Comparative Analysis of Long-lived Free Radicals in Medical Grade Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) in Absence and Presence of Vitamin E

In this research, free radical analyses were performed using electron spin resonance (ESR) technique for two groups of orthopedic ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In the first group, Group A, two UHMWPE resins, GUR 4150 and Hylamer (Himont 1900) were investigated. These materials were provided by the Medical-Device Industry members of the NSF-Industry/University Center for Biosurfaces (IUCB), a partnership program between the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) and the University of Memphis (1997-2011). The present study is a part of the ongoing research project which was undertaken in 1998. The long-term effects of temperature (23°C, 37°C and 75°C) upon free radicals in inert environments and in the presence of oxygen (open air) were investigated. ESR spectra recorded in the present study (t = 18 years) indicate the presence of oxygen-induced polyenyle radicals in all samples aged at 23°C or 37°C in open air, with a greater concentration at 23°C. At 75°C in open air, there were no detectable radicals. While the total concentration of radicals in all samples decreased by two orders of magnitude in 18 years, the present data showed that, at 23°C, it decreased less in Hylamer than in GUR 4150, by a factor 2/3. In inert environments, both GUR 4150 and Hylamer showed similar concentration (slightly higher concentration at 23°C than at 37°C). Compared to GUR 4150, Hylamer showed the presence of 0.6, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1 and 1.3 times more radicals at 23°C (air), 37°C (air), 23°C (inert), 37°C (inert) and 75°C (inert), respectively. In terms of radical type (alkyl, allyl, polyenyle, dienyle and trienyle), only a minor difference was found between GUR 4150 and Hylamer. For the second group, Group B, free radical analyses were performed on vitamin E-containing UHMWPE (GUR 1020) following post-gamma (30 kGy) shelf aging for 10 years at 23°C (room temperature) in open air. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) was consolidated with GUR 1020 at a concentration level varying between 0% (no vitamin E) and 20% in 2006. The ESR measurements conducted immediately after gamma irradiation in 2006 showed a decrease in free radical concentration by an order of magnitude due to vitamin E. In 10 years (2016), the radical concentration was reduced by another order of magnitude; i. e. from ~1017 to ~1015 radicals per gram in all samples, with or without vitamin E. No measurable difference between radical concentrations was found as a function of vitamin E

Structural and Elastic Properties of Degenerate SnO Monolayers at Finite Temperature

Chalcogen-based layered superconductors with a litharge structure such as FeS and FeSe mono-layers undergo structural and superconducting phase transitions that are tunable by doping. Representing another material platform with a litharge structure but without valence d-electrons, SnO monolayers also display a structural ground state with a degenerate rectangular unit cell at zero temperature and a charge-tunable energy barrier that leads to a thermally-controllable structural phase change. Doped SnO monolayers with rectangular degenerate unit cells give rise to two-dimensional multiferroicity. Their two-dimensional elastic energy landscape adopts a basic analytic expression that is employed to discuss this structural transition. The results contained in this thesis increase our intuition on two-dimensional phase transitions and their effects on the properties of two-dimensional atomic materials with structural degeneracies

Deep Insights of Deepfake Technology : A Review

Under the aegis of computer vision and deep learning technology, a new emerging techniques has introduced that anyone can make highly realistic but fake videos, images even can manipulates the voices. This technology is widely known as Deepfake Technology. Although it seems interesting techniques to make fake videos or image of something or some individuals but it could spread as misinformation via internet. Deepfake contents could be dangerous for individuals as well as for our communities, organizations, countries religions etc. As Deepfake content creation involve a high level expertise with combination of several algorithms of deep learning, it seems almost real and genuine and difficult to differentiate. In this paper, a wide range of articles have been examined to understand Deepfake technology more extensively. We have examined several articles to find some insights such as what is Deepfake, who are responsible for this, is there any benefits of Deepfake and what are the challenges of this technology. We have also examined several creation and detection techniques. Our study revealed that although Deepfake is a threat to our societies, proper measures and strict regulations could prevent this

Toxicity outcome of concurrent teletherapy and brachytherapy compared with teletherapy followed by brachytherapy in locally advanced carcinoma cervix

Background: Teletherapy and intracavitary brachytherapy are definitive treatment modalities for stages IIB to IVA cervical carcinoma. Globally, it is the second most common cancer among female. Majority of patients attend the hospital with locally advanced stage due to less screening facility and social stigma.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted from January 2019 to June 2020 with a total of 76 patients. The patients were equally divided into two groups: A and B after obtaining their informed written consent.Results: Final follow up was given after completion of treatment at 24 weeks. Patients in both groups developed grade 1 gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities (10.5% versus 13.1%, 13.1% versus 15.7% in group A and B respectively). Two patients in group A and three patients in group B developed grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicities. In genitourinary toxicities, grade 2 toxicities were observed in two patients of group A and four patients of group B, (p>0.05). None developed grade 3 and 4 gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities. There were no statistically significant variations in treatment related toxicities between the two groups.Conclusions: Both gastrointestinal, genitourinary toxicities were comparable between two groups. The toxicities were acceptable and well tolerated.

Comparison of dosimetric parameters between intensity modulated and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning for adjuvant therapy of gastric cancer

Background: Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for gastric carcinoma, but the optimal radiation modality remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in terms of dosimetry for adjuvant gastric cancer treatment. Methods: 21 patients with stage IIB-IIIC gastric cancer, treated between January and June 2021, underwent surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiation with both IMRT and 3D-CRT plans. Dosimetric parameters were calculated for the planned target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OAR). Results: Both IMRT and 3D-CRT provided comparable PTV coverage. However, IMRT significantly improved kidney sparing, reducing the mean V20 value by 23% (p=0.01) for the right kidney and 26% (p=0.02) for the left kidney compared to 3D-CRT. IMRT also decreased the mean irradiated volume for both kidneys and the liver, as well as the V30 value for the liver, although these differences were not statistically significant. The dosimetric parameters for the spinal cord were comparable between IMRT and 3D-CRT plans. Conclusions: IMRT demonstrated better kidney sparing compared to 3D-CRT in adjuvant radiotherapy for gastric cancer, while PTV coverage was similar. Long-term follow-up is necessary to assess clinical outcomes and local recurrence rates for both treatment plans

Association of clinico-epidemiological features with locally advanced stage of cervical cancer patients presenting at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh

Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent gynecological cancers in women in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to assess the clincoepidemiological association with the histology of locally advanced cervical cancer. We have done this observational study in the department of Clinical Oncology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University from July to December 2019. Sixty-six biopsy-proven locally advanced (stage IIB to IVA) squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix were included in this study. The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 48.5 (±8.6) years. Commonly observed epidemiological characteristics of locally advanced carcinoma cervix were illiteracy (46.9%), oral contraceptive use (62.1%), multi para (78.7%) and early marriage (74.2%). Most frequent clinical presentation was post-coital bleeding (37.87%). Most patients presented in stage IIB (65.1%). The association of the stages of the disease with age, parity, oral contraceptive use, age at marriage and clinical presentation were statistically nonsignificant, whereas illiteracy was statistically significant. Most women had poor awareness regarding their need for routine check-up and screening as indicated by the late medical care seeking. Social stigma might have played some role. Relevant programmes should create awareness among women, especially those with socioeconomic deprivation. BSMMU J 2022; 15(3): 175-17

EMBEDDED COOLING OF HIGH PERFORMANCE ICS USING NOVEL NANOSTRUCTURED THERMOELECTRICS

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF AFSANA SHARMIN, for the Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, presented on November 1, 2013, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: EMBEDDED COOLING OF HIGH PERFORMANCE ICS USING NOVEL NANOSTRUCTURED THERMOELECTRICS MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Shaikh S. Ahmed Site specific thermoelectric cooling in semiconductor materials is among the most promising approaches for the mitigation of on-chip hot spots resulting from the decreasing feature sizes and faster switching speeds of electronic components. The efficient usage of thermoelectric devices for hotspot cooling requires investigation and appropriate properties such as higher figure of merit, integration of these devices with electronic package, remedy of various obstacles such as parasitic contact resistances. A simulation model has been developed to investigate the effect of steady state operation of nanowire based thermoelectric cooler devices on hot-spot cooling considering the effect of crucial thermal and electrical contact resistances. The results suggest that active hotspot cooling of as much as 23ºC with a high (~1,300W/cm2) heat flux for nanowire based Bi2Te3 thermoelectric cooler. It has been observed from the results that thermal and electrical contact resistances play a very crucial role in the performance of nanowire based thermoelectric cooling devices as high values of these resistances can significantly degrade the effect of Peltier cooling

Effect of Metarhizium anisopliae (MetA1) on growth enhancement and antioxidative defense mechanism against Rhizoctonia root rot in okra

Rhizoctonia solani is an important necrotrophic pathogenic fungus that causes okra root disease and results in severe yield reduction. Many biocontrol agents are being studied with the intent of improving plant growth and defense systems and reducing crop loss by preventing fungal infections. Recently, a member of the Hypocrealean family, Metarhizium anisopliae, has been reported for insect pathogenicity, endophytism, plant growth promotion, and antifungal potentialities. This research investigated the role of M. anisopliae (MetA1) in growth promotion and root disease suppression in okra. The antagonism against R. solani and the plant growth promotion traits of MetA1 were tested in vitro. The effects of endophytic MetA1 on promoting plant growth and disease suppression were assessed in planta. Dual culture and cell-free culture filtrate assays showed antagonistic activity against R. solani by MetA1. Some plant growth promotion traits, such as phosphate solubilization and catalase activity were also exhibited by MetA1. Seed primed with MetA1 increased the shoot, root, leaves, chlorophyll content, and biomass content compared to control okra plants. The plants challenged with R. solani showed the highest hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) contents in the leaves of okra. Whereas MetA1 applied plants showed a reduction of H2O2 and MDA by 5.21 and 14.96%, respectively, under pathogen-inoculated conditions by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), by 30.11, 10.19, 5.62, and 5.06%, respectively. Moreover, MetA1 increased soluble sugars, carbohydrates, proline, and secondary metabolites, viz., phenol and flavonoid contents in okra resulting in a better osmotic adjustment of diseases infecting plants. MetA1 reduced disease incidence by 58.33% at 15 DAI compared to the R. solani inoculated plant. The results revealed that MetA1 improved plant growth, elevated the plant defense system, and suppressed root diseases caused by R. solani. Thus, MetA1 was found to be an effective candidate for the biological control program