We recently proposed that topological quantum computing might be based on $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$ representations of the fundamental group $\pi_1(S^3\setminus K)$ for the complement of a link $K$ in the $3$-sphere. The restriction to links whose associated $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$ character variety $\mathcal{V}$ contains a Fricke surface $\kappa_d=xyz -x^2-y^2-z^2+d$ is desirable due to the connection of Fricke spaces to elementary topology. Taking $K$ as the Hopf link $L2a1$, one of the three arithmetic two-bridge links [the Whitehead link $5_1^2$, the Berge link $6_2^2$, the double-eight link $6_3^2$] or the link $7_3^2$, the $\mathcal{V}$ for those links contains the reducible component $\kappa_4$, the so-called Cayley cubic. In addition, the $\mathcal{V}$ for the later two links contains the irreducible component $\kappa_3$, or $\kappa_2$, respectively. Taking $\rho$ to be a representation with character $\kappa_d$ ($d<4$), with $|x|,|y|,|z| \le 2$, then $\rho(\pi_1)$ fixes a unique point in the hyperbolic space $\mathcal{H}_3$ and is conjugate to a $SU(2)$ representation (a qubit). Even though details on the physical implementation remain open, more generally, we show that topological quantum computing may be developed from the point of view of three-bridge links, the topology of the $4$-punctured sphere and Painlev\'e VI equation. The $0$-surgery on the $3$ circles of the Borromean rings L6a4 is taken as an example.

Transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are co-actors in genome-scale decoding and regulatory networks, often targeting common genes. In this paper, we describe the algebraic geometry of both TFs and miRNAs thanks to group theory. In TFs, the generator of the group is a DNA-binding domain while, in miRNAs, the generator is the seed of the sequence. For such a generated (infinite) group $\pi$, we compute the $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$ character variety, where $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$ is simultaneously a \lq space-time' (a Lorentz group) and a \lq quantum' (a spin) group. A noteworthy result of our approach is to recognize that optimal regulation occurs when $\pi$ looks like a free group $F_r$ ($r =1$ to $3$) in the cardinality sequence of its subgroups, a result obtained in our previous papers. A non free group structure features a potential disease. A second noteworthy result is about the structure of the Groebner basis $\mathcal{G}$ of the variety. A surface with simple singularities (like the well known Cayley cubic) within $\mathcal{G}$ is a signature of a potential disease even when $G$ looks like a free group $F_r$ in its structure of subgroups. Our methods apply to groups with a generating sequence made of two to four distinct DNA/RNA bases in $\{A,T/U,G,C\}$. Several human TFs and miRNAs are investigated in detail thanks to our approach.

The symmetries of a Riemann surface $\Sigma \setminus \{a_i\}$ with $n$ punctures $a_i$ are encoded in its fundamental group $\pi_1(\Sigma)$. Further structure may be described through representations (homomorphisms) of $\pi_1$ over a Lie group $G$ as globalized by the character variety $\mathcal{C}=\mbox{Hom} (\pi_1,G)/G$. Guided by our previous work in the context of topological quantum computing (TQC) and genetics, we specialize on the $4$-punctured Riemann sphere $\Sigma=S_2^{(4)}$ and the \lq space-time-spin' group $G=SL_2(\mathbb{C})$. In such a situation, $\mathcal{C}$ possesses remarkable properties (i) a representation is described by a $3$-dimensional cubic surface $V_{a,b,c,d}(x,y,z)$ with $3$ variables and $4$ parameters, (ii) the automorphisms of the surface satisfy the dynamical (non linear and transcendental) Painlev\'e VI equation (or $P_{VI}$), (iii) there exists a finite set of $1$ (\mbox{Cayley-Picard})+$3$ (\mbox{continuous platonic})+$45$ (\mbox{icosahedral}) solutions of $P_{VI}$. In this paper we feature on the parametric representation of some solutions of $P_{VI}$, (a) solutions corresponding to algebraic surfaces such as the Klein quartic and (b) icosahedral solutions. Applications to the character variety of finitely generated groups $f_p$ encountered in TQC or DNA/RNA sequences are proposed.

It is shown that the representation theory of some finitely presented groups thanks to their $SL_2(\mathbb{C})$ character variety is related to algebraic surfaces. We make use of the Enriques-Kodaira classification of algebraic surfaces and the related topological tools to make such surfaces explicit. We study the connection of $SL_2(\mathbb{C})$ character varieties to topological quantum computing (TQC) as an alternative to the concept of anyons. The Hopf link $H$, whose character variety is a Del Pezzo surface $f_H$ (the trace of the commutator), is the kernel of our view of TQC. Qutrit and two-qubit magic state computing, derived from the trefoil knot in our previous work, may be seen as TQC from the Hopf link. The character variety of some two-generator Bianchi groups as well as that of the fundamental group for the singular fibers $\tilde{E}_6$ and $\tilde{D}_4$ contain $f_H$. A surface birationally equivalent to a $K_3$ surface is another compound of their character varieties.

We reelaborate on the basic properties of PT symmetry from a geometrical Perspective. The transfer matrix associated with these systems induces a Möbius transformation in the complex plane. The trace of this matrix classifies the actions into three types that represent rotations, translations, and parallel displacements. We find that a PT invariant system can be pictured as a complex conjugation followed by an inversion in a circle. We elucidate the physical meaning of these geometrical operations and link them with measurable properties of the system.

Our recent work has focused on the application of infinite group theory and related algebraic geometric tools in the context of transcription factors and microRNAs. We were able to differentiate between “healthy" nucleotide sequences and disrupted sequences that may be associated with various diseases. In this paper, we extend our efforts to the study of messenger RNA metabolism, showcasing the power of our approach. We investigate (i) mRNA translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, (ii) polyadenylation in eukaryotes, which is crucial for nuclear export, translation, stability, and splicing of mRNA, (iii) miRNAs involved in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, and (iv) the identification of disrupted sequences that could lead to potential illnesses. To achieve this, we employ (a) infinite (finitely generated) groups fp, with generators representing the r+1 distinct nucleotides and a relation between them [e.g., the consensus sequence in the mRNA translation (i), the poly(A) tail in item (ii), and the miRNA seed in item (iii)], (b) aperiodicity theory, which connects “healthy groups" fp to free groups Fr of rank r and their profinite completion F^r, and (c) the representation theory of groups fp over the space-time-spin group SL2(C), highlighting the role of surfaces with isolated singularities in the character variety. Our approach could potentially contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying various diseases and help develop new diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.

Revealing the time structure of physical or biological objects is usually performed thanks to the tools of signal processing like the fast Fourier transform, Ramanujan sum signal processing and many other techniques. For space-time topological objects in physics and biology, we propose a type of algebraic processing based on schemes in which the discrimination of singularities within objects is based on the space-time-spin group SL(2,C). Such topological objects possess an homotopy structure encoded in their fundamental group and the related SL(2,C) multivariate polynomial character variety contains a plethora of singularities somehow analogous to the frequency spectrum in time structures. Our approach is applied to an Akbulut cork in exotic R4, to an hyperbolic model of topological quantum computing based on algebraic surfaces and to microRNAs in genetics. Such diverse topics reveal the manifold of possibilities of using the concept of a scheme spectrum.

The advancement in science and technology has led to luffa sponge (LS) being widely used as a natural material in industrial application as its polyporous structure and light texture. In order to enhance the utility of LS fibers as the reinforcement of lightweight composite materials, this study investigate its water absorption, mechanical properties, anatomical characteristic and thermal performance. Hence, moisture regain, tensile properties of LS fiber bundles were measured in accordance with standards and the structural characteristics were investigated via microscopic observation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the surface morphology and fracture surface of fiber bundles. Test results shows that the special structure where the phloem tissues degenerate to cavities had a significant influence on the mechanical properties of LS fiber bundles. Additionally, the transverse sectional area occupied by fibers in a fiber bundle (SF), wall thickness and ratio of wall to lumen of fiber cell, and crystallinity of cellulose had an impact on the mechanical properties of LS fiber bundles. Furthermore, the fiber bundles density of LS varies range of 385.46-468.70 kg/m³, much less than that of jute (1360.40 kg/m³) and Arenga engleri (950.20 kg/m³) while LS fiber bundles has superior specific modulus.

We define a spinor-Minkowski metric for SL(4,C). It is not a trivial generalization of the SL(2,C) metric and it involves the Minkowskian one. We define 4x4 version of the Pauli matrices and eight 4-component associated generalized eigenvectors that can be regarded as undotted covariant spinors. The 4-component spinors can be grouped into four categories. Each category transforms in its own way. The outer products of pairwise combinations of 4-component spinors can be associated with 4-vectors. Including the dotted covariant, undotted and dotted contravariant forms totally we have sixteen pairs of spinors. Eight of them live in the conjugate space which has no countepart in SL(2,C).

Genomic analysis indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is most related to RaTG13, a beta corona virus derived from bats by 96% ¹. At present, RaTG13 is only available on the public database in the form of a genome sequence. The genome of RaTG13 (MN996532.1) was sequenced from the RNA of a bat faecal swab collected in 2013 from Yunnan, China, however the exact location is not mentioned. Since RaTG13 is one of the main supports for SARS-CoV-2 to have a natural origin, it is of utmost importance to understand the sample location. RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequence of RaTG13 shows that it is 100% similar to that of bat corona virus BtCoV/4991 and 98.7-98.9% similar to SARS-CoV-2 RdRp ². BtCoV/4991 was described to be a SARS-like (SL-) corona virus from bat faeces sampled in an abandoned mine from Mojiang ². Both the publications ^1,2 are authored by Dr. Zheng-li Shi (Z-L Shi), who is described as the bat woman of China ³. However, BtCoV/4991 has not been mentioned by Zhou et al 2020 ¹ where novel corona virus was first described. Based on the RdRp sequence similarities, similarities in sample collection dates, sample locations, and the fact that RaTG13 is mentioned synonymous to BtCoV/4991 on the Chinese bat database, it is predicted that RaTG13 and BtCoV/4991 originate from the same sample. The sample, bat faecal swab was collected in 2013 from an abandoned mineshaft in Mojiang by Dr. Shi and her work group. In 2012, in a Mojiang mineshaft, six mine workers suffered from atypical pneumonia and three of them died. These workers were engaged in the work of clearing debris from a mineshaft which had a lot of bats and bat faeces ^3,4. A detailed health investigation indicated that the miners suffered from atypical pneumonia mostly of the viral origin ⁴. Therefore, in the light of the present Covid-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, the fact that its phylogenetic neighbour RaTG13 originated from bat faeces collected from a mineshaft, which was also the origin of pneumonia-like disease in miners in 2012, should be noted.

This paper presents the symmetries of differential equations associated with one-variable and Bivariate Hermite polynomials by proposing a representation of Lie algebra for these differential operators. Applying the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula to these algebras, results in new relations and generating functions in one-variable and Bivariate Hermite polynomials. A general form of representation for other orthogonal polynomials such as Laguerre polynomials is introduced.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition is a computer vision technology that provides a way to recognize the vehicles number plates without direct human intervention. Developing Automatic Number Plate Recognition methodologies is a widely studied topic among the computer vision community to increase the accuracy rates. Although there are many studies, the research in character segmentation and improving the recognition accuracy remains limited. In this study, a new methodology is proposed to reduce the character recognition errors of Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems. To achieve this, it will be determined whether the characters are letters or numbers, and the number plates will be expressed in the form of letters - digit. The method suggested for segmenting blobs correctly worked with an accuracy of 96.12% on the test dataset. The method suggested for generating letter-digit expression for the number plates correctly worked with an accuracy of 99.28% on the test dataset. The proposed methodology can work only on Turkish number plates. In the future studies, the proposed methodology can be expanded by using the number plate dataset of a different country.

Preterm delivery can be precipitated by infection, and preterm infants are at heightened risk of postnatal infection. Little is known about the ontogeny of inflammatory biomarkers in extremely preterm infants. We hypothesized that suspected prenatal infection (chorioamnionitis or spontaneous preterm labor) and clinically diagnosed postnatal infection would be associated with unique biomarker signatures, and those patterns would be influenced by the degree of prematurity. Venous blood was collected daily for the first week and weekly for up to 14 additional weeks from 142 neonates born at 22-32 weeks gestation. A custom array was utilized to measure monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were obtained from the electronic medical record. 90 infants had suspected prenatal infection and 63 were diagnosed with postnatal infection. Independent of gestational age at delivery, MCP-1 was significantly increased (P &lt; 0.001) in association with maternal preeclampsia, but MCP-1 was decreased (P&lt;0.01) and CRP was increased (P&lt;0.05) in the presence of chorioamnionitis. IL-6 and CRP were both increased in infants diagnosed with postnatal infection with peak levels observed on days 2 and 3, respectively. In conclusion, suspected prenatal and postnatal infections and non-infectious complications of pregnancy are associated with unique biomarker profiles, independent of gestational age. In those clinically diagnosed with a postnatal infection in the absence of antenatal infection concerns, IL-6 increases before CRP, emphasizing a potential role for expanded biomarker screening if antibiotics are initially avoided in infants born exclusively for maternal indications.

Soil amendments with composted organic materials are recommended to increase soil organic matter (SOM), promote soil fertility, and the Circular Economy. Growing areas of hedged olive groves in southern Iberia peninsula generate huge amounts of olive leaves whose potential as soil organic amendment is not fully studied. An experimental field trial in a hedged olive grove (cv. “Cobrançosa”) was set up near Portalegre, Portugal, to test a compost of olive leaves plus sheep manure (2:1) applied in the row, at soil surface. Three nominal rates (0 or control, 2.5 and 5.0 kg m-2) were used, in a complete randomized block setup (3 treatments, 3 replicas, 9 plots) and soil chemical properties of layers 0-5, 5-15, and 15-30 cm deep were annually monitored. Results (mainly in layer 0-5 cm) showed increases in total N, carbon of the particulate organic matter (POM-C), permanganate oxidizable carbon (POX-C), extractable phosphorus, and zinc, after one year, and increases in soil organic carbon (SOC), C-stock, pHKCl, extractable phosphorus, and zinc, after two years. POX-C was the most sensitive SOM-related indicator, showing increases up to 30 cm deep after one year. This compost improved soil fertility, but should be monitored over longer periods of time, namely for SOC and extractable zinc content.

The research objective was to determine the problem of bullying in teenagers. The method used is a qualitative approach with literature study methods and a quantitative approach with the e-survey method. The results showed that bullying was rife in the school environment with teenagers aged 12-15. Verbal bullying occurs the most because it is the easiest to do. Bullying occurs with a group of people against one person because of peer influence. Family factors, school, the influence of friends, environmental conditions, and television shows influence bullying. Character Education can help overcome bullying in teenagers because it teaches the value of virtue in daily activities if given early and not during teenager. The conclusion found in this activity is that teenagers can become bullies because of family, school, peer influence, social conditions, and television broadcasts. Character Education is more effective if it is implemented since early childhood education and all relevant stakeholders must be actively involved in providing the Character Education.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) causes upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) and sporadic outbreaks of virulent systemic disease (FCV-VSD). The basis for the increased pathogenicity of FCV-VSD viruses is incompletely understood, and antivirals for FCV have yet to be developed. We investigated the clinicoepidemiology and viral features of three FCV-VSD outbreaks in Australia and evaluated the in vitro efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ), 2’-C-methylcytidine (2CMC) and NITD-008 against FCV-VSD viruses. Overall mortality among 23 cases of FCV-VSD was 39%. Metagenomic sequencing identified five genetically distinct FCV lineages within the three outbreaks, all seemingly evolving in situ in Australia. Notably, no mutations that clearly distinguished FCV-URTD from FCV-VSD phenotypes were identified. One FCV-URTD strain likely originated from a recombination event. Analysis of seven amino acid residues from the hypervariable E region of the capsid in the cultured viruses provided no support for the contention that properties of these residues can reliably differentiate between the two pathotypes. On plaque reduction assays, dose-response inhibition of FCV-VSD was obtained with all antivirals at low micromolar concentrations; NTZ EC50, 0.4-0.6 µM, TI 21; 2CMC EC50, 2.7-5.3 µM, TI >18; NITD-008, 0.5 to 0.9 µM, TI >111. Investigation of these antivirals for treatment of FCV-VSD is warranted.

Social character is the key for someone to interact with the surrounding community. Interaction and socialization need to be introduced early by parents. If the results turned in reverse, then there must be other ways to be learned and practiced in family life. This study aims to cultivate social characters to children in the Juvenile Rehabilitation Institution through poetry learning. Changes continue to occur in handling and coaching juvenile delinquency in Indonesia. Regulations for the management of coaching continue to be carried out from Law No. 3 of 1997 concerning the Law on Juvenile Justice, then it was changed to Act No. 11 of 2012 concerning the System of Juvenile Criminal Justice. Characteristics of this relatively new law contain the main mechanisms of protecting children, who have problems with the law and following the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Education in the Juvenile Rehabilitation Institution has been carried out with all the limitations and can bring changes in the correctional behavior of children to be better that makes education restore the child's identity. Education held at this institution is expected to be able to achieve the ideals of children to be more beneficial after completing a kind of inclusive education. By applying a pragmatic approach, the study expects that there will be a change in children since they can learn the contents of poems, and at the same time, they are able to express their feeling by writing poems as well. From the process of learning, social characters in children such as honesty, openness, tolerance, cooperation, will be growing step by step.

Infectious as well as most non-infectious diseases share certain common molecular mechanisms. Among them, oxidative stress and the subsequent inflammatory reaction are of particular note. Metabolic disorders induced by external agents, be they bacterial or viral pathogens, excessive calorie intake, poor-quality nutrients, or environmental factors, produce an imbalance between the production of free radicals and endogenous antioxidant systems; the consequence being the oxidation of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Oxidation and inflammation are closely related, and whether oxidative stress and inflammation represent the causes or consequences of cellular pathology, they produce metabolic alterations that influence the pathogenesis of the disease. In this review we highlight two key molecules in the regulation of these processes: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). PON1 is an enzyme bound to high-density lipoproteins. It breaks down lipid peroxides in lipoproteins and cells, participates in the protection conferred by HDL against different infectious agents, and is considered part of the innate immune system. With PON1 deficiency, CCL2 production increases, which induces migration and infiltration of immune cells in target tissues, and is involved in disturbing normal metabolic function. This disruption involves pathways controlling cellular homeostasis as well as metabolically-driven chronic inflammatory states. Hence, an understanding of these relationships would help improve treatments and, as well, identify new therapeutic targets.

In this paper, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method has been used to simulate the gas flow and the catalytic hydrogenation process of the C-2 hydrogenation adiabatic reactor in a practical ethylene production unit of a chemical plant. The laminar finite-rate model was used for the chemical reaction model. The standard two-equation model was used for the turbulence model. The exponent-function kinetic model was used for the reaction dynamics model. The simulation results were in good agreement with the actual industrial data obtained from the C-2 hydrogenation reactor, and the distributions of reaction parameters such as temperature and component concentrations in the reactor were further analyzed. Based on the validated CFD models, the structure and operating conditions of the reactor, as well as hydrogen load distribution ratios, are simulated for comparing the comprehensive performance metrics of ethylene selectivity and acetylene conversion rate; as a result, we can obtain the optimal temperature of 312 K, the optimal hydrogen/acetylene ratio of 0.10 as well as the optimal hydrogen load distribution ratio of 4:4:2, and the diameter/height ratio exerts a marginal effect on the selectivity, conversion rate and harmonic mean of the reactor.

Ciherang rice variety was released in year 2000 and become a superior variety in Indonesia. In a decade, due to the excellent agronomic characteristics and high productivity, Ciherang gradually replace the mega-variety IR-64 and widely cultivate in almost 40% rice production area in Indonesia. In addition to its high grain yield, short straw, early maturity, and high productive tiller number, it had superior grain quality, such as long and slender grain shape, clean yellow color, aromatic, and high milled rice percentage with excellent eating quality, matching with farmers and rice consumers demands. It has intermediate glycemic index and delicious taste. It is intolerance to flooding condition and susceptible to several diseases and pests, including rice blast, bacterial blight, brown planthopper, and yellow stem borer. Because of Ciherang has been well-characterized genetically, many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes which associated with certain traits have been identified. It has also been used as a parent in rice breeding program to develop mapping populations for genetic analysis. In order to increase the flooding tolerant and disease resistant in Ciherang, many valuable genes have been introduced into Ciherang through backcrossing breeding technique and transgenic approach. The optimal rice productivity in Ciherang also supported by the application of intensification system in Ciherang cultivation. Unravelling the complex genetic control of agronomic characteristics, grain yield traits, and other desirable traits which valuable for rice farmers and consumers are very important.

In order to comprehensively evaluate the employee satisfaction of mine occupational health and safety management system, an analytic method based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and 2- tuple linguistic model was established. Firstly, based on the establishment of 5 first- grade indicators and 20 second- grade ones, the weight of each indicator is calculated and validated by method of FAHP and root mean square model. Secondly, a path based on the time-ordered Weighted Averaging Operator (T-OWA) model is constructed. Finally, the model is validated by empirical analysis. The results demonstrate that the employee satisfaction of the mine occupational health and safety management system is of the “general” rank. The method including the comprehensive evaluation of employee satisfaction and the quantitative analysis of language evaluation information ensures the authenticity of the language evaluation information.

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

Since the discovery of mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDP), their participation in cellular metabolism is no longer considered as the sole function of the mitochondria, but importance was also attached to its role as a source of protective factors of metabolic stress. These peptides are encoded in the mitochondrial genome and translated into the mitochondria or cytoplasm, to signal within the cell or be released and bind to membrane receptors. The objective of this work was explored and compare the frequency of MT-RNR1 and MT-RNR2 variants in sequences obtained from T2D individuals and control population. 213 different mitochondrial polymorphisms previously reported in the literature associated with T2D and cardiovascular diseases were analyzed. We can found three variants in the MT-RNR1 not related with MOTS-c coding sequence: m.1189T>C (rs28358571), m.1420T>C (rs111033356), and m.1438A>G (rs2001030); and secondly, three polymorphisms associated to MT-RNR2 m.2667T>C (rs878870626) related to humanin, m.1811A>G (rs28358576) in SHPL3 and m.3027T>C (rs199838004) in SHPL6 associated with statistical differences between the T2D and control group. All these findings were previously related to cardiovascular complications in literature and, as far as we know, relating for the first time in diabetic patients.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome related to SARS-CoV-2 infection (MIS-C) is a rare severe illness affecting pediatric patients. No data are available in literature about the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in faeces in patients with MIS-C. The SARS-CoV-2 positivity was evaluated in fecal samples obtained in a prospective cohort of pediatric patients admitted to our tertiary Hos-pital and diagnosed with MIS-C or COVID-19 between April 15, 2020, and February 29, 2021. The real-time RT-PCR was performed using a validated kit. The assay measures 3 target genes: SARS-CoV-2 gene E, gene N, gene ORF1ab. Overall, 16/63 (25%) fecal samples revealed the pres-ence of SARS -CoV-2 RNA. No differences were detected about time from presumptive viral ex-posure and the time of stool collection (14 vs 8 days, p> 0,05) as well as about the presence of gas-trointestinal symptoms (p>0.05) between patients with positive (+) stools for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and patients tested negative (-). Among children with MIS-C, stools were collected 27.5 days as median (95% CI 14-34) after presumed contact and the positivity rate was 12.5% (4/32). According to our data, we could suggest contact precautions with all patients with MIS-C. Further sample collection is ongoing to verify our preliminary data.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and despite advances in treatment, survival rates are still low; therefore, the development of novel drugs is imperative. Acetylcorynoline (ACN) is derived from Corydalis ambigua. The effect of ACN on colon cancer is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated its potential effects. Our data showed that ACN inhibited cell viability and proliferation. Moreover, ACN induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by inhibiting cell growth. In the present study, we hypothesized that ACN regulates c-Myc through CNOT2 or MID1IP1. ACN reduced the protein expression of oncogenic genes, decreased c-Myc half-life, and rapidly inhibited the serum stimulation response. Moreover, knockdown of CNOT2 and MID1IP1 with ACN increased apoptosis and further reduced the expression of oncogenes. In addition, ACN exhibited a synergistic effect with low-dose of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and doxorubicin (Dox). Collectively, our data demonstrates that ACN inhibited c-Myc expression through CNOT2 and MID1IP1 and induced apoptosis. These findings indicate the potential of ACN as a therapeutic agent against colon cancer.

Rojolele is an Indonesian traditional rice variety from Klaten (Central Java) that classified as tropical japonica and low land rice which become a premium rice variety and have higher price in the market due to a delicious taste and a fragrance aroma. The agronomic characteristics of Rojolele are having high plant stature with sturdy stems and upright plant shape, thick and rough leaves, strong and deeper root systems, long panicle length, and long duration of life. Rojolele rice cultivation is facing important challenges from drought, diseases, long duration, and lodging. Thus, breeding Rojolele cultivars with resistance to drought, diseases, lodging, and short duration is the major focus for Rojolele rice improvement. Indonesian farmer have learned to successfully cultivate Rojolele by applying practical skills, leading to increase the rice productivity. Molecular breeding program, including quantitative trait loci (QTL), genome-wide association study (GWAS), genomic selection, and genome editing can be applied to improve Rojolele characteristics. In this review, important agronomic and quality traits, intensification system for irrigation and pest control, mutation breeding, transgenic lines, and also future perspectives for Rojolele research were presented. Rojolele is useful for rice breeding program in order to guarantee the food security to overcome increasing population and climate change.

The aim of this work is to compare two softwares (MAUD and TOPAS) based on the Rietveld algorithm and to test the concept of tolerance factor using the dissolution at high temperature of yttrium into BaTiO₃. In general, both softwares give up different values of the crystalline parameters however the trends are similar in most cases but the analysis of the strain and crystallite size in the BaTiO₃ crystals suggests that, in this particular case, MAUD offered results more consistent with the expected behavior. Using the crystalline parameters calculated by Rietveld, the tolerance factor values were obtained and these data suggest even better stability in the crystalline structure than that expected using theoretical parameters. Tolerance factor concept also indicates that Ti⁴⁺ should be preferred.

Elaborate sound design, including background music, ambient sounds (sounds describing the game world), and character sounds (sounds generated by the character’s actions), plays a pivotal role in modern videogames. However, the influence of these different types of sound on the player experience has not been extensively researched. This study examines the influence of these sound types on immersion, avatar identification, fun and perceived competence. In two experiments, participants played League of Legends in four different sound conditions. The first experiment revealed a non-significant trend in the effect of character sound on avatar identification. Ambient sounds, however, were limited in this experiment because the task restricted participants’ movement across the game map. Consequently, we adapted the task to allow for a wider variety of ambient sounds in the second experiment. Here, a significant impact of character sounds on immersion, avatar identification, and fun, was observed, as well as an interaction effect of character sounds and ambient sounds on fun. Furthermore, we observed a trend, though not statistically significant, suggesting that ambient sounds may influence the player’s sense of flow. These findings underline the distinct effects of different sound types and we discuss implications for the design of sound in video games.

Cytochrome-c-oxidase (COX) subunit 4 (COX4) plays important roles in the function, assembly and regulation of COX (mitochondrial respiratory complex 4), the terminal electron acceptor of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system. The principal COX4 isoform, COX4-1, is expressed in all tissues, whereas COX4-2 is mainly expressed in the lungs, or under hypoxia and other stress conditions. We have previously described a patient with a COX4-1 defect with a relatively mild presentation compared to other primary COX deficiencies, and hypothesized that this could be the result of compensatory upregulation of COX4-2. To this end, COX4-1 was downregulated by shRNAs in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), and compared to patient's cells. COX4-1, COX4-2 and HIF-1α were detected by immunocytochemistry. The mRNA transcripts of both COX4 isoforms and HIF-1 target genes were carried out by RT-qPCR. COX activity and OXPHOS function were measured by enzymatic and oxygen consumption assays, respectively. Pathways were analyzed by CEL-Seq2 and by RT-qPCR. We demonstrate elevated COX4-2 levels in the COX4-1-deficient cells with a concomitant HIF-1α stabilization, nuclear localization and upregulated hypoxia and glycolysis pathways. We suggest that COX4-2 and HIF-1α has the are upregulated, also in normoxia as a compensatory mechanism in COX4-1 deficiency.

Abstract. Results of research into four-membered phosphorus(V)-heterocycles, 2-halogen-1,2λ⁵-oxaphosphetanes are presented. The preparation of 2-halo-1,2λ⁵-oxaphosphetanes by reaction of P-haloylides with carbonyl compounds is described. The mechanism of asynchronous [2+2]-сycloaddition of ylides to aldehydes was proposed on the base of low-temperature NMR investigations. 2-Halogen-1,2λ⁵-oxaphosphetanes were isolated as individual compounds and their structures were confirmed by ¹Н, ¹³C, ¹⁹F and ³¹Р NMR spectra. These compounds are convenient reagents for preparing of various organic and organophosphorus compounds hardly available by other methods. Chemical and physical properties of the 2-halo-1,2λ⁵-oxaphosphetanes are reviewed. The 2-chloro-1,2λ⁵-oxaphosphetanes depending on substituents at the α-carbon atom rearrange with formation of 2-chloroalkylphosphonates or convert into trans-phosphorylated alkenes. Prospective synthetic applications of 2-halo-1,2λ⁵-oxaphosphetanes are analyzed. The 2-halo-1,2λ⁵-oxaphosphetanes may be easily converted to various alkenylphosphonates: allyl- or vinylphosphonates, phosphorus ketenes, thioketenes, ketenimines.

Robots for communication are developed extensively with emphasis on sympathy. This study deals with the growth of character and the control of its operation accordingly. The child has time to be alone with the nature of his/her robot friend. The child can interact with other people's emotional expressions through a robot. Step by step, the robot character will grow as the child grows. Through design studies, qualitative processes such as {customer experience audit, eye tracking, mental model diagrams, semantic differences} have been executed for the results. The participatory behavior research approach through user travel is mapped from the user's lead to the evidence-based design. This research considers how the synthetic characteristics can be applied to the physical growth of robot toys through the product design process. With the development of robot toy "Buddy", we tried making two variations on the robot to achieve recognizable growth. (1) A one-dimensional height scaling and (2) facial expression including the distance between two eyes on the screen. Observations represented children's reactions when "Buddy" was released to with the children. As an independent synthetic character, the robot was recognized by children who had the designed function. Robots for training may require more experimentation.

The Japanese city presents a certain number of peculiarities in the organization of its physical space (weak zoning regulations, fast piecemeal destruction/reconstruction of buildings and blocks, high compacity, incremental reorganization). Compared to countries where urban fabrics are more perennial and easily distinguishable (old centers, modern planned projects, residential areas, etc.), in Japanese metropolitan areas we often observe higher heterogeneity and more complex spatial patterns. Even within such a model, it should be possible to recognize the internal organization of the physical city. The aim of this paper is thus to study the spatial structure of the contemporary Japanese city, generalizing on the case study of Osaka and Kobe. In order to achieve this goal, we will need to identify urban forms at different local scales (building types, urban fabrics) and to analyze them at a wider scale to delineate morphological regions and their structuring of the overall layout of the contemporary Japanese city. Several analytical protocols are used together with field observations and literature. The results, and more particularly the building and urban fabrics types and their location within the Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area, are interpreted in the light of Japanese history and model of urbanization. A synoptic graphical model of an urban morphological structure based upon Osaka is produced and proposed as an interpretative pattern for the Japanese metropolitan city in general.

A membrane can be represented by an energy landscape that solutes or colloids must cross. A model accounting for the momentum and the mass balances on the membrane energy landscape establishes a new way of writing for the Darcy law. The counter pressure in the Darcy law is no longer written as the result of an osmotic pressure difference but rather as a function of colloid-membrane interactions. The ability of the model to describe the physics of the filtration is discussed in detail. This model is solved on a simplified energy landscape to derive analytical relationships that describe the selectivity and the counter pressure from ab-initio operating conditions. The model shows that the stiffness of the energy landscape has an impact on the process efficiency: a gradual increase in interactions (like with hourglass pore shape) can reduce the separation energetic cost. It allows the introduction of a new paradigm to increase membrane efficiency: the accumulation that is inherent to the separation must be distributed across the membrane. Asymmetric interactions thus lead to direction-dependent transfer properties and the membrane exhibits diode behavior. These new transfer opportunities are discussed.

C-reactive protein to lymphocyte ratio (CLR) has been shown to be associated with diseases characterized by chronic, low-grade inflammation. Since type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is also associated with inflammation, we aimed to study the association between CLR and T2DM. Patients with T2DM who presented to internal medicine outpatient clinics of our institution were divided into 2 groups according to their glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels as well-controlled (HbA1c&lt;7%) and poorly controlled (HbA1c≥7%) T2DM groups. Subjects assigned as healthy in routine check-up were included as control group. CLR values of the well and poorly controlled diabetics and control cases were compared. CLR of T2DM group (3.51 (0.03-21.78)) was significantly higher than that of the controls (0.65 (0.02-2.92)) (p&lt;0.001). CLR was found to have a sensitivity of 63.2% and a specificity of 97.3% in predicting T2DM. The CLR value of patients with poor diabetic control was 4.76 (0.06-21.78), while the CLR value of patients with well controlled disease was 2.53 (0.03-12.07) (p&lt;0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the CLR in demonstrating poor diabetic control was 41.2% and the 86.1%, respectively. In conclusion, elevated CLR in T2DM patients and even more increased levels in poorly controlled diabetics suggest that CLR could be a useful additional diagnostic tool in treatment follow-up of the T2DM population.

Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) is a new entity in children, likely associated with previous coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Most of reports about PIMS come from countries particularly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim was to investigate the nature of inflammatory syndromes in Poland (a country with low COVID-19 prevalence) and to perceive the emergence of PIMS in our country. On May 25th, we have launched a nationwide survey of inflammatory syndromes in children for retrospective (since 4th March 2020) and prospective data collection. Up to 28th July, 39 reported children met inclusion criteria. We stratified them according to age (&lt;5 and ≥ 5 years old) and COVID-19 status. The majority of children had clinical and laboratory features of Kawasaki disease, probably non-associated with COVID-19. However, children ≥5 years of age had PIMS characteristics, and 9 children had COVID-19 confirmation. This is the first to our knowledge report of PIMS register from the country with low COVID-19 prevalence, and it proves that PIMS may emerge in any area involved in the COVID-19 pandemic. In a context of limited COVID-19 testing availability, other risk factors of PIMS, e.g. older age should be considered in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory syndromes in children.

There are limited proven therapies for the treatment of COVID-19. Vitamin C’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects, make it a potential therapeutic candidate, both for the prevention and amelioration of COVID-19 infection, and as an adjunctive therapy in the critical care of COVID-19, supporting anti-inflammatory treatment. This literature review focuses on vitamin C deficiency in respiratory infections including COVID-19; the mechanism of action in infectious disease and adrenal function supporting the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticosteroids: its role in preventing and treating colds and pneumonia and its role in treating sepsis and COVID-19. The evidence to date indicates that oral vitamin C (2-8g/d) may reduce incidence and duration of respiratory infections and intravenous vitamin C (2-24g/d) has been shown to reduce mortality, Intensive Care Unit and hospital stays, time on mechanical ventilation in severe respiratory infections. Further trials are urgently warranted. Given the favourable safety profile and low cost of vitamin C, and frequency of vitamin C deficiency in respiratory infections it may be worthwhile testing patients’ vitamin C status and treating accordingly with intravenous use within ICUs and orally with doses between 2 and 8g/day in hospitalised and infected persons.

Ionic liquids have been recognised as interesting solvents applicable in the efficient lignocellulosic biomass valorisation, especially in the biomass fractionation into individual polymeric components or direct hydrolysis some of biomass fractions. Considering the chemical character of ionic liquids, two different approaches, paved the way for a fractionation of biomass. The first strategy integrated a pre-treatment, hydrolysis and conversion of biomass through the employment of hydrogen-bond acidic 1-ethyl-3-methyimidazolim hydrogen sulfate ionic liquid. The second one relied on the use of a three-step fractionation process with hydrogen-bond basic 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate to produce high purity cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin fractions. The proposed approaches were scrutinised for wheat straw and eucalyptus residues. Those different biomasses allowed understanding that enzymatic hydrolysis yields are dependent on the crystallinity of pre-treated biomass. The use of acetate based ionic liquid allowed to change crystalline cellulose I to cellulose II and consequently enhanced glucan to glucose yield to 93.14.1 mol% and 82.91.2 mol% for wheat straw and eucalyptus, respectively. Whereas for hydrogen sulfate ionic liquid, the same enzymatic hydrolysis yields were 61.6  0.2 mol% for wheat straw and only 7.90.3 mol% for eucalyptus residues. These results demonstrate the importance of either ionic liquid character or biomass type on the efficient biomass processing.

Among the many approaches to COVID-19 prevention, the possible role of diet has so far been somewhat marginal. Nutrition is very rich in substances with a potential beneficial effect on health and some of these could have an antiviral action or in any case be important in modulating the immune system and in defending cells from the oxidative stress associated with infection. This short review draws the attention on some components of Citrus fruits and especially of the orange (Citrus sinensis), well known for its vitamin content, but less for the function of its flavonoids. Among the latter, hesperidin has recently attracted the attention of researchers, because it binds to the key proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Several computational methods, independently applied by different researchers, showed that hesperidin has a low binding energy both with the coronavirus "spike" protein, and with the main protease that transforms the early proteins of the virus (pp1a and ppa1b) into the complex responsible for viral replication. The affinity of hesperidin for these proteins is comparable if not superior to that of common chemical antivirals. The preventive efficacy of vitamin C, at dosage attainable by diet, against viral infections is controversial, but recent reviews suggest that this substance may be useful in case of increased stress on the immune system. Finally, the reasons that suggest undertaking appropriate research on the Citrus fruits addition in the diet, as a complementary prevention and treatment of COVID-19, are discussed.

Firstly, we present a more explicit formulation of the complete system $D(N)$ of representatives of Manin's symbols over $\mathbb{Q}$, which was initially given by Shimura. Then we establish a bijection between $D(M)\times D(N)$ and $D(MN)$ for $(M,N)=1$, which reveals a recursive structure between Manin's symbols of different levels. Based on Manin's complete system $\Pi (N)$ of representatives of cusps on $X_0(N)$ and Cremona's characterization of the equivalence between cusps, we establish a bijection between a subset $C(N)$ of $D(N)$ and $\Pi (N)$, and then establish a bijection between $C(M)\times C(N)$ and $C(MN)$ for $(M,N)=1$. We also provide a recursive structure for elliptical points on $X_0(N)$. Based on these recursive structures, we obtain recursive algorithms for constructing Manin symbols over $\mathbb{Q}$, cusps and elliptical points on $X_0(N)$. This gives rise to a more efficient algorithms for modular elliptic curve. As direct corollaries of these recursive structures, we present a recursive version of the genus formula and an elementary proof of formulas of the numbers of $D(N)$, cusps and elliptical points on $X_0(N)$.

Character education is essential for the current millennial generation and must be applied in everyday life in the surrounding community. The character of the millennial generation is different from the previous generation, which requires us to pay more attention to character education which is starting to erode along with the times. The Millennial generation is a generation that in everyday life can never be separated from science and technology. In this digital era, the millennial generation has a social function of strength in technology. In this study, there are research questions that will be discussed in this article, namely the first regarding what problems occur in the millennial generation who occupy the digital era?. Second, what is the important role and influence of the digital era on character education for the millennial generation in Indonesia?. Writing this article uses a qualitative research method, namely a literature review study, where researchers use or look for references from journals or books. Samples of respondents were taken randomly from each region, and there were ten respondents. From this research, it is found that the millennial generation in the digital era chooses to use social media to access the latest news and information rather than reading print media that contains education. This article aims to find out the importance of character education for the millennial generation, which is starting to erode with the times in the digital era. Many people underestimate character education, especially for the current millennial generation. Therefore, we must implement educational programs at any level, especially in Indonesia, because the character shows the national identity. This article will discuss the vital role and influence of character education for millennials who live in the digital era to be aware of the importance of character education in citizenship.

Background: The rapid flow of globalization makes the world free from barriers so that the existence of globalization gives birth to a new concept of "World Without Borders". This situation puts the character of millennials on the brink of collapse and needs to be straightened out. Based on the problems above, the researcher determines the question: How is the role of civic education in shaping millennial character in the era of globalization? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of the current globalization on society, as a form of knowledge of the importance of citizenship education as a shield in the era of globalization, knowing the role of civic education in shaping the character of the millennial generation. Method: The method used in this research is a literature review. The search for journals was carried out using the google scholar database with the keywords “citizenship educations”, “millennial generation”, and “globalization”. Feasibility studies are assessed based on title, abstract, and full text. Data analysis using qualitative analysis based on research findings. Results: The results of this study show the influence of globalization causes character problems in millennials increasing every year. The high nature of individualism, consumerism, and westernization shows the characteristics of Indonesia began to erode and eventually also impacted the moral damage. Therefore, prevention is necessary through citizenship education as the basis for character formation by the values of Pancasila.

Background: The rapid flow of globalization makes the world free from barriers so that the existence of globalization gives birth to a new concept of "World Without Borders". This situation puts the character of millennials on the brink of collapse and needs to be straightened out. Based on the problems above, the researcher determines the question: How is the role of civic education in shaping millennial character in the era of globalization? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of the current globalization on society, as a form of knowledge of the importance of citizenship education as a shield in the era of globalization, knowing the role of civic education in shaping the character of the millennial generation. Method: The method used in this research is literature review. The search for journals was carried out using the google scholar database with the keywords “citizenship educations”, “millennial generation”, and “globalization”. Feasibility studies are assessed based on title, abstract, and full text. Data analysis using qualitative analysis based on research findings. Results: The results of this study show the influence of globalization causes character problems in millennials increasing every year. The high nature of individualism, consumerism, and westernization shows the characteristics of Indonesia began to erode and eventually also impacted the moral damage. Therefore, prevention is necessary through citizenship education as the basis for character formation by the values of Pancasila.

Covid-19 has become a non-natural national disaster that affects the national resilience of the Indonesian state. In maintaining national resilience, the implementation of state defense is needed. This research aims to describe the awareness of defending the state of millennials during the current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia by using a quantitative approach with descriptive analysis methods with survey techniques. The results of this study indicate that most millennials are aware of the obligation to defend the state amid the current Covid-19 pandemic, namely by implementing health protocols such as preparing cleaning equipment, conducting social distancing, and working from home. However, there are still millennials who cannot run it for some reason. Based on the results of this study, it concluded that most millennials are aware of the obligation to defend the state during a pandemic by complying with health protocols as a form of state defense character.

Splines and quasi-interpolation operators are important both in approximation theory and applications. In this paper, we construct a family of quasi-interpolation operators for the bivariate quintic spline spaces S₅³ (∆_mn⁽²⁾). Moreover, the properties of the proposed quasi-interpolation operators are studied, as well as its applications for solving two-dimensional Burgers’ equation and image reconstruction. Some numerical examples show that these methods, which are easy to implement, provide accurate results.

Although numerous citrus varieties have recently been developed to enhance their quality, information on their quality characteristics is limited. We assessed the quality characteristics of Yellowball, a novel citrus variety, by evaluating its appearance, storability, sensory properties, functionality, and metabolite profiles and comparing these characteristics with those of its parent varieties: Haruka and Kiyomi. The metabolite profiles between the citrus varieties differed significantly, resulting in distinct physicochemical and functional qualities. The storability of Yellowball was significantly increased compared with that of its parent varieties owing to its strong antifungal activity and unique peel morphology, including the stoma and albedo layers. While we did not investigate the volatile compounds, overall functional activities, and detailed characteristics of each metabolite, our data provide valuable insights into the relationship between citrus metabolites, peel morphology, physicochemical properties, and storability and demonstrate the potential of Yellowball as a promising variety in the citrus industry.

It is a challenging problem that air-written Arabic letters has received a lot of attention in the past decades when compared to commonly spoken languages like English languages. To fill this gap, we propose a strong model that brings together machine learning (ML) and optical character recognition (OCR) methods. The model applied several ML methods, (i.e., Neural Networks (NN), Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), with deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) such as VGG16, VGG19, and SqueezeNet for effective feature extraction. Our study utilizes the AHAWP dataset, which consists of varied writing styles and variations in hand signs, to train and evaluate the model. Preprocessing systems are applied to improve data quality by reduction bias. Besides, OCR methods are combined into our model to sequestrate individual letters from continuous air-written gestures and refine recognition results. Results of this study show that the proposed model has achieved the extreme accuracy of 88.8% using NN with VGG16. This study presents an inclusive approach that combines ML, deep CNNs, and OCR methods to address the issue of Arabic in air writing recognition research.

Heritage conservation area designation is often resisted by communities due to concerns with overly strict regulations for property alterations and negative impacts on property values. This paper addresses these concerns by examining Freemans Bay and Onehunga – two Special Character Areas (SCAs) in Auckland, New Zealand. A property value analysis was used to assess the impact of SCA designation on property values and an online questionnaire survey gathered information on homeowners’ experiences and levels of satisfaction with living in an SCA. The results indicate that designated SCA properties have higher average values than non-designated properties and homeowners are overwhelmingly satisfied with living in a SCA. The main benefits are a sense of community and having certainty around the look and feel of their neighbourhood into the future. The main issue identified by respondents is the requirement for Resource Consent. The majority of people who had gone through the process found it to be a negative experience because of the high cost in terms of time and money. A historic urban landscape approach to the development of management plans and design guidelines is recommended to improve the implementation of the Special Character Areas in Auckland and beyond.

In the field of computer vision, large-scale image classification tasks are both important and highly challenging. With the ongoing advances in deep learning and optical character recognition (OCR) technologies, neural networks designed to perform large-scale classification play an essential role in facilitating OCR systems. In this study, we developed an automatic OCR system designed to identify up to 13,070 large-scale printed Chinese characters by using deep learning neural networks and fine-tuning techniques. The proposed framework comprises four components, including training dataset synthesis and background simulation, image preprocessing and data augmentation, the process of training the model, and transfer learning. The training data synthesis procedure is composed of a character font generation step and a background simulation process. Three background models are proposed to simulate the factors of the background noise and anti-counterfeiting patterns on ID cards. To expand the diversity of the synthesized training dataset, rotation and zooming data augmentation are applied. A massive dataset comprising more than 19.6 million images was thus created to accommodate the variations in the input images and improve the learning capacity of the CNN model. Subsequently, we modified the GoogLeNet neural architecture by replacing the FC layer with a global average pooling layer to avoid overfitting caused by a massive amount of training data. Consequently, the number of model parameters was reduced. Finally, we employed the transfer learning technique to further refine the CNN model using a small number of real data samples. Experimental results show that the overall recognition performance of the proposed approach is significantly better than that of prior methods and thus demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed framework, which exhibited a recognition accuracy as high as 99.39% on the constructed real ID card dataset.

Loess was deposited in the Negev during the Pleistocene, but such sediments seem to be missing for the Holocene. This could be due to erosion unless structures such as ruins offered protection. We studied soils developed on archaeological hilltop ruins in the Negev and the Petra region and compared them with local soils, paleosols, geological outcrops, and current dust. The ruin soils in both regions were found to consist of similarly complex mixtures of local and remote sediment sources. They differ from sediments deposited during current dust storms. This seems due to fixation processes: average accretion rates are estimated to ~0.14 mm/a, suggesting that only ~3% of the current dust that can be trapped with dry marble dust collectors is stored in the soils. Vegetation, biocrusts, and/or clast pavements associated with vesicular layers seem to act as sediment-fixing agents. As well, climate might play a role: rain, and in particular one snowstorm in the Petra region brought a high amount of sediment that was more similar to the ruin soils. Wet deposition and snow might catalyze dust deposition and enhance fixation by fostering vegetation and crust formation. Frequent snow during the Pleistocene might be one explanation of enhanced loess deposition.

Gelephu, located in the Himalayan region, has experienced one of the strongest development activities due to the suitable topography and geographic location, which has led to rapid urbanization. The main objective of the study is to perform land use land cover (LULC) mapping for Gelephu for 2016 and 2023 by a Random Forest (RF) classifier, using the Semi-automatic Classification Plugin (SCP) in QGIS and identify LULC changes. Furthermore, the study assessed the vegetation change dynamics within the study area by analysing the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for 2016 and 2023. Additionally, the study characterized the resulting LULC change for Gelephu Thromde, a sub-administrative municipal entity, as a result of the notable intensity of the infrastructure development activities. The current study used a framework to collect Sentiniel-2 satellite data, which was then used for pre- and post-processing to create LULC and NDVI maps. The classification model achieved high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of up to 0.89. The corresponding LULC and NDVI statistics were analysed to determine the current status of the LULC and vegetation indices, respectively. The LULC change analysis reveals urban growth of 5.65% and 15.05% for Gelephu and Gelephu Thromde, respectively. The NDVI assessment shows significant deterioration in vegetation health with a 75.11% loss of healthy vegetation in Gelephu between 2016 and 2023. This research provides the first version of LULC and NDVI maps of Gelephu. The analysis results indicate possible future implications on sustainable development management in Gelephu Bhutan.

C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), also called monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a key β-chemokine involved in the migration of monocytes and macrophages, playing a significant role in the inflammatory responses in the airways. We aimed to assess the serum levels of MCP-1/CCL2 in a pilot cross-sectional study of Bulgarian children with bronchial asthma (BA) and cystic fibrosis (CF). Forty-two children were recruited to the study as follows: twenty with BA, twelve with CF and ten healthy children. Serum MCP-1/CCL2 levels were measured using ELISA. We found higher serum level of MCP-1/CCL2 in children with BA (191.09±64.96 pg/ml) and CF (258.51±76.45 pg/ml) compared to healthy children (70.30±64.30 pg/ml, p=0.022, and p=0.068, respectively). Younger patients with BA had higher levels of MCP-1/CCL2, as well as children with CF, with levels decreasing gradually with age. We observed also higher levels of MCP-1/CCL2 in children with moderate to severe BA compared to mild BA. We documented the significantly higher level of MCP-1/CCL2 in children with these chronic pulmonary diseases than in healthy controls, which suggesting that investigation of serum MCP-1/CCL2 levels could turn out to be beneficial for the severity of the disease.

Apathy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the least studied manifestations of a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders (PND). The frequency of apathy in PD, according to various researchers, is 17–80%. Structural and neurochemical changes associated with PD are considered as the leading pathophysiological factors of apathy. Possible general pathophysiological mechanisms of apathy and hypokinesia, depression, executive (frontal) cognitive functions, sleep disorders in PD are discussed. The basis of the pathophysiological commonality of apathy, hypokinesia, and executive functions is probably bilateral disturbances in the functional connections of the stratum and dorsolateral, medial parts of the prefrontal cortex. The combination of apathy and depression in PD may be due to dysfunction of the structures of the limbic system and the medial orbital prefrontal cortex responsible for motivational determined behavior. The variability of the relationship between apathy and hypokinesia, depression, cognitive impairments, sleep disorders at different stages of PD may be associated with the phenomenological heterogeneity of apathy.Apathy worsens the quality of life, makes a significant contribution to disorders of both household and social adaptation of PD patients. It is promising to study the possibility of correcting apathy using dopaminergic therapy. Against the background of the appointment of pramipexole (1.5-3.0 mg / day) to 20 patients with PD (middle stage, according to Hen-Yar-2.5) to correct movement disorders after 4-6 weeks of therapy, a statistically significant positive dynamics of apathy were noted. According to the total assessment of the scale of apathy SE Starkstein (AS). As a result of the study, no statistically significant correlation was found between the dynamics of the total apathy indicator and the dynamics of motor symptoms of PD according to the unified rating scale for assessing PD (“Motor functions”), which, we believe, indicates an independent effect of pramipexole therapy in relation to motivational disorders.

Exact and soliton type solutions have great importance in propagation of surface waves, fluid dynamics, optics, and many other elds of nonlinear sciences. In this study, the explicit and exact soliton type solutions for two space-time fractional Equal- Width (FEW) equations with conformable derivative are procured via the hyperbolic function approach. The wave type solutions are represented in some hyperbolic and trigonometric functions.

Mulberry is an economically significant crop for the sericulture industry worldwide. Stresses such as drought exposure have a significant influence on plant survival. Metabolome directly reflects plant physiological status; thus, a way to assess this impact is to perform a global metabolomic analysis. This study investigated the effect of drought stress on mulberry Yu-711 metabolic balance using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based on an untargeted metabolomic approach. For this objective, Yu-711 leaves were subjected to two weeks of drought stress treatment and control without drought stress. Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses highlighted numerous differentially-accumulated metabolic elements as a function of time and treatment. Drought stress led to a more differentiated metabolites response than the control. We found that the levels of total lipids and galactolipids, and phospholipids (PC, PA, PE) were significantly altered, producing 48% of the total differentially expressed metabolites. Fatty acyls were the most abundant lipids expressed and decreased considerably by 73.6%. Prenol lipids class of lipids increased in drought leaves. Other classes of metabolites, including polyphenols( flavonoids and cinnamic acid), organic acid (amino acids), carbohydrates, benzenoids, and organoheterocyclic, all had a dynamic trend in response to the drought stress. However, their levels under drought stress generally decreased significantly compared to the control. These results provide an overview of the metabolic profile of the mulberry plant through differentially-accumulated compounds and provide a better understanding of global plant metabolic changes in defense mechanisms.

Leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein1 (LRG1) is a member of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family that was implicated in multiple diseases including cancer, aging and heart failure as well as diabetes and obesity. LRG1 plays a key role in diet-induced hepatosteatosis and insulin resistance by mediating the crosstalk between adipocytes and hepatocytes. LRG1 also promotes hepatosteatosis by upregulating de novo lipogenesis in the liver and suppressing fatty acid β oxidation. In this study, we investigated the association of LRG1 with obesity markers including leptin and other adipokines in adolescents (11-14 years; n=425). BMI-for-age classification based on WHO growth charts was used to define obesity. Plasma LRG1 was measured by ELISA while other markers were measured by multiplexing assay. Median (IQR) of LRG1 levels was higher in obese [30 (25, 38) µg/mL] and overweight [30 (24, 39) µg/mL] adolescents, compared to normal-weight participants [27 (22, 35) µg/mL]. The highest tertile of LRG1 had an OR [95%CI] of 2.55 [1.44, 4.53] for obesity. LRG1 was positively correlated to plasma levels of HsCRP (R=0.2), Leptin (R=0.2) and Chemerin (R=0.24) with p<0.001. Additionally, it was positively associated with plasma level of IL6 (R=0.17) and IL10 (R=0.14) but not TNF-α. In conclusion, LRG1 levels are increased in obese kids and associate with increased levels of adipogenic markers. These results suggest the usefulness of LRG1 as an early biomarker for obesity and its related pathologies in adolescents.

This paper presents the design and implementation of a versatile IoT testbed utilizing the openHab platform along with various wireless interfaces, including Z-Wave, ZigBee, WiFi, 4G-LTE, and IR, and an array of sensors for motion, temperature, luminance, humidity, vibration, UV, and energy consumption. First, the testbed architecture, setup, basic testing, and collected data results are described. Then, by showcasing a typical day in the laboratory, we illustrate the testbed's potential through the collection and analysis of data from multiple sensors. The study also explores the capabilities of the openHab platform, including its robust persistence layer, event management, real-time monitoring, and customization. The significance of the testbed in enhancing data-collection methodologies for energy assets and unlocking new possibilities in the realm of IoT technologies is particularly highlighted.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus may be complicated with chronic complications including diabetic neuropathy (DN). Timely diagnosis is crucial in treatment and maybe reversal of this complication. C reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) is considered as a marker of inflammation in various diseases that characterized with acute or chronic inflammation. Since diabetic neuropathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus are also associated with chronic, low grade inflammation, we aimed to study CAR levels of type 2 diabetic subjects with diabetic neuropathy and to compare to those in patients without diabetic neuropathy. Type 2 diabetic patients presented to our institutional outpatient clinics were divided into two according to the presence of DN. Subjects with DN were listed as DN group and others were as non-DN group. Characteristics and laboratory data, including CAR, in DN and non-DN groups were compared. Median CAR of the DN and non-DN groups were 2,19 (0,2-49)% and 0,56 (0,02-5,8)%, respectively (p&lt;0.001). CAR was significantly and positively correlated with age (r=0.15, p&lt;0.001), weight (r=0.19, p=0.01), BMI (r=0.11, p=0.03), waist circumference (r=0.10, p=0.046), fasting plasma glucose (r=0.14, p=0.004), serum creatinine (r=0.25, p&lt;0.001), triglyceride (r=0.17, p&lt;0.001), and LDL-cholesterol (r=0.13, p=0.001) levels. Moreover, CAR was inversely correlated with eGFR levels (r=-0.16, p&lt;0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of CAR (when higher than 1,02%) in predicting diabetic neuropathy were 78% and 73%, respectively (AUC: 0.84, p&lt;0.001, 95% CI: 0,82-0,87). Moreover, high CAR level was an independent risk factor of diabetic neuropathy (p&lt;0.001, OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.48-1.62). In conclusion, elevated CAR levels could be considered as a marker of diabetic neuropathy.

The regulation of multiple bacterial phenotypes was found to depend on different cyclic di-nucleotides (CDNs) that constitute intracellular signalling second messenger systems. Most notably, c-di-GMP, along with proteins related to its synthesis, sensing and degradation, was identified as playing a central role in the switching from biofilm to planktonic modes of growth. Recently, this world has been under expansion, with the discoveries of other signalling CNDs in bacteria (c-di-AMP and cGAMP) and also in eukaryotes, novel protein and RNA receptors of CDNs, and the numerous functions related to these molecules. In this work, we comprehensively review and analyse the structural biology data about the systems that bacteria use to synthesise and recognise CDNs, detailing their interactions at molecular level with their products/ligands. Additional interesting observations were made, including that different receptor types can bind CDNs in similar conformations and that, based on genomic data, different CDN second messenger systems may coexist in many organisms. The large amount of sequence and structural data available allows a broad view of the importance of CDNs in bacteria, but how cells coordinate these molecules to ensure adaptation to changing environmental conditions is still open for much further exploration.

Background: Currently, Indonesia is entering an era that is all digital and uses technology in all fields of activity. The internet has a lot to do with their behavior or character. Millennials are the nation's next generation. The emergence of the digital era caused by globalization has made the millennial generation less appreciative and practicing the values ​​of Pancasila. In this case, character education is something that must be applied to the millennial generation. Purpose: This study aims to analyze the characteristics of the millennial generation, the role of character education in realizing the values ​​of Pancasila in the daily life of the millennial generation, how to cultivate an attitude of patriotism and nationalism towards the nation by practicing Pancasila, and provide motivation for the millennial generation to realize these values. Pancasila values. Methods: This study uses a literature review method. The search for journals was carried out using the google scholar database with the keywords “Character Education”, “millenial generation”, and “Pancasila”. The journals selected are journals from 2019 to 2020. Results: By applying character education to the millennial generation, it will make it easier for them to practice the values ​​of Pancasila. Pancasila should be the way of life of the millennial generation. Recommendation and limitation: As millennials, we must protect the country from values ​​that are contrary to Pancasila. Character education must be applied following the nature of the millennial generation itself. Of course, the applied character education must prioritize and be based on the values ​​of Pancasila as well.

The post-harvest processes of coffee are widely accepted as key factors in determining the quality of the product. In the Cauca department, Southwestern Colombia, this stage is carried out empirically by farmers in the region, using old methods that do not assure consistent quality. This study proposes to determine the best post-harvest temperature and time conditions for coffee produced in the region. For this purpose, we carried the fermentation and honey process out on different coffee samples of the Coffea Arabica species of the Castillo variety. Subsequently, the cup profile quality of the coffee samples was determined by a sensory evaluation by experts. Finally, we applied descriptive statistical techniques to the resulting data and principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis to find similarities between the samples. The results suggest that the honey process gets better evaluations in the cup profile over any condition of temperature and fermentation time.

Kaolin protective effect was assessed in a white grapevine cultivar ‘Cerceal’ in ‘Alentejo’ Region (southeast Portugal) where plants face extreme conditions during summer season. We addressed the hypothesis that kaolin effects lead to several changes in leaves, fruits and wine characteristics on the primary and secondary metabolism. Results showed that kaolin reduces leaf temperature which provoke an improvement in physiological parameters such as net photosynthesis and water use efficiency. This protection interferes with berries colour, leaving them more yellowish, and an increase in phenolic compounds were observed in all fruit tissues (skin, seed and pulp). Also, both berry and wine characteristics were strongly affected, with an increase of tartaric and malic acid and consequently high total acidity, while the sugar concentration decreased 8.9% in berries provoking a low wine alcohol level. Results also showed that kaolin induces high potassium, magnesium and iron, and low copper and aluminum concentrations. Moreover, the control wine showed higher content of esters related with hostile notes whereas wine from kaolin treated vines presented higher content of esters associated with fruity notes. Overall, the results strengthen the promising nature of kaolin application as summer stress mitigation strategy protecting grapevine plants and improving fruits quality and more balanced wines.

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in maize (Zea mays L.) is an important trait to maximize yield with minimal input of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Expired Plant Variety Protection (ex-PVP) Act-certified germplasm may be an important genetic resource for public breeding sectors. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the genetic variation of N-use traits and to characterize maize ex-PVP inbreds adapted to the U.S. Corn Belt for NUE performance. Eighty-nine ex-PVP inbreds [36 stiff stalk synthetic (SSS), and 53 non-stiff stalk synthetic (NSSS)] were genotyped using 26,769 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, then 263 single-cross maize hybrids derived from these inbreds were grown in eight environments from 2011 to 2015 at two N fertilizer rates (0 and 252 kg N ha⁻¹) and three replications. Genetic utilization and the yield response to N fertilizer were stable across environments and were highly correlated with yield under low and high N conditions, respectively. Cluster analysis identified inbreds with desirable NUE performance. However, only one inbred (PHK56) was ranked in the top 10% for yield under both N-stress and high N conditions. Broad-sense heritability across 12 different N-use traits ranged from 0.11 to 0.77, but was not associated with breeding value accuracy. Nitrogen-stress tolerance was negatively correlated with the yield increase from N fertilizer.

Copper-catalyzed and organocopper-involved reactions are of great significance in organic synthesis. To have a deep understanding of the reaction mechanisms, the structural characterizations of organocopper intermediates become indispensable. Meanwhile, the structure-function relationship of organocopper compounds would advance rational design and development of new Cu-based reactions and organocopper reagents. Compared to the mono-carbonic ligand, the C,N- and C,C-bidentate ligands better stabilize the unstable organocopper compounds. The bidentate ligands can chelate to the same copper atom via ?2-mode, forming a mono-cupra-cyclic compounds with at least one acute C-Cu-C angle. When the bidentate ligands bind to two copper atoms via ?1-mode at each coordinating site, the bimetallic macrocyclic compounds will form nearly linear C-Cu-C angles. The anionic coordinating sites of the bidentate ligand can also bridge two metals via ?2-mode, forming organocopper aggregates with Cu-Cu interactions and organocuprates with contact ion pair structures. The reaction chemistry of some selected organocopper compounds is highlighted, showing their unique structure-reactivity relationships.

Background and objectives: Since 2013, highly effective direct-acting (DAA) chronic hepatitis C (CHC) antiviral therapy became available, which has cure rates of over 95%. For choice of optimal CHC treatment, assessment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) and liver fibrosis stage are necessary. Information about distribution of these parameters among CHC patients in Baltic states and especially in Ukraine is scarce. This study was performed to obtain epidemiological data regarding CHC GT and fibrosis stage distribution for better planning of resources and prioritization of patients for DAA drug treatment according to disease severity in high-income (Baltic states) and lower-middle income (Ukraine) countries. Materials and Methods: This was an epidemiological, retrospective, cross-sectional study that included 1451 CHC patients. Demographic and disease information from medical charts was collected for each patient during a single visit. Results: Most frequent suspected mode of viral transmission was blood transfusions (17.8%), followed by injection drug use (15.7%); however, in 50.9% of patients exact mode of transmission was not clarified. In Ukraine (18.4%) and Estonia (26%) transmission by the injection drug use was higher than in Lithuania (5%) and Latvia (5.3%). Distribution of HCV GT among patients with CHC was as follows: GT1 - 66.4%; GT3 - 28.1; and GT2 - 4.1%. The prevalence of GT1 was the highest in Latvia (84%), and the lowest in Ukraine (63%, p<0.001). Liver fibrosis stages were distributed as follows: F0 - 12.2%, F1 - 26.3%, F2 - 23.5%, F3 – 17.1% and F4 - 20.9%. Cirrhosis (F4) was more prevalent in Lithuanian patients (30.1%) than in Estonians (8.1%, p <0.001). Conclusions: This study contributes to the knowledge of epidemiological characteristics of HCV infection in the Baltic states and Ukraine. The data regarding the patterns of HCV GT and fibrosis stage distribution will be helpful for the development of national strategies to control HCV infection in the era of DAA therapy.

Pneumonia is a severe lower respiratory tract infection that is a common complication and a major cause of mortality of the vitamin C-deficiency disease scurvy. This suggests an important link between vitamin C status and lower respiratory tract infections. Due to the paucity of information on the vitamin C status of patients with pneumonia, we assessed the vitamin C status of 50 patients with community-acquired pneumonia and compared these with 50 healthy community controls. The pneumonia cohort comprised 44 patients recruited through the Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) and 6 patients recruited through the intensive care unit (ICU); mean age 68 ± 17 years, 54% male. Clinical, microbiological and haematological parameters were recorded. Blood samples were tested for vitamin C status using HPLC with electrochemical detection and protein carbonyl concentrations, a marker of oxidative stress, using ELISA. Patients with pneumonia had depleted vitamin C status compared with healthy controls (23 ± 14 µmol/L vs 56 ± 24 µmol/L, P <0.001). The more severe patients in the ICU had significantly lower vitamin C status than those recruited through AMAU (11 ± 3 µmol/L vs 24 ± 14 µmol/L, P = 0.02). The total pneumonia cohort comprised 62% with hypovitaminosis C and 22% with deficiency, compared with only 8% hypovitaminosis C and no cases of deficiency in the healthy controls. The pneumonia cohort also exhibited significantly elevated protein carbonyl concentrations compared with the healthy controls (P < 0.001), indicating enhanced oxidative stress in the patients. We were able to collect subsequent samples form 28% of the cohort (mean 2.7 ± 1.7 days; range 1-7 days). These showed no significant differences in vitamin C status or protein carbonyl concentrations compared with baseline values (P = 0.6). Overall, the depleted vitamin C status and elevated oxidative stress observed in the patients with pneumonia indicates an enhanced requirement for the vitamin during their illness. Due to the important roles that vitamin C plays in the immune system, low vitamin C status is possibly both a cause and a consequence of the disease. Therefore, these patients would likely benefit from additional vitamin C supplementation to restore their blood and tissue levels to optimal. This may decrease oxidative stress and aid in their recovery.

Higher body weight is known to negatively impact plasma vitamin C status. However, despite this well-documented inverse association, recommendations on daily vitamin C intakes by health authorities worldwide do not include particular reference values for people of higher body weight. This suggests that people of higher body weight and people with obesity may be insufficient in vitamin C in spite of ingesting the amounts recommended by their health authorities. The current preliminary investigation sought to estimate how much additional vitamin C people with higher body weights need to consume in order to attain a comparable vitamin C status to that of a lower weight person consuming an average Western vitamin C intake. Data from two published vitamin C dose-concentration studies were used to generate the relationship: a detailed pharmacokinetic study with seven healthy non-smoking men and a multiple depletion-repletion study with 68 healthy non-smoking men of varying body weights. Our estimates suggest that an additional intake of 10 mg vitamin C/day is required for every 10 kg increase in body weight to attain a comparable plasma concentration to a 60 kg individual with a vitamin C intake of ~110 mg/day, which is the daily intake recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Thus, individuals weighing e.g. 80 and 90 kg will need to consume ~130 and 140 mg vitamin C/day, respectively. People with obesity will likely need even higher vitamin C intakes. As poor vitamin C status is associated with increased risk of several chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, these findings may have important public health implications. As such, dose-finding studies are required to determine optimal vitamin C intakes for overweight and obese people.

The α(1,2)fucosyltransferase (Se enzyme) encoded by FUT2 is involved in the secretor status of ABH(O) blood group antigens. The sedel2 allele is one of the non-functional FUT2 (se) alleles in which 9.3 kb containing the entire coding region of FUT2 is deleted by Alu-mediated nonhomologous recombination. In addition to this allele, three SNPs of FUT2, c.375A>G, c.385A>T, and c.571C>T, appear to be prevalent in certain Oceanian populations such as Polynesians. Recently, we developed an endpoint genotyping assay to determine the sedel2 zygosity, using a FAM-labeled probe for detection of the sedel2 allele and a VIC-labeled probe for detection of FUT2. In this study, instead of the VIC probe, a HEX-labeled probe covering both c.375A>G and c.385A>T and a Cy5-labeled probe covering c.571C>T were added to the sedel2 allele assay mixture to allow simultaneous detection of these four variations by endpoint genotyping for the sedel2 zygosity and fluorescence melting curve analysis for c.375A>G, c.385A>T, and c.571C>T genotyping. The results obtained from 24 Samoan subjects with this method were identical to those obtained with previous methods. Therefore, it appears that present method can accurately determine these four variations simultaneously.

C-type lectin CD209/DC-SIGN and CD209L/L-SIGN proteins are distinct cell adhesion and pathogen recognition receptors that mediate cellular interactions and recognize a wide range of pathogens including, viruses such as SARS, SARS-CoV-2, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Pathogens exploit CD209L family proteins to promote infection and evade the immune recognition system. CD209L and CD209 are widely expressed in SARS-CoV-2 target organs and can contribute to infection and pathogenesis. CD209L family receptors are highly susceptible to alternative splicing and genomic polymorphism, which may influence virus tropism and transmission in vivo. The carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) and the neck/repeat region represent the key features of CD209L family proteins that are also central to facilitating cellular ligand interactions and pathogen recognition. While, the neck/repeat region is involved in oligomeric dimerization, the CRD recognizes the mannose containing structures present on specific glycoproteins such as those found on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Considering the role of CD209L and related proteins in diverse pathogen recognition, this review article discusses the recent advances in the cellular and biochemical characterization of CD209 and CD209L and their roles in viral uptake, which has important implications in understanding the host-pathogen interaction, the viral pathobiology and driving vaccine development of SARS-CoV-2.

The open-bundle structure of cytochrome c’ as an unfolding intermediate was determined by small-angle neutron scattering experiment (SANS). The four-α-helix bundle structure of Cyt c’ at neutral pH was transited to an open-bundle structure (at pD ~13), which is a joint-clubs consisting of four clubs (α-helices) connected by short loops. The compactly folded structure of Cyt c’ (radius of gyration, Rg = 18 Å for the Cyt c’ dimer) at neutral or mildly alkaline pD transitioned to a remarkably larger “open-bundle” structure at pD ~13 (Rg = 25 Å for the Cyt c’ monomer). Cyt c’ adopts an unstructured random coil structure at pD = 1.7 (Rg = 25 Å for the Cyt c’ monomer). Numerical partial scattering function analysis (joint-clubs) and ab initio modelling gave structures similar to the “open-bundle”, which retains the α-helices but loses the bundle structure.

Dysferlinopathies comprise a spectrum of muscular dystrophies characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration due to mutations in the DYSF gene, which encodes the dysferlin protein critical for muscle membrane repair. This review delves into the clinical spectra of dysferlinopathies, their molecular mechanisms, and the spectrum of emerging therapeutic strategies. We explore the phenotypic heterogeneity of dysferlinopathies, highlight the incomplete understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations, and discuss the implications of various DYSF mutations. Furthermore, we examine the utility of animal models in elucidating disease mechanisms and the potential of symptomatic, pharmacological, molecular, and genetic therapies in mitigating the disease's progression. We also consider the roles of diet and metabolism in managing dysferlinopathies, as well as the impact of clinical trials on treatment paradigms. By culminating the complexities inherent in dysferlinopathies, this article emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary approaches, precision medicine, and extensive collaboration in research and clinical trial design to advance our understanding and treatment of these challenging disorders.

Salinity is abiotic stress, which causes adverse environmental conditions for rice cultivation. In particular, local aromatic rice cultivation is heavily influenced by soil salinity stress, which has an impact on global food security. This study aimed to screen local aromatic rice genotypes in a hydroponics experiment using Yoshida solutions to evaluate the effect of increasing NaCl concentrations on the early growth stages of rice seedlings. Genetic diversity along with phylogenetic relationship was assessed using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Out of 20 RAPD markers, 17 markers produced reproducible polymorphic bands. Individuals of all genotypes shared 88 (89.80%) of the 98 total RAPD elements amplified. The genetic distance-focused similarity index ranged from 0.05 to 0.94. The highest genetic distance (0.94) was discovered between genotypes Nayanmoni and Kalijira Barisal, and the lowest was between Badshabhog and Kataribhog (0.05). In addition, the OPS 3(510bp) and OPA 14(1100bp) markers could be used to identify salt-tolerant genotypes. According to genetic distance, the salt stress tolerant check genotype, Pokkali was genetically related to Chinigura as well as Kalijira Barisal. This study established a simple and consistent method for evaluating variability across various aromatic rice genotypes, which will benefit in genotype selection for breeding salinity stress tolerant aromatic rice varieties in Bangladesh.

Brinjal is a beautiful vegetable crop with strong nutritional properties specifically folate concentration and total chlorogenic acid content. These vitamins and minerals are very much effective in building up the immune system, whilst chlorogenic acid content protects the human body against heart illnesses, liver issues and diabetes. The quantity of these chemicals changes from cultivar to cultivar largely based upon the location of growth and changing environmental circumstances. Many plant breeding strategies are used to alleviate the losses but have proved to be less successful. Whereas the use of molecular markers and other biotechnology technologies have created a road for creating climate smart brinjal with maximum yields and nutritious contents.

This review examines the categorization of Essentially Derived Varieties (EDV) introduced in the 1991 revision of the Convention of the Union internationale pour la protection des obtentions végétales (UPOV). Challenges in the implementation of the concept and progress made on a crop-by-crop basis to provide greater clarity and more efficient implementation are reviewed. The current approach to EDV remains valid provided i) clarity on thresholds can be achieved including through resource intensive research on an individual crop species basis and ii) that threshold clarity does not lead to perverse incentives to avoid detection of essential derivation. However, technological advances leading to new varieties resulting from the simultaneous introduction or change in expression of more than “a few” genes will so challenge the concept to require a new Convention. Revision could include deletion of the concept of essential derivation and revision on a crop-by-crop basis of the breeder exception. Countries that allow utility patents for individual plant varieties per se should consider removing that possibility unless plant breeders utilize those encouragements for risk taking and investment to broaden the germplasm base upon which the long-term sustainability of plant breeding resides.

Motivated from the theory of Hilbert-Schmidt morphisms between Hilbert C*-modules over commutative C*-algebras by Stern and van Suijlekom [J. Funct. Anal., 2021], we introduce the notion of p-absolutely summing morphisms between Hilbert C*-modules over commutative C*-algebras. We show that an adjointable morphism between Hilbert C*-modules over monotone closed commutative C*-algebra is 2-absolutely summing if and only if it is Hilbert-Schmidt. We formulate version of Pietsch factorization problem for p-absolutely summing morphisms and solve partially.

The rural road landscape is crucial in forming rural areas' landscape character (LC). As a platform for portraying the rural landscape, the rural roads demonstrate the area's unique natural and cultural characteristics to the visitors. However, with the continuous development of rural areas, the rural LC has been severely impacted, thus impacting visitors' visual experience. In order to preserve and protect the rural landscape, this study aims to assess the visual quality of rural road landscapes based on public preference and heatmap analysis. The results indicated that most of the participants had a higher level of preference for rural landscapes with open horizontal views represented by agricultural areas such as paddy fields. It was also found that different paddy field characters based on their planting stages can also positively affect the visual quality of rural road landscapes. The study also revealed that rural LCs with roadside settlements, commercial structures, mixed agricultural crops, and vegetation received low preference ratings. These characters negatively impact the visual quality of the rural road landscape. These findings provide significant insight for planners and decision-makers regarding protecting and preserving the essential rural road landscapes for the rural tourism experience.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), also known as chronic lung disease, is the most common respiratory morbidity in preterm infants. "Old" or "Classic" BPD, as per the original description, is less common now. "New BPD," which presents with distinct clinical and pathological features, is more frequently observed in the current era of advanced neonatal care, where extremely premature infants are surviving due to medical advancements. The pathogenesis of BPD is complex and multifactorial and involves both genetic and environmental factors. This review provides an overview of the pathology of BPD and discusses the influence of several prenatal and postnatal factors on its pathogenesis, such as maternal factors, genetic susceptibility, ventilator-associated lung injury, oxygen toxicity, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and nutritional deficiencies. This in-depth review draws on existing literature to explore these factors and their potential contribution to the development of BPD.

A recent review of global vitamin C status indicated a high prevalence of deficiency, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, as well as in specific subgroups within high-income countries. Here we provide a narrative of potential factors influencing vitamin C status. The in vivo status of vitamin C is primarily affected by dietary intake and supplement use. Dietary intake can be influenced by cultural aspects such as staple foods and traditional cooking practices. Environmental factors can also affect vitamin C intake and status; these include geographic region, season and climate, as well as pollution. Demographic factors such as sex, age, and race are known to affect vitamin C status, as do socioeconomic factors such as deprivation, education and social class, and institutionalization. Various health aspects affect vitamin C status; these include body weight, pregnancy and lactation, genetic variants, smoking, and disease states, including severe infections as well as various non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Some of these factors have changed over time, therefore we also explore if vitamin C status has shown temporal changes. Overall, there are numerous factors that can affect vitamin C status to different extents in various regions of the world. Many of these factors are not taken into consideration during the setting of global recommended dietary intakes for vitamin C.

We cultured Parmelina carporrhizans and P. quercina in Corn Meal Agar and 0.2% glucose Malt Yeast Agar for 160 days. Chemosyndrome of natural thalli and mycobiont cultures were analyzed by HPLC. Lecanoric acid, atranorin, chloratranorin and ergosterol were detected in P. carporrhizans thalli, while lecanoric acid, chloratranorin and aliphates were found in P. quercina thalli. The secondary methabolites pattern between thalli and mycobiont culture was completely different in both species. Both species secreted the phenalenone myeloconone C in culture media and was also detected in P. quercina mycobiont aggregates. Interestingly, the phenolic compounds produced by the mycobiont culture of P. carporrhizans are related to those produced by natural thallus by the same biosynthetic pathway, while the chemosyndrome of P. quercina mycobiont implies switch of biosynthetic pathway from acetate-polymalonate pathway to shikimic acid pathway, with pulvinic acid as major compound of mycobiont culture. The role of Myelochonone C, confluentic acid and pulvinic acid produced by mycobiont culture is discussed as possible adaptive vantage in field as photoprotective agent or as byproduct result of stressing artificial culture conditions.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 continues to impact human health globally, with airborne transmission being a significant mode for transmission. In addition to tools like vaccination and testing, counter-measures that reduce viral spread in indoor settings are critical. This study aims to assess the efficacy of UV-C light, utilizing the Violett sterilization device, as a countermeasure against airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the highly susceptible Golden Syrian hamster model. Methods: Two cohorts of naïve hamsters were subjected to airborne transmission from experimentally infected hamsters; one cohort was exposed to air treated with UV-C sterilization, while the other cohort was exposed to un-treated air. Results: Treatment of air with UV-C light prevented the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from experimentally exposed hamster to naïve hamsters. Notably, this protection was sustained over a muti-day exposure period during peak viral shedding from hamsters. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the efficacy of the UV-C light to mitigate airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission. As variants continue to emerge, UV-C light holds promise as a tool to reduce infections in diverse indoor settings, ranging from healthcare facilities to households. This study reinforces the urgency of implementing innovative methods to reduce airborne disease transmission and safeguard public health against emerging biological threats.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of the current pandemic worldwide. The pathological condition induced by this pathogen is known as COVID-19 disease. SARS-CoV-2 associated pandemic has been defined as a “public health emergency of international concern” by the International Health Regulation Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization. To date, considerable efforts are in progress to develop more advanced strategies against SARS-CoV-2. Despite the numerous scientific studies published, our knowledge regarding this pathogen is still incomplete, as this virus has been identified only recently. Therefore, scientific investigation of the SARS-CoV-2 has been possible only for a short period of time and effective management of the serious forms of this disease is still lacking. Considerable efforts are in progress worldwide with the purpose to develop more advanced strategies against this pathogen. In this review, we have analyzed the structural and the biological SARS-CoV-2 characteristics and those of other well-known RNA viruses, with the aim to identify possible similarities and analogies between all these pathogens, may be a very useful approach. These infectious agents have been widely studied since several years ago and, a large series of scientific reports are available in the literature regarding this topic. Therefore, focusing on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Influenza viruses (IVs), we have collected their historical data, clinical manifestations, pathogenetic mechanisms and related infections. Taking advantage of the results of our research, we have assembled this narrative review, with the aim to get useful insights and lessons from HIV, HCV and IVs characteristics and, consequently, to transfer the obtained knowledge to the study of SARS-CoV-2 biology. There are well known differences between all these pathogens. In particular, they present a distinct mode of transmission, as SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza viruses are airborne pathogens, whereas HIV and HCV are bloodborne infectious agents. However, these viruses exhibit some potential common clinical manifestations and pathogenetic mechanisms and their understanding may contribute to establishing preventive measures and new therapies against SARS-CoV-2. Accordingly, we have analysed and discussed the following points: 1) the biology, the pathogenesis and the clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2, HIV, HCV and IVs in mankind; 2) the onset and spreading of pandemics caused by respiratory viruses according to a perspective historical point of view; 3) the possible development of a persistent SARS-CoV-2 reservoir worldwide; 4) the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection/reactivation; 5) the possible involvement and impact of climatic factors in increasing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spreading.

3,4-Dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones represent a class of valuable bioactive compounds with six-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structures. The development of simple, mild and efficient synthetic methods has been widely concerned by synthetic chemists. In this review, we have summarized a series of different synthetic strategies for the synthesis of dihydroquinoline-2(1H)-ones via catalytic annulation of α,β-unsaturated N-arylamides in the past decade, including covering electrophilic cyclization, radical initiated cyclization and photochemical cyclization reactions. Besides, the substrate scope and mechanistic details are also discussed. This paper will provide a useful reference for the development of diverse synthesis methodologies of 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones.

Cempo Ireng (Oryza sativa L. var. Cempo Ireng) is one of the black rice variety in Indonesia that consumed as functional food, not as a staple food because of the black rice contains anthocyanin pigment which has beneficial to human health. High concentration of anthocyanin reaching 393.93 ppm cause black color in the pericarp layer of Cempo Ireng which make this variety as an antioxidant source, low glycemic index, and free of gluten, leading to have higher price in the rice market. However, most of the farmers are not cultivate Cempo Ireng due to the longer vegetative phase up to 150 days compared to the white rice varieties which only takes 90 days, the taller phenotype of Cempo Ireng cause problems in cultivation, and also the purple color of Cempo Ireng attract birds and earhead bug (Leptocorisa oratorius) to feed on black rice caryopsis that cause severe yield loss. Transgenic methods, mutation technique, intensification systems, and physical treatment have been applied in Cempo Ireng to overcome those lack characteristics. In the future, Cempo Ireng also has a big potential to become a parent in cross breeding program because of the positive characters. The aim of this review is to describe the potential of Cempo Ireng in rice breeding program for improving food sustainability.

In this study, we propose a module-type triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) capable of harvesting power from a variety of mechanical energy sources. The potential energy and kinetic energy of water are used for the rotational motion of the generator module, and electricity is generated by the contact/separation generation mode between the two triboelectric surfaces inside the rotating TENG. Through the parametric design of the internal friction surface structure and mass ball, we optimized the output of the proposed structure. To magnify the power, experiments were conducted to optimize the electrical output of the series of TENG units. The electrical signal generated by the module-type TENG can be used as a sensor to recognize the strength and direction of various physical quantities, such as wind or earthquake vibrations.

We recently formulated Modular Dvoretzky, Type-Cotype, Khinchin-Kahane and Grothendieck Inequality problems in the Appendix of \textit{[arXiv:2302.03718v1]}. For the sake of wide accessibility we give a separate treatment of them.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress markers in breast diseases by measuring the 8-hydoxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and total antioxidant status (TAS) alterations in relation to cell proliferation activity and disease progression. Significant increases in the level of oxidative damage marker 8-OHdG and cell proliferation activity were observed in breast carcinoma patients in comparison to benign and normal controls, which were accompanied by significant decrease in non enzymatic antioxidants and TAS concentrations. 8-OHdG and cell proliferation level were negatively correlated with non enzymatic antioxidants viz., Vitamin A, Vitamin C, vitamin E level and total antioxidant activity. Altered levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress and cell proliferation activity amongst the malignant, benign and controls suggest a correlation of increased oxidative stress and cell proliferation activity in the progression of disease in breast carcinoma patients. Among the oxidative stress markers and cell proliferation index, decreased level of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, TAS and increased level of 8-OHdG, cell proliferation index emerged as best predicted biomarkers for subjects with malignancy and benign breast disease.

Wheat gluten contains epitopes that trigger celiac disease (CD). A life-long strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment accepted for CD. However, very low-gluten wheat may provide an alternative treatment to CD. Conventional plant breeding methods are not sufficient to produce celiac-safe wheat. RNA interference technology, to some extent, succeeded in the development of safer wheat varieties. However, these varieties had multiple challenges in their implementation. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) is a versatile gene-editing tool that has the ability to edit the immunogenic gluten genes. So far, only a few studies have applied CRISPR/Cas9 to modify the wheat genome. In this article, we reviewed published literature that applied CRISPR/Cas9 in wheat genome editing to investigate the current status of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to produce a low-immunogenic wheat variety. We found that in recent years, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been continuously improved to edit the complex hexaploid wheat genome. Although some reduced immunogenic wheat varieties have been reported, CRISPR/Cas9 has still not been fully explored in editing the wheat genome. We conclude that further studies are required to apply the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system efficiently for the development of celiac-safe wheat variety and to establish it as a “tool to celiac safe wheat.”

IHepatitis C virus (HCV) has a high genetic diversity, with seven genotypes with 86 subtypes. This genetic variability confers persistence in the infection and escape of the immune system with evolution to cirrhosis and cancer. Environmental factors can contribute to different disease progression, being essential to assess the viral genotype in the infection and discuss the environmental particularities of Eastern Amazon, and the frequencies of Liver fibrosis between different HCV genotypes in patients living in a region of the Brazilian Eastern Brazilian Amazon. Consists in an observational cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical data of 76 individuals diagnosed with Hepatitis C between 2019 and 2020 in public health services were selected. Data collected was tabulated in Microsoft Excel 2010TM spreadsheets and analysed in GraphPad Prism 5.0TM. Liver fibrosis was associated with genetic subtypes. Subtype 1b was predominant (42.1%), followed by 1a (13%) and 3a (1.3%). 69.7% of participants had chronic hepatitis, with mild fibrosis (F1/F2) being the most prevalent (38.1%). Severe fibrosis was detected in 75% of individuals infected with the subtype 1b, that is associated with more severe disease. We suggest further studies, to assess other communities in the region, as well as the monitoring of these patients with Liver Elastography to determine the disease evolution and its better management.

This work demonstrates that a plasmid can function as an efficient biocatalyst in mediating the nitroaldol (Henry) reaction at high temperatures in ultrapure water. Compared with ssDNA, the plasmid displayed a remarkable catalytic efficiency (97% yield within 20 min). Aromatic aldehydes which bear strong or moderate electron-withdrawing groups reacted satisfactorily with nitromethane, which afforded the corresponding β-nitroalcohols in good yields within 2 h (up to 98%). By contrast, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes with electron-donating groups did not react. Moreover, the yield significantly dropped when the size of the carbanion increased, and the yield was only 10% when nitropropane was used as the donor.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that must be obtained through the diet in adequate amounts to prevent hypovitaminosis C and the potentially fatal deficiency disease scurvy. Global vitamin C status and prevalence of deficiency has not previously been reported, despite vitamin C’s pleiotropic roles in both non-communicable and communicable disease. This review highlights the global literature on vitamin C status and the prevalence of hypovitaminosis C and deficiency. Related dietary intake is reported if assessed in the studies. We also explore if global vitamin C status has changed over time. Overall, the review illustrates the shortage of high quality epidemiological studies of vitamin C status in many countries, particularly low- and middle-income countries. The available evidence indicates that vitamin C deficiency is common in low- and middle-income countries and not uncommon in high income settings. Further high quality studies are required to confirm these findings, including in the countries not yet represented, and to fully understand associations with a range of disease processes. Our findings suggest a need for interventions to prevent deficiency in a range of at risk groups and regions of the world.

The effect of the antioxidant vitamin C in cancer has been studied for over 30 years with conflict-ing results ranging from total absence of effect, to possible protective effect, to potential therapeutic effect when administered in high doses. The aim of the study was to define the effect of vitamin C in breast cancer and the possible involvement of sphingomyelin metabolism. Therefore, the effect of low and high dose of vitamin C on cells reproducing luminal A type (MCF7) and triple negative type (MB231) of breast cancer was analyzed. The results showed that high dose of vitamin C produced effects only in MCF7 cells such as decreased cell viability, modulation of cell cycle re-lated genes, unexpected change in cell phenotype due to estrogen receptor downregulation, catabo-lism of sphingomyelin with a large increase in ceramide. In conclusion, we demonstrated that high doses of VitC on the one hand reduce the growth of lu-minal A type breast cancer cells and on the other hand induce their phenotypic change towards hormone therapy resistant cells. The effect of vitamin C on therapeutic treatment failure of luminal A breast cancer and the possible involvement of high ceramide levels were discussed.

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increases in some healthcare-associated infections. We investigated the impact of the pandemic on rates and molecular epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) within one VA Hospital. We anticipated that the potential widespread use of antibiotics for pneumonia during the pandemic might increase CDI rates given that antibiotics are a major risk for CDI. Hospital data on patients with CDI and recurrent CDI (rCDI) were reviewed pre-COVID-19 pandemic (2015 to 2019) and during the pandemic (2020 - 2021). Restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) strain typing was performed on CD isolates recovered from stool samples collected from 10/2019 – 3/2022. CDI case numbers declined 43.2% in 2020 – 2021 compared to the annual mean over the previous 5 years. Stool test positivity rate was also lower during the COVID-19 pandemic (14.3% vs. 17.2%; P = 0.013). Although inpatient volume declined, rates of CDI among inpatients were reduced by 34.2% in 2020 – 2021. Mean monthly cases of rCDI also declined significantly after 2020 [3.38 (95% CI: 2.89 – 3.87) vs. 1.92 (95% CI: 1.27 – 2.56); P = &lt;0.01]. Prior to the pandemic, REA group Y was the most prevalent CD strain among the major REA groups (27.3%). During the first wave of the pandemic from March 8, 2020, through June 30, 2020, there was an increase in the relative incidence of REA group BI (26.7% vs. 9.1%. After adjusting for CDI risk factors, a multivariable logistic regression model revealed that odds of developing an REA group BI CDI increased during the first pandemic wave (OR 6.41, 95% CI: 1.03 – 39.91) compared to the pre-pandemic period. In conclusion, the incidence of CDI and rCDI decreased significantly during the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, REA BI (Ribotype 027), a virulent, previously epidemic CD strain and frequently associated with hospital transmission and outbreaks, reappeared as a prevalent strain during the first wave of the pandemic.

Bacillus licheniformis produce several classes of antimicrobial substances which are mainly either peptides or proteins. Among of them bacteriocins - peptides or proteins of different structural composition including synthesized by bacteria ribosomally; non-ribosomally synthesized peptides and cyclic lipopeptides; exopolysaccharides. Different representatives of these classes act against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, fungal pathogens and amoebae cells. In this review, a detailed classification of antimicrobial substances produced by B. licheniformis based on their chemical structure and mode of the synthesis and activity is presented. For some (rather limited number) of secreted antimicrobials mechanism of their harmful effect on the target cells is established, however, for many of them it remains unknown. The antimicrobial activity for most substances was studied in vitro only, however some substances were characterized in vivo and are found practical applications in medicine and veterinary. The cyclic lipopeptides with surfactant properties are applied in industry. In this review, a special attention on antimycobacterials produced by B. licheniformis is made as a possible approach to combat multidrug resistant and latent tuberculosis. Indeed, a number of peptides and proteins revealed strong antimycobacterial activity. However, medical application of some bacteriocins with promising in vitro antimycobacterial activity is limited by their toxicity for animals and humans. In this connection, similarly with the enhancement of the antimycobacterial activity of natural bacteriocins using genetic engineering, reduction of the toxicity by the same approach looks feasible. A unique capability of B. licheniformis to synthesize and produce a bouquet of different antibacterial compounds allow to consider this organism as a universal natural vehicle for antibiotic substances in form of probiotic cultures strains to combat various types of pathogens including mycobacteria.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to wreak havoc threatening the public health services and imposing economic collapse worldwide. Tailoring public health responses to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic depends on understanding the mechanism of viral replication, disease pathogenesis, and accurately identifying acute infections and mapping the spreading risk of hotspots across the globe. However, effective identification and isolation of persons with asymptomatic and mild SARS-CoV-2 infections remain the major obstacles to efforts in controlling the SARS-CoV-2 spread and hence the pandemic. Understanding the mechanism of persistent viral shedding, reinfection, and the post-acute sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) is crucial in our efforts to combat the pandemic and provide better care and rehabilitation to survivors. Here we present a living literature review on SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence, reinfection and PASC. We also highlight potential areas of research to uncover putative links between viral persistence, intra-host evolution, host immune status, and protective immunity to guide and direct future basic science and clinical research priorities.

Due to the widespread application of (hetero)arylazoles, the development of straightforward functional group-tolerant synthetic methods that enable selective heteroaromatic elaboration under mild conditions aroused considerable attention. Over the last years we were interested in studies aimed to broaden the substrate scope of the direct functionalization of azoles and, in particular, to develop efficient synthetic protocols for the carbon-carbon bond forming reaction by selective palladium-catalyzed Csp2-H bond activation of imidazole derivatives. During these studies, we discovered that the outcome of the Pd-catalyzed arylation of imidazoles with aryl bromides is deeply influenced by the nature of the reaction solvent. Specifically, it is well known that the Pd-catalyzed direct arylation of imidazoles with aromatic halides selectively leads to C-5 monoarylation products when polar aprotic solvents such as DMF (or DMA) are used as a reaction medium, but these solvents are coded as dangerous according to EHS (Environmental, Health, Safety) parameters. Instead, the use of aromatic solvents as the reaction medium for direct arylations, although some of them show good EHS values, is poorly reported, probably due to their low solvent power against reagents and their potential involvement in undesired side reactions. So, with the intention of filling this gap, in this paper, we have developed a selective C-5 arylation procedure in anisole as the solvent, discovering also the unprecedented role of benzoic acid as a promoter of the coupling.

Modified nucleobases are potentially useful building blocks when containing catalytically active functionalities and could be introduced in chiral tridimensional molecules such as nucleic acids, which creates the premises for the development of novel catalytic species. Herein we describe the synthesis of a novel β-C-nucleoside bearing a diol group at anomeric position, amenable as metal ligand or as organo-catalyst. The abasic ligand was successfully prepared and inserted into complementary DNA strand.

With the rise of long-read sequencers and long-range technologies, delivering high-quality plant genome assemblies is no longer reserved to large consortia. Indeed, sequencing techniques but also computer algorithms have reached a point where the reconstruction of assemblies at the chromosome-scale is now feasible at the laboratory scale. Current technologies, and especially long-range technologies, are numerous and selecting the most promising one for the genome of interest is crucial to obtain optimal results. In this study, we resequenced the genome of the yellow sarson, Brassica rapa cv. Z1, using the Oxford Nanopore PromethION sequencer and assembled the sequenced data using current assemblers. To reconstruct complete chromosomes, we used and compared three long-range techniques, optical mapping, Omni-C and Pore-C sequencing libraries commercialized by Bionano Genomics, Dovetail Genomics and Oxford Nanopore Technologies respectively, or a combination of the three, in order to evaluate the capability of each technology.

Leishmania major is the main causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. The Friedlin strain of this species (LmjF) was chosen when a multi-laboratory consortium undertook the objective of deciphering the first genome sequence for a parasite of the genus Leishmania. The objective was successfully attained in 2005, and this represented a milestone for Leishmania molecular biology studies around the world. Although the LmjF genome sequence was done following a shotgun strategy and using classical Sanger sequencing, the results were excellent and this genome assembly served as the reference for subsequent genome assemblies in other Leishmania species. Here, we present a new assembly for the genome of this strain (named LMJFC for clarity), generated by the combination of two high throughput sequencing platforms, Illumina short-read sequencing and PacBio Single Molecular Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing, which provides long-read sequences. Apart from resolving uncertain nucleotide positions, several genomic regions have been reorganized and a more precise composition of tandemly repeated gene loci was attained. Additionally, the genome annotation has been improved by adding 542 genes and more accurate coding-sequences defined for around two hundred genes, based on the transcriptome delimitation also carried out in this work. As a result, we are providing gene models (including untranslated regions and introns) for 11,238 genes. Genomic information ultimately determines the biology of every organism; therefore, our understanding of molecular mechanisms will depend on the availability of precise genome sequences and accurate gene annotations. In this regards, this work is providing an improved genome sequence and updated transcriptome annotations for the reference L. major Friedlin strain.

Vitamin C is important in preventing and slowing the progression of many diseases. There is significant evidence linking periodontal disease and vitamin C. We aimed to systematically review studies addressing the relationship between vitamin C and periodontal disease and the preventive ability of vitamin C against periodontal disease. Electric searches were performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Studies addressing the relationships between periodontal disease and vitamin C in adults aged over 18 years were included. Quality assessment was done using Critical Appraisal Skills Program guideline and GRADE-CERQual. Seventy hundred and sixteen articles were retrieved and fifteen articles (7 cross-sectional studies, 2 case-control studies, 2 cohort studies, and 4 randomized controlled trial [RCT]) were selected by reviewing all articles. Vitamin C intake and blood level were negatively related to periodontal disease in all 7 cross-sectional studies. Subjects who suffer from periodontitis presented lower vitamin C intake and lower blood vitamin C level than subjects without periodontal disease in the two case-control studies. Patients with lower dietary intake or lower blood level of vitamin C showed greater progression of periodontal disease than did the controls. Intervention using vitamin C administration improved gingival bleeding in gingivitis but not in periodontitis. Alveolar bone absorption was also not improved. The present systematic review suggested that vitamin C contributes to reduced risk of periodontal disease.

In this study, we introduce a novel framework for the estimation of residual renal function (RRF), based on the population compartmental kinetic behavior of Beta 2 Microglobulin (B2M) and its dialytic removal. Using this model, we simulated a large cohort of patients with various levels of RRF receiving either conventional high-flux hemodialysis or on-line hemodiafiltration. These simulations were used to estimate a novel population kinetic (PK) equation for RRF (PK-RRF) that was validated in an external public dataset of real patients. We assessed the performance of the resulting equation(s) against their ability to estimate urea clearance using cross-validation. Our equations derived entirely from computer simulations and advanced statistical modeling, and had extremely high discrimination (AUC 0.808 – 0.909) when applied to a human dataset of measurements of RRF. A clearance-based equation that utilized pre and post dialysis B2M measurements, patient weight, treatment duration and ultrafiltration had higher discrimination than an equation previously derived in humans. Furthermore, the derived equations appeared to have higher clinical usefulness as assessed by Decision Curve Analysis, potentially supporting decisions that for individualizing dialysis frequency in patients with preserved RRF.

Since 1998, when Jim van Etten’s team initiated its characterization, Paramecium bursaria Chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1) had been the largest known DNA virus, both in terms particle size and genome complexity. In 2003, The Acanthamoeba-infecting Mimivirus unexpectedly superseded PBCV-1, opening the era of giant viruses, i.e. with virions large enough to be visible by light microscopy and genomes encoding more proteins than many bacteria. During the 15 following years, the isolation of many Mimivirus-relatives, have made the Mimiviridae one of the largest and most diverse family of eukaryotic viruses isolated from aquatic environments. Metagenomic studies keep suggesting that many more remain to be isolated. As Mimiviridae members are found to infect an increasing range of phytoplanckton species, their taxonomic position compared to the traditional Phycodnaviridae (i.e. etymologically “algal viruses”) became a source of confusion in the literature. Following a rapid history of the key discoveries that established the Mimiviridae family, we describe its current taxonomic structure and propose a set of operational criteria to help in the classification of future isolates.