severe mitral regurgitation were independently associated with successful dose decrease

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

Systematic Review of Potential Health Risks Posed by Pharmaceutical, Occupational and Consumer Exposures to Metallic and Nanoscale Aluminum, Aluminum Oxides, Aluminum Hydroxide and Its Soluble Salts

Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous substance encountered both naturally (as the third most abundant element) and intentionally (used in water, foods, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines); it is also present in ambient and occupational airborne particulates. Existing data underscore the importance of Al physical and chemical forms in relation to its uptake, accumulation, and systemic bioavailability. The present review represents a systematic examination of the peer-reviewed literature on the adverse health effects of Al materials published since a previous critical evaluation compiled by Krewski et al. (2007). Challenges encountered in carrying out the present review reflected the experimental use of different physical and chemical Al forms, different routes of administration, and different target organs in relation to the magnitude, frequency, and duration of exposure. Wide variations in diet can result in Al intakes that are often higher than the World Health Organization provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), which is based on studies with Al citrate. Comparing daily dietary Al exposures on the basis of “total Al”assumes that gastrointestinal bioavailability for all dietary Al forms is equivalent to that for Al citrate, an approach that requires validation. Current occupational exposure limits (OELs) for identical Al substances vary as much as 15-fold. The toxicity of different Al forms depends in large measure on their physical behavior and relative solubility in water. The toxicity of soluble Al forms depends upon the delivered dose of Al+ 3 to target tissues. Trivalent Al reacts with water to produce bidentate superoxide coordination spheres [Al(O2)(H2O4)+ 2 and Al(H2O)6 + 3] that after complexation with O2•−, generate Al superoxides [Al(O2•)](H2O5)]+ 2. Semireduced AlO2• radicals deplete mitochondrial Fe and promote generation of H2O2, O2 • − and OH•. Thus, it is the Al+ 3-induced formation of oxygen radicals that accounts for the oxidative damage that leads to intrinsic apoptosis. In contrast, the toxicity of the insoluble Al oxides depends primarily on their behavior as particulates. Aluminum has been held responsible for human morbidity and mortality, but there is no consistent and convincing evidence to associate the Al found in food and drinking water at the doses and chemical forms presently consumed by people living in North America and Western Europe with increased risk for Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD). Neither is there clear evidence to show use of Al-containing underarm antiperspirants or cosmetics increases the risk of AD or breast cancer. Metallic Al, its oxides, and common Al salts have not been shown to be either genotoxic or carcinogenic. Aluminum exposures during neonatal and pediatric parenteral nutrition (PN) can impair bone mineralization and delay neurological development. Adverse effects to vaccines with Al adjuvants have occurred; however, recent controlled trials found that the immunologic response to certain vaccines with Al adjuvants was no greater, and in some cases less than, that after identical vaccination without Al adjuvants. The scientific literature on the adverse health effects of Al is extensive. Health risk assessments for Al must take into account individual co-factors (e.g., age, renal function, diet, gastric pH). Conclusions from the current review point to the need for refinement of the PTWI, reduction of Al contamination in PN solutions, justification for routine addition of Al to vaccines, and harmonization of OELs for Al substances

Accuracy of artificial bone defects measurements on two cone beam computed tomography scanners. A comparative study

Introduction: Several CBCT systems are currently on the market variable in their image quality and ability to visualize anatomic structures. Those systems differ from each other in detector design, patient scanning settings, and data reconstruction parameters. Moreover, other scanning and reconstruction factors including scan field of view (FOV), voxel size and the number of basis projections used for reconstruction have significant influence on image quality in CBCT. The aim of this study is to compare two CBCT systems regarding their linear measurements accuracy. Materials and methods: Eighteen bone defects were created in one dry skull by using a round diamond bur mounted on a high speed hand piece. The defects were fully injected with polyvinyl siloxane impression. The skull was scanned using Planmeca ProMax 3D (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland) and i-CAT next generation (Imaging Sciences international, Hatfield, PA, USA). Images were uploaded to a third party software (On Demand, Cyber med Inc. South Korea) for applying the measurements. Several measurements of each rubber impression material were done using the measurement tool on the cross sectional images in order to determine the maximum diameter. Then the impression material was removed carefully from the mandible by a dental probe and all the rubber balls were measured with a digital caliber to determine the actual maximum diameter (gold standard). Numerical collected data were explored for normality by checking the data distribution. Results: The results of the present study showed that the overall measurements by Planmeca showed statistically significantly higher mean measurement than the standard reference while i-CAT measurements showed nonstatistically significant difference from the standard reference at all areas and also regarding the overall measurement. Regarding the overall error measurement and error percentage; Planmeca showed statistically significantly higher mean error and error percentage than I-CAT. Conclusion: CBCT is highly accurate and reproducible in linear measurements in the axial and coronal image planes and in different areas of the maxillofacial region. According to the findings of the present study I-CAT is recommended when the purpose of the CBCT scan is to measure linear distances. This will result in lower patient radiation dose and faster scan time