The perturbation in water balance rather than any change in salt content is the main cause of hyponatremia, the most frequent electrolyte abnormality defined as serum sodium concentration <135 mEq/L. Hyponatremia may be divided as mild (Na>120 mEq/L) or severe (Na<120 mEq/L) hyponatremia, most frequently observed in elderly ICU hospitalized patients. Based on tonicity hyponatremia may be hypotonic (decreased concentration of solute), isotonic, and hypertonic (falsely low sodium). According to the volume of the extracellular fluid (ECF) hyponatremia is further divided as hypovolemic, euvolemic, or hypervolemic hyponatremia. Finally, hyponatremia may develop rapidly as acute (<48 h) with usually severe symptoms, or slowly as chronic hyponatremia, being usually asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. Patient’s medical history and clinical symptoms and signs could point to a certain diagnostic direction. Acute severe hyponatremia is presented with headaches, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, impaired cognition, gait with increased falls symptoms etc., while the severe symptomatology due to hyponatremic encephalopathy is presented as confusion, agitation, seizures, or even coma and death. Nevertheless, an urgent evaluation of the volume and neurological status is essential for prevention of neurological damages. The treatment of hyponatremia should of course be based on the underlying cause, the duration and degree of hyponatremia, the observed symptoms, and volume status of patient.

Phospholipases are among the important elements involved in lipid-dependent cell signaling that lead to the induction of downstream pathways. In the current study, phospholipases D (PLDs) gene family was characterized and compared in two important oilseeds crops, Brassica napus and Camelina sativa. The results revealed that PLD has 33 members in Camelina sativa (CsPLD) and 41 members in Brassica napus (BnPLD). All studied PLDs showed a negative GRAVY value, indicating that PLDs are probably hydrophilic proteins. Phylogenetic analysis separated PLDs into five subfamilies; gamma, delta, beta, alpha, and zeta. According to evolution analysis, a different evolution process was observed between CsPLD and BnPLD. In addition, the results disclosed that the most of the PLD genes have been segmentally duplicated under purifying selection. Cis-regulatory elements related to ABA and auxin responsiveness were more found in upstream region of CsPLDs, while elements linked with MeJA responsiveness were more dis-tributed in promoter region of BnPLDs. Analysis of the expression data showed that PLD alpha genes have a wide expression and are expressed in most tissues. Quantitative expression analysis (qPCR) of CsPLD genes under salt stress, 200 mM of NaCl, was done in different time series. The results revealed that the CsPLD genes are involved in the response to salinity stress and their expression levels enhance with the increase of salinity stress time. The outcomes of this research will be useful for future molecular work related to lipid signaling in oilseed plants.

The quasi-beta processing was considered as a promising processing technology to obtain a component with an excellent mechanical properties. To achieve an optimized quasi-beta processing parameter of TC21 alloy, the hot deformation behavior in near β phase region for the alloy with a forged structure was investigated by the thermal compression test and finite element (FEM) simulation. The obtained results indicated that the flow behavior of the samples was significantly influenced by the hot deformation parameters and it exhibited a flow hardening behavior at the start stage of deformation. Based on the experimental data, the constitutive equation and processing maps were obtained. The optimum hot processing parameters was 986℃/10^-3s^-1. Based on the FEM simulation results, the evolution of temperature field, strain field and stress field in the deformed samples at different strains exhibited a similar trend in the unstable region, which distributed symmetrically along the center line of the samples, and the center area of the samples was the highest and the center area of the section was the lowest.

The current study presents a computational fluid dynamics model designed to simulate the isolation of 2D graphene components from their dispersion using a microfiltration hollow fiber membrane unit. The model utilizes Navier-Stokes and mass conservation equations to predict the flow and concentration behaviors in the system, and it employs the resistance-in-series approach to couple the fouling of the non-exfoliated graphites in the dispersion to the model. Specifically, the model accounts for the effects of the concentration polarization and cake formation of the fouling component, resulting in the increment of the transmembrane pressure (TMP) of the system. Additionally, we assumed the wettability of polymeric membrane’s inner wall enhances upon fouling by the flat layered structure material, leading to the reduction of the transmemrabe pressure. This approach demosntrates accurate reproduction of the exceptional experimental TMP behavior corresponding to the fouling of the graphite.

Based on the definition of double fuzzy relations, two types of new rough set models are constructed, which are multi-granulation double fuzzy rough sets called optimistic and pessimistic multi-granulation double fuzzy rough sets, and some of their properties were studied. In addition, we study the relationship between optimistic and pessimistic multi-granulation double fuzzy rough sets and double fuzzy rough sets.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare cancer arising in skeletal muscle that typically impacts children and young adults. It is a worldwide challenge in child health as treatment outcomes for metastatic and recurrent disease still pose a major concern for both basic and clinical scientists. The treatment strategies for rhabdomyosarcoma include multi-agent chemotherapies after surgical resection with or without ionization radiotherapy. In this comprehensive review, we first provide a detailed clinical understanding of rhabdomyosarcoma including its classification and subtypes, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Later we focus on chemotherapy strategies for this childhood sarcoma and discuss the impact of three mechanisms that are involved in chemotherapy response including apoptosis, macro-autophagy, and the unfolded protein response. Finally, we discuss in vivo mouse and zebrafish models, and in vitro 3-dimensional bioengineering models of Rhabdomyosarcoma to screen future therapeutic approaches and promote muscle regeneration.

The structures of Ag complexes with dimethyl amino phenyl substituted phtalocyanine m[dmaphPcAg]q of various charges q and in two lowest spin states m were optimized using the B3LYP method within the D4h symmetry group and its subgroups. The most stable reaction intermediate in the supposed photoinitiation reaction is 3[dmaphPcAg]-. Group-theoretical analysis of the optimized structures and of their electron states reveals two symmetry-descent mechanisms. Stable structures of maximal symmetry of complexes 1[dmaphPcAg]+, 3[dmaphPcAg]+, 2[dmaphPcAg]0 and 4[dmaphPcAg]2- correspond to the D4 group as a consequence of the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect within unstable D4h structure. Complexes 4[dmaphPcAg]0, 1[dmaphPcAg]-, 3[dmaphPcAg]- and 2[dmaphPcAg]2- with double degenerate electron ground states in D4h symmetry structures undergo a symmetry descent to stable structures corresponding to maximal D2 symmetry not because of a simple Jahn-Teller effect but due to hidden pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect (strong vibronic interaction between excited electron states). The reduction of the neutral photoinitiator causes symmetry descent to its anionic intermediate because of vibronic interactions that must significantly affect the polymerization reactions.

Besides living as a free-ranging primate in the horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, the hamadryas baboon has an important place in zoos and can be found in biomedical research centers worldwide. To be valuable as a non-human primate laboratory model for man, its anatomy should be portrayed in detail allowing for the correct interpretation and translation of obtained research results. Reviewing the literature on the use of the baboon in biomedical research revealed that very limited anatomical works on this species are available. Anatomical atlases are incomplete, use archaic nomenclature and fail to provide high definition color photographs. Therefore, the skeletons of two male hamadryas baboons were prepared by manually removing as much soft tissues as possible followed by maceration in warm water to which enzyme-containing washing powder was added. The bones were bleached with hydrogen peroxide and degreased by means of methylene chloride. Photographs of the various bones were taken, and the anatomical structures were identified using the latest version of the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. As such, the present article shows 31 annotated multipanel figures. The skeleton of the hamadryas baboon generally parallels the human skeleton, but some remarkable differences have been noticed. If these are taken into consideration when evaluating the results of experiments using the hamadryas baboon, justified conclusions can be drawn.

The vibration response of soil is a key property in the field of agricultural soil tillage. Vibration components of tillage machinery are generally used to reduce tillage resistance and improve work efficiency, the pressure variation under low-frequency vibration will affect the fragmentation and dispersion of farmland soil. However, the gradient of pressure variation, frequency domain response, and effective transmission range are unclear. A new method based on DEM (Discrete Element Method) is presented to study the vibration response and pressure transmission under low-frequency vibration. Bench test results showed that peak pressure positively correlates with the vibration frequency and attenuates rapidly at the vibration distance of 100 to 250 mm. The results data were also selected to determine the simulation model parameters. Amplitude, vibration frequency, and soil depth were used as test factors in single-factor simulation tests, and their effects on the peak pressure, frequency domain response, and effective transmission distance were analyzed. The results showed a positive relationship between the peak pressure and the test factors. The peak pressure increases with a maximum gradient of 19.02 kPa/mm at a vibration distance of 50 mm. The amplitude, vibration frequency, and soil depth positively correlate with the dominant frequency amplitude. The main frequency is independent of amplitude and soil depth. At the vibration distance of 250 mm, the dominant frequency is approximately twice the vibration frequency at 7–11 Hz and approximately equal to the vibration frequency at 13–15 Hz. Multiple exponential functions were used to fit the peak pressure attenuation function, obtaining an effective transmission distance range of 347.15 to 550.37 mm for the 5kPa cut-off pressure. For a soil depth of 300 mm, the vertical shear wave diffusion angle is greater than the horizontal shear wave diffusion angle. The study clarifies the vibration response of soil under low-frequency vibration, which helps to design vibration type soil-engaging components of tillage machinery and match vibration parameters for energy saving and resistance reduction in soil tillage.

Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) possesses numerous advantages such as high mechanical strength, low friction coefficient, excellent optical properties, and extended lifespan. Consequently, ZrO2 has a broad research foundation and practical significance in functional films and wear-resistant coatings. However, it suffers from brittleness and low ductility when used as a bio-coating material. In this study, a Ta/ZrO2 film was fabricated on Si (100) and titanium alloy substrates using a magnetron sputtering system, with tantalum (Ta) serving solely as a transition layer. Subsequently, Zr and Nb ions were implanted into the film at varying doses but with consistent energy levels. The analysis focused on the film's microstructure, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and corrosion resistance. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the hydrophilicity and corrosion resistance of the ZrO2 film following the implantation of Zr and Nb ions. First-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) principles indicated that, with increasing doping concentrations of Zr and Nb in the ZrO2 model, the stability of the model increased gradually, thereby enhancing its corrosion resistance.

Resistance training is beneficial to adults for improving muscle strength and reducing the body composition. Nevertheless, little is known regarding online resistance training on anthropometric parameters and muscular strength (MS) in overweight female adolescents. This study aimed to examine the effects of online resistance training on anthropometric parameters and muscular strength (MS) in overweight female adolescents. This prospective, single-center, single-blinded, randomized controlled study included 60 overweight female adolescents who were divided into a control group (n=30) and an intervention group (n=30). The intervention group performed online resistance training, which focused on body weight training of 12 components (4 sets, 12 repetitions) for 45 min, three times per week, for 12 weeks. The intensity of training was 65–75%. Anthropometric parameters, including body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), body circumference measurements (BCM), and muscle strength (MS), were assessed. All parameters were measured at weeks 0, 8, and 12. Within-group and between-group comparisons were performed. The results revealed improvements in MS, BW, BMI, and BCM in the intervention group. However, chest circumference was not significant. These findings suggest that online resistance training was effective in improving MS and reducing the body composition and circumference.

The results of muonographic study of two objects in the cave complex of the unique historical and archaeological memorial, the Holy Dormition Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery, are presented. The experimental technology is based on the use of nuclear emulsion detectors.

(1)Background: The prognosis of orthodontic treatment for a patient with impacted canine teeth can be affected by many factors and understanding some of the characteristics of impacted teeth can increase the effectiveness and reduce the duration of treatment. This study aims to explore the effects of positions and dentoalveolar morphological characteristics of impacted maxillary canines on the prognosis of orthodontic treatment. (2)Methods: In this study, a total of 46 adolescent individuals were divided into 3 groups: CC(no impaction), BC(unilateral maxillary buccal canine impaction), and PC(unilateral maxillary palatal canine impaction). The impacted canine and adjacent teeth were evaluated in terms of position, angulation, inclination, MD and BL widths, root length, dilaceration angle, root resorption. (3)Results: The mean values of U3Ang and U3/U2 angles were statistically significantly higher in the BC and PC groups(p&lt;0.001). The mean values of U2RL(U3root length) and U3RD (U3root dilaceration) angle were statistically significantly lower in the BC and PC groups. (4)Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that shorter lengths and reduced volumes of the maxillary lateral incisors may lead to the ectopic eruption of canines. The higher canine angulations in the PC group make treatment more difficult and increase the degree of root resorption.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) originate from preleukemic hematopoietic conditions, such as clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) or clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) and have desolate outcomes. The prognosis is worse in patients with TP53 mutations which are often linked to complex karyotypes and contribute to worse responses to induction therapy, demethylating agents or venetoclax-based treatments. Survival of patients with TP53 gene mutations is often less than one year. Therefore, TP53-mutated MDS and AML are now classified separately in the unfavorable risk category. In the clinical setting, the wild-type p53 is reactivated pharmacologically by targeting p53/MDM2/MDM4 interactions and mutant p53 reactivation is achieved by refolding the DNA binding domain to wild-type-like conformation or via targeted degradation of the mutated protein. This review discusses our current understanding of p53 biology in MDS and AML and the promises and failures of p53 reactivation in the clinical trial setting.

Malignant neoplasms arising from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are among the most common cancer types with a high mortality rate. Despite advances in treatment in a small subgroup harboring targetable mutations, the outcome remains poor, accounting for one in three cancer-related deaths observed globally. As a promising therapeutic option in various tumor types, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors has also been evaluated in GI cancer, albeit with limited efficacy except for a small subgroup expressing microsatellite instability. In the quest for more effective treatment options, energetic efforts have been placed to evaluate the role of several immunotherapy approaches comprising of cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we report our experience with personalized dendritic cell cancer vaccine and cytokine-induced killer cell therapy in three patients with GI cancers and summarize current clinical data on combined immunotherapy strategies.

In the world, migraine is one of the most common cause of disability in adults. To date, there is no a single cause for this disorder, but rather a set of physio-pathogenic triggers, in combination with a genetic predisposition. Among factors related to the migraine onset, a crucial role seems to be played by gut dysbiosis. In fact, it has been demonstrated how the intestine is able to modulate the central nervous system activities, through the gut-brain axis, and how gut dysbiosis can influence neurological pathologies, including migraine attacks. In this contest, in addition to migraine conventional pharmacological treatments, attention has been paid to an adjuvant therapeutic strategy based on different nutritional approaches and lifestyle changes able to positively modulate the gut microbiota composition. In fact, the restoration of the balance between the different gut bacterial species, the reconstruction of the gut barrier integrity and the control of the release of gut-derived inflammatory neuropeptides, obtained through specific nutritional patterns and lifestyle changes, represent a possible beneficial additive therapy for many migraine subtypes. Herein, this review explores the bi-directional correlation between migraine and the main chronic non-communicable diseases, like diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, obesity, cancer and chronic kidney diseases, whose link is represented by gut dysbiosis.

The article analyzes the transitional mode of movement of a passenger train caused by emergency braking by the driver. To study the possibility of derailment of passenger cars, a simulation model of the movement of a train consisting of a locomotive and twenty passenger cars was developed in the Universal Mechanism software environment, designed to study the dynamics and kinematics of mechanical systems, which include railway rolling stock. The developed model allows taking into account the longitudinal, transverse and vertical vibrations of all cars and locomotive. All bodies in the model are assumed to be absolutely rigid. The assumption of non-deformability of the bodies is based on the fact that the stiffness of the spring suspension and elastic connections is significantly less than the structural rigidity of the bogie frames and the bolster structure, and the frequency of elastic vibrations of these bodies is much higher than the frequency of their vibrations on the spring suspension. Passengers and cargo in a wagon are considered to be non-deformable and integral with the wagon body, similarly in the case of a locomotive body. Between the elements of the system, connections are involved that regulate certain relative movements of these elements.

This research analyses extreme precipitation events in the Huaihe River Basin in China, a densely populated region with a history of human settlements and agricultural activities. This study aims to explore the impact of extreme precipitation index changes and provide decision-making suggestions for flood early warning and agricultural development in the Huaihe River Basin. The study utilises the NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 climate models dataset and the daily value dataset (V3.0) from China's national surface weather stations to investigate temporal and spatial changes in extreme precipitation indices from 1960 to 2014 and future projections. At the same time, this study adopted the RclimDex model, Taylor diagram and Sen+Mann-Kendall trend analysis research methods to analyse the data. The results reveal a slight increase in extreme precipitation indices from northwest to southeast within the basin, except for CDD, which shows a decreasing trend. Regarding spatial, the future increase of extreme precipitation in the Huaihe River Basin will show a spatial variation characteristic that decreases from northwest to southeast. These findings suggest that extreme precipitation events are intensifying in the region. Understanding these trends and their implications is vital for adaptation strategy planning and mitigating the risks associated with extreme precipitation events in the Huaihe River Basin.

Background: The hydatidiform moles remain prevalent in spectrum of gesta-tional trophoblastic diseases (GTDs). In resource-limited settings like Rwanda, the definitive diagnosis relies upon single of histomophological diagnosis. The histomorphology alone suffers from high interobserver and intra-observer vari-ability with poor diagnostic reproducibility. The present study aimed at deter-mining the role of p57 immunophenotyping in the validation of histomorpholog-ical diagnosis of hydatidiform moles. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study embarked for histological cases collected between January 2017 and June 2020. A review of Hematoxylin &Eosin(H&E) stained slides was performed with subsequent p57 immunohisto-chemical staining. Results: Recorded were 211 retrospective cases of hydatidiform moles and 96 (45.9%) cases were all subjected to p57 immunohistochemical staining consid-ered as gold standard diagnostic modality in the present study. As result, the sensitivity and specificity of the histomophological diagnosis of complete hyda-tidiform mole were estimated at 62.5% and 57.1% respectively with positive and negative likelihood ratio of 0.145 and of 0.54 respectively. PPV and NPV were 81.8% and 29.3%, respectively. Whereas of 57.1% and 79.2% with PPV and NPV of 42.9% and 83.8% respectively for partial hydatidiform moles. Per the Youden J statistics method, the accuracy estimation of histomophological diagnosis of hydatidiform mole (HM) was 0.196 (CHM) and 0.336(PHM). Conclusions: This study highlighted a need to integrate p57 immunostaining in routine histopathological diagnosis of hydatidiform moles refining the defini-tive diagnosis.

Background and aims: Only one cohort study exists on the incidence of the risk of malnutrition (RM) in older adults, though numerous cross-sectional –and that cohort research– have reported several risk factors associated with the prevalence and incidence of this condition. However, alterations of body composition and impaired physical performance as exposition variables of RM have not been explored. This study assessed the incidence of RM and determined its association with excess fat mass, low total lean tissue, gait speed, and handgrip strength as exposition variables for RM in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This is a secondary analysis in older adults (≥60 years old) derived from the study “Frailty, dynapenia, and sarcopenia in Mexican adults (FraDySMex)” a prospective cohort project conducted from 2014 to 2019 in Mexico City. At baseline, volunteers underwent body composition analysis and physical performance tests. Several covariates were identified through comprehensive geriatric assessment. At baseline and follow-up, RM was assessed using the long form of the mini nutritional assessment (MNA-LF) scale. Associations between the exposition variables and RM were assessed by multiple logistic regression. Results: The cohort included 241 subjects. Average age was 75.6±7.8 years; 83.4% were women. The mean follow-up period was 4.1 years, during which 28.6% of subjects developed RM. This condition was less likely to occur in subjects with excess fat mass index, even after adjusting for several covariates. RM was also more likely to occur in subjects with low total lean tissue index, according to both an unadjusted model and after adjusting for the corresponding variables. Regarding the association between RM and gait speed, RM was also more likely to occur in subjects with low gait speed according to both the unadjusted and adjusted models. Similar results were found for RM in relation to low handgrip strength; however, after adjusting for the associated covariates, models 1 and 2 no longer reached the level of significance. Conclusion: The risk of malnutrition diagnosed by MNA-LF was significantly less likely to occur among subjects with excess fat mass, but possibility was significantly higher in those with low total lean tissue and low gait speed after 4.1 years of follow-up in community-dwelling older adults. These results highlight that excess fat mass, low total lean tissue, and low gait speed are first than risk of malnutrition and not vice versa.

Background: Poor patient flow can lead to adverse outcomes for patients and organisational inefficiency. Many hospitals have addressed suboptimal patient flow by increasing resourcing, such as bed stock and staffing, however, this is an unsustainable approach. In determining the nature of poor patient flow issues, it is important to collect data from healthcare professionals who manage patient flow on a daily basis. Doing so provides insights into the current state of patient flow management in its entirety, whilst also helping with the development of sustainable solutions.; Methods: Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinicians who were directly involved with patient flow at a tertiary care centre in Tasmania, Australia. Results: Through a thematic analysis method, four major themes were developed: managing patient flow, communication for decisions, tools as enablers and barriers and increasing complexity. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide great insights into patient flow issues, with potential solutions identified to address them.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a complex disease resulting from chronic liver injury associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammation. Recently, multi-target drugs have been proposed to treat complex diseases including NASH; however, their manufacturing pro-cesses remain time- and cost-intensive and inefficient. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, we developed UniStac, a novel enzyme-mediated conjugation platform for multi-specific drug development. UniStac demonstrated high conjugation yields, optimal thermal stabilities, and robust biological activities. Through such platform, we designed a tetra-specific compound, C-192, targeting Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), Glucagon (GCG), Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) simultaneously for the treatment of NASH. The biological activity and treatment efficacy of C-192 were confirmed both in vitro and in vivo using a methionine–choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced mouse model. C-192 exhibited profound therapeutic efficacies compared to conventional drugs, including liraglutide and dulaglutide. C-192 significantly improved alanine transaminase levels, triglyceride accumula-tion, and the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score. Our results collectively provide clin-ical feasibility of UniStac for developing multi-specific drugs, and C-192 as an innovative thera-peutic opportunity for severe NASH, as it exerts synergistic effects across multiple targets.

In this paper, we study properties of formal concepts from an order-theoretic perspective. We first establish a natural correspondence between formal contexts and preorders as well as their induced posets. Then, based on the poset induced from a formal context, we provide characterization for join-irreducible or meet-irreducible elements of finite concept lattices. In addition, we introduce the notion of rough conceptual approximations based on topological closure and interior operators. In contrast with the conventional definition of equivalence class of an object used in Pawlakian approximation spaces, we instead utilize the extent of an object concept. We show that rough conceptual approximations are equivalent to approximation operators in the generalized approximation space associated with the preorder corresponding to a formal context. We also illustrate these theoretical results with examples and discuss their potential applications.

Haemosporidian parasites, including Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon, are intracellular parasites found in the blood and tissues of birds worldwide. The prevalence of these parasites varies depending on bird species and habitats. Humidity, influenced by water availability, is one of the factors affecting their prevalence. In this study, we collected 145 blood samples from wild songbirds in the western region of Iran from April to November 2021-2022. Blood smears were prepared using the push-slide method and stained with Giemsa. The stained smears were examined under a light microscope. Among the seven songbird families sampled, blood parasites were detected in 31 individuals from five families. Of these, 23 individuals (15.86%) were from humid areas, while 8 individuals (5.51%) were from dry areas. The highest infection rates were observed in the Paridae (9.65%) and Motacilliidae (4.82%) families, while the lowest infection rates were found in the Corvidae (1.37%) and Acrocephalidae (1.37%) families. We recorded two new hosts for Leucocytozoon spp. (Motacilla flava and Acrocephalus melanopogon) for the first time in the world and four new host records (Motacilla flava, Pica pica, Acrocephalus melanopogon, and Acrocephalus agricola) for blood parasites in the west of Iran. Our findings highlight the high prevalence of avian blood parasites in songbirds inhabiting humid areas, suggesting that these environments provide suitable conditions for the growth and reproduction of invertebrate hosts.

In recent research, a growing body of empirical evidence, suggests that prosocial impact at work can play a significant role in enhancing creativity and innovativeness. Drawing from Self Determination Theory, we hypothesized that basic psychological needs and benevolence satisfaction could serve as a mediating factor in the relation between employees perceived social impact and innovative work behavior and creativity, thus illuminating the manner in which contentment of psychological needs fosters inventive proclivities within the organizational milieu. Results from a study in Greece and Canada (N=528) showed that both perceived social impact and prosocial motivation are positively associated with innovative work behavior and creativity while autonomy and competence satisfaction mediate the relation between perceived social impact and the work outcomes examined within this study. Moreover, prosocial motivation was found to moderate the relation between benevolence satisfaction and innovativeness. Findings extend prior research on the role of prosociality on creative behavior at work and provide supporting evidence for the organizations that encourage and support employees’ initiatives to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen in human. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection poses a big and perplexing difficulty in terms of therapy. The acquisition of the non-native gene PBP2a, which has a decreased tolerance for β-lactam antibiotics, frequently confers resistance. PBP2a has a less attraction for methicillin and it helps bacteria to continue peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and it is cell wall’s core component in bacteria. So, even in the presence of methicillin or any other antibiotic, bacteria develop resistance. Due to resistance-causing genes, S. aureus becomes MRSA. The main premise of the resistance mechanism is well understood. The current demand for novel antibiotics is legitimate in the face of therapeutic concerns posed by resistant micro-organisms. The emphasis of this review is on PBP2a scaffolds and the different screening approaches used to find PBP2a inhibitors. Penicillin, Cephalosporins, Pyrazole-Benzimidazole based derivatives, Oxadiazole containing derivatives, non-β-lactam allosteric inhibitors, 4-(3H)-Quinazolinones, Pyrrolylated chalcone, Bis-2-Oxoazetidinyl macrocycle (β-lactam antibiotics with 1, 3-Bridges), Macrocycle-embedded β-lactams as novel inhibitors, Pyridine-Coupled Pyrimidinones, novel Naphthalimide corbelled aminothiazoximes, non-covalent inhibitors, Investigational-β-lactam antibiotics Carbapenem, novel Benzoxazole derivatives, Pyrazolylpyridine analogues, and other miscellaneous classes of scaffolds for PBP2a are also represented as well as with their biological activity is discussed. The penicillin-binding protein is also discussed, which is the crucial target for the cell wall of MRSA. Various aspects of PBP2a, the cell wall of bacteria, peptidoglycans, different crystal structures of PBP2a, synthetic routes for PBP2a inhibitors, and future perspectives of MRSA inhibitors are also enumerated.

Almost 115 million tons of fibers of which almost 90 million tons of chemical fibers were produced in the world in 2021, which are mainly used for the production of clothing and footwear. 30% of textile and apparel products are never sold, which means an extreme waste production. This article points out the possibilities of forecasting the sales of clothing in the case of one relatively large online store. Inadequate stocks of textile products in the company lead to loss and the need to sell products at a discount, which is undesirable for the company. The study in this article points to the calculation of the sales forecast for 2019 for the selected textile products, finding the analogy of the followed product sale. Sales for the years 2017 and 2018 serve as input data. The problem with textile products is that they have a short life cycle, i.e. the length of the life cycle is approximately half a year, and a high seasonality is also presented there. Therefore, the seasonal indices and Holt-Winters methods (multiplication and additional approaches) were used for products forecasting. Ultimately, this model could contribute to reducing the loss of unsold goods and thus reduce the waste of resources and increase the use of goods in other similar companies.

In the last years, various changes and enhancements have been made to the technical structure of the substituted boreholes in comparison to the old boreholes. Increasing production capabilities from an individual borehole and/or a borehole field has engineering significant and economic value. Unfortunately, we are unable to change the composition of the aquifer lithology and its hydraulic properties and therefore, increasing the extraction capabilities from an individual borehole is possible by using technical improvements in drilling methods, in borehole design and in its final structure. This is illustrated through examples from two different aquifer basins, where substituted boreholes were drilled adjusted to the old borehole and in the same yard. The substituted boreholes were drilled to similar depth and to the same lithology as those in the old boreholes. That is, any discrepancies in hydraulic parameters attributable to changes and improvements in the borehole design and structure.

Controlling injection parameters is paramount when it comes to producing high-quality green parts using powder injection molding. This work combines experimental and numerical approaches to study the impact of injection parameters on mold in-cavity pressure and on the overall quality of green parts produced by low-pressure powder injection molding. The properties of two low-viscosity feedstocks (formulated from a water-atomized stainless-steel powder and wax-based binder system) were measured and implemented in an Autodesk Moldflow numerical model to quantify the molding pressures, which were finally validated using experimental real-scale injections. The results confirmed that an increase in mold temperature, an increase in feedstock temperature, and a decrease in solid loading decrease the mold in-cavity pressure, which was correlated with the feedstock viscosity. As a key result, real-scale injections confirmed that a minimum flow rate was required to avoid atypical high in-cavity pressure leading in several visual defects such as weld lines, flow marks, cracks, sinks, and incomplete filling. Due to differences in its thermal transfer properties, this flow rate threshold value decreases as the feedstock solid loading increases. For injection speeds higher than this value, the injection pressure measured experimentally was linearly correlated with the injection flow rate.

(1) Background: Central nervous system (CNS) development is characterized by dynamic changes in cell proliferation and differentiation. Key regulators of these transitions are the transcription factors such as SOX2 and SOX9. SOX2 is involved in the maintenance of progenitor cell state and neural stem cell multipotency, while SOX9, expressed in neurogenic niches, plays an important role in neuron/glia switch with predominant expression in astrocytes in the adult brain. (2) Methods: To validate SOX2 and SOX9 expression pattern in dissociated primary neuronal cultures derived from opossum (Monodelphis domestica), we used immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the isotropic fractionator method on fixed cortical tissue from comparable postnatal ages; (3) Results: Neurons positive for both neuronal (NeuN or TUJ1) and stem cell (SOX2) markers were identified and their presence was confirmed with all methods and postnatal age groups (P4-6, P6-18 and P30) analyzed. SOX9 showed exclusive staining in non-neuronal cells, and it was coexpressed with SOX2. (4) Conclusions: The persistence of SOX2 expression in developing cortical neurons of M. domestica during first post-natal month implies the functional role of SOX2 during neuronal differentiation and maturation, which was not previously reported in opossums.

Building facade design plays an essential role in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact in high-performance building design. Balancing the conflicts among various building facade design parameters to satisfy different optimization objectives constitutes a highly complex optimization problem. The rapidly increasing number of studies demonstrates a significant interest in implementing multi-objective optimization methods to tackle building facade optimization problems. This study conducts a systematic review of optimization methods for building facade optimization (BFO). The optimization objectives and design variables are categorized based on their characteristics. The efficiency and effectiveness of optimization algorithms in addressing BFO problems are compared. Building optimization techniques and tools are showcased, along with their functions and limitations. Key findings highlight the robust feasibility and effectiveness of optimization algorithms, methods, and techniques in resolving a diverse range of BFO challenges. The limitations, challenges, and future potential of these methods are summarized and proposed.

This paper describes the design and implementation of an ultrasonic non-contact air-coupled technique (UNCACT) using antisymmetric Lamb waves (ALW) for NDT assessment in novel composite sandwich plates of the car body shell. This technique is complemented with a C-Scan image implementation using this kind of guided waves. The finite element method using Comsol 6.1 is developed for the interpretation of the several wave modes presented in the experiments, including the ALW mode. The phase velocity method (PVM) is applied for the verification of the ALW mode in the portion of the RF signal necessary in the C-Scan image.

Innate immune pathways play a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis, from sensing initial danger signals to the long-term reprogramming of immune cells. Despite the success of lipid-lowering therapy, anti-hypertensive medications, and other measures in reducing complications associated with atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Consequently, there is an urgent need to devise innovative preventive and therapeutic strategies to alleviate the global burden of CVD. Extensive experimental research and epidemiological studies have demonstrated the dominant role of innate immune mechanisms in the progression of atherosclerosis. Recently, landmark trials including CANTOS, COLCOT, and LoDoCo2 have provided solid evidence, demonstrating that targeting innate immune pathways can effectively reduce the risk of CVD. These groundbreaking trials mark a significant paradigm shift in the field and open new avenues for atheroprotective treatments. It is therefore crucial to comprehend the intricate interplay between innate immune pathways and atherosclerosis for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Additionally, unraveling the mechanisms underlying the long-term reprogramming may offer novel strategies to reverse the pro-inflammatory phenotype of immune cells and restore immune homeostasis in atherosclerosis. In this Review, we present an overview of the innate immune pathways implicated in atherosclerosis, with a specific focus on the signaling pathways driving chronic inflammation in atherosclerosis and the long-term reprogramming of immune cells within the atherosclerotic plaque. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing these processes presents exciting opportunities for the development of a new class of immunotherapeutic approaches aimed at reducing inflammation and promoting plaque stability. By addressing these aspects, we can potentially revolutionize the management of atherosclerosis and its associated cardiovascular complications.

In the continued battle against one of the oldest enemies known to mankind, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the emergence of drug resistance among children poses multiple challenges for early detection and treatment. Molecular diagnostics and newer drugs like bedaquiline and delamanid have strengthened the armamentarium and helped design convenient, safe and child-friendly therapeutic regimens against drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). Preventive strategies like treatment of TB infection among children living in close contact with patients with drug-resistant TB and effective vaccines against TB are currently in the investigative stages of development and implementation. In addition to the implementation of recent novel diagnostics and treatment modalities, effective psychosocial and nutritional support, as well as dedicated monitoring for compliance and adverse effects, are crucial determinants for successful treatment outcomes in these children.

We tested the possibility of using “adverse events count” (AEC) as a drug-risk indicator and side-effect severity indicator. Data from 3938 adverse event (AE) reports for COVID-19 vaccines (Comirnaty, Moderna, Vaxzevria, and Janssen) and 6869 AE reports for other medicines were collected from the Bulgarian Drug Agency database (01.01.2018–31.03.2022). AEC was modeled with zero-adjusted negative binomial (ZANBI) and zero-adjusted Poisson inverse Gaussian (ZAPIG) regression models, which account for zero absence and overdispersion. The models’ fit was checked with residual diagnostic plots and parametric correspondence to normality. Explanatory variables were: age, sex, sequence number (order of submission), severity of AE, and vaccine type. Average AEC was higher in severe vs. non-severe AE, and in females vs. males; it decreased with age and was lower in Comirnaty than other vaccines. Variability of AEC for COVID-19 data decreased with sequence number in severe AE and increased in non-severe AE. Full ZANBI models had greater sensitivity than parametric ZANBI or ZAPIG models. Results showed correlation between AEC and AE severity, suggesting AEC as a simple and reliable measure of drug-risk and side-effect severity for clinicians and regulators, especially for COVID-19 vaccines.

Abstract. The paper presents primary material on determining the presence of micro- and macroplastics in Markakol Lake, one of the high-mountainous and unique water bodies of Kazakhstan, conditionally undisturbed, but vulnerable to anthropogenic pollution. In the course of work, micro- and macroplastics were detected in all selected samples in the water area of the lake and its main tributaries, the Urunkhaika, Topolevka, Tikhushka, Matabai, Elovka rivers. When determining micro- and macroplastics, we were guided by the method of analysis in aquatic environment, NOAA research program, developed by American scientists Masura J. et al, which is used in many countries. Concentrations and sizes of MP found in the water of the main tributaries of the rivers Urunhaika in concentrations up to 211.4 µg/m3, Tikhushka – 97.9 µg/m3, Zhirelka – 67.8 µg/m3, Topolevka – 157.2 µg/m3, Matabai – 78.3 µg/m3. Concentrations of MP in the surface water layer of the lake detected during 15 minute trawling at distances from 438 m to 841 m occur in sieve mesh sizes of 1.0 mm – 316.7 µg/m3 and 0.315 mm – 520.8 µg/m3. The total concentration of detected micro- and macroplastics coming with tributaries was – 150 µg/m3, in the lake water area – 837.4 µg/m3. The sizes of plastic debris found both in river waters and along the lake water area ranged from mesoplastic debris (fishing line net fragments, foam balls, plastic bags, plastic bottles, wrappers, food labels and packaging, etc.) to microplastic particles detected using a microscope with 40X magnification in size ranges of 25 mm, 1.0 mm and 0.315 mm. Sources of MP depend on local human activities (fishing, transportation, waste disposal etc.).

Many of the potential immune therapeutic targets are similarly affected in adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s (AD) disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but also in a seemingly distinct Niemann-Pick type C disease with primarily juvenile-onset. This strongly argues for an overlap in pathogenic mechanisms. The commonly researched immune targets include various immune cell subsets such as microglia, peripheral macrophages, or regulatory T cells (Tregs), the complement system, and other soluble factors. In this review, we will compare these neurodegenerative diseases from a clinical point of view and point out the common pathways and mechanisms of protein aggregation, neurodegeneration and/or neuroinflammation that could potentially lead to shared treatment strategies. We also describe the common therapeutic approaches in treating the immune dysfunctions in these disorders, moving from immunization to microbiome regulation and stem cell treatment.

Indonesia is a mega biodiversity country that has a very abundant diversity of plants. Plant diversity is inseparable from the role of insects that help to pollinate them. One such insect is the stingless bee (Tetragonula laeviceps). Tetragonula laeviceps is a bee that has a relatively small-to-medium body size and does not have a sting. Sumedang Regency is one of the regencies in the province of West Java; most of the Sumedang area consists of mountains and has protected forest areas with high biodiversity. The purpose of this study is to determine the biodiversity index of the vegetation around the Tetragonula laeviceps wild hives based on the composition and structure of the vegetation around the Tetragonula laeviceps bee hives. Data collection is carried out using the method of inventory and systematic checkered lines, with a total plot of 320. The results of the study show that the vegetation is composed of 229 plant species from 75 families. The most dominant vegetation type with the highest value of KR, FR, DR, and INP in all plant categories is the Aren tree species (Arenga pinnata). The Shannon–Wiener diversity index in this tree category is 3,186, the pole category is 3,107, the sapling category is 3,418, the seedling category is 3,657, and the understory plants category is 3,409, with all of the plant categories included in the high-diversity category.

The watershed hydrologic conditions in the Madre de Dios (MDD) basin in the Peruvian Amazon have been irreversibly impacted by deforestation and changes in land use cover. These changes have also had detrimental effects on the geomorphology, water quality, and aquatic habitat within the basin. However, there is a scarcity of hydrological modeling studies in this area primarily due to the limited availability of hydrometeorological data. The primary objective of this study was to examine how deforestation impacts the hydrological conditions in the MDD basin. By implementing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, this study determined that replacing 12% of the evergreen broadleaf forest area with bare land resulted in an significant increase in surface runoff by 38% monthly, a reduction of evapotranspiration by 1% annually, and an average monthly streamflow increase of 12%. Changes in spatial patterns reveal that the primary impacted watershed is the Inambari River subbasin, a significant tributary of the Madre de Dios River. This area experiences an annual average surge of 187% in surface runoff generation while witnessing an annual average reduction of 8% in evapotranspiration.These findings have important implications, as they can contribute to instances of flooding and extreme inundation events, which have already occurred in the MDD region.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an increasingly recognized comorbidity in patients with can-cer. Indeed, cancer patients have a significantly higher incidence of AF than that ob-served in the general population. A reciprocal relationship between these two diseases has been observed, as much as some assume AF as a marker for occult cancer screen-ing, especially in older adults. The pathophysiological mechanisms are many and var-ied, including the underlying pro-inflammatory state, specific treatments (chemo and radiotherapy) and surgery. The therapeutic management of patients with cancer and AF involves the same rhythm and frequency control strategies as the general popula-tion; however, the numerous interactions with chemotherapeutics, which lead to a sig-nificant increase in side effects, as well as the extreme fragility of the patient should be considered. Anticoagulant therapy is also a complex challenge to address, as bleeding and stroke risk scores have not been fully assessed in this subpopulation. Furthermore, in large studies establishing the efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), cancer patients have been underrepresented. In this review, we elaborate on mechanisms linking AF to cancer patients with a particular focus on therapeutic challenges in this population.

The health of inmates living in a restricted environment are affected by oral health behaviours and is related to their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). We investigated oral health behaviours and oral symptoms among male inmates and analysed factors related to OHRQoL. Three hundred and seventy-six male inmates in two prisons were investigated using a self-reported questionnaire. The survey items included oral health behaviours, oral symptoms, self-esteem, and OHRQoL level. We analysed cross-correlations and factors related to OHRQoL. Toothbrushing after lunch and dinner was practiced by 83.5% of male inmates. ‘Food impaction’ was experienced by 45.4%. The OHRQoL level among male inmates was low, at 39.90 points. A hierarchical multiple regression model that controlled for general characteristics identified the following OHRQoL factors, in order of significance: trouble biting/chewing (β = -0.307), toothache (β = -0.154), temporomandibular joint disorder (β = -0.099), and periodontal health (β = 0.089). Self-esteem and OHRQoL were not significantly correlated. To ensure oral health in male inmates, the results of this study suggests that an oral health education programme, as well as provision of adequate dental care services, is required to increase appropriate oral health practice rates.

In the present work we consider two modified Chevallier-Polarski-Linder (CPL) models in the background of homogeneous and isotropic FLRW space-time, namely (i) the generalized CPL model (Model I) and (ii) the logarithmic form of the the equation of state for the dark energy. From the observational data sets ((Pantheon+)+BAO+HST), we find that at the present epoch (redshift $z=0$), the equation of state for the dark energy converges almost at the same value $\omega_{fld}\approx -0.86$ and the variation of $\omega_{fld}(z)$ with respect to the redshift parameter is very small for both models. we also find that the present value of the Hubble parameter $H_0$ is almost same for both the models. Finally, we compare the models in the light of Akaike, Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) and Bayesian Evidence. However, we find that Model II is better compared to the Model I from the estimated value of the deceleration parameter.

The rapid development of the photovoltaic (PV) industry will result in an increase in the amount of electrical and electronic waste from used PV panels. Only in Poland, the total capacity installed in photovoltaic sources in Poland in May 2020 exceeded 1,950 MW, and the installation weight was approximately 120,000. tone. The problem arises in the recycling or management of this waste. This work presents methods used to recycle waste into photovoltaic modules. The authors investigated the possibility of mechanical and chemical processing of crystalline silicon. A method of thermal treatment of the panel was also proposed. As a result of the research, it was found that the stage of separating materials (crystalline cream, EVO foil, aluminum frame) plays an important role in the recycling process, which is not easy. Chemical treatment allows the silicon to become plastic and the temperature melts the back layer of the panel.

In this paper, we present demographic, clinical, anamnestic, cognitive, and functional data, as well as haematological, haematochemical, immunological and genetic parameters of an exceptional individual: Antonino Turturici, a semi-supercentenarian who held the title of the oldest living Italian centenarian from December 28, 2020, to September 23, 2021. The purpose of this study is to offer fresh insights into extreme phenotypes, with a particular focus on immune-inflammatory parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first phenotypic investigation of a semi-supercentenarian, illustrating both indicators of age-related immune phenotype (ARIP) recognized as significant gauges of biological ageing and INFLA-score, a metric designed to assess the cumulative impact of inflammatory markers. The aim of this study was, indeed, to advance our understanding of the role of immune-inflammatory responses in achieving extreme longevity. The results bolster the idea that the immune system can play a role in promoting extreme longevity. However, this does not exclude the involvement of other body systems or organs in achieving extreme longevity.

The main objective of this paper is to develop a readiness index model that can serve as an analytical tool for exploring the achievements of electrification of transportation systems. We have applied this readiness index model to evaluate the readiness positioning of China, Norway, and Sweden to-wards transport electrification. We have chosen these three countries as they represent diversity among countries that are in the process of adopting electric transport system solutions. Our developed readiness index model has four key dimensions, technological readiness, political readiness, societal readiness, and economic readiness. The embeddedness of all four dimensions in one model provides a multi-perspective way of analyzing and evaluating the readiness levels of countries moving towards transforming the transportation system. Therefore, we named the model a “multidimensional readiness index.” Our main conclusions are that the political processes and political decisiveness involved are the most important factors followed by the societal needs and economic ability, with the current technology available as the fourth. Without the participation of dedicated and determined political decision-makers being involved, the other three factors are challenging to obtain. Political decision-makers need to facilitate the use of economic means to support the transformation in the society and affected industries to balance the initial economic disadvantages of the electrically powered systems until they pass the cost disadvantage turning point. The development of the relevant technology is no longer a great barrier as it was at the beginning of this transformation, about 20 years ago. The technology for electrically powered transportation systems and devices is widely available now, although it is continuously evolving and being improved. Associated industries cannot be expected to initiate, finance, take the risk, and take the lead in this global societal transformation without clear and strong political support.

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis with its five-year survival rate lower than that of any other cancer type because it is difficult to detect in the early stages. Gemcitabine, a standard treatment for pancreatic cancer, often has poor outcomes for patients as a result of chemoresistance. Therefore, novel therapeutic targets must be identified to overcome gemcitabine-resistance. Here, we found that SLC38A5, a glutamine transporter, is more highly overexpressed in gemcitabine-resistant patients than in gemcitabine-sensitive patients. Furthermore, the deletion of SLC38A5 decreased the proliferation and migration of gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cells. We also found that the inhibition of SLC38A5 triggered the ferroptosis signaling pathway via RNA sequencing. Also, silencing SLC38A5 induced mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced glutamine uptake and glutathione (GSH) levels, and downregulated the expressions of GSH-related genes NRF2 and GPX4. The blockade of glutamine uptake negatively modulated the mTOR-SREBP1-SCD1 signaling pathway. Therefore, suppression of SLC38A5 triggers ferroptosis via two pathways that regulate lipid ROS levels. Similarly, we observed knockdown of SLC38A5 restored gemcitabine sensitivity by hindering tumor growth and metastasis in the orthotopic mouse model. Altogether, our results demonstrated that SLC38A5 could be a novel therapeutic target to overcome gemcitabine-resistance in PDAC therapy.

(1) Background: A history of TB is a known risk factor for long-term respiratory impairment affecting lung functions in both restrictive and obstructive lung disease. (2) Methods: We analyzed data from the NHANES 1 Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS), a longitudinal study conducted on non-institutionalized adult US population, ages 25-74 years. Approximately 93 percent (n=13,383) of the cohort was successfully traced by the end of the survey period and was available for analysis. The final adjusted model included age groups, gender, family income, lifetime smoking, BMI, and frequency of alcohol consumption as potential confounders. (3) Results: Estimated hazards ratio of developing Emphysema during follow-up in individuals that had a past diagnosis of TB was 54% lower (95% CI = 0.35, 0.61) as compared to individuals with no past TB, after controlling for potential confounders and using proportional hazards regression appropriate to the complex sample design. The association, however, was not statistically significant (HR = 0.862, p-value = 0.38) when only self-reported history of TB was considered as the exposure. (4) Conclusion: Tuberculosis (self-reported or LTBI) was strongly (but inversely) associated with Emphysema incidence. The association was not statistically significant with only self-reported history of TB as exposure.

Background: The conformation of the recipient site for an inlay graft presents an increased contact with the parent bone compared to the onlay graft. This might favor bone growth within the inlay compared to the onlay grafts. Hence, the objective of this study was to compare bone incorporation and remodeling process of xenogeneic en bloc grafts, placed using two bone grafting techniques, i.e., onlay vs. inlay. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, split-mouth study (test and control sides in the same animal), two bone grafting techniques were comparatively evaluated on the lateral aspect of the rabbit mandibles. One side was prepared with perforations (onlay site), whereas the other side was prepared with trephines and drills to obtain a wide (7 mm) standardized recipient site (inlay site). A xenogeneic bone block was fixed in the center with a titanium screw in both sides of the mandible and covered with a collagen membrane. Two healing periods were applied in the study: 2 and 10 weeks of healing. Results: after 2 weeks of healing, the mean percentage of new bone was 10.4% and 23.3% at the onlay and inlay grafts, respectively (p=0.022). After 10 weeks of healing, new bone increased to 13.2% and 25.4%, respectively (p=0.080). In this period of healing, the inlay grafts presented new bone percentage &gt;20% in all regions examined while the onlay graft presented a lower percentage in the most external regions of the graft. Conclusion: The percentage of new bone increased faster and was higher in the inlay compared to the onlay grafts. The composition of the grafts allowed new bone to reach the most peripheral regions in both graft groups, even though it was higher in the inlay group. A marginal closure of the defects by newly formed bone was observed in the inlay group.

Contamination by microplastics (MP) in aquatic ecosystems is largely due to the release of millions of these particles from treated effluents from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). Due to the lack of policies and regulations that establish criteria for the control and elimination of MP from WWTP effluents, this research evaluated the presence of MP for particle sizes of 38 and 150 µm in influents and effluents from three WWTP in the port of Acapulco, Mexico. Using optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques, the MP detected were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). MP removal efficiencies of 82.5 to 98.7% (38 µm) and 86.8 to 97.5% (150µm) were obtained; the MP average daily emissions to the receiving bodies of these three WWTPs were in the ranges of 9.5 x 106 - 4.70 x 108 particles and the annual emissions in the range of 3.05 x 109 - 1.72 x 1011 particles. This work reveals the urgency of implementing regulatory policies to avoid the continuous emission of MP to aquatic ecosystems from WWTPs in Acapulco, Mexico.

This study investigates the critical success factors (CSFs) of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation and their impact on organizational growth in Nigerian enterprises. The objectives were to identify crucial CSFs for successful LSS deployment and assess their significance in achieving organizational growth. A mixed-method approach was used, including literature analysis, expert judgments, and a survey of 130 participants from various industries. The survey questionnaire employed a 5-point Likert scale to collect data on LSS CSFs and implementation success metrics. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0 analyzed the data, revealing that LSS CSFs significantly contribute (up to 39.2 percent) to the success of LSS implementations. The study identified 12 critical LSS CSFs, categorized into workers, business, and management, each influencing LSS implementation. Recommendations include creating a supportive environment, providing comprehensive training, and prioritizing continuous improvement efforts for successful LSS deployment. Future research possibilities include longitudinal studies, sector-specific analyses, and qualitative investigations to deepen understanding and enhance LSS implementation outcomes. In conclusion, successful LSS implementation empowers Nigerian organizations with improved productivity, waste reduction, and sustainable production systems, leading to overall growth and success.

Endothelial cells are the crucial inner lining of blood vessels, pivotal in vascular homeostasis and integrity. However, these cells are perpetually subjected to a myriad of mechanical, chemical, and biological stresses that can compromise their plasma membranes. A sophisticated repair system involving key molecules, such as calcium, annexins, dysferlin, and MG53, is essential for maintaining endothelial viability. These components orchestrate complex mechanisms, including exocytosis and endocytosis, to repair membrane disruptions. Dysfunctions in this repair machinery, often exacerbated by aging, are linked to endothelial cell death, subsequently contributing to the onset of atherosclerosis and the progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and stroke, major causes of mortality in the United States. Thus, identifying the core machinery for endothelial cell membrane repair is critically important for understanding the pathogenesis of CVD and stroke and developing novel therapeutic strategies for combating CVD and stroke. This review summarizes the recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of endothelial cell membrane repair. The future directions of this research area are also highlighted.

Abstract: Rice production is a significant contributor to methane emissions, accounting for approximately 11% of global anthropogenic emissions. However, there is potential for effectively reducing methane emissions from rice fields through the implementation of proper management practices and careful cultivar selection. The impact of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on methane (CH4) emissions is multifaceted, as these fertilizers not only en-hance crop growth but also influence the activity of methane-producing microbes (Meth-anogens) and methane-consuming microbes (Methanotrophs), leading to complex out-comes in CH4 emissions. In this study, we utilized qPCR to quantify methanogens and methanotrophs using mcrA (methanogenesis-related gene) and pmoA (methane oxida-tion-related gene) primer sets under different nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100%) and rice varie-ties. The results revealed that higher nitrogen inputs led to higher methanogen inhabita-tion in the rhizosphere. Additionally, the abundances of methanogens and metha-notrophs varied among different rice varieties. Furthermore, through the analysis of two-way ANOVA, it was observed that there may be an additive effect between rice variety and nitrogen level. Furthermore, enhancing agronomic traits related to yield can reduce methanogen inhabitation. These findings suggest that future breeding efforts should in-volve the screening of methane-related microbes in rice cultivars adapted to low nitrogen conditions. By identifying and selecting rice varieties that promote lower methanogen lev-els and higher methanotroph inhabitation, we can take significant steps towards mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation.

The Casimir–Lifshitz friction force and the heating rates of two metal plates with a narrow vacuum gap between them during nonrelativistic motion of one of them are calculated analytically and numerically within the framework of fluctuation electrodynamics. Changes in material properties are taken into account using the Bloch-Grüneisen and modified Bloch-Grüneisen (with finite residual resistance) resistivity models within the Drude approximation. It is shown that identical plates with the same initial temperature have the same heating rate, determined by the power of the friction force, and the possibility of measuring the friction force from the heating kinetics of nonmagnetic metal plates with temperatures of 1–10 K is substantiated.

Background: BNT162b2 represents the authorized mRNA vaccine against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV–2) causing Covid–19. Methods: We conducted a prospective, single–center observational study with 273 employees of a medical facility to determine the efficacy and safety of the BNT162b2 third dose in relation to sex and BMI, and explore the possible determinants of neutralizing IgG and 25–hydroxy (25–OH) vitamin D levels. Results: At the median follow–up of 4.7 months, 38 of the participants had Covid–19 following vaccination. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was significantly higher in females vs. males (p < 0.0108) and subjects with a high BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m2 vs. low BMI (p < 0.0117). The values of IgG were significantly enhanced in males vs. females (p < 0.0004), participants with high BMI vs. low BMI (p < 0.0003), a high number of ≥3 AEs vs. low number of AEs (p < 0.0003), and following infection with Covid–19 vs. without Covid–19 (p < 0.0005). Multivariate analysis (MVA) showed sex, BMI, number of AEs, and Covid-19 to be of predictive significance. On the contrary, 25–OH vitamin D concentrations in individuals with high vs. low BMI were significantly reduced (p < 0.0144) but this was not evident in MVA. Conclusions: This study confirmed the high efficacy of BNT162b2 in real–world scenario and revealed that its safety was affected by sex and BMI. Higher IgG levels suggesting better protection against infection were present in males, participants with high BMI, a high frequency of AEs, and those who overcame Covid-19 following vaccination.

Geoethics is a field of knowledge currently in full development. Researchers in geoethics are pri-marily concerned with the anthropogenic interaction with the Earth system. Due to its nature, ge-oethics holds particular importance in sustainable development due to its nature as it aims to promote ethical human behaviour that does not negatively impact the Earth system. In the present research, we implemented an intervention program addressing various issues related to the sus-tainability of the Earth system, such as the exploitation of geological resources, the management of geological risks, and the conservation and promotion of geopatrimony. The intervention program was applied to higher education students in the geosciences field. A sample of 90 students from various geosciences courses completed an initial questionnaire, revealing limited knowledge about geoethics. This study resorted to mixed-method research involving interviews with some students who volunteered (n=52). The results showed that after applying the intervention programme most students had developed a deeper understanding of the topics addressed and recognised the con-tributions this scientific area can make to sustainable development. Additional research in geoethics education is essential to foster the integration of geoethics into the curricula of higher education institutions.

Chigger mites were collected from 65 bird species in different regions of Thailand and Malaysia. In total, 21 species were recorded. The previously unknown fauna of chiggers parasitizing shorebirds of Thailand included one new species, Neacariscus (Whartonacarus) ... n. sp. as well as Neacariscus (Neacariscus) pluvius (Wharton, 1945) previously recorded only in Oceania; Neacariscus (Whartonacarus) shiraii (Sasa, Kano & Obata, 1952) (known from Oceania and Japan); and Neacariscus (Whartonacarus) sulae (Oudemans, 1910) and Schoengastia archaea (Taufflieb, 1960), both described from West Africa. Toritrombicula kirhocephales Goff, 1982 described from Papua New Guinea was for the first time recorded in Asia (Thailand). Neoschoengastia gallinarum (Hatori, 1920) and Helenicula comata (Womersley, 1952) were for the first time recorded in Thailand. Ascoschoengastia lorius (Gunther, 1939) was for the first time recorded in Malaysia. Finally, Ericotrombidium cosmetopode (Vercammen-Grandjean & Langston, 1971) described from free larvae, was for the first time recorded on a host (bird Pellorneum ruficeps Swainson); and Leptotrombidium miculum (Traub & Audy, 1954) was for the first time recorded on a bird host. New host species were recorded for the large part of the collected chigger species.

According to the development needs of marine seismic station networking, it is necessary to develop a marine seismometer with a networking function to realize quasi-real-time and large-scale long-term observation of undersea seismic signals. This can lay a solid foundation for marine seismic research and research on earth tectonics, activities, and processes. Based on the advantages and disadvantages of the existing observation equipment, this study proposed to develop a new type of the Autonomous Glide Marine Seismometer(AGMS) that can be applied to the global sea area, focusing on the design and study of the main structure of the carrier of the AGMS. The ultimate strength of the ellipsoidal pressure-resistant spherical shell is investigated by using the finite element analysis method. A reasonable finite element analysis model is proposed through comparing the finite element parameter results with the theoretical formulas and relevant specifications. Finally, the design process and strength checking of the pressure-resistant shell of the AGMS are established. These relevant results can also provide a reference for the design of other deep-sea pressure-resistant chambers.

The calibration of three-dimensional (3D) coordinates in augmented reality (AR) systems is a complex activity. It involves the recognition of environmental characteristics and technology that models the 3D space of the device, determining its position and orientation. In the industrial environment, it is common for AR applications to cover large spaces, making it difficult to maintain attributes such as precision and accuracy. The set of sensors and mapping algorithms available in HoloLens stimulate the development of virtual reality (VR) applications, in particular localization techniques. This study proposes calibration models of the 3D coordinates of the HoloLens for indoor industrial environments. The performance of tests in a relevant environment provides data necessary to evaluate the performance of the proposed models in terms of precision and accuracy in determining point coordinates in the study environment. The results show improvements in determining the axes that define the 3D space, with a direct influence on the position of the points observed in the experiment

Flood is one of the most common disaster in Assam.The situation gets worse when pandemic hits the place during the flood time. The paper indicates about women’s flood related lived experiences during pandemic. It is thought that floods will increase the global burden of disease, morbidity, mortality, social and economic disruptions, and will place a continuing stress on health services, especially in low-resource countries. Natural disaster hampers both the men and women. Pandemic means the disease whose prevalence has been all over the world. Covid 19 has been the recently developed pandemic that touches each and every corner of the world. But within such obstruction, both the male and female’s lived experiences of health might be different from each other. This paper articulates the gendering lived experiences of pandemic during the time of flood. However here an attempt has been made to understand women’s negotiation with their everyday life during such time and whether different social, political and cultural capital have been significant factors as far as the negotiation is concerned that has also been discussed through this study. However, on the descriptive note, narrative analysis has been done to understand the women’s negotiation in their everyday life.The study is conducted at different places of Nalbari and Golaghat Districts of Assam. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English and qualitative analysis was done . How disaster made adverse impact on women's everyday life that has been tried to understand through this paper. Keywords- Flood. Pandemic, Lived Experiences, Women, Everyday.

Pharmaceutical poisoning is a significant global public health concern, causing approximately 190,000 deaths yearly. This scoping review aims to comprehensively map the available literature on pharmaceutical poisoning and compare patterns between high-income countries (HICs) and low-middle-income countries (LMICs). A systematic search was performed across the following databases: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL. Studies included were from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2020, in English, with full text available. Seventy-nine articles were included in the study; 21 were from LMICs and 58 were from HICs. The toxic exposure was largely intentional (77%) in LMICs and accidental (68%) in HICs. Drugs acting on the nervous system were responsible for 95% of toxicities worldwide with analgesics accounting for the largest subtherapeutic group in both LMICs (40%) and HICs (58%). Notable statistics were that HICs accounted for 99% of opioid overdoses, and LMICs accounted for 19% of anti-epileptic-induced toxicities. Overall, the medical outcomes of poisonings were generally worse in LMICs. The review provides possible interventions to target specific geographic locations, based on the trends identified, to reduce the burden worldwide. Many gaps within the literature were recognised, calling for more robust analytical research.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of body weight gain during the cashmere non-growing period on cashmere production performance and secondary hair follicle activity, to provide a theoretical basis for appropriate supplementary feeding of cashmere goats. Fifty Inner Mongolian cashmere goats aged 2-4 years old were randomly selected and weighed in May and September 2019, respectively. Based on body weight gain between the two weights, the experi-mental ewe goats were divided into two groups: 0-5.0 kg group (n = 30) and 5.0-10.0 kg group (n = 20). Skin samples and cashmere samples were collected. Results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that body weight gain during the cashmere non-growing period had a moderate and strong positive correlation with cashmere yield (P = 0.021) and cashmere staple length (P = 0.002) respectively, but did not correlate with cashmere diameter (P = 0.254). Compared with cashmere goats with a body weight gain of 0-5.0 kg, cashmere goats with a body weight gain of 5.0-10.0 kg had a 17.10% increment in cashmere yield (P = 0.037), 8.09% increase in cashmere staple length (P=0.045) and had no significant difference in cashmere diameter (P = 0.324). Results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a strong positive correlation between body weight gain and the population of active secondary hair follicles in the skin of cashmere goats (P < 0.01). Compared with cashmere goats with a body weight gain of 0-5.0 kg, cashmere goats with a body weight gain of 5.0-10.0 kg had an increase in the population of active secondary hair follicles (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the body weight gain during the cashmere non-growing period had a sig-nificant effect on secondary hair follicle activity and cashmere production performance in cash-mere goats. Since body weight gain reflects nutritional level to a certain extent, this study suggests that nutritional manipulations such as supplementary feeding during cashmere non-growing periods can increase cashmere production performance. However, specific nutritional manipula-tions during the cashmere non-growing period need further research to increase cashmere pro-duction performance.

A model to rationalize the effects of test temperature and microstructural variables on the creep crack growth (CCG) and creep-fatigue crack growth (CFCG) rates in ferritic steels is described. The model predicts that as the average spacing between grain boundary particles that initiate creep cavities decrease, the CCG and CFCG rates increase. Further, CCG data at several temperatures collapse into a single trend when a temperature compensated CCG rate derived from the model is used. CCG and CFCG behavior measured at different temperatures is used to assess the effects of variables such as differences between basemetal (BM), weldmetal (WM) and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) regions. The model is demonstrated for Grade 22 and Grade 91 steels using data from literature. It is shown that differences between the CCG behavior of Grade 22 steel in new and ex-service conditions are negligible in the BM and WM regions but not in the HAZ region. The CCG behavior of Grade 91 steels can be separated into creep-ductile and creep-brittle regions. The creep-brittle tendency is linked to the presence of excess trace element concentrations in the material chemistry. Significant differences found in the CCG rates between BM and the WM and HAZ regions of Grade 91 steel were explained.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common metabolic disease characterised by insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose levels, affecting millions of people worldwide. T2DM patients with dyslipidaemia have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A complex interplay of risk factors such as hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, obesity, inflammation and oxidative stress favour the development of atherosclerosis, a central mechanism in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidaemia, a hallmark of T2DM, is characterised by elevated triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the presence of small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, all of which promote atherosclerosis. In this article, we have attempted to present various treatment strategies that include pharmacological interventions such as statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, fibrates and omega-3 fatty acids. We have also tried to highlight the pivotal role of lifestyle modifications, including physical activity and dietary changes, in improving lipid profiles and overall cardiovascular health in T2DM patients. We have also tried to present the latest clinical guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemia in T2DM patients. In conclusion, the treatment of dyslipidaemia in T2DM patients is of great importance as it lowers lipid particle levels, slows the progression of atherosclerosis and ultimately reduces susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.

The growing population with changing consumption patterns in developing countries is causing significant challenges with regards to solid waste management. Plastic wastes are particularly problematic, with single-use plastics leaking into the environment, including the marine environment, at an unprecedented rate. Approximately 80 percent of ocean plastics come from land-based sources or about 8 million tons are dumped into the ocean every year. Thailand was identified as one of the top 10 countries ranked by mass of mismanaged plastic wastes, with more than 60,000 tons per year entering the ocean through multiple outlets, including rivers. In the environment, plastic wastes can be degraded into small sizes (less than 5 mm), called microplastics (MPs), which could contaminate the ecosystems and the food chain, including foodstuffs and water supply. Tap water samples collected from a water supply treatment plant and Academic Institutions 1 and 2 in central Thailand were found to contain MPs about 304 ±90, 270 ±109 and 386 ±102 particles/L, respectively. In addition, MPs concentrations of 211 ±70 and 122 ±60 particles/L were also found in drinking water samples collected from commercial bottled water and membrane filtration water, respectively. The MPs sizes of 0-50 µm were most abundant in both the tap and drinking water samples whose shapes were mainly fragments and fiber. These data indicated potential health risks to the people who consume these water sources, and recommendations for health impacts minimization were proposed.

In many industrial, automotive, and aerospace applications, electro-mechanical systems are subjected to random vibration excitations, and the most critical components are required to undergo qualification tests to verify their suitability. Measured field data are commonly considered as reference for the synthesis of random stationary signals used as shaker input excitations in laboratory tests. For the most popular procedures of random-control testing, the user sets the input profiles in terms of power spectral density (PSD) associated with randomized phases generated by the shaker controller to finally provide the physical motion. As a result, the overall probability distribution of the test signal tends toward Gaussian, whereas many real-life random excitations prove non-Gaussian due to distinctive bursts and peaks. The quantitative estimate of the number and amplitudes of peaks present in a certain signal is usually made through the statistical parameter known as kurtosis. The so-called kurtosis control methods presented in the literature are conceived to perform qualification tests with random and non-Gaussian vibration excitations. In this paper, two novel algorithms able to synthesize shaker input signals for random-control testing with prescribed PSD and kurtosis value are proposed, and the results of their application are comparatively discussed to assess their effectiveness and potentialities in different kinds of qualification testing, including accelerated fatigue-life tests.

Three new cembranoids (1–3) and a new casbanoid (4), along with three known analogues (5–7), have been isolated from the soft coral Sinularia nanolobata collected off Ximao Island. The structures including the absolute configurations of new compounds were established by extensive spectro-scopic data analysis, time-dependent density functional theory/electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations and the comparison with spectroscopic data of known compounds. In in vitro bioassay, compounds 1 and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells line with IC50 values of 37.1 and 42.4 uM, respectively.

Purpose: To explore parents’ perceptions of the educational intervention programme regarding their children’s postoperative pain management. Design and Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Thirty-two parents whose children underwent inpatient elective surgery were recruited from the two intervention groups (received an educational booklet and a video, with or without an hour of face-to-face teaching session) for this qualitative evaluation of the intervention. Participants were asked to comment on the content and delivery methods of the intervention via individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes from the data. Results: Three themes were generated from 32 participants’ interview data: current pain management practices, experiences and benefits of the educational intervention, and suggestions to improve pain management. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the educational intervention in children’s postoperative pain management was helpful for parents and their children. However, it is necessary to improve educational materials and equip healthcare professionals with non-pharmacological pain relief methods. Practice Implications: Our findings reveal the current challenges in extensively adopting non-pharmacological pain relief methods. Healthcare professionals can do more to routinely integrate pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management strategies in relieving pain effectively. Future research could develop technology-based programmes to increase ease of access. Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN24910957.

Recurrent infections after root canal treatments often involve Enterococcus faecalis, a microorganism closely associated with therapy failures due to its biofilm production, survival in nutrient-deprived conditions, and antibiotic tolerance. Essential oils (EOs), which display anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties, exhibit inhibitory effects on the growth of many microorganisms including E. faecalis. This study assessed the in vitro efficacy of combining antibiotics (Gentamicin 1.5mg/ml, Streptomycin 2.5 mg/ml, Ampicillin 5 mg/ml, and Kanamycin 2.5 mg/ml) with Cinnamon (1.25% to 5%) or Clove (25% to 50%) EOs using disk diffusion tests. Disks were treated with EOs-only, antibiotics-only, or EO-antibiotic combinations, placed on BEA agar plates, incubated for 24 hours, and zones of inhibition were measured against E. faecalis. Results showed robust growth inhibition by cinnamon and clove EOs across all tested concentrations. Furthermore, there were synergistic antimicrobial effects when gentamicin, streptomycin and kanamycin were combined with 2.5% and 50% concentrations of cinnamon and clove EOs, respectively, leading to significant growth inhibition of E. faecalis by 139% to 193% compared to using antibiotics or EOs alone. Clove EO showed positive synergism with three antibiotics (gentamicin, streptomycin, and kanamycin) whereas cinnamon EO showed synergism with two antibiotics (streptomycin and kanamycin). These findings suggest that combining cinnamon and clove EOs with aminoglycoside antibiotics can significantly reduce the expansion of E. faecalis compared to antibiotics alone. Further in vivo studies should determine the safety, efficacy, and treatment duration, with the potential to reduce antibiotic dosages and associated toxicity while preventing recurrent infections.

This paper utilizes a life cycle assessment to evaluate the energy resources and environmental impacts of three heating systems. In the first step, life cycle assessments (LCAs) are prepared for the renewable, conventional, and combined systems. The system boundary of the LCA method is "cradle to gate," which means it includes the entire life cycle of a product or process. This includes energy supply, transport, energy generation, and operational energy use. The system scenarios were compared based on ecological and energy loads in the second step. Primary energy, resources, emissions, and environmental potentials are calculated for the system scenarios using the life cycle assessment methods CML 2016 and ReCiPe 2016. Finally, models for environmental reliability and complex decision-support tools have been developed. This work addresses two main questions: how to characterize the environmental and energy impacts of the systems under study, and what is the optimal scenario for the system? The research results show that the gas boiler system has a greater environmental impact. The most significant differences between the systems relate to the degrada-tion of abiotic fossil fuels when using a gas boiler and the process of acidification when using an electric heat pump. The results can be used to develop sustainable heating systems with reduced environmental impacts and enhanced energy efficiency.

Background: Vaccination is one of the most effective life-saving medical interventions, and the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines was intended to prevent the serious implications of COVID-19. The objectives of the study were: i) to observe the humoral immune response to BNT162b2 vaccine and SARS-CoV-2 infection (mainly breakthrough infections), ii) to demonstrate the persistence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies over time in relation to the number of received vaccine doses and the course of infection, and iii) to determine adverse effects after primary vaccine doses. Methods: To assess the humoral response, IgG and IgA anti-S1 antibodies were quantified by ELISA assays. In total, the tests were carried out seven times in almost two years. Results: We demonstrated strong immunogenicity (compared to levels before primary vaccination, 150- and 20-fold increases in IgG and IgA, respectively) of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Over time, we observed a systematic decline in antibody levels, which may have contributed to breakthrough infections. Although they caused seroconversion similar to the booster, antibody levels in such patients fell more rapidly than after re-vaccination. On the other hand, in individuals who did not receive booster(s) and who did not present breakthrough infection, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies returned to pre-vaccination levels after 20 months. The most commonly recognized adverse effects were injection site redness and swelling. Conclusion: Vaccination is highly effective in preventing the most severe outcomes of COVID-19 and should be performed regardless of prior infection. Booster doses significantly enhance anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and, in contrast to those obtained by breakthrough infection, they remain longer.

A single paragraph of about 200 words maximum. For research articles, abstracts should give a pertinent overview of the work. We strongly encourage authors to use the following style of structured abstracts, but without headings: (1) Background: Place the question addressed in a broad context and highlight the purpose of the study; (2) Methods: briefly describe the main methods or treatments applied; (3) Results: summarize the article’s main findings; (4) Conclusions: indicate the main conclusions or interpretations. The abstract should be an objective representation of the article and it must not contain results that are not presented and substantiated in the main text and should not exaggerate the main conclusions.

The assessment and prediction of drought risk under future climate change and land use land cover (LULC) scenarios is critically important for drought prevention and mitigation, as it enables a clearer understanding of potential shifts in drought patterns. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate sub-seasonal and seasonal meteorological and hydrological drought hazards across the Yellow River Basin (YRB) under projected future climate conditions and LULC patterns. The BCC-CSM1-1 climate model projections from the NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX-GDDP) dataset are utilized to represent future climate for 2025-2060 under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The CA-Markov model is employed to predict future LULC distributions. Meteorological and hydrological drought risks across different YRB zones are evaluated through a copula-based risk assessment approach, based on the joint probability distribution of drought duration and severity. The results indicate that sub-seasonal meteorological and hydrological droughts will likely be the primary concern moving forward. Specifically, the upper YRB (zones A, B, C) exhibits greater vulnerability to sub-seasonal meteorological drought, while the Loess Plateau (zones C, E) shows higher susceptibility to sub-seasonal hydrological drought. Moreover, zone F in the downstream region may experience increased seasonal hydrological drought risk due to projected urban expansion in the middle and lower portions of the YRB.

In this paper, we aim to address the challenge of airflow interference during fault detection in high-speed train bogies by introducing a flow field and investigating the characteristics of the sound field distribution of critical components under its influence. This approach overcomes the limitation observed in previous studies that ignored the impact of the flow field. Furthermore, we evaluate and compare various layouts for inter-track acoustic sensor arrays. The proposed sensing methods hold significant practical engineering value, and the collected data serves as a valuable reference for acquiring acoustic signals from key bogie components in future research.

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and develop a protective matrix. The colonization of devices in the food and health care industries by microbial biofilms poses numerous risks. Existing antimicrobial agents often fail to penetrate the biofilm matrix, allowing the pathogen to grow and persist. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of MADIO PRO+ multipurpose disinfectant on Salmonella Typhimurium biofilm using crystal violet assay and FTIR spectroscopy. Results demonstrated that MADIO PRO+ multipurpose disinfectant significantly (p<0.05) inhibited biomass of S. Typhimurium biofilm and altered the structure of S. Typhimurium biofilm. In conclusion, MADIO PRO+ multipurpose disinfectant offers an advantage in biofilm control strategy. This discovery could help the food and health care industries to plan better microbial intervention strategies.

The present study evaluates the response to betahistine in patients who presented vestibular drops attacks in the context of Ménière's disease (MD) and the factors that can predict an unfavorable response to it. A total of 43 patients were analyzed, out of which 33 were diagnosed with MD. It is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection. Data as regards age, accompanying symptoms, etiological diagnosis and response to MD treatment were collected. A statistical analysis was carried out, and we found that the disease evolution time and specific alterations in the vestibulospinal and oculomotor physical examination present an unfavorable response to betahistine, as opposed to the use of intratympanic gentamicin, with which symptomatic control is achieved in 100% of the cases.

The condensing heat exchanger is commonly applied in various heat exchange systems. It can efficiently recover moisture and heat from the flue gas that contains water vapor. However, the convective-condensation heat transfer process is so complicated that no mature thermal calculation model is available. This study develops a thermal calculation model for the widely employed tubular condensing heat exchanger in industry. To characterize the degree of the heat and mass transfer, this study introduces two parameters, namely the sensible and latent heat transfer efficiencies of fin. The thermal calculations are conducted for the condensing heat exchangers reported in the literature to verify the proposed model by comparing it with the experimental data. The results show that the absolute error of the calculated sensible and latent heat transfer efficiencies is 0.0365 and 0.0268, respectively. Under the working conditions in this study, a maximum difference of 5.2 K has been acquired between the measured and calculated values of the outlet temperature. The relative error of the condensate water flowrate is mostly within ±5.0% and ±10.0% under the bare-tube and finned-tube conditions, respectively, with a maximum deviation of 0.7 and 1.4 kg h-1. This study provides a general model for designing and optimizing various tubular condensing heat exchangers accurately.

The study investigated the effect of a multi-strain probiotic compound containing Bacillus coagulans, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus mesentericus as in-feed zinc oxide (ZnO) alterna-tive on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, antioxidant status, lipid profile, stress and immunity in weaned piglets. A total of 72 piglets were randomly divided into 3 groups with four replicates of six piglets each. The details of the groups were as follows; (i) weaned control group (WC) received basal diet, (ii) weaned probiotic group (WB) received basal diet and probiotics and (iii) positive control (PC) group received basal diet with 2500 mg/kg ZnO. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Probiotic supple-mentation improved growth performance and reduced diarrhea rate. Probiotics supplementation im-proved lipid profile; significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in WB group as compared to those of the control group (WC) were recorded. Probiotic supplementation stimulated antioxidant defense system by in-creasing total antioxidant capacity and decreasing lipid peroxidation. Probiotic supplementation down-regulated the stress biomarkers like serum cortisol and serum heat shock proteins. WB group showed higher serum levels of IgG and IgM throughout the study period and higher IgA at day 28 as compared to WC. These data suggest that supplementation of the probiotic minimizes the weaning stress, thereby improves the growth performance, lipid profile, antioxidant status and systemic as well as mucosal immunity. Therefore, the multi-strain probiotic compound may be used to replace ZnO in weaned piglets.

Ballasted railway tracks can be modelled using reduced/simplified models composed of several layers of discrete components. This paper deals with the two-layer model, which is very popular due to its computational efficiency. In order to provide some recommendations for track design, it is necessary to identify which set of parameters leads to some irregular/unexpected behavior. Such irregularity is investigated at three levels, such as: (i) critical velocity of moving constant force; (ii) instability of a single moving mass; (iii) instability of two moving masses. All results are presented in dimensionless form to cover a wide range of real parameters. Irregular cases are identified by sets of parameters leading to them and then general conclusions are drawn. Regarding the method, all results are obtained analytically or semianalytically, where “semi” refers to solving the roots of a given polynomial by predefined numerical procedures in symbolic software. No numerical integration is involved in all results presented. This means that the results are highly accurate and refer to exact values, so any kind of parametric or sensitivity analyses is readily possible.

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have gained prominence in addressing regression problems, offering versatile architectural designs that cater to various applications. In the field of earthquake engineering, seismic response prediction is a critical area of study. Simplified models such as single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) and multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems have traditionally provided valuable insights into structural behavior, known for their computational efficiency facilitating faster simulations. However, these models have notable limitations in capturing the nuanced nonlinear behavior of structures and the spatial variability of ground motions. This study focuses on leveraging ambient vibration (AV) measurements of buildings, combined with earthquake (EQ) time-history data, to create a predictive model using a neural network (NN) in image format. The primary objective is to predict a specific building's earthquake response accurately. The training dataset consists of 1,197 MDOF 2D shear models, generating a total of 32,319 training samples. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model, termed MLPER (Machine Learning based Prediction of building structures' Earthquake Response), several metrics are employed. These include mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and mean deviation angle (MDA) for comparisons in the time domain. Additionally, we assess magnitude-squared coherence values and phase differences (Δφ) for comparisons in the frequency domain. This study underscores the potential of MLPER as a reliable tool for predicting building earthquake response, addressing the limitations of simplified models. By integrating AV measurements and EQ time-history data into a neural network framework, MLPER offers a promising avenue for enhancing our understanding of structural behavior during seismic events, ultimately contributing to improved earthquake resilience in building design and engineering.

In this study, we considered the structural stability, electronic properties, and phonon dispersion of the cubic (c-ZrO₂), tetragonal (t-ZrO₂), and monoclinic (m-ZrO₂) phases of ZrO₂. We found that the monoclinic phase of zirconium dioxide is the most stable among the three phases in terms of total energy, lowest enthalpy, highest entropy, and other thermodynamic properties. The smallest negative modes were found for m-ZrO₂. Our analysis of the electronic properties showed that during the m–t phase transformation of ZrO₂, the Fermi level first shifts by 0.125 eV toward higher energies and then decreases by 0.08 eV in the t–c cross-section. The band gaps for c-ZrO₂, t-ZrO₂, and m-ZrO₂ are 5.140 eV, 5.898 eV, and 5.288 eV, respectively. Calculations based on the analysis of the influence of doping 3.23, 6.67, 10.35, and 16.15 mol. %Y₂O₃ onto the m-ZrO₂ structure showed that the enthalpy of m-YSZ decreases linearly, which accompanies further stabilization of monoclinic ZrO₂ and an increase in its defectiveness. In this case, the position of the Fermi level changes abruptly, and the energy gap decreases. It has been established that, not only for pure systems but including those doped with Y₂O₃, the main contribution to the formation of the conduction band is made by the p-states of electrons. The t-ZrO₂ (101) and t-YSZ (101) surface models were selected as optimal surfaces for water adsorption based on a comparison of their surface energies. An analysis of the mechanism of water adsorption on the surface of t-ZrO₂ (101) and t-YSZ (101) showed that H₂O on unstabilized t-ZrO₂ (101) is adsorbed dissociatively with an energy of -1.22 eV, as well as by the method of molecular chemisorption with an energy of - 0.69 eV and the formation of a hydrogen bond with a bond length of 1.01 Å. In the case of t-YSZ (101), water is molecularly adsorbed onto the surface with an energy of -1.84 eV. Dissociative adsorption of water occurs at an energy of -1.23 eV, near the yttrium atom. The obtained results complement the database of research works carried out in the field of the application of biocompatible zirconium dioxide crystals and ceramics in green energy generation and can be used in designing humidity-to-electricity converters and creating solid oxide fuel cells based on ZrO₂.

The combination of wet-lab experimental data on multi-site combinatorial mutations and machine learning is an innovative method in protein engineering. In this study, we present an improved innovative sequence–activity relationship (innov'SAR) methodology based on novel descriptors and digital signal processing (DSP) to construct a predictive model. In this improved approach, 21 experimental (R)-selective amine transaminases from Aspergillus terreus (AT-ATA) were used as an input to predict higher thermostability than that predicted using the existing data. We successfully improved the determination coefficient (R2) of the model from 0.66 to 0.92. In addition, root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) were estimated and conformation analysis based on molecular dynamics simulations was performed to verify the enhanced thermal stability of the screened mutants. The improved innov'SAR algorithm enhanced the predictive accuracy, suggesting a method for modifying the stability of AT-ATA, which may help in directed evolutionary screening and open up new avenues for protein engineering.

There were designed and synthesized two new sulfone 2-aminobenzimidazole derivatives. Coordination compounds were obtained with nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II) and these novel ligands. There were fully characterized by spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis was performed on order to study the relevant intra and inter non-covalent interactions, mainly H...π, lone pair·...π, π...π, highlighting the difference between the ethyl and phenyl groups in such interactions. Dimeric and trimeric supramolecular syntons were found for some of these compounds. Their biological activity was investigated, being the copper(II) compounds with the sulfone phenyl derivative the most active.

Background: Novel technologies like continuous glucose monitor (CGM) systems are improving diabetes management by means of real-time sensor glucose levels, retrospective course of glucose and trend arrows. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) offers real-time alerts for (prognostic) hypo- and hyperglycemia, fast dropping or increasing glucose, and hence improving glycaemia under unstable conditions like during meals, physical activity and exercise management. Complex CGM systems challenge people with diabetes and health care professionals in interpreting rapid changes, sensor delay (~10-minute difference between interstitial and plasma glucose), and malfunctions. Enhanced prediction models are necessary for optimal insulin dosing, daily activities, and especially for future fully closed-loop systems. Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of three different predictive models for glucose responses: 1) an autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA), 2) logistic regression, 3)and long short-term memory networks (LSTM), in predicting glucose levels after 15 minutes and one hour. We compared and evaluated the performance of these models in predicting hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL), euglycemia (70-180 mg/dL), and hyperglycemia (>180 mg/dL). In more detail, by assessing metrics such as precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy, we specifically assessed which model provided the most accurate and reliable predictions for glucose levels Results: As expected, ARIMA showed the worst accuracy especially predicting hypoglycaemia withing 1-hour (7.3%). The accuracy of the logistic regression model, predicting hypoglycemia during the first 15 min was higher (98%), comparing to LSTM (88%). However, the LSTM model (87%) exceeded the accuracy of hypoglycemia prediction of the logistic regression (83%) during an hour prognosis. The same pattern observed in hyperglycemia - ARIMA model (60%, 1 hour), logistic regression (96%, 15 minutes) and LSTM (85%, 1 hour) Conclusions: These findings suggest that different models may have varying strengths and weaknesses in predicting glucose levels, and the choice of model should be carefully considered based on the specific requirements and context of the clinical application. The logistic regression model was more accurate for the next 15 minutes, especially predicting hypoglycemia. However, the LSTM model exceeded logistic regression for the next one hour prediction. Future research could explore hybrid models or ensemble approaches that combine the strengths of multiple models to further improve the accuracy and reliability of glucose predictions.

The kynurenine pathway (KP) and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) are known to be deregulated in depression and obesity; however, it has been recognized that acute physical exercise has an important modulating role inducing changes in the mobilization of their respective metabolites -endocannabinoids (eCB) and kynurenines (KYN)- which overlap at some points, acting as im-portant antidepressant, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant biomarkers. There-fore, the aim of this review is to analyze and discuss some studies performed recently to investigate the potential interactions between both systems, particularly, those related with exercise-derived endocannabinoidome and kynurenine mechanisms and to elucidate how, the prescription of physical exercise could represent a new approach for the clinical manage of these two conditions.

Ovulatory infertility is a serious clinical problem whose direct causes are still largely unknown. In addition to pathologies that make it impossible for a couple to establish a pregnancy, there are a number of other factors that have a bearing on fertility, including lifestyle factors, particularly diet. Although numerous studies have been performed linking such factors with ovulatory infertility, most of them lack the necessary clinical significance, focusing instead on observational data and establishing associative relationships. This paper includes a literature review focusing on connections between lifestyle factors such as diet, physical exercise, oxidative stress, sleep, and supplementation, and ovulatory infertility. Special emphasis was given to issues such as obesity and insulin resistance and their mutual relationship with other factors linked to ovulatory infertility. In addition, making use of the conclusions of literature review, the authors propose a classification of relationships between ovulation disorders and lifestyle factors in ovulatory infertility based on the WHO classification of ovulation disorders, and indicate areas that merit further research. The data presented in the paper shows that the issues of proper diet and physical exercise are those that would merit from robust clinical studies focused specifically on ovulation infertility, while studies concerning the relationship between oxidative stress, sleep, and supplementation and ovulatory infertility do not seem to be promising directions as far as clinical significance is concerned.

The development of the additive manufacturing (AM) technology proffers challenging requirements for forming accuracy and efficiency. In this paper, a hybrid additive manufacturing technology combining fusion-based selective laser melting (SLM) and solid-state cold spraying (CS) was proposed in order to enable the fast production of near-net-shape metal parts. The idea is to fabricate a bulk deposit with a rough contour first via “fast” CS process and then add fine structures and complex features through “slow” SLM. The experimental results show that it is feasible to deposit SLM part onto CS part with good interfacial bonding. However, the CS parts must be subject to heat treatment to improve their cohesion strength before being sending for SLM processing. Otherwise, the high tensile residual stress generated during SLM process will cause fracture and cracks in the CS part. After heat treatment, pure copper deposited by CS undergoes grain growth and recrystallization, resulting in improved cohesive strength and release of the residual stress in the CS parts is released. The tensile test on the SLM/CS interfacial region indicates that the bonding strength increased by 38% from 45±7 MPa to 62±1 MPa after the CS part is subject to heat treatment, and the SLM/CS interfacial bonding strength is higher than the CS parts. This study demonstrates that the proposed hybrid AM process is feasible and promising for manufacturing free-standing SLM-CS components.

Purpose of review: Medication overuse headache (MOH) is an important problem worlwide areas of different controversy regarding its entity. This article reviews the risk factors, comorbidities, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, effective management and prognosis of MOH, by summaries and integrates the results and finding in previously performed more than 15000 studies (from the year of 2010 to 2023) available from the scientific database of the University Medical Library in the University Clinical centre of Niš, which aimed to investigate and define a complexcity of this type of headache. Recent finding: It has been proposed that all acute migraine medications can lead to MOH, with differences in the propensity of different agents to cause the problem. Early data suggests that triptans and other pain killers used for the acute treatment of migraine, may be an exception. Recent studies show that practicioners and the general public are still largely unaware of the problem of medication overuse and its damaging effects. Summary: Although it is likely that MOH does occur and restricting the amount of acute medications is necessary to prevent it. It is also possible that increasing amounts of acute medications are simply a reflection of poorly controlled headaches, rather than a couse. Further researches need to be developed to identify more precisious mechanism in MOH effecitive management and its evolution. Key word: medication overuse headache (MOH)

Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by urinary urgency and increased urinary frequency, and can impact quality of life significantly. Tamsulosin and mirabegron combination therapy has been studied as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with OAB. This study evaluated the effects of combining these two drugs on their pharmacokinetics and safety profiles in healthy Korean males. In this open-label, fixed-sequence, 3-period, drug-drug interaction phase 1 study, a total of 36 male participants were administered multiple doses of tamsulosin alone (0.2 mg once daily), mirabegron alone (50 mg once daily), and a combination of both drugs. The results showed that the combination of tamsulosin and mirabegron increased tamsulosin exposure in the plasma by approximately 40%. In contrast, the maximum plasma concentration of mirabegron reduced by approximately 17%, when administered along with tamsulosin. No clinically significant changes in safety profiles, vital signs, or clinical laboratory test results were observed in this study. In conclusion, there were no clinically relevant drug-drug interactions between tamsulosin and mirabegron in terms of pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability, suggesting that their combination therapy could be a promising treatment option for patients with OAB.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative disease worldwide. A large body of work implicates insulin resistance in the development and progression of AD such that AD may be a form of brain insulin resistance. Moreover, impairment in mitochondrial function, a common symptom of insulin resistance, now represents a fundamental aspect of AD pathobiology. Ceramides are a class of bioactive sphingolipids that have been hypothesized to drive insulin resistance. Here we describe preliminary work that tests the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia pathologically alters cerebral mitochondrial function in AD mice via accrual of the ceramides. Homozygous male and female ApoE4 mice were given chronic injections of PBS (control), insulin, myriocin (an inhibitor of ceramide biosynthesis), or insulin and myriocin over four weeks. Cerebral ceramide content was assessed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates were measured with high-resolution respirometry, and H2O2 emissions were quantified via biochemical assays on brain tissue from the cerebral cortex. Significant increases in brain ceramides and impairments in brain oxygen consumption were observed in the insulin-treated group. These hyperinsulinemia-induced impairments in mitochondrial function were reversed with the administration of myriocin. Altogether, these data demonstrate a causative role for insulin in promoting brain ceramide accrual and subsequent mitochondrial impairments that may be involved in AD expression and progression.

Our previous study found that intravesical perfusion metformin has excellent inhibitory effects against bladder cancer (BC). However, this administration route allows the drug to be diluted and excreted in urine. Therefore, increasing the adhesion of metformin to the bladder mucosal layer may prolong the retention time and increase the pharmacological activity. It is well known that chitosan (Cs) has a strong adhesion to the bladder mucosal layer. Thus, this study established a novel for-mulation of metformin to enhance its antitumor activity by extending its retention time. In this research, we prepared Cs freeze-dried powder and investigated the effect of metformin-loaded chitosan hydrogels (MLCH) in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that MLCH had a strong in-hibitory effect against proliferation and colony formation in vitro. The reduction in BC weight and expression of tumour biomarkers in orthotopic mice showed the robust antitumor activity of MLCH via intravesical administration in vivo. The non-toxic profile of MLCH was observed as well, using histological examinations. Mechanistically, MLCH showed stronger functional activation of the AMPK/mTOR signalling pathway compared with metformin alone. These findings highlighted the potential of this novel formulation as an efficient candidate for managing BC via intravesical ad-ministration.

Biodegradable poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and its composites or blends have gotten a lot of attention in the last decade because of their potential applications in human life and environmental remediation. As a result, there is a growing interest in the synthesis of PCL-composites/blends and their applications. Greater efforts have been made to develop biodegradable chemical materials as adsorbents that do not pollute the environment in order to replace traditional materials. Among the numerous types of degradable materials, PCL is currently the most promising, the most popular, and the best material to be developed, and it is referred to as the "green" eco-friendly material. Membranes and adsorbents for water treatment, packaging and compost bags, controlled drug carriers, biomaterials for tissues such as bone, cartilage, ligament, skeletal muscle, skin, cardiovascular and nerve tissues are just some of the applications of this biodegradable polymer (PCL). The goal of this review is to present a brief overview of PCL, its properties, syntheses of PCL, PCL composites, and PCL blends, but to provide a detailed investigation into the utility of PCL/PCL-based adsorbing agents in the removal of dyes/heavy metal ions.

This article introduces a novel approach, termed the Asymmetric Probabilistic Tsetlin (APT) Machine, which incorporates the Stochastic Point Location (SPL) algorithm with the Asymmetric Steps technique into the Tsetlin Machine (TM). APT introduces stochasticity into the state transitions of Tsetlin Automata (TA) by leveraging the SPL algorithm, thereby enhancing pattern recognition capabilities. To enhance random search processes, we introduced a decaying normal distribution into the procedure. Meanwhile, the Asymmetric Steps approach biases state transition probabilities towards specific input patterns, further elevating operational efficiency. The efficacy of the proposed approach is assessed across diverse benchmark datasets for classification tasks. The performance of APT is compared with traditional machine learning algorithms and other Tsetlin Machine models, including the Asymmetric Tsetlin (AT) Machine, characterized by deterministic rules for Asymmetric transitions, and the Classical Tsetlin (CT) Machine, employing deterministic rules for symmetric transitions. Strikingly, the introduced APT methodology demonstrates highly competitive outcomes compared to established machine learning methods. Notably, both APT and AT exhibit state-of-the-art performance, surpassing the Classical Tsetlin Machine, emphasizing the efficacy of asymmetric models for achieving superior outcomes. Remarkably, APT exhibits even better performance than AT, particularly in handling complex datasets.

Matrix-variate Gaussian type or Wishart type distributions in the real domain are widely used in the literature. When the exponential trace has an arbitrary power and when a factor involving a determinant enters into the model or a matrix-variate gamma type or Wishart type model with exponential trace having an arbitrary power, is extremely difficult to handle. Evaluation of the normalizing constant in such a model is the most important part because when studying the properties of such a model, the method used in the evaluation of the normalizing constant will be the relevant steps in all the computations involved. One such model with a factor involving a trace and the exponential trace having an arbitrary power, in the real domain, is known in the literature as Kotz' model. No explicit evaluation of the normalizing constant in the model involving trace with an exponent and determinant with an exponent entering into the model and at the same time the exponential trace having an arbitrary exponent seems to be available in the literature. The normalizing constant widely used in the literature and interpreted as the normalizing constant in the general model and refers to as a Kotz' model does not seem to be correct. Corresponding model in the complex domain, with the correct normalizing constant, does not seem to be available in the literature. One of the main contributions in this paper is the matrix-variate distributions in the complex domain belonging to Gaussian type, gamma type, type-1 and type-2 beta type when the exponential trace has an arbitrary power. All these models are believed to be new. A second main contribution is the explicit evaluation of the the normalizing constants, in the real and complex domains especially in the complex domain, in a matrix-variate model involving a determinant and a trace as multiplicative factors and at the same time the exponential trace having an arbitrary power. Another main contribution is the introduction of matrix-variate models with exponential trace having an arbitrary exponent, in the categories of type-1 beta, type-2 beta and gamma distributions or in the family of Mathai's pathway models [1], both in the real and complex domains. Another new contribution is the logistic-based extensions of models in the real and complex domains with exponential trace having an arbitrary exponent and connecting to extended zeta functions introduced by this author recently. Some properties of such models are indicated but not derived in detail in order to limit the size of the paper. The techniques and steps used at various stages in this paper will be highly useful for people working in multivariate statistical analysis as well as people applying such models in engineering problems, communication theory, quantum physics and related areas, apart from statistical applications.

The definition of Early Cholecystectomy (EC) is still debatable. This paper aims to find whether the timing of EC affects outcomes. This is a multicentric prospective observational study including patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) who had cholecystectomy within ten days from the onset of symptoms. Kruskall-Wallis test, Fisher’s Exact test and Spearman rank correlation were used for statistical analysis. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the timing of the operation: 0-3 days, 4-7 days, or 8-10 days from the onset of symptoms. 1117 patients were studied over a year. The time from the onset of symptoms to EC did not affect the postoperative complications and mortality, the conversion and the reintervention rate. It was a significant risk factor for intraoperative complications (0-3 days, 2.8%; 4-7 days, 5.6%; 8-10 days, 7.9%; p=0.01) and subtotal cholecystectomies (0-3 days, 2.7%; 4-7 days, 5.6%; 8-10 days, 10.9%; p&lt;0.001). ACC is an evolutive inflammatory process and, as the days go by, the local and systemic inflammation increases which makes surgery more complex and difficult with higher risk of intraoperative complications. We recommend performing EC for ACC as soon as possible within the first ten days of the onset of symptoms.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are an important treatment option for COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, especially in immunosuppressed patients. However, this treatment option can become ineffective due to mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, mainly in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein. In the present study 7950 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples from the Uppsala and Örebro regions of central Sweden collected between March 2022 and May 2023 were whole-genome sequenced using next-generation sequencing, mainly with the Nanopore sequencing method. Pango lineages were determined and all single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutations that occurred in these samples were identified. The dominant sublineages changed over time and mutations conferring resistance to currently available mAbs became common. Notable ones are R346T and K444T mutations in the RBD that confer significant resistance against tixagevimab and cilgavimab mAbs. Further, mutations conferring a high-fold resistance to bebtelovimab, such as the K444T and V445P mutations, were also observed in the samples. This study highlights that resistance mutations have over time rendered currently available mAbs ineffective against SARS-CoV-2 in most patients. Therefore, there is a need for continued surveillance of resistance mutations and the development of new mAbs that target more conserved regions of the RBD.

Effective solid waste management is crucial for protecting public health and the environment. Global concentration on finding sustainable methods of handling waste continue to top the list of most governmental-related project checklists. This paper provides a case study on the management of municipal solid waste in the cities of Karlsruhe, Germany and Navrongo, Ghana as developed and developing countries respectively. This study aimed at comparing and drawing lessons from how these two different cities manage their solid waste. The waste management system in Karlsruhe prioritizes waste separation, recycling, and a pay-as-you-throw system has led to an efficient and sustainable waste management system that minimizes waste and protects the environment. Karlshrue's adoption of a continual developmental plan structure focused on integrated WM concepts is credited with safeguarding the long-term viability of waste management in the city. In contrast, Navrongo's waste management system faces several challenges, including inadequate resources and infrastructure, traditional waste disposal practices, and the lack of well-planned waste management strategies. To improve effective solid waste management systems in Ghana, a collaborative approach involving the government, local organizations, and the community is necessary. This can include investing in infrastructure, implementing waste separation and recycling programs, and educating the public on the benefits of sustainable waste management practices. Learning from successful models like Karlsruhe can help accelerate the development of sustainable waste management practices in Ghana, and ultimately protect public health and the environment.

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) utilizes an orchestrated enzymatic cascade of E1, E2, and E3 ligases to add single or multiple ubiquitin-like molecules as post-translational modification (PTM) to proteins. Ubiquitination can alter protein functions and/ or marks ubiquitinated proteins for proteasomal degradation but deubiquitinases (DUBs) can reverse protein ubiquitination. While the importance of DUBs as regulatory factors in the UPS is undisputed, many questions remain on DUB selectivity for protein targeting, their mechanism of action, and the impact of DUBs on the regulation of diverse biological processes. Furthermore, little is known about the expression and role of DUBs in tumors of the human central nervous system (CNS). In this comprehensive review, we have used publicly available transcriptional datasets to determine the gene expression profiles of 99 deubiquitinases (DUBs) from five major DUB families in seven primary pediatric and adult CNS tumor entities. Our analysis identified selected DUBs as potential new functional players and biomarkers with prognostic value in specific subtypes of primary CNS tumors. Collectively, our analysis highlights an emerging role for DUBs in regulating CNS tumor cell biology and offers a rationale for future therapeutic targeting of DUBs in CNS tumors.

The article aims to explore social aspects in the area of energy research by using bibliometrics methods and tools. The study is based on the data of Energy Research & Social Science journal publications exported from ScienceDirect database during 2019-2023. Methodologically, the work included clustering of the bibliometric records under consideration. This allowed to identify the main topics of publications and those in which the research of social problems prevails. This stage of the work was carried out using carrot2, an engine for clustering search results. Next, the analysis of publication topics related to social issues research was carried out using VOSviewer — a software tool for visualizing scientific landscapes. The topics of the four clusters obtained at this stage were described by key terms with the maximum total link strength. For the principal ones, a definition was made on the basis of the texts of publications that most fully disclose the meaning of these terms. The 1537 publications in the journal during the period under review deal with many aspects of energy transition research, renewable energy, energy policy, energy justice and energy systems, but only 78 of them are dominated by social issues. The paper reveals the main social issues in the field of energy research: sociology of energy, socio-technical system, community energy, energy democracy, sociology of the future, energy sovereignty, socio-technical imaginary and shows the insufficient attention to this topic, especially to the investment of such research.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of a pulmonary telerehabilitation (TR) program in young adults with post-COVID-19 syndrome. The information of sixteen students' medical files were analyzed and allocated to one of two groups (control=CG/experimental=EG). Twelve TR sessions were performed distantly and asynchronously at the EG patients' homes during 4-weeks. The program included diaphragmatic pattern breathing and aerobic exercises. The parameters: i) vital signs (oxygen saturation "SpO2", heart rate "HR", respiratory rate "RR" and blood pressure "BP"; ii) physical capacity “Sit-to-stand test”; iii) cardiorespiratory capacity “6-Minute Walk Test”; and iv) perceived effort "Borg scale" were assessed in both groups. The statistical analyses showed a significant decrease of RR and HR (p < 0.012) accompanied by a significant increase in SpO2 (p < 0.042), physical (p < 0.012) and respiratory (p < 0.028) capacity. The perceived effort decreased significantly in both groups (CG: p < 0.006; EG p < 0.001) only for physical but not for cardiorespiratory capacity (p < 0.106). There were no statistical changes registered in BP (p > 0.05). The current study suggests that a TR program that involves breathing and aerobics exercises is feasible and effective in treating post-COVID-19 syndrome in young patients.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common lung cancers, which accounts for about 35%-40% of all lung cancer patients. Despite therapeutic advancements in recent years, the overall survival time of the LUAD patients still remain poor, especially KRAS mutant LUAD. Therefore, it is necessary to further explore novel targets and drugs to improve the prognosis of LUAD. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death (RCD）caused by lipid peroxidation, has attracted much attention recently as an alternative target for apoptosis in LUAD therapy. Ferroptosis has been found closely related with LUAD, at its every stage, including initiation, proliferation and progression. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive overview on ferroptosis mechanisms, it’s regulation in LUAD, and application of targeting ferroptosis for LUAD therapy.