India’s energy needs are in demand with the increase in energy and other electric uses which is highest among the world. There are sectors which heavily rely on energy generated by fossil fuels but there is also seen a paradigm shift towards renewable energy sources. If India continues to rely on the former then they end up blocking development in energy system meeting uncertainties and face difficulties in supply of fossil fuels. To meet the fast-growing economy, India needs to supply the energy 3-4 times more of what they are supplying now. Government of India has become aware of the situation and has started facilitating polices in action towards a sustainable energy. As of 2019, India’s on grid renewable energy capacity is 85.9 GW. Government is working to establish 500 GW of renewable energy source by 2030.

Considered is “time as an interval” including time from the past and from the future, in contrast to time as a moment. Equilibrium as the basis for a description of changing properties in physics is understood to depend on the “mean velocity theorem”, while a “time” of equilibrium resembles a center of weight. This turns out to be a good method to derive properties for any function of time t including space coordinates q(t) and expressions for the time dependent Hamiltonian. Introduced are derivatives depending on time intervals instead of time moments and with these a new relation between the Lagrangian L and the Hamiltonian H. As an application introduced is a step by step method to integrate stationary state “local” time interval measurements to beyond “locality” in General Relativity. Because of limits on the measures of the resulting time intervals and their asymmetry, this allows for a probabilistic interpretation of quantities that have these intervals as time domain in QM. Their asymmetry also questions the time reversal symmetry of GR. Another application of time intervals is the discussion of the measurement of starlight radiation energy and QM wave packet collapse as an example of a time dependent Hamiltonian. Finally a relation between starlight frequency, metric and space- and time intervals is found. Discussed is how finite and asymmetric time intervals correspond to time dependent H and symmetric infinite time intervals to a time independent H. From there, in cosmological perspective, finite time intervals can help to describe how entropy change could relate to dark energy.

Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ) is a transcription factor regulating the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 in human T helper 17 (Th17) cells. Activating RORγ can induce multiple IL-17-mediated autoimmune diseases but may also be useful for anticancer therapy. Its deep immunological functions make RORɣ an attractive drug target. Over 100 crystal structures have been published describing atomic interactions between RORɣ and agonists and inverse agonists. In this review, we focus on the role of dynamic properties and plasticity of the RORɣ orthosteric and allosteric binding sites by examining structural information from crystal structures and simulated models. We discuss the possible influences of allosteric ligands on the orthosteric binding site. We find that high structural plasticity favors the druggability of RORɣ, especially for allosteric ligands.

A close inspection of Zwicky's seminal papers on the dynamics of galaxy clusters reveals that the discrepancy discovered between the dynamical mass and the luminous mass of clusters has been widely overestimated in 1933 as a consequence of several factors, among which the excessive value of the Hubble constant $H_0$, then believed to be about seven times higher than today's average estimate. Taking account, in addition, of our present knowledge of classical dark matter inside galaxies, the contradiction can be reduced by a large factor. To explain the rather small remaining discrepancy of the order of 5, instead of appealing to a hypothetic exotic dark matter, the possibility of a inhomogeneous gravity is suggested. This is consistent with the ``cosmic tapestry" found in the eighties by De Lapparent and her co-authors, showing that the cosmos is highly inhomogeneous at large scale. A possible foundation for inhomogeneous gravitation is the universally discredited ancient theory of Fatio de Duillier and Lesage on pushing gravity, possibly revised to avoid the main criticisms which led to its oblivion. This model incidentally opens the window towards a completely non-standard representation of cosmos, and more basically calls to develop fundamental investigation to find the origin of the large scale inhomogeneity in the distribution of luminous matter

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is shaking the foundations of public health governance all over the world. Researchers are challenged by informing and supporting authorities on acquired knowledge and practical implications. This commentary applies established theories of risk perception research to COVID-19 and reflects on the role of risk perceptions in these unprecedented times. Moreover, it calls for utilizing the knowledge on risk perception to improve health risk communication, build trust and contribute to a collaborating governance.

The number one leading cause of death in 2017 for Americans was cardiovascular disease, and health disparities can exacerbate risks. This study evaluates the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n=437,436) to estimate population risks for behavioral, socio-economic, psychological, and biological factors. A general linear model with a quasi-binomial link function indicated higher risks for the following groups: smokers, individuals with higher body-mass index scores, persons unable to work, individuals with depression, workers who missed more days due to mental issues, the elderly, those in race categories “indigenous Americans, Alaskan non-Hispanics” or “other, non-Hispanic,” and individuals with lower income. The results confirm previous studies and raise more questions about drinking and cardiovascular disease. Policy and ethical considerations are also discussed.

Development of accelerometer-based lameness (mobility) detection has focused on cow behaviors such as lying and walking. Several studies, usually small, have reported levels of accuracy up to 91%. However, there has been limited independent replication of these results. In this study, behavior measures previously identified as being associated with lameness such as lying bouts and walking time are examined in relation to mobility score. On a research farm and a commercial farm, four trials were completed with 65 grazing cows. The cows had differing mobility scores ranging from perfect mobility to impaired mobility. Behavior was monitored using leg worn accelerometers. In general, behavior and mobility associations identified in previous studies were not found. Behavior monitoring with accelerometers as a basis to classify impaired mobility in pasture-based contexts thus remains challenging.

Chromothripsis is a mutational mechanism leading to complex and relatively clustered chromosomal rearrangements resulting in diverse phenotypic outcomes depending on the involved genomic landscapes. It may occur both in the germ and the somatic cells resulting in congenital and developmental disorders and cancer, respectively. Asymptomatic individuals may be carriers of chromotriptic rearrangements and experience recurrent reproductive failures when two or more chromosomes are involved. Several mechanisms are postulated to underly chromothripsis. The most attractive hypothesis involves chromosome pulverization in micronuclei followed by incorrect reassembly of fragments through DNA repair to explain the clustered nature of the observed complex rearrangements. Moreover, exogenous or endogenous DNA damage induction and dicentric bridge formation may be involved. Chromosome instability is commonly observed in the cells of patients with DNA-repair disorders, such as ataxia telangiectasia, Nijmegen breakage syndrome and Bloom syndrome. In addition, germline variations of TP53 have been associated with chromothripsis in Sonic-Hedgehog medulloblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia. In the present review, we focus on the underlying mechanisms of chromothripsis and the involvement of defective DNA-repair genes resulting in chromosome instability and chromothripsis-like rearrangements.

An orthogonal pore ('orthopore') is conceptually based on an electrolytic cell with a standard pore (the main or 'longitudinal' pore) between cis and trans compartments filled with electrolyte and augmented by a secondary or 'transverse' pore in the form of a channel that is perpendicular to and intersects the main pore. Orthopores can be designed at different scales: macro through micro to nano. With nano-sized pores an analyte (polymer) can be threaded through the main pore and exposed at the junction to electrolyte flow through the secondary pore. Polymer translocation speeds are then independent of the current measured, which can be of an arbitrary magnitude even with the polymer stationary. Orthopores have a wide range of potential applications, including polymer (DNA and protein) sequencing, DNA unzipping, logic circuitry, and protein identification. The present report shows how orthopores can be used to implement boolean logic.

There are four subtypes of adenosine receptors (ARs), named A1, A2A, A2B and A3, all of which are G protein-coupled receptors. The A2BAR, coupled to both Gαi and Gαq G proteins, is one of the several G-protein-coupled receptors that are expressed in a significantly higher level in some cancer tissues in comparison to adjacent normal tissues. There is growing evidence that the A2BAR plays an important role in tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune suppression. Thus, A2BAR antagonists are potentially novel attractive anticancer agents. Several antagonists targeting at the A2BAR are currently in clinical trials for various types of cancers. In this review, we first describe the signaling, agonists, and antagonists of the A2BAR. We further discuss the role of the A2BAR in the progression of various types cancers, and the rationale of using A2BAR antagonists in cancer therapy

Sociology and History as consolidated scientific and academic projects have maintained a peculiar and paradoxical relationship. The growing disciplinary and subdisciplinary specialization of these two sciences poses relevant epistemological and methodological challenges to face potential situations of isolation, fragmentation and enable the apology of an interdisciplinary perspective characterized by the historicity of social structures, actions and senses.Several types of reasons shape this diffuse process of approach/distinction between Sociology and History, namely, epistemological and methodological, disciplinary closure, academic, professional, configuring what can be called contained dialogues. This paper, starting from the sociological perspective of the authors, seeks to contribute to the reflection on the relevance of a scientific project aimed at affirming an interdisciplinary perspective that may foster the heuristic potentialities of both Sociology and History in the analysis of the complexity of social reality and human action.

In addition to the canonical loss-of-function mutations, mutations in proteins may additionally result in gain-of-function through the binary activation of cryptic ‘structural capacitance elements’. Our previous bioinformatic analysis allowed us to propose a new mechanism of protein evolution - structural capacitance – that arises via the generation of new elements of microstructure upon mutations that cause a disorder-to-order (DO) transition in previously disordered regions of proteins. Here we propose that the DO transition is a necessary follow-on from expected early codon-anticodon and tRNA acceptor stem-amino acid usage, via the accumulation of structural capacitance elements - reservoirs of disorder in proteins. We develop this argument further to posit that structural capacitance is an inherent consequence of the evolution of the genetic code.

The perspective suggests an unorthodox interpretation of cancer dynamics in terms of strange attractors and fluid turbulence. The relevance of strange attractors in tumor growth-invasion dynamics and chemical pattern formation are reviewed. Chemical turbulence, fractals and chaos are discussed as the principal characteristics of tumor ecosystems and their complex cybernetics. To conclude, cancers are presented as complex systems exhibiting chaotic gene expression dynamics.

Antennas are crucial elements for wireless technologies, communications and power transfer across the entire spectrum of electromagnetic waves, including radio, microwaves, THz and optics. In this paper, we review our recent achievements in two promising areas: coherently enhanced wireless power transfer (WPT) and superdirective dielectric antennas. We show that the concept of coherently enhanced WPT allows improvement of the antenna receiving efficiency by coherent excitation of the outcoupling waveguide with a backward propagating guided mode with a specific amplitude and phase. Antennas with the superdirectivity effect can increase the WPT systems performance in another way, through tailoring of radiation diagram via engineering antenna multipoles excitation and interference of their radiation. We demonstrate a way to achieving the superdirectivity effect via higher-order multipoles excitation in a subwavelength high-index spherical dielectric resonator supporting electric and magnetic Mie multipoles. Thus, both types of antenna discussed here possess a coherent nature and can be used in modern intelligent antenna systems.

The dynamic resistance is an important parameter in flux pumping. It is simple to calculate in slab geometry but more complex in tapes. In this paper another simple geometry is analysed which is a wire loop. To do this it is essential to make clear what is meant by the term 'voltage', which is ambiguous when there are alternating magnetic fields present. The term can be used if it refers to the EMF along a specified path. However this means that results are dependent on how the voltage leads are attached. If the n value of the V-I characteristic is large simple analytic expressions can be obtained. This will be referred to as the 'Bean' model solution. A more exact approach uses Faraday's law to derive a differential equation which is solved and compared with the Bean model. The dynamic resistance of the loop can be used to drive a flux pump of the type proposed by Geng and Coombs [4] and again simple expressions can be obtained for the performance. If the load is of high inductance L2 and the loop has an inductance L1 then the load current increases exponentially with a characteristic number of cycles L2/L1. The final current can be close to the critical value.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common type of cancer, and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths each year. It involves a multi-step progression and is strongly associated with chronic inflammation induced by the intake of environmental toxins and/or viral infections (i.e., hepatitis B and C viruses). Although several genetic dysregulations are considered to be involved in disease progression, the detailed regulatory mechanisms are not well defined. Homeobox (Hox) genes that encode transcription factors with homeodomains control cell growth, differentiation, and morphogenesis in embryonic development. Recently, more aberrant expressions of Hox genes were found in a wide variety of human cancer, including HCC. In this review, we summarize the currently available evidence related to the role of Hox genes in the development of HCC. The objective is to determine the roles of this conserved transcription factor family and its potential use as a therapeutic target in future investigations.

Considering that life on earth evolved about 3.7 billion years ago, vertebrates are young, appearing in the fossil record during the Cambrian explosion about 542 to 515 million years ago. Results from sequence analyses of genomes from bacteria, yeast, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates indicate that receptors for adrenal steroids (aldosterone, cortisol), and sex steroids (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) also are young, with an estrogen receptor and a 3-ketosteroid receptor first appearing in basal chordates (cephalochordates: amphioxus), which are close ancestors of vertebrates. Through gene duplication and divergence of the 3-ketosteroid receptor, receptors that respond to androgens, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and progestins evolved in vertebrates. Thus, an ancestral progesterone receptor and an ancestral corticoid receptor, the common ancestor of the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, evolved in jawless vertebrates (cyclostomes: lampreys, hagfish). This was followed by evolution of an androgen receptor, distinct glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors and estrogen receptor-α and -β in cartilaginous fishes (gnathostomes: sharks). Further evolution of mineralocorticoid signaling occurred with the evolution of aldosterone synthase in lungfish, a forerunner of terrestrial vertebrates. Adrenal and sex steroid receptors are not found in echinoderms: and hemichordates, which are ancestors in the lineage of cephalochordates and vertebrates. The evolution of steroid receptors at key nodes in the evolution of vertebrates, in which steroid receptors act as master switches to regulate differentiation, development, reproduction, immune responses, electrolyte homeostasis and stress responses, argues for an important role for steroid receptors in the evolutionary success of vertebrates, considering that the human genome contains about 22,000 genes, which is not much larger than genomes of invertebrates, such as Caenorhabditis elegans (~18,000 genes) and Drosophila (~14,000 genes).

Over a period of nearly one hundred years, Raul Lino da Silva (1879-1974) experienced the profound political, social and economic changes that marked the twentieth century in Portugal. Having been born during the Constitutional Monarchy (1822-1910), he lived through the First Republic (1910-1926), the Military Dictatorship (1926-1933) and the Second Republic, or Estado Novo (New State, 1933-1974), and died shortly after the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974, at the dawning of the Third Republic. Raul Lino was the architect who published the most in Portugal, having become known through his advocacy of the “Campanha da casa portuguesa” (“Portuguese house campaign”), which provoked a great deal of controversy among his peers. He is less known for the transversal quality of his synthesis between architecture, the decorative arts and territory, and its underlying affirmation of an idea of the city, which we conjecture from a diagonal reading of his theoretical and plastic narrative. We limit the analysis to the first half of the 20th century, concentrating on ten case studies, that encompass architectural projects, urbanistic plans and reports. The above expound the broad conception which he defended in the same year as was held the First National Architecture Congress (1948), whose proposals ratified in Portugal the orthodoxy established in 1933 by the International Congresses of Modern Architecture (CIAM). Quoting Aristotle Raul Lino conceived the city as the locus of happiness, shaping the possibilities of consensus between tradition and modernity by means of architecture, which is both envelope and stage for our collective existence. In fact, Raul Lino anticipated themes to be found in the narratives of authors like Aldo Rossi (1966), Paul Virilio (2004, 2009) or Peter Zumthor (2006), and his thought proves particularly relevant and timely in the present day.

Duplex Stainless Steels (DSS) and Superduplex Stainless Steels (SDSS) are an important class of stainless steels because they combine the benefits of austenite and ferrite phases, resulting in steels with better mechanical properties and higher corrosion resistance. Due to these characteristics are widely employed in various industries. However, the appearance of deleterious phases in their microstructure impairs the properties of DSS and SDSS. Among the deleterious phases, the main one is the sigma phase (σ), which can be nucleated when the steel is exposed to the temperature range between 650 °C and 900 °C, reducing its toughness and resistance to corrosion. In a previous work, Fonseca and collaborators used two descriptors of the microstructural path to analyze the formation of sigma phase (σ), SV, interfacial area per unit volume between sigma phase and austenite, and <λ>, mean chord length of sigma, both in function of the VV, volume fraction of sigma, known in the literature as microstructural partial path (MP). In this work, the contiguity ratio is applied for the first time to describe the microstructural path in the study of sigma phase precipitation in SDSS. The contiguity ratio showed that the distribution of the ferrite/sigma boundaries is homogeneous. Thus, it is reasonable to infer that one has a uniform distribution of sigma phase nuclei within the ferrite. About the kinetics of sigma phase formation, the DSS can be described by the classical JMAK equation, whereas for the SDSS, the kinetics tends to follow the Cahn model for grain edge nucleation. Finally, we present the 3D reconstruction of the sigma phase in SDSS. The results demonstrate that the sigma phase nucleates at the edges of the ferrite/austenite interfaces. Moreover, the sigma phase grows consuming the ferrite, but it is not fully interconnected.

In this working paper we intended to address the emergence of what, potentially, will be a central concept in the very near future, Society 5.0 and that arises politically in (with) following the implementation of the concept of Industry 4.0. Society 5.0 proposes to deepen the potential of the individual-technology relationship in the promotion of the improvement of the quality of life of all people through a super smart society, is an extremely recent concept as a guiding social development that can have a profound impact in societies at all levels, such as quality of life and sustainability. It is a presentation that is based on very recent3 publications, but which also has a prospective component, which always generates some indetermination and uncertainty. Also, for this reason, it is a contribution that seeks above all else to contribute to this very urgent and necessary discussion.

We consider several unification problems in mathematics. We refer to transcendental numbers. Also, we present some ways to unify the main non-associative algebras (Lie algebras and Jordan algebras) and associative algebras.

Bile acids (BA) are classically known as an agent important in lipid absorption and cholesterol metabolism. Nowadays, BAs have been found to be involved in various cellular signaling pathways such as protein kinase cascades, cyclic AMP (cAMP) synthesis and calcium mobilization. In addition, they have also been shown to regulate glucose and energy homeostasis. Bile acids are ligands for several nuclear hormone receptors, including FXR. Recently, muscarinic receptor and TGR5, G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), have been suggested to play a role in bile acid activity which is independent of nuclear hormone receptors. Moreover, BAs have also been studied in other GPCR associated pathways, namely sphingosine-1-posphate and glucagon receptor. Hydrophobic bile acids have been proven to affect heart rate and its contraction. Elevated bile acids are associated with arrhythmias in adults and fetal heart. Altered ratios of primary and secondary bile acid are reported in chronic heart failure patients. Meanwhile in patients with liver cirrhosis, cardiac dysfunction has been strongly linked to the increase of serum bile acid concentrations. In contrast, the most hydrophilic BA known as ursodeoxycholic acid has been found beneficial in improving peripheral blood flow in chronic heart failure patients and protecting heart against reperfusion injury.

Metastasis is a major cause factor for breast cancer (BC)-associated mortality. During the metastatic process, disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) detach from the primary sites, and enter the bloodstream and establish the secondary colonies. Recent studies have provided substantial evidence for the importance of Notch signaling in BC metastasis. Therefore, this review focuses on the mechanisms by which Notch contributes to the origin of BC DTCs, increases their motility, regulates their intravasation and extravasation, protects them from host surveillance, and finally facilitates colonization. Identification of the mechanisms underlying Notch-related BC metastasis will lead to the development of novel Notch-targeted therapeutic strategies to reduce metastasis and significantly improve outcomes.

Background: Aging is commonly accepted as a time period of declining heath. Aims: This review aimed to examine the research base concerning the use of term ‘successful aging’, a process and outcome deemed desirable, but challenging to attain. A second was to provide related information to demonstrate how health professionals as well as individuals can aim for a ‘successful aging’ process and outcome, despite the presence of disabling osteoarthritis. Methods: Information specifically focusing on ‘successful aging’ and the concept of improving opportunities for advancing ‘successful aging’ despite osteoarthritis was sought. Results: Among the many articles on ‘successful aging’, several authors highlight the need to include, a broader array of older adults into the conceptual framework. Moreover, conditions such as osteoarthritis should not necessarily preclude the individual from attaining a personally valued successful aging outcome. Conclusion: Pursuing more inclusive research and research designs, and not neglecting to include people with chronic osteoarthritis can potentially heighten the life quality of all aging individuals, while reducing pain and depression, among other adverse aging and disability correlates among those with osteoarthritis

In this paper, the connections between quantum non-locality and permutation symmetries are explored. This includes two types of symmetries: permutation across a superposition and permutation of qubits in a quantum system. An algorithm is proposed for nding the separability class of a quantum state using a method based on factorizing an arbitrary multipartite state into possible partitions, cyclically permuting qubits of the vectors in a superposition to check which separability class it falls into and thereafter using a reduced density-matrix analysis of the system is proposed. For the case of mixed quantum states, conditions for separability are found in terms of the partial transposition of the density matrices of the quantum system. One of these conditions turns out to be the Partial Positive Transpose (PPT) condition. A graphical method for analyzing separability is also proposed. The concept of permutation of qubits is shown to be useful in dening a new entanglement measure in the `engle'.

Resilience embodies the personal qualities that enable one to thrive in the face of adversity. A previous Italian study showed that injured workers had a lower level of resilience than non-injured workers. The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between occupational injuries and psychological resilience. The subjects were 197 drivers from two Finnish waste transport companies. As a part of larger questionnaire, they fulfilled the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, which consisted of 25 items. Drivers reported their occupational injuries during the last three years. The drivers involved in occupational injuries had higher score (average 69.3) on Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale than drivers avoided injuries (67.7). According to Student’s t-test the difference between groups was highly significant (t = 40.44, df = 196, p<0.001). The result of this study was contradictory to earlier Italian study. One explanation may be that the Italian study was done with traumatic context with seriously injured patients. Waste transport drivers were rather young and fit males, who had suffered only minor injuries.

The theory of harmonic based function is discussed here within the framework of umbral operational methods. We derive a number of results based on elementary notions relying on the properties of Gaussian integrals.

There has been a recent revival of interest in the notion of a `trajectory' of a quantum particle. In this paper we detail the relationship between Dirac's ideas, Feynman paths and the Bohm approach. The key to the relationship is the weak value of the momentum which Feynman calls a transition probability amplitude. With this identification we are able to conclude that a Bohm `trajectory' is the average of an ensemble of actual individual stochastic Feynman paths. This implies that they can be interpreted as the mean momentum flow of a set of individual quantum processes and not the path of an individual particle. This enables us to give a clearer account of the experimental two-slit results of Kocsis {\em et al.}}

This theoretical article reviews the model describing processes in social systems based on the analysis of their resource base. Application of the system theory can help to explain why some systems are aimed at prevention of type I errors, while other seek to decrease quantity of type II errors. Such differences are manifested in investment of resources either into deep interaction or into wide coverage. Some examples of such strategies in economic, market and production systems are provided in the article. The article introduces some provisions of the system theory in the context of the resource flows. The main indicators that are considered in this article are the characteristics of the sources of the exchanging flows of resources. Their relative frequency and quality are investigated, on the basis of which the most effective strategy of the system is derived, as a mechanism for redistributing resources. The rigor of the system's strategy depends on the magnitude of the difference in characteristics. It is explained how exactly it influences the exchange processes, that in reality systems do not interact simultaneously, and one of the opposite resource flows is always delayed. It is shown how the system strategy depends on the risks linked with interactions. Also, there are grounds for the need to accumulate resources, including in the situation of their surplus. The model helps also explain shift of economic centers throughout history. Additionally, there is an analogy between systems strategies and the competitive strategies described by M. Porter, and outsourcing versus integration.

Using four field equations, a recently proposed theory that covers the phenomenology of classical physics at the level of the Maxwell and Einstein Field Equations (M&EFEs) but then goes further by unifying electromagnetic and gravitational phenomena in a fundamentally new way is reviewed. Predictions of the field equations are shown to be consistent with those of the M&EFEs through specific solutions; a particle-like solution representing a point charge, and two radiative solutions representing electromagnetic and gravitational waves. A unique feature of the full set of field equations is that charge and mass are treated as dynamic fields instead of being introduced as external parameters as is done with the classical M&EFEs, a feature that enables a procedure for quantizing the mass, charge and angular momentum of particle-like solutions. Finally, antimatter is naturally accommodated by the theory and definite predictions regarding the interactions of matter and antimatter with gravitational fields are made.

We present a model of space that considers it to be a quantized dynamical entity which is a component of the universe along with matter and radiation. The theory is used together with thermodynamic data to provide a new view of cosmic evolution and an insight into the nature of dark energy and dark matter. Space is made up of energy quanta. The universe started from an atomic size volume at very high temperature and pressure near the Planck epoch. Upon expansion and cooling, phase transitions occurred resulting in the formation of radiation, fundamental particles, and matter. These nucleate and grow into stars, galaxies, and clusters. From a phase diagram of cosmic composition, we obtained a correlation between dark energy and the energy of space. Using the Friedmann equations, data from WMAP studies of the composition of the universe at 3.0 x 10⁵ (a=5.25 x 10^-2) years and at present (a=1), are well fitted by our model with an equation of state parameter, w= -0.7. The accelerated expansion of the universe, starting at about 7 billion years, determined by BOSS measurements, also correlates well with the dominance of dark energy at 7.25 x 10⁹ years ( a= 0.65). The expansion can be attributed to Quintessence with a space force arising from a quantum space field. From our phase diagram, we also find a correlation suggesting that dark matter is a plasma form of matter similar to that which existed during the photon epoch immediately prior to recombination. Our Quantum Space Model leads to a universe which is homogeneous and isotropic without the need for inflation. The thermodynamics of expansion is consistent with BOSS data that show the process to be adiabatic and the rate of expansion decelerating during the first 6 billion years after the Big Bang. However, it became non-adiabatic and accelerating thereafter. This implies an influx of energy from a source outside the universe; it warrants consideration as a possible factor in the accelerated expansion of the universe.

Micronutrient homeostasis is a key factor in maintaining a healthy immune system. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is involved in the regulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses. The main cause of zinc deficiency is malnutrition. Zinc deficiency leads to cell-mediated immune dysfunctions among other manifestations. Consequently, such dysfunctions lead to a worse outcome in the response towards bacterial infection and sepsis. For instance, zinc is an essential component of the pathogen-eliminating signal transduction pathways leading to neutrophil extracellular traps formation, as well as inducing cell-mediated immunity over humoral immunity by regulating specific factors or differentiation. Additionally, zinc deficiency plays a role in inflammation, mainly elevating inflammatory response as well as damage to host tissue. Zinc is involved in the modulation of the proinflammatory response by targeting Nuclear Factor Kappa B, a transcription factor that is the master regulator of proinflammatory responses. It is also involved in controlling oxidative stress and regulating inflammatory cytokines. Zinc plays an intricate function during an immune response and its homeostasis is critical for sustaining proper immune function. This review will summarize the latest findings concerning the role of this micronutrient during the course of infections and inflammatory response and how the immune system modulates zinc depending on different stimuli.

This paper proposes that intelligent processes can be completely explained by thermodynamic principles. They can equally be described by information-theoretic principles that, from the standpoint of the required optimizations, are functionally equivalent. The underlying theory arises from two axioms regarding distinguishability and causality. Their consequence is a theory of computation that applies to the only two kinds of physical processes possible—those that reconstruct the past and those that control the future. Dissipative physical processes fall into the first class, whereas intelligent ones comprise the second. The first kind of process is exothermic and the latter is endothermic. Similarly, the first process dumps entropy and energy to its environment, whereas the second reduces entropy while requiring energy to operate. It is shown that high intelligence efficiency and high energy efficiency are synonymous. The theory suggests the usefulness of developing a new computing paradigm called Thermodynamic Computing to engineer intelligent processes. The described engineering formalism for the design of thermodynamic computers is a hybrid combination of information theory and thermodynamics. Elements of the engineering formalism are introduced in the reverse-engineer of a cortical neuron. The cortical neuron provides perhaps the simplest and most insightful example of a thermodynamic computer possible. It can be seen as a basic building block for constructing more intelligent thermodynamic circuits.

Environmental contamination has exposed humans to various metal agents, including mercury. It has been determined that mercury is not only harmful to the health of vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children, but is also toxic to ordinary adults in various ways. For many years, mercury was used in a wide variety of human activities. Nowadays, the exposure to this metal from both natural and artificial sources is significantly increasing. Recent studies suggest that chronic exposure, even to low concentration levels of mercury, can cause cardiovascular, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. Possible biological effects of mercury, including the relationship between mercury toxicity and diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, are being studied. As heart rhythm and function are under autonomic nervous system control, it has been hypothesized that the neurotoxic effects of mercury might also impact cardiac autonomic function. Mercury exposure could have a long-lasting effect on cardiac parasympathetic activity and some evidence show that mercury exposure might affect heart rate variability, particularly early exposures in children. The mechanism by which mercury produces toxic effects on the cardiovascular system is not fully elucidated, but this mechanism is believed to involve an increase in oxidative stress. The exposure to mercury increases the production of free radicals, potentially because of the role of mercury in the Fenton reaction and a reduction in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase. In this review we report an overview on the toxicity of mercury and focus our attention on the toxic effects on the cardiovascular system.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of penetration, permanence of occlusion and vascular changes induced by a newly modified mixture of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (Glubran 2®), ethanol, and Lipidol® (GEL) in endovascular treatment of experimental aneurysms induced in swine. Methods: Bilateral pouch aneurysms were created in the wall of the internal carotid artery in eighteen pigs. The sixteen aneurysms were treated with a new mixture of GEL with different component proportions. Angiograms were obtained at the time of treatment and at 1, 4, and 16 weeks after treatment. According to the scheduled experimental design, subjects were sacrificed at the time of treatment and 7, 30, and 90 days after embolization of experimentally induced aneurysms. The internal carotid artery and aneurysms were resected en bloc and fixed for histopathologic study. Results: All the experimentally induced aneurysms were completely occluded by the used mixture and remained occluded for the study period without recanalization. Histopathologic studies revealed the presence of an acute inflammatory reaction of aneurysm wall even after 7 days post embolization with focal angionecrosis, followed by a chronic inflammation which induced a thickening of the wall. Conclusions: The mixture succeeded to induce a complete occlusion which remained stable until 90 days post-embolization. After seven days from embolization, the mixture polymerization was associated with an acute inflammatory response followed by a connective tissue proliferation which induced a thickening of aneurysm walls.

This study comprehensively investigates the stress distribution and aging effects in Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) and Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) gasket materials through a novel integration of hyperelastic modeling and advanced machine learning techniques. By employing the Mooney-Rivlin, Ogden, and Yeoh hyperelastic models, we evaluate the mechanical behavior of EPDM and LSR under conditions of no aging, heat aging, and combined heat and sulfuric acid exposure. Each model reveals distinct sensitivities to stress distribution and material deformation, providing unique insights into material degradation processes. Additionally, we utilize machine learning for predictive analysis, enhancing our understanding of stress responses and identifying critical aging effects. The findings offer practical implications for selecting suitable gasket materials and developing predictive maintenance strategies in industrial applications, such as fuel cells, where material integrity under stress and aging is paramount. This dual approach highlights the mechanical resilience and vulnerabilities of EPDM and LSR and opens avenues for real-time predictive analytics and material performance optimization.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the disruptive potential to transform patients’ lives via innovations in pharmaceutical sciences, drug development, clinical trials, and manufacturing. However, it presents significant challenges, ethical concerns, and risks across sectors and societies. AI’s rapid advancement has revealed regulatory gaps as existing public policies struggle to keep pace with the challenges posed by these emerging technologies. The term AI itself has become commonplace to argue that greater “human oversight” for “machine intelligence” is needed to harness the power of this revolutionary technology for both potential and risk management, and hence to call for more practical regulatory guidelines, harmonized frameworks, and effective policies to ensure safety, scalability, data privacy, and governance, transparency, and equitable treatment. In this review paper, we employ a holistic multidisciplinary lens to overview the current regulatory landscape with a synopsis of the FDA workshop perspectives on the use of AI in drug and biological product development. We discuss the promises of responsible data-driven AI, challenges and related practices adopted to overcome limitations, and our practical reflections on regulatory oversight. Finally, the paper outlines a path forward and future opportunities for lawful ethical AI. This review highlights the importance of risk-based regulatory oversight, including diverging views in the field, in reaching a consensus.

The urinary tract, once considered sterile, is now understood to host a diverse community of microorganisms known as the urinary microbiome. This microbiome, which is made up of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, is important for preserving urological health and has been linked to the pathogenesis of a number of urinary tract disorders. In this review, we offer a consolidated overview of the urinary tract bacterial population, including its composition, diversity, and factors influencing its dynamics. We explore its involvement in urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), urinary stone formation, and other urological diseases, highlighting the importance of understanding its correlation with disease pathology for the development of therapeutic strategies. Additionally, we explore its role in autoimmune diseases of the urinary tract and the potential of leveraging the urinary microbiome for targeted interventions in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Longitudinal studies are emphasized for their ability to elucidate microbial dynamics, establish causality, and ensure consistency and reproducibility across research endeavors. These efforts underscore the necessity for continued research and multidisciplinary collaborations in this rapidly evolving field to advance our understanding and therapeutic strategies for urinary tract disorders.

Among women globally, breast cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death. Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential, and results can be significantly improved. A new era in image analysis has been brought about by the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), which has made significant progress in the diagnosis and customization of treatment plans for breast cancer possible. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive AI framework for breast cancer detection by integrating convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image analysis with an artificial neural network (ANN) for clinical data. Using a dataset of ultrasound and pathology images, along with clinical features from 569 patients, we trained CNN models to classify breast tissue as benign or malignant, and the ANN to process clinical data for the same task. The combined approach significantly enhanced the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis, achieving over 96% accuracy by leveraging both imaging and clinical data. Class Activation Maps (CAM) and heatmaps provided valuable interpretability for CNN predictions, improving trust and transparency in the model’s decision-making process. The results demonstrate that the fusion of CNNs and ANNs enhances diagnostic accuracy and offers a promising tool for early breast cancer detection, while providing crucial insights for clinical validation.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the integration and optimization of smart grid (SG) technologies, distributed generation (DG), electric vehicles (EVs), and cybersecurity in the context of modern energy systems. As global energy systems transition towards decentralization and increase reliance on renewable energy, the interplay between these technologies offers significant opportunities to enhance grid flexibility, resilience, and sustainability. The integration of DG systems, supported by advanced battery and fuel cell (FC) technologies, plays a pivotal role in stabilizing the grid and facilitating the adoption of renewable energy. Through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies, EVs provide dynamic solutions for energy storage and demand response (DR), contributing to efficient energy management and peak shaving. A critical focus of this paper is the growing importance of cybersecurity, as the digitization of energy infrastructures creates new vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks. Novel strategies, including artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation, blockchain-based security for energy transactions, and quantum-resistant encryption, are explored to safeguard the future of energy systems. Drawing from global case studies, this review also addresses key challenges such as grid congestion, regulatory barriers, and interoperability, providing a roadmap for optimizing and securing the next generation of energy infrastructures.

This study presents a comprehensive systematic review that addresses the critical transi- 1 tion from ROS 1 to ROS 2, spotlighting the significant enhancements and the pressing need for a 2 detailed exploration of ROS 2 within the robotics community. Despite the extensive deployment 3 and adaptations of ROS in varied robotics applications, literature lacks a cohesive synthesis that 4 delineates the advancements, limitations, and broader impacts of ROS 2 compared to its predecessor, 5 ROS 1. Our contribution bridges this gap by assembling the largest database of ROS-related research, 6 encompassing 7,498 articles, with a focused analysis in this survey on 431 ROS2-specific publications. 7 We categorize these into i.) articles that discuss and analyze core ROS 2 concepts, ii.) articles that 8 propose frameworks or tools for ROS 2, and iii.) articles utilizing ROS 2. Furthermore, we summarize 9 literature findings of ROS 2 challenges, advancements, and future direction in the fields of a.) security, 10 b.) real-time, c.) middleware, d.) embedded and distributed systems, e.) communication reliability 11 and QoS, and f.) multi-robot systems. The methodology involved meticulous data collection and 12 categorization from multiple databases, facilitating an in-depth online accessible resource. Results 13 underscore ROS2’s enhancements in modularity, real-time capabilities, and security, extending its 14 applicability across various robotic platforms and industries. However, challenges in scalability and 15 reliability persist, signaling avenues for future enhancements. This review not only deepens the 16 understanding of ROS2’s contributions but also charts a path for ongoing improvements in robotic 17 systems design.

This study investigates the link between Albania's carbon emissions and various economic factors from 1995 to 2022 to establish the effect of the country’s real estate sector on the environment. Using EViews 12, we assess potential linkages between carbon emission levels, total number of con-struction permits, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and energy resources. The results indicate the direct relationship between construction permits, economic activities, and carbon emissions, meaning that the current development path does not support environmental sustainability. However, the assessment reveals certain trends to increase the usage of renewable energy accords that may dramatically decrease carbon levels. These results indicate Albanian policymakers' need to adopt regulations supporting sustainability in the real estate market. Promoting investment in renewable energy sources is imperative so far as the Albanian country context is concerned as it is an essential step towards enhancing environmental quality.

In this paper, I present a possible explanation for accelerated expansion of the universe, and introduce the cosmic scale, size of the universe and cosmic time, age of the universe. The observed expansion of the universe, which relates the stretching of Shrunk space to the new theory, is derived. This model is based on the two principal long-range forces: the gravitational force and the repulsive force generated by shrunk space. They are the two most basic fundamental quantities in the universe that govern cosmic evolution. They may provide the clockwork mechanism that operates our eternal cyclic universe. This model of Space-time and its unique properties of shrinking and stretching enables us to describe a sequence of events from the Big Bang to the Big Crunch.

This systematic review examines the role of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Human Resource Management (HRM) systems in enhancing managerial decision-making and employee productivity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) between 2014 and 2024. It explores how these systems streamline operations, improve workflow automation, and support real-time communication, helping SMEs overcome resource limitations and enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, the review considers how these integrated technologies, particularly when combined with advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), contribute to better resource allocation, strategic planning, and long-term business performance. In addressing the challenges SMEs face in system adoption—such as costs, training, and implementation—the review offers actionable insights into how ERP, CRM, and HRM systems can be strategically employed for sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs, n-3 PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), are essential polyunsatu-rated fats primarily obtained from fatty fish and plant-based sources. Compelling evidence from preclinical and epidemiological studies consistently suggests beneficial effects of ω-3 PUFAs on bone health and healthy aging processes. However, clinical trials have yielded mixed results, with some failing to replicate these benefits seen in preclinical models. This contraindication is mainly due to challenges such as low bioavailability, potential adverse effects with higher doses, and susceptibility to oxidation of ω-3 fatty acids, hindering their clinical effectiveness. This review provides an in-depth analysis of recent findings, focusing on clinical perspectives and encom-passing all relevant published studies to date, including preclinical and epidemiological research, with an emphasis on the role of omega-3 fatty acids in promoting bone health and supporting healthy aging. Additionally, it explores strategies to improve ω-3 PUFA efficacy, including na-noparticle encapsulation and incorporation of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) derived from DHA and EPA, to mitigate oxidation and enhance solubility, thereby improving therapeutic potential. By consolidating evidence from various studies, this review underscores current in-sights and future directions in leveraging ω-3 PUFAs for therapeutic applications.

This study assesses the performance of calcium aluminate (CAC) and calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement mortars, particularly when blended with fly ash (FA) and limestone powder (LP). The effects of incorporating 20% FA, 15% LP, and their combination (FA 20% and LP 15%), using a water-binder ratio of 0.40 were explored. The study meticulously evaluates the performance of the mortar mixtures in terms of setting time and mechanical properties, including compressive strength, flexural strength, and direct tensile strength. Additionally, the study investigated the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and autogenous shrinkage. Advanced analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were employed to further understand the microstructural changes. The study reveals a significant correlation between compressive, flexural, and direct tensile strengths of the mortar mixtures. Notably, CSA and CAC mortar mixtures with SCMs showed an ASR value lower than the recommended 0.10%, while the autogenous shrinkage for both CAC and CSA mixtures was less compared to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The influence of SCMs, though not substantial, was clearly observed. TGA results corroborated the phases identified in XRD and those observed in SEM, through the thermal decomposition of the phases present in the mixtures. This study contributes valuable insights into the use of SCMs in improving the performance and sustainability of CAC and CSA cement mortars.

Taking into account modern technologies in the mining industry and in the processing of industrial waste, we propose to reprocess cemented low- and intermediate level radioactive waste by extracting all chemical compounds from them. Because of the low cost of space flights in the near future, we propose to use chemical compounds, extracted from radioactive waste, in the production of space electronics and structural materials for automatic space probes and rovers. At the same time, since nano- and micro powders, as well as composites with these fillers, are widely used today in electronics and technology, including in the space industry, the production of radioactive powders and composites will provide new scientific results in the field of materials science and solid-state physics, since nothing is known today about the properties of radioactive powders and composites containing radioactive sources inside.

The growing energy consumption in the cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI) industries is becoming an increasingly critical issue. This paper discusses methods for addressing this problem using data compression algorithms and the optimization of computational processes. Specifically, we examine research results that demonstrate the potential for significantly reducing energy consumption through mathematical solutions, such as the Riemann Hypothesis. We also present the notarized test results of an image compression program developed by the author. The work was presented at a UN panel session and an ECO webinar, receiving recommendations for implementation in ECO member countries. Additionally, modern technologies for accelerating cryptographic methods and algorithms are considered.The growing energy consumption in the cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI) industries is becoming an increasingly critical issue. This paper discusses methods for addressing this problem using data compression algorithms and the optimization of computational processes. Specifically, we examine research results that demonstrate the potential for significantly reducing energy consumption through mathematical solutions, such as the Riemann Hypothesis. We also present the notarized test results of an image compression program developed by the author. The work was presented at a UN panel session and an ECO webinar, receiving recommendations for implementation in ECO member countries. Additionally, modern technologies for accelerating cryptographic methods and algorithms are considered.

As environmental and health concerns increase, the trend of sustainable agriculture moves toward using biological agents. About 60% of all biological fungicides have Trichoderma species as the active ingredient, with T. harzianum as the most common species in these products. However, the name T. harzianum has often been incorrectly used in culture collections, databases, and the scientific literature due to the division of the Harzianum Complex Clade (HCC) into more than 95 cryptic species with only one being named T. harzianum. In this study, 49 strains previously identified as T. harzianum in three surveys of Trichoderma species from soils in South and Central America were re-identified using phylogenetic analyses based on tef1α, rpb2, and ITS loci and were combined with the corresponding species in two other studies, where the species were correctly identified. Based on the results of the five surveys of the total 148 strains in HCC, 11 species were identified and T. afroharzianum, T. lentiforme, T. endophyticum followed by T. azedevio and T. harzianum were detected as the dominant species of the HCC in South and Central America. This is the first report of identifying dominant Trichoderma species within the HCC in South and Central American soil based on multiple studies, which will be useful in selecting strains within the complex clade for formulation of biocontrol and biofertilizer products in the continent.

The rapid emergence of Decentralized Finance (DeFi), driven by blockchain technology and smart contracts, is transforming the landscape of the financial industry by enabling peer-to-peer financial services without traditional intermediaries. This paper examines the impact of DeFi on traditional banking systems, focusing on the opportunities, challenges, and future directions of this revolutionary financial model. We explore how DeFi disrupts traditional financial intermediation by offering faster, cheaper, and more transparent financial services, potentially reducing the dominance of conventional banks. The study addresses critical issues such as regulatory challenges, including compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, and the importance of consumer protection in a decentralized environment. We also investigate collaboration opportunities between traditional banks and DeFi platforms, which could lead to innovative financial products and services. To provide a comprehensive analysis, the paper employs a mixed-method approach, combining a review of recent literature, empirical data, case studies, and expert interviews. The findings highlight significant gaps in current regulatory frameworks and emphasize the need for a balanced approach that fosters innovation while ensuring financial stability and consumer safety. This study concludes by offering recommendations for policymakers, financial institutions, and DeFi developers to harness the potential of DeFi while addressing its inherent risks, paving the way for the sustainable growth of decentralized finance in the broader financial ecosystem.

Background The increasing number of elderly individuals in South Korea, now entering a super-aging era, underscores the growing importance of understanding their specific oral health needs. This study investigated changes in oral health conditions, salivary parameters, halitosis, systemic diseases, and medication usage with aging. Methods This study was retrospectively conducted using the medical records of patients who presented with complaints of xerostomia or halitosis between August 2020 and May 2023. A total of 274 patients (66 males, 208 females, mean age 59.39 ± 16.10 years) were included in this study. Results Aging was found to be significantly associated with the presence of sticky saliva, poor oral hygiene, tongue coating, and halitosis (all p < 0.05). Correlation analyses further revealed significant associations between aging and several conditions, including hypertension (r = 0.495, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (r = 0.255, p < 0.001), amlodipine usage (r = 0.249, p = 0.001), osteoporosis (r = 0.195, p = 0.001), cardiovascular disease (r = 0.150, p = 0.013), and the presence of tongue coating (r = 0.205, p = 0.001). Conversely, none of the salivary parameters demonstrated a significant relationship with aging. Furthermore, halitosis did not exhibit significant differences across age groups (all p > 0.05), with the exception of methyl mercaptan levels, which were notably higher among patients in their 20s (p = 0.049). Conclusions The findings of this study can help clinicians develop targeted strategies to address specific oral health challenges associated with aging in elderly patients.

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer share common risk factors including obesity, in-flammation, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia. High insulin levels activate PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway promoting cancer cell growth, survival, proliferation, metastasis, and an-ti-apoptosis. The inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway for cancer remains a promising therapy, however, the combination of therapeutic inhibitors may solve the resistance to such agents. Understanding the metabolic link between diabetes and cancer can assist in improving the therapeutic strategies used for the management of cancer patients with diabetes and vice versa. This review provides an overview of shared molecular mechanisms between diabetes and cancer as well as discusses established and emerging therapeutic anti-cancer agents targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in cancer management.

This study begins by looking at how toxic behaviour in video games is talked about and identified. We set up a clear idea of what “toxic behaviour" means and suggested ways to figure out when it's happening. To test these ideas, we scrape a huge collection of posts from Reddit where people talk about games. We cleaned up the data—making sure it was all good for checking. We used Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) to look at toxic behaviour. We also used HateBERT to compare how well it works at spotting toxic stuff. To make sure our models were doing a good job, we looked at over 5500 posts and decided if they were toxic or not. This helped us see if the models were right or wrong. We also used measures—to compare how much toxic stuff is in Reddit—especially for games. This helped us understand how common and different toxic behaviour is in different places.

With advancements in remote sensing technology and affordable design, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, have become prevalent in both civil and military applications, such as agriculture, public safety, and aerial imaging. However, the rise in unlawful UAS activities, such as non-compliance with legal standards and potential terrorist attacks, has raised significant public concern, necessitating effective detection and mitigation solutions. Despite the growing importance of this issue, comprehensive and detailed examinations of existing counter-UAS solutions are lacking. To address this gap, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis and scoping review of the current literature to identify key topics and emerging trends in counter-UAS approaches. Utilizing co-word and social network analyses, the study identifies strong and weak connections between selected keywords from academic articles. This study summarizes the limitations and potential opportunities within counter-UAS research, suggesting an increasing focus on multisensory fusion and machine-learning approaches for drone detection and mitigation. Additionally, areas such as swarm drone operations, UAS traffic management (UTM), and UAS networks are identified as important but promising fields for further investigation. The findings of this study provide a foundation for enhancing air and ground safety through improved counter-UAS applications.

The co-occurrence of different arboviruses, through (re)emergence episodes in a particular region, often exacerbates public health crises associated with these pathogens. Considering the Brazilian epidemiological panorama of arboviruses cocirculation, such as Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses, the imminent emergence of Mayaro virus (MAYV) in urban areas, and the presence of susceptible human hosts, we looked into the coinfection and superinfection impact of CHIKV and MAYV replication in Aedes aegypti. Mosquitoes were coinfected and superinfected with CHIKV and MAYV by artificial blood-feeding, and infection (IR), dissemination (DR), transmission (TR) rates, and viral load were evaluated by qRT-PCR. Our findings suggest that, Ae. aegypti can simultaneously transmit CHIKV and MAYV in coinfection scenarios. However, in superinfection assays, the initial infection (either CHIKV or MAYV) adversely affected the transmission capacity of the subsequently acquired virus, indicating replication interference between the viruses. These results have important implications for public health management actions in the country, emphasizing complex arbovirus transmission scenarios and the associated epidemiological risks.

Financial institutions are currently undergoing a significant shift from traditional robo-advisors to more advanced generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies. This transformation has motivated us to investigate the factors influencing consumer responses to GenAI-driven financial advice. Despite extensive research on the adoption of robo-advisors, there is a gap in understanding the specific contributors and differences in consumer attitudes and reactions to GenAI-based financial guidance, particularly in the context of GenAI. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing the impact of personalized investment suggestions, human-like empathy, and the continuous improvement of GenAI-provided financial advice on consumers' perceived authenticity, their utilitarian attitude towards the use of GenAI for financial advice, and their reactions to GenAI-generated financial suggestions. A comprehensive research model was developed based on Service-Dominant Logic (SDL) and Artificial Intelligence Device Use Acceptance (AIDUA). The model was subsequently employed in a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis of survey data from 822 mobile banking users. The findings of this study indicate that personalized investment suggestions, human-like empathy, and the continuous improvement of GenAI's recommendations have a positive influence on consumers' perception of its authenticity. Moreover, we discovered a positive correlation between utilitarian attitudes and perceived authenticity, which ultimately influences consumers' responses to GenAI's financial advisory solutions. This is manifested as either a willingness to engage or resistance to communication. This study contributes to the research on GenAI-powered financial services and underscores the significance of integrating GenAI financial guidance into the routine operations of financial institutions. Our work builds upon previous research on robo-advisors, offering practical insights for financial institutions seeking to leverage GenAI-driven technologies to enhance their services and customer experiences.

The scientific community has explored new packaging materials due to environmental challenges and pollution from plastic waste. Bacterial cellulose (BC), produced by bacteria like Gluconaceto-bacter xylinus, shows high potential for food preservation due to its exceptional mechanical strength, high crystallinity, and effective barrier properties against gases and moisture, making it a promising alternative to conventional plastics. This review highlights recent advances in BC production, particularly agro-industrial residues, which reduce costs and enhance environmental sustainability. Incorporating antimicrobial agents into BC matrices has also led to active packaging solutions that extend food shelf life and improve safety. A bibliometric analysis reveals a significant increase in research on BC over the last decade, reflecting growing global interest. Key research themes include the development of BC-based composites and the exploration of their antimicrobial properties. Critical areas for future research include improving BC production's scalability and economic via-bility and its integration with other biopolymers. These developments emphasize BC's potential as a sustainable packaging material and its role in the circular economy through waste valorization.

Ichthyosis is a genetic skin disorder marked by hyperkeratosis, pruritus, and scaling. This case study explores a potential association between ichthyosis and scalp paresthesia, a symptom not commonly linked with this dermatological condition. In a longstanding history of ichthyosis patients, we detail the therapeutic use of fluocinolone, a synthetic corticosteroid, in managing scalp paresthesia. The effectiveness of fluocinolone in reducing paresthesia episodes underscores its potential as a critical component in the symptomatic treatment of this complex interplay between skin and neurological symptoms. This case prompts a broader discussion on the need for increased awareness and education among healthcare providers regarding the diverse manifestations of ichthyosis. Enhanced understanding and recognition of these associations can lead to improved patient counseling, tailored management strategies, and, ultimately, better quality of life for individuals affected by ichthyosis.

Biological systems have a unique ability inherited through their genome. It allows them to build, operate, and manage a society of cells with complex organizational structures where autonomous components execute specific tasks and collaborate in groups to fulfill systemic goals with shared knowledge. The system receives information from various senses, makes sense of what is being observed, and acts using its experience, while the observations are still in progress. We use the General Theory of Information (GTI) to implement a digital genome, specifying the operational processes that design, deploy, operate, and manage a cloud-agnostic distributed application that is independent of IaaS and PaaS infrastructure, which provides the resources required to execute the software components. The digital genome specifies the functional and non-functional requirements that define the goals and best-practice policies to evolve the system using associative memory and event-driven interaction history to maintain stability and safety while achieving the system’s objectives. We demonstrate a structural machine, cognizing oracles, and knowledge structures derived from GTI used for designing, deploying, operating, and managing a distributed video streaming application with autopoietic self-regulation that maintains structural stability and communication among distributed components with shared knowledge while maintaining expected behaviors dictated by functional requirements.

Mobile genetic elements constitute a major part of almost every eukaryotic genome, and several types of such elements have been classified based on size, genetic structure and transposition intermediate. The fast growing availability of whole genome sequences of species across the living world provides almost unlimited possibilities for in depth molecular analyses of all kind, including the search for mobile genetic elements in animal taxa that have not yet been in the focus of respective investigations. Leeches are such a group of so far neglected organisms. However, aim of the present study was not to provide a comprehensive survey, but to perform the first molecular description and characterization of selected mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in leeches. Representatives of three types of MGEs could be identified and characterized, namely short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and long terminal repeats (LTR)-retro-transposons. Some of the newly described elements display unique structural features compared to archetype elements of the respective groups.

This case report elucidates the clinical trajectory of a 60-year-old male with a history of mild cytopenias, subsequently diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) characterized by a complex karyotype and a TP53 mutation. The initial diagnostic evaluation included a bone marrow biopsy revealing 34% myeloid blasts with aberrant immunophenotyping and complex cytogenetic abnormalities, including losses and gains of chromosomal regions. Genetic analysis confirmed a high Variant Allele Frequency of 80% for the TP53 mutation. The patient’s management strategy commenced with a combination of Inqovi (decitabine and cedazuridine) and Venetoclax, supported by prophylactic measures to mitigate tumor lysis syndrome and vigilant infection control. While offering a glimmer of hope for improving outcomes in this high-risk cohort, this treatment approach underscores the inherent challenges posed by the aggressive nature of the disease and the TP53 mutation’s contribution to therapeutic resistance. The case highlights the critical need for personalized treatment regimens and rigorous follow-up to optimize patient care and advance our understanding of this complex malignancy.

During the peak height velocity, it is crucial to adjust training intensity to optimize performance and minimize injury risk. This cross-sectional study compared external and internal intensities according to the type of training task (i.e., analytical tasks, small-sided games, and training matches). Similarly, the effect of these training tasks on the maturation age of young players was analyzed. Fifty-five U-15 and U-16 boys, representatives of two soccer clubs in southwestern Spain, were monitored using inertial measurement units and heart rate monitors. These devices reported data on training intensities. Their anthropometric data were also taken, along with the date of birth and measurement, to estimate the maturation age. To identify specific differences between groups, the nonparametric Friedman test and pairwise comparisons were performed using the Durbin-Conover post-hoc test. In addition, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated to better understand the impact of the variables. There were significant differences in favor of training matches in distance covered, maximum and average speed, and maximum and average heart rate compared to small-sided games and analytical tasks. In addition, high intensity actions and sprints were significantly higher during training matches compared to analytical tasks, and during small-sided games compared to analytical tasks. Player Load per minute was significantly higher during training matches compared to small-sided games, and during small-sided games compared to analytical tasks. Maximum speed, and maximum and average heart rate were also significantly higher during small-sided games compared to analytical tasks. Positive correlations between maturational age and high-intensity actions, accelerations, and decelerations were found, indicating higher intensity activities in more mature players. A negative correlation between Player Load per minute and maturational age suggests more efficient load management in mature players. No significant differences were found in distance per minute, sprints, speed, and heart rate, implying other factors influence these variables. These findings underscore the importance of considering biological maturation and the variability of training tasks in the planning and evaluation of the development and performance of youth athletes.

The association of alcohol intake with kidney stone disease (KSD) is not clear. We examined the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018 and used logistic regression analyses to determine the independent association between alcohol intake and prevalent KSD. 29,684 participants were eligible for the final analysis including 2,840 prevalent stone formers (SF). Mean alcohol intake was 37.0±2.4 g/day among SF compared to 42.7±0.9 among non-SF (p=0.04). Beer [Odds ratio (OR)=0.76, 95% CI: 0.61-0.94, p=0.01] and wine (OR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.59-0.96, p=0.03) intakes were strongly associated with lower odds of prevalent KSD while liquor intake had no association. The effect from beer was dose dependent with an OR of 0.34 (95% CI: 0.20–0.57, p56g/day of beer to non-drinkers. Interestingly, the effect from wine was only significant among participants drinking moderate amount, with an OR of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.36–0.81, p=0.003) compared to non-drinkers. These effects were consistent in spline models. This study suggests that both moderate to heavy beer intake and moderate wine intake are associated with a reduced risk of KSD. Future prospective studies are needed to clarify the causal relationship.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) pose critical health risks, often asymptomatic until a rupture or dissection occurs. Guidelines recommend surgical repair based on specific aortic diameters and risk factors, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention. Despite established clinical risk factors for early detection in TAAs, the influence of racial and ethnic disparities on TAAs remains underexplored. This study aims to provide a comprehensive summary of existing research on racial and ethnic disparities in the presentation and outcomes of TAAs. Methods: This literature review was conducted using a systematic search strategy, in order to explore racial and ethnic differences in the presentation and surgical outcomes of patients with TAAs. Results: The findings demonstrated that black patients were younger at presentation and had a higher incidence of ruptured TAAs than non-black patients. Furthermore, compared to non-black patients, black patients had higher rates of cardiac arrhythmia and COPD, as well as comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and renal insufficiency. For black patients undergoing open surgery, the surgical results showed improved 5-year survival rates after repair but higher perioperative mortality rates. All-cause or in-hospital mortality did not significantly differ between the racial groups, according to four studies. Discussion: This review highlights significant racial and ethnic disparities in TAA presentation and outcomes, underscoring the need for personalized risk stratification models. Standardized racial and ethnic definitions are essential for consistent and reliable research. Future studies should focus on refining risk assessment models to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes across diverse populations.

This article presents a succinct overview of the progress, obstacles, and uses of semantic segmentation and instance segmentation within the forestry domain. The objective of this review is to conduct a critical analysis of the current literature pertaining to segmentation techniques and provide a methodical summary of their impact on forestry-related activities, including but not limited to tree species classification, forest inventory, and ecological monitoring such as retrieval of dominant tree species. Through the process of synthesizing pivotal discoveries from multiple studies, this comprehensive analysis provides valuable perspectives on the present status of research and highlights prospective areas for further exploration. The primary topics addressed encompass the approach employed for executing the examination, the fundamental discoveries associated with semantic segmentation and instance segmentation in the domain of forestry, and the ramifications of these discoveries for the discipline. The results indicate that the utilization of semantic segmentation methods has been efficacious in the field of forestry for the precise identification of tree species. Such methods also aid in tracking of deforested regions over the course of time by separating other land-use classes from forested regions. Additionally, the employment of instance segmentation techniques exhibits potential in the demarcation of individual trees. Instance segmentation offers promising results due to deep learning models based on forest point clouds. However, several challenges persist in the successful implementation of semantic segmentation methods such as the presence of occlusions, overlapping branches, and intricate structures hampers the accurate segmentation of trees. Additionally, instance segmentation approaches that utilize models are mostly trained by using laser scanning data based on forest types which are typically trained on specific laser scanning data and forest types that create limitations in generalization from high to low resolution point clouds. Due to this reason, the existing approaches often struggle with handling these complex structures, leading to the need for manual methods for extracting measurements from forest point clouds. The review culminates by underscoring the necessity for additional research to tackle current obstacles and augment the precision and relevance of segmentation methodologies in the field of forestry. In general, the present article provides a significant reference for scholars and professionals who are interested in utilizing segmentation techniques in the field of forestry.

Pullulan is a kind of natural polymer, which is widely used in medicine and food because of its solubility, plasticity, edible, non-toxicity and good biocompatibility. It is of great significance to improve the yield of pullulan by genetic modification of microorganisms. It was previously reported that Aureobasidium melanogenum TN3-1 isolated from honey-comb could produce high-yield of pullulan, but the molecular mechanisms of its production of pullulan had not been completely solved. In this study, the reported strains of Aureobasidium spp. were further compared and analyzed at genome level. It was found that genome duplication and genome genetic variations might be the crucial factors for the high yield of pullulan and stress resistance. This particular phenotype may be the result of adaptive evolution, which can adapt to its environment through genetic variation and adaptive selection. In addition, the TN3-1 strain has a large genome, and the special regulatory sequences of its specific genes and promoters may ensure a unique characteristics. This study is a supplement of the previous studies, and provides basic data for the research of microbial genome modification in food and healthcare applications.

Recent omics technologies have revolutionized the study of molecular plant responses to air pollution, overcoming previous limitations. This review synthesizes the latest advancements in molecular plant responses to major air pollutants, emphasizing ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM) research. These pollutants induce stress responses common to other abiotic and biotic stresses, including the activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzymes and hormone signaling pathways. New evidence showed the central role of antioxidant phenolic compound biosynthesis via phenylpropanoids pathway in air pollution stress responses. Transcription factors like WRKY, AP2/ERF, and MYB, which connect hormones signaling to antioxidant biosynthesis, were also affected. To date, research has predominantly focused on laboratory studies analyzing individual pollutants. This review highlights the need for comprehensive field studies and the identification of molecular tolerance traits, which are crucial for the identification of tolerant plant species aimed to the development of sustainable Nature Based Solutions (NBS) to mitigate urban air pollution.

The present study showcases a series of crystallization experiments using a specially designed double diffusion system to grow crystals belonging to the calcium carbonate-phosphate system. The experimental U-shaped device comprised two vertical solution containers, separated by a horizontal column of silica hydrogel. Each container was filled with 0.5 M CaCl2 and 0.5 M Na2CO3 solutions, which diffused through the gel column over time. Na3PO4 solutions, with 50 and 500 ppm concentrations, were incorporated into the gel in different experiments, resulting in a homogeneous distribution of phosphate concentrations within the diffusion column. After 15 and 30 days incubation period post-nucleation, the crystals formed in different sections of the gel were carefully extracted and studied with scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe. Additionally, Raman spectra were collected from the samples using a confocal Raman microscope, providing further insights into their molecular composition and structural properties. The obtained results show that under the induced experimental conditions (i) phosphate incorporates into calcite´s structure, and (ii) the growth of calcium phosphates in the presence of carbonate ions involves the sequential, heterogeneous nucleation of CO3-bearing OCP/HAP-like phases with Raman spectral characteristics very similar to those of bioapatites.

Animal personalities play a crucial role in invasion dynamics during alien species invasions. The behavioral strategies adopted by native species varied among personalities when facing an invasion by alien species, just as the invasive species exhibited variations in behavior strategies across different personalities during the invasion process. However, the effects of personality interactions between native species and invasive species on behavior and growth are rarely illustrated. We used the globally invasive freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta elegans and the native freshwater turtle Mauremys reevesii to investigate how the personality combinations of native and invasive turtles would impact the foraging strategy and growth of both species. We found that M. reevesii exhibited bolder and more exploratory personalities than T. scripta elegans. The foraging strategy of M. reevesii was mainly affected by the personality of T. scripta elegans, while the foraging strategy of T. scripta elegans was influenced by both their own personality and M. reevesii's personality. In addition, we did not found that the personality combination would affect the growth of either T. scripta elegans or M. reevesii. Difference in foraging strategy may be due to the competitive advantage of invasive species and variations in the exploration-exploitation foraging strategy among different personalities. Overall, our results reveal the mechanisms of personality interaction effects on the foraging behavior of both native and invasive species during alien species invasion and provide empirical evidence to help understand the effects of personality in invasion dynamics.

In this study, the biodegradation properties of leather treated with various finishing chemicals were evaluated in order to enhance the sustainability of leather processing. We applied advanced analytical techniques including FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Leather samples treated with different polymers, resins, bio-based materials, and traditional finishing agents were subjected to a composting process under controlled conditions to measure their biodegradability. The findings revealed that bio-based polyurethane finishes and acrylic wax exhibited biodegradability, while traditional chemical finishes like isocyanate and nitrocellulose lacquer showed moderate biodegradation levels. The results indicated significant differences in the biodegradation rates and the impact on plant germination and growth. Some materials, such as black pigment, nitrocellulose lacquer and wax, were beneficial for plant growth, while others, such as polyurethane materials, had adverse effects. These results support the use of eco-friendly finishes to reduce the environmental footprint of leather production. Overall, this study underscores the importance of selecting sustainable finishing chemicals to promote eco-friendly leather manufacturing practices.

Contrafreeloading (CFL) refers to animals' tendency to prefer obtaining food through effort rather than free access to food. Researchers have proposed various hypotheses to explain this intriguing phenomenon, but few studies have comprehensively analyzed its influencing factors. In this study, we observed the choice of alternative food containers in budgerigars to investigate their CFL tendencies and the effects of pre-training, food deprivation, and effort required on the CFL levels. The results show that, like most captive animals, budgerigars without food deprivation tend to choose challenging food containers. Additionally, the study finds that pre-trained budgerigars prefer to choose highly challenging food containers, while food-deprived budgerigars tend to choose Easy food containers. Moreover, budgerigars showed more selection time proportion on moderate challenging than high challenging food containers. In conclusion, budgerigars exhibit CFL tendencies, and pre-training enhances their CFL levels, while high challenge and deprivation of food decrease their contrafreeloading level. Studying animal contrafreeloading can help understand why animals choose to expend effort to obtain food rather than accessing it for free, and it also has implications for setting feeding environments to enhance the animal welfare of captive and domesticated animals.

Background Main treatment modality for spinal meningiomas (SM) is gross total resection (GTR). However, optimal timing of surgery, especially in cases with absent or mild neurological symptoms remains unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of early-stage resection on neurological outcome, quality of life (QoL) and quality of care. The primary objective was a favorable neurological outcome (McCormick scale 1); Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients operated on SM between 2011 and 2021. Patients with mild neurological symptoms preoperatively (McCormick scale 1 and 2) were compared to those with more severe neurological symptoms (McCormick scale 3-5). Disabilities and QoL were assessed according to validated questionnaires (SF36, ODI, NDI). Results: Age, spinal cord edema, thoracic localization, and spinal canal occupancy ratio were associated with more severe neurological symptoms (all p<.05). Patients presented with mild symptoms were associated with favorable neurological outcome (OR: 14.778 (95%CI 3.918-55.746, p<.001), which is associated with shorter hospitalization, better QoL and less disabilities (p<.05). Quality of care was comparable in both cohorts; Conclusions: Early surgical intervention of SM, before the development of severe neurological deficits, should be considered as it is associated with a favorable neurological outcome and quality of life.

Mutualism between insects and symbiotic bacteria drives insect evolution, and insecticide resistance is affected by symbiotic bacteria, increasing the complexity of pest resistance. This study evaluated the sublethal and transgenerational effects of the neonicotinoid insecticide nitenpyram on the population dynamics of Acyrthosiphon gossypii and measured its impact on the symbiotic bacterial community. The results showed that LC20 (2.49 mg·L−1) of nitenpyram significantly reduced the fecundity and lifespan of the parent G0 generation of A. gossypii, and had similar inhibitory effects on its G1 and G2 generations. Compared with those of control group, the population parameters λ (finite rate of increase), R0 (net reproductive rate), and r (intrinsic increase rate) of G1 and G2 were significantly reduced, but mean generation time (T) was increased. Nitenpyram treatment affected the biological traits of A. gossypii, and also changed the relative abundance of Buchnera and Sphingomonas in three consecutive generations G0-G2. Under nitenpyram treatment, the relative abundance of Buchnera decreased in G0, while that of Sphingomonas increased. The relative abundance of Buchnera increased in G1 and G2, but that of Sphingomonas decreased. Our findings may provide a new perspective for evaluating the potential effects of pesticides on aphids.

Mutualism between insects and symbiotic bacteria drives insect evolution, and insecticide resistance is affected by symbiotic bacteria, increasing the complexity of pest resistance. This study evaluated the sublethal and transgenerational effects of the neonicotinoid insecticide nitenpyram on the population dynamics of Acyrthosiphon gossypii and measured its impact on the symbiotic bacterial community. The results showed that LC20 (2.49 mg·L−1) of nitenpyram significantly reduced the fecundity and lifespan of the parent G0 generation of A. gossypii, and had similar inhibitory effects on its G1 and G2 generations. Compared with those of control group, the population parameters λ (finite rate of increase), R0 (net re-productive rate), and r (intrinsic increase rate) of G1 and G2 were significantly reduced, but mean gen-eration time (T) was increased. Nitenpyram treatment affected the biological traits of A. gossypii, and also changed the relative abundance of Buchnera and Sphingomonas in three consecutive generations G0-G2. Under nitenpyram treatment, the relative abundance of Buchnera decreased in G0, while that of Sphin-gomonas increased. The relative abundance of Buchnera increased in G1 and G2, but that of Sphingo-monas decreased. Our findings may provide a new perspective for evaluating the potential effects of pesticides on aphids.

The concept of policy entrepreneurs has gained increasing attention in studies of climate policy and governance since it foregrounds the role of agency in understanding policy change. However, agency of policy entrepreneurs in the policy process is largely political and conceals the power that shapes how public problems and policies are framed and defined. Thus, policy entrepreneurs should be confronted with the challenge of generating legitimacy, accountability and justice of their actions and the implementation of their targeted policy change. Drawing on political-philosophical theories of liberal and deliberative democracy this paper outlines a conceptual framework for critical analytical as well as normative research on strategies and impacts of policy entrepreneurs. Empirical research on the strategies and impacts of policy entrepreneurs in recent policymaking on climate policy and governance in the EU and Sweden identifies several democratic deficits. In all, the paper brings ideology and politics into research on policy entrepreneurs. It is suggested that not only the strategies used, but also the ideologies of actors that use them, is the causal mechanism that links the policy entrepreneurs to the outcomes, and thus if their advocacy will facilitate or hamper a just transition to climate neutrality and sustainability.

Immunology and microbiology research in the West Indies has witnessed remarkable growth and innovation, playing a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of immune mechanisms, disease pathogenesis, and therapeutic interventions. This manuscript presents a comprehensive exploration of key areas in West Indian immunology research, spanning from the utilization of bacterial proteins as antibody reagents to the intricate realms of clinical immunology and disease management. The utilization of bacterial immunoglobulin-binding proteins (IBPs), including protein A (SpA), protein G (SpG), and protein L (SpL), has revolutionised serological diagnostics in the region. promise in early disease detection and precision medicine. Microbiological studies in the Caribbean region have shed light on antimicrobial resistance patterns, particularly the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), guiding antimicrobial stewardship programs and informing therapeutic strategies. Clinical immunology research has elucidated the molecular pathways underlying immune-mediated disorders, leading to tailored management strategies for conditions such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus (NPLE), and others. In summary, West Indian immunology and microbiology research has made significant contributions to global healthcare, fostering collaboration, innovation, and improved patient outcomes.

Within the context of sustainable material development for the construction sector, this study explores the viability of panels composed of recycled newspaper-derived cellulose (9%), rice husk (14%), borax (15%), and polyvinyl acetate-based glue (62%). The methods employed involve water absorption and density tests, following ASTM C-1763 and C-303 standards. The fire resistance test conforming to the European standard UNE 23-725-90, and a mold growth test using AOAC 2002.11. The composite is prone to absorbing a significant amount of water when exposed to humid conditions. However, the incorporation of rice husk and borax can provide benefits such as improved moisture resistance compared to other cellulitic insulators, which may be advantageous in specific climates. Also, the developed composite has an intermediate density compared to other polymeric materials. This characteristic presents advantages in applications that demand a balance between strength and lightness. During the fire resistance tests, the samples with borax presented less fire propagation, and superficial damage compared with the specimens without borax. This is important, considering the fireproofing property, required in building materials. The presence of borax in the composite has an inhibitory effect on the growth of fungi and yeasts. These findings are consistent with previous research. Nevertheless, further research and testing are imperative to assess its viability and performance for commercial applications.

Bone/fracture healing is a complex process with different steps and four basic tissue layers being affected: cortical bone, periosteum, fascial tissue surrounding the fracture, and bone marrow. Stem cells and their derivatives, including embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, skeletal stem cells, and multipotent stem cells, can function to artificially introduce highly regenerative cells into decrepit biological tissues and augment the healing process at the tissue level. Stem cells are molecularly and functionally indistinguishable from standard human tissues. The widespread appeal of stem cell therapy lies in its potential benefits as a therapeutic technology that, if harnessed, can be applied in clinical settings. This review aims to establish the molecular pathophysiology of bone healing, the current stem cell interventions that disrupt or augment the bone healing process, and finally, consider the future direction/therapeutic options related to stem cells and bone healing.

This article analyzes local level normative regulations aimed at directly or indirectly conserving the urban landscape in rural areas. Using a discursive analysis methodology on regulatory documents being enforced in a series of localities assigned to a tourism promotion program, evidence suggests that promotional activity retroactively influences the phraseology of these municipal regulations. The results obtained point to the existence of perpetuating historicist approaches within the current regulations, which appear to largely derive from the search for success in the tourism market and the resulting benefits to the local economy.

Abstract: More than 40 hypotheses predict associations between features of nest architecture and at least one measure of reproductive success. However, quantitative studies of reproductive consequences of nest characteristics remain scarce. In addition, most studies were conducted on model species of which nests can be easily monitored with artificial nest-boxes. Here we review the replicability of research protocols and findings in model species with many repeat studies focusing mainly on nest-size components, animal-derived nest material, or fresh greenery in blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), great tits (Parus major), tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), and starlings (Sturnus spp.). The studies looked for correlations between nest traits and aspects of breeding performance that can be easily quantified in the field, such clutch size, brood size at hatching or fledging, the % of eggs that hatch or fledge, or nestling characteristics assumed to reflect qualities associated with survival probabilities (e.g., morphometry, body condition, blood profiles). We discuss the consequences of poor replicability of research methodologies and provide explanations for why many of these studies reported poor associations between nest design and breeding success at different spatiotemporal scales. We also make suggestions for future research. Keywords: Nest design, Breeding success, Nest-box, Cavity-nesting birds, Replicability

The silos built in the 1930s for Italy’s ammasso (obligatory grain stockpile) stood as powerful symbols of the country’s fascist era. Many of them were destroyed in World War II; only a few remain today, and recent demolitions underscore the urgency of their preservation. This study adapts a methodology developed for inventorying Spanish silos based on their general features, construction, technological facilities, and socioeconomic aspects and applies it to the 30 remaining ammasso silos. These silos are located in grain-producing areas near communication routes and are mostly owned by agricultural consortia. Over half of them are disused and in disrepair. All of them have machinery for receiving, storing, and dispatching grain, and most have equipment for cleaning, sorting, weighing, and packaging if needed. These structures are part of Italy’s agro-industrial heritage and should be protected. Some have been made over into commercial spaces, leisure areas, museums, and even homes. Vertical-cell silos are challenging to convert, unlike horizontally-oriented silos and other open-plan agro-industrial buildings. Examples of silo reuse in other countries, such as Spain and Portugal, can offer useful insights for the ammasso silos. However, socio-economic indicators suggest that such projects are most viable in large population centres.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the prevalence of chlamydiosis in small ruminants. The study included 133 publications that reported the presence of Chlamydia abortus in 109 and 74 studies in sheep and goats from 45 countries. The prevalence of chlamydiosis was estimated at global, regional, and national levels using meta-analyses of proportions. Meta-regression and cumulative meta-analyses were also performed. Globally, the prevalence of chlamydiosis in sheep and goats was estimated at 20.1% (95% CI: 17.8-22.4) and 14.4% (11.6-17.4), respectively. For sheep, chlamydiosis prevalence was heterogeneous at regional and national levels. South Asia had the highest prevalence (30.6%) and East Asia and Pacific the lowest (14.0%). Nationally, chlamydiosis was more prevalent in Romania, Hungary, and Germany (range 53.3-87.0%) compared to Costa Rica, Australia, and Zimbabwe (4.7-5.2%). Among goats, chlamydiosis prevalence was similar across regions (10.4-19.7%), but varied significantly among countries, 0.0% in Romania and Australia and 91.7% in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In both species, sample size, number of diagnostic techniques, and latitude were significant covariates. Prevalence varied widely in the first decades of publications before stabilizing. Our study found a high prevalence of chlamydiosis in small ruminants, with the pathogen being distributed globally but heterogeneously across countries.

Inappropriate expression of histone deacetylase (HDAC6) and deregulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway are common aberrations observed in cancers. LASSBio-2208, was previously described as a dual inhibitor in the nanomolar range of HDAC6 and PI3Kα, being three times more potent in inhibiting HDAC-6. In this paper we described the cytotoxic and antiproliferative potency of LASSBio-2208 on different tumour cell lines, its possible synergism effect in association with PI3K and HDAC-6 inhibitors, and its DMPK in vitro profile. Our studies have demonstrated that LASSBio-2208 has moderate cytotoxic potency on MCF-7 (IC50 = 23 µM), CCRF-CEM (IC50 = 8.54 µM) and MOLT-4 (IC50 = 7.15 µM), with no cytotoxic effect on hPBMC. In addition, it has a good antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 5.44 µM), low absorption by PAMPA-GIT and low permeation through the blood-brain barrier by PAMPA-BBB, exhibiting high metabolic stability in rat plasma. Moreover, LASSBio-2208 exhibited synergism when combined with getadolisib and tubastatin A, using the concentration corresponding to their CC50 values on MOLT-4 and CCRF-CEM cells.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of many pathogens is a serious threat and makes chemotherapy more difficult. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Senna singueana and Cyphostemma junceum plant extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The crude extracts of the selected medicinal plants were prepared and subjected to phytochemical screening using standard methods. Antibacterial activity was determined using the disc diffusion method. Therefore, the highest (15.41%) and lowest (0.91%) percentage yields were obtained from ethanol stem bark extracts and chloroform root extracts of Senna singueana, respectively. The maximum (14±1.0 mm) and minimum (7.5±0.5 mm) zones of inhibition were obtained from chloroform and distilled water leaf extracts of Senna singueana against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. In addition, the highest (13.5±1.0) zone of inhibition was obtained from Cyphostemma junceun root extract at 125 µg/ml. No inhibition zones were recorded in the root extract of Cyphostemma junceun at 500 µg/ml. More rich secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, tennins, phenols, glycosides, terpenoids and sapnoids, were screened from distilled water leaf extracts, while flavonoids, tennis, phenols, glycosides, terpenoids, sapnoids and coumarins were screened in ethanol root extracts of Cyphostemma junceum. The leaves, stem bark and root of Senna singueana as well as the root of Cyphostemma junceun have strong antibacterial activity against both bacterial species. Thus, the two plant extracts could be used for healing and killing bacterial agents that can be potential sources for drug development.

Centimeter-level localization and rotation angle estimation of flatbed trucks are major problems in unmanned forklift automated loading scenes. To solve it, this study proposes a method for high-precision positioning and rotation angle estimation of flatbed trucks based on BeiDou and vision. First, an unmanned forklift equipped with a ToF camera and double antenna mobile receiver for BeiDou positioning collects depth images and localization data near the front and rear endpoints of the flatbed. Then DDRNet-23-slim was used to segment the flatbed from the depth image and extract the straight lines at the edges of the flatbed using the Hough transform and compute the set of intersection points of the lines. A neighborhood feature vector was designed to locate the endpoint of a flatbed from a set of intersection points by feature screening. Finally, the relative coordinates of the endpoints were converted to a customized forklift navigation coordinate system by BeiDou positioning, and rotation angle estimation was performed by the front and rear endpoints. Experiments showed that the endpoint positioning error was less than 3 cm and the rotation angle estimation error was less than 0.1°. The precision of the method meets the demand for automated flatbed truck loading by unmanned forklifts.

In a concrete beam initially crack is generated at the tension side under the effect of flexure, shear and torsional loadings. Accordingly, these weak concrete members require repair and/or strengthening to increase or restore their internal load capacity. In the current experimental and numerical investigations on concrete beam having different width to depth ratio of notch on its ultimate flexural load under one-point loading was considered. Further, the flexural behavior performance of notch concrete beam repaired with the three repair materials cement mortar, bacterial mortar and adhesive was also examined. Consequently, a comparative study is imple-mented between the experimental and numerical results. Concrete Damage plasticity (CDP) model was used for finite element numerical analysis of beam. The differences in numerical and experimental measured results ranges from 0.65 - 22.20 % for the ultimate load carrying capacity. As the notch size increases the ultimate load carrying capacity of beam was reduced. Addition-ally, linear regression model is used to predict the ultimate load values at an interval of 5 mm notch width up to maximum width of notch 100 mm. It can be observed that the ultimate load capacity for repaired beam is increased as compared to the notch beam for all the three repairing materials under consideration. The maximum ultimate load was increased in case of notch beam repaired using adhesive. As compared to the cement mortar the performance of the bacterial mortar in terms of the ultimate load was more. The bacterial mortar is found more sustainable and more durable as a repair material for the concrete structures.

Digital transformation has become a strategic priority for the enterprises, the public organizations, and the cities lately since it addresses the adoption of cutting-edge information and communication technologies (ICT) for optimizing their business processes and for generating new types of value to their end users. Although the Covid-19 pandemic is claimed to be over, it appears that organizations and cities changed their digital transformation strategies that had defined before the outbreak. The aim of this paper is to investigate the type of changes that were caused both to enterprises and cities due to the pandemic. It investigates whether and in which directions it caused business changes and how the smart city strategic objectives were affected due to pandemic, especially in cases where digital transformation strategies were defined before the outbreak. This study uses bibliometric analysis to determine the effects of Covid-19 on businesses and cities. Findings specify strategic changes and important trends, like the migration of the production supply chains to nearby territories. Moreover, this article utilizes the European Intelligent Cities Challenge initiative, in which cities had defined their priorities for their digital transformation before the outbreak. From the analysis of the strategic plans of the involved cities, it is attempted to determine whether, which cities and in which directions they changed their strategies due to the pandemic.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of convective and microwave drying on the content of bioactive compounds of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), drying parameters and energy consumption. The fruit was dehydrated in a convective dehydrator at a temperature of 50 °C and 70 °C and a microwave oven at power levels of 90 V, 180 V and 240 V. The highest amount of anthocyanins, polyphenols and antioxidant capacity were obtained in microwave dried blackberry fruits at 90 V and 180 V. It turned out that microwave dehydration shortened the processing time and lower the energy consumption compared to the convective drying. Blackberry fruits dehydrated at 240 V showed the shortest dehydration time, minimal energy consumption and the most efficient diffusion.

The high prevalence of thyroid nodules and increased availability of neck ultrasound have led to an increased incidence of diagnostic thyroid fine needle aspirations, with approximately 20% yielding indeterminate results. The recent availability of molecular tests has helped guide the clinical management of these cases. This paper aims to review and compare three main commercially available molecular cytology platforms in the U.S. – Afirma GSC, Thyroseq GC, and ThyGeNEXT+ThyraMIR. Sequential improvements of the Afirma GSC and Thyroseq GC tests have led to higher positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity. Comparative studies revealed similar diagnostic performance between these tests, with considerations for factors such as cost and processing time. Thyroseq GC provides detailed genomic information and specific management recommendations. ThyGeNEXT+ThyraMIR, though less studied, presents promising results, particularly in miRNA analysis for weak driver mutations. Challenges in interpreting results include variations in reporting and the evolving nature of testing platforms. Questions persist regarding cost-effectiveness and the utility of ultrasound characteristics in selecting candidates for molecular testing. While molecular testing has primarily served diagnostic purposes, advancements in understanding genetic alterations now offer therapeutic implications. FDA-approved options target specific genetic alterations, signaling a promising future for tailored treatments.

Background: Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is essential to prevent stroke and other cardiac and embolic complications. We compared the diagnostic properties for AF detection of the percentage of successive RR interval differences greater than or equal to 30 ms or 3.25% of the previous RR interval (pRR30 and pRR3.25%, respectively), and asymmetric entropy descriptors of RR intervals. Previously, both pRR30 and pRR3.25% outperformed many other heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in distinguishing AF from sinus rhythm (SR) in 60-second electrocardiograms (ECGs). Methods: The 60-s segments with RR intervals were extracted from the publicly available Physionet Long-Term Atrial Fibrillation Database (84 recording, 24-hour Holter ECG). There were 31753 60-s segments of AF and 32073 60-s segments of SR. The diagnostic properties of all parameters were analysed with the receiver operator curve analysis, confusion matrix and logistic regression. The best model with pRR30, pRR3.25% and total entropic features (H) had the largest area under the curve (AUC) – 0.98 compared to 0.959 for pRR30 - and 0.972 for pRR3.25%. However, the differences in AUC between pRR30, pRR3.25% alone and the combined model were negligible from a practical point of view. Moreover, combining pRR30, pRR3.25% with H significantly increased the number of false-negative cases by more than threefold. Conclusions: Asymmetric entropy has some potential in differentiating AF from SR in the 60-s RR interval time series, but the addition of these parameters does not seem to make a relevant difference compared to pRR30 and especially pRR3.25%.

The paper discusses the design and modeling of a simple and illustrative hardware kit for teaching the basics of quantum cryptography to engineering students. The novel solution differs from those already on the market in that it is focused on familiarising trainees with the physical principles of quantum key distribution, as well as with the basics of mathematical formalism in quantum mechanics. This is achieved by using a minimally sufficient set of optical elements with a simple mathematical description in the Jones formalism. This composition of the kit is targeted mostly at engineering students and does not require advanced training in physics as a prerequisite. The configurable architecture of the hardware educational kit contributes to the deeper involvement of students. By independently changing the modular configuration of the system, students can conduct experiments that were not directly provided by the developers. For instance, students can assess the impact of choosing the basic settings of phase retarders on the course of a man-in-the-middle attack. The proposed amount of mathematical and informational support, as well as ready-made formal models, is sufficient to reasonably put forward hypotheses for experimental verification and interpret the obtained empirical data. At this moment, the hardware kit is being replicated, distributed and successfully applied at universities and companies in the communications industry. The accumulated experience of educational use testifies to the high efficiency of the kit as a tool for basic QKD training for people without prior knowledge of quantum mechanics. A discrete event model simulating the operation of the hardware kit is implemented in the non-commercial modeling software CPN Tools and is openly distributed.

The present study conducts the phase analysis, microstructural characteristics, and mechanical property evaluation on the as-cast and quenched Ti-15Mo-xFe alloys with high iron content ranging from 4 to 12 weight percent. All the four alloys were produced in a button-arc melting furnace. Heat treatment in the form of solution treatment was performed in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 1100°C, with a 1-hour holding time. The samples were rapidly quenched in ice-brine. Various characterization techniques were used to analyze samples both in the as cast and quenched conditions. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) was used to analyses the phases present in each alloy whereas the optical microscope (OM) was employed to track the microstructural evolution. The mechanical properties of the alloys were evaluated using a tensile test method while the micro-Vickers hardness measurements were conducted to evaluate hardness of the alloys. OM micrographs revealed equiaxed β grains and substructures in as-cast TMF0, dendritic structure, and equiaxed β grains with pores forming around the grain boundaries in TMF1, and micrograph full of dendrites and pores was observed in the as-cast TMF2 and TMF3 alloys. The quenched TMF0 showed only β equiaxed grains whereas TMF1, TMF2, and TMF3 revealed micrographs full of equiaxed grains of β phase with pores throughout the grain boundaries. The XRD patterns of cast TMF0 showed peaks belonging to the β and orthorhombic α″ martensitic phases and the quenched sample showed the bcc β phase only. The TMF1, TMF2, and TMF3 alloys in as-cast condition indicated peaks belonging to β , α″ and intermetallic B2 TiFe phases, however, their quenched samples showed the presence of β and Fe·Ti·O2 phases in TMF2 and TMF3 alloys. The tensile properties such as ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elastic modulus (E) of as-cast TMF0 were 264 MPa and 79 GPa and these properties changed upon quenching to 411 MPa and 66 GPa respectively. The elastic modulus of TMF1 in as-cast condition was 74 GPa. The UTS and E of TMF1, TMF2, and TMF3 in as cast and quenched conditions were not recorded due to the fragility of the samples that failed prior to yielding any useful data. The micro-Vickers hardness in as cast and quenched conditions showed a similar trend with hardness increasing slightly upon quenching for TMF0, TMF1, and TMF3 alloys but slightly decreased in the case of TMF2. 6). The fracture surfaces of TMF0 exhibited both ductile and brittle fracture in as cast and quenched conditions whereas the only brittle fracture mode was observed in the TMF1, TMF2 and TMF3 alloys in both conditions.

Excessive body fat is a major contributor to obesity, which is related to high blood, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Lemons (Citrus limon) are renowned for their antioxidant and lipid-lowering properties. First, Sugar-free fermentation demonstrated better results lower sugar content and was identified as the preferred fermentation method. Next, the effect of two doses of sugar-free fermented lemon peel juice (SF-FLPJ) on obesity was investigated. Sprague Dawley (male rats) were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed a standard feed or high-fat diet (HFD) to induce fatness for eight weeks. The two groups of rats fed an HFD were administered SF-FLPJ at 0.45 or 0.9 g/kg body weight daily for eight weeks. The obese rats administered 0.9 g/kg (body weight/day) of SF-FLPJ exhibited significant reductions in body fat mass and percentage; they also had lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels than the other groups. Additionally, the rats displayed diminished liver fat accumulation. The results suggest that SF-FLPJ can be a supplement in managing body fat, contributing positively to addressing obesity within the context of health management, and reduce obesity-associated issues.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) made its first appearance in 1956, and since then it has progressively introduced itself in healthcare system and patients’ information and care. AI functions can be grouped under the following headings: Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Computer Vision (CV). Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) represents the last stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD), and has increased over recent years, together with the rise in prevalence of diabetes and population ageing. Nowadays AI grants the possibility of developing new diagnostic and treatment solutions in the vascular field, given the possibility of accessing clinical, biological, and imaging data. By assessing the vascular anatomy in every patient, as well as the burden of atherosclerosis, and classifying the level and degree of disease, sizing and planning the best endovascular treatment, defining the perioperative complications risk, integrating experiences and resources between different specialties, identifying latent PAD, thus offering evidence-based solutions and guiding surgeons in the choice of the best surgical technique, AI challenges the role of the physician’s experience in PAD treatment.

The intricate functionality of the vertebrate retina relies on the interplay between neurotransmitter activity and calcium dynamics, offering important insights into de-velopmental processes, physiological functioning, and disease progression. Neuro-transmitters orchestrate cellular processes to shape the behavior of the retina under diverse circumstances. Despite research to elucidate the roles of individual neuro-transmitters in the visual system, there remains a gap in our understanding of the holistic integration of their interplay with calcium dynamics in the broader context of neuronal development, health, and disease. To address this gap, the present review explores the mechanisms used by the neurotransmitters glutamate, GABA, glycine, dopamine, and acetylcholine and their interplay with calcium dynamics. This con-ceptual outline is intended to inform and guide future research, underpinning novel therapeutic avenues for retinal-associated disorders.

Aim: This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to examine whether there is a correlation between tumor differentiation and certain biomarkers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Poorly differentiated (n=443), moderately differentiated (n=379), and well-differentiated (n=272) tumors were separated from the research population, along with a control group (n=364). Biopsies were used to establish the presence of HCC, and biomarker levels were analyzed using chemiluminescence immunoassays in both infected and uninfected individuals. Results: The correlation between age and tumor size was shown to be statistically significant (p0.05) across all subgroups using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Patients with hepatitis C virus and non-A, non-B hepatitis had more advanced tumors than those with other types of poorly differentiated liver cancer. Similarly, individuals with HBsAg and moderate differentiation had bigger tumors, although there was no correlation between hepatitis C and non-A, non-B. Patients with HBsAg or hepatitis C had bigger tumors in the well-differentiated group, albeit the hepatitis C connection was not statistically significant. In addition, the study stressed that tumor size increases with age and that farmers were the most commonly diagnosed profession category. Conclusions: It is clear that early detection in infected populations is crucial for improving HCC outcomes and that chemiluminescence immunoassay has the potential to be a helpful platform for biomarker research. However, the study is limited by its small sample size and its emphasis on only three tumor markers, indicating that more biomarker research is required to improve the accuracy of HCC diagnosis and prognosis.

Many industrial processes, several natural processes involving non-living matter, and all the processes occurring within living organisms take place in solution. This means that the molecules playing active roles in the processes are present within another medium, called solvent. The solute molecules are surrounded by solvent molecules and interact with them. Understanding the nature and strength of these interactions, and the way in which they modify the properties of the solute molecules, is important for a better understanding of the chemical processes occurring in solution, including possible roles of the solvent in those processes. Computational studies can provide a wealth of information on solute-solvent interactions and their effects. Two major models have been developed to this purpose: a model viewing the solvent as a polarizable continuum surrounding the solute molecule, and a model considering a certain number of explicit solvent molecules around a solute molecule. Each of them has its advantages and challenges, and one selects the model that is more suitable for the type of information desired for the specific system under consideration. These studies are important in many areas of chemistry research, from the investigation of the processes occurring within a living organism to drug design and to the design of environmentally benign solvents meant to replace less benign ones in the chemical industry, as envisaged by the green chemistry principles. The paper presents a quick overview of the modelling approaches and an overview of concrete studies, with reference to selected crucial investigation themes.

This review explores the integration of Virtual and Mixed Reality in medical training. The advent of immersive technologies has revolutionized traditional methodologies, offering immersive, interactive, and flexible learning environments. This study aims to assess the impact, efficacy, and potential of Extended Reality (XR) in medical education. Methods included a comprehensive analysis of current Metaverse’s applications in various medical fields, including surgery, diagnostics, and patient care. Results indicate a significant enhancement in learning outcomes, practical skills, and student engagement. Conclusions suggest that Virtual Reality is a valuable tool for medical training, providing realistic simulations and improving both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The intersection of virtual reality and cognitive neuroscience presents an exciting frontier for understanding the human brain's response to immersive environments. This review explores how VR impacts learning, with a particular focus on the activation and engagement of the prefrontal cortex during immersive experiences. It delves into various studies that highlight the transformative potential of VR in educational settings and therapeutic applications, demonstrating how VR can facilitate deeper and more effective learning experiences. The review will present a dedicated section on the current methodologies used to analyze the brain's response while immersed in a virtual environment.

Abstract: Background: Aging is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and con-vincing data has shown that chronic low-grade inflammation, which develops with advanced age, contributes significantly to cardiovascular risk. Objectives: The present study aimed to use ¹⁸F-FDG/¹⁸F-NaF-PET/CT imaging to respectively gauge arterial inflammation and microcalcifi-cation in healthy elderly and to assess the potential benefits of a tyrosol- and hydroxytyrosol-rich diet on these two markers of atherosclerotic plaque fragility. Methods: Eleven healthy partici-pants (mean age 75 ± 5.67 years) were supplemented for 6 months with high polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil (HP-EVOO), extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), or refined olive oil (ROO). The partic-ipants underwent PET/CT imaging with ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-NaF radiotracers at baseline and after 6 months. ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-NaF uptakes were quantified using standardized uptake values (SUV) and were categorized based on artery calcification and olive oil type. Results: A total of 324 slices of the aortas of the imaged participants were analyzed for arterial inflammation and 327 slices were analyzed for microcalcification. 18F-FDG uptake was significantly higher in the non-calcified segments than in the calcified segments (SUVmax = 2.70  0.62 and SUVmax = 2.54  0.44, respectively, p<0.042). Conversely, the non-calcified segments displayed significantly lower 18F-NaF uptake than the calcified segments (SUVmax = 1.90 0.37 and 2.09  0.24, respec-tively, p<0.0001). The 6-month supplementation with HP-EVOO induced a significant reduction in 18F-FDG uptake in both the non-calcified (2.93  0.23 to 2.75  0.38, p<0.004) and calcified seg-ments of the aortas (2.25  0.29 to 2.15  0.19, p<0.02). 18F-NaF uptake was also significantly low-er in patients supplemented with HP-EVOO (SUVmax = 1.98  0.33 at baseline compared to 1.85  0.28, after the 6-month supplementation, p<0.004), whereas no significant effect was observed with EVOO. Conversely, participants supplemented with ROO displayed a significant increase in 18F-NaF uptake (SUVmax = 1.78  0.34 to 1.95  0.34, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The present study confirmed that ¹⁸F-FDG/¹⁸F-NaF-PET/CT imaging is a valuable approach for assessing age-related arterial damage and demonstrated that a phenolic compound-rich diet reduces both arterial inflammation and atherosclerotic lesion microcalcification.

Tungsten and its alloys are considered as a key component in high temperature environment. Self-passivating W-Si-xY alloys with different Y contents made from the powders milled for different times were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Their microstructures and oxidation resistance were investigated. It is found that the oxidation resistance of the alloys with low Y contents (0Y and 2Y) made from 20 h-milled powders is worse than that of the alloys made from 4 h-milled powders. It is because the protective WO3/SiO2 composite layer is discontinuous. While the alloys with high Y contents (4Y and 6Y) made from 4 h and 20 h-milled powders show good oxidation resistance. Even, the thickness of the oxide layer of the alloys with 4Y and 6Y made from 20 h-milled powders after oxidation at 1000 ℃ for 2 h is 84.0 μm and 70.7 μm, less than that made from 4 h-milled powders. This is due to the size and distribution of W5Si3, Y2Si2O7 aggregates and W-Y-O melt. The synergistic effects of Y contents and milling time on the microstructures and oxidation resistance of the alloys are revealed.