Introduction: We under took an in-use evaluation of a novel hypochlorous acid-based hand hygiene product with in vitro sporicidal efficacy in a NHS Older Persons inpatient ward setting. Methods: The novel hand hygiene product was implemented for a trial period of seven weeks commending in September 2023. Healthcare worker (HCW) hands were sampled before and after direct patient care, and after the application of either an alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) (n=50) or the novel product (n=50). Samples were cultured to quantify the total aerobic count (TAC) and presence or absence of MRSA, ESBLs, CREs, and C. difficile. Trends in weekly observational hand hygiene audit results were reviewed, and a survey of HCW views about the new product undertaken. Results: HCW hands had a significantly greater TAC after ABHR (p=0.01) but not after the novel product (p=0.11) compared with their respective baseline counts. 3% of 100 samples grew MRSA or ESBLs after application of the alcohol-based or novel hand hygiene products. No C. difficile was cultured from healthcare worker hands. There was no significant difference in observed hand hygiene compliance. The majority of HCW surveyed preferred the novel product to the alcohol-based hand hygiene product. Discussion: The novel hand hygiene product was more effective than ABHR at reducing the TAC on HCW hands. Poor hand hygiene technique may explain the identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on staff hands after ABHR or the novel product. We were not able to evaluate sporicidal efficacy since no C. difficile was cultured from hands.

It is unknown whether postprandial plasma glucose measured from blood taken between 4 and 7.9 h (PPG4-7.9h) is associated with mortality from hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to investigate these associations in 4,896 US adults who attended the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of PPG4-7.9h for mortality. This cohort was followed up for 106,300 person-years (mean follow-up, 21.7 years). A 1-natural-log-unit increase in PPG4-7.9h was associated with a higher risk of mortality from hypertension (HR, 3.50; 95% CI, 2.34-5.24), diabetes (HR, 11.7; 95% CI, 6.85-20.0), and CVD (HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 2.08-3.68) after adjustment for all the tested confounders except hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). After further adjustment for HbA1c, PPG4-7.9h remained positively associated with mortality from hypertension (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.13-4.08) and CVD (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.05-2.51), but was no longer associated with diabetes mortality. Subgroup analyses showed that similar results were obtained in the sub-cohort of participants without a prior diagnosis of myocardial infarction or stroke. In conclusion, PPG4-7.9h predicts mortality from hypertension and CVD independent of HbA1c.

Background: This study investigated how the expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (cFLIP) and clusterin (CLU) affects the progression of cancer cells and their susceptibility to doxazosin-induced apoptosis. By silencing each of these genes individually, their effect on prostate cancer cell viability after doxazosin treatment was investigated. Methods: PC-3 prostate cancer cells were cultured and then subjected to gene silencing using siRNA targeting HSP27, cFLIP, and CLU, either individually, in pairs, or all together. Cells were then treated with doxazosin at various concentrations and their viability was assessed by MTT assay. Results: The study found that silencing the CLU gene in PC-3 cells significantly reduced cell viability after treatment with 25 µM doxazosin. In addition, dual silencing of cFLIP and CLU decreased cell viability at 10 µM doxazosin. Notably, silencing all three genes of HSP27, cFLIP, CLU was most effective and reduced cell viability even at a lower doxazosin concentration of 1 µM. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest that simultaneous silencing of HSP27, cFLIP, and CLU genes may be a potential strategy to promote apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, which could inform future research on treatments for malignant prostate cancer.

In this study, alfalfa silage with different packing densities (500 kg/m3, 600 kg/m3 and 700 kg/m3) were set up under outdoor high temperature and indoor normal temperature. The chemical composition, fermentation quality and microbial community of alfalfa silage were analyzed. The results showed that DM and WAC content decreased with the increase of density. When the density is 600kg/m3, CP content reaches the maximum and ADF content is the lowest. Temperature has a certain effect on alfalfa silage. The content of Lactobacillus plantarum fermented at high temperature is lower than that fermented at normal temperature. At the same time, the content of Lactobacillus plantarum decreased with the increase of packing density. However, the content of Lactobacillus plantarum was the lowest when the packing density was 600 kg/m3 at high temperature. In summary, this study explained the effects of different temperature and density on alfalfa fermentation quality and microbial community, and clarified that the density should be reasonably controlled within 600 kg/m3 during alfalfa silage, providing theoretical support for production practice.

Having in view the sustainable management of forests, the intensity of silvotechnical interventions is analyzed and documented for young mixed beech stands regenerated naturally by taking into account the allometric relationships between some representative dendrometric elements, respectively, between the height of the trees and the corresponding diameter of their crowns. For this purpose, a functional dependence is established between the height and diameter of the tree crown from young beech stands within which silvotechnical interventions were or were not applied. A mathematical model based on cubic spline regression was developed, also taking into account the determination of the average diameter of the crown for each stand. This average diameter can be used to determine the optimal number of trees per surface unit (ha) at a given time. The research was carried out in three young beech stands, through statistical-mathematical inventories, on sample plots of 300 square meters with a tolerance of 10% and a coverage probability of 90%. The optimal diameter of the crown was obtained by applying the spline regression model, and the most appropriate functional dependence was established, resulting in a linear regression law with a positive slope.

Numerous studies have shown the multiple benefits of plant biodiversity and the crucial role of resident’s awareness in conservation and land management. Plant biodiversity is investigated in an analytical monitoring report conducted jointly with local population engaged in livestock activities and the young residents who are shifting toward hospitality and tourism. The study area, covering over 800 km2 in Sardinia, is half forested and has landscape interest. During the research, genotypes of Quercus ilex L. with sweet acorns and richer in polyphenols were discovered, the oldest ecosystem services in those rural communities. Collaborative monitoring focused attention on the benefits of plants in different habitats: 53% of these have been known to livestock farmers as food for local breeds of goats and pigs; 15% are officinal and 13% endemic. They have also been used in human nutrition within the Mediterranean diet, and they have landscape and garden interest. The study analyzes numerical data from a critical and educational perspective. These data serve as indicators of ecosystem health for the purpose of sustainable management policies, and attest to collaborative monitoring as a tool for analyzing human activities and the necessary balance between profit and biodiversity conservation, given the current challenging climate change conditions.

This article presents a concise survey of basic discrete and semi-discrete nonlinear models which produce two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) solitons, and a summary of main theoretical and experimental results obtained for such solitons. The models are based on the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equations and their generalizations, such as a system of discrete Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equations with the Lee-Huang-Yang corrections, the 2D Salerno model (SM), DNLS equations with long-range dipole-dipole and quadrupole-quadrupole interactions, a system of coupled discrete equations for the second-harmonic generation with the quadratic (χ⁽²⁾) nonlinearity, a 2D DNLS equation with a superlattice modulation opening mini-gaps, a discretized NLS equation with rotation, a DNLS coupler and its PT-symmetric version, a system of DNLS equations for the spin-orbit-coupled (SOC) binary Bose-Einstein condensate, and others. The article presents a review of basic species of multidimensional discrete modes, including fundamental and vortex solitons, their bound states, gap solitons populating mini-gaps, symmetric and asymmetric solitons in the conservative and PT-symmetric couplers, cuspons in the 2D SM, discrete SOC solitons of the semi-vortex and mixed-mode types, 3D discrete skyrmions, and some others.

Leveraging the open-world understanding capacity of large-scale visual-language pre-trained models has become a hot-spot in point cloud classification. Recent approaches rely on transferable visual-language pre-trained models, classifying point clouds by projecting them into 2D images and evaluating consistency with textual prompts. These methods benefit from the robust open-world understanding capabilities of visual-language pre-trained models and require no additional training. However, they face several challenges summarized as prompt ambiguity, image domain gap, view weights confusion, and feature deviation. In response to these challenges, we propose PointBLIP, a zero-training point cloud classification network based on the recently introduced BLIP-2 visual-language model. PointBLIP is adept at processing similarities between multi-images and multi-prompts. We separately introduce a novel method for point cloud zero-shot and few-shot classification, which involves comparing multiple features to achieve effective classification. Simultaneously, we enhance the input data quality for both the image and text sides of PointBLIP. In point cloud zero-shot classification tasks, we outperform state-of-the-art methods on three benchmark datasets. For few-shot classification tasks, to the best of our knowledge, we present the first zero-training few-shot point cloud method, surpassing previous works under the same conditions and showcasing comparable performance to full-training methods.

In this paper, we suggest an expansion of the Planck distribution function derived from the Boltzmann principle. Thereby, we consider expanding Planck's law with a new distribution function, and discuss fine structure constant. Furthermore, using ideas applied to the expansion of the Planck distribution function, we show that Von Koch's inequality can be derived without using the Riemann Hypothesis, that is, the Riemann Hypothesis is true, and that the abc conjecture is not true. Furthermore, we define a generalization of Entropy and discuss that Entropy is relevant to dynamical systems described by logistic function models, such as the growth of bacteria and populations.

Kiribati is a Pacific Island nation with a widely dispersed population and one of the highest rates of leprosy worldwide. Single dose rifampicin post exposure prophylaxis (SDR-PEP) of leprosy contacts has reduced new case detection rates in controlled trials. In 2018, a SDR-PEP programme was introduced in Kiribati that included screening and chemoprophylaxis of household contacts of leprosy cases both retrospectively (2010-2017) and prospectively (2018 onwards). We conducted a retrospective audit to determine comprehensiveness, timeliness and feasibility of the SDR-PEP programme. Overall, 13,643 household contacts were identified (9,791 in the retrospective and 3,850 in the prospective cohort). In the retrospective cohort, 1,044 (11%) contacts were absent, 403 (4%) were ineligible for SDR and 42 new cases were detected (0.4%) Overall SDR coverage was 84.7%. In the prospective cohort, 164 (4%) contacts were absent, 251 (7%) were ineligible for SDR and 23 new cases were diagnosed (0.6%). Overall, SDR coverage was 88.1%. Across both cohorts, there were a total of 23 SDR refusals. The median time to SDR ad-ministration was 220 days (IQR 162-468) and 120 days (IQR 36-283) for the retrospective and prospective cohorts respectively. SDR was readily accepted in both cohorts. The new case detec-tion rate (0.5%) is consistent with that seen in other studies. Overall SDR coverage in both the retrospective and prospective phases met programmatic expectations.

3D bioprinting, like 3D printing, is a process that builds structures by depositing material layer by layer. In the specific case of bioprinting, these layers are composed of a biocompatible material together with living cells, allowing the creation of three-dimensional structures that recreate functional tissues and organs. Bioprinting cell-laden structures is complicated by the high rate of cell damage and stress that occurs during the process, caused by the high pressures and stresses to which they are subjected. To minimise damage during the process, it is important to study and optimise certain bioprinting conditions beforehand and to analyse how they affect the cells by means of computational simulations. In this review, both quantitative and qualitative data are collected to improve the nozzle geometry through computational simulation studies. Optimal ranges for nozzle diameter (0.2-1mm) and length (8-10mm; 300-900μm) have been defined, and recommendations for improving nozzle performance during bioprinting, such as the provision of an inner angle of 20-30°, an inner EDTA coating and a shear stress of less than 10kPa, have been gathered. Finally, based on the data collected, a design of experiments is proposed to obtain an optimal bioprinting configuration for a particular bioink.

Heavy metal pollution poses a significant threat to global populations, particularly impacting human health. Developing countries, characterized by chemical engineering and mining industrial activities, often contribute to diverse heavy metal contaminants. Consumption of water contaminated with heavy metals, prevalent in such regions, can lead to severe health risks, including gastric cancer. Addressing the urgent issue of heavy metal pollution, this paper employs a bibliographic approach to explore the latest literature on heavy metal pollution. The study discusses recent research findings and potential methods for the treatment and mitigation of heavy metal pollution, emphasizing the pressing need for effective solutions to safeguard public health.

Gaucher disease (GD) is a lysosomal storage disorder stemming from biallelic mutations in GBA1, characterized by glucocerebrosidase dysfunction and glucocerebroside and glucosylsphingosine accumulation. Since phenotypes of murine models of GD often differ from those in patients, careful characterization of Gba1 mutant mice is necessary to establish their ability to model GD. We performed side-by-side comparative biochemical and pathologic analyses of four murine Gba1 models with genotypes L444P/L444P (p.L483P/p.L483P), L444P/null, D409H/D409H (p.D448H/p.D448H), and D409H/null, along with matched wildtype mice, all with the same genetic background and cage conditions. All mutant mice exhibited significantly lower glucocerebrosidase activity (p < 0.0001) and higher glucosylsphingosine levels than wildtype, with the lowest glucocerebrosidase and highest glucosylsphingosine levels in mice carrying a null allele. Although glucocerebrosidase activity in L444P and D409H mice was similar, D409H mice showed more lipid accumulation. No Gaucher or storage-like cells were detected in any of the Gba1 mutant mice. Quantification of neuroinflammation, dopaminergic neuronal loss, alpha-synuclein levels and motor behavior revealed no significant findings, even in aged animals. Thus, while the models may have utility for testing the effect of different therapies on enzymatic activity, they did not recapitulate the pathological phenotype of patients with GD, and better models are needed.

The paper proposes a traceability framework based on methodological approach for the deployment of IOTA-Based Distributed Ledger in the mining industry, as a first step of certification and labelling of the sustainable material production. The methodology is evaluated in real-world implementation in scope of the DIG_IT project. The implementation provides significant amount of heterogeneous data originating from different processes and sources during the operation in mines, such as vehicles operations, mining and raw material extraction, workers physical parameters, environmental parameters, sensors (field, biometric, assets), market (supply chains, commodity prices), weather data, etc. Most of these datasets, especially the data about the emission, needs integrity and the ability to be audited by the public community, government and the stakeholders. The methodology for establishing the transparency for the mining operations, the requirements, technical architecture, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) assessment, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) infrastructure, as well as end-to-end traceability, are proposed and evaluated with the actual deployment. The approach advocates end to end security for the increased traceability and data integrity based on Distributed Ledger Technology. Namely, W3C Decentralised Identities and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) should be deployed from the data source to the cloud and anchored onto the Blockchain. The approach showed promising results with the regulations compliance made possible, making the data available and advertised publicly for the emission compliance.

The rise in dependency upon information present on web and social networks has increased the importance of content credibility systems. These sys- tems can help the users to make a right decision related to buying a product, utiliz- ing a service and etc. Application areas including social network blogs of different subjects such as health, food, education, politics and product review/ratings some- times suffer incredible and wrong information flow. The content credibility sys- tems can help users to identify the credible information on these various forums. Recently, researchers have proposed certain mechanisms for these systems, out of which reputation based systems have gained most attention. However, reputa- tion systems are vulnerable to reputation based attacks, like Sybil, Slandering, and Whitewash promoting spread of wrong information. The authors have proposed a defense mechanism against these attacks that is based upon Bayesian Model. The proposed defense mechanism provides protection against these attacks so that fake or wrong information could be prevented. The authors evaluated the proposed mechanism in three different scenarios and presented the results in terms of pre- cision, recall and rate of change in rank. The results reveal almost 88%prevention against these attacks in comparison to the baseline systems.

Several traps are recommended for monitoring corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), an important pest of field, vegetable and fruit crops in the U.S. These traps, which are meant to capture H. zea in many cases end up capturing other insects. Helicoverpa zea has recently been found feeding on different seeds and dual-type (seed and fiber) hemp, Cannabis sativa L. (Rosales: Cannabaceae) causing serious damage. Limited work has been done on developing integrated pest management (IPM) for H. zea industrial hemp in Missouri. We evaluated the attractiveness of different traps with the aim of developing a monitoring system for the adult male H. zea in industrial hemp fields in two Missouri locations In addition, we recorded other non-target insects in the traps to determine trap selectivity. Commercially available green, clear, tricolor bucket traps Heliothis Scentry and Scentry Delta 1X traps baited with H. zea sex pheromones were evaluated in 2021 and 2022. Tricolor traps captured significantly more adult male H. zea than the other traps in both years. Non-target insects, mainly Xylocopa virginica (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Bombus spp (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were also captured. The tricolor trap captured the most bees. The presence of non-target species highlights the risk of using tricolor traps as a monitoring tool. This data provides information for planning the monitoring of corn earworm in industrial hemp farms in Missouri.

The growing global interest in Circular Economy (CE) adoption by organizations has received considerable attention in academic literature. This review delves into the multifaceted aspects of CE transformation, assessing barriers, drivers, and potential research directions. It encompasses three main clusters: frameworks and definitions, barriers and drivers, and industry-specific research. Existing studies significantly contribute by unveiling strategies, frameworks, and innovative ap-proaches aiding CE transition. However, there's a notable focus on identifying barriers hindering CE implementation, revealing a critical need for effective solutions. Moreover, the review highlights the lack of CE frameworks in the service sector and insufficient awareness among Small and Me-dium Enterprises, necessitating deeper exploration. Despite the potential of digital technologies like Industry 4.0 in expediting CE transformation, comprehensive implementation strategies remain lacking. Noteworthy frameworks, such as circular business models and two-stage transformation models, offer practical pathways for CE adoption. Dynamic capabilities emerge as a crucial yet underexplored factor facilitating CE transition. Future research should delve into country-specific contexts, integrate digital technologies into industries, and explore the relationship between dy-namic capabilities and CE transformation, especially within small and medium-sized enterprises. While progress has been made in understanding CE principles' adoption, this review highlights research gaps that require attention for global sustainability and widespread CE practice imple-mentation.

Spectral image analysis has the potential to replace traditional approaches for assessing plant responses to different types of stress including herbicide, through non-destructive and high-throughput screening (HTS). Therefore, this study was conducted to develop a rapid bioassay method using a multi-well plate and spectral image analysis for diagnosis of herbicide activity and mode of action. Crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris) as a model weed was cultivated in multi-well plates and subsequently treated with 6 herbicides with different modes of action when they reached the 1-leaf stage, using only a quarter of the recommended dose. To detect plant response to herbicides, plant spectral images were acquired after herbicide treatment using RGB, infrared (IR) thermal, and chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) sensors and analyzed for diagnosing herbicide efficacy and mode of action. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using all spectral data successfully distinguished herbicides and clustered depending on their modes of action. The performed experiments have shown that the multi-well plate assay combined with spectral image analysis can be successfully applied for herbicide bioassay. In addition, the use of spectral image sensors, especially in CF image, would facilitate HTS by enabling rapid observation of herbicide response, as early as 3 hours after herbicide treatment.

Background A diet rich in red meat, and poor in fruits and vegetables, can hinder the body's ability to detoxify, therefore, an alternative vegetarian diet maintained over a certain period, determines the elimination of excess toxins and accumulated residues, helping the body to regenerate and recharge energy. Following this simple rule, there are a multitude of benefits for our health. Significance of the autophagy process An even better regeneration of the body takes place during the black fast, in which senescent cells, (dead cells that no longer exercise any function, but instead produce inflammation in the body), are eliminated by autophagy, and in their place, the cells are stimulated stem. Aging can be associated with various pathological conditions if autophagy is not promoted by a healthy lifestyle. In elderly people, cells can show DNA mutations and accumulations of protein aggregates that impair the body's physiological processes. Several studies have shown that the activation of autophagy slows down the ageing process. Conclusions Aging, and its associated conditions of illness, are due to genomic instability caused by DNA damage, telomere shortening and epigenome changes that modulate gene expression.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and its various forms are extensively utilized in both research and clinical settings to analyse molecules. NMR data pre-processing, while essential to NMR data analysis, can be uniquely complex. Despite the availability of software tools, understanding these processes can be challenging, complicating the selection of appropriate pre-processing steps. In this review, we elucidate pre-processing steps in the time domain from a mathematical and statistical perspective, explaining direct current offset removal, eddy current correction, shift and linear prediction, weighting, zero filling, and domain transformation using plain language and fundamental mathematical formulas. Our objective is to clarify these processes in simple terms and provide general guidance.

Understanding the evolution patterns in patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after therapy is relevant due to the dismal outcome still present in refractory or relapsed AML patients. We performed a retrospective, single-center study to evaluate the mutation profile in paired samples obtained at the time of diagnosis and at the onset of progressive or refractory disease in patients diagnosed with AML through a commercial next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel. In total, 62 patients were analyzed. Of these, 28 patients received ICT, and 34 patients underwent low-intensity treatments. In LIT patients, there were emergent mutations at progressive disease in a 64% (22/34) of the patients. Emergent mutations in the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway were observed in 35.9% (12/34) , corresponding to 54.5% of all patients with emergent mutations (12/22). These were found in 12/22 patients that received venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents. Six presented mutations in genes related to the RAS-MAPK pathway. Emerging mutations are frequently observed at progressive AML disease after therapy. In patients treated with LIT, mutations in RAS-MAPK signaling pathway might have a key role on the secondary clinical resistance, not only if they are present at diagnosis, becoming a potential target for the development of new drugs.

In 2019, due to the global pandemic of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), lockdown was imposed in Greece. Children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) during that period had to maintain a good level of glycemic control despite the subversive changes in their lives. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of lockdown on glycemic control and lifestyle changes of children with type 1 diabetes. The present cross-sectional study included 59 children with T1D who measured their glucose levels through glucose monitoring systems (Continuous Glucose Monitoring, CGM) and Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM)). Their glycemic profile and demographic data were recorded in three different periods (before, during and after the lockdown). The changes in their daily routine were farther investigated through a short questionnaire which assesses changes in lifestyle-related behavior during COVID 19 pandemic. A significant improvement was noted in the glycemic control of children with T1D during the restrictive measures. Boys scored higher on scale of lifestyle behavior changes during the pandemic (-0.1 vs. -0.3, p=0.015). The results of this study highlight the need for continuous education and insistence on children's adherence with the treatment plan and the beneficial effects of using the new technology for easier monitoring.

Single-Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S) is a modification of the duodenal switch in which only one anastomosis is performed, with a longer common limb and an expected less malabsorptive effect. The present study analyzes presentation and treatment of malnutrition after SADI-S. 258 consecutive patients undergoing SADI-S between May 2007 and September 2017 were included. The common limb length was 200 cm in 50 cases, 250 cm in 156 and 300 in 52. 30 patients were admitted for severe hypoalbuminemia and 16 patients were submitted to revisional surgery and constitute the series of our study. Mean weight before reoperation was 57 kg and mean body mass index (BMI) was 21 kg/m2. Mean number of daily bowel movements was 5,6. Mean time to reoperation was 56 months. Revisional surgery consisted mainly in elongation of the common limb. Mean weight regain was 14 kg and mean final BMI was 26 kg/m2. Daily bowel movements were decreased to 1,3. Factors related to hypoalbuminemia were hypertension, poor controlled diabetes, age over 55 years and a shorter common limb. Although SADI-S is expected to be less malabsorptive than previous biliopancreatic diversions, caution has to be taken with selected patients to avoid postoperative malnutrition.

This study analyzed the CO2 capture potential for Parque Natural Regional Serrania de las Quinchas buffer area in Colombia. For this purpose, multitemporal analysis for land covering for years 1989, 2000, 2006, 2011, 2017 and 2021 was made using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Corine Land Cover (CLC) methodology. In the same way, Aboveground Biomass (AGB) was measured for representative parcels by measuring tree’s diameters and heights and applying the adequate allometric models; carbon content in soils was measured too. Results show that dense forest has grown since 1989 and the carbon stock in all the vegetation covers increased by 14,3% from 1989 until 2021, using literature data for tropical humid forests. If measured AGB values obtained in this study are used, the carbon stock average is 3 times this value. Measured carbon average content in AGB was 374,3 Ton C/Ha, well above the average for the content reported for humid tropical forests in Colombia; carbon content in soils was 897,19 Ton/Ha, 2,4 times that found in the AGB. In total, an average of 1271,49 Ton C/Ha (AGB+ soil) was found and a pattern of dense forest recovery was found, but in a more dispersed way than in the past. A very interesting potential for existing forests recovery was found for this area. Strategies for this include the development of sustainable practices, land use management, everything pursuing biodiversity preservation and the participation and leading of the local communities.

(1) Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening mostly uses a one-assay anti-HCV testing approach, which has a higher probability of false-positive results in populations with low HCV prevalence. (2) Methods: In this investigation, 17,926 participants, were screened for HCV, and the reactives were tested using a two-assay anti-HCV approach: Elecsys ElectroChemiLuminescence (ECL) and a ChemiLuminescence ImmunoAssay (CLIA), respectively. A recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) was performed to confirm anti-HCV positivity. Statistical analysis was performed. (3) Results: A total of 350 specimens resulted reactive in the ECL screening, of which CLIA retesting showed that 292 (83.4%) were anti-HCV reactive (283 positive, 9 indeterminate, none negative by RIBA), but 58 (16.6%) were not anti-HCV reactive (15 positive, 12 indeterminate, 31 negative by RIBA). The two-assay strategy significantly improved the positive predictive value (PPV: 95.00%) with χ2: 7.59(p&lt;0.01) then the PPV assessed by one assay (PPV: 90.6%) with χ2: 34.51 (p&lt; 0.001). The ROC curve defined a sensibility and specificity for the dual approach of: 99.66% and 100.00%. (4) Conclusions: Compared with a one-assay testing strategy, the two-assay testing strategy may significantly reduce false positives in anti-HCV testing and identify inactive HCV infection in low seroprevalence populations.

: Protease-producing yeasts were isolated from potato wastes and screened for protease production on skim milk agar plates The best producer of protease isolate was identified as Clavispora lusitaniae. The strain showed better enzyme production using tomato pomace and bread waste mix as a solid fermentation substrate. The optimized conditions improved enzyme activity and showed a maximal production of 33450±503 IU/g compared with the initial activity of 11205,78 ±360 without medium optimization. A threefold increase in protease activity after medium optimization proved the reliability of using the PBD and CCD design. A 19.76-fold purified enzyme and a yield of 32.94% were obtained after purification. The protease showed maximum activity at pH 4 and 60 °C and was resistant to Tween 20, Tween 40, SDS, and β-mercaptoethanol, Ca2+, and Mg2+ stimulated it. The protease activity was strongly inhibited in the presence of urea, and EDTA. The results revealed Clavispora lusitaniae protease's ability to degrade wheat seeds and flour gluten by 98.7% and 97% respectively under pH 4 for 24 hours at 40 °C. According to this study, this enzyme could be a potential candidate for the food industry, particularly for treating wheat seed and flour to reduce the immunogenicity of gluten.

Research studies related to neuroplastic changes that occur secondary to a bout of cystitis at a critical neonatal period of development in female rats (P14-16) are reviewed. They reveal that neonatal bladder inflammation (NBI) leads to an adult phenotype with many of the features of the human disorder, interstitial cystitis. Neurochemical, behavioral and neurophysiological differences between rats which experienced NBI and control animals are discussed and new data presented.

Research on spatio-temporal geostatistical modelling remains a critical challenge in numerous scientific and engineering disciplines. This work introduces a novel extension of the dual kriging the spatio-temporal dual kriging (ST-DK) whose drift functions with fixed and adaptive coefficients are established. The approach appears to be effective in modelling complex spatio-temporal dynamics, particularly when relevant auxiliary variables exert substantial influence on the target variable. To illustrate its performance, we compare the ST-DK model with the classical spatio-temporal regression kriging (ST-RK) method for estimating temperature and air pressure data across Thailand in 2018. Our findings demonstrate that both ST-DK and ST-RK models, when utilizing adaptive coefficients, outperform their constant coefficient counterparts. Furthermore, the ST-DK method consistently exhibits superior performance compared to the ST-RK model.

Abstract: The use of IVF and related procedures has offered opportunities for couples to conceive who otherwise would remain childless. This technology is often viewed as the only option but is very expensive and not highly effective. ln an effort to improve access to care, governments are attempting to provide funding. In Ireland for example the Health Service Executive (HSE) has recently made IVF funding available through Regional Fertility Hubs. for couples who qualify. However, this policy has threatened a less invasive approach available in Ireland that can help many couples before IVF is employed. We propose that a newly emerging “medical treatment process” called Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM), combined with methods or apps that track biomarkers of the menstrual cycle as a prerequisite option for appropriate patients. To illustrate the effectiveness, we compared live birth rates from an established Irish RRM clinic that uses the ChartNeo app to HFEA (Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority) data, both from 2019. RRM treatment had a live birth rate of 40.4% compared to 24.4% per treatment cycle for IVF (P>0.0001). RRM twin pregnancy rate was 2.5% compared to 7% for IVF. RRM babies were usually full term and normal birth weight. Therefore, RRM is less expensive, less invasive, and more effective than IVF for most patients. This merits further evaluation and support by the HSE and other global authorities guiding health policy.

Although solar photovoltaic (PV) system costs have declined, capital cost remains a barrier to widespread adoption. Do-it-yourself (DIY) system designs can decrease costs by about 50% by reducing labor costs, but if not attached to a building structure demand ground penetration for conventional footings. This is not technically and economically feasible at all sites. To overcome these challenges, this study details systems designed to eliminate drilling holes and pouring concrete. Two different designs for both fixed tilt and variable tilt PV racking are investigated to assess their structural integrity, constructability, and economic cost when fabricated with a ballast-supported foundation. The ballast-supported foundations are analyzed for eight such systems by proposing two separate ballast designs: one for single line of post systems, and one for double line of post systems built on a 4-kW basis. The results of the analysis found that both designs are slightly more expensive than typical in-ground concrete systems by 25%, but the overall DIY systems costs remain economically advantageous. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to show how modifications to the dimensions including clearances and distances between gabions influence the weight of the system and thus change the economic value of the design, so users can trade dimensional freedom for cost-savings, and vice versa. Overall, all the wood-based PV racking system designs provide users with cost-effective and easy DIY alternatives to conventional metal racking, and the novel ballast systems presented provide more versatility for PV systems installations.

Query reformulation is a fundamental task in information retrieval systems aimed at improving the accuracy and relevance of search results. This abstract presents a query reformulation approach that utilizes a domain-specific ontology to enhance the effectiveness of query reformulation. The use of ontology enables a more precise understanding of the domain and its associated concepts, leading to more accurate query interpretation and reformulation. The proposed approach consists of two main steps: ontology-based query interpretation and ontology-guided query expansion. The proposed approach use Power thesaurus tool that perform sentiment analysis for suggestion of the synonyms of the query words to improve the accuracy of the retrieved results. The proposed methodology gives high accuracy as compared to the previous approaches that used Wordnet for the suggestions of synonyms. The proposed approach demonstrates the potential of utilizing ontologies in query reformulation, offering a more accurate and context-aware search experience in domain-specific information retrieval systems.

A fern, Polypodium aureum, possesses a specialized spore-releasing mechanism like a catapult induced by quick expansion of vaporized bubbles. This study introduces lipid-coated perfluorocarbon droplets to enable repeatable vaporization-condensation cycles, inspired by the repeatable vaporization of Polypodium aureum. Lipid-perfluorocarbon droplets have been considered not to exhibit repeatable oscillations due to bubble collapse by low surface tension of lipid layers. However, a single lipid-dodecafluoropentane droplet with a diameter of 9.17 µm shows expansion-contraction oscillations over 4,000 cycles by changing lipid composition and applying low power of 1.7 MHz ultrasound to induce partial vaporization of droplets. The optimal combinations of shell composition, droplet fabrication, and acoustic conditions can minimize damage on shell structure and quick recovery of damaged shell layers. The highly-expanding oscillatory microbubbles provide a new direction for fuel-free micro or nanobots as well as biomedical applications of contrast agents and drug delivery.

The determination of the specific surface free energy, specific properties and Lewis’s acid base of solid materials is of capital importance in many industrial processes such as adhesion, coatings, two dimensional films and adsorption phenomena. (1) Background: The physicochemical properties of many solid particles were characterized during the last forty years by using the retention time of injected well-known molecules into chromatographic column containing the solid substrates to be characterized. The obtained net retention time of the solvents adsorbed on the solid allowing the determination of the net retention volume directly correlated to the specific surface variables, dispersive, polar and acid-base properties. (2) Methods: Many chromatographic methods were used to quantify the values of the different specific surface variables of the solids. However, one found a large deviation between the different results. In this paper, one proposed a new method that quantify the specific free energy of adsorption as well as the Lewis’s acid-base constants of many solid surfaces. (3) Results: The new applied method allowed us to obtain the specific enthalpy and entropy of adsorption of polar model organic molecules on several solid substrates such as silica, alumina, MgO, ZnO, Zn, TiO2 and carbon fibers. (4) Conclusions: our new method based on the separation between the dispersive and polar free surface energy allowed to better characterize the solid materials.

This study addresses the influence of working conditions on Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQOL) among Spanish healthcare professionals. The research seeks to elucidate the mediating roles of job engagement and burnout, and the moderating effects of resilience and self-efficacy, in this relationship. Methods: The study included 374 healthcare workers from Spain, encompassing physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants. It employed a methodological approach using validated instruments to assess psychosocial risks, work-life quality, job engagement, burnout, and resilience. Data were gathered through self-reported questionnaires. Results: Key findings indicate a negative association between working conditions and WRQOL. Job engagement and burnout significantly mediated this relationship, accounting for 19% to 33% of the variance in WRQOL. Notably, lack of support emerged as a strong negative factor for work-related quality of life. Additionally, resilience moderated the relationship between lack of support and burnout. Conclusions: The study concludes that improving working conditions could increase WRQOL. Interventions aimed at enhancing engagement and addressing burnout may be effective. The moderating role of resilience suggests that strategies to enhance resilience could also be beneficial. These findings hold significant implications for policy formulation and human resources planning in healthcare, emphasizing the need for enhanced workplace support and the development of resilience among health workers.

Dengue virus (DENV) is spread by Aedes aegypti and causes significant global health risks. Alternative techniques are urgently needed because the current control mech-anisms are insufficient to reduce the transmission of DENV. Introducing Wolbachia pipientis into Ae. aegypti inhibits DENV transmission, however, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Innate immune effector upregulation, the regulation of autophagy, and intracellular competition between Wolbachia and DENV for lipids are among the theories for the mechanism of inhibition. Further-more, mainly three immune pathways Toll, IMD and JAK/STAT are involved in the host for the suppression of the virus. These pathways are activated by Wolbachia and DENV in the host and are responsible for the upregulation and downregulation of many genes in mosquitoes, which ultimately reduces the titer of the DENV in the host. The functioning of these immune pathways depends upon the Wolbachia, host and virus interaction. Here, we summarize the current understanding of DENV recognition by the Ae. aegypti’s immune system, aiming to create a comprehensive picture of our knowledge. Additionally, we investigated how Wolbachia regulates ac-tivation of multiple genes associated with the Toll and IMD pathway, for the reduc-tion of arboviruses.

The urban heat island (UHI) and its intensity is one of the phenomena that are of determining importance for the comfort of living in cities and their sustainable development in the face of deepening climate change. The study is objectively difficult due to the large dynamics like land cover and the considerable diversity of land use patterns in urban areas. Various approaches and methods are used in research practice, based both on ground measurements and in the use of remote methods and satellite information. However, most of these approaches provide information with problematic spatial and temporal resolution, making them difficult to apply for sustainable urban planning purposes, which require adequate information provision. This paper presents the results of the application of thermal photogrammetry based on the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), combined with geographic information systems (GIS), in the study of surface urban heat island intensity (SUHI), at the local level for the largest housing complex in Bulgaria - Lyulin district of the capital of Sofia city. The studies were carried out during a heat wave in July 2023. A difference of 16.5oC was found between locations with SUHI occurrence and suburban areas. The information benefits of locally addressed data and their direct applicability are discussed to support decision-making processes in the planning and management of urban areas, including their climate adaptation and sustainable development.

In this article, we combine datasets from multiple research projects and remote sensing tech-nologies to evaluate the conservation conditions of La Fortaleza de Kuelap, a pre-Hispanic monument in Peru’s northeastern Andes that suffered significant damage during historically high seasonal rains in April 2022. Our analyses seek to identify the main causes of the collapse and locate places where the monument is likely at risk of further deterioration. To do so, we model surface hydrology using a digital elevation model (DEM) derived from drone LiDAR data, re-construct a history of previous collapses, and calculate the volume of the most recent by fusing terrestrial LiDAR and photogrammetric datasets. In addition, we examine subsurface water ac-cumulation through electrical resistivity data, reconstruct the stratification of the monument from seismic refraction data, and analyze vegetation loss and ground moisture accumulation using high resolution satellite imagery. Our results point to water accumulation as the most significant source of risk for La Fortaleza’s perimeter walls. Combined with adverse contemporary conser-vation interventions and natural conditions, this led to the collapse of April 2022. This integration of analytical results demonstrates how multi-scalar and multi-instrumental approaches provide comprehensive and timely assessments of conservation needs.

Along time, many minted coins were withdrawn from circulation, being replaced with new ones. The returned obsolete metal coins were melted in order to sustainable reuse of the alloy for other purpose. Between the withdrawing and melting, some of the metal coins were cancelled by destruction of the original shape and dimension, using some adequate tools. In the first part, the paper is focused to present some aspects insight of the cancelling method used on the Romanian old nickel coins; also, there are presented some examples. The introductive part also includes the literature review in the field of coin manufacturing, covering the subjects as metal behavior under the striking load, aspects about the 3D modeling and FEM analysis or explaining some striking errors. Result the paper main purpose, to study the particularities of one or another cancelling method applied on subjected coins, which conducted to more or less valuable collection metal pieces. In the paper second part, is introduced the adequate 3D model, computed for the cancelling dies, respectively the coin. Then, there are introduced the assembled models, corresponding to each cancelling case, which consist by the obverse and reverse cancelling dies, having the coin inside them. For the each model, the finite element analysis is realized and is achieved for different initial conditions. The final part of the paper presents the analysis results and also the discussions and conclusions.

Ethylene is an essential plant hormone critical in various physiological processes. These processes include seed germination, leaf senescence, fruit ripening, and the plant's response to environmental stressors. Ethylene biosynthesis is tightly regulated by two key enzymes, namely 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO). Initially, the prevailing hypothesis suggested that ACS is the limiting factor in the ethylene biosynthesis pathway. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence from various studies has demonstrated that ACO, under specific circumstances, acts as the rate-limiting enzyme in ethylene production. Under normal developmental processes, ACS and ACO collaborate to maintain balanced ethylene production, ensuring proper plant growth and physiology. However, under abiotic stress conditions, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, or pathogen attack, the regulation of ethylene biosynthesis becomes critical for plants’ survival. This review highlights the structural characteristics, examines the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation of ACS and ACO, and their role under abiotic stress conditions. Reviews on the role of ethylene signaling in abiotic stress adaptation are available. However, a review that delineates the role of ACS and ACO in abiotic stress acclimation is not available.

This article provides a thorough overview of biomarkers, pathophysiology, and molecular pathways involved in the transition from acute kidney injury (AKI), acute kidney disease (AKD) to chronic kidney disease (CKD). It categorizes the biomarkers of AKI into stress, damage, and functional markers, highlighting their importance in early detection, prognosis, and clinical application. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying AKI, AKD, including renal hypoperfusion, sepsis, nephrotoxicity, and immune responses, with the impact on renal injury. In addition, various molecules play pivotal roles in inflammation and hypoxia, triggering maladaptive repair, mitochondrial dysfunction, immune system reactions, and cellular senescence of renal cell. Key signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-Catenin, TGF-β/SMAD, and Hippo/YAP/TAZ, promote fibrosis and impact renal function. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) triggers a cascade leading to renal fibrosis, with aldosterone exacerbating oxidative stress and cellular changes that promote fibrosis. Clinical evidence suggests RAS inhibitors may protect against CKD progression, especially post-AKI, though more extensive trials are needed to confirm their full impact.

To address the trajectory tracking issue for quadrotors working under the influence of external disturbances, a control scheme is designed for position and attitude trajectory tracking. Firstly, the quadrotor dynamic model is derived for control design. Secondly, adaptive integral backstepping control (AIBS) is employed in the position loop in which adaptive estimation is used to estimate the upper bounds of disturbances. Subsequently, a new adaptive backstepping fast nonsingular integral terminal sliding mode control (ABFNITSM) is proposed to follow desired Euler angles. The intro-duction of fast nonsingular terminal sliding mode and integral element is to realize fast convergence and accurate tracking. Dead zone technique is applied to minimize estimation errors. Besides, a saturation function is utilized to eliminate chattering phenomenon. Finally, simulation experiments are conducted under the Simulink environment. The proposed control is verified by comparing it with traditional integral terminal sliding mode control (ITSM) and integral backstepping control (IBS).

Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are reported to be responsible for 50-60% of bloodstream infections in very preterm (&lt;1500 g) infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). Staphylococcus capitis is an increasingly prevalent pathogen in neonatal setting, frequently causing central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) that can be difficult to eradicate. CVC removal versus in situ treatment of CoNS CLABSIs is a matter of debate, with no clear consensus emerging in the existing literature. We revised all S. capitis CLABSIs in our NICU between 2019 and 2022, focusing on the role of catheter removal for eradication. Among 25 cases, 17 CVCs were removed after diagnosis, leading to a 76.5% eradication rate in this group. 3 infants had a persistently positive blood culture after CVC substitution. A new catheter was than inserted after a 48-hours washout period, resulting in resolution of the infection. Only 2 of 8 patients (25%) who retained the catheter after diagnosis, underwent infection eradication with antibiotic therapy alone. Catheter removal, when feasible, seems to be the most effective strategy to eradicate S. capitis CLABSIs, sometimes even requiring a 48-hours washout period before reinsertion. Further studies on this subject are needed to better standardize the management of this kind of infections.

The following narrative review embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the pivotal role played by the gut microbiome within the Diet-Microbiota-Immunity (DMI) tripartite, aiming to enhance anti-cancer immunotherapy efficacy. While revolutionizing cancer treatment, resistance to immunotherapy and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) remain challenges. The tumor microenvironment (TME), shaped by cancer cells, influences immunotherapy resistance. The gut microbiome, influenced by genetics, environment, diet, and interventions, emerges as a critical player in TME reshaping, thereby modulating immune responses and treatment outcomes. Dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet, caloric restriction modifications, and specific nutritional components show promise in influencing the tumor microenvironment and gut microbiome for better treatment outcomes. Antibiotics, disrupting gut microbiota diversity, may compromise immunotherapy efficacy. This review emphasizes the need for tailored nutritional strategies to manipulate microbial communities, enhance immune regulation, and improve immunotherapy accessibility while minimizing side effects. Ongoing studies investigate the impact of dietary interventions on cancer immunotherapy, pointing towards promising developments in personalized cancer care. This narrative review synthesizes existing knowledge and charts a course for future investigations, presenting a holistic perspective on the dynamic interplay between dietary interventions, the gut microbiome, and cancer immunotherapy within the DMI tripartite.

Phytoene desaturase (PDS) is a plant enzyme involved in carotenoid biosynthesis. The PDS gene has been used as a selective marker for genome editing in several plant species, including banana (Musa spp.). Its knockout promotes dwarfism and albinism, characteristics that are easily recognizable and highly favorable. In Musa spp., the A genome increases fruit production and quality, whereas the B genome is associated with tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The objective of this study was to identify a molecular marker in the PDS gene to easily discriminate the A and B genomes of banana. A 2166 bp fragment for the ‘PDSMa’ marker was identified as polymorphic for the A genome (identification accuracy of 99.33%), whereas ~332 and ~225 bp fragments were detected for the ‘PDSMb’ primer with 100% accuracy using MedCalc software. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use the PDS gene to determine doses of the A genome and identify the B genome in Musa spp., which will aid in evaluating the genomic constitution of banana hybrids and accessions at the seedling stage, and accelerating their classification in crop genetic improvement programs.

Heat dissipation from Li-ion batteries is a potential safety issue for large-scale energy storage applications. Maintaining low and uniform temperature distribution, and low energy consumption of the battery storage is very important. We studied the fluid dynamics and heat transfer phenomena of a single cell, 16-cell modules, battery packs, and cabinet through computer simulations and experimental measurements. The results show that the temperature distribution of single cell is relatively uniform when the cell is facing the air flow. In a module, very high air flow rate and large gap between the cells can reduce the cell temperature. A pack with a good thermally conductive case is very important to ensure good heat dissipation of the battery module. Due to limited space in the cabinet, additional air inlets and outlets can be opened outside of the cabinet to slightly lower the pack temperature. Installing fins outside the cabinet can also slightly reduce the temperature inside the cabinet. Liquid cooling medium, such as water, is much better than the air-cooling medium.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an Athletic Performance Program, performed in addition to teams’ regular training routines, on match performance variables in professional football players. Twenty-nine professional football players (age=27.21±4.95 years; body mass=79.56±5.21 kg) of the Spanish First Division (LaLiga) underwent a 10-week training program focused on the development of mobility, stability, strength, and multidirectional running skills. The APP included 5 indoor sessions per week and on-field micro-dosing stimulus in addition to regular training practices. Match performance variables obtained with GPS devices during official matches and jump performance were measured before and after the APP. The APP increased peak running speed (31.1±1.4 vs 32.1±1.0 km/h, P < 0.001, d=1.88), the number of sprints (0.14±0.03 vs 0.16±0.03 sprint/min, P< 0.001, d=1.44) and the sprint distance (6.45±1.43 vs 8.35±1.22 m/min P< 0.001, d=2.49) during the matches. The intervention also increased countermovement jump height (34.1±2.7vs 35.8±2.5 cm, P< 0.001, d=2.20). The APP was effective to improve intense actions during competitive match play in professional football players. Strength and conditioning coaches may consider the use of multicomponent physical training programs included in the usual training week to enhance players’ match running at high intensity.

Intermittently Scanned Continuous Glucose Monitoring (isCGM) devices are increasingly being used in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on insulin therapy for their benefits regarding disease management. Evidence of isCGM use in patients with T2DM treated with basal insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of isCGM in this population. This was an observational, retrospective, real-world study enrolling patients with T2DM who were starting with the use of isCGM. Data from medical records (i.e. demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory assessments, and isCGM metrics) were collected over three time periods (baseline, 3 and 6 months). The endpoints were glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) changes, and changes in isCGM metrics as defined by the International Consensus from baseline to a 3-month and a 6-month follow-up. Overall, 132 patients were included (69% male; mean age 68.2±11.0 years; mean disease duration 19.0±9.3 years; 80% on basal insulin ± oral drugs at baseline; mean baseline HbA1c 8.1%±1.3%). The estimated mean change in HbA1c from baseline was statistically significant at three (-0.4±1.0%; p=0.003) and at six months (-0.6±1.3%; p&lt;0.0001). No statistical differences were found in the mean change of the isCGM metrics. Intermittently Scanned Continuous Glucose Monitoring is effective and safe in improving glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs.

Microfluidic systems offer precise control over physiological, biochemical, and mechanical stimuli in cell culture, allowing in vitro emulation of tissue or tumor microenvironments. This study aims to advance our understanding of tumor biology and contribute to personalized therapy development. Overcoming challenges in cell culture, including cell density and microfluidic device properties, is essential for this purpose. We designed a microfluidic system to facilitate the interaction of diverse cell lineages, incorporating human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBEC5i), glioblastoma multiforme cells (U87MG), and astrocytes (ScienceCells 1800). Post-fabrication, we assessed the system's functionality and systematically evaluated cell inoculation conditions. Photographic acquisitions comprehensively captured cell culture and their interactions. The device successfully enabled assessment of cellular proliferation, invasion, and migration, supporting the growth of monolayers and tumor organoids. Importantly, each channel demonstrated independence in study processes while allowing cellular intercommunication, both physically and biochemically. In conclusion, the functional microfluidic device facilitated the study of cell migration, tumor invasion, and organoid growth, faithfully replicating biological features observed in a tumor microenvironment. This research contributes to advancing our understanding of tumor biology for the development of personalized therapies.

The study's results and conclusions are relevant for academics, professionals, and cultural heritage managers at both national and international levels, offering insights into the effective preservation and promotion of historical sites.

The current review comprehensively explores the multifaceted landscape of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and its pivotal role, specifically within non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It traces the trajectory of ALK's discovery, notably its fusion with nucleolar phosphoprotein (NPM)-1 in anaplastic large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (ALCL) in 1994. It unfolds the subsequent impact of ALK gene alterations across various malignancies, including inflammatory myofibroblastoma (IMT) and NSCLC. The prevalence of intricate ALK rearrangements affecting roughly 3–5% of NSCLC patients prompted the approval of six ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) by 2022, revolutionizing the treatment landscape for advanced metastatic ALK+ NSCLC. Second-generation TKIs like alectinib, ceritinib, and brigatinib have notably emerged to combat resistance issues initially associated with crizotinib, the pioneer ALK-TKI approval. Moreover, this review delves into the intersection of ALK and immunotherapy, exploring the potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors in ALK-altered NSCLC tumors. Despite promising preclinical data, challenges encountered in trials evaluating combinations like nivolumab-crizotinib, primarily due to severe hepatic toxicity, underscore the need for cautious exploration of these novel approaches. Additionally, the review delves into innovative avenues such as ALK vaccines and biosensors, shedding light on their promising potential within ALK-driven cancers. This comprehensive analysis encompasses molecular mechanisms, therapeutic strategies, and immune interactions associated with ALK-rearranged NSCLC. Ultimately, the review is a pivotal resource guiding future research and therapeutic interventions in ALK-targeted therapy for NSCLC.

Consumption of raw and mild processed seafood, in the context of modern western world eating trends, is recognized as a major driver for human fish-borne infections. However, these zoonoses and their unfamiliar risks remain neglected and underappreciated among European diagnosticians. In contemporary Europe anisakiosis is one of the most important fish-borne zoonoses. It is caused by ingesting nematode parasites of the family Anisakidae. The case described herein, is an intestinal and ectopic form of anisakiosis, causing symptoms of subacute abdomen and masquerading as an intraperitoneal malignancy. It is the first anisakiosis case reported in Greece, affecting a young patient who had been repeatedly exposed to the parasite by consuming homemade raw fish. Right hemicolectomy, omentectomy and excision of a descending colon nodule were uneventfully performed. The pathology report confirmed granulomatous tissue with eosinophilic infiltration and parasites that were morphologically and molecularly identified as Anisakis spp. Although challenging, obtaining an accurate diagnosis of anisakiosis can prevent unnecessary surgery. However, in rare cases, extra-gastrointestinal migration of larvae can cause severe damages with practically unknown risks, posing a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. In such clinical case scenario, surgical exploration can decisively contribute to a definitive diagnosis and early identification of intraabdominal complications necessitating surgical intervention.

The goal of this study was to characterize the initial growth trajectory of Epicrates assisi, 1 Epicrates cenchria, and Epicrates crassus snakes raised in captivity. An exponential model with 2 parameters for birth weight (A) and growth rate (k) was fitted for each animal. There was a significant 3 difference A and k among the three species, the means (standard error) for A and k parameters were 4 31 (0.3) g and 0.0027 (0.00006) for E. assisi, 27.6 (0.6) g and 0.0046 (0.00013) for E. cenchria and 25.9 5 (1.4) g and 0.0033 (0.00027) for E. crassus. We showed a significative variability between species for 6 initial growth trajectory. In addition, we also demonstrated the existence of variability within species, 7 which can be used to change the growth trajectory of snakes, being a tool for selection and genetic 8 improvement.9

This paper maps the causes of the demographic, economic and social decline of a selected border micro-region during the last century. The decline occurred due to the location being remote, lacking natural resources and having an unsuitable industrial structure. Historical events associated with the post-war deportation of the German population and efforts to create a classless society also played a role in the decline. The results are an 87% population decrease, the demise of most companies, a very low level of human capital and unemployment reaching up to 5%. In order to comprehend the current state of the border micro-region and predict future development, it is necessary to understand the development that has occurred since approximately the middle of the nineteenth century. The European countryside is certainly not homogeneous, and different regions have shown unique mixes of positional, natural, economic and political factors. Some hope has been raised in relation to the transition to a post-productive economy, a transition that turns the remoteness of the region into an advantage. This is confirmed by the positive migration balances of the smallest municipalities in the last decade.

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua. is an important medicinal and edible food in China and the traditional processing method of nine-steaming and nine-drying has been used to process its rhizome. However, the global dynamic changes in secondary metabolites during the processing and whether this method could enhance the accumulation of functional components remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the processing-induced mechanisms involved in the accumulation of secondary metabolites and provide theoretical support for the pharmacological study on P. cyrtonema. Results showed the first 6 processing cycles induced drastic changes in the accumulation of secondary metabolites, while the last 3 did not induce further changes. The accumulation of most secondary metabolites significantly increased after the first 3 cycles and stabilized after 6 cycles. The first 3 cycles led to numerous newly added metabolites while the last 6–9 cycles led to a small number of disappeared metabolites. Processing enhanced the biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites and significantly affected the metabolisms of amino acids. Together, a short period of processing was helpful for enhancing the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. However, the enhancing effects will be reversed or weakened under continuous processing. The processing cycles should be reduced to 3–6 to maintain the enhancing effects.

Background: Inhalation exposure to carcinogenic metals like cadmium (Cd) is a significant global health concern linked to various cancers. However, understanding their precise carcinogenic mechanism remains elusive. Methods: Using the colon cancer (CC) rat model and implanted intestinal stent, exposed them to atomized oxygen and nitrogen (O2/N2) gas containing Cd. Results: Atmospheric Cd intensified inflammation in CC cells, heightening nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate 1 (NOX1) activity, generating increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). This escalated ROS production triggered abnormal Wnt protein secretion, activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, stimulating CC cell proliferation. No discernible body weight effect was seen in CC mice, possibly due to later-stage tumor weight gain, masking rat changes. Cd facilitated colon tumor restructuring and cell migration later. Intestinal stents inhibited superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in CC mice's tumors, with no clear effects on NOX1, SOD2, and catalase (CAT) enzymes. Elevated ROS levels didn't substantially impact Wnt/β-catenin and might slow its imbalance. Stent implantation eased inflammation, reducing CC cell proliferation but induced discomfort in rats, reducing food intake and weight. Conclusion: Cd might partially foster CC tumorigenesis via the ROS-mediated Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The effect of Cd on the invasive effect of intestinal stents in cancerous colon was not significant.

The Gulf of Suez is a sedimentary rift-basin with thick evaporites and complex structural settings that presents challenges to achieving quality imaging based on seismic reflection data. Such subsurface settings and the lack of 3D seismic data poses challenges in building reservoir models to guide hydrocarbon exploration and development, especially in southern parts the Gulf of Suez. This study attempts to overcome the challenges of both 2D seismic interpretation and building a static reservoir model of two Miocene reservoir formations, Ras Ghara Field, Southern Gulf of Suez. Integration of well log data analysis of nine wells and regional-tectonics cognizant 2D seismic interpretation of nineteen 2D seismic lines enabled a reliable 3D static reservoir model. The Miocene reservoir characterization reveals heterogeneity in lithofacies distribution, with thick evaporite sequences causing seismic reflection distortions. Significant hydrocarbon accumulations are associated with horst fault blocks. The Miocene reservoirs demonstrate effective porosity of 14-33%, water saturation of 16-65%, and hydrocarbon saturation of 35-84%. Two new prospects are identified based on structure, facies distribution, and petrophysical results, with estimated original oil in place (OOIP) of 2,002,404 stock tank barrels (STB) and 1,175,580 STB for the Kareem Formation, and 6,302,916 STB and 2,841,894 STB for the Rudeis Formation.

(1) Background: To estimate resistance, reactance and phase angle values among moderate preterm infants and their variation according to neonatal and maternal characteristics and nutritional intake. (2) Methods: This was a cohort that evaluated 43 moderate preterm infants using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The study variables included resistance, reactance and PA measurements, in addition to classification of nutritional intake. (3) Results: The mean resistance was 602.0+118.2 Ω, reactance was 57.2 Ω (IIQ = 42.6-65.2) and phase angle was 522° (IIQ = 4.1-6.6). Lower resistance values were found in the presence of risky pregnancy (532.2+111.9 Ω vs 650.9+97.9 Ω, p&lt;0.001) and lower reactance values, in the presence of harmful maternal lifestyle habits at both the first (p=0.01) and second assessments (p=0.01). Eight preterm infants were considered to have insufficient nutritional intake (23.5%); 17, sufficient (50.0%) and 9, partially sufficient (26.5%). There was less reactance among preterm infants with insufficient nutritional intake (p &lt; 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements were within the range of values reported in other studies. There was an association between full diet and adequate nutritional intake with higher resistance values, and a lower reactance value was associated with the presence of risky pregnancy and harmful maternal lifestyle.

While the standard model accurately describes data at the electroweak scale without inclusion of gravity, beyond the standard model physics is increasingly intertwined with gravitational phenomena and cosmology. Thus gravity mediated breaking of supersymmetry in supergravity models lead to sparticles masses, which are gravitational in origin, observable at TeV scales and testable at the LHC, and supergravity also provides candidate for dark matter, a possible framework for inflationary models and for models of dark energy. Further, extended supergravity models, and string and D-brane models contain hidden sectors some of which may be feebly coupled to the visible sector resulting in heat exchange between the visible and hidden sectors. Because of the couplings between the sectors both particle physics and cosmology are effected. The above implies that particle physics and cosmology are intrinsically intertwined in the resolution of essentially all of the cosmological phenomena such as dark matter and dark energy and in the resolution of cosmological puzzles such as Hubble tension and EDGES anomaly. Here we give a brief overview of the intertwining and implications for the discovery of sparticles, and the resolution of the cosmological anomalies and identification of dark matter and dark energy as major challenges for the coming decades.

As urbanization has accelerated, China has started to build smart cities, which have formed smart city clusters. It is critical to coordinate development within smart city clusters to enhance the efficiency of city cluster construction. From the perspective of demographic economics, this study innovatively constructed an evaluation system for the coordinated development of smart city clusters and utilized the coupled coordination degree model to conduct an in-depth study of smart city clusters in Jiangsu Province. The results show that there are clear differences in the development between the three regions of Jiangsu Province: Southern Jiangsu, Central Jiangsu, and Northern Jiangsu. The development within Jiangsu Province is imbalanced, where the overall development trend is high in the southern region and low in the northern region. The main driving factors include geography, the Matthew effect, game thinking, and industrial structure. Accordingly, the results suggest the following recommendations for the coordinated development of smart city clusters: strengthening cross-regional cooperation, promoting data sharing and interoperability, deepening synergistic industrial development, and expanding innovation capacity.

In this work, we develop a software suite for studies of atmosphere – underlying SNOW- spaceborne optical receiver light TRANsmission calculations (SNOWTRAN) with applications for the solution of forward and inverse radiative transfer problems in polar regions. Assuming that aerosol load is extremely low, the proposed theory does not require the numerical procedures for the solution of the radiative transfer equation and is based on analytical equations for the spectral nadir reflectance and simple approximations for local optical properties of atmosphere and snow. The model developed is validated using EnMAP and PRISMA spaceborne imaging spectroscopy data close to the Concordia research station in Antarctica. A new fast technique for the determination of the snow grain size and assessment of the snowpack vertical inhomogeneity is then proposed and further demonstrated on EnMAP imagery over the Aviator Glacier and in the vicinity of the Concordia research station in Antarctica. The results revealed a large increase in precipitable water vapor at the Concordia research station in February 2023 linked to warming event, and a 4 times larger grain size at Aviator Glacier compared to Dome C.

Objective: To explore three novel fasting blood glucose (FBG)-based novel indicators, including FBG-to-albumin ratio (FAR), FBG-to-lymphocytes ratio (FLR), and FBG-to-hemoglobin ratio (FHR), in predicting prognosis and detecting metastasis for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms after resection. Materials and methods: A total of 178 pNEN patients underwent surgical resection were included in this study. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnosis values of FAR, FLR, and FHR, and the cut-off values were obtained for further analyses. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the independent predictors. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the pNEN patients. Results: The optimal cut-off values of FAR, FLR, and FHR were 0.17, 2.85, and 0.028, respectively. As for PFS, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.693 for FAR, 0.690 for FLR, and 0.661 for FHR, respectively. The AUC was 0.770, 0.692, and 0.715 accordingly for OS. The groups with lower FAR, FLR, and FHR were significantly associated with prolonged PFS and OS (p < 0.05). In patients with metastasis, the lower FAR group was correlated with significantly longer PFS and OS (p = 0.022 and 0.002, respectively). The FLR was an independent predictor of PFS in pNEN patients, and the FAR was a predictor of OS. FAR was an independent indicator of PFS in patients with metastasis. Conclusion: Preoperative FAR, FLR, and FHR are effective in predicting the prognosis of pNEN patients and detecting the synchronous metastases.

Antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are multi-targeted and variable over time. Multiplex quantitative serological assays are needed to provide accurate and robust seropositivity data for establishment of serological signatures during vaccination and or infection. We describe here, validation and evaluation of an electro-chemiluminescence (ECL) based Mesoscale Discovery assays (MSD), for estimation of total and functional IgG to SARS-CoV-2 spike, nucleocapsid, and receptor binding (RBD) proteins in human serum samples to establish serological signatures of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection and breakthrough cases. The 9-PLEX assay was validated as per ICH, EMA and US FDA guidelines using a panel of sera samples including the NIBSC/WHO international reference panel (20/268). Assay demonstrated high specificity and selectivity in inhibition assays, wherein the homologous inhibition was more than 85% and heterologous inhibition was below 10 %. Assay also met predetermined acceptance criteria for precision (CV < 30 %), accuracy (70-130 %) and dilutional linearity. Method applicability to serological signatures was demonstrated using sera samples (N=45) representing vaccinated, infected and breakthrough cases. The method was able to establish distinct serological signatures and thus provide potential tool for seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 during vaccination or infection.

This paper presents a numerical study on the laser shock wave propagation in a 3D woven CFRP material by means of detailed and homogenized FE models. The aim of the study is to numerically characterize the shock wave response of the 3D woven CFRP in terms of back face velocity profiles and the induced damage and to investigate whether the detailed FE models could be replaced by homogenized FE models. The 3D woven geometry was designed using the TexGen software, while the numerical analyses were executed using the LS-Dyna explicit FE software. A high-strain rate behavior was considered for the matrix. The fiber bundles in the detailed models were modeled as a high fiber content unidirectional composite laminate, with its mechanical properties calculated by micromechanical equations. Both for the fiber bundles of the detailed model and the homogenized models a progressive damage material model was applied. The results of the detailed model reveal a considerable effect of material’s architecture on the shock wave propagation and the sensitivity of the back face velocity profile to the spot location. Consequently, the homogenized model is not capable of accurately simulating the shock wave response of the 3D woven composite. Moreover, the detailed predicts with high accuracy matrix cracking in the resin-rich areas and in the bundles as well as fiber failure. On the contrary, the homogenized model predicts matrix cracking at the same areas and no fiber failure.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technological paradigm that has gained significant momentum that last decade and, among others, enables the development of intelligent and interoperable device networks. In this respect, it has triggered the creation and evolution of VANETs (Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks), which are initially implemented in order to guarantee the safety of the drivers and the avoidance of traffic accidents. The drawback is that this fast evolution flags serious concerns as far as the privacy of users is concerned, while the population of attackers or entities that try to eavesdrop and intercept information has significantly increased. This imposes a serious risk for drivers moving across a Smart City. The research presented in this paper aims to evaluate privacy protection mechanisms in VANET environments, based on their efficiency and security level ensured, considering the fact that VANETs provide limited resources to users/drivers. Moreover, the usage of the elliptic curve cryptography in reduced resources environments is discussed. Finally, this paper compares the performance of three cryptographic algorithms, i.e., Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), Hyperelliptic Curve Cryptography genus 2 (HECC-2) and HECC genus 3 (HECC-3), employed for an efficient authentication and safe message transmission mechanism in VANETs, targeting to extract conclusions related to the implementation of each cryptographic scheme in this specific application area.

"Mem u Zin" holds a paramount status in Kurdish literature, celebrated for its profound exploration of love. Authored by the esteemed Kurdish poet and writer Ahmet Khani in the 17th century, this epic masterpiece represents the pinnacle of literary achievement within the Kurdish cultural milieu. By conducting a concise analysis of "Mem u Zin," our aim was to shed light on the underlying factors that contribute to the perceived separation of Kurdish society from perfection. We provided a comprehensive view of the linguistic obstacles encountered by the Kurds in this exploration.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in a growing number of domains in the latest years has put into focus Ethical Legal and Societal Aspects (ELSA) of these technologies and the relevant challenges they pose. In this paper, we propose an ELSA Curriculum for Data Scientists aiming to raise awareness about ELSA challenges in their work, provide them with a common language with the relevant domain experts to cooperate to find appropriate solutions, and finally, incorporate ELSA in the data science workflow and not be seen as an impediment or a superfluous artifact, rather than an integral part of the Data Science Project Lifecycle. The proposed curriculum uses the CRISP-DM model as a backbone to define a vertical partition, expressed in modules corresponding to the CRISP-DM phases. The horizontal partition includes knowledge units belonging to three strands that run through the phases, namely Ethical and Societal, Legal, and Technical Rendering Knowledge Units (KUs). In addition to the detailed description of the aforementioned KUs, we also discuss the implementation, issues such as duration, form, and evaluation of participants, as well as the variance of the knowledge level and needs of the target audience.

This study explores the cocrystallization between the drug praziquantel (PZQ) and the nutraceutical curcumin (CU). The investigation revealed two novel solid forms: a cocrystal solvate with ethyl acetate and a non-solvated cocrystal. This novel drug-nutraceutical cocrystal is identi-fied as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) praziquantel-curcumin-ethyl acetate (2:1:1) co-crystal solvate. This latter undergoes desolvation, leading to the formation of the praziquan-tel-curcumin (2:1) cocrystal. The cocrystal solvate has ethyl acetate molecules occupying the voids with minimal interactions within the crystal lattice. The application of heat treatment induces solvent removal and prompts the transition to the non-solvated cocrystal, as highlighted by VT-XRD. Thermal analyses demonstrate the stability of the cocrystal solvate up to approximately 100°C, beyond which it transforms into the non-solvated phase, which eventually melts at 130°C.

The container relocation problem (CRP) is one of the important topics in container terminals, which aims to find the optimal sequence of movements to minimize the total number of relocations needed to retrieve all the containers within a bay according to a given specific layout and retrieval order. However, determining such an order may be difficult due to uncertainty. Various CRP solution methods proposed so far show a common pitfall concerning the complexity of the solving process, whose scale grows exponentially with the number of containers. Considering the retrieval operation process of the inbound containers in a bay consists of several operation rounds, this paper focuses on the real-time operation scenario of each round to minimize the actual number of relocations during the pick-up process, i.e., starting from the initial layout of the bay, we minimize the sum of the incremental number of blocking containers due to the layout change and the number of reallocated containers unrelated to the target container. We present a heuristic algorithm (called SPFH) based on the three rules (LL, MSS, and FSS), considering the adjustment of the pick-up order of containers. Numerical experiments on a set of instances generated from the literature are performed. The proposed methodology excels in both execution efficiency and solution quality and is capable of solving instances that were impossible to solve before. This also makes our methods appealing for being applied in practice. The source codes are available at https://github.com/zhou-sf/rt-scrp.

The study focuses on a novel porous TiNi-based material for ophthalmic orbital implants which was produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and, after proper surface modification, possesses a specific microstructure of its surface pores, which makes it attractive for biomedical use in implants. After preparation via SHS, the obtained porous TiNi material was etched in acidic environment, to get rid of its surface Ti2Ni secondary-phase particles. This was found to improve the material’s surface morphology, adding micro-roughness to its macro-rough pores. As a result, cell growth tests conducted on the material demonstrated improved cell adhesion and growth kinetics on such a porous material with improved roughness. Finally, the material was tested in vivo as an ophthalmic orbital implant, demonstrating good biocompatibility, good degree of biointegration with surrounding eyeball tissues, and no signs of rejection after as long as 180 days. Thus, the novel porous TiNi-based material shows promise for its use in ophthalmic implantology, for instanse for manufacturing musculoskeletal stumps of the eyeball after evisceration, as it is biocompatible, has a high tissue-implant integration potential and demonstrates reduced risks of exposure and rejection of the implant.

The Ames/quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) International Challenge Projects held during 2014–2017 and 2020–2022, evaluated the performance of various predictive models. Despite the significant insights gained, the rules allowing participants to select prediction targets introduced ambiguity in model performance evaluation. This reanalysis identified the highest-performing prediction model, assuming a 100% coverage rate (COV) for all prediction target compounds and an estimated performance variation due to changes in COV. All models from both projects were evaluated using balance accuracy (BA), Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC), F1 Score (F1), and the first principal component (PC1). After normalizing the COV, a correlation analysis with these indicators was conducted, and the evaluation index for all prediction models in terms of the COV was estimated. In total, 109 models, the highest estimated BA (76.9) at 100% COV was MMI-VOTE1, reported by Meiji Pharmaceutical University (MPU). The best models for MCC, F1, and PC1 were all MMI-STK1, also reported by MPU. All models reported by MPU ranked in the top four. MMI-STK1 was estimated to have F1 scores of 59.2, 61.5, and 63.1 at COV levels of 90%, 60%, and 30%, respectively. These findings highlight the current state and potential of the Ames prediction technology.

CRISPR/Cas9-based gene therapy has gotten a lot of interest during last decade. This treatment protocol tries to fix disease-causing traits by changing the DNA code in the exact spot on the chromosome. Therefore, we have tried to elaborate the most current information that shows how well CRISPR/Cas9-based gene therapy works. In vivo methods, like the ones described in the next two lines, are used to study cells in live creatures, like babies that are growing or animals that are already grown up. It has also been suggested to use ex-vivo methods to change somatic stem cells or progenitor cells in a culture outside of the body before putting them back into the patient. CRISPR/Cas is a good way to change specific genes in the DNA. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats is the full name for CRISPR. Biotechnologists can use them to fix DNA instead of the body's natural ways of doing so. This helps physicians in treatment diseases that run in families more successfully. Cas9 is an enzyme that, along with a guide RNA, is part of the CRISPR/Cas system. As this new technology grows quickly, it is replacing normal medical processes with treatments that are more cutting-edge and can change people's lives. CRISPR-Cas technology has changed biology by making it possible to change genes quickly. CRISPR molecular tools (Cas9 or Cas12a) have a lot of potential, but they are not very useful right now because they depend on the target cell's own DNA repair systems. With or without a template, the body's natural DNA repair processes can fix DNA breaks caused by Cas9 and Cas12a-based technologies. People use these methods a lot, but their effectiveness ranges from cell type to cell type. HDR-mediated DNA repair is a part of cell division, so tools that target it don't work on cells that don't divide, like neurons. CRISPR-associated transposase (CAST) has recently been studied, which suggests that it may offer new ways to change genes with CRISPR. The CRISPR activator of type V-K that is part of CAST has the same structure as the transposase. This is because CRISPR systems can put DNA in the right place without the help of the cell's own DNA repair systems. But a lot of work is being done right now to improve Cas9 and Cas12a so that DNA can be put into a target gene more precisely. Experts are still working hard to come up with better and more reliable ways to change genes, so even though there may be a problem, both methods have useful uses.

This research centers on the Mulberry-Dyke and Fish-Pond System in Digang Village, Huzhou, exem-plifying the traditional cyclic agricultural models of China. The study's objective is to evaluate its integral value concerning agricultural production, ecological environment, and heritage conservation. Employing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) methodologies, we developed a comprehensive evaluation framework comprising 8 dimensions and 29 factors, aimed at assessing the provisioning, regulating, and cultural services of this ecosystem. The findings indicate a robust performance of the ecosystem services in Digang Village's Mulberry-Dyke and Fish-Pond System, with cultural services significantly standing out. In contrast, the regulating services appeared relatively weaker, pinpointing shortcomings in mulberry land management, while the provisioning services demonstrated substantial strength. These insights are pivotal for comprehending the system's ecosystem service values, highlighting areas for managerial improvements, and guiding future assessment and management strategies. This study contributes theoretical insights and empirical experiences for future evaluations of the Mulberry-Dyke and Fish-Pond System's ecosystem services.

Metformin is an oral antidiabetic agent with antimicrobial properties, excreted in an active and unmetabolized form. Like some non-antibiotic drugs, subinhibitory concentrations of metformin may contribute to the expression of microbial resistance in wild-type strains. This work aimed to evaluate the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa TGC04 exposed to 100 and 200 µg/mL of metformin, varying the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and flow regime. Biofilms were quantified after 2 and 24 hours, observing reductions and increases in biofilm growth around 13 and 64%, respectively. The greatest biofilm growth occurred in cells exposed to 200 µg/mL of metformin. Both the flow regime and COD concentration were important for the development of the biofilm, whose cells were mostly weakly to moderately adhered. The study provides evidence that in polluted aquatic systems with turbulent regimes, the inhibitory concentration of metformin promoted the least disturbances to the biofilm.

Behavioural disorders in dogs are common and have severe welfare consequences for dogs. This study aimed to assess the factors that are significant and predictive of behaviour problems in dogs using the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) to further understand what factors influence their welfare. 177 AWAG assessments were undertaken across 129 dogs that clinicians deemed to have a behavioural disorder. Wilcoxon-rank sum tests were used to assess the difference in scores between dogs with behaviour disorders and a cohort of healthy dogs (n=117). This analysis showed that all physical factors besides body condition, all procedural factors besides procedure pain, and all psychological, and environmental factors were significantly different between healthy dogs and dogs with behaviour disorders. Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient (RS) revealed several significant strong positive correlations including the procedural impact on the dog’s daily routine with aggression towards unfamiliar people and procedure pain, as well as other correlations between the dog’s behaviour during assessment with the frequency at which they encounter fears and anxieties, clinical assessment and procedure pain, and reaction to stressors and social interactions. These findings highlight the interdependent nature of the various influences of welfare. Logistic regression analysis identified that aggression towards the caregiver, fears and anxieties frequency, and choice, control, and predictability were all significant predictors of behaviour disorders. The findings have important implications for veterinary, behaviour, and animal welfare professionals as any changes across these factors may indicate poor welfare linked to emotional disorders in dogs.

Primary failure of eruption (PFE) is a rare non-syndromic condition involving total or partial non-eruption of posterior teeth, in the absence of mechanical obstruction. This paper presents the case of a healthy girl referred at age 4 years for asymmetry of upper arch. Clinical examination confirmed a slight shift of the upper midline to the left, with no erupted teeth distal to the upper left canine and left posterior open bite. Panoramic X-ray showed delayed intra-osseous development of lateral left upper teeth compared to the right side. Clinic and radiographic follow-up during the next 9 years showed that 26 has not erupted by almost 13 years of age, 27 has delayed development and an unusual shape and there is agenesis of 24, 25. Genetic analysis using the PTH1R single gene sequencing did not detect any known disease-causing or rare pathogenic variants that could explain the patient's phenotype. Even when detected early, PFE rises difficult problems with regard to diagnosis and ortho-surgical treatment planning due to the impossibility to accurately predict the evolution. Tooth agenesis on the same arch worsens the prognosis and adds challenges to planning the treatment. Close long-term follow-up and timely adjustment of treatment plan in accordance to the evolution of the case are needed.

Integrating photovoltaic (PV) systems plays a pivotal role in the global shift toward renewable energy, offering significant environmental benefits. In many instances, utility companies pay for both energy and peak demand. PV systems can effectively reduce energy consumption during their operational periods, while, their contribution during peak hours, particularly in the early morning and late evening, is often limited. To address this issue, battery storage systems are utilized for storing energy during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak times. However, finding the optimal size of PV-battery systems remains a challenge. This study proposes a novel statistical model to optimize PV-battery system sizing for enhanced peak demand reduction. The model aims to flatten 95% of peak demand days up to a certain demand threshold, ensuring consistent energy supply and financial benefit for utility companies. A straightforward and effective search methodology is employed to determine the optimal system sizes. Additionally, the model effectiveness is rigorously tested through a modified Monte Carlo simulation coupled with time series clustering to generate various scenarios to assess performance under different conditions. The results indicate that the optimal PV-battery system successfully flattens 95% of daily peak demand up to 2000 kW, yielding a financial benefit of $812,648 over 20 years.

California and most other coastlines around the world are being impacted by both long-term sea-level rise and short-term extreme events. Because of California’s long and intensively developed coastline, it is an important area for evaluating responses to these challenges. The predominant historic approach to coastal erosion in California and globally has been the construction of hard coastal armoring such as seawalls and rock revetments. The concept of living shorelines – defined as using natural elements like plants, sand or rocks to stabilize the coastline – has been widely proposed as a soft or green response to coastal erosion and flooding. These approaches have very limited application in high-energy environments, however, such as California’s 1,100-mile-long outer coast and are not realistic solutions for protection from wave attack at high tides or long-term sea-level rise. Each of the state’s coastal communities need to identify their most vulnerable areas, develop adaptation plans, and plan eventual relocation strategies in response to an accelerating sea-level rise.

The 21st century has seen the launch of new space-borne sensors based on LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology developed in the second half of the 20th century. LiDAR was initially developed to integrate laser-focused imaging with the capability to determine distances through the measurement of signal return times, utilizing suitable sensors and data acquisition electronics. Nowadays, these sensors have transformed into robust instruments, offering novel opportunities for mapping terrain, canopy heights, and estimating above-ground biomass (AGB) across local to regional scales. This work aims to analyze the scientific impact of these sensors on large-scale for-est mapping to retrieve 3D canopy information, monitor forest degradation, estimate AGB, and model key ecosystem variables such as primary productivity and biodiversity. In this way, a worldwide bibliometric analysis of this topic was carried out based on up to 412 publications in-dexed in the Scopus database during the period 2004-2022. The results showed that the number of published documents increased exponentially in the last five years, coinciding with the commis-sioning of two new LiDAR space missions: Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-2) and Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI). These missions are providing data since 2018 and 2019, respectively. The journal that demonstrated the highest productivity in this field was "Remote Sensing," and among the leading contributors, the top five countries in terms of publica-tions were the USA, China, the UK, France, and Germany. In the realm of prominent research in-stitutions, France boasted six, the USA had four, China had three, while the UK and Canada each had one. The upward trajectory in the number of publications recorded from 2004 to 2022 catego-rizes the subject under investigation as a highly trending research topic, particularly within the context of enhancing the administration of forest resources and engaging in global climate treaty frameworks mandating the surveillance and reporting of carbon stocks in forests. The recent launch in August 2022 of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Monitoring Satellite (TECMS; China State Administration of Forestry and Grassland), along with the planned launch in the coming years of up to three new space sensors, such as the Multi-footprint Observation LiDAR and Im-ager (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), the BIOMASS P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) (European Space Agency), and the LiDAR Surface Topography (LIST; NASA), will greatly contribute to expanding the ability to map and monitor forest systems at very large scales. In this context, the integration of space-borne data, including imagery, SAR, and LiDAR, is anticipated to steer the trajectory of this research in the upcoming years.

Microvascular self-healing composite materials have significant potential for application and their mechanical properties need in-depth investigation. In this paper, tensile and compressive properties of woven fabric carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) laminates containing three-dimensional microvascular channels were investigated experimentally. Several detailed finite element (FE) models were established to simulate the mechanical behavior of the laminate and the effectiveness of different models were examined. The damage propagation process of the microvascular laminates and the influence of microvascular parameters were studied by the validated models. The results show that microvascular channels arranged along the thickness direction (z-direction) of the laminates are critical locations under the loads. The channels have minimal effect on the stiffness of the laminates but causing a certain reduction in strength, which varies approximately linearly with the z-direction channel diameter within its common design range of 0.1~1mm. It is necessary to consider the resin-rich region formed around microvascular channels in the warp and weft fiber yarns of the woven fabric composite when establishing the FE model. And the layers in model should be assigned with equivalent unidirectional ply material in order to calculate the mechanical properties of laminates correctly.

Voluntary carbon markets open horizons for private companies, public institutions, and individuals developing CO2 removal projects in peatlands to reduce overall carbon footprint. These steps, however, should be in line with appropriate rewetting targets. To do so, the base line information about the status of area must be assessed. Here we follow the methodology set by the carbon certification program standards which define the necessary steps for reference conditions assessment. In this study we practically test the fulfilment of necessary drained peatland baseline evaluation for paludiculture and carbon certification activities. Estimates on the greenhouse gas emission mitigation potential were summarized to define priorities and propose quantifiable measures with suggested paludiculture implementation. Our hands-on approach shows that it is possible for companies to implement rewetting strategies without large EU level project fundings when the conservation and economic aspects are met, thus boosting climate mitigation actions.

Due to rising cyber threats, IoT devices’ security vulnerabilities are expanding. However, these devices cannot run complicated security algorithms locally due to hardware restrictions. Data must be transferred to cloud nodes for processing, giving attackers an entry point. This research investigates distributed computing on the edge, using AI-enabled IoT devices and container orchestration tools to process data in real time at the network edge. The purpose is to identify and mitigate DDoS assaults while minimizing CPU usage to improve security. It compares typical IoT devices with and without AI-enabled chips, container orchestration, and and assesses their performance in running machine learning models with different cluster settings. The proposed architecture aims to empower IoT devices to process data locally, minimizing the reliance on cloud transmission and bolstering security in IoT environments. The results correlate with the update in the architecture. With the addition of AI-enabled IoT device and container orchestration, there is a difference of 60% between the new architecture and traditional architecture where only Raspberry Pi were being used.

With the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 55 new drugs in 2023, a figure consistent with the number authorized in the last five years (53 per year on average). Thus, 2023 is the second-best FDA harvest after 2018 (59 approvals) in all the series. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) continue to be the class of drugs with most approvals, with an exceptional 12, a number that makes it the most outstanding year for this class. As in 2022, five proteins/enzymes have been approved in 2023. However, no antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) has been released onto the market. With respect to TIDES (peptides and oligonucleotides), 2023 has proved a spectacular year, with a total of nine approvals, corresponding to five peptides and four oligonucleotides. Natural products continue to be the best source of inspiration for drug development, with 10 new products on the market. Three drugs in this year’s harvest are pegylated, which may indicate the return of pegylation as a method to increase the half-lives of drugs, after the withdrawal of peginesatide from the market in 2013. Following the trends of recent years, two bispecific drugs have been authorized in 2023. As in preceding years, fluorine and/or N-aromatic heterocycles are present in most of the drugs. Herein, the 55 new drugs approved by the FDA in 2023 are analyzed exclusively on the basis of their chemical structure. They are classified as the following: biologics (antibodies, proteins/enzymes); TIDES (peptide and oligonucleotides); combined drugs; pegylated drugs; natural products; nitrogen aromatic heterocycles; fluorine-containing molecules; and other small molecules.

This study is focused on the development of criteria for night and visual line of sight (VLOS) flights, especially in the context of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone applications. While BVLOS technology is advancing globally, regulatory restrictions and conservative legal regulations often prohibit these flights. The goal is to provide experimental guidelines for operational procedures in night and BVLOS flights. The study aims to establish empirical criteria for physical distances in night and VLOS flights, using a test team composed of a pilot, recorder, and observers. The observers are tasked with assessing the identification and recognition distances, which are crucial for safe drone operations. The criteria established are based on different variables such as aircraft size, altitude, and visual acuity. This research involves extensive flight tests at varying altitudes using different types of drones and observers with differing visual acuities (20/20, 20/13.3, and 20/10). The study also examines the effect of communication equipment limitations on recognition distance and the use of lighting devices to minimize abnormal conditions during nighttime flights. Overall, the study's findings aim to contribute to the safe and efficient planning of BVLOS and night drone flights, especially considering the ever-evolving technology and regulatory landscape in this field.

Efficient implementation of clean energy technologies, including pioneering solutions like mobile solar PV systems mounted on trailers (MSPT), is pivotal for addressing energy challenges, especially in regions with constrained power grid access. This endeavour is vital for meeting escalating elec-tricity demands and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aimed at ensuring dependable and sustainable energy provision in developing countries. This paper investigates the aerodynamic behaviour of a designed MSPT using numerical and experimental approaches. Spe-cifically, the study focuses on the effects of wind velocity and tilt angels on the drag and lift forces, as well as drag and lift coefficients on the panel used in the MSPT system. Additionally, the overall wind force acting on the entire MSPT (including 9 large solar PV panels) was examined, considering the combined effects of wind flow and the system's geometry. The simulations were conducted using ANSYS-Fluent software and experimental testing was performed utilizing scaled-down models to validate the accuracy of the simulation. The insights and the knowledge from this study can be utilized to optimize the design, installation, and operation of such systems, ultimately enhancing their performance, reliability, and paving ways for further improvements in mobile solar PV technology.

It is currently believed that the cause of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is compression of the duodenum in the angle between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery (SMA). It is recognized that a decrease in aortomesenteric angle (AMA) <25° and intervascular distance < 8 mm, caused by fat loss, is characteristic of SMAS. Based on these statements, surgeons operate on patients with symptoms of dyspepsia only based on a reduction of AMA. This study is devoted to the analysis of the literature, including four own studies on this issue. Results: Measurement of the length of the constriction in the third part of the duodenum on radiograms from available sources showed that its true length ranged from 2.5 to 4.2 (3.30±0.15) cm and began a few centimeters cranial to the AMA. Therefore, it could not have been caused by compression in the AMA. In terms of length (3.20±0.15 cm) and location, this constriction corresponded to Ochsner’s sphincter, which normally short-term contracts to prevent the penetration of an acid bolus into the jejunum. Conscientious studies have shown that AMA is proportional to BMI, i.e., a decrease in AMA is observed in all thin people. An analysis of 211 cases of SMAS made it possible to differentiate two types of diseases. In 101 patients, the disease occurred acutely 1–53 (8.2 ± 1.9) days after stressful situations, accompanied by a catabolic reaction and hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid. In 110 patients, SMAS developed 3-72 (17.2±3.2) months after the diagnosis of acid-dependent diseases. Conclusion: The analysis of the literature led to the conclusion that hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid causes damage to the upper level of the digestive system, including duodenal dyskinesia. One of the manifestations of duodenal dyskinesia is an increase in tone and hypertrophy of the Ochsner’s sphincter. The clinic of the disease depends on the varying degree of Ochsner’s sphincter dyskinesia. In severe cases, partial or complete intestinal obstruction. New ideas about the etiology and pathogenesis of the so-called SMAS have made it possible to propose a tactic for the diagnosis and treatment of Ochsner’s sphincter dyskinesia, where there is no place for surgical treatment.

Soybean yield prediction is a challenging problem in plant breeding that is often affected by many different factors simultaneously. Hyperspectral reflectance data from plants and soil data provide breeders with useful information about soybean plant health and using these different types of data to predict yield is an active area of research. Furthermore, breeding programs encounter challenges such as data imbalance and external factors like genotype variability across different environments, which present significant hurdles in the development of yield prediction models for large-scale breeding programs. In this work, we perform a comprehensive study of predicting yield using both hyperspectral reflectance and soil data to understand what scenario's offer the best chances of predicting yield with high accuracy. We demonstrate a cluster based ensemble approach for yield prediction using hyperspectral reflectance data that can perform well for large scale breeding programs by efficiently harnessing useful information from data through an unsupervised approach.

The electronic nose (e-nose) is an innovative device that mimics the human olfactory system, allowing for the detection and identification of numerous scents. This abstract gives an in-depth examination of the current status of electronic nose technologies, with an emphasis on sensing mechanisms, applications, and recent breakthroughs. The research delves into the many uses of e-nose, such as food quality control, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and industrial operations. It also covers the problems and potential future applications of electronic nose technology. The literature review highlights the importance of this technology in improving our capacity to evaluate complex scents in several domains.

The emergence of digital twins (DTs) represents a recent advancement in technological processes that support the planning, construction, and oversight of constructed assets. A DT is essentially a digital model that facilitates simulations and two-way information exchange with its real-world counterpart (a physical twin), creating opportunities for data-driven decision-making. Despite the promising prospects of DTs, both the technology and the methodologies for developing them, as well as their potential applications, remain not fully understood in both academic and industrial contexts. This research explores the applications of DTs for the management of existing assets within the AEC/FM industry. The study presents the results of a comprehensive literature review that explores existing knowledge in this domain. The findings reveal that procedures for creating DTs are still in their early stages, emphasizing potential applications in asset management throughout their lifespan, facilitating sustainability upgrades, and supporting the maintenance and restoration of heritage assets. The review concludes by providing recommendations for future research in this evolving field.

Upon declaration of poliovirus (PV) type 2 eradication in 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) published PV containment requirements in the Global Action Plan III (GAPIII) for mitigating risks of a facility-associated release post-eradication. In 2018, the 71st World Health Assembly resolution urged Member States retaining PV to appoint a National Authority for Containment (NAC), reduce the number of PV facilities, and submit applications for containment certification. The United States (US) NAC was established in 2018 for containment oversight, and two paths to WHO GAPIII containment certification were developed. Facilities retaining PV were identified through national poliovirus containment surveys. US NAC conducted 27 site visits at 18 facilities (20 laboratories: A/BSL-2 (65%), A/BSL-3 (20%), and storage-only (15%)) to verify implementation of US NAC’s preliminary containment measures. NAC identified areas for improvement in seven categories: primary containment, decontamination, hand hygiene, security, emergency response, training, and immunization practices. Sixteen facility applications were endorsed to pursue poliovirus-essential facility (PEF) certification whereas four facilities opted to withdraw during the containment certification process. The US made noteworthy progress in PV containment to enhance biosafety and biosecurity practices at US PV facilities to safeguard the polio eradication effort.

Background: Laser therapies can cause hyper- and hypopigmentation of the skin. There is little evidence in the literature of effective treatments for these types of problems in Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin phototypes. The main aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the effects of a new therapy combining the application of electromagnetic fields and vacuum on a subject with Fitzpatrick VI skin phototype, presenting an extensive, laser-induced facial dyschromia. The secondary aim is to test the effectiveness of a free imaging software for assessing skin pigmentation. Methods: The level of improvement after the therapy was evaluated, with a 5-point Likert scale, one month after the end of the treatment by both the subject, and the doctor who performed the treatment, and by two blinded dermatologists. With the free software, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the area treated and the evaluation of colour distribution were performed. Results: Both the subject and the doctors involved in the study positively evaluated the effects of the treatment. The image analysis highlighted the homogenization of the skin colour in the treated area. Conclusions: The combination of electromagnetic fields and vacuum for dyschromia treatments appears promising. The new method of assessing melanin levels resulted particularly efficient.

This research investigates the socio-economic impact of rattan cane processing on the livelihoods of practitioners in Ibadan Metropolis. It comprehensively assesses raw material availability, examines factors influencing demand and supply, and evaluates sales to determine the profitability of rattan processors. With the snowball and total enumeration sampling methods, the study engages with a diverse group of rattan processors. The study reveals a concerning 36% acknowledgement of a decline in the availability of canes attributed to deforestation and over-exploitation. Notably, it emphasizes that rattan product manufacturing in Ibadan Metropolis operates at a craft level, employing tools like saws, hammers, knives, gas cylinders, pinches, and tape rules, impacting production efficiency and product longevity. Additionally, the research underscores the absence of government support and credit facilities reported by all respondents. The Market Margin analysis highlights varying profitability levels across rattan products, with chairs exhibiting notably higher profitability (32.22%) than others. Individual profit margins for specific products, such as chairs (145.00%), underscore the significance of processing costs, production time, and market demand. The study offers strategic recommendations, advocating for district-level service centres for training, technology transfer, and support to enhance skills and technical efficiency. It calls for government intervention through incentives, facilities, tax breaks, and policies to fortify the rattan trade, improving production standards and unlocking export market potential. Furthermore, financial support, technical assistance, and mechanization should be employed to reduce production costs and time, ultimately elevating income generation in the rattan industry. This research contributes valuable insights to the discourse on sustainable livelihoods and economic viability within the rattan sector.

The study combines two critical aspects of climate research in Nigeria. The first segment focuses on improving predictive performance of global circulation models (GCMs) employing ensemble techniques. ANN ensemble displayed significant improvement in the accuracy of climate projections, particularly in high-altitude geographic areas where traditional models exhibit limitations. Performance evaluation metrics such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) demonstrate the effectiveness of the ANN multimodal ensemble. Building on the improved climate modelling, the second segment delves into a spatial and temporal analysis of rainfall and mean temperature patterns under climate change in Nigeria. By considering two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), namely RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, the study utilizes dynamically downscaled GCMs obtained from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5). The Mann-Kendall test reveals significant spatiotemporal variations in climate trends across the country. The warming trend is particularly pronounced in the northern regions, with RCP8.5 showing more severe impacts compared to RCP4.5. This integrated approach not only highlights the importance of multimodal ensembles in climate modelling but also provides valuable insights into the spatial and temporal patterns of climate change to inform effective adaptation and mitigation strategies for Nigeria.

Natural products contribute substantially to anticancer therapy; the plant kingdom provides an important source of molecules. Conofolidine is a novel Aspidosperma-Aspidosperma bisindole alkaloid isolated from the Malayan plant Tabernaemontana corymbosa. Herein, we report conofolidine’s anticancer activity together with that of three other bisindoles - conophylline, leucophyllidine and bipleiophylline against human-derived carcinoma cell lines. Remarkably, conofolidine was able to induce apoptosis (as observed in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells) or senescence (as detected in HT-29 colorectal carcinoma cells). Annexin V-FITC/PI, caspase activation and PARP cleavage confirmed the former while positive β-gal staining corroborated the latter. Evident cell cycle perturbations were observed comprising S-phase depletion, accompanied by downregulated CDK2, and cyclins (A2, D1) with p21 upregulation. Confocal imaging of HCT-116 cells revealed induction of aberrant mitotic phenotypes - multi-nucleation, membrane blebbing and DNA-fragmentation. The DNA integrity assessment of HCT-116 and MDA-MB-468 showed irreparable damage identified by increased fluorescent γ-H2AX during the G1 cell cycle phase. Furthermore, γ-H2AX foci were visually validated in HCT-116 and MDA-MB-468 cells using confocal microscopy. Conofolidine increased oxidative stress, preceding apoptosis- and senescence-induction in most carcinoma cell lines as seen by enhanced ROS levels accompanied by NQO1 expression. Collectively, we present conofolidine as a potential anticancer candidate capable of inducing heterogeneous modes of cancer cell death in vitro, encouraging further preclinical evaluation of this natural product.

Cell junction that is usually associated with dynamic cytoskeletons is essential for a wide range of cellular activities such as cell migration, cell communication, barrier function and signal transduction. Real-time observation of cell junction facilitates understanding of the mechanisms by which cell junction regulate relevant cellular activities. In this study, we examined the binding capacity of a modified tridecapeptide from Cx43 to cell junction protein ZO-1 and sought to create a fluorescent peptide that could be used to label cell junction. To introduce the fluorescent peptide into the cells, a cell-penetrating peptide was linked to the modified tridecapeptide and synthesized. The binding of the modified tridecapeptide was tested using pull down and immunoprecipitation assay. The ability of the peptide to label cell junction was assessed by adding it to fixed or cultured Caco-2 cells. Testing assay revealed that the Cx43-derived peptide can bind to ZO-1. Besides, the peptide was able to label cell junction of fixed cell, although no obvious cell junction labeling was observed clearly in living cells, probably due to the inadequate affinity. These results indicate that a peptide-based strategy for labeling cell junction may be feasible, and efforts to improve its affinity are warranted in the future.

In this work the seismic resilience of the Emergency Department of a real Hospital complex, located in Tuscany (Italy), has been quantified, with special reference to its nonstructural components and organizational features. Special attention has been paid to the ceilings, whose importance stood out in past earthquakes. A comprehensive meta-model has been set, able to relate all the considered parameters to the assumed response quantity, i.e. the waiting time of the red-code patients arriving to the Emergency Department in the hours immediately after the seismic event. The seismic resilience of the Emergency Department has been measured with reference to earthquakes compatible to the seismic hazard of the area.

Mathematician and philosopher, Charles Howard Hinton, posited a plausible correlation between of higher-dimensional spaces, also referred to as ‘hyperspaces’, and the allegorical concept artic-ulated by the Ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his work, Republic, known as the 'Cave.' In Plato's allegory, individuals find themselves situated in an underground 'Cave,' constrained by chains on their legs and neck, perceiving shadows and sound reflections from the ‘real’ world cast on the ‘Cave’ wall as their immediate reality. Hinton extended the interpretation of these 'shadows' through the induction method, asserting that, akin to a 3D object casting a 2D shadow, the 'shadow' of a 4D hyper-object would exhibit one dimension less, manifesting as a 3D object. Building upon this conceptual framework, the authors posit a correlation between the perceived acoustic space of the chained individuals within the 'Cave' and the characteristics of a 4D acoustic space, a proposition substantiated mathematically by scientific inquiry. Furthermore, the authors introduce an interactive art application developed as a methodical approach to exploring the hypothetical 4D acoustic space within Plato's 'Cave,' as perceived by the chained individuals and someone liberated from his constraints navigating through the 'Cave.'

A novel metal-doped carbon quantum dot, zinc-chlorine co-doped carbon quantum dots (Zn/Cl-CQDs), has been developed for the fluorescent probe detection of vitamin B2 and the analysis of the correlation properties of this carbon quantum dot and vitamin B2. Stability experiments demonstrate that Zn/Cl-CQDs possess good fluorescence properties under alkaline conditions. However, when vitamin B2 is added into Zn/Cl-CQDs, the fluorescence intensity decreases sharply, indicating that a fluorescence quenching phenomenon occurs between vitamin B2 and Zn/Cl-CQDs. Lastly, the use of Zn/Cl-CQDs in the detection of vitamin B2 tablets and vitamin B2-rich fruits resulted in recovery rates of 98.2% and 100.6%, respectively. Therefore, this method can be well applied to the detection and analysis of vitamin B2, and has great development prospects in the pharmaceutical industry and food monitoring fields.

Keywords: Spine surgery 1; Metastatic spinal cord compression 2; Spinal metastasis 3; Cancer treatment.

Recent developments in the field of room temperature ferromagnetic metal oxide semiconductors (RTFMOS) have shown promising potential for improved photocatalytic performance. This review focuses on the combined study of photocatalytic and ferromagnetic properties at room temperature, with a particular emphasis on metal oxides, such as TiO2, which have emerged as a key area of interest in the domains of magnetism and environmental remediation. Despite extensive research over the years, the precise mechanism behind the interplay of ferromagnetism and photocatalysis in these materials remains incompletely understood. Several critical factors contributing to magnetism have been hinted at, including oxygen vacancies and various metal doping. Numerous reports have demonstrated that these factors play a primary role in room temperature ferromagnetism and photocatalysis in wide-band-gap metal oxides. However, establishing a direct correlation between magnetism, oxygen vacancies, dopant concentration, and photocatalysis has proven challenging. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in understanding the magnetism and photocatalytic behaviour of metal oxides. By examining the latest findings, this study sheds light on the potential of RTFMOS as effective photocatalysts, thereby contributing to advancements in environmental remediation and related applications.

The thermal degradation of brakes has a significant impact on the stability of pure electric commercial vehicles during long downhill braking. Based on road slope and using fuzzy control method, design strategies for motor regenerative braking force and friction braking force distribution, with the aim of reducing friction braking force, improving braking stability, and recovering braking energy. By establishing driving conditions on roads with different slopes and using numerical analysis methods to verify the proposed control strategy. the results show that under the 6% constant slope driving condition, the vehicle maintains a constant speed of 30km/h downhill driving, and the braking energy recovery rate reaches 50.93%; Under the condition of 3% -6% gradient driving, the vehicle speed fluctuates slightly, but it can still be maintained at a constant speed of 30km/h for downhill driving through the adjustment of the motor's reverse drag characteristic, with a braking energy recovery rate of 49.97%; During the process of driving downhill at a constant speed, the frictional braking force does not participate in braking; The braking energy recovery rate is determined by the slope and braking deceleration.