Quarry waste fines and eggshells are unavoidable wastes which relentlessly contribute to environmental load and pollution. Although a number of studies have suggested various methods for recycling, these wastes remain underutilized due to some technical constraints. In addition, no study has yet been explored on the possibility of combining quarry waste fines (QWF) and eggshell powder (ESP) for tobermorite synthesis. Tobermorite is the main component which primarily provides strength to the autoclaved aerated concrete products. For this purpose, this study seeks to evaluate the potential of QWF- ESP mix at 10%, 15% and 20% amounts of cement, respectively. The XRF, XRD, and TGA–DTA techniques were used to characterize the waste materials while physical and mechanical property tests and XRD analysis were performed on the autoclaved samples. It was found that QWF contains 53.77% SiO2, while ESP contains 97.8% CaO which are key components for tobermorite synthesis. This study also revealed that the mixture with only 10% cement has the highest compressive strength among the QWF-ESP samples. Furthermore, the formation of tobermorite in the samples was confirmed through XRD analysis. Hence, the hydrothermal curing of QWF –ESP can be further developed to produce functional tobermorite – bearing materials.

For the Philippines, a country exposed to multiple natural hazards like severe wind, sustainable development includes resiliency. Severe wind hazard is brought by tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific, known as typhoons, that frequent the Philippines. Therefore, adequately evaluating the wind hazard and its impact is crucial for sustainable building design. Acknowledging the impacts of climate change on said hazards would require adaptation to its consequences which necessitate a deeper understanding on the changing behavior of typhoons in recent years. For this study, detailed wind information from the Japan Meteorological Agency from 1977-2021, the Holland-B parameter, and the radius of maximum wind speed for each typhoon, are determined for simulation of the regional cyclonic wind field. The analysis of the Holland-B parameters, which represent the steepness of the pressure gradient and tropical cyclone convection, suggest that the Holland-B parameters have been increasing since 2011. The regional wind fields caused by the typhoons also suggest an increasing trend in severe wind hazard. Seasonality for the location of severe wind hazard is also observed, with the Southern Philippines experiencing an increase (decrease) during the Northeast (Southwest) Monsoon season, and the Northern Philippines experiencing an increase (decrease) during the Southwest (Northeast) Monsoon season.

Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is an important clinical biomarker for ocular conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and digital eye strain. Additionally, its measurements can be essential in health assessment for visual function, systemic diseases, and brain health. We aimed to assess the repeatability, agreement, and effects of the learning curve of the new portable handheld heterochromatic flicker photometer, Zx Pro, in measuring MPOD in a wide age range of ocular-healthy adults, compared to the MPOD measurements obtained using the clinically available QuantifEye device. Seventy-six participants performed one practice at-tempt and two study-related MPOD measurements with the Zx Pro and the QuantifEye. The Pearson correlation between the study-related MPOD measurements for Zx Pro and QuantifEye devices was 90% and 85%, respectively. Altman and Bland plots show excellent agreement between the device's MPOD data, with 95% limits of an agreement being -0.10 to +0.11 du. The mean difference between the practice attempt and the study-related measurements was not statistically significant for Zx Pro but was significant for QuantifEye (Repeated measures ANOVA p=0.325 and p=0.015, respectively). The Zx Pro provides excellent repeatable MPOD measurements, has an insignificant learning curve, and is in good agreement with the predicate device.

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by {\it Francisella tularensis} bacteria, a gram-negative coccobacillus-shaped bacterium. There are multiple transmission routes of the infection to humans such as consumption of contaminated food or water, handling of infected animals or bites from {\it haematophagous} arthropods (such as ticks, deer flies, or mosquitoes). In this study we focus on transmission via the bites of ticks and developed a deterministic model of ordinary and impulsive differential equations to gain insight in the differential effect of prescribed fire on {\it Demacenta variablis} and {\it Amblyomma americanum} ticks and the prevalence of tularemina. We found that prescribed fire differentially reduce the number of the two ticks with {\it A. americanum} reduced the least compare to {\it D. variablis} subsequently leading to differential increase of tularemia new infected cases in humans and rodents. Our result further indicates that the spatial arrangement of burn against unburn areas may not matter as either arrangement led to fewer ticks and reduction in tularemia transmission when prescribed fire was implemented. The results of this study provide important new understandings of the intricate effect of prescribed fire on tick species, and the dynamics of the tick-borne disease, tularemia disease in this study.

Taiwan's bed and breakfast (B&B) development has been more than 25 years ago, from the first generation of retirement to the B&B industry, serving tourists from all over the world accom-modation, providing breakfast and accommodation mode to the present, after the change of employees from the second generation, more and more attention is paid to the cultivation and cultivation of business ability. With the advent of the era of AI technology networking, the ca-pabilities required for B&B operation are more focused on all aspects of service, and the good marketing ability of B&B can promote a green chimney-free tourism economy, which is also a favorite industry of various governments and the public. This study explores the basic vocational competency indicators required for running a B&B, with (1)EQ emotion management skills, (2)Financial management ability, (3)(SK) technical skills, and (4)Marketing and promotion management capabilities. Through the study method, the K-S Z test was determined by the con-sensus conclusion of expert reliability and validity p value

Concrete contributes 8% of all global carbon emissions making the need to find substitute critical for environmental sustainability. Research has indicated the potential for recycled plastics to be used as concrete substitutes. This study extends existing research by investigating the use of polycarbonate (PC) in plastic sand bricks as a mechanical equivalent to concrete. PC has high compressive strength, durability, impact strength, thermal resistivity, clarity, fatigue resistance, and UV resistance. This work provides a method and mold to produce a matrix of sand-plastic sample compositions with dimensions adhering to ASTM D695 standard for compressive properties of rigid-plastic. Compositions of 0% (control), 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% sand by weight were tested. Samples were tested for compressive strength until yield and stress-strain behaviors plotted. The results for 100% PC demonstrated an average and maximum compressive strength of 71 MPa and 72 MPa, respectively. The 50% PC and 50% sand composition yielded an average and maximum compressive strength of 71 MPa and 73 MPa respectively with an increase in compressive stiffness, and transition to shear failure resembling cement. With a composite density of 1.86 g/cm3 against concrete’s average 2.4 g/cm3, and a compressive strength exceeding commercial concrete demands of 23.3 MPa to 30.2 MPa, this lightweight alternative meets the strength demands of concrete, reduces the need for new construction materials, and provides an additional recycling opportunity for nonbiodegradable waste plastic.

Immunity against respiratory pathogens is often short-term, and consequently there is an unmet need for effective prevention of such infections. One such infectious disease is COVID-19, which is caused by the novel Beta coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that emerged around the end of 2019. The World Health Organization declared the illness a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and since then it has killed or sickened millions of people globally. The development of COVID-19 systemic vaccines, which impressively led to a significant reduction in disease severity, hospitalization, and mortality, con-tained the pandemic's expansion. However, these vaccines have not been able to stop the virus from spreading because of the restricted development of mucosal immunity. As a result, breakthrough infections have frequently occurred and new strains of the virus have been emerging. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 will likely continue to circulate and, like the influenza virus, co-exist with humans. The upper respiratory tract and nasal cavity are the primary sites of SARS-CoV-2 infection and thus, a mucosal/nasal vaccination to induce a mucosal response and stop the virus transmission is warrant-ed. In this review, we present the status of the systemic vaccines, of the approved mucosal vaccines and those under evaluation in clinical trials. Furthermore, we present our approach of a B-cell pep-tide-based vaccination applied by prime-boost schedule for eliciting both systemic and mucosal immunity.

Well-intentioned regulations to protect Canada’s most productive farmland restrict large-scale so-lar photovoltaic (PV) development. The recent innovation of agrivoltaics, which is the co-development of land for both PV and agriculture, makes these regulations obsolete. Burgeoning agrivoltaics research has shown agricultural benefits including increased yield for a wide range of crops, plant protection from excess solar energy and hail, improved water conservation while maintaining agricultural employment and local food supplies. In addition, the renewable electricity generation decreases greenhouse gas emissions while increasing farm revenue. As Canada in general, and Ontario in particular, is at a strategic disadvantage in agricultural without agrivoltaics, this study investigates the policy changes necessary to capitalize on the benefits of using agrivoltaics in Ontario. Land use policies in Ontario are reviewed. Then, three case studies (peppers, sweet corn and winter wheat) are analyzed for agrivoltaic potential in Ontario. These results are analyzed in conjunction with potential policies that would continue to protect the green-belt of the Golden Horseshoe, while enabling agrivoltaics in Ontario. Four agrivoltaic policy areas are discussed: increased research and development, enhanced education/public awareness, mechanisms to support Canada’s farmers converting to agrivoltaics and using agrivoltaics as a potential source of trade surplus with the U.S.

Fluorescent bioprobes are invaluable tools for visualizing live cells and deciphering complex biological processes by targeting intracellular biomarkers without disrupting cellular functions. In addition to protein-binding concepts, fluorescent probes utilize various mechanisms, including membrane, metabolism, and gating-oriented strategies. This study introduces a novel fluorescent mechanism distinct from existing ways. Here, we developed a B-cell selective probe, CDrB, with unique transport mechanisms. Through SLC-CRISPRa screening, we identified two transporters, SLCO1B3 and SLC25A41, by sorting out populations exhibiting higher and lower fluorescence intensities, respectively, demonstrating contrasting activities. We confirmed that SLCO1B3, with comparable expression levels in T and B cells, facilitates the transport of CDrB into cells, while SLC25A41, overexpressed in T lymphocytes, actively exports CDrB. The observation suggests that SLC25A41 plays a crucial role in discriminating between T and B lymphocytes. Furthermore, it reveals the potential for reversible localization of SLC25A41 to demonstrate its distinct activity. This study is the first report to unveil a novel strategy of SLC by exporting the probe. We anticipate that this research will open up new avenues for developing fluorescent probes.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is an urgent issue everywhere in the globe. It is necessary to look into new sources of antibiotics to address this issue. Aim of the study: studying the purification of Corallopyronin B from various soil conditions in Egypt, as well as the antibacterial effectiveness of Corallopyronin B in preclinical animal testing and randomized human clinical trials phases 1/2. Type of the study: Screening experimental study. Methodology: Several soil conditions in Egypt were examined to create bacterial isolates that generated the antibiotic chemical Corallopyronin B. Using reversed-phase HPLC, Myxopyronin B was purified. The test antibiotic's minimum inhibitory concentration( MIC) and in vitro antibacterial activity were ascertained using the paper disc diffusion assay and the broth microdilution technique. Furthermore, in stages 1/2 of randomized clinical trials including human and animal models, pharmacokinetics, adverse drug reactions, and the in vivo antibacterial spectrum were discovered. Results: The soil bacterial isolate Corallococcus coralloides DSM 2259, grown on a Casein yeast peptone( CYP) plate, produced Corallopyronin B from its culture supernatant. At MICs more than 100 mcg/ml, the test antibiotic inhibited the growth of many Gram -ve bacteria, including Escherichia coli, while preventing the growth of numerous Gram +ve bacteria, with MICs ranging from 1 to 10 mcg/ml. Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, including those in humans and fungi, were unharmed. The test antibiotic was shown to have a bactericidal effect by inhibiting bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase( RNLP). In phases 1/2 of randomized human clinical trials, when 600 mg of the dose per 70 kg of body weight was administered SC, the Cmax was 8.6 mcg/ml at Tmax 1 hour; T1/2 reached 136 min following first-order kinetics of elimination. It stopped acting around 6-7 hours after SC was administered. In the preclinical and randomized human clinical trial phases 1/2, less than 6 percent of experimental candidates had uncommon toxicity, showing reduced bile flow. Protein binding with plasma albumin was detected which reached about 83%. Conclusion: The current work was noteworthy since it involved the production of the bactericidal antibiotic Corallopyronin B from Corallococcus coralloides DSM 2259 which was isolated from several soil environments in Egypt.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory condition which significantly affects quality of life in both patients and their caregivers. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) are a class of immunosuppressive drugs predominantly inhibiting T cell mediated immune processes. CNI form complex by binding with immunophilins and in turn inhibit calcineurin and suppress downstream inflammatory pathway. Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are topical CNI approved for the treatment of mild to severe AD in both children and adults. Application site reactions are frequently seen. They have been issued with black box warning towards increased risk of malignancies but supportive evidence is lacking. Cyclosporine, though highly effective, is used off-label for AD management. It is used for controlling acute flares of AD due to its very rapid onset of action. Nephrotoxicity and hypertension are its serious complications. CNI have not been reported with teratogenicity and may be used conditionally during pregnancy and lactation.

To stabilize the Earth’s climate a large-scale transition is needed to non-carbon emitting renewable energy technologies like wind and solar energy. Although these renewable energy sources are now lower-cost than fossil fuels, their inherent intermittency make them unable to supply a constant load without storage. To address these challenges rechargeable electric batteries are currently the most promising option; however, their high capital costs limit current deployment velocities. To both reduce the cost as well as improve performance 3D printing technology has emerged as a promising solution. This literature review provides the state-of-the-art enhancements of battery properties with 3D printing including efficiency, mechanical stability, energy and power density, customizability and sizing, production process efficiency, material conservation and environmental sustainability as well as the progress in solid-state batteries. The principles, advantages, limitations, and recent advancements associated with the most common types of 3D printing are reviewed focusing on their contributions to the battery field. 3D printing batteries offer design flexibility, material flexibility, reduces pack weight, minimizes material waste, increases the range of applications and has the potential to reduce costs. As 3D printing technologies become more accessible, the prospect of cost-effective production for customized batteries is extremely promising.

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) using argyrodite electrolyte materials have shown promise for applications in electric vehicles (EVs). However, understanding the effects of pro-cessing parameters on the ionic conductivity of these electrolytes is crucial for optimizing battery performance and manufacturing methods. This study investigates the influence of electrolyte op-erating temperature, electrolyte operating pressure, electrolyte pelletization pressure, and electro-lyte pelletizing temperature on the ionic conductivity of Li6PS5Cl0.5Br0.5 argyrodite electrolyte (AmpceraTM, D50=10 µm). A specially designed test cell is employed for the experimental meas-urements, allowing for controlled pelletization and testing within the same tooling. The results demonstrate the significant impact of the four parameters on the ionic conductivity of the argy-rodite electrolyte. The electrolyte operating temperature has a more pronounced effect than oper-ating pressure, and pelletizing temperature exerts a greater influence than pelletizing pressure. This study provides graphs that aid in understanding the interplay between these parameters and achieving desired conductivity values. It also establishes a baseline for the maximum pelletizing temperature before undesirable degradation of electrolyte occurs. By manipulating the pelletizing pressure, operating pressure, and pelletizing temperature, battery engineers can achieve the desired conductivity for specific applications. The findings emphasize the need to consider operating conditions to ensure satisfactory low-temperature performance, particularly for EVs. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into processing and operating conditions for ASSLBs utilizing Li6PS5Cl0.5Br0.5 argyrodite electrolyte.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is an urgent issue everywhere in the globe. It is necessary to look into new sources of antibiotics to address this issue. Aim of the study: studying the purification of Corallopyronin B from various soil conditions in Egypt, as well as the antibacterial effectiveness of Corallopyronin B in preclinical animal testing and randomized human clinical trials phases 1/2. Type of the study: Screening experimental study. Methodology: Several soil conditions in Egypt were examined to create bacterial isolates that generated the antibiotic chemical Corallopyronin B. Using reversed-phase HPLC, Myxopyronin B was purified. The test antibiotic's minimum inhibitory concentration( MIC) and in vitro antibacterial activity were ascertained using the paper disc diffusion assay and the broth microdilution technique. Furthermore, in stages 1/2 of randomized clinical trials including human and animal models, pharmacokinetics, adverse drug reactions, and the in vivo antibacterial spectrum were discovered. Results: The soil bacterial isolate Corallococcus coralloides DSM 2259, which was grown on a Casein yeast peptone( CYP) plate, produced Corallopyronin B from its culture supernatant. At MICs more than 100 mcg/ml, the test antibiotic inhibited the growth of many Gram -ve bacteria, including Escherichia coli, while also preventing the growth of numerous Gram +ve bacteria, with MICs ranging from 1 to 10 mcg/ml. Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, including those in humans and fungi, were unharmed. The test antibiotic was shown to have a bactericidal effect by inhibiting bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase( RNLP). In phases 1/2 of randomized human clinical trials, when 600 mg of the dose per 70 kg of body weight was administered SC, the Cmax was 8.6 mcg/ml at Tmax 1 hour; T1/2 reached 136 min following first-order kinetics of elimination. It stopped acting around 6-7 hours after SC was administered. In the preclinical and randomized human clinical trial phases 1/2, less than 6 percent of experimental candidates had uncommon toxicity, which showed up as reduced bile flow. Protein binding with plasma albumin was detected which reached about 83%. Conclusion: The current work was noteworthy since it involved the production of the bactericidal antibiotic Corallopyronin B from Corallococcus coralloides DSM 2259 which was isolated from several soil environments in Egypt.

To achieve n-type doping in diamond, extensive investigations employing first principles have been conducted on various models of phosphorus doping and boron-phosphorus co-doping. The primary focus of this study is to comprehensively analyze the formation energy, band structure, density of states, and ionization energy of these structures. It is observed that within a diamond structure solely composed of phosphorus atoms, the formation energy of an individual carbon atom is excessively high. However, the substitution of two carbon atoms leads to the conversion of diamond into a p-type semiconductor. Upon examining the P-B co-doping structure, it is revealed that the doped impurities exhibit a tendency to form more stable cluster configurations. As the separation between the freely doped atoms and the cluster impurity structure increases, the overall stability of the structure diminishes, consequently resulting in an elevation of the ionization energy. Analysis of the electronic density of states demonstrates that the electron orbit of the B atom makes negligible contributions to the impurity levels during P-B doping.

Purpose: To explore how race and residential zip codes' socioeconomic index (SES) influenced COVID-19 testing rates in St. Louis during the early and peak phases of the pandemic. Method: An ecological study was conducted using COVID-19 testing data from March to November 2020 in St. Louis City. The study included 16,915 individual tests from 30 residential zip codes. Results: The overall testing rate in St. Louis was 303.97 per 10,000 population. Testing rates among Blacks, Whites, American Indian/Alaskan Natives, and Asians were 374.26, 247.77, 360.63, and 242.41 per 10,000, respectively. Higher testing rates were observed in low and middle SES zip codes compared to high SES zip codes. Adjusted for SES, testing rates were 1.68% higher among Blacks and 0.43% higher among American Indian/Alaskan Natives compared to Whites, and 0.033% lower among Asians. Geographical mapping showed higher testing rates in the inner core and lower rates in the periphery of St. Louis. Conclusion: Race and SES influence testing rates. Areas with low testing rates should be targeted for intervention in St. Louis.

Smart manufacturing encompasses a category of manufacturing that employs computer-integrated capabilities and technologies to enhance supply chain optimization, production efficiency, and recyclability. Yet limited studies have been conducted to optimize these prospects from the perspective of low resource countries where such innovative studies have not been adequately explored. This paper aims to examine the implications of smart manufacturing practices (Smart Procurement, Smart Supply Chain, Smart Production Planning and Control, Automation and Industrial Robot, and Supply Chain Configuration) on pro-environmental behaviour and develop a baseline moderated mediation model to explain the relationship between smart manufacturing and pro-environmental behaviour with a role of green dynamic capability, and environmental orientation. This study is anchored on quantitative research approach, deductive reasoning, and explanatory design. Cross – sectional survey data have been obtained from 382 manufacturing companies in Ghana. Our hypotheses have been tested using Structural Equation Modelling and SMART-PLS version 3.8.9. The study has revealed that smart manufacturing practices significantly and positively relate to pro-environmental behaviour. Moreover, green dynamic capability and environmental orientation moderate the relationship between smart manufacturing and pro-environmental behaviour. The implications of the study include the emergence of a baseline model to guide policymakers, practitioners, and academicians to explain the relationship between smart manufacturing and sustainable manufacturing in the context of developing countries. Again, the social implication of the study includes the realisation of decent job and economic growth, responsible consumption and production as well as actions taken to combat climate change.

Depression continues to be a glaring global challenge. The most worrisome trend is eating up the youthful generation more than anyone could predict years back. As Addis & Martell (2004) note, these adolescents end up succumbing to conditions that can be traced wholly from depression. Behavioral activation can be a rewarding intervention that will go a long way in cutting down on these cases and ensure the youthful global population's lives are safeguarded if applied and monitored to ensure correct and collective implementation processes and systems. The insights and arguments presented in the research paper will focus on the utility of behavioral activation in reducing depression cases among adolescents.

Distributed digital manufacturing offers a solution to medical supply and technology shortages during pandemics. To prepare for the next pandemic, this study reviews the state-of-the-art for open hardware designs needed in a COVID-19-like pandemic. It evaluates the readiness of the top twenty technologies requested by the Government of India. The results show that the majority of the actual medical products have had some open source development, however, only 15% of the supporting technologies that make the open source device possible are freely available. The results show there is still considerable work needed to provide open source paths for the development of all the medical hardware needed during pandemics. Five core areas of future work are discussed that include: i) technical development of a wide-range of open source solutions for all medical supplies and devices, ii) policies that protect the productivity of laboratories, makerspaces and fabrication facilities during a pandemic, as well as iii) streamlining the regulatory process, iv) developing Good-Samaritan laws to protect makers and designers of open medical hardware, as well as to compel those with knowledge that will save lives to share it, and v) requiring all citizen-funded research to be released with free and open source licenses.

There is an urgent need to identify effective therapies for COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 host factor protease TMPRSS2 is required for viral entry and thus an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. In mouse, knockout of tmprss2 led to protection against SARS-CoV-1 with no deleterious phenotypes, and in human populations genetic loss of TMPRSS2 does not appear to be selected against. Here, we mined publicly available gene expression data to identify several compounds that down-regulate TMPRSS2. Recognizing the need for immediately available treatment options, we focused on FDA-approved drugs. We found 20 independent studies that implicate estrogenic and androgenic compounds as transcriptional modulators of TMPRSS2, suggesting these classes of drugs may be promising therapeutic candidates for clinical testing and observational studies of COVID-19. We also note that expression of TMPRSS2 is highly variable and skewed in humans, with a minority of individuals having extremely high expression. Combined with literature showing that inhibition of TMPRSS2 protease activity reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral entry in human cells, our results raise the hypothesis that modulation of TMPRSS2 expression is a promising therapeutic avenue for COVID-19.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. In order to improve its overall survival, early diagnosis is required. Since current screening methods still face some pitfalls, such as high false positive rates for low-dose computed tomography, researchers are still looking for early biomarkers to complement existing screening techniques in order to provide a safe, faster and more accurate diagnosis. Biomarkers are biological molecules found in body fluids, such as plasma, that can be used to diagnose a condition or disease. Metabolomics has already shown to be a powerful tool in the search for cancer biomarkers since cancer cells are characterised by impaired metabolism, resulting in an adapted plasma metabolite profile. The metabolite profile can be determined using nuclear magnetic resonance, or NMR. Although metabolomics and NMR metabolite profiling of blood plasma are still under investigation, there is already evidence for its potential for early-stage lung cancer diagnosis, therapy response, and follow-up monitoring. This review highlights some key breakthroughs in this research field, where the most significant biomarkers will be discussed in relation with their metabolic pathways and in light of the altered cancer metabolism.

During the last few years, the world witnessed one of the worst calamities to humankind- the COVID-19 pandemic. We also witnessed the development of vaccines at an unprecedented pace against the SARS-CoV-2- the causative agent. India was among the hard-hit countries by COVID-19, developed its indigenous vaccine and implemented vaccines developed in other countries as well. Initially, the antibody level and the neutralizing antibody titer against the pathogen were considered as the correlates of immune protection from the disease. However, the long-term protection from the pathogen was provided by the immune memory cells viz. T and B memory cells and their ability to efficiently make recall responses. In this regard, globally the research studies focused mainly on the mRNA-based vaccines. The studies on immune memory response, particularly- the B cell memory response bestowed by the vaccines given to Indians is relatively obscure. We studied the level of RBD specific memory B cells in the peripheral circulation of the study participants and the ability of B cells to secrete antigen-specific antibodies among Indians vaccinated with Covaxin (BBV152), Covishield (AZD1222), Corbevax (BECOV2D) and Sputnik Light (Gam-COVID-Vac) as well as unvaccinated individuals. Our study revealed that Corbevax and Sputnik Light conferred better antibody-secreting cell (ASC) responses.

The targeting-Her-2/neu therapy by passive application with trastuzumab is associated with acquired resistance and subsequent metastasis development, attributed to upregulation of tumoral PD-L1 expression and downregulation of Her-2/neu. We aimed to investigate this association, following active immunization with our recently constructed B cell–peptide based Her-2/neu vaccines in both preclinical and clinical settings. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and combined positive score (CPS), were applied to evaluate Her-2/neu and PD-L1 expression using a murine syngeneic tumor model for Her-2/neu lung metastases, and tumor biopsies from a gastric cancer patient with disease progression. A significant and concomitant reduction of Her-2/neu and upregulation of PD-L1 expression was observed in the vaccinated mice, after 7 but not after 4 weeks of metastases development. A significant increase of tumor-infiltrating B lymphocytes was observed at both time points. Downregulation of Her-2/neu and upregulation of PD-L1 were observed in a patient’s primary tumor at the disease progression time point but not prior to vaccination (Her-2/neu IHC: 3 to 0, FISH: 4.98 to 1.63; PD-L1 CPS: 0% to 5%). Our results further underline the need for combination therapy by targeting PD-L1 to prevent metastasis formation and immune evasion of Her-2/neu positive and PD-L1 negative tumor cells.

Free and open source hardware (FOSH) development has been shown to increase innovation and reduce economic costs. This article reviews the opportunity to use FOSH like a sanction to undercut imports and exports from a target criminal country. A formal methodology is presented for selecting strategic national investments in FOSH development to improve both national security and global safety. In this methodology, first the target country that is threatening national security or safety is identified. Next, the top imports from the target country as well as potentially other importing countries (allies) are quantified. Hardware is identified that could undercut imports/exports from the target country. Finally, methods to support the FOSH development are enumerated to support production in a commons-based peer production strategy. To demonstrate how this theoretical method works in practice it is applied as a case study to the current criminal military aggressor nation, who is also a fossil fuel exporter. The results show there are numerous existing FOSH and opportunities to develop new FOSH for energy conservation and renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel energy demand. Widespread deployment would reduce the concomitant pollution, human health impacts, and environmental desecration as well as cut financing of military operations.

There is an intense need to optimize agrivoltaic systems. This article describes the invention of a new testing system: the parametric open source cold-frame agrivoltaic system (POSCAS). POSCAS is an adapted gardening cold-frame used in cold climates as it acts as a small greenhouse for agricultural production. POSCAS is designed to test partially transparent solar photovoltaic (PV) modules targeting the agrivoltaic market. It can both function as a traditional cold frame, but it can also be automated to function as a full-service greenhouse. The integrated PV module roof can be used to power the controls or it can be attached to a microinverter to produce power. POSCAS can be placed in an experimental array for testing, agricultural and power production. It can be easily adapted for any type of partially transparent PV module. An array of POSCAS systems al-lows for testing agrivoltaic impacts from the percent transparency of the modules by varying the thickness of a thin film PV material or the density of silicon-based cells, and various forms of optical enhancement, anti-reflection coatings and solar light spectral shifting materials in the back sheet. All agrivoltaic variables can be customized to identify ideal PV designs for a given agricultural crop.

Agrivoltaic agrotunnels are currently designed for high density grow walls that are not amenable to bush berries or root crops. Commercial grow bins provide deeper substrates for produce with more root systems but have high costs per unit growing area. To overcome the economic limitations of grow bins, this study applies the distributed manufacturing open-source design paradigm to develop four designs for low-cost open source structures. The designs target root vegetables and bush fruit specifically to be adopted by remote communities with limited or no outdoor growing environment to offset the market price for imported fresh produce. The indoor growing designs provide the necessary structure for supporting grow light and grow bins and enabled the transplanted berry plants to flower and produced fruits. They provide a comparable amount (110L) or more of grow volume from 106 to 192 L. The water reservoir volume for the commercial system (62 L) and grow area (0.5 m³) is surpassed by all new designs that range from 64 to 192 L and 0.51 to 0.76 m³, respectively. These superior properties are possible with material costs for all four designs that save more than 90% of the economic cost of the commercial systems.

This study reports rapid hydrolysis, acylation, and lipolysis with lipase B from Candida antarctica (CalB) and nanofructosome encapsulated CalB (CalB@NF) enzymes immobilized on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Si-MNPs). Enzymatic hydrolysis was confirmed for conversion to p-nitrophenol (p-NP, λex=400 nm) from p-nitrophenyl butyrate (p-NPB, λex=270 nm), and various catalytic parameters such as Km, Vmax, and Kcat were calculated from Michaelis-Menten and Lineweaver-Burk plot. Efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis was in the order of CalB > Si-MNPs@CalB > CalB@NF > Si-MNPs@CalB@NF, and reusability was much better with the enzyme immobilized on Si-MNPs than with the native enzyme. Enzymatic acylation was confirmed by the formation of benzyl benzoate (λex=229 nm) from benzoic anhydride (λex=240 nm), and efficiency exceeded 99% in all samples. Finally, enzymatic lipolysis was confirmed by the decomposition of olive oil to fatty acid such as oleic acid (λex=230 nm) using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), column chromatography, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H -NMR). The lipases immobilized on Si-MNPs have the advantage of good thermal stability and reusability and are thus applicable to a wide range of industries.

This study presents an experimental investigation of the convective drying process of ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale). It analyses the effect of moisture content on the thermal properties of dried ginger rhizomes. Drying experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to establish the relationship between moisture content and thermal conductivity. The drying kinetics were examined to provide insights into the drying behaviour of ginger rhizomes and the influence of moisture content on their thermal properties. The results demonstrated a significant impact of initial moisture content and convective drying conditions on the drying process. As drying progressed, the moisture content decreased, leading to a reduction in thermal conductivity. It was observed that drying under convective drying takes 24 hours compared to open sun drying at nine days and solar tunnel drying at eight days. The drying temperature of 60°C was considered optimum. The results show that dried ginger at an absolute moisture content of 6.63% (wb) with a thermal conductivity of 0.0553W/m. K for unblanched ginger, 9.04% (wb) with thermal conductivity of 0.0516W/m. K for blanched ginger, 8.56% (wb) moisture content with a thermal conductivity of 0.0483W/m. K for peeled ginger and 5.98% moisture content with a thermal conductivity of 0.0460W/m. K for unpeeled ginger would be ideal for making powdered ginger rhizomes. These findings have practical implications for the food industry, as they can aid in designing and improving drying processes for ginger rhizomes and similar agricultural products. By understanding the relationship between moisture content and thermal properties, more efficient drying strategies can be developed to minimise energy consumption and maintain the quality of the dried product.

β-Ga2O3 is a well-known semiconductor material for power devices and other applications. Recently, β-Ga2O3 has also been reported as a scintillator material with a light yield of approximately 8400 ph./MeV, scintillation decay time of <1 μs, and density of 6.44 g/cm3. In this study, 2-inch diameter β-Ga2O3 single crystals were prepared by oxide crystal growth using the cold crucible (OCCC) method under various oxygen partial pressures. In the OCCC method, as in the cold crucible method, a high frequency is applied directly to the oxide materials, which are heated and melted, and the melt is held by the outermost solid material itself that is cooled by water using a copper hearth. In the OCCC method, crystal growth is performed while rotating the seed crystal, as in the Czochralski method, to increase the crystal diameter. The optical properties and radiation responses of the crystals grown under various oxygen partial pressures were evaluated.

Combinations of Dilwet, an organosilicone surfactant, and ethephon, a hormonal compound often applied to fruit trees to thin the crop, were applied at full bloom to prevent fruit development in two young vineyards differing in elevation by 600 m. Each vineyard was planted with the same 19 red and 10 white grape cultivars from a range of countries of origin. Vineyard elevation did not affect response to treatment. A combined spray of 0.5% Dilwet with 0.04% ethephon reduced cluster number by an average of 85%, while weight of the remaining clusters was reduced by 63%, compared to unsprayed controls. Increasing the concentration of Dilwet to 1% reduced cluster number by 93% and cluster weight by 76%. There were significant differences in the response of cultivars to the treatments, depending on country of origin, with grapes originating in France responding better to higher concentrations of Dilwet. White grapes were more responsive than red grapes. These results highlight the need to test different cultivars and genetic origins of crops when examining the effects of new agricultural chemicals.

Developmental hazard evaluation is an important part of assessing chemical risks during pregnancy. Toxicological outcomes from prenatal testing in pregnant animals result from complex chemical-biological interactions, and while New Approach Methods (NAMs) based on in vitro bioactivity profiles of human cells offer promising alternatives to animal testing, most of these assays lack cellular positional information, physical constraints, and regional organization of the intact embryo. Here, we engineered a fully computable model of the embryonic disc in the compucell3d.org modeling environment to simulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition of epiblast cells and self-organization of mesodermal domains (chordamesoderm, paraxial, lateral plate, posterior/extraembryonic). Cell fate in the model is determined by an autonomous homeobox (HOX) clock driven by morphogenetic signals (e.g., FGF, WNT, ATRA, CDX). Executing the model renders a quantitative cell-level computation of mesodermal subpopulations and consequences of perturbation based on known embryogeny. For example, synthetic perturbation of the control network rendered altered phenotypes (cybermorphs) mirroring experimental mouse embryology, with 50% reductions in FGF4, FGF8 and BMP4 signaling resulting in 86%, 98% and 59% reductions, respectively in the posterior mesodermal population, while ATRA exposure also resulted in a 78% decrease in this population. This model enables integration of in vitro chemical bioactivity data for specific molecular targets with known embryology to test mechanistic veracity and quantitative prediction of altered development.

Background/Objectives: Vitamin D’s effect on risk health outcomes is often evaluated using prospective cohort studies. Risk ratios (RRs; e.g., hazard ratios or odds ratios) are determined for incidence for participants with baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations below or above specified values. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations vary over time, thereby diluting the effect of 25(OH)D for long follow-up periods. Inverse relationships between RR and follow-up period have been reported for all-cause mortality rate and cancer incidence rates. Here I evaluate the effect for neurological outcomes. Methods: I analyzed how follow-up period affected results from 10 cohort studies of all-cause dementia, 6 studies of Alzheimer’s disease, and 9 for cognitive impairment with respect to vitamin D deficiency. Results: For all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive impairment, respectively, the linear regression fits are RR = 2.9 – 0.14 × years, r = 0.73, p = 0.02; RR = 2.9 – 0.14 × years, r = 0.69, p = 0.13; and RR = 1.8 – 0.066 × years, r = 0.72, p = 0.03. The regression fit to RR for the shortest follow-up period for each outcome is considered the best estimate of vitamin D deficiency’s effect on risk. Those values are approximately twice that found by averaging all RRs without considering the effect of follow-up period. Conclusions: Vitamin D’s effect on risk of neurological conditions should be determined with relatively short follow-up periods after repeated 25(OH)D measurements as warranted during follow-up.

Abstract: This article reports the results of an ecological study of cancer incidence rates by state in the US for the period 2016-2020. The goals of this study were to determine the extent to which solar UVB doses still reduced cancer risk compared to findings reported in 2006 for cancer mortality rates for the periods 1950–1969 and 1970-1794 as well as cancer incidence rates for the period 1998–2002 and to determine which factors were recently associated with cancer risk. The cancer data for non-Hispanic white (European American) men and women were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Indices were obtained for solar UVB at the surface for July 1992, and alcohol consumption, and diabetes and obesity prevalence near the 2016–2020 period. Lung cancer incidence rates were also used in the analyses as a surrogate for smoking, diet, and air pollution. The cancers for which solar UVB is significantly associated with reduced incidence are bladder, brain (males), breast, corpus uteri, esophageal, gastric, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, pancreatic, and renal cancer. Lung cancer was significantly associated with colorectal, laryngeal, and renal cancer. Diabetes was also significantly associated with breast, liver, and lung cancer. Obesity prevalence was significantly associated with breast, colorectal and renal cancer. Alcohol consumption was associated with bladder and esophageal cancer. Thus diet has become a very important driver of cancer incidence rates. The role of solar UVB in reducing risk of cancer has been reduced due to people spending less time outdoors, wearing sunscreen that blocks UVB but not UVA radiation, and population increases in overweight and obesity, which lowers 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and generates systemic inflammation, a risk factor for cancer. The dietary approach that would reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity, lung cancer, and, therefore cancer, would be one based mostly on whole-plants and restrictions on red and processed meats and ultraprocessed foods. Solar UVB exposure for a few minutes before applying sunscreen and taking vitamin D supplements would also help reduce risk of cancer.Keywords: alcohol consumption; cancer incidence;

Background: Over the past few years there has been immense evolution in various areas particularly in the areas of digital technologies wherein the pace of change is very high. Industrial areas such as operations and supply chain management together with advanced technologies such as machine learning, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, as well as the Internet of Things, create completely different forms of operational models for various industries. In the area of healthcare too, these emerging computational sophistication is introduced to revolutionise the approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat diverse diseases and illnesses. Objective: The objective of this study is to provide an extensive review of the contemporary approaches utilizing data to cope with significant mental disorders. From over 60 relevant scholarly articles published between 2011 and 2023, it discusses how tools such as predictive modelling, social media analysis, data from smartphones, and chatbots help with issues such as early detection, telemonitoring, provision of psychological support, and individualised prevention. Method: An initial literature review to analyse over 60 research articles, which include empirical studies that were conducted between 2011 and 2023. The research assessed implemented novel digital approaches to mental health interventions including big data analytics for predicting condition status, machine learning for examining social media content, behaviour monitoring through smartphone sensors, and using conversational agents or chatbots. The following is an overview of general conclusions from experimental and descriptive secondary research studies published in professional outlets concerning possible advantages and disadvantages of data science applied to important concerns in mental health. Results: Research reveals that integrating subtle e-health tools in tandem with typical treatment approaches holds the potential to expand mental health services to more or less integrate them into clients’ day-to-day lives, and practically individualize effective treatments accordingly. Technological solutions for instance allow remote risk assessment, symptom monitoring and determination of treatment compliance. New lines of virtualized paradigm solve social challenges that interfere with the conventional provision and consumption of care. However, questions of privacy and the long-term effects as well as clinical adoption are yet to be solved in a analytically distinct manner.

We present improvements in n-best rescoring of code-switched speech achieved by n-gram augmentation as well as optimised pretraining of long short-term memory (LSTM) language models with larger corpora of out-of-domain monolingual text. In addition, we consider the application of large pretrained transformer-based architectures. Our experimental evaluation is performed on an under-resourced corpus of code-switched speech comprising four bilingual code-switched sub-corpora, each containing a Bantu language (isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho, or Setswana) and English. We find in our experiments that, by combining n-gram augmentation with the optimised pretraining strategy, speech recognition errors are reduced for each individual bilingual pair by 3.51% absolute on average over the four corpora. Importantly, we find that even speech recognition at language boundaries improves by 1.14% even though the additional data is monolingual. Utilising the augmented n-grams for lattice generation, we then contrast these improvements with those achieved after fine-tuning pretrained transformer-based models such as distilled GPT-2 and M-BERT. We find that, even though these language models have not been trained on any of our target languages, they can improve speech recognition performance even in zero-shot settings. After fine-tuning on in-domain data, these large architectures offer further improvements, achieving a 4.45% absolute decrease in overall speech recognition errors and a 3.52% improvement over language boundaries. Finally, a combination of the optimised LSTM and fine-tuned BERT models achieves a further gain of 0.47% absolute on average for three of the four language pairs compared to M-BERT. We conclude that the careful optimisation of the pretraining strategy used for neural network language models can offer worthwhile improvements in speech recognition accuracy even at language switches, and that much larger state-of-the-art architectures such as GPT-2 and M-BERT promise even further gains.

Rotary drilling for oil and natural gas uses drilling fluid for lubrication of the bit, to seal off unstable shale layers, and floating out rock cuttings. Drilling fluid is a water-clay chemical mixture. Produced water is a water-sand chemical mixture. Land farming is a common disposal technique of drilling fluid and produced water. In the land farming process, amendments of fluid are repeatedly applied to the soil surface. Plant growth and soil chemical properties may be altered by additions of drilling fluid, because of alkalinity, salinity, trace elements, and petroleum residue contained in waste. The objective of this study was to determine the change in soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen and carbon, and extractable nutrient levels following the land application of drilling fluid and produced water. The study was a comparison of three plots with similar soil properties and conditions. The three study plots had various levels of drilling fluid and produced water applications. The data show a major difference from field-to-field for EC, Na, and Cl levels. The EC and salt levels increased with additional applications of drilling fluid and produced water. The percent total nitrogen values and plant available P levels were very low in all fields. High EC and salt values, coupled with low N and P levels, would be detrimental to plant growth and development. To successfully vegetate this land-farm site, application of N and P fertilizer would be required. This study will help to give a better understanding of practical ways to land-farm drilling fluid and produced water in a fashion that both minimizes environmental issues and is economically feasible. Salinity changes to soil were expected to be high; there are excessive amounts of sodium and chloride in spent drilling fluid and produced water.

For consciousness to exist, an entity must have prerequisite characteristics and attributes to give rise to it. We explore these “building blocks” of consciousness in detail in this paper, which range from perceptive to computational to higher-order characteristics of an entity’s cognitive architecture. We show how each cognitive attribute is strictly necessary for the emergence of consciousness, and how the building blocks are collectively sufficient for any entity to be classified as being conscious. The list of building blocks is not limited to human or organic consciousness and may be used to classify artificial and organisational conscious entities. We further explore a list of attributes that seem intuitively necessary for consciousness, but on further investigation, are neither required nor sufficient. The building blocks do not represent a theory of consciousness but rather a meta-theory on the emergence and classification of consciousness.

The production of recombinant enzymes, mainly used for obtaining pure and functional target molecules, holds significant importance in modern biotechnology. This study aimed to produce recombinant α-amylases (Amy3500 and Amy1974), derived from B. amyloliquefaciens MDC1974 and B. subtilis MDC3500 respectively, using the pBE-S shuttle vector, and to characterize them. Both α-amylase genes were molecularly cloned into the E. coli/B. subtilis pBE-S shuttle vector, both with (Amy1974sig and Amy3500sig) and without their own signal peptides (Amy1974 and Amy3500), along with a signal peptide originating from the plasmid, and tested in flask fermentations. For recombinant Amy3500, the amylase variants resulted in similar levels of volumetric activity (700-750 U/mL). In contrast, the expression of Amy1974 nearly doubled compared to Amy1974sig with double signal peptides, reaching 2000 U/mL. The SDS-PAGE estimated the molecular weight of Amy1974 α-amylase to be 54.6 kDa, which was in accordance with the theoretical molecular mass calculations. However, the estimated molecular weight of Amy3500 amylase was significantly reduced when exiting the producer cells. Ca2+ had no significant activating effect on the activities of Amy1974 amylase and Amy3500 amylase, likely due to its tight binding to the protein scaffold. Both enzymes exhibited broad activity peaks between 45-70°C, with a maximum at 65°C. The Amy1974 and Amy3500 α-amylases demonstrated broad pH optima and pH-dependent thermostability, with optimum pH values at 6.5 and 5.8, and thermal stability peaks at pH 7.6 and 5.9, respectively. Both α-amylases displayed high relative activity against various starches, including corn amylopectin and potato amylose, while showing comparatively lower activity towards cyclodextrins. The Amy1974 amylase converts starch to dextrins of varying lengths, whereas Amy3500 almost entirely converts starch into glucose.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in COVID-19 patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment, which has been insufficiently studied to date. Secondarily, we aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of HBV infection in COVID-19 patients. Methods: We performed an HBV screening in all Romanian adults hospitalized in 4 COVID-19 wards between October 2021 and September 2022. We enrolled patients with positive hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) without protective hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), HBV treatment or immunosuppressive conditions, whom we followed virologically at 3 months. Results: We identified 333/835 (39.9%) anti-HBc-positive patients. Follow-up was performed in 13 patients with positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and 19 HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patients. Among those who received immunosuppressants, 4/23 (17.4%) patients experienced HBVr: 1 out of 8 (12.5%) HBsAg-positive patients (with 1.99 log increase in HBV DNA level) and 3 out of 15 (20%) HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patients (with de novo detectable HBV DNA level). Conclusions: Administration of COVID-19 immunosuppressants may result in a significant risk of HBVr in co-infected patients. We recommend performing an HBV triple screen panel (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc) in all COVID-19 patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment. HBV prophylaxis may be indicated in certain patients. Larger studies are needed in order to establish an appropriate and cost-effective management in these patients.

It is increasingly common for experiments in biology and medicine to involve large numbers of hypothesis tests. A natural graphical method for visualizing these tests is to construct a histogram from the p-values of these tests. In this article, we examine the shapes, both normal and abnormal, that these histograms can take on, as well as present simple inferential procedures that help to interpret the shapes in terms of diagnosing potential problems with the experiment. We examine potential causes of these problems in detail, and discuss potential remedies. Throughout, examples of abnormal-looking p-value histograms are provided and based on case studies involving real biological experiments.

The detection of seismic events at regional and teleseismic distances is critical to Nuclear Treaty Monitoring. Traditionally, detecting regional and teleseismic events has required the use of an expensive multi-instrument seismic array; however in this work, we present DeepPick, a novel seismic detection algorithm capable of array-like performance from a single trace. We achieve this directly, by training our single-trace detector against labeled events from an array catalog, and by utilizing a deep temporal convolutional neural network. The training data consists of all arrivals in the International Seismological Centre Catalog for seven seismic arrays over a five year window from 1 Jan 2010 to 1 Jan 2015, yielding a total training set of 608,362 detections. The test set consists of the same seven arrays over a one year window from 1 Jan 2015 to 1 Jan 2016. We report our results by training the algorithm on six of the arrays and testing it on the seventh, so as to demonstrate the transportability and generalization of the technique to new stations. Detection performance against this test set is outstanding. Fixing a type-I error rate of 1%, the algorithm achieves an overall recall rate of 73% on the 141,095 array beam picks in the test set, yielding 102,394 correct detections. This is more than 4 times the 23,259 detections found in the analyst-reviewed single-trace catalogs over the same period, and represents an 8dB improvement in detector sensitivity over current methods. These results demonstrate the potential of our algorithm to significantly enhance the effectiveness of the global treaty monitoring network.

When we discuss migration and compare national trends, the topic most commonly centers on undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers. However, there is also considerable variation in internal migration patterns, with differences found between and within nations. Many factors shape whether, why, and where people relocate. Over the last few decades, the world's two largest economies - the United States and China - have seen domestic migration changes happening in opposite directions. China has become increasingly mobile and experienced urbanization. In contrast, the U.S. has seen a steady decline in the rate at which its population relocates, with cities experiencing net migration losses as citizens leave for suburbs. This paper examines these trends using data from the last decade to compare the two nations in areas of internal migration, urbanization, housing, social mobility, and economic growth.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) comprise a diverse class of non-protein coding transcripts that regulate critical cellular processes associated with cancer. Advances in RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) have led to the characterization of non-coding RNA expression across different types of human cancers. Through comprehensive RNA-Seq profiling, a growing number of studies demonstrate that ncRNAs, including long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNA), play central roles in progenitor B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) pathogenesis. Furthermore, due to their central roles in cellular homeostasis and their potential as biomarkers, the study of ncRNAs continues to provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of B-ALL. This article reviews the ncRNA signatures reported for all B-ALL subtypes, focusing on technological developments in transcriptome profiling and recently discovered examples of ncRNAs with biologic and therapeutic relevance in B-ALL.

Annually, more than 1.5 million preventable new hepatitis B (HBV) infections continue to occur, with an estimated global burden of 296 million individuals living with chronic hepatitis B infection. This substantial health challenge results in over 820,000 annual deaths attributed to complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV vaccination remains the cornerstone of public health policy to prevent chronic hepatitis B and its related complications. It serves as a crucial element in the global effort to eliminate HBV, as established by the World Health Organization (WHO), with an ambitious 90% vaccination target by 2030. However, reports on global birth dose coverage reveal substantial variability, with an overall coverage rate of only 46%. This comprehensive review thoroughly examines global trends in HBV vaccination coverage, investigating the profound impact of vaccination on HBV prevalence and its consequences across diverse populations, including both high-risk and general demographics. Additionally, the review addresses the formidable challenges and facilitating factors essential for achieving WHO's HBV vaccination coverage objectives and elimination strategies in the coming decade and beyond.

To regulate the growth of battery-based electric vehicles (BEVs) in Indonesia and mitigate their impact on the power grid's supply-demand balance, the government can adjust BEV regulations and offer subsidies. The Jawa-Madura-Bali (Jamali) electrical system, being the largest in Indonesia [1], faces the challenge of accommodating the increasing number of vehicles [2]. Subsequent to analyzing Jamali's electricity supply using data from the National Electricity Company (RUPTL) [3], simulations are constructed to model the grid's demand side. Input variables such as Jamali's population, internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle populations, initial charging time (ICT), slow- and fast-charging ratios, and BEV charge load curves are simulated. Scenario variables like supply capacity growth speed, vehicle population growth speed, subsidy impact on EV attractiveness, ICT, and fast-charging ratio are subsequently simulated for 2024-2029. Four key simulation outcomes are identified: the best-case scenario (Scenario 1776), achieves the highest EV growth with minimal grid disruption, resulting in a 45.38% EV percentage in 2029 and requiring an annual allocation of 492 billion rupiah to match supply with demand. The worst outcome scenario leads to a 23.12% EV percentage, necessitating 47.566 billion rupiah for EV subsidies in 2029. Additionally, the most and least probable scenarios based on literature research are evaluated. This simulation and its results provide insights into EV growth's impact on the grid's balance in one presidential term from 2024 to 2029 [4], aiding the government in planning regulations and subsidies effectively. Improving the simulation's accuracy depends on refining input variables over time.

PET imaging of bacterial infection could potentially provide added benefit for patient care by non-invasive means. [68Ga]Ga-desferrioxamine B – a radiolabelled siderophore – shows specific uptake by human-pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as sufficient serum stability for clinical application. Here, we provide data for automated production of [68Ga]Ga-desferrioxamine B on two different cassette based synthesis modules (Modular-Lab PharmTracer and GRP 3V) using commercially available cassettes together with an approved 68Ge/68Ga radionuclide generator. Quality control including determination of radiochemical purity as well as a system suitability test was set up via RP-HPLC on a C18 column. The two described production processes, using an acetic acid/acetate buffer system with ascorbic acid as a radiation scavenger for radiolabelling, yield ready-to-use formulations with sufficient activity yield. Batch data showed radiochemical purity of >95 % as determined by RP-HPLC and ITLC as well as excellent stability over 2 hours post production. Specifications for routine production were set up and validated with four master batches for each synthesis module. Based on this study, an academic clinical trial for imaging of bacterial infection was initiated. Both described synthesis methods enable reproducible, automated in-house production of [68Ga]Ga-desferrioxamine B for clinical application.

The target of an antibody plays a significant role in the success of antibody-based therapeutics and diagnostics, and to an extent, that of vaccine development. This importance is focussed on the target binding site – epitope, where epitope selection as a part of design thinking beyond traditional antigen selection using whole cell or whole protein immunisation can positively impact success. With purified recombinant protein production and peptide synthesis to display limited/selected epitopes, intrinsic factors that can affect the functioning of resulting antibodies can be more easily selected for. Many of these factors stem from the location of the epitope that can affect accessibility of the antibody to the epitope at a cellular or molecular level, direct inhibition of target antigen activity, conservation of function despite escape mutations, and even non-competitive inhibition sites. Through the incorporation of novel computational methods for predicting antigen changes to model-informed drug discovery and development, superior vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics or diagnostics can now be more easily designed to mitigate failures. With detailed examples, this review highlights the new opportunities, factors and methods of predicting antigenic changes for consideration in sagacious epitope selection.

Public trust in science was tested and relied on during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which has shaped global events since the WHO declaration in March 11, 2020. Public trust has been impacted through the government recommendations and mandates informed by public health guidance, including non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical interventions. The free-flow of ideas and in-formation so essential to the functioning of science has faced unprecedented challenge from widespread censorship in both the media and in scientific journals. This has created a poisoned environment for the building of trust between science and society. Scientific norms and ac-countability must be restored in order to rebuild the vital relationship between scientists and the public they serve.

This paper extends the concept of weighted graphs to matrix weighted graphs. The consensus algorithms dictate that all agents reach consensus when the weighted graph is connected. However, it is not always the case for matrix weighted graphs. The conditions leading to different types of consensus have been extensively analysed based on the properties of matrix-weighted Laplacians and graph theoretic methods. However, in practice, there is concern on how to pick matrix-weights to achieve some desired consensus, or how the change of elements in matrix weights affects the consensus algorithm. By selecting the elements in the matrix weights, different clusters may be possible. In this paper, we map the roles of the elements of the matrix weights in the systems consensus algorithm. We explore the choice of matrix weights to achieve different types of consensus and clustering. Our results are demonstrated on a network of three agents where each agent has three states.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) takes the promise of blockchain a step further and aims to transform traditional financial products into trustless and transparent protocols that run without involving intermediaries. Similar to how 2017 was the year of ICOs, 2020 was the year of DeFI with more than $15 billion of total investments. The decentralized platforms utilize oracles to retrieve asset data from the external world, but their choice and management criteria are often unknown to the end-users. If oracles are poorly selected or managed, the funds of a rising number of investors are inevitably in danger. The issue known as “the oracle problem,” which makes real-world applications controversial and debated due to the loss of decentralization, had recently drawn attention to DeFi given the crescent number of related hacks that caused the loss of millions of dollars held in DeFi projects. With a multivocal approach, this paper aims to shed light on the pattern that identifies the oracle problem in DeFi and outline the most promising ways to overcome the related weaknesses. This research supports the view that the oracle problem in decentralized finance bears specific characteristics which require standardization and appropriate economic incentives to be addressed.

Barriers to inventing electronic devices involve challenges of iterating electronic designs due to long lead times for professional circuit board milling or high-costs of commercial milling machines. To overcome these barriers this study provides open source (OS) designs for a low-cost circuit milling machine. First, design modifications for mechanical and electrical sub-systems of the OS D3D Robotics prototyping system are provided. Next, Copper Carve, an OS custom graphical user interface, is developed to enable circuit board milling by implementing backlash and substrate distortion compensation. The performance of the OS D3D circuit mill is then quantified and validated for: positional accuracy, cut quality, feature accuracy and distortion compensation. Finally, the return on investment is calculated for inventors using it. The results show by properly compensating for motion inaccuracies with Copper Carve, the machine achieves a motion resolution of 10 microns, which is more than adequate for most circuit designs. The mill is at least five times less expensive than all commercial alternatives and the material costs of the D3D mill are repaid from fabricating 20-43 boards. The results show that the OS circuit mill is of high-enough quality to enable rapid invention and distributed manufacturing of complex products containing custom electronics.

Organic farming products are fast gaining acceptance from consumers all over the world due to the perceived belief that they are safe for human consumption. In recent years, there has been an increase in the levels of persistent organic and inorganic pollutants in the environment. These pollutants may be found in materials such as sewage sludge, treated wastewater, farmyard manure (human and animal feaces and urine) that are used for organic farming. The present review examined through literature the presence of these emerging pollutants in crops that are cultivated from farming activities practicing organic farming. The review highlighted and documented various pollutants that may be found in crops due to non-compliance with legislation establishing organic farming. The need to develop a robust method for identifying safe products from organic farming was highlighted. The impact of non-compliance and lack of proper education on the peasant farmers practicing backyard farming was also enumerated.

As the geolocation capabilities of smartphones continue to improve, developers have continued to create more innovative applications that rely on this location information for their primary function. This can be seen with Niantic's release of Pokémon GO, which is a massively multiplayer online role playing and augmented reality game. This game became immensely popular within just a few days of its release. However, it also had the propensity to be a distraction to drivers resulting in numerous accidents, and was used to as a tool by armed robbers to lure unsuspecting users into secluded areas. This facilitates a need for forensic investigators to be able to analyze the data within the application in order to determine if it may have been involved in these incidents. Because this application is new, limited research has been conducted regarding the artifacts that can be recovered from the application. In this paper, we aim to fill the gaps within the current research by assessing what forensically relevant information may be recovered from the application, and understanding the circumstances behind the creation of this information. Our research focuses primarily on the artifacts generated by the Upsight analytics platform, those contained within the bundles directory, and the Pokémon Go Plus accessory. Moreover, we present our new application specific analysis tool that is capable of extracting forensic artifacts from a backup of the Android application, and presenting them to an investigator in an easily readable format. This analysis tool exceeds the capabilities of UFED Physical Analyzer in processing Pokémon GO application data.

Background: Across the world, antibiotic resistance is a grave problem. To address this issue, it is necessary to investigate new antibiotic sources. Aim of the study: Egypt's diverse soil habitats were used to produce bacterial Myxopyronin B, which was then tested for antimicrobial activity in preclinical animal studies and randomized human clinical trials stages 1/2. Type of the study: Screening experimental study. Methodology: Egypt's various soil conditions were examined for the development of bacterial isolates that produced the antibiotic compound Myxopyronin B. Reversed phase HPLC was used to purify Myxopyronin B. To determine the test antibiotic's minimum inhibitory concentration( MIC) and invitro antibacterial activity, the Broth microdilution method and the Paper disc diffusion assay were utilized. Moreover, in vivo antibacterial spectrum, adverse medication responses, and pharmacokinetics were found in preclinical animal testing stages and phases 1/2 of randomized clinical studies involving volunteer humans. Results: Myxopyronin B was generated from the culture supernatant of Myxococcus SDU36, the main soil bacterial isolate cultured on a Casein yeast peptone plate. With MICs less than 100 mcg/ml, the test antibiotic prevented the growth of several Gram +ve bacteria, whereas, at MICs higher than 100 mcg/ml, it inhibited the development of a small number of Gram -ve bacteria, including Escherichia coli. However, eukaryotic cells—such as those found in fungi and humans—were unaffected. The test antibiotic was seen to inhibit prokaryotic DNA-dependent RNA polymerase( RNLP), indicating its bactericidal activity. Mean Cmax was 9-10 mcg/ ml at mean Tmax 1 hour when 600 mg dose was orally administered in randomized human clinical trials phases 1/2, and T1/2 reached 2.25 hours following first-order kinetics of elimination. Duration of its action was nearly 8 hours after oral administration. Rare toxicity was detected during preclinical and randomized human clinical trials phases 1/2 in the form of mild diarrhea and GI upset in less than 7 % of experimental candidates. It exhibited approximately 90% plasma protein binding, especially with albumin which resulted in prolonged therapeutic action. It showed a concentration dependant antibiotic killing effect. With the concentration-dependent killing pattern, the higher the drug concentration relative to the pathogen minimum inhibitory concentration( MIC), the greater the rate and extent of antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: The present study was promising due to the production of the bactericidal antibiotic Myxopyronin B from Myxococcus sp. SDU36 isolated from different soil environments in Egypt.

Seed germination is the most sensitive stage to abiotic stress, including salt stress (SS). SS affects plant growth and performance through ion toxicity, decreases seed germination percentage, and increases the germination time. Several priming treatments were used to enhance germination under SS. The objectives of this study are to 1) identify priming treatments to shorten the emergence period; 2) evaluate priming treatments against the SS; 3) induce synchronized seed germination. Salt-sensitive “Burpee bibb’ lettuce seeds were treated with 0.05% Potassium nitrate, 3 mM Gibberellic acid, and distilled water (HP). All the primed and non-primed seeds were subjected to 100 mM NaCl or 0 mM NaCl. The 7-day experiment arranged in a complete randomized block design with four replications was conducted in a growth chamber maintained with 16/8 h photoperiod (light/dark), 60% relative humidity, and day/night temperature of 22/18 °C. The result indicated that HP seeds were better synchronized under SS. Similarly, FM and DM of cotyledon, hypocotyl, and radicle were highest in HP lettuce regardless of SS. Electrolyte leakage was the lowest in the HP lettuce, while other priming methods under SS increased membrane permeability leading to osmotic stress and tissue damage. Overall, the HP can be a suitable priming method to synchronize germination and increase FM and DM by creating the least osmotic stress and ion toxicity in lettuce under SS.

Open-source 3-D printing has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the additive manufacturing (AM) landscape, by making distributed manufacturing economic, democratizing access, and fostering far more rapid innovation than antiquated proprietary systems. Unfortunately, some 3-D printing manufacturing companies began deviating from open-source principles and violating licenses for the detriment of the community. To determine if a pattern has emerged of companies patenting clearly open-source innovations, this study presents three case studies from the three primary regions of open-source 3-D printing development (EU, U.S. and China) as well as three aspects of 3-D printing technology (AM materials, an open-source 3-D printer, and core open-source 3-D printing concepts used in most 3-D printers). The results of this review have shown that non-inventing entities called patent parasites are patenting open-source inventions already well-established in the open source community and in the most egregious cases commercialized by one (or several) firms at the time of the patent filing. Patent parasites are able to patent open-source innovations by using a different language, vague patent titles and broad claims that encompass enormous swaths of widely diffused open-source innovation space. This practice poses a severe threat to innovation and several approaches to irradicate the threat are discussed.

As Alberta increases solar power generation, land use conflicts with agriculture increase. A solution that enables low-carbon electricity generation and continued (in some cases increased) agricultural output is the co-locating of solar photovoltaics and agriculture: agrivoltaics. This study reviews policies that impact the growth of agri-voltaics in Alberta. Solar PV-based electricity generation is governed by three regula-tions based on system capacity. In addition, agrivoltaics falls under various legisla-tions, frameworks, and guidelines for land utilization. These include Land Use Frame-work, Alberta Land Stewardship Act, Municipal Government Act, Special Areas Dis-position, Bill 22 and other laws/policies all of which are reviewed in the context of agrivoltaics. Several policies are recommended to support rapid diffusion of agrivolta-ics. First, open access research into agrivoltaics, which not only will help optimize agrivoltaic systems for the region, but also coupled with public education is expected to galvanize social acceptability of large-scale PV deployment. Clearly defining and categorizing agrivoltaic technology, developing agrivoltaic standards, making agri-voltaic technology-friendly regulations/frameworks and developing programs and pol-icies to incentivize agrivoltaic deployment over conventional PV will all accelerate dif-fusion. Through these measures, Alberta can achieve conservation and sustainability in food and energy sector while simultaneously addressing the renewable energy and climate-related goals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the challenges basic school tutors face when integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into their instructing and learning activities and to recommend possible strategies for addressing those challenges. This study employed an interpretive paradigm and a qualitative method approach to analyze the challenges basic school teachers face when integrating ICT into teaching in an emerging country, particularly Ghana. The participants of this study were chosen using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. A total of twenty (20) respondents were chosen for this study. The study found that teachers, despite their challenges, had a strong desire to integrate ICT into their instruction and learning activities. These challenges are the limited number of ICT tools and the absence of fully-subscribed software package that runs on them, the lack of electrical outlets in some classrooms, poor internet connectivity and power fluctuation. These teachers also had to deal with challenges like Trojan horses and spam despite the slow internet connectivity. The study suggested that basic school management should procure modern ICT tools and fully-subscribed software package to expand the school's ICT infrastructure giving teachers the choice to choose the ICT tools they will integrate into their teaching and learning activities for the successful integration of ICT into instruction and learning activities. Again, school management should ensure teachers are given basic training regarding ICT and its incorporation into tuition and learning activities to acquire the necessary competencies, understanding, and attitudes that will enhance teaching and learning activities.

Introduction: People with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) present unique challenges in mental healthcare due to the enduring nature and complexity of their conditions. This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness and potential cost benefits of a multidisciplinary community psychosocial rehabilitation team catering to individuals with SPMI in Nova Scotia, Canada. Method: The Canadian billing system of Medical Service Insurance (MSI) was used to compare inpatient service use and emergency department visits during the year before and the year after receipt of one year of community rehabilitation for patients referred to the team from September 2016 to September 2017. Result: Results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in mean admission rates and length of inpatient admissions in the year following rehabilitation compared to the pre-rehabilitation year. A substantial percentage of patients experienced no inpatient admissions (88% v. 60%) or ED visits (82% v. 67%) in the post-rehabilitation year compared to the pre-rehabilitation year. There was a significant reduction in inpatient days by 90%, translating into substantial cost savings. The findings highlight the potential economic benefits of community rehabilitation for people with SPMI. Conclusion: This uncontrolled study suggests that community rehabilitation is associated with favourable clinical outcomes for individuals with SPMI in terms of reduced inpatient service use and related costs. Further research into community psychosocial rehabilitation services in the Canadian setting is needed, including controlled and cost-effectiveness studies.

Abiotic stress is responsible for significant reduction in crop plant productivity worldwide. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a natural component of sunlight and a permanent environmental stimulus. This study investigated the distinct responses of young wheat and einkorn plants to excessive UV-B radiation (180 min at λmax 312 nm) following foliar pretreatment with 1 µM synthetic cytokinin 4PU-30. Results demonstrated that UV radiation significantly amplified hydrogen peroxide levels in both wheat and einkorn, with einkorn exhibiting more pronounced increase compared to wheat. This elevation indicated the induction of oxidative stress by UV radiation in the two genotypes. Intensified antioxidant enzyme activities and increased accumulation of typical stress markers and non-enzyme protectants were evidenced. Transcriptional activity of genes encoding key antioxidant enzymes was also investigated aiming to elucidate the genetic regulation of the antioxidant systems in both wheat and einkorn seedlings. Our results suggested a role for POX1 and POX7 genes in the UV-B tolerance of the two wheat species as well as a cytokinin stimulated UV-B stress response in einkorn mediated through upregulation of the tau subfamily gene GSTU6. Based on these findings it could be concluded that 4PU-30 had the potential of alleviating oxidative stress by attenuating the symptoms of superfluous UV-B illumination in the two examined plant species.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus) and B-cell lymphoma (lymphoma) are serious diseases. Lupus and lymphoma co-occur at higher-than-expected rates and primarily depend on B-cells for their pathology, implicating shared inflammation-related B-cell molecular mechanisms as a potential cause of co-occurrence. We consequently implemented a novel Immune Imbalance Transcriptomics (IIT) algorithm and applied IIT to lupus, lymphoma, and healthy B-cell RNA-seq data to find shared- and contrasting mechanisms potentially targetable for treatment. We observed 8,562 genes significantly dysregulated in both lupus and lymphoma. Of those genes, we found 5,335 to have a significant immune imbalance, defined as significant dysregulation by both diseases, as determined by IIT. Gene Ontology (GO) term and pathway enrichment of IIT genes yielded immune-related “Neutrophil Degranulation” and “Adaptive Immune System”, validating that the IIT algorithm isolates biologically relevant genes in immunity and inflammation. We found that 389 IIT gene products are drug-targetable with established or repurposed drugs. Among our results, we found 40 known and 349 novel lupus targets, along with 151 known and 238 novel lymphoma targets. Known disease drug targets in our IIT results further validate that IIT isolates genes with disease-relevant mechanisms. We anticipate the IIT algorithm and shared and contrasting gene mechanisms uncovered here will contribute to the development of immune-related therapeutic options for lupus and lymphoma patients.

Thermal sterilization is generally avoided for 3-D printed components because of the relatively low deformation temperatures for common thermoplastics used for material extrusion-based additive manufacturing. 3-D printing materials required for high-temperature heat sterilizable components for COVID-19 and other applications demands 3-D printers with heated beds, hot ends that can reach higher temperatures than polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hot ends and heated chambers to avoid part warping and delamination. There are several high temperature printers on the market, but their high costs make them inaccessible for full home-based distributed manufacturing required during pandemic lockdowns. To allow for all these requirements to be met for under $1,000, the Cerberus – an open source three-headed self-replicating rapid prototyper (RepRap) was designed and tested with the following capabilities: i) 200^oC-capable heated bed, ii) 500^oC-capabel hot end, iii) isolated heated chamber with 1kW space heater core and iv) mains voltage chamber and bed heating for rapid start. The Cereberus successfully prints polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherimide (PEI, ULTEM) with tensile strengths of 77.5 and 80.5 MPa, respectively. As a case study, open source face masks were 3-D printed in PEKK and shown not to warp upon widely home-accessible oven-based sterilization.

This study explores the potential to reach a circular economy for post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) packaging and bottles by using it as a distributed recycling for additive manufacturing (DRAM) feedstock. Specifically, rPET is processed using only an open source toolchain with fused particle fabrication (FPF) or fused granular fabrication (FGF) processing. In this study, first the impact of granulation, sifting and heating (and their combination) is quantified on the shape and size distribution of the rPET flakes. Then feeding studies were performed to see if they could be printed through an external feeder or needed to be direct printed with a hopper using two Gigabot X machines, one with extended part cooling and one without. Print settings were optimized based on thermal characterization and for the latter which was shown to print rPET directly from shredded water bottles mechanical testing is performed. The results showed that geometry was important for extended feeding tubes and direct printed using a hopper. Further there is a wide disparity in the physical properties of rPET from water bottles depending on source and the history of the material. Future work is needed to enable water bottles to be used as a widespread DRAM feedstock.

One of the oldest problems in physics is that of calculating the motion of N particles under a specified mutual force: the N-body problem. Much is known about this problem if the specified force is non-relativistic gravity, and considerable progress has been made by considering the problem in one spatial dimension. Here I review what is known about the relativistic gravitational N-body problem. Reduction to one spatial dimension has the feature that gravitational radiation is absent, thereby allowing for a clear comparison between the physics of one-dimensional relativistic and non-relativistic self-gravitating systems. After describing how to obtain a relativistic theory of gravity coupled to N point particles, I discuss in turn the 2-body, 3-body, 4-body, and N-body problems. Quite general exact solutions can be obtained for the 2-body problem, unlike the situation in general relativity in 3 spatial dimensions for which only highly specified solutions exist. The 3-body problem exhibits mild forms of chaos, and provides one of the first theoretical settings in which relativistic chaos can be studied. For N4 other interesting features emerge. Relativistic self-gravitating systems have a number of interesting problems awaiting further investigation, providing us with a new frontier for exploring relativistic many-body systems.

When attempting to quantify future harms caused by carbon emissions and to set appropriate energy policies, it has been argued that the most important metric is the number of human deaths caused by climate change. Several studies have attempted to overcome the uncertainties associated with such forecasting. In this article, approaches to estimating future human deaths tolls from climate change are compared and synthesized, and implications for energy policy are considered. Several studies are consistent with the “1000-ton rule,” according to which a future person is killed every time 1000 tons of fossil carbon are burned (order-of-magnitude estimate). If warming reaches or exceeds 2°C this century, mainly richer humans will be responsible for killing roughly 1 billion mainly poorer humans through anthropogenic global warming. Such mass manslaughter is clearly unacceptable. On this basis, relatively aggressive energy policies are summarized that would enable immediate and substantive decreases to carbon emissions. The limitations to such calculations are outlined and future work is recommended to accelerate the decarbonization of the global economy while minimizing the number of sacrificed human lives.

To assist firefighters and other first responders to use their existing equipment for respiration during the COVID-19 pandemic without using single-use, low-supply, masks, this study outlines an open source kit to convert a 3M-manufactured Scott Safety self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) into a powered air-purifying particulate respirator (PAPR). The open source PAPR can be fabricated with a low-cost 3-D printer and widely available components for less than $150, replacing commercial conversion kits saving 85% or full-fledged proprietary PAPRs saving over 90%. The parametric designs allow for adaptation to other core components and can be custom fit specifically to fire-fighter equipment, including their suspenders. The open source PAPR has controllable air flow and its design enables breathing even if the fan is disconnected or if the battery dies. The open source PAPR was tested for air flow as a function of battery life and was found to meet NIOSH air flow requirements for 4 hours, which is 300% over expected regular use.

This study provides designs for a low-cost, easily replicable open source lab-grade digital scale that can be used as a precision balance. The design is such that it can be manufactured for use in most labs throughout the world with open source RepRap-class material extrusion-based 3-D printers for the mechanical components and readily available open source electronics including the Arduino Nano. Several versions of the design were fabricated and tested for precision and accuracy for a range of load cells. The results showed the open source scale was found to be repeatable within 0.1g with multiple load cells, with even better precision (0.01g) depending on load cell range and style. The scale tracks linearly with proprietary lab-grade scales, meeting the performance specified in the load cell data sheets, indicating that it is accurate across the range of the load cell installed. The smallest loadcell tested(100g) offers precision on the order of a commercial digital mass balance. The scale can be produced at significant cost savings compared to scales of comparable range and precision when serial capability is present. The cost savings increase significantly as the range of the scale increases and are particularly well-suited for resource-constrained medical and scientific facilities.

Nineteen million Americans have significant vision loss. Over 70% of these are not employed full-time, and more than a quarter live below the poverty line. Globally, there are 36 million blind people, but less than half use white canes or more costly commercial sensory substitutions. The quality of life for visually impaired people is hampered by the resultant lack of independence. To help alleviate these challenges this study reports on the development of a low-cost (<$24), open-source navigational support system to allow people with the lost vision to navigate, orient themselves in their surroundings and avoid obstacles when moving. The system can be largely made with digitally distributed manufacturing using low-cost 3-D printing/milling. It conveys point-distance information by utilizing the natural active sensing approach and modulates measurements into haptic feedback with various vibration patterns within the distance range of 3 m. The developed system allows people with lost vision to solve the primary tasks of navigation, orientation, and obstacle detection (>20 cm stationary, moving up to 0.5 m/s) to ensure their safety and mobility. Sighted blindfolded participants successfully demonstrated the device for eight primary everyday navigation and guidance tasks including indoor and outdoor navigation and avoiding collisions with other pedestrians.

Although distributed additive manufacturing can provide high returns on investment the current markup on commercial filament over base polymers limits deployment. These cost barriers can be surmounted by eliminating the entire process of fusing filament by 3-D printing products directly from polymer granules. Fused granular fabrication (FGF) (or fused particle fabrication (FPF)) is being held back in part by the accessibility of low-cost pelletizers and choppers. An open-source 3-D printable invention disclosed here provides for precise controlled pelletizing of both single thermopolymers as well as composites for 3-D printing. The system is designed, built and tested for its ability to provide high tolerance thermopolymer pellets from a number of sizes capable of being used in a FGF printer. In addition, the chopping pelletizer is tested for its ability to chop multi-materials simultaneously for color mixing and composite fabrication as well as precise fractional measuring back to filament. The US$185 open-source 3-D printable pelletizer chopper system was successfully fabricated and has a 0.5 kg/hr throughput with one motor, and 1.0 kg/hr throughput with two motors using only 0.24 kWh/kg during the chopping process. Pellets were successfully printed directly via FGF and indirectly after being converted into high-tolerance filament in a recyclebot.

Within the past decade, the aerospace engineering industry has evolved outside the constraints of using single, large, custom satellites. Due to increased reliability and robustness of commercial off the shelf (COTS) printed circuit board (PCB) components, missions instead have transitioned towards deploying swarms of smaller satellites. This approach significantly decreases the mission cost by reducing custom engineering and deployment expenses. Nanosatellites are able to be quickly developed with a more modular design at lowered risk. The Alpha mission at Cornell Space Systems Studio is fabricated in this manner. However, for the purpose of this mission, only one satellite was initially developed. This manuscript will discuss a systems engineering approach to the development of this satellite. As a disclaimer, this manuscript is written from a systems perspective. Therefore it will follow many subsystems from a wide range of functionalities. The research in this manuscript was kept broad with the hope to contribute to the mission as a system, through a range of development phases including validation and verification of existing methods. The two systems that will be primarily focused on are the Attitude Control System (ACS) of the carrier nanosatellite (cubesat), and the RF communications on the ex-creted picosatellites (chipsat). Milestones achieved in chipsat RF include chipsat to chipsat communication, chipsat to SDR ground station communication, packet creation, error correction, appending a preamble, and filtering the signal. Achievements on the ACS side included controller traceability/verification and validation, software rigidity tests, hardware endurance testing, Kane damper and IMU tuning. These developments matured the technological readiness level (TRL) of our systems in preparation for satellite deployment.

Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) Virus infection is major etiological factor for liver cirrhosis and/ or liver cancer. The viral protein, major contributor in predisposition of chronicity and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is Hepatitis B x (HBx) protein. Its dynamic subcellular distribution to an extent determines its multifactorial role. It is a regulatory protein which modulates viral as well as host machinery in favours to HBV persistence. An insight on HBx stabilising factors is critical for therapeutic purpose. The precise role of HBx in the pathogenesis of Chronicity of HBV is not known. Summary: This review comprehensively summarizing different mechanisms and their regulation by HBx protein with respect to chronicity and HCC emphasising viral persistence. Key Messages 1. HBx is a key protein for viral persistence. 2. Dynamic subcellular distribution of HBx determines its function. 3. HBx modulates cellular machinery to favours HBV survival. 4. HBx affects various intermediary mechanisms contributing to disease progression. 5. HBx may be a potent target to prevent the disease progression towards HCC.

In this comprehensive review, we delve into the realm of intention recognition within the context of digital forensics and cybercrime. The rise of cybercrime has become a major concern for individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide. Digital forensics is a field that deals with the investigation and analysis of digital evidence in order to identify, preserve, and analyze information that can be used as evidence in a court of law. Whereas, Intention recognition is a subfield of artificial intelligence that deals with the identification of agents’ intentions based on their actions and change of states. In the context of cybercrime, intention recognition can be used to identify the intentions of cybercriminals and even to predict their future actions. Employing a meticulous six-step systematic review approach, we curated research articles from reputable journals and categorized them into three distinct modeling approaches: logic-based, classical machine learning-based, and deep learning-based. Notably, intention recognition has transcended its historical confinement to network security, now addressing critical challenges across various subdomains, including social engineering attacks, AI black box vulnerabilities, and physical security. While deep learning emerges as the dominant paradigm, its inherent lack of transparency poses unique challenges in the digital forensics landscape. We advocate for hybrid solutions that blend deep learning’s power with interpretability. Furthermore, we propose the creation of a comprehensive taxonomy to precisely define intention recognition, paving the way for future advancements in this pivotal field.

The proliferation and survival signals emanating from the B-cell receptor (BCR) constitute a crucial aspect of mature lymphocyte’s life. Dysregulated BCR signaling is considered a potent contributor to tumor survival in different subtypes of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHLs). In the last decade, emergence of BCR-associated kinases as rational therapeutic targets has led to the development and approval of several small molecule inhibitors targeting either Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK), or phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), offering alternative treatment options to standard chemoimmunotherapy, and making some of these drugs valuable assets in the anti-lymphoma armamentarium. Despite their initial effectiveness, these precision medicine strategies are limited by primary resistance in aggressive B-cell lymphoma like diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), especially in the case of first generation BTK inhibitors. In these patients, BCR-targeting drugs often fail to produce durable responses, and nearly all cases eventually progress with a dismal outcome, due to secondary resistance. This review will discuss our current understanding of the role of antigen-dependent and antigen-independent BCR signaling in DLBCL and MCL and will cover both approved inhibitors and investigational molecules being evaluated in early preclinical studies. We will discuss how the mechanisms of action of these molecules, and their off/on-target effects can influence their effectiveness and lead to toxicity, and how our actual knowledge supports the development of more specific inhibitors and new, rationally based, combination therapies, for the management of MCL and DLBCL patients.

Background: Approximately 10-20% of subjects vaccinated with HBsAg-based hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines are non-responders. BM32 is a recombinant grass pollen allergy vaccine containing the HBV-derived preS surface antigen as immunological carrier protein. PreS includes the binding site of HBV to its receptor on hepatocytes. We investigated if immunological non-responsiveness to HBV after repeated HBsAg-based vaccinations can be overcome by immunization with VVX001 (i.e., Alum-adsorbed BM325, a component of BM32). Methods: A subject failing to develop protective HBV-specific immunity after HBsAg-based vaccination received five monthly injections of 20 µg VVX001. PreS-specific antibody responses were measured by ELISA and micro-array technology. Serum reactivity to subviral particles of different HBV genotypes was determined by sandwich ELISA. PreS-specific T cell responses were monitored by CFSE staining and subsequent FACS analysis. HBV neutralization was assessed using cultured HBV-infected HepG2 cells. Results: Vaccination with VVX001 induced a strong and sustained preS-specific antibody response composed mainly of the IgG1 subclass. PreS-specific IgG antibodies were primarily directed to the N-terminal part of preS containing the NTCP attachment site. IgG reactivity to sub-viral particles as well as to the N-terminal preS-derived peptides was comparable for HBV genotypes A-H. A pronounced reactivity of CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes specific for preS after the complete injection course remaining up to one year after the last injection was found. Maximal HBV neutralization (98.4%) in vitro was achieved 1 month after the last injection which correlated with the maximal IgG reactivity to the N-terminal part of preS. Conclusion: Our data suggest that VVX001 may be used as a preventive vaccination against HBV even in non-responders to HBsAg-based HBV vaccines.

This study describes the seasonal course of denitrifying and nitrate reducing bacteria in a dimictic mesotrophic lake (Lake Scharmützelsee, Brandenburg, Germany) within a three-year period from 2011 to 2013. The bacterial cell numbers were quantified by fluorescence microscopy, most probable number (MPN) and PCR dependent quantification of the chromosomal 16S rDNA and of the nirS and nirK gene copy number. The highest seasonal differences (up to three orders of magnitudes) has been measured by MPN in the epilimnion. This variation was not reflected by PCR dependent approaches or direct microscopical enumeration. At adverse conditions (low temperature and/or low nitrate concentrations), the differences between MPN and gene copy numbers increased up to five orders of magnitudes and decreased to one magnitude at favorable environmental conditions. These results can be explained best by an increasing ratio of viable but not cultivable (VBNC) cells or dead cells at impairing conditions. In the hypolimnion, the courses of MPN and nir gene copy numbers were similar. This can be explained by higher feeding pressure and therefore smaller amounts of dormant cells. In the pelagial in general, the total cell numbers enumerated by either microscopical or molecular approaches were similar. In the sediment, more than 99 % of the DNA was obviously not related to viable bacteria but was rather “dead DNA” in dead cells or adsorbed to particle surfaces.

Human adaptive responses to climate change occur at the local level, where climatic variability is experienced. Therefore analyzing vulnerability at the local level is important in planning effective adaptation options in a semi-arid environment. This study was conducted to assess vulnerability of Maasai pastoralist communities in Kajiado County, Kenya to climate change by generating vulnerability index for the communities. Data was collected using questionnaires that were administered to 305 households in the five different administrative wards (Oloosirkon/Sholinke, Kitengela, Kapetui North, Kenyawa-Poka and Ilmaroro) in Kajiado East. Vulnerability was measured as the net effect of adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure to climate change. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to assign weights to the vulnerability indicators used for the study and also to calculate the household vulnerability index. A vulnerability map was produced using the GIS software package ArcGIS 10.2. Results showed that gender of household head, age of household head, educational level, access to extension agents, herd size, livestock diversity and access to credit facility influenced vulnerability of the Maasai pastoralists to climate change in Kajiado East. The result showed that the most vulnerable communities with the highest negative vulnerability index value are Ilpolosat (-2.31), Oloosirikon (-2.22), Lenihani (-2.05), Konza (-1.81) and Oloshaiki (-1.53). The communities with the highest positive vulnerability index values were Kekayaya (4.02), Kepiro (3.47), Omoyi (2.81), Esilanke (2.23), Kisaju (2.16) and Olmerui (2.15). We conclude that provision of basic amenities such as good roads and electricity; access to extension agents, access to credit facilities and herd mobility will reduce vulnerability of Maasai pastoralists in Kajiado east to climate change and variability.

This paper aims to outline the effectiveness of modern universal gate quantum computers when utilizing different configurations to solve the B-SAT(Boolean Satisfiability) problem. The quantum computing experiments are performed using Grover’s Search algorithm to find a valid solution. The experiments are performed under different variations to demonstrate their effects on the results. Changing the number of shots, qubit mapping, and using a different quantum processor are all among the experimental variables. The study also branches into a dedicated experiment highlighting a peculiar behavior that IBM quantum processors exhibit when running circuits with a certain number of shots.

Abstract: Medication overuse headaches is a frequent phenomenon observed in individuals suf-fering from chronic headaches. It arises due to the excessive consumption of pain-relief medica-tions, resulting in the escalation and continuous persistence of headache symptoms. Nevertheless, the prevalence and distinctive characteristics of medication overuse headaches in the pediatric population have not been comprehensively explored. The primary objective of this research is to delineate the features of medication overuse headaches in children, particularly emphasizing the investigation of its epidemiology and the diagnostic patterns for headaches. We conducted a ret-rospective study by and analyzed the medical records of children and adolescents who were evaluated at outpatient pediatric headache clinic at the Bnai Zion medical center for headache during the period spanning 2007 to 2017. Our study encompassed a cohort of 1008 patients expe-riencing headaches. Among these participants, 268 individuals (26.6%) were diagnosed with mi-graine, 250 (24.8%) exhibited tension-type headaches (TTH), and 490 (48.6%) were classified as having undifferentiated headaches. Out of the whole group, 65 had chronic headaches: 35 (54%) with migraine, 20 (30%) with tension-type headaches (TTH), and 10 (15%) with undifferentiated headache of childhood, with the majority (73%) being female.In summary, medication overuse headaches are a prevalent issue among children grappling with chronic headaches. Intriguingly, they appear to be more pronounced within the tension-type headache (TTH) group compared to migraine sufferers, and exhibit a higher prevalence among females. This study underscores the significance of early detection and careful management of medication overuse headaches in pedi-atric cases, shedding light on its distinct characteristics in the realm of childhood headache disor-ders. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying factors contributing to the ob-served gender disparity and the distinct prevalence rates among different headache subtypes.

Peanut hulls (PH) are an edible food waste that is an underutilized food source for human consumption. While edible and palatable, they are mainly diverted to livestock feed or building materials. Here, we describe existing literature on human food valorization of PHs and propose methods to optimize recapturing nutrients (e.g. protein, fiber, polyphenols) lost by treating PHs as waste. Incorporated into common foods, PHs can be processed into functional ingredients to improve nutrient-density and the corresponding positive health outcomes associated with increases in plant foods. PH valorization can also address additional priorities of the UN Sustainable Development Goals using a Food Systems Approach (FSA) including food waste, increasing economic opportunities for farmers, and increasing the availability of healthy shelf-stable foodstuffs to address food security. Recent advances in sustainable food processing technologies can be utilized to safely incorporate peanut hulls into human food streams. We propose future applications that could make meaningful impacts to food availability and the nutritional composition of common foods. While the limited literature on this topic spans several decades, no global operations exist to incorporate peanut hulls and most publications precede the technological ‘green revolution’. The approaches outlined in this review may help bolster commercialization of this underutilized and nutritious food potentially improving opportunities for multiple global stakeholders.

Background: Smoking is disproportionately prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian peoples, with 39% of Indigenous Australians aged over 15 years smoking daily. Efforts to reduce this high prevalence include culturally focused media campaigns, designed using community consultation, highlighting the need to determine how such health messaging is received by smokers. This study aimed to examine Indigenous Australian smokers’ reactions to a culturally focused anti-smoking mass media campaign—'Give up Smokes’. Methods: Intercept surveying across health services and events used recorded demographics, smoking status, quit attempts, smoking health effects, anti-smoking campaign recall, social support, and campaign reactions. Participants rated campaign images in five domains: 1) whether it made them stop and think; 2) personal relevance; 3) believability of design and message; 4) prompting concern about smoking; and 5) motivation towards quitting. Cluster analysis was used to segment smoker types. Results: Smoking health effects knowledge was high, and did not differ by quit readiness, attempts, or social support. Cessation support access was higher among those with greater readiness to quit. Social smoking behaviour and confidence to support others quitting did not significantly differ between participants, however importance of others quitting did. Quit readiness, attempts, and social support were associated with reaction to campaign design, but not message recall. Four types of smokers were described, using smoking characteristics, who differed in campaign message reactions. Conclusions: Strategies using campaign-exposed smoker characteristics to inform culturally focused health promotion are discussed in relation to four identified types of smokers.

Initially introduced almost thirty years ago for the express purpose of providing electronic warfare systems the capabilities to detect, characterize, and identify radar emitters, Specific Emitter Identification (SEI) has recently received a lot of attention within the research community as a physical layer technique for securing Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. This attention is due in large part to SEI’s demonstrated success in passively and uniquely identifying wireless emitters using traditional machine learning and the success of Deep Learning (DL) within the natural language processing and computer vision areas. SEI exploits distinct and unintentional features present within an emitter’s transmitted signals. The existence of these distinctive and unintentional features is attributed to slight manufacturing and assembly variations that exist within and between the components, sub-systems, and systems that comprise an emitter’s Radio Frequency (RF) front end. Although sufficient to facilitate SEI, these features do not hinder normal operations such as detection, channel estimation, timing, and demodulation. However, despite the plethora of SEI publications, it has remained largely a focus of academic endeavors that primarily focus on proof-of-concept demonstration and little to no use in operational networks for various reasons. The focus of this survey is a review of SEI publications from the perspective of its use as a practical, effective, and usable IoT security mechanism, thus we use IoT requirements and constraints (e.g., wireless standard, nature of their deployment) as a lens through which each reviewed paper is analyzed. Previous surveys have not taken such an approach and have only used IoT as motivation, a setting, or a context. In this survey, we consider operating conditions, SEI threats, SEI at scale, publicly available data sets, and SEI considerations that are dictated by the fact that it is to be employed by IoT devices or IoT infrastructure.

Hemicellulose is one of the most important natural polysaccharides in nature. Hemicellulose from different sources varies in chemical composition and structure, which in turn affects the modification effects and industrial applications. Grain and oil by-products (GOBP) are important raw materials for hemicellulose. This article reviews the modification methods of hemicellulose in GOBP. The effects of chemical and physical modification methods on the properties of hemicellulose biomaterials were evaluated. The potential applications of GOBP hemicellulose in films, hydrogel, Three-dimensional (3D) printing and adsorbent are discussed. Future research directions and recommendations are also proposed to provide theoretical foundations and technical support for the efficient utilization of these by-products.

Heat-treated aluminum-silicon (Al-Si)-based alloys have dominated the cast lightweight alloy industry for several decades. However, in the last decade, Al-Ce-based alloys have shown promise in replacing Al-Si alloys due to their ability to remove the need for costly heat treatments. Since the properties of Al-Ce alloys depend on the as-cast microstructure, it is important to characterize the solidification kinetics of these alloys. Therefore, this study focused on characterizing the solidification of a near eutectic Al-Ce alloy with additions of Ni and Mn. The alloy was cast in a wedge mold configuration, resulting in cooling rates between 0.18 and 14.27 °C/s. SEM coupled with EDS and DSC techniques characterized the evolution rate of solid phases. The SEM/EDS data revealed that an Al10CeMn2 phase is present at higher cooling rates. At lower cooling rates, near the center of the casting, a proeutectic Al23Ce4Ni6 phase was more present. It was observed that up to 2.6 at. % of Mn was dissolved in this proeutectic Al23Ce4Ni6 phase, thereby removing a large portion of the available Mn for forming the Al10CeMn2 phase. DSC analysis showed differences in the samples' liquidus temperatures which is indicative of compositional variations. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Scheil solidification simulations correlated the compositional differences to phase formation, which agreed with the SEM and DSC results. This experimentation provides insight into novel Al-Ce-Ni-Mn alloys and where their potential lies in industrial applications.

The BNT162b2 vaccine is globally used for preventing morbidity and mortality related to COVID-19. Cancer patients have had priority for receiving the vaccine due to their diminished immunity. This study reports the response of administering the 3rd and 4th vaccine doses to can-cer patients receiving active anti-neoplastic treatment. 142 patients have received two doses of the mRNA-based BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine, while 76 and 25 patients have received three and four doses, respectively. The efficacy of the humoral response following two vaccine doses was diminished in cancer patients, especially in the group of patients receiving chemotherapy. In a multivariate analysis, patients after three and four BNT162b2 vaccine doses were more likely to have antibody titers in the upper tertile compared to patients after two doses of the vaccine (odds ratio (OR) 7.62 (95% CI 1.38-42.12), p=0.02 and 17.15 (95% CI 5.01-58.7), p<0.01, respective-ly). Unlike the response after two doses, the 3rd and 4th BNT162b2 vaccine booster doses, had an increased efficacy of 95-100% in cancer patients while on active treatment. This result could be explained by different mechanisms including the development of memory B cells.

The chicken poultry business is becoming a crucial sector for our nation's sustainable food supply. To increase the health of chickens in coops and maybe increase the output of chicken meat and eggs, several innovations and inventions have been developed. Therefore, the creation of an automated chicken feeding device might be highly beneficial for the expansion of the poultry sector. This equipment may take the role of a worker in the chicken feeding process, solving the industry's labor shortage and introducing a semi-automatic procedure. The main processor of the automated chicken feeding system is a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+. The machine consists of five main components: a Raspberry Pi with an amplifier that makes noise to draw the attention of free-range chickens, a Raspberry Pi with a pi camera that counts and detects the chickens, a Raspberry Pi with a servomotor that moves the food from storage to a container, a Raspberry Pi with a load cell that controls the number of feeds to avoid waste on foods, and a Raspberry Pi with a temperature sensor that monitors the food's freshness. This enhances the coop's atmosphere while lowering labor costs, conserving food, and ensuring that the chickens are fed on time. It also regulates the temperature sensor to ensure that the chicken food is fresh and prevents food from becoming polluted by insects and chicken excrement.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to cause severe liver diseases such as acute or chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is a major health problem with nearly 300 million individuals infected worldwide. Currently, nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) and interferon alpha are clinically approved treatments for HBV infection. NAs are potent antiviral agents that bind to HBV polymerase and block viral reverse transcription and replication. Besifovir dipivoxil maleate (BSV) is a newly developed NA against HBV in the form of acyclic nucleotide phosphonate that is available for oral administration similar to adefovir and tenofovir. Until now, resistance to BSV treatment has not been reported. In this study, we found a CHB patient who showed viral breakthrough after long-term treatment with BSV. The isolated HBV DNA from patient’s serum were cloned into the replication-competent HBV 1.2mer and the sequence of reverse transcriptase (RT) domain of HBV polymerase were analyzed. We also examined the drug susceptibility of generated clones in vitro. Several mutations were identified in HBV RT domain. A particular mutant harboring ten RT mutations showed resistance to BSV treatment in vitro. The ten mutations include rtV23I (I), rtH55R (R), rtY124H (H), rtD134E (E), rtN139K (K), rtL180M (M), rtM204V (V), rtQ267L (L), rtL269I (I) and rtL336M (M). To further identify the responsible mutations for BSV resistance, we performed in vitro drug susceptibility assay on several artificial clones. As a result, our study revealed that rtL180M (M) and rtM204V (V) mutations, already known as lamivudine-resistant mutations, confer resistance to BSV in the CHB patient.

Reducing meat consumption is better for the environment. Unfortunately, commercial plant-based meat substitutes are often more expensive than meat and thus have not seen widespread adoption. This paper analyzes commercially-available spirulina, soy, pea, and brown rice protein isolates characteristics to provide data for non-meat protein cost reductions. Thermal and rheological properties, viscosity, density, and particle size distribution are analyzed for further study on alternative protein-based food processing. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis produced dry amorphous-shaped curves and paste curves with a more distinct endothermic peak. Extracted linear temperature ranges for processing in food production for spirulina was 70-90ºC; soy protein was 87-116ºC; pea protein was 67-77ºC; and brown rice protein was 87-97ºC. Viscosity analysis determined each protein material was shear-thinning and that viscosity increased with decreased water concentration, with rice being an exception to the latter trend. The obtained viscosity range for spirulina was 15,100-78,000cP; soy protein was 3,200-80,000cP; pea protein was 1,400-32,700cP; and brown rice protein was 600-3,500cP. The results indicate that extrusion is a viable method for further processing of the protein isolates as this technique has a large temperature operating range and variable screw speed. Data provided here can be used to make single or multi-component protein substitutes.

Recent legalization and normalization of euthanasia through the government program of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) is impacting Canada's population dynamics and is now the fifth leading cause of death. Ongoing proposals suggest expanding MAiD eligibility to mental illness. A knowledge gap exists to determine to what degree this expansion of MAiD may exacerbate the existing challenges associated with an aging population and declining birth rates. It may also complicate meeting national population targets of 100 million by 2100 set by the Century Initiative. To fill these knowledge gaps, this study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the prevalence of mental illness in Canada. The results show that if MAiD is expanded to mental disorders under the high MAiD scenario by mid-century it will impact about 12.3% of the population. The low MAiD scenario projects an increase from 45,786 to 227,024 additional deaths/year. The likely scenario shows MAiD growing from 214,499 to approximately 896,312 by mid-century. Thus, if MAiD is expanded to mental illness under the likely scenario, more than half a million additional immigrants will be needed per year. These results emphasize the importance of integrating immigration policies with MAiD practices to ensure demographic stability and achieve long-term population objectives.

2014 marked the first emergence of avian influenza A(H5N8) in Jeonbuk Province, South Korea, which then quickly spread worldwide. In the midst of the 2020-21 H5N8 outbreak, it spread to domestic poultry and wild waterfowl shorebirds, leading to the first human infection in Astrakhan Oblast, Russia. Despite being clinically asymptomatic and without direct human-to-human transmission, the World Health Organisation stressed the need for continued risk assessment given the nature of Influenza to reassort and generate novel strains. Given its promiscuity and spread to humans, the urgency to understand the mechanisms of possible species jumping to avert disastrous pandemics is increasing. Addressing the epidemiology of H5N8 and its mechanisms of species jumping and its implications, mutational and reassortment libraries can potentially be built, allowing them to be tested on various models complemented with deep-sequencing and automation. With the knowledge on mutational patterns, cellular pathways, drug resistance mechanisms and effects of host proteins can allow better preparedness against H5N8 and other influenza A viruses.

This study investigated the physical and combustion properties of briquettes produced from agricultural wastes (groundnut shells and corn cobs), wood residues (Anogeissus leiocarpus) and admixtures of the particles at 15%, 20% and 25% starch levels (binder). A 6 x 3 factorial experiments in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was adopted for the study. The briquettes produced were analyzed for density, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon and specific heat of combustion. The result revealed that the density ranged from 0.44g/cm³ to 0.53g/cm³, while briquettes produced from groundnut shells had the highest (0.53g/cm³) significant mean density. Mean volatile matter and ash content of the briquettes ranged from 24.35% to 34.95% and 3.37% to 4.91%. A. leiocarpus and corn cobs particles had the lowest and highest ash content respectively. The briquette fixed carbon and specific heat of combustion ranged from 61.68% to 68.97% and 7362kca/kg to 8222kca/kg respectively. Briquette produced from A. leiocarpus particles had the highest specific heat of combustion. In general, briquettes produced from A. leiocarpus particles and admixture of groundnut shell and A. leiocarpus particles at 25% starch level had better quality in terms of density and combustion properties and thus suitable as environmentally friendly alternative energy source.

Background: Ongoing Primary and Secondary Education Development Program (PEDP & SEDP) has led to increase in enrollment of children in schools. This created a high demand for facilities such as classroom, chairs, laboratories, latrines and water supply. Water and latrines did not receive equal attention like others. National strategic plan for School Water Sanitation and Hygiene (SWASH) 2012-2017 was to address such challenges with objectives to improve SWASH by 2017. Hence this study aimed to evaluate the implementation of SWASH program in Ukerewe. Methodology: A cross sectional survey was done among 42 schools in the district with 40 schools being government owned. Systematic random sampling was used and data were collected using a structured interview which was pre-tested and amended prior to conducting fieldwork. UNICEF, WASH in Schools Monitoring Package observational check-list was used to assess sanitation facilities. Results: Findings from this study showed the latrine-hole to student ratio was 1:71 with only 31.3% of the latrines being in good clean condition and about half (59.5%) of the schools have no facilities for washing hands. For the schools with hand washing facilities only 21.4% have an effective hand washing practice (presence of soap and water). The most common source of water used was lake water (35.7%) with (42.9%) having water storage facilities. Conclusion: The study shows that most of the objectives of national strategic plan are yet to be implemented at Ukerewe. There is a need for minor repairs to complete new construction of SWASH facilities in Ukerewe.

This paper provides a proof of concept for a linear electric generator that can be used to harvest energy from various sources of linear motion, such as vibrations, free-piston engines and wave energy. The generator can be used to power small electronic devices, such as sensors, or charge household batteries. Literature was reviewed to develop an understanding about the applications, control methods, excitation methods and mechanics of rotating and linear electric machines. A bidirectional, two-sided linear machine was designed with two stator cores and a single mover core. The stator windings and mover winding can be independently excited, allowing for three modes: no mover excitation, DC excited mover, and AC excited mover. Simulations results showed that the magnetic flux generated by DC excited stator cores were concentrated in the centre of the mover core. The use of two stator cores eliminates lateral flux in the mover core when it is not excited, minimising attraction and repulsion forces. Parametric analysis showed that flux cutting occurred in all operation modes, verifying that the generator will produce power when operating. Hardware tests produced an output current when the machine is electrically and mechanically excited, verifying the proposed design.

The prohibitive costs of small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) racks decreases PV adoption velocity. To overcome these costs challenges, an open hardware design method is used to develop two novel variable tilt racking designs. These are the first stilt mounted racking designs that allow manual change of tilt angle from zero to 90 degrees by varying the length of cables. The racks are designed using the calculated dead, wind and snow loads for Canada as conservative design for most of the rest of the world. Structural capacities of the wooden members are then ascertained and resisting bending moment, shear force, tensile force, and compressive force for them is calculated. A structural and truss analysis is performed to ensure that racking design with-stands the applicable forces. Moreover, implications of changing the tilt angle on the wooden members/cables used to build the system are also determined. The systems offer significant economic savings ranging from 1/3rd to 2/3rd the capital expenses of the commercially available alternatives. In addition, the racking designs are easy-to-build and require minimal manufacturing operations, which increases their accessibility. The stilt-mounted designs can be employed for agrivoltaic settings while allowing farm workers shaded ergonomic access to perform planting, weeding, and harvesting.

The burden of COVID-19 pandemic on health systems and the physical and mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) has been substantial. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the effects of Covid-19 on the psychological wellbeing of mental health workers who provide care to a vulnerable patient population that have been particularly affected during this crisis. A total of 387 HCWs from across a large urban mental health service completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic, lifestyle and work-based information and validated psychometric scales. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) respectively, sleep problems with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and resilience with the Resilience Scale-14 (RS-14). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine potential mediating factors. Prevalence of burnout was notable, with 52% recording moderate/severe in Emotional Exhaustion, 19.5% moderate/severe in Depersonalisation and 55.5% low/moderate Personal Accomplishment. Over half of all respondents (52%) experienced sleep problems; the presence of depressive symptoms was a significant predictor of insomnia. An increase in potentially harmful lifestyle changes, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and over-eating was also observed. However, high Resilience was reported by 70% of the sample and the importance of this is highlighted. Female gender was associated with increased levels of depression and emotional exhaustion while those with a history of mental health conditions were most at risk of affective symptoms, insomnia and burnout. Overall, our study revealed considerable levels of psychological distress and maladaptive coping strategies but also resilience and satisfaction with organizational support provided. Findings can inform tailored interventions in order to mitigate vulnerability and prevent long-term psychological sequelae.

Acidic ostreolysin A/pleurotolysin B (OlyA/PlyB, formerly known as ostreolysin (Oly), and basic 20 kDa equinatoxins (EqTs) are cytolytic proteins isolated from the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus and the sea anemone Actinia equina, respectively. Both toxins, although from different sources, share many similar biological activities: (i) colloid-osmotic shock by forming pores in cellular and artificial membranes enriched in cholesterol and sphingomyelin; (ii) increased vascular endothelial wall permeability in vivo and perivascular oedema; (iii) dose-dependent contraction of coronary vessels; (iv) haemolysis with pronounced hyperkalaemia in vivo; (v) bradycardia, myocardial ischemia and ventricular extrasystoles accompanied by progressive fall of arterial blood pressure and respiratory arrest in rodents. Both types of toxins are haemolytic within nanomolar range concentrations, and it seems that hyperkalaemia plays an important role in toxin cardiotoxicity. However, it was observed that the haemolytically more active EqT III is less toxic than EqT I, the most toxic and least haemolytic EqT. In mice, EqT II is more than 30 times more toxic than OlyA/PlyB when applied intravenously. These observations imply that haemolysis with hyperkalaemia is not the sole cause of the lethal activity of both toxins. Additional mechanisms responsible for lethal action of the two toxins are direct effects on heart, coronary vasoconstriction and related myocardial hypoxia. In this review, we appraise the pathophysiological mechanisms related to the chemical structure of OlyA/PlyB and EqTs, as well as their toxicity.

Viruses can induce the fusion of infected and neighboring cells, leading to the formation of syncytia. Cell-cell fusion is mediated by viral fusion proteins on the plasma membrane of infected cells that interact with cellular receptors on neighboring cells. Viruses use this mechanism to spread rapidly to adjacent cells or escape host immunity. For some viruses, syncytium formation is a hallmark of infection and a known pathogenicity factor. For others, the role of syncytium formation in viral dissemination and pathogenicity remains poorly understood. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant patients and the leading cause of congenital infections. Clinical HCMV isolates have broad cell tropism but differ in their ability to induce cell-cell fusions, and little is known about the molecular determinants. We developed a system to analyze HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) variants in a defined genetic background. HCMV strains TB40/E and TR were used as vectors to compare the fusogenicity of six gB variants from congenitally infected fetuses with those from three laboratory strains. Five of them conferred the ability to induce fusion of MRC-5 human embryonic lung fibroblasts to one or both backbone strains, as determined by a split GFP-luciferase reporter system. The same gB variants were not sufficient to induce syncytia in infected ARPE-19 epithelial cells, suggesting that additional factors are involved. The system described here allows a systematic comparison of the fusogenicity of viral envelope glycoproteins and may help to clarify whether fusion-promoting variants are associated with increased pathogenicity.

Background: Osteoporosis and bone fractures affect health and quality of life. Since bone disease is multifactorial, identifying risk factors is key in prevention. There are multiple reports on how viral hepatitis especially chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are affecting bone disease, but results vary. Here, we analyzed the potential association between CHB/CHC and osteoporosis or bone fractures in a large outpatient cohort in Germany. Methods: We included 3,136 outpatients with CHB and 15,608 matched non-hepatitis individuals as well as 2,867 outpatients with CHC and 14,335 matched non-hepatitis individuals from the Disease Analyzer Database between 2005 and 2022. The main outcome was the 5-year cumulative incidence of osteoporosis and bone fractures as a function of either CHB or CHC. Results: Within 5 years of the index date, 2.9% vs. 1.6% of patients with and without CHB were diagnosed with osteoporosis (p=0.001) and 1.0% vs. 0.4% were diagnosed with bone fractures (p<0.001). Moreover, 3.3% of CHC patients and 2.2% of individuals without hepatitis were diagnosed with osteoporosis (p=0.002). In Cox-regression analyses, CHB was significantly associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis (HR: 1.76) and fractures (HR:2.43) and CHC with osteoporosis (HR: 1.54). For both CHB and CHC, the association with osteoporosis was restricted to the female subgroup. Conclusion: CHB and CHC are associated with osteoporosis in women. CHB in male patients is associated with a higher risk of fractures. More research is are needed to understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

To safeguard against meat supply shortages during pandemics or other catastrophes, this study analyzed the potential to provide the average household’s entire protein consumption using either soybean production or distributed meat production at the household level in the U.S. with: 1) pasture-fed rabbits, 2) pellet and hay-fed rabbits, or 3) pellet-fed chickens. Only using the average backyard resources, soybean cultivation can provide 80%-160% of household protein and 0%-50% of a household’s protein needs can be provided by pasture-fed rabbits using only the yard grass as feed. If external supplementation of feed is available, raising 52 chickens while also harvesting the concomitant eggs or alternately 107 grain-fed rabbits can meet 100% of an average household’s protein requirements. These results show that resilience to future pandemics and challenges associated with growing meat demands can be incrementally addressed through backyard distributed protein production. Backyard production of chicken meat, eggs, and rabbit meat reduces environmental costs of protein due to savings in production, transportation, and refrigeration of meat products and even more so with soybeans. Generally, distributed production of protein was found to be economically competitive with centralized production of meat if distributed labor costs were ignored.

Across the power grid infrastructure, deployed power transmission systems are susceptible to incipient faults that interrupt standard operations. These incipient faults can range from being benign in impact to causing massive hardware damage and even loss of life. The power grid is continuously monitored, and incipient faults are recorded by Digital Fault Recorders (DFRs) to mitigate such outcomes. DFR recorded data allows power quality forensics and event analysis, but this capability comes at the cost of high data storage and data transmission requirements. It is common for data older than two weeks to be overwritten due to storage limitations and without being analyzed. This inhibits the creation of long-term data libraries that would enable incipient fault forensics and the characterization of behavior that precedes them, which limits the development and implementation of preventive measures; thus, there is a critical need to reduce DFR recorded data storage requirements. This work addresses this critical need by leveraging the cyclic and residual histograms and introducing the frequency, and Root Means Squared (RMS) histograms, which alleviate current high data storage requirements and provides effective Incipient Fault Prediction (IFP). The residual, frequency, and RMS histograms are an extension of the cyclic histogram, reduce the date storage requirement by up to 99.58%, can be generated on the DFR without interrupting its normal operations, and are capable of predicting voltage arcing six hours before it is strong enough to trigger a DFR recorded event.

Dengue virus is a global health problem most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. However, after the approval of two vaccines, Dengvaxia, TV003/TV005 of Takeda, for its prevention, problems were reported, like enhanced risks of infection or less efficiency of protection. Since then, more struggles have been in demand for the development of better vaccines. Here, we conducted a new design through an in-silico strategy. Initially, epitopes were chosen based on their antigenicity, immunogenicity, and binding affinity with MHC molecule, while excluded with allergenicity, toxicity and potential risk of antibody dependent enhancement. Subsequently, a core antigen was constructed with selected epitopes and linked with distinct adjuvant proteins to achieve three candidate vaccines, PSDV-1~3. PSDV-2 was chosen for further validation based on their advantage in physicochemical and structural properties. With a panel of simulations, this artificial protein showed tight binding with pattern recognition receptors, good stability, robust immune induction, and ultimately was confirmed as a high quality vaccine candidate. The plasmid for its recombinant expression was then designed accordingly. With our new design, one more choice was obtained for the effective protection from Dengue virus. Further experimental validations are still require to confirm it protection capacity and safety.