Processing of fruits in Ghana leads to the generation of tonnes of waste such as peels, seeds, cores and crowns. Handling this waste tends to be a major challenge. The usual practice is to discard these wastes in drainages, water bodies and in landfills. However, if these wastes are used as feedstock to produce enzymes, bioethanol, and specialty chemicals instead of being dumped in landfills or put in the ocean, this unwanted environmental pollution can be avoided. Utilizing these wastes as a resource for energy production such as bioethanol, which is produced from the fermentation of reducing sugars is a means of addressing the sanitation issue while valorizing the waste. The main aim of this work was to use Response Surface Methodology, to estimate conditions for the optimal production of reducing sugars from fruit wastes via hydrolysis using enzymes. The substrate used compromised of pineapple peels, pawpaw peels, mango peels and a blend of these three fruit peels. Fruit waste samples were pulverized and aliquots of 2.5% w/v, 5% w/v, 6% w/v and 7.5% w/v substrate concentration made for analyses. Fruit waste samples were saccharified with commercial enzyme procured from the market and samples taken from 12 to 72 hours to determine reducing sugar yield. Central Composite Design, a statistical design tool in Response Surface Methodology was used to investigate the effect of two significant independent variables, hydrolysis time and substrate concentration on the response variable, reducing sugar yield in the hydrolysis process. Results indicated that cellulose and hemicellulose were highest in pawpaw peels, 25.8% and 25.1%, respectively. Saccharification with commercial enzymes showed that blend had the highest concentration of reducing sugars at 7.5% substrate concentration after 48 hours. Optimisation of process parameters gave optimal conditions for pineapple peels to be time of 32.8 hours, substrate concentration of 3.5% w/v, TRS yield of 16.6 mg/mL. That of mango were optimal time of 34.2 hours, substrate concentration of 4.7% w/v, a TRS yield of 27.8 mg/mL. Pawpaw peel had optimal conditions of 67.6 hours, substrate concentration of 5.1% w/v, TRS yield of 25.5 mg/mL. Peels blend had time of 61.7 hours, substrate concentration of 5.9% w/v and TRS yield of 45.4 mg/mL. These optimal conditions can be followed for effective hydrolysis of fruit peels while cutting down on time and cost associated with hydrolysis.

There has been an important change in the clinical characteristics and immune profile of COVID-19 patients during the pandemic thanks to the extensive vaccination programs. Here, we highlight recent studies on COVID-19, from the clinical and immunological characteristics to the protective and risk factors for severity and mortality of COVID-19. The efficacy COVID-19 vaccines and potential allergic reactions after administration are also discussed. The occurrence of new variants of concerns such as Omicron BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5 and the global administration of COVID-19 vaccines have changed the clinical scenario of COVID-19. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been identified as an important cause of death of children with COVID-19. Perturbations in immunity of T cells, B cells, and mast cells, as well as autoantibodies and metabolic reprogramming may contribute to the long-term symptoms of COVID-19. Atopic diseases, such as allergic asthma and rhinitis, have been shown to be associated with a lower susceptibility and better outcomes of COVID-19. At the beginning of pandemic, EAACI developed guidelines that provided timely information for the management of allergic diseases and preventive measures to reduce transmission in the allergic clinics. The global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants with reduced pathogenic potential dramatically decreased the morbidity, severity, and mortality of COVID-19. Nevertheless, breakthrough infection remains a challenge for disease control. Hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) to COVID-19 vaccines are low compared to other vaccines, and these were addressed in EAACI statements that provided indications for the management of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis to COVID-19 vaccines. We have gained a depth knowledge and experience in the over 2 years since the start of the pandemic, and yet a full eradication of SARS-CoV-2 is not on the horizon. Novel strategies are warranted to prevent severe disease in high-risk groups, the development of MIS-C and long COVID.

Objectives: To study the profile of community acquired pneumonia in term newborns during an RSV epidemic following relaxation in CoVID appropriate behavior.. Design: A retrospective descriptive observational study based on review of hospital records over a one month period. Setting: Neonatology division of a tertiary care pediatric hospital, Kashmir ,India Participants: Neonates from 7 days upto 28 days of life. Results: Out of total 480 neonatal admissions over a month during an RSV outbreak 35 (7%) had community acquired pneumonia. Eight neonates were excluded. Out of 27 included neonates 13 were male. Mean age of presentation was 20 days (R=8-28 days).All babies were born at term.Mean weight was 3.1kgs. Cough in 26, Rapid breatning in 20 and lower chest indrawing in 20 newborns were the predominant presenting features. Fever was present in only 3. Median SPO2 was 87% (R=30-97%). Fourteen (52%) neonates needed admission to intensive care ward (NICU). Twenty four (89%) neonates needed respiratory support in the form of oxygen by prongs,14 High flow nasal canula (HFNC) 4, nasal Continuos Positive Airway Pressure (nCPAP) 4, and Invasive ventilation (IV),2. Mean duration of hospital stay was 3 days. All neonates survived. Conclusion: A series of 27 term neonates with community acquired pneumonias during an RSV outbreak is reported in the aftermath of lifting of COVID restrictions. Many of these pneumonias were severe enough to require significant respiratory support. The outcome was good in all babies.

While our survey showed that PwCF felt that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted their mental health more than ETI therapy, around 9% of survey responders felt that ETI did cause an increase in either anxiety or depression. This finding was similar to the numbers Spoletini and colleagues found in their adult clinic. They also found that a dose reduction of ETI improved or resolved mental health adverse events for most patients. [2] A recently published study by Guimbellot and colleagues studied ivacaftor levels in PwCF who were on ivacaftor monotherapy and showed many patients had levels higher than the published minimum effective concentrations.[6] Thus, there may be a correlation between ETI levels and mental health adverse events that should be further explored in a prospective manner.

We present 58-year-old man on long-term statin therapy with history of ischemic heart disease and percutaneous coronary intervention. Statin-associated tendon rupture is an uncommon clinical presentation that happened in our case. We review the literature to find the reliable substitute of statin in such high-risk patients for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

A chemical graph is a mathematical representation of a chemical compound in which atoms and bonds are represented by nodes and lines respectively. Chemists have developed a number of useful tools from graph theory, such as topological index (TI) is structural descriptor or connectivity index used to express molecular size, branching, heat of formation, boiling points, strain energy, toughness and acyclicity. The Topological index is beneficial to establish an association between arrangement and chemical properties of chemical compounds without performing any testing. It is characterized into various categories like degree, distance, spectrum and eccentricity based. This paper consists of computation of multiplicative degree based topological indices namely multiplicative Zagreb indices, multiplicative atom bond connectivity index and generalized multiplicative geometric arithmetic index for SiC_3-I[j, k] and SiC_3-II[j, k].

Objective: Untreated protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB), a chronic wet cough prevalent in children, may lead to chronic suppurative lung disease or bronchiectasis. However, clinical diagnostic criteria for PBB are nonspecific; thus, PBB may be misdiagnosed. Thus, we assessed the diagnostic value of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) and risk factors associated with PBB. Methods: Children with chronic cough at First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2015 to May 2020 were enrolled and allocated to a suspected PBB (n=141) or a non-PBB (n=206) group. All children underwent extensive laboratory, chest imaging, and allergen tests. Children with suspected PBB underwent FOB with bronchoalveolar lavage; lavage and sputum samples were cultured. Results: All 347 children had chronic wet cough for approximately 2 months. Of 141 children with suspected PBB, 140 received FOB with bronchoalveolar lavage. Visible tracheal changes included pale mucosa, mucosal congestion, edema, swelling, and increased secretions attached to the wall. Sputum was visible primarily in the left main bronchus (78.7%), left lower lobe (59.6%), right upper lobe (62.4%), and right lower lobe (64.5%). Sputum properties and amounts significantly differed between children with vs. without PBB ( P < 0.05). Dermatophagoides (odds ratio [OR], 2.642; 95% CI, 1.283–5.369) and milk protein (OR, 2.452; 95% CI, 1.243–4.836) allergies and eczema (OR, 1.763; 95% CI, 1.011–3.075) were risk factors significantly associated with PBB. Conclusion: Dermatophagoides, milk protein, and eczema were associated with increased risk of PBB. Sputum distribution and tracheal wall changes observed through FOB may distinguish PBB and assist in its diagnosis.

Osteitis fibrosa cystica or brown tumor is a rare skeletal manifestation of hyperparathyroidism. Awareness of this condition is imperative to making a correct diagnosis. We present a case with multiple pathological fractures who had undergone extensive workup for malignancy before reaching the definitive diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: The annual newborn population with structural haemoglobin disorders is estimated at five million globally. Nigeria accounts for over 30% of this and has a high under-five mortality rate from undiagnosed haemoglobinopathies. Newborn screening and comprehensive care significantly improve outcomes, but this is not routine in Nigeria where Hb electrophoresis is used for diagnosis. Objectives: This study determined haemoglobin phenotype patterns and frequency in neonates attending immunization clinics in Bida community, and identified factors associated with the occurrence of haemoglobinopathy. Method: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that recruited 254 neonates by multi-staged sampling technique from nine immunization centres. Haemoglobin phentype was determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) testing of dried blood spot samples. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyse the relationship between abnormal variants and identified factors. Result: The Hb phenotypes found in this study were HbFA- 73.6% (187/254), HbFAS- 23.2% (59/254), HbFAC- 1.6% (4/254), HbFS- 1.2% (3/254), and HbFAD-0.4% (1/254). The frequency of an abnormal variant was equal in both genders. The majority (89%) of mothers did not know their Hb phenotype, 25% of these mothers had a newborn with an abnormal phenotype, and 20% were married in consanguineous marriages. Conclusion: Abnormal haemoglobin variants were present in more than one-quarter (26.4%) of the studied population. Most parents were unaware of their haemoglobin phenotype and also had a wrong perception of sickle cell disease. Consanguinity did not significantly affect the occurrence of an abnormal haemoglobin phenotype.

We conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire to explore the late effects in survivors of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). The attending pediatric hematologist oncologists completed the questionnaires. All survivors (N=30) had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Approximately 83% survivors showed more than one late effect. The identified late effects included endocrine, dental, skin, ophthalmologic, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, neurocognitive, and cardiovascular dysfunction. The prevalence of short stature and cardiovascular and kidney dysfunction was significantly elevated among survivors aged ≥18 years. Therefore, a multidisciplinary follow-up system for survivors of JMML is crucial.

In this letter, the angular jamming effect of electronically controlled corner reflectors after a maneuver aircraft is analyzed. Motion characteristics of the corner reflectors towed by a high-speed aircraft are calculated through the Lagrange theory, and the angle measurement error of the jamming method for the monopulse angle measurement algorithm is analyzed based on the motion states and the electromagnetic states (scattering or penetration) of the corner reflectors. Results show that the measured angle by a monopulse radar seeker can be effectively interfered by this method under complex maneuver motion while the automatic tracking is employed.

A fast-transient output-capacitorless (OCL) low-dropout (LDO) regulator with adjustable threshold push–pull stage (ATPS) and master-slave power transistors topology is presented in this paper. The ATPS consumes little quiescent current at light load current condition and the turn on threshold of the proposed ATPS can be adjusted by a current source. With the ATPS and master-slave power transistor topology, the proposed LDO can be stable from 0 to 100 mA load current at a maximum 100 pF parasitic load capacitance and a 0.7 pF compensation capacitor. It shows good figure of merit (FOM) without extra transient enhanced circuit. For the maximum 100 mA load transient with 100 ns edge time, the undershoot and overshoot are less than 33 mv.

A document by Benjamin Schwessinger. Click on the document to view its contents.

Multiplication and addition determine the performance of general and special purpose processors because they are fundamental arithmetic functions. A variety of architectural realizations are needed for these functions to support the range of tradeoffs required for the board class of digital applications. A novel 32-bit unsigned shift-add multiplier Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) realization is proposed in this letter that has a performance-energy dissipation metric sufficiently different from previously proposed architectures that potentially permit new applications. The number of clock cycles required to complete the multiplication equals the number of 0s and 1s substrings in the multiplier operand. The multiplier is faster than an array multiplier if the multiplier operand contains less than 10 0s and 1s substrings. It is fast than the carry-save array multiplier if the number of 0s and 1s substrings in the multiplier operand is five or fewer. Requires approximately the same resources as an array multiplier and less than half the resources required for a carry-save array multiplier.

In this letter, a self-learning method using gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) is proposed to estimate two parameters of K-distributed sea clutter. Different from the traditional methods using limited two moments or percentiles, a feature vector extracted from four moment ratios and nine percentile ratios are fully exploited by a nonlinear GBDT model, as to automatically estimate shape parameter. It is proved that the feature vector is independent of scale parameter. Then, scale parameter is determined by a shape-parameter-dependent percentile. Finally, both simulated data and measured data are used to confirm that the proposed estimator can attain robust and good performance in complicated and various clutter environments.

Aims: This study aimed to design the Chinese Modified Olfactory Identification (CMOI) test based on the Sniffin’ Sticks Olfactory Identification (SSOI) test and to present participants’ sensitivity to unpleasant odors. Materials and methods: We recruited 200 healthy volunteers from 2021 to 2022; in a survey, 100 volunteers rated their familiarity with 121 odors, including all the SSOI test odor descriptors and common odors in Chinese daily life. The SSOI test was modified according to the survey results. The other 100 were tested three times: the standard SSOI test, the Modified Distractors Olfactory Identification(MDOI) test established by modified distractors in the SSOI test, and the CMOI test developed by using familiar unpleasant odors to replace the MDOI test odors with low correct recognition rates. Results: Volunteers were unfamiliar with 31 odor descriptors in the SSOI test; 23 distractors with low familiarity were replaced with more familiar distractors. The three odors with the lowest correct recognition rate in the MDOI test were replaced with familiar unpleasant odors . The familiarity score was significantly higher in the CMOI test than in others (P = 8.6864e-13 < 0.0001); the correct recognition rate in the CMOI test was significantly higher than in the SSOI test (P = 0.007 < 0.05). Conclusion: The familiarity scores in the CMOI test were significantly improved; it prevented choosing wrongly due to unfamiliarity with an odor and its distractors, highlighting the importance of unpleasant smell with a warning function. The CMOI test effectively evaluated olfactory function in Chinese people. Key-words: odor familiarity;olfactory test; modification; distractor; unpleasant odor;correct recognition rates

This letter studied the phase error in the frequency-interleaving digital-to-analog converter (FI-DAC) and proposed a comprehensive phase estimation method. Firstly, the model of FI-DAC system was established, and the phase error were considered that consists of three parts: time delay error, initial phase error and nonlinear phase error. By analyzing the phase function characteristics of the system, the least squares (LS) was used to linearly fit the phase functions of the non-overlapping bands to estimate both the time delay and initial phase of each sub-band channel. Then, the nonlinear phase error of the system was estimated by the difference between the system phase function and the estimated linear phase function. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed estimation method was verified by the built FI-DAC test bench.

Oxygen, as a terminal electron acceptor, is an essential substrate in the aerobic bio-oxidation process, affecting bacterial vitality and bio-oxidation performance. In this study, a new and smart platform biotechnology of sealed-oxygen supply bioreactor (SOS-BR) was developed by improving gas pressure to significantly intensify oxygen transfer rate and resolving the formidable barriers of aerobic catalysis. In virtue of SOS-BR, the bio-productivity was greatly improved for three representative substrates (xylose, furfural, glycerol) bio-oxidation with the whole-cell catalysis of Gluconobacter oxydans. The determination of oxygen transfer coefficient (KLα) established an upgraded theoretical dynamic model for gas pressure intersification biosystem. Additionally, viscosity measurement and combined pressure control strategy explained the inflection point phenomenon of productivity and confirmed the intensify mechanism. The new strategy of significantly intensifying oxygen transfer provided insightful ideas for overcoming the subbon obstacle of obligate aerobic catalysis, and further promoted industrial practicability of bio-oxidation.

Candidemia is possibly complicated with a biofilm formation, and the mortality rate of biofilm-associated candidemia is reported very high. Herein, we described candida biofilm-related thrombophlebitis, which was successfully treated with micafungin. This case suggested that biofilm targeted therapy may be warranted in the presence of thrombus formation.

A 56-year-old male known to have Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF) on ruxolitinib presented with flank pain and high creatinine, MRI abdomen showed features of extramedullary hematopoiesis. Therefore, Extramedullary hematopoiesis should be considered in patient with PMF presenting with deranged renal function.

Introduction: In order to keep their dentures clean and properly stored, patients generally soak them in water at night. Candida albicans is a commensal yeast fungus that colonizes dentures, and in some conditions, it becomes an opportunistic pathogen and causes fungal infections known as candidiasis. Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of distilled water on Candida albicans colonizing dentures. Materials and methods: Twenty patients (9 men, 11 women; age range 40-75 years) with complete maxillary dentures infected by Candida albicans were included in this study. The dentures of these patients were soaked in distilled water for 4 days (8 hours at night). Swab samples from the dentures were collected before and after distilled water use and examined mycologically. Results: The Candida albicans colony counts increased after soaking the dentures in distilled water for 8 hours for 4 days. Conclusion: Patients should be dissuaded from soaking their dentures overnight in distilled water as the result is a significant increase in fungal colonization.

Metal-Organic Networks (MON’s) is the central bone for the chemical compounds of the latest study for the energy department. The study of MON’s structure provides us numerous benefits in different fields related to chemical sciences, electrical and civil sectors. The MON’s structure is also used to restore different chemical compounds, especially those elements which can be used for the energy purpose such as hydrogen and carbon. Topological indices of the MON’s structure provide relationships between physical and chemical characteristics of the this compound such as melting points, boiling points, chemically stability, pressure, chemical reaction factors and many other basic properties. In this paper we calculate different topological indices based on first, second and third distances for two different metal-organic networks with expanding number of layers consisting on both organic ligands and metal vertices. A comparison between the calculated different kinds of the Topological Indices with the help of the numerical values and their graphical representation is also included.

Thousands of plant species produce both extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) on their leaves and nutrient-rich appendages on their diaspores (elaiosomes). Although their individual ecology is well-known, any possible functional link between them has been ignored. Here, we recognized their co-presence in the shrub, Adenanthos cygnorum (Proteaceae), and studied their function and interaction. We observed that ants frequently visit both structures, seeds are attractive to vertebrate granivores but are released into a leafy cup from where they are harvested by ants and taken to their nests, from which seeds, lacking elaiosomes, germinate after fire. We showed that juvenile plants do not produce EFNs and are not visited by ants. We conclude that EFNs are not just an indirect adaptation to minimize herbivory via aggressive ants (or parasitoid wasps) but specifically enhance reproductive success by inducing ants to visit the plant throughout the year, promoting discovery of the seasonally available, elaiosome-bearing seeds on the plant and transporting them to their nests, so avoiding the risk of granivory should seeds fall to the ground.

Clustering of flexible fibers in riser flows is investigated using a hybrid approach of Discrete Element Method and Computational Fluid Dynamics. Unlike spherical particles, the flexible fibers possess elongated shape, undergo significant deformation, and dissipate kinetic energies through rapid fiber deformation. The present studies show that these distinct features have significant impacts on the cluster characteristics of the fibers. An increased fiber aspect ratio leads to an increase in number and size of agglomerates, while it causes a reduction in heterogeneity of solids distribution due to the more dilute clusters with reduced packing densities. As the fibers become more flexible, the heterogeneity increases, and denser clusters are obtained. More significant effects of the fiber flexibility on the clustering are observed for the fibers with larger aspect ratios. The increased energy dissipation through the rapid fiber deformation enhances the clustering by augmenting the number and size of the agglomerates.