This brief commentary challenges the use of the term "energy deficiency" in nutrition and metabolism, providing a critical examination of its scientific and philosophical aspects. It emphasizes the need to consider rare diseases associated with actual energy deficiency, which extend beyond the scope of everyday tiredness or fatigue. By analyzing energy balance and its complexities, this critique underscores the oversimplification associated with the term and its potential for misleading implications. It highlights the dynamic nature of energy metabolism and the intricate mechanisms involved in maintaining energy equilibrium, including the impact of rare genetic and physiological abnormalities. In addition to the discussion on energy balance, this commentary explores the manifestation of rare diseases that disrupt energy production, utilization, or hormonal regulation. Conditions such as mitochondrial diseases, glycogen storage diseases, adrenal insufficiency, and Prader-Willi syndrome are examined, shedding light on their profound impact on individuals' energy levels and overall health. The distinct time courses, underlying mechanisms, and clinical implications of protein deficiency, energy deficiency, and vitamin C deficiency are also compared, further emphasizing the complexity of energy metabolism and its relationship with various nutrient deficiencies. To foster a more comprehensive understanding of energy metabolism and enhance clarity in communication within the field, the commentary proposes the adoption of alternative terminology, such as "energy flux," to capture the multifaceted nature of energy balance more accurately. By reevaluating the terminology employed, researchers and healthcare professionals can better convey the intricate dynamics of energy metabolism and address the unique challenges faced by individuals with rare diseases causing actual energy deficiency. In conclusion, this commentary serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of energy deficiency in nutrition and metabolism. It highlights the limitations of the term in capturing the complexities of energy balance, particularly in the context of rare diseases. By broadening the discussion to include these rare conditions, it encourages a more comprehensive understanding of energy metabolism and calls for precise and nuanced terminology to facilitate effective communication and advancements in the field.

With the increasing utilization of intelligent mobile devices for online inspection of electrical equipment in smart grids, the limited computing power and storage capacity of these devices pose challenges for deploying large algorithm models and it’s hard to obtain a substantial number of images of electrical equipment in public. In this paper, we propose a novel distillation method that compresses the knowledge of teacher networks into a compact few-shot classification network, employing a global and local knowledge distillation strategy. Central to our method is exploiting the global and local relationship between the features exacted by the backbone of the teacher network and student network. We compare our method with recent state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods on three public datasets and achieve superior performance. Additionally, we contribute a new dataset, namely EEI-100, which is specifically designed for classification of electrical equipment. We validate our method on this dataset and demonstrate its exceptional prediction accuracy of 94.12% when utilizing only 5-shot images.

Our aim was to compare the inter-rater agreement of Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) regarding diagnosing adenomyosis and for various predefined imaging features of adenomyosis in the same set of women. MRIs were assessed by four experienced radiologists and 2D TVS videoclips and 3D ultrasound volumes were assessed by five experienced sonographers. Each rater subjectively evaluated the presence or absence of adenomyosis, assessed various imaging. Fleiss kappa (κ) was used to reflect inter-rater agreement for categorical data and the Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to reflect the reliability of quantitative data. Agreement between raters for diagnosing adenomyosis was higher for TVS than for MRI (κ =0.42 vs.0.28). MRI had a higher inter-rater agreement in assessing wall asymmetry irregular Junctional Zone (JZ) presence of myometrial cysts, while TVU had a better agreement for globular shape. MRI showed a moderate-good reliability for measuring the JZ (ICC=0.57-0.82). For TVS, JZ was unmeasurable in > 50% of cases and the remaining cases had a low reliability (ICC=-0.31-0.08). We found that Inter-rater agreement for diagnosing adenomyosis was higher for TVS than for MRI, despite that MRI showed a higher inter-rater agreement in most specific features. Measurements of JZ in the coronal plane with 3D TVS were unreliable and thus unlikely to be useful for diagnosing adenomyosis.

Background: Intermittent claudication is a frequent complaint in lower extremity artery disease, but approximately two thirds of patients are asymptomatic, mostly in diabetic population. Non-invasive angiological and microrheological tests among diabetic patients with and without intermittent claudication were studied. Methods: 98 diabetic patients were included and divided into two groups: 20 patients (63.5±8.8 yrs, 55% men, 45% women) had intermittent claudication, 78 patients (65.5±9.3 yrs, 61.5% men, 38.5% women) were asymptomatic. Hand-held Doppler, transcutaneous tissue partial oxygen pressure (tcpO2) measurement, tuning fork test and 6-minute walk test were performed and erythrocyte aggregation was investigated. Results: Ankle/brachial index (p<0.02), and tcpO2 measured during provocational tests (p<0.003), 6-minute walk test (p<0.0001) were significantly deteriorated in the symptomatic group. Higher erythrocyte aggregation index and faster aggregate formation could be observed among claudicant patients (p<0.02). In spite of the statistically better results of the asymptomatic group, 13% of these patients had severe limb ischemia based on the result of tcpO2 measurement. Conclusion: Claudication could be associated with worse hemodynamical and hemorheological status in diabetics; nevertheless, severe ischemia can develop even in asymptomatic subjects which can be revealed by noninvasive vascular tests, which highlights the importance of the early instrumental screening of the lower limbs.

With the current increase in the demand from animal and agricultural products, management of agrowaste has become critical to avoid greenhouse gas emissions. The present article investigates the applicability of ammonium bicarbonate synthesis via flash distillation to valorize and stabilize several types of anaerobic digestate produced from individual fermentations of amino acids. Prior to the development of the model in Aspen Plus v12, the description of the system aqua-ammonia-carbon dioxide provided by the electrolyte non-random two-liquid property method was validated with empirical data available in the literature. The content of CO₂ in the digestate was found to be responsible of the OH alkalinity (0.4 equivalents of acid/kg digestate), while the partial and total alkalinities (0.8 eq/kg digestate) were essentially derived from the content of NH₃. The most suitable conditions for the flash distillation were 95 ⁰C and 1 bar with the condensation occurring at 25 ⁰C. However, in order to attain the precipitation of NH₄HCO₃ in the distillate, it was necessary to consider digestates with a moisture content of 50 wt.%, since the minimum levels of inorganic nitrogen and inorganic carbon were not attained otherwise. Even under these conditions, few amino acids (i.e. arginine, glycine, and histidine) were able to provide an anaerobic digestate, upon fermentation, that would be suitable for NH₄HCO₃ stabilization. Despite alanine digestate and glutamine digestate presented sufficient concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and inorganic carbon, the NH₄HCO₃-stabilization was not feasible due to the limited volatilization of NH₃. The process of stabilization with a capacity of a tonne of digestate per hour was improved by adding hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide at rates 44 kg/h, leading to production of 34 kg NH₄HCO₃/h. The economic viability of this process needs to be investigated considering not only the market value of the isolated inorganic fertilizer but the carbon credits saved, resulting from handling a more stabilized organic manure. Furthermore, given the role of the volatile elements of the biogas as endogenous stripping agents, it is recommended to use a fresh and saturated digestate as feed for the flash distillation.

Recent studies highlight the need to introduce objectives in Initial Teaching Education focused on the development of oral language competence (OLC). The main aim of the study is to examine activities to promote the development of OLC that are carried out in university classrooms and their evaluation, to analyze the relationship between students’ awareness of OLC work and class activities and to identify proposals to improve students’ OLC. Participants were 175 university teachers who teach on the bachelor’s degree in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and the master’s degree in Secondary Education (MSE) at seven Catalan universities. The data collection instrument was an online questionnaire with 69 questions. The results indicate that 92.5% of participants work on OLC in their subjects, that 76.5% propose activities that are specifically linked to OLC and that 65.1% of participants evaluate OLC in their subject. A total of 39.4% of participants reported the need to increase discussions to generate processes of collaborative and interdisciplinary reflection between university teachers from different areas of knowledge, among others. We conclude that professional development processes need to be designed for ITE teachers to reflect on how they help students to develop OLC from a pragmatic perspective.

Miniature sensors are key components for the applications in the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensor networks, autonomous vehicles, smart cities and smart manufacturing. As a miniature and self-powered magnetic sensor, Wiegand sensor possesses the advantageous traits including changing-rate-independent output, low cost, and remarkable repeatability and reliability. Typical Wiegand sensor requires hard magnetic pole pieces that provide external fields for triggering voltage outputs that are called Wiegand pulses. However, the wire-shaped sensing element of Wiegand sensor is the critical issue that limits the design, selection, and adoption of the external triggering magnets. Currently, the widely used pole piece materials are rare-earth magnets. However, adopting rare-earth magnets brings strong stray fields, causing electromagnetic interference (EMI) problem. In this study, patterned CoNiP hard magnets were electrodeposited on flexible substrates through microfabrication. Origami magnetization was utilized to control the resultant stray fields, and hence the pole piece of CoNiP magnets can successfully trigger the output of Wiegand pulse. In comparison, the output voltage of the triggered pulse acquired through the patterned CoNiP magnets is comparable to that by using the rare-earth magnets. Furthermore, both the volume (meanwhile the weight) of the Wiegand sensor and the EMI issue can be significantly reduced and mitigated by the CoNiP magnets.

Emerging infectious disease threats are becoming more frequent due to various social, political and geographical pressures including increased human-animal contact, global trade, transportation and changing climate conditions. As a result, the threat that emerging agents can be spread by blood contact or transfusion of blood products also becomes increasingly problematic. Blood transfusion is essential in treating patients with anemia, blood loss, and other medical conditions. However, these lifesaving components can become a vector for spreading diseases, particularly to vulnerable populations. New methods have been implemented on a global basis for prevention of transfusion transmission via plasma, platelet, and whole blood products. Implementing proactive pathogen reduction methods can significantly reduce the likelihood of disease transmission via blood transfusion, even for newly emerging agents whose transmissibility and susceptibility are still being evaluated as they emerge. In this review, we consider the Mirasol PRT system for blood safety which is based on a photochemical method involving Riboflavin and UV light. We provide examples of how emerging threats such as Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, Hepatitis E, monkeypox and other agents have been evaluated in real time regarding effectiveness of this method for reducing the likelihood of disease transmission via transfusion. Keywords: transfusion; blood; pathogen reduction; emerging infectious diseases.

We aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of exercise physiology of adult Fontan patients (FP) and factors limiting functional capacity (FC). A prospective single-centre study of 37 FP aged ≥16years and 19 healthy-controls (HC), who underwent CPET on cycle-ergometer in February-March 2022. Lung function was impaired in FP, mostly mild restrictive pattern (56.8%). Mean peakVO2 was 21±5.4ml/kg/min, 55% predicted. Morphologically left-single ventricle showed higher peakVO2%predicted (57.4±14.4% vs 43.4±8.1%, p=0.045). A lower peakVO2%predicted was observed in patients with an early flattened and/or descending O2 pulse at maximal exertion (52±14% vs 62±12.5, p=0.04 and 47.6±9% vs 60±14 respectively, p=0.018) and chronotropic insufficiency (53±12% vs 69.8±20%, p=0.008). Strong positive correlation was observed between %OUES and peakVO2%predicted (r=0.726, p>0.001). PeakVO2%predicted was progressively higher as the level of physical activity increased (low-level 49.5±14%, moderate-level 55±12%, intense-level 69±20%). FP showed lower inspiratory muscle strength compared to HC but it was no statistically associated with either peakVO2 or VE/VCO2 slope. In FP OUES is a useful submaximal parameter in those who fail to reach maximal exertion. Chronotropic insufficiency and early flattened or descending oxygen pulse slope were factors associated with low peakVO2. Regular intense physical activity improves FC. Although FP have inspiratory muscle weakness, its impact on FC is unclear.

The metaverse, a virtual world comprising a collective virtual shared space where users interact with one another through avatars and computer-generated objects, aims to closely mimic our real world by integrating elements of Artificial Intelligence (AI), immersive reality, advanced connectivity, and Web3. As metaverse technologies gain momentum across multiple sectors, including animal farming, their potential for addressing complex challenges such as climate change and sustainability in precision food production systems becomes increasingly apparent. However, it is crucial to consider the ethical implications and the role of sensor data and livestock behavior analysis in developing metaverse technologies for modern animal farming, given the sensitive and controversial nature of animal welfare. Failure to address these ethical considerations and harness the power of sensor data and behavior analysis could lead to a lack of credibility and insensitivity towards adopting metaverse technologies in the animal farming sector. It is essential to ensure that the development of metaverse technologies does not prioritize technology over animal welfare, ethics, socio-economic implications, and the potential for data-driven insights. Addressing diversity and equity in the context of animal farming and the metaverse is crucial to avoid perpetuating existing inequalities during the implementation of metaverse technologies. This groundbreaking paper ventures into unexplored territory, shedding light on the untapped potential of the metaverse for modern animal farming. While research on this topic is still in its infancy, we embark on a journey of visionary speculation, presenting a compelling technology forecast that envisions the extraordinary possibilities awaiting us in the future. By delving into the metaverse's transformative capabilities, we provide a glimpse into a world where animal farming transcends its traditional limitations and embraces a new era of efficiency, sustainability, and ethical practices.

Radiomics involves the extraction of information from medical images not visible to the human eye. There is evidence these features can be used for treatment stratification and outcome prediction. However, there is much discussion about the reproducibility of results between different studies. This paper studies the reproducibility of CT texture features used in radiomics, comparing two feature extraction implementations namely Matlab toolkit and Pyradiomics when applied on independent datasets of CT scans of patients i) the open access RIDER dataset containing a set of repeat CT scans taken 15 minutes apart for 31 patients (RIDER Scan 1 and Scan 2 respectively) treated for lung cancer and ii) the open access HN1 dataset containing 137 patients treated for head and neck cancer. Gross tumor volume (GTV) manually outlined by an experienced observer available on both datasets was used. 43 common radiomics features available on Matlab and Pyradiomics were calculated using 2 intensity-level quantization methods with and without an intensity threshold. Cases were ranked for each feature for all combinations of quantization parameters and the Spearman’s rank coefficient, rs, calculated. Reproducibility was defined when a highly correlated feature in the RIDER dataset also correlated highly in the HN1 dataset and vice versa. 29 out of 43 reported stable features were found to be highly reproducible between Matlab and Pyradiomics implementations, having consistently high correlation in rank ordering for RIDER Scan 1 and RIDER Scan 2 (rs &gt; 0.8). 18/43 reported features were common in RIDER and HN1 datasets, suggesting they may be agnostic to disease site. Useful radiomics features should be selected based on reproducibility. This study identified a set of features that meet this requirement and validated the methodology for evaluating reproducibility between datasets.

Adipose tissue is a crucial organ in energy metabolism and thermoregulation. Adipose tissue phenotype is controlled by various signaling mechanisms under pathophysiological conditions. Type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs) are a group of trypsin-like enzymes anchoring on the cell surface. These proteases act in diverse tissues to regulate physiological processes, such as food digestion, salt-water balance, iron metabolism, epithelial integrity, and auditory nerve development. More recently, several members of the TTSP family, namely, hepsin, matriptase-2, and corin, have been shown to play a role in regulating lipid metabolism, adipose tissue phenotype, and thermogenesis, via direct growth factor activation or indirect hormonal mechanisms. In mice, hepsin deficiency increases adipose browning and protects from high-fat diet-induced hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. Similarly, matriptase-2 deficiency increases fat lipolysis and reduces obesity and hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet-fed mice. In contrast, corin deficiency increases white adipose weights and cell sizes, suppresses adipocyte browning and thermogenic responses, and causes cold intolerance in mice. These findings highlight an important role of TTSPs in modifying cellular phenotype and function in adipose tissue. In this review, we provide a brief description about TTSPs and discuss recent findings regarding the role of hepsin, matriptase-2, and corin in regulating adipose tissue phenotype, energy metabolism, and thermogenic responses.

Alum sludge, an inevitable by-product from the water purification process, which had been applied as substrates in some constructed wetlands with good performance, especially for phosphorus (P) adsorption. The raw alum sludge is like clay lump with irregular shape and has a leaching concern used in the water. For a better reuse, herein, sludge was fired to produce alum sludge ceramsite (ASC) with a uniform spherical shape via four-step process of kneading sludge ball, air drying, preheating at 400°C for 10 min and firing at 600℃ for 5 min. Thereafter the physicochemical properties and P adsorption ability of ceramsite were investigated. Through XRD and FT-IR tests, there was no obvious difference between ASC and air-dried alum sludge ball (adASB) on the phase structure, but a certain amount of Al-OH group loss on the surface of ASC. The structure of ASC was still amorphous as same as adASB, while ASC possessed more micropore structure and bigger specific surface area than those of adASB. Adsorption experiments showed the P adsorption behaviors of ASC and adASB were much similar, and their adsorption kinetics all accorded with the two-step adsorption kinetics rate equation and pseudo-second-order kinetics equation. The maximum adsorption capacities of ASC and adASB fitted by Langmuir model were 1.66 mg/g and 1.89 mg/g respectively. It should be pointed that, compared with other adsorbents, ASC produced in this study still had a higher ability to adsorb P. Therefore, ASC should have a great application potential for P removal in the wastewater treatment in China.

The goal of this lab is to look at how the characteristics of cementitious materials are affected by bending loads combined with dry and wet cycles of sulfate. In this paper, three sets of specimens with different water–cement ratios were designed. This study applied 20% and 40% of the ultimate bending load as a continuous bending load to the cementitious material specimens for a sulfate erosion test. It was discovered that the specimens' porosity, flexural strength, and compressive strength all tended to improve initially before declining as the cementitious material was degraded in the sulfate solution aged. The flexural strength of the cementitious materials declined as the bending load increased, and their internal sulfate ion concentration rose. A transport model of sulfate ions in cementitious materials under the coupling effect of bending load and sulfate erosion was created by combining the improved version of Fick’s second law and chemical reaction kinetics. The simulation results show that the ion transport properties of sulfate ions in cementitious materials are in accordance with the experimental laws. These research results formed the basis of the unified standards for the coupling of load dry and wet cycle systems, as well as evaluating the durability of cementitious materials under corrosive environments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought marked changes worldwide to the management of airborne infectious diseases. It sparked the development of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and pharmacotherapeutics to prevent infection and increase the survival rate during the acute viral phase and the comorbidities associated with COVID-19. Periodontal disease may increase the morbidity and perhaps the mortality of a COVID-19 infection. However, the molecular interaction between periodontitis and COVID-19 infection remains undetermined. A potential pathogenic co-morbidity may involve periodontal pathogenic release of destructive cytokines in the highly inflamed connective tissue and risk for COVID-19. Additional biomarkers such as C-reactive proteins appear to play a role for risk and pathogenesis of COVID-19. The potential of herpesviruses, especially as it is related to aggressive periodontitis may also be a comorbidity for COVID-19. This paper reviews available evidence on the bidirectional association between periodontitis and COVID-19.

Aim: Evaluation of role of supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on endothelial function in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Total of 80 patients with metabolic syndrome were enrolled to two groups. We evaluated endothelial function in subjects before and after three-month treatment with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in dose 2.4g daily (800mg 3 times a day) vs placebo. Using the Endo-PAT2000 device (Itamar Medical Ltd. Caesarea, Israel), reactive hyperemia index – a parameter of endothelial function and augmentation index– a parameter of arterial stiffness were measured. Plasmatic level of glutation peroxidase, homocysteine, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein (a) were also evaluated. Results: The average values of reactive hyperemia index before the treatment with n-3PUFA was 1.62 ± 0.42 , whereas 1.96 ± 0.62 at the end of the study (p<0.005). Augmentation index changed from 14.66 ± 19.55 to 9.21 ± 15.64 after the treatment (p=0.003). We also observed statistically significant decrease of apolipopotein B (0.94 ± 0.36 vs 1.13 ± 0.35, p = 0.001) and homocysteine (19.31 ± 5.29 vs. 13.78 ± 3.05, p = 0.001) and increase of the glutathion perxidase plasma levels (41.65 ± 8.90 vs. 45.20 ± 8.01), p=0.001. Conclusion: We have observed significant improvement of the endothelial function in subjects with metabolic syndrome treated with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in dose 2.4g daily.

The gold nanoparticle (AuNP) was synthesized using the well-known Turkevich method. This article explains didactic step-by-step of the synthesis, showing pictures of the entire process, including a well-explained mechanism and characterization study. The synthesis includes the reduction of NaAuCl4 using sodium citrate in high temperature (around 90 ⁰C). The two main mechanisms used to explain the AuNP synthesis via Turkevich method were explained. The first mechanism considerate that a nanowire intermediary and the other proposed that aggregate intermediates are not formed at any time during the synthesis. The materials (NaAuCl4 and AuNP) were characterized by UV-Vis, SEM, AFM, XRD and DLS. The UV-Vis exhibit an absorption maximum in 521 nm because the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption band of AuNP. The SEM images of NaAuCl4 presents crystals with cubic shapes, while the AuNP presents average particle size of about 16-25 nm and particles that appear mainly spherical. To confirm the particles shapes, the AFM was conducted and it was possible to observe clearly the individual spherical nanoparticles. The XRD of AuNP showed the four main characteristic peaks for silver corresponding to (111), (200), (220) and (311) planes, confirming the cubic (FCC) silver. The DLS presented the average particle size of 3.3 ± 0.9 nm and the polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.574. In summary, the AuNP was synthesized using a simple and fast method. The result was a spherical and ultrasmall particle, that can be used is several applications.

Improving the quality of natural water purification is one of the priority areas in the research of scientific communities in the field of ecology. At the same time, the task is to achieve optimal efficiency at a low cost of the technological process. The solution in this case is the use of materials necessary for cleaning, in particular, sorbents from natural raw materials, including agricultural waste. At present, a sufficient number of research results have been published confirming the effectiveness of the sorbent from biochar of various agricultural wastes, as well as from rice straw biochar. This article proposes an innovative method for modifying biochar from rice straw, which allows the use of the material as a sorbent with a disinfecting effect. The method consists in processing biochar in a process activation apparatus (PAP) in a solution of silver nitrate with the release in the form of a carbon nanomaterial with attached metallic silver ions on the surface of biochar particles. Rice straw biochar was mixed in distilled water with silver nitrate AgNO3 and placed in the AAP in a replaceable insert with ferromagnetic particles that have a magnetostrictive effect under the influence of an electromagnetic field. Next, the contact of biochar impregnated with a solution of silver nitrate and ferromagnetic particles was carried out for 2 minutes under electromagnetic influence, after which the treated sample was dried in an oven for 4 hours at t=105ºС, followed by calcination in a muffle furnace at 450ºС for 3 hours. The resulting silver-containing sorbent was subjected to a physicochemical analysis of its properties, photographs of electron microscopy were also obtained, and a bacteriological analysis of the effectiveness of the sorbent on natural water was carried out. According to the results of the analyzes, the silver-containing sorbent is a mesoporous nanomaterial with an average mesopore diameter for desorption of 196 Å, a relative volume of pores with a diameter of up to 900 Å 0.034 cm³/g,, specific surface 7.45 m²/g and a content of metallic silver ions on the surface of the sorbent particles of (Ag) 16.7%, oxygen (O) 54.9%, unexpectedly (С) 13.7%, silicon (Si) 8.1%. Laboratory studies for the bacteriological analysis of natural water consisted in the sorption processing of the selected samples in the carbonization mode, followed by sedimentation after the introduction of the reagent (a mixture of coagulant and flocculant). The analysis was carried out on three indicators - total microbial count (TMC), total coliform bacteria (TCB) and thermotolerant coliform bacteria (TCB). According to the research results, the sorbent showed its disinfecting properties and confirmed its high efficiency (90,48%-100%).

Starch content in wheat is an important characteristic for various purposes. Starch is composed of two components known as amylose and amylopectin, and the proportion between these two components plays a crucial role in determining the properties and structure of starch. One of the key genes involved in starch biosynthesis in wheat is granule bound starch synthase I (GBSSI), also known as the waxy protein, which synthesizes amylose in the endosperm. A mutant cultivar, named Gunji-3, was created by crossing the waxy type wheat (Shinmichal 1) with the wild type bread wheat (Keumkang). When comparing the Wx-B1 allele of the waxy protein gene in Gunji-3 with that of the waxy type wheat, there were 12 SNPs and one deletion difference. Additionally, when comparing amino acid sequences with Wx-B1 alleles, differences at two positions are found, indicating that the mutant carries new Wx-B1 allele which is named as Wx-B1o. In terms of the physicochemical properties of Gunji-3 starch, it had a lower amylose content than the parental wheat varieties and showed higher protein content and greater swelling power. These newly introduced waxy type wheat could provide important basis not only for understanding the starch characteristics of wheat but also for various breeding programs.

Navigation systems are considered as a fast and efficient source of road information to drivers. However, they can distract drivers with more potential accidents on the road. This study examined the effect of navigation systems on driver distraction and visual search while driving in different driving conditions. An eye-tracking system was used to collect visual search data from twenty young drivers while using a driving simulator. Several factors were investigated, including the driving environment (urban and rural), the illumination level (day and night), and the display of the navigation system (large and small) as well as their interactions. Several measures related to eye movements were used in this experiment, including percentage of total Global Positioning System (GPS) fixation duration, average duration of GPS fixation, GPS fixation frequency, the percentage of total dwell duration for the road ahead, the frequency of dwelling on the mirrors and driver’s right and left side windows, and the percentage of dwellings on the mirrors and driver’s right and left side windows. Statistical analysis of the collected data was performed with repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The experiment revealed that the small GPS display creates more distraction in terms of average gaze duration and total gaze duration. Moreover, daytime driving conditions increase distraction. Regarding the driver’s visual search, the study showed that the visual search area is wider and more spread out during the day, which leads to better driving performance. This study will compare small and large navigation displays to determine which one is more effective in reducing driver distractions, and contribute to understanding driver distraction and visual search while using the navigation system display.

: The objective of this work is to elucidate the role of partnerships and the number of partners necessary for lead user innovation outcomes. Lead user theory identifies these users as being ahead of market trends and experiencing significant benefits from innovating. So far, most lead user research has concentrated on firms and not individual lead users’ perspective. Data were obtained using a quantitative design during which 321 respondents participated. The SPSS software was used to analyze the data and determine significance. These findings indicate a connection between number of partners and lead user innovation success. This demonstrates that number of partners is significant in determining the success or failure of an innovation. This study provides empirical evidence that the number of partners is an essential factor that influences the success of innovation, and establishes the absolute numbers for achievement of successful innovation. Future studies must investigate the possible implications of integrating the partner variables with other characteristics of the lead user.

Vaccine hesitancy remains a public health challenge. It has been argued that the sources of vaccine-related information may serve as important condiments to one’s decision to be vaccinated. However, little empirical attention is given to the subject. We contribute to this debate by assessing the level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the role of information explaining hesitancy, using the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality of South Africa as a case study. Findings confirm high level of vaccine hesitancy, representing 78.8 percent of the respondents (which is above the national level of 41%). Furthermore, findings reveal that vaccination decisions are influenced by family, which is the most trusted among all institutions in the society, especially on sensitive matters and those shrouded by myths and misinformation. Additionally, the majority trusts health care workers and mass media as sources of health-related and general information; however, the use of popular personalities to convey health information is not supported. The findings reveal key socio-demographic and institutional drivers of COVD-9 vaccine hesitancy, such as age, inadequate information on the vaccine, trust issues, conspiracy beliefs, vaccine-related factors, and perceived side effects associated with the vaccine. Recommendations based on the findings are provided.

This paper is concerned with the optimal linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control problem for discrete time-varying system with multiple input delays and multiplicative noises. The main contributions are two-fold. Firstly, when the state variables can be observed exactly, we obtain a necessary and suffcient condition for the multiple-delays system in terms of the non-homogeneous relationship between the state and costate, which is the solution to the coupled forward and backward stochastic difference equations. Secondly, when the state variables are partially observed, we derive a suboptimal linear output feedback controller for the discrete-time system based on the obtained results of the optimal LQG control. Numerical examples are shown to illustrate the proposed algorithm.

Starch being renewable and biodegradable is a viable resource for developing sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. This work explores the potential of starch/Ca2+ gels based on waxy corn starch (WCS), normal corn starch (NCS), and two high-amylose corn starches, G50 (55% amylose content) and G70 (68% amylose content) as flame-retardant adhesives. Being stored at 57% relative humidity for up to 30 days, the G50/Ca2+ and G70/Ca2+ gels are stable without water absorption or retrogradation. The starch gels with increasing amylose content displayed increased cohesion, as reflected by significantly higher tensile strength and fracture energy. All the four starch-based gels show good adhesive properties on corrugated paper. For wooden boards, because of the slow diffusion of the gels, the adhesive abilities are weak initially but improve with storage extension. After storage, the adhesive abilities of the starch-based gels are almost the same except for G70/Ca2+, which is peeled off from the wood surface by itself. Moreover, all the starch/Ca2+ gels exhibit excellent flame retardancy with limiting oxygen index (LOI) values all around 60. This work demonstrates a facile method to prepare starch-based flame-retardant adhesives simply by gelating starch with a CaCl2 solution, which can be used in paper or wood products.

The corrugated board is a versatile and durable material that is widely used in the packaging industry. Its unique structure provides strength and cushioning, while its recyclability and bio-degradability make it an environmentally friendly option. The strength of corrugated board depends on many factors, including the type of individual papers on flat and corrugated layers, the geometry of the flute, temperature, humidity, etc. This paper presents a new approach to analysis geometric features of corrugated boards based on the images. It allows for precise determination of the geometry of the corrugated layer, as well as the thickness of individual papers in all cardboard layers. The experimental set used in the work and the created software are characterized by high reliability and precision of measurement thanks to the use of an identification procedure based on image analysis and evolutionary algorithms. This allows to quickly find the main geometric characteristics of the corrugated board, which in turn leads to the possibility of performing numerical analyzes taking into account the real model of the corrugated board. Calculations made on a real (correctly mapped geometrically) model allow, for example, a more reliable analysis of the composition of the cardboard, and thus also to obtain greater savings in the optimization process.

The epidemiology of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is currently changing, driven by aggressive immunosuppressive therapy, leading to an expanded spectrum of patients at risk of IFIs. Aspergillosis is a leading cause of IFIs, which usually affects immunocompromised patients. There is a limited number of antifungal medications available for treating IFIs and their effectiveness is often hindered by rising resistance rates and practical limitations. Consequently, new antifungals, especially those with novel mechanisms of action, have become increasingly required. This study assessed the activity of four novel antifungal agents with different mechanisms of activity: manogepix, rezafungin, ibrexafungerp, and olorofim against 100 isolates of Aspergillus section Terrei, containing amphotericin B (AmB) wildtypes/non-wildtypes and azole-susceptible/-resistant strains, according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) method. In general, all tested agents showed potent and consistent activity against tested isolates, exhibiting a geometric mean (GM) and minimum effective concentration (MEC)/minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) range respectively as follows: manogepix (0.048 mg/L, 0.032-0.5 mg/L), rezafungin (0.020 mg/L, 0.016-0.5 mg/L), ibrexafungerp (0.071 mg/L, 0.032-2 mg/L), and olorofim (0.008 mg/L, 0.008-0.032 mg/L). In terms of MIC90/MEC90, olorofim had the lowest values (0.008 mg/L), followed by rezafungin (0.032 mg/L), manogepix (0.125 mg/L), and ibrexafungerp (0.25 mg/L). All antifungals tested demonstrated promising in vitro activity against Aspergillus section Terrei, including A. terreus and cryptic species that were azole-resistant and AmB non-wildtype.

Poliomyelitis, commonly known as “polio” is a paralytic and perilous disease caused by the poliovirus. Due to its highly contagious nature, the virus was a challenge to the world in the late 1980s. . Since 1988 the collective work of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and World Health Organization (WHO) through immunizations, communication awareness, and monitoring have helped the world exonerate polio. The mission of polio-free Pakistan was herculean and had confronted enormous challenges in different ways but came out with positive results. In 2019, with only two remaining polio-endemic countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, GPEI launched an “Endgame strategy 2019-2023” which aims to eradicate polio globally, with a targeted focus, especially on polio-endemic countries, the plan emphasizes the early detection of polio cases for complete eradication and to restrict the spread of polio. Pakistan has achieved a milestone in combating polio despite having a web of factors that have thwarted Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts, but this is not the end, the struggle continues until we really get an internationally verified certification of Polio free nation, for this WHO has designed a multidisciplinary strategy 2022-2026 to really end this polio for once and for all.

The timely diagnosis of defects at their incipient stage of formation is crucial to extend the life-cycle of technical appliances. This is the case of mechanical-related stress, either due to long aging degradation processes (e.g., corrosion) or in-operation forces (e.g., impact events), which might provoke detrimental damages, such as cracks, disbonding or delaminations, most commonly followed by the release of acoustic energy. The localization of these sources can be successfully fulfilled via adoption of Acoustic Emission (AE)-based inspection techniques through the computation of the Time of Arrival (ToA), namely the time at which the induced mechanical wave released at the occurrence of the acoustic event arrives to the acquisition unit. However, the accurate estimation of the ToA may be hampered by poor Signal-to-Noise ratios (SNRs). In these conditions, standard statistical methods typically fail. In this work, two alternative Deep Learning methods are proposed for ToA retrieval, namely a Dilated Convolutional Neural Network (DilCNN) and a Capsule Neural Network for ToA (CapsToA). These methods have the additional benefit of being portable on resource-constrained microprocessors. Their performance has been extensively studied on both synthetic and experimental data, focusing on the problem of ToA identification for the case of a metallic plate. Results show that the two novel methods can achieve localization errors which are up to 70% more precise than those yielded by conventional strategies, even when the SNR is severely compromised (i.e., down to 2 dB). Moreover, DilCNN and CapsNet have been implemented in a tiny machine learning environment and then deployed on microcontroller units, showing a negligible loss of performance with respect to offline realizations.

(1) Background: The intermediate-depth seismicity in the Vrancea region (Romania) is characterized by localized and persistent earthquake activity that culminates about two or three times in a century with the occurrence of a large event (M 6.5). Here we have revisited some important seismicity characteristics, using earthquake catalog data spanning two different time periods: 2005 – 2013 and 1960 – 2000. (2) Methods: we have determined the b-value of the frequency-magnitude distribution of earthquakes, using a maximum likelihood procedure, and estimated the parameter to quantify anomalous seismicity rate decreases and increases. (3) Results: by using data from the first period, we have confirmed the existence of a decreased b-value in the deepest part of the seismogenic zone; by using data from the second period, we have statistically confirmed the seismic quiescence that preceded the occurrence of the 1977 M7.4 Vrancea earthquake. (4) Conclusions: the decreased b-value has been interpreted either in terms of an increased lithostatic stress with depth or as an indicator of the depth range where the next major Vrancea earthquake may occur. The time variation of the seismicity parameter may reveal anomalous seismic quiescence and increased earthquake rates that may precede the occurrence of large earthquakes.

Background: Symptomatic Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. We investigate a symptoms-based screening algorithm and treatment algorithm focused on position and location of pain for each type of PCS. Methods: This study is a retrospective, single-institution, multi-site review of 343 female patients who presented with pelvic pain. Results: Following a symptoms-based algorithm, 302 patients fulfilled criteria for inclusion; 299 patients had positional symptoms with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97.99%, sensitivity of 98.99% and Odds Ratio (OR) of 48.83 (p=0.0003) while duplex ultrasonography (DUS) had a PPV of 98.84%, sensitivity of 86.49%, and OR of 6.4 (p=0.0396) confirmed by contrast venography. Patients with Type I PCS were treated with embolization and 87.5% reported total relief of anterior symptoms. Patients with Type II PCS were treated with embolization and/or vascular stenting based on their associated lesion, May-Thurner syndrome or Nutcracker syndrome, and 88.54% reported ≥50% symptom relief and 59.03% reported ≥80% symptom relief. Full treatment resulted in a mean “overall satisfaction” score of 96.07%. Conclusions: Algorithmic approaches are essential for PCS evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Patients with positional pelvic symptoms consistent with PCS should undergo diagnostic venography. Distinguishing between the types of PCS and using symptoms as a guide may be beneficial over a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

This study aims at investigating the catalytic performance of Pd, Pd/Pt, and Pd/Au nanocatalysts toward the 2-propanol electro-oxidation reaction (2POR) in an alkaline medium. The catalyst components (Pd, Pt, and Au) were sequentially electrodeposited onto a glassy carbon (GC) electrode surface and further characterized using electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry (CV)) and materials (Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX)) characterization methods. The Pd/Au/GC catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity in terms of the highest oxidation current (0.386 mA) and the highest stability in terms of the highest obtained current after 1800 s of continuous electrolysis. This behaviour was attributed to the enhancement in the charge transfer kinetics where the Pd/Au/GC catalysts acquired the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct, 1.85 kΩ) during the 2POR.

Objective: Design and validate a wireless, low-cost, easy-to-use, mobile, dry-electrode headset for scalp electroencephalography (EEG) recordings for closed-loop brain-computer (BCI) interface and internet-of-things (IoT) applications. Approach: The EEG-based BCI headset was designed from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components using a multi-pronged approach that balanced interoperability, cost, portability, usability, form factor, reliability, and closed-loop operation. Main Results: The adjustable headset was designed to accommodate 90\% of the population. A patent-pending self-positioning dry electrode bracket allowed for vertical self-positioning while parting the user's hair to ensure contact of the electrode with the scalp. In the current prototype, five EEG electrodes were incorporated in the electrode bracket spanning the sensorimotor cortices bilaterally, and three skin sensors were included to measure eye movement and blinks. An accelerometer provides monitoring of head movements. The EEG amplifier operates with 24 bits resolution up to 500 Hz sampling frequency, and can communicate with other devices using 802.11 {b/g/n/WiFi}. It has high SNR and CMRR (121 dB and 110 dB, respectively), and low input noise. In closed-loop BCI mode, the system can operate at 40 Hz, including real-time adaptive noise cancellation and 512 MB of processor memory. It supports LabVIEW as backend coding language and JS, CSS, HTML as front-end coding languages, and includes training and optimization of Support Vector Machine (SVM) neural classifiers. Extensive bench testing supports the technical specifications and human subject pilot testing of a closed-loop BCI application to support upper-limb rehabilitation provides proof-of-concept validation for device use at both the clinic and at home. Significance: The low-cost, accessibility, usability, interoperability, and programmability of the proposed closed-loop BCI system provides a low-cost solution for BCI and neurorehabilitation research and IoT applications.

We introduced a novel biotin-binding peptide for sensing biotin, biotinylated proteins, and nu-cleotides. From a 15-mer library displayed on the RNA coliphage Qβ, a 15-amino acid long peptide (HGHGWQIPVWPWGQG) hereby referred to as nanotag was identified to selectively bind biotin. The targets selection was achieved through panning with elution by infection. The selected peptide was tested as a transducer for an immunogenic epitope of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) on Qβ phage platform separated by a linker. The biotin-tag showed no significant in-fluence on the affinity of the epitope to its cognate antibody (SD6). The nanotag bound biotin selectively when fused either to the C- or N-terminus of the epitope. The epitope would not bind or recognize SD6 while positioned at the N-terminus of the nanotag. Additionally, the biotin com-peted linearly with the SD6 antibody in a competitive ELISA. Competition assays using the se-lected recombinant phage itself as a probe, or transducer, enable the operationalization of this technology as a biosensor toolkit to sense and quantify SD6 analyte. Herein, the published Strep II nanotag (DVEWLDERVPLVET) was used as a control and has similar functionalities to our pro-posed novel biotin-tag thereby providing a new platform for developing devices for diagnostic purposes.

In the vaginal ecosystem there is a symbiotic relationship between the microbiota and the host, particularly Candida spp., which are considered commensals of the vaginal mucosa. During pregnancy there is an increase in hormonal secretion that alters the vaginal microbiota and favors the development of Candida infection. Several studies have shown the increased prevalence of Candida during pregnancy, as well as its association with perinatal complications and current clinical practice guidelines recommend fluconazole as the treatment of choice during pregnancy in case of infection by Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida. However, in the Mexican population, this association has not been studied. So in this study, an intentional search for colonization by Candida spp. in pregnant women who attended the obstetric triage of the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca during the period from May to October 2019, and they were followed up until the end of the pregnancy. Data on age, number of pregnancies, gestational age, body mass index, and perinatal outcomes were analyzed. Of 83 patients included in the study, yeasts corre-sponding to C. albicans (12) and C. glabrata (4) were isolated in 16. In the group of patients with Candida, the maternal age range was from 15 to 36 years old, of which 7 were adolescents and 2 with advanced maternal age, with an average of 2 gestations, the range of body mass index was from 19.3 to 42.4, of which 4 were overweight and 7 obese. Perinatal complications were observed in three patients, one presented chorioamnionitis and in two the neonates were small for gestational age. No association was found between colonization by Candida spp. and the number of preg-nancies, gestational age, body mass index or perinatal results. However, it was found that age (adolescence) may be a risk factor for the development of vulvovaginitis during pregnancy.

In this work, we offer a novel and accurate method in order to find the solution of the linear differential equations over the intervals [0, 1) based on the generalization of Legendre wavelets. The mechanism is still upon workable implementation of the operational matrix of integration and its derivatives. This method reduces the problems into algebraic equations via the properties of generalized Legendre wavelet (GLW) together with the operational matrix of integration. The function approximation has been picked out in such a way so as to enumerate the connection coefficients in an facile manner. The proposed numerical technique, based on the GLW, has been examined on three linear problems as a consequence of this investigation. The outcomes have shown that this method, as opposed to some other existing numerical and analytical methods, is a very useful and advantageous for tackling such problems.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are promising candidates in various biomedical applications such as sensors, imaging, and cancer therapy. Understanding the influence of AuNPs on lipid membranes is important to assure their safety in the biological environment and to improve their scope in nanomedicine. In this regard, the present study aims to analyze the effects of different concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2 w %) of dodecanethiol functionalized hydrophobic AuNPs on the structure and fluidity of zwitterionic 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine (SOPC) lipid bilayer membranes using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and fluorescent spectroscopy. The size of AuNPs was found to be 2.2 ± 1.1 nm using transmission electron microscopy. FTIR results have shown that the AuNPs induced a slight shift in methylene stretching bands, while the band positions of carbonyl and phosphate group stretching were unaffected. Temperature-dependent fluorescent anisotropy measurements have shown that the incorporation of AuNPs up to 2 w % did not affect the lipid order in membranes. Overall, these results indicate that the hydrophobic AuNPs in the studied concentration did not cause any significant alterations in the structure and membrane fluidity, which suggests the suitability of these particles to form liposome-AuNP hybrids for diverse biomedical applications including drug delivery and therapy.

In this paper, we have proposed an effective metasurface design to accomplish cloaking of equilateral patch antennas and their array configuration. As such, we have exploited the concept of electromagnetic invisibility, employing the mantle cloaking technique with the intention to eliminate the destructive interference ensuing between two distinct triangular patches situated in a very congested arrangement (sub-wavelength separation is maintained between the patch elements). Basically, we demonstrate that implementation of the planar coated metasurface cloaks onto the patch antenna surfaces compels them to become invisible to each other, at the intended frequencies. In effect, an individual antenna element does not sense the presence of the other, in spite of being in a rather close vicinity. We also exhibit that the cloaks successfully reinstate the radiation attributes of each antenna in such a way that it emulates their respective performance in an isolated environment. Moreover, we have extended the cloak design to an interleaved one dimensional array of the two patch antennas and it is shown that the coated metasurfaces assure efficient performance of each array in terms of their matching as well as radiation characteristics, in turn, enabling them to radiate independently for various beam-scanning angles.

Introduction Menstrual hygiene is a critical issue encountered by women and girls of the reproductive age, which negatively affects their health and empowerment. It is still deemed a taboo in several parts of the world and girls hesitate to discuss menstruation with their family members, friends, or schoolteachers, which creates hurdles when they attain their menarche. Girls residing in rural areas encounter more problems, since they lack proper resources, and knowledge to manage their menstruation in school as well as at home. Methods The descriptive cross-sectional design was used to assess the study questions. The consecutive sampling techniques was applied to recruit 300 female participants from remote area of Gilgit, Pakistan, who were 13- to 22-year-old. A pre-tested questionnaire was utilized to collect the data, and to analyze the data the SPSS version 21.0 was used. Results The study found that more than half of the participants had poor level of knowledge, practices, and negative attitude towards menstrual hygiene. This could be because of many cultural and social taboos attached to menstrual hygiene. Conclusions The study concluded that the study participants were not knowledgeable about menstrual hygiene. They had poor practices and attitude regarding menstrual hygiene. Hence, it is recommended that frequent sessions should be conducted by health care workers to enhance the knowledge of parents, teachers, and young girls, to increase the positive attitude and practices regarding menstrual hygiene. Keywords menstruation, knowledge, attitude, practices, Adolescents

One-fifth of the world’s population and critical infrastructures are near the coast and regions at high risk of sea level elevation. Climate change is expected to increase coastal extreme events, rising sea levels, and impact on ecosystem. This paper reviews coastal physical processes, wave and impacts, and the introduction of nature-based models for the mitigation of flooding, erosion, and recovery. Hard engineering like seawalls has been used to prevent, protect, and control water-based environmental forces with an extended impact on the land. A nature-based engineering solution, such as growing vegetation, is being adopted as a sustainable solution to help make existing technology live its design life and provide climate change adaptation and resilience for coastal and riverine communities. This paper presents applications of seaweed farms as an advanced nature-based mitigation approach. The result of the experiments conducted at RWTH Aachen University on wave damping of seaweed types and farming structures to validate the hypothesis will be presented in part B. A soft engineering approach to designing future vegetated protection systems using seaweed as a nature-based solution can help existing coastal infrastructure design life and protect against climate-induced SLR rise and adaptation, coastal risk mitigation, ecosystem restoration, and blue bio-economic development.

Teaching and learning a new language is a complex process that requires more than just memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules. Immersing oneself in the target language's culture and history is essential for achieving fluency and accuracy. In recent years, researchers have explored the potential of music as a tool for language learning. This paper discusses the benefits of using music in language learning, including improved listening comprehension, pronunciation and fluency, and cultural understanding. The theoretical framework of sociocultural theory, cognitive load theory, and task-based language learning is presented to support the use of music in language learning. This paper also provides practical recommendations for learners to incorporate music into their language learning routine, as well as resources for finding music in the target language, such as online music platforms and language learning apps. The article concludes by encouraging language learners to incorporate music into their language learning routine and providing resources for finding music in the target language, such as online music platforms and language learning apps. Overall, this paper demonstrates that music can be a powerful and enjoyable tool for enhancing language learning outcomes.

Tinnitus is a heterogeneous auditory disorder without a pharmacological cure but with several palliative treatments. One of the most applied treatments for tinnitus relief combines counselling with sound therapy. The efficiency of this sound therapy depends on the type of sound stimulus and the exposition time. The fundamentals of a customized sound therapy that stimulates the auditory system with a continuous or sequential sound which compensates for the subject hearing loss are described here. A sample of 137 tinnitus subjects are treated with this sound therapy, named Enriched Acoustic Environment. 90% of these patients achieved a clinically relevant and statistically significant tinnitus-related distress relief quantified as a mean drop of their Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score of 24.3 points. These subjects exposed with sequential stimuli (31%) achieved greater distress relief (5.1 points more in their Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score) than those stimulated with continuous sound (69%). Therefore, this sound constitutes an optimized stimulus for tinnitus treatment.

Virus infection is one of the most common etiologies of hearing loss. Hearing loss associated with viral infection can be unilateral or bilateral, mild or severe, sudden or progressive, and permanent or recoverable. Many viruses cause hearing loss in adults and children; however, the pathogenesis of hearing loss caused by viral infection is not fully understood. This review describes cytomegalovirus, the most common virus causing hearing loss, and other reported hearing loss-related viruses, along with their pathogenic characteristics and research progress on their pathology, hearing phenotypes, possible associated mechanisms, treatment and prevention measures, aiming to provide diagnostic and treatment assistance to clinical workers.

This essay is a personal insight based on my own experience in the Iberian Pyrenees, which addresses three situations common in paleoecological research, such as the verification of previously devised hypotheses (anticipation), the finding on unknown events in unstudied sites (discovery) and the finding of unexpected outputs in already known areas (serendipity). The account is concentrated on the value of the coring sites by themselves as generators of paleoecological knowledge, rather than on the actual findings, which are presented and discussed in the corresponding data papers. The main aim is to show that there is still much room for new findings, even in areas that have been surveyed for long time and are supposed to be well known, from a paleoecological perspective. Finally, some general lessons are derived and conceptualized.

The bridge crane is often used in a complex environment, often subject to interference of all loads. Some uncertainties factors often have an inevitable impact on its swing. So the force situation of the bridge crane during a working cycle is analyzed, and a three-dimensional dynamic mathematical model of the bridge crane is built. Through the simulation analysis of the model under the action of driving force and wind load, the change law of the swing angle of the bridge crane is studied. Then, the fuzzy control theory is used to determine the control parameter in the anti sway control process. The position, swing angle deviation and deviation rate of the bridge crane are taken as the input, and the parameter correction is obtained after the fuzzification by using the center of gravity method, the anti sway fuzzy control system of the bridge crane is designed and simulated. The research results show that the fuzzy PID anti sway controller can not only improve the adaptability of the control system, but also overcome the large overshoot, quickly restrain the swing, and effectively realize the anti sway function of the bridge crane.

Optical fiber sensors based on tapered optical fiber (TOF) structure have attracted a considerable amount of attention from researchers due to the advantages of simple fabrication, high stability, diverse structures, and have great potential for applications in many fields such as physics, chemistry and biology. Compared with ordinary optical fibers, TOF with their unique structural characteristics significantly improve the sensitivity and response speed of fiber-optic sensors and broaden the application range. This review presents an overview of the latest research status and characteristics of fiber-optic sensors and TOF sensors. Then the working principle of TOF sensors, fabrication schemes of TOF structures, novel TOF structures in recent years, and the growing emerging application areas are described. Finally, the development trends and challenges of TOF sensors are prospected. The objective of this review is to convey novel perspectives and strategies for the performance optimization and design of TOF sensors based on fiber-optic sensing technologies.

Abstract Introduction Exercise is an effective component in rehabilitation of a range of chronic conditions. There is a growing interest in the use of exercise-based nature interacted rehabilitation (EBNIR), but an overview of current evidence is missing. To provide an informed base for future work within this field of EBNIR, the objective of this scoping review was to map existing exercise-based rehabilitation interventions conducted with incidental or intentional nature interaction focusing on its populations, types of outcomes, and theoretical rationale for people with physical and mental disabilities. Methods This scoping review identified peer-reviewed publications, registered upcoming trials and grey literature. To map all available knowledge, we performed a comprehensive search of selected databases (MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL; Cochrane; Web of Science; Pedro) from inception to October 2022. Data was synthesised in a thematic presentation guided by TIDieR, supplemented by a checklist developed for this study accounting nature incidental or intentional interaction by measuring all nature elements implemented in the intervention. Results Twelve studies including 856 participants met the inclusion criteria. 11 were completed trials and 1 was registered in clinicaltrials.gov to be run in 2023. A total of 856 patients were enrolled in the 12 studies (range 18-262, median 50). The included studies were different in terms of design (observational n=4, qualitative n=1, RCT=7), intervention dosage and frequency, control intervention, diagnosis, number of patients, and outcomes included. The used exercise-based interventions consisted of outdoor walks, neck exercises and surfing interventions in patients with physical or mental health conditions. The interventions were incidental or intentional interacted with nature to a varying degree. Conclusion This scoping review presents an overview of limited and diverse evidence within the field of exercise-based rehabilitation incidental or intentional interacting with nature, in patients with physical or mental health conditions. Our review provides an overview that will be helpful in the design of future EBNIR trials.

Heat-treated aluminum-silicon (Al-Si)-based alloys have dominated the cast lightweight alloy industry for several decades. However, in the last decade, Al-Ce-based alloys have shown promise in replacing Al-Si alloys due to their ability to remove the need for costly heat treatments. Since the properties of Al-Ce alloys depend on the as-cast microstructure, it is important to characterize the solidification kinetics of these alloys. Therefore, this study focused on characterizing the solidification of a near eutectic Al-Ce alloy with additions of Ni and Mn. The alloy was cast in a wedge mold configuration, resulting in cooling rates between 0.18 and 14.27 °C/s. SEM coupled with EDS and DSC techniques characterized the evolution rate of solid phases. The SEM/EDS data revealed that an Al10CeMn2 phase is present at higher cooling rates. At lower cooling rates, near the center of the casting, a proeutectic Al23Ce4Ni6 phase was more present. It was observed that up to 2.6 at. % of Mn was dissolved in this proeutectic Al23Ce4Ni6 phase, thereby removing a large portion of the available Mn for forming the Al10CeMn2 phase. DSC analysis showed differences in the samples' liquidus temperatures which is indicative of compositional variations. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Scheil solidification simulations correlated the compositional differences to phase formation, which agreed with the SEM and DSC results. This experimentation provides insight into novel Al-Ce-Ni-Mn alloys and where their potential lies in industrial applications.

Bronchial asthma (BA) is considered a chronic inflammatory disorder associated with airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Increased oxidative stress (OS) is a clinical feature of BA, which promotes the inflammatory responses in bronchial/airway epithelial cells. Smokers and nonsmokers with asthma have been shown to have increases in several OS and inflammatory biomarkers. A few studies suggest a relationship between antioxidant intake from diet/supplements and BA in smoking and nonsmoking asthmatics. Dietary carotenoids and vitamin C (VC) intake might reduce BA risk in smokers and/or non-smokers. Evidence is lacking on the protective role of antioxidant vitamin and/or mineral consumption against BA in smokers and nonsmokers with respect to inflammation and OS biomarkers. Therefore, the aim of this review is to highlight current knowledge regarding the relations between antioxidant intake, BA and its associated biomarkers in smokers and nonsmokers.

The propagation of electromagnetic waves beyond the line of sight can be caused by atmospheric ducts, which are a significant concerns in the fields of radar and communication. This paper utilizes data from seven automatic stations and five radio-sounding stations to statistically analyze the characteristics of the atmospheric ducts in the northwest region of the South China Sea (SCS). After verifying the practicality of numerical analysis data from NCEP CFSv2 and ERA5 in studying atmospheric ducts using measured data, we analyzed the space-time distribution characteristics of the height of the regional evaporation duct and the bottom height of the elevated duct. Using the parabolic equation model, we simulated electromagnetic propagation loss under different frequencies and radiation elevation angles in both uniform and non-uniform duct environments within a typical atmospheric duct structure. The study found that the NCEP CFSv2 data accurately captures the evaporation duct height and duct occurrence rate in the study area, and the elevated duct bottom height obtained from the inversion of ERA5 and the measured data has a good consistency. The occurrence rate and height of evaporation duct in coastal stations in the northwest of the SCS vary significantly by month, demonstrating clear monthly distribution patterns. Conversely, changes in the Xisha station are minimal, indicating good temporal uniformity. For lower atmospheric ducts, the difference in occurrence rates between 00:00 and 12:00 (UTC) is negligible. The occurrence probability of elevated ducts in the Beibu Gulf area is relatively high, mainly concentrated from January to April, and the Xisha area is dominated by surface ducts without foundation layer, mainly concentrated from June to August. The monsoon plays a critical role in the generation and evolution of atmospheric ducts in the northwest of the SCS, with the height of the evaporation duct increasing and the bottom height of the elevated duct decreasing after the onset of the summer monsoon. Electromagnetic propagation simulations demonstrate that higher frequency and lower elevation angles of radiation sources in the trapping layer of the evaporation duct make it easier to be trapped. As the evaporation duct height decreases, the amplitude of the "sinusoidal fluctuation" of the propagation loss also decreases. Frequency changes of the radiation source in the surface duct environment have minimal impact on electromagnetic propagation loss, but the elevation angle of the radiation source is a critical factor. The frequency of the "sinusoidal fluctuation" in propagation loss is higher in a hybrid duct environment compared to a uniform surface duct. Additionally, the propagation loss increases faster with distance at the height of the evaporation duct, resulting in greater electromagnetic propagation loss.

Citation: To be added by editorial staff during production.

The rapid development of quantum computing devices promises powerful machines with capabilities that solve a wide range of problems that traditional computers cannot. Therefore, quantum computers generate new threats at unprecedented speed and scale and specifically pose an enormous threat to encryption. Lattice-based cryptography is considered to be the rival to a quantum computer attack and the future of post-quantum cryptography. So, cryptographic protocols based on lattices have a variety of benefits, like security, efficiency, lower energy consumption, and speed. In this work, we study the most well-known lattice-based cryptosystems while a systematic evaluation and comparison is presented also, and focuses on their strengths and weaknesses.

The paper summarizes the current knowledge about the structure, species, and content differ-ences of β-D-glucans as a storage and functional component, especially of cereal grains. The pa-per also provides comprehensive information on the biosynthesis of this plant cell wall polysac-charide, genetic and non-genetic factors influencing the content variability and indicates the pos-sibilities of breeding modern varieties with a defined content of this metabolite. The final part of the text is also devoted to the influence of significant technological processes applied to cere-als containing β-D-glucans. The chapter discusses the influence of these processes on the content and structure of the polysaccharide and the resulting changes in its physicochemical properties. Part of the discussed issue are the possibilities of effective application of β-D-glucans in different food products.

Conducting related research is crucial since there are still many problems that need to be resolved in the research on soft robots in the areas of material selection, structure design and manufacture, and drive control. Soft manipulators, a subset of soft robots, are now a popular area of study for many researchers. In comparison to typical manipulators, soft manipulators feature a high degree of gripping flexibility and a basic morphological structure. They are composed of flexible materials. It has a wide range of potential applications in healthcare, rehabilitation, bionics, and detection, and it can compensate for the drawbacks of rigid manipulators in some use scenarios. A modular soft-body torsional gripping system is developed after a torsional and gripping actuator is conceived, constructed, and its performance is examined. The torsion actuator and the grasping actuator can be combined in the system in a modular fashion. With the help of RGB-D vision algorithms, this multi-modular setup makes it possible to combine soft actuators with various twisting degrees and achieve exact gripping. Through pneumatic control, the target object is precisely grasped and rotated at various angles, enabling rotation of the target object in three dimensions.

Liquid biopsy has been developed to diagnose and monitor cancer. Despite the recent advances in investigating early cancer detection and diagnosis strategies, there is still a lack of improvements in capturing (CTCs). To archive this, we developed an efficient CTC detection system by integrating gold nanoparticles and a microfluidic platform, which can achieve CTC capture within 120 min. The microdevice was functionalized by immobilizing antibodies specific to the target cells. The method was tested with spiked tumor cells in whole human blood with three pancreatic cancer cell lines and compared with purified cancer cells suspended in a phosphate buffer solution. Our results captured pancreatic cancer cells spiked in blood samples with efficiency (90±3.2)% and were used to isolate CTCs from patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. This methodology will enable the production of functionalized, patterned surfaces that interact with tumor cells, enhancing the selective capture of CTCs from biological assays.

The processes of the sublimation and thermal decomposition of the 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid (EMImPF6) were studied by a complex approach including Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations. It was established that the vapor over liquid phase primarily consists of decomposition products under equilibrium conditions. Otherwise, the neutral ion pairs are the only vapor components under Langmuir conditions. To identify the nature of the decomposition products an experiment on the distillation of the ionic liquid was performed and the collected distillate was analyzed. It was revealed by the IR and NMR spectroscopy that EMImPF6 decomposes to substituted imidazole‐2‐ylidene (C6N2H10PF5) and HF. The measured vapor pressure of C6N2H10PF5 reveals a very low activity of the decomposition products (&lt;10–4) in the liquid phase. The absence of significant accumulation of decomposition products in the condensed phase makes it possible to determine the enthalpy of sublimation of the ionic liquid assuming its unchanged activity. The thermodynamics of the EMImPF6 sublimation was studied by Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry. The formation enthalpy of EMImPF6 in ideal gas state was found from combination of the sublimation enthalpy and formation enthalpy of ionic liquid in the condensed state. The obtained value is in good agreement with those calculated by quantum chemical methods.

Convolutional neural networks (CNN) have attracted much attention as a commonly used method for hyperspectral image (HSI) classification in recent years, however, CNNs can only be applied to Euclidean data and have limitations in dealing with relationships due to the limitations of local feature extraction. However, each pixel of a hyperspectral image contains a set of spectral bands that are correlated and interact with each other, and the methods used to process Euclidean data cannot effectively obtain these correlations. In contrast, the graph convolutional network (GCN) can be used in non-Euclidean data, but usually leads to oversmoothing and ignoring local detail features due to the need for superpixel segmentation processing to reduce computational effort. To overcome the above problems, we constructed a network a fusion network based on GCN and CNN, which contains two branches: a graph convolutional network based on superpixel segmentation and a convolutional network with added attention mechanism. The graph convolu-tional branch can extract the structural features and capture the relationships between the nodes, and the convolutional branch can extract the detailed features in the local fine region. Owing to the fact that the features extracted from the two branches are different, the classification performance can be improved by fusing the complementary features extracted from the two branches. To vali-date the proposed algorithm, experiments were conducted on three widely used datasets, namely Indian Pines, Pavia University, and Salinas, and the overall accuracy of 98.78% was obtained in the Indian Pines dataset, and the overall accuracy of 98.99% and 98.69% was obtained in the other two datasets. The results showed that the proposed fusion network can obtain richer features and achieve high classification accuracy.

2003 it is shown that after the Chernobyl accident, childhood leukemia by single age and year of birth in the 0-4y cohort increased significantly in Wales and Scotland combined in the period 1986-1990 compared with controls born 1970-1985 and 1991-1994. Relative risk RR = 1.41; 95% CI 1.20<RR<1.65; p = 0.00004. These exposure periods were chosen because whole body Caesium-137 monitoring had demonstrated that internal exposures persisted for more than 4 years. The dose-response exhibits saturation and reversal, interpreted as biological censoring effects in the developing individual.

The emergence of Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) has stimulated the growth and advancement of technological civilization. NIR is ubiquitous; it has helped improve all fields and even deepened democratic processes through the transfer of data and electronic transmission of results etc. A breathtaking part of NIR is its recent application in the treatment of adverse health effects through radiofrequency ablation, phototherapy, etc. as summarized in Table 1. The benefits of NIR are enormous, however, technological civilization has not come without a cost; some of the adverse health effects associated with NIR include skin cancers, sleep disorders, photo-aging, etc. as summarized in Table 2. Therefore, with the rapid and sporadic increase in the sources of NIR from Natural and Artificial sources including fossil fuel burning, Starlink technology, mobile phones, mobile base antennas, etc., background radiation is expected to rise beyond the exposure limit leading to health illnesses. Intrinsically, there is a dare need to marry concerns that evolve with this growth. Hence, this review article aims to congregate the health hazards associated with NIR and the state-of-the-art applications of NIR in medicine and the health sector in Nigeria being a developing country. Part of our recommendations is that the government at all levels should set up enforcement agencies and policies to drive strict adherence to NIR as provided by ICNIRP; frequent-periodic assessments of background radiation in public places should be carried out due to the increasing sources. In addition, further research is needed to ascertain the health hazard from emerging sources of NIR like Starlink technology and to substantiate findings of non-thermal effects.

Twin pregnancies are highly undesirable in dairy cattle; they compromise the health and wellbeing of a cow, and its incidence dramatically impairs the farm economy. Recently, a genomic prediction for twin pregnancies has been developed. The objective of this study was to assess cow, environmental and management risk factors affecting the incidence of twin pregnancies in high-producing dairy cows in their first lactation, with special emphasis placed on the genomic prediction values for twin pregnancy. Our study population of primiparous cows proved valuable in identifying factors other than genomic predictive values influencing the twin pregnancy rate. The odds ratio for twin pregnancy was 0.85 (p &lt;0.0001) for each unit of a prediction value increase, 3.5 (p = 0.023) for cows becoming pregnant during the negative photoperiod, and 0.33 (p = 0.016) for cows producing ≥42 kg of milk at AI, compared to the remaining cows producing &lt;42kg of milk. As a general conclusion, the practical implication of our findings is that genomic prediction values can identify the risk of twin pregnancy at herd level. Given the cumulative effect of genomic selection, selecting for animals with reduced genetic risk of twin pregnancies can contribute to reduce its incidence in dairy herds.

Ferulic acid has numerous beneficial effects for human health, which are frequently attributed to its antioxidant behavior. In this report many of them are reviewed and 185 new ferulic acid derivatives are computationally designed, using the CADMA-Chem protocol. For the later, the chemical space was sampled and evaluated. To that purpose selection and elimination scores were used, which are built from a set of descriptors accounting for ADME properties, toxicity, and synthetic accessibility. After the first screening, 12 derivatives were selected and further investigated. Their potential role as antioxidants was predicted from reactivity indexes, directed related with the formal hydrogen atom transfer and the single electron transfer mechanisms. The best performing molecules were identified by comparisons with the parent molecule and two references: Trolox and alpha-tocopherol. Their potential as polygenic neuroprotectors was investigated through the interactions with enzymes directed related with the etiologies of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. They are acetylcholinesterase, catechol-O-methyltransferase, and monoamine oxidase B. Based on the obtained results, the most promising candidates (FA-26, FA-118, and FA-138) are proposed as multifunctional antioxidants with potential neuroprotective effects. The findings derived from this investigation are encouraging and might promote further investigations on these molecules.

Physics of high-Tc superconducting cuprates is obscured by the effect of strong electronic correlations. One way to overcome the problem is to seek for an exact solution at least within the small cluster and expand it to the whole crystal. Such an approach is in the heart of the cluster perturbation theory (CPT). Here we develop CPT for the dynamic charge and spin susceptibilities (spin-CPT), within which the correlation effects are explicitly taken into account by the exact diagonalization. We apply spin-CPT to the effective two-band Hubbard model for the cuprates obtained from the three-band Emery model and calculate one- and two-particle correlation functions, namely, spectral function and spin and charge susceptibilities. Doping dependence of the spin susceptibility was studied within spin-CPT and CPT-RPA that is the CPT generalization of the random phase approximation (RPA). Both methods produce the low energy response at four incommensurate wave vectors in qualitative agreement to the results of the inelastic neutron scattering on overdoped cuprates.

Prosthetics have come a long way since their inception, and recent advancements in materials science have enabled the development of prosthetic devices with improved functionality and comfort. One promising area of research is the use of auxetic metamaterials in prosthetics. Auxetic materials have a negative Poisson's ratio, which means that they expand laterally when stretched, unlike conventional materials, which contract laterally. This unique property allows for the creation of prosthetic devices that can better conform to the contours of the human body and provide a more natural feel. In this review article, we provide an overview of the current state of the art in the development of prosthetics using auxetic metamaterials. We discuss the mechanical properties of these materials, including their negative Poisson's ratio and other properties that make them suitable for use in prosthetic devices. We also explore the limitations that currently exist in implementing these materials in prosthetic devices, including challenges in manufacturing and cost. Despite these challenges, the future prospects for the development of prosthetic devices using auxetic metamaterials are promising. Continued research and development in this field could lead to the creation of more comfortable, functional, and natural-feeling prosthetic devices. Overall, the use of auxetic metamaterials in prosthetics represents a promising area of research with the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world who rely on prosthetic devices.

Expressive clinical terminologies are of utmost importance for achieving an semantically interoperable data exchange and reuse in healthcare. SNOMED CT, widely respected as the most comprehensive terminology in medicine, provides formal concept definitions based on description logic which not only allows for advanced querying of SNOMED CT-coded data but also for flexibly augmenting its 350,000 concepts. This ability for postcoordination largely increases the expressivity of the terminology but correlates with an intrinsic complexity. Complicated by the current lack of tooling support, postcoordination is widely either ignored or applied in an error-prone way. To help facilitate the adoption of postcoordination, we implemented a web application that guides through the creation of Postcoordinated expressions (PCEs) while ensuring the adherence to syntactic and semantic constraints. Our approach was largely facilitated by making use of the extensive SNOMED CT specifications as well as advanced HL7 FHIR Terminology Services. Qualitative evaluations confirmed the usability of the developed application and the correctness of PCEs created with it.

In the increasingly complex environment of downhole working conditions such as frequent opening and closing of oil and gas wells, acidification/multi-stage fracturing, steam huff and puff, and strong injection and production, the traditional casing string design method standards based on strength design have gradually highlighted their limitations. It is necessary to formulate string design method standards that consider the full life cycle of wells such as drilling and completion, fracturing, and production operations. Starting from the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of traditional casing string design methods, this paper presents the characteristics of the strain design methods and seal design methods that have been formulated for the life cycle of the string. The strain design method breaks through the traditional design concept and allows the design concept of controllable deformation of the pipe string. The sealing design method is currently the only standard method for the design of tubing strings. At the same time, it further proposes to consider the trend of pipe strength deterioration and establish a time dimension-based life cycle pipe string design method standard, which effectively solves the safety problem of pipe string design in production and operation.

Plant reproduction is a very important process on Earth from the perspective of biodiversity, biomass gain and crop productivity. It is therefore important to understand sex determination process and many researchers are investigating the molecular basis of this phenomenon. However, information on the influence of transcription factors (TFs) on this process is limited, although cucumber is a model plant in this regard. In the present study, based on RNA-seq data for differential gene expression (DEG) analyses, we aimed to investigate the regulatory TFs that may influence the metabolomic processes in the shoot apex containing the forming flower buds. Therefore, a robust TF database was established for the B10v3 cucumber genome. Sex-specific interactome network maps were generated, indicating the regulatory TFs by their effects on DEGs and further on processes leading to the formation of different sex flowers. The network analysis identified major families of regulatory TFs. The most abundant families were: MYB, AP2/ERF, NAC and bZIP, and those with the greatest impact on developmental processes were identified, namely the AP/ERF family, followed by DOF, MYB, MADS and others. Thus, the central nodes and key regulators in the networks were identified with respect to male, female and hermaphrodite. Here, we proposed the first model of the regulatory network of TFs that influences the metabolism of sex development in cucumber. These findings may help to understand the molecular genetics and functional mechanisms underlying sex determination processes.

Effective communication is key for healthcare providers to provide optimal care for patients. Pharmacists’ fluency in a patient’s native language is vital to communicate effectively. Additionally, language concordance improves patients’ trust and ensures health equity. In the United States (US), Hispanics are the largest minority group, but only 36% of the pharmacy schools in the US offer Spanish courses in their curriculum. Conversely, Middle Eastern countries have implemented English as the language of instruction in pharmacy schools, though the native language of the patient population is Arabic. The discrepancy between the language of education and the language used by patients might lead to communication problems, thus limiting a pharmacist’s role in practice. This review aims to describe the efforts of pharmacy schools both in the US and Middle Eastern countries to incorporate second language (Spanish and Arabic, respectively) in their curriculum. Spanish language content has scarcely been introduced into the pharmacy curriculum in the US either as didactic elements (elective courses, lab sessions, modules within a course, or co-curricular programs) or as language immersion experiences (rotations and internships nationally or abroad). In Arabic-speaking countries, an Arabic course was introduced to the pharmacy curriculum to enhance students’ communication skills. This review provides an overview of what has been done in various pharmacy programs to prepare students for adequate multilingual speaking. The findings reveal the need for additional strategies to assess the impact of language courses on student performance and patient experience, as well as language competence in pharmacists and pharmacy students.

Cantharidin, a toxic monoterpene secreted by blister beetles, has long been used in traditional Chinese and modern medicine for its unique properties. However, despite its widespread use, its effects on fish have not been studied in depth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic applications of cantharidin in fish by examining its antioxidant, hemoagglutinating, hemolytic and cytotoxic activities at different concentrations (0, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 μg mL-1) in three different cell lines. In addition, the study explored the bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties of cantharidin against various fish pathogenic bacteria. The results revealed that there were no significant differences in antioxidant, hemagglutinating or hemolytic activities between the different concentrations of cantharidin tested. However, the study found that cantharidin exhibited dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity in sea bream (Sparus aurata) erythrocytes and in SAF-1, PLHC-1 and Hela cell lines, resulting in morphological changes indicative of apoptosis. Interestingly, the highest dose of cantharidin tested demonstrated potent bactericidal activity against four marine fish opportunistic bacteria, including Vibrio harveyi, V. anguillarum, Photobacterium damselae and Tenacibaculum maritimum, but no statistically significant changes in bacteriostatic activity were observed against any of the bacteria tested. Overall, these results provide valuable information on the potential therapeutic applications of cantharidin in fish aquaculture. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and to explore possible preventive uses of cantharidin in fish.

High density of buildings and the large traffic volume of cities give rise to narrow spaces and high passenger flows in most subway stations. When evacuation is required during an emergency, these problems may trigger issues in operational safety. Therefore, it is imperative to comprehensively assess subway station emergency evacuation times and capacities during the operating process to ensure the design is safe, science-based, and rational. To further enhance safe evacuation capacity, this paper proposes an overall evacuation time model that considers the multielement charac-teristics of subway stations in multiple segments. The evacuation route is decomposed into five stages according to the critical nodes in the evacuation process. An overall emergency evacuation time model is established based on the diversity of bottlenecks in the five stages, integrating elements such as the horizontal movement velocity of passengers, subway equipment parameters, and human density. Taking Xi’an Wulukou Subway Station as an example, this paper verifies the outcomes of the theoretical model against the Pathfinder software and conducts additional anal-yses of the evacuation conditions of stairs and exits. The results show that the error between the theoretical emergency evacuation time and simulation evacuation time was 5.4%, The emergency evacuation model established in this study boasts strong robustness and stability.

Background: Primary cardiac sarcomas (PCS) are extremely rare malignant tumors involving the heart. Only isolated case reports have been described. There is a paucity of data on the epidemiological characteristics of PCS. This study has the objective of investigating the epidemiologic characteristics, survival outcomes, and independent prognostic factors of PCS. Methods: We enrolled a total of 362 patients with PCS, between 2000 and 2017, by retrieving the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We analyzed demographics, clinical characteristics, and overall mortality (OM) as well as cancer-specific mortality (CSM) of PCS. Variables with a p-value < 0.1 in the univariate Cox regression were incorporated into the multivariate Cox model to determine the independent prognostic factors, with a hazard ratio (HR) of greater than 1 representing adverse prognostic factors. Results: Crude analysis revealed a high OM in age 80+ (HR=5.958, 95% CI 3.357-10.575, p=0), followed by age 60-79 (HR=1.429, 95% CI 1.028-1.986, p=0.033); and PCS with distant metastases (HR=1.888, 95% CI 1.389-2.566, p=0). Patients that underwent surgical resection of the primary tumor and patients with malignant fibrous histiocytomas (HR=0.657, 95% CI 0.455-0.95, p=0.025) had a better OM (HR=0.606, 95% CI 0.465-0.791, p=0). The highest cancer-specific mortality was observed in age 80+ (HR=5.037, 95% CI 2.606-9.736, p=0) and patients with distant metastases (HR=1.953, 95% CI 1.396-2.733, p=0). Patients with malignant fibrous histiocytomas (HR=0.572, 95% CI 0.378-0.865, p=0.008) and those who underwent surgery (HR=0.581, 95% CI 0.436-0.774, p=0) had a lower CSM. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses revealed higher OM in the age group 80+ (HR=13.261, 95% CI 5.839-30.119, p=0) and advanced disease with distant metastases (HR=2.013, 95% CI 1.355-2.99, p=0.001). Lower OM was found in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (HR=0.364, 95% CI 0.154-0.86, p=0.021) and widowed patients (HR=0.506, 95% CI 0.263-0.977, p=0.042). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses of CSM also revealed higher mortality in the same groups, and lower mortality in patients with Rhabdomyosarcoma. Conclusion: In this United States population-based retrospective cohort study using the SEER database, we found that cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma was associated with the lowest CSM and OM. Furthermore, as expected, age and advanced disease at diagnosis were independent factors predicting poor prognosis. Surgical resection of the primary tumor showed lower CSM and OM in the crude analysis but when adjusted for covariates in the multivariate analysis, it did not significantly impact the overall mortality or the cancer-specific mortality. These findings allow for treating clinicians to recognize patients that should be referred to palliative/hospice care at the time of diagnosis and avoid any surgical interventions as they did not show any differences in mortality. Surgical resection in patients with poor prognoses should be reserved as a palliative measure rather than an attempt to cure the disease.

Affine quantization is a relatively new procedure, and it can solve many new problems. This essay reviews this new, and novel, procedure for particle problems, as well as those of fields and gravity. New quantization tools, which are extremely close to, and even constructed from, the tools of canonical quantization, are able to fully solve selected problems that using the standard canonical quantization would fail. In particular, improvements can even be found with an affine quantization of fields, as well as gravity.

The KCNA1 gene encodes Kv1.1 voltage-gated potassium channel α subunits, which are crucial for maintaining healthy neuronal firing and preventing hyperexcitability. Mutations in the KCNA1 gene can cause several neurological diseases and symptoms, such as episodic ataxia and epilepsy, which may occur alone or in combination, making it challenging to establish simple genotype-phenotype correlations. Previous analyses of human KCNA1 variants have shown that epilepsy-linked mutations tend to cluster in regions critical for the channel’s pore, whereas EA1-associated mutations are evenly distributed across the length of the protein. In this review, we examine 17 recently discovered pathogenic or likely pathogenic KCNA1 variants to gain new insights into the molecular genetic basis of KCNA1 channelopathy. We provide the first systematic breakdown of disease rates for KCNA1 variants in different protein domains, uncovering potential location biases that influence genotype-phenotype correlations. Our examination of the new mutations strengthens the proposed link between the pore region and epilepsy and reveals new connections between epilepsy-related variants, genetic modifiers, and respiratory dysfunction. Additionally, the new variants include the first two gain-of-function mutations ever discovered for KCNA1, the first frameshift mutation, and the first mutations located in the cytoplasmic N-terminal domain, broadening the functional and molecular scope of KCNA1 channelopathy. Moreover, the recently identified variants highlight emerging links between KCNA1 and musculoskeletal abnormalities and nystagmus, conditions not typically associated with KCNA1. These findings improve our understanding of KCNA1 channelopathy and promise to enhance personalized diagnosis and treatment for individuals with KCNA1-linked disorders.

The chelating aluminum complex [2-(Me2NCH2)C2B10H10]AlX2 (X = Br 3, CH3 4) was synthesized using 2-dimethylaminomethyl-o-carboranyl lithium (2) with aluminum tribromide or dimethylaluminum bromide, resulting in a modest yield. Compound 4 was obtained by reacting compound 3 with CH3Li in toluene. All compounds were characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, 1H, 11B, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. X-ray structural studies of CabNAlBr2 (3) and CabNAlMe2 (4) indicated that the Al atom was located at the center of a distorted tetrahedron. Crystal structures of the CabNAlBr2 (3) [a = 8.9360(3) Å, b = 12.0358(9) Å, c = 14.7730(4) Å, α = β = γ = 90°] and the CabNAlMe2 (4) [a = 8.9551(3) Å, b = 11.9126(9) Å, c = 14.7711(4) Å, α = β = γ = 90°] were obtained. The reactivity of aluminum complexes 3 and 4 with Lewis bases, such as H2O, pyridine, alkylamines, and arylamines, confirmed their rapid decomposition.

The archival Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) Proportional Counter Array (PCA) observations of HZ Her/Her X-1 are analyzed here. The time periods for Anomalous Low States are refined. The 35-day X-ray lightcurve of Her X-1 is produced using 35-day phases determined with RXTE All-Sky Monitor (ASM) and Swift Burst Altert Telescope (BAT) data, with adjustments based on the RXTE/PCA data. The result is the highest sensitivity 35-day lightcurve of Her X-1. The RXTE/PCA data were separated into 8 differents states of the 35-day cycle: Main High (MH) turn-on, MH, MH decline, Low State (LS) 1, Short High (SH) turn-on, SH, SH decline, and LS2. Orbital lightcurves were created for each state, and the different states are compared. Eclipse data was extracted for each state to determine the changes of eclipse shape with 35-day phase. A scattering corona model was fit to the eclipses for the different 35-day states: this shows that the corona is present at all 35-day phases with similar intensity. We carried out a search for previously-reported dips with no absorption, but did not find any.

The oral cavity is environment to a diverse range of organisms that make up an essential element of the human microbiota. There are 50-1000 kinds of microorganisms capable of colonizing the mouth. The entamoeba parasites have at minimum 7 species (E. histolytica, E. dispar, E. moshkovskii, E. coli, E. polecki E. hartmann, E. gingivalis). These parasites are parasitic single-celled organisms and Entamoeba gingivalis was the first amoeba to be described in 1849 that was capable of existing in humans. It was shown that only Entamoeba gingivalis is able to colonize the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of E. Gingivalis in periodontal disease using two electronic database search engines. In order to have a broader view of the subject, a comprehensive manual search was conducted on these content aggregators and the initial search resulted in 277 articles using the keywords „Entamoeba gingivalis”, „periodontitis”, „E. gingivalis”, „periodontal disease”, „prevalence”, and „incidence”, in different combinations. The results showed that 755 cases were infected with Entamoeba gingivalis out of a total number of 1,729 patients diagnosed with periodontal disease indicating a global prevalence of 43%. When comparing different stages of periodontal diseases results revealed that the prevalence in patients with gingivitis was 58% while in periodontitis group the prevalence was 44%. Overall prevalence of Entamoeba Gingivalis based on gender was 43 % in female patients whilst in male patients was 47%. Based on the results it can be concluded that the higher incidence of Entamoeba Gingivalis in people with periodontal disease compared to healthy people is more than just a sign of the disease; it may also be linked to the severity of the condition and its propensity to progress.

In this work, we present a study of ordinary muon capture (OMC) on 136Ba, the daughter nucleus of the 136Xe double beta decay (DBD). OMC rates to low-lying nuclear states (below 1 MeV of excitation energy) in 136Cs are assessed by using both the interacting shell model (ISM) and the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA). We also add the chiral two-body (2BC) meson-exchange currents and use an exact Dirac wave function for the captured s-orbital muon. OMC can be viewed as a complementary probe of the wave functions in 136Cs, the intermediate nucleus of the 136Xe DBD. At the same time OMC can be considered as a powerful probe of the effective values of the weak axial-type couplings in a 100-MeV momentum-exchange region relevant for the neutrinoless DBD. The present work represents the first attempt to compare the ISM and pnQRPA results for the OMC on a heavy nucleus by including also the exact muon wave function and the 2BC. Sensitivity estimates of the present and future neutrinoless DBD experiments will clearly benefit from the future OMC measurements through the OMC calculations similar to the present one.

Natural fibres are the preferred options for garment, technical and medical textiles, nonwovens and composites. Their sustainability is a considerable advantage. Though, the nature of silk production and processing involves a large amount of waste. The present review explores the current issues of recycling silk waste into nonwovens for medical and air filtration purposes. The article proposes to obtain nonwovens from short fibres using electrospinning of fibroin solutions in volatile solvents. Longer fibres are proposed to be processed into needle punched nonwoven materials with a selection of an effective antistatic treatment.

With the proliferating of video surveillance system deployment and related applications, real-time video analysis is very critical to achieve intelligent monitoring, autonomous driving, etc. It is non-trivial to achieve high accuracy and low latency video stream analysis through the traditional cloud computing. In this paper, we propose a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) based edge real-time video analysis framework with one edge server (ES) and multiple user equipments (UEs). A cost minimization problem composed of delay, energy and accuracy is formulated to improve the QoE of UEs. In order to efficiently solve this problem, we propose the joint video frame resolution scaling, task offloading, and resource allocation algorithm based on the Deep Q-Learning Network (JVFRS-TO-RA-DQN), which effectively overcomes the sparsity of the single-layer reward function and accelerates the training convergence speed. JVFRS-TO-RA-DQN consists of two DQN networks to reduce the curse of dimension, which respectively select the offloading and resource allocation action, the resolution scaling action. Experimental results show that JVFRS-TO-RA-DQN can effectively reduce the cost of transmission and computation, and have better performance in convergence compared to other baseline.

The substrate N1, N3, N5 -tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (Sensor A) was prepared in the reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (trimesic acid) and o-aminophenol in ethanol. The prepared organic sensor fulfills the chemiluminescent requirements including luminophore, spacer, and suitable binding receptor that distress the probe's luminescent features, providing selective and sensitive detection of mercury and iron ions in aqueous solutions. The sensor selectively detects mercury and iron ions in a water matrix containing various metal ions including sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and nickel. Strong and immediate binding was observed between mercury ions and the substrate at pH 7.0 with a binding affinity toward Hg (II) enhanced by nine folds higher than that observed for iron sensor binding affinity, which makes the substrate a distinctive luminescence sensor for mercury detection at ambient conditions. The sensor shows a linear response toward Hg (II) in the concentration range from 4.2 x 10-5 to 2.0 x 10-8 M with a limit of detection of 1.0 x 10-8 M. Further, Sensor A provides linear detection for iron ions in the range from 1.5 x 10-3 to 1.5 x 10-8 M. The measured adsorption capacity of Sensor A toward mercury ions ranged from 1.25 to 1.97 mg/g and the removal efficiency from water samples reached 98.8% at pH 7.0. The data demonstrate that Sensor A is an excellent probe for detecting and removing mercury ions from water bodies.

The surface defects of shield subway tunnel can significantly affect the serviceability of the tunnel structure and may compromise the operation safety. To effectively detect the multiple surface defects, this research employs a tunnel inspection trolley (TIT) based on the mobile laser scanning technique. By conducting the inspection of the shield tunnel on a metro line section, various surface defects are identified by the TIT, including water leakage defect, dislocation, spalling, cross-section deformation, etc. To explore the root causes of the surface defects, the association rules between different defects are calculated via an improved Apriori algorithm. Results show that: i) there are significant differences in different association rules of various surface defects of the shield tunnel; ii) the average confidence of the association rule “dislocation &amp; spalling → water leakage” is as high as 57.78%, indicating that most of the water leakage defects are caused by dislocation and spalling of the shield tunnel in the sections being inspected; iii) the weakest rule appears at “water leakage → spalling”, with the average confidence of 13%. The association analysis can be used in predicting the critical defects influencing the structural reliability and operation safety, such as water leakage, and optimizing the construction and maintenance work for the shield subway tunnel.

INTRODUCTION There have been several advances in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection which have resulted in major reductions in the morbidity and mortality from liver-associated disease. These are not widely available in the Caribbean, due in part, to lack of knowledge of the epidemiology of infections with HCV. As efforts are made to eliminate HCV from the region, these and other existing barriers such as lack of an established database on HCV must be addressed. This review seeks to identify gaps in the knowledge of HCV in the Caribbean with respect to seroprevalence, genotype distribution and general epidemiologic characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS The literature for the period January 1, 2005, to October 2022, was reviewed to gather country specific data on HCV across the Caribbean. References were identified through indexed journals accessed through established databases. The usage pattern of HCV drugs was determined from data obtained from Pharmacists and Infectious Diseases Specialists across the region. RESULTS The prevalence of HCV in the Caribbean was 1.5%; the region should therefore be considered an area of moderate prevalence. Notably, data from specific countries were limited. The prevalence of HCV among intravenous drug users (21.9-58.8%); persons living with HIV/AIDS (0.8 to 58.5%); prisoners (32.8-64%) and men who have sex with men (MSM) (0.8-6.9%) was generally higher than in the general population (0.8-2.3%). Genotype 1 (83% was most prevalent followed by genotypes 2 (7.2%) and 3(2.1%), respectively. Drugs currently being used for treatment of HCV infections across the Caribbean include Epclusa (Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir), and Harvoni (Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir). Some of these drugs, are only available in the private sector and are sourced externally whenever needed. CONCLUSION There is a paucity of current data on the seroprevalence of HCV in the Caribbean and well-designed prospective studies are indicated to drive the implementation of treatment and control programs for HCV in the region. Barriers which need to be first overcome include unavailability and high cost of drugs used to treat HCV infections, injecting drug use and limited access to medical care and laboratory testing.

Differences in the physical and chemical properties of reclaimed water (RW) and natural surface water (SW) lead to the differences in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus release when pipeline sediments enter these water bodies. The nitrogen and phosphorus release kinetics from pipe sediments with different particle sizes have been investigated. The results demonstrated that both SW and RW had a pH buffering effect after sediment addition, and the final pH (approximately 8.1) of RW was lower. The release of total phosphorus (TP) and ammonia nitrogen ( NH₄⁺-N) fitted the first-order kinetic model where the release of TP reached equilibrium; TP release was inhibited in both SW and RW, where RW exhibited the lowest (by a factor of 1.23~2.44) release (0.002 mg/g). The release of NH4+-N was promoted in both SW and RW; the maximum release in RW was 0.0188 mg/g. The amounts of NH₄⁺-N released in SW and RW were 1.02-1.40 and 1.30-1.80 times that of the control group (CG), respectively. The percentage of TP and NH₄⁺-N release in the three groups was highest in 75-154 μm pipe sediment, reaching 34.53% and 43.51% in SW and RW, respectively. These results can assist in the development of water quality evolution models for specific urban scenarios, and provide important guidance for the precise regulation of recharge water quality during and after rainfall.

Sustainable bio-economy is considered to be one of the most promising routes towards the transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy. The valorization industry of bio-waste and agri-food by-products represents a key player in bioeconomy. In this article the design and the development of a web platform aiming at promoting synergies enabling the agricultural waste valorization is presented. The platform consists of: (i) the AgriPLaCE Waste Management Database which provides the users with an extended list of potential utilization measures for a variety of agricultural waste streams (ii) the AgriPLaCE Synergies Tool which aims to create synergies between different actors involved in the value chain from agricultural waste production to waste treatment and new valuable products’ exploitation. At the initial stage, the conceptual design of both tools took place by conducting an in-depth analysis for the user needs and services alongside the system architecture. Following, the AgriPLaCE platform development stage took place, with the implementation of all the necessary subsystems. The results showed that multiple potential collaborations can arise by the use of the AgriPLaCE platform, while users can also deepen on alternative and emerging treatment technologies and valuable products that can derive from a wide range of agricultural waste streams.

In this article, we have tried to answer the questions of how an entire city's fiction was created for the development of Japanese American internment camps and in which way contributions of sustainable crafts and even art could have interceded. To this aim, we have searched the literature and reviewed archives, primarily from the American West Coast. We have found that beyond adaptation to the circumstances, the visual representation of the city's settlement, founding, and daily activities, instead of typical panoptic or somber prisons’ imagery, are depicted in the selected images and that their use precisely fostered its sustainability. This leads us to deduce that a "city fiction" was necessary for such survival and endurance and that its artistic representation was primarily involved in the state's ideological apparatus. On the other hand, fissures subtly seethed the violence exerted in the camps by stealth and in a hidden fashion. We have concluded that artistic activity justified the city's fiction, together with other examples, highlighting the conditions of systemic violence and oppression for the inmates. In this framework, the artworks generated constitute a historical document of sustainability.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected public health but has also significantly impacted the economy. Bandung, a bustling city in Indonesia serving as a satellite to the capital, has been hit hard due to its high population density, mobility, and reliance on the tourism, trade, and transportation sectors. Using a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model developed at the inter-regional level of Indonesia, this study investigates the microeconomic indicators of several economic activities in Bandung to assess the impact of the pandemic. Additionally, the study examines the role of private sector actors in contributing to the sustainable recovery efforts toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amidst the pandemic. The findings reveal that Bandung's transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, water supply, and trade sectors experienced a significant decline in economic activity. However, there was a gradual recovery with increased economic activity between 2019 and 2021. Private sector actors and the health sector were the main drivers of economic recovery, with other sectors also contributing to the efforts.

Among bryophytes, the Plagiochila genus represents a large group of leafy liverworts, with over 500 species. Plagiochilins A-to-X are sesquiterpenoids isolated from Plagiochila species. The lead compound plagiochilin A (Plg-A), endowed with anticancer and anti-parasitic properties, has been characterized as a potent mitosis inhibitor, acting selectively at the late stage of cytokinesis termed abscission. The compound perturbs the dynamic of microtubules, blocking cell cycle progression and triggering the death of malignant cells. Based on the compound mechanism of action and the analogy with other natural products bearing a dihydro-pyrone moiety, we postulated that Plg-A could bind to the pironetin site of α-tubulin. A molecular docking analysis has been performed to compare binding of all 24 plagiochilins to α-tubulin and to establish structure-binding relationships. The identification of Plg-E and Plg-G as the best binders in the series pointed out to the importance of the C13-OH or C=O group for α-tubulin recognition. This observation led to the testing of the natural product ester plagiochilin A-15-yl n-octanoate and the corresponding alcohol (Plg-OH), both identified as robust α-tubulin binders. The study provides a rational to explain potentially the mechanism of action of Plg-A and to guide the design of new derivatives.

Mannheimia haemolytica is the main pathogen contributing to pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance levels in M. haemolytica from the lungs of slaughtered sheep and the genetic resistance mechanisms involved. A total of 256 M. haemolytica isolates, 169 from lungs with pneumonic lesions and 87 without, were analyzed by the disk diffusion method for 12 antimicrobials, and the whole genome of 14 isolates sequenced to identify resistance determinants. Levels of phenotypic resistance ranged from <2 % for 10 antimicrobials (amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic, ceftiofur, cefquinome, lincomycin/spectinomycin, gentamicin, erythromycin, florfenicol, enrofloxacin, and doxycycline) to 4.3% for tetracycline and 89.1% for tylosin. Six isolates carried tetH genes and four carried, in addition, strA and sul2 genes in putative plasmid sequences. No mutations associated with macrolide resistance were identified in 23 rDNA sequences suggesting that M. haemolytica phenotypic results for tylosin should be interpreted with care in the absence of well-established epidemiological and clinical breakpoints. The identification of strains phenotypically resistant to tetracycline and of several resistance genes, some of which were present in plasmids, highlight the need for continuous monitoring of susceptibility patterns in Pasteurellaceae isolates from livestock

The research proposes a self-directed paradigm with self-design using the existing technology with LMS modules, discussions, and self-tests. The research establishes its criteria for assurance of teaching and learning known as 7x2C for the compliance of content, and appearance along with other criteria for the analysis. The above technology of web and LMS is tested for a business course that is technology-oriented in creating an experiential learning system for Covid-19 awareness. Similarly, among other ideas, an environment for educating learners about diabetes and obesity has been designed. The project is known as Sunchoke with its theme of Grow, Eat, and Heal. The educators can use their technology and apply self-directed pedagogy to transform this approach to their customized ways by using their content and rubrics.

Fake news detection has become a significant topic based on the fast-spreading and detrimental effects of such news. Many methods based on deep neural networks learn clues from claim content and message propagation structure or temporal information, which have been widely recognized. However, such models (i) ignore the fact that information quality is uneven in propagation, which makes semantic representations unreliable. (ii) Most models do not fully leverage spatial and temporal structure in combination. (iii) Finally, internal decision-making processes and results are non-transparent and unexplained. In this study, we develop a trust-aware evidence reasoning and spatiotemporal feature aggregation model for more interpretable and accurate fake news detection. Specifically, we first design a trust-aware evidence reasoning module to calculate the credibility of posts based on a random walk model to discover high-quality evidence. Next, from the perspective of spatiotemporal structure, we design an evidence-representation module to capture the semantic interactions granularly and enhance the reliable representation of evidence. Finally, a two-layer capsule network is designed to aggregate the implicit bias in evidence while capturing the false portions of source information in a transparent and interpretable manner. Extensive experiments on two benchmark datasets indicate that the proposed model can provide explanations for fake news detection results, as well as can achieve better performance, boosting 3.5% in F1-score on average.

Conclusions: It could be concluded that small/medium scale dairy plants can use UF equipment with the aim to valorize sheep´s and goat´s CW through the production of dairy formulations with added prebiotics and probiotics, while reducing the environmental impact of their activities.

In this paper, the research progress on dynamic behaviors of RC structural members is reviewed from experimental, theoretical and numerical perspectives. Firstly, the basic overview, measurement methods, main conclusions and current limitations of available dynamic loading tests are presented. Then the theoretical studies on the dynamic constitutive models of RC materials, the dynamic increase factor (DIF) model for concrete and reinforcing steel and the proposed modified models of dynamic behavior parameter at the structural member level are summarized. Finally, the available modelling approach and the method for incorporating the dynamic effect in numerical simulation of RC structures are reviewed. Moreover, a brief introduction is made to the dynamic hysteretic model established on the experimental data, which provides an alternative approach to consider the dynamic effect beside the commonly used DIF method. This paper provides valuable reference for experimental studies and numerical simulations on the dynamic behaviors of RC structures, and also puts forward some issues that need to be solved in the future research works..

In recent years, novel food is becoming an emerging trend increasingly more demanding in developed countries. Food proteins from vegetables (pulses, legumes, cereals), fungi, bacteria and insects are being researched to introduce them in meat alternatives, beverages, baked products and others. One of the most complex challenges for introducing novel foods on the market is to assure food safety. New alimentary scenarios drive the detection of novel allergens that need to be identified and quantified with the aim of appropriate labelling. Allergenic reactions are mostly caused by proteins of great abundance in foods, most frequently of small molecular mass, glycosylated, water-soluble and with high stability to proteolysis. The most relevant plant and animal food allergens such as lipid transfer proteins, profilins, seed storage proteins, lactoglobulins, caseins, tropomyosins and parvalbumins from fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, and fish have been investigated. New methods for massive screening in the search of potential allergens must be developed particularly concerning protein databases and other online tools. Moreover, several bioinformatic tools based on sequence alignment, motif identification or 3-D structure predictions should be implemented as well. Finally, targeted proteomics will become a powerful technology for the quantification of these hazardous proteins. The ultimate objective is to build an effective and resilient surveillance network with this cutting-edge technology.

A real-time flight simulation tool is proposed using a Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Display (VR-HMD) for airships operating in beyond the line-of-sight (BLOS) conditions. Particularly, the VR-HMD is developed for stratospheric airships flying at low/high altitudes. The proposed flight simulation tool uses the corresponding aerodynamics characteristics of the airship, the buoyancy effect, mass balance, added mass, propulsion contributions and ground reactions in the FlightGear Fight Simulator (FGFS). The VR headset has been connected to the FGFS along with the radio controller containing the real-time orientation/state of each button that is also simulated to provide better situational awareness and a Head-Up Display (HUD) that has been developed to provide the required flight data. In this work, a system was developed to connect the FGFS and the VR-capable graphics engine, Unity, to a PC and a wireless VR-HMD in real-time with minimal lag between data transmission. A balance was found for FGFS to write to a CSV file at a period of 0.01s. For Unity, the file was read every frame which translates to around 0.0167s (60 Hz). A test procedure was also conducted with a similar rating technique based on the NASA TLX questionnaire that identifies the pilot’s spare mental capacity when completing an assigned task to assure the comfortability of the proposed VR-HMD. Accordingly, a comparison has been made for the aircraft control using the desktop simulator and the VR-HMD tool. Results, showed that the current iteration of the system is ideal to train pilots on using similar systems in a safe and immersive environment. Furthermore, such an advanced portable system may even increase the situational awareness of pilots and allow them to complete a sizeable portion of actual flight tests with the same data transmission procedures in simulation. The resulting VR-HMD flight simulator is also conceived to express the ground control station (GCS) concept and transmit flight information as well as the point of view (POV) visuals in real-time using the real environment broadcasted using an onboard camera.

Women have been leading organizations and communities for centuries, but their journeys in leadership have sometimes been challenging. This paper aims to reflect on women's positive and negative experiences in leadership roles and understand the factors contributing to their successes and challenges.To explore these issues, we will draw on various academic literature, including studies on gender and leadership and case studies of women in leadership positions. We will also examine the cultural and social factors that affect women's experiences in leadership, including bias and discrimination, societal expectations, and work-life balance challenges.One key theme from this analysis is the importance of role models and support networks in helping women succeed in leadership roles. Women with access to mentorship, sponsorship, and peer networks are more likely to thrive in their roles and overcome the challenges they may face. However, lacking female role models and mentors can make it difficult for women to advance in their careers and contribute to feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome.Another important theme is the need for organizations and society to address systemic biases and discrimination that prevent women from reaching their full potential. This can include initiatives such as unconscious bias training, flexible work arrangements, and policies that support gender diversity and inclusion.In conclusion, this paper highlights women's positive and negative experiences in leadership roles and emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to support and empower women in leadership. By addressing the challenges women face and building a culture of inclusion and support, organizations and society can help unlock the full potential of women leaders and create a more equitable and just world.

This research paper aimed to explore the impact of childhood and adolescent experiences on the leadership development of Emirati women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Using a qualitative research methodology, the study utilized in-depth narrative semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and diary writing to understand the complex issue of leadership development. Findings indicate that childhood and adolescent experiences, including family upbringing, education, culture, and societal expectations, have significant impacts on the leadership development of Emirati women. Specifically, family upbringing and cultural values shape Emirati women's leadership aspirations and behaviors, while education and societal expectations provide opportunities and barriers for women's leadership development. The implications of these findings for policymakers and practitioners seeking to promote women's leadership development in the UAE are discussed.

Factory safety inspections are crucial for ensuring safe production. However, manual inspections present issues such as low efficiency and high workload. Inspection robots provide an efficient and reliable solution for completing patrol tasks. The development of robot localization and path planning technologies provides guarantees for factory inspection robots to autonomously complete inspection tasks in complex environments. This paper studies mapping and localization, as well as path planning methods for robots in order to meet the application requirements of factory inspections. Two SLAM application systems based on multiple-line laser radar and vision are designed for different scenarios in consideration of the limitations of cameras and laser sensors in terms of their own characteristics and applicability in different environments. To address the issue of low efficiency in inspection tasks, a hybrid path planning algorithm that integrates the A-star algorithm and time elasticity band algorithm is proposed. This algorithm effectively solves the problem of path planning in complex environments that is prone to falling into local optimal solutions, thereby improving the inspection efficiency of robots. Experimental tests show that the designed SLAM and path planning methods can meet the needs of robot inspection in complex scenes and have good reliability and stability. The code used in this article is open source and can be accessed at https://github.com/Mxiii99/RSPP_CS.git.

The number of obese people worldwide is rising dramatically, with 51% of the global population expected to be obese or overweight by 2035. And it is usually involved in a variety of chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In the process of obesity, adipose tissue expands indefinitely, which induces metabolic dysfunction. Here, we confirm the role of succinate in the intervention of obesity. Through adding succinate to drinking water, high-fat diet induced obese mice were associated with the lower fat mass, and improved glucose tolerance and energy expenditure. These metabolic changes are accompanied by increased expression of lipolysis genes and decreased lipogenesis genes, especially in subcutaneous adipose tissue. In summary, supplement of succinate improves lipid deposition and metabolic health in obese mice.

The paper describes a new formula for calculating the mutual inductance between a thin conical sheet inductor and a filamentary circular loop, which are coaxial. The presented formula is derived semi-analytically using the complete elliptic integrals of the first, second, and the third kind, along with the integral term which will be solved numerically. The results are validated using double and single integration methods, as well as the semi-analytical formula. The mutual inductance between a thin wall solenoid and a filamentary circular loop can be obtained using the new formula for the conical coil and circular loop. Presented formulas can be useful in various applications, such as broadband RF and wireless power transfer systems that utilize conical inductors. Overall, the paper presents a valuable contribution to the field of inductor design and can be useful in various applications involving conical inductors.

Although, central venous pressure (CVP) is among the most frequent estimated hemodynamic parameters in the critically ill setting, extremely little is known on how intensive care unit (ICU) nurses use this index in their decision-making process. The purpose of the study was to develop a new questionnaire for accessing how ICU nurses use CVP measurements to address patients’ he-modynamics investigating its validity and reliability. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 ICU nurses from four ICUs of Greece. Based on a comprehensive literature review and the evaluation of a five-experts panel a new questionnaire, named “CVP-Score”, was created having 8 items. The construct validity and the reliability of the questionnaire were examined. The half of the study participants’ (51.7%) was working at a specialized ICU, and they had a mean [±Standard Deviation (SD)] ICU experience of 13(±7.1) years. The estimated construct validity of the new-developed tool was acceptable, while the internal consistency reliability as measured by Cronbach alpha was excellent (0.901). CVP Score had acceptable test-retest reliability (r=0.996, p<0.001) and split-half reliability (0.855). CVP Score is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring how critical care nurses use CVP measurements in their decision-making process.

The Asian weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina is a natural enemy (predator) used as a biological control agent in Australia and several Southeast Asian nations against the most destructive and economically important oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis. For biological control of the invasive bagworm species Metisa plana in oil palm plantations, the composition of the colony's social structure was investigated to ensure its efficacy. On two colonies, all castes were examined stereo microscopically after nest collection and dissection. The head's width, head, thorax, abdomen, and body lengths of workers were evaluated during the morphology analysis. All colonies with more than a thousand eggs comprise of a founding egg-laying queen, reproductive winged green and newly emerged yellow queens, as well as adult drone males and workers. Future queens, males, and workers' pupae and larvae comprised immature individuals. It is the first study to characterise one caste of minor workers, two previously unidentified castes of intermediate workers, and two castes of major workers. The lengths of the body and abdomen are proposed as differentiating factors for workers. The discovery of a polymorphic size frequency distribution model contrasts with the consistently reported existence of archetypical bimodal systems in ants. Intermediate workers foraging outside the nest revealed reconnaissance and aggressive behaviours that aided major workers in their daily tasks. Due to their short lifespan and segregated nests, it is difficult to successfully sample adult males in wide plantations. An entire year's worth of reproductive individuals are produced by stable, three-year-old colonies, with a decrease in population size correlated with a significant decline in rainfall interception.

Macrophages are the key effector cells of innate immunity which show two polarized states: M1, classically activated and M2, alternatively activated. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) which usually show M2 polarization, are immunosuppressive cells that enhance tumor metastasis and invasion. Also, enrichment of TAMs is known to be closely associated with poor prognosis of cancer patients. Therefore, TAMs are considered to be promising targets for immunotherapy. Importantly, tumor-derived exosomes emerged as a crucial player in immune regulation which can remodel the tumor microenvironment towards immunosuppressive state. Of note, few studies have shown that exosomes could induce polarization of macrophages towards M2 type in tumor condition, while others showed activation of M1 or mixed phenotype. Considering the role of TAMs in cancer, there is an urgent need to decipher the exosome-mediated cross-talk between tumor cells and macrophages.For this, we used murine model of Dalton’s lymphoma (DL), wherein, firstly, we evaluated increased exosome burden by assessing exosome level in serum as well as in various tissues of tumor-bearing host. Next, proteomic profiling of lymphoma-derived exosomes was done which revealed the presence of immunomodulatory proteins. Of note, these proteins were known to alter the macrophage polarization. In order to assess the effect of these exosomes on macrophages, we performed in vitro study using RAW264.7 cells. In vitro study revealed that frequent uptake of exosomes mediated a morphological change in macrophages which reduced their phagocytic activity. In parallel, exosomes increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) level in macrophages. Also, exosomes upregulated the expression of arginase-1 (an M2 marker) in macrophages but decreased the LPS-induced nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) (an M1 marker) expression. Moreover, we observed a pro-tumoral cytokine profile in macrophages incubated with exosomes. Our study suggests that exosome load increases in lymphoma-bearing hosts systemically. Importantly, lymphoma-derived exosomes mediate the activation of macrophages towards pro-tumoral M2 type. Our results give an insight into the exosome-mediated tumor and immune cell cross-talk which could serve as an important prospect for targeting in cancer immunotherapy.