Relationship between serum leptin level and parathormone in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) patients

زمینه و هدف: لپتین توسط سلول های بافت چربی تولید و در جریان خون وارد می شود. در مقایسه با افراد ســـالم در بیماران تحت دیالیز صفاقی (CAPD) سطح لپتین سرم بالاتر است. در مورد ارتباط لپتین و شاخص های متابولیسم استخوان مطالعات اندک و با نتایج ضد و نقیضی وجود دارد. هدف از انجام این مطالعه بررسی ارتباط بین لپتین سرم با برخی از فاکتورهای متابولیسم استخوان در بیماران تحت دیالیز صفاقی بود. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی – تحلیلی 75 بیمار تحت دیالیز صفاقی در بیمارستان الزهراء اصفهان، به روش در دسترس انتخاب شدند. بیماران از نظر سطح لپتین سرم، شاخص توده بدن، شاخص کفایت دیالیز، کلسیم، فسفر، آلبومین، هورمون پاراتیروئید، علت و مدت نارسایی کلیه، مدت و سابقه همودیالیز و مـــدت دیالیز صفاقی مورد بررسی قرار گرفتند. داده ها به کمک آزمون های آماری t و ضریب همبستگی تجزیه و تحلیل گردید. یافته ها: میانگین سطح لپتین سرم در زنان بالاتر از مردان بود (001/0

Safety considerations for hydrometallurgical metal recovery from lithium‐ion batteries

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the critical process safety considerations inherent in hydrometallurgical metal recovery within the lithium-ion battery (LiB) recycling process. As hydrometallurgy application in LiB recycling is still in the early stages of development, it is crucial to identify the hazards and provide safety recommendations. Hazards related to hydrometallurgy are identified and categorized in process, toxic, fire, explosion, corrosion, environment, storage, and transport hazards. Risk reduction measures are suggested using the hierarchy of control methodology to eliminate and reduce risks to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP), based on UK regulatory framework

The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Kelussia odoratissma Mozaffarian (KOM) seed on histopathology & joints diameter in experimental model of Incomplete Freund,s adjuvant induced arthritis in rat

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Arthritis is one of the inflammatory diseases that can cause debilitating problems. Existing drugs have numerous side effects that limit their use. KOM has anti-inflammatory properties due to its flavonoid compounds. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of KOM in an experimental model of arthritis. METHODS: In this experimental study, 46 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: healthy and patient control groups, normal saline recipient , hydrocortisone recipient and 3 groups treated with hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 300, 500 and 700 mg/kg. First, KOM was extracted then arthritis induced by injection of 0.1 cc of Incomplete Freund's adjuvant, and from 15th day KOM extract was injected intraperitoneally. On the last day (31st), their ankle joint was prepared for histological examination and the groups were compared. FINDINGS: The results showed that doses of 300, 500 and 700 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract did not significantly reduce joint diameter. Histologic studies of positive control group showed subcutaneous inflammation, destruction and fibrosis of cartilage and panus formation which subcutaneous inflammation was reduced in the low and high doses of the extract (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of KOM reduced subcutaneous inflammation but had no significant effect on joint diameter and other histopathologic and immunological changes in IFA induced arthritis

Optimal sensors positioning for condition-based risk assessment by particle swarm optimization

Value of Information (VoI) has been proposed for optimal sensors positioning on Systems, Structure, and Components (SSCs). The non-sub-modularity property of VoI calls for non-greedy optimization methods for the solution of the positioning optimization problem. In this work, we use Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for solving the optimal sensors positioning problem and condition-based risk assessment. A practical case study is considered regarding the positioning of sensors measuring the thickness of a manifold of a Steam Generator (SG) for a Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) that can fail due to creep. Results show that the PSO-optimized sensors positions provide results that enable more accurate risk estimates than using greedy optimization methods

Optimal sensor positioning on pressurized equipment based on Value of Information

In this work, we apply a simulation-based framework that makes use of the Value of Information (VoI) for identifying the optimal spatial positioning of sensors on pressurized equipment. VoI is a utility-based Figure of Merit (FoM) which quantifies the benefits/losses of acquiring information. Sensors are typically positioned on pressurized equipment in line with specific recommendations based on operational experience, like UNI 11096 in Italy. We show that the recommendations in UNI 11096 are, indeed, justified and that, incidentally, relying on VoI for the optimization of the sensor positioning, one can achieve the same monitoring performance, as measured by VoI, where following UNI 11096, but with a reduced number of sensors. The proposed VoI-based approach can, thus, be used to confirm or revise recommendations coming from operational experience

VoI-Based Optimal Sensors Positioning and the Sub-Modularity Issue

The problem of sensor positioning for condition monitoring of Systems, Structures and Components (SSCs) has been recently proposed to be addressed by Value of Information (VoI) optimization. VoI is a metric that quantifies the benefit of taking a measurement prior to adopting it. This metric lacks the characteristics of sub-modularity, i.e. the benefit of adding a measurement to a small set of measurement is higher than adding it to a bigger set. This causes the VoI optimization to not guarantee optimal results when the problem is solved by greedy optimization algorithms. In this work, the sub-modularity issue is considered with reference to the thickness gauge sensor positioning on a Steam Generator (SG) of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), and ways forward to overcome the sub-modularity issue are suggested

View of academics of Faculty of Medicine of Semnan University of Medical Sciences towards student research

Introduction: An insight into the view of academics of Medical Faculty concerning students’ research could inform planners about strengths and weaknesses as well as potential for improvement in student research. The present study aims to better understanding of perception of academics of Medical Faculty about students’ and academics’ research. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on participants from medical faculty members at Semnan University of Medical Sciences. A questionnaire containing demographic data, questions about view of faculty mentor’s concerning students’ researches and satisfaction on their profession was handed in to faculty members. Forty five out of 65 questionnaires were completed by faculty members and returned to the researchers. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical methods. Results: Findings indicated that most of faculty members relatively satisfied with their profession. There was a significant association between job satisfaction level and tendency to research activities. Around 20% of responders showed high interest and about 66% had an average interest in advising students’ research activities. Faculty members believed students showing little inclination toward research works as well as lacking knowledge on research principles. Low income, extended hours of teaching, engagement in private practice, administrative duties, excessive bureaucracy and insufficient research funding are the most frequent challenges in doing students’ research. Conclusion: It is concluded that most medical faculty members possessed a high inclination toward research activities. Students' needs to receive detailed instructions on research methodology and should be encouraged to consider research as part of their educational programs. Faculty members should be motivated to devote more time and energy towards students’ research activities