Lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and stable-isotope stratigraphy of cores from ODP Leg 105 site surveys, Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay

Trigger weight (TWC) and piston (PC) cores obtained from surveys of the three sites drilled during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 105 were studied in detail for benthic foraminiferal assemblages, total carbonate (all sites), planktonic foraminiferal abundances (Sites 645 and 647), and stable isotopes (Sites 646 and 647). These high-resolution data provide the link between modern environmental conditions represented by the sediment in the TWC and the uppermost cores of the ODP holes. This link provides essential control data for interpretating late Pleistocene paleoceanographic records from these core holes. At Site 645 in Baffin Bay, local correlation is difficult because the area is dominated by ice-rafted deposits and by debris flows and/or turbidite sedimentation. At the two Labrador Sea sites (646 and 647), the survey cores and uppermost ODP cores can be correlated. High-resolution data from the site survey cores also provide biostratigraphic data that refine the interpretations compiled from core-catcher samples at each ODP site

A novel application of queueing theory on the Caulerpenyne secreted by invasive Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl) C.Agardh (Ulvophyceae, Caulerpales): a preliminary study

Aquarium originated marine green alga Caulerpa taxifolia was introduced into the Mediterranean Sea accidentally in 1984. This invasion has been negatively affecting the sub-littoral ecosystem of the Mediterranean. One of the important reasons for its success in the Mediterranean is its secondary toxic metabolite called caulerpenyne (CPN). Furthermore, CPN has anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities, therefore, CPN can be considered as a potential native source in cancer therapy. For that reason, modeling this metabolite might be of importance. Increase and decrease of the CPN level before reaching the critical level can be expressed by means of a queueing system in which the number of ‘customers' increases and decreases. In fact, production of CPN shows fluctuations for many environmental reasons, which allow us to apply queueing theory. In the present study, the expected time to reach the maximum caulerpenyne level was analyzed and evaluated using queueing theory

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy under spinal-epidural anesthesia versus general anaesthesia: a prospective randomized study

Background: The choice between spinal-epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy depends on various factors, including patient characteristics, surgical team expertise, and institutional guidelines. While both techniques have their advantages and disadvantages, spinal-epidural anesthesia offers an alternative to general anesthesia, potentially reducing complications and improving patient outcomes. Objective of the study was to compare spinal anesthesia with the gold standard general anesthesia for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in healthy patients. Methods: This study was conducted at Sheikh Hasina Medical College, Hobiganj, Bangladesh. In this prospective comparative study, we enrolled one hundred patients diagnosed with symptomatic gallstone disease and classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status I or II. These patients were subjected to randomization, with fifty of them assigned to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy under spinal anesthesia, while the remaining fifty received general anesthesia. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive assessment, comparing various intraoperative parameters, postoperative pain levels, incidence of complications, recovery rates, and patient satisfaction during the follow-up period, with the aim of evaluating the differences between these two anesthesia methods. Results: All the procedures were completed by the allocated method of anesthesia, as there were no conversions from spinal to general anesthesia. Pain was significantly less at 4 hours (p<0.001), 8 hours (p<0.001), 12 hours (p<0.001), and 24 hours (p=0.02) after the procedure for the spinal anesthesia group compared with those who received general anesthesia. There was no difference between the 2 groups regarding complications, hospital stay, recovery, or degree of satisfaction at follow-up. Conclusions: Spinal anesthesia is adequate and safe for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in otherwise healthy patients and offers better postoperative pain control than general anesthesia without limiting recovery.

Alkenones as a promising green alternative for waxes in cosmetics and personal care products

© The Author(s), 2018. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Cosmetics 5 (2018): 34, doi:10.3390/cosmetics5020034.The move toward green, sustainable, natural products has been growing in the cosmetic and personal care industry. Ingredients derived from marine organisms and algae are present in many cosmetic products. In this study, a new green ingredient, a wax (i.e., long-chain alkenones) derived from Isochyrsis sp., was evaluated as an alternative for cosmetic waxes. First, the melting point was determined (71.1–77.4 °C), then the alkenones’ thickening capability in five emollients was evaluated and compared to microcrystalline wax and ozokerite. Alkenones were compatible with three emollients and thickened the emollients similarly to the other waxes. Then, lipsticks and lip balms were formulated with and without alkenones. All products remained stable at room temperature for 10 weeks. Lipstick formulated with alkenones was the most resistant to high temperature. Finally, alkenones were compared to three cosmetic thickening waxes in creams. Viscosity, rheology, and stability of the creams were evaluated. All creams had a gel-like behavior. Both viscosity and storage modulus increased in the same order: cream with alkenones < cetyl alcohol < stearic acid < glyceryl monostearate. Overall, alkenones’ performance was comparable to the other three waxes. Alkenones can thus offer a potential green choice as a new cosmetic structuring agent.This research was funded by the Washington Research Foundation and a private donor from friends of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, grant number N-126478

A field-grown transgenic tomato line expressing higher levels of polyamines reveals legume cover crop mulch-specific perturbations in fruit phenotype at the levels of metabolite profiles, gene expression, and agronomic characteristics

Genetic modification of crop plants to introduce desirable traits such as nutritional enhancement, disease and pest resistance, and enhanced crop productivity is increasingly seen as a promising technology for sustainable agriculture and boosting food production in the world. Independently, cultural practices that utilize alternative agriculture strategies including organic cultivation subscribe to sustainable agriculture by limiting chemical usage and reduced tillage. How the two together affect fruit metabolism or plant growth in the field or whether they are compatible has not yet been tested. Fruit-specific yeast S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (ySAMdc) line 579HO, and a control line 556AZ were grown in leguminous hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) (HV) mulch and conventional black polyethylene (BP) mulch, and their fruit analysed. Significant genotype×mulch-dependent interactions on fruit phenotype were exemplified by differential profiles of 20 fruit metabolites such as amino acids, sugars, and organic acids. Expression patterns of the ySAMdc transgene, and tomato SAMdc, E8, PEPC, and ICDHc genes were compared between the two lines as a function of growth on either BP or HV mulch. HV mulch significantly stimulated the accumulation of asparagine, glutamate, glutamine, choline, and citrate concomitant with a decrease in glucose in the 556AZ fruits during ripening as compared to BP. It enables a metabolic system in tomato somewhat akin to the one in higher polyamine-accumulating transgenic fruit that have higher phytonutrient content. Finally, synergism was found between HV mulch and transgenic tomato in up-regulating N:C indicator genes PEPC and ICDHc in the fruit

A Multiband Fractal Dipole Antenna for Wireless Communication Applications

mmunication applications. The proposed fractal antenna design is based onfractal geometry of the second level tent function transformation. Due to theresulting geometrical structures of a fractal tent function curve depend on thestarting angles of the initial tent function, many dipole antennas have beenmodeled and the corresponding radiation characteristics have been evaluated.Theoretical performance of these antennas has been calculated using the methodof moments (MoM) electromagnetic simulator, IE3D. Simulation results of manytent fractal dipole antennas which have been modeled show that all of theseantennas have multiband resonate behavior, but this resonate behavior is differentaccording to the starting angle for each antenna. The results have shown that theseantennas have acceptable performance for VSWR ≤ 2 (return loss ≤ -10 dB),using a 50W feed line, at most of the resonating frequencies. This feature providesantenna designer with more degree of freedom, and makes the proposed antenna(or its monopole counterpart) suitable for use in the modern multi-functionscommunication system

Morphological and physiological changes in esterase and lipid peroxidation of two bean cultivars pre-soaked with potassium nitrate under salt stress

Two broad bean cultivars (Vicia faba CV Nobaria3 and Vicia faba CV Sakha3) were obtained from Mallwi Agriculture Research Center, El Minia Governorate, Egypt. The seeds were divided into two groups, the first group soaked with distilled water, while the second group were soaked with 3 mM KNO3, respectively, for 4 hours. Seeds were sown and left to grow for 3 weeks then treated with different concentrations of NaCl (0.0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mM) by top irrigation, then they left to grow further for 65 days from sowing. Plant samples were collected for some measurements: leaf area, plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids, soluble sugars, soluble proteins, total free amino acids, esterase enzyme, as well as MDA (malondialdehyde) content. Salinity reduced both fresh and dry weight in two broad bean cultivars, this reduction were more pronounced in Sakha3 than Nobaria3. Seed pre-soaking with KNO3 resulted in enhancement of fresh and dry weight production in both cultivars especially at 40 mM NaCl. Photosynthetic pigments were substantially affected by salt treatment while the carotenoids were increased, seed pre-soaking with KNO3 improved these components. The soluble sugars, amino acids as well as soluble proteins showed various responses with increasing salinity in the cultivars, seed pre-soaking with KNO3 has improved these parameters to some extent. The shoots of two cultivars exhibited significant accumulation of MDA, compared to roots exposed to the highest salinity levels. Pre-soaking seeds with KNO3 did not improve MDA in shoots but enhanced it in roots, however, in most cases still lower than the absolute control. The assessment of the esterase isozyme profiles on 7.5% native polyacrylamide gel revealed the presence of 13 isoforms in two faba bean plants in response to KNO3 pre-soaking and treatments with different concentrations of NaCl

Multi-institutional expert update on the use of laparoscopic bile duct exploration (LBDE) in the management of choledocholithiasis: lesson learned from 3950 procedures

Background: Recently there has been a growing interest in the laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones with gallbladder in situ (LBDE), which is favoring the expansion of this technique. Our study identified the standardization factors of LBDE and its implementation in the single-stage man agement of choledocholithiasis. Methods: A retrospective multi-institutional study among 17 centers with proven experience in LBDE was performed. A cross-sectional survey consisting of a semi-structured pretested questionnaire was distributed covering the main aspects on the use of LBDE in the management of choledocholithiasis. Results: A total of 3950 LBDEs were analyzed. The most frequent indication was jaundice (58.8%). LBDEs were performed after failed ERCP in 15.2%. The most common approach used was the transcystic (63.11%). The overall series failure rate of LBDE was 4% and the median rate for each center was 6% (IQR, 4.5-12.5). Median operative time ranged between 60-120 min (70.6%). Overall morbidity rate was 14.6%, with a postoperative bile leak and complications ≥3a rate of 4.5% and 2.5%, respectively. The operative time decreased with experience (P = .03) and length of hospital stay was longer in the presence of a biliary leak (P = .04). Current training of LBDE was defined as poor or very poor by 82.4%. Conclusion: Based on this multicenter survey, LBDE is a safe and effective ap proach when performed by experienced teams. The generalization of LBDE will be based on developing training programs