Coastal groundwater aquifer characterization from geoelectrical measurements- A case study at Kalapara, Patuakhali, Bangladesh.

Vertical electrical sounding has been carried out in a coastal area in the southern part of Bangladesh to locate the groundwater aquifers containing fresh water. The Interpex1X1Dv3 computer program was used to process the field apparent resistivity data sets obtained from the vertical electrical sounding.  Geoelectric layers were identified in the context of resistivity and thickness from the vertical electrical sounding data. From the initial parameters layered model was achieved using the inversion technique. Correlation of the obtained layer model with a nearby lithologic log concludes the groundwater aquifer system of the area. From the electrical properties of the subsurface layers, water bearing layers were detected and characterized. Very fine sand geoelectric layer with a thickness varying from 20 to 143 meters is an upper aquifer and has 0.66–14.02 Ωm apparent resistivity value. Fine sand geoelectric layer with 0.21-5.99 Ωm apparent resistivity value is lower aquifer with maximum thickness ~250 meters. From the resistivity value, it is observed that the upper aquifer contains saline to brackish-fresh water while the resistivity value of the lower aquifer indicates that it contains saline water. The water quality of the upper zone varies geographically from the southern to the northern part in the investigated area. The water quality of the upper aquifer is fresh in the northern part of the study while lower aquifer contains saline water there

Understanding Key Bidding Factors Considered by Top Jordanian Contractors

One of the most crucial decisions that is regularly exercised by construction contractors is to determine whether to bid or not to bid on a certain project. The purpose of this paper is to understand key factors that are considered by top Jordanian contractors in their bid/no-bid decision making. Previous research in the Jordanian construction market reported the importance weights of 53 bid/no-bid factors (El-Mashaleh, 2013). Based on that work, this paper discusses the top bidding factors and compares them with international related work. Additionally, the paper examines the reliability of El-Mashaleh’s (2013) study based on Cronbach's alpha reliability test. Furthermore, the paper tests the degree of consensus among the respondents of El-Mashaleh’s (2013) work regarding the ranking of the 53 bid/no-bid decision factors based on Kendall's coefficient of concordance. Finally, analysis of variance (ANOVA) is conducted to test statistical significant differences in the importance weights of the 53 bidding factors between public and private bidders. Cronbach's alpha reliability test proves that the adopted scale of measurement for the importance of the bid/no-bid factors has excellent internal consistency reliability. Kendall's coefficient of concordance reveals a significant degree of consensus among the respondents regarding the ranking of the bid/no-bid decision factors. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicates statistical significant differences in importance weights between public and private bidders for 6 factors out of the 53 factors considered

Molecular Docking of Known Carcinogen 4- (Methyl-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) with Cyclin Dependent Kinases towards Its Potential Role in Cell Cycle Perturbation

Cell cycle is maintained almost all the times and is controlled by various regulatory proteins and their complexes (Cdk+Cyclin) in different phases of interphase (G1, S and G2) and mitosis of cell cycle. A number of mechanisms have been proposed for the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis by abruption in cell cycle process. One of the important features of cancer/carcinogenesis is functional loss of these cell cycle regulatory proteins particularly in CDKs and cyclins. We hypothesize that there is a direct involvement of these cell cycle regulatory proteins not only at the genetic level but also proteins level, during the initiation of carcinogenesis. Therefore, it becomes significant to determine inconsistency in the functioning of regulatory proteins due to interaction with carcinogen 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). Hence, we investigated the interaction efficiency of NNK, against cell cycle regulatory proteins. We found a different value of ΔG (free energy of binding) among the studied proteins ranging between -3.29 to -7.25 kcal/mol was observed. To validate the results, we considered Human Oxy-Hemoglobin at 1.25 Å Resolution, [PDB_ID:1HHO] as a +ve control, (binding energy -6.06 kcal/mol). Finally, the CDK8 (PDB_ID:3RGF) and CDK2 (PDB_ID:3DDP) regulatory proteins showing significantly strong molecular interaction with NNK -7.25 kcal/mol, -6.19 kcal/mol respectively were analyzed in details. In this study we predicted that CDK8 protein fails to form functional complex with its complementary partner cyclin C in presence of NNK. Consequently, inconsistency of functioning in regulatory proteins might lead to the abruption in cell cycle progression; contribute to the loss of cell cycle control and subsequently increasing the possibility of carcinogenesis

Current Management Strategies in Breast Cancer by Targeting Key Altered Molecular Players

Breast Cancer is second largest disease affecting women worldwide. It remains the most frequently reported and leading cause of death among women in both developed and developing countries. Chemoprevention is one the promising approaches which reduces breast cancer. Tamoxifen and raloxifene are commonly used for treatment of breast cancer in women with high risk, although resistance occurs by tamoxifen after five years of therapy and both drugs cause uterine cancer and thromboembolic events. Aromatase inhibitors are coming up as potential option for prevention in treatment with adjuvant trials in practice. The combination of aromatase inhibitors along with tamoxifen can also be beneficial. For this, clinical trials based on large number of patients with optimal dose and lesser side effects have to be more in practice. Despite the clinical trials going on, there is need of better molecular models which can identify high risk population and new agents with better benefit having less side effects and improved biomarkers for treating breast cancer

Energy dissipation in the regulators using straight wall baffles

Dissipating the high kinetic energy of an open channel flow under sluice gates can have a significant impact on eliminating scoring of the riverbed at the downstream. This paper discusses the outcome of an experimental study consisting of 28 runs, with the aim of achieving minimum hydrodynamic forces and maximum energy dissipation downstream of hydraulic structures through stilling basins with directional diverting blocks, DDBs and straight wall baffle, and SWB. Stilling basins with a distinct configuration were made for this purpose. The hydraulic parameters that were involved were evaluated and experimentally analyzed using a rectangular flume in the hydraulic laboratory of the University of Thi-Qar, Thi-Qar, Iraq. Two different kinds of DDB models were made of wood with a triangular form, and the striate line impact wall had indistinct dimensions. The study showed that the configuration characterized by two rows of DDB with SWB between them is the most effective in dispersing energy. Out of all the suggested constructions, the DDB are more effective with two or more rows, rather than the SWB, but they are subjected to forces in the flow direction

TAT-peptide conjugated repurposing drug against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro): potential therapeutic intervention to combat COVID-19

The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that originated in Chinese city of Wuhan has caused around 906,092 deaths and 28,040,853 confirmed cases worldwide (WHO, 11 September, 2020). In a life-threatening situation, where there is no specific and licensed anti-COVID-19 vaccine or medicine available; the repurposed drug might act as a silver bullet. Currently, more than 211 vaccines, 80 antibodies, 31 antiviral drugs, 35 cell-based, 6 RNA-based and 131 other drugs are in clinical trials. It is therefore utter need of the hour to develop an effective drug that can be used for the treatment of COVID-19 before a vaccine can be developed. One of the best-characterized and attractive drug targets among coronaviruses is the main protease (3CL^{pro}). Therefore, the current study focuses on the molecular docking analysis of TAT-peptide^{47–57} (GRKKRRQRRRP)-conjugated repurposed drugs (i.e., lopinavir, ritonavir, favipiravir, and hydroxychloroquine) with SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CL^{pro} to discover potential efficacy of TAT-peptide (TP) - conjugated repurposing drugs against SARS-CoV-2. The molecular docking results validated that TP-conjugated ritonavir, lopinavir, favipiravir, and hydroxychloroquine have superior and significantly enhanced interactions with the target SARS-CoV-2 main protease. In-silico approach employed in this study suggests that the combination of the drug with TP is an excelling alternative to develop a novel drug for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The development of TP based delivery of repurposing drugs might be an excellent approach to enhance the efficacy of the existing drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. The predictions from the results obtained provide invaluable information that can be utilized for the choice of candidate drugs for in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials. The outcome from this work prove crucial for exploring and developing novel cost-effective and biocompatible TP conjugated anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic agents in immediate future

Pancreatic cancer and predictors of survival: comparing the CA 19-9/bilirubin ratio with the McGill Brisbane Symptom Score

AbstractIntroductionFew tools predict survival from pancreatic cancer (PAC). The McGill Brisbane Symptom Score (MBSS) based on symptoms at presentation (weight loss, pain, jaundice and smoking) was recently validated. The present study compares the ability of four strategies to predict 9-month survival: MBSS, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) alone, CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio and a combination of MBSS and the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio.MethodologyA retrospective review of 133 patients diagnosed with PAC between 2005 and 2011 was performed. Survival was determined from the Quebec civil registry. Blood CA 19-9 and bilirubin values were collected (n = 52) at the time of diagnosis. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine a cutoff for optimal test characteristics of CA 19-9 and CA19-9-to-total bilirubin ratio in predicting survival at 9 months. Predictive characteristics were then calculated for the four strategies.ResultsOf the four strategies, the one with the greatest negative predictive value was the MBSS: negative predictive value (NPV) was 90.2% (76.9–97.3%) and the positive likelihood ratio (LR) was the greatest. The ability of CA 19-9 levels alone, at baseline, to predict survival was low. For the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio, the test characteristics improved but remained non-significant. The best performing strategy according to likelihood ratios was the combined MBSS and CA19-9 to the bilirubin ratio.ConclusionCA19-9 levels and the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio are poor predictors of survival for PAC, whereas the MBSS is a far better predictor, confirming its clinical value. By adding the CA19-9-to-bilirubin ratio to the MBSS the predictive characteristics improved

Clinical Significance of G6PD Variants among Palestinians

Conclusion: We conclude that children with G6PD A-deficiency are also susceptible to AHA, but demonstrate in direct comparison within this same population that G6PD Mediterranean and G6PD Cairo are more severe forms of deficiency than G6PD A‐. Further, we show that the heretofore poorly studied G6PD Cairo may be associated with low‐level, chronic hemolysis. This study illustrates favism is a significant public health problem in Gaza due to fava beans as a staple in the diet and the coexistence of polymorphic G6PD deficiency variants in the society. Favism is an easily preventable and manageable genetic disorder with the proper awareness, intervention and education programs

Low-loss paper-substrate triple-band-frequency reconfigurable microstrip antenna for Sub-7 GHz applications

In this paper, a low-cost resin-coated commercial-photo-paper substrate is used to design a printed reconfigurable multiband antenna. The two PIN diodes are used mainly to redistribute the surface current that provides reconfigurable properties to the proposed antenna. The antenna size of 40 mm × 40 mm × 0.44 mm with a partial ground, covers wireless and mobile bands ranging from 1.91 GHz to 6.75 GHz. The parametric analysis is performed to achieve optimized design parameters of the antenna. The U-shaped and C-shaped emitters are meant to function at 2.4 GHz and 5.9 GHz, respectively, while the primary emitter is designed to operate at 3.5 GHz. The proposed antenna achieved peak gain and radiation efficiency of 3.4 dBi and 90%, respectively. Simulated and measured results of the reflection coefficient, radiation pattern, gain, and efficiency show that the antenna design is in favorable agreement. Since the proposed antenna achieved wideband (1.91–6.75 GHz) using PIN diode configuration, using this technique the need for numerous electronic components to provide multiband frequency is avoided

Perceived Risk of falls among Acute Care Patients

Purpose: In an effort to lower the number of falls that occur among hospitalized patients, several facilities have begun introducing various fall prevention programs. However, the efficacy of fall prevention programs is diminished if patients do not consider themselves to be at risk for falls and do not follow recommended procedures. The goal of this study was to characterize how patients in four different acute care specialist services felt about their risk of falling while in the hospital. Methods: One hundred patients admitted to the study hospital with a Morse Fall Scale score of 45 or higher were given the Patient Perception Questionnaire, a tool designed to assess a patient's perception of their own fall risk, fear of falling, and motivation to take part in fall prevention efforts. Scores on the Morse Fall Scale were gathered through a historical assessment of medical records. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and independent sample t tests were used to examine the data. Results: The average age was 65, and around half (52%) were men and half (48%) were women. Based on their ratings on the Morse Fall Scale, all 100 participants were classified as being at high risk for falls. However, only 55.5% of the individuals agreed with this assessment. The likelihood that a patient would seek assistance and the degree to which they feared falling both declined as their faith in their mobility improved. Patients hospitalized after a fall exhibited considerably lower confidence scores and greater fear scores than patients who had not been injured in a fall. Conclusions: Patients who have a high fall risk assessment score may not believe they are at risk for falls and may not take any steps to reduce their risk. The prevalence of falls in hospitals might be mitigated by the creation of a fall risk assessment technique that takes into account both objective and subjective factors