90 research outputs found

    Influence of the Kerr-Like and the External Classical Field on the Atom-Field Interaction

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    In this communication we study the interaction between a two-level atom and an electromagnetic field in the presence of the classical field and Kerr-like medium. Under a certain condition the system is transformed to the usual Jaynes-Cummings model. The atomic inversion is investigated where the phenomenon of super-structure is reported for a large value of the classical field coupling parameter. Our results show that the information of variance and entropy squeezing beside the purity can be controlled by both of the coupling parameter of the classical field and the Kerr-like medium parameter

    Assessment of the Relation between Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Tumor Node Metastasis Staging of Colorectal Cancer

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    Background: Although awareness via cancer screenings and the knowledge of therapy modalities has increased, the burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) is much more pronounced in developing countries. Objective: This study was aimed to estimate serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in preoperative CRC patients and to determine the associations between serum CEA levels and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage.Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 36 patients with CRC (stages IV) attending at Department of General Surgery, Zagazig University Hospitals. Patients scheduled preoperatively for sigmoidoscopy were prepared by an enema and examined by using standard video endoscopes. The CEA levels were estimated preoperatively for all patients. Results: CEA level among the studied cases ranged from 0 to 23 ng/dl with mean 6.39 ng/dl and median 4.5ng/ml. Also 58.3% had CEA level ≤ 5 ng/ml. There were no statistical significance relations between the CEA and age or sex distribution. But there was a statistical significance increase in frequency of smoking among cases had CEA level >5 ng/ml. There was no statistical significance relation between site and diameter of lesions and CEA level among the studied cases.Conclusions: It could be concluded that there is a meaningful link between TNM stage and CEA level. However, normal levels of CEA will not rule out CRC diagnosis, and these patients should be investigated in detail

    EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON K AND P RELEASE FROM K-FELDSPAR & ROCK PHOSPHATE AND ITS IMPACT ON SOME GROWTH PARAMETER OF MAIZE PLANT

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    Pot experiments were carried out using sand (collected from Ismailia ARS), in the greenhouse to study the effect of biochar application, on K and P release from their natural bearing minerals i.e.,K- feldspar and rock phosphate and\or bentonite on some growth of maize plants parameters, their P and k uptake and the soil available P and K. sixty three pots ever filled with sand(10 kg each biochar was added to all pots expect control at rates 0,1.5 , 3 ton per fed. The studied mineral are K feldspar and rock phosphate as source of K and P respectively. Bentonite was also studied because it is the most common mineral used for reclamation of sandy soil .Each mineral was added at rate of 0,1.5, 3 ton / fed the pots are as follow : biochar alone , biochar + K feldspar and biochar +bentonite and biochar and rock phosphate . maize was planted as the common way in which maize seed 6 grains for each pot inoculated with P and K solubilizing bacteria were planted . the usual N fertilizer (NH4 )2SO4 200kg /fed and irrigated as needed . Maize grow parameter i.e plant height and dry weight of maize plant were measured after 2 months of plantation . K and P as well as their uptake were measure. Results revealed that, the use of biochar at 3 tons fed-1 in combination with 3 tons of any of feldspar, bentonite or rock phosphate enhanced significantly growth parameters of maize plants compared to the control treatments .The highest values plant length and dry matter were were 89.00 cm, 11.4 g pot-1 against 36.6 cm and 2.8 g pot-1 for the control treatments., same treatments increased significantly P and K uptake of maize plants and the soil available p and K compared to the control treatments. The highest significant values in P uptake were 22.5, 18.3 & 16.7 mg plant-1 for the treatments (3 tons fed-1)of biochar with either 3ton rock phosphate ,3ton bentonite or 3 ton K-feldspar .while K uptake were 63.9, 61.8 & 60.1 mg plant -1 for biochar ( 3 tons fed-1 )with bentonite (3 tons fed-1 ), feldspar (3 tons fed-1 ) and bentonite (1.5 tons fed-1 ). Regarding available P the highest obtained values were 49.3 mg Kg -1 for 3 ton biochar + 3ton rock phosphate , 24.1 mg Kg -1 for 3 ton biochar + 1.5 ton bentonite and 24.0 mg/ kg-1 for 3 ton biochar + 1.5 ton K- feldspar. Increase either K- feldspar or bentonite to 3 ton had negative effect on available p

    Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients

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    Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a globally emerging illness, resulting in potential effects on public health and global economies. Objectives: To assess the incidence of Acute Kidney Injury among patients who are infected with COVID-19, and to evaluate risk factors. Patients and methods: This study enrolled100 adult patients infected with COVID-19 and recently diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The patients were submitted to clinical examination and laboratory testing for ESR, CRP, CBC, Serum creatinine, and D-dimer. Patients were also assessed radiologically by CT Chest. Highresolution computed tomography Parenchymal abnormalities on HRCT were assessed. AKI patients were classified based on Acute Kidney Injury Network staging. Results: The mean age of all studied patients was 48.1 ± 10.8 years and mean BMI of all studied patients was 31.3 ± 4.6 kg/m2, 51 patients were males (51%) and 49 females (49%). There were 35 patients (35%) with a mild infection, 23 patients (23%) with moderate, and 42 patients (42%) with severe in the studied patients. The overall AKI prevalence among COVID-19 patients was 18 %. All of them were grade III AKI. Our study revealed that old age, severity of infection, dyspnea, elevated CRP, ALT, AST, PT, INR, Urea, and Creatinine were considerable distinct predictors for AKI. Conclusion: The Prevalence of AKI among COVID-19 patients was 18 %. Old age, the severity of infection, dyspnea, elevated CRP, increased serum urea, Creatinine were significant independent predictors for AKI

    Antimicrobial properties of chitosan and galactomannan composite coatings and physical properties of films made thereof

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    The aim of this study was to produce antimicrobial coatings and films based on the mixture of chitosan and galactomannan from Adenanthera pavonina L., with the incorporation of sodium acetate. The antimicrobial activity of the coatings was evaluated against L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and S. enteritidis. Then the films produced, based on the coating formulations, were characterized in terms of water vapour permeability (WVP), oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) permeability, moisture content (MC), water solubility (S), tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB), elastic modulus (EM), opacity and color. The composite coatings with Chi were effective against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Films Chi presented the low water solubility and high values of component b*, which indicates the predominance of yellowish coloration and the highest TS values. Films of Chi-Gal-NaA present lower values of S, MC, WVP and EB and is the film presenting the higher value of EM. While for the films of Gal-NaA there was a reduction of the O2 permeability and an increase of CO2 permeability. Chi in combination with NaA can be used in the development of antimicrobial coatings and films for food applications, therefore contributing to food preservation and shelf-life extension.CNPq -Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

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    Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

    Adverse outcome pathways:opportunities, limitations and open questions

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    Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) are a recent toxicological construct that connects, in a formalized, transparent and quality-controlled way, mechanistic information to apical endpoints for regulatory purposes. AOP links a molecular initiating event (MIE) to the adverse outcome (AO) via key events (KE), in a way specified by key event relationships (KER). Although this approach to formalize mechanistic toxicological information only started in 2010, over 200 AOPs have already been established. At this stage, new requirements arise, such as the need for harmonization and re-assessment, for continuous updating, as well as for alerting about pitfalls, misuses and limits of applicability. In this review, the history of the AOP concept and its most prominent strengths are discussed, including the advantages of a formalized approach, the systematic collection of weight of evidence, the linkage of mechanisms to apical end points, the examination of the plausibility of epidemiological data, the identification of critical knowledge gaps and the design of mechanistic test methods. To prepare the ground for a broadened and appropriate use of AOPs, some widespread misconceptions are explained. Moreover, potential weaknesses and shortcomings of the current AOP rule set are addressed (1) to facilitate the discussion on its further evolution and (2) to better define appropriate vs. less suitable application areas. Exemplary toxicological studies are presented to discuss the linearity assumptions of AOP, the management of event modifiers and compensatory mechanisms, and whether a separation of toxicodynamics from toxicokinetics including metabolism is possible in the framework of pathway plasticity. Suggestions on how to compromise between different needs of AOP stakeholders have been added. A clear definition of open questions and limitations is provided to encourage further progress in the field

    Large expert-curated database for benchmarking document similarity detection in biomedical literature search

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    Document recommendation systems for locating relevant literature have mostly relied on methods developed a decade ago. This is largely due to the lack of a large offline gold-standard benchmark of relevant documents that cover a variety of research fields such that newly developed literature search techniques can be compared, improved and translated into practice. To overcome this bottleneck, we have established the RElevant LIterature SearcH consortium consisting of more than 1500 scientists from 84 countries, who have collectively annotated the relevance of over 180 000 PubMed-listed articles with regard to their respective seed (input) article/s. The majority of annotations were contributed by highly experienced, original authors of the seed articles. The collected data cover 76% of all unique PubMed Medical Subject Headings descriptors. No systematic biases were observed across different experience levels, research fields or time spent on annotations. More importantly, annotations of the same document pairs contributed by different scientists were highly concordant. We further show that the three representative baseline methods used to generate recommended articles for evaluation (Okapi Best Matching 25, Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency and PubMed Related Articles) had similar overall performances. Additionally, we found that these methods each tend to produce distinct collections of recommended articles, suggesting that a hybrid method may be required to completely capture all relevant articles. The established database server located at https://relishdb.ict.griffith.edu.au is freely available for the downloading of annotation data and the blind testing of new methods. We expect that this benchmark will be useful for stimulating the development of new powerful techniques for title and title/abstract-based search engines for relevant articles in biomedical research.Peer reviewe
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