Recent technical advances in the stem cell field have enabled the in vitro generation of complex structures resembling whole organs termed organoids. Most of these approaches employ culture systems that allow stem cell-derived or tissue progenitor cells to self-organize into three-dimensional (3D)-structures. Since organoids can be grown from various species, organs and from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, they create significant prospects for modelling development and diseases, for toxicology and drug discovery studies, and in the field of regenerative medicine. Here, we report on intestinal stem cells, organoid culture, organoid disease modeling, transplantation, current and future uses of this exciting new insight model to veterinary medicine field.

Osteoporosis is a bone condition where bones become weaker, leading to fractures, especially in older adults and postmenopausal women. Bioceramics for bone regeneration have indeed emerged as a promising solution for conditions like osteoporosis. Choosing the right bioceramic depends on how quickly it dissolves, how strong it is, and whether the body will react to it. Studies show that bioceramics can help bones grow back by activating (bone morphogenetic protein) BMP, (mitogen-activated protein kinase) MAPK, and Wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin pathways in the body when combined with stem cells, drugs, and supports. However, bioceramics have some problems like not being flexible enough and being prone to breaking, as well as difficulties in growing stem cells and finding the right supports for different bone types. While there has been progress in improving bioceramics for bone healing, we need to keep looking for new ideas from other areas of medicine to keep improving them. This review aims to add to the expanding field of scientific research by offering a detailed look at how bioceramics and growth factors contribute to bone regeneration. Ultimately, this knowledge will help in creating new types of bioceramics that can improve bone regrowth, providing new treatment options for people with bone diseases.

Background; Cell-released extracellular vesicles (EVs) acting as 'metabolically and proteolytically active machines,' show potential in metabolomic and proteomic analysis of serum EVs. Despite diverse challenges, post-isolation omics characterization EVs offers crucial insights for effective analysis; (2) Methods: The research, involved children with Congenital Zika Syndrome, utilizing mass spectrometry for proteomics and GC-MS for metabolite identification. Vesicles were isolated using Izon qEV columns, quantified, and characterized by NTA and TEM. Data analysis employed Cytoescape/String and MetaboAnalyst, revealing variations in metabolic and proteomic profiles among groups through PCA and volcano plots. Proteins and Metabolite set enrichment analysis provided biologically meaningful patterns to enriched metabolites; (3) Results: Using molecular exclusion chromatography, the EVs were characterized, revealing size variations. Protein analysis identified 13 significantly altered proteins, including upregulated (e.g., AOM8Q6 - IGLC7) and downregulated (e.g., Q8TD86 - CALML6) ones. Metabolite analysis indicated involvement in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and suggested a role in Angiotensin inhibition in CZS+. Upstream of mTOR, Akt is the central signaling molecule in the PI3K pathway and plays critical roles in brain development as well as synaptic plasticity important for Zika Virus. The study provides insights into molecular mechanisms associated with CZS; (4) Conclusions: The study pinpointed valuable possible biomarkers, specifically proteins and metabolites, in Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. It stresses the necessity for broader investigations with advanced techniques to uncover molecular targets, potentially advancing pharmacological strategies.

In the European Union, according to the second basic requirement for construction works of Regulation (EU) n. 305/2011, cables permanently installed in residential and public buildings must be classified in terms of reaction to fire, smoke production, flaming droplets, and acidity. The classification is harmonized; nevertheless, every European Union country decides what kind of classification a cable must have to be installed in a specific location, depending on its fire risk, following the assumption that the higher the fire risk of the area, the higher the fire performance of the cable. According to Regulation (EU) n. 305/2011, the acidity is indirectly assessed by performing EN 60754-2, giving an additional class based on pH and conductivity measurements. Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is one of the gases PVC cables release when they burn. In some applications out of the scope of the Regulation, acid scavengers are commonly used in special-grade PVC compounds to reduce the emission of acidic smoke. In this first part of the paper, the European rules on smoke acidity are presented, a review of the literature on HCl scavenging is performed, and an introduction on HCl scavenging at high temperatures is outlined. The paper shows how different experimental conditions and geometries of the test apparatuses used for assessing the smoke acidity can affect the emission of HCl in the gas phase and what critical issues affect the efficiency of acid scavengers at high temperatures in trapping HCl.

Crop production has become a priority issue in the last few years due to the exponential growth of the world population and the need to substitute chemical fertilizers. This last matter is under the spotlight to achieve a more sustainable approach in a cost-effective way. Biostimulants have gained attention as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Although they are not considered fertilisers as inputs of nutrients, they stimulate plants’ nutrition and tolerance to stress, among other characteristics. Amino acid-based biostimulants have been found to be effective in literature. This review focuses on the effectiveness of biostimulants, their presence in the global market, and mainly in their production with fish by-products as a source, using enzymatic hydrolysis and autolysis, focusing especially on fish viscera, their possibilities in the agricultural sector and their availability in Europe for possible opportunities. Fish viscera protein hydrolysates for biostimulant production seems a feasible alternative to fishmeal production in Europe, mainly in areas located far away from fishmeal plants.

Parental labour migration, either one or both parents, has been associated with various challenges among left-behind children (LBC). However, there is a limited understanding of the LBC’s own views and experiences of social and mental wellbeing and how the new daily life circumstances they encounter following their parents’ migration impact them. This study aimed to understand the influence of parental migration and its aftermath on the social and mental wellbeing of children and adolescents (referred to as LBC) in two rural districts in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative design, data were collected through individual in-depth interviews with LBC (n=24) aged 14 to 18 years, recruited using the snowball sampling technique. Data were thematically analysed, guided by a qualitative data analysis framework. The findings showed that parental migration negatively impacted the social wellbeing of LBC. This impact was reflected in negative labelling from friends and changes in familial roles which influenced their social interactions and activities with peers. Parental migration also caused challenges to the mental wellbeing of LBC. These manifested in the LBC experiencing fractured emotional bonds, leading to negative emotions, including stress, anxiety, sadness, depression, frustration, loss of motivation, and self-imposed isolation, which were associated with their parents’ migration and abrupt disruptions in parent-child communication. The transition to new life situations with caregivers after parental migration and the dynamics within the caregivers’ households were additional factors that detrimentally affected their mental well-being. Unmet basic needs and educational needs due to financial hardships faced by mothers and caregivers, further exacerbated mental health challenges for the children. The findings indicate the importance and improvement of policies and interventions in Indonesia (e.g., counselling services, non-cash food assistance, family hope program, direct cash assistance) that cover and address the diverse needs of mothers or caregivers and the LBC.

Background/Objectives: Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is an innovative approach for the targeted treatment of cancer. In PIT, photosensitizer dyes are conjugated to tumor-specific antibodies for targeted delivery into cancer cells. Upon irradiation with visible light, the photosensitizer dye is activated and induces cancer specific cell death. In the present study, we describe the PIT of prostate cancer as novel therapeutic option for the targeted treatment of localized prostate cancer. Methods: We conjugated the new silicon phthalocyanine dye, WB692-CB2, to recombinant cysteine-modified anti-CD44 and EpCAM antibodies via a maleimide linker and tested the antibody dye conjugates for PIT on prostate cancer (PC) and prostate cancer stem cell (PCSC)-like cells. Results: The anti-CD44 and anti-EpCAM antibody dye conjugates showed specific binding and high cytotoxicity against PC and PCSC-like cells following irradiation with red light. Combinatorial treatment with both conjugates led to enhanced cytotoxic effects. Conclusions: WB692-CB2-based PIT can serve as an effective focal therapy, preserving the prostate gland, and minimizing side effects. It can be employed during radical prostatectomy (RP) to treat residual tumor cells or lymph node metastases in areas where further surgical intervention is not feasible. Utilizing multiple conjugates against antigens expressed on differentiated PC and PCSC-like cells, such as CD44 and EpCAM, could be an effective method to eradicate residual cancer cells in heterogeneous tumors. This approach could lead to the prevention of local recurrence after RP and thus to the complete cure of PC patients.

Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea DC.) is a widely spread plant in Europe and North America. In ethnomedicine, it is well known for its anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic activity. The aim of the research was to develop novel methods of M. discoidea herb complex processing for creating the essential oil and the dry extracts and to investigate their phytochemical composition. Moreo-ver, the molecular docking of main substances and in vivo their soporific and analgesic activity were studied. The essential oil and two dry extracts from M. discoidea were prepared. Total 16 phenolic compounds (7 flavonoids, 7 hydroxycinnamic, 2 phenolic acids) in the dry extracts were identified by means of UPLC-MS/MS. In the essential oil 9 main terpenoids were identified by gas chromatography (GC). We showed that the phenolics extraction from the present herb was successful by using 70% ethanol in a triple extraction and in the range of 1:14-1:16. The in-vivo studies with rodents showed analgesic activity of M. discoidea extracts and the improvements in the sleep of animals. The dry extracts of M. discoidea herb did not show any toxicity. The molecular docking showed the high probability of COX-1,2 inhibition and NMDA receptor antagonism induced by the extracts.

Enteric infections are a major public health concern. Detecting risk areas requires a strong surveillance system for pathogenic viruses in possible sources such as wastewater. To build an environmental surveillance system, we aimed to identify group A rotavirus (RVA) and human adenovirus (HAdV) in wastewater. We also focused on three different methods of viral concentration to determine suitability for a regular surveillance system. We screened 20 wastewater samples for HAdV and RVA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR). Sixteen posi-tives (18/20) and ten (14/20) positives for HAdV and RVA, respectively, were obtained on qPCR, representing a prevalence of 90% and 70%. Twelve (12) positives were successfully amplified. Bag-mediated filtration system (BMFS) and skimmed milk (SM) flocculation were the most consistent viral concentration methods for HAdV and RVA, respectively. Human adenovirus was identified with nucleotide identity range of 98.48% to 99.53%. Statistical analysis of positives showed that viral burden differed by site (P

To improve the current density distribution and electromagnetic performance of air-core inductors, a structural optimization method combining BP neural network and genetic algorithm was proposed for the study of axial and radial spiral multi-winding inductors. The Monte Carlo method was used to extract the structural size samples of the inductors, and the training dataset was obtained through finite element calculation of electromagnetic fields. Based on BP neural networks, nonlinear mapping models between the inductance value, volumetric inductance density, current distribution non-uniformity coefficient, and inductor structural parameters were constructed. The sensitivity analysis of the inductor inductance value affected by structural parameters was conducted through the Sobol index calculation. Using the current distribution non-uniformity coefficient as the fitness function and the volumetric inductance density as the constraint condition, the genetic algorithm was applied to optimize the structural parameters of the inductor globally. The optimization results were verified through finite element comparison. The results show that, under the requirement of satisfying the volumetric inductance density, the current distribution non-uniformity coefficient of AHI type inductor was reduced by 4.57% compared with the best sample in the sampling, while that of RHI type inductor was reduced by 5.33%, demonstrating the practicality of the BP-GA joint algorithm in the structural optimization design of inductors.

During the last years some new variants of Permutation entropy have been introduced and applied to EEG analysis, among them a conditional variant and variants using some additional metric information or being based on entropies different from the Shannon entropy. In some situations it is not completely clear what kind of information the new measures and their algorithmic implementations provide. We discuss the new developments and illustrate them for EEG data.

Recently, polyacetylene (PA) is receiving a renewed scientific attention due to its electrical properties potentially useful for energy applications (e.g., fabrication of electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors) and unique functional characteristics (e.g., flame retardant, oxygen scavenger, EMI-shielding, etc.). This chemical compound can be obtained in form of a polyacetylene-PVOH copolymers simply by chemical dehydration of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), which is a very common type of polymer, widely used in packaging and other technological areas. This very inexpensive chemical reaction for the large-scale synthesis of PA/polyvinylenes has been investigated by reacting PVOH with fuming sulfuric acid at room temperature. In this process, PVOH, shaped in form of film, is dipped in fuming sulfuric acid (i.e., H₂SO₄ at 95-97%) and, after complete chemical-dehydration, it has been mechanically removed from the liquid phase by using a nylon sieve. The reduction process leads to a substantial PVOH film conversion to PA as it has been proved by infrared spectroscopy (ATR-mode). Indeed, the ATR spectrum of the reaction product included all characteristic absorption bands of PA. The reaction product has been also characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy in order to evidence the presence in the structure of conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds of various lengths. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis have been used respectively to investigate the PA solid-state cis-trans isomerization and thermal stability in air and nitrogen, respectively.

To address the problems of lining cracking and spalling of tunnel structures in coastal areas under the influence of special geologic conditions, environmental loading, and the coupling effect of chemical erosion effects, hybrid fibers were introduced to fly ash concrete in this study. The working performance, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength of the hybrid fiber fly ash concrete were tested.The NEL chloride diffusion coefficient under steady-state conditions and the durability test for resistance to sulfate corrosion were carried out. Thus, in-depth analyses of the comprehensive performance of the hybrid fiber fly ash concrete used for tunnel lining were carried out and the damage mechanism were explored. The results showed that the hybrid fiber fly ash concrete exhibited higher strength compared to the control group concrete. However, when the fibers exceeded a certain dosage, the reduction in the working properties of the concrete structure led to the creation of larger pores in the matrix structure, which in turn affected the mechanical properties of the concrete. The most significant reduction in NEL chloride diffusion coefficient was observed when both steel fibers and coconut fibers were added at 1.0 % volumetric parameter, compared to the control group. The apparent state and compressive strength after sulfate corrosion were also minimally affected. This study ensured that the mechanical properties of the concrete were improved and also substantially improved the corrosion resistance of the matrix, providing a scientific basis for the performance improvement of tunnel lining concrete, confirming that steel-coconut fibers hybrid fiber fly ash concrete has a great potential to improve the structural load bearing capacity and durability, and may provide theoretical support for the continued use of tunneling projects and construction processes.

Objective biomarkers have been a critical challenge for the field of psychiatry, where diagnostic, prognostic and theranostics assessments are still based on subjective narratives. Psychopathology operates with idiographic knowledge and subjective evaluations incorporated into clinical as-sessment inventories, but is considered to be a medical discipline and, as such, uses medical in-tervention methods (e.g., pharmacological, ECT; rTMS; tDCS), and therefore is supposed to oper-ate with the language and methods of nomothetic networks. The idiographic assessments are pro-visionally “quantified” into “structured clinical scales” to in some way resemble nomothetic measures. Instead of fostering data merging and integration, this approach further encapsulates the clinical psychiatric methods, as all other, biological tests (molecular, neuroimaging) are per-formed separately, only after the clinical assessment has provided diagnosis. Translational cross-validation of clinical assessment instruments and fMRI is an attempt to address the gap. The aim of this approach is to investigate whether there exist common and specific neural circuits, which underpin differential item responses to clinical self-rating scales during fMRI session in pa-tients suffering from the two main spectra of mental disorders: schizophrenia and major depres-sion. The current status of this research program and future implications to promote the devel-opment of psychiatry as a medical discipline are discussed.

High systolic blood pressure and increased blood pressure variability after the onset of ischemic stroke are associated with poor clinical outcomes. One of the key determinants of blood pressure is arteriolar size, determined by vascular smooth muscle tone and vasodilatory and vasoconstrictor substances that are released by the endothelium. The aim of this study is to outline alterations in vasomotor function in isolated peripheral arteries following ischemic stroke. The reactivity of thoracic aortic segments from male C57BL/6 mice to dilators and constrictors was quantified using wire myography. Acetylcholine induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation was impaired after ischemic stroke (LogIC50 Sham=-7.499, LogIC50 Stroke=-7.350, P=0.0132, n= 19, 31 respectively). Vasodilatory responses to SNP were identical in isolated aortas in sham and stroke groups. Phenylephrine induced vasoconstriction was impaired in aortas isolated from stroke animals in comparison to sham counterparts (Sham LogEC50= -6.652 vs Stroke LogEC50=-6.475, P< 0.001). Our study demonstrates that 24 hours post-ischemic stroke, peripheral vascular responses are impaired in remote arteries. Aortas from stroke animals exhibited reduced vasoconstrictor and endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses, while endothelium-independent vasodilatory responses were preserved. Since both vasodilatory and vasoconstrictor responses of peripheral arteries are impaired following ischemic stroke, our findings might explain increased blood pressure variability following ischemic stroke.

Mangroves offer vital ecological advantages including air and water filtration, coastal and estuarine habitat provision, sediment stabilization, and wave energy absorption. Their intricate root systems play a key role in safeguarding shorelines from tsunamis and erosive storms by dissipating wave energy. Moreover, mangroves shield against boat wakes and wind-waves, bolstering shoreline defense. Wave dissipation is a function of forest width, tree diameter, and forest density. Restoration efforts of juvenile mangroves in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon (IRL) aim to reduce wave energy in areas vulnerable to erosion. Physical model testing of wave dissipation through mangroves is limited due to the complexity in representing the mangrove structure, where prop roots are non-uniform in both diameter and location. Previous studies have quantified wave dissipating effects through use of scaled and parameterized mangrove structures. This study measures the dissipation effects of live mangroves in a wave flume, forced by conditions representative of the IRL. These measurements are used to validate a parameterized dowel model. Error between wave attenuation factors for the live mangrove and dowel system was on average 2.5%. Validation of the modularized dowel system allowed for further parameterized testing to understand forest structure effects, such as sediment stabilization and wave attenuation.

This study presents a novel approach for quantifying the dynamics of monthly hydraulic geometry relationships in the Jingjiang reach of the Yangtze River by integrating leaf area index (LAI) data as an indicator of riparian vegetation. A comprehensive system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) couples traditional power-law hydraulic geometry equations with LAI, capturing the influence of erosion control on channel morphology. The periodic delayed response theory and automatic differentiation techniques are employed to enhance the modeling framework's capabilities. Calibration and verification demonstrate the models' effectiveness in capturing overall trends in discharge, width, and depth dynamics, outperforming traditional constant-parameter approaches. However, model predictive abilities are limited under extreme climate conditions due to training on normal climate data. Key assumptions, including the periodic delayed response theory's neglect of peak discharges, simplified representation of artificial cut-offs, and reliance on remotely sensed data with limited local validation, introduce uncertainties. The proposed modeling framework shows potential for broader application to other river systems with appropriate adjustments. Future research could incorporate additional environmental factors, integrate models across scales, couple with advanced simulation techniques, and expand stability assessments beyond the riverbed index. By addressing related challenges, this integrated approach lays a foundation for enhancing understanding of river morphodynamics and channel stability.

Non-immunoglobulin based scaffold proteins (SPs) represent one of the key therapeutic target-specific and high-affinity binders in modern medicine. Among their cellular targets are signaling receptors, in particular, receptor tyrosine kinases, whose dysfunction leads to the development of cancer and other serious diseases. Successful applications of SPs have been reported for HER receptor type 2 (HER2), the member of the human epidermal growth factor receptor family that regulates the cell growth and differentiation. To extend blood residence of SPs and prevent their high accumulation in kidney, these proteins are often fused with serum albumin. Promising results for the HER2-binding activity were obtained for SP G3 from DARPins (Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins) family fused with albumin-binding domain (ABD) [1]. Interestingly, detected HER2-G3 binding strongly depended on the position of G3 module in the sequence of the constructs. Further improvement of these constructs for biomedical applications requires deciphering the molecular mechanism responsible for this effect. Here, we investigate the structural and dynamic aspects of ABD-G3 and G3-ABD chimeras using NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Based on biophysical data, we came to the conclusion that extensive interdomain contacts form in both constructs, although the binding interfaces and complex stability are somewhat different. Also, it was shown that the domain linker plays an important role – it limits the accessibility of detected protein-protein binding sites depending on the order of the domains in chimeric molecules. The results create a solid structural basis for the rational design of new effective SP-constructs targeting signaling receptor in the cell.

A diet with low content of fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) are established treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with well-documented efficiency. A starch- and sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD) has shown similar promising effects. This randomized, non-inferiority study aimed to test SSRD against low FODMAP and compare the responder rates to a 4-week dietary intervention of either diet. 155 IBS patients were randomized to SSRD (n=77) or low FODMAP (n=78) for 4 weeks, with a follow-up 5 months later without food restrictions. The questionnaires Rome IV, IBS-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS), and visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS) were completed at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks and 6 months. Weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressures were measured. Comparisons were made within the groups and between changes in the two groups. There were no differences between groups at baseline. The responding rate (RR=∆Total IBS-SSS ≥−50) of SSRD was non-inferior compared with low FODMAPs at week 2 (79.2% vs. 73.1%;p=0.661;95% confidence interval (CI)=-20-7.2) and week 4 (79.2% vs. 78.2%;p=1.000;95%CI=-14-12), with borderline-significance at follow-up (36.4% vs. 42.3%;p=0.252;95%CI=-9.4-21). All gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms were equally improved (p<0.001 in most variables). SSRD rendered greater reductions in weight (p=0.006), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.005), and sugar craving (p=0.05), whereas waist circumference and blood pressure were equally decreased. Weight and BMI were regained at follow-up. In the SSRD group, responders at 6 months still had lowered weight (-0.7 (-2.5-0.1) vs. 0.2 (-0.7-2.2) kg; p=0.005) and BMI (-0.25 (-0.85-0.03) vs. 0.07 (-0.35-0.77) kg/m²; p=0.009) compared with baseline in contrast to non-responders. Those who had tested both diets preferred SSRD (p=0.032). A 4-week SSRD intervention was non-inferior to low FODMAP regarding effects on gastrointestinal and extraintestinal IBS symptoms. Reductions of weight, BMI, and sugar craving were most pronounced following SSRD.

The emergence of mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 has opened a new page in vaccine development; nevertheless, concerns of the experts have been expressed about unintentional side effects on the gut microbiota (GM). Previous studies showed that this virus acts as a bacteriophage, which infects and destroys specific bacterial strains in the GM. The present manuscript hypothesizes that the synthetic spike protein could create changes in the composition and the functioning of the GM by entering the intestinal cells after vaccination and impairing the symbiotic relationship between intestinal cells and the GM. An experimental protocol to test the hypothesis is suggested.

In the face of rising global demand and unsustainable production methods, cultivated crustacean meat (CCM) is proposed as an alternative means to produce delicious lobster, shrimp and crab products. Cultivated meat requires starting stem cells that may vary in terms of potency, and propensity to proliferate or differentiate into myogenic (muscle-related) tissues. We suggest that regenerating crustacean limbs harbor a range of stem cells suitable for cultivated meat production and present a humane tissue source because they can be accessed non-lethally. To investigate stem cell activity in this model, we have conducted RNA-Seq analysis across six stages of claw regeneration in the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (four pre-molt and two post-molt stages), along with histology and real time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Differential expression analysis revealed expression patterns of significantly up- or down-regulated genes in 14 functional categories. Relative expression of select stem cell target genes (including endocrine, myogenic, cell cycle and pluripotency factors) highlighted two growth peaks during pre-molt regeneration and limited stem cell activity after the molt. Histology and qPCR results support the overall finding that pre-molt limb regeneration stages harbor more stem cell activity, likely making them a more prolific cell source for CCM development.

The crosstalk between tumor progression and ferroptosis is largely unknown. Here, we identify malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2) as a key regulator of ferroptosis. MDH2 deficiency inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell growth and promotes sensitivity of HCC cells to RSL3-induced ferroptosis. MDH2 knockdown enhances RSL3-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), free iron ions and lipid peroxides levels, leading to HCC ferroptotic cell death which is rescued by Ferrostatin-1 and iron chelator Deferiprone. Importantly, inhibition of HCC cell growth caused by MDH2 deficiency is partially rescued by ferroptosis blockade. Mechanistically, MDH2 resists RSL3-induced ferroptosis sensitivity by dependence on GPX4, which is stabilized by MDH2 in HCC. The protein expression of MDH2 and GPX4 is positively correlated with each other in HCC cell lines. Furthermore, through UALCAN website analysis, we find that MDH2 and GPX4 are highly expressed in HCC samples. These findings reveal a critical mechanism by which HCC evades ferroptosis via MDH2-mediated stabilization of GPX4 to promote tumor progression and underscore the potential of MDH2 inhibition in combination with ferroptosis inducers for the treatment of HCC.

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to explore the association between insufficient lycopene intake and risk of periodontitis among older adults. Methods: Data analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2009-2014. Overall, 1227 adults aged 65- to 79-years-old were investigated. Results: Overall, 48.7% of older adults in this study were classified with different levels of periodontitis and 49.1% of individuals with a form of periodontitis had insufficient dietary lycopene intake. Sufficient lycopene intake was found to be associated with a lower likelihood of severe periodontitis (OR: .33; 95% CI: 0.17-.65; p=0.002). Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) older adults were more likely to develop severe forms of periodontal disease in comparison to Non-Hispanic White (NHW) older adults (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.46-5.45, p=0.003). Gender was also found to play a role in periodontitis status, with women being less likely to have severe periodontitis status, compared to men (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.14-0.55; p=0.0007,). However, only NHW females were less likely to have severe periodontitis compared to NHW males (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.12-0.56; p= 0.001). Conclusion: Dietary intake of lycopene associated with periodontitis disease for individuals over the age of 65; those who consume a sufficient amount of lycopene are less likely to develop severe periodontitis. In general, more men suffered from periodontitis in comparison to women. Such association also has been found between NHB with severe periodontitis. In addition, reduced risk of moderate periodontitis is associated with sufficient lycopene intake is explored in NHW, future targeted interventions using lycopene in dietary intake as a preventative measure to delay or prevent the onset of periodontal disease needs to be race and gender specific.

Despite the high quality of soybean protein, raw soybeans and soybean meal cannot be directly included into animal feed mixtures due to the presence of Kunitz (KTi) and Bowman Birk protease inhibitors (BBi) which reduces animal performance. Heat treatment can substantially inactivate trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors (BBi) but such treatment is energy intensive, adds expense, and negatively impact the quality of seed proteins. As an alternative approach we have employed CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create mutations in BBi genes to drastically lower the protease inhibitor content in soybean seed. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was used to generate several stable transgenic soybean events. These independent CRISPR/Cas9 events were examined in comparison to wild type plants using Sanger sequencing, proteomic analysis, trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor activity assays and q15RT-PCR. Collectively, our results demonstrate the creation of an allelic series of loss of function mutations affecting the major BBi gene in soybean. Mutations in two of the highly expressed seed specific BBi genes lead to substantial reductions in both trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor activities.

Background: The microbiome of the ocular surface has been characterised, but only limited in-formation is available on a possible silent intraocular microbial colonisation in normal eyes. Therefore, we performed next generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rDNA genes in aqueous hu-mor. Methods: Aqueous humor was sampled from three patients during cataract surgery. Air swabs, patient’s and healthy donor conjunctival swab served as controls. Following DNA extraction, the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rDNA gene were amplified and sequenced fol-lowed by denoising. The resulting Amplicon Sequence Variants were matched to a subset of the Ribosomal Database Project 16S database. The deduced bacterial community was then statis-tically analysed. Results: DNA content in all samples was low (0-1.49 ng/µl) but sufficient for analysis. Main phyla in all samples were Acinetobacteria (48%), Proteobacteria (26%), Firmicutes (14%), Acidobac-teria (8%) and Bacteroidetes (2%). Patients conjunctival control samples and anterior chamber fluid showed similar patterns of bacterial species containing many waterborne species. Non-disinfected samples showed a different bacterial spectrum than the air swab sample. Conclusions: The data confirm the existence of an ocular surface microbiome. A distinct intraoc-ular microbiome was not discernable from the background, suggesting the absence of an intra-ocular microbiome in normal eyes.

In this paper we explore the known connection among sustainability, resilience, and well-being within the framework of active inference. Initially, we revisit how the notions of well-being and resilience intersect within active inference before defining sustainability. We adopt a holistic concept of sustainability denoting the enduring capacity to meet needs over time without depleting crucial resources. It extends beyond material wealth to encompass community networks, labor, and knowledge. Using the Free Energy Principle, we can emphasize the role of fostering resource renewal, harmonious system-entity exchanges, and practices that encourage self-organization and resilience as pathways to achieving sustainability, both in an agent and in collectives. We start by connecting Active Inference with well-being, building on exsiting work. We then attempt to link resilience with sustainability, asserting that resilience alone is insufficient for sustainable outcomes. While crucial for absorbing shocks and stresses, resilience must be intrinsically linked with sustainability to ensure that adaptive capacities do not merely perpetuate existing vulnerabilities. Rather, it should facilitate transformative processes that address the root causes of unsustainability. Sustainability, therefore, must manifest across extended timescales and all system strata, from individual components to the broader system, to uphold ecological integrity, economic stability, and social well-being. We explain how sustainability manifests at the level of an agent, and then at the level of collectives and systems. To model and quantify the interdependencies between resources and their impact on overall system sustainability, we introduce the application of network theory and dynamical systems theory. We emphasize the optimization of precision or learning rates through the active inference framework, advocating for an approach that fosters the elastic and plastic resilience necessary for long-term sustainability and abundance.

Micro nano bubbles (MNBs) can generate ·OH in situ, which provides a new idea for the safe and efficient removal of pollutants in water supply systems. However, the difficulty in obtaining stable MNBs causes the low efficiency of ·OH generation, which makes the inability to guarantee the removal efficiency of pollutants. This paper reviews the application research of MNBs technology in water security from three aspects: the generation process of MNBs in water, the generation rule of ·OH during MNBs collapse, and the control mechanism of MNBs on pollutants and biofilms. We found that MNBs generation methods are divided into chemical and mechanical (about 10 kinds) categories, and the instability of bubble size restricts the application of MNBs technology. The generation of ·OH by MNBs is affected by pH, gas source, bubble size, temperature, external stimulation. And pH and external stimulus have more influence on ·OH generation in situ than other factors. Adjusting pH to alkaline or acidic conditions and selecting ozone or oxygen as the gas source can promote the ·OH generation. MNBs’ collapse also releases a large amount of energy, which the temperature and pressure can reach 3000K and 5Gpa respectively, making it efficient to remove ≈90 % of pollutants (i.e., trichloroethylene, benzene, and chlorobenzene). The biofilm can also be removed by physical, chemical, and thermal effect. MNBs technology also has great application potential in drinking water, which can be applied to improve water quality, optimize household water purifiers, and enhance the taste of bottled water. Under the premise of safety, let people of different ages taste, finding that compared with ordinary drinking water, 85.7 % of people think MNBs water is softer, 73.3 % of people think MNBs water is sweeter. This further proves that MNBs water has a great prospect in the drinking water application. This review provides innovative theoretical support for solving the problem of drinking water safety.

Integrating optical coherence tomography (OCT) into the pre-surgical stage of cataract management holds significant clinical and economic potential, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries like Kazakhstan. This study aimed to evaluate these impacts by prospectively recruiting 124 patients, aged 70±8 years, from two ophthalmology surgical centers in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Patients undergoing phacoemulsification of cataracts with monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation between January and December 2022 were divided into two groups: the OCT group (n=75) received pre-operative OCT, while the Control group (n=49) did not. Visual acuity (VA) was measured pre- and post-surgery, and the cost-effectiveness of the surgical strategies was analyzed. The OCT group experienced a significantly greater improvement in VA (-0.647±0.232 logMAR) compared to the Control group (-0.543±0.244 logMAR), with a notable interaction between time and group (F(df) = 217.2, p &lt; 0.001). Additionally, pre-existing concomitant diseases were diagnosed in 25.3% of cases in the OCT group and 28.6% in the Control group. The economic analysis revealed that the integration of OCT facilitated multiple surgeries in one appointment, thereby reducing overall costs. These findings suggest that implementing OCT in the pre-surgical stage of cataract management can significantly enhance visual outcomes and decrease the cost of ophthalmology services in Kazakhstan.

In recent years, the digital economy has played an increasingly important role in enhancing productivity, fostering growth, and facilitating the emergence of digital banking. With the widespread adoption of digital financial services for financial inclusion, the banking sector is experiencing a demand for digital transformation. It is important to note that despite the many advantages of this change, it also disrupts the familiar banking experience that customers have grown to expect, as well as introducing potential risks to maintaining customer protection at previous levels. Many critics have raised concerns regarding customer protection and potential exposure to various risks that may arise from digital financial services, which may result in both financial and non-financial losses. These risks can impact customer retention as dissatisfied customers may switch to alternative service providers. Additionally, reputation can be affected since merely offering digital financial services may not sufficiently safeguard customers. To remain competitive, financial institutions must deliver a secure experience that aligns with customer expectations while considering economic factors and societal needs. This is why it is essential to comprehend the severity of the risk factors that influence the protection of customers in the realm of digitalized banking services and products. In this study, five factors have been identified that influence customer protection when using digital financial services in Pakistan. Based on the analysis conducted using SmartPLS, it appears that all the factors proposed in this study have a significant and positive impact on the protection of customers. In particular, the information provided remains of paramount importance when it comes to determining the level of protection that a customer is entitled to within digital financial services, followed by responsiveness, privacy, authentication, and encryption mechanisms. Due to these findings, the implementation of enhanced information security management principles becomes imperative for the development and progress of the Pakistani digital banking industry.

The growing use of drones in precision agriculture highlights the need for enhanced operational efficiency. Despite the ability of computer vision based on deep learning has made remarkable progress in the past ten years, when it comes to segmentation task on UAVs, there is always a conflict between the demand of high precision and low inference latency. Due to such a dilemma, we propose the IRB-YOLO, an efficiency model based on Inverted Residual Block, devoting to provide constructive strategies in real-time detection tasks of UAV camera. The working details of this paper are as follows: (1) This paper innovates with a IR-Block(Inverted Residual Block), integrated into a refined YOLOv8-seg structure to create IRB-YOLO. This model specializes in pixel-level classification of UAV-acquired RGB images, facilitating the creation of exact maps to guide agricultural strategies. (2)When it comes to the experiments on a Vatica dataset with any other light-weight segmentation model, IRB-YOLO achieve at least a 3.3% increase in mAP. Further validation using a diverse species dataset confirms its robust generalization. (3)Without overloading the complex attention mechanism and deeper and deeper network, a stem that incorporates efficient feature extraction components, inverted residual block, can still possess outstanding modeling capabilities. IRB-YOLO builds a bridge between academic research and edge deployment of drones, making it applicable in real-world scenarios.

Graphene-based materials (GBMs) are a prospective material of choice for rechargeable battery electrodes because of their unique set of qualities, which include tunable interlayer channels, high specific surface area, and strong electrical conductivity characteristics. The market for commercial rechargeable batteries is now dominated by lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), however issues with organic electrolyte safety, high lithium pricing, and limited lithium resources have hindered LIB development. Zinc-based rechargeable batteries have emerged as a viable substitute for rechargeable batteries due to their affordability, safety, and improved performance. This review article explores recent developments in the synthesis and advancement of GBMs for rechargeable zinc‐air batteries (ZABs), and common graphene-based electrocatalyst types. An outlook on the difficulties and probable future paths of this extremely promising field of study is provided at the end.

Syndemics theory has been applied to study interactions between biomedical and social factors leading to clustering of diseases. Because syndemics theory focuses on interactions that enhance risk, the concept of vulnerability is central to this approach. We conducted a scoping review to better understand how syndemics theory helped to define, operationalize, and tackle issues of vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Original research, review, and opinion pieces elaborating on syndemics, vulnerability and COVID-19, published between December 2019 and October 2022 and available in PubMed, were eligible. We analysed 40 records and identified three framings of syndemics operating during this period: (1) interactions between COVID-19, diseases/health conditions and specific social factors; (2) interactions between COVID-19 and social determinants of health; and (3) impacts of COVID-19 on specific populations. Emerging conceptualizations described vulnerability to COVID-19 as a systemic issue; explained the impact of COVID-19 control measures on increased vulnerability; and presented COVID-19 as a syndemic on its own. However, this theory's potential for deepening our understanding of vulnerability during this pandemic was constrained by superficial explorations of the interactions between biomedical and social spheres, and insufficient theoretical and methodological support from the social sciences.

Studies and opinion articles present unequal conclusions concerning empathy and morality, mainly because a somewhat heterogeneous and foggy conceptual approach prevails. This scoping review aims to analyse the relationship between empathy and morality and to present a novel conceptual model of empathy applied to moral decisions.A search in PsycINFO, Scopus and PubMed identified articles addressing the relationship between empathy and morality.Thirty-two articles were included. We find an absence of a consensual definition of empathy. It is commonly defined as a predominant emotional process and a factor of bias and prejudice in moral decisions.According to our conceptual model, empathy is a distinct, complex human neuropsychological capacity that mobilises and is dependent on the proper functioning of several brain areas and balances the scales on which are Emotion and Reason, enabling the most thoughtful moral decisions possible in diverse circumstances and contexts.

Background/Objectives: Infusion pumps are critical in clinical settings, precisely delivering fluids such as medications and blood products. However, maintaining accuracy and preventing hemolysis is essential when administering blood, particularly to neonates. Conventional pumps may cause hemolysis due to pressure variations during transfusion. This study compares the blood transfusion accuracy and hemolysis rate between the conventional pump, Terufusion TE-LM700 (Terufusion) and the novel cylinder-type infusion pump, Anyfusion H-100 (Anyfusion); Methods: The study evaluated six different infusion rates (10-180cc/hr) and conducted 57 transfusion trials, 20 of which used a 1:1 blood-saline dilution. Blood transfusion accuracy was measured using research-grade packed red blood cells, and hemolysis rates were assessed before and after transfusion by chi-square tests and independent sample t-tests; Results: Anyfusion demonstrated an average transfusion error rate of 3.77%, compared to 4.00% for the Terufusion, with no statistically significant difference in hemolysis rates (p=0.697). Bland-Altman plots confirmed equivalent performance, with hemolysis rates of 0.566 ± 0.095% for Anyfusion and 0.518 ± 0.126% for Terufusion; Conclusions: Anyfusion provides accurate and reliable blood transfusion performance comparable to Terufusion, with no significant difference in hemolysis rates. Its integration of syringe and infusion methods shows potential for safer and more efficient transfusion practices, especially in pediatric and emergency settings.

One of the most common complications of neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI) is urinary incontinence, possibly related to bladder-emptying methods and changes in quality of life. This study aimed to identify the occurrence of this complication in adults with SCI and analyze its relationship with bladder-emptying methods, satisfaction, and lifestyle. This is a quantitative, exploratory, cross-sectional study. The variables were collected using the Bowel and Bladder Treatment Index during a telephone interview with 290 participants from February to November 2021. According to the results, 70% of the participants were male and 74.1% performed clean intermediate catheterization (CIC) as the main bladder-emptying method. Moreover, 55.6% were considered incontinent in the last year. Emptying by normal urination and bladder reflex triggering had a statistically significant relationship with urinary incontinence. A statistical association was observed between all the variables of satisfaction and lifestyle with urinary incontinence. Although CIC reduced urine leakage, a considerable number of participants still presented with frequent urine leakage. Urinary incontinence negatively altered satisfaction with the bladder-emptying method, effectiveness of bladder management, quality of life, and personal and social relationships.

Microalgae and their bioproducts hold significant potential across various applications, for instance, in wastewater remediation, CO2 fixation, and the synthesis of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels. The production of these organisms heavily relies upon environmental conditions, including factors like temperature, light, and nutrient supply, which can significantly impact growth. Furthermore, the limitations in nutrients or certain extreme environments can result in productivity increases. As such, microalgae growth systems have become a critical consideration for both research and industry. Both open and closed systems, such as raceway ponds and photobioreactors, respectively, have their own advantages and drawbacks in microalgae cultivation. However, for microalgae growth, photobioreactors may address most concerns, as the system has a lower risk of contamination and can deliver specific growth factors in a controlled manner. This review will summarize the growth and incubation factors of microalgae and the uses of bioreactors in both research and industrial capacities.

Obesity, a chronic disorder of global prevalence, is associated with major health problems leading to mortality. Because of the presence of diverse types of bioactive molecules in plants, attention is being concentrated on the exploration of plant-based drugs to treat the disease. Inhibition of pancreatic lipase by the natural compounds in plants is one of the popular mechanisms for the management of obesity. The current study investigates the mechanism of the anti-obesity effect of the ethanol extract of seeds of Syzygium cumini seeds and roots of Dioscoria bulbifera in fatty diet-induced obese white albino Wister rats (age 8-9 weeks, average weight 110±8 gm). The total phenolic substances present in the ethanol extract of S. cumini was 103.79±3.45 and that of and D. bulbifera was 69.31 ± 2.99 mg GAE/g of dry extract. Correlating the phenolic contents, we also got the DPPH antioxidant activity of the plant extracts. The IC50 value of ethanol extract of S. cumini, D. bulbifera and standard Butyrated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) was found to be 93.03±6.23, 177.13±7.52, and 10.84±0.92 µg/mL, respectively. The body weight of fatty diet-induced rats was significantly reduced by S. cumini, D. bulbifera ethanol extract with a dose of 500 mg/kg bw during 12 weeks of treatment. The anti-obesity effect of the plant extracts is comparable to that of Orlistat with a dose of 10 mg/kg bw. The Orlistat at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml could be able to inhibit 95.71% activity of Porcine pancreatic lipase while the ethanol extract of S. cumini, D. bulbifera with a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml showed 60.84% and 54.59% of anti-lipase activity. Moreover, the increased TG, LDL and cholesterol in HFD induced rats were significantly reduced by the plant extract as well as Orlistat. Molecular Docking study reveals that quercetin and isoquercetin bind with the rat lipase enzyme at the same site as that of orlistat with high affinity. Taken together, we can conclude that the ethanol extracts of causes anti-obesity effect by inhibiting the pancreatic lipase enzyme.

The limited supply of drinking water has aroused people's curiosity in recent decades. Adsorption is a popular method for removing hazardous substances from wastewater, especially heavy metals, as it is cheap, highly efficient and easy to use. In this work, a new sludge-based activated carbon adsorbent (SBAC1 / SBAC2) was developed to remove hazardous metals such as cadmium (Cd+2) and lead (Pb+2) from an aqueous solution. The chemical structure and surface morphology of the produced SBAC1 and SBAC2 were investigated using a range of analytical tools such as CHNS, BET, FT-IR, XRD, XRF, SEM, TEM, N2 adsorption/desorption isothermal and zeta potential. BET surface areas were examined and SBAC2 was found to have a larger BET surface area (498.386 m2/g) than SBAC1 (336.339 m2/g). SBAC2 had a lower VBJH (1.5026 cm3 g-1) than SBAC1 (1.59873 cm3 g-1), but a higher VT (0.3748 cm3 g-1) than SBAC1 (0.2688 cm3 g-1), while the average pore size was 10-100 nm for SBAC1 and 45-50 nm for SBAC2. The ideal conditions investigated for the removal of Pb+2 and Cd+2 were 10 mg SBAC1 / SBAC2, Pb+2 / Cd+2 at an starting concentration of 30 mg/L, a temperature of 40 and 50 °C, pH = 6, 8 and contact times of 10 and 15 minutes for Pb+2 and Cd+2, respectively. SBAC1 and SBAC2 eliminated approximately 99.99% of Cd+2 and Pb+2 out the water under all conditions tested. The results of the adsorption of Cd+2 and Pb+2 were in good agreement with the pseudo-second-order equation (R2 = 1.00). Under the experimental conditions, the Cd+2 and Pb+2 adsorption equilibrium data were effectively linked to the Langmuir and Freundlich equations for SBAC1 and SBAC2, respectively. Langmuir model calculated the adsorption capacities of SBAC1 and SBAC2 for Cd+2 (309.24 and 329.62 mg/g) and for Pb+2 (318.46 and 339.61 mg/g), respectively. The regeneration showed high recyclability for the fabricated SBAC1 and SBAC2 during five consecutive reuse cycles. As a result, the produced SBAC1 and SBAC2 are attractive adsorbent for the elimination of heavy metals from various environmental and industrial wastewater samples.

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a cancer with poor prognosis. For relapsed extensive-stage (ES) SCLC, second-line treatment options are scarce. Topotecan was the only approved treatment in this setting until 2020. Since topotecan induces significant toxicities, alternative off-label regimens are being used. This study evaluated real-world efficacy and safety of Paclitaxel Gemcitabine chemotherapy in patients with relapsed ES-SCLC. We retrospectively reviewed data from all consecutive patients with relapsed ES-SCLC who received Paclitaxel Gemcitabine chemotherapy from september 2008 to january 2022 in two centers. Patient characteristics (n=188) were: PS≥2: 24.5%; brain metastasis: 42%; platinum-sensitive disease: 41%. Patients received Paclitaxel Gemcitabine as second- (77%) third (18%) or fourth (6%) line of therapy. Median progression-free and overall survival were 2.1 (95CI 1.8–2.4) and 3.8 (95CI 3.3–4.8) months in the overall population, respectively, with 17% response rate (RR) and 28% disease-control rate. PS, history of brain radiation, platinum-sensitive disease, liver, and adrenal gland metastasis were associated with longer survival in univariate analysis. PS was the only prognostic factor in multivariate analysis, with 21% RR and 4.1 months median DOR in PS 0-1 patients. Paclitaxel Gemcitabine chemotherapy may represent a treatment option in PS0-1 relapsed SCLC.

The emergence of the H3N2 influenza virus in 1968 marked a significant event as it crossed the species barrier. Since then, ongoing mutational dynamics have led to the formation of antigenic clusters, prompting the World Health Organization to advocate for regular updates to H3N2 vaccines. Research in the Western Pacific region underscores the necessity for heightened awareness and effective control strategies. Stemming from avian influenza A, the 1968 H3N2 influenza pandemic resulted in the deaths of one million people globally, with its seasonal variants primarily affecting older individuals and causing severe illness due to antigenic drift. To address the challenge of vaccine efficacy against H3N2 mutations, researchers are exploring innovative strategies such as precise antigenic material administration, controlled release patterns, understanding immune system mechanisms, and glycan engineering. This review comprehensively examines various aspects of the Influenza A (H3N2) virus, encompassing its virological characteristics, evolutionary trends, global epidemiology, vaccination strategies, antiviral interventions, and emerging diagnostic approaches. It underscores the impact of antigenic variation on vaccine design and effectiveness, seasonal outbreak patterns, pandemic potential, and the interplay between viral factors and host immune responses. Moreover, the review evaluates antiviral therapies and the issue of drug resistance, emphasising the necessity for multidisciplinary approaches involving researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to comprehend H3N2 and enhance public health interventions.

The mechanism of sex determination and differentiation in animals remains a central focus of reproductive and developmental biology research, and the regulation of sex differentiation in amphioxus remains poorly understood. Cytochrome P450 Family 19 Subfamily A member 1 (CYP19A1) is a crucial sex differentiation gene that catalyzes the conversion of androgens into estrogens. In this study, we identified two aromatase-like genes in amphioxus: cyp19-like1 and cyp19-like2. Cyp19-like1 is more primitive and may represent the ancestral form of cyp19 in zebrafish and other vertebrates. Cyp19-like2, on the other hand, is likely the result of gene duplication within am-phioxus suggesting its potential role as a key gene in sex differentiation. To gain further insights into the expression patterns of these two aromatase-like, we examined their expression in different gonad tissues and during different stages of gonad development. While the expression patterns of the two genes differ in gonad tissues, both are highly expressed in the gonad primordium and are primarily localized to microsomal membrane systems. However, as development proceeds, their expression levels decrease significantly. This study enhances our understanding of sex dif-ferentiation mechanisms in amphioxus and provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of sex determination mechanisms in vertebrates.

The aluminum alloys are prominently employed in the automotive, defense and aerospace industries owing to their excellent properties as compared to that of other metals and alloys. The present work has been centered on the synthesis and the evaluation of mechanical properties of cast and heat treated Al7475-Zirconium carbide composites. The composites were prepared by stir casting method. In order to enhance the properties, Al7475 alloy and Al7475-Zirconium carbide composite were subjected to a T6 heat treatment. The microstructural analysis and tensile, compression, impact and hardness tests were performed on the as-cast as well as T6 heat treated composite specimens. The microstructure of as-cast and heat treated Al7475-Zirconium carbide composite has revealed that the matrix of Al7475 alloy consisted of uniformly dispersed Zirconium carbide particles. The scanning electron microscopy image of heat-treated composite showed a decrease in grain size due to heat treatment effect, resulting in an increase in the strength of the composite. The mechanical properties of heat-treated Al7475-Zirconium carbide composite are superior compared to the as-cast composite. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, compression strength, impact strength and hardness of heat treated composite are 16.8%, 15.5%, 18.7%, 18.75% &amp; 22.3% respectively higher than that of as-cast composite.

The article presents an innovative method for synthesizing radiation patterns efficiently by 1 combining the Taguchi method and neural networks, while validating the results on a 10-element 2 antenna array. The Taguchi method aims to minimize product and process variability, while neural 3 networks are used to model the relationship between antenna design parameters and radiation 4 pattern characteristics. This approach utilizes Taguchi parameters as inputs for the neural network, 5 which is then trained on a dataset generated by the Taguchi method. After training, the network is 6 validated using a real 10-element antenna array. Analytical results demonstrate that this method 7 enables efficient synthesis of radiation patterns with a significant reduction in computation time 8 compared to traditional approaches. Furthermore, validation on the antenna array confirms the 9 accuracy and robustness of the approach, showing a high correlation between predicted performances 10 by the neural network model and actual measurements on the antenna array.In summary, our article 11 highlights that the combined use of the Taguchi method and neural networks, with validation on a 12 real antenna array, offers a promising approach for efficient synthesis of antenna radiation patterns. 13 This approach combines speed, accuracy, and reliability in antenna system design.

Inflammation plays a key role in the induction of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (iCNV) is a severe but uncommon complication of both infectious and non-infectious uveitides. It is hypothesized that its pathogenesis is similar to that of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and involves hypoxia as well as the release of vascular endothelial growth factor, stromal cell-derived factor 1-alpha, and other mediators. Inflammatory CNV develops when inflammation or infection directly involves the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)–Bruch’s membrane complex. Inflammation itself can compromise perfusion, generating a gradient of retinal-choroidal hypoxia that additionally promotes the formation of choroidal neovascularization in the course of uveitis. The development of choroidal neovascularization is extremely common in conditions such as punctate inner choroidopathy, multifocal choroiditis, serpiginous choroiditis, and presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome. Although the majority of iCNV cases are well defined and appear as the “classic” type on fluorescein angiography, the diagnosis of iCNV is challenging due to difficulties in differentiating between inflammatory choroiditis lesions and choroidal neovascularization. Modern multimodal imaging, particularly the recently introduced technology of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (noninvasive and rapid imaging modalities) can reveal additional features that aid the diagnosis of iCNV. However, more studies are needed to establish their role in the diagnosis and evaluation of iCNV activity. Keywords: uveitis; inflammatory choroidal neovascularization; multimodal imaging; fluorescein angiography; indocyanine green angiography; optical coherence tomography; optical coherence tomography angiography; near-infrared autofluorescence

Aquaculture has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest growing industries, expanding both on global and on national fronts. With the ever-increasing demand for high biological value protein, the aquaculture industry has established itself as one of the most efficient forms of animal production, proving to be a vital component of global food production, by supplying nearly 50% of the planet’s seafood. As in classic animal production, the prevention of diseases constitutes an enduring challenge associated with severe economic and environmental repercussions. Nevertheless, remarkable strides in the development of aquaculture vaccines have been recently witnessed, offering sustainable solutions to persistent health-related issues challenging resilient aquaculture production. These advancements are characterized by breakthroughs in increased species-specific precision, improved vaccine delivery systems, and innovations in vaccine development, following the recent advent of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence in the -omics era. The objective of this paper was to assess recent developments and milestones revolving around aquaculture vaccinology and provide an updated overview of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the sector, by incorporating and comparatively discussing various diffuse advances that span across a wide range of topics, including emerging vaccine technologies, innovative delivery methods, insights on novel adjuvants, and parasite vaccine development for the aquaculture sector.

Background: The use of complementary therapies in the population is increasing, so it is necessary to understand the training that health professionals receive in this type of therapy in their training plans, as they are often the primary source of information for patients. Our objective was to investigate Spanish universities that offer subjects on complementary therapies in their Nursing degree programs. Methods: Observational descriptive cross-sectional study. For this purpose, we used the document published on the website of the Ministry of Universities as a working document. Additionally, a literature search was conducted up to September 2023 in the PubMed database, along with reverse searches. Results: Out of a total of 62 universities, only 16 (29%) offer a subject related to this type of therapy, with most of them being elective courses. Conclusions: The training content on complementary care in Nursing degree programs in Spanish universities is scarce, highlighting the potential benefit of expanding and promoting it, in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

This research presents an ensemble model developed to enhance the safety of bedridden patients in healthcare settings. The model utilizes a unique dataset capturing six typical movements performed by patients laying in bed, such as rolling over, falling off the bed, etc. The aim is to automate the classification of these movements, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of patients without the constant presence of hospital personnel in the room, a common practice in current healthcare settings. The dataset is preprocessed and balanced using the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique, and then split into training and test sets for model training and evaluation. Three different models are explored: a Decision Tree Regressor, a Gradient Boosting Regressor, and a Bagging Regressor. The Bagging Regressor is an ensemble model that utilizes the Decision Tree Regressor as its base regressor. Each model’s performance is evaluated using accuracy, R2 score, and Mean Squared Error on both the training and test sets. The ensemble model demonstrates promising results, indicating the potential of machine learning to improve patient safety in healthcare settings. The study also employs K-Fold cross-validation and learning curves to validate the robustness of the ensemble model. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the application of machine learning in healthcare and opens up new avenues for improving patient safety through real-time monitoring and classification of patient movements.

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental challenge, necessitating the development of biodegradable alternatives like polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). This study focuses on optimizing PHB production by Neobacillus niacinii GS1, a bacterium isolated from a municipal dumping site. By utilizing agricultural residues such as corn flour, wheat bran, and peptone as substrates, we aimed to establish an eco-friendly method for biopolymer production, contributing to sustainable waste management and bioplastic innovation. The bacterium was identified using morphological, biochemical, and molecular techniques. The optimization process involved adjusting variables such as inoculum age, inoculum size, incubation time, agitation rate, incubation temperature, pH of the medium, carbon sources and nitrogen sources. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to identify optimal conditions, with the highest PHB yield of 61.1% achieved under specific conditions: 37°C, pH 7, and an agitation rate of 150 rpm. These findings underscore the potential of Neobacillus niacinii GS1 in converting agro-industrial residues into valuable biopolymers, promoting sustainable bioplastic production, and advancing waste valorization efforts through the use of eco-friendly materials.

The combination of nanoemulgel and phytochemistry has resulted in several recent discoveries in the field of the topical delivery systems. The present study aimed to prepare turmeric (Curcuma longa) and neem (Azadirachta indica) based nanoemulgel against microbial infection as topical drug delivery. Olive oil (oil phase), Tween 80 (surfactant), and PEG600 (co-surfactant) were used for the preparation of nanoemulsion. Carbopol 934 was used as gelling agent to convert the nanoemulsion to nanoemulgel and promote to control the release of biological properties of turmeric and neem. The nanoemulsion were characterized based on particle size distribution, PDI values and compatibility using FTIR analysis. In contrast, the nanoemulgel was evaluated based on pH, viscosity, spreadability, plant extract and excipients compatibility or physical state, in-vitro study, ex-vivo mucoadhesive study, antimicrobial properties and stability. The resulting nanoemulsion was homogeneous, stable during the centrifugation process, with the smallest droplets and low PDI values. FTIR analysis also confirmed good compatibility and absence of phase separation between the oil substance, surfactant, co-surfactant with both plant extracts. The improved nanoemulgel also demonstrated a smooth texture, good consistency, pH, desired viscosity, ex-vivo mucoadhesive strength with highest spreadability, and an 18-hour in-vitro drug release study. Additionally, it exhibited better antimicrobial properties against different microbial strain. Stability studies also revealed that the product had good rheological properties and physicochemical state for a period of over 3 months. The present study has affirmed that turmeric and neem based nanoemulgel as a promising alternative for microbial infection particularly associated by microorganisms via topical application.

The fracture strength was compared in a scratch test of coatings based on the ZrN system with the introduction of Ti, Nb and Hf, which were deposited on a titanium alloy substrate. The coatings were deposited using Controlled Accelerated Arc (CAA-PVD) technology. The comparison was carried out according to two parameters: adhesion strength to the substrate and overall coating strength. The (Zr,Hf)N coating showed better resistance to destruction, but had worse adhesion to the substrate. As a result, although the coating is retained directly in the scribing groove, a large area of delamination and destruction is formed around the groove. The (Ti,Zr,Nb)N coating, with its somewhat lower strength, has high adhesion to the substrate; no noticeable delamination is observed along the groove boundary.

Hydrotherapy, including the use of therapeutic showers and bathtubs, has been studied for its potential benefits in labor pain management. Previous research has indicated that hydrotherapy can alleviate pain, but comparative studies between therapeutic showers and bathtubs are scarce. Objective: This study aims to compare the effects of therapeutic showers and bathtubs on pain perception, labor duration, use of epi-dural analgesia, and maternal and neonatal outcomes during labor. Methods: A total of 124 pregnant women were included in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: those who used a thera-peutic shower and those who used a bathtub during labor. Pain levels were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Labor duration, use of epidural analgesia, types of delivery, maternal outcomes (postpartum hemorrhage, perineal status, maternal hypotension, fever, and breastfeeding), and neonatal outcomes (APGAR scores, fetal heart rate, complications, and neonatal unit admissions) were recorded and analyzed. Results: Both the therapeutic shower and the bathtub effectively reduced pain perception, with the bathtub showing a greater reduction in VAS scores. The therapeutic shower group experienced a signifi-cantly shorter labor duration compared to the bathtub group. The majority of participants in both groups did not require epidural analgesia, with no significant differences between the groups. There were no sig-nificant differences in the types of delivery. Maternal outcomes indicated a lower incidence of perineal tears and episiotomies in the therapeutic shower group. Neonatal outcomes, including APGAR scores and fetal heart rate, were similar between the groups, with no significant differences in complications or neo-natal unit admissions. Conclusions: Both therapeutic showers and bathtubs are effective for pain relief during labor, with the bathtub showing a higher reduction in pain intensity. The therapeutic shower is as-sociated with a shorter labor duration and a lower incidence of perineal tears and episiotomies. Both meth-ods are safe for neonatal well-being, making hydrotherapy a viable non-pharmacological option for pain management in labor. However, the therapeutic shower may offer additional benefits in terms of labor du-ration and maternal outcomes.

The Mining Industry has changed significantly in recent decades with the introduction of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). These innovations contribute to the creation of expert systems that help in optimizing processes, increasing the safety and sustainability of operations. This article is a literature review of modern AI and ML methods and technologies used in the Mining Industry. Discusses various intelligent and expert systems used to improve productivity, reduce operating costs, improve occupational safety, environmental sustainability, machine automation, predictive analytics, quality monitoring and control, and inventory and logistics management. The advantages and disadvantages of different approaches are analyzed, as well as their potential impact on the future of the Mining Industry. The review highlights the importance of integrating AI and ML into mining processes to achieve more efficient and safer solutions.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare yet aggressive form of thyroid cancer, comprising a disproportionate share of thyroid cancer-related mortalities despite its low prevalence. MTC differs from other differentiated thyroid malignancies due to its heterogeneous nature, presenting complexities in both hereditary and sporadic cases. Traditional management guidelines, designed primarily for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), fall short in providing the individualized care required for MTC patients. In recent years, the sheer volume of data generated from clinical evaluations, radiological imaging, pathological assessments, genetic mutations, and immunological profiles has made it humanly impossible for clinicians to simultaneously analyze and integrate these diverse data streams effectively. This data deluge necessitates the adoption of advanced technologies to assist in decision-making processes. Holomics, an integrated approach that combines various omics technologies, along with artificial intelligence (AI), emerges as a powerful solution to address these challenges. AI-driven precision oncology can significantly enhance the diagnostic work-up, staging, risk stratification, management, and follow-up care of MTC patients by processing vast amounts of complex data quickly and accurately. AI algorithms can identify patterns and correlations that may not be apparent to human clinicians, thereby improving the precision of personalized treatment plans. Moreover, the implementation of AI in MTC management enables the collation and synthesis of clinical experiences from across the globe, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of the disease and its treatment outcomes. This global approach aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. By leveraging AI and holomics, we can strive towards making personalized healthcare accessible to every individual, regardless of their economic status, thereby improving overall survival rates and quality of life for MTC patients worldwide. In conclusion, the integration of holomics and AI in the management of medullary thyroid carcinoma represents a significant advancement in precision oncology. This innovative approach not only addresses the complexities of a rare and aggressive disease but also paves the way for global collaboration and equitable healthcare solutions, ultimately transforming the landscape of MTC treatment and care.

Brain aging in mammals is characterized by morphological and functional changes of neural cells. Macroscopically, this process leading to progressive cerebral volume loss and functional decline, includes memory and motor neuron defiance and behavioral disorders as well. Morphologically, brain aging is associated with aged neurons and astrocytes, appearing enlarged and flattened, and expressing an enhanced pH-dependent β-galactosidase activity. Multiple mechanisms are considered hallmarks of cellular senescence in vitro. Among them, cell cycle arrest, increased lysosomal activity, telo-mere shortening, oxidative stress and DNA damage. The most common markers for senescence identification were identified in: i) proteins implicated in cell cycle arrest, such as p16, p21, p53 ii) increased lysosomal mass iii) increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) expression. Finally, dys-functional autophagy, a process occurring during aging, contributes to alter brain homeostasis. The aim of this review is to summarize and update the most recent knowledge about brain aging with a comparative approach, where similarities and differences in some mammalian species are considered.

To ensure high-quality care, operationalize resilience and fill the knowledge gap regarding how to improve the prerequisites for resilient performance, it is necessary to understand how adaptive capacity unfolds in practice. Coronavirus 2019 stress-tested complex healthcare systems, and intensive care was driven to an unprecedented escalation. The main aim of this research was to explain the escalation process of intensive care from a microlevel perspective, including expressions of resilient performance, intervening conditions at the micro-meso-macrolevels and short- and long-term consequences. A secondary aim was to provide clinical recommendations regarding how to optimize the prerequisites for resilient performance in intensive care. A grounded theory methodology was used. First-person stories from different healthcare professionals (n70) in two Swedish regions were analyzed using the constant comparative method. A novel conceptual model of the escalation process of intensive care emerged, and 41 clinical recommendations concerning the optimal prerequisites for resilient performance were identified. Escalation was conceptualized as a transition from threatening chaos to temporary order through a complex process of adaptation. To prepare for the future, the components space, stuff, staff, system and science with associated continuity plans must be implemented, anchored and communicated to actors at all levels of the system.

In this study, a decentralized incineration facility was evaluated over a three-year period, focusing on performance aspects such as burning rate, ash production, fuel and electricity consumption, and ash composition while processing animal by-products (ABP). The total cost for ABP incineration was determined to be 159 € per ton of ABP, with the major components being capital depreciation (42%), maintenance expenditures (26%), labor (18%), and transportation costs (9%). Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) consumption ranged from 3-7 kg per ton of ABP, while electricity use was between 15-20 kWh per ton of ABP incinerated. The incineration process generated 7-10% (by weight) ABP ash, which was characterized by high calcium and phosphorus content and low levels of hazardous trace elements. Leaching tests demonstrated the potential for recovering the alkaline supernatant for flue gas treatment and the phosphorus-rich slurry for fertilizer production. The findings suggest that energy recovery and valorization are crucial for minimizing operational costs and environmental impact, emphasizing the benefits of integrating advanced resource recovery techniques in ABP incineration facilities.

Introduction and importance: Congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common cardiac malformation predisposing individuals to aortic stenosis, regurgitation, and aortopathy. This risk persists even after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Case presentation: We report a case of a male in his 60s with a history of BAV who underwent bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (BVR) and ascending aorta/root repair in 2014. The patient was noncompliant with follow-up and presented nine years later with severe bioprosthetic aortic stenosis and an 8.0 cm ascending aortic aneurysm with no symptoms. Emergent redo BVR and aneurysm repair were successful. Clinical discussion: It should be emphasized that successful outcomes for BAV patients require a lifelong commitment to surveillance, even after surgical intervention. Noncompliance can lead to life-threatening consequences like bioprosthetic valve deterioration or progressive aortic dilation. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of early BAV diagnosis for ongoing monitoring, accessible follow-up care after complex cardiac procedures, and addressing patient barriers to treatment adherence.

Mercury is classified as one of the world’s most toxic and dangerous pollutants. It tends to bio-accumulate and biomagnify within the trophic chain and is persistent. Various approaches are available to remediate Hg-affected sites, including phytoremediation, which includes the use of plants to clean up contaminated environments. Phytoremediation of mercury contamination is at-tracting increasing attention because of its advantages: it is environmentally friendly, inexpensive, simple, and can improve soil fertility. In this report, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix software were used to analyze 457 and 697 documents published from 2000 to 2023, retrieved from the data-bases WoS and Scopus, respectively. China, India, the United States, and Spain are the top four most productive countries. The largest topic area was environmental sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences was the organization that contributed the most to the overall number of pub-lications. The keywords with the highest frequency, excluding phytoremediation and mercury in WoS, were heavy metals, accumulation, cadmium, soils, and phytoextraction. In Scopus, the most frequent keywords were bioremediation, heavy metals, soil pollution, bioaccumulation, biodeg-radation, and environmental. From the above analysis, we concluded that future research should focus on 1) finding native plants, 2) increasing remediation ability through assisted phytoremedi-ation, 3) studies of molecular mechanisms in plants with phytoremediation potential, and 4) ge-netic engineering applications. This study provides insight into trending themes and serves as a reference for future research.

The Huichang fault Basin in Jiangxi Province exhibits high terrestrial heat flow values and a dense concentration of hot springs. However, existing research is limited to individual geothermal fields without a comprehensive basin-wide analysis of geothermal water origins. This study investigates the source of geothermal water across five representative geothermal fields using hydrochemical components and isotopic analyses. The findings indicate: (1) The hydrochemical type transitions from bicarbonate sulphate-sodium-calcium in the north to bicarbonate sodium-calcium in the south; (2) Major chemical components of the geothermal water derive from evaporative salt rocks (Cretaceous sand conglomerate cover) and siliceous formations (granite/metamorphic rock basement); (3) The recharge elevation for geothermal water is approximately 1 km, sourced from adjacent hills. The central basin's geothermal water has an apparent age of about 26,000 years, with δ¹³C indicating participation in deep circulation; (4) Thermal reservoir temperatures range from 74 to 113℃, with the lowest temperatures at the basin's edges (Anzishan and Shangjin geothermal fields) and higher temperatures towards the center, suggesting increased warming and a circulation depth of 1.5 to 2.5 km; (5) Simulation results of reverse water-rock interaction indicate that mineral precipitation-dissolution processes are governed by the basin's main thermal control structures. The geothermal fields are predominantly influenced by reduction alterations associated with granite and are closely linked to paleo-geothermal waters in the enclosed basin, with the formation of these fields heavily reliant on the heat production or conduction from radioactive elements in granite.

According to the IPCC guidelines, CO₂ emissions from biomass should be excluded from the entire amount of CO₂ emissions when calculating CO₂ emissions and should be separately reported due to the “carbon neutrality.” Sewage sludge is one of the representative biomass fuels. And it is mixed with fossil fuels in terms of greenhouse gas reduction or is used as fuel to replace fossil fuels by itself. According to the results of this study, biomass contents of both the sewage sludge and the sewage sludge incineration exhaust gases did not amount to 100%. At present, in many countries(South Korea, Japan, and Germany), when calculating greenhouse gas emissions from sewage sludge incinerator, all CO₂ emissions from sewage sludge are judged to be biomass and only those greenhouse gas emissions that correspond to Non-CO₂ gases are calculated as greenhouse gas emissions. However, since, according our results, the content of sewage sludge is not 100% biomass, if CO₂ emissions are excluded according to the existing greenhouse gas emission calculation method, the amount of emissions may be underestimated. Therefore, to accurately calculate greenhouse gas emissions from sewage sludge incinerator, CO₂ emissions should be calculated in consideration of the fossil carbon contents of sewage sludge.

The development effect of water flooding in ultra-low permeability reservoir was poor due to its poor physical property and high shale content, the experimental study of air flooding which help to complement producing energy was carried out. Based on the Accelerating Rate Calorimeter experimental results, the crude oil of N block in L oilfield can produce low-temperature oxidation reaction, which was the basic condition of air flooding. Three groups of experiment natural cylinder core were designed for oil displacement, water flooding and air flooding were used respectively, and the relationship of differential pressure, oil recovery, injection capacity with injection volume was investigated. It has been showed on the result that the recovery efficiency improved sharply than water flooding, the effect of depressurization and augmented injection was obvious, and the air displacement was validation.

This study aimed at characterizing the composition and performing chemical speciation modelling to determine species that are abundant in the coal fly ash (CFA) and soil samples sourced from Hendrina Power station located in Mpumalanga Province. All CFA samples were alkaline in nature with pH values ranging between 8.11 ± 0.07 and 8.60 ± 0.03 with an electrical conductivity (EC) ranging between 301.70 and 1515.00 µS/cm while EC of control soil was 103.10 µS/cm. The control soil pH was found to be 6.24 ± 0.13 and total organic carbon values ranged between 2.68 and 85.82 mg/kg and some percentage organic carbon values of CFAs were found to be greater than 8%, which is above the permissible limits of hazardous waste dumping. Oxidation-reduction potential values were negative in all CFA samples and positive in soil. The speciation modelling showed that the potential for a trace metal to have hazardous effects in soil systems depends on its concentration, specific form and interactions with other constituents in CFA. The slow release of metals from CFA to soil was assessed by looking at how a given metal is distributed throughout its several possible chemical forms. The presence of divalent cations (Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, etc.) in CFAs might pose a threat to soil quality. In the competition for binding sites on ferric hydroxides, dissolved metal ions faced off against other metals. Protons (H+) were seen to be in competition with Pb, Cu and Zn for the ability to bind to hydroxyl (OH-) groups and this is due to chemical precipitation and surface complexation.

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) are highly prevalent and can lead to chronic behavioral and cognitive deficits, often associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress have been implicated in mTBI-mediated axonal injury and pathogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms and contributing factors are not completely understood. In this study, utilizing a murine model of repetitive mTBI (r-mTBI) involving five closed-skull concussions in young adult C57BL/6J mice, we observed a significant elevation of Na+/H+ exchanger protein (NHE1) expression in GFAP+ reactive astrocytes, IBA1+ microglia, and OLIG2+ oligodendrocytes across various brain regions (including the cerebral cortex, corpus callosum, and hippocampus). This elevation was accompanied by astrogliosis, microgliosis and the accumulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Concurrently, r-mTBI mice displayed impaired motor learning and spatial memory deficits. However, post-r-mTBI administration of a potent NHE1 inhibitor, HOE642, attenuated locomotor and cognitive functional deficits as well as gliosis, oxidative stress, axonal damage, and white matter damage. These findings underscore the role of NHE1 upregulation in r-mTBI-induced oxidative stress, axonal damage, and gliosis, suggesting NHE1 as a promising therapeutic target to alleviate mTBI-induced injuries and restore neurological function.

Concern over microplastics (MPs) in the environment is rising. Microplastics are generally known to exist in aquatic settings, but less is known about their occurrence in soil ecosystems. When plastic waste builds up in agricultural areas, it can have a negative impact on the environment and food sources, as well as have an indirect effect on all trophic levels of the food chain. This paper addresses the relationship between microplastics and the management of plastic waste, which contributes to their accumulation, and it describes the sources and primarily the movement processes of microplastics in agricultural soils as a result of natural events. Evaluating the impact of weather on coastal microplastic contamination is critical, as extreme weather events have become more frequent in recent years. This study sheds light on how weather patterns affect the dispersion of plastic waste in terrestrial habitats, including the impacts of seasonality and extreme weather. According to our data, typhoons, monsoons, rainfall, and floods all contribute significantly more microplastics to the surface sediment through surface runoff and wind transport, particle redistribution caused by agitated waves, and fragmentation under intense abrasion forces. Severe weather conditions have the potential to disperse larger and more varied kinds of microplastics.

Academic stress affects students' psychological and physiological well-being. Dental undergraduate programs are known for their demanding curriculum, leading to significant stress symptoms. Objective was to determine if salivary cortisol levels were higher in students exposed to academic stress, assess the relationship between stress severity/temperament and cortisol values, and explore relaxation technique effects. Salivary cortisol was measured at two time points for all participants: before exams and during a relaxation period after summer break. A third measurement was conducted for students with high pre-test cortisol levels who received instructions on progressive muscle relaxation(PMR) before subsequent exams. Additionally, participants completed two questionnaires: Perceived Stress Scale(PSS) and Fisher's Temperament Questionnaire. The group analysis based on the PSS indicated that 39 participants reported high stress. Women demonstrated significantly higher stress than men(p=0.042054). A significant difference in stress levels was observed between Director and Builder temperament types(p=0.029276). Cortisol levels showed a significant decrease from the first measurement to the second measurement, and the third measurement after implementing PMR. The grade in the "Dermatovenereology" course correlated with stress level according to the PSS(k=0.578467). Pre-test cortisol levels correlated with the frequency of using PMR guidelines during winter test periods(k=0.416138). Stress negatively affects the immune system and poses health risks. Implementing stress reduction techniques in dental/medical education could benefit students and the healthcare system.

An outbreak of esophagitis and ingluvitis caused by Salmonella Typhimurium in passerines seized from illegal wildlife trafficking is described. This illegal activity causes stress and leads to lowered immunity in the birds. Additionally, inadequate hygiene conditions predispose the birds to diseases such as salmonellosis. Few studies report the occurrence of Salmonella-induced lesions in the esophagus and crop of wild birds; thus, this study aimed to describe the disease in these species, investigate its presence in the environment, and determine the antimicrobial resistance profile. Three birds of the genus Sporophila were necropsied. In the esophagus and crop, yellowish plaques corresponding to necrosis with bacterial aggregates were observed. Salmonella spp. was isolated from these lesions, with genus confirmation via MALDI-TOF. Environmental samples were collected from the enclosures and cages where the animals were quarantined, and the same bacterium was isolated. In two birds, the serotype S. Typhimurium was identified. Antibiograms performed on the strains from the birds and the environment revealed resistance to antibiotics in the classes of Penicillins, Sulfonamides, Aminoglycosides, Monobactams, Tetracyclines, and first and third-generation Cephalosporins. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this agent causing death in Sporophila due to esophagitis and ingluvitis. It is also the first report of salmonellosis in three species of passerines in Brazil. The study underscores the importance of understanding the pathogens circulating in wild animals, especially within the context of One Health.

Proteases represent common targets in combating infectious diseases including COVID-19. The 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) is a validated molecular target for COVID-19 and it is key for developing potent and selective inhibitors for inhibiting viral replication of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we discuss structural relationships and diverse subsites of 3CLpro, shedding light on the pivotal role of dimerization and active site architecture in substrate recognition and catalysis. Our analysis of bioinformatics and other published studies unveil a proposal of a novel catalytic mechanism for the SARS-CoV-2 polyprotein cleavage by 3CLpro, centering on the triad mechanism involving His41-Cys145-Asp187 and its indispensable role in viral replication. Recognizing Asp187 as a crucial component in the catalytic process underscores its significance as a fundamental pharmacophoric element in drug design. Next, we provide an overview of both covalent and non-covalent inhibitors, elucidating advancements in drug development observed in preclinical and clinical trials. By highlighting various chemical classes and their pharmacokinetic profiles, our review aims to guide future research directions toward the development of highly selective inhibitors, underscore the significance of 3CLpro as a validated therapeutic target, and propel the progression of drug candidates through preclinical and clinical phases.

CD44 regulates cell adhesion, proliferation, survival, and stemness and has been considered a tumor therapy target. CD44 possesses the shortest CD44 standard (CD44s) and a variety of CD44 variant (CD44v) isoforms. Since the expression of CD44v is restricted in epithelial cells and carcinomas compared to CD44s, CD44v has been considered a promising target for monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy. We previously developed an anti‐CD44v10 mAb, C44Mab-18 (IgM, kappa) to recognize the variant exon 10-encoded region. In the present study, a mouse IgG2a version of C44Mab-18 (C44Mab-18-mG2a) was generated to evaluate the antitumor activities against CD44-positive cells compared with previously established anti-pan CD44 mAb, C44Mab-46-mG2a. C44Mab-18-mG2a exhibited higher reactivity compared with C44Mab-46-mG2a to CD44v3–10-overexpressed CHO-K1 (CHO/CD44v3–10) and oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (HSC-2 and SAS) in flow cytometry. C44Mab-18-mG2a exerted a superior antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against CD44v3–10. In contrast, C44Mab-46-mG2a showed a superior complement‐dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) against CD44v3–10. A similar tendency was observed in ADCC and CDC against HSC-2 and SAS. Furthermore, administering C44Mab-18-mG2a or C44Mab-46-mG2a significantly suppressed CD44v3–10, HSC-2, and SAS xenograft tumor growth compared with the control mouse IgG2a. These results indicate that C44Mab-18-mG2a could be a promising therapeutic regimen for CD44v10-positive tumors.

Background/Objectives: Traditional neurosurgical training involves a steep learning curve. The introduction of advanced simulation technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), provides an alternative method for skill acquisition, allowing for repeated practice and objective assessment. This study focuses on evaluating the learning curve associated with lumbar pedicle Kirschner wire insertion using a virtual fluoroscopic simulator among neurosurgical residents. Methods: Eighteen neurosurgery residents and two interns participated in this study. Participants’ initial skill levels were assessed through a questionnaire. Performance metrics, including insertion accuracy, time, and the number of virtual X-ray scans, were recorded across multiple attempts until a “practical learning plateau” was reached. Statistical analyses were conducted to model learning curves, assess the correlation between pre-training experience and performance. Results: The average number of attempts required to stabilize performance was 5.61. Learning rates varied, with some residents showing rapid improvement while others progressed more slowly. Higher accuracy in wire placement correlated with reduced usage on X-rays over time. However, experienced residents did not necessarily learn faster, indicating potential challenges in adapting to new simulation-based methods. Post-training feedback highlighted the simulator’s utility in increasing confidence and skill levels, although some limitations in anatomical accuracy were noted. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential of virtual simulation to enhance neurosurgical training by providing a controlled environment for repeated practice and objective feedback. Simulation-based training can effectively complement traditional methods, though individualized approaches may be necessary to accommodate varying learning rates among residents. Further refinement of simulation tools and their integration into standard training curricula are recommended.

Individuals have different rumination patterns after experiencing traumatic events in different cultural backgrounds and situations. This study was aimed to explore the experience of Chinese young and middle-aged patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to understand the content and nature of their rumination. Fourteen participants were selected using the purposive sampling method in XXX hospital from May 2023 to December 2023. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’ s 7-step phenomenological method. The content of rumination in young and middle-aged patients with ACS can be summarized into 2 categories: non-adaptive rumination and adaptive rumination. Non-adaptive rumination included 3 themes: worry or anxiety, scare, and depression. Adaptive rumination included 4 themes: tracing of disease processes, enhancement of disease cognition, improvement of health awareness, and adjustment of lifestyle cognition. In conclusion, although Chinese young and middle-aged patients with ACS experience negative emotions after a traumatic cardiac event, they gradually make positive changes, and optimism and information support play important roles in this transition, which provide a fundamental understanding of rumination experiences in Chinese young and middle-aged patients with ACS and provide new data for healthcare providers when designing intervention programs to enhance post-traumatic growth in these patients.

Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causative agent of the Asian Soybean Rust, is one of the most prominent causes of yield loss in soybean production worldwide. In this study, a combination of hyperspectral imaging with advanced data analysis methodology is shown to accurately detect soybean rust symptoms in early stages and differentiate them from other factors at leaf scale. Data analysis was performed with neural networks based on training data from a small subset of the respective experiments and compared with classical machine learning methods for its accuracy and early disease detection capabilities. Results show that even with a comparably small subset of training data the analysis through neural networks can outperform classical machine learning methods in a complex dataset with high variability in the designated classes. In two separate experiments it was possible to accurately detect disease in inoculated leaves before symptoms were visible to the human eye. These results do not only show the potential of this methodology for precision farming applications, but also allow accurate and objective assessment of symptom severity and development for scientific studies and resistance breeding.

Statement of problem: The stereo-optical method can be used for assessment of strains and deformations of different fixed or removable prosthodontic constructions. Material and methods: The study used two master casts of a lower jaw with bilateral terminal edentulous seats. Their topography was identical, with missing lower molars, the left lower second premolar, and the right canine and incisors, indicating a partially edentulous lower jaw according to Eichner's B3 (and C2) classification (i.e. Kennedy class 1). The control cast had conventional oval copings for overdenture. The experimental cast was almost the same as the control, with the exception of the surfaces simulating three specific milled copings covering the remaining tooth substance. Controlled loading was measured using a gnathodynamometer. Loading stages were at 400, 800, and 1000 N. Measurements of strain and displacement were provided by the Digital Image Correlation Method and the associated software. ‘Wilcoxon Lambda’ two sample tests based on the simple linear rank statistics were used in the analysis of differences in the displacement and deformation between the control rounded and experimental milled copings under loading numerical values. Results: It was found that smaller values of deformations are measured on milled copings when compared to the controls. There were statistically significant differences in displacement between the control rounded and experimental milled copings (Pr > |Z| = 0.001) as well as in deformations (Pr > |Z| = 0.0298). Conclusions: Experimental milled copings are less susceptible to deformation compared to the control conventional oval copings. These findings may have clinical significance in improvements of primary and secondary retention of overdentures on milled copings.

Earth’s climate cannot be ignored any longer. Policies are vital in order to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. The energy crisis created by the Russo-Ukrainian war and pandemic affected the EU and its member states. The focus is more than ever on its energy policies and independence. The EU revised the energy strategy in response to Russia’s blackmail, and it sped up all the processes for energetic independence from Russia. This benefited the climate change policies the most, as all the measures involved reducing energy consumption and increasing renewables, thus contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a member state of the EU, Romania is committed to complying with EU regulations. With a high degree of energy independence compared with the other EU members, Romania plans to become a regional energy provider and modernize the energy infrastructure internally as a response to Russia’s unprovoked aggression. The measures that the EU and Romania implemented after the war started in 2022 have come to fruition, and the effects are becoming visible a year later. This study aims to study the energy strategy of Romania in correlation with the EU strategy in the turbulent period of pandemics and war between 2019 and 2023, with the latest available data.

A joint analysis of solar wind, geomagnetic field, and earthquake catalog data showed that before the catastrophic M7.8 and M7.5 Kahramanmaras earthquake sequence on February 6, 2023, the closed strong magnetic storm occurred on November 7, 2022, SYM/H=-117 nT. Storm started at 08:04 UT. At this time, the high latitudinal part of Turkey's longitudinal region of future epicenters was located under the polar cusp, where the solar wind plasma would directly access the Earth's environment. The time delay between storm onset and earthquake occurrence was ~91 days. We analyzed all seven strong (M7+) earthquakes from 1967 to 2020 to verify the initial findings. A similar pattern has been revealed for all events. The time delay between magnetic storm onset and earthquake occurrence varies from some days to some months. To continue these investigations, a retrospective analysis of seismic and other geophysical parameters just after preceded geomagnetic storms in the epicenter areas is desirable.

Background: Olecranon fractures are common injuries of the upper limb in adults. Simple dis-placed trasverse fractures are generally surgically treated with tension-band wiring (TBW) or plate fixation (PF). The purpose of this retrospective study is to compare the clinical-functional outcome, complications and reoperation rates between TBW and PF for Mayo IIA fractures. Methods: 72 patients treated with PF or TBW at our institution, completed our survey and clinical evaluation and their demographic and clinical data were recorded and analysed. The clini-cal-functional outcomes were evaluated assessing ROMs and three validated scoring systems: the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and the Patient American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Elbow Assess-ment score (pASES-e). Results: 38 patients (53%) underwent TBW and 34 (47%) PF. The mean DASH, MEPS and pASES-e scores were respectively 14.5±17.2, 80.5±14.7 and 83.6±12.4 in the TBW group and 21±21.7, 75.6±15.3 and 75.1±19.2 in the PF group (p=0.16, p=0.17 and p=0.03). The mean duration of surgery and hospitalisation period were longer in the PF group (p=0.002, p=0.37) whereas the complication and reoperation rates were higher after TBW (p=0.15, p=0.24). Conclusion: According to the literature, both TBW and PF resulted comparable valid surgical op-tions for the treatment of simple isolated displaced olecranon fractures, revealing that they both provide good/excellent outcomes with no significant differences.

Species of the genus Drosophila have served as favorite models in speciation studies; however, genetic factors of interspecific reproductive incompatibility are underinvestigated. Here we performed the analysis of hybrid female sterility by crossing Drosophila melanogaster females and Drosophila simulans males. Using transcriptomic data analysis, molecular, cellular, and genetic approaches, we analyzed differential gene expression, transposable element (TE) activity, piRNA biogenesis, and functional defects of oogenesis in hybrids. Premature germline stem cell loss was the most prominent defect of oogenesis in hybrid ovaries. Due to the differential expression of genes encoding piRNA pathway components, rhino and deadlock, the functional RDCmel complex in hybrid ovaries was not assembled. However, the activity of the RDCsim complex was maintained in hybrids, independent of the genomic origin of piRNA clusters. Despite the identification of a cohort of overexpressed TEs in hybrid ovaries, we found no evidence that their activity can be considered the main cause of hybrid sterility. We revealed a complicated pattern of Vasa protein expression in the hybrid germline, including partial AT-chX piRNA targeting of the vasasim allele and a significant zygotic delay in vasamel expression. We arrived at the conclusion that the hybrid sterility phenotype was caused by intricate multi-locus differences between the species.

Accurate solar power forecasting is pivotal for the effective planning, management, and operation of power systems, ensuring a sustainable energy supply for consumers while optimizing the integration of renewable energy sources and the functioning of electricity markets. Recent advancements have focused on developing predictive models that offer precise daily forecasts for solar power generation, which are critical for power usage planning and production efficiency. These models typically leverage a diverse range of data inputs, including solar power metrics and meteorological variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, and wind speed—factors that significantly influence solar power generation due to their weather-dependent nature. This study introduces a novel hybrid forecasting model that synergizes the capabilities of the Prophet model and Gated Recurrent Units (GRU), leveraging their respective strengths to enhance predictive performance. The proposed model is rigorously evaluated across short-term (2 days, 7 days) and medium-term (15 days, 30 days) forecasting horizons. Experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid model significantly outperforms the existing models, delivering superior accuracy in solar power generation forecasts.

Nickel electrodeposition is a widely utilized method for creating thin films on various substrates with various desirable attributes. Recently, there has been a growing interest in developing nickel composite coatings that incorporate additional elements or particles into the nickel matrix to enhance their properties. These composite coatings offer superior wear resistance, corrosion resistance, hardness, and other functional benefits compared to pure nickel coatings. Some of the recent advancements in electrodeposited nickel composite coatings include improved wear resistance, enhanced mechanical properties and better corrosion resistance. Researchers have discovered that adding Al, Si, Zr, C, W, and Ti particles to nickel coatings can significantly enhance wear resistance. The uniform distribution of these particles within the nickel matrix acts as a barrier to wear and tear. Studies have also shown that nickel composite coatings with Al, Si, Zr, C, W, and Ti particles exhibit superior mechanical properties, including increased hardness. These particles refine the grain size of the nickel matrix and hinder defect movement, leading to greater mechanical strength. Moreover, nickel composite coatings offer improved protection against corrosion compared to pure nickel coatings. This review provides a detail discussion of nickel composite coatings with regard to their comparative advantaged compared to pure nickel coatings on different substrates.

In order to enhance the efficiency and combined performances of nitriding layer, aluminum-modified plasma nitriding (Al-PN) was developed in this research by adding some FeAl particles around the samples during plasma nitriding (PN) for 42CrMo steel. The results show that the efficiency is dramatically enhanced almost 6 times comparing with traditional PN, with the effective hardening layer increasing from 224 μm to 1246 μm at 520℃/4h. More importantly, the compound layer increased just a little bit from 11.64 μm to 14.32 μm, which remarkably reduces the ratio of the compound layer thickness to effective hardening layer thickness, thus being quite beneficial to decrease the brittleness level, making the brittleness level decreasing from Level 4 to Level 1. Meanwhile, ultra-high surface hardness and excellent wear behaviors are obtained by aluminum-modified plasma nitriding (Al-PN) due to the formation of dispersed strengthening phased of AlN and FexAl in the nitriding layer, with the surface hardness increasing from 755 HV0.025 to 1251 HV0.025, wear rate decreasing from 8.15 x10-5g N-1 m-1 to 4.07 x10-5g N-1 m-1. In other words, comparing with PN, the wear resistance has been almost doubled by Al-PN. Therefore, the research can provide comprehensive insights into the surface characteristics and combined performances of the aluminum-modified plasma nitriding layer.

Background: The different disease forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are influenced by parasite and host factors. Malnutrition impairs immunity. It has been found to disrupt immune protection by favoring the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins over pro-inflammatory cytokines. In Ethiopia, data on CL patients’ nutritional status remains scarce. This study aims to assess clinical polymorphism and its association with the nutritional status of the patient. Methods: A retrospective study conducted from June to July 2024, and patient’s data was analyzed from those treated for CL. Nutritional status was assessed through MUAC, Z-score, and BMI. Results: A total of 217 CL patient’s statuses were nutritionally defined and 22% of them were found malnourished. Most of the CL problems concentrate on age <18 years and found mainly affected groups than others 23 (27%). Malnutrition explained more in MCL (30%) and Repeat/recurrent patients (38.5%) than in LCL (20%) and new CL cases (21%) respectively. In Early disease onset, the malnutrition level was higher than in later times (29%) versus (17%). Conclusions: The burden of Malnutrition is high in CL patients and might modify the clinical variability like CL forms, treatment response, and polymorphism of the disease.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was established in 2009 and in 2024, its membership increased to 168 members plus the European Union countries. The purpose of IRENA is to promote the adoption of renewable energy across all industries in the world. Despite the utilization of renewable energy in sectors like power generation and construction, its application in other industries remains limited. Therefore, a literature review study was conducted to investigate the cost and other spatial constraints associated with renewable energy resources, including modeling and optimization techniques that could offer viable solutions to the future challenges faced by the renewable energy production systems. This paper has summarized the result of this study with a focus on the significance of modeling and optimization techniques in energy conservation to highlight the untapped potential for leveraging renewable energy resources in industrial applications. This paper also examined a few case studies from various regions of the world, demonstrating the promising opportunities for research in the modeling and optimization of renewable energy management systems.

A novel electrospun nanofiber was developed using polyamide-6 (PA) and ε-poly-L-lysine (PL). PA is a popular textile polymer having desirable mechanical and thermal properties, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. However, PA nanofibers are prone to bacterial growth and user discomfort. PL, a natural homopolyamide, is non-toxic, antimicrobial, and hydrophilic but lacks spinnability due to its low molecular weight. Given its similar backbone structure as PA, with an additional amino side chain, PL was integrated with PA to develop multifunctional nanofibers. This study explores a simple, scalable method to obtain PL nanofibers by utilizing the structurally similar PA as the base. The goal was to enhance the functionality of PA by addressing its drawbacks. The study demonstrates spinnability of varying concentrations of PL with base PA while exploring compositions with higher PL concentrations than previously reported. Electrospinning parameters were studied to optimize the nanofiber properties. The effects of PL addition on morphology, hydrophilicity, thermal stability, mechanical performance, and long-term antimicrobial activity of nanofibers were evaluated. The inclusion of PL in PA-based nanofibers resulted in super hydrophilicity, increased tensile strength, and efficient antimicrobial properties with long-term stability. These enhanced characteristics hold promise for the composite nanofiber’s application in medical and protective textiles.

This study investigates the transformative impact of ChatGPT, a cutting-edge AI language model developed by OpenAI, on the financial sector. We explore ChatGPT's applications in financial analysis, focusing on its ability to perform tasks traditionally handled by human analysts. By creating a set of multi-step and advanced reasoning financial tasks, and establishing several task-specific evaluation metrics, our experimental results demonstrate that ChatGPT-4o can effectively perform both basic and some complex financial analysis tasks comparable to those executed by humans. However, our empirical evaluation reveals limitations in its performance on complex tasks that require comprehensive understanding and critical thinking. The study highlights the necessity for meticulous task formulation and robust evaluation to achieve consistent functionality. While ChatGPT enhances efficiency in financial analysis, its integration with human expertise remains crucial for effective decision-making. This study contributes to the understanding of AI's role in finance and provides insights into its potential and constraints, guiding future integration of AI technologies in financial practices.

The development of new turbomachinery designs requires numerous time-consuming and computationally intensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations. However, most of the generated high spatial resolution data remains unused at later development steps. That is also the case with automated optimization processes that use only a few integral values to determine objectives and constraints. Therefore the development of a data-driven AI model was initiated to ensure the potential of further use of the CFD data which is also used to train the AI model. The presented method subsequently provides a fast approximation of the 3D flow for new designs. In this paper, the structure of the developed AI model is presented and the approximation quality is analysed using a complex, state-of-the-art compressor test case. It is shown that the AI model can reproduce many characteristics of the 3D flow of new designs, and performance measures such as efficiency can be derived from these flow predictions. In addition, the complex test case revealed that greater design variation reduces the AI approximation quality which can lead to undesirable exploratory behaviour in an optimisation setup. Overall, the test case has shown promising results and has provided hints for further improvements of the AI model.

Structured science summaries or research contributions using properties or dimensions beyond traditional keywords enhances science findability. Current methods, such as those used by the Open Research Knowledge Graph (ORKG), involve manually curating properties to describe research papers' contributions in a structured manner, but this is labor-intensive and inconsistent between the domain expert human curators. We propose using Large Language Models (LLMs) to automatically suggest these properties. However, it's essential to assess the readiness of LLMs like GPT-3.5, Llama 2, and Mistral for this task before application. Our study performs a comprehensive comparative analysis between ORKG's manually curated properties and those generated by the aforementioned state-of-the-art LLMs. We evaluate LLM performance through four unique perspectives: semantic alignment and deviation with ORKG properties, fine-grained properties mapping accuracy, SciNCL embeddings-based cosine similarity, and expert surveys comparing manual annotations with LLM outputs. These evaluations occur within a multidisciplinary science setting. Overall, LLMs show potential as recommendation systems for structuring science, but further finetuning is recommended to improve their alignment with scientific tasks and mimicry of human expertise.

Lattice structures have emerged as promising materials for aerospace structures applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratios, customizable properties, and efficient use of materials. These properties make them at-tractive for use in anti-ice systems, where lightweight and heat exchanging are essential. This paper presents an extensive experimental investigation into mechanical compression properties of lattice trusses fabricated from AlSi10Mg powder alloy, a material commonly used in casted aerospace parts. The truss structures were manufactured using additive manufacturing Selective Laser Melting technique and subjected to uniaxial compressive loading to assess their performance. The results demonstrate that AlSi10Mg lattice trusses exhibit remarkable compressive strength with strong correlations depending upon both topology and cells’ parameters setup. The finding described highlights the potential of AlSi10Mg alloy as a promising material for custom truss fabrication, offering customizable cost-effective and lightweight solutions for aerospace market. The paper also emphasizes the role of additive manufacturing in producing complex structures with pointwise tailored mechanical properties.

Major (exo)planetary and satellite bodies seem to concentrate at intermediate areas of the radial 1 distributions of all the objects orbiting in each (sub)system. We show that angular-momentum transport during secular evolution of (exo)planets and satellites necessarily results in the observed intermediate accumulation of the massive objects. We quantify the ‘middle’ as the mean of mean motions (orbital angular velocities) when three or more massive objects are involved. Radial evolution of the orbits is expected to be halted when the survivors settle near mean-motion resonances and angular-momentum transfer between them ceases (gravitational Landau damping). This dynamical behavior is opposite in direction to what has been theorized for viscous and magnetized accretion disks, in which gas spreads out and away from either side of any conceivable intermediate area. We present angular momentum transfer simulations in few-body systems, and we calculate the tidal dissipation timescales and the physical properties of the mean tidal field in planetary and satellite (sub)systems.

This research investigates the fatigue behaviour and fracture mechanics of high-performance concrete (HPC), including various compositions such as HPC with basalt aggregates (HPC-B), HPC with gravel (HPC-G), and high-strength coarse mortar (CM) static and cyclic tensile loading within the special priority program SPP 2020. The study aims to integrate fracture mechanics into structural analysis to enhance design guidelines for slender cross-sections and safety-related high-performance structural components. The experimental investigations reveal HPC-B's re-markable superiority, displaying higher compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and tensile strength compared to HPC-G and CM. A modified disk-shaped compact tension (MDCT) based on ASTM standards, aided by digital image correlation (DIC) unveils fracture behaviour, empha-sizing fracture energy as a crucial parameter. HPC-B exhibits improved crack resistance and notch sensitivity reduction attributed to crushed basalt aggregates and enhanced interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The research scrutinizes factors like material characterization, aggregate morphology, stress levels, and displacement rate on crack formation. High-cycle fatigue tests show HPC-B's superior performance, and post-fatigue analysis reveals enhanced residual fracture toughness attributed to nano-level structural changes, stress redistribution and aggregate-matrix interac-tion. 3D image analysis via Computed Tomography (CT) scans captures mesostructural crack propagation and provide quantitative insights. This study advances the understanding of HPC fatigue behaviour, emphasizing the interplay of aggregate types, morphologies, and their dy-namic response to cyclic loading, offering valuable insights for optimizing design guidelines and fostering innovation in structural engineering.

The construction industry is a resource and energy intensive industry and thus, has been criti-cized due to rising environmental concerns. As a result of that it has gained heightened interest in the concept of Circular Economy (CE) over the last decade to its ability to promote the slowing, reducing, and closing production and consumption cycles of materials and products used in the construction practices. Digital technologies hold potential to enhance the construction industry's ability to integrate the concept of CE in its practices. However, a clear understanding of digital technology (DT) related barriers that hinder practical implementation of CE, appears to be lacking within the sector. In light of this, this study aims to identify the barriers to adopting DTs to im-plement CE practices in the construction industry. To achieve this aim, a systematic literature review was conducted by reviewing twenty-three (23) relevant papers published until January 2024 in Scopus database. The VOS viewer software was used to perform a co-occurrence analysis of keywords to identify new and popular study areas in the field and content analysis was used to analyse the major barriers to adapt DTs to implement CE in the construction industry. The study identified thirty-four (34) barriers to use DTs to implement CE and these were categorized into nine areas such as: infrastructure, organizational, regulatory, standardization, investment, nature of the construction industry, technological, stakeholder and data related barriers. These findings will be beneficial for construction practitioners and policy makers to adopt DTs to integrate CE practices in the construction industry.

The transition to sustainable energy systems in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region addresses critical challenges of environmental protection, energy security, and socio-economic resilience. Using neo-institutional theory, this paper examines the intricate relationship between formal and informal institutions and their significant impact on the region’s energy transition. Despite the MENA region’s abundant renewable energy resources, numerous institutional barriers, such as governance inefficiencies, regulatory inconsistencies, and entrenched socio-cultural norms, significantly hinder this transition. Through a review of existing literature, this study presents a comprehensive analytical framework designed to overcome these barriers, with a focus on the Just and Sustainable Energy Transition model. This strategic model emphasizes equity, sustainability, and inclusive governance as pillars for reform. The study offers detailed recommendations for institutional change and underscores the importance of collaborative efforts among governments, industry stakeholders, and international partners to unlock the MENA region’s renewable energy potential, advance global sustainability goals, and ensure a more secure and resilient energy future.

Remote Photoplethysmography (rPPG) has emerged as a non-intrusive and promising physiological sensing capability in HCI research, gradually extending its applications in health-monitoring and clinical care contexts. With advanced machine learning models, recent datasets collected in real-world conditions have gradually enhanced the performance of rPPG methods in recovering heart-rate and heart-rate variability metrics. However, the signal quality of reference ground-truth PPG data in existing datasets is by and large neglected, while poor quality references negatively influence models. Here, this work introduces a new imaging blood volume pulse (iBVP) dataset of synchronized RGB and thermal infrared videos with PPG ground-truth signals from the ear and its high resolution signal quality labels, for the first time. Participants perform rhythmic breathing, head-movement, and stress-inducing tasks, which help reflect real-world variations in psycho-physiological states. This work conducts dense (per sample) signal quality assessment to discard noisy segments of ground-truth and corresponding video frames. We further present a novel end-to-end machine learning framework, iBVPNet that features an efficient and effective spatio-temporal feature aggregation for reliable estimation of BVP signals. Finally, this work examines the feasibility of extracting BVP signals from thermal video frames, which is underexplored. The iBVP dataset and source codes are publicly available for research use.

Thrombosis is the pathological clot formation under abnormal hemodynamic conditions, which can result in vascular obstruction, causing ischemic strokes and myocardial infarction. Thrombus growth under moderate to low shear (<1000 s^-1) relies on platelet activation and coagulation. Thrombosis at elevated high shear rates (>10,000 s-1) is predominantly driven by unactivated platelet binding and aggregating mediated by von Willebrand factor (VWF), while platelet activation and coagulation are secondary in supporting and reinforcing the thrombus. Given the molecular and cellular level information it can access, multiscale computational modelling informed by biology can provide new pathphysiological mechanisms that are otherwise not accessible experimentally, holding promise for novel first-principle-based therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the key aspects of platelet biorheology and mechanobiology, focusing on the molecular and cellular scale events and how they build up to thrombosis through platelet adhesion and aggregation in the presence or absence of platelet activation. In particular, we highlight recent advancements in multiscale modeling of platelet biorheology and mechanobiology and how they can lead to better prediction and quantification of thrombus formation, exemplifying the exciting paradigm of digital medicine.

Objectives: Although the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has increased among Koreans, the specific health benefits of the Korean Healthy Diet (KHD) score remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the KHD score and MetS, and to identify the optimal cutoff of the KHD score for reducing MetS prevalence. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from 11,403 participants of the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The KHD score was calculated based on adherence to 13 dietary components. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between the KHD score and MetS, and to identify the optimal cutoff values for the KHD score. Results: The average KHD score was significantly lower in participants with MetS than in those without MetS (5.03 vs. 5.14, p=0.016). A one- and two-point increase in the KHD score was associated with reduction in MetS prevalence (one-point, odds ratio [OR]: 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–0.98; two-point, OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84–0.97). The optimal cutoff for the KHD score was identified as &gt;7 points, which was related to lower odds of MetS (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.65–0.93) compared to 1–4 points, particularly with hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69–0.94) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74–0.98). Conclusions: The KHD score was inversely associated with MetS prevalence, and the identified optimal cutoff values can serve as a practical tool for public health interventions aimed at reducing the risk of MetS.

Melanoma is the most aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer, and its incidence has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, particularly in the Caucasian population [1]. Current treatment strategies, the combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAF/MEKi) in BRAFV600 mutant melanoma, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), have changed the clinical evolution of this disease [2]. However, a significant percentage of patients do not benefit from these therapies. Therefore, to improve patient selection, it is imperative to look for novel biomarkers. Immune subsets, particularly the quantification of lymphoid populations, could contribute to the identification of ICI responders. The aim of this review is to thoroughly examine significant published data on this topic in melanoma patients and to evaluate the potential role of lymphoid subsets as prognostic and predictive response biomarkers.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is essentially featured by self-tissue destruction by means of the adaptive immune responses that evade immune regulation. Vitamin D carries out an immunomodulatory role that appears to promote immune tolerance. The aim of this study is to elaborate a narrative review about the relationship between vitamin D status and HT and the role of vitamin D supplementation to reduce HT risk by modulating the immune system. There is an extensive literature confirming that vitamin D levels are significantly lower in HT patients compared to healthy people. On the other hand, after the supplementation with cholecalciferol in patients with HT and vitamin D deficiency, thyroid autoantibody titer decreased significantly, However, there are no conclusive results on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the thyroid function. The confirmation of the beneficial effects of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune thyroid diseases require additional randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with longer follow-up.

Objectives: To assess the concordance of the preoperative application of the #Enzian classification (#ENZIANi) with the postoperative result (#ENZIANs) using surgical findings as the reference standard. Methods: This retrospective study included 282 consecutive patients with deep endometriosis undergoing surgical treatment. Preoperative assessment with transvaginal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging was compared with postoperative assessment. Concordance and diagnostic test evaluation were calculated. Results: The highest concordance was observed in the F (abdominal wall endometriosis) with k Cohen of 0.837, following the values for pelvic locations, with 0.795 for T left, 0.791 for T right, 0.776 for F (adenomyosis), 0.766 for C (rectum), and 0.75 and 0.72 for O right k and O left, respectively. The highest sensitivity was demonstrated for the P compartment *(98%), T compartment (both sides 97%), and A, B, C (94%- 96%), corresponding with deep endometriosis. Conclusions: Preoperative assessment using TVS/TAS+MRI with the ENZIANi score correlates well with the ENZIANs postoperative score and demonstrates good concordance in the detection and localization of deep endometriosis, thereby minimizing false negative results and ensuring accurate preoperative staging. The ENZIAN classification is well-suited to surgeons&#39; needs and benefits from continuous development. Future improvements, such as adding the expanded C module, may be considered in the next edition.

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂)-based metal-composites doped with cerium (Ce) and yttrium (Y), using chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) as base metals. These constituents were selected for their superior mechanical properties and compatibility with the ceramic phase. High-purity powders were homogenized via high-energy ball milling, followed by cold isostatic pressing (CIP) and sintering in a controlled atmosphere. The sintering process was conducted at various temperatures (850°C to 1350°C) to examine densification, grain growth, and microstructure evolution. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed a homogeneous distribution of phases, with distinct microstructural features attributed to each element at different sintering temperatures. Density measurements using the water immersion method and theoretical calculations demonstrated increased density and reduced porosity with higher sintering temperatures. Vickers hardness testing indicated that hardness improved with increased sintering temperature, peaking around 1150°C due to cerium and yttrium reinforcement within the matrix. Flexural strength tests showed the highest value at 1350°C, with a significant drop in porosity, suggesting enhanced mechanical properties due to efficient doping and phase transformations. Overall, the incorporation of cerium and yttrium significantly improved the mechanical behavior and phase stability of the ZrO₂-Cr-Ni composites, highlighting their potential for advanced engineering applications.

Detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from different plant species and their or-gans can provide valuable information about plant health and environmental factors that affect them. For example, limonene emission can be a biomarker to monitor plant health and detect stress. Traditional methods for VOC detection encounter challenges, prompting the proposal of novel approaches. In this study, we proposed integrating electrospinning, molecular imprinting, and conductive nanofibers to fabricate limonene sensors. In detail, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) served here as fiber and cavity formers, respectively, with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) enhancing conductivity. We developed one-step monolithic molecularly imprinted fibers, where S(-)-limonene was the target molecule using electrospinning technique. The functional cavities were fixed using UV curing method, followed by a target mol-ecule washing. This procedure enabled the creation of recognition sites for limonene within the nanofiber matrix, enhancing sensor performance and streamlining manufacturing. Humidity was crucial for sensor working, with optimal conditions at about 50% RH. The sensors rapidly re-sponded to S(-)-limonene, reaching a plateau within 200 seconds. Enhancing fiber density im-proved sensor performance, resulting in a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 137 ppb. However, excessive fiber density decreased accessibility to active sites, thus reducing sensitivity. Remarka-bly, the thinnest mat on the fibrous sensors created provided the highest selectivity to limonene (Selectivity Index: 72%) compared to other VOCs, such as EtOH (used as a solvent in nanofiber development), aromatic compounds (toluene), and two other monoterpenes (α-pinene and linalo-ol) with similar structure. These findings underscored the potential of the proposed integrated approach for selective VOC detection in applications such as precision agriculture and environ-mental monitoring.

Purpose: The study investigates soil pores' impact on carbon dynamics and sequestration processes, examining their physical and chemical characteristics and their mechanisms for carbon sequestration.Research Method: Existing literature and research on soil pores, carbon dynamics, and carbon sequestration are analyzed. The interrelationships between soil pore structure, water movement, microbial activity, root penetration, carbon input, soil aggregation, and gas exchange are examined. Traditional techniques and advanced imaging methods are used to quantify and characterize soil pores.Findings: Soil pores play a critical role in facilitating carbon sequestration through various mechanisms. They affect water movement, microbial activity, root penetration, carbon input, soil aggregation, and gas exchange. Understanding these relationships is crucial for sustainable soil management.Research Limitations: This study relies on existing literature and research, which may have limitations and uncertainties. Further research is needed to address these gaps and enhance understanding.Originality Value: This research enhances the existing knowledge by comprehensively examining the significance of soil pores in carbon dynamics and sequestration. It incorporates both traditional and advanced methods, providing insights for soil management and contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

As Li-ion batteries use is spreading, incidents in large energy storage systems (stationary storage containers, …) or in large-scale cell and battery storages (warehouse, recyclers, …), often leading to fire, are occurring on regular basis. Water remains one of the most efficient fire extinguishing agents for tackling those battery incidents and large quantities are usually necessary. Since bat-teries contains various potentially harmful components (metals and their oxides or salts, sol-vents…) and that thermal runway induced battery incidents are accompanied with complex and potentially multistage fume emissions (containing both gas and particles) the potential impact of fire run-off water on the environment should be considered and assessed carefully. The tests presented in this paper focus on the analysis of the composition of run-off waters used to spray NMC Li-ion modules under thermal runaway. It highlights that waters used for fire-fighting are susceptible to contain many metals, including Ni, Mn, Co, Li and Al mixed with other carbonaceous species (soot, tarballs) and sometimes undecomposed solvents used in the elec-trolyte. Extra-polation of pollutant concentrations compared with PNEC values showed that, for large scale incidents, run-off water could be potentially hazardous to the environment.