Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are deadly sarcomas that desperately need effective therapies. Half of all MPNSTs arise in patients with Neurofibromatosis Type I (NF1), a common inherited disease. NF1 patients can develop benign lesions called Plexiform Neurofibromas (PNFs), often in adolescence, and over time some PNFs, but not all, will transform into MPNSTs. A deeper understanding of the molecular and genetic alterations driving PNF-MPNST transformation will guide development of more targeted and effective treatments for these patients. This review focuses on an oncogenic transcription factor, FOXM1, that is a powerful oncogene in other cancers but little studied in MPNSTs. Elevated expression of FOXM1 was seen in patient MPNSTs and correlated with poor survival, but otherwise its role in the disease is unknown. We discuss what is known about FOXM1 in MPNSTs relative to other cancers and how FOXM1 may be regulated by and/or regulate the most commonly altered players in MPNSTs, particularly in the MEK and CDK4/6 kinase pathways. We conclude by considering FOXM1, MEK, and CDK4/6 as new, clinically relevant targets for MPNST therapy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent type of primary liver cancer. Low numbers of HCC patients being suitable for liver resection or transplantation and multidrug resistance development during pharmacotherapy leads to high death rates for HCC patients. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of HCC aetiology contributes to development of novel therapeutic strategies for prevention and treatment of HCC. UDP-glucose ceramide glycosyltransferase (UGCG), a key enzyme in glycosphingolipid metabolism, generates glucosylceramide (GlcCer), which is the precursor for all glycosphingolipids (GSLs). Since UGCG gene expression is altered in 0.8 % of HCC tumors, GSLs may play a role in cellular processes in liver cancer cells. Here, we discuss current literature about GSLs and their abundance in normal liver cells, Gaucher disease and HCC. Furthermore, we review the involvement of UGCG/GlcCer in multidrug resistance development, globosides as a potential prognostic marker for HCC, gangliosides as a potential liver cancer stem cell marker, and the role of sulfatides in tumor metastasis. Only a limited number of molecular mechanisms executed by GSLs in HCC are known, which we summarize here briefly.

Executive functioning is a key component involved in many of the processes necessary for effective weight management behavior change (e.g., setting goals). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and third-wave CBT (e.g., mindfulness) are considered first-line treatments for obesity, but it is unknown to what extent they can improve or sustain executive functioning. This pilot randomized controlled trial examined if a CBT-based generalized weight management intervention would affect executive functioning and executive function-related brain activity in individuals with obesity or overweight. Participants were randomized to an intervention condition (N=24) that received the Noom Weight program or to a control group (N=26) receiving weekly educational newsletters. EEG measurements were taken during Flanker, Stroop, and N-back tasks at baseline and months 1 through 4. After 4 months, the intervention condition evidenced greater accuracy over time and, to some extent, neural markers of executive function (error-related negativity and beta and gamma band powers) compared to the control group on the Flanker and Stroop tasks. The intervention condition also lost more weight than controls (-7.1 pounds vs. +1.0 pounds). Given mixed evidence on whether CBT-based interventions can change markers of executive function, this study contributes preliminary evidence that a multicomponent CBT-based weight management intervention (i.e., that provide both support for weight management and is based on CBT) can help individuals sustain executive function compared to controls.

Some time ago, Kobayashi et al. experimentally studied the so-called Lee-Naughton-Lebed's (LNL) angular effect in strong electric fields [K. Kobayashi, M. Saito, E. Omichi, and T. Osada, Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{96}, 126601 (2006)]. They found that strong electric fields split the LNL conductivity maxima in $\alpha$-(ET)$_2$-based organic conductor and hypothetically introduced the corresponding equation for conductivity. In this Letter, for the first time we suggest quantum mechanical theory of the LNL angular oscillations in moderately strong electric fields. In particular, we demonstrate that the obtained by us approximate theoretical formula coincides with the hypothetical one and well describes the above mentioned experiments.

The work proposes a backtesting analysis in comparison between the Lee-Carter and the Cairns-Blake-Dowd mortality models, employing Italian data. The mortality data come from the Italian National Statistics Institute (ISTAT) database and span the period 1975-2014, over which we computed back-projections evaluating the performances of the models in comparisons with real data. We propose three different backtest approaches, evaluating the goodness of short-run forecast versus medium-length ones. We find that both models were not able to capture the improving shock on the mortality observed for the male population on the analyzed period. Moreover, the results suggest that CBD forecast are reliable prevalently for ages above 75, and that LC forecast are basically more accurate for this data.

The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a potent enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins (PG), including PGE2, a key mediator of inflammation and angiogenesis. Importantly, COX-2 is activated in response to inflammatory stimuli, where it is also believed to promote the development and progression of head and neck cancers (HNC). COX-2 can mediate its protumorigenic effect through various mechanisms such as inducing cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and suppressing the host’s immune response. Furthermore, COX-2 can induce the production of vascular endothelial growth factors, hence promoting angiogenesis. Indeed, the ability of COX-2 inhibitors to selectively restrict the proliferation of tumor cells and mediating apoptosis provides promising therapeutic targets for cancer patients. Thus, in this comprehensive review, we summarized the reported differential expression patterns of COX-2 in different stages of head and neck carcinogenesis—from potentially premalignant lesions to invasive carcinomas. Furthermore, we examined the available meta-analysis evidence for COX-2 role in the carcinogenesis of HNC. Finally, further understanding of the biological processes of COX-2 and its role in orchestrating cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis may give therapeutically beneficial insight to develop the management plan of HNC patients and improve their clinical outcomes.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a unique lens to study neuroanatomic support of human neurocognition and intelligence. A core mystery is the MRI explanation of individual differences in neurocognition and intelligence. The past four decades have seen great advancement in studying this century-long mystery, but the sample size and population-level studies limit the explanation at the individual level. The recent rise of big data and artificial intelligence offers novel opportunities. Yet, data sources, harmonization, study design, and interpretation need to be carefully considered. This review aims to summarize past work, discuss rising opportunities and challenges, and facilitate further investigations on machine intelligence inferring human intelligence.

Although the parasite Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most pervasive neurotropic pathogens in the world, the host-parasite interactions during CNS infection and consequences of neurological infection are just beginning to be unraveled. The chronic stages of infection have been considered dormant, although several studies have found correlations of infection with an array of host behavioral changes. These may facilitate parasite transmission and impact neurological diseases. During infection, in addition to the presence of the parasites within neurons, host-mediated neuroimmune and hormonal responses to infection are also present. T. gondii induces numerous changes to host neurons during infection and globally alters host neurological signaling pathways, as discussed in this review. Understanding the neurophysiological changes in the host brain is imperative to understanding the parasitic mechanisms and to delineate the effects of this single-celled parasite on health and its contribution to neurological disease.

To describe the main health surveillance strategies for the control of COVID-19 in Brazil, with emphasis on decisions and actions taken at the federal level to prevent the infection caused by the new SARS-CoV-2. This is a scoping review study carried out from November 2019 to January 2021 using the DECS and MeSH health descriptors in Portuguese and English in four databases, in addition to the legislation found on the Brazilian Government's legislation portal. Based on the analysis of the documents, the actions describe non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures, measures related to decisions on closing and opening international borders, the acquisition of supplies and essential services. Although some strategies for containing the pandemic were identified, discrete and unnoticed surveillance measures are observed in view of the number of cases and number of deaths during the period of research analysis. The results show the absence of the federal level as support for the states and municipalities and imply decision-making and planning of actions by the Unified Health System to control the pandemic.

Background: Time-series biosignal data, representative of a physiological process, is often applied to time-sensitive machine learning applications that benefit from acceleration. Medical and research applications that process biosignal data in real-time may utilize new hardware architecture by switching from CPU to GPU devices to take advantage of the data processing speedups. In order to utilize machine learning kernels that are typically employed by a CPU on a GPU, the machine learning kernel must be reimplemented using custom compilers that can take advantage of GPU architecture. Objectives: The primary objective is to evaluate the speed of CPU-based machine learning algorithms commonly employed in biosignal process- ing and compare the speedup improvements obtained through GPU acceleration. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases to identify studies employing GPU acceleration in biosignal processing. Inclusion and exclusion criteria are defined for GPU accel- eration studies. In this literature review, 12 studies of GPU kernel development for traditionally CPU-based kernels are analyzed. Results: It is found that a positive speedup occurs when using GPU kernels over traditional CPU-based algorithms in all instances. The speedup of GPU over CPU performance ranges between 1.87 to 27018.27 times faster. Conclusions: This review will contribute to the understanding of the role of GPU kernel development in biosignal processing, providing insights into performance improvements obtained by current GPU kernel development. The results indicate that GPU kernel development is a plausible direction to obtain real-time biosignal-based systems.

Today massive amounts of sequenced metagenomic and -transcriptomic data from different ecological niches and environmental locations are available. Scientific progress depends critically on methods that allow extracting useful information from the various types of sequence data. Here, we will first discuss types of information contained in the various flavours of biological sequence data, and how this information can be interpreted to increase our scientific knowledge and understanding. We argue that a mechanistic understanding is required to consistently interpret experimental observations, and that this understanding is greatly facilitated by the generation and analysis of dynamic mathematical models. We conclude that, in order to construct mathematical models and to test mechanistic hypotheses, time-series data is of critical importance. We review diverse techniques to analyse time-series data and discuss various approaches by which time-series of biological sequence data was successfully used to derive and test mechanistic hypotheses. Analysing the bottlenecks of current strategies in the extraction of knowledge and understanding from data, we conclude that combined experimental and theoretical efforts should be implemented as early as possible during the planning phase of individual experiments and scientific research projects.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) is a rare immune-mediated relapsing-remitting disease of the central nervous system. The usage of rituximab, to prevent NMOSD relapses, is common in Sweden, but the knowledge on long-term efficacy and risk for severe infections are limited. We performed a retrospective cohort study with medical chart review of rituximab-treated NMOSD patients at the Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden, to assess the occurrence of relapses and severe infectious events (SIE). Furthermore, we collected data on CD19+ lymphocyte, and IgG levels during therapy. A total of 42 NMOSD patients; 24 with aquaporin -4 antibodies (AQP4+), eight with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG+) and 10 with absence of antibodies (double-seronegative) were included. During a mean treatment time of 4.4 years, 37% AQP4+, 75% MOG+, and 60% double-seronegative patients experienced 1 relapse. SIEs were common with 46% of AQP4+, 25% of MOG+, and 40% of double-seronegative patients affected. Incomplete CD19+ lymphocyte suppression did not predict a relapse and there was no correlation between IgG levels and SIEs. In conclusion, our data demonstrated a high risk for both relapses and SIEs in rituximab-treated NMOSD patients highlighting the need for close clinical vigilance of disease activity and infections during treatment.

We report on the effects of the film morphology on the fluorescence spectra for a thin film including a quinoxaline-based co-polymer (TQ1) and a fullerene derivative (PC₇₀BM). The ratio between the polymer and the fullerene derivative, as well as the processing solvent were varied. Beside the main emission peak at 700 nm in the fluorescence spectra of thin films of this phase-separated blend, a broad emission band is observed with a maximum at 520 - 550 nm. The intensity of this emission band decreases with an increasing degree of mixing in the film and becomes most prominent in thicker films, films with high PC₇₀BM content, and films that were spin-coated from solvents with lower PC₇₀BM solubility. We assign this emission band to aggregated PC₇₀BM.

Supply Chain Management (SCM) encompasses a wide variety of decision-making problems that affect business and supply chain performance as a whole. Since most of these problems involve uncertainty and hesitation on the part of Decision Makers (DMs), various studies have emerged recently that present SCM applications of techniques based on Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Term Sets (HFLTSs) and HFLTS extensions. Given the relevance of this subject and the lack of literature review studies, this study presents a systematic review of HFLTS and HFLTS extension applications to SCM decision-making problems. In order to answer a set of research questions, the selected papers have been classified in accordance with a group of factors that are pertinent to the origins of these studies, SCM, HFLTSs, and decision-making. The results demonstrate that the Source and Enable processes have been studied with greater frequency, while the most common problems have to do with supplier selection, failure evaluation, and performance evaluation. The companies of the automotive sector and Sustainable SCM and Green SCM strategies predominate in the analyzed studies. Even though most of the studies use techniques based on HFLTSs, we have identified applications of seven distinct HFLTS extensions, with Double Hierarchy Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Term Sets and Probabilistic Linguistic Term Sets being the most utilized. The identification of gaps in the literature presents avenues for future studies focused on innovative applications, integrations of techniques, comparisons of techniques, group decision-making, and validation procedures for new models. The results of this study offer a panorama of the state of the art in regard to this subject and can help researchers and practitioners develop new studies which involve the use of methods that employ HFLTSs and HFLTS extensions in SCM decision-making problems.

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections that, over millions of years, became integrated into the human genome. While normally inactive, environmental stimuli such as infections have contributed to the transcriptional reactivation of HERV promoting pathological conditions including the development of autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disease and cancer. What infections then trigger HERV activation? Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a pluripotent driver of human disease. Aside from granulomatous diseases Crohn’s, sarcoidosis and Blau syndrome, MAP is associated with autoimmune disease: type one diabetes (T1D), multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroiditis. MAP is also associated with Parkinson’s disease. Autoimmune diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis are the diseases with the strongest MAP/HERV association. There are several other diseases associated with HERV activation including diseases whose epidemiology and/or pathology would prompt speculation for a causal role of MAP. These include non-solar uveal melanoma, colon cancer, glioblastoma and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This article further points to MAP infection as a contributor to autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disease and cancer via unsilencing of HERV. We examine the link between the ever-increasing number of MAP- associated diseases, the MAP/HERV intersection with these diverse medical conditions and propose treatment opportunities based upon this association.

Abstract Universities have the potential, and the responsibility, to take on more ecological and relational approaches to facilitating learning-based change in times of interconnected socio-ecological crises. Signs for a transition towards these more regenerative approaches of higher education (RHE) that include more place-based, ecological, and relational, ways of educating can already be found in niches across Europe (see for example the proliferation of education-based living labs, field labs, challenge labs). In this paper, the results of a podcast-based inquiry into the design practices and barriers of enacting such forms of RHE are shown. This study revealed seven educational practices that occurred across the innovation niches. It is important to note these practices are enacted in different ways, or are locally nested in unique expressions, For example, while the ‘practice’ of Cultivating Personal Transformations was represented across the included cases, the way these transformations were cultivated were unique expressions of each context. These RHE-design practices are derived from twenty-six narrative-based podcasts as interviews recorded in the April through June 2021 period. The resulting podcast (The Regenerative Education Podcast) was published on all major streaming platforms from October 2021 and included 21 participants active in Dutch Universities, 1 in Sweden, 1 in Germany, 1 in France, and 3 primarily online. Each episode engages with a leading practitioner, professor, teacher, and/or activist that is trying to connect their educational practice to making the world a more equitable, sustainable, and regenerative place. The episodes ranged from 30 to 70 minutes in total length and included both English (14) and Dutch (12) interviews. These episodes were analyzed through transition mapping a method based on story analysis and transition design. The results include seven design practices such as Cultivating Personal Transformations, Nurturing Ecosystems of Support, and Tackling Relevant and Urgent Transition Challenges, as well as a preliminary design tool that educational teams can use together with students and local agents in (re)designing their own RHE to connect their educational praxis with transition challenges.

Characterised by the growth of benign tumours, fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a debilitating disease that predominantly afflicts the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas). A growing body of histological and molecular evidence has consistently associated FP tumours with Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5), leading this virus to be considered the most likely aetiological agent of FP. However, a recent study which detected both ChHV5 and Chelonia mydas papillomavirus 1 (CmPV1) DNA in FP tumour tissues has challenged this hypothesis. The present study aimed to establish the wider prevalence of CmPV1 and co-occurrence with ChHV5 in marine turtles in waters adjacent to the east coast of Queensland, Australia. This comprehensive molecular survey screened a total of 353 samples from 275 foraging turtles using probe-based qPCR. Three sample categories were used in this study: Group A (FP tumours), Group B (non-tumoured skin from turtles with FP tumours) and Group C (non-tumoured skin from turtles without FP tumours). Concurrent detection of ChHV5 and CmPV1 DNA is reported for all three categories, with the highest rate of concurrent detection reported for Group A samples (43.5%). Collectively, these results pivot the way we think about FP; as an infectious disease where two separate viruses may be at play.

Climate change impacts threaten sustainable development efforts. The magnitude of the impacts, however, varies with socio-ecological characteristics of locations. This is the reason there is con-sensus on the necessity for climate change adaptive capacity building that is country driven, based on and responsive to local needs. However, information on context specific capacity building needs in developing countries is not readily available. The objective of this study was to establish location specific awareness, training, educational, research and technology capacity building needs for climate change adaptation among small-holder farmers in Uganda. Structured interviews were undertaken with 465 households from five agro-ecological zones selected based on the level of vulnerability of agricultural systems to the main climate variation and change hazards. Results reveal substantial capacity building needs in all the zones. Majority of the farmers needed capacity building for interventions on soil water conservation practices for adapting to drought and un-predictable rainfall. For all zones, education, research, and technology were perceived as key needs. However, the needs varied among zones. These results demonstrate the importance of context specificity in adaptation efforts. The study provides agro-ecological and social system specific in-formation for climate change adaptation planning and policy interventions for effective capacity building

Depressive disorder in childhood and adolescence is a highly prevalent mood disorder that tends to recur throughout life. Untreated mood disorders can adversely impact a patient's quality of life and cause socioeconomic loss. Thus, an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is crucial. However, until now, diagnoses and treatments are conducted according to clinical symptoms. Objective and biological validation are lacking. This may result in a poor outcome for patients with depressive disorder. Research has been conducted to identify the biomarkers that are related to depressive disorder. Cumulative evidence has revealed that certain immunologic biomarkers in-cluding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cytokines, gastrointestinal biomarkers, hormones, oxidative stress, and certain hypothalamus-pituitary axis biomarkers are associated with depressive disorder. This article reviews the biomarkers related to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric depressive disorders. To date, clinical biomarker tests are not yet available for diagnosis or for the prediction of treatment prognosis. However, cytokines such as Interleukin-2, interfer-on-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and BDNF have shown significant results in previous studies of pediatric depressive disorder. These biomarkers have the potential to be used for diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and group screening for those at high risk.

Wearable antennas are increasingly vital in modern healthcare, facilitating continuous monitoring and communication for medical purposes. These antennas are integrated into wearable devices, allowing for the transmission and reception of vital health data, such as heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure, to medical professionals or monitoring systems in real time. This instantaneous data transmission enables timely interventions, thus improving the quality of healthcare services. This review aims to comprehensively synthesize recent research from reputable databases, focusing on the functionality and effectiveness of wearable antennas in medical applications. The primary objectives of each study were categorized, including antenna design and integration, the performance of medical wearable antenna technology, safety considerations in wearable antenna biomedicine, and the use of antennas in clinical applications and their impact. This synthesis provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners aiming to develop and deploy wearable antennas in medical settings, ultimately enhancing healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

An online survey assessed the awareness of Nelson region’s residents, comparing responses between those who experienced the installation and those who did not. Findings indicated that eco-art installations can significantly enhance public understanding of ALAN's environmental and health impacts. The installation successfully increased specific knowledge about ALAN, with 92% of visitors reporting learning something new, however overarching knowledge and levels of concern were largely similar between the groups. Emotional engagement was high, with 62% of viewers stating that the installation invoked an emotional response. While the study did not measure behavioural changes, 94% of festival participants found it at least ‘somewhat appropriate’ and 64% ‘very’ or ‘entirely appropriate’ to raise awareness of these issues at such events, suggesting a potential foundation for future action. This research underscores the promise of art-science collaborations in environmental education and public engagement.

Emerging evidence indicates that intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels and their regulatory proteins play essential roles in normal stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are subpopulations of cancer cells that retain characteristics similar to stem cells and play an essential role in cancer progression. Recent studies have reported that the Orai3 calcium channel plays an oncogenic role in human cancer. However, its role in CSC remains underexplored. In this study, we explored the effects of Orai3 in the progression and stemness of oral/oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Orai3 expression was increased in a stepwise manner during the progression of OSCC. In addition, Orai3 was highly enriched in CSC populations of OSCC. Ectopic Orai3 expression in non-tumorigenic immortalized oral epithelial cells increased intracellular Ca2+ levels, acquiring malignant growth and CSC properties. Conversely, silencing of endogenous Orai3 in OSCC cells suppressed CSC phenotype, indicating a pivotal role of Orai3 in CSC regulation. Moreover, Orai3 markedly increased the expression of inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1), a stemness transcription factor. Orai3 and ID1 were highly expressed in CSCs compared to non-CSCs, implying the functional importance of the Orai3/ID1 axis in CSC regulation. Furthermore, suppression of ID1 abrogated CSC phenotype in the cell with ectopic Orai3 overexpression and OSCC. Our study reveals that Orai3 is a novel functional CSC regulator in OSCC and further suggests that Orai3 plays an oncogenic role in OSCC by promoting cancer stemness via ID1 upregulation.

The objectives were to identify conditions under which mothers may be willing to use telelactation and explore associations between participant characteristics, willingness, and beliefs regarding telelactation use. Mothers 2-8 weeks postpartum were recruited from two Florida maternal care sites and surveyed to assess demographics, breastfeeding initiation, and potential telelactation use. Analyses included descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Of the 88 participants, most were white, married, earned less than $50,000 per year, had access to technology, and were willing to use telelactation if it was free (80.7%) or over a secure server (63.6%). Fifty-six percent were willing to use telelactation if it involved feeding the baby without a cover, but only 45.5% were willing if their nipples may be seen. Those with higher odds of willingness to use telelaction under these modesty conditions were experienced using videochat, white, married, and of higher income. Mothers with security concerns had six times the odds of being uncomfortable with telelactation compared to mothers without concerns. While telelactation can improve access to critical services, willingness to use telelactation may depend on conditions of use and sociodemographics. During the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, these findings offer important insights for lactation professionals implementing virtual consultations.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of death across the globe, hence, establishing strategies to counteract CVD are imperative to reduce mortality and the burden on health systems. Dietary modification is an effective primary prevention strategy against CVD. Research regarding dietary supplementation has become increasingly popular. This review focuses on the current in vivo, in vitro, and epidemiological studies associated with that of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and polar lipids (PLs) and how they play a role against CVD. Furthermore, this review focuses on the results of several major clinical trials examining n-3 PUFA regarding both primary and secondary prevention of CVD. Notably, we place a lens on the REDUCE-IT and STRENGTH trials. Finally, supplementation of PLs has recently been suggested as a potential alternative avenue for the reduction of CVD incidence versus neutral forms of n-3 PUFA. However, the clinical evidence for this argument is currently rather limited. Therefore, we draw on the current literature to suggest future clinical trials for PL supplementation. We conclude that despite conflicting evidence, future human trials must be completed to confirm whether PL supplementation may be more effective than n-3 PUFA supplementation to reduce cardiovascular risk.

This study proposes and validates a novel combustion control system for Oil-Fired Boilers aimed at reducing air pollutant emissions through flame image prediction. The proposed system is easily applicable to existing ships. Traditional proportional combustion control systems supply fuel and air at fixed ratios according to the set steam load, without considering the emission of air pollutants. To address this, a stable and immediate control system is proposed, which adjusts the air supply to modify the combustion state. The combustion control system utilizes oxygen concentration predictions from flame images via SEF+SVM as control inputs, and applies Internal Model Control (IMC)-based Proportional-Integral (PI) control for real-time combustion control. Due to the complexity of modeling the image-based system, IMC parameter tuning through experimentation is essential for achieving effective control performance. Experiments conducted on a 3000 kg/h marine oil-fired boiler in actual operation optimized the controller parameters for stability and responsiveness, and validated their effectiveness. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed system to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions of air pollutants. This study provides a feasible and effective solution for enhancing the environmental performance of marine oil-fired boilers. Given its ease of application to existing ships, it is expected to contribute to sustainable air pollution reduction across the maritime environment.

Fibroepithelial lesions (FL) of the breast, in particular Phyllodes tumors (PT) and fibroadenomas, pose a significant diagnostic challenge. There are no generally accepted criteria that distinguish benign, borderline, malignant PT, and FA. Combined genome-wide DNA methylation and copy number variant (CNV) profiling is an emerging strategy to classify tumors. We compiled a series of patient-derived archival biopsy specimens reflecting the FL spectrum and histological mimickers including clinical follow-up data. DNA methylation and CNVs were determined by well-established microarrays. Comparison of the patterns with a pan-cancer dataset assembled from public resources including "The Cancer Genome Atlas" (TCGA) and "Gene Expression Omnibus" (GEO) suggests that FLs form a methylation class distinct from both control breast tissue as well as common breast cancers. Complex CNVs were enriched in clinically aggressive FLs. Subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis detected respective aberrations in the neoplastic mesenchymal component of FLs only, confirming that the epithelial component is non-neoplastic. Of note, our approach could lead to the elimination of the diagnostically problematic category of borderline PT and allow for optimized prognostic patient stratification. Furthermore, the identified recurrent genomic aberrations such as 1q gains (including MDM4), CDKN2a/b deletions and EGFR amplifications may inform therapeutic decision-making.

White adipose tissue (WAT) represents an endocrinologically and immunologically active tissue that’s primary role is energy storage and homeostasis. Breast WAT is involved in the secretion of hormones and proinflammatory molecules that are associated with breast cancer development and progression. The role of adiposity and systemic inflammation in immune responses and resistance to anti-cancer treatment in breast cancer (BC) patients is still not clear. This review aims to evaluate the emerging evidence on the crosstalk between adiposity and the immune-tumour microenvironment in BC, its progression and treatment resistance. Adiposity, and by extension subclinical inflammation, are associated with metabolic dysfunction and changes in the immune-tumour microenvironment in BC. In oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast tumours, it is proposed that these changes are mediated via a paracrine interaction between macrophages and preadipocytes leading to elevated aromatase expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines in the breast tissue in patients who are obese or overweight. In HER2+ breast tumours, WAT inflammation has been shown to be associated with resistance to trastuzumab mediated via MAPK or PI3K pathways. Furthermore, adipose tissue in patients with obesity is associated with upregulation of immune checkpoints on T-cells that is partially mediated via immunomodulatory effects of leptin and has been paradoxically associated with improved responses to immunotherapy in several cancers. In conclusion, evidence suggests that body composition and metabolic status are associated with patient outcomes. To optimise patient stratification and personalisation of treatment, prospective studies are required to evaluate the role of body composition and metabolic parameters in metabolic immune reprogramming with and without immunotherapy in patients with BC.

Coffee production around the world is under threat due to climate variability and change, and drought stress will increase in many coffee regions, nutrient management practices could enhance the adaptation capacity of coffee production. Considering that coffee is a sensitive crop to boron (B) deficiency, this research investigated how B nutrition improves resistance to drought stress in coffee under controlled conditions as well how with interaction with calcium (Ca+2) influences productivity, seed compositions, and soil fertility during a production cycle of 5 year. Under controlled conditions for seven months, coffee plants were submitted to water stress with and without B nutrition. In the field, coffee plantation was submitted to two B rates (0,6 and 1,1 kg. ha-1-year-1) with fixed calcium (Ca+2) rate and, a control without Ca+2 and B. After 9 months of growth and seven months of water deficit, under controlled conditions, the application of B significantly (p<0,05) reduced the negative effect of water stress on coffee growth. Under field conditions, after a production cycle of 5 years, the application of 0,6 kg B and 77 kg CaO. ha-1. year-1 yielded 14% more than the control without B and Ca+2. An increase of the B rate to 1.1 kg.ha-1.year-1 with the same Ca+2 rate increased the productivity significantly (p<0,05) by 37% compared to the control. B application also improved significantly (p<0,05) the B content in the soil at 0-30 cm. The B treatments influenced the biochemical composition of the green coffee beans, with a significant (p<0,05) inverse correlation between the B content of the green coffee beans with caffeine, and unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) mainly, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids which are considered negative descriptors of the coffee quality.

With the increasing use of data-driven modeling methods new approaches to complex problems in the field of wind energy can be addressed. Topics reviewed through literature include wake modeling, performance monitoring and controls applications, condition monitoring and fault detection, and other data-driven research. Literature shows the advantages of data-driven methods reduce computational expense or complexity, particularly in the cases of wake modeling and controls, as well as various data-driven methodologies’ aptitude for predictive modeling and classification, as in the cases of fault detection and diagnosis. Significant work exists for fault detection while less work is found for controls applications. A methodology for creating data-driven wind turbine models for arbitrary performance parameters is proposed. Results are presented utilizing the methodology to create wind turbine models relating active adaptive twist to steady-state rotor thrust as a performance parameter of interest. Resulting models are evaluated by comparing root-mean-square-error (RMSE) on both the training and validation data sets, with Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), deemed an accurate model for this application. The resulting model undergoes particle swarm optimization to determine the optimal aerostructure twist shape at a given wind speed with respect to the modeled performance parameter, aerodynamic thrust load. The optimization process shows an improvement of 3.15% in thrust loading for the 10 MW reference turbine, and 2.66% for the 15 MW reference turbine.

Subsurface drainage systems remove excess water from the soil profile thereby improving crop yields in poorly drained farmland. Knowledge of the position of the buried drain lines is important: 1) to improve understanding of leaching and offsite release of nutrients and pesticides, and 2) for the installation of a new set of drain lines between the old ones for enhanced soil water removal efficiency. Traditional methods of drainage mapping involve the use of tile probes and trenching equipment. While these can be effective, they are also time-consuming, labor-intensive, and invasive, thereby entailing an inherent risk of damaging the drainpipes. Non-invasive geophysical soil sensors provide a potential alternative solution. Previous research has focused on the use of time-domain ground penetrating radar (GPR), with variable success depending on local soil and hydrological conditions and the central frequency of the specific equipment employed. The objectives of this study were 1) to test the use of a stepped-frequency continuous wave (SFCW) 3D-GPR (GeoScope Mk IV 3D-Radar with DXG1820 antenna array) for subsurface drainage mapping, and 2) to evaluate the performance of a 3D-GPR with the use of a single-frequency multi-receiver electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor (DUALEM) in-combination. The 3D-GPR system offers more flexibility for application to different (sub)surface conditions due to the coverage of wide frequency bandwidth. The EMI sensor simultaneously provides information about the apparent electrical conductivity (EC_a) for different soil volumes, corresponding to different depths. This sensor combination was evaluated on twelve different study sites with various soil types with textures ranging from sand to clay till. While the 3-D GPR showed a high success rate in finding the drainpipes at five sites (sandy, sandy loam, loamy sand, and organic topsoils), the results at the other seven sites were less successful due to limited penetration depth (PD) of the 3D-GPR signal. The results suggest that the electrical conductivity estimates produced by the inversion of EC_a data measured by the DUALEM sensor could be a useful proxy to explain the success achieved by the 3D-GPR in finding the drain lines. The high attenuation of electromagnetic waves in highly conductive media limiting the PD of the 3D-GPR can explain the findings obtained in this research.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus in the family Retroviridae that infects domestic cats resulting in an immunodeficiency disease featuring a progressive and profound decline in multiple sets of peripheral lymphocytes. Despite compelling evidence of FIV-associated immunopathology, there are conflicting data concerning the clinical effects of FIV infection on host morbidity and mortality. To explore FIV-associated immunopathogenesis and clinical disease, we experimentally inoculated a cohort of 4 specific pathogen free kittens with a biological isolate of FIV clade C and continuously monitored these animals along with 2 uninfected control animals for more than 13 years, from the time of inoculation to the humane euthanasia endpoint. Here we report the results obtained during the late asymptomatic and terminal phases of FIV infection in this group of experimentally FIV-infected cats.

Cognitive biases towards disorder-specific stimuli are suggested to be crucial in the development and maintenance of symptoms in adults with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD), a subtype of FGID, are common in children and adolescents, but the influence of cognitive biases is sparsely examined. The aim of this study was to 1) develop a new experimental design for assessing cognitive biases towards gastrointestinal stimuli in children and adolescents (age 8-17 years) and 2) test its feasibility on a healthy sample exploring potential sex- and age-related differences. The online experimental design – BY-FAP (Bias in Youth with Functional Abdominal Pain) includes a word task and a picture task. Stimuli in both tasks are related to general and gastrointestinal symptoms and the design includes three phases: 1) encoding, 2) free recall and 3) recognition. Results from 96 healthy participants (Mage = 12.3, 47.9% female) found no significant difference between sex or age groups in recall and recognition of either words or pictures. The results support that the design is feasible for children and adolescents. In the future, BY-FAP can be used to explore possible cognitive biases in children and adolescents with FAPD.

. 1) Background: Intersectionality contests that individuals have multiple characteristics in their identity that cannot be siloed or deemed exclusive to each other. Understanding and utilising an intersectional lens in organisations can increase inclusion of individuals and organisational performance. An educational package known as the Intersectionality Walk (IW) was developed by the authors, piloted, and evaluated in order to break down the commonly held descriptors of diversity silos that fragments inclusion, and to understand how various identity characteristics compound disadvantage. The paper outlines the need to transition from siloed views of diversity to a more intrinsic view of identity to achieve inclusivity. 2) Methods: The IW was developed and trialled with a series of work-based scenarios and realistic multifaceted personas. Data collection occurred pre- and post- IW utilising a mixed methods approach. Responses to Likert scale surveys and open-ended questions were captured and analysed via inductive and ground theory perspectives. 3) Results: An improved awareness and understanding of individual knowledge, reflectivity and positionality relating to intersectionality and intersectional approaches was reported on completion of the IW. Further, responses reported how and why organisations can approach and improve inclusivity via using intersectional approaches. 4) Conclusions: The IW as an educational package has a positive impact and is a key linkage for all employers to build an inclusive culture and to harness the talent of all employees. Further research will occur to measure the implemented change in organisations following the IW.

Chloride (Cl-) is applied in coffee in rates as a “macronutrient” due that potassium (K+) is one of the most demanded nutrients by the coffee plant, and the potassium muriate (KCl) bases fertilizer is one the most used by the coffee growers. Does not exist scientific evidence that addresses the question regarding with which is the influences of the Cl- applied in the K fertilization base on MOP on coffee growth, nutrient uptake, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Over four years, two trials were conducted on greenhouse and field conditions to address these questions. The trials set up were designed to test the influence of increased Cl- and reduced S rates on biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake, and NUE. A significant effect of the Cl- rates on growth was observed under greenhouse conditions but a non-significant effect on yield under field conditions. Cl- and S significantly influence the NUE in coffee. The result allows us to conclude that Cl- rates need to be balanced with S rates and that Cl- applied as a macronutrient can improve the NUE in coffee when those rates do not exceed 180 mg. L-1 Cl- and 80 mg.L-1 S in the greenhouse and 150 kg.ha-1.year-1 Cl- and 50 kg. ha-1.year-1 S in field conditions. In practical terms, coffee farmers need to balance the K base fertilizers sources to improve the nutrient use efficiency, especially the NUE.

The Smart Energy Research Lab (SERL) Observatory dataset described here comprises half-hourly and daily electricity and gas data, SERL survey data, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) input data and 24 local hourly climate reanalysis variables from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) for over 13,000 households in Great Britain (GB). Participants were recruited in September 2019, September 2020 and January 2021 and their smart meter data are collected from up to one year prior to sign up. Data collection will continue until at least August 2022, and longer if funding allows. Survey data relating to the dwelling, appliances, household demographics and attitudes was collected at sign up. Data are linked at the household level and UK-based academic researchers can apply for access within a secure virtual environment for research projects in the public interest. This is a data descriptor paper describing how the data was collected, the variables available and the representativeness of the sample compared to national estimates. It is intended as a guide for researchers working with or considering using the SERL Observatory dataset, or simply looking to learn more about it.

Sperm during the freezing and thawing process is damaged by oxidative stress. Thus, its antioxidant scavenger is essential for sperm survival and death in frozen-thawed semen. We used melatonin and silymarin in experiments. Our study aimed to identify the effect of melatonin and silymarin on the motility and viability of sperm, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO) production in frozen-thawed boar semen. Melatonin and silymarin were treated alone and co-treated in the fresh boar semen. Boar semen was collected using the gloved-hand method from ten crossbred pigs, and the age of the experimental ten male pigs was 28.7 ± 3.2 months. We evaluated sperm viability using SYBR-14 and PI kit, and ROS and NO production were detected by DCF-DA and DAF-2, respectively. The sperm motility was not significantly different between non-treatment and treatment. ROS and NO production in frozen-thawed sperm were decreased by melatonin and silymarin (P < 0.05). Moreover, silymarin significantly reduced NO production more than melatonin (P < 0.05). Melatonin (46.37 ± 1.10) and silymarin (46.13 ± 0.80) enhanced the viability of sperm (P < 0.05). We suggest that melatonin and silymarin are essential antioxidants in semen cryopreservation for protecting sperm damage and maintaining sperm viability. Melatonin and silymarin may be useful antioxidants in freezing boar sperm.

Although sarcopenia is known to be a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whether NAFLD is a risk factor for the development of sarcopenia is not clear. We investigated bidirectional relationships between NAFLD and low skeletal muscle mass index (LSMI) using three different datasets. Participants were classified into LSMI and normal groups. LSMI was defined as a body mass index (BMI)-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle mass &lt;0.789 in men and &lt;0.512 in women or as the sex-specific lowest quintile of BMI-adjusted total skeletal muscle mass. NAFLD was determined according to NAFLD liver fat score or abdominal ultrasonography. The NAFLD groups showed a higher hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for LSMI than the normal groups (HRs=1.213, 95% CIs=1.050–1.402). The LSMI groups also showed a higher HRs with 95% CIs for NAFLD than normal groups (HRs=1.564, 95% CIs=1.378–1.775). Participants with NAFLD had consistently less skeletal muscle mass over 12 years of follow-up. In conclusion, LSMI and NAFLD showed a bidirectional relationship. Maintaining muscle mass should be emphasized in the management of NAFLD.

This paper addresses the analysis for the nonlinear vibration response of a rectangular tube with a flexible end and non-rigid acoustic boundaries. This is a further work of the linear structural acoustic problem in a well-known acoustic book. In fact, the acoustic boundaries of an enclosed space sometimes are non-rigid and the structural vibration responses are nonlinear. These two points are the focuses of this paper. The multi-level residue harmonic balance method is applied to this nonlinear structural acoustic problem. The results obtained from the multi-level residue harmonic balance method and numerical method are generally in good agreement. The effects of excitation magnitude, tube length, and phase shift parameter etc. are examined.

Radiator reliability is crucial in environments characterized by high temperatures and friction, where prompt interventions are often required to prevent system failures. This study introduces a proactive approach to radiator fault diagnosis, leveraging the integration of Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) autoencoders. Vibration signals from radiators were systematically collected through randomized durability vibration bench tests, resulting in four operating states—two normal, one unknown, and one faulty. Time-domain statistical features of these signals were extracted and subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to facilitate efficient data interpretation. Subsequently, this study discusses the comparative effectiveness of GMM and LSTM in fault detection. GMMs are deployed for initial fault classification, leveraging their clustering capabilities, while LSTM autoencoders excel in capturing time-dependent sequences, facilitating advanced anomaly detection for previously unencountered faults. This alignment offers a potent and adaptable solution for radiator fault diagnosis, particularly in challenging high-temperature or high-friction environments. Consequently, the proposed methodology not only provides a robust framework for early-stage fault diagnosis but also effectively balances diagnostic capabilities during operation. Additionally, this study presents the foundation for advancing reliability life assessment in accelerated life testing, achieved through dynamic threshold adjustments using both the absolute log-likelihood distribution of the GMM and the reconstruction error distribution of the LSTM autoencoder model.

Background Patients with severe dysphagia are usually fed using a nasogastric tube (NGT). Many patients who receive long-term NGT feeding are unable to obtain sufficient nutrients orally immediately after NGT removal. Thus, a transitional period involving oral diet training is required to transition from NGT feeding to exclusive oral feeding. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of oral diet training in indwelling NGT patients with prolonged dysphagia. Methods A total of 175 patients who were fed using an NGT for more than 4 weeks were enrolled. Their swallowing function was evaluated by a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). During the VFSS, patients received thick and thin barium while the NGT was insulted. Then, the patients underwent a VFSS without an NGT thirty minutes after NGT removal. If a patient had no aspiration with NGT inserted during the VFSS, oral diet training combined with NGT feeding was recommended. Results Of the 49 indwelling NGT patients who were recommended to receive oral diet training, 39 (79.6%) transitioned to exclusive oral feeding. A transition period of 2-8 weeks was required for them to achieve full oral feeding. Patients who were eligible for oral feeding trials showed no significant aspiration during the VFSS with an NGT inserted and had sufficient cough function. Patients who required prolonged NGT feeding and who could not complete oral trials showed significant aspiration during the VFSS when an NGT was inserted. Conclusion This study demonstrated that oral diet training combined with NGT feeding was safe in patients with prolonged dysphagia who had sufficient cough function and no aspiration during VFSS. We suggest that if the patient is a proper candidate for NGT removal, direct oral feeding training with an NGT inserted could be a useful therapeutic strategy during the transitional period from long-term NGT feeding to successful oral feeding.

Gaucher disease (GD) is a lysosomal storage disorder stemming from biallelic mutations in GBA1, characterized by glucocerebrosidase dysfunction and glucocerebroside and glucosylsphingosine accumulation. Since phenotypes of murine models of GD often differ from those in patients, careful characterization of Gba1 mutant mice is necessary to establish their ability to model GD. We performed side-by-side comparative biochemical and pathologic analyses of four murine Gba1 models with genotypes L444P/L444P (p.L483P/p.L483P), L444P/null, D409H/D409H (p.D448H/p.D448H), and D409H/null, along with matched wildtype mice, all with the same genetic background and cage conditions. All mutant mice exhibited significantly lower glucocerebrosidase activity (p < 0.0001) and higher glucosylsphingosine levels than wildtype, with the lowest glucocerebrosidase and highest glucosylsphingosine levels in mice carrying a null allele. Although glucocerebrosidase activity in L444P and D409H mice was similar, D409H mice showed more lipid accumulation. No Gaucher or storage-like cells were detected in any of the Gba1 mutant mice. Quantification of neuroinflammation, dopaminergic neuronal loss, alpha-synuclein levels and motor behavior revealed no significant findings, even in aged animals. Thus, while the models may have utility for testing the effect of different therapies on enzymatic activity, they did not recapitulate the pathological phenotype of patients with GD, and better models are needed.

The goal of the study was to assess the farmers’ acceptance of three sustainable production strategies, namely ‘Agro-forestry’, ‘Alternative protein source’ and ‘Prolonged maternal feeding’. Data on the acceptance of these strategies were collected by a survey of dairy farmers in six EU countries (AT, BE, DK, FI, IT, UK). An extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was applied by means of Structural Equation Modelling to testing various hypotheses on attitudes and intentions of dairy farmers towards these novel production strategies, as well as the influence of organic practices and collaborative behaviours along the supply chain. We found that the most preferred strategy - across all countries - was soy substitution by alternative protein sources. We also found that the intention to adopt a sustainable production strategy may derive from the influence of opinions (and behaviours) of relevant others, showing the role of interactions among farmers and other stakeholders in the adoption of innovations. Finally, the perceived usefulness of all investigated strategies is higher for organic farmers, while collaborative patterns reduce the impact of subjective norm on usefulness and overall acceptance. Our findings should encourage policy makers to consider the important role of supply chain management practices, including collaboration, to enhance the sustainability of dairy farming systems.

Crotoxin (CTX), the predominant toxin in Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom (CdtV), has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Despite its inhibitory action on neutrophil migration and phagocytosis, CTX does not directly affect the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the neutrophils. In contrast, it enhances the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates by macrophages. Given the importance of macrophage-neutrophil interactions in innate antimicrobial defense, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CTX on neutrophil ROS production and killing activity, either through CTX-treated macrophage co-culture or conditioned medium of CTX-treated macrophages. The results showed an important modulatory action of CTX on the neutrophil function as well as neutrophil-macrophage interactions, as demonstrated by the increased production of hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid, nitric oxide and TNF-α, along with the increased fungicidal activity of neutrophils.

Although 4Ce4YSZ has high corrosion resistance, it faces challenges concerning sinterability and ionic conductivity. Therefore, we studied destabilization behavior caused by corrosion and oxygen vacancy ordering according to ZnO doping. The powders of (4Ce4YSZ)1-x(ZnO)x (x=0.5, 1, 2, 4 mol%) were synthesized through the sol-gel method. With the addition of ZnO, the cubic phase increased, and secondary phases were not observed. The (111) peak showed a higher angle shift in ZnO-doped 4Ce4YSZ compared to 4Ce4YSZ, and TEM-SAED revealed a reduction in the spacing of the (011)t plane, suggesting lattice contraction due to the substitution of the smaller Zn2+ (60 Å) for Zr4+ (84 Å) in the lattice. The local atomic structure analysis was conducted using EXAFS to investigate the oxygen vacancy ordering behavior. Zr K-edge Fourier-transform data revealed a decrease in the Zr-O1 peak intensity with an increasing amount o ZnO doping, indicating an increase in oxygen vacancies. The Zr-O1 peak position shifted to the right, leading to an increase in the Zr-O1 interatomic distance. In the Y K-edge Fourier-transform data, the Y-O1 peak intensity did not decrease, and there was little variation in the Y-O1 interatomic distance. These results suggest that the oxygen vacancies formed due to ZnO doping are located in the neighboring oxygen shell of Zn, rather than in the neighboring oxygen shells of Y and Zr. Impedance measurements were conducted to measure the conductivity, and as the amount of ZnO doping increased, the total conductivity increased, while the activation energy decreased. The increase in oxygen vacancies by ZnO doping contributed to the enhancement of conductivity and it is considered that these created oxygen vacancies did not interact with Zn2+ and did not form defect associations. Fluoride-based molten salts were introduced to the specimens to assess corrosion behavior in a molten salt environment. Yttrium depletion layers (YDLs) were formed on the surfaces of all specimens due to the leaching of yttrium. However, Ce remained relatively stable at the interface according to EDS line scans, suggesting a reduction in the phase transformation (cubic, tetragonal to monoclinic) typically associated with yttrium leaching in YSZ.

A multiscale model that enables quantitative understanding and prediction of the size effect on scattering properties of micro- and nanostructures is crucial for the design of LED surface textures optimized for high light extraction efficiency (LEE). In this paper, a hybrid process for combining full-wave finite-difference time-domain simulation and a ray-tracing technique based on a bidirectional scattering distribution function model is proposed. We apply this method to study the influence of different pattern sizes of a patterned sapphire substrate on GaN-based LED light extraction from the microscale to the nanoscale. The results show that near-wavelength–scaled patterns with strong diffraction are not expected to enhance LEE. By contrast, microscaled patterns with optical diffusion behavior have the highest LEE at a specific aspect ratio, and subwavelength-scaled patterns that have antireflection properties show marked enhancement of LEE for a wide range of aspect ratios.

Several types of guided bone regeneration materials are available with various properties and clinical indications. Among them, dentin-derived matrix from extracted teeth is an excellent alternative to traditional graft materials, such as allografts and xenografts. Different clinical preparation protocols exist: block form versus powder form, demineralized versus non-demineralized form. Out of these methods, demineralization protocols for dentin-derived matrix from extracted teeth have been noted for a wide range of successful clinical outcomes. The purpose of this animal study was to find out the most effective method of demineralizing dentin-derived matrix to result in the highest regenerative ability in the bone graft material in rabbit calvaria. The study conducted a comparative histomorphometric analysis of four groups in distinguished matrix conditions: a control group without graft placement, a non-demineralized dentin-derived matrix graft placement group, a 15-minute demineralized dentin-derived matrix graft placement group, and a 30-minute demineralized dentin-derived matrix graft placement group. Regenerative processes were evaluated three times at 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-graft placement. These groups of rabbits were evaluated randomly in a blinded setting to prevent bias. Among the four groups compared, the group with a 15-minute demineralized dentin-derived matrix graft showed the most efficient bone regeneration in the histomorphometric analysis. Based on this animal study, it was apparent that a 15-minute demineralization of dentin-derived matrix is the preferred preparation protocol to maximize the regenerative potential in the matrix.

This study examined ways to prevent failures in the front-end of forklifts by addressing the center of gravity of heavy objects carried by forklifts, predicting the remaining useful lifetime (RUL), and the fault diagnosis based on alarm rules. In the research process, acceleration signals were acquired from the outer beam of the front-end of the forklift. A one-second window was applied to extract the time-domain statistical features, which were then set as variables. An exponentially weighted moving average was used to smooth the noise in the feature data set. The AWGN and LSTM autoencoders were used for data augmentation. Based on them, random forest and lightGBM models were used to develop classification models for the weight center of heavy objects carried by a forklift. In addition, contextual diagnosis performed by applying exponentially weighted moving averages to the classification probabilities of the machine learning models showed that random forest achieved an accuracy of 0.9563 and lightGBM achieved an accuracy of 0.9566. In addition, the acceleration data were collected through experiments to predict forklift failure and RUL because of the repeated forklift use when the center of heavy objects carried by the forklift was skewed to the right. The time-domain statistical features of the acceleration signals were extracted and set as variables by applying a 20-second window. Subsequently, logistic regression and random forest models were used to classify the failure stages of the forklifts. The f1-score (macro) obtained were 0.9790 and 0.9220 for logistic regression and random forest, respectively. In addition, the random forest probabilities for each stage were combined and averaged to generate a degradation curve and derive the failure threshold. The coefficient of the exponential function was calculated using the least squares method on the degradation curve, and the RUL prediction model was developed to predict the failure point. In addition, the SHAP algorithm was used to identify the significant features in classifying the stage. The alarm rule-based fault diagnosis was performed using the threshold of the normal stage distribution of the significant features.

Ophelia syndrome is characterized by the coincidence of severe neuropsychiatric symptoms, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, and the presence of antibodies to the metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor (mGluR5). Little is known about the pathogenetic link between these symptoms and the role that anti-mGluR5-antibodies play. We investigated lymphoma tissue from patients with Ophelia syndrome and with isolated classical Hodgkin lymphoma by quantitative immunocytochemistry for mGluR5-expression. Further, we studied the L-1236, L-428, L-540, SUP-HD1, KM-H2, and HDLM-2 classical Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines by FACS and Western blot for mGluR5-expression, and by transcriptome analysis. mGluR5 surface expression differed significantly in terms of receptor density, distribution pattern, and percentage of positive cells. Highest expression levels were found in the L-1236 line. RNA-sequencing revealed more than 800 genes that were higher expressed in the L-1236 line in comparison to the other classical Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines. High mGluR5-expression was associated with upregulation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways and of downstream targets (e.g. EGR1) known to be involved in classical Hodgkin lymphoma progression. Finally, mGluR5 expression was increased in the classical Hodgkin lymphoma-tissue of our Ophelia syndrome patient in contrast to five classical Hodgkin lymphoma-patients without autoimmune encephalitis. Given the association of encephalitis and classical Hodgkin lymphoma in Ophelia syndrome, it is possible that mGluR5-expression on classical Hodgkin lymphoma cells not only drives tumor progression but also triggers anti-mGluR5 encephalitis even before classical Hodgkin lymphoma becomes manifest.

The present study was conducted to investigate the comparative effects of organic and inorganic forms of sulfur, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) and sodium sulfate (SS), on laying performance, egg quality, ileal morphology, ileal volatile fatty acids, and antioxidant and stress markers in various biological samples in aged laying hens. A total of 144, 73-week-old Lohman Brown-Lite laying hens were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets: basal diet (CONT), CONT + 0.2% MSM (MSM), and CONT + 0.3% SS (SS). The trial lasted for 12 weeks. MSM and SS groups contained 0.07% of sulfur, either organic or inorganic. Dietary MSM did not affect egg production and feed conversion ratio at 12 weeks compared with the CONT group. Dietary sulfur did not affect egg quality except for Haugh unit at 4 weeks which was lowered (P &lt; 0.05) in the SS group. Compared with the CONT group, higher (P &lt; 0.05) villus height and crypt depth ratio was observed in the SS group. None of dietary sulfur affected the percentages of short-chain fatty acids in the ileum. Total antioxidant capacity of liver increased (P &lt; 0.05) in laying hens fed MSM- and SS-added diets compared with the CONT group. The MSM and SS groups lowered (P &lt; 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in serum samples compared with the CONT. Finally, dietary MSM had the lowest (P &lt; 0.05) MDA concentrations in yolk samples. Taken together, our study showed that dietary organic and inorganic sulfur have positive effects on ileal morphology and antioxidant capacity in laying hens. However, SS-mediated inhibition in laying performance needs to be clarified.

Optimal upper extremity motor control and range of motion are necessary to achieve even the basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) function. Stroke, with resulting hemiparesis, can significantly and negatively impact an individual’s ADL function. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) self-care score can provide assessment of what aspects and to what degree ADL functions are impaired. FIM self-care assessment can also track changes in ADL function during stroke recovery and rehabilitation. Recently, sensor-acquired 3D motion analysis of stroke patients’ upper extremity has shown promise as a potential alternative to assess ADL function. This observational study evaluates whether the sensor-acquired upper extremity reachable workspace (RWS) measure correlates with clinician-evaluated FIM self-care score in stroke patients. Seventeen patients with stroke were enrolled in the study. FIM self-care, NeuroQoL upper extremity, and reachable workspace outcome measures (relative surface area, RSA) were collected upon rehabilitation hospital admission, at discharge, and at 3-month visit. Pearson and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients as well as multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between FIM self-care, NeuroQoL, and reachable workspace RSAs. Moderately strong correlation between total reachable workspace RSA and total FIM self-care score at discharge and at 3-month were noted (r=0.619, r=0.661, p&lt;0.05), and similarly strong correlation was also noted with the upper extremity NeuroQoL total score (r=0.690, r=0.815, p&lt;0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed a change in bilateral total RSA of 0.1 unit from admission to 3-month follow up correlated with respective change in FIM self-care score of 2.011 points (95%CI: 0.663-3.360). Longitudinal improvement in ADL function during stroke rehabilitation and recovery process is correlated with improvement in reachable workspace.

This study identified the effects of substituting fishmeal (FM) with soy protein concentrate (SPC) supplemented with lysine and methionine in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) diet on the expression of genes related to growth, stress, immunity, and digestion. Three experimental diets were prepared; the control diet (Con) contained 60% FM, and 25% (SPC25) and 50% (SPC50) FM were replaced by SPC. After the 140-day feeding period, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed availability, biological indices and chemical composition of the muscle were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. The gene expression levels of growth-related genes (IGF, GFB-3), immune-related genes (IL-8 and caspase), stress-related genes (SOD, GPX, PRX, TRX) were higher in Con fish than in those fed the SPC25 and SPC50 diets. Chymo-TRY2, TRY2 and TRY3 in the stomach of fish fed the SPC25 diet were higher than fish fed the Con or SPC50 diets. TRY2 and lipase of fish fed the SPC25 diet were higher than those of fish fed the other diets but TRY3 was not significantly affected by the treatments in the intestine. In conclusion, substituting 25% FM with SPC was the most effective for the expression of growth, immune, stress, and digestive enzyme genes.

Abstract: This study investigates the transition to sustainable shipping industry within the framework of the IMO's 2050 carbon neutrality objective, focusing on socio-technical systems analysis. The research delves into the sustainable paradigm shift towards alternative marine fuels such as LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen from a socio-technical transition perspective, analyzing the multi-level per-spective challenges and opportunities. Specifically, it scrutinizes the implications of adopting these al-ternative fuels for global shipping, identifying technical uncertainties, financial constraints, and infra-structure needs. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature on ship emissions and alterna-tive fuels, coupled with socio-technical transition theory, the study addresses the multifaceted chal-lenges and opportunities in meeting the IMO's environmental objectives. It emphasizes the necessity of collaborative governance, innovative niche strategies, and a holistic approach to leverage the current window of opportunity in facilitating the maritime industry's transition to sustainable fuel options. Fi-nally, this research enhances our understanding of the intricate interplay between technological, social, industrial, and cultural dynamics in the greening of shipping and offers insights into the strategic adop-tion of environmentally friendly marine fuels for a sustainable future.

Anthropogenic lighting elicits positive phototaxis responses (i.e., attraction) in birds, insects, and many other species across ecosystems. Impacts from lights in marine systems are poorly understood, despite evidence that vessel lighting can cause seabird disorientation and collisions, potentially leading to injury or mortality. The level of attraction generated by different types of lighting, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), is also not well understood in most seabirds. Using fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur), a species showing strong positive phototaxis particularly to artificial lights on vessels, we investigated the effects of LED colour and lumen output at a colony during the breeding season. We used six random treatment groups (control (dark), red light, amber low lumen, amber high lumen, white low lumen, and white high lumen) and measured attraction and disorientation. Data was analysed using generalised linear mixed-effects models while accounting for environmental variables. Results showed that the control (“dark”) and red light attracted fewest birds, and attraction/disorientation did not differ between these. Medium responses were elicited by amber low/high and white low, while white high lumen induced the highest abundance and attraction/disorientation response. These results agreed with our desktop study, which predicted response rankings based on each light treatment’s colour spectrum and lumen output and a related species’ spectral response. Furthermore, time of night increased bird counts, as did higher humidity, increased moon illumination, and reduced moon visibility. Our data highlight the need to consider LED colour, lumen output, and time of night to reduce anthropogenic lighting impacts on land and at sea.

Cisplatin is a widely used anticancer drug for treating solid tumors, but it is associated with severe side effects, including nephrotoxicity. Various studies have suggested that the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin could be overcome; nonetheless, an effective adjuvant drug has not yet been established. Oleanolic acid acetate (OAA), a triterpenoid isolated from Vigna angularis, is commonly used to treat inflammatory and allergic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of OAA against cisplatin-induced apoptosis and necroptosis using TCMK-1 cells and a mouse model. In cisplatin-treated TCMK-1 cells, OAA treatment significantly reduced Bax and cleaved-caspase3 expression, whereas increased Bcl-2 expression. Moreover, in cisplatin-induced kidney injury mouse model, OAA treatment alleviated weight loss in the body and major organs and also relieved cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity symptoms. RNA sequencing analysis of kidney tissues identified lipocalin-2 as the most upregulated gene by cisplatin. Additionally, necroptosis-related genes such as receptor interacting protein kinase (RIPK) and mixed lineage kinase domain like (MLKL) were identified. In vitro study, the phosphorylation of RIPKs and MLKL was reduced by OAA pretreatment in both cisplatin-treated cells and cells boosted by co-treatment with z-VAD-FMK. In conclusion, OAA could protect the kidney from cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and may serve as an anticancer adjuvant.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous disease of the central nervous system that is governed by neural tissue loss and dystrophy during its progressive phase, with complex reactive pathological cellular changes. The immune-mediated mechanisms that promulgate the demyelinating lesions during the relapses of acute episodes are not characteristic of chronic lesions during progressive MS. This has limited our capacity to target the disease effectively as it evolves within the central nervous system white and gray matter, thereby leaving neurologists without effective options to manage individuals as they transition to a secondary progressive phase. The current review highlights the molecular and cellular sequelae that have been identified to cooperate and/or contribute to neurodegeneration that identifies individuals with progressive forms of MS. We emphasize the need for appropriate monitoring via known and novel molecular and imaging biomarkers that can accurately detect and predict progression for the purposes of newly designed clinical trials that may demonstrate efficacy of neuroprotection and potentially neurorepair. To achieve neurorepair, we focus on the modifications required in the reactive cellular and extracellular milieu, in order to enable endogenous cell growth as well as transplanted cells that can integrate and/or renew the degenerative MS plaque.

Cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes are increasingly implicated in cognitive decline and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). White matter hyperintensities (WMH), a hallmark of cSVD, are strongly linked to cognitive impairment, but their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction has been proposed as a potential contributor to WMH development. This study aimed to explore the relationships between CRFs, BBB integrity, and WMH burden. We analyzed 155 participants from the Biomarkers and Cognition Study, Singapore, assessing CRFs through blood tests for glucose and lipid profiles, alongside blood pressure measurements. WMH volume was quantified using MRI, and an in vitro assay evaluated the impact of plasma on BBB integrity using human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Results showed that plasma from participants with higher WMH burden correlated with increased BBB disruption, which was further associated with higher blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and lipid levels. Both periventricular and subcortical WMH were linked to BBB disruption. These findings suggest that CRFs contribute to BBB dysfunction, promoting WMH development and cognitive decline in cSVD. Further research is needed to clarify the precise mechanisms driving these associations.

In the development of the safety-critical systems, it is important to perform Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) process to identify potential failures. However, traditional FMEA activities tend to be considered difficult and time-consuming tasks. To compensate for the difficulty of the FMEA task, various types of tools are used to increase the quality and the effectiveness of the FMEA reports. This paper explains an Automatic FMEA tool which integrates the Model-based Design (MBD), FMEA, and Simulated Fault Injection techniques in a single environment. The Automatic FMEA tool has the following advantages compared to the existing FMEA analysis tool. First, the Automatic FMEA tool automatically generates FMEA reports compared to the traditional spreadsheet-based FMEA tools. Second, the Automatic FMEA tool analyzes the causality between the failure modes and the failure effects by performing model-based fault injection simulation. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the Automatic FMEA, we used the electronic fuel injection system (EFI) Simulink model. The results of the Automatic FMEA were compared to that of the legacy FMEA.

Levels of synthetic musk fragrances (SMFs) and various personal care products (PCPs) were measured in the Han River and its tributaries in Seoul, Korea. The most abundant SMF in all river and PCP samples was 4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-1,3,4,7-tetrahydrocyclopenta[g]isochromene (HHCB), followed by 1-(3,5,5,6,8,8-hexamethyl-6,7-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethanone (AHTN), musk ketone (MK), and 1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-2,5,6,7-tetrahydroinden-4-one (DPMI). There was a significant correlation between the SMF concentration in the PCPs and the Han River samples. Moving from upstream to downstream in the Han River, the median SMF concentration was 6.756, 2.945, 0.304, and 0.141 μg/L in the sewage treatment plant (STP) influent, effluent, tributaries, and mainstream, respectively, implying that effective SMF removal was achieved during the sewage treatment process, followed by dilution in the receiving water. Four STPs using advanced biological treatment processes had removal efficiencies of 55.8%, 50.6%, 43.3% for HHCB, AHTN, and MK, respectively. The highest SMF concentrations in the tributaries were observed at locations close to the STPs. Our study confirmed that the main source of SMFs in the receiving water were sewage effluent containing untreated SMFs, which are largely originated from household PCPs, especially hair care products (e.g., shampoo) and perfumes.

Background The Delta Neutrophil Index (DNI), a prodiagnostic marker for sepsis, utilizes leukocyte count. Platelet activation, similar to leukocytes, plays a crucial role in host defence against pathogens and may serve as a predictor of sepsis outcome. However, the combined evaluation of Mean Platelet Component (MPC) and DNI in assessing sepsis has been rarely used. Methods To assess the prodiagnostic validity of simultaneous utilization of DNI and MPC in cases of human febrile sepsis, we conducted measurements of cellular indices, including DNI and MPC, as well as molecular biomarkers such as procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP). This study was carried out on patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected sepsis. Results Using a cutoff value of 2.65%, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of DNI in sepsis were found to be 69%, 73.9%, 77.9%, and 64.1%, respectively. Furthermore, significant differences in DNI and MPC levels were observed between the sepsis and non-sepsis groups (6.7±7.8% versus 2.1±2.2%, P=0.000 and 26.0±1.9 g/dl versus 26.8±1.4 g/dl, P=0.002), respectively. Notably, there was a negative correlation between DNI and MPC, with the strength of the correlation varying based on the cause of sepsis. By setting the cutoff value for DNI at 6.2%, the sensitivity, specificity, and NPV improved to 100%, 80.3%, and 100%, respectively, although the PPV remained at 10.6%. Importantly, the DNI≥6.2 group exhibited a higher incidence of death (10.9%, 5/46) and multiorgan failure (19.6%, 9/46) compared to the DNI<6.2 group (0.0%, 0/46 and 0.0%, 0/167, respectively) (P=0.000 and P=0.000, respectively). Conclusions In our study, DNI demonstrates superior effectiveness compared to other molecular biomarkers such as CRP and procalcitonin in distinguishing febrile septic patients from febrile nonseptic patients and predicting prognosis. Additionally, there exists a negative correlation between MPC and DNI, making MPC a valuable marker for differentiating the etiology of sepsis. These findings hold significant clinical implications as DNI/MPC is a cost-effective and readily applicable approach in various impending sepsis scenarios. Notably, this study represents the first examination of the prodiagnostic validity of simultaneously employing DNI and MPC in human cases of febrile sepsis.

Regardless of country and age, the importance of history education is always being emphasized. Although the importance of history education is being emphasized in Korea, there are many difficulties in getting students to understand history properly through school classes alone, and it is also difficult to attract students to participate in classes. The effectiveness of education using games has been proven 20 years ago, and the demand for game-based education is gradually increasing in the current education world, which is becoming more open. In this paper, based on the effects proven through research on the existing game-based education, the improvement of historical thinking ability, experiential history learning, and the problems of game-based education introduced in the ESN report and the discomfort of teachers who participated in the education were improved. A plan was suggested to select and use games suitable for basic education. In this thesis, we selected a history game with a clear historical and periodic background and without distortion of history, and experimented with teaching using games focusing on historical thinking and empirical history learning. The learning achievement of textbook-based education was compared.

Regardless of country and age, the importance of history education is always being emphasized. Although the importance of history education is being emphasized in Korea, there are many difficulties in getting students to understand history properly through school classes alone, and it is also difficult to attract students to participate in classes. The effectiveness of education using games has been proven 20 years ago, and the demand for game-based education is gradually increasing in the current education world, which is becoming more open. In this paper, based on the effects proven through research on the existing game-based education, the improvement of historical thinking ability, experiential history learning, and the problems of game-based education introduced in the ESN report and the discomfort of teachers who participated in the education were improved. A plan was suggested to select and use games suitable for basic education. In this thesis, we selected a history game with a clear historical and periodic background and without distortion of history, and experimented with teaching using games focusing on historical thinking and empirical history learning. The learning achievement of textbook-based education was compared.

Conjunctival melanoma (Co-M) is an aggressive, invasive eye and eyelid cancer. Its global inci-dence of ~1 in a million is increasing at a rate ratio of ~1.4, but this rises sharply in over 65-year-olds. Although rare, Co-M has a devastating impact on the lives of those who develop it. Co-M is often misdiagnosed or overlooked leading to vision loss either from destructive effects of the tumour or side effects of therapy, facial disfigurement from radical surgery, and death from metastases. Due to its rarity, there is limited evidence for diagnosis and management; hence, there is no standardised treatment and not all cases are referred to a specialised ocular oncology centre. Recent progress in cancer immunology and genetics have revolutionised treatment of cutaneous melanoma, which share some similarities to Co-M. A better understanding of Co-M and its precursor lesions is urgently needed to lead the development of novel targeted and immuno-therapies both for local tumour control and disseminated disease. This review aims to provide a comprehensive clinical overview of the current knowledge of Co-M, its epidemiology, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, management, and recent advances in novel biological therapies for personalised treatment of this disease.

In Los Angeles, at one point, the Covid-19 testing positivity rate was 6.25%, or one in sixteen. This translates to, on average, one in sixteen specimens testing positive and the vast majority testing negative. Usually, we run sixteen tests on sixteen specimens to identify the positive one(s). This process can be time consuming and expensive. Since a group of negative specimens pooled together for testing will produce a negative result, one single test could potentially eliminate many specimens. Only when the pooled specimen tests positive do we need further testing to identify the positive one(s). Based on this concept, we designed a strategy that will identify the positive specimen(s) efficiently. Assuming one in sixteen specimens is positive, we find that only four tests are needed. Furthermore, we can run them simultaneously, saving both resources and time. Although, in the real world, we cannot make the assumption of only one positive specimen, the same strategy works with slight modification and proves to be much more efficient than the conventional testing. Our strategy returns an answer 48% of the time in four tests and one time cycle. Overall, the average number of tests is seven or eight depending on the follow-up testing, and the average time cycle is about one and a half.

This study aims to investigate the effects of cement kiln dust (CKD) on the hydration reactions and mechanical properties of cement and to evaluate its potential for use as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). The key variables are the CKD type and incorporation rate. Cement paste and mortar specimens containing CKD were prepared to examine their effects on the cement hydration and mechanical properties. The impact on hydration was assessed using setting time measurements, heat of hydration tests, and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). In addition, compressive strength tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of CKD on the mechanical properties of the cement. The results indicated that CKD promoted early cement hydration and enhanced the early age mechanical properties. However, owing to its lack of pozzolanic reactivity, it did not significantly affect long-term hydration. Given that the effects of CKD vary slightly depending on its chemical composition, careful consideration of CKD's properties suggests that its potential use as a SCM is promising.

This paper aims to build up a preference function to evaluate the public benefits of the type of agricultural farming, biodiversity, water provisions, land use type, ecotourism modes, and a monetary attribute (environmental trust fund and willingness to contribute) associated with an ecosystem service and land use program in a forest park. This study used the choice experiments to build a random utility model, analyze the average preference for the above land use attributes based on the conditional logit and used a latent class model to test the resident’s heterogeneous preferences for land use planning in the forest park. We also estimated the welfare derived from various land use programs. The empirical result had shown that: (1) increasing organic farming area, maintaining the status quo of species biodiversity, increasing the surface water provision, increasing the area of custom flora, increasing the wetland area, and setting up an integrated framework for ecotourism increase the public’s preference for the land use program; (2) we found that farmer and non-farmer haven’t the same land use preferences; (3) the ecotourism development program incorporating biodiversity, organic farming, ethnobotany, and wetland area with integrated ecotourism are more preferred than other land use program scenarios.

Aim: To improve risk stratification in early-stage endometrial cancer (EC), we performed mo-lecular classification, and L1CAM immunohistochemistry (IHC) for additional risk assessment. Method: We analyzed archival tumor tissue from 247 early-stage EC patients. POLE mutations were detected using a Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assay and Sanger sequencing, while the mismatch repair (MMR) status was determined by MMR protein IHC and MSI test. Additionally, we conducted IHC of p53 and L1CAM. Results: The 247 ECs were categorized into four subgroups: POLE-mutated (13.0%), MMR-deficient (27.9%), p53-abnormal (8.5%), and non-specific molecular profile (NSMP, 50.6%). We further subcategorized NSMP subgroup into NSMP-L1CAMneg (44.9%) and NSMP-L1CAMpos (5.7%), which we refer to as the molecu-lar-L1CAM classification. The molecular-L1CAM classification was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) (p <0.001, each). Similarly, the simplified L1CAM-p53 categorization, for practical use, remained an independent prognostic factor for RFS and OS (p <0.001, p =0.003, respectively). Conclusion: Integrating the molecu-lar-L1CAM classification or the simplified L1CAM/p53 categorization can enhance risk stratifi-cation in early-stage EC, providing valuable prognostic information to guide treatment deci-sions and improve patient outcomes.

Using the World Bank Global Findex Database for 91 countries in 2014, 2017, and 2021, we examine whether fintech levels influence bank performance and whether fintech’s interaction with GDP per capita causes differential effects on bank performance globally. Since fintech levels were already very high for rich countries when the World Bank started providing fintech development statistics in 2014, we estimate AbFintech by regressing fintech levels on GDP per capita by year. AbFintech is the difference between the fintech level and its fitted values. Then, using multiple regression analyses, we investigate the impact of AbFintech on bank performance worldwide, focusing on the differential effects of AbFintech and GDP levels on bank performance. We find AbFintech significantly increases bank performance, primarily in less developed countries. Specifically, AbFintech increases banks’ ROA in the least developed countries and net interest margin in the 75th percentile countries. Also, AbFintech decreases the cost-to-income ratio in the 75th percentile countries, while it increases the ratio in the most developed countries. AbFintech does not affect the ratio of noninterest income to total income, regardless of the level of economic development.

This study surveyed the variation in Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) concentration entering urban wastewater treatment plants and proposed an optimal PFCS treatment method. The PFCS concentration in influent was shown to be affected by the types of industries and operating rate. The concentration of PFCs in the wastewater treatment effluent was slightly lower than that of influent. Thus, PFCs were considered to have barely been removed by the existing biological treatments. The pilot test result showed that about 10% of PFCs were removed by coagulation and precipitation, and the ozone and chlorine test also showed that few PFCs were removed regardless of the amount of injection. The activated carbon adsorption test showed that the removal was significantly increased by the empty bed contact time, with about a 60% removal in five minutes and over a 90% removal in 15 minutes. Therefore it is determined that a more stable and higher PFCs removal would result from the continuous oxidation processes such as ozone and adsorption processes such as activated carbon rather than a single biological treatment.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing different types of methionine (L and D-type) and its precursor (HMBi) on milk protein synthesis using immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T Cell); D-methionine (D-Met), L-methionine (L-met) and 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid I (HMBi), an isopropyl ester of the hydroxy analogue precursor of methionine. The underlying mechanism of milk protein synthesis by adding D- and L-type amino acid as well as HMBi was elucidated through omics analysis to verify the metabolism pathway. Results showed that HMBi group showed the highest beta casein mRNA expression levels compared to D- and L-Met groups and highest medium protein although not different with the L-Met treatment. The observed upregulated (>2 protein expression vs. control) and downregulated (<0.5 protein expression vs. control) proteins in L-Met, D-Met and HMBi treated groups were: 39, 77; 46, 68; and 40, 78, respectively. Interestingly, based on protein pathway analysis, L-Met treated group stimulated the ATP synthesis, PI3 kinase and pyruvate metabolism. On the other hand, the D-Met group stimulated fructose-galactose metabolism, glycolysis pathway, PI3 kinase and pyruvate metabolism. And lastly HMBi-treated group stimulated pentose phosphate pathway and glycolysis pathway. Metabolite analysis revealed that L-Met treated group resulted in the increase in 11 metabolites. On the other hand, D-Met treated group showed increase in 7 metabolites and decreased of uridine monophosphate (UMP). HMBi supplementation caused increases of 3 metabolites and decreased of UMP and N-acetyl-L-glutamate Addition of different isoforms of Met stimulated the production of intermediate metabolites for energy production. Addition of L-Met stimulated the production of energy metabolites such as pyruvate, malate, and fumarate, well-known as intermediates of Krebs cycle. On the other hand, HMBi supplementation resulted in increases of energy metabolite glucose 1-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate. Results showed that HMBi-treated group exhibited highest expression of β-casein mRNA expression by stimulating proteins and metabolites as well as protein and metabolic pathways involved in protein and energy synthesis. As a result, HMBi-treated group resulted in highest protein concentration but not significantly different with L-Met. Both the D- and L-isoforms has considerably the same medium protein concentration and β-casein mRNA expression higher than the control. So, D- and L-Met isoforms can be used alternatively without any significant change in protein synthesis efficiency in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

This paper proposes a metaphysical framework for distinguishing between human and machine intelligence. It posits two identical deterministic worlds -- one comprising a human agent and the other a machine agent. These agents exhibit different information processing mechanisms despite their apparent sameness in a causal sense. Providing a conceptual modeling of their difference, this paper resolves what it calls “the vantage point problem” – namely, how to justify an omniscient perspective through which a determinist asserts determinism from within the supposedly deterministic universe.

The order Mucorales, the largest in number of species within the Mucoromycotina, comprises typically fast-growing saprotrophic fungi. During a study of the fungal diversity of undiscovered taxa in Korea, two novel mucoralean strains, CNUFC-GWD3-9 and CNUFC-EGF1-4, were isolated from specific habitats including freshwater and fecal samples, respectively, in Korea. On the basis of their morphological characteristics and sequence analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) of 28S ribosomal DNA regions, the CNUFC-GWD3-9 and CNUFC-EGF1-4 isolates were confirmed to be Gilbertella persicaria and Pilobolus crystallinus, respectively. It is ecologically, pathologically and mycologically significant to find such rare zygomycetous fungi in such specific habitats.

Cost-effective community engagement is needed to address causes of mental illness related to social issues (i.e. isolation, stigma and lack of purpose) that are typically outside the scope of healthcare. This pilot study evaluated the relationship between clinical healthcare resources and a community-based social engagement organization in a medium-sized community in the midwestern US. Analyses were based on a retrospective longitudinal comparison of clinical visit frequency from two cohorts that joined the Momentum Center for Social Engagement (MC) and either frequently participated (Engaged; n = 9) or had extenuating circumstances limiting participation (Non-engaged; n = 3). The frequency of >1800 visits to the member’s primary mental healthcare provider were compared during the period from November 2016 - May 2021. Engaged MC members reduced frequency of regular visits to their primary mental healthcare provider by 50%, while Non-engaged MC members maintained clinical visit frequency. The financial value of reduced healthcare visits and associated wellbeing improvements was estimated to be $1.0 million, 95% CI: [$0.6-1.4 million], or roughly four times the budget received by the MC from the healthcare provider. Thus, the MC appears to be a valuable approach to improving mental health in conjunction with existing community healthcare services. Clinical implications include considering the unique MC-style community-based support as a component of practice.

Bangladeshi medicinal plants (BMP) have been used as traditional medicinal plants to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, but the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the bark of BMP are not yet known. The objective of this study was to determine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities using methanolic extracts of bark obtained from 15 medicinal spices of Bangladesh plants. The bark methanol extracts of BMP evaluated the total antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among the 15 bark extracts of BMP, Albizia odoratissima (A. odoratissima), Engelhardia spicata (E. spicata), and Shorea robusta (S. robusta) showed the highest total phenolic contents and total antioxidant capacity by reducing free radicals scavenging activity. In particular, the three bark extracts significantly reduced the mRNA expression of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-inducible enzymes in macrophages. Also, the mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase 2 was significantly suppressed by three bark extracts in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. The results suggest that among the 15 bark extracts obtained from medicinal plant in Bangladesh, three bark extracts of A. odoratissima, E. spicata, and S. robusta exert total antioxidant capacity by reducing free radicals scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on LPS-stimulated inflammation in macrophages.

AI-driven tools can identify nursing students' strengths and weaknesses, thus enabling the development of customized learning plans that target specific areas for improvement. This targeted approach can enhance knowledge retention and skill development, resulting in better prepared healthcare professionals. Nursing students are required to overcome their own psychological stress during their internship in order to understand sick children’s emotional reactions, as well as to be able to interact and communicate with such children. The application of AI picture-based teaching e-books helps nursing students to understand how to use therapeutic games to improve communication with sick children. A comparison of the differences between nursing teachers’ self-efficacy scores and nursing students’ application of AI picture-based teaching e-books (experimental group) and narrative handouts (control group) was achieved via therapeutic games to deal with sick children’s fear of medical examinations and treatments. In addition, a comparison was also conducted on the differences between the impact of the self-efficacy of the experimental group and that of the control group in dealing with sick children’s behavioral responses with respect to fears of medical examinations and treatments. This study is a quasi-experimental study, in which the self-efficacy scores of 30 nursing students were collected and analyzed in both the experimental group and the control group before and after intervention in dealing with sick children’s behavioral responses to fears of medical examinations and treatments. It was found that the self-efficacy score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group (β coefficient is 0.356) when assessing the self-efficacy scores and behavior of the experimental and control groups in dealing with sick children’s fears of medical examinations and treatments through one-way analysis of covariance (one-way ANCOVA), moreover, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed. The experimental group’s score of behavioral responses to the fears of sick children to examinations and treatments was lower than that of the control group (β coefficient was -1.540), wherein a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was shown. The self-efficacy of the experimental group in dealing with sick children’s fears of medical examinations and treatments had a statistically significant impact on the sick children’s behavioral responses to the fear of medical examinations and treatments (p < 0.05). In addition, the higher the self-efficacy scores of the experimental group in dealing with sick children’s fear of medical examinations and treatments, the lower the sick children’s behavioral responses to fears of medical examinations and treatments (the β coefficient was -0.914), the control group’s self-efficacy scores in dealing with sick children’s fears of medical examinations and treatments did not have a statistically significant impact on the sick children’s behavioral responses to fears of medical examinations and treatments (p > 0.05). This study proves that the application of AI picture-based teaching e-books by nursing teachers is more effective than narrative handouts in improving nursing students’ self-efficacy when using therapeutic games to deal with, as well as reduce, sick children’s fears of medical examinations and treatments.

Accumulating reports have suggested that an inability to clear dead cells is a cause of inflammation and cancer and that the fascia is associated with cancer metastasis. Novel corpuscle-connected filiform structures (CCFSs) entangled on the fascia of the internal organs of rats were selectively visualized with high repeatability (93%) under vital staining with Janus Green B (JGB). Serial sections of CCFSs stained with haematoxylin and eosin and with Mattson Trichrome were microscopically examined. In parallel, the immunohistochemistry with CD31, Lyve 1, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were also used to investigate the novel properties of the CCFSs. All of the CCFSs enclosed JGB-stained granules, which was verified by the impromptu coupling of stereo and light microscopes and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The functions of the CCFSs were discovered under fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to be implicated in cell death: fragmented DNAs and f-actins with extracellular DNAs. The dead cells in the CCFSs were verified by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling and TEM. Moreover, the CCFS had a relatively-high concentration of calcium, a main element for cell death in tissue, which was measured in 2-dimensionally images using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Taken these results, we report for the first time that novel reticular CCFSs are widely entangled on the fascia of the internal organs of rats with the implication for cell death.

Background: Overweight and obese adults seek effective exercise interventions to reduce accumulated fat, but the effectiveness of these interventions vary across studies. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effectiveness of exercise interventions in overweight and obese adults based on measurement of accumulated fat distributions. (2) Methods: Databases were used to select eligible studies for this meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials with a control and experimental group were included. Degrees of effectiveness of exercise interventions were computed to assess the benefits on reducing weight and subcutaneous, visceral, and ectopic fat accumulation. (3) Results: A total of twenty-one studies were included in this meta-analysis. Participation in exercise interventions showed beneficial effects in reducing weight and subcutaneous and visceral fat. The effectiveness of exercise interventions on ectopic fat accumulation could not be assessed due to the limited number of studies measuring ectopic fat. Additionally, effectiveness of exercise interventions that depended on measurements of accumulated fat varied. The average exercise intervention for overweight and obese individuals was moderate to vigorous intensity, 4 times per week, 50 minutes per session, and 22 weeks duration. (4) Conclusions: Participating in exercise interventions has favorable effects on reducing weight and accumulation of subcutaneous and visceral fat.

The study was done to determine the effect of supplementing different forms of L-methionine (L-Met) and acetate on protein synthesis in immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T Cell): Control, L-Met, conjugated L-Met and acetate (CMA), and non-conjugated L-Met and Acetate (NMA). Protein synthesis mechanism was determined by omics method. NMA group had the highest protein content in the media and β-casein mRNA expression levels (P < 0.05). The number of upregulated and downregulated proteins observed were 77 and 62 in CMA group and 50 and 81 in NMA group from 448 proteins, respectively (P < 0.05). NMA and CMA treatments stimulated pathways related to protein and energy metabolism (P < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis also revealed CMA and NMA treatments resulted in increases of several metabolites (P < 0.05). In conclusion, NMA treatment increased protein concentration and expression level of β-casein mRNA in MAC-T cells compared to CMA.

Whole blood viscosity, a hemorheological factor, is currently used for diagnosis, as it is correlated with various vascular diseases that are difficult to diagnose early with a general blood test. It was determined that it was necessary to set reference intervals for further studies and utilization of whole blood viscosity in cats, a representative companion animal, and this study was conducted. 50 healthy cats were recruited for the study and whole blood viscosity, complete blood count, and serum chemistry tests were performed. The reference intervals of whole blood viscosity were 15.169 to 43.684 cP at a shear rate of 1 s-1 reflecting diastole, and 3.524 to 5.544 cP at a shear rate of 300 s-1 reflecting systole. Red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and neutrophils in the complete blood count, and total protein, albumin, globulin, and cholesterol in the serum chemistry were significantly correlated with whole blood viscosity. The results of this study set reference intervals of whole blood viscosity for healthy cats in a wide shear rate range that has not yet been fully established and investigated its correlation with other blood indicators.

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected healthcare utilization rates on a global scale. This study aimed to analyze whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the characteristics of first-visit patients with peripheral facial palsy visiting a Korean Medicine hospital and to observe characteristics changes in them. (2) Methods: This study analyzed the electronic medical records of 2,310 first-visit patients with peripheral facial palsy who visited the Facial Palsy Center, Korean Medicine Hospital, Kyung Hee University Medical Center from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 in terms of demographic characteristics, disease phase, residence locations, hospital visit route, and patient care type. (3) Results: There were significant relationships between the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., before and during) and the number of patients by disease phase (p=0.043), residence locations (p=0.003), residence locations in Seoul (p=0.003), and patient care types (p=0.003). (4) Conclusions: There were several differences in characteristics of first-visit patients with peripheral facial palsy visiting a Korean Medicine hospital during COVID-19 pandemic in terms of demographic characteristics, disease phase, residence locations, residence locations in Seoul, and patient care types.

Numerous innovative advancements in dressing technology for wound healing have emerged. Among the various types of wound dressings available, hydrogel dressings, structured with a three-dimensional network and composed of predominantly hydrophilic components, are widely used for wound care due to their remarkable capacity to absorb abundant wound exudate, maintain a moisture environment, provide soothing and cooling effects, and mimic the extracellular matrix. Composite hydrogel dressings, one of the evolved dressings, address the limitations of traditional hydrogel dressings by incorporating additional components, including particles, fibers, fabrics, or foams, within the hydrogels, effectively promoting wound treatment and healing. The added elements enhance the features or add specific functionalities of the dressings, such as sensitivity to external factors, adhesiveness, mechanical strength, control over the release of therapeutic agents, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and tissue regeneration behavior. They can be categorized as natural or synthetic based on the origin of the main components of the hydrogel network. This review focuses on recent research on developing natural polysaccharide-based composite hydrogel wound dressings. Their preparation and composition, the reinforcement materials integrated into hydrogels, and therapeutic agents are also explored. Furthermore, their features and the specific types of wounds where applied are discussed as well.

Bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil in Kuwait was evaluated using the biowashing pilot reactor system, whose components included 3 biowashing reactors; an oil separator, a hydrocyclone, and a dissolved air flotation. The biowashing pilot reactor system was fed with hemoglobin, a cheap and rich nutrient source containing carbon and nitrogen for bacterial growth. The initial total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) concentration was about 84,000 mg/kg soil. The initial TPH concentration decreased to 38,000 mg/kg soil on day 1. The degradation extents of TPH were 55%, 91%, and 96% on days 1, 3, and 5. The first-order rate constant for TPH degradation rate was 0.6820.0004/day. The initial unresolved complex mixture (UCM) concentration was 78,000 mg/kg soil. The degradation extents of UCM were 53%, 91%, and 98% on days 1, 3, and 5. Then, the degradation extents of individual components of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), alkylated PAH, and n-alkanes were measured for 5 days. 16S rRNA gene copy number was measured during 5 days for bacterial population estimation. Although there was a day delay in the accretion of the number of copies, the number increased from day 2 to day 5. The present study suggests that the biowashing pilot reactor system with a capacity of 200 L is efficient for TPH degradation.

Affective computing has emerged as a prominent technology in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for machines capable of understanding and interpreting emotions. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified this need by reducing physical interactions and increasing reliance on digital communication, which often involves complex emotional exchanges. To enhance social interactions by identifying and addressing negative emotions, an interactive emotion-perception system based on multi-sensing interfaces and affective computing has been proposed. Integration of gesture, voice, and brainwave sensors is employed to provide users with a rich sensory experience and immersive environment. Design principles and system development processes are derived from the affinity diagram method and prototype development approach. The proposed system was constructed, and experiments were conducted with 60 participants. Interpersonal interaction scenarios were explored to understand emotional transmission mechanisms, aiming to enhance user satisfaction and positive interpersonal experiences. Data were collected through indirect observation and questionnaires, followed by evaluation and statistical analysis. Findings include: (1) The emotion-perception system enhances positive interpersonal interactions by identifying 36 distinct emotions, with overall user emotions being positive but exhibiting notable individual variations; (2) The system effectively stimulates positive emotions and strengthens interpersonal interactions, with affective computing technology fostering enjoyable emotional resonance and high-quality relationships; (3) A positive correlation was observed between semantic analysis and brainwave metrics of relaxation and concentration, showing increased concentration and enhanced positive emotional interactions during message transitions; and (4) The multi-sensing and affective computing technology provides a pleasant and relaxing emotional journey, with interactions shifting from enthusiasm to comfort, demonstrating the system’s capacity for a satisfying and enjoyable experience.

This study investigated the physical properties of section-restoration mortar with calcium nitrite and carbon dioxide (CO2) nanobubble mixing water to develop materials and methods for the repair and reinforcement of cracks in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. As the calcium nitrite content increased, the generation rate and generated amount of nitrite-based hydration products increased, owing to the rapid reaction between NO2- ions in calcium nitrite and C3A(Al2O3). Further, the reaction with C3S and C2S was accelerated, thereby increasing the generation rates of Ca(OH)2 and C-S-H. Further, the large amount of Ca2+ ions in these hydration products reacted with CO32- ions in CO2 nanobubble water, thereby increasing the generation of calcite-based CaCO3 in the cement matrix. This appears to have affected the strength development and durability improvement via the densification of the structure. These results suggest that the performance of polymer cement mortar for repairing concrete structures can be improved if calcium nitrite and CO2 nanobubble water are properly combined and applied.

Day-ahead forecasting of electricity prices is important in deregulated electricity markets for all the stakeholders: energy wholesalers, traders, retailers, and consumers. Electricity price forecasting is an inherently difficult problem due to its special characteristic of dynamicity and non-stationarity. In this paper, we present a robust price forecasting mechanism that shows resilience towards aggregate demand response effect and provides highly accurate forecasted electricity prices to the stakeholders in a dynamic environment. We employ an ensemble prediction model in which a group of different algorithms participate in predicting the price for each hour of a day. We propose two different strategies, namely, Fixed Weight Method (FWM) and Varying Weight Method (VWM), for selecting each hour's expert algorithm from the set of participating algorithms. In addition, we utilize a carefully engineered set of features selected from a pool of features derived from information such as past electricity price data, weather data, and calendar data. The proposed ensemble model offers better results than both the Pattern Sequence-based Forecasting (PSF) method and our own previous work using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) alone do on the datasets for New York, Australian, and Spanish electricity markets.

The violation of data integrity in automotive Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) may lead to dangerous situations for drivers and pedestrians in terms of safety. In particular, cyber-attacks on the sensor could easily degrade data accuracy and consistency over any other attack, we investigate attack detection and identification based on a deep learning technology on wheel speed sensors of automotive CPS. For faster recovery of a physical system with detection of the cyber-attacks, estimation of a specific value is conducted to substitute false data. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been a case of joining sensor attack detection and vehicle speed estimation in existing literatures. In this work, we design a novel method to combine attack detection and identification, vehicle speed estimation of wheel speed sensors to improve the safety of CPS even under the attacks. First, we define states of the sensors based on the cases of attacks that can occur in the sensors. Second, Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) is applied to detect and identify wheel speed sensor attacks. Third, in order to estimate the vehicle speeds accurately, we employ Weighted Average (WA), as one of the fusion algorithms, in order to assign a different weight to each sensor. Since environment uncertainty while driving has an impact on different characteristics of vehicles and cause performance degradation, the recovery mechanism needs the ability adaptive to changing environments. Therefore, we estimate the vehicle speeds after assigning a different weight to each sensor depending on driving situations classified by analyzing driving data. Experiments including training, validation, and test are carried out with actual measurements obtained while driving on the real road. In case of the fault detection and identification, classification accuracy is evaluated. Mean Squared Error (MSE) is calculated to verify that the speed is estimated accurately. The classification accuracy about test additive attack data is 99.4978%. MSE of our proposed speed estimation algorithm is 1.7786. It is about 0.2 lower than MSEs of other algorithms. We demonstrate that our system maintains data integrity well and is safe relatively in comparison with systems which apply other algorithms.

Pyracantha angustifolia has been used in traditional medicine to treat a range of diseases of the stomach and improve digestion, blood circulation, diarrhea, dysentery, and hemostasis. This study evaluated bioactivity-guided fractionation as a means to identify therapeutic phytochemicals from P. angustifolia that can attenuate melanogenesis and oxidation. Seven compounds with inhibitory effects on melanin production and tyrosinase (TYR) activity, as well as ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities, and have not been reported as whitening materials, were isolated from the n-butanol fraction from P. angustifolia leaves (PAL). Among the seven compounds, p-hydroxybenzoic acid beta-d-glucosylester (HG), and cimidahurinine (CD) had strong inhibitory effects of melanin production, TYR activity, and ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Western blot analysis showed that HG and CD suppressed tyrosinase-related protein (TYRP)-1 and TYRP-2 expression. These results suggest that P. angustifolia containing active compounds, such as HG and CH, is a potent therapeutic candidate for the development of hypopigmenting agents.

Our study provides guidelines on how to build long-term customer relationship in the non-contract mechanism context. More specifically, the findings show that special, social, and core benefits influence calculative commitment, and operational and special benefits influence affective commitment. This study also supports that calculative and affective commitment play a crucial role in understanding multi-channel agencies’ loyalty. In sum, this study revealed that calculative and affective commitment can be considered as partial or full mediators in the relationship between RBs (relational benefits) and loyalty. This study not only contributed to the existing SET (social exchange theory) and RBs paradigm but also provided practical implications for food distribution management.

This review focuses on the regulation and modulation of human DNA polymerase δ (Pol δ). The emphasis is on mechanisms that regulate the activity and properties of Pol δ in DNA repair and replication. The areas covered are the degradation of the p12 subunit of Pol δ, which converts it from a heterotetramer (Pol δ4) to a heterotrimer (Pol δ3), in response to DNA damage and also during the cell cycle. The biochemical mechanisms that lead to degradation of p12 are reviewed, as well as the properties of Pol δ4 and Pol δ3 that provide insights into their functions in DNA replication and repair. The second focus of the review involves the functions of two Pol δ binding proteins, PDIP46 and PDIP38, both of which are multi-functional proteins. PDIP46 is a novel activator of Pol δ4, and the impact of this function is discussed in relation to its potential roles in DNA replication. Several new models for the roles of Pol δ3 and Pol δ4 in leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis that integrate a role for PDIP46 are presented. PDIP38 has multiple cellular localizations including the mitochondria, the splicesosomes and the nucleus. It has been implicated in a number of cellular functions, including the regulation of specialized DNA polymerases, mitosis, the DNA damage response, Mdm2 alternative splicing and the regulation of the Nox4 NADPH oxidase.

Buruli ulcer is a chronic ulcerative disease of skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans. Although Australian possums are known to be susceptible to Buruli ulcer, many aspects of the disease in possums, including welfare impacts, remain largely unreported. Severe clinical Buruli ulcer was identified in four common ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) from Melbourne, Victoria. All four possums were euthanised due to welfare concerns and poor prognosis, based on the presence of deep ulcerative lesions to paws, some of which exposed carpal or tarsal bones. These lesions were considered likely to cause partial or complete loss of limb function, which would severely affect the welfare and survival of these wild arboreal animals. Histologically, there was severe ulcerative necrotising pyogranulomatous dermatitis, panniculitis, and myositis, with intralesional acid-fast bacteria. M. ulcerans was detected by real-time PCR in all swabs and biological tissues collected from all four cases. Buruli ulcer may be an important and under-recognised cause of poor possum welfare in endemic areas. In addition to severe cutaneous lesions, infection extends to underlying bones and joints, and the systemic distribution of M. ulcerans throughout all major tissues and internal organs, as observed in these four cases, may further impact the health and fitness of infected possums. Further research is needed to investigate the epidemiology, pathogenesis and impacts of Buruli ulcer in possums, and to inform the design of interventions that may protect the health and welfare of possums and other affected animal species.

Background: Despite advances in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over the last few decades, treatment opportunities for patients with HCC remain limited. HCC is the most common form of liver cancer, accounting for approximately 90% of all cases worldwide. Moreover, apart from the current pharmacological interventions, hepatic resection and liver transplantation are the mainstay curative approaches for patients with HCC. Methods: This systematic review included phase I, II, III, and IV clinical trials (CTs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on current treatments for patients with HCC in an Asian population (2013–2023). A total of 427 articles were screened, and 184 non-duplicate publications were identified. After screening titles and abstracts, 96 publications were excluded, and another 28 were excluded after full-text screening. The remaining 60 eligible RCTs/CTs were finally included. Results: Sixty clinical trials fulfilled our inclusion criteria and screened 36 drugs as monotherapy or combination therapy for HCC. Most studies used sorafenib alone or in combination with any of the treatment regimens. Lenvatinib or atezolizumab with bevacizumab was used for HCC after initial sorafenib treatment. Eighteen studies compared the efficacy of sorafenib with that of other drugs, including lenvatinib, cabozantinib, tepotinib, tigatuzumab, linifanib, erlotinib, resminostat, brivanib, tislelizumab, selumetinib, and refametinib. Conclusion: This study provides comprehensive insights into effective treatment interventions for HCC in Asian populations. The overall assessment indicated that sorafenib alone or in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab has been the first treatment choice in the past decade to achieve better outcomes in patients with HCC in an Asian population

Residential segregation refers to the phenomenon where people of different socioeconomic backgrounds live in spatially separated areas. It is essential to ensure equitable access to urban amenities for all residents in pursuit of the normative values in urban planning. To achieve this planning goal, the disparity in accessibility to urban amenities needs to be appropriately diagnosed. Private apartments and public rental apartments are representative types of residences where residential segregation is likely to occur in the context of South Korea, since these two types show considerable differences in the education, income, and occupations. The objective of this study is to develop an analysis framework for diagnosing the difference in accessibility to urban amenities between the two residential types, and to empirically demonstrate their utility in the planning process. The empirical analysis conducted on Seoul revealed that not only were there significant local variations in accessibility between the two segregated residential areas, but the overall differences across the entire area were also pronounced. The proposed framework is useful in supporting decision-making processes for locating new public facilities or identifying regional priorities for guiding the placement of private amenities, with the aim of mitigating differences between segregated residential areas.

The corpus luteum is a temporary endocrine gland formed in the ovary after ovulation, and it plays a critical role in reproductive processes. Tumors rely on the development of an adequate blood supply to ensure the delivery of nutrients and oxygen and the removal of waste products. While angiogenesis occurs in various physiological and pathological contexts, the corpus luteum and tumors share similarities in the signaling pathways that promote angiogenesis. In the corpus luteum and tumors, apoptosis plays a crucial role in controlling cell numbers and ensuring proper tissue development and function. Interestingly, there are similarities in the apoptotic-regulated signaling pathways involved in apoptosis between the corpus luteum and tumors. However, the regulation of apoptosis can differ due to their distinct physiological and pathological characteristics. Thus, we reviewed the biological events of the corpus luteum and tumors in similar microenvironments of angiogenesis and apoptosis for studying novel research methods.

The oil spilled from the Gulf war caused land pollution and various petroleum compounds. Among petroleum compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known for toxicity, and have been designated as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and endocrine disrupting substances by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). According to the USEPA, toxic equivalents quotient (TEQ), and mutagenic equivalents quotient (MEQ) can be calculated by multiplying the toxic equivalency factor (TEF) and mutagenic equivalency factor (MEF) by the concentration of PAHs. The USEPA calculates the relative TEF for other PAHs by setting the TEF value of benzo(a)pyrene, which is highly toxic, to 1. Relative MEF is also calculated in the same way. In this study, the TPH concentrations of crude oil-contaminated soils collected from the Burgan in Kuwait were measured to be 5, 8, and 20% and TEQ and MEQ of the soils were calculated by multiplying the 16 PAHs concentrations measured for each sample by TEF and MEF, respectively. When the TPH concentration was increased by 4 times from 5% to 20%, the TEQ was increased by about 9 times and the MEQ was increased by about 10 times. Therefore, it was concluded that as the TPH concentration increases, the carcinogenicity and mutation rate increase greatly. In addition, ecotoxicity assessment was performed using luminescent bacteria to compare the relationship between the calculated TEQ and MEQ and actual ecotoxicity, and benzo(a)pyrene among 16 PAHs showed a coefficient of determination of 0.95. In this study, ecotoxicity in PAHs-contaminated environment can be estimated by analyzing benzo(a)pyrene as a representative substance.

Anthropogenic activities impacting marine environments are internationally recognized as welfare issues for wild cetaceans. This study validates a first evidence-based physical health and welfare assessment protocol for humpback (n=50) and fin whales (n=50) living in a highly anthropized environment. Visual assessments of body condition, skin health, prevalence of injuries and parasite/epibiont loads were performed using a species-specific multi-scale measuring tool. A total of 6403 images were analyzed (fin, n =3152; humpback, n= 3251) and results were validated through reliability and positive discrimination statistical tests. Welfare assessment results showed that 60% of humpback whales were considered in a good physical welfare state compared to only 46% of fin whales. Significant relationships were observed in both species, between environmental parameters, like dissolved oxygen levels, and prevalence of cutaneous lesions like pale skin patch syndrome. Furthermore, animals with injuries due to anthropogenic activities were more likely to be in poorer body condition, suggesting chronic stress affecting health and welfare.

The new regulation was introduced to the franchise market of South Korea in that an applicant who wants to be a franchiser must set up direct retail stores and run them for at least one year before recruiting franchisees. Considering the purpose of the regulation, it is inferred that once franchisers run their own stores, their franchisees would be better off than otherwise. This paper addresses one reason that the Korea Fair Trade Commission has no choice but to introduce the regulation. Along the line, this paper investigates whether franchisees would have the more likelihood to make profit in the case of that franchisers operate their own stores. The result demonstrates that this case could be true since the operation of franchiser owned stores could be helpful in reducing cost of franchisees.

In this paper, we present a full coverage path planning (CPP) algorithm for the marine surveys conducted in the convex polygon shaped search area. The survey is supposed to carry out by torpedo-type AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles). Due to their nonholonomic mechanical characteristics, these vehicles have nonzero minimum turning radius. For any given polygon shaped search area, it can always be partitioned into one or more convex polygons. With this in mind, this paper proposes a novel search algorithm called CbSPSA (Calculation based Shortest Path Search Algorithm) for full coverage of any given convex polygon shaped search area. By aligning the search inter-tracks alongside the edge with the minimum height, we can guarantee the minimum number of the vehicle’s turns. In addition, the proposed method can guarantee the planned path is strictly located inside the polygon area without overlapped or crossed path lines, and also has the total path length as short as possible. Considering the vehicle’s nonzero minimum turning radius, we also propose a sort of smoothing algorithm to smooth the waypoint path searched by CbSPSA so as for the vehicle to exactly follow it. The smoothed path is also guaranteed to be strictly located inside the polygon. Numerical simulation analyses are also carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.

This work investigates the stability conditions for linear systems with time-varying delays via augmented Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional(LKF). Two types of augmented LKFs with cross terms in integral are suggested to improve the stability conditions for interval time-varying linear systems. Through this work, the compositions of the LKFs are considered to enhance the feasible region of stability criterion for linear systems. Mathematical tools such as Wirtinger-based integral inequality(WBII), zero equalities, reciprocally convex approach, and Finsler’s lemma are utilized to solve the problem of stability criteria. Two sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the asymptotic stability of the systems using linear matrix inequality(LMI). First, asymptotic stability criteria are induced by constructing the new augmented LKFs in Theorem 1. And then simplified LKFs in Corollary 1 are proposed to show the effectiveness of Theorem 1. Second, asymmetric LKFs are shown to reduce the conservatism and the number of decision variables in Theorem 2. Finally, the advantages of the proposed criteria are verified by comparing maximum delay bounds in two examples. Two numerical examples show that the proposed Theorem 1 and 2 obtained less conservative results than existing outcomes. Also, Example 2 shows that the asymmetric LKF methods of Theorem 2 can provide larger delay bounds and fewer decision variables than Theorem 1’s in some specific systems.

The number of fishers working on commercial fishing vessels worldwide is approximately 159,800 according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The International Labour Organization estimates that the mean annual number of deaths during fishing is approximately 24,000. Most guidelines for the prevention of marine accidents have been developed with a focus on vessels involved in international navigation. As these guidelines may have parts that are unsuitable for application in small-scale boats operating in coastal areas, appropriate modifications are required. This study analyzed quantitative data on 1,790 marine accidents that occurred in trap fishery, a globally common type of fishery, and data obtained through a survey of 101 fishers in South Korea. A guideline to reduce the rate of fatal accidents was developed using the Bayesian network, a method used for the analysis of accidents, as suggested in the formal safety assessment protocol. The results of data analysis and the developed guidelines are expected to be beneficial to all fishers involved in trap fishery across many countries worldwide.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with bacteriophage and β-mannanase on health and growth performance in calves. Thirty-six pre-weaning male Holstein calves were randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments: no supplementation, 0.1% β-mannanase, 0.1% bacteriophage, and both 0.1% bacteriophage and β-mannanase supplementation in a starter. The experiment lasted from 2 weeks before weaning to 8 weeks after weaning. Twenty-two calves survived to the end of the experiment. No interaction was observed between the two methods of supplementation. A 1-kg increase in initial BW resulted in a 1.41-fold increase in the odds ratio of survival (p < 0.01). The bacteriophage supplementation tended to increase the odds ratio of survival (p = 0.09). The number of Escherichia coli in feces significantly decreased one week after weaning. β-mannanase supplementation increased the concentrates intake (p < 0.01) and tended to increase the final BW (p = 0.08). Analysis of repeated measures indicated β-mannanase supplementation increased weekly body weight gain (p = 0.018). We conclude that bacteriophage supplementation may have a positive effect on calf survival rate, while β-mannanase supplementation may increase the growth rate and intake of a starter in calves.

We develop a primality test for Mersenne numbers and investigate the primality of the sequence of Catalan-Mersenne numbers. We use induction as a proof to show that the 5th Catalan-Mersenne number is a prime number, thus demonstrating the infinitude of Mersenne primes.