QCD ghost f(T)-gravity model

Within the framework of modified teleparallel gravity, we reconstruct a f(T) model corresponding to the QCD ghost dark energy scenario. For a spatially flat FRW universe containing only the pressureless matter, we obtain the time evolution of the torsion scalar T (or the Hubble parameter). Then, we calculate the effective torsion equation of state parameter of the QCD ghost f(T)-gravity model as well as the deceleration parameter of the universe. Furthermore, we fit the model parameters by using the latest observational data including SNeIa, CMB and BAO data. We also check the viability of our model using a cosmographic analysis approach. Moreover, we investigate the validity of the generalized second law (GSL) of gravitational thermodynamics for our model. Finally, we point out the growth rate of matter density perturbation. We conclude that in QCD ghost f(T)-gravity model, the universe begins a matter dominated phase and approaches a de Sitter regime at late times, as expected. Also this model is consistent with current data, passes the cosmographic test, satisfies the GSL and fits the data of the growth factor well as the LCDM model.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1111.726

The Battle of the Water Networks II (BWN-II)

The Battle of the Water Networks II (BWN-II) is the latest of a series of competitions related to the design and operation of water distribution systems (WDSs) undertaken within the Water Distribution Systems Analysis (WDSA) Symposium series. The BWN-II problem specification involved a broadly defined design and operation problem for an existing network that has to be upgraded for increased future demands, and the addition of a new development area. The design decisions involved addition of new and parallel pipes, storage, operational controls for pumps and valves, and sizing of backup power supply. Design criteria involved hydraulic, water quality, reliability, and environmental performance measures. Fourteen teams participated in the Battle and presented their results at the 14th Water Distribution Systems Analysis (WDSA 2012) conference in Adelaide, Australia, September 2012. This paper summarizes the approaches used by the participants and the results they obtained. Given the complexity of the BWN-II problem and the innovative methods required to deal with the multi-objective, high dimensional and computationally demanding nature of the problem, this paper represents a snap-shot of state of the art methods for the design and operation of water distribution systems. A general finding of this paper is that there is benefit in using a combination of heuristic engineering experience and sophisticated optimization algorithms when tackling complex real-world water distribution system design problems.Angela Marchi...Angus R. Simpson, Aaron C. Zecchin, Holger R. Maier...Christopher Stokes, Wenyan Wu, Graeme C. Dandy...et al

The Battle of the Water Networks II (BWN-II)

The Battle of the Water Networks II (BWN-II) is the latest of a series of competitions related to the design and operation of water distribution systems (WDSs) undertaken within the Water Distribution Systems Analysis (WDSA) Symposium series. The BWN-II problem specification involved a broadly defined design and operation problem for an existing network that has to be upgraded for increased future demands, and the addition of a new development area. The design decisions involved addition of new and parallel pipes, storage, operational controls for pumps and valves, and sizing of backup power supply. Design criteria involved hydraulic, water quality, reliability, and environmental performance measures. Fourteen teams participated in the Battle and presented their results at the 14th Water Distribution Systems Analysis (WDSA 2012) conference in Adelaide, Australia, September 2012. This paper summarizes the approaches used by the participants and the results they obtained. Given the complexity of the BWN-II problem and the innovative methods required to deal with the multi-objective, high dimensional and computationally demanding nature of the problem, this paper represents a snap-shot of state of the art methods for the design and operation of water distribution systems. A general finding of this paper is that there is benefit in using a combination of heuristic engineering experience and sophisticated optimization algorithms when tackling complex real-world water distribution system design problems.Angela Marchi...Angus R. Simpson, Aaron C. Zecchin, Holger R. Maier...Christopher Stokes, Wenyan Wu, Graeme C. Dandy...et al

Extraction and Identification of Chemical Compounds of Peganum harmala L. Seed Essential Oil by HS-SPME and GC-MS Methods

Peganum harmala is a plant that belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae. In traditional medicine, this plant has therapeutic effects such as repelling intestinal worms, increasing sexual potency, increasing milk secretion, anti-rheumatism, regularizing, anti-parasitic, hypnotic, diaphoretic, anti-cancer and analgesic. The aim of this study was to identify the chemical composition of P. harmala seed essential oil. P. harmala seed essential oil was extracted by Head Space-SPME HS-SPME method and its chemical compounds were identified by GC-MS method. Totally, 41 chemical compounds were identified in P. harmala seed essential oil. According to the results, the most compounds of P. harmala L. seed essential oil includes 2,3-dimethyl benzofuran (28.32%), cis-linalool oxide (7.46%), 2E-decenal (6.57%), 4aα,7β,7aα-nepetalactone (6.49%), 3-oxo-p-menth-1-en-7-Al (6.36%) and trans-β-terpineol (5.86%), respectively. © 2020 Lembaga Minyak Sawit Malaysia. All rights reserved

Kidney: Management and Treatment with Medicinal Plants According to Ethno-botanical and Ethno-veterinary Evidence

KIDNEY failure (CKD) is a debilitating disease that results in severe renal failure. The kidneys are destroyed very slowly and fail. Weakness, lethargy, chronic fatigue, paleness, swelling of the hands and feet, or puffiness around the eyes and high blood pressure are some of the symptoms of kidney failure. The aim of this study was to herbs used in Iranian ethnopharmacological knowledge in order to identify medicinal plants affecting renal failure. In this review study, keywords such as renal failure, renal impairment, hypertension, diabetes, herbs, ethnobotany, ethno-veterinary, ethnopharmacology, and Iran were used. Databases such as ISI, WOS, Scopus, Islamic World Science Citation Center, Scientific Index database and Google Scholar were used to review articles and resources. Finally, 23 articles containing ethno-pharmacological information for the treatment of renal failure were used to review the literature. Medicinal plants such as L. album L., O. vulgare, A. sativum L., B. vulgaris L., E. elaterium, C. monogyna, P. spina-christi Miller., R. ribes L., O. europea, S. marianum L., T. polium L., N. sativa L., Z. jujuba (L) H.Karst, C. bruguieriana Hand. Mzt., J. regia L., B. Napus L. and some other herbs. are the most important medicinal plants used to treat kidney failure and disorders. Traditional Iranian medicine has long used natural resources to prevent and treat kidney problems. There are various methods available to use herbs to treat diseases. Findings this study can be a comprehensive guide to the ideas and medicinal plants of different regions of Iran that are effective in treating kidney disorders

Acute renal failure and hemolytic uremic syndrome in overdose with n-acetyl cysteine after acetaminophen poisoning

Context: Acetylcysteine is an effective treatment for acetaminophen poisoning. The preparation and dose calculation of acetylcys-teine is associated with medical errors. The prevalence of this error is 34 globally. Case report: A 15-year-old girl took an overdose of acetaminophen in a suicide attempt. Acetylcysteine intravenous was ordered. Due to the medication error by the nurse, she received a 10-fold overdose of intravenous acetylcysteine in both initial loading dose and maintenance dose, at first day. On the second day, the patient showed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and elevated liver enzymes. Her hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet quickly decreased. Subsequently, she developed oliguria, anuria, and rising serum creatinine levels. The patient was diagnosed with uremic hemolytic syndrome. She underwent hemodialysis and was treated with plasmapheresis, blood transfusions, and platelets. Discussion: The effects of acetaminophen poisoning and acetylcysteine overdose may be much more severe and have a greater impact on patient survival than each poisoning alone. Timely and accurate treatment measures can help prevent long-term side effects. © 2021, Author(s)

Effects of dust phenomenon on heavy metals in raw milk in western Iran

Introduction. After the Iraq war, the dust phenomenon has increased in western Iran. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of the dust phenomenon on the content of heavy metals in raw milk in Ilam province. Study objects and methods. The dust samples were collected during one year. The concentrations of dust particles were determined with the Enviro Check Laser System, using the Dust Monitor Check. The concentration of heavy metals in dust was determined by using the high volume air samplers and glass fiber filters. Results and discussion. Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, zinc, copper, and iron) were measured at four sampling sites in raw milk by the atomic absorption method. The mean and standard deviations of dust particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) were 105.6 ± 90.5 and 25.9 ± 15.4 μg/m3, respectively. The amounts of arsenic, zinc, lead, and copper were higher in the spring and summer. Lead levels in western and southern regions were higher than those in the east, center, and north. Conclusion. We found similar trends for arsenic, zinc, copper, and iron in raw milk. Our results showed the potential effect of the dust phenomenon on the presence of heavy metals in raw milk. © 2020, Karimi et al

A plausible anti-apoptotic role of up-regulated OCT4B1 in bladder tumors

Purpose: To investigate and compare the expression of OCT4B1 between tumor and non-tumor bladder tissues. Materials and Methods: We investigated the expression of OCT4B1 in 30 tumor and non-tumor surgical specimens of the bladder, using the TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction approach and by carefully designing primers and probes specific for the amplification of the variant. Results: Most tumor and non-tumor samples of the bladder showed OCT4B1 expression, but its expression level was significantly higher in the tumors (P <.002). Moreover, the up-regu-lation of OCT4B1 was more significant in high-grade tumors compared to the low-grade ones (P <.05). We have also employed the RNA interference strategy to evaluate the functional role of OCT4B1 in a bladder cancer cell line, 5637. Suppression of OCT4B1 caused some changes in cell cycle distribution, and significantly elevated the rate of apoptosis in the cells. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that OCT4B1 plays a potential role in tumor initiation and/or progression of the bladder cancer. Additionally, OCT4B1 can be regarded as a new tumor marker for detection, classification, and treatment of the bladder cancer. However, more ex-perimental studies are needed to replicate our findings

Investigating the relationship between the number and activity of natural killer cells with increased cytomegalovirus and CMV disease after kidney transplantation

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections caused by the cytomegalovirus are one of the most common problems in patients after kidney transplant. We examined the association of the relationship between the number and activity of natural killer cells with increased cytomegalovirus and its related disease after kidney transplantation.Material and methods: In this analytical study, 58 new transplant patients in the Labbafinejad Hospital, who did not have any evidence of CMV infection, were evaluated based on the number and percentage of CD56+/16+, CD56+/16-, and CD69+ Natural Killer (NK) cells.Results: The results of this study showed that CD16+ and CD56+ cells in the group of CMV Ag-positive patients are less than negative patients (p = 0.003) and the difference between the two groups are significant (p = 0.01). However, CD69+ cells did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.1). Moreover, the absolute number of CD16+ and CD56+ cells declined significantly after infection with CMV unlike the CMV Ag - group(p = 0.003). Discussion: These results indicate that kidney transplant patients suffering from CMV infection after transplantation have a significantly reduced total number of NK cells. On the other hand, a slight decrease in the number of NK subgroups was observed with an increase in the peak serum levels of cyclosporine. As a consequence of these findings, it can be assumed that more dosage and a higher level of the drug will result in more severe immunosuppression and, consequently, increased susceptibility to CMV infections. Thus, taking the right dose of the drug would prevent viral infections and immune system from over-activation