The introduction of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has led to major changes in the industry. Thanks to machine data, business process management methods and techniques could also be applied to them. However, one data source has so far remained untouched: The network data of the machines. In the business environment, process mining, for example, has already been carried out based on network data, but the IIoT, with its particular protocols such as OPC UA, has yet to be investigated. With the help of design science research and on the shoulders of CRISP-DM, we first develop a framework for process mining in the IIoT in this paper. We then apply the framework to real-world IIoT network traffic data and evaluate the outcome and performance of our approach in detail. We find tremendous potential in network traffic data but also limitations. Among other things, due to the dependence on process experts and the existence of case IDs.

Proposed fundamental laws of biology and a model of health and disease underscore the importance of the lymphatic system. The lymphatics are responsible for two of the laws of biology and the fulcrum of health and disease balancing proliferation with regeneration through the immune system. It is responsible for protection from the environment and repair of senile and damaged tissue. Life is constantly bombarded by forces that increase entropy. Lymphatics provide negative entropy to maintain health. Lymphatics help maintain cellular homeostasis removing products of metabolism. Using these principles, the role of lymphatics is investigated in salt sensitivity hypertension, cardiorenal system, the new pillar of heart failure and kidney disease - Sodium-Glucose Transport Protein 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors, and brain diseases. The realization of organ lymphatics in maintenance of health and disease opens the avenue to new therapeutics. This is the unrealized potential of lymphatic study.

Depression is the commonest mental disorder worldwide. Both antidepressants and psychotherapy are effective in treating depression, but response to these treatments is often incomplete. Yoga-based interventions (YBIs) have emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment for depression. Recent research has attempted to identify the biological mechanisms associated with the antidepressant actions of YBIs. In this scoping review, conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched to retrieve research on biomarkers of response to YBIs in patients with depression. Eleven studies were included in the review. Based on these studies, YBIs may improve depression through beneficial effects on systemic inflammation, stress axis regulation, cardiac autonomic functioning, and possibly reductions in oxidative stress-related cellular damage. Increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may represent a final common pathway upon which these processes converge. Though these results are theoretically plausible, they should be interpreted with caution due to certain methodological limitations in the existing research. Replication of these results and improvements in study methodology, and the evaluation of other biomarkers relevant to the pathophysiology of depression, could further elucidate the mechanism of action of YBIs in this disorder, and identify which patients would benefit most from this treatment approach.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells released from the primary tumor and intravasate into the blood or lymphatic vessels, where they are transported to distant sites and act as seeds that initiate cancer metastases. Recent advances in CTC research have shown their relevance as prognostic markers for early and metastatic disease detection, predictive biomarkers for relapse, and response to medical intervention or therapy. The rapidly evolving landscape of CTC biology has opened new avenues for understanding cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment response. Additionally, translating these findings into clinical applications holds promise for improving cancer diagnostics, prognosis, and personalized therapeutic strategies. This review discusses the significance of CTCs in cancer research and their associated challenges. We explore recent developments in the detection and characterization of CTCs and their implications in cancer research and clinical practice.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders worldwide, and often respond incompletely to existing treatments. Selenium, a micronutrient that is a component of several biologically active selenoproteins, is also involved in several aspects of brain functioning, and may exert antidepressant and anxiolytic effects through multiple pathways. The current paper is a scoping review of translational, observational and interventional evidence on the potential role of selenium and its compounds in the management of anxiety and related disorders. Evidence from animal models suggests that this approach may be promising. Though evidence from observational studies in humans is inconsistent and affected by several confounding factors, the available evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests that selenium supplementation may be beneficial in the management of certain anxiety-related conditions, such as anxiety in medically ill patients, prevention of anxiety following exposure to traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This paper provides a critical evaluation of the existing evidence base, including unanswered questions that could serve as the focus of further research, and outlines the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of selenium in anxiety disorders.

As new vaccines reduce P. falciparum (Pf) cases, clinicians can focus on rescuing more children with cerebral malaria (CM). Adjunctive “therapeutically-rational exchange transfusion” (T-REX) refers to using special “Pf-resistant” donor red blood cells (RBCs) that secrete nano-sized RBC extracellular vesicles (EVs). Can some RBC EVs rapidly dislodge Pf-infected RBCs (iRBCs) sequestered in blood vessels and reduce inflammation? Does post-exchange “rebound parasitemia” reflect sequestration-reversal? We reviewed case-reports, EV and liposome studies, expert perspectives, and time-sequence data. In the AQUAMAT study, median coma-recovery time was 20 hours for artesunate. In contrast, a CM patient treated with type-O T-REX quickly began speaking (during the procedure). For other rapid-recovery CM patients, donor RBC variables had not been specified. Despite rapid Pf-killing, drugs need 20 hours to substantially reduce iRBC cytoadhesion while EVs can selectively bind distant inflamed tissues within 15 minutes. RBCs stressed by blood-bank storage and Pf infection secrete EVs. Post-exchange “rebound parasitemia” can occur within 60 minutes and may reflect release of sequestered iRBCs. Sequestration-reversal can be assessed by monitoring Pf parasitemia and total Pf biomass. New data suggest clinicians, working with transfusion- and laboratory-medicine physicians, can, and should, assess T-REX options and publish their findings to help clarify how RBC EVs may serve as therapeutic “decoy ligands.”

Disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs) in childhood, such as conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) are characterized by high levels of irritability and aggression. Though psychological management is considered the first-line approach for these disorders, many children and adolescents require adjunctive pharmacotherapy for the control of specific symptoms. Several prior systematic reviews have examined the evidence for the use of antipsychotics in the symptomatic management of DBDs, but have concluded that their efficacy is marginal and limited by significant adverse effects. This paper updates existing reviews of this field by reviewing clinical trials of antipsychotics in children and adolescents with DBDs published in the period 2-1-2017 to 2-10-2022. The PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect databases were searched for relevant citations. Six relevant trials were identified during this period. These trials were critically evaluated in terms of outcome measures, efficacy and safety. Overall, the data from these trials suggests that certain atypical antipsychotics, such as risperidone and clozapine, are effective in the short-term management of aggression in DBDs. They have no apparent effect on cognition, but are associated with significant metabolic adverse effects. The results of these trials, and of the earlier systematic reviews, are discussed in the light of global trends towards increasing off-label prescription of antipsychotic medication in children and adolescents, and of recent literature on the neuropharmacology of aggression in this patient population. The need for rational, short-term use of these drugs is highlighted, as well as the importance of post-marketing surveillance for long-term or severe adverse events.

The aim of this paper is to attempt to understand why the popular academic and policy field of promoting, studying and evangelising “entrepreneurship” should have been associated with great success but, in the past twenty years or more in many advanced economies, so much failure. From the US to lesser and developing countries, emerging economies and the European Union, entrepreneurship, especially in regard to start-ups and particularly high-tech start-ups have been in constant more or less recent decline. This is seldom registered in the mainstream literature where a positive and benign profile is generally presented. The paper examines this phenomenon, ties it partly with the “productivity paradox” and seeks tentative hypotheses in relation to the apparent illusions if not delusions regarding “entrepreneurship”.

Fundamental principles of classical (Newtonian) physics are employed to probe the cosmological lambda Λ; it yields the values ρ_vac = 2.61 x 10^-39 g cm^-3 and Λ = 4.87 x 10^-66 cm^-2. It is revealed that Λ is a fundamental physical constant defined by vacuum density-light speed ρ_vacc² correlation. However, the constant accelerates along the groups and periods of a universal spatial periodicity equivalent to the chemical periodicity. Previous results are cited to show that chemical elements are quantum harmonic (periodic) oscillators QHOs and their waveform oscillations exclusively define the vacuum field. The cosmological periodic unit CPU is introduced, it relies on the cosmological principle to argue that a relative physical quantity evaluated for the QHO applies to constituents of corresponding cosmological spatial quanta. Compelling evidences, backed with relevant data and quantitative expressions, are then presented to argue that: there was never a big bang, it is a Linde-universe sans “chaotic”; nature posts no singularity; mass does not curve spacetime, neither does metric space curvature trace directly to gravitation nor particle creation, gravity is classical, not quantum; reality is quadri-phasic not mono-phasic with a clear distinction between the atomic waveform defined with absolute atomic mass and condensed matter defined with relative atomic mass; every chemical element exists in three particle-generations thus, dark matter is invisible form (conjugate) of the visible element, its waveform manifests dark energy, it is not implicated in metric space expansion; Planck scale does not exist, radioactivity constrains fundamental length to atomic radius of the heaviest element.

Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease are the most commonly diagnosed neurodegenerative disorders. Though these disorders differ in terms of their underlying pathophysiology as well as in their clinical features and course, there is a certain degree of overlap between them. This overlap may be partly related to α-synuclein-mediated neuropathological changes. Recent evidence has found that depression is associated with an increased subsequent risk of both these neurological disorders, and that α-synuclein may also play a pathogenic role in depression. The current study examines epidemiological, population genetic and environmental exposure data in relation to the estimated prevalence of depressive disorders, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease using a cross-sectional, country-level analysis. The results of this study are consistent with a significant relationship between depressive disorders and neurodegenerative disorders, a possible shared genetic vulnerability related to functional polymorphisms of the α-synuclein gene SNCA, and potential gene-environment interactions involving fine particulate matter pollution. The significance of these results is discussed in the light of existing translational, clinical and epidemiological research on the links between these disorders.

Depression and obesity are highly comorbid with one another, with evidence for bidirectional causal links between each disorder and a shared biological basis. The available evidence suggests that genetic factors play a major role in influencing both the occurrence of comorbid depression and obesity, their courses, and their response to existing treatments. The current paper is a scoping review of studies that have evaluated the contribution of specific genetic variants to the comorbidity between obesity and depression. Based on a search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases, 28 studies were included in this review, covering 54 candidate genes. Positive associations were identified for fourteen genetic loci (AKR1C2, APOA5, COMT, DAT1, FTO, KCNE1, MAOA, MC4R, MCHR2, NPY2R, NR3C1, Ob, PCSK9 and TAL1). Replicated findings across two or more independent samples were observed for the FTO and MC4R genes. Many of these gene products represent novel molecular targets for the pharmacological management of obesity which are not pharmacologically influenced by existing anti-obesity or antidepressant medications. The implications of these associations for future drug development are discussed, with an emphasis on recent evidence on the polygenic architecture of comorbid depression and obesity, and on a precision medicine approach to these conditions.

Several studies have identified a relationship between air pollution and depression, particularly in relation to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure. However, the strength of this association appears to be moderated by variables such as age, gender, genetic vulnerability, physical activity and climatic conditions, and has not been assessed at a cross-national level to date. The current study examines the association between the prevalence of depression in each country, based on the most recent Global Burden of Disease Study data, and the average national level of PM2.5 based on the World Health Organization’s database. The observed associations were adjusted for age, gender, level of physical activity, income, education, population density, climate, and type of depression. It was observed that there was a modest but significant positive correlation between PM2.5 level and the prevalence of depression even after adjusting for the above confounders. This association was more marked above a certain threshold and applied chiefly to major depressive episodes. These findings are of significant public health importance in terms of preventive strategies aimed at reducing the population-level burden of depression.

The association between mental illness and violent crimes such as homicide is complex. In 1939, Lionel Penrose hypothesized that the availability of psychiatric hospital beds was inversely related to the prison population, presumably due to the hospitalization of potential offenders with a mental illness. Subsequent studies have found evidence for this association, but questions remain about the contributions of confounding factors. Moreover, there has been a move towards deinstitutionalization and community care of the mentally ill over the past six decades. In this study, the association between national homicide rates and three measures of the availability of psychiatric care – the numbers of psychiatrists, general hospital psychiatric beds, and psychiatric hospital beds per 100,000 population – was examined using a time-lagged correlation analysis. Associations between homicide rates and socioeconomic factors associated with crime were also examined. It was found that the availability of psychiatrists and of general hospital psychiatric beds were both negatively correlated with homicide rates, and that the association with general hospital psychiatric beds remained significant even after correction for confounding factors. These results suggest the need for a more nuanced interpretation of Penrose’s original formulation, involving the interplay of social, economic factors and psychological factors rather than linear causality.

Mood disorders are among the commonest mental disorders worldwide. Epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests that there are close links between infectious diseases and mood disorders, but the strength and direction of these association remain largely unknown. Theoretical models have attempted to explain this link based on evolutionary or immune-related factors, but these have not been empirically verified. The current study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the incidence of infectious diseases and mood disorders, while correcting for climate and economic factors, based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Studies, 1990-2019. It was found that major depressive disorder was positively associated with lower respiratory infections, while bipolar disorder was positively associated with upper respiratory infections and negatively associated with enteric and tropical infections, both cross-sectionally and over a period of thirty years. These results suggest that a complex, bidirectional relationship exists between these disorders. This relationship may be mediated through the immune system as well as through the gut-brain and lung-brain axes. Understanding the mechanisms that link these groups of disorders could lead to advances in the prevention and treatment of both.

Motivation: there is a paradox at the heart of informatics where practical implementation generally fails to understand the socio-technical impact of novel technologies and disruptive innovation when adopted in `real-world’ systems. This phenomenon, termed technological determinism, is manifested in a time-lag between the adoption of novel technologies and an understanding of the underlying theory which develops following research into their adoption. Methods: we consider informatics theory as it relates to: social informatics and how humans’ function in society, the relationship between society and technology, information systems, information systems design, and human-computer interactions. The challenges posed by novel technologies and disruptive innovation are considered as they relate to information systems and information systems design. Open research questions with directions for future research are discussed with an introduction to and our proposed approach to socio-technical information system design. Significance: we conclude that the adoption of disruptive innovation presents both opportunities and threats for all stakeholders in computerised systems. However, determinism is a topic requiring research to generate a suitable level of understanding and technological determinism remains a significant challenge.

This paper seeks to explore some of the issues to be welcomed but also warned against in general but also specified from an illustrative sample of ‘smart’ projects that caused outcomes that were neither ‘smart’ nor ‘resilient’. These give pointers to a ‘thirdspace’ as a descriptor of the most advanced application of sustainability thinking regarding relational spatial development planning. This contribution examines difficulties in delivering both ‘smart’ and ‘resilient’ responses of interest or value to citizens confronted with recurring crises that derive directly or with implications for sustainability issues. Identified are constraints and issues acting as obstacles to governance, management ‘layering’ and ‘learning’ causing failures of many weak or never-delivered projects. Critiques of static, or worse ‘magical’ thinking are increasingly invoked in consequence. In the analysis of ‘live cases’ all these problems showed up ‘in real life’. The author was pleased that his mentor, the late UCLA planning theorist Ed Soja’s application of the idea of ‘Thirdspace’ received prescient vindication from the results of this adjudication.

This article analyses three recent shifts in what [1] called the geography of ‘Big Things’ meaning the contemporary functions and adaptability of modern city centre architecture. We periodise the three styles conventionally into the fashionable ‘Starchitecture’ of the 1990s, the repurposed ‘Agritecture’ of the 2000s and the parodising ‘Parkitecture’ of the 2010s. Starchitecture was the form of new architecture coinciding with the rise of neo-liberalism in its brief era of global urban competitiveness prevalent in the 1990s. After the Great Financial Crash of 2007-8 the market for high-rise emblems of iconic, thrusting, skyscrapers and giant downtown and suburban shopping malls waned and online shopping and working from home destroyed the main rental values of the CBD. In some illustrious cases ‘Agritecture’ caused re-purposed office blocks and other CBD accompaniments to be re-purposed as settings for high-rise urban farming, especially aquaponics and hydroponic horticulture. Now, Covid-19 has further undermined traditional CBD property markets causing some administrations to decide to bulldoze their ‘deadmalls’ and replace them with urban prairie landscapes, inviting the designation ‘Parkitecture’ for the bucolic results. The paper presents an account of these transitions by reference to questions raised by urban cultural scholars like Jane M. Jacobs and Jean Gottmann to figure out answers in time and space to questions their work poses.

Extracellular vesicles (EV) such as exosomes, are newly recognized fundamental, natural and physiologic particles of life that seemingly are involved all biologic processes and clinical diseases. Due to their universal involvements, understanding the nature and the potential therapeutic uses of these nano-vesicles requires innovative experimental approaches, in virtually every field. Of the EV group, exosome nano-vesicles and larger companion extracellular micro vesicles (MV) can mediate completely new phenomena dependent on intercellular transfer of proteins and selected RNAs; particularly miRNAs, between donor and targeted cells to elicit epigenetic alterations inducing functional cellular changes. These recipient acceptor cells are nearby (paracrine transfers) or far away after distribution via the circulation (endocrine transfers). The major properties of such vesicles seem to have been conserved over eons, suggesting that they may have ancient evolutionary origins arising perhaps even before cells in the primordial soup from which life evolved. Their potential ancient evolutionary attributes may be responsible for the ability of some modern day exosomes to withstand unusually harsh conditions; perhaps due to unusual membrane lipid compositions. This is exemplified by maternal milk exosome survival of the neonatal acid/enzyme rich stomach. It is postulated that this also applies to their durable presence in phagolysosomes; suggesting unique intracellular release of contents. A major issue discussed is the generally poorly realized superiority of these naturally evolved nano vesicles to therapies compared human engineered artificial nanoparticles; say for treatment of cancers.

Background: Early-stage interventions in a potential pandemic are important tounderstand as they can make the difference between runaway exponential growththat is hard to turn back and stopping the spread before it gets that far. COVID-19 is an interesting case study because there have been very different outcomesin different localities. These variations are best studied after the fact if precisionis the goal; while a pandemic is still unfolding less precise analysis is of value inattempting to guide localities in the early stages to learn lessons of those that pre-ceded them. Methods: I examine three factors that could differentiate strategy: asymptomaticspread, differences in use of the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) tuberculosis vac-cine and cloth face masks.Results:Differences in disease progression as well as the possibility of alternativestrategies to prevent COVID-19 from entering the runaway phase or damping itdown later can be elucidated by a study of asymptomatic infection. A study todemonstrate not only what fraction are asymptomatic but how contagious they arewill also inform policy on universal mask wearing. Conclusions: While a COVID-19 outbreak is at a level that makes accurate trace-and test possible, investigation of asymptomatic transmission is viable and shouldbe attempted to enhance understanding of spread and variability in the disease aswell as policy options for slowing the spread.

We consider new insights into the origin and nature of pointer states and their role in wave function collapse in macroscopic quantum coherence. The work includes new theory of quantum coherence underpinned by turbulence, generated by a field of pointer states in the form of recirculating vortices (toroids), interconnected via a vortex cascade. Decoherence occurs when the interconnected field of vortices between pointer states is disrupted by external forces, leading to their localisation. The applicability of this work is considered in addressing unresolved questions in high temperature superconductivity and macroscopic quantum processes in biological systems. We also consider its implications for our understanding of intrinsic spin and pointer states within the standard "point source" representation of a quantum particle, which intuitively requires a more complexed description.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is at the crossroads. It is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the ACA in order to make rational decisions about the ongoing healthcare reform, but existing research into its effect on health insurance status in the United States is insufficient and descriptive. Using data from the National Health Interview Surveys from 2009 to 2015, this study examines changes in health insurance status and its determinants before the ACA in 2009, during its partial implementation in 2010–2013, and after its full implementation in 2014 and 2015. The results of trend analysis indicate a significant increase in national health insurance rate from 82.2% in 2009 to 89.4% in 2015. Logistic regression analyses confirm the similar impact of age, gender, race, marital status, nativity, citizenship, education, and poverty on health insurance status before and after the ACA. Despite similar effects across years, controlling for other variables, youth aged 26 or below, the foreign-born, Asians, and other races had a greater probability of gaining health insurance after the ACA than before the ACA; however, the odds of obtaining health insurance for Hispanics and the impoverished rose slightly during the partial implementation of the ACA but somewhat declined after the full implementation of the ACA starting in 2014. These findings should be taken into account by the U.S. government in deciding the fate of the ACA.

The compilation summarizes results so far gathered in a project that investigates the atom with classical (Newtonian) physics. It posits that the atom’s wave-particle dual nature is real, objective and intrinsic; the wave gives rise to the cosmic vacuum field while the particle, of course, manifests condensed matter. Light’s π radians oscillation manifests, on molar scale, significant radial tension in the vacuum field, the effect, amongst others, causes molecular matter to precipitate out of the vacuum – so-called ‘molecular outflow’. Cosmic vacuum field radial tension relates to molecular mass, in other words, a mass-radius (M-R) relationship is uncovered. It is argued that using the M-R relation it is possible to perform a valid simulation of the cosmic physical reality. The three states of matter are meaningfully accounted for using the atom’s e-m radiation wavelength. It is explained that force, be it of any kind whatsoever, originates in the atomic waveform, i.e., the cosmic vacuum field.

Several theories have been proposed on the subject of fundamental psychological human needs. A brief overview was given for some of these major theories. A more recent theory on core emotional needs, derived from the vantage point of schema therapy, was also proposed and comparisons were drawn with the other models, each with different psychological boundaries. Implications and what these psychological needs mean to parents were also discussed covering cultural norms that may inadvertently inflict harm on young children and adolescents.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder that occurs following exposure to traumatic events. The prevalence of PTSD is estimated to be 5-10% worldwide, and it is associated with significant distress and disability. Recent evidence suggests that PTSD may be a risk factor for the development of subsequent neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Identification of biomarkers known to be associated with neurodegeneration in patients with PTSD would shed light on the pathophysiological mechanisms linking these disorders, and would also help in the development of preventive approaches aimed at reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disorders in PTSD. In the current review, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for studies aimed at identifying genetic, biochemical, neuroimaging or behavioral markers associated with neurodegeneration in patients with PTSD. Out of a total of 342 citations retrieved, 29 relevant studies were identified for inclusion in the review. The results of these studies suggest that several potentially relevant biological markers, including cerebral cortical thinning, disrupted white matter integrity, specific genetic polymorphisms, immune-inflammatory alterations, vitamin D deficiency, metabolic syndrome and parasomnias, may be associated with an increased risk of neurodegeneration in patients with PTSD. Though many of these results need replication, they highlight a number of biological pathways that plausibly link PTSD with neurodegenerative disorders, and suggest potentially valuable avenues for prevention and early intervention in this patient population.

Universal gravitation is investigated with principles of foundational classical (Newtonian) physics. The results reveal gravitation an atomic field action; hence, Newton’s law, although absolutely valid, unavoidably misleads in creating the impression of matter rather than waveform action. Six force constants fully define gravitation: (i) a waveform torque field ; (ii) an expansion force field ; (iii) a centripetal force field ; (iv) a matter-wave torque field (the force fields , and constitute gravitational inertial rest frame); (v) a Galilean acceleration field and (vi) nuclear inverse mass-squared centripetal force constant The inertial rest frame force constants sum up to give observational G = 2.266 + 2.61 + 2.61cos46^o) x 10^-11 = 6.689 x 10^-11 m³ kg^-1 s^-2. Notably, the procedure is able to account also for observational inclination of galaxies and their aligned conjunctions. An attempt is made to account for angular momentum quantization and rectilinear, parabolic or elliptic profile of objects in gravitational acceleration. Same quantitative expression, , defines the photon and gravitation thus uniquely unifying gravitation, electricity and magnetism; furthermore, the expression reveals the photon packed with tremendous energy amounting to some . It is argued that: (i) neither mass nor gravitation curves spacetime; (ii) the principles that sustain cosmic time-scale dynamic equilibrium, scale invariance and inertia are incompatible with quantum gravitation; and (iii) the cosmic vacuum field comprises gravitational (photonic) waves, hence the interferometer likely measures shock waves.

Suicidal behaviour is a public health problem whose magnitude is both substantial and increasing. Since many individuals seek medical treatment following a suicide attempt, strategies aimed at reducing further attempts in this population are a valid and feasible secondary prevention approach. An evaluation of the available evidence suggests that existing treatment approaches have limited efficacy in this setting, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to suicide prevention. Existing research on the neurobiology of social pain has highlighted the importance of this phenomenon as a risk factor for suicide, and has also yielded several attractive targets for pharmacological preventive strategies. In this paper, the available evidence related to these targets is synthesized and critically evaluated. The way in which social pain is related to the “anti-suicidal” properties of recently approved treatments, such as ketamine and psilocybin, is also examined. Such strategies may be effective for the short-term reduction of suicidal ideation and behaviour in individuals who have made a suicide attempt suicide prevention, particularly in cases where social pain is identified as a contributory factor. These pharmacological approaches may be effective regardless of the presence or absence of a specific psychiatric diagnosis.

Recent research has identified the gut-brain axis as a key mechanistic pathway and potential therapeutic target in depression. In this paper, the potential role of gut hormones as potential treatments or predictors of response in depression is examined, with specific reference to the peptide hormone motilin. This possibility is explored through two methods: (a) a conceptual review of the possible links between motilin and depression, including evidence from animal and human research as well as clinical trials, and (b) an analysis of the relationship between a functional polymorphism (rs2281820) of the motilin (MLN) gene and cross-national variations in the prevalence of depression. It was observed that (a) there are several plausible mechanisms, including interactions with diet, monoamine, and neuroendocrine pathways, to suggest that motilin may be relevant to the pathophysiology and treatment of depression, and (b) there was a significant correlation between rs2281820 allele frequencies and the prevalence of depression after correcting for multiple confounding factors. These results suggest that further evaluation of the utility of motilin and related gut peptides as markers of antidepressant response is required, and that these molecular pathways represent potential future mechanisms for antidepressant drug development.

Despite the rapid adoption of bilingual programs (English-Chinese) in China's higher education institutions (HEIs), concerns have been raised on perceived language hindrance to students’ academic comprehension and then performance. In response to this, this paper investigates the effects of bilingual instruction on content-based learning and provides empirical evidence after testing related influential factors in bilingual environment. Analyzing a sample of 498 undergraduate students enrolling in a fundamental business course in a sample university in China, we find insignificant statistical difference in students' academic performance between bilingual and L1 classes. We attribute this to the English language support provided by the university and show that learning competence can help students to minimize language barrier and furthermore solve the common learning problems confronted by both bilingual and L1 students. Overall, our paper aims to identify key determinants of students' academic performance in bilingual instruction and provide policy implication for developing desirable bilingual programs in HEIs.

This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of retrofitting techniques aimed at enhancing the seismic resilience of seismically vulnerable historical buildings. Recognizing the dual objectives of structural safety and architectural preservation, this research evaluates and compares several advanced retrofitting methods, including base isolation, strengthening of masonry, steel bracing systems, Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) wrapping, and damping devices. Each technique is critically assessed based on its effectiveness in mitigating seismic risks, its compatibility with historical architectural features, and its applicability to various building types. Base isolation is highlighted for its ability to decouple buildings from ground motion, thereby significantly reducing seismic forces and protecting architectural integrity. Strengthening of masonry through the use of fiber-reinforced polymers and steel elements enhances the ductility and strength of masonry walls, making them more resilient to seismic forces. Steel bracing systems are shown to provide essential lateral support, particularly in timber-framed structures, improving overall stability and reducing deformation during earthquakes. FRP wrapping is identified as a versatile technique that strengthens structural elements without compromising aesthetic value, making it suitable for reinforcing concrete and masonry components. Damping devices, including viscous dampers and tuned mass dampers, are discussed for their ability to dissipate seismic energy and control structural vibrations, offering a minimally invasive solution that preserves historical aesthetics. The study also addresses several challenges and research gaps associated with these retrofitting techniques, such as ensuring architectural compatibility, assessing long-term material performance, optimizing cost-effectiveness, and navigating complex regulatory frameworks. By advancing knowledge in these areas, the research aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in the development of retrofitting solutions. Ultimately, this study contributes to the ongoing efforts to safeguard historical buildings against seismic hazards. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and best practices in structural engineering and architectural conservation, stakeholders can develop sustainable, cost-effective, and culturally sensitive retrofitting strategies that protect valuable cultural heritage for future generations.

On the thirty-fifth anniversary of the first description of O2-sensitive K+ channels in the carotid body chemoreceptors [1], O2 sensing remains a salient issue in the literature. Whereas much has been learned about this subject, important questions such as the identity of the specific K+ channel subtype(s) responsible for O2 sensing by chemoreceptors and the mechanism(s) by which their activities are altered by hypoxia have not yet been definitively answered. O2 sensing is a fundamental biological process necessary for the acute and chronic responses to varying environmental O2 levels which allow organisms to adapt to hypoxia. Whereas chronic responses depend on the modulation of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors which determine the expression of numerous genes encoding enzymes, transporters and growth factors, acute responses rely mainly on the dynamic modulation of ion channels by hypoxia, causing adaptive changes in cell excitability, contractility, and secretory activity in specialized tissues. The most widely studied oxygen-sensitive ion channels are potassium channels but oxygen sensing by members of both the calcium and sodium channel families has also been demonstrated. Given the explosion of information on this topic, in this review we will focus on the mechanisms of physiological oxygen chemotransduction by PO2-dependent K+ channels, with particular emphasis on their function in carotid body chemoreceptor cells (CBCC) and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC), highlighting areas of consensus and controversy within the field. We will first describe the most well-established concepts, those reproduced in multiple laboratories, and then discuss selected observations or questions that remain unresolved, and that limit our progress in this field.

The notion of information and complexity are important concepts in many scientific fields such as molecular biology, evolutionary theory, and exobiology. Many measures of these quantities, either rely on a statistical notion of information, are difficult to compute, or can only be applied to strings. Based on assembly theory, we propose the notion of a \textit{ladderpath}, which describes how an object can be decomposed into a hierarchical structure using repetitive elements. From the ladderpath two measures naturally emerge: the ladderpath-index and the order-index, which represent two axes of complexity. We show how the ladderpath approach can be applied to both strings and spatial patterns and argue that all systems that undergo evolution can be described as ladderpaths. Further, we discuss possible applications to human language and the origins of life. The ladderpath approach provides a novel characterization of the information that is contained in a single object (or a system) and could aid in our understanding of evolving systems and the origin of life in particular.

This work presents noble composites of AAILs@MCM-48 by functionalizing ordered mesopo-rous silicon MCM-48 with two amino acid-based ionic liquids (AAILs) ([Emim][Gly] and [Em-im][Ala]) to improve carbon capture and selectivity of CO2 over nitrogen. Thermogravimetric and XRD analyses of the composites show that the MCM-48 support's thermal and structural in-tegrity was preserved after the AAILs were encapsulated. An N2 adsorption-desorption study at 77 K also confirms AAIL encapsulation in the porous support. Under post-combustion flue gas conditions, both [Emim][Gly]@MCM-48 and [Emim][Ala]@MCM-48 demonstrated improved CO2 adsorption in comparison to unmodified MCM-48, with a CO2 partial pressure of around 0.15 bar. In terms of maximal CO₂ uptake, the 40wt%-[Emim][Gly] composite outperformed the others at 303K, with values of 0.74 and 0.82 mmol g-1, respectively, at 0.1 and 0.2 bar. These numbers show a 10x and 5x increase, respectively, as compared to the pure MCM-48 under iden-tical conditions. In addition, the selectivity of the composites was improved significantly, at 0.1 bar, the selectivity of composites containing 40wt% [Emim][Ala] increased to 17, compared to 2 for pristine MCM-48.

This paper provides an open dataset of measured energy use, solar energy production, and building air leakage data from a 328 m² (3,531 ft²) all-electric, zero energy commercial building in Virginia, USA. Over two years of energy use data were collected at 1-hour intervals using circuit-level energy monitors. Over six years of solar energy production data were measured at 1-hour intervals by 56 microinverters. The building air leakage data was measured post-construction per ASTM-E779 Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization and the United States Army Corps (USACE) Building Enclosure Testing procedure; both pressurization and depressurization results are provided. The architectural and engineering (AE) documents are provided to aid researchers and practitioners in reliable modelling of building performance. The paper describes the data collection methods, cleaning, and convergence with weather data. This dataset can be employed to predict, benchmark, and calibrate operational outcomes in zero energy commercial buildings.

To assess the impact of tourism on the incidence of HIV and AIDS using Malaysian epidemiological data over the period of 1986-2011 with additional consideration for newborns infected with HIV. A population-level mathematical model was used to investigate: i) the role of tourism in the spread of HIV and measures used to reduce HIV spread in Malaysia; ii) whether the stability of infectious disease transmission is dependent on the flow of visiting tourists. We first derived an equation for the reproduction number (R0) threshold to quantify the contagiousness of HIV in Malaysia. Sensitivity analyses were used to determine the effect of various parameters on HIV transmission with respect to the increase in tourism. Our findings suggest that a stable disease-free state is sustainable based on the low value of R0 was 0.0017. This result is encouraging from a public health perspective. Approximately 14% of outbound tourists who leave the country return infected with HIV and the difference between the rate at which tourists move to the susceptible category and the rate at which tourists leave the susceptible is category is 12%. Estimated parameters for the influx of tourist rates, δ=1.1540x10-3[1.1477x10-3 - 1.15954x10-3], δ1=7.7901x10-4[7.7867x10-4 - 7.79418x10-4], and δ2=1.4030x10-8[-7.2287x10-7-7.5096x10-7], significantly impacted the spread of HIV in Malaysia. Some significant adjustments were made to the expected parameters. The methods used are helpful to public health analyses and provide a framework for epidemiological modeling of HIV spread among tourists. The trend and magnitude of tourist inflows may be determinants in the incidence of HIV and AIDS in Malaysia.

This study presents the encapsulation of two amino acid-based ionic liquids (AAILs), 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium glycine [Emim][Gly] and 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium alanine [Emim][Ala], in a highly porous metal organic framework (MOF-177), to generate state-of-the-art composites for post-combustion CO2 capture. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated a successful encapsulation of the AAILs, consequently dramatically reducing the composites' surface area and pore volume. Both [Emim] [Gly]@MOF-177 and [Emim][Ala]@MOF-177 had close to 3 times the CO2 uptake of MOF-177 at 20 wt.% loading, 0.2 bar, and 303 K. Additionally, 20-[Emim][Gly]@MOF-177 and 20-[Emim] [Ala]@MOF-177 enhanced their CO2/N2 selectivity from 5 (pristine MOF-177) to 13 and 11, respectively.

In emergency scenarios service vehicles must identify potential route(s) and use the best available route. However, route identification requires intelligent decision-support systems which generally use non-traditional approaches with tools characterised by flexible non-hierarchical structures. Conventional models using group decision-support systems have been applied; however, when used in smart urban environments, emergency response services have limitations in their ability to identify unobstructed paths (routes) in dynamic operating environments. In this paper we introduce a novel path planning method for autonomous vehicle control in emergency situations. The proposed model uses self-organizing maps in an integrated Spiral STC algorithm termed the: Hybrid SOM-Spiral STC model which uses hedge algebras and \emph{Kansei} evaluation in group decision-support. The proposed model has been designed to quantify qualitative factors using sensor derived data processed with human sensibilities and preferences in emergency decision support. The experimental results show that the proposed model achieves significant improvements in group decision-support under dynamic uncertainty. We posit that our novel approach holds the prospect of improvements in the provision of emergency services.

Robotic decision-support systems must facilitate a robots interactions with their environment, this demands adaptability. Adaptability relates to awareness of the environment and `self-awareness', human behaviour exemplifies the concept of awareness to arrive at an optimal choice of action or decision based on reasoning and inference with learned preferences. A similar conceptual approach is required to implement awareness in autonomous robotic systems which must adapt to the current dynamic environment (the context of use). By incorporating `self-awareness' with knowledge of a Robot's preferences (in decision making) the decision maker interface should adapt to the current context of use. This paper proposes a novel approach to enable an autonomous robotics which implements path planning combining adaptation with knowledge reasoning techniques and hedge algebra to enable an autonomous robot to realise optimal coverage path planning under dynamic uncertainty. The results for a cleaning robot show that using our proposed approach demonstrated the capability to avoid both static and dynamic obstacles while achieving optimal path planning with increased efficiency. The proposed approach achieves the multiple decision-making objectives (path planning) with a high-coverage and low repetition rates. Compared to other current approaches, the proposed approach has demonstrated improved performance over the conventional robot control algorithms.

Galectins are β-galactosyl-binding proteins that fulfill essential physiological functions. Recently, we introduced galectin-1 (Gal-1) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) as fusion proteins of a His6-tag, a SNAP-tag, and a fluorescent protein. We characterized their binding in ELISA-type assays and their application in cell-surface binding. In the present study, we have constructed further fusion proteins of galectins with fluorescent protein color code. The fusion proteins of Gal-1, Gal-3, and Gal-8 were purified by affinity chromatography. For this, we have prepared glycoprotein affinity resins based on asialofetuin (ASF) and fetuin and combined this in a two-step purification with Immobilized Metal Affinity chromatography (IMAC) to get pure and active galectins. Purified galectin fractions were analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography. The binding characteristics to ASF of solely His6-tagged galectins and galectin fusion proteins were compared. As an example, we demonstrate a 1.6-3-fold increase in binding efficiency for HSYGal-3 (His6-SNAP-yellow fluorescent protein-Gal-3) compared to the HGal-3 (His6-Gal-3). Our results reveal an apparent higher binding efficiency for galectin SNAP-tag fusion proteins compared to His6-tagged galectins which are independent of the purification mode. This is also demonstrated by the binding of galectin fusion proteins to extracellular glycoconjugates laminin, fibronectin, and collagen IV. Our results indicate the probable involvement of the SNAP-tag in apparently higher binding signals, which we discuss in this study.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, stands as a significant public health challenge in endemic regions of the Americas. Current treatment options, limited and associated with adverse effects, underscore the need for novel therapeutic approaches. This systematic review comprehensively examines existing research on natural products as potential agents against Chagas disease. Employing a systematic search strategy across diverse databases, studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria were assessed for methodological quality and relevance. The synthesis of findings reveals a spectrum of natural products showcasing promising anti-Trypanosoma cruzi properties. The review discusses the limitations of current evidence, highlights gaps in knowledge, and proposes avenues for future research. By elucidating the landscape of natural products in Chagas disease treatment, this review contributes to the ongoing pursuit of innovative and accessible therapeutic strategies.

Antiviral drugs cannot treat dengue fever, a serious medical disease spread by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. One important arbovirus disease is dengue fever. Safe, affordable and effective drugs that inhibit dengue virus (DENV) are needed to control dengue worldwide. Medicinal plants have long been considered an important alternative in the treatment of various diseases, including dengue fever. The aim of this study was to use databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Research Gate to identify plants of different tribes from different places that can be used for the treatment of DENV infection and open supportive care for dengue. Previous studies have shown antiviral activity of medicinal plants against DENV. The aim of the present study is to discover plants from different tribes from different places that can be used to treat DENV infection and provide open supportive care against dengue. The recommended reporting guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA statement) were followed in the search and selection of articles using the PubMed database, Google Scholar and Research Gate. The final selection was made after careful consideration and up to 85 publications that met the inclusion criteria. It is said that different plants from different tribes and geographical locations can be used to treat DENV infection.

The Golden ratio is an irrational number that has a tendency to appear in many different scientific and artistic fields. It may be found in natural phenomena across a vast range of length scales; from galactic to atomic. In this review, the mathematical properties of the Golden ratio are discussed before exploring where in nature it has been found; beginning at astronomical scales and progressing to smaller lengths, until reaching those of atomic and quantum physics. In making such a tour across length scales, it is illustrated just how prevalent this single number is within the natural universe.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is the second most important cereal grown in Eritrea after sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) grown under low input systems by small scale farmers. The crop utilizes soil moisture efficiently and has ability to tolerate soil toxicity and extreme temperatures than other cereals. It is a sustenance and food security crop important for its nutritive and cultural value and provides dietary energy and nutrition. However, despite the positive attributes and qualities of pearl millets for the present and future agriculture, production has been low. We attribute this to inadequate rainfall distribution, poor crop management by poorly resourced farmers, unavailability and high prices of farm inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides and low adoption of improved varieties by the farmers. This review outlines the constraints, interventions the government/ farmers have and can implement and the prospects of actions that can improve pearl millet production. As much as there have been efforts by the government and stakeholders to address these challenges and improve productivity of pearl millet, more needs to be done to meet the increasing demand of the increasing populations. This will enable farmers to intensify and diversify their agricultural systems and improve food security situation in the country. Unless a combined effort in soil fertility improvement, policies to promote use of modern varieties and conservation of and promotion of this crop biodiversity, the potential of this crop as famine and poverty alleviation among the rural poor will not be realized.

Taking four of the United Nations Development Goals as reference, this overview describes the need to see from a systemic perspective, the food certifications programs along the food chain in Mexico as today food certifications are voluntary. Using secondary data, the main objectives were: a) there is a fall short in food safety policies and those federal agencies responsible for food safety, to guarantee safe food along the whole domestic food chain, especially in that for low income players; b) the amount of the Mexican Federal Budget Expenses devoted to safety food issues is really low, considering the health, well- being, and food security consequences; and c) due the structural heterogeneity of the Mexican food market, there is a lack of coordination in food regulations along all agents of the food supply chain, bringing to alternate informal markets that put at risk peoples´ health, increasing poverty and inequalities. According to this exercise, only 0.7- 8.7% of producers, 12.5% of supermarkets as well as 42.8% of restaurants would have some type of certifications. Public policies must attend this issue in order to improve food safety and security for the whole population, reducing inequalities, poverty and ensuring them a healthy live.

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.

Combinatoric measures of entropy capture the complexity of a graph, but rely upon the calculation of its independent sets, or collections of non-adjacent vertices. This decomposition of the vertex set is a known NP-Complete problem and for most real world graphs is an inaccessible calculation. Recent work by Dehmer et al. and Tee et al. identified a number of alternative vertex level measures of entropy that do not suffer from this pathological computational complexity. It can be demonstrated that they are still effective at quantifying graph complexity. It is intriguing to consider whether there is a fundamental link between local and global entropy measures. In this paper, we investigate the existence of correlation between vertex level and global measures of entropy, for a narrow subset of random graphs. We use the greedy algorithm approximation for calculating the chromatic information and therefore Körner entropy. We are able to demonstrate close correlation for this subset of graphs and outline how this may arise theoretically.

Healthcare workers have atypical working schedule and are exposed to experienced stress that led to poor sleep health and frequent mental complaints, particularly since the Covid-19 crisis. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of poor sleep hygiene and mental complaints and their associations among healthcare workers. Usual sleep-wake timings were ex-plored during workdays and free days and used to compute sleep duration, sleep efficiency and social jetlag. Insomnia, sleepiness, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and fatigue were calculated using validated scales. A total of 1,562 participants were included (80.5% of women and mean age of 40.0). Among them, 25.9% slept less than 6 hours, 24.3% had a poor sleep efficiency, and 11.5% reported a social jetlag. A total of 33.9% of participants reported insomnia, 45.1% reported EDS, 13.1% reported fatigue, 16.5% reported depression and 35.7% reported anxiety. After ad-justment, sleep duration and sleep efficiency were associated with mental complaints. Social jetlag was associated with significant insomnia but not with anxiety or depression symptoms. Healthcare workers have a high prevalence of poor sleep hygiene and mental complaints. The promotion of sleep health through behavioral sleep strategies should be encouraged to ensure good health for these professionals.

Teledermatology, the dermatological consultation and diagnosis via digital communication technologies, has become increasingly important in modern healthcare. The integration of teledermatology into clinical practice has gained significant interest, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness and reliability of teledermatology, with high levels of patient satisfaction and diagnostic accuracy. Pathpoint® eDerma is a cloud-based dermatology platform that aims to streamline the documentation and management of dermatological conditions. It offers several clinical benefits, including faster diagnosis, reduced unnecessary procedures, improved access to care, and cost savings. The platform follows a comprehensive risk management plan and complies with safety regulations. It undergoes regular recertification and reviews to ensure its safety and effectiveness. The clinical evaluation of eDerma confirms its ability to deliver significant clinical benefits while effectively mitigating risks. The benefit-risk ratio of eDerma is highly acceptable, supporting its use in clinical settings to enhance dermatological care.

Cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) is a debilitating condition marked by muscle and fat loss, unresponsive to nutritional support, and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Immune dysfunction, driven by cytokine imbalance, contributes to CAC progression. This review explores the potential relationship between CAC and anti-cancer immune response in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Pre-clinical studies showcase the involvement of cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and TGF-β, in CAC. IL-6 and TNF-α, interacting with muscle and adipose tissues, induce wasting through JAK/STAT and NF-κB pathways. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) exacerbate CAC by promoting inflammation. Clinical studies confirm elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNFα) and immune markers like neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with CAC. Thus, immunomodulatory mechanisms involved in CAC may impact the anti-neoplastic immune response. Inhibiting CAC mechanisms could enhance anti-cancer therapies, notably immunotherapy. R-ketorolac, a new immunomodulator, reversed weight loss and increased survival in mice. Combining these agents with immunotherapy may benefit patients with cancer experiencing CAC. Further research is vital to understand the complex interplay between tumor-induced immune dysregulation and CAC during immunotherapy.

Recent satellite measurements of glacier mass balance show mountain glaciers all over the world had generally negative mass balances in the first decades of the 21st century. Mean summer temperatures all over the world rose from 1961-90 to 1991-2020, implying increasingly negative mass balances. We study archived annual balances for 38 Northern Hemisphere glaciers to assess changes within in the 19612020 period. We use a modified doublemass curve to visualize mass balance changes occurring around 1990. Mean balances 196190 were already small negative for many of the studied glaciers and became even more negative in 19912020 for glaciers in the Alps, at high latitudes and in western North America. The largest mass balance changes are for some glaciers in the Alps. We are unable to explain the lack of change in mean balance for one glacier in High Mountain Asia. We find complex changes for eight glaciers in Scandinavia, even including one glacier with positive balance. We explain these changes by visualizing deviations of winter and summer balances from their respective 1961-90 mean values. High winter balances in the 1990s for Scandinavia partly obscured the emerging trend of increasingly negative summer balances, which we expect to continue in the future.

A foundational model has been developed based on trends built from empirical data of space exploration and computing power through the first six plus decades of the Space Age which projects earliest possible launch dates for human-crewed missions from cis-lunar space to selected Solar System and interstellar destinations. The model uses computational power, expressed as transistors per microprocessor, as a key broadly limiting factor for deep space missions’ reach and complexity. The goal of this analysis is to provide a projected timeframe for humanity to become a multi-world species through off-world colonization, and in so doing all but guarantees the long-term survival of the human race from natural and human-caused calamities that could befall life on Earth. Be-ginning with the development and deployment of the first nuclear weapons near the end of World War II, humanity entered a ‘Window of Peril’ which will not be safely closed until robust off-world colonies become a reality. Our findings suggest the first human-crewed missions to land on Mars, selected Asteroid Belt objects, and selected moons of Jupiter and Saturn can occur before the end of the 21^st century. Launches of human-crewed interstellar missions to exoplanet destinations within roughly 40 lightyears of the Solar System are seen as possible during the 23^rd century and launch of intragalactic missions by the end of the 24^th century. An aggressive and sustained space exploration program, which includes colonization, is thus seen as critical to the long-term survival of the human race.

Phenotypes are driven by regulated gene expression, which in turn are mediated by complex interactions between diverse biological molecules. Protein-DNA interactions such as histone and transcription factor binding are well studied, along with RNA-RNA interactions in short RNA silencing of genes. In contrast, lncRNA-protein interaction (LPI) mechanisms are comparatively unknown, likely driven by the difficulties in studying LPI. However, LPI are emerging as key interactions in epigenetic mechanism, playing a role in development and disease. Their importance is further highlighted by their conservation across kingdoms. Hence, interest in LPI research is increasing. We therefore review the current state of the art in lncRNA-protein interactions. We specifically surveyed recent computational methods and databases which researchers can exploit for LPI investigation. We discovered that algorithm development is heavily reliant on a few generic databases containing curated LPI information. We show that early methods predict LPI using molecular docking, have limited scope and are slow, creating a data processing bottleneck. Recently, machine learning has become the strategy of choice in LPI prediction, likely due to the rapid growth in machine learning infrastructure and expertise. While many of these methods have notable limitations, machine learning is expected to be the basis of modern LPI prediction algorithms.

Technologies around the world produce and interact with geospatial data instantaneously, from mobile web applications to satellite imagery that is collected and processed across the globe daily. Big raster data allows researchers to integrate and uncover new knowledge about geospatial patterns and processes. However, we are also at a critical moment, as we have an ever-growing number of big data platforms that are being co-opted to support spatial analysis. A gap in the literature is the lack of a robust framework to assess the capabilities of geospatial analysis on big data platforms. This research begins to address this issue by establishing a geospatial benchmark that employs freely accessible datasets to provide a comprehensive comparison across big data platforms. The benchmark is a critical for evaluating the performance of spatial operations on big data platforms. It provides a common framework to compare existing platforms as well as evaluate new platforms. The benchmark is applied to three big data platforms and reports computing times and performance bottlenecks so that GIScientists can make informed choices regarding the performance of each platform. Each platform is evaluated for five raster operations: pixel count, reclassification, raster add, focal averaging, and zonal statistics using three different datasets.

Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the field of biopolymers by providing a range of opportunities to create complex and intricate structures. Here we provide an overview of developments in biopolymer AM, first in the context of how natural systems have impacted the synthetic processes of AM, and secondly in the context of how synthetically derived structures can be used for biomedical applications. In particular, we explore the range of biopolymers developed for AM, AM techniques for biopolymers, and potential biocompatible medical applications with a focus on four categories of tissue in the human body: skin, bone, heart, and nerve. Despite the current challenges of the technology, exciting results in tissue regeneration, synthetic replacements for natural grafts, and complex dynamic organoids have already come to pass - with many more possible in the future.

Background: In the present study, cisplatin, artemisinin and oleanolic acid were evaluated alone and in combination, on human ovarian A2780, A2780ZD0473R and A2780cisR cancer cell lines with aim of overcoming cisplatin resistance and side effects. Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT reduction assay. CI values were used as a measure of combined drug effect. MALDI TOF/TOF MS/MS and 2-DE gel electrophoresis were used to identify protein biomarkers in ovarian cancer and to evaluate combination effects. Results: Synergism from combinations was dependent on concentration and sequence of administration. Generally, bolus was most synergistic. 49 proteins differently expressed by 2 ≥ fold were: CYPA, EIF5A1, Op18, p18, LDHB, P4HB, HSP7C, GRP94, ERp57, mortalin, IMMT, CLIC1, NM23, PSA3,1433Z, and HSP90B were down-regulated, whereas hnRNPA1, hnRNPA2/B1, EF2, GOT1, EF1A1, VIME, BIP, ATP5H, APG2, VINC, KPYM, RAN, PSA7, TPI, PGK1, ACTG and VDAC1 were up-regulated, while TCPA, TCPH, TCPB, PRDX6, EF1G, ATPA, ENOA, PRDX1, MCM7, GBLP, PSAT, Hop, EFTU, PGAM1, SERA and CAH2 were not-expressed in A2780cisR cells. The proteins were found to play critical roles in cell cycle regulation, metabolism and biosynthetic processes and drug resistance and detoxification. Conclusion: Results indicate that appropriately sequenced combinations of cisplatin with ART and OA may provide a means to reduce side effects and circumvent platinum resistance.

The aim was to identify if surface electromyography (sEMG) parameters are indicative of post-activation potentiation (PAP)/post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE), in terms of twitch potentiation and voluntary performance. Three databases were used in March 2024, with the following inclusion criteria: (a) original research, assessed in healthy human adults, (b) sEMG parameters were measured. The exclusion criteria were: (a) studies with no PAP/PAPE-protocol, (b) non-randomized control trials. The following data were extracted: study characteristics/demographics, PAP/PAPE-protocols, sEMG parameters, twitch/performance outcomes, and study findings. A modified physiotherapy evidence database (PEDro) scale was used for quality assessment. Fifteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with a total of 199 subjects were included. The M-wave amplitude (combined with a twitch torque outcome) was shown to generally be indicative of PAP. The sEMG amplitude (in some muscles) were found to be indicative of PAPE during ballistic movements, while a small decrease in the MdF (in certain muscles) were shown to reflect PAPE. Changes in the Hmax/Mmax ratio were found to contribute (temporally) to PAP, while the H-reflex amplitude was shown to be neither indicative of PAP nor PAPE. This review provides preliminarily findings suggesting that certain sEMG parameters could be indicative of PAP/PAPE. However, future research is warranted.

In agriculture, the intricate relationship between innovation, productivity, and entrepreneurship is underexplored. Despite the widely recognised role of innovation in driving productivity, concrete indicators and comprehensive farm-level studies are lacking. This research aims to unravel this complexity by exploring the impact of innovation, specifically in agricultural entrepreneurship, on transformative changes in farm productivity. Using a two-stage analysis with the Malmquist Index (MI) of total factor productivity (TFP) on cereal farms from the Farm Business Survey (FBS) over 11 years, the study identifies innovators and, it assesses changes in productivity, technical efficiency, and economic efficiency. The second stage decomposes the MI to understand factors enabling innovation, including changes in technology scale. Objectives include a literature review to map innovation variables, integrating FBS data for validation and assessing productivity impacts from asset enhancements and changes in farming scale. Results reveal significant productivity variation and a moderate overall improvement. Future research directions emphasize expanded data collection on managerial behaviours and technology investments' role in efficiency frontier shifts. The study concludes by emphasising nuanced agricultural policies that leverage farmers' knowledge for innovation through enhanced management efficiency. It advocates for a departure from the 'bigger is better' mentality, proposing educational programs and support services to encourage informed decision-making. This forward-looking approach aims to inform future policies and enhance understanding of the intricate dynamics between agricultural innovation, productivity, and entrepreneurship.

Pollinators are being threatened globally by urbanisation and agricultural intensification, driv-en by a growing human population. Understanding these impacts on landscapes and pollinators is critical to ensuring a robust pollination system. Remote sensing data on land use attributes have previously linked honeybee nutrition to land use in the Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). Here, we instead focus on the less commonly studied Apis cerana japonica – the Japanese Honeybee. Our study presents preliminary data comparing forage (honey and pollen) with land use across a rural-urban gradient from 22 sites in Kyushu, southern Japan. Honey samples were collected from hives between June 2018 and August 2019. Pollen were collected and biotyped from hives in urban and rural locations (n = 4). Previous studies of honey show substantial vari-ation in monosaccharide content. Our analysis of A. cerana japonica honey found very little varia-tion in glucose and fructose (which accounted for 97% of monosaccharides), despite substantial differences in surrounding forage composition. As expected, we observed temporal variation in pollen foraged by A. cerana japonica, likely dependent on flowering phenology. These prelimi-nary results suggest that the forage and nutrition of A. cerana japonica may not be negatively af-fected by urban land use. This highlights the need for further comparative studies between A. cerana japonica and A. mellifera as it could suggest a resilience in pollinators foraging in their na-tive range.

Reliable quantification of pulmonary arterial pressure is essential in the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of a range of cardiovascular pathologies including rheumatic heart disease, yet an accurate and routinely available method for its quantification remains elusive. This work proposes an approach to infer pulmonary arterial pressure based on scientific machine learning techniques and non-invasive, clinically available measurements. A 0-D multicompartment model of the cardiovascular system was optimized using several optimization algorithms, subject to forward-mode automatic differentiation. Measurement data were synthesized from known parameters to represent the healthy, mitral regurgitant, aortic stenosed and combined valvular disease situations with and without pulmonary hypertension. Eleven model parameters were selected for optimization based on 95 % explained variation in mean pulmonary arterial pressure. A hybrid Adam and limited-memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno optimizer yielded the best results with input data including valvular flow rates, heart chamber volume changes and systematic arterial pressure. Mean absolute percentage errors ranged from 1.8 % to 3.78 % over the simulated test cases. The model was able to capture pressure dynamics under hypertensive conditions with pulmonary arterial systole, diastole, and mean pressure average percentage errors of 1.12 %, 2.49 % and 2.14 %, respectively. The relatively low errors highlight the potential of the proposed model to recover pulmonary pressures for diseased heart valve and pulmonary hypertensive conditions.

Glutamine is the most abundant and versatile amino acid in the body. In health and disease, the rate of glutamine consumption by immune cells is similar or greater than glucose. For instance, in vitro and in vivo studies have determined that glutamine is an essential nutrient for lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production, macrophage phagocytic plus secretory activities and neutrophil bacterial killing. Glutamine release to the circulation and availability is mainly controlled by key metabolic organs, such as the gut, liver and skeletal muscles. During catabolic/hypercatabolic situations glutamine can become essential for metabolic function, but its availability may be compromised due to impairment of homeostasis in the inter-tissue metabolism of amino acids. For this reason, glutamine is currently part of clinical nutrition supplementation protocols and/or recommended for immune suppressed individuals. However, in a wide range of catabolic/hypercatabolic situations (e.g. ill/critically ill, post-trauma, sepsis, exhausted athletes) it is currently difficult to determine whether glutamine parenteral or enteral supplementation should be recommended based on the amino acid plasma concentration (glutaminemia). Although the beneficial immune based effects of glutamine supplementation is already established, many questions and evidence for positive in vivo outcomes still remain to be presented. Therefore, this paper provides an integrated review on how glutamine metabolism in key organs is important to cells of the immune system. We also discuss glutamine metabolism, action and important issues related to the effects of glutamine supplementation in catabolic situations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently added snakebite envenoming to the priority list of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). It is thought that ~75% of mortality following snakebite occurs outside the hospital setting, making the temporal gap between a bite and antivenom administration a major therapeutic challenge. Small molecule therapeutics (SMTs) have been proposed as potential pre-referral treatments for snakebite to help address this gap. Herein, we discuss the characteristics, potential uses and development of SMTs as potential treatments for snakebite envenomation. We focus on SMTs that are secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) inhibitors and metalloprotease (MP) inhibitors.

The selection of biomaterials for biomedical application is a significant challenge. In the last few decades, various bioabsorbable and stable biopolymers have been applied for use as biomedical devices in orthopedic applications. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been extensively used in medical implants, notably in the bearings of hip, knee, and other joint prostheses, owing to its biocompatibility and high wear resistance. For the ACL graft, synthetic UHMWPE is an ideal candidate due to its biocompatibility and its extremely high tensile strength. Despite the appeal of new advanced materials such as carbon fiber, poly-ether-ether ketone, and other load-bearing materials, UHMWPE remains a primary load-bearing candidate material for ACL reconstructions because of its extremely high strength, the simplicity of the fabrication process, its biocompatibility, and low friction. However, some significant problems are observed in UHMWPE based implants, such as wear debris, and oxidative degradation due to the generation of free radicals when exposed to irradiation with gamma rays for grafting or sterilization. Various innovative methodologies have been developed to resolve those problems and enhance the properties of UHMWPE. In this review, we will explore in detail the methods for surface functionalization of UHMWPE and will apply these findings to the case study of UHMWPE for Anterior Cruciate Ligament repair.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, arrived during the 2016/2017 cropping season in Limpopo, South Africa and it continues to cause devastating damage on maize in this region. The present study investigated knowledge, perception and management of S. frugiperda by smallholder farmers at Dzindi and Tshiombo irrigation schemes in this region. The study was conducted in 16 focus group discussion interviews, 12 at Dzindi and four at Tshiombo irrigation scheme. Although farmers failed to identify S. frugiperda eggs and pupal stages, they positively identified the pest by its larval stage and refer to it by several local names. All farmers relied extensively on insecticides for S. frugiperda control. With the exception of the Dzindi irrigation scheme farmers, who have adopted Bt maize, very few farmers have adopted alternative methods to chemical control such as mechanical control, physical control (crushing egg and handpicking of larvae), biological control, cultural practices (such as Push-Pull Technology), possible indigenous knowledge, or the use of monitoring tools, for the management of S. frugiperda. The study provided valuable information for designing sustainable management practices to control S. frugiperda on maize in smallholder farming communities.

Microbiome research has gained considerable interest due to the emerging evidence of its impact on human and animal health. Similar to higher organisms, the gut-associated microbiota of mosquitoes affect host fitness and other phenotypes. It is now well established that microbes can alter pathogen transmission in mosquitoes, either positively or negatively, and avenues are being explored to exploit microbes for vector control. However, less attention has been paid to how microbiota affect phenotypes that impact vectorial capacity. Several mosquito and pathogen components, such as vector density, biting rate, survival, vector competence and pathogen extrinsic incubation period all influence pathogen transmission. Interestingly, the mosquito gut-associated microbes can impact each of these components, and therefore ultimately modulate vectorial capacity. Promisingly, this expands the options available to exploit microbes for vector control by also targeting parameters that affect vectorial capacity. However, there are still many knowledge gaps in the biology of the mosquito – microbe symbiosis that need to be addressed in order to understand these interactions more thoroughly and exploit them efficiently. Here, we review current evidence of the impacts of the microbiome on aspects of vectorial capacity highlighting opportunities for novel vector control strategies and areas where further studies are required.

I. Introduction: Adherence to ART reduces morbidity and mortality among PLHIV by suppression of viral replication, restoration and preservation of immune function. However, poor adherence may lead to treatment failure and death. PLHIV have high probability of treatment interruptions due to lockdowns related to COVID-19 protocol. Mortality rate is higher among COVID-19 patients with HIV than those with COVID-19 only. This led to determination of the barriers to antiretroviral medication adherence in PLHIV at the time of COVID-19 pandemic and seek significant association between identified HIV treatment barriers and socio-demographic characteristics. II. Methods: A cross-sectional study using online survey questionnaire was distributed via social media. Sample size was computed using Open Epi software. Data was analyzed using Stata software. Categorical variables and quantitative data were summarized using frequencies and percentages, and mean and standard deviation respectively. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, whichever is more appropriate, was used to determine association between socio-demographic characteristics and HIV treatment barriers. III. Results: There is a total of 116 respondents, 115 were males, homosexual (59.5%), with mean age of 30.25 years old (SD = 6.22) and majority (53.4%) were from NCR. The most common HIV treatment barriers reported by PLHIV in accessing treatment and care were unavailability of transportation and cost of courier services for ARV delivery (62.1%), location of treatment hubs (52.6%) and financial assistance (37.9%). IV. Conclusion: There is significant association between location of treatment hubs and respondents who finished college/graduate studies; checkpoints and crossing borders and: 1. respondents from Northern Luzon, 2. unemployment; financial assistance and: 1. Respondents 18 to 25 years old, 2. unemployment, 3. respondents who finished elementary/high school; psychosocial support and: 1. Respondents from NCR, 2. Respondents 26 to 30 years old;

Earthquakes are one of the most catastrophic natural phenomena. After an earthquake, earthquake reconnaissance enables effective recovery by collecting building damage data and other impacts. This paper aims to identify state-of-the-art data sources for building damage assessment and provide guidance for more efficient data collection. We have reviewed 38 articles that indicate the sources used by different authors to collect data related to damage and post-disaster recovery progress after earthquakes between 2014 and 2021. The current data collection methods have been grouped into seven categories: fieldwork or ground surveys, omnidirectional imagery (OD), terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), remote sensing (RS), crowdsourcing platforms, social media (SM) and closed-circuit television videos (CCTV). The selection of a particular data source or collection technique for earthquake reconnaissance includes different criteria depending on what questions are to be answered by this data. We conclude that modern reconnaissance missions can not rely on a single data source and that different data sources should complement each other, validate collected data, or systematically quantify the damage. The recent increase in the number of crowdsourcing and SM platforms used to source earthquake reconnaissance data demonstrates that this is likely to become an increasingly important source of data.

In considering knowledge graphs in a diverse range of domains of interest, graph neural networks have demonstrated significant improvements in node classification and prediction when applied to graph representation with learning node embedding to effectively represent hierarchical properties of graphs. DiffPool is a deep-learning approach using a differentiable graph pooling technique that generates hierarchical representations of graphs. In operation DiffPool is a differentiable graph pooling technique that generates hierarchical representations of graphs. DiffPool learns a differentiable soft cluster assignment for nodes at each layer of a deep graph neural network with nodes mapped sets of clusters. However, control of the learning process is difficult given the complexity and large number of parameters on an `end-to-end’ model. To address this difficulty we propose an novel approach termed FPool which is predicated on the basic approach adopted in DiffPool (where pooling is applied directly to node representations). Methods designed to enhance data classification have been developed and evaluated using a number popular and publicly available sensor data sets. Experimental results for FPool demonstrate improved classification and prediction performance when compared to alternative methods. Moreover, FPool shows an important reduction in the training time over the basic DiffPool framework.

The study describes in this paper uses direct evidence from processes applied for the developing economy of Indonesia, as it defines the trajectory for its future energy policy and energy research agenda. The paper makes explicit the process undertaken by key stakeholders in assessing and determining the suitability, feasibility and dynamics of the renewable energy sector. Barriers and enablers that key in selecting the most suitable renewable energy sources for developing economies for the renewable energy development have been identified from extensive analyses of research documents alongside qualitative data from the focus group discussions (FGD). The selected FGD participants encompass the collective views that cut across the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental aspects of renewable energy development in Indonesia. The information gained from the FGD gives insights to the outlook and challenges that are central to energy transition within the country, alongside the perceptions of renewable energy development from the influential stakeholders contributing to the process. It is notable that the biggest barriers to transition are centred on planning and implementation aspects, as it is also evident that many in the community do not adhere to the same vision.

Robotic path planning is a field of research which is gaining traction given the broad domains of interest to which path planning is an important systemic requirement; the aim being to optimise the efficacy of robotic movements in a defined operational environment. For example, robots have been employed in many domains including: cleaning robots (such as vacuum cleaners), automated paint spraying robots, window cleaning robots, forest monitoring robots, agricultural robots (often driven using satellite and geostationary positional satellite data). Additionally, mobile robotic systems have been utilised in disaster areas and locations hazardous to humans (such as war zones in mine clearance). The coverage path planning problem describes an approach which is designed to determine the path that traverses all points in a defined operational environment while avoiding static and dynamic (moving) obstacles. In this paper we present our proposed Smooth-STC model, the aim of the model being to identify an optimal path, avoid all obstacles, prevent (or at least minimise) backtracking, and maximise the coverage in any defined operational environment. The experimental results in a simulation show that, in uncertain environments, our proposed smooth STC method achieves an almost absolute coverage rate and demonstrates improvement when measured against alternative conventional algorithms.

While referral-level medicine is important in the veterinary curriculum, students also need a solid base knowledge of clinically relevant routine surgery and diagnostic skills. Veterinary hospitals must maintain a steady caseload that provides wellness cases and commonly encountered conditions. Shelter Medicine programs can create the opportunities to meet these challenges. Students can gain quantifiable surgical experience in spay/neuter with measured growth in surgical efficiency and competency while providing needed community service for animal shelters. Students can directly interact with shelter animals by performing examinations, diagnostic testing, and development of treatment protocols and recommendations for commonly encountered problems. Furthermore, students can obtain a working knowledge of biosecurity on a population level to minimize risk of infectious diseases spreading to healthy populations.

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages. Coffee is enjoyed for a variety of reasons, including its sensory characteristics among which flavor is the most important. Some sensory characteristics of coffee, such as acidity, are attributed to the levels of various organic acids (OAs) and chlorogenic acids (CGAs) present in the brew. The amount and composition of these organic acids are considered key factors that influence the acidity of the coffee. Many roasted coffee products on the market claim to be low in acid or even acid-free altogether. In the present study, we evaluated the acidity of different packaged coffee products. All coffee samples were brewed using the drip method per preparation instructions for each product, and pH values for all samples were measured and recorded. Our results revealed a wide range of pH values among the tested products, with the highest pH value (pH 5.72) in sample XL96 and the lowest value (pH 4.97) in sample XL10. The pH values for the remainder of the samples ranged between (pH 5.0-5.29). The results thus support the importance of creating a standard for the accurate representation of acidity level information on coffee labels.

Abstract: Aedes aegypti were exposed to water treated with mosquitocidal chips containing the insecticide pyriproxyfen in a polymer formulation. Chips were tested under different conditions; different water volumes, in containers made of different material, and in water with different levels of organic matter. Treated chips caused 100% mortality of Ae. aegypti during their pupal stage independent of conditions chips were exposed to in water. When tested for longevity, the chips containing 840 µg of pyriproxyfen killed 100% of Ae. aegypti for 4 sequential months of the chips being reused in water. Chips containing 8.4 µg of pyriproxyfen ceased to work after the first week of treatment. When mosquitocidal chips were used in > 25% of the oviposition containers within their cages, there was a significant control of the mosquito populations. Mosquitocidal chips worked in different environments, lasted for extended periods of time, caused significant mosquito population decreases, and were effective in controlling Ae. Aegypti.

Collaborative robots (cobots) have largely replaced conventional industrial robots in today’s workplaces, particularly in manufacturing setups due to their improved performance and intelligent design. In the framework of Industry 5.0, humans are working alongside cobots to accomplish the required level of automation. However, human-robot interaction has brought up concerns regarding human factors (HF) and ergonomics. A human worker may experience cognitive stress as a result of cobots' irresponsive nature in unpredictably occurring situations, which adversely affects productivity. Therefore, there is a necessity to measure stress to enhance a human worker’s performance in a human-robot collaborative environment. In this study, factory workers’ mental workload has been assessed using physiological, behavioural, and subjective measures. Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signals have been collected to acquire brain signals and track hemodynamic activity, respectively. The effect of task complexity, cobot’s movement speed, and cobot’s payload capacity on the mental stress of a human worker have been observed, for a task designed in the context of a smart factory. Task complexity and cobot’s speed have proved to be more impactful. As physiological measures are unbiased and more authentic means to estimate stress, eventually, they may replace the other conventional measures if they prove to correlate with the results of traditional ones. Here, regression and artificial neural networks (ANN) have been utilised to determine the correlation between physiological data and subjective and behavioural measures. Regression has performed better for most of the targets and the best correlation (rsq-adj = 0.654146) has been achieved for predicting missed beeps, behavioural measure, using a combination of multiple EEG and fNIRS predictors. The k-nearest neighbours (KNN) algorithm has been used to evaluate the accuracy of correlation between traditional measures and physiological variables, with highest accuracy of 77.8% achieved for missed beeps as the target. Results show that physiological measures can be more insightful and have the tendency to replace other biased parameters.

Malaysia became the centre of international attention when it democratically removed a semi-authoritarian government of 62 years during its 14th general election this year. This electoral success has provided geriatric medicine in Malaysia with the unexpected ageing icon in the oldest prime minister in the world. Political change has led to a wave of optimism for the expansion of geriatric services in Malaysia, which has met with numerous challenges in the last two decades. The number of geriatrics specialists and services had already begun expanding under the previous government. However, existing geriatricians will need to reassess the landscape of delivery and access of care in our rapidly growing ageing population and develop new strategies to truly expand their services. In addition to unrelenting efforts in the recruitment and training of future geriatricians, the steady expansion of the geriatric workforce should take into account the inclusion of geriatric medicine in the undergraduate training curricula of all healthcare professionals. Expansion of geriatric services will also be a cost-effective strategy to reduce the growing national healthcare budget incurred by the growing needs of an ageing population.

As the search for exoplanets continues, more are being discovered orbiting Red Giant stars. We use current data from the NASA Exoplanet Archive to investigate planet distribution around Red Giant stars and their presence in the host’s habitable zone. As well, we explore the distribution of planet mass and orbital semi major axis for evolved stars with increasing stellar radii. We found 9 Red Giant-hosted exoplanets, and 21 Subgiant-hosted exoplanets to be in the optimistically calculated habitable zone, 5 and 17 of which are in a more conservatively calculated habitable zone. All the planets detected within their habitable zone orbit stars that are in early stages of evolution. We believe that with more powerful instrumentation, more habitable planets may be found around stars that are in later stages of evolution.

During quasi-stationary tensile deformation of ultrafine-grained Cu-0.2 mass%Zr at 673 K and a deformation rate of about 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ load changes were performed. Relative load reductions by more than about 25% to relative loads R < 0.75 initiate anelastic back flow. Subsequently the creep rate turns positive again and goes through a relative maximum. This is interpreted by a strain rate contribution ε ̇− from recovery of dislocations. Back extrapolation indicates that ε ̇− contributes about (20 ± 10)% to the quasi-stationary strain rate. The stress dependences of the recovery-strain rate ε ̇− and the rate ε ̇+ related with generation and storage of dislocations are discussed in terms of thermally activated processes characterized by different kinetics.

Cosmopolitan Gram-negative cyanobacteria may affect human and animal health by contaminating terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments with toxins, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cyanobacterial genus Scytonema (S) produces several toxins, but to our knowledge the bioactivity of genus Scytonema LPS has not been investigated. We recently reported that cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sp. LPS elicited classical and alternative activation of rat microglia in vitro [1]. Thus, we hypothesized that treatment of brain microglia in vitro with either cyanobacteria S. javanicum or S. ocellatum LPS might stimulate classical and alternative activation with concomitant release of superoxide anion (O₂⁻), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and cytokines and chemokines. Microglia were isolated from neonatal rats and treated in vitro with either S. javanicum LPS, S. ocellatum LPS, or E. coli LPS (positive control) in a concentration-dependent manner for 18 hours at 35.9 °C. We observed that treatment of microglia with either E. coli LPS, S. javanicum or S. ocellatum LPS generated statistically significant and concentration-dependent O₂⁻, MMP-9 and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, pro-inflammatory chemokines MIP-2/CXCL-2, CINC-1/CXCL-1 and MIP-1α/CCL3, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Thus, our results provide experimental support for our working hypothesis because both S. javanicum and S. ocellatum LPS elicited classical and alternative activation of microglia and concomitant release of O₂^-, MMP-9 and cytokines and chemokines in a concentration-dependent manner. To our knowledge this is the first report on the toxicity of cyanobacteria S. javanicum and S. ocellatum LPS to microglia, an immune cell type involved in neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity in the central nervous system.

Fish currently provide 6.7% of all protein consumed by humans globally, nevertheless, aquaculture system has been linked to fish and environmental contamination and disease outbreak. This study aims to isolate, identify, and characterise, bacteria in fish and pond water as well as the antibiotic profile of detected Coliforms. The susceptibility of the isolates was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar. A total of forty (40) isolates were isolated from the water samples of which (5) species were Gram Positive bacteria and 35 species of Gram Negative bacteria. The temperature for all ponds ranged from 25°C to 28°C. The mean bacteria count for pond C1 to T2 were 4.9 × 102, 4.9 × 102, 5.4 × 102, 2.5 × 102, 2.2 × 102, and 1.9 × 102 CFU/ml respectively. All isolates were 100% resistant to ceftazidime, cefuroxime and augmentin. More resistance to cefixime (80%) and gentamicin (73.3%) and nitrofurantoin (66.7%) was recorded. However, only 16.6% and 8.3% of the isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin respectively. The multiple antimicrobial resistance index (MARI) ranged from 0.5 to 0.9. The water quality parameters (temperature and pH) and the type of bacteria detected in all pond type did not differ significantly. The Multi-drug resistance bacteria detected could be pathogenic to fish and consumers.

This study reports an empirical analysis of an all-electric, Net Zero Energy Housing (NZEH) development located in a mixed-humid climate zone (4A, Virginia, USA). Circuit-level energy monitors were used to measure energy consumption and energy production data (solar photovoltaic) at 1-hr intervals in six identical apartments over 24 months. The study employs a multi-step case study methodology to a) empirically evaluate energy consumption and production data, b) identify the temporal variability of energy consumption and production data at different time scales, c) understand the impact(s) of weather and human-building interaction on energy consumption and production, and d) synthesize the study’s “lessons learned” toward data-driven recommendations for future NZEH researchers and practitioners. The study found that the development’s net zero energy goal was achieved in three of six case units and that NZEH housing performance was more influenced by human-building interaction than weather variability. The analysis also found the solar photovoltaic (PV) performance to be reliable across the sampled units over the periods of measurement, suggesting that solar PV could be oversized as an approach to overcome verifiability in HBI and achieve NZEH performance goals.

Wheat and corn silages are widely used as ruminant feed in Israel due to their availability and cost-effectiveness. To ensure long-term preservation without compromising nutritional quality, effective methods must be employed. Inclusion of additives during harvest and ensiling can enhance efficiency and address preservation challenges. In the current study, the effects of microbial inoculum (MI) and urea on the chemical composition, amino acid profiles, aerobic stability, and in vitro digestibility of wheat and corn silages were investigated. Samples of wheat and corn were subjected to four treatments: control, MI, Urea, and a combination of MI+Urea. The treatments were ensiled in anaerobic conditions and opened after 1, 7, 14, or 28 days. Results showed that additives improved the quality parameters of wheat and corn silages. The inclusion of MI produced the most aerobically stable silages. The inclusion of urea in silages deteriorated aerobic stability. Additives improved in vitro cell wall carbohydrates digestibility in both silages and was the best when MI was combined with urea. These results imply additives could be incorporated in silages to enhance their nutritional value, aerobic stability and digestibility. Nonetheless, increased CP content with additives was not accompanied with parallel increase in amino acids content in corn silage.

Background & Aims: This RCT aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of MF4637, a medical food comprising highly concentrated, highly purified, long chain (LC) omega-3 fatty acids, (460 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 380 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) in correcting the omega-3 fatty acid nutritional deficiency present in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The potential for MF4637 to reduce liver fat was evaluated in a subset of patients. Methods: 176 subjects with NAFLD were randomised to receive 3 g/d of LC-omega-3 fatty acids (n=87) or placebo (olive oil; n=89) for 24 weeks, in addition to following standard-of-care dietary guidelines for these patients. Thus, interventions were given on top of the dietary advice. The omega-3 index, omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid ratio (primary outcome) and quantitative measurements of red blood cell (RBC) EPA and DHA (secondary outcome) were determined at baseline and study completion. Magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) assessment of change in liver fat fraction was conducted in a subset of patients. Results: Of the 176 randomised subjects, 167 were analysed for the primary and secondary outcomes (n=81 in the MF4637 group; n=86 in the placebo group). Supplementation with MF4637 for 24 weeks significantly increased the omega-3 index and absolute values of RBC EPA and DHA, and decreased the omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid ratio in NAFLD patients compared to placebo (p<0.0001). There was a statistically significant reduction in liver fat content within both groups with no difference between them. An inverse relationship between change in absolute RBC EPA+DHA and change in liver fat, AST and ALT levels was seen suggesting that a greater increase in omega-3 content was associated with a reduction for both liver fat content and improvement in liver enzyme levels. Additionally, a significant liver fat-lowering effect of MF4637 compared to placebo was demonstrated in a subset of patients with baseline fatty liver index (FLI) score ≥ 40. There were no serious adverse events related to study interventions. Conclusions: The study results demonstrate that the medical food MF4637, was able to correct the nutritional deficiency of omega-3 in NAFLD patients above and beyond that obtained with nutritional counselling. This demonstrates that MF4637 is beneficial in raising the low omega-3 index observed in these patients. A reduction in hepatic steatosis was demonstrated with both intervention groups although no distinction between groups was seen. Further analyses demonstrate the potential to identify omega-3 sensitive patients using an easily available clinical tool for steatosis prediction.

Central adiposity is one of the significant determinants of obesity-related hypertension risk, which may arise due to the abdominal fat depot's pathogenic inflammatory nature. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines up-regulation through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation in adipose tissue has been considered an essential function in the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension. This study aimed to ascertain the NF-κB inhibitor (SN50) effect on TNF-α and angiotensinogen (AGT) secretion and expression in mediating the anti-inflammatory effect through its impact on NF-κB activity in humans adipose tissue. Primary human adipocytes were isolated from 20 subjects among 10 overweight and 10 obese with and without hypertension and treated with 10ng/ml LPS in the presence and absence of NF-κB inhibitor, SN50 (50μg/ml). TNF-α secretion and NF-κB p65 activity were detected in supernatants extracted from cultured cells treated and untreated with LPS (10ng/ml) and SN50 (50μg/ml) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The western blot technique detected the protein of NF-κB p65 and AGT. Gene expression of TNF-α and AGT was detected in cells and performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Treatment of AbdSc adipocytes with LPS (10ng/ml) caused a significant increase in NF-κB p65 among overweight and obese subjects with and without hypertension (P= 0.001) at 24 hours incubation. In contrast, SN50-NF-κB inhibitor causes a reduction of NF-κB p65 in overweight (P= <0.001) and obese subjects with and without hypertension (P= 0.001) at 24 hours incubation. Treatment of AbdSc adipocytes with 10ng/ml LPS caused a significant increase in TNF-α secretion in overweight and obese subjects at all-time points (P= <0.001), whereas SN50 leads to a decrease in TNF-α secretion at 3 and 12 hours incubation. Treatment of AbdSc adipocytes with LPS (10ng/ml) caused increased TNF-α and AGT gene expression twofold compared with untreated cells, whereas, in the presence of SN50, it reduces mRNA AGT levels in both groups. Taken together, these adipokines with NF-κB activation may represent essential biomarkers to evaluate hypertension risk and to provide insight into the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension.

This paper reports modelling outcomes for improvements to building energy performance in Indonesia. Long-term climate effects due to building energy demands including carbon emissions are also considered. The global change assessment model (GCAM) was used to generate the related end-user building energy data, including socioeconomics for urban areas of Indonesia. As a comprehensive study, the total life cycle of carbon in the building sector and the concept of zero-carbon buildings, including energy efficiency, zero-emissions electricity and fuel switching options were considered. Building shell conductance (u-value) of building envelope, floor area ratio (FAR), air conditioner (AC) efficiency, electrical appliances (APLs) efficiency, rooftop photovoltaic (PV) performance and ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems were considered as parameters to mitigate carbon emissions under the operational energy category in GCAM. Carbon mitigation associated with the cement production process was considered in the raw material category. Urban population and labour productivity in Indonesia were used as base inputs with projected growth rates to 2050 determined from available literature. Low growth rate ‘LowRate’ and high growth rate ‘HighRate’ were considered as variable inputs for u-value, FAR, AC efficiency, APLs efficiency, and PV capacity factor to model emissions mitigation. The energy consumption of the GSHP was compared to the conventional reverse cycle ACs to identify the potential of the GSHP as a fuel-switching option. Only base input data were used for cement production process parameters without applying any variable inputs. GCAM base scenarios based on input data only (without modifying variable data) for the residential building sector in Indonesia were considered the benchmark for this study. Total potential carbon emissions mitigation was found to be 432 Mt CO2-e for the residential building sector in Indonesia over 2020-2050. It was found that an average of 24% carbon emissions mitigation could be achieved by 2020-30 and 76% in 2031-2050.

In this study we used a recently developed ex vivo-in vitro model to assess the effect of feeding older adults a casein protein hydrolysate (CPH) compared with non-bioactive non-essential amino acid (NEAA) supplement on Muscle Protein Synthesis (MPS) and Breakdown (MPB). Serum from six healthy older males following overnight fast and 60 min postprandial ingestion of CPH or NEAA (0.33 g.kg^-1 body mass) was used to condition C2C12 myotube media. CPH-fed serum significantly increased MPS compared to fasted serum. In addition, CPH-fed serum induced myotube growth and markedly suppressed atrogin-1, but not MuRF1, expression. Comparatively, no change in MPS, myotube growth and gene expression was observed following NEAA-fed serum treatment. CPH-fed serum from older adults stimulated de novo MPS, suppressed markers of protein breakdown and resulted in myotube growth, indicating a potential role for CPH as a dietary protein source to prevent age-related sarcopenia.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants contain many mutations in its spike receptor binding domain, the target of all authorized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Determining the extent to which Omicron variants reduced mAb susceptibility is critical to preventing and treating COVID-19. We systematically reviewed PubMed and three preprint servers, last updated February 22, 2022, of the in vitro activity of authorized mAbs against the Omicron variants. Thirty-three studies were eligible including 33 containing Omicron BA.1 susceptibility data and five that also contained Omicron BA.2 susceptibility data. The first two authorized mAb combinations, bamlanivimab/etesevimab and casirivimab/imdevimab, were inactive against the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants. In 24 studies, sotrovimab (third authorized mAb) displayed a median 4.1-fold (IQR: 2.4-7.6) reduced activity against Omicron BA.1 and, in four studies, a median 26-fold (IQR:16-35) reduced activity against Omicron BA.2. In 18 studies, cilgavimab and tixagevimab independently displayed median reductions in activity of >300-fold against Omicron BA.1, while in ten studies, the cilgavimab/tixagevimab combination (fourth authorized mAb preparation) displayed a median 63-fold (IQR: 26-145) reduced activity against Omicron BA.1. In two studies, cilgavimab was approximately 100-fold more susceptible to BA.2 than to BA.1. In two studies, bebtelovimab, the most recently authorized mAb, was fully active against both the Omicron variants. Disparate results between assays were common as evidenced by a median 42-fold range (IQR: 25-625) in IC50 between assays for the eight authorized individual mAbs and three authorized mAb combinations. Highly disparate results between published assays indicates a need for improved mAb susceptibility test standardization or inter-assay calibration.

Isotope detection and identification is paramount in many fields of science and industry, such as in the fusion and fission energy sector, in medicine and material science, and in archeology. The isotopic information provides fundamental insight on the research questions related to these fields as well as insight on product quality and operational safety. However, isotope identification with the established mass-spectrometric methods is laborious and requires laboratory conditions. In this work, Microwave-Assisted Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (MW-LIBS) is introduced for isotope detection and identification utilizing radical and molecular emission. The approach is demonstrated with stable B and Cl isotopes in solids and H isotopes in liquid using emission from BO and BO2, CaCl, and OH molecules, respectively. MW-LIBS utilizes the extended emissive plasma lifetime and molecular emission signal integration times up to 900 s to enable use of low ~4 mJ ablation energy without compromising signal intensity and, consequently, sensitivity. On the other hand, long plasma lifetime gives time for molecular formation. Increase in the signal intensity towards the late microwave-assisted plasma was prominent in BO2 and OH emission intensities. As MW-LIBS is online-capable and requires minimal sample preparation, it is an interesting option for isotope detection in various applications.

Large water bodies such as the Laurentian Great Lakes have significant influences on local and regional climate through their unique physical features. Due to the coarse spatial resolution of general circulation models (GCMs), the Great Lakes are geometrically ignored in most GCMs. Thus, the dynamical downscaling technique serves as a necessary and feasible solution to bridge the gap. The Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) with an updated lake scheme is employed to downscale from a GCM, GFDL-CM3. The WRF-Lake’s performance is evaluated against observations, the GCM, as well as 23 other GCMs. Results show that the coupled air-lake model, with a fine spatial resolution and realistic lake bathymetries, reproduced a more reasonable spatiotemporal climatology than GCMs, as well as the lake-induced characteristics that were missed in GCMs. With lakes present, the seasonal variability of air temperature was reduced in WRF-Lake relative to GFDL-CM3, especially in summer. A reduced air temperature trend, about 4.5 °C/100 year in the 21st century, was projected in WRF-Lake. The seasonal evolutions of lake surface temperature and lake ice coverage were well captured by the lake model. The lake surface temperature was projected to be warming by 3.5-4 °C and the lake ice diminishing by 58.9% - 86%. Those results brought by the WRF-Lake model suggest that a fine resolution of the topography and the incorporation of the lake-atmosphere interactions are crucial to improve the understanding of the climate and climate change in the Great Lakes region.

Using a nonclassical symmetry of nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations, some exact multi-dimensional time-dependent solutions are constructed for a fourth-order Allen-Cahn-Hilliard equation. This models a phase field that gives a phenomenological description of a two-phase system near the critical temperature. Solutions are given for the changing phase of a cylindrical or spherical inclusion, allowing for a 'mushy zone' with mixed state that is controlled by imposing a pure state at the boundary. The diffusion coefficients for transport of one phase through the mixture, depend on the phase field value, since the physical structure of the mixture depends on the relative proportions of the two phases. A source term promotes stability of both of the pure phases but this tendency may be controlled or even reversed through the boundary conditions.

Measuring the status and trends of biodiversity is critical for making informed decisions about the conservation, management or restoration of species, habitats and ecosystems. Defining the reference state against which status and change are measured is essential. Typically, reference states describe historical conditions, yet historical conditions are challenging to quantify, may be difficult to falsify, and may no longer be an attainable target in a contemporary ecosystem. We have constructed a conceptual framework to help inform thinking and discussion around the philosophical underpinnings of reference states and guide their application. We characterise currently recognised historical reference states and describe them as Pre-Human, Indigenous Cultural, Pre-Intensification and Hybrid-Historical. We extend the conceptual framework to include contemporary reference states as an alternative theoretical perspective. The contemporary reference state framework is a major conceptual shift that focuses on current ecological patterns and identifies areas with higher biodiversity values, regardless of the disturbance history. The specific context for which we design the contemporary conceptual frame is underpinned by an overarching goal—to maximise biodiversity conservation and restoration outcomes in existing ecosystems. The contemporary reference state framework can account for the inherent differences in the diversity of biodiversity values (e.g., species richness, habitat complexity) across spatial scales, communities and ecosystems. In contrast to historical reference states, contemporary references states are measurable and falsifiable. This ‘road map of reference states’ offers perspective needed to define and assess the status and trends in biodiversity and habitats. Our framework for contemporary reference states provides a tractable way for policy-makers and practitioners to navigate biodiversity assessments to maximise conservation and restoration outcomes in contemporary ecosystems. We illustrate how to define a contemporary reference state using an example from south-eastern Australia.

Overweight and obesity, including its prevalence and consequences reflect a leading public health problem. Studies have already shown that physical activity leads to a reduction in body weight in children and adults. However, the university setting has rarely been investigated. The aim of this review is therefore to examine and summarize the effectiveness of physical-activity-based interventions to reduce obesity and overweight in university students. Three databases (PubMed, Scopus &amp; Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies published in English between January 2010 and February 2022. Quantitative studies, conducting a physical-activity-based intervention with overweight or obese university students and reporting changes in BMI, were included. Data were described in a narrative synthesis. Eleven of 16 included studies reported a significant reduction in BMI. However, all studies except one were able to demonstrate some BMI improvements, whereas all studies reported significant changes in at least one health-related indicator. Aerobic exercises were able to demonstrate the greatest reductions in BMI. This review is the first systematic presentation on the effectiveness of physical-activity-based interventions on overweight and obese university students. Future work should reconsider BMI as the primary outcome because it is prone to bias. More interventions are needed to improve strategies.

Stratified Taylor Couette Flow (STCF) undergoes transient growth. Recent studies have shown that there exists transient amplification in the linear regime of counter-rotating STCF. It is reported that as Gr increases, the maximum amplification factor ($G_0$) initially decays before it eventually starts growing after reaching a certain critical value Gr$_{c}$. Assuming other parameters of the model are kept constant, the value Gr$_{c}$ changes with respect to different speed ratios of the cylinders. The observed decay/growth pattern of $G_0$ is attributed to the interplay between the induced shear and buoyancy. In this study, the mechanism that triggers this observed pattern is investigated. The kinetic budget of the optimal transient perturbation is analysed numerically to simulate the interaction of the shear production (SP), buoyancy production (BP) and other energy components that contributes to the total optimal transient kinetic energy. These contributions affect the total energy by influencing the perturbation to extract kinetic energy (KE) from the mean flow. The decay of $G_0$ resulted from the positive amplification of both BP and SP, while the growth is attributed to the negative and positive amplification of BP and SP, respectively. The optimal SP is positively amplified, implying that there is the possibility of constant linear growth. These findings agree with the linear growth rate for increasing values of Gr.

The continuous growth of roots depends on their ability to maintain a balanced ratio between cell production and cell differentiation at the tip. This process was reported to be regulated by the hormonal balance of cytokinin and auxin. However, other important regulators, such as plant folates, have also been reported to play a regulatory role. In this study, we investigated the impact of the folate precursor PABA on root development. Using pharmacological, genetic, and imaging approaches, we show that the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana roots is repressed by either supplementing the growth medium with PABA or overexpressing the PABA synthesis gene GAT-ADCS. This is associated with a smaller root meristem size, which consists of fewer cells. Conversely, reducing the levels of free root endogenous PABA results in longer roots with extended meristems and increased cell numbers. We provide evidence that PABA represses Arabidopsis root growth in a folate-independent manner and likely acts through two mechanisms: (i) the G2/M transition of cell division in the root apical meristem and (ii) promoting premature cell differentiation in the transition zone. These data collectively suggest that PABA plays a role in Arabidopsis root growth at the point where cell division and cell differentiation intersect.

The residential sector in the United States is in need of comprehensive policy-making reforms that concurrently address housing affordability and environmental sustainability. This study investigates the feasibility of state-wide zero-energy affordable housing by analyzing historical data on climate, energy use, and solar system costs in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The hypothesis examined is that the net present cost of implementation of rooftop residential solar systems to achieve zero-energy Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) buildings is lower than the discounted present cost of energy of otherwise identical conventional buildings that run without renewable energy generation systems. The authors propose a generalizable framework for analyzing the feasibility of achieving region- or state-wide zero-energy LIHTC developments. To validate the framework, the authors employ a longitudinal sample of monthly energy use data from 2013-2016 obtained from 310 residential units of 15 LIHTC developments across the state. Based on statistical regression analysis, energy simulation, and simulation-based risk analysis, the authors find that the net present value of zero-energy LIHTC investments can be positive with a low risk. The investment value varies often depending on the zero-energy building definition, weather characteristics, retail price of electricity, and incentive rate. This study can help housing policymakers and industry professionals analyze and benchmark the feasibility of innovative zero-energy housing policies and projects.

Public health practices including handwashing and vaccinations help reduce the spread and impact of infections. Nevertheless, the global burden of infection is high, and additional measures are necessary. Acute respiratory tract infections, for example, are responsible for approximately 2.65 million deaths per year. The role nutrition plays in supporting the immune system is well-established. A wealth of mechanistic and clinical data show that vitamins, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate; trace elements, including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper; and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid play important and complementary roles in supporting the immune system. Inadequate intake and status of these nutrients are widespread, leading to a decrease in resistance to infections and as a consequence an increase in disease burden. Against this background the following conclusions are made: 1) Supplementation with the above micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids is a safe, effective, and low-cost strategy to help support optimal immune function; 2) Supplementation above the RDA, but within recommended upper safety limits, for specific nutrients such as vitamins C and D is warranted; and 3) Public health officials are encouraged to include nutritional strategies in their recommendations to improve public health.

This study presents the manufacturing process driven development of an interlocking metasurface mechanism (ILM) for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) with a focus on open-source accessibility. The presented ILM is designed to enable strong contact between to planar surfaces. The mechanism consists of spring elements and locking pins which snap together when forced into contact. The mechanism is designed to optimize mechanical properties, functionality and printability with common FFF printers. The mechanisms is printed from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filament which was selected for its flexibility, crucial for spring element performance and tolerances of the fabrication method. To characterize the designed mechanism a tensile test is carried out to assess the holding force of the ILM. The force-displacement profiles are analyzed and categorized into distinct phases, highlighting the interplay between spring deformation, sliding, and disengagement. The results show variations in holding forces attributed to geometric and material-related factors. The testing results are compared and discussed to a numerical simulation carried out with a frictionless approach with a nonlinear Neo–Hookean material law. The study underscores the importance of meticulous parameter control in 3D printing for consistent and reliable performance of interlocking metasurface mechanisms. The investigation leads to a scalable model of a ILM element pair with a distinct three-phase snapping characteristics ensuring reliable holding capabilities.

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a polyphagous, highly destructive pest capable of vectoring viruses in most agricultural crops. Currently, information on the distribution and genetic diversity of B. tabaci in South Sudan is not available. The objectives of this study were to investigate the genetic variability of B. tabaci infesting sweet potato and cassava in South Sudan. Field surveys were conducted between August 2017 and July and August 2018 in 10 locations in Juba County, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan. Sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) were used to determine the phylogenetic relationships between sampled B. tabaci. Six distinct genetic groups of B. tabaci were identified including three non-cassava haplotypes (Mediterranean (MED), Indian Ocean (IO) and Uganda) and three cassava haplotypes (Sub-Saharan Africa 1 sub-group 1 (SSA1-SG1), SSA1-SG3 and SSA2). MED predominated on sweet potato and SSA2 on cassava in all the sampled locations. The Uganda haplotype was also widespread, occurring in five of the sampled locations. This study provides important information on the diversity of B. tabaci species in South Sudan. A comprehensive assessment of the genetic diversity, geographical distribution, population dynamics and host range of B. tabaci species in South Sudan is vital for its effective management.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major public health concern with an increasing proportion of sufferers progressing to renal replacement therapy (RRT). Early identification of those at risk of disease progression could be key in improving outcomes. We hypothesise that urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (uL-FABP) may be a suitable biomarker for CKD progression and can add value to currently established biomarkers such as urinary protein to creatinine ratio (uPCR) 583 participants with CKD 1-5 (not receiving renal replacement therapy) entered a 2-yr prospective longitudinal study. UPCR and uL-FABP were measured at baseline and CKD progression was defined as either i) a decline in eGFR of >5ml/min/1.73m2 or an increase in serum creatinine by 10% at 1-yr or ii) a decline in eGFR of >6 ml/min/1.73m2, or an increase in serum creatinine by 20% at 2-yrs or iii) the initiation of RRT. A combined outcome of initiating RRT or death was also included. Approximately 40% of participants showed CKD progression. UL-FABP predicted CKD progression at both years 1 and 2 (OR 1.01, p<0.01). Sensitivity and specificity were comparable to those of uPCR (AUC 0.623 v 0.706) and heat map analysis suggested that uL-FABP in the absence of significant proteinuria can predict an increase in serum creatinine of 10% at 1yr and 20% at 2yr. The risk of the combined outcome of initiating RRT or death was 23% higher in those with high uL-FABP (p<0.01) independent of uPCR. UL-FABP appears to be a highly sensitive and specific biomarker of CKD progression. The use of this biomarker could enhance the risk stratification of CKD and its progression and should be assessed further.

In this paper an overview of waste materials in underground coal mines is presented, whereas waste materials can be of anthropogenic or geogenic origin. Complex interactions with mine water and waste materials take place, especially during mine water level rebound. Bearing in mind that under the increasing societal pressure most, if not all underground coal mines are going to be closed rather sooner than later, it is important to understand these interactions and to predict the composition and dynamics of mine water lever rebound in underground coal mines to prevent adverse effects to the environment, especially receiving waters and drinking water resources. The second part of this article focusses on the experiences gained in the Ruhr area, a closed underground coal mining region in Western Germany, where mine water rebound has been ongoing for decades. In this regard, the modelling program DMT-Boxmodel has been developed and applied to predict the hydrodynamics and hydrogeochemical development of the water rebound. As an example, simulation results of water rebound as well as solute and PCB transport in central province of Ruhr mining area are compared to the monitoring data, and predictions over 3 decades are given. The experiences gained in the mine water management in Ruhr area can be applied in mining areas worldwide.

Non-normal mode stability analysis has long been employed to study linear transient characteristics of wall bounded shear flows. However, the application of this approach to investigate shear flows with stratified thermal conditions (STCF) has received limited attention. This paper examines thermal effects on Taylor-Couette flow. The results in this study indicate the possibility of a subcritical bifurcation in stratified Taylor-Couette flow.

: Arboviruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus have been introduced to Florida on many occasions. Infrequently, these introductions lead to sporadic local transmission and, more rarely, sustained local transmission. Both mosquito species are present in Florida, with spatio-temporal variation in population composition. We developed a 2-vector compartmental, deterministic model to investigate factors influencing Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) establishment. The model includes a non-linear, temperature-dependent mosquito mortality function based on minimum mortality in a central temperature region. Latin Hypercube sampling was used to generate parameter sets used to simulate transmission dynamics, following the introduction of one infected human. The analysis was repeated for 3 values of the mortality function central temperature. Mean annual temperature was consistently important in the likelihood of epidemics, and epidemics increased as the central temperature increased. Ae. albopictus recruitment was influential at the lowest central temperature while Ae. aegypti recruitment was influential at higher central temperatures. Our results indicate that the likelihood of CHIKV establishment may vary, but overall Florida is permissive for introductions. Model outcomes were sensitive to the specifics of mosquito mortality. Mosquito biology parameters are variable, and improved understanding of this variation will improve our ability to predict the outcome of introductions.

Climate change is the long-term shift in global weather patterns, largely caused by anthropogenic activity of greenhouse gas emissions. Global climate temperatures have unmistakably risen and naturally-occurring climate variability alone cannot account for this trend. Human activities are estimated to have caused about 1.0 °C of global warming above the pre-industrial baseline and if left unchecked, will continue to drastically damage the Earth and its inhabitants. Globally, natural disasters and subsequent economic losses have become increasingly impactful as a result of climate change. Both wildlife ecosystems and human habitats have been negatively impacted, from rising sea levels to alarming frequency of severe weather events around the world. Attempts towards alleviating the effects of global warming have often been at odds and remain divided among a multitude of strategies, reducing the overall effectiveness of these efforts. It is evident that collaborative action is required for avoiding the most severe consequences of climate change. This paper evaluates the main strategies (industrial/energy, political, economic, agricultural, atmospheric, geological, coastal, and social) towards both mitigating and adapting to climate change. As well, it provides an optimal combination of seven solutions which can be implemented simultaneously, working in tandem to limit and otherwise accommodate the harmful effects of climate change. Previous legislation and deployment techniques are also discussed as guides for future endeavors.