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Grafting polymer chains to the surface of nanoparticles overcomes the challenge of nanoparticle dispersion within nanocomposites and establishes high-volume fractions that are found to enable enhanced material mechanical properties. This study utilizes coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to quantify how the shear modulus of polymer-grafted nanoparticle (PGN) systems in their glassy state depends on parameters such as strain rate, nanoparticle size, grafting density, and chain length. The results are interpreted through further analysis of the dynamics of chain conformations and volume fraction arguments. The volume fraction of nanoparticles is found to be the most influential variable in deciding the shear modulus of PGN systems. A simple rule of mixture is utilized to express the monotonic dependence of shear modulus on the volume fraction of nanoparticles. Due to the reinforcing effect of nanoparticles, shortening the grafted chains results in a higher shear modulus in PGNs, which is not seen in linear systems. These results offer timely insight into calibrating molecular design parameters for achieving the desired mechanical properties in PGNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The frequent geographical changes of mobile nodes in Internet of Things (IoT) systems affect communication, activities, and behaviors. In such scenarios, it is crucial to establish a system model capable of evaluating quality of service (QoS) measures. However, the existing formal modeling techniques pose complexities in modeling mobility. To deal with these challenges, this study aims to propose a model that simplifies the process of modeling mobility within IoT systems. This paper presents a method for modeling mobility within IoT systems by leveraging a widely recognized extension of stochastic Petri nets known as stochastic reward nets (SRNs). The proposed method enhances the SRN model by incorporating the location concept, resulting in a novel extension called mobile SRN (MSRN). In this work, a case study utilizes the MSRN to evaluate the suggested features, examining various scenarios and investigating the impact of factors such as environmental conditions, sensor sampling rate, and the permissible distance of the node from the sink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti‐CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)‐T cell therapies have shown promise for treating B cell malignancies, but the clinical outcome is influenced by both the CAR‐T product and the patient's immune system. The role of γδ T cells in the context of CAR‐T cell therapy remains poorly understood. This study investigates the transcriptional heterogeneity, clonal expansion and dynamics of γδ T cells in patients undergoing anti‐CD19 CAR‐T cell therapy. Longitudinal single cell multi‐omics analysis was performed on γδ T cells from four patients receiving anti‐CD19 CAR‐T cell therapy. Single cell RNA‐seq, antibody‐based protein profiling (AbSeq) and full‐length TCRγδ sequences revealed clonally expanded populations displaying plasticity in T cell differentiation, and temporal dynamics of large clones, suggesting ongoing expansion and differentiation. Clonally expanded γδ T cells had heterogeneous gene expression profiles, occupying seven transcriptionally distinct clusters. Analysis of chemokine markers indicated cluster‐specific homing tendencies of circulating γδ T cells to peripheral tissues. We found unexpectedly high frequencies of Vδ1 and Vδ3 cells in the blood with distinct gene and protein expression profiles. This analysis provides insights into the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of γδ T cells following anti‐CD19 CAR‐T cell therapy, contributing valuable information for optimizing CAR‐T cell therapies in B cell malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of PRF-augmented fascia tympanoplasty versus cartilage tympanoplasty in repair of large TM perforations. Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 156 patients with dry large tympanic membrane perforations. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups, cartilage tympanoplasty group (n = 77) and platelet rich fibrin (PRF) augmented tympanoplasty group (n = 79). Graft take rates, hearing outcomes, operative time, and postoperative complications were documented and compared. Results: Graft take rate was 96.1% in the cartilage group and 93.7% PRF group with no statistically significant difference. Operative time was significantly longer in the cartilage group. No differences in the hearing outcomes and postoperative complications were reported. Conclusion: Application of PRF on the fascia in tympanoplasty promotes healing of the tympanic membrane. PRF is safe, cheap, readily available, and easily prepared and applied. It increases the success rates of large tympanic membrane perforations without the need for cartilage grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the dynamics of network intermedia agenda-setting (IAS) between televised presidential debate and Twitter, focusing on the 10th Democratic Party Presidential Primary Debate of 2020 and corresponding Twitter discussions. By utilizing a social network analysis, this study uncovers the prioritized issues and sub-issues, as well as the networked relationship between the televised debate and Twitter discussions. The results suggest that certain sub-issues are more salient than main issues in both networks, emphasizing the need to consider detailed discussions alongside overarching issues. A positive, but weak, correlation between the televised debate and Twitter discussion was found. The theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the effects of the degradation of mechanical properties (pinching, stiffness degradation, and strength degradation) in load-deformation relationship of the superstructures equipped with friction pendulum systems on the seismic fragility and reliability results. An equivalent two-degree-of-freedom model is employed, in which the Bouc-Wen hysteretic model characterizes the inelastic behavior of both the superstructure and the isolator. To examine a wide variety of system combinations with different structural properties and degradation severity, a comprehensive parametric study is performed. Incremental dynamic analyses are carried out to develop fragility functions. Subsequently, the seismic reliability of both the superstructure and the isolation level is assessed. Results indicate that the negative effects of degrading behavior are more prominent in stiff superstructures as it significantly decreases structural capacity and reliability indices. It is demonstrated that the system is primarily influenced by pinching behavior rather than degradation in strength and stiffness, especially at low intensity levels that correspond to lower limit-states. In the majority of investigated systems, the seismic demand in the isolator decreases when superstructures undergo degrading behavior. Overall, such effects should be considered in the reliability-based design procedure to attain design consistency in terms of reliability. The results of this paper that account for the degrading effects enable reliable estimations of key parameters essential for the design of the superstructure and the isolator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This systematic review and meta‐analysis aim to synthesize the available evidence and determine the overall brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in individuals diagnosed with perinatal depression (PND). Methods: We performed a thorough search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, from their start until April 30, 2023. Our search strategy involved using specific keywords and medical subject headings (MeSH) terms related to BDNF, perinatal, post‐partum, and antepartum depression. In the meta‐analysis, we employed a random‐effects model, and subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate any variations in the results. Results: A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 10 were used in the quantitative analysis. The meta‐analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in BDNF levels in both individuals with antepartum depression (SMD: –0.31; 95% CI: −0.48 to −0.13; p‐value = 0.0008; I2 = 71%), and post‐partum depression (SMD: –0.61; 95% CI: −0.99 to −0.22; p‐value = 0.0002 I2 = 77%). Furthermore, a significantly higher rate of PND among individuals in the lowest BDNF quartile (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.01 to 6.89; p‐value = 0.05; I2 = 90%) was seen. The results of subgroup analyses showed a statistically significant effect of the depression assessment tool on overall heterogeneity between studies. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta‐analysis provide evidence of lower BDNF protein levels in individuals diagnosed with PND. The results indicate that BDNF dysregulation may play a part in the development of PND. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this and explore potential therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, bran is considered a functional compound in the food industry. The aim study was to investigate different processing methods of rice bran to improve its physicochemical characteristics. Treatments were prepared in 12 groups, control (C0), 4 samples hydrothermal treated H1 and H2 (1 and 2 h at 30 °C, respectively), H3 and H4 (1 and 2 h at 80 °C, respectively), 4 samples microwave treated M1 and M2 (4 and 7 min at a 600 w, respectively), M3 and M4 ((4 and 7 min at a 600 w, respectively), 4 samples hydrothermal -microwave treated HM1 and HM2 (First, 1 and 2 h at 50 °C, respectively, then 4 min at 750 w), HM3 and HM4 (First, 1 and 2 h at 50 °C, respectively, then 7 min at 750 w). The results showed that the hydrothermal - microwave method was more effective in reducing phytic acid than the other two methods (p<0.05) so the HM4 treatment had the lowest amount of phytic acid (p<0.05). The color value test showed the lowest ΔE change was related to rice bran hydrothermal treated (H1 with ΔE equal to 6.36) (p<0.05). The hydrothermal -microwave process showed the highest retention of iron, zinc, and calcium (p<0.05). Most minerals were shown in HM1 (6.68, 1.56, and 106.43 ppm, respectively). The heavy metals test indicated that in all treatments, the number of heavy metals significantly decreased compared to the control (p<0.05). However, the microwave method was more effective than others (p<0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that using the hydrothermal -microwave method provides better quality rice bran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for reliable video surveillance systems to detect and prevent suspicious activities has become more important with the increase in crime and security threats. This paper proposes a real-time video surveillance system based on the Long-term Recurrent Convolutional Network (LRCN) model, which can automatically detect and alert the authority about suspicious activities, such as fighting, accidents, and robbery. Our system comprises two main components: LRCN-based activity recognition and real-time alert generation. We evaluated the performance of the proposed system on a custom dataset compiled from two publicly available datasets and achieved state-of-the-art results in terms of accuracy, precision, and recall. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness and scalability of the LRCN-based video surveillance system for real-time suspicious activity detection. We believe that our proposed system can be deployed in various public places, such as airports, train stations, and shopping malls, to enhance the security and safety of the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Capsicum annuum, a significant agricultural and nutritional crop, faces production challenges due to its sensitivity to various abiotic stresses. Glyoxalase (GLY) and D-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) enzymes play vital roles in mitigating these stresses by detoxifying the stress-induced cytotoxin, methylglyoxal (MG). Methods: A genome-wide study was conducted to identify and characterize glyoxalase I (GLYI), glyoxalase II (GLYII), unique glyoxalase III or DJ-1 (GLYIII), and D-LDH gene candidates in Capsicum annuum. The identified members were evaluated based on their evolutionary relationships with known orthologues, as well as their gene and protein features. Their expression patterns were examined in various tissues, developmental stages, and in response to abiotic stress conditions using RNA-seq data and qRT-PCR. Results: A total of 19 GLYI, 9 GLYII, 3 DJ-1, and 11 D-LDH members were identified, each featuring characteristic domains: glyoxalase, metallo-β-lactamase, DJ-1_PfpI, and FAD_binding_4, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct clades depending on functional diversification. Expression profiling demonstrated significant variability under stress conditions, underscoring their potential roles in stress modulation. Notably, gene-specific responses were observed with CaGLYI-2, CaGLYI-7, CaGLYII-6, CaDJ-1 A, and CaDLDH-1 showed upregulation under salinity, drought, oxidative, heat, and cold stresses, while downregulation were shown for CaGLYI-3, CaGLYII-1, CaDJ-1B, and CaDJ-1 C. Remarkably, CaGLYI-1 presented a unique expression pattern, upregulated against drought and salinity but downregulated under oxidative, heat, and cold stress. Conclusion: The identified GLY and D-LDH gene families in Capsicum annuum exhibited differential expression patterns under different abiotic stresses. Specifically, CaGLYI-2, CaGLYI-7, CaGLYII-6, CaDJ-1 A, and CaDLDH-1 were upregulated in response to all five analyzed abiotic stressors, highlighting their critical role in stress modulation amidst climate change. This study enhances our understanding of plant stress physiology and opens new avenues for developing stress-resilient crop varieties, crucial for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractConsider a pair of right triangles with an equal hypotenuse. This turns out to solve the diophantine system of equations a2 + b2 = c2 + d2 = e2 in integers. To this system we associate a family of elliptic curves with defining equation y2 = (x−a2)(x−b2)(x−c2)+a2b2c2. We show that there exists a subfamily of rank ≥ 3 over ℚ(m, n, k, ℓ) and obtain a subfamily of rank (exactly) four over ℚ(k) and determine a set of its free generators. Besides, we show there exist infinitely many elliptic curves of rank ≥ 5 parameterized by a rank five quartic elliptic curve. We also find a few particular examples with higher ranks. The families we construct have ℤ/2ℤ torsion subgroups in general. The previous work [13] has obtained similar Pythagorean quadruplet elliptic curve families in two parameters with rank ≥ 3. (Recall that by a Pythagorean quadruplet (a, b, c, d), we mean an integer solution to the quadratic equation a2 + b2 = c2 + d2.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious health condition and represents an important cause of morbidity and, in some cases, mortality due to the lack of effective treatment options. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 out of 10 people with VTE will have recurrence of a clotting event within ten years, presenting a significant unmet medical need. For some VTE patients, symptoms can last longer and have a higher than average risk of serious complications; in contrast, others may experience complications arising from insufficient therapies. People with VTE are initially treated with anticoagulants to prevent conditions such as stroke and to reduce the recurrence of VTE. However, thrombolytic therapy is used for people with pulmonary embolism (PE) experiencing low blood pressure or in severe cases of DVT. New drugs are under development, with the aim to ensure they are safe and effective, and may provide an additional option for the treatment of VTE. In this review, we summarize all ongoing trials evaluating anticoagulant interventions in VTE listed in clinicaltrials.gov, clarifying their underlying mechanisms and evaluating whether they prevent the progression of DVT to PE and recurrence of thrombosis. Moreover, this review summarizes the available evidence that supports the use of antiplatelet therapy for VTE. Since thrombolytic agents would cause off-target effects, targeted drug delivery platforms are used to develop various therapeutics for thrombotic diseases. We discuss the recent advances achieved with thrombus-targeting nanocarriers as well as the major challenges associated with the use of nanoparticle-based therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s) are cyclic macrocycles with rich host‐guest chemistry. In many cases, guest binding in CB[n]s results in host structural deformations. Unfortunately, measuring such deformations remains a major challenge, with only a handful of manual estimations reported in the literature. To address this challenge, we have developed the public program ElliptiCB[n], which is available on GitHub, that provides a robust and automated method for measuring the elliptical deformations in CB[n] hosts. We outline the development and validation of this approach, apply ElliptiCB[n] to measure the ellipticity of the 1113 available CB[n] structures from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), and directly investigate the structural deformations of CB[5], CB[6], CB[7], CB[8], and CB[10] hosts. We also report the general landscape of accessible CB[n] elliptical deformations and compare ellipticity distributions across CB[n] hosts and host‐guest complexes. We found that in almost all cases guest binding significantly impacts the distribution of host ellipticity distributions and that these distributions are dissimilar across host‐guest complexes of differently sized CB[n]s. We anticipate that this work will provide a useful approach for understanding of the flexibility of CB[n] hosts and will also enable future measurement and standardization of ellipticity measurements of CB[n]s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscular hydrostats, such as octopus arms or elephant trunks, lack bones entirely, endowing them with exceptional dexterity and reconfigurability. Key to their unmatched ability to control nearly infinite degrees of freedom is the architecture into which muscle fibers are weaved. Their arrangement is, effectively, the instantiation of a sophisticated mechanical program that mediates, and likely facilitates, the control and realization of complex, dynamic morphological reconfigurations. Here, by combining medical imaging, biomechanical data, live behavioral experiments, and numerical simulations, an octopus-inspired arm made of >200 continuous muscle groups is synthesized, exposing "mechanically intelligent" design and control principles broadly pertinent to dynamics and robotics. Such principles are mathematically understood in terms of storage, transport, and conversion of topological quantities, effected into complex 3D motions via simple muscle activation templates. These are in turn composed into higher-level control strategies that, compounded by the arm's compliance, are demonstrated across challenging manipulation tasks, revealing surprising simplicity and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-medical masks such as disposable non-medical, commercially produced cloth, and homemade masks are not regulated like surgical masks. Their performance, in terms of filtration efficiency and breathability, is variable and unreliable. This research provides a quantitative evaluation of various non-medical masks, assesses their fabrics' potential for the reduction of transmission of bioaerosols such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and compares them to surgical masks and N95 filtering facepiece respirators. Using a testing line with a NaCl challenge aerosol, four types of commercial reusable cloth masks, two types of disposable non-medical masks, three types of surgical or N95 masks, and seven types of commonly available materials were tested individually and in combinations. The testing line and procedure were adapted from the ASTM F2299-03: Standard Test Method for Determining the Initial Efficiency of Materials Used in Medical Face Masks to Penetration by Particulates Using Latex Spheres testing method used for testing surgical masks. Filtration efficiencies at 0.15 µm particle diameter at a face velocity of 25 cm/sec for commercial cloth masks, disposable non-medical masks, surgical masks, commercial mask combinations, and homemade combinations ranged from 16–29%, 39–76%, 91–97%, 51–95%, and 45–94%, respectively. The pressure drop results for the different masks and material combinations were all under 3 mm H2O/cm2 except for one material configuration. This study builds on other research that looks at individual materials and masks by testing combinations alongside the individual masks and materials. With proper layering, household materials can achieve the filtration efficiency and low pressure drop requirements of surgical masks. The filtration capabilities of disposable and cloth mask fabrics vary considerably meaning that they are not a reliable or consistent facemask option, regardless of fit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In long‐distance dispersal events, colonising species typically begin with a small number of founding individuals. A growing body of research suggests that establishment success of small founding populations can be determined by the context of the colonisation event and the new environment. Here, we illuminate the importance of these sources of context dependence. Using a spatially explicit, temporally dynamic, mechanistic, individual‐based simulator of a model amphibian species, the cane toad (Rhinella marina), we simulated colonisation scenarios to investigate how (1) the number of founding individuals, (2) the number of dispersal events, (3) landscape's spatial composition and configuration of habitats ('spatially heterogeneous landscapes') and (4) the timing of arrival with regards to dynamic environmental conditions ('dynamic environmental conditions') influence the establishment success of small founding populations. We analysed the dynamic effects of these predictors on establishment success using running‐window logistic regression models. We showed establishment success increases with the number of founding individuals, whereas the number of dispersal events had a weak effect. At ≥ 20 founding individuals, propagule size swamps the effects of other factors, to whereby establishment success is near‐certain (≥ 90%). But below this level, confidence in establishment success dramatically decreases as number of founding individuals decreases. At low numbers of founding individuals, the prominent predictors are landscape spatial heterogeneity and dynamic environmental conditions. For instance, compared to the annual mean, founding populations with ≤ 5 individuals have up to 18% higher establishment success when they arrive in 'packed' landscapes with relatively limited and clustered essential habitats and right before the breeding season. Accounting for landscape spatial heterogeneity and dynamic environmental conditions is integral in understanding and predicting population establishment and species colonisation. This additional complexity is necessary for advancing biogeographical theory and its application, such as in guiding species reintroduction efforts and invasive alien species management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to develop a meshless radial point interpolation (RPI) method for obtaining the numerical solution of fractional Navier–Stokes equations. The proposed RPI method discretizes differential equations into highly nonlinear algebraic equations, which are subsequently solved using a fixed-point method. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis regarding the effects of spatial and temporal discretization, polynomial order, and fractional order is conducted. These factors' impacts on the accuracy and efficiency of the solutions are discussed in detail. It can be shown that the meshless RPI method works quite well for solving some benchmark problems accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a three-dimensional thermal analysis of the laser sintering additive manufacturing process was conducted. Analytical heat sink methods and numerical finite element analysis in Abaqus software were employed to assess the thermal behavior of the workpiece. Comparing the analytical method used in this study with those in the existing literature reveals the superiority of the results obtained in this research. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the numerical and analytical results in this study are in good agreement with each other. Furthermore, the proposed method in this study has yielded significant findings, indicating its applicability in addressing the complexity of the problem. The findings demonstrated that optimizing the temperature distribution is attainable through adjustments to the initial workpiece temperature and scanning speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a Bayesian semiparametric model for the impact of dynamic treatment rules on survival among patients diagnosed with pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The data consist of a subset of patients enrolled in a phase III clinical trial in which patients move through a sequence of four treatment courses. At each course, they undergo treatment that may or may not include anthracyclines (ACT). While ACT is known to be effective at treating AML, it is also cardiotoxic and can lead to early death for some patients. Our task is to estimate the potential survival probability under hypothetical dynamic ACT treatment strategies, but there are several impediments. First, since ACT is not randomized, its effect on survival is confounded over time. Second, subjects initiate the next course depending on when they recover from the previous course, making timing potentially informative of subsequent treatment and survival. Third, patients may die or drop out before ever completing the full treatment sequence. We develop a generative Bayesian semiparametric model based on Gamma Process priors to address these complexities. At each treatment course, the model captures subjects' transition to subsequent treatment or death in continuous time. G-computation is used to compute a posterior over potential survival probability that is adjusted for time-varying confounding. Using our approach, we estimate the efficacy of hypothetical treatment rules that dynamically modify ACT based on evolving cardiac function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient time integration scheme has been devised for conducting time-history dynamic analysis of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structural systems. The developed scheme belongs to Runge-Kuta family. The primary innovation of the new formulation lies in the constructive cooperation between the Hermite interpolation and the Gauss–Lobatto integration, linked to address the second-order ordinary differential equation of motion (DEOM). To put the idea into practice, several Hermite interpolators are generated to exploit the information of the internal points of Gauss-Lobatto integrator. The 4-point Gauss–Lobatto formula is employed to numerically integrate acceleration and velocity functions. This novel methodology has been designated the Gauss–Lobatto–Hermite 4-point (GLH-4P) method. GLH-4P furnishes a generally applicable implicit algorithm for conducting both linear and nonlinear analyses of structures subjected to seismic excitation. The advantage of the proposed algorithm over the conventional techniques is its higher accuracy level. Besides, it offers better stability compared with the conventional methods such as the Newmark-β and Wilson-θ methods. Unlike the other methods, GLH-4P can handle high-frequency systems without reducing the step size. Numerical examples reveal the efficacy of the GLH-4P method when juxtaposed against existing methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A central processing unit receives data from all agents and transmits control commands in a Networked Control System (NCS) which is centralised. Centralised NCSs have numerous applications in industrial settings due to their efficiency, simplicity and cost-effective design. However, centralised NCSs are vulnerable to false data injection (FDI) attacks. Despite the fact that researchers have developed detection and mitigation defense mechanisms during past several years, most of these methods have focused on systems with linear dynamics. Furthermore, the existing literature only assumes the injection of FDI attacks on measurement signals. In this paper, we assume that an adversary has injected the FDI attack into both state measurements and control signals with nonlinear dynamics while considering communication noises and disturbances. We propose a secure nonlinear control design that mitigates FDI attacks in real time by combining learning and model-based approaches. We used Lyapunov stability analysis to design the controller, estimator and updating laws of the neural network (NN). In addition, we selected a network of two robots with Euler–Lagrange dynamics to illustrate the robustness of the proposed controller and estimator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a significant mental health concern, and the ubiquitous presence of fast-food in modern diets raises questions about its impact on mental well-being. Understanding the intricate relationship between fast-food consumption, obesity, and depression is essential for addressing the complex web of factors contributing to this public health issue. In this study, we analyzed data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) spanning from 2008 to 2018, involving 31,460 participants. Among the 31,460 subjects in the survey, 2871 exhibited signs of depression, with an average age of 48.2 years. Each additional weekly fast-food meal was linked to 4 % higher odds of depression, with consuming over two such meals increasing the odds by 24 %. Adjusted models exploring the relationship between body mass index (BMI), fast-food consumption, and depression indicated an increased risk with greater fast-food intake, especially within subgroups based on obesity status. Mediation analysis revealed that fast-food consumption and depression were largely independent of obesity, with obesity accounting for only 6.5 % of the total effect. No significant mediation effect was found in the overweight subgroup, but the mediated effect was increased with higher BMI in more obese patients, notably in those with BMI ≥ 30 or ≥40. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these findings with more conservative estimates across all subgroups. This study highlights a substantial connection between fast-food consumption and depression. While obesity plays a role, it does not fully mediate the relationship, suggesting the presence of other contributing factors. • Each fast-food meal raised depression odds by 5 %. • Fast-food consumption behavior increased depression odds by 24 %. • No significant mediation effect was found in the overweight subgroup. • The mediating effect significantly increased with higher BMI in more obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrastructure development in mountainous regions is vital due to rapid population growth and increased tourism. Most of these regions are vulnerable to landslides under rainfall events due to changes in the shear strength of the soil slopes under wetting cycles. Thus, the stability of foundations on slopes must be evaluated under variably saturated conditions. Models for evaluating the bearing capacity of foundations on slopes by accounting for variably saturated and transient conditions are scarce. A comprehensive semi-analytical model in the slip-line framework was developed in this study to investigate the bearing capacity of foundations on slopes under various controlling factors. The proposed model integrated the slip-line theory using a one-dimensional unsaturated transient-flow equation––the Richards equation––to evaluate the stability of foundations on soil slopes under unsaturated transient-flow conditions. Suction stress profiles were estimated using different soil hydraulic models for partly saturated soils to incorporate into the slip-line theory for estimating the bearing capacity of foundations under different field conditions. The developed framework was successfully validated using the existing limited cases under unsaturated steady-state and transient conditions. A parametric study was undertaken to study the influence of soil type, slope angle, rainfall infiltration, and depth of water table. The influence of different unsaturated hydraulic characteristics on the bearing capacity was clearly brought out, for the first time, using the measured soil hydraulic characteristics data. The model performance was satisfactory and is useful for evaluating the bearing capacity of footings resting on slopes under different natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meningiomas are the most common intracranial lesions and constitute one-third of diagnoses. Surgical resection is the gold-standard treatment option. In case of treatment failure, therapeutic options are limited. Bevacizumab is a vascular endothelial growth factor ligand-binding monoclonal antibody that prevents angiogenesis. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of bevacizumab in meningiomas On December 30, 2023, a systematic search was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases. This study is conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flowchart. Our study included 12 studies, comprising 243 individuals and 310 tumors. Most of the studies were retrospective (80%). Most of the patients were male (47.9%). The bevacizumab was mostly administered intravenously at 10 mg/kg every two weeks (77.8%). The mean progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 19.1 ± 4.7 and 23.9 ± 8.4 months, respectively. The response rate was 0.33 (95%CI: 0.14–0.60). The PFS-6, PFS-12, and PFS-24 were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.64–0.89), 0.66 (95%CI: 0.46–0.82), and 25% (95%CI: 0.16–0.37), respectively. The OS-6, OS-12, and OS-24 were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80–0.96), 0.86 (95%CI: 0.65–0.95), and 0.48 (95%CI: 0.16–0.82), respectively. The meta-regression identified the total number of individuals, number of tumors, gender, WHO II/III, and prior resection as a possible source of heterogeneity for outcomes. This study highlights the effectiveness of bevacizumab in meningiomas, especially in refractory, high-grade, or neurofibromatosis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: External Ear Malformations (EEM) continue to be a common malformation seen in the pediatric patient population. This study aims to further elucidate the correlation between EEM and cardiac and renal anomalies. Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis to study the incidence of cardiac and renal anomalies associated with syndromic and isolated (EEM). Data sources: The literature search spanned multiple databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and MEDLINE. Study selection: Studies must be focused on EEM and cardiac and/or renal anomalies. Only articles written in English were included. Data extraction: General study characteristics, number of EEM patients, number of cardiac and renal anomalies and whether cases were syndromic were extracted from the studies. Results: Of 1,058 initial studies, 33 were included for meta-analyses. Mean JBI score for all included studies was 92.06%, indicating acceptable study quality. Interrater reliability was high, with a Cohen kappa score for all studies of 0.94. The resulting pooled prevalence of cardiac abnormalities was 20% [95% CI:13–28%], while renal abnormalities were 13% [95% CI: 7–20%]. The most common anomalies were VSD (3.725%) and renal agenesis (2.04%). The presence of syndrome data across studies was not a significant modifier of prevalence rates. Limitations: Primary limitation is due to heterogeneity in individual study methodology and reporting standards. Conclusions: These results highlight a higher prevalence of cardiac-related conditions than renal anomalies in patients with both syndromic and non-syndromic EEM in the included studies, underscoring the need for thorough clinical evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the growth of social, environmental, and economic domains are too difficult task. Thus, an accurate prediction could not be made via the conventional prediction method. Hence, a novel Goat-based Artificial Neural System (GbANS), in order to provide improved growth visualization of socioeconomic and environmental behavior prediction. Moreover, the study region selected for this validation is Muzaffarpur City and its environs. Using the trained rainfall and flood data, the initial phase's flood and rainfall rates were estimated. The growth rate of environmental and socioeconomic behaviors was projected based on the condition. Here, the goat's best solution is used to analyze the growth in the socioeconomic and environmental domains. In the present research, the novelty lies in the integration of goat optimization with the artificial neural network for improved forecasting of rainfall and floods. Also, GbANS goes beyond simply predicting rainfall and floods. It incorporates modules to assess the potential socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the predicted flood. The model holds the most promising solution for accurate rainfall and flood prediction. GbANS has the potential to be a significant advancement in rainfall and flood forecasting due to its potential for improved accuracy and enhanced decision-making support. The performance characteristics of the developed GbANS were then assessed and compared in terms of accuracy, Mean Square Error (MSE), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) with other models that were already in use. The suggested method has achieved an enhanced best result with an accuracy of 98.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-driven modal analysis methods provide a powerful way to decompose data into a sum of modes. The spatiotemporal Koopman decomposition (STKD) enables the computation of modes defined by global frequencies and growth rates in various spatial dimensions and time. The method is an extension of the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) and higher-order dynamic mode decomposition (HODMD) that represents the data as a sum of standing and traveling, possibly growing or decaying, waves. In this paper, the STKD with HODMD is applied to schlieren video highlighting second mode instability waves traveling down the length of a 3-degree half-angle cone and a 7-degree half-angle cone, both at a freestream Mach number of 6. The HODMD is able to compute dominant modes and frequencies that align with those from associated experimental measurements of unsteady pressure fluctuations, and whose mode shapes clearly show the intensifying wavepacket structure of the waves. The STKD algorithm is used to compute streamwise wavenumbers, spatial growth rates, and wave speeds. The spatial growth rates from the STKD and the magnitudes of the HODMD mode shapes are used to compute the N-factor for waves of several frequencies. Overall, the STKD with HODMD is shown to be a useful tool for extracting spatiotemporal disturbance growth from a schlieren video. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorants used in security inks are special pigments that radiate in the UV region or IR region. Obtained pigments can be from valuable rare earth elements or they can be organic based. Organic-based pigments are generally insoluble in water, which limits their use. For this purpose, an organicbased UV-radiating pigment was synthesized and made water-soluble by forming its salt. With the obtained salt-formed pigment, inkjet ink that can be used in counterfeiting was applied and its printability and resistance properties were determined. In this study, 1, 3, 6, 8-pyrene sulfonic acid tetrasodium salt was synthesized and water-based inkjet inks with hydroxy ethyl cellulose binder were produced. The prepared inks were printed on the paper surface. The color and gloss of the prints obtained were measured both in the visible region and in the UV region. Its optical properties were detected by UV spectroscopy. Strength properties such as light fastness, nitro resistance, alkali resistance, acid resistance, rub resistance, drying time, adhesion and dry film weight of the prints were determined. As a result; Inkjet ink with 1, 3, 6, 8-pyrene sulfonic acid tetrasodium salt was produced and it was concluded that it has good resistance properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food falsification is a pressing issue in today's food industry, with fraudulent substitution of costly ingredients with cheaper alternatives occurring globally. Consequently, developing straightforward and efficient diagnostic systems to detect such fraud is a top priority in scientific research. The aim of the work was to develop a test system and protocol for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect in food products of animal origin the substitution of expensive meat raw materials for by-products of poultry processing. For this, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used, which allows determining the qualitative and quantitative substitution in raw and technologically prepared products. Other methods for detecting falsification – enzyme immunoassay (ELISA/ELISA) or express methods in the form of a lateral flow immunoassay are less informative. The extraction of nucleic acids for real-time polymerase chain reaction depends on the source matrix, with higher concentrations obtained from germ cells and parenchymal organs. Extraction from muscle and plant tissues is more challenging, but thorough grinding of these samples improves nucleic acid concentration by 1.5 times using DNA extraction kits. The selection of primers and fluorescent probes through GenBank and PCR Primer Design/DNASTAR software enables efficient amplification and identification of target chicken DNA fragments in various matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has emerged as an important global health challenge, significantly influencing the incidence and progression of various cancers. This comprehensive review elucidates the complex relationship between obesity and oncogenesis, focusing particularly on the role of dysregulated signaling pathways as central mediators of this association. We delve into the contributions of obesity-induced alterations in key signaling cascades, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin to carcinogenesis. These alterations facilitate unchecked cellular proliferation, chronic inflammation and apoptosis resistance. Epidemiological evidence links obesity with increased cancer susceptibility and adverse prognostic outcomes, with pronounced risks for specific cancers such as breast, colorectal, endometrial and hepatic malignancies. This review synthesizes data from both animal and clinical studies to underscore the pivotal role of disrupted signaling pathways in shaping innovative therapeutic strategies. We highlight the critical importance of lifestyle modifications in obesity management and cancer risk mitigation, stressing the benefits of dietary changes, physical activity, and behavioral interventions. Moreover, we examine targeted pharmacological strategies addressing aberrant pathways in obesity-related tumors and discuss the integration of cutting-edge treatments, including immunotherapy and precision medicine, into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-layered graphene and graphene oxide have been used as reinforcements in nanodevices and nanocomposites due to their extraordinary mechanical and thermal properties. However, compared to graphene, graphene oxide has a lower Young's modulus and lower thermal conductivity. Nanodevices and nanocomposites based on multi-layered graphene and graphene oxide require different mechanical properties and thermal conductivity. This study employed molecular dynamics simulation to investigate 10 models of multi-layered graphene and graphene oxide (in the form of different layer arrangements) in single, double, and triple layers. The results showed that an increase in the number of graphene oxide layers leads to irregularities in the nanosheets, resulting in decreased thermal conductivity (by 64.4%) of the nanosheets decreases. Furthermore, the greater number of graphene layers in multi-layer nanosheets resulted in an increase in Young's modulus (by 79.3%) and tensile strength (by 73.7%). Moreover, the arrangement of graphene and graphene oxide is a crucial factor that can significantly impact the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of the models. Moreover, an increase in temperature can lead to a decrease in Young's modulus of multilayered nanosheets. Increasing the number and size of graphene layers enhances both the ultimate tensile strength and the critical energy release rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radial distribution functions (RDFs) are widely used in molecular simulation and beyond. Most approaches to computing RDFs require assembling a histogram over inter-particle separation distances. In turn, these histograms require a specific (and generally arbitrary) choice of discretization for bins. We demonstrate that this arbitrary choice for binning can lead to significant and spurious phenomena in several commonplace molecular-simulation analyses that make use of RDFs, such as identifying phase boundaries and generating excess entropy scaling relationships. We show that a straightforward approach (which we term Kernel-Averaging Method to Eliminate Length-Of-Bin Effects) mitigates these issues. This approach is based on systematic and mass-conserving mollification of RDFs using a Gaussian kernel. This technique has several advantages compared to existing methods, including being useful for cases where the original particle kinematic data have not been retained, and the only available data are the RDFs themselves. We also discuss the optimal implementation of this approach in the context of several application areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although children presenting with respiratory tract infection (RTI) symptoms can be managed by in primary care, these symptoms are the most common reasons for children to present to the emergency department (ED). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the education given to mothers by their family physician in reducing the unnecessary admissions of children with RTI symptoms to the ED. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental, single-blind, controlled educational intervention conducted with mothers of children aged 6 months-6 years. Family Medicine Units were randomized as control and intervention group. A questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, emergency department visits due to RTI symptoms, fever-related practices and knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KAB) about RTI symptoms (KABaRTIS) was applied to both groups before and after the intervention. Intervention group received one-to-one, face-to-face education focusing on management of acute RTI symptoms and alarm findings, also a booklet was given. No intervention was made to the control group. Results: Study was completed with 178 mothers (Control:118, Intervention:60). The KABaRTIS scores of the mothers increased significantly in both groups. The median number of admissions to ED due to RTI symptoms decreased for both groups. However, ED admissions due to severity increased in control-group and decreased in intervention-group. Conclusions: This is the first educational intervention conducted in primary care in Türkiye to reduce unnecessary emergency department admissions with RTI symptoms in children. Nevertheless, population characteristics, interventional properties, contamination bias may have reduced the expected effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization has considered the infertility as an international public health problem. Infertility affect nearly 1 in 7 couples and male component contributes to 50% of infertility cases. There is a clear link between male infertility and some cancers such as testicular germ cell, prostate and colon cancers. Two possibilities support this finding: 1) Cancer treatments can affect the fertility factors 2) Genetic profile of infertility genes have been altered in cancer patients. Although the previously published researches have mostly focused on the first factor, no article has yet confirmed the role of genetic factors. In this in silico study, we collected the large number of genes (n = 17703) involved in infertility. These genes were collected from NGS panel tests of male infertility and comprehensive literature review or online data base. The Prostate Adenocarcinoma genomic and transcriptomics raw data were downloaded from the cBioPortal Cancer dataset. This included with 494 patients of Prostate Cancer with 494 mutation data, 489 with CNA and 493 with RNA seqV2 data. TCGA RNA-Seq raw data was extracted in R using the cgdsr extension package with a threshold of ±2 relative to normal samples. The observed data showed that male infertility genes have been distributed through the human genome. Among the 17703 analyzed genes of this study, the genomic profile of three genes including OR9Q1, H4C6 and PSG7 were changed approximately in 100% of (n = 493) patients. In most of patients (>98%), genetic alteration was related to change in gene expression. In conclusion, this study showed that the genomic and transcriptomics patterns of some male-infertility genes are notably altered in patients of prostate cancer and suggested a possible role of genetic factors in occurrence of infertility in cancer patients. Our information can be used as a source for the design of genetic database of male-infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to assess the impact of hospital characteristics on the outcomes of detected possible brain-dead donors, in our organ procurement network in Iran. Data was collected through twice-daily calls with 57 hospitals' intensive care units and emergency departments over 1 year. The donation team got involved when there was suspicion of brain death before the hospital officially declared it. The data was categorized by hospital size, presence of neurosurgery/trauma departments, ownership, and referral site. Out of 813 possible donors, 315 were declared brain dead, and 203 were eligible for donation. After conducting family interviews (consent rate: 62.2%), 102 eligible donors became actual donors (conversion rate: 50.2%). While hospital ownership and the presence of trauma/neurosurgery care did not affect donation, early referral from the emergency department had a positive effect. Therefore, we strongly recommend prioritizing possible donor identification in emergency rooms and involving the organ donation team as early as possible. The use of twice-daily calls for donor identification likely contributed to the consistency in donation rates across hospitals, as this approach involves the donation team earlier and mitigates the impact of hospital characteristics. Early detection of possible donors from the emergency department is crucial in improving donation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We sought to conduct this comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in Iranian medical students and resident physicians. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on 23 December 2023 in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Iranian national databases. We pooled the prevalence of individual studies using the random effect model. Results: Our systematic search showed 36 articles that meet the eligibility criteria. Most included studies were cross-sectional. The most used questionnaire to assess depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items (DASS-21), and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. The overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance among Iranian medical students were 43% (95%CI: 33%–53%%, I2 = 98%), 44% (95%CI: 31%–58%%, I2 = 99%), 48% (95%CI: 39%–56%%, I2 = 97%), respectively. The results of subgroup and meta-regression analyses showed questionnaires used and the place of the medical school were significantly associated with the prevalence of aforementioned outcomes. Funnel plot and Begg's regression test did not show a significant source of funnel plot asymmetry for depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study showed that nearly half of the medical students had some type of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance problems. To address this serious national public health issue, efficient preventive measures, routine screenings, and prompt interventions are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining airport runways is crucial for safety and efficiency, yet traditional monitoring relies on manual inspections, prone to time consumption and inaccuracy. This study pioneers the utilization of low‐cost dashcam imagery for the detection and geolocation of airport runway pavement distresses, employing novel deep‐learning frameworks. A significant contribution of our work is the creation of the first public dataset specifically designed for this purpose, addressing a critical gap in the field. This dataset, enriched with diverse distress types under various environmental conditions, enables the development of an automated, cost‐effective method that substantially enhances airport maintenance operations. Leveraging low‐cost dashcam technology in this unique scenario, our approach demonstrates remarkable potential in improving the efficiency and safety of airport runway inspections, offering a scalable solution for infrastructure management. Our findings underscore the benefits of integrating advanced imaging and artificial intelligence technologies, paving the way for advancements in airport maintenance practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Upper respiratory viral infections (URVIs) are responsible for 80% of asthma exacerbation episodes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.In this study, we used a mouse model of URVI and examined the impact of URVI on asthma phenotypes and the underlying mechanisms.Previously, we have reported that nasal‐restricted infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) only produces mild sino‐nasal inflammation and mucus production, without causing direct lung infection. However, such nasal‐restricted infection dramatically enhanced TH2 and TH17 inflammatory responses in the lungs and increased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in mice with house dust mite (HDM)‐induced asthma. Additionally, nasal‐restricted infection with RSV recruited Ly6C+ inflammatory monocytes (IMs) into the lungs of mice with and without HDM‐induced asthma. The expression of monocyte chemokines, including CCL2 and CCL7, also increased. Interestingly, nasal virus infection‐induced AHR was abolished in mice depleted of IMs and in CCR2−/− mice, indicating that the recruited IMs play a key role in nasal virus infection‐induced asthma exacerbations in mice. Lastly, we observed that recruitment of Ly6C+ IMs following URVI was abolished in mice lacking B cells and that nasal‐restricted infection with RSV increased numbers of CCL2+CCL7+ B cells in the lungs of mice as compared to controls.Taken together, our data have shown that URVI enhances the allergic inflammatory response and AHR through a B cell‒monocyte regulatory axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the aim is to investigate the effect of engineering the cell size and porosity of 3D‐printed poly lactic acid (PLA) porous scaffolds from the Kelvin model for bone tissue engineering applications. The Kelvin model is used as a bone tissue scaffold with different cell sizes and porosities. PLA, as a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, is used to fabricate these scaffolds using the FDM technique. A compression test is used to evaluate the mechanical properties of scaffolds. The MTT assay has been used to investigate cell viability. For osteogenic differentiation studies, ALP activity and ARS assays are used. Increasing the porosity reduces the mechanical properties of the scaffold. While increasing the cell size at constant porosity increases the Young's modulus and yield stress in the samples, it is also observed that, in high porosities, the increase in cell size weakens the mechanical properties. Also, Kelvin model scaffolds help the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of cells and have no toxic effect. It is demonstrated that this approach promotes the effectiveness of the Kelvin architecture for bone tissue engineering. As a result, designing the most suitable model based on cell size and porosity for the treatment process in the targeted area could be promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of unstructured and cluttered dynamic environments, manipulators are increasingly being utilized to tackle challenges. This paper proposes a novel type of reconfigurable deployable scissor-based manipulator to overcome the obstacles presented by concave shapes on object surfaces. The proposed mechanism enables the robot to transform from a compact configuration to a larger, expanded state, facilitating its movement function. The focus is to design and explore the dynamics and geometric properties of the manipulator as it moves rigidly between the home configuration and the desired point hidden within a concave hull. The manipulator can adjust both the radius and length of the body curve simultaneously without flexible elements. In compact reconfiguration or point-to-point tasks, the scissor-based manipulator can sweep a small space that equals the manipulator curve. In comparison to tendon driven manipulators, the swept space, which denotes the space swept by all the points of the manipulator body, is reduced. This paper highlights the contributions of dynamic, kinematic, and geometric investigations in assessing the proposed manipulator's performance. Stiffness analysis is conducted to identify the advantages of the new design over existing models while minimizing the swept space of a robot during convex hull exploration, which is an important consideration. Our study demonstrates that the serpentine deployable scissor-based mechanism can be an effective way to explore the concave hull of an environment, offering an adaptable approach to navigating complex geometries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In water calorimetry, absolute dose to water is determined by measuring radiation‐induced temperature rises. In conventional water calorimeters, temperature detectors are housed in handmade glass vessels that are filled with high‐purity water, thus mitigating radiation‐induced exo/endothermic chemical reactions of impurities that would otherwise introduce additional heat gain/loss, known as heat defect. Being hand‐crafted, these glass vessels may suffer from imperfections, have shape and design constraints, are often backordered, and can be prohibitively expensive. Purpose: The purpose of this work is to determine suitability of 3D‐printed plastic vessels that are further coated for use in water calorimetry applications, and to study their stability and characterize their associated heat defect correction factor (khd)${k_{{\mathrm{hd}}}})$. This novel vessel production technique would allow for cost‐effective rapid construction of vessels that can be produced with high accuracy and designs that are simply not practical with current glass vessel construction techniques. This in turn enables water calorimetry applications in many novel radiation delivery modalities, which may include spherical vessels in GammaKnife ICON water calorimetry as an example. Methods: Eight vessels were 3D‐printed using Accura ClearVue in an SLA 3D‐printer. Two vessels were coated with Parylene C and four were coated with Parylene N. The water calorimetry preparation procedures followed for these vessels was identical to that of our traditional glass‐vessels (i.e., same cleaning procedures, same high purity water, and same saturation procedures with high purity hydrogen gas). The performance of each vessel was characterized using our in‐house built water calorimeter in an Elekta Versa using both 6 MV flattening filter‐free (FFF) and 18 MV beams. The stability of the coating as function of time and accumulated dose was evaluated through repeated measurements. khd${k_{{\mathrm{hd}}}}\;$ of each vessel was determined through cross‐comparisons against an Exradin A1SL ionization chamber with direction calibration link to Canada's primary standard laboratory. Results: kHD${k_{{\mathrm{HD}}}}\;$ of the two uncoated vessels differed by 2.8% under a 6 MV FFF beam. Vessels coated with Parylenes resulted in a stable and reproducible heat defect for both energies. An overall khd${k_{{\mathrm{hd}}}}$ of 1.001 ± 0.010 and 1.005 ± 0.010 were obtained for Parylene N and Parylene C coated vessels respectively. All Parylene coated vessels showed agreement, within the established uncertainties, to the zero‐heat defect observed in a hydrogen‐saturated glass vessel system. An additional long‐term study (17 days) of a Parylene N vessel showed no change in response with accumulated dose and time. Electron microscopy images of a Parylene N coated vessel showed a uniform intact coating after repeated irradiations. Conclusions: An uncoated 3D‐printed vessel is not viable for water calorimetry because it exhibits an unstable vessel‐dependent heat defect. However, applying a Parylene coating stabilizes the heat defect, suggesting that coated 3D‐printed vessels may be suitable for use in water calorimetry. This method facilitates the creation of intricate vessel shapes, which can be efficiently manufactured using 3D printing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imagined speech recognition has developed as a significant topic of research in the field of brain-computer interfaces. This innovative technique has great promise as a communication tool, providing essential help to those with impairments. An imagined speech recognition model is proposed in this paper to identify the ten most frequently used English alphabets (e.g., A, D, E, H, I, N, O, R, S, T) and numerals (e.g., 0 to 9). A novel electroencephalogram (EEG) dataset was created by measuring the brain activity of 30 people while they imagined these alphabets and digits. As part of signal preprocessing, EEG signals are filtered before extracting delta, theta, alpha, and beta band power features. These features are used as input for classification using support vector machines, k-nearest neighbors, and random forest (RF) classifiers. It is identified that the RF classifier outperformed the others in terms of classification accuracy. Classification accuracies of 99.38% and 95.39% were achieved at the coarse-level and fine-level, respectively with the RF classifier. From our study, it is also revealed that the beta frequency band and the frontal lobe of the brain played crucial roles in imagined speech recognition. Furthermore, a comparative analysis against state-of-the-art techniques is conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed model. Proposed envisioned speech recognition model using EEG power spectrum features and machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 4 years after the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), no clinically approved neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment exists. Antibody Fc-effector functions are important for achieving better clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and in in vivo animal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Eight non-neutralizing mAbs have shown protection comparable to that of neutralizing antibodies in humanized mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infection, without enhancing disease severity. Non-neutralizing mAbs might target epitopes with less evolutionary selection pressure to mutate in SARS-CoV-2 variants compared with neutralizing mAbs; they can be Fc engineered in various ways to elicit more potent immune functions. An improved understanding is needed to determine which epitopes best promote Fc-mediated functions, which non-neutralizing epitopes are conserved, which Fc functions are linked to protection, and how much antibody engineering can be achieved without eliciting detrimental proinflammatory outcomes. Emerging evidence shows that non-neutralizing Fc-mediated effector antibody functions are important for immune protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Monoclonal antibodies using these functions without neutralizing the virus can protect experimental animals (e.g., humanized mice) comparably to neutralizing antibodies. With the lack of clinically available monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic indications against mutated SARS-CoV-2, non-neutralizing mAbs are an unexplored and promising approach to be tested and might complement conventional antibody therapeutic strategies. Recent studies show an important role for non-neutralizing anti-spike antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), in robustly protecting against SARS-CoV-2 infection. These mAbs use Fc-mediated functions such as complement activation, phagocytosis, and cellular cytotoxicity. There is an untapped potential for using non-neutralizing mAbs in durable antibody treatments; because of their available conserved epitopes, they may not be as sensitive to virus mutations as neutralizing mAbs. Here, we discuss evidence of non-neutralizing mAb-mediated protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. We explore how non-neutralizing mAb Fc-mediated functions can be enhanced via novel antibody-engineering techniques. Important questions remain to be answered regarding the characteristics of protective non-neutralizing mAbs, including the models and assays used for study, the risks of ensuing detrimental inflammation, as well as the durability and mechanisms of protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many individuals have been suffering from consistent neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations even after the remission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein involved in the regulation of several processes, including neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and neuronal differentiation, and has been linked to a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders. In this study, we aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the profile of BDNF in COVID-19. A comprehensive search was done in the Web of Science core collection, Scopus, and MEDLINE (PubMed), and Embase to identify relevant studies reporting the level of BDNF in patients with COVID-19 or those suffering from long COVID. We used the NEWCASTLE–OTTAWA tool for quality assessment. We pooled the effect sizes of individual studies using the random effect model for our meta-analysis. Fifteen articles were included in the systematic review. The sample sizes ranged from 16 to 183 participants. Six studies compared the level of BDNF in COVID-19 patients with healthy controls. The pooled estimate of the standardized mean difference in BDNF level between patients with COVID-19 and healthy individuals was − 0.84 (95% CI − 1.49 to − 0.18, p = 0.01, I2 = 81%) indicating a significantly lower BDNF level in patients with COVID-19. Seven studies assessed BDNF in different severity statuses of patients with COVID-19. The pooled estimate of the standardized mean difference in BDNF level was − 0.53 (95% CI − 0.85 to − 0.21, p = 0.001, I2 = 46%), indicating a significantly lower BDNF level in patients with more severe COVID-19. Three studies evaluated BDNF levels in COVID-19 patients through different follow-up periods. Only one study assessed the BDNF levels in long COVID patients. Sensitivity analyses did not alter the significance of the association. In this study, we showed a significant dysregulation of BDNF following COVID-19 infection. These findings may support the pathogenesis behind the long-lasting effects of this disease among infected patients. PROSPERO: CRD42023413536. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dexamethasone (DEX) degradation was investigated using three UV-based advanced oxidation processes combined with sodium persulphate, hydrogen peroxide, and free chlorine in aqueous solutions in a bench-scale reactor. The goal was to determine which process would be the best option in terms of DEX degradation without the subsequent generation of toxic compounds. The process performance for DEX degradation followed the UV/S2O82−> UV/H2O2> UV/HOCl order under equal conditions. In the UV/S2O82− process, sulphate radicals led to a 70.4% DEX degradation. The experimental mineral inhibitory factors showed that nitrite and bicarbonate further decrease the efficiency of the UV/S2O82− process. In the optimal conditions, the UV/S2O8−2 process removed DEX by 100% and had a 74.1% mineralisation. Furthermore, the intermediates were detected using LC-MS/MS, and the cytotoxicity of the UV/S2O8−2 process effluent was evaluated using human embryonic kidney cultured cells. The treatment of DEX solution by the UV/S2O8−2 process significantly decreased the toxicity of the effluent. Therefore, it can be concluded that the UV/S2O8−2 process can be a reliable process for DEX degradation and detoxification in aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) to expectant individuals before childbirth, has been evaluated to reduce the likelihood of mortality and occurrence cerebral palsy in their offspring. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to determine if were the prophylactic use of magnesium sulfate in women at risk for preterm delivery leads to decrease in the incidence of death or cerebral palsy. Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was done to identify relevant studies. Selection of eligible studies was based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Data extraction was performed, and the methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed using appropriate evaluative tools. A meta-analysis was carried out to estimate the overall effect of intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate on the incidence of death or cerebral palsy. Results: A total of 7 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. No significant publication bias was observed. The risk of fetal neurological impairment was significantly lower in the MgSO4 group compared to the control group relative risk (RR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.87; I20%). However, neonatal mortality was not significantly associated with MgSO4 injection. (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.21; I2 = 42%). Subgroup analysis was done based on the bolus dosage of MgSO4 and the duration of the trial follow-up. revealing a non-significant differences between-group. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that MgSO4 administration can improve fetal neurological impairment and cerebral palsy but is not linked to reducing mortality. Further studies are necessary to strengthen the evidence and clarify the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While root canal anatomy in Middle Eastern populations is well‐studied, research on isthmi in mandibular permanent teeth from this region is limited. This retrospective study used cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) to examine isthmi prevalence and location, as well as root canal morphologies (per Vertucci's classification) in mandibular permanent teeth from a subpopulation in Ardabil, Iran. The study is aimed at enhancing our understanding of dental anatomical variations in Middle Eastern populations. A total of 3566 teeth from 384 CBCT scans were evaluated in this retrospective study. Mandibular teeth were evaluated on sagittal, coronal, and axial sections regarding the presence of isthmus and root morphology (Vertucci's classification). CBCT scans of 197 males (51.3%) and 187 females (48.7%) were evaluated, with a mean age of 41.1 ± 11.4 years. Isthmi were most prevalent in molar mesial roots, typically located in the middle third for anterior teeth and first premolars and cervical third for posterior teeth. While gender did not play a significant role, the presence of an isthmus in the mesial root of the left second molars was associated with a younger mean patient age (p < 0.05). Root morphology varied across tooth types. Central and lateral incisors predominantly showed Vertucci's Types I and III. Canines and premolars were mostly Type I, with some variation. Molar mesial roots frequently exhibited Types IV and II, while distal roots were predominantly Type I. Statistically significant differences were found between morphology and gender in the first left premolar (Type I more common in women; Type V in men; p < 0.001) and in the right canine (Type I more prevalent in men; Types III and V more prevalent in women; p < 0.001). The results revealed wide variations in root canal morphology and a relatively high prevalence of isthmi in the study population. Our findings suggest a potential difference in tooth anatomy based on sex and a relationship between age and the presence of isthmi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]