The increasing deployment of intermittent renewable energy sources necessitates effective methods for balancing the electrical grid to ensure stability and safety. Energy storage systems that can store excess electrical power during periods of low demand and release it during high demand are crucial for both short-term and long-term applications. Power-to-Gas is an innovative energy storage solution that converts surplus renewable electricity into gas fuels, such as hydrogen, which can be stored and used later. This hydrogen can serve multiple purposes, including energy storage and as fuel for transportation modes like cars, trams, trains, and buses. While most hydrogen today is derived from fossil fuels, solid-oxide electrolysis (SOE) offers a cleaner alternative by producing hydrogen without harmful emissions. SOE is also the most efficient method of electrolysis. This study aims to determine the operational parameters for an SOE system, including lower heating value (LHV)-based efficiency and total input power, using a mathematical model. Results are presented for three different operating temperatures and four different steam utilization ratios. The paper is structured as follows: the introduction provides the context and motivation for the study; the second section outlines the fundamentals of electrolysis and its various types; the third section delves into solid-oxide electrolysis and electrolyser systems; the fourth section describes the methodology, including the mathematical formulation and simulation software used; the fifth section presents the calculation results and conclusions; and the final section summarizes the findings.

Grid modernization has been ushered in by rising electricity consumption, deteriorating infrastructure, and increasing reliability concerns for electric utilities. New advances, collectively referred to as the smart grid, include modern electronics, technology, telecommunications, and computing capabilities. Smart grid telecommunication frameworks provide two-way communication to support grid operations. Software-defined networking (SDN) has been proposed as a method of monitoring and controlling telecommunication networks, enabling increased smart grid visibility, control, and security. However, being connected to telecommunications infrastructure means that smart grid networks are exposed to cyber-attacks. Attackers may use unauthorized access to intercept messages, inject false data into system measurements, flood communication channels with false data packets, or target centralized controllers to cripple network control. Defense and security techniques against these threats are constantly evolving, necessitating an up-to-date, comprehensive study analyzing cyber attacks and defense methods for smart grid networks. Previous smart grid security surveys do not contain recent techniques and to our knowledge most, if not all, address only one type of attack type and/or one type of defense. This survey considers the latest security techniques, simultaneous multi-pronged cyber attacks and defensutilityes to meet the challenges of the next-generation SDN smart grid research with the goal of identifying future research needs, describing the open security challenges, and exposing both emerging threats and their potential impact on SD-SG deployment.

The stinging nettle caterpillar, Darna pallivitta (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) is a serious invasive pest of agricultural products and a health hazard on the Hawaiian Islands first discovered in 2001. Nursery workers and homeowners have been stung by the caterpillars while handling their plants, especially rhapis palms (Rhapis sp.). Throughout its invaded range, it causes widespread damage including the many cultivated and native palm species grown in Hawaii. Of medical importance are the stinging spines of the larva, which cause dermatitis on contact with the skin. Horticulture and nursery products impacted by the limacodid pest are estimated at $84.3 million (2018 value). An eradication attempt with pesticides and lure traps was made but proved unsuccessful and the moth population continued to spread to major Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Oahu). The introduction of specific biological control agents from the native region was thought to be the long-term solution for this invasive pest. Initial exploration in Indonesia and Thailand resulted in the introduction of a pupal ectoparasitoid, Nesolynx sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae), that was not specific. The oriental wasp, Aroplectrus dimerus Lin (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Eulophinae), idiobiont gregarious ectoparasitoid of the stinging nettle caterpillar, was introduced from Taiwan in 2004 for host specificity studies and biocontrol in Hawaii. Host range testing showed the parasitoid attacked only limacodid species and it was approved for field release in 2010. The parasitoid identity, host specificity under containment facility conditions, reproductive performance, colonization on the major infested sites were assessed. A total of 13379 parasitoids were colonized on162 release sites on four Hawaiian Islands. Evaluations were conducted using field surveys of larvae, pupal counts, and male lure traps. Field parasitism was thoroughly investigated on Oahu Island averaging 18.9 ± 5.6 % of 3923 collected larvae during 2010 – 2023. The numbers of male moths caught/trap/month were significantly reduced on Oahu Island (P

Background: Early postoperative airway management after laryngo-tracheal surgery is crucial. Acute respiratory failure due to glottis’ oedema may occur, requiring reintubation. This can prolong ventilatory assistance, jeopardizing the anastomosis. To date, only judicious steroid administration and fluid management are available to avoid more invasive procedures. High-Flow-Oxygen-Therapy(HFOT) is a noninvasive O2 support method providing humidification, warmed air, Positive-End-Expiratory-Pressure(AIRVO2). No data exist about HFOT use to prevent early complications after laryngo-tracheal surgery. Methods: Between Sept.2020-Sept.2022, 107 consecutive patients underwent laryngo-tracheal surgery received HFOT(Group A). Data and long-term results were compared with those of 80 patients operated between Sept.2018-Aug.2020(Group B), when HFOT was not available. All patients were operated in a single center. No pre- or post-operative settings changed, except for HFOT introduction. We analyzed and compared the risk for “delayed” reintubation (unexpected reintubation within the first 24-48 hours after extubating/laryngeal mask removal) in the two groups. Results: No patients reported HFOT-related adverse events. Control group(B) presented “delayed” reintubation in 37% (p= 0.027), Intensive Care Unit admission in 67%(p=0.005) and longer hospital stay(p=0.001) compared to HFOT group(A). Minor complications rate was 3% in both group and overall mortality was 0%. Re-stenosis was described in 4.6% of HFOT group, without a statistically significant difference (p=0.7006). Conclusions: Our study is the first to investigate HFOT use in patients undergoing laryngo-tracheal surgery, potentially representing a consistent innovation in the peri-operative management of these patients. With the limit of a retrospective series, we would suggest HFOT use for preventing post-operative reintubation rate, possibly reducing ICU admission and hospital stay.

Verminosis causes great damage to the producer, with reduced milk production and decreased development of young animals. The use of bioproducts are an alternative to control worms. This study evaluated the effects of oral administration of one commercial formulations, based on the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (Bioverm®) and experimental formulations D. flagrans associated with Pochonia chlamydosporia, on the control of worms in naturally infected cattle on February pasture to October 2021. Eighteen Holstein x Zebu cattle were divided into groups of six animals (group 1 Bioverm®, group 2 Association and control), separated into paddocks naturally infected with helminth larvae (L3). The parasite load was by means of fecal samples and pasture collection to determine L3 infestation. The study demonstrated low recovery of L3 in the pasture due to low rainfall during the experiment. The EPG was lower in groups 1 and 2 compared to the control in April, May and July, while in March the values were lower only in treatment 1 compared to the control. Individual or combined administration of fungal products reduced the presence of eggs and larvae in pastures at certain months of the year, indicating their effectiveness in the strategic control of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle.

This study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of Paomo restaurants in Xi'an's central urban area from 2012 to 2023, leveraging Point of Interest (POI) data through a series of sophisticated analytical techniques. Methods including nearest neighbor distance, kernel density estimation, and band set statistical analysis were employed to thoroughly examine the evolutionary patterns and key drivers influencing the spatial distribution of these eateries. Our results highlight a notable trend of expansion from the central city to the periphery, characterized by significant spatial agglomeration. Initially concentrated in the city center, the distribution of Paomo restaurants has progressively shifted towards multiple distinct cores, reflecting the dual influence of urban policy initiatives and the dynamics of market competition. Furthermore, the research identifies several pivotal factors shaping this spatial distribution, particularly transportation access, residential quality of life, and the availability of commercial services. These findings demonstrate the profound effects of urban spatial reconfiguration and socioeconomic development on the specialized catering industry. The insights gleaned from this analysis offer valuable guidance for urban planners and policymakers, providing strategic recommendations for the spatial planning of specialty catering services to optimize urban layouts and foster sustainable economic progress.

Magnetic resonance (MR) image acquisitions are usually time-consuming, limiting utilization in neuroimaging. For multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, MR imaging plays a major role in drug therapy decision-making. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether an ultrafast, T2-weighted (T2w), deep-learning-enhanced (DL), echo-planar-imaging-based (EPI) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence (FLAIRUF) that has been targeting neurological emergencies so far might even be an option to detect MS lesions of the brain compared to conventional FLAIR sequences. Therefore, 17 MS patients were enrolled prospectively in this exploratory study. Standard MR protocols and ultrafast acquisitions were conducted at 3 tesla (T), including three-dimensional (3D)-FLAIR, turbo/fast spin echo (TSE)-FLAIR, and FLAIRUF. Inflammatory lesions were grouped by size and location. Lesion conspicuity and image quality were rated on an ordinal five-point Likert scale, and lesion detection rates were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed to compare results. Altogether, 568 different lesions were found. Data indicated no significant differences in lesion detection (sensitivity and positive predictive value [PPV]) between FLAIRUF and axially reconstructed 3D-FLAIR (lesion size ≥ 3 mm × ≥ 2 mm) and no differences in sensitivity between FLAIRUF and TSE-FLAIR (lesion size ≥ 3 mm total). Lesion conspicuity in FLAIRUF was similar in all brain regions except for superior conspicuity in the occipital lobe and inferior conspicuity in central brain regions. Further findings include location-dependent limitations of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) as well as artifacts such as spatial distortions in FLAIRUF. In conclusion, FLAIRUF could potentially be an expedient alternative to conventional methods for brain imaging in MS patients since the acquisition can be performed in a fraction of time while maintaining good image quality.

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a devastating, potentially fatal T lymphocyte malignancy affecting the skin. Despite all efforts, the etiology of the disease remains unknown. Infectious agents have long been suspected as factors or co-factors in CTCL pathogenesis. This review deals with the panel of bacterial and viral pathogens that have been investigated so far in an attempt to establish a potential link between infection/carriage and CTCL development. A special focus is given to a recently discovered human protoparvovirus, namely the cutavirus (CutaV), which has emerged as a plausible CTCL etiological agent. Available evidence in support of this hypothesis as well as alternative interpretations and uncertainties raised by some conflicting data are discussed. The complexity and the multifacetedness of the Parvoviridae family of viruses are illustrated by presenting another protoparvovirus, the rat H-1 parvovirus (H-1PV). H-1PV belongs to the same genus as the CutaV but carries a considerable potential for therapeutic applications in cutaneous lymphoma.

Healthy human subjects develop spontaneous CD8+ T cell responses to melanocyte antigens (MA) expressed by normal melanocytes, such as Tyrosinase, MAGE-A3, Melan/Mart-1, gp100, and NY-ESO-1. This natural autoimmunity directed against melanocytes might confer protection against the development of malignant melanoma (MM), where MA are present as overexpressed tumor-associated antigens. Consistent with this notion we report here that functional T cell reactivity to MA was found to be diminished in untreated MM patients: while 57.5% of healthy controls (n=40) exhibited high-frequency MA-specific T cell reactivity ex vivo, such was detected in only 12% of the untreated MM patients (n=24). Three lines of evidence suggest that the MA-reactive T cells present in healthy subjects undergo exhaustion once MM establishes itself. First, only the MA-specific T cell reactivity was affected in the MM patients; that to third party recall antigens was not. Second, in these patients, the residual MA-specific T cells, unlike third party antigen reactive T cells, were functionally impaired, showing a diminished per cell IFN-γ productivity. Third, successful immunotherapy with AGI-101H melanoma vaccine restored natural CD8+ T cell autoimmunity to MA in 85% of the vaccinated patients (n= 27). The role of natural T cell autoimmunity to tumor-associated MA is discussed based on discrete levels of T cell activation thresholds.

Microgreens (young, edible plantlets) are a remarkable opportunity for both consumers, to benefit from health promoting compounds and for applied research, as such organisms have a very high plasticity related to environmental cues, allowing biotechnology development with low costs. Ocimum basilicum species naturally synthesize valuable, phenolic compounds, among which rosmarinic acid is most prominent. Basil plantlets were grown for 10 days under either full spectrum light (white light) or modulated blue:red:far-red:UV spectrum with an additional factorization, by applying fertilisation. Biomass accumulation reached up to 0.8 g/20 plantlets, while chlorophyll fluorescence was in the 0.75 – 0.78 range and remained uniform across treatments, indicating that no significant stress was exerted under modified light treatment. However, total phenolic contents and, in particular, rosmarinic acid contents were markedly enhanced (up to 7.5 mg/g in the red cultivar) under modulated light treatment and fertilization, compared to full spectrum light. Moreover, gene expression was enhanced, 1.3-6.3 fold for genes coding for enzymes involved in phenylpropanoid synthesis patwhays, such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Overall, light modulation coupled with fertilization led to the production of basil microgreens with up to 10% more total phenolics and up to 25% more rosmarinic acid.

This study delves into hospital mobility, understood as an indicator of perceived service quality, across the Italian regions of Apulia and Emilia Romagna, utilizing logistic regression among machine learning techniques. The focus is on how structural, operational, and clinical variables impact patient perceptions of service quality, influencing their healthcare choices. Through the analysis of mobility trends with machine learning, significant differences between regions were uncovered, highlighting the influence of regional context on perceived quality. The integration of SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values into our analysis provided deeper insights into the logistic regression model, elucidating the specific contribution of each variable to perceived healthcare quality. This incorporation of SHAP values underscores the study's commitment to employing advanced, explainable AI techniques to enhance the interpretability and fairness of healthcare service evaluations. The choice of logistic regression elucidated the impact of specific variables on quality perception, offering essential insights for optimizing healthcare resource distribution and underscoring the importance of data-driven strategies to foster more equitable, efficient, and patient-centred healthcare systems. Contributing to the understanding of perceived quality dynamics within the healthcare context, the research paves the way for further investigations into enhancing accessibility and service quality, leveraging machine learning as a tool for improving healthcare services efficiency in diverse regional settings.

As the number of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) operating in our National Airspace System (NAS) increases, so do UAS operations near or at an airport. The accelerating technology in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) along with the related business opportunities will only further increase UAS operations at airports. This continued growth in new UAS technologies and applications introduces new hazards and risks to the airport environment. This proliferation of UAS highlights the importance of airports developing a robust Safety Management System (SMS) that includes specific UAS risk mitigations. To date, there is currently little empirical data regarding UAS traffic around airports. Nor is there a system to collect this data at a national level. This study attempted to gain insight into the commercial UAS operations across a broader airport population by surveying the airport manager population here in the United States. Research results found that 62% of airports are experiencing an increase in UAS operations in their surrounding airspace. This increase applies to all airspace classifications, with 67% of airports located in controlled airspace experiencing an increase in UAS operations. However, only 27% of airports have some type of UAS safety plan. Similarly, the increase in adverse UAS events near airports suggests that UAS operators may also lack robust safety plans or an understanding of the risks and regulations associated with operating near airports.

This article explores the profound implications of Dr. Anthony Fauci's testimony before the U.S. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, where he admitted that key COVID-19 policies lacked scientific backing. By analyzing the foundation of these decisions, the piece delves into the broader issues of scientific evidence, hypothesis validation, and the societal consequences of implementing unverified measures. It raises critical questions about the role of scientific rigor and accountability in policy-making, urging a reflection on our approach to scientific inquiry and decision-making in public health.

High-power lasers play an important role in modern science, industry, and medicine. A signifi-cant milestone was reached on December 5, 2022, when Inertial Confinement Nuclear Fusion (ICF) achieved scientific breakeven, releasing more energy than the input laser energy. Additionally, Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL) has enabled the development of microchips with 3 nm process nodes, marking a leap in semiconductor technology. These examples together with the recent achievement of a 10 PW (1015 W) laser output heralds remarkable advancements in technology and science soon. Laser systems are broadly classified based on their operating re-gimes into two main categories: Continuous Wave (CW) operation, where the laser is continuously pumped and emits a steady beam of light, and the pulsed regime, in which the laser pro-duces single or multiple pulses at various repetition rates. This review will primarily focus on pulsed laser systems, exploring their various types and recent technological advancements.

Little has been written in literature about the clinical comparison of the single use of chlorhexidine (CHX) rather than its combination with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of two at-home antiseptic regimens. Healthy subjects scheduled for dental surgery were enrolled. After the surgery, patients were randomly allocated in a first group (Group A) which received a manual ultra soft toothbrush (Mentadent Professional®), an antiseptic toothpaste with 0,12% CHX and Vitamin B3 (Mentadent Professional Azione Intensiva Gengive®) and an antiseptic mouthwash with 0,12% CHX and 0,07% CPC. The second group (Group B) received solely an antiseptic mouthwash with 0,2% in conjunction with Anti Discoloration System (Curasept ADS/DNA®) and were encouraged to use their usual toothbrush and toothpaste. Patients were instructed to use the products twice a day and to rinse for 30 seconds. On day 7, patients were examined for the Early Healing Score, Visual Plaque Index of the sutures, Numerical Rating Scale and mouthwash taste. Group A showed a statistically significant levels of EHS and taste satisfaction. The regimen based on CHX associate with vitamin B3 in the toothpaste and CPC in the mouthwash resulted in superior clinical outcomes and satisfaction compared to solely CHX.

Mercury (Hg) analyses in species of fish are performed for two reasons 1) to safeguard human health, 2) to assess environmental quality, since different environmental changes may increase the Hg concentrations in fish. These analyses are important since both natural and human activities can increase these Hg concentrations, which can vary extensively, depending on the species, age and catching location. Unfortunately, humans consuming Hg contaminated fish or other marine foodstuffs cannot taste Hg contamination; this can be only detected by chemical analysis. If the aim of Hg analysis is to protect the health of marine-food consumers, researchers workers must consider the location where the fish were caught and interpret the results accordingly. Health and environmental officials must appreciate that in specific places many local people may have a daily diet almost entirely consisting of fish or other marine foods, and these individuals should not be exposed to high concentrations of Hg. Regional and national health and environmental officials should follow the guidance of international organizations when drawing their final conclusions about whether or not the products are safe to eat.

On 17 October 1947, Niels Bohr was made a knight of the Order of the Elephant by the King of Denmark in view of his outstanding achievements and contributions to science. Bohr designed his own coat of arms that featured a pattern of Yin and Yang (Tai Chi symbol) to symbolize the wave-particle complementarity. However, Bohr’s Yin-Yang diagram (YYD) was neither drawn based on the principles of quantum mechanics, nor did it originate from the traditional Taoist YYD. Scientists still have doubts about the legitimacy of using YYD as the icon of the wave-particle complementarity, because the YYD belonging to quantum mechanics itself is unknown so far. This article reports the YYDs existing in quantum mechanics and justifies the role of YYD in the wave-particle duality by showing that any system, whether classical or quantum, has an ideal YYD as long as it satisfies Bohr’s principle of complementarity (BPC). The deviation of a deformed YYD from the ideal YYD indicates the extent to which a real system satisfies BPC. This article constructs the quantum YYD by the complex quantum trajectory of a particle tunneling via a step barrier, which displays the continuous transition between the wave behavior and the particle behavior. It appears that the YYD designed by Bohr in his coat of arms resembles the YYD generated by tunneling motion, not only in appearance but also in the governing equation.

Determination of antibody titre of dogs vaccinated against canine distemper in Jos North and South local Government Areas of Plateau State was carried out by collection of sera of vaccinated dogs and administration of well-structured questionnaires to dog owners. The samples collected were analyzed using the immune-blot ELISA Kit to determining the antibody titre (immunoglobulin G). It indicated that dogs vaccinated against the disease mounted adequate protective immunity. The result revealed that 54 (90.0%) of the sampled dogs have protective immunity, with those given more than one dose having higher level of protective antibody. Statistically, the result showed that the antibody titre did not differ significantly in relation to immunity and sex, breed, age and location but significant difference was seen in relation to number of primary vaccination. The result also revealed that those dogs that received booster doses (secondary vaccination) had more protective antibody. The study was aimed at evaluating the antibody titre of dogs vaccinated against canine distemper in Jos, Plateau State.

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder predominately diagnosed in females and primarily caused by pathogenic variants in the X-linked gene Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2 (MECP2). Most often, the disease causing MECP2 allele resides on the paternal X chromosome while a healthy copy is maintained on the maternal X chromosome with inactivation (XCI) resulting in mosaic expression of one allele in each cell. Preferential inactivation of the paternal X chromosome is theorized to result in reduced disease severity; however, establishing such a correlation is complicated by known MECP2 genotype effects and an age dependent increase in severity. To mitigate these confounding factors, we developed an age- and genotype-normalized measure of RTT severity by modeling longitudinal data collected in the US Rett Syndrome Natural History Study. This model accurately reflected individual increase in severity with age and preserved group-level genotype specific differences in severity allowing for the creation of a normalized clinical severity score. Applying this normalized score to a RTT XCI dataset revealed that XCI influence on disease severity depends on MECP2 genotype with a correlation between XCI and severity observed only in individuals with MECP2 variants associated with increased clinical severity. This normalized measure of RTT severity provides the opportunity for future discovery of additional factors contributing to disease severity that may be masked by age and genotype effects.

Today, legislative framework addresses the metal alloys’ corrosion issues, demanding the re-striction of use of the probable carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction at humans (CMG) metals, like nickel, cobalt and chromium, and demand to develop new biomaterials. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate and compare ion release of standard dental alloys and their hypoallergenic equivalents. Six types of orthodontic alloy wires (nickel-titanium (NiTi), coated NiTi, stainless steel (SS), Ni-free SS, cobalt-chromium (CoCr), and titanium-molybdenum (TMA) were immersed into artificial saliva of pH 5.5 and 6.6. Release of metal ions was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) after 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. Data analyses were done using analysis of variance, results with P

The unified Mittag-Leffler (ML) function is important factor in formulation of compact form of fractional integrals. In this paper estimations of integral operators, with the unified ML function as kernel are given. The Hadamard inequality in the form of fractional integrals is proved by considering refinement of convexities. These estimations provide various inequalities as refinements of recently published results.

In the realm of construction industry, the management of claims constitutes a pervasive and multifaceted issue, with potential repercussions extending to project delays, cost overruns, work suspensions, and, in extreme cases, project termination. This challenge is a significant and unavoidable hurdle due to the unique features of construction projects, which are complex, involve many stakeholders and come with inherent risks. To address this complex issue, it becomes imperative to undertake a comprehensive appraisal of the claims management procedures employed within the industry, culminating in the presentation of findings within a risk-based framework. The overarching objective of this endeavour is threefold: firstly, to discern the pivotal attributes that affect each category of construction claims; secondly, to establish a coherent decision-making paradigm for the effective administration of such claims; and finally, to provide data that can be harnessed to either address concerns related to claims or enhance the effectiveness of the claims administration process. Keeping this in mind, this study serves to evaluate the factors associated with claim management gathered from a wide overview of literature, encompassing a range of construction projects, varying in terms of types, sizes/capacities and contractual arrangements. Hence, it advanced a refined method within the domain of fuzzy group decision-making, denoted as the Modified Fuzzy Group Decision-Making Approach (FGDMA) in addition to extensive statistical analysis using SPSS.V.25 software. They were applied to assess, analyze and prioritize claim about 108 claim management factors based on the responses obtained from the comprehensive questionnaire survey involving 104 industry professionals. This multi-faceted approach, which combines the insights from previous publications, along with the collective experience of the surveyed professionals with the analytical capabilities of the FGDMA- Statically Factor Analysis, reinforces the robustness and practical applicability of proposed methodology within the context of construction claims management.

Owing to the nondiffracting, self-accelerating, and self-healing properties, Airy beams of different nature have become a subject of immense interest in the past decade. Their interesting properties have opened doors to many diverse applications. Consequently, the questions of how to properly design spatial manipulation of Airy beams or how to implement them in different setups have become important and timely in the development of various optical devices. Here, based on our previous work, we present a short review on the spatial control of Airy beams, including the interactions of Airy beams in nonlinear media, beam propagation in harmonic potential, and the dynamics of abruptly autofocusing Airy beams in the presence of a dynamic linear potential. We demonstrate that under the guidance of nonlinearity and external potential, the trajectory, acceleration, structure, and even the basic properties of Airy beams can be adjusted to suit specific needs. We describe other fascinating phenomena observed with Airy beams, such as self-Fourier transformation, periodic inversion of Airy beams, and the appearance of spatial solitons in the presence of nonlinearity. These results have promoted the development of Airy beams, and have been utilized in various applications, including particle manipulation, self-trapping, and electronic matter waves.

The use of tuning forks to measure fluid density and viscosity is widely employed in fields such as food, medicine, textiles, automobiles, petrochemicals, and deep drilling. The explicit analytical model based on Euler-Bernoulli cantilever beam theory for the relationship between tuning fork resonance characteristics and the density and viscosity of fluid is only applicable to the situation where the fluid viscous effect is very small. In this paper, the finite element method is used to simulate the influence of large variations in fluid density and viscosity on the resonance characteristic parameters (resonant frequency and quality factor) of the tuning fork. The numerical simulation results are compared with the analytical analysis results and experimental measurement results. Then, the sensitivity of tuning fork resonance characteristic parameters to fluid density and viscosity is studied. The results show that compared with the analytical results, the numerical simulation results have a higher degree of agreement with the experimental measurement results. The relative difference in resonant frequency is less than 2%, and the relative difference in quality factor is less than 4%. This indicates that the finite element method includes the influence of fluid viscosity on tuning fork resonance parameters, which is more in line with the actual conditions than the analytical model. Simulating and analyzing the sensitivity of the tuning fork to fluid density and viscosity by the finite element method, it is possible to consider the situation where fluid density and viscosity vary over a large range. Compared with experimental measurements, this method has higher efficiency and can significantly save time and economic costs. This study can overcome the limitation of existing explicit analytical models, which are only applicable when the viscous effects of the fluid are very small. It enables a more accurate simulation of the coupling vibration between tuning forks and fluids, thereby providing theoretical references for further optimizing tuning fork structural parameters to enhance the accuracy of measuring fluid characteristic parameters.

In this paper, we demonstrate a method of measuring the flexural elastic modulus of ceramics at an intermediate (~millimeter) scale, at high temperatures. We used a picosecond laser to precisely cut micro-beams from the location of interest in a bulk ceramic. They had a cross-section of approximately 100 μm × 300 μm, and a length of ~1 cm. They were then tested in a thermal-mechanical analyzer at room temperature, 500°C, 800°C, and 1100°C using the four-point flexural testing method. We compared the elastic moduli of high-purity Al2O3 and AlN measured by our method with the reported values in the literature and found that the difference was less than 5% for both materials. This paper provides a new and accurate method of characterizing the high-temperature elastic modulus of miniature samples extracted from representative/selected areas of bulk materials.

In this paper we suggest a first ever construction of fractional integral and differential operators based on signed measures including a vector-valued case. The study focuses on constructing the fractional power of the Riemann-Stieltjes integral with a signed measure, using semigroup theory. The main result is a theorem that provides the exact form of a semigroup for the Riemann-Stieltjes integral with a measure having a countable number of extrema. The article provides examples of semigroups based on integral operators with signed measures and discusses the fractional powers of differential operators with partial derivatives.

Although promoting healthy eating is a policy objective, the controllability of dietary habits remains uncertain. The personal dietary patterns reflect many factors, of which some are relatively controllable for individual, and others are not. In this article, assuming that some sort of information about controllability of dietary habits is contained in the observed pattern of food consumptions, we focused on dietary pattern on its own. We introduced a statistical descriptive model for data on food frequency questionnaire, estimated strength of pairwise linkage between foodstuffs, and grouped foodstuffs by applying community detection to the networks of the estimated inter-food linkages. Those linkages represent co-movement of pairs of foods consumption. Furthermore, we demonstrated an analysis on the relationship between health of mind and dietary habits considering the aspect of controllability of dietary habits. Using an observational study in Japan, we obtained the following results: 115 foodstuffs were divided into 3 groups for both of genders, but the compositions were different by gender; in the analysis of mental health, some stress response items were associated with the dependence on some of those food groupings. As the grouping of foodstuffs based on our estimation depicted the internal structure of dietary habit that a healthy eating policy should regard as constraint, it follows that we should design the policy along the line with that grouping.

Duct-dependent lesions are classically divided into duct dependent pulmonary circulation which involves severe right sided obstructive lesions such as pulmonary atresia or critical stenosis, and duct dependent systemic circulation which is characterized by malformation of the left side of the heart, and whose severest spectrum is hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Dextro-transposition of the great arteries remains in gray zone between being included in some old classifications as a duct dependent pulmonary circulation lesion or a new category of duct-dependent or independent mixing lesion. We hypothesize that re-classifying duct dependent congenital defects into duct dependent perfusion and oxygenation offers a model to fit D-TGA into the same category of right sided obstructive lesions and reflects the clinical spectrum in a more comprehensive way.

Blockchain technology (BCT) has the potential for sustainable development, enhancing business efficiency, reducing costs, and strengthening data security. Despite its potential, adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is low due to the need for significant changes in technology infrastructure and the challenge of interoperability. A cross-sectional survey was done with 226 Hong Kong SMEs. The PLS-SEM results highlighted favorable transformation conditions as the most critical factor for SMEs considering the adoption of BCT. These conditions address both internal and external readiness for adopting the disruptive strategy. Other contributing factors to BCT adoption include trust in BCT developers, perceived usefulness and ease of use, government support, and perceived security. The research results contributed to the literature on disruptive technology acceptance, adoption, transformation conditions, technology readiness, and SMEs’ technology adoption. Government-supported policies and initiatives can promote BCT adoption, including educational programs, case studies, and resources for readiness. Financial support and regulatory frameworks can further encourage adoption. BCT developers can demonstrate the value of their systems, effectively communicate potential ROI and cost savings, and provide user-friendly interfaces to increase SMEs’ intention to adopt BCT.

This paper considers the Hermitian solutions of a new system of commutative quaternion matrix equations, we establish both necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions. Furthermore, we derive an explicit general expression when it is solvable. To illustrate our main findings, we present two numerical algorithms and examples in this paper.

ABSTRACT After locavore was chosen as “the best word of the year” in 2007, its popularity increased gradually. Today great number of locavores consciously prefer locally produced food for the benefit of themselves and their community. Undoubtedly this conscious movement has its consequences in marketing discipline. Accordingly, this paper is purposed to examine the how locavore perceptions affect loyalty towards retailers that sell locally produced food. In this context, a survey was applied to people residing in Istanbul and Kocaeli districts to measure the robustness of these effects. Furthermore, attitude towards locavore is used as a control variable to reveal to what extend locavorism affects these proposed connections. According to results, for participants with low attitude, Social Responsibility and Health Consciousness variables have significant effect on local retailer shopping loyalty. However, for participants with high attitude, all independent variables proved to have substantial effect on local retailer shopping loyalty. As the first empirical study in Turkey on the subject, this paper will provide important insight to academia and practicioners due to today’s ever-increasing consciousness in green marketing.

Environmental estrogen pollution and estrogen effects on the female reproduction system are well-recognized scientifically. Among the estrogens, 17 β-estradiol is a priority in environmental estrogen pollution, and it is also a major contributor to estrogen which regulates the female reproduction system. 17 β-estradiol is carcinogen and has a tumor promotion effect relating to breast cancer, lung cancer and others. It also affects the psychological well-being such as depression, fatigue and others. Thus, a simple method of detection of 17 β-estradiol will be important for both environmental estrogen pollution and women’s health care. This study demonstrates a simple-use, cost effective 17 β-estradiol biosensor system which can be used for both environment and women’s health care applications. The bio-recognition mechanism is based on the influence of the redox couple, K₃Fe (CN) ₆/K₄Fe (CN) ₆ by the interaction between 17 β-estradiol antigen and its α-receptor (ER- α; α-estrogen antibody). The transduction mechanism is an electrochemical analytical technique, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The levels of 17 β-estradiol antigen studied was between 2.25 pg/mL to 2,250 pg/mL, Phosphate buffered saline (PBS), tap water from the Cleveland regional water district, and simulate urine were used as the test media covering the potential application areas for 17 β-estradiol detection. An interference study by testosterone which has a similar chemical structure and molecular weight as those of 17 β-estradiol was carried out, and this 17 β-estradiol biosensor showed excellent specificity without any interference by similar chemicals.

Biohydrogen is a versatile energy carrier for the generation of electric energy from renewable sources. Hydrogenases can be used in enzymatic fuel cells to oxidize dihydrogen. The rate of electron transfer (ET) at the anodic side between the [NiFe]-hydrogenase enzyme distal iron-sulfur cluster and the electrode surface can be described by the Marcus equation. All parameters for the Marcus equation are accessible from DFT calculations. The distal cubane FeS-cluster has a three cysteine and one histidine coordination [Fe₄S₄](His)(Cys)₃ first ligation sphere. The reorganization energy (inner- and outer-sphere) is almost unchanged upon a histidine-to-cysteine substitution. Differences in rates of electron transfer between the wild-type enzyme and the all-cysteine mutant can be rationalized by a diminished electronic coupling between the donor and acceptor molecules in the [Fe₄S₄](Cys)₄ case. The fast and efficient electron transfer from the distal iron-sulfur cluster is realized by a fine-tuned protein environment which facilitates the flow of electrons. This study enables the design and control of electron transfer rates and pathways by protein engineering.

Multiresistant pathogens pose a serious threat to human health. The genus candida is one class of human pathogenic yeasts responsible for infections affecting healthy and immunocompromised patients. In this context, plant essential oils emerged as a future natural alternative to control the diseases caused by these pathogens. Here, it highlighted antimicrobial activity and the mechanisms of action of the essential oil extracted from Croton pluriglandulosus Carn.-Torres & Riina (CpEO) leaves on human pathogenic microorganisms in planktonic and biofilm lifestyles. In addition, for the first time, the oil composition was revealed by GC-MS analysis and the toxicity to human red blood cells (HRBC). Twenty-six chemical compounds were identified in EOCp, Elemicin, Bicyclogermacrene, caryophyllene, brevifolin and 2,4,6-trimethoxy-styrene. Through hemolytic assay, it was shown that CpEO has no toxicity to human RBCs. At the concentration of 50 μg mL-1, CpEO did not show great antibacterial potential. However, promising data were found for C. krusei and C. parapsilosis inhibiting by 89.3% and 80.7% of planktonic cell growth and 83.5% and 77.9% the biofilm formation, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action CpEO were elucidated by fluorescence. Scanning electron microscopy revealed damage to the cell membrane and pore formation, ROS overproduction, and Induction of apoptosis in candida cells. Our results reinforce the potential of CpEO as an effective alternative molecule of pharmaceutical interest.

Academic interest in social and human capital is growing significantly. Similarly, their relationship with sustainability is increasing, especially compared to sustainability’s relationship with natural capital and financial and economic capital. Bibliometric and visualization research on these relationships is nonetheless insufficient. This study analyzes the evolution of the literature on natural capital, financial and economic capital, and social and human capital related to sustainability. On the other hand, the study presents a bibliometric analysis on social capital and human capital (SHC) related to sustainability. The article studies 635 references collected from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database and utilizes visualization of similarities (VOS) viewer program to graphically map the material. The analysis involves co-occurrence of keywords, co-citation, and co-authorship. The results reveal not only the state of the art and the leading trends, but also the evolution regarding impact, main journals, documents, topics, authors, institutions, and countries. The study provides researchers and practitioners with a visual and schematic frame of the research on this topic.

Agricultural land conversion (ALC) is an incentive–driven process. In this paper we further investigate the inter–relationship between land economic value (LEV) and ALC. To achieve this goal, we calculated LEV for agricultural and non-agricultural (housing) uses in two areas in East Java, Indonesia. The first area represents suburban agriculture, facing rapid urbanization and experiencing high rate of ALC. The second area represents rural agriculture with zero ALC. Furthermore, we identified factors affecting LEV in both areas for both uses. The resut of this study show that agricultural land yielded higher economic benefit in rural area. Conversely, comparing to agricultural land, housing creates 7 times higher value in urban area. Moreover, agricultural land shown to create higher profit after converted. Ironically, the similar comparison doesn’t exists in rural area. Agricultural land only yielded 19% more value, indicate that agricultural land can be easily converted. It is also proven by the growing number of new urban core in the periphery area. There are several factors affecting land economic value, for agricultural use, soil fertility, accessibility, and cropping pattern are important variables. While accessibility and location in urban area increases land value for housing.

Towards the investigation and further understanding of the development and propagation of Medicanes, this study explores the forecasting capability of WRF model in case of cyclone “Cleopatra” which affected with extreme rainfall and strong winds Sardinia and Calabria, Italy, in November 2013. This cyclone was unusual in that it developed a warm core but did not fulfill its transformation into a tropical-like cyclone because its core did not expand high enough in the tropospnere. The ERA5 reanalysis dataset was dynamically downscaled from 31 km spatial horizontal resolution to 9 km using WRF model. The methodology consists of; firstly, an extensive physical parameterization schemes sensitivity test and consequently, a short-range ensemble forecasting implementation based on the highest statistical scored physics configuration. All simulation results were validated against surface observations and remote sensing products. Subsequently, the modeled cyclone trajectories are compared to satellite imagery derived from EUMETSAT-SEVIRI gridded data. The findings of the conducted analysis illustrate that ensemble average displays significant difference in performance compared to any of the deterministic runs individually, suggesting that ensemble forecasts will be beneficial in studies assessing cyclonic events in the Mediterranean region.

The quest for youthful, healthy skin and full, vibrant hair has long been a driving force in the dermocosmetics field. However, traditional approaches often struggle to address the underlying causes of aging, damage, and hair loss. Regenerative cosmetics, powered by skin tissue engineering, offer a transformative alternative. This review explores the emerging field of using engineered skin tissues for cosmetic purposes, focusing specifically on their potential for anti-aging, repair, and hair restoration applications. We discuss how these technologies aim to rejuvenate aging skin by promoting collagen production, reducing wrinkles, and improving overall skin function. Additionally, the use of engineered skin for wound healing and scar reduction is examined, highlighting their potential to improve the appearance and functionality of damaged skin. Finally, we advance the exciting prospects of utilizing skin tissue engineering techniques to regenerate hair follicles, potentially offering solutions for hair loss and promoting denser hair growth.

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate feasibility and safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and assess thoroughly any potential adverse events. Methods: We conducted a safety and feasibility study including 16 ICU patients on ECMO support who were admitted to the cardiac surgery ICU from January 2022 to December 2023. Patients underwent a 45-minute NMES session, still on ECMO support, that included a warm up phase of 5 minutes, a main phase of 35 minutes and a recovery phase of 5 minutes. NMES was implemented on vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, gastrocnemius and peroneus longus muscle of both lower extremities. Two stimulators delivered biphasic, symmetric impulses of 75 Hz, with 400 μsec pulse duration, 5 sec on (1,6 sec ramp up and 0,8 sec ramp down) and 21 sec off. The intensity levels aimed to cause visible contractions and be well tolerated. Primary outcomes of the study were feasibility and safety, evaluated by whether the NMES sessions were successfully achieved, and by any adverse events and complications. Secondary outcomes included indices of rhabdomyolysis from biochemical blood test, 24 hours after the application of NMES. Results: All patients successfully completed their 45-minute NMES session, without presenting hemodynamic deterioration, adverse events or signs of rhabdomyolysis. The majority of patients achieved type 4 and 5 quality of muscle contraction. Conclusions: NMES is a safe and feasible exercise methodology in patients supported with ECMO.

Due to the manufacturing process of Additive Manufacturing (AM) Parts the mechanical properties cannot be predicted. The scope of the present work is to propose a predictive tool for the mechanical properties of AM parts through the use of Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). The Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) combines neural networks with fuzzy logic to generate a mapping between the inputs and the output. Real data experiments from different AM technologies and materials compose the initial dataset so a detailed investigation is conducted to gain knowledge of how different parameters affect the UTS, the elongation and the Young modulus of each experiment. Experimental data were also use to train, check and verify the methodology. The method is tested for FFF technology, PLA material and 3 point bending stress, with interesting results.

New digital interventions have shown potential in managing asthma and improving patients' quality of life compared with conventional interventions. Our objective was to conduct an exhaustive survey of the application of digital health technologies in evaluating, treating, and self-managing psychological and psychopathological elements linked to asthma. We analyzed a compendium of research papers and systematic reviews pertaining to asthma, encompassing themes such as outdoor air pollution, early life wheezing disorders, atopic dermatitis, digital strategies for asthma self-management, psychiatric conditions and asthma, familial impacts on pediatric asthma, and the utilization of mobile health apps for managing asthma. We scrutinized eight chosen studies to evaluate the capacity of digital health technologies to enhance the man-agement and treatment outcomes of psychological factors related to asthma. The studies under review indicate that eHealth interventions, mixed reality instruments, mHealth technolo-gy-augmented nurse-led interventions, and smartphone apps incorporating Bluetooth-enabled sensors for asthma inhalers can markedly enhance self-management of symptoms, quality of life, and mental health outcomes, particularly in children and adolescents with asthma. Nonetheless, additional research is required to ascertain their efficacy and practicability across diverse populations and environments. Customized interventions that cater to the unique needs and preferences of asthma patients and associated psychological elements are vital to ensure the persistent and equitable adoption of these technologies. We underscore the significance of addressing psychological elements in the management and treatment of asthma and advocate for ongoing research and development in this domain.

Background: The effect of COVID-19 infection, versus the indirect effect of the pandemic on body composition remains unclear. This study investigates long-term changes in body composition in COVID–19 survivors compared to a contemporary control group. Method: This is a prospective study involving adults who had a pre-pandemic whole-body DXA scan (DXA#1) performed between 2017 and 2019. Participants were asked to return for a repeat whole-body DXA scan (DXA#2) after the pandemic. Detailed data were collected including medical and COVID history. Inflammation markers and fasting lipids were measured. For those participants who had a COVID-19 infection between the 2 DXAs, DXA#2 was acquired at least one year after COVID-19 infection. Results: Overall, 160 adults were enrolled; 32.5% females, 51.8% non-white, with mean age of 43.2 years. Half (n=80) of the participants had documented COVID infection between their 2 DXA scans (COVID+ group), and the other half never had COVID. COVID-negative participants had an increase in annualized trunk fat (g) [922.5 vs. 159.7; P=0.01], total fat (g) [1564.3 vs. 199.9; P=0.2], and LBM (g) [974.9 vs. -64.5; P=0.0002], when compared to COVID+ group. However, among the COVID+ group, no differences were seen in annualized trunk fat, total fat mass, or LBM between those with PASC and without (p>0.05). Conclusion: During the pandemic, both COVID-19-survivors and COVID-negative groups exhibited increases in weight, and total and trunk fat, likely associated with pandemic-linked lifestyle modifications. However, only COVID-19-survivors had a decline in lean body mass over the same period, regardless of PASC symptoms.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood cancer with heterogeneous characteristics, posing challenges to effective treatment. NBs express somatostatin receptors that facilitates the use of somatostatin analogs (SSTAs) as tumor-seeking agents for diagnosis and therapy. High-risk (HR) NBs often have gain-of-function mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Despite intensive multimodal treatment, survival rates remain below 40% for children with HR-NB. The aim of this work was to investigate the combined effect of the SSTA 177Lu-octreotide with the ALK inhibitor lorlatinib. Mice bearing human HR-NB CLB-BAR tumors were treated with lorlatinib, 177Lu-octreotide, combination of these pharmaceuticals or saline (control). Tumor volume was monitored and tumor samples were evaluated for cleaved caspase-3 and expression of 84 human genes involved in apoptosis. Combination treatment with 177Lu-octreotide and lorlatinib demonstrated synergistic antitumor effects. Increased number of cleaved caspase 3-positive cells was observed in tumors from mice treated with 177Lu-octreotide alone and in combination with lorlatinib. Modulation of Bcl-2 family gene expression was observed only in the presence of both 177Lu-octreotide and lorlatinib, with BID downregulated and HRK upregulated on days 2 and 7, respectively. The data suggests that ALK signaling pathway inhibition may contribute to radiosensitization in radionuclide therapy with 177Lu-octreotide.

PFAS are a variety of ecologically persistent compounds of anthropogenic origin loosely included in many industrial products, in which the carbon chain can be fully (perfluoroalkyl substances) or partially (polyfluoroalkyl substances) fluorinated. Their ubiquitous presence in many environmental compartments over the years, and highly long-lasting nature, arose concern because of the possible adverse effects of PFAS on ecosystem and human health. Between the remediation technologies, adsorption has been demonstrated to be a maneageble and cost-effective method for the removal of PFAS in aqueous media. This study tested two novel and eco-friendly adsorbents (pinewood and date seeds biochar) on 6 different PFAS (PFOS, GenX, PFHxA, PFOA, PFDA, PFTeDA). Batch sorption tests (24 hours) were carried out to evaluate the removal efficiency of each PFAS substance in relation to the two biochars. All samples of liquid phase were analysed by a developed and then well-established method: i) pre-treatment (centrifugation and filtration); ii) determination by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Results evidenced a comparable adsorption capacity of both materials, but greater for the long-chain PFAS. Such findings may lead to a promising path for the use of waste origin materials in the PFAS remediation field.

In this study, the degradation characteristics of radio-frequency (RF) low-noise amplifier (LNA) based on silicon-germanium (SiGe) heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) due to total ionizing dose (TID) are investigated. The small-signal equivalent model of a SiGe HBT is utilized to analyze circuit-level performance including the input and the output matching and noise figure (NF). As a target circuit, an LNA with a cascode common-emitter stage with emitter degeneration is studied and the equation of each performance parameter is derived. The RF LNA fabricated using commercial 350 nm SiGe technology was exposed to X-ray irradiation with the total dose up to 3 Mrad (SiO2). The experimental results exhibit that modeled device parameters estimate the degraded circuit performance. In addition, the relative impact of each parameter on the circuit metrics is revealed, which is expected from the derived design equations. The key device parameters for modeling TID-induced circuit degradations include the base resistance, the transconductance, and the base-to-emitter capacitance.

In this paper, a modular wire-actuated robotic arm was designed to improve the safety and adaptability of service robots during human-robot interaction. To raise the stiffness adjustment range of the robotic arm, a symmetric variable-stiffness unit was designed based on flexure, which had compact and simple structure, and lowly nonlinear stiffness-force relationship. In this paper, we focused on the research of the symmetric 1-DOF joint module. Based on the kinematics and stiffness analysis, the pose of the joint module could be adjusted by controlling the length of the wires, and the stiffness of the joint module could be adjusted by controlling the tension of the wires. Because of the actuation redundancy, the pose and stiffness of the joint module could be controlled synchronously. Furthermore, a directly method was proposed for the stiffness-oriented wire tension distribution problem of the 1-DOF joint module. A simulation was carried out to verify the proposed method.

The importance of frailty in older people is getting constant recognition as an important aspect both in terms of public health, as well in personal level for the appropriate management of an older person health condition. This is reflected by the continuously increasing number of research studies carried out in several settings across different countries. Sometimes this is very solid, but in other cases there is a considerable gap in terms of accurate and well grounded documentation of frailty status. This is the case in Greece, where we are missing clinically validated tools to approach frailty. We are missing frailty screening tools, such as for instance PRISMA 7, the gold standard tool of Fried criteria is somehow problematic since the question referring to physical activity originates from a questionnaire that has not been translated and validated, while Clinical Frailty Scale has been validated for the translation but not for the capacity to detect frailty. Aim of this study is to validate these tools for their accuracy to detect frailty by using a measurable index of frailty, previously proposed for use in clinical studies: the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). 74 male and female participants have been evaluated for their frailty status using different tools. We observed that PRISMA 7 translation detects frailty only when one question is removed at a cut-off of ≥ 2 and indicated a sensitivity of 88.1%, and specificity of 99.9% with a good correlation with SPPB measurements (r = 0.858; p < 0.001). When CFS was validated using SPPB it demonstrated a very good correlation (r = -0.838; p < 0.001 respectively) as it was the case for the modified Fried Criteria (r = -0.725; p < 0.001). All items demonstrated a good correlation between them. We can here propose that we can accurately assess frailty status in the community setting by using a modified version of Fried criteria, Clinical Frailty Scale translation in Greek and we can screen for frailty by using the Greek translation of PRISMA 7 only after removing the item 6 of the questionnaire.

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

Vascular rings are a rare congenital anomaly of the aortic arch in which a ring-shaped structure forms surrounding the trachea and/or esophagus, potentially causing compression. We describe the case of a 14-month-old female patient with failure to thrive secondary to dysphagia, and a vascular ring formed by a right aortic arch, an aberrant left subclavian artery, and a left liga-mentum arteriosum. Surgical repair involved ligamentum arteriosum division, Kommerell’s di-verticulum obliteration, and left subclavian artery re-implantation into the left carotid artery. Endoscopy and EndoFLIPTM evaluated intraoperative improvement in esophageal narrowing and impedance, respectively. Postoperative period was uneventful and follow-up visits demonstrated dysphagia resolution and a patent re-implanted left subclavian artery.

Comparisons of power flows and efficiencies in two structurally quite similar cylindrical series-parallel planetary gear systems (PGSs) were performed in three separate parts of this paper. Each of these single degree of freedom (DoF) systems consists of three different 2KH subsystems connected in series-parallel. The main goal was to prove that apart from complex, structurally and dynamically coupled PGSs, there are also complex and only structurally coupled PGSs, in which the phenomenon of power flow circulation inside closed loops does not occur. Such a half-coupled type of PGS is herein called pseudo-coupled. Therefore, Part I discusses in detail the geometry, kinematics and statics of coupled PGSs in order to determine power flow paths. A comparison of the directions of power flow in both types of PGSs can be made in Part II after determining the power flow paths in the second planetary gear in a similar way. The directions of power flow in both types of PGSs were determined in a relatively simple way, thanks to the distinction between active and passive torques and thus active and passive shafts of individual subsystems. The efficiency comparison made in Part III will show whether power circulation has an influence on the efficiency value, at least in these two types of PGSs.

Signaling modules that integrate the diverse extra- and intracellular inputs to control cell proliferation are essential during both development and adult stages to guarantee organism homeostasis. Mobs are small adaptor proteins that participate in several of these signalling pathways. Here we review recent advances unraveling Mob4 cellular functions, a highly conserved non-catalytic protein, that plays a diversity of roles in cell proliferation, sperm cell differentiation and simultaneously is involved in synapse formation and neural development. In addition, the gene is often overexpressed in a wide range of tumors and is linked to poor clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, Mob4 molecular functions remain poorly defined, although it integrates the core structure of STRIPAK, a kinase/phosphatase protein complex, that can act upstream of the Hippo pathway. In this review we focus on the recent findings of Mob4 functions, that have begun to clarify its critical role on cell proliferation and development of tissues and individuals.

Asymmetric lithium salts, such as Lithium (difluoromethanesulfonyl)(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiDFTFSI), have been demonstrated to surpass traditional symmetric lithium salts with improved Li+ conductivity and the capacity to generate stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) while maintaining compatibility with aluminum (Al0) current collector. However, the intrinsic reductive mechanism through which LiDFTFSI influences battery performance remains unclear and under debate. Herein, the detailed SEI reactions of LiDFTFSI-based electrolytes were investigated by combining density functional theory and molecular dynamics, aiming to clarify the formation process and atomic structure of SEI. Our results show that asymmetric DFTFSI– weakens the interaction between carbonate solvents and Li+, and substantially alter the solvation structure, exhibiting a well-balanced coordination capacity to bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI–). Nanoseconds hybrid molecular dynamics simulation further reveals that the preferential decomposition of LiDFTFSI produces sufficient LiF and Li2O to facilitate a robust SEI. Moreover, the abundant F– generated from LiDFTFSI decomposition accumulates on the Al surface and subsequently combines with Al3+ from the current collector to form AlF3, potentially inhibiting corrosion of the current collector. Overall, these findings elucidate how LiDFTFSI regulates the solvation sheath and SEI structure, advancing the development of high-performance electrolytes compatible with current collector.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders are characterized by abnormal trophoblastic invasion into the myometrium, leading to significant maternal health risks. PAS includes placenta accreta (invasion <50% of the myometrium), increta (invasion >50%), and percreta (invasion through the entire myometrium). The condition is most associated with previous cesarean deliveries, and its incidence increases with the number of cesareans. Other risk factors include advanced maternal age, multiparity, and various uterine surgeries. The increasing global cesarean rates heighten the importance of early PAS diagnosis and management. The study reviewed molecular mechanisms driving PAS, focusing on signaling pathways, genetic expression, biomarkers, and non-coding RNAs involved in trophoblastic invasion. It explored genetic expression and key regulatory processes such as apoptosis, cell proliferation, invasion, and inflammation. The manuscript was compiled from recent scientific literature (2014 – 2024) from the Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. Placenta Acreta Spectrum; acreta; increta; percreta; trophoblast invasion; miRNAs, lncRNAs; genetic expression; biomarkers; signaling pathways were the employed keywords to compile relevant literature. The PAS is an important obstetric health problem that challenges maternal health risks associated with abnormal trophoblastic invasion that relies on abnormal placentation, uterine scarring, and impaired decidualization. Identifying new biomarkers like AFP, sFlt-1, β-hCG, PlGF, and PAPP-A aids early detection and management. Understanding genetic expression and non-coding RNAs is crucial for unraveling PAS complexities. Besides, aberrant signaling pathways like Notch, PI3K/Akt, STAT3, and TGF-β offer potential therapeutic targets to modulate trophoblastic invasion. This review underscores the need for interdisciplinary care, early diagnosis, and ongoing research into PAS biomarkers and molecular mechanisms to improve prognosis and quality of life for affected women.

Background: Signaling by toll like receptors (TLRs) initiates important immune responses against viral infection. The role of TLRs in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections is not well elucidated. Thus, we investigated the interaction of TLRs agonists and SARS-COV-2 antigens with immune cells in vitro. Material & methods: 30 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients (15 severe and 15 moderate) and 10 age and sex matched control (HC) were enrolled. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and activated with TLR3, 7, 8 and 9 agonists, the spike protein (SP) of SARS-CoV-2 and the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) unit of SP. Frequencies of CD3⁺IFN-β⁺ T cells, and CD3⁺IFN-g⁺ T cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. Interferon (IFN)-b gene expression was assessed by qRT-PCR. Results: The frequency of CD3+IFN-β+ T cells was higher in moderate and severe patients at baseline in comparison with HCs. Stimulation of PBMCs from moderate patients with SP and TLR8 agonist significantly upregulated the frequency of CD3+IFN-β+ T cells (P=0.0005 and 0.0024, respectively) when compared to non-stimulated (NS) samples. The greatest increase in CD3⁺IFN-b⁺ T cell frequency in PBMCs from severe patients was seen with TLR8 and TLR7 agonists when compared to NS (P= 0.003 and 0.0167, respectively). TLR stimulation did not significantly enhance the frequency of CD3+IFN-g+ T cells generated from PBMCs from moderate and severe patients compared with unstimulated controls. However, the frequency of CD3+IFN-ɣ+ T cells in PBMCs from moderate patients was upregulated by agonists of TLR3, 8 and 9, SP and RBD when compared with NS samples from HCs. The expression of the IFN-β gene after stimulation of CD3⁺T cells with the TLR8 agonist was also up-regulated in moderate than severe patients (moderate vs. severe: p=0.0006). In addition, stimulation of CD3⁺ T cells with SP, up-regulated the expression of IFN-β gene expression in cells from patients with moderate disease (moderate vs. severe: p=0.01). Conclusion: Stimulation of PBMCs from COVID-19 patients with a TLR8 agonist and with SP enhanced IFN-b protein and gene levels. This may potentiate immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevent viral replication and spread.

Background : Newly generated cardiomyocytes (NGC) concur to recovery of human myocarditis. However, Methods: We retrospectively assessed NGC in 213 consecutive patients with endomyocardial biopsy denoting acute myocarditis, with normal coronaries and valves. Tissue samples were processed for histology (H&E), immunohistochemistry for the evaluation of inflammatory infiltrates, immunostaining for alpha-sarcomeric-actin, junctional connexin-43, Ki-67, phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) and Western Blot (WB) for HMGB1. Frozen samples were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for cardiotropic viruses. Controls included 20 normal surgical biopsies. Results: NGCs were defined as small myocytes (diameter < 10 µm) with nuclear positivity to Ki-67 and p-STAT3, positive immunostaining for cytoplasmic α-sarcomeric actin and connexin 43. Their number/mm2 in relation with age and pathway of integration were evaluated. NGCs crossed the membrane and grew integrated within the empty necrotic myocytes. NGC mean diameter was 6.6 ± 3.34 vs 22.5 ± 3.11 µm adult cells; their number, in comparable LVEF, was 86.3 ± 10.3/mm2 in patients between 10 and 40 years; 50.4 ±13.8/mm2 in those between 41 and 60; 15.1 ± 5.7/ mm2 in those between 61 and 80; control NGC mean diameter was 0.2± 0.2/mm2. PCR was positive for viral genomes in 16% of cases; NGCs were not statistically different in viral and non-viral myocarditis. WB analysis revealed a higher expression of HMGB1 in myocarditis compared to myocardial controls. Conclusions: NGCs are constantly recognizable in acute human myocarditis. Their number declines with age. Their integration within necrotic myocytes consents preservation of cardiac structure and function.

Correlations among estrus cycle, pyometra, and canine diabetes mellitus (CDM) have been described since the late 1950s, and substantial progress in understanding mechanisms beyond was achieved nowadays. Progesterone-related diabetes mellitus (PRDM) in dogs is known for its particular potential for diabetes remission. Thus, a deep understanding of the physiopathological aspects involved is crucial to postulate treatment guidelines to improve the PRDM remission rate, as well as to inform preventive measures. This narrative review aims to provide relevant detailed information on 1) canine estrus cycle and its impact on CDM etiology and management, 2) the role of pyometra as a further cause of insulin resistance, and 3) useful individual therapeutic and preventive strategies. Pharmacological annulment of progesterone effects, as well as inflammatory and progesterone-related conditions resolution in association with adequate exogenous insulin therapy, and residual beta cell function, are key aspects to achieve remission, or at least to improve diabetic clinical control. In this way, spaying should be considered mandatory in most PRDM cases. Preventive measures against CDM can include spaying recommendations; however, individual-based recommendations should be considered since castration may be associated with some long-term health issues.

Radio astronomical observations at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths are a very important tool of astrophysical research. However, there is a huge area in the northern Eurasia, including the whole Russian territory, which lacks sufficiently large radio telescopes effectively operating at these wavelengths. In this review we describe our long-term efforts to find suitable sites for such radio telescopes in this area, that is, sites with good atmospheric transparency at millimeter and submillimeter waves. We describe methods and instruments used for measurements and evaluations of the atmospheric opacity. They include special radiometric systems, which are used for estimations of the atmospheric opacity from the sky brightness measurements. Evaluation of the precipitable water vapor from such measurements by the artificial neural network is discussed. Alternative approaches use global atmospheric models and signals of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems. To date, a long-term radiometric monitoring has been performed at several candidate sites and atmospheric conditions for many sites have been evaluated using global atmospheric models. Several sites with the best atmospheric transparency at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths have been selected. They can be effectively used for astronomical observations at least in the major atmospheric transparency windows at 1.3 mm and 0.85 mm. These results can be also used for space communications and radar systems.

Real-time multi-axis distributed tactile sensing is a critical capability if robots are to perform stable gripping and dexterous manipulation, as it provides crucial information about the sensor-object interface. In this paper, we present an optical-based 6-axis tactile sensor designed in a fingertip shape for robotic dexterous manipulation. The distributed sensor can precisely estimate local XYZ force and displacement at ten distinct locations, and provide global XYZ force and torque measurements. Its compact size, comparable to that of a human thumb, and minimal thickness allow seamless integration onto existing robotic fingers, eliminating the need for complex modifications to the gripper. The proposed sensor design uses a simple, low-cost fabrication method. Moreover, the optical transduction approach uses light angle and intensity sensing to infer force and displacement from deformations of individual sensing units that form the overall sensor, providing distributed 6-axis sensing. The local force precision at each sensing unit in the X, Y, and Z axes is 20.89 mN, 19.19 mN, and 43.22 mN, respectively, over an local force range of approximately ±1.5 N in X and Y and 0 to -2 N in Z. The local displacement precision in the X, Y and Z axes is 56.70 μm, 50.18 μm and 13.83 μm, respectively, over a local displacement range of ±2 mm in the XY directions and 0 to -1.5mm in Z (i.e., compression). Additionally, the sensor can measure global torques, Tx, Ty and Tz, with a precision of of 1.90 N-mm, 1.54 N-mm and 1.26 N-mm, respectively. The fabricated design is showcased by integrating it with an OnRobot RG2 gripper and illustrating real-time measurements during in simple demonstration task which generate changing global forces and torques.

The treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is complex and impacted by the location of the primary tumor (LPT). Our study aims to emphasize the importance of LPT as a prognostic and predictive marker, as well as to examine the significance of HER2 overexpression in patients with mCRC, particularly in relation to response to anti-EGFR therapy. In this study, 181 patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC who received anti-EGFR therapy were included. Among them, 101 had left colon cancer (LCC) and 80 had right colon cancer (RCC). Results demonstrated that patients with KRAS wild-type LCC had better median overall survival (OS) (43 vs. 33 months, p = 0.005) and progression-free survival (PFS) (6 vs. 3 months, p &lt; 0.001) compared to those with RCC. Multivariate analysis identified mucinous adenocarcinoma (p &lt; 0.001), RCC location (p = 0.022), perineural invasions (p = 0.034), and tumors at the resection margin (p = 0.001) as independent predictors of OS, while mucinous adenocarcinoma (p = 0.001) and RCC location (p = 0.004) independently correlated with significantly shorter PFS. In addition, HER2 positive expression was significantly associated with worse PFS compared to HER2 negative results (p &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, LPT is an important marker for predicting outcomes in the treatment of wild-type mCRC using anti-EGFR therapy, since patients with RCC have a statistically significantly shorter PFS and OS. Further investigation is needed to understand the role of HER2 overexpression in wild-type mCRC, as these patients also exhibit shorter survival.

The bulk planetary compositions are thought to be linked to the chemical abundances of their host stars. The abundances of 8 key rock-forming elements and the key planetary abundance ratios in G– and F–type main sequence stars located in the Solar neighborhood within 50 pc were statistically analyzed. The averaged C/O, Mg/Si, and Fe/Si elemental ratios of the planetary systems have a crucial role in the chemical composition and the mineralogy of a rocky planet's interior. We also studied the variation of the calculated Ca/Si, Al/Si, Na/Si and Fe/Si ratios in the samples of the examined stars using the Ca, Al, Na, and Fe abundances from the catalog and then attempt to constitute plausible occurrence trends of the analyzed abundance ratios for the rocky planet population in the near – solar galactocentric distances. Considering these results, we provide simple predictions for the most likely bulk compositions of the potential rocky planets. We further apply our results to compare them to the solar averaged abundance ratios, finding that the key elemental ratios for rocky planet composition in the Solar System are not typical amongst most of the studied stellar samples.

Anti-interferon (IFN)-γ autoantibodies are linked to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection. Given the elevated risks of herpes zoster (HZ) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), we aimed to examine the relationship between anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies with HZ development in JAKi-treated patients. In twenty-four RA patients with new-onset HZ and forty-two without HZ, serum titers of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies, plasma levels of IFN-γ, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and IFN-γ inducible protein-10 (IP-10) were measured by ELISA. Significantly lower MCP-1 levels were observed in patients with HZ compared to those without (median, 98.21pg/ml, interquartile range (IQR) 77.63-150.30pg/ml versus 142.3pg/ml, IQR 106.7-175.6pg/ml, p&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference in anti-IFN-γ titers, IFN-γ levels, or IP-10 levels between patients with and without HZ. Three of 24 patients with HZ had severe HZ with multi-dermatomal involvement. Anti-IFN-γ titers were significantly higher in patients with severe HZ than in those with non-severe HZ (median 24.8ng/ml, IQR 21.0-38.2ng/ml versus 10.5ng/ml, IQR 9.9-15.0ng/ml, p&lt;0.005). In conclusion, patients with HZ had significantly lower MCP-1 levels than those without HZ, and patients with severe HZ had significantly higher titers of anti-IFN-γ than those with non-severe HZ. Given small sample size, our results need further validation in future studies.

Analyzing big data poses a great challenge for numerous researchers to explore the data structure. Dimension reduction methods can be used to reduce data dimensionality, taking it from occupying a high-dimensional space to existing in a lower-dimensional space while retaining as much information as possible. Principal Component Analysis is one of the most popular used to reduce the dimensional space. The bootstrap sample is obtained by randomly sampling n times with replacement from the original sample, the method provides easy tool to understand the interactive component and develop the process. There are not enough researches discussed the stability of PCA method using bootstrap method. In this paper, the bootstrap method is used to analyze the stability of PCA results and to estimate the number of PCA in efficient way. The method is used to estimate the number of PCA that needed to classify the data set, and the effectiveness of the discussed techniques is demonstrated through real data sets.

Fermented foods play an important role in the human diet and particularly so in under-resourced environments where cold preservation is not attainable due to irregular supply of electricity. Fermented foods are reported to support gut health by contributing probiotics and the purpose of this study was to investigate the microbial diversity and metabolic potential of spontaneous millet fermentation. The literature in the field was reviewed and analysis conducted on publicly available Sequence Read Archive (SRA) datasets. Quality analysis was performed with FastQC, and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) generated using Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME2) and Divisive Amplicon Denoising Algorithm (DADA2) pipeline with Greengenes as the reference database. Metagenomics and pathways analysis were performed with Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2). Statistical analysis and visualization were accomplished with Statistical Analysis of Metagenomic Profiles (STAMP). At the family taxonomic level, there were significant differences in the relative abundances of bacteria involved in the spontaneous fermentation of millet namely, Lactobacillaceae, Leuconostocaceae, and Clostridiaceae in one dataset. The incidence of Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae suggest the probiotic characteristic of fermented millet. The datasets were collected with fermentations mediated by autochthonous microorganisms and the presence of some potential pathogens such as Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridiaceae, Aeromonadaceae, Microbacteiaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Neisseriaceae suggest the need for standardization of fermentation approaches. The genomes show the potential to synthesize metabolites such as vitamins suggesting that the respective fermented foods can be further optimized to enhance nutritional benefits.

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) continue to provide essential services for various applications such as surveillance, data gathering, and data transmission from the hazardous environments to safer destinations. This has been enhanced by the energy-efficient routing protocols that are mostly designed for such purposes. Gateway-based Energy-Aware Multi-hop Routing protocol (MGEAR) is one of the homogenous routing schemes that was recently designed to more efficiently reduce the energy consumption of distant nodes. However, it has been found that the protocol has a high energy consumption rate, lower stability period, less data transmission to the Base station (BS). In this paper, an enhanced Heterogeneous Gateway-based Energy-Aware multi-hop routing protocol ( HMGEAR) is proposed. The proposed routing scheme is based on the introduction of heterogeneous nodes in the existing scheme, selection of the head based on the residual energy, introduction of multi-hop communication strategy in all the regions of the network, and implementation of energy hole elimination technique. Results show that the proposed routing scheme outperforms two existing ones.

P53 is known as the most critical tumor suppressor and is often referred to as the guardian of our genome. More than 40 years after its discovery, we are still struggling to understand all molecular details on how this transcription factor prevents oncogenesis or how to leverage current knowledge about its function to improve cancer treatment. Multiple cues, including DNA-damage or mitotic errors, can lead to the stabilization and nuclear translocation of p53, initiating the expression of multiple target genes. These transcriptional programs may well be cell type and stimulus-specific, as is their outcome that ultimately imposes a barrier to cellular transformation. Cell cycle arrest and cell death are two well-studied consequences of p53 activation, but, while being considered as critical, they do not fully explain the consequences of p53 loss-of-function phenotypes in cancer. Here, we discuss how mitotic errors alert the p53 network and give an overview on multiple ways how p53 can trigger cell death. We argue that a comparative analysis of different types of p53 responses, elicited by different triggers in a time-resolved manner in well-defined model systems is critical to understand cell type specific cell fate induced by p53 upon its activation, in order to resolve the remaining mystery of its tumor suppressive function.

This paper proposes the localisation of room occupants in home environments using Unobtrusive Sensing Solutions (USSs). The ability to localise room occupants in home environments can help in the objective monitoring of sedentary behaviour. While wearable sensors can provide tangible information on health and wellness, they have battery life issues and the inability to perform prolonged monitoring. This work uses heterogeneous USSs in the form of an Infrared Thermopile Array (ITA-64) thermal sensor and a Multi-Chirp Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave Mono-pulse (MC-FMCW-M) Radar sensor to monitor room occupants. Digital filters and background subtraction algorithms were used to process the thermal images gleaned from the ITA-64 thermal sensors. The MC-FMCW-M Radar sensor used multi-chirp and Doppler shift principles to estimate the exact location of the targeted room occupants. The estimated distances from the Radar Sensor were compared with ground truth values. Experimental results demonstrated the ability to identify thermal blobs of occupants present in the room at any particular time. Data analyses indicated no significant difference (p = 0.975) and a very strong positive correlation (r = 0.998) between the ground truth distance values and those obtained from the Radar Sensor.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global threat to human health and disease risk increases with advancing age. The regulation of the ACE2 gene that codes for COVID-19 host receptor ACE2 has been shown to be under epigenetic regulation. Here, we examined whether intensive DNA methylation profiling of the ACE2 gene differed by human host tissue and cell type, gender, and age. Results: Accessing four public datasets, we observed unique human cell-type-specific ACE2 DNA methylation patterns. In human lung tissues, gender differences in DNA methylation at 2 sites related to the ACE2 gene were identified. Further, in freshly isolated airway epithelial cells, DNA methylation near the transcription start site of the ACE2 gene associated with biological age. Conclusion: Epigenetic profiling of host tissue may permit discovery of age and gender-related potential risk factors for COVID-19. How perturbations in ACE2 methylation relate to clinical severity across the ages and gender needs to be determined to guide screening tools and potential epigenetic modification targeting to alleviate COVID-19 morbidity in the elderly.

Hemicellulose is one of the most important natural polysaccharides in nature. Hemicellulose from different sources varies in chemical composition and structure, which in turn affects the modification effects and industrial applications. Grain and oil by-products (GOBP) are important raw materials for hemicellulose. This article reviews the modification methods of hemicellulose in GOBP. The effects of chemical and physical modification methods on the properties of hemicellulose biomaterials were evaluated. The potential applications of GOBP hemicellulose in films, hydrogel, Three-dimensional (3D) printing and adsorbent are discussed. Future research directions and recommendations are also proposed to provide theoretical foundations and technical support for the efficient utilization of these by-products.

In this study, MBBR, utilizing kaldnes as a media to attach and grow microorganisms, was used to treat organics in a Compact Septage Treatment Plant (CSTP). Seeding and acclimatization processes were done initially to ensure the microorganisms were able to grow and adapt well within their environments. This research was done to determine the time required for those processes, the optimum conditions, and the growth mechanism of microorganisms during the acclimatization process. Both processes were run in a batch mode. Changes in colour and weight of kaldnes were analyzed for the seeding stage; while COD, MLVSS, pH &amp; temperature were observed for the acclimatization stage. Seeding and acclimatization were run for 6 and 16 days respectively. Acclimatization stage was halted when MLVSS, pH, temperature and COD reduction efficiency were stable. Three phases of microorganism growth were clearly observed in the end of the acclimatization stage, i.e., lag, constant increasing and declining rates. This indicated that microorganisms could adapt well with the MBBR system, and were ready to be utilized further to treat septage in the MBBR of the CSTP. Further research is required to investigate the efficacy of the MBBR with the acclimatized microorganisms in the CSTP.

Accurate and reliable mid-long runoff prediction (MLTRP) is of great importance in water re-sources management. However the MLTRP is not suitable in each basin and how to evaluate the applicability of MLTRP is still a question. Therefore, the total mutual information (TMI) index is developed in this study based on the predictor selection method using mutual information (MI) and partial MI (PMI). The relationship between the TMI and the predictive performance of five models is analyzed by applying five models in 222 forecasting scenarios in Australia. The results over 222 forecasting scenarios demonstrate that, compared with the MI, the developed TMI index can better represent the available information in the predictors, and has more significant negative correlation with the RRMSE with the correlation coefficient between -0.62 and -0.85. This means the model's predictive performance will become better along with the increase of TMI, and there-fore the developed TMI index can be used to evaluate the applicability of MLTRP. When TMI is more than 0.1, the available information in the predictors can support the construction of MLTRP models. In addition, the TMI is used to partly explain the difference of predictive performance among five models. In general, the complex models, which can better utilize the contained infor-mation, are more sensitive to the TMI, and have more significant improvement in terms of predic-tive performance along with the increase of TMI. This research can provide support for the study of MLTRP.

Mercury has a strong environmental impact since both its organic and inorganic forms are toxic and it represents a pollutant of global concern. Liquid Hg is highly volatile and it can be released during natural and anthropogenic processes in the hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. In this study the distribution of Gaseous Elemental Mercury (GEM) and the total and leached mercury concentrations on paints, plasters, roof tiles, concretes, metals, dust and wood structures were determined in the main buildings and structures of the former Hg-mining area of Abbadia San Salvatore (Siena, Central Italy). The mining complex (divided into 7 units) covers a surface of about 65 ha and contains mining structures and managers and workers buildings. In this work, nine surveys of GEM measurements were carried out from July 2011 to August 2015 for the buildings and structures located in the units 2, 3 and 6. Moreover, detailed measurements were performed in February, April, July, September and December 2016 in the edifices and mining structures of Unit 6. GEM concentrations showed a strong variability in terms of space and time mostly depending on the distance from the building hosting driers, furnaces and condensers and ambient temperature, respectively. In the Unit 2 surveys carried out in the hotter period (from June to September) showed GEM concentrations up to 27,500 ng m⁻³, while in the Unit 6 they were on average much higher and occasionally they saturated the GEM measurement device (>50,000 ng m⁻³). Concentrations of total (in mg kg⁻¹) and leached (in μg L⁻¹) mercury measured in different building materials (up to 46,580 mg kg⁻¹ and 4,470 mg L⁻¹ for total and leached mercury, respectively) showed for the same type of material highly variable values in dependence on the edifice or mining structure from which they were collected. The results obtained in this study are of relevant interest for the operational cleanings to be carried out during the reclamation activities.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a major embryo- and tumor-associated protein capable of binding and transporting variety of hydrophobic ligands including estrogens. AFP has been shown to inhibit estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumor growth and this can be attributed to its estrogen-binding ability. Despite AFP has long been investigated, its three-dimensional (3D) structure has not been experimentally resolved and molecular mechanisms underlying AFP-ligand interaction remain obscure. In our study we constructed homology-based 3D model of human AFP (HAFP) with the purpose to perform docking of ERα ligands, three agonists (17β-estradiol, estrone and diethylstilbestrol) and three antagonists (tamoxifen, afimoxifene and endoxifen) into the obtained structure. Based on ligand docked scoring function, we identified three putative estrogen- and antiestrogen-binding sites with different ligand binding affinities. Two high-affinity sites were located in (i) a tunnel formed within HAFP subdomains IB and IIA and (ii) opposite side of the molecule in a groove originating from cavity formed between domains I and III, while (iii) the third low-affinity site was found at the bottom of the cavity. 100 ns MD simulation allowed studying their geometries and showed that HAFP-estrogen interactions occur due to van der Waals forces, while both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions were almost equally involved in HAFP-antiestrogen binding. MM/GBSA rescoring method estimated binding free energies (ΔG_bind) and showed that antiestrogens have higher affinities to HAFP as compared to estrogens. We performed in silico point substitutions of amino acid residues to confirm their roles in HAFP-ligand interactions and showed that Thr132, Leu138, His170, Phe172, Ser217, Gln221, His266, His316, Lys453, and Asp478 residues along two disulfide bonds, Cys224-Cys270 and Cys269-Cys277 have key roles in both HAFP-estrogen and HAFP-antiestrogen binding. Data obtained in our study contribute to understanding mechanisms underlying protein-ligand interactions and anti-cancer therapy strategies based on ER-binding ligands.

This paper analyses the application of deep learning techniques for predicting wave overtopping events in port environments using sea state and weather forecasts as inputs. The study was conducted in the outer port of Punta Langosteira, A Coruña, Spain. A video recording infrastructure was installed to monitor overtopping events from 2015 to 2022, identifying 3709 overtopping events. The data collected was merged with actual and predicted data for the sea state and weather conditions during the overtopping events, creating three datasets. We used these datasets to create several machine learning models to predict whether an overtopping event would occur based on sea state and weather conditions. The final models achieved a high accuracy level during the training and testing stages: 0.81, 0.73, and 0.84 average accuracy during training and 0.67, 0.48, and 0.86 average accuracy during testing, respectively. The results of this study have significant implications for port safety and efficiency, as wave overtopping events can cause disruptions and potential damage. Using deep learning techniques for overtopping prediction can help port managers take preventative measures and optimize operations, ultimately improving safety and helping to minimize the economic impact that overtopping events have on the port's activities.

The dorsal column nuclei complex (DCN-complex) includes the dorsal column nuclei (DCN, referring to the gracile and cuneate nuclei collectively), external cuneate, X, and Z nuclei, and the median accessory nucleus. The DCN are organised by both somatotopy and modality, and have a diverse range of afferent inputs and projection targets. The functional organisation and connectivity of the DCN implicate them in a variety of sensorimotor functions, beyond their commonly accepted role in processing and transmitting somatosensory information to the thalamus, yet this is largely underappreciated in the literature. To consolidate insights into their sensorimotor functions, this review examines the morphology, organisation, and connectivity of the DCN and their associated nuclei. First, we briefly discuss the receptors, afferent fibres, and pathways involved in conveying tactile and proprioceptive information to the DCN. Next, we review the modality and somatotopic arrangements of the remaining constituents of the DCN-complex. Finally, we examine and discuss the functional implications of the myriad of DCN-complex projection targets throughout the diencephalon, midbrain, and hindbrain, in addition to their modulatory inputs from the cortex. The organisation and connectivity of the DCN-complex suggest that these nuclei should be considered a complex integration and distribution hub for sensorimotor information.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be linked to various factors that narrow the upper airways, such as obesity, adenotonsillar hypertrophy and craniofacial abnormalities. Hypothyroidism has also been described as a risk factor for OSA. However, the implication of goiter independently of thyroid function in the occurrence of OSA remains unclear. We present the case of a 66-year-old patient, with a large compressive multinodular goiter for whom total thyroidectomy was indicated. During the preoperative assessment, the patient showed a body mass index (BMI) of 37.8 kg/m2 with symptoms of OSA. Respiratory polygraphy confirmed the diagnosis of severe OSA (apnea hypopnea index: AHI=32) and treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was initiated prior to thyroid surgery. Surprisingly, after total thyroidectomy, OSA symptoms disappeared and the patient abandoned CPAP therapy. Subsequent respiratory polygraphy after thyroidectomy showed a decrease in AHI to a normal value (AHI < 5). Interestingly, there was no change in BMI or other factors explaining the resolution of OSA, except for thyroidectomy. This case report suggests that goiter can be considered a risk factor for OSA. However, prospective studies are needed to accurately assess the effects of goiter on occurrence of OSA according to its dimensions and local extension.

A relativistic positioning system is a set of four emitters broadcasting their proper times by means of light signals. The four emitter times received at an event constitute the emission coordinates of the event. Covariant quantities associated with relativistic positioning systems are analysed relatively to an observer in Minkowski space-time by splitting them in their relative space-like and time-like components. The location of a user in inertial coordinates from a standard set of emission data (emitted times and satellite trajectories) is solved in the underlying 3+1 formalism. The analytical location solution obtained by Kleusberg for the GPS system is recovered and interpreted in a Minkowskian context.

In the current era of emerging technologies and cutting-edge inventions, it is equally important to consider the ethical aspects of research and innovations to have an ethical space for the sustainable progress and safety of humanity. The field of nanotechnology research and innovation often faces criticism due to its potential adverse impacts on health, the environment, limited accessibility, high costs, and concerns about data privacy. Therefore, it is crucial to address and resolve these ethical issues systematically. In this regard, we present our findings and methods for exploring the application of the ethics technology assessment method by considering its relevance at different stages of innovation development. Specifically, the present work provides a conceptual framework for ethics technology assessment focused on evaluating a significant innovation in nanotechnology within the domain of food safety with specific reference to mycotoxin remediation. By leveraging the value-sensitive design approach, we described various strategies for analyzing the ethical implications of nanotechnology-based innovations in mycotoxin remediation. Through comprehensive ethics technology assessment, nanotechnology-based innovations can be guided toward becoming more value-oriented, thereby making substantial contributions to social progress.

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC– MS/MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin (ATOR), ezetimibe (EZM) and their three metabolites including o-hydroxyl atorvastatin (o-OH ATOR), p-hydroxyl atorvastatin (p-OH ATOR), and ezetimibe-glucuronide (EZM-G) in human plasma using benzyl paraben (BP) as internal standard (IS). The analytes and IS were ionized using ESI positive ion mode (ATOR, o-OH ATOR, and p-OH ATOR), ESI negative ion mode (EZM, EZM-G, and BP), and operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. They were next extracted by salting-out assisted liquid–liquid extraction with acetonitrile, and then analyzed by liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase chromatographic column (50 mm × 4.6 mm; 3.5 µm), using a mixture of ac-etonitrile and an acetic acid solution (0.5%) as the mobile phase, showing high extraction effi-ciency (>70%), and a minimized matrix effect. The method was satisfactorily validated, and showed excellent linearity over wide concentration ranges of 0.06–15 ng/mL, 0.6–150 ng/mL, 0.4–100 ng/mL, 0.12–30 ng/mL, and 0.05–3 ng/mL for EZM, EZM-G, ATOR, o-OH ATOR, and p-OH ATOR, respectively.

There is paucity of data in the available medical literature regarding the parameters of volumetric perfusion of pancreas grafts. Materials and methods From February 5, 2016 to December 23, 2021, we performed perfusion computed tomography in 41 patients at different times after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation. The study group consisted of 18 men (44%) and 23 women (56%) with a long history of type 1 diabetes complicated by terminal chronic renal failure. The results of perfusion computed tomography of the pancreas graft were studied, and the effects of post-transplantation timing and graft revascularization peculiarities on volumetric perfusion parameters were evaluated. Results The median arterial blood flow, arterial blood volume, and permeability of the pancreas graft were 115.1 [99.7;130.3] mL/100 mL/min, 46.7 [37.4;56.9] mL/min and 8.6 [4.1;11.4] mL/100 mL/min, respectively. No statistically significant differences in the averaged perfusion values were found in the head, body, and tail of the pancreas graft. The post-transplantation timing and the number of arteries involved in graft revascularization did not have a significant effect on the volumetric perfusion of the graft. Conclusion The volumetric perfusion results of the pancreas graft correspond to those obtained in the study of pancreatic perfusion in healthy participants.

Background: many studies, on for example taste-visual dissonance, have shown that the influence of the visual cortex on taste sensation is enormous. The aim of the presented work is to investigate, using fNIRS, whether a taste stimulus, in this case the taste of bitter, also causes stimulation of the visual cortex in fNIR study. Methods: 51 participants (204 examinations, 9 996 records) were examined with fNIRS, which collects signals from whole left hemisphere. Differences between the maximum and minimum changes in oxyHb concentrations (ΔoxyHb) for the areas of the brain cortex considered responsible for recording visual and gustatory signals were analyzed. Protocol I, II, III and IV – activation with distillate water, coffee with lower concentration, reference (no stimulation) and coffee with higher concentration respectively, were used. Results: We recorded high signals for teste activation on channels covered gustatory cortex, which confirms the correctness of the choice of research method. What seems important, and somewhat surprising, is the fact that we also received high signals for the channels 45-49, which cover the visual cortex. The statistical analysis does not show any statistical differences between the protocols I, II and IV (different taste activation – water, coffee A and coffee B) for specific channels. As a results of the analysis of the correlation between the subjective bitterness assessment solutions, and the signal ΔoxyHb height, it was observed that statically important correlation, although weak, occurs only for 14 and gustatory channels, only for coffee with a higher concentration. Additionally we recorded the only statistically significant difference between women and men for protocol I (water), where the ΔoxyHb signal was twice as high for women. Conclusions: In conclusion, we can clearly state that the senses of sight and taste work closely together. Moreover, this cooperation is not one-sided - not only the visual activation affects the perception of taste, but interestingly, the taste stimulus can generate a hemodynamic response - activity in the visual cortex.

The present study seeks to assess the Brand Equity in the network of new fashion designers in the Canary Islands. To this end, we have adapted the Brand Equity model to an online context and proposed a set of metrics for four dimensions: estimate, relevance, awareness, and differen-tiation. The multidimensional approach to online Brand Equity was employed to measure the online Brand Equity of 129 fashion designers from the Canary Islands. The study's findings re-vealed that the number of social media profiles significantly impacts brand awareness and dif-ferentiation. Moreover, the digital maturity level influences brand relevance and overall Brand Equity . Our study highlights the practical value of web data-driven metrics for measuring online Brand Equity , which can be utilised for diagnostic, evaluative, or predictive purposes. The study's outcomes have substantial implications for marketers in the fashion industry aimed at improving online Brand Equity

In Ethiopia, farmers have changed cropland to Eucalyptus globulus plantations for construction, fuelwood and economic benefits. However, it has adverse effects on soil properties. The investigation was, therefore, to evaluate the impact of Eucalyptus globulus plantations on soil properties in northwestern Ethiopia. About 30 soil samples were collected from two soil depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm) and three land uses (Eucalyptus globulus plantations, cropland and grazing land) with five replications. Soil properties were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Based on the result, soil properties such as silt particles, moisture content (MC), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were significantly higher under the soil of Eucalyptus globulus plantations than in cropland and grazing land. Whereas the lower contents of bulk density (BD), soil pH, available phosphorus (AP), electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K, and Na) were recorded in Eucalyptus globulus plantations. Besides, clay, BD, MC, pH, EC, CEC, percent base saturation (PBS) and basic cations increased with soil depth while decreasing sand, silt, TP, OM and AP. The basic cations ( Ca, Mg, K), PBS and AP decreased in the soil of the 25-year old Eucalyptus globulus plantation compared to cropland by 38%, 36%, 43 %, 45% and 47% and grazing land by 56%, 60%, 76 %, 60% and 56%, respectively. Therefore, appropriate and effective land use management principles should be implemented in the study area.

Effective teamwork is essential to the success of sport and athletic organizations. Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) and team-based care has also been identified as a priority for health and social care organizations.(World Health Organization, 2010) The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies of (1) Values and Ethics; (2) Roles and Responsibilities; (3) Communication; and (4) Teams and Teamwork provide a guiding framework for IPC. (Interprofessional Education Collaborative, 2023). Student-athlete well-being is a key objective for individuals working with or for university athletic departments, with high levels of well-being being correlated with sport, academic, and personal improvements (Navarro et al., 2020). Due to the multifaceted factors that influence student-athlete well-being (e.g., cultural factors, coaches, academic pressure, family stress, etc.), there is an increasing need for an interdisciplinary/interprofessional approach to well-being (Lemelin et al., 2022, Navarro et al., 2020; Ulrich et al., 2022) However, significant barriers exist in implementing IPC into university athletic departments and little research exists on how to overcome roadblocks to integrating IPC in university athletic departments for enhancing student-athlete wellness. This paper will describe how a university athletic department used a team approach to enhance student-athlete health and well-being. The Interprofessional Wellness Team (IWT) included a clinical sport psychology doctoral student, a licensed mental health professional, athletic trainer, and sport dietitian. A case vignette is used to demonstrate how IPEC core competencies are operationalized by the team to address athlete health and well-being through IPC. Recommendations on the further implementation of IPC centered around student-athlete well-being will be provided.

Monitoring coffee quality as a means of detecting and preventing economically motivated fraud is an important aspect of international commerce today. Therefore, there is a compelling need for rapid high throughput validated analytical techniques such as quantitative proton NMR spectroscopy for screening and authenticity testing. For this reason, we sought to validate an NMR spectroscopic method for routine screening of coffee for quality and authenticity. A factorial experimental design was used to investigate the influence of NMR device, extraction time and nature of coffee on the content of caffeine, 16-O-methylcafestol (OMC), kahweol, furfuryl alcohol and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in coffee. The method was successfully validated for specificity, selectivity, sensitivity and linearity of detector response. The proposed method produced satisfactory precision for all analytes in roasted coffee, except for kahweol in canephora (robusta) coffee. The proposed validated method may be used for routine screening of roasted coffee for quality and authenticity control, as its applicability was demonstrated during the recent OPSON VIII Europol-Interpol operation on coffee fraud control.

Water-soluble and cytocompatible polymers were investigated to enhance a transporting efficiency of biomolecules into cells in vitro. The polymers composed of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) unit, a hydrophobic monomer unit, and a cationic monomer unit bearing an amino group were synthesized for complexation with model biomolecules, siRNA. The cationic MPC polymer was shown to interact with both siRNA and the cell membrane and was successively transported siRNA into cells. When introducing 20 − 50 mol% hydrophobic units into the cationic MPC polymer, transport of siRNA into cells. The MPC units (10 − 20 mol%) in the cationic MPC polymer were able to impart cytocompatibility, while maintaining interaction with siRNA and the cell membrane. The level of gene suppression of the siRNA/MPC polymer complex was evaluated in vitro and it was as the same level as that of a conventional siRNA transfection reagent, whereas its cytotoxicity was significantly lower. We concluded that these cytocompatible MPC polymers may be promising complexation reagent for introducing biomolecules into cells, with the potential to contribute to future fields of biotechnology, such as in vitro evaluation of gene functionality, and the production of engineered cells with biological functions.

Replication protein A (RPA) is a heterotrimeric protein complex and the main single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein in eukaryotes. RPA has key functions in most of the DNA-associated metabolic pathways and DNA damage signalling. Its high affinity for ssDNA helps to stabilise ssDNA structures and prevents the DNA sequence from nuclease attacks. RPA consists of multiple DNA-binding domains which are oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB)-folds, responsible for DNA binding, and interactions with proteins. These RPA-ssDNA and RPA-protein interactions are crucial for DNA replication, DNA repair, DNA damage signalling, and the conversation of the genetic information of cells. Proteins such as ATR use RPA to locate to regions of DNA damage for DNA damage signalling. Recruitment of nucleases and DNA exchange factors to sites of double strand breaks are also an important RPA function to ensure effective DNA recombination to correct these DNA lesions. Due to its high affinity to ssDNA, RPA’s removal from ssDNA is of central importance to allow these metabolic pathway to proceed and processes to exchange RPA against downstream factors are established in all eukaryotes. These facetted and multi-layered functions of RPA will be discussed in detail in the review. RPA is also a major player in a variety of human diseases, which will be discussed.

Since atopic dermatitis (AD) is a heterogeneous condition, subtyping of AD is a crucial issue. The classical subtypes of AD are represented by extrinsic and intrinsic subtypes, European American and Asian subtypes, and adult and pediatric subtypes. While subtyping of AD was historically conducted based on the phenotype, recent findings on the mechanisms of AD have revealed importance of the endotype, which can characterize individual patients more accurately. Considering the current development of AD therapies, AD endotyping is prerequisite for personalized therapeutic choice. Endotypes of AD can be stratified from different viewpoints, including cytokine expression patterns, allergen properties, epidermal barrier conditions, ceramide variation, involvement of innate immunity, and serum biomarkers. Among them, the cytokine-based endotype seems to be the most useful one and is categorized into type 2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-13 and IL-31)-high, type 1 cytokine (interferon-g)-high, and/or type 3 cytokine (IL-22 and IL-17)-high, or mixed subtypes. The recently biomarker-proposed endotyping aims at individualized treatment options, although the daily clinical use of endotypes is a future issue. To better understand the endotypes for clinicians, attempts to adjust each of the classical subtypes to the endotypes are required. This review will discuss the correspondence of the classical subtypes to the various endotypes that have recently been proposed.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent form of malignancy and the second only to lung cancer as common cause of cancer-causing deaths in women. Notwithstanding many progresses in the field, metastatic BC has a very poor prognosis. As therapies are becoming more personalized to meet patients‘ needs, a better knowledge of the molecular biology leading to the disease unfolds the possibility to project more precise compounds or antibodies targeting definite alteration at the molecular level expressed in cancer cells of patients or as antigens on the surface of cell membranes. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) is a druggable target -which is activated by its own ligands -namely the Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs). This pathway provides a vast range of interesting molecular targets pursued at different levels of clinical investigation. Herein we provide an update on the knowledge on genetic alterations of the receptors in breast cancer, their role in tumorigenesis and the most recent drugs against this particular receptor to treat the disease.

As the global population ages, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases has become a major public health concern. The adoption of a less sedentary lifestyle has been shown to have a beneficial effect on cognitive decline, but the molecular mechanisms responsible are less clear. Here we provide a detailed analysis of the complex molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive decline and how lifestyle choices influence these processes. A review of the evidence from animal models, human studies, and postmortem analyses emphasizes the importance of integrating physical exercise with cognitive, multisensory, and motor stimulation as part of a multifaceted approach to mitigating cognitive decline. We highlight the potential of these non-pharmacological interventions to address key aging hallmarks—such as genomic instability, telomere attrition, and neuroinflammation—and underscore the need for comprehensive and personalized strategies to promote cognitive resilience and healthy aging.

A time-sequential working, spatially multiplexed autostereoscopic 3D display design consisting of a fast switchable RGB-color filter array is presented. The wavelength-selective filter barrier emits the light from a display over a larger active area than common autostereoscopic barrier displays. An optical modelling of wavelength-selective barriers has been used for instance to calculate the light ray distribution properties of that arrangement. To find well working display designs, automated searches by simulation and computational evaluation has been proceeded. Wavelength-selective filter barrier arrangements exhibit characteristics different from common barrier displays with similar barrier pitch and ascent. In particular, these constructions show strong angular luminance dependency under barrier inclination specified by correspondent slant angle. In time-sequential implementation it is important to avoid that quick eye or eyelid movement lead to visible color artifacts. In the millisecond regime tunable liquid crystal Fabry-Pérot color filters for the colors red, green and blue are presented. They consist of a sub-micrometer thick nematic layer sandwiched between dielectric mirrors and ITO-electrodes. These cells shall switch narrow-banding light of red, green or blue. An array for a glasses-free 3D display has to be equipped with several thousand switchable filter elements having different color apertures. The newly introduced design is usable as a multi user display as well as a single user system with user adaptive control.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer (CRC) are significant health problems and share some risk factors. The aim of our study was to develop and validate a predictive score for advanced colorectal neoplasia (CRN) based on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study comprising a derivation cohort and an external validation cohort of 1049 and 308 patients respectively. A prediction score for advanced CRN (CRNAS: Colorectal Neoplasia Advanced Score) was developed from a logistic regression model, comprising sex, age, first-degree family history for CRC, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, body mass index, diabetes, smoking, and antihypertensive treatment. Other cardiovascular risk scores (Framingham-Wilson, REGICOR, SCORE and FRESCO) were also used to predict the risk of advanced CRN. The discriminatory capacity of each score was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: CRN were found in 379 subjects from the derivation cohort (36%) including 228 patients (22%) with an advanced CRN. Male sex, age, diabetes, and smoking were identified as independent risk factors for advanced CRN. The newly created score (CRNAS), showed an AUC of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.64-0.73) for advanced CRN, which was better than cardiovascular risk scores (p

Background Olfactory perception is an important physiological function for the human well-being and health. Loss of olfaction, or anosmia, caused by viral infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) received a considerable attention especially in the persistent cases that take long time to recover. Objectives This review discusses the integration of different components of the olfactory epithelium to serve as a structural and functional unit, and explores how they are affected during viral infections, leading to the development of olfactory dysfunction. Methods The review mainly focused on the role of receptors mediating the disruption of olfactory signal transduction pathways such as ACE2, TMPRSS2 protease, neuropilin 1 (NRP1), basigin (CD147), olfactory, TRPV1, purinergic, and interferon gamma receptors. Furthermore, the compromised function of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and its contribution in olfactory dysfunction is also discussed. Results Collectively, this review provides fundamental information about the many types of receptors that may modulate olfaction and participate in olfactory dysfunction. It will help to understand the underlying pathophysiology of virus-induced anosmia which may help in finding and designing effective therapies targeting molecules involved in viral invasion and in olfaction. Conclusion This wide and complex spectrum of receptors that mediates the pathophysiology of olfactory dysfunction reflects the many ways by which anosmia can be therapeutically managed.

This paper investigates the relationship between public spaces and quality of life (QoL) for older adults, aiming to identify knowledge gaps within the context of population ageing and urbanization. Recognizing the growing importance of sustainable urban development, the research explores how cities can foster active ageing and improve QoL through accessible and inclusive public spaces. A scoping literature review identifies five key QoL domains for older adults: autonomy, meaningful activities, positive social relationships, leisure opportunities, and health. The review highlights areas requiring further investigation, including the interplay between environmental design and social connections, intergenerational perspectives on public space liveliness, the influence of context on QoL and the built environment, and the value of qualitative research in this field. By contributing to the understanding of QoL in relation to public spaces through the lens of Person-Environment fit theory, this study aims to inform urban design, landscape architecture, and policymaking in the creation of age-friendly communities with inclusive public spaces.

Microplastics (MPs) are a critical environmental issue, with impacts ranging from ecosystem contamination to health risks through bioaccumulation. This review addresses the inefficacy of traditional water treatments in removing MPs and proposes photodegradation, particularly via nanomaterial-enhanced photocatalysts, as a solution. Utilizing their unique properties like large surface area and tunable bandgap, nanomaterials significantly improve degradation efficiency. Different strategies for photocatalysts modification to improve photocatalytic performance are thoroughly summarized, with the particular emphasis on element doping and heterojunction construction. Furthermore, this review thoroughly summarizes the possible fundamental mechanisms driving photodegradation of microplastics facilitated by nanomaterials, with a focus on processes like free radical formation and singlet oxygen oxidation. By clearly elucidating these strategies and mechanisms, this review aims to provide valuable insights and inspire further progress in microplastic photodegradation.

Dissimilar welds between ferritic and austenitic steels represent a good solution for exploiting the best performance of stainless steels at high and low temperatures and in aggressive environments, while minimizing costs. Therefore, they are widely used in nuclear and petrochemical plants, however, due to the different properties of the steels involved, the welding process can be challenging. Fusion welding can be specifically addressed to connect low-carbon, or low-alloy steels, with high-alloy steels, which have similar melting point. Welding of thick plates can be performed with electric arc in multiple passes or in a single pass by means of a laser beam equipment. Since microstructure and consequently mechanical properties of the weld are closely related to composition, the choice of the filler metal and processing parameters, which in turn affects the dilution rate, plays a fundamental role. Numerous technical solutions were proposed for welding dissimilar steels and much research was developed on the weldment metallurgy; therefore, this article is aimed at a review of the most recent scientific literature on the issues relating to the fusion welding of ferritic / austenitic steels. Two specific sections are dedicated respectively to electric arc and laser beam welding; finally, metallurgical issues, related to dilution and thermal field are debated in the discussion section.

The permanent protection of groundwater and surface sources of drinking water in the required raw water quality from contamination is the primary foundation of preserving the life of society and the entire engineering infrastructure operability not only in the Czech Republic but also in other countries of the world. One of the basic ways of contamination prevention enhancement and risk mitigation of putting a water source out of operation is the identification of the given risk as well as soil contamination monitoring. The purpose of this study is to understand specific aspects of contamination threats to drinking water sources and determine possible solutions to eliminate the risk, shown in the example case study in the Czech Republic conditions. Based on the findings, a proposal to enhance the prevention of water source contamination has been elaborated in the form of recommendations regarding the ways and means used to monitor the risk areas and to implement technical measures so as to eliminate or terminate the specified risk. A complex approach based on the integration of interdisciplinary factors and methodology is required to minimize the threats of aquatic ecosystems contamination in the Czech Republic.

Seaweeds are considered as one of the largest biomass producers in marine environment that is rich in bioactive metabolites and a source of natural ingredients for functional foods. The potential antioxidant activity and the potential inhibition of Caco2 cell proliferation, of crude extracts of: Chlorophyta (Ulva lactuca, and Codium tomentosum), Phaeophyta (Cystoseira crinita, Cystoseira stricta, and Sargassum vulgare), and Rhodophyta (Gelidium latifolium, Hypnea musciformis, and Jania rubens) collected from western Libyan coast were evaluated in vitro. The antioxidant activity was determined by reducing power and DPPH assays while cell proliferation, morphological changes and the cell cycle arrest were assessed by MTT, inverted light microscope and flow cytometry methods respectively. The polyphenols and flavonoids rich extracts showed remarkable reducing power and antiradical properties. After exposure of Caco2 cells to; various concentrations of extracts (50, 100,150 and 200 µg/mL) especially from brown algae for 72 h, significantly reduced cell proliferation. The antiproliferative effect of algae extracts was correlated with their polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Cell cycle analysis further showed that cells were arrested in G phases along with an increment in sub-diploidal cell population (sub-G) after extract application. These results imply that seaweeds which are rich in bioactive compounds may be in anticancer drug research programs. However, further investigations are essential to reveal the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer activities of these algae.

Glycogen storage disease type III (GSDIII) is a hereditary glycogenosis caused by deficiency of the glycogen debranching enzyme (GDE), an enzyme, encoded by Agl, enabling glycogen degradation by catalyzing alpha-1,4-oligosaccharide side chain transfer and alpha-1,6-glucose cleavage. GDE deficiency causes accumulation of phosphorylase-limited dextrin, leading to liver disorder followed by fatal myopathy. We tested here the capacity of the new autophagosomal activator GHF-201 to alleviate disease burden by clearing pathogenic glycogen surcharge in the GSDIII mouse model Agl-/-. We used open field, grip strength and rotarod tests for evaluating GHF-201’s effects on locomotion, biochemistry panel to quantify hematological biomarkers, indirect calorimetry to quantify in vivo metabolism, transmission electron microscopy to quantify glycogen in muscle, and fibroblast image analysis to determine cellular features affected by GHF-201. GHF-201 was able to improve all locomotion parameters and partially reversed hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia and liver and muscle malfunction in Agl-/- mice. Treated mice burnt carbohydrates more efficiently and showed significant improvement of aberrant ultrastructural muscle features. In GSDIII patient fibroblasts, GHF-201 restored mitochondrial membrane polarization and corrected lysosomal swelling. In conclusion, GHF-201 is a viable candidate for treating GSDIII as it recovered a wide range of its pathologies in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an important animal model for a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. However, obtaining the cellular resolution that is essential for studying the zebrafish brain remains challenging as it requires high-spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). In the current study, we present the first MRI results of the zebrafish brain at the state-of-the-art magnetic field strength of 28.2 T. The performance of MRI at 28.2 T was compared to 17.6 T. A 20% improvement in SNR was observed at 28.2 T as compared to 17.6 T. Excellent contrast, resolution, and SNR allowed the identification of several brain structures. The normative T1 and T2 relaxation values were established over different zebrafish brain structures at 28.2 T. To zoom into the white matter structures, we applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and obtained axial, radial, and mean diffusivity, as well as fractional anisotropy at a very high spatial resolution. Visualization of white matter structures was achieved by short-track track-density imaging by applying the constrained spherical deconvolution method (stTDI CSD). For the first time, an algorithm for stTDI with multi-shell multi-tissue (msmt) CSD was tested on zebrafish brain data. A significant reduction of false-positive tracks from grey matter signals was observed compared to stTDI with single-shell single-tissue (ssst) CSD. This allowed the non-invasive identification of white matter structures at high resolution and contrast. Our results show that ultra-high field DTI and tractography provide reproducible and quantitative maps of fibre organization from tiny zebrafish brains, which can be implemented in the future for a mechanistic understanding of disease-related microstructural changes in zebrafish models of various brain diseases.

Introduction: Migraine is one of the most prominent headache disorders with a global burden of over one billion patients and presented as a disabling and painful disorder. Pathophysiological mechanism of migraine is not fully understood, but the most accepted theory suggests that migraine is caused primarily by neural dysfunction leading to secondary changes in cerebral perfusion. Methods: Authors conducted a case-control study in 175 patients; 88 of them were migraineurs and 87 health controls. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed in all patients using spectral-domain OCT device in the same environmental conditions. All participants met both inclusion and exclusion criteria in order to achieve more homogeneous groups. OCT was performed to scan all retinal layers with an emphasis on the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Results: Among 175 examined subjects, 84% of them were women and in the group of migraineurs we found 56% without aura and 44 % with aura. After collecting tomography data authors did not find subjects in which changes of IPL were found. Nevertheless, only moderate differences in the IPL thickness in all quadrants except the central area were found in the group of migraineurs with aura using Pearson’s test. Conclusion: According to presented results, no significant changes of the IPL thickness in migraine patients were found. Authors have to emphasize the need for further investigation of the relationship between average migraine headache days per month and the thickness of the IPL.