The soil microbial community serves as a crucial indicator for assessing soil fertility and health. The composition and activity of soil microorganisms reflect the soil's well-being and its ability to provide proper nutrients for crops. Fertilization plays a prominent role in enhancing soil fertility, and novel types of fertilizers, such as stabilized fertilizers with nitrification/urease inhibitors and coated fertilizers, have gained popularity in rice and maize cultivation. However, the long-term effects of these stabilized and coated urea fertilizers on soil chemical properties, microbial di-versity and community structure, as well as nitrogen cycling functional genes, remain unclear. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the impact of extended use of stabilized and coated urea fertilizers on soil fertility and microbiota in rice paddy fields. This research will provide scientific and theoretical support for the development and promotion of stabilized and coated urea ferti-lizers. To examine the effects of long-term application of these stabilized and coated urea fertilizers on soil chemical properties and microorganisms in rice paddy fields, soil samples were collected from brown soil rice paddy fields treated with various urease and nitrification inhibitors, stable urea, sulfur-coated urea (SCU), and resin-coated urea (PCU). The study revealed that 16 years of long-term use of conventional urea nitrogen fertilizer led to a considerable reduction in soil TP. On the other hand, NBPT and conventional urea fertilizers, when applied for an extended period, significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM). Moreover, except for HQ and NBPT+DMPP, the prolonged application of new urea fertilizers also signifi-cantly enhanced soil total potassium (TK). Notably, among all the treatments, PCU treatment had higher values for various soil chemical properties. In the case of SCU fertilizer used in brown soil rice paddy fields, it resulted in a significant decrease in soil pH over time. However, this change in pH did not affect the population of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), as it was primarily in-fluenced by soil available nitrogen. DMPP, HQ+DCD, NBPT+DMPP, SCU, and PCU significantly reduced the copy number of bacterial 16S rRNA genes in the soil, with the coated urea fertilizers (SCU and PCU) having a greater impact. The long-term use of stabilized urea fertilizers containing HQ significantly reduced the bacterial community in rice paddy soil. Conversely, HQ+DCD stable urea fertilizer significantly increased the population structure and abundance of Basidiomycota fungi while decreasing the population structure and abundance of Rozellomycota fungi. DMPP stabilized urea fertilizer notably increased the population structure and abundance of Ascomycota fungi while decreasing the population structure and abundance of Rozellmycota and Chytridiomycota fungi. Further-more, HQ stabilized urea fertilizer significantly reduced the population structure and abundance of Chytridiomycota fungi. It is important to note that SCU fertilizer is not suitable for long-term application in neutral to slightly acidic meadow brown soil with a background pH. On the other hand, stable urea fertilizers and resin-coated urea fertilizers containing HQ, NBPT, DCD, DMPP, and their combinations are suitable for long-term application in neutral to slightly acidic meadow brown soil.

Background: This study investigated the incidence, characteristics and functional outcomes associated with unplanned Acute Care Unit Readmissions (ACUR) during inpatient traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation in an Asian cohort. Methods: Retrospective review of electronic medical records from single rehabilitation unit was conducted from 1 Jan 2012 to 31 Dec 2014. Inclusion criteria were first TBI, aged >18 years, admitted < 6 months of TBI. ACUR were characterized into either of neurological, medical or neurosurgical subtypes. The main outcome measure was discharge Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Secondary outcomes included rehabilitation length of stay (RLOS). Results: Of 121 eligible TBI records, the incidence of ACUR was 14% (n=17), comprising neurologic (76.5%) and medical (23.5%) subtypes, occurring at median of 13 days (IQR 6, 28.5) after rehabilitation admission. Patients without ACUR had significantly higher admission mean (SD) FIM score compared to those with ACUR (FIM ACUR-negative 63.4 (21.1) vs FIM ACUR-positive 50.53(25.4), P =0.026). Significantly lower discharge FIM was noted in those with ACUR compared to those without. (FIM ACUR-positive 65.8(31.4) vs FIM ACUR-negative 85.4 (21.1), P = 0.023) Furthermore, a significant near-doubling of RLOS was noted in ACUR patients compared to non-ACUR counterparts [ACUR-positive median 55 days (IQR 34.50, 87.50) vs ACUR-negative median 28 days (IQR 16.25, 40.00), P = 0.002]. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant negative functional impact and lengthening of rehabilitation duration of ACUR on inpatient rehabilitation outcome for TBI.

Obesity in the United States continues to worsen. Anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables provide a pragmatic dietary approach to slow its metabolic complications. Given American diet patterns, foods with high anthocyanin content could address dose-response challenges. In a placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover pilot study, determine the effect of 100% elderberry juice on measures of indirect calorimetry (IC), and insulin sensitivity/glucose tolerance. Overweight and obese adults were randomized to a 5-week study which included two 1-week periods of twice-daily elderberry juice (EBJ), or sugar-matched placebo consumption separated by a 3-week washout period. Following each 1-week test period, IC and insulin sensitivity/glucose tolerance was measured with a 3-hour meal tolerance test (MTT). Treatment differences were tested with linear mixed modeling. 22 prospective study volunteers (18F/4M) attended recruitment meetings, 10 volunteers completed the protocol, and 9 were analyzed for treatment differences. EBJ was well tolerated and compliance was 99.6%. Six IC measures (intervals) were created which coincided with 10-20 minute gaseous samplings in-between MTT blood samplings. Average CHO oxidation was significantly higher during the MTT after 1-week EBJ consumption (3.38 vs. 2.88 grams per interval, EBJ vs. placebo, p = 0.0113). Conversely, average fat oxidation was significantly higher during the MTT after 1-week placebo consumption (1.17 vs 1.47 grams per interval, EBJ vs. placebo, p = 0.0189). This was in-line with a significantly lower average respiratory quotient after placebo treatment (0.87 vs. 0.84, EBJ vs. placebo, p = 0.0114). Energy expenditure was not different. There was no difference in serum glucose or insulin response between treatments. This pilot study of free-living volunteers describes significant change in IC but not insulin sensitivity with an EBJ intervention. Controlled feeding and increased sample size will help determine the utility of EBJ on these outcomes.

Background: Maladaptive neuroplasticity related learned response in substance use disorder (SUD) can be ameliorated using non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS); however, inter-individual variability needs to be addressed for clinical translation. Objective: Our first objective was to develop a hypothesis for NIBS for learned response in SUD based on competing neurobehavioral decision systems model. Next objective was to conduct computational simulation of NIBS of cortico-cerebello-thalamo-cortical (CCTC) loop in cannabis use disorder (CUD) related dysfunctional “cue-reactivity” – a closely related construct of “craving” that is a core symptom. Our third objective was to test the feasibility of our neuroimaging guided rational NIBS approach in healthy humans. Methods: “Cue-reactivity” can be measured using behavioral paradigms and portable neuroimaging, including functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalogram (EEG), metrics of sensorimotor gating. Therefore, we conducted computational simulation of NIBS, including transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation(tACS) of the cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei(DCN), of the CCTC loop for its postulated effects on fNIRS and EEG metrics. We also developed a rational neuroimaging guided NIBS approach for cerebellar lobule (VII) and prefrontal cortex based on healthy human study. Results: Simulation study of cerebellar tDCS induced gamma oscillations in the cerebral cortex while tTIS induced gamma-to-beta frequency shift. Experimental fNIRS study found that 2mA cerebellar tDCS evoked similar oxyhemoglobin(HbO) response in-the-range of 5x10-6M across cerebellum and PFC brain regions (=0.01); however, infra-slow (0.01–0.10 Hz) prefrontal cortex HbO driven(phase-amplitude-coupling, PAC) 4Hz, ±2mA (max.) cerebellar tACS evoked HbO in-the-range of 10-7M that was statistically different (=0.01) across those brain regions. Conclusion: Our healthy human study showed the feasibility of fNIRS of cerebellum and PFC as well as fNIRS-driven ctACS at 4Hz that may facilitate cerebellar cognitive function via the frontoparietal network. Future work needs to combine fNIRS with EEG for multi-modal imaging.

Phenol is added to acetophenone (methyl phenyl ketone) and to six of its halogenated derivatives in a supersonic jet expansion to determine the hydrogen bonding preference of the cold and isolated 1:1 complexes by linear infrared spectroscopy. Halogenation is found to have a pronounced effect on the docking site in this intermolecular ketone balance experiment. The spectra unambiguously decide between competing variants of phenyl group stacking due to their differences in hydrogen bond strength. Structures where the phenyl group interaction strongly distorts the hydrogen bond are more difficult to quantify in the experiment. For unsubstituted acetophenone, phenol clearly prefers the methyl side despite a predicted sub-kJ/mol advantage which is nearly independent of zero point vibrational energy, turning this complex into a challenging benchmark system for electronic structure methods which include long range dispersion interactions in some way.

Hip fractures are an important socio-economic problem in western countries. Over the past 60 years orthogeriatric care has improved the management of older patients admitted to hospital after suffering hip fractures. Orthogeriatric co-management units have increased quality of care, reducing adverse events during acute admission, length of stay, both in-hospital and mid-term mortality, as well as healthcare and social costs. Nevertheless, a large number of areas of controversy regarding the clinical management of older adults admitted due to hip fracture remain to be clarified. This narrative review, centered in the last 5 years, combined the search terms “hip fracture”, “geriatric assessment”, “second hip fracture”, “surgery”, “perioperative management” and “orthogeriatric care”, in order to summarise the state of the art of some questions such as the optimum analgesic protocol, the best approach for treating anemia, the surgical options recommendable for each type of fracture and the efficiency of orthogeriatric co-management and functional recovery.

Using the Yellow-River-Source National Park (YRSNP) as a study site, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing and line transect method was used to investigate the number of wild herbivorous animals and livestock, including the kiang (Equus kiang) and Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata). A downscaling algorithm was used to generate the forage yield data in YRSNP based on 30 m spatial resolution. On this basis, we estimated the forage–livestock balance, which included both wild animals and livestock, and analyzed the effects of functional zone planning in national parks on the forage–livestock balance in YRSNP. The results showed that the estimates of large herbivore population numbers in YRSNP based on population density in the aerial sample strips, which were compared and validated with statistical data and warm season survey results, indicated that the number of kiangs and Tibetan gazelles in the 2017 cold season was 12900 and 12100, respectively. The number of domestic yaks, Tibetan sheep, and horses was 53400, 76800, and 800, respectively, and the total number of sheep units was 353200. The ratio of the number of large wild herbivores and livestock sheep units was 1:5; Large wild herbivores have different preferences for functional zones, preferring ecological restoration areas consisting mainly of degraded grassland; The grazing pressure indices of the core reserve areas and ecological restoration areas were 0.168 and 0.276, respectively, indicating that these two regions still have high grazing potential. However, the grazing pressure index of the traditional utilization areas was 1.754, indicating that these grasslands are severely overloaded; After the planning and implementation of functional zones, the grazing pressure index of YRSNP was 1.967. Under this measure, the number of livestock was not reduced and the grazing pressure nearly doubled, indicating that forage–livestock conflict has become more severe.

In extant biology, biopolymers perform multiple crucial functions. The biopolymers are synthesized by enzyme-controlled biosystems that would not have been available at the earliest stages of chemical evolution and consist of correctly sequenced and/or linked monomers. Some of the abiotic “messy” polymers approximate some functions of biopolymers. Condensation polymers are an attractive search target for abiotic functional polymers since principal polymers of life are produced by condensation and since condensation allows for the accurate construction of high polymers. Herein the formation of hyperbranched polyesters that have been previously used in the construction of enzyme-like catalytic complexes is explored. The experimental setup compares between the branched polyesters prepared under mild continuous heating and the wet-dry cycle conditions. The results reveal that period wetting during which partial hydrolysis of the polyester occurs, helps control the chain growth and retards the gel transition. It is significant to the origin of life studies that environmental, prebiotically plausible conditions could achieve such control without enzymes or a skilled chemist. As expected in marginally controlled systems, the identification of each component of the heterogeneous system has proved challenging, but it is not crucial for drawing the conclusions.

Smenamides are an intriguing class of peptide/polyketide molecules of marine origin showing antiproliferative activity against lung cancer Calu-1 cells at nanomolar concentrations through a clear pro-apoptotic mechanism. To probe the role of the activity-determining structural features, the 16-epi-analogue of smenamide A and eight simplified analogues in the 16-epi series were prepared using a flexible synthetic route. The synthetic analogues were tested on multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines showing that the configuration at C-16 slightly affects the activity, since the 16-epi-derivative is still active at nanomolar concentrations. Interestingly, it was found that the truncated compound 8, mainly composed of the pyrrolinone terminus, was not active while compound 17, essentially lacking the pyrrolinone moiety, was 1000-fold less active than the intact substance and was the most active among all the synthesized compounds.

Opioid analgesics have been used for more than 5,000 years and remain the principal pain medications prescribed today. Although morphine is considered the gold standard for pain relief, this µ-opioid receptor (MOP)-selective agonist provides only moderate relief for many chronic pain conditions and promotes several unwanted effects that can adversely affect patient quality-of-life, prevent adherence to treatment or generate addiction. In addition to the lack of progress in the development of better analgesics, there have been no significant breakthroughs to date that have addressed side effects mentioned above. Fortunately, a better understanding of opioid pharmacology has restored hope for the development of better and safer pain medications. In this review, we describe how clinically approved opioids were initially characterized as biased ligands and what impact this approach could have on clinical practice. We also looked at the preclinical and clinical development of MOP biased agonists, with an emphasis on the oliceridine story, as the first specifically designed biased painkiller. Moreover, we explore the discrepancies between ligands with low intrinsic efficacy and those with biased properties. Finally, we examine the rationale behind biased ligand development during the opioid crisis era.

Interstitial pneumonia is a general term for diseases in which inflammation occurs mainly in the interstitium of the lung. It is also pointed out that interstitial pneumonia reduces alveolar function and makes it difficult to take in oxygen through inspiration, causing symptoms such as dyspnea and coughing, which may eventually lead to respiratory failure. It is At present, there is no effective treatment and only conservative treatment exists. This time, we report that the therapeutic effect was confirmed in patients with interstitial pneumonia who took platinum palladium. In this case, improvement tendencies were observed in patients with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but improvement tendencies were also observed in many other lung diseases. In order to explore the mechanism, AMPK was measured at the in vitro level, and blood KL-6 and hydrogen peroxide levels in the patient were measured at the in vivo level. AMPK values were significantly elevated by more than 800%, KL-6 and hydrogen peroxide levels were also significantly decreased by drinking platinum palladium. Platinum palladium exhibits a strong antioxidant effect and is the only substance in the world that can approach all four types of active oxygen. In addition, when it was actually administered to patients, there were cases of dramatic improvement, and it was confirmed that KL-6, a parameter of lung function, decreased in 16 out of 32 patients, and furthermore, oxygen inhalation was completed. patients were also seen. Although the number of cases is expected to increase in the future, the substance is expected to be effective as a drug, although it is currently classified as a soft drink.

Interstitial pneumonia is a general term for diseases in which inflammation occurs mainly in the interstitium of the lung. It is also pointed out that interstitial pneumonia reduces alveolar function and makes it difficult to take in oxygen through inspiration, causing symptoms such as dyspnea and coughing, which may eventually lead to respiratory failure. At present, there is no effective treatment and only conservative treatment exists. This time, we report that the therapeutic effect was confirmed in patients with interstitial pneumonia who took platinum-palladium. In this case, improvement tendencies were observed in patients with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but improvement tendencies were also observed in many other lung diseases. In order to explore the mechanism, AMPK was measured at the in vitro level, and blood KL-6 and hydrogen peroxide levels in the patient were measured at the in vivo level. AMPK values were significantly elevated by more than 800%, KL-6 and hydrogen peroxide levels were also significantly decreased by drinking platinum-palladium. Platinum-palladium exhibits a strong antioxidant effect and is the only substance in the world that can approach all four types of active oxygen. In addition, when it was actually administered to patients, there were cases of dramatic improvement, and it was confirmed that KL-6, a parameter of lung function, decreased in 16 out of 32 patients As the number of cases is expected to increase in the future, the substance is expected to be effective as a drug, although it is currently classified as a soft drink.

Excess nitrogen in agricultural drainage poses a serious threat to the water quality safety of the Yellow River basin. Utilizing aquatic plants to modify the rhizosphere microbial community structure and facilitate nitrogen transformation is a crucial strategy for mitigating regional water eutrophication. Our results revealed that the denitrification rate (DR), dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium rate (DNRAR) and nitrogen fixation rate (NFR) of rhizosphere sediments exhibited a significant increase in artificially cultivated ditch. Compared with those in natural ditches, the richness of the bacterial community and the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, Verrucomicrobiota, Firmicutes, Anaeromyxobacter and Geobacter, which are involved mainly in the nitrogen cycle, in the rhizosphere sediments of artificially cultivated ditch were significantly greater due to improvements in environmental conditions. In artificially cultivated ditch, the dominant functional genes affecting DRNARs in the rhizosphere sediments of P. australis were nrfC and nrfA, while DRs were driven mainly by norB and napA, which were influenced by the nitrogen and carbon levels; and the dominant functional genes affecting NFRs in the rhizosphere sediments of T. orientalis were nifD, nifK and nifH. Our results provide a scientific basis for the use of aquatic plants for mitigating excess nitrogen levels in agricultural drainage.

In this paper, we analyze the generalized Ulam-Hyers stability of affine type AQ Functional Equation in various Banach Spaces using Direct and Fixed Methods

Amyloid self-assembled from amyloid peptides βΑ40 or βΑ42 is notorious for its neurotoxic effects in plaque and neurofibrillary tangle formations leading to neuron dysfunction and diseases of cognitive decline (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington's disease). This contrasts with so-called functional amyloids which are non-toxic ordered template structures amenable to applications in tissue engineering. Amyloid fibrils of variable morphology including long and hollow fibres and flattened tube and spiral ribbon-like structures have been used in engineering applications in nano-biology. Protein assemblies based on amyloid core structures display diverse biological functionalities could be applied in futuristic self-assembling biomaterials in nano-electronics. These possibilities have revolutionized the development of next generation computers and biosensors, ultracapacitors, memristors, actuators, molecular switches and could also be used to develop artificial synapses. Amyloid fibril assemblies have also been used in photoelectric and photon capture light harvesting technologies and been applied in innovative nano-photoelectronics and photovoltaics. Hybrid Aβ(16–22)-α-synuclein amyloid fibrils also exhibit light-harvesting and electron-transfer properties. Engineered amyloid assemblies are thus facilitating innovative futuristic advances in nano-technology. Furthermore, with a better understanding of amyloid fibril assembly processes it may be possible to develop therapeutic methods that prevent the toxic build up of this polymer in brain tissues that leads to diseases of cognitive decline. With the ever-expanding prevalence of these diseases in the ageing general global population, there certainly is a clear and present need to find a remedy for these debilitating conditions.

The success of composite materials is attributed to the nature of bonding at the nanoscale and the resulting structure-related properties. This study reports the interaction, electronic, and optical properties of diamond nanothread/polymers (cellulose and epoxy) and boron nitride nanotube/calcium silicate hydrate composites using density functional theory modeling. Our findings indicate that the interaction between the nanothread and polymer is due to van der Waals-type bonding. Minor modifications in the electronic structures and absorption spectra are noticed. Conversely, the boron nitride nanotube and calcium silicate hydrate composite display an electron-shared type of interaction. The electronic structure and optical absorption spectra of the diamond nanothread and boron nitride nanotube in all configurations studied in the aforementioned composite systems are well maintained. Our findings offer an electronic-level perspective into the bonding characteristics and electronic-optical properties of diamond nanothread/polymer and boron nitride nanotube/calcium silicate hydrate composites for developing next-generation materials.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is the main mineral component of bones and teeth. It is widely used in medicine as a bone filler and coating for implants to promote new bone growth. Ion substitutions into the HAP structure highly affect its properties. One of the important substituents is manganese. This paper presents the new results obtained by high-precision density functional theory calculations using hybrid functionals, for studies of the Mn/Ca substitutions in HAP in a wide manganese concentration range within 2x2x2 supercell model. The experimental data on the mechanochemical synthesis of HAP-Mn samples with different Mn concentrations are also presented. The comparison between experiment and theory showed good agreement: the HAP-Mg unit cell parameters and volume decrease with increasing degree of Mn/Ca substitution. It is shown that electronic energy levels appear inside the band gap Eg of HAP, which depend on the concentration of Mn and change the photo-excitation energy of HAP, making its effective value Eg* less than the band gap Eg, and generally changing the photoelectronic properties of HAP. It was established that the energies of formation of the substitutions Mn/Ca depend on the position of the Ca atom (Ca1 or Ca2) and on the concentration of manganese. It has been shown that the replacement of calcium cations with manganese occurs predominantly at the Ca2 position.

Peptide/Histidine Transporter PHT1 (SLC15A4) is expressed in lysosomal membranes of immune cells where it plays an important role in metabolic and inflammatory signaling. PHT1 is an H+-coupled/histidine symporter that can transport a broad range of oligopeptides, including a variety of bacterial-derived peptides. Moreover, it enables the scaffolding of various metabolic signaling molecules and interacts with key regulatory elements of the immune response. Therefore, it is not surprising that PHT1 is associated with the development of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Unfortunately, the pharmacological development of PHT1 has been hampered by the lack of appropriate transport assays. With the aim to address this shortcoming, a novel transport assay based on solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology (SSME) is presented. Key findings of the present SSME studies include the first recordings of electrophysiological properties, a pH dependence analysis, an assessment of PHT1 substrate selectivity, as well as the transport kinetics of the identified substrates. In contrast to previous works, PHT1 is studied its native lysosomal environment. Moreover, observed substrate selectivity is validated by molecular docking. Overall, this new SSME-based assay is expected to contribute to unlock the pharmacological potential of PHT1 and to deepen the understanding of its functional properties.

In the present work, we report on a 3D MOF of {[Pb5(3-OH)(3-NO3)3(6-pmdc)3·H2O}n formula (pmdc = pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate) synthesized by an oven-heated solvent-free procedure. The large connectivity afforded by the three ligands in their coordination to lead(II) ions grows cubic building units characterized by a central Pb atom with an unusual coordination index of 12 and six pmdc ligands occupying the faces. These cubic units are linked one another giving rise to a quite condensed structure that represents an unprecedented topology showing the (4.62)6(43)2(45.610)3(45.68.82)6(46.69)6(612.83) point symbol. The crystalline material has been characterized by routine physico-chemical techniques to confirm its purity and its thermal behaviour has been also studied by thermogravimetric and thermodiffractometric analyses. The solid presents greenish blue photoluminescent emission based on pmdc ligands, as revealed time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations, by that is substantially more intense than in free H2pmdc ligand according to its improved quantum yield. The emissive capacity of the material is further analysed according to decreasing temperature of the polycrystalline sample, finding that sizeable long-lasting phosphorescence is present.

Individuals diagnosed with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) are considered risk groups for COVID-19 severity. This study assessed differences in cardiac autonomic function (CAF) and functional capacity (CF) in SAH individuals without COVID-19 infection compared to SAH individuals post-COVID-19. Participants comprised 40 SAH individuals aged 31 to 80 years old, grouped as SAH with COVID-19 (G1; n=21) and SAH without COVID-19 (G2; n=19). CAF was assessed via heart rate variability (HRV), measuring R-R intervals during a 10-minute supine period. Four HRV indices were analyzed through symbolic analysis: 0V%, 1V%, 2LV%, and 2UV%. FC assessment was performed by a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). G1 and G2 showed no difference between significant age, anthropometric, clinical and medication. G2 exhibited superior 6MWT performance, covering more distance (522±78 vs. 465±59 meters, p<0.05). Specifically, G2 demonstrated a moderate, positive correlation between 6MWT and the 2LV% index (r=0.58; p<0.05). Shorter walking distances were observed during 6MWT in SAH individuals post-COVID-19. However, the study did not find impaired cardiac autonomic function in SAH individuals post-COVID-19 compared to those without. This suggests that while COVID-19 impacted FC, CAF remained relatively stable in this population.

The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators) found that diabetes significantly increases the overall burden of disease, leading to a 24.4% increase in disability-adjusted life years. Persistently high glucose levels in diabetes can cause structural and functional changes in proteins throughout the body, and the accumulation of protein aggregates in the brain is associated with the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD).To address this burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program was developed based on the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine. The prospectively registered clinical trials (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04626453, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04812288) involved two groups: an Intervention group of older sedentary adults with T2DM and a Control group of healthy older adults who could be either active or sedentary. The completion rate for the 2-month exercise program was high, with participants completing on an average of 89.14% of the exercise sessions. This indicated that the program was practical, feasible, and well-tolerated, even during the COVID pandemic. It was also safe, requiring minimal equipment and no supervision. The exercise instructions were easy to understand, making them suitable for older adults with cognitive decline.The near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) based brain and muscle oxygenation study provided evidence on brain overactivation among older adults with T2DM, supporting the compensatory theory. It also demonstrated that the 2-month combined exercise intervention effectively reduced brain overactivation and contributed to improved cognitive function. Operational modal analysis showed an exercise-related effect on the very low-frequency hemodynamic oscillations cluster, which may be associated with better vascular muscle and/or perivascular neurogenic regulation. Furthermore, we personalized the exercise duration and interval based on muscle oxygenation during physical tasks, leading to improvements in muscle oxidative capacity within just two months. This finding has practical implications for physical therapists, as they can target muscle oxygenation changes during physical tests to prescribe appropriate exercise doses for enhancing physical performance.

Back pain is a common symptom that affects all age groups across the globe, when left untreated may eventually lead to disability. A convenient sample selection method was used in this study due to the global Covid-19 pandemic lockdown which was effective in Turkey during the investigation period. Thus, virtual data collection and health education including some health risks were employed. A total population of two hundred adult women was involved in the study but one hundred and twenty-one responses were collected. Findings show that, for socio-demographic characteristics, the pain was found highest in women between the ages of 41-50 and obese/overweight individuals. Although, there was no significant difference recorded in the marital status category. Moreover, statistical mean differences were detected between the scales for ODI (4.18) and BPFS (6.09). Also, p<0.05, paired sample t-test was 0.001 ODI and 0.001 BPFS after the training exercise. This suggests that exercise training is inversely correlated with pain severity which implies that training has a significant influence on pain intensity. Thus, it could be concluded that there is a relationship between the training exercise and ODI/BPFS.

The effect of stress on task performance is complex, too much or too little negatively affects performance; and there exists an optimal level of stress to drive optimal performance. Task difficulty and external affective factors are distinct stressors that impact cognitive performance. Neuroimaging studies showed that mood affects working memory performance and the correlates are changes in haemodynamic activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We investigate the interactive effects of affective states and working memory load (WML) on working memory task performance and haemodynamic activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neuroimaging on the PFC of healthy participants. We seek to understand if haemodynamic responses could tell apart workload related stress from situational stress arising from external affective distraction. We found that the haemodynamic changes towards affective stressor and workload related stress were more dominant in the medial and lateral PFC respectively. Our study reveals distinct affective state-dependent modulations of haemodynamic activity with increasing WML in n-back tasks, which correlate with decreasing performance. The influence of negative affect on performance is greater at higher WML, and haemodynamic activity showed evident changes in temporal, and both spatial and strength of activation differently with WML.

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death among men but its genomic characterization and best therapeutic strategy are still under debate. The Genomic Fabric Paradigm (GFP) considers the transcriptome as a multi-dimensional mathematical object subjected to a dynamic set of expression correlations among the genes. Here, GFP is applied to gene expression profiles of three (one primary, and two secondary) cancer nodules and the surrounding normal tissue from a surgically removed prostate tumor. GFP was used to determine the regulation and rewiring of the P53 signaling, apoptosis, prostate cancer and several other pathways involved in survival and proliferation of the cancer cells. Genes responsible for the block of differentiation, evading apoptosis, immortality, insensitivity to anti-growth signals, proliferation, resistance to chemotherapy and sustained angiogenesis were found as differently regulated in the three cancer nodules with respect to the normal tissue. The analysis indicates that even histo-pathologically equally graded cancer nodules from the same tumor have substantially different transcriptomic organizations, raising legitimate questions about the validity of meta-analyses comparing large populations of healthy and cancer humans. The study suggests that GFP may provide a personalized alternative to the biomarkers’ approach of cancer genomics.

The coevolution of species drives diversity in animals and plants and contributes to natural selection, whereas in host–parasite coevolution, a parasite may complete an incomplete evolutionary/developmental function by utilizing the host cell’s machinery. Analysis of related older data suggests that Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), the pathogen of malaria tropica, cannot survive outside its human host because it is unable to perform the evolutionarily first protein glycosylation of serologically A-like, O-GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr-R, Tn antigen (“T nouvelle”) formation, owing to its inability for synthesizing the amino sugar N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc). This parasite breaks the species barrier via hijacking the host's physiological A-like/Tn formation through abundantly expressing serine residues and creating hybrid A-like/Tn structures, which in the human blood group O(H) are attacked by the germline-encoded nonimmune polyreactive immunoglobulin M (IgM), exerting the highly anti-A/B/H-aggressive isoagglutinin activities. These activities physiologically undergo the ABO(H) blood group phenotype formation, occurring on the surfaces of red blood cells (RBC), epithelial and endothelial cells and on plasma proteins by identical glycosylation, performed by the ABO(H)-allelic glycotransferases, phenotypically downregulating the anti-A/B/H-reactive IgM (isoagglutinin) activities in the non-O blood groups. ABO(H) phenotype diversity, this way glycosidically linked and molecularly connected to humoral immunity, becomes exposed to the evolution.

The influence of distant London dispersion forces on the docking preference of alcohols of different size between the two lone electron pairs of the carbonyl group in pinacolone is explored by infrared spectroscopy of the OH stretching fundamental in supersonic jet expansions of 1:1 solvate complexes. Experimentally, no pronounced tendency of the alcohol to switch from the methyl to the bulkier tert-butyl side with increasing size is found. In all cases, methyl docking dominates by at least a factor of two, whereas DFT-optimized structures suggest a very close balance for the larger alcohols, once corrected by CCSD(T) relative electronic energies. Together with inconsistencies when switching from a C4 to a C5 alcohol, this points at deficiencies of the investigated B3LYP and in particular TPSS functionals even after dispersion correction, which cannot be blamed on zero point energy effects. The search for density functionals which describe the harmonic frequency shift, the structural change and the energy difference between the docking isomers of larger alcohols to unsymmetric ketones in a satisfactory way is open.

Prebiotic oligosaccharides are widely used as human and animal feed additives for their beneficial effects on the gut microbiota. However, there are limited data to assess the direct effect of such functional foods on the transcriptome of intestinal epithelial cells. The purpose of this study is to describe the differential transcriptomes and cellular pathways of colonic cells directly exposed to galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). We have examined the differential gene expression of polarized Caco-2 cells treated with GOS or FOS and their respective mock-treated cells using mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq). A total of 89 significant differentially expressed genes were identified between GOS and mock-treated groups. For FOS treatment, a reduced number of 12 significant genes were observed to be differentially expressed relative to the control group. KEGG and Gene Ontology functional analysis revealed that genes up-regulated in the presence of GOS were involved in digestion and absorption processes, fatty acids and steroids metabolism, potential antimicrobial proteins, energy-dependent and -independent transmembrane trafficking of solutes and amino acids. Using our data, we have established complementary non-prebiotic modes of action for these frequently used dietary fibers.

Cities’ delineation remains a hot topic of debate in a time where comparisons between cities are becoming increasingly based on different issues that address various scales of interventions and thus different concepts of cities. Aiming to compare cities and their insertion into globalization, we suggest that the “urban field of influence” is the best way to approach cities for this specific perspective. However, after reviewing the different existing possible concepts, we replace this concept with four different approaches proposed by Pumain et al. (1992): political entities, morphological agglomerations, functional urban areas and conurbations/Mega city regions. We discuss the top-down and bottom-up existing initiatives launched at the world scale and then use a mixed top-down and bottom-up approach to propose a new delineation of a large urban region (LUR), denoting a concept close to the conurbation or Mega city-region concept. The compositions of these LURs are published as an initial incomplete framework, suggesting the need for further critical comments and contributions to improve them.

During its first month, the recently emerged 2019 Wuhan novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has already infected many thousands of people in mainland China and worldwide and took hundreds of lives. However, the swiftly spreading virus also caused an unprecedentedly rapid response from the research community facing the unknown health challenge of potentially enormous proportions. Unfortunately, the experimental research to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the viral infection and to design a vaccine or antivirals is costly and takes months to develop. To expedite the advancement of our knowledge we leverage the data about the related coronaviruses that is readily available in public databases, and integrate these data into a single computational pipeline. As a result, we provide a comprehensive structural genomics and interactomics road-maps of SARS-CoV-2 and use these information to infer the possible functional differences and similarities with the related SARS coronavirus. All data are made publicly available to the research community at http://korkinlab.org/wuhan .

Synthetic chalcomenite-type cupric selenite CuSeO₃∙2H₂O has been studied at room temperature under compression up to pressures of 8 GPa by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and density-functional theory. According to X-ray diffraction, the orthorhombic phase undergoes an isostructural phase transition at 4.0(5) GPa with the thermodynamic character being first-order. This conclusion is supported by Raman spectroscopy studies which have detected the phase transition at 4.5(2) GPa and by the first-principles computing simulations. The structure solution at different pressures has provided information on the change with pressure of unit-cell parameters as well as on the bond and polyhedral compressibility. A Birch-Murnaghan equation of state has been fitted to the unit-cell volume data. We found that chalcomenite is highly compressible with a bulk modulus of 42 – 49 GPa. The possible mechanism driving changes in the crystal structure is discussed, being the behavior of CuSeO₃∙2H₂O mainly dominated by the large compressibility of the coordination polyhedron of Cu. On top of that, an assignation of Raman modes is proposed based upon density-functional theory and the pressure dependence of Raman modes discussed. Finally, the pressure dependence of phonon frequencies is also reported.

Background: Animal-assisted therapy has positive effects on cognitive function, depression, performance ability, and social functioning in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rearing pet insects on the cognitive function of healthy elderly participants, with fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) being used for this purpose. Methods: Community-dwelling elderly women (≥60 years) with normal cognitive function were enrolled during April 2015. They were randomized at a 1:1 ratio into two groups: insect-rearing and control (n=16) groups, with the insect-rearing group being further classified into two groups for analysis according to the subjects’ scores in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, WCST) at the first fMRI: insect-rearing group I with a relatively high score (n=13), and insect-rearing group II with a relatively low score (n=6). All subjects were educated on a healthy lifestyle for better cognitive function at every visit, and the insect-rearing groups received and reared crickets as pet insects. The fMRI was performed at baseline and after 8 weeks using the WCST as a stimulus. The WCST consisted of two variations, a high level baseline (HLB) and semi-WCST version. Results: There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics among the three groups. There was a significant difference accuracy of the HLB–semi-WCST (p<0.05) in insect-rearing group II after 8 weeks from the baseline test. In the fMRI analysis involving the WCST reaction test, increased activation was observed in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex in insect-rearing group II when the semi-WCST, rather than the HLB, was performed. There were no significant differences in the other groups. Conclusion: The rearing of pet insects as an animal-assisted therapy is cost-effective, easy, and occupies little space. In this study, it showed positive effects on executive functions and performance improvement in elderly women. Further larger studies on the effects of pet insects on cognitive function are warranted.

Due to low culturing costs and high seed protein contents, legumes represent the main global source of food protein. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is one of the major economically important legume crops, impacting both animal feed and human nutrition. Therefore, the quality of pea seeds needs to be ensured in the context of sustainable crop production and nutritional efficiency. Obviously, changes in seed protein patterns might directly affect both of these aspects. Thus, here we address the pea seed proteome in more detail and provide, to the best of our knowledge, the most comprehensive annotation of the functions and intracellular localization of pea seed proteins. Accordingly, 1938 and 1989 non-redundant proteins were identified in yellow and green pea seeds, in total. Only 35 and 44 proteins, respectively, could be additionally identified after protamine sulfate precipitation (PSP) potentially indicating the high efficiency of our experimental workflow. In total 981 protein groups could be assigned to 34 functional classes, which were to a large extent differentially represented in yellow and green seeds. Closer analysis of these differences by processing of the data in KEGG and String databases revealed their possible relation to a higher metabolic status and reduced longevity of green seeds.

We report the results of an analysis of the functional capabilities of the KTP crystal and its isomorphs for nonlinear-optical frequency conversion of all types of interaction in the transparency range of the crystal. The possibility of implementing angle-, wavelength- (frequency-) and temperature-noncritical phase matching is shown.

The total enthalpies of the 16 different spin configurations that can be realized in the unit cell of the archetype spin crossover complex [Fe(phen)₂(NCS)₂] (phen=1,2-phenanthroline) were calculated applying periodic density functional theory combined with the Hubbard model and the Grimme-D2 dispersion correction (DFT+U/D2). The obtained enthalpy differences between the individual spin configurations were used to determine spin couplings of an Ising-like model and subsequent Monte Carlo simulations for this model allowed to estimate the phenomenological interaction parameter Г of the Slichter-Drickamer model, which is commonly used to describe the cooperativity of the spin transition. The calculational procedure described here, which led to an estimate of about 3 kJ/mol⁻¹ for Г, in good agreement with experiment, may be used to predict from first principles how modifications of spin crossover complexes can change the character of the spin transition from gradual to abrupt and vice versa.

The qualitative research on the influence of supply chain risk management (SCRM) on marketing strategies during economic uncertainty explores the complex interplay between these two critical areas. Conducted through in-depth interviews with industry professionals across various sectors, the study examines how organizations manage supply chain risks and adapt their marketing strategies in response to challenges such as natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, economic downturns, and pandemics. The findings reveal that these risks significantly impact marketing efforts by causing supply shortages, delays, increased costs, and demand fluctuations, necessitating rapid adjustments in promotional activities, pricing strategies, and communication with customers. Key strategies for integrating SCRM with marketing include leveraging technology for real-time supply chain monitoring, building strong supplier relationships, diversifying supply sources, and enhancing communication and collaboration between supply chain and marketing teams. These practices enable organizations to enhance their resilience and responsiveness, ensuring that marketing strategies are aligned with the evolving realities of the supply chain. The study also identifies challenges such as organizational silos, lack of cross-functional collaboration, resistance to change, and limited technological capabilities, which can hinder effective integration. Addressing these barriers through fostering collaboration, investing in technology, and promoting change management is essential for achieving successful integration. The outcomes of this integration include improved supply chain resilience, enhanced customer satisfaction, increased marketing agility, and a stronger competitive position. The research underscores the importance of a holistic and adaptive approach to integrating SCRM with marketing strategies, providing valuable insights for organizations seeking to navigate economic uncertainty and sustain their growth in a rapidly changing environment.

The prevalence of autism has been increasing at an alarming rate. Even accounting for the expansion of autism spectrum disorder diagnostic (ASD) criteria throughout the 1990’s, there has been an over 300% increase in ASD prevalence since the year 2000. The often debilitating personal, familial, and societal sequelae of autism are generally believed to be lifelong. However, there have been several encouraging case reports demonstrating reversal of autism diagnoses with a therapeutic focus on addressing the environmental and modifiable lifestyle factors believed to be largely underlying the condition. This case report describes the reversal of autism among dizygotic, female twin toddlers and provides a review of related literature describing associations between modifiable lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and various clinical approaches to treating autism. The twins were diagnosed with Level 3 severity ASD “requiring very substantial support” at approximately 20 months of age following concerns of limited verbal and non-verbal communication, repetitive behaviors, rigidity around transitions, and extensive gastrointestinal symptoms, among other common symptoms. A parent-driven, multidisciplinary, therapeutic intervention involving a variety of licensed clinicians focusing primarily on addressing environmental and modifiable lifestyle factors was personalized to each of the twin’s symptoms, labs, and other outcome measures. Dramatic improvements were noted within several months in most domains of the twins’ symptoms, which was manifested in reductions of Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) scores from 76 to 32 in one of the twins and from 43 to 4 in the other twin. The improvement in symptoms and ATEC scores has remained relatively stable for six months at last assessment. While prospective studies are required, this case offers further encouraging evidence of ASD reversal through a personalized, multidisciplinary approach focusing predominantly on addressing environmental and lifestyle risk factors.

There are laws and rights aimed at people with disabilities, especially those with Mild Intellectual Disability (LDD), who actively participate in society but face barriers in learning and participating in various activities. In Colombia, where 1.3 million people with disabilities are registered, 16.8% correspond to the category of DIL, some of whom are part of the economically active population. Despite this, significant employment gaps persist.In order to address this gap, this research focuses on the analysis of the specific problems related to the labor inclusion of people with IDL in logistics environments, particularly in cold rooms. The aim is to prevent occupational hazards through the application of Industry 4.0 technologies.Through the collaboration of the Analytics and Design Research Seedbed, with entrepreneurs and experts in the field, significant challenges in labor inclusion in low-temperature environments were identified. The agile Scrum methodology was used to develop a prototype of an application that addresses these issues. This prototype meets the functional and non-functional requirements necessary to ensure the protection and prevention of risks for workers with DIL who perform functions in refrigerated rooms.This prototype manages to provide an inclusive alternative for people with disability Intellectual Light, challenging business cultural paradigms, by integrating mobile devices with Industry 4.0 technologies, encouraging greater interaction between machines and human beings, thus prioritizing the health and safety of employees in their daily activities.

Basic features of seed dormancy are illustrated. The seed overall regulatory network governs seed metabolism and development, and it is coordinated by plant hormones. A functional model focused on abscisic acid (ABA), the foremost plant hormone in dormancy, is used as a framework to critically discuss the literature. Gibberellins (GAs) have a main role in germination, and the ABA – GAs balance is a typical feature of the seed state: ABA dominates during dormancy and GAs prevail through germination. Thus, the literature converges toward envisaging the development switch between dormancy and germination as represented by the ABA/GAs ratio. The ABA – GAs antagonism is based on mutual inhibition, a feature of the regulatory network architecture that characterizes development trajectories based on a regulatory circuit with a bistable switch. Properties of such kind of regulatory architecture are introduced step by step, and it is shown that seed development – towards either dormancy or germination – is more properly represented by a tristable regulatory circuit, whose intermediate metastable states ultimately take one or the other development trajectory. Although the ABA/GAs ratio can conveniently represent the state of the seed overall regulatory network along the seed development trajectory, specific (unknown) dormancy factors are required to determine the development trajectory. The development landscape is shown to provide a well-suited representation of seed states travelling along developmental trajectories, particularly when the states are envisioned as regulatory circuits. Looking at seed dormancy in terms of regulatory circuits and development landscapes offers a valuable perspective to improve our understanding of this biological phenomenon.

Fluorophores with a tetraphenylethylene (TPE) core are attracting increasing interest because of their aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behaviour, which makes them particularly suitable when dispersed in thin-layer films. We propose the synthesis and use of a novel TPE fluorophore (hereafter called TPE-BPAN) decorated with two dimethylamino push groups and a 4-biphenylacetonitrile pull moiety. In tetrahydrofuran solutions, TPE-BPAN showed a broad absorption spectrum, and an intense emission is observed when a non-solvent as water is added in amounts of 70% and above. We selected and synthetized five different polymer matrices for TPE-BPAN with decreasing polarity: a) poly(methylmetacrylate) homopolymer (PMMA); b), c), and d) three copolymers of methyl methacrylate and cyclohexyl methacrylate at different compositions (P(MMA-co-CHMA) 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 mol%); e) poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) homopolymer (PCHMA). The presence of a less polar comonomer as cyclohexyl methacrylate appeared to enhance the emission behaviour of TPE-BPAN, which displayed the highest quantum yield (QY) in P(MMA-co-CHMA) 75:25 in all the range of concentration studied from 0.4 wt.% to 2.0 wt.%. Further reduction in polarity lowered QY to the values of PMMA films; also, lower adhesion to the glass and a marked fragility of the films were observed. Referring to the P(MMA-co-CHMA) 75:25 films, QY values decreased from over 40% at 0.4 wt.% to about 30% at 2.0 wt.%, which is still helpful for energy harvesting applications such as luminescent solar concentrators (LSC). LSC performances were not significantly affected by the matrix's lower polarity and resulted in around one-third of the state-of-the-art due to the lower QY of TPE-BPAN. The theoretical investigation on density functional theory (DFT) clarified the origin of the observed AIE and the role played by the environment in modulating the photophysical behaviour.

Chronic gastroduodenal symptoms are prevalent worldwide, and there is a need for new diagnostic and treatment approaches. Several overlapping processes may contribute to these symptoms, including gastric dysmotility, hypersensitivity, gut-brain axis disorders, gastric outflow resistance, and duodenal inflammation. Gastric Alimetry® (Alimetry, New Zealand) is a non-invasive test for evaluating gastric function that combines body surface gastric mapping (high-resolution electrophysiology) with validated symptom profiling. Together, these complementary data streams enable important new clinical insights into gastric disorders and their symptom correlations, with emerging therapeutic implications. A comprehensive database has been established, currently comprising >2,000 Gastric Alimetry tests, including both controls and patients with various gastroduodenal disorders. From studies employing this database, this pa-per presents a systematic methodology for Gastric Alimetry test interpretation, together with an extensive supporting literature review. Reporting is grouped into four sections: Test Quality, Spectral Analysis, Symptoms, and Conclusions. This review compiles, assesses, and evaluates each of these aspects of test assessment, with discussion of relevant evidence, example cases, limitations, and areas for future work. The resultant interpretation methodology is recommended for use in clinical practice and research to assist clinicians in their use of Gastric Alimetry as a diagnostic aid, and is expected to continue to evolve with further development.

Background: The standard surgical approach to amputation has failed to evolve significantly over the past century. Consequently, standard amputations often fall short with regards to improving the quality-of-life (QoL) for patients. A modified amputation has been designed at both the transtibial (TTA) and transfemoral (TFA) level that incorporates agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) constructs to provide patients with a novel alternative to standard amputation. Here, we present the patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) amongst our lower extremity AMI amputees and demonstrate an overall significant improvement in their physical and mental wellbeing. Methods: Four PROMs surveys, 1) EQ-5D-3L, 2) Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), 3) PROMIS-57, 4) Short Form-36 (SF-36), and 5) Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), were administered to lower extremity AMI amputees pre-operatively (baseline) and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 months post-operatively between June 24th, 2018, and December 15th, 2022. The surveys were either administered during a clinic visit or emailed at the encounter timepoint. Study data was collected and managed using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) electronic data capture tools hosted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Analyses of collated data were performed by fitting a linear mixed model using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Results: The cohort’s baseline and 12-month post-operative responses were compared to determine score improvement. The cohort demonstrated a significantly improved EQ-5D-3L index value (p<0.0001) and EQ VAS (p<0.0001) at 12-months post-operatively (n=22) when compared to baseline (n=28). The LEFS score significantly improved at 12-months post-operatively compared to baseline (p<0.0001) with a mean of 59.04 ± 3.14 (SE) at 12-months and a mean of 31.96 ± 2.84 (SE) at baseline. AMI patients demonstrated significantly improved scores across PROMIS-57 domains at 12-months compared to baseline scores; the p-value was <0.0001 for all domains except for the Depression domain where p=0.0181. The health domain scores significantly improved from baseline to 12-months post-operation for all SF-36 domains. Lastly, the SIP indicated a significant decrease in overall dysfunction from baseline to 12-months post-operation (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Modified lower extremity amputation with AMI construction has the potential to provide amputees with increased quality-of-life when compared to the pre-operative state. However, further investigation is necessary to determine whether the patient reported outcome measures of the AMI amputee cohort are superior to those who receive a standard amputation.

Coffee production generates significant amounts of by-products, posing challenges for waste management in the industry. Recent research has revealed that coffee by-products are rich in bioactive compounds suitable to produce functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals. In this review, we explore biorefinery strategies for extracting and utilizing bioactive compounds from coffee by-products, including the production of bio-based chemicals and materials, as well as the extraction of phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and dietary fiber for food applications. We propose a stepwise approach for the development of functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals from coffee by-products, covering the identification of needs, comprehensive characterization, in vitro and in vivo research, unraveling the mechanism of action, food and nutraceutical formulation, sensory analysis, shelf-life stability, scale-up, randomized control trials, and biostatistic and bioinformatic integration. Additionally, we discuss the market potential, regulatory issues, and technological innovation surrounding the commercialization of coffee by-product-based products. Emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance and sustainability in the coffee industry, this review highlights the potential of coffee by-products to be transformed from waste into valuable functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals, offering a promising avenue for waste reduction and promoting sustainability in the coffee industry.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a complex autoimmune disease, and the exact pathogenesis remains to be elucidated. Methods: We conducted summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis and performed functional mapping and annotation using FUMA to explore genetic loci that are po-tentially involved in the pathogenies of IgAN. Both analyses used summarized data of a recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) on IgANs, which included 477,784 Europeans (15,587 cases and 462,197 controls) and 175,359 East Asians (71 cases and 175,288 controls). We performed separate SMR analysis using CAGE and GTEx eQTL data. Results: Using the CAGE eQTL data, our SMR analysis identified 32 probes tagging 25 unique genes that were pleiotropically/potentially causally associated with IgAN, with the top three probes being ILMN_2150787 (tagging HLA-C, PSMR=2.10×10-18), ILMN_1682717 (tagging IER3, PSMR=1.07×10-16) and ILMN_1661439 (tagging FLOT1, PSMR=1.16×10-14). Using GTEx eQTL data, our SMR analysis identified 24 probes tagging 24 unique genes, with the top three probes being ENSG00000271581.1 (tagging XXbac-BPG248L24.12, PSMR=1.44×10-10), ENSG00000186470.9 (tagging BTN3A2, PSMR=2.28×10-10), and ENSG00000224389.4 (tagging C4B, PSMR=1.23×10-9). FUMA analysis identified 3 independent, significant and lead SNPs, 2 genomic risk loci and 39 genes. Conclusion: We identified many genetic variants/loci that are potentially involved in the patho-genesis of IgAN.

Ecologists use the net biotic interactions among plants to predict fundamental ecosystem features. Following this approach, ecologists have built a giant body of theory founded on observational evidence. However, due to the limitations that a phenomenological approach raises both in empirical and theoretical studies, an increasing number of scientists claim the need for a mechanistic understanding of plant interaction outcomes, and a few studies have taken such a mechanistic approach. In this synthesis, we propose a modeling framework to study the plant interaction mechanistically. We first establish a conceptual ground to frame plant-plant interactions, and then, we propose to formalize this research line theoretically developing a family of individual-based, spatially-explicit models in which biotic interactions are an emergent property mediated by the interaction between plants’ functional traits and the environment. These models allow researchers to evaluate the strength and sign of biotic interactions under different environmental scenarios and thus constitute a powerful tool to investigate the mechanisms underlying facilitation, species coexistence, or the formation of vegetation spatial patterns.

Patients recovering from bone disruption due to trauma or surgery need to limit movement to minimize shear force, thereby protecting callus formation and osteogenesis. Patients often use their arms to assist with functional activities, but pushing is frequently limited to <10 lb (4.5 kg). With only verbal instructions, patients’ ability to accurately limit weight-bearing (WB) force is poor. A therapeutic intervention to improve patient adherence with upper extremity (UE) WB guidelines during functional mobility using an instrumented walker could be beneficial. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to describe a feedback training protocol to improve the ability to modulate weight-bearing force in older adults and then provide an overview of the efficacy of this protocol and subsequent development of a Clinical Force Measuring Walker. An instrumented walker was used to measure UE WB during functional mobility in older healthy subjects (n = 30) before, during, and after (immediately and 2 hours) a visual and auditory concurrent feedback training session. During feedback training, force was significantly reduced with all 3 sessions as compared to baseline. When using the front wheeled walker, UE WB force during the second and third feedback training trials went down compared to the first trial. During the third feedback training trial, force was greater than the two previous trials while transferring sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit. After completion of practice with feedback, UE WB force was significantly reduced and remained so 2 hours later. These findings suggest that feedback training is effective for helping patients to modulate UE WB. Use of an instrumented walker and feedback training would be beneficial in clinical practice, especially with older patients. A more intensive feedback training with additional trials and or simultaneous visual and auditory cues during whole-practice may be needed to get UE WB below a 10 lb threshold.

In the current manuscript we assess to what extent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is a suitable tool for probing the dipoles formed at interfaces between self-assembled monolayers and metal substrates. To that aim, we perform dispersion-corrected, slab-type band-structure calculations on a number of biphenyl-based systems bonded to a Au(111) surface via different docking groups. In addition to changing the docking chemistry (and the associated interface dipoles), also the impacts of polar tail-group substituents and varying dipole densities are investigated. We find that for densely-packed monolayers the shifts of the peak positions of the simulated XP-spectra are a direct measure for the interface dipoles. In the absence of polar tail-group substituents they also directly correlate with adsorption-induced work-function changes. At reduced dipole-densities this correlation deteriorates, as work function measurements probe the difference between the Fermi-level of the substrate and the electrostatic energy far above the interface, while core level shifts are determined by the local electrostatic energy in the region of the atom from which the photoelectron is excited.

Scope, time, and cost permanently effects each other and most of Information Technology projects fails due to these three factors. Scope shifting mostly occur due to time and cost. At project start, lack of understanding of project and product scope is focal involvement that leads to unsuccessful projects. Complete software scope definition determines quality of project. Defining the customer requirement and the definite scope of project has key role for implementation of project management. The complications originates when systems are developed from impractical expectations and misunderstanding requirements. These problems are cause of many changes, occurs in system development and leads to poor scope management. Scope creep is one of the momentous prompting parameter on the success of project. The failure in manage scope creep leads for 80 percent of software projects failure. However, using agile approach the impact of scope creep on projects become insignificant. A correctly distinct scope tends us to develop a quality product, within identified plans and decided cost to the stake-holders.

Industrial manipulators and parallel robots are often used for tasks like drilling or milling, that require three translational, but only two rotational degrees of freedom (“3T2R”). While kinematic models for specific mechanisms for these tasks exist, a general kinematic model for parallel robots is still missing. This paper presents the definition of the rotational component of kinematic constraints equations for parallel robots based on two reciprocal sets of Euler angles for the end-effector orientation and the orientation residual. The method allows to completely remove the redundant coordinate in 3T2R tasks and to solve the inverse kinematics for general serial and parallel robots with the gradient-descent algorithm. The functional redundancy of robots with full mobility is exploited using nullspace projection.

Abnormal connections in brain networks of healthy people always bring the problems of cognitive impairments and degeneration of specific brain circuits, which may finally result in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Exploring the development of the brain from normal controls (NC) to AD is an essential part of human research. Although connections changes have been found in the development, the connection mechanism that drives these changes remain incompletely understood. The purpose of this study is to explore the connection changes in brain networks in the process from NC to AD, and uncover the underlying connection mechanism that shapes the topologies of AD brain networks. In particular, we propose a model named MINM from the perspective of topology-based mutual information to achieve our aim. MINM concerns the question of estimating the connection probability between two cortical regions with the consideration of both the mutual information of their observed network topologies and their Euclidean distance in anatomical space. In addition, MINM considers establishing and deleting connections, simultaneously, during the networks modeling from the stage of NC to AD. Experiment results show that MINM is sufficient to capture an impressive range of topological properties of real brain networks such as characteristic path length, network efficiency, and transitivity, and it also provides an excellent fit to the real brain networks in degree distribution compared to experiential models. Thus, we anticipate that MINM may explain the connection mechanism for the formation of the brain network organization in AD patients.

In Åhlberg (2021, 2022b), I presented evidence for 57 health-promoting substances that all green vascular WEPs contain. I continued searching for health-promoting substances in the plant cells' basic structures and processes. While reading research reports of five invasive species, I found eight more health-promoting substances all green vascular wild edible plants have. This article adds eight new substances to the earlier 57, bringing the total to 65. This is a novel finding for which I provide research evidence. I present the latest research on five invasive wild edible plants (WEPs) species. Each contains at least the same 65 health-promoting substances and a varying number of species-specific health-promoting substances. Each WEP has 1) shared health-promoting substances that all green vascular plants have and 2) species-specific health-promoting substances. I also present how many of these substances prevent Alzheimer’s disease, according to experimental research.

This study evaluated the effect of pig diet supplementation with an Olea europaea L. extract on the muscle fatty acid composition. Ten commercial hybrid pigs (Large White x (Landrace x Duroc)) were randomly assigned to two experimental treatments and fed either a standard diet (C) or diet with olive leaves extract (OL). For 90 days, the OL group received the olive leaf extract (300 mg/head/day), which mainly comprises oleuropein diglucoside, luteolin-7-glucoside, and verbascoside. The phenolic content, antioxidant activity, bioactive molecules’ characterization, and the fatty acids profile of meat and diet were performed. The results indicated that while the OL supplementation did not significantly alter the overall chemical composition of the meat or the pigs' performance, it did modify the lipid profile of the meat. The OL diet results in a significant reduction in SFA and an increase in oleic acid in meat, which correspondingly elevates the total MUFA content. Dietary treatment reduced the sum of n-6 PUFA in the meat of the OL group, and resulted in a significantly lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. Therefore, these findings suggest that incorporating olive leaf extract into the pig diet enhances the nutritional and functional quality of the meat by improving its fatty acid profile.

Wearable sensors have become increasingly popular for assessing athletic performance, but the optimal methods for processing and analysing the data remain unclear. This study investigates the efficacy of discrete and continuous feature extraction methods, separately and in combination, for modelling countermovement jump performance using wearable sensor data. We demonstrate that continuous features, particularly those derived from Functional Principal Component Analysis, outperform discrete features in terms of model performance, robustness to variations in data distribution and volume, and consistency across different datasets. Our findings underscore the importance of methodological choices, such as signal type, alignment methods, and model selection, in developing accurate and generalisable predictive models. We also highlight the potential pitfalls of relying solely on domain knowledge for feature selection and the benefits of data-driven approaches. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of our findings for the broader field of sports biomechanics and provide practical recommendations for researchers and practitioners aiming to leverage wearable sensor data for athletic performance assessment. Our results contribute to the development of more reliable and widely applicable predictive models, facilitating the use of wearable technology for optimising training and enhancing athletic outcomes across various sports disciplines.

The functional capacity of the cervical spine plays a central role in healthy living. This study evaluated and created a comprehensive strength, range of motion (ROM), and musculoskeletal pain profile of the cervical spine in young adults. 60 physically active individuals (30 males/30 females; 19-24 year-old) participated in the study. Cervical ROM (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation), maximal isometric strength (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion), and musculoskeletal pains were assessed using an electronic goniometer, a handheld dynamometer, and the Nordic questionnaire, respectively. Data analysis revealed that: a) fe-males had higher ROM values, during extension and lateral flexion, than males (p<0.05), b) males had higher absolute strength values than females in all movement directions, higher rela-tive strength values/body mass (at forward flexion) and flexion/extension ratio values (p<0.05), c) ROM and strength values were not significantly different between right-left sides (p>0.05), d) a great proportion (43.3%) of the participants had cervical pains (no sex-related differences) and e) cervical strength showed significant small negative correlation with pains (p<0.05; r=-0.225 to -0.345). The reference values created may be used by health and fitness professionals to exten-sively evaluate the cervical spine and to design specific exercise programs for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are energy-efficient; however, the coordinating ligand can affect their stability. Sky-blue phosphorescent Pt(II) complexes with a C^N chelate, fluorinated-dbi (dbi = [1-(2,4-diisopropyldibenzo[b,d]furan-3-yl)-2-phenyl-1H-imidazole]), and acetylactonate (acac)(1)/picolinate (pic)(2) ancillary ligands were synthesized. The molecular structures were characterized using various spectroscopic methods. The Pt(II) coordination sphere in 2 exhibited a distorted square-planar geometry, with several intra- and inter-molecular interactions involving Cπ⋯H/Cπ⋯Cπ stacking. Complex 1 emitted bright sky-blue light (λmax = 485 nm) with a moderate photoluminescent quantum efficiency of 0.37 and short decay time (6.1 µs) compared to those of 2. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations suggested that the electronic transition of 1 arose from ligand(C^N)-centered π–π* transitions combined with metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions (MLCT), whereas that of 2 arose from MLCT and ligand(C^N)-to-ligand(pic) charge transfer (LLCT), with minimal contribution from the C^N chelate to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. Multi-layered phosphorescent OLEDs using 1 as a dopant and a mixed host, 3,3-di(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-1,1-biphenyl:3-di(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-1,1-biphenyl (mCBP)/9-(3’-carbazol-9-yl-5-cyano-biphenyl-3-yl)-9H-carbazole-3-carbonitrile (CNmCBPCN) were successfully fabricated. At a 10% doping of 1, a current efficiency of 13.6 cd A−1 and external quantum efficiency of 8.4 % at 100 cd m−2 were achieved. These results show that the ancillary ligand in phosphorescent Pt(II) complexes must be considered.

The Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) compound is a primary environmental pollutant worldwide, whereas elemental Sulfur (S) is a global commodity possessing a variety of industrial as well as commercial functions. The chemical relationship between poisonous SO2 and commercially viable elemental S has motivated this investigation using Density Functional Theory calculation of the relative transition state barriers for the 2-step Dehydro-sulfurization oxidation-reduction reaction. Additionally, doubly-charged nanoscale platelet Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2), Armchair (6,6) Carbon Nanotube, 28-atom Graphene nanoflake (GR-28), and Fullerene C-60 are utilized as catalysts. The optimal heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis pathways of the 2-step oxidation-reduction from SO2 to elemental S are further inspired by the biomimicry of the honeybee species multi-step bio-catalysis of pollen conversion to organic honey. Potential applications include environmental depollution, the mining of elemental sulfur, and the functionalization of novel technologies such as the recently patented aerial and amphibious Lynchpin TM drones.

The Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) compound is a primary environmental pollutant worldwide, whereas elemental Sulfur (S) is a global commodity possessing a variety of industrial as well as commercial functions. The chemical relationship between poisonous SO2 and commercially viable elemental S has motivated this investigation using Density Functional Theory calculation of the relative transition state barriers for the 2-step Dehydro-sulfurization oxidation-reduction reaction. Additionally, doubly-charged nanoscale platelet Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2), Armchair (6,6) Carbon Nanotube, 28-atom Graphene nanoflake (GR-28), and Fullerene C-60 are utilized as catalysts. The optimal heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis pathways of the 2-step oxidation-reduction from SO2 to elemental S are further inspired by the biomimicry of the honeybee species multi-step bio-catalysis of pollen conversion to organic honey. Potential applications include environmental depollution, the mining of elemental sulfur, and the functionalization of novel technologies such as the recently patented aerial and amphibious Lynchpin TM drones.

Psychotherapy is a comprehensive biological treatment modifying complex underlying cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and regulatory responses in the brain, leading patients with mental illness to a new interpretation of the sense of self and others. Psychotherapy is an art of science integrated with psychology and/or philosophy. Neurological science studies the neurological basis of cognition, memory, and behavior as well as the impact of neurological damage and disease on the functions, and their treatment. Both psychotherapy and neurological science deal with the brain; nevertheless, they continue to stay polarized far. Existential phenomenological psychotherapy (EPP) has been in the forefront of meaning-centered counseling for almost a century. The phenomenological approach in psychotherapy originated in the works of Martin Heidegger, Ludwig Binswanger, Medard Boss and Viktor Frankl, and it has been committed to account for the existential possibilities and limitations of one’s life. EPP provides philosophically rich interpretations and empowers counseling techniques to assist mentally suffering individuals by finding meaning and purpose of life. The approach has proven to be effective in treating mood and anxiety disorders. This narrative review article demonstrates the development of EPP, the therapeutic methodology, evidence-based accounts of its curative techniques, current understanding of mood and anxiety disorders in neurological science, and a possible converging path to translate and integrate meaning-centered psychotherapy and neuroscience, concluding that the existential phenomenological psychotherapy potently plays a synergistic role with the currently prevailing medication-based approaches for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.

The construction of optimized biological fuel cells requires a cathode which combines the longevity of a microbial catalyst with the power density of an enzymatic catalyst. Laccase secreting fungi were grown directly on the cathode of a biological fuel cell to facilitate the exchange of inactive enzymes with active enzymes with the goal of extending the lifetime of laccase cathodes. Additionally, a functionally graded coating was developed to increase enzyme loading at the cathode. Directly incorporating the laccase producing fungus at the cathode extends the operational lifetime of laccase cathodes while eliminating the need for frequent replenishment of the electrolyte. Additionally, the hybrid microbial-enzymatic cathode addresses the issue of enzyme inactivation by using the natural ability of fungi to exchange inactive laccases at the cathode with active laccases. Finally, enzyme adsorption was increased through the use of a functionally graded coating containing an optimized ratio of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and single walled carbon nanotubes. The hybrid microbial-enzymatic fuel cell combines the higher power density of enzymatic fuel cells with the longevity of microbial fuel cells and demonstrates the feasibility of a self-regenerating fuel cell in which inactive laccases are continuously exchanged with active laccases.

Although phylogenetic analysis shows coronaviruses (CoV) share similar genome sequences, CoVs encode different number of proteins (5 to 14), which has implication on viral pathogenicity and infection. Here, we aimed to identify (in-silico) the similarities between different members of coronavirus family. The analysis included 50 coronavirus proteomes, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), to find the variation of the number of protein functional motifs and domain in each coronavirus. For this role, we used the experimentally validated domain (motif) that known to be crucial for viral infection. Although human CoVs are classified within one genus, we found variations among them. SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV encode different type of domains, which has implications on the molecular interactions triggered by each virus within human cells. Secondly, we used functional motifs to reconstruct the potential molecular pathways or interactions triggered by SARS-CoV-2 proteins within human cell.

A relationship between the functional Schr\"odinger representation and the precanonical quantization of a nonlinear scalar field theory is extended to arbitrary curved space-times. The canonical functional derivative Schr\"odinger equation is derived from the manifestly covariant precanonical Schr\"odinger equation in a singular limiting case when the ultraviolet parameter $\varkappa$ introduced by precanonical quantization is identified with the invariant delta-function at equal spatial points. In the same limiting case, the Schr\"odinger wave functional is expressed as the trace of the multidimensional product integral of Clifford-algebra-valued precanonical wave functions restricted to a certain field configuration. Thus the standard QFT in curved space-time in functional Schr\"odinger representation emerges from the precanonical formulation of quantum fields as a singular limiting case.

The chemical stability of tetramethylammonium (TMA) head groups, both with and without the presence of a choline chloride and ethylene glycol-based deep eutectic solvent (DES), was studied using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and ab initio Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. DFT calculations of transition state energetics (ΔEreaction, ΔGreaction, ΔEactivation, and ΔGactivation) for key degradation mechanisms, ylide formation (YF) and nucleophilic substitution (SN2), suggested that the presence of DES enhances the stability of the TMA head groups compared to systems without DES. Ab initio MD simulations across hydration levels (HLs) 1 to 5 indicated that without DES, YF dominates at lower HLs, while SN2 does not occur. In contrast, both mechanisms are suppressed in the presence of DES. Temperature also plays a role: without DES, YF dominates at 298 K, while SN2 becomes prominent at 320 K and 350 K. With DES, both degradation mechanisms are inhibited. These findings suggest DES could improve the chemical stability of TMA head groups in anion exchange membranes.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT), a neurotransmitter that regulates mood in the brain and signaling in the gut, has receptors throughout the body that serve various functions. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat depression, but their efficacy is uncertain. Depression is often associated with early gastrointestinal symptoms. Gut disorders such as functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are linked to elevated serotonin levels. In this review, we would like to discuss the approach of using serotonin as a biomarker for gut-brain and body-wide organ communication may lead to the development of preventive and innovative treatments for gut-brain disorders, offering improved visibility and therapeutic monitoring. It could also be used to gauge stress intensity for self-care and mental health improvement.

This paper proposes a novel concept within Quantum Natural Language Processing (QNLP) to encode the interpersonal metafunction of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), particularly tenor, into quantum circuits by treating Japanese honorifics seriously. Because of English language bias in the literature, the incorporation of nuanced aspects of interpersonal communication evident in languages, such as the aforesaid Japanese, remains under-developed and overlooked. Utilizing lambeq, monoidal categories, and string diagrams, this study extends lambeq’s quantum computing framework to capture not only grammar but also social context—specifically the roles and relationships that define interpersonal interactions in quantum circuits. This approach represents a significant step toward that end simply by defining the honorific type h in lambeq. This innovative strategy exposes the capability of quantum circuits to model the complex structures of language, moving beyond grammar and even semantics—the horizontal, textual dimension of language—to embrace the vertical, hierarchical dimension of human communication and social interaction. Through this lens, the paper underscores the potential of QNLP to transcend traditional linguistic analysis, advocating for a broader and more nuanced understanding of language that includes not only what is said but also the social persona of the interlocutors. An algorithm for parsing Japanese grammar into pregroup diagrams containing the h type is introduced along with a codebase for other researchers to use and to which to contribute. Lastly, a toy experiment is performed to demonstrate that the circuits generated from these pregroup diagrams are suitable for Quantum Machine Learning (QML) applications.

The predatory mirids Macrolophus pygmaeus Ramber and Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) are used for the biological control of Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lep.: Gelechiidae) and other pests in tomato greenhouses. The functional response of 1 (young) and 10 (old) days old adult females and males of M. pygmaeus and N. tenuis on eggs of T. absoluta, was determined on tomato at two temperatures (20° and 25°C) and LD 16:8 and found to be Type II. M. pygmaeus females exhibited higher predation efficiency, than males at both tested temperatures. Young M. pygmaeus females had a higher efficiency than old ones, whereas males had a low efficiency irrespective of age. The predation efficiency of N. tenuis was high (but lower than M. pygmaeus) in both young females and males, although old females had a higher efficiency than the respective males. Our results show that the two predatory species have different functional response characteristics to their prey depending mainly on sex and age which may affect their role as biological control agents.

This article presents a description of a new method for solving the factorization problem, based on the gradient descent algorithm. This approach demonstrates significant improvements in efficiency compared to traditional methods proposed in previous research. This article describes a new method for solving the factorization problem, based on the gradient descent algorithm, and demonstrates the transition from algebraic methods to approaches based on functional analysis. The proposed approach not only improves the efficiency of solving the problem but also allows the application of computational algorithms of functional analysis, opening new possibilities for research and optimization.

This article aims to assess, discuss and analyze the disturbances caused by electromagnetic field (EMF) noise of medical devices used nearby living tissues, as well as the corresponding functional control via the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of these devices. These are minimally invasive and non-ionizing devices allowing various healthcare actions involving monitoring, assistance, diagnosis and image-guided medical interventions. Following to an introduction of the main items of the paper, the different imaging methodologies are conferred, accounting for their nature, functioning, employment condition and patient comfort and safety. Then the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) components and their fields, the consequential MRI-compatibility concept and possible image artifacts are detailed and analyzed. Next, the MRI-assisted robotic treatments, the possible robotic external matter introductions in the imager, the features of MRI-compatible materials and the conformity control of MRI-compatibility, are analyzed and conferred. Afterward, the embedded, wearable and detachable medical devices, their EMF perturbation control and their necessary shielding protection technologies are presented and analyzed. Then, the EMC control procedure, the EMF governing equations, the body numerical virtual models, are conferred and reviewed. A qualitative methodology, case study, simple example illustrating the mentioned methodology is presented. The last Section of the paper discussed potential details and expansions of the different notions conferred in the paper, in the perspective of monitoring the disturbances due to EMF noise of medical devices working near living tissues.

A recent study demonstrated that noninvasive measurements of cortical hemodynamics and metabolism in the resting human prefrontal cortex can facilitate quantitative metrics of unilateral mitochondrial-hemodynamic coupling and bilateral connectivity in infraslow oscillation (ISO) frequencies in young adults (YA). The ISO includes three distinct vasomotions with endogenic (E), neurogenic (N), and myogenic (M) frequency bands. The goal of this study was to prove the hypothesis that there are significant differences between young and older adults (OA) in the unilateral coupling (uCOP) and bilateral connectivity (bCON) in the prefrontal cortex. Accordingly, we performed measurements from 24 OA (67.2 ± 5.9 years of age) using the same 2-channel broadband near-infrared spectroscopy (bbNIRS) setup and resting-state experimental protocol as those in the recent study (Shahdadian et al, Cerebral Cortex Communications, 2022). After quantification of uCOP and bCON in three E/N/M frequencies and statistical analysis, we demonstrated that OA had significantly weaker bilateral hemodynamic connectivity but significantly stronger bilateral metabolic connectivity than YA in the M band. Furthermore, OA exhibited significantly stronger unilateral coupling on both prefrontal sides in all E/N/M bands, particularly with a very large effect size in the M band (&gt; 1.9). These age-related results clearly support our hypothesis and were well interpreted following neurophysiological principles. The key finding of this paper is that the neurophysiological metrics of uCOP and bCON are highly associated with age and may have the potential to become meaningful features for human brain health and be translatable for future clinical applications, such as early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

A series of derivatives, involving two dithienylethene (DTE), groups, connected by several molecular linkers (bis(ethylene-1,2-dithiolato)Ni- (NiBDT), naphthalene, quasilinear oligothiophene chains) are investigated with the aid of computational quantum chemistry methods. This involves the computation of the second- and third-order nonlinear optical properties, i.e. molecular hyperpolarizabilities of the designed/selected derivatives. These properties can be efficiently controlled by DTE switches, in connection with light of appropriate frequency. We found that NiBDT, as a linker, is associated with a greater contrast, in comparison to naphthalene, between the first and second hyperpolarizabilities of the “open-open” and the “closed-closed” isomers. This is explained by invoking the low lying excited states of NiBDT. It has been found that the second hyperpolarizability can be used as an index, which follows the structural changes induced by photochromism. The two-photon absorption, which is related to the imaginary part of second hyperpolarizability, has also been investigated for the S0S1 transition. Furthermore, the intramolecular excited-state energy transfer (EET) is studied as well as the overlap between the absorption and emission spectra of the donor and acceptor groups of the molecules. The electronic coupling, VDA, between the donor and acceptor fragments, as well as the emission spectrum of the donor and the absorption spectrum of the acceptor have been computed, assuming a Förster type transfer mechanism. EET is a critical factor governing the photochromism. Two methods were used to compute VDA, one based on linear response and one based on the distributed multipole analysis (DMA); both techniques give very similar results for the dominating Coulomb contribution. For NiBDT as the linker a low VDA value has been computed. We found that VDA is affected by the molecular geometry. Our results clearly show that the linker strongly influences the communication between the open-closed DTE groups and thus, photochromism. The present computations show that full photochromism is attained in derivatives where two DTE groups are linked by a tetrathiophene chain, in agreement with experiment. The sensitivity of molecular linear and nonlinear optical properties upon photochromism can assist with the identification of the molecular isomers.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy revolutionized cancer treatment and consists of the genetic modification of T lymphocytes with a CAR gene, aiming to increase their ability to recognize and kill antigen-specific tumor cells. The dynamics of CAR-T cell responses in patients presents a multiphasic kinetics with distribution, expansion, contraction, and persistence phases. The characteristics and duration of each phase depend on the tumor type, the infused product, and on patient-specific characteristics. We present a mathematical model which describes the multiphasic CAR-T cell dynamics resulting from the interplay between CAR-T and tumor cells, considering patient and product heterogeneities. The CAR-T cell population is divided into functional (distributed and effector), memory, and exhausted CAR-T cell phenotypes. The model is able to describe the diversity of CAR-T cell dynamic behaviors in different patients and hematological cancers as well as their therapy outcomes. Our results indicate that the joint assessment of the area under the concentration-time curve in the first 28 days and the corresponding fraction of non-exhausted CAR-T cells may be considered as potential markers to classify therapy responses. Overall, the analysis of different CAR-T cell phenotypes can be a key aspect for a better understanding of the whole CAR-T cell dynamics.

Biosensors and wearable sensor systems with transmitting capabilities are currently developed and used for the monitoring of health data, exercise activities, and other performance data. Unlike conventional approaches, these devices enable convenient, continuous, and unobtrusive monitoring of a user’s behavioral signals in real time. Examples include signals relative to hand an finger movement/pressure control reflected by individual grip force data. As will be shown here, these directly translate into task, skill and hand-specific (dominant versus non-dominant hand) grip force profiles for different measurement loci in the fingers and palm of the hand. On the basis of thousands of sensor data from multiple sensor locations, individual grip force profiles of an task expert, a trained user and a highly proficient user (expert) performing an image-guided and robot-assisted precision task with the dominant or the non-dominant hand are analyzed in several steps following Tukey’s “detective work” approach. Correlation analyses (Person’s Product Moment) reveal skill-specific differences in individual grip force profiles across multiple sources of variation, functionally mapped to the somatosensory brain networks which ensure grip force control and its evolution with control expertise. Implications for the real-time monitoring of individual grip force profiles and their evolution with training in complex task-user systems are brought forward.

The breeding of stress-tolerant cultivated plants that would allow for a reduction in harvest losses and undesirable decrease in quality attributes requires a new quality of knowledge on molecular markers associated with relevant agronomic traits, on quantitative metabolic responses of plants on stress challenges, and on the mechanisms controlling the biosynthesis of these molecules. By combining metabolomics with genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics datasets a more comprehensive knowledge of the composition of crop plants used for food or animal feed is possible. In order to optimize crop trait developments, to enhance crop yields and quality, as well as to guarantee nutritional and health factors, that provides the possibility to create functional food or feedstuffs, the knowledge about the plants’ metabolome is crucial. Next to classical metabolomics studies, this review focusses on several metabolomics based working techniques, such as sensomics, lipidomics, hormonomics and phytometabolomics, which were used to characterize metabolome alterations during abiotic and biotic stress, to find resistant food crops with a preferred quality or at least to produce functional food crops are highlighted.

The integration of genetic technologies into neurological diagnostics has significantly enhanced our ability to understand and manage neurological disorders. This article discusses the functional analysis of key genetic tests, including microarray analysis, variant sequencing, exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and whole genome sequencing. Each of these technologies offers unique advantages and challenges, providing a comprehensive toolkit for diagnosing and understanding the genetic basis of neurological conditions. The functional insights gained from these tests not only detect genetic abnormalities but also elucidate their functional consequences, aiding in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of neurological disorders. As these technologies continue to evolve, they are expected to play an increasingly important role in the field of neurological diagnostics, paving the way for personalized medicine and improved patient outcomes.

The terpolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) with acrylic acid and triethylene glycol methacrylate were synthesized with more than 90% yield by radical copolymerization in ethanol from monomeric mixtures of different composition (98 : 2 : 2, 95 : 5: 2 and 98 : 2: 5). Their physical and chemical characteristics such as monomer composition, absolute molecular masses and hy-drodynamic radii in aqueous media at different temperature were determined. The temperature effect on the behavior of terpolymers in water and aqueous saline buffer solution with pH 7.4 has been studied and the ability of a copolymer enriched with dimethacrylates units was discovered to respond to a temperature change in these media. On the basis of terpolymers and linear polyvi-nylpyrrolidone (PVP), polymer compositions of hydrophobic dye methyl pheophorbide a, MPP, that is fluorescent in the red region of the spectrum, were obtained; the sizes of the polymer nanostructures of MPP in water were determined. The structures based on terpolymers were demonstrated to be more stable than MPP-PVP ones. It was carried out the quantum-chemical modelling of the possible structures of MPP-copolymer that formed as a result of intermolecular interaction between MPP and terpolymer’s chains; the possibility of the formation of hydrogen bonds between the donors of the electrons of terpolymer units and the proton donors of the MPP molecule was shown. Using the MTT test, it was established that copolymers of various compositions are low toxic for non-tumor Vero cells and HeLa tumor cells. It was shown that the cytotoxicity of polymer particles loaded with MPP for FetMSC and HeLa cells increased. Using fluorescence microscopy, the accumulation and distribution of polymer particles in non-tumor (FetMSC) and tumor (HeLa) cells was studied and an increase in the accumulation of MPP with both types of particles was shown.

Functional health literacy is the ability to read, write, and speak about health. Functional health literacy events can nudge the development of children’s health identity when using valid and reliable reading materials that portray the “what, where, when, why, and with whom” to eat nutritious foods and be physically active. Children who lack social role models for healthy eating and physical activity may also lack development in language and motor skills. Therefore, literacy-rich environments are needed when developing cognitive-motor language skills with children. Children with obesogenic body frames can gain from the production of childcentric health narratives that draw upon the Habits of Mind and Habits of Health© Model to produce Electronic Texts for Health Literacy©. When health professionals plan and implement functional health literacy events so children can read, write, and speak about their own health, new behavioral patterns and routines emerge into performances of understanding. Constructivist pedagogical approaches can help children to create health narratives using multimodal language while practicing health literacy skills as a foundational impetus to health behaviors. Children who struggle with obesity can also gain social agency when writing with peer partners who serve as supportive collaborators when developing interactive health literacy.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in children and adolescents. In recent years, interest in the role of diet in the treatment of FGIDs has increased. Currently, interest focus-es on the low-FODMAP diet (LFD), the fructose- or lactose-restricted diet (FRD or LRD), the glu-ten-free diet (GFD), and the Mediterranean diet (MD). In this review, we focus on the role of these dietary patterns in the FGIDs most commonly diagnosed in clinical practice, namely irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional abdominal pain (FAP), functional dyspepsia (FD), and func-tional constipation (FC). Fifteen clinical trials were systematically reviewed (both RCTs and sin-gle arm clinical trials). We demonstrated the lack of high-quality intervention trials. Based on current evidence, low-FODMAP diet, LRD, FRD, or GFD have no place in daily practice for the management of children and adolescents with FGIDs. Nevertheless, some patients with IBS or RAP may have some benefit from the use of a low-FODMAP diet or FRD/LRD. Limited data sug-gest that MD may be promising in the management of FGIDs, especially in IBS patients, but more data are required to investigate the mechanisms of its protective effects.

Abnormal platelet functions are associated with human morbidity and mortality. Maintaining physiological platelet function is critical to hemostasis and preventing platelet-associated diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer metastasis, immune disorders, hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell disease, inflammatory bowel disease, sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, myeloproliferative disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Platelets become hyperactive in obesity, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, pollution, and smokers. Platelets, upon activation, can trawl leukocytes and progenitor cells to the vascular injury sites. Platelets also release various pro-inflammatory, anti‐inflammatory, and angiogenic factors and shed microparticles in the circulation. The challenge for therapeutic intervention in these diseases will be identifying factors that preferentially block specific targets involved in platelets' complex contribution to inflammation or tumor progression while leaving their hemostatic function at least partially intact. Since antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin are not recommended as primary preventives, it is essential to use alternative safe platelet inhibitors. Potent natural antiplatelet factors were investigated, including n-3 fats, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds. This review describes the anti-platelet bioactive compounds in food that can prevent platelet hyperactivity and thus may prevent several platelet-mediated diseases, including cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: The Mediterranean diet, a widely studied and highly beneficial diet, underpins my research. Initially, the Mediterranean diet included Wild Edible Plants (WEPs). According to numerous research reports, this diet 1) promotes health and longevity and 2) prevents various modern diseases, including coronary and Alzheimer’s disease. A vital component of this diet is consuming locally available green plants, which are rich in health-promoting substances. In Åhlberg (2021, 2022b), I presented evidence for 56 health-promoting substances that all green vascular WEPs contain. While reading research reports of these five species, I found eight more health-promoting substances that all green vascular wild edible plants have. This article adds eight new substances to the earlier 56, bringing the total to 64. This is a novel and groundbreaking finding for which I provide research evidence. Each WEP has 1) health-promoting substances that all green vascular plants share and 2) species-specific health-promoting substances. I present the latest research on five invasive wild edible plants (WEPs) species. Each contains at least 64 health-promoting substances and varying species-specific health-promoting substances. I also present the experimental research results showing how many of these substances prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Keywords: wild edible plants (WEPs); wild food plants; Mediterranean diet; functional foods; good health, longevity; Alzheimer’s disease; alimurgic plants; invasive species; sustainability

We explore the relationship between the exact renormalization group (RG) equation and quantum mechanics. The central idea is to rewrite the exact Wilsonian RG equation as a Schrödinger-type equation, opening avenues for analysis. By introducing a functional transformation, the RG equation takes on a form analogous to a quantum mechanical Schrödinger equation. The study investigates solutions to this equation and draws parallels with quantum mechanics, paving the way for understanding the infrared behavior of quantum field theories. Furthermore, we extends its insights to a one-dimensional toy model, providing illustrative examples. The discussion encompasses the implications of these findings in multiple dimensions and quantum field theory, with a brief exploration of their relevance in the context of inflationary cosmology.

The FDA has concluded that a biosimilar candidate capable of demonstrating pharmacodynamic biomarkers in a healthy subject need not be tested for clinical efficacy in patients, regardless of if the biomarker correlates with clinical response. Since monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) do not trig-ger pharmacodynamic response, they can be substituted with robust functional disqualifying them for this waiver that can be overcome by allowing comparison of functional properties that eventually result in clinical response. This suggestion is based on the FDA's preference for more sensitive testing methods. However, clinical efficacy testing in patients is the least sensitive method, as confirmed by statistical modeling, a fact that regulatory agencies need to admit. In this paper, I present a logical and rational argument to establish the biosimilarity of products that do not have pharmacodynamic biomarkers based on their orthogonally proven functional bio-similarity. This understanding will significantly lower the development cost of biosimilars, a goal that the FDA outlined in all its guidance. Keywords: biosimilarity 1; biosimilars 2; pharmacodynamic biomarkers 3; monoclonal antibodies 4; FDA 5; clinical efficacy testing in healthy subjects 6; clinical efficacy testing in patients 7; functional assays 8; receptor binding 9.

In this paper, a complete tool for real-time detection of atypical energy behaviors of airplanes is presented. The methodology extends in real time an existing offline process using Dubins trajectories as a predictor of the remaining distance to the runway threshold. Two major contributions are presented in this paper. First, a real-time measure of the aircraft energy behaviour is defined, indicating whether the aircraft is in good condition to intercept the extended runway centreline from its current position. Secondly, a 2D trajectory suggestion is given, allowing safe management of the approach path according to atypical criteria of historical data. Finally, this document proposes a comprehensive tool for air traffic controllers, which is a major step forward in understanding, becoming aware of and resolving critical situations that could lead to accidents.

The present article addresses the long-standing problem of the polymer brush bilayers under stationary shear flow at non-linear response regime where the system gets a non-Newtonian fluid. The main idea behind this research would be the fact that the immense lubricity of the polymer brush bilayers originates from a global restructuring that takes place at large shear rates. It is shown here that physical quantities like, stress tensor, viscosity tensor, the friction coefficient and the chain extensions could become dependent on the shear rate at non-Newtonian regime. Apparently, the sub-linear scaling of the physical quantities at large shear rates is solely due to the fact that the chains stretch in the shear direction.

Background: Recent developments in our understanding of the interactions between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and cellular components have improved treatment approaches for various human diseases including cancer, vascular diseases, and neurological diseases. Although investigation of specific lncRNAs revealed their role in the metabolism of cellular RNA, our understanding of their contribution to post-transcriptional regulation is relatively limited. In this study, we explore the role of lncRNAs in modulating alternative splicing and their impact on downstream protein-RNA interaction networks. Results: Analysis of alternative splicing events across 39 lncRNA wildtype and knockout RNA-sequencing datasets from three human cell lines: HeLa (Cervical Cancer), K562 (Myeloid Leukemia), and U87 (Glioblastoma), resulted in high confidence (fdr < 0.01) identification of 4432 skipped exon events and 2474 retained intron events, implicating 759 genes to be impacted at post-transcriptional level due to the loss of lncRNAs. We observed that a majority of the alternatively spliced genes in a lncRNA knockout were specific to the cell type, in agreement with the finding that genes affected by alternative splicing also displayed enriched functions in a cell type specific manner. To understand the mechanism behind this cell-type specific alternative splicing patterns, we analyzed RNA binding protein (RBP)-RNA interaction profiles across the spliced regions. Conclusions: Despite limited RBP binding data across cell lines, alternatively spliced events detected in lncRNA perturbation experiments were associated with RBPs binding in proximal intron-exon junctions, in a cell type specific manner. The cellular functions affected by alternative splicing were also affected in a cell type specific manner. Based on the RBP binding profiles in HeLa and K562 cells, we hypothesize that several lncRNAs are likely to exhibit a sponge effect in disease contexts, resulting in the functional disruption of RBPs due to altered titration of the RBPs from their target loci. We propose that such lncRNA sponges can extensively rewire the post-transcriptional gene regulatory networks by altering the protein-RNA interaction landscape in a cell-type specific manner.

Photophysical properties of a series of bis(arylydene)cycloalkanone dyes with various donor substituentns are studied by quantum chemistry. Their capacity for luminescence and nonradiative relaxation through trans-cis isomerization is related to their structure, in particular, to the donor capacity of the substituents and the degree of conjugation due to the central cycloalkanone moiety. It is shown that cyclohexanone central moiety introduces distortions and disrupts the conjugation, thus leading to a nonmonotonic change in their properties. The increasing donor capacity of the substituents causes increase in the HOMO energy (raise of the oxidation potential) and decrease in the HOMO-LUMO gap, which results in the red shift of the absorption spectra. The ability of the excited dye to relax through fluorescence or through trans-cis isomerization is governed by the height of the barrier between the Franck–Condon and S1-S0 conical intersection regions on the potential energy surface of the lowest π-π* excited state. This barrier also correlates with the donor capacity of the substituents and the degree of conjugation between the central and donor moieties. The calculated fluorescence and trans-cis isomerization rates are in good agreement with the observed fluorescence quantum yields.

Ecklonia cava (E.cava) can alleviate vascular dysfunction in diseases associated with poor circulation. E. cava contains various polyphenols with different functions, but few studies have compared the effects of these polyphenols. Here, we comparatively investigated four major compounds present in an ethanoic extract of E. cava. These four major compounds were isolated and their effects were examined on monocyte-associated vascular inflammation and dysfunctions. Pyrogallol-phloroglucinol-6,6-bieckol (PPB) significantly inhibited monocyte migration in vitro by reducing levels of inflammatory macrophage differentiation and of its related molecular factors. In addition, PPB protected against monocyte-associated endothelial cell death by increasing the phosphorylations of PI3K-AKT and AMPK, decreasing caspase levels, and reducing monocyte-associated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by decreasing the phosphorylations of ERK and AKT. The results of this study show that four compounds were effective for reduction of monocyte-associated vascular inflammation and dysfunctions, but PPB might be more useful for the treatment of vascular dysfunction in diseases associated with poor circulation.

Organosilicate glass (OSG) films are a vital component in modern electronic devices, with their electrical properties playing a crucial role in device performance. This comprehensive review systematically examines the influence of chemical composition, vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation, and plasma treatment on the electrical properties of OSG films. Through an extensive survey of literature and experimental findings, we elucidate the intricate interplay between these factors and the resultant alterations in electrical conductivity, dielectric constant, and breakdown strength of OSG films. Key focus areas include the impact of diverse organic moieties incorporated into the silica matrix, the effects of VUV irradiation on film properties, and the modifications induced by various plasma treatment techniques. Furthermore, we discuss the underlying mechanisms governing these phenomena, shedding light on the intricate molecular interactions and structural rearrangements occurring within OSG films under different environmental conditions. This review not only consolidates existing knowledge but also identifies gaps in understanding and suggests avenues for future research, thereby advancing our comprehension of OSG film behavior and paving the way for enhanced performance in next-generation electronic and photonic devices.

The mushroom industry generates large amounts of stems, a co-product with valuable sensory and health characteristics. This work aimed to study the influence of particle size (L — &gt;0.510 mm; LI — 0.510-0.315 mm; SI—0.315-0.180 mm; S — &lt;0.180 mm) and species in the characterization and antioxidant activity of flours from stems of Agaricus bisporus (ABSF) and Pleurotus ostreatus (POSF). ABSF was rich in protein (14 g/100 g), calcium (428.23-700.77 mg/100 g), and sorbitol (22.57-26.60 g/100 g), while POSF in β-glucans (36.62-40.34 g/100 g) and linoleic acid (20.57-39.86 g/100 g of lipid). Both species were flush in amino acids with umami flavor. The highest hydration properties and oil holding capacity were exhibited in the S size of both species. ABSF showed elevated values for emulsifying activity than POSF. ABSF-S recorded the heightened antioxidant capacity in vitro, in consonance with the total phenolic compounds (0.91 mg/g). However, this antioxidant assays in POSF presented a positive correlation with β-glucans content. According to these results, there could be several food applications for these co-products, such as emulsifier stabilizer, sweetener or fortifier in the development of functional food.

It is one of the central goals of cognitive neuroscience to understand how structure and function relate in the brain. We review how cognitive function characterization has been approached in the past. In addition, we examine the ongoing efforts, as well as the implications for the future. Clinical studies on patients with lesions have provided key insights into the relationship between brain areas and behavior over the past century. We describe cognitive function according to localization considering these early efforts for characterization. We chose a perceptual-cognitive function, namely body perception, to describe our current efforts. Using body perception as an example, we summarize contemporary techniques. Finally, we outline the trajectory of current progress into the future and discuss the implications for clinical and basic neuroscience.

A few empirical examples document fixed alternative male mating strategies in animals. Here we focus on the polymorphism of male mating strategies in the ruff (Calidris pugnax, Aves Charadriiformes). In ruffs, three fixed alternative male mating strategies coexist and are signaled by extreme plumage polymorphism. We first present relevant data on the biology of the species. Then we review the available knowledge of the behavioral ecology of ruffs during the breeding season and we detail the characteristics of each of the three known fixed male mating strategies. We next turn to the exceptional quality results accumulated on both the structural and functional genomics of the ruff over the past few years. We show how much these genomic data can shed a new, mechanistic light on the evolution and maintenance of the three fixed alternative male mating strategies. We then look if there are sufficient indication to support frequency-dependent selection as key mechanism in maintaining these three strategies. Specifically, we search for evidences of equal fitness among individuals using each of the three strategies. Finally, we propose three lines of research avenues that will help to understand the eco-evolutionary dynamics of phenotypic differences within natural populations of this iconic model species.

Ultrafast laser 3D lithography based on non-linear light-matter interactions, widely known as multi-photon lithography (MPL), offers unrivaled precision rapid prototyping and flexible additive manufacturing options. 3D printing equipment based on MPL are already commercially available, yet there is still no comprehensive understanding of factors determining spatial resolution, accuracy, fabrication throughput, repeatability, and standardized metrology methods for the accurate characterization of the produced 3D objects and their functionalities. The photoexcitation mechanisms, spatial-control or photo-modified volumes, and the variety of processable materials are topics actively investigated. The complexity of the research field is underlined by limited understanding and fragmented knowledge of light-excitation and material response. Research to date has only provided case-specific findings on photoexcitation, chemical modification, and material characterization of the experimental data. In this review, we aim to provide a consistent and comprehensive summary of the existing literature on photopolymerization mechanisms under highly confined spatial and temporal conditions, where, besides the excitation and cross-linking, parameters such as diffusion, temperature accumulation, and the finite amount of monomer molecules start to become of critical importance. Key parameters such as, photoexcitation, polymerization kinetics, and the properties of the additively manufactured materials at the nanoscale in 3D are examined, whereas, the perspectives for future research and as well as emerging applications are outlined.

Synthetic fiber ropes are frequently used as mooring lines in floaters supporting Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) due to their various advantages. Damages in these lines can lead to the disruption of the FOWTs normal operation and thus their early detection is crucial. Currently, this damage detection problem has been investigated exclusively for FOWT chain mooring lines. This study focuses on the damage detection in FOWT synthetic mooring lines under varying environmental-operational conditions (EOCs) via two types of vibration-based Structural Health Monitoring methods: those based on Multiple Models and those based on a single Functional Model. The methods are based on multivariate AutoRegressive or on scalar Transmittance Function (TF) AutoRegressive with eXogenous input models. All methods are evaluated through a Monte Carlo study involving 390 simulations with a 10MW wind turbine mounted on the semi-submersible OO-Star wind floater and two damage scenarios (10%, 14% stiffness reduction) to a single mooring line. The results using acceleration signals from only two measuring positions on the mooring line, indicate the great potential for robust SHM in FOWTs synthetic mooring lines with the TF model-based methods successfully detecting the considered early stage damage scenarios, even for EOCs not encountered in the methods training.

A series of novel substituted isoxazolidine derivatives was synthesized through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of α-aryl-N-methyl nitrones with various ethylene moieties, resulting in the formation of isoxazolidine derivatives. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized using spectroscopic methods. The [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reactions of α-aryl-N-methyl nitrones with diverse ethylene substituents were computed employing Density Functional Theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6–31G(d) level, upgrading bond parameters. An investigation of the electron localization function (ELF) unveiled the zwitterionic nature of α-aryl-N-methyl nitrones, devoid of pseudoradical or carbenoid centers. Utilization of CDFT indices enabled the prediction of global electronic flux from the strongly nucleophilic α-aryl-N-methyl nitrones to the varied electrophilic ethylene functionalities. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted on the isoxazolidine derivatives against the EGFR receptor (PDB: 4ZAU). In silico assessment of the synthesized isoxazolidines involved molecular docking, wherein the compound with the highest docking score was subjected to molecular dynamics simulations. Compound 11a, out of the thirty isoxazolidine derivatives, displayed the most substantial binding energy, yielding a g score of -6.57 kcal/mol. These observations highlighted the functional role of amide NH2 and NO2 in the binding process with the target protein, influencing its activity. Furthermore, prediction of ADME drug-likeness properties was performed to identify a suitable candidate.

The electronic structure and the participation of the simplest azomethine imine (AI) in [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reactions have been analysed within the Molecular Electron Density Theory (MEDT) using DFT calculations at the MPWB1K/6-311G(d) level. Electron localisation function (ELF) topological analysis reveals that AI has a pseudoradical structure, while the conceptual DFT reactivity indices characterise this TAC as a moderate electrophile and a good nucleophile. The non-polar 32CA reaction of AI with ethylene takes place through a one-step mechanism with low activation energy, 5.3 kcal/mol-1. A bonding evolution theory (BET) study indicates that this reaction takes place through a non-concerted [2n+2τ] mechanism in which the C–C bond formation is clearly anticipated prior to the C–N one. On the other hand, the polar 32CA reaction of AI with dicyanoethylene takes place through a two-stage one-step mechanism. Now, the more favourable regioisomeric transition state structure (TS) is located 8.5 kcal•mol⁻¹ below the reagents, in complete agreement with the high polar character of the TS. The current MEDT study makes it possible to extend Domingo’s classification of 32CA reactions to a new pra-type of reactivity.

This paper presents a novel integration of Systems Engineering (SE) methodologies and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in the design of robotic systems, with a focus on enhancing underwater robotic missions. Using the conceptual design of an underwater exploration vehicle as a case study, we demonstrate how SE can systematically incorporate I4.0 tools to improve mission performance and meet stakeholder expectations. The study begins with an overview of the SE approach, emphasizing the conceptual design stage, aligning with the application and case study of design theories. We then explore various I4.0 technologies, highlighting their functional benefits rather than technical specifics, addressing design methods for Industry 4.0. Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are examined in terms of classification, components, and tasks, showcasing their evolution driven by technological advancements, thus tackling the complexity and design of complex systems. The core of our study involves defining stakeholder expectations, using quality function deployment for requirements definition, and performing a functional and logical decomposition of the ROV system. Our approach underscores the importance of understanding and integrating new technologies functionally, aligning with the transition towards Industry/Society 5.0. This work not only illustrates the synergy between SE and I4.0 but also offers a structured methodology for advancing the design and functionality of complex systems, setting a blueprint for future developments in this field.

Addressing global environmental problem, water splitting to produce hydrogen fuel by solar energy is getting so much attention. In the water splitting, the essential problem to solve is the development of efficient　catalysts for oxygen production. In this paper, having the prospect for a practical application of photocatalysts to artificial photosynthesis, molecular mechanisms in the current literature are briefly reviewed. At first, recent progress in the function of Mn cluster at the natural photosystem II is briefly described. The kinds of devices in which oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts are used were designated; water electrolyzers, photoelectrodes, and photocatalysts. Some methods for analyzing molecular mechanism in OER catalysis, emphasized by FTIR method, are shown briefly. After describing common OER mechanisms, the molecular mechanisms are discussed for TiO2 and BiVO4 photoelectrodes with our novel data, followed by presenting of co-catalysts IrO2, RuO2, NiO2, and other metal oxides for OER catalysts. Recent reports describing OER catalysts of perovskites, layered double hydroxides (LDH), metal-organic frameworks (MOF), single atom catalysts, as well as metal complexes are reviewed. Finally, by comparing with natural photosystem, the requiring factors to improve the activity of the catalysts for artificial photosynthesis will be discussed.

The stimulus-secretion coupling of glucose-induced release is generally attributed to the metabolism of the hexose in the β-cells in the glycolytic pathway and the citric acid cycle. Glucose metabolism generates an increased cytosolic concentration of ATP and of the ATP/ADP ratio that closes the ATP-dependent K+-channel at the plasma membrane by the interaction of ATP with the regulatory Kir6.2 channel subunit The resultant depolarization of the β-cells opens voltage-dependent Ca2+-channels at the plasma membrane that allow an increase of the cytosolic cation concentration that triggers the exocytosis of insulin secretory granules. The resultant secretory response evolves in time as a biphasic secretion with a first and transient peak of approximately 10 minutes duration followed by a sustained phase of secretion lasting as long as the stimulus. Whereas the first transient peak can be reproduced by a simple depolarization of β-cells with high extracellular KCl maintaining the KATP-channels open with diazoxide, the sustained phase is agreed to depend on the participation of some metabolic signal that remains to be determined Our group has been investigating for several years the participation of β-cell GABA metabolism, together with that of glucose (the β-cell “specific” nutrient secretagogue) and some other “metabolic” secretagogues (branched-chain alpha-ketoacids and a mixture of L-Leucine + L-glutamine, at supraphysiological concentrations) in their mechanism of stimulation of insulin secretion. All three types of stimuli promote the flux in the GABA shunt of rat islets by different metabolic pathways that end in the production of α-ketoglutarate. This citric acid cycle intermediary is preferentially derived to the GABA shunt instead of its continuous oxidation in the citric acid cycle. Islet content of GABA is significantly suppressed by all the stimuli and blocking the GABA shunt with gabaculine, or ϒ-vinyl-GABA (GABAT inhibitors), diminish the insulin secretory responses as well as total ATP and the ATP/ADP ratio. It is concluded that GABA metabolism is increased in parallel to glucose metabolism and is significantly contributing to the magnitude of the insulin secretory response. Its possible implication in β-cells degradation in type-2 (perhaps also in type 1) diabetes is suggested.

The multidimensionality of chronic pain forces us to look beyond isolated pain assessment such as pain intensity, which does not consider multiple key parameters, particularly in patients suffering from post-operative Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome (PSPS-T2). Our ambition was to provide a novel Multi-dimensional Clinical Response Index (MCRI), including not only pain intensity but also functional capacity, anxiety-depression, quality of life and objective quantitative pain mapping assessments, the objective being to capture patient condition instantaneously, using machine learning techniques. Two hundred PSPS-T2 patients were enrolled in a real-life observational prospective PREDIBACK study with 12-month follow-up and received various treatments. From a multitude of questionnaires/scores, specific items were combined using exploratory factor analyses to create an optimally accurate MCRI; as a single composite index, using pairwise correlations between measurements, it appeared to better represent all pain dimensions than any other classical score. It appeared to be the best compromise among all existing indexes, showing the highest sensitivity/specificity related to Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Novel composite indexes could help to refine pain assessment by changing the physician’s perception of patient condition on the basis of objective and holistic metrics, and by providing new insights to therapy efficacy/patient outcome assessments, before ultimately being adapted to other pathologies.

This literature review aims to gain a deeper understanding of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus’s dorsal sail regarding its function as thermoregulation, display, or hydrodynamic. The function of S. aegyptiacus’s dorsal sail has been widely debated for many years. The three most popular hypotheses are that it was used as a biological mechanism of thermoregulation, display, or hydrodynamic. The display hypothesis includes attracting mates, intimidating rivals, and social communication with other members. This literature review delves into each of the three hypotheses using past studies and excavation sites to analyze their validity. For the hydrodynamic aspect, the lifestyle of S. aegyptiacus must first be established. Based on existing research, we cannot conclude that there is a definitive primary function of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus’s dorsal sail. However, it is likely that its sail served the crucial function of display, since it would have a large surface area and could thus be a distinguishable characteristic of S. aegyptiacus that could determine mating success. Additionally, it is probable that the sail had supplementary roles in thermoregulation and hydrodynamics.

The brain reciprocally communicates with the rest of the body via neural, endocrine, immune, and other systems. This is crucial for coordinating the complex behavioral and physiological responses needed to cope with the many challenges of life. The Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) is a key brain structure involved in assessing rewards and threats, as well as activating appropriate responses. This is a dynamic process that depends on evolving needs and challenges. Important challenges include illness or injury. These typically involve inflammation and pain, which evoke neuroinflammatory processes in the brain to drive sickness behaviours. In the short term, sickness behaviours are considered adaptive, as they promote convalescence (e.g. low mood; lethargy, fatigue, social withdrawal), and enhanced threat appraisal (e.g. anxiety) to combat increased risk/vulnerability associated with sickness. Chronic inflammation, however, appears to remodel the system to inappropriately activate threat-coping responses, resulting in depressive and/or anxious phenotypes. These mood disorders are particularly pronounced in diseases and disorders associated with gut dysfunction, which feature chronic inflammation and altered ACC function. We propose that chronic inflammation remodels ACC physiology such that it errantly predicts heightened danger based on a mental model (a.k.a ‘schema’) of the world. This evokes chronic activation of threat-coping systems, including endocrine signaling (e.g. adrenaline), and anxiety. Inflammation can be driven by brain systems involving ACC, leading to a feedback-cycle that self-reinforces pathological states. This theory accounts for a wealth of clinical and preclinical data that implicate the ACC in disorders of mood and gastrointestinal function, and reveals a key player in the gut-brain axis that may represent a novel therapeutic target.

Neurodegeneration is a major problem in neuroscience and medicine as it causes and worsens many neurological and psychiatric disorders. It involves gradual loss of neurons at different levels of the brain, affecting cognition, emotion, behavior, consciousness, and attention. Understanding the causes and consequences of neurodegeneration is crucial for identifying the risk factors, biomarkers, and treatments. However, the current therapies are mostly symptomatic and ineffective. Therefore, new and innovative methods, such as noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS), are needed to modulate brain activity and plasticity in a safe and reversible manner. This field is rapidly developing, with a focus on exploring new clinical applications, mechanisms, and combinations of NIBS and drugs. This special issue covers the latest progress and challenges in the study of neurodegeneration in cognitive impairment and mood disorders from the experimental, clinical, and translational perspectives. It addresses the complexity and diversity of these conditions, the lack of disease-modifying treatments, the ethical and practical issues of conducting research in vulnerable and diverse populations, the integration and interpretation of data from multiple sources and modalities, and the development and validation of novel methods such as NIBS, artificial intelligence, and drug repurposing. Collaborative efforts among various stakeholders are needed to improve our knowledge and treatment of neurodegeneration underlying cognitive impairment and mood disorders.

Abstract: Although the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia syndrome has been better understood in recent decades, a unified model of its pathogenesis and an effective therapeutic approach are still far from being realized. The main aim of this article will be to delve into the fundamental mechanisms of the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia conceptualized as stress intolerance syndrome. Using the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain syndromes, we will describe the potential role of the attachment system, C tactile fibers, and oxytocinergic system dysfunction in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia syndrome and other central sensitivity syndromes. At the end of the article, the therapeutic implications of this new global and translational pathophysiological model will be briefly discussed.