Background. COVID-19 patients suffer from hypercoagulation and activated immune-inflammatory pathways. This study was performed to assay serum complement C3 and C4, and thromboxane A2 (TxA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) in association with chest CT scan anomalies (CCTAs) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) Methods. Serum levels of C3, C4, TxA2, and PGI2 were measured by ELISA and albumin, calcium, and magnesium by spectrophotometric method in 60 COVID-19 patients and 30 controls. Results. C3 and C4 are significantly decreased and TxA2 and PGI2 significantly increased in COVID-19 patients as compared with controls. Neural networks showed that a combination of C3, albumin, and TxA2 yielded a predictive accuracy of 100% in detecting COVID-19 patients. SpO2 was significantly decreased in COVID-19 patients and was inversely associated with TxA2 and PGI2, and positively with C3, C4, albumin, and calcium. CCTAs were accompanied by lower SpO2 and albumin, and increased PGI2 levels. Patients with positive IgG results show significantly higher SpO2, TxA2, PGI2, and C4 levels than IgG negative patients. Conclusion. Hypoalbuminemia, which is strongly associated with lung lesions and lowered peripheral oxygen saturation, is characterized by increased TxA2, suggesting that interactions between immune-inflammatory pathways and platelet hyperactivity participate in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and consequently may play a role in enhanced risk of hypercoagulability and venous thromboembolism. These mechanisms are aggravated by lowered calcium and magnesium levels.

Background. The characterization of new biomarkers of COVID-19 is extremely important. Few studies measured the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product (sRAGE), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), calcium and magnesium in COVID-19. Aims: To measure sRAGE, ACE2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, CRP, calcium, magnesium, and albumin in COVID-19 patients in association with peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and chest CT scan abnormalities (CCTA) including ground glass opacities. Methods. This study measured sRAGE, ACE2, IL-6, IL-10, CRP using ELISA techniques, and calcium, magnesium, and albumin using a spectrophotometric method in 60 COVID-19 patients and 30 healthy controls.Results. COVID-19 is characterized by significantly increased IL-6, CRP, IL-10, sRAGE, ACE2, and lowered levels of SpO2, albumin, magnesium and calcium. Neural networks showed that a combination of calcium, IL-6, CRP, and sRAGE yielded an accuracy of 100% in detecting COVID-19 patients with calcium being the most important predictor followed by IL-6, and CRP. COVID-19 patients with CCTAs showed lower SpO₂ and albumin levels than those without CCTAs. SpO2 was significantly and inversely correlated with IL-6, IL-10, CRP, sRAGE, and ACE2, and positively with albumin, magnesium and calcium. Patients with positive IgG results showed a significant elevation in the serum level of IL-6, sRAGE, and ACE2 compared to the negatively IgG patient subgroup.Conclusion. The results show that immune-inflammatory and RAGE pathway biomarkers may be used as external validating criterion for the diagnosis COVID-19. Those pathways coupled with lowered SpO2, calcium and magnesium are drug targets that may help to reduce the consequences of COVID-19.

Digital technologies have changed the way supply chain operations are structured. In this article, we conduct systematic syntheses of literature on the impact of new technologies on supply chains and the related cyber risks. A taxonomic/cladistic approach is used for the evaluations of progress in the area of supply chain integration in the Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0, with a specific focus on the mitigation of cyber risks. An analytical framework is presented, based on a critical assessment with respect to issues related to new types of cyber risk and the integration of supply chains with new technologies. This paper identifies a dynamic and self-adapting supply chain system supported with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) and real-time intelligence for predictive cyber risk analytics. The system is integrated into a cognition engine that enables predictive cyber risk analytics with real-time intelligence from IoT networks at the edge. This enhances capacities and assist in the creation of a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and threats that arise when edge computing nodes are deployed, and when AI/ML technologies are migrated to the periphery of IoT networks.

Digital technologies have changed the way supply chain operations are structured. In this article, we conduct systematic syntheses of literature on the impact of new technologies on supply chains and the related cyber risks. A taxonomic/cladistic approach is used for the evaluations of progress in the area of supply chain integration in the Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0, with a specific focus on the mitigation of cyber risks. An analytical framework is presented, based on a critical assessment with respect to issues related to new types of cyber risk and the integration of supply chains with new technologies. This paper identifies a dynamic and self-adapting supply chain system supported with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) and real-time intelligence for predictive cyber risk analytics. The system is integrated into a cognition engine that enables predictive cyber risk analytics with real-time intelligence from IoT networks at the edge. This enhances capacities and assist in the creation of a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and threats that arise when edge computing nodes are deployed, and when AI/ML technologies are migrated to the periphery of IoT networks.

Downregulated microRNA-142-3p signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis [1] [2], an invasive disease where the lining of the uterus grows at ectopic locations, by yet incompletely understood mechanisms. Using bioinformatics and in vitro assays, this study identifies cytoskeletal regulation and integrin signaling as two relevant categories of miR-142-3p targets. qPCR revealed that miR-142-3p upregulation in St-T1b cells downregulates ROCK2, CFL2, RAC1, WASL and ITGAV. qPCR and Western-blotting showed miR-142-3p effect on WASL and ITGAV was significant also in primary endometriotic stroma cells. Luciferase reporter assays in ST-T1b cells then confirmed direct regulation of ITGAV and WASL. On the functional side, miR-142-3p upregulation significantly reduced ST-T1b cell size, the size of vinculin plaques, migration through fibronectin-coated transwell filters and the ability of ST-T1b and primary endometriotic stroma cells to contract collagen I gels. These results suggest that miR-142-3p has a strong mechanoregulatory effect on endometrial stroma cells and its external administration reduces the invasive endometrial phenotype. Within the limits of an in vitro investigation, our study provides new mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of endometriosis and provides a perspective for the development of miR-142-3p based drugs for inhibiting invasive growth of endometriotic cells.

Fertility management techniques being promoted in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) seek to grow indigenous vegetables economically and sustainably. This study was conducted in a phytotron chamber and compared yield, soil carbon (C) speciation and greenhouse gas (nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂)) emissions from SSA soils of two ecoregions; the dry savanna (lna, Republic of Benin) and rainforest (Ife, Nigeria) cultivated with local amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) under manure (5 t/ha) and/or urea (80 kg N/ha) fertilization. Vegetable yield ranged from 1753 kg/ac to 3198kg/ac in the rainforest, RF, soils and 1281 kg/ac to 1951 kg/ac in the dry savanna, DS, soils. Yield in the urea treatment was slightly higher compared to the manure+urea treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant. Cumulative CO₂ emissions over 21 days ranged from 497.06 to 579.47 g CO₂ in the RF, and 322.96 to 624.97 g CO₂ in the DS, while cumulative N₂O emissions ranged from 60.53 to 220.86 mg N₂O in the RF, and 24.78 to 99.08 mg N₂O in the DS. In the RF samples, the combined use of manure and urea reduced CO₂ and N₂O emissions but led to an increase in the DS samples. ATR-FTIR analysis showed that the combined use of manure and urea increased the rate of microbial degradation in the soils of the DS, but no such effect was observed in soils of the RF. We conclude that combining manure and urea fertilization has different effects on soils of the two ecoregions, and that RF farmers can reduce agricultural emissions without compromising soil productivity and yield potential.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease that involves interaction of both immune and skin cells, and is characterized by cytokine-driven epidermal hyperplasia, deviant differentiation, inflammation and angiogenesis. Because available treatments for psoriasis have significant limitations, dietary products are potential natural sources of therapeutic molecules, which can rescind molecular defects associated with psoriasis and could be developed for its management. Fisetin (3,7,3′,4′- tetrahydroxyflavone), a phytochemical naturally found in pigmented fruits and vegetables has demonstrated pro-apoptotic and antioxidant effects in several malignancies. This study utilized biochemical, cellular, pharmacological and tissue-engineering tools to characterize the effects of fisetin on normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and CD4+ T lymphocytes in 2D and 3D psoriasis-like disease models. Fisetin treatment of NHEKs dose and time-dependently induced differentiation and inhibited interleukin-22-induced proliferation, as well as activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Fisetin treatment of TNF-α-stimulated NHEKs significantly inhibited the activation of p38 and JNK, but had no effect on ERK1/2. In addition, fisetin treatment significantly decreased the secretion of Th1/Th-17 pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IFNγ and IL-17A by 12-O- tetradecanolylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated NHEKs and anti-CD3/CD28-activated human PBMCs. Furthermore, we established the in-vivo relevance of fisetin functions, using a 3D full-thickness human skin model of psoriasis (FTRHSP) that closely mimics in-vivo human psoriatic skin-lesions. Herein, fisetin significantly ameliorated psoriasis-like disease features, and decreased the production of IL-17 by CD4+ T lymphocytes co-cultured with FTRHSP. Collectively, our data identify pro-differentiative, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of fisetin, via modulation of PI3K-Akt-mTOR and p38/JNK pathways and the production of cytokines in 2D and 3D human skin model of psoriasis. These results suggest that fisetin has a great potential to be developed as an effective and inexpensive agent for the treatment of psoriasis and other related inflammatory skin disorders.

Background and objectives: The initiation of apoptotic death in cancer cells is the aim of many chemotherapeutic strategies. As many anticancer agents have been discovered in natural plant sources, the search for novel phytochemicals displaying anticancer activities continues at a tremendous rate. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of extractable polyphenols (EPP); non-extractable polyphenols (NEPP); nobiletin (NOB); tectorigenin (TEC) and persicogenin (PERS) from Barhi date palm kernels (BDPK) extracts on the induction of apoptosis in human lung cancer A549 and colon cancer HT29 cell lines. Materials and Methods: The anticancer activities were determined using MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to study the cell viability, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The underlying mechanism of apoptosis induced by crude extracts and the purified compounds was investigated using caspase-3, -8 and -9 assays and the mitochondrial membrane potential assay. Results: The findings indicate that both BDPK extracts and the purified compounds do exert induced cell death on A549 and HT29 cells. The results observed from MTT- assay and trypan blue exclusion indicate that the cytotoxic effects of both plant extracts and the three isolated flavonoids are dose-dependent with higher cell death after 72 hours treatment. Treatment of human lung and colon cancer cells with EPP, NEPP, NOB, TEC and PERSI induced late stages of apoptosis as there was evidence of the DNA degradation and high percentage of the cells population was situated at sub-G1 phase, indicating a high population of apoptotic cells. Conclusions: Study of the apoptotic mechanism demonstrated that EPP and NEPP exhibited dependent mitochondrial signalling pathway as seen with caspase-9 and induced receptor-mediated (extrinsic) apoptotic pathway as seen with caspase-8. Therefore, our results suggest that BDPK extracts and the three isolated flavonoids could be a good candidate for developing anticancer agents.

This study presents the validation process of the Questionnaire on Academic Stress in Secondary Education –QASSE-, designed to assess the wide variety of school sources and situations related to academic stress in adolescence, and their relationship with students’ physical and psychological well-being. Participants were 860 Spanish high school students (52.9% girls) with an average age of 14.62 years (SD = 1.8). Through a cross-validation process, EFA and CFA supported QASSE multifactorial structure with four first-order factors -academic overload, interaction with classmates, family pressure, and future-oriented perspective- and a second-order factor of academic stress, showing a significant and intense relationship with adolescents’ psychological and physical well-being. Results also highlight the effects of the gender*educational level interaction on the students’ stress, with girls showing higher levels of stress in the transition courses between educational phases (sophomore and junior years). The QASSE demonstrates good validity and reliability, showing potential for both research and educational application. The results show the high impact of the QASSE dimensions on psychological and physical well-being in adolescence, highlighting its special usefulness for designing and adjusting educational prevention and intervention actions in this area to the students’ specific characteristics and needs

In addition to its use as a food additive, sesame is also very popular in conventional drugs because of its antifungal, anticancer, analgesic, antioxidant, and antiproliferative, vitamin B and E supplier, serum cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering, wound healing potential. In this study, the cytotoxicity, wound healing, and anticancer (antiproliferation) properties of the ex-tract obtained from in vitro cultures of Sesamum orientale L. cv. "Gökova" were investigated using in L929 fibroblast, MCF-7 breast, and A549 lung epithelial cell lines. In our study, the cisplatin was also used as a control group to compare the anticancer efficacy of our plant extract. The IC50 values obtained from cell treatments were 922.73 µg.ml-1 (plant extract) and 33.09 µg.ml-1 (cispla-tin) for A549 µg.ml-1, 1837.07 µg.ml-1 (plant extract) and 19.27 µg.ml-1 (cisplatin) for MCF-7, and 154.70 µg.ml-1 (plant extract) for L929, respectively. The subcytotoxic doses of the treated plant extract provided the healing of artificially created wounds on L929 fibroblast cell cultures within 48 hours. For the evaluation of the anticancer activity, it was also determined that transcriptomic analyzes of BCL-XL gene, which is negatively correlated with apoptotic pathway, and Cas3 and Cas9 genes, which are positively correlated with apoptotic pathway, showed a statistically sig-nificant increase in A549 and MCF-7 cell lines treated with plant extract or cisplatin. In the light of the results obtained from the present study, it was seen that sesame plant extract may have wound healing potential at decreasing doses and anticancer activity potential at increasing dos-es. The present study can be a useful resource for the development of a drug with wound healing and/or antiproliferative potential, with applications to be made in different cell lines in the future.

How the subculture and marginalized community have become the leading sectors in the egalitarian and inclusive creative economy is a growing issue and still needs elaboration. One of the subculture phenomena that happened recently in one of Southeast Asia's countries is known as Citayam Pop-up and Makeshift Fashion Week (CFW). Then this paper aims to elaborate on how the CFW can contribute and play a significant role in the development of an egalitarian and inclusive creative economy. The current CFW was not developed instantly, yet it is through the complexities of push and pull factors that are very typical among SE Asian marginalized people that led to the onset of SE Asian subculture, particularly among the youth. Driven by finding their self-identity, wanting to belong, and combined with economic, family, and peer pressures, this group of suburban youth, at the beginning, find a corner of a city in the middle of the business district as a medium to express their identity in the form of CFW. As a result and in lieu of growing discourses, the CFW has boosted local economic growth, and the adolescents who participated in the CFW have also received endorsement from a startup business for marketing certain teen products. In the long term, the mutual relationships created can lead to job opportunities

Linear Hashing is an important algorithm for many key-value stores. Spiral Storage was invented to overcome the poor fringe behavior of Linear Hashing, but after an influential study by Larson, seems to have been discarded. Since almost 50 years have passed, we repeat Larson’s comparison with in-memory implementation of both to see whether his verdict still stands. Our study shows that Spiral Storage has slightly better look-up performance, but slightly poorer insert performance.

The advanced industrial systems are characterized by complex event-driven processes. The specification and computer analysis are illustrated by the common problem of a servo drive with the PWM controller. A mathematical model from the class of Cauchy problems with non-liner control logic is presented to resolve the task discussed. The designed model is performed in two stages: the mathematical model specification (modeling) and implementation (simulation). Two approaches to make a model specification are considered, the first one is the traditional structural technique, and the advanced method is based on the finite state machine paradigm. Structural and finite state software models are built in progressive simulation tools. Computer implementation of the software models of hybrid systems is performed using platform built-in libraries with numerical methods and algorithms for correct event detection. The results of computational experiments for transient processes of phase variables are qualitatively identical, that proves the adequacy of the developed models. The algorithm for asymptotic event detection is considered in detail. This technique demonstrated the best results by the one-sidedness criterion, which is explained by using the author’s algorithm for the integration step determining and the event function dynamics monitoring in the vicinity of the event limits.

Van Wyk Grumbach syndrome refers to the development of peripheral precocious puberty, long-standing hypothyroidism, and gonadal masses; when not diagnosed, an unnecessary gonadectomy may be done; Here we present a case of a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome, short stature, and vitiligo presented with vaginal bleeding, and a pelvic mass, in whom bilateral gonadectomy was performed. Most cases of Van Wyk Grumbach syndrome present in women, and classic hypothyroidism symptoms always precede the diagnosis; 11% of patients have Down Syndrome, sometimes tumor markers get elevated, and some develop severe symptoms (myopathy, short stature, mental delay, ascites, pericardial effusion, Cullen sign, pituitary hyperplasia, and severe anemia), that respond to levothyroxine treatment; Conclusions: Children with peripheral precocious puberty and gonadal masses, must be studied for hypothyroidism before any radical decision is made. Keywords: Puberty, Precocious; Ovarian Cysts, gonadectomy, Van Wyk Grumbach Syndrome

We examine the relation between environmental, social, and governance commitment levels (ESG) and firm dividend payer status. Given that larger and more profitable firms are positively associated with both payer status and ESG, it could be that ESG and dividends are complements. However, given that both dividends and ESG relate to firm spending decisions, it may be that the choice is “either/or” and that ESG and dividends are substitutes. We document a positive relation between ESG and dividend payer status in U.S. firms over the period 1991-2016. In particular we find that the proportion of dividend payers is roughly 13% higher for firms with positive ESG compared to those with negative ESG. Including ESG in the models used to predict payer status provides, on average, a nearly 26% improvement in relative forecast accuracy. Our results are robust to estimation techniques and the inclusion of variables known to be determinants of payer status.

The power of movement in plants” by Charles Darwin details many examples of oscillatory growth exemplified more recently at the single cell level by pollen tube tip oscillations and associated ion fluxes, particularly Ca²⁺and H⁺. That implies an underlying growth oscillator based on the recent discovery that classical AGPs bind Ca²⁺ at the cell surface. The juxtaposition of AGPs with three other components embedded in the plasma membrane is evidence of a Ca²⁺ cycle that generates cytosolic Ca²⁺. It involves Ca²⁺ channels, auxin efflux “PIN” proteins and an auxin-activated proton pump that dissociates AGP-Ca²⁺ on demand. While the apparent simplicity of this system satisfies Occam’s Razor its hypothetical role as a global growth oscillator demands rigorous experimental appraisal. The wide ramifications extend from pollen tubes to stomatal guard cells. Stomata act as crucial components of a water hypercycle that contributes to homeostasis of a warming planet by regulating evaporative cooling, reflective cloud cover generated by vast forests and the high albedo of snow-capped mountains including polar ice-caps . The Gaia hypothesis of James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis is a brilliant metaphor.

Origin, mechanics and properties of the Solar System are analysed in the framework of the Complete Relativity theory (by the same author). According to Complete Relativity, everything is relative. Any apparent absolutism (notably invariance to scale of dimensional constants, absolute elementariness, invariance to time) is an illusion stemming from limits imposed by [or on] polarized observers that will inevitably lead to misinterpretation of phenomena (another illusion) occurring on non-directly observable scales or even on observable but distant scales in space or time. If everything is relative, reference frames will exist where particles are planets and where planets are living beings. Earth is, therefore, analysed here in more detail, both as a particle and, as a living evolving being (of, hypothesized, extremely introverted intelligence). The analysis confirms the postulates and hypotheses of the theory (ie. existence of discrete vertical energy levels) with a significant degree of confidence. During the analysis, some new hypotheses have emerged. These are discussed and confirmed with various degrees of confidence. To increase confidence or refute some hypotheses, experimental verification is necessary. Main conclusions that stem from my research and are further confirmed in this paper are: universes are, indeed, completely relative; Solar System is a scaled (inflated, in some interpretations) Carbon isotope with a nucleus in a condensed (bosonic) state and components in various vertically excited states; life is common everywhere, albeit extroverted complex forms are present on planetary surfaces only during planetary neurogenesis; anthropogenic climate change is only a part (trigger from one perspective) of bigger global changes; major extinction events on a surface of a planet are relative extinctions, a regular part of transformation and transfer of life in the process of planetary neurogenesis.

Structural and functional asymmetries are traceable in every form of life and, at all cases, are a phenomenon of homology. Functionally speaking, the division of labour between the two halves of the brain is a basic characteristic of the nervous system that arose even before the appearance of vertebrates. The most prominent consequence of this specialization in humans and animals is handedness. Even if handedness is far more commonly associated with the presence of a nervous system, it is also observed in aneural organism such as plants. To date, little is known regarding the possible functional significance of handedness in plants, and many questions remain open (among these, whether it reflects a generalized behavioural asymmetry). Here, we propose a comparative perspective to the study of handedness, including plants, by taking advantage of the experimental models and paradigms already used to study laterality in humans and various animal species. By taking this approach, we aim to enrich our knowledge on the concept of handedness across natural kingdoms.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is caused by pathologic variants in over 50 different genes that affect the structure and function of motile cilia. Low nasal NO (nNO) is a biomarker for diagnosis in patients with features of PCD; but the reason why it is low is unclear. At the cellular level, a characteristic feature shared by most PCD patients is that antigens and other particles are not cleared from the epithelial surface. Poor antigen clearance results in pro-oxidant pathway activation and airway epithelial damage and may predispose PCD patients to DUOX1- and IL33- mediated asthma. Secondary ciliary dysfunction, such as that caused by viruses or by smoking, can also contribute to asthma development. Variants in genes underlying the function of cilia, can be associated with poor lung function, even in the absence of PCD. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in PCD – related genes can be associated with increased asthma severity. The role of cilia and antigen stasis is the pathophysiology of asthma is an important area for research, because specific airway clearance techniques and other therapeutic interventions, such as antioxidants, could be of value in preventing the development of asthma and asthma-like symptoms.

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disease of pregnancy of unknown etiology, is intensely studied as a model of cardiovascular (CVD) disease not only due to multiple shared pathologic elements, but also because changes that develop over decades in CVD disease appear and resolve within days in preeclampsia. Those affected by preeclampsia and their offspring experience increased lifetime risks of CVD. At the systemic level, preeclampsia is characterized by increased cellular, membrane, and blood levels of cholesterol, however, cholesterol dependent signaling such as canonical Wnt/βcatenin, Hedgehog, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase is downregulated indicating a cholesterol deficit with upregulation of cholesterol synthesis and efflux. Hypoxia related signaling in preeclampsia also appears paradoxical with increased Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIF) in the placenta but measurably increased oxygen in maternal blood in placental villous spaces. This review addresses the molecular mechanisms by which excessive systemic cholesterol and deficient cholesterol dependent signaling may arise from the effects of dietary lipid variance causing the cellular hypoxia which characterizes preeclampsia.

This article conducts a bibliometric analysis focusing on the influence of globalization and technology in the academic context. Previous studies have focused on analyzing the relationship between the number of research citations and international collaboration, but no study has explored it in the scope of consumer behavior and retail. Leveraging the Scopus database, the research analyzes a significant corpus of 2,111 documents from 1971 to 2022. The findings reveal a distinct surge in academic output related to the topic of technology, reflecting a growing interest in understanding the interaction between technological factors and consumer behavior. The study also explores trends in international collaboration in publications as well as its impact on citation counts.

The Schwarzschild metric emerges independent of Einstein's field equations, offering a straightforward derivation solely reliant on Newtonian mechanics and Minkowskian proper acceleration. This approach provides a clear path to understanding the gravitational field around a spherically symmetric mass without the need for the complexities of Einstein's full theory of General Relativity. Transitioning to our exploration of the cosmic Friedmann equations, we adopt a novel perspective rooted in a Lagrangian formulation grounded in Newtonian mechanics and the first law of thermodynamics. Our investigation operates under the assumption that the universe is populated by either a perfect fluid or a scalar field. By elucidating the intricate interplay between the Lagrangian formulation and the cosmic Friedmann equations, we uncover the fundamental principles governing the universe's dynamics within the framework of these elemental constituents. In our concluding endeavor, we embark on the task of harmonizing the classical equations—namely, the conservation, Euler, and Poisson equations—with the principles of General Relativity. This undertaking seeks to extend these foundational equations to encompass the gravitational effects delineated by General Relativity, thus providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the behavior of matter and spacetime in the cosmic context.

The scientific fields of complexity, artificial life (ALife), and artificial intelligence (A.I.) share several commonalities: historic, conceptual, methodological, and philosophical. It was possible to develop them only because of information technology, while their origins can be traced back to cybernetics. In this perspective, I'll revise the expectations and limitations of these fields, some of which have their roots in the limits of formal systems. I will use interactions, self-organization, emergence, and balance to compare different aspects of complexity, ALife, and A.I. The paper poses more questions than answers, but hopefully it will be useful to align efforts in these fields towards overcoming --- or accepting --- their limits.

Let a,b,c be positive integers such that a²+b²=c², 2|b,gcd(a,b)=1. In 1956, Jesmanowicz conjectured that for any positive integer w, the only solution of (aw)^x+(bw)^y=(cw)^z in positive integers is (x, y, z) = (2, 2, 2). In this paper, based on Gaussian integer ring, we show that Je$\acute{s}$manowicz' conjecture is true for any positive integer

A proof is given showing the Collatz Conjecture is true for all positive integers. The proof was possible once the perspective of the proof was changed from looking at the pattern of the positive integers to looking at the conjecture rules. The conjecture rule for even numbers organizes all positive integers into unique sets and the rule for odd numbers interconnects the unique sets into dendritic pathways to “1.” Infinite loops, other than the minor 4-2-1 loop after reaching “1,” and pathways to infinity are shown to be mathematically impossible. The proof predicted a general equation that shows all positive integers ultimately reach a final value of “1," and calculates the values and locations of the odd positive integers during the iterations for each tested positive integer.

Introduction: It has long been accepted that trauma is one of the most important and frequent predisposing factors for onychomycoses . However, the role of direct trauma in the pathogenesis of fungal nail infections was only recently been elucidated in a series of 32 cases of post-traumatic single-digit onychomycosis. The importance of repeated trauma due to foot and toe abnormalities was rarely investigated.Aim of the study: This is a multicenter single-author observational study over a period of 6 years performed at a specialized nail clinic in three countries. All patient photographs taken by the author during this period were screened for toenail alterations and all toe onychomycosis cases were checked whether they contained enough information to evaluate potential foot and toe abnormalities. Particular attention was paid to the presence of hallux valgus, hallux valgus interphalangeus, hallux erectus, inward rotation of the big toe and outward rotation of the little toe, as well as splay foot. Only cases with unequivocal proof of fungal nail infection by either histopathology, mycologic culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were accepted.Results: Of 1653 cases, 185 were onychomycoses proven by mycologic culture, PCR or histopathology. Of these, 179 involved at least one big toenail, 6 affected one or more lesser toenails. Three patients consulted us for another toenail disease and the onychomycosis was diagnosed as a second disease. Eight patients had a pronounced tinea pedum. Relatively few patients had a normal big toe position (n = 9). Most of the cases had a mild to marked hallux valgus (HV) (105) and a hallux valgus interphalangeus (HVI) (143), hallux erectus was observed in 43 patients, the combination of HV and HVI was observed 83 times. Discussion: The very high percentage of foot and toe deformations was surprising. It may be hypothesized that this is not only a pathogenetically important factor but may also play an important role for the localization of the fungal infection as no marked hallux deviation was noted in onychomycoses that affected the lesser toes only. As the management of onychomycoses is a complex procedure involving the exact diagnosis with determination of the pathogenic fungus, the nail growth rate, the type of onychomycosis, its duration and predisposing factors, anomalies of the toe position may be important. Among the most commonly mentioned predisposing factors are peripheral circulatory insufficiency, venous stasis, peripheral neuropathy, immune deficiency and iatrogenic immunosuppression whereas foot problems are not given enough attention. Unfortunately, many of these predisposing and aggravating factors are difficult to treat or to correct. Generally, when explaining the treatment of onychomycoses to the patients, the importance of these orthopedic alterations is not or only insufficiently discussed. In view of the problems encountered with the treatment of toenail mycoses, this attitude should be changed in order to make the patient understand why there is such a low cure rate despite excellent minimal inhibitory drug concentrations in the laboratory.

The delivery of therapeutical molecules through the skin, particularly to its deeper layers is impaired due to the stratum corneum layer, which acts as barrier to foreign substances. Thus, for the past years, scientists have focused on the development of more efficient methods to deliver molecules to skin distinct layers. Microneedles, as a new class of biomedical devices, consists on an array of microscale needles. This particular biomedical device had been drawing attention due to their ability to breach the stratum corneum, forming micro-conduits to facilitate the passage of therapeutical molecules. The microneedle device has several advantages over conventional methods, such as better medication adherence, easiness and painless self-administration. Moreover, it is possible to deliver the molecules swiftly or over time. Microneedles can vary in shape, size and composition. The design process of a microneedle device must take in account several factors, like the location delivery, the material and manufacturing process. Microneedles have been used in a large number of fields from drug and vaccine application, cosmetics, therapy, diagnosis, tissue engineering, sample extraction, cancer research, wound healing, among others.

This article begins with exploring fundamental limits in the universe. It examines key principles, such as the uniformity of physical laws and Energy conservation, that lead to the principles of maximum speed, locality, and maximum density. These universal limits govern physical phenomena, culminating in very interesting results.They led to the exploration of Quantum black holes. Quantum black holes are relativistically revolving miniature charged black holes consisting of a single core at the highest possible density. They are the only structures small enough to keep all charges quantized (including gravitational charges). I then demonstrated that quarks and leptons comprise smaller entities - the Quantum Black Holes. Exploring these elementary particles reveals that they release their Energy outward, altering the curvature of nearby space-time and providing new insights. We can characterize movements and processes in local space-time with four sets of equations representing the four charge types and one set representing Dark Matter. By the end of the article, I prove that Quantum black holes explain the quantization of gravity, the nature of Luminous and dark Matter, the Mass, size, and (quantized) charges quantities of elementary particles and the nature of neutrino oscillations.

It is proved that there exist two odd prime numbers, p_i and p_j , such that p_i + p_j = 2r + 2(r ⩾ 2), where p_n denote the n-th odd prime number, 1 ⩽ i, j ⩽ n. By the theory of generating functions, we prove that there exist two positive integers, h_i and h_j , such that h_i + h_j = r(r ⩾ 2), where h_n = (p_n − 1)/2，(p_n ⩾ 3).Then we complete the proof.

Industry 4.0 is an industrial paradigm that is causing changes in form and substance in factories, companies and businesses around the world, and is impacting work and education in general. In fact, the disruptive technologies that frame the fourth industrial revolution have the potential to improve and optimize manufacturing processes and the entire value chain, which can lead to an exponential evolution in the production and distribution of goods and services. All these changes imply that the fields of engineering knowledge must be oriented towards the concept of Industry 4.0, for example Mechanical Engineering. The development of various physical assets that are used by cyber-physical systems and digital twins is based on Mechanics. However, the specialized literature on Industry 4.0 says little about the importance of Mechanics in the new industrial era and more importance is given to the evolution of Information and Communication Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. This article presents a frame of reference about the importance of Mechanical Engineering in Industry 4.0 and proposes an extension to the concept of Mechanics 4.0, recently defined as the relationship between Mechanics and Artificial Intelligence. For the analysis of Mechanical Engineering in Industry 4.0, the criteria of the four driving forces that defined Mechanics in the third industrial revolution was used. An analysis of Mechanical Engineering Education in Industry 4.0 is presented, and the concept of Mechanical Engineering 4.0 Education is improved. Finally, the importance of making changes in the educational models of engineering education is described.

The draconian regulation required by the inherent instability of cognitive phenomena -- gene expression, immune function, cancer suppression, wound healing, animal consciousness, machine intelligence, network stabilization, institutional cognition, and their many and varied composites -- can be viewed through the lens of the asymptotic limit theorems of both information and control theories. Here, we explore the dynamics and sometimes highly punctuated failures of the regulation of cognition under increasing `noise'. The approach parallels, and indeed generalizes, the Data Rate Theorem of control theory, extending the theorem's requirement of a minimum channel capacity necessary for stabilization of an inherently unstable system. Various models are explored across different basic underlying probability distributions characteristic of the system under study, and across different hierarchical scales, finding the addition of adaptive -- learned -- regulation greatly extends the reach of innate -- e.g., AI-driven or otherwise pre-programmed -- regulation. This work points toward the construction of new statistical tools for the analysis of observational and empirical data across a wide spectrum of inherent pathologies and adversarial challenges afflicting a wide variety of cognitive processes.

In this paper we present two ways to solve the Jacobian conjecture. The first way is an equivalent statement to the Jacobian conjecture using idempotent ideals. The second way is to use an equivalent thesis to the thesis of the Jacobian conjecture. In both cases we will show that the Jacobian conjecture is true.

Abstract Global marine fish harvest has reached a plateau over the last decade. Efforts to increase aquaculture tend to face limitations in water resources and contamination problems. Of the current fish harvest at least 50% is discarded as waste. The chemical and microbiological contaminations limit the utilization of harvested fish. There is a need to improve fish preservation to minimize spoilage and process them into more appealing products. Instead of resorting to individual food processing methods, the efficiency of processing could best be increased by a combination of conventional and modern processing methods, or combinations of modern processing methods. Fish waste is a rich source of oils containing essential fatty acids, polypeptides, and amino polysaccharides that could be utilized through upscaling of the current scientifically proven methods, to new processing technologies. Separation of collagens, gelatins, bioactive peptides, edible fish oils, and chitosan form the primary stages in the utilization of fish waste. The products need purification to meet food quality and safety standards, and desirable industrial characteristics. The diversity of information and products generated through new methods requires advanced data handling and prediction systems, such as artificial intelligence, to address food safety and get the best out of fish processing and utilization.

The present article seeks to study whether there is any relationship between the equation of the rhythmic figures (Lugos Abarca, 2023) and cardiac auscultation using Field's method, which consists of representing cardiac sounds by means of musical notation (Field, 2010). A new meaning is given to the equation, concluding a mathematical equality between the equation of the rhythmic figures and the formula for calculating the RR Interval.

The purpose of this project is to develop and build an extensible fixture. This fixture is ideal to milling, drilling, and shaping operations. Jigs and fittings are often the most cost-effective methods of mass fabricating a component. As a result, jigs and fittings are used and play a vital part in the mass production system. These are specialist work holding and tool-guiding devices. The quality of jigs and fixtures used in a process has a substantial impact on its performance. A fixture is distinctive because it is meant to fit a given area or shape. The basic purpose of a fixture is to find and, in certain instances, hold a workpiece throughout an operation. A jig differs from a fixture in that it leads the tool to the right position or movement during an operation, in addition to locating and supporting the workpiece. When a key is reproduced, the original key serves as a base for the path reader, which regulates the tool's movement to construct the duplicate key. In this situation, a CWC machine's route reader works as a jig, with the original being referred to as the template. Sometimes the template and jig refer to the same part of a production system.

This review aims to consolidate varied information regarding Port Scanning, and examine the tools, techniques, and detection algorithms used. It explores TCP SYN, Full TCP, UDP, and stealth scans, and shows their functions and abilities. Paired with these techniques, it also shows the tools that they can be used by, such as NMap, Zmap, and MASSCAN. It discusses the various detection techniques such as Signature and Anomaly based detection, and discusses the real world impact of this technology, while commenting on the legal and ethical issues posed.

In today’s fast paced, attention-demanding society, executive functions and attentional resources are often taxed. Individuals need ways to sustain and restore these resources. We first review the concepts of attention and restoration, as instantiated in Attention Restoration Theory (ART). ART emphasizes the role of nature in restoring attention. We then discuss essentials of experiments on the causal influences of nature. Next, we expand the concept of ART to include modern, designed environments. We propose a wider perspective termed attentional ecology, in which attention behavior is viewed within a larger system involving the human and their interactions over time with environmental demands. When the ecology is optimal, mental functioning can be a positive “flow” that is productive, sustainable for the individual, and sometimes creative.

The rapid expanse of the metropolitan belt around Budapest and the tension stemming from increasing traffic and insufficiencies of various infrastructures, plus social and economic issues in the outer areas, have put the sustainability of suburbs at the forefront of professional and public debates with oversimplified and overgeneralized statements. The article, instead, attempts to shed light through a case study of a suburban town on the complexity of sustainability using the framework of Smart Growth, focusing on compactness, commuting, and community, using qualitative and quantitative survey data from 2018 and 2023. The findings prove that the analyzed town is relatively compact regarding ordinary and routine services but relies heavily on the center for more specialized ones. The local community is firmly knit and has no signs of atomization. The commuting patterns reveal a more complex picture where polycentricity contributes to new patterns of spatial connections and increasing car dependency despite the relatively low growth in the number of cars. The results underpin that the sustainability of suburbs may not be generally assessed, and scrutiny must be performed on the town level. Second, the sustainability of suburban areas may be separate from the sustainability of more dense, urbanized areas.

This study investigated the relationship between aluminum adjuvant vaccines and the prevalence of 4 childhood diseases (Autism, Allergies, Asthma, ADD/ADHD) using data from the 2020-2021 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) [1] and the Centers for Disease Control National Immunization Survey (CDC NIS) [2]. The study found an association with aluminum adjuvant dosage and the prevalence of each disease studied (Autism, Allergies, Asthma, ADD/ADHD) through a weighted regression analysis of disease prevalence against the summed likelihood of aluminum adjuvant vaccine uptake.

We present detailed models at the hydrodynamics and decoherence phenomena observed in ideal quantum gases. The model is expressed in terms of a quantum field theory, where the action involves both hydrodynamic and decoherence terms. The density-current relation is derived, and the current Green function is introduced. The effective action for two fields is presented, and the physical field is defined in terms of the bare action. Identities such as CTP symmetry, transposition, and the Ward identity are discussed. The Green function and its inverse for different components are also explored. These notes provide a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical framework for studying the hydrodynamics and decoherence of ideal quantum gases.

This review highlights the potential and limitations of mRNA vaccines with a particular focus on mucosal delivery as an alternative to parenteral administration. The strengths of mRNA vaccines are: a) Versatility: they can be adapted to target a wide range of pathogens; b) Faster development: designed and produced more quickly than traditional vaccines; c) High efficacy: effective in preventing severe disease, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current challenges: a) Delivery: current methods (mainly intramuscular injection) may not be optimal for inducing mucosal immunity; b) Stability: mRNA is fragile and needs to be protected from degradation; c) Safety: potential side effects, including myocarditis, blood clotting, allergic reactions need further investigation. Mucosal delivery could be more effective in preventing the transmission of pathogens and is generally better accepted by the population. Pros: offers the potential to induce local immunity at the site of pathogen entry, potentially providing broader protection; Cons: developing effective delivery systems and adjuvants for mucosal delivery is difficult. Extracellular vesicles as a mucosal delivery system are promising and offer a potentially safe, scalable, and needle-free approach. Future directions: a) Optimizing mRNA constructs: strategies like codon optimization and self-amplifying RNA can improve stability and translation efficiency; b) Rigorous pre-clinical studies are essential before human trials.

There is a rich history of cancer treatments which provides a number of important lessons for present and future cancer therapies. We outline this history by looking in the past, reviewing the current landscape of cancer treatments, and by glancing at the potential future cancer therapies.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has caused millions of infections and fatalities worldwide. Extensive SARS-CoV-2 research has been conducted to develop therapeutic drugs and prophylactic vaccines, and even though some drugs have been approved to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection, treatment efficacy remains limited. Therefore, preventive vaccination has been implemented on a global scale and represents the primary approach to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Approved vaccines vary in composition, although vaccine design has been based on either the key viral structural (spike) protein or viral components carrying this protein. Therefore, mutations of the virus, particularly mutations in the S protein, severely compromise effectiveness of current vaccines and the ability to control COVID-19 infection. This review begins by describing the SARS-CoV-2 viral composition, mechanism of infection, role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, host defense responses against infection and the most common vaccine designs. Next, this review summarizes the common mutations of SARS-CoV-2 and how these mutations change viral properties, confer immune escape and influence vaccine efficacy. Finally, this review discusses global strategies that have been employed to mitigate the decreases in vaccine efficacy encountered against new variants.

Neurocutaneous disorders, also known as phakomatoses, are congenital and acquired syndromes resulting in simultaneous neurologic and cutaneous involvement. In several of these conditions, the genetic phenomenon is understood, providing a pivotal role in the development of therapeutic options. This review encompasses the discussion of the genetic and clinical involvement of neurocutaneous disorders and examines clinical management and treatment options. With the current advances in genetics, the role of precision medicine and targeted therapy plays a substantial role in addressing management of these conditions. The interconnectedness between therapeutic options highlights the importance of precision medicine in treating each disorder’s unique molecular pathway. This review provides an extensive synthesis of ongoing and current therapeutics in the management of such clinically unique and challenging conditions.

The definitive negative results of various direct searches for dark matter particles and non-observation of them has increasingly indicated that we should consider alternate models like the Modification of Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) and Modification of Newtonian Gravity (MONG). It is puzzling how the Oort cloud, despite its great distance from the Sun, is gravitationally bound to the Sun’s gravity. In this work, we suggest that this could be explained by the modifications to Newtonian dynamics (MOND) and to gravity (MONG).

Segmental bone defects caused by trauma, infection, tumor resection or osteoporotic fractures present significant surgical treatment challenges. Host bone autograft is considered the gold standard to restore function but comes with the cost of harvest site comorbidity. Allograft bone is a secondary option but has its own limitations in incorporation with host bone as well as cost. Therefore, developing new bone tissue engineering strategies to treat bone defects is critically needed. In the past three decades, the use of stem cells delivered with different scaffolds or growth factors for bone tissue engineering has made tremendous progress. Many varieties of stem cells have been isolated from different tissues for use in bone tissue engineering. This review summarizes the progress in using different postnatal stem cells including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, muscle-derived stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, dental pulp stem cells/periodontal ligament stem cells, periosteum stem cells, umbilical cord-derived stem cells, peripheral blood stem cells and urine-derived stem cells for bone tissue engineering and repair. This review also summarizes the progress using exosomes or extracellular vesicles delivered with various scaffolds for bone repair. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of stem cell are also discussed and explained in detail. It is hopeful in the future that these preclinical results will translate into new therapies for bone defect repair.

Background: Opinions on the impact of cancer on patients with haemophilia literature are contradicting. There is a lack of data on the clinical presentation and management of cancer in patients with haemophilia (PWH). Methods: Papers were found following a comprehensive search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus using the terms “cancer” and “haemophilia” without time limits and using the English language as a filter. The references of all retrieved original articles and reviews were assessed for additional relevant articles. Results: Overall, 116 papers were collected. Managing cancer in patients with congenital bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia A and B, requires careful evaluation of bleeding risk and the effect of antitumor treatments on blood coagulation. Generally, patients with haemophilia do not have an increased risk of developing cancer compared to the general population; increased risk is found in the presence of HIV or hepatitis infection. However, if a patient with haemophilia develops cancer, the treatment must be managed to minimise the risk of bleeding. Bleeding and thrombotic complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients with cancer; replacement therapy with factor VIII or IX or others should be maintained during antitumor treatment. Conclusion: Overall, managing cancer in patients with haemophilia requires careful evaluation and individualised planning involving a multidisciplinary team of physicians experienced in haematology, oncology, and surgery.

Along with the rapid development and wide application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), discussions regarding AI Sustainability have emerged. Employing a systematic mapping study, this paper reviews research about AI Sustainability from diverse fields and viewpoints, including three dimensions economic, social, and environmental. Our analysis indicates a transformative shift in research focus, evolving from fragmented approaches to a more holistic understanding of AI Sustainability. This maturation is reflected in the interplay between multiple dimensions and the integration of both "AI as a tool for sustainability" and "Sustainability of AI" perspectives. As the field continues to mature, researchers should embrace a comprehensive and unbiased exploration of AI Sustainability across all dimensions and approaches, ensuring a well-rounded foundation for future advancements in this rapidly evolving domain.

Non-coding RNAs, specifically microRNAs (miRNAs), exhibit altered expression and contribute significantly to the pathological processes observed in numerous diseases, encompassing various types of human cancers. Recent discoveries regarding miRNAs underscore their crucial roles in tumor pathogenesis and their responses to diverse therapeutic interventions. miRNAs are a subset of non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of a multitude of genes post-transcriptionally and thus are potential diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers and have also emerged as potential therapeutics. Because miRNAs are involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of their target mRNAs via repressing gene expression, defects in the miRNA biogenesis pathway and miRNA expression perturb the expression of a multitude of oncogenic or tumor-suppressive target genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of various cancers. As such, numerous miRNAs have been identified to be downregulated or upregulated in many types of cancers functioning as either oncomiRs or oncosuppressor miRs. Moreover, dysregulation of miRNA biogenesis pathways can also change miRNA expression and function in cancer. Profiling deregulated miRNAs in many cancer types has been shown to correlate with disease diagnosis, indicate optimal treatment options, and predict response to a specific therapy. Specific miRNA signatures can track all stages of disease including many cancer types and hold potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets as well as therapeutics as miRNA mimics and inhibitors (antagomirs). As such, identifying specific miRNAs and mRNAs they regulate in many types of cancer along with downstream pathways can be used as potential therapeutic targets. Because a single miRNA can regulate a pool of targets involved in similar cellular processes and pathways, thereby amplifying the cellular response, this potentially makes miRNAs powerful therapeutics to restore cell functions that are altered as part of a disease phenotype. However, because a single miRNA regulates multiple gene expressions their cellular effects are numerous leading to potential off-target effects. Besides their intended targeting issues, there is a need to reduce the immunogenic reactions and determine the minimal dosing to achieve the desired effect while minimizing side effects. As such, a careful risk evaluation of miRNA therapeutics is needed to minimize off-target effects and to avoid overdosing of miRNA drugs. Furthermore, a limited understanding and validation of the specific roles of miRNAs limits their clinical application. In addition, there are many challenges concerning the delivery, sensitivity, specificity, toxicity, and applicability of the potential utility of miRNAs as therapeutic targets or therapeutics. Thus, future work will warrant if miRNAs can be used as cancer biomarkers as well as therapeutics for clinical application.

Media is obtaining a leading role in contemporary strategic communication, the development especially visible in the context of social-political and geopolitical conflicts. This study introduces an interdisciplinary theory of Social Laser and applies it in the analysis of social mobilization around the current militarized situation in Eastern Europe. We analyze quantitatively the content of three Swedish newspapers and qualitatively the related Facebook discussions. As demonstrated, social lasing has been employed as an instrument in information warfare. An “information tsunami” was generated by the Swedish national mass media at the outbreak of military events in March-May 2022. It shaped social dynamics on the related social media platform. The intensity of dissident actions increased when the information pressure subsided.

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with important repercussions on the health of the individual. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota is implicated in the occurrence of numerous diseases, and knowledge of it has also proven to be of fundamental importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this narrative review, we thoroughly investigated the link between coffee consumption and its effects on the gut microbiota and their consequences on human health. We have selected the most significant articles published on this very interesting link, with the aim of going deeper in the light of the latest evidence more and more about the relationship that links coffee consumption and its repercussions on the composition of the gut microbiota and on human health.

Metasurface holography offers significant advantages, including a broad field of view, minimal noise, and high imaging quality, making it valuable across various optical domains such as 3D displays, VR, and color displays. However, the conventional pure-structured metasurface holographic devices face a limitation: once fabricated, their functionality remains fixed, restricting practical applications. In recent developments, the landscape of metasurface holography has witnessed a notable shift from passive to active elements, spurred by the introduction of multiplexed and reconfigurable metasurfaces. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in multiplexing and reconfigurable metasurface holography, delving into fundamental characteristics, design strategies, and diverse applications. In conclusion, we offer a brief summary of this rapidly evolving research area, suggest potential future directions, and explore applications. Finally, we briefly summarize this rapidly growing area of research, propose future directions and potential applications.

This paper presents a model for archival and retrieval of the videos of natural flowers. To design an efficient video retrieval system the stages namely, keyframe selection, feature extraction, feature dimensionality reduction and indexing are essential for fast browsing and accessing of videos. Three different keyframe selection approaches are proposed using clustering algorithms after segmenting flower regions from its background. Deep Convolutional Neural Network is used as a feature extractor. After keyframe selection, a video is represented with a set of keyframes. To reduce the feature dimension of a video, two feature selection methods are utilized. For an efficient archival and fast retrieval of flower videos an indexing method called KD-tree is recommended. For a given query video, similar videos are retrieved both in relative and absolute search modalities. An extensive experimentation conducted on a relatively large flower video dataset. The data set consists of 7788 videos of 30 different species of flowers. The videos are captured with three different devices in different resolutions. The comparative study reveals proposed keyframe selection approaches gives better results. It has also been observed that the videos retrieved in absolute approach with features selected from Binormal separation metric and indexing gives good results.

Re-interpretation of the Fermat principle governing propagation of light in media within the Ramsey Theory is suggested. Complete bi-colored graphs corresponding to the light propagation in media are considered. The vertices of the graphs correspond to the points of the real physical space, in which light sources or sensors are placed. Red links in the graphs correspond to the actual optical paths, emerging from the Fermat principle. A variety of optical events: refraction, reflection, etc. may be involved in the light propagation. Green links, in turn, denote the trial/virtual optical paths, which actually do not occur. The Ramsey Theorem states that within the graph containing six points, inevitably, actual or virtual optical cycle will be necessarily present. Implementation of the Ramsey Theorem to the light propagation in metamaterials is discussed. The Fermat Principle states that in metamaterials a light ray in going from point S to point P must traverse an optical path length L that is stationary with respect to variations of this path. Thus, bi-colored graphs built of links corresponding to maxima or minima of optical paths become possible. Graphs, comprising six vertices, inevitably will demonstrate optical cycles, built of the mono-colored links corresponding to the maxima or minima of the optical path. The notion of the “inverse graph” is introduced and discussed. The total number of triangles in the “direct” (source) and “inverse” Ramsey optical graphs is the same, Optical interpretation of the infinite Ramsey Theorem is suggested.

How does fiscal devolution affect the probability of a sovereign debt crisis? Using annual cross-country panel data from 82 advanced and developing countries, the association between the sovereign debt crisis and fiscal decentralization is investigated. We employ an instrumental variable panel probit model to address potential endogeneity. The results reveal that local tax autonomy reduces the probability of a sovereign debt crisis. In contrast, expenditure devolution is found to increase the probability of a sovereign debt crisis. These favorable and unfavorable effects of fiscal devolution are found to be more evident in the case of decentralization to local governments than in the case of decentralization to subnational governments. In terms of relative magnitudes, our discrete choice analysis demonstrates that the undesirable effects of expenditure decentralization are greater than the favorable effects of tax revenue decentralization. Therefore, countries should be cautious about risks associated with fiscal devolution, particularly the contrasting impact of tax revenue and spending decentralization on the likelihood that sovereign debt crises occur.

Growing interest has accrued in the co-existence of cardiac amyloidosis and valvular heart disease. Amyloid infiltration from either transthyretin (ATTR) or light chain (AL) origin may affect any structure of the heart, including the valves. Recent literature has mainly focused on aortic stenosis and cardiac amyloidosis, improving our understanding of epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this dual pathology. Even though of high clinical relevance, data on mitral/tricuspid regurgitation and cardiac amyloidosis is rather scarce and mostly limited to case reports and small cases series. It is the aim of this review article to summarize the current evidence of concomitant valvular heart disease and cardiac amyloidosis including epidemiology, diagnostic approaches, screening possibilities, therapeutic management, and prognostic implications.

As the global demand for renewable energy continues to rise, biogas technology has emerged as a promising solution for sustainable energy generation. This review article presents the advantages of biogas technologies and extensively discusses the main principles of biogas production in the methane fermentation process. In this respect, the main parameters of the process, which require monitoring and are at the same time decisive for its course and efficiency are described, the principles of substrate selection are discussed and the necessity and advantages of the use of organic waste according to the model of a circular economy and the concept of sustainable development, are indicated. The part on biogas production is summarised with an explanation of the necessity to treat and purify biogas, taking into account the share of methane extracted. A special place in this paper is devoted to the design, construction, functioning and operation of biogas plants, based on both scientific and practical aspects. In conclusion of this chapter, the economic aspects and profitability of operating biogas plants are discussed, taking into account, in a theoretical balance sheet – in addition to investment and operating costs and the availability and cost of raw materials – the possibilities of producing and using electricity and heat, as well as environmental and social benefits. The article concludes with a discussion of opportunities and barriers to the development of biogas plants, pointing to: financial issues, access to feedstock, political regulations, public awareness and the geopolitical situation as key factors issues related to biogas plants – in different regions of the world.

Authors evaluated the relevant literature related to the purging which is the interaction between selection and inbreeding where the population may get rid of its inbreeding load at least partially. The backroad of the relevant theory was given and the available methods were described both based on the conventional quantitative genetic approach (based on genealogy data) and based on the latest genomic methods. The different parameters necessary for signalling purging (highlighting those inbreeding coefficients which are not yet been widely known in animal and veterinary science) were presented together with the relevant results of the literature. The available statistical methods together with the softwares and R packages to calculate various inbreeding coefficients and to determine inbreeding depression and purging were provided. The main results of the different approaches obtained in laboratory ZOO and domesticated populations (lethal equivalents, ancestral inbreeding, Inbreeding-Purging Model, genomic approaches) were summarized and presented. Application possibilities and future prospective of purging was also discussed.

Modern anesthesia continues to be impacted in new and unforeseen ways by digital technology. Combining portability and versatility, mobile applications or “apps” provide a multitude of ways to enhance anesthetic and peri-operative care. Research suggests that uptake of apps into anesthetic practice is becoming increasingly routine, especially amongst younger anesthetists brought up in the digital age. Despite this enthusiasm, there remains no consensus in how apps are safely and efficiently integrated into anesthetic practice. This review summarizes the most popular forms of app usage in anesthesia currently and explores the challenges and opportunities inherent in implementing app use in anesthesia, with an emphasis on a practical approach for the modern anesthetist.

in our increasingly interconnected world, sensor networks are critical in gathering and sending data for various applications, from environmental monitoring and industrial automation to healthcare and smart cities. However, as sensor networks expand in importance, so does the need to solve the multidimensional concerns of security, privacy, and forensics. This article explores the complex world of sensor network security, the delicate balance between data privacy and utility, and the emerging area of sensor network forensics. This article focuses on risk assessment of a network.

Background and Objectives: Thyroid disease has been associated with autoimmune disorders. As systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with diverse manifestations spanning across all organ systems, the relationship of SLE with thyroid disorders needs investigation. In particular, the relationship of SLE with autoimmune thyroid disease has attracted the interest of the research community. The aim was to evaluate the relationship of SLE with autoimmune thyroid disease. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 45 consecutive patients, mean age 47,97 years (range 21-79 years) and 45 age and sex-matched controls were prospectively studied over a period of 12 months for the presence of thyroid disease and the prevalence of antithyroid antibodies. Results: Four patients (8.9%) were found to suffer from primary hypothyroidism, 5 (11.11%) from subclinical hypothyroidism and 1 (2.22%) from hyperthyroidism, whereas 1 (2.22%) of the controls had primary hypothyroidism and 1 (2.22%) had hyperthyroidism. Five patients (11.11%) had a thyroid hormone profile compatible with the presence of euthyroid sick syndrome. Thyroid peroxidase (TPOab) and thyroglobulin (Tgab) antibodies were detected in 20/45 and 15/45 of the SLE population and in 7/45 and 5/45 of the controls, respectively (p<0.05, chi square test). Conclusions: In conclusion, the incidence of clinical thyroid disease is greater amongst SLE patients than in a control population and in a significant number of these patients antithyroid antibodies are detectable. Thus, a subset of lupus patients appears to be predisposed to the development of thyroid disease and this should be considered when evaluating patients with SLE.

This paper's aim is to extend horizons in symbolic AI. The key to doing so is to establish a scientific basis for knowledge foundations, and specifically for the concept of meaning, and its computation. This led to the creation of the Meaning Computation AI (MCAI). Knowledge structures are at the heart of MCAI. The semantic triple chain, one of such structures, is the subject of this paper. This structure is the core of introducing computational semantic reasoning models across a variety of domains. To efficiently apply knowledge structures to create semantic reasoning applications MCAI contains a development framework consisting of four components. The first component stems from our discovery that knowledge is relational in nature. It can be expressed through implicit relations (which reflect meaning) and semantic relations (which describe how implicit relations act between entities). An algebraical apparatus for relational knowledge, specifically for implicit and semantic relations, represents the first component. Axiomatic models of relational domain ontologies and domain-oriented semantic reasoning models comprise the second and third components. The fourth component contains domain-oriented semantic reasoning engines.

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) is a human-specific polyomavirus that establishes a silent lifelong infection in multiple peripheral organs, predominantly those of the urinary tract, of immunocompetent individuals. In immunocompromised settings, however, JCPyV can infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS), where it causes several encephalopathies of high morbidity and mortality. JCPyV-induced progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a devastating demyelinating brain disease, was an AIDS-defining disease pre-antiretroviral therapy that has “reemerged” as a complication of immunomodulating and chemotherapeutic agents. No effective anti-polyomavirus therapeutics are currently available. How depressed immune status sets the stage for JCPyV resurgence in the urinary tract, how the virus evades pre-existing antiviral antibodies to become viremic, and where/how it enters the CNS are incompletely understood. Addressing these questions requires a tractable animal model of JCPyV CNS infection. Although no animal model can replicate all aspects of any human disease, mouse polyomavirus (MuPyV) in mice and JCPyV in humans share key features of peripheral and CNS infection and antiviral immunity. In this review, we will discuss evidence suggesting how JCPyV migrates from the periphery to the CNS, innate and adaptive immune responses to polyomavirus infection, and how the MuPyV-mouse model is providing insights into the pathogenesis of JCPyV CNS disease.

Recent advances in understanding the Planck scale have led to a new, straightforward method for quantizing the general theory of relativity. This results in a theory of gravity that predicts the same outcomes as general relativity with greater fundamental comprehension connected directly to the Planck scale.

this paper we present approaches for generating random numbers along with potential applications. Rather than trying to provide extensive coverage of several techniques or algorithms that have appeared in the scientific literature, we focus on some representative approaches presenting their workings and properties in detail. Our goal is to delineate their strengths and weaknesses as well as their potential application domains so as the reader can judge what would be the best approach for the application in hand, possibly a combination of the available approaches. For instance, a physical source of randomness can be used for the initial seed, then suitable preprocessing can enhance its randomness and then the output of the preprocessing can feed different types of generators, e.g. a linear congruential generator, a cryptographically secure one and one based on the combination of one way hash functions and shared key cryptoalgorithms in various modes of operation. Then, if desired, the outputs of the different generators can be combined giving the final random sequence. Moreover, we present a set of practical randomness tests which can be applied on the outputs of random number generators in order to assess their randomness characteristics. In order to demonstrate the importance of unpredictable random sequences, we present an application of cryptographically secure generators in domains where unpredictability is one of the major requirements, i.e. eLotteries and cryptographic key generation.

The growing concerns on sustainability urge insurance companies to incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies in order to remain competitive. As all dimensions of sustainability involve taxation, it is important to establish if this association reflects on financial performance. Our analysis of worldwide property and casualty (P&C) insurers during 2013-2022 reveals that high ESG insurers pay more taxes, while are less profitable compared to low ESG insurers. This pattern is confirmed using instrumental variable regressions and simultaneous equations systems. We argue that sustainable insurers are less tempted to avoid taxes, and don't shift their tax burdens on policyholders and investors. However, the interplay between taxes and sustainability seems to harm insurers' profitability, potentially sorting negative consequences on investment and economic growth. This is an important insight for tax authorities and insurance managers.

For several millennia, doctors and healers used therapeutic ingredients extracted from minerals, plants, and animals. Among the active remedies derived from animals, the placenta was among the most popular ones. The use of placenta-based remedies has retained its significance in our time. The placenta-based therapeutics are indicated for stimulating immunity, wound healing, reduction of skin pigmentation, treatment of various patients suffering from gynecological disorders, etc. By the beginning of the 21st century, the majority of specific functions and chemical ingredients of the placenta were identified and described. However, only now active proteins and peptides with molecular weight of about ten kDa were revealed. Presumably, they play an essential role during the therapeutic application of placental extract. Hopefully, this discovery will start a new era in the research and clinical application of organotherapeutic remedies, including placenta.

Thimerosal (TmHg) has been used in thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCV) and various med-icines, although to our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating its effects on microglia. Microglia are a crucial glial component that have important functions in inflammatory diseases, particularly in the Central Nervous System (CNS). They are also considered a key player in neurotoxicity. Furthermore, microglia are responsible for the activation of immune responses and plays an essential role for the maintenance of brain homeostasis. Microglial response is important for the maintenance of CNS immune regulation. Moreover, microglia cells partici-pate in the removal of cellular debris and pathogens, playing an important role as neuroprotectants in several CNS diseases, including neurodegeneration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of TmHg and its metabolite ethylmercury (EtHg) on microglial cells. Our novel findings demonstrated that microglia are more sensitive to TmHg than to EtHg with EC50 1.4 ± 0.4 μM and 2.3± 0.9 μM for 24h, respectively. The mercury compounds also induced the transcription of pro-inflammatory markers s such as IL-1β; iNOS, and to a lesser extent TNF-α expression. Likewise, the increase in Beclin-1 expression - a protein associated to autophagy - and the number of senescent cells indicate that microglia are activated by TmHg and EtHg. The effects of thimerosal may have different consequences depending on the health status and susceptibility of the populations.

Dyes, as indigo carmine have become indispensable to modern life being widely used in food, textile, pharmaceutical, medicine and cosmetic industries. Although indigo carmine is considered toxic and presents many adverse effects, it is heavily used in the food industry because the blue pigment is difficult to obtain from natural sources and is one of the most used dyes in the textile industry, especially for dyeing denim. Also, indigo carmine is one of the dyes used in medicine as diagnostic agent because it has impressive applicability in terms of diagnostic methods and surgical procedures. In the literature it is reported that indigo carmine is toxic for humans and can cause various pathologies, such as hypertension, hypotension, skin irritations, corneal and conjunctival disorders or gastrointestinal disorders. In this review, we discuss the structure and properties of indigo carmine, its use in various industries and medicine, the adverse effects of its ingestion, injection or skin contact, the effects on environmental pollution and its toxicity testing.

Geothermal energy is a weather-independent, permanently available renewable energy source. In addition to producing heat and electricity, geothermal energy can be used to extract critical raw materials dissolved in the heat-carrying fluid. Researchers working on the frontiers of geothermal energy utilisation may be able to transform ultra-deep metallic mineral formations into “orebody-Enhanced Geothermal Systems”. In the planned technology, the metal-containing geological formation would be manipulated in such a way that cogeneration of energy and metals is possible and can be optimised in the future according to market needs. The potential of geothermal energy for sustainable mineral extraction and energy production aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This new technology could substantially decrease Europe’s dependency on importing critical metallic minerals (such as lithium and tungsten) and energy; over and above, it has a small environmental footprint, including very low carbon emissions

The pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is a major cause of fungal meningitis in humans. As with other melanotic microorganisms associated with human diseases, the cell wall-associated melanin of C. neoformans is a major virulence factor that contributes to its ability to evade host immune responses. The levels of melanin substrate and the regulation of melanin formation could be influenced by the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Moreover, recent studies show that C. neoformans infection causes dysbiosis in the human gut microbiome. In this review, we discuss the potential association between cryptococcal meningitis and the gut microbiome. Additionally, we emphasize the promising prospects of targeting the gut microbiome as a means of diagnosing and treating this debilitating disease.

Unlike trees, shrubs (i.e., multiple-stemmed woody plants) do not need evenly spaced large diameter structural roots and thus can spread further per unit belowground biomass. We therefore hypothesized that compared to trees, shrubs respond more to asymmetric distributions of nutrients and reach nutrient-rich patches of soil faster and with less below-ground biomass. To test these hypotheses we planted individual seedlings of shrubs (Cornus racemosa, Rhus glabra, and Viburnum dentatum) and trees (Acer rubrum, Betula populifera, and Fraxinus americana) in the centers of sand-filled rectangular boxes. In one direction we created stepwise gradients of increasing soil nutrients with slow-release fertilizer; in the other direction no fertilizer was added. Seedlings were harvested when their first root reached the plexiglass-covered fertilized end of their box; time taken as well as above- and below-ground biomass by nutrient segment were determined. There were no consistent differences between the shrubs and trees in belowground architectural plasticity (= ratio of biomass in fertilized and unfertilized volumes of soil) or in the rate and efficiency of lateral growth. Interspecific variation appeared more related to edaphic characteristics of the native habitats than to growth form. The fastest and most efficient roots were produced by the shrub (R. glabra) and the tree (B. populifolia) that are characteristic of poor soils. Root foraging by R. glabra was also facilitated by rapid rhizomatous expansion. The tested shrubs and trees did not consistently differ in nutrient foraging efficiencies or rates but further study is warranted with larger plants and more species.

This essay critically discusses the integration of queer theory into human geography while emphasizing its ties to the principles of traditional geography. The need for a separate sub-discipline called queer geography is questioned. At the same time, legitimate concerns about possible departures from the fundamental goals of geography and the risks of anachronistic interpretations in applying modern concepts to historical landscapes are acknowledged. In this discourse, we strongly advocate for values such as freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and international human rights. It is important to emphasize that it is not the intent of this essay to denigrate campaigns for feminism or equality or to disparage the scholarship that emerges from the application of queer theory. On the contrary, we recognize the emergence of gender theories out of a need to advance social justice approaches. We believe that traditional human geography, itself, is capable of comprehensively examining space, time, and the complexity of human experience and offering workable solutions within its established framework. We therefore believe that the inclusion of queer theory can be harmoniously integrated into the contours of human geography, eliminating the need for a separate sub-discipline while preserving the integrity and purpose of the discipline.

Psoriasis is considered an immune-mediated disease involving the innate and adaptative immune system triggered by environmental risk factors in genetically susceptible individuals. However, its physiopathology is not fully understood yet. Recent technological advances, specially genome and epigenome-wide studies, have allowed a more sensitive study of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, allowing an enhanced understanding of its physiopathology and facilitating the development of new drugs. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of psoriasis.

Contrary to popular belief, we have known for many years that the endometrium is not a sterile environment and is considered to be a low-biomass milieu compared to the vagina. Numerous trials and studies have attempted to establish a valid sampling method and assess its physiological composition, but no consensus has been reached. Many factors such as ethnicity, age and inflammation, can influence the microbiome. Moreover, it possesses a higher alpha-diversity and therefore contains more diverse bacteria than the vagina. For instance, Lactobacillus has been shown to be a predominant genus in the vaginal microbiome of healthy women. Consequently, even if a majority of scientists postulate that a predominance of Lactobacillus inside the uterus improves reproductive outcomes, vaginal contamination by these bacteria during sampling cannot be ruled out. Certain pathologies, such as chronic endometritis, have been identified as inflammation perpetrators that hinder the embryo implantation process. This pro-inflammatory climate created by dysbiosis of the endometrial microbiota could induce secondary inflammatory mediators via Toll-like receptors, creating an environment conducive to the development of endometriosis and even promoting carcinogenesis. However, studies to this day have focused on small populations. In addition, there is no clearly defined healthy uterine composition yet. At most, only a few taxa have been identified as pathogenic. As sampling and analysis methods become increasingly precise, we can expect the endometrial microbiota to be incorporated into future diagnostic tools and treatments for women’s health.

While DNA serves as the fundamental genetic blueprint for an organism, it is not a static entity. Gene expression, the process by which genetic information is utilized to create functional products like proteins, can be modulated by a diverse range of environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms, encompassing DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNAs, play a pivotal role in mediating the intricate interplay between the environment and gene expression. Intriguingly, alterations in the epigenome have the potential to be inherited across generations. Ethanol abuse poses significant health issues worldwide. Ethanol has the capability to induce changes in the epigenome, which can be inherited by offspring, thus impacting them even in the absence of direct ethanol exposure. This review article reviewed the alterations caused by ethanol on the epigenome. We thoroughly gathered all relevant papers investigating the behavioral and molecular consequences of parental ethanol exposure on their offspring. In conclusion, the comprehensive analysis of the literature supports the notion that ethanol exposure induces lasting epigenetic alterations, which can influence the behavior and health of future generations. This knowledge emphasizes the significance of addressing the potential transgenerational effects of ethanol and highlights the importance of preventive measures to minimize the adverse impact on offspring.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the second most prevalent brain tumor in children. Although the current cure rate stands at approximately 70%, the existing treatments that involve a combination of radio- and chemotherapy are highly detrimental to the patients’ quality of life. These aggressive therapies often result in a significant reduction in the overall well-being of the patients. Moreover, the most aggressive forms of MB frequently relapse, leading to a fatal outcome in a majority of cases. However, MB are highly vascularized, and both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, are believed to play crucial roles in tumor development and spread. In this context, our objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current research progress in elucidating the functions of these two pathways. Specifically, we will focus on the role and mechanism of action of VEGFC, one of the key players in lymphangiogenesis.

There is no method of predicting the price of an option other than hedging strategies such as the binomial hedging strategy, the Black-Scholes hedging strategy and others. The price of an option is defined to be equal to the amount the seller needs to implement a hedging strategy. We will study these two basic hedging strategies in terms of their feasibility and we will see that the Black-Scholes hedging strategy is not feasible because this strategy demands instantaneously rebuilding the replicating portfolio. Consequently, the real world prices of the options are not relevant at all with the Black-Scholes hedging strategy! We will suitably redefine the binomial hedging strategy so that it will be practically useful and present other feasible and generally more effective hedging strategies with some of them are practically useful for options with no tradable underlying assets. Finally, we will mention some open questions related to the above.

Diabetes and diabetes-induced micro and macrovascular complications are major causes of healthcare problems. The extracellular vesicles are produced by all cells from all organisms. They are shown to have properties of the producer cells and also reflect the host physiology and pathology. Since the EVs represent the cellular state they are excellent biomarkers. In this review, we will focus on the EVs produced by the Neuro Vascular Unit cells of the eye as well as the extraocular cells in the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy. A brief account of the use of these nanovesicles in personalised medicine is also given.

The classical Einstein’s Field Equation has been derived previously by demanding that the Clausius relation dS = δQ/T holds. In this letter, we show that the semiclassical Einstein’s Field Equation can be recovered using the generalized entropy Sgen by using the non-equilibrium thermodynamics where the Clausius relation is replaced by the entropy balance relation dS = δQ/T +diS, where diS is some internal entropy. Moreover, since the quantum fields violate the classical focusing, we, therefore, have to use quantum focusing in this case. Using then Jacobson’s idea of thermodynamics of spacetime we recover the semiclassical equation of motion. We, therefore, in a sense also show the validity of the semiclassical approximation, a crucial approach for establishing a number of important ideas such as the Hawking effect.

We revise the definition of graph operations in [WDK2018] and adapt correspondingly the construction of graph term algebras. As a first contribution to a prospective research field Universal Graph Algebra, we generalize some basic concepts and results from algebras to graph algebras. To tackle this generalization task, we revise and reformulate traditional set-theoretic definitions, constructions and proofs in Universal Algebra by means of more category-theoretic concepts and constructions. Especially, we generalize the concept generated subalgebra and prove that all monomorphic homomorphisms between graph algebras are regular. Derived graph operations are the other main topic. After an in depth analysis of terms as representations of derived operations in traditional algebras, we identify three basic mechanisms to construct new graph operations out of given ones: parallel composition, instantiation, and sequential composition. As a counterpart of terms, we introduce graph operation expressions with a structure as close as possible to the structure of terms. We show that the three mechanisms allow us to construct for any graph operation expression a corresponding derived graph operation in any graph algebra.

Within Data Science scenario both Machine Learning (ML) and Neural Networks (NNs) are widely used for a plethora of applications, spanning from engineering to biology, from finance to medicine. Meanwhile, the pure analytical analysis of related models used often lacks of detailed description. Trying to close this gap, during recent years the theory of Optimal Transport start becoming more a more popular within the Data Science arena, since it allows for efficient and scalable solutions about what can be broadly referred as Artificial Intelligence tasks, particularly by using approximate solvers through linear programming. More precisely, let us recall that both in ML and statistics, minimizing an objective function over the space of probability measures is fundamental problem. Along this line, the training of a Neural Network through Stochastic Gradient Descent has been shown to be equivalent to a gradient flow in Wasserstein space. Moreover, in many applications, it is crucial to consider the causal structure of the data generating process. In view of providing a possibly unifying as well as efficient approach to latter questions, we consider the Adapted Optimal Transport (AOT) method which allows to incorporate causality constraints into the optimization of the Wasserstein distance. AOT is particularly useful when dealing with laws of stochastic processes, being exploitable to encode an adapted (non-anticipative) constraint into the allocation of mass of the classical OT problem. Accordingly, we provide an in depth exploration of the connections between supervised learning and AOT, providing theoretical insights into the benefits of including causality constraints for developing more robust, scalable and accurate algorithms, while maintainig their computational efforts at minimum possible levels.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a primary inherited immunodeficiency that could be fatal, usually due to opportunistic infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa if left untreated. Opportunistic infections are the most common presentation of SCID these include viral, fungal, or intracellular bacteria, and infection should prompt immunological investigation. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive approach to the microrganisms associated with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and its management. The authors described SCID as a syndrome and summarized the different microorganisms that affect children and how they are managed.

Extensive evidence indicates that activation of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), an ATP-gated ion channel highly expressed in immune and brain cells, is strictly associated with the release of extracellular vesicles. Through this process, P2X7R-expressing cells regulate non-classical protein secretion and transfer bioactive components to other cells, including misfolded proteins, participating in inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize and discuss the studies addressing the impact of P2X7R activation on extracellular vesicle release and their activities.

We study the Kelvinons: monopole ring solutions to the Euler equations, regularized as the Burgers vortex in the viscous core. There is finite anomalous dissipation in the inviscid limit. However, in the anomalous Hamiltonian, some terms are growing as logarithms of Reynolds number; these terms come from the core of the Burgers vortex. In our theory, the turbulent multifractal phenomenon is similar to asymptotic freedom in QCD, with these logarithmic terms summed up by an RG equation. The small effective coupling does not imply small velocity; on the contrary, velocity is large compared to its fluctuations, which opens the way for a quantitative theory. In the leading order in the perturbation theory in this effective coupling constant, we compute running multifractal dimensions for high moments of velocity circulation, in good agreement with the data for quantum Turbulence and available data for classical Turbulence. The logarithmic dependence of fractal dimensions on the loop size comes from the running coupling in anomalous dimensions. This slow logarithmic drift of fractal dimensions would be barely observable at Reynolds numbers achievable at modern DNS.

The Chromogranin A (CgA)-derived peptide Catestatin (CST: hCgA352-372) is highly conserved (>90% in 90% species) in mammalian species. The highest-evolved primates show 58.8% similarity with the lowest-evolved monotremes. CST was initially identified as a physiological brake in catecholamine secretion by inhibiting nicotinic-cholinergic signaling. CST also inhibits desensitization of catecholamine secretion, indicating that CST can act both as a cholinergic antagonist (short-term) and as a cholinergic agonist (long-term). The long-term effect sustains catecholamine secretion during stressful situations. CST is now established as a pleiotropic hormone: it affects the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and cardiac contractility, enhancing baroreflex sensitivity, increasing heart rate variability, and promoting angiogenesis; and it increases insulin sensitivity by reducing inflammation, inhibiting hepatic glucose production, attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inducing glycogen production. The present review will highlight the important direct and indirect effects of CST, CST1-15 (aka cateslytin), D-CST1-15 (where L-amino acids were changed to D-amino acids), and human variants of CST (Gly364Ser-CST and Pro370Leu-CST) on microbial growth inhibition and their potential as therapy for antibiotic-resistant pathogenic microbes.

Mangrove forests, which are essential for the maintenance of terrestrial and marine biodiversity on tropical coasts and constitute the main blue-carbon ecosystems for the mitigation of global warming, are among the world’s most threatened ecosystems. Mangrove conservation can greatly benefit from paleoecological and evolutionary studies, as past analogs documenting the responses of these ecosystems to environmental drivers such as climate change, sea level shifts and anthropogenic pressure. A database (CARMA) encompassing nearly all studies on mangroves from the Caribbean region, one of the main mangrove biodiversity hotspots, and their response to past environmental shifts has recently been assembled and analyzed. The dataset contains over 140 sites and ranges from the Late Cretaceous to the present. The Caribbean was the cradle of Neotropical mangroves, where they emerged in the Middle Eocene (~50 million years ago; Ma). A major evolutionary turnover occurred in the Eocene/Oligocene transition (34 Ma) that set the bases for the shaping of modern-like mangroves. However, the diversification of these communities leading to their extant composition did not occur until the Pliocene (~5 Ma). The Pleistocene (the last 2.6 Ma) glacial-interglacial cycles caused spatial and compositional reorganization with no further evolution. Human pressure on Caribbean mangroves increased in the Middle Holocene (~6000 years ago), when pre-Columbian societies began to clear these forests for cultivation. In recent decades, deforestation has significantly reduced Caribbean mangrove cover and it has been estimated that, if urgent and effective conservation actions are not undertaken, these 50 million-year-old ecosystems might disappear in a few centuries. A number of specific conservation and restoration applications based on the results of paleoecological and evolutionary studies are suggested.

This study is centred on Insecurity and Electoral Administration in Nigeria. Elections are the leading mechanism for selecting governments and a cardinal feature of democratisation. The quest for fair representation, development, good governance, inclusiveness and a true sense of belonging has been the driving force for election. The conduct of credible elections remains one of the thorny and fundamental issues in a democracy. The trajectory of electoral administration in Nigeria is long and tortuous; it precedes independence and is punctuated by the elite's scheming and cunning, electoral fraud, gimmicks and violence. Nigeria has had its fair share of insecurity from diverse sources such as banditry, insurgency, recurring violent religious crises, ethnic, resource and poverty-induced militancy, and crises occasioned by the clamour for self-determination. This has left the electoral management body in a quandary and has undoubtedly imperilled the administration of elections in Nigeria and equally accentuated the temerity for a holistic approach in reversing the trend and engendering the right atmosphere for the administration of elections. This study depends mainly on secondary sources and uses qualitative means in data analysis. It is revealed in this study that violence and various degrees of interruptions have taken the front burner in the democratisation process and are one of the dangerous dimensions in electoral administration; electoral politics remains one of the remarkable principal bases of clashes, political failure and social dislocation, Elections and their administration are some of the most complicated, time-sensitive activities undertaken by any country which will be exacerbated by insecurity. Democratic elections are successful when the electorate can make informed decisions; when faith in the process is sustained; when fraud is disincentivised, detected and punished. When insecurity is whittled down, mitigated or eradicated. The need for electoral security can never be overemphasised.

—The number of ATMs in various countries is increasing steadily and rapidly with the number of users increasing very widely. On the other hand, banks have become more interested in finding the best procedures to combat ATM crimes to ensure the safety and security of their customers and other cardholders. This has become an excellent target for some criminals or fraudsters, despite the limited amounts that can be withdrawn from these devices, given a maximum daily limit. We aim at implementing this system inside bank ATMs in order to detect objects like guns, hammers, and knives. Once the suspicious objects and actions are detected, we perform facial recognition to identify whether the suspect is a repeating offender. We use object, face, and action recognition algorithms to achieve our objective. Results showed that using our proposed algorithm is efficient in detecting threatening objects

Abstract: The objective of Peter Chew Triangle Diagram is to clearly illustrate the topic solution of triangle and provide a complete design for the knowledge of AI age. Peter Chew's triangle diagram will suggest a better single rule that allows us to solve any problem of topic solution of triangle simple , directly and more accurately. There are two important rules for solving the topic solution of triangle today [1,2], namely the sine rule and the cosine rule. The sine rule is used to find a non-included angle when are given two sides and a non-included angle or the opposite side angle given when are given two angles and one side. The cosine rule normally is used to find the included angle when are given three sides or the third side when are given two sides and the included angle. Peter Chew Method[3] allow us to find the third side simple and directly when given two sides and a non-included angle. Peter Chew rule [4] allow us to find a non included angle simple, directly and more accurately when given 2 sides and an included angle. Aply Peter Chew Triangle Diagram to Education 4.0 Calculator , Peter Chew Triangle Diagram Calculator allows the Calculator to solve any problems in the topic solution of triangle simple, directly and more accurate. This can be effective in increasing students' interest in using technology while learning mathematics and will help in the learning of mathematics, especially when similar covid-19 issues arise in the future.

Gauss quadrature integral approximation is extended to include integrals with a measure consisting of a continuous as well as a discrete component. That is, we give an approximation for the integral of a function plus its sum over a discrete weighted set.

The purpose of this article is to address two questions that will aid researchers in understanding FinTech’s inception, development, and potential impact on the stability of the financial system. First, it explains why financial technology is a current phenomenon. While many of the underlying technology for FinTech breakthroughs have been around for some time, it is only recently that financial institutions and entrepreneurs have begun to apply them to financial goods and services. Supply and demand factors in "conventional" financial innovation have been studied, and they have been found to converge, leading to a high rate of innovation. And second, this article explains why FinTech is being covered in greater depth than other types of innovation. This study introduces the concept of "depth" of innovation as a means of answering this question. The more fundamental the innovation, the more it will affect the financial sector. In this paper, we demonstrate that many recent developments in the field of financial technology (FinTech) are truly revolutionary advances, with far-reaching implications for the financial services industry. In addition to the benefits of more adaptability, higher transformational potential might bring increased risk to economic security.

Background: Senescence is a cellular ageing process in all multicellular organisms. It is characterized by a decline in cellular functions and proliferation, resulting in increased cellular damage and death. This condition plays an essential role in the ageing process and significantly contributes to the development of age-related complications. On the other hand, ferroptosis is a systemic cell death characterized by excessive iron accumulation followed by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative stress is a common trigger of this condition and may be induced by various factors such as toxins, drugs, and inflammation. Ferroptosis is linked to numerous illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Relevance of these conditions to ageing and disease: Senescence is believed to contribute to the decline in tissue and organ function that occurs with ageing. It has also been linked to the development of age-related pathologies, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. In particular, senescent cells have been shown to produce inflammatory cytokines and other pro-inflammatory molecules that can contribute to these conditions. On the other hand, ferroptosis has been linked to the development of various health disorders, including neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and cancer [1]. It is known to play a role in developing these diseases by promoting the death of damaged or diseased cells and contributing to the inflammation often associated with them. Both senescence and ferroptosis are complex processes that are still not fully understood. Further research is needed to thoroughly understand the role of these processes in ageing and disease, and to identify potential interventions to target these processes to prevent or treat age-related conditions. Objectives: This systematic review aims to assess the potential mechanisms underlying the link connecting senescence, ferroptosis, ageing, and disease.

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, his note as regards descent with modification, added greatly to the knowledge that we already possess of how species have survived down the ages. It is evident that this does not provide the necessary knowledge about the origin of the life on earth. However, it provides remarkable evidence about how life has survived. Looking fundamentally at the cellular construct of organisms, we arrive at the fact that cells, both unicellular and multicellular, have organelles that enable them communicate with one another. This ability for living organisms, down to the lowest - cellular life - to communicate is what I refer to as Biological interaction. It is necessary that we articulate more about this concept and see how this all comes to bear as regards Homeostasis. In reference to the latter, it is to be made known that every living organism is also intrinsically aimed towards a projected linear motion in its time riddled existence. This is to say that every living organism operates on an foundational process, amongst others, known as Homeostasis. We understand this term to mean balance that the living system strives to maintain. However etymologically speaking it means staying the same. How has this homeostatic process added to the fostering of life via biological interaction? How is biological interaction fundamental to the theory of evolution?

Currently, algae arouse a growing interest in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic area due to the fact that they have a great diversity of bioactive compounds with the potential for pharmacological, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications. Many of these bioactive compounds are secondary metabolites whose amounts in the algae vary with varying environmental conditions. Free radicals and other active oxygen derivatives are recognized as a natural by-product of aerobic metabolism. However, reactive oxygen species directly participate in mechanisms related to various pathological states such as cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, among others. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease resulting from changes in glucose metabolism and/or deficient production/action of insulin. This review has as its main objective to reveal the potential antioxidant and antidiabetic capacity of algae extracts.

Viroids are known the smallest plant pathogens, and although their genome sequences do not encode proteins, they can cause disease in economically important crops. In order to control viroid diseases and mitigate their damage, genetic resources used for breeding of the viroid-resistant crop have been searched, but the practical resistant trait has not been found in almost all viroid-crop combinations, as well as the tolerant trait. Due to the difficulty in exploiting naturally occurring resistance or tolerance, various effective strategies have been devised to control viroid diseases using non-transforming or transforming techniques. Meanwhile, extensive findings related to viroid resistance and tolerance may lead to confer resistance or tolerance to viroid infection by combining with the recently emerged new technologies (e.g., spray-induced gene silencing and genome-editing technologies), which are believed to be more environmentally viable and acceptable to the general public than previously reported approaches. In particular, some genome-modified crops produced by the latter technology are already on the market. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the current status about investigation of naturally occurring genetic traits for viroid resistance and tolerance, accumulating knowledge about host factors involved in viroid pathogenicity, and various basic technologies developed to try to possible viroid disease control strategies. Furthermore, we discuss prospects and challenges for the achievement of more effective, practical, and sustainable disease control of viroid.

This paper asserts that the falsity of Goldbach Conjecture results in the breakdown of Trichotomy Law. Assuming that Goldbach Conjecture breaks down at an even integer 2n, where n ≥ 3, we note that the differences of 2n with the odd primes in the interval (1, n) are composite integers. We form a product δ of the collection of the least prime factors of these composite integers. We show that for a base case this product breaks Trichotomy Law. With the inductive hypothesis that such is the case with 2n, we prove that for all even integers the breakdown of Goldbach Conjecture entails the breakdown of Trichotomy Law.

The extremely high rotation of some SMBHs is the origin of their relativistic rotational energy that results in their relativistic mass. Relativistic mass creates their relativistic gravity which is a partial answer to the missing dark matter.

In this article we investigate the determinants of marketing or organizational innovators in Europe for 36 countries in the period 2010-2019. We have used data from the European Innovation Scoreboard-EIS of the European Commission. We perform different econometric models i.e. Dynamic Panel, Pooled OLS, Panel Data with Fixed Effects, Panel Data with Random Effects, WLS. Results show that the level of marketing or organizational innovators in positively associated, among others variables to “Innovation Index”, “Innovators” and “Knowledge Intensive Service Exports”, while is negatively associated with “Sales Impacts”, “Foreign Controlled Enterprises Share of Value Added” and “Government procurement of advanced technology products”.

The Sun is a huge gaseous body. However, we cannot observe events in the inner Sun due to the convection zone opacity according to previous models. Therefore, the flares originate from the front surface of the Sun. But the current study relied on the distance distribution of X-Ray solar flares, which concluded that the inner layers have much lower opacity than expected. It is even less than what was expected by the latest models based on helioseismology. This means that the flares may originate from the solar interior or solar core, and perhaps from the backside surface, and even appear to us from the frontside surface. Which the re-estimate and correct the currently listed solar flare’s location is needed. Additionally, the flare’s distance illustrations the solar interior layers and appears their boundaries from the core to the photosphere. This method allows us to monitor the variation of the core’s radius with time. The model of the flare’s distance has been developed in current study. But this needs to redevelopment after re-estimating the solar flares locations.