Chenodeoxycholic acid (CA) is a naturally occurring bile acid that is produced in the liver from cholesterol. Three CA complexes using Zn(II), Mg(II), and Ca(II) ions were synthesized to examine the chelation tendencies of CA towards these metal ions. The complexation reaction of CA with the metal ions under investigation was conducted with a 1:1 molar ratio (CA to metal) at 60-70°C in natural media (pH 7-8), which consisted of a binary solvent of MeOH and H2O (1:1). The resulting CA complexes were characterized using analytical data (metal, H, C, and Cl, analysis) and spectral data (UV-visible, FT-IR, and 1H NMR) to elucidate the complexes’ structures. The results suggested that CA in anion form utilized oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group (-COO−) to capture Zn(II), Mg(II), and Ca(II) ions. This produced complexes with the general compositions of [Zn(CA)(H2O)Cl], [Mg(CA)(H2O)Cl]H2O, and [Ca(CA)(H2O)Cl]2H2O, respectively. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay was then used to explore the bioactivity of the CA complexes toward three fungal species, three Gram-positive bacteria, and two Gram-negative bacteria. The Ca(II) and Mg(II) complexes exhibited marked inhibitory effects on the cell growth of the fungal species Aspergillus niger with potency equal to 127% and 116% of the activity of the positive control, respectively. The Zn(II) and Ca(II) complexes strongly inhibited the growth of Penicillium sp., while the Zn(II) and Mg(II) complexes showed strong growth inhibition towards the Gram-negative species Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The chemical reaction between the quinolone antibiotic oxolinic acid (OA) and Fe(III), Zn(II), Ca(II), and Mg(II) ions results in the formation of metal-based complexes with the following formulas: [Fe(OA)(H2O)2Cl2]2H2O, [Zn(OA)(H2O)Cl]2H2O, [Ca(OA)(H2O)Cl], and [Mg(OA)(H2O)Cl]. We used analytical (C, N, H, Cl, metal analysis) and spectral (FT-IR, 1H NMR, UV-visible) data to structurally characterize the synthesized metal-based complexes of the OA molecule. We found that the OA molecule utilizes the two oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group and the pyridone C=O group to bind the investigated metal ions. The morphological properties of the synthesized OA complexes were assessed using X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The biological properties, specifically antibacterial and antifungal activity, of the synthesized complexes were evaluated in vitro using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion protocol with five bacterial and three fungal strains. The complex containing Ca(II) ions exhibited remarkable antibacterial and antifungal activity against all tested microbial strains, surpassing or equaling the potency of the standard drugs (streptomycin for antibacterial assays and ketoconazole for antifungal assays).

Innovation is rapidly growing and affecting various industries, including hydrocarbon processing. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive and organized review of the literature on innovation ecosystems and their performance. It will examine existing definitions of innovation ecosystems and related concepts and identify metrics and indicators for measuring innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The term "innovation ecosystem" has gained considerable attention from scholars and practitioners over the past fifteen years. Despite the proliferation of research in this area, there are concerns about its fragmented knowledge base. While previous reviews have highlighted the theoretical connections between innovation ecosystems and related concepts, there is still a need for a more comprehensive understanding of the current state of innovation ecosystem research. The study used a systematic literature review approach that combines bibliographic coupling and content analysis methods, drawing on over 100 studies to identify five streams of current innovation ecosystem research: technology innovation, platform innovation ecosystems, regional development, innovation ecosystem conceptualization and theorization, and entrepreneurship and innovation. The study's contribution lies in decoding the intellectual structure of current innovation ecosystem research and providing targeted recommendations for future research.

To develop a lower-cost, excellent performance, and environmentally friendly phe-nol-formaldehyde (PF) resin, soybean meal was used to modify PF resin, and soybean meal-phenol-formaldehyde (SMPF) resins were prepared. Their physicochemical properties and curing performance were investigated, showing that SMPF resins have higher curing tempera-tures than PF resin. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results indicated that the cross-linking reaction occurred between the amino groups of soybean protein and the hy-droxymethyl phenol. Moreover, with the addition of soybean meal, the viscosity of SMPF in-creased while the gel time decreased. It is worth mentioning that SMPF-2 resin has favorable viscosity, short gel time, low curing temperature (135.78 °C), and high water resistance and bonding strength (1.01 MPa). Finally, all the plywoods bonded with SMPF resins have good water resistance and bonding strength, which could meet the Standard (GB/T 17657-2013, type I) for plywood. The optimized SMPF resins showed the potential application to replace part of PF resin in the wood industry.

Hemorrhage is a detrimental event present in traumatic injury, surgery, and disorders of bleeding, that can become life-threatening if not properly managed. Moreover, uncontrolled bleeding can complicate surgical interventions, altering the outcome of surgical procedures. Therefore, to reduce the risk of complications and decrease the risk of morbidity and mortality associated with hemorrhage, it is necessary to use an effective hemostatic agent that ensures immediate control of bleeding. In recent years, there have been increasingly rapid advances in developing novel generation of biomaterials with hemostatic properties. Nowadays, a wide array of topical hemostatic agents is available, including chitosan-based biomaterials that have shown outstanding properties such as: antibacterial, antifungal, hemostatic, analgesic activity, in addition to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and wound-healing effects. This review provides an analysis of chitosan-based hemostatic and discusses the progress made in their performance, mechanism of action, efficacy, cost, and safety in recent years.

The use of intelligent sensor-based packaging in food products provide quick evaluation of the quaility of the food. This study was done to develop bio-based color sensor from surimi-based color sensor incorporated with sappan wood extract (SWE) for smart food packaging. The SWE with different concentration (0.15%, 0.25%, and 0.35%) was incorporated to the myofibrillar protein-based edible film. The sappan wood-surimi edible film (SSEF) was subjected to physical properties analysis and the color changes at different pH values and soaking time at different condition were evaluated. Based on the results, different concentration of the SWE significantly (p<0.05) affected the physical properties of the film. With the increasing of pH values, the darkness, redness, and blueness of the film was increased. Based on the evaluation of the SSEF with different soaking condition, the color changes of the film in acidic condition were more stable than in neutral and alkaline condition. The results from this study showed that SSEF have the possibilities to be used as a smart food packaging possessing the capabilities to act as color sensor due to its sensitivity to the changes in pH condition of the product.

The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) overexpression or its mutation mediates the sustaining proliferative signaling in cancers. Human EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy such as cetuximab has been approved for clinical use in patients with colorectal cancers and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. A reliable preclinical mouse model is essential to further develop the mAb therapy against EGFR. However, a mAb against mouse EGFR (mEGFR) for flow cytometry has not been established. In this study, we developed a specific and sensitive mAb for mEGFR using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening (CBIS) method. The established anti-mEGFR mAb, EMab-300 (rat IgG1, kappa) reacted with mEGFR-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO/mEGFR) and endogenously mEGFR-expressed cell lines, including NMuMG (a mouse mammary gland epithelial cell) and Lewis lung carcinoma cells by flow cytometry. The kinetic analysis using flow cytometry indicated that the dissociation constant (KD) of EMab-300 for CHO/mEGFR and NMuMG was 4.3 × 10−8 M and 1.9 × 10−8 M, respectively. These results indicated that EMab-300 applies to the detection of mEGFR by flow cytometry, and is expected in the use of preclinical study.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a blood cancer that primarily affects children but also adults. It is due to the malignant proliferation of lymphoid precursor cells that invade the bone marrow and can spread to extramedullary sites. ALL is divided into B cell (85%) and T cell lineages (10 to 15%); rare cases are associated with the natural killer (NK) cell lineage (<1%). To date, the survival rate in children with ALL is excellent while in adults continues to be poor. Despite the therapeutic progress, there are subsets of patients that still have high relapse rates after chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and an unsatisfactory cure rate. Hence, the identification of more effective and safer therapy choices represents a primary issue. In this review, we will discuss novel therapeutic options including bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates,chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based therapies, and other promising treatments for both pediatric and adult patients.

Cost-effective community engagement is needed to address causes of mental illness related to social issues (i.e. isolation, stigma and lack of purpose) that are typically outside the scope of healthcare. This pilot study evaluated the relationship between clinical healthcare resources and a community-based social engagement organization in a medium-sized community in the midwestern US. Analyses were based on a retrospective longitudinal comparison of clinical visit frequency from two cohorts that joined the Momentum Center for Social Engagement (MC) and either frequently participated (Engaged; n = 9) or had extenuating circumstances limiting participation (Non-engaged; n = 3). The frequency of >1800 visits to the member’s primary mental healthcare provider were compared during the period from November 2016 - May 2021. Engaged MC members reduced frequency of regular visits to their primary mental healthcare provider by 50%, while Non-engaged MC members maintained clinical visit frequency. The financial value of reduced healthcare visits and associated wellbeing improvements was estimated to be $1.0 million, 95% CI: [$0.6-1.4 million], or roughly four times the budget received by the MC from the healthcare provider. Thus, the MC appears to be a valuable approach to improving mental health in conjunction with existing community healthcare services. Clinical implications include considering the unique MC-style community-based support as a component of practice.

Even after debridement and chemical root canal preparation, multispecies bacterial biofilms can still be found in root canals and dentinal tubules. This demonstrates the necessity of using suitable antibacterial endodontic sealers. Due to their well-known biological qualities, calcium silicate based root canal sealers or “bioceramic’ sealers have recently been launched and can be successful in endodontic procedures. This study's objective was to compare the impact of CerasealR, Total Fill BC SealerR, Bio-C SealerR, AH Plus BioceramicR, K-biocerR and SealiteR on the elimination of a multispecies’ endodontic biofilm at 3, 7 and 14 days. Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Candida Albicans and Proteus Mirabilis were cultured on specific agars and later grown in Brain Heart Infusion broth on hydroxyapatite discs pretreated with collagen type 1 and incubated for 18 days. The resulting biofilm was then placed on a 10mm round shaped blotting paper set on a metallic net in a 6cm petri dish with an orthodontic bend filled with the calcium silicate based root canal sealer in direct contact with the biofilm. In all tested groups, the total bacterial count has significantly decreased between day 3 and day 14 (P<0.05) with no statistically significant differences among the different sealers’ groups at all time points. Sealite group was capable of decreasing the Candida Albicans count significantly between day 3 and day 14 (P<0.05) in comparison with the bioceramic groups. All sealers had antibacterial activity against the multispecies biofilm between day 3 and day 14.

Background: Community-based medical education (CBME) is an essential component of medical education, where primary healthcare physicians (PHPs) play a crucial role. This study explores PHPs' awareness and engagement in CBME and investigates the factors influencing their participation. Methods: This mixed study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a qual-itative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with PHPs, and thematic analysis related to their awareness and engagement in CBME. In the second phase, a quantitative survey was conducted among 72 PHPs pre- and post-training programs. Results: Primary healthcare physicians had a positive attitude toward community-based medical education. The participants have an acceptable level of awareness and engagement, which increased substantially (p-value = 0.03) and (p-value = 0.003), respectively. Logistic analysis indicated that non-Saudi physicians were likelier to participate in the CBME (p-value=0.001). Professions and academic experiences influence their willingness and engagement to participate in CBME (OR= 7.5, p-value=0.001) and (OR=0.21, p-value=0.001), respectively. Conclusion: The study findings highlighted the importance of increased awareness and the factors that enhance PHPs' engagement in CBME. This positive perspective of the PHPs helps build effective partnerships and facilitates the extension of the curriculum to apply CBME.

The high penetration of intermittence resources in the energy market accelerates significantly the decarbonization process but, on the other hand, the electrical system has to face the problem of unbalances. Renewable Energies Sources (RES) are hard to precisely forecast, and power plants are not able to predict the amount of energy that they can provide far from the real time delivery. In this frame, the intraday market gets a fundamental role allowing agents to adjust their position close to the delivery time. In this work we suggest an agent-based model of intraday market combined with genetics algorithms to understand what the best strategy could be adopted by players in order to optimize the market efficiency in terms of welfare and unsold quantity. In the first part we show the effect on the market prices of different scenarios in which players aim at maximizing their revenues and selling/buying all their volumes. In the second part we show the effect of a particular genetic algorithm on the model, focusing on how agents can adapt their strategy to enhance the market efficiency. Comparative analyses are also performed to investigate how the welfare of the system increases as well as the unsold quantity decrease when genetic algorithm is introduced

This study aimed at assessing the extent to which the Saudi general population has embraced digital health medical applications to meet their health-related needs so that the Saudi Ministry of Health and government can appropriately be guided on scaling up of digital health across the country. As such, this study was guided by the question of to what extent do the Saudi people use digital health mobile-based applications?. This was a cross-sectional study utilizing snowballing sampling approach. Frequencies, Chi-square, and Spearman rank correlation statistics were used to offer descriptive and inferential analysis of the variables. The majority of the participants were economically able to afford smart devices that have medical apps, had at least an app on such devices, and highly regarded the benefits of the apps. Unfortunately, their understanding of how to use such apps was limited and this posed a barrier to embracing digital health alongside difficulty downloading apps, and medical ethical concerns. Although there is a willingness, extra effort is needed from the Saudi Ministry of Health and government to promote the uptake of digital health in Saudi Arabia.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death, and latest predictions indicate that cancer- related deaths will increase over the next few decades. Despite significant advances in conventional therapies, treatments remain far from ideal due to limitations such as lack of selectivity, non-specific distribution, and multidrug resistance. Current research is focusing on the development of several strategies to improve the efficiency of chemotherapeutic agents and, as a result, overcome the conventional therapies challenges. In this regard, combined therapy with natural compounds and other therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutics or nucleic acids, has recently emerged as a new strategy for tackling the drawbacks of conventional therapies. Taking this strategy into consideration, the co-delivery of the above-mentioned agents in lipid-based nanocarriers provide some advantages by improving the potential of the therapeutic agents carried. This review encompassed different strategies associated with combined therapy, at the same time highlighting the most recent advances and outstanding advantages of lipid-based nanocarriers for achieving a promising combination therapy that may overcome cancer treatment challenges.

Lactobacillus plantarum has been observed to play a crucial role in shaping the sensory properties of chili sauce. However, the specific taste-active metabolites responsible for the desirable flavor profile of chili sauce remain inadequately characterized. This study employed a combination of metabolomics and web-based computational tools analysis to investigate the dynamic changes in taste-active metabolites during chili sauce fermentation. Initially, metabolites were rapidly annotated using a feature-based molecular network, leading to the tentative annotation of 206 metabolites, of which a significant proportion had not been previously reported. Subsequently, the VirtualTaste tool identified dihydrosphingosine, lactic acid, isoleucine, phytosphingosine, and gluconic acid as potential taste markers for quality control. Finally, pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these components were primarily associated with amino acid tRNA, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, as well as sphingolipid metabolism. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the formation of the distinctive flavor of chili sauce.

Due to its built-up chemoresistance after prolonged usage, the demand for replacing platinum in metal-based drugs (MBD) is rising. The first MBD approved by the FDA for cancer therapy was cisplatin in 1978. Even after nearly four and a half decades of trials, there has been no significant improvement in osteosarcoma (OS) therapy. In fact, many MBD have been developed, but the chemoresistance problem raised by platinum remains unresolved. This motivates us to elucidate the possibilities of the copper and zinc (CuZn) combination to replace platinum in MBD. Thus, the anti-chemoresistance properties of CuZn and their physiological functions for OS therapy are highlighted. Herein, we summarise their chelators, main organic solvents, and ligand functions in their structures that are involved in anti-chemoresistance properties. Through this review, it is rational to discuss their ligands’ roles as biosensors in drug delivery systems. Hereafter, an in-depth understanding of their redox and photoactive function relationships is provided. The disadvantage is that the other functions of biosensors cannot be elaborated on here. As a result, this review is being developed, which is expected to intensify OS drugs with higher cure rates. Nonetheless, this advancement intends to solve the major chemoresistance obstacle towards clinical efficacy.

Low-dimensional carbon-based (LDC) materials have attracted extensive research attentions in electrocatalysis because of their unique advantages such as structural diversity, low cost, and chemical tolerance. They have been widely used in a broad range of electrochemical reactions to relief environmental pollution and energy crisis. Typical examples include hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR), and nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Traditional “trial and error” strategies seriously slowed down the rational design of electrocatalysts for these important applications. Recent studies show that the combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental research is capable of accurately predicting the structures of electrocatalysts, thus could reveal the catalytic mechanisms. Herein, current well-recognized collaboration methods of theory and practice are reviewed. The history of modern DFT, commonly used calculation methods, and basic functionals are briefly summarized. Special attention is paid to descriptors that are widely accepted as a bridge links the structure and activity, and the breakthroughs for high-volume accurate prediction of electrocatalysts. Importantly, correlating multiple descriptors are used to systematically describe the complicated interfacial electrocatalytic processes of LDC catalysts. In addition, machine learning and high-throughput simulations are crucial in assisting the discovery of new multiple descriptors and reaction mechanisms. This review will guide the further development of LDC electrocatalysts for extended applications from the aspect of DFT computations.

Read-Across Structure-Activity Relationship (RASAR) is an emerging cheminformatic approach that combines the usefulness of a QSAR model and similarity-based Read-Across predictions. In this work, we have generated a simple, interpretable, and transferable quantitative-RASAR (q-RASAR) model which can efficiently predict the cytotoxicity of TiO2-based multi-component nanomaterials. The data set involves 29 TiO2-based nanomaterials which contain specific amounts of noble metal precursors in the form of Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt. The data set was rationally divided into training and test sets and the Read-Across-based predictions for the test set were generated using the tool Read-Across-v4.1 available from https://sites.google.com/jadavpuruniversity.in/dtc-lab-software/home. The hyperparameters were optimized based on the training set data and using this optimized setting, the Read-Across-based predictions for the test set were obtained. The optimized hyperparameters and the similarity approach, which yields the best predictions, were used to calculate the similarity and error-based RASAR descriptors using the tool RASAR-Desc-Calc-v2.0 available from https://sites.google.com/jadavpuruniversity.in/dtc-lab-software/home. These RASAR descriptors were then clubbed with the physicochemical descriptors and were subjected to features selection using the tool Best Subset Selection v2.1 available from https://dtclab.webs.com/software-tools. The final set of selected descriptors was used to develop multiple linear regression based q-RASAR models, which were validated using stringent criteria as per the OECD guidelines. Finally, a random forest model was also developed with the selected descriptors. The final machine learning model can efficiently predict the cytotoxicity of TiO2-based multi-component nanomaterials superseding previously reported models in the prediction quality.

The discovery of first ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, whose overexpression in cancer cells is responsible for exporting anticancer drugs out of tumor cells, initiated enormous efforts to overcome tumor cell multidrug resistance (MDR) by inhibition of ABC-transporter. Because of its many physiological functions, diverse studies have been conducted on the mechanism, function and regulation of this important group of transmembrane transport proteins. In this review, we will focus on the structural aspects of this transporter superfamily. Since the resolution revolution of electron microscope, experimentally solved structures increased rapidly. A summary of the structures available and an overview of recent structure-based studies are provided. More specifically, the artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictions from AlphaFold 2 will be discussed.

Tropical cyclones devastate large areas, take numerous lives and damage extensive property in Bangladesh. Research on landfalling tropical cyclones affecting Bangladesh has primarily focused on events occurring since AD1960 with limited work examining earlier historical records. We rectify this gap by developing a new tornado catalogue that include present and past records of tornados across Bangladesh maximizing use of available sources. Within this new tornado database, 119 records were captured starting from 1838 till 2020 causing 8,735 deaths and 97,868 injuries leaving more than 1,02,776 people affected in total. Moreover, using this new tornado data, we developed an end-to-end system that allows a user to explore and analyze the full range of tornado data on multiple scenarios. The user of this new system can select a date range or search a particular location, and then, all the tornado information along with Artificial Intelligence (AI) based insights within that selected scope would be dynamically presented in a range of devices including iOS, Android, and Windows. Using a set of interactive maps, charts, graphs, and visualizations the user would have a comprehensive understanding of the historical records of Tornados, Cyclones and associated landfalls with detailed data distributions and statistics.

Multicomponent reactions (MCR) have been used to synthesis a wide range of analogs from several classes of heterocyclic compounds, with multifaceted medicinal uses. The synthesis of highly functionalized molecules in a single pot is a unique property of MCR, allowing researchers to quickly assemble libraries of compounds of biological interest and uncover novel leads as possible therapeutic agents. Isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions have proven to be extremely effective at swiftly specifying members of compound libraries, particularly in discovery of drug . The understanding of structure-activity correlations that drive the development of new goods and technology, requires structural variety in these libraries. In current world, antibiotic resistance is a major ongoing problem which is developing a problematic scenario in public health. The implementation of isocyanide based multicomponent reactions uphold a significant potential in this regard. By utilizing such reactions, new antimicrobial compounds can be discovered and fight against such concerns. This study discusses recent developments in antimicrobial medication discovery using isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (IMCRs). Furthermore, the article emphasizes the potential of IMCRs in the near future.

In horses, there is an increasing interest in developing long-lasting drug formulations, with bi-opolymers as viable carrier alternatives in addition to their use as scaffolds, suture threads, screws, pins, and plates for orthopedic surgeries. This communication focuses on the prolonged biocompatibility and biodegradation of PLA, prepared by hot pressing at 180 ºC. Six samples were implanted subcutaneously on the lateral surface of the neck of one horse. The polymers remained implanted for 24 to 57 weeks. Physical examination, plasma fibrinogen, and the mechanical noci-ceptive threshold (MNT) were performed. After 24, 28, 34, 38, and 57 weeks, the materials were removed for histochemical analysis using hematoxylin-eosin and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There were no essential clinical changes. MNT decreased after the implantation procedure, returning to normal after 48h. A foreign body response was observed by histopathologic evalua-tion up to 38 weeks. At 57 weeks, no polymer or fibrotic capsules were identified. SEM showed surface roughness suggesting a biodegradation process, with an increase in the average pore di-ameter. As in the histopathological evaluation, it was not possible to detect the polymer 57 weeks after implantation. PLA showed biocompatible degradation and these findings may contribute to future research in the biomedical area.

Globally, sacred groves represent a traditional form of community-based conservation system, recognized for their capacity to preserve areas that are of cultural and religious importance to local people. In most cases, the entire community takes on a watchdog role to guard against encroachment and unauthorized access either by its members or outsiders who might desecrate such sites. Our paper investigates the effects of different governance arrangements on three sacred groves in southwest Nigeria⎯Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove (UNESCO World Heritage Site); Idanre Hills (Nigerian National Monument) and Igbo-Olodumare (local cultural site)⎯on their socio-economic and religio-cultural benefits and contribution to biodiversity conservation. Using a mixed-methods design of a semi-structured questionnaire (n=167), key informant interviews (n=2), and focus groups (n=7), we collected data from local community members, traditional priests, sacred grove devotees and tourism officials. We found that customary institutions have guided reverence for sacralized spaces and wise utilization of their unique resources. The growing recognition of sacred groves has paved the way for socioeconomic rewards for individuals and government as cultural tourism increases. We found that the involvement of formal institutions alongside customary institutions in sacred grove management reinforces compliance with conservation laws within the sacred groves, especially where traditional norms are weak or may be disregarded. We discuss the implications of these observations and offer suggestions to improve community engagement, uphold traditional ecological knowledge, and develop ecotourism within the groves. We conclude that the co-existence of community-based conservation through a system of established traditional norms and prohibitions as well as formal government legislation and management, offers assurance for the long-term preservation of sacred groves and their biodiversity.

Introduction: Dementia is a cognitive decline with patients often exhibit behavioural and psychological symptoms, severely affecting the quality of life and placing a heavy burden on caregivers. Acupressure has reported benefits for dementia. This study aims to critically review the available evidence for its use as a non-pharmacological therapy. Methods: Systematic search of major research databases for human clinical trials using acupressure as an intervention for dementia patients was conducted. Results were synthesised for the effects of acupressure on various outcome measures of interest for dementia.Results: Twelve clinical trials (N=973), including eight randomised control studies, were included in this review. The study sample was predominantly institutionalised residents with moderate to severe dementia. Baihui (GV20), Shenmen (HT7), Fengchi (GB20), Neiguan (PC6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Yingtang (EX-HN3) were the most used acupoints for intervention. Acupressure techniques employed in these clinical trials vary greatly with no standardised approach. This review finds inconsistent evidence in the effectiveness of acupressure in reducing agitation and behavioural disturbances. However, the treatment appears to improve their ease of care and reduce physical stress. Affixing acupressure devices on selected acupoints can also potentially improve psychiatric pain, anxiety, and depression. Long-term (6 months) treatment can potentially improve the cognitive function, activities of daily living, and quality of life of patients with mild to moderate dementia. The effect of acupressure on sleep disturbances remains unclear. Conclusion: More high-quality research on acupressure is needed to fill the gaps in knowledge and inform better care for dementia patients in the future.

Increasing the metacognitive abilities of chemistry students is an indisputable output of the teaching and learning process today. Collaborative problem based learning is a learning method that has been tested and proven to be applied, especially in Western countries in increasing the metacognitive abilities of students, but it is still very minimal applied in Asian countries, including Indonesia. Thus, this study was conducted to explore previous studies that examined collaborative problem-based learning in improving students' metacognitive abilities. The research design used in this study is a Systematic Literature Review with the requirements of the inclusion of articles on collaborative problem-based learning in improving the metacognitive abilities of chemistry students, accredited national and international publications between 2010 and 2020, full text, journal articles, and open access. The results of the exploration that were carried out found 102 articles, then the title and abstract were read into 20 articles, and 4 articles were read in full, which fulfilled all the stipulated inclusion requirements. The results of the systematic literature review conducted in this study provide empirical evidence of literacy that problem based learning improves the metacognitive abilities of chemistry students. However, most of research conducted still uses various instruments, which are not standardized and validated.

This study explores the impact of the ‘pre-intervention effects’ of a community-based interventions. This refers to participatory research processes and parallel publicity in the media on changes in alcohol use and relevant mechanisms (rules and norms about alcohol, accessibility of alcohol in a formal setting) among adolescents before any intervention is implemented. In a quasi-experimental study, adolescent data were collected twice by means of self-report among adolescents living in two municipalities (control and experimental condition). Regression analysis showed pre-intervention main effects on adolescents’ perceived accessibility of alcohol in a formal setting. Moreover, among adolescents aged 15 years and older, the normative decline in strictness of rules and norms was less steep in the experimental condition compared to the control condition. Also, adolescents aged 14 years and younger in the experimental condition reported more weekly drinking compared to their peers in the control condition. No differential effects across gender were found. To conclude, applying a co-creational approach in the development of an intervention, not only contributes to more effective interventions in the end, but involvement of and discussions in the community at the start of intervention planning are contributing to changes in targeted factors. This implies that public discussions about the development of intervention strategies should be considered as an essential feature of co-creation in community-based interventions.

Vehicle driveability is one of the important vehicle attributes in range-extender electric vehicles due to the electric motor torque characteristics at low-speed events. The process of validating and rectifying vehicle driveability attributes is typically utilised by a physical vehicle prototype that can be expensive and required several design iterations. In this paper, a model-based energy method to assess vehicle driveability is presented based on a high-fidelity 49 degree-of-freedom powertrain and vehicle systems. Multibody dynamics components were built according to their true centre of gravity relative to the vehicle datum for providing an accurate system interaction. The work covered a frequency at less than 20 Hz. The results that consisted of the component frequency domination are structured and examined to identify the low-frequency sensitivity based on different operating parameters such as a road surface coefficient. An energy path technique was also implemented on the dominant component by decoupling its compliances to study the effect on the vehicle driveability and low-frequency response. The outcomes of the research provided a good understanding of the interaction across the sub-systems levels. The powertrain rubber mounts were the dominant components that controlled the low-frequency contents (< 15.33 Hz) and can change the vehicle driveability quality.

Carbon sequestration via carbon capture and storage (CCS) method is one of the most useful methods to lower the CO₂ emission in the atmosphere. Ethylenediamine (EDA) and triethylenetetramine (TETA) modified mesoporous carbon (MC) has been successfully prepared as CO₂ storage materials. The effect of various concentrations of EDA or TETA added to MC as well as activated carbon (AC) on their CO₂ adsorption capacity were investigated using high purity CO₂ as feed and titration method to quantitatively measure the amount of adsorbed CO₂. The results showed that within 60 min adsorption time, MCEDA49 gave the highest CO₂ capacity adsorption (19.68 mmol/g), followed by MC-TETA30 (11.241 mol/g). The improvement of CO₂ adsorption capacity at low TETA loadings proved that the four amine functional groups in TETA gave advantages to CO₂ adsorption. TETA functionalized MC has a potential to be used as CO₂ storage materials as it is used at low concentration. Therefore, it is more benign and friendly to the environment.

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are the glial cells that accompany axons from the olfactory epithelium to their targets in the olfactory bulb. They possess unique features that have made them the subject of much study as being potentially useful in cell-based therapeutic approaches to CNS repair. Investigation of OECs has demonstrated antigenic and morphological heterogeneity in their population. No marker specific to and selective for OECs have yet been identified, and many of the markers used are variably expressed by other glial cells. Even among OECs, these markers appear to vary in vivo (depending on their anatomical location, contact with other cells, and developmental timing) and in vitro. The variation across the population of OECs has compromised their isolation and characterization. It has also made the task of identifying meaningful subpopulations - with greater or lesser therapeutic utility - dependent on identifying the source of their variability. Such information would aid in both the harvest and experimental manipulation of OECs to optimize their therapeutic effect. One way to understand the nature of this variability is to seek its potential causes in vivo. This must begin with an examination of the structure of the olfactory nerve. Here, the structure and development of the primary olfactory projection are thoroughly reviewed with an emphasis on OECs and the cells with which they make contact. The relevant experimental results are also discussed. The weight of anatomical evidence indicates that the structural variations described in different locations and across species are mostly the result of spatiotemporal developmental factors. As such, the formation of the olfactory projection is mediated primarily by the source tissue, the olfactory epithelium. Cell-autonomous development is common elsewhere, and suits the evolutionary age and importance of olfaction, as well as its continued regenerative capacity. Our findings provide a more systematic anatomical understanding of this nerve. That understanding indicates that variation in axon ensheathment by OECs is an inherent feature arising from the flexibility of the ensheathing program. This perspective, along with the anatomical data reviewed here, can inform more carefully controlled laboratory investigations designed to uncover the detailed mechanisms governing OEC biology.

Quantification of physical activity (PA) depends on the type of measurement and analysis method making it difficult to compare adherence to PA guidelines. Therefore, test-retest reliability, criterion validity, and stability for self-reported (i.e. questionnaire and diary) and device-based measured (i.e. accelerometry with 10/60 second epochs) PA was compared in 32 adults and 32 children from the SMARTFAMILY study to examine if differences in these measurement tools are systematic. PA was collected during two separate measurement weeks and the relationship for each quality criteria was analyzed using Spearman correlation. Results showed the highest PA values for questionnaires followed by 10-second and 60-second epochs measured by accelerometers. Levels of PA were lowest when measured by diary. Only accelerometry demonstrated reliable, valid, and stable results for the two measurement weeks, the questionnaire yielded mixed results and the diary showed only few significant correlations. Overall, higher correlations for the quality criteria were found for moderate than for vigorous PA and the results differed between children and adults. Since the differences were not found to be systematic, the choice of measurement tools should be carefully considered by anyone working with PA outcomes, especially if vigorous PA is the parameter of interest.

: The significance of heating load (HL) accurate approximation is the primary motivation of this research to distinguish the most efficient predictive model among several neural-metaheuristic models. The proposed models are through synthesizing multi-layer perceptron network (MLP) with ant lion optimization (ALO), biogeography-based optimization (BBO), dragonfly algorithm (DA), evolutionary strategy (ES), invasive weed optimization (IWO), and league champion optimization (LCA) hybrid algorithms. Each ensemble is optimized in terms of the operating population. Accordingly, the ALO-MLP, BBO-MLP, DA-MLP, ES-MLP, IWO-MLP, and LCA-MLP presented their best performance for population sizes of 350, 400, 200, 500, 50, and 300, respectively. The comparison was carried out by implementing a ranking system. Based on the obtained overall scores (OSs), the BBO (OS = 36) featured as the most capable optimization technique, followed by ALO (OS = 27) and ES (OS = 20). Due to the efficient performance of these algorithms, the corresponding MLPs can be promising substitutes for traditional methods used for HL analysis.

At container terminals, many cargo handling processes are interconnected and take place in parallel. Within short time windows, many operational decisions need to be taken considering both time and equipment efficiency. During operation, many sources for disturbance exist. These are the reason why perfectly coordinated processes are possibly unraveled. An approach that considers disturbance factors while optimizing a given objective is simulation-based optimization. This study analyses simulation-based optimization as a procedure to simultaneously scale the number of utilized equipment and to adjust the choice and tuning of operational policies. The four meta-heuristics Tree-structured Parzen Estimator, Bayesian Optimization, Simulated Annealing, and Random Search guide the simulation-based optimization process. The results show that simulation-based optimization is suitable to identify the amount of required equipment and well-performing policies. Thereby, there is no clear ranking which of the meta-heuristics finds the best approximation of the optimum. The approximated optima suggest that pooling terminal trucks as well as a yard block assignment close to the quay crane is preferable. With an increasing number of quay cranes, the number of optimal terminal trucks for each quay crane decreases as well as the range of truck utilization within one experiment.

Cyber-Physical Systems form the new backbone of digital ecosystems. Their design can be coupled with engineering activities to facilitate dynamic adaptation and (re-)configuration. Behavior-oriented technologies enable highly distributed and while coupled operation of systems. Utilizing them for digital twins as self-contained design entities with federation capabilities makes them promising candidates to develop and run highly functional CPS. In this paper we discuss mapping CPS components to behavior-based digital twin constituents mirroring integration and implementation through subject-oriented models. These models, inspired by agent-oriented system thinking can be executed and increase transparency at design and runtime. Patterns recognizing environmental factors and operation details facilitate configuration of CPS. Subject-oriented runtime support enable dynamic adaptation and federated use.

After 40 years of the discovery of metallocene catalysts, there are still several aspects that remain unresolved, especially when the “conventional” alkylaluminum activators are not used. Herein, we systematically investigate the synthesis of PE via three different zirconocene catalysts, with different alkyl substituents, activated via different organoboron compounds. The polymerization behavior, as well as the properties of the materials, are evaluated. The results demonstrate that the highest catalytic activity is shown by Bis(cyclopentadienyl)dimethylzirconium activated by trityl tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate. Also finding that toluene is the optimum solvent for these systems and at these reaction conditions. Moreover, to validate our experimental results, a comprehensive mathematical model is developed on the basis of thermodynamic and kinetic principles. The concentration of ethylene transferred to the solvent phase (toluene) in a liquid-vapor equilibrium (LVE) system is estimated based on the Duhem’s theorem. Arrhenius expressions for the kinetic rate constants of a proposed kinetic mechanism are estimated by a kinetic model, in which the rate of polymerization is fitted by a least-square optimization procedure and the molecular weight averages by the method of moments. The simulations of the coordination polymerization suggest the presence of two types of active sites, principally at low temperatures, and the reactivation of the deactivated sites via a boron-based activator. However, the effect of the temperature on the reactivation step is no clear; a deeper understanding via designed experiments is required.

The paper is to examine the influence of business innovation, business expansion, product and service development, working capital, machinery and equipment on financing choices in the western part of Nigeria. To determine the effect on financing choices, a logistic regression analysis was used. The results in an impressive manner indicate that entrepreneur, essentially with working capital (WC), machinery and equipment (ME) requirement and business innovation (BI) used internal funding sources while business expansion (BE) and product and service development (PS) lean toward external funding sources and the more established and larger firm utilizes debt financing. The approach and the experiential findings offer an unprecedented degree of investigation from an academic point of view through the previous study on Nigeria entrepreneur. Similarly, the experimental results will strengthen the entrepreneur's knowledge, awareness and perception. Through the capabilities of the entrepreneurs, they can prepare and adapt in accordance with the business condition they conduct business and to help them in their choice procedure regarding the capital structure of their organization in the midst of an interval when the fuss of entrepreneur funding is gradually elicited in the Nigerian climate.

Nanoparticle (NP) transport is increasingly relevant to subsurface engineering applications such as aquifer characterization, fracture electromagnetic imaging and environmental remediation. An efficient field-scale simulation framework is critical for predicting NP performance and designing subsurface applications. In this work, for the first time, a streamline-based model is presented to simulate NP transport in field-scale subsurface systems. It considers a series of behaviors exhibited by engineered nanoparticles (NPs), including time-triggered encapsulation, retention, formation damage effects and variable nanofluid viscosity. The key methods employed by the algorithm are streamline-based simulation (SLS) and an operator-splitting (OS) technique for modeling NP transport. SLS has proven to be efficient for solving transport in large and heterogeneous systems, where the pressure and velocity fields are firstly solved on underlying grids using finite-difference (FD) methods. After tracing streamlines, one-dimensional (1D) NP transport is solved independently along each streamline. The adoption of OS enhances flexibility for the entire solution procedure by allowing different numerical schemes to solve different governing equations efficiently and accurately. For the NP transport model, an explicit FD scheme is used to solve the advection term, an implicit FD scheme is used for the diffusion term and an adaptive numerical integration is used to solve the retention terms. The model is implemented in an in-house streamline-based code, which is verified against analytical solutions, a commercial FD reservoir simulator (ECLIPSE) and an academic FD colloid transport code (MNMs). For a 1D homogeneous case, the effluent breakthrough curves (BTC) produced by the in-house simulator are in good agreement with the analytical solution and MNMs, respectively. For a two-dimensional (2D) heterogeneous case, the BTC and concentration pattern of the in-house simulator all match well with the solution produced by commercial simulator. Simulations on a synthetic three-dimensional (3D) nanocapsule application engineering design case, are performed to investigate the effect of fluid and NP properties on the displacement pattern of an existing subsurface fluid.

In this changing world, we all are surrounded by the surmountable risk of getting injured. Amongst various risk factors, major burns are the most distressing and catastrophic. Burn wounds are not easy to heal via natural healing process and ultimately ended up with scar formation. If the degree of burn is high then the loss of tissue and its function is very common. To fasten-up the natural burn wound healing; zinc, an essential trace element is found to be very much effective. But due to its’ particle size limitation, less contact with wounded cells and tissues, and high inherent toxicity restrict its use. Needlessly, zinc is an element with dual action i.e. both antimicrobial and wound healing it is a prime choice to apply its aptitude in burn wound healing. To overcome the documented limitations zinc has converted to nanoparticle form. Zinc oxide nanoparticles, in particular, have attained ample of interest due to their unique properties and potential antimicrobial activity along with wound healing activity which makes it promising for the healing of topical burn wounds. Plant mediated green synthesis of nano-metal oxide particles is gaining a lot of significance due to its simplicity, eco-friendliness and extensive antimicrobial activity and recommended as an appealing substitute to not only physical methods but also chemical methods avoiding the use of the high rate of toxic chemicals and extreme surroundings. This study includes ZnO NPs role in burn wound healing with Phyto-mediated synthesis methods to provide evidence of their potential applications. Additionally, it provides an overview of traditional methods used for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and characterization techniques to obtain information concerning the size, shape and optical properties along with toxicity and safety concern of ZnO NPs and its biomedical applications.

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) has been adopted as a feasible technique to digitize trees and forest stands, providing accurate information on tree and forest structural attributes. However, there is limited understanding on how a variety of forest structural changes can be quantified using TLS in boreal forest conditions. In this study, we assessed the accuracy and feasibility of TLS in quantifying changes in the structure of boreal forests. We collected TLS data and field reference from 37 sample plots in 2014 (T1) and 2019 (T2). Tree stems typically have planar, vertical, and cylindrical characteristics in a point cloud, and thus we applied surface normal filtering, point cloud clustering, and RANSAC-cylinder filtering to identify these geometries and to characterize trees and forest stands at both time points. The results strengthened the existing knowledge that TLS has the capacity to characterize trees and forest stands in space and showed that TLS could characterize structural changes in time in boreal forest conditions. Root-mean-square-errors (RMSEs) in the estimates for changes in the tree attributes were 0.99-1.22 cm for diameter at breast height (Δdbh), 44.14-55.49 cm2 for basal area (Δg), and 1.91-4.85 m for tree height (Δh). In general, tree attributes were estimated more accurately for Scots pine trees, followed by Norway spruce and broadleaved trees. At the forest stand level, an RMSE of 0.60-1.13 cm was recorded for changes in basal area-weighted mean diameter (ΔDg), 0.81-2.26 m for changes in basal area-weighted mean height (ΔHg), 1.40-2.34 m2/ha for changes in mean basal area (ΔG), and 74-193 n/ha for changes in the number of trees per hectare (ΔTPH). The plot-level accuracy was higher in Scots pine-dominated sample plots than in Norway spruce-dominated and mixed-species sample plots. TLS-derived tree and forest structural attributes at time points T1 and T2 differed significantly from each other (p < 0.05). If there was an increase or decrease in dbh, g, h, height of the crown base, crown ratio, Dg, Hg, or G recorded in the field, a similar outcome was achieved by using TLS. Our results provided new information on the feasibility of TLS for the purposes of forest ecosystem growth monitoring.

The growth and dynamics of multicellular tissues involve tightly regulated and coordinated morphogenetic cell behaviours, such as shape changes, movement, and division, which are governed by subcellular machinery and involve coupling through short- and long-range signals. A key challenge in the fields of developmental biology, tissue engineering and regeneration is to understand how relationships between scales produce emergent tissue-scale behaviours. Recent advances in molecular biology, live-imaging and ex vivo techniques have revolutionised our ability to study these processes experimentally. To fully leverage these techniques and obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the causal relationships underlying tissue dynamics, computational modelling approaches are increasingly spanning multiple spatial and temporal scales, and are coupling cell shape, growth, mechanics and signalling. Yet such models remain technically challenging: modelling at each scale requires different areas of technical skills, while integration across scales necessitates the solution to novel mathematical and computational problems. This review aims to summarise recent progress in multiscale modelling of multicellular tissues and to highlight ongoing challenges associated with the construction, implementation, interrogation and validation of such models.

Active participation of students is paramount not only for their learning experiences but also for their academic performance. Therefore, various methods have been developed and proven to help students achieve active learning. However, several shortcomings in these methods have been indicated as increasing students’ sense of burden and discomfort, eventually preventing them from benefiting sufficiently. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of a low-load web-based review quiz built by the researchers on Google Forms to enhance students’ reviewing habits and active class participation. Participants in this study were 53 first-year dental hygiene students in a 10-class microbiology course. After each class, all students were given the web-based quiz to prepare for a paper-based review test, which assessed the learning of the content covered in the previous classes. We analyzed the correlations between frequency of participation in the web-based quiz and the average scores of the weekly review tests or the final examination scores. Consequently, voluntary participation in the web-based quiz positively correlated with both short-term and long-term students’ learning outcomes. Through this web-based quiz during the first year of the dental hygiene program, students can develop the “self-learning attitude” needed to pass the national examination.

A critical context is an essential aspect of practice-based research; however, a lack of structure exists to obtain and evaluate criticism from peers. This paper presents a case study of how the ‘silent student’ critique method used in Higher Education settings in the UK (Elkins, 2014) was adapted for a holographic arts research study. A ‘silent researcher’ critique session with nine experts was held in Aveiro, Portugal, June 2018 to evaluate the author’s digital holographic artwork, on display at the City Museum. The experts asked the author critical questions about the artwork while the author remained silent. The session was filmed, transcribed and processed using a general inductive approach for analysing qualitative evaluation data (Thomas, 2006). This paper outlines the benefits and drawbacks of using this new critique method for research. The benefits included; participant’s careful response to the artwork avoiding engagement of egos of critic and researcher, the drawbacks included the difficulty of evaluating against a pre-determined research question when the discussion could not be steered. This paper evaluates the artwork critiqued describing how the work contributes to the aesthetic development of the medium of holography; which used the Z-axis of holographic space to depict a chronological narrative.

The feedback collection and analysis has remained an important subject matter since long. The traditional techniques for student feedback analysis are based on questionnaire-based data collection and analysis. However, the student expresses their feedback opinions on online social media sites, which need to be analyzed. This study aims at the development of fuzzy-based sentiment analysis system for analyzing student feedback and satisfaction by assigning proper sentiment score to opinion words and polarity shifters present in the input reviews. Our technique computes the sentiment score of student feedback reviews and then applies fuzzy-logic module to analyze and quantify student’s satisfaction at the fine-grained level. The experimental results reveal that the proposed work has outperformed the baseline studies as well as state-of-the-art machine learning classifiers.

New hybrid nanostructured electrodes for supercapacitors made by combination of electrical double layer and faradaic supercapacitors based-nanomaterials within a single hybrid composite has a great potential on expanding the range of use of these devices and increase their electrochemical performance. In this work, we developed several hybrid nanostructured composites with combinations of such types of materials with potential applicability as electrodes in supercapacitors. In particular, these composites were obtained by easy, cost-effective and scalable procedures, and were composed by NiCo2O4 nanocores as the main faradaic-based nanomaterial and either the conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI), multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), or reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) as the electrical double layer-based carbonaceous-based nanomaterials in order to enable the combination of both type of energy storage processes within a single nanostructured device. These constructions allowed us to obtain specific capacitance as large as 1760 F/g, 900 F/g and 734 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g for NiCo2O4/PANI, NiCo2O4/MWCNT, and NiCo2O4/r-GO hybrid nanocomposite electrodes, respectively. Besides, the stability of NiCo2O4/MWCNTs and NiCo2O4/r-GO-based electrodes was outstanding, with capacity losses below 10% after long periods of operation (> 500 cycles).

This paper investigates a range of popular differential evolution (DE) configurations to identify components responsible for emergence of structural bias – a recently identified tendency of algorithms to prefer some regions of search space over others, for reasons unrelated to objective function values. Previous work has explored this tendency for genetic algorithms (GA) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO), finding a relationship between population size and extent of structural bias, hence highlighting potential weaknesses of those algorithms. In current article, we focus on DE, extend the investigation to include consideration of an algorithmic component that is often overlooked – constraint handling mechanism. Towards this end, a wide range of DE configurations was tested here. Results suggest that DE is generally robust to structural bias. Unlike the case with GA and PSO, population size seems to have no influence on DE structural bias. Only one of variants studied – DE/current-to-best/1/bin – shows clear signs of bias, however, we show that this effect is mitigated by a judicious choice of constraint handling technique. These findings contribute towards explaining widespread success of DE variants in algorithm comparison studies; its robustness to structural bias represents the absence of a factor that may confound other algorithms.

This paper aims to propose a new approach of territorial competitiveness assessment revisited from the resource-based view, as the combination of location-specific resources and capabilities can improve the territorial socio-economic development. A territorial competitiveness index is calculated in order to assess the potential of renewable energy sources to improve the sustainable development in islands. Different sources of information and methodologies have been employed to measure the variables included in the model, thus ensuring a rigorous process in the index calculation. In order to quantify the basic resources, for example, a methodology based on a multicriteria analysis (MCA) with geographic information system (GIS) is suggested, with the objective of obtaining an indicator called index of available territorial resources. This index synthesizes the map information through a numerical value that allows integrating the territorial resource with other indicators of the model. The results of the study show that capability development is a key factor to better exploit the territorial resource endowment in order to achieve a competitive advantage.

Authentication systems based on biometrics characteristics and data represents one of the most important trend in the evolution of our world. In the near future, biometrics systems will be everywhere in the society, such as government, education, smart cities, banks etc. Due to its uniqueness characteristic, biometrics systems will become also vulnerable, privacy being one of the most important challenge. The classic cryptographic primitives are not sufficient to assure a strong level of secureness for privacy. The following work paper represents an effort to present the main cryptographic techniques and algorithms that can give us the possibility to raise a certain level of secureness for privacy. We will show their own challenges (strengths and weaknesses). We will demonstrate how we can use the most common and well-known techniques and algorithms in order to get a maximum efficiency and a high level in assuring the integrity of the biometrics data.

We introduce tools to capture the dynamics of three different pathways, in which the synchronization of human decision making could lead to turbulent periods and contagion phenomena in financial markets. The first pathway is caused when stock market indices, seen as a set of coupled integrate-and-fire oscillators, synchronize in frequency. The integrate-and-fire dynamics happens due to "change blindness", a trait in human decision making where people have the tendency to ignore small changes, but take action when a large change happens. The second pathway happens due to feedback mechanisms between market performance and the use of certain (decoupled) trading strategies. The third pathway occurs through the effects of communication and its impact on human decision making. A model is introduced in which financial market performance has an impact on decision making through communication between people. Conversely, the sentiment created via communication has an impact on financial market performance.

This survey paper discusses the Cointegrated VAR methodology and how it has evolved over the last 30 years. The first section is a description of major steps in the econometric development of the CVAR model that facilitated serious real world applications. The next three sections are primarily methodological and discuss (i) difficulties and puzzles when confronting theory with the data, (ii) the formulation of a viable link between theory and the data, a so called theory-consistent CVAR scenario, and (iii) how all this was inspired by Trygve Haavelmo and his Nobel prize winning monograph "The Probability Approach to Economics". The next two sections discuss early applications of the Cointegrated VAR model to monetary transmission mechanisms, international transmission mechanisms and wage, price and unemployment dynamics. They report puzzling evidence, discuss the need for new theory, and propose a method for combining partial CVAR analyses into a larger macroeconomic model. The following sections propose a new, empirically-based, approach to macroeconomics in which imperfect knowledge based expectations replace so called rational expectations and in which the financial sector plays a key role for understanding the long persistent movements in the data. The last section argues that the CVAR can act as a "design of experiment for passive observations" and illustrates with several applications including unemployment dynamics under crises periods and aid effectiveness in South Saharan African countries.

Data mining plays a critical role in the sustainable decision making. The k-prototypes algorithm is one of the best-known algorithm for clustering both numeric and categorical data. Despite this, however, clustering a large number of spatial object with mixed numeric and categorical attributes is still inefficient due to its high time complexity. In this paper, we propose an efficient grid-based k-prototypes algorithms, GK-prototypes, which achieves high performance for clustering spatial objects. The first proposed algorithm utilizes both maximum and minimum distance between cluster centers and a cell, which can remove unnecessary distance calculation. The second proposed algorithm as extensions of the first proposed algorithm utilizes spatial dependence that spatial data tend to be more similar as objects are closer. Each cell has a bitmap index which stores categorical values of all objects in the same cell for each attribute. This bitmap index can improve the performance in case that a categorical data is skewed. Our evaluation experiments showed that proposed algorithms can achieve better performance than the existing pruning technique in the k-prototypes algorithm.

Information regarding the cost of a construction project is available to the investor and project participants in order to determine the subsequent success of a project, given that the information they collect has an impact on the decisions they make. Cost calculations, especially in the initial phase of a project, often generate large errors. This paper presents the new approach based on a combination of the Case Based Reasoning method (CBR) with the originally selected criteria for the description of a construction project (as a result of Pearson correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology. The CBR method fulfils expectations for a simple and fast system supporting the cost estimation process. It does not require any specialist knowledge, so it will be comprehensible to cost estimation practitioners. The BIM-based model gives the opportunity for the calculation of quantity take-offs and enables the use of the information contained in the BIM model in the cost estimation process. In order to prepare the model an appropriate relational database had to be developed. With extensive research, a database of 173 construction projects, including the construction of a sports field, was obtained. There were 14 variables defined originally by authors; however, only 10 (as a result of the correlation analysis) were used for the calculation. Data related to the project were collected in the BIM model. Results estimating the project’s unit price, using the CBR method, were presented and discussed. The Mean Absolute Estimate Error was used to evaluate the model.

There is increasing evidence that the impact of climate change on the productivity of grasslands will at least partly depend on their biodiversity. A high level of biodiversity may confer stability to grassland ecosystems against environmental change, but there are also direct effects of biodiversity on the quantity and quality of grassland productivity. To explain the manifold interactions, and to predict future climatic responses, models may be used. However, models designed for studying the interaction between biodiversity and productivity tend to be structurally different from models for studying the effects of climatic impacts. Here we review the literature on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and productivity of grasslands. We first discuss the availability of data for model development. Then we analyse strengths and weaknesses of three types of model: ecological, process-based and integrated. We discuss the merits of this model diversity and the scope for merging different model types.

List-only entity linking is the task of mapping ambiguous mentions in texts to target entities in a group of entity lists. Different from traditional entity linking task, which leverages rich semantic relatedness in knowledge bases to improve linking accuracy, list-only entity linking can merely take advantage of co-occurrences information in entity lists. State-of-the-art work utilizes co-occurrences information to enrich entity descriptions, which are further used to calculate local compatibility between mentions and entities to determine results. Nonetheless, entity coherence is also deemed to play an important part in entity linking, which is yet currently neglected. In this work, in addition to local compatibility, we take into account global coherence among entities. Specifically, we propose to harness co-occurrences in entity lists for mining both explicit and implicit entity relations. The relations are then integrated into an entity graph, on which Personalized PageRank is incorporated to compute entity coherence. The final results are derived by combining local mention-entity similarity and global entity coherence. The experimental studies validate the superiority of our method. Our proposal not only improves the performance of list-only entity linking, but also opens up the bridge between list-only entity linking and conventional entity linking solutions.

This study proposes a novel hybrid machine learning approach for modeling of rainfall-induced shallow landslides. The proposed approach is a combination of an instance-based learning algorithm (k-NN) and Rotation Forest (RF), state of the art machine techniques that have seldom explored for landslide modeling. The Lang Son city area (Vietnam) is selected as a case study. For this purpose, a spatial database for the study area was constructed, and then, was used to build and evaluate the hybrid model. Performance of the model was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC), area under the ROC curve (AUC), success rate and prediction rate, and several statistical evaluation metrics. The results showed that the model has high performance with both the training data (AUC = 0.948) and the validation data (AUC = 0.848). The results were compared with those obtained from soft computing techniques i.e. Random Forest, J48 Decision Trees, and Multilayer Perceptron Neural Networks. Overall, the performance of the proposed model is better than those obtained from the above methods. Therefore, the proposed model is a promising tool for landslide modeling. The research result can be highly useful for land use planning and management in landslide prone areas.

Malnutrition and dental caries in early childhood remain persistent and intertwined global health challenges, particularly for indigenous and geographically-remote populations. To examine the prevalence and associations between early childhood dental caries, parent-reported mouth pain and malnutrition in the Amazonian region of Ecuador, we conducted a cross-sectional study of the oral health and nutrition status of 1,407 children from birth through age 6 in the “Alli Kiru” program (2011-2013). We used multivariate regression analysis to examine relationships between severe caries, parent-reported mouth pain measures, and nutritional status. The prevalence of dental caries was 65.4%, with 44.7% of children having deep or severe caries, and 33.8% reporting mouth pain. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth dmft) increased dramatically with age. Malnutrition was prevalent, with 35.9% of children stunted, 1.1% wasted, 7.4% underweight, and 6.8% overweight. As mouth pain increased in frequency, odds for severe caries increased. For each unit increase in mouth pain frequency interfering with sleeping, children had increased odds for underweight (AOR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.02 – 1.54) and decreased odds for overweight (AOR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58 – 0.97). This relationship was most pronounced among 3-6 year-olds. Early childhood caries, mouth pain and malnutrition were prevalent in this sample of young children. Parent-reported mouth pain was associated with severe caries, and mouth pain interfering with sleeping was predictive of poor nutritional status. We demonstrate the utility of a parsimonious parent-reported measure of mouth pain to predict young children’s risk for severe early childhood caries and malnutrition, which has implications for community health interventions.

Computer simulation of normal and diseased human heart activity requires a 3D anatomical model of the myocardium, including myofibres. For clinical applications, such a model has to be constructed based on routine methods of cardiac visualisation such as sonography. Symmetrical models are shown to be too rigid, so an analytical non-symmetrical model with enough flexibility is necessary. Based on previously made anatomical models of the left ventricle, we propose a new, much more flexible spline-based analytical model. The model is fully described and verified against DT-MRI data. We show a way to construct it on the basis of sonography data. To use this model in further physiological simulations, we propose a numerical method to utilise finite differences in solving the reaction-diffusion problem together with an example of scroll wave dynamics simulation.

The microstructural evolution, thermodynamics and kinetics of Mo-21%Tm₂O₃ (mass fraction, %) powder mixtures during ball milling were investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Ball milling induced Tm₂O₃ to be decomposed and then dissolved into Mo crystal. The supersaturated nanocrystalline solid solution of Mo (Tm, O) was obtained after 96 h of ball milling. The elements of Mo, Tm and O were distributed uniformly in the ball-milled particles. Based on the semi-experimental theory of Miedema, a thermodynamic model was developed to calculate the driving force of phase evolution. There was no chemical driving force to form a crystal solid solution of Tm atoms in Mo crystal or an amorphous phase because the Gibbs free energy for both processes was higher than zero. For Mo-21%Tm₂O₃, it was mechanical work, not negative heat of mixing, that provided the driving force to form supersaturated nanocrystalline Mo (Tm, O) solid solution.

The increased complexity of modern systems is calling for an integrated and comprehensive approach to system design and development and in particular, a shift towards Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches for system design. The requirements that serve as the foundation for these intricate systems are still primarily expressed in Natural Language (NL), which can contain ambiguities and inconsistencies that hinder their direct translation into models. The colossal developments in the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP) in general and Large Language Models (LLMs) in particular can serve as an enabler for the conversion of NL requirements into semi-machine-readable requirements. This is expected to facilitate their standardization and use in a model-based environment. This paper discusses a two-fold strategy for converting NL requirements into semi-machine-readable requirements using language models. The first approach involves creating a requirements table by extracting information from free-form NL requirements. The second approach is an agile methodology that facilitates the identification of boilerplate templates for different types of requirements based on observed linguistic patterns. For this study, three different LLMs were utilized. Two of these models were fine-tuned versions of Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT), specifically aeroBERT-NER and aeroBERT-Classifier, which were trained on annotated aerospace corpora. Another LLM, called flair/chunk-english, was utilized to identify sentence chunks present in NL requirements. All three language models were utilized together to achieve the standardization of requirements. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the methodologies, requirements from Parts 23 and 25 of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) were employed, and a total of two, five, and three boilerplate templates were identified for design, functional, and performance requirements, respectively.

Various renewable energy sources such as wind power and photovoltaic (PV) have been increasingly integrated into the power system through power electronic converters in recent years. However, power electronic converter-driven stability issues under specific circumstances, for instance, modal resonances might deteriorate the dynamic performance of the power systems or even threaten the overall stability. In this paper, the integration impact of a hybrid renewable energy source (HRES) system on modal interaction and converter-driven stability is investigated in an IEEE 16-machine 68-bus power system. Firstly, an HRES system is introduced, which consists of full converter-based wind power generation (FCWG) and full converter-based photovoltaic generation (FCPV). The equivalent dynamic models of FCWG and FCPV are then established, followed by the linearized state-space modeling. On this basis, converter-driven stability analyses are performed to reveal the modal resonance mechanisms of the interconnected power systems and the modal interaction phenomenon. Additionally, time-domain simulations are conducted to verify effectiveness of dynamic models and support the converter-driven stability analysis results. To avoid detrimental modal resonances, an optimization strategy is further proposed by retuning the controller parameters of the HRES system. The overall results demonstrate the modal interaction effect between external AC power system and the HRES system and its various impacts on converter-driven stability.

This study presents the interaction with human host metabolism of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7b protein (43 aa), using a Protein-Protein-Interaction Networks analysis. After pruning, we selected from BioGRID the 51 most significant proteins among 2,753 proven interactions and 1,708 interactors, specific to ORF7b. We used these proteins as functional seeds and we got a significant network of 551 nodes via STRING. We performed topological analysis and calculated topological distributions by Cytoscape. Seven high ranked proteins as hub and seven as bottleneck following a hub-and-spoke network-architectural-model were found. Through this interaction model, we identified significant GO-processes (5,057 terms in 15 categories) induced in human metabolism by ORF7b. High statistical significance processes of dysregulated molecular cell mechanisms by the action of ORF7b were discovered. We detected disease-related human proteins and their involvement in metabolic roles, how they relate in a distorted way to signaling and/or functional systems, in particular intra- and inter-cellular signaling systems and the molecular mechanisms that supervise to programmed cell death, with mechanisms similar to that of cancer metastasis diffusion. A cluster analysis showed 10 compact and significant functional clusters, where two of them overlap in a Giant-Connected-Components core of 206 total nodes. These two clusters contain most of the high-rank nodes. ORF7b mainly acts through these two clusters, inducing most of the metabolic dysregulation. We conducted a co-regulation, transcriptional analysis by hub and bottleneck proteins. This analysis allowed us to define the transcription factors and miRNAs that control the high-ranking proteins and the dysregulated processes, within the limits of the poor knowledge that these sectors still impose.

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was caused by a positive sense single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, other human coronaviruses (hCoVs) exist, of which Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and SARS-CoV (SARS) showed higher mortality rates without causing a pandemic. As of December 2022, SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in over 6.6 million deaths worldwide through an array of acute to chronic pathologies. Historical pandemics include smallpox and influenza with efficacious therapeutics utilized to reduce overall disease burden. Therefore, immune system process analysis is required to compare innate and adaptive immune system interactions. Lymphatic system organs include bone marrow and thymus using a network of nodes throughout which white blood cells traverse glycolipid membranes utilizing cytokines and chemokine gradients that affect cell development, differentiation, proliferation, and migration processes as well as genetic factors affecting cell receptor expression. Innate processes involve antigen-presenting cells and B lymphocyte cellular responses to pathogens relevant to other viral and bacterial infections but also in oncogenic diseases. Such processes utilize cluster of differentiation (CD) marker expression, major histocompatibility complexes (MHC), pleiotropic interleukins (IL) and chemokines. The adaptive immune system consists of Natural Killer (NK) and T cells. Other viruses are also contributory to cancer including human papillomavirus (cervical carcinoma ), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) ( lymphoma), hepatitis B and C (hepatocellular carcinoma) and human T cell leukemia virus-1 (adult T-cell leukemia). Bacterial infections also increase the risk of developing cancer( e.g. H. pylori). Therefore, as the above factors can cause both morbidity and mortality along-side being transmitted within clinical and community settings, it is appropriate to now examine advances in single cell sequencing, FACS analysis and many other laboratory techniques that allow insights into discoveries of newer cell types. These developments offer improved clarity and understanding that over-lap with known autoimmune conditions that could be affected by innate B cell or T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, this review quantifies and outlines the nature of specific receptors and proteins relevant to clinical laboratories and medical research by documenting both innate and adaptive immune system cells within current coronavirus immunology case study data and other pathologies to date.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a wide range of spatial interventions to slow down the spread of the virus. The spatial limitations of narrow public circulation spaces within informal settlements, which house over one billion people around the world, make it impossible for pedestrians to practice physical distancing (or social distancing). In this paper, we propose a flexible mathematical method, named the Cluster Lane Method, for turning a planar circulation network of any size or complexity into a network of unidirectional lanes, making physical distancing possible in narrow circulation spaces by limiting face-to-face interactions. New notions and theorems about oriented graphs in graph theory are introduced. The paper ends with a discussion of the potential implementation of this cost-efficient, low-tech, sustainable solution, and with the introduction of a novel unidirectional tactile paving for the visually impaired.

Generalized relativistic pseudopotentials (GRPP) of atomic cores implying the use of different potentials for atomic electronic shells with different principal quantum numbers give rise to accurate and reliable relativistic electronic structure models of atoms, molecules, clusters, and solids. These models readily incorporate the effects of Breit electron-electron interactions and one-loop quantum electrodynamics effects. Here we report the computational procedure for evaluating one-electron integrals of GRPP over contracted Gaussian functions. This procedure was implemented in a library of routines named LIBGRPP, which can be integrated into existing quantum chemistry software, thus enabling the application of various methods to solve the many-electron problem with GRPPs. Pilot applications to electronic transitions in the ThO and UO2 molecules using the new library and intermediate-Hamiltonian Fock space relativistic coupled cluster method are presented. The results clearly demonstrate that rather economical tiny-core GRPP models can exceed in accuracy relativistic all-electron models defined by Dirac-Coulomb and Dirac-Coulomb-Gaunt Hamiltonians.

A new 2 parameter unit Weibull distribution is defined on the unit interval (0,1). The methodology of deducing its PDF, some of its properties and related functions are discussed. The paper is supplied by many figures illustrating the new distribution and how this can make it illegible to fit a wide range of skewed data. The new distribution holds a name (Attia) as a nickname.

Big data-driven machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) is not all computational social sciences (CSS) have. Agent-based modeling (ABM) or multi-agent system (MAS) is another fundamentally different but equally useful approach in CSS. In fact, the two approaches start from very different orientations and their differences have deeper root in ontology. ML/AI aims to imitate and then surpass human capacities, from sensing to perceiving, reasoning, calculating, and acting. In contrast, ABM seeks to simulate how social outcomes emerge from the complex interactions of agents’ actions within a specific environment. Yet, precisely because these two technologies are different, they can be complementary to each other. There is a bright future for integrating ABM with ML/AI for tackling real world challenges.

Background/Objectives: The rise of virtual bioequivalence studies has transformed the pharmaceutical landscape, enabling more efficient drug development processes. This systematic review aims to explore advancements in Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, its regulatory implications, and its role in achieving virtual bioequivalence, particularly for complex drug formulations. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of clinical trials using computational methods, particularly PBPK modeling, for bioequivalence assessments. Eligibility criteria are emphasized in silico modeling and pharmacokinetic simulations. Comprehensive literature searches were performed across databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. A search strategy using key terms and Boolean operators ensured extensive coverage. We adhered to PRISMA guidelines for study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, focusing on key characteristics, methodologies, outcomes, and regulatory perspectives from the FDA and EMA. Results: Our findings indicate that PBPK modeling significantly enhances the prediction of pharmacokinetic profiles, optimizing dosing regimens while minimizing the need for extensive clinical trials. Regulatory agencies have recognized this utility, with the FDA and EMA developing frameworks to integrate in silico methods into drug evaluations. However, challenges such as study heterogeneity and publication bias may limit the generalizability of results. Conclusions: This review highlights the critical need for standardized protocols and robust regulatory guidelines to facilitate the integration of virtual bioequivalence methodologies into pharmaceutical practices. By embracing these advancements, the industry can improve drug development efficiency and patient outcomes, paving the way for innovative therapeutic solutions. Continued research and adaptive regulatory frameworks will be essential in navigating this evolving field.

Water resource management in agriculture faces complex challenges due to increasing scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, and the intensification of conflicts among various user groups. This study addresses the issue of predicting and managing these conflicts in the Longaví River Basin, Chile, by considering the intricate interactions between hydrological, social, and economic factors. A socio-hydrological agent-based model (SHABM) was developed, integrating hydrological, economic, and behavioral data. The methodology combined fieldwork with computational modeling, characterizing three types of agents (selfish, neutral, and cooperative) and simulating scenarios with varying levels of water availability and oversight across three Water User Organizations (WUOs). The key findings revealed that: (1) selfish agents are more likely to disregard irrigation schedules under conditions of scarcity and low supervision; (2) high supervision (90%) significantly reduces conflicts; (3) water scarcity exacerbates non-cooperative behaviors; (4) high-risk conflict areas can be identified; and (5) behavioral patterns stabilize after the third year of simulation. This work demonstrates the potential of SHABM as a decision-making tool in water management, enabling proactive identification of conflict-prone areas and evaluation of management strategies.

Aims: To compare the growth, safety, and tolerance acquisition in infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) when fed a hydrolyzed rice formula (HRF) versus an extensively hydrolyzed milk protein formula (EHF). Methods: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted with infants diagnosed with CMPA, both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated (up to grade II anaphylaxis). Infants were assigned to receive either a HRF or an EHF over a 12-month follow-up period. The primary outcomes assessed were anthropometric measurements and safety. Infants who had a negative Open Oral Food Challenge (at 6, 9, and 12 months) were allowed to transition to a standard milk formula. Compliance, tolerability, and adverse events (AEs) were also evaluated. Results: A total of 105 children from six centers were enrolled in the study. Measurements of weight, length, weight-for-length, BMI, and head circumference z-scores indicated normal growth, with no significant differences between the HRF and EHF groups at baseline or during follow-up visits. Additionally, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, and arm muscle area showed no significant differences between the groups. Overall, 29 product-related adverse events were reported (12 in the HRF group and 17 in the EHF group). Five children in the HRF group and eleven in the EHF group experienced serious adverse events; none were attributed to the intervention. There was a trend toward faster acquisition of tolerance in HRF-fed infants compared to EHF-fed infants, but this did not reach statistical significance (median age 20.4 months versus 16.3 months, respectively, p=0.1753). Conclusions: Both EHF and HRF demonstrated appropriate growth, acquisition of tolerance, and a good safety profile in infants with CMPA, with no significant differences between the formulas.

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While Pap smears are the standard screening method, they have limitations like low sensitivity and subjective interpretation. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) offers improvements but still relies on manual analysis. This study explored the potential of deep learning (DL) for automated cervical cell classification using both Pap smears and LBC samples. A novel image segmentation algorithm was employed to extract single-cell patches for training a ResNet-50 model.The model trained on LBC images achieved remarkably high sensitivity (0.998), specificity (0.997), and accuracy (0.997), outperforming previous CNN models. However, the Pap smear dataset model achieved significantly lower performance (0.694 sensitivity, 0.838 specificity, 0.834 accuracy). This suggests that noisy and poor cell definition in Pap smears pose challenges for automated classification, whereas LBC provides better classifiable cells patches. These findings demonstrate the potential of AI-powered cervical cell classification for improving CC screening, particularly with LBC. The high accuracy and efficiency of DL models combined with effective segmentation can contribute to earlier detection and more timely intervention. Future research should focus on implementing explainable AI models to increase clinician trust and facilitate the adoption of AI-assisted CC screening in LMICs.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) have gained global attention for addressing societal challenges, benefiting biodiversity, and promoting human well-being. NbS have been increasingly recognized for their role in mitigating climate change impacts, such as coastal flooding. However, despite their integration into policy frameworks in Europe and parts of Africa, there remains limited empirical evidence regarding their effectiveness. This study seeks to address this gap by exploring the factors influencing perceptions and awareness of the effectiveness of NbS in coastal communities. A structured survey questionnaire was administered in three coastal communities—Kula, Oyorokoto, and Bonny—examining how perception, knowledge, and socio-economic factors affect the effectiveness of NbS. Results show that socio-economic factors such as age, education, and occupation significantly influence the perceived effectiveness of NbS. Additionally, awareness was found to have a stronger impact on effectiveness than perception. The study concludes that awareness-raising initiatives, particularly those focused on the protective benefits of mangroves, are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of NbS. Conservation, afforestation, and restoration of coastal ecosystems are recommended as key strategies for promoting NbS and their role in climate resilience.

Traditional thermal insulation panels consume large amounts of energy during production and emits pollutants into the environment. To mitigate this impact, the development of bio-based materials is an attractive alternative. In this context, the characteristics of the Eucalyptus fiber bark (EGFB) make it a candidate for insulation applications. However, more knowledge about the manufacturing process and in-service performance is needed. The present study characterized the properties that determinate the in-service behaviour of the EGFB insulation panel. The assessment involved two different manufacturing process. The results indicated that the hot plates and the saturated steam injection manufacturing system can produce panels with similar theoretical and bulk density. The thermal conductivity fluctuated between 0.064 and 0.077 W/m.K, which indicated good insulation. Furthermore, the values obtained for thermal diffusivity and water vapor transmission properties are comparable with other commercially available panels. To guarantee a good in-service performance, the panels need to be treated with flame retardant and antifungal additive. The good performance of the panel is relevant because bio-based Eucalyptus bark panels generate less CO2 eq and require less energy consumption compared to traditional alternatives, contributing to the sustainability of the forestry and the construction industry.

The task of automatically and intelligently diagnosing faults in marine equipment is of great significance due to the numerous duties that shipboard professionals must handle. Incorporating automated and intelligent systems on ships allows for more efficient equipment monitoring and better decision-making. This approach has attracted considerable interest in both academia and industry because of its potential for economic savings and improved safety. Several fault diagnosis methods are documented in the literature, often involving mathematical and control theory models. However, due to the inherent complexity of some processes, not all characteristics are precisely known, making mathematical modeling highly challenging. As a result, fault diagnosis often depends on data or heuristic information. Fuzzy logic theory is particularly well-suited for processing this type of information. Therefore, this paper employs fuzzy models to diagnose faults in a marine pneumatic servo-actuated valve. The proposed fault diagnosis framework analyzes the discrepancy signals between the outputs of the fuzzy models and the actual process outputs. These discrepancies, known as residuals, help in detecting and isolating equipment faults. The fault isolation process uses an intelligent decision-making approach to determine the specific fault in the system. This method is applied to diagnose abrupt faults in a marine pneumatic servo-actuated valve.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic main component of the Cannabis plant, is approved as a drug in the European Union (EU) under the name “Epidyolex”. However, the approval process as a food ingredient under the Novel Food Regulation was paused by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) due to a lack of safety data. Nevertheless, there is a growing, unregulated market in which CBD is advertised with various health claims and different dosage instructions. Of particular concern is its toxic effect on the liver and possible reproductive toxicity in humans. Studies suitable for calculating a benchmark dose were identified from the available data. Animal studies yielded a Benchmark Dose Lower Confidence Limit (BMDL) of 43 mg/kg bw/day, which translates into a safe human dose of approximately 15 mg/day. Only a Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) of 4.3 mg/kg bw/day could be identified from the human data. This updated risk assessment confirmed the Health-based Guidance Value (HBGV) of 10 mg/day based on human LOAEL. Despite existing data gaps, preliminary regulation appears advisable as the current form of the gray CBD market is unacceptable from the standpoint of consumer safety and protection.

Ever since the discovery of dendritic cells by Ralph Steinman and Zanvil Cohn in 1973, it is increasingly evident that dendritic cells are integral for adaptive immune responses, and there is an undeniable focus on them for vaccines development. Fungal infections, often thought in-nocuous, are becoming significant threats due to increased immunocompromised or im-mune-suppressed population and climate change. Further, the recent COVID-19 pandemic unraveled the wrath of fungal infections and devastating outcomes. Invasive fungal infections cause significant case fatality rates ranging from 20% to 90%. Regrettably, no licensed fungal vaccines exist, and there is an urgent need for preventive and therapeutic purposes. In this re-view, we discuss the ontogeny, subsets, tissue distribution, and functions of lung dendritic cells. In the latter part, we summarize and discuss the studies on the DC-based vaccines against pulmonary fungal infections. Finally, we highlight some emerging potential avenues that can be incorporated for DC-based vaccines against fungal infections.

This study presents extended Immunity Agent-Based Model (IABM) simulations to evaluate vaccination strategies in controlling the spread of infectious diseases. The application of IABM in the analysis of vaccination configurations is innovative, as a vaccinated individual can be infected depending on how their immune system acts against the invading pathogen, without a pre-established infection rate. Analysis at the microscopic level demonstrates the impact of vaccination on individual immune responses and infection outcomes, providing a more realistic representation of how the humoral response caused by vaccination affects the individual’s immune defense. At the macroscopic level, the effects of different population-wide vaccination strategies are explored, including random vaccination, targeted vaccination of specific demographic groups, and spatially focused vaccination. The results indicate that increased vaccination rates are correlated with decreased infection and mortality rates, highlighting the importance of achieving herd immunity. Furthermore, strategies focused on vulnerable populations or densely populated regions prove to be more effective in reducing disease transmission compared to randomly distributed vaccination. The results presented in this work show that vaccination strategies focused on highly crowded regions are more efficient in controlling epidemics and outbreaks. Results suggest that applying vaccination only in the densest region resulted in the suppression of infection in that region, with less intense viral spread in areas with lower population densities. Strategies focused on specific regions, in addition to being more efficient in reducing the number of infected and dead people, reduce costs related to transportation, storage, and distribution of doses compared to the random vaccination strategy. Considering that, despite scientific efforts to consolidate the use of mass vaccination, the accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of vaccines are problems that persist, investing in the study of strategies that mitigate such issues is crucial in the development and application of government policies that make immunization systems more efficient and robust.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy has been a cornerstone treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer for decades and still faces challenges, such as severe immune adverse reactions, which reduce its use as a first-line treatment. This review examines BCG therapy’s history, mechanisms, and current status, highlighting how nanotechnology and bioengineering are revitalizing its application. We discuss novel nanocarrier systems aimed at enhancing BCG's efficacy while mitigating specific side effects. These approaches promise improved tumor targeting, better drug loading, and enhanced stimulation of anti-tumor immune responses. Key strategies involve using functional BCG cell wall components and co-delivering BCG with chemotherapeutics to achieve synergistic effects. While most studies remain experimental, this research direction offers hope for overcoming BCG's limitations and advancing bladder cancer immunotherapy. Further elucidation of BCG's mechanisms and rigorous safety evaluations of new delivery systems will be crucial for translating these innovations into clinical practice.

The marketing industry is rapidly evolving, necessitating educational programs to adapt and equip graduates with relevant skills and knowledge. This systematic literature review with bibliometric analysis (SLRBA) explores the integration of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in marketing education. PBL is an instructional strategy that empowers students to solve real-life problems by integrating theory and practice, thus fostering critical thinking and decision-making skills. Our review synthesizes data from 71 sources, highlighting the definition of PBL, strategies to promote its implementation in marketing education, and the benefits and challenges associated with this approach. The findings indicate that PBL enhances student engagement, provides hands-on experience, and prepares students for real-world marketing challenges. Strategies such as using social media, serious games, e-learning, and feedback mechanisms are discussed for their effectiveness in promoting active learning and student participation. Despite its advantages, PBL faces challenges such as resource intensiveness, student resistance, and information integrity issues. This review underscores the importance of PBL in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ultimately preparing marketing students to meet the demands of the industry. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research and best practices for implementing PBL in marketing education.

This paper aims to examine the potential for ecotourism development in the Pulicat Lake, a proposed Ramsar site situated in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Pulicat Lake has enormous potential for tourism and recreation; however, it is inevitable to ensure sustainable development in the region. The data for the study was collected using various methods, including case study techniques, qualitative interviews, observations, and information obtained from secondary sources. The study aimed to identify the sustainability dimensions of the location, including economic impact and income generation potentials through employment opportunities like field guides and travel companions. It is also examined the social impact on the local community and the development efforts made to reduce environmental pressures while conserving the flora and fauna. Additionally, the study discusses the possibilities and strategies for ornithological ecotourism at Pulicat Lake.

Catalytic studies for hydrogen production via steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) are essential for process optimization. Likewise, selecting the ideal support for the active phase can be critical to achieve high conversion rates during the catalytic steam reforming. In this work, copper-based catalysts were synthesized using two different supports, NaY zeolite and Nb2O5/Al2O3 mixed oxides. The materials were prepared using wet impregnation and characterized for their physicochemical properties using different analytical techniques. Differences in catalyst morphologies were readily attributed to the characteristics of the support. The Cu/NaY catalyst showed better textural properties than Cu/Nb2O5/Al2O3, resulting in a homogeneous metal dispersion over the support surface. Both catalytic systems were active in SRE, but Cu/NaY resulted in higher ethanol conversions compared to Cu/Nb2O5/Al2O3. Hence, the performance of copper-based catalysts was influenced significantly by the textural properties of the support.

Seroconversion surveys of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies provide accurate estimates of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. This nationwide population-based cross-sectional serosurvey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among residents in Gabon and compare the estimated cumulative number of COVID-19 cases with the officially registered number of laboratory-confirmed cases up to December 2021. Households in each province were randomly selected. Twenty-eight localities including 16 urban and 12 rural, were randomly selected to participate in the study. Whole blood samples were collected in dry tubes from all study participants around the country within 15 days. Serum samples were used to measure the total Immunoglobulin antibodies. Overall, data of 1672 households were analyzed. Out of the 3659 participants, 3175 were found positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, resulting in a crude seroprevalence of 86.77%. Stratification of study participants by age group has shown highest seroprevalences in 20–29 and 40-49 age groups with 91.78% (95% CI:89.5–93.6) and 91.42% (95% CI:88.7–93.5), respectively. Nyanga province had the lowest prevalence (72,8%), and Estuaire and Ogoué-Lolo provinces had the highest prevalence (90 and 92%, respectively). Our results suggest a high transmission rate in the Gabonese population, 21 months after the first SARS-CoV-2 case in the country. This high seroprevalence estimate could indicate that the applied infection control measures may not have been adequately implemented or appropriately adhered to by the population.

With its unique properties and potential applications, nanoparticle-based delivery platforms for vac-cines have gained significant attention in recent years. Nanoparticles have the advantages of enhancing immunogenicity, targeting delivery and improving stability, providing a new solution for drug and vaccine delivery. And in some clinical studies, a variety of nanoparticle delivery platforms have been gradually applied to a wide range of vaccine applications. Current research priorities are exploring various types of nanoparticles as vaccine delivery system to enhance vaccine stability and immunogen-icity. Lipid nanoparticles have shown promising potential in preclinical and clinical studies to efficiently deliver antigens to immune cells. Moreover, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and other nanoparticles as nu-cleic acids especially mRNA delivery system, have shown vast potential for vaccine development. In this review, we present various vaccine platforms with an emphasis on nanoparticles for mRNA nano-vaccine delivery vehicles. We introduce several novel nanoparticles delivery platforms for mRNA vac-cine such as lipid, polymer, protein-based nanoparticle and so on. In addition, we overview the an-ti-tumor immunity of nanovaccine against different tumors in cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we give an outlook future perspectives and remaining challenges for this promising technolo-gy-nanoparticle-based delivery platforms for vaccines.

Proper Post-Activation Performance Enhancement helps to improve athletic performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two different velocity loss (VL), 10%VL and 20%VL, on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in 20m sprint performance among sprint athletes. Twenty-four male sprint athletes (100m sprint time: 10.96±0.15 s) were recruited. A randomized crossover experimental design was used for traditional group (TG), 10%VL, and 20%VL interventions. Sprint tests were conducted at the 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th minutes after the intervention. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed an interaction effect between group and time on 20m sprint performance (F=2.817, p=0.037, partial η²=0.585). Simple effect analyses showed significant differences compared to baseline at the 4th minute for the 20%VL group (P&lt;0.05). Cohen's d values indicated improvement in 10m sprint times at the 8th minute of the rest interval for all three intervention groups (TG: ES=-0.270, 10%VL: ES=-0.038, 20%VL: ES=-0.279). Improvement in 20m sprint times was observed at the 4th minute for the 20%VL group (ES=-0.296) and at the 16th minute for the 10%VL group (ES=-0.276). Compared to traditional PAPE schemes based on 1RM, PAPE schemes based on velocity loss (20%VL) can better induce PAPE effects in sprint athletes.

Sewage surveillance can be used as an effective complementary tool for detecting pathogens in local communities, providing insights into emerging threats and aiding in the monitoring of outbreaks. In this study using qPCR and whole genomic sewage surveillance, we detected Mpox virus along with other viruses, in municipal and hospital wastewaters in Belo Horizonte, Brazil over a 9 months period (from July 2022 till March 2023). MPXV DNA detection rates varied in our study, with 19.6% (11 out of 56 samples) detected through the hybrid capture method of whole genome sequencing and 20% (12 out of 60 samples) through qPCR. In hospital wastewaters, the detection rate was higher at 40% (12 out of 30 samples), compared to 13.3%(4 out of 30 samples) in municipal wastewaters. This variation could be attributed to the relatively low number of MPXV cases reported in the city, which ranged from 106 to 341 cases during the study period, and to dilution effects, given that each of the two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) investigated serves approximately 1.1 million inhabitants. Additionally, nine other virus families were identified in both hospitals and municipal wastewaters including Adenoviridade, Astroviridae, Caliciviridae, Picornaviridade, Polyomaviridae, Coronaviridae (which includes SARS-CoV-2), Herspesviridae, Papillomaviridae and Flaviviridae (notably including Dengue). These findings underscore the potential of genomic sewage surveillance as a robust public health tool for monitoring a wide range of viruses circulating in both community and hospitals environments including MPXV.

Despite its growing importance as a dry beneficiation method, there is a lack of studies exploring the fundamentals aspects of dry jigging. In this sense, this study focuses on explore some essential aspects of density-based separation in dry jigs, like pulse profile, energy consumption and, especially, stratification over time, also exploring an innovative operational strategy here called “transient pulsation”. The tests were carried out using density tracers distributed across 11 density ranges (0.4-2.4 g/cm³) and employing a base bed (gravel) to analyze their segregation in a pilot-scale dry jig. Pressure drop and active power data were acquired to measure the pulse characteristics and energy consumption. The findings suggest that establishing the dry jigging cycle is more complex than in hydraulic jigs due to the compressibility of air. Stationary pulsation tests revealed an unstable behavior of stratification over time, contrasting with traditional hydraulic jigs, while transient pulsation tests unveiled varied trends in separation quality. Energy consumption analysis underscored the significant role of the blower drive. These insights have the potential to inform operational enhancements in dry jigging.

We construct a Bayesian estimator for the dilution of a wastewater sample. When wastewater is diluted by rainwater an estimate of the level of dilution is required if we are to normalise sample measurements of disease markers such as SARS-CoV-2 RNA. We consider the situation where flow measurements are available, but will regularly be unreliable because of the action of combined sewer outflows (CSOs) and wastewater storage tanks, which divert wastewater away from treatment plants when the flow is excessive. However, we also have proxies for the flow from various chemical markers (e.g.\ phosphate, ammonium, electrical conductivity), whose level per unit of population is fixed. The new flow estimator has multiple advantages compared to existing procedures: credible intervals for the estimates; optimal weighting of the chemical markers; systematic handling of missing and censored values; and model based smoothing without lags.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. Despite advancements in treatment, the prognosis for patients with GBM remains poor due to its aggressive nature and resistance to therapy. CRISPR-based genetic screening has emerged as a powerful tool for identifying genes crucial for tumor progression and treatment resistance, offering promising targets for tumor therapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advancements in CRISPR-based genetic screening approaches and their applications in GBM. We highlight how these approaches have been used to uncover genetic determinants of GBM progression and susceptibility to various therapies. Furthermore, we discuss ongoing challenges and future directions of CRISPR-based screening methods in advancing GBM research.

Using UAV-based multispectral images for quickly and accurately monitoring chlorophyll content is critical for field management and yield estimation. However, the lower model accuracy and the poor robustness of the estimation models are still preventing the widespread application of UAV-based multispectral images. We carried out two field trials at various experimental sites to further enhance the precision and applicability of the model used to estimate the chlorophyll content of potato plants. Firstly, the texture features and vegetation indices derived from multispectral images were screened using the Pearson correlation coefficient method, and Normalized difference red edge (NDRE) performed the best over the two growth periods. Secondly, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to recombine five bands of multispectral images, and third PCA results (PCA3) was selected to combined with NDRE according to the construction principle of NDRE, and the newly constructed parameter was named improved NDRE (INDRE). Finally, INDRE was used to establish a chlorophyll content estimation model of potato plants, and compared with some traditional parameters. The results demonstrated that the INDRE had the maximum accuracy (R2 = 0.7865, RMSE = 2.1378), and corresponding R2 increased by 0.1481 and RMSE decreased by 1.2994 than NDRE. Additionally, the model was validated using independent data from Experiment 2, and INDRE considerably increased estimation accuracy compared to other factors. In conclusions, the INDRE suggested in this study significantly enhances the accuracy and applicability of the chlorophyll content inversion model and can serve as an additional reference for fertilization management.

The escalating levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) due to anthropogenic activities have raised significant concerns regarding their far-reaching consequences, including potential impacts on human brain function. This study employs Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) and a comprehensive literature review to comprehensively examine the effects of varying atmospheric CO₂ concentrations on human brain activity. Historical and projected CO₂concentration data, along with neuroscientific insights, were integrated into the ABM framework to simulate brain activity responses under different CO₂ scenarios. The simulations revealed that elevated CO₂ levels disrupt neural activity and alter neurotransmitter profiles, indicating potential cognitive consequences. Sensitivity analysis emphasized the importance of accurate parameterization for robust simulations. The findings underscore the urgent need to address global CO₂ emissions to preserve cognitive health. Further research is essential to validate and refine the model, incorporating additional factors for a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive repercussions of rising CO₂ levels, crucial for informed policy-making and public awareness campaigns.

Among the various types of gas sensors, the chemoresistive gas sensors based on metal oxides are considered the most attractive ones due to their simple operation, low costs and miniaturization. Thin films of V2O5 undoped and doped with TiO2 were studied as nitrogen dioxide, methane and hydrogen sensors. The experimental kinetics of the electrical conductivity changes due to introduction and removal of gas on metal oxide gas sensors were successfully explained in terms of the Langmuir adsorption theory.

Background: Recent research suggests a concerning trend of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behaviors emerging at younger ages (as early as age 12). Early onset of NSSI is linked to more severe outcomes. While universal school-based prevention programs have shown promise in addressing suicidal behaviors, there's limited research on their effectiveness in preventing NSSI onset among adolescents. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a universal prevention program in schools for NSSI and mental complaints while enhancing resilience and mental health in 11-14-year-old adolescents. Methods: In total, 329 Flemish secondary school students (55.6% female), aged 11 to 14 years, participated in a 4-hour classroom universal prevention, with a focus on emotion regulation, mental health, and specific strategies to prevent NSSI and reduce stigma. For both the intervention and control group (N = 124), a pre-, post- and one-month follow-up questionnaire was administered, containing reliable and valid measures for NSSI and suicidality, emotion regulation, help-seeking behaviors, well-being, and psychological distress. Results: The prevention program effectively reduced NSSI and psychological distress, particularly for adolescents with a history of NSSI. Conclusions: These findings support previous research on the effectiveness of school-based programs in reducing mental complaints and suggest promising outcomes for NSSI prevention.

System-of-systems (SoS) evolution is a complex and unpredictable process. Although various principles to facilitate collaborative SoS evolution have been proposed, there is a lack of experimental data validating their effectiveness. To address these issues, we present an Agent-Based Model (ABM) for SoS evolution in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) , serving as a quantitative analysis tool for SoS research. By integrating multiple complex and rational behaviors of individuals, we aim to simulate real-world scenarios as accurately as possible. To simulate the SoS evolution process, our model employs multiple agents with autonomous interactions and incorporates external environmental variables. Furthermore, we propose three evaluation metrics: evolutionary time, degree of variation, and evolutionary cost, to assess the performance of SoS evolution. Our study demonstrates that enhanced information transparency significantly improves the evolutionary performance of distributed SoS. Conversely, the adoption of uniform standards only brings limited performance enhancement to distributed SoSs. Although our proposed model has limitations, it stands out from other approaches that utilize Agent-Based Modeling to analyze SoS theories. Our model focuses on realistic problem contexts and simulates realistic interaction behaviors. This study enhances the comprehension of SoS evolution processes and provides valuable insights for the formulation of effective evolutionary strategies.

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of resin-based fixed dental restorations, namely veneers, single crowns, and four-unit fixed partial dental prosthesis (FPDs) using two different 3D printers and polymer-based materials. Materials and Methods: A standard maxillary polyurethane jaw model containing prepared teeth was scanned using an intraoral scanner. The generated STL data were used to design the restorations virtually using CAD software. Two 3D printers were utilized for the provisional digital light processing and stereolithography for the castable resin patterns. Each printer produced 10 specimens of each type of restoration, for a total of 80 restorations. The 3d-printed restorations were then 3D scanned using the same intraoral scanner and evaluated for external and internal dimensional accuracy in terms of trueness and precision. A one-way ANOVA and Two-sample T-Test were implemented to compute the precision (variability between groups) and trueness (with the designed CAD model). A level of statistical significance of p-Value

Agriculture is an important sector of European Union in societal , economic and environmental dimensions. Sustainability of the sector require improvements in its key operations. Weeding is one of the crucial operation having impact on farms’ productivity, safety for farmers, food security and environmental state. To achieve EU policy goals of sustainable agriculture there are needed new technical and organizational solutions. One of the advanced techniques are laser based weeding technique. It is important to understand well the impacts of introduction of these tech-niques to the markets and agricultural practice in sustainability context. For that reason Social Life Cycle Assessment was performed. The method was based on participatory approach. The as-sessment was carried in three perspectives: general society, farmers, and business perspective re-lated to agriculture. Expert interviews based on questionnaires and workshops were realized to get the opinions on the impacts of a new laser technique on particular aspects of its implementation. The results show generally positive impact in all perspectives, especially in the perspective of farmers.

Background: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a dietary self-care promotion program for hemodialysis patients based on Hurley's self-efficacy model. Methods: The needs of hemodialysis patients were identified, and an online community-based dietary self-care promotion program was developed with expert evaluations. 44 hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=22) and a control group (n=22). The program was applied to the experimental group for four weeks. Before and after the intervention, as well as four weeks after the intervention, dietary self-efficacy, dietary self-care behavior, interdialytic weight gain, serum phosphorus, and serum potassium were assessed in both groups. Results: Significant differences over time and between groups were observed in dietary self-efficacy, interdialytic weight gain, serum phosphorus, and serum potassium. The interaction between time and group was also significant. While no significant differences were found over time in dietary self-care behavior, significant group differences and interaction effects between time and group were identified. Conclusions: The results indicate that the dietary self-care promotion program using an online community for hemodialysis patients is more effective in enhancing dietary self-efficacy and dietary self-care behavior compared to conventional treatment. This suggests the clinical applicability of the proposed dietary self-care promotion program.

Treatment wetlands (TWs) are Nature-Based Solutions increasingly used worldwide for wastewater (WW) treatment able to remove mineral and organic pollutants through both physical and biochemical process. Besides the reusable effluent, the TWs produce as main output plant biomass that need to be harvested and disposed at least once a year with significant management costs and TW temporary out of service. This study aims (i) to evaluate the potential of TWs biomass for local energy production and (ii) to understand TW hydraulic conductivity (Ks) effects on the biomass biomethane yield. Specifically, it was addressed by determining the Biochemical Methane Potential of common reed (CR) (Phragmites australis) samples collected at three harvest times from the 10-years-old horizontal subsurface treatment wetland (HSTW) used as a secondary WW treatment system for the IKEA® store located in Catania (Eastern Sicily, Italy). Furthermore, the falling head test was conducted to assess the hydraulic conductivity (Ks) variation in the HSTW, in order to understand the influence on the CR biomethane production. Average methane content values were 130.57 Nm3CH4/tVS (±24.29), 212.70 Nm3CH4/tVS (±50.62) and 72.83 Nm3CH4/tVS (±23.19) in August, September, October 2022, respectively. Ks was correlated with both dry matter (R2 = 0.58) and fiber content (R2 = 0.74) and, consequently, affected the biomethane yield that increased at the Ks increases (R2 = 0.30 in August, R2 = 0.57 in September). In the framework of a circular economy, results showed the successfully possibility of integrating the bioenergy production into TWs. The research could contribute (i) to encourage plant operators to reuse biomass from TWs for local energy production and (ii) to help plant operators to understand Ks effects on the biomass biomethane yield, in order to increase the sustainability of the system and to reduce the maintenance costs.

Large-scale crowd phenomena are complex to model because the behaviour of pedestrians needs to be described at both strategic, tactical, and operational levels and is impacted by the density of the crowd. Microscopic models manage to mimic the dynamics at low densities, whereas mesoscopic models achieve better performances in dense situations. This paper proposes and evaluates a novel agent-based architecture to enable agents to dynamically change their operational model based on local density. The ability to combine microscopic and mesoscopic models for multi-scale simulation is studied through a use case of pedestrians at the Festival of Lights, Lyon, France. Pedestrian outflow data is extracted from video recordings of exiting crowds at the festival. The hybrid model is calibrated and validated using a genetic algorithm that optimizes the match between simulated and observed outflow data. Additionally, a local sensitivity analysis is then conducted to identify the most sensitive parameters in the model. Finally, the performance of the hybrid model is compared to different models in terms of density map and computation time. The results demonstrate that the hybrid model has the capacity to effectively simulate pedestrians across varied density scenarios while optimizing computational performance compared to other models.

In an IoT system, the sheer volume of data generated by numerous sensing devices necessitates a well-designed scheme for storing and retrieving data efficiently, enabling streamlined data processing and analytics. One promising storage architecture involves utilizing solid-state drives (SSDs) to cache data from hard disk drives (HDDs), thereby creating an SSD-based caching storage system. To further enhance access performance, it is possible to employ readahead techniques to minimize data access latency. However, the existing Linux readahead scheme falls short in fully leveraging SSD-based caching storage systems. We address this limitation by introducing a novel cross-layered readahead architecture that effectively communicates with the VFS layer, the file system layer, and the block I/O layer. This communication facilitates the acquisition of readahead timing, readahead data continuity, and readahead data location, respectively. To guide prefetching decisions, our architecture analyzes the degree of data access sequentiality, the performance model of the target storage device, and the access patterns of the I/O workload on the corresponding storage device. The implementation of this new architecture in the Linux kernel yields promising experimental results, demonstrating its robustness by consistently outperforming the stock Linux kernel. Notably, our architecture reduces the total execution time of the stock Linux kernel by up to 49%, except in cases of random workloads where both the stock Linux kernel and our architecture exhibit similar performance.

Plantation-based farmer cooperatives play an important role in promoting agricultural modernization and increasing farmer income, and the management of business risks of such cooperatives not only influences the development of the cooperatives themselves, but also concerns the interests of farmers. Based on the survey data of 226 sample cooperatives from Guizhou province, this article uses factor analysis to measure business risks of plantation-based farmer cooperatives and carries out empirical tests on influence factors of business risks through structural equation model. According to the research results, the ordering of business risks of plantation-based farmer cooperative based on their significance is as follows: market risk > policy risk > natural risk > technical risk > management risk. Influence factors including policy environment, economic environment, social service environment, technical environment, resource endowment of the cooperative and manager characteristics have significant positive influence on the cooperative, with economic environment and manager characteristics generating relatively stronger influence and social service environment generating relatively weaker influence. Through this research, several policy implications on driving high-quality development of plantation-based farmer cooperative are made, including specifying supportive policies of plantation-based farmer cooperative, improving economic environment of agricultural market, upgrading agricultural infrastructure, depending reform of land transfer system, and enhancing internal management of the cooperative.

The objective of this study is to evaluate how two varying amounts of sepiolite-based powder, infused with indigo extract, affect the appearance and durability of a water-based white primer. To examine the influence of this eco-friendly pigment on the coatings' overall appearance, assessments were performed for color, gloss, and surface roughness. Additionally, the coatings were investigated through optical and electron microscopic observations, to evaluate the distribution of the pigment within the polymer matrix. The effect of the pigment on the coating's durability was assessed through accelerated tests, including exposure in a salt spray chamber and a UV-B chamber. These tests aimed to evaluate the emergence of defects and changes in the appearance of the samples over time. Furthermore, the impact of different quantities of sepiolite-based powder on the coating's ability to act as a barrier was assessed using liquid resistance tests and contact angle measurements. These evaluations aimed to understand how the coating responded to various liquids and its surface properties concerning repellency or absorption. In essence, this study underscores the considerable influence of the eco-friendly pigment, demonstrating its capacity to introduce unique color and texture variations to the paint. Moreover, the inclusion of the pigment has enhanced the coating's color stability, its ability to act as a barrier, and overall durability when exposed to harsh environments.

In this research, we present the first steps taken towards a data-driven agent-based model (ABM) specifically designed for simulating infectious disease dynamics in Greece. Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, this research holds significant importance as it can offer valuable insights into disease transmission patterns and assist in devising effective intervention strategies. To the best of our knowledge, no similar study has been conducted in Greece. We constructed a prototype ABM that utilizes publicly accessible data to accurately represent the complex interactions and dynamics of disease spread in the Greek population. By incorporating demographic information and behavioral patterns, our model captures the specific characteristics of Greece, enabling accurate and context-specific simulations. By using our proposed ABM, we aim to assist policymakers in making informed decisions regarding disease control and prevention. Through the use of simulations, policymakers have the opportunity to explore different scenarios and predict the possible results of various intervention measures. These may include strategies like testing approaches, contact tracing, vaccination campaigns, and social distancing measures. Through these simulations, policymakers can assess the effectiveness and feasibility of these interventions, leading to the development of well-informed strategies aimed at reducing the impact of infectious diseases on the Greek population. This study is an initial exploration toward understanding disease transmission patterns and a first step towards formulating effective intervention strategies for Greece.

Rapid haemostasis during surgery is essential when one wants to reduce the duration of opera-tions, reduce the need for transfusions, and above all when one wants to achieve better patient management. The use of haemostatic agents, sealants and adhesives improves the haemostatic process by offering several advantages, especially in vascular surgery. These agents vary widely in their mechanism of action, composition, ease of application, adhesion to wet or dry tissue, im-munogenicity and cost. The most used are cyanoacrylate-based glues (Glubran 2) or polysaccharide hydrogel-microsphere powder (AristaTMAH). This work is based on a retrospective study carried out on a sample of patients with different vascular diseases (FAV, pseudoaneurysm and PICC application) in which two different haemostatic sealants were used. The aim was to assess the safety, the advantages and the ability of both sealants to activate the haemostatic process at the affected site, also in relation to their chemical-physical characteristics. The obtained results showed that the application of Glubran 2 and AristaTMAH as surgical wound closure systems is effective and safe as the success achieved was ≥94% on anastomoses of FAV; 100% on stabilization of Picc catheters; ≤95% on pseudoaneurysms.