The western Himalayan region is a biodiversity hotspot. Although many of the flora and fauna are documented, there are very few studies of the fungal diversity. Here, we present the statistical analyses of the specimen collections from the past 150 years of data in the fungarium of the Forest Research Institute. We found that the host tree species, pine, oak, deodar, and spruce, had very high Shannon diversity (SD) and species richness (SR), while Dalbergia and Rhododendron showed moderate to low SD, SR; Sal, although found at lower altitudes has high SD, SR. Among the fungal families, the highest SD, SR was found in Polyporaceae. Hymenochaetaceae, Peniophoraceae, Coleosporiaceae, and Stereaceae also showed SD with moderate SR. Fomitopsidaceae, Cronartiaceae, Ganodermataceae, and Thelephoraceae have low species diversity and species. Thelesporaceae are distributed above 2000 m altitude, and Ganodermateceae and Hymenochaetaceae have broader ranges, namely 0 - 3500 m and 0 - 5000 m, respectively. The Polyporaceae show diverse variations in species distribution, occurring between 0 and 4500 m; Colesporaceae and Cronartiaceae around 2000 m; and, Stereaceae, Meruliaceae, Peniophoraceae, and Fomitopsidaceae occur between 1700 and 1800 m, with all Stereaceae and Fomitopsidaceae having different distribution ranges up to 5000 m. We found that areas with relatively low rainfall had lower species richness, and vice versa, and high solar radiation also negatively impacted fungal density and SR. Similar studies must be undertaken in other parts of the Himalayas, and the importance of fungi in ethnobotanical needs to be understood for ensuring sustainable use.

Severe mental illness such as schizophrenia is associated with factors such as unemployment, meagre per capita income, and residence in disadvantaged, poorly resourced neighbourhoods. This means difficult access to healthy food and is particularly problematic for pregnant women and mothers with children to feed. Eating problems are also linked to the necessity of taking antipsychotic drugs that often lead to serious cognitive, psychological, and behavioural sequelae. Psychosis makes it extremely difficult to maintain a healthy diet; nutritional deficiencies result, as do medical complications. The results of present literature review confirm the gravity of the problem and suggest a number of potentially useful interventions.

Anesthesia ensures the welfare of the animal, enables safe and effective procedures, and allows accurate data collection [1]. In clinical veterinary practice, proper training and expertise in anesthesia administration and monitoring are essential. Pigs are commonly used in medical and scientific research as models for studying various aspects of human health, physiology, and disease due to their physiological and anatomical similarities to humans [2–4]. Pigs are suitable experimental animals for many surgery techniques because they are similar in size to humans and have a short reproductive cycle. This makes them ideal for research concerning organ transplantation, cardiovascular surgery, and other procedures that require a large animal model. Pigs also have a similar anatomy to humans, which makes them a good choice for studying diseases and developing new treatments [5]. Sedation and premedication should be administered at the lowest dose to be effective with predictable results and reduced adverse effects, to ensure the safety of both the animal and the team involved in the procedure, with a fast onset and optimizing the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. The goal of induction is to achieve a safe and effective level of anesthesia that ensures the patient's safety and facilitates the research. Most of the time, inhalation anesthesia with endotracheal intubation is the ideal choice for maintenance., allowing efficient anesthetic management. The difficulties related to the endotracheal intubation of pigs can be overcome by knowing the anatomical peculiarities related to the species and the multiple methods cited in the literature. Effective analgesia tailored to the specific procedure, the pig's condition, and individual responses to medications should complete the maintenance and recovery protocols, reducing perioperative complications.

Speech Emotion Recognition (SER) is an interesting and difficult problem to handle. In this paper, we deal with it through the implementation of deep learning networks. We have designed and implemented six different deep learning networks, a Deep Belief Network (DBN), a simple deep neural network (SDNN), a LSTM network (LSTM), a LSTM network with the addition of an attention mechanism (LSTM-ATN), a Convolutional neural network (CNN), and a Convolutional neural network with the addition of an attention mechanism (CNN-ATN), having in mind, apart from solving the SER problem, to test the impact of attention mechanism to the results. Dropout and Batch Normalization techniques are also used to improve the generalization ability (prevention of overfitting) of the models as well as to speed up the training process. The Surrey Audio-Visual Expressed Emotion database (SAVEE), and the Ryerson Audio-Visual Database (RAVDESS) database were used for training and evaluation of our models. The results showed that networks with the addition of the attention mechanism did better than the others. Furthermore, they showed that CNN-ATN was the best among tested networks, achieving an accuracy of 74% for the SAVEE and 77% for the RAVDESS dataset, and exceeded existing state-of-the-art systems for the same datasets.

This research work was aimed at investigating and determining the depth resolution of a 500Mhz GPR Antenna. The survey was conducted in an open space at the Physics Department, College of science-KNUST. The MALA GPR equipment with 500MHz shielded Antenna in the common offset-mode was used to investigate the depth at which materials were buried. Concrete block, tree roots, plastic bottle with water, glass bottle and Electric wire were each buried in cavities with five different burial depths. The real depth of each material was measured both along and across the cavity and compared to their corresponding GPR measured depth. The comparison of the Real depth and the GPR depth showed almost identical depth measurements with a root mean square deviation of 0.028m. The implication of this is that the 500 Mhz GPR antenna can accurately locate and detect the position of buried materials in the subsurface at a depth within the range (0.20-0.66) m.

This comprehensive review examines the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global concern with profound societal implications. This article presents an overview of the causes of AMR, including the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in healthcare, agriculture, and veterinary practices. Various conventional and advanced detection methodologies have been explored, highlighting the importance of the accurate and timely identification of resistant strains. The challenges associated with tackling AMR, encompassing scientific, economic, and regulatory aspects have been discussed in depth. In addition, this article sheds light on the far-reaching societal implications of AMR, including increased healthcare costs, treatment complexities, and potential disruptions to healthcare systems. This emphasizes the urgency of adopting proactive strategies to combat AMR and underscores the need for global cooperation, policy interventions and public awareness campaigns. By unraveling the multifaceted dimensions of AMR, this review aims to enhance our understanding, stimulate further research, and promote concerted efforts to mitigate the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Tungsten carbide inserts (TCI) and polycrystalline diamond compact (PCD) cutters used in two types of drill bits for drilling oil and gas wells were evaluated by a pin-on-disc test. The morphology of the worn surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The behavior of corrosion resistance was evaluated with the electrodynamic polarization technique. The polycrystalline diamond compact cutter has a higher hardness, better corrosion, and wear behavior compared to tungsten carbide.

In view of the floating rectangular aerostatic guideway problem of low load capacity and stiffness, this paper puts forward a kind of closed rectangular aerostatic guideway and its optimized design. Firstly, the analytic calculation formula of a closed rectangular aerostatic guideway was deduced. The use of MATLAB software for the numerical simulation and the parameter influence analyses was carried out in terms of the gas supply pressure on load capacity and stiffness. A simulation model of the rectangular air bearing was also built using the Fluent software, and the model was used for simulation calculations. Secondly, the static performance of the rectangular air bearing was analyzed by analyzing the distribution position and number of orifices on its load capacity and stiffness. On this basis, the response surface optimization design method is used to analyze the variation law of the load capacity and stiffness of the air bearing under different restrictor structural parameters. Finally, the optimal design parameters for the rectangular air bearing are obtained. The simulation results show that the optimized rectangular air bearing designed in this paper has a good load capacity and stiffness of 644.58N and 63.405N N∙μm^(-1).

We have identified a new human voltage-gated potassium channel (hKv1.3) blocker, NnK-1, in the jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai, based on its genomic information. The gene sequence encoding NnK-1 contains 5,408 base pairs, with five introns and six exons. The coding sequence of the NnK-1 precursor is 894 nucleotides long and encodes 297 amino acids, containing five presumptive ShK-like peptides. An electrophysiological assay demonstrated that the chemically synthesized fifth peptide, NnK-1, is an effective hKv1.3 blocker. A multiple sequence alignment with cnidarian Shk-like peptides, which have Kv1.3-blocking activity, revealed that four residues (3Asp, 25Lys, 33Lys, and 34Thr) of NnK-1, together with six cysteine residues, are conserved. Therefore, we hypothesize that these four residues are crucial for the binding of the toxins to voltage-gated potassium channels.

Wind loads have become one of the key influence factors for the running safety of vehicles and comfort of passengers. Investigation on the wind speed spectrum characteristics of a moving vehicle under turbulent crosswinds is of great influence. Expressions of the wind speed spectrum of a moving vehicle was obtained from the von Kármán spectrum based on Taylor’s frozen flow hypothesis. The influence factors, including the ratio of the vehicle speed to the wind speed and the wind yaw angle from 15° to 175°, were analyzed. The maximum value of the wind speed spectrum and the corresponding frequency were studied as well. The results show that the maximum values of the wind speed spectrum of the moving vehicle were larger than those of the static vehicle. The maximum value of the wind speed spectrum corresponding to the moving vehicle first increased and then decreased as the wind yaw angle increased. Some of the frequencies corresponding to the longitudinal wind speed spectrum values of the moving vehicles were smaller than those of the static vehicle. For moving vehicles, the frequency values corresponding to the maximum values of the longitudinal wind speed spectrum first increased and then decreased as the ratio of the vehicle speed to the wind speed and the wind yaw angle increased.

The study sheds light on the impact of urbanization on fragile ecosystems such as the western Himalayas. We use Haldwani in Uttarakhand as an example of human encroachment and loss of ecosystem services. Several environmental parameters such as Nighttime light (NTL), Land Surface Temperatures (LSTs), Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and forest cover are used based on satellite imagery to allow a bidecadal comparison (between 2000 and 2020) of the status of these parameters for the city based on these parameters shows a decline in ecosystem services. Significant statistical differences for LSTs and AOD (p < 0.001) can be found in the bidecadal comparison. Furthermore, a strong negative correlation was found between LST-NDVI (r = -0.69) and between NTL-NDVI (r = -0.58) in earlier and last decade intervals. In addition, long-term multi-spectral satellite imagery also shows a decline in tree cover in the reserved forest. Therefore, focusing on ecosystem services related to tree cover in reserved forest areas, particularly in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) must be part of a broader action plan to address these issues to further protect fragile Himalayan ecosystems.

Given a fuzzy normed space $ \left( X,N \right) $‎, ‎we will introduce the notion of fuzzy near best approximation within a relative distance $ \rho \geq 0 $‎. ‎Some basic properties are characterized and also many examples for illustration are presented‎.

Artworks play a fundamental role in the cultural and economic asset of communities, enforcing their identity and helping the social integration. Despite their importance, they are not always adequately protected against degradation, which can be induced by the aging, atmospheric and human-induced occurrence, and catastrophic events. Earthquakes certainly represent one of the main risks for art goods; however, traffic, construction works, and shipment can also represent a threat for art goods. Therefore, the assessment of the vulnerability of art collection to dynamic excitations plays a crucial role in their conservation, and it has been collecting an increasing attention by researchers, academics, and Museums’ managers. This work focuses on the vulnerability of the art collections exhibited at the Museum “Gaio Cilnio Mecenate” in Arezzo. Namely, it aims at assessing the effective dynamic loading experienced by the artworks, which is a function of the dynamic propagation plaid by the foundation soil, by the building and by the displayers used for exhibition. In this study the dynamic properties of some of the displayers used for exhibiting the art collections are investigated by performing an experimental survey. The analysis of the experimental data lead to assess the proper frequencies of the displayers, which have been compared to the ones of the building and the foundation soil of the Museum.

The two main strategies used in this study are the binary representation and the decomposition of a natural number into many compound functions of odd function and even function. The Collatz conjecture regarding odd even numbers in number theory can be examined and discussed using them in this way: The sequence created by the finite iterations of the Collatz function becomes the ultimately periodic sequence if any natural number is the beginning value, proving the conjecture that has been held for 85 years.

Immersive Unit Visualization is an emergent form of visualization that arose from Immersive Analytics where, unlike traditional visualizations, each data point is represented by an individual visual mark in an immersive virtual environment. This practice has focused almost exclusively on virtual reality, excluding augmented reality (AR). This article develops and tests a prototype of an immersive Unit Visualization (Floating Companies II) with two AR devices: head-mounted display (HMD) and hand-held display (HHD). Results from the testing sessions with 20 users were analyzed through qualitative research analysis and thematic coding indicating that, while the HHD enabled a first contact with AR visualization on a familiar device, HMD improved the perception of hybrid space by supporting greater stability of virtual content; wider field of view; improved spatial perception; increased sense of immersion; and more realistic simulation, which impacted on information reading and sense-making. The materialization of abstract quantitative values into concrete reality through its simulation in the real environment and the ludic dimension stand out as important opportunities of this type of visualization. This paper investigates the aspects distinguishing two experiences regarding data visualization in hybrid space; and characterizes ways of seeing information with AR, identifying opportunities to advance information design research.

The Randić index of a graph G is the sum of (dG(u)dG(v))−1/2 over all edges uv of G, where dG(u) denotes the degree of vertex u in G. In this paper, we investigate a few graph transformations that decrease Randić index of graph. By applying those transformations, we determine the minimum Randić index on tricyclic graphs, and characterize the corresponding extremal graphs.

Artificial insemination (AI) is considered as the most efficient feasible tool to improve the dairy cows’ profitability and productivity. In bovines, AI helps to promote genetic improvement and can positively impact the rural economy. The achievement of education in rural populations was one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), made by the United Nations. During the last World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), it was concluded that most of the world’s poor, illiterate and undernourished population lives in rural areas; therefore, access to education is considered one of the greatest challenges for governments in countries with developing economies. To determine the effects of a theoretical-practical training program related to rural management and leadership, AI, and bovine genetic improvement, on the perception and level of knowledge in a rural Colombian population that has been affected by the armed conflict. Phase 1. Included the practical and theoretical training of undergraduate animal sciences students in three dimensions rural management; leadership (D-ML), AI in bovines (D-AI), and genetic improvement (D-GI) after training students were evaluated and selected according to their skills, characteristics, solidarity skills, and their social sensitivity was identified. Phase 2. Included the socioeconomic characterization and training of rural residents by students and field experts in three dimensions D-ML, D-AI, and D-GI. After training we evaluated the perception and level of knowledge before and after training in 63 rural residents using an evaluative instrument. The data before and after (post-test) of the theoretical-practical training, were analyzed to obtain a statistical significance. The perception of knowledge in rural residents was low for general knowledge (2.48±0.76, p ˂ 0.05), D-ML (2.89±1.18, p ˂ 0.05) and D-AI and D-GI (2.17±0.83, p ˂ 0.05). On the other hand, before the theorical-practical training the level of general knowledge was 45.9%, however, after the training increased at 77.6% (p<0.01), while the level of knowledge for the D-AI was increased from 38.5 % to 80.6 % (p ˂ 0.05) after training. Regarding the level of knowledge for the D-GI pre-training was 50.8 and increased to 73.0% (p<0.01) then after. Finally, the level of knowledge for the D-ML was increased (p<0.01) from 54.8 before training to 75% after training. Altogether, the rural extension programs contribute to the closing of knowledge gaps in relation to the use of reproductive biotechnologies and bovine management in rural areas affected by armed conflict.

Vanilla pompona is the third most important commercial species of the genus Vanilla, but its morphometric variation is little known. In orchids, infraspecific variation is expressed in the labellum. This study had the objective of analyzing the floral variation of V. pompona collections from localities in Veracruz, Puebla, Jalisco and Oaxaca, Mexico. During the flowering period, we obtained 55 collections of V. pompona flowers, and in the dissected labellum of each flower 54 lines and 7 angles were measured and portrayed with the ImageJ program. With the data obtained, we performed an analysis of variance, a principal components analysis, and a cluster analysis. The results showed significant differences among the collections and localities in the means of the lines of the basal, middle, and apical regions of the labellum. Also, six morphotypes were obtained, and we found that variation was associated with factors such as the environment, geographic barriers, and pollinator pressure. Moreover, we observed variation in flowering dates in one locality of Veracruz. We concluded that there is infraspecific variation within and between the collection localities of V pompona of the Atlantic region (Puebla and Veracruz) and the Pacific region (Jalisco and Oaxaca), Mexico.

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

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) belongs to a heterogeneous group of highly complex neurodegenerative diseases and represents the second cause of presenile dementia in individuals under 65. Frontotemporal-TDP is a subgroup of frontotemporal dementia characterized by the aggregation of abnormal protein deposits, predominantly transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), in the frontal and temporal brain regions. These deposits lead to progressive degeneration of neurons resulting in cognitive and behavioral impairments. Limbic age-related encephalopathy (LATE) pertains to age-related cognitive decline primarily affecting the limbic system which is crucial for memory, emotions, and learning. Though distinct, emerging research suggests a potential overlap in pathogenic processes, with some cases of limbic encephalopathy displaying TDP-43 pathology. Genetic factors play a pivotal role in both disorders. Mutations in various genes, such as progranulin (GRN) and chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72), have been identified as causative in frontotemporal-TDP. Similarly, specific genetic variants have been associated with an increased risk of developing LATE. Understanding these genetic links provides crucial insights into disease mechanisms and the potential for targeted therapies.

The work presents a mathematical model of a thermogravimetric curve for the growth and simultaneous sublimation of scale on a metal or alloy surface. Reduction of the reaction area as a result of the formation of oxides of alloying elements (for obtaining the basic oxide) is considered for the alloy. For metals, the case where this area is increased as a result of powder metal crushing is also considered. The equations that were obtained are employed to explain the kinetic curves of the mass change of the samples.

(1) Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic-therapeutic problem of pelvic recurrence of rectum cancer, highlighting current surgical standards and the possible role of the minimally invasive approach. This retrospective analysis of our surgical case study wishes to enter this debate while suggesting a possible line of action, based on the site of recurrence; (2) Methods: We examined, retrospectively, all the patients diagnosed, between 2008 and 2018, with cancer of the rectum at the "Pietro Valdoni" Department of Surgery and monitored their follow-up for 5 years. The sample consisted of 368 patients with rectal neoplasm, 136 females and 232 males, with an average age of 65.8 (ranging from 37 to 86); (3) Results: In 103 of the cases, the neoplasm was located in the upper rectum (28%), in 119 cases in the middle rectum (32.3%), in 102 cases in the lower rectum (27.7%), in 31 cases (8.4%) at the level of the right/sigma junction and in 13 cases it was not possible to define the site with certainty (3.5%); (4) Conclusions: The discussion re-mains open as to which approach is best at surgical level, whether laparoscopic, robotic or open-air. Our experience informs us that the most dangerous site remains on the anastomotic site.

The ground surface deformation induced by shield tunnels passing through enclosure structure of existing tunnels is a particular underground construction scenario, which is encountered in Wuhan metro line 12 engineering cases in China. The classic ground deformation theory is difficult to accurately predict this ground deformation. This paper develops a semi-analytical method to predict ground heave considering space effect in this engineering condition. Based on improved ground deformation theory, a novel deformation prediction method of ground and enclosure structure is derived combined with Kirchhoff plate theory. Comparing with field deformation measurements, the maximum difference between measured and calculated deformation is 14.6%, which demonstrating that the proposed method can be used to predict the ground heave induced by shield tunnels passing through the enclosure structure of existing tunnels. The parameters of underground diaphragm wall used in Wuhan metro line 12 are further studied in detail. The results show that the ground heaves have positive correlation with embedded ratio of diaphragm wall, but negative correlation with its elastic modulus and thickness. But the thickness and embedded ratio has a limited effect on ground heaves. This study provides a technical reference for optimization setting of enclosure structure in protecting existing building.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) has almost 190 million tonnes produced in 2023. Tomato fruit suffer losses of up to 50% during harvest and transport, which causes financial hardship, reduces the amount of food available and causes environmental harm. Calcium plays an important role in cell wall strength. This work assessed the use of a calcium transport stimulants (MCAS) to increase the firmness of tomato fruit in the laboratory and the foliar application to tomato plants. Then handling damage was simulated. In the laboratory, the calcium with MCAS significantly increased the fruit firmness compared to the untreated and calcium without MCAS, which were not significantly different. When calcium with MCAS was applied to tomato plants foliarly before harvest, the calcium with MCAS treated fruit were significantly firmer than the untreated or calcium without MCAS treated fruit for up to 10 weeks after harvest, and this was achieved by applying only 0.91 kg ha-1 calcium. Finally, when fruit were exposed to a simulated drop, the calcium with MCAS treated fruit remained firmer than the undamaged fruit or dropped fruit with calcium without MCAS. Calcium with MCAS could significantly increase the fruit firmness and increase the shelf-life of tomatoes while applying less calcium.

This paper focuses on the relationship between Mental Health and the Landscape. It aims to find out how people respond to Biophilic inspired landscape design in a healthcare setting. The focal point is not to cure diseases but to help them deal with the physiological, psychological, and psycho-social imbalance and provide a healing environment for the overall well-being of an individual. For this study, a Multispecialty Hospital was selected where an Indoor Healing Garden is used as a retrofitting tool to reduce stress and thus reconnect humans with nature. A multi-method approach is being used for this study. Initially, a questionnaire was conducted for the targeted users categorized into three types – patients, staff, and visitors to know their longing for the landscape. Based on this data and available literature, an evidence-based design was proposed. This conceptual design model is then shown to the targeted user and the response is recorded. The data has then collaborated with similar studies done earlier and design elements are highlighted which helps in creating a restorative environment by reducing stress and increasing recovery rate and thus approaching sustainable development.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is the most common form of leukemia in adults and accounts for approximately 15% of all leukemia cases. The etiology of this disease is based on the presence of the oncogenic Bcr/Abl fusion protein, which has dysregulated tyrosine kinase activity. This pathological condition is the result of a chromosomal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 leading to the formation of the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph). Clinical establishment of targeted therapy with Abl kinase inhibitors (AKIs) has been observed in the treatment of CML. Therapy resistance in patients with CML is due to genetic alterations in the cells of CML, specifically affecting the Bcr/Abl oncoprotein. Acquired resistance of CML patients to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (AKIs) has also been associated with the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study aimed to examine the role of hypoxic conditions in the development of chemoresistance to certain AKIs in CML. The findings of our study indicate that exposure to hypoxic conditions leads to a substantial increase in chemoresistance to crizotinib, while only resulting in a slight increase in chemoresistance to imatinib. It is worth noting that both drugs effectively block Bcr/Abl function. Furthermore, it was observed that the inclusion of the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib resulted in an augmentation of chemoresistance to crizotinib in the context of hypoxia. Overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) and silencing of JAK2 confirmed that the two proteins cooperate in mediating chemoresistance to crizotinib in CML cell lines. It is noteworthy that the compound 2-methoxy estradiol (2ME2), which is a metabolite of estradiol lacking estrogenic activity, has shown efficacy in reinstating the sensitivity of CML cells to crizotinib in the presence of hypoxic circumstances. Additionally, when used in conjunction with a JAK2 inhibitor, 2ME2 exhibited activity in restoring crizotinib sensitivity in CML cells. The findings of our study underscore the significance of selectively targeting elements of the HIF1α pathway in order to achieve total eradication of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells.

Using straightforward and cost-effective methods, persimmon leaves were converted into a high-quality powder. This powder was applied as an adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the presence of particles with non-homogeneous sizes and rough texture. Elemental analysis and the EDX technique confirmed the presence of elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen. The results of ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C-NMR), obtained through the cross-polarization technique, suggest the presence of groups containing sulfur and oxygen. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the existence of amine and hydroxyl groups. The material was used in solid-phase extraction of Cu(II) and Cd(II) in batch experiments, and its adsorption capacity was evaluated as a function of time, pH, and analyte concentration. Kinetic equilibrium was reached within 5 minutes, and the experimental data were fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The optimum pH for adsorption of both metal species was observed to be around 5.0. The adsorption isotherms were adjusted using the modified Langmuir equation, and the maximum amount of metal species extracted from the solution was determined to be 0.213 mmol g^-1 for Cu(II) and 0.215 mmol g^-1 for Cd(II), with high linear correlation coefficients for both metals. The persimmon leaves are typically abundant during the growing season, and since they are seasonal, the Diospyros kaki L.f. tree undergoes the natural process of leaf abscission, ensuring the availability of leaves for application.

This study investigates the relationship between energy metals and precious metals to assess their suitability as safe haven assets in clean energy investment portfolios. It focuses on the impact of events in 2020 and 2022, characterized by substantial investments in clean energy. The research reveals that, except for Nickel Futures (NICKELc1), energy metals are positively linked with clean energy indexes. This suggests that they can serve as a secure investment option for green investors looking to diversify their portfolios. As a result, the study dismisses the initial question, indicating that energy metals can indeed be considered safe havens within the context of clean energy investments. Additionally, the research reinforces prior findings that precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum possess safe haven characteristics in relation to specific clean energy stock indexes. These results have significant implications, particularly given the increasing investments in clean energy stocks and the recurring uncertainties in the market. In summary, this study supports the idea that both energy metals and precious metals can play valuable roles in clean energy portfolios, providing stability during turbulent times in the market.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) via biventricular pacing (BiVP-CRT) is considered a mainstay treatment for symptomatic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction and wide QRS. However, up to one third of patients receiving BiVP-CRT are considered non-responders to the therapy. Multiples strategies have been proposed to maximize the percentage of CRT responders including two new physiological pacing modalities that have emerged during the lasts years: His bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP). Both pacing techniques aim at restoring the normal electrical activation of the ventricles through the native conduction system in opposition to the cell-to-cell activation of conventional right ventricular myocardial pacing. Conduction system pacing (CSP), including both HBP and LBBAP appears to be a promising pacing modality for delivering CRT and has proven to be safe and feasible in this particular setting. This article will review the current state of the art of CSP-based CRT, its limitations and future directions.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are prevalent and lead to high morbidity and mortality globally. Physiotherapists regularly interact with patients with or at risk of CVDs (pwCVDs). This study aimed to assess the nature of existing evidence, interventional approaches used, and the population groups included in physiotherapy-led health promotion (PLHP) for pwCVDs. The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and PEDro databases were searched from inception until June 2023. Two reviewers independently screened the titles, abstracts, full text and conducted data extraction. All conflicts were resolved with a third reviewer. A total of 4992 records were identified, of which 20 full-text articles were included in the review. The studies had varied populations, including those with stroke, coronary artery diseases, peripheral artery diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and multiple CVD risk factors. The interventions ranged from exercise and physical activity programs, dietary interventions, education, and counselling sessions with various supplementary approaches. Most interventions were short-term, with less than 12 months of follow-up. Interventions were personalised and patientcentred to promote adherence and health behaviour change. Among the included studies, 60% employed experimental designs, with the remainder using quasi-experimental designs. Although a wide range of PLHP strategies have been used for pwCVDs, exercise and physical activity were employed in 85% of included studies. Other components of health promotion, such as sleep, smoking, and alcohol abuse, should be investigated within PLHP.

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) is one of the most controversial diseases in pediatric rheumatology. Despite its first description being published more than 25 years ago as the sudden and rapid onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or tic disorder symptoms as complications of a Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) infection, precise epidemiological data are still lacking, and there are no strong recommendations for its treatment. Recent advances in the comprehension of PANDAS pathophysiology are largely attributable to animal model studies and the understanding of the roles of Ca++/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) II, disrupted dopamine re-lease in the basal ganglia, and striatal cholinergic interneurons. The diagnosis of PANDAS should be made after an exclusion process and should include prepubescent children with a sudden onset of OCD and/or a tic disorder, with a relapsing/remitting disease course, a clear temporal association between GAS infection and onset or exacerbation of symptoms, and the association with other neurological abnormalities such as motoric hyperactivity and choreiform movements. Antibiotic medications are the primary therapeutic modality. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of randomized studies and validated data, resulting in a scarcity of solid recommendations.

Growing population, industrialization, and power requirements are adversely affecting the environment by increased greenhouse gases, resulting from fossil fuel burning. Global greenhouse gas mitigation targets have led the nations to promote clean and self-renewable sources of energy to address the environmental issue. Offshore wind power resources are relatively more attractive due to high winds, less turbulence, minimal visualization effects, and no interaction of infrastructure. The present study aims at conducting offshore wind power resources assessment (OWPRA) at some locations in the Gulf of North Suez. For this purpose, the long-term hourly mean wind speed (WS) and wind direction above means sea level (AMSL) and temperature and pressure data near surface is used. The data is obtained from ERA5 (fifth generation reanalysis for the global climate weather) at chosen six (L1-L6) offshore locations. The data covers a period of 43 years, between 1979 and 2021. The WS and direction are provided at 100 m AMSL while temperature and pressure are available near water surface level. At L1 to L6 locations, the log-term mean WS and wind power density (WPD) values are found to be 7.55 m/s and 370 W/m2, 6.37 m/s and 225 W/m2, 6.91 m/s and 281 W/m2, 5.48 m/s and 142 W/m2, 4.30 m/s and 77 W/m2, and 5.03 and 115 W/m2 and at 100 m AMSL; respectively. The higher magnitudes of monthly and annual windy site identifier indices (MWSI and AWSI) of 18.68 and 57.41 and 12.70 and 42.94 at L1 and L3 sites and generally lower values of wind variability indices are indicative of favourable winds source, which is also supported by higher magnitudes of mean WS, WPD, annual energy yields, plant capacity factors, and wind duration at these sites. The cost of energy, for the worst and the best cases are estimated as 10.120 USD/kWh and 1.274 USD/kWh at L5 and L1 sites corresponding to wind turbines WT1 and WT4. Based on the analysis, sites L1, L3, and L2 are recommended for wind farm development in order of preference. The wind variability and windy site identifiers indices introduced, will help decision-makers in deciding the potential windy sites with more confidence.

Selecting drought-tolerant and more water-efficient wheat genotypes is a research priority, spe-cifically in regions with irregular rainfall or areas where climate change is expected to result in reduced water availability. The objective of this work was to use high-throughput measurements with morphophysiological traits to characterize wheat genotypes in relation to water stress. Field experiments were conducted from May to September 2018 and 2019, using a sprinkler bar irriga-tion system to control water availability to eighteen wheat genotypes: BRS 254; BRS 264; CPAC 01019; CPAC 01047; CPAC 07258; CPAC 08318; CPAC 9110; BRS 394 (irrigated biotypes) and Aliança; BR 18_Terena; BRS 404; MGS Brilhante; PF 020037; PF 020062; PF 120337; PF 100368; PF 080492; TBIO Sintonia (rainfed biotypes). The water regimes varied from 22 to 100% of the crop evapotranspiration replacement. Water stress negatively affected gas exchange, vegetation indices and grain yield. High throughput variables TCARI, NDVI, OSAVI, SAVI, PRI, NDRE and GNDVI had higher correlation with yield and morphophysiological measurements. The drought re-sistance index indicated that genotypes Aliança BRS 254, BRS 404, CPAC 01019, PF 020062, and PF 080492 were more drought tolerant.

Four different Mn and Re catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction have been studied by IR spectroelectrochemistry (SEC) in dry acetonitrile. In the case of Mn(apbpy)(CO)3Br (apbpy= 4(4-aminophenyl)-2,2’-bipyridine) SEC suggests that a very slow catalytic reduction of CO2 occurs in acetonitrile also in the absence of proton donors, but at rather negative potentials. On the contrary, the corresponding Re(apbpy)(CO)3Br clearly displays a slow catalytic conversion already at the first reduction potential. Switching to saturated CO2 solutions in a mixture of acetonitrile and 5% of water as proton donor, the SEC of Mn(apbpy)(CO)3Br displays faster catalytic behavior.

Transportation electrification has been identified as a crucial shift to be made for achieving energy security and emission reduction targets. Electric Vehicles (EVs) play a significant role in achieving these targets; therefore, there is a growing trend to develop new EV technologies and associated infrastructure. Along with these developments, EVs' Quality of Service (QoS) aspects should be enhanced to increase the number of EVs on the road. Various QoS factors are defined to assess the QoS of EVs, and one of the two aims of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of these factors. The other aim is to review recent developments of associated communication technologies which are essential for exchanging information between EVs and charging stations. This paper serves as a comprehensive review and useful reference for researchers working on QoS aspects of EVs and associated communication systems aiming to enhance the QoS.

The landscape of therapeutic measures to treat multiple myeloma has undergone a seismic shift since the dawn of the current century. This has been driven largely by the introduction of new classes of small molecules, such as proteasome blockers (e.g., bortezomib) and immunomodulators (e.g., lenalidomide), as well as by immunotherapeutic agents starting with the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody daratumumab in 2015. Recently, other immunotherapies have been added to the armamentarium of drugs available to fight this malignancy. These include the bispecifics teclistamab, talquetamab, and elranatamab, and the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell products idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel). While the accumulated benefits of these newer agents have resulted in a more than doubling of the disease’s five-year survival rate to nearly 60% and improved quality of life, the disease remains incurable, as patients become refractory to the drugs and experience relapse. This review covers the current scope of anti-myeloma immunotherapeutic agents, both those in clinical use and in development. Included in the discussion are additional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), bi- and multi-targeted mAbs, and CAR T-cells and emerging natural killer (NK) cells, including products intended for “off-the-shelf” (allogeneic) applications. Emphasis is placed on the benefits of each along with the challenges that need to be surmounted if MM is to be cured.

Low 25 OH vitamin D (25(OH)D) in preterm infants is a risk factor of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), but increased supplementation failed to demonstrate beneficial effect on BPD. In neonatal animal models, deficiency and excessive vitamin D exposure have been associated with increased mortality and lung histological alterations evocative of BPD. Our hypothesis is that 25(OH)D levels ≥ 120nmol/L is also a risk factor for BPD or death. This retrospective single-center cohort study included all infants born <31 weeks gestational age without major malformation with at least a determination of 25(OH)D <36 weeks corrected age and no determination <50 nmol/L. Routine 25(OH)D determination was performed at 1 month and monthly thereafter. A total of 175 infants were included. Infants with BPD or who died had a significantly lower term and weight, but a similar frequency of 25(OH)D ≥120nmol/L (50.5% vs 43.9%, p=0.53). The logistic regression identified weight (OR 0.997, 95%CI [0.995-0.998]) and term (OR 0.737, 95%CI [0.551-0.975]) as significantly associated with BPD or death; the occurrence of excessive 25(OH)D was not significantly associated (OR 1.029, 95%CI [0.503-2.093]). The present study did not demonstrate any significant association between excessive 25(OH)D after one month of age and BPD or death.

Series of bifunctional catalysts, MoS2/Al2O3(70 wt.%)-zeolite (30 wt.%) (zeolite – ZSM-5, ZSM-12, ZSM-22 and silica aluminophosphate SAPO-11), were synthesized for hydroconversion of methyl palmitate (10 wt.% in dodecane) in a trickle-bed reactor. Mo loading was about 7 wt.%. Catalyst and supports were characterized by different physical-chemical methods (HRTEM-EDX, SEM-EDX, XRD, N2 physisorption, FTIR spectroscopy). Hydroprocessing was performed at temperature of 250-350°C, hydrogen pressure 3.0-5.0 MPa, liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) 36 h-1, H2/feed ratio – 600 Nm3/m3. Complete conversion of oxygen-containing compounds was achieved at temperature 310°C in the presence of MoS2/Al2O3-zeolite catalysts, the selectivity for the conversion of methyl palmitate via the ‘direct’ hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) route was over 85%. The yield of iso-alkanes gradually increases in order: MoS2/Al2O3 &lt; MoS2/Al2O3-ZSM-12 &lt; MoS2/Al2O3-ZSM-5 &lt; MoS2/Al2O3-SAPO-11 &lt; MoS2/Al2O3-ZSM-22. The sample MoS2/Al2O3-ZSM-22 demonstrated the highest yield of iso-alkanes (40%). Hydroisomerization activity of the catalysts was in a good correlation with concentration of Brønsted acid sites of synthesized supports.

Aims: The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of the CardioMEMS HF system in a HF Clinic in Spain by evaluating the real-time remote monitoring of pulmonary artery pressures, which has shown to reduce heart failure (HF) related hospitalizations and improve the quality of life for selected HF patients. Particularly, the study aimed to determine the value of CardioMEMS in Southern Europe, where healthcare costs are significantly lower and its effectiveness remains uncertain. Methods: This single-centre study enrolled all consecutive HF patients who had been implanted with a pulmonary artery pressure sensor (CardioMEMS-HF system, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA). The number of HF hospitalizations in the year before and the year after the sensor implantation was compared and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained based on a literature review of previous studies was calculated. Results: The rate of HF hospitalisations was significantly lower at 1 year compared with the year before CardioMEMS implantation (0.25 versus 1.10 events/patient-years, HR 0.22, p=0.001). At the end of first year, the usual management outperformed the CardioMEMS HF system, resulting in a net monetary value difference of 2,540€ per patient and a benefit-cost ratio of 0.38. However, by the end of the second year, the CardioMEMS system is estimated to reduce costs compared to usual management. Conclusions: Based on the results, we suggest that remote monitoring of pulmonary artery pressure with the CardioMEMS HF system represents a long-term cost-effective strategy in a healthcare setting in Southern Europe.

(1) Background: The study aimed to investigate compressive strength for three computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) dental materials: glassceramic IPS Empress CAD (IvoclarVivadent), hybrid ceramic Cerasmart (GC) and polymer-reinforced graphene G-CAM (Graphenano Dental). (2) Methods: 45 samples consisted of the molar crowns fabricated by three CAD/CAM materials were cemented adhesively on 3D printed abutments (Asiga DentalResin). The samples were divided into 3 groups (n=15) according to the crowns thickness; group 1 under the cusps/cervical margins - 0.6 mm/0.4 mm, group 2 - 1 mm/0.7 mm respectively, and group 3 - 1.5 mm/1 mm. Additionally, 20 cylindrical specimens fabricated by the three crowns and abutments material (n=5) were prepared by CAD/CAM technique. All samples and specimens were subjected to an axial compressive load by using a universal testing machine (Instron 3366-10kN, USA) until fracture. (3) Results: The compressive strength were for Empress CAD 1258 MPa, Cerasmart 501.3 MPa, G-CAM 435 MPa and Asiga resin 360 MPa. G-CAM crowns exhibited a higher maximum compressive load (1701.5-2011.8N) than both Cerasmart (1295.4-1642.9N) and Empress CAD (494.3-597.5N). (4) Conclusions: The CAD/CAM crown materials presented different mechanical behavior; Empress CAD and Cerasmart presented a fragile behavior, with a high compressive strength when compared to G-CAM and Asiga resins.

This study investigates the impact of temperature-induced quantum proton tunneling probability on DNA amplification during polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Using a simulation model based on a Gaussian wavefunction and finite-difference time-domain method, quantum tunneling of protons across square potential barriers is examined. The results unveil consistent probability distributions for quantum tunneling across various PCR temperatures, with distinct oscillation patterns emerging post-barrier crossing. Acknowledging limitations in initial conditions due to temperature-dependent proton energy, the study highlights the need for refined models and experimental validation. These findings accentuate the potential interplay between quantum mechanics and biological systems, prompting further research to understand quantum tunnelling’s comprehensive effect on genetic variations and molecular processes.

D-Serine, a co-agonist of NMDA receptors has sparked a contentious debate within the scientific community regarding its status as a gliotransmitter or a neurotransmitter. This comprehensive review delves into the heart of this debate, offering a meticulous analysis of the existing evidence from various research methodologies. Immunostaining studies and cell-selective mutations provide compelling support for D-serine's neuronal origin, bolstering the serine shuttle model. In contrast, the gliotransmission hypothesis, proposing astrocytic synthesis and release, faces critical scrutiny as inconsistencies in supporting data emerge. In vivo microdialysis experiments unveil a neuronal contribution to D-serine release and its profound impact on synaptic plasticity, further strengthening the case for neuronal dominance. Counterarguments in favor of astrocytic D-serine release are systematically dissected, revealing inherent limitations and ambiguities. Collectively, the evidence corroborates D-serine's neuronal source and discounts the astrocytic hypothesis. This review underscores the need for scientific rigor when evaluating contentious topics and affirms the simplicity of the neuronal explanation, aligning D-serine with the serine shuttle model, thus advancing our comprehension of its pivotal role in synaptic function and cognitive processes. As the debate continues to evolve, this exploration encourages ongoing research to unravel the intricate mechanisms governing D-serine neurotransmission.

The integration of the increasing share of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) requires the availability of suitable energy storage systems to improve the grid flexibility, and Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) systems could be a promising option. In this study, a CO2-free Diabatic CAES system is proposed and analysed. The plant configuration is derived from a down-scaled version of the McIntosh diabatic CAES plant, where the natural gas is replaced with green hydrogen, produced on site by a Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyser powered by a Photovoltaic power plant. In this study, the components of the hydrogen production system are sized to maximize the Self-Consumption share of PV energy generation and the effect of the design parameters on the H2-CAES plant performance are analysed on a yearly basis. Moreover, a comparison between the use of natural gas and hydrogen in terms of energy consumption and CO2 emissions is discussed. The results show that the proposed hydrogen fuelled CAES can effectively match the generation profile and the yearly production of the natural gas fuelled plant by using all the PV energy production, while producing zero CO2 emissions.

Nearest-neighbour clustering is a simple yet powerful machine learning algorithm that finds natural application in the decoding of signals in classical optical-fibre communication systems. Quantum k-means clustering promises a speed-up over the classical k-means algorithm; however, it has been shown to currently not provide this speed-up for decoding optical-fibre signals due to the embedding of classical data, which introduces inaccuracies and slowdowns. Although still not achieving an exponential speed-up for NISQ implementations, this work proposes the generalised inverse stereographic projection as an improved embedding into the Bloch sphere for quantum distance estimation in k-nearest-neighbour clustering, which allows us to get closer to the classical performance. We also use the generalised inverse stereographic projection to develop an analogous classical clustering algorithm and benchmark its accuracy, runtime and convergence for decoding real-world experimental optical-fibre communication data. This proposed `quantum-inspired' algorithm provides an improvement in both the accuracy and convergence rate with respect to the k-means algorithm. Hence, this work presents two main contributions. Firstly, we propose the general inverse stereographic projection into the Bloch sphere as a better embedding for quantum machine learning algorithms; here, we use the problem of clustering quadrature amplitude modulated optical-fibre signals as an example. Secondly, as a purely classical contribution inspired by the first contribution, we propose and benchmark the use of the general inverse stereographic projection and spherical centroid for clustering optical-fibre signals, showing that optimizing the radius yields a consistent improvement in accuracy and convergence rate.

The rapid increase in the number of mobile phone base stations (MPBS) has raised global concerns about the potential adverse health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). The application of machine learning techniques can enable healthcare professionals and policymakers to proactively address concerns surrounding RF-EMF exposure near MPBS. In this study, we investigated the potential of machine learning models to predict health symptoms associated with RF-EMF exposure in individuals residing near MPBS.We utilized support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF) algorithms, incorporating 11 predictors related to participants' living conditions. A total of 699 adults participated in the study, and model performance was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The SVM-based model demonstrated strong performance, achieving accuracies of 85.3%, 82%, 84%, 82.4%, and 65.1% for headache, sleep disturbance, dizziness, vertigo, and fatigue, respectively. The corresponding AUC values were 0.99, 0.98, 0.920, 0.89, and 0.81. Compared to the RF model and a previously developed model, the SVM-based model exhibited higher sensitivity, particularly for fatigue, with sensitivities of 70.0%, 83.4%, 85.3%, 73.0%, and 69.0% for these five health symptoms. Particularly for predicting fatigue, sensitivity and AUC were significantly improved (70% vs 8% and 11.1% for SVM, MLPNN, and RF, respectively, and 0.81 vs 0.62 and 0.64, for SVM, MLPNN, and RF, respectively). These findings suggest that machine learning methods, specifically SVM, hold promise in effectively managing health symptoms in individuals residing near or planning to settle in the vicinity of MPBS.

Feldspar which is one of the main inputs of the ceramic and glass industry has widespread resources in Turkey and holds an outstanding role in exportation. In addition to this, potassium feldspars are one of the suitable resources for the production of potash which is a vital component for agriculture industry. The chlorination technique was used to produce potassium chloride (KCl) from potassium feldspar ore in Kırşehir-Buzlukdağı region. The process of potassium chloride production was carried out with calcination process to decompose potassium feldspar and form potassium chloride while using different kinds of salts such as CaCl2, NaCl, and CaSO4 followed by water leaching process. The recovery from feldspar with 7.21% K2O content was obtained with the 1:1.25:1.5 ratio of Feldspar:CaSO4:NaCl at 1000 °C for 60 minutes followed by leaching. 96.08 % potassium dissolution was achieved.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2) is a paralogue of IDO1, a tryptophan-degrading enzyme producing immunomodulatory molecules. However, the two proteins are unlikely to carry out the same functions. IDO2 shows little or no tryptophan catabolic activity and exerts contrasting immunomodulatory roles in a context-dependent manner, in both cancer and autoimmune diseases. The recently described potential non-enzymatic activity of IDO2 has suggested its possible involvement in alternative pathways resulting in either pro- or anti-inflammatory effects in different models. In a previous study on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues, we found that IDO2 expression, revealed at the plasma membrane level of tumor cells, was significantly associated with poor prognosis. In this study, the A549 human cell line, basally expressing IDO2, was used as an in vitro model of human lung adenocarcinoma to gain more insights on a possible alternative function of IDO2, different from the catalytic one. In these cells, immunocytochemistry and isopycnic sucrose gradient analyses confirmed the IDO2 protein localization in the cell membrane compartment, and immunoprecipitation of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins revealed that IDO2 can be targeted by kinase activities. The different localization than the cytosolic one and the phosphorylation state are the first indications for the signaling function of IDO2, suggesting that the IDO2 non-enzymatic role in cancer cells is worthy of deeper understanding.

The body of knowledge on ocean acidification gives a better understanding of biological sensitivity to low pH. Key parameters such as life-history strategies or local adaptation were identified as keys to predict species sensitivity and resolve previously some of the unexplained species- and population-specific differences. Encapsulation has been suggested as one of these keys as it exposed the embryo to low pH conditions, or ontogenetic hypercapnia, leading to physiological adaptation. We tested this hypothesis on the nudibranch Aeolidiella glauca by exposing their egg-strings containing large number of eggs to two different pH (8.1 and 7.3). The fertilized eggs developed 1 egg-cell, over early cleavage up to morula, blastula, gastrula, rhomboid-shaped rotating gastrula, early rotating veliger larvae with developed shell, to free-swimming well developed veliger larvae. Despite a corrosive environment, the exposure to low pH had no significant effect on the developmental rate. The only significant effects were a slightly smaller and narrower shell in larvae raised at low pH as compared to the high pH. Our results showed a remarkable resilient to low pH in a calcifying mollusc and support the idea that ontogenic hypercapnia is leading to low sensitivity to ocean acidification.

Influenza viruses cause acute respiratory infections responsible for significant mortality and morbidity around the world. Various factors, such as antigenic drift, allow influenza strains to avoid being fully suppressed by seasonal vaccines. This has led to the increased scrutiny of antivirals as treatment and prophylaxis options for seasonal outbreaks and potential pandemics. Unfortunately, many influenza antivirals suffer from a lack of adequate clinical trials, as well as a lack of toxicity data. This is especially true of umifenovir (arbidol), a drug popularly used for the prevention and treatment of influenza strains in China and Russia. Neuraminidase inhibitors, though widely prescribed, display a potential for future resistance. Adamantanes, while proven to be effective in treating influenza A, are already encountering rapid and widespread cross-resistance and are effectively obsolete. Baloxavir marboxil, a newer antiviral, shows promise in treating acute uncomplicated influenza and may avoid the development of resistance when co-administered with other antiviral drugs. Indeed, the low genetic barrier to resistance associated with influenza antivirals could potentially be overcome by co-administration with other antivirals. This review explores the most widely prescribed antivirals for influenza treatment, their mechanisms of action, and the data currently available about their susceptibility to resistance and efficacy.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic clearly has had a great influence on the lifestyle of the population, especially on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. During the COVID-19 outbreak, many countries/regions implemented social isolation measures, leading to an increase in negative behaviors and impairing the capability of diabetic patients to resist the COVID-19, ultimately causing a severe prognosis. Moreover, multiple studies have emphasized the significance of physical exercise in the management of type 2 diabetic patients infected with COVID-19 as the epidemic progressed. In our study, we selected research focusing on COVID-19-infected diabetic patients from Dec 1, 2019 to Aug 9, 2023 and sought to investigate the impact of type 2 diabetes on the immune function, inflammation factor levels, lung injury and mental disorders of patients, as well as to assess the risk of novel coronavirus pneumonia in these patients. And we also summarized the effects of high-intensity, moderate-intensity and low-intensity exercise on novel coronavirus pneumonia infection in type 2 diabetic patients and the mechanisms of their effects. Finally, diabetic patients with COVID-19 are suggested to perform low-intensity exercise to facilitate their recovery. Our study offers guidance for a proper understanding of the dangers of diabetes and the use of appropriate measures to reduce the risk of novel coronavirus pneumonia infections in type 2 diabetic patients.

Castor oil may be differentiated from other non-edible vegetable oils because of its main composition of hydroxylated fatty acids. Ricinoleic acid comprises 80–90% wt. of fatty acids in castor oil (Ricinus communis). In this study, the thermo-oxidative stability and tribological behavior of bio-based lubricant samples synthesized from castor oil using isoamyl alcohol were evaluated. Initially, the compositional and physicochemical properties of the obtained samples were assessed using 1H NMR, FTIR, and ASTM methods. Oxidative stability of the samples was evaluated using Rancimat method at 110 °C under air flow. The final biolubricant sample (BL2), obtained after esterification, epoxidation, and oxirane rings opening reactions, presented an oxidation stability time (OST) of 14.3 h. The thermal stability was also evaluated by thermogravimetry (TG) from the mass variations under inert and oxidative atmosphere. BL2 showed higher thermal stability compared to the other samples, demonstrating higher decomposition temperatures in both inert (339.04 °C) and oxidative (338.47 °C) atmospheres, for a mass loss of 50%. The tribological properties of the samples were evaluated using a four-ball tribometer configuration. The BL1 and BL2 samples exhibited lower friction coefficients than the mineral oil sample (MOS) by 21.5% and 43.1%, respectively. Regarding wear, the observed wear scar diameter (WSD) was also lower in BL1 and BL2 compared to MOS by 5.2% and 40.4%, respectively. The results of the tribological evaluation suggest that both samples obtained in this study have promising potential for applications in lubricating machines and mechanical systems.

The Savu Sea holds significant importance as a conservation area in Indonesia, providing sustenance and livelihoods for local communities. It is situated within the Coral Triangle, a critical hotspot for marine biodiversity worldwide. However, the Savu Sea is currently facing various threats, including overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. Effective management of this conservation area relies heavily on the active participation of local communities. Therefore, this study aims to address this issue by analyzing how factors within these communities, such as the socio-economic condition of coastal households, environmental awareness, the existence of community-based conservation areas, attitudes towards activities within the conservation area, and participation in multistakeholder institutions, contribute to a positive perception of the benefits provided by the Savu conservation area. To determine the complex causal conditions that influence the outcome of perception, the study employs the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) method, specifically using crisp set QCA (csQCA). A survey was conducted among 22 coastal villages surrounding the Savu Sea, resulting in the identification of 14 different combinations of pathways that contribute to varying levels of perception regarding conservation. Valuable lessons can be drawn from this study to enhance the design of policies aimed at effectively managing the Savu conservation area.

The valley pseudospin properties of electrons in two–dimensional hexagonal materials result in lots of fascinating physical phenomena, which opens up the new field of valleytronics. The valley-contrasting physics aims at distinguishing the valley degree of freedom based on valley–dependent effects. Here, we theoretically demonstrate that both of the valley–selective high harmonic generation and valley–selective electronic excitation can be achieved by using an orthogonal two–color (OTC) laser field in gapped graphene. It is shown that the asymmetry degrees of harmonic yields in the plateaus, cutoff energies of generated harmonics and electron populations from two different valleys can be precisely controlled by the relative phase of the OTC laser field. Thus the selectivity of the dominant valley for the harmonic radiation and electronic polarization can be switched by adjusting the relative phase of the OTC laser field. Our work offers an all–optical route to produce the valley–resolved high harmonic emissions and manipulate the ultrafast valley polarization on a femtosecond timescale in condensed matter.

Advances in cardiovascular therapies and cancer treatments result in longer patient survival. The coexistence of cancer and cardiovascular disease has been recognized as a complex clinical scenario. Beside cardiovascular disease, older people with cancer are at greater risk of experiencing multimorbidity and the geriatric syndromes such as frailty. In older people, the concurrent presence of cancer and cardiovascular disease increased the risk of mortality, and the presence of frailty can exacerbate their conditions and hinder the treatment effectiveness. Given the significant intersection among frailty, cardiovascular disease and cancer in older people, this paper aims to provide an overview of the current research in this field and identifies gaps in research to understand the burden and impact of frailty in these populations. While many studies have examined the prevalence and impact of frailty on adverse outcomes in patients with cancer or with cardiovascular disease, evidence of frailty in individuals with both conditions is lacking. There is no universally accepted definition of frailty, which leads to inconsistencies in identifying and measuring frailty in older adults with cardiovascular disease and cancer. The frailty index seems to be a preferred frailty definition in studies in patients with cancer, while the frailty phenotype seems to be more commonly used in cardiovascular research. However, differences in how the frailty index was categorised and in how patients were classified as ‘frail’ depending on the cut points may have negative effect on understanding the impact of frailty in the studied populations. This makes it challenging to compare findings across different studies and limits our understanding of the prevalence and impact of frailty in these populations. Addressing these research gaps will contribute to our understanding of the burden of frailty in older people with cardiovascular disease and cancer, and improved clinical care protocols in this vulnerable population.

This essay discusses the complicated relationship between ideology and faith, focusing on the importance of faith. It endeavors to enrich the critical examination of religion by providing a platform to analyze the multifaceted nature of ideologies and their profound influence on human geography. This study is particularly distinctive for its focus on the complex interplay of Marxism, religion, and modernity, deepening our understanding of how these dynamics shape contemporary societies.

The relative position of the orchard robot to the rows of fruit trees is an important parameter for achieving autonomous navigations. The current methods for estimating the position parameters between rows of orchard robots obtain low parameter accuracy, and to address this problem, this paper proposes a machine vision-based method for detecting the relative position of orchard robots and fruit tree rows. Firstly, the fruit tree trunk is identified based on the improved YOLOv4 model; secondly, the camera coordinates of the tree trunk are calculated from the principle of binocular camera triangulation, and the ground projection coordinates of the tree trunk are obtained through coordinate conversion; finally, the midpoints of the projection coordinates of different sides are combined and the navigation path is obtained by linear fitting with the least squares method, and the position parameters of the orchard robot are obtained through calculation. The experimental results show that the average accuracy and average recall of the improved YOLOv4 model for fruit tree trunk detection are 97.05% and 95.42%, respectively, which are 5.92 and 7.91 percentage points higher than those of the original YOLOv4 model. The average errors of heading angle and lateral deviation estimates obtained based on the method in this paper are 0.57° and 0.02 m. The method can accurately calculate heading angle and lateral deviation values at different positions between rows, and can provide a reference for autonomous visual navigation of orchard robots.

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) plays a pivotal role in cell division regulation and emerges as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Consequently, the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting PLK1 has become a focal point in contemporary research. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding site and the polo-box domain in PLK1 present crucial interaction sites for these inhibitors, aiming to disrupt the protein's function. However, designing potent and selective small-molecule inhibitors can be challenging, requiring a deep understanding of protein-ligand interaction mechanisms at these binding sites. In this context, our study leverages the fragment molecular orbital (FMO) method to explore these site-specific interactions in-depth. Through the FMO approach, we used the FMO method to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of small-molecule drug binding to these sites to design PLK1 inhibitors that are both potent and selective. Our investigation further entailed a comparative analysis of various PLK1 inhibitors, each characterized by distinct structural attributes. This comparison enhanced our understanding of the structure-activity relationships of these inhibitors, underscoring the efficacy of the FMO method in identifying critical binding features and predicting binding modes for small-molecule ligands. Furthermore, Our research spotlighted "hot spot" residues instrumental for selective and robust PLK1 binding. Our findings offer profound insights, priming the rational design of innovative potential PLK1 inhibitors with significant implications for developing anticancer therapeutics.

Upcycling recycled carbon fibers recovered from waste carbon composites can reduce the price of carbon fibers while improving disposal-related environmental problems. This study assessed and characterized recycled carbon fibers subjected to sizing treatment using N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) chemically coordinated with polyamide 6 (PA6) and polypropylene (PP) resins. Sizing treatment with 1 wt.% APS for 10 s yielded O=C-O on the surface of the carbon fiber, and the -SiOH in the APS underwent a dehydration-condensation reaction that converted O=C-O (lactone groups) into bonds of C-O (hydroxyl groups) and C=O (carbonyl groups). The effects of C-O and C=O on the interfacial bonding force increased to a maximum, resulting in an oxygen-to-carbon ratio (O/C) of 0.26. The polar/surface energy ratio showed the highest value of 32.29% at 10 s, and the interfacial bonding force showed the maximum value of 32 MPa at 10 s, which is about 15% better than that of commercial carbon fiber (PA6-based condition). In 10-s resizing treatments with 0.5 wt.% 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS), C-O, C=O, and O=C-O underwent a dehydration-condensation reaction with -SiOH, which broke the bonds between carbon and oxygen and introduced a methacrylate group (H2C=C(CH3)CO2H), resulting in a significant increase in C-O and C=O, with an O/C of 0.51. The polar/surface free energy ratio was about 38% at 10 s, with the interfacial bonding force increasing to 27% compared to commercial carbon fiber (PP-based conditions). The MPS exhibited a superior interfacial shear strength improvement, two times higher than that of APS, with excellent coordination with PP resin and commercial carbon fiber, although the interfacial bonding strength of the PP resin was significantly lower.

In this study, three new demountable joints consisting of reinforced concrete columns and steel beams were proposed and their seismic performance was investigated using cyclic loading tests. The test results demonstrated that the three demountable RCS joints had good seismic performance. Using the finite element software ABAQUS, the influence of parameters such as beam flange thickness, bolt strength, and connector steel strength on the seismic performance of each joint was analyzed, and the influence of different parameters on the seismic behavior of the joint was determined. The results also showed that the three demountable RCS joints were sensitive to changes in the thickness of the steel beam flange, while the connector steel strength and bolt type had little impact on the joint's capacity. Additionally, shear capacity calculation formulas for the joint core area provided by different codes and researchers were compared with test and finite element results. The results showed that the calculation results of the ASCE guidance method, the Nishiyama method, and the CECS 347-2013 method were higher than the test values, while the calculation results of the Para method were lower because it did not consider the contribution of the cylindrical steel plate to the shear capacity of the joint core area.

The Influenza A virus (IAV) is a highly infectious virus that poses a significant threat to global public health and food supplies. The current subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV), H5N1, is being closely monitored worldwide due to its unprecedented spread from Europe to North America and now to Central and South America. This review summarizes recent updates on the evolution of the different IAV subtypes in birds and mammals including humans, in Chile. The distribution and spread of AIV H5N1 in Chile indicated a complex interplay between ecological and human factors in that it was negatively correlated with distance to the closest urban center and precipitation and temperature seasonality. It is evident that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Chile was introduced from North America via the Atlantic migratory flyways as opposed to local transmission from other countries in South America. The presence of these viruses in Chile underscores the need for increased biosecurity on poultry farms and continuous genomic surveillance approaches to understand and control AIVs in both wild and domestic bird populations in Chile.

This study examines how the design of museum archaeological boxes and the overall museum image affect behavioral intention. This research used partial least squares-structural equation modeling, indicating a relationship between aesthetics, symbolism, affective museum image, perceived value, and behavioral intention. This study found that symbolism predicted behavioral intention. Moreover, aesthetics, symbolism, and affective museum image affected perceived value, in turn triggering behavioral intention. This indicates theoretical and practical implications for museum products.

Abstract: This comprehensive review seeks to deepen our comprehension of the African plant Momordica balsamina L. by elucidating its therapeutically important molecules and micronutrient composition. Commonly referred to as the balsam apple, this plant species is extensively harnessed for its diverse therapeutic potentials across its various organs including leaves, fruits, roots, and stems. Numerous bioactive molecules have been isolated or identified within this plant, notably encompassing polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, and carotenoids. These compounds exhibit a wide array of biological activities, ranging from antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, to anti-malarial properties, among others. Furthermore, the leaves of Momordica balsamina L. stand out for their abundant micronutrients, proteins, and amino acids. This investigation aims to shed light not only on the botanical characteristics of the Momordica balsamina plant and its potential applications in traditional medicine, but also on its chemical composition, biological functionalities, and physicochemical attributes, thus accentuating its nutritional advantages. Nonetheless, an intriguing avenue presents itself for the exploration of strategies to conserve this species, delve deeper into its potential within the cosmetics industry, and innovate methodologies for the synthesis or biosynthesis of these bioactive molecules.

This study investigated the impact of sustainability reporting on financial performance, with a focus on companies in the Turkish food, beverage and tobacco and textile, wearing apparel and leather sectors. The sustainability reports of 48 companies listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange for 2022 were studied, and the quality of sustainability practices was determined by using a general index (Sustainability Reporting Disclosure Quality Index (SRDQI)) and three partial indices (Environmental Disclosure Quality Index, Social Disclosure Quality Index, and Corporate Governance Disclosure Quality Index (CGDQI)). To analyze the relationships between financial performance and sustainability practices two types of regression models were developed, based on which eight models were directly examined. The results indicate the complete absence of a statistically significant impact of SRDQI on all financial performance measures used. Among the partial indices, only CGDQI has a significant positive effect on the Assets Turnover Ratio. An analysis of the influence of control variables shows a multidirectional dependence of individual financial performance measures on the size of companies, their age, industry affiliation, as well as on the structure of capital used. Finally, this study provides directions for improving the institutional environment of sustainability reporting for Turkish companies.

Although adult spontaneous (non-diabetic) hypoglycaemia is rare, its recognition is important for the preventative or curative treatment of the underlying cause. Establishing Whipple’s triad; low blood glucose, neuroglycopaenia and resolution of neuroglycopaenia on increasing blood glucose levels to normal or above, is essential to verify hypoglycaemia. Awareness that hypoglycaemia may occur in severely ill patients is important for its prevention. Further investigation in such cases is unnecessary unless another cause of hypoglycaemia is suspected. Patients are often asymptomatic and normoglycaemic at review. History of medication, self-medication, access to hypoglycaemic drugs, alcohol and comorbidity may provide aetiological clues. The investigation involves obtaining blood samples during symptoms for laboratory glucose measurement or provoking fasting or postprandial hypoglycaemia as directed by symptoms. If confirmed, insulin, c-peptide, proinsulin, beta-hydroxybutyrate are analysed in hypoglycaemic samples. These will classify hypoglycaemia due to non-ketotic hyperinsulinaemia, non-ketotic hypoinsulinaemia and ketotic hypoinsulinaemia and direct investigations to identify the underlying cause. There are, however, many pitfalls, which may mislabel healthy individuals as “hypoglycaemic” or misdiagnose treatable or preventable causes of spontaneous hypoglycaemia. Clinical acumen and appropriate investigations will mostly identify hypoglycaemia and its cause.

The functioning of forest ecosystems depends on the taxonomic and ecological diversity of soil fungi. Urbanization is increasing worldwide and is regarded a major driver of environmental change altering local species assemblages in urban forest. We investigated whether the degree of urbanization and local forest characteristics affect the soil fungal community in 20 beech forests located along a rural–urban gradient in the city of Basel and its suburbs (Switzerland). We analyzed their soil fungal communities by DNA metabarcoding of the rDNA ITS2 region and related these data to local forest vegetation characteristics and soil properties. The number of fungal OTUs in the 20 forests examined ranged from 170 to 303. Richness, diversity and evenness of fungal OTUs were all significantly affected by the degree of urbanization, but in different ways. OTU richness was highest in forests in areas with a low degree of urbanization and lowest in forests in rural areas. In contrast, the diversity of OTUs increased with increasing degree of urbanization. Different fungal phyla and fungal guilds showed distinct patterns in their relative abundance along the rural-urban gradient. The degree of urbanization reduced the relative abundance of symbiotrophic fungi, but increased that of saprotrophic and pathotrophic fungi. Our results show that urbanization alters soil fungal community, which in turn can lead to changes in forest ecosystems.

We investigate properties of strongly useful topologies, i.e. topologies with respect to which every weakly continuous preorder admits a continuous order-preserving function. In particular, we prove that a topology is strongly useful provided that the topology generated by every family of separable systems is countable. Focusing on normal Hausdorff topologies, whose consideration is fully justified and not restrictive at all, we show that strongly useful topologies are hereditarily separable on closed sets, and we identify a simple condition under which the Lindelöf property holds.

Eating disorders, especially restrictive eating, are common among female athletes. There are two main types of winter sports, those that are practised outdoors on snow (-25 to +5ºC and 2500 m), such as alpine skiing or snowboarding, and those that are practiced indoors on ice (5-10º C at low altitude), such as figure skating and ice hockey. The aim of this research was to identify the nutritional status and potential risk of female athletes practising winter sports considering the altitude of training. The sample was composed of 58 women (aged 19.81 years (SD: 12.61) who were competitors in some winter sports. Anthropometrics and nutritional variables were taken. Statistically significant differences were found between groups for all the characteristics except thigh skinfold and neither group had an EI that matched their TEE. Both groups met at least 2/3rd of the RDI for all minerals and vitamins, except iodine, fluorine, vit D, E and retinol. This study suggest that female winter sports athletes have insufficient energy, vitamin and mineral intake that can be worsened by altitude.

Metabolic surgery can promote comprehensive physiological improvements to alleviate metabolic disorders, particularly for patients with type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, the therapeutic scope has been limited owing to unexpectedly inconsistent surgical outcomes. Therefore, this study to overcome these obstacles by determining the fundamental mechanism underlying the conflicting outcomes. The surgical anatomy, clinical course, and outcomes of various metabolic surgeries, including modified duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB) procedures, were compared to understand the specific surgical patterns from different perspectives comprehensively. Patients in the nonobese group were exclusively included to prevent confounding effects from overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. Following intestinal anastomosis, the epithelial identity of the succeeding intestine was replaced by that of the proximal epithelium owing to altered crosstalk between the epithelium and opposing mesenchymal cells. Subsequent intestinal compensatory proliferation and rapid turnover rate accelerate the spread of the replaced epithelium. The main factors contributing to inconsistent outcomes of metabolic surgery are inadequate duodenal exclusion and inappropriate biliopancreatic limb length. Replacement of enteroendocrine cells during regeneration can lead to inconsistent outcomes in metabolic surgery. The type and density of enteroendocrine cells distributed at the terminal end of the proximal intestine play a significant role in diverse outcomes of metabolic surgery.

The amino acids (AAs) and vitamins imbalances are observed in celiac disease (CD). This study evaluated the plasma profile of vitamin A and AAs and the expression level of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and TGFβ in CD patients. A total of 60 children and adults with CD and 40 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Plasma profile of Vitamin A and AAs and the mRNA expression levels of target genes were assessed. Active adult patients exhibited a decrease in Vitamin A levels (p=0.04) and an increase in IL-2 (p=0.008) and IL-12 (p=0.007) mRNA expression compared to HCs. Treated adult patients showed elevated Serine (p=0.003) and Glycin (p=0.04) levels, as well as increased IL-12 (P&lt;0.0001) mRNA expression, and a decrease in Tryptophan (p=0.04) levels relative to the controls. Additionally, treated adult patients had higher plasma levels of Threonine compared to both active (p=0.04) and control (p=0.02) subjects, and increased mRNA expression of IL-4 (p=0.01) in comparison to active patients. In active children with CD, IL-2 mRNA level was found to be higher than in controls (P&lt;0.0001) and in treated children (p=0.005). Treated children with CD exhibited decreased plasma levels of Tryptophan (p=0.01) and Isoleucine (p=0.01) relative to the controls, and increased mRNA expression of TGFβ (p=0.04) relative to active patients. Managing Retinoic acid levels is crucial to alleviate intestinal inflammation of CD patients. Threonine, tryptophan, and Isoleucine are potential therapeutic options for treating CD, and targeting serine, histidine, tyrosine, and aspartate may hold promise as therapeutic targets for CD patients.

Epitranscriptomics refers to post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression via RNA modifications and editing that affect RNA functions. Many kinds of modifications of mRNA have been described, among which N6-Methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 7-methylguanosine (m7G), pseudouridine (Ψ), 5-methylcytidine (m5C). They alter mRNA structure and consequently stability, localization and translation efficiency. Perturbation of the epitranscriptome is associated with human diseases, thus opening the opportunity for potential manipulations as therapeutic approach. In this review, we overview the functional roles of epitranscriptomic marks in the skeletal muscle system, in particular in embryonic myogenesis, muscle cell differentiation and muscle homeostasis processes. Further, we explored high throughput epitranscriptome sequencing data to identify RNA chemical modifications in muscle-specific genes and we discuss the possible functional role and the potential therapeutic applications.

Background: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) overexpression is associated with fibroblastic proliferation and the production of collagen, resulting in increased cardiac fibrosis and remodelling. Aim of the study was to investigate on the expression of Gal-3 in hypertrophic hearts. We examined 19 surgical specimens taken from interventricular septum of 8 patients with Tetralogy of Fallot, 4 patients with aortic valve stenosis, 1 cardiac explant affected from dilated cardiomyopathy, and 6 myocardial biopsies of patients submitted to heart transplantation. Methods: All the samples were routinely processed, stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin, Trichromic stain and elastic fiber stain and selected by having the morphological features of myocardial hy-pertrophy: myocytolysis, nuclear pleomorphism, interstitial fibrosis. Results: At immunohistochemistry, myocardial fibers showed cytoplasmic expression of Gal-3 in the 4 patients with aortic valve stenosis (diffuse in 3 and mild in 1), in the 1 patient with cardiac explant (mild) and in the 4/6 transplanted hearts (mild and focal in 3 and diffuse in 1). The 8 patients affected from Tetralogy of Fallot and 2 patients with transplanted hearts resulted negative. Conclusions: The results agreed with the hypothesis that Gal-3 may play a role in cardiac hyper-trophy; its expression in myocardial fibers is not related with the morphological aspects as suggested by the absence in pediatric cases. The presence in myocardial biopsies taken from transplanted hearts would suggest a possible role in predicting clinical outcome of such patients.

Tourism gentrification presents issues of privatization of public space, the transformation of public services to cater to tourists, the erosion of community social bonds, and the commodification of regional consumption, which has far-reaching impacts on the well-being of local residents and a desire to relocate. Thus, tourism gentrification in traditional industrial areas is defined as a process driven by the reconfiguration of spatial functions and the transformation of service provisions, resulting in displacement. This study employs Q methodology aims to understand the residents’ perceptions of tourism gentrification with a specific focus on the 798 Industrial Art Zone in Beijing, China. The results reveal four dimensions that form residents’ stress: neighboring environment, community attachment, economic interest, and cultural identity. Based on the stress threshold theory, this study further proposes a framework to explain the decision-making processes of residents in relation to their intent to relocate due to stress from interactions with migrants and visitors and changes in the place functions of industrial areas and communities. The findings offer valuable theoretical knowledge surrounding tourism gentrification from residents’ perspectives and suggest practical guidance for policymakers and destination managers in reducing residents’ stress and promoting sustainable development of industrial tourism.

Radio bursts provide important diagnostics of energetic phenomena of the Sun. In particular, bursts in decimetric and metric wavelengths probe the physical conditions and the energy release processes in the low corona as well as their association with heliospheric phenomena. The advent of spectral radio data with high time and high frequency resolution has provided a wealth of information on phenomena of short duration and narrow bandwidth. Of particular value are spectral data combined with imaging observations at specific frequencies. In this work we briefly review the results of a series of observations comprised from high-sensitivity, low-noise dynamic spectra obtained with the acousto-optic analyzer (SAO) of the ARTEMIS-IV/JLS solar radiospectrograph, in conjunction with high time-resolution images from the Nançay Radioheliograph (NRH). Our studies include fine structures embedded in type IV burst continua (mostly narrow-band "spikes" and intermediate drift "fiber" bursts) and spike-like structures detected near the front of type-II bursts. The implications of the observational results to theoretical models are discussed.

: (1) Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are a well-known risk group for coronavirus infections with increased working hours in a potentially infectious environment. We evaluated both IgG and Neutralizing antibody levels, with IgG avidity index and persistence among health workers. (2) Methods: 1001 HCWs were tested for both IgG and Neutralizing antibodies. IgG avidity testing and one-year follow-up testing were done on selected HCWSs. (3) Results: COVID-19 IgG antibody levels were high among 299 (94.62%) HCWs with a history of COVID-19 infection (p &lt;0.0001) compared with 479 (69.92%) HCWs who were not infected with COVID-19 during the first and second wave. A total of 899 (89.81%) HCWs had more than 50% neutralizing antibodies while the remaining 102 (10.19%) HCWs had less than 50% of Neutralizing antibodies. The avidity index was maintained at almost 40% (Gray zone). Both antibody levels were found markedly increased after one year when compared to initial results. (4) Conclusions: Healthcare workers are at a 2.29-fold higher risk of infection; Two folds higher IgG levels in HCWs involved in COVID-19 duty and their persistence for a longer time than in other groups signifies IgG antibody role in the prevention of severe disease in HCWs involved in Covid-19 patient care.

Cows produce saliva in very large quantities to lubricate and facilitate food processing. Estimates indicate an amount of 50-150 liter per day. Human saliva has previously been found to contain numerous antibacterial components, such as lysozyme, histatins, members of the S-100 family and lactoferrin to limit pathogen colonization. Cows are dependent of a complex microbial community in their digestive system for food digestion. We wondered how this would influence the content of their saliva. We therefore sampled saliva from five humans and both nose secretions and saliva from six cows and separated the saliva on SDS-PAGE gradient gels and analyzed the major protein bands by LC-MS/MS. The cow saliva was found to be dominated by a few major proteins only, the carbonic anhydrase 6, a pH stabilizing enzyme, and the short palate, lung and nasal epithelium carcinoma-associated protein 2A (SPLUNC2A), also named bovine salivary protein 30kDa (BSP30). This latter protein has been proposed to play a role in local antibacterial response by binding bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibit bacterial growth, but may instead according to more recent data instead have primarily surfactant activity. Numerous peptide fragments of mucin-5B were also detected in the MS analysis. However, mucins stain poorly by the gel staining solution and they are large and have difficult to enter regular gels why their presence easily are overseen. Interestingly, no major band on gel was detected representing any of the antibacterial proteins indicating that cows may produce them at very low levels not to harm the microbial flora of their digestive system. The nose secretions of the cows primarily contained the odorant protein, a protein thought to be involved in enhancing the sensing of smell by the olfactory receptors to enhance the possibility to quickly sense potential poisonous food components. High levels of secretory IgA was also found in one sample of cow mouth drippings indicating a strong upregulation during an infection. The human saliva we more complex containing both secretory IgA, amylase, carbonic anhydrase 6, lysozyme, histatins and a number of other less abundant proteins.

Egypt faces numerous challenges in achieving food and nutritional security, due largely to its unique geography, water stress, and population growth. However, nontraditional crops and pseudo cereals such as buckwheat, quinoa, sorghum, teff, and millet offer promising avenues for sustainable agricultural development and improved nutrition. These crops exhibit high tolerance to adverse environmental conditions such as soil salinity and drought and are rich in essential nutrients like protein, amino acids, and vitamins. They also present an economic advantage due to their short growing seasons and adaptability to marginal lands. Recent advancements in remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, along with crop simulation models, provide further opportunities for optimizing land and water resources for these nontraditional crops. Their exceptional nutritional values, including low glycemic indices and gluten-free properties, make them well-suited to address current health challenges, such as malnutrition and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The study emphasizes the need for further research to investigate land suitability, water management, and economic viability for the cultivation and commercialization of these crops. By leveraging these opportunities, Egypt has the potential to not only close its food gap but also improve overall nutritional well-being, contributing to both food security and sustainable agriculture.

Estuaries are excellent environments of identifying pollution episodes that have affected river basins, as their sediments are the final destination of some of the pollutants. This paper studies the geochemical evolution of five elements (As, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn) in a core extracted from the middle estuary of the Tinto River (SW Spain). Results are based on facies interpretation, ICP Atomic Emission Spectrometry analysis, the application of a regional background to obtain the geoaccumulation index and dating. Four pollution episodes have been detected at ~5.8 cal. kyr BP (acid mine drainage?), 4.7-4.5 kyr BP (first mining activities), the 1850-1960 interval (intensive mining) and the second half of the 20th century (intensive mining and industrial inputs). All episodes show an increase in one or more of these elements, as well as changes in their geochemical classes deduced from the geoaccumulation index.

The educational and play-related activities of children are proceeded mainly indoors in a kin-dergarten. The exposure of children to high concentrations of PM2.5 and CO2 indoors have leaded to various harmful effects and negatively impact educational outcomes in a kindergarten. Therefore, this study presents a numerical model of CO2 and PM2.5 concentration based on two classrooms in a kindergarten. Using this numerical model, we present different scenarios of oper-ating mechanical ventilation and air purifiers in kindergartens with the aim of optimizing for reducing the concentrations of CO2 and PM2.5. We found that the amount of ventilation required to maintain good air quality, per child, was approximately 20.4 m3/h. However, we also found that as the amount of ventilation increased, so did the concentration of indoor PM2.5; we found that this issue can be resolved through the use of a high-grade filter (i.e., a MERV 13 grade filter with a collection efficiency of 75%). This study provides a scientific basis for reducing PM2.5concentrations in kindergartens, while keeping CO2 levels low.

Ethylene, a gaseous phytohormone, is emerging as a central player in the intricate web of plant developmental processes from germination to senescence under optimal and stressed conditions. It is present in different plant parts, encompassing the stems, leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, and fruits. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of ethylene's fascinating roles in shaping various plant growth and adaptation aspects. It intricately examines the multifaceted impact of ethylene on pivotal aspects of plant development, including but not limited to cell division and elongation, senescence, abscission, fruit and flower development, root hair formation, chloroplast maturation, and photosynthesis. This comprehensive assessment encompasses the intricate pathways of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling, providing a snapshot of the regulatory mechanisms governing ethylene production. Understanding ethylene's multifaceted functions has significant implications for agriculture, biotechnology, and our fundamental comprehension of plant biology. This review underscores the need for continued investigation into ethylene's intricate mechanisms and its potential to revolutionize plant development and crop management.

Cancer is second leading cause of death, worldwide. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Plant-based therapeutics and herbal medicine have played a vital role in the development of several anti-cancerous agents, and has been used to reduce the severe side effects of chemotherapy as well. Since the anti-lung cancer properties of the plant Medicago. orbicularis are not explored yet, we identified its phytochemical composition and investigated the anti-oxidant, anti-hemolytic, and anti-cancerous properties of extracts of this plant in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Results show that all parts of M. orbicularis (stems, leaves, and fruits) exhibit remarkable anti-oxidant and hemolytic activities. In addition, all extracts showed a dose-dependent anti-cancerous cytotoxic activity against A549 cells; with fruit extracts being the most potent. This cytotoxic effect could be related, at least partly, to the induction of apoptosis, where M. orbicularis fruit extracts activated Caspase-3 and PARPP-1, and reduced the ratio of anti-apoptotic BCL-2/ pro-apoptotic BAX, thereby promoting cellular death. Furthermore, the use of M. orbicularis, in combination with a conventional chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin, was assessed. Indeed, combination of cisplatin and M. orbicularis fruit extracts was more cytotoxic and induced more aggregation of A549 cells than either treatment alone. GC-MS analysis and total polyphenol and flavonoid content determination indicated that M. orbicularis is rich in compounds that have anti-cancerous effects. M. orbicularis may be a potential source of anti-cancerous agents to manage progression of lung cancer and its resistance to therapy.

BRCA1 and 2 pathogenic variants increase lifetime risks of breast (50-75%) and ovarian cancer (15-20%). Guidelines recommend breast screening (MRI and mammogram) or risk-reducing mastectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy for ovarian cancer prevention. We sought to 1) characterize the population of BRCA1/2 carriers in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) 2) evaluate risk-reducing interventions 3) identify factors influencing screening and prevention adherence. Methods: This is a retrospective study from a population-based provincial cohort of BRCA1/2 carriers. Eligibility criteria for risk-reducing interventions were defined for each case and patients were categorized based on their level of adherence with recommended screening or prevention. Chi-squared and regression analyses were used to determine which factors influenced uptake and level of adherence. Results: 276 BRCA1/2 carriers were identified; 156 living NL females composed the study population. Unaffected females were younger at testing than those with a cancer diagnosis (44.4 y versus 51.7 y; p=0.002). Categorized by eligibility, 61.0%, 61.6%, 39.0% and 75.7% of patients underwent MRI, mammogram, risk-reducing mastectomy, and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, respectively. Individuals with breast cancer were more likely to have risk-reducing mastectomy (64.7% versus 35.3%; p<0.001), and those who attended specialty hereditary cancer clinic were more likely to be adherent with breast/ovarian cancer recommendations (73.2% versus 13.4%; p<0.001) and to undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy(84.1% versus 15.9%; p<0.001). Conclusions: Nearly 40% of female BRCA1/2 carriers were not receiving breast surveillance according to evidence-based recommendations. Cancer risk reduction and uptake of breast imaging and prophylactic breast and pelvic surgeries are significantly higher in patients who receive dedicated specialty care. Organized hereditary cancer prevention programs will be a valuable component of Canadian health care systems and have the potential to reduce the burden of disease country-wide.

The Gestalt psychologists’ theory of insight problem-solving was based on a direct parallelism between perceptual experience and higher-order forms of cognition (e.g., problem-solving). Simi-larly to the sudden recognition of an ambiguous figure, they contended that problem-solving in-volves a restructuring of one's initial representation of the problem’s elements, leading to a sud-den leap of understanding phenomenologically indexed by the "Aha!" feeling. Over the last centu-ry, different scholars discussed the validity of the Gestalt psychologists’ perspective foremost us-ing the behavioral measures available at the time. However, in the last 2 decades, scientists gained a deeper understanding of insight problem-solving due to the advancements in cognitive neuroscience. This review aims to provide a retrospective reading of Gestalt theory based on the knowledge accrued by adopting novel paradigms and investigating their neurophysiological correlates. Among several key points that the Gestalt psychologists underscored, we focus specif-ically on the role of the visual system in marking a discrete switch of knowledge into awareness, as well as the perceptual experience and the holistic standpoints. While the main goal of this paper is to read the previous theory in light of new evidence, we also hope to initiate an academic dis-cussion and encourage further research about the points we raise.

This paper presents a new method for the design of separable denominators 2-D IIR filters with nearly linear phase in the passband. The design method is based on a balanced-realization model reduction technique. The nearly linear-phase 2-D IIR filter is designed using 2-D model reduction from a linear-phase 2-D FIR filter, which serves as the initial filter. The structured controllability and observability Gramians $P^s$ and $Q^s$ serve as the foundation for this technique. These Gramians are block diagonal positive-definite matrices that satisfy 2-D Lyapunov equations. An efficient method is used to compute these Gramians by minimizing the traces of $P^s$ and $Q^s$ under linear matrix inequalities (LMI) constraints. The use of these Gramians ensures that the resulting 2-D IIR filter preserves stability and can be implemented using a separable denominator 2-D filter with fewer coefficients than the original 2-D FIR filter. Numerical examples show that the proposed method compares favorably with existing techniques.

The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is 1.5 times higher compared to the general population. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the type of cardiovascular complications that can appear in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Reducing the cardiovascular risk, through an aggressive management of the traditional and non-traditional risk factors, is another objective of this study. Early diagnosis and initiation of therapeutic measures to reduce the progression rate of rheumatoid arthritis, while also maintaining an active lifestyle, are the most important problems in young patients. We included a number of 200 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, presenting various stages of disease, concomitant with cardiovascular complications. The incidence by gender was higher in women, while men presented a higher incidence of traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors. All the patients presented an atherogenic coefficient over 2, indicating a significant risk of atherogenesis. An increased incidence of coronary artery disease was found in men. The patients presented cardiac arrhythmias, especially in the active stage of the condition, while the incidence of atrial fibrillation was higher in women. The active stage of the disease was evaluated using inflammatory biomarkers (ESR, PCR). ESR is not a specific tool for diagnosing the disease, but its important role in monitoring the activity of RA should not be ignored. Moreover, ESR has a significant role in monitoring the evolution and determining the prognostic of congestive heart failure. A target treatment prescribed a target treatment to reduce inflammation and prevent exacerbations was prescribed for all patients. However, in daily clinical practice, the screening for RA is poorly done. Thus, patients are often undiagnosed, while the risk factors are not assessed. In conclusion, even nowadays, RA patients continue to present an increased risk of developing CVD.

This paper presents a two-stage hierarchical neural network using image classification and object detection algorithms as key building blocks for a system that automatically detects a potential design right infringement. This neural network is trained to return the Top-N original design right records that highly resemble the input image of a counterfeit. Design rights specify the unique aesthetic characteristics of a product. Due to the rapid change of trends, new design rights are continuously generated. This work proposes an Ensemble Neural Network (ENN), an artificial neural network model that aims to deal with a large amount of counterfeit data and design right records that are frequently added and deleted. At first, we performed image classification and objection detection learning per design right using the existing models with a proven track record of high accuracy. The distributed models form the backbone of the ENN and yield intermediate results aggregated at a master neural network. This master neural network is a deep residual network paired with a fully connected network. This ensemble layer is trained to determine the sub-models that return the best result for a given input image of a product. In the final stage, the ENN model multiples the inferred similarity coefficients to the weighted input vectors produced by the individual sub-models to assess the similarity between the test input image and the existing product design rights to see any sign of violation. Given 84 design rights and the sample product images taken meticulously under various conditions, our ENN model achieved average Top-1 and Top-3 accuracies of 98.409% and 99.460%, respectively. Upon introducing new design rights data, a partial update of the inference model was done an order of magnitude faster than the single model. ENN maintained a high level of accuracy as it scaled out to handle more design rights. Therefore, the ENN model is expected to offer practical help to the inspectors in the field, such as the customs at the border that deal with a swarm of products.

The heavy-metal-associated (HMA) proteins are a class of PB1-Type ATPases related to the intracellular transport and detoxification of metals. However, due to a lack of information regarding the HMA gene family in the Cucurbitaceae family, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the HMA family was performed in ten Cucurbitaceae species: Citrullus amarus, Citrullus colocynthis, Citrullus lanatus, Citrullus mucosospermus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo, and Legenaria siceraria. We identified 103 Cucurbit HMA proteins with various members, ranging from 8 (Legenaria siceraria) to 14 (Cucurbita pepo) across species. The phylogenetic and structural analysis confirmed that the Cucurbitaceae HMA protein family could be further classified into two major clades: Zn/Co/Cd/Pb and Cu/Ag. GO annotation-based subcellular localization analysis predicted that all HMA gene family members were localized on membranes. Moreover, the analysis of conserved motifs and gene structure (intron/exon) revealed the functional divergence between clades. Interspecies microsynteny analysis demonstrated that maximum orthologous genes were found between species of the Citrullus genera. Finally, nine candidates HMA genes were selected, and their expression analysis was carried out via qRT-PCR in root, leaf, flower, and fruit tissues of C. pepo under arsenic stress. The expression pattern of the CpeHMA genes showed a distinct pattern of expression in root and shoot tissues, with a remarkable expression of CpeHMA6 and CpeHMA3 genes from the Cu/Ag clade. Overall, this study provides insights into the functional analysis of the HMA gene family in Cucurbitaceae species and lays down the basic knowledge to explore the role and mechanism of the HMA gene family to cope with arsenic stress conditions.

Let $(\Omega, \mu)$, $(\Delta, \nu)$ be measure spaces. Let $(\{f_\alpha\}_{\alpha\in \Omega}, \{\tau_\alpha\}_{\alpha\in \Omega})$ and $(\{g_\beta\}_{\beta\in \Delta}, \{\omega_\beta\}_{\beta\in \Delta})$ be unbounded continuous 1-Schauder frames for a Banach space $\mathcal{X}$. Then for every $x \in ( \mathcal{D}(\theta_f) \cap\mathcal{D}(\theta_g))\setminus\{0\}$, we show that \begin{align}\label{UB} \mu(\operatorname{supp}(\theta_f x))\nu(\operatorname{supp}(\theta_g x)) \geq \frac{1}{\left(\displaystyle\sup_{\alpha \in \Omega, \beta \in \Delta}|f_\alpha(\omega_\beta)|\right)\left(\displaystyle\sup_{\alpha \in \Omega , \beta \in \Delta}|g_\beta(\tau_\alpha)|\right)}. \end{align} where \begin{align*} &\theta_f:\mathcal{D}(\theta_f) \ni x \mapsto \theta_fx \in \mathcal{L}^1(\Omega, \mu); \quad \theta_fx: \Omega \ni \alpha \mapsto (\theta_fx) (\alpha):= f_\alpha (x) \in \mathbb{K},\\ &\theta_g: \mathcal{D}(\theta_g) \ni x \mapsto \theta_gx \in \mathcal{L}^1(\Delta, \nu); \quad \theta_gx: \Delta \ni \beta \mapsto (\theta_gx) (\beta):= g_\beta (x) \in \mathbb{K}. \end{align*} We call Inequality (\ref{UB}) as \textbf{Unbounded Donoho-Stark-Elad-Bruckstein-Ricaud-Torr\'{e}sani Uncertainty Principle}. Along with recent \textbf{Functional Continuous Uncertainty Principle} (derived in [arXiv:2308.00312v1 [math.FA], 1 August 2023]), Inequality (\ref{UB}) also improves Ricaud-Torr\'{e}sani uncertainty principle \textit{[IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory, 2013]}. In particular, it improves Elad-Bruckstein uncertainty principle \textit{[IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory, 2002]} and Donoho-Stark uncertainty principle \textit{[SIAM J. Appl. Math., 1989]}.

The microbiome, once considered peripheral, is emerging as a relevant player in the intricate web of factors contributing to cancer development and progression. These often overlooked microorganisms, in the context of urological malignancies, have been investigated primarily focusing on the gut microbiome, while exploration of urogenital microorganisms remains limited. In light of this, our systematic review delves into the complex role of these understudied actors in various neoplastic conditions, including prostate, bladder, kidney, penile, and testicular cancers. Our analysis found a total of 37 studies, with prostate cancer-12, bladder cancer-20, kidney cancer-4, penile/testicular cancer-1, which reveals distinct associations specific to each condition, hinting at potential therapeutic avenues and future biomarker discoveries. It becomes evident that further research is imperative to unravel the complexities of this domain and provide a more comprehensive understanding.

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract with a 1-3% prevalence in general population. The surgical management of symptomatic MD is well described in the literature, but there is still no consensus on the indication for prophylactic resection of incidental asymptomatic MD. To address this issue, we extensively reviewed the current literature and report our experience with laparoscopic management of an unusual case of MD causing ileal volvulus and acute peritonitis two weeks after a laparoscopic appendectomy for acute gangrenous appendicitis performed in another hospital. A 50-year-old man presented to the emergency department with acute and severe abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation. He had undergone a laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis two weeks before in another hospital. The patient was apyretic, distressed, and sought an antalgic position. The abdomen was mildly distended, tender, and the Blumberg sign was mildly positive in the central quadrants. The clinical picture deteriorated with fever, peritonismus, and leukocytosis. A CT scan showed an ileo-ileal adhesion near the ileocolic junction and dilatation of the upstream loops with air-fluid levels. Through an urgent laparoscopy, a necrotic mass, the MD, was wedge-resected and the surrounding ileal volvulus derotated. The postoperative course was uneventful. There is no definitive consensus on the appropriate management of incidental asymptomatic MD, although several studies have attempted to identify guiding criteria. Features of the MD, patient’s risk factors, clinical presentation, and surgical approach need to be considered to establish definitive guidelines for the management of incidental asymptomatic MD. In the absence of definitive guidelines, personal expertise and judgement are the main resources for the surgeon approaching an incidental asymptomatic MD.

Over the past two decades, a growing body of evidence observations have shown group two innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) to be critical drivers of Type 2 (T2) inflammatory responses associated with allergic inflammatory conditions such as asthma. ILC2 release copious amounts of pro-inflammatory T2 cytokines – interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the newly discovered regulatory subtype of ILC2 described in murine and human mucosal tissue and blood. These KLRG1+ILC2 have the capacity to produce the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. Papers compiled in this review were based on query of PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published from 2000-2023 using keywords “IL-10” and “ILC2”. Studies with topical relevance to IL-10 production by ILC2 were included. ILC2 respond to microenvironmental cues including retinoic acid (RA), IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-33, as well as neuropeptide mediators such as neuromedin-U (NMU), prompting a shift towards IL-10 and away from T2 cytokine production. In contrast, TGF-β attenuates IL-10 production by ILC2. Immune regulation provided by IL-10+ILC2s holds potential significance for management of T2 inflammatory conditions. The observation of context-specific cues which alter phenotype of ILC warrants examining characteristics of ILC subsets to determine the extent of plasticity or whether the current classification of ILCs requires refinement.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional load capacity of the periodontal ligament (PDL) in a full arch maxilla and mandible model using numerical simulation. The goal of was to determine the functional load pattern in multi- and single rooted teeth with full and reduced periodontal support. CBCT data were used to create 3D-models of a maxilla and mandible. The DICOM dataset was used to create a CAD-model. For a precise description of the surfaces of each structure (enamel, dentin, cementum, pulp, PDL, gingiva, bone), each tooth was segmented separately, and the biomechanical characteristics were considered. A Finite-Element-Analysis (FEA) software computed the biomechanical behavior of stepwise increased force of 700N in cranial and 350N in ventral direction of the muscle approach of the Masseter muscle. The periodontal attachment (cementum-PDL-bone contact) was subsequently reduced in 1mm increments and the simulation repeated. Quantitative (pressure, tension, and deformation) and qualitative (color-coded images) data were recorded and descriptively analyzed. The teeth with the highest load capacities were the upper and lower molars (0.4-0.6MPa), followed by the premolars (0.4-0.5MPa) and canines (0.3-0.4MPa) when vertically loaded. Qualitative data showed that the area with the highest stress in the PDL were for single rooted teeth the cervical and apical area and for molars additionally the furcation roof. In both, single- and multi rooted teeth the gradual reduction of the bone levels caused an increase of the load on the remaining PDL. Cervical and apical areas as well as the furcation roof are the zones with the highest functional stress. The more bone loss, the higher the mechanical load on the residual periodontal supporting structures.

Background: Recommended CKD first-line diagnostics is based on GFR-determination by Creatinine. Cystatin C-use may provide better assessment. Methods: We compared creatinine- and cystatin C-derived eGFR determination in first-line di-agnostic of 112 hospital patients aged >60 years (median=76 years). Patients were judged kid-ney-sane according to first-line diagnostic recommendations (N=61, eGFR (CKD-EPI) ≥60ml/min/m2, total urine protein <150mg/g creatinine, urinary red and white blood cells not increased) or classified at-risk for kidney insufficiency due to aortic valve dysfunction (N=51). Plausibility of eGFR-values was evaluated retrospectively by final case diagnoses. Results: eGFR (CAPA) was found linearly correlated to eGFR (CKD-EPI) (R2=0.5, slope=0.69, p<0.0001). In 93/112 (>80%) cases, eGFR (CAPA) yielded lower values (on average ≈20%). In 55/112 (49%) cases CKD-stage decreased. CKD-reclassification from kidney-sane to kid-ney-insufficient state (i.e. CKD1/2 to CKD3a/b or 4) or reclassification to more severe kidney in-sufficiency (i.e. CKD3a3b/4 or 3b4) was found in 41/112 (37%) cases. Worsening of CKD-classification (kidney-sanekidney-insufficient) based on eGFR (CAPA) was in 30% of cases plausible in the light of final case-diagnoses. Conclusion: In elderly patients (>60 years), renal function appears systematically overestimated by creatinine-based eGFR (CKD-EPI) heralding for this group employment of cystatin C-based eGFR (CAPA) as first-line diagnostic.

In water scarcity regions, using data-driven approaches to predict groundwater level is challenging due to limited data availability. However, these regions have substantial water needs and require cost-effective groundwater utilization strategies. In this study, we use artificial intelligence to predict groundwater levels to provide guidance for drilling shallow boreholes for subsistence irrigation. The Bilate watershed, which is located in southern Ethiopia, was selected as the study area. This is typical of areas in Africa with high demand for water and limited availability of well data. Using a non-time-series database of 75 boreholes, machine learning models including multiple linear regression, multivariate adaptive regression spline, artificial neural networks, random forest regression, and gradient boosting regression (GBR) were constructed to predict the depth to the water table. 20 independent variables were considered in the models. GBR performed the best of the approaches with an average 0.77 R-squared value on testing data. Finally, a map of predicted water levels in the Bilate watershed was created based on the best model with water levels ranging from 1.6 to 245.9 meters. With the limited set of borehole data, the results show a clear signal that can provide guidance for borehole drilling decisions for sustainable irrigation with additional implications for drinking water.

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the molecular epidemiology and seasonality of human rhinovirus (HRV) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its association with COPD exacerbations in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: Sputum specimens were collected for analysis from all COPD patients who visited a medical center from November 2021 to October 2022. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) test was used to detect HRV. Results: Of the 78 COPD patients included in the study, 58 (74%) pa-tients presented with one or more exacerbation episodes. The incidence of COPD exacerbation peaked over the winter and substantially decreased during the summer. HRV positivity in pa-tients during exacerbation (E1) was 11/58 (19%) and 15/58 (26%) two weeks after the exacerbation episode (E2). There was no significant difference in the HRV load in these patients. No statistically significant difference was observed in the detection of HRV during exacerbation compared to patients with stable COPD. Conclusion: This is the first study to assess the association between HRV detection by qPCR and COPD exacerbations in the UAE. The high sensitivity of the detec-tion technology helped collect reliable epidemiologic data. Few studies have provided similar Middle East data. This study's pattern of COPD exacerbations and HRV detection parallels that of temperate countries. This information can help with future, more extensive surveillance of res-piratory viruses in the UAE and the Middle East and their association with COPD exacerbations.

To avoid loss of information and incorrect ranking, this paper proposes a method for ranking generalized fuzzy numbers, which guarantees both horizontal and vertical values are important parameters affecting the final ranking score. In this method, the normalized height coefficient is introduced to evaluate the influence of the height of fuzzy numbers on the final ranking score. The higher the normalized height coefficient of a fuzzy number is, the higher its ranking. The left area and the right area are presented to calculate the impact of vertical value on the final ranking score. The left area is considered the benefit area. The right area is considered the cost area. The fuzzy number is preferred if the benefit area is larger and the cost area is smaller. The proposed method can be employed to rank both normal and non-normal fuzzy numbers without normalization or height minimization. Numerical examples and comparison with other methods highlight the feasibility and robustness of the proposed method, which can overcome the shortcomings of some existing methods and can support decision-makers to select the best alternative.

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

Backgrounds Linear association has widely been assumed for prediction of aging-related fractional anisotropy (FA) decline in white matter of the brain. While useful for testing significance of the aging effect, it fails to identify a threshold age before and after which the age-FA association changes. Identification of such a threshold is often of clinical interest for timely intervention. Methods We employed a sigmoidal growth function to test a threshold effect in age triggering onset of cerebral decline in 21 white matter tracts, and compared its fitting performance to those of linear, and power regression. The study sample was a normal healthy cohort of 106 participants with ages in mid-life ranging from 18 to 60 years. Results Of the 21 white matter tracts analyzed, the posterior thalamic radiation showed better fit with sigmoidal curve model, compared to a linear or power regression. The estimated threshold age in years (95% confidence interval) were 47.2 (44.1-48.4). Conclusion While available evidence regarding the presence of a specific age threshold for cerebral decline in mid-life based on FA was limited, the posterior thalamic radiation exhibited a threshold age of 47.2. Beyond this age point, we observed a significant change in the FA risk pattern.

Weak contact metric structures on a smooth manifold, introduced by V. Rovenski and R. Wolak in 2022, have provided new insight into the theory of classical structures. In this paper, we define new structures of this kind (called weak nearly Sasakian and weak nearly cosymplectic and nearly K\"{a}hlerian structures) and study their geometry. We introduce weak nearly K\"{a}hlerian manifolds (generalizing nearly K\"{a}hlerian manifolds) and characterize weak nearly Sasakian and weak nearly cosymplectic hypersurfaces in such Riemannian manifolds.

Serotonergic neurons constitute one of the main systems of neuromodulators, whose diffuse projections regulate the functions of the cerebral cortex. Serotonin (5-HT) is known to play a crucial role in the differential modulation of cortical activity related to behavioral contexts. Certain aspects of the 5-HT signaling framework hint at its potential role as a modulator of activity-dependent synaptic changes within the critical period of the primary visual cortex (V1). Cells of the serotonergic system are among the first neurons to differentiate and operate. During postnatal development, ramifications from raphe nuclei become massively distributed in the visual cortical area, remarkably increasing the availability of 5-HT for the regulation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity. A substantial amount of evidence has demonstrated that synaptic plasticity at pyramidal neurons of the superficial layers of V1 critically depends on a fine regulation of the balance between excitation and inhibition (E/I). Therefore, 5-HT could play an important role in controlling this balance, providing the appropriate excitability conditions that favor synaptic modifications. In order to explore this possibility, the present work used in vitro intracellular electrophysiological recording techniques to study the effects of 5-HT on the E/I balance of V1 layer 2/3 neurons, during the critical period. Serotonergic modulation of the E/I balance has been analyzed on spontaneous activity, evoked synaptic responses, and long-term depression (LTD). Our results pointed out that the predominant action of 5-HT implies a reduction of the E/I balance. 5-HT promoted LTD at excitatory synapses while blocking LTD at inhibitory synaptic sites, thus shifting the Hebbian alterations of synaptic strength towards lower levels of E/I balance.

Ice-binding proteins are crucial for adaptation of various organisms to low temperatures. Some of these, called antifreeze proteins, are usually thought to inhibit growth and/or recrystallization of ice crystals. However, prior to these events, ice must somehow appear in the organism, either coming from outside or forming inside through the nucleation process. Unlike most other works, our paper is focused on ice nucleation rather than the behavior of the already existing ice. The nucleation kinetics is studied both theoretically, with special attention paid to ice nucleation on ice-binding surfaces, and experimentally. For experimental studies, we use the ice-binding protein mIBP83, a previously constructed mutant of a spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana antifreeze protein. We show that mIBP83 does not affect the ice nucleation temperature in the buffer in test tubes, but hinders the impact of potent ice nucleators of various chemical natures, namely CuO powder and ice-nucleating bacteria Pseudomonas syringae. Additional experiments on human cells show that mIBP83 is concentrated in some regions, but only in cooled cells. Thus, the antifreeze protein not only binds to ice, but also blocks various sites that act or can act as ice nucleators. Such ice-preventing binding may be the crucial biological task of antifreeze proteins.