Search

Abstract We reconsider formulating D dimensional gauge theories, with the focus on the case of gravity theories, in spacetimes with boundaries. We extend covariant phase space formalism to the cases in which boundaries are allowed to fluctuate. We analyze the symplectic form, the freedoms (ambiguities), and its conservation for this case. We show that boundary fluctuations render all the surface charges integrable. We study the algebra of charges and its central extensions, charge conservation, and fluxes. We briefly comment on memory effects and questions regarding semiclassical aspects of black holes in the fluctuating boundary setup.

Abstract We study 4 dimensional (4d) gravitational waves (GWs) with compact wavefronts, generalizing Robinson-Trautman (RT) solutions in Einstein gravity with an arbitrary cosmological constant. We construct the most general solution of the GWs in the presence of a causal, timelike, or null boundary when the usual tensor modes are turned off. Our solution space besides the shape and topology of the wavefront which is a generic compact, smooth, and orientable 2d surface Σ, is specified by a vector over Σ satisfying the conformal Killing equation and two scalars that are arbitrary functions over the causal boundary, the boundary modes (soft hair). We work out the symplectic form over the solution space using covariant phase space formalism and analyze the boundary symmetries and charges. The algebra of surface charges is a Heisenberg algebra. Only the overall size of the compact wavefront and not the details of its shape appears in the boundary symplectic form and is canonical conjugate to the overall mass of the GW. Hence, the information about the shape of the wavefront can’t be probed by the boundary observer. We construct a boundary energy-momentum tensor and a boundary current, whose conservation yields the RT equation for both asymptotically AdS and flat spacetimes. The latter provides a hydrodynamic description for our RT solutions.

Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the only approved disease-modifying treatment modality for Pompe disease, a rare, inherited metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in the acid α-glucosidase (GAA) enzyme that catabolizes lysosomal glycogen. First-generation recombinant human GAA (rhGAA) ERT (alglucosidase alfa) can slow the progressive muscle degeneration characteristic of the disease. Still, most patients experience diminished efficacy over time, possibly because of poor uptake into target tissues. Next-generation ERTs aim to address this problem by increasing bis-phosphorylated high mannose (bis-M6P) N-glycans on rhGAA as these moieties have sufficiently high receptor binding affinity at the resultant low interstitial enzyme concentrations after dosing to drive uptake by the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor on target cells. However, some approaches introduce bis-M6P onto rhGAA via non-natural linkages that cannot be hydrolyzed by natural human enzymes and thus inhibit the endolysosomal glycan trimming necessary for complete enzyme activation after cell uptake. Furthermore, all rhGAA ERTs face potential inactivation during intravenous delivery (and subsequent non-productive clearance) as GAA is an acid hydrolase that is rapidly denatured in the near-neutral pH of the blood. One new therapy, cipaglucosidase alfa plus miglustat, is hypothesized to address these challenges by combining an enzyme enriched with naturally occurring bis-M6P N-glycans with a small-molecule stabilizer. Here, we investigate this hypothesis by analyzing published and new data related to the mechanism of action of the enzyme and stabilizer molecule. Based on an extensive collection of in vitro, preclinical, and clinical data, we conclude that cipaglucosidase alfa plus miglustat successfully addresses each of these challenges to offer meaningful advantages in terms of pharmacokinetic exposure, target-cell uptake, endolysosomal processing, and clinical benefit.

Abstract Within the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) framework, the Hubble constant $$H_0$$ H 0 is an integration constant. Thus, consistency of the model demands observational constancy of $$H_0$$ H 0 . We demonstrate redshift evolution of best fit $$\Lambda $$ Λ CDM parameters $$(H_0, \Omega _{m})$$ ( H 0 , Ω m ) in Pantheon+ supernove (SNe). Redshift evolution of best fit cosmological parameters is a prerequisite to finding a statistically significant evolution as well as identifying alternative models that are competitive with $$\Lambda $$ Λ CDM in a Bayesian model comparison. To assess statistical significance, we employ three different methods: (i) Bayesian model comparison, (ii) mock simulations and (iii) profile distributions. The first shows a marginal preference for the vanilla $$\Lambda $$ Λ CDM model over an ad hoc model with 3 additional parameters and an unphysical jump in cosmological parameters at $$z=1$$ z = 1 . From mock simulations, we estimate the statistical significance of redshift evolution of best fit parameters and negative dark energy density ( $$\Omega _m > 1$$ Ω m > 1 ) to be in the $$1-2 \sigma $$ 1 - 2 σ range, depending on the criteria employed. Importantly, in direct comparison to the same analysis with the earlier Pantheon sample we find that statistical significance of redshift evolution of best fit parameters has increased, as expected for a physical effect. Our profile distribution analysis demonstrates a shift in $$(H_0, \Omega _m)$$ ( H 0 , Ω m ) in excess of $$95\%$$ 95 % confidence level for SNe with redshifts $$z > 1$$ z > 1 and also shows that a degeneracy in MCMC posteriors is not equivalent to a curve of constant $$\chi ^2$$ χ 2 . Our findings can be interpreted as a statistical fluctuation or unexplored systematics in Pantheon+ or $$\Lambda $$ Λ CDM model breakdown. The first two possibilities are disfavoured by similar trends in independent probes.

Abstract We study pure D dimensional Einstein gravity in spacetimes with a generic null boundary. We focus on the symplectic form of the solution phase space which comprises a 2D dimensional boundary part and a 2(D(D − 3)/2 + 1) dimensional bulk part. The symplectic form is the sum of the bulk and boundary parts, obtained through integration over a codimension 1 surface (null boundary) and a codimension 2 spatial section of it, respectively. Notably, while the total symplectic form is a closed 2-form over the solution phase space, neither the boundary nor the bulk symplectic forms are closed due to the symplectic flux of the bulk modes passing through the boundary. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the D(D − 3)/2 + 1 dimensional Lagrangian submanifold of the bulk part of the solution phase space has a Carrollian structure, with the metric on the D(D − 3)/2 dimensional part being the Wheeler-DeWitt metric, and the Carrollian kernel vector corresponding to the outgoing Robinson-Trautman gravitational wave solution.

Drought is among the most severe natural calamities induced by lack of water, having a negative implication on water resources and agriculture in the affected area. Drought types and severity vary by location, so understanding the spatial distribution can aid in developing measures to overcome this natural hazard. In this study, the areas vulnerable to droughts in the Mandawa watershed in the Kurdistan region of Iraq were determined by employing seven associated factors: rainfall, temperature, LULC, surfaceslope, soil texture, elevation, and distance to rivers. Satellite imagery of Landsat 8 OLI for 2021was employed to create the Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) and distance to rivers maps. The elevation and surface slope maps have been generated from the Digital Elevation Modelat 30 m resolution, soil texture map was extracted from The FAO Digital Soil Map of the Worldand the inverse distance weighting method was utilized to interpolate the rainfall and temperature throughout the watershed. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)was used to create a pairwise compression matrix to obtain the weight of each parameter. In the Geographic Information System (GIS)environment, the combined impact of affecting factors was utilized to create the area's drought zonation map. The results indicated that only 5.2% and 13.8% of the study area is vulnerable to extreme and severe droughts, respectively. While more than 35% of the watershed is hardly vulnerable to droughts.

The study is being conducted with the goal of applying various models and techniques for catchment delineation and providing the opportunity to determine the Curve Numbers (CN) for the Rawanduz river basin (2956 Km2 ), which is located in the northeastern section of Iraq, Kurdistan region, by utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS). Satellite data (Landsat 8 OLI) for 2020 was utilized to build land cover classes, with a classification accuracy of 90% and a Kappa index of 86.18%. The hydrologic soil map for the region is digitized from the Iraqi soil map. In specifically, Soil Conservation Service-Curve Number (SCS-CN) is technique that will be utilized to predict direct surface runoff. This technique incorporates a range of significant watershed features, such as Hydrological Soil Groups (HSG) and land use/land cover (LU/LC), to be utilized as input variables for numerous hydrologic processes. In terms of land use and hydrologic soil group combination, the lowest CN value was found to be 58 in forest areas, which corresponds to an increased ability of the soil to retain rainfall and will produce much less runoff, and the highest CN value was found to be 92 in medium-residential areas, which causes most of the rainfall to appear as runoff, with minimal losses.

Abstract We show that the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) framework has an instability towards the growth of fluid flow anisotropies, even if the Universe is accelerating. This flow (tilt) instability in the matter sector is invisible to Cosmic No-Hair Theorem-like arguments, which typically only flag shear anisotropies in the metric. We illustrate our claims in the setting of “dipole cosmology”, the maximally Copernican generalization of FLRW that can accommodate a flow. Simple models are sufficient to show that the cosmic flow need not track the shear, even in the presence of a positive cosmological constant. We also emphasize that the growth of the tilt hair is fairly generic if the effective equation of state $$w \rightarrow -1$$ w → - 1 at late times (as it does in standard cosmology), irrespective of the precise model of dark energy. The generality of our theoretical result puts various recent observational claims about late time anisotropies and cosmic dipoles in a new light.

Abstract We study 3-dimensional gravity on a spacetime bounded by a generic 2-dimensional causal surface. We review the solution phase space specified by 4 generic functions over the causal boundary, construct the symplectic form over the solution space and the 4 boundary charges and their algebra. The boundary charges label boundary degrees of freedom. Three of these charges extend and generalize the Brown-York charges to the generic causal boundary, are canonical conjugates of boundary metric components and naturally give rise to a fluid description at the causal boundary. Moreover, we show that the boundary charges besides the causal boundary hydrodynamic description, also admit a thermodynamic description with a natural (geometric) causal boundary temperature and angular velocity. When the causal boundary is the asymptotic boundary of the 3d AdS or flat space, the hydrodynamic description respectively recovers an extension of the known conformal or conformal-Carrollian asymptotic hydrodynamics. When the causal boundary is a generic null surface, we recover the null surface thermodynamics of [1] which is an extension of the usual black hole thermodynamics description.

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are revolutionizing the globe with their sensing technologies. This initiative aims to design and deploy a cattle health monitoring system (CHMS) for the agriculture sector for the well-being of livestock and the eradication of hunger. The production and consumption of all dairy and meat products can only be conducted responsibly if the health of the source animal is protected. In this regard, WSNs, a component of the Internet-of-things (IoT) system, can be utilized for monitoring cow health due to their adaptability and portability, which enables them to be applied to expansive domains such as cattle healthcare. The integration of IoT and artificial intelligence enables the prediction of livestock illnesses. The primary purpose of this proposed system is to forecast cattle diseases utilizing real-time data from non-invasive body-area sensors and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and to display the expected results to authorized personnel via a web application. Popular authentication schemes are used in this system as it is susceptible to hacking and requires robust network security to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its resources. The presented results validates the accuracy of the proposed novel system for cow diseases prediction that is approximately 98 percent. The proposed CHMS can assist concerned farmers in remotely monitoring the health of their livestock from a variety of locations and in taking appropriate and timely measures to protect animal health. Technological automation will lower prices and labor inputs while enhancing farm output.

ΛCDM tensions are by definition model-dependent; one sees anomalies through the prism of ΛCDM. Thus, progress towards tension resolution necessitates checking the consistency of the ΛCDM model to localise missing physics either in redshift or scale. Since the universe is dynamical and redshift is a proxy for time, it is imperative to first perform consistency checks involving redshift, then consistency checks involving scale as the next steps to settle the “systematics versus new physics” debate and foster informed model building. We present a review of the hierarchy of assumptions underlying the ΛCDM cosmological model and comment on whether relaxing them can address the tensions. We focus on the lowest lying fruit of identifying missing physics through the identification of redshift-dependent ΛCDM model fitting parameters. We highlight the recent progress made on S8:=σ8Ωm/0.3 tension and elucidate how similar progress can be made on H0 tension. Our discussions indicate that H0 tension, equivalently a redshift-dependent H0, and a redshift-dependent S8 imply a problem with the background ΛCDM cosmology.

Perovskite solar cells could strongly compete with the silicon solar cells in the market soon as illustrated in recent studies. In this work, promising and stable metal-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been successfully fabricated using an inorganic SnO2/Quantum dot SnO2 (QD-SnO2) double layer as an efficient electron transport layer via a low-temperature solution process. The fully-air fabricated PSCs in the form of FTO/SnO2/QD-SnO2/CH3NH3PbI3/Carbon were tested at different annealed QD-SnO2 between 300 and 500 °C. The as-prepared QD-SnO2 and the fabricated devices are characterized by various techniques, including XRD, XPS, HR-TEM, FE-SEM, UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, PL, and solar simulator. The prepared QD-SnO2 at 300 °C has shown well-ordered nanoparticles of 5.6 nm in diameter with superior carrier density (1.5 × 1015 cm−3) and highest carrier mobility (64.1 cm2·V-1·s−1), accelerating the carriers separation process within the cell. The best devices demonstrated a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.7%, VOC 0.81 V, JSC 19.5 mA·cm−2, and FF 74%. The presence of an interfacial layer of QD-SnO2 over the blocking SnO2 upsurges the band gaps alignment and accelerates the carriers extraction rate affecting the performance of the fabricated perovskite devices. Moreover, the optimized fabricated devices revealed a shelf stability-life of four months in humid air (40%–50%) with >83% of its initial PCE. This simple synthetic approach can develop the opportunities to transfer the cell from the lab to the market, which will be compatible with large-scale production.

Plain English Summary While survival rates are routinely used to evaluate treatment outcomes in oral cancer, increased understanding of the human cost of this disease highlights the need to also consider the impact of the disease and therapy on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Measurement of quality of life outcomes requires a validated QoL questionnaire with proven applicability in that specific context. Little research has been undertaken on the QoL of cancer patients in Sudan and no published research exists to date on the QoL of Sudanese oral cancer patients. While an Arabic version of the FACT-G general questionnaire exists, the FACT-H&N module was not previously available in Arabic. This paper describes the translation of the FACT-H&N from English into Arabic to suit Sudanese patients and other Arabic-speaking patients, with a detailed pre-test review by 10 patients, a pilot study with 60 patients and further validation with 130 patients. This study represents the first QoL research undertaken in oral cancer patients in Sudan and provides some insight into the impact of oral cancer on their lives. Findings from this study indicate that the Arabic version of the FACT-H&N questionnaire is a valid, reliable and acceptable method for assessing health related QoL in Arabic-speaking Sudanese oral cancer patients. This work will benefit future researchers working with Arabic-speaking oral cancer patients.

Probiotics and their derivatives are becoming increasingly popular in the fight against pathogenic biofilms. This research work explores the use of probiotic bacteria and their potential as antimicrobial agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and the infections they cause. P. aeruginosa strains were grown on LB (Lysogeny Broth) for 24 hours and characterized using biochemical tests. The biofilm-forming strains were quantified using polystyrene microtiter-plates in a spectrophotometric assay supplemented with M63 minimal media. LAB (Lactobacillus fermentii and Lactococcus lactis) were isolated from fermented maize paste (ogi), Cheese (Waara), Fura and fermented milk (Nunu) on Skim milk agar and were characterized based on colony morphology, cell morphology and biochemical tests. From the isolates, two strains of LAB were selected as probiotics. They were tested for their inhibitory potential against biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa using liquid co-culture assay. The Lactic acid content and Hydrogen Peroxide was estimated by titration for three days. Lactococcus lactis had more stable lactic acid production than Lactobacillus fermentii (2.70 g/L) although both peaked on Day 2 with Lactococcus lactis producing slightly more lactic acid (2.72 g/L). With liquid co-culture assay, there was a 63% decrease observed in the optical density of biofilms. Keywords: Probiotics, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Biofilm, Lactic acid, Lactobacillus fermentii, Lactococcus lactis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Matriglycan, a repeating disaccharide on α-dystroglycan, is the receptor for Lassa virus and specific extracellular matrix proteins. Here, the authors demonstrate that matriglycan, in a length-dependent tunable manner, is both necessary and sufficient for protein binding and viral infection.

Abstract We study 2d and 3d gravity theories on spacetimes with causal (timelike or null) codimension one boundaries while allowing for variations in the position of the boundary. We construct the corresponding solution phase space and specify boundary degrees freedom by analysing boundary (surface) charges labelling them. We discuss Y and W freedoms and change of slicing in the solution space. For D dimensional case we find D + 1 surface charges, which are generic functions over the causal boundary. We show that there exist solution space slicings in which the charges are integrable. For the 3d case there exists an integrable slicing where charge algebra takes the form of Heisenberg ⊕ A $$ \mathcal{A} $$ 3 where A $$ \mathcal{A} $$ 3 is two copies of Virasoro at Brown-Henneaux central charge for AdS3 gravity and BMS3 for the 3d flat space gravity.

The complexity of prescribing safe and effective drug therapy is still challenging. Due to the increased number of medications taken by patients, the potential for drug-drug interactions has clinically important consequences. This study focuses on the potential drug-drug interaction between azithromycin and etoricoxib and the possibility of counteracting this adverse reaction by giving ascorbic acid intraperitoneally to male albino rats. Sixty adult male albino rats weighing 150–180 g were used. The rats were allocated into six equal groups. One group was a control, and the others were given azithromycin, etoricoxib, either alone or combination, with one group treated with ascorbic acid and the last group treated with the drug combination and ascorbic acid. Blood samples were collected for measuring AST, ALT, LDH, CK-MB, and troponin alongside antioxidant enzymes and histopathological examination for both liver and heart tissue. The results showed both hepatic and cardiac damage in azithromycin and etoricoxib groups represented by increasing levels of heaptoc enzymes (ALT, AST, LDH, CK-MB, and troponin) with declining antioxidant enzymes and elevation of malondialdehyde and the appearance of hepatic and cardiac toxicities. Upon administration, ascorbic acid ameliorated all the mentioned biochemical parameters. In conclusion, ascorbic acid has great antioxidant capacities and hepatic and cardiac ameliorative effects and can alleviate drug interaction toxicity.

A Labyrinth weir is a type of nonlinear weir folded in plan-view, with the ability to pass a large flow at low heads due to an increase in the effective length of the weir crest for a given channel width. The discharge coefficients (Cd) were experimentally determined for both semicircular and triangular labyrinth weirs of varying sidewall angles (α) under free-flow conditions using eight physical models. Dimensional analyses are conducted using the Buckingham π theorem to find the dependent and non-dependent variables. A nonlinear empirical equation was developed using (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 22) software. The findings show that the discharge coefficient decreases with the increase of headwater to (Ht /P) for both types of labyrinth weir with different plan forms. It is found that the efficiency of the semicircular and triangular labyrinth is higher than linear weir for (Ht /P ≤ 0.45) and decreases with increasing the value of (Ht /P) due to interference of flow between the layers in downstream. The obtained results revealed that the discharge coefficient (Cd) values obtained empirically using multivariable power regression and 5th degree polynomial equations considerably agree with the experimental data, for both of the semicircular and triangular labyrinth weirs. Furthermore, the correlation coefficient R2was (0.9951) and (0.9637) using 5th degree polynomial equation, and their values were (0.9643) and (0.9274) using multivariable power regression equation for both semicircular and triangular labyrinth weir models, respectively. The results in the present study compared quite well with the predicted results of the proposed equations obtained by other investigators.

Abstract We construct the boundary phase space in D-dimensional Einstein gravity with a generic given co-dimension one null surface N $$ \mathcal{N} $$ as the boundary. The associated boundary symmetry algebra is a semi-direct sum of diffeomorphisms of N $$ \mathcal{N} $$ and Weyl rescalings. It is generated by D towers of surface charges that are generic functions over N $$ \mathcal{N} $$ . These surface charges can be rendered integrable for appropriate slicings of the phase space, provided there is no graviton flux through N $$ \mathcal{N} $$ . In one particular slicing of this type, the charge algebra is the direct sum of the Heisenberg algebra and diffeomorphisms of the transverse space, N $$ \mathcal{N} $$ v for any fixed value of the advanced time v. Finally, we introduce null surface expansion- and spin-memories, and discuss associated memory effects that encode the passage of gravitational waves through N $$ \mathcal{N} $$ , imprinted in a change of the surface charges.

It has been shown in [SciPost Phys. 14, 102 (2023)] that shallow water in the Euler description admits a dual gauge theory formulation. We show in the Lagrange description this gauge symmetry is a manifestation of the 2 dimensional area-preserving diffeomorphisms. We find surface charges associated with the gauge symmetry and their algebra, and study their physics in the shallow water system. In particular, we provide a reinterpretation of the Kelvin circulation theorem in terms of conserved charges. In the linear shallow water case, the charges form a u(1) current algebra with level proportional to the Coriolis parameter over the height of the fluid. We also study memory effect for the gauge theory description of the linearized shallow water and show Euler, Stokes and Darwin drifts can be understood as a memory effect and/or change of the surface charges in the gauge theory description.

The development of visible-light-responsive (VLR) semiconductor materials for effective water oxidation is significant for a sustainable and better future. Among various candidates, bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6; BWO) has attracted extensive attention because of many advantages, including efficient light-absorption ability, appropriate redox properties (for O2 generation), adjustable morphology, low cost, and profitable chemical and optical characteristics. Accordingly, a facile solvothermal method has been proposed in this study to synthesize two-dimensional (2D) BWO nanoplates after considering the optimal preparation conditions (solvothermal reaction time: 10–40 h). To find the key factors of photocatalytic performance, various methods and techniques were used for samples’ characterization, including XRD, FE-SEM, STEM, TEM, HRTEM, BET-specific surface area measurements, UV/vis DRS, and PL spectroscopy, and photocatalytic activity was examined for water oxidation under UV and/or visible-light (vis) irradiation. Famous commercial photocatalyst–P25 was used as a reference sample. It was found that BWO crystals grew anisotropically along the {001} basal plane to form nanoplates, and all properties were controlled simultaneously by tuning the synthesis time. Interestingly, the most active sample (under both UV and vis), prepared during the 30 h solvothermal reaction at 433 K (BWO–30), was characterized by the smallest specific surface area and the largest crystals. Accordingly, it is proposed that improved crystallinity (which hindered charge carriers’ recombination, as confirmed by PL), efficient photoabsorption (using the smallest bandgap), and 2D mesoporous structure are responsible for the best photocatalytic performance of the BWO–30 sample. This report shows for the first time that 2D mesoporous BWO nanoplates might be successfully prepared through a facile template-free solvothermal approach. All the above-mentioned advantages suggest that nanostructured BWO is a prospective candidate for photocatalytic applications under natural solar irradiation.

Abstract We observe that the errors on the Hubble constant $$H_0$$ H 0 , a universal parameter in any FLRW cosmology, can be larger in specific cosmological models than Gaussian processes (GP) data reconstruction. We comment on the prior mean function and trace the smaller GP errors to stronger correlations, which we show precludes all well studied dynamical dark energy models. We also briefly illustrate cosmographic expansions as another model independent cosmological reconstruction. Our analysis suggests that “cosmological model independence”, especially in the statement of Hubble tension, has become a misnomer.

Sialons are the spotlight of current investigation as low-cost and outstanding alternatives to the currently used metal alloys in various applications. The excellent high-temperature properties, high mechanical properties, structural reliability, good sinterability, easy densification with its low-cost processing make them superior candidates in many applications such as automotive engines, high-performance bearings, wear components, and gas turbine blades. In addition, the existence of two interstitial crystallographic sites in their crystal structure gives the opportunity to accommodate some rare earth element activators such as Eu2+, Yb2+, Ce3+, and Pr3+. These types of sialon-based materials have recently found a new promising application as a luminescent material for white light-emitting diodes. The aim of this review is to survey and provide a comprehensive look at the most relevant and significant publications regarding the development of sialons and their processing into both structural and luminescent materials. Such information forms a database that could enable scholars and engineers to tailor a final product derived from sialons with specific characteristics for a certain application. This review article should be of concern to engineers and scientists interested in the development and utilization of sialons for structural and wLEDs applications.

Abstract Background The heterogeneous nature of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) impedes both treatment strategies and prognostic predictions. Several markers have been proposed for the diagnosis of HCC. Cytoskeleton-associated proteins have been known as cellular integrators in neoplasm formation. Hepatic progenitor cells are thought to express alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and hematopoietic as well as biliary markers such as cytokeratin 19 (CK 19) and cytokeratin 7. The aim of this study was to verify the role of serum CK 19 alone or in combination with AFP as a diagnostic marker of HCC and to assess the changes in its levels after ablation of HCV-related HCC to evaluate its role as a predictor marker for recurrence of HCC after ablation. The study was conducted on 102 HCV-related cirrhotic patients categorized into three different groups according to the clinical, laboratory, and radiological evaluation: group I—62 patients with early or intermediate HCC who underwent locoregional intervention, group II—20 patients with advanced HCC not fit for any intervention apart from best supportive treatment, and group III—20 cirrhotic patients with no evidence of HCC as proved by two imaging techniques. Results The mean serum levels of CK 19 were 6.5 ± 5.7, 10.5 ± 12.5, and 6.8 ± 2.8 ng/ml in groups I, II, and III, respectively, with no significant difference between groups. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of combined AFP and human CK 19 at cutoff levels of 25.5 ng/ml and 6.25 ng/ml were 93.9%, 45%, 87.5%, and 64.3%, respectively. In group I patients, CK 19 levels were comparable in patients with ablated focal lesion and those who did not at baseline; then, it was significantly higher in ablated patients than in patients with residual tumor 1 and 6 months after the intervention. Conclusions Combination of both AFP and CK 19 levels could increase the diagnostic accuracy of suspected HCCs. CK 19 levels are good predictors of ablation/recurrence in patients who underwent interventional procedures minimizing the need for follow-up imaging modalities.

Abstract Background Migraine in children and adolescents is very common and can be associated with equivalents, psychiatric disorders, or abnormal electroencephalogram findings. Neurogenic inflammation is involved in migraine pathogenesis where pro-inflammatory cytokines play a significant role. Recent studies have demonstrated that serum bilirubin can be considered as an antioxidant and cytoprotective agent and that its concentration may be influenced in migraine by neurogenic inflammation. Various studies have observed reduced serum bilirubin in migrainous adults, and few studies investigated the association between serum bilirubin and migraine in children and adolescents. Objectives To study the association between serum bilirubin and migraine in children and adolescents. Patients and method Serum samples were collected from 40 migrainous children and adolescents and from 40 controls. Total, direct, and indirect bilirubin concentrations were measured. Headache features, migraine equivalents, psychiatric comorbidity, and electroencephalogram findings were documented in migraineurs. Results Serum total, direct, and indirect bilirubin concentrations were significantly lower in migraineurs than controls. This was statistically significant associated with abnormal electroencephalogram findings during headache-free periods and not statistically significant associated with any headache feature, abnormal electroencephalogram findings during headache attacks, or psychiatric comorbidity. Conclusion Serum bilirubin concentration is lower in migrainous children and adolescents compared to control, with no association with specific migraine type or features, and thus may be considered a useful marker for neurogenic inflammation in migraine.

Runoff coefficient is an index for losses in rainfall required in most hydrological models and water resources projects. Generally, in the Balakayety water shade in Kurdistan region of Iraq, no runoff data are available as almost basins are ungagged. The Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and available data for a small basin in Balakayety watershed within the Erbil governorate (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) were used to estimate the coefficient of potential runoff coefficient (PRC). The estimated PRC will be then used to calculate the depth of runoff. The Satellite Imagery (Landsat 7 ETM+) for 2015 was procured to create land cover classes, the classifications accuracy equal to 88.4%, and the Kappa index is 83.7%. The slope map developed from the digital elevation model with 30 m resolution. The area’s hydrologic soil map is digitized from the Iraqi soil map. The inverse distance weighting method was used to interpolate the rainfall of the study area into the Arc GIS. It was found that the most study area covered by moderate to high (PRC) values ranged from 55% to 83%, and runoff depth values vary from 398.1 mm to 610.3 mm. The present study indicates that the integration of all obtained thematic maps into GIS provides a powerful tool for calculating the runoff coefficient for catchments lacks streamflow data which can result in flood/drought predictions that will be not accurate. These findings are helpful in identifying flood areas, selecting proper sites for water harvesting, and enhancing water resources management programs.

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease which results from the invasion of the brain by activated immune cells across the endothelial cells (ECs) of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), due to loss of immune self-tolerance. Many reports define the metabolic profile of immune cells in MS, however little is known about the metabolism of the BBB ECs during the disease. We aim to determine whether circulating factors in MS induce metabolic alterations of the BBB ECs compared to a healthy state, which can be linked with disruption of BBB integrity and subsequent immune cell extravasation. Methods and results In this report, we used an in vitro model to study the effect of sera from naïve-to-treatment, relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients on the human brain microvascular endothelium, comparing effects to age/sex-matched healthy donor (HD) sera. Our data show that RRMS serum components affect brain endothelial cells by impairing intercellular tightness through the down-modulation of occludin and VE-cadherin, and facilitating immune cell extravasation through upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). At a metabolic level, the treatment of the endothelial cells with RRMS sera reduced their glycolytic activity (measured through the extracellular acidification rate-ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (oxidative phosphorylation rate-OCR). Such changes were associated with the down-modulation of endothelial glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) expression and by altered mitochondrial membrane potential. Higher level of reactive oxygen species released from the endothelial cells treated with RRMS sera indicate a pro-inflammatory status of the cells together with the higher expression of ICAM-1, endothelial cell cytoskeleton perturbation (stress fibres) as well as disruption of the cytoskeleton signal transduction MSK1/2 and β-catenin phosphorylation. Conclusions Our data suggest that circulating factors present in RRMS patient serum induce physiological and biochemical alterations to the BBB, namely reducing expression of essential tightness regulators, as well as reduced engagement of glycolysis and alteration of mitochondrial potential. As these last changes have been linked with alterations in nutrient usage and metabolic function in immune cells; we propose that the BBB endothelium of MS patients may similarly undergo metabolic dysregulation, leading to enhanced permeability and increased disease susceptibility.

This study investigates the flow of a semicircular labyrinth weir in an open channel by experimental and numerical methods. The experiments were carried out in a channel with a length of 3.5m and width of 0.25m and 0.3m height under five different flow rates. Five different discharge values over the weir were used. In each experiment, flow rate and flow depth were measured. Numerical processes solved using mathematical equations of fluid flow through the computational fluid dynamics using ANSYS FLUENT code. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) model is designed for the case of water and air-immiscible faces. Standard k-epsilon turbulence models were tested. A mass balance result indicates that the maximum error between the inlet and outlet discharges of the main channel does not exceed 12% for discharge values of 4.31 L/sec. The results indicate that by increasing the discharge flow rate, the percentage of error decreased to 0.4% for discharge, 14.6 L/sec. The findings show that the free water surface profile obtained from the numerical model compared to experimental values complies well with the experimental results.

Background: Despite fast progress in neuroscientific approaches, the neurobiological continuum links psychotic spectrum, and affective disorder is obscure. White matter WM abnormalities found utilizing Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) showing impaired communication in both disorders have been consistently demonstrated; however, direct comparisons of findings between them are scarce. This study aims to study WM abnormalities in single episode bipolar I disorder, and single episode brief psychotic disorder related to healthy control with the association of executive function. Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study was used to assess 60 subjects divided into 20 patients with single episode bipolar I disorder, 20 individuals with single episode brief psychotic disorder (both groups of patients were in remission), and 20 healthy controls. The present study examined the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and cingulum bundle fractional anisotropy (FA) determined from DTI images symmetrically and connected these results with cognitive functions as assessed by the trail making test (TMT) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). Results: DTI data indicated that the psychotic group had a significant decrease in FA of the right SLF (p-value less than 0.001), left SLF (p-value less than 0.001), and left cingulum (p-value less than 0.001) than the bipolar I group. In terms of executive functioning, the psychotic group performed significantly worse than the bipolar I group on the TMT part B (p-value less than 0.001), the WCST (number of classifications fulfilled) (p-value less than 0.001), and perseverative errors (p-value less than 0.001). Conclusion: Even after clinical remission, individuals with single episode brief psychotic disorder had more pronounced white matter impairments and executive function deficiencies than individuals with single episode bipolar I disorder.

We present the dipole cosmological principle, i.e., the notion that the Universe is a Copernican cosmology that agrees with the cosmic flow. It suits the most symmetric paradigm that generalizes the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker ansatz in the context of numerous suggestions that have appeared in the literature for non-kinematic components in the cosmic microwave background dipole. Field equations in our “dipole cosmology” are still ODEs, but we now have four instead of two Friedmann equations. The two extra functions can be regarded as additional scale factors that break the isotropy group from SO(3) to U(1) and a “tilt” that denotes the cosmic flow. The result is an axially isotropic Universe. We examined the dynamics of the expansion rate, anisotropic shear, and tilt in some cases. One important observation is that the cosmic flow (tilt) can grow while the anisotropy (shear) dies down.

Developing eco-friendly strategies to produce green fuel has attracted continuous and extensive attention. In this study, a novel gas-templating method was developed to prepare 2D porous S-doped g-C3N4 photocatalyst through simultaneous pyrolysis of urea (main g-C3N4 precursor) and ammonium sulfate (sulfur source and structure promoter). Different content of ammonium sulfate was examined to find the optimal synthesis conditions and to investigate the property-governed activity. The physicochemical properties of the obtained photocatalysts were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), specific surface area (BET) measurement, ultraviolet-visible light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV/vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and reversed double-beam photo-acoustic spectroscopy (RDB-PAS). The as-prepared S-doped g-C3N4 photocatalysts were applied for photocatalytic H2 evolution under vis irradiation. The condition-dependent activity was probed to achieve the best photocatalytic performance. It was demonstrated that ammonium sulfate played a crucial role to achieve concurrently 2D morphology, controlled nanostructure, and S-doping of g-C3N4 in a one-pot process. The 2D nanoporous S-doped g-C3N4 of crumpled lamellar-like structure with large specific surface area (73.8 m2 g−1) and improved electron−hole separation showed a remarkable H2 generation rate, which was almost one order in magnitude higher than that of pristine g-C3N4. It has been found that though all properties are crucial for the overall photocatalytic performance, efficient doping is probably a key factor for high photocatalytic activity. Moreover, the photocatalysts exhibit significant stability during recycling. Accordingly, a significant potential of S-doped g-C3N4 has been revealed for practical use under natural solar radiation.

A newly synthesized partially phosphorylated polyvinyl phosphate derivative (PPVP) was functionalized to extract Zirconium (IV) from Egyptian zircon sand. The specifications for the PPVP composite were approved effectively via different techniques, namely, FT-IR, XPS, BET, EDX, TGA, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, GC-MS, XRD and ICP-OES analyses, which demonstrated a satisfactory synthesis of PPVP and zircon dissolution from Egyptian zircon sand. Factors controlling parameters, such as pH values, shaking time, initial zirconium concentration, PPVP dose, nitrate ions concentration, co-ions, temperature and eluting agents, have been optimized. At 25 °C, pH 0, 20 min shaking, 0.05 mol/L zirconium ions and 0.5 mol/L nitrate ions, PPVP has an exciting preservation potential of 195 mg/g, equivalent to 390 mg/L zirconium ions. From the extraction–distribution isotherm, the practical outcomes of Langmuir’s modeling are better than the Freundlich model. With a theoretical value of 196.07 mg/g, which is more in line with the experimental results of 195 mg/g. The zirconium ions adsorption onto the PPVP composite follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics with a theoretical capacity value of 204.08 mg/g. According to thermodynamic potential, the extraction process was expected to be an exothermic, spontaneous and beneficial extraction at low temperatures. The thermodynamic parameters ΔS (−0.03 kJ/mol), ΔH (−12.22 kJ/mol) and ΔG were also considered. As the temperature grows, ∆G values increase from −2.948 kJ/mol at 298 K to −1.941 kJ/mol at 338 K. Zirconium ions may be eluted from the working loaded PPVP by 0.025M HNO3, with a 99% efficiency rate. It was found that zirconium ions revealed good separation factors towards some co-ions such as Hf4+ (28.82), Fe3+ (10.64), Ti4+ (28.82), V5+ (86.46) and U6+ (68.17). A successful alkali fusion technique with NaOH flux followed by the extraction with PPVP is used to obtain a high-purity zirconia concentrate with a zircon content of 72.77 % and a purity of 98.29%. As a result of this, the improved factors could finally be used.

Silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and silica/calcium carbonate (SiO2/CaCO3) core–shell nanocomposites were prepared by sol–gel technique as fillers for papermaking application. Semi-burned rice straw ash (SBRSA), as waste material, was used to prepare the targeted fillers. Preparation of SiO2 nanoparticles and SiO2/CaCO3 nanocomposites was carried out using Na2SiO3 solution that was prepared from SBRSA and CaCO3 nanoparticles of 30–70 nm. The targeted SiO2/CaCO3 nanocomposites were prepared with different molar ratio of SiO2:CaCO3 1:15, 1:10 and 1:5. The percentage of silica increased from 62.5% to 82.9% by thermal treatment of SBRSA at 800 °C for 2 h. The prepared SiO2 nanoparticles and SiO2/CaCO3 nanocomposites were characterized by using XRD, XRF, TEM, FT-IR and Zeta potential. The results indicate that a pure semi-crystalline SiO2 nanoparticle and semi-crystalline shell of SiO2 coated CaCO3 core particles were produced. The work extended also to investigate the effect of the prepared fillers on physical, mechanical and optical properties of paper.Application of the prepared SiO2 nanoparticles and SiO2/CaCO3 nanocomposites improved the optical properties of paper (brightness, whiteness and opacity) but it slightly reduced the mechanical properties when compared to commercial precipitated CaCO3 (PCC) filler.The results showed that the retention of SiO2 nano-particles was highly increased. The retention of the prepared nanocomposites increased along with increasing of SiO2:CaCO3 molar ratio. Keywords: Nano silica, Core–shell SiO2/CaCO3, Semi-burned rice straw ash, Fillers, Paper properties

Superhydrophobic nanocalcite crystals were prepared via an adjusted aqueous reaction of CaO, CO2 gas and sodium oleate. Box–Behnken design was used to optimize the preparation parameters such as CaO concentration, CO2 gas flow rate and surfactant concentration. The results revealed that the produced CaCO3 is indexed to the calcite phase. The crystallite size, particle size, morphology, hydrophobicity and surface charge of CaCO3 are significantly affected by changing the preparation parameters. The addition of sodium oleate helps in reducing the crystallite size from 101 nm to 48 nm, reducing the particle size from 1.5 μm length scalenohedral particles to 40 nm rhombohedral particles and modifying the properties of pure CaCO3 from highly hydrophilic to superhydrophobic. Keywords: Nanocalcite crystals, Bubbling carbonation, Box–Behnken design, Surface modification, Hydrophobicity, Particle surface charge

Abstract Background Recently, we have reported the characterization of a novel protein named Coiled-coil Helix Tumor and Metabolism 1 (CHTM1). CHTM1 localizes to both cytosol and mitochondria. Sequence corresponding to CHTM1 is also annotated in the database as CHCHD5. CHTM1 is deregulated in human breast and colon cancers and its deficiency in human cancer cells leads to defective lipid metabolism and poor growth under glucose/glutamine starvation. Methods Human cancer cell lines and tissue specimens were used. CHTM1 knockdown was done via lentiviral approach. CHTM1-expresssion constructs were developed and mutants were generated via site-directed mutagenesis approach. Western blotting, immunostaining, immunohistochemistry, cell fractionation and luciferase assays were performed. Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species were also measured. Results Here we report that CHTM1 deficiency sensitizes human lung cancer cells to metabolic stress-induced cell death mediated by glucose/glutamine deprivation and metformin treatment. CHTM1 interacts with Apoptosis Inducing Factor 1 (AIF1) that is one of the important death inducing molecules. CHTM1 appears to negatively regulate AIF1 by preventing AIF1 translocation to cytosol/nucleus and thereby inhibit AIF1-mediated caspase-independent cell death. Our results also indicate that p38, a stress kinase, plays a critical role in metabolic stress-induced cell death in CHTM1-deficient cells. Furthermore, p38 appears to enhance AIF1 translocation from mitochondria to cytosol particularly in metabolically stressed CHTM1-deficient cells and CHTM1 negatively regulates p38 kinase activity. The expression status of CHTM1 in lung cancer patient samples is also investigated and our results indicate that CHTM1 levels are increased in the majority of lung tumors when compared to their matching normal tissues. Conclusion Thus, CHTM1 appears to be an important metabolic marker that regulates cancer cell survival under metabolic stress conditions, and has the potential to be developed as a predictive tumor marker.

Abstract Objective To compare serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) between type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without peripheral neuropathy (PN). Also, to study the relation between peripheral nerves conduction velocity and serum level of TNF-α in those patients. Patients and methods This study included three groups with 40 patients in each group. Diabetic PN patients (groups I and II) were compared with diabetic patients without PN (group III). Groups I and II differed in the duration of clinical neuropathy with less than 5 years in group I and more than 5 years in group II. All patients were subjected to general and neurological examination, neuropathy symptom score (NSS), neuropathy disability score (NDS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum level of TNF-α and both sensory and motor nerve conduction study. Results This study showed raised serum levels of TNF-α in diabetic patients with PN, more with increased duration of neuropathy. TNF-α levels showed statistically significant negative correlation with nerve conduction velocity but positive correlations with each of neuropathy disability score, neuropathy symptom score, and glycosylated hemoglobin. Conclusion TNF-α might be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic PN, and its serum level might be used as a biomarker for the severity of diabetic PN.

Abstract A series of pullout tests were conducted to investigate the interface bond properties of seven types of steel fibres embedded in the magnesium phosphate cementitious matrix. The micromorphology of the interface transition zone between MPC and different types of fibres was examined by scanning electron microscope. Test results showed that smaller diameter steel fibres with brass coating surface achieved higher average bond strength, higher pullout energy per unit volume and a higher ratio of material use. The end hook deformation provided the mechanical bond locally whereas the deformation along the length of fibre provided the mechanical bond distributed along the fibre. The failure mode and group effect of steel fibres were also investigated and reported.

Abstract We continue analysis of [1] and study rigidity and stability of the b m s 4 $$ \mathfrak{b}\mathfrak{m}{\mathfrak{s}}_4 $$ algebra and its centrally extended version b m s 4 ^ $$ \widehat{\mathfrak{bm}{\mathfrak{s}}_4} $$ . We construct and classify the family of algebras which appear as deformations of b m s 4 $$ \mathfrak{b}\mathfrak{m}{\mathfrak{s}}_4 $$ and in general find the four-parameter family of algebras W $$ \mathcal{W} $$ (a, b; a ¯ , b ¯ $$ \overline{a},\overline{b} $$ ) as a result of the stabilization analysis, where b m s 4 $$ \mathfrak{b}\mathfrak{m}{\mathfrak{s}}_4 $$ = W $$ \mathcal{W} $$ (−1/2, −1/2; −1/2, −1/2). We then study the W $$ \mathcal{W} $$ (a, b; a ¯ , b ¯ $$ \overline{a},\overline{b} $$ ) algebra, its maximal finite subgroups and stability for different values of the four parameters. We prove stability of the W $$ \mathcal{W} $$ (a, b; a ¯ , b ¯ $$ \overline{a},\overline{b} $$ ) family of algebras for generic values of the parameters. For special cases of (a, b) = ( a ¯ , b ¯ $$ \overline{a},\overline{b} $$ ) = (0, 0) and (a, b) = (0, −1), ( a ¯ , b ¯ $$ \overline{a},\overline{b} $$ ) = (0, 0) the algebra can be deformed. In particular we show that centrally extended W $$ \mathcal{W} $$ (0, −1; 0, 0) algebra can be deformed to an algebra which has three copies of Virasoro as a subalgebra. We briefly discuss these deformed algebras as asymptotic symmetry algebras and the physical meaning of the stabilization and implications of our result.

Abstract Prompted by the recent developments in integrable single trace T T ¯ $$ T\overline{T} $$ and J T ¯ $$ J\overline{T} $$ deformations of 2d CFTs, we analyse such deformations in the context of AdS3/CFT2 from the dual string worldsheet CFT viewpoint. We observe that the finite form of these deformations can be recast as O(d, d) transformations, which are an integrated form of the corresponding Exactly Marginal Deformations (EMD) in the worldsheet Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) model, thereby generalising the Yang-Baxter class that includes TsT. Furthermore, the equivalence between O(d, d) transformations and marginal deformations of WZW models, proposed by Hassan & Sen for Abelian chiral currents, can be extended to non-Abelianchiral currents to recover a well-known constraint on EMD in the worldsheet CFT. We also argue that such EMD are also solvable from the worldsheet theory viewpoint.

Abstract We study rigidity and stability of infinite dimensional algebras which are not subject to the Hochschild-Serre factorization theorem. In particular, we consider algebras appearing as asymptotic symmetries of three dimensional spacetimes, the b m s 3 $$ \mathfrak{b}\mathfrak{m}{\mathfrak{s}}_3 $$ , u 1 $$ \mathfrak{u}(1) $$ Kac-Moody and Virasoro algebras. We construct and classify the family of algebras which appear as deformations of b m s 3 $$ \mathfrak{b}\mathfrak{m}{\mathfrak{s}}_3 $$ , u 1 $$ \mathfrak{u}(1) $$ Kac-Moody and their central extensions by direct computations and also by cohomological analysis. The Virasoro algebra appears as a specific member in this family of rigid algebras; for this case stabilization procedure is inverse of the Inönü-Wigner contraction relating Virasoro to bms3 algebra. We comment on the physical meaning of deformation and stabilization of these algebras and relevance of the family of rigid algebras we obtain.

Abstract In systems with local gauge symmetries, the memory effect corresponds to traces inscribed on a suitable probe when a pure gauge configuration at infinite past dynamically evolves to another pure gauge configuration at infinite future. In this work, we study the memory effect of 2-form gauge fields which is probed by strings. We discuss the “string memory effect” for closed and open strings at classical and quantum levels. The closed string memory is encoded in the internal excited modes of the string, and in the open string case, it is encoded in the relative position of the two endpoints and the non-commutativity parameter associated with the D-brane where the open string endpoints are attached. We also discuss 2-form memory with D-brane probes using boundary state formulation and, the relation between string memory and 2-form soft charges analyzed in [1].

Background: The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an important cancer biomarker that is commonly utilized in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The development of a PSA determination technique that is rapid, simple, and inexpensive, in addition to highly accurate, sensitive, and selective, remains a formidable obstacle. Methods: In this study, we developed a practical biosensor based on Zn(II) metal–organic framework nanoparticles (Zn-MOFs-NPs). Many spectroscopic and microanalytical tools are used to determine the structure, morphology, and physicochemical properties of the prepared MOF. Results: According to the results, Zn-MOFs-NPs are sensitive to PSA, selective to an extremely greater extent, and stable in terms of chemical composition. Furthermore, the Zn-MOFs-NPs did not exhibit any interferences from other common analytes that might cause interference. The detection limit for PSA was calculated and was 0.145 fg/mL throughout a wide linear concentration range (0.1 fg/mL–20 pg/mL). Conclusions: Zn-MOFs-NPs were successfully used as a growing biosensor for the monitoring and measurement of PSA in biological real samples.