This study explores how the covid-19 pandemic affected some psychological factors in people who got tattoos during or after the lockdown, the psychological factors assessed were self-esteem, risk taking behaviour, body image and locus of control. The study used a quantitative, between-subjects design to investigate the experiences of participants who acquired tattoos during the pandemic compared to those who did not. The results showed that participants who got a tattoo during the pandemic reported higher levels of self-esteem and body image satisfaction compared to those who did not get a tattoo. Furthermore, the findings suggest that individuals with tattoos may have a more external locus of control. Participants with tattoos exhibited higher levels of risk-taking behaviour compared to those without tattoos, furthermore sex affected risk-taking behaviour in tattooed individuals, and females with tattoos displayed a higher risk taking tendency than their tattooed male counterparts. Further research needs to be done while acknowledging the limitations of this study. Overall, this study is pivotal in establishing how the pandemic may have affected the aforementioned psychological factors in people with tattoos. It also adds to the growing body of literature in body modification and psychology.

Background: The study aimed to investigate the association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and the risk of wheezing among rural and urban preschool children in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, an area associated with poor air quality. Methods: In this study, parents/caregivers of preschool children (n=3145) completed a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models. Results: The overall prevalence of Wheeze ever was 15.14%, with a higher prevalence in urban pre-schoolers than rural pre-schoolers (20.71% vs 13.30 %, P<0.000). Moreover, the total prevalence of asthma ever was 2.34%. The prevalence was greater in urban pre-schoolers than in rural pre-schoolers (3.92% vs 1.81%, P<0.001). In the final adjusted model, both urban and rural area children who lived with one or more people who smoked in the same household (WE: OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.11-1.86) (CW: OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.38-3.16) and (AE: OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.12-5.54) were found to have an increased likelihood of having Wheeze Ever, Current Wheeze and Asthma Ever as compared to those who lived with non-smokers. Conclusions: The implementation of smoking limits and prohibition is crucial in areas that are frequented or utilized by children. Hence, it is imperative for healthcare providers to actively champion the rights of those who do not smoke within the society, while also endorsing legislative measures aimed at curtailing the extent of tobacco smoke exposure.

(1) Background: The prediction of cervical lesions evolution is a challenge for clinicians. The prospective study aimed to determine and compare the predictive accuracy of cytology, HPV genotyping, and p16/Ki67 dual staining alone or in combination with personal risk factors for the prediction of progression, regression or persistence of cervical lesions in human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected patients; (2) Methods: This prospective study included HPV-positive patients with or without cervical lesions that underwent follow-up. Descriptive statistics and sensitivity analysis for individual or combined index tests were used for data analysis; (3) Results: The highest predictive performance for the progression of cervical lesions was achieved by a model that comprised a Pap smear suggestive of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), the presence of 16/18 HPV strains, a positive p16/Ki67 dual staining result along with the presence of at least 3 clinical risk factors, which had a sensitivity (Se) of 74.42%, a specificity of 97.92%, an area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.961, and an accuracy of 90.65%. The prediction of cervical lesions regression or persistence was modest; (4) Conclusions: Multiple testing or new biomarkers should be used to improve HPV-positive patient surveillance, especially for cervical lesion regression or persistence prediction.

Despite ample warning and significant lead time, global society has not acted sufficiently to combat climate change, and global carbon dioxide emissions are now about 60% higher today than in 1990 [1]. This paper uses marine fisheries as an analog model to compare with the many similar management issues faced with global climate change. Both marine fisheries and global climate change are complex systems that have similar properties that make management very difficult. A simple fishery prototype model is used to educate citizens about similar issues of dynamic complexity found in climate change models. We highlight how our slow reaction time to global climate change can be thought of as a mismatch between our cognitive abilities and the nature of global collective problems. Understanding the history and system structure of marine fisheries can provide insight into managing global climate change. We suggest ways to improve communication between science and citizens for updating mental models and changing climate policy.

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with a variety of hosts, including pigs, which act as reservoirs. In industrialized countries, sporadic cases caused by genotype 3, contracted by ingestion of contaminated uncooked or undercooked meat, have been reported. However, in developing countries, HEV infection is mainly dominated by genotype 2 and often associated with poor hygiene conditions and drinking water supplies. In West Africa, HEV infection and its circulation in domestic fauna are very poorly documented. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of HEV in pork sold in Saint-Louis. Meat products were collected between 20 and 25 August 2022 in three location of Saint-Louis region. After purchasing 250 g of sample, we minced 2 g of sample for extraction of total nucleic acids using the Purelink™ Viral DNA/RNA kit and then RT-PCR using the One-Taq™ One-Step RT-PCR kit targeting the HEV ORF2 genomic region. The products obtained were visualized on a 1% agarose gel. Of a total of 74 samples, divided into pork meat (n=65) and pork liver (n=9), 5.4% (n=4) were tested positive for HEV. In both cases, 2 samples were positive, representing a rate of 3.1% and 22.2% for meat and pork liver respectively. All new viral sequences obtained form a monophyletic group within HEV genotype 3. These preliminary results reveal a potential circulation of HEV in the pig population. The high proportion of contamination in the pork liver samples highlights a major risk associated with their consumption.

Background: In Malaysia, the mortality from melioidosis infection was reported to be higher than in other infectious diseases. The research on melioidosis is still limited in Malaysia but slightly increasing. Objective: To give an overview of the study designs, statistical methods and comparison of research in identifying the predictors of melioidosis mortality in Malaysia between January 2010 to December 2021. This review articles were divided into two sections; Section 1: Review of literature and Section 2: Findings on predictors of melioidosis mortality in Malaysia. Data sources: Pubmed/Medline. Study Eligibility Criteria: Original English-language articles were abstracted. The articles that identified the predictors of melioidosis from mortality in Malaysia only included. Letters to the editor, editorials, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, case reports and any other ineligible articles were excluded. Results: A total of 7 studies were identified related to predictors of melioidosis mortality in Malaysia. From the selected articles, all of the data were retrospectively collected. Six out of 7 articles (85.7%) used the logistic regression in identifying the predictors of melioidosis mortality. Only 1 (14.3%) used advanced survival analysis methods of Cox regression analysis. Conclusion: Logistic regression methods remain the most common methods of analysis in publications on predictors of melioidosis mortality in Malaysia while retrospective research designs are favoured. There is a limitation of research in predictors of melioidosis mortality and the use of advanced statistical techniques reported using the melioidosis data in Malaysia. More published research on melioidosis will provide input to the clinicians on a more detailed understanding of how to improve the diagnosis of melioidosis and the prognosis factors of this disease.

The broad and rapid application of new genomic techniques (NGTs) such as CRISPR-Cas has led to a fast increase in the number of genetically modified crops. With the recently published EU Commission’s (EC) regulatory proposal on plants generated with NGTs (July 5, 2023) the process of admission of such genetically modified plants is aimed to get accelerated and simplified. NGT plant applications shall be categorized based on their molecular characteristics into category 1 NGT (NGT1) and category 2 NGT (NGT2), which is in divergence from the current legislation centered around Directive 2001/18/EC. In the regulatory proposal NGT2 plants are envisioned to undergo a reduced risk assessment while for NGT1 plants no risk assessment is foreseen at all. To demonstrate were the path of the proposal leads to in practice, we applied the proposed criteria for categorization to a list of NGT plant applications that are currently in the commercialization pipeline. A key finding is that out of those plant applications affected by the EC proposal, 94% would be classified as NGT1 and thus would receive a market approval without risk assessment, monitoring and sufficient labeling provisions. The remaining 6% of applications would be classified as NGT2 plants for which, in deviation from the current regulation, an adapted risk assessment is proposed. A screening of intended traits in the pipeline highlights that certain NGT1 plants can pose similar environmental risks (e.g. invasiveness) compared to other genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as defined in Directive 2001/18/EC. For example, NGT1 applications based on RNAi technology can exhibit insecticidal effects with potential side effects on non-target organisms (i.e. other insects). Our quantitative and case-specific elaboration on how the current EC regulatory proposal would affect the environment, health or consumer protection will be informative for decision makers and politicians.

Background and Objectives: Previous studies revealed anti-angiogenic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of Vitamin D on cancer cells. Although this body of evidence supported the correlation of high Vitamin D levels with reduced incidence rates for various malignancies, contradictory results were reported regarding non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Aim of this overview was to summarize the available evidence from the existing pool of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, focusing on Vitamin D serum status, dietary intake, and Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms in correlation to NMSC incidence. Materials and Methods: A literature search in electronic databases was conducted from inception to January 2023. Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in peer-reviewed journals, evaluating Vitamin D serum levels, dietary and/or supplementary intake, or VDR gene polymorphisms, and reporting data on NMSC. Results: A total of 10 studies were included in the data analysis models. A positive association between Vitamin D serum levels and NMSC is highlighted. However, dietary/supplementation of Vitamin D doesn’t exhibit a likewise strong linkage to NMSC. Despite the contradictory findings, VDR polymorphisms may play a crucial role in the intricate NMSC pathogenesis. Conclusions: This umbrella review showed that high Vitamin D levels are associated with increased NMSC incidence, potentially due to its direct correlation with increased sun exposure. Further research on VDR polymorphisms is suggested to explore their true effect size on NMSC risk.

Objectives: The aim of our current study was to analyze whether the use of important measures of methodological quality and reporting of randomized clinical trials published in the field of cardiovascular disease research have changed over time. Further aim was to investigate whether there was an improvement over time in the ability of these trials to provide a good estimate of the true intervention effect. Methods We conducted two searches in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTAL) database to identify cardiovascular clinical research trials published in either 2012 or 2017. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) trials in cardiovascular disease research with adult participants were eligible to be included. We randomly selected 250 RCTs for both publication year 2012 and 2017. Trial characteristics, data on measures of methodological quality and reporting were extracted and risk of bias for each trial was assessed. Results As compared to 2012 in 2017 there were significant improvements in the reporting of the presence of a data monitoring committee (42.0% in 2017 compared to 34.4% in 2012), and a positive tendency of registering cardiovascular disease research RCTs in clinical trial registries (83.6% in 2017 compared to 72.0% in 2012). On the other hand, we also observed that significantly fewer RCTs reported sample size calculation (60.4% in 2017 compared to 98.4% in 2012) in 2017 as compared to 2012. RCTs in 2017 were more likely to have low overall risk of bias ( RoB ) than in 2012 (29.2% in 2017compared to 21.2% in 2012). Conclusion: As compared to 2012 in 2017 there were significant improvement in some, but not all the important measures of methodological quality. Although more trials in the field of cardiovascular disease research had a lower overall RoB in 2017, the improvement over time was not consistently perceived in all RoB domains.

Rice cultivation is the main agricultural activity in Asia, and it results in an enormous amount of agricultural waste, that are usually disposed-off by burning, causing serious environmental health and climate problems. Pakistan is the tenth largest producer in the world and the fourth exporter of rice in the world. To date, there are no studies targeting Pakistan’s profile monitoring its contribution in open burning emissions from rice straw waste. This study presents the characterization of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs emissions from three samples of rice straw collected from the main rice cultivation regions of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh and Azad Jammu and Kashmir) in relation to the role of metal-based agricultural additives. PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs emissions were quantified using a fixed grid system biomass plant and measuring the macro-pollutants online and sampling the organic micro-pollutants and metals in isokinetic mode, followed by ISO and CEN standards methods. In addition, role of agrochemicals was monitored in terms of metal catalysis resulted in POPs emissions. This study provides the characterization of most relevant group of pollutants (metals, PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs) as a result of agricultural waste combustion. The rice straw samples from AJK showed high values of organochlorine micro-pollutants compared to the values followed by samples from Punjab and Sindh, i.e., respectively, ∑PCDD/F (2594>1493>856 pg/Nm³) and ∑PCB (41>38>30 pg/Nm³). Whereas the organic micro-pollutants ∑PAH, indicators of incomplete combustion (PICs), were recorded high in the samples from Sindh followed by Punjab and AJK. This study supports the idea that the phenomena that lead to the formation of PCDD/F and PCB are influenced not only by poor combustion but also by the presence of metal catalysts or precursors in the burned fuel.

: For a long time, atherosclerosis has been regarded as a mere lipid deposit in the blood vessels. However, in the recent years a growing body of experimental and clinical evidence have highlighted the role of inflammation and immunity as a central mechanism of disease. Moreover, in the last decade the coming of next-generation sequencing and its application to large human population has broken the barrier between inflammation and cancer. Indeed, acquired mutation in key genes related to the control of hematopoiesis and myeloproliferation have paved the way to establish the new concept of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential. This phenomenon is being considered not such “indeterminate”, but as an emerging cardiovascular risk factor. Thus, this may explain the mechanisms of myeloproliferation and inflammation in atherosclerosis. And in a bidirectional journey, it has helped to explain the extremely high cardiovascular risk in cancer survivors, in particular in myeloprolfierative neoplasm patients. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms may pave the way for the future early diagnosis and potential preemptive treatments of the leading worldwide cause of death.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), comprising aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, is the cornerstone of post-percutaneous coronary intervention treatment to prevent stent thrombosis and reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The selection of an optimal DAPT regimen, considering the interplay of various antiplatelet agents, patient profiles, and procedural characteristics, remains an evolving challenge. Traditionally, a standard duration of 12 months has been recommended for DAPT in most patients. While contemporary guidelines provide general frameworks, DAPT modulation with longer or shorter treatment courses followed by aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy are evolving towards an individualized strategy to optimize the balance between efficacy and safety. This review comprehensively examines the current landscape of DAPT strategies after coronary stenting, with a focus on emerging evidence for treatment individualization.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the commonest bacterial infections among reproductive age females. Untreated UTI in reproductive age female is associated with sexual dysfunction, cystitis, pyelonephritis and Pelvic inflammatory disease. At present, the antimicrobial resistance emergency has quadrupled worldwide and poses a serious threat to the treatment of patients. Thus, this study aimed to determine bacterial profile, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and associated risk factors of urinary tract infection among reproductive age females attending the Logbaba District Hospital Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January – July, 2023. Convenient sampling was employed to recruit 259 reproductive age females. Sociodemographic and risk factors information were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire. Mid-stream urine was collected and inoculated on cystine lactose electrolyte deficient media. Isolates were identified using API 20. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed using modified kirby-bauer susceptibility testing technique. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to assessed risk factors. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of UTI among reproductive age females was 82/259 (31.66%). Symptomatic and asymptomatic patients reported a prevalence of 50/121(41.32%) and 32/138 (23.19%), respectively. Ages ranging from 21-30 years (AOR: 2.53 ,95% CI 1.32 – 4.43, p=0.006) and 31 – 40 years (AOR: 0.19 , 95% CI: 0.14- 0.54; p <0.0001), student (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.21 - 2.75; p = 0.010), history of UTI (5.34, 95% CI = 1.86 - 18.15; p = 0.03), symptomatic (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI1.78 - 4.67, p <0.0001) and secondary education (AOR: 0.13, 95% CI 0.08 - 0.32; p<0.0001) were predictors to UTI. Klebsiella Pneumoniae was the most frequent species 27 (32.9%), follow by E coli 22(26.8%), Staphylococcus aureus 16 (19.5%), CONS 8 (9.8%), Proteus mirabilis 6 (7.3 %) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3(3.7%). Majority of the isolates were sensitive to cefotaxime (87.80%), imipenem (85.7%), vancomycin (79.27%), Ofloxacillin (76.83%), Ceftriaxone (75.61%), Ciprofloxacin (74.39%), Gentamicin (71.95%) and Doxycycline (69.51%), and resistant to Amoxicillin (51.22%), cotrimoxazole (47.56%) and Azithromycin (31.71%) , All the isolates were multidrug drug resistant (100%) and Klebsiella Pneumoniae and E coli were the most multidrug drug resistant species Conclusion: In the present study, the prevalence of urinary tract infection among reproductive age females was high and considerably a high proportion of multidrug resistance was observed. This result will have a significant impact on the selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents for the treatment of urinary tract infection in the study area.

Aims: Chronic coronary syndrome is associated with several risk factors, such as dyslipidemia and hypertension. AIP has been demonstrated to be a biochemical risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to determine whether AIP is an effective parameter for estimating obstructive CAD. Methods and Results: A total of 345 patients (mean age 62,2±10,3; 63% male) who underwent coronary angiography were included in this study. Obstructive CAD is defined as having one or more vessels with a stenosis of≥50%. Depending on the presence of obstructive CAD, all patients were divided into two groups. The AIP was significantly higher in the obstructive coronary artery group (AIP; 0,49±0,26 vs. 0,58±0,27, p=0,002). In univariate analysis, AIP was significantly associated with obstructive coronary artery disease [OD:3,74 (CI95% 1,62-8,64), P=0,020]. The AIP was further adjusted for confounding risk factors in three multivariate analysis models. Therefore, all three models showed a significant association. According to ROC analysis, 0.49 is the cut-off value for AIP, and a value above 0.49 indicates 50% coronary artery stenosis Conclusions: AIP may be used in the assessment of cardiovascular risk in patients with stable angina pectoris, and it may also be used to estimate obstructive CAD.

The inaugural AIDS Program in Brazil was established in São Paulo in 1983, with the Instituto Adolfo Lutz appointed for laboratory assistance. Subsequently, research on HIV infections and HIV/HTLV (HIV/HTLV-1 and HIV/HTLV-2) co-infections were conducted. This narrative review focuses on studies from the Immunology Department (1983–2017) that significantly influenced AIDS diagnosis or provided epidemiological data such as prevalence rates, sex, age, and risk factors. Ten studies, encompassing over 8,000 individuals, are discussed. During 1983–1985, nearly all AIDS cases were attributed to homosexual/bisexual men aged 31 years old. Subsequently, heterosexual men and women emerged as risk groups owing to intravenous drug use (IDU) and/or unprotected sexual intercourse with AIDS patients or multiple partners per year. From 1985 onwards, vertical transmission led to child infections. HIV/HTLV co-infection rates decreased over time, initially associated with male IDU, and in the 2010s, with females, IDU, and individuals aged &gt;40 years. Trends in HIV and HIV/HTLV co-infections among younger men and women (&lt;30 years of age) were observed from 2015–2017. The changing characteristics and risk groups for HIV and HIV/HTLV co-infections over the years underscore the necessity for ongoing public policies to prevent retrovirus transmission, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with various risk factors and significant morbidity and mortality. This article presents findings from a study involving 115 patients with permanent AF. The study examined demographics, risk factors, associated pathologies, complications, and anticoagulant therapy. The results showed a slight predominance of AF in males, with the highest incidence in individuals aged 75 and above. Common risk factors included arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus type 2, and obesity. Comorbidities such as congestive heart failure, mitral valve regurgitation, and pulmonary disorders were prevalent among the patients. Major complications included congestive heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Thromboembolic and bleeding risk assessment using CHAD2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores demonstrated a high thromboembolic risk in all patients. The majority of patients were receiving novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) before admission, while NOACs were also the most prescribed antithrombotic therapy at discharge. The study highlights the importance of risk factor management and appropriate anticoagulant therapy in AF patients to reduce complications and improve outcomes.

This paper contextualises the common queries of "why is crypto crashing?" and "why is crypto down?", the research transcends beyond the frequent market fluctuations to unravel how cryptocurrencies fundamentally work and the step-by-step process on how to create a cryptocurrency. The study examines blockchain technologies and their pivotal role in the evolving Metaverse, shedding light on topics such as how to invest in cryptocurrency, the mechanics behind crypto mining, and strategies to effectively buy and trade cryptocurrencies. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the research transitions from the fundamental principles of fintech investment strategies to the overarching implications of blockchain within the Metaverse. Alongside exploring machine learning potentials in financial sectors and risk assessment methodologies, the study critically assesses whether developed or developing nations are poised to reap greater benefits from these technologies. Moreover, it probes into both enduring and dubious crypto projects, drawing a distinct line between genuine blockchain applications and Ponzi-like schemes. The conclusion resolutely affirms the continuing dominance of blockchain technologies, underlined by a profound exploration of their intrinsic value and a reflective commentary by the author on the potential risks confronting individual investors.

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been identified as one of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Due to its massive production (over 700,000 tons per year) and the extensive use of BPA-based plastics (i.e., polycarbonate and epoxy resin) in Taiwan, it was thus included into a toxic substance by the Ministry of Environment. This work surveyed the updated information about the production of BPA and its environmental distributions in Taiwan over the past decade. Furthermore, the regulatory strategies and countermeasures for managing the environmental risks of BPA by the Taiwan government were summarized to show the cross-ministerial efforts under the relevant acts, including the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act (TCCSCA), the Food Sanitation Management Act (FSMA) and the Commodity Inspection Act (CIA). The findings showed that most of the monitoring data showed far below the acceptable risks. However, the people may pose an adverse threat to the aquatic environment and human health via ecological and food chains. In addition, some countermeasures were further recommended to echo the international actions on environmental endocrine disruptors in recent years.

Abstract: Interface risks are inherent in every construction project from start to finish. Identifying and managing these risks effectively in every project phase is crucial for actualising project objectives. This paper shows a comprehensive framework showing several relationships between project stakeholders and how the interface risks between them that influence project execution are identified and managed for the overall construction project success. Firstly, literature review on interfaces and interface risks were car-ried out and how organisations managed interface risks were discussed and secondly, the collection of quantitative data was conducted by means of structured online questionnaires. The sample consisted of 205 construction project professionals who were selected randomly. This group included individuals with various roles in the construction industry, The data was analysed using descriptive statistical methods, including factor analysis, reliability assessment, and calculations of frequencies and percentages. Finally, the results showed all the factors, work culture and organisational approaches that influence interface risk management and ways to identify and manage interface risks effectively.

Lifetime cancer risk characterization of ambient PM-bound carcinogenic metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were examined in the cities of Los Angeles (USA), Thessaloniki (Greece) and Milan (Italy), which share similar Mediterranean climates but are different in their urban emission sources and governing air quality regulations. The samples in Milan and Thessaloniki were mostly dominated by biomass burning activities whereas the particles collected in Los Angeles were primary impacted by traffic emissions. We analyzed the ambient PM2.5 mass concentration of Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), as well as 13 PAH compounds in the PM samples, collected during both cold and warm periods at each location. The Pb exhibited the highest annual-average concentration in all 3 cities, followed by Ni, As, Cr(VI), Cd and PAHs, respectively. The cancer risk assessment based on outdoor pollutants was performed based on three different scenarios, with each scenario corresponding to a different level of infiltration of outdoor pollutants into the indoor environment. Thessaloniki exhibited rather high risk value associated with lifetime inhalation of As, Cr(VI) and PAHs. The highest cancer risk values were calculated in Milan where the lifetime risk of exposure to As, Cr(VI) and PAHs exceeded the US EPA standard across all scenarios by a considerable margin. The risk associated with Cr(VI) in Milan, which was the most significant among the investigated elements, ranged from (6.08±0.36)×10-6 to (9.82±0.58) ×10-6. In contrast, the estimated risks associated with metal and PAHs in Los Angeles were mostly comparable to the guideline value, even when the infiltration factor was assumed to be at peak. This observation highlights the impact of local air quality measures in improving the air quality and lowering the cancer risks in Los Angeles compared to the other two cities.

Life is supported by metabolism, a vital physiological activity. It guarantees enough energy available to power every cellular activity. The primary cellular substrate, glucose, is where the majority of the energy needed by the cell to support all other life activities and the growth of living creatures is derived. The quality of life is greatly impacted by any disease or flaw that alters the metabolism of glucose. There is no known cure for the metabolic illness known as diabetes. As diabetes is so varied, the only effective treatments would be based on precision medicine and a molecular strategy. This review covers a wide range of topics, including the ability to recognize the various forms of diabetes, the anthropogenic and genetic influence of the cause of diabetes, the severity of the various forms of diabetes, its potential existential risk, the disease burden, and clinical methods for diagnosing them. The most recent research goes on to recommend ways to ameliorate the disease, including diet-based management, biotherapies, and other individual lifestyle choices. Futuristic therapy using molecular biology approach was suggested. Recent research found a direct correlation between an individual's lifestyle and the rate of gene mutation in diabetes. There is an existential risk associated with the sickness as the rate of the spread of the disease among population globally is faster than the world's population growth rate. It is possible to think of diabetes as a silent pandemic.

For children born with congenital heart defects (CHD), extracorporeal life support may be necessary. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), focusing on various risk factors, including the type of CHD. The study was conducted as a retrospective single-center analysis at the Children's Hospital Zurich. All patients with CHD who required ECMO (veno-arterial or veno-venous) between 2009 and 2019 were included. Among the 88 patients, 36 (41%) had a single ventricle heart defect while 52 (59%) had a biventricular heart defect. Out of the total patients, 25 (28%) survived, with 7 (8%) having a single ventricle heart defect and 18 (20%) having a biventricular heart defect. Statistical analysis with a p-value of 0.19 revealed no significant difference in survival rates between the two groups. At the one-year follow-up, all children who survived to discharge were still alive. The rate of complications on ECMO was higher in children with a single ventricle (odds ratio [OR] 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67 - 3.7). The occurrence of a second ECMO run was more frequent in patients with a single ventricle compared to those with a biventricular physiology (22% vs. 9.6%). Although the study did not identify a significant difference in survival rates, it did indicate that patients with a single ventricle faced a higher risk of complications during ECMO and a greater likelihood of requiring a second ECMO run.

Background: The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a challenge in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). We aimed at identifying clinical risk factors or early markers of MetS in SCI that would facilitate a timely diagnosis and implementation of preventive/therapeutic strategies. Methods: 168 patients with chronic (>1 year) SCI underwent clinical and biochemical evaluations. MetS was diagnosed according to modified criteria of the International Diabetes Federation validated in people with SCI. Results: MetS was diagnosed in 56 of 132 men (42.4%) and 17 of 36 women (47.2%). At univariate regression analyses, putative predictors of MetS were an older age, a higher number of comorbidities, a lower insulin-sensitivity, the presence and intensity of pain, a shorter injury duration, a poorer leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and an incomplete motor injury. At the multiple regression analysis, a significant independent association with MetS only persisted for a poorer LTPA in minutes/week (OR: 0.998, 95%CI: 0.996, 0.999) and more severe pain symptoms as assessed by numeral rating scale (OR: 1.353, 95%CI: 1.085, 1.793). Conclusions: In patients with SCI, intense pain symptoms and poor LTPA may suggest a high likelihood of MetS, regardless of age, SCI duration, motor disability degree, insu-lin-sensitivity and comorbidities.

Different toll collection types of vehicles and different distribution of tollbooths lead to the toll plaza diverging area becoming a typical vehicle weaving area with frequent crossing behaviors and conflicts on highways. This study aims to identify contributing factors to conflict risks of four vehicle-following patterns in a toll plaza diverging area by developing random parameters ordered logit models with heterogeneity in means and variances. The model can flexibly capture the unobserved heterogeneity of the contributing factors in different vehicle-following patterns. Real-world vehicle trajectory data obtained from the toll plaza diverging area in Nanjing, China, are used for model estimation. The results show that vehicle-following patterns with the same toll collection types have higher percentage of severe conflict risks. The average acceleration of the following vehicles, lane marking indicator, the initial lanes and lane-changes of vehicles are significantly associated with the collision risk levels. The standard deviation of surrogate safety measures of all vehicles in sub-segments are found differ significantly between vehicle-following patterns. Furthermore, a series of likelihood ratio tests are adopted to test the spatial dependence in sub-segments of the diverging area. The findings of this study could provide valuable information for safety improvement in toll plazas.

The effects of global warming combined with the progressive expansion of urbanization have considerably increased exposure to urban flooding and runoff widespread erosion risk, also causing shallow landslides and mud flows, respectively in urbanized areas of lowland and hill/foothill environments. Increasing urban flooding resilience has become a priority at virtually all levels of governance. The analysis of a different hazard scenarios, in which various hydro-meteorological conditions and management alternatives are examined, should act as the basis for the effective design and evaluation of interventions to improve urban flooding resilience. Turin Metropolitan Area (TMA), located in north-western Italy, represents a unique case due to its complex orography, with a mountainous sector in the west side and a flat or hilly part in the east side. During the warm season, these environmental conditions make the urban area prone to severe atmospheric convection causing frequent hailstorms and rainstorms of high intensity that may impact on urban infrastructures (i.e., drainage system and road network), thus requiring an adequate management as a key factor to reducing risk and losses. The urban areas of TMA are monitored by polarimetric Doppler weather radars and by a dense rain gauges network. Analyzing several case studies of urban flooding, this research work assesses the feasibility of a meteorological radar early warning system based on the identification of rainfall thresholds that characterize urban flooding, occurring in the lowlands, and the runoff erosion phenomena affecting the urbanized hills and foothills.

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of the artificial sweetener aspartame (E951) in a wide range of foods and beverages sampled by food control authorities in Germany between 2000 and 2022. The dataset was obtained through the Consumer Information Act. The results showed that aspartame was present in a wide range of product groups tested, most commonly in powdered drink bases (84%) and flavored milk drinks (78%). In the solid food groups, the highest mean aspartame content was found in chewing gum (1543 mg/kg, n=241), followed by sports foods (1453 mg/kg, n=125), fiber supplements (1248 mg/kg, n=11), powdered drink bases (1068 mg/kg, n=162), and candies (437 mg/kg, n=339). Liquid products generally had the highest aspartame content in diet soft drinks (91 mg/l, n=2021), followed by regular soft drinks (59 mg/l, n= 574), flavored milk drinks (48 mg/kg, n=207), and mixed beer drinks (24 mg/l, n=40). These results suggest that aspartame is widely used in foods and beverages in Germany and that certain product groups contain higher concentrations of the sweetener than others. However, the levels of aspartame found were generally within the legal limits set by the European Union. These findings provide the first comprehensive overview of aspartame in the German food market and may be particularly useful in informing the forthcoming working groups of the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the WHO/FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which are in the process of evaluating the human health hazards and risks associated with the consumption of aspartame.

Abstract: Objective: To assess both individual and interactive effects of prenatal medical conditions depression and Diabetes, and health behaviors including smoking during pregnancy on infant birth defects. Methods: The data for this research study were collected by the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) in 2018. Birth certificate records were used in each participating jurisdiction to select a sample representative of all women who delivered a live-born infant. Complex sampling weights were used to analyze the data with a weighted sample size of 4,536,867. Descriptive statistics were performed to explore frequencies of the independent and dependent variables. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to examine associations among the independent and dependent variables. Results: The results indicate and significant interaction between the variables smoking and Depression and Depression and Diabetes (OR= 3.17; p-value <0.001 and OR= 3.13; p-value <0.001 respectively). Depression during pregnancy was found to be strongly associated with delivering an infant with a birth defect (OR= 1.31, P-value < 0.001). Conclusion: Depression during pregnancy and its interaction with smoking and Diabetes are vital in determining birth defects in infants. The results indicate that birth defects in the United States can be lowering Depression in pregnant women.

The widespread integration and growing dependence among currency, stock and commodity markets make these markets often very vulnerable to shocks and at risk of collapse at the same time. As a result, these trends threaten the sustainability of the entire financial system. In this study, we explore the spillovers and nonlinear dependences between the seven major foreign ex-change rates, crude oil and gold prices, a global stock price index, and oil and stock implied volatility indices as proxy variables for global risk factors by em-ploying directional spillover network approach. We also use multi-scale de-composition method and nonlinear causality test between these variables to capture multi-level relationships at short and long horizons. Major findings are summarized as follows. First, from the multi-scale decomposition analysis, we identify that Granger causality test results and the direction and strength of return spillovers change with the level of decomposition. Second, the results of nonlinear causality tests show variation in both the significance and direction of Granger causality relationships between the decomposed currency and other series at different timescales, especially for the decomposed oil, gold, and OVX series. Third, the measured directional spillover indices identify the EUR as the largest contributor of connectedness to the other series. The central role of the EUR is a net transmitter of connectedness to gold, oil, the GBP, JPY, and CHF.

Outcomes of repeated decision--making processes may be affected by adversarial actors, without being noticed. Adversaries may try to gain knowledge about a particular decision--making process, identify its decision--makers, and guess which underlying decision support model is used. Then they can simulate the process, and craft different scenarios to affect its decision outcomes. Therefore, designers of decision support systems need to incorporate this in the decision modeling phase. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate this for the repeated decision--making in a patent application process. In this process, two sequential decision outcomes can be affected by adversarial actors: a company's decision to which type of patent office to send a patent request to, and the decision of a specialized patent officer to grant an application, or not. It is motivated that the company's decision--maker is \emph{bounded} rational. A theory for information--theoretic bounded rational decision--making under uncertainty proposed by Ortega et al.\ is adopted to model this type of decision--maker. A framework is provided to simulate a number of scenarios that adversaries may deploy to affect decision outcomes of a repeated patent application decision--making process. The framework is also utilized for statistically testing the presence of the scenarios, and to demonstrate how to discourage adversaries from deploying them.

The present study aims to develop a risk-based approach to find optimal solutions for life extension management for offshore wind farms based on Markowitz’s modern portfolio theory, adapted from finance. The developed risk-based approach assumes that the offshore wind turbines (OWT) can be considered as cash-producing tangible assets providing positive return from the initial investment (capital) with a given risk attaining the targeted (expected) return. In this regard, the present study performs a techno-economic life extension analysis within the scope of the multi-objective optimisation problem. The first objective is to maximise the return from the overall wind assets, while the latter aims to minimise the risk associated with obtaining the return. In formulating the multi-dimensional optimisation problem, the life-extension assessment considers the results of a detailed structural integrity analysis, free-cash-flow analysis, and probability of project failure, local and global economic constraints. Further, the risk is identified as the variance from the expected mean of return on investment. The risk-return diagram is utilised to classify the OWTs of different classes using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm. The optimal portfolios for the various required rate of return are recommended for different stages of life extension.

The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a whole new set of risks in construction industries generating unprecedented delays, disruptions, and uncertainty on construction projects, and has forced the industries in adopting more sophisticated technologies while combating the reduced workforce on job sites. Further, the post-pandemic era of construction is expected to be a lot different as the industries will embrace the technology as the augmentation and collaboration strategy. Thus, it will be extremely hard to sustain for construction industries in the absence of effective risk management. The existing risk plans need to be inspected for their capability of handling new risks arising from COVID-19 and the project managers will need to make the necessary revisions as needed. This paper discusses on past (NORM), present (NEW NORM), and future (Post COVID-19 NORM) of the construction industry and highlights key strategies for managing projects and construction risks during and post COVID-19 pandemic.

This paper shows the influence of CCP’s collateralization on the pricing of the Credit Default Swaps (CDS). A narrowly variant in the way the CDS seller decides over the resources in the settlement comes with a substantial change on the elements that determine the price of the CDS.

Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy (CSEP) is an uncommon form of ectopic pregnancy. This review defines types of CSEP, discusses pathophysiology, clinical presentation and diagnosis and compares common treatment options and outcomes. The pathophysiology is not yet fully understood. One third of patient are asymptomatic. In symptomatic patients vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain which is usually misdiagnosed as threatened or missed abortion. The main principles of treatment for CSEP are early diagnose, quick management, and maintain reproductive function as much as possible. Up to date; no consensus or guidelines for the treatment and management of CSEP. Management of CSEP depends on the clinical presentation and gestational age. Significant controversy exists regarding management, for this reason, several factors should be considered including age of the patient, myometrial thickness, clinical symptoms, hemodynamic status, fertility preservation.

Stakeholder input into the decision-making process when developing public health programs and policies is crucial. This article presents an innovative approach, involving online participation with a wide group of stakeholders located in different geographic locations, for policy consensus by research methodology. The results of the project have been used to propose assumptions regarding a strategy for preventing blood-borne diseases in Poland. The research was conducted iteratively using a multi-stage qualitative methodology to explore risk assessment involving blood-borne infections. The final output of the entire project is a list of key problems/challenges and solutions associated with medical and nonmedical services that are connected to the breakage of tissue continuity. Qualitative research is rare in risk assessment as priority is usually given to statistical data and end-points (quantitative studies ). Statistical data on health risk allows to assess the health implications, while the methodology applied also allowed diagnosis of the processes leading to these effects. In addition to policy preparation for blood-borne illnesses, the methodology employed in the study can also be used to successfully explore other areas of public health policy decisions.

Cold brew coffee has emerged as a new trend during the last decade. However, “cold brew” is an extraction style of ground roasted coffee with water at less than body temperature (typically 8°C or room temperature) rather than a beverage per se. Cold brew extraction poses several challenges including the need of specific optimization depending on the multivariate influences of coffee variety and processing, roast degree, grinding, dosage, water composition, turbulence, brew system (drip, immersion etc.), time and temperature. While cold brew is typically characterized by a floral sweetness, over-extraction may lead to abundant acidity and bitterness. To avoid this, an extraction degree of 70% was suggested using rather shorter times (i.e. 2 h at 15°C with 80 g/L coffee with optimized medium roast profiles). Due to the lack of sterilizing temperatures during preparation, cold brew is special in the coffee sector because hygiene and food safety aspects pose specific challenges for food industry. To avoid microbiological contamination and spoilage, cold brew should be as freshly prepared as possible and shelf-life should be minimized.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease spreading through human touch. This study explored the risk perception and knowledge towards COVID-19 infection among Bangladeshi adult participants. Two self-administered online surveys were administered at two different time points from 26-31 March 2020 (Early lockdown) and 11-16 May 2020 (Late lockdown) through social media on 1005 respondents (322 and 683 participants, respectively) during COVID-19 lockdown period in Bangladesh. Univariate and multiple linear regression models were used to examine factors associated with risk perception and knowledge towards COVID-19. The mean knowledge (8.4 vs. 8.1, P=0.022) and risk perception (11.2 vs. 10.6, P < 0.001) scores differ significantly between early and late lockdown. Compared to the early lockdown period, the scores for perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 decreased significantly while public knowledge about COVID-19 was lower but not statistically significant. Female participants who practiced high quarantine particularly those who did so at the public health order during the lockdown reported increased knowledge towards the spread of COVID-19 and perceived high risk of contracting COVID-19. Education intervention using awareness to increase public knowledge and perception towards COVID-19 in Bangladesh should target male participants who practiced low quarantine and are less worried about the spread of such novel coronavirus even as the physical distancing persists.

Draconian defensive measures have been implemented to combat the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. These important measures constitute a vital current priority but do little to increase communal immunity and avoid future outbreaks. A longer-term exit strategy for a sustainable return to normalcy has yet to be identified. The development of vaccines or effective therapeutics could largely solve the problem, but their timely development cannot be guaranteed. In this setting, and under the expected societal isolation fatigue from extended social distancing, we here propose the idea that at some point after the outbreak’s peak, hospitals, in addition to providing care for infected people who need it, could also be involved in the development of a controlled exit strategy designed to avoid future outbreaks. We postulate that controlled voluntary deliberate infection in a hospital setting and under continuous and close medical observation may offer a safer alternative compared to random en-masse exposure. We discuss potential risks and benefits, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the associated critical ethical issues.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is considered to be one of the leading health issues in Thailand. CVD not only contributes to an increase in the number of hospital admissions year on year but also impacts on the rising health care expenditure for the treatment and long-term care of CVD patients. Therefore, this study is aimed at examining the impacts of risk reduction strategies on the number of CVD hospital admissions, Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and the costs of hospitalisation. To estimate such impacts a CVD cost-offset model wasapplied using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The number of the mid-year population was classified by age, gender and the CVD risk factor profiles from the recent Thai National Health Examination Survey (NHES) IV. This survey was chosen as the baseline population. The CVD risk factor profiles included age, gender, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and smoking status. The Asia-Pacific Collaborative Cohort Study (APCCS) equation was applied to predict the probability of developing CVD over the next eight-year period. Estimates on the following were obtained from the model: (1.) the CVD events both fatal and non-fatal; (2.) the difference between the projected number of deaths and the actual number of deaths in that population; (3.) the number of patients who are expected to live with CVD; (4.) the DALYs from the estimated number of fatal and non-fatal events; (5.) the cost of hospital admissions. Four CVD risk strategy scenarios were investigated as follows: (1.) the do nothing scenario; (2.) the optimistic scenario; (3.) achieve the UN millennium development goal; and (4.) the worst-case scenario. The findings showed that over the next eight years there are likely to be 3,297,428 recorded cases of CVD; 5,870,049 cases of DALYs; and, approximately ฿57,000 million, ($1.9 billion), is projected as the total cost of hospital admissions. However, if the current health policy can reduce the levels of risk factors as defined in the optimistic scenario or such policy meets the specifications of the UN millennium development goal,there would be a significant reduction in the number of hospital admissions. These are estimated to be a reduction of 522,179 male and 515,416 female cases. With these results it is expected that health care costs would save approximately ฿9,000 million, ($298.3 million), for CVD and 900,000 million of DALYs over the next eight years. However, if there is an upward trend in the risk factors as predicted in the worst-case scenario, then there will be an increase of 428,220 CVD cases; consequently, DALYs cases may rise by 766,029 while the hospitalisation costs may increase by approximately ฿7,000 million, ($232.1 million). Based on our findings, reducing the levels of CVD risk factors in the population will drastically reduce: (1.) the number of CVD cases; (2.) DALYs cases; and (3.) health care costs. Therefore it is recommended that the health policy should enhance the primary prevention programs which would be targeted at reducing the CVD risk factors in the population.

Abstract: Purpose – In this article we lay out the change management practices adopted by financial firms in small states within the Eurozone. We determine whether these organisations have the ability to identify triggers for change (Red Flags) and subject them to eight thematic elements to understand whether management practices can continue to exist and support operational environments, even when unexpected circumstances affect their day to day operations and processes. In doing this we examine the extent to which the eight thematic elements from the model designed by Dalli Gonzi, (2019) (The Dali Model) can assist organisations in risk identification and business continuity planning. Design/methodology/approach – A self-administered questionnaire purposely designed for this study was administered to personnel working in internal controls within financial institutions of small Eurozone states. The participants were asked to grade statements using a 5-point Likert scale, ‘1’ being ‘totally disagree’ and ‘5’ being totally agree’ to the statement posed under the thematic elements forming the basis of the Dali Model. Findings – Factor analysis provided support for the eight hypothesised dimensions of the decision-making model: connection, capacity, governance, network, policy, training, process improvement, standards. Originality/value – The study provides a better understanding and support of “best practice” in change management through an understanding and assessment of the eight factors that are the basis of this model. It addresses practical recommendations to ensure application to a wider frame of use.

Among the array of structurally and toxicologically diverse mycotoxins, aflatoxins have attracted the most interest of scientific research due to their high toxicity and incidence in foods and feeds. Despite the undeniable progress made in various aspects related to aflatoxins, the ultimate goal consisting of reducing the associated public health risks worldwide is far from being reached due to multiplicity of social, political, economic, geographic, climatic, and development factors. However, a reasonable degree of health protection is attained in industrialized countries owing to their scientific, administrative, and financial capacities allowing them to use high-tech agricultural management systems. Less fortunate situation exists in equatorial and sub-equatorial developing countries mainly practicing traditional agriculture managed by smallholders for subsistence, and where the climate is suitable for mould growth and aflatoxin production. A situation that worsens by the climatic change being increasingly suitable for aflatoxigenic mold growth and toxin production. Accordingly, it is difficult to harmonize the regulatory standards of aflatoxins worldwide, which prevents agri-foods of developing countries from access to the market of industrialized countries. To tackle the multi-facetted aflatoxin problems, actions should be taken collectively by the international community involving scientific research, technological and social development, environment protection, awareness promotion, etc. International cooperation should foster technology transfer and exchange of pertinent technical information. This review presents the main historical discoveries leading to our present knowledge on aflatoxins and the challenges that should be addressed presently and in the future at various levels to ensure higher health protection for everybody. In short, it aims to elucidate where we come from and where we should go in terms of aflatoxin research/development.

Disposable absorbent hygiene products have evolved for superior performance, enhancing the convenience of daily lives. Yet the use of disposable hygiene pads has brought safety concerns on chemical exposure, and significant efforts have been made to assess the potential risks associated with use of hygiene pads. This article intends to overview the safety assessment framework of diapers and feminine pads, which includes hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment, risk characterization, and postmarket risk management. Risk assessment of various constituents are reviewed for quantification methods and conservative estimation of exposure parameters. By reviewing the up-to-date considerations in risk assessment, we aim to provide insightful discussion on safety evaluation of current versions of disposable absorbent products. More clinical testing and postmarket surveillance are needed for continuous monitoring of potential health impacts of advanced products and constituents.

Excessive vibration of temporary grandstand owing to crowd has lateral rhythmic motions can cause human in panic, which attracted increasing attention in recent years. This paper focuses on experiments that a temporary grandstand occupied 20 participants is oscillated by a shaking table with a series of random waves and induced by crowd with rhythmic swaying motions at lateral direction, respectively. And then a series of vibration perception questionnaires about crowd reaction are obtained. Evaluation of annoying level derives in concept of degree of membership and annoying rate method is proposed, then the human health risk of vibration serviceability of temporary grandstand is assessed with acceleration vibration dose value(VDV). From these results it is clear that standing crowd is more tolerant to vibration than seated crowd. The measured vibrations generated by crowd activities on temporary grandstand can cause panic in crowd. New relationship between the annoyance rate and structural acceleration VDV at logarithmic coordinate is proposed. The findings of this study can be utilized to manage the vibration of temporary grandstand and assess the human health risk.

Bonfire night is a worldwide phenomenon given to numerous annual celebrations characterised by bonfires and fireworks. Since Thailand has no national ambient air quality standards for metal particulates, it is important to investigate the impacts of particulate injections on elevations of air pollutants and ecological health impacts resulting from firework displays. In this investigation, Pb and Ba were considered potential firework tracers because their concentrations were significantly higher during the episode and lower than/comparable with minimum detection limits during other periods, indicating that their elevated concentrations were principally due to pyrotechnic displays. Pb/Ca, Pb/Al, Pb/Mg, and Pb/Cu can be used to pin-point emissions from firework displays. Air mass backward trajectories (72 h) from the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model indicated that areas east and north-east of the study site were the main sources for the air transportation. Although the combined risk associated with levels of Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Cd, V, and Mn was far below the standards mentioned in international guidelines, the lifetime cancer risks associated with As and Cr levels exceeded US-EPA guidelines, and may expose inhabitants of surrounding areas of Bangkok to elevated cancer risk.

In areas with strongly seasonal climates, local people often use complex strategies to manage agricultural production shortages, including diverse activities such as hunting, selling and consuming non-agricultural products, and wage labor. We surveyed all the households in a village in northern Laos to evaluate how such livelihood activities varied during years with differing agricultural production conditions. We compared two years with normal rice production conditions (2010, 2012) and one year with a severe rice shortage (2011) due to a rodent outbreak. Earning wages inside and outside the village was the most important activity for mitigating rice shortages, followed by selling livestock and using/selling non-timber forest products. Villagers also borrowed rice from a village rice bank. Most cash income was earned from selling rice. We concluded that a balance of traditional risk management activities under the swidden system (e.g., raising livestock) with the more recent rice bank system and wages from the market economy will be critical for the sustainable development of mountain villages in northern Laos. Permanent crops and monocultures tend to make local livelihoods more dependent on a single crop, but maintaining the traditional swidden system will help local people to manage agricultural production shortages.

Data dealing with the assessment of heavy metal pollution in road dusts in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and its implication to human health risk of human exposure to heavy metals, are scarce. Road dusts were collected from five different functional areas (traffic areas TA, parking areas PA, residential areas RA, mixed residential commercial areas MCRA and suburban areas SA) in Jeddah and one in rural area (RUA) in Hada Al Sham. We aimed to measure the pollution levels of heavy metals and estimate their health risk of human exposure applying risk assessment models described by USEPA. Using geo-accumulation index (I_geo), the pollution level of heavy metals in urban road dusts was in the following order Cd > As > Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > V > Mn > Co > Fe. Urban road dust was found to be moderately to heavily contaminated with As, Pb and Zn, and heavily to extremely contaminated with Cd. Calculation of enrichment factor (EF) revealed that heavy metals in TA had the highest values compared to that of the other functional areas. Cd, As, Pb, Zn and Cu were severely enriched, while Mn, V, Co, Ni and Cr were moderately enriched. Fe was consider as a natural element and consequently excluded. The concentrations of heavy metals in road dusts of functional areas were in the following order: TA > PA > MCRA > SA > RA > RUA. The study revealed that both children and adults in all studied areas having health quotient (HQ) < 1 are at negligible non-carcinogenic risk. The only exception was for children exposed to As in TA. They had an ingestion health quotient (HQ_ing) 1.18 and a health index (HI) 1.19. The most prominent exposure route was ingestion. The cancer risk for children and adults from exposure to Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, and Cr was found to be negligible (< 1 x 10^-6).

The generation of isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines using CRISPR-Cas9 technology is a technically challenging, time-consuming process with variable efficiency. Here we use fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to sort biallelic CRISPR-Cas9 edited single-cell iPS clones into high-throughput 96-well microtiter plates. We used high-content screening (HCS) technology and generated an in-house developed algorithm to select the correctly edited isogenic clones for continued expansion and validation. In our model we have gene-corrected the iPSCs of a Parkinson’s disease (PD) patient carrying the autosomal dominantly inherited heterozygous c.88G>C mutation in the SNCA gene, which leads to the pathogenic p.A30P form of the alpha-synuclein protein. Undertaking a PCR restriction-digest mediated clonal selection strategy prior to sequencing, we were able to post-sort validate each isogenic clone using a quadruple screening strategy. Subsequent transfection with mRNA encoding excision-only transposase allows for the generation of footprint-free isogenic iPSC lines. These monoclonal isogenic iPSC lines retain a normal molecular genotype, express pluripotency markers and have the ability to differentiate into the three germ layers. This combinatory approach of FACS, HCS and post-sorted restriction digestion facilitates the generation of isogenic cell lines for disease modelling to be scaled-up on an automated platform.

Multi-junction solar cells comprised of stacked III-V semiconductor junctions represent the highest-efficiency photovoltaic technology, with recent demonstrations exceeding 47% efficiency . Optimizing the design and thickness of each junction is critical for maximizing performance . This work utilizes Silvaco TCAD tools to systematically optimize a 5-junction cell based on AlInP, AlGaInP, AlGaInAs, GaInP, GaAs, InGaAs, and Ge similar to recent record cells . The junction thicknesses are varied using a predictive profiler to sample the parameter space . For each combination, the spectral absorption and I-V characteristics are simulated to determine the efficiency . Statistical analysis identifies the optimal thickness set that maximizes performance to 26% under 1 sun illumination .

The composition simplex (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) of the leaf is the main scores used by different approaches like the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System and Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis to study the nutrient interactions and balance in plant leaves. However, the application and validation of these concepts to grain composition remains unexplored. Contrary to foliar analysis's early intervention for nutrient deficiency detection and correction, applying this approach to seeds assesses diverse cultivars' potential, enabling anticipation of their adaptation to climate conditions and informed selection for future crops. In the present study, a collected database of more than 924 scores including the grain yield (kg ha-1) and the nutrient composition (mg kg-1) of different corn varieties is used to develop a novel nutrient-based diagnostic approach to identify reliable markers of nutrient imbalance. A 'nutrient signature' model is proposed based on the impact of the environ-mental conditions on the nutrient indices and composition (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) of the corn grains. The yield threshold used to differentiate between low and high-yielding subpopulations is established at 12.000 kg ha-1and the global nutrient imbalance index (GNII) of 2.2 is determined using the chi-square distribution function and vali-dated by the Cate-Nelson partitioning method, which correlated yield data distribution with the GNII. Therefore, the nutrient compositions were classified into highly balanced (GNII ≤ 1.6), balanced (1.6 < GNII ≤ 2.2), and imbalanced (GNII > 2.2). In addition, we found that the Xgboost model's predictive accuracy for GNII is signif-icantly affected by soil pH, organic matter, and rainfall. These results pave the way for adapted agricultural practices by providing insights into the nutrient dynamics of corn grains under varying environmental conditions.

To explore the coupling mechanism between urban-rural transformation (URT) and the ecological environment in counties forms the basis for achieving high-quality and sustainable county development. Despite the richness of research on the relationship between urban and rural development and the ecological environment, the county level remains the basic unit of rural revitalization in China, and further research on the coupling mechanism between URT and the ecological environment at this level is needed. Therefore, the study developed an evaluation system for URT, incorporated NDVI data indicators, and employed the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model along with GIS tools to investigate the spatio-temporal pattern of URT and NDVI evolution, and the CCD in each administrative village within Lingbao City. Additionally, a geoDetector model was employed to analyze the influencing factors affecting the CCD of URT and NDVI. Finally, the study explores the coupling mechanism and optimization path. The result shows that: (1) During the study period, the URT level in administrative villages within the study area markedly improved, while NDVI exhibited an increasing-then-decreasing trend; (2) The CCD between URT and NDVI in the northern and central regions of the study area is higher than that in the southern region, with an overall low level; (3) The spatial heterogeneity of CCD is significant, largely influenced by socio-economy, natural environment, policy funds, and geographical location, where the elements comprising CCD mutually influence each other; (4) Drawing upon the coupling and coordination dynamics between URT and the ecological environment within Lingbao City, this research categorizes it into seven types with distinct optimization paths. This study provides a valuable reference for guiding the high-quality and sustainable development strategies for mountainous and hilly counties within the Yellow River basin.

Objectives: To rate the effects of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) solution and high concentration oxygen (HCO) through a specific medical device (Caress Flow©), compared to topical administration of hyaluronic acid (HA) alone on symptoms of mild and moderate stress and mixed urinary incontinence in women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Methods: A total of 68 postmenopausal women were enrolled (from October 2021 to September 2023). Patients were separated in two groups: one group used therapy with LMWHA solution and HCO combined and the second group used therapy with HA alone. Patient Global Impres-sion of Improvement (PGI-I) as the first outcome was used. As secondary outcomes International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - short form (ICIQ-SF) questionnaire and Internation-al Quality of Life (IQoL) questionnaire were used. Results: Sixty-eight (68) women, 35 (51%) and 33 (49%), were treated with LMWHA solution and HCO combined and HA alone for 10 weeks, respectively. 28 (80%) versus 7 (20%) women reported an improvement (PGI-I score ≤3) of the symptoms in LMWHA solution and HCO com-bined group versus HA alone group. According to the ICIQ-SF, a statistically significant differ-ence was recorded after treatment between the two groups (median, 7 [5-11] vs 10 [8-11]; P = 0.03). According to the IQoL questionnaire, a statistically significantly lower median score was recorded in the LMWHA solution and HCO combined compared with the HA group, before (71 [IQR 55-81] vs 89 [IQR 67-94]; P < 0.01) and after (78 [IQR 65-86] vs 88 [IQR 72-99]; P = 0.04) treatment. Conclusions: LMWHA solution and HCO combined might improve the mild and moderate stress and mixed urinary incontinence in this set of women and that it is superior to HA therapy alone. However, these results need to be confirmed in further studies with a controlled design and a larger population.

Aligning supply chain and marketing functions is crucial for high-tech startups aiming to successfully launch new products in competitive markets. This qualitative research explores the strategies, challenges, benefits, and best practices associated with supply chain and marketing alignment in high-tech startups. Through a detailed analysis of case studies and semi-structured interviews with industry professionals, the study identifies key insights into how startups can effectively integrate these functions to enhance operational efficiency, market responsiveness, customer satisfaction, and risk management. The findings reveal that successful alignment requires the formation of cross-functional teams, leveraging integrated technologies like CRM and ERP systems, establishing regular inter-departmental communication, and developing joint performance metrics. These strategies foster collaboration and ensure that supply chain and marketing efforts are coordinated towards shared goals. However, startups face challenges such as differing departmental objectives, resource constraints, communication barriers, and technological limitations, which hinder effective alignment. Benefits observed from effective alignment include improved operational efficiency through streamlined processes, enhanced market responsiveness to adapt quickly to changing demands, increased customer satisfaction by delivering products that meet market expectations, and better risk management through proactive identification and mitigation of supply chain and market risks. Best practices identified include fostering a culture of collaboration, investing in technology for data integration and transparency, aligning strategic objectives across functions, and continuously monitoring and adjusting alignment strategies. Integration of broader elements such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, marketing, and supplier relationship management further enriches the alignment framework. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how high-tech startups can strategically align their supply chain and marketing functions to achieve competitive advantage and sustainable growth in dynamic market environments.

Gradients of smooth functions with non-independent variables are relevant for exploring complex models and for the optimization of functions subjected to constraints. In this paper, we investigate new and simple approximations and computations of such gradients by making use of independent, central and symmetric variables. Such approximations are well-suited for applications in which the computations of the gradients are too expansive or impossible. The derived upper-bounds of the biases of our approximations do not suffer from the curse of dimensionality for any $2$-smooth function, and theoretically improve the known results. Also, our estimators of such gradients reach the optimal (mean squared error) rate of convergence (i.e., $\mathcal{O}(N^{-1})$) for the same class of functions. Numerical comparisons based on a test case and a high-dimensional PDE model show the efficiency of our approach.

The use of optical fibers is increasing in modern aircraft because it helps solve challenges of size, weight, communication, and reliability in new aircraft generation. This work describes a video and power transmission system using optical fibers (PoF) for in-flight entertainment (IFE) system application. We present the benefits and the limitations of this application, and we perform two practical experiments to demonstrate their performance. It used off-the-shelf devices in the experiments, such as one 15-W semiconductor laser operating at 808 nm, GaAs photovoltaic converters, optical transmitters and receivers, and video monitors. The power and video signals were transmitted using two 50-m multimode fibers. In addition, we proposed and tested two types of energy transformation units (ETU), which are responsible for supplying electrical energy to the IFE video monitor and the optical fiber receiver.

p-type Ag-N dual acceptor doped ZnO thin films with long electrical stability were deposited by DC magnetron reactive co-sputtering technique. After deposition, the films were annealed at 400 °C for one hour in a nitrogen-controlled atmosphere. The deposited films were amorphous. However, after annealing they crystallize in the typical hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. The Ag-N dual acceptors were incorporated substitutionally in the structure of zinc oxide and achieving that the three samples presented the p-type conductivity in the ZnO. Initial electrical properties showed a low resistivity of from 1 to10^{−3} Ω.cm, Hall mobility of tens cm2/V.s and a hole concentration from 10^{17} to 10^{19} cm^{−3}. The electrical stability analysis reveals that the p-type conductivity of the ZnO:Ag,N films is very stable and does not revert to n-type, even after 36 months of aging. These results reveal the feasibility of using these films for applications in short-wavelength or transparent optoelectronic devices.

During the high-speed flight of a vehicle in the atmosphere, surface friction with the air generates aerodynamic heating. The aerodynamic heating phenomenon can create extremely high temperatures near the surface. These high temperatures impact material properties and the structure of the aircraft, so thermal deformation measurement is essential in aerospace engineering. This paper revisits high-temperature deformation measurement using the digital image correlation (DIC) technique under high-intensity blackbody radiation with a precise speckle pattern fabrication and a heat haze reduction method. The effect of speckle pattern on the DIC measurement has been thoroughly studied at room temperature, but high-temperature measurement studies have not reported such effects so far. We found that the commonly used methods to reduce the heat haze effect could produce incorrect results. Hence, we propose a new method to mitigate heat haze effects. An infrared radiation heater was employed to make an experimental setup that could heat a specimen up to 950 ℃. First, we mitigated image saturation using a short-wavelength bandpass filter with blue light illumination, a standard procedure for high-temperature DIC deformation measurement. Second, we studied how to determine the proper size of the speckle pattern under a high-temperature environment. Third, we devised a reduction method for the heat haze effect. As proof of the effectiveness of our developed experimental method, we successfully measured the deformation of stainless steel 304 specimens from 25 ℃ to 800 ℃. The results confirmed that this method can be applied to the research and development of thermal protection systems in the aerospace field.

China's economic development has shifted from high speed to high quality. This study constructs an evaluation index for China’s high-quality development utilizing a new development concept. The entropy method and cluster analysis were used to assess the level of high-quality development in China between 2015 and 2021. Kernel density estimation method was employed to explore spatiotemporal dynamics. The results reveal significant differences in the level of economic development among provinces in China; the eastern region is significantly better than the central, northeastern, and western regions. From the perspective of the sub-item evaluation, challenges with uneven, uncoordinated, and insufficient economic development exist in various Chinese provinces.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by inflammation and cardiovascular complications. Our study aimed to investigate subclinical and early indicators of systolic myocardial dysfunction in SLE patients using advanced echocardiographic methods and biomarkers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 102 SLE patients without known cardiac impairment and 51 healthy controls. Demographics, disease characteristics, laboratory results, disease activity (SLEDAI) and organ damage (SDI) indices were recorded. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and myocardial work indices were assessed by utilizing speckle tracking echocardiography. In addition, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), high sensitivity troponin (hsTn) and N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were measured in blood samples. Results: In comparison to controls, SLE patients had significantly higher GLS (-19.94±2.71%vs-21.15±1.55%, p&lt;0.001) and global wasted work (GWW) (94±71mmHg%vs71±49 mmHg%, p=0.025). Notably, NT-proBNP and hsTn were threefold and twofold higher in SLE group compared to control group, respectively (p&lt;0.001). Within SLE cohort, patients with at least moderate disease activity (SLEDAI≥4) both biomarkers were significantly elevated than those with low disease activity (SLEDAI&lt;4). Conclusion: Advanced echocardiographic parameters combined with specific biomarkers have a promising role in detecting systolic dysfunction at an early phase in SLE patients, potentially enabling timely interventions to mitigate cardiovascular risk.

Wafer-scale blue micro-light-emitting diode (micro-LED) arrays are fabricated with a pixel size of 12 μm, a pixel pitch of 15 μm, and a pixel density of 1692 pixels per inch, achieved by optimizing the properties of e-beam-deposited and sputter-deposited indium tin oxide (ITO). Although the sputter-deposited ITO (S-ITO) films exhibit a densely packed morphology and lower resistivity compared to those of the e-beam-deposited ITO (E-ITO) films, the forward voltage (VF) values of a micro-LED with the S-ITO films are higher than those with the E-ITO films. The VF values for a single pixel and for four pixels with E-ITO films are 2.82 V and 2.83 V, respectively, while the corresponding values for S-ITO films are 3.50 V and 3.52 V. This was attributed to ion bombardment damage and nitrogen vacancies in the p-GaN layer. Surprisingly, the VF variations of a single pixel and of four pixels with the optimized E-ITO spreading layer from five different regions are only 0.09 V and 0.10 V, respectively. This extremely uniform VF variation is suitable for realizing micro-LED displays to be used in AR and VR applications, circumventing the bottleneck in the development of long-lifespan and high-brightness organic LED devices for industrial mass production.

This paper investigates portfolio optimization methodologies and short-term investment strate-gies in the context of the cryptocurrency market, focusing on ten major cryptocurrencies from January 2020 to November 2023. We employ high frequency data and utilize the Kurtosis Mini-mization methodology, alongside other optimization strategies, to construct and evaluate port-folios under different rebalancing frequencies. The empirical analysis reveals that cryptocurren-cies exhibit significant volatility, skewness, and kurtosis, necessitating sophisticated portfolio management techniques. We find that the Kurtosis Minimization methodology consistently outperforms other optimization strategies, delivering optimal returns to investors, particularly in shorter-term investment horizons. We demonstrate the diversification benefits of integrating cryptocurrencies into multi-asset portfolios and emphasize the importance of regular portfolio rebalancing in the volatile cryptocurrency market. Our findings offer insights for portfolio man-agers and investors seeking to optimize their investment outcomes in the cryptocurrency market, highlighting the importance of risk management, diversification, and dynamic portfolio man-agement strategies.

Shape-shifting polymers usually require not only reversible stimuli-responsive ability, but also strong mechanical properties. A novel shape-shifting photochromic hydrogel system was designed and fabricated through embedding hydrophobic spiropyran (SP) into double polymeric network (DN) by micellar copolymerization. Here, sodium alginate (Alg) and poly acrylate-co-methyl acrylate-co-spiropyran (P(SA-co-MA-co-SPMA)) were employed as the first network and the second network respectively to realize high mechanical strength. After soaked in the CaCl2 solution, the carboxyl groups in the system undergo metal complexation with Ca2+ to enhance the hydrogel. Moreover, after the hydrogel is exposed to UV-light, the closed isomer of spiropyran in the hydrogel network can be converted into an open zwitterionic isomer MC, which is considered to interact with Ca2+ ions. Interestingly, Ca2+ and UV-light responsive programmable shape of the copolymer hydrogel can recover to its original form by immersing in pure water. Since its excellent metal ion and UV-light stimuli-responsive and mechanical properties, the hydrogel has potential applications in the field of soft actuators.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an inherited disorder that impairs motile cilia, essential for respiratory health, with a reported prevalence of 1 in 16,309 within Hispanic populations. Despite having the RSPH4A [c.921+3_921+6del (intronic)] founder mutation in 70% of Puerto Rican patients, the characterization of the ciliary dysfunction remains unidentified due to the unavailability of advanced diagnostic modalities like High-Speed Video Microscopy Analysis (HSVA). Our study implemented HSVA for the first time on the island as a tool to better diagnose and characterize the RSPH4A [c.921+3_921+6del (intronic)] founder mutation in Puerto Rican patients. By applying HSVA, we analyzed the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and pattern (CBP) in native Puerto Rican patients with PCD. Our results showed decreased CBF and a rotational CBP linked to the RSPH4A founder mutation in Puerto Ricans, presenting a novel diagnostic marker that could be implemented as an axillary test into the PCD diagnosis algorithm in Puerto Rico. The integration of HSVA technology in Puerto Rico substantially enhances the framework for PCD evaluation and diagnosis, facilitating prompt detection and early intervention for improved disease management. This initiative, demonstrating the potential of HSVA as an adjunctive test within the PCD diagnostic algorithm, could serve as a blueprint for analogous developments throughout Latin America.

The utilization of selective laser melting (SLM) for high entropy alloys (HEAs) holds significant promise in commercial applications, and substantial experimental research efforts have been directed toward this domain. To take advantage of the reported experimental data of SLM manufactured (SLM-ed) HEAs and reduce unnecessary experimentation, this study incorporates machine learning (ML) techniques for the phase and tensile properties prediction of SLM-ed HEAs, thus presenting a novel avenue for accelerating the discovery of new SLM-ed HEAs. Through the adjustment of material descriptors and machine learning models, a model has been developed with an impressive accuracy of 93.8% in distinguishing between face-centered cubic (FCC), body-centered cubic (BCC), and dual-phase (FCC+BCC). Additionally, optimized models have been devised for the prediction of tensile properties, namely ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation (δ), achieving noteworthy MAPEs (mean absolute percentage errors) of 10.33%, 8.55%, and 28.48%, respectively. Furthermore, several HEAs were fabricated using SLM, and the experimental outcomes exhibited a favorable alignment with the predicted results. These efforts carry significant implications in advancing the utilization of SLM for HEAs.

This study concerns calculation and comparison of Fe, Co, Ni and Cu deposition rates in tungsten codeposition process based on electrodeposition of numerous tungsten alloys. 8 different tungsten alloys containing from 2 to 5 metals were electrodeposited in constant conditions in order to compare exact reduction rates. Calculated rates enabled control of the alloy composition precise enough to obtain a high-entropy WFeCoNiCu alloy with well-balanced composition. Introduction of copper to form the quinternary alloy was found to catalyze the whole process, increasing deposition rates of all components of the high-entropy alloy.

To enhance the applicability of dual-phase high-entropy alloys (HEAs) like Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, fabricated via selective laser melting (SLM), a focus on improving their mechanical properties is essential. As part of this effort, heat treatment was explored. This study compares the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-printed sample with those cooled in water after undergoing heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1200 ℃ for 1 hour. Both pre- and post-treatment samples reveal a dual-phase microstructure comprising FCC and BCC phases. Although heat treatment led to a reduction in tensile and yield strength, it significantly increased ductility compared to the as-printed sample. This strength-ductility trade-off is related to changes in grain sizes with ultrafine grains enhancing strength and micron grains optimizing ductility, also the influence of the content of FCC/BCC phases and dislocation density. In particular, the sample heat-treated at 1000 °C for 1 hour and then water-cooled exhibited a better combination of strength and ductility, a yield strength of 790 MPa, and an elongation of 13%. This research offers innovative perspectives on crafting dual-phase HEA of Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, allowing for tailorable microstructure and mechanical properties through a synergistic approach involving SLM and heat treatment.

Under high-frequency operating conditions, the high-speed solenoid valve (HSV) experiences energy loss and heat generation, which significantly impact its operational lifetime. Reducing the energy loss of HSV without compromising its opening response characteristics poses a significant challenge. To address this issue, a finite element simulation model of HSV coupled with a current feedback model is constructed to investigate the synergistic effects of dynamic response and energy loss. Predictive models for the opening response time, HSV driving energy, and Joule energy using Back Propagation neural network (BPNN) are established. Furthermore, a multi-objective optimization study on the current driving strategy using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is conducted. After optimization, although there was a 6.24% increase in the opening response time, both HSV drive energy and Joule energy were significantly reduced by 15.67% and 22.49%, respectively. The proposed multi-objective optimization method for HSV driving strategy holds great significance in improving its working durability.

Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) is recognized as one of the most valuable pelagic resources across the southeast Pacific Ocean. Despite its nutritious properties it is an underused resource due to its rapid spoilage. The use of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) for the processing of aquatic products could be an efficient alternative to cold storage since HHP might inactivate microbial pathogens and slow down spoilage microorganisms, therefore extending the product’s shelf life. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of HHP at 450 and 550 MPa for 3 min on the physicochemical properties of jack mackerel muscle undergoing pre- and post-rigor mortis stage and further storage for 26 days at 4°C. pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, trimethylamine, color, water-holding capacity, and texture were assessed. The proximate composition, pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, trimethylamine, color, water holding capacity, and texture, showed significant changes between untreated and treated samples, while the water holding capacity was virtually unaffected. Overall results showed an acceptable and long-lasting edible quality of Trachurus murphyi stored at 4°C when preserved through HHP. These findings suggest that the HHP might be able to industrially scale the production of highly physicochemical superior and minimally processed fish products.

Although Sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) has good cementitious property, previous researchers have primarily aimed to improve the mechanical performance of conventional concrete or cement-based composites. Research is lacking on ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), especially regarding tensile self-sensing properties. This paper aimed to comprehensively evaluate the SCBA effect on the UHPC’s mechanical, electrical, and tensile self-sensing properties. The results showed that SCBA below the critical incorporation concentration (CIC) improved the UHPC’s mechanical properties compared to steel fibers alone. Furthermore, adding 3.0wt% SCBA remarkably enhanced the UHPC mechanical properties where the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths increased by 13.1%, 17.4%, and 20.6%, respectively. The SCBA content of 0.3wt% achieved the maximum UHPC electrical resistivity since values smaller or greater than this content decreased the resistivity. The SCBA-enhanced UHPC showed better tensile stress-sensing performance than UHPC without SCBA due to improved linearity and reversibility, lower hysteresis, higher sensitivity, and superior repeatability. UHPC with 0.3wt% SCBA achieved the best linearity, while UHPC with 0.9wt% SCBA showed the highest sensitivity, lowest hysteresis, and best repeatability. Overall, the content of 0.9wt% SCBA is the best in improving the overall mechanical, electrical, and tensile self-sensing performance.

Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) have a wide range of applications in equipment safety and lightweight design, and enhancing the strength of AHSS to the ultra-high level of 2 GPa is currently a key focus. In this study, a new process of thermo-mechanical control process followed by direct quenching and partitioning (TMCP-DQP) is developed based on Fe-0.4C-1Mn-0.6Si (wt.%) low-alloy steel, and the effects of microstructure evolution on mechanical properties under TMCP-DQP process and conventional hot rolled quenched and tempered process (HR-QT) are comparatively studied. The results show that the TMCP-DQP process not only shortened the processing steps but also achieved outstanding comprehensive mechanical properties. The TMCP-DQP steel exhibits a tensile strength of 2.23 GPa, accompanied by 11.9% elongation and a Brinell hardness of 624 HBW, with an impact toughness of 28.5 J at -20 ℃. In contrast, the HR-QT steel exhibits tensile strengths ranging from 2.16 GPa to 1.7 GPa and elongations between 5.2% and 12.2%. The microstructure of TMCP-DQP steel primarily consists of lath martensite, containing thin-film retained austenite (RA), nanoscale rod-shaped carbides, and a minor number of nanoscale twins. The volume fraction of RA reaches 7.7%, with an average carbon content of 7.1 at.% measured by three-dimensional atom probe tomography (3DAP). Compared to the HR-QT process, the TMCP-DQP process results in finer microstructure, with a prior austenite grain (PAG) size of 11.91 μm, forming packets and blocks with widths of 5.12 μm and 1.63 μm. The TMCP-DQP process achieves the ultra-high strength of low-alloy steel through the synergistic effects of grain refinement, dislocation strengthening, and precipitation strengthening. The dynamic partitioning stage stabilizes the RA through carbon enrichment, while the relaxation stage reduces a small portion of the dislocations generated by thermal deformation, and the self-tempering stage eliminates internal stresses, all guaranteeing considerable ductility and toughness. The TMCP-DQP process may offer a means for industries to streamline their manufacturing processes and provide a technological reference for producing 2.2 GPa grade AHSS.

Background High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB-1) is implicated in the pathogenesis of thrombosis and cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate its potential role as a diagnostic biomarker of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The study population included N=100 prospectively recruited patients with a novel diagnosis of HCC. We compared circulating HMGB-1 levels between 34 healthy controls, HCC patients with PVT (N=22), and HCC patients without PVT (N=78). Results HCC patients without PVT showed significantly higher median HMGB-1 serum levels (8.2 [5.5-13.1] ng/ml) than those observed in the case of HCC with PVT (5.5 [4.4-8.5] ng/ml; p=0.012) and in healthy controls (4.1 [3.1-8.2] ng/ml; p&lt;0.001). Among HCC patients, at univariate analysis, the presence of PVT was associated with higher median age (p=0.036), larger major cancer node diameter (p&lt;0.001), and lower HMGB-1 serum level (p=0.012). At multivariate analysis, the presence of PVT maintained a positive association with major node diameter p=0.001) and an inverse association with serum HMGB-1 levels (p=0.003). Conclusions These findings indicate that serum HMGB-1 bears an inverse association with PVT complicating HCC at the time of diagnosis and suggest that serum HMGB-1 depletion may mark PVT development in cirrhotic patients with HCC.

In this study, graphite, the most stable form of carbon, was examined for its hexagonal crystalline structure with specific dimensions (ao=2.46 Ǻ; co=6.70 Ǻ). Its framework comprises parallel carbon atom planes forming regular hexagons (side length 1.415 Ǻ) and 120° angles between adjacent atoms. Two structural variations exist: hexagonal symmetry (1-2-1-2-1-2 planes) and rhomboidal symmetry (1-2-3-1-2-3 planes). The research aimed to produce high-density graphite utilizing carbonaceous raw materials. Graphite-based materials often exhibit high porosity, necessitating additional treatments. The study successfully obtained mesophase tar pitch (yield: 45%), a pivotal raw material, and high-density graphite. The resulting graphite underwent characterization for physical properties (apparent and real density, porosity and compression strength), demonstrating conformity with existing literature data.

Phosphorus deficiency highly interferes with plant growth and development. Plants respond to the persistent P deficiency by coordinating the expression of genes involved in the alleviation of the stress. Promoters of phosphate transporter genes are of great choice for the development of genetically modified plants with enhanced phosphate uptake abilities, which improve crop yields in phosphate-deficient soils. In our previous study, the sugarcane phosphate transporter PHT1;2 gene, showed a significantly high expression under salinity stress. In this study, the Erianthus arundinaceus EaPHT1;2 gene was isolated and characterized using various in-silico tools. The deduced 542 amino acid residues have 10 transmembrane domains, with a molecular weight and isoelectric point of 58.9 kDa and 9.80, respectively. They displayed 71–96% similarity with Arabidopsis thaliana, Zea mays, and Saccharum hybrid. To elucidate the function of the 5’ regulatory region, the 1.1kb promoter was isolated and validated in tobacco transgenics under Pi stress. The EaPHT1;2 promoter activity was detected using the β-glucuronidase (GUS) assay. While the EaPHT1;2 promoter showed 3 to 4.2-fold higher expression than the most widely used CaMV35S promoter. The 5’ deletion analysis with and without 5’UTR regions, revealed that a small size 374 bp fragment with the highest promoter activity among 5′ truncated fragments, which was 2.7 and 4.2 times higher than the well-used CaMV35S promoter under normal and Pi-deprivation conditions, respectively. The strong and short promoter of EaPHT1;2 with 374 bp showed significant expression in low Pi-stress conditions and it could be a valuable source for the development of stress-tolerant transgenic crops

The copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydoxyhexanoate (3HHx), PHBHHx, is a bi-odegradable plastic that has a high flexibility, softness, wide process window and marine bio-degradability. PHBHHx is usually produced from structurally related carbon sources such as vegetable oils or fatty acids but not from inexpensive carbon sources like sugars. In the previous studies, we demonstrated that engineered strains of hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium, Cupriavidus necator synthesized PHBHHx with high cellular content from not only sugars but also from CO2 as the sole carbon source in the flask culture. In this study, highly efficient production of PHBHHx from CO2 was investigated by pH-stat jar cultivation of the recombinant C. necator strains with feeding the substrate gas mixture (H2/O2/CO2=8:1:1) to complete mineral medium in recycled-gas closed-circuit culture system. As the result with the strain MF01/pBPP-ccrMeJAc-emd, the dry cell mass and PHBHHx concentration reached up to 59.62 ± 3.18 g･L-1 and 49.31 ± 3.14 g･L-1, respectively after 212 h of jar cultivation with limited addition of ammonia and phosphate solutions. The 3HHx composition was close to 10 mol% which is suitable for practical applica-tions. It is expected that autotrophic cultivation of the recombinant C. necator can be a feasible process for mass production of PHBHHx from CO2.

Environmental nanoparticles have been shown to exist in most aquatic environments, and environmental nanoparticles in water distribution systems significantly affect water quality. However, little research has been conducted on the environmental nanoparticles in mineral water, which is a special water resource. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were conducted. This study was the first to identify many environmental nanoparticles in natural mineral water in Zibo City, Shandong Province, China. The results of the NTA showed that the concentration of the particles was 5.5 ×106 particles/mL and the peak diameter of the size distribution was 180 nm. The HRTEM showed that the nanoparticles were granular, pinniform, rodlike, and flakey in shape, and some of the nanoparticles existed in aggregation. The energy-dispersive spectrometry results showed that most of the nanoparticles contained O, Mg, Ca, Si, Fe, Ti, and P, and some of them also contained F, V, S, and Mn. When combined with the characteristics of the selected area electron diffraction pattern, the nanoparticles were confirmed to be Ca-bearing nanoparticles, attapulgite nanorods, MnO2 nanosheets, and TiO2 nanoparticles. These results indicate a new form of elements occurring in mineral water. In addition, based on the chemical and physical characteristics of the nanoparticles and mineral water, these environmental nanoparticles in the mineral water are likely to be the weathering byproducts of minerals. These nanoparticles within mineral water provide a good opportunity for understanding the behavior of nanoparticles in varied systems. Moreover, environmental nanoparticle science is important for continuing efforts in water safety, treatment, and remediation.

Background: Despite recent advances in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) treatment, recur-rence and mortality rates have not improved significantly. DNA hypermethylation has generally been associated with ominous prognosis and chemotherapy resistance, but the role of DNMTs in EOC remains to be investigated. Methods: In the current study, we systematically retrieved gene expression data from patients with EOC and studied the immunohistochemical expression of DNMTs in 108 primary and 26 relapsed tumors. Results: Our results showed that DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B and DNMT3L RNA levels were higher and DNMT2 lower in tumors compared to non-neoplastic tissue, and DNMT3A and DNMT2 expression decreased from Stage II to Stage IV carcinomas. Proteomic data also suggested that DNMT1 and DNMT3A levels were increased in tumors. Similarly, DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3L protein levels were overex-pressed and DNMT2 expression was reduced in high grade carcinomas compared to non-neoplastic tissue and low-grade tumors. Moreover, DNMT1 and DNMT3L were increased in relapsed tumors compared to their primaries. DNMT3A, DNMT1 and DNMT3B mRNA lev-els were correlated with overall survival. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that DNMT1 and DNMT3L are upregulated in primary high grade EOC and further increase in relapses, whereas DNMT3A is upregulated only in the earlier stages of cancer progression. DNMT2 downregulation highlights a presumptive tumor-suppressor activity of this gene in ovarian car-cinoma.

This study aimed to explore the experiences of teachers in the recovery of educational skills. Specifically, ten teachers of Andap National High School are selected for the in-depth interview. This study employed a qualitative-phenomenological research design of which in-depth interview (IDI) was used in gathering the data. The study utilized phenomenological approach to study a particular phenomenon concerning the post-pandemic experiences of teachers in the implementation of the face-to-face classes. After gathering sufficient amount of data through the conduct of in-depth interviews, thematic analysis was used to analyse further the results and to check the disparities and similarities of all responses gathered. This was the time wherein responses were categorized and organized into themes. The findings of the study revealed that the challenges encountered of educational skills recovery were sources of learning materials, learning gaps, learners characteristics, difficulty with comprehension and lack of interest. It was also revealed that the most challenging teaching experiences in the recovery of educational skills were catching attention, learning gaps, communicating to students, need for remedial instruction, retroactive interference and difficulty in understanding English Language. They frequently have to quickly convert lesson material they had intended to teach in a classroom setting to any learning modality implemented. Further, adjust and learn new trend, provide opportunities to develop new skills, helps to manage stress, improved educational outcomes, become well-rounded teacher, networking and learning and continue doing responsibilities helped in these insights had in confronting challenges brought by the pandemic.

Two reversible furan-maleimide resins, in which there are rigid -Ph-CH2-Ph- structure and flexible -(CH2)6- structures in bismaleimides, were synthesized from furfuryl glycidyl ethers (FGE), 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA), N,N'-4,4'-diphenylmethane-bismaleimide (DBMI) and N,N'-hexamethylene-bismaleimide (HBMI). The structures of the resins were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis, and the thermoreversibility was evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis as well as sol-gel transformation process. Mechanical properties and recyclability of the resins were preliminarily evaluated by the flexural test. The results show the Diels-Alder (DA) reaction occurs at about 90°C and reversible DA reaction does at 130-140°C for the furan-maleimide resin. Thermally reversible furan-maleimide resins have high mechanical properties. The flexural strength of cured FGE-ODA-HBMI resin arrives at 141 MPa. The resins have a repair efficiency of over 75%. After being hot-pressed for three times, two resins display higher flexural strength than 80 MPa.

Glacial meltwater has been lifeline of agriculture in Gilgit-Baltistan for centuries which is being effected by the climatic changes and associated challenges. The government line institutions and development agencies have been investing to sustain and further extend the cultivated areas by leveraging the available glacial meltwater source. However, approximately 13% arable land, laying mainly along river banks, has limited access to glacial meltwater. Moreover, already cultivated areas also need alternate and sustainable irrigation water supplies to insurefood security. Hence, there is need to explore more potential options to address these challenges and bringing arable land under irrigation for regional prosperity and environmental gains. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and its partners piloted solutions for aforementioned issues in Gojal, District Hunza. These solutions included river water lifting through solar and Hydraulic Ram Pumps, uphill water storages and application through drip irrigation systems. In order to assess the technical and economical viabilities of these piloted systems, a semi-structured questionnaire survey, field observation visits to collect data and economic assessment studies were carried out in Morkhun and Khyber. Both piloted systems have been proven as climate resilient, adaptable, environment friendly and economically viable. The cost to benefit ratio for solar powered drip irrigation and Hydraulic Ram Pump drip irrigation systems are 2.96 and 4.21 respectively, with payback period of 9.21 and 8.25 years respectively. The drip irrigation systems at Khyber and Morkhun sites have exhibited excellent hydraulic performance with Coefficient of Uniformity 92.61 and 93 % respectively. However, the field application efficiency of drip irrigation systems estimated for Khyber and Morkhun sites are 85.24 and 88.88% which are lower than the optimal value mainly due to lesser water holding capacity. The Hydraulic Ram Pump can lift four times more water to greater height, while comparing to solar pump of approximately similar capacity and higher capital costs. Both water lifting systems have some limitations and requires local customization for sustainable use.

Physics-informed neural networks are a promising method to yield surrogate models of flow fields. We present a metamodeling technique for variable geometries based on physics-informed neural networks. The method was applied to the DU99W350 airfoil at a Reynolds number of 1×10⁵. The model predicted the Reynolds-averaged velocity and pressure field around the airfoil for arbitrary angles of attack between 10.0° and 17.5°. The model was trained with data from CFD simulations for a limited set of angles of attack. Additionally, satisfaction of the a priori known boundary conditions as well as the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations were trained. A sensitivity analysis concerning the Reynolds number, the amount and distribution of training data, and the turbulence model was conducted showing the superiority of the pseudo-Reynolds stress method and the demand of labeled training data in the domain. The trained network was capable of predicting the developing flow separation on the suction surface and exhibited excellent agreement with CFD results even in the proximity to the wall for interpolations as well as extrapolations from the labeled data set.

Intercropping systems can flexibly use resources such as sunlight, heat, water, and nutrients in time and space, improve crop yield and land utilization rates, effectively reduce continuous cropping obstacles and the occurrence of diseases and insect pests, and control the growth of weeds. Thus, intercropping is a safe and efficient ecological planting mode. The legume–cereal intercropping system is the most common planting combination. Legume crops fix nitrogen from the atmosphere through their symbiotic nitrogen fixation abilities, and the fixed nitrogen can be transferred to and utilized by cereal crops in various ways. The symbiotic nitrogen fixation efficiency of legume crops was improved by reducing the inhibition of soil nitrogen on nitrogenase activity through competitive absorption of soil nitrogen. However, the effects of nitrogen transformation and distribution in intercropping systems, and microbial community structure characteristics on nitrogen transfer need to be further explored. In this review, ⅰ) we present the transformation and distribution of nitrogen in the legume–cereal intercropping system; ⅱ) we describe the soil microbial community characteristics in intercropping systems; and ⅲ) we discuss the advantages of using modern biological molecular techniques to study soil microorganisms. We conclude that intercropping can increase the diversity of soil microorganisms, and the interaction between different plants has an important impact on the diversity and composition of the bacterial and fungal communities. The extensive application of modern biological molecular techniques in soil microbial research and the great contribution of intercropping systems to sustainable agriculture are particularly emphasized in this review.

In the perspective of designing complex concentrated alloys (CCAs) for structural applications, sigma (σ) phase is important. It is generally known to be an embrittling phase leading to a degradation in the mechanical properties of CCAs. This necessitates detailed investigations on the evolution of σ phase in these alloys. In the present study, an equiatomic CoCrCuMnNi CCA is chosen, in which σ phase appears at 800°C, as reported in a recent publication [1]. To this end, the present investigation aims at understanding the evolution of this phase so that its presence can be controlled for the purpose of preventing degradation in mechanical properties. In the present work, a vacuum arc melted alloy, after homogenisation (at 400°C for 5h), is heat-treated for different times ranging from 1 to 9h at 800°C followed by water quenching. Extensive characterisation has been carried out using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques to understand the sequence of σ phase precipitation at 800°C.

The endothelium plays a key role in blood vessel health. At the interface of the blood, it releases several mediators that regulate local processes and that protect against the development of cardiovascular disease. In this interplay, there is increasing evidence for a role of extracellular nucleotides and endothelial purinergic P2Y receptors (P2Y-R) in vascular protection. Recent advances have revealed that endothelial P2Y1-R and P2Y2-R mediate nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation as well as endothelial cell proliferation and migration, which are processes involved in the regeneration of damaged endothelium. However, endothelial P2Y2-R, and possibly P2Y1-R, have also been reported to promote vascular inflammation and atheroma development in mouse models, with endothelial P2Y2-R also being described as promoting vascular remodeling and neointimal hyperplasia. Interestingly, at the interface with lipid metabolism, P2Y12-R has been found to trigger HDL transcytosis through endothelial cells, a process known to be protective against lipid deposition in the vascular wall. Better characterization of the role of purinergic P2Y-R and downstream signaling pathways in determination of the endothelial cell phenotype in healthy and pathological environments has clinical potential for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Obesity is linked to an inflammatory process, with adipocyte release triggering insulin resistance (IR) and autonomic imbalance. A cardiovagal trainning protocol has shown favorable results in autonomic balance and decrease of inflammatory markers. The aim of this study was to analyze the autonomic behavior related to inflammatory and metabolic parameters in obese people after a cardiovagal exercise protocol. Twenty people with obesity, were distributed by their HOMA-IR value: obese without IR (n/IR) (n=8) and obese with IR (y/IR) (n=12). The cardiovagal training program was carried out in both groups for 8 weeks at a frequency of 5 times per week. A blood sample was obtained to determine insulin, leptin, TNF alpha and IL6 levels, in addition to determining the HOMA-IR index and autonomic function was measured by heart rate variability. Changes were recorded in the OB-IR group, a decrease in inflammatory markers, glycemia and a reduction of sympathetic activity after the cardiovagal training intervention. In addition, significant differences between the y/IR and n/IR groups were shown in insulin, leptin, TNFa and IL6 values. It can be concluded that after 4 weeks of intervention with a cardiovagal trainning protocol, parasympathetic modulation increased and inflammatory markers decreased in obese subjects.

Diarylethene is a prototypical molecular switch that can be reversibly photoisomerized between its open and closed forms. Ligands bpy-DAE-bpy, consisting of a phenyl-diarylethene-phenyl (DAE) central core and bipyridine (bpy) terminal substituents, are able to self-organize. They are investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy at the solid-liquid interface. Upon light irradiation, cooperative photochromic switching of the ligands is recognized down to the sub-molecular level. The closed isomers show different electron density of states (DOS) contrasts, attributed to the HOMO or LUMO molecular orbitals observed. More importantly, the LUMO images show remarkable differences between the open and closed isomers, attributed to combined topographic and electronic contrasts mainly on the DAE moieties. The electronic contrasts from multiple HOMO or LUMO distributions, combined with topographic distortion of the open or closed DAE, are interpreted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

The Lewis basicity of selected organic bases, modeled by the enthalpies of adduct formation between gaseous BF3 and the bases in dichloromethane (DCM) solution, is critically examined. Although experimental enthalpies for a large number of molecules have been reported in the literature, it may be desirable to estimate missing or uncertain data for important Lewis bases. We have decided to use high-level ab initio procedures, combined with a polarized continuum solvation model, in which the solvated species are the clusters formed by specific hydrogen bonding of DCM with the Lewis base and the Lewis base/BF3 adduct. This mode of interaction with DCM corresponds to a specific solvation model (SSM). The results actually show that the enthalpy of BF3 adduct formation in DCM solution is clearly influenced by specific interactions, DCM acting as hydrogen-bonding donor (HBD) molecule in two ways: base/DCM and adduct/DCM, confirming that specific solvation is an important contribution to experimentally determined Lewis basicity scales. This analysis allows us to conclude that there are reasons to suspect some gas-phase values to be in error by more than the stated experimental uncertainty. Some experimental values in DCM solution that were uncertain because of identified reasons can be complemented by the computed values.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are of great interest in the field of materials science and engineering. Unlike conventional alloys, which contain a maximum of two base metals, this new category of materials consists of multi-principle elements and the possible number of alloy compositions, in case of HEAs, is outstandingly higher than that for conventional alloys. Here, a review on the high-entropy alloys, has been provided, on the issue whether the earliest definition of High- Entropy alloys, proposed in 2004^{[2, 4]}, is consistent with one of the four-component equiatomic Compositionally complex alloys exhibiting a “High-entropy” effect.

In Acropora, the complex canals in a coral colony connect all polyps into a holistic network to collaborate in performing biological processes, while axial canal is the largest canal amongst the network and distributes at the center of a coral branch. However, previous studies indicated that, in the non-radial symmetry transport system of Acropora, axial canal do not play a major role in the transport of hydroplasm, and the action of axial canal in coral growth is still obscure. In this study, we reconstructed six Acropora muricata samples by high resolution micro-computed tomography to investigate the growth patterns of axial canals during the processes of new branch forming and truncated branch rebuilding. We found that the axial canal of a new branch is transformed from a calice and the polyps in the new branch are budded from the polyp in the axial canal. Meanwhile, the axial canal can transport the calcareous skeletons to rebuild the tip of a truncated branch, which represents as the change in the diameter of axial canal and calcareous deposition/reduction in it. This work indicate the regulation of axial canal in the growth processes including budding, branching, and mineralising of an Acropora colony.

Fractal behavior and long-range dependence are widely observed in measurements and characterization of traffic flow in high-speed computer networks of different technologies and coverage levels. This paper presents the results obtained when applying fractal analysis techniques on a time series obtained from traffic captures coming from an application server connected to the Internet through a high-speed link. The results obtained show that traffic flow in the dedicated high-speed network link have fractal behavior when the Hurst exponent is in the range of 0.5, 1, the fractal dimension between 1, 1.5, and the correlation coefficient between –0.5, 0. Based on these results, it is ideal to characterize both the singularities of the traffic and its impulsiveness during a fractal analysis of temporal scales. Finally, based on the results of the time series analyses, the fact that the traffic flows of current computer networks exhibit fractal behavior with a long-range dependency is reaffirmed.

High-strength low-alloy steels (HSLAs) are widely used in the structural body components of many domestic motor vehicles owing to their better mechanical properties and greater resistance. The real production process of HSLA steelmaking can be regarded as a model that builds on the relationship between process parameters and product quality attributes. A surrogate modeling method is used, and the resulting production process model can be applied to predict the optimal manufacturing process parameters. We used different methods in this paper to build such a surrogate model, including linear regression, random forests, support vector regression, multilayer perception, and a simplified VGG model. We then applied three bio-inspired search algorithms, namely particle swarm optimization, the artificial bee colony algorithm, and the firefly algorithm, to search for the optimal controllable manufacturing process parameters. Through experiments on 9,000 test samples used for building the surrogate model, and 299 test samples for making the optimal process parameter selection, we found that the combination of a simplified VGG model and the firefly algorithm was the most successful at reaching a success rate of 100%—in other words, when the product quality attributes of all test samples satisfy the mechanical requirements of the end products.

In this study, the effect of hot stamping forming process on the properties change of compound layer in Al–Si coated high-strength steel sheet with different thickness was investigated. The coating layer in hot stamped high-strength steel sheet was composed of a diffusion layer and a compound layer. As the hot stamping temperature and holding time for forming increased, the thickness of the compound layer in the Al–Si coated high-strength steel sheet increased. The thickness of coating layer with the hot stamping for 500 sec at 890, 910 and 950 °C was obtained 8.9, 11.8, and 20.6 micrometer, respectively. The thickness of coating layer with hot stamping for 180, 500 and 550 sec at 910 ^oC was obtained 5.7, 11.8, and 17.8 micrometer, respectively. The compound layer in hot stamped high-strength steel sheet with Al–Si coating layer consists of Al_5.4Fe₂ and Fe₂Si phases. In the compound layer, Al and Si were irregularly distributed.

A high-performance Lead-free Piezoelectric Energy Harvester (LPEH) based on a Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.90Zr0.10O3 + CuO 0.3 wt% (BCTZC0.3) composite was fabricated by sintering at 1450℃. The BCTZC0.3 composite, which has an enhanced high-energy-conversion constant (〖d_33×g〗_33), shows improved piezoelectric power-generation performance when compared with conventional piezoelectric energy harvesters. The BCTZC0.3-based LPEH produces instantaneous maximum power of 8.2 mW and an energy density of 107.9 mW/cm3 in a weak magnetic field of 250 μT. This energy harvester can be used to charge a capacitor and operate a wireless sensor network (WSN) system to provide temperature sensing and radio-frequency (RF) transmission in a 250 μT magnetic field. The proposed LPEH is a promising green-energy device for potentially self-powering WSN systems when applied.

This paper describes the packaging models that are fundamental for the design of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), and their evolution. They are divided into two large groups: continuous and discrete models. The latter are those that provide the best answer in obtaining an adequate simulation of the packing of the particles up to nanometric size. This includes the interaction among the particles by means of loosening and wall coefficients, allowing a simulation of the virtual and real compactness of such particles. In addition, a relationship between virtual and real compactness is obtained, through the compaction index, which may simulate the energy of compaction that the particles undergo in their placement in the mold. The use of last-generation additives allows such models to be implemented with water-cement (w/c) ratios close to 0.18. However, the premise of maximum packing as a basic pillar for the production of UHPC should not be the only one. The cement hydration process affected by nanoadditions and the ensuing effectiveness in the properties in both fresh and hardened state according to the respective percentages in the mixture should also be studied. An adequate ratio and proportion of these additions may lead to an obtaining of better results even with lower levels of compactness.

Concrete has become the most common construction material showing among other advantages good behaviour when subjected to high temperatures. Nevertheless, concrete is usually reinforced with elements of other materials such as steel in the form of rebars or fibres. Thus, the behaviour under high temperatures of these other materials can be critical for structural elements. In addition, concrete spalling occurs when concrete is subjected to high temperature due to internal pressures. Micro polypropylene fibres (PP) have shown to be effective for reducing such spalling although this type of fibres barely improve any of the mechanical properties of the element. Hence, a combination of PP with steel rebars or fibres can be effective for the structural design of elements exposed to high temperatures. New polyolefin fibres (PF) have become an alternative to steel fibres. PF meet the requirements of the standards to consider the contributions of the fibres in the structural design. However, there is a lack of evidence about the behaviour of PF and elements made of polyolefin fibre reinforced concrete (PFRC) subjected to high temperatures. Given that these polymer fibres would be melt above 250 °C, the behaviour in the intermediate temperatures was assessed in this study. Uni-axial tests on individual fibres and three-point bending tests of PFRC specimens were performed. The results have shown that the residual load-bearing capacity of the material is gradually lost up to 200 °C, though the PFRC showed structural performance up to 185°C.

Based on electromagnetic heat transfer and metal phase transformation co-simulations, we modeled an AISI 1045 specimen under high-frequency heat treatment. Hardening zone predictions were confirmed through cooling and metal phase transformation simulations after obtaining the results from electromagnetic heat transfer simulations. The cooling process was modeled by applying the cooling coefficient of the cooling water in the same way as the actual heat-treatment process. To obtain the current flowing through the coil during high-frequency induction heating, the voltage was measured and applied using the resistance–inductance–capacitance circuit calculation method. Experimental and simulated results of the heating temperature and curing depth of an AISI 1045 specimen with a carbon content of 0.45% were compared; the comparison indicated good agreement between the two. Using the simulation results, we established a method for obtaining the current flowing through the induction coil for predicting the extent and depth of the hardening zone during high-frequency induction heat treatment.

The response of the Cold-Electron Bolometers (CEBs), integrated into a 2-D array of dipole antennas, has been measured by irradiation from YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ (YBCO) 50 $\mu$m long Josephson junction into the THz region at frequencies from 0.1 to 0.8 THz. The possibility of controlling the amplitude-frequency characteristic is demonstrated by the external magnetic field in the traveling wave regime of a long Josephson junction. YBCO junction has been formed on the bicrystal Zr$_{1-x}$Y$_x$O$_2$ (YSZ) substrate by magnetron sputtering and etching of the film. CEBs have been fabricated using an Al multilayer structure by a self-aligned shadow evaporation technique on Si substrate. Both receiver and oscillator have been located inside the same cryostat at 0.3K and 2.7K plates, respectively.

In bioprocess development, the host and the genetic construct for a new biomanufacturing process are selected in the early developmental stages. This decision, made at the screening scale with very limited information about the performance of the selected cell factory in larger reactors, has a major influence on the performance of the final process. To overcome this, scaledown approaches are essential to run screenings that show the real cell factory performance at industrial like conditions. We present a fully automated robotic facility with 24 parallel mini-bioreactors that is operated by a model based adaptive input design framework for the characterization of clone libraries under scale-down conditions. The cultivation operation strategies are computed and continuously refined based on a macro-kinetic growth model that is continuously re-fitted to the available experimental data. The added value of the approach is demonstrated with 24 parallel fed-batch cultivations in a mini-bioreactor system with eight different Escherichia coli strains in triplicate. The 24 fed-batches ran under the desired conditions generating sufficient information to define the fastest growing strain in an environment with varying glucose concentrations similar to industrial scale bioreactors.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is thought to began in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Mobility analysis identified East-Asia and Oceania countries to be highly-exposed to COVID-19 spread, consistent with the earliest spread occurring in these regions. However, here we show that while a strong positive correlation between case-numbers and exposure level could be seen early-on as expected, at later times the infection-level is found to be negatively correlated with exposure-level. Moreover, the infection level is positively correlated with the population size, which is puzzling since it has not reached the level necessary for population-size to affect infection-level through herd immunity. These issues are resolved if a low-virulence Corona-strain (LVS) began spreading earlier in China outside of Wuhan, and later globally, providing immunity from the later appearing high-virulence strain (HVS). Following its spread into Wuhan, cumulative mutations gave rise to the emergence of an HVS, known as SARS-CoV-2, starting the COVID-19 pandemic. We model the co-infection by an LVS and an HVS, and show that it can explain the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the non-trivial dependence on the exposure level to China and the population-size in each country. We find that the LVS began its spread a few months before the onset of the HVS, and that its spread doubling-time is $\sim 1.59\pm 0.17$ times slower than the HVS. Although more slowly spreading, its earlier onset allowed the LVS to spread globally before the emergence of the HVS. In particular, in countries exposed earlier to the LVS and/or having smaller population-size, the LVS could achieve herd-immunity earlier, and quench the later-spread HVS at earlier stages. We find our two-parameter (the spread-rate and the initial onset time of the LVS) can accurately explain the current infection levels (R^2$\mathrm{=0.74}$; correlation p-value (p) of 5x10^-13$$). Furthermore, countries exposed early should have already achieved herd-immunity. We predict that in those countries cumulative infection levels could rise by no more than 2-3 times the current level through local-outbreaks, even in the absence of any containment measures. We suggest several tests and predictions to further verify the double-strain co-infection model and discuss the implications of identifying the LVS.

The rhizosphere fungal community can play an important role in determining plant growth and health. In this study, using high-throughput sequencing, we investigated the fungal diversity and community composition in the roots and rhizosphere soil of 21 potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars. The samples were collected at three different sampling points. Furthermore, we assessed the differences in both diversity and composition of pathogen and saprotroph communities. In soil and roots, the fungal richness and relative abundance of pathogens and saprotrophs were mainly affected by sampling time. However, root fungal communities were also significantly affected by cultivar. The most substantial effect of cultivar was on root pathogen diversity. Moreover, the occurrence of most pathogens strongly varied among cultivars. Soil fungal community composition was primarily determined by sampling time; whereas in roots, the primary determinant was cultivar. Our results demonstrate changes in fungal communities over the potato growing season, as well as highlight the importance of potato cultivar on root fungal communities, and emphasise their importance in plant breeding.

A tunable quantum cascade laser (QCL) spectrometer was used to develop methods for detecting and quantifying high explosives (HE) in soil based on multivariate analysis (MVA) and artificial intelligence (AI). For quantification, mixes of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) with concentrations from 0% to 20% w/w were investigated using three types of soils: bentonite, synthetic soil, and natural soil. A Partial least squares regression model was generated for predicting 2,4-DNT concentrations. To increase its selectivity, the model was trained and evaluated using additional analytes as interferences, including other HEs such as PETN, RDX, and TNT and non-explosives such as benzoic acid and ibuprofen. For detection, mixes of different explosives in soils were used to implement two AI strategies. In the first strategy, the spectra of the samples were compared with those of soils recorded in a database to identify the most similar soils based on QCL spectroscopy. Next, a Classical Least Squares preprocessing (Pre-CLS) was applied to soils spectra selected from the database. The parameter obtained based on the sum of the weights of Pre-CLS was then used to generate a simple binary discrimination model for distinguishing between contaminated and uncontaminated soils, achieving an accuracy of 0.877. In the second AI strategy, the same parameter was added to a principal component matrix obtained from spectral data of samples and used to generate multi-classification models based on different machine learning algorithms. A Random Forest model worked best with 0.997 accuracy and allowing to distinguish between soils contaminated with DNT, TNT, or RDX and uncontaminated soils.

In the present paper, an aerodynamic investigation of a high-speed train is performed. In the first section of this article, a generic high-speed train against a turbulent flow is simulated, numerically. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations combined with the SST turbulence model are applied to solve incompressible turbulent flow around a high-speed train. Flow structure, velocity and pressure contours and streamlines at some typical wind directions are the most important results of this simulation. The maximum and minimum values are specified and discussed. Also, the pressure coefficient for some critical points on the train surface is evaluated. In the following, the wind direction influence the aerodynamic key parameters as drag, lift, and side forces at the mentioned wind directions are analyzed and compared. Moreover, the effects of velocity changes (50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 m/s) are estimated and compared on the above flow and aerodynamic parameters. In the second section of the paper, various data-driven methods including Gene Expression Programming (GEP), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), and random forest (RF), are applied for predicting output parameters. So, drag, lift and side forces and also minimum and a maximum of pressure coefficients for mentioned wind directions and velocity are predicted and compared using statistical parameters. Obtained results indicated that RF in all coefficients of wind direction and most coefficients of free stream velocity provided the most accurate predictions. As a conclusion, RF may be recommended for the prediction of aerodynamic coefficients.

Background: Multifunctional nanoparticles are known for their wide range of biomedical applications. Controlling the magnetic properties of these nanoparticles is imperative for various applications, including therapeutic angiogenesis. The study was performed to evaluate the magnetic properties and their control mechanisms by the external magnetic field. Methods: A 100nm magnetic nanoparticle was placed in the magnetic field, and parametrically the magnet field strength and distance was evaluated. Various models of magnetic strength and disposition were evaluated. Magnetic flux density, force/weight, and magnetic gradient strength were the parameters evaluated in electromagnetic computational software. Results: The seven-coil method with three centrally placed coils as Halbach array, and each coil with a flux density of 7 Tesla, and with a coil dimension of 20cmx20cm (square model) of each coil showed a good magnetic strength and force/weight parameters in a distance of 15cm from the centrally placed coil. The particles were then evaluated for their motion characteristics in saline. It showed good displacement and acceleration properties. After that, the particles were theoretically assessed in a similar mathematical model after parametrically correcting the drag force. After application of high drag forces, the particles showed adequate motion characteristics. When the particle size was reduced further, the motion characteristics were preserved even with high drag forces. Conclusion: There is potential for a novel method of controlling multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles using high magnetic fields. Further studies are required to evaluate the motion characteristics of these particles in-vivo and invitro.