In recent years, advancements in brain science and neuroscience have significantly influenced the field of computer science, particularly in the domain of reinforcement learning (RL). Drawing insights from neurobiology and neuropsychology, researchers have leveraged these findings to develop novel mechanisms for understanding intelligent decision-making processes in the brain. Concurrently, the emergence of quantum computing has opened new frontiers in artificial intelligence, leading to the development of quantum machine learning (QML). This study introduces a novel model that integrates Quantum Spiking Neural Networks (QSNN) and Quantum Long Short-Term Memory (QLSTM) architectures, inspired by the complex workings of the human brain. Specifically designed for reinforcement learning tasks in energy-efficient environments, our approach progresses through two distinct stages mirroring sensory and memory systems. In the initial stage, analogous to the brain’s hypothalamus, low-level information is extracted to emulate sensory data processing patterns. Subsequently, resembling the hippocampus, this information is processed at a higher level, capturing and memorizing correlated patterns. We conduct a comparative analysis of our model against existing quantum models such as Quantum Neural Networks and their classical counterparts, elucidating its unique contributions. Through empirical results, we aim to underscore the effectiveness of our approach in optimizing energy consumption in practical scenarios.

The pursuit of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that emulates human cognitive processes is a cornerstone of ethical AI development, ensuring that emerging technologies can integrate seamlessly into societal frameworks requiring nuanced understanding and decision-making. Zero-Shot Instance Retrieval (ZSIR) stands at the forefront of this endeavour, potentially providing a robust platform for AI systems, particularly large visual language models, to demonstrate and refine cognition-aligned learning without the need for direct experience. In this paper, we critically evaluate current cognition alignment methodologies within traditional zero-shot learning paradigms, using visual attributes and word embedding generated by large AI models. We propose a unified similarity function that quantifies the cognitive alignment level, bridging the gap between AI processes and human-like understanding. Through extensive experimentation, our findings illustrate that this similarity function can effectively mirror the visual-semantic gap, steering the model towards enhanced performance in zero-shot instance retrieval. This work not only benchmarks the cognition alignment of AI, but also sets a new precedent for the development of visual language models attuned to the complexities of human cognition.}

Directed energy deposition (DED) parameters were determined for near-β alloy Ti-55511 by employing statistical design of experiments (DOE) methods. Parameters resulting in fully dense freeform deposits were identified using two sequential DOEs. Single laser tracks were printed with several laser power, traverse rate, and powder feed rate settings in an initial DOE to identify promising build parameters. Capture efficiency and effective deposition rate were used to characterize and rank the single track deposits. The best parameters were then used to print solid cube with various X-Y and Z-overlaps (different hatch spacing, HS, and layer thickness, ZS) in a second DOE. Suitable deposition parameters were selected based on cube density and microstructure and were used to fabricate larger tensile samples for mechanical testing. Multiple parameter sets were found to provide dense Ti-55511 deposits with acceptable mechanical properties and parametric models showed statistical significance.

Osteosarcoma (OS) are the most prevalent malignant bone tumors in adolescents and young adults.. OS cells grow in a permissive local microenvironment which modulates their behavior and facilitates all steps in tumor development (e.g., proliferation/quiescence, invasion/migration, drug resistance) and contributes to their intrinsic heterogeneity. The lung parenchyma is the most common metastatic site in OS, and metastatic foci are frequently associated with a poor clinical outcome. Although multiple factors may be responsible for the disease, including genetic mutations (e.g., Rb, p53), the molecular mechanism of development of OS remains unclear and the conventional treatment for OS is still based on a sequential approach that combines chemotherapy and surgery. Also, despite the increase in clinical trials, the survival rates for OS have not improved. Non-specific targeting therapies thus show poor therapeutic effects with side effects at high doses. For these reasons, many efforts have been done to characterize the complex genome of osteosarcoma thanks to the whole exome analysis with the aim to identify predictive biomarkers to give to these patients a better therapeutic option. This review aims to summarize and discuss the main recent advances in OS molecular research for precision medicine.

The process of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes starts when gametes from two different sexes encounter each other. Paramecium, a unicellular eukaryote, undergoes conjugation and uses a gametic nucleus to enter the sexual reproductive process. The molecules responsible for recognizing mating partners, hypothetically called mating-type substances, are still unclear. We have identified an O3-type mating substance polypeptide and its gene sequence using protein chemistry, molecular genetics, immunofluorescence, RNA inter-ference, and microinjection. The O3-type substance is a polypeptide found in the ciliary membranes, located from the head to the ventral side of cells. The O3-type substance has a kinase-like domain in its N-terminal part located outside the cell and four EF-hand motifs that bind calcium ions in its C-terminal part located inside the cell. RNA interference and immunofluorescence revealed that this polypeptide positively correlated with the expression of mating reactivity. Microinjection of an expression vector incorporating the O3Pc-MSP gene induced additional O3 mating type in the recipient clones of different mating types or syngen. Phylogenetic analysis indicates this gene is widely present in eukaryotes and exhibits high homology among closely related species. The O3Pc-MSP gene had nine silent mutations compared to the complementary mating type of the E3 homologue gene.

Iron is an essential nutrient and necessary for biological functions from DNA replication and repair to transcriptional regulation, mitochondrial respiration, electron transfer, oxygen transport, photosynthesis, enzymatic catalysis, and nitrogen fixation. However, due to iron’s propensity to generate toxic radicals which can cause damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, multiple processes regulate uptake and distribution of iron in living systems. Understanding how intracellular iron metabolism is optimized and how iron is utilized to regulate other intracellular processes is important to our overall understanding of a multitude of biological processes. One of the tools that the cell utilizes to regulate a multitude of functions is ligation of the iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster cofactor. Fe-S clusters comprised of iron and inorganic sulfur are ancient components of living matter on earth that are integral for physiological function in all domains of life. Here we will explore the ways in which the cell utilizes Fe-S clusters to sense the intracellular environment and respond to maintain equilibrium.

In Taiwan, mountainous areas account for approximately two-thirds of the total area. The steep terrain and concentrated rainfall during typhoons cause landslides, which pose a considerable threat to mountain settlements. Therefore, models for analyzing rainfall-induced landslide hazards are urgently required to ensure adequate land use in mountainous areas. In this study, focusing on Pingtung County in southern Taiwan, we developed a landslide hazard index (IRL) to land use. Using FORMOSA-2 and SPOT-5 satellite images, data were collected before and after four typhoons (one in 2009 and three in 2013). The ArcGIS random tree classifier was used for interpreting satellite images to explore surface changes and disasters, which were used to analyze slope disturbances. The product of the maximum 3-h rolling rainfall intensity and effective accumulated rainfall was used as a rainfall trigger index (IRT). Considering environmental and slope disturbance factors, an index of slope environmental strength potential (ISESP) was developed through logistic regression (LR). Landslide hazard to land use was estimated using IRT and ISESP. The average coefficient of agreement (Kappa) was approximately 0.71 (medium to high accuracy); the overall accuracy of slope environmental strength potential analysis was approximately 80.4%. At a constant ISESP, IRT increased with the increasing hazard potential of rainfall-induced landslides. Furthermore, IRT and ISESP were positively correlated with landslide occurrence. When large ISESP values occur (e.g., fragile environment and high land development intensity), small IRT values may induce landslides.

In this review, we summarize recent progress in crystal growth and understanding the influence of crystal structure on the superconductivity in pure and Pb-doped Bi2Sr2CuOy (Bi-2201) materials belonging to the overdoped region of high temperature cuprate superconductors. The crystal growth of Bi-2201 superconductors faces challenges due to intricate materials chemistry and lack of knowledge of corresponding phase diagrams. Historically, a crucible-free floating zone method has emerged as the most promising growth approach for these materials, resulting in high-quality single crystals. This review outlines the described in the literature and the authors' synthesis endeavors, encompassing Pb-doped Bi-2201 crystals, detailed structural characterization of as-grown and post-growth annealed samples, and highlights optimal growth conditions that yield large-size, single-phase, and compositionally homogeneous Bi-2201 single crystals.

Videogames have been the focus of research since their widespread popularity, with particular emphasis on their effects on cognitive and affective abilities, especially in children and adolescents. Despite numerous correlational studies, robust evidence on the causal relationship between videogames and cognition remains scarce, hindered by the absence of a comprehensive assessment tool for gaming skills across various genres. This study aimed to develop and validate the Gaming Skill Questionnaire (GSQ) and to assess the impact of gaming skills in six different genres (Sport, First-Person Shooters, Role-Playing Games, Action-Adventure, Strategy, and Puzzle Games) on adolescents’ cognitive and affective abilities. The GSQ exhibited strong reliability and validity, highlighting its potential as a valuable tool. Gaming skills positively affected executive function, memory, overall cognition, cognitive flexibility, and emotion recognition, except for empathy. Various game genres had different effects on cognitive and affective abilities, with verbal fluency influenced mainly by sports, executive functions by action, strategy, and puzzle, and emotion recognition positively impacted by action and puzzle but negatively by sports and strategy games. Both age and gaming skills influenced cognitive flexibility, with gaming having a greater effect. These intriguing genre-specific effects on cognitive and affective functioning postulate further research with GSQ's contribution.

We evaluated the potential of using fish species and functional traits as indicators of land use impacts to fish assemblages. We used environmental data collected at multiple spatial scales (local, reach, and upstream catchment) for 19 tributary and main stem sites in the Nolichucky River watershed in Tennessee. Canonical correspondence analyses showed that temperature, elevation, specific conductivity, sediment yield, impervious surfaces, and row crop cover at the catchment scale were strongly associated with fish assemblage structure, as well as forest cover from all three spatial scales. Blocked indicator species analysis, with stream size as the block, showed that significantly strong indicators of the least-impacted riparian land use condition (≥60% forest cover) were Saffron Shiner (Notropis rubricroceus), Rainbow Trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss), Longnose Dace (Rhynichthys cataractae), Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), and Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdi). Traits indicative of the least-impacted sites were the herbivorous trophic guild, mean female age-at-maturity, longevity, rock-gravel spawners, montane geology and pelagic swimmers. Specific conductivity was strongly related to multiple catchment-scale land use variables, and was a strong local-scale influence on fish assemblage structure. Our results show promise for using a relatively common but endemic southern Appalachian fish species, the Saffron Shiner, as an indicator for land-use related impacts to these streams.

Motivated by diffraction experiments on the $\left(2\sqrt{3}\times \sqrt{3}\right)\mathrm{R}{30}^{\circ }$ reconstructed Si(111) due to deposition of rare earth elements (Dy, Tb) and silicide formation we analyse the splitting and non-splitting of superstructure spots. For this purpose, we model diffraction patterns for one dimensional structures generated by the binary surface technique and use supercell models to keep the analysis simple. Diffraction pattern are calculated in the framework of the kinematical diffraction theory and they are analyzed as a function of the domains and domain boundaries. Basic properties of the diffraction pattern are analyzed for model systems of a two-fold and a three-fold periodicity. The rules derived from these calculations are applied to the "real-world" system of Si(111)-($\left(2\sqrt{3}\times \sqrt{3}\right)\mathrm{R}{30}^{\circ }$)-RESi$2_{}$ (RE = Dy or Tb). Depending on the combination of domains and domain boundaries of different types a plethora of different features are observed in the diffraction patterns. These are analyzed to determine the sizes of both domain boundaries and domains from experimentally observed splitting of specific superstructure spots.

Consumption of refined foods and beverages high in sugar make the teeth susceptible to the formation of biofilm, and lead to dental caries and diseases of the oral cavity such as periodontitis and periodontal disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the ability of selected probiotics to inhibit growth and biofilm formation by the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans in vitro. We screened strains of latic acid bacteria (LAB) (n=120) from the Bioresources Collection and Research Center (BCRC), saliva of healthy adults and infant stool. The antimicrobial activity of LAB in vitro was evaluated by agar spot culture and co-culture of the S. mutans strains. We determined the effect of heating and dilution factors (2- and 4-fold) on the antagonistic activity of LAB. Antagonistic substances in the spent culture suspensions (SCS) of LAB were precipitated by extraction with ammonium sulphate and chloroform to characterise the protein and lipophilic fractions. Results of co-culturing show that the SCS of the three LAB strains (Lactobacillus pentosus 13-1, 13-4 and Lactobacillus crispatus BCRC 14618) subjected to heat treatment showed significantly high antimicrobial activity. We found that substances produced by L. pentosus 13-4 which have the potential to exhibit antimicrobial properties might be lipophilic proteins. Additionally, we infer that the mechanism of reducing biofilm formation by Lactobacillus strains is associated with sucrose-dependent cell–cell adhesion and the gtfC level of glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) in the biofilm. Native LAB strains screened in our study may be used in chewing gums and other processed foods for preventing tooth decay.

Electricity consumption is often the hotspot of life cycle assessment (LCA) of products, industrial activities, or services. The objective of this paper is to provide a consistent, scientific, region-specific electricity-supply-based inventory of electricity generation technology for national and regional power grids. Marginal electricity generation technology is pivotal in assessing impacts related to additional consumption of electricity. China covers a large geographical area with regional supply grids; these are arguably equally or less integrated. Meanwhile, it is also a country with internal imbalances in regional energy supply and demand. Therefore, we suggest an approach to achieve a geographical subdivision of the Chinese electricity grid, corresponding to the interprovincial regional power grids, namely the North, the Northeast, the East, the Central, the Northwest, and the Southwest China Grids, and the China Southern Power Grid. The approach combines information from the Chinese national plans on for capacity changes in both production and distribution grids, and knowledge of resource availability. The results show that nationally, marginal technology is coal-fired electricity generation, which is the same scenario in the North and Northwest China Grid. In the Northeast, East, and Central China Grid, nuclear power gradually replaces coal-fired electricity and becomes the marginal technology. In the Southwest China Grid and the China Southern Power Grid, the marginal electricity is hydropower towards 2030.

As the leader of the largest economy, President of the United States has substantive influence on addressing the global climate change problem. However, presidential election is often dominated by issues other than energy problems. This paper focuses on the on-going 2016 presidential election, examining the energy plans proposed by the leading Democrat and Republican candidates. Our data from the Iowa caucus survey in January 2016 suggests that voters are more concerned about terrorism and economic issues than environmental relative issues. We then compare the Democratic and Republican candidate’s view of American’s energy future, and evaluate their proposed renewable energy targets. We find that the view on renewable energy is polarized between Democratic and Republican candidates, while candidates from both parties agree on the need for energy efficiency. Results from our ordinal least squares regression models suggest that Democratic candidates have moderate to ambitious goals for developing solar and other renewable energy. The Republican candidates favor fossil fuel and they neglect to provide any plan for renewable energy. In addition, this trend of polarization has grown more significant when compared with the past three presidential elections. Our observation suggests that energy issues need to be discussed more to draw broader attention to salient issues of diversifying and decarbonizing the nation’s energy system.

High Education Institutions (HEI) play a key role in fostering sustainability since students will be future active society members. By providing them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to address environmental challenges, they can contribute to increase sustainability in a long-term approach. With the effects of climate change strongly affecting water availability across planet, it is increasingly relevant to understand if higher education students are aware of this situation, to develop adequate measures to promote sustainable behaviors regarding water uses. This study aimed to assess students’ perceptions regarding water efficiency through a questionnaire submitted in 7 HEI in Portugal. Students recognized the importance of water with older students, women and science students demonstrating a greater awareness. Inspite of this 27% students do not know what the average water consumption in Portugal is and only 18% accurately reported the consumption range in Portugal. There is also a lack of knowledge (>50% students) if common water efficiency measures are applied in their HEI. The main information sources identified by the students were “social communication” and “internet/social media”, revealing that water efficiency knowledge transfer in high education can be improved.

The study investigated the application of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) as a tool for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in a city in Northern Italy from October 2021 to May 2023. Starting from a widely applied deterministic model, this study proposed a variation to take into account population characteristics and virus biodegradation in the sewer network. The model calculated virus loads and corresponding COVID-19 cases over time in different areas of the city and was validated with healthcare data while considering viral mutations, vaccinations, and testing variability. The correlation between the predicted and reported cases was high across the three waves that occurred in the considered period, demonstrating the model’s capacity to predict relevant fluctuations in the number of cases. Population characteristics did not substantially influence the predicted and reported infection rates. Conversely, biodegradation significantly reduced the virus load reaching the wastewater treatment plant, resulting in a 30% reduction in the total virus load produced in the study area. This approach can be applied for comparing virus load values across cities with varying population demographics and sewer network structures, enhancing the comparability of WBE data for effective surveillance and intervention strategies.

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections are the most common sexually-transmitted infection (STI). Despite effective antibiotics for Ct, undetected infections or delayed treatment can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancies, and chronic pelvic pain. Besides humans, chlamydia poses similar health challenges in animals such as C. suis (Cs) in pigs. Based on the similarities between humans and pigs as well as their chlamydia species, we use pigs as a large biomedical animal model for chlamydia research. In this study, we use the pig model to develop a vaccine candidate against Ct. The vaccine candidate consists of TriAdj-adjuvanted chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) protein. We tested two weekly administration options – twice intranasal (IN) followed by twice intramuscular (IM), or twice IM followed by twice IN. We assessed the humoral immune response not only in serum by CPAF-specific IgG including antibody avidity determination but also in cervical and rectal swabs by CPAF-specific IgG and IgA ELISAs. The systemic T-cell response was analyzed upon in vitro CPAF-restimulation via IFN-γ and IL-17 ELISpots as well as intracellular cytokine staining flow cytometry. Our data demonstrate that while the IN/IM vaccination mainly led to non-significant systemic immune responses, the vaccine candidate is highly immunogenic if administered IM/IN. This vaccination strategy induced high serum anti-CPAF IgG levels with strong avidity as well as high IgA and IgG levels in vaginal and rectal swabs and in uterine horn flushes. In addition, this vaccination strategy prompted a pronounced cellular immune response: Besides inducing IL-17 production, the vaccine candidate induced a strong IFN-γ response by CD4 T cells. In the IM/IN vaccinated pigs, these cells also significantly downregulated their CCR7 expression – a sign for differentiation into peripheral tissue homing effector/ memory cells. Conclusively, this study demonstrates strong immunogenicity of the IM/IN administered TriAdj-adjuvanted Ct CPAF vaccine candidate. Future studies will test vaccine efficacy of this promising Ct vaccine candidate. In addition, this project demonstrates suitability of the Cs pre-exposed outbred pig model for Ct vaccine development. Thereby, we aim to open the bottleneck of large animal models to facilitate the progression of Ct vaccine candidates into clinical trials.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) generation suffers from multiple serious issues, for example shading effects directly affect the performance of installed PV arrays. By studying these issues, it can play a key role in improving the limitations and performance of PV panels. The study of PV arrays under partial shading conditions is mentioned in many papers as a part of other studies and as an independent phenomenon. Therefore, it is essential to improve these studies and update them with new research and study this problem in detail to know how to limit the effects of partial shading irradiance conditions on PV arrays performances, including economical aspects. This paper proposes to study the effects of different partial shading irradiance conditions for a PV array in various configurations. The analysis is proved in detail through the simulation of the proposed PV array in the Matlab/Simulink environment. The obtained results show the performances of interconnected PV arrays under different partial shading irradiance and temperature conditions, including the solar array I-V and P-V characteristics. In addition, different PV array configurations with and without bypass and blocking protection diodes improve and minimize the effect of partial shading conditions and avoid the reductions in output power.

Named Entity Recognition (NER) serves as a fundamental and pivotal stage in the development of various knowledge-based support systems, including knowledge retrieval and question answering systems. In the domain of pig diseases, Chinese NER models encounter several challenges such as the scarcity of annotated data, domain-specific vocabulary, diverse entity categories, and ambiguous entity boundaries.To address these challenges, a corpus, labeled datasets and a lexicon specific to pig diseases for Chinese named entity recognition were constructed. Subsequently, a Pig Disease Chinese Named Entity Recognition (PDCNER) model was proposed. The model integrates external lexicon knowledge of pig disease by employing Lexicon-enhanced BERT and enhance feature representation by incorporating contrastive learning. Experimental results show that the model achieved the best recognition results, with a precision of 86.92%, a recall of 85.08%, and an F1-score of 85.99% respectively. Furthermore, the model exhibits robustness and generalizability across few-shot and publicly available datasets. Experimental results illustrate the proposed model could effectively identify Chinese named entities of pig diseases, outperforming several existing baseline methods. Moreover, the proposed model can be extended to other animal disease domains, such as chicken and cattle, thereby facilitating seamless adaptation for named entity identification across diverse contexts.

Alkaloid-based urea derivatives were produced with high yield through the reaction of anabasine and cytisine with isoxazolylphenylcarbamates in boiling benzene. Their antitumor ac-tivity in combination with the commonly used six anticancer drugs namely cyclophosphane, fluorouracil, etoposide, cysplatine, ribomustine with different mechanisms of action was investi-gated. Based on the quantum chemical calculations data and molecular docking, hypotheses have been put forward to explain their mutual influence when affecting on the С6 rat glioma model cells.

This research concerns in to understand the link between urban heat and cool island, the Local Climatic Zones (LCZ) and atmospheric systems during the winter season in the city of Balneário Camboriú, Southern Brazil. To collect meteorological data on urban environmental, 11 permanent points in the Balneário Camboriú metropolitan region were installed. To understand the atmos-pheric systems operating in the region, a synoptic analysis of the dates was performed, and then, the LCZs map created for the city in World Urban Database and Acess Portal Tools was used to cor-relate the magnitudes of the heat and cool islands found in Balneário Camboriú in the winter period. The results indicate that the increasing verticalization with the construction of skyscrapers in Balneário Camboriú has a significant influence on local conditions for the occurrence of heat and cold islands. The findings indicate that LCZs with sparsely distributed buildings (LCZs 6, 8 and 9) and LCZs with dense vegetation (LCZ A) have lower intensity magnitudes of heat and cool con-ditions. The biggest magnitudes of heat and cool islands were reported in LCZs 1 and 3 during the timeframe. The synoptic analysis supports earlier researches that points to atmospheric stability (Anticyclonic domain) as a favorable atmospheric setting for the emergence of urban hear and coolness islands.

(1) Background: Grapes and their associated by-products (as grape pomace, GP) stand out for their polyphenol content, which makes them a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant capacity. The aim of this research was to determine if the inclusion of 50 g/kg of GP in the diet of hens could enrich egg with antioxidants and to study its effect on internal and external egg quality parameters. (2) Methods: A trial was conducted with two genetic lines of hens, which were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 50 g/kg of GP. Performance, internal and external egg quality, and egg yolk content of vitamins E and A, and gallic acid were determined; (3) Results: In eggs laid by hens fed GP diet, Haugh units and yolk colour score were enhanced, and eggshell became thinner, but without affecting the breaking strength. No dietary effect was observed on vitamin contents in yolk. Higher gallic acid content was observed in yolk of eggs laid by hens fed the GP diet, suggesting that some dietary phenolic compounds could be transferred to the eggs. Hen genetics influenced egg weight, albumen Haugh units, shell thickness and α- and γ-tocopherol concentration in yolks; (4) Conclusions: Dietary inclusion of GP improved the internal quality of eggs, enriching yolks with a phenolic compound, but reduced shell thickness.

Shigella and Salmonella have been implicated in neonatal sepsis, food poisoning, and bacteremia. Their increasing resistance to antibiotics has undermined treatment options, constituting a public health crisis. Also, the scarcity of new antibiotics in the development pipeline compounds multidrug-resistance (MDR). Hence, there is a need to potentiate antibiotics to mitigate resistance. This study leveraged riboflavin to re-sensitize fluoroquinolones and carbapenems against MDR Shigella and Salmonella spp. Disk diffusion, microbroth-dilution, chequerboard, and time-kill assays were used to determine resistance profiles and riboflavin-antibiotic activity. Biofilm-formation and bacterial viability (after riboflavin-antibiotic challenge) was determined with crystal-violet and Macrophage infection assays, respectively. Strains exhibited >80% resistance to fluoroquinolones and carbapenems, with 160–320 µg MIC ranges and 0.5–2 FIC, indicating no synergy. At 40–80 µg riboflavin, there was two-fold reduction in bacterial survival, with meropenem-riboflavin exhibiting significant reduction and FIC of 0.075 indicating high synergistic activity. Biofilm-formation was altered (from strong to weak phenotype) with 40 µg riboflavin-antibiotic treatment. There was a 40–70% reduction in bacterial survival in THP-1 cells treated with meropenem-riboflavin after 3 hours, and complete clearance between 24-48 hpi. Riboflavin potentiated fluoroquinolones and meropenem, leading to modulation of the host immune response for the clearance of the strains.

Chronic joint inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have in common an upsurge of inflammation, and oxidative stress, resulting in progressive histological alterations and disabling symptoms. Currently used conventional medication (ranging from pain-killers to biological agents) is potent, but frequently associated with serious, even life-threatening side effects. Used for millennia in traditional herbalism, medicinal plants are a promising alternative, with lower rate of adverse events and an efficiency frequently comparable with that of conventional drugs. Nevertheless, their mechanism of action is in many cases elusive and/or uncertain. Even many of them have been proved effective in studies done in vitro or on animal models, there is a scarcity of human clinical evidence. The purpose of this review is to summarise the available scientific information on these joint-friendly medicinal plants, which have been already tested in human studies: Arnica montana, Boswelliaspp., Curcuma spp., Equisetum arvense, Harpagophytumprocumbens, Salix spp., Sesamumindicum, Symphytumofficinalis, Zingiberofficinalis, Panaxnotoginseng, Whitaniasomnifera.

A method for estimating river water surface elevation (WSE) from Landsat imagery using the river inundation area - water surface elevation (RIA-WSE) rating curve constructed from the U.S. Geological Survey Topobathymetric Elevation Model (TEM) data was developed and tested at six gauging stations along the upper Mississippi River. The Otsu's automatic threshold selection algorithm was employed for the image classification and estimation of inundation areas within each pre-defined polygon around each gauging station. In addition to the commonly used green-band based water indices, Landsat 8 and 9 OLI's ultra-blue, blue, and red band-based water indices were also tested in this study, which resulted in twenty different water indices: NDWIv (Normalized Difference Water Index), MNDWI1v and MNDWI2v (Modified Normalized Difference Water Index), AWEIsv (Automatic Water Extraction Index with shadow), and AWEInsv (AWEI without shadow), where v represents the visible light band used in the water index. At each station, about 60-80 Landsat 8 or 9 images during 2013-2023 were used for assessing the performances of the twenty water indices through comparing the estimated WSEs with the measured WSEs. Results showed that the ultra-blue or red band-based AWEIs yielded the most accurate estimations of WSEs among the twenty tested water indices.

Observations of the X-ray binary system Her X-1 by the AstroSat Soft X-ray Telescope 1 (SXT) were carried out in 2020 through 2023 with the goals of measuring X-ray spectrum changes with the 35-day disk rotation phase and measuring eclipses at different 35-day phases. The four multi-day long observations were scheduled during: turn-on to Main High (MH) and MH rise; MH state; Short High (SH) state; and Low State (LS). 35-day phase was determined using monitoring observations with the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT). Nine eclipses were observed at a range of 35-day phases, with at least one eclipse during each observation. Data with dips were separated from data without dips. The variation of X-ray spectral parameters vs. 35-day phase shows the following: eclipse parameters are nearly constant, showing that the scattering corona does not change with 35-day phase; dips show an increase in covering fraction but not column density compared to non-dip data; the 1 keV line normalization indicates an origin in a small region near the continuum emission region, likely the magnetospheric accretion flow from the inner disk onto the neutron star; and the change in blackbody normalization (area) shows that the emission region is much larger than the 1 keV emission region, and consistent with the inner edge of the accretion disk.

The early 2-factor (E2F) family of transcription factors, including E2F1-8, plays a critical role in apoptosis, metabolism, proliferation, and angiogenesis within glioblastoma (GBM). However, the specific functions of E2F transcription factors (E2Fs) and their impact on the malignancy of Bevacizumab (BVZ)-responsive GBM subtypes remain unclear. This study used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to explore the impact of eight E2F family members on the clinical characteristics of BVZ-responsive GBM subtypes and possible mechanisms of recurrence after BVZ treatment.To predict the possibility of GBM patient survival and progression, we classified and comparedthe expression of E2Fs according to BVZ-responsive subtypes and employed a machine learning method-TreeBagger, one random forest algorithm. Multiple bioinformatics analyses have shown that the significant increased E2F8 post BVZ treatment may enhance the function of angiogenesis and stem cell proliferation, indicating one of the mechanisms of GBM recurrence after treatment. In addition, BVZ treatment in unresponsive GBM patients may potentially worsen disease progression. Our findings suggest that E2F family members play important roles in GBM malignancy and BVZ treatment response, highlighting their potential as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets and recommending precise BVZ treatment for GBM patients.

One of today’s most critical challenges is ensuring a sufficient food production and supply for the ever-expanding global population. Recently, many countries around the world, particularly those in Africa, grapple with severe hunger and food insecurity, frequently exacerbated by escalating global prices, persistent insecurity, and the repercussion of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this study undertook an extensive review of the prevalence and severity of hunger and food insecurity across diverse countries and regions. The review utilised several metrics, including Global Hunger Index (GHI) scores, Global Food Security index (GFSI) scores, 2023 data (related to two Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) target) from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other pertinent sources to assess the current status of the countries included in this study. The 20 countries with 2023 GHI scores below 5 were collectively ranked from 1 to 20, signifying low hunger levels. However, Central African Republic (CAR) received the lowest ranking at 125 out of 125, with a score of 42.3, indicating an alarming level of hunger. Finland achieved the highest GFSI score of 83.7, with Oman showing the most notable GFSI improvement at +13.8, while Syria experienced a significant decline in GFSI score by -10.5. Over time, many countries, particularly the developed ones, witnessed significant improvement in their GHI and GFSI scores. Meanwhile, most countries in sub-Saharan Africa experienced the most deterioration in their GFSI scores and notable increases in their GHI scores. The review documented the significant progress made by countries and regions in reducing levels of hunger and food insecurity, while highlighting the substantial burden borne by sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in combating global hunger and food insecurity.

This article argues that philosophy and its influential narrative should take and think "food" - the gastro-world - in order to radically renew itself and develop a gastrocentric view of the world and the future of humanity. It discusses first some of the basic ideas of a gastrocentric understanding of the world, second the adventure of becoming a Terran, and third the daily practice of what I will call "terra madre forming". It tells us this: If there is to be a future of human survival and well-being on Earth, if we are to achieve the goals of sustainable development, then we have a clear agenda for tomorrow with the re-humidification of the soil - madre terra - that nourishes us. What needs to be done is quite simple and down-to-earth: We, each of us, if possible, must participate in the regeneration of the earth. In conclusion, it is time for the Slow Food movement to blossom into a geo-gastro-activism. The future task of this organization is to make itself electable as a political party to support the much-needed transformation of humans into Terrans.

The new unique technology for granulation of metals and nonmetallic melts is presented in the paper. It was created on the newly developed controlled film flow disintegration with rapid cooling of the droplets and solidified granules in amorphous state. Three new phenomena discovered by us created the base for 3 different methods for granulation of metals and nonmetallic melts in a wide range of granules’ sizes. Electromagnetic resonance method allows producing granules of metals in the range of 1 mm and over. The soliton-like vibrational regime is available for production of any granulation material in the range 0.1-1 mm. Moreover, the shockwave regime is applicable for producing particles from 10 micrometers by size. All methods produce particles of the stated size with a narrow distribution by size: deviation from the average size no more than 50%. The other known methods do not produce granules with such high cooling rate, which can realize the amorphous state and cannot regulate size of particles in such bright but narrow range from 10 micrometers to 1-2 mm.

Agricultural activities are the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon emissions from agricultural land use (CEALU) have become a hot issue across the world. However, few scholars explored the impact of agricultural land policies on carbon emissions, such as the High-standard farmland construction(HSFC) in China.Thus，by relying on provincial panel data for China for the period 2005-2017, the effect of the high-standard basic farmland construction policy on carbon emissions from agricultural land use per unit area and its regional differences were quantitatively analyzed using the difference-in-difference (DID) model. The results showed that: 1) China's CEALU per unit area presented a fluctuating upward trend during the period 2005-2017, from 392.58 kg/ha to 457.72 kg/ha, with an average annual growth rate of 1.31%. 2) The high-standard farmland construction(HSFC) policy produced a significant carbon emission reduction effect in agricultural land use, and reduced the CEALU per unit area by 10.80% on average. With the promotion of this policy, its carbon emission reduction effect in agricultural land use presented an overall increasing trend. 3) The carbon emission reduction effect of the high-standard farmland construction policy in agricultural land use was significant in central China, but non-significant in eastern China and western China.

In this work, satellite data from the Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments is analyzed to determine how the global absorbed sunlight and global entropy generation rate have changed during the time period from 2002 to 2023. The data is used to test hypotheses derived from the Maximum Power Principle (MPP) and Maximum Entropy Production Principle (MEP) about the evolution of earth’s surface and atmosphere. The results indicate that the amount of absorbed sunlight has increased over the last 20 years but rising surface temperatures have caused the entropy generation rate to remain approximately constant despite that decrease in albedo. The results are simpler to explain using the MPP but do not completely rule out the MEP. Given the acceptance of the MPP or MEP, some extensions and nuances are discussed.

This investigation mainly focused on the microstructural analysis of Al based hybrid metal matrix composites. Aluminium as base metal and reinforced with 2% B4 C, ZrO2 (2%,4%,6%), SiC (4%,8%,12%). Specimens were manufactured by using conventional stir casting technique. Hybrid metal matrix composites were examined by using Scanning electron microscope. This research explained XRD, EDS and Fractography analysis. This investigation shows the reinforced material has given better results in all aspects than pure Al6061 alloy and homogeneous dispersion of particles inside the matrix. Porosity, delamination, cracks, particle distributions were observed through microstructural analysis. Additionally determined the crystal size of pure Aluminium 6061 alloy and hybrid composites.

Photonic sensors are innovative devices that leverage the principles of light-matter interaction to enable precise and efficient detection of various physical parameters. These sensors operate by exploiting the interaction between photons, the fundamental particles of light, and matter. The light propagates through an optical waveguide, and a portion of the electromagnetic field extends beyond the waveguide surface, forming the evanescent field. This evanescent field interacts with the surrounding medium, allowing for highly sensitive detection of changes in the refractive index or properties of nearby substances. The underlying concept involves the modulation of light properties, such as intensity, wavelength, or phase, when it interacts with a target substance or undergoes changes in the surrounding environment. The advancements in photonic sensor technology have paved the way for enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and miniaturization, making them invaluable tools in diverse industries. The ability to harness light-matter interactions for sensing purposes not only facilitates highly sensitive measurements but also allows for non-intrusive and remote monitoring, contributing to the evolution of smart and connected systems. In this overview, the material platforms and waveguide structures are explored that can make highly sensitive photonic devices applied to gas and biosensing applications.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), has emerged as an attractive state-of-the-art tool for precisely fabricating functional materials with complex geometries, championing several advancements in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and therapeutics. However, this technology has an untapped potential for biotechnological applications, such as sensor and biosensor development. By exploring these avenues, the scope of 3D printing technology can be expanded and pave the way for groundbreaking innovations in the biotechnology field. Indeed, new printing materials and printers would offer new possibilities for seamlessly incorporating biological functionalities within the growing 3D scaffolds. Herein, we review the extrusion-based 3D printing modalities emphasizing biosensor applications. We highlighted the application of natural, synthetic, and composite biomaterials as 3D-printed soft hydrogels. Emphasis was placed on the approach by which the sensing molecules were introduced during the fabrication process. Finally, the future perspective was provided.

In this paper, we propose an imagined speech-based brain wave pattern recognition using deep learning. Multiple features were extracted concurrently from eight-channel Electroencephalography (EEG) signals. To obtain classifiable EEG data with fewer number of sensors, we placed the EEG sensors on carefully selected spots on the scalp. To decrease the dimensions and complexity of the EEG dataset and to avoid overfitting during the deep learning algorithm, we utilized the wavelet scattering transformation. A low-cost 8-channel EEG headset was used with MATLAB 2023a to acquire the EEG data. The Long-Short Term Memory Recurrent Neural Network (LSTM-RNN) was used to decode the identified EEG signals into four audio commands: Up, Down, Left, and Right. Wavelet scattering transformation was applied to extract the most stable features by passing the EEG dataset through a series of filtration processes. Filtration has been implemented for each individual command in the EEG datasets. The proposed imagined speech-based brain wave pattern recognition approach achieved a 92.50% overall classification accuracy. This accuracy is promising for designing a trustworthy imagined speech-based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) future real-time systems. For better evaluation of the classification performance, other metrics were considered, and we obtained 92.74%, 92.50% and 92.62% for precision, recall, and F1-score, respectively.

This article analyzes the Franco-Spanish invasion of Vietnam from 1858 to 1860. Research is based on documents such as correspondence, reports, archives and diplomatic treaties as well as monographs from the time France intended to invade Vietnam through missionary activities until the end of the Franco-Spanish invasion. The article focuses on three basic issues that are the causes of the alliance, the evolution of the French and Spanish coalition invasion in Vietnam and its impact on stakeholders. The research results on the Franco-Spanish invasion of Vietnam indicated that the invasion carried out by this alliance was more special than that of the other French coalitions before. The invasion was based on an alliance without any commitment to the interests and responsibilities of the parties. The goals of France and Spain in this invasion were different. That led to conflict between France and Spain during the invasion and the fall of the alliance. France achieved its goal through an invasion that turned Vietnam into a colony, while Spain had barely achieved its desire to have commercial and missionary interests in the area.

In the paper the verification of forecasts of precipitation conditions measured by the standardized precipitation index SPI is presented. For the verification of categorical forecasts a contingency table was used. Standard verification measures were used for the SPI value forecast. The 30 day SPI moved every 10 days by 10 days was calculated in 2013-2015 from April to September on the basis of precipitation data from 35 meteorological stations in Poland. Predictions of the 30 day SPI were created in which precipitation was forecasted in the next 10 days (the SPI 10-day forecast) and 20 days (the SPI 20-day forecast). Both for the 10 and 20 days, the forecasts were skewed towards drier categories at the expense of wet categories. There was a good agreement between observed and 10-day forecast categories of precipitation. Less agreement is obtained for 20-day forecasts – these forecasts evidently “over-dry” the assessment of precipitation anomalies. The 10-day SPI value forecast accuracy is acceptable, whereas for the 20-day forecast is unsatisfactory. Both for the SPI categorical and the SPI value forecast, the 10-day SPI forecast is reliable and the 20-day forecast should be accepted with reservation and used with caution.

Finding a good MIMO system model also major issue in Wireless Communication system. It is facing with so many problem, one of the major problem is finding good system model in terms of capacity and transmitting antenna system. In this paper, we analyze the channel capacity of various MIMO system model with some constant SNR level and outage probability. We establish a novel idea for MIMO system models as consider as 2^N- MIMO system model and find-out change in channel capacity when different transmitting antennas with constant SNR and outage probability. The channel capacity ratio CC_R is presented here on the basis of 2^N- MIMO channel capacity model. Number of transmitted antenna presented in MIMO system is increases is well-known however paper shows change in capacity in simple form.

This study presents PlanteSaine, a novel mobile application powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) models explicitly designed for maize, tomato, and onion farmers in Burkina Faso. Agriculture in Burkina Faso, like many developing nations, faces substantial challenges from plant pests and diseases, posing threats to both food security and economic stability. PlanteSaine addresses these challenges by offering a comprehensive solution that provides farmers with real-time identification of pests and diseases. Farmers capture images of affected plants with their smartphones, and PlanteSaine's AI system analyzes these images to provide accurate diagnoses. The application's offline functionality ensures accessibility even in remote areas with limited internet connectivity, while its messaging feature facilitates communication with agricultural authorities for guidance and support. Additionally, PlanteSaine includes an emergency alert mechanism to notify farmers about pest and disease outbreaks, enhancing their preparedness to deal with these threats. An AI-driven framework, featuring an image feature extraction phase with EfficientNetB3 and an artificial neural network (ANN) classifier, was developed and integrated into PlanteSaine. The evaluation of PlanteSaine demonstrates its superior performance compared to baseline models, showcasing its effectiveness in accurately detecting diseases and pests across maize, tomato, and onion crops. Overall, this study highlights the potential of PlanteSaine to revolutionize agricultural technology in Burkina Faso and beyond. Leveraging AI and mobile computing, PlanteSaine provides farmers with accessible and reliable pest and disease management tools, ultimately contributing to sustainable farming practices and enhancing food security. The success of PlanteSaine underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing pressing challenges in global agriculture

Behavior analysis is a widely used non-invasive tool in the practical production routine, as the animal acts as a biosensor capable of reflecting its degree of adaptation and discomfort to some environmental challenge. Predominantly, conventional statistics use occurrence data for behavioral evaluation and well-being estimation, disregarding the temporal sequence of events. The Generalized Sequential Pattern (GSP) algorithm is a data mining method that identifies recurrent sequences that exceed a user-specified support threshold, whose potential has not yet been investigated for broiler chickens in enriched environments. Enrichment aims to increase environmental complexity with promising effects on animal welfare, stimulating priority behaviors and potentially reducing the deleterious effects of heat stress. The objective was to validate the application of the GSP algorithm to identify temporal correlations between heat stress and the behavior of broiler chickens in enriched environments through proof of concept. Video image collection was carried out automatically for 48 continuous hours, analyzing a continuous period of seven hours, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, during two consecutive days of tests for chickens housed in enriched and non-enriched environments under comfort and stress temperatures. Chickens at comfort temperature showed high motivation to perform the behaviors of Preening (P), Foraging (F), Lying down (Ld), Eating (E), and Walking (W) whose sequences <{Ld,P}>; <{Ld,F}>; <{P,F,P}>; <{Ld,P,F}> and <{E,W,F}> were the only ones observed in both treatments. All other sequential patterns (comfort and stress) were distinct, suggesting that environmental enrichment alters the behavioral pattern of broiler chickens. Heat stress drastically reduced the sequential patterns found at the 20% threshold level in the tested environments. The behavior of lying laterally "Ll" is a strong indicator of heat stress in broilers and was only frequent in the non-enriched environment, which may suggest that environmental enrichment provides the animal with better opportunities to adapt to stress-inducing challenges, such as heat.

Purpose: Early glottic cancer is a highly curable malignancy. Disease control is achieved by resec-tion or external beam radiation with similar long-term results according survival. Surgery is predominantly performed by transoral endoscopic approach, due to reduced complication rates when compared to open cordectomy. Open cordectomy might still be warranted in cases of inad-equate surgical accessibility. Aim of the present study was to compare endoscopic versus open approach in relation to complications and outcome in an up-to-date patient group. Methods: 219 patients underwent primary tumor resection in early glottic cancer (UICC stages I-II). 168 opera-tions were performed endoscopically, 51 operations were open transcervical cordectomies. We compared survival data with non-parametric methods and functional outcome according to need of tracheostomy, feeding tube and voice functional outcome following ELS protocol. Results: There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS). 2 years OS after endoscopic surgery was 90.5% vs 95.3% after transcervical resection. As expected, OS in T1b and T2 tumors was worse than in T1a tumors. We found a statistically significant difference in disease free survival (DFS) within the T1a and T1b/T2 group (Log rank test: p=0.006) but no relevant difference be-tween the two surgical modalities, even when the data was stratified by T-categories performing a Cox regression (hazard ratio 1.21, p=0.712). Patients who underwent open surgery had a sig-nificantly worse peri- and postoperative course with longer hospital stay, higher frequency of tracheotomies and longer need for nasogastric tubes. Functional results were comparable within the two patient groups while higher tumor size / stage was an unfavorable predictor for voice re-habilitation. Conclusion: Open cordectomy leads to more complications but offers comparable oncological and functional outcome when compared to transoral endoscopic approach in early glottic cancer. Open surgery therefore continues to be a valid treatment option when endoscopic resection is not possible.

Aim: The aim of the study is to analyze quantitatively the scientific literature covering nursing studies on patient safety. Method: The Web of Science database is queried in this retrospective bibliometric analysis to identify relevant publications. The study themes, contributing journals, countries, institutions, and authors were evaluated quantitatively. Thus, a total of 5470 publications concerning patient safety in nursing were included and analyzed. Findings: The number of studies conducted increased every year from 1992 to 2023. While the country whose articles receive the most citations (31072) is the United States of America (USA), Turkey is ranked as last with the lowest number of citations (581). Journal of Clinical Nursing, with 338 articles, appeared to have the highest number of publications, Chaboyer W. appeared to have the highest number of citations with a total of 1426 and 45 publications. The countries that have the strongest international cooperation for research in this field are the USA, England, Australia and China. Results: After examining the literature in the field of patient safety in nursing through bibliometric analysis, it is seen that themes such as patient safety, medication errors, nursing care, nursing, education, systematic review, quality care and leadership were emphasized as important considerations.

Stress during a pandemic increased the risk of alcohol consumption, which may require pharmacological management. The characteristics of emergency calls for alcohol-related issues for patients pharmacologically treated, admitted to, or not admitted to the emergency department (ED) were analyzed. An observational single-center retrospective study was conducted from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021, and divided into 2-year periods (2018–2019 and 2020–2021). This study focused on calls to one of the EDs of seven hospitals in the Bari (Italy) metropolitan area for patients requiring emergency services (ES) who were either admitted or not admitted, due to their refusal. A 30% reduction in emergency calls for alcohol-related issues and a 41.17% reduction in calls for patients who refused to be admitted to the ED were observed during the pandemic. During the pandemic, a reduced rate of pharmacological treatment for calls coded green (non-critical), and an increase in calls coded yellow (fairly critical) and red (very critical) were recorded. Metadoxine was administered in almost all alcohol-related emergencies, primarily in conjunction with drugs acting on the gastrointestinal tract, irrespective of age, the period considered, and whether patients were admitted or not admitted to the ED. ES is the first and only out-of-hospital service encountered by numerous patients with alcohol-use disorders who refuse to be admitted to the ED. These patients should be directed by ES personnel to a multidisciplinary program to receive treatment for drinking, improve their quality of life, and reduce sanitation costs.

Enclosed public spaces are the hotspots for airborne disease transmission. To measure and maintain indoor air quality in terms of airborne transmission, an open source, low cost and distributed array of Particulate Matter Sensors has been developed and named as Dynamic Aerosol Transport for Indoor Ventilation or DATIV system. This system can use multiple Particulate Matter Sensors (PMS) simultaneously and can be remotely controlled using a Raspberry Pie based operating system. The data acquisition system can be easily operated using the GUI within any common browser installed on a remote device such as a PC or Smartphone with corresponding IP address. The software architecture and validation measurements are presented together with possible future developments.

Ovarian cancer is among the most common causes of female mortality. Despite improvements in diagnostic methods, non-specific symptoms and delayed gynecological exams can lead to late-stage ovarian tumor discovery. In this study, the effect of an anti-cancer compound, 3-amino-N-(3-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-b]quinoline-2-carboxamide (Compound 1) was examined. Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and metabolomic changes in ovarian cancer cell lines SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3, as well as glycosphingolipid (GSL) expression, both on cancer stem cells (CSCs), marked as CD49f+ and non-CSCs (CD49f-) were explored. Treatment with Compound 1 reduced the percentage of CSCs compared to non-treated cells (P < 0.001). The expression of eight GSLs on CSCs and non-CSCs was examined using flow cytometry. Both cell lines showed a change in the glycophenotype of the cells, either up or down of its expression, after the treatment. These findings raise the possibility of specifically targeting CSCs in ovarian cancer therapy. Additionally, treatment of Compound 1 resulted in a statistically significant increase in both early and late apoptosis (P<0.001) suggesting a pivotal role in initiating programmed cell death by the apoptotic pathway. The metabolic analysis revealed that the treated cancer cells showed reduced metabolic activity compared to the control group (P < 0.001)

1) Background: Capturing patients’ medical histories significantly influences clinical decisions. Errors in this process lead to clinical errors, increase costs and dissatisfaction among physicians and patients. Physicians in developing countries are overloaded with patients and cannot always follow the proper history-taking procedure. The challenges are acknowledged; however, a comprehensive understanding of the status and the remedies remained unexplored. 2) Objective: This paper aims to investigate the workload, history-taking challenges, and the willingness of the physicians to accept digital solutions. 3) Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted on 104 physicians across Bangladesh, featuring 22 questions regarding their professional environment, workload, digitization status of health records, challenges in history-taking, and attitudes toward adopting digital solutions for managing patient histories; 4) Results: 92.67% of the physicians face workloads, 88.46% struggle in medical history-taking, and only 4.81% use digital medical records. About 70% struggle to complete the necessary history-taking steps, emphasizing the urgent need for solutions. An AI-based Smart Health Gantt Chart (SHGC) system has been introduced for their instant feedback. 93.27% of physicians expressed their willingness to use such a system. 5) Conclusions: The proposed SHGC has the potential to enhance healthcare efficiency in developing nations, benefit physicians, and improve patient-centered care.

Objective: The influence of gender on the number and pattern of co-morbid psychiatric illness was archivally compared between patients with and without an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) among psychiatrically treated individuals drawn from a large Danish birth cohort. Method: By age 45, fifteen percent of the Copenhagen Perinatal Birth Cohort (N=8,109) had been treated in a Danish psychiatric facility. Of those 1,247 patients, 368 were assigned an AUD diagnosis (29.5%). All psychiatric diagnoses assigned to these patients, over all admissions, were classified into one of 14 broad ICD-10 F categories for comparative purposes. Results: More of the patients with an AUD diagnosis were male. Patients with an AUD diagnosis were significantly more likely to receive two or more non-AUD psychiatric diagnoses than patients without an AUD diagnosis. The number of psychiatric diagnoses was greater for female than male AUD patients, a difference not found among male and female patients without an AUD diagnosis. For patients with no AUD diagnosis, the influence of gender on the pattern of psychiatric disorders was similar to that commonly reported. In contrast, the influence of gender on the number and pattern of psychiatric disorders for patients with an AUD diagnosis indicated fewer gender differences. Several diagnostic categories that discriminated male from female patients without an AUD-related diagnosis, no longer discriminated male from female patients with an AUD-related diagnosis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that gender differences associated with psychiatric comorbidity that have been reported in large heterogenous study, should not be generalized to specific diagnostic groups without further study.

Esterquats constitute a unique group of quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) that contain an ester bond in the structure of the cation. Despite the numerous advantages of this class of compounds, only two mini-reviews discuss the subject of esterquats: the first one (2007) briefly summarizes their types, synthesis, and structural elements required for a beneficial environmental profile and only briefly covers their applications whereas the second one only reviews the stability of selected betaine-type esterquats in aqueous solutions. The rationale for writing this review is to critically reevaluate the relevant literature and provide others with a “state-of-the-art” snapshot of choline-type esterquats and betaine-type esterquats. Hence, the first part of this survey thoroughly summarizes the most important scientific reports demonstrating effective synthesis routes leading to the formation of both types of esterquats. In the second section, the susceptibility of esterquats to hydrolysis is explained, and the influence of various factors, such as the pH, the degree of salinity or the temperature of the solution, was subjected to thorough analysis that includes quantitative components. The next two sections refer to various aspects associated with the ecotoxicity of esterquats. Consequently, their biodegradation and toxic effects on microorganisms are extensively analyzed as crucial factors that can affect their commercialization. Then, the reported applications of esterquats are briefly discussed, including functionalization of macromolecules, such as cotton fabric as well as their successful utilization on a commercial scale. The last section demonstrates the most essential conclusions and reported drawbacks that allow us to elucidate future recommendations regarding the development of these promising chemicals.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is related with adverse outcomes for both the mother and the offspring. Immune and senescence play a crucial role in GDM progression. This study aims to explore the diagnostic significance of immune-related senescence (IRS) genes in GDM. We used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to compute the immune score and aging score in control and GDM samples. Machine learning identified core IRS genes. Then we performed unsupervised cluster analysis in GDM patients to explore immune infiltration. Finally, we validated the core genes in clinical samples. We used the intersection of MEblack module from WGCNA and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to obtain the potential genes. Next, a univariate logistic regression model including 23 potential genes were constructed, and these genes were filtered by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. There were 5 potential genes (COX17, RRAS2, RRAGC, CECR1, and TACC2), which defined as biomarkers, remained eventually, and the efficacy of these biomarkers was evaluated by nomogram. Finally, the results from both qRT-PCR and western blot analyses demonstrated CECR1 was down-regulated, while TACC2 was up-regulated in GDM placental tissue. Our study identified CECR1 and TACC2 as diagnostic biomarkers for GDM associating with immune and senescence, providing a new perspective on GDM progression.

Abstract Introduction: In the last thirty years, brain neuromodulation techniques have been used as an alternative to pharmacological treatment of neurological disorders. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to bradykinesia, rest tremor, postural changes, and non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, pain, and cognitive decline that compromises executive functions (EFs), responsible for the orderly execution of behaviors and tasks of daily life and intentional and directed actions. To this date, a few studies with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown beneficial effects in PD patients concerning specific motor and non-motor symptoms, targeting the motor cortex and/or prefrontal regions. Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of left prefrontal tDCS across a broad spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms of PD using established validated scales. Method: Single-blind randomized clinical trial with 18 volunteers with PD, aged between 45 and 80 years (66.1 ± 9.65), who met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were submitted to assessments of motor and non-motor functions employing psychometric scales and tests to evaluate EFs and were randomly divided into two groups: control (sham stimulation) and experimental (active stimulation). All participants were involved in three separate tDCS sessions. The anode was positioned over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathode over the right supraorbital region, with a direct current intensity of 2mA, lasting 20 minutes. At the end of the three sessions, all participants were reassessed. Results: Significant effects of tDCS on non-motor functions were observed for cognition (verbal fluency of actions, clock copy test, appointment by visual confrontation, and verbal memory with immediate free recall) and subjective assessment of sleep quality (overall restlessness and discomfort in the arms and legs at night, leg and arm cramps at night and distressing dreams). There was also an improvement in the rate of errors and successes for congruent and incongruent stimuli of the Stroop Test. The beneficial effects on motor function were decreased rigidity, improved gait, and greater agility in the finger-tapping test. Conclusion: Three tDCS sessions showed positive results for participants with PD, producing significant improvements in various motor and non-motor functions, including sleep quality, cognition, and EFs. Additionally, the present results indicate that tDCS neuromodulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region is feasible, safe, and provides significant objective benefits for PD patients.

The long-term use of fertilizers and pesticides in conventional cultivation has resulted in a decrease in soil productivity and vegetable yields in greenhouses. However, only a limited number of studies have explored the impacts of organic cultivation on greenhouse soil. Specifically, there is a scarcity of research examining the alterations in soil aggregate mediated organic carbon and microbial communities, which are known to enhance soil productivity. This study investigated the properties of soil aggregates, including the levels of organic carbon fractions, microbial community, and enzyme activity with the three aggregate classes microaggregates (<0.25 mm), small macroaggregates (2-0.25 mm) and large macroaggregates (>2 mm). These investigations were conducted under three different cultivation methods in a greenhouse: conventional cultivation (CC), integrated cultivation (IC), and organic cultivation (OC) in greenhouse. The results showed that (1) OC and IC promoted the formation of small macro-aggregates and enhanced aggregate stability compared to CC, (2) SOC in the three size fractions of OC increased by 98.99%-92.06% compared to CC; EOC increased by 98.47%-117.59%; POC increased by 138.59%-208.70%; MBC increased by 104.71%-230.61%; DOC increased by 21.93%-40.90%, respectively; (3) Organic cultivation significantly increased enzyme activity in all three particle size aggregates and increased the relative abundance of bacteria in micro-aggregates as well as the relative abundance of fungi in small macro-aggregates. Structural equation model (SEM) analysis revealed that organic farming practices fostered the development of smaller macro-aggregates, elevated microbial and enzyme activities within soil aggregates, and facilitated the conversion of soil nutrients and carbon sequestration. consequently, this led to an increase in soil organic carbon content and improved vegetable yield in greenhouse environments. In conclusion, the soil carbon content and vegetable yield are enhanced through long-term organic cultivation in greenhouses, primarily by increasing the proportion of small macro-aggregates.

Background: Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are implicated in carcinogenesis, and HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) are explored as a therapeutic tool in several tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of HDAC -2, -4, and -5 expression in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Methods: HDAC-2, -4, and -5 immunohistochemical expression was examined in 92 EOC tissue specimens and was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. Results: HDAC-2 was the most frequently (94.4%) expressed isoform, being marginally higher in serous tumors compared with other types (p=0,08). HDAC-5 was the less frequently expressed (28.1%), being positively associated with HDAC-4. HDAC-4 positivity was associated with lower FIGO-stage (p=0,045) and T-category (p=0.,043) and the absence of lymph node (p=0,05) or distant metastasis (p=0,09) in serous carcinomas. HDAC-2 positivity was correlated with absence of lymph node metastasis in serous tumors (p=0,045). On the contrary, HDAC-5 nuclear positivity was correlated with lymph node metastasis in the entire cohort (p=0,048). HDAC-4 positivity was marginally associated with favorable prognosis in serous carcinomas in univariate survival analysis (p=0,086), a correlation which was not significant in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: These findings suggest a differential expression of HDAC-2, -4 and -5, providing evidence for a potential role in the pathobiology of EOC.

Introduction: Hospitalization in a COVID-19 unit represents a significant source of stress and psychological distress for patients. Our study aims to determine the factors of psychological distress in the therapeutic and psychosocial management of patients hospitalized with a COVID-19 infection. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out over 8 months at the COVID-19 zone of the CHU HASSAN II of FES. 99 patients were evaluated within days of diagnosis by psychometric scales of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. In the course of this follow-up, we found the presence of psychological impacts in these patients, and we tried to find correlating factors between the occurrence of psychiatric disorders and the set of factors related to sociodemographic data, hospitalization course and treatments taken, as well as family support. Results: 35% of patients had scores in favor of post-traumatic stress disorder, 37% of the patients had definite depression and 50% had anxiety. Post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety were correlated with sociodemographic factors, hospitalization, treatments received, and length of stay. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety-depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder was high in patients with COVID-19, hence the interest in providing psychological and psychosocial care in the emergency department.

Background: Condoms have proven to be an effective contraceptive barrier method of family planning and have played a vital role in preventing sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. However, existing evidence shows that utilization of condoms still remains low, especially among youth and adolescents. We aimed to determine the prevalence of condom use and associated factors among the students of Gulu university in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of Gulu University between June and December 2023. The students were accessed from their respective faculties and chosen using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered structured questionnaire. Condom use was defined as use of either male or female condom in the last sexual encounter in the previous six months. Results: A total of 404 participants, with a median age of 23 years (interquartile range (21.5-24) years) were enrolled in the study, 54.2%(n=219) of whom were male. Overall, 81.4%(n=329) of the participants were in senior classes (year 2,3,4, and 5) and 18.6%(n=75) were in their first year of study. The prevalence of condom use was 53.7%(n=217). Prevalence of condom use was 50.2%(n=109) among male and 49.8%(n=108) among female students. Year of study (senior class)(aPR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.59, 3.54), having a sexual partner (aPR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.89, 2.94), having a sexual partner within campus (aPR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.69, 2.45), experience of condom bursting (aPR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.61), having sex in absence of condoms (aPR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.44, 0.70), alcohol use (aPR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.45) were independently associated with condom use. Conclusion: Just over half of undergraduate students of Gulu university used condoms during sexual encounters. There should be heighten campaigns on condom use to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

This study explores optimizing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite constellation scheduling for multi-imaging missions in densely targeted areas using an in-house developed Modified Dynamic Programming (MDP) algorithm. By employing Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to define the mission planning problem, the research aims to maximize observation of high-value targets within restricted planning horizons. Numerical simulations, covering a wide range of target numbers and satellite configurations, reveal the MDP algorithm’s superior mission allocation efficiency, enhanced success rates, and reduced revisit times, compared to the Greedy algorithm. The findings underscore the MDP algorithm’s improved operational efficiency and planning robustness for complex imaging tasks, demonstrating significant advancements over traditional approaches.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that children and also adults can develop. A complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors may underlie interindividual variability in ADHD and potentially related aggressive behavior. Using high-resolution molecular biology techniques, we investigated the impact of some MAOA and SLC6A4 variations on ADHD and aggressive behavior in a group of 80 Italian children with ADHD and in 80 healthy controls.We found that homozygous genotypes of MAOA rs6323 and rs1137070 were associated with an increased risk of ADHD (p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively), instead the heterozygous genotypes (GT of rs6323 and CT of rs1137030) (p=0.0002 and p=0.0006) were strongly linked to a lower risk of developing this disorder. In patients with aggressive behavior, we highligted only a weak negative association of both MAOA polymorphisms (heterozygous genotypes) with aggressiveness then, suggesting that these genotypes maybe protective towards specific changes in behavior (p=0.05). Interestingly, an increase of the GG genotype of rs6323 (p=0.01) and a decrease of GT genotype (p=0.0005) was also found in patients without aggressive behavior compared with controls. Regarding 5HTT gene genotyping, no allele and genotype differences have been detected among patients and controls. Our work shows that defining a genetic profile of ADHD may help to early detect those patients who are more vulnerable to ADHD and/or antisocial and aggressive behavior and to design precision-targeted therapies.

Achieving the thermal conductivity required for efficient heat management in semiconductors and other devices requires the integration of thermally conductive ceramic fillers at concentrations of 60 vol% or higher. However, the increased filler content often negatively affects the mechanical properties of the composite matrix, limiting its practical applicability. To address this issue, in this paper, we present a new strategy to reduce the required ceramic filler content: the use of a thermally conductive ceramic composite filler with carbon nanotubes (CNT) grown on aluminum nitride (AlN). We have combined catalyst coating technology with vacuum filtration to ensure that the catalyst is uniformly applied to micrometer-sized AlN particles, followed by efficient and uniform synthesis of CNTs using a water-assisted process in a vertical furnace. By carefully controlling the number of vacuum filtration cycles and the growth time of the CNTs, we demonstrate precise control over the number and length of the CNT layers, thereby adjusting the properties of the composite to the intended specifications. When AlN/CNT hybrid fillers are incorporated into silicone rubber, while maintaining the mechanical properties of rubber, the thermal diffusivity achieved at reduced filler levels exceeds that of composites using AlN-only or simultaneous AlN and CNTs formulations. This demonstrates the critical role of CNTs on AlN surfaces. Our study represents a significant advancement in the design of thermally conductive materials with potential implications for a wide range of applications.

Thyroid surgery rates have tripled over the past 3 decades making it one of the most frequently performed procedures within general surgery. They are associated with the possibility of serious postoperative complications having a significant impact on the patient's quality of life. The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy and the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) palsy are, next to hypoparathyroidism and bleeding after operation, one of the most common complications. The introduction of neuromonitoring into thyroid surgery, enabling both confirmation of anatomical integrity and assessment of laryngeal nerve function, was a milestone that has begun a new era in thyroid surgery. The International Neural Monitoring Study Group made standardization of the technique of RLN and EBSLN monitoring during thyroid and parathyroid surgery which increased prevalence of neural monitoring during thyroidectomy. Current status of IONM and benefits of its use have been presented in this publication.

The objective of this study is to investigate the aquatic-toxic effects of glyoxal-containing cellulose ether with four different glyoxal concentrations (0, 1.4, 2.3 and 6.3%) in response to global chemical regulations, e.g., European Union Classification, Labeling and Packaging (EU CLP). Tests of the aquatic-toxic effects of glyoxal-containing cellulose ether on 11 freeze-dried microbial strains, Microcystis aeruginosa, Daphnia magna and zebrafish embryos were designed as an initial stage for toxicity screening, and were performed with the standardized toxicity test guidelines. Glyoxal-containing cellulose ether showed no significant toxic effects in the toxicity tests for the 11 freeze-dried microbial strains, Daphnia magna and zebrafish embryos. Alternatively, 6.3% glyoxal-containing cellulose ether led to more than a 60% reduction of Microcystis aeruginosa growth after 7 days of exposure. Approximately 10% developmental abnormalities (e.g., bent spine) in zebrafish embryos were also observed in the group exposed to 6.3% glyoxal-containing cellulose ether after 6 days of exposure. These results imply that <6.3% glyoxal-containing cellulose ether results in non-toxic effects on the acute toxicity of aquatic organisms. However, ≥6.3% glyoxal-containing cellulose ether may affect the health of aquatic organisms with long-term exposure. In order to better evaluate the eco-safety of cellulosic products contained in glyoxal, further studies regarding the toxic effects of glyoxal-containing cellulose ether with long-term exposure are required. The results from this study allow us to evaluate the auatic-toxic effects of glyoxal-containing cellulosic products, under EU chemical regulations, on the health of aquatic organisms.

A simple approach was developed to predict corn yields using the MoDerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data product from two geographically separate major corn crop production regions: Illinois, USA and Heilongjiang, China. The MOD09A1 data product, which are 8-day interval surface reflectance data, were obtained from day of the year (DOY) 89 to 337 to calculate the leaf area index (LAI). The sum of the LAI from early in the season to a given date in the season [end of DOY (EOD)] was well fitted to a logistic function and represented seasonal changes in leaf area duration (LAD). A simple phenology model was derived to estimate the dates of emergence and maturity using the logistic function parameters b1 and b2, which represented the rate of increase in LAI and the date of maximum LAI, respectively. The phenology model predicted emergence and maturity dates fairly well, with root mean square error (RMSE) values of 6.3 and 4.9 days for the validation dataset, respectively. Two simple linear regression models (YP and YF) were established using LAD as the variable to predict corn yield; the yield model (YP) used LAD from predicted emergence to maturity, and the yield model (YF) used LAD for a predetermined period from DOY 89 to a particular EOD. When state/province corn yields for the validation dataset were predicted at DOY 321, near completion of the corn harvest, the YP model performed much better than the YF model, with RMSE values of 0.68 t/ha and 0.66 t/ha for Illinois and Heilongjiang, respectively. The YP model showed a similar or better performance, even for the much earlier yield prediction at DOY 257, compared to that of the YF model. In conclusion, the phenology and yield models were developed based only on logistic changes in remote sensing-derived LAD, and predicted phenological dates and corn yields with considerable accuracy and precision for the two regions selected for this study. However, these models must be examined for spatial portability in more diverse agro-climatic regions.

Three kinds of inorganic alkali are introduced into tetraethylenepentamine (TPEA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) modified MCM-41 as the CO2 adsorbents. FT-IR and TGA are used to characterize the surface groups and the thermal stability of adsorbents. Chemical titration method is used to measure the alkali amounts of adsorbents. Thermo-gravimetric analysis with 10%CO2/N2 as the simulated flue gas is used to test the CO2 adsorption performance of adsorbents. The results show that all three kinds of inorganic alkali containing adsorbents exhibit promoted CO2 adsorption capability than traditional TPEA and PEI modified samples. Ca(OH)2 and PEI modified samples exhibit the highest adsorption capacity and stable regeneration property. The introduction of inorganic alkali changes the chemical adsorption mechanism between CO2 and increases the effective alkali amounts due to its hydroxyl groups. The CO2 adsorption capacities have a linear dependence relation with the alkali amounts of adsorbents, indicating that alkali amount is a critical factor for novel adsorbents exploring.

Abstract Background: Periodontitis is associated with systemic chronic inflammatory diseases. There is limited evidence on the influence of anti-cytokine therapies on the periodontal condition and microbiome in the tooth pocket of such patients, so the aim of this study was to elucidate this issue. Methods: In this observational trial, the periodontal status and the gingival crevicular fluid of 13 patients with different chronic inflammatory diseases were obtained before initiation of anti-cytokine treatment and 14 weeks after. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing from a clinically healthy tooth and the deepest measured pocket. Results: In participants with advanced attachment loss at baseline, the clinical attachment level significantly decreased from 2.9 (2.3-3.4) to 2.4 (1.3-3.0) mm (p = 0.04), and the bleeding- on-probing index dropped from 19.4 (10.0-21.0) to 7.3 (6.9-9.9) mm (p = 0.02) without any further periodontal treatment. Shannon’s diversity index significantly increased in the deepest pockets of patients (p = 0.039). Conclusion: The data showed alterations in diversity of the subgingival microbiome and improvement of periodontal parameters over the course of the study, implying a shift towards a healthier condition after starting anti-cytokine therapy. Additional investigations are needed to analyze whether the administration of selective biologicals can improve periodontal conditions in patients with or without chronic inflammatory diseases.

Determining the genetic contribution of susceptibility to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes is important for public health measures and individualized treatment. Through intense research on this topic, several hundred genes have been implicated as possibly contributing to the severe infection phenotype(s); however, the findings are complex and appear to be population-dependent. We aimed to determine the contribution of human rare genetic variants associated with a severe outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infections and their burden in the Slovenian population. A panel of 517 genes associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection were obtained through an extensive review of the literature, and additionally included target genes identified by the COVID-19 Host Genetic Initiative, as well as the curated Research COVID-19 associated genes from PanelApp, England Genomics. Whole genome sequencing was performed using PCR-free WGS on DNA from 60 patients hospitalized due to severe COVID-19 disease, and the identified rare genomic variants were analyzed and classified according to the ACMG criteria. Background prevalence in the general Slovenian population was determined by comparison with sequencing data from 8025 individuals included in the Slovenian genomic database (SGDB). Results show that several rare pathogenic/likely pathogenic genomic variants in genes CFTR, MASP2, MEFV, TNFRSF13B, and RNASEL likely contribute to the severe infection outcomes in our patient cohort. These results represent an insight into the Slovenian genomic diversity associated with severe COVID-19 outcome.

Prochlorococcus, a cyanobacteria genus of the smallest and most abundant oceanic phototrophs, encompasses ecotype strains adapted to high-light (HL) and low-light (LL) niches. To elucidate the adaptive evolution of this genus, we analyzed 40 Prochlorococcus marinus ORFeomes, including two cornerstone strains, MED4 and NATL1A. Employing deep learning with robust statistical methods, we detected new protein family distributions in the strains and identified key genes differentiating HL and LL strains. HL strains harbor genes (ABC-2 transporters) related to stress resistance, such as DNA repair and RNA processing, while LL strains exhibit unique chlorophyll adaptations (ion transport proteins, HEAT repeats). We report variable, depth-dependent endogenous viral elements in the 40 strains. We constructed the ORFeomes of MED4 and NATL1A covering 99 % of the annotated protein-coding sequences of the two species, totaling 3976 cloned, sequence-verified ORFs. These comparative genomics analyses, paired with MED4 and NATL1A ORFeomes, will facilitate future genotype-to-phenotype mappings and systems biology exploration of Prochlorococcus ecology.

(1) Background: The diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy involves anamnesis, assessment of sensitivity and strength, diagnostic imaging—usually magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—and electrodiagnostic testing (EDX), typically electromyography (EMG) and electroneurography (ENG). MRI evaluates the structures supporting the spinal cord, while EDX evaluates root functionality. The present study aimed to analyze the concordance of MRI and EDX findings in patients with clinically suspected radiculopathy. Additionally, we investigated the comparison between these two reference tests and various clinical variables and questionnaires. (2) Methods: We designed a prospective epidemiological study of consecutive cases with an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and double-blind nature following the STROBE guidelines, encompassing 142 patients with clinical suspicion of lumbosacral radiculopathy. (3) Results: Of the sample, 58.5% tested positive for radiculopathy using EDX as the reference test, while 45.8% tested positive using MRI. The comparison between MRI and EDX in the diagnosis of radiculopathy in patients with clinical suspicion was not significant; the overall agreement was 40.8%. Only the years with symptoms were comparatively significant between the positive and negative radiculopathy groups as determined by EDX. (4) Conclusion: The comparison between lumbar radiculopathy diagnoses in patients with clinically suspected pathology using MRI and EDX as diagnostic modalities did not yield statistically significant findings. MRI and EDX are complementary tests assessing different aspects in patients with suspected radiculopathy; degeneration of the structures supporting the spinal cord does not necessarily imply root dysfunction.

Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees are rich in biological information and are fundamental to research in biology. PhyKIT is a tool for processing and analyzing the information content of multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees. Here, we describe how to use PhyKIT for diverse analyses, including (i) constructing a phylogenomic supermatrix, (ii) detecting errors in orthology inference, (iii) quantifying biases in phylogenomic data sets, (iv) identifying radiation events or lack of resolution using gene support frequencies, and (v) conducting evolution-based screens to facilitate gene function prediction. Several PhyKIT functions that streamline multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic processing—such as renaming FASTA entries or tree tips—are also discussed. These protocols demonstrate how simple command-line operations in the unified framework of PhyKIT facilitate diverse phylogenomic data analysis and processing, from supermatrix construction and diagnosis to gene function prediction.

The platelet count, a component of the full blood count, has been identified as a useful diagnostic marker for cancer in primary care. The reference range for the platelet count is 150 to 400 or 450 × 109/l; this range does not account for natural variation in platelet count by age and sex. This study used three primary care cohorts from England Canada, and Australia. Patients aged 40 years and over with a full blood count were included and stratified by age (in 10-year bands), sex, (male/female), and platelet count group. Cancer incidence within one year of test date was estimated from linked registry data. In all three countries there was a clear upwards trend in cancer incidence with increasing platelet count, for both sexes and at all age groups. Lung and colorectal were the most common sites. These results have important implications for the international application of this work; analysis of local health datasets will be crucial to determine appropriate thresholds. Appropriate upper thresholds will depend on local populations, healthcare needs, and priorities. Further research is needed to assess the likely impact of new recommendations on the healthcare system, on cancer outcomes, and patient benefit.

A comprehensive study of the interactions of human serum albumin (HSA) and α-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) with two isoquinoline alkaloids: allocryptopine (ACP) and protopine (PP) was performed. The UV-Vis spectroscopy, molecular docking, competitive binding assays, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy were used for the investigations. The results showed that ACP and PP form spontaneous and stable complexes with HSA and AAG, with ACP displaying a stronger affinity towards both proteins. Molecular docking studies showed also revealed the preferential binding of ACP and PP to specific sites within HSA, with site 2 (IIIA) being identified as the favored location for both alkaloids. This was supported by competitive binding assays using markers specific to HSA's drug binding sites. Similarly, for AAG, a decrease in fluorescence intensity upon addition of the alkaloids to AAG/ Quinaldine Red (QR) complexes indicated the replacement of the marker by the alkaloids, with ACP showing a greater extent of replacement than PP. CD spectroscopy showed that the proteins’ structures remained largely unchanged suggesting that the formation of complexes did not significantly perturb the overall spatial configuration of these macromolecules. These findings are crucial for advancing the knowledge on the natural products-protein interactions and the future design of isoquinoline alkaloid-based therapeutics.

The release of the active substance from the matrix modified-release tablets based on Kollidon®SR and chitosan depends on its solubility in the dissolution medium and on the composition of the matrix-forming polymers. The study is based on new oral matrix tablets based on Kollidon®SR and chitosan, formulated to optimize the low oral bioavailability of chlorzoxazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a class II Biopharmaceutical Classification System. Nine types of chlorzoxazone matrix tablets were obtained using the direct compression method, and their combination at 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 chlorzoxazone/ excipients, 20%-40% (w/w) Kollidon®SR, 3-7% (w/w) chitosan and the auxiliary substances were formulated in constant concentrations. Pharmaco-technical characterization included the analysis of flowability and compressibility properties (flow time, friction coefficient, angle of repose, Hausner ratio, Carr Index), and of pharmaco-chemical characteristics (mass and dose uniformity, thickness, diameter, mechanical strength, Friability, degree of softening, in vitro release profile) of the tablets. Based on the initial evaluation of the pharmaco-technical analysis, pharmaco-chemical characteristics, and in vitro release profile, only three matrix tablet formulations (F1b, F2b, and F3b) were further tested. They were evaluated through Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray Diffraction, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and in vitro dissolution tests. The three formulations were comparatively studied regarding the release kinetics of active substances using in vitro release testing. The results were analyzed by fitting into four representative mathematical models for the modified release oral formulations. In vitro kinetic study reveals a complex mechanism of release occurring in the first (0 - 2 hours) and second (2.0 hours – 36 hours) steps of drug release. Two factors have been calculated to assess the release profile of chlorzoxazone: f1 - the similarity factor and f2 - the factor difference. The results have shown that both Kollidon®SR and chitosan may be used as matrix-forming agents when combined with chlorzoxazone. In vitro dissolution tests revealed the F2b sample, data suggesting a faster drug release. The three formulations showed optimum pharmaco-technical properties and in vitro kinetic study, and they had tremendous potential to be used in oral pharmaceutical products for the controlled delivery of chlorzoxazone.

Abstract: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection poses significant risks to fetal development, particularly affecting the nervous system. This study reports a fetal autopsy case, examining cCMV infection and focusing on CMV DNA measurements in various fetal organs before formalin fixation, a novel approach for comprehensive CMV DNA evaluations in fetal organs affected by cCMV. A 20-week-old male fetus was diagnosed with cCMV following the detection of CMV DNA in ascites obtained via abdominocentesis in utero. After termination of pregnancy, multiple organs of the fetus, including the cerebrum, thyroid gland, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, and adrenal glands, were extracted and examined for CMV DNA loads using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Histopathological examination involved hematoxylin-eosin and CMV-specific immunostaining. A correlation was found between CMV DNA loads and pathology, with higher CMV-infected cell numbers observed in organs positively identified with both staining methods, exhibiting CMV DNA levels of ≥1.0 × 104 copies/mL, compared to those detected solely by CMV-specific immunostaining, where CMV DNA levels ranged from 1.0 x 103 to 1.0 x 104 copies/mL. These results highlight a quantifiable relationship between organ infection extent and CMV DNA concentration, providing insights into cCMV pathogenesis and potentially informing future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cCMV infection.

One of the main challenges of cultured meat is reducing the costs of production, often described as scaling. The main components of the cultivation process include: cells, media, scaffolds and bioreactors. This work presents an alternative to current stainless steel or glass bioreactors and uses food-grade plant-based scaffolds. Bioreactors must be sterile and leak-free to maintain a proper environment for cell growth. Thermoplastic films are a popular material for constructing these fluidic systems, but traditional methods of welding these film are expensive and do not allow rapid prototyping resulting in high research and development costs for companies. In this study, a laser welding method was developed to join thermoplastic films in a way that prevents contamination and leaks, affording effective macro-fluidics fabrication. This technique was tested using polyethylene (PET) films and a laser cutter operating with settings calibrated for the material to be welded or cut. The laser welding method was found to produce strong, leak-free seals in PET films with minimal heat-induced damage to the films. The ability to design fluidics, chambers and ports of various size. Using this method afforded the incorporation of plant-based scaffolds from food-grade plants (Rice). The laser welding method developed in this study provides a reliable, contamination-free method for the rapid fabrication of fluidic systems for cell cultivation. This technique has the potential to be compatible with a vast range of cell types and scaffolds and to be widely adopted in tissue engineering for regenerative medicine and food applications such as cultured meat.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. In order to improve its overall survival, early diagnosis is required. Since current screening methods still face some pitfalls, such as high false positive rates for low-dose computed tomography, researchers are still looking for early biomarkers to complement existing screening techniques in order to provide a safe, faster and more accurate diagnosis. Biomarkers are biological molecules found in body fluids, such as plasma, that can be used to diagnose a condition or disease. Metabolomics has already shown to be a powerful tool in the search for cancer biomarkers since cancer cells are characterised by impaired metabolism, resulting in an adapted plasma metabolite profile. The metabolite profile can be determined using nuclear magnetic resonance, or NMR. Although metabolomics and NMR metabolite profiling of blood plasma are still under investigation, there is already evidence for its potential for early-stage lung cancer diagnosis, therapy response, and follow-up monitoring. This review highlights some key breakthroughs in this research field, where the most significant biomarkers will be discussed in relation with their metabolic pathways and in light of the altered cancer metabolism.

Two coupled climate models which participated the CMIP6 project (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6), the Earth System Model of Chinese Academy of Sciences version 2 (CAS-ESM2-0) and the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology Earth System Model version 3 (NESM3), were assessed in terms of the impact of four new sea ice parameterization schemes. These four new schemes are related to air-sea heat flux, radiation penetration and absorption, melt ponds, ice-ocean flux, respectively. To evaluate the effectiveness of these schemes, key sea ice variables with and without these new schemes, such as sea ice concentration (SIC) and sea ice thickness (SIT), were compared against observation and reanalysis product from 1980 to 2014. The simulations followed the design of historical experiments within the CMIP6 framework. The results revealed that both models demonstrated improvements in simulating Arctic SIC and SIT when the new parameterization schemes were implemented. The model bias of SIC in some marginal sea ice zones of Arctic was reduced, especially during March. The SIT was increased and the transpolar gradient of SIT was reproduced. The changes of spatial pattern of SIC and SIT after adding new schemes bear similarities between the two coupled models. This suggests that the new schemes have potential for broad application in climate models, especially for those with underestimated SIT.

Our aim was to determine the secondary antibody deficiency profiles of patients in a mesoregion of São Paulo state, Brazil, focusing on infectious diseases. Demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory data were obtained from electronic files; infections were classified as organ-specific and graded as mild, moderate, life-threatening, and fatal. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) accounted for 30% of patients, nephrotic syndrome (NS) 25%; chronic lymphocyte leukemia 20%, and multiple myeloma 15%. Patients with NS were younger than those in other groups, and hypo-γ-globulinemia was detected in 94.1%, IgG <400 mg/dL in 60.0%, IgA <40 mg/dL in 55.0%, and CD19 <20 cells/mm³ in 30.0%. One hundred and one infections were found; 82.1% were classified as mild or moderate, 7.9% as life-threatening, and 1.9% as fatal. Respiratory tract infections were more prevalent (41.5%), and pneumonia accounted for 19.8%. Lower levels of infections were found in patients with NS compared with NHL (P=0.0001). Most patients progressed to hypo-γ-globulinemia and secondary antibody deficiency after treatment with immunosuppressants, and mild and moderate infections were predominant. These therapies are increasing in patients with different diseases, therefore monitoring hypo-γ-globulinemia and infections may help to identify patients at high risk for severe complications, antibiotic prophylaxis or treatment, and immunoglobulin replacement

Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive pathogen known for its toxin production and spore formation. It is primarily responsible for most cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Bacterial persisters are a small subset of the population that exhibits transient tolerance to bactericidal substances, and they are of significant medical concern due to their association with the emergence of antibiotic resistance and difficult-to-treat chronic or recurrent infections. Vancomycin, the predominant antibiotic utilized in the management of C. difficile infection, is extensively applied in the realm of clinical practice. Previous studies have demonstrated a persister-like phenotype with treatments involving this antibiotic. However, the mechanism in C. difficile remains largely unknown, primarily due to the challenge of isolating this small population at any given time. To better characterize C. difficile persister cells, we present a study that enables the enrichment and characterization of persister cells from bacterial cultures in both exponential and stationary phases. Moreover, we could differentiate between triggered (induced by antibiotics, such as vancomycin) and spontaneous (stochastic) persister cells. Additionally, we observed the involvement of toxin-antitoxin systems and Clp proteases in persister cell formation.

Objective: To analyse the association between maternal risk factors such as age, body mass index (BMI) and cigarette smoking, with perinatal outcomes. Materials and Methods: This a retrospective analysis from prospectively collected data performed at Hospital Universitario de Torrejón (Madrid, Spain), between September 2017 and December 2019. All pregnant women with singleton pregnancies and non-malformed live fetuses attending their routine ultrasound examination at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks' gestation were invited to participate. Association between preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), small for gestational age (SGA) or fetal growth restricted (FGR) neonates and type of delivery according to maternal age, BMI, and cigarrete smoking was studied. Logistic mixed models were used to analyze the data. Results: 1921 patients were included in the analysis. Women of 40 years old had a significantly higher risk of having GDM (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.61, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.08 to 2.36), and SGA neonates (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.37). Women with a BMI &lt;18 had an increased rate of birth SGA and FGR neonates (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.51 to 7.05, and OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.54 to 8.37, respectively), whereas women with a BMI ≥35 had a higher risk of GDM (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.95 to 4.89). Smoking increased the risk of having SGA and FGR neonates (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.46, and OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.78). Conclusions: Advanced maternal age, low or high BMI, and smoking status are significant risk factors for pregnancy complications. Both clinicians and society should concentrate their efforts on addressing these factors to enhance reproductive health.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading infectious cause of brain defects and neurological dysfunctions, including sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). A targeted screening in neonates failing the hearing screen is currently recommended in Italy according to national guidelines. However, SNHL may not be present at birth; also, congenital CMV (cCMV) may manifest with subtle signs other than SNHL. Therefore, inclusion of additional criteria for cCMV screening appears clinically valuable. Starting January 2021, we have implemented an expanded targeted cCMV screening at our center, with testing in case of maternal CMV infection during pregnancy, inadequate antenatal care, maternal HIV infection or immunosuppression, birthweight and/or head circumference.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a stealthy and progressive neurological disorder that is a leading cause of dementia in the global elderly population, imposing a significant burden on both the elderly and society. Currently, the condition is treated with medications that alleviate symptoms. Nonetheless, these drugs may not consistently produce the desired results and can cause serious side effects. Hence, there is a vigorous pursuit of alternative options to enhance the quality of life for patients. Ginkgo biloba (GB), an herb with historical use in traditional medicine, contains bioactive compounds such as terpenoids (Ginkgolides A, B, and C), polyphenols, organic acids, and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin). These compounds are associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, making them valuable for cognitive health. A systematic search across three databases using specific keywords GB in AD and dementia yielded 1702 documents, leading to the selection of 15 clinical trials for synthesis. In eleven studies, GB extract/EGb 761® was shown to improve cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and functional abilities in both dementia types. In four studies, however, there were no significant differences between the GB-treated and placebo groups. Significant improvements were observed in scores obtained from the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Short Cognitive Performance Test (SKT), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). While the majority of synthesized clinical trials show Ginkgo biloba has promising potential in these conditions, more research is needed to determine optimal dosages, effective delivery methods, and appropriate pharmaceutical formulations. Furthermore, a thorough assessment of adverse effects, exploration of long-term use implications, and investigation into potential drug interactions are critical aspects that must be carefully evaluated in future studies.

The present study aimed at investigating the in vitro and in vivo susceptibility of malaria parasites to crude extracts and fractions from Polyalthia suaveolens, Uvaria angolensis, and Monodora tenuifolia. The ethanolic extracts were prepared by maceration, and were further partitioned using water, dichloromethane, hexane, and methanol. The most promising fraction was subjected to column chromatography and the sub-fractions tested for activity in vitro. The antiplasmodial effect of extracts and fractions was tested against the Chloroquine resistant (PfK1) strain in 96 wells microtiter plate format using SYBR green florescence assay. The promising fraction was further assessed for cytotoxicity and acute toxicity in Swiss albino mice and subsequently against the rodent malaria parasite, P. berghei. Qualitative phytochemical screening was also performed on the promising fraction. The methanol fractions exerted the overall better effect with that of the twigs of P. suaveolens (PStw(Ace)) showing the highest potency with a IC50 value of 3.24 µg/mL followed by the fractions of leaf of M. tenuifolia (MoTel(Ace), IC50= 3.84 µg/ml) and stem bark of P. suaveolens (IC50= 4.90 µg/ml). The phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, lactones, and phenols in the more active fraction of P. suaveolens (PStw(Ace)). The chromatographic fractionation of this fraction led to 12 sub-fractions with PS8 sub-fraction being the most active (IC50= 4.42 µg/mL). In vivo, oral administration of 2000 mg/kg b.w of fraction PStw(Ace) in mice showed no signs of toxicity. Also, fraction PStw(Ace) at 400 mg/kg b.w exerted the highest suppressive effect against P. berghei strain B throughout the 4 days experiment (% parasitaemia below 5.2%). Overall, the results achieved supported the use of the three plants in the traditional treatment of malaria in Cameroon. More interestingly, the methanolic fraction of the twigs extract from P. suaveolens might be of interest in future development of an antimalarial phytodrug.

This article investigates the effectiveness of feature extraction and selection techniques for enhancing the performance of classifiers accuracy in Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) detection using microarray gene data. To address the inherent high dimensionality of the data by employing three Feature Extraction (FE) methods are used namely, Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT), Ridge Regression (RR), and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC). To further refine the data, meta-heuristic algorithms like Bald Eagle Search Optimization (BESO) and Red Deer Optimization (RDO) are utilized for feature selection. The performance of seven classification techniques such as Non-Linear Regression - NLR, Linear Regression - LR, Gaussian Mixture Model - GMM, Expectation Maximization - EM, Logistic Regression - LoR, Softmax Discriminant Classifier - SDC, and Support Vector Machine with Radial Basis Function kernel - SVM-RBF are evaluated with and without feature selection. The analysis reveals that the combination of PCC with SVM-RBF achieved a promising accuracy of 92.85% even without feature selection. Notably, employing BESO with PCC and SVM-RBF maintained this high accuracy. However, the highest overall accuracy of 97.14% was achieved when RDO was used for feature selection alongside PCC and SVM-RBF. These findings highlight the potential of feature extraction and selection techniques, particularly RDO with PCC, in improving the accuracy of DM detection using microarray gene data.

In the last decade, a higher level of reliability became a compulsory demand when it comes to modern DC-DC converters. This work addresses the main reliability metrics: the failure rate λλ and MTBF of an output capacitor bank used within a high current low voltage buck converter due to many studies have shown that the output capacitor bank was demonstrated being the most critical component within the converter. Many authors treated this issue, usually by doing reliability predictions. The majority of the papers use only one specific Standard Prediction to solve the problem. Herein calculation was done using both the older standard MIL-HDBK-217 and the latest one Telcordia SR-332, providing a benchmark comparison between the two which is a helpful tool for the output capacitor selection in the early stage design. Military standard was well accepted for decades in order to reliability prediction even on industrial electronics and is still used today under a critical manner because no more update after the latest version MIL-HDBK-217F - Notice 2 released in 1995. Since then, newer prediction standards had appeared in the electronics reliability market. Over time, this standard was mostly used but it does not accurately model the reliability because lack of taking account of mission profile. The above-mentioned newer standard – i.e., Telcordia SR-332 is trying to compensate also the lack of the newest component technology in the older standard (which is the first standard released on the market) supplying useful design data for design engineers who use the so-called “design with the reliability in mind” concept. Within the paper were established the environmental condition for the passive components by means of a PoL (Point of load) buck converter that is used for both calculation methods. The influence of temperature and several specific concepts like reference conditions, operating conditions, ripple, and internal self-heating were taking account in order to display the results. The temperature for the capacitor’s capsule needed in π_T stress factor calculation was derived by PSPICE simulation. High fidelity and dedicated SPICE models provided by the manufacturer were used for MOSFETs, polymer electrolytic, and MLCC capacitors that compose the converter.

This study explores innovative strategies to enhance hands-on learning experiences in a Database Management Systems (DBMS) course while addressing challenges related to software installation complexities and financial barriers. The investigation focuses on an online course format catering to students majoring in information systems, healthcare administration, business administration, and marketing. Traditional software installation hurdles, especially for complex systems like Microsoft Access and MySQL, can impede students' engagement and access. To overcome these challenges, the study proposes leveraging cloud-based solutions and clientless remote desktop gateways like Apache Guacamole. Results indicate that these approaches effectively eliminate software installation obstacles, ensuring seamless access to essential tools for all students. The study underscores the importance of innovative technological solutions in promoting inclusive and impactful learning environments in higher education.

The objective of this work is to analyze the improvement of heat transfer in trapezoidal fin heat exchangers using numerical simulation. Heat exchangers are essential components frequently used in contemporary electronic gadgets to effectively disperse heat produced by high-power components. Nevertheless, as electronic devices continue to advance and become more powerful, the heat transfer capacity of heat exchangers is facing more requirements, therefore requiring enhanced heat dissipation efficiency. Afterwards, various fin angles were adjusted, and the heat transmission efficiency was compared. Modifying the angles can significantly improve the effi-ciency of convective heat dissipation. Moreover, it has been found that employing an optimized trapezoidal fin structure can further enhance the efficiency of heat transfer. The results indicate that trapezoidal fin heat exchangers provide superior heat dissipation efficiency compared to conventional heat exchangers. This is important for enhancing the thermal dissipation capabili-ties of electrical gadgets, hence guaranteeing steady functionality and extending their longevity. Subsequent study might explore supplementary methods to boost heat transmission in different heat exchanger configurations in order to meet the growing requirements for heat dissipation.

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the spectrum and determinants of child abuse and neglect in Nkpor-Uno, a community in Anambra State, Nigeria. Through a descriptive surveys design, the study explores various forms of abuse and neglect experienced by children, as well as the underlying factors contributing to these phenomena. The population for the study consisted of 1000 parents/ caregivers who are residents of Nkpor-uno. The sample for the study consisted of 100 respondents, purposive sampling techniques was used for the study. The questionnaire was a self-designed structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, mean and standard deviation. Findings reveal alarming prevalence rates of child maltreatment, including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, parental substance abuse, family dynamics, and inadequate sex education emerged as significant contributors to child maltreatment. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the root causes of abuse and neglect and safeguard the well-being and development of children in Nkpor-Uno. By raising awareness, enhancing access to resources, and promoting positive parenting practices, we can strive towards building a safer and healthier environment for children, ensuring they are protected from harm and given the opportunity to thrive.

This review focuses on the emerging evidence for the association between estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) and metabolic risk factors. Given the challenges associated with directly measuring cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in large populations, eCRF presents a practical alternative for predicting metabolic health risks. A literature search identified six relevant cohort studies from 2021 to 2024 that investigated the association of eCRF with hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The review findings highlight a consistent inverse relationship between higher eCRF and lower incidence of metabolic risks in line with CRF cohort studies. This review highlights the importance of low eCRF as a primordial indicator for metabolic risks and underscores the need for broader application. Future research directions should include exploring eCRF's predictive accuracy across diverse populations and health outcomes and testing its real-world applicability in healthcare and public health settings.

This study focused on the stories of women planters in the implementation of Taranuman Project in the Third District of Albay. Particularly, this explores and documents the experiences, challenges, and successes of women planters involved. By understanding their stories, this undertaking shed light on the motivations and aspirations of women planters, the barriers they have experienced, and their strategies to achieve success. The researchers used descriptive-qualitative research and made use of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). From the collection of the respondents’ narratives, three (3) recurring themes emerged on the motivation and aspirations of women planters in Taranuman Project; Taranuman para sa Pagkasararo (Social cohesion, belonging and unity), Taranuman para sa Pangkabuhayan (Economic empowerment), and Taranuman para sa Karapatang Pampulitika (Political rights, engagement and participation). This study also revealed major challenges in its implementation including infertility of the soil, the distant location of the lands to be cultivated for the project, and the insufficiency in the supply of tools and equipment. However, despite the emerging problems, strategies to counter the difficulties were also formulated. Even so, the researchers strongly recommend that implementers should expand the Taranuman Project in all of the district’s municipalities, enhance women planters' financial and communication skills through training, maintain close partnerships with agencies for project support, encourage beneficiary communication, and develop comprehensive strategies to overcome ongoing challenges and ease beneficiaries’ burdens.

Depression is the commonest mental disorder worldwide. Both antidepressants and psychotherapy are effective in treating depression, but response to these treatments is often incomplete. Yoga-based interventions (YBIs) have emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment for depression. Recent research has attempted to identify the biological mechanisms associated with the antidepressant actions of YBIs. In this scoping review, conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched to retrieve research on biomarkers of response to YBIs in patients with depression. Eleven studies were included in the review. Based on these studies, YBIs may improve depression through beneficial effects on systemic inflammation, stress axis regulation, cardiac autonomic functioning, and possibly reductions in oxidative stress-related cellular damage. Increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may represent a final common pathway upon which these processes converge. Though these results are theoretically plausible, they should be interpreted with caution due to certain methodological limitations in the existing research. Replication of these results and improvements in study methodology, and the evaluation of other biomarkers relevant to the pathophysiology of depression, could further elucidate the mechanism of action of YBIs in this disorder, and identify which patients would benefit most from this treatment approach.

Heavy metal accumulation in soils used for agricultural purposes is a major issue as it can affect the growth of plants and contain health risks as plants containing heavy metals are taken as food. This study provided the potential of three Bacillus pumilus strains (C-2PMW-8, C-1 SSK-8, and C-1PWK-7) for mitigation of the health factors related to heavy metals on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown in chromium contaminated soil from activities related to mining. Lettuce seeds inoculated with B. pumilus strains were grown in pots with garden soil amended with varying amount of chromite mine soil (2.27%, 4.65%, 7.14%). Growth indicators like days to germination, percentage of germination, leaf weight, leaf area and rate of survival decreased with incremental soil chromium levels but improved highly with inoculation of B. pumilus compared to uninoculated controls. When B. pumilus strains were provided, there was also a decreased level in the buildup of chromium in soil as well as lettuce shoots. The results explains that plant growth-promoting B. pumilus strains may be able to lower down the detrimental effects of chromium on lettuce development, hence increment in the effectiveness of phytoremediation.

The association between normal-range triglycerides and diabetes mortality remains unclear. This cohort study aimed to elucidate this relationship by examining 19,010 US adult participants with fasting serum triglycerides below 150 mg/dL. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to estimate mortality hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Participants were followed up for a mean of 15.3 years, during which 342 diabetes deaths were recorded. A 1-natural-log-unit increase in triglycerides was associated with a 57% higher risk of diabetes mortality (adjusted HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.04–2.38). Comparable results were obtained when triglycerides were analyzed in quartiles. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified an optimal triglyceride cutoff of 94.5 mg/dL for diabetes mortality; individuals with triglyceride levels above this threshold faced a greater risk of diabetes mortality (adjusted HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.12–1.83). Further investigation revealed a positive association between normal triglyceride levels and all-cause mortality, though no association was observed between normal triglycerides and mortality from hypertension or cardiovascular disease. In conclusion, elevated triglycerides within the normal range were associated with an increased risk of diabetes mortality. Individuals with triglyceride levels of 95 mg/dL or higher may require vigilant monitoring for diabetes and its associated complications.

Heavy metal pollution poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health worldwide. In response to this pressing issue, bioremediation has emerged as a promising approach for mitigating contamination. This paper adopts a bibliographic method to explore the key techniques and applications of bioremediation. Furthermore, we delve into the most prominent threats to human environmental health and the corresponding remediation methods. Additionally, we discuss the future trajectory of bioremediation research, with a particular focus on the integration of big data and machine learning technologies. These advanced methodologies hold great potential for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental remediation efforts in the face of escalating pollution challenges.

Introduction and Purpose: Nurses are expected to be competent in practice based on the domain of standards and interpersonal soft skills (ISS). Nurses are faced with inadequate physical assessment 28%, formulating diagnoses 56%, plans 34%, implementation 31%, evaluation 37,5%, and communication skills 41%. Aims to develop an ISS learning model based on transformative learning theory and digitalization (TLTD) to improve nurses’ competencies. Method: Used Explanatory cross-sectional involved 190 practitioner nurses. Variables of individual characters (X1), facilities (X2), Social environment support/SES (X3), TLTD (X4), ISS (X5), and nursing competencies (Y) were measured. Data was collected using a checklist questionnaire, conducted on 6 June to 10 August 2022 at Dili, Baucau, and Maliana hospitals. Used descriptive and inferential analysis with SEM-PLS. Result: Five of the 11 hypotheses of statistical p-value < 0,05 and T-Test > 1,96, including X2>X4, X3>X5, X4>X5, and X5>y, to form ISS learning model. The characteristic of respondents were 81,8% young adults, 67,9% women, 57,8% undergraduates, judging the previous training 35% was unsuccessful, and 45,8% did not meet expectations. Learning facilities that are still lacking include policies 23,7%, curriculum 23,4%, guideline 22,7%, modules 27,9%, infrastructure 20,3%, social environment support 24,2% low, organizational support, 30,0% low peer support and 26,3% low family support. The average TLTD is 25,3% to 34,2%, ISS 22,1% to 30,5%, and nurse competence 25,3% to 30,5%.Suggestion: Result of the study become base to improve nurse’s competencies. Conclusion: Learning model was formed by facilities, SES, TLTD, ISS, and nurses’ competencies.

Iterated games, in which the same economic interaction is repeatedly played between the same agents, are an important framework for understanding the effectiveness of strategic choices over time. To date very little work has applied information theory to the information sets used by agents in order to decide what action to take next in such strategic situations. This article looks at the mutual information between previous game states and an agent's next action by introducing two new classes of games: ’invertible games’ and ‘cyclical games'. By explicitly expanding out the mutual information between past states and the next action we show under what circumstances these expressions can be simplified. These information measures are then applied to the Traveler's Dilemma game and the Prisoner's Dilemma game, the Prisoner's Dilemma being invertible, to illustrate their use. In the Prisoner's Dilemma a novel connection is made between the computational principles of logic gates and both the structure of games and the agents' decision strategies. This approach is applied to the cyclical game Matching Pennies to analyse the foundations of a behavioural ambiguity between two well studied strategies: ‘Tit-for-Tat' and ’Win-Stay, Lose-Switch'.

This paper addresses the analysis for the nonlinear vibration response of a rectangular tube with a flexible end and non-rigid acoustic boundaries. This is a further work of the linear structural acoustic problem in a well-known acoustic book. In fact, the acoustic boundaries of an enclosed space sometimes are non-rigid and the structural vibration responses are nonlinear. These two points are the focuses of this paper. The multi-level residue harmonic balance method is applied to this nonlinear structural acoustic problem. The results obtained from the multi-level residue harmonic balance method and numerical method are generally in good agreement. The effects of excitation magnitude, tube length, and phase shift parameter etc. are examined.

Background: The incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing annually with a rise in the incidence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Based on preliminary reports regarding the potential association of HCC and periodontitis, this study aimed to analyze the involvement of periodontal bacteria as well as the oral and intestinal bacterial flora in MASH-related HCC (MASH-HCC). Methods: Forty-one patients with MASH and 19 with MASH-HCC who completed survey questionnaires, underwent periodontal examinations, and subjected to sample collection (saliva, mouth-rinsed water, feces, and peripheral blood) participated in the study. Bayesian network analysis was used to analyze the causation between various factors, including MASH-HCC, examinations, and bacteria. Results: The occupancy rate of the genus Fusobacterium in the intestinal bacterial flora was significantly higher in in the MASH-HCC group than in the MASH group (p = 0.002), whereas that of Butyricicoccus (p = 0.022) and Roseburia (p &lt; 0.05) was significantly lower. Bayesian network analysis revealed the absence of periodontal pathogenic bacteria and enteric bacteria affecting HCC. However, HCC directly affected the periodontal bacterial species Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Prevotella intermedia in the saliva, as well as the genera Lactobacillus, Roseburia, Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Clostridium, Ruminococcus, Trabulsiella, and SMB53 in the intestine. Furthermore, P. gingivalis in the oral cavity directly affected the genera Lactobacillus and Streptococcus in the intestine. Conclusion: MASH-HCC directly affects periodontal pathogenic and intestinal bacteria, and P. gingivalis may affect the intestinal bacteria associated with gastrointestinal cancer.

The mystery phenomenon of fungal bioluminescence has always captivated human curiosity, although more attempts need to be made, particularly to bring the new species to the surface. In this study, we devoted considerable space to the taxonomy of these fungi while discussing their biogeography, evolution, bioluminescence mechanism, and potential ecological roles. We provide a detailed explanation of how these fungi produce light, including the role of the enzyme luciferase and luciferin. We also discussed their applications. Here, we presented an updated list of 122 bioluminescent fungi identified from five distinct evolutionary lineages viz. Armillaria, Eoscyphella, Lucentipes, Mycenoid, and Omphalotus worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. The bioluminescent fungi descended from the last common ancestor of the mycenoid and the marasmioid clades of Agaricales, which have been maintained for at least 160 million years of evolution. We highlighted the need for further research to understand the ecological role of bioluminescent fungi. Applying bioluminescent fungi in various areas (e.g., environmental and medicinal) demonstrates their validity.

Approximately 30% of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndromes are attributed to monogenic disorders that involve 27 genes. Mutations in KANK family members have also been linked to nephrotic syndrome; however, the precise mechanism remains elusive. To investigate this, podocyte-specific Kank1 knockout mice were generated to examine phenotypic changes. In the initial assessment under normal conditions, Kank1 knockout mice showed no significant differences in the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine levels, or histological features compared to controls. However, following kidney injury with adriamycin, podocyte-specific Kank1 knockout mice exhibited a significantly higher albumin-creatinine ratio and a significantly greater sclerotic index than control mice. Electron microscopy revealed more extensive foot process effacement in the knockout mice than in control mice. In addition, KANK1-deficient human podocytes showed increased detachment and apoptosis following adriamycin exposure. These findings suggest that KANK1 may play a protective role in mitigating podocyte damage under pathological conditions.

World Health Organization recommends adjusting the salt intake as a part of the nine global targets to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable chronic diseases as priority and most cost-effective intervention. In 2006. the main aim of the Croatian Action on Salt and Health was to decrease salt intake for 16% because of its critical intake and consequences on human health. We have organized educative activities for increasing awareness on salt harmfulness, defined food categories of prime interest, collaborate with industries and determine salt intake (24h urine-sodium excretion). It was determined that the proportion of salt in ready-to-eat baked bread should not exceed 1.4%. In the period 2014 –2022, salt in the semi-white bread was reduced 14%, in bakery 22% and in largest meat industry in Croatia 25%. Awareness of the harmfulness of salt on health increased from 65.3% in 2008 to 96.9% in 2023 and salt intake was reduced 15.9%-1.8 grams/day (22.8% men, 11.7% women). In last 18 years a significant decrease in salt intake was achieved in Croatia, awareness of its harmfulness increased, collaboration with food industry established and regulatory documents launched. However, salt intake is still very high underlying the need for continuation of efforts and even stronger activities.

Background/Objectives: Concurrent opioid (OPI) and benzodiazepine (BZD) use may exacerbate falls/fractures risk compared to no use or use alone. Yet, patients may need concurrent OPI-BZD use for co-occurring conditions (e.g., pain and anxiety). Therefore, we examined the association between longitudinal OPI-BZD dosing patterns and subsequent injurious falls risk. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including non-cancer fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries initiating OPI and/or BZD in 2016-2018. We identified OPI-BZD use patterns during the 3 months following OPI and/or BZD initiation (i.e., trajectory period) using group-based multi-trajectory models. We estimated time to first injurious fall within 3 months post-trajectory period using inverse-probability-of-treatment-weighted Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Among 622,588 beneficiaries (age≥65=84.6%, female=58.1%, White=82.7%; having injurious falls=0.45%), we identified 13 distinct OPI-BZD trajectories: Group(A):Very-low OPI-only (early discontinuation)(44.9% of the cohort); (B):Low OPI-only (rapid decline)(15.1%); (C):Very-low OPI-only (late discontinuation)(7.7%); (D):Low OPI-only (gradual decline)(4.0%); (E):Moderate OPI-only (rapid decline)(2.3%); (F):Very-low BZD-only (late discontinuation)(11.5%); (G):Low BZD-only (rapid decline)(4.5%); (H):Low BZD-only (stable) (3.1%); (I):Moderate BZD-only (gradual decline)(2.1%); (J):Very-low OPI (rapid decline)/Very-low BZD (late discontinuation)(2.9%); (K):Very-low OPI (rapid decline)/Very-low BZD (increasing)(0.9%); (L):Very-low OPI (stable)/Low BZD (stable)(0.6%); and (M):Low OPI (gradual decline)/Low BZD (gradual decline)(0.6%). Compared with Group(A), 6 trajectories had increased 3-month injurious fall risks: (C): HR, 95%CI=1.78, 1.58-2.01; (D): 2.24, 1.93-2.59; (E): 2.60, 2.18-3.09; (H): 2.02, 1.70-2.40; (L): 2.73, 1.98-3.76; and (M): 1.96, 1.32-2.91. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that 3-month injurious fall risk varied across OPI-BZD trajectories, highlighting the importance of considering both dose and duration when assessing fall risks of OPI-BZD use among older adults.

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. belongs to the Cactaceae family and the genus Opuntia; it is a succulent plant that adapts to extreme climatic conditions. The aerial part of the plant consists of the cladodes, morphological changes of branches that appear green, are covered with thorns, and are essential to reduce excessive perspiration of water. The composition of cladodes is very varied, and the main constituents are water, fibers, polysaccharides, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, sterols, minerals, and polyphenols. Polyphenols are responsible for many beneficial activities for human health, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and nutritional properties. The purpose of this manuscript was to compare the properties of cladodes belonging to the same plant but with different stages of maturity. Relative extracts were tested both in vitro and on a cell line and antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties were found. The antioxidant activity was tested by the ORAC test, the DPPH test, and the measurement of cellular accumulation of ROS. Anti-apoptotic activity was evaluated by the annexin/PI assay and measurement of caspases 9 and 3 expression. The results obtained have shown that the extracts considered possess antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. However, the different stages of maturity of cladodes are essential for the performance of both functions. In addition, important variations have been made in the dissolution of extracts that have brought greater safety in their use. In conclusion, this manuscript provides further information on cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, which can be used as adjuvants in many human pathologies.