The objective of this investigation was to characterize the antimicrobial activity of the natural preservative, intended for cosmetic purpose, Kopraphinol (INCI name: Lactobacillus/Radish Root Ferment Extract Filtrate). It was tested against a panel of selected bacteria and mycetes by using conventional microbiological techniques (determination of MIC, time killing assay), and a chal-lenge test was used to verify its potential preservative in an O/W cream. Kopraphinol has shown an interesting antimicrobial effectiveness comparable to methylparaben. Moreover, it fulfilled challenge test criterion A and has proven effective against microbial contamination. The results obtained show that Kopraphinol can be considered a promising and effective candidate for anti-microbial preservation of cosmetics and could successfully complement or even replace conven-tional preservatives.

This paper utilizes the 2020 financial data of A-share listed companies, both ST and non-ST, as the data sample. The model is constructed employing the Factor-Logistic fusion algorithm. Eight key indicator factors were selected from the frameworks of profitability, solvency, operating capacity, development potential, shareholder retained earnings, cash flow and asset growth. An independent indicator system was subsequently established to address the issue of collinearity among risk indicators. The results of model are presented in the form of probabilities, enhancing the interpretability of model. The weights of the features indicate the influence of different features on the final outcome. The model achieves a prediction accuracy of over 89%, with an AUC score exceeding 95%. Finally, by applying the principles of interval estimation theory in statistical hypothesis testing, the risk levels are categorized as A-level representing significant risk, B-level representing moderate risk, C-level representing minor risk and D-level representing no risk. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive definition of a universal financial risk management warning model for enterprises, applicable to all enterprises in China.

Accurate clinical diagnosis of patients presenting to primary care settings with acute sore throat remains challenging, often resulting in the over-prescribing of antibiotics. Using point-of-care tests (POCTs) to differentiate between respiratory infections is well-accepted, yet evidence on the application within primary care is sparse. We assessed the application of testing patients (n=160) from three family practices with suspected Streptococcal infections using rapid molecular tests (ID NOW Strep A2, Abbott). In addition to comparing clinical evaluation and prescription rates with either usual care or with testing, patients and staff completed a questionnaire about their experience of molecular POCT in primary care. The immediate availability of the result was important to patients (100%) and staff (≈90%) stated that molecular testing improved quality of care. Interestingly, only 22.73% of patients with a Centor score >2 tested positive for Strep A and overall, less than 50% of Centor scores 3 and 4 tested positive for Strep A with the ID NOW testing platform. The addition of rapid molecular POCTs to clinical assessment resulted in a 55- 65% reduction in immediate and deferred antibiotic prescriptions. The intervention was popular with patients and medical staff but was associated with increased cost and a longer appointment length.

Stress has been identified as a prominent contributor to the development and advancement of bowel cancer, however its specific involvement is intricate and diverse. This abstract tries to offer a concise summary of the correlation between stress and bowel cancer, consolidating significant discoveries from several research fields. The investigation commences by studying the molecular pathways by which chronic stress impacts the development of colon cancer. Chronic stress causes disruption in the functioning of neuroendocrine, immunological, and inflammatory pathways, leading to the development of a microenvironment within the gastrointestinal system that promotes the growth of tumours. Furthermore, changes in the composition of gut microbiota, variations in epigenetics, and alterations in immune function caused by stress also have a role in increasing the risk and advancing the advancement of cancer. Psychological aspects, including how one perceives stress, the tactics they use to cope with it, and the level of psychosocial support they receive, are crucial in determining a person's susceptibility to bowel cancer and impacting the effectiveness of treatment. Stress management therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction, have demonstrated potential in enhancing patient well-being and promoting adherence to treatment. Moreover, epidemiological studies and clinical trials offer vital knowledge regarding the correlation between stress and the risk, prognosis, and treatment results of bowel cancer. Although the evidence is inconclusive, it is essential to continue researching the intricate relationship between stress and bowel cancer. This will help us understand the connection better and create specific strategies to reduce its impact on patient outcomes.

In the following article, we estimate the Renunciation of Healthcare Services-RHS in Italian regions in the context of the Environmental, Social and Governance-ESG model during the period 2004-2022. The data were acquired from the ISTAT-BES dataset. The data were analyzed using the following econometric techniques: Panel Data with Fixed Effects, Panel Data with Random Effects, Pooled Ordinary Least Squares-OLS, Weighted Least Square-WLS,. Results show that RHS tends to growth with the E-Component, is negatively associated to the S-Component, and positively associate with the G-Component within the ESG model. Furthermore, a clusterization with the unsupervised k-Means algorithm is presented and the results are discussed with a confrontation between optimal and suboptimal k values optimized with the Silhouette Coefficient. Finally, a confrontation among eight different machine-learning algorithms is performed to predict the future value of RHS. Outcomes show that the Simple Regression Tree is the best predictive algorithm and that the level of RHS is predicted to growth on average of 4.4% for the Italian regions. Results are critically discussed.

A rare genetic disorder caused by col18.a1 mutations, inherited mostly in autosomal recessive and rarely in autosomal dominant pattern, giving rise to ocular abnormalities and other associated disorders, the condition is referred to as Knobloch syndrome. This paper overviews the anterior and posterior ocular symptoms in Knobloch patients, thus demonstrating the major findings in Knobloch cases including the mutational analysis which discusses the proteins involved and exon number on which mutations are detected. Animal modeling done by knocking out col18.a1 has also been discussed to determine the functions of this gene which have been identified based on anomalies found in knock-out mice.

The addition of 50% vitreous humor to the media bathing lens explants results in the induction of both fiber cell differentiation and a significant immune/inflammatory response. Although Fgfr loss blocks differentiation in lens epithelial explants, this loss is partially rescued by deleting Pten. To investigate the functions of the Fgfrs and Pten during lens fiber cell differentiation, we utilized a lens epithelial explant system and conducted RNA sequencing on vitreous humor-exposed explants lacking Fgfrs, or Pten or both Fgfrs and Pten. We found that Fgfr loss impairs both vitreous-induced differentiation and inflammation while the additional loss of Pten restores these responses. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis suggested that PDGFR-signaling in FGFR-deficient explants is required to mediate the rescue of vitreous-induced fiber differentiation in explants lacking both Fgfrs and Pten. The blockage of β-crystallin induction in explants lacking both Fgfrs and Pten in the presence of a PDGFR-inhibitor supports this hypothesis. Our findings demonstrate that a wide array of genes associated with fiber cell differentiation are downstream of FGFR-signaling and that the vitreous-induced immune responses also depend on FGFR-signaling. Our data also demonstrates that many of the vitreous-induced gene expression changes Fgfr-deficient explants are rescued in explants lacking both Fgfrs and Pten.

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most important constraints to potato production worldwide. There is an increasing occurrence of recombinant PVY strains PVYNTN and PVYN-Wi and a decline in the incidence of the nonrecombinant PVYO. We hypothesized that this may be due to the ability of these recombinant strains to antagonize and/or outcompete PVYO in mixed infections. To deter-mine this, we investigated interactions between PVYO and three recombinant PVY strains com-mon in North America: PVYNTN, PVYN-Wi, and PVYN:O. Overall, our study showed that these inter-actions are tissue dependent. Specifically, PVYNTN, the main causal agent of potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD), was found to be more adaptable than PVYO, especially in potato leaves due, at least in part, to the Ny gene that confers hypersensitive resistance (HR) to PVYO. Further-more, PVYN-Wi was found to repress PVYO in potato tubers but act synergistically in potato leaves. The PVYO-induced foliage necrosis in cultivar ‘Ranger Russet’ was observed to be more severe in plants co-infected by PVYN-Wi and PVYN:O, respectively, resulting in plant death. Strikingly, this PVYO -induced necrosis was suppressed by PVYNTN in doubly infected plants. These interactions may, at least partially, explain the decreasing incidence of PVYO in United States potato produc-tion regions, especially given that many cultivars contain the Ny gene, which likely limits PVYO enabling PVYNTN and PVYN-Wi to outcompete. We also found that replication and cell-to-cell movement of these PVY strains in tubers at 4C was similar to levels at ambient temperature.

SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers distinct patterns of disease development, characterized by significant alterations in host regulatory responses. Severe cases exhibit profound lung inflammation and systemic repercussions. Remarkably, critically ill patients display a "lipid storm", influencing the inflammatory process and tissue damage. Sphingolipids (SL) play pivotal roles in various cellular and tissue processes, including inflammation, metabolic disorders, and cancer. In this study, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate SL metabolism in plasma samples obtained from control subjects (n=55), COVID-19 patients (n=204), and convalescent individuals (n=77). These data were correlated with inflammatory parameters associated with the clinical severity of COVID-19. Additionally, we utilized RNAseq analysis to examine the gene expression of enzymes involved in the SL pathway. Our analysis revealed the presence of thirty-eight SL species from seven families in the plasma of study participants. The most profound alterations in the SL species profile were observed in patients with severe disease. Notably, the predominant sphingomyelin (SM d18:1) species emerged as a potential biomarker for COVID-19 severity, showing decreased levels in the plasma of convalescent individuals. Elevated SM levels were positively correlated with age, hospitalization duration, clinical score, neutrophil count, as well as the production of IL-6 and IL-8. Intriguingly, we identified a putative protective effect against disease severity mediated by SM (d18:1/24:0), while ceramide (Cer) d18:1/24:1 and d18:1/24:0 was associated with increased risk. Moreover, we observed enhanced expression of key enzymes involved in SL pathway, in blood cells from severe COVID-19 patients, suggesting a primary flow towards Cer generation in tandem with SM synthesis. These findings underscore the potential of SM as a prognostic biomarker for COVID-19 and highlight promising pharmacological targets. By targeting sphingolipid pathways, novel therapeutic strategies may emerge to mitigate the severity of COVID-19 and improve patient outcomes.

Introduction: Obesity affects over 650 million individuals worldwide and it is a major public health problem. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, resulting in significant weight reduction and improvement in obesity-related conditions. However, the weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery often correlates with a notable decrease in skeletal muscle. This correlation suggests an elevated risk of sarcopenia among patients after surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of obesity and bariatric surgery on sarcopenia-related indicators and diagnosis before and after surgery. Methods: A total of 17 bariatric surgery patients were included in this prospective study. The parameters to diagnose sarcopenia were determined for each participant, based on EWGSOP2 and EASO/ESPEN consensuses. All evaluations were performed on the five moments of this study: before surgery and at 1, 6, 12 and 18 months after surgery. Results: In this study, 88.2% of the subjects were female, the mean BMI was 42.9 kg/m² and the mean weight was 105.9 kg. After surgery, the mean weight consistently decreased, with all differences from baseline being statistically significant (p<0.001). When using the SARC-F questionnaire for screening, the risk of sarcopenia increased post-surgery, and decreased at 12 months, declining to zero at 18 months. Muscle strength decreased significantly (p=0.002) at the 1 month after surgery assessment, with slight variations thereafter, none statistically significant. Muscle mass was normal before surgery but decreased significantly post-surgery (p<0.001). When applying the ESPEN/EASO consensus cut-off criteria for sarcopenic obesity, 35.3% of the patients met the criteria preoperatively. After surgery, the results increased to 70.6% in the first month but decreased afterward to 41.2% at 6 months. Discussion: This study evaluated the impact of bariatric surgery on sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, for a duration of up to 18 months after surgery, using the EWGSOP2 and ESPEN/EASO consensuses criteria. Bariatric surgery, the most effective treatment for severe obesity, often results in muscle mass loss alongside fat loss. Handgrip strength, a key sarcopenia indicator, showed a significant early post-surgery decline, whereas the weight-dependent sit-to-stand test did not. This suggests weight loss impacts different muscle function tests variably. Muscle mass decreased continuously after surgery. However, other indicators had mixed results. Applying ESPEN/EASO guidelines, the study found a temporary post-surgery increase in sarcopenic obesity, peaking at one month and returning to pre-surgery levels by six months. However, different criteria led to different results. Conclusion: The results indicate a clear deleterious impact of bariatric surgery on muscle strength and mass, the most important indicators of sarcopenia. Also, the impact seems to occur very early after surgery, indicating that the appropriate timeframe to try to prevent this effect may be the prehabilitation period followed by the post-surgery timeframe.

Extensive green roofs provide for many ecosystem services in urban environments. The efficacy of these services is influenced by the substrate characteristics and vegetational composition. Despite their key role in plant performance and productivity, or their contribution to nitrogen fixation or carbon sequestration, green roof microbial communities have received little attention so far. Here, we investigated whether microbial communities in extensive green roof substrates contain a core community, as well as whether they are affected by green roof plant diversity. Eleven green roofs, planted either with a mixture of grasses, wildflowers and succulents (Sedum spp.), or solely species of Sedum, were seasonally sampled to investigate prokaryotic and fungal communities via metabarcoding. Although Sedum-herbs-grasses roofs contained more plant species, we observed no discriminant microbial communities between both roof types, likely due to sharing the same substrate textures and the vegetational layers that became more similar throughout time. Examining key microbial taxa revealed that most taxa are also dominant phylotypes in soils across different biomes. Many bacterial core taxa are capable of nitrogen fixation and most fungal key taxa are stress-tolerant saprotrophs, endophytes, or both. Microbial community composition further revealed high similarities with aerial samples taken in urban environments. Considering the extreme edaphic conditions that periodically arise in green roof substrates, further investigation is warranted to determine the extent to which the dynamic and intriguing microbial communities are influenced by the aeromicrobiome.

On the afternoon of January 31, 2022, the northwest and central part of the city of Quito (Ecuador) was hit by a mud-flow that originated in one of the ravines of the Pichincha volcanic complex. According to the official reports, there were 28 fatalities, one missing person, 52 injured, and 53 families affected. The mudflow was triggered by unusual and heavy rainfall in the upper part of the drainage. However, the analysis of the deposits allowed us to establish the existence of anthropogenic elements as crucial components of a local disaster that affected daily life in the city for more than a week. Based on the preliminary data, we were able to determine that the mud and water flowed through different streets of the city, reaching a maximum distance of 3.2 km from the overflow point (collector, construction works to dam the drainage under the city). The analysis of the multimedia material published on social networks and in the press also made it possible to detect the change in the behavior of the flow during its evolution, which went from a hyper-concentrated flow to muddy water. A similar event occurred in 1975, and although it was a larger event (52000 m3, seven times larger than in 2022), it caused two deaths and little damage in the same area. The main causes of the disaster included urban development that did not meet the needs of the area and a lack of awareness or ignorance about the management and intervention of drainage in Quito City.

Glioma is the most common primary malignant brain tumors. Despite advances in surgical techniques and treatment regimens, the therapeutic effects remain unsatisfactory. Immunotherapy has brought new hope to glioma patients, but the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has limited the therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to reveal the subpopulations and functional characteristics of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), to explore the regulatory effects of chlorogenic acid on the immune microenvironment, and investigate its potential for clinical application. In this study, Chlorogenic acid slowed tumor growth in the mouse model and extended the survival time of the mice. ScRNA-seq analysis elucidated the differentiation trajectories and functional characteristics of BMDMs and microglia, revealing the regulatory effects of chlorogenic acid on these two populations. It enhanced the antigen-presenting function of macrophages and the gene expression related to T-cell immune activation, activated microglia through the JAK-STAT pathway, and improved antitumor functions. Using the target prediction database, a PPI and molecular docking model were constructed, confirming the good affinity of chlorogenic acid with STAT1. A case of a patient treated with chlorogenic acid was reviewed, who survived for 5 years and 6 months, achieved partial remission (PR) after 9 months of treatment, and remains alive with no new symptoms or toxic side effects. Our study revealed the subtypes and differentiation trajectories of tumor-associated macrophages. Chlorogenic acid significantly improved the immune microenvironment of glioma by modulating the function of bone marrow-derived mono-macrophages (BMDMs) and microglia, demonstrating good antitumor effects. This study provides new insights for targeting the regulation of the TME and offers theoretical and practical support for the clinical application of chlorogenic acid.

Despite widespread vaccination, early treatments, and improved understanding of the disease, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection remain significant worldwide. Many patients still suffer from severe COVID-19, necessitating admission to intensive care units. Remdesivir is a primary treatment option among viral RNA polymerase inhibitors for hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients. However, there is a lack of studies examining factors influencing its effectiveness in this context. We conducted a retrospective study throughout 2022, analyzing clinical, laboratory, and sociodemographic data from 252 hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with remdesivir. Six machine learning algorithms were compared and validated to predict factors associated with the loss of clinical benefit from remdesivir in terms of mortality and hospital stay. Data were extracted from electronic health records. The eXtreme Gradient Boost (XGB) method achieved the highest balanced accuracy for both mortality (95.45%) and hospital stay (94.24%). Factors associated with worse outcomes of remdesivir use in terms of mortality included limitation of life support treatment, need for ventilatory support (especially invasive mechanical ventilation) on day 14 after the first dose of remdesivir, lymphopenia, low levels of albumin and hemoglobin, presence of flu and/or coinfection, and cough. Factors associated with worse outcomes of remdesivir use in terms of hospital stay included the number of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, patchy lung density, bilateral pulmonary radiological status, number of comorbidities, oxygen therapy, troponin and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and asthenia. These findings highlight the effectiveness of XGB as a strong candidate for accurately categorizing COVID-19 patients undergoing remdesivir treatment.

Background: Current treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) focuses on improving manifestations and delaying progression. Nutritional approaches play a crucial role in CKD management, and various supplements have become available. Ketoanalogues of amino acids (KA), calcum citrate, and inulin have been proposed as suitable supplements, yet their widespread use has been limited due to insufficient evidence. This study aimed to generate general guidance statements on the appropriateness of these supplements through a RAND/UCLA consensus process; Methods: A RAND/UCLA consensus panel was convened to evaluate the appropriateness of these supplements in different clinical scenarios. In this study, we present a subgroup analysis focusing on a panel of eleven clinical nephrologists from among the experts; Results: Supplementation of low protein diets (LPD) and very low protein diets (VLPD) with KA was considered appropriate to reduce manifestations and delay CKD outcomes, supplementation with calcium citrate is considered appropriate to reduce CKD manifestations, and supplementation with inulin is considered appropriate to delay CKD outcomes and manage comorbidities; Conclusions: Based on a combination of clinical experience and scientific evidence , the panel reached a consensus that KA supplementation of LPD and VLPD, calcium citrate, and inulin are appropriate in patients with CKD across various scenarios.

Big data is considered to be the solution to many complex problems, but its application appears to be relegated to the problems that are factorable (e.g., the tensor-like operations which reflect separable elements), not the non-factorable data from teamwork, team intelligence, and possibly not individual consciousness. In contrast, the quantum likeness of interdependence is set apart from the standard science of teams by recognizing a measurement problem between a team and its individual teammates, and between individual beliefs and actions. Teams that concern us are based on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) systems, which we find lacking for two reasons. First, neither AI nor ML models the human's timeless need for debate to solve a problem at the social level when facing uncertainty or complexity, where the debate of proposed actions serves to establish the boundaries of a problem in reality, no matter how complex nor uncertain. Second, at the individual level exists the illusion of a unified reality propagated by a bifurcated brain that we assume is split to determine a context with narrative and bounded spaces. We hypothesize that the quantum-likeness of interdependence applied to autonomous human-machine teams suggests that at the social level, debate models an individual's bifurcated brain, providing advantages for human-machine teams in freer systems over those oppressed by command and control systems (e.g., authoritarian regimes). Human-machine teams are coming, but they are not yet available, forcing us to rely on data from human systems. We close with plans for future research.

Optimization techniques are pivotal across various scientific domains, typically involving solving problems among feasible alternatives based on specific goals, alternatives, or constraints. In mathematical optimization, traditional methods like Simulated Annealing (SA) do not guarantee finding global minima/optima, especially in cases that contain high dimensions in objective functions. This paper introduces a novel approach where a free-energy driven self-adaptive SA algorithm is designed to handle such cases by incorporating free-energy costs within the Metropolis-Hastings framework. This algorithm not only dynamically adjusts to the changing dimensions of the objective function, but it also enhances a faster optimization process. Furthermore, as examples we demonstrate its capability on a convex unimodal function and the non-convex Rastrigin function, revealing faster convergence to search global minima compared to standard SA algorithm. At last, parameter estimation of noisy exponential data has been executed by our Simulated Annealing driven by the Free-Energy (SAFE) algorithm. Our results suggest that this novel approach may significantly improve optimization speed and accuracy, providing a robust tool for complex multidimensional optimization problems.

The purpose of this study is to identify, and examine the potential characteristics of Siompu Tangerines to be given legal protection for Geographical Indications and examine the efforts of local governments in encouraging legal protection of Siompu Tangerines Geographical Indications, this research uses a type of empirical legal research. The conclusion of this study explains that characteristics of Siompu Tangerines have the potential to be given legal protection for Geographical Indications because they have a distinctive sweet, slightly sour taste and strong aroma with a sugar content scale of 9-10º Brix, the orange has been named the sweetest orange in the National Citrus fruit contest and several times served at official ceremonies at the State palace, the reputation of Siompu Tangerines makes it a National Flagship Orange through the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture number 742 / Kpts / TP. 240/7/1997. Geographical environmental factors from natural conditions and human factors make Siompu Tangerines can only grow well in the Siompu island area. The Regional Government of South Buton Regency has made efforts in terms of the development of Siompu Tangerines but has not been optimal in carrying out legal protection of Geographical Indications, due to a lack of community understanding, and the Regional Government regarding the potential of Siompu Tangerines which can be given protection by registering as a Geographical Indication product, the importance of obtaining legal certainty and obtaining exclusive rights is very useful in improving the community's economy and Farmer Tangerines Siompu.

Duckweed (Lemnaceae) rises as a crucial model system due to its unique characteristics and wide-ranging utility. The significance in physiological research and phytoremediation highlights the intricate potential of Duckweed in the current era of plant biology. Special attention to Duckweed has been brought due to its distinctive features of nutrient uptake, ion transport dynamics, detoxification, intricate signaling, and stress tolerance. In addition, Duckweed can alleviate environmental pollutants and enhance sustainability by participating in bioremediation processes and wastewater treatment. Furthermore, insights into the genomic complexity of Lemnaceae species and the flourishing field of transgenic development highlight the opportunities for genetic manipulation and biotechnological innovations. The novel methods for germplasm conservation of Duckweed can be adopted to preserve genetic diversity for future research endeavors and breeding programs. This review centers on prospects in Duckweed research promoting interdisciplinary collaborations and technological advancements to drive its full potential as a model organism.

This paper explores if plants are capable of responding to human movement by changes in their electrical signals. Towards that goal we conducted a series of experiments, where humans over a period of 6 months were performing different types of eurythmic gestures in proximity of garden plants, namely salad, basil, and tomatoes. To measure plant perception, we used the plant spikerbox, a device that measures changes in voltage differentials of plants between roots and leaves. Using machine learning, we find that the voltage differentials over time of the plant predict if (a) eurythmy has been performed, and (b) which kind of eurythmy gestures has been performed. We also find that the signals are different based on the species of the plant. In other words, the perception of a salad, tomato, or basil might differ just as perception of different species of animals differ. This opens new ways of studying plant ecosystems, while also paving the way to use plants as biosensors for analyzing human movement.

Precipitation during 2001-2016 over the northern and central part of Tuscany was studied in order to characterize the rainfall regime. The dataset consisted of hourly cumulative rainfall series recorded by a network of 801 rain gauges. The territory was divided into 30x30 km square areas, the annual, seasonal and daily Average Cumulative Rainfall (ACR) in all areas was estimated along with its uncertainty. The trend analysis of ACR time series was performed by means of the Mann-Kendall test. Four climatic zones were identified: the north-western was the rainiest, followed by the north-eastern, north-central and south-central. An overall increase in precipitation was identified, more intense in the north-west, and determined mostly by the increase in winter precipitation. On the entire territory, the ACR, number of rainy days, mean precipitation intensity and sum of daily ACR in four intensity groups were evaluated at annual and seasonal scale. The main result was a magnitude of the ACR trend evaluated as 35 mm/year, due mainly to an increase in light and extreme precipitations. This result is in contrast with the decreasing rainfall detected in the past decades.

Laser-plasma interactions of ultra-short laser pulses with solid targets can generate highly intense pulses of protons and ions with energies of several MeV. The spectra of these particles are spread over a wide range following a Maxwellian distribution. We report on the design and testing of a magnetic chicane for the selection of protons within a limited energy window. It consists in two successive, anti-parallel dipole fields generated by cost-effective, permanent C-magnets with customized configuration and longitudinal positions. The chicane has been implemented into the target vessel of a petawatt laser facility under constraints on the direction of the incoming laser beam and guidance of the outgoing particles through a vacuum port. The separation of protons and carbon ions within distinct energy intervals has been demonstrated and compared to a ray tracing code.

Bioimpedance imaging aims to generate a 3D map of the resistivity and permittivity of biologi-cal tissue from multiple impedance channels measured with electrodes applied to the skin. When the electrodes are distributed around the body (for example, by delineating a cross-section of the chest or a limb), bioimpedance imaging is called electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and results in 2D functional images. Conventional EIT systems rely on individually cabling each electrode to master electronics in a star configuration. This approach works well for rack-mounted equipment; however, the bulkiness of the cabling is unsuitable for a wearable system. Previously presented cooperative sensors solve this cabling problem using active (dry) elec-trodes connected via a two-wire parallel bus. The bus can be implemented with two unshielded wires or even two conductive textile layers, thus replacing the cumbersome wiring of the con-ventional star arrangement. Prior research demonstrated cooperative sensors for measuring bi-oimpedances, successfully realizing a measurement reference signal, sensor synchronization, and data transfer though still relying on individual batteries to power the sensors. Subsequent research using cooperative sensors for biopotential measurements proposed a method to re-move batteries from the sensors and have the central unit supply power over the two-wire bus. Building off our previous research, this paper presents this method applied to the measurements of bioimpedances. Two different approaches are discussed, one using discrete, commercially available components, and the other with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Initial experimental results reveal that both approaches are feasible, but the ASIC approach offers ad-vantages for medical safety, as well as lower power consumption and smaller size.

Bacteria can colonize and develop biofilm on a large variety of biotic and abiotic materials, it is accountable for nosocomial infections and chronic illness and consequently, it is a serious economic and public health problem. Staphylococcus epidermidis, thanks to its ability to form biofilm and colonize biomaterials, represents the most frequent causative agent involved in bio-film-associated infections of medical devices. Due to the biofilm presence, S. epidermidis infections are extremely difficult to treat and the research of new molecules able to interfere with its biofilm formation has a remarkable interest. In the present work, the attention was focused on Pseudomonas sp. TAE6080, an Antarctic marine bacterium able to produce and secrete an effective antibiofilm compound. The molecule responsible for this activity was purified by an activity-guided approach and it resulted to be a periplasmic protein, named Cold-Azurin. The Cold-Azurin was recombinantly produced in E. coli and purified. The recombinant protein was able to impair S. epidermidis attachment to the polystyrene surface and effectively prevent biofilm formation.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and despite advances in treatment, survival rates are still low; therefore, the development of novel drugs is imperative. Acetylcorynoline (ACN) is derived from Corydalis ambigua. The effect of ACN on colon cancer is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated its potential effects. Our data showed that ACN inhibited cell viability and proliferation. Moreover, ACN induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by inhibiting cell growth. In the present study, we hypothesized that ACN regulates c-Myc through CNOT2 or MID1IP1. ACN reduced the protein expression of oncogenic genes, decreased c-Myc half-life, and rapidly inhibited the serum stimulation response. Moreover, knockdown of CNOT2 and MID1IP1 with ACN increased apoptosis and further reduced the expression of oncogenes. In addition, ACN exhibited a synergistic effect with low-dose of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and doxorubicin (Dox). Collectively, our data demonstrates that ACN inhibited c-Myc expression through CNOT2 and MID1IP1 and induced apoptosis. These findings indicate the potential of ACN as a therapeutic agent against colon cancer.

Current fertilizer recommendations often neglect nutrient cycling across crop rotations. This study aimed to assess the decay rate and nutrient (N, P, K) release patterns of sorghum, black oat, and corn residues and their effects on corn yield in an integrated crop-livestock system. The experiment used factorial treatments based on two sward heights (high and low) and two nitrogen fertilization levels (N-Pasture at 200 kg N ha-1 and N-Corn at 0 kg N ha-1. Litter bags were collected at various intervals from each crop to measure nutrient release patterns and decomposition rates. The results showed that pasture height and nitrogen fertilization significantly influenced decomposition and nutrient release, affecting the subsequent grain crop phase. Potassium was released rapidly and in high amounts. Nitrogen fertilization during the pasture phase prevented nitrogen and phosphorus immobilization in black oat residue and reduced immobilization in corn residue.These findings highlight the importance of accounting for nutrient cycling and decomposition rates in fertilization strategies to enhance the sustainability of integrated crop-livestock systems.

Recently, we published that the monoclonal antibody (D12 mAb) recognizes gp63 of L. mexicana, it is responsible for COX activity. This D12 mAb exhibited cross-reactivity with Trypanosoma cruzi, Entamoeba histolytica, Acanthamoeba castellanii, and Naegleria fowleri. COX activity assays performed in these parasites suggested the potential presence of such enzymatic activity. In our investigation, we confirmed that wild-type recombinant gp63 exhibits COX-like activity, in contrast to a mutated recombinant gp63 variant. Consequently, our objective was to identify sequences orthologous to gp63 and subsequently analyze the binding of arachidonic acid (AA) to the putative active sites of these proteins. Given the absence of a crystallized structure for this protein in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), it was imperative to first obtain a three-dimensional structure by homology modeling, using leishmanolysin (PDB ID: LML1) as a template in the Swiss model. Database. The results obtained through molecular docking simulations revealed the primary interactions of AA close to the Zinc atom present in the catalytic site of gp63-like molecules of several parasites, predominantly mediated by hydrogen bonds with HIS264, HIS268 and HIS334. Furthermore, COX activity was evaluated in commensal species such as E. dispar and during the encystment process of E. invadens.

Secondary envelopment of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a critical but not well-understood process that takes place at the cytoplasmic viral assembly complex (cVAC) where nucleocapsids acquire their envelope by budding into cellular membranes containing viral glycoproteins. Previous studies presented controversial results regarding the composition of the viral envelope, suggesting trans-Golgi and endosomal origins, as well as intersections with the exosomal and endocytic pathways. Here, we investigated the role of endocytic membranes for the secondary envelopment of HCMV by using wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) pulse labelling to label glycoproteins at the plasma membrane and to follow their trafficking during HCMV infection by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). WGA labelled different membrane compartments within the cVAC, including early endosomes, multivesicular bodies, trans-Golgi, and recycling endosomes. Furthermore, TEM analysis showed that almost 90% of capsids undergoing secondary envelopment and 50% of enveloped capsids were WGA-positive within 90 minutes. Our data reveal extensive remodeling of the endocytic compartment in the late stage of HCMV infection, where the endocytic compartment provides an optimized environment for virion morphogenesis and serves as the primary membrane source for secondary envelopment. Furthermore, we show that secondary envelopment is a rapid process in which endocytosed membranes are transported from the plasma membrane to the cVAC within minutes to be utilized by capsids for envelopment.

This study aimed to analyze the population dynamics of the mite Varroa destructor in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in a temperate semi-arid climate in Mexico. Ten colonies homogeneous in population, food stores, and levels of mite infestation, were used. The mite infestation rate in brood and adult bees, total number of mites, daily mite fall, brood and adult bee population, and food stores, were determined periodically for 10 months. There was a significant effect (P &lt;0.05) of sampling period on the population of V. destructor in adult bees, brood, total mite population, and daily fallen mites. The total mite population increased 26% on average per colony. The increase in brood amount reduced the mite infestation rate in adult bees, and the opposite occurred when the brood decreased. Monitoring V. destructor populations by recording fallen mites is more reliable than determining mite infestation rates in bees, as mite fall has a dynamic pattern similar to that of the total mite population. The best period to apply an acaricide treatment in the region of study is between November and December because most mites were in the phoretic phase, since there was less brood in the colonies compared to other times.

The exponential growth of multimodal content across social media platforms, comprising text, images, audio, and video, has catalyzed substantial interest in artificial intelligence, particularly in multi-modal sentiment analysis (MSA). This study presents a comprehensive survey of 30 research papers published between 2020 and 2024 by eminent publishers such as Elsevier, ACM, IEEE, Springer, and others indexed in Google Scholar. Our analysis primarily focuses on exploring multimodal fusion techniques and features, with specific emphasis on the integration of text and image data. Additionally, the article offers an overview of the evolution, definition, and historical context of MSA. It delves into the current challenges and potential advantages of MSA, investigating recent datasets and sophisticated models. Furthermore, the study provides insights into prospective research directions. Notably, this review offers valuable recommendations for advancing research and developing more robust MSA models, thus serving as a valuable resource for both academic and industry researchers engaged in this burgeoning field.

To investigate the repair mechanism of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in hydrogel on pancreatic β-cells in diabetes, MIN-6 damaged by streptozotocin (STZ) in vitro was used in co-culture with UC-MSCs in hydrogel (UC-MSCs + hydrogel). It was found that UC-MSCs + hydrogel had a significant repair effect on injured MIN-6 cells, which was better than the use of UC-MSCs alone (without hydrogel). After repair, the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of the repaired MIN-6 cells were increased, effectively reducing the oxidative stress caused by STZ. In addition, UC-MSCs + hydrogel were able to curb the inflammatory response by promoting the expression of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and reducing inflammatory factor IL-1β. In addition, the expression of both nuclear antigen Ki67 for cell proliferation and insulin-related genes such as Pdx1 and MafA was increased in the repaired MIN-6 cells by UC-MSCs + hydrogel, suggesting that the repair effect promotes the proliferation of the injured MIN-6 cells. Compared with the use of UC-MSCs alone, UC-MSCs + hydrogel exhibited longer survival time of UC-MSCs, because the porous structure and hydrophilic properties of the hydrogel could affect the growth of cells and slow down their metabolic activities, resulting in a better repair effect on the injured MIN-6 cells.

Abstract: Falls are among the top 10 causes of years lived with disability in people aged 75 and over. Preventive programs like case management (CM) are crucial. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a multifactorial fall prevention program, based on CM, on physical performance, presence of pain and risk of falls and fractures in elderly people who have suffered falls. Methods: This is a randomized, single-blind clinical trial with parallel groups: intervention group (IG) and control group (CG) composed of 55 older people with a history of falls living in the community. All participants underwent an initial assessment via video call (containing anamnesis, Timed Up and Go test, Falls Risk Score, Short Physical Performance Battery and Clinical Frax). The IG underwent CM, the physical exercise protocol and the cognitive stimulation protocol. The CG was monitored through telephone calls and received general health and falls guidance. Results: No significant results were found in physical capacity, presence of pain, risk of falls and fractures between the intervention and control groups and between assessments. Conclusion: This program was not effective in improving functional performance, but it was important for characterizing pain and the probability of fracture in the next 10 years in this population.

Background: We assessed the pertinence of yearly updating the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) risk classification in people with diabetes by quantifying the changes in the risk group and its accuracy in identifying those developing an ulcer (DFU) in a primary care setting. Methods: In our retrospective cohort study, we included all people with diabetes with a foot as-sessment registry between January 2016 and December 2018 in the Baixo Alentejo Local Health Unit. Foot-related data was collected at baseline after one and two years. DFU and/or death until December 2019 were registered. The proportion of people changing their risk status each year was calculated. Accuracy measures of the IWGDF classification to predict DFU occurrence at one, two, and three years were calculated. Results: A total of 2097 people were followed for three years, during which 0.1% died, and 12.4% developed a DFU. After two years, 3.6% of the participants had progressed to a higher-risk group. The IWGDF classification presented specificity values superior to 90% and negative predictive values superior to 99%. Conclusion: Foot risk status can be safely updated every two years instead of yearly. The IWGDF classification can accurately identify those not at risk of DFU.

In this report we describe the case of a healthy, young, athletic woman who developed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)/lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech modified mRNA (modRNA) COVID-19 genetic vaccine (marketed as Comirnaty^®). The first dose of the genetic vaccine did not appear to illicit any noticeable side effects, but within 24 hours of the second dose the patient suffered widespread and intensifying bone pain, fever, vomiting, and general malaise. Due to the persistence of the symptoms, the patient underwent a series of tests and examinations including a full laboratory workup, a consult with a clinical immunologist and rheumatologist, a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, as well as an osteomedullary biopsy. These together led to a definitive diagnosis of ALL. A time interval of 16 weeks from the second vaccination to the diagnosis of cancer was noted. Several similar cases with identical pathology which developed after the modRNA COVID-19 vaccination, are described in case reports in the scientific literature. The massive and indiscriminate use of genetic vaccines to fight COVID-19 is raising serious concerns about their safety and about the technology platform as a whole for this purpose. Growing evidence is accumulating regarding the biodistribution and persistence of the modRNA which can reach, thanks to the lipid nanoparticles, a multitude of tissues and organs of the body, including the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs and tissues. Moreover, there is evidence that the modRNA vaccines display a particular tropism for the bone marrow, influencing the immune system at multiple levels and being able to trigger not only autoimmune-based pathologies, but also neoplastic mechanisms. The aim of this article is to assess, on the basis of the available scientific literature, the risk of developing haematopoietic cancers after modRNA vaccination, and to investigate the potential genetic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of disease.

Due to their high specificity, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have garnered significant attention in recent decades, with advancements in production processes, such as high seeding density (HSD) strategies, contributing to improved titers. This study provides a thorough investigation of high seeding processes for mAb production in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Using a metabolic network and flux balance analysis, we compared standard fed-batch (STD FB) with HSD cultivations, exploring supplementary lactate and cysteine, and a bolus medium enriched in amino acids. We observed high glycolytic fluxes and depletion of asparagine simultaneously with the lactate shift building kinetic models around this and other observations. An ensemble of kinetic models assessed the impact of a feeding medium enriched with additional asparagine, revealing a missing lactate shift without enhancing mAb productivity in the experiments. This research provides valuable model-based insights into cellular metabolism during HSD processes, laying the foundation for refined CHO cell-based mAb production. The proposed hypothesis on the regulations guides future experimental validation and bioprocess optimization for enhanced mAb production efficiency.

This study explores the evolution of price-to-book (P/B) ratios among European banks from 2005 to 2020, period where the majority of banks in different countries had a P/B ratio below 1. By dissecting banks' accounting equity into investor contributions and earnings-derived components, the research aims to evaluate how each component of equity affects these ratios and investigates whether their dynamics shifted during the period. We address a gap in prior research that has not extensively examined how individual equity components affect the overall P/B ratio. This aspect is crucial, especially in scenarios where the increase of specific components compensates for declines in others, thereby stabilizing total equity values. Our methodology involves regression analyses using a panel data model with random effects. The findings reveal that earnings-related equity components significantly influence P/B ratios. In contrast, investor contributions; which strengthen the solvency of the entity, appear to have a minimal impact. Additionally, our analysis highlights a significant quadratic relationship between the P/B ratios and both the profit or loss reported on Income Statements and distributed dividends.

Background: To rigorously derive easy to use formulae for the inclination angle for single cut rotation osteotomy that can be used for tibia deformity correction. Method: Three theorems were proven using trigonometric identities and concepts of linear algebra. These were rigorously shown. The three concepts were how to convert deformities in an AP/Lateral plane to an oblique plane deformity with a true angular magnitude of deformity; how to project an angular quantity from one plane to another; and the calculation of the inclination angle for the oblique osteotomy plane. All figures in this article were created by the authors of this paper. Results: From the formula derived, a statistical t-test was performed that showed no significant difference between the formula derived in this paper and the original Sangeorzan paper charts (p=0.0079). Conclusions: The formulae described in this article are a method to accurately calculate the inclination angle of the osteotomy for a single cut rotational osteotomy for tibial deformity correction. Clinical Relevance: The article gives a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts behind deformity correction and provides an easy-to-use mathematical formula to calculate the osteotomy inclination for single cut rotational osteotomies.

The present paper proposes an accurate characterization of a NACA 23012 airfoil at near stall conditions at a Reynolds number $Re=3\cdot 10^5$. In light of the unavoidable limits of which experiments suffer near the stall regime both in terms of effective two--dimensionality and data portability across different research groups, the present characterization is performed through high fidelity numerical simulations. Taking advantage of the local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) LES solver, implemented in the open source library \textit{FEMilaro}, the airfoil behavior is investigated ranging from $\alpha=5^{\circ}$ to $17^{\circ}$, with a peculiar focus for $\alpha \ge 10^{\circ}$. Accuracy of the found results is ensured both from the realistic and accurate reconstructed flow physics and by means of a proper comparison with existing experimental data. Then, a reliable numerical baseline is obtained for any future investigation involving a NACA 23012 airfoil at $Re=3 \cdot 10^5$. The future study of the actual research group will be a parallel BVI analysis, but results are completely extendable as they are to any other research.

Hard tissue apposition along the root canal walls is a slow, normally occurring physiological aging process. In response to tooth wear, local deposition of hard tissue may also occur in the pulp at a slow pace. Sometimes, the rate of hard tissue deposition acceleration may seem to be uncontrolled after dental trauma, autotransplantation, and orthodontic therapy, leading to rapid partial or total obliteration of the root canal space. This situation is called calcific metamorphosis (CM) or pulp canal obliteration (PCO). Although the incidence of pulpal necrosis in these teeth is believed to be infrequent, conventional endodontic therapy in severely calcified canals poses extreme difficulties and a higher risk for procedural accidents. This article aims to review the available approaches for the predictable negotiation of calcified canals and to introduce the buckling resistance activation test (BRAT) technique.

The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology has emerged as a groundbreaking innovation with profound implications across diverse domains, particularly in healthcare. By establishing a direct communication pathway between the human brain and external devices, BCI systems offer unprecedented opportunities for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, thereby reshaping the landscape of medical practice. However, despite its immense potential, the widespread adoption of BCI technology in clinical settings faces several challenges. These include the need for robust signal acquisition and processing techniques, ensuring user safety and privacy, addressing ethical considerations, and optimizing user training and adaptation. Overcoming these challenges is crucial to unleashing the complete potential of BCI technology in healthcare and realizing its promise of personalized, patient-centric care. This review work underscores the transformative potential of BCI technology in revolutionizing medical practice. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of medical-oriented BCI applications by exploring the various uses of BCI technology and its potential to transform patient care.

Analytical data platform have been used for decades for improving the organizational performance. Starting from the data warehouses used primarily for structured data processing, through the data lakes oriented for raw data storage and post-hoc data analyses, to the data lakehouses − a combination of raw storage and business intelligence pre-processing for improving the platform efficacy. But in recent years a new architecture called Data Mesh has emerged. The main promise of this architecture is to remove the barriers between operational and analytical teams in order to boost the overall value extraction from the big data. A number of attempts has been made to formalise and to implement it in existing projects. Although being defined as a socio-technical paradigm, data mesh still lacks the technology support for enabling its widespread adoption. To overcome this limitation, we propose a new view of the platform requirements alongside the formal governance definition that we believe can help in successful adoption of the data mesh. It is based on fundamental aspects such as decentralized data domains and federated computational governance. In addition, we also present a blockchain-based implementation of a mesh platform as a practical validation to our theoretical proposal. Overall, this article demonstrates a novel research direction of the information system decentralization technologies.

Urinary infections are defined as the presence of microorganisms in any part of the urinary system, with the exception of the distal urethra. The majority are uncomplicated infections, resolved on an outpatient basis, with empirical therapy. The objectives of this work were to study the sociodemographic characteristics of patients, analyze associated strains and examine the response of the main microorganisms to antibiotics. A retrospective observational study of all positive urine cultures between 2018 and 2022 was carried out in an Institution (8340 samples). Sociodemographic data were also collected. 61.3% were women, with an average age of 63.4 years, 43.2% from the Emergency Department. 13.5% were fitted, 56% of whom were women. 95.9% were not taking any antibiotics and among the individuals who were taking antibiotics, 50% were injected. Escherichia coli (53.5%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13,8%) are identified as the most prevalent strains. In the time periods analyzed, Escherichia coli decreased its resistance to 11 antibiotics and increased to 5 antibiotics, while Klebsiella pneumoniae decreased to 7 and increased to 7, with emphasis on the presence of 3 antibiotics with a resistance rate of 100 % to all Klebsiella pneumoniae strains identified in 2022.

Chronic wounds remain trapped in a pro-inflammatory state, with strategies targeted at inducing re-epithelialization and the proliferative phase of healing desirable. A member of the lectin family, galectin-3 is implicated in regulation of macrophage phenotype and epithelial migration. We investigated if local delivery of galectin-3 enhanced skin healing in a full thickness excisional C57BL/6 mouse model. An electrospun gelatin scaffold loaded with galectin-3 was developed and compared to topical delivery of galectin-3. Electrospun gelatin/galectin-3 scaffolds had an average fiber diameter of 200 nm, with 83% scaffold porosity approximately and am average pore diameter of 1.15 μm. The developed scaffolds supported dermal fibroblasts adhesion, matrix deposition and proliferation in vitro. In vivo treatment of 6 mm full thickness excisional wounds with gelatin/galectin-3 scaffolds did not influence wound closure, re-epithelialization or macrophage phenotypes, but increased collagen synthesis. In comparison, topical delivery of galectin-3 [6.7 µg/ml] significantly increased arginase-I cell density at day 7 versus untreated and gelatin/galectin-3 scaffolds (p<0.05). Preliminary assessment of increasing the concentration of topical galectin-3 demonstrated that at day 7, galectin-3 [12.5 µg/ml] significantly increased both epithelial migration and collagen content in a concentration dependent manner. In conclusion, local delivery of galectin 3 shows potential efficacy in modulating skin healing in a concentration dependent manner.

With the fintech industry growing at an unprecedented rate, it is critical to protect cybersecurity and ensure data privacy. The research presented here offers a thorough examination of the challenges faced by financial technology companies, highlighting the growing risks posed by malware, phishing, and network vulnerabilities. As essential components of a proactive defense plan, the report promotes strong cybersecurity measures like frequent security assessments, encryption, and stringent access controls. The findings highlight how important it is for fintech companies to give cybersecurity equal importance with open and honest data privacy policies in order to win over customers. In order to protect the industry from cybersecurity risks regulatory compliance, intrusion detection systems, and collaborative information sharing are considered essential components. The article advises businesses to include cybersecurity and data privacy into their core business operations and customer relations, highlighting the critical role these factors play in sustaining success in the rapidly evolving fintech industry.

Polymeric based nanoparticles are garnering significant interest for their potential in drug delivery. Specially, nanopolymers that have been functionalized with molecules, such as proteins or peptides, are a versatile vehicle for drug delivery. Curcumin (Cur) is one of the most commonly studied anticancer compounds and is widely acknowledged as having positive effects on human health. However, its insolubility and low bio-distribution greatly hinder the exploitation of its beneficial traits. In this study, our team created a nano delivery system which utilized a nanopolymer called PCL-PEG (poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly (ethylene glycol)). This system was functionalized with A6 peptide to enable targeted delivery of Cur. The system was designed with advantageous nanoparticles (NPs), including a stable zeta potential (–32.7), small size (54.3), uniform surface morphology, and high hydrophilicity (13.72°). In addition, targeted delivery systems exhibited high encapsulation efficacy (93 ± 0.89 %), and drug loading (16.7 ± 0.9 %), and were characterized by a slow and gradual release profile with a release of approximately 83.13 ± 0.12%. The MTT assay results showed that the formulation known as Cur-NPs-A6 caused a significant increase in cell death in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells (IC50 = 23.31 ± 0.85 µM). The designed delivery system did not cause any harm to the noncancerous MCF-10A cells (normal group). Furthermore, the results of both the RT-qPCR and invasion assays demonstrated that the designed system was able to effectively activate the apoptosis pathway and inhibit cell invasion. Our findings suggest that the use of the designed smart delivery system, which is functionalized with A6 peptide that has a high affinity for CD44 receptor - known to be upregulated in numerous malignant conditions, could be a highly efficient approach to treating cancer.

Nearly one third of men will incur biochemical recurrence after treatment for localized prostate cancer. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the therapeutic mainstay, however almost all patients will eventually transition to a castrate resistant state (castrate resistant prostate cancer, CRPC). Subjects with CRPC generally develop symptomatic metastatic disease (mCRPC) and incur mortality several years later. Prior to metastatic disease, men acquire non-metastatic CRPC (nmCRPC) which lends the unique opportunity for intervention to delay disease progression and symptoms. This review addresses current therapies for nmCRPC, as well as novel therapeutics and pathway strategies targeting men with nmCRPC.

Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), secondary brain damage due to chronic inflammation is the most predominant cause of the delayed onset of mood and memory disorders. Currently no therapeutic approach is available to effectively mitigate secondary brain injury after TBI. One reason is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which prevents passage of most therapeutic agents into the brain. Peptides have been among the leading candidates for CNS therapy due to their low immunogenicity and toxicity, bioavailability, and ease of modification. In this study, we demonstrated that non-invasive intranasal administration of KAFAK, a cell penetrating anti-inflammatory peptide, traversed the BBB in a murine model of diffuse, moderate TBI. Notably, KAFAK treatment reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that contribute to secondary injury. Furthermore, behavioral tests showed improved or restored neurological, memory, and locomotor performance in KAFAK-treated mice. This study demonstrates KAFAK's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, to lower pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in vivo, and to restore function after a moderate TBI.

Background: The role of inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) in managing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Covid-19 related (C-ARDS) is debatable. The study aimed to analyze the effect of iNO administration in patients with persistent severe hypoxia and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mortality. Methods: This retrospective study included 98 consecutive critically ill patients with C-ARDS admitted to ICU from 1 October 2020 to 31 October 2021. Results: Of these patients, 28% had received iNO. Twelve (44.4%) were responders. Kaplan-Mayer plot shows mortality was higher in non-responders (86.6 vs 25.0%). Non-response to iNo was the most important predictive value (p. 0.01). The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for a percentage increase in PaO2 from baseline confirmed that it had a higher predictive value for in-hospital survival. A value of 19% can predict the death event with a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 81.2%. Conclusions: Therefore, we propose to use iNO as a vasoreactivity test for prognostic stratification in patients with persistent severe hypoxia.

This paper investigates the impact of network topologies on the security of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). We propose the use of Spectre Monotile aperiodic tiling for sensor deployment, demonstrating its superior security compared to regular deterministic topologies. Additionally, we introduce a novel Intrusion Effort Index to quantify network resilience against clone attacks. By implementing a smart random walk to simulate the scenario of malicious cloned nodes attempting to reach the central access point of a network, we take into consideration the worst-case scenario for a network as it is being attacked. Given all network topologies use the same intrusion detection system and security protocols, we discover the topology of a network will also play a role and provide an additional layer of security depending on how it is designed. Similar to a fog-of-war, the sensor positions play a vital role in how an intruder assesses a network. By tiling a plane non-periodically, an absence of regularity in the structure is produced, which obfuscates an intruder attempting to predict the next sensor position, due to a varying number of adjacent neighboring nodes each time it reaches a new node. After 10,000 rounds of simulation emulating different scenarios of malicious nodes compromising the network, we averaged the results to find total detections, total hops, and percentage of times the base station was reached. Our simulation results show that aperiodic tiling has the best security resilience and robustness compared to other flat network topologies.

We investigated the cub’s survival in a wild Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) population in the Jhalana Forest Reserve, India. The research focuses on the survival analysis of leopard cubs during their first two years of life and determining the critical period of the reproductive cycle that influences survival. Survival functions were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method using data collected with trail cameras over four years from 2018 to 2021. We found that the mean survival probability of cubs during the 2-year period they depend on their mother was 0.618, the first year – 0.739, and higher during the second year of life (0.831). The results also indicate that the first 12 months of a leopard cub's life are crucial for survival. These findings allow for understanding critical periods in the life history of individuals and are essential for effective conservation strategies in fragmented habitats.

Regulation (EU) 2017/745, addresses medical devices and clarifies the scope regarding products containing viable biological materials or organisms. This regulation excludes products containing viable cells or tissues of human or animal origin, as well as those containing viable biological materials or organisms of other origins intended to achieve or support the intended purpose of the products. The term "inviable" is defined as incapable of metabolism or multiplication. The regulation mandates that products manufactured using non-viable biological substances must ensure the highest safety standards, including validated methods of elimination or inactivation of transmissible agents during manufacturing. Several Directives and Regulations provide context for the term "viable" in medical devices, emphasizing the device's ability to perform effectively and safely. Notified Bodies in the EU have interpreted that thermally inactivated microorganisms in a product do not classify it as a medical device under Regulation 2017/745. To address this, it is crucial to differentiate between the inactivation of microorganisms and the viability of their metabolites. Demonstrating the inviability of microorganisms through rigorous testing and evidence is essential for regulatory compliance and safe use in medical products. Clarifying these points and providing necessary evidence can establish that inactivated microorganisms are inviable and meet the requirements for use in medical products.

Over the past decade, the volume and quality of data in the oil and gas industry have exploded, breeding exciting opportunities to implement machine learning for better data- driven decisions. One critical example is hydraulic fracturing (HF), given our ever-growing reliance on HF to meet global hydrocarbon demand. This paper systematically explores the work of several researchers to apply ML techniques (including linear regression, neural networks, support vector machine, decision trees, and more) to HF-related operations, from production forecast to HF design. Furthermore, this study examines how optimization algorithms (including gradient-free, differential evolution, and surrogate-based optimizations) are incorporated with different ML techniques for selecting optimal HF parameters (like fracture number, proppant concentration, and more) during the planning process. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview without delving too deeply into technical intricacies to ensure accessibility for a broader audience. Additionally, it introduces innovative techniques currently being integrated into the industry and offers a clear understanding of the processes involved. Ultimately, the analysis concludes that machine learning is an accurate and cost-effective alternative for hydraulic fracturing optimization.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHAs) are conditions whereby a person produces an antibody to their own red blood cells (RBCs). These conditions can be primary with unknown cause or secondary, associated with diseases or infections. There are seven different categories of AIHA, warm-antibody AIHA (wAIHA); cold-antibody AIHA that includes cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) and cold agglutin disease (CAD); mixed AIHA, also called combined cold and warm AIHA; paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH) also termed Donath-Lansteiner test-positive AIHA; direct antiglobulin test-negative AIHA (DAT-neg AIHA); drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA); and passenger lymphocyte syndrome. This review will discuss each of these AIHAs and provide information on diagnosis and treatment.

In the context of an increasingly globalized economy and rapid technological advancements, the agri-food sector faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Digital traceability systems have emerged as pivotal in enhancing operational efficiencies, ensuring food safety, and fostering supply chain transparency. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the adoption and impact of digital traceability technologies across member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Utilizing a multidimensional analytical framework, this research investigates the spectrum of national regulations, legal frameworks, and specific food commodities most influenced by digital traceability implementations. It systematically evaluates the efficacy of these systems in addressing consumer transparency demands, regulatory compliance, and the overarching goal of sustainable agri-food supply chains. Through a meticulous examination of case studies and empirical data, the paper elucidates the dynamic interplay between technological innovation and regulatory environments, offering insights into best practices and potential barriers to digital traceability integration. This comprehensive inquiry aims to contribute to the scholarly discourse on digital traceability, providing actionable recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academia to navigate the complexities of modern agri-food systems.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are soil microorganisms living in symbiosis with most terrestrial plants. They are known to improve plant tolerance to numerous abiotic and biotic stresses through the systemic induction of resistance mechanisms. With the aim of developing a more sustainable agriculture, reducing the use of chemical inputs is becoming of a major concern. After providing an overview on the AMF history, phylogeny, development cycle and the symbiosis benefits, the current review aims at exploring the potential of AMF as biostimulants and/or biocontrol agents. Nowadays, AMF inoculums are already increasingly used as biostimulants, improving mineral nutrient plant acquisition. However, their role as promising tool into the biocontrol market, as alternative to chemical phytosanitary products, is underexplored and discussed. Thus, in the current review, we will address the mechanisms of mycorrhized plant resistance to biotic stresses induced by AMF, and highlight the various factors in favor of inoculum application, but also the challenges that remain to be overcame.

The pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD) remains mostly unclear. Yet, a valid biomarker is necessary to improve early detection of this serious disorder. Patients with manifest BD display reduced volumes of the hippocampal subfields and amygdala nuclei. In this pre-registered analysis, we used structural MRI (N=271, 7 sites), to compare volumes of hippocampus, amygdala, and their subfields/nuclei between help-seeking subjects divided in risk groups for BD as estimated by BPSS-P, BARS and EPIbipolar. We performed between-group comparisons using linear mixed effects models for all three risk assessment tools. Additionally, we aimed to differentiate the risk groups using linear support vector machine. We found no significant volume differences between the risk groups for all limbic structures during the main analysis. However, the SVM could still classify subjects at risk according to BPSS-P criteria with a balanced accuracy of 66.90% (95% CI 59.2– 74.6) for 10-fold cross-validation and 61.9% (95% CI 52.0– 71.9) for leave-one-site-out. Structural altera-tions of hippocampus and amygdala may not be as pronounced in young people at risk, nonetheless, ma-chine learning can predict estimated risk for BD above chance. This suggests that neural changes may not merely be a consequence of BD and may have prognostic clinical value.

Our study investigated the innate immune response to Toxoplasma gondii infection by assessing microglial phenotypic changes and sickness behavior as inflammatory response markers post-ocular tachyzoite instillation. Disease progression in Swiss albino mice was compared with documented outcomes in BALB/c mice using identical ocular route and parasite burden (2x105 tachyzoites), with saline as control. Contrary to expectations, Swiss albino mice displayed rapid, lethal disease progression, marked by pronounced sickness behaviors and mortality within 11-12 days post-infection, while survivors showed no apparent signs of infection. Comparative analysis revealed T. gondii-infected BALB/c mice exhibited reduced avoidance of feline odors, while in-fected Swiss albino mice showed enhanced avoidance responses. There was a significant increase in microglial cells in the dentate gyrus molecular layer of infected Swiss albino mice compared to BALB/c mice and their respective controls. Hierarchical cluster and discriminant analyses iden-tified three microglial morphological clusters, differentially affected by T. gondii infection across strains. BALB/c mice exhibited increased microglial branching and complexity, while Swiss al-bino mice showed reduced shrunk microglial arbors, diminishing morphological complexity. These findings highlight strain-specific differences in disease progression and inflammatory reg-ulation, indicating lineage-specific mechanisms in inflammatory responses, tolerance, and re-sistance. These elements are critical in devising control measures for toxoplasmosis.

The CACCC-box motif emerges as a pivotal cis-regulatory element implicated in diverse developmental processes and diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study centers on the intricate interplay between the CACCC-box and its binding proteins such as: the Krüppel-like family (KLF) of transcription factors as primary effectors in the context of CVDs. Our analysis was through a bioinformatics approach, which reveal significant transcriptional activity among KLF subgroup 2, exhibiting the highest number of interactions focusing on the established roles: pluripotency, cancer, and cardiovascular development and diseases. Our analysis reveals KLF's interactions with GATA4, MEF2C, NKX2.5 and other ~ 90 potential genes that participate in the regulation of the hypertrophic environment (or CVD's Environment). Also, the GO analysis showed genes containing the motif CACCC were enriched for multiple CVD’s, in combination with STRING analysis these results pointed to a link between KLFs and these diseases. The analysis further identifies other potential CACCC-box binding factors, such as SP family members, WT1, VEZF1, and -SALL4, which are implicated in cardiac contraction, remodeling, and inflammation processes.

Abstract: (1) Background: to find out how COVID-19 infection during pregnancy affects the outcome of the pregnancy; (2) Methods: 166 SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women formed the study group. 128 SARS-CoV-2-negative pregnant women formed the control group. Anatomopathological study of the placenta was performed in all cases; (3) Results: Placental insufficiency appeared in 38 patients (22.9%) of the study group and in 17 patients (13.2%) in the control group (p=0.016). Villitis appeared in 50 patients (30.1%) of the study group and in 16 (12.6%) in the control group (p=0.000). 166 COVID-19 positive patients were further subdivided, into those with anatomopathological affection of the placenta, and those without. When gestational age between patients with placental insufficiency and those without it are compared, a difference of 4.38 days is obtained (p=0.0393). If we compare neonatal weight between patients with placental insufficiency and those without it, a difference of 406.4 grams is obtained (p=0.0000). When gestational age between patients with villitis and those with-out it are compared, a difference of 3.2 days is found (p=0.0919). When neonatal weight between patients with villitis and those without it are compared, a difference of 242.2 grams is obtained (p=0.0018). (4) Conclusions: COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may produce lower fetal weight and shorter gestational length.

Driven by environmental sustainability concerns, the integration of biobased components in curtain wall systems is gaining traction in both research and the construction market. This paper explores the development and validation of a bio-based façade system within the Basajaun H2020 project. The project aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of introducing environmentally friendly bio-based components into the mature curtain wall façade industry. The paper focuses on identifying technological solutions for replacing key components such as profiles, insulation, and the tightness system with bio-based and less environmental impact alternatives presenting the results achieved in the façade system design of the Basajaun project funded by European Union. These solutions aimed at creating a bio-composite-based curtain wall façade that adheres to current building envelope standards and normative; to implement diverse façade typologies for vision panels, opaque sections, and integrated windows; to engineer the prefabrication process for industrialization, enabling wider market replication and simplified transport and installation. The results demonstrate that the Basajaun façade successfully integrates selected components and meets the performance requirements set by regulations. However, questions remain regarding the workability of bio-based profiles as a commercially viable, ready-to-market solution that can replace traditional aluminum profiles in the curtain wall façade industry.

Abstract Introduction: Long COVID (LC) affects multiple systems and has a significant health impact on patients and society. Therefore, long COVID services should address patients’ needs through a holistic assessment and monitoring of patients’ symptoms. Aim: The aim was to understand which of the symptoms were most and least likely to improve, after our rehabilitation intervention so that the rehabilitation measures in the clinic could be modified to meet patients’ needs. At the same time, we wanted to assess the feasibility of using C19-YRS ELAROS application in monitoring of LC symptoms during and after the rehabilitation clinic attendance. Methodology: In this study, a total of 50 patients who have attended long COVID rehabilitation clinic in Salford, UK; were assessed by using digitalised C19-YRS ELAROS application. A total of 100 eligible initial and final post rehabilitation assessments were analysed. Conclusion: Pain and anxiety symptoms were the two most likely symptoms to improve after intervention at LC rehabilitation clinic, whereas swallowing difficulty is least likely to improve. Issues with caring for family/ social life (symptoms affecting social role) are likely to worsen even after treatment. It is feasible to monitor and track Long COVID symptoms utilising the digitalised version of C19-YRS via the ELAROS App. This also allows the tracking of symptoms overtime.

The design of an antimicrobial coating materials becomes ideal in order to prevent infections caused by the transmision of pathogens coming from human’s contact with contaminated surfaces. In that aim layered single hydroxides (LSH) and layered double hydroxides (LDH) containing Zn and Cu, in nitrate form and intercalated with antimicrobial molecules, were synthe-sized and characterized. Cinnamate and salicylate anions were chosen to be intercalated in the fillers because of their well known antimicrobial activity. Several coatings based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and LDH or LSH with increasing amounts of filler were prepared and filmed on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. Coatings were characterized and their antimi-crobial activity was evaluated against pathogens critical in nosocomial infections, giving interesting results.

Low energy consumption is a significant contribution of new and retrofitted buildings that place an emphasis on energy efficiency. Although the mandatory requirements of the U-factor and R-value are described in the Vietnamese National Technical Regulation on the energy efficiency of buildings—QCVN09:2017/BXD, these values are not widely publicized, leading to designers facing difficulties when choosing suitable materials at the design stage. This study focuses on the method used to declare the heat transfer values of building materials based on the energy labeling process in order to create an energy labeling program for building materials. To accomplish this objective, criteria and labeling procedures for windows, doors, walls, and building roofs have been developed. In addition, a case study of insulation product labeling was used to evaluate the applicability of the developed labeling program in the implementation phase.

Nutritional epigenomics is exceptionally important because describes the complex interactions among food compounds and epigenome modifications. A healthy diet can improve the quality of life and, alleviate the progression and symptomatology of many complex diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). Phytonutrients or bioactive compounds, which are secondary metabolites of plants, can protect against OA by suppressing the expression of inflammatory and catabolic mediators, and modulating epigenetic changes in DNA methylation, histone or chromatin remodelling of key inflammatory genes and noncoding RNAs. The combination of natural epigenetic modulators is crucial because their additive and synergistic effects, safety and therapeutic efficacy, and lower adverse effects than conventional pharmacology in the treatment of OA. In this review, we have summarised the chondroprotective properties of bioactive compounds and nutraceuticals for the management, treatment, or prevention of OA in both human and animal [1]studies. Some of them have been considered as natural epigenetic modulators that can modify the activity of various epigenetic factors and, alter the expression of genes related to inflammation and cartilage destruction. However, this complex pathology with inflammatory mediators has been little studied at the nutriepigenomic level. Further research is needed towards bioactive compounds as epigenetic modulators in OA, likewise, determine their potential value for future clinical applications in OA patients.

Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) is a plant virus explored as a nanotechnological platform. The robust self-assembly mechanism of its capsid protein allows for drug encapsulation and targeted delivery. Additionally, the capsid nanoparticle can be used as a programmable platform to display different molecular moieties. In view of future applications, efficient production and purification of plant viruses is a key step. In established protocols, the need for ultracentrifugation is a significant limitation due to cost, difficult scalability, and safety issues. In addition, the purity of the final virus isolate often remains unclear. Here, an advanced protocol for the purification of CCMV from infected plant tissue was developed, focusing on efficiency, economy, and final purity. The protocol involves precipitation with PEG 8000, followed by an affinity extraction using a novel peptide aptamer. The efficiency of the protocol was validated using size exclusion chromatography, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, reversed-phase HPLC, and sandwich immunoassay. It was demonstrated that the final eluate of the affinity column is of exceptional purity (98.4%) determined by HPLC and detection at 220 nm. The scale-up of our proposed method seems to be straightforward, which opens the way to the large-scale production of such nanomaterials. This highly improved protocol may facilitate the use and implementation of plant viruses as nanotechnological platforms for in vitro and in vivo applications.

The science around the use of masks by the general public to impede COVID-19 transmission is advancing rapidly. Policymakers need guidance on how masks should be used by the general population to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In this narrative review, we develop an analytical framework to examine mask usage, considering and synthesizing the relevant literature to inform multiple areas: population impact; transmission characteristics; source control; PPE; sociological considerations; and implementation considerations. A primary route of transmission of COVID-19 is via respiratory droplets, and is known to be transmissible from presymptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Reducing disease spread requires two things: first, limit contacts of infected individuals via physical distancing and other measures, and second, reduce the transmission probability per contact. The preponderance of evidence indicates that mask wearing reduces the transmissibility per contact by reducing transmission of infected droplets in both laboratory and clinical contexts. Public mask wearing is most effective at reducing spread of the virus when compliance is high. The decreased transmissibility could substantially reduce the death toll and economic impact while the cost of the intervention is low. Given the current shortages of medical masks we recommend the adoption of public cloth mask wearing, as an effective form of source control, in conjunction with existing hygiene, distancing, and contact tracing strategies. Because many respiratory droplets become smaller due to evaporation, we recommend increasing focus on a previously overlooked aspect of mask usage: mask-wearing by infectious people ("source control") with benefits at the population-level, rather than mask-wearing by susceptible people, such as health-care workers, with focus on individual outcomes. We recommend that public officials and governments strongly encourage the use of widespread face masks in public, including the use of appropriate regulation.

This paper shows the development of a simultaneous tri-band (S: 2.2 - 2.7 GHz, X: 7.5 - 9 GHz and Ka: 28 - 33 GHz) low-noise cryogenic receiver for geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (geo-VLBI) which has been developed by the technical staff of Yebes Observatory (IGN) laboratories in Spain. The receiver was installed in the first radio telescope of the Red Atlántica de Estaciones Geodinámicas y Espaciales (RAEGE) project, which is located in Yebes Observatory, in the frame of the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS). After this, the receiver was borrowed by the Norwegian Mapping Autorithy (NMA) for the commissioning of two VGOS radiotelescopes in Svalbard (Norway). A second identical receiver was built for the Ishioka VGOS station of the Geospatial Information Authority (GSI) of Japan, and a third one for the second RAEGE VGOS station, located in Santa María (Açores Archipelago, Portugal). The average receiver noise temperatures are 21, 23 and 25 Kelvin and the measured antenna efficiencies are 70%, 75% and 60% in S-band, X-band and Ka-band, respectively.

DiFX is a software VLBI correlator currently adopted by several main correlation sites around the globe. After the launch of the RadioAstron Space-VLBI mission in 2011, an extension was necessary to handle processing of an orbiting antenna, to be correlated with supporting ground arrays. We present here a branch of the main DiFX distribution (2.4), recently uploaded on the publicly available repository, that MPIfR developed to process data of the three AGN-imaging RadioAstron key science projects. It can account for general relativistic correction of an orbiting antenna with variable position/velocity, providing a routine to covert the native RDF format to the more common M5B one. Also, a fringe-finding algorithm able to manage arbitrary large fringe-search window is included, allowing one to increase the search space normally adopted by common software packages like HOPS.

Polarizable continuum methods (PCM) have been widely employed for simulating solvent effects, in spite of the fact that they either ignore specific interactions in solution or only partially reproduce non-specific contributions. Examples of three solvatochromic dyes with a negative, a positive and a reverse behavior illustrate the achievements and shortcomings of PCM calculations, and the causes for their variable success. As shown with a theoretical model that rationalizes and predicts the solvatochromism of phenolate merocyanines based on structural parameters, PCM shortcomings are to be held responsible for their eventual failure in reproducing experimental data.

As the telecommunications landscape braces for the post-5G era, this paper embarks on delineating the foundational pillars and pioneering visions that define the trajectory towards 6G wireless communication systems. Recognizing the insatiable demand for higher data rates, enhanced connectivity, and broader network coverage, we unravel the evolution from the existing 5G infrastructure to the nascent 6G framework, setting the stage for transformative advancements anticipated in the 2030s. Our discourse navigates through the intricate architecture of 6G, highlighting the paradigm shifts towards super convergence, non-IP-based networking protocols, and information-centric net-works, all underpinned by a robust 360-degree cybersecurity and privacy-by-engineering design. Delving into the core of 6G, we articulate a systematic exploration of the key technologies earmarked to revolutionize wireless communication including terahertz (THz) waves, optical wireless technology, and dynamic spectrum management,while elucidating the intricate tradeoffs necessitated by the integration of such innovations. This paper not only lays out a comprehensive 6G vision accentuated by high security, affordability, and intelligence but also charts the course for addressing the pivotal challenges of spectrum efficiency, energy consumption, and the seamless integration of emerging technologies. In this study, our goal is to enrich the existing discussions and research efforts by providing comprehen-sive insights into the development of 6G technology, ultimately supporting the creation of a thoroughly connected future world that meets evolving demands.

Camouflage evaluation typically involves human visual search and detection experiments that are time-consuming and expensive. Hence, there is a need for models that compute camouflage effectiveness from digital imagery. Convolutional neural networks are a powerful tool for automatic object detection and recognition. We investigated whether such a network (YOLO) can also provide a measure of camouflage effectiveness that is related to human perception. To this end, human performance measures of camouflage effectiveness such as detection time and target conspicuity were obtained in observer experiments and compared with the performance of the (standard, i.e. pre-trained) YOLO-V4-tiny algorithm. YOLO provides the probability that a detected object is correctly classified, and this is adopted as our measure of camouflage effectiveness. We compared the YOLO-predicted classification probability for a person in camouflage clothing moving through rural and urban scenes to human detection performance. Overall, camouflage effectiveness predicted by YOLO correlates with human observer performance. At close distances, YOLO’s classification performance appears sensitive to high-contrast shape-breaking elements of a camouflage pattern. This suggests that YOLO may be adapted to assess camouflage effectiveness for a wide range of applications, such as evaluating or optimizing one’s signature and predicting optimal hiding locations in a given environment. Further research is required to fully establish YOLO’s limitations and applicability for this purpose.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant global health challenge. Notably, the risk of CRC escalates with age, with the majority of cases occurring in those above the age of 65. Despite recent progress in tailoring treatments for early and advanced CRC, there is a lack of prospective data to guide the management of older patients, who are frequently underrepresented in clinical trials. This article reviews the contemporary landscape of managing older individuals with CRC, highlighting recent advancements and persisting challenges. The role of comprehensive geriatric assessment is explored. Opportunities for treatment escalation/de-escalation, with consideration of the older adult’s fitness level are reviewed in the neoadjuvant, surgical, adjuvant and metastatic settings of colon and rectal cancers. Immunotherapy is shown as an effective option treatment in older adults that have CRC with microsatellite instability. Promising new technologies such as circulating tumor DNA and recent phase III trials adding later line systemic therapy options are discussed. Clinical recommendations based on the data available are summarized. We conclude that deliberate efforts to include older individuals in future colorectal cancer trials are essential to better guide the management of these patients in this rapidly evolving field.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a neuromuscular genetic condition associated with progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide therapy approved for the treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy in pediatric and adult patients. The objective of this clinical case series is to describe the efficacy and safety of nusinersen in treating spinal muscular atrophy in 20 pediatric and 18 adult patients across six treatment centers in Kuwait. Functional motor assessments (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders, Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded, and Revised Upper Limb Module) were used to assess changes in motor function following nusinersen treatment. Safety assessment involved clinical monitoring of adverse events. The results demonstrate clinically meaningful or considerable improvement in motor performance for nearly all patients, lasting over 4 years in some cases. 70% of patients in the pediatric cohort and 72% of patients in the adult cohort achieved clinically meaningful improvement in motor function following nusinersen treatment. Additionally, nusinersen was well-tolerated in both cohorts. These findings add to the growing body of evidence relating to the clinical efficacy and safety of nusinersen.

This study investigates the characteristics of activated carbons derived from biomass plant residues: rice husk (OSL) of the genus Oryza, reed stalks (PhAC) of the genus Phragmites, pine sawdust (PSL) of the genus Pinus, and wheat straw (TAL) of the genus Triticum. Activation was carried out using potassium hydroxide, employing a two-stage pyrolysis under air. The study examined the influence of activation temperature, duration, concentration of the impregnating agent, and impregnation time. Characteristics such as sorbent porosity, bulk density, and hydrocarbon sorption capacity were determined. Adsorption capacity was assessed using BET analysis and the iodine number determination method, with the highest iodine number achieved being 2809 mg/g, indicating high adsorption capability. The structural morphology of the activated carbons was evaluated by SEM, and their chemical surface characteristics were identified by IR spectroscopy. Computational analysis of the nitrogen sorption isotherms using the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (B-J-H) method and the Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) equation showed that activated carbon samples from rice husk and pine sawdust possess a developed specific surface area and contain micro- and mesopores. The Dubinin-Astakhov (D-A) approach was used to study the pore diameter of activated carbon, revealing significant findings on pore structure. The maximum micropore volume was found in activated carbon samples from pine sawdust (PSL), measuring 0.46 cm³/g. All activated carbon samples of plant origin were tested under field conditions for the remediation of oil-contaminated areas near the “Zhanatalap” oil field in the Atyrau region. By the 16th day, the oil-contaminated soil treated with rice husk activated carbon was cleaned by 67.1%.

To reduce the cost of small wind turbines, a prototype of a butterfly wind turbine (6.92 m in diameter), a small vertical-axis type, was developed with many parts made of extruded aluminum suitable for mass production. An over-speed control system with movable arms that operated using centrifugal and aerodynamic forces was installed for further cost reduction. Introducing this mechanism eliminates the need for large active brakes and expands the operating wind speed range of the wind turbine. However, although the mechanism involving the use of only bearings is simple, the violent movement of the movable arms can be a challenge. To address this in the present study, dampers were introduced on the movable arm rotation axes to improve the movement of the movable arms. To predict the behavior of a movable arm and the performance of the wind turbine with the mechanism, a simulation method was developed based on the blade element momentum theory and the equation of motion of the movable arm system. Comparison of experiments and predictions with and without dampers demonstrated qualitative agreement. In the case with dampers, measurements confirmed the predicted increase in the rotor rotational speed when the shorter ailerons installed perpendicularly to the movable arms were used to achieve the inclination. The movable arm system with dampers is expected to be a useful device for vertical-axis wind turbines that are difficult to control.

Phenolic compounds represent a group of secondary metabolites that serve essential functions in plants. Beyond their positive impact on plant, these phenolic metabolites, often referred to as polyphenols, possess a range of biological properties that can promote skin health. Scientific research indicates that using phenolics derived from plants topically can be advantageous, but the activity and stability highly depend on storage of the source material and the extract method. These compounds have the ability to relieve symptoms and hinder the progression of different skin diseases. Because they come from natural sources and have minimal toxicity, phenolic compounds show potential in addressing the causes and effects of skin aging, skin diseases, and various types of skin damage, such as wounds and burns. Hence, this review provides an extensive information of the particular crops from which by-product phenolic compounds can be sourced, but pointing the need investigation according to a proper storage plant material and the choice of the best extracting method, along with an examination of their specific functions and the mechanisms by which they act to protect skin.

The development of new and effective antimicrobial compounds is an urgent need with the emergence of resistant bacteria. Natural plant flavonoids are known to be effective molecules but their activity and selectivity have to be increased. Based on previous aurone potency, we designed new aurone derivatives bearing acetamido and amino groups at the position 5 of the A ring and managing various monosubstitutions at the B ring. A series of 31 new aurone derivatives were first evaluated for their antimicrobial activity with five derivatives being the most active (compounds 10, 12, 15, 16, and 20). The evaluation of their cytotoxicity on human cells and of their therapeutic index (TI) showed that compounds 10 and 20 have the highest TI. Finally, screening against a large panel of pathogens confirmed that compounds 10 and 20 possess a large spectrum antimicrobial activity, including on bioweapon BSL3 strains, with MIC values as low as 0.78 µM. These results demonstrate that 5-acetamidoaurones are far more active and safest compared with 5-aminoaurones, and that benzyloxy and isopropyl substitutions at the B ring are the most promising strategy in the exploration of new antimicrobial aurones.

Luminescent carbon dots (CDs) were locally synthesized in the core of CYTOP fibers using IR femtosecond laser direct writing (FLDW), a one-step simple method serving as a post-treatment of the genuine fiber. This approach enables the creation of several types of modifications such as ellipsoid voids. The CDs and photoluminescence (PL) distribute at the periphery of the voids. The PL spectral properties were studied through Excitation Emission Matrix in the visible range and excitation/emission spectrum in UV/visible range. Our finding reveals the presence of at least 3 distinct luminescent species, facilitating a broad excitation range extending from UV to green, and light emission spanning from blue to red. The average laser power and dose influence the quantity and ratio of these luminescent CD species. Additionally, we measured the spatially resolved lifetime of the luminescence during and after the irradiation. We found longer lifetimes at the periphery of the laser-induced modified regions and shorter ones closer to the center, with a dominant lifetime ~ 2ns. Notably, unlike many other luminophores, these laser-induced CDs are insensitive to oxygen, enhancing their potential for display or data storage applications.

Background: Fold change is widely used in biomedical research to quantify the magnitude of group differences in omics variables. However, the exact calculation method is often not reported, leading to inconsistent results. This study re-evaluates different fold-change calculation methods and provides a clear preference. Methods: Data scenarios with different distributions of treatment/test and reference data were created to challenge the assumption of interchangeable calculation methods. The main difference lies in the definition of the expected values of the groups used to calculate the log ratio, which is the basis of the fold change calculation. In addition, a multi-omics biomedical dataset was analyzed. Results: Using the arithmetic mean as the expected value for the treatment and reference groups resulted in incorrect fold change values more frequently than other methods, especially when the standard deviations between subgroups differed widely. Conclusions: The inferior arithmetic mean method is often perceived as the standard, although mathematically different equations are possible that differ mainly in the estimation of the expected value. Alternatives that define expectation by median, geometric mean, or paired fold change combinations are less susceptible to violations of equal variances or similar treatment/reference distributions.

Causal language can be a powerful tool for media outlets to subtly influence public perception and reinforce specific narratives. Therefore, identifying these linguistic patterns can be helpful in assessing the level of bias present in media content. In this paper, we directly compare the prevalence of causal language in headlines pertaining to the coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war. We specifically look at the BBC and AlJazeera headlines covering the assault on Gaza since October 7, 2023. We use UniCausal, a model for causal text mining, in order to automatically extract the cause and effect of each headline. Our findings reveal that BBC headlines tend to avoid directly attributing causality to Israel for the violence in Gaza, whereas Al Jazeera headlines explicitly identify Israel as the responsible party. This differential use of causal language suggests a potential bias in media reporting.

Present work investigates, in photon energy domains of specific interest for medical imaging, the effect of the escape of X-ray fluorescence from the scintillator materials on the energy resolution of scintillation detector itself. Monolithic as well as pixelated crystals differently sized are considered, in the case of the NaI because it is the gold standard in the field. The volumetric ratio is introduced, as a figure of merit, taking into account, alongside the surface-to-volume ratio, the geometric shape, the elemental composition and also the mean-free-path for the given scintillator and energy. The inter-crystal XRF escape is finally suggested to be considered among the effects producing image blurring in segmented scintillatros due to the spread of events between the primary pixel and the first neighbors ones.

In recent years, Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry (GNSS-R) has been explored as a methodology for inland water body characterization. However, thorough characterization of the sensitivity and behavior of the GNSS-R signal to inland water bodies is still needed to progress this area of research. In this paper, we characterize the uncertainty associated with Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) measurements on the determination of river width. The characterization study uses simulated data from a forward model that accurately simulates CYGNSS observations of mixed water/land scenes. The accuracy of the forward model is demonstrated by comparisons to actual observations of known water body shapes made at particular measurement geometries. Simulated CYGNSS data is generated over a range of synthetic scenes modeling a straight river subreach, and the results are analyzed to determine a predictive relationship between the peak SNR measured over the river subreaches and the river widths. An uncertainty analysis conducted using the predictive relationship indicates that for simplistic river scenes, the SNR over the river is predictive of the river width to within +/-5m. The presence of clutter (surrounding water bodies) within ~500m of the river causes perturbations in the SNR measured over the river that can render the river width retrievals unreliable. The results of this study indicate that under idealized conditions, GNSS-R data is able to measure river widths as narrow as 160m with high accuracy.

Background: The efficacy of sunscreen is evaluated by SPF values, which are quantitatively determined in laboratories on the backs of human subjects according to a standardized procedure. However, SPF cannot be directly translated to sunburn protection under real-life situations because actual efficacy depends on various factors related to human behaviors and environmental conditions. This study clinically evaluated the efficacy of two sunscreen sprays (SPF 30 and SPF 70) under natural sunlight exposure on healthy subjects at the beach. Methods: Twenty subjects were divided into two cells for the two sunscreen sprays (SPF 70 and SPF 30) in a single-center, actual usage test. The primary endpoint of the study was sunburn protection on the dorsal arms and the secondary endpoint was protection on the face and neck. Subjects stayed at the beach for 4 h after application of the sunscreens with normal beach activities. Subjects’ behavior at the beach, the amounts of sunscreen applied and reapplied, and environmental conditions were all recorded. Results: There was no significant sunburn for a majority of the subjects in either cell. However, neither sunscreen completely blocked the sunburn, especially for the face/neck area. We found that the SPF 70 sunscreen was more effective than the SPF 30 sunscreen. Conclusion: Modern sunscreen sprays, applied liberally, are effective in providing sunburn protection for the body in a beach setting.

The satellite Earth observation (EO) sector is burgeoning with hundreds of commercial satellites being launched each year, delivering a rich source of data that could be exploited for societal benefit. Data streams from the growing constellation of commercial satellites are of variable quality, limiting the potential for their combined use in science applications that need long time-series data from multiple sources. The quality of calibration performed on optical sensors onboard many satellite systems is highly variable due to calibration methods, sensor design, mission objective, budget, or other operational constraints. A small number of currently operating well-characterised satellite systems with onboard calibration, such as Landsat-8/9, Sentinel-2, and planned future missions like the NASA Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) Pathfinder, the European Space Agency (ESA) Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestrial and Helio Studies (TRUTHS), and LIBRA from China, are considered benchmarks for optical data quality due to their traceability to international measurement standards. This paper describes the concept of a space-based transfer calibration radiometer called the Satellite Cross-Calibration Radiometer (SCR) that would enable the calibration parameters from satellites such as Landsat-8/9, Sentinel-2, or other benchmark systems to be transferred to a range of commercial optical EO satellite systems while in orbit. A description of the key characteristics of the SCR to successfully operate in orbit and transfer calibration from Reference systems to Client systems is presented. A system like the SCR in orbit could complement SI-Traceable satellites (SITSats) to improve data quality and consistency and facilitate the interoperable use of data from multiple optical sensor systems for delivering higher returns on the global investment in EO.

Progress in laser-driven proton acceleration requires increasing the proton maximum energy and laser-to-proton conversion efficiency, while reducing the divergence of the proton beam. However, achieving all these qualities simultaneously has proven challenging experimentally, the increase in beam energy often coming at the cost of beam quality. Numerical simulations suggest that coupling multi-PW laser pulses with ultrathin foils could offer a route for such simultaneous improvement. Yet experimental investigations have been limited by the scarcity of such lasers and the need for very stringent temporal contrast conditions to prevent premature target expansion before the pulse maximum. Here, combining the newly commissioned Apollon laser facility that delivers high-power ultrashort (∼24fs) pulses, with a double plasma mirror scheme to enhance its temporal contrast, we demonstrate the generation of up to 35 MeV protons with only 5 J of laser energy. This approach also achieves improved laser-to-proton energy conversion efficiency, reduced beam divergence, and optimized spatial beam profile. Therefore, despite the laser energy losses induced by the plasma mirror, the proton beams produced by this method are enhanced on all accounts compared to those obtained under standard conditions. Particle-in-cell simulations reveal that this improvement results from the intensified electrostatic field caused by a more compact hot-electron distribution.

Bioactive peptides are sequences of amino acids, cut from the parent protein with en-zymes or high pressure processing that can impart a tertiary health benefit to the con-sumer that goes beyond basic human nutrition. This study explores mesopelagic fish in-cluding Maurolicus muelleri and Benthosema glaciale as sources of peptides with an-ti-inflammatory, heart health beneficial, antioxidant and other bioactivities. Bioactive peptides were generated post-catch using different enzymatic hydrolysis processes ap-plied to mesopelagic species caught from experimental cruises targeting these fish. Maurolicus muelleri and Benthosema glaciale were the dominant species processed. Bi-oactive hydrolysates included a Maurolicus muelleri Alcalase hydrolysate and a Maurolicus muelleri autolysis. Hundreds of peptide sequences were identified using mass spectrome-try from active hydrolysates. In silico analysis was used to rank identified peptide se-quences in terms of overall bioactivity using Peptide Ranker, anti-inflammatory activity using PrepAIP, ability to impart Umami flavours with Umami-MRNN and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitory potential using AntiDMPpred . Thirty peptides were selected fol-lowing in silico analysis. Several of the selected peptides had sequence homology with peptides derived from other fish proteins including Atlantic salmon (peptide QCPLHR-PWAL) and thin-lipped mullet (peptide FDAFLPM). Seven peptides predicted to have an-ti-inflammatory, anti-type 2 diabetes or Umami potential using in silico strategies were chemically synthesized and their anti-inflammatory activities confirmed using in vitro bioassays with COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. The peptide QCPLHRPWAL inhibited COX-1 and COX-2 by 82.90% (+/-0.54) and 53.84% respectively and had a selectivity index greater than 10. This peptide warrant further research as a novel anti-inflammatory/pain relief peptide. Other bioactivities associated with DPP-IV inhibition and Umami flavours de-velopment are discussed. Identified peptides offer potential for use in functional foods or topical agents to prevent pain and inflammation associated with diseases like psoriasis, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, however further research in vivo is required.

Environmental pollution is one of today's main ecological and social concerns. Among these pollutants are the heavy metals present in the burning of fossil fuels, mining, smelting of metallic minerals, fertilizers and pesticides. Billions of tons of heavy metals are emitted every year from industrial chimneys and sewers, contaminating the hydrosphere and polluting rivers, lakes and seas. In this context, freshwater fish are the most affected due to their proximity to the source of contamination and are therefore used as bioindicators in assessing environmental impact following exposure to metals. However, our understanding of the effects of heavy metals on detoxification organs - such as the liver and gills - in freshwater fish in situ is still limited. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to determine the main changes and mechanisms involved in morphological modifications in the liver and gills of cichlid fish following exposure to heavy metals in situ. Based on a structured search, 36 original articles were selected from the PubMed and SCOPUS databases. The selection of studies and the identification of duplicates were identified by Rayyan, and the study selection process was presented in the PRISMA statement diagram. Bias analysis was carried out using the Software Review Mananger (RevMan) 5.3, from the Cochrane Collaboration. Thirty-six studies were selected which showed negative effects attributed to environmental contamination by heavy metals, ranging from bioaccumulation to morphophysiological alterations. Almost all the heavy metals analyzed were found in the liver and gill tissues, especially cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, iron and manganese. In view of the continuous morphophysiological changes identified in the liver and gill studies, it is possible to state that bioaccumulation analyses, combined with these configurations, are emerging as crucial tools for assessing and guiding environmental monitoring. This approach aims not only to preserve but also to strengthen the integrity of the aquatic ecosystem and the ichthyofauna.

The successful 2020 launch and 2021 landing of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Perseverance Mars rover initiated the first phase of the NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign. The goal of the MSR campaign is to collect scientifically interesting samples from the Martian surface and return them to Earth for further study in terrestrial laboratories. The MSR campaign consists of three major spacecraft components to accomplish this objective: the Perseverance Mars rover, the Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL) and the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO). Onboard the ERO spacecraft is the Capture, Containment and Return System (CCRS). CCRS will capture, process and return to Earth the samples that have been collected after they are launched into Mars orbit by the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), which is delivered to Mars onboard the SRL. To facilitate the processing of the orbiting sample (OS) by CCRS we have designed and developed a vision system to determine the OS capture orientation. The vision system is comprised of two cameras sensitive to the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and two illumination modules constructed from broadband light emitting diodes (LED). Vision system laboratory tests and physics-based optical simulations predict CCRS ground processing will be able to correctly identify the OS post-capture orientation using only a single vision system image that is transmitted to Earth from Mars orbit.

Nanopore raw read accuracy has improved to over 99%, making it a potential tool for metabarcoding. For broad adoption, guidelines on quality filtering are needed to ensure reliable taxonomic unit recovery. This study aims to provide those guidelines for a fungal metabarcoding context and to apply them to a case-study of ectomycorrhizae in decaying bark of Fagus sylvatica.We introduce the eNano pipeline to test two standard metabarcoding approaches: (1) reference-based mapping leveraging the UNITE’s species hypothesis system (SH-approach) and (2) constructing 98% OTUs (OTU-approach). We evaluate these approaches using a mock and natural community. Our results demonstrate that both approaches are effective with Nanopore data. When using a reference database, we recommend strict mapping criteria rather than Phred-based filtering. For 98% OTUs, filtering reads at ≥Q25 is recommended. Our case-study reveals that the decay gradient is a primary determinant of community composition, and that specific mycorrhizal fungi colonize decaying bark. Complementing our metabarcoding results with root tip morphotypification, we identify Laccaria amethystina and Tomentella sublilacina as key ectomycorrhizae of saplings on decaying logs. These findings demonstrate that Nanopore sequencing can provide valuable ecological insights and support its broader use in fungal metabarcoding as read quality continues to improve.

Androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of hair loss affecting both men and women, is typically treated using pharmaceutical options such as minoxidil and finasteride. While these medications work for many individuals, they are not suitable options for all. To date, the only non-pharmaceutical option that the United States Food and Drug Administration has cleared as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia is low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Various clinical trials utilizing LLLT devices of various types are available. However, a myriad of other physical treatments for this form of hair loss are reported in the literature. This review evaluated the effectiveness of microneedling, pulsed-electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), fractional laser therapy, and non-ablative laser therapy for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It also explores the potential of multimodal treatments combining these physical therapies. LLLT has the majority of evidence in the literature as a physical therapy for androgenetic alopecia. However, other physical treatments, such as non-ablative laser treatments, and multimodal approaches, such as PEMF-LLLT, seem to have the potential to be equally or more promising and merit further exploration.

Flexible polymer-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer promising potential for lightweight, cost-effective and versatile photovoltaic applications. However, the critical challenge in their widespread applications is the weak thermal stability of the majority of polymeric substrates, which can only withstand a maximum temperature processing of 150°C. In this study, we propose a facile and low-cost strategy to develop at low temperature DSSC flexible photoanode based on a polymeric matrix. Highly porous nanocomposites fibrous mats composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanobars were prepared through electrospinning process using different configurations (uniaxial electrospinning, coaxial electrospinning, and electrospray-assisted electrospinning). These techniques enabled precise control of the microstructure and the positioning of TiO2 within the composite nanofibers. Therefore, the as-produced photoanodes were loaded with N719 dye and tested in DSSC prototype using iodide-triiodide electrolyte and platinum (Pt) coated counter electrode. The results show that incorporating TiO2 on the fiber surface through the electrospray-assisted electrospinning enhanced the performance of the nanofiber composite, leading to improved dye loading capacity, electron transfer efficiency and photovoltaic performance.

A canine population’s immune resistance to canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), and infectious hepatitis virus (CAV-1) was evaluated. In this study, a total of 112 sera were analyzed. Animals were considered as vaccinated if, in the last two years, they had re-ceived at least one dose of a vaccine that provides joint protection against CDV, CPV, and CAV-1. Animals that had never received any dose of these vaccines were designated as non-vaccinated. CDV, CPV, and CAV-1 antibodies were detected via a modified solid-phase enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay (ELISA), which detects IgG antibody levels in sera and provides semi-quantitative results in less than 30 min. In total, 41.1% of the dogs had been vaccinated, and 58.9% of dogs were designated as non-vaccinated. Overall, 90.2%, 92.0%, and 78.6% of the tested dogs had positive results for the presence of IgG antibodies against CPV, CDV, and CAV-1, re-spectively. CPV antibodies were present in 93.5% (43/46) of the vaccinated and 87.9% (58/66) of the non-vaccinated dogs, while CDV antibodies were present in 95.5% (63/66) of the vaccinated and 87.0% (40/46) of the non-vaccinated dogs. Finally, CAV-1 antibodies were present in 84.8% (56/66) of the vaccinated and of 69.6% (32/46) the non-vaccinated dogs.

We explore an idea put forward many years ago by Zeldovich and Novikov concerning the existence of compact objects endowed with arbitrarily small mass. The energy-density of such objects, which we call “Ghost stars”, is negative in some regions of the fluid distribution, producing a vanishing total mass. Thus, the interior is matched on the boundary surface to Minkowski space-time. Some exact analytical solutions are exhibited and their properties are analyzed. Observational data that could confirm or dismiss the existence of this kind of stellar object, is commented.

A semi–numerical approach proposed many years ago for describing gravitational collapse in the post–quasi–static approximation , , , , is modified in order to avoid the numerical integration of the basic differential equations the approach is based upon. For doing that we have to impose some restrictions on the fluid distribution. More specifically, we shall assume the vanishing complexity factor condition, which allows for analytical integration of the pertinent differential equations and leads to physically interesting models. Instead, we show that neither the homologous nor the quasi–homologous evolution are acceptable since they lead to geodesic fluids, which are unsuitable for being described in the post–quasi–static approximation. Also, we prove that, within this approximation, adiabatic evolution also leads to geodesic fluids and therefore we shall consider exclusively dissipative systems. Besides the vanishing complexity factor condition, additional information is required for a full description of models. We shall propose different strategies for obtaining such an information, which are based on observables quantities (e.g. luminosity and redshift), and/or heuristic mathematical ansatz. To illustrate the method, we present two models. One model is inspired in the well known Schwarzschild interior solution, and another one is inspired in Tolman VI solution.

TGF-ꞵ signaling is a vital regulator for maintaining articular cartilage homeostasis. Runx transcription factors, downstream targets of TGF-ꞵ signaling, have been studied in the context of osteoarthritis (OA). Although Runx partner core binding factor β (Cbfβ) is known to play a pivotal role in chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation, the role of Cbfβ in maintaining articular cartilage remains obscure. This study investigated Cbfβ as a novel anabolic modulator of TGF-ꞵsignaling and determined its role in articular cartilage homeostasis. Cbfβ significantly decreased in aged mouse articular cartilage and human OA cartilage. Articular chondrocyte-specific Cbfb-deficient mice (Cbfb△ac/△ac) exhibited early cartilage degeneration at 20 weeks old and developed OA at 12 months old. Cbfb△ac/△ac mice showed enhanced OA progression under the surgical-induced mice OA model. Mechanistically, forced expression of Cbfβ rescued Col2α1 and Runx1 expression in Cbfβ-deficient chondrocytes. TGF-ꞵ1-mediated Col2α1 expression failed despite the pSmad3 activation under TGF-ꞵ1 treatment in Cbfβ-deficient chondrocytes. Cbfβ protected Runx1 from proteasomal degradation through Cbfβ/Runx1 complex formation. These results indicate that Cbfβ is a novel anabolic regulator for cartilage homeostasis, suggesting that Cbfβ could protect OA development by maintaining the integrity of the TGF-ꞵ1 signaling pathway in articular cartilage.

Leishmanial skin lesions are characterized by inflammatory hypoxia alongside the activation of hypoxia inducible factors, HIF-1a and HIF-2a, and subsequent expression of the HIF-a target VEGF-A during Leishmania major infection. However, the factors responsible for HIF-a activation are not known. We hypothesize hypoxia and pro-inflammatory stimuli contribute to HIF-a activation during infection. RNASeq on leishmanial lesions found transcripts associated with HIF-1a signaling are induced. To determine whether hypoxia contributes to HIF-a activation, we followed the fate of myeloid cells infiltrating from the blood and into hypoxic lesions. Recruited myeloid cells experience hypoxia when they enter inflamed lesions, and the length of time in lesions increases their hypoxic signature. To determine whether pro-inflammatory stimuli in the inflamed tissue can also influence HIF-a activation, we subjected macrophages to various pro-inflammatory stimuli and measured VEGF-A. While parasites alone did not induce VEGF-A, and pro-inflammatory stimuli only modestly induce VEGF-A, HIF- stabilization increases VEGF-A during infection. HIF-a stabilization does not impact parasite entry, growth or killing. Alternatively, the absence of ARNT/HIF- signaling enhances parasite internalization. Altogether, these findings suggest HIF-a is active during infection, and while macrophage HIF-a activation promotes lymphatic remodeling through VEGF-A production, HIF-a activation does not impact parasite internalization or control.

Endometrial preparation is crucial in in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols to create optimal conditions for embryo implantation and pregnancy. Successful embryo nidation requires a receptive endometrium, which is influenced by factors such as endometrial thickness, hormonal environment, autocrine and paracrine growth factors, and the presence of resident and non-resident stem cells within the endometrium basalis. Synchronization between endometrial and embryonic development is also essential. Endometrial preparation, whether achieved through spontaneous cycles, natural cycles with minimal support, ovulation induction, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), results from a combination of biochemical and biophysical conditions, each independent of the others. These conditions are difficult to pinpoint within a fixed period (Window of Implantation, WOI) using any specific examination due to the variability in estrogen and progesterone production rates, their metabolic clearance rates (MCR) when administered exogenously, and their metabolism when given systemically, topically, or orally. These variations also occur in different phenotypes and over different durations. Moreover, the synchronization of endometrial preparation with incomplete decidualization and the uncertain duration of the implantation window pose challenges. It is also unknown if there are compliance mechanisms similar to diapause seen in other species. This review aims to outline a clinical approach that, while not an absolute clinical recommendation due to the lack of definitive certainties, assists in understanding complementary phenomena and provides a useful orientation for clinical practice.

Abstract: Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the development of novel bioresorbable membranes for Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR). Hydroxyapatite of different resources in com-bination with chitosan has been used successfully. In this work, armored catfish (Pterygoplich-thys spp) bone as a source of hydroxyapatite is proposed; it was isolated through bone calcina-tion at a temperature of 1000 °C. The hydroxyapatite obtained was analyzed for its chemical composition by means of Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), its functional groups by Fouri-er Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), its crystallographic structures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (DRX) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the mor-phology of the particle. The composed membrane presents a major roughness morphology sur-face than the pristine chitosan membrane. The hydroxyapatite particles added to the polymeric matrix increased the mechanical tensile properties of the membrane. These findings confirm that armored catfish bones are a viable, economic, and environmentally friendly source of hydroxy-apatite, which combined with chitosan, is a suitable alternative to develop biocompatible GBR membranes after it is combined with chitosan.

Credit business is a vital part of the bank's core business, which has an extremely important impact on the bank's income and development. In the operation of credit business, credit risk assessment is particularly crucial, and accurate risk assessment can minimize risks while maximizing the bank's returns. We propose a method to optimize credit risk assessment using machine learning techniques. In this work, we employ a random forest machine learning model to process and analyze large amounts of loan application data. By using correlation analysis, information enrichment, etc., the characteristics that have the most impact on credit risk assessment are screened. Subsequently, the model was constructed using a random forest algorithm. Random forests improve the generalization ability and accuracy of the model by building multiple decision trees and introducing randomness between these trees. In the experimental analysis part, we compare the performance of various models on the German credit dataset, and the results show that the deep learning model outperforms the traditional machine learning model in most indicators, verifying the effectiveness of our method.

A predictive approach to the phase behavior of four-component poly-mer-water-surfactant-electrolyte systems is formulated, by viewing the four-component system as a binary polymer-pseudosolvent system, with the pseudosolvent representing water, surfactant, and the electrolyte. The phase stability of this binary system is examined using the framework of the lattice fluid model of Sanchez and Lacombe. In the lattice fluid model, a pure component is represented by three equation of state parameters, the hard-core volume of a lattice site ( ), the number of lattice sites occupied by the component (r) and its characteristic energy ( ). We in-troduce the extra thermodynamic postulate that r and for the pseudosolvent are the same as for water and all surfactant-electrolyte composition dependent characteristics of the pseudosolvent can be represented solely through its characteristic energy parameter. The key implication of the postulate is that the phase behavior of polymer-pseudosolvent systems will be identical for all pseudosolvents with equal values of the characteristic energy, despite their varying real compo-sitions. Based on the pseudosolvent model, illustrative phase diagrams have been computed for several four-component systems containing alkyl sulfonate/sulfate surfactants, electrolytes and anionic or nonionic polymers. The pseudosolvent model is shown to describe all important trends in experimentally observed phase behavior, pertaining to polymer and surfactant molecular characteristics. Most importantly, the pseudosolvent model allows one to construct a priori phase diagrams for any polymer-surfactant-electrolyte system, knowing just one experimental com-position data for a system at the phase boundary, using available thermodynamic data on sur-factants and electrolytes and without requiring any information on the polymer.