On Relative Convex Sequences

In this paper, we introduce the concept of relative convex sequences and establish their fundamental properties, highlighting their similarities to those of convex sequences. Additionally, we prove new inequalities of the Lupas and Hermite-Hadamard-Fej\'er type for relative convex sequences. In certain cases, and as an application, we show how the concept of relative convexity can facilitate the derivation of new inequalities for convex sequences.Comment: 12 page

Modified Chitosan Immobilized on Modified Sand for Industrial Wastewater Treatment in Multicomponent Sorption: Shrimp Biowaste Processing

In this paper, modified chitosan immobilized on modified sand (MCs/MS) was synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). MCs/MS composite was used to remove Reactive Red 23 (RR23), Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) and Iron III (Fe3+) in three single-component and three binary, RR23+RB19, RR23+Fe3+ and RB19+Fe3+. Batch experiments were carried out for adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics. Operational parameters studied were pH, contact time, temperature, adsorbate and adsorbent concentrations. Adsorption kinetics in single and binary systems of components followed pseudo- second-order kinetics model. The isotherm data in single and binary systems followed Freundlich isotherm model. Thermodynamic parameters have disclosed that the adsorption is exothermic and not spontaneous with a physical adsorption for both single and binary systems. The results showed that MCs/MS composite was an effective adsorbent to remove hazardous pollutants with a removal rate between 80% and 99.6%, the optimal contact time was between 120 and 180 min for all components in single and multicomponent system. Keywords : Modified chitosan immobilized on modified sand, Multicomponent system, Reactive Red 23, Reactive Blue 19, Iron III, Hydrothermo-Chemical method

Removal of RR-23 dye from industrial textile wastewater by adsorption on cistus ladaniferus seeds and their biochar

The use of low-cost, easily obtained and eco-friendly adsorbents has been employed as an ideal alternative for the methods of removing dyes from wastewater. Cistus ladaniferus seeds (CLS) and their biochar (BCCLS) are the biomaterials used as a bio-adsorbent for removing of Reactive red 23 (RR-23). The bio-char of cistus seed is prepared by a thermo-chemical route known as pyrolysis under optimum conditions, temperature equal to 450 °C, heating rate 21 °C.min-1 and particle sizes of 0.3 to 0.6 mm after the BCCLS is grinded with a ceramic grinder until the particle size is between 0.1 and 0.2 mm. The kinetics adsorption of dye by CLS and BCCLS are correctly described by the pseudo-2nd-order model with a correlation factor (R2 = 0.997) and (R2 = 0.998) respectively. As for the modeling of the adsorption isotherm, among the four models tested, Lungmuir type II and type I is most appropriate with a correlation factor equal to 0.999 and 0.98 for the BCCLS and the CLS respectively. On the other hand, the ability to remove the dye by the BCCLS is advantageous and the elimination efficiency reaches a maximum value of 99.237% for the BCCLS and 82% for the CLS. Keywords: Biochar, Isotherm, Adsorption, Cistus Seed, pyrolysis, Technical analysis

Profiling the Volatile and Non-Volatile Compounds along with the Antioxidant Properties of Malted Barley

In this work, the stability of antioxidant compounds in malting barley seeds before and after the production of the final products is reported. In this reflection, the findings revealed that the process of fermentation had a significant impact on antioxidant activity. In vitro, antioxidant capacities were evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The results obtained from the spectrophotometric analysis showed that the lowest inhibition value was observed in the samples that were obtained by the classical fermentation process (ABC) and the samples of non-alcoholic beer obtained by the thermal process (NABT), with free radical inhibition capacity values of 8.50% and 5.50%, respectively. The samples of hopped wort (HW) and malted barley seeds extract (BSE) showed very high antioxidant activity with free radical inhibition capacity of 14% and 12.60%, respectively. The obtained extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, both combined with mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS, HPLC-MS). GC-MS analysis of the SPME extraction showed the presence of 29 compounds with isopentyl alcohol in major concentration (18.19%) in the alcoholic beer; on the other hand, the HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis of the ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of 13 phenolic compounds. Interestingly, the degradation of 3-Hydroxyphloretin 2'-O-glucoside in the final products of the non-alcoholic beers was found. Finally, the FTIR analysis was also employed in order to detect the type of efficient groups present in the extracts

Rationale and design of SAVI-AoS:A physiologic study of patients with symptomatic moderate aortic valve stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

Background: Moderate aortic valve stenosis occurs twice as often as severe aortic stenosis (AS) and carries a similarly poor prognosis. Current European and American guidelines offer limited insight into moderate AS (MAS) patients with unexplained symptoms. Measuring valve physiology at rest while most patients experience symptoms during exertion might represent a conceptual limitation in the current grading of AS severity. The stress aortic valve index (SAVI) may delineate hemodynamically significant AS among patients with MAS. Objectives: To investigate the diagnostic value of SAVI in symptomatic MAS patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%): aortic valve area (AVA) > 1 cm2 plus either mean valve gradient (MG) 15–39 mmHg or maximal aortic valve velocity (AOV max) 2.5–3.9 m/s. Short-term objectives include associations with symptom burden, functional capacity, and cardiac biomarkers. Long-term objectives include clinical outcomes. Methods and results: Multicenter, non-blinded, observational cohort. AS severity will be graded invasively (aortic valve pressure measurements with dobutamine stress testing for SAVI) and non-invasively (echocardiography during dobutamine and exercise stress). Computed tomography (CT) of the aortic valve will be scored for calcium, and hemodynamics simulated using computational fluid dynamics. Cardiac biomarkers and functional parameters will be serially monitored. The primary objective is to see how SAVI and conventional measures (MG, AVA and Vmax) correlate with clinical parameters (quality of life survey, 6-minute walk test [6MWT], and biomarkers). Conclusions: The SAVI-AoS study will extensively evaluate patients with unexplained, symptomatic MAS to determine any added value of SAVI versus traditional, resting valve parameters

Recovery of Absolute Coronary Blood Flow and Microvascular Resistance After Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Exploratory Study

Background: This study aimed to investigate longitudinal physiological changes in the recanalized coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) vessel and its dependent myocardium after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and Results: In this pilot study, 25 patients scheduled for elective CTO PCI with viable myocardium and angiographically visible collaterals were included. Absolute coronary blood flow and absolute microvascular resistance were measured invasively using continuous thermodilution. Measurements were performed immediately after successful CTO PCI and at short‐term follow‐up. In a subgroup of patients, physiological measurements were performed at the predominant donor vessel before CTO PCI, immediately afterwards, and at follow‐up. Absolute coronary blood flow in the recanalized CTO artery increased from 148±53 mL/min immediately after PCI to 221±77 mL/min at follow‐up (P<0.001). In agreement, absolute resistance in the myocardial territory perfused by the CTO artery, decreased from 545±255 Wood units immediately after the procedure to 387±128 Wood units at follow‐up (P=0.014). There were no significant changes in the absolute coronary blood flow and resistance in the predominant donor between baseline and follow‐up. Positive remodeling of the distal CTO vessel with an increase in lumen diameter was observed. Conclusions: After successful CTO PCI, blood flow in the recanalized artery and microvascular function of the dependent myocardium are not immediately normal but recover over time

Actuarial Valuation and Hedging of Life Insurance Liabilities in the Presence of Stochastic Mortality Risk under the Locally Risk-Minimizing Hedging Approach

The paper examines the valuation and hedging of life insurance obligations in the presence of mortality risk using the local risk-minimizing hedging approach. Roughly speaking, it is assumed that the lifetime of policyholders in an insurance portfolio is modeled by a point process whose stochastic intensity is controlled by a diffusion process. The stock price process is assumed to be a regime-switching Lévy process with non-zero regime-switching drift, where the parameters are assumed to depend on the economic states. Using the Föllmer–Schweizer decomposition, the main valuation and hedging results for a conditional payment process are determined. Some specific situations have been considered in which the local risk-minimizing strategies for a stream of liability payments or a unit-linked contract are presented