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Abstract Background Drug-coated balloons (DCB) have promising results in the management of in-stent restenosis (ISR), still their role remains a major challenge, and not well established in contemporary clinical practice. Aims To provide a comprehensive appraisal of the efficacy and safety of DCBs in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). Methods We searched PubMed, Scopus, web of Science, Ovid, and Cochrane Central from inception until 30 March, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared DCB versus DES in ISR patients. Our primary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and late lumen loss (LLL). Secondary clinical endpoints were all-cause death, cardiac death, MI, TLR, TVR, and stent thrombosis, and angiographic outcomes were MLD, and in-stent binary restenosis. Results Ten RCTs comprising 1977 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The incidence of MACE was 15.57% in the DCB group compared to 14.13% in the DES group, with no significant difference in the risk of MACE following DCB (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87 to 1.44). Compared with the DES intervention, the risk of LLL was comparable to the DCB intervention (mean difference [MD] -0.08, 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.02), while the incidence of TLR was increased in the DCB intervention (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.99). Conclusion DCB was comparable to DES implantation is ISR patients regarding clinical outcomes, however it showed an increase in TLR events. Moreover, a RCT with large sample size and longer follow-up duration is warrened to validate these results.

During analyzing morbidity data, it is obvious that the ratio of infections has decreased significantly since the beginning of the 20th century, but the proportion of metabolic and inflammatory diseases has increased. This may be related to the degradation of soils. At the same time, mobilization of nutrient elements primarily depends on the activity of soil microbiota, which is subjected to negative anthropogenic impact. Although plant nutritional value has a direct impact on human health; however, modern agricultural practices that aimed at deep cultivation are causing disturbances in the soil microbiota composition. Subsequently, this resulted in maladaptation of the human immune system, as contacts with xenobiotics occur instead of evolutionarily calibrated interactions; potentially endangering the gut microbiota. This review aims to represent recent data on the relationships among human intestinal, soil, and plant microbiota. Nowadays, it is evident that there is a broad range of influences on human health not only from intestinal microbiota but also from its connection with the environmental microbiota (i.e., soil microorganisms in particular). Today, with respect to the background of active use of modern technologies, including genetical ones, we have the opportunity to examine such volumes of data that will allow us to fully analyze microbiological diversity of the different ecological niches in terms of their common features, differences, and mutual influences. Such studies will make it possible to identify potential factors determining the composition of microbiota in different loci, assess their potential impact on human health, and adjust methods to diagnose and restore the optimal composition of human, plant, and soil microbiota.

Abstract Controlling crystal growth alignment in low-dimensional perovskites (LDPs) for solar cells has been a persistent challenge, especially for low-n LDPs (n 1.7 eV) impeding charge flow. Here we overcome such transport limits by inducing vertical crystal growth through the addition of chlorine to the precursor solution. In contrast to 3D halide perovskites (APbX3), we find that Cl substitutes I in the equatorial position of the unit cell, inducing a vertical strain in the perovskite octahedra, and is critical for initiating vertical growth. Atomistic modelling demonstrates the thermodynamic stability and miscibility of Cl/I structures indicating the preferential arrangement for Cl-incorporation at I-sites. Vertical alignment persists at the solar cell level, giving rise to a record 9.4% power conversion efficiency with a 1.4 V open circuit voltage, the highest reported for a 2 eV wide band gap device. This study demonstrates an atomic-level understanding of crystal tunability in low-n LDPs and unlocks new device possibilities for smart solar facades and indoor energy generation.

Abstract Concentrated Growth Factor (CGF) is a highly effective biomaterial known for its ability to promote tissue regeneration. While it’s been studied extensively in intraoral procedures and bone grafting, its benefits in maxillary sinus lifting lack substantial evidence. This review aimed to evaluate CGF’s effectiveness in maxillary sinus augmentation, focusing on clinical, radiographic, and histological outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases using specific mesh terms and keywords and adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Studies up to March 2024 involving transcrestal or lateral maxillary sinus floor elevation with CGF, either alone or in combination with grafting materials, were included. Out of 783 publications, 13 studies met the eligibility criteria. The review assessed CGF’s role in minimizing postoperative complications, enhancing new bone formation, and improving implant survival. Despite data variability among studies, the majority reported that CGF positively influenced maxillary sinus augmentation outcomes. While more robust randomized clinical trials are required to draw definitive conclusions, initial results are promising, and the findings suggest that CGF utilization in maxillary sinus augmentation seems to enhance clinical outcomes by promoting vascularization and regeneration at the surgical sites and improving both the quality and quantity of newly formed sinus bone. Furthermore, it exhibits potential for improving postoperative sequelae and achieving high implant survival rates.

Aim: Triticale is a well adaptable crop, tolerant of disease and abiotic stresses, and able to grow with good yields even in poor soil, thus representing a good choice to develop a new industrial agri-chain in Italy in a sustainability contest, to cope with its soil problems due to incoming desertification. Methods: Two triticale elite lines were grown in marginal lands in controlled field experiments. The lines were harvested at two different development stages, namely green mass and seeds, and suitable standard protocols were applied to test their potential to produce bioethanol in line with the emerging bioenergy processes. Results: The protocols applied were able to obtain bioethanol with a good yield from both feedstocks. In particular, very efficient fermentation kinetics was observed using seed feedstock, with a sharp curve between 15 h and 24 h, reaching 84% of the total alcohol obtained (final time 72 h). Conclusions: Therefore, the results of this research point to new sustainable potential for industrial applications of triticale crops in Italy. Furthermore, the high activity of the endogenous amylolytic enzymes, mainly α-amylase, and the high starch content suggest the potential use of triticale in other industrial applications, like the brewing industry.

Abstract Background Increased prevalence of Enterobacter cloacae within food products underscores food as an underexplored reservoir for antibiotic resistance, thus requiring particular intervention. Bacteriophages have been explored as a promising approach for controlling bacterial growth in different matrices. Moreover, their specific interaction and self-replication, put them apart from traditional methods for controlling bacteria in different matrices. Methods Sixteen Enterobacter cloacae strains were recovered from raw chicken. These strains were used to isolate bacteriophages using enrichment protocol. The broad-spectrum bacteriophage was evaluated in terms of thermal, pH, shearing stress and storge. Moreover, its infection kinetics, in vitro antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity were also assessed. Genomic sequencing was performed to exclude any potential virulence or resistance genes. Finally, the capability of the isolated phages to control bacterial growth in different chicken samples was assessed alone and in combination with sodium nitrite. Results The lytic bacteriophage vB_EclM_HK6 was isolated and showed the broadest spectrum being able to infect 8/16 E. cloacae strains with a lytic activity against its host strain, E. cloacae EC21, as low as MOI of 10–6. The phage displays a latent period of 10 min and burst size of 115 ± 44 and resistance frequency of 5.7 × 10–4 ± 3.0 × 10–4. Stability assessment revealed a thermal tolerance up to 60 ˚C, wide range pH stability (3–10) and the ability to withstand shearing stress up to 250 rpm. HK6 shows no cytotoxicity against oral epithelial cells up to 1012 PFU/ml. Genomic analysis revealed a Strabovirus with total size of 177,845 bp that is free from known resistance and virulence genes. Finally, HK6 pretreatment of raw chicken, chicken nuggets and ready-made cheese salad shows a reduced bacterial count up to 4.6, 2.96 and 2.81 log-units, respectively. Moreover, combing HK6 with sodium nitrite further improved the antibacterial activity in both raw chicken and chicken nuggets without significant enhancement in case of cheese salad. Conclusion Enterobacter bacteriophage vB_EclM_HK6 presents a safe and effective approach for controlling E. cloacae contaminating stored chicken food samples. Moreover, they could be combined with a reduced concentrations of sodium nitrite to improve the killing capacity.

Abstract Calcium is involved in vision processes in the retina and implicated in various pathologies, including glaucoma. Rod cells rely on store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) to safeguard against the prolonged lowering of intracellular calcium ion concentrations. Zebrafish that lacked the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ sensor Stim2 (stim2 knockout [KO]) exhibited impaired vision and lower light perception-related gene expression. We sought to understand mechanisms that are responsible for vision impairment in stim2 KO zebrafish. The single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing of neuronal cells from brains of 5 days postfertilization larvae distinguished 27 cell clusters, 10 of which exhibited distinct gene expression patterns, including amacrine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic retinal interneurons and GABAergic optic tectum cells. Five clusters exhibited significant changes in cell proportions between stim2 KO and controls, including GABAergic diencephalon and optic tectum cells. Transmission electron microscopy of stim2 KO zebrafish revealed decreases in width of the inner plexiform layer, ganglion cells, and their dendrites numbers (a hallmark of glaucoma). GABAergic neuron densities in the inner nuclear layer, including amacrine cells, as well as photoreceptors significantly decreased in stim2 KO zebrafish. Our study suggests a novel role for Stim2 in the regulation of neuronal insulin expression and GABAergic-dependent vision causing glaucoma-like retinal pathology.

Abstract Background Proteoglycans are important tumor microenvironment extracellular matrix components. The regulation of key proteoglycans, such as decorin (DCN), by miRNAs has drawn attention since they have surfaced as novel therapeutic targets in cancer. Accordingly, this study aimed at identifying the impact of miR-181a in liver cancer and its regulatory role on the extracellular matrix proteoglycan, DCN, and hence on downstream oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Results DCN was under-expressed in 22 cirrhotic and HCC liver tissues compared to that in 11 healthy tissues of liver transplantation donors. Conversely, miR-181a was over-expressed in HCC liver tissues compared to that in healthy liver tissues. In silico analysis predicted that DCN 3’UTR harbors two high-score oncomiR-181a binding regions. This was validated by pmiRGLO luciferase reporter assay. Ectopic miR-181a expression into HuH-7 cells repressed the transcript and protein levels of DCN as assessed fluorometrically and by western blotting. DCN siRNAs showed similar results to miR-181a, where they both enhanced the cellular viability, proliferation, and clonogenicity. They also increased Myc and E2F and decreased p53 and Rb signaling as assessed using reporter vectors harboring p53, Rb, Myc, and E2F response elements. Our findings demonstrated that miR-181a directly downregulated the expression of its direct downstream target DCN, which in turn affected downstream targets related to cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to unveil the direct targeting of DCN by oncomiR-181a. We also highlighted that miR-181a affects targets related to cellular proliferation in HCC which may be partly mediated through inhibition of DCN transcription. Thus, miR-181a could be a promising biomarker for the early detection and monitoring of liver cancer progression. This would pave the way for the future targeting of the oncomiR-181a as a therapeutic approach in liver cancer, where miR-181a-based therapy approach could be potentially combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy for the management of liver cancer.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) recognition systems now play a leading role in the early detection of cardiovascular diseases. However, the explanation of judgments made by deep learning models in these systems is prominent for clinical acceptance. This article reveals the effect of transfer learning in ECG recognition systems on decision precision. This article investigated the role of transfer learning in ECG image classification using a customized convolutional neural network (CNN) with and without a VGG16 architecture. The customized CNN model with the VGG16 achieved a good test accuracy of 98.40%. Gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM), for this model, gave the wrong information because it focused on parts of the ECG that were not important for making decisions instead of features necessary for clinical diagnosis, like the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave. A proposed model that only used customized CNN layers and did not use transfer learning performed 99.08% on tests gave correct Grad-CAM explanations and correctly identified the influencing areas of decision-making in the ECG image. Because of these results, it seems that transfer learning might provide good performance metrics, but it might also make things harder to understand, which could make it harder for deep learning models that use ECG recognition to be reliable for diagnosis. This article concludes with a call for careful consideration when using transfer learning in the medical field, as model explanations resulting from such learning may not be appropriate when it comes to domain-specific interpretations.

This friction welding process is characterized by the fact that there are no springs or deformations at the welding point, neither from the outside nor from the inside, and an unmistakable and ideal welding shape is obtained. The experiment was conducted on a flat sample without grooves, and it was welded, but it was very weak. Then grooves were made on the outer edge, and the welding took place, and it was a stronger weld. The idea was to increase the grooves to the end of the entire thickness of the sample, not just on the edge, and it was the strongest weld and optimal in shape. Several experiments were also performed. Experiments were conducted at different speeds until the four speeds (630, 800, 1000, 1250 rpm) used in this thesis were reached, the best of which was 1000 rpm. Experiments were conducted at different forces, and the four forces (20, 25, 30, 35 kgF ) used became the best among those used in many experiments. The best of them was the force of 30 kgF (300 Newton), at a fixed time of 4 minutes, while the temperature was 200oC on surface welding at 4 minutes the welding process. For every speed and force, this appeared in the tensile test conducted on the samples after welding and was demonstrated that tensile dismantled force was 6160 N at 30 kgF of welding pressure. The study proved the success of this method.

Switchgear is a vital component of modern power systems, responsible for regulating the flow of electrical power. Contact issues, irregular loads, and other similar problems can cause switchgear to overheat, leading to unexpected disturbances and potential damage to the power equipment. Thermal imaging shows significant potential and is increasingly employed to detect faults in power equipment. However, the unique characteristics of thermal images often pose challenges to accurate fault detection. This research aims to study the effectiveness of transfer learning architectures for switchgear fault detection. This paper applies eleven transfer learning architectures, including SqueezeNet, GoogLeNet, InceptionV3, DenseNet201, ResNet50, Xception, InceptionResNetV2, ShuffleNet, EfficientNetB0, AlexNet, and VGG19. The results of the testing phase demonstrated that the application of transfer learning by fine-tuning pre-trained convolutional neural network architectures was highly effective in the classification of thermal images captured from switchgear units. The models achieved accuracy rates between 83.87% and 98.38%, and values of F1-Scores between 83.11% and 98.34% in the pre-trained architectures.

Introduction Home-based, virtually-supported care models may represent the most efficient and scalable approach to delivering prehabilitation services. However, virtual approaches to prehabilitation are understudied. This manuscript describes the protocol for an internal pilot randomised controlled trial of a virtually-delivered, multimodal prehabilitation intervention.Methods and analysis We will conduct a pragmatic, individual patient, internal pilot randomised controlled trial of home-based, virtually supported, multimodal prehabilitation compared with standard perioperative care in adults undergoing elective, inpatient thoracic, abdominal, pelvic and vascular surgery at five Canadian hospitals. Participants will be partially blinded; clinicians and outcome assessors will be fully blinded. The intervention consists of 3–12 weeks of a home-based, multimodal (exercise, nutrition and psychosocial support) prehabilitation programme supported through an online platform. The primary feasibility outcomes and their progression targets are (1) monthly recruitment of>6 participants at each centre, (2) intervention adherence of>75%, (3) retention of>90% of participants at the patient-reported primary outcome point of 30-days after surgery and (4) elicitation of patient, clinician and researcher-identified barriers to our pragmatic trial. A sample size of 144 participants will be adequate to estimate recruitment, adherence and retention rates with acceptable precision. All participants will be followed to either death or up to 1 year. As an internal pilot, if no substantive changes to the trial or intervention design are required, pilot participant outcome data will migrate, unanalysed by allocation, to the future full-scale trial.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted by Clinical Trials Ontario (Project ID: 4479) and our ethics review board (Protocol Approval #20230399–01T). Results will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences, peer-reviewed publications, partner organisations and engagement of social and traditional media.Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT06042491. Protocol, V.1.2, dated 6 June 2024.

Abstract Background Dogs are considered the main domestic animals that may be a reservoir for Leishmania infantum, the agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) in several countries of the world. The dog may host other Leishmania species, but its epidemiological role in the maintenance and spreading of these parasites is not completely elucidated. Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), caused by Leishmania major, affects thousands of people every year and is particularly diffused in many countries of North Africa and Middle East Asia. In ZCL endemic countries, few reports of L. major-positive dogs have been reported, probably because most human cases occur in poor rural areas where the social role of the dog and its medical management is not well considered. The aim of the present study is to better understand the possible involvement of domestic dogs in the epidemiology of ZCL. Methods Our research focused on a well-established endemic focus of ZCL, in the area of Echrarda, Kairouan Governorate, central Tunisia. A total of 51 dogs with no or mild clinical signs of vector borne diseases were selected in small villages where human cases of ZCL are yearly present. All dogs were sampled for the Leishmania spp. diagnosis, by using the following procedures: blood sample for serology and buffy coat quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), popliteal fine needle aspiration, and cutaneous biopsy punch for lymph node and skin qPCR. Results The results demonstrated a high percentage (21.6%) of dogs positive at least at one or more test; the most sensitive technique was the lymph node qPCR that detected 8/11 positive dogs. Nine, out of the eleven positive dogs, resulted as infected by Leishmania infantum; ITS1-PCR-sequencing allowed Leishmania major identification in the remaining two cases, both from the popliteal lymph node samples, which can suggest a possible visceral spread of a cutaneous Leishmania species in the dog. Interestingly, one of the two L. major-positive dogs was living in the same house where 6-year-old children showed cutaneous lesions referred to as ZCL. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. major-positive dogs in Tunisia, the epidemiological role of which remains under investigation. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Physical activity referral schemes (PARS) are composed of various components, such as a written prescription or a person-centered approach. The role of these components in their effectiveness is yet to be understood. Therefore, we aimed to explore the relationships between PARS components and physical activity, scheme uptake, and adherence rate; and to estimate the effect of PARS. Methods We searched Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, HTA, Wiley Online Library, SAGE Journals, Taylor & Francis, Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and CORE. Eligible studies were published between 1990 and November 2023 in English or German, investigated PARS with participants aged ≥ 16 years, and reported physical activity, scheme uptake, or scheme adherence. Separate random-effects meta-analysis by comparison group were conducted for physical activity. Scheme uptake and adherence rates were pooled using proportional meta-analysis. The components were analyzed via univariate meta-regression. We rated the risk of bias using RoB2 and ROBINS-I, and the certainty of evidence using GRADE. Results Fifty-two studies were included. PARS were more effective in increasing physical activity than usual care (k = 11, n = 5046, Hedges’ g = 0.18, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.25; high certainty of evidence). When PARS were compared with physical activity advice or enhanced scheme versions, the pooled Hedges’ g values for physical activity were -0.06 (k = 5, n = 1082, 95%CI -0.21 to 0.10; low certainty of evidence), and 0.07 (k = 9, n = 2647, 95%CI -0.03 to 0.18; low certainty of evidence) respectively. Scheme uptake was 87% (95%CI 77% to 94%, k = 14, n = 5000) across experimental studies and 68% (95%CI 51% to 83%, k = 14, n = 25,048) across non-experimental studies. Pooled scheme adherence was 68% (95%CI 55% to 80%, k = 16, n = 3939) and 53% (95%CI 42% to 63%, k = 18, n = 14,605). The meta-regression did not detect any significant relationships between components and physical activity or scheme uptake. A person-centered approach, screening, and brief advice were positively associated with scheme adherence, while physical activity sessions were negatively associated. Conclusion PARS are more effective in increasing physical activity than usual care only. We did not identify any components as significant predictors of physical activity and scheme uptake. Four components predicted scheme adherence, indicating that the component-effectiveness relationship warrants further research.

Abstract Over the past decade, several strategies have revolutionized the clinical management of patients with cutaneous melanoma (CM), including immunotherapy and targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-based therapies. Indeed, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), alone or in combination, represent the standard of care for patients with advanced disease without an actionable mutation. Notably BRAF combined with MEK inhibitors represent the therapeutic standard for disease disclosing BRAF mutation. At the same time, FDG PET/CT has become part of the routine staging and evaluation of patients with cutaneous melanoma. There is growing interest in using FDG PET/CT measurements to predict response to ICI therapy and/or target therapy. While semiquantitative values such as standardized uptake value (SUV) are limited for predicting outcome, new measures including tumor metabolic volume, total lesion glycolysis and radiomics seem promising as potential imaging biomarkers for nuclear medicine. The aim of this review, prepared by an interdisciplinary group of experts, is to take stock of the current literature on radiomics approaches that could improve outcomes in CM.

This article investigates the selection of a cooperation model with suppliers and the continuous monitoring of the collaboration strategy over time by tracking the supplier's performance. A multiple fuzzy profile monitoring model is proposed and implemented in two stages to oversee the supplier’s unforeseen costs. In the first stage, criteria and indicators for evaluating the delivery process and quality are identified based on literature reviews and expert opinions from industry leaders. In the second stage, a two-phase monitoring approach is adopted. First, using the T² method, the model’s parameters based on successive differences are calculated and separately monitored for the multiple fuzzy profiles of delivery and quality processes. In the second phase, the likelihood ratio method is applied to track the profiles over time, enabling the control chart to signal any warning in the shortest possible time. In the final stage, the results from the fuzzy profiles of delivery and quality processes, combined with artificial intelligence and the fuzzy inference system tool, are used to monitor unforeseen costs, make decisions regarding the supplier, and assess the adopted strategy. This model has been implemented in Iran's automotive industry, specifically within Iran Khodro Company and its gearbox parts supplier, Niromoharkeh Company.

Background: Microbiological diagnosis of mycobacteriosis is often difficult, as it is necessary to differentiate between transient colonization and active infection. Methods: We studied the cultural properties of Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABSc) strains obtained from cystic fibrosis patients, and also analyzed composite correlation index (CCI) values in patients with repeated MABSc inoculation and their correlation with the presence of clinical and radiological manifestations of mycobacteriosis. Results: As a result, MABSc more often grew in S-form colonies in patients without clinical manifestations of chronic infection, while R-form colonies were characteristic of patients with chronic infection and clinical symptoms. At the same time, in patients examined once, no growth of colonies in the R-form was recorded, and all strains produced growth in the form of either S-colonies or in the S- and R-forms simultaneously. Statistically significant results were obtained for the relationship of the CCI with the clinical and radiological picture. In addition, a heterogeneous MABSc population with low CCI score values correlated with the development of mycobacteriosis in patients. In patients with high CCI score values (homogeneity of isolated strains), on the contrary, there were no radiological or clinical signs of the disease. Conclusion: These data make it possible to build a strategy for monitoring patients depending on changes in CCI score values. The use of CCI matrix to evaluate microorganisms’ identification results is a potentially new method that expands the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The vocational training and education sector in Algeria faces numerous challenges due to its roles in both economic and social spheres. Therefore, this study aims to determine the extent of outstanding performance management practices in vocational training institutions in the state of Médéa, Algeria. The quantitative analytical approach was used on a sample of 21 vocational training institutions, relying on the questionnaire as a data collection tool, which was distributed to 51 (institution directors, sub-directors, and heads of departments). The study reached several results, the most important of which is the application of outstanding performance management in the studied institutions, where it was proven that the dimensions of performance management exist, and the institutions’ application of performance planning and feedback was at a high level. As for the institution’s application of the dimension of improving and developing performance and after measuring and evaluating performance, there was a medium level of application.

Abstract Background The translucency of different zirconia generations at each time point after thermocycling aging is still lacking. Methods Four zirconia materials were used with a total of 60 samples produced from monolithic third generation (5Y) 5 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia polycrystalline ceramic and fourth generation zirconia (4Y) 4 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia polycrystalline ceramic, represented by [group1:[CM-5Y] Ceramill Zolid fx (3rd generation zirconia) (Amann Girrbach, Koblach, Austria), group 2:[CM-4Y] Ceramill Zolid HT + (4th generation zirconia) (Amann Girrbach, Koblach, Austria), group 3:[CC-5Y] Cercon XT/ML (Dentsply Sirona, Germany) (3rd generation), and group 4:[CC-4Y] Cercon HT/ML (Dentsply Sirona, Germany) (4th generation)]. The L*a*b* figures were measured by using a spectrophotometer at baseline and after 10,000, 30,000, and 50,000 cycles of thermocycling. At each interval, the translucency of the samples was estimated by using the translucency formula CIEDE2000. The Scheffe post-hoc compared differences among each of the four materials. The Repeated measures ANOVA tested the differences between the materials at each of the different thermocycling intervals (p

En un contexto de construcción de ciudadanía digital, el artículo analiza a los jóvenes (18-24 años) mostrando diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el nivel de información, consumo de noticias y confianza en los recursos. Se utilizó una muestra de 27.433 españoles a partir de los cuales se realizaron nuevos modelos de regresión logística binaria controlados por un conjunto de variables relevantes. Los resultados multivariados muestran que los jóvenes expresan niveles de información significativamente menores, consumen menos información a través de los medios tradicionales (televisión, prensa y radio) y más a través de las redes sociales. Además, confían más en la prensa que otros grupos de edad. No habrá relaciones directas entre el grupo de edad y la confianza en las redes sociales. Las conclusiones orientan la importancia de promover mecanismos de alfabetización en ciudadanía digital que ayuden a desarrollar el sentido crítico de los individuos.

Background Limited data exist on long‐term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). This meta‐analysis aims to elucidate outcome trends following TAVR versus SAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis and low‐surgical risk. Methods and Results A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception until May 2024, to identify studies comparing TAVR versus SAVR in patients with low‐surgical risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality score 1‐year follow‐ups. TAVR was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular mortality, disabling stroke, rehospitalization, new‐onset atrial fibrillation, and a higher risk of permanent pacemaker implantation compared with SAVR during the 30‐day follow‐up. Conclusions TAVR was associated with a lower risk of all‐cause mortality within the first year of post‐procedural follow‐up compared with SAVR. However, the risk of all‐cause mortality was similar in >1‐year follow‐ups.

We report increased 18F-FDG uptake in the right posterior mediastinal region in a 70-year-old woman following the discovery of a mass in the aftermath of a bronchitis episode. We also report increased 18F-Choline uptake in the right posterior mediastinal region in a 66-year-old man with newly discovered prostate cancer, which may indicate the presence of mediastinal metastases. Both patients had a thoracic MRI showing an intense gadolinium enhancement in the same region, consistent with thoracic schwannomas, which were subsequently proven histologically. This case highlights that schwannoma is a diagnostic pitfall in both 18F-FDG and 18F-Choline PET/CT.

Summary: Background: Obesity represents a major global health challenge with important clinical implications. Despite its recognized importance, the global disease burden attributable to high body mass index (BMI) remains less well understood. Methods: We systematically analyzed global deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to high BMI using the methodology and analytical approaches of the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021. High BMI was defined as a BMI over 25 kg/m2 for individuals aged ≥20 years. The Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) was used as a composite measure to assess the level of socio-economic development across different regions. Subgroup analyses considered age, sex, year, geographical location, and SDI. Findings: From 1990 to 2021, the global deaths and DALYs attributable to high BMI increased more than 2.5-fold for females and males. However, the age-standardized death rates remained stable for females and increased by 15.0% for males. Similarly, the age-standardized DALY rates increased by 21.7% for females and 31.2% for males. In 2021, the six leading causes of high BMI-attributable DALYs were diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, chronic kidney disease, low back pain and stroke. From 1990 to 2021, low-middle SDI countries exhibited the highest annual percentage changes in age-standardized DALY rates, whereas high SDI countries showed the lowest. Interpretation: The worldwide health burden attributable to high BMI has grown significantly between 1990 and 2021. The increasing global rates of high BMI and the associated disease burden highlight the urgent need for regular surveillance and monitoring of BMI. Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China and National Key R&D Program of China.

Overvoltage and low current are observed for ethanol electrooxidation on the surface of many unmodified electrodes. Therefore, it is desirable to use a suitable catalyst for ethanol electrooxidation to increase the current. This research introduces a new sensor to catalyze ethanol oxidation in an alkaline environment. This new Zn-Mn-Co LDH/PolyPyrrole/GCE nanocomposite sensor exhibits high catalytic activity for ethanol electrooxidation. It changes the oxidation potential of ethanol to a less positive potential. To identify this proposed sensor, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brauner Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FT-IR spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermal analysis (TGA), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and cyclic voltammetry techniques were used. Ethanol electrooxidation was investigated by cyclic voltammetry technique. The effects of scan rate and ethanol concentration on the ethanol oxidation peak have been investigated. The proposed sensor showed long-term stability. This prepared nanocomposite can be used as an anode catalyst for ethanol fuel cells.

This comprehensive study examines cutting-edge strategies for combating Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks in cloud environments, addressing a critical gap in recent literature. Through a systematic review of the latest advancements, we propose a framework for identifying, preventing, and mitigating DDoS threats specifically tailored to cloud infrastructures. Our research highlights the urgent need for robust defense mechanisms to enhance cloud security, minimize service disruptions, and safeguard against data breaches. By analyzing the strengths and limitations of current models, we underscore the importance of continued innovation in this rapidly evolving field. This study provides essential insights for academics and industry professionals aiming to enhance the resilience of cloud infrastructure against the ongoing and adaptive menace of DDoS attacks.

In this paper, the technical and economic optimization of a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system based on a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine is presented. The innovations are optimization of CNG engine operating parameters (including ignition time, ignition duration and engine speed) to improve the technical and economic performance of the CCHP system, which has not been focused much in previous studies. The engine speed, combustion duration, and spark advance are used to optimizing the CCHP system with using the genetic algorithm method, and the LINMAP, TOPSIS, and Shannon methods have been used as decision-making methods. The results showed that for goal of minimizing the overall specific fuel consumption (OSFC) and maximizing fuel cost reduction (CR), the LINMAP and TOPSIS methods suggest the engine speed, combustion duration, and spark advance 1920.65 rpm, 35.17°, and −16.74°, respectively. Also, these values are evaluated based on Shannon's method. Also, the optimum values of OSFC and CR are evaluated and three-objective optimization approach to achieve maximum technical and economic efficiencies of CCHP system is used. The investment payback period, CR, and power under these conditions are evaluated with LINMAP method equal with 4.23 years, 81.1 %, and 68.62 kW, respectively.

Background: In recent research, defects in cognitive processes have been proposed as one of the cognitive causal hypotheses, and psychological interventions can help to improve this disorder. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focuses on increasing psychological flexibility, which is the ability to pay attention to experiences in the present without bias. Metacognitive therapy (MCT) also emphasizes how a person responds to his/her thoughts and how he/she communicates with them. Conducting comparative research on these two types of treatment in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder has received less attention. Aims: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of ACT and MCT in reducing insufficient executive functioning in obsessive-compulsive patients. Methods: The current research design was a semi-experimental pre-test-post-test type with a control group. The statistical population of the research included all patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder who were referred to counseling centers and psychological services in Kermanshah City in 2022. 45 of these patients were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two experimental groups (a treatment group based on acceptance and commitment and a metacognitive treatment group) and a control group (15 people in each group). The measuring tool in this research was the Wisconsin card sorting test of Grant and Berg (1993). The treatment protocol based on acceptance and commitment (Bach & Moran, 2008) and metacognitive therapy (Wells, 2008) were implemented during eight 60-minute sessions for the first and second experimental groups, respectively, but the control group did not receive any intervention. In order to analyze the data, one-way analysis of variance and SPSS-23 software were used. Results: The results of the one-way analysis of variance showed the effectiveness of both treatment models in increasing the number of completed classes, increasing the number of correct answers, and reducing the residual error (p

Abstract Background Gabal Ras Abda area as a part of the Red Sea Mountain range, is characterized by inaccessible and rugged terrains. The exposed rock units are hardly followed in the field because of the rigid topography. Thus, the present work proposes and develops an integrated approach to map the exposed rock units and extract the geologic structures using satellite imagery data followed by both field and petrographic verification, saving time, efforts and cost. Results To achieve the target, both the measured spectral signature curves with Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A data were used to develop and create the most enhanced Band Ratios and Principal Components for lithological discrimination and mapping which were (((Band7 + Band 4)/(Band 7), (Band 2)/(Band 2 + Band 5) and (Band 5) in RGB) and ((Band 9 + Band 11 + Band 12)/(Band 1), (Band 4 − Band 2) and (Band 11/Band 6) + (Band 6) in RGB)) with Principal Component Bands ((PC1, PC2 and PC3 in RGB) and (PC3, PC2 and PC1 in RGB)), respectively. Also, georeferenced Google Earth Pro, panchromatic band of Landsat-8 and ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model images were used to extract the structural lineaments. Geologic, petrographic and field structural studies were emphasized the remote sensing results, indicating that the main rock types cropped out in Ras Abda area from the oldest to the youngest are older granitoids (quartz-diorites, tonalites and granodiorites), Dokhan volcanics (andesites, rhyodacites, rhyolites and their related tuffs), younger gabbros, younger granites (monzogranites, syenogranites and alkali-feldspar granites), post-granite dykes and offshoots (acidic, microgranitic and basic types) and Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. Also, the study emphasized that the E-W trend is the main structural trend controlling the investigated area followed by WNW-ESE and NE-SW directions. Conclusions The results of remote sensing achieved compliance with the geologic, petrographic and structural investigation through distinctly differentiating the different rocks and extracting the lineaments, indicating the accuracy of the remote sensing results and emphasizing their importance and effective role in producing a precise and highly accurate geologic map. Graphical abstract

Description of the subject. Impact of anthropogenic activities via metal pollution on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in rhizopheric soils of date palms in urban and peri-urban areas. Objective. The study’s objective was to assess the impact of rhizospheric soil contamination via various chemical species of heavy metals on the AMF spore density associated with date palms. Methods. A collection of date palm’s rhizospheric soil samples from eight sites including three boulevards, three gardens and two distinct areas of the Marrakesh palm grove. These samples were used for counting endomycorrhizal fungal spores, for estimating mycorrhization state of root system and for physico-chemical analyzes. A five-stage sequential extraction scheme was used to evaluate the fractionation of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn and Fe). Pearson’s correlation coefficients between AMF spore’s density and metal species were determined and a multiple linear regression was tested to predict AMF spore density from chemical species content of soil. Results. A mycorrhizal dependency of date palm was indicated, since a high frequency (61 to 98%) and a middle intensity (10 to 47%) of root colonization by AMF were recorded. The spore density from all sites was found in increasing order of boulevards, garden then palm groves. A significant correlation between AMF spores’ density and some metal species rhizospheric soil content was recorded ; negative for sulphide-bound [ lead (r = - 0.81) and Zinc (r = - 0.70) ] and for exchangeable fraction Copper (r = - 0.79) whereas it's positive for exchangeable fraction Zinc (r = 0.70). AMF spores’ density predictions from Sulphide-bound Zinc and exchangeable fraction Copper exhibited a good fit, with higher R2 value (0.91, p = 0.002). Conclusions. Since Date palm has a mycotrophic nature, the sustainability of the microbial populations associated with their roots might be ensured by modifying some chemical forms of heavy metals like Sulphide-bound Zinc and exchangeable fraction Copper.

Abstract The application of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition (mTORi) as primary prophylactic therapy to optimize T cell effector function while preserving allograft tolerance remains challenging. Here, we present a comprehensive two-step therapeutic approach in a male patient with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and heart transplantation followed with concomitant longitudinal analysis of systemic immunologic changes. In the first step, calcineurin inhibitor/ mycophenolic acid is replaced by the mTORi everolimus to achieve an improved effector T cell status with increased cytotoxic activity (perforin, granzyme), enhanced proliferation (Ki67) and upregulated activation markers (CD38, CD69). In the second step, talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) injection further enhances effector function by switching CD4 and CD8 cells from central memory to effector memory profiles, enhancing Th1 responses, and boosting cytotoxic and proliferative activities. In addition, cytokine release (IL-6, IL-18, sCD25, CCL-2, CCL-4) is enhanced and the frequency of circulating regulatory T cells is increased. Notably, no histologic signs of allograft rejection are observed in consecutive end-myocardial biopsies. These findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of T cell activation and differentiation and suggest that timely initiation of mTORi-based primary prophylaxis may provide a dual benefit of revitalizing T cell function while maintaining allograft tolerance.

Abstract Background Literature suggests colonic resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) instead of Hartmann’s procedure (HP) for the treatment of left-sided colonic emergencies. We aim to evaluate the surgical options globally used to treat patients with acute left-sided colonic emergencies and the factors that leading to the choice of treatment, comparing HP and RPA. Methods This is a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A total 1215 patients with left-sided colonic emergencies who required surgery were included from 204 centers during the period of March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. with a 1-year follow-up. Results 564 patients (43.1%) were females. The mean age was 65.9 ± 15.6 years. HP was performed in 697 (57.3%) patients and RPA in 384 (31.6%) cases. Complicated acute diverticulitis was the most common cause of left-sided colonic emergencies (40.2%), followed by colorectal malignancy (36.6%). Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) were higher in the HP group (P

Abstract Pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based cell therapy is an attractive option for the treatment of multiple human disorders, including muscular dystrophies. While in vitro differentiating PSCs can generate large numbers of human lineage-specific tissue, multiple studies evidenced that these cell populations mostly display embryonic/fetal features. We previously demonstrated that transplantation of PSC-derived myogenic progenitors provides long-term engraftment and functional improvement in several dystrophic mouse models, but it remained unknown whether donor-derived myofibers mature to match adult tissue. Here, we transplanted iPAX7 myogenic progenitors into muscles of non-dystrophic and dystrophic mice and compared the transcriptional landscape of human grafts with respective in vitro-differentiated iPAX7 myotubes as well as human skeletal muscle biospecimens. Pairing bulk RNA sequencing with computational deconvolution of human reads, we were able to pinpoint key myogenic changes that occur during the in vitro–to–in vivo transition, confirm developmental maturity, and consequently evaluate their applicability for cell-based therapies.

The study aimed to compare social isolation and psychological well-being in students with specific and normal learning disabilities. The current research was descriptive and the causal-comparative type of research. The statistical population of the present study included all students with learning disabilities and normal students of Urmia City in the academic year of 2022-2023. A sample of 34 people (17 students with Specific learning disabilities and 17 normal students) were selected for each group using targeted sampling. The group of students with learning disabilities was diagnosed by the teacher and by a specialist in the psychology and education of children with special needs. Social Isolation Assessment Questionnaire of Asher et al., (1984) and Sterling's Children's Well-Being Questionnaire were used to collect data. Analysis of covariance test was used to analyze the data. The results of the research showed that there is a significant difference between the social isolation and mental well-being of students with specific learning disabilities and normal students (P

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the effective of the training program of executive functions on improving levels of theory of mind in children with attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder. The research method was semi-experimental with post-test pre-test with control group. The study population included all 6- to 8-year-old children in Tabriz, of whom 30 were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (15) and control (15) groups.Then the Theory of Mind Questionnaire (Hutchins, Perlock , Bonazinga , 2012) was completed by parents of both groups. After performing the pre-test, the experimental group was trained in the executive functions program. The program was designed by researchers and consisted of 24 sessions in which 4 skills (working memory, inhibition, flexibility and attention training) were taught, At this stage, the children in the control group did not receive any training. The post-test was performed again and the data obtained from the pre-test and post-test were analyzed using analysis of covariance.The data showed a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in the post-test of variable theory of mind scores after adjusting for the effect of pre-test of theory of mind(P

Introduction: Despite significant technological advancements, today's world still grapples with various natural and man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, avalanches, wars, terrorism, and political unrest. These events not only impede sustainable development but can also cause severe and sometimes irreparable damage to the well-being and prosperity of communities. This necessitates an integrated logistics system, scientifically and comprehensively designed to meet crisis management needs. Such a system must have clear, predefined processes where all components function according to predetermined roles. Providing aid to disaster victims is a crucial stage of crisis management that must be planned before the occurrence of an event. Timely and efficient aid significantly reduces human and financial losses. Therefore, appropriate pre-crisis planning is essential to avoid being caught unprepared during natural disasters. Humanitarian logistics (HL) is one of the most critical issues in disaster operations and management. HL operations must be sustainable enough to function effectively under the uncertain and complex nature of disasters and crises. Many challenges in pre- and post-disaster phases lead to human and economic losses, making efficient design of HL operations essential. This study reviews articles published between 2004 and 2023 to examine optimization models for locating humanitarian logistics facilities and centers. The purpose is to understand current research trends in HL, particularly the optimization methods used for facility location, and to provide directions for future research.Methods: To gain an overview of the research landscape and identify relevant articles and key researchers, the Web of Science database was used to search for pertinent keywords. This study includes all types of facility location problems and classifies the reviewed articles into deterministic and non-deterministic models. In the deterministic models table, the type of objective function, decision variables, model type, and solution methods are detailed. For non-deterministic models, the study focuses on stochastic programming and robust optimization approaches. The non-deterministic models table includes the type of objective function, decision variables, non-deterministic parameters, type of uncertainty, model type, and solution methods.Results and discussion: The review identified 19 factors contributing to the decline of companies, from the 22 factors previously identified in the literature. Factors such as "market monopoly status," "oversupply," and "lack of cooperation culture among employees and managers" were excluded due to their lower importance, as determined by experts. For these identified factors, 32 localized and new strategies were determined and categorized into six groups: financial and economic strategies; marketing and customer orientation; human resources; knowledge-based strategies; structure and interactions; and production and operations efficiency. The hierarchical interpretive structural model of revitalization strategies indicates that these strategies are interdependent, helping and facilitating each other. Effective implementation should start from the lowest level of the model. Notably, although the strategies are categorized, the model shows that it is unnecessary to focus on all strategies within a single category simultaneously. Instead, the hierarchy clearly demonstrates the priority order from the bottom up and across different categories.Conclusions: Reviving declining and bankrupt small and medium-sized companies, particularly in the food industry, is not a one-dimensional process and does not have a single strategy. Instead, it requires a combination of six strategy categories: financial and economic; marketing and customer orientation; human resources; knowledge-based strategies; structure and interactions; and production and operations efficiency. The revival process must be systematic, continuous, and gradual. This study can help researchers understand current optimization trends in HL and identify research gaps to contribute to societal well-being through their research.

Background: Chemotherapy, as one of the common treatments for breast cancer, is associated with many side effects including pain, which negatively affects the physical and psychological health of patients. Some studies have shown that mindfulness-based interventions can lead to a reduction in cancer patient’s pain and life expectancy. However, some studies reported conflicting results. Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MiCBT) on the pain and life expectancy of women with breast cancer during chemotherapy. Methods: The current research design was a semi-experimental pre and post test with a control group ans a one-month follow-up. For this purpose, 28 breast cancer patients aged 19-70 in 2022 were purposefully selected from medical centers in Shiraz city and randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control (14 patients for each group). The intervention group received six-week sessions (90 minutes) of MiCBT group therapy (Cayoun et al., 2018), while the control group used the common chemotherapy method. Both groups were evaluated using a Brief Pain Inventory (Cleeland, 1991) and Hope Scale (Snyder et al., 1991). In addition, multivariate analysis, variance analysis with repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc was used to analyze the data with SPSS26 software. Results: The intervention group had significantly lower pain scores (F(1,25)= 72312, p< 0.01, η2= 0.73) and higher life expectancy scores (F(1,25)= 9.62, p< 0.01, η2= 0.72) in the post-test. In addition, the differences remained significant in follow-up (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings, MiCBT moderated pain and life expectancy of breast cancer patients. Further studies are required to assess the efficacy of the MiCBT intervention in larger randomized trials.

High efficiency and stability are two crucial factors in piezocatalysis reactions. In this research, the efficiency of Fe2O3 piezo catalysts significantly increased by coupling it with Na2WO4. Results indicate that Fe2O3 and Na2WO4 have a synergetic effect on the degradation of Amoxicillin (AMX), with Fe2O3/Na2WO4 degrading 88 % of AMX in the same conditions that pure Fe2O3 and Na2WO4 degrade only 42 % and 20.6 %, respectively. The degradation efficiency of Fe2O3 was improved by 114 % when it was coupled with Na2WO4. Fe2O3/Na2WO4 piezo catalyst was successfully used in 8 cycles while it keeps almost 85 % of its efficiency which indicates the stability of prepared piezo catalysts. Studying the mechanism of degradation by Fe2O3/Na2WO4 revealed that superoxide free radicals have a critical function in the decomposition of AMX. The kinetic study also indicates that at lower temperatures, the reaction follows a first-order reaction.

Study region: The Miocene Fluvial Moghra Aquifer in the North Western Desert of Egypt Study focus: The study integrates stable isotope analyses with aeromagnetic and hydrogeological datasets to accomplish the following: (1) define the primary source(s) of recharge to the Moghra aquifer, (2) assess aquifer connectivity with the Nile River aquifer, and (3) investigate the vertical connectivity of the Moghra aquifer with the underlying Nubian Aquifer System (NAS) through subvertical faults. New hydrological insights for the region: The findings reveal (1) significant heterogeneity in groundwater isotopic compositions (Group A: δ18O: 1.1–13.8 ‰; δD: 4.6–73.5 ‰, B: δ18O:−0.99 to 0.85; δD: −7.58 to 4.38 ‰; and C: δ18O:−1.1 to −3.4; δD: − 6.3 to −18.2 ‰) indicative of variability in recharge sources. (2) Groundwater compositions west (up to 30 km) of the Nile River (Group A) resemble enriched modern Nile waters following the Aswan High Dam (AHD) construction that give way further west to relatively depleted groundwater (Group B) resembling historical pre-AHD Nile water compositions. (3) Further west from Group B depleted Group C samples occur along intersections of multiple fault systems (NW and NE-oriented faults) interpreted as mixtures of rising highly-depleted paleo Nubian Aquifer System (NAS) waters and pre-AHD Nile waters. (4) The advocated structural control is reported in similar settings in Egypt, suggesting that intersections of multiple fault systems provide regional connections between deep and shallow aquifers in northeast Africa, recharge overlying shallow aquifers, and should be considered in groundwater management scenarios.

This study provides a unique electrochemical sensor that exhibits both excellent sensitivity and selectivity, while also being environmentally friendly. The CuAl-LDH/GCE sensor, proposed as the recommended sensor, was synthesized using a straightforward one-step co-precipitation procedure. It was first used to measure dopamine levels using differential pulse voltammetry. At the ideal pH level of 8, dopamine has a positive charge, but ascorbic acid and uric acid have a negative charge. LDH, on the other hand, carries a negative charge and exhibits high electrostatic attraction towards dopamine, but is electrostatically repelled by negatively charged ascorbic acid and uric acid. Hence, CuAl-LDH/GCE has the potential to specifically ascertain the existence of dopamine in the presence of these particular species. The examination of the composition and morphology of CuAl-LDH was conducted using various analytical techniques, including scanner electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), element mapping (MAP), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET), X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XRD), and Raman techniques. Under ideal circumstances, the calibration graph of dopamine was generated using differential pulse voltammetry. A linear range of 4.194–1151.54 μM was achieved for dopamine, with a limit of detection of 0.33 μM. The findings of the study indicate that the sensor created for dopamine determination has exceptional stability, repeatability, and reproducibility. The sensor that was presented was effectively used for the measurement of dopamine in both pharmaceutical ampoules and human plasma samples.

Envelope air leakage is a large contributor of energy loss in modern high-performance construction. Building enclosure designers along with the building science community are emphasizing the importance of incorporating air barrier products in the envelope design. Furthermore, regulators are reassessing the allowable air leakage limits prescribed in local codes, to reduce unintentional infiltration. Although voluntary, Passive House building standards inform methods and targets for achieving minimal air leakage values to meet certification. Commercial air barrier products often satisfy the airtightness requirements during and immediately following construction. However, seismic events could potentially damage the air barrier product and compromise the envelope’s air tightness. This paper presents the findings of an experimental program conducted to test commercially available air barrier products under in plane cyclic loading. A cyclic loading profile was designed to simulate a seismic event. Selected air barrier products were adhered to small-scale sheathing panels and tested after curing. Multiple combinations of sheathing board material and air barrier tapes were tested. The tested sample groups represent the most common air barrier systems used in the industry, incorporating 3 M Construction Seaming Tape, Siga Wigluv 60, Prosoco R-Guard Joint and Seam Filler, and Zip System Tape. The failure load and failure displacement were recorded for each test, along with the corresponding failure mode. The results of the experimental program suggest that 0.5-inches [1.27 cm] of in plane vertical displacement could completely compromise the air barrier layer due to the delamination or tear of the air barrier sealant.

Aims The primary aim was to analyze three months of admissions to Rowan Ward PICU (February 22 to April 2022) according to NAPICU's 2014 criteria, followed by implementing recommendations and conducting a re-audit (November 2022 to January 2023) to assess their impact. Secondary objectives included examining the link between prior PICU admissions and higher readmission rates, even when not clinically necessary. Methods Methods involved assessing each admission against NAPICU's criteria and reviewing the reason for admission (RFA) for appropriateness. Data collection utilized various sources, including SystmOne, Mental Health Act assessments, and referral documents. Collaborative analysis with the PICU consultant was conducted due to the subjective nature of RFA interpretation. Results Results from the initial audit revealed that 12 out of 36 patients (33%) were deemed unsuitable for PICU admission, with 8 having prior PICU admissions (67%). Only 22% had documented multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions. In the subsequent audit, 9 out of 38 patients (24%) were deemed unsuitable for PICU admission, with 2 having prior admissions (22%). Only 3% had documented MDT discussions. Conclusion There was a reduction in inappropriate admissions from 33% to 24% in the subsequent cycle. This improvement was linked to the implementation of recommendations from the first audit, such as introducing a standardized referral form, enhancing consultant-to-consultant communications, and forming a PICU outreach team. While the initial findings indicated higher readmission rates for patients with prior PICU admissions, this trend lessened in the subsequent evaluation. However, there is still insufficient documentation of Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) discussions, highlighting the need for a re-audit to accurately assess any changes.

IntroductionHeat stress negatively affects wheat production in several ways, mainly by reducing growth rate, photosynthetic capacity and reducing spike fertility. Modeling stress response means analyzing simultaneous relationships among traits affecting the whole plant response and determinants of grain yield. The aim of this study was to dissect the diverse impacts of heat stress on key yield traits and to identify the most promising sources of alleles for heat tolerance.MethodsWe evaluated a diverse durum wheat panel of 183 cultivars and breeding lines from worldwide, for their response to long-term heat stress under field conditions (HS) with respect to non stress conditions (NS), considering phenological traits, grain yield (GY) and its components as a function of the timing of heat stress and climatic covariates. We investigated the relationships among plant and environmental variables by means of a structural equation model (SEM) and Genetic SEM (GSEM). ResultsOver two years of experiments at CENEB, CIMMYT, the effects of HS were particularly pronounced for the normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI (-51.3%), kernel weight per spike, KWS (-40.5%), grain filling period, GFP (-38.7%), and GY (-56.6%). Average temperatures around anthesis were negatively correlated with GY, thousand kernel weight TKW and test weight TWT, but also with spike density, a trait determined before heading/anthesis. Under HS, the correlation between the three major determinants of GY, i.e., fertile spike density, spike fertility and kernel size, were of noticeable magnitude. NDVI measured at medium milk-soft dough stage under HS was correlated with both spike fertility and grain weight while under NS it was less predictive of grain weight but still highly correlated with spike fertility. GSEM modeling suggested that the causal model of performance under HS directly involves genetic effects on GY, NDVI, KWS and HD.DiscussionWe identified consistently suitable sources of genetic resistance to heat stress to be used in different durum wheat pre-breeding programs. Among those, Desert Durums and CIMMYT’80 germplasm showed the highest degree of adaptation and capacity to yield under high temperatures and can be considered as a valuable source of alleles for adaptation to breed new HS resilient cultivars.

Pulmonary nodules are commonly encountered in pulmonary practice. Etiologies could include infectious, inflammatory, and malignant. Placental transmogrification of the lung is an extremely rare etiology of pulmonary nodules. Such condition often presents as unilateral lesions in asymptomatic men. In general, such nodules are generally stable and grow extremely slowly. We highlight an unusual case of placental transmogrification of the lung (PLC) identified in a young female. The patient’s bilateral nodules were larger than what has been previously cited in the literature and exhibited growth over an 8-year follow-up period.

BackgroundInfection by porcine respiratory and reproductive syncytial virus (PRRSV), swine influenza virus (SIV) and porcine epidemic diarrhea (PEDV) adversely affect worldwide pig production. Because effective control remains elusive the present research was designed to explore the in vitro antiviral activity of oleandrin and an N. oleander extract (PBI-05204) against each porcine virus.MethodsMonkey kidney (MARK-145) cells, Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK), and African green monkey kidney cells (VERO 76) were used for in vitro culture systems for PRRSV, SIV and PEDV, respectively. Cytotoxicity was established using serial dilutions of oleandrin or PBI-05204. Noncytotoxic concentrations of each product were used either prior to or at 12 h and 24 h following exposure to corresponding viruses. Infectious virus titers were also determined.ResultsOleandrin and PBI-05204 demonstrated strong antiviral activity against PRRSV, SIV and PEDV when added prior to or following infection of cells. Determination of viral loads by PCR demonstrated a decline in PRRSV replication reaching 99.57% and 99.79% for oleandrin and PBI-05204, respectively, and decrease of 95.36% and 99.54% in infectivity of progeny virus in PRRSV infected cultures. Similarly, oleandrin tested against SIV and PEDV was effective in near complete inhibition of infectious virus production.ConclusionThe research demonstrates the potency of oleandrin and PBI-05204 to inhibit infectivity of three important porcine viruses. These data showing non-toxic concentrations of oleandrin as a single common agent for inhibiting infectivity of the three different porcine viruses tested here support further investigation of antiviral efficacy and possible in vivo use.

Summary: We utilized scRNA-seq to delineate the diversity of cell types in the zebrafish heart. Transcriptome profiling of over 50,000 cells at 48 and 72 hpf defined at least 18 discrete cell lineages of the developing heart. Utilizing well-established gene signatures, we identified a population of cells likely to be the primary pacemaker and characterized the transcriptome profile defining this critical cell type. Two previously uncharacterized genes, atp1b3b and colec10, were found to be enriched in the sinoatrial cardiomyocytes. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of these two genes significantly reduced heart rate, implicating their role in cardiac development and conduction. Additionally, we describe other cardiac cell lineages, including the endothelial and neural cells, providing their expression profiles as a resource. Our results established a detailed atlas of the developing heart, providing valuable insights into cellular and molecular mechanisms, and pinpointed potential new players in heart rhythm regulation.

This study is focused on promoting self-reflection and self-regulation of learning through the use of digital tools to improve the academic performance of university students. Specifically, the main objective is to evaluate the impact of the use of collaborative ePortfolios on facilitating the comprehension of the concepts being studied. During the 2021/2022 academic term, a voluntary survey was administered to 60 students in the Adaptation Course of the Primary Education Degree Program. Through a structural equation analysis, a theoretical model was analyzed in which the intensity of participation in the ePortfolio appears as a mediating variable between the different independent variables and the improvement in academic learning. The results of the study confirm this mediating function for some variables, while at the same time they show a direct positive relationship between the intensity of participation in the ePortfolio and comprehension of the course concepts. The findings of this study can have important implications for the promotion of digital tools, such as ePortfolios, to improve learning in the university context. In addition, the work offers methodological alternatives to the recurring problem of analyzing complex relationships (both direct and indirect effects) with small samples.

Land degradation in mountainside areas is a serious threat that requires conservation actions, and the role of millennial farmers in this issue is crucial for future agricultural land sustainability. The perception of degraded land condition (LC) and the risk of farming due to ongoing agricultural land degradation (RISK) are suspected to be able to drive the intention to make conservation efforts. Based on the norm activation model, this study aims to analyze the influence of millennial farmers’ perceptions on the condition of degraded agricultural land and the risk of land degradation on their intention to perform conservation-based potato farming (CBPF). This study involved 169 millennial potato farmers on the western slope of Mount Slamet, Central Java, Indonesia. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey from January to March 2022. The hypothesis was tested using structural equation modeling. The results showed that more than 90% of respondents stated that agricultural land had been degraded. The risk and personal norms (PN) have a significant effect on the intention of CPBF (β = 0.144, β = 0.505; p-value

Abstract Background and aim Interventional cardiologists face challenges in managing chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions, with conflicting results when comparing rotational atherectomy (RA) to conventional PCI. This meta-analysis aims to provide a critical evaluation of the safety and feasibility of RA in CTO lesions. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid, and Cochrane central library until April 2023 were searched for relevant studies. MACE was our primary outcomes, other outcomes were all cause of death, cardiac death, MI, and TVR. Also, we reported angiographic outcomes as technical success, procedural success, and procedural complications in a random effect model. The pooled data was analyzed using odds ratio (OR) with its 95% CI using STATA 17 MP. Results Seven studies comprising 5494 patients with a mean follow-up of 43.1 months were included in this meta-analysis. Our pooled analysis showed that RA was comparable to PCI to decrease the incidence of MACE (OR = 0.98, 95% CI [0.74 to 1.3], p = 0.9). Moreover, there was no significant difference between RA and conventional PCI in terms of other clinical or angiographic outcomes. Conclusion Our study showed that RA had comparable clinical and angiographic outcomes as conventional PCI in CTO lesions, which offer interventional cardiologists an expanded perspective when addressing calcified lesions. PROSPERO registration CRD42023417362.

In the evolving urban transportation, the emergence of Micro-Mobility (MM), symbolized by Electric Scooters (ESs), has become a pivotal response to private automobiles’ environmental and logistical challenges. However, the limited battery capacity of ESs presents a challenge in realizing their full potential. This paper addresses the problem of optimizing energy consumption in ESs by jointly considering path and speed selection all while considering user dissatisfaction levels. Our approach considers two types of ESs, one with regenerative braking (i.e., able to recharge the battery from kinetic energy of movement) and the other without regenerative braking. In order to build a realistic environment, we considered dynamic factors such as time-varying road congestion, road conditions, and ambient temperature. We considered a comprehensive energy consumption model for the ES that includes parameters such as rolling resistance, air friction, road gradient, auxiliary power and ambient temperature influence. Moreover, we introduced a user dissatisfaction model that accounts for traffic conditions, congestion, and ambient temperature to enhance the user experience. The optimization problem was then formulated and solved with Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL-DQN) approach considering the time-varying environment, road-specific parameters (i.e., road angle, road shading, road speed limit, and road condition), and user dissatisfaction levels. The DRL approach was designed to make timely and context-aware decisions the minimize the energy consumption of the ES. Rigorous validation and comprehensive testing demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. We evaluated the proposed solution’s performance against alternative methodologies used by fleet operators in different tests, including energy consumption, average user dissatisfaction, and average trip duration. The results showed that the proposed approach saved nearly 53-67% of energy for regenerative braking cases and 25-55% for non-regenerative braking cases when compared with other approaches and offers high adaptability to the environment and less complexity when compared with the exhaustive solution.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of mentalization-based treatment in improving the self-consciousness and quality of life of mothers who have children diagnosed with intellectual developmental disorder. The study was quasi-experimental in nature, employing a pretest-posttest control group design with a two-month follow-up period. The statistical sample for the spring and summer of 2021 comprised the mothers of children diagnosed with intellectual developmental disorder residing in the town of Ardebil. A purposive sampling method was employed to select 37 mothers of children diagnosed with intellectual developmental disorder. These mothers were then randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Over the course of two months, the mothers in the experimental group attended eight sessions of mentalization-based treatment. This research employed the Self-Conscious Affect Questionnaire (SCAQ) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire (FQLQ). The data were analyzed utilizing SPSS-25 software and the mixed variance analysis procedure. Positive self-conscious affect (F=42.86; Eta=0.55; P=0001), negative self-conscious affect (F=51.84; Eta=0.59; P=0001), and quality of life (F=33.93; Eta=0.49; P=0001) were all significantly improved by mentalization-based treatment in mothers of children with intellectual developmental disorder. On the basis of the study’s results and findings, it is possible to conclude that mentalization-based treatment can be an effective method for enhancing the quality of life and self-awareness of mothers of children with intellectual developmental disorder. This is accomplished through the use of mindfulness-related techniques, including those involving thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.