A novel Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic and mixotrophic bacterium, designated as strain LZ166T, was isolated from the bathyplagic seawater in the western Pacific Ocean. Cells were short rod-shaped, oxidase- and catalase- positive, and motile by means of lateral flagella. Growth of strain LZ166T was observed at 10-45 ℃ (optimum, 34-37 ℃), at pH 5-10 (optimum, 6-8) and in the presence of 0-5% NaCl (optimum, 1-3%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain LZ166T shared the highest similarity (98.58%) with Aquibium oceanicum B7T, and formed a distinct branch within the Aquibium genus. Genomic characterization, including average nucleotide identity (ANI, 90.73-76.79%), average amino identity (AAI, 88.50-79.03%) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH, 36.1-22.2%) values between LZ166T and other species within the Aquibium genus, further substantiated its novelty. The genome of strain LZ166T was 6,119,659 bp in size with a 64.7 mol% DNA G+C content. The predominant fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c). The major polar lipids identified were Diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), glycolipid (GL) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), with ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the predominant respiratory quinone. Genomic annotation indicated the presence of genes for a diverse metabolic profile, including pathways for carbon fixation via the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle and inorganic sulfur oxidation. Based on polyphasic taxonomic results, strain LZ166T represented a novel species of the genus Aquibium, for which the name Aquibium pacificus sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain LZ166T (= MCCC M28807T = KACC 23148T = KCTC 82889T).

Optical properties of the cornea are responsible for correct vision, ultrastructure allows optical transparency and biomechanical properties governs the shape, elasticity or stiffness of the cor-nea affecting ocular integrity and intraocular pressure. Therefore, optical aberrations, corneal transparency, structure and biomechanics play a fundamental role in the optical quality of hu-man vision, ocular health and refractive surgery outcomes. However, the convergence of those properties is not yet reported at macroscopic scale within the hierarchical structure of the cornea. This work explores the relationships between biomechanics, structure and optical properties (corneal aberrations and optical density) at macrostructural level of the cornea through dual Placido-Scheimpflug imaging and air-puff tonometry systems in a healthy young adult popula-tion. Results showed convergence between optical transparency, corneal macrostructure and biomechanics.

p53 is among the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor genes given its prevalence in >50% of all human cancers, including high grade serous endometrial cancers and ovarian cancers. In addition to loss of tumor suppression function, many mutated p53 (Mutp53) proteins acquire gain-of-function (GOF) activities as oncogenes to promote cancer progression, which manifest through aberrant expression of p53. As we have come to see, statins induce CHIP-mediated degradation of mutp53 by blocking the interaction between mutp53 and DNAJA1. Therefore, targeting critical downstream pathways of mutp53 provides an alternative strategy for treating cancers expressing mutp53. In this review, we summarize recent advances with Wee1 inhibitors and mevalonate pathway inhibitors, particularly statins, regarding their use in gynecological cancers with p53 mutations.

Warsaw is among European cities with the worst atmospheric air quality, mainly due to very high pollution emitted by the residential sector and road traffic. This results in high concentrations of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, often exceeding WHO standards. The paper discusses the current and expected effects of actions taken by the Warsaw authorities, to significantly improve air quality in the city. The Clean Air Program currently implemented mainly involves the reduction, and ultimately the total elimination, of coal combustion in all heat sources of the municipal sector, which is identified in numerous publications as the main source of air quality degradation in cities. The program's goal, which timeframe covers the years 2018-2029, is a definite reduction in particulate pollution. The second part of the remedial activities, covering the years 2024-2034, mainly concerns the reduction of nitrogen oxide pollution, the main source of which is urban road traffic. In the latter case, the expected effects of introducing Low-Emission Zone (launched July 2024) in the city center are considered. According to the project, the zone's implementation will consist of five two-year stages, in which the car emission limits will gradually tighten. The paper compares the effectiveness of two being considered versions, differing in size zones.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss, predominantly affecting older adults. Understanding the multifaceted factors contributing to AD is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the various factors influencing the development and progression of AD in older adult populations.Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO using relevant keywords such as "Alzheimer's disease," "risk factors," "genetics," "environmental factors," and "lifestyle." Studies published between 2000 and 2023 were included, focusing on factors associated with AD in individuals aged 65 years and older.Results: The review identified several key factors contributing to AD in older adults. Genetic predisposition, particularly the presence of apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele, emerged as a significant risk factor. Environmental factors such as air pollution, pesticides, and heavy metals were also implicated. Furthermore, lifestyle factors including physical inactivity, poor diet, and smoking were associated with increased AD risk. Chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were found to exacerbate cognitive decline in older adults.Conclusion: This narrative review highlights the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease among older adults. Understanding these factors is crucial for targeted interventions aimed at reducing AD risk and improving cognitive health outcomes in aging populations. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and personalized medicine approaches to elucidate specific mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis and to develop effective preventive strategies.

Extreme heat is a climate hazard that has been linked with high morbidity and mortality. The way extreme heat events are felt in the population varies depending on a variety of factors, such as age, employment status, living conditions, air-conditioning, housing conditions, habits, behaviors, and other socio-demographic parameters. To quantify and locate vulnerabilities of populations to extreme heat, we analyze socio-economic data at the NUTS3 level for the national case study of Greece and at the census tract level for the local case study of the city of Athens. The target variable for this study is defined as the average daily mortality during heatwaves per 100,000 individuals and a methodology is developed for constructing this variable, based on socio-economic data available in public databases. Independent variables were selected based on their contribution to socioeconomic vulnerability; they include the percentage of elderly, retired, unemployed, renting, living alone, residing in smaller houses, living in older houses, and immigrants from developing countries. An ensemble gradient boosted tree model was employed for this study to obtain feature importance metrics that was used to construct a composite index of socioeconomic heat vulnerability. The socioeconomic heat vulnerability index (SHVI) was calculated for each prefecture in Greece and for each census tract in the city of Athens, Greece. The unique feature of this SHVI is that it can be applied to any geographical resolution using the same methodology and produces a result that is not only quantifiable, but also allows comparison between vulnerability scores of different regions. This application aimed to map the SHVI of both prefecture and city, to examine the significance of scale, to identify vulnerability hotspots, and rank the most vulnerable areas, which are prioritized by authorities for interventions that protect public health.

This research aims to investigate psychological anxiety factors, particularly Music Performance Anxiety (MPA), that influence the sustainability of music learning systems. This study employs an innovative integration of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, marking the first use of a nonlinear system paired with a comprehensive data framework for analyzing questionnaire responses. This approach allows for a detailed examination of the effects of these factors on academic outcomes. Previous research has primarily focused on the fragmented music learning system from the perspective of teachers' instructional strategies, emphasizing phased teaching methods and learning objectives which focus often neglected a significant subset of music learners. Addressing this oversight, the current study specifically centers on the emotional aspects of anxiety within music learning systems, with a particular emphasis on students, who play a crucial role in music education. This perspective enables a deep exploration of how MPA and other related emotional factors affect music learning systems. A notable innovation of this research is the development of a stochastic nonlinear system designed to model the psychological factors impacting student music learning, complemented by a quantitative model that assesses actual learning outcomes. By analyzing this nonlinear system, the research identifies weight values for various negative emotions, particularly those related to MPA, that significantly influence the music learning process. The integration of MPA and other anxiety related emotional factors with practical learning outcomes provides a comprehensive understanding of their combined impact on the music learning system. These insights are invaluable for educators and policymakers aiming to enhance both the effectiveness and emotional well-being within music education. This comprehensive approach offers a novel perspective in understanding and improving the dynamics of music education through a more empathetic and scientifically grounded lens.

This paper is motivated by spatio-temporal pattern in the occurrence of Leishmaniasis in Afghanistan and the relatively high number of zero counts. We hold the view that correlations that arise from spatial and temporal sources are inherently distinct. Our method decouples these two sources of correlations, there are at least two advantages in taking this approach. First, it circumvents the need to inverting a large correlation matrix, which is a commonly encountered problem in spatio-temporal analyses. Second, it simplifies the modelling of complex relationships such as anisotropy, which would have been extremely difficult or impossible if spatio-temporal correlations were simultaneously considered. We identify three challenges in the modelling of a spatio-temporal process: (1) accommodation of covariances that arise from spatial and temporal sources; (2) choosing the correct covariance structure and (3) extending to situations where a covariance is not the natural measure of association. Moreover, because the data covers a period that overlaps with the US invasion of Afghanistan, the high number of zero counts may be the result of no disease incidence or lapse of data collection. To resolve this issue, a model truncated at zero built on a foundation of the generalized estimating equations was proposed.

A simple underwater noise model suitable for use with explosives in the decommissioning of oil and gas subsea structures is introduced and evaluated against data from five projects in the US. The performance of the model is compared to four existing models for open water blasts, and for the severance of well conductors and piles. Simulated received underwater sound pressure levels were significantly correlated with measurements for all scenarios. The maximum total error achieved between simulations and measurements was 3.5%, suggesting that predictions are accurate to within 4% of the average measurement. A low relative bias was observed in the simulations when compared to measured values, suggesting only a small systematic underestimate (≤ 1% of average measurement) for most severance operations and a small overestimate (1.34%) for open water blasts.

To be CMOS-compatible, a low preparation temperature (< 500 °C) of ferroelectric films is required. In this study, BiFeO3 films were successfully fabricated at a low annealing temperature (< 450 °C) on aluminum foils by a metal-organic decomposition process. The annealing atmosphere on performance of BiFeO3 films was assessed at 440 ± 5℃. By replacing an O2-rich atmosphere with an N2-rich one, a better crystalline morphology was achieved in BiFeO3 films, resulting in better electric properties targeted for high-density ferroelectric random-access memory applications. These properties included a large remnant polarization (Pr~78.1 μC/cm2 @ 1165.2 kV/cm) and a high rectangularity (~91.3% @ 1165.2 kV/cm) of the P-E loop, along with excellent charge-retaining ability up to 1.0 × 103 s and a fatigue resistance reaching 1.0 × 109 switching cycles. The enhanced performance of BiFeO3 film in an N2-rich atmosphere maybe originated from the slightly high content of oxygen vacancies during the annealing process. Furthermore, decent electrical properties (Pr~70 μC/cm2 @ 1118.1 kV/cm) of the BiFeO3 films were achieved at a very low annealing temperature of 365 ±5 °C on aluminum foil substrates. These results offer a new idea for lowering the annealing temperature for integrated ferroelectrics in high-density FeRAM applications.

In this paper, the results of a high-precision control survey carried out in the underground mining of the Oyu Tolgoi project using terrestrial laser scanning technology are presented. The purpose of the measurements was to ensure that the direction, total length and volume of the penetration and excavation works were being implemented in accordance with the planned and designed dimensions. The coordinates of the geodetic traverse checkpoints were also assessed. In addition, we checked a traverse network of 18 checkpoints in the tunnel of the selected underground level. These checkpoints were repeatedly measured four times by two using readings of the Trimble S7 1” total station and were processed using the Compass/Bowditch method with Trimble Business Center software. All points except for one were within the tolerance limits. Based on these points, the excavation length and volumes were determined using the terrestrial laser scanners (TLSs) Trimble X7 and Trimble SX12 [25]. The difference between the planned work quantity provided by the Oyu Tolgoi project and the actual values measured using laser scanner was calculated with the comparative method. The TLS partial control measurements in the excavations made through the ore bodies revealed a length of 20285.72m and a volume of 441128.80m3 for the seven underground mine levels, while their project values were 16158.26m length and 422837.50m3 volume.

The two combined technologies WPT and AI still have huge prospects for several industries such as consumer electronics and industry. This paper looks at the recent developments in WPT, particularly concerning AI-improved efficiency, range, and reliability. AI-driven also works to control power, manage device alignment, and test when maintenance is necessary, this makes powering smarter and more efficient. Accuracy is given by deploying machine learning and computer vision, and on the other hand, the maintenance procedure is done through predictions. Furthermore, the ability of the management system to include the use of AI in power regulation enables the control of consumption based on the load. In this study, the positive future effect of AI is discussed concerning improvements in WPT technologies, which is paramount in subsequent applications. Based on the results, it is essential to continue the investigation of the topic within this interdisciplinary science to advance existing problems and discover novel possibilities for evolution. Data based on experiments shows a significant improvement in the efficiency of information transfer where AI is used with rates up to 25% higher than those using the traditional ways. Additionally, advanced maintenance forecasting algorithms improve system availability by cutting down on 30% of the downtimes when applied in real-life applications of AI technology. The study also looks at the possibilities of the outlook to the future including emergence of the distributed artificial intelligence for autonomous WPT network, and additional potential of quantum computing for the use to improve the algorithm. This indicates that there is a new era for the convergence of WPT and AI to enhance the progress of power transfer system in conditions of elegant, efficient, and robust.

This article titled "AI and IoT in Automation and Security: A Vision for Next Generation Applications," explored the implications of marrying IoT with AI in the realms of automation and security; this piece goes further into what that entails. In this paper, we present innovative application descriptions arising from this technology convergence and its future-generation applications. We found that AI brings strong cyber security, predictive maintenance, and decision-making capabilities to the table due to its advanced algorithms and machine learning models. IoT has the potential to allow businesses to extract and generate big data, automate processes, and monitor in real-time thousands and even millions of businesses at once. For now, we believe some of the possible main conclusions will be that the smart city, stand-alone systems, and user experience will be quite consumer-friendly. Importantly, the study also assessed facets such as data protection, system interoperability, and a few others. Our vision underscores the essential of a strong structure to connect the full latent of AI and IoT, finally aiming to create more capable, protected, and approachable environments. Significant results include achieving 95.8% accuracy in anomaly detection and 93.4% accuracy in predictive maintenance. The showcasing results efficacy of AI models to enhance system reliability as well as operational efficiency. Vigorous encryption protocols performance ensures data security hence addressing issues of privacy. These culminations underscore the transformative potential of AI-IoT integration in next-generation automation and security applications.

Our recent analysis of empirical limit order flow data in financial markets reveals a power-law distribution in limit order cancellation times. These times are modeled using a discrete probability mass function derived from the Tsallis q-exponential distribution, closely aligned with the second form of the Pareto distribution. We elucidate this distinctive power-law statistical property through the lens of agent heterogeneity in trading activity and asset possession. Our study introduces a novel modeling approach that combines fractional Lévy stable motion for limit order inflow with this power-law distribution for cancellation times, significantly enhancing the prediction of order imbalances. This model not only addresses gaps in current financial market modeling but also extends to broader contexts such as opinion dynamics in social systems, capturing the finite lifespan of opinions. Characterized by stationary increments and a departure from self-similarity, our model provides a unique framework for exploring long-range dependencies in time series. This work paves the way for more precise financial market analyses and offers new insights into the dynamic nature of opinion formation in social systems.

Presence detection is essential in many applications, including smart homes, office automation, and public space management. Traditional technologies like infrared sensors and cameras frequently encounter obstacles due to privacy concerns, high costs, and complexity. The study provides a novel way to detect presence based on Wi-Fi signals and machine learning algorithms, utilizing the ESP8266 microcontroller. The suggested system attempts to reliably detect the presence of people in a given place by evaluating fluctuations in Wi-Fi signal strength and patterns. The theoretical basis of this strategy is investigated, including the ESP8266’s capabilities for Wi-Fi data gathering and the use of machine learning methods for data analysis. The methodology includes data collecting with the ESP8266, preprocessing, feature extraction, and training and evaluating machine learning models. This system’s potential uses include smart home automation, office occupancy tracking, and crowd management in public settings. The paper also discusses potential issues such as signal interference, data privacy concerns, and the limitations of Wi-Fi detection. Future work is also mentioned, including the suggested system’s installation and testing and enhancement proposals to improve accuracy and scalability. This research aims to provide a cost-effective, non-intrusive, and scalable presence detection system by harnessing the power of Wi-Fi signals and machine learning, enhancing intelligent environments

This review is dedicated to sustainable practices in liquid chromatography. HPLC and UHPLC methods contribute significantly to routine analytical techniques. Therefore, the transfer of classical liquid chromatographic methods into sustainable ones is of utmost importance in moving toward sustainable development goals. Among other principles to render a liquid chromatographic method green, substitution of the organic solvent component in the mobile phase with a greener one received great attention. This review concentrates on choosing the best alternative green organic solvent to replace the classical solvent in the mobile phase for easy rapid transfer to a more sustainable normal phase or reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The main focus of this review will be on describing the transfer of non-green to green and white chromatographic methods in an effort to elevate the sustainability best practice in analytical chemistry. The greenness properties and greenness ranking in addition to the chromatographic suitability of seventeen organic solvents for liquid chromatography are mentioned to have a clear insight into the issue of rapidly choosing the appropriate solvent to transfer a classical HPLC or UHPLC method into a more sustainable one. A simple guide is proposed for making the liquid chromatographic method more sustainable.

Cars are a highly inefficient mode of urban transport with significant negative impacts. Electric vehicles make it possible to eliminate direct CO2 emissions (though the total over a vehicle’s entire life cycle greatly offsets the advantages) but leave unchanged – or even aggravate – all the other negative effects on the quality of urban environments. Three visions for urban transport were presented: automobility, multimodality and accessibility. The first dominates North American cities, the second European one. The anomalies of these two visions have been examined. The automobility cities cannot manage the congestion and the attempts are self- defeating. The anomalies of multimodality city are related to the public space consumption for mobility and the impossibility to plan spatial proximity. The sustainable vision, that resolve the anomalies, is represented by the accessibility city in the Triple Access System (TAS) version which, however, still has a long way to go to be accepted and implemented.

The review explores the therapeutic potential of mangrove plants as sources of bioactive compounds, particularly focusing on their anti-inflammatory properties. Mangroves, found in tropical and sub-tropical tidal coasts, exhibit unique ecological and biological activities. The review compiles and examines 136 research findings published between 1982 and 2018, with 41 studies specifically addressing the anti-inflammatory properties of mangroves in Indian coastal regions, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It summarizes the chemical structures, molecular weights, formulas, solvents, and biological activities of these mangroves, as reported by various researchers over time. The data underscore the significant potential of tropical Indian mangroves in anti-inflammatory applications. However, a notable research gap exists regarding the extraction of bioactive compounds from mangrove species in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands compared to other regions such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Puducherry. Overall, the compilation provides valuable insights into mangrove-based studies for drug discovery research, emphasizing the need for further exploration and exploitation of these natural resources.

Euler’s product formula over the primes and Euler’s zeta function equate to enshrine the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic that every integer > 1 is the product of a unique set of primes. The product formula has no zero, and with a domain ≤1 Euler’s zeta diverges. Dirichlet’s eta function η(s), negates alternate terms of zeta, permitting convergence when s∈C and Re(s) < 1, and its non-trivial zeros {ρ}, have a deep relationship with the distribution of the primes. The Riemann Hypothesis is that all the non-trivial zeros have Re(ρ) = 1/2. This work examines the symmetries in a partial Euler’s zeta series with a complex domain equating it to the difference between two finite vector series whose matched terms have mirror-image arguments, but whose magnitudes differ when Re(s) ≠ 1/2. Analytical continuation generates a modified eta series η_l(s), in which every l^th term is multiplied by (1-l). If the integer l is appropriately determined by the Im(s), similar paired finite vector series have a difference that closely follows η_l (s) and their terminal vectors intersect in a unique way permitting zeros only when Re(s) = 1/2. Furthermore, those vectors tracking the derivatives of the series, have a special relationship permitting zeros of the differential only when Re(s) > 1/2.

In recent years, in addition to the commonly known wire-based processes of Directed Energy Deposition using lasers, a process variant using the electron beam has also developed to industrial market maturity. The process offers particular potential for processing highly conductive, reflective or oxidation-prone materials. However, for industrial usage there is a lack of comprehensive data on performance, process limits and possible applications. The present study deals with this problem using the example of the high-strength aluminum bronze CuAl8Ni6. Multi-stage test welds are used to determine the physically possible process limits and draw conclusions about the suitability of the parameters for additive manufacturing. For this purpose, optimal ranges for energy input, possible welding speeds and the scalability of the process were investigated. Finally, additive test specimens in the form of cylinders and walls are produced and the hardness profile, microstructure and mechanical properties are investigated. It is found that the material CuAl8Ni6 can be well processed by wire electron beam additive manufacturing. The microstructure is similar to a cast structure, the hardness profile over the height of the specimens is constant and the tensile strength and elongation at fracture values achieved correspond to the specification of the raw material.

Sinulariolide, a natural product extracted from cultured-type soft coral Sinularia flexibilis, possesses bioactivity against the movement of several types of cancer cell. However, the molecular pathway of its effects on human bladder cancer remain poorly understood. Using a human bladder cancer cell line as an in vitro model, this study investigated the underlying mechanism of sinulariolide against cell migration/invasion in TSGH-8301 cells. We found that sinulariolide inhibited TSGH-8301 cell migration/invasion, and the effect was concentration-dependent. Furthermore, the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-2 and MMP-9, as well as urokinase, were significantly decreased after 24-h sinulariolide treatment. Meanwhile, the increased expressions of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were in parallel with an increased concentration of sinulariolide. Finally, the expressions of several key phosphorylated proteins in the mTOR signaling pathway were also downregulated by sinulariolide treatment. Our results demonstrated that sinulariolide has significant effects against TSGH-8301 cell migration/invasion, and its effects were associated with decreased levels of MMP-2/-9 and urokinase expression, as well as increased TIMP-1/TIMP-2 expression. The inhibitory effects were mediated by reducing phosphorylation proteins of the PI3K, AKT and mTOR signaling pathway. The findings suggested that sinulariolide is a good candidate for advanced investigation with the aim of developing a new drug for the treatment of human bladder cancer.

In this paper, existence and stability results of non-local integro-differential equation with Hilfer derivative of order ω∈(1,2) have been investigated. In this derivative is applied in RLC circuit equation of various fractional order. To proposed problem the existence solutions are derived using Schaefer’s fixed point theorem and the Banach contraction principle is using for uniqueness results. To demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of our theoretical conclusions and two-step Lagrange polynomial interpolation were used to solve four numerical results.

LiFePO4 (LFP) has undergone extensive research and is a promising cathode material for Li-ion batteries. The high interest is due to its low raw material cost, good electrochemical stability, and high-capacity retention. However, poor electronic conductivity and a low Li+ diffusion rate decrease its electrochemical reactivity, especially at fast charge/discharge rates. In this work, the volumetric energy density of lithium-ion batteries is successfully increased by using different amounts of conductive carbon (Super P) in the active material content. The particle size and morphology of the electrode material samples are studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Two-point-probe DC measurements and adhesive force tests are used to determine the conductivity and evaluate adhesion for the positive electrode. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and charge/discharge tests are used to analyze the electrochemical properties of the battery. The samples containing 88% LFP, 5.5% Super P and 6.5% PVDF perform best, with discharge capacities reaching 169.8 mAhg-1 at 0.1C, and they can also manage charging/discharging of 5C. EIS indicates that this combination produces the lowest charge-transfer impedance (67 Ω) and the highest Li+ ion diffusion coefficient (5.76 x 10-14 cm2s-1).

There is a growing interest in glial cells in the central nervous system due to their important role in maintaining brain homeostasis both under physiological conditions and after injury. A significant amount of evidence has been accumulated regarding their capacity to exert either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects under different pathological conditions. In combination with their known proliferative potential, they contribute not only to the limitation of brain damage and tissue remodeling but also to neuronal repair and synaptic recovery. Moreover, reactive glial cells can modulate the processes of neurogenesis, proliferation, and migration of neurons in the existing neural circuits in the adult brain. By discovering precise signals within specific niches, the regulation of sequential processes in adult neurogenesis holds the potential to unlock strategies that can stimulate the generation of functional neurons, whether in response to injury or as a means of addressing degenerative neurological conditions. Cerebral ischemic stroke, a condition falling within the realm of acute vascular disorders affecting the circulation of the brain, stands as a prominent global cause of disability and mortality. Extensive investigations into glial plasticity and their intricate interactions with other cells in the central nervous system have predominantly relied on studies conducted on experimental animals, including rodents and primates. However, valuable insights have also been gleaned from in vivo studies involving post-stroke patients, utilizing highly specialized imaging techniques. Following the attempts to map brain cells, the role of various transcription factors in modulating gene expression in response to cerebral ischemia is gaining increasing popularity. Although the results obtained thus far remain incomplete and occasionally ambiguous, they serve as a solid foundation for the development of strategies aimed at influencing the recovery process after ischemic brain injury.

A broad spectrum of lesions, including hyperplastic, metaplastic, inflammatory, infectious, and reactive, may mimic cancer all along the urinary tract. This narrative collects most of them from a clinical and pathologic perspective offering urologists and general pathologists their most salient definitory features. Together with classical, well-known, entities such as urothelial papillomas (conventional and inverted), nephrogenic adenoma, polypoid cystitis, fibroepithelial polyp, prostatic-type polyp, verumontanum cyst, xanthogranulomatous inflammation, reactive changes secondary to BCG instillations, schistosomiasis, keratinizing desquamative squamous metaplasia, post-radiation changes, vaginal-type metaplasia, endocervicosis/endometriosis (müllerianosis), malakoplakia, florid von Brunn nest proliferation, cystitis/ureteritis cystica and glandularis, among others, still other cellular proliferations with concerning histological features and poorly understood etiopathogenesis like IgG4-related disease, PEComa, and pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic proliferations (post-operative spindle cell nodule, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor), are reviewed. Some of these diagnoses are problematic for urologists, other for pathologists, and still others for both. Interestingly, the right identification of their definitory features will allow their correct diagnoses thus avoiding overtreatment. The literature selected for this review also focuses on the immunohistochemical and/or molecular data useful to delineate prognosis.

In this paper, we analyzed the live fish trajectory recorded from an experiment in an experimental vertical slot fishway. Combined with a numerical simulation, we demonstrated that randomness shown in fish trajectory might not merely be attributed to fish's random choices in its swimming, also could be an adaption consequence to the bulk unsteady turbulent flow structure. Simple superposing the fish trajectory on the time-averaged flow field obtained either by interpolating on discrete point measurements or numerical simulation is not an ideal method for fish movement description in fishway engineering. How to model the fish paths in transient flow and the necessity of simultaneous recording of the flow field and the fish locomotion are challenging topics. The suggested spectrum analysis of the flow field may provide a new general method to reproduce the fish trajectory in a complex turbulent flow.

Policymakers, academics, and industry players have been focused on determining whether connected health (CH) is a fad or a trend by looking at its sustainability. Although the significance of innovation in healthcare is gradually rising, a definitive identification and systematic comprehension of the core drivers, structure, content, and pattern of innovation in CH are missing. To bridge this gap, this study re-examines and analyses CH from the perspectives of its industrial chain and structure, to assess its future prospects and sustainability by focusing on how its structures and participants act in the ecosystem. This study involves an inductive theory building approach based on multi-stage, semi-structured interviews (n=60 in total). The results indicate that the core drivers, constituents, and components of CH need to be identified and restructured. A valid discourse, which is missing in the current literature, should be proposed with regard to the sustainability of CH. A sustainable business model innovation (BMI) system and the methods employed to achieve sustainability are suggested to discover indicators for future success. This study enriches the current CH understanding from a technology perspective and suggests some implications for practitioners as well as policymakers to enhance sustainable development in the healthcare sector.

Mining is one of the main economic activities of several developing countries as Chile. Due to the progressive fall of the ore grades and the increasingly refractory composition of minerals, concentrating plants have increased that has led to an increase in the generation of tailings. Tailings, especially those obtained in the past, have remaining copper and other valuable species in quantities that can potentially be recovered, such as gold, silver, vanadium and rare earth elements. This transforms this abundant waste into a potential source of precious or strategic metals for secondary mining. One of the techniques of solid-liquid separation that allows the processing of solutions with low concentrations of metals corresponds to the adsorption, and more recently the biosorption, which is based on the use of biological matrices that do not constitute an environmental liability after application. Biosorption occurs as a consequence of the wide variety of active functional groups present in the different types of biomass. Bacterial, fungal, plant and algal biomasses have been described as biosorbents, mainly for the treatment of diluted and simple solutions. This work aims to recover copper from leached tailings using biomass of the red algae Gracilaria chilensis as a biosorbent. The tailing samples were taken from an abandoned deposit in the north of Chile and after an acid leaching copper was biosorbed, for which the kinetics of adsorption and the equilibrium isotherms were studied, applying the Freundlich and Langmuir models. Operational parameters such as adsorbent dose, pH and initial metal concentration were studied.

In various models of chronic kidney disease, the amount and localization of Cx43 in the nephron is known to increase, but the intracellular pathways that regulate these changes have not been identified. Therefore, we proposed that: "In the model of renal damage induced by infusion of angiotensin II (AngII), a RhoA/ROCK-dependent pathway, is activated and regulates the abundance of renal Cx43”. In rats, we evaluated: 1) the time-point where the renal damage induced by AngII is no longer reversible; and 2) the involvement of a RhoA/ROCK-dependent pathway and its relationship with the amount of Cx43 in this irreversible stage. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and renal function (urinary protein/urinary creatinine: Uprot/UCrea) were evaluated as systemic and organ outcomes, respectively. In kidney tissue, we also evaluated: 1) oxidative stress (amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive species), 2) inflammation (immunoperoxidase detection of the inflammatory markers ED-1 and IL-1β), 3) fibrosis (immune detection of type III collagen; Col III) and 4) activity of RhoA/ROCK (amount of phosphorylated MYPT1; p-MYPT1). The ratio Uprot/UCrea, SBP, oxidative stress, inflammation, amount of Cx43 and p-MYPT1 remained high 2 weeks after suspending AngII treatment in rats treated for 4 weeks with AngII. These responses were not observed in rats treated with AngII for less than 4 weeks, in which all measurements returned spontaneously close to the control values after suspending AngII treatment. Rats treated with AngII for 6 weeks and co-treated for the last 4 weeks with Fasudil, an inhibitor of ROCK, showed high SBP but did not present renal damage or increased amount of renal Cx43. Therefore, renal damage induced by AngII correlates with the activation of RhoA/ROCK and the increase in Cx43 amounts and can be prevented by inhibitors of this pathway.

Work reviews the new isolated isolated cembranoid diterpene derivatives from species belonging to the family Alcyoniidae, which comprises the genera Sarcophyton, Sinularia, and Lobophytum as well as their biological properties, during 2016–2017. The compilation permitted to conclude that much more new cembranoid diterpenes were found in the soft corals of the genus Sarcophyton sp. (33 new compounds) than in those belonging to the genera Lobophytum (17) or Sinularia (8). Several methods have been used for identifying these new compounds, after extraction with organic solvents and fractionation. The fractions obtained, in some cases, were followed by TLC, and again subjected to chromatographic procedures, including semi-preparative HPLC. Beyond the chemical composition, the biological properties were also evaluated, namely anti-microbial against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumoral against several types of cancer cells. Although the biological activities detected in almost all samples, they were not outstanding ones.

Current trends in systemic risk literature provide new insights into multi-hazard risks that interact and compound with built environments, creating more significant impacts on socio-economic and human systems. Recurrent natural hazards and extreme weather events are more likely to compound and cascade into more impactful events, especially in vulnerable societies. In small-island communities (SICS), including large archipelagos and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the long-term impact of multi-, compounding-, and cascading-hazards (MCC hazards) can result in persistent vulnerability and residual risks. This is due to delayed responses, limited resources, poverty, fewer evacuation options, and inadequate markets and infrastructure. Using Ternate, a densely populated small volcanic island in North Maluku, Indonesia, as a case study, this paper assesses the impacts of seven types of natural hazards: flash floods, landslides, extreme weather, extreme waves and abrasion, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. The research focuses on the multi-hazard impact on population, land use, and infrastructure exposures in 60 villages in Ternate. The findings highlight population density, land use, and infrastructure exposure to multi-hazard risks, providing valuable information on potential losses in future hazard events.

Transportation systems through the ages have seen drastic evolutions in terms of transportation methods, speed of transport, infrastructure, technology, connectivity, influence on the environment, and accessibility. The massive transformation seen in the transportation sector has been fueled by the industrial revolutions which have continued expansion and progress into the fourth industrial revolution. However, the methodologies of data collection and processing used by the many drivers of this progress differ. The significance of standardized data and its mode of collection cannot be overstated as it has a major impact on the process outcomes. In order to achieve a better understanding of the impact of this, this study methodically reviewed the literature on the subject of the data collection and processing mechanism of 4IR technologies in the context of the transport industry with an emphasis on the areas of accomplishment of several studies and drawing attention to their limitations. Although the industry has advanced significantly as a result of the adoption and application of various research studies in this field, considerable focus needs to be placed in the areas of standardized data collection and computational approaches, which will ultimately assist in achieving various benefits in the transportation industry.

Interpore hydrates are the main occurrence forms of marine gas hydrates. Pore characteristics are a vital factor affecting the thermodynamic properties of hydrates and their distribution in sediments. Currently, the characterization of the pore system for hydrate-bearing reservoirs are little reported. Therefore this paper focus on the Krishna-Godavari Basin, via varies methods to characterize the hydrate-bearing sediments in the region. The results showed that X-ray Diffraction(XRD) combined with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)and Cast Thin Section (CTS) can better characterize the mineral composition in the reservoir, High Pressure Mercury Injection (HPMI) focused on the contribution of pore size to permeability, Constant Rate Mercury Injection(CRMI) had the advantage of distinguishing between pore space and pore throat, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Cryoporometry (NMRC) technique can not only obtain the pore size distribution of nanopores with a characterization range greater than Nitrogen Gas Adsorption (N2GA), but also quantitatively describe the trend of fluids in the pore system with temperature. As for pore system, Samples 58 and 68 all developed nanopores, the mineral distribution was relatively scattered, and they were rich in paleontological shells such as foraminifera, among which Sample 68 had more pyrite content, and abundant pyrite framboid was observed, which made the intergranular pore develop and provide more nanopores. Sample 58 has a high concentration of pore and throat, high pore connectivity, low pore curvature, and pores with a diameter of 10μm contributing to the main permeability, with an average pore radius of 2.495μm, whereas Sample 68 has poor pore connectivity, high curvature, and pores with a diameter of 1μm contributing to the main permeability, with an average pore diameter of 60 nm, which explains the obvious difference in permeability between the two samples.

The rheological properties of a polyamide (PA) resin with low crystallinity were modified by melt-mixing it with a small amount of an alternative a-olefin–maleic anhydride copolymer as a reactive compound. Because PA has a low melting point, rheological characterization was performed over a wide temperature range. Owing to the reaction between PA and the alternative a-olefin–maleic anhydride copolymer, the blend sample behaved as a long-chain branched polymer in the molten state. The thermo-rheological complexity was obvious owing to large flow activation energy values in the low modulus region. The primary normal stress difference under steady shear was greatly increased in the wide shear rate range, leading to a large swell ratio at capillary extrusion. Furthermore, strain hardening in the transient elongational viscosity, which is responsible for favorable processability, was clear. Because this is a simple modification method, it will be widely employed to modify the rheological properties of various polyamide resins.

This paper discusses the design and implementation of a portable IoT station. Communication and data synchronization issues in several installations are addressed here, making possible a detailed analysis of the entire system during its operation. The system proposed is interpreted as an additional tool which can be utilized in several applications, where the system operator requires a synchronized data stream, combining multiple communication protocols into one single time stamp. The hardware selected for the portable IoT station complies with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) industrial standards. A short discussion regarding interface customization shows how easily the hardware can be modified so that it is integrated with almost any system. A Programmable Logic Controller enables the Node-Red to be utilized. This open-source programming tool employs flows to define operations for each global variable nominated in the Modbus register. Two applications are presented and discussed in this paper, each application has a distinct methodology utilized to publish and visualize the acquired data. The portable IoT Station is highly customizable, consisting of a modular structure and providing the best platform for future research and development of dedicated algorithms.

Automated charging technologies are becoming increasingly important in the electrification of heavy road freight transport, especially in combination with autonomous driving. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of automated charging technologies for electric heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). It encompasses the entire spectrum of feasible technologies, including static and dynamic approaches, with each charging technology evaluated for its advantages, potentials, challenges, and technology readiness level (TRL). Static conductive charging methods such as charging robots, underbody-couplers or pantographs show good potential, with pantographs being the most mature option. These technologies are progressing towards higher TRLs, with a focus on standardization and adaptability. While static wireless charging is operational for some prototype solutions, it encounters challenges related to implementation and efficiency. Dynamic conductive charging through an overhead contact line or contact rails holds promise for high-traffic HDV routes with the overhead contact line being the most developed option. Dynamic wireless charging, although facing efficiency challenges, offers potential for seamless integration into roads and minimal wear and tear. Battery swapping is emerging as a practical solution to reduce downtime for charging, with varying levels of readiness across different implementations. To facilitate large-scale deployment further standardization efforts are required. The study emphasizes the necessity for continued research and development to enhance efficiency, decrease costs, and ensure seamless integration into existing infrastructures. Technologies that achieve this best will have the highest potential to significantly contribute to the creation of an efficiently automated and environmentally friendly transport sector.

To explore the relevant factors that affect the efficacy of consciousness-regaining therapy (CRT)for prolonged disorder of consciousness(pDOC),a retrospective analysis was conducted on the case data of 114 patients with pDOC admitted to department of functional neurosurgery of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from January 2019 to January 2022. Basic information on the cases,data on pDOC disease assessment, consciousness-regaining therapy methods, and efficacy evaluation were collected. A total of 114 patients were grouped and compared based on the efficacy at the end of treatment. Among them, there were 61 cases in the ineffective group and 53 cases in the effective group. There was no statistically significant difference (P&gt;0.05) between the two groups in terms of gender, age, etiology, acute cerebral herniation, emergency craniotomy surgery, emergency decompressive craniectomy, time from onset to start of consciousness-regaining therapy , and duration of consciousness-regaining therapy(P&gt;0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in terms of secondary hydrocephalus, , consciousness-regaining therapy methods, CRS-R grading before treatment, and GOSE score at 6 months after treatment. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the type of therapy (OR=0.169, 95% CI: 0.057-0.508) was a related factor affecting the efficacy of consciousness-regaining therapy (P&lt;0.05).Compared with non-invasive therapy, personalized awakening therapy using various invasive consciousness-regaining therapy methods can help improve the efficacy of therapy for pDOC.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with a generally poor prognosis due to its highly aggressive and metastatic nature, lack of targetable receptors, as well as the frequent development of resistance to chemotherapy. We previously reported that AU1, a small molecule developed as an inhibitor of BPTF (bromodomain PHD finger containing transcription factor), was capable of sensitizing preclinical models of triple negative breast cancer to chemotherapy, in part via the promotion of autophagy. In studies reported here, we identify an additional property of this compound, specifically that sensitization is associated with inhibition of the P-glycoprotein efflux pump. In silico molecular docking studies indicate that AU1 binds to active regions of the efflux pump, in a manner consistent with inhibition of pump function. This work identifies a novel chemical structure that can influence multidrug efflux, an established mechanism of drug resistance in triple negative breast cancer, that has not yet been successfully addressed by clinical efforts.

This study presents the chemical synthesis, purification, and characterization of a novel non-natural synthetic amino acid. The compound was synthesized in solution, purified, and characterized using NMR spectroscopy, polarimetry, and melting point determination. Dynamic Light 22 Scattering (DLS) analysis demonstrated its ability to form aggregates with an average size of 391 nm, extending to low micrometric sizes. Furthermore, cellular biological assays revealed its ability to enhance fibroblast cell growth, highlighting its potential for tissue regenerative applications. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed the ability of the synthetic amino acid to bind serum albumins (using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model), and CD deconvolution provided insights into the changes in secondary structures of BSA upon interaction with the amino acid ligand. Additionally, molecular docking using HDOCK software elucidated the most likely binding mode of the ligand inside the BSA structure. We also performed in silico oligomerization of the synthetic compound in order to obtain a model of aggregate to investigate computationally. More in detail, in the dimer formation achieved by molecular self-docking, two distinct poses were observed, corresponding to the lowest and comparable energies, with one pose exhibiting a quasi-coplanar arrangement characterized by a close alignment of two aromatic rings from the synthetic amino acids within the dimer, suggesting the presence of π-π stacking interactions. In contrast, the second pose displayed a non-coplanar configuration, with the aromatic rings oriented in a staggered arrangement, indicating distinct modes of interaction. Both poses were further utilized in the self-docking procedure. Notably, iterative molecular docking of amino acid structures resulted in the formation of higher-order aggregates, with a model of a 512-mer aggregate obtained through self-docking procedures. This model of aggregate presented a cavity capable of hosting therapeutic cargoes and biomolecules, rendering it a potential scaffold for cell adhesion and growth in tissue regenerative applications. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of this synthetic amino acid for tissue regenerative therapeutics and provide valuable insights into its molecular interactions and aggregation behavior.

This study presents an innovative method for producing thermosensitive bio-ink from chitosan hydrogels saturated with carbon dioxide and agarose. It focuses on a detailed characterization of their physicochemical properties and potential applications in biomedicine and tissue engineering. The ORO test approved rapid regeneration of the three-dimensional structure of chitosan-agarose composites in the unidirectional bench press simulation test. The diffusion of dyes through chitosan-agarose hydrogel membranes strongly depended on the share of both polymers in the composite and the molecular weight of the dyes. Glucose, as a nutrient marker, also diffused through all membranes regardless of composition. Biocompatibility assessment using MTT tests on 46BR.1N fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes confirmed the safety of the bioink. The regenerative potential of the bioink was confirmed by efficient cell migration, especially HaCaT. Long-term viability studies showed that chitosan-agarose scaffolds, unlike the agarose ones, support cell proliferation and survival, especially 14 days after bioink extrusion. Experiments in a skin wound model in mice confirmed the biocompatibility of tested dressing and the beneficial action of chitosan on healing. Studies on vessel formation in chicken embryos highlight the potential of the chitosan-agarose composition for enhancing proangiogenic effects. This composition meets all entry criteria and possesses excellent biological properties.

This paper reports results of analysis of field ion emission mechanism from tungsten-epoxy composite emitters that are compared to tungsten nano-field emitters. In this context, the mechanism of emission from this type of emitters is described based on a theory of induced conductive channels. The tungsten emitters were prepared using the electrochemical polishing technique and coated with a layer of the epoxy resin. Field ion microscope (FIM) analyses are reported including the study of the emission-ion density distributions from both the uncoated and coated emitters. Two forms of emission patterns have been observed in the ion emission microscopy technique describing the differences in the emission mechanism of both types of emitters. The observed results show: (a) the expected crystalline surface atomic distribution images of the field ion microscopy in the case of uncoated tungsten tips, and (b) randomly distributed emission spots that describe the locations of the induced conductive channels inside the resin coating layer.

L-ascorbic acid represents one of the most potent antioxidant, photoprotective, anti-aging and anti-pigmentary cosmeceutical agents, with a good safety profile. However, the challenge remained to design the stable topical formulation, with such a permeability of L-ascorbic acid as active that the optimal effects on skin could be achieved. The aim of our research was to evaluate the difference between the penetration ability of ascorbyl palmitate incorporated in the same percentage (2%) within the creams and emulgels as carriers, as well as to determine the impact of its incorporation into liposome on the kinetics of penetration. Tape stripping was applied for studying the penetration of the ascorbyl palmitate into the stratum corneum. In addition, the sensory and textural properties of examined formulations were determined. In both cases (liposomal and non-liposomal formulations), creams exhibited a better penetration profile of active substance compared to the use of emulgel. Encapsulation of ascorbyl palmitate into liposomes led to an increase in the adhesiveness and density of the prepared cream and emulgel samples. The best spreadability and absorption during application were detected in liposomal samples. The obtained results confirmed improved dermal penetration of ascorbyl palmitate, either cream or emulgel bases were employed, which further indicates the advantages of its liposomal encapsulation.

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of new compound, potassium 2-[2-(2-oxo-4-phenylpyrrolidin-1-yl) acetamido]ethanesulfonate (Compound I), in depression. Willner's chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression in 48 male Wistar rats was used a depression model. The rats were randomized into four groups, including an intact group, a Compound I group, a Fluoxetine group, and a control group receiving saline. Behavioral tests, such as the Porsolt forced swim test, hole-board test, elevated plus maze test, and light-dark box, were used to assess the animals' conditions. Our results demonstrated that Compound I effectively reduced the immobilization time of rats in the forced swim test, increased orientation and exploratory behavior, and decreased the latency period of going into the dark compartment compared to the control group. Hippocampal and striatal serotonin concentrations were increased in the Compound I group, and the compound also reduced the level of corticosterone in the blood plasma of rats compared to intact animals. These results suggest that Compound I has a reliable antidepressant activity, comparable to that of the reference antidepressant Fluoxetine.

Biocomposite membranes based on polylactic acid (PLA) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were developed using a scientific approach. Dicumyl peroxide (DCP) was used as a polymerization ini-tiator, while tin octoate (Sn(Oct)2) and triphenylphosphane (P(C6H5)3) were used as catalysts. A torque rheometer was used to mix the components of the biocomposite, and thin films was prepared by solvent casting. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the coupling between the PLA and CNCs. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed that the CNCs were well-dispersed in the PLA matrix with an unimodal particle size distribution and a maximum particle size of around 200 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calo-rimetry (DSC) analysis demonstrated good thermal stability and improved biodegradability of the biocomposite membrane compared to pure PLA. Mechanical characterization showed a Young's modulus of 1.65 GPa, which is comparable to that of other composite materials, and a maximum tensile strength of 20.31 MPa, which is higher than that of pure PLA. These results suggest that the developed biocomposite membrane has potential applications in water filtration, food packaging, and biomedical devices.

In an era where the proliferation of large language models blurs the lines between human and machine-generated content, discerning text authenticity is paramount. This study investigates transformer-based language models—BERT, RoBERTa, and DistilBERT—in distinguishing human-written from machine-generated text. By leveraging a comprehensive corpus, including human-written text from sources such as Wikipedia, WikiHow, various news articles in different languages, and texts generated by OpenAI's GPT-2, we conduct rigorous comparative experiments. Our findings highlight the superior effectiveness of ensemble learning models over single classifiers in this critical task. This research underscores the versatility and efficacy of transformer-based methodologies for a wide range of natural language processing applications, significantly advancing text authenticity detection systems. The results demonstrate competitive performance, with the transformer-based method achieving an F-score score of 0.83 with RoBERTa-large (monolingual) and 0.70 with DistilBERT-base-uncased (multilingual).

According to the model of proactive motivation, we constructed a moderated impact model to examine the relationship between employees perceived overqualification (POQ), transformational leadership (TL), constructive deviant behaviour (CDB), and the generational differences in their relationships. We examined research hypotheses using data of 525 individuals. Results revealed that POQ positively affects CDB, and TL strengthened the effect of POQ on positive toward CDB. Furthermore, the effect of POQ on CDB is strongest among individuals born in the 1980s, followed by those born in the 1990s, and the moderating effect of TL is strongest among individuals born in the 1980s, and not significant among those born in the 1990s. Implications, limitations, and future directions of the present study are discussed.

Digital recruitment systems have revolutionized the hiring paradigm, imparting exceptional efficiencies and extending the reach for both employers and job seekers. This investigation scrutinizes the efficacy of classical machine learning methodologies alongside advanced large language models (LLMs) in aligning resumes with job categories. Traditional matching techniques, such as Logistic Regression, Decision Trees, Naïve Bayes, and Support Vector Machines, are constrained by the necessity of manual feature extraction, limited feature representation, and performance degradation, particularly as dataset size escalates, rendering them less suitable for large-scale applications. Conversely, LLMs like GPT-4, GPT-3, and LLAMA, adeptly process unstructured textual content, capturing nuanced language and context with greater precision. We evaluate these methodologies utilizing two datasets comprising resumes and job descriptions to ascertain accuracy, efficiency, and scalability. Our results reveal that while conventional models excel with structured data, LLMs significantly enhance the interpretation and matching of intricate textual information. This study highlights the transformative potential of LLMs in recruitment, offering insights into their application and future research avenues.

The 3 31 nucleotide minihelix tRNA theorem describes evolution of type I and type II tRNAs to the last nucleotide. In databases, type I and type II tRNA V loops (V for variable) were improperly aligned, but alignment based on the theorem is accurate. Type II tRNA V arms were a 3’-acceptor stem (initially CCGCCGC) ligated to a 5’-acceptor stem (initially GCGGCGG). The type II V arm evolved to form a stem-loop-stem. In Archaea, tRNALeu and tRNASer are type II. In Bacteria, tRNALeu, tRNASer and tRNATyr are type II. The positioning of the type II V arm is determined by the number of unpaired bases just 5’ of the Levitt base (Vmax). For Archaea, tRNALeu has 2 unpaired bases, and tRNASer has 1 unpaired base. For Bacteria, tRNATyr has 2 unpaired bases, tRNALeu has 1 unpaired base and tRNASer has 0 unpaired bases. Thus, the number of type II tRNAs is limited by the possible set points of the arm. From analysis of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase structures, contacts to type II V arms appear to adjust allosteric tension communicated primarily via tRNA to aminoacylating and editing active sites. To enhance allostery, it appears that type II V arm end loop contacts may tend to evolve to V arm stem contacts.

Integrated crop-livestock production (ILP) is an interesting alternative for more sustainable soil use. However, more studies are needed to analyze soil pore properties under ILP at the micrometer scale. Thus, this study proposes a detailed analysis of soil pore architecture at the micrometer scale in three dimensions. For this purpose, samples of an Oxisol under ILP subjected to minimum tillage (MT) and no-tillage (NT) with ryegrass as cover crop (C) and silage (S) were investigated. The soil micromorphological properties of the soil were analyzed using X-ray microtomography. The MT(C) system showed the highest values of porosity (c. 20.4%), connectivity (c. 32.8×103), volume (c. 26%), and number of pores (c. 32%) in a rod-like shape. On the other hand, the MT(S), NT(C), and NT(S) systems showed higher tortuosities (c. 2.2, c. 2.0, and c. 2.1) and lower pore connectivities (c. 8.3×103, c. 6.9×103, and c. 6.2×103), especially in S use. Ellipsoidal and rod-shaped pores predominated over spheroidal and disc-shaped pores in all treatments. The results of this study show that the use of ryegrass as a cover crop improves soil physical properties, especially in MT. For S use, the type of soil management (MT or NT) did not show any differences.

Traditional population-based metaheuristic algorithms are effective in solving complex real-world problems but require careful strategy selection and parameter tuning. Parameter-less population-based optimization algorithms have gained importance due to their simplicity and efficiency. However, research on their applicability for solving large systems of nonlinear equations is still incipient. In this paper, a systematic review and detailed description of metaphor-less optimization algorithms is made, including the Jaya algorithm, the main Jaya variants for continuous optimization problems, with a focus on the Enhanced Jaya (EJAYA) algorithm, the three Rao algorithms, the best-worst-play (BWP) algorithm, and the very recent max-min-greedy-interaction (MaGI) algorithm. This paper also discusses a few previous parallelizations of the Jaya optimization algorithm, as well as recent GPU-based massively parallel implementations of the Jaya, Enhanced Jaya (EJAYA), Rao, and BWP algorithms developed by the authors. In addition, a novel GPU-accelerated version of the MaGI algorithm is proposed. The GPU-accelerated versions of the metaphor-less algorithms developed by the authors were implemented using the Julia programming language and tested primarily on GeForce RTX 3090 and NVIDIA A100 GPUs, as well as on Tesla V100S and Tesla T4 GPUs, using a set of difficult, large-scale nonlinear equation system problems. The computational experiments carried out produced quite significant speedups, which highlights the efficiency of the GPU-based versions of the metaphor-less algorithms developed for solving large-scale systems of nonlinear equations.

In this paper, we investigate the Green measure for a class of non-Gaussian processes in $\mathbb{R}^{d}$. These measures are associated with the family of generalized grey Brownian motions $B_{\beta,\alpha}$, $0

Perceived peer support is a critical factor in the academic adjustment of higher vocational college students. While previous studies have explored this relationship, few studies have delved into the underlying mechanisms. This study surveyed 9782 students from 35 higher vocational colleges in 13 provinces and cities in China to explore the relationship and mechanisms between perceived peer support and academic adjustment. Drawing on Conservation of Resources theory and Social Support Resource theory, the findings revealed that perceived peer support not only directly predicted the academic adjustment of higher vocational college students, but also indirectly through the independent mediating effect of academic hope and professional identity, as well as the chain-mediating effect of academic hope to professional identity. Additionally, students from vocational high schools showed a more significant increase in academic hope due to perceived peer support compared to those from general high schools, highlighting the moderating effect of educational background. The study provided a new theoretical perspective for understanding the complex mechanisms of academic adjustment in students and offers valuable guidance for educational practice, emphasizing the importance of fostering perceived peer support, academic hope, and professional identity in higher vocational education.

Due to the continued deepening of today’s mining projects, there is a need to develop new or improved rockbolts that are strong and yielding and have high energy absorption when exposed to dynamic loading. Impact tests can provide useful information about the dynamic response of rockbolts but most laboratory tests involve high costs in preparation and result validation. Numerical modeling is an alternative that, in addition to complementing laboratory results, can be used to represent the process of deformation and energy absorption of support elements. In this paper the implementation and results obtained from a finite difference (FDM) numerical model are presented. The model functions as a simulation tool to illuminate all the elements that conform the large-scale (1:1) impact test and their behavior and influence on the dynamic response of a threadbar bolt (22 mm nominal diameter). The model was calibrated using published results and based on these results as well as parametric analysis, the response of each component (steel tube, grout, and bolt) could be identified and its behavior in terms of absorbed energy and displacement could be observed. Results show the model can provide important preliminary information to make design decisions about support elements design.

Partially state-owned firms are common in both developed and developing countries and contribute around 10% of the world's GDP. This has led to a rich literature exploring various aspects of competition between such “mixed”-ownership firms. This paper contributes to the existing literature by studying the effects of mixed ownership on the intensity of competition in oligopoly markets. Our findings indicate that state ownership exerts an anti-competitive influence, with a higher state ownership share resulting in less aggressive behavior by firms in the product market. This result implies that industries with a higher proportion of state ownership yield lower total surplus. Further, when considering factors such as taxes, soft budget constraints, and weak property rights, the anti-competitive effects of state ownership are accentuated.

The Source Region of the Yellow River (SRYR), renowned as the "Water Tower of the Yellow River", serves as an important water conservation domain in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, significantly influencing water resources within the basin. Based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model Hydrological modeling system (WRF-Hydro) model, the key variables of the atmosphere-land-hydrology coupling processes over the SRYR during the 2013 rainy season are analyzed. The investigation involves a comparative analysis between the coupled WRF-Hydro and the standalone WRF simulations, focusing on the hydrological response to the atmosphere. The results reveal that the WRF-Hydro model's proficiency in depicting streamflow variations over the SRYR, yielding a Nash Efficiency Coefficient (NSE) of 0.44 and of  0.61 during the calibration and validation periods, respectively. Compared to the standalone WRF simulations, the coupled WRF-Hydro model demonstrates enhanced performance in soil heat fluxes simulations, reducing the mean Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of surface soil temperature by 0.96 K and soil moisture by 0.01 m\textsuperscript{\textsuperscript{3}}/m\textsuperscript{\textsuperscript{3}}. Furthermore, the coupled model adeptly captures the streamflow variation characteristics with the NSE of 0.33. This underscores the significant potential of the coupled WRF-Hydro model for delineating coupled atmosphere-land-hydrology processes in regions characterized by cold climates and intricate topography.

Pakistan flora is enriched with potent bioactive compounds that must be explored while Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a global challenge driven by neurochemical imbalances. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors traditionally alleviate symptoms, but addressing the root cause remains elusive. This gap has led to the exploration of herbal sources for interventions. In this context, we analyzed fifty 50 medicinal plants for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities. AChE activity was measured using Ellman’s method. Santalum album exhibited significant AChE inhibition (86.2%), surpassing galantamine hydrobromide (81.8%). Promising inhibition was also seen in Bombax ceiba (77.8%), Acacia karoo (52.9%), and Phaseolus lunatus (50.1%). Detailed analysis revealed Santalum album's abundance in terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics, potentially correlating with its antioxidant and AChE inhibitory effects. Acacia karoo demonstrated elevated levels of total alkaloids, antioxidants, terpenoids, and tannins. Both Acacia karoo and Santalum album show promise for AD intervention due to their AChE inhibitory activities and unique phytochemical attributes, warranting further exploration, particularly for Acacia karoo's novel potential in AChE inhibition, to advance targeted AD therapeutics utilizing natural resources. This study contributes to the search for effective AD strategies from nature's pharmacological resources.

Pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (POMS), characterized by the onset of multiple sclerosis before the age of 18, is gaining increased recognition. Approximately 5 percent of MS cases manifest before the age of 18, with less than 1 percent occurring before the age of 10. Despite its rarity, pediatric MS exhibits distinct characteristics, with an association between younger age at onset and a comparatively slower disease progression. Despite this slower progression, individuals with POMS historically reach disability milestones at earlier ages than those with adult-onset multiple sclerosis. While various immunomodulatory agents demonstrate significant benefits in MS treatment, such as reduced relapse rates and slower accumulation of brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the majority of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) commonly used in adult MS lack evaluation through pediatric clinical trials. Current evidence is predominantly derived from observational studies. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate existing knowledge on the mechanisms of action, efficacy, safety profiles, and recommended dosages of available DMTs specifically in the context of pediatric MS. Furthermore, the review outlines recent advancements and explores potential medications still in developmental stages, providing a thorough overview of the current landscape and future prospects for treating POMS.

Distributed Energy Resources might have a severe influence on Power Line Communications, as they can generate interfering signals and high frequency emissions or supraharmonics that may cause loss of metering and control data. In this paper, the influence of various energy resources on Narrowband Power Line Communications is described and analyzed through several test measurements performed in a real microgrid. Accordingly, the paper describes the effects on smart metering communications through MAC layer analysis. Results show that the commutation frequency of inverters and the presence of battery chargers are remarkable sources of disturbance in low voltage distribution networks. In this sense, the results presented can contribute to efforts towards standardization and normative of emissions at higher frequencies higher, such as CENELEC EN 50160 and IEC/TS 62749.

The vibrational excitation cross section of a diatomic molecule by positron impact is obtained using wavepacket propagation techniques. The dynamics was carried on a two-dimensional potential energy surface which couples a hydrogen-like harmonic oscillator to a positron via a spherically symmetric correlation polarization potential. The cross section for the excitation of the first vibrational mode is in good agreement with previous reports. Our model suggests that a positron couples to the target vibration by responding instantly to an interaction potential which depends on the target vibrational coordinate.

French Guiana, located in the Guiana Shield, is a natural reservoir for many zoonotic pathogens that are of considerable medical or veterinary importance. Until now, there are few data available on the description of parasites circulating in this area, especially on protozoan belonging to the phy-lum Apicomplexa; conversely, the neighbouring countries describe a high parasitic prevalence in animals and humans. Epidemiological surveillance is necessary, as new potentially virulent strains may emerge from these forest ecosystems, such as Amazonian toxoplasmosis. However, there is no standard tool for detecting protozoa in wildlife. In this study, we developed Meat-Borne-Parasite, a high-throughput meta-barcoding workflow for detecting Apicomplexa based on Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing platform using the 18S gene of fourteen Apicomplexa-positive samples collected in French Guiana. Sequencing reads were then analysed with MetONTIIME pipeline. Thanks to a scoring rule, we were able to classify as Apicom-plexa-positive 10 samples out of 14 and reveal the presence of co-carriages. The same samples were also sequenced with Illumina platform, for validation purposes. On samples identified as Apicomplexa-positive by both platforms, a strong positive correlation at up to genus level was reported. Overall, the presented workflow represents a reliable method for Apicomplexa detec-tion, which may pave the way for more comprehensive biomonitoring of zoonotic pathogens.

Volcanic ash deposited on paved surfaces during volcanic eruptions often compromises skid resistance, which is a major component of safety. We adopt the British pendulum test method in laboratory conditions to investigate the skid resistance of road asphalt and airfield concrete surfaces covered by volcanic ash sourced from various locations in New Zealand. Controlled variations in ash characteristics include type, depth, wetness, particle size and soluble components. We use Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) for most road surface experiments but also test porous asphalt, line-painted road surfaces, and a roller screed concrete mix used for airfields. Due to their importance for skid resistance, SMA surface macrotexture and microtexture are analysed with semi-quantitative image analysis, microscopy and a standardised sand patch volumetric test, which enables determination of the relative effectiveness of different cleaning techniques. We find that SMA surfaces covered by thin deposits (~1 mm) of ash result in skid resistance values slightly lower than those observed on wet uncontaminated surfaces. At these depths, a higher relative soluble content for low-crystalline ash and a coarser particle size results in lower skid resistance. Skid resistance results for relatively thicker deposits (3-5 mm) of non-vesiculated basaltic ash are similar to those for thin deposits. There are similarities between road asphalt and airfield concrete, although there is little difference in skid resistance between bare airfield surfaces and airfield surfaces covered by 1 mm of ash. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for maintaining road safety and effective cleaning techniques in volcanic ash environments.

This study assessed the perception and use of digital applications for soil fertility management and conservation strategies among small-scale crop farmers in southwest Nigeria. A total of 376 farmers were randomly selected across the six southwest states. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Logit regression. Majority of the farmers relied on perception and other non-conventional approaches such as the appearance of weeds and performance of crops in the previous season to assess soil fertility. Only 1.1% and 0.3% of the farmers assessed soil fertility through soil test and digital application respectively. Most farmers adopted bush fallowing and the use of inorganic fertilizer to improve soil fertility. Although, 4.8% of the farmers indicated that they had digital application on their mobile phones, only 2.9% reported to have used such. More than half (56.4%) of the famers stated that lack of awareness of the existence of digital application and internet enabled telephones were reasons they have not been able to use digital applications. Majority of the farmers (97.3%) indicated their willingness to embrace the use of new farm decision digital application which can provide more information especially on soil fertility if introduced. Logit model results revealed that literacy level, membership of farmers’ association and extension contact significantly increased the likelihood of willing to use soil digital application, but older farmers are less likely to use digital application.

Deep learning-based handwriting personality prediction uses neural networks (CNNs) to consider and predict personality characters from handwritten text to improve applications such as adaptive technology and automated data access. This method requires high computational resources and widely classified data, and its accuracy may suffer from signature variation and overfitting. This study introduces a novel optimizeddeep learning for Hand Written Personality Prediction. First the input data is collected from givendataset and an enhanced Gaussian filter is used in pre-processing to improve image quality by reducing noise and increasing contrast.After pre-processing, features are extracted by PCA-based normalized GIST, which standardizes the features to improve image representation.These extracted features are generated using an adaptive horse herd optimization algorithm to select the most important features. Based on selected features Improved Generative Adversarial Networks with artificial hummingbird optimization (IGAN_AHb) enables fast and efficient convergence of GANs. This reduce the mode collapse and ensures training with consistently fine-tuned parameters.The selected features are considered by characters such as openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and neuroticism, and finally classified using the IGAN_AHb classifier. In the result section, the proposed model is compared with various models with the matrix precision, recall, F1-score. The proposed model attained the value of 97.3% of precision and a recall rate of 96%, respectively. By comparing with other models, the proposed model attained highest values.

Vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a significant barrier to achieving herd immunity and protecting populations from preventable diseases. Despite the proven effectiveness and safety of vaccines, many individuals remain hesitant or refuse to vaccinate themselves or their children. This review aims to identify the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy, including misinformation, lack of trust in authorities, cultural beliefs, and access barriers. We also discuss the impact of vaccine hesitancy on public health, including outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and erosion of trust in public health authorities. Furthermore, we present evidence-based communication strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy, including building trust, providing accurate information, addressing myths and misconceptions, engaging with local influencers, and utilizing social media and digital platforms. By understanding the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy and implementing effective communication strategies, healthcare providers, public health officials, and community leaders can work towards promoting widespread vaccine acceptance and protecting public health.

Steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) consists of short hooked steel fibres randomly distributed and oriented within the cementitious matrix. The contribution of fibre in bridging cracks to provide the stress transfer required relies upon the orientation of the fibre in the concrete. Bridging fibre aligned with a crack are less effective than those inclined to it. Therefore, understanding the pull-out behaviour of misaligned fibre is a key factor to quantify and optimize the design of SFRC in the structural applications. In the laboratory a single oriented fibre embedded in a solid cylinder of concrete is subjected to a pull-out test where the axis of a tensile force is aligned with the axis of the cylinder. Based upon the observed behaviour this paper presents a new analytical bounding approach to capture the pull-out response of misaligned hooked-end steel fibre embedded in a concrete matrix. The analysis is based upon a transversely isotropic condition assumed for the plasticity that occurs in the cold drawn fibre. The model accounts for the influence of fibre diameter and the combined strengths of the steel and concrete. The model predictions have also been compared with other experimental results published in the literature. The results showed that the model can predict pull-out loads reasonably for different fibre orientations between bounds of failure derived from the strengths of the two constituents. A critical orientation is observed at maximum strength. Therein, an understanding of the pull-out behaviour of misaligned, hooked-end fibres is necessary to optimize the strength of concrete from this method of reinforcement.

In today's intricate media landscape, the resilience and relevance of public service media (PSM) depend on their capacity to align with the diverse and evolving expectations of the public. However, the audience perspective is often overlooked, resulting in a limited understanding of public expectations. This study employs a bottom-up approach that allows for a re-evaluation of the expectations from the audience's viewpoint. It investigates the public's expectations for PSM, drawing on data from 10 focus group discussions (with 60 participants) conducted in the Czech Republic. The findings indicate that expectations can be categorized into four primary dimensions: (1) the expected roles and functions of PSM; (2) the general characteristics of the PSM content (defining the desired nature of PSM content); (3) the principles governing the functioning of PSM (outlining how PSM should operate); and (4) specific requirements concerning PSM news and non-news content. In the latter dimension, objectivity emerged as one of the most critical expectations and a major source of dissatisfaction. While participants collectively value objectivity, they disagree on its definition. A deeper examination revealed that certain public expectations may be unattainable due to the simplistic view of objectivity held by some.

Three species of subfamily Cultrinae currently live in Korea, but Erythroculter erythropterus has been introduced into the Nakdonggang River and has taken over the habitat, reducing the habitat of Culter brevicauda. Only the endangered species C. brevicauda still lives in the Yeongsangang River, and it is necessary to be careful not to introduce E. erythropterus in the future. And Hemiculter eigenmanni is also found throughout the country. In order to effectively manage and conserve the species in its various habitats and against invasions, this study was initiated. The ultrastructure of the egg envelopes of three species of Cultrinae— E. erythropterus, C. brevicauda, and H. eigenmanni, inhabiting the Geumgang and Yeongsangang Rivers were observed. It was found that the zona radiata of the egg envelopes of all three species were divided into two layers–an outer and inner layer, with the outer surface having a non-structural form. This form is characteristic of fishes with muddy, stagnant habitats or spawning grounds. The number of pore canals on the surface of the egg envelopes was 83 for E. erythropterus, 75 for C. brevicauda, and 58 for H. eigenmanni per 10 ㎛2, and the thickness was 7.89±0.34 ㎛, 12.27±0.46 ㎛, and 7.42±0.24 ㎛, respectively. The shape of the micropyle demonstrated a funnel shape narrowing toward the inner diameter in all three species, and the size of the inner diameter was 6.62±0.29 (6.09~7.10) ㎛ in E. erythropterus, 4.19±0.39 (3.39~4.58) ㎛in C. brevicauda, and 3.98±0.46 (3.47~4.93) ㎛in H. eigenmanni. The differences between species were identified in the number of pore canals, thickness, and micropyle inner diameter of egg envelopes, which were species-specific. Our study revealed a morphological mechanism in the egg envelope that prevents the formation of interspecific hybrids, and these features can be taxonomic traits that clarify species names. It also provided useful data for the production (breeding) of the second generation in aquaculture.

It is concerning that Cameroon's urban centers are experiencing an alarming rise in air pollution as a result of urbanization, population growth, industrial activity, and transportation emissions. We examined the causes, health impacts, research methodology, case studies, and government measures to address the urgent issue of air pollution in Cameroon's urban regions. We have emphasized how Cameroon's air pollution levels have significantly increased as a result of causes like population expansion, urbanization, industrial emissions, and automobile exhaust A thorough discussion of the negative health impacts of extended exposure to air pollution is included, with special attention to the sensitivity of the old and young. These effects include respiratory disorders, cardiovascular ailments, and early mortality. We emphasized the pressing need for all-encompassing strategies to address air pollution, such as increased public awareness campaigns, stronger emissions regulations, the development of renewable energy sources, and better waste management. The techniques employed in studies on air pollution, like as epidemiological research and air quality monitoring, are also explained to provide light on the unique health dangers that Cameroonian urban dwellers must contend with. We emphasized in our conclusion the significance of joint efforts by legislators, medical professionals, and the general people to reduce air pollution and protect public health in Cameroon in order to create a cleaner and healthier future. In order to protect public health in the future, it is imperative that Cameroon's air pollution be addressed.

Local polynomial smoother (LPS) is a weighted local least-squares nonparametric method. It provides a local Taylor series fit of the data at any location and can be directly used in a differential equation to provide a numerical scheme. In this article, we introduce this new nonparametric idea based on local polynomial smoother, for acquiring the numerical solution of the Bagley-Torvik fractional-order differential equations. Furthermore, this paper will present a numerical comparison with some methods, such as legendre operational matrix and pseudo-spectral method. The efficiency and accuracy of the LPS method are demonstrated by two numerical examples.

The present exploratory study tested the hypothesis that computerized cognitive training (CCT) in home telemonitoring may beneficially affect eyes-closed resting-state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms in Parkinson's disease patients with cognitive deficits (PDCD). A Eurasian database provided clinical-demographic-rsEEG datasets in 40 PDCD patients, 29 PD patients without cognitive deficits (PDNCD), 40 Alzheimer’s disease patients with cognitive deficits (ADCD), and 40 cognitively normal older adults (Healthy). Sixteen of the 40 PDCD patients completed a cross-over unsupervised CCT program of simple, serious video games (versus a sham program) consisting of 14 daily sessions of approximately 20 minutes each in the patients' homes. Compared to the Healthy, PDNCD, and ADCD groups, the PDCD group was characterized by greater diffuse rsEEG delta (about 2-4 Hz) and theta (about 4-7 Hz) source activity. The PDCD patients who underwent the CCT program showed an improvement in video game performance and a reduction in these delta-theta source activities after this program compared to the control condition. In conclusion, these results suggest that the 2-week CCT program in home telemonitoring may mitigate the abnormal “slowing” of rsEEG rhythms in PDCD patients, possibly enhancing the regulation of brain arousal and quiet vigilance.

Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PolSAR) images encompass valuable information that can facilitate extensive land cover interpretation and generate diverse output products. Extracting meaningful features from PolSAR data poses challenges distinct from those encountered in optical imagery. Deep Learning (DL) methods offer effective solutions for overcoming these challenges in PolSAR feature extraction. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) play a crucial role in capturing PolSAR image characteristics by leveraging kernel capabilities to consider local information and the complex-valued nature of PolSAR data. In this study, a novel three-branch fusion of complex-valued CNN named Shallow to Deep Feature Fusion Network (SDF2Net) is proposed for PolSAR image classification. To validate the performance of the proposed method, classification results are compared against multiple state-of-the-art approaches using the Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) datasets of Flevoland, San Francisco, and ESAR Oberpfaffenhofen dataset. The results indicate that the proposed approach demonstrates improvements in OA, with 1.3% and 0.8% enhancement for the AIRSAR datasets and 0.5% improvement for the ESAR dataset. The analyses conducted on the Flevoland data underscore the effectiveness of the SDF2Net model, revealing a promising OA of 96.01% even with only 1% sampling ratio.

The signaling complex around voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels includes accessory proteins and kinases crucial for regulating neuronal firing. Previous studies showed that one such kinase, WEE1—critical to the cell cycle—selectively modulates Nav1.2 channel activity through the accessory protein fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14). Here, we tested whether WEE1 exhibits crosstalk with the AKT/GSK3 pathway for coordinated regulation of FGF14/Nav1.2 channel complex assembly and function. Using the in-cell split luciferase complementation assay (LCA), we found that the WEE1 inhibitor II and GSK3 inhibitor XIII reduce FGF14/Nav1.2 complex formation, while the AKT inhibitor triciribine increases it. However, combining WEE1 inhibitor II with either one of the other two inhibitors abolished its effect on FGF14/Nav1.2 complex formation. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings of sodium currents (INa) in HEK293 cells co-expressing Nav1.2 channels and FGF14-GFP showed that WEE1 inhibitor II significantly suppresses peak INa density, both alone and in the presence of triciribine or GSK3 inhibitor XIII, despite the latter inhibitors’ opposite effects on INa. Additionally, WEE1 inhibitor II slowed the tau of fast inactivation, and caused depolarizing shifts in the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation. These phenotypes either prevailed or were additive when combined with triciribine but were outcompeted when both WEE1 inhibitor II and GSK3 inhibitor XIII were present. Concerted regulation by WEE1 inhibitor II, triciribine and GSK3 inhibitor XIII were also observed on long-term inactivation and use-dependence of Nav1.2 currents. Overall, these findings suggest a complex role for WEE1 kinase—in concert with the AKT/GSK3 pathway—in regulating the Nav1.2 channelosome.

The examination of ampacity in overhead transmission lines offers a comprehensive overview, covering its definition, thermal evaluation methodologies, standards, practical applications, and the potential of high-temperature low-sag (HTLS) conductors. By navigating through static and dynamic approaches to thermal evaluation and detailing methodologies prescribed by international standards like those from CIGRE and IEEE, this study provides a solid understanding of how ampacity is determined and optimized. Furthermore, the exploration of HTLS conductors introduces a forward-looking perspective on enhancing transmission capacity whereas mitigating the need for extensive infrastructure modifications. Through an analysis of regional considerations and preferences using Slovak standards and CIGRE Technical Brochure 601, insights are provided on how environmental factors influence transmission line performance. The analysis of the transition from traditional ACSR to advanced ACCC (Aluminium Conductor Composite Core) conductors demonstrates the tangible benefits of adopting advanced conductor technologies in real-world scenarios.

In recent years, the rapid expansion of urban areas has led to changes in land use, a reduction in pervious surfaces, and a disturbance in the balance between surface waters and groundwater. These urban changes, combined with inadequate drainage systems and misdirection of runoff, have resulted in severe urban floods, causing numerous fatalities and damage to urban areas. As a result, investigating the effects of flood occurrences and determining proper mitigation measures to reduce flood damage is essential. This paper aims to establish a novel economic-hydrologic model to evaluate the efficacy of Low-impact Development (LID) measures in urban Bronx River catchment, NYC. The model examines reduced peak discharge of flood and imposed damage. Initially, the EPA’s SWMM is used to simulate urban flooding based on recent extreme events. LID scenarios are then implemented, including individual and combined scenarios, to mitigate the adverse impacts of flood occurrences of high to low frequency. By means of the HEC-GeoRAS tool, highly detailed flood inundation maps are generated and seamlessly incorporated into the flood damage estimation model, namely HAZUS, to obtain estimates of the potential damage caused by floods. Using the reduced monetary damages and the implementation cost of LID measures, the benefit-to-cost (BC) ratio is then calculated. Findings indicated that the combined LID scenario is the most effective approach in peak flow reduction. Moreover, Permeable pavement outperforms infiltration trench, bio retention cell, and rain barrel in terms of benefit-to-cost ratio, with rain barrel showing the lowest ratio. The proposed evaluation system for LID measures, with a focus on flood damage reduction as a key benefit, provides valuable insights for identifying optimal scenarios and facilitating informed decision-making.

Lignocellulosic biomass has garnered attention as an abundant and sustainable alternative energy source that can facilitate reliable and environmentally friendly energy generation. Energy security improves, and environmental impacts diminish when bioethanol, a biofuel produced via lignocellulose-based processes, is utilized. The lignocellulosic biomass of Thysanolaena latifolia has considerable potential as a bioethanol feedstock due to its high carbohydrate content (62.4 ± 0.7%). In this study, feedstock derived from T. latifolia was pretreated with various concentrations of H3PO4 to determine the ideal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis to convert the feedstock to fermentable sugar. The findings revealed that hydrolysis efficiency and glucose recovery yields were substantially improved compared to those of the untreated sample. Pretreated samples were enzymatically digested to produce a liquid hydrolysate. This hydrolysate was fermented without detoxification using Saccharomyces cerevisiae TISTR 5339 to produce ethanol. The results indicated that T. latifolia biomass hydrolysate is a promising long-term carbon source for ethanol production from cellulosic biomass. Furthermore, the morphological and crystallographic characteristics of the treated T. latifolia biomass were influenced by H3PO4 concentration, as indicated by the SEM images, X-ray diffractogram patterns, and crystallinity index values. Therefore, utilizing T. latifolia feedstock to produce bioethanol can enhance bioenergy sustainability.

High pressure crystallization technique has been successfully used to prepare an elusive form II of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Mefenamic acid. Single crystal of form II was grown at 0.3 GPa from an 4:1 methanol/ ethanol mixture as a solvent using Diamond Anvil Cell. Comparison of crystal structures show that the efficient packing of MA molecules in Form II results from the structural flexibility of MA acid molecules. Compression studies performed on the single crystal of form I resulted in 14 % decrease of unit cell volume up to 2.5 GPa. No phase transition was observed up to this pressure. A reconstructive phase transition is required to induce conformational changes in the structure, which is confirmed by crystallization at high pressure results.

Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a validated non-invasive technique already proven to be useful for the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of body fluids in subjects with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although BIA has been widely employed for research purposes, its clinical application is still not fully widespread. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of art of BIA utilization by analysing the clinical benefits, limitations, and the potential future developments in this clinically unexplored field.

Optical power splitters play a crucial role as the fundamental building blocks for many integrated optical devices. They should have low losses, broad bandwidth, and a high tolerance to fabrication errors. Adiabatic optical power splitters inherently possess these qualities while being compatible with foundry processes well-suited for mass-production. The long device lengths of adiabatic power splitters, however, are a limiting factor to achieve compact device sizes, which must be reduced. Here, we use a polynomial taper profile optimization algorithm to design 1×2 and 2×2 adiabatic power splitters with significantly shorter lengths than their adiabatic counterparts. The best performing 1×2 and 2×2 power splitters have 20 μm and 16 μm coupling lengths, respectively. Our designs have minimum feature sizes ranging from 140 nm to 200 nm, and our measurements averaged across 9 different chips show excellent consistency in performance for devices with 180 nm and 200 nm minimum features. Both the 1×2 and 2×2 adiabatic optical power splitters have excess losses less than 0.7 dB over a 100 nm bandwidth, with a standard deviation lower than 0.3 dB. Furthermore, our measurements show greater than 20 dB extinction ratios over 130 nm bandwidth. We also demonstrate the design of 1×2 power splitters with arbitrary splitting ratios, where splitting ratios ranging from 50:50 to 94:6 were achieved with standard deviations between 2% and 6%.

This work is located in a growing sector within the field of renewable energies, wave energy converters (WECs). Specifically, it focuses on one of the point absorbers wave (PAWs) of the hybrid platform W2POWER. With the aim of maximising the mechanical power extracted from the waves by these WECs and reduce their mechanical fatigue, the design of five different model predictive controllers (MPCs) with hard and soft constraints has been carried out. As contribution of this paper, two of the MPCs have been designed with the addition of an embedded integrator. In order to validate the MPCs, an exhaustive study on performance and robustness is realized through simulations carried out in which uncertainties in the WEC dynamics are considered. Furthermore, looking for realistic in these simulations, an identification methodology for PAWs is proposed and validated by means of real time series of a scale prototype.

The Black population, often treated as ethnically homogenous, faces a constant challenge in accessing and utilizing healthcare services. This study examines the intragroup differences in health-seeking behavior among the multiple ethnic subgroups that comprise the Black community. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 239 adults ≥18 years who self-identified as Black in the United States and Canada. A multiple logistic regression model was fitted to evaluate the relationship between health-seeking behaviors and ethnic origin controlling for selected social and health related factors. The mean age of participants was 38.6 years, 31% were male, and 20% were unemployed. Sixty-one percent reported very good or excellent health status, and 59.7% reported not being treated for chronic disease at the time of the survey. Aging (OR=1.05, CI:1.01–1.09) and being female (OR= 0.30, CI: 0.14–0.65) were associated with favorable health-seeking behaviors. Compared with participants who had earned high school diplomas only, those who reported having earned graduate degrees were 75% less likely to have engaged in favorable health-seeking behavior (OR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.07–0.86). In the Black community of our sample, regardless of ethnic origins or country of birth, the factors associated with health-seeking behavior were age, gender, and educational attainment. Keywords: African American; African; Caribbean; Healthcare Utilization; Ethnic Disparities; Health-seeking behavior; intragroup difference, black populations, ethnic subgroups

Radial nerve palsies present a challenging clinical scenario, often leading to substantial functional impairment. This study focuses on evaluating the outcomes of tendon transfer surgeries in patients with post-traumatic radial nerve injuries. The radial nerve, vital for upper limb movements, faces various etiologies such as trauma, compression, or idiopathy. Patients with radial nerve palsy encounter difficulties in daily activities, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies. The research introduces a novel evaluation protocol, aiming to comprehensively assess tendon transfer outcomes. This protocol incorporates functional movements of wrist and finger joints, encompassing both objective and subjective parameters. The retrospective study includes eleven patients treated between 2010 and 2022, with a minimum follow-up of one year post-surgery. Tendon transfers demonstrated positive results. The evaluation protocol covers a wide range of parameters, including wrist and finger mobility, thumb function, grip strength, and patient satisfaction. The results indicate successful restoration of motor function, with an average grip strength of 70% compared to the healthy arm. The proposed evaluation protocol facilitates standardized and reproducible assessment, minimizing subjective errors in clinical evaluations. Despite the study's limitations, such as a relatively small sample size, the findings underscore the effectiveness of tendon transfers in treating radial nerve palsies. The introduced evaluation scheme provides a comprehensive and reproducible approach to assess outcomes, contributing to the global standardization of tendon transfer assessments in radial nerve injuries.

To compare and adjust activated clotting time (ACT) between two systems and to optimize ACT during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Methods: Electromagnetic detection using a rotation tube (EM system; Hemochron Response, Soma Tech Intl, Bloomfield, CT, USA) and photo-optical detection using a cartridge immersed in blood (PO system; ACT CA-300TM, APEL) were compared. Results: The EM system showed an ACT of 320 ± 44 s (average ± 1 standard deviation), with a range of 156–487 s, from 3363 measurements in 1161 patients during uncomplicated procedures. An ACT >400 s was observed in 3.7% (124/3364) of patients. The pre-ablation ACT measured by the EM method was 143 ± 28 s. Cardiac tamponade was observed in 4/2085 ablations (0.19%) over 5 years. The ACT associated with cardiac tamponade ranged from 330 to 391 in the EM system. No thromboembolic or major bleeding complications were observed. Comparison of the two methods showed ACT-EM system = 1.19 × ACT-PO system + 9.03 (both regression coefficient and intercept, p<0.001, r = 0.90). In the Bland-Altman plots, the average difference between ACTEM and ACT-PO was 50 s. These differences increased with an increase in the average ACT value. This led to an adjustment of the recommended ACT target of 300–350 s for the EM system to 275–290 s for the PO system. Conclusions: The ACT obtained using the EM system aligned with the ACT recommended in the guidelines. However, the PO system showed significantly lower ACT values compared to those obtained with the electromagnetic system. This study clarifies that adjusting the optimal target ACT when switching between ACT measurement systems is essential.

Background: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) has been employed for the endoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones (CBDSs), and a high success rate of stone removal has been reported. However, EST is associated with the risk of bleeding, perforation, and sphincter of Oddi function disruption. To avoid these risks, endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) is an option for CBDS. Sphincter of Oddi function preservation decreases long-term biliary infection and gallstone recurrence. EPBD may have advantages in children who require a long follow-up. However, there have been few reports on pediatric cases, particularly in infants. Methods: From September 2017 to December 2023, we performed EPBD for four pediatric CBDSs. The patients were aged from 5 months to 8 years; including two infants aged 5 and 6 months. Furthermore, we reviewed the stone removal rate and complications of 545 ESTs performed at high-volume centers and 13 EPBD-reported cases in children with CBDSs. Results: CBDSs of all patients who underwent EPBD in our institution were successfully removed. No bleeding or perforation was noted, and pancreatitis was observed in three patients. In an analysis of 545 ESTs in children, the stone removal rate was high, ranging from 83% to 100% (mean, 96%). The incidence of pancreatitis was 0%–9.6% (mean, 4.4%), and the grade of pancreatitis was almost mild. The bleeding frequency was 1.3%–5.4% (mean, 2.7%). According to the grade of bleeding, seven and four cases were mild (64%) and moderate (36%), respectively, Compared with adult cases who underwent EST, the frequency of pancreatitis and bleeding was almost similar in children.; however once bleeding occur, it has a higher risk of leading to blood transfusion in children. Stone removal by EPBD in children was 100% successful. All complications were pancreatitis, and its frequency was 46% (6/13 patients, including five mild cases and one moderate case), which is higher than that of EST and adult cases who underwent EPBD. In most children with pancreatitis, pancreatic enzyme levels returned to normal within 2–3 days following EPBD, and no severe cases caused by EPBD were reported. Conclusions: CBDS removal by EPBD in children has a high success rate with very low risk of bleeding and perforation. Although pancreatitis frequently occurs, most cases are mild. Sphincter of Oddi function preservation by EPBD is expected to prevent long-term stone recurrence and biliary tract infection, and EPBD is considered an effective method for CBDS removal in children.

(1) Background: Depressional wetlands are highly vulnerable to changes in temperature and rainfall, affecting littoral vegetation, thus HydroGeoMorphic (HGM) wetland types. This study aimed to assess the utility of Sentinel-2A vegetation indices in enhancing delineation and sub-classify depressional HGM types. (2) Methods: We sampled 84 pairs of four vegetation indices from 10x10m plots along 14 belt transects in eight depressional wetlands in Mpumalanga, South Africa. We evaluated vegetation index differences between and within wetlands, focusing on lit-toral gradients. (3) Results: Significant differences (Bonferroni p

Bloody stools in the newborn may be a clue for several clinical entities of varying severity ranging from a transient hematochezia to food protein induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). To distinguish among them at an early stage is challenging, but crucial, as the treatment and prognosis are different. We conducted a monocentric retrospective study including all preterm infants admitted to the NICU of the Vittore Buzzi Children’s Hospital (Milan) with bloody stools from December 2022 to May. Patients diagnosed with NEC exhibited a significantly lower eosinophil count and higher procalcitonin levels than both patients with CMPA and patients with transient hematochezia, as well as a statistically significant increase in pathological features at abdomen ultrasounds and abdominal X-rays. In contrast, no Lab markers or imaging have been demonstrated to be useful in distinguishing between transient hematochezia and FPIAIP. Thus, after excluding a diagnosis of NEC the only way to confirm the FPIAP is the oral food challenge, which can be performed even in premature newborns presenting blood stools, otherwise healthy, under medical supervision, in order to identify infants who may benefit from a cow’s milk free diet.

Eutrophication, a global concern, impacts water quality, ecosystems, and human health. It’s crucial to monitor algal blooms in freshwater reservoirs, as they indicate the trophic condition of a waterbody through Chlorophyll-a (Chla) concentration. Traditional monitoring methods, however, are expen-sive and time-consuming. Addressing this hindrance, we developed models using remotely sensed data from the Sentinel-2 satellite for large-scale coverage, including its bands and spectral indexes, to estimate the Chla concentration on 149 freshwater reservoirs in Ceará, Brazil. Several machine learning models were trained and tested, including k-nearest neighbours, random forests, extreme gradient boosting, the least absolute shrinkage, group method of data handling (GMDH), and sup-port vector machine models. A stepwise approach determined the best subset of input parameters. Using a 70/30 split for the training and testing datasets, the best-performing model was the GMDH, achieving an R2 of 0.91, MAPE of 102.34%, and RMSE of 20.38 g/L, which are values consistent with the ones found in the literature. Nevertheless, the predicted Chla concentration values were most sensitive to the red, green, and near infra-red bands.

Thermodynamics of protein-ligand interactions seems to be associated to a narrow range of Gibbs Free Energy. As a consequence, a linear enthalpy-entropy relationship showing an apparent Enthalpy-Entropy compensation (EEC) is frequently observed associated to the study of protein-ligand interactions. This EEC affects negatively the design and discovery of new and more efficient drugs capable of binding protein-targets with a higher affinity. Originally attributed to experimental errors, compensation between H and TS values is a real observable fact, although its molecular origin has remained obscure and controversial. Herein we show the results of a data search of G values of 2558 protein-ligand interactions and 3025 “in vivo” ligand concentrations from the Protein Data Bank bind Database and the Metabolome Data Base (2020). These results, together with the mechano-statistical interpretation of the thermodynamic properties leads to the conclusion that the EEC has no basis in statistical thermodynamics. It can be plausibly explained as a consequence of the narrow range of G associated to protein-ligand interactions. The Gaussian distribution of the G values matches very well with that of ligands. These results suggest the hypothesis that the set of G values for the protein-ligand interactions is the result of the evolution of proteins. The conformation versatility of present proteins and the exchange of thousands (even millions) of minute amounts of energy with the environment may have functioned as a homeostatic mechanism to make G of proteins adaptive to changes in availability of ligands, and therefore achieve the maximum regulatory capacity of the protein function. Finally, a plausible strategy to avoid the EEC is suggested.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) has almost 190 million tonnes produced in 2023. Tomato fruit suffer losses of up to 50% during harvest and transport, which causes financial hardship, reduces the amount of food available and causes environmental harm. Calcium plays an important role in cell wall strength. This work assessed the use of a calcium transport stimulants (MCAS) to increase the firmness of tomato fruit in the laboratory and the foliar application to tomato plants. Then handling damage was simulated. In the laboratory, the calcium with MCAS significantly increased the fruit firmness compared to the untreated and calcium without MCAS, which were not significantly different. When calcium with MCAS was applied to tomato plants foliarly before harvest, the calcium with MCAS treated fruit were significantly firmer than the untreated or calcium without MCAS treated fruit for up to 10 weeks after harvest, and this was achieved by applying only 0.91 kg ha-1 calcium. Finally, when fruit were exposed to a simulated drop, the calcium with MCAS treated fruit remained firmer than the undamaged fruit or dropped fruit with calcium without MCAS. Calcium with MCAS could significantly increase the fruit firmness and increase the shelf-life of tomatoes while applying less calcium.

The cornea is the optical window to the brain. Its optical and structural properties are responsible for optical transparency and vision. The shape, elasticity, rigidity or stiffness are given by its biomechanical properties, whose stability results in ocular integrity and intraocular pressure dynamics. Here, we report in vivo observation of structural changes and biomechanical alterations of the human cornea induced by acoustic wave pressure within the frequency range of 50-350 Hz and 90 dB of sound pressure level. Central corneal thickness (CCT) and eccentricity (e2) were measured using Scheimpflug imaging and biomechanical properties [corneal hysteresis (CH) and intraocular pressure (IOP] were assessed with air-puff tonometry in 6 young healthy subjects. At the specific 150 Hz acoustic frequency, the variation in CCT and e2 were of 0.058 and 7.33 µm, respectively. Biomechanical alterations were also observed in both IOP (decrease of 3.60 mmHg) and CH that showed an increase of 0.40 mmHg.

ICEpMERPH, the first integrative conjugative element [ICE] of the SXT/R391 family isolated in the United Kingdom and Europe was analyzed to determine the nature of its adaptive functions, its genetic structure and homology to related elements normally found in pathogenic Vibrio or Proteus species. Whole Genome Sequencing of Escherichia coli isolate KH802 [which contains the ICE pMERPH] was carried out using Illumina sequencing technology. ICEpMERPH has a size of 110 Kb and has 112 putative open reading frames [ORFs], the “Hotspot regions” of the element were found to contain putative restriction digestion systems, insertion sequences and heavy metal resistance genes that encode resistance to mercury, as previously reported but also surprisingly to arsenate. A novel arsenate resistance system was identified in Hotspot 4 of the element, and unrelated to other SXT/R391 elements. This arsenate resistance system is potentially linked to two genes, orf 69, encoding an organoarsenical efflux MFS transporter-like protein related to ArsJ and orf70, encoding an NAD-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Phenotypic analysis using isogenic strains of AB1157 with and without the ICE revealed resistance to low levels of arsenate in the range 15-25 mM. This novel, low level resistance may have an important adaptive function in polluted environments, which often contain low levels of arsenate contamination. Bioinformatic analysis on the novel determinant and the phylogeny of ICEpMERPH is presented.

Background: Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases that infect wildlife, such as African swine fever, avian influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, have highlighted the necessity for wildlife health surveillance (WHS) due to their direct and indirect impacts on wildlife species, ecosystems, domestic animals, and human health. While global policies and guidelines exist, a critical gap remains in local-to-national implementation of WHS systems. A group of local, national, and global actors in WHS have formed a working group to address this gap. Methods and Findings: The working group reports on a theory of change (ToC) developed to implement WHS from local to global scales. Through brainstorming, plenary exercise, and building on peer-reviewed science and existing surveillance systems, we identified six transformative pathways to be implemented via collaborations across scales and contexts: mindset change, policy and investment, user-driven science, user-driven technologies, capacity enhancement, and mobilization of a global community of practice. Interpretation: This ToC serves as a roadmap to develop effective WHS systems that support adaptive management and implementation. WHS is fundamental to understanding the impacts of health threats to biodiversity and human and domestic animal health. This ToC presents an approach to operationalize integration of wildlife health into collaborative One Health surveillance. Funding: The Science for Nature and People Partnership.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the similarities and differences between the Kawasaki disease (KD) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Methods: The medical records of patients diagnosed with KD and MIS-C at a single center between July 2020 and November 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The study included 39 MIS-C patients (84.6% male) with a median age of 138 months and 17 KD patients (58.8% male) with a median age of 36 months. Compared with the KD patients, MIS-C patients were older (p<0.001), had longer hospital stays (p=0.023), elevated neutrophil count (p<0.001), C-reactive protein (p<0.001), procalcitonin (p<0.001), interleukin-6 (p<0.014), ferritin (p<0.001), fibrinogen (p<0.001), troponin I (p=0.001), NT-proBNP (p<0.001), and, D-dimer levels (p<0.001). They had more hypotension (p=0.024), decreased left ventricular function (p=0.023), and a greater need for corticosteroids (p<0.001), enoxaparin (p=0.045), and therapeutic plasma exchange (p<0.001). Patients with KD displayed a higher frequency of rash (p<0.001), oral mucosal changes (p<0.001), conjunctival injection (p<0.001), extremity changes (p<0.001), and cervical lymphadenopathy (p<0.001). They had a longer duration of fever (p<0.001), elevated white blood cell count (p<0.001), platelet count (p<0.001), and alanine aminotransferase level (p<0.001). The two groups were similar in terms of hemoglobin levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, albumin levels, or the frequency of coronary dilation/aneurysm, myocarditis, pericarditis, invasive mechanical ventilatory support, and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Conclusions: Older patient age, a greater presence of gastrointestinal and cardiac findings associated with hypotension, increased NT-proBNP levels, decreased left ventricular function, the use of various treatment modalities, and longer hospital stays suggest MIS-C, whereas a longer duration of fever and classical clinical features of KD favor KD.

This research presents the Cross-Cultural Intelligent Language Learning System (CILS), a novel approach integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into language education to enhance cross-cultural communication. CILS utilizes advanced AI technologies to provide adaptive, personalized learning experiences that cater to the unique linguistic and cultural backgrounds of each learner. By dynamically adjusting content and methodology, CILS significantly improves linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding, essential for effective global interactions. The implementation of CILS in platforms such as Busuu and HelloTalk has demonstrated marked improvements in engagement and communication skills among learners. Empirical studies validate the system's effectiveness in real-world settings, showing enhanced learner performance and increased intercultural competence. Additionally, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) applied confirms that the usability and perceived usefulness of AI-driven systems strongly influence learner acceptance and sustained use. This study not only underscores the potential of AI in transforming language education but also highlights the critical role of cultural sensitivity in designing educational technologies.

Introduction: This study aims to elucidate the clinical diagnostic value of S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta (S100B) in epilepsy, a topic of ongoing debate among European and Asian epilepsy research centres.Methods and analysis: A structured long-term research plan was developed, comprising three phases. Phase one involves observational studies investigating the correlation between S100B levels in serum or cerebrospinal fluid and epilepsy. Phase two integrates observational and randomised controlled data to establish baseline S100B levels across diverse epilepsy demographics, underpinning the predictive value of S100B for epilepsy. Phase three focuses on randomised controlled trials to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of S100B as an epilepsy biomarker.Ethics and dissemination: All enrolled patients will provide written consent. The ethics committee of the Second People’s Hospital of Gansu Province, Affiliated Hospital of Northwest Minzu University, China, approved the study (GSSEY2022-KY009-01).Registration: The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023425431).

Investigation of oomycete diversity in rice paddies of Fars Province in Iran led to the identification of two new Pythium sensu lato (s.l.) species as Globisporangium izadpanahii sp. nov. and Pythium banihashemianum sp. nov. The identification was based on morphological and physiological features as well as the phylogenetic analysis of nuclear (ITS and βtub) and mitochondrial (cox1 and cox2) loci using Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood. A major characteristic of G. izadpanahii was the production of globose hyphal swellings; this species did not produce vesicles and zoospores. The present paper describes formally these two new species and defines their phylogenetic relationships with other congeneric species. According to multiple gene genealogy analysis, G. izadpanahii grouped with other species of Globisporangium in the former clade G of Pythium s.l. and was closely related to both G. nagaii and the recently described G. coniferarum. The second species, designated P. banihashemianum, grouped with other species of Pythium sensu stricto in the former clade B of Pythium s.l. and according to the phylogenetic analysis shared an ancestor with P. plurisporium. In pathogenicity tests on rice seedlings, P. banihashemianum isolates were highly pathogenic causing severe root and crown rot, while G. izadpanahii isolates were not pathogenic.

This article seeks to provide an improved and more comprehensive understanding of the concept and theories on wasteland. It achieves this by focusing on the Indian context allowing us to unpack the importance of including multiple perspectives of wasteland narratives; this means including more positive narratives of the potential of wasteland to inform and improve prospects for land policies in the global south. Wasteland is commonly recognized as an underutilized category of land that may transform into a valuable resource base with proper management measures. The term waste has multiple angles that carry different notions ranging from fallow to agroforestry land in the global south and Brownfield to green space in the global north. We conduct a narra-tive review approach to qualitatively analyze the concept wastelands studied in pre-existing lit-erature from 1970 to present. The unsystematic literature review approach incorporates multiple elements of wasteland discourse, like understanding the meaning of the term on a global scale, setting out the meaning of the term waste into multiple perspectives explicitly in the Indian con-text, along with different classes and management approaches of wasteland from a national per-spective. The multiple perspectives of wasteland not only generate misconception on land resource but spawn difficulties in land use policy particularly for Indian scenario. For sustainable land use policy, reclaiming wasteland would be the best possible way for India and other countries in Global South, which requires a comprehensive methodological overview on wasteland narrative.

This study was conducted to evaluate the yield and quality parameters of milk from 60 indigenous South African goats of different genotypes namely Nguni, Boer and Non- descript reared under a free ranging system. Milk yield and quality parameters (milk fat, protein, lactose, solid non-fat and minerals) from Nguni (10), Boer (10) and Non-descript (10) goats was measured and analysed per week at each stage of lactation. Result showed that, Nguni goats produced (1.2±0.09, 1.3±0.11 and 1.2±0.07 litres per day) more milk (P ˂ 0.05) at early, mid and late stages of lactation than Boer (0.6±0.10, 1.0±0.17 and 0.6±0.09 litres per day) and Non-descript (0.3±0.10, 0.3±0.12 and 0.3±0.09 litres per day) goats, respectively. The mean value of milk fat, protein and lactose content from Nguni goat was (3.98, 3.54 and 5.31); Boer goat (2.9, 3.59 and 5.04) and Non-descript goat (4.05, 3.39 and 5.02), respectively. There was significant effect (P ˂ 0.05) of genotypes on milk fat, milk magnesium and sodium contents of Nguni, Boer and Non-descript goats. It could be concluded that, Nguni goat produced more milk than Boer and Non-descript goats, but the Non-descript goat had higher mean percentage of milk fat compared to Nguni and Boer goats.

Glioblastoma (GBL) is one of the more malignant primary brain tumors, currently treated by a multimodality strategy including surgery, radio- and chemotherapy, mainly consisting of Temozolomide(TMZ)-based chemotherapy. Tumor relapse often occurs due to the establishment of TMZ resistance, with a patient median survival <2 years. The identification of natural molecules having strong anti-tumor activity, led to combine these compounds with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, developing protocols of integrated anticancer therapies. Curcumin (CUR), Resveratrol (RES), and its glucoside Polydatin (PLD) are widely employed in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields, and several studies demonstrated that the combination of these natural products was more cytotoxic than the single compound alone in different cancers. Some of us recently demonstrated the synergistic efficacy of the sublingual administration of a new nutraceutical formulation of CUR+PLD in reducing tumor size and improving GBL patient survival. To deepen some mechanistic aspects of these results, we investigated if the pretreatment with a combination of CUR+PLD, can improve TMZ cytotoxicity on GBL cells, by analyzing the effects on cell cycle, viability and morphology, on proteins related to cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis or autophagy, and on actin network. Cell viability was assessed by MTT or by the cell counter CytoSmart. CalcuSyn software was used to study the CUR+PLD synergism. Morphology was evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscopy, and protein expression was analyzed by Western Blot. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle, autophagic flux, and apoptosis analyses. The results obtained provide evidence that CUR and PLD, acting in synergy with each other, strongly improve the efficacy of alkylating antitumor agents such as TMZ, also in drug-resistant GBL cells, through their abilities to affect survival, differentiation, and tumor invasiveness.

Ambiguity exists over treatment and surveillance strategies after endoscopic submucosal dissec-tion (ESD) for esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN) with unfavorable histologic features. This study investigated the long-term outcomes of ESD in high-risk ESCN patients. We retro-spectively included early ESCN patients treated with ESD at two medical centers in Taiwan be-tween August 2010 and December 2023. Demographic, endoscopic, and pathological data were collected. Among 146 patients (mean age 59.17 years) with 183 lesions, 73 (50%) had a history of head and neck cancer (HNC). En bloc and R0 resection were achieved in 100% and 95.6% of the lesions, respectively. The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and local recurrence rates were 42.7%, 94.7% and 11%. R0 resection was significantly associated with re-currence in univariate analysis (adjusted OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.05-0.99, P=0.05). Alcohol abstinence was independently associated with lower recurrence (adjusted OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.08-0.48, P

Vegetable oils contain fatty acids, phenolic compounds, natural antioxidants, and fat-soluble vitamins, which are beneficial against different diseases. Oil extraction methods can, however, affect their composition. This study aims to characterize the chemical composition of oils from two Andean seeds, cañihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) and tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis), extracted with different organic solvents, petroleum ether, hexane, and ethanol. This study compares these oils with commercial sunflower, rapeseed, and olive oils. Results showed that oils extracted with hexane had the highest yield, while those extracted with ethanol had higher antioxidant activity and total phenolic compound content. Additionally, using ethanol makes the process more sustainable than non-green solvents. The composition of tarwi and cañahua oils extracted with ethanol includes fatty acids, tocopherols, antioxidants, and phenolic compounds associated with health benefits.