The ecosystem services concept provides both an analytical and communicative tool to identify and quantify the link between human welfare and the environment, and thus to evaluate the ramifications ...of management interventions. Marine spatial planning (MSP) and Ecosystem-based Management (EBM) are a form of management intervention that has become increasingly popular and important globally. The ecosystem service concept is rarely applied in marine planning and management to date which we argue is due to the lack of a well-structured, systematic classification and assessment of marine ecosystem services. In this paper we not only develop such a typology but also provide guidance to select appropriate indicators for all relevant ecosystem services. We apply this marine-specific ecosystem service typology to MSP and EBM. We thus provide not only a novel theoretical construct but also show how the ecosystem services concept can be used in marine planning and management.
•An application-oriented marine ecosystem service (ES) typology is developed.•It meets the requirements for an application in EBM and marine spatial planning.•It facilitates the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.•It includes detailed definitions, examples, indicators to facilitate its utilization.
Research covers the uses the method of Quality Rating Evaluation to evaluate thequality of production through which a determination of product quality of its production inorder to determine the ...amount of sales hence the profits for the company. The most importantfunction is to satisfy consumer at reasonable prices. Methods were applied to the product(toothpaste) in the General Company for Vegetable Oil – Almaamoon Factory .The company's has obtained ISO-certified (ISO 9001-2008). Random samples offinal product intended for sale were collected from the store during months (February, April ,June , October and December) for the year 2011 to determine the "quality rating " throughthe application of the method on the products at final stage , where selected. The propertiesthat affect product quality and varieties of defects for each property (A, B, C , D) and give thepoints of on rejects .The research concluded that the percentage of output quality for the product toothpaste(AMBER) weighing 75 g ranges between (70-80%) is within quality level which is good incondition and that the company's plan was effective and influential in the development of itsproducts. In addition to the significant improvement in the level of quality and processproductivity statistically controlled and the results were within the limits of the chart qualitycontrol .Also it was found that is was within Iraqi specification (1100)
To define the types and numbers of inpatient clinical decision support alerts, measure the frequency with which they are overridden, and describe providers' reasons for overriding them and the ...appropriateness of those reasons.
We conducted a cross-sectional study of medication-related clinical decision support alerts over a 3-year period at a 793-bed tertiary-care teaching institution. We measured the rate of alert overrides, the rate of overrides by alert type, the reasons cited for overrides, and the appropriateness of those reasons.
Overall, 73.3% of patient allergy, drug-drug interaction, and duplicate drug alerts were overridden, though the rate of overrides varied by alert type (P < .0001). About 60% of overrides were appropriate, and that proportion also varied by alert type (P < .0001). Few overrides of renal- (2.2%) or age-based (26.4%) medication substitutions were appropriate, while most duplicate drug (98%), patient allergy (96.5%), and formulary substitution (82.5%) alerts were appropriate.
Despite warnings of potential significant harm, certain categories of alert overrides were inappropriate >75% of the time. The vast majority of duplicate drug, patient allergy, and formulary substitution alerts were appropriate, suggesting that these categories of alerts might be good targets for refinement to reduce alert fatigue.
Almost three-quarters of alerts were overridden, and 40% of the overrides were not appropriate. Future research should optimize alert types and frequencies to increase their clinical relevance, reducing alert fatigue so that important alerts are not inappropriately overridden.
Surface morphology of a high strength low alloy steel is analyzed on wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) process with a cold-treated (CT) brass wire. Cold treatment process is carried out at − ...70 °C for 24 h to refine the microstructure of brass wire for smooth discharge energy during machining process. Fractional factorial design is used to measure the response of recast layer thickness (RLT), wire material infusion (WMI), and micro-hardness (MH) of hardened HSLA steel. CT brass wire, servo voltage (SV), pulse on time (
T
on
), pulse off time (
T
off
), wire tension (
T
w
), and flushing pressure (
F
p
) of deionized water are selected as input process parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is performed to test the adequacy and significance of the developed mathematical models.
T
on
is observed as the most effective input process parameter followed by
T
off
and CT brass wire. Low-energy parameters with CT brass wire exhibits results with reduced RLT and WMI on machined surface as compared to NCT brass wire. CT brass wire is less wear off with respect to NCT brass wire while machining workpiece at same input process parameters.
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•Role of astaxanthin on hippocampal insulin resistance in rat model of Alzheimer's disease.•Aβ (1–42) peptides enhanced Insulin receptor Substrate-1 S307 phosphorylation.•Astaxanthin ...reduced Insulin receptor Substrate-1 S307 phosphorylation.•Astaxanthin ameliorated GSK-3β phosphorylation and Aβ (1–42) level.•Astaxanthin showed neuroprotective and anti-amyloidogenic effects in neurohistology.
With the constant failure of the clinical trials continuous exploration of a therapeutic target against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the utmost need. Numerous studies have supported the hypothesis that central insulin resistance plays a significant role in AD. Serine phosphorylation of Insulin Receptor Substarte-1 (IRS-1) has been found to be a contributing factor in neuronal insulin resistance. Astaxanthin (ASX) is xanthophyll carotenoid which has previously demonstrated significant antidiabetic and neuroprotective actions. In the present study, AD was induced by i.c.v administration of Amyloid-β (1–42) peptides in Wistar rats. After 7 days of recovery, rats were treated with 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg of ASX orally for 28 days. Behavioral analysis was done in the last week of our experimental study. On the 36th day, rats were sacrificed and their hippocampus were separated from the whole brain, then homogenized and stored for biochemical estimations. ASX significantly and dose-dependently reversed the cognitive and memory impairment, assessed by Morris water maze test and Novel object Recognition test, Aβ (1–42) peptides infused Wistar rats. ASX also significantly attenuated soluble Aβ (1–42) level, IRS-S307 activity, GSK-3β activity, TNF-α level, AChE level, nitrite level and oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Histopathological evaluation, done through H&E and Congo red staining, also demonstrated neuroprotective and anti-amyloidogenic effects of ASX in hippocampus. Our study concludes preventive action of Astaxanthin against hippocampal insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s disease complications, supporting potential role of hippocampal insulin resistance targeting against AD.
Background
The thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of oral antidiabetic agents are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This meta-analysis aimed to understand the protective effect of TZD on ...Parkinson’s disease (PD) in people with diabetes.
Method
A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane central from inception to until 30 September 2019. We included all real-world evidence studies assessing the use of TZD class of drugs and the risk of PD in people with diabetes. Quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The primary outcome was the pooled hazard ratio (HR) of PD among type 2 DM TZD users as compared with TZD non-users in people with diabetes. The secondary outcome was the HR of PD among type 2 DM TZD users as compared with non-users (include both diabetic and nondiabetic population). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software.
Results
Out of five studies selected for inclusion, four studies fulfilled the criteria for primary outcomes. The participants’ mean age and follow-up duration were 66.23 ± 9.59 years and 5.25 years (2.97–7.9 years), respectively. There was a significant reduction in the risk of PD (pooled adjusted HR of 0.81 95% CI 0.70–0.93,
p
= 0.004) in TZD users compared with non-TZD users in people with diabetes. A significant protective effect of TZD was observed in Caucasian population (3 studies) (HR 0.78 (95% CI 0.66–0.92),
p
= 0.003).
Conclusion
This meta-analysis demonstrates a potential neuroprotective effect of TZD for PD risk in the population with DM.
Background
Evidence from real-world studies have suggested a reduced rate of macrovascular complications following bariatric surgery. We undertook this meta-analysis to investigate the impact of ...bariatric surgery on macrovascular disease outcomes in severely obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.
Methods
An extensive literature search was performed in PubMed from inception until March 2020. All cohort studies assessing the association between bariatric surgery and macrovascular complications in severely obese T2DM patients were included. Two independent reviewers screened the articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The primary outcome was to assess the impact of bariatric surgery and the risk of macrovascular complications. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3.
Results
This meta-analysis comprised of five studies including 49,211 participants (75% female), of which 14,434 underwent bariatric surgery and 34,777 underwent usual care. Participants who underwent bariatric surgery had a significantly lower risk of macrovascular complications as compared to those with non-surgical interventions (RR: 0.50 95% CI: 0.35–0.73,
p
= 0.0003). In the subgroup analysis, based on the geographical regions, studies conducted in the USA showed a higher reduction (RR: 0.41 95% CI: 0.32–0.53,
p
< 0.00001) in macrovascular complications as compared to other parts of the world. The risk of all-cause mortality was also significantly lower in patients with bariatric surgery (RR 0.39 95% CI: 0.30–0.50,
p
< 0.00001).
Conclusion
Bariatric surgery was associated with a 50% reduction in macrovascular complications along with 61% reduction in risk of all-cause mortality in morbidly obese T2DM patients.
The present research focuses on optimizing the process parameters of die-sinking electric discharge machining on tool steel. The basic objective of this research is to investigate the influence of ...two categorical factors including dielectric type and electrode polarity, and two numeric factors including discharge current, and Spark/Discharge Gap on material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (
R
a
) for machining of AISI D2 steel. Box-Bhenken design based on response surface methodology (RSM) was applied for experimental design. For estimation and evaluation, the effects of the process parameters on response variables, RSM has been integrated with grey relational analysis (GRA). Ranking of factors has been done with respect to the grey relational grade. (ANOVA) was further performed for determining the significance of grey relational grade. ANOVA results reveal that that polarity having 50% of percentage contribution was the most significant factor affecting the performance measures followed by the spark gap, discharge current, and dielectric type. The grey relational grades were further optimized through desirability function and the optimal condition for input parameters was obtained. The optimum levels were discharge current at 15 A, dielectric type of kerosene oil, spark gap at 6 mm, and polarity of positive has been determined. The confirmatory tests were run for verifying and validating the results and improvement in productivity (MRR) up to 17.23 mm
3
/min and quality (
R
a
) up to 3.86 μm at an optimum have been observed.
The requirement of cost-effective and ecological production systems is crucial in the competitive market. In this regard, the focus is shifted towards sustainable and cleaner machining processes. ...Besides the clean technologies, effective parametric control is required for machining materials (such as High Strength Low Alloy Steels) specifically designed for high strength applications having superior physio-chemical properties. Therefore, the machinability complexities require optimized solutions to reduce temperature elevation and tooling costs and improve machining of these materials. Complying to the market needs, this research examines the effectiveness of nanofluid on tool life, wear mechanisms, surface roughness (Ra), surface morphology, and material removal rate (MRR) in turning of 30CrMnSiA (HSLA) using minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) and SiO
2
-H
2
O nanofluids (NF-MQL). A systematic investigation based on physical phenomena involved is carried out considering four process parameters (cutting speed (V
C
), feed rate (F
r
), depth of cut (D
OC
), and mode of lubrication for machining. F
r
is found as the vital parameter for surface roughness while MRR is highly influenced by D
OC
regardless of lubrication approach. One-step sustainability technique is applied, in which process variables used for roughing conditions are analogous to attain surface comparable to finished machining without compromising process efficiency and demonstrate its feasibility through optimal settings under NF-MQL. Multi-response optimization proved the NF-MQL machining condition as the best alternative which result in 28.34% and 5.09% improvements for surface roughness and MRR, respectively. Moreover, the use of SiO
2
is recommended over MQL due to lower energy consumption, low tool wear, and better surface integrity, sustainable liquid, and related costs.
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) can’t be given orally because of very low bioavailability and produces serious adverse effects. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to develop, evaluate, and ...comparative effects by different nanoformulations of topical application on chemoprevention of skin cancer in different types of skin.
Castor oil (oil), Transcutol HP (surfactant), and Polyethylene glycol (PEG)–400 (co-surfactant) have taken on the basis of nonionic property and highest nanoemulsion (NE)-region. Aqueous micro titration method with ultra-sonication method (based on high energy) was used for the preparation of 5-FU-NE. Optimized-5-FU-NE was stable thermodynamically, and their characterizations was performed on the basis of globule size, zeta potential, refractive index, and viscosity. Optimized-NE has been converted into 5-FU-NE-Gel with the help of Carbopol® 934 and also performed their permeation studies in the different skins (cow, goat, and rat, ex vivo) using Logan transdermal diffusion cell (DHC-6T). Optimized-5-FU-NE and 5-FU-NE-Gel were evaluated cytotoxic studies (in vitro) on the melanoma cell lines.
The permeation of 5-FU from 5-FU-NE-Gel nanoformulation for rat skin model was 1.56 times higher than the 5-FU-NE and 12.51 times higher than the 5-FU-S for the cow and goat skin model. The values of steady state flux and permeability coefficient for 5-FU-NE-Gel of rat skin were higher i.e. 12.0244 ± 1.12 µgcm−2h−1 and 1.2024 ± 0.073 × 10−2 µg cm−2h−1, respectively. Optimized-5-FU-NE and 5-FU-NE-Gel nanoformulation were found to be physically stable. SK-MEL-5 cancer cells have showed the results based on cytotoxicity studies (in vitro) that 5-FU as Optimized-5-FU-NE-Gel is much more efficacious than 5-FU-NE followed by free 5-FU. Localization of 5-FU from 5-FU-NE-Gel was higher with higher permeation in rat skin.
5-FU-NE-Gel is found to be for the better to treatment of cutaneous malignancies. It can be developed 5-FU-NE-Gel could be a promising vehicle for the skin cancer chemoprevention.
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