This article postulates that, in principle, it is possible (1) to develop linkages between the extractive sector and other economic sectors; (2) for such linkages to contribute to economic diversification; and (3) for economic diversification to potentially drive positive economic transformation. We argue that achieving this three-stepped pathway is impossible without also achieving some level of political and social transformation. Empirically, many resource-rich countries have failed to develop linkages. Or, if they have, the linkages built remain limited to the development of supply chains serving the extractive sector, contributing little to economic diversification. In this article, we refer to limited linkages and dependence on exporting unprocessed minerals as the centripetal force of the extractive sector. This implies that capital investments and economic activities are concentrated around the extractive sector. We propose an alternative theoretical model that strives to foster the centrifugal force of the extractive sector – a term we use to capture the three-stepped pathway. This model is underpinned by multiple factors and their interactions, which are within the purview of the complex state and market relationship (posing as a challenge) and the role of minerals in the global transformation towards a clean energy system (posing as an opportunity).

As of the end of 2022, despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the global HIV epidemic persists, with 39 million individuals living with the virus and 1.3 million new infections reported in that year. Opportunistic infections associated with AIDS claimed the lives of over 630,000 people in 2022, contributing to a cumulative death toll exceeding 40.4 million since the disease's emergence in 1981. Although advances in HIV diagnosis and antiretroviral therapy have transformed the disease into a manageable chronic condition, issues like drug resistance, low compliance, and high treatment costs persist. Until a vaccine becomes available, a comprehensive approach involving prevention and therapy is essential, particularly for high-risk populations. Research shows that prevention strategies are more cost-effective than treatment. The development of antiretroviral drugs has also spurred the creation of antivirals for other infections. The emergence of COVID-19 vaccines has opened new avenues for HIV vaccine development, as lessons from vaccine platform technologies like mRNA, viral vectors, and protein subunits can be applied to HIV. This review explores the most promising prophylactic and therapeutic HIV vaccine trials, emphasizing the need for a multi-pronged approach combining vaccines with non-vaccine strategies. Though significant progress is anticipated, the road to a viable HIV vaccine remains long, especially for high-risk populations, such as medical workers, blood transfusion recipients, and drug users. The combinatorial approach, capitalizing on various aspects of immunity, may hold the key to defeating HIV in the future.

As the global community shifts away from fossil fuels towards more environmentally friendly energy alternatives, there is an escalating demand for sophisticated energy storage solutions. Solid-State Batteries (SSBs) have emerged as a promising advancement, presenting a superior substitute to conventional lithium-ion batteries. This review provides an in-depth examination of SSBs, emphasizing their enhanced energy density, safety, and longevity. We evaluate conventional cathode materials, including lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4), and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). Additionally, we introduce emerging materials such as sulfides, oxides, and air-based cathodes, discussing their benefits, limitations, and their congruence with solid electrolytes. Special attention is devoted to the structural fine-tuning of cathode ma-terials, investigating approaches like nanostructuring, surface coatings, and composite strategies to counteract issues such as restricted conductivity and structural volatility. The review critically analyzes the electrical and thermal properties of these materials, which are essential for battery safety and efficacy. Moreover, we present a comparative assessment of cathode materials based on performance indicators and identify prevailing research voids and hurdles in the commerciali-zation of SSB cathodes. Concluding, we suggest prospective research directions and innovations, underscoring the revolutionary potential of SSB technologies in paving the way for a sustainable energy horizon.

In this research paper an algorithm for the derivation of methods based on theorems and axioms of fuzzy logic is presented, analyzed and applied. This new proposed procedure generates fuzzy methods and evaluates the value of fuzzy propositions through fuzzy implication. The new implications of the family should satisfy a number of axioms. Also, we denote the conditions in order to satisfy the maximum number of axioms. Moreover, authors state and prove theorems focusing on fuzzy implication, observing the rule: the fuzzy function of fuzzy implication is strong and that lead to fuzzy negation. In addition, the optimal number of repetitions is calculated according to the expected truth value. The formulas produced are verified through the use of temperature and humidity values over a certain period of time and in a certain geographical area in Greece. The basic steps of the methodology are the fuzzification of the data given ​​using four membership degree functions and the application of the membership degrees of temperature and humidity values on a new type of fuzzy implication. Finally, we observed that the isosceles trapezium gave the best results and the type of fuzzy implication can be effectively applied.

Aryl chlorides and bromides in the presence of NHC palladium hydroxo dimers of the type [{Pd(µ-OH)Cl(NHC)}2] (where NHC = IPr, SIPr, IMes, SIMes) undergo an efficient and selective Sonogashira cross-coupling with terminal acetylenes. For the coupling of 4-chlorotoluene with phenylacetylene TON = 560000 was observed. The procedure enables high-throughput and selective synthesis of a broad spectrum of unsymmetrically substituted 1,2-diarylacetylenes. Nearly a quantitative amount of HCl was detected within cross-coupling products. Water plays the role of the base and is regenerated in the process so that it does not have to be used in stoichiometric amounts (relative to the limiting reactant). Generation of the active Pd(0) complex proceeds via ethanol oxidation.

The Internet of Things (IoT) aims to connect all objects and facilitate data interchange, with data accuracy being paramount. While IoT has seen extensive adoption in conventional sectors, its application in the petroleum industry, especially with downhole equipment, poses challenges due to the extreme high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, making accurate measurements elusive. This Paper we aim to enhance the accuracy of downhole pressure measurements in slim-hole drilling parameter monitoring, mitigate the temperature influences on strain gauges, and surmount the intrinsic limitations of the traditional BP neural network, such as sluggish convergence speeds, high sensitivity to initial weights and biases, unstable learning rates, and a tendency to fall into local minima. This study introduces a temperature compensation model using a chaotic-initiated adaptive whale optimization algorithm (C-I-WOA) to optimize a BP neural network, which is henceforth referred to as the C-I-WOA-BP model. Initially, we harnessed chaotic mapping techniques to refine the initialization process of the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) population, thereby bolstering the heterogeneity of the algorithm. Subsequently, we integrated an adaptive weight recalibration mechanism, refined the encompassing methodology of the WOA, and bolstered its capabilities for expansive global scouting and meticulous local refinement in the solution arena. Subsequently, the WOA was used to optimize the weight coefficients of the BP neural network. Finally, we conducted a detailed comparative analysis by juxtaposing the performance metrics of the BP, C-WOA-BP, I-WOA-BP, and C-I-WOA-BP networks. The experimental results indicate that the C-I-WOA-BP model demonstrates faster convergence speed, superior global search capabilities, and enhanced local exploitation potential compared to the other models. Additionally, it provides a more stable and accurate reduction in temperature-induced errors in drilling pressure parameter measurements.

We consider subtleties of the horizon (null-hypersurface) limit in the Parikh-Wilczek Membrane Approach to Black Holes. Specifically, we refine the correspondence between the (projected) Einstein equations of gravity with matter and the Raychaudhuri-Damour-Navier-Stokes (RDNS) equations of relativistic hydrodynamics. For a general configuration of gravity with matter we obtain additional terms in the hydrodynamic equations, which include logarithmic derivarives of a parameter (the regularization function) determining the proximity of a stretched membrane to the BH horizon. Direct computation of the new terms for exact (Schwarzschild and Kerr) solutions to the Einstein equations results in vanishing the additions to the RDNS equations in the horizon limit. For spacetimes, which are not exact solutions to the Einstein equations, as, for instance, for space-time configurations mimicking black holes, taking into account new terms in the RDNS equations is the mandatory operation. We also comment the correspondence between the horizon limit of the Parikh-Wilczek Membrane Approach and the Gourgoulhon-Jaramillo method of a null-hypersurface description, as well as the link of the obtained results to our previous work on the Kerr black holes.

The human gut microbiota (GM) is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that hosts trillions of commensal and potentially pathogenic microorganisms. It is crucial in protecting humans from pathogens and in maintaining immune and metabolic homeostasis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that GM has a significant impact on health and disease, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired short-term memory and cognitive deficits. Patients with AD have been reported to exhibit abnormalities in GM density and species composition. Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in the onset and progression of AD, however, the relationship between OS and gut microbiota in AD onset and progression is not clear. Twendee X®︎ (TwX), an oral supplement consisting of 8 active ingredients, has been shown to prevent dementia in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in humans and substantially improve cognitive impairment in mouse models of AD. This positive effect is achieved through the potency of the combined antioxidants that regulate OS and therefore similar results cannot be achieved by a single antioxidant ingredient. To examine the impact of long-term OS elevation as seen in AD on the body and GM, we examined GM alterations during the initial OS elevation using a rat 2-week OS loading model, and examined the effects of TwX on OS and GM. Furthermore, using a questionnaire survey and fecal samples, we analyzed the impact of TwX on healthy individuals' gut bacteria and the associated effect on their quality of life (QOL). TwX was found to increase the number of bacteria species and their diversity in GM, as well as butyrate-producing bacteria, which tend to be reduced in AD patients. Additionally, TwX improved defecation condition and QOL. The gut bacteria function as part of the homeostatic function during OS elevation, and prophylactic administration of TwX strengthened this function. The results suggests that the preventative effect of TwX on dementia may involve the GM in addition to the other effects previously demonstrated.

The negative impact of drought on plant growth may be modified by different availability of mineral nutrients and by their adaptation to different local habitat conditions. In this study, we examine the impact of drought, fertilization with phosphorus and provenance, as well as their interactions, on the growth and allometric growth relationships between belowground and aboveground organs of common beech (Fagus sylvatica) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea). The research was conducted on saplings originating from two mature mixed stands (dry and wet provenances) dominated by these species. In the common garden experiment, saplings were exposed to regular watering and drought in interaction with moderate and high phosphorus concentrations in the growing substrate (achieved by phosphorus fertilization). Obtained results indicate negative impact of drought and phosphorus fertilization on the growth of both species. In common beech, phosphorus fertilization had a negative impact on its adaptive capacity to drought, because of the unfavourable ratios between fine root mass and mass of other organs. The sessile oak provenances under the impact of drought showed a different root collar diameter/stem height increment ratio, which indicates its different phenotypic plasticity as a consequence of adaptation to different frequencies of dry periods in their natural habitats.

The new class of mRNA vaccines is studied extensively, leading to many novel prospects based on the pivotal success of vaccines against the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Many novel mechanisms of immune response discovered have led to the possibility of mutation-resistant vaccines by combining multiple conserved epitopes as antigens to manipulate the T-cell and B-cell responses; these antigens can also come from different organisms, providing protection against numerous diseases and of most tremendous significance is the utility of mRNA vaccines in preventing and treating more than 100 autoimmune disorders. This is a significant humanitarian breakthrough given the ease and faster and low cost of mRNA vaccines, being a chemical entity. This paper provides a prospective analysis of mRNA vaccines with much broader applications than anticipated when these vaccines entered treating SARS-Cov-2 infections.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) continues to impact the health outcomes and emotional well-being of reproductive-age women, globally. Several studies have provided conflicting evidence concerning the role of dietary approaches in improving PMS symptoms. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the possible influence of a healthy diet and motivational strategies on PMS symptoms and health-related quality of life among Omani adolescents. This open-label, randomized, prospective controlled trial was conducted in two randomly selected secondary schools, in Al Seeb Willayah, in Muscat region. Adolescents with PMS symptoms, who were at grade 10 or 11, aged 16 years or above, had regular menstrual cycles and not known to have psychiatric disorder, were included in this study. Participants in the intervention group received an individual face-to-face dietary consultation and motivational phone consultation. The health outcomes, including the PMS symptoms in both groups, and quality of life, were recorded via a daily record of severity of problems questionnaire (DRSP) and the 14-item Self-Reporting-Based Perceived Stress Scale tools, respectively. The primary outcome was the differences in the mean premenstrual symptom scores between the two groups. Secondary outcomes included the quality of life and stress levels of participants. The study period was from 1 February and ended 30 June 2021. SPSS was used to analyze the data and intention-to-treat analysis was utilized.A total of 72 adolescents with PMS were randomized to the intervention and control groups (n=36 each). Both groups were similar at baseline (P-value>0.05). No significant association was found between healthy-diet and PMS symptoms (P-value>0.05). In addition, no significant association was found between healthy-diet and quality of life at follow-up (P-value=0.216). The outcomes of this study refuted any possible relationships between healthy diet and PMS symptoms. Accordingly, dietary consultations may not facilitate the clinical management of PMS symptoms in adolescent females.

Authors evaluated the relevant literature related to the purging which is the interaction between selection and inbreeding where the population may get rid of its inbreeding load at least partially. The backroad of the relevant theory was given and the available methods were described both based on the conventional quantitative genetic approach (based on genealogy data) and based on the latest genomic methods. The different parameters necessary for signalling purging (highlighting those inbreeding coefficients which are not yet been widely known in animal and veterinary science) were presented together with the relevant results of the literature. The available statistical methods together with the softwares and R packages to calculate various inbreeding coefficients and to determine inbreeding depression and purging were provided. The main results of the different approaches obtained in laboratory ZOO and domesticated populations (lethal equivalents, ancestral inbreeding, Inbreeding-Purging Model, genomic approaches) were summarized and presented. Application possibilities and future prospective of purging was also discussed.

We measured the anelastic, dielectric and structural properties of the metal-free molecular perovskite (ABX$_{3}$) (MDABCO)(NH$_{4}$)I$_{3}$, which has already been demonstrated to become ferroelectric below $T_{\text{C}}=$ 448~K. Both the dielectric permittivity measured in air on discs pressed from powder and the complex Young's modulus measured on resonating bars in vacuum show that the material starts deteriorating with loss of mass just above $T_{\text{C}}$, introducing defects and markedly lowering $T_{\text{C}}$. The elastic modulus softens of 50\% when heating through the initial $T_{\mathrm{C}}$, contrary to usual ferroelectrics, which are stiffer in the paraelectric phase. This suggests improper ferroelectricity, where the primary order parameter of the transition is not the electric polarization, but the orientational order of the MDABCO molecules. The degraded material presents thermally activated relaxation peaks in the elastic energy loss, whose intensities increase together with the decrease of ~$T_{\mathrm{C}}$. The peaks are much broader than pure Debye, due to the general loss of crystallinity, also apparent from X-ray diffraction, but their relaxation times have parameters typical of point defects. It is argued that the major defects should be of the Schottky type, mainly due to the loss of (MDABCO)$^{2+} $ and I$^{-}$, leaving charge neutrality, and possibly also (NH$_{4}$)$^{+}$ vacancies. The focus is on an anelastic relaxation process peaked around 200~K at $\sim 1$~kHz, whose relaxation time follows the Arrhenius law with $\tau $$_{0}$~$\sim $\ $10^{-13}$\ s and $E\simeq 0.4$~eV. This peak is attributed to I vacancies (V$_{\text{X}}$) hopping around MDABCO vacancies (V$_{\text{A}}$) and its intensity presents a peculiar dependence on temperature and content of defects. The phenomenology is thoroughly discussed in terms of lattice disorder introduced by defects and of partition of V$_{\text{X}}$ among sites that are far from and close to the cation vacancies. A method is proposed for calculating the relative concentrations of V$_{\text{X}}$, that are untrapped, paired with V$_{\text{A}}$ or forming V$_{\text{X}}$--V$_{\text{A}}$--V$_{\text{X}}$ complexes.

In this paper, a study was conducted on the Ramsey interference and spectral line locking techniques based on rubidium-87 cold atoms. Using sequential control technique, the timing design of a three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (MOT), cold atoms’ free fall, Ramsey microwave interference, and two-level fluorescence detection was realized, achieving the state preparation of cold atoms and clock transitions. By designing an automatic peak-finding algorithm, numerical integration was performed on the time-of-flying (TOF) signal, and narrow linewidth cold atom Ramsey interference fringes were obtained. Based on this, a frequency-hopping method was used to lock the frequency of the 10MHz oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) in a closed loop, achieving a linewidth of 38Hz. This preliminary result verifies the feasibility of the system design.

The airflow carried by artificial aeration provides oxidant O2 for microbial growth and mineral dissolution in heap bioleaching. To investigate the effect of forced aeration rate on bioleaching of low-grade copper sulfide ores, column bioleaching experiments with six columns were conducted in the aeration range of 0~150 L/h at 30~45 ℃. The results showed that when the aeration rate was higher than 95 L/h, the proportions of heap settlement and fine particles mass were much greater than that without aeration. The final total Fe concentration and bacterial cell numbers in pregnant leach solution increased with the increase of aeration rate.The final concentrations of Cu2 + in the mother liquor under aeration conditions of 60-150 L / h were 1.411, 1.432, 1.498, 1.491 and 1.583 g / L, respectively, which were higher than 1.345 g / L under non-aeration conditions. When the aeration rate was 150 L / h, the final Cu leaching rate was 80.1 %, which was 11.4 % higher than that without aeration ( 68.7 % ). Furthermore, in the early stage of leaching, copper leaching rate with 95 L/h aeration rate remained the highest. 结论Artificial aeration accelerates the bioleaching of low-grade copper sulfide ores by improving porosity structure, temperature range of bacterial activity and microbial catalyzed dissolution of targeted minerals.

The (benzylthio)acetic acid (HBTA) and some aminopyrimidines, namely 2-aminopyrimidine (2-AP), 5-aminopyrimidine (5-AP), 2-amino-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (2-A-4,6-DMP) and 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (2,4,6-TAP), were successfully embodied as structural units into the construction of a total of four novel supramolecular organic frameworks. The received crystalline solids were inspected by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC XRD) in order to obtain insight into the structural and supramolecular facets. The SOFs deriving from 2-AP, 5-AP as well as 2-A-4,6-DMP crystallize in the form of true co-crystals (1-3), while the one originating from 2,4,6-TAP crystallizes as salt solvate (4). The SC XRD results indicated the different contents of structural residues present in the asymmetric units of the crystals 1-4 despite the using the same molar ratio of molecular co-formers in each case. The molecular structures of co-crystals 1-3 consist of either one neutral residue of each starting components (1 and 3) or a half nonionized residue of aminopyrimidine ingredient and one neutral residue of acidic specie (2). The asymmetric unit of salt solvate 4 is composed of two ionized residues of each co-former (two 2,4,6-TAP+ cations and two BTA- anions) and one MeOH solvent molecule. The most extensive H-bonding network is observed in the crystal structure of salt solvate 4. The relevant molecular ingredients in co-crystals 1-3 are mainly hold together by the neutral Ocarboxylic–H···Npyrimidine and Namine–H···Ocarboxylic H-bonds. In the case of aggregate 4, the corresponding ionic residues are predominantly sustained by the charged-assisted Npyrimidinium–H···Ocarboxylate and Namine–H···Ocarboxylate hydrogen interactions. The MeOH solvent incorporated into the crystal lattice of adduct 4 is also involved in H-bonding by simultaneously serving as the single donor in OMeOH–H···S and the single acceptor in Namine–H···OMeOH H-bonds afforded the structural diversity within the 2,4,6-TAP+ cations and BTA- anions. Other weaker sets of additional non-covalent contacts existing in the crystal structures of analyzed conglomerates are involved in the self-assembly, stabilization and expansion of total supramolecular organic frameworks. The fact of the formation of non-covalent bonded supramolecular organic frameworks in question is also reflected in corresponding results obtained through elemental analysis (EA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT−IR) and thermal analysis (TG/DSC).

Metabolic syndrome is a growing global health problem. Evidence suggests that diets rich in phytochemical-containing herbs and spices can contribute to reduced risk of chronic disease. This review assesses the scope of evidence supporting the use of herbs and spices in the diet for prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome and associated health conditions. A search of PubMed and Scopus databases was carried out to assess the available clinical or cohort evidence for culinary doses of commonly used herbs and spices. Trials that were measuring health factors related to metabolic disorders or the health of individuals with metabolic syndrome or associated diseases were included. Out of a total of 1742 papers identified, there were 146 relevant studies on black pepper, chilli, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, Nigella seed, rosemary, sage and turmeric. No relevant research was found for cloves, mint, oregano, parsley or thyme. Cinnamon, fenugreek and ginger were the herbs/spices with the most published trials on them and showed promise for glycaemic control. Cardamom appears to have potential to reduce inflammatory markers, and cinnamon, ginger and turmeric for blood lipids. Patients with type 2 diabetes were the population most likely to be included in studies, but the preventative benefits of herbs/spices in healthy populations were also investigated, particularly for chilli, ginger and cinnamon. There is evidence for the beneficial effect of culinary doses of many common herbs/spices in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome and associated disorders.

Spatial interpolation of meteorological data can have immense implications on risk management and climate change planning. Kriging with external drift (KED) is a spatial interpolation variant that uses auxiliary information in the estimation of target variable at unobserved locations. However, the traditional KED methods with linear trend functions may not be able to capture the complex and non-linear interdependence between target and auxiliary variables, which can lead to an inaccurate estimation. In this work, a novel KED method using least squares support vector regression (LSSVR) is proposed. This machine learning algorithm is employed to construct trend functions regardless of the type of variable interrelations being considered. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method (KED with LSSVR) relative to the traditional method (KED with a linear trend function), a systematic simulation study for estimating the monthly means temperature and pressure in Thailand in 2017 was conducted. The KED with LSSVR is shown to have superior performance over the KED with the linear trend function.

The challenge of campus design, like other aspects of contemporary environmental design, reveals a serious problem in education and practice. The foundational design theories of a century ago have been exposed as an obsolete way of thinking about cities, human nature, biological nature, and even the nature of mathematical and physical structures. Yet in practice, these discredited models persist, obscured by new theoretical language and extravagant “neoplastic” forms, but embodying persistent though untested ideologies and driven by systems inertia. This paper considers the campus design typology (including business campuses, commercial districts, hospitals, and schools) as a design paradigm for pedestrian public space with implications for human flourishing and well-being. We propose a specific human-oriented design method to encourage the well-being of occupants and improve the outcomes for creative development, education, and health.

The Korean Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO)-MAGnetometer (KMAG) consists of three triaxial fluxgate sensors (MAG1, MAG2, and MAG3) to measure the magnetic field around the Moon. The three sensors are mounted in the order of MAG3, MAG2, and MAG1 inside a 1.2 m long boom away from the satellite body. Before it arrived on the Moon, we compared the magnetic field measurements taken by DSCOVR and KPLO in the solar wind to verify the measurement performance of the KMAG instrument. We found that there were artificial disturbances in the KMAG measurement data, such as step-like and spike-like disturbances, which were produced by the spacecraft body. To remove spacecraft-generated disturbances, we applied a multi-sensor method, employing the gradiometer technique and principal component analysis and using KMAG magnetic field data and confirmed the successful elimination of spacecraft-generated disturbances. This indicates that the multi-sensor method is able to clean the magnetic field data measured onboard the KPLO.

Ultrasonic feedback energy is affected by the variety, planting and growth state of crops, it is difficult to fine application in precision agriculture systems. To this end, an ultrasonic sensor was mounted in a spray boom height detection system. Winter wheat was used as the test object to obtain feedback energy values for the spray boom height from the top of the wheat in the field during six critical growth stages: the standing stage, jointing stage, booting stage, heading stage, filling stage and maturity stage. The relationship between the actual value of the height from the spray boom to the top of wheat (Habw) and the detected value of the height from the spray boom to the top of wheat (Hdbw) was analyzed. A spray boom height detection model based on the ultrasonic sensor during the full growth cycle of wheat was determined. Field validation tests showed that the applicability of the spray boom height detection distance (Dd) of the spray boom height detection model proposed in the present study was 450 mm~950 mm. Within the applicable Dd range, the detection error of the detection model was ≤5 cm during the full growth cycle. This study provides an ultrasonic detection model construction method, which improves the reliability and accuracy of ultrasonic boom height detection for different wheat growth stages.

Superficial discolored spots on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets are a serious quality problem for commercial seafood farming. Previous reports proposed that the black spots (called melanized focal changes (MFC)) may be melanin, but no convincing evidence has been reported. In this study, we performed chemical characterization of MFC, and also of red pigment (called red focal changes (RFC)), of salmon fillets using alkaline hydrogen peroxide oxidation and hydroiodic acid hydrolysis. This revealed that the MFC contain 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-derived eumelanin whereas the RFC only contain trace amounts of eumelanin. Therefore, probably, the black color of MFC can be explained by the presence of eumelanin from accumulated melanomacrophages. For the red pigment, we could not find a significant signature of either eumelanin or pheomelanin, and the red color is probably predominantly hemorrhagic in nature. However, we found that in RFC the level of pigmentation did increase together with some melanogenic metabolites. Comparison with a “mimicking experiment,” in which a mixture of a salmon homogenate + DOPA was oxidized with tyrosinase, suggested that the RFC include conjugations of DOPAquinone and/or DOPAchrome with salmon muscle tissue proteins. In short, the results suggest that melanogenic metabolites in MFC and RFC derive from different chemical pathways, which would agree with the two different colorations deriving from distinct cellular origins, namely melanomacrophages and red blood cells, respectively.

This paper first introduces the main classification of brain diseases and the main causes of these diseases. It is followed by wavelet analysis, which is a mathematical function or wave-like pattern used to transform data, which can decompose the signal into different wavelet functions, each of which is related to a specific scale or frequency. Wavelet analysis has been applied in many fields such as image processing, data analysis and engineering. In addition, wavelet is also used in the analysis of biological signals. Wavelet analysis breaks down brain signals, such as EEG or fMRI data, into various frequency components at different scales. Wavelet analysis provides time-frequency localization. Pattern recognition can be enhanced by isolating salient features in the data. Wavelet denoising can effectively separate noise from underlying brain signals. Wavelet denoising usually adopts threshold method. Wavelet analysis can enhance pattern recognition by isolating salient features in the data. Researchers can train machine learning models based on these wavelet-derived features to recognize specific patterns associated with different neurological disorders. Wavelet analysis can track these changes by continuously evaluating the frequency content of the neuroimage data over time. Through continuous efforts, wavelet theory and technology have become valuable tools in the field of neuroscience and brain disease research.

Wetlands, which is composed of soil, vegetation and water, has sufficient water supply and is sensitive to climate change. This study analyzed the coupling degree between wetlands and atmosphere, and discussed the influence of environmental factors (solar radiation and water vapor pressure deficit) on latent heat flux by using the experimental data from the Maduo Observatory of Climate and Environment of the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resource, CAS and WRF model. The results showed, during the vegetation growthing season, the average value of Ω (decoupling factor) is 0.38 in alpine wetlands, indicating the coupling between wetlands and atmosphere is poor; Solar radiation is the main factor influencing the latent heat flux in the results of both observation data analysis and model simulation, and solar radiation and water vapor pressure deficit still have an opposite reaction to latent heat flux; when solar radiation and water vapor pressure deficit increase by 30%, the average daily amount of latent heat flux increases from 5.57 MJ·m-2 to 7.50 MJ·m-2 and decreases to 5.17 MJ·m-2, respectively. This study provides a new research approach for the study of the parameterization of latent heat flux and evapotranspiration under the context of global climate change.

This review paper investigates the influence of gestures on foreign language (FL) vocabulary learning through a series of experiments conducted in our laboratory. The manipulation of the gesture-word relationship was a consistent factor across the studies. Firstly, we examined the impact of gestures on noun and verb learning. The results revealed that participants exhibited better learning outcomes when FL words were accompanied by congruent gestures compared to a no gesture condition. This suggests that gestures have a positive effect on FL learning when there is a meaningful connection between the words and the accompanying gestures. However, in general, the recall of words in conditions where gestures were incongruent or lacked meaning was lower than in the no gesture condition. This indicates that under certain circumstances, gestures may have a detrimental impact on FL learning. We analyzed these findings in terms of their implications for facilitating or interfering with FL acquisition. Secondly, we addressed the question of whether individuals need to physically perform the gestures themselves to observe the effects of gestures on vocabulary learning. To explore this, participants were divided into two experimental groups. In one group, participants learned the words by actively performing the gestures ("do" learning group), while the other group simply observed the gestures performed by others ("see" learning group). The processing of congruent gestures facilitated the recall of FL words in both the "see" and "do" learning groups. However, the interference effect associated with processing incongruent gestures was more pronounced in the "see" learning group than in the "do" learning group. Thus, the performance of gestures appears to mitigate the negative impact that gestures may have on the acquisition of FL vocabulary. In conclusion, our findings suggest that iconic gestures can serve as an effective tool for learning vocabulary in a FL, particularly when the gestures align with the meaning of the words. Furthermore, the active performance of gestures helps counteract the negative effects associated with inconsistencies between gestures and word meanings. Consequently, if a choice must be made, a FL learning strategy in which learners acquire words while making gestures congruent with their meaning would be highly desirable.

The gas molecules O2, NO, H2S, CO, CH4 , have been increasingly used for medical purposes. Beside these gas molecules, H2, the smallest diatomic molecule in nature, has become a rising star in gas medicine in the past few decades. As a non-toxic and easily accessible gas, H2 has shown preventive and therapeutic effects on various diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular, central nervous and other systems, but the mechanisms are still unclear and even controversial, especially the mechanism of H2 as a selective radical scavenger. Mitochondria are the main organelles regulating energy metabolism in living organisms, as well as the main organelle of reactive oxygen species generation and target. We propose that the protective role of H2 may be mainly dependent on its unique penetrating ability to everywhere of the cells to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis by activating the Keap1-Nrf2 phase II antioxidant system, rather than its direct free radical scavenging activity. In this review, we summarize the protective effects and focus on the mechanism of H2 as a mitochondria-targeting nutrient by activating the Keap1-Nrf2 system in different disease models, and wish to provide a more rational theoretical support for the medical applications of hydrogen.

Elongate loach (Leptobotia elongata) is an endemic fish in China. Previous studies have provided some insights into the mitochondrial genome composition, and the phylogenetic relationships of L. elongata inferred using protein-coding genes (PCGs). However, the detailed information about is limited. Therefore, in this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of L. elongata and analyzed its structural characteristics. The PCGs and mitochondrial genome were used for selective stress analysis and genomic comparative analysis respectively. The complete mitochondrial genome of the L. elongata, together with those of 36 Cyprinidae species, was used to infer the phylogenetic relationships of the Cobitidae family through maximum likelihood (ML) reconstruction. The results showed that the genome sequence has a full length of 16,591 bp, which includes 13 PCGs, 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), and two non-coding regions (CR D-loop and light chain sub-chain replication origin OL). Overall, L. elongata shared the same gene arrangement and composition of the mitochondrial genes with other teleost fishes. The Ka/Ks ratios of all mitochondrial PCGs were less than 1, indicating that all the PCGs were evolving under purifying selection. Genome comparison analyses showed a significant sequence homology of species of Leptobotia. A significant identity between L. elongata and the other 5 Leptobotia species was observed in the visualization result, except for L. mantschurica, which lacked the tRNA-Arg gene and had a shorter tRNA-Asp gene. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the Cobitidae species examined here can be grouped into two clades, with L. elongata forming a sister relationship with L. microphthalma. This study could provide additional inferences for a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among Cobititdae species.

Stock market prediction is a challenging task to perform, as we know the fluctuations that take place in the market makes it versatile and hard to predict the prices. In this research, we have explored the power of usage of hybrid ensemble algorithms to improve the predictive accuracy in the stock market forecasting. Our research comprises construction and evaluation of diverse hybrid models using different algorithms. The methodology presented in the paper involves comprehensive data preparation, feature engineering, and model normalization. Evaluating the different hybrid models, one stands out distinctly: LSTM (long short-term memory networks) + GRU (Gated recurrent units) + Conv1D (one-dimensional convolutional layer) hybrid. It illustrated its potential to revolutionize decision-making tools for investors and financial analysts in stock market analytics. The harmonious integration of algorithms not only underscores the effectiveness of hybrid modeling but also beckons for further exploration within the ever-evolving domain of predictive modeling, driven by the pursuit of precision and accuracy. This model shows a remarkable accuracy metrics including a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.95, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 2.1222, a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 1.52, and a R-squared (R2) score of 0.9982.

This article is a study on the (k,s)-Riemann-Liouville fractional integral, a generalization of the Riemann-Liouville fractional integral. Firstly, we introduce several properties of the extended integral of continuous functions. Furthermore, we make the estimation of the Box dimension of the graph of continuous functions after the extended integral. It presents that the upper Box dimension of the (k,s)-Riemann-Liouville fractional integral for any continuous functions is no more than the upper Box dimension of the functions on the unit interval I=[0,1], which indicates that the upper Box dimension of the integrand f(x) will not be increased by the σ-order (k,s)-Riemann-Liouville fractional integral ksD−σf(x) where σ>0 on I. Additionally, we prove that the fractal dimension of ksD−σf(x) of one-dimensional continuous functions f(x) is still one.

Honey bees are vital organisms that provide ecological and economic value to humans. However, in recent years, the increase in honey bee losses due to various environmental factors, including pesticides, has become a growing concern. In Europe, neonicotinoid pesticides that are banned are being used without restrictions in the domestic setting, leading to ongoing damages as a result. Ongoing research is continually being conducted to demonstrate the risks associated with neonicotinoid pesticides. However, validation of the actual damages and impact in the field remains absent. Therefore, in this study, we observed changes in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies located near rice cultivation areas as they progressed beyond the rice pesticide application period. Furthermore, we collected honey bees exposed to the clothianidin and analyzed their stress-related gene expression. The results showed that the foraging behavior of honey bee colonies located near rice cultivation areas did not exhibit significant differences between the treatment site (Cheongyang and Gimje) and the control site (Wanju) during the experimental period. However, it was observed that the expression levels of stress-related genes in honey bees collected from the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control. Most of the stress-related genes were associated with detoxification processes in response to pesticides. As a result, pesticide treatment in proximity to rice cultivation areas did not cause direct damage to honey bees but had an indirect impact, suggesting the potential for ongoing chronic damage.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to qualitatively assess micro-gap dimensions, connecting fitting surface profile and bacterial leakage of machined and cast high gold alloy UCLA abutments, with or without electrodeposited gold coatings attached to external hexagon implants. Materials and methods: 16 plastic UCLA (PUCLA) and 5 machined cast-to UCLA (GUCLA) abutments were cast with a high gold content alloy. 10 were electrolytically gold plated (8 - PUCLA, 2 - GUCLA). All abutments were attached to implants giving 21 implant-abutment combinations (IACs). External perimeter micro-gaps measured with SEM under different illumination and magnification conditions were averaged over three regions. The IACs were examined for E.coli leakage following an initial sterility test. Disassembled combinations were examined with SEM and surface profiles qualitatively assessed. Results: External micro-gap measurements did not reflect the variable connecting surface profiles but average values < 3.5 μm were observed for all IACs. Bacterial transfer was observed in 3 of 5 PUCLA plated and 2 of 5 PUCLA non-plated IACs. No transfer occurred in the 3 GUCLA non-plated or 2 GUCLA plated IACs. Abutment connecting surfaces, both Au plated and not Au plated, showed plastic deformation (smearing) in variable mosaic patterns across the micro-gap. External micro-gap dimensions although not truly reflective of surface connecting profiles averaged < 3.5 μm measured under shadow eliminating silhouette illumination for both cast and pre-machined external hexagon abutments with and without Au plating. Conclusions: Micro-gap dimensions < 5 μm were obtained with both high noble metal cast and pre-machined external hexagon abutments with and without Au electrodeposited on the abutment connecting surface. Regions of intimate contact due to plastic deformation (smearing) of these surfaces was observed. A continuous smeared region around the circumference of the surfaces can provide an effective barrier to egress of E.coli bacteria from the internal regions of the implant under static loading.

Human papillomavirus testing is increasingly central to screening programs for cervical cancer. Although HPV testing has excellent clinical sensitivity it suffers from modest clinical specificity. Cytology has taken an important role as a triage test, while more recently HPV16/18 genotyping has provided modest incremental benefits. Despite such progress issues remain to be addressed, some of which are how to: 1) improve access to the best methods, 2) decrease costs so more women can be screened, 3) simplify management algorithms, 4) Recognize the evolving diagnostic landscape created by widespread HPV vaccination. Part of the solution lies in improving the positive predictive value of the initial screen and reflex triage. An aspirational goal should be that most women attending colposcopy have true precancer; DNA methylation testing has a role to play here. Cervical cancers and CIN2/3 generally have high levels of methylation in target human and HPV genes. In contrast normal and healthy women with no intraepithelial lesions or malignancy usually have low methylation. Furthermore, there is an interesting and useful secular gradient of increasing cervical DNA methylation as women progress toward precancer and cancer. Recent results from clinical studies using commercially available routine qPCR-based DNA methylation tests have been encouraging, demonstrating the potential for higher sensitivity and specificity than current triage methods.

A healthy cornea is a nonvascularized, transparent tissue. It is nourished by diffusion through the tear film, aqueous fluid and neurotrophins supplied by the corneal innervation. The cornea is devoid of both blood and lymphatic vessels, which makes it an immunologi-cally privileged tissue. Corneal neovascularization develops due to an imbalance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors and can lead to a significant decrease in visual acui-ty. It may cause scarring, lipid keratopathy, and corneal edema. The resulting pathological vascularization of the cornea reduces its immune privilege and significantly worsens the prognosis after subsequent penetrating keratoplasty, increasing the risk of rejection of the transplanted flap. Neovascularization is favored by many disease processes, including auto-immune diseases, viral inflammations, mainly herpes and varicella-zoster, and blepharitis [1]. There are several options to treat corneal neovascularization, both pharmacological and surgical. Angiostatic treatment involves inhibiting the growth of new vessels by suppressing inflammatory responses. VEGF inhibitors, steroids, cyclosporine A, and amniotic membrane grafts secured to the cornea work this way. VEGF inhibitors are the agents with the direct and most potent angiostatic effect. Angioregressive treatment, on the other hand, results in the regression of already existing pathological vessels. This therapy is also based on VEGF inhibitors, which, however, have the most potent effect on newly formed and small vessels but are less effective in reducing large-caliber and mature vessels. A more effective method for such vessels is ablation, which involves surgical closure. The most commonly used an-gio-occlusive method is needle diathermy and argon or yellow laser therapy. In advanced corneal neovascularization, corneal transplant surgery may be necessary. It is best performed after pretreatment with anti-VEGF preparations, often continued after corneal transplanta-tion to reduce the risk of transplant rejection [2]. This paper discusses the pathogenesis of corneal neovascularization and the current and future trends in its treatment.

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, machine learning is gradually becoming popular in predictions in all walks of life. In meteorology, It is gradually competing with traditional climate predictions dominated by physical models. This survey aims to consolidate the current understanding of Machine Learning (ML) applications in weather and climate prediction—a field of growing importance across multiple sectors including agriculture and disaster management. Building upon an exhaustive review of more than 20 methods highlighted in existing literature, this survey pinpointed eight techniques that show particular promise for improving the accuracy of both short-term weather and medium-to-long-term climate forecasts. According to the survey, while ML demonstrates significant capabilities in short-term weather prediction, its application in medium-to-long-term climate forecasting remains limited, constrained by factors such as intricate climate variables and data limitations. Current literature tends to focus narrowly on either short-term weather or medium-to-long-term climate forecasting, often neglecting the relationship between the two, as well as general neglect of modelling structure and recent advances. By providing an integrated analysis of models spanning different time scales, this survey aims to bridge these gaps, thereby serving as a meaningful guide for future interdisciplinary research in this rapidly evolving field.

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/βKlotho/fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) pathway is crucial for maintaining the intestinal barrier and preventing colorectal cancer (CRC). We used an FXR ago-nist, GW4064, and FXR knockout (KO) mice to investigate the role of FXR/Klothos/FGFs pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and colon carcinogenesis. The results showed that upregulation of FXR in enterocytes effectively ameliorated intestinal tight junction markers (claudin1, Zonula occludens-1), inflammation, and bile acid levels, thereby protecting mice from intestinal barrier dysfunction and colon carcinogenesis. GW4064 treatment increased FXR, αKlotho, βKlotho, FGF19, FGF21, and FGF23 in wild-type mice exposed to LPS, while FXR KO mice had decreased levels. FXR KO mice exhibited elevated colon cancer markers (β-catenin, LGR5, CD44, CD34, Cyclin D1) under LPS, underscoring the pivotal role of FXR in inhibiting the development of colon tumorigenesis. The varying gut microbiota responses in FXR KO mice versus wild-type mice post-LPS exposure emphasize the pivotal role of FXR in pre-serving intestinal microbial health, involving Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides acidifaciens, and Helicobacter hepaticus. Our study validates the effectiveness of GW4064 in alleviating LPS-induced disruptions to the intestinal barrier and colon carcinogenesis, emphasizing the importance of the FXR/αKlotho/βKlotho/FGFs pathway and the interplay between bile acids and gut microbiota.

Efficient traffic management at signalized intersections is integral to urban infrastructure development, requiring accurate estimation of delay times to mitigate congestion and enhance overall transportation systems. Traditional methodologies, including empirical observations and microsimulation software, have been prevalent in assessing delay times; however, their limitations have prompted the exploration of novel technologies like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors. This research study investigates and compares the accuracy of delay time estimations obtained from LiDAR sensor technology with those derived from microsimulation in AIMSUN. LiDAR sensors, known for their high-resolution, real-time data collection capabilities, offer a promising avenue for precise measurement of delay times at signalized intersections. Nonetheless, challenges in sensor placement, environmental influences, and data processing complexities suggest the need for further development and validation. In parallel, microsimulation software, exemplified by AIMSUN, provides a virtual platform for scenario testing but relies on assumptions that may not always mirror real-world traffic dynamics accurately. The comparative analysis conducted in this study aims to critically examine the discrepancies and potential complementarity between delay times obtained from LiDAR sensor technology and those derived from microsimulation in AIMSUN. The research involves an in-depth evaluation of real-time, high-resolution data collected by LiDAR sensors, assessing their accuracy in capturing the intricate movements and behavior of vehicles at signalized intersections. Simultaneously, AIMSUN microsimulation delay time models are scrutinized for their ability to accurately replicate these observed delay times. The disparities identified serve as critical insights into the challenges of both methodologies, prompting the discussion on the prospects of integrating LiDAR-derived data and microsimulation calibration processes to enhance the precision and reliability of delay time estimations. Future traffic management strategies can significantly benefit from a more accurate understanding of delay times, and this study endeavors to contribute to the advancement of methodologies in traffic engineering for more effective urban transportation systems.The paper's findings illuminate the potential and limitations of both LiDAR sensor technology and microsimulation in estimating delay times at signalized intersections. The results highlighted that the LiDAR sensors could accurately calculate delay times at a signalized intersection. Furthermore, the calculated delay time differences by LiDAR and AIMSUN at three days with the highest vehicle volumes (counts) are always less than 6.5%.

Heart disease is a global health concern of paramount importance, causing a significant number of fatalities and disabilities. Precise and timely diagnosis of heart disease is pivotal in pre-venting adverse outcomes and improving patient well-being, thereby creating a growing demand for intelligent approaches to predict heart disease effectively. This paper introduces an Ensemble Heuristic-Metaheuristic Feature Fusion Learning (EHMFFL) algorithm for heart disease diagnosis. Within the EHMFFL algorithm, a diverse ensemble learning model is crafted, featuring different feature subsets for each heterogeneous base learner, including support vector machine, K-nearest neighbors, logistic regression, random forest, naive bayes, decision tree, and XGBoost. The primary objective is to identify the most pertinent features for each base learner, leveraging a combined heuristic-metaheuristic approach that integrates the heuristic knowledge of Pearson correlation coefficient with the metaheuristic-driven grey wolf optimizer. The second objective is to aggregate the decision outcomes of the various base learners through ensemble learning, aimed at constructing a robust prediction model. The performance of the EHMFFL algorithm is rigorously assessed using the Cleveland and Statlog datasets yielding remarkable results with an accuracy of 91.8% and 88.9%, respectively, surpassing state-of-the-art machine learning, ensemble learning, and feature selection techniques in heart disease diagnosis. These findings underscore the potential of the EHMFFL algorithm in enhancing diagnostic accuracy for heart disease and providing valuable support to clinicians in making more informed decisions regarding patient care.

Generative AI has gained enormous interest nowadays due to new applications like chatGPT, DALL E, Stable Difussion and Deep Fake. Particularly DALL E, Stable Difussion and others (Adobe Firefly, ImagineArt...) are able to create images from a text prompt and are also able to recreate real photographs. Due to this fact, intense research has arisen to create new image forensics applications able to distinguish between real captured images and videos and artificial ones. Detecting forgeries made with Deep Fake is one of the most researched issues. This paper is about another kind of forgery detection. The purpose of this research aims to detect photo realistic AI created images versus real photos coming from a physical camera. For this purpose, techniques that perform a pixel level feature extraction are used. First one is Photo Response Non-Uniformity (PRNU). PRNU is a special noise due to imperfections on the camera sensor that is used for source camera identification. The underlying idea is that AI images will have a different PRNU pattern. Second one is Error level analysis (ELA). This is other type of feature extraction traditionally used for detecting image editions. In fact, ELA is being used nowadays by photographers to detect manually AI created images. Both kinds of features are used to train Convolutional Neural Networks to differentiate between AI images and real photographs. Good results are obtained achieving accuracy rates over 95%. Both extraction methods are carefully assessed by computing precision/recall and F1-score measurements.

Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases. We aimed to study seroconversion rate during pregnancy in a cohort of consecutive pregnancies tested in the first and third trimesters and to compare maternal and obstetric complications between women who seroconverted in the first versus the third trimester. This is an observational, cohort study carried out at Hospital Universitario de Torrejón, in Madrid, Spain, during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. All consecutive singleton pregnancies with a viable fetus attending their 11-13 weeks scan between January 1st and May 15th, 2020, were included and monthly follow up until delivery. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (IgA and IgG) were analyzed on stored serum samples obtained from the first and third trimester routine antenatal bloods in 470 pregnant women. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 31 (6.6%) women in the first trimester and in 66 (14.0%) in the third trimester, including 48 (10.2%) that were negative in the first trimester (seroconversion during pregnancy). Although the rate of infection was significantly higher in the third versus the first trimester (p = 0.003), no significant differences in maternal or obstetric complications were observed in women testing positive in the first versus the third trimester.

By combining general relativity and CPT symmetry, the theory of CPT gravity predicts gravitational repulsion between matter and CPT-transformed matter, i.e. antimatter inhabiting an inverted space-time. Such repulsive gravity turned out to be an excellent candidate for explaining the accelerated expansion of the Universe, without the need for dark energy. The recent results of the ALPHA-g experiment, which show gravitational attraction between antihydrogen atoms and the Earth, seem to undermine this success in the cosmological field. Analyzing the above theory, we find two solutions that can be consistent with the experimental results, while preserving the large-scale gravitational repulsion. The first highlights how repulsive gravity can be the result of the interaction with an inverted space-time, but occupied by matter and not antimatter, and therefore the antimatter present in our space-time has no reason to exhibit gravitational repulsion. The second retains the original CPT transformation, resulting in repulsive gravity between matter and antimatter, but with the caveat that antimatter immersed in our space-time cannot exhibit the PT transformation which is the cause of the repulsion. Finally, it is shown that, in a Newtonian approximation of the geodesic equation, time reversal is not a necessary operation for repulsive gravity, therefore opening the possibility of an expanding cosmos with a single time direction.

Surveillance is the systematic data collection, analysis, and interpretation essential to planning and implementing control activities. The lack of success in control and surveillance elsewhere for the Ae. aegypti mosquito demands developing new accessible and effective strategies. This work aimed to develop and evaluate an adhesive and lure trap for household indoor and outdoor surveillance of Ae. aegypti. Based on a bibliographic review, four compounds with significant attraction percentages for Ae. aegypti were considered. Our more effective blend was determined by preliminary bioassays using the high-throughput screening system (HITSS) and 90 × 90 cm mosquito cages. We designed a low-cost, pyramid-shaped, sticky cardboard trap to incorporate the selected blend. Semi-field 2 x 2 m cages and field tests were conducted to evaluate its effectiveness through mosquito capture percentages. In laboratory tests, blend number 2 presented an attraction percentage of 47.5 ± 4.8%; while in semi-field cages, a 4-inch, 110-v powered fan was used to disperse the attractants, then a similar capture percentage of 43.2 ± 4.0 % was recorded. Field evaluation of the at-house indoor environment and comparing it with the golden standard BG-Sentinel trap recorded interesting results, i.e., an average of our prototype 6.0 ± 1.5 trapped mosquitoes versus 10.0 ± 2.6. In most Latin American countries, there is a lack of formal and accessible strategies for monitoring adult populations of Ae. aegypti, therefore, must develop tools that reinforce entomological surveillance methods.

To obtain a better estimation frequency band for source bearing estimation, source bearing estimation experiments using an ice-mounted geophone were performed at three sites on the Arctic ice cap. By transforming to the frequency domain, errors of the bearing estimation in a number of frequency bands within 1000 Hz and the horizontal peak displacements received by the geophone in the corresponding frequency bands were obtained. After comparing the variation of errors to the peak displacements in the same frequency band, it is found that the errors are related to the peak displacements, and higher peak displacement values mean smaller errors. When the incident angle of the acoustic source and the ice thickness meet certain conditions, some modes of the Lamb waves of the ice plate are excited, the peak displacements at the same frequency band are increased, the errors of bearing estimation are reduced, and the effective frequency band for bearing estimation is broadened. These results provide some new ideas for the bearing estimation of acoustic sources beneath Arctic ice.

The observation of persons in the acute phase of ischemic stroke (IS) allowed to select a group of patients whose spontaneous motor activity stood out from the typical clinical picture of the hemiplegia syndrome. It has been noticed that these persons have presented tendency to shift the body weigh toward more affected side and the tendency to move the upper and / or the lower limb (not covered by the neurological syndrome) in simple, repetitive patterns. The purposes of this study were: to define noted kind of behavior, and to select symptoms which can predict the occurrence it. Persons (n=222) hospitalized due to first-time IS were as-signed to 3 groups. A: 78 persons with no lateralization of the neurological syndrome (LoNS). B: 109 persons with LoNS, O+: 35 persons, who at the beginning of hospitalization presented, apart from LoNS, charac-teristic motor symptoms. Persons underwent therapy depending on the neurological symptoms. If the pa-tient demonstrated the potential symptoms for overactivity of the less affected side (OLAS), to confirm it, trial therapy was performed. The predictive symptoms, selected among these from the index day, for the occurrence OLAS in sitting were distinguished: asymmetry in supine and simple, repetitive movements of nonparetic upper extremity.

Prostate cancer (PCa) used to be one of the most common nondermatologic cancers in men that can be treated only with surgery. However, a revolutionary breakthrough came in the 1980s with the introduction of long-acting luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists for the cu-rative treatment of PCa. This paradigm shift contributed to the combined use of androgen depri-vation therapy (ADT), chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for the treatment. The latest data high-light the use of treatment intensification (TI), i.e., combined use of radiotherapy (RT) and hormo-nal or drug treatments, for localized or locally advanced PCa. Indeed, the results of combined modality treatments have shown a reduction in disease-specific mortality and improved overall survival. Although TI seems promising, more research studies are warranted to confirm its effi-cacy. This review summarizes the latest available outcome results of pivotal trials and clinical studies on the efficacy of TI.

In this work we present a versatile, rapid, and low-cost manufacturing technique to develop bioceramic scaffolds that could enhance bone tissue regeneration via microwave preparation using a commercial microwave oven. The scaffolds were prepared combining hydroxyapatite and water glass (sodium trisilicate solution), foamed by using a microwaves oven and then characterized by means of SEM-EDS, mechanical properties, infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), density and stability test in water. Furthermore, in vitro tests were performed to verify the affinity of osteoclast cells versus the so prepared scaffold. The morphology of the samples showed interconnected pores suitable for promoting tissue regeneration and vascularization while specific mechanical properties were preserved. The physicochemical characterization and the in vitro tests presented promising results for bone regenerative applications.

The digital economy, driven by information and communication technologies (ICT), has profoundly transformed in recent decades. The digitalization of society has given rise to an economic environment in which information, connectivity, and innovation play fundamental roles. In this context, a technology that has emerged as a fundamental pillar of the digital economy is the chain of blocks, commonly known as blockchain. Blockchain is a technology that has revolutionized the way online data and transactions are managed and shared. Through its ability to create secure, transparent, and decentralized ledgers, blockchain has paved the way for the digital economy, facilitating trust in digital transactions and enabling various applications ranging from cryptocurrencies to supply chain management and intellectual property. This study will delve into blockchain and its influence on the digital economy. It will explore how this technology has reshaped how companies interact, how consumers access services, and how new business models are developed in a constantly evolving digital environment. Additionally, the challenges and opportunities that blockchain presents in the context of the digital economy will be analyzed, and how it is helping to shape the future of business and society in general. As the exploration of blockchain and its impact on the digital economy progresses, it becomes evident how these two forces converge, generating a promising digital landscape full of significant opportunities and transformations. This phenomenon is consistently supported by a growing body of research and analysis, which underlines the growing influence of blockchain on the global economy (Smith, 2020; Johnson, 2019). The dynamic interplay between these two spheres, blockchain and the digital economy, constantly evolves and offers an exciting glimpse into the future regarding innovation and disruption across various sectors (Jones, 2021; Brown, 2018). As a result, significant opportunities are looming for those seeking to understand and capitalize on these emerging trends (García, 2022). Throughout this study, the current trends and most intriguing perspectives that shape this landscape will be broken down, offering a deeper insight into how blockchain and the digital economy are shaping an extraordinary digital future

Abstract: Epigenetic approaches in direct correlation with assessment of critical genetic mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are currently very intensive, as the epigenetic components in NSCLC development and progression have attained high recognition. In this level of research, established human NSCLC cell lines as well as experimental animals are widely used to detect novel biomarkers and pharmacological targets to treat NSCLC. The epigenetic background of NSCLC is highly complex and requires precise definition as these phenomena are variable between NSCLC subtypes and systems origin. We engaged an in-depth characterization of non-coding (nc)RNAs prevalent in human KRAS-mutant NSCLC cell lines A549 and H460 and mouse KRAS-mutant NSCLC tissue by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and quantitative Real Time PCRs (qPCRs). Also, the effect of transcription factor (TF) LRF, a known epigenetic silencer, was examined on the epigenome modulation. Finally, interacting networks underlying epigenetic variations in NSCLC subtypes were created. Data derived from our study highlights the divergent epigenetic profiles of NSCLC of human and mouse origin, as well as the significant contribution of 12qf1: 109,709,060-109,747,960 mouse chromosomal region to micro-RNA upregulated species. Fur-thermore, the novel epigenetic miR-148b-3p/PVT1/ZBTB7A axis was identified, which differentiates lung adenocarcinoma from large cell lung carcinoma, two characteristic NSCLC subtypes. The detailed recording of epigenetic events in NSCLC and combinational studies including networking between ncRNAs and TFs validate the identification of significant epigenetic features, prevailing in NSCLC subtypes and among experimental models. Our results enrich knowledge in the field and empower research on the epigenetic prognostic biomarkers of the disease and patient-tailored treatments.

Background: Although autophagy is a pro-survival process of tumor cells, in particular conditions and when differently regulated by specific signals it can stimulate cell death. We previously demonstrated that the selective stimulation of the M2 muscarinic receptor subtype (M2 mAChR) negatively controls cell proliferation and survival and causes oxidative stress and cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in both GBM cell lines and GBM stem cells (GSCs). In this work, we have evaluated whether autophagy was induced as a downstream mechanism of the observed cytotoxic processes induced by M2 mAChR activation by the orthosteric agonist APE or the dualsteric agonist N-8-Iper. Methods: To assess the activation of autophagy, we analyzed the expression of LC3B by Western blot analysis and in LC3B-EGFP transfected cell lines. Apoptosis was assessed by Caspases 3 and 9 protein expression. Results: Our data indicate that activation of M2 mAChR by N-8-Iper promotes autophagy in both U251 and GB7 cells lines as suggested by the LC3B-II expression level and analysis of the transfected cells by fluorescence microscopy. Autophagy induction by M2 mAChRs is regulated by the decreased activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 pathway and upregulated by the pAMPK expression. Downstream autophagy activation, the increase of apoptosis was also observed in both cell lines after treatment with the two M2 agonists. Conclusions: N-8-Iper treatment causes autophagy via pAMPK upregulation, followed by apoptosis in both investigated cell lines. In contrast, the absence of autophagy in APE-treated GSC cells seems to indicate that cell death could be triggered by mechanisms alternative to those observed for N-8-Iper.

Background: The risk to physicians who worked with patients without confirmed COVID-19 testing during the pandemic has been little studied. However, they were at high risk. Methods: A total of 1285 Romanian physicians completed an online survey. We performed Mann-Whitney comparisons between physicians who reported that they knowingly had direct contact with COVID patients and those who didn't regarding their willingness to work. Results: Compared with their colleagues, physicians who reported not knowingly having direct contact with COVID patients reported less access to protective equipment, less overall willingness to respond when asked to work with infected patients, more likely to work out of fear of losing their jobs, and fear of legal repercussions. They received less training in the use of protective equipment. Conclusions: Physicians who worked with patients not yet diagnosed with COVID-19 were significantly less willing to work. The perception of invisible risk may explain the observed differences.

The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups of quality of life (QOL) changes in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and to determine factors associated with subgroups of consistently low or deteriorated QOL. We enrolled 101 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer in South Korea and asked them to complete a questionnaire at baseline (within 1 month of diagnosis), 1 year later (Year 1), 2 years later (Year 2), and 3 years later (Year 3). We assessed QOL using the global QOL subscale from the EORTC QLQ-C30. We defined low QOL as a global QOL score 10 points below the mean score of the general population. Based on low QOL as defined in this study, we identified subgroups of QOL changes over 3 years. We identified four subgroups of QOL changes: improved (47.4%), stable (30%), continuously low (8.8%), and deteriorated (13.8%) and considered the last two categories (22.6%) as poor QOL. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that significant determinants of poor QOL were insomnia at Year 1, fatigue and anxiety at Year 2, and fatigue, depression, and comorbidity at Year 3. In conclusion, persistent symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and comorbidity are potential risk factors for poor QOL in BCS.

In order to study the effects of dietary folic acid (FA) supplementation on growth performance and immune status in weanling piglets, a single factorial randomized block design trial with 6 dietary FA levels at 0.35, 0.66, 2.19, 5.18, 7.51 or 10.81 mg/kg was conducted. A total of 108 crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire) castrated weanling piglets (at 21 d of age) were allocated by body weight into 36 feeding cages (3 piglets/cage), which were allotted randomly into 6 dietary groups (6 cages/group). Piglets were fed ad libitum for 24 days. Blood samples were collected on the 24th day. The growth performance and the immune parameters were measured. Results showed that FA supplementation increased the serum FA level of weaned piglets (p < 0.01), and tended to increase the body weight (BW) at 45 d of age (p < 0.1) and the average daily gain (ADG) from 29 d to 45 d of age (p < 0.1). FA addition improved the feed efficiency (G/F) from 21 d to 45 d of age (p < 0.01), and with significant effects at 21 d to 45 d of age with FA 2.19 or 7.51 mg/kg (p < 0.05). Dietary FA at 0.66 or 2.19 mg/kg increased the serum CD3+CD8+ subset (p < 0.05), decreased the CD3+CD4+ / CD3+CD8+ ratio (p < 0.05); Moreover, FA addition increased the serum IFN-γ level (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the adequate dietary FA is necessary to improve the immunity and growth performance of weaned piglets at 21 d of age. The suitable dietary FA level for immune function from 21 d to 45 d of age was 0.66 mg/kg, while were 6.82 mg/kg from 21 d to 28 d of age and 5.42 mg/kg from 29 d to 45 d of age respectively for feed efficiency.

Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza virus infection, which is managed using vaccines and antiviral drugs. Recently, the antiviral effects of plants and foods have gained attention. This review summarizes the therapeutic properties of Euglena against influenza from a functional food viewpoint. While it has been reported that Euglena contributes to suppressing blood sugar levels and ameliorates symptoms caused by stress by acting on the autonomic nervous system, the immunostimulatory and antiviral activities of Euglena have also been reported. In this review, I focused on the immunostimulation of antiviral activity via the intestinal environment and the suppression of viral replication in infected cells. The functions of specific components of Euglena, which also serve as a source of a wide range of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and β-1,3-glucan (paramylon), are also reviewed. Euglena has animal and plant properties and natural compounds with a wide range of functions, providing crucial information for improved antiviral strategies.

This mixed-methods research article explores the influence of ChatGPT, a state-of-the-art AI language model, on the development of maladaptive learning habits in users. The study combines quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of how engaging with ChatGPT may inadvertently foster detrimental learning behaviors. Findings suggest that while ChatGPT can be a valuable learning tool, it has the potential to exacerbate or create bad learning habits if not used mindfully.

The concept of public financial accountability, often associated with account-rendering, lacks a clear and comprehensive definition in the realm of accounting literature. Disentanglement the true essence of a phenomenon is essential, as formal definitions can only provide a superficial understanding. This study seeks to delve into the core principles of public financial accountability and their implications for financial reporting in the public sector. Applying a qualitative approach, data was gathered through in-depth interviews with 25 Nigerian scholars, professionals, and public affairs experts. The analysis reveals that the essence of public financial accountability lies in upholding citisens' trust in public officials, ensuring the responsible management of public financial resources for the greater public good, and effectively communicating financial decisions, actions, and outcomes to the public through a transparent reporting mechanism. This study sheds light on the fundamental nature of financial accountability in the public sector, enhancing our understanding of its significance in governance and financial reporting.

Urban mobility and sustainable transportation are fundamental for the European Union's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The EU encourages national governments to prioritize zero-emission urban transport systems that emphasize safety, accessibility, and inclusiveness. Promoting walking plays a fundamental role in sustainable urban mobility, offering advantages such as emission reduction, better air quality, and enhanced public health. Recent research underscores the importance of creating appealing and safe pedestrian environments to encourage walking. These efforts align with the United Nations' Agenda 2030 sustainability goals, particularly Objective 11, which aims to build inclusive, safe, and sustainable cities and communities. This paper explores the factors influencing pedestrians' willingness to walk and categorizes them into four main groups: Physical Characteristics, Comfort, Safety, and Attractiveness. Significantly, the study reveals that the importance of these factors varies based on demographics, mainly the age of the users. Understanding these factors and their relative significance for pedestrian satisfaction is crucial for shaping effective policies and urban planning strategies aimed at promoting sustainable mobility. By prioritizing pedestrian satisfaction and addressing the specific needs and preferences of diverse groups, cities can create more walkable and environmentally friendly urban environments. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners working toward EU climate-neutral objectives and enhancing the well-being of citizens.

The primary focus of this review is to explore the application and significance of coping strategies within the domains of clinical psychology and neuropsychology. These strategies consist of a variety of techniques, behaviors, and cognitive interventions, and their critical role in reinforcing resilience and facilitating adaptive responses to stressors has been highlighted. At the core of this exploration, the intricate neuropsychological relationship between brain stress pathways and the application of coping mechanisms has been analyzed. The neural aspects of stress, and how they can be influenced by adaptive strategies, are detailed, illustrating the profound impact these coping mechanisms have at a neurobiological level. Delving into the neuropsychological underpinnings, this review will shed light on how stress response pathways in the brain interact with, and can be modulated by, various coping strategies. These mechanisms are particularly salient when addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals with neuropsychological or mental health issues. While these strategies span a broad spectrum, from introspection and cognitive reframing to behavioral activation and social support seeking, their integration and application remain diverse within clinical contexts. This review endeavors to elucidate the theoretical underpinnings of these strategies, their empirical support, and their practical implications within therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, the intricate interplay between individualized coping techniques and structured therapeutic methodologies will be examined, emphasizing the potential for a holistic treatment paradigm, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes and fostering individual resilience.

This article is the fourth part of a scientific project under the general title “Geometrized vacuum physics based on the Algebra of Signatures". In the first three articles [1,2,3], the foundations of the Algebra of Stignatures were laid and the main aspects of the kinematics of vacuum layers were considered. This article continues the development of the mathematical apparatus of the proposed project, in particular, the dynamics of vacuum layers is developed based on the Algebra of Signatures. The development of this direction of research (with simplifications related to Riemann's differential geometry) led to the possibility of a geometrized representation of the electric field strength and magnetic field induction. This geometrized mathematical apparatus allows one to interpret the electromagnetic field as an interweaving of accelerated and rotational flows of the adjacent layers of vacuum. The proposed dynamic models of accelerated movements and rotations of vacuum layers can provide a theoretical basis for the development of “zero” (i.e. vacuum) technologies.

Online streaming contents are creating greater service uncertainty, as consumers need to experience such contents before making a decision to continue to purchase them. Few studies have investigated the interaction between eWOM (online word-of-mouth) and online streaming content service characteristics in online streaming contents’ performance and explained the way this interaction can promote service characteristics’ role in service performance or remedy service uncertainty attributable to these characteristics. Thus, this paper examines the interaction between eWOM and service (webtoon) characteristics (i.e., author experience, genre (drama or fantasy), completion, transfer to pay service, and publication time (Wednesday)) on online streaming contents’ service performance measures such as publication period and gamification of contents. Author experience and genre interact with the number of reviews to affect gamification. The transfer to pay service interacts crucially with review ratings and the number of reviews to influence both publication period and gamification. Online streaming contents completion and publication time are interacting factors with review ratings that affected publication period. Service providers need to cope with service uncertainty in furthering online streaming contents service by considering service characteristics as well as customers’ responses through eWOM.

Biosensors based on an oxygen electrode, a mediator electrode and a mediator microbial biofuel cell (MFC) using on the bacteria Gluconobacter oxydans B-1280 have been formed and tested to determine the integral toxicity. G. oxydans bacteria exhibit high sensitivity to the toxic effects of phenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, salicylic and trichloroacetic acid and a number of heavy metal ions. The system “G. oxydans bacteria – ferrocene – graphite-paste electrode” is superior in sensitivity to biosensors formed using an oxygen electrode and MFC, in particular regarding heavy metal ions (EC50 of chromium (II), manganese (II) and cadmium (II) was 0.8 mg/dm3, 0.3 mg/dm3 and 1.6 mg/dm3, respectively). It has been determined that the period of stable functioning of electrochemical systems during measurements is reduced by half due (from 30 to 15 days) due to changes in the enzyme system of microbial cells when exposed to toxicants. Samples of products made from polymeric materials were analyzed using developed biosensor systems and standard biotesting methods based on inhibiting the growth of duckweed L. minor, reducing the motility of bull sperm and quenching the luminescence of the commercial test system "Ecolum". The developed bioelectrocatalytic systems are comparable in sensitivity to commercial biosensors, which made it possible to correlate the results and identify by all methods a highly toxic sample containing diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate according to GC-MS data.

Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels can increase in nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) and the levels correlate with disease activity. We compared the clinical characteristics of NTM-PD patients with and without elevated CA19-9 levels and evaluated its association with the antibiotic response in a retrospective study of NTM-PD patients diagnosed between January 1994 and December 2020. We analyzed 1,112 patients who had serum CA19-9 measured: 322 with elevated CA19-9 and 790 with normal CA19-9. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in the elevated CA19-9 group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.029, respectively). The 1-year culture conversion rate after antibiotics did not differ between the elevated (n = 206) and normal (n = 377) CA19-9 groups (80% vs. 72%, p = 0.055). Analysis of a subset of 434 patients revealed that current smoking, bronchiectasis, acid-fast bacilli smear positivity, and the M. abscessus strain significantly reduced microbiological cure rates. Serum CA 19-9 levels did not have a significant association with microbiological cure in a multivariate analysis. These findings suggest that the role of serum CA19-9 in predicting antibiotic treatment outcomes is limited, and that elevated CA19-9 does not necessarily indicate a poor outcome.

Xpert MTB/RIF is rapid molecular diagnostic tool capable of simultaneously detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance. This study aimed to access the diagnostic precision of Xpert MTB/RIF assay to detect pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and to evaluate the performance for the detection of rifampicin resistance. Of 37695 samples, 7156(18.98%) were tuberculosis positive, 509(7.11%) were rifampicin-resistant. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, Diseases prevalence and accuracy of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for PTB were 99.87% (95%CI:99.75-99.94), 99.92%(95%CI:99.88-99.95), 99.71%(95%CI:99.54-99.82),99.97%(95%CI:99.93-99.98),21.38% (95%CI:20.92-21.86),and 99.91%(95%CI:99.87-99.94), respectively. For EPTB, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, Diseases prevalence and accuracy of Xpert MTB/RIF assay accounted for 99.45% (95%CI:98.73-99.82),99.84%(95%CI:99.73-99.92),98.70%(95%CI:97.73-99.25),99.93% (95%CI:99.84-99.97),10.64%(95%CI:9.99-11.31),and 99.80%(95%CI:99.68-99.88), respectively. Despite its high sensitivity for detecting tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance, Xpert MTB/RIF had contradictory results for 20.5% of cases among patients with negative smear results and 54.9% of cases among patients with a high risk of Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Of 47 fluoroquinolone-resistant, 16.56% (26/157) of Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis isolates and 4.02% (20/498) isoniazid-resistant are fluoroquinolone-resistant, a characteristic distribution leading to about 17.2% of fluoroquinolone resistance events and relevant marker gyr-A mutations in MDR tuberculosis isolates. Further, our study indicated that increased fluoroquinolone resistance among Rifampicin-resistant and isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis endangers the success of newly endorsed MDR-TB regimens.

Land plants have undergone their great diversification and evolution in the past 400 million years. Although appearing complex and hard to grasp, the evolution of plants centers around an invariable core development process, SRC (Sexual Reproductive Cycle). Various modifications have been added sequentially to this core process, and thus creating various novel organs and distinguishing their bearers one from another. Reproductive organs of all land plants, including sporangium, megasporangium, metamegasporangium (= ovule), and various metamegasporangium complexes, are derived from terminal sporangia in the earliest land plants. Throughout the million-year-long evolution, plants sequentially recruit associating accessories to protect their vulnerable core parts (spore and gamete). The occurrence of every single of these novelties is a stair marking land plant reproduction evolution and leads to enhanced offspring development conditioning (ODC).

Valsartan (Val) is an important antihypertensive medication with side effects such as dizziness and angioedema. These constraints are due to the low oral bioavailability and relatively short half-life. The goal here is to incorporate Val into a mixed micelles system that can enhance transdermal delivery. Thin-film hydration and micro-phase separation were used to produce Val-loaded mixed micelle systems. A variety of factors, including surfactant type and drug-to-surfactant ratio, were optimized to produce micelles with low size and high Val entrapment efficiency (EE). The size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta-potential, and drug entrapment efficiency of the prepared micelles were all measured. The drug release profiles in vitro were assessed using dialysis bags, and the permeation through abdominal rat skin was assessed using a Franz diffusion cell. All formulations had high EE levels exceeding 90% and low particle charges. The micellar sizes ranged from 107.6 to 191.7nm, with average PDI values of 0.3. The in vitro release demonstrated a uniform slow rate that lasted one week with varying extents. F7 demonstrated a significant (P < 0.01) transdermal efflux of 68.84 ± 3.96 µg/cm2/h through rat skin when compared to the control. As a result, the enhancement factor was 16.57. Val-loaded mixed micelles were successfully prepared using two simple methods with high reproducibility, and extensive transdermal delivery was demonstrated in the absence of any aggressive skin modifying enhancers.

The present work fronts the human pose estimation problem, developing a method that enables automated ergonomic risk assessment. A research methodology is developed to calculate joint angles from digital snapshots or videos by using computer vision and machine learning techniques to get a more accurate ergonomic risk assessment. Starting from an ergonomic analysis, the study explores the use of a semi-supervised training method to detect the skeletons of workers. The research methodology developed aims to infer the positions and angles of the joints, to calculate the criticality index based on the RULA scores and fuzzy rules. Then, to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), improve production capacity and decrease the ergonomic risk, the system uses joint with a collaborative robot to support the worker in carrying out the most critical operations. The method has been tested on a real industrial case in which manual assembly activities of electrical components are conducted. The approach developed can overcome the limitations of recent developments based on computer vision or wearable measurement, sensors by performing an assessment with an objective and flexible ap-proach to postural analysis development.

The production of biodiesel through transesterification routes generates large amounts of glycerol, approximately 10 m3 for every 90 m3 of the biodiesel produced. Taking into account this scenario, the valorization of glycerol using chemical routes that could be operated in biodiesel industry constitutes a promising approach to achieve added-value products. An interesting option is the production of ethers, which can be used as fuel additives in diesel engines to improve the combustion efficiency, reducing soot emission and increasing cetane index. In this study, a purification route was applied to crude glycerol and its valorization by etherification was evaluated. The glycerol contents of purified samples were above 98% wt. The purified and commercial glycerol was used to obtain ethers. Etherification reactions were carried out with different alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol) into a batch reactor, using small amount of Amberlyst 15 as a catalyst, at autogenous pressure and solvent-free conditions. The glycerol conversion, selectivity and yield to ethers were evaluated. A glycerol conversion of 97% wt. with selectivity of 80% to monoether was obtained when using ethanol. For isopropanol, the glycerol conversion was up to 95% (76% of monoether and 22% of diether). However, the selectivity to ethers for 3-methyl-1-butanol was negligible (&lt;3% wt.). A process simulation for purification and etherification steps integrated with a biodiesel production was assessed in terms of productivity and energy consumption, considering different scenarios of glycerol/alcohol molar ratios.

This review explores the complex interrelationships between emotion, attention, and behavior, drawing upon empirical evidence from psychological, neuroscientific, and clinical studies. It delves into the neural mechanisms that underlie these interactions, with a focus on key brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Clinical cases involving stroke and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are examined to illustrate the real-world implications of these cognitive interactions. The review also discusses the impact of effective emotion regulation strategies and the role of attention as a cognitive mechanism that influences both emotion and behavior. Neuroimaging studies, particularly functional MRI, are highlighted for their role in providing a deeper understanding of these intricate relationships. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of this triadic relationship in adaptive functioning and its broader implications for mental health, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life.

Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) refers to the deterioration of liver function in individuals who already have chronic liver disease. In the setting of ACLF, liver damage leads to the failure of other organs and is associated with increased short-term mortality. Optimal medical management of patients with ACLF requires implementing complex treatment strategies, often in an intensive care unit (ICU). Failure of organs other than the liver distinguishes ACLF from other critical illnesses. Although there is growing evidence supporting the current approach of ACLF management, mortality associated with this condition remains unacceptably high. In this review, we discuss considerations for ICU care of patients with ACLF and highlight areas for further research.

1) Background: The influence of estrogen on cognitive and perceptual functions is debated. Some research suggests that estrogen increases arousal, improving cognitive function, while others propose that increased arousal might reduce performance on certain tasks. This study investigates the effects of menstrual cycle phase and estrogen levels on lightness perception in cycling women and hormonal contraceptive (HC) users. (2) Methods: Estrogen levels were determined from saliva samples collected at three sessions aligned with different menstrual phases in 16 women (9 with natural cycles, 7 HC users). The effects of wavelength and menstrual cycle phase on lightness perception were analyzed, followed by post-hoc comparisons and correlations between lightness perception and estrogen levels for both cycling women and HC users. (3) Results: Lightness varied by menstrual phase (MCP) in cycling women and was slightly higher during the low estrogen menstrual phase compared to peri-ovulation or luteal phases. In HC users, lightness measures were equivalent across phases. For cycling women, lightness was negatively correlated with estrogen for the green and green-yellow stimuli. There were no such associations among HC users. (4) Conclusions: This report challenges the concept that high estrogen phases of the menstrual cycle always positively influence perception. Conversely, the present results revealed that—at least in cycling, non-hormonal contraceptive users—lightness perception was both at a maximum during the low estrogen menstrual phase and negatively associated with estrogen levels across all tested wavelengths.

In the mid-1950s, a groundbreaking discovery revealed the fascinating presence of caveolae, referred to as flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane, sparking renewed excitement in the field of cell biology. Caveolae are small, flask-shaped invaginations in the cell membrane that play crucial roles in diverse cellular processes, including signal transduction, endocytosis, lipid homeostasis, and signal transduction. The structural stability and functionality of these specialized membrane microdomains are attributed to the coordinated activity of scaffolding proteins, including caveolins and cavins. While caveolae and caveolins have been long appreciated for their integral roles in cellular physiology, the accumulating scientific evidence throughout the years reaffirms their association with a broad spectrum of human disorders. This review article aims to offer a thorough account of the historical advancements in caveolae research, spanning from their initial discovery to the recognition of caveolin family proteins and their intricate contributions to cellular functions. Furthermore, it will examine the consequences of a dysfunctional caveolar network in the development of human diseases.

s: The lack of historical employment data for college graduates, the need to solve the system cold-start problem and the consideration of reciprocity of job recommendation in job recommendation, lead to low recommendation satisfaction and immature application of the existing job recommendation methods. The article presents a new approach to job recommendation using college graduates as the object of study. In the screening stage, a semantic keyword iterative algorithm is applied to compute the similarity between the resume and recruitment texts. This algorithm enhances the intersectionality of keywords in the calculation process, maximizing the utilization of resume information to enhance the accuracy of text similarity calculations. The ranking phase utilizes in-school data to build a social network between college graduates and graduated students, and solves the system's cold-start problem by using the social network to recommend jobs for college graduates where graduated students are employed. Building upon the amalgamation of the semantic keyword iterative algorithm and the social network job recommendation method outlined above, we introduce a dual-dimensional matching approach involving specialty and salary. This enhancement is designed to elevate the reciprocity of job recommendations. The analysis of the results indicates that the average satisfaction rate (AR) and normalized discounted cumulative gain (NDCG) values for the newly proposed job recommendation method surpass those of other methods, demonstrating its superior effectiveness. The method caters to the preferences of graduate job seekers, aligns with job recruitment requirements, and offers extensive job search assistance to a broad spectrum of graduates.

China is a traditional agricultural country, and the integration of rural industries has become an essential policy direction for the current strategy of agricultural modernization in China. In recent years, the agricultural industrial chains across various regions of China have consistently expanded and extended. The multifunctionality of agriculture is continuously unearthed, and the principal entities managing agriculture have become increasingly diversified and have grown significantly. New industries and forms in agriculture emerge incessantly. Accurately and profoundly understanding the inherent features of the integration of industries in rural China, establishing a scientific and rational measurement index system in line with the current status and development goals of rural China, and employing appropriate measurement methods to assess its development level and process, is instrumental in comprehending the level of integrated development in various regions. This aids in identifying challenges in the developmental process and proposing targeted developmental strategies. Hence, this paper, rooted in the integration of rural industries, cross-industry, industry extension, industry agglomeration, and industry penetration, sets up an measurement index system. Using provincial panel data from 2011 to 2020, the paper measures the level of integrated development in rural industries across China and its 31 provinces. Based on the measurement results, further techniques such as kernel density estimation and Gini coefficient decomposition have been used to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and dynamic trends of the integrated development of rural industries in China. Research indicates that during the sample period, the overall level of integrated development in rural industries in various provinces in China has shown an upward trend. Development among the eastern, central, and western regions is highly uneven, but this disparity has been gradually narrowing in recent years. Furthermore, the levels of integrated development in different provinces exhibit significant spatial agglomeration effects. The development level of neighboring regions significantly impacts the province's development status. In the process of integrated development of rural industries in China, there's a trend where "it's easier to downgrade than to upgrade," with very few regions achieving leapfrog development.

Based on the teaching material of "Robotics" course, this paper studied the automatic knowledge graph construction, including knowledge points extraction and knowledge point relation extraction. We proposed a new method of extracting the first-level, second-level, and third-level knowledge points as well as their prerequisite relations of knowledge points in the textbook. For the problem of insufficient knowledge of the pre-trained language model in the specific field, methods such as incremental pre-training and optimization of cost functions are employed to integrate subject knowledge into the pre-trained language model, thus improving its effectiveness. To overcome the problem that the traditional method of relationship extraction can not be applied directly to the extraction of teaching materials, a new scheme for knowledge point relationship extraction based on keyword relationship is proposed. The experimental data from textbooks shows that the F1 score of knowledge point extraction reaches 93%, considerably improved compared to the traditional model. Consequently, the knowledge point entity extraction and relationship extraction methods based on the pre-trained model can effectively extract structured information and facilitate the automatic construction of knowledge graphs.

Musculoskeletal disorders are increasingly prevalent worldwide, causing significant socioeconomic burdens and diminished quality of life. Notably, patellar chondropathy (PC) is among the most widespread conditions affecting the joint structures, resulting in profound pain and disability. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have emerged as reliable, effective, and minimally invasive alternatives. Continuous research spanning from laboratory settings to clinical applications demonstrate the numerous advantages of both products. These encompass lubrication, anti-inflammation, and stimulation of cellular behaviors linked to proliferation, differentiation, migration, and the release of essential growth factors. Cumulatively, these benefits support the rejuvenation of bone and cartilaginous tissues, which are otherwise compromised due to the prevailing degenerative and inflammatory responses characteristic of tissue damage. While existing literature delves into the physical, mechanical, and biological facets of these products, as well as their commercial variants and distinct clinical uses, there is limited discussion on their interconnected roles. We explore basic science concepts, product variations, and clinical strategies. This comprehensive examination provides physicians with an alternative insight into the pathophysiology of PC as well as biological mechanisms stimulated by both HA and PRP that contribute to tissue restoration.

The rising global concern for environmental sustainability has driven a surge in green invest-ments' popularity. This study examines the multifractal characteristics and efficiency of various green stock indexes, such as Clean Science and Technology, ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, iShares Global Clean Energy ETF, Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy, and Solactive Clean Energy. The research covers the period from October 4, 2021, to October 4, 2023. The central ob-jective of this research is to evaluate the efficiency of clean energy stock markets and dissect their influence on investment decisions and market performance in the realm of green investments. To accomplish this, the study employs the Wright test (2000) and the Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) method. The findings indicate the presence of negative serial autocorrelation within the Rankings and Signals tests. Furthermore, the DFA analysis concurrently reveals long memory patterns in most green indexes, with the notable exception being the Nasdaq Clean Edge index, which exhibits tendencies toward anti-persistence. These results imply that prices inadequately incorporate available information, resulting in non-i.i.d. price fluctuations. These implications are significant for investors, as they indicate the potential for predictable returns and opportunities for arbitrage and abnormal profits, challenging the assumptions of random walk and information efficiency hypotheses.

Proprioceptive deficits accompanied with motor paresis after stroke, namely sensory ataxic motor paresis has a poorer prognosis of recovery than pure motor deficit. We aimed to investigate the effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) on sensory ataxic upper extremity (UE) paresis at acute stroke. Eighteen stroke participants with sensory ataxic UE paresis were randomized. rPMS group received five sessions of intervention per week, where 20 minutes of rPMS prior to 20 minutes of physical therapy (PT) every other day, alternating with 40 minutes of PT. The control group received five sessions of 40 minutes of PT/week. Outcome measures were Wolf motor function test (WMFT), UE motor section of Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment Scale (FMA-UE), and Thumb localizing test (TLT). All assessments were compared before and after intervention. rPMS group received mean 6.5 sessions and the control group received 12.8 sessions, showing significantly imbalanced intervention due to different timing of hospital discharge. The imbalance was corrected by calculating gains of motor scores divided by sessions as Progress Rate (PR). Corrected gains (PR) of rPMS group was more significantly enhanced in WMFT and FMA-UE than control groups. rPMS group tended to improve TLT more than control one. rPMS might improve sensory ataxic UE paresis after stroke and proprioceptive deficit.

Purpose –This study examines the effect of ESG performance on auditor choice and audit opinion for Egyptian-listed firms. Design/methodology/approach – We use univariate and multivariate analyses of 612 firm-year observations for a sample of 68 firms listed on EGX100 over 2012-2022 using binary logistic regression models. Findings – Consistent with the ethical perspective of corporate social responsibility, we found that firms listed in the ESG index are more likely to assign one of the Big4 auditors, and less likely to receive a qualified opinion. In addition, we find that COVID-19 moderates the relationship between ESG performance, auditor choice, and audit opinion. Originality/value – Our results contribute to the growing interest in the implications of ESG performance for audit practices in emerging economies. Implications: This research has important implications for investors, the audit profession, firms, and regulators in Egypt. It provides substantial evidence that ESG performance can enhance financial reporting quality. Further, it indicates that binding guidelines and regulations are crucial to oversee corporate ESG performance, especially during crisis time to enhance investors’ protection and firms’ sustainability.

Despite the successful reconciliation of special relativity and quantum mechanics (QM), a good century ago, general relativity (GR) in its current classical formulation still does not compile with QM. While GR gives precise sensical predictions at large scales, QM is obviously dominated at small scales! We think that the everlasting battle for exploring and understanding the Universe and for privileging a consistent perception of reality is therefore awaiting a consolidator rather than a conqueror. This should be capable of either unifying the two different benchmarks or at least bringing one closer to the other! The latter describes the consolidating approach, which is based on extending QM to relativistic energies and gravitational fields and generalizing Riemann to discretized Finsler geometry. Some properties of the additional geometric structures and curvatures which are disclosed by the proposed quantization and apparently overlooked in Einstein's GR, are analytically and numerically characterized. The analytical analyses introduce dynamics with possible nonlinear connections. We conclude that i) additional geometric structures and curvatures are intrinsic essential and ii) the spacetime at the quantum scale is no longer smooth or continuous. A maximal proper force is predicted, which maximally gravitationally accelerates a test particle and importantly manifests the quantum geometric nature of the generalized spacetime curvature.

This paper presents the prelaunch radiometric calibration of the Ozone Monitor Suite - Nadir (OMS-N) instrument, a vital payload on the FY-3F satellite. FY-3F achieved a successful launch on August 3, 2023. The radiance calibration of the OMS-N instrument was achieved using an integrating sphere, with known exit radiance ascertained through a transferring radiometer. The calibration model incorporates six energy levels. The Solar Simulator Standard System was employed to validate the calibration results, selecting specific rows to represent varying spatial dimensions. Considering the influence of xenon lamp characteristic peaks and transmission errors during the calibration process, the average deviation remained within 2.3% for the UVIS channel, 3% for the UV1 channel, and 2.2% for the UV2 channel. Furthermore, this study analyzed the uncertainty of the radiometric calibration. The results indicated an absolute uncertainty of 2.32% for both UV1 and UV2 channels, while the VIS channel exhibited an uncertainty of 1.67%. The relative uncertainty was 1.84% for both UV1 and UV2 channels, with the VIS channel exhibiting an uncertainty of 1.45%. The obtained calibration coefficients are accurate and reliable and can be used for the inversion of product parameters, which is of great significance to the quantitative application of satellite data and the advancement of scientific research on quantitative remote sensing.

The healthcare system is intricate and dynamic. For the purpose of organising and planning a system, where allocating funds appropriately is essential and therefore managerial skills play a critical role. A certain portion of each nation's GDP is allotted to the health sectors. Managers and decision-makers in the healthcare systems are using resources effectively, yet the quantity of funding they receive from the government or other stakeholders is insufficient sometimes. A sound understanding of both basic and advanced economics is necessary for the care management, to make cost-effective judgements in public health. Healthcare officials at all levels (regional, state, federal, or international), need to be knowledgeable about public health issues and the related modern economic climates. Business executives and healthcare managers need effective practical knowledge to handle partner-financial allocation (demand-supply chain) and handle economic volatility.

Objectives: Accumulating evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) is an efficient intervention to maintain functional capabilities and mitigate physiological changes in the older population. However, an attempt has yet to be made to comprehensively investigate the published landscape on the subject. Methods: This study had two aims. The first aim was to perform a bibliometric analysis for two keywords, “aging” and “PA”, to analyze the research trend. Since ‘frailty’ is the most noticeable co-occurring keyword with the two keywords, the second aim was to investigate the effects of PA, particularly resistance training (RT), on frailty via meta-analysis to provide a summary of the current evidence base. Results: Bibliometric analysis revealed that the number of publications on this research topic has gradually increased, highlighting the importance of understanding the role of PA in aging. A meta-analysis found that RT had significant beneficial effects on physical frailty factors, including handgrip strength, lower limb strength, balance, gait speed, and stair climbing ability. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that RT is an effective intervention for improving physical function in frail populations; thus it has important implications for the development of PA programs for older adults with frailty. Future research is warranted to explore the optimal dose, frequency, and duration of RT programs for older adults, as well as the potential benefits of combining RT with other forms of PA, such as aerobic or balance exercises.

The article addresses the issue of reducing the carbon footprint in the formula of the European Union’s New Green Deal using nuclear energy introduced in place of coal. It contains an analysis of the possibilities offered by currently developed concepts of using nuclear energy in the context of existing energy infrastructure in Poland. It indicates the compatibility of coal and nuclear technologies for generating electricity and heat, considering only those with the highest level of technological readiness. The aim of the article is to identify the energy transformation in Poland using nuclear technologies and acquiring, creating and developing knowledge on the subject. It is assumed that the future of coal-nuclear transformation depends on determining where investment processes could take place in Poland, demonstrating the power that can be replaced through transformation, and indicating appropriate coal CPP (Carbon Power Plant) and nuclear NPP (Nuclear Power Plant) technologies with which a roadmap for the development of Polish nuclear energy can be created. The direction of potential actions is shown, whose coordination and implementation requires cooperation between many entities with appropriate knowledge and experience. For the purposes of this article, preliminary research was conducted on the possibilities offered by currently developed concepts in the context of existing energy infrastructure in Poland, its transformation, and the necessary social capital and its sources. The considerations did not take into account power plants and combined heat and power plants that have been liquidated or the use of their remaining infrastructure.

Sierra Madre Mountain Range (SMMR) is the backbone of Luzon Islands that contains high concentration of highly important ecological resources distributed among the 68 protected areas therewith. The present study aimed to assess the tree species composition and diversity in a secondary forest within the SMMR. A 2.25-km transect with 10 900-m2 was established to record tree species with a diameter at breast height of at least 10 cm. The findings revealed 148 individuals of trees from 38 morphospecies, 28 genera, and 20 families. Importance values unveiled the Aurora endemic Macaranga stonei Whitmore as the most important species in terms of the relative values of its abundance, frequency, and dominance. The area was also found to be home for 33 natives, 12 endemics, five IUCN threatened species, and nine Philippine threatened trees. Furthermore, the study site was also found to have a considerably high diversity with Shannon Weiner Index value of 3.269 and a relatively even distribution of individuals among species supported by the Simpson’s Evenness index value of 0.9453. Significant correlational relationships were also found among species richness, Shannon Weinder index, and Simpson’s Evenness index with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.881 to .934 all significant at p < .001. Lastly, the study was able to produce a distribution map necessary in implementing targeted conservation strategies. These findings provided valuable implications for future research and implementation of targeted and participatory biodiversity conservation and protection strategies.

In a pre-post-treatment design, this feasibility study examines the effects of twelve weekly online Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons on somatosensory tinnitus (ST), which is often associated with physical issues like neck pain. Two professional Feldenkrais teachers led online ATM lessons in two groups for a total of seventeen participants. Before and after treatment, we assessed tinnitus distress (using the Tinnitus Questionnaire, TQ), interoceptive awareness, and the short WHO quality-of-life questionnaire. We collected weekly changes in tinnitus severity (using the Tinnitus Functional Index, TFI) and neck pain (using the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire), and assessed state anxiety and perceived tinnitus intensity directly before and after each ATM. Importantly, we found a significant reduction in tinnitus distress along with significant individual differences. Linear mixed-model analyses further suggest an overall decrease in tinnitus severity and neck pain over time. Notably, individual reductions in TFI correlated with reduced neck pain, and reductions in TQ correlated with increased interoceptive awareness. Although this study is limited in patient number, it provides valuable information about the characteristics of patients with ST and suggests a new method to reduce neck pain and perceived tinnitus in the comfort of patients’ homes. However, further studies are necessary to verify these results and to compare the effectiveness with conventional therapy approaches.

The effects of co-addition CeO2 and SiC particles on the morphology, surface cracks, microstructure, precipitated phases and wear property of plasma beam spraying Fe55-based coatings on 1025 steel were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), ultra-deep field microscope and wet sand rubber wheel friction tester, respectively. The results showed that the dendrite exhibited a directional growth pattern perpendicular to the substrate and the transitional states of microstructure with the co-addition CeO2 and SiC particles. With addition of CeO2 or SiC affected the flowability of molten steel at macro level, leading to a reduction in the liquid phase diffusion coefficient DL of Cr and C and resulted in a decrease in the G/R ratio. The dendrites changed into equiaxed grains. The main phase composition of Fe55 welding layer is Cr7C3, γ-Fe. The grain boundaries consisted mainly of a reticular eutectic structure. The worn-out uniformly surface of the Fe55+1.5 wt% SiC+0.01wt% CeO2 with Ra was 0.28 μm was smoother than that of other samples. The sub-wear mechanisms during the friction process were microploughing and microcutting. The hardness and toughness of Fe55+1.5 wt% SiC+0.01wt% CeO2 were well-matched, avoiding excessive microcutting and microplastic deformation.

Abatacept (CTLA4-Ig) – a monoclonal antibody which restricts T cell activation – is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Herein, we aimed to investigate for biomarkers of response to abatacept. We performed a detailed immunological profiling of CTLA4-treated RA patients’ peripheral blood (PB) cells and sera using flow cytometry and proteomics analysis, respectively. At 6 months of treatment, 34.5% of patients attained clinical response. Notably, baseline levels of Th1 and myeloid cell populations were significantly elevated in PB of responders compared to non-responders (P-value<0.05). Additionally, proteomics analysis revealed 10 amongst 303 molecules which were associated with clinical responses. Should the present data be confirmed in a larger cohort could be of clinical value.

About 10% of angiosperms, an estimated 20,000 species, produce latex from ubiquitous isoprene precursors. Latex, an aqueous suspension of rubber particles and other compounds, functions as an antifeedant and herbivory deterrent. Here, I propose that the solubility of latex in neutral to alkaline pH supports the hypothesis that foregut-fermenting herbivores such as ruminants, kangaroos, sloths, insect larvae and tadpoles have evolved to adapt to the ingestion of latex with the evolution of alkaline anterior digestive chamber(s). However, they consequently become susceptible to the action of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) -endotoxin and related bioinsecticides which are activated in alkaline environments. By contrast, hindgut-fermenting herbivores such as horses and rabbits have acidic anterior digestive chambers in which latex coagulates and may cause gut blockage, but in which Bt is not activated. The latex-adapted foregut herbivore vs. latex-maladapted hindgut herbivore hypothesis developed in this paper has implications for foregut-fermenting husbanded livestock and zoo animals which may be provided with latex-containing forage that is detrimental to their gut health. Further, ruminants and herbivorous tadpoles with alkaline anterior chambers are at risk for damage by the supposedly “environmentally-friendly” Bt bioinsecticide which is widely disseminated, or engineered into crops which may enter animal feed streams.

In this paper, we study the relativistic correction to Bekenstein-Hawking entropy in the canonical ensemble and isothermal-isobaric ensemble and apply it to the cases of non-rotating BTZ and AdS-Schwarzschild black holes. This is realized by generalizing the equations obtained using Boltzmann-Gibbs(BG) statistics with its relativistic generalization, Kaniadakis statistics, or κ-statistics. The relativistic corrections are found to be logarithmic in nature and it is observed that their effect becomes appreciable only in the high-temperature limit suggesting that the entropy corrections must include these relativistically corrected terms while taking the aforementioned limit. The non-relativistic corrections are recovered in the κ → 0 limit.

Nowadays, digitalization and automation in both industrial and research activities is a driving force for innovations. In recent years, Machine Learning (ML) techniques - the subset of Artificial Intelligence - have been widely applied as a key tool to automize and digitalize numerous in-dustrial processes. ML models can predict specific features, like materials' lifetime in a heating device, based on recently trained algorithms with applied input data. The results of ML algorithms are easy to interpret and can significantly decrease the time of research and decision-making, thus, substituting the trial-error approach. This work presents the state of the art in the application of Machine Learning in the investigation of MgO-C refractories for the steel industry. Also, the work presents an overview of the most commonly used ML algorithms in refractory engineering. So far published results confirm the high performance of ML, e.g., for prediction of oxidation behaviour, optimum graphite content and wear rate of MgO-C refractories, or for clustering materials based on various fused and sintered MgO sources into groups with similar corrosion resistance, thus, permitting to reduce expensive fused raw materials content. Most of the presented works were positively validated via experiment.

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a vital tool for assessing and understanding the state of hunger and food security across the world. In this review article, we examine the GHI scores of various countries in the years 2000, 2008, 2015, and 2023. We aim to explore the changes in GHI scores over this period, identify trends, and discuss the implications for global food security. The GHI provides a comprehensive snapshot of the world's progress in reducing hunger, and this analysis sheds light on the successes and challenges faced by different countries.

An investigation of compressible flow over two-dimensional obstacles is presented in this paper. When shock waves are formed on surfaces due to compressibility and these shocks interfere with the boundary layer, undesirable effects such as friction, separation, and flow instability occur. To weaken the shock and reduce its effects, various methods have been employed in the past, including surface suction, surface blowing, and vortex generators. Using numerical solutions, the present work attempts to reduce the negative effects of the shock generated by the obstacle by creating porosity on its surface. Numerical methods such as the finite volume method and the Navier-Stokes equations as well as the Spalart-Allmaras model are used. By creating suction and blowing and increasing the cross-sectional area of the flow, porous surfaces reduce the effects of shock. Achieving around 50% porosity on the obstacle weakened the shock and reduced the Mach number after it, according to this paper's results. Also, the area under the skin friction diagram has decreased by about 38% as a result of less interference between the shock and the boundary layer and blowing caused by the porous surface.

This review paper explores the innovative realm of transparent solar panels, investigating their properties, applications, challenges, and recent advancements. Transparent solar panels, designed to harvest solar energy while allowing visible light to pass through, have gained significant attention due to their potential to revolutionize renewable energy technologies. The paper delves into the working mechanisms of various types of transparent solar panels, including Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) panels, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC), Perovskite Solar Cells, and Transparent Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells. It discusses their integration into diverse applications, such as building-integrated photovoltaics, consumer electronics, the automotive industry, and aerospace. The review identifies challenges, including low efficiency, durability concerns, production costs, and integration hurdles, that currently hinder their widespread adoption. Moreover, the paper emphasizes the transformative potential of transparent solar panels in shaping the future of renewable energy, not only as energy generators but also as aesthetically pleasing and multifunctional components of our built environment. Finally, the paper underscores the need for continued research and development efforts to enhance efficiency, improve stability, and address integration challenges, paving the way for transparent solar panels to play a central role in the transition toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can have a significant impact on quality of life. With persistent symptoms and the failure of initial medical treatments, surgical management is indicated. Despite the excellent results of endoscopic sinus surgery for persistent CRS, it is quite a challenging procedure for frontal sinusitis given the complex anatomy and location of the frontal sinus. Frontal sinus cells significantly contribute to the complexity of the frontal sinus, and numerous studies have sought to establish their association with sinusitis. This review offers a comprehensive understanding of the frontal sinus cells, their different classifications, their prevalence among different populations, and their relationship to sinusitis. After an extensive review of the current literature, the International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification (IFAC) is the most recent classification method and a preferred practical preoperative assessment tool. Although the Agger Nasi Cell is the most prevalent cell among all reported populations, ethnic variations are still influencing the other cells' distribution. Studies are inconsistent in reporting a relationship between frontal sinus cells and sinusitis, and that is mainly because of the difference in the classification method used. More research using a standardized classification method is needed to understand the association between frontal sinus cells and sinusitis.

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent chemicals that accumulate in the body and environment. Although recent studies have indicated that PFAS may disrupt kidney function, the underlying mechanisms and overall effects on the organ remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the impact of PFAS on kidney health using machine learning techniques. Utilizing a dataset containing PFAS chemical features and kidney parameters, dimensionality reduction and clustering were performed to identify patterns. Machine learning models, including XGBoost classifier, regressor, and Random Forest regressor, were then developed to predict kidney type from PFAS descriptors, estimate PFAS accumulation in the body, and predict the ratio of glomerular surface area to proximal tubule volume, which indicates kidney filtration efficiency. The kidney type classifier achieved 100% accuracy, confirming that PFAS exposure alters kidney morphology. The PFAS accumulation model attained an R^2 of 1.00, providing a tool to identify at-risk individuals. The ratio prediction model reached an R^2 of 1.00, offering insights into PFAS effects on kidney function. Furthermore, PFAS descriptors and anatomical variables were identified through analyses using feature importance, demonstrating discernible links between PFAS and kidney health, offering further biological significance. Overall, this study can significantly contribute to the current findings on the effect of PFAS while offering machine learning as a contributive tool for similar studies.

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) continue to be a problem all across the world, but in certain areas the threat is greater than in others. The detection of new diseases will aid in the focus of surveillance efforts. Specifically, identifying a "patient zero" is critical step to help limit further transmission. In fact, several factors have been found to contribute to emerging infectious diseases emergence and transmission. Antigenic drift is an important factor that affects vaccine effectiveness and it is important for scientists and healthcare providers alike to understand how this process works in order to ensure that people receive effective vaccinations against infectious diseases. However, recent advances in biotechnology, immunology and artificial intelligence have enabled us to make progress in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of infectious diseases. The fight against infectious diseases will always be ongoing, but the advancement of bioscience offers a promising outlook for the near future. In the last two decades, several high impact zoonotic disease outbreaks have been linked to bat-borne viruses. These include SARS coronavirus, Hendra virus and Nipah virus. In addition, it has been suspected that ebolaviruses and MERS coronavirus are also linked to bats. It is being increasingly accepted that bats are potential reservoirs of a large number of known and unknown viruses, many of which could spillover into animal and human populations. In this article, we discuss the potential risk factors that contribute in emerging infectious diseases. Also, we discuss the management of disease prevention and control.

The migration from MATLAB to Python (M-to-PY) has gained significant traction in recent computational research. While MATLAB has long served as a linchpin in myriad scientific endeavors, there's an emerging trend to rejuvenate these projects using Python's extensive AI tools and libraries. This study presents a semi-automated process for M-to-PY conversion, using a detailed case study of an image skeletonization project comprising fifteen MATLAB files and a 1404-image dataset. Skeletonization is foundational for ongoing 3D motion detection research using AI transformers, predominantly developed in Python. The utilization of ChatGPT-4, acting as an AI co-programmer, is pivotal in this conversion. By leveraging the public OpenAI API, we developed an M-to-PY converter prototype, evaluated its efficacy using test cases from the Bard bot, and subsequently employed the converted code in an AI application. The dual contributions encompass a well-tested M-to-PY converter and a Skeleton App capable of sketching and skeletonizing any given image, enriching the AI toolset. This study accentuates how AI resources, like ChatGPT-4, can simplify code transitions, opening doors for innovative AI implementations using primarily MATLAB-coded scientific research.

(1) Background: P-cadherin (CDH3) is a transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of epithelial tissue and homeostasis. Its role in carcinogenesis remains a subject of debate, as its behavior can vary depending on the molecular context and the specific tumor cell model under study. In this study, we explored the role of P-cadherin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the mechanism underlying its function. (2) Methods: We analyzed P-cadherin expression in HNSCC patients using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. For in vitro functional analysis, we conducted proliferation, migration, invasion, and western blot assays after either suppressing or overexpressing P-cadherin. For in vivo functional analysis, we utilized mouse xenograft models. (3) Results: P-cadherin was significantly overex-pressed in tumor samples compared to normal samples in the TCGA-HNSCC cohort. P-cadherin knockdown resulted in decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion compared to control cells, while P-cadherin overexpression increased cell proliferation and migration in HNSCC cells. We discovered that c-Met functioned as an upstream regulator of P-cadherin. Surprisingly, we found that P-cadherin knockdown increased the phosphorylation of c-Met and STAT3. Combining P-cadherin siRNA with the c-Met inhibitor SU11274 resulted in a more effective reduction in HNSCC cell growth, both in vitro and in vivo, compared to either treatment alone. (4) Conclusions: Our study uncovered a previously unknown aspect of P-cadherin-mediated c-Met regulation. The enhanced activation of c-Met/STAT3 following P-cadherin inhibition could be responsible for the survival of resistant tumor cells. Therefore, dual inhibition of P-cadherin and c-Met may be a potentially effective approach for treating HNSCC.

The global rising demand for exploiting limited shared groundwater resources, coupled with significant water deficit, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, has led to escalating conflicts among stakeholders. As such, using Bankruptcy Theory methods can be an appropriate response to the reallocation of resources. This study introduces a novel approach to weighted Bankruptcy, where the relative importance of stakeholders is determined by their contributions to sustainable development, and the impact of their claims on the shared groundwater resources is considered. The framework is implemented in a two-level bankruptcy process including the plains and their beneficiaries (agriculture, drinking and industry). The proposed two-level weighted bankruptcy process applies to the Neyshabour-Ataiyeh-Sabzevar plains in Iran. The process is implemented for two scenarios including the Baseline scenario related to the present status of demands and the Future scenario associated with the estimated demands for the year 2041. To compare the weighted proposed method with the other weighted methods such as Proportional (WPRO), Constrained Equal Awards (WCEA), Pinile (WPIN), Talmud (WTAL), Constrained Equal Losses (WCEL), Modified Constrained Equal Losses (MWCEL), two categories including the deficit-based and resource-based approaches are considered. According to the stability analysis using the Bankruptcy Allocation Stability Index (BASI) method, among the deficit-based methods, the novel approach is chosen as the preferred method for the beneficiaries’ reallocation like the Sabzevar’s beneficiaries. Accordingly, it allocates 86.95%, 10.86% and 2.17% of the shared resource to the agricultural, drinking, and industrial demands, respectively. Among the resource-based methods, the WPIN method is selected for reallocation between the stakeholders and their beneficiaries in each level and scenario of reallocation. The novel approach offers a promising solution to the water resource reallocation problem, ensuring a more equitable and sustainable management of shared groundwater resources.

We present multi-sensor measurements from satellites, unmanned aerial vehicle, marine radar, thermal profilers and repeated conductivity-temperature-depth casts made in the Kara Gates strait connecting the Barents and the Kara Seas during spring tide in August 2021. Analysis of the field data during an 18-hour period from four stations evidence that a complex sill in the Kara Gates is the site of regular production of intense large-amplitude nonlinear internal waves. Satellite data show a presence of a relatively warm northeastward surface current from the Barents Sea toward the Kara Sea attaining 0.8-0.9 m/s. Triangle-shaped measurements of three thermal profilers revealed pronounced vertical thermocline oscillations up to 40 m associated with propagation of short-period nonlinear internal waves of depression generated by stratified flow passing a system of shallow sills in the strait. The most intense waves were recorded during the ebb tide slackening and reversal when the background flow was predominantly supercritical. Observed internal waves had wavelength of ~100 m and travelled northeastward with phase speeds of 0.8-0.9 m/s. The total internal wave energy per unit crest length for the largest waves was estimated to be equal to 1.0-1.8 MJ/m.

Contagious pathogens have very high costs for dairy herds, and they may have zoonotic and reverse-zoonotic potentials, and may contribute in spreading antimicrobial resistance. One of the most important risk factors for spreading these infections is milking, when liner contamination may transfer the pathogens from infected to healthy cows. There is no effective protocol for avoiding the transmission of infection out of the segregation of infected cows. Recently, the availability of elastomers including patented antimicrobial components in their formulations has opened the way to explore alternative methods to decrease infection risk. Two different types of elastomers (rubber and silicon) and 9 different receipts were challenged by three major mastitis pathogens (S. aureus, S. agalactiae, and E. coli). The results showed interesting and unexpected results. Indeed, for the first time to our knowledge, we have shown that basic rubber materials have intrinsic antimicrobial activity. Silicon elastomers did not exhibit the same levels of killing activity, although they did exhibit some antibacterial capacity. Generally, a significant decrease in bacterial survival curves was observed with the tested formulations. The results observed for the various products are likely due to the specific activity of the chemical components, as well as the diverse chemical reactions that occur during their production. The availability of new tools able to reduce the risks for the spread of infections and generally decrease the bacterial load at milking, would be an important step forward to achieve a higher global sustainability of dairy production from a One Health perspective.

Bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, also known as superbugs,pose a huge threat to the human population. This is because these developed resistance to antibiotics. Antibiotics are a type of medicine that fights bacteria by either killing it or preventing it from growing. Although antibiotics make the once deadly now easily treatable, they can become ineffective as bacteria develop resistance to the antibiotic, causing diseases to become potentially fatal once more. Thus, scientists are rushing to find solutions in this arms race against evolving bacteria by either evolving current antibiotics or discovering new stands to fight evolving bacteria. In order to discover whether bacteria can develop resistance to household antibiotics, a controlled experiment was conducted. This was done by growing bacteria on agar plates with antibiotic ointments applied (in dilution series) to see if antibiotic resistance could build. Theorizing that by lowering the concentration of over the counter antibiotics, resistant bacteria would be selected and my bacterial population would evolve antibiotic resistance.In conclusion of the experiment antibiotic resistance did appear as a trait, but the level of it was inconsistent across the different bacteria populations.