This study aims to understand the role of BPJS Kesehatan as a variable that mediates or mediates the relationship between emergency services and patient satisfaction. This can include how administrative processes, access to services, or costs incurred by BPJS affect the relationship between service and satisfaction. Quantitative studies of a correlational nature are a part of this investigation. In order to forecast endogenous variables (Y) Purchase decisions, researchers conduct correlational studies, which examine the link between one or more variables and other factors. Here, X represents emergency services, Y stands for patient satisfaction, and M for BPJS are the exogenous variables. The purpose of this research is to examine the role of BPJS as a moderator between the impact of emergency services on patients' levels of satisfaction. There were 120 people that filled out the survey, and the margin of error was 10% (based on a 90% truth rate and a 10% error rate). Purposive sampling was used to select participants for the aforementioned studies. Warppls 8.0 and the Warp Partial Least Square program were utilized for data analysis in this investigation. The study found that PKD significantly and positively affected 71% of participants' happiness with the impact they received. With a 63% influence, PKD has a favorable and statistically significant effect on BPJS. Patient satisfaction is significantly impacted by BPJS, which has a favorable association. When looking at the connection between community satisfaction and emergency services, BPJS is a key mediator. Community satisfaction can be enhanced through the provision of fast and excellent emergency services, and BPJS plays a vital role in mediating this relationship. The beneficial effect of emergency services on community satisfaction can be amplified if BPJS is able to offer sufficient coverage while simultaneously reducing costs and expediting administrative processes.

This study aims to understand the role of BPJS Kesehatan as a variable that mediates or mediates the relationship between emergency services and patient satisfaction. This can include how administrative processes, access to services, or costs incurred by BPJS affect the relationship between service and satisfaction. Quantitative studies of a correlational nature are a part of this investigation. In order to forecast endogenous variables (Y) Purchase decisions, researchers conduct correlational studies, which examine the link between one or more variables and other factors. Here, X represents emergency services, Y stands for patient satisfaction, and M for BPJS are the exogenous variables. The purpose of this research is to examine the role of BPJS as a moderator between the impact of emergency services on patients' levels of satisfaction. There were 120 people that filled out the survey, and the margin of error was 10% (based on a 90% truth rate and a 10% error rate). Purposive sampling was used to select participants for the aforementioned studies. Warppls 8.0 and the Warp Partial Least Square program were utilized for data analysis in this investigation. The study found that PKD significantly and positively affected 71% of participants' happiness with the impact they received. With a 63% influence, PKD has a favorable and statistically significant effect on BPJS. Patient satisfaction is significantly impacted by BPJS, which has a favorable association. When looking at the connection between community satisfaction and emergency services, BPJS is a key mediator. Community satisfaction can be enhanced through the provision of fast and excellent emergency services, and BPJS plays a vital role in mediating this relationship. The beneficial effect of emergency services on community satisfaction can be amplified if BPJS is able to offer sufficient coverage while simultaneously reducing costs and expediting administrative processes

This paper presents a discrete compartmental Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered/Dead (SEIR/D) model to address the expansion of Covid-19 pandemic. When time passes, the status of the cells is determined by binary rules that update following both a neighbourhood and a delay pattern. The model assumes the environmental parameters have a crucial impact on the expansion of the disease so a grid is assigned to each parameter to model the single effect caused by this parameter. The expansion is then the weighted sum of all the grids. This proposal shows how the grid architecture, along with an update rule and a neighbourhood pattern is a valuable tool to model the pandemic expansion. This model has already been analyzed in previous works and compared with the corresponding continuous models solved by ordinary differential equations (ODE), coming to find the homologous parameters between both approaches. Thus, it has been possible to prove that the combination neighborhood-update rule is responsible for the rate of expansion and recovering/death of the illness. The delays (between Susceptible and Asymptomatic, Asymptomatic and Infected, Infected and Recovered/Dead) may have a crucial impact on both the peak of Infected and the Recovery/Death rate. This theoretical model has been successfully tested in the case of the dissemination of information through mobile social networks and in the case of plant pests.

Cardiac regeneration is a critical endeavor in the treatment of heart diseases, aimed at repairing and enhancing the structure and function of damaged myocardium. This review offers a comprehensive overview of current advancements and strategies in cardiac regeneration, with a specific focus on regenerative medicine and tissue engineering-based approaches. Stem cell-based therapies, which involve the utilization of adult stem cells and pluripotent stem cells hold immense potential for replenishing lost cardiomyocytes and facilitating cardiac tissue repair and regeneration. Tissue engineering also plays a prominent role employing synthetic or natural biomaterials, engineering cardiac patches and grafts with suitable properties, and fabricating upscale bioreactors to create functional constructs for cardiac recovery. These constructs can be transplanted into heart to provide mechanical support and facilitate tissue healing. Additionally, the production of organoids and chips that accurately replicate the structure and function of the whole organ is an area of extensive research. Despite significant progress, several challenges persist in the field of cardiac regeneration. These include enhancing cell survival and engraftment, achieving proper vascularization, and ensuring the long-term functionality of engineered constructs. Overcoming these obstacles offering effective therapies to restore cardiac function could improve the quality of life for individuals with heart diseases.

Medicinal plants have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. More or less all plants have medicinal properties. In this research article, we have selected four economically important plants (three fruit plants and an economically important plant), Malus domestica Borkh., Prunus persica L., Ricinus communis L., and Carica papaya L. found in several areas of Indian state Uttarakhand. Using the methanolic extract of leaves, we have screened those four plants against four human pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus. For our experiment we have screened the methanolic leaf extracts of four plants against the above-mentioned bacteria. Statistical analysis was also performed for validation. Result revealed the said bacteria have potential antibacterial activities. So, these leaves can be used for clinical trial. These plants can also be used for making herbal medicines.

Essential oils are mixtures of compounds obtained from plants, including flowers, roots, bark, leaves, seeds,peel, fruits, wood, that have risen up in the last decades thanks to their beneficial properties as antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents. The aim of this study was to characterize and analyze 13 different commercial essential oils with two different techniques. The first is GC-MS, coupled with SPME, thanks to which 204 different VOCs have been identified. The results show that a total of 95 compounds was found only in one oil, while the others were found with different frequencies in many of them. The most represented class is that of terpenes, as widely reported in literature. The second technique is based on an array of chemical gas sensors. This system was used to investigate whether sensors are able to identify these products. It turned out that basil, cinnamon and carnation are the most identifiable oils with different number and typology of sensors, especially tin oxide and copper oxide nanowires, while cayeput and thyme are more mistakable samples. Thanks to this detailed study, it has been possible to reach and obtain novel insights for the future development of this type of research.

The North-Marchean Apennines (central Italy) host an extraordinary geological and geomor-phological heritage, significant for its richness, diversity, rarity, scientific interest, aesthetic ap-peal, naturalistic, cultural, and educational values. The area, which covers 600 square kilometres and includes numerous spectacular geosites, embraces 18 municipalities in the provinces of Pesaro-Urbino and Ancona. These municipalities are distributed along the ridge that includes the peaks of Mts. Strega, Catria, Acuto, Petrano, Tenetra and Nerone and covers the parallel ridge of Mts. Paganuccio-Pietralata, together with the spectacular Furlo Gorge. It is a real geological museum outdoors, which, with its continuous stratigraphic succession of 200 million years, its geosites, and a vast system of karstic caves, is distinctive for geologists all over the world. This study aims to analyse the environmental heritage of the North-Marchean Apennines through the integrated study and description of the geo-environmental aspects of 7 geosites, se-lected from a list of 44, presented here and localized. These 7 geosites were chosen as being par-ticularly significant from a scientific, naturalistic as well as aesthetic, and cultural point of view. The richness of its geological and geomorphological heritage and the great wealth of its naturalistic, historical, and cultural aspects make it an area with high educational, tourist and recreational potential.

It has been suggested that particle size plays an important role in determining the genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The purpose of this study was to compare the potential radio-sensitization effects of two different sized GNPs (3.9 and 37.4 nm) fabricated and examined in vitro in Lewis Lung carcinoma (LLC) as a model of non-small cell lung cancer through use of comet and clonogenic assays. After the treatment of 2Gy X-ray irradiation, both particle sizes demonstrated increased DNA damage when compared to treatment with particles only and radiation alone. This radio-sensitization was further translated into a reduction in cell survival demonstrated by clonogenicity. This work indicates that GNPs of both sizes induce DNA damage in LLC cells at the tested concentrations, whereas the 37.4 nm particle size treatment group demonstrated greater significance in vitro. The presented data aids in the evaluation of the radiobiological response of Lewis Lung carcinoma cells treated with gold nanoparticles.

This study considers an application of the first-order Grey Markov Model to foresee the values of Italian power generation in relation to the available energy sources. The model is used to fit data from the Italian energy system from 2000 to 2022. The integration of Markovian error introduces a random element to the model, which is able now to capture inherent uncertainties and misalignments between the Grey model predictions and the real data. This application provides valuable insights for strategic planning in the energy sector and future developments. The results show good accuracy of the predictions, which provides powerful information for the effective implementation of energy policies concerning the evolution of energy demand in the country. Despite advancements, Italy’s 2032 energy mix will still significantly rely on fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts beyond 2032 to enhance sustainability.

The DOF (DNA binding with one finger) family of plant-specific transcription factors (TF) was first identified in maize in 1995. Since then, DOF proteins have been shown to be present in the whole plant kingdom including the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The DOF TF family is characterised by a highly conserved DNA binding domain (DOF domain), consisting of a CX2C-X21-CX2C motif which is able to form a zinc finger structure. Early in the study of DOF proteins it became clear their relevance for seed biology. Indeed, the Prolamine Binding Factor (PBF), one of the first DOF proteins characterised, controls the endosperm-specific expression of the zein genes in maize. Subsequently, several DOF proteins from both monocots and dicots have been shown to be primarily involved in seed development, dormancy and germination, as well as in seedling development and other light-mediated processes. In the last two decades the molecular network underlying these processes have been outlined, and the main molecular players and their interactions have been identified. In this review, we will focus on the DOF TFs involved in these molecular networs, and on their interaction with other proteins.

Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous, critical priority human fungal pathogen. Despite its clinical importance, there is limited knowledge regarding the variations of the genome within mitochondria, the powerhouse organelle within eukaryotic cells. In this study, we leveraged publicly available raw, whole genome sequence data from 1939 isolates to investigate the variations in the mitochondrial genomes of A. fumigatus. These isolates were isolated from 22 countries on six continents, as well as from outer space and from within the International Space Station. In total, our analysis revealed 39 mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms (mtSNPs) within this global sample and together, these 39 mtSNPs grouped the 1939 isolates into 79 mitochondrial multilocus genotypes (MLGs). Among the 79 MLGs, 39 were each distributed in at least two countries and 30 were each shared by at least two continents. The two most frequent MLGs were also broadly distributed: MLG11 represented 420 isolates from 11 countries and four continents and while MLG79 represented 418 isolates from 18 countries and five continents, consistent with long-distance dispersals of mitogenomes. Our population genetic analyses of the mtSNPs revealed limited differentiation among continental populations but highly variable genetic differences among national populations, largely due to localized clonal expansions of different MLGs. Phylogenetic analysis and Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components of mtSNPs suggested the presence of at least three mitogenome clusters. Linkage disequilibrium, Index of Association, and phylogenetic incompatibility analyses collectively suggested evidence for mitogenome recombination in natural populations of A. fumigatus. In addition, sequence read depth analyses revealed an average ratio of ~20 mitogenomes per nuclear genome in this global population but the ratios varied among strains within and between certain geographic populations. Together, our results suggest evidence for organelle dynamics, genetic differentiation, recombination, and both widespread and localized clonal expansion of the mitogenomes in the global A. fumigatus population.

Experiential learning can facilitate the development of transferrable skills necessary for success in attaining tenure and promotion in academia. In this article, we discuss the benefits of designing and implementing an individualized professional development experience or practicum. By doing this, we describe the experiential learning component of the Accomplishing Career Transitions (ACT) Program of the American Society for Cell Biology. The ACT program aims to assist postdoctoral trainees and junior faculty from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM as they strive to transition into tenure-track positions and ultimately attain tenure at research-intensive or teaching-intensive academic institutions.

In training a deep learning system to perform audio transcription, two practical problems may arise. Firstly, most datasets are weakly labelled, having only a list of events present in each recording without any temporal information for training. Secondly, deep neural networks need a very large amount of labelled training data to achieve good quality performance, yet in practice it is difficult to collect enough samples for most classes of interest. In this paper, we propose factorising the final task of audio transcription into multiple intermediate tasks in order to improve the training performance when dealing with this kind of low-resource datasets. We evaluate three data-efficient approaches of training a stacked convolutional and recurrent neural network for the intermediate tasks. Our results show that different methods of training have different advantages and disadvantages.

This paper describes the design and development of an active device that was applied to shoulder rotation rehabilitation. It implements a force control in a similar way to the haptic devices that reflect a force on the user’s hand according to the rehabilitation parameters. This device was tested with patients, combining clinician manipulation and programmed exercises. The results were excellent, given that the range of movement of the shoulder increased in most of the pa-tients. The results of the Usability Scale questionnaire were also promising.

With confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassing the 8.5 million mark around the globe, there is an imperative need to deepen the efforts from the international scientific community to gain comprehensive understanding of SARS-CoV-2. Although the main clinical manifestations are associated with respiratory or intestinal symptoms, reports of specific and non-specific neurological signs and symptoms, both at presentation or during the course of the acute phase, are increasing. Approximately 25-40% of the patients present neurological symptoms. The etiology of these neurological manifestations remains obscure, and probably involves several direct pathways, not excluding the direct entry of the virus to the Central Nervous System (CNS) through the olfactory epithelium, circumventricular organs, or disrupted blood-brain barrier (BBB). Furthermore, neuroinflammation might occur in response to the strong systemic cytokine storm described for COVID-19, or due to dysregulation of the CNS angiotensin system. Descriptions of neurological manifestations in patients in the previous coronavirus (CoV) outbreaks have been numerous for the SARS-CoV and lesser for MERS-CoV. Strong evidence from patients and experimental models suggests that some human variants of CoV have the ability to reach the CNS and that neurons, astrocytes and/or microglia can be target cells for CoV. A growing body of evidence shows that astrocytes and microglia have a major role in neuroinflammation, responding to local CNS inflammation and/or to dysbalanced peripheral inflammation. This is another potential mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 damage to the CNS. In this work we will summarize the known neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, explore the potential role for astrocytes and microglia in the infection and neuroinflammation, and compare them with the previously described human and animal CoV that showed neurotropism. We also propose possible underlying mechanisms by focusing on our knowledge of glia, neurons, and their dynamic intricate communication with the immune system.

In December 2019, an unusual cluster of pneumonia cases were reported in Wuhan and promptly confirmed to be caused by a new virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of which the disease it caused would be known as COVID-19. In March 2020, in the absence of any vaccines, and in response to the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 the UK implemented non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) measures in the form of a national lockdown to decelerate the spread. Compliance with NPIs can have significant impact on reducing disease transmission however there are currently no studies measuring compliance within the horse ownership world which naturally brings groups of people together during everyday caregiving activities. This article describes the reported horse owner compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to December 2020 as deduced from 1036 respondents which completed an anonymous online survey between December 30th, 2020 and January 11th, 2021. Where rules/guidance did exist, there was good compliance with 92.76% of respondents indicating that they were following them. The most common rule/guidance implemented was social distancing, which was also the most common rule/guidance to be breached. Riding with others whilst at the yard (hacking or in an arena) and meeting up with non-household members (family and friends) when off the yard were also common rules/guidelines breached. Respondents who kept their horses at either DIY livery, or on a private yard were most likely to breach rules/regulations whereas respondents who kept their horses at full livery were least likely to breach rules/regulations. The results indicate that compliance of horse owners with COVID-19 rules/guidance is high when rules/guidance exists. However, just under half of respondents indicated that there were no rules/guidelines on their yards indicating that there is room for an increased contribution from the horse owning community by encouraging more yards to impose control measures where they currently do not exist.

Introduction: Dental health problems including dental plaque are common health problems affecting people of different age groups globally. Air-polishing is a safe tooth polishing technique used by dental professionals for stain and plaque removal and as preventive procedure for dental health. Here we report the technical improvisation of existing air-polishing technique by supplementing cannabinoid powder into the classic polishing powder for effective removal of supragingival and subgingival plaque and inhibition of plaque forming bacteria. Methods: The cannabidiol (CBD) powder was added to the tooth polishing powder (AIR-N-GO, classic) at 1% (wt/wt) ratio. The study was conducted on 12 patients, of which 6 received regular polishing treatment and 6 received CBD-supplemented polishing treatment. The dental plaque samples were collected before and after each treatment and subjected to in vitro microbiological analysis and the colony forming units (CFU) were analyzed using automated colony counter. Results: Based on in vitro microbiological analysis, the average CFU of interdental space samples collected from post-CBD-supplemented polishing treatment was significantly reduced (linear fold change between 3.9-18.4) compared to that of post-regular polishing (linear fold change between 1.0-2.6) treatment. Conclusions: CBD-supplemented polishing powder can help in effective removal and killing of dental plaque bacteria during the polishing treatment. CBD powder can be added as enhancing supplement to the existing polishing powders.

Bare titania and metal promoted TiO2 catalysts were employed in the treatment of nitrates, which are ubiquitous pollutants of wastewater. The results show that the process can be carried out under visible light (from white light LED lamp) and, in the best case, 23.5% conversion of nitrate was obtained over 4 hours with full selectivity towards N2 by employing 0.1 mol% Ag/TiO2 prepared by flame spray pyrolysis. Moreover, the performance was worse when testing the same catalysts with tap water (11.3% conversion), due to the more complex composition of the matrix. At last, it was found that the photoreduction of nitrate can be effectively performed in combina-tion with the photo-oxidation of ammonium without loss in the activity, opening to the possi-bility to treat highly polluted wastewater with a single process. The latter treatment employs the two contaminants simultaneously as electron and holes scavengers, with very good selectiv-ity, in a completely new process that we may call Photo-Selective Catalytic Reduction (Pho-to-SCR).

Mineral dust is one of the most important aerosol in mass over the world, affecting health and dynamics. This aerosol is mainly emitted over arid areas but may be long-range transported, impacting the local budget of air quality in many cities. While models were extensively used to study a single specific event, or making a global analysis at coarse resolution, the goal of our study is to simultaneously focus on several areas - Europe, North America, Central Asia, East China and the Caribbean area - for a one month period, March 2014, avoiding any parameter fitting to better simulate a given dust outbreak. The simulation is performed for the first time with the hemispheric version of the CHIMERE model, with a horizontal resolution of 10km. In this study, an overview of several simultaneous dust outbreaks over the north hemisphere is proposed to assess the capability of such modelling tools to predict dust pollution events. A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the most striking episodes is presented with comparisons to satellite data, ground based Particulate Matter and calcium measurements. Despite some overestimation of dust concentrations far from emission areas, the model is able to simulate the timing of the arrival of dust outbreaks on observational sites. For instance, several spectacular dust storms in the US and China are perfectly captured by the models. The high resolution allows to better describe and understand the orographic effects and the long-range transport of dust plumes.

The transition from a dormant to a germinating seed represents a crucial developmental switch in the life cycle of a plant. Subsequent transition from a germinating seed to an autotrophic organism also requires a robust and multi-layered control. Seed germination and seedling growth are multistep processes, involving both internal and external signals, which lead to a fine-tuning control network.

The coastal wetlands of the Mediterranean area are among the most vulnerable and threatened environments due to human pressure and activities. Fragmentation is generally considered as one of the most driving factors in habitats loss. In this paper, we investigated the floristic composition, structure, conservation status, and trends of the habitat types sensu 92/43EEC Directive of a coastal wetland area in south-eastern Sicily (“Saline di Priolo” SAC). Based on 128 phytosociological surveys and several plant collections, a total of 304 taxa, 28 plant communities and 16 habitats have been identified. Furthermore, three new plant associations were described, including two in the wetland and one on the rocky coasts. For the classification of plant communities and habitats, a hierarchical clustering was performed by using Euclidean coefficient and beta-flexible algorithm. The life form spectrum of the current flora highlights the dominance of therophytes and hemicryptophytes. The Mediterranean species are largely prevailing with 123 taxa. The cartographic analysis performed with ArcGis 10.3 shows a radical reduction of the wetland habitats in the last 70 years, and a strong alteration of the ecological succession of the psammophilous-hygrophilous vegetation. Moreover, landscape configuration of the coastal vegetation and habitat types was well highlighted by a set of specific landscape metrics. In particular, our outcomes identify three habitats (2110, 2210, and 5220* EU code) with bad conservation status, among which one of priority conservation (Zyziphus arborescent matorral), that requires urgent restoration measures.

Chitosan is a chitin-derived fiber, extracted from the shellfish shells, a by-product of fish industry, or from fungi grown in bioreactors. In oenology, it is used for the control of Brettanomyces spp., for the prevention of ferric, copper and protein casse and for clarification. The International Organisation of Vine and Wine established the exclusive utilization of fungal chitosan to avoid the eventuality of allergic reactions. This work focuses on the differences between two chitosan categories, fungal and animal chitosan, characterizing several samples in terms of chitin content and degree of deacety-lation. In addition, different acids were used to dissolve chitosans, and their effect on viscosity and on the efficacy in wine clarification were observed. Results demonstrated that, even if fungal and animal chitosans shared similar chemical properties (deacetylation degree and chitin content), they showed different viscosity depending on the acid used to dissolve them. A significant difference was discovered on their fining properties, as animal chitosans showed a faster and greater sedimentation compared to the fungal, independently from the acid used for their dissolution. This suggests that physic-chemical differences in the molecular structure occur between the two chitosan categories and that this affect significantly their technologic (oenological) properties.

System xc-, the cystine/glutamate exchanger, is a membrane transporter that plays a critical role in the antioxidant response of cells. Recent work has shown that System xc- localizes to the plasma membrane during oxidative stress, allowing for increased activity to support production of glutathione. In this study, we used site-directed mutagenesis to examine the role of C-terminal lysine residues (K422, K472, K473) of xCT (SLC7A11) in regulating System xc-. We observed that K473R exhibits loss of transporter activity and membrane localization and is 7.5 kD lower in molecular weight, suggesting that K473 regulates System xc- trafficking and is modified under basal conditions. After ruling out ubiquitination and neddylation, we demonstrated that unlike WT xCT, K473R lacks N- and O-glycosylation and is sequestered in the endoplasmic reticulum. Next we demonstrated that K473Q, a constitutively acetylated lysine mimic, also exhibits loss of transporter activity, decreased membrane expression, and a 4 kD decrease in molecular weight, however, it is N- and O-glycosylated and localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. These results suggest that acetylation and deacetylation of K473 in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi, respectively, serves to regulate the progression of the transporter through the biosynthetic pathway.

Over recent years, nanocarriers have played an ever-increasing role in clinical and biomedical applications owing to their unique physicochemical properties and surface functionalities. Lately, much effort has been directed towards the development of smart, stimuli-responsive nanocarriers that are capable of releasing their cargos in response to specific stimulus. These intelligent-responsive nanocarriers can be further surface-functionalized so as to achieve active tumor targeting in a sequential manner, which can be simply modulated by the stimuli. By applying this methodological approach, these intelligent-responsive nanocarriers can be directed to different target-specific organs, tissues or cells, and exhibit on-demand controlled drug release that may enhance therapeutic effectiveness and reduce systemic toxicity. Light, an external stimulus, is one of the most promising triggers for use in nanomedicine to stimulate on-demand drug release from nanocarriers. Light-triggered drug release can be achieved by light irradiation at different wavelengths, either in UV, visible or even NIR region, depending on the photophysical properties of the photo-responsive molecule embedded in the nanocarrier system, the structural characteristics and material composition of the nanocarrier system. In this review, we highlighted the emerging functional role of light in nanocarriers, with emphasis on light-responsive liposomes and dual-targeted stimuli-responsive liposomes. Moreover, we provided the up-to-date phototriggered targeting strategies and mechanisms of light-triggered drug release from liposomes and NIR-responsive nanocarriers. Lastly, we addressed the current challenges, advances, and future perspectives for the deployment of light-responsive liposomes in targeted drug delivery and therapy.

Campylobacter infection affects more than 200,000 people every year in Europe and in the last four years trend shows an increase of campylobacteriosis. Main vehicle for transmission of the bacterium is contaminated food like meat, milk, fruit and vegetables. In this study, the aim was to find characteristic VOCs of C. jejuni in order to detect its presence with an array of MOX gas sensors. Using a starting concentration of 10³ CFU/mL, VOCs were analyzed using GC-MS with SPME technique at the initial time (T0) and after 20 hours (T20). It has been found that Campylobacter sample at T20 is characterized by a higher number of alcohol compounds that the one at T0 and this is due to sugar fermentation. Sensors results showed the ability of the system to follow bacteria curve growth from T0 to T20 using PCA. In particular, this results in a decrease of ΔR/R₀ value over time. For this reason, MOX sensors are a promising technology for the development of a rapid and sensitive system for C. jejuni.

Little is known about how recreational triathletes prepare for an Olympic distance event. The aim of this study was to identify the training characteristics of recreational-level triathletes within the competition period and assess how their preparation for a triathlon influences their health and their levels of fatigue. During the 6 weeks prior to an Olympic distance triathlon, and the 2 weeks after, 9 recreational athletes (5 males, 4 females) completed a daily training log. Participants answered the Daily Analysis of Life Demands Questionnaire (DALDA), the Training Distress Scale (TDS), and the Alberta Swim Fatigue and Health Questionnaire weekly. The Recovery-Stress Questionnaire (REST-Q) was completed at the beginning of the study, on the day before the competition, and at the end of week 8. Training loads were calculated using session-based rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). The data from every week of training was compared to week 1 to determine how athletes’ training and health changed throughout the study. No changes in training loads, duration, or training intensity distribution were seen in the weeks leading up to the competition. Training duration was significantly reduced in week 6 (p=0.041, d = 1.58, 95% CI = 6.9, 421.9), while the number of sessions was reduced in week 6 (Z=2.32, p=0.02, ES = 0.88) and week 7 (Z = 2.31, p=0.02, ES = 0.87). Training was characterized by large weekly variations in training loads and a high training intensity. No significant changes were seen in the DALDA, TDS, or REST-Q questionnaire scores throughout the 8 weeks. Despite large spikes in training load and a high overall training intensity, these recreational-level triathletes were able to maintain their health in the 6 weeks of training prior an Olympic distance triathlon.

The global increase in population, the phenomenon of climate change, the issue of water pollution and contamination, and the inadequate management of water resources all exert heightened strain on freshwater reserves. The potential utilization of the interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) system, which utilizes photothermal conversion to generate heat on material surfaces for wastewater purification and desalination purposes, has been successfully demonstrated. Textile materials based ISSG devices, including (woven, nonwoven and knitting) fabrics and electrospinning membranes, exhibit distinct properties such as rough surface texture, high porosity, significant surface area, exceptional flexibility, and robust mechanical strength. These characteristics, combined with their affordability, accessibility, and economic viability for widespread implementation, make them extremely attractive for applications in SSG. In this review, a comprehensive analysis of emerging concepts, advancements and applications of textile materials (woven, nonwoven, and knitting) fabrics and electro-spun membranes in the ISSG for wastewater purification and desalination is highlighted. We also emphasize significant obstacles and potential prospects in both theoretical investigations and real-world implementations, aiming to contribute to future advancements in the domain of textile based materials interfacial evaporation in wastewater purification and desalination. Furthermore, the drawbacks and the challenges of ISSG systems are also highlighted.

Sleep disorders are a frequent problem in pediatrics. The prevalence is variable (from 15 to 50%) although the majority of papers coincide in that 1 every 3 kids can experiment some kind of sleep disorder. Underlying medical problems usually manifest by difficulty to fall asleep or stay asleep. The diagnosis and resolution of the medical problems with the specific treatment should be the prime concern, before starting with the treatment of the sleep behavioral problem

Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of central blindness in developed countries. It affects people mainly over the age of 50 years. It is a disease of the macula, an area of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. It particularly affects the Bruch’s membrane (BM); a layer in the retina that acts as the basement upon which retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) attach and survive. The pathology of AMD is not fully understood, but age is considered the main risk factor. There are two forms; nonexudative, leading to the end-stage of the disease, called nonexudative (or dry) AMD (90% of cases) where fatty deposits called drusen form under the RPE on top of the BM lifting off the RPE, and neovascular (or wet) AMD (10% of cases) where abnormal new blood vessels grow and push through the BM, bleeding in and disrupting the RPE. Neovascular AMD is well controlled with regular antiangiogenic drug injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) into the eye, whereas there is no current treatment for nonexudative AMD. Many research groups across the world are working on a treatment for nonexudative AMD. This review discusses the research currently being conducted including cell therapies, development of cell transplantation membranes, targeting other disease structures in affected retina (i.e. drusen), and drug delivery to the retina using nanoparticles. Finally, we include our research contributing to the field; developing a bioactive membrane intended to function two-fold: target diseased structures and transplant healthy RPE to the desired area.

Despite soccer popularity, comparatively little scientific information is available concerning the assessment of youth players’ physiological characteristics. The use of medical software integrating wearable sensors to provide accurate and objective data is necessary. In the present study, the objective assessment of physical performance of 128 adolescent soccer players at two timepoints (pre-season and end-season) has been performed. Participants completed a comprehensive test battery including stability, countermovement jumps (CMJ), plyometric jumps (PJ), agility, and quick feet tests. A single Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor provided quantitative data on various performance metrics. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced the dataset to four principal components (PCs) explaining over 80% of the variance: power (PC1), balance (PC2), speed/agility (PC3), and stiffness (PC4). Paired samples t-test between the two timepoints showed no significant differences in the PCs between the two timepoints, indicating that the training program did not significantly alter the assessed physical attributes. However, subtle individual changes may still inform personalized training adjustments. The study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and individualized training strategies to optimize athlete performance and reduce injury risk.

Economic theory states that incineration and landfill taxation can effectively diminish the environmental impacts of pollution and resource use by reducing their associated pollutants while stimulating the reuse and recycling of materials, and therefore, fostering a circular economy. The aim of this research is to assess the economic and environmental effects of these taxes in Spain under different scenarios with a detailed dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, as there are no studies analyzing this in detail. We focus on the economic impact on GDP and sectorial production and the environmental impact on different categories: global warming potential, marine eutrophication potential, photochemical ozone formation potential, particulate matter, human toxicity (cancer and noncancer), ecotoxicity, and depletion of fossil resources. We find in all scenarios that these taxes have a limited economic impact while reducing all of the environmental impact categories analyzed. The study reinforces the theory that policy makers need to impose taxes on landfill and incineration to reinforce the circularity of the economy and reduce environmental burdens, but also demonstrates that they can improve their design without additional costs.

Strong evidence indicates that insulin resistance contributes to the development of Alzheimer´s disease by promoting inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood vessel damage. Conversely, neuroinflammation induces insulin resistance by targeting insulin signaling molecules: the insulin receptor substrates 1 and 2 (IRS1/2). In addition, neuroinflammation is strongly linked to reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. BDNF is a key factor for neuronal survival, and its expression is compromised in neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we show that, in a triple-transgenic (3xTg) mice model of Alzheimer’s disease, the BDNF and IRS2 but not the IRS1 mRNA expression levels were reduced in the hippocampus, together with higher levels of TNFα, compared with wild-type mice. Subgroups of control and 3xTg mice received short and long treatments of Abscisic Acid (ABA), a phytohormone with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing capabilities. We found that the short ABA treatment can increase the IRS1 and IRS2 mRNA expression both in wild-type and 3xTg mice, concomitant with reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα in 3xTg mice. However, earlier, and thus longer treatments are required to rescue the BDNF mRNA levels. Our data strongly confirm that ABA administration is a potential treatment to prevent Alzheimer´s disease, via lowering neuroinflammation, potentially rescuing insulin signaling molecules and BDNF mRNA expression.

Existing methods for simulating missile dynamics and training often rely on three degrees of freedom (3DOF) motions, limiting their ability to represent the complex maneuvers and targeting strategies of modern missiles. This paper proposes integrating virtual reality (VR) technology with six degrees of freedom (6DOF) dynamics to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of missile simulation and training. By incorporating 6DOF dynamics, simulations can capture the full range of missile motion, providing a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and limitations. Through VR, users can immerse themselves in realistic missile scenarios, interact with dynamic behaviors in real-time, and refine their targeting and interception skills. The integration of VR with 6DOF dynamics also facilitates real-time feedback and evaluation, enhancing training efficiency and proficiency in missile operations. This approach aims to revolutionize missile training by bridging the gap between traditional simulation methods and real-world dynamics.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi associated to a variety of acute and chronic foodborne diseases. Current toxicology studies mainly rely on monolayer cell cultures and animal models, which are undeniably affected by several limitations. To bridge the gap between the current in vitro toxicology approach and the in vivo predictivity of the data, we here investigated the cytotoxic effects induced by the mycotoxins sterigmatocystin (STE), ochratoxin A (OTA) and patulin (PAT) on different 2D and 3D cell cultures. We focused on human tumours (neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, and epithelial breast cancer MDA-MB-213 cells) and healthy cells (bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, BM-MSC, and umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVECs). Cytotoxicity of STE, OTA, and PAT was determined after 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure by ATP assay in both culture models. 3D spheroids morphology was also analysed using the MATLAB-based open-source software AnaSP. Our results highlighted how each cell line and different culture models showed specific sensitivities, reinforcing the importance of using more complex models for toxicology studies and a multiple cell line approach for an improved and more comprehensive risk assessment.

Parents play an important role in shaping the eating habits of their children through: appropriate selection of food products, snacking between meals and appropriate exposure to information from television advertisements, the press or the Internet. The level of parents' knowledge about proper nutrition and substances added to food is therefore crucial in promoting appropriate dietary choices in children and adolescents in order to prevent diet-related diseases. Objectives: Assessment of the consumption of snack foods by children and adolescents according to the surveyed parents and analysis of parents' knowledge about additional substances in food. Methods: The study was conducted among 129 parents of students from selected primary schools. The research tool was an original survey questionnaire consisting of 24 questions. Survey interviews were conducted with parents during meetings at schools. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson ch2 test, the significance level was set to p<0.05. Results: Parents most often indicated sweets, confectionery products and sweetened drinks (25%) and vegetables or fruit (21%) as the form of snack for their children. 46% of children and adolescents drank sweetened drinks at least once a day. Parents had an average level of knowledge about food additives. Significant correlations were found between the level of knowledge of parents of school-age children about food additives and their level of education. Parents' knowledge and education did not significantly influence the level of snack consumption by their children. Children's eating behavior should be considered unsatisfactory. Conclusions: Research has shown the need for parents to be educated about food additives and to pay more attention to reading food labels so that they can reliably prepare their children to make the right food choices. Measures should be implemented to improve the eating habits of children and adolescents.

Oilfield produced water (OPW) is used to boost freshwater sources for crop irrigation in California's agriculturally important Central Valley. OPW is known to contain salts, metals, hydrocarbons, alkylphenols, naturally radioactive materials, biocides, and other compounds from drilling and production processes. Less is known about the potential uptake and accumulation of these compounds in crops and soil irrigated with OPW. In this study 23 potted mandarin orange plants were irrigated 2-3 times weekly (depending on season) with water containing three different concentrations of the known OPW heavy metals barium, chromium, lead, and silver. Seven sets of samples of soil and leaves and all fruits were collected and processed using microwave-assisted digestion (EPA Method 3051A). Processed samples were analyzed using ICP-OES. ANOVA, ANCOVA, and Tukey’s honest significant difference test were used to examine the effects of metal concentrations in the irrigation water, sample number, and number of watering days on the metal concentrations in the soil, leaf, and fruit samples. Accumulation of barium in soil and leaves was strongly positively associated with sample and number of watering days, increasing nearly 2,000-fold. Lead also showed an upward trend, increasing up to 560-fold over baseline level. Chromium showed an increase in the soil that tapered off, but less consistent results in the leaves and fruit. The silver results were more volatile, but also indicated at least some level of accumulation in the tested media. The smallest absolute accumulation was observed for chromium. Concentrations in the fruit were highest in the peel, followed by pith and juice. Accumulation of all heavy metals was generally highest in the soil and plants that received the highest irrigation water concentration. Considering the potential for adverse human health effects associated with ingesting soluble barium contained in food and drinking water, and to a lesser extent chromium and lead, the study signals that it is important to conduct further research into whether OPW contaminants can enter the food chain and pose risks to consumers.

In Belgium, sex work was recently decriminalized to enhance street-based sex workers’ (SSWs) health. This qualitative study explores stakeholders' perceptions of the impact of the working environment on street-based sex workers’ occupational safety, health and well-being in Brussels. In-depth interviews with seven stakeholders directly involved with SSWs were conducted with data analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis of study data resulted in one theme: “A power imbalance and a lack of concerted efforts among stakeholders are detrimental to the occupational safety, health, and well-being of street-based sex workers”. In Brussels, the majority of SSWs face various challenges due to structural vulnerabilities, thus limiting their choices regarding their work environment, and further compromising their health. Limited access to resources and severe constraints within their working environment contribute to a lack of safety and adverse health outcomes. A stigma mechanism fueled by ideology and personal interests prevent the enforcement of their rights regarding their working environment, safety and health promotion. The lack of involvement of key stakeholders, especially from the public sector, prevents the majority of SSWs in Brussels from benefiting from a sound working environment and the promotion of their health, safety and well-being.

A comprehensive multi-jet physics program is anticipated for experiments at future colliders. Key physics processes necessitate detectors that can distinguish signals from W and Z bosons and the recently discovered Higgs boson. Typical examples include channels with W^{+}W^{-} or Z^{o}Z^{o} pairs and processes involving New Physics, in those cases where neutral particles must be disentangled from charged ones due to the presence of W or Z bosons in their final states. Such a physics program demands calorimetric energy resolution at or beyond the limits of traditional calorimetric techniques. Multiple-readout calorimetry, which aims to reduce fluctuations in energy measurements of hadronic showers, is a promising approach. The first part of this article reviews dual and triple readout calorimetry within a mathematical framework describing the underlying compensating mechanism. The second part proposes a potential implementation using an integrally active and total absorption detector. This model serves as the basis for several Monte Carlo studies, illustrating how the response of a multiple-readout calorimeter depends on construction parameters. Among the layouts considered, one configuration operating in triple-readout mode shows the potential to achieve an energy resolution approaching 20\%/\sqrt{E}.

Researchers are exploring solutions to meet the growing demand for protein due to the expected increase in global population by 2050. Interest in alternative protein sources like insects has risen, driven by concerns about environmental impact and the need for sustainable food production. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the physicochemical properties of soy protein-based burger enriched with insect protein from Alphitobius diaperinus. Three formulations were developed: a control (B0), and burgers with 5% (B5) and 10% (B10) insect protein - Whole Buffalo Powder (WBP). Results showed that adding insect protein decreased the burger analogue's pH. There was observed a clear trend of increasing total lipids and SFA, and decreasing MUFA and PUFA, as the WBP concentration increases from 0% to 10%. No significant differences with increasing WBP concentration in the protein content of the burger analogue, as well as the cooking yield, were noted. The WBP addition had a notable effect on the color change, especially decrease in brightness (L*). It was shown that as the WBP concentration increased, there were no significant differences in the texture profile of the burger analogues. The formulation with 5% WBP concentration was the most acceptable in sensory analysis.

Background: allergic diseases and, in particular food allergy (FA), have been identified as one of the major diseases in the world. The first 1000 days of life can be a “window of opportunity” or a “window of susceptibility” during which several factors can predispose children to FA development. Changes in gut microbiota composition, from pregnancy to infancy, could have a pivotal role in this regard: some bacterial genus such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium seem to be protective from FA development, on the contrary Clostridium and Staphylococcus appear to be unprotective. Methods: we conducted a research through the most recent literature (2013-2023), using Pubmed and Scopus as databases. We included English original papers, clinical trials, metanalysis and reviews. Case reports, series and letters have been excluded. Results: during pregnancy, maternal diet can play a fundamental role in influencing gut microbiota composition of newborns. After birth, human milk can promote the development of protective microbial species by human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), that play a prebiotic role. Also complementary feeding can modify gut microbiota composition. Conclusions: the first two years of life are a critical period where several factors, in genetic predisposed children, can increase the risk of FA development.

Species of the genus Kalanchoe have a long history of therapeutic use in ethnomedicine linked to their remarkable medical properties. One of them is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana succulents occurring in tropical regions. Despite the great interest in this plant, there are no reports about its therapeutic effects on the skin. In this study, the antioxidant properties and skin permeation of a topical hydrogel containing K. blossfeldiana ethanol extract was assessed. Additionally, the content of active compounds in the K. blossfeldiana extract was evaluated by UHPLC-MS and HPLC-UV. The extract was analysed with three antioxidant assays: ABTS, DPPH and FRAP. Furthermore, antielastase and antihialuronidase properties of the tested extract were assessed. The ex vivo penetration studies were performed using the Franz diffusion cells. The obtained results show that antioxidant properties of K. blossfeldiana extract were similar to ascorbic acid, while antielastase and antihialuronidase tests indicated strong antiaging and anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 was 26.8 ± 0.13 and 77.31 ± 2.44 µg/mL, respectively). Moreover, active ingredients contained in K. blossfeldiana extract penetrated through human skin and accumulate in it. In conclusion, the hydrogel containing K. blossfeldiana extract can be considered as an interesting and new alternative to dermatologic and cosmetic preparations.

The severity of the global COVID-19 pandemic, with a high transmission rate, 2.6-4.7% lethality and a huge economic impact, poses an urgent need for efficient medical treatments and vaccines. Currently, there are only non-specific treatments to assist the patients in acute respiratory distress during the inflammatory step following the preliminary infection by SARS-CoV-2. Clinical trials of drug repurposing were quickly launched at the international level. Specific treatments such as the transfusion of plasma from patients who have recovered into infected patients or the use of specific inhibitors of the viral RNA-polymerase complex are promising strategies to block infection. To complete the therapeutic arsenal, we believe that the opportunity of targeting the SARS-CoV-2 genome by RNA therapy should be deeply investigated. In the present paper, we propose to design specific antisense oligonucleotides targeting transcripts encoding viral proteins associated to replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2, aiming to block infection. We designed antisense oligonucleotides targeting the genomic 5’ untranslated region (5’-UTR), open reading frames 1a and 1b (ORF1a and ORF1b) governing expression of the replicase/transcriptase complex, and the gene N encoding the nucleoprotein that is genome-associated. To maximize the probability of efficiency, we predicted the antisense oligonucleotides by using two design methods: i) conventional antisense oligonucleotides with 100% phosphorothioate modifications (ASO); ii) antisense locked nucleic acids GapmeR. After binding the viral RNA target, the hetero-duplexes antisense oligonucleotide-RNA are cleaved by RNAse H1. Nine potent ASO candidates were found and we selected five of them targeting ORF1a (3), ORF1b (1) and N (1). Nine GapmeR candidates were predicted with excellent properties and we retained four of them targeting 5’-UTR (1), ORF1a (3), ORF1b (1) and N (1). The most potent GapmeR candidate targets the 5’-UTR, a key genomic domain with multiple functions in the viral cycle. By this open publication, we are pleased to share these in silico results with the scientific community in hopes of stimulating innovation in translational research in order to fight the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. These antisense oligonucleotide candidates should be now experimentally evaluated.

Mathematical models of cognition measure individual differences in cognitive processes, such as processing speed, working memory capacity, and executive functions, that may underlie general intelligence. As such, cognitive models allow identifying associations between specific cognitive processes and tracking the effect of experimental interventions aimed at the enhancement of intelligence on mediating process parameters. Moreover, cognitive models provide an explicit theoretical formalization of theories regarding specific cognitive process that may help overcoming ambiguities in the interpretation of fuzzy verbal theories. In this paper, we give an overview of the advantages of cognitive modeling in intelligence research and present models in the domains of processing speed, working memory, and selective attention that may be of particular interest for intelligence research. Moreover, we provide guidelines for the application of cognitive models in intelligence research, including data collection, the evaluation of model fit, and statistical analyses.

This study presents a straightforward electrochemical and plasma deposition method for producing Cobalt-doped Blue-TiO2 nanotubes with enhanced catalytic properties. After a titanium plate has been anodized, specific procedures are carried out that cause oxygen vacancies to form inside the TiO2 nanostructures. The obtained catalysts were subjected to electrochemical tests (to identify charge transfer resistance and flat band potential), optical analysis (to determine the band gap and Urbach energy) and also characterized in terms of morphology, wettability and antibacterial effect in order to understand and analyze the impact of the Co doping method on the final catalyst characteristics. A hydrophilic film with star-shaped structures and with antibacterial effect was created when cobalt was electrochemically doped to Blue-TiO2 nanotubes. By using this electrochemical doping technique, the Urbach energy was raised from 1.171 to 3.836 eV while the band gap energy was decreased from 3.04 to 2.88 eV. Additionally, photodegradation experiments using artificial doxycycline (DOX) water were conducted to determine the practical relevance of the research findings. In areas like antimicrobial applications and photodegradation of DOX, these extra experiments aimed to show the practical applicability and potential advantages of the research findings.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the leading cause of global mortality with 1,7 million deaths a year. One of the alternative systems to drug therapy to minimize the risk of CVDs is represented by alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid of the Omega-3 series, known for its cholesterol-lowering effect. The main purpose of this review is to analyze the effects of ALA and investigate the relevant n-6/n-3 ratio in order to maintain functionally beneficial effects. Concerning the lipid-lowering preventive effects, ALA may favorably affect the values of LDL-C and triglycerides in either adult and pediatric populations and it has a positive and protective effect against hypertension, suggesting that ALA is an useful diet-related antihypertensive compound. According to the 2009 EFSA statement, dietary ALA may contribute to reducing the risk of CVDs, thanks to anti-hypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic and cardio-protective effects.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of proposed modifications to conventional capturing and discharging effluents devices in Subsurface Flow Wetland (SSFW) systems. Main modifications proposed consist on extending the influence of the capture and discharge device in such a way that the SSFW width and height are fully covered. Additionally an SSFW prototype was built as pilot including the proposed modifications and the impact of the innovative device is measured based on the efficiency of the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal as compared to a traditionally built SSFW. The results show that for the innovative device, the COD removal was 10% higher than for the conventional device.

The objective of this work is to evaluate the impact of the innovative modifications made to the conventional effluent capture and discharge devices used in subsurface flow wetlands (SSFW). The main modifications developed consist on extending the influence of the capture and discharge device in such a way that the SSFW width and height are fully covered. This improved innovative device was applied and evaluated in two subsurface flow wetlands, one on a pilot scale and one on a real scale. To evaluate the impact of the innovative device with respect to conventional one in the operational functioning of subsurface flow wetlands, the elimination of chemical oxygen demand was measured and compared. The results show that for the innovative device, the COD removal was 10% higher than for the conventional device, confirming the validity and effectiveness of the modifications implemented in the effluent capture and discharge devices used in SSFW.

Telemonitoring and telerehabilitation have shown promise in delivering individualized healthcare remotely. We introduce STASISM, a Sensor-Based Telerehabilitation and Telemonitoring System, in this work. This platform has been created to facilitate individualized telerehabilitation and telemonitoring for those who need rehabilitation or ongoing monitoring. To gather and analyze pertinent and validated physiological, kinematic, and environmental data, the system combines a variety of sensors and data analytic methodologies. The platform facilitates customized rehabilitation activities based on individual needs, allows for remote monitoring of patients' progress, and offers real-time feedback. To protect the security of patient data and to safeguard patient privacy, STASISM also provides secure data transmission and storage. The platform has the potential to significantly improve the accessibility and efficacy of telerehabilitation and telemonitoring programs, enhancing patients' quality of life and allowing healthcare professionals to provide individualized care outside of traditional clinical settings/

In order to achieve global climate goals, it is necessary to estimate greenhouse gases (GHG) fluxes from ecosystems. To obtain a comprehensive assessment of CO2, СН4, N2O natural fluxes for the Russian Federation we used the "bottom-up" method according to [1]. We updated estimates for forest ecosystems based on State Forest Inventory data and satellite monitoring of forest disturbances. For grassland ecosystems, it was based on the correct distribution of areas between steppe and non-steppe zones. The estimated net uptake of natural ecosystems of Russia was 1.1 ± 1.8 billion tons of CO2-eq./year. The study shows that if only CO2 is taken into account, the net absorption of terrestrial ecosystems in Russia corresponds to more than -2.5 billion tons of CO2 (35% of forests’ contribution). However, given the emissions of non-CO2 GHGs, total net absorption in Russia’s natural ecosystems is reduced to about -1 billion tons of CO2-eq (with the forests’ contribution increasing to 80%). With regard to anthropogenic fluxes, the overall balance of GHGs in Russia corresponds to net-emissions of 1 billion tons of CO2-eq/year into the atmosphere. To improve reporting under the Paris Agreement, countries should aim to include only anthropogenic ("manageable") GHG fluxes on managed land.

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

Antler is the fastest growing tissue. Because is based on proto-oncogenes, to avoid the risk of cancer, antlers evolved strong anticancer mechanisms, and thus its extract (DVA) is effective also against the few human tumours studied so far. We assessed whether DVA is a general anticancer compound testing direct effects in cells of different tumours: glioblastoma (GBM), colorectal and breast cancer, and leukaemia. DVA reduced viability of tumour but not healthy cells. Mobility decreased at least at the longest test (72 h). Intraperitoneal/oral 200 mg DVA/kg administration in GBM xenograft mice for 28 d reduced tumour weight 66.3% and 61.4% respectively, and also spleen weight. In addition, tumours treated with DVA showed symptoms of liquefactive necrosis. Serum cytokines showed DVA up-regulated factors related with tumour fighting and down-regulated those related with inducing immune tolerance to the tumour. DVA shows general anticancer effects in the lines tested and, in GBM mice, also strong indirect effects apparently mediated by the immune system.

Despite Low Power Wide Area Networks’ ability to offer an extended range, it might still encounter challenges with coverage blind spots in the network. This article proposes an innovative energy-efficient nature-inspired relay selection algorithm for LoRa-based LPWAN networks, serving as a solution for challenges related to poor signal range in areas with limited coverage. A behavior swarm-inspired approach has been utilized to select the relays’ localization in the network, providing network energy efficiency and radio signal extension. These relays help bridge communication gaps, significantly reducing the impact of coverage blind spots by forwarding signals from devices with poor direct connectivity with the gateway. The proposed algorithm considers critical factors for the LoRa standard, such as the Spreading Factor or device energy budget analysis. The simulation experiments validate the proposed scheme’s effectiveness in terms of energy efficiency under diverse multi-gateway topology scenarios involving thousands of devices. Specifically, it has been verified that the proposed approach outperforms the reference method in preventing the battery depletion of relays, which is vital for battery-powered IoT devices. Furthermore, for some large-scale problems, the proposed heuristic method achieves over twice the speed of the exact method with a negligible accuracy loss of less than 2%.

Abstract. Leiomyoma is a benign tumour of smooth muscle cells classified into three groups: solid leiomyoma, angioleiomyoma and leiomyoblastoma. Angioleiomyoma arises from the tunica media of veins and arteries of vascular smooth muscle.Nasal cavity, paranasal sinus and oral cavity are the most frequent locations in Head and Neck region. Here we present the case of a tongue base angioleiomyoma with an emphasis on clinical data, pathologic findings and surgical approach. The patient complained about a one-month of globus sensation, dysphagia and hemoptysis without other systemic symptoms. Laryngoscopy revealed the presence of a 2 cm solitary submucosal mass located on the left tongue base covered with normal mucosa. The patient underwent direct laryngoscopy to perform a biopsy for the purpose of achieving the conclusive diagnosis. Treatment options were discussed, included surgical resection. Transoral robot-assisted resection was performed without complications. Clearly the description of our case does not want to have a purpose in terms of indications but wants to describe the possibility of considering TORS in the case of benign tumours of the tongue base, especially in cases like this where a standard technique can difficulty be achieved. Current literature review was provided and discussed.

Our article AI, cultural heritage and bias examines the challenges and potential solutions for using machine learning to interpret and classify human memory and cultural heritage artifacts. We argue that bias is inherent in cultural heritage collections (CHCs) and their digital versions, and that AI pipelines may amplify this bias. We hypothesise that effective AI methods require vast, well-annotated datasets with structured metadata, which CHCs often lack due to diverse digitisation practices and limited interconnectivity. The paper discusses the definition of bias in CHCs and other datasets, exploring how it stems from training data and insufficient humanities expertise in generative platforms. We conclude that scholarship, guidelines, and policies on AI and CHCs should address bias as both inherent and augmented by AI technologies. We recommend implementing bias mitigation techniques throughout the process, from collection to curation, to support meaningful curation, embrace diversity, and cater to future heritage audiences.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most prevalent endocrinological diseases among children and young adults, with a growing incidence rate reaching up to 2.9 new cases per year per 100 000 persons below 15 years of age. We report the rare case of a 20-year-old female patient with T1D, hemoglobin D (HbD) heterozygote variant and high myopia of -10,00 spheric diopters and describe the retinal microvascular alterations visible on OCT angiography (angio-OCT). The patient also presented severe stature deficit (less than 3 standard deviations) and delayed puberty, which could not be explained only by suboptimal glycemic control, indicated a possible hypopituitarism. The HbA1c level evaluated with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was 6.5%, a falsely low value due to the HbD hemoglobinopathy. On ophthalmic evaluation the angio-OCT scan showed the following retinal microvascular alterations for the RE: the FAZ area vas 0.39 mm2, the FAZ perimeter was 2.88 mm and the circularity index was 0.58; for the LE: the FAZ area vas 0.34 mm2, the FAZ perimeter was 3.21 mm and the circularity index was 0.41. Clinicians should consider high performance retinal screening methods such angio-OCT evaluation for young T1D patients, especially for those with associated pathologies like high myopia and hemoglobinopathies. Moreover, multiple evaluation methods of the HbA1c values are mandatory as hemoglobinopathies can interfere with HbA1c assay methods accuracy.

Staphylococcus aureus frequently causes subclinical mastitis around the world with high impact in milk industry and public health. Essential oils (EO) are recognized antimicrobials that can be synergistic with antibiotics. The main objective of this study was evaluating the essential oil (EO) of Melaleuca armillaris as an adjuvant of erythromycin (ERY) for the alternative treatment of bovine mastitis caused by S. aureus. The Minimum Inhibitory and Bactericidal Concentrations (MIC and MBC) of EO, ERY, and its combinations were established against S. aureus at different pHs (7.4, 6.5 and 5.0), emulating extra and intracellular conditions. Sensible (N=3) and resistant (N=3) strains to ERY and S. aureus ATCC 29213 as control were used. Math models were applied to described the antibacterial activity of EO and combinations EO-ERY. The EO was bactericidal against all the strains independently of the pH with a slightly improvement in acid conditions. The synergism between EO and ERY was estimated by the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FIC) and by mathematical modeling of the bacterial killing data. Synergism was observed with ERY, where combinations had bactericidal activity also even with pH modification. M. armillaris EO is an interesting adjuvant for ERY, being a promissory option for further analysis of intracellular efficacy against S. aureus.

The development of virtual models has recently been generalized in the field of complex mechatronic product design. Virtual models have various advantages such as: the systemic design approach, most often parametric, the implementation of extreme, expensive, and perhaps risky scenarios for the operation of the designed product, the testing of a large number of variants, etc. The main contribution of the paper consists of the development of an interface family called DeSeRoI (Dedicated Serial Robot Interface). Each member of the interface family integrates Simulink libraries and is created by the programmer in accordance with user requests. It follows that the interfaces composing the DeSeRoI family can have different levels of complexity depending on user needs and constraints. We are implementing a MATLAB-based application with user-provided configuration for serial robots in order to automatically visualize the kinematics data and simulation. Within MATLAB, two scripts are created responsible for generating Simulink models that compute the kinematics problem. One of the scripts (Main) saves information about the configuration of the robot and the other one (Generates_Simulink_Models) computes the kinematics problem. Different types of functions (software module) have been developed. Using these functions, the Simulink models result as modular entities. The automated approach eases user’s interaction and understanding of serial robots’ kinematics by performing the simulation procedure in a shorter amount of time and with higher efficiency, assuring a precise outcome despite the chosen parameters.

Analytics have become increasingly popular among sports in recent years, providing valuable information regarding physical and mental health. Many athletes have found that analytics during training can help to improve their performance, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance their overall well-being. This paper aims to improve the results of handball players by applying a method for measuring the influence of different trials on aggregate performance calculated per each athlete in order to qualify for the Olympic Games. By separating the isolated action of each trial, the result is an additional influence caused by the interaction of factors or the simultaneous action. That might explain why the neuromuscular feedback loop is utterly necessary to perform handball motor actions. Further on, the ML analysis can help identify areas for improvement, optimize training programs, and enhance overall team performance.

Objective: The article presents a methodology for the design and validation of two assessment instruments: one focused on competency development and the other on knowledge acquisition on sustainability, aimed at nutrition students from a Mexican university. Method: These instruments were adapted using the triangulation methodology and administered to a group of 45 students after receiving an intervention based on the systemic approach to nutrition. Following the intervention, an analysis of the results was carried out to validate the reliability and validity of the instruments, and to evaluate the impact of the intervention compared to a control group. Results: The findings indicated that the dimensions used in the instrument are suitable for evaluating competency development, additionally, it was found that both instruments are reliable tools for assessing competency development and knowledge in sustainability among nutrition students, concluding that they have the potential to be used for evaluating education in sustainability. Furthermore, the results reveal that the application of an intervention based on the systemic approach to nutrition has a positive impact on the development and acquisition of sustainable nutrition education. The students who received the intervention achieved significantly higher scores in all sustainability sub-competencies (W=100, p=0.019), as well as in the total percentage of sustainable knowledge (w=53, n=0.01). Conclusions: The results of this study pave the way for the operationalization of competency and knowledge dimensions in food sustainability, which can contribute to the evaluation of sustainability education and its impact on the training of nutrition students committed to sustainability.

Fungal plant diseases are a major threat to food security worldwide. Current efforts to identify and list loci involved in different biological processes are more complicated than originally thought, even when complete genome assemblies are available. Despite numerous experimental and computational efforts to characterize gene functions in plants, about ~ 40% of protein-coding genes in the model plant A. thaliana are still not categorized in the Gene Ontology Biological Process (BP) annotation. In non-model organisms, such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus), the number of BP term annotation is far fewer, ~22%. In the current study we performed gene co-expression network analysis using eight terabytes of public transcriptome datasets and performed expression-based functional prediction to categorize and identify loci involved in the response to fungal pathogens. We were able to construct a reference gene network of healthy green tissue (GreenGCN) and a gene network of healthy and stressed root tissues (RootGCN). Both networks achieved robust high quality scores on the metrics of guilt-by-association and selective constraints versus gene connectivity. We were able to identify eight modules enriched in defense functions, of which, two out of the three modules in the RootGCN were also conserved in the GreenGCN, suggesting similar defense-related expression patterns. We identified 16 WRKY genes involved in defense related functions and 65 previously uncharacterized loci now linked to defense response. In addition, we identified and classified 122 loci previously identified within QTL or near candidate loci reported in GWAS studies of disease resistance in sunflower linked to defense response. In all, we have implemented a valuable strategy to better describe genes within specific biological processes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the adverse consequences created by an infodemic specifically on compliance with public health guidance and vaccine uptake. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is a complex construct that is related to health beliefs, misinformation exposure, and perceptions of governmental institutions. This study draws on theoretical models and current data on the COVID-19 infodemic to explore the association between perceived risk of COVID-19, levels of misinformation endorsement, and opinions about the government response on vaccine uptake. We surveyed a sample of 2,697 respondents from the US, Canada, and Italy using a mobile platform between 21-28 May, 2021. Using multivariate regression, we found that country of residence, risk perception of contracting and spreading COVID-19, perception of government response and transparency, and misinformation endorsement was associated with the odds of vaccine hesitancy. Higher perceived risk was associated with lower odds of hesitancy, while lower perceptions of government response, and higher misinformation endorsement were associated with higher hesitancy.

The fast fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment at every stage of the product life cycle. There is a lack of research in the literature on the impact of fast fashion on the environment through logistics and transport. In this area, the greatest environmental impact is caused by air emissions, which is very important from the point of view of climate change. Therefore, this article deals with the analysis of the carbon footprint resulting from the fast fashion logistics process. The identification and assessment of fast fashion companies' sustainability efforts in the area of transport-related emissions and sustainable transformation strategies was conducted using a case study method for selected brands (H&M Group; Inditex, Shein). The study uses secondary data available in non-financial reports from 2023. After analyzing the data and content in non-financial reports on transport-related emissions, sev-eral important conclusions emerge. As a dominant practice, companies emphasize their reliance on external frameworks and standards, in particular the Global Reporting Initiative and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. Companies prioritize reducing emissions from significant factors, such as production processes. The data disclosed in the reports (scope 1, 2, 3) are not clearly formulated, but they can be used to calculate the level of CO2 emission reduction/increase. The ar-ticle contains recommendations for companies to improve their reporting by including additional indicators expressing the efficiency of transport-related emissions.

The backwater lowland habitats of large rivers, like the Mississippi River in North America, present complex often inaccessible environments for traditional capture-based fish biodiversity sampling. Our knowledge of the assemblages of fishes that occupy such habitats are often incomplete, and this can compromise management efforts. We employed environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding methods to sample a Mississippi River bottom wetland system to assess ichthyofaunal diversity, and assemblage structure across habitat types, and we compared our results to capture-based survey records for the same habitats. We collected water samples in spring and fall of 2022 from slough, ditch, shallow lake and bayou habitats that varied in depth, vegetation, seasonal variability, and connectivity to the Mississippi River channel. We detected a diverse array of fish species that included 51 taxa. Nearly all species previously documented in the habitats were detected by eDNA metabarcoding, and we increased the number of documented species by more than a third. Most of the species were ubiquitous across the range of habitats, but there was also substantial assemblage structure, with some species exhibiting clear habitat specificity. Fall sampling was limited to the deeper bayou habitats where seasonal variation between spring and fall was minimal. eDNA metabarcode sampling was demonstrated to be effective at detecting invasive species as well as uncommon species, which included several species of conservation concern.

Recent advancements in vascular organoid (VO) and vessel-on-chip (VoC) technologies have revolutionized our approach to studying cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), offering unprecedented insights through more physiologically relevant models. VOs generated from human pluripotent stem cells exhibit remarkable self-organization capabilities, forming complex three-dimensional structures that closely mimic human blood vessel architecture and function, while VoCs engineered with groundbreaking microfluidic systems that meticulously recreate the physical and functional attributes of blood vessels. These innovative constructs serve as powerful tools for investigating vascular development, disease progression, and therapeutic efficacy. By enabling the creation of patient-specific VOs and VoCs, they pave the way for personalized medicine approaches, allowing researchers to delve into genetic variations, intricate cellular interactions, and dynamic processes with exceptional resolution. The synergy between VOs and VoCs with cutting-edge technologies such as single-cell sequencing and high-resolution imaging has further amplified their potential, unveiling novel mechanisms underlying CVDs and identifying promising therapeutic targets. Herein, we summarize different types of VOs and VoCs and present an extensive overview on the generation and applications of VOs and VoCs in CVDs. We will also highlight clinical and translational challenges and future perspectives around VOs and VoCs.

The application of the sensors optical fiber in the areas of scientific instrumentation and industrial instrumentation is very attractive due to its numerous advantages. In the industry of civil engineering for example, quasi-distributed sensors made with optical fiber are used for reliable strain and temperature measurements. Here, a quasi-distributed sensor in the frequency domain is discussed. The sensor consists of a series of low-finesse Fabry-Perot interferometers where each Fabry-Perot interferometer acts as a local sensor. Fabry-Perot interferometers are formed by pairs of identical low reflective Bragg gratings imprinted in a single mode fiber. All interferometer sensors have different cavity length, provoking the frequency-domain multiplexing. The optical signal represents the superposition of all interference patterns which can be decomposed using the Fourier transform. The frequency spectrum is analyzed and sensor´s properties were defined. Following, a quasi-distributed sensor was numerically simulated. Our sensor simulation considers sensor properties, signal processing, noise system and instrumentation. The numerical results show the behavior of resolution vs. signal-to-noise ratio. From our results, the Fabry-Perot sensor has high resolution and low resolutions. Both resolutions are conceivable because the FDPA algorithm elaborates two evaluations of Bragg wavelength shift

Long-term safety of a nutraceutical combination based on agnus castus and magnolia extracts combined with soy isoflavones (SI) and lactobacilli, and effectiveness on vasomotor symptoms and sleep disorders in postmenopausal women, were assessed. A controlled study was carried-out in menopausal women comparing this nutraceutical combination (ESP group) with formulation containing isoflavones alone (C group), at the dosage recommended. Kuppermann index, PSQI, and SF-36 were determined at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Endometrial thickness, mammary density and liver function were evaluated at baseline and after 12 months. 180 women (100 in ESP group and 80 in C group, mean age 55.5 years, in menopause for about 36 months) were enrolled in the study. At the treatment end, mammary density, endometrial thickness, and hepatic function did not show substantial differences between groups. Kuppermann index, and particularly hot flushes, were progressively and significantly decreased in frequency and severity during ESP versus C treatment. No adverse events were observed. Agnus castus and magnolia, combined with SI + lactobacilli, can effectively and safely be used in symptomatic postmenopausal women, mainly when quality of sleep is the most disturbing complaint. Endometrium, mammary glands and liver function, were unaffected after 12 months treatment.

Proactivity is a particularly important attribute of knowledge-intensive organizations, where the work required to increase the potential of knowledge-intensive employees is crucial. A priority challenge for these firms is also to understand the increasing importance of the functioning of cognitive mechanisms leading to increased knowledge workers' well-being following the implementation of the psychological contract. The aim of this article is to identify the relationship between inclusive leadership, the fulfillment of the psychological contract, two dimensions of well-being: workplace and life well-being and knowledge workers' proactivity. Based on survey data collected through the CAWI method from 1.000 knowledge workers employed in Polish companies in the business services sector, the research hypotheses were tested using a stepwise equation modelling (SEM) technique, leading to a model containing all the main constructs. The results obtained indicate that inclusive leadership positively impacts the fulfillment of the psychological contract. Furthermore, the fulfillment of the psychological contract positively affects proactive working behavior with and the wellbeing of knowledge workers. Along with proactive work behavior, two dimensions of well-being, were examined as outcome variables. The analysis also shows that knowledge-intensive organizations, intending to build the proactivity of their employees and nurture a high level of well-being in their lives and in the workplace, should take care to fulfil the expectations and obligations of the psychological contract. However, one way to achieve this is for managers to use an inclusive management style, which supports an atmosphere of a safe working environment in a diverse setting and leads to employees feeling comfortable sharing their opinions and ideas. The study of inclusive leadership in the context of knowledge-intensive organizations provides human resource professionals and employee man-agers with important insights into how inclusive leadership can effectively contribute to the psychological contract, which will consequently lead to proactive work behavior and also improve employees' workplace and life well-being.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common movement disorder in children with a prevalence rang-ing from 1.5 to 4 per 1000 live births. CP is caused by a non-progressive lesion of the developing brain, leading to progressive alterations of the musculoskeletal system, including spasticity, often leading to the development of fixed contractures, necessitating tendon lengthening surgery. Total RNA-sequencing analysis was performed on semitendinosus tendons from diplegic and tetraple-gic CP patients subjected to tendon lengthening surgery compared to control patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery. Tetraplegic CP patients showed increased ex-pression of genes implicated in collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, while only minor changes were observed in diplegic CP patients. In addition, tendons from tetra-plegic CP patients showed an enrichment for upregulated genes involved in vesicle-mediated transport and downregulated genes involved in cytokine and apoptotic signaling. Overall, our results indicate increased ECM turnover with increased net synthesis of collagen in tetraplegic CP patients without activation of inflammatory and apoptotic pathways similar to observations in athletes where ECM remodeling results in increased tendon stiffness and tensile strength. Never-theless, the resulting increased tendon stiffness is an important issue in clinical practice, where surgery is often required to restore joint mobility.

There is a need to search for new antifungals, especially for the treatment of the invasive Candida infections, caused mainly by C. albicans. These infections are steadily increasing at an alarming rate, mostly among immunocompromised patients. The newly synthesized compounds (3a-3k) were characterized by physico-chemical parameters and investigated for antimicrobial activity using the microdilution broth method to estimate minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Additionally, their antibiofilm activity and mode of action together with the effect on the membrane permeability in C. albicans were investigated. Biofilm biomass and its metabolic activity were quantitatively measured using crystal violet (CV) staining and tetrazolium salt (XTT) reduction assay. The cytotoxic effect on normal human lung fibroblasts and hemolytic effect were also evaluated. The results showed differential activity of the compounds against yeasts (MIC = 0.24-500 µg/mL) and bacteria (MIC = 125-1000 µg/mL). Most compounds possessed strong antifungal activity (MIC = 0.24-7.81 µg/mL). The compounds 3b, 3c, and 3e, showed no inhibitory (at 1/2 MIC) and eradication (at 8 x MIC) effect on C. albicans biofilm. Only slight decrease in the biofilm metabolic activity was observed for compound 3b. Moreover, the studied compounds increased the permeability of the membrane/cell wall of C. albicans and their mode of action may be related to action within the fungal cell wall structure and/or within the cell membrane. It is worth noting that the compounds had no cytotoxicity effect on pulmonary fibroblasts and erythrocytes at concentrations showing anticandidal activity. The present studies in vitro confirm that these derivatives appear to be a very promising group of antifungals for further preclinical studies.

In this paper, we present a novel approach for managing the file system in Linux using a voice assistant. Our system allows users to perform file system operations such as creating directories, renaming files, and deleting files by issuing voice commands. We develop a voice assistant using Python libraries and integrate it with the file system in Linux. The voice assistant is capable of understanding natural language and executing commands based on the user's voice inputs. We conduct experiments to evaluate the performance of the system and demonstrate that our approach is effective and efficient in managing the file system using voice commands. Our system can enhance the accessibility and usability of the file system in Linux for individuals with disabilities or those who prefer a hands-free approach to file management.

We report on the successful preparation of wet dressings hydrogels based on Chitosan-Poly(N-Vinyl-Pyrrolidone)-Poly(ethylene glycol)-Poly(acrylic acid) and Poly(ethylene oxide) by e-beam cross-linking in weakly acidic media, to be used for rapid healing and pain release of infected skin wounds. The structure and compositions of hydrogels investigated according to sol-gel and swelling studies, network parameters, as well as FTIR and XPS analyses showed the efficient interaction of the hydrogel components upon irradiation, maintaining the bonding environment while the cross-linking degree increasing with the irradiation dose and the formation of a structure with the mesh size in the range 11-67 nm. Hydrogels with gel fraction above 85% and the best-swelling properties in different pH solutions were obtained for hydrogels produced with 15 kGy. The hydrogels are stable in the simulated physiological condition of an infected wound and show appropriate moisture retention capability and the water vapor transmission rate up to 272.67 g m-2 day-1, to ensure fast healing. The hydrogels proved to have a significant loading capacity of ibuprofen (IBU), being able to incorporate a therapeutic dose for the treatment of severe pains. Simultaneously, IBU was released up to 25% in the first 2h, having a release maximum after 8h.

Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) are a group of conditions marked by the formation of blisters and erosions on the skin and mucous membranes. Knowing that, most of the AIBDs are severe and resistant to treatment, we decided to look upon the nutritional aspect as a light for the future for both - patients and clinicians. In this review, we would like to summarize the evidence of the role of nutrition in pathogenesis and treatment of the following AIBDs: i) pemphigus, ii) bullous pemphigoid and mucous membrane pemphigoid, iii) dermatitis herpetiformis, and iv) epidermolysis bullosa aqusita.

Drug repurposing is an attractive strategy for developing new antibacterial molecules. Herein, we evaluated the in vitro antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antivirulence activities of eight FDA-approved “non-antibiotic” drugs, comparatively to tobramycin, against selected Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from cystic fibrosis patients. MIC and MBC values were measured by broth microdilution methods. Time-kill kinetics was studied by the macro dilution method, and synergy studies were performed by checkerboard microdilution assay. The activity against preformed biofilm was measured by crystal violet and viable cell count assays. The effects on gene expression were studied by real-time quantitative PCR, while the cytotoxic potential was evaluated against IB3-1 bronchial CF cells. Ciclopirox, 5-fluorouracil, and actinomycin D showed the best activity against P. aeruginosa planktonic cells and, therefore, underwent further evaluation. Time-kill assays indicated actinomycin D and ciclopirox, contrarily to 5-fluorouracil and tobramycin, have the potential for bacterial eradication, although with strain-dependent efficacy. Ciclopirox was the most effective against the viability of the preformed biofilm. A similar activity was observed for other drugs, although they stimulate EPS production. Ribavirin showed a specific antibiofilm effect, not dependent on bacterial killing. Exposure to drugs and tobramycin generally caused hyperexpression of the virulence traits tested, except for actinomycin D, which downregulated the expression of alkaline protease and alginate polymerization. Ciclopirox and actinomycin D revealed high cytotoxic potential. Ciclopirox and ribavirin might provide chemical scaffolds for anti-P. aeruginosa drugs. Further studies are warranted to decrease ciclopirox cytotoxicity and evaluate the in vivo protective effects.

Gastric cancer is an aggressive disease with increasing global incidence in recent years. Human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in approximately 10-20% of gastric cancers. The implementation of targeted therapy against HER2 as part of the standard of care treatment in metastatic disease has improved the prognosis of this subset of patients. However, gastric cancer still has high mortality rates and urgently requires new treatment strategies. The combination of immunotherapy with HER2-targeted therapies has shown synergistic effects in preclinical models, being the rationale behind exploring this combination in clinical trials in locally advanced and metastatic settings. Additionally, the irruption of antibody-drug conjugates and other novel HER2-targeted agents has led to the development of numerous clinical trials showing promising results. This review presents the molecular mechanisms supporting the use of HER2-targeted drugs in combination with immunotherapy and provides an overview of the therapeutic scenario of HER2-positive disease. We focus on the role of immunotherapy but also summarize emerging therapies and combinations under clinical research that may change the standard treatment in HER-2 positive disease in the future.

Background: Front-of-pack-labels (FOPLs) on packaged foods provide consumers with essential information about the nutritional content of food products, enabling them to make informed choices and align their dietary habits with their health goals. However, evidence on the comprehensibility, use, and effectiveness of FOPLs remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya. Objective: In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of three FOPLs in helping consumers identify excess nutrients of concern in packaged food products and their potential influence on food purchases in Kenya. Methods: A total of 2198 shoppers with diverse backgrounds were recruited from selected supermarkets in three Kenyan main cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu) and a small town (Garissa). Participants were randomized to three FOPLs: Red and green Octagon label (RG), Red and Green Octagon with icons (RGI) and a black Octagon Warning label (WL). In the control phase, participants were shown unlabeled images of packaged food products and they responded to a set of questions. In the experimental phase, the same product images were presented with one of the three front-of-pack labels they were randomized to, and participants answered the same questions again. Differences in the proportions of participants correctly identifying the nutrients of concern and the changes in intention to purchase unhealthy foods before and after exposure to FOPLs were analyzed using frequency tables and Chi-Square tests. The effectiveness of the three FOPLs was further assessed using a modified Poisson regression. Results: Results showed that exposure to FOPLs significantly improvement participants' ability to correctly identify nutrients of concern across various food categories. Additionally, FOPLs reduced consumers’ intentions to purchase unhealthy foods, with the Warning Labels (WL) emerging as particularly effective in enhancing consumers' understanding of product healthiness and reducing the intention to purchase unhealthy foods compared to the other two FOPLs. Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential role of FOPLs, particularly the WL as an effective regulatory tool for promoting healthier food choices in Kenya.

The required processes and steps for making bread include technological and innovative concepts. The current trend is the use of less toxic compounds and green processes. Besides lactic acid bacteria and yeast, other microorganisms with special properties, such as enzymes, new aroma and flavor, exopolysaccharides, and vitamins, among other compounds with beneficial properties, could be added to bread manufacture, improving bread quality and health effects for the consumers. Freeze drying, new encapsulation methods, cryoprotectants, spray drying, fluidized bed drying, and vacuum drying are used for probiotics and microorganism cultures that will be used as starters or biological additives in the fermentation. The same development is observed in the preservation methods, and studies with plant extracts and essential oils have been proposed and introduced, replacing chemical agents, such as propionate, within the clean-label bread formulations concept. Baking science is a growing research line incorporating innovative methods and biological additives.

Noise induces oxidative stress in the cochlea followed by sensory cell death and hearing loss. The proof of principle that injections of antioxidant vitamins and Mg²⁺ prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been established. However, effectiveness of oral administration remains controversial and otoprotection mechanisms unclear. Using auditory evoked potentials, quantitative PCR and immunocytochemistry, we explored effects of oral administration of vitamins A, C, E and Mg²⁺ (ACEMg) on auditory function and sensory cell survival following NIHL in rats. Oral ACEMg reduced auditory thresholds shifts after NIHL. Improved auditory function correlated with increased survival of sensory outer hair cells. In parallel, oral ACEMg modulated the expression timeline of antioxidant enzymes in the cochlea after NIHL. There was increased expression of Glutathione peroxidase-1 and Catalase at 1 and 10 days, respectively. Also, pro-apoptotic Caspase-3 and Bax levels were diminished in ACEMg-treated rats, at 10 and 30 days, respectively, following noise overstimulation, whereas, at day 10 after noise exposure, the levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, were significantly increased. Therefore, oral ACEMg improves auditory function by limiting sensory hair cell death in the auditory receptor following NIHL. Regulation of the expression of antioxidant enzymes and apoptosis-related proteins in cochlear structures is involved in such otoprotective mechanism.

Continuous technological progress places significant demands on the materials used in increasingly modern devices. An important parameter is often the long-term thermal resistance of the material. The use of heat-resistant polymer materials worked well in technologically advanced products. An economically justified direction in searching for new materials is the area of polymer nanocomposite materials. It is necessary to appropriately select both the polymer matrix and the nanofillers best able to demonstrate the synergistic effect. A promising area of exploration for such nanocomposites is the use of organosilicon polymers, which results from the unique properties of these polymers related to their structure. This review presents the results of the analysis of the most important literature reports regarding organosilicon polymer nanocomposites with increased thermal resistance. Particular attention was paid to modification methods of silicone nanocomposites focused on the increase of their thermal resistance related to the modification of siloxane molecular structure and by making nanocomposites using inorganic additives, carbon nanomaterials. Attention was also paid to such important issues as the influence of the dispersion of additives in the polymer matrix on the thermal resistance of silicone nanocomposites and the possibility of modifying the polymer matrix and permanently introducing nanofillers thanks to the presence of various reactive groups. The thermal stability mechanism of these nanocomposites was also analysed.

Fusarium graminearum is a dangerous pathogen of the cereals producing mycotoxins (trichothecene and zearalenone) harmful for human and animal health. There were evaluated sixteen winter wheat varieties for their response in conditions of natural infection with F. graminearum in the epidemic year 2019, being well known that accumulation of mycotoxins (DON, ZON and T-2) is induced by different biotic and abiotic factors. Field plot was organized in Latin rectangle randomized with three replicates. For all evaluated wheat varieties were collected field data (incidence, severity and infection degree of the fungus F. graminearum) and laboratory data (mycotoxins concentration in grains) that have been processed using the software JASP (Version 0.14) for descriptive statistics, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Microsoft Excel 2019 was used to calculate Pearson’s correlation coefficients. The results showed negative corelation between plants’ density and F. graminearum attack frequency. Positive correlations were found between DON and T-2 and between DON and fungus attack intensity. This work highlights that during a F. graminearum epidemic year some of the most influential factors in the contamination with harmful mycotoxins (DON, ZON and T-2) are: plants density, frequency of the attack on ear, diseased ears and attack intensity on ears.

The employment of clays in industry and on laboratory scale is still of interest, despite their long history. The chemical-physical characteristics of such material are strongly related to their geographical origin and the availability of proper characterization techniques is of great importance in order to gain as more information about their behavior when utilized as filling materials. In the present contribute a physical characterization by meaning of Thermogravimetry and N₂ physisorption, including a thermal stability evaluation, of samples of Sardinian bentonite collected from the Alghero area (Italy) is reported.

L-gulonolactone oxidase enzyme (GULO) catalyzes the last step of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) biosynthesis. This enzymatic activity is lost in primates. The full-length rat GULO has been previously produced in plants and demonstrated to be active. In this study, we compare activity of two variants of GULO produced in Escheriachia coli cells, full-length rat GULO (fGULO) and its C-terminal catalytic domain (cGULO). The expression and purification of the recombinant proteins were optimised and their biological activity was confirmed by two methods, the GULO activity assay in the protein extracts and the ‘in-gel’ staining for GULO activity. Both variants of recombinant GULO were biologically active in both assays. However, cGULO is more promising than fGULO for ascorbic acid production because it is more efficiently produced by bacteria.

Background. The Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ) is widely used to measure functional ability in persons with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The instrument was developed with limited involvement from persons with RA, and their perception of the instrument has not been studied in depth. The aim of this study was to explore how persons with RA experience the use of the HAQ in care. Methods. Forty persons with RA were purposefully recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were then analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Results. The participants questioned the relevance of the HAQ but nevertheless experienced that the instrument had a profound effect on their understanding of health and how care is delivered. The analysis resulted in three themes: Problems with individual items, meaning of the summative score, and effects on care and health perceptions. Conclusions. To make the HAQ relevant to persons with RA, it needs to be revised or to include an option to select items most meaningful to the respondent. To ensure relevance, the HAQ update should preferably be co-created by researchers, clinicians and persons with RA.

In recent years, the evaluation of many plant-derived compounds as potential new drugs or functional foods has become an active research topic. The characteristics of quinces of the genera Cydonia, Chaenomeles and Pseuocydonia are largely similar, which is why these fruits are often confused. Although they have been appreciated in Asia for centuries as a valuable component of local ethnomedicine, they are less known in Western countries and scientific knowledge about their health benefits remains fragmentary. This literature review presents the bioactive compounds of these fruits with special emphasis on antioxidants. Most space has been devoted to the presentation of the biological activities and potential medical applications of the fruits due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective and antidiabetic effects.

This work presents the results regarding the synthesis of tungsten nanoparticles (W NPs) by magnetron sputtering combined with gas aggregation (MSGA) when H2 mixed with Ar is used as working gas, the amount of H2 being increased up to 82%. The results show that up to 40% H2 in discharge the synthesis rate increases over 60 times, rapidly decreasing for over 50% H2 in discharge. The W dust is still produced in H2 dominated discharge (82%), the deposition rate being small but not negligible (20 mg/hour). The obtained WNPs are isolated, with the diameter decreasing from 50 nm to 15 nm when the amount of H2 in discharge is smaller than 41%. Over this value, the particles tend to agglomerate, forming structures similar to film-like deposits. Also, the diameter of the deposited spots on substrates is dependent on the H2 content in discharge. This allows the efficient coating of substrates with dimensions up to 26 mm by translating them in front of the MSGA cluster source exit aperture. Supplementary, for 41% H2 in discharge, the influence of synthetic air leaks (0-5%) in discharge was investigated. The deposition rate decreases rapidly (ceasing for around 4% air in discharge) and the obtained nanoparticles tend to agglomerate (at 2% air content, the dust deposit has the aspect of a near continuous film). Chemical composition investigations show a pronounced tendency of oxidation, nitridation and oxynitride formation in the presence of air leaks.

Aim: To investigate the effects of intensive physical exercise on retinal microvascular regulation in healthy volunteers by the adaptive optics retinal camera measurement. Methods: We included healthy volunteers (11 men and 14 women) aged 20.6± 0.9. Heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were recorded before and after a submaximal physical exertion of continuously riding a training ergometer. The superior temporal retinal artery measurements were captured using the adaptive optics (AO) camera rtx1TM (Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France) without pupil dilatation. We compared measures of vessel diameter (VD), lumen diameter (LD), two walls (Wall 1, 2), wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR), and wall cross-sectional analysis (WCSA) before and immediately after the cessation of exercise. Results: Cardiovascular parameters: After exercise, SBP, DBP and HR changed significantly from 130.2±13.2 to 159.7±15.6 mm Hg, 81.2±6.3 to 77.1±8.2 mm Hg and 80.8±16.1 to 175.0±6.2 bpm, respectively (p < 0.002). Retinal microcirculation analysis: Before the exercise, the mean LD was 96.0±6.8, VD 118.5±8.3, WLR 0.234±0.02, WCSA 3802.8±577.6. The mean LD and Wall 1 did not change significantly after exercise but slightly decreased. The VD, Wall 2, WLR and WCSA decreased significantly (p

The structure and physicochemical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PVA/glycerol films have been investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), and advanced scanning probe microscopy (SPM). In the pure PVA films, SPM allowed us to observe ribbon-shaped domains with a different frictional and elastic contrast, which apparently originated from a correlated growth or assembly of PVA crystalline nuclei located within individual PVA clusters. The incorporation of 1.0 wt.% glycerol led to modification in shape of those domains from ribbon-like in pure PVA to rounded in PVA/glycerol 1.0 wt.% films; changes in the relative intensities of the XRD peaks and a decrease of the amorphous halo in the XRD pattern were also detected, while the DTA peak corresponding to the melting point remained at almost the same temperature. For higher glycerol content, FT-IR revealed additional glycerol-characteristic peaks presumably related to the formation of glycerol aggregates, and XRD, FT-IR, and DTA all indicated a reduction in crystallinity. For more than 2.0 wt.% glycerol, the plasticization of the films complicated the acquisition of SPM images without tip-induced surface modification. Our study contributes to the understanding of crystallinity in PVA and how it is altered by a plasticizer such as glycerol.

(S)-Atenolol ((S)-2-(4-(2-Hydroxy-3-(isopropylamino)propoxy)phenyl)acetamide) has been synthesized in >99% ee with use of Candida antarctica lipase B from Syncozymes (Shanghai, China), in a kinetic resolution of the corresponding racemic chlorohydrin. Deprotonation of the starting phenol building block was base catalyzed. The enantiopurity of the chlorohydrin building block remained unchanged upon subsequent amination. All four steps in the synthesis protocol have been optimized compared to previously reported methods, which makes this new protocol more sustainable and in accordance with green chemistry principles compared to previously reported protocols.

This paper focuses on enhancing the object detection and decision-making capabilities of Autonomous Emergency Medical Response Systems (AEMRS). Using advanced sensors, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), and reinforcement learning, we propose a model that processes environmental data to identify obstacles and make optimal navigation decisions. The integration of these technologies aims to minimize response time and improve the efficiency of emergency medical services. The perception system utilizes radar, LiDAR, and camera inputs to create a comprehensive understanding of the environment. These data are processed through a series of CNN layers to detect and classify objects such as vehicles, pedestrians, and road signs. On the decision-making front, a Q-learning algorithm is employed to enable the ambulance to learn from its interactions with the environment, continuously improving its route planning and collision avoidance strategies. By combining these advanced AI techniques, the proposed AEMRS can significantly enhance the speed and reliability of emergency responses, ultimately saving more lives. This paper presents the design, implementation, and simulation results of the proposed system, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize emergency medical services.

An approach of implementing X-bar and R control charts as a statistical control tool to monitor changes in the melting profile of fresh and stored flaxseed oils by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used. Phase transition melting profiles were collected after 0, 2, 4, 6 months of storing flaxseed oils, originated from five different cultivars. Four peaks at around -36, -30, -25, -12 °C were identified using the deconvolution analysis procedure, which enabled data to be collected on peak temperature (T), peak height (h) and the peak area (A), as well as the ratio calculated from these parameters. Control charts of DSC parameters, linked to the second peak (h2, A2) and calculated ratios of those parameters showed an increasing or decreasing trend within the storage time, thus were considered to be indicators of oil deterioration. Since DSC parameters related to the first peak (h1, A1) and third peak (h3, A3) remained unchanged within storage, they were established as the markers of flaxseed oil authenticity.

Immersive virtual reality has the potential to motivate and challenge patients that need and want to relearn movements in the process of (neuro-)rehabilitation. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and users’ acceptance of an innovative immersive virtual reality system (head-mounted display) used in combination with robot assisted gait training in subjects suffering from neurological diseases. Fifteen participants tested a single session of immersive virtual reality by means of head-mounted display during a Lokomat gait session. Training parameters and safety indicators were collected and the acceptance was investigated among the participants and the therapists. The results suggest that the immersive virtual reality system is feasible with respect to safety and tolerance. Furthermore, the very positive overall acceptance of the system suggests that it has potential to be included in a robot assisted gait training session by means of Lokomat. Taken together, this study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptance of an innovative immersive virtual reality system in combination with a robot assisted gait training in subjects suffering from stroke and spinal cord injury, as well as their therapists.

Despite the availability of effective vaccines that lower mortality and morbidity associated with COVID-19, many countries including Italy adopted strict vaccination policies and mandates to increase the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Such mandates have sparked debates on the freedom to choose whether or not to get vaccinated. In this study, we examined the people’s belief in vaccine choice as a predictor of willingness to get vaccinated among a sample of unvaccinated individuals in Italy. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Italy in May 2021. The survey collected data on respondents’ demographics and region of residence, socioeconomic factors, belief in the freedom to choose to be vaccinated or not, risk perception of contracting and transmitting the disease, previous vaccine refusal, opinion on adequacy of government measures to address the pandemic, experience in requesting and being denied government aid during the pandemic, and intent to accept COVID-19 vaccination. The analysis employed binary logistic regression models using a hierarchical model building approach to assess the association between intent to accept vaccination and belief in the freedom to choose to vaccinate, while adjusting for other variables of interest. 984 unvaccinated individuals were included in the study. Respondents who agreed that people should be free to decide whether or not to vaccinate with no restrictions on their personal life had 85% lower odds of vaccine acceptance (OR=0.15 ;95% CI,0.09,0.23) after adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors and their risk perception of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. Belief in the freedom to choose whether or not to accept vaccinations was a major predictor of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a sample of unvaccinated individuals in Italy in May 2021. This understanding of how individuals prioritize personal freedoms and the perceived benefits and risks of vaccines, when making health care decisions can inform the development of public health outreach, educational programs and messaging.

A low cost, scalable and robust process has been proposed as innovative method for coating solar mirrors with a self-cleaning, transparent in the full solar range and versatile material based on auxetic aluminium nitrides, previously obtained on the laboratory scale. This work presents the scaling-up of fabrication process from laboratory to prototypal scale and pre-liminary results of outdoor self-cleaning solar mirror prototypes testing in the demonstrative CSP plant ENEASHIP located in Casaccia (Rome) ENEA research centre. Prototypes 50x40cm have shown stability in external conditions: no degradation occurs during the test campaign. Their washing restores the initial reflectance affected by soiling and the self-cleaning performance allows the utilization of a reduced quantity of water for cleaning operations with respect to uncoated glass of back surface mirrors. A similar self-cleaning AlN coating could be utilized on other solar components affected by soiling, such as glass envelopes of heat collecting elements, PV panels and everywhere are required self-cleaning performance combined to optical ones.

Mining activities often generate important amounts of extractive waste, and as a consequence, environmental impacts that affects all factors to a greater or lesser extent. Depending on a variety of variables, the impact can be permanent or temporary, reversible or irreversible, negative or positive. This study conducted research on the status of closure and remediation processes of mining areas in Romania, specifically in the counties of Maramureș, Suceava, Harghita, Alba, Hunedoara, and Caraș-Severin. Furthermore, based on the type and level of pollution, the degree of application of remediation techniques for water and soil pollution in the investigated mining areas was studied. From the analysed information, it is evident that although the closure and remediation process started in Romania over 20 years ago, unfortunately, to this day, the technical projects, technical assistance, and execution of closure and remediation works have not yet completely solved the complex environmental issues in the mining sector. Most of the tailing ponds and waste piles of former mines continue to pose permanent specific risk to the environment and the population. This study concludes that the mining sector in Romania, although it has the necessary techniques and technologies for the ecological rehabilitation of degraded lands related to the Extractive Waste Facilities and the elimination of negative impacts on the environment and public health, has not yet been able to fully concretize its remediation efforts.

Cows produce saliva in very large quantities to lubricate and facilitate food processing. Estimates indicate an amount of 50-150 liter per day. Human saliva has previously been found to contain numerous antibacterial components, such as lysozyme, histatins, members of the S-100 family and lactoferrin to limit pathogen colonization. Cows are dependent of a complex microbial community in their digestive system for food digestion. We wondered how this would influence the content of their saliva. We therefore sampled saliva from five humans and both nose secretions and saliva from six cows and separated the saliva on SDS-PAGE gradient gels and analyzed the major protein bands by LC-MS/MS. The cow saliva was found to be dominated by a few major proteins only, the carbonic anhydrase 6, a pH stabilizing enzyme, and the short palate, lung and nasal epithelium carcinoma-associated protein 2A (SPLUNC2A), also named bovine salivary protein 30kDa (BSP30). This latter protein has been proposed to play a role in local antibacterial response by binding bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibit bacterial growth, but may instead according to more recent data instead have primarily surfactant activity. Numerous peptide fragments of mucin-5B were also detected in the MS analysis. However, mucins stain poorly by the gel staining solution and they are large and have difficult to enter regular gels why their presence easily are overseen. Interestingly, no major band on gel was detected representing any of the antibacterial proteins indicating that cows may produce them at very low levels not to harm the microbial flora of their digestive system. The nose secretions of the cows primarily contained the odorant protein, a protein thought to be involved in enhancing the sensing of smell by the olfactory receptors to enhance the possibility to quickly sense potential poisonous food components. High levels of secretory IgA was also found in one sample of cow mouth drippings indicating a strong upregulation during an infection. The human saliva we more complex containing both secretory IgA, amylase, carbonic anhydrase 6, lysozyme, histatins and a number of other less abundant proteins.

Background: Periodontitis is a disease that leads to serious functional and aesthetic dysfunctions resulting in impairment of life quality; it exists in different forms and its etiology is related with multiple component causes. Angiogenesis, together with inflammatory infiltrate, are two key processes in the evolution of inflammatory processes involving gingival tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate their alterations in relation to some important periodontal diseases-associated factors (i.e. smoke, sex, age, plaque, pus, probing pocket depth) in patients with diagnosis of Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis (GAP). Methods: Eighteen subjects with GAP were enrolled for this study. Percentage of inflammatory cells and vascular area were measured and evaluated in relation with each periodontal diseases-associated factor. Results: The results showed a significant decrease of the percentage of vascular area in association with almost all the periodontal diseases-related factors (smoke, age, PPD, plaque) and not significant differences in the percentage of inflammatory cells. Conclusions: Data suggest that, even if these factors are often commonly related to worsening of periodontal status, they did not affect inflammatory and vascular pattern, as we can assume. For the future, additional studies, aimed to evaluated each singular factor in a wider sample size, should be planned.

Within the fields of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and English for Research Publication Purposes (ERPP), there is an unquestioned orthodoxy that scholars with English as an Additional Language (EAL) are particularly disadvantaged by the pressure to publish in English (though see Kuteeva 2015 and debate between Hyland 2016a, 2016b and Politzer-Ahlesa et al. 2016). In this paper, I challenge this orthodoxy, raising questions about the evidence upon which it is based. Within a framework of ‘verbal hygiene’ (Cameron 1995, 2012), I will argue that the attention accorded to ‘non-nativeness’ may be disproportionate to its significance for publication success. I conclude by proposing some reorientations for researchers and practitioners in the field that centre on broadening the scope to encompass non-linguistic structures of inequity.

The presence of antibiotic residues in honey has recently become a growing public health concern due to the overuse of these products in beekeeping and their transfer to the food industry. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simple, selective and sensitive method for the simultaneous identification and quantification of residues of twenty-two sulfonamides, trimethoprim and dapsone in honey using a rapid and reliable liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method. The developed method showed good linearity, specificity, precision (repeatability and intra-laboratory reproducibility) and recovery. The decision limit (CCalpha) ranged between 2.16-22.12 µg/kg for CCα, while the detection capability (CCbeta) was between 2.16- 2.67-27.36 µg/kg. The method proved to be rapid, reliable and effective for the determination of sulfonamides, trimethoprim and dapsone from honey samples. The average recoveries were estimated to be between 70 and 106%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were between 6-18%. In practice, the method is essential to check the honey sold on the market and ensure its safety before it reaches the consumer.

COVID-19 is the most severe health crisis of the 21st century. COVID-19 presents a threat to almost all countries world-wide. The restriction of human mobility is one of the strategies used to control the transmission of COVID-19. However, it has yet to be determined how effective this restriction is in controlling the rise in COVID-19 cases, particularly in major capital cities such as Jakarta, Indonesia. Using Facebook's mobility data, our study explores the impact of restricting human mobility on COVID-19 case control in Jakarta. Our main contribution is showing how the restriction of human mobility data can give important information about how COVID-19 spreads in different places. We proposed modifying a global regression model into a local regression model by accounting for the spatial and temporal interdependence of COVID-19 transmission across space and time. We applied Bayesian hierarchical Poisson spatiotemporal models with spatially varying regression coefficients. We estimated the regression parameters using an Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation. We found that the local regression model with spatially varying regression coefficients outperforms the global regression model based on DIC, WAIC, MPL, and R2 criteria for model selection. In Jakarta's 44 districts, the impact of human mobility varies significantly. The impacts of human mobility on the log relative risk of COVID-19 range from –4.445 to 2.353. The prevention strategy involving the restriction of human mobility may be beneficial in some districts but ineffective in others. Therefore, a cost-effective strategy had to be adopted.

The way people in many countries eat today is disconnected to the resources and land locally available. In Europe, for instance, too much meat is eaten, but often cannot be fed by local resources. The percentage of non-local and non-seasonal food is tremendous, exploiting other regions and their water reservoirs. Current diets harm eco systems and people’s health. (Re-)regionalising food systems and aligning diets to planetary boundaries could be one way to reconnect people to the food they eat. Before demanding the (re-)regionalisation of food, it should be analysed whether current consumption patterns can be met at all with the regionally available agricultural land. We looked at the region Hesse in Central Germany, calculated and compared land consumption of current diets with the consumption as recommended by the Planetary Health Diet. Our focus is on livestock because land consumption to produce meat, dairy and eggs is relatively high. Our results show that the region is far from being able to feed the current livestock population, that it does not have the land to support the livestock needed to meet current consumption patterns, but that it could support a smaller livestock population according to the Planetary Health Diet, especially if farmers adopt crop rotation systems and extensive husbandry.

The altimeter-derived ocean currents have been sparsely evaluated against in situ measurements in the Arctic, particularly for extended time periods. This study uses the extensive mooring array situated in the Fram Strait, representing one of the longest ocean current records, to investigate the relationship between in situ and satellite-derived currents in the region. The primary objective of this research is to analyze the vertical structure of the West Spitsbergen Current (WSC), its spatio-temporal coherence, and its association with surface geostrophic currents during the period of 1997-2012. To assess the vertical structure of the WSC, we utilized the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) and cross-correlation analysis between neighboring moorings. Remarkably, both velocity components exhibited robust vertical coherence, particularly within the waters of the North Atlantic Inflow, at depths exceeding 800 m. These findings underscore the potential for surface measurements to effectively complement data gaps and facilitate the reconstruction of deeper currents with a monthly temporal resolution. Notably, the surface measurements explain approximately 67% of the variance in the top 800 m of the water column.This comprehensive investigation advances our understanding of the West Spitsbergen Current and its vertical characteristics in the Arctic. Moreover, our findings highlight the valuable synergy between in situ and satellite-derived data, providing critical insights for future ocean current studies in this ecologically sensitive region.