Understanding the vulnerability of areas and the likelihood of specific disasters, particularly earthquakes, is one of the most important issues in Iran. One of the major concerns in Iran is the resilience of rural communities. The present study is devoted to spatial analysis of risk in rural areas and the evaluation of preparedness in the rural districts of the city of Abhar. In particular, this study evaluates the resilience to earthquakes. The research was conducted in two parts in which the first part has used the VIKOR Multiple criteria decision making model as well as the employment of this model in the ArcGis. The second part of the study used field studies, in the form of questionnaires, to evaluate the readiness of the local population against the risks of earthquakes. Four indicators, individual, physical, economic abilities and access, were assessed. The population included rural districts, where statistical samples were villagers. Results of the spatial analysis indicated that 15 villages are in the high-risk areas, 24 villages were in the medium-risk areas and all other villages were in low-risk areas. In terms of readiness of the locals, the results indicated a lack of planning with regards to the four mentioned indicators.

Background: Internal migrants had obstacles in accessing local public health services in China. This study aimed to estimate the utilization of local public health services and its determinants among internal migrants. Methods: Data were from the 2014 and 2015 nationally representative cross-sectional survey of internal migrants in China. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to estimate the relationship between socioeconomic, migration, demographic characteristics and public health services utilization. Results: Internal migrants in more developed eastern regions used less public health services. Those with higher socioeconomic status were more likely to use public health services. The broader and shorter they migrated, the less they used public health services. Compared to migration within the city, migration across provinces is negatively associated with health records (OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.86-0.90), health education (OR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-1.00), and health education on NCDs (OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.89-0.95) or through Internet channel (OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99). Conclusion: Public health services coverage for internal migrants has seen great improvement due to government subsides. Internal migrants with lower socioeconomic status and across provinces need to be targeted. More attention should be given to the local government in the developed eastern regions in order to narrow the regional gaps.

Previous study demonstrated the reconstituted type I collagen matrix extracted from rabbit tendons enabled to regenerate the TMJ disc in the rabbit. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and mechanisms of regeneration in TMJ disc. In 36 New Zealand rabbits that underwent a partial discectomy, discs were replaced with reconstituted collagen templates for 3 months. A histological analysis showed that moderate to severe degeneration appeared in partially discectomized joints without implantation. In contrast, discs that received the reconstituted collagen template regenerated, and returned to normal to protect the joint. Cells in the regenerative tissue expressed ECM, and fibers became regular and compact due to tissue remodeling over time. Reparative cells differentiated into chondroblasts, and showed highly dense pericellular fibers. The morphology and collagen composition of the disc and condyle in the 3-month experimental group were similar to those of normal tissues. In conclusion, the reconstituted collagen template facilitated the regeneration of surgically discectomized discs. Type I and type II collagens play a crucial role in the regeneration of articular discs.

The actions of many drugs involve enzyme inhibition. This is exemplified by the inhibitors of monoamine oxidases (MAO) and the cholinsterases (ChE) that have been used for several pharmacological purposes. This review describes key principles and approaches for the reliable determination of enzyme activities and inhibition as well as some of the methods that are in current use for such studies with these two enzymes. Their applicability and potential pitfalls arising from their inappropriate use are discussed. Since inhibitor potency is frequently assessed in terms of the quantity necessary to give 50% inhibition (the IC50 value), the relationships between this and the mode of inhibition is also considered, in terms of the misleading information that it may provide. Incorporation of more than one functionality into the same molecule to give a multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) requires careful assessment to ensure that the specific target effects are not significantly altered and that the kinetic behaviour remains as favourable with the MTDL as it does with the individual components. Such factors will be considered in terms of recently developed MTDLs that combine MAO and ChE inhibitory functions.

Object segmentation on remotely-sensed images: aerial (or very high resolution, VHS) images and satellite (or high resolution, HR) images, has been applied to many application domains, especially road extraction in which the segmented objects are served as a mandatory layer in geospatial databases. Several attempts in applying deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to extract roads from remote sensing images have been made; however, the accuracy is still limited. In this paper, we present an enhanced DCNN framework specifically tailored for road extraction on remote sensing images by applying landscape metrics (LMs) and conditional random fields (CRFs). To improve DCNN, a modern activation function, called exponential linear unit (ELU), is employed in our network resulting in a higher number of and yet more accurate extracted roads. To further reduce falsely classified road objects, a solution based on an adoption of LMs is proposed. Finally, to sharpen the extracted roads, a CRF method is added to our framework. The experiments were conducted on Massachusetts road aerial imagery as well as THEOS satellite imagery data sets. The results showed that our proposed framework outperformed Segnet, the state-of-the-art object segmentation technique on any kinds of remote sensing imagery, in most of the cases in terms of precision, recall, and F1.

Hydro-climatic projections in West Africa are attributed with high uncertainties that are difficult to quantify. This study assesses the influence of the parameter sensitivities and uncertainties of three rainfall runoff models on simulated discharge in current and future times using meteorological data from 8 Global Climate Models. The IHACRES Catchment Moisture Deficit (IHACRES-CMD) model, the GR4J and the Sacramento model were chosen for this study. During model evaluation, 10,000 parameter sets have been generated for each model and used in a sensitivity and uncertainty analysis using the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) method. Out of the three models, IHACRES-CMD recorded the highest Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.92 and 0.86 for the calibration (1997-2003) and the validation (2004-2010) period respectively. The Sacramento model was able to adequately predict low flow patterns on the catchment while the GR4J and IHACRES-CMD over and under estimate low flow respectively. The use of multiple hydrological models to reduce uncertainties caused by model approaches is recommended along with other methods of sustainable river basin managements.

New class of biologically active and non-active compounds can be synthesized via transition metal mediated Suzuki cross coupling reaction that has a great impact on the advancement of organic chemistry. These resulted products can lend a helping hand in pharmaceutical and polymer chemistry for the betterment of mankind. Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reaction is one of the best tools through which many natural and non-natural compounds can be synthesized.

The Android-based IoT platform just like the existing Android provides an environment that makes it easy to utilize Google's infrastructure services including development tools and APIs through which it helps to control the sensors of IoT devices. Applications running on the Android-based IoT platform are often UI free and are used without the user’s consent to registered permissions. It is difficult to respond to the misuse of permissions as well as to check them when they are registered indiscriminately while updating applications. This paper analyzes the versions of before and after an application the update running on the Android-based IoT platform and the collected permission lists. It aims to identify the same permissions before and after the update, and deleted and newly added permissions after the update were identified, and thereby respond to security threats that can arise from the permissions that is not needed for IoT devices to perform certain functions.

Gas flaring is commonly used by industrial plants for processing oil and natural gases in the atmosphere, and hence is an important anthropogenic source for various pollutants including CO₂, CO, and aerosols. This study evaluates the feasibility of using satellite data to characterize gas flaring form space by focusing on the Khanty Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug in Russia, a region that is well known for its dominatingly gas flaring activities. Multiple satellite-based thermal anomaly data products at night are inter-compared and analyzed, including MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) Terra level-2 Thermal Anomalies product (MOD14), MODIS Aqua level-2 Thermal Anomalies product (MYD14), VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) Active Fires Applications Related Product (VAFP), and VIIRS level-2 data based Nightfire product (VNF). The analysis compares and contrasts the efficacy of these sensor products in detecting small, hot sources like flares on the ground in extremely cold environments such as Russia. We found that the VNF algorithm recently launched by NOAA has the unprecedented accuracy and efficiency in characterizing gas flares in the region owing primarily to the use of Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) bands. Reconciliation of VNF’s differences and similarities with other nighttime fire products is also conducted, indicating that MOD14/MYD14 and VAFP data are only effective in detecting those gas flaring pixels that are among the hottest in the region. Validation of VNF product of gas flaring location with Google Earth images are made. It is shown that that VNF’s estimates of gas flaring area (the area of gas flaming) agree well the counterparts from Google images with a linear correlation of 0.91, highlighting its potential use for routinely monitoring emissions of gas flaring from space.

Circulating microparticles (MPs) are novel potential biomarkers in cancer patients. Their role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is under intensive investigation. In this study we tested the hypothesis that MPs expressing the antigen HepPar1 are increased in the blood of subjects with HCC and may serve as markers of early recurrence after liver resection (LR). We studied fifteen patients affected by HCC undergoing LR and used flow cytometry to assess the number of circulating HepPar1+ MPs. Ten subjects without HCC (five with liver cirrhosis and 5 with healthy liver) were used as controls. After LR, HCC patients were followed-up for early recurrence, which occurred in seven cases. The number of circulating HepPar1+ MPs was significantly higher in subjects affected by HCC, compared to individuals without cancer (p<0.01). We also found that, among HCC patients, the number of circulating HepPar1+ MPs, measured before LR, was significantly higher in those who displayed early recurrence compared to those without recurrence (p=0.02). Of note, other types of circulating MPs, such as those derived from endothelial cells (CD144+) or those produced by the activated endothelium (CD144+/CD62+) were not associated with HCC, neither could predict HCC recurrence. HepPar1+ MPs deserve further investigation as novel biomarkers of disease and prognosis in HCC patients.

Global warming, as well as europhication are predicted to promote cyanobacterial blooms, but how tropical phytoplankton communities from different trophic state systems respond to temperature variation is less known. To further explore the effect of temperature changes and nutrient addition on phytoplankton communities and to get insight in possible resistance to these effects, we tested the hypothesis that temperature variation will have a stronger effect on cyanobacteria dominance in eutrophic water than in oligo-mesotrophic. Hereto, we conducted an experiment with phytoplankton communities from two aquatic ecosystems differing in trophic state. Water samples from a eutrophic and an oligo-mesotrophic system were collected and incubated in 25 and 30ºC. Also, treatments that received additional surplus N and P were included that served as eutrophication treatments. Temperature variation itself did not promote cyanobacteria in either water from the oligo-mesotrophic or the eutrophic system. However, nutrient enrichment of water from the eutrophic system significantly boosted cyanobacteria, and biomass increased 10 times in both 25ºC and 30ºC treatments. In contrast, eutrophication of water from the oligo-mesotrophic system did not change the relative contribution of phytoplankton groups and response ratios were much lower than those for water from the eutrophic system. Although using a very simple experimental design, the results suggest that in eutrophic systems cyanobacteria dominance can be favoured by further addition of nutrients, independently of a direct temperature effect and that more pristine environments possess some resistance against eutrophication. Since global warming is assumed to intensify eutrophication symptoms indirectly, our study underscores the importance of nutrient control.

In this work, zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film has been fabricated on glass substrate using pulse laser ablation (PLA) technique. The effect of laser pulses of 1000, 1500, 2000 pulses at laser energy 700 mJ as well as, laser energy of 600, 700, and 800 mJ at fixed laser pulses of 1500 pulse, with methanol as a solvent on the structural properties of prepared films using XRD, SEM and EDX. XRD results revealed that the ZnO thin films have hexagonal structure with polycrystalline in nature with preferred orientation of (002). Crystalline size was increased with the increasing of the pulses and at energy of 700 mJ and pulse of 1500 pulse seemed nanostructure like tree leaf. In addition, narrow FWHM and no phase change have been observed in all cases. SEM images showed that for all cases the films were homogenous with some island and cluster then cracking started to obtain with the increasing of increase the pulse number. EDX analysis showed that the prepared films were free of defects and contaminations.

Background: Early identification and prevention of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) may reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity. Objective: We aimed to correlate between urinary Activin-A and MRI (conventional and Diffusion-weighted) and the severity of HIE in full-term neonates. Methods: Forty-five full-term neonates with HIE admitted to NICU and 15 normal neonates were enrolled into the study. The concentration of urinary Activin-A was determined using enzyme immunoassay kits and MRI were done. Correlations between urinary Activin-A and MRI with the degree of HIE were done. Results: Urinary Activin-A levels were significantly higher in neonates with HIE than controls (P<0.001). It was positively correlated with the clinical grading of HIE and a cutoff value of 0.08µg/l on day-1 after birth had a sensitivity of 98.6% and specificity of 97.1% for prediction of HIE. DW-MRI detected HIE with a high sensitivity (85%) compared to the low sensitivity of conventional MRI (35%). An ADC value of ≤ 0.8 was the best sensitivity-specificity cutoff point for detecting severe ischemic injury. DW-MRI imaging was positively correlated with Urinary Activin-A and both of them were positively correlated with the clinical grades of HIE (P < 0.001). Conclusions: DW-MRI imaging is correlated well with urinary Activin-A in full-term neonates with HIE and both of them are correlated with the degree of HIE. Early determination of urinary Activin-A combined with DW-MRI imaging can early detect HIE and its severity in full-term neonates with HIE.

Gender recognition is trivial for physiotherapist, but it is considered a challenge for computers. The electromyography (EMG) and heart rate variability (HRV) were utilized in this work for gender recognition during the stepping exercise using a stepper. The relevant features were extracted and selected. The selected features were then fused to automatically predict gender recognition. However, the feature selection for gender classification became a challenge to ensure better accuracy. Thus, in this paper, a feature selection approach based on both the performance and the diversity between the two features from the rank-score characteristic (RSC) function in a combinatorial fusion approach (CFA) was employed. Then, the features from the selected feature sets were fused using a CFA. The results were then compared with other fusion techniques such as naive bayes (NB), decision tree (J48), k-nearest neighbor (KNN) and support vector machine (SMO). Besides, the results were also compared with previous researches in gender recognition. The experimental results showed that the CFA was efficient for feature selection. The fusion method was also able to improve the accuracy of the gender recognition rate. The CFA provides much better gender classification results which is 94.51% compared to Nazarloo's work (90.34%) and other classifiers.

Background: Smoking, including environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is a well-known risk factor for diabetes. Low socioeconomic status, especially lack of education, also is a risk factor for diabetes. Therefore, we assessed the association of education and smoking status, including ETS exposure, with the prevalence of diabetes. Methods: Data were from the 2007–2013 Korea National Health and Nutritional Evaluation Survey (KNHANES). Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between various lifestyle and health factors and prevalence of diabetes while controlling for potential confounding variables. Subgroup analysis was performed according to smoking status to determine factors associated with diabetes. Results: Of 19,303 individuals analyzed, 1,325 (11.4%) had diabetes. Greater average age, male sex, lower educational level, unemployment, and coexisting health problems were significantly associated with diabetes. Individuals with only elementary, middle, or high school level education had significantly greater odds ratios (p<0.05) compared to college graduates; smokers and nonsmokers exposed to ETS had significantly greater OR (p<0.05) than nonsmokers unexposed to ETS. Subgroup analysis of diabetics according to smoking status revealed significant associations (p<0.05) for diabetic nonsmokers exposed to ETS with female sex, single status, elementary level education, urban residence, National Health Insurance (NHI), hypertension, no alcohol intake, and no moderate physical activity. For diabetic smokers, there were significant associations (p<0.05) with elementary education, urban residence, lack of moderate physical activity, no alcohol intake, and NHI. Conclusions: The results suggested that smoking status, including ETS exposure, was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes especially in populations with less education. Thus, we should direct efforts for controlling diabetes toward individuals with lower levels of education, and those who are smokers and nonsmokers exposed to ETS.

Background: The genetic variants identified by three large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of educational attainment were used to test a polygenic selection model. Methods: Average frequencies of alleles with positive effect (polygenic scores or PS) were compared across populations (N=26) using data from 1000 Genomes. A null model was created using frequencies of random SNPs. Results: Polygenic selection signal of educational attainment GWAS hits is high among a handful of SNPs within genomic regions replicated across GWAS publications. A polygenic score comprising 9 SNPs predicts population IQ (r=0.88), outperforming 99% of the polygenic scores obtained from sets of random SNPs (Monte Carlo p= 0.011). Its predictive power remains unaffected after controlling for spatial autocorrelation (Beta= 0.83). The largest polygenic score (161 SNPs) exhibits similar predictive power (Beta=0.8). Random polygenic scores are moderate predictors of population IQ (thanks to spatial autocorrelation), and their predictive power increases logarithmically with the number of SNPs, indicating an exponential reduction in noise. Conclusion: This study provides guidance for using GWAS hits together with random SNPs for testing polygenic selection using Monte Carlo simulations.

Topological indices have important role in theoretical chemistry for QSPR researches. Among the all topological indices the Randić and the Zagreb indices have been used more considerably than any other topological indices in chemical and mathematical literature. Most of the topological indices as in the Randić and the Zagreb indices are based on the degrees of the vertices of a connected graph. Recently novel two degree concepts have been defined in graph theory; ev-degrees and ve-degrees. In this study we define ev-degree Zagreb index, ve-degree Zagreb indices and ve-degree Randić index by using these new graph invariants as parallel to their corresponding classical degree versions. We compare these new group ev-degree and ve-degree indices with the other well-known and most used topological indices in literature such as; Wiener, Zagreb and Randić indices by modelling some physicochemical properties of octane isomers. We show that the ev-degree Zagreb index, the ve-degree Zagreb and the ve-degree Randić indices give better correlation than Wiener, Zagreb and Randić indices to predict the some specific physicochemical properties of octanes. We investigate the relations between the second Zagreb index and ev-degree and ve-degree Zagreb indices and some mathematical properties of ev-degree and ve-degree Zagreb indices.

DNA methylation is one of the epigenetic mechanisms which have been implicated in cellular differentiation, ageing and disease development. The effect of hypomethylating drug 5-aza-2´deoxycytidine (5-aza dC) on the biosynthetic profile of caudal region chondrocytes from chick sternum was studied in detail. The chondrocytes in culture were treated with varying doses of 5-aza dC for 48h and maintained subsequently without the treatment and harvested at selected time points for analysis of growth and differentiation status. 15µg/ml of 5-aza dC showed optimum Concentration at which there was a significant increase in DNA synthesis and RNA synthesis as per cell basis. There was also a significant increase in total protein synthesis and collagen synthesis as per cell basis at this concentration. This optimal concentration also showed to up regulate the gene expression of Type X collagen and alkaline phosphatase, which are the marker of hypertrophic chondrocyte expression. These results further support the notion that methylation is the major epigenetic factor controlling the differentiation and maturation of chondrocytes.

The Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (SZe) is a global distortion of Cosmic Microwave Bckground (CMB) spectrum as result of its interaction with a hot electron plasma in the intracluster medium for large gravitational virialized structures such as galaxy clusters. Furthermore, this hot gas of electrons emits X-Rays due to its fall in the gravitational potential well of the cluster. The analysis of SZe and X-Ray data, provide a method for calculating distances to galaxy clusters at any redshift (Angular diameter distance (d_A) and gas mass fraction (f_gas)). On the other side, many of these galaxy clusters produce a Strong Gravitational Lens effect (SGL), which has become an useful astrophysical tool for cosmology. We use these cosmological tests, in addition to the more traditional ones (SNIa, CMB, BAO), to constraint alternative models of dark energy (ωCDM, CPL, IDE, EDE) and study the history of expansion through the cosmographic parameters (H(z), q(z), j(z)). Using Akaike and Bayesian Information Criterion (AIC, BIC) we find that the ωCDM and ΛCDM models are the most favored by the observational data. In addition, we found that at low redshift appears an peculiar behavior of slowdown of aceleration, which occurs only on dynamical dark energy models using only galaxy clusters (d_A,clusters + f_gas).

Background: Previously, our laboratory has provided evidence that pre-administration of the antioxidant, lipoic acid covalently bonded to various naturally occurring antioxidants, enhanced neuroprotective capacity compared to the administration of lipoic acid on its own. The naturally occurring compound scopoletin, a coumarin derivative, has been shown in various in vitro studies to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanism of actions. To date, the effect of scopoletin on neuronal cell death in an in vivo model of ischemia or ischemia-reperfusion has not been investigated. Therefore, the present investigation was designed to determine if scopoletin on its own, or a co-drug consisting of lipoic acid and scopoletin covalent bond, named UPEI-400, would be capable of demonstrating a similar neuroprotective efficacy. Methods: Using a rodent model of stroke in male rats (anesthetized with Inactin®; 100 mg/kg, iv), the middle cerebral artery was permanently occluded for 6 hours (pMCAO), or in separate animals, occluded for 30 min followed by 5.5 hrs of reperfusion (ischemia/reperfusion; I/R). Results: Pre-administration of either scopoletin or UPEI-400 significantly decreased infarct volume in the I/R model (p<0.05), but not in the pMCAO model of stroke. However, UPEI-400 was ~1000 times more potent as compared to scopoletin on its own. The optimal dose of UPEI-400 was then injected during the occlusion and at several time points during reperfusion and significant neuroprotection was observed for up to 150 mins following the start of reperfusion (p<0.05). Conclusion: The data suggest that synthetic combination of scopoletin with lipoic acid (UPEI-400) is a more effective neuroprotectant that either compound on their own. Also, since UPEI-400 was only effective in a model of I/R, it is possible that it may act to enhance neuronal antioxidant capacity and/or upregulate anti-inflammatory pathways to prevent the neuronal cell death.

A high step-up DC-to-DC converter that integrates an isolated transformer and a switched-clamp capacitor is presented in this study. The voltage stress of the main power switch should be clamped to 1/4 V by using the turn ratio and switched-clamp capacitor of an isolated transformer to achieve a high voltage gain. In addition, a passive clamp circuit is employed reduce voltage stress on the main power switch. The energy of the leakage inductor can be recycled by the clamp capacitor because of the passive clamp circuit, thereby improving the power converter efficiency. The converter consists of one isolated transformer, one main switch, three capacitors, and four diodes. Operating principle and steady-state analyses are also discussed. Finally, a 24-V-input voltage to 200-V-output voltage and a 150 W output power prototype converter are fabricated in the laboratory. The maximum efficiency of the converter is 95.1 at 60 W.

Special preparation of SBA-15 materials has been carried out for creating adsorbents exhibiting an enhanced and selective adsorption toward CO2. This creation starts from an adequate conditioning of the silica surface, via a thermo-alkaline treatment to increase the population of silanol species on it. CO2 adsorption is only reasonably achieved when the SiO2 surface becomes aminated after put in contact with a solution of an amino alkoxide compound in the right solvent. Unfunctionalized and amine-functionalized substrates were characterized through X-ray diffraction, N2 sorption, Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy, 29Si solid-state NMR, and NH3 thermal programmed desorption. These analyses proved that the thermo-alkaline procedure desilicates the substrate and eliminates the micropores (without affecting the SBA-15 capillaries), present in the original solid. NMR analysis confirms that the hydroxylated solid anchors more amino functionalizing molecules than the unhydroxylated material. The SBA-15 sample subjected to hydroxylation and amino- functionalization displays a high enthalpy of interaction, a reason why this solid is suitable for a strong deposition of CO2 but with the possibility of observing a low-pressure hysteresis phenomenon. Contrastingly, CH4 adsorption on amino-functionalized, hydroxylated SBA-15 substrates becomes almost 5 times lesser than the CO2 one, thus giving proof of their selectivity toward CO2.

Diabetes mellitus is the fifth deadliest disease in the developing countries. Even with all the research and new drugs available, combating diabetes is still challenging. There are successes in finding new cost effective drugs without side effects, even if not perfect. In our investigation we studied binding mechanism of secondary metabolite of T. chebula in silico. It was observed that three compounds out of 16 have a higher binding affinity for the target proteins. Ellagic acid showed highest binding affinity with alpha amylase, beta glucosidase and alpha glucosidase with lesser binding energies -4.5kcal/mol, -5.36kcal/mol and -4.48kcal/mol respectively. Arjungenin has lesser binding energy of 4.77 kcal/mol with glucokinase while luteoline has binding energy of -7.25kcal/mol for enzyme glycogen synthase kinase. These entire compounds interacted with non-covalent interaction. Petroleum ether extract showed the significant alpha amylase inhibitory activity i.e. 51.22% as compared to standard drug (65.99%).TLC analysis revealed the presence of total 9 compounds in different plant extracts one of them might be a lead compound which could be further exploited for the development of novel safer and potent antidiabetic drug.

Abstract: Chemical investigation of the leaves from Ageratina glabrata yielded four new thymol derivatives, namely: 10-Benzoyloxy-8,9-dehydro-6-hydroxythymol isobutyrate (4), 10-benzoyloxy-8,9-dehydro thymol (5), 10-benzoyloxythymol (6) and 10-benzoyloxy-6,8-dihydroxy-9-isobutyryloxythymol (7). In addition, (8S)-10-benzoyloxy-8,9-epoxy-6-hydroxythymol isobutyrate (1), together with other two already known thymol derivatives identified as: 10-benzoyloxy-8,9-epoxy-6-methoxythymol isobutyrate (2) and 10-benzoyloxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate (3). In this paper, we wish to publish the structures and complete assignments of ¹H and ¹³C NMR data of compounds 1 – 7, and the absolute configuration for compound 1, unambiguously established by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and evaluation of the Flack parameter. The in vitro antiprotozoal assay showed that compound 1 and its derivative 1a were the most potent antiamoebic and antigiardial compounds. Both compounds showed selectivity and good antiamoebic activity like emetine and metronidazole, respectively, two antiprotozoal drugs used as positive controls. In relation of anti-propulsive effect, compound 1 and 1a showed moderate inhibitory activity, their activities were comparable to quercetin and compound 9, respectively, two natural antipropulsive compounds used as positive controls. These data suggest that compound 1 may play an important role in antidiarrheal properties of Ageratina glabrata.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is one of the most well defined “repeat diseases”, associated with a short repeated genetic sequence, CAG.First, taking into account that a phenocopy of HD has a different repeat that is associated with a different gene, I suggest that the gene is not important for HD, only the repeat sequence is important, in agreement with Lee et al (2019) who reached the same conclusion using a GWAS technique.Second, taking into account that a phenocopy of HD has a CTG repeat rather than a CAG repeat, and that the toxin should be the same for both disease types and that the third base in a codon is the least important, I suggest that the reading frame is shifted for the repeat expansions and that the A/T substitution takes place on the third base. The most likely sense and antisense reading frames are then (GCA)_n and (GCT)_n and (GCT)_n and (GCA)_n and the corresponding amino acid is polyalanine.Third, the more repeats, the earlier the HD onset (Brinkman et al, 1997; Wexler, 2004). I suggest that this relationship can be thought of as a rate equation. If the concentration is proportional to the probability of creating a polyalanine of length m in a repeat expansion of length n, the corresponding equation is borne out by the data on age of onset and repeat length and m is found to be about 30.6. This explains for the first time, at least approximately, why HD is not active unless there are at least 36 CAG repeats.If true, HD may be the first disease where frameshifting is the cause of the disease.

Background: We explored the potential value of serum MUC5AC (sMUC5AC) as a biomarker to guide perioperative management of early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). Methods: We performed enzyme-linked immunoassays using a human MUC5AC kit (NBP2-76703) in serum samples obtained from The Ohio State University biorepository (between January 2010 and June 2021). Univariate (UV) and multivariate (MV) Cox regression models were used to quantify progression-free survival (PFS); clinical and pathological variables were adjusted in the MV models. UV logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the association of sMUC5AC with pathological features and survival. 2 Results: Overall, 23 samples (19 FOLFIRINOX, 3 gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, 1 FOLFOX) were available for analysis. The median age was 66 years, and 52% were females. sMUC5AC was associated with a) treatment response, margin status, and residual disease (R0 vs. R1/R2) (all P<0.05); b) PFS on both UV (hazard ratio (HR) of 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.07 to 1.82, P=0.01) and MV (HR of 49.2, 95% CI, 4.4 to 1008.3, P=0.002) analyses; and c) PFS in pre-surgery models along with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) measured on the same day alone (HR of 1.47, 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.93, p=0.04), with CA19-9 on the same day, and NAT regimen (HR of 1.44, 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.93, p=0.01), and with CA19-9 on the same day, NAT regimen, and CA19-9 at diagnosis (HR of 1.52, 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.09, p=0.007). Conclusion: sMUC5AC shows promise to helping to predict outcomes in our preliminary study. Larger prospective studies should validate these findings.

New asphalt mixtures have been improved by using fibers (polypropylene, polyester, asbestos, carbon, glass, nylon, lignin, coconut, sisal, recycled rubber, PET, wood, bamboo and cellulose), reducing the temperature and compaction energy for their collocation, minimizing the impact on the environment, increasing the tenacity and resistance to cracking of hot mix asphalt (HMA), preventing asphalt drainage in a Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA). Hence, this paper aims to evaluate the influence of the chemical (lignin content, ash, viscosity, degree of polymerization and elemental analysis), morphological (SEM), spectroscopic (FTIR-ATR and XRD) and calorimetric (ATG and DSC) properties of celluloses from bagasse Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul (ABP), corrugated paperboard (CPB) and commercial cellulose fiber (CC) as Schellenberg drainage (D) inhibitors of the SMA. The ABP was obtained through a chemical process by alkaline cooking, while CPB by a mechanical refining process. The chemical, morphological, spectroscopic and calorimetric properties were similar among the analyzed celluloses, but CPB and ABP cellulose are excellent alternatives to CC cellulose for inhibiting drainage. However, CPB is the most effective at low concentrations. This is attributed to its morphology, which includes roughness, waviness, filament length, orientation and diameter, as well as its lignin content and crystallinity.

Pre-transport management activities can cause stress, injuries, and mortality in poultry. This study aimed to gather information about the current pre-transport practices (selection of unfit chickens, catching preparations, catching, and crating) for spent hens and broilers by questioning Flemish poultry farmers. The results showed that catching preparations such as an extra selection of chickens unfit for transport was performed by a minority of the poultry farmers, and that layer farmers were less in line with the EU-legislation for water and feed withdrawal than broiler farmers. All birds were caught inverted except for one broiler farmer who used mechanical catching (not yet common in Flanders). Additionally, mechanical catching may involve extra costs, increased biosecurity risks, and specific recommendations for the stable (height and width). The broiler farmers preferred mechanical catching for broiler catchers' well-being, while upright catching was considered better for animal welfare than catching more than three chickens by one/two legs, mechanically, or by wings. Awareness of the need to perform an extra selection by the poultry farmers before catching is required. Preparations like closing areas under the aviary system and removing litter (layers) can further streamline the process and reduce animal suffering.

Keywords: Structural Equation Modeling (SEM); economic and social preferences; consumer choices; econometric model; Partial Least Square (PLS).

Construction projects' unsatisfactory performance has been linked to factors influencing individuals' well-being and mental alertness on projects. Drowsiness is a significant indicator of sleep deprivation and fatigue, being able to identify the cognitive and physical preparedness of workers on site to engage in construction tasks. As a consequence of the strenuous nature of the work involved in construction, long work hours, and environmental conditions, drowsiness is commonplace and has received less attention despite being a leading cause of accidents occurring on-site. Detecting drowsiness is essential for determining the safety and well-being of site workers. This study presents a vision-based approach using an improved version of the You Only Look Once (YOLOv8) algorithm for real-time drowsiness exposure among construction workers. The proposed method leverages computer vision techniques to analyse facial and eye features, enabling early detection of drowsiness signs, effectively preventing accidents, and enhancing on-site safety. The model showed significant precision and efficiency in detecting drowsiness from the given dataset, accomplishing a drowsiness class with a mean average precision (mAP) of 92%. However, it also exhibited difficulties handling imbalanced classes, particularly the underrepresented 'Awake with PPE' class, which was detected with high precision but comparatively lower recall and mAP. This highlighted the necessity of balanced datasets for optimal deep learning performance. The YOLOv8 model's average mAP of 78% in drowsiness detection compared favourably with other studies employing different methodologies. The vision-based drowsiness detection system has broad applications in the construction industry. It can be integrated into existing safety protocols, enabling real-time alerts to supervisors or workers when drowsiness is detected. The system improves productivity and reduces costs by preventing accidents and enhancing worker safety. However, limitations, such as sensitivity to lighting conditions and occlusions, must be addressed in future iterations.

AbstractThe Association of Mutual Funds of India (AMFI) under the direction of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) provided open access to various risk parameters with respect to MidCap and SmallCap funds on its website in February, 2024. This disclosure of month wise cross-sectional data depicting stress-test and liquidity analysis was hailed as a milestone as it provided a glimpse into inherent risk of mutual funds. The AMFI dataset consisted of 14 variables including stress test results, ownership concentration on both liability & asset sides, standard deviation on portfolio’s returns, portfolio beta, trailing 12-month PE ratio, portfolio turnover etc. Among these, the primary variable identified in grading mutual fund is the stress test parameter, expressed as number of days required to liquidate 50% and 25% of the portfolio respectively on a pro-rata basis under stress condition. A higher number of days to liquidate the portfolio under stress conditions represented higher risk for the investor. The objective of our paper is to test various neural network models which can help in predicting stress levels with the highest accuracy and specificity in MidCap and SmallCap mutual funds based on AMFI’s 14 parameters as predictors.Our study utilizes AMFI datasets available for MidCap and SmallCap mutual funds from February 2024 (inception period) to May 2024. To operationalize the analysis, the derived response variable was binned to represent high and low risk based on the time required for pro-rata liquidation of the portfolio. The study employed feed-forward neural networks, with the logistic regression as the step function, to model the relationships. Results suggest that the simpler neural network models with one hidden layer and two to three nodes show higher accuracy and specificity. Analysis also shows that more complex architectures do not always guarantee better performance as these models might suffer from higher bias. By leveraging advanced computational techniques, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding risk management and decision-making in the realm of mutual fund investments.

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum, Fn), an oral commensal that can become pathogenic, is associated with periodontitis (PD), adverse pregnancy outcomes, and colorectal cancer (CRC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved, non-coding RNAs that play a regulatory role in gene expression and are detected in microbial infections. The aim of this study was to characterize the global microRNA expression kinetics in the mandibles of C57BL/6J mice infected with F. nucleatum for 8 and 16 weeks, and to identify miRNAs as biomarkers of the PD process using high-throughput NanoString nCounter® miRNA panels. Mice were divided into four groups: 8 weeks of Fn infection, 16 weeks of Fn infection, and their respective sham infection. Fn-infected mice at both 8- and 16 weeks showed 100% bacterial colonization on the gingival surface, along with a significant increase in alveolar bone resorption (p<0.0001) and intravascular dissemination to heart, indicating its invasive potential. Out of 577 miRNAs analyzed, seven miRNAs (miR-361-5p, miR-99b-5p) were upregulated, and two miRNAs (miR-362-3p and miR-720) were downregulated in the 8-week Fn infection group. In the 16-week Fn infection group, seven miRNAs (miR-361-5p, miR-99b-5p) were upregulated miRNAs and 13 miRNAs (miR-323-3p, miR-488) were downregulated. Notably, miRNAs such as miR-205, miR-210, miR-199a-3p which were differentially expressed (DE) in the Fn-infected mice at 8 weeks and miR-28 at 16 weeks, have been previously reported in human periodontitis. The 13 miRNAs induced by F. nucleatum (miR-361-5p) are linked to multiple malignancies, including esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. Additionally, the DE miR-126-5p in the 8-week infection group has been identified as a potential biomarker for patients with PD and cardiovascular disease. The results indicate that F. nucleatum acts as a potent oncomicrobe, inducing several miRNAs associated with PD and linking it to systemic comorbidities. Furthermore, the study revealed similar expressions between PD-associated miRNAs and nine CRC tumor-expressed miRNAs.

Diabetic foot sepsis (DFS) is the leading cause of lower extremity amputations and timely initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy is paramount during its management. This study investigated causative microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile in patients with DFS. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who were 18-years and older admitted for DFS. . Data collected included demographic: information, comorbidities, clinical findings, type of specimen collected for microbiology and microbiology results, treatment and outcomes. Data was analysed using STATA/SE version 17.0 and a p-value of 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Hundred and sixty-eight records were found of which 64.3% of patients were male who also had a median (IQR) age of 58 years (IQR 54-65). In comparison, females had a median age of 61 years (IQR 54-67). The microbiology results were available in 63.1% of the records and 60.4% were taken from tissue specimens (60.4%) and 14.2% from pus swabs (14.2%). Enterococcus faecalis was cultured in 16%, Proteus mirabilis 10%, and Staphylococcus aureus in 8%. Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid was prescribed for 69% of the cases. Resistance to at least one antimicrobial was observed in 88% of Staphylococcus aureus and 80% of Proteus mirabilis species. Conclusions: Diabetic foot sepsis commonly affects males around the age of 60 years. The commonly cultured organism in patients with DFS are Enterococcus faecalis 16%, Proteus mirabilis 10%, and Staphylococcus aureus. Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid as the primary antimicrobial therapy and in close to 40% of patients, with DFS, antimicrobial treatment is not preceded by collection of a specimen for MC&S despite high rates of resistance seen in the common cultured organisms. This data may assist with updating local guidelines so as to better manage this condition in an evidenced based way.

Ephrin type A receptor 2 (EphA2) binds to membrane-bound ligands, ephrin A1, A2, and A5, eliciting bidirectional signaling. This signaling regulates many physiological processes, such as tissue development, homeostasis, and regeneration. The dysregulation of the EphA2-ephrins axis contributes to various diseases, including cancers. The high expression of EphA2 is observed in various cancers, which promotes cancer malignancy, whereas its levels are relatively low in most normal adult tissues. Therefore, EphA2 is a promising target for cancer therapy. In this study, we developed anti-human EphA2 monoclonal antibodies using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening method. Among them, a clone Ea₂Mab-7 (IgG₁, κ) exhibited a high affinity and sensitivity in flow cytometry. The dissociation constant values of Ea₂Mab-7 for CHO/EphA2 and MDA-MB-231 cells were determined as 7.7 × 10⁻⁹ M and 2.1 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively. Furthermore, Ea₂Mab-7 can detect endogenous EphA2 in western blot and immunohistochemistry. Therefore, the Ea₂Mab-7 is highly versatile for basic research and is expected to contribute to clinical applications, such as antibody therapy and tumor diagnosis.

CNS infiltration (CNS+) leads to serious complications in AML. Cytogenetic and Molecular profile is essential in risk stratification, treatment decisions and envisage prognosis. We utilize the NGS data and cytogenetics as a screening tool, for determining the incidences and specific CNS+ risks, in patients eligible for intrathecal chemotherapy. 52 mutations database per NGS was used for the analysis. 435 newly diagnosed patients underwent frontline induction chemotherapy. 259 (59.5%) patients received LP. The most common molecular mutation in the CNS+ patients were MPN1 (48.3%), FLT3 (22.5%), TET2 (25.8%), RAS / KRAS (25.7%), DMNT3 (19.3%), ASXL1 and (16.1%). Of which 31 patients had confirmed CNS+ disease due to the presence of characteristic markers. CNS+ patients have significantly higher bone marrow blast% (76 vs. 53) (p= 0.0202). WBC count ≥ 100x109/L (OR: 5.614 [2.313-13.626] p=0.0001) in the multivariable analysis, and LDH ≥2ULN (OR: 5.512 [2.176-13.965]; p= 0.0003) in the univariate analysis, revealed higher risk for CNS+. Patients exhibited significantly higher NPM1 mutations (48.4% vs 24.6%, p=0.0053) and 11q23 chromosomal abnormality (12.9% vs 2.19%, p= 0.0139). However, FLT3 by NGS did not predict CNS+ (P=0.1226). CNS+ did not contribute significantly toward CIR (p=0.066), and has no bearing on OS (p=0.9063). Patients presented with either neurological symptoms or accompanied by hyperleukocytosis, elevated LDH, NPM1 positivity or 11q23 abnormality are highly suggestive of CNS+. Therefore, LP is needed to rule-out CNS disease at presentation. NGS did not consistently predict CNS+. A large prospective trial is needed to confirm the results.

Owing to recent advancements in nanotechnology, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs), particularly magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), are currently widely employed in the field of medicine. These MNPs, characterized by their large specific surface area, potential for diverse functionalization, and magnetic properties, have found application in various medical domains, including tumor imaging (MRI), radiolabelling, internal radiotherapy, hyperthermia, gene therapy, drug delivery, and theranostics. However, ensuring the non-toxicity of MNPs when employed in medical practices is paramount. Thus, ongoing research endeavors are essential to comprehensively understand and address potential toxicological implications associated with their usage. This review aims to present the latest research and findings on assessing the potential toxicity of magnetic nanoparticles. It meticulously delineates the primary mechanisms of MNPs toxicity at the cellular level, encompassing oxidative stress, genotoxic effects, disruption of the cytoskeleton, cell membrane perturbation, alterations in the cell cycle, dysregulation of gene expression, inflammatory response, disturbance in ion homeostasis, and interference with cell migration and mobility. Furthermore, the review expounds upon the potential impact of MNPs on various organs and systems, including the brain and nervous system, heart and circulatory system, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, skin, urinary, and reproductive systems.

The valorization and dissolution of lignin using ionic liquids (ILs) is critical for developing sustainable biorefineries and a circular bioeconomy. This review aims to critically assess the current state of computational and machine learning methods for understanding and optimizing IL-based lignin dissolution and valorization processes reported since 2022. The paper examines various computational approaches, from quantum chemistry to machine learning, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and recent advances in predicting and optimizing lignin-IL interactions. Key themes include the challenges in accurately modeling lignin’s complex structure, the development of efficient screening methodologies for ionic liquids to enhance lignin dissolution and valorization processes, and the integration of machine learning with quantum calculations. These computational advances will drive progress in IL-based lignin valorization by providing deeper molecular-level insights and facilitating the rapid screening of novel IL-lignin systems.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder clinically characterized by recurrent episodes of severe swelling, affecting the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and airways. Lanadelumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits plasma kallikrein, is approved for long-term prophylaxis (LTP) in HAE patients, demonstrating effectiveness in reducing disease burden. This study evaluated the real-world impact of lanadelumab on healthcare resource utilization, angioedema episode frequency, and quality of life (QoL) in adult HAE type 1 patients treated at the Allergy Department of Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife Spain. A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted for patients who iniciated LTP with lanadelumab between March 2021 and June 2024. Results confirmed a 75.27% reduction in hospital visits, and a 94.1% decrease in the average number of angioedema episodes during the study period. Additionally, the use of on-demand rescue medication (icatibant) was significantly reduced by 61% (p&lt;0.05), with HAEQoL scores improving from 62.2 to 99.5 points, and no significant adverse effects were reported. These findings indicate that lanadelumab effectively reduces healthcare resource utilization and angioedema episodes, while notably enhancing the QoL in selected HAE type 1 patients.

Histomorphological studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of NS-Oil (NS) on ovarian toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in female rats. The research aimed to assess the histological changes in ovarian tissue and correlate these findings with alterations in serum gonadotropin levels. The experimental design involved three (3) experimental groups treated with cyclophosphamide, NS-Oil oil, or a combination, with control group for comparison. Histological assessments of ovarian sections were performed to analyze structural integrity, follicular development, and toxicity signs, while serum samples were analyzed for estradiol, progestin levels.Cyclophosphamide administration significantly disrupted ovarian architecture, reducing follicle count and causing follicular degeneration. Conversely, NS-Oil oil treatment exhibited protective effects, restoring normal histological features and improving gonadotropin levels. Image J software, calibrated with a table micrometer, was used to measure diameters of follicles, follicular cells, and oocytes. Primary, secondary, and tertiary follicles were classified according to Oktay et al. (2017). Body weight showed no significant difference across groups, but ovarian weight decreased in cyclophosphamide-treated groups compared to controls (p < 0.05). However, ovarian weight increased dose-dependently in NS-Oil-treated groups (p < 0.05).Cyclophosphamide reduced ovarian cortex and medulla volumes (p < 0.05), while NS-Oil treatment increased these volumes (p < 0.05). Pre-antral and antral follicle counts decreased with cyclophosphamide but increased following NS-Oil treatment (p < 0.05). Atretic follicle counts decreased in both cyclophosphamide and NS-Oil-treated groups (p < 0.05). The diameters of pre-antral and antral follicles, as well as follicular cells, decreased with cyclophosphamide but increased post NS-Oil treatment (p < 0.05).These results suggest that NS-Oil may offer a therapeutic strategy to mitigate ovarian damage associated with cyclophosphamide treatment, highlighting its potential role in preserving reproductive health in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and the efficacy of NS-Oil in clinical settings.

The persistent challenge of IPF, characterized by disease progression and high mortality, underscores the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. We have developed a novel small molecule – catechin derivative ABI-171 – selectively targeting DYRK1A and PIM1 kinases, crucial in the pathogenesis of fibrotic processes. We employed the Bleomycin-induced (intratracheal) mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ABI-171. Mice with induced PF were treated QD with ABI-171 either prophylactically or therapeutically using oral and intranasal routes. Pirfenidone (100mg/kg, TID) and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, 100 mg/kg, QD), a natural catechin currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial, were used as reference compounds. ABI-171, administered prophylactically, led to a significant reduction in hydroxyproline levels and fibrotic tissue formation compared to the control group. Treatment with ABI-171 improved body weight, indicating mitigation of disease-related weight loss. Additionally, ABI-171 demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity, reducing lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltration. In the therapeutic setting, ABI-171, administered 7 days post-induction, reduced mortality rates (P = 0.04) compared with the bleomycin and EGCG control groups. ABI-171 also ameliorated the severity of lung injuries assessed by improved Masson’s trichrome scores when administered both orally and intranasally. ABI-171 significantly decreases bleomycin-induced PF and improves survival in mice, showcasing promising therapeutic potential beyond current medications like Pirfenidone and EGCG for patients with IPF. Based on these results, further studies with ABI-171 are ongoing in preclinical studies.

Objective: To analyze and investigate the impact of early rehabilitation training based on developmental sequencing on the growth and development of late preterm infants. Methods: This study focused on preterm infants admitted to our hospital from June 2021 to November 2021. Strict screening was applied to select 54 cases for inclusion. Clinical data were collected for all study subjects, and based on different intervention plans, they were divided into a control group and an experimental group, with 27 cases in each group. The experimental group received intervention based on a developmental sequencing early rehabilitation model in addition to routine care, while the control group only received routine care intervention. The growth and development of the two groups of preterm infants were compared during the study, including physical indicators, intellectual-motor skills, neurobehavioral assessments, and developmental monitoring. Results: The clinical data of the two groups of preterm infants were comparable, with no significant differences (P>0.05). The experimental group exhibited significantly higher values in physical indicators such as weight, head circumference, and height compared to the control group (P<0.05). Intellectual-motor scores (MDI and PDI) of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The NBNA scale scores for various dimensions were higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05). The DQ values of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Early rehabilitation training based on developmental sequencing has a positive impact on the growth and development of late preterm infants. Through systematic and sequenced rehabilitation interventions, various aspects of development in late preterm infants can be promoted effectively. This approach not only improves physical development but also enhances intellectual-motor skills, neurobehavioral development, and overall developmental levels. The results are significant, indicating the worthiness of widespread application and promotion.

The advent of Web3 technologies promises a paradigm shift toward decentralized and autonomous economic interactions enabled by blockchain and smart contracts. However, the lack of robust trust and reputation mechanisms hinders its evolution into a fully functional economic system. This paper introduces the Dmany Nexus Protocol, a decentralized reputation system that quantifies user trustworthiness through verified on-chain and off-chain actions. By integrating principles from information economics, game theory, and mechanism design, the protocol addresses issues of information asymmetry, moral hazard, and adverse selection inherent in decentralized networks. Leveraging the Dmany Quest Engine for decentralized task management and employing zero-knowledge proofs for privacy preservation, Dmany Nexus establishes a foundation for trust and cooperation in the Web3 ecosystem. The protocol enhances economic efficiency, mitigates security risks like Sybil attacks, and fosters mass adoption by enabling secure, privacy-preserving interactions among pseudonymous actors.

The physiological impact of walking in nature was quantified via continuous heart rate variabil-ity (HRV), pre- and post-walk saliva cortisol measures, and self-reported mood and mindfulness scores for N=17 participants who walked “The Green Road” at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. For N=15 of the participants, HRV analysis revealed two main groups: group 1 individuals who had a 104% increase (mean) in root mean square standard deviation (RMSSD) and 47% increase (mean) in standard deviation of NN values (SDNN) indi-cating an overall reduction in physiological stress from walking the Green Road, and group 2 in-dividuals who had a decrease (mean) of 42% and 31% in these respective HRV metrics signaling an increase in physiological stresses. Post-walk self-reported scores for vigor and mood disturb-ance were more robust for the Green Road than for a comparable urban road corridor and showed that higher HRV during the walk was associated with improved overall mood. Saliva cortisol was lower after taking a walk for all participants and showed that walking the Green Road elicited a significantly larger reduction in cortisol of 53% on average when compared with 37% of walking along an urban road. It is also observed that the order in which individuals walked the green road, and urban road also impacted their cortisol response with those walking the urban road before the green showing a substantial reduction in cortisol, suggesting a possible attenuation effect of walking the green road first. These findings provide quantitative data demonstrating the stress-reducing effects of being in nature, thus supporting the health benefit value of providing access to nature more broadly in many settings.

Understanding visual engagement in marketing is crucial for optimizing user experience and enhancing campaign effectiveness. This study introduces the Visual Interaction Analysis (VIA) methodology, utilizing advanced eye-tracking technology within immersive virtual reality (VR) environments to examine generational and gender differences in visual engagement after exposure to advertising materials. Using the Cognitive 3D platform for precise data capture, this research analyzed fixation patterns—total fixations, duration of fixations, and average duration per fixation—across Millennial and Generation Z cohorts. The analysis involved 44 participants, who were exposed to three posters in controlled VR settings. Results revealed significant generational differences: Generation Z demonstrated more focused attention, with higher fixation counts and longer total fixation durations compared to Millennials, suggesting that differences in media consumption and technological adaptation influence engagement strategies. However, both generations showed a similar depth of engagement, as indicated by the average duration per fixation. Gender analysis within Generation Z further revealed that female participants engaged for longer periods per fixation, indicating deeper processing of visual information. This methodology offers a robust framework for quantifying visual engagement, providing actionable insights that can help marketers tailor strategies and optimize campaign designs before launch.

Background: This study conducts a comparative historical analysis of two significant drug crises: the opium epidemic in 19th-century Qing Dynasty China and the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States, aiming to extract applicable lessons for current global drug policies. Methodology: A historical case study approach was employed, integrating examinations of historical records, policy documents, and contemporary data to compare the development, impact, and responses to these crises within their respective contexts. Results: The analysis reveals significant parallels in socioeconomic impacts and governmental challenges. Key differences include the evolution from predominantly prohibitionist approaches in Qing China to more comprehensive public health-oriented strategies in the U.S. The study highlights the critical role of national power, particularly military capability, in effectively addressing drug crises. Conclusions: The findings underscore four key lessons: (1) Purely prohibitionist approaches often lead to unintended consequences such as black markets and increased criminal activity; (2) Addressing underlying socioeconomic factors contributing to drug abuse is crucial; (3) Aggressive anti-drug policies can escalate into severe diplomatic tensions, necessitating careful consideration of international relations in policy formulation; (4) A nation's military and economic strength significantly influences its ability to implement effective drug policies and resist external pressures that may exacerbate the crisis. These insights suggest that effective management of drug crises requires a balance of strong domestic policies, international cooperation, and maintenance of national power to ensure policy autonomy.

With consumers increasingly aware of the effects of human activity on the environment, tourism products and destinations are increasingly marketed as sustainable and socially responsible. As most sustainable practices lead to additional costs, and tourists’ decisions tend to be price sensitive, achieving sustainability goals necessarily involves understanding how much tourists are willing to pay extra for sustainable practices, as well as the antecedents of such Willingness to Pay (WTP). The present study aims to advance knowledge on the antecedents of WTP for Sustainable Destinations (WTP-4-SD), for which it builds on previous studies employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP). In this context, a theoretical model involving Ecotourism Attitudes, Environmental Beliefs, Climate Change-Related Risk Perceptions (CC-RRP), Environmental Concern During trip (ECDT), and Sustainable Consumption Behavior (SCB) as antecedents of WTP-4-SD is proposed. The model was tested based on data collected through an online survey, form a sample of 1,545 Spanish and Portuguese tourists, and analyzed through Structural Equations Modelling (SEM). The findings suggest that a cohesive set of attitudes and beliefs regarding the man-nature relationship, the risks of climate change and the role of tourism – which have been labelled “No Planet-B Attitudes” – is the main driver of WTP-4-SD.

This study reports the use of Nanotrap® Microbiome A Particles (NMAPs) to capture and concentrate viruses from diluted samples/specimens to improve their recovery and sensitivity of detection by real-time PCR/RT-PCR (qPCR/RT-qPCR). Five highly infectious animal disease viruses including goat pox virus (GTPV), sheep pox virus (SPPV), lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), and African swine fever virus (ASFV) were used in this study. After capture, the viruses remained viable and recoverable by virus isolation (VI) using susceptible cell lines. To assess efficacy of recovery, the viruses were serially diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or Eagle’s Minimum Essential Medium (EMEM) and then subjected to virus capture using NMAPs. The NMAPs and the captured viruses were clarified on a magnetic stand, reconstituted in PBS or EMEM, and analyzed separately by VI and virus-specific qPCR/RT-qPCR. The results of the qPCR/RT-qPCR showed up to 100-fold increase in the sensitivity of detection of the viruses following virus capture compared to the untreated viruses from the same dilutions. NMAPs were used to capture and concentrate viruses from clinical specimens to determine diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) that were comparable (100%) to the untreated specimens. NMAPs were also used to capture spiked viruses from EDTA whole blood (EWB). Virus capture from EWB was partially blocked, most likely by hemoglobin (HMB), which also binds NMAPs and outcompetes the viruses. The effect of HMB could be removed by either dilution (in PBS) or using HemogloBind™ (Biotech Support Group; Monmouth Junction, NJ) that specifically binds and precipitates HMB. Enhanced recovery and detection of viruses using NMAPs can be applicable to other highly pathogenic animal viruses of agricultural importance.

The tunable work function of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles of various sizes was measured using the Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) technique. The analysis of the contact potential difference (CPD) across TiO₂ nanoparticles of different sizes revealed a clear relationship between nanoparticle size, surface roughness, and work function. The study observed work function values ranging from 4.49 eV to 4.57 eV for particle sizes between 3 nm and 85 nm, which were higher than those of bulk TiO₂, likely due to quantum confinement effects. Additionally, electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) measurements showed significant charge-trapping behavior within TiO₂ nanoparticles under different applied bias voltages. The optical analysis also revealed a quantum confinement-induced band gap of 3.35 eV, larger than that of bulk TiO₂, and distinct photoluminescence peaks at 383 nm and 403 nm, corresponding to near-band-edge excitonic emissions and defect-related states. By analyzing the conduction band (CB) and valence band (VB) of TiO₂ nanoparticles using KPFM, the CB and VB positions were calculated based on work function data and bandgap. The results indicated that as particle size increases, both CB and VB energies shift slightly towards lower values, where smaller nanoparticles exhibit larger band gaps and higher work functions.

A theory for the micelle formation of nonionic head-tail amphiphiles (detergents) in aqueous solutions is derived based on the traditional molecular thermodynamic modeling approach and a variant of Flory-Huggins theory that goes beyond lattice models. The theory is used to analyze experimental values for the critical micelle concentration of n-alkyl-ß-D-maltosides within a mass action model. To correlate those parts of the micellization free energy, that depend on the transfer of hydrophobic molecule parts into the aqueous phase, with molecular surfaces, known data for the solubility of alkanes in water are reanalyzed. The correct surface tension to be used in connection with the solvent excluded surface of the alky tail is 30 mN/m. This value is smaller than the measured surface tension of a macroscopic alkane-water interface, because the transfer free energy contains a contribution from the incorporation of the alkane or alkyl chain into water representing the change in free volume of the aqueous phase. Flory-Huggins theory works well, if one takes into account the difference in liberation free energy between micelles and monomers, which can be described in terms of the aggregation number as well as the thermal deBroglie wavelength and the free volume of the detergent monomer.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a pivotal diagnostic tool in oncology, utilized for evaluating suspicious lesions and stratifying tumors. The incorporation of machine learning (ML) into FNAC has revolutionized accuracy, efficiency, and diagnostic precision. This comprehensive review explores recent advances in FNAC, emphasizing the transformative role of ML in image-guided sample collection and tumor stratification. Leveraging deep learning and other ML algorithms, researchers have improved diagnostic accuracy, minimized unnecessary biopsies, and optimized treatment selection. This article highlights the transformative applications of machine learning in FNAC while addressing its current limitations and future potential.

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) plays a vital role in ensuring the health status of a wide range of structures, such as bridges, buildings and large infrastructure in general. The advantages of this process can be further enhanced by incorporating more numerical and statistical approaches into traditional methods, such as Finite Element Analysis and Machine Learning. In this study a bridge structure is examined, and neural networks are trained with data derived from finite element analyses under static loads and dynamic excitations. Initially, a binary classification problem is addressed, where numerically trained classifiers are tasked with identifying whether the structure is in a healthy state or not. This category is further divided into two subcategories, depending on the extent of the damage present in the structure. Subsequently, a multi-class classification problem is defined, where three different damage classes of the same extent are considered, and the trained network is required to distinguish between them. Finally, conclusions are drawn from the results of the study regarding the model error parameter, the impact of the damage size, as well as the types of neural networks and training data used.

In the past ten years, the generative artificial intelligence trend has evolved from simply enhancing the creation of audiovisuals using generative adversarial networks to becoming an entirely disruptive force, transforming operations in various industries and markets, including education and business. The introduction and subsequent widespread popularity of Open AI’s ChatGPT in 2022 raised concerns about the use of Generative AI in professional spaces and its impact on authenticity, innovation, data privacy, and integrity. This study seeks to assess the current applications of this disruptive technology in corporate America and build on that knowledge to provide insight into the current innovative practices and the factors driving its use. The research will further outline some risks associated with generative AI technology in business functions and industries and how this technology is being misused in industries worldwide. Following these revelations, recommendations will be made on the need for regulations surrounding the use of generative AI and the future of this technology for researchers and corporations alike. This study aims to equip corporate strategists and leaders with the knowledge needed to embrace AI, be aware of its possible challenges, and find the best ways to use Generative AI to gain competitive advantage. In addition, it seeks to further equip technology experts and professionals with key information about Generative AI to help them make informed choices when working. The study also aims at research management experts and personnel as it contains vital information that will set the foundation for future research.

The utilization of biowaste fillers in the development of high-density polyurethane (PU) foams has gained significant attention due to environmental and economic benefits. This study investigates the mechanical properties of PU foams reinforced with biowaste fillers extracted from fish scales (FS) and fish scale derived collagen (FSC). The fish scales and collagen were characterized for their composition and integrated into PU foams at various loadings. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness, and density were evaluated. ANOVA was used to analyze the mean values. Bonferroni tests were used to identify differences between the filler materials (α=.05). The tensile strength increases with increase in filler content for both FS (59.48 Kpa) and FSC (65.43Kpa). No differences were observed between FS and FSC in tensile strength. Significance differences were observed between the FS and FSC in both hardness and density (p&lt;0.001). The results demonstrated that both fillers enhanced the mechanical properties of PU foams, with collagen-reinforced foams showing superior performance. This suggests that collagen and fish scales can be effective biowaste fillers for developing environmentally friendly PU foams with enhanced mechanical properties.

In arid and semi-arid regions, groundwater is often the only available source of water. However, overexploitation and pollution have led to a decrease in both the quantity and quality of ground-water. Therefore, proper management of groundwater resources is essential to promote sustainable development. Numerical simulation has emerged as a valuable tool to address these challenges due to its ability to accurately and efficiently model groundwater systems. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current knowledge on the use of numerical groundwater flow models for planning and water resources management in Latin American countries. A total of 166 research articles published between years 2000 and 2024. We analyzed, summarizing details as: the study regions, numerical simulation methods and software, performance metrics, modeling units, modeling limitations, and prediction scenarios. In addition, we discuss alternatives to address the constraints and difficulties and suggests recommendations for future research. Continued research, improvement and de-velopment of numerical groundwater models is essential to ensure the sustainability of groundwater resources.

SOCS2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, essential for cytokine signaling and immune responses. Its dysregulation contributes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) by promoting abnormal cell growth, inflammation, and resistance to cell death. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between Lumbricus-derived proteins and peptides and SOCS2, with a focus on identifying potential therapeutic candidates for CVDs. Utilizing a multifaceted approach, advanced computational methodologies, including 3D structure modeling, protein-protein docking, 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and MM/PBSA calculations, were employed to assess the binding affinities and functional implications of Lumbricus-derived proteins on SOCS2 activity. The findings revealed that certain proteins, such as Lumbricin, Chemoattractive glycoprotein ES20, and Lumbrokinase-7T1, exhibited similar activities to standard antagonists in modulating SOCS2 activity. Furthermore, MM/PBSA calculations were employed to assess the binding free energies of these proteins with SOCS2. Specifically, Lumbricin exhibited an average ΔGbinding of -59.25 kcal/mol, Chemoattractive glycoprotein ES20 showed -55.02 kcal/mol, and Lumbrokinase-7T1 displayed -69.28 kcal/mol. These values suggest strong binding affinities between these proteins and SOCS2, reinforcing their potential therapeutic efficacy in cardiovascular diseases. Further in vitro and animal studies are recommended to validate these findings and explore broader applications of Lumbricus-derived proteins.

Fostamatinib is a spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor approved for the treatment of adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). There is little information about dose tapering and sustained remission after discontinuation in ITP. In this retrospective, multicenter study we evaluated efficacy and safety of fostamatinib in adult patients with ITP before, during and after tapering/discontinuation (T/D). T/D was performed in subjects who achieved complete platelet response (CR) with progressive, conditional dose reduction dose every 4 weeks. Sixty-one patients were included at 14 reference centers between October 2021 and May 2023. In subjects that completed T/D (n=9), median time from treatment initiation to response was 21 days (IQR:7.5-42), time to CR 28 days (IQR:28-42), time to start tapering 116 days (IQR: 42-140), duration of tapering 112.5 days (IQR 94.5-191). Median platelet count at tapering was 232×10⁹/L (IQR 152-345×10⁹/L) and at discontinuation 190×10⁹/L (IQR 142.5-316.5×10⁹/L). With a median follow-up since discontinuation of 263 days (IQR: 247-313 days), only two patients have relapsed (at 63 and 73 days. Fostamatinib was restarted, achieving a new CR. Platelet counts higher than 100x10⁹/L at week 12 was the only positive predictive factors for successful tapering and discontinuation.

Nanoparticle carriers can selectively deliver the drug cargo to tumor cells, thus having the ability to pre-vent early drug release, reduce non-specific cell binding, and prolong in vivo drug retention. We con-structed paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded lipid-shell mesoporous silica nanoparticles (LMSNs) for targeted an-ti-cancer drug delivery. The physical properties of PTX-LMSNs were analyzed by scanning electron mi-croscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The drug loading (DL%) and entrapment efficiency (EE%) of PTX-LMSNs were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro drug release test, in vivo imaging, tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics of PTX-LMSNs were also evaluated. The SEM examination showed that MSNs were sphere, whereas TEM showed that they were rich in fine pores. The uniform core-shell structure of PTX-LMSNs was also verified by TEM. The DL capacity of PTX-LMSN was as high as 21.75%, and PTX was released from the nanoparticles in vitro in a pH-dependent manner. The cumulative amount of free PTX increased at lower pH, which is conducive to selective drug release from LMSNs in the acidic tumor tissues. In vivo imaging showed prolonged reten-tion of PTX-LMSNs, which is beneficial to their therapeutic efficacy. In addition, PTX-LMSNs were primarily concentrated in the liver. Pharmacokinetic experiments showed that the half-life of PTX-LMSNs was 23.21% longer and 79.24% higher than that of Taxol. Together, LMSNs are a highly promising antineoplastic drug carrier system.

This study investigates the urban ecology of the Red-Whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) in New Barrackpore, West Bengal, India. We examined the feeding behavior, breeding success, and behavioral patterns of the species in urban habitats. Our results show that the Red-Whiskered Bulbul is adapting to urban environments, with a moderate breeding success rate (64%) and specific behavioral patterns. The species exhibits a significant preference for urban habitats, particularly mango and bamboo trees, and a significant increase in singing activity during the breeding season. Our findings highlight the importance of urban ecology in understanding the behavior and conservation of this species. We suggest that urban green spaces with native tree species and sustainable urban planning practices can support the conservation of the Red-Whiskered Bulbul and other urban-adapted species. This study contributes to our understanding of urban wildlife ecology and conservation in India and has implications for urban planning and biodiversity conservation globally.

Background: Obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) promote inflammation, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity plays a key role in these diseases through biological mechanisms. This study examined the effect of genetic background on the multimorbidity of intestinal cancer, T2D, and inflammation due to HFD-induced obesity. Methods: A cohort of 357 Collaborative Cross (CC) mice from 15 lines was fed either a control chow diet (CHD) or HFD for 12 weeks. Body weight was tracked biweekly, and blood glucose was assessed at weeks 6 and 12 via intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTT). At the study's endpoint, intestinal polyps were counted, and cytokine profiles were analyzed to evaluate the inflammatory response. Results: HFD significantly increased blood glucose levels and body weight, with males showing higher susceptibility to T2D and obesity. Genetic variation across CC lines influenced glucose metabolism, body weight, and polyp development. Mice on HFD developed more intestinal polyps, with males showing higher counts than females. Cytokine analysis revealed diet-induced variations in pro-inflammatory markers like IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-α, differing by genetic background and sex. Conclusions: Host genetics plays a crucial role in susceptibility to HFD-induced obesity, T2D, CRC, and inflammation. Genetic differences across CC lines contributed to variability in disease outcomes, providing insight into the genetic underpinnings of multimorbidity. This study supports gene-mapping efforts to develop personalized prevention and treatment strategies for these diseases.

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common valvular disorder linked to high morbidity and mortality. For patients unsuitable for surgery, transcatheter mitral edge-to-edge repair (TEER) with the MitraClip® G4 system offers an alternative. This study aims to evaluate procedural, echocardiographic, functional, and quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients who underwent TEER with the MitraClip® G4 system, along with possible predictors of New York Heart Associa-tion (NYHA) class I at 30 days and 1 year. Methods: Patients with moderate-to-severe (3+) or se-vere (4+) degenerative MR (DMR) or functional MR (FMR), classified as NYHA class III or IV, who underwent TEER with the MitraClip® G4 system at our center between January 2021 and De-cember 2023 were included. Results: A total of 83 patients [71% FMR, 66% male, median (IQR) age 70 (11) years] underwent TEER, with 100% procedural success. MR ≤2+ was achieved in 100% and 98% of patients at 30 days and 1 year, respectively. NYHA class I or II was achieved in 100% and 96.8% of patients at 30 days and 1 year, respectively. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Ques-tionnaire (KCCQ) score improved from 51±20 at baseline to 69±15 at 30 days (p< 0.001) and 70.5±15 at 1 year (p< 0.001). Lower baseline N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) pre-dicted achieving NYHA class I at 30 days (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41–0.95, p = 0.030), while lower Eu-ropean System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) and NT-proBNP pre-dicted it at 1 year [(HR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28–0.89, p = 0.019), (HR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.44–0.99, p = 0.049), respectively]. Conclusions: The MitraClip® G4 system provides significant improvements in MR severity, functional class, and QoL. Lower NT-proBNP and EuroSCORE II were strong predictors of achieving optimal functional status (NYHA class I).

In the dynamic realm of agribusiness construction, firms are striving to bolster their operational efficiency and profitability amidst the global shift from traditional farming to commercial agriculture. This transition has intensified the demand for sophisticated infrastructure development, presenting new challenges for commercial managers. A critical hurdle is the accurate estimation of profitability for prospective contracts, a task often reliant on intuition rather than data-driven methods. To address this, we propose the development of a mathematical model utilising machine learning techniques to predict contract profitability and identify influential factors. This model aims to aid in bid decision-making, financial forecasting, and enhancing competitiveness in the marketplace. Furthermore, it would provide valuable insights into how altering specific contract attributes might affect predicted profitability. The implementation of such a system necessitates close collaboration between IT professionals and construction executives. This study delineates the development of this predictive model, outlining the data analysis process and the application of machine learning algorithms to tackle this complex commercial challenge. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between intuitive estimation and data-driven prediction, thereby enhancing the financial performance and strategic decision-making capabilities of firms in the agribusiness construction sector.

One-third of approximately 10 million deaths due to sepsis in a year are due to acute lung injury, and there is no effective treatment yet. Due to its high phenol content, Punica granatum L. bark extract exhibits high antioxidant activity. Amifostine is a free radical scavenger that converts into active thiol in tissues. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of 2 different doses of PG peel extract and amifostine in sepsis-related acute lung injury. Fifty rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups. Group 1 served as the control group with no sepsis. The remaining groups 2-5 served as the cecal-ligation-puncture (CLP) groups. Group 3 was administered 200 mg/kg amifostine intraperitoneally (ip) 15 minutes before sepsis induction. Groups 4 and 5 received, respectively, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg PG peel extract by oral gavage 9 days before and 30 minutes after the CLP procedure, with a total of 10 doses. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were investigated by immunohistochemical methods. MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations significantly increased in the sepsis group compared to the other 4 groups. This study provides evidence that Amifostine and Punica granatum pericarp benefit lung tissue in a rat model of sepsis induced by cecal-ligation puncture.

The cement industry has significant environmental impacts, stemming from natural resources extraction and fossil fuels combustion. Notably, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are a major concern associated with cement production. The cement industry emits 0.6 tons of CO2 per ton of cement production, which is around 8 % of the total CO2 emissions in the world. Meeting the 13th United Nations Sustainable Goals, cement plants aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, resulting from reduction in CO2 emissions (change in the composition of cementitious materials) and the adoption of carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies. A promising approach involves converting CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels, such as methanol (MeOH) through the power-to-liquid (PtL) technologies. In this process, CO2 captured from cement industry flue gas with hydrogen generated from renewable sources through electrolysis of water, catalytically transformed into renewable methanol (e-MeOH), offering a sustainable solution. To achieve this, it is crucial to advance the development of novel, highly efficient catalysts specifically designed for direct CO2 hydrogenation. In this sense, this review discusses recent developments and improvements in CO2 catalytic conversion, emphasizing catalyst performance, selectivity, and stability.

The minimum ignition energy (MIE) has been extensively studied via experiments and simulations. However, our literature review reveals little quantitative consistency, with results varying for f=1.0 from 0.324 to 1.349 mJ, and for f=0.9 from 0.22 to 0.944 mJ. Therefore, there is a need to resolve these discrepancies. This RANS study aims to partially address this knowledge gap. Additionally, it presents other flame evolution parameters essential for robust combustion design. Using the reactingFOAM solver we predict the threshold energy required to ignite the fuel mixture. For this, the single step using the Arrhenius law is selected to model ignition in the flame kernel of stochiometric and lean CH₄/air mixtures, allowing it to develop into a self-sustained flame. The ignition power density, an energy quantity normalised with volume is incrementally varied keeping the kernel critical radius r_s constant 0.5 mm in the quiescent mixture of two equivalence ratios fs 0.9, and 1.0, for varied operating pressures 1, 5 and 10 bar at constant initial temperature 300 K. The minimum ignition energy is validated with twelve independent 1 bar data sets both numerical and experiments. Finally, a mathematical formulation of MIE is devised, a function of pressure and equivalence ratio shows a slightly curved relationship.

Introduction : In today’s competitive business landscape, organizations strive to maintain a highly committed workforce to enhance productivity, reduce turnover, and achieve long-term success. Organizational commitment, defined as the psychological attachment of employees to their organization, is crucial in fostering employee loyalty and engagement (Meyer & Allen, 1991). However, identifying the factors that influence organizational commitment requires a deep understanding of employee attitudes and behaviors.

When experiencing a variety of family negative events, families recognized as having high family resilience maintain and improve family functioning. It is important, therefore, to be able to assess families lacking in family resilience in order to prevent, reduce, or ameliorate family symptoms. The purpose of this study was to clarify the state of exerted family resilience in order to create an assessment scale for insufficiencies in family resilience (IFR). Family resilience is defined as “when a family becomes aware of family symptoms, its power to autonomously and actively improve its own family functions.” The results of a literature review of 22 cases from 16 studies on family resilience and the results of 28 semi-structured interviews with 28 parenting-age families in Japan were qualitatively categorized, and directed content analysis was conducted based on the Concentric Sphere Family Environment Theory. A total of 157 labels, with a total of 23 categories and 47 subcategories, such as “Can utilize relatives,” “Family members can communicate with members of other families,” “Family members can share information,” “All family members can communicate with one another,” “All family members can cooperate with one another,” and “Can share time with family,” was revealed. Thus, a variety of diverse aspects contributing to a family’s resilience, including family member interactions, entire family interactions, use of social resources, and religious and spiritual support, were revealed. The results of this study should be linked to the creation of the IFR.

The hydrophobic reagent 6-hexyl-4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol (HTAR) was investigated as part of a cloud point extraction (CPE) system for the spectrophotometric determination of Zn(II). In the system, complexes with different stoichiometries, including 1:1 and 2:2 (Zn:HTAR), are formed. Their ground-state equilibrium geometries were optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G level of theory. The obtained structures were then used to calculate vertical excitation energies in order to generate theoretical UV/Vis absorption spectra. The comparison between theoretical and experimental spectra demonstrated that, under optimal conditions, a binuclear complex containing oxygen bridging atoms is the dominant species. The absorbance was found to be linearly dependent on the concentration of Zn(II) within the range of 15.7 to 209 ng mL–1 (R2 = 0.9996). The fraction extracted (%E), logarithm of the conditional extraction constant (log Kex), and molar absorption coefficient (ε) at λmax = 553 nm were calculated to be 98.3%, 15.9, and 4.47 105 L mol–1 cm–1, respectively. The method developed is characterized by simplicity, convenience, profitability, sensitivity, and ecological friendliness. It has been successfully applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical and industrial samples.

Background: Previous studies of the hydroethanolic extract of Virola elongata inner stem bark (HEVe) have demonstrated its antioxidant, gastroprotective, and antiulcer properties, but have not evaluate its anti-inflammatory potential. Methods: HEVe was obtained by maceration and phytochemicallly analyzed. Its systemic anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by its effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced peritonitis in mice. HEVe gel (HEgVe) was employed to evaluate topical anti-inflammatory activity by measuring the ear edema resulted from croton oil-induced dermatitis in mice. Cell viability assay was conducted to determine non-cytotoxic concentrations of HEVe. RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated by LPS to determinate cytokine and nitric oxide production.Results: Phytochemical analysis of HEVe revealed the presence of phenolic acids, neolignans, flavonoids, and monomeric catechins. Oral treatment of acute peritonitis with HEVe reduced total leukocytes, neutrophils, TNF-α and IL-1β, and elevated IL-10 levels. The application of HEgVe reduced local edema. The HEVe on RAW 264.7 cells exhibited no cytotoxicity and cells with HEVe reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, and NO levels, and increased IL-13 levels. Conclusions: HEVe demonstrated systemic and topical multitarget anti-inflammatory activity, which is likely due to the combined effects of secondary metabolites. HEVe emerges as a promising herbal remedy for inflammation with minimal cytotoxicity, emphasizing its potential therapeutic significance.

In the field of music education, the incorporation of technology originally designed for professionals presents both significant opportunities and challenges. These technologies, although advanced and powerful, are often not adapted to meet the specific needs of the educational envi-ronment. Therefore, this study details the design and implementation process of a system con-sisting of a hardware device called "Play Box" an associated software, "Imaginary Play Box". The Design Sciences Research Methodology (DSRM) specifically adapted to software development was used to structure the project. The three phases shown in this study ranged from the conception of an initial prototype to the realisation of a working software. During the design phase, a questionnaire was developed to evaluate various aspects of the soft-ware, such as the visual interface, the programming of components and the sound interactivity provided by the Play Box. The technique of panels of experts in music pedagogy and program-ming in MAX-MSP was used to obtain critical feedback. This expert evaluation was crucial to it-erate and polish the software, culminating in a beta version optimised for the creation of electro-acoustic music for music education.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered how people work, with an increasing number transitioning to working-from-home (WFH). This paradigm shift has raised various challenges in adapting living spaces to meet the needs of remote work. Dedicated workspaces or home offices need to be customised for creativity and productivity. Thus, this systematic literature review explores the potential challenges and limitations of implementing modern office design features in residential environments. The study synthesises findings from 108 peer-reviewed articles published within the last decade, focusing on ergonomics, productivity, work-life balance, and spatial constraints. The study found several challenges in translating office design features to home settings. Firstly, spatial limitations in residential areas often restrict the implementation of open-plan layouts and collaborative zones, which are hallmarks of modern office designs. Secondly, the integration of ergonomic furniture and adjustable workstations are limited by budget constraints and the dual-purpose nature of many home spaces. Furthermore, the review highlights the psychological challenges of maintaining work-life boundaries when professional and personal spaces overlap. Noise pollution and distractions emerge as significant factors impacting productivity in home offices, which contrasts controlled modern office environments. The review suggests that the complete replication of modern office design in homes may be impractical, a hybrid approach that adapts key features to residential constraints could enhance home office productivity. Potential solutions could include modular furniture designs, the simulation of collaborative spaces, and the development of noise-cancelling technologies specifically for home environments. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on remote work environments and provides valuable insights for enhancing work-life balance, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.

Sect. Tuberculata in the genus Camellia, is named after the "tubercle-like projections on the surface of the capsule and ovary". Due to complex morphological variations in these taxon and insufficient field investigations, the interspecific relationships are unclear, the species definitions are vague, and the names are confusing. This is not conducive to the conservation and study of these species. Therefore, herein, we systematically explored the taxonomic status of five sect. Tuberculata species using morphological, pollen morphology, and molecular phylogenetic methods. The result showed that (1) morphological characteristics for the flower, fruit, and leaves of C. anlungensis and C. leyeensis were similar. Furthermore, the pollen characteristics and pollen wall ornamentation showed that it was no significant difference between the two species. (2) there were significant differences between C. acutiperulata and C. anlungensis in terms of leaf shape (elliptic vs. obovate), calyx characteristics (sepal apex pointed vs. sepal oblong), and fruit shape (subglobose folds with shallow verruculose vs. flat folds and verruculose protuberances with pronounced internal cleavage). (3) C. pyxidiacea and C. rubituberculata differed in flower color (white or few light vs. red), fruit verrucae (obviously deeply cleft vs. shallowly uncracked). (4) a phylogenetic tree based on the chloroplast genome showed that C. anlungensis and C. leyeensis form a single clade (BS = 100%, PP = 1.0) and were on a different branch with C. acutiperulata in clade II, (BS = 100%, PP = 1.0); C. pyxidiacea and C. rubituberculata were clustered on different branches of clade I (BS = 99%, PP = 1.00). Integrated above results, we consider that C. leyeensis should be treated as a homonym of C. anlungensis; C. acutiperulata, C. pyxidiacea, C. rubituberculata respectively as a separate species. Clarifying the taxonomic status of these five species not only advances our understanding of the significance and complexity of the systematic classification of the genus Camellia but also has important implications for diversity conservation and population genetics.

This paper investigates rural mobility in the Global South using a participatory GIS approach to address the lack of mobility data. Limited rural mobility due to poor infrastructure and financial constraints hinders social and economic activities, impeding development. The study aims to explore the socio-economic impacts of limited mobility, identify software needs for data-scarce environments, and map daily mobility patterns. Fieldwork was conducted in Kenya (2022) and Nepal (2023), collecting geographic data related to mobility. The methodology included community engagement and digital mapping using the QField app for precise data collection. The study highlights the use of participatory GIS to fill data gaps, enabling more accurate mobility assessments. In Kenya, the research significantly increased the number of mapped roads and paths, providing a more realistic view of local mobility. Community engagement revealed gender-specific mobility patterns, with women facing particular challenges in daily activities. The study emphasizes the need for adaptable data models to reflect community-specific mobility needs and the integration of qualitative insights to propose effective mobility solutions. This research contributes to understanding rural mobility in the Global South and demonstrates the effectiveness of participatory GIS in overcoming data scarcity and enhancing mobility analysis.

Microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography (MITAT) holds significant promise in biomedical applications. It creates images using ultrasonic sensors to detect thermoacoustic signals induced by microwaves. The key to generating thermoacoustic signals that accurately reflect the fact is to achieve sufficient and uniform microwave power absorption of the testing target, which is closely tied to the microwave illumination provided by the antenna. In this article, we introduce a novel design and implementation of an ultra-wideband water immersion antenna for an MITAT system. We analyze and compare the advantages of selecting water as the background medium. Simulations are conducted to analyze the ultra-wideband characteristics in impedance matching, axial ratio, and radiation pattern of the proposed antenna. The measured |S11| shows good agreement with the simulated results. We also simulate the microwave power absorption of tumor and brain tissue, and the uniform microwave power absorption and high contrast between the tumor and brain indicate the excellent performance of the proposed antenna in the MITAT system.

The growing demand for sustainable aquaculture requires exploring alternative protein sources for fish diets. However, some of these alternatives can have adverse health effects, prompting research into functional feed ingredients to mitigate these issues. This study investigated pistachio shell powder (PSP), a by-product rich in antioxidants, as a functional feed ingredient in rainbow trout diets. The dose-dependent effects of PSP inclusion (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%) on growth performance, intestinal health, and gut microbiota were assessed in fish fed either a fish meal (FM) or plant meal (PM) diet. Over a 12-week feeding period, rainbow trout fingerlings were assigned to diets incorporating varying levels of PSP in either FM or PM diets. Growth performance, intestinal morphology, gene expression, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic compound (TPC) levels, and gut microbiota composition were evaluated. PSP at 1% significantly (P&lt;0.05) improved weight gain and growth index in FM diets but did not affect growth in PM diets. No significant differences (P&gt;0.05) were observed in other growth parameters, intestinal health, or oxidative stress markers, though a trend toward down-regulation of inflammatory genes was noted in PM diets at 2% PSP. PSP inclusion did not significantly alter gut microbiota alpha diversity but significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected beta diversity in FM diets at the 0.5% level. Differential abundance analysis of gut microbiota revealed taxa-specific responses to PSP, particularly the genus Candidatus arthromitus increasing in relative abundance with PSP inclusion in both FM and PM based diets. Overall, PSP inclusion up to 2% did not elicit significant adverse effects on growth, intestinal health, or antioxidant status.

This study explores the critical role of DNA methylation in shaping phenotypic diversity and driving evolutionary adaptation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). By employing whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and advanced genomic techniques, we analyzed DNA methylation patterns across various chickpea cultivars, focusing on key adaptive traits such as drought tolerance, disease resistance, seed size, and flowering time. Our results revealed significant methylation changes associated with these traits, providing novel insights into the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and its impact on phenotypic variation. Additionally, we investigated the dynamic responses of DNA methylation under different environmental stresses, highlighting the plasticity of the chickpea epigenome. This research not only enhances our understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms underlying plant evolution but also opens up new avenues for developing epigenetic-based strategies for crop improvement.

Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that can lead to inflammation and damage to multiple organs and tissues in the body. The symptoms vary from patient to patient, which makes the disease manifest very differently, resulting in difficulty in diagnosing and treating patients. Some may experience fatigue, hair loss, joint pain, and more. In the past, a general approach of blanket immunosuppression was commonly used to treat lupus. These immunosuppressive drugs would broadly target the immune system and focus on reducing symptoms. However, recent research has shown that selective immunotherapies such as monoclonal antibodies (anifrolumab and belimumab) which target specific components of the immune system are more effective in managing lupus because of their ability to reach specific cells in the immune system rather than easing symptoms. Anifrolumab blocks the activity of type I interferons, while belimumab neutralizes BLyS to reduce the production of autoantibodies, the root cause of SLE.¹⁻² This paper will introduce the immunology of the disease, explore how the more traditional approach of blanket immunosuppressive drugs work compared to the newer selective immunotherapies, and review the results from the clinical trials of anifrolumab and belimumab.

A Berry geometrical phase is identified in a strongly metastable system containing dynamically responsive clathrate hydrate structures within a crystal-fluid material. High energy degeneracy in the associated chemistry produces local stability and false vacuum conditions that lead to non-extensive and non-additive contributions in the fundamental thermodynamic relation. Application of Ginzburg-Landau theory and the scaling laws reveals a coherence length and a penetration depth for a macro-scale dual superconductor. The coherence length determines non-extensive volume changes whilst its inverse gives the Higgs mass. The penetration depth determines the extent of QCD vacuum suppression whilst its inverse gives the vector boson mass together with indirect manifestation as non-additive hyperbolic curvature. Simultaneous emergence of the Ginzburg-Landau superconducting phase transition is consistent with gauge-invariant coupling of the scalar field to the Yang-Mills action in QCD. The discovery of an energy gap in the gradient energy term of the system Lagrangian is associated with a critical correlation length revealed in the transition from a gapped to a gapless superconducting state. Together with the emergence and absorption of the Higgs-like scalar field, a mechanism for describing a renormalized QCD mass gap arises.

As an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) voluntary reviewer of the natural World Heritage sites nominations focusing on criteria (vii) superlative natural phenomena and (viii) geological history I had the opportunity of evaluating 13 nominations from 12 countries from 2009 - 2022 from the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka to the Vatnajokull National Park Iceland. An early appreciation of the natural history and landscapes were developed as a geologist studying, working and visiting various areas in the USA and Canada. Further experience, as an academic in Sri Lanka and Australia, where I also had the opportunity of various assignments and meetings that afforded field trips and study tours to many World Heritage sites in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe. In this paper, I highlight the following sites that were subject to IUCN World Heritage evaluations and their potential for geo-education: Central Highlands Sri Lanka, China Danxia, Ningaloo Australia, Trang An Vietnam, Lut Desert Iran, Barberton South Africa, Trondek Klondike Canada, Vatnajokull Iceland, Classic Karst Slovenia, Sof Omar Ethiopia, Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago, Vietnam and Evaporitic Karst Caves of Northern Apennines, Italy. From these experiences it is apparent that this relevant topic, the conservation of nature, should be an important part of the geoscience’s study curriculum along with other social and environmental subjects.

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a major public health concern. We have previously shown that the biochemical functions of the gut microbiome contribute to the postprandial glucose response and built a machine learned (ML) model that can personalize dietary choices using a stool metatranscriptomic test. We integrated this data-driven personalized nutrition process into the Viome Precision Nutrition Program (VPNP), which includes sample collection kits (capillary blood and stool), an AI/ML nutritional recommendation engine, and an app for digital delivery of dietary recommendations. To test the efficacy of VPNP, we conducted a decentralized, blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in a prediabetic and diabetic adult population in the USA, with HbA1c as the primary endpoint. For this pilot trial, we recruited 27 participants and randomized them into two arms. The placebo arm included sample collection, digital delivery of the USDA dietary recommendations, and physical delivery of supplements filled with inert material. The VPNP (interventional) arm included digital delivery of data-driven and personalized dietary recommendations, and physical delivery of precision supplements. The nutritional intervention lasted ~90 days. The ANCOVA analysis method was employed to control for potential confounders measured at baseline. VPNP intervention (n=12) reduced HbA1c more than the placebo (n=15) in a clinically significant manner (HbA1c difference of 0.42%, p = 0.028). We demonstrate that a precision nutrition program based on stool and blood metatranscriptomic data and AI/ML analyses can significantly reduce HbA1c relative to USDA recommended nutrition in a prediabetic and diabetic population. These results suggest that integrating data-driven precision nutrition into the healthcare system could reduce the burden of T2D.

Petit vert (scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera DC. × Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC.) is a new variety of vegetable created by crossbreeding kale and brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea species). The present study aimed to identify biologically active compounds in extracts of the outer leaves of Petit vert by purification and to examine their biological activities. Dried and powdered outer leaves of Petit vert were extracted, fractionated, and purified to isolate active compounds. Nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometries were performed to elucidate the structures of five compounds (1‒5). The compounds isolated from Petit vert leaves were glycosides that contained kaempferol, quercetin (flavonol), or sinapinic acid (phenylpropanoid).　Glucose uptake in cultured C2C12 murine myoblasts in the absence of insulin was significantly increased by these compounds, kaempferol, sinapic acid, and ferulic acid, while that in the presence of insulin was also significantly increased by compounds 3 and 4, kaempferol, and sinapic acid. The present study reports for the first time the isolation of five compounds containing sinapic acid from the outer leaves of Petit vert and their stimulation of glucose uptake in cultured C2C12 murine myoblasts. The results obtained herein suggest the potential of these compounds to effectively attenuate hyperglycemia and maintain muscle strength by promoting glucose metabolism in muscle cells.

Geochemical mapping of river sands in the Manufahi area of Timor-Leste revealed potential areas for future mineral exploration. River sand samples from the study area were collected and geochemically analyzed to identify anomalous concentration distributions of several valuable elements and locate potential target areas and geological formations that may host mineral deposits. The 26 major and minor elements were identified using wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The river sands exhibited varying elemental concentrations, with Cr, Cu, Zn, and Ba showing deviations from the normal distribution patterns. Identification of geochemical anomalies is an important task in mineral exploration geochemistry. The mean + 2 standard deviations (mean+2STD), median + 2 median absolute deviations (median+2MAD), and Tukeyâs inner fence (TIF) methods were used to determine the geochemical thresholds. This study shows that TIF and principal component analysis (PCA) methods are highly effective in calculating appropriate threshold values and identifying relevant elemental associations. These approaches have proven useful for delineating target areas for mineral deposits, resulting in reliable outcomes. Four predicted target areas with high potential for deposits and mineralization anomalies of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Ba were delineated in the study area.

Hamstring muscle (HM) flexibility is frequently compromised in people with chronic low back pain (CLBP), contributing to disability and leading to a less favorable recovery. In a previous article, we presented the results of a study on the immediate effect of passive HM stretching on flexibility in 90 people with CLBP. There was considerable variability in the changes after stretching. The objective of this supplementary analysis was to compare the clinical characteristics of individuals who experienced a significant improvement in flexibility with those who did not. We fixed a threshold of 7° to indicate an improvement in passive Straight Leg Raise (SLR) angle and differentiate between 'Responders' and 'Non-responders' to passive HM stretching. Only Body Mass Index differed between groups; it was significantly smaller in Responders (p=0.007). The majority of Non-responders experienced workplace accidents, but this was of marginal difference compared to Responders (p=0.056). Further studies should consider a broader clinical analysis with a larger sample size to understand which factors influence the HM stretching response in CLBP patients.

Artificial intelligence (AI) apps, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Siri, have taken society and higher education institutions by storm. Yet, there is a paucity of empirical studies recording and analysing university social sciences students’ attitudes toward AI. Hence, the present study draws upon a sample of 190 university students (82.45% female) from a Greek social sciences department to query what are the students’ attitudes toward AI in education and future employment and what factors correlated with these attitudes. Descriptive statistics revealed that students’ attitudes toward AI were mostly positive. A principal components analysis confirmed a three-component solution of attitudes toward AI, comprising cognitive, behavioural, and emotional dimensions. Comparative analysis of the three components indicated that the emotional dimension was the highest ranked, followed by the cognitive and behavioural dimensions. Pairwise correlation analyses revealed that the strongest correlate of cognitive, behavioural, and emotional components of attitudes toward AI was the future frequency of AI use, followed by general feelings of safety with technology. In conclusion, students display more emotional and cognitive favourable dispositions toward AI. The social background of the students and the prospective future use of AI play a key role in the formulation of attitudes toward AI. University educators need to provide more teaching and learning about AI to improve students’ attitudes toward AI and future AI use.

Extreme weather events, such as heat waves and heavy precipitation, are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change, necessitating the development of effective early warning systems (EWS) to mitigate their impacts. This study introduces an advanced EWS designed specifically for Italy, which integrates the FourCastNet global forecasting model with Elevation-integrated TEmperature and Precipitation SRGAN downscaling (E-TEPS) to enhance the spatial resolution and accuracy of climate predictions. Building on previous work that demonstrated E-TEPS's effectiveness in downscaling temperature and total precipitation variables, this research applies the integrated system to two severe weather events in Central Italy: the Emilia-Romagna floods of 2023 and the Marche floods of 2022. The system's performance was evaluated using key metrics, including Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Pearson Correlation, by comparing downscaled outputs from FourCastNet and ERA5 datasets against high-resolution ground truth data from the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) dataset. The results indicate that the integrated system offers improved predictive accuracy, particularly in capturing critical climate variables, with the entire EWS delivering high-resolution forecasts and final outputs in under one minute. Although potential limitations were identified due to biases in the underlying datasets, which could affect forecast reliability in regions with complex topography or extreme weather conditions, this research highlights the potential of combining machine learning models with downscaling techniques to enhance EWS precision, providing valuable insights for future climate forecasting and disaster preparedness strategies.

Withania somnifera (WS), also known as ashwagandha, is a popular botanical supplement used to treat various conditions including memory loss, anxiety and depression. Previous studies from our group showed an aqueous extract of WS root (WSAq) enhances cognition and alleviates markers for depression in Drosophila. Here, we sought to confirm these effects in the 5xFAD mouse model of β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation. Six- to seven-month-old male and female 5xFAD mice were treated with WSAq in their drinking water at 0 mg/mL, 0.5 mg/mL or 2.5 mg/mL for four weeks. In the fourth week of treatment, spatial memory, anxiety and depressive-like symptoms were evaluated. At the conclusion of behavioral testing, brain tissue was harvested, immunohistochemistry was performed, and the cortical expression of antioxidant response genes was evaluated. Both concentrations of WSAq improved spatial memory and reduced depressive and anxiety-related behavior. These improvements were accompanied by a reduction in Aβ plaque burden in the hippocampus and cortex and an attenuation of neuroinflammatory markers. Antioxidant response genes were upregulated in the cortex of WSAq treated mice. Oral WSAq treatment could be beneficial as a therapeutic option in AD for improving disease pathology and behavioral symptoms. Future studies focused on dose optimization of WSAq administration and further assessment of the mechanisms by which WSAq elicits its beneficial effects will help inform the clinical potential of this promising botanical therapy.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), often leading to hospitalization and non-traumatic amputations in the United States. It is particularly prevalent among individuals of Hispanic descent, with a prevalence rate exceeding 10% [1, 2]. The target of this study is to identify markers of severity of DFU. This work follows a strategy that uses first Electronic Health Records and machine learning to identify risk factors reported as measurements of blood tests, such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and specific proteins in a cohort of thousands of patients. After this RNA risk factors are predicted using samples of bulk and single-cell gene expression across patients with different levels of DFU severity. We found the Albu-min/Creatinine Ratio (ACR) test as a key factor in severe DFUs. We also found a cluster of cells that harbor high expression of Apolipoprotein E protein (APOE) and it is significant in non-healing DFU cases. Overall, the study shows how the use of hundreds of thousands of EHR can reduce and inform the search space of molecules in a few samples of bulk-single cell transcriptomics and identify molecular markers of severity of DFU.

Background: An outbreak of Mpox disease caused by a mutant clade 1b virus (MPXV) in Kamituga area, South Kivu Province, DRC has rapidly grown to involve neighboring countries in this region. This now has the authorities worried, due to the limited supply of Mpox vaccines with emergence use licensure (EUL) available. As an emergency local response to this challenge, we set out to identify epitopes of clade 1b MPXV surface proteins as targets for the rapid research and development (R & D) of Mpox medical countermeasures. Methods: The H3L (OPG108–heparin binding protein) and A17L (OPG143–myristylated protein) were selected by virtue of their surface localization, stability and known role in MPXV host cell fusion entry. Within the immune epitope database analysis resource (IEDB-AR), surface accessibility, antigenicity and 3-D localisation (DiscoTope) we examined to identify > 9-nomer epitopes Results: Three (3) and six(6) candidate >9-nomer epitopes were derived for H3L and A17L surface fusion protein. Across all parameters, the two best identified epitopes were as follows:—H3L (28-HINDQKFDDVKDNEVMQEKR-47 and 236-YVEHDPRLVAEH-247) and A17L (104-QNEVTPEYIKDLKYATDYIA-123;) 270-KKDYLLGDSDSVAKCCSKTNTKHCPKIFNNNYKTEHC-290). Conclusions: These epitopes— alone, multiplexed (say as a nano-spiked virus-like particles, VLPs) or fused as a chimeric recombinants form immunogens for the rapid production of protein sub-unit vaccines. Inversely, derivative monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from the same are precursors for therapeutic cocktails and or antigen, rapid diagnostic tests (RDT).

Sodium phenyl dithiocarbamate (pl-dtc) as a ligand was prepared from the reaction of aniline (C6H5-NH2) and carbon(IV) sulfide (CS2) in the presence of sodium hydroxide via method of one-pot synthesis. Two coordination compounds ([VO(sfz)(pl-dtc)] and [Zn(sfz)(pl-dtc)]) from respective oxovanadium (IV) sulfate hydrate and zinc (II) chloride were prepared with mixed ligands involving sodium sulfadiazine (sfz) and the synthesized pl-dtc crystals, also via the method of one-pot synthesis. Structural analyses of the ligand and coordination compounds were assessed using characterization techniques involving physicochemical parameters and spectral analysis ( FT-IR, UV-Vis and NMR (1H NMR and 13C NMR) to confirm their synthenses and structures. Additionally, pl-dtc crystals which grew from the pl-dtc solution when refrigerated after five days, has its structure confirmed and revealed when subjected to single crystal x-ray crystallography technique. Differences in results of spectral analysis between ligands and their respective coordination compounds confirmed the coordination between ligands and coordination compounds. The in vitro antibacterial studies showed that the ligands had modest activity against Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, while, the coordination compounds had modest activities against the Gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli when compared with ligand of pl-dtc.

Background and Objectives: Zonulin is a molecule that has been identified as an intestinal permeability marker in recent years. Zonulin previously linked to Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease but but its role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) was unclear. This study aims to investigate the relationship between Zonulin and systemic inflammation (SI), endothelial dysfunction (ED), especially renal functions, in patients with CKD. Materials and Methods: One hundred sixty-three participants were enrolled in this study. All participants were divided into two groups, patient and control groups, according to the presence of CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m²). Results: A total of 104 patients with CKD (mean age 58.9 ±1.4) and 59 control subjects (mean age 59.0 ±1.1 ) were included, and age (p =0.934) and gender (p =0.196) were similar between the groups. In the comparison analysis, plasma zonulin levels in the CKD group (166.16 ± 53.54) were significantly higher than the controls group (143.30 ± 60.92) (p <0.001). In the correlation analysis, serum zonulin level showed positive correlation with claudin-3 (r =0.612, p <0.001), IL-6 (r =0.307,p <0.001), creatinine (r =0.313, p <0.001) and negative correlation with eGFR (r =-0.320, p <0.001) and TC (r =-0.074, p =0.047). Additionally, in linear regression analysis, zonulin level was significantly associated to eGFR, after adjustment for age and SBP (β value =-0.918, p =0.012). Conclusion: High serum zonulin levels in patients with CKD reflect increased intestinal permeability and were associated with impaired renal function. Moreover, it was thought that zonulin level could be associated with SI, but novel clinical studies were needed to elucidate its relationship with ED.

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the agronomic performance and yield stability of elite white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) genotypes across diverse Nigerian environments. Twenty-five genotypes were evaluated at three locations in two consecutive growing seasons, 2022 and 2023. The genotypes were assessed for their agronomic performance, tuber yield and related traits using various analytical tools such as AMMI (Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction) and MTSI (Multi-trait stability index). The AMMI analysis revealed significant differences among the genotypes and across the environ-ments for all traits (p

Background: Health expenditure in Japan is rising due to an ageing society while simultaneously pressure is mounting to increase spending in other areas such as defense, all in the context of a stagnating economy. Easing pressures on the health care sector through smoking-related cost reductions could thus be a cornerstone to mitigate the looming fiscal threat. Public health policy has encouraged cessation, but this approach has seen limited success. Focusing on cessation alone therefore may not be a sustainable policy strategy and other, new solutions need to be found to reduce smoking-related costs. Methods: Using a status-quo simulation based on hospital resources data derived from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, we examine the impact of heated tobacco products (HTPs) on the prevalence of four smoking attributable diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke and lung cancer) and related direct health care costs. Base case scenario assumes a switching rate from combustible smokers to HTPs of 50%. A risk reduction rate of 70% was applied. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the impact of parameter changes on output. Results: Our results indicate that 50% of smokers switching to use HTPs instead of combustible tobacco products could reduce the number of patients of the four smoking attributable diseases considered by 12 million cases equivalent to 454 billion JPY in savings. Prefectures located in the north and south of Japan would benefit most. Conclusion: Considering the heterogeneous prevalence rates across population groups and prefectures, a one-size-fits-all, centralized approach to tobacco control is not effective. Health authorities should strategically use multiple interventions to address smoking related health risks and costs. Switching to HTPs should be encouraged in parallel to smoking cessation, and educational efforts should aim to increase the awareness on health risks, especially among younger people.

Influenced by the pluralistic and open-minded cultural ideologies of shamanism, the rulers of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty emphasized the implementation of religious government policies with an emphasis on coexistence, adaptability, and pragmatism. The Mongol ruling elite formed alliances with religious factions in various regions and worked closely with local spiritual leaders. During the era of the Great Mongol State, Kublai Khan valued the wealth of the Han Chinese territories. To maintain the order of Mongol Yuan rule in northern China, he used Han Chinese Buddhism and other religious forces to balance and suppress Quanzhen Dao. As a result, Chinese Buddhism became increasingly politically influential in Mongolia. Using their religious identity and talent, Chinese Buddhist monks became active in Mongolia to regulate the political activities of the Han Chinese religious forces. This led to a shift in the religious landscape of northern China during the transition from the Jin to Yuan dynasties.

Cyclocarya paliurus tea, also known as "sweet tea", a health substitute tea with Cyclocarya paliurus leaves as raw material, is famous for its unique nutritional benefits and flavor. However, due to the unique "bittersweet" of Cyclocarya paliurus tea, it is still unable to fully satisfy consumers' high-quality taste experience and oral pleasure. The taste and sensory quality of Cyclocarya paliurus tea are mainly determined by secondary metabolites. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the metabolites in Cyclocarya paliurus leaves during their growth process, particularly the composition and variation of sweet and bitter taste compounds, by combining multi-platform metabolomics analysis with an electronic tongue system and molecular docking simulation technology. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the contents of total phenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides and saponins of C. paliurus leaves in different growing months, among which the bioactive components in leaves harvested in July were the highest, and the best balance between sweetness and bitterness was achieved. A total of 575 secondary metabolites were identified as potential active metabolites related to sweet/bitter taste using nontargeted metabolomics based on UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. Molecular docking technology was utilized to study the interactions between candidate metabolites and the sweet receptor T1R2/T1R3 and the bitter receptor T2R4/T2R14. Six key compounds with high sweetness and low bitterness were successfully identified by using computational simulation analysis, including cis-Anethole, Gluconic acid, beta-D-Sedoheptulose, Asparagine, Proline, and Citrulline, which may serve as candidates for taste modification in Cyclocarya paliurus leaves. These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the sweet and bitter taste characteristics metabolites that contribute to the distinctive sensory quality of Cyclocarya paliurus leaves.

The RECONNECT project tackles the fragmentation in Ireland's public healthcare systems, aiming to improve service planning and delivery. It integrates complex systems within the Health Service Executive (HSE) for chronic disease management, prioritizes data privacy, and supports future digital resource integration. The methodology includes: (1) structural integration via a Federated Database design to maintain system autonomy while ensuring privacy; (2) semantic integration through a Record Linkage module to enable integration without individual identifiers; and (3) adoption of the HL7-FHIR framework for high interoperability, aligning with the national electronic health record (EHR) and the Integrated Information Service (IIS). The RECONNECT system is unique in Ireland, featuring a generic architecture for loosely coupled systems, adherence to HL7-FHIR for interoperability, efficient reuse of digital assets, and a robust privacy layer. A demonstration system using synthetic data from the Hospital Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE) and Chronic Disease Management (CDM) systems is implemented on Neo4j for visualization.

Sour waters are one of the main aqueous byproducts generated during petroleum refining and require processing in Sour Water Treatment Units (SWTUs) to remove contaminants such as H₂S and NH₃ in compliance with environmental legislations. Therefore, monitoring the composition of SWTU effluents, including acid gas, ammoniacal gas, and treated water, is essential. This study aims to present an AI (artificial intelligence) hybrid-based methodology to develop soft sensors capable of real-time prediction of H₂S and NH₃ mass fractions in the effluents of SWTUs and validate them using real data from industrial units. Initially, a new database based on the dynamic simulation of a two stripping columns SWTU phenomenological model, developed in Aspen Plus Dynamics® V10, was generated, aiming at non-faulty runs, unlike our previous work [1]. Ensemble methods (Decision Trees), such as Gradient Boosting and Random Forest, and Support Vector Machines were compared for soft sensor creation using these simulated data. The best outcome was the development of six soft sensors based on Random Forest with R² greater than 0.87, MAE less than 0.12, MSE less than 0.17, and RMSE less than 0.41. Variable importance analysis revealed that the temperature of the second stage of Column 1 significantly influences the thermodynamic equilibrium of H₂S and NH₃ separation from sour waters, being critical for five of the six soft sensors. After this initial stage using data from the phenomenological model, data from an industrial-scale SWTU were used to develop real soft sensors. The results proved the effectiveness of the conjugated use of physical model and industrial data approach in the development of soft sensor for two-column SWTUs.

This study investigates the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of high-nickel shipbuilding steel during thermal processing using High Temperature Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (HTCLSM). The in-situ observation of the heating and holding processes reveals critical insights into phase transformations, grain growth behavior, and the formation of precipitates. The experimental results demonstrate that austenitization begins at approximately 700°C, with significant grain boundary nucleation. At 900°C, the formation of black precipitates was observed, and their persistence up to temperatures exceeding 1000°C was confirmed. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses identified these precipitates as chromium carbides (Cr7C3), which significantly contribute to the material's strength. The comprehensive analysis using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirmed the presence and distribution of Cr7C3 within the grains and along grain boundaries. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the microstructural dynamics in high-nickel steels, guiding the optimization of heat treatment processes to enhance mechanical properties for maritime applications.

Infection with the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) manifests as a febrile illness known as chikungunya fever (CHIKF). CHIKF is characterized by sudden-onset high fever, rash, polyarthritis, and polyarthralgia. Alt-hough the infection typically resolves within two weeks, many patients experience recurrent joint pain and inflammation that can outlast the other symptoms for many months. CHIKF has been previously linked to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to similar inflammatory processes. This study aimed to identify molecular markers in the blood of CHIKV-infected individuals associated with joint pain and chronicity of CHIKF. Sequencing of B and T cell receptors (BCR and TCR) revealed that CHIKV infection reduces CDR3 diver-sity. Lower BCR diversity was linked to increased expression of genes involved in osteoclast differentiation and activation through RANK/RANKL signaling. If osteoclast involvement in CHIKF pathogenesis is con-firmed, existing therapeutic approaches could be used as alternative treatments for CHIKF patients.

Abstract: Epidemiological, experimental, and ecological data have indicated the controversial effect of in utero chronic low dose rate (100 mGy) dose radiation exposure. Our main goal of this study was to examine if different low dose rates of chronic pre- or/and post-natal radiation exposure with accumulative high doses could induce hippocampal cellular, mRNA, and miRNA changes leading to neuropsychiatric disorders. The comprehensive mouse phenotypic traits, organ weight pathological, blood mRNA and miRNA changes were also studied. Using different approaches including SmithKline, Harwell, Imperial College, Royal Hospital, Phenotype Assessment (SHIRPA), neurobehavioral tests, pathological examination, immunohistochemistry, mRNA and miRNA sequencing, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( qRT-PCR) validation, we found that in prenatally irradiated (100 mGy/d for 18 days with an accumulative dose of 1.8 Gy) 1-year-old mice, no cellular changes including neurogenesis, mature neurons and glial cells in the hilus of the dentate gyrus and development of cognitive impairment, neuropsychiatric disorders occurred. However, a significant reduction in body weight and mass index (BMI) was indicated by the SHIRPA test. A reduced exploratory behavior was shown by an open field test. Organ weight measurement showed a significant reduction of the testes, kidneys, heart, liver, and epididymides although no abnormal changes from pathological examination. mRNA and miRNA sequencing and qRT-PCR validation revealed the upregulation of Rubcnl, Abhd14b and downregulation of Hspa1b, P4ha1, and Banp genes in both hippocampus and blood of mice prenatally irradiated with 100 mGy/d. Meanwhile, downregulation of miR-448-3p, miR1298-5p in the hippocampus, miR-320-3p, miR-423-5p, miR-486b-5p, miR-486b-3p, miR-423-3p, miR-652-3p, miR-324-3p, miR-181b-5p, miR-let-7b and miR-6904-5p in the blood was induced. The target scan revealed that Rubcnl is one of the miR-181b-5p targets in the blood. We, therefore, concluded that prenatal chronic irradiation with a low dose rate of 100 mGy/d and accumulative dose of 1.8Gy or below may not induce significant adverse health effects on the offspring. Further study of different low dose rate radiation exposure with accumulative high doses may provide threshold doses for authorities or regulators to set new radiation safety guidelines to replace those extrapolated from acute high dose/dose rate irradiation to reduce unnecessary emergency evacuation or expanding once a nuclear accident or leakage occurs.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Brief-COPE Inventory and to determine its concurrent validity by exploring its association with perceived stress in Peruvian nurses. Methods: Psychometric study carried out in 434 Peruvian nurses to determine the psychometric properties by confirmatory factor analysis. Three stepwise variable selection regression models were implemented. Results: The three-factor of the Brief-COPE Inventory reported adequate fit (root mean square error of approximation = 0.052, standardized root mean square = 0.068, and both the comparative fit index and the Tucker–Lewis index = 0.95). Likewise, we found that its factors are correlated (p &lt; 0.001) and that there is adequate reliability (ω= 0.90). Moreover, nurses showed a medium level of perceived stress and the following associated factors: sex, having received stress management training, fear of COVID-19, and problem-focused coping strategies (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study proved that Brief-COPE Inventory is a valid tool for measuring coping strategies in Peruvian nurses because it has a good fit to the model, excellent reliability, and concurrent validity with perceived stress. However, further studies are required to evaluate its validity according to the nursing professionals’ perceived areas of performance.

This study investigates the characteristics of formaldehyde (HCHO) concentration and its reduction in newly constructed apartment buildings in Dubai. It addresses the significant health risks of high HCHO levels due to poor ventilation and extensive use of VOC-emitting materials. The research explores the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies, including air purifiers, photocatalyst applications, and window ventilation, in the living room, master bedroom (MBR), Room 1, and Room 2. HCHO concentrations were measured under different conditions: sealed windows, operation of an air purifier with a VOCs filter, and the application of a photocatalyst. The study followed a quantitative approach, recording real-time HCHO levels over 24 hours. Results indicated that sealing windows led to HCHO concentrations surpassing the domestic standard of 0.1 ppm, with the MBR recording the highest concentration at 0.73 ppm. The air purifier showed minimal impact within the first 8 hours but achieved an 18% reduction after 24 hours of operation. Applying a photocatalyst to room surfaces resulted in a 50% reduction in HCHO levels. Ventilation through window openings significantly improved air exchange rates, with the air exchange per hour (ACH) increasing proportionally with window opening size. Smaller rooms with larger window-to-volume ratios, such as Room 1 and Room 2, maintained HCHO concentrations below the WHO standard of 0.1 ppm with partial window openings. The study concludes that window ventilation is the most effective strategy for reducing HCHO concentrations, highlighting the importance of integrating comprehensive ventilation designs in modern residential buildings to ensure healthier indoor environments in Dubai.