Background: Corona virus disease was first reported in Wuhan City, Hubei province, China. Soon the corona virus disease has spread to many countries. World health organization has described the situation as Pandemic. By 12 March 2020, corona virus disease has affected 125 countries around the world. Corona virus was first confirmed in Iran on 19 February 2020. Objective: The aim of writing this small article is to determine the mortality rate of corona virus disease in different cities of Iran. This article will give readers an idea of different ways to control spread of corona virus disease in Iran. Methods: Author has collected the data of daily confirmed cases from different diagnostic centers and hospitals across the country from 19 February 2020 to 1 April 2020. Results: Mortality rate of corona virus disease is roughly 4%. Conclusions: Mortality rate could rise if COVID 19 infection is not controlled.

Transmission of values and religious concepts to children is one of the most important issues in the third millennium and it has drawn varied and different views among experts and scholars in the world. Research specialized in religious literature for children and adolescents create new capacities in the presentation of religious concepts to the group. Plans have been considered to transfer values and religious concepts in the curricula of primary school children in the group in Iran. It is one of the topics that the authors note to the introduction of the minutiae of religion in the first three elementary grades. In this study, the collection and analysis methods providing content related to the minutiae of religion in reading books the first till third sections of the years 2013-2015. In addition, the plan includes aspects of other branches of religion in these books on information collected from text books that collected and classified. The result is that "definitely good and forbidding the evil" and "prayer" have the highest frequency of applications in the selected books. Further branches made of branches of religion in these books, represents the values of religious, moral and social as well.

Background: Suicide is a major health problem. The aim of this study was a comparative study of the causes and methods of completed suicide referred to legal Medicine Organization in Bushehr Province during the years 2006- 2015. Methods: This consideration has been done as a retrospective cross-sectional study; the data were collected by the check list. After coordination to the medico legal 343 cases of completed suicide lead to death over a ten year period from 2006 to 2015 were extracted and the data were analyses by SPSS software. Results: The rate of completed suicide was 2.43 and 1.12 suicides per 100,000 people in male and female, respectively. The mean age were 29.25 and 27.61 years in male and female, respectively p>0.05. A higher completed suicide rate was found among single people. The most common ways of a suicide among people who live in Bushehr were hanging out 184(53.6%), self-Immolation 83(24.2%) and firearms 37(10.8%). Motive of suicide was psychological disorders, Physical disease, Conflict with family and substance abuse. 43(12.5%) people smoking and 22(6.4%) people were both smoking and opioid. During the ten year period of studied, throughout the all years that frequency of hanging out has been higher than others. Conclusion: Due to the high incidence of completed suicide in young people and unmarried individuals also hanging out in male and self-burning in females are prevalent. So determination of preventive measures appears to be necessary. Social factors such as psychological disorders and family conflicts have a noticeable role from .Bushehr people.

Western Iran barb species are scientifically, environmentally, and economically important. Some of them are the largest riverine freshwater species, which will grow in size and weight to 170 cm, and 120 kg respectively. Although these species are vulnerable, there is little information on taxonomy or environmental status of the species Luciobarbus barbulus is one of the important large species. In order to find the new record on the present status of large barb species sampling program carried out in western Iran, during the resent year since 2013 to now. This species overlaps in distinction with L. mystaceus, L scheich, and other similar species. In this study re-description of L.barbulus is given. This species differs from L. mystaceus in having thick and very wide fleshy lip, inferior mouth and slightly shorter head. In Luciobarbus barbulus head is more inferior. The details of differences between these species are given. This species is one of stable growing fish without dimorphism, retain its shape from a fingerling species to a giant fish.

Western Iran barb species are scientifically, environmentally, and economically important. Some of them are the largest riverine freshwater species, which will grow in size and weight to 170 cm, and 120 kg respectively. There is little information on taxonomy or environmental status of these species Luciobarbus barbulus is one of the important large species. During the resent year since 2013, in order to find the new record of large barb species, sampling program carried out in western Iran,. Luciobarbus barbulus briefly described by Heckel (1849) but during the time, have been synonymized with other related species or vice versa, other similar species miss-identically have been known as this species. Also the synonymy of Luciobarbus barbulus with L. pectoralis remains uncertain. The possible syntypes of L. barbulus in Vienna Museum (NMW 53957 and NMW 6596) are in too poor condition to be of any value, being mostly bones, and are dried, and. The fleshy lip of NMW 6596, (measures 119.3 mm standard length) fold of the original description could not be discerned, teeth are missing and the dorsal fin is broken off short. In 1997 this was the only syntype recognized. The catalog in Vienna lists only 1 fish, while Heckel's description refers to several fishes!. So designing of Lecotype and re-description of L. barbulus is essential. In this paper the details of description and differences between these species are given.

Recently, Mulroney,et.al., demonstrated that Pfizer’s ModRNA Covid vaccine, but not AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, produce aberrant foreign proteins in vivo due to reading frame shift in ribosomes. This phenomenon could elucidate the notable surge in autoimmune diseases following the administration of ModRNA vaccines compared to Influenza vaccines between 2020 and 2023, as found in the VAERS database. These findings bear significant implications for the future application of mRNA technology, emphasizing the necessity of modifying the design of the mRNA sequence to mitigate these defects. Remarkably, Mulroney and collaborators achieved a reduction in frame shift proteins by introducing additional edits to the mRNA sequences. This adjustment is pivotal for rectifying the flawed design of the ModRNA employed by Pfizer. In light of these findings, many advocate for the immediate recall and further investigation of these products. The notion of a "future mRNA-based therapy" should be postponed indefinitely.

Abstract Background: The highest incidence rate of covid-19 in Iran was reported from Shahroud County. This study was conducted by geographic information systems (GIS) to determine the geographical distribution of Covid-19 in 60 days. Study design: A cross-sectional study Methods: This study was conducted in counties covered by Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, namely Shahroud and Mayami, from February 20, 2020 to April 18, 2020. The GIS can better show the spread of epidemics. This software indicates geographical distribution of disease spread and is very helpful in controlling the epidemics. Therefore, maps of spatial distribution and risk of infection to COVID-19 were prepared in different regions of Shahroud county using Arc-GIS software to better implement health policies. Results: During this sixty-day period, 529 confirmed cases were detected, of which 51% were men and the average age was 55 years. The maps showed high-risk to risk-free regions. Shahroud and Bastam cities were known as the coronavirus hot spots. The eastern region of Shahroud has the highest number of cases but some high risk areas are spread throughout the Shahroud city due to high infectivity of virus. Risk-based time maps indicated a reduction in the risk of infection at the end of the research period due to some mitigation and suppression strategies. Conclusions: Shahroud and Bastam are the most dangerous cities that, the number of patients and dissemination has decreased over time because of tracking definite patients and people in contact with them and implementation of preventive care.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has a growing presence in society's daily lives. These lightweight devices can be easily deployed and maintained, enabling extensive adoption in different environments. Furthermore, one of the most promising areas for using IoT devices is healthcare, comprising devices referred to as the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). Several examples of healthcare services are supported by IoMT devices, e.g., continuous health monitoring. Conversely, there is an increasing concern with the cybersecurity aspects of these devices, and several attacks against IoT infrastructures have been launched in the past few years. These cybersecurity concerns also apply to healthcare applications, where the tradeoff between the benefits and security of IoMT devices must be observed. Given the complexity and amount of data IoMT network traffic generates, advanced methods become especially useful in these environments. Although Machine Learning (ML) brings various techniques and solutions to improve cyberattack detection, prevention, and mitigation, essential features are not addressed in the current state-of-the-art benchmark dataset contributions. Thereupon, the main goal of this research is to propose a realistic benchmark dataset to enable the development and evaluation of IoMT security solutions. In order to accomplish this, 18 attacks were executed against an IoMT testbed composed of 40 IoMT devices (25 real devices and 15 simulated devices), considering the plurality of protocols used in healthcare (e.g., Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Bluetooth). These attacks are categorized into five classes: DDoS, DoS, Recon, MQTT, and spoofing. This effort aims to establish a baseline complementary to the state-of-the-art contributions. The outcome supports researchers in investigating and developing new solutions to make healthcare systems more secure using different mechanisms (e.g., machine learning - ML). This research goes beyond merely conducting attacks on IoMT devices. We also attempt to capture the lifecycle of these devices in different vital phases, from the moment they join the network until they leave, which is called profiling. Profiling allows the different classifiers to identify anomalies of each device individually in the healthcare network. The CICIoMT2024 dataset has been published on CIC's dataset page, making it available for other researchers to use.

Logistics Engineering has transcended over the decades into an approach for competitive benefits in organisational performance and logistics efficiency. Most industries are recognising that significant savings are available to companies that are able to ordinate and improve within their logistics operations. Companies today face great challenges because the successful supply of many products and services needs to the effective integration of logistics activities across a prolongation supply chain and an increasing geographical separation. Moreover, logistics integration approach involves both internal integration for an ordinated, unified process as well as relationships to react flexibly, changeability, and responsibility to customer's demands. In this study, by using of Fuzzy Vikor (F-Vikor), the best combination of RIR was selected and RIR Locating was done. The main aim of this paper is survey and design of the integrated operational logistics network (IOLN) and also, a proposed IOLN to integration of the Iran Khodro Co Supply Network.

The article reviews Iranian sports in three periods: prehistoric, ancient, and modern. In prehistoric times, remaining cases have shown the existence of movement activities based on recreational and religious ceremonies. In the period of ancient history, documents such as Hasanlu Golden Cup and Arjan Cup, and in the continuation of architectures leftover from different eras, refer to the prosperity of sports activities with different approaches. Among all kinds of activities, Iranian zoorkhaneh sport has a significant cultural background and effect. Modern sports entered Iran through embassies, oil contractors, Western-educated students, and military representatives in other countries (in the modern era). Iran became a member of the International Olympic Committee in 1947 and won its first Olympic medal in 1948. Entering the 21st century, the sports industry in Iran began to grow and the number of clubs, sports careers, and sports science students in universities increased significantly. The growing dimension of attention and interest in sports among Iranians shows that sports will be one of the main areas in Iran's development in the future.

In this paper, we investigate the role of sanctions in the relationship between macroeconomic determinants and foreign direct investment inflows. We also investigate the moderating role of sanctions in FDI inflows into Iran. The empirical results reveal that macro determinants such as infrastructure, exchange rate, inflation rate, investment return, and governance have a long-run impact on FDI inflows in Iran. Our findings also show that GDP growth rate and trade openness have no significant effect on FDI. Our results indicate that sanctions do not have a significant moderating role in the relationship between macroeconomic factors and foreign direct investment. Surprisingly, international sanctions have a positive relationship with FDI inflows in Iran. Furthermore, sanction has a positive impact on the inflation rate and exchange rate in Iran. Finally, our findings show that sanctions have had a significant impact on Iran's economic growth in recent years due to increasing the severity level of sanctions.

Aim: The purpose of this examination is determining predictors to oral health behaviors predict in Iranian students in district 1 Tehran based on the health belief model with added commitment to plan construct. Methods: This cross-sectional study were randomly selected conducted on 351 eligible four grade female students in the first district of Tehran, Iran in 2017. The random Multi‑stage random cluster sampling method was used to recruit students. The inclusion criteria were being graded, four female students (aged 9-11 years), or education at the fourth grade of one of the elementary schools studied in the first district of Tehran and, The health of the student from a physical and psychological of view. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the variables that predict oral health behaviors. To assess the predictors of oral health behaviors, all the expanded Health Belief Model constructs with the construct of “Commitment to Plan of Action” from “Health Promotion Model were examined as risk factors to see if they influence on the probability of brushing behavior and dental floss behavior occurrence and were interpreted through odds ratio (OR). SPSS version 19 was used to analyze the data. Results: Totally 308 four grade female students with mean age of 9.32 ± 0.81 years old took part in the study. The total 31.8% of the students reported that they were brushing behavior less than twice a day and 55.2% students claimed, use of dental floss behavior once a week or less than once a day. The results indicated that perceived self-efficacy (OR=1.46, 95% CI=0.57-3.78, P<0.001), Commitment to plan (OR=1.13, 95% CI=1.04-1.23, P<0.001) and Cues to action (OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.14–1.76, P=0.002) were the significant predicting variables which is the key factor of brushing twice a day, and use of dental floss once a day or more (OR=1.02, 95% CI=0.23-3.53, P=0.003). Conclusion: This study has shown the effectiveness of the health belief model with added commitment to plan construct to predict oral health behavior in female students. So, it seems that the model as a framework for designing training programs to improve students to improve oral health behavior can be used.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the SF-36 health survey (SF-36) in a sample of subjects with physical disabilities. Material and Methods: 305 patients recruited using the convenient sampling method from September 2019 to March 2020 in Kermanshah, Iran. Another similar 300 patients were selected to assess the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The Cronbach’s α ranged from 0.70 to 0.93, and intra-class correlation coefficients from 0.71 to 0.88; and with the no ceiling and floor effect for two main subscales. Convergent validity was supported by moderate to good correlation between SF-36 subscales and Moorong self-efficacy subscales (r= 0.25- 0.53). The SF-36 divergently validated with HADS total score and subscales (r= -0.24- -0.65), concurrently validated with its subscales (r=0.49- 0.88), and physically discriminated between persons with different level of disability (t-test: p<0.001). Factorial analysis identified seven factors, confirmed with second-order in another 300 samples (chi-square (χ2/df) = 2.61(p < .001); RMSEA = 0.07 (90% CI = 0.07–0.08); AGFI=0.75; GFI = 0.78; CFI= 0.85; and NFI = 0.78). Conclusions: the SF-36 is a reliable and valid tool in physical disables. However, SF-36 shows insufficient eight-factor validity. Future studies should focus on evaluating other psychometric properties, such as sensitivity to change in subjects with physical disabilities.

Background: Tropheryma whipplei is the causative pathogen of Whipple’s disease and other acute and chronic manifestations. Children have been identified as reservoirs of this bacterium especially in low-middle income countries. No information is currently available on the dissemination of T. whipplei in Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of T. whipplei in children with immunodeficiency. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from July 2018 to February 2019 in Qom province (central Iran). Stool samples were collected from immuno-compromised children. T. whipplei was tested by SYBR Green and Taq-Man Real-time PCR assays. For confirmation, sequencing of the isolated bacteria was done. Results: One hundred and 30 children with a mean age of 56.7 months were enrolled. Acute lymphocytic leukemia was the most reported immunodeficient disease (77%), followed by non-Hodgkin lymphoma and retinoblastoma. The majority of the children were undergoing chemotherapy during the study. Thirteen (10%) children had T. whipplei DNA in the collected stools. Sequencing results confirmed T. whipplei identification in all the cases. Eight out of 70 (11.4%) children under 5 years old resulted positive. Conclusion: This is the first study showing the circulation of T. whipplei among immunocompromised children in Iran. More epidemiological studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence of this pathogen in different risk groups in Iran and to increase the knowledge of its rare clinical manifestations.

For water-stressed regions like Iran improving the effectiveness and productivity of agricultural water-use is of utmost importance due to climate change and unsustainable demands. Therefore, a hydro-economic model has been developed here for the Zarrine River Basin with the central concept of that demands are value-sensitive functions, where quantities of water-uses at different locations and times have a changeable economic benefits. To do this, the potential crop yields and the surface and groundwater resources, especially Boukan Dam inflow are simulated using the hydrologic model, SWAT, based on predicted climatic scenarios i.e. quantile mapping-downscaled projections. Then, to allocate the agricultural water based on the agro- economic crop water productivity (AEWP) of crops, a basin-wide water management tool, MODSIM, is customized. Next, a simulation- optimization model has been developed using a coupled CSPSO-MODSIM, to optimize the total AEWP, considering climatic impact and crop pattern scenarios, for 2020-2038, 2050-2068 and 2080-2098 periods. Finally, the optimum crop pattern and crop water irrigation depths are presented for different RCPs and periods. The results indicated that this approach will improve considerably the AEWPs and decrease the agricultural water-use up to 40%. Thus, this integrated model is able to support water authorities and other stakeholder in a water-scarce basin, as is the study area.

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as an autoimmune disease and a chronic inflammatory condition, inducing a wide variety of mood affective disorders, including depression and feelings of hopelessness in many aspects of patients’ quality of life (QoL). In view of the positive side effects of spirituality and spiritual care on finding appropriate strategies for further adaptation, this study aimed to determine the impact of group spiritual care (GSC) on levels of hope in patients suffering from MS. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on a total number of 96 patients with MS, referring to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) in the city of Zahedan, Iran. Following sample selection via the convenience sampling technique, the patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomized into two groups, i.e., intervention and control. The data collection tools for this purpose included a demographic information form and the Adult Hope Scale (AHS, Snyder et al. 1991), completed by the subjects at the pre- and post-intervention stages. As well, the intervention group received five sessions of GSC during three weeks but the control group members only talked over daily issues along with their mental health problems. The data were also analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software (ver. 14). Results: The Kruskal-Wallis test results revealed that the GSC intervention could have a significant positive effect on raising hope in the patients with MS (p<0.001). Moreover, a significant growth was observed in the scores of hope dimensions including agency and pathway (p<0.001). Conclusion: GSC can effectively boost levels of hope in patients suffering from MS in all dimensions. Therefore, it is recommended to utilize this type of care in order to nurture hope in such individuals.

Background: Prostate cancer is a complex condition, in which both genetic and environmental factors concomitantly contribute to the tumor initiation and progression. Recently, HOXB13 has been proposed as a susceptibility gene for prostate cancer. Objective: So the current study was conducted to test the existence of potential variations in HOXB13 gene in Iranian men with prostate cancer (PCa) compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cases. Methods: The HOXB13 genetic status was screened in 51 samples, including 21 blood and tissue of PCa cases compared to 30 cases affected by BPH using PCR/sequencing. Then potential association between genomic DNA alterations in blood and tissue PCa specimens was investigated Results: Analysis of BPH tissues showed single nucleotide variations c.366C > T (rs) or c.513T > C (rs9900627) in exon 1, but not in exon 2. Evaluation of PCa tissues revealed two cases with both synonymous c.366C > T and c.513T > C variants and two cases with the synonymous c.366C > T variant in exon 1. The variants c.366C > T and c.513T > C simultaneously or separately were found blood samples of PCa patients. The novel variant c.127A > G in the exon 2 was detected in 1 PCa blood sample. Our analysis indicated a significant reciprocal correlation between HOXB13 mutation in tissue and blood in PCa cases (P=0.02). Conclusion: The variants in exon 2 of HOXB13 may influence the risk of prostate cancer. Also, evaluation of HOXB13 mutation may be considered as a novel marker for screening of PCa. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate the clinical significance of HOXB13 in Iranian population.

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has significantly contributed to the recent pandemic control. COVID-19 vaccines are available with different platforms and the primary clinical trials results presented acceptable safety profile of the approved vaccines. Nevertheless, the long-term assessment of the adverse events or rare conditions need to be investigated. The present systematic review, aimed at classification of Iranian case reports following COVID-19 immunization. To achieve this goal, the related published case reports were explored via PubMed, Web of Science and Google scholar according to PRISMA guideline and available up to 14th Dec, 2022. Out of 437 explored studies, the relevant data were fully investigated which totally led to 40 studies including 64 case reports with a new onset of a problem. The cases were then classified according to the various items such as the type of adverse event manifestations and COVID-19 vaccine. The reported COVID-19 vaccines in the studied cases included Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, and COVAXIN. The results showed that the adverse events presented in 8 different categories from which cutaneous problems accounted as the most prevalent manifestations (43.7%) in which rare diseases were also screened such as Steven-Johnson syndrome, Morphea and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Notably, almost 60% of the cases had no comorbidities. Moreover, the obtained data revealed nearly half of the incidences occurred after the first dose of injection and the mean duration of improvement after the symptom onset was 18.72±24.69 days. 73% of all the cases were either significantly improved or fully recovered. Although the advantages of COVID-19 vaccination is undoubtedly significant, the high risk individuals including those with a history of serious disease or comorbidities immunodeficiency conditions should be vaccinated with the utmost caution.

There are frequently interactions between active folds and major rivers (mean annual water discharges > 70 m³s^-1). The major river may incise across the fold, to produce a water gap across the fold, or a bevelling (or lateral planation) of the top of the fold. Alternatively, the major river may be defeated to produce a diversion of the river around the fold, with wind gaps forming across the fold in some cases, or ponding of the river behind the fold. Why a river incises or diverts is often unclear, though influential characteristics and processes have been identified. A new scheme for investigating fold-river interactions has been devised, involving a short description of the major river, climate, and structural geology, and 13 characteristics of river and fold geomorphology: 1) Channel width at location of fold axis, w, 2) Channel-belt width at location of fold axis, cbw, 3) Floodplain width at location of fold axis, fpw, 4) Channel sinuosity, Sc, 5) Braiding index, BI, 6) General river course direction, RCD, 7) Distance from fold core to location of river crossing, C-RC, 8) Distance from fold core to river basin margin, C-BM, 9) Width of geological structure at location of river crossing, Wgs, 10) Estimate of erosion resistance of surface sediments/rocks and deeper sediments/rocks in fold, ERs, ERd, 11) Channel water surface slope at location of fold axis, s, 12) Average channel migration rate, Rm, 13) Estimate of fold total uplift rate, TUR. The first 10 geomorphological characteristics should be readily determinable for nearly all major rivers using widely available satellite imagery and fine scale geological maps. The last 3 characteristics should be determinable for most major rivers where other data sources are available. This study demonstrates the methodology of this scheme, using the example of the major rivers Karun and Dez interacting with active folds in the foreland basin tectonic setting of lowland south-west Iran. For the rivers Karun and Dez (mean annual water discharges 575 m³s^-1 and 230 m³s^-1, respectively), it was found that geomorphological characteristics Nos. 2, 3 and 7 had statistically significant differences (p-value ≤ 0.05) between the categories of river incision across a fold and river diversion around a fold. For river incision, at the fold axis, channel-belt width was always < 2.7 km, and floodplain width was generally (80 % of cases) < 5.7 km; whereas for river diversion, at the projection of the fold axis, these two characteristics had a wide range of values. For river incision, the distance from the fold core to the location where the river channel crossed the fold axis, was generally (80 % of cases) ≤ 8.5 km; whereas for river diversion, this distance was always > 22 km. Since it is highly likely that different characteristics will be important for other major rivers interacting with other folds, it is recommended that this scheme is now used to investigate a variety of major rivers from across the globe. By comparing the same parameters for different major rivers, a better understanding of fold-river interactions should be achieved.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the common causes of death worldwide. Although the incidence rate of lung cancer in Western countries is decreasing, it presents a growing trend in developed countries. Since there is no accurate enough information about the epidemiological and Histopathologic features of lung cancer in central Iran, Isfahan, we were motivated to conduct this research. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out in central Iran, Isfahan. All demographic, histopathological and clinical data of the lung cancer patients registered in MACSA, a referral charity-based cancer center in central Iran, was analyzed within 2012-2018 using SPSS v.22 software. Results: Altogether 260 patients with lung cancer were included in this study from 6127 cancer patients registered within 2012-2018 (4.2%). Out of them, 66.2% were men, and 18.8 % of the patients were alive at the time of the study. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 61.56 (SD=14.11, range: 9-93). Altogether, 63.1% of patients had metastasis of whom 57.6% were in stage IV at diagnosis. The Frequency of different types of lung cancer was 36.9% adenocarcinomas, 14.2% squamous cell carcinoma, 9.6% bronchogenic carcinoma and 8.1% small cell lung cancer, respectively. Altogether, 128 cases were smokers with an average 35.45 ± 14 pack- years. Only in 36.2% of the patients, the diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers had been checked, and CK7 was positive in 88.9% of the cases in which the biomarker had been checked. Conclusion: Despite to similar Iranian studies, the most common histopathologic type of lung cancer among the patients was adenocarcinoma that it may be attributed to the lower consumption of smoking in our population and their different genetic context. Molecular biomarkers had been checked in a small portion of the patients. More education of the clinicians along with the development of cancer molecular testing may lead to promote the personalized-based approach.

Evaporation from surface water plays a key role in water accounting of basins, water resources management, and irrigation systems management, so simulating evaporation with high accuracy is very important. In this study, two methods for simulating pan evaporation under different climatic conditions in Iran were developed. In the first method, six experimental relationships (linear, quadratic, and cubic, with two input combinations) were determined for Iran’s six climate types, inspired by a multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP-NN) neuron and optimized with the genetic algorithm. The best relationship of the six was selected for each climate type, and the results were presented in a three-dimensional graph. In the second method, the best overall relationship obtained in the first method was used as the basic relationship, and climatic correction coefficients were determined for other climate types using the genetic algorithm optimization model. Finally, the accuracy of the two methods was validated using data from 32 synoptic weather stations throughout Iran. For the first method, error tolerance diagrams and statistical coefficients showed that a quadratic experimental relationship performed best under all climatic conditions. To simplify the method, two graphs were created based on the quadratic relationship for the different climate types, with the axes of the graphs showing relative humidity and temperature, and with pan evaporation was drawn as contours. For the second method, the quadratic relationship for semi-dry conditions was selected as the basic relationship. The estimated climatic correction coefficients for other climate types lay between 0.8 and 1 for dry, semi-dry, semi-humid, Mediterranean climates, and between 0.4 and 0.6 for humid and very humid climates, indicating that one single relationship cannot be used to simulate pan evaporation for all climatic conditions in Iran. The validation results confirmed the accuracy of the two methods in simulating pan evaporation under different climatic conditions in Iran.

Cotton is the most ubiquitous and profitable fiber with diverse industrial and domestic applications. Grown in over 100 countries, it has a global market value of about $40 billion and employs over 350 million people from fields to textile mills, contributing about 7% of total labor-force recruitment in developing economies. Cotton has an indeterminate growth habit and an extensive tap root system affected by soil physicochemical and environmental conditions. There is a consensus among experts that conventional cotton cultivation still has a long way to attain sustainability, which is essential if cotton will maintain its competitive edge over other natural and synthetic fibers like hemp, polyesters, and rayon. Despite several efforts already committed to growing cotton sustainably, sustainability has eluded cotton cultivation globally because of the intense farm inputs (freshwater, pesticides, and heavy-duty equipment) needs, especially in developing economies. Some of the technological advancements towards achieving the goal of sustainable cotton cultivation include the development of new varieties, improved irrigation and mulching and precision agriculture techniques, application of remote sensing and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) combined with image processing, and the introduction of autonomous and multi-purpose robotic platforms for growing and harvesting cotton. This review attempts to evaluate the successes already achieved by stakeholders in moving cotton towards sustainable production and identify areas where efforts are still needed to reach sustainable production and improved profitability goals for cotton with projections for future research directions.

Cooperative learning (CL) is a teaching and learning pedagogy that has been used widely in school but there is limited information on instructors’ perceptions of CL nor observations of how CL is implemented in higher education settings. In this study, we investigated the ad-vantages and challenges of embedding CL into instructors’ teaching in Iran and Australia. Data were collected through interview and observation. Results showed that despite challenges such as the lack of familiarity of CL and how it can be implemented in university curricula, issues associated with assessment, and time constraints, CL created an interactive, pleasant and safe environment for deep learning in both countries. The findings showed that there were challenges in Iran such as a tendency to use traditional approaches to teaching, insufficient understanding of how to establish teamwork, and a lack of up-to-date teaching resources. In Australia, changing courses, working with external students, catering for individual differences, and building positive relationships were some of the challenges of implementing CL. We believe that these challenges can be overcome if university instructors are prepared to address them.

Phylogeny construction can help to reveal evolutionary relatedness among molecular sequences. The spike (S) gene of SARS-CoV-2 is the subject of an immune selective pressure which increases the variability in such region. This study aimed to identify mutations in the S gene among SARS-CoV-2 sequences collected in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), focusing on the D614G mutation, that has a presumed fitness advantage. Another aim was to analyze the S gene sequences phylogenetically. The SARS-CoV-2 S gene sequences collected in the MENA were retrieved from the GISAID public database, together with its metadata. Mutation analysis was conducted in Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis software. Phylogenetic analysis was done using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian methods. A total of 553 MENA sequences were analyzed and the most frequent S gene mutations included: D614G=435, Q677H=8, and V6F=5. A significant increase in the proportion of D614G was noticed from (63.0%) in February 2020, to (98.5%) in June 2020 (p<0.001). Two large phylogenetic clusters were identified via ML analysis, which showed an evidence of inter-country mixing of sequences, which dated back to February 8, 2020 and March 15, 2020 (median estimates). The mean evolutionary rate for SARS-CoV-2 was about 6.5 × 10^-3 substitutions/site/year based on large clusters’ Bayesian analyses. The D614G mutation appeared to be taking over the COVID-19 infections in the MENA. Bayesian analysis suggested that SARS-CoV-2 might have been circulating in MENA earlier than previously reported.

Buildings use 30-40 % of all energy resources and are thus their main consumers in modern society. Moreover, buildings require a vast amount of different raw materials. During the last two decades, several green building certifications have been created in order to consider social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainability of buildings. One of the most famous and widely used of these certifications is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). So far, the use of LEED has concentrated in the US and other developed countries. One reason that restricts the use of this point-based system certification in developing countries is the limited data about its costs. In this study, the extra cost of the certification process will be evaluated besides the changes needed in the design of the building to reach the points required by LEED. At the first stage, the number of points the case study earns in its current format (Scenario 1) were found out, then the cost difference of getting either the Certified (Scenario 2) or Silver (Scenario 3) level LEED certification for the building was studied. It was found that besides some technical considerations, filling the criteria of the Certified and Silver level increases the total costs of construction by 3.4% and 5.9%. Further improvement of the building’s energy efficiency would enable the attainment of a higher-level certification. The results of the study could help to promote the use of green building certifications in Western Asia.

Accurate demand forecasting plays a critical role in most furniture businesses’ operational, tactical, and strategic decisions, as the demand in the furniture business is considered seasonal and becomes more complex in crises. In this work, a neural network model using the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) method was developed to forecast the demand for specific product groups. LSTM is a leading deep learning model for time series prediction, particularly seasonal, multi-item, and non-linear situations. The developed model was used to predict the demand based on old data before the Covid-19 pandemic and recent data of the first months of the pandemic as a fast response to the crisis. In addition, a comparison study was conducted between the developed model and the traditional planning inventory used by furniture businesses that provided us with the data. The results showed that the Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted demand forecasting. Also, the fast response to Covid-19 pandemic has slightly increased the model performance. Finally, the comparison study demonstrated that our model is robust and better than the traditional demand forecasting method. Therefore, the developed model may help the business improve inventory and production planning to create a more flexible supply chain.

This study uses the social impact theory to analyse consumer behaviour amidst Covid-19. Fear of scarcity has changed consumer buying behaviour in crisis times such as the now abating global health crisis – i.e., Covid-19. The study asserts that the existing five-stage model of consumer purchasing decisions does not fit neatly in turbulent times. It proposes a shortened four-stage process of need recognition, purchase, ownership and satisfaction as a better and more adaptable fit. Cutting out information search and evaluation of alternatives in the old model, and replacing these with ownership, is where the main contribution of the study lies. The study has implications for managing the marketing mix as we know it. It asserts that not all the 4Ps of the marketing mix are important in crisis times.

The evolutionary theory of aging, particularly antagonistic pleiotropy (AP), provides an account of the ultimate origins of aging. What remains unclear is the nature of the proximate mechanisms by which AP gives rise to diseases of aging, like cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Damage-centric theories focusing on loss of genetic and cellular function have been proposed, as well as programmatic theories focusing on unwanted gene and cellular function. The latter include the hyperfunction and developmental theory that view aging as the futile continuation, or run-on, of growth and developmental programmes into later life. Yet neither type of theory has performed well in explaining late-life disease aetiology, particularly with respect to disease onset, presentation and progression. What is proposed here in this review is a new programmatic theory of aging. We argue that the emergence of many specific diseases may involve quasi-programmes that are not the result of run-on, but rather are triggered by other factors in late life. Such triggers may be non-programmatic (e.g. infection, mechanical injury) or programmatic. Moreover, the consequent pre-pathological and pathological changes may in some cases trigger further changes, leading to futile and destructive cascades of quasi-programmes and pathology. The origins of triggered quasi-programmes can be traced to biological constraint i.e. the inability of organisms to optimise all functions at once. And, to some extent, the new theory presented here revises the understanding of AP. That is, because any gene can be triggered in an erroneous manner, every gene is potentially an AP gene that risks pathology, though level of risk varies according to constraint. To help validate the theory, we test it against several complex diseases of aging. The new model in this review attempts to provide a blueprint understanding that, to a certain extent, closes the gap in the causal chain of events between evolutionary causes of aging and the aetiology of age-related diseases. It also helps to explain why certain disorders mimic accelerated aging and how interventions, such as the suppression of IIS and mTOR retard many aspects of aging; notably, though, unlike prior programmatic theories, the new theory is not mTOR-centric. Finally, it provides new perspectives on possible treatment of aging.

This document serves as supplemental information to Shapero et al. (2023), which is itself a comment on Nowell et al. (2022). Environmental Health Perspective’s publishing standards for article comments have strict word counts and do not allow the addition of new primary data analyses; therefore, this document provides an additional level of detail and supporting analyses that serve as an important backup to and expansion of Shapero et al. (2023) and that also respond to some comments within the author’s reply to our comments (Holmes and Nowell, 2023). Nowell et al. (2022) evaluated potential PM_2.5 community impacts from sugarcane harvesting. However, their analysis is flawed by erroneous assumptions and misapplied technical approaches, as discussed in Shapero et al. (2023) and as detailed in this supplemental information document. Additionally, the authors ended their analysis with 2018 data, but later data shows no marginal increase in PM_2.5 during sugarcane harvest following 2019 even using the authors’ approach (Holmes and Nowell, 2023). Therefore, the authors’ evaluations have no relevance to current conditions. Nonetheless, even their evaluation and conclusions regarding PM_2.5 concentrations purportedly attributable to sugarcane harvesting prior to 2019 are unsupported and technically unsound as detailed below.

Background: Active ageing is a multidimensional, relative, and context-dependent concept with different paths and outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore personal active ageing strategies in a specific context. Method: Following a directed content analyze procedure, we conduct semi structured individual interview with 39 elder (men and women) between the ages of 60-97 years that selected with purposeful sampling .data collection and analysis were concurrent. We analyzed the data from interviews, written narratives, and field notes using directed content analyze. The Reliability of data was fulfilled in accordance Lincoln and Guba criteria. We stopped data collection when no new concept was added and data saturation occurred. Results: Based on the experience of elders, we identified 5 categories: 1) Preventive 2) Coping 3) Internal self-control 4) Coherence maintenance strategies 5) Opportunity exploiting strategies. These described the active ageing strategies when encountering with age related change. Utilizing these strategies, the elder accompanied the life time. Conclusion: The finding suggests that active ageing is a continuous process in confronting age related change. The identified strategies can help to promote active ageing by familiarizing older with opportunities of life and training them in how to use these strategies.

background: The Islamic Republic of Iran has been under sanctions since 1979. These sanctions were further reinforced between the years 2005 and 2012. This study utilizes available data from Iran post-sanctions to review the impact of economic sanctions on both the mental health and the quality of life of Iranian citizens.Methods: A comprehensive scoping review was conducted to identify studies examining the impact of sanctions on health in Iran. Searches were initiated in 2012 using PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Scientific Information Database (Iranian Database) with keywords such as sanctions, implications, mental health, quality of life, civilian mental health, and Iran. Subsequent to the screening process, secondary reports and letters to the editor were excluded. Only original studies—those collecting data via observation, interviews, surveys, experiments, or literature reviews—were retained for analysis. In addition to these search strategies, reference scanning was undertaken to identify additional articles pertinent to the scope of the current study. This thorough approach facilitated the discovery of relevant and significant articles exploring the effects of sanctions against Iran on the mental health and overall well-being of its civilian population. Following the search, duplicate articles were meticulously identified and removed by the authors. Data were subsequently extracted and summarized, focusing on study characteristics and the observed effects of sanctions on civilian mental health and quality of life in Iran.Result: Out of 165 items identified in the preliminary search, ten articles met the inclusion criteria. These selected articles highlighted the pronounced effects of sanctions on various health-related domains.Conclusion: Since 2012, Iran has been subject to intensified sanctions. There is evidence to suggest that the economic sanctions, imposed by Western nations, and have exerted a negative and detrimental impact on the health of individual Iranians.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a large group of developing contaminants, have recently become the subject of increased concern due to their potentially hazardous effects. They are classified as poisonous substances that can be found in a variety of aquatic situations. The widespread usage of PFAS across numerous industries has resulted in a high environmental and biological accumulation of the substance. Identification and elimination of PFAS from the environment is crucial since they are tenacious and have the potential to cause cancer. Traditional methods of PFAS content assessment, while useful in some cases, are often inadequate for continuing environmental control and monitoring. Within academia, there is a noticeable desire for rapid, cost-effective, durable, and readily transportable techniques targeted at detecting PFAS compounds in field settings. As a result, environmental labs and other governmental and non-governmental bodies may start testing more often as mandated by legislation. PFAS-detecting sensors, which offer an innovative solution that can be applied in situ and is affordable and simple to use, have emerged as a promising method for assessment based on the existing research. In addition, it may give administrators and users of water worldwide useful information they can use. This article provides a thorough summary of recent developments, limitations, and performance considerations in PFAS detection sensors. The Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method has also been covered because of its excellent sensitivity and specificity for detecting pollutants, making it a potential solution for sensing PFAS. Intelligent sensing systems for PFAS detection should benefit from this research.

Based on the theory that certain geological fault zones surpass the influence of other abiotic and biotic site factors for mound-building red wood ants (Formica rufa group), an area northwest of Tuttlingen with extremely high ant density was systematically surveyed, taking into account official geological maps. Indicators of active fault zones were recorded. These were additionally examined in a model area using a high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM 1-meter). The study area is located in the Swabian Jura at the western edge of the Albstadt shear zone, where recent seismic activity is documented by frequent earthquakes. The earthquakes are considered to be the cause of gas permeability in the strike-slip faults, around which the clustered nesting sites were mapped. More than 2900 nests of the Formica rufa group were mapped and their site conditions analysed in different geomorphological positions. In addition to recording forestry site conditions, a geological classification was carried out, as well as an analysis of soil gases/mofettes in areas with the highest nest densities. The correlation between forestry data and nest sites did not reveal a consistent pattern. In contrast, the relationships with gas-permeable strike-slip faults, though predominantly covered with Quaternary sediments, could be identified through CO₂- and CH₄-rich gas emissions, mofettes, and doline features. The interpretations were complicated due to different mapping ages and signatures of the geological maps. Fortunately, this issue could be analysed and evaluated in a sub-area with mappings from 1936/71 and 1995 regarding presumed or confirmed fault trajectories. New insights were gained regarding the relationships between Formica nest sites, gas-permeable faults, and groundwater levels on narrow mountain ridges with steep relief. Here, the lateral emission of CO₂ depends on the groundwater level and does not occur vertically directly above the fault. C- and H-isotope data of CO₂ and CH₄ do not show a consistent source. While methane is mainly derived from biological production by Archaea in the upper crust and in swamp areas, CO₂ mostly originates from the mantle. The results of the investigations revealed that a multitude of geological and ecological factors must be considered for the interpretation of the occurrences of Formica sites northwest of Tuttlingen. These factors confer a distinct originality to this region, contributing not only to an enhanced understanding of site conditions but also furnishing information regarding environmentally relevant gas emissions.

Gene therapy is becoming increasingly prevalent, with new gene therapy medicinal products (GTMPs) being approved for use every year. Hospital pharmacists are expected to prepare and dispense these products, but there is substantial heterogeneity in the availability of up-to-date, practical guidance at a national level in Europe. Many institutions have no or very limited experience in handling GTMPs. As such, there is a need for updated, practical guidance to aid hospital pharmacy teams in developing institutional standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the safe handling of GTMPs across the entire workflow. Here, we present the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists’ updated guidance on the handling of GTMPs, developed by a team of recognised experts from around Europe. Each aspect of the GTMP handling process is addressed, including receipt and storage, dispensing and reconstitution, transportation, administration, waste disposal, decontamination of spills and accidental exposure. A series of charts are provided to aid the development of practical workflows. This guidance document is intended as a framework to help develop institutional SOPs and should always be used in conjunction with local regulations.

The rapid evolution of information and communication technologies, notably the Internet, has yielded substantial benefits while posing challenges to information system security. With an increasing frequency of cyber threats—from unauthorized access to data breaches—the digital landscape's vulnerability is evident. Addressing the financial impact of cybercrime, this study delves into the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies in cybersecurity. Analyzing advancements and outcomes, the research explores practical techniques for anomaly detection, threat prediction, and automated response. By investigating prior research and real-world implementations, the study provides valuable insights into the potential of AI/ML, uncovering current trends, challenges, and prospects in enhancing cybersecurity tactics amid a dynamically changing threat landscape.

The Yellow-legged Hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) (YLH) is an invasive insect that arrived in Europe in 2004 and is now spread across nine countries. It is a threat to the native entomofauna and harmful to beekeeping and agriculture, as it is a ravenous predator of the European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and other pollinating species. Its expansion has been unstoppable and all resources are needed to fight against it, including native vertebrate predators. Among these, the European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) (EBE) is a potential one, but little is known about its predation on YLH. In a study carried out in Portugal, remains of YHL were detected in EBE nesting sites, which to the best of our knowledge is the first such report. This means that this bird could be one more agent in the biological control of this pest (although research on predation intensity is still needed), in conjunction with other natural predators and other strategies. In the Iberian Peninsula both species are allopatric in vast regions, so the role of EBE may be more limited. However, in the rest of Europe, at a country or continent scale, the scenario may be different and sympatry may occur to a greater extent.

The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) worldwide is a cause for global concern. Recent evidence suggests that the interaction between one’s diet and the gut microbiome are key modifiers of diabetes, highlighting the potential role of microbiome-modulating nutraceuticals. This bibliometric analysis examines literature published between 2012 and 2022 to explore trends in the latest research, with additional discussion on major takeaways and future directions. We selected and analyzed 640 articles from an initial pool of 4,099 from the Web of Science using Microsoft Excel 2016 and VOSviewer software (version 1.6.19). Our exploration covered the most common journals, countries, study designs, experimental subjects, types of DM, organisms and nutraceuticals studied, and the most cited articles. We also evaluated the most cited publications in terms of journals, organizations, and countries, along with the collaborative networks among authors, organizations and countries, and the co-occurrence of author keywords from the selection. It is evident from the increasing number of publications each year that this field has attracted growing attention over the last decade. Nonetheless, continued research is essential to sustain this trend. Our overarching study of diabetes research marks steady progress in understanding the role of—and potentially discovering applications of—microbiome modulation to enhance metabolic pathways and health outcomes. Advancements in this field may lead to potential therapeutic applications for specific diets and nutraceuticals that modulate the gut microbiota in DM.

This article describes a novel topical composition constituted by gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and microbial chondroitin sulfate. This composition exhibits potential for non-invasive intervention in anxiety management, sleep quality enhancement, and promotion of brain-related functions like meditation and nonlocal consciousness. The core component comprises GABA, a key inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system, complexed with a suitable carrier molecule, microbial chondroitin sulfate. This complexation aims to enhance transdermal absorption and optimize delivery of GABA to target tissues. The proposed mechanism of action involves modulation of GABAergic signal transduction pathways. Application of the topical composition allows GABA penetration into the skin and potentially deeper tissues, where it interacts with GABA receptors. This interaction leads to mental calmness and relaxation as assessed by electroencephalography. The influence of GABAergic signaling on brain circuits demonstrated in this article, when associated with meditation and nonlocal consciousness, suggests potential for the composition to support these practices. The advantage of such an approach consists in avoiding the potential systemic side effects associated with oral or injectable administration of GABA, anxiolytics or hypnotics. Furthermore, the combination of GABA and microbial chondroitin sulfate may offer synergistic benefits, potentially enhancing the overall biological effects. In conclusion, this article presents a novel topical approach for managing anxiety, enhancing sleep quality, and potentially facilitating meditation and nonlocal consciousness through modulation of GABAergic signaling pathways. While further research is necessary, the potential for a non-invasive and potentially side-effect-free intervention in these areas is promising.

Background: Renal cancers are among the top ten causes of cancer-specific mortality, of which the ccRCC subtype is responsible for most cases. The grading of ccRCC is important in determining tumour aggressiveness and clinical management. Objectives: The objectives of this research were to predict the WHO/ISUP grade of ccRCC pre-operatively and characterise the heterogeneity of tumour sub-regions using radiomics and ML models, including comparison with pre-operative biopsy-determined grading in a sub-group. Methods: Data were obtained from multiple institutions across two countries, including 391 patients with pathologically proven ccRCC. For analysis, the data were separated into four cohorts. Cohorts 1 and 2 included data from the respective institutions from the two countries, cohort 3 was the combined data from both cohort 1 and 2, and cohort 4 was a subset of cohort 1, for which both the biopsy and subsequent histology from resection (partial or total nephrectomy) were available. 3D image segmentation was carried out to derive a voxel of interest (VOI) mask. Radiomics features were then extracted from the contrast-enhanced images, and the data were normalised. The Pearson correlation coefficient and the XGBoost model were used to reduce the dimensionality of the features. Thereafter, 11 ML algorithms were implemented for the purpose of predicting the ccRCC grade and characterising the heterogeneity of sub-regions in the tumours. Results: For cohort 1, the 50% tumour core and 25% tumour periphery exhibited the best performance, with an average AUC of 77.9% and 78.6%, respectively. The 50% tumour core presented the highest performance in cohorts 2 and 3, with average AUC values of 87.6% and 76.9%, respectively. With the 25% periphery, cohort 4 showed AUC values of 95.0% and 80.0% for grade prediction when using internal and external validation, respectively, while biopsy histology had an AUC of 31.0% for the classification with the final grade of resection histology as a reference standard. The CatBoost classifier was the best for each of the four cohorts with an average AUC of 80.0%, 86.5%, 77.0% and 90.3% for cohorts 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Conclusion: Radiomics signatures combined with ML have the potential to predict the WHO/ISUP grade of ccRCC with superior performance, when compared to pre-operative biopsy. Moreover, tumour sub-regions contain useful information that should be analysed independently when determining the tumour grade. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish the grade of ccRCC pre-operatively to improve patient care and management.

Forage fish are crucial to human nutrition, especially in developing countries. However, in these countries, most forage fish catches are used to make aquafeeds for aquaculture, which leaves only a small quantity for direct human consumption. This practice increases fish prices in local markets and undermines people's nutrition. Overfishing forage fish for industrial purposes harms the ecosystem, reduces the catch of larger fish, and marginalizes local fishermen. Although previous discussions have touched qualitatively on the ethics and injustice of this practice, this article provides quantitative scales to measure the impact of the practice on the finances and forage fish consumption of low-income consumers using reasonable assumptions and literature values. Increasing the annual supply of forage fish by 25% to the 5 million MT of fresh fish markets globally could save consumers several billion US dollars annually. Families could consume a higher percentage of nutritious fish for less money. Furthermore, leaving forage fish in the sea could benefit wildlife and increase the capture of larger fish, such as mackerel, which are in demand in local markets and fished by local fishermen. The unintentional and involuntary contributions of low-income societies to enable the growth of high-value fish and shrimp for affluent societies seem unjust and warrant further investigation.

Promoting organic foods production and consumption contributes to accomplishing United Nations sustainable development goals. Social commerce provides a promising opportunity to develop the organic food industry. However, there is limited knowledge regarding customer behaviors in relation to purchasing organic foods via social commerce platforms. Therefore, this study expanded upon the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT-2) to develop a comprehensive model that explains how customers' social commerce trust and behavioral intentions to purchase organic foods using Instagram social commerce affect their purchasing behaviors. The research model was analyzed by employing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for the data collected from a quantitative survey of 410 customers who used Instagram to purchase organic foods in Iran. The results revealed that facilitated purchasing conditions, hedonic motivations, social influence, rating and reviews, and influencers’ endorsements increase customers' purchase intentions. Moreover, Instagram’s recommendations and referrals, influencers’ endorsements, as well as social influence boost customers' trust in the social commerce platform. Eventually, it was determined that influencers’ endorsements, social commerce trust, and purchase intention determine a customer’s organic foods purchasing behaviors. This research provides valuable insights for organic food marketers to optimize their social commerce strategies.

Build a special identical equation, use its calculation characters to prove and search for solution of any odd converging to 1 equation through (*3+1)/2^k operation, change the operation to (*3+2^m-1)/2^k, and get a solution for this equation, which is exactly same with that got from calculating directly. Then give a specific example to verify. Thus prove the Collatz Conjecture is true. Furthermore, analysis the sequences produced by iteration calculation during the procedure of searching for solution, build a weight function model, prove it decrease progressively to 0, build a complement weight function model, prove it increase to its convergence state. Build a (*3+2^m-1)/2^k odd tree, prove if odd in (*3+2^m-1)/2^k long huge odd sequence can not converge, the sequence must outstep the boundary of the tree after infinite steps of (*3+2^m-1)/2^k operation.

This article examines air sampling as an environmental surveillance strategy for early pathogen detection and offers a preliminary comparison of air and wastewater surveillance. Air sampling involves collecting bioaerosols to analyze the microbial composition of the air, utilizing techniques like PCR and metagenomic sequencing. Air sampling appears especially promising for detecting respiratory pathogens and highly transmissible pandemic agents, as these spread primarily via aerosols and droplets. The article details various air sampling techniques, their efficiency, and practical considerations, categorizing them into filtration, impaction, impingement, electrostatic precipitation, and condensation methods. It also explores the composition of airborne microbes, emphasizing the low concentration of viral nucleic acids and the challenges this poses for metagenomic sequencing. The selection of sampling locations, including indoor environments and airplanes, is discussed as critical for effective pathogen detection. Finally, the article contrasts air and wastewater sampling, concluding that while both methods should ideally be explored as layered defenses, air sampling does not collectively appear more promising than wastewater sampling.

Background/Objectives: Endometriosis represents substantial direct and indirect healthcare costs impacted by absent accurate, non-invasive uniformly diagnostic tools. We endeavored to demonstrate gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity (GIMA) biomarkers unique to endometriosis allow noninvasive, uniformly accurate diagnosis or exclusion of endometriosis. Methods: Prospective open-label comparative study of 154 patients, age &gt;18, with or without diagnosed endometriosis. Population included 62 non-endometriosis controls (Cohort 1), 43 subjects with surgically histologically-confirmed endometriosis (Cohort 2), and 49 subjects with abdominal pain and negative imaging (Cohort 3). Electroviscerography (EVG) recorded GIMA biomarkers from three abdominal electrodes before and 30-minutes post water-load protocol. Cohort 2 had postoperative EVG and Cohort 3 had preoperative EVG. Calculated specificity, sensitivity, NPV, PPV and predictive probability or C-Statistic used univariate, multivariate, linear and logistical regression analyses of the area under the curve (AUC) at all frequency and time points, including age and pain covariants. Results: Non-endometriosis cohort differed significantly from endometriosis cohorts (p&lt;0.001) for median (IQR), and AUC percent frequency distribution of power at baseline, 10-minute, 20-minute, and 30-minute post water-load at all frequency ranges 15-20cpm, 30-40cpm and 40-50cpm. Endometriosis cohorts were statistically similar (p&gt;0.05). GIMA biomarker threshold scoring demonstrated 95%/91% sensitivity and PPV, 96%/95% specificity and NPV and C-statistic of &gt;99%/98% respectively for age subsets. GIMA biomarkers in Cohort 3 predicted 47/49 subjects positive and 2/49 negative for endometriosis, confirmed surgically. Hormonal therapy, surgical stage, nor pain score affected diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions: Non-invasive electroviscerography with GIMA biomarker detection distinguished participants with and without endometriosis based upon endometriosis specific GIMA biomarkers threshold scoring.

Sorghum grain processing can improve the nutritional content by promoting dietary properties that contribute to food security and economic development. The quality, nutritional content, and processing properties of sorghum bicolor grain can greatly affected by the inbred line races and variance in pericarp colour.The current study assessed the influence of the Husking Fraction Time Units (HFTU) process, which employed set time units per second (S), on the variation in the nutritional profile of fifty-one inbred line sorghum varieties based on distinct pericarp colours. When the assessment of the nutritional profile was involved: dry matter, total protein besides, namely mineral (P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, and Mn). The variety groups showed a significance value of (P < 0.05), indicating the study hypothesis's truth.The results demonstrated substantial impacts implied by the Husking Fraction Time Unit (HFTU) technique. This occurrence was noted when the dry matter percentage was increased in the husked products, specifically the endosperm (grits) and bran. The protein percentage redistributed by 19.2% compared to the whole grain and bran content. In comparison, the ratio of N/S was 14:1 in the S. bicolor and 12:1 in the kafirin in the bran part. Moreover, a strong correlation was observed among the examined minerals of S.bicolor and kafirin, such as the correlation between Ca: P, K: Na, and Fe: Zn attributed 80 (S) time unit, with correlation coefficients of R = 0.784 and R = 0.586, R= 517, R= 0.884, R= 0.745, and R = 0.893, respectively. At the same time, the 80 (S) time unit showed a significant effect on the colour property profile.The study results could benefit breeders and nutrition specialists in developing genotypes and processing sorghum grains, promoting research, and aiding several industrial sectors owing to the grain's adaptability and nutritional properties.

Coastal resources in Lian, Batangas, have undergone significant degradation due to a combination of human activities and natural factors, including sea-level rise, changes in sea-surface temperature, fluctuations in rainfall, increased storm frequency, and sedimentation. This has led to adverse effects on key ecosystems such as corals, mangroves, and seagrasses. To assess the extent of climate change hazards on these coastal resources, a Vulnerability Assessment was conducted in the municipality of Lian, Batangas. The assessment employed a combination of the Coastal Integrity Vulnerability Assessment Toolkit (CIVAT) and Integrated Coastal Sensitivity, Exposure, and Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change (ICSEA-C) guidelines. Additionally, the analysis incorporated detailed mapping using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data for mangroves and LandSat 8 imagery for corals and seagrasses. The findings at the municipal scale revealed that a staggering 90% of mangroves in Lian, Batangas, were highly vulnerable. This vulnerability was attributed to a high score in intrinsic characteristics and a low adaptive capacity. Similarly, a majority of seagrasses in the area were classified as medium and highly vulnerable at the municipal level. Only 10–20% of seagrasses received low to medium vulnerability scores. Shockingly, almost 100% of the coral reefs in Lian, Batangas, were deemed highly vulnerable, indicating a critical threat to this crucial marine ecosystem.

Opium smoking for long hours and over many years is common in Iran, and the Covid-19 pan-demic and false beliefs about the protective effects of that opium against COVID-19 infection has caused the increasing of opium smoking during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to in-vestigate the relationship between non-ergonomic positions of traditional opium smoking in Iran with the occurrence of neck pain and disability, forward head posture and hyperkyphosis. In this cross-sectional and correlation study 120 people who smoke opium were selected based on the inclusion criteria and were interviewed about their addiction profile and evaluated for the pres-ence of pain and disability in the neck by Maudsley Addiction Profile, Leeds Dependence Ques-tionnaire, the Visual Analog Scale and Neck Disability Index. Also, they were evaluated about forward head posture (FHP) through side view photography and hyperkyphosis (HK) through flexible ruler. Data were analyzed by correlation coefficient tests and stepwise linear regression. There was a significant relation between homelessness, the duration of lifetime opium smoking (months), the duration of daily opium smoking (minutes) and drug dependence severity with the severity of neck pain, neck disability, forward head posture and hyperkyphosis. Homelessness is the strongest predictive variable of the possibility of neck pain and disability, FHP and HK, fol-lowed by ‘‘the number of months of opium smoking’’ and ‘‘the number of minutes of opium smoking in one day’’ respectively. Increasing the duration of sitting in non-ergonomic positions can lead to neck pain and disability, FHP and HK due to their non-neutral posture in opium smokers.

Background：Increasingly, epidemiological surveys and experimental research findings indicate the involvement of immune cells in the onset and progression of prostate cancer. However, it remains unclear whether the relationship between specific immune cell types and prostate cancer is causal or influenced by bias. Through a two-sample Mendelian randomization design, our study aims to uncover the association between different immune cells and the risk of prostate cancer.Methods：A comprehensive study was conducted to investigate the association between immunophenotypes and prostate cancer risk. The study included a total of 731 immunophenotypes as potential exposure factors and analyzed data from 182,625 individuals of European ancestry from the UK Biobank. A screening of 12,097,504 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed. The main analysis utilized the two-sample Mendelian randomization method with inverse variance weighting (IVW). Additionally, multiple analysis methods were combined, and various tests were conducted to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy.Results：The resulting study showed a causal relationship between a total of 34 immune phenotypes and prostate cancer. Among them, the four immune phenotypes of CD62L- DC AC, CD19 on sw mem, FSC-A on plasmacytoid DC and HLA DR on monocyte simultaneously meet three or more statistical methods, suggesting a significant causal relationship with prostate cancer. Additionally, among the 34 immunophenotypes, CD28-CD8dim AC was shown to be positive in reverse Mendelian randomization. Most of these cell phenotypes have been reported to be potentially associated with prostate cancer.Conclusions：Our study demonstrates a causal link between immune cells and prostate cancer risk. Filled in the possible roles of all current immune cell pathways in the development and progression of prostate cancer. The next step is to verify the content and influencing mechanism of these immune phenotypes in cancer cells and adjacent cells through experiments, so as to provide new ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Alkaloids are the most diversified nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites having antioxi-dant, and antimicrobial properties and are extensively used in pharmaceuticals to treat different types of cancer. Nicotiana serves as a reservoir of anticancer alkaloids and is also used as a model plant for the de novo synthesis of various anti-cancer molecules through genetic engineering. Up to 4% of the total dry weight of Nicotiana was found to be composed of alkaloids where nicotine, nornicotine, anatabine, and anabasine are reported as the dominant alkaloids. And, among the alkaloids present in Nicotiana, β-carboline (Harmane and Norharmane), Kynurenines are found to show anti-tumor effects, especially in the case of colon and breast cancer. Creating new or shunting of existing biosynthesis pathways in different species of Nicotiana resulted in de novo or increased synthesis of different anti-tumor molecules or their derivatives or precursors includ-ing Taxadiane (~22.5 µg/g), Artemisinin (~120 μg/g), Parthenolide (~2.05 ng/g), Costunolide (~60 ng/g), Etoposide (~1 mg/g), Crocin (~400 µg/g), Catharanthine (~60 ng/g), Tabersonine (~10 ng/g), Strictosidine (~0.23 mg/g), etc. Enrich precursor pool especially Dimethylallyl Diphos-phate (DMAPP) and down-regulating of other bi-product pathways, compartmentalization or metabolic shunting, or organelle-specific reconstitution of the precursor pool might trigger the enhanced accumulation of the targeted anticancer alkaloid in Nicotiana.

This exploration delves into the intricacies of decision-making in business management. It covers decision-making models, influencing factors, real-world case studies, and strategies for effectiveness. Emphasizing the role of data-driven approaches, the exploration highlights the transformative impact of effective decisions on organizational success. Challenges and pitfalls are addressed, providing insights for overcoming obstacles. The importance of mastering decision-making is underlined as a strategic advantage in the competitive landscape of business management. In summary, this exploration offers a nuanced understanding, empowering leaders to make informed choices that shape organizational destinies.

A recent study revealed a persistent presence of the PP-Spike recombinant protein in 50% of individuals who received ModRNA injections, contrasting with unvaccinated controls, whether SARSCoV-2 infected or not, up to 187 days post-injection. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of PP-Spike recombinant protein-induced hyperimmune/inflammatory reactions and thrombotic vasculitis as mechanisms to elucidate the serious side effects, long-term organ complications, and excess deaths observed after administering Covid ModRNA products. These results underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive reassessment of the risk-benefit profile of ModRNA injections, including an immediate halt in their use for any person, and a renewed emphasis on understanding and addressing their long-term effects on human health

Air pollution has been a major environmental issue worldwide from the last few decades. It is a man-made issue that has a serious harmful impact on the environment and the health of humans. There are different sources of emission, but industrial processes and motor vehicles contribute to a chief part of air pollution. It has acute as well as chronic effects on the health of humans and affects different organs. It is thought the main environmental risk factor in the incidence and progression of several diseases such as lung cancer, asthma, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Long-term exposure to air pollution has different toxicological impacts on humans such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neuropsychiatric complications, eye irritation and skin diseases. As per the study by the World Health Organization (WHO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals are the major air contaminants. These pollutants are different in their properties, composition and time of disintegration. The aim of this study is to review the different sources, types, impacts, challenges and mitigation of air pollution in detail.

In this work, a general framework for the analysis of governance of artificial intelligence is presented. A dashboard is presented for this analysis from the perspective of political theory. The dashboard allows eventual comparisons between democratic and non democratic regimes, useful for countries in the global south and western countries. The dashboard allows us to assess the key features that determine the governance model for artificial intelligence at the national level, for local governments and for other participant actors. The dashboard allows us to appraise aims of AI strategy and aims left aside in alternative strategies. The work shows the theoretical framework could be of use to advance case studies globally, and comparative endeavors. Applying the theoretical dashboard, the case study on China has been undertaken. These are the main points the study tackles in the final discussion, conclusion and further recommendations: 1) the complex reality of AI command and control 2) uncertainties about future society and the polity against AI development and 3) particular cultural values enshrined in countries' AI development.

The boosted interest in the use of rare earth elements (REEs) in modern technologies had also increase the necessity of their recovery from various sources, including raw materials and wastes. Though Hydrometallurgy plays a key role in these recovery processes, some drawbacks (apparent or not) of these processes, had led to the development of a more environmental friendship subclass named Solvometallurgy, in which non-aqueous solvents substituted to the aqueous media of the hydrometallurgical processing. The non-aqueous solvents chosen for these usages are, besides ionic liquids (ILs), the so-named Deep Eutectic Solvents (DEEs). The utilization of DEEs included the leaching of REEs from the different sources containing them, and also in the separation-purification steps necessary for the yielding of these elements, normally as oxides or salts, in the most purified form. This work reviewed the most recent literature (2023 year) about the utilization of deep eutectic solvents in the recovery of REEs from various sources, and in the coupling of these two (DESs and REEs) to derived compounds to be used in other fields.

Physical properties like shape, volume and size affect the dynamics of biological systems. Along these lines, we focus on the topological properties of biological fluids and their biochemical and physiological outcomes. We take as a paradigmatic example the salivary fluid and describe how its topological features may affect the physiopathology of the oral cavity. Topological approaches assess the general properties of saliva, ignoring small-scale physical details such as density, flow rate, stiffness, viscosity. Specifically, the mucin aggregates scattered in the salivary fluid can be tackled in terms of topological holes, i.e., vortical clusters that modify the direction, flow, impulse, local rate-of-change and velocity of saliva. While the current methodological approaches are inclined to remove the effects of impurities assessing systems as homogeneous structures, we argue that the occurrence of mucins breaks up the salivary fluid’s homogeneity, leading to unexpected biophysical modifications. We suggest that every collected salivary sample is not reliable for accurate clinical and experimental investigation, since it displays highly local as well as variable chemical, physical and biological features, not reflecting the current physiological state of the oral cavity. Therefore, the assessment of a single salivary sample is not fully reproducible and cannot provide information about the biophysical, enzymatic and microbiological content of the whole saliva. In sum, the very topological features of the saliva - such as volume, shape, antipodal cells, vortex area, whirling fluid mass, segmentation, discretization, triangulation, node numbering - produce unnoticed biological consequences and network connectivity features with intriguing operational implications.

We show that one of the two important uncertainty principles derived by Maccone and Pati \textit{[Phys. Rev. Lett., 2014]} can be derived for arbitrary maps defined on subsets of $\mathcal{L}^p$ spaces for $1< p<\infty$. Our main tool is the Clarkson inequalities. We also derive a nonlinear uncertainty principle for weak parallelogram spaces and Type-p Banach spaces.

This article reviews recent innovations in piezoelectric actuators, then indicates the future research targets. In the materials, the piezoelectric performances of relaxor-lead titanate (PZN-PT, PMN-PT) single crystals have been improved significantly by an AC electric poling technique. Also new loss characterization techniques facilitate developing high-power density piezoelectrics. The RMS vibration velocity reaches 0.6 m/s in the k₃₁ mode in lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nowadays, which corresponds to power density 30 W/cm³. Pb-free materials are urged due to the recent political regulation on toxic materials. In device designs, the original multilayer actuators (MLA) with Ag/Pd electrode have been switched to the ones with Cu or pure Ag, in order to suppress the heat generation, then to enhance the device power density. Piezoelectric micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS’s) started to utilize the <1 0 0> oriented epitaxial films of rhombohedral PZT compositions, which exhibits enhanced piezoelectric properties. Also for higher-power applications, aero-sol deposition (AD) methods have been introduced to 10 -thick films. Regarding drive/control techniques in piezo-actuators, three developments are on-going, that is, “negative capacitance” power supplies for driving off-resonance (pseudo-DC) piezo-actuators, capacitive AC power supplies for efficiently driving resonance piezo-actuators, and DC/DC converters for harvesting electric energy from high-impedance piezoelectric devices under noise vibration. The applications of piezoelectric actuators in the 21^st century seem to be oriented toward “politico-engineering” with four keywords, “cooperation, protection, reduction, and continuation”. The sustainability technologies include the following piezoelectric items: (a) Pb-free piezoelectrics, (b) ultrasonic technology for decomposing hazardous materials, (c) reduction of contamination gas, (d) piezoelectric energy harvesting, and (e) device improvement with high energy-efficiency. On the other hand, the following crisis technologies have been developed with piezoelectrics: (a) detection and neutralization technologies of infectious/epidemic diseases such as anthrax, (b) autonomous unmanned underwater, aerial, and land vehicles with piezoelectric actuators, (c) pin-point target weapons, (d) high voltage supplies with piezoelectric transformers, and (e) compact energy sources for remote actuating/sensing systems.

Landslides around the main roads in the mountains not only cause fatal events but also cause ecosystem damage, including land degradation. This study aims to map the susceptibility of the landslides around the Saqqez-Marivan main rod of Kurdistan province, Iran, using ensemble Fuzzy logic with Analytic Network Process (Fuzzy Logic-ANP; FLANP), and with TOPSIS (Fuzzy Logic-TOPSIS; FLTOPSIS). A total of 100 landslides were first recognized by field surveys and then they were randomly divided into a 70% dataset (70 locations) and a 30% dataset (30 locations), respectively, for training and validating the methods. Eleven landslide conditioning factors, including slope, aspect, elevation, lithology, land use, distance to fault, distance to a river, distance to road, soil type, curvature, and precipitation were used. The performance of the methods was checked by the areas under the receiver operating curve (AUCROC). Results concluded that the prediction accuracy based on validating datasets were, respectively, 0.882 and 0.918 for FLANP and FLTOPSIS methods. Our findings demonstrated that although both models were known as promising techniques, the FLTOPSIS method had a better capacity for predicting the susceptibility of landslides in the studied area. Therefore, the susceptibility map developed by the FLTOPSIS method can be used for the proper management of areas with high landslide potential and also for managers and planners during the implementation of land allocation and development projects, especially in mountainous areas.

Multicellular organisms organize themselves according to two principles; first, the equilibrium between the driving force of unstable state cells and apoptosis or senescence; and second, the mutual equilibrium between the functional requirements of different types of cells. For the first principle, we deduce that stem cells at different levels have their own growth limits, which are determined by two factors: the ability of the stem cells to enter an unstable state (specifically, the ability of cells to divide and differentiate); and the rate of cellular senescence, loss of function, and finally, apoptosis. The superposition of stem cell limits at different levels over each other can amplify small differences at the genetic level. Moreover, the growth limits of different organs are different, which lead to different individuals having completely different appearances. The second principle is that the sum of the specific output functions of an organ must be equal to the overall demand for the function to be provided by the organ. If negative entropy input can meet this equilibrium, defects in certain genes will cause these defective individuals to become larger or develop other morphology.

This study introduces a technique to uncover concealed patterns in satellite altimetry data, reflecting sea level variations in inland water bodies. We applied the methodology to the Caspian Sea, using altimetry data from four satellite missions over 27 years (1993-2020): TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason1, Jason2, and Jason3. The approach involves two steps: estimating sea level trends and identifying breakpoints that indicate trend shifts; and leveraging time lags between breakpoints at various locations to classify water drainage areas according to their degree of influence on each period. By revealing concealed patterns in the altimetry data, this technique can provide insights to understand the impacts of global warming and local climate changes on sea level fluctuations in the Caspian Sea. We hope that our study can facilitate subsequent interdisciplinary research on the intricate interplay between climate change and hydrological processes in inland water bodies.

The ZX Spectrum was a popular 8-bit home computer by Sinclair Research in the 80s. Even though some of these computers may still work, the audio tapes, the TV with an analog tuner and the micro-switch joystick, used with the original ZX Spectrum, nowadays are outdated and hard to find in good working order or replicate. Since many other old closed systems are also very difficult to update to support modern peripherals, there is a necessity to provide a methodology to adapt such systems to support new peripherals while being compatible with existing software. The work proposed in this paper is focused on recreating a ZX Spectrum+/48k computer and interface it with modern peripherals on an FPGA. This is accomplished by adding a co-processor to assist with the control of the new peripherals which would either require to complex architectural changes to the original system and in the end it would perform poorly due to the low performance of the Z80 CPU. This work distances from previous ones on emulating a ZX Spectrum since it focuses on the use of different upgraded peripherals and the use of a NIOS II soft-processor as a co-processor to manage the SD Card accesses. A demonstration of the proposed modernized architecture was made by successfully running a diagnostics ROM and playing original ZX Spectrum games from an SD card for game with a PS/2 keyboard and a pair of joysticks.

The 2022-2023 Mpox multi-country outbreak, identified in over 110 WHO Member States, revealed a predominant impact on cisgender men, particularly those engaging in sex with men, while less frequently affecting women. This disparity prompted a focused investigation into the gender-specific characteristics of Mpox infections, particularly among women, to address a notable knowledge gap. This review systematically gathers and analyzes scientific literature and case reports concerning Mpox infections in women, covering a broad geographical spectrum including regions such as Buenos Aires, Brazil, Northern California, Colombia, Nigeria, Europe, Vietnam, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. The analysis delves into various aspects of Mpox in women, including clinical features, epidemiology, psychological impacts, preparedness strategies, and case studies, with particular attention to pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions. Empirical data from multiple studies underscore the unique epidemiological and clinical patterns of Mpox in women. In the United States, a small percentage of Mpox cases were reported among cisgender women, with a notable portion involving non-Hispanic Black or African American, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicities. The primary transmission route was identified as sexual or close intimate contact, with the virus predominantly manifesting on the legs, arms, and genital areas. Further, a study in Spain highlighted significant disparities in diagnosis delays, transmission modes, and clinical manifestations between genders, indicating a different risk profile and disease progression in women. Additionally, a case from Vietnam linked to a new Mpox sublineage in women emphasizes the role of women in the transmission dynamics and the importance of genomic monitoring. This review emphasizes the necessity for inclusive surveillance and research to fully understand Mpox dynamics across diverse population groups, including women. Highlighting gender and sexual orientation in public health responses is crucial for an effective approach to managing the spread and impact of the disease. The findings advocate for a gender-diverse assessment in health services and further research to explore the nuances of Mpox transmission, behavior, and progression among different groups, thereby enhancing the global response to Mpox and similar public health challenges.

In this paper we give approximations to the Mittag-Leffler functions in terms of elementary functions using different methods. This allowed us to establish a practical method we called integerization principle. This principle states that many fractional nonlinear oscillators may be solved by means of the solution to some integer-order Duffing oscillator equation. The accuracy of the obtained results is illsutrated in concrete examples. Formulas for estimating the errors in the approximations are also provided.

This study evaluates the incidence and characteristics of adverse events (AEs) following the second COVID-19 booster dose, leveraging Taiwan's distinctive approach of extending booster vaccinations to all citizens, unlike the targeted high-risk group strategies in other countries. Utilizing data from Taipei Veterans General Hospital's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) from October 27, 2022, to January 19, 2023, the research examines AEs in 441 out of 1711 second booster recipients, considering factors like age, vaccine brands, and booster combinations. The findings reveal incidence rates (IR) of 25.6% (95% CI: 21.1-30.8) after the first booster and 24.9% (95% CI: 20.5-30.0) after the second, mostly non-serious, with those having AEs post-first booster 5 times more likely to report them again (Incidence rat rato, 5.02, P&lt;0.001). Significantly, switching from the mRNA1273 vaccine to another brand reduced AE risk by 18%. The study underscores that AEs are more repetitive than cumulative with additional booster doses, advocating for personalized vaccination strategies based on individual medical histories and previous vaccine reactions. These insights are valuable for healthcare providers in discussing potential AEs with patients, thereby improving vaccine compliance and public trust, and for policymakers in planning future booster vaccination strategies.

The removable partial denture, despite new technologies and new materials, continues to play a significant role in clinical dental practice. The purpose of the following study was to evaluate the design of new retention devices in Kennedy's second grade classrooms. For the study of "lamellar" retentive devices, 4 prosthetists were chosen and selected, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 patients, 8 women and 8 men, whose upper arch had to be rehabilitated with a removable partial prosthesis. The results showed that the parameters taken into consideration such as satisfaction, stability, aesthetics and retention had an average score higher than 3.30 (range 1-4), with an average standard deviation of 0.6225 in the 4 indicative parameters that the data they are relatively homogeneous and coherent. In conclusion we can state that the skeletonized prosthesis with lamellar retentions, designed in Kennedy's second grade classes, has shown good acceptance in selected patients

A population-based seroepidemiological and molecular survey for detection of earlier and re-cent SARS-CoV-2 infection was done in children aged 14 years or less in Tehran between 19 September 2020 and 21 June 2021. Demographic data, COVID-19 symptoms and infection status were recorded and IgG antibodies and RNA of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in sera and nasopha-ryngeal swab samples, respectively. Out of 1517 participants, cardinal symptoms of COVID-19 (fever >38 oC and/or cough and/or diarrhea) were detected in 18% and serological history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and PCR positivity were confirmed in 33.2% and 10.7% of the weighted-population, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 infection was significantly higher among 10–14-year-old children. Active infection was significantly higher in symptomatic children and during autumn 2020 and spring 2021. The RT-qPCR positivity was related to contact with in-fected persons. RT-qPCR positivity was significantly higher among families with a lower socio-economic status, while no association between RT-qPCR- or seropositivity was determined with household size, underlying diseases, or gender. In conclusion, high SARS-CoV-2 infection prev-alence and seroprevalence was detected in children in Tehran in different seasons. The infection was significantly higher in older age children, and those with a positive-history of close contact with infected cases and/or lower socioeconomic status.

E-waste is considered the fastest-growing global waste stream and has become an emerging environmental challenge. The widespread usage of digital devices has generated a large amount of e-waste. According to the Ministry of Commerce, India annually generates ~14.5 lakh metric tons of e-waste and recycles only ~5 % of e-waste. Annually, the global production of e-waste has been expected to increase by 4–5 %. Advancements in IT and communication divisions have improved the usage of electronic equipment. Heavy metals such as (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), tin (Sn), and organic chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are subsequently released from e-wastes and contaminates soil and water sources. These toxic compounds are hazardous to human health and the environment. They are capable of entering various biological systems and causing alterations in respiratory functions of the lungs, DNA damage, impaired functioning of the thyroid, and increased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular ailments. Such concerns raise the quintessential need to manage e-waste to prevent future hazards. This manuscript critically reviews the sources, health and environmental impact, disposal techniques, recycling, and regulation of e-waste.

Let $\mathcal{X}$ be a Banach space. Let $\{\tau_j\}_{j=1}^n, \{\omega_k\}_{k=1}^m\subseteq \mathcal{X}$ and $\{f_j\}_{j=1}^n$, $\{g_k\}_{k=1}^m\subseteq \mathcal{X}^*$ satisfy $ |f_j(\tau_j)|\geq 1$ for all $ 1\leq j \leq n$, $|g_k(\omega_k)|\geq 1 $ for all $1\leq k \leq m$. If $x \in \mathcal{X}\setminus \{0\}$ is such that $x=\theta_\tau\theta_f x=\theta_\omega\theta_g x$, then we show that \begin{align}\label{FKDB} \|\theta_fx\|_0\|\theta_gx\|_0\geq \frac{\bigg[1-(\|\theta_fx\|_0-1)\max\limits_{1\leq j,r \leq n,j\neq r}|f_j(\tau_r)|\bigg]^+\bigg[1-(\|\theta_g x\|_0-1)\max\limits_{1\leq k,s \leq m,k\neq s}|g_k(\omega_s)|\bigg]^+}{\left(\displaystyle\max_{1\leq j \leq n, 1\leq k \leq m}|f_j(\omega_k)|\right)\left(\displaystyle\max_{1\leq j \leq n, 1\leq k \leq m}|g_k(\tau_j)|\right)}. \end{align} We call Inequality (\ref{FKDB}) as \textbf{Functional Kuppinger-Durisi-B\"{o}lcskei Uncertainty Principle}. Inequality (\ref{FKDB}) improves the uncertainty principle obtained by Kuppinger, Durisi and B\"{o}lcskei \textit{[IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory (2012)]} (which improved the Donoho-Stark-Elad-Bruckstein uncertainty principle \textit{[SIAM J. Appl. Math. (1989), IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory (2002)]}). We also derive functional form of the uncertainity principle obtained by Studer, Kuppinger, Pope and B\"{o}lcskei \textit{[EEE Trans. Inform. Theory, (2012)]}.

Haemosporidian parasites, including Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon, are intracellular parasites found in the blood and tissues of birds worldwide. The prevalence of these parasites varies depending on bird species and habitats. Humidity, influenced by water availability, is one of the factors affecting their prevalence. In this study, we collected 145 blood samples from wild songbirds in the western region of Iran from April to November 2021-2022. Blood smears were prepared using the push-slide method and stained with Giemsa. The stained smears were examined under a light microscope. Among the seven songbird families sampled, blood parasites were detected in 31 individuals from five families. Of these, 23 individuals (15.86%) were from humid areas, while 8 individuals (5.51%) were from dry areas. The highest infection rates were observed in the Paridae (9.65%) and Motacilliidae (4.82%) families, while the lowest infection rates were found in the Corvidae (1.37%) and Acrocephalidae (1.37%) families. We recorded two new hosts for Leucocytozoon spp. (Motacilla flava and Acrocephalus melanopogon) for the first time in the world and four new host records (Motacilla flava, Pica pica, Acrocephalus melanopogon, and Acrocephalus agricola) for blood parasites in the west of Iran. Our findings highlight the high prevalence of avian blood parasites in songbirds inhabiting humid areas, suggesting that these environments provide suitable conditions for the growth and reproduction of invertebrate hosts.

Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) is a challenging condition with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Understanding the interactions between tumor cells and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is critical for developing novel therapeutic strategies. One promising target is estrogen receptor β (ERβ), which promotes the expression of key tight junction proteins, sealing the BBB and reducing its permeability. In this study, we investigated the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) and the selective ERβ agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN) on endothelial and cancer cells. Western blot analysis revealed the expression patterns of ERs in these cell lines, and estrogen treatment upregulated claudin-5 expression in brain endothelial cells. Using in vitro models of the BBB, we found that DPN treatment significantly increased BBB tightness about suppressed BBB transmigration activity of representative HER2-positive (BT-474) and triple-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cell lines. However, the efficacy of DPN treatment decreased when cancer cells were pre-differentiated in the presence of E2. Our results support ERβ as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of BCBM and suggest that targeted vector-based approaches may be effective for future preventive and therapeutic implications.

Moving object detection plays a crucial role in various applications, particularly in traffic surveillance and collision warning systems. However, the high cost of training and slow detection pose significant challenges to the practicality and real-time performance of existing methods. These challenges hinder the practicality and real-time performance of existing methods. The need for a reliable and efficient moving object detection system prompts the search for cost-effective strategies. Enhancing detection speed without sacrificing accuracy is crucial for real-time applications. Overcoming these challenges is essential to advance the field of moving object detection and improve its applicability in various domains. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on moving object detection, proposes novel strategies to overcome the challenges of high training costs and slow detection. The study emphasizes the importance of reliable speed monitoring systems and advancements in control systems to enhance driver assistance on urban highways. Each frame in the dataset undergoes YOLOv6 processing to detect and classify objects, generating bounding box predictions and class probabilities. Optical flow, specifically the Lucas-Kanade method, is then utilized to compute motion vectors between consecutive frames. These motion vectors facilitate object tracking across frames, enabling refined bounding box positions and improving overall object tracking accuracy. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique in reducing training costs, improving detection speed, and maintaining a high level of accuracy when compared to existing methods. The paper concludes by summarizing the findings and highlighting the potential of the proposed strategy for precise and reliable moving object recognition in real-world traffic scenarios

The electronic nose (e-nose) is an innovative device that mimics the human olfactory system, allowing for the detection and identification of numerous scents. This abstract gives an in-depth examination of the current status of electronic nose technologies, with an emphasis on sensing mechanisms, applications, and recent breakthroughs. The research delves into the many uses of e-nose, such as food quality control, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and industrial operations. It also covers the problems and potential future applications of electronic nose technology. The literature review highlights the importance of this technology in improving our capacity to evaluate complex scents in several domains.

Cloud computing has become a widespread technology due to ICT advancements. It allows businesses to move and take advantage of the pay-as-you-go price model. Enterprises pay for what they use and don't have to buy, setup, or maintain resources. However, outsourcing core resources such as storage, servers, operating systems, and software applications from a third party needs careful decisions to take advantage of cloud facilities. Choice of appropriate service provider, deployment and service model must be aligned with business needs and goals. In this paper, we will present cloud computing benefits, cloud deployment methods, services, state-of-the-art migration methods, tools and techniques and will conclude with the role of SDN in cloud computing.

Our environment has been impacted by man-made pollutants mainly industries make substantial use of synthetic dyes which exhibit cytotoxicity and have significant environmental consequences. Effective photocatalyst-based approaches for degrading synthetic dyes into less toxic chemical are of great interest. Synthesizing NPs using biological approaches, particularly plant-based approaches offer advantages, decreasing the risk of NPs losing biocompatibility during synthesis, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. In this study, we employed a green synthesis method to produce manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO NPs) utilizing leaf extract from the Lathyrus Aphaca plant. The synthesized MnOx NPs were characterized through various techniques; X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV–visible spectroscopy. XRD analysis showed distinct peaks, indicated the presence crystallographic planes within the MnO₂ nanoparticles, thus confirming their crystalline structure. SEM study highlighted closely packed configurations with average size of approximately ≥ 50-70 nm, with well-defined boundaries. EDX analysis showed the presence of elemental manganese (Mn) in the samples, with peaks corresponding to Mn detected at lower energy levels, predominantly represented by MnO. FTIR, showed the presence of the O-O stretching mode at a frequency of 719 cm^-1, the presence of MnO₆ oxides of manganese, and peak at 548 cm^-1 corresponded to the Mn-O stretching mode. Furthermore, the green-synthesized manganese oxide nanoparticles exhibited promising photocatalytic and adsorption capabilities against Methylene Blue (MB) dye, leading to approximately 93.21% degradation of MB when treated with the green-synthesized MnO nanoparticles derived from plant extract. This highlights the efficacy and potential of these nanoparticles in environmental remediation applications, particularly in the degradation of methylene blue contaminants.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are arguably the most common water contaminants in the world today. While several research experiments have been done to understand and remove PFAS from the environment, there is still a lot of unknown. Little has been known about the use of Machine learning (ML) to understand PFAS. This work hence reviews some leading ML approaches and applications in PFAS studies in the distribution, transport, removal, and occurrence predictions of PFAS. Several evaluation matrices were examined and used to perform this function. There are still a lot of areas whereby ML can be used to improve our PFAS knowledge base, some of these were briefly stated in this review.

Gamification is the use of game mechanics in non-game situations. It is a solution to which businesses are turning more and more, since, among other things, it also responds to the individual's need for fun. What are the prevailing trends and to what extent can it be exploited in the period we are going through? This paper tries to contribute to a better understanding of gamification with main aim to help employees in their work, and businesses to achieve goals and be more competitive.

The cycling of soil phosphorus (P) is inherently linked with soil organic carbon-iron (C-Fe) cycling, yet empirical integration of these processes within paddy soils remains scarce. In this study, we conducted a microcosm experiment using paddy soils subjected to six distinct fertilization regimes involving varying P inputs for five years. In addition to evaluating P activation under reflooding conditions, we assessed the Fe reduction process and characterized the properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) at the molecular level using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), alongside profiling the composition of soil microbial communities with high-throughput sequencing. Our findings revealed that after 25 days of reflooding, soil Olsen-P content increased by an average of 73% compared to its initial state, showing a strong correlation with the Fe reduction process. Specifically, treatments involving pig manure application exhibited higher Fe reduction rates and enhanced P activation, highlighting the role of organic matter in facilitating Fe reduction. Investigations on the relative abundance of typical iron-reducing microbes further supported their importance in P activation, but the rate of iron reduction is limited by soil organic matter content. Delving deeper into DOM properties, soil DOM composition profiling and network analysis suggested that high-molecular-weight DOM, particularly lignins, served as the primary resources driving Fe reduction by iron-reducing microbes, consequently promoting Fe reduction and P release. Taken together, our study assembled the C-Fe-P cycling dynamics in paddy soils, emphasizing the pivotal role of microbial-driven Fe reduction facilitated by soil DOM in P availability and subsequently sustainable agricultural practices.

The endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. SPH2 was isolated from the stems of the endemic plant Bethencourtia palmensis and its extracts were found to have strong fungicidal effects against Botrytis cinerea and ixodicidal effects against Hyalomma lusitanicum at different fermentation times. In this study, the fungus was grown using three different culture media and two methodologies, Microparticulate Enhancement Cultivation (MPEC) and Semi-Solid Fermentation (SSF), to increase the production of secondary metabolites in submerged fermentation. The addition of an inert support to the culture medium (SSF) resulted in a significant increase in extract production. However, when talcum powder was added to different culture media, unexpected results were observed, with a decrease in the production of the biocompounds of interest. Metabolomic analyses showed that the production of aspergillic, neoaspergillic, and neohydroxyaspergillic acids peaked in the first few days of fermentation, with notable differences observed among the methodologies and culture media. Mellein production was particularly affected by the addition of an inert support to the culture medium. These results highlight the importance of surface properties and morphology of spores and mycelia during fermentation by this fungal species.

Proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) are constantly exposed to potentially toxic metabolites and xenobiotics. The regenerative potential of the kidney enables the replacement of damaged cells either via the differentiation of stem cells or the regain of proliferative properties of the PTEC. Nevertheless, it is known that renal function declines, suggesting that the deteriorated cells are not replaced by fully functional cells. To understand the possible causes of this loss of kidney cell function, it would be beneficial to understand the role of toxins during the regeneration process. Therefore, we investigated the sensitivity and function of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), hiPSC differentiating, and hiPSC differentiated into proximal tubular epithelial-like cells (PTELC) to known nephrotoxins. hiPSC were differentiated into PTELC, exhibiting a similar morphology to PTEC, expressing prototypical PTEC markers and performing albumin endocytosis. When treated with two nephrotoxins, hiPSC and differentiating hiPSC were more sensitive to cisplatin than differentiated PTELC, whereas all stages were equally sensitive to cyclosporin A. Both toxins also had an inhibitory effect on albumin uptake. Our results suggest a high sensitivity of differentiating cells towards toxins, which could have an unfavorable effect on regenerative processes. To study this, our model of hiPSC differentiating into PTELC appears suitable.

Objectives: Few studies have evaluated and compared artificial intelligence (AI) models for breast cancer detection on the same database. The purpose is to compare the performances of 3 artificial intelligence algorithms on the same dataset at a free operative threshold and to evaluate how the performance is impacted by the chosen threshold. Materials: In this retrospective single-center study, a dataset of 314 2D screening mammograms performed between 2012 and 2020 was established with a prevalence of 19.6% of histologically proven cancer. Three AI constructors using CE (European conformity) marking algorithms have agreed to take part in the study by submitting the cancer-enriched cohort to their algorithm. They chose a free operative threshold to distinguish benign and malignant mammograms. The most suspicious lesion was marked and correctly located by the AI algorithm. Statistical parameters were analyzed and compared between the algorithms. Results: Regarding both sensitivity and specificity, at the chosen threshold, AI 1 had the best compromise between sensitivity (74%) and specificity (79%). AI 2 had a statistically lower sensitivity (52%; p<0.05) with a higher specificity (98.4%) than the other AI algorithms. AI 3 had a nonsignificant sensitivity difference (69.9%) but a significantly lower specificity (45.3%; p<0.001) than the other two. The performances varied depending on the chosen threshold; when the AI 2 threshold was lowered, the sensitivity increased (69.9%), while a higher specificity (86.1%) was maintained. Conclusion: Two AI algorithms stood out in terms of performance when the threshold was optimized, resulting in an acceptable sensitivity and specificity.

Foodborne illnesses can be infectious and dangerous and most of them are caused by bacteria. Some types of common food-related bacteria exist widely in nature and pose a serious threat to both humans and animals, and can cause poisoning, diseases, disabilities and even death. Rapid, reliable and cost-effective methods for bacteria detection are of paramount importance in food-safety and environmental monitoring. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) and electrochemical methods have been widely used in food-safety and environmental monitoring. In this paper, the recent developments (2013-2023) covering PCR, LFIA and electrochemical methods for various bacteria detection (Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli)) considering different foods types, analytical performances and the reported limit of detection (LOD) are discussed. It is found that the bacteria type and food sample type contribute significantly to the analytical per-formance and LOD. Detection by LFIA has higher average LOD (24 CFU/ml) than detection by electrochemical methods (12 CFU/ml) and PCR (6 CFU/ml). Salmonella and E. coli in the Pseudomonadota domain usually have low LODs. LODs are usually lower for detection in fish and eggs. LFIA with gold and iron nanoparticles are prominent in the majority of articles of 26 CFU/ml and 12 CFU/ml respectively. Electrochemical methods reveal that the average LOD is highest for cyclic voltammetry (CV) of 18 CFU/ml), followed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of 12 CFU/ml and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) of 8 CFU/ml. Finally, the review discusses the challenges and future perspectives (including the role of nanomaterials/advanced materials) to improve the analytical performance for bacterial detection.

Vaccination, particularly against pneumoccus and influenza, is a low-cost primary prevention, useful to avoid hard complications, particularly among frail older people. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of a strategy for influenza and pneumococcal vaccination for outpatients, never practiced before, evaluating what could stimulate or demotivate vaccination among older people. This study was conducted during the 2023-2024 influenza season at the outpatient clinics of the Geriatrics section, University Hospital of Palermo (Italy). A total of 101 vaccinations were carried out. Half of the patients could be considered as pre-frail and about 20% frail, according to a comprehensive geriatric evaluation. Among participants, 46.3% received only vaccination against Pneumococcus and 26.8% only anti-influenza or the combination of anti-pneumococcus and anti-influenza. Compared with the previous seasons, a 19.5% increase of influenza and 90.2 % of pneumococcal vaccine uptake was observed. Side effects of vaccination were the main reason of the previous rejections, namely 74.8% for influenza and 29.5% for anti-pneumococcal vaccination. In conclusion, our study indicates how a new vaccination strategy in different settings is possible. Proposing influenza and pneumococcal vaccination for outpatients could be an effective instrument to improve immunization coverage that is still low among older people.

The global textile sector, pivotal to economic development, significantly contributes to environmental degradation, prompting a shift towards sustainable raw material sources. Embracing circular economy principles, this industry is exploring the valorization of agricultural by-products. This study introduces an innovative approach to repurposing mango waste into valuable textile fibers, a byproduct of the fruit processing industry, predominantly generated during juice and jam production. The focus is on the lignocellulosic constituents of mango waste, specifically the peel, seed, and fibrous material, traditionally considered as refuse. Previous research has predominantly utilized mango peel in pectin extraction for food applications, whereas the potential of seed and fibrous content remains underexplored. This investigation endeavors to transform these fibrous by-products into high-value materials suitable for textile manufacturing. The process involved washing, drying, and comprehensive physicochemical characterization of mango fibers, emphasizing lignin quantification, revealing a composition of 12.2% lignin. An experimental design was employed to elucidate the impact of variables such as liquid-to-solid ratio, reaction duration, and sodium hydroxide concentration on lignin dissolution through alkaline hydrolysis. Optimal conditions—10% NaOH concentration, 30 mL/g liquid-to-solid ratio over six hours—achieved an 83% reduction in lignin content. The resulting fibers exhibited properties akin to conventional natural fibers, including a favorable aspect ratio indicative of their suitability for textile applications. A subsequent softening process using propylene glycol enhanced the fibers' spinability, producing a durable, textured fabric ideal for eco-conscious fashion applications, including bags, footwear, and accessories. This research demonstrates the feasibility of converting mango waste into a textile-worthy material and underscores the importance of waste revalorization in promoting sustainability within the circular economy framework.

Albert Einstein, shortly after publishing his General Relativity Theory (GRT) applied it to the entire universe in a paper of 1917. Einstein assumed that such a universe was static in time and possessed a uniform distribution of matter on the largest scales, obtaining a static and finite universe of spherical spatial curvature of radius R. Although this model was refuted by Edwin Hubble's discovery of the expansion of the universe, it is still often studied as a theoretical framework for some problems, such as the twin paradox. This paper will show that Einstein's static universe model leads to a privileged frame of reference, so that any observer moving at the speed v will be able to measure speeds of light other than c depending on the direction of beam transmission. The above will refute the validity of the application to this closed and static universe of the Special Relativity Theory (SRT) proposed by Einstein in 1905 in his article . In addition, a new synchronization convention and new coordinate transformations will be deduced, the "generic" transformations, which will replace those of Lorentz. Finally, the twin paradox in this universe will be solved by making use of them.

Many cities are increasingly adopting blue-green infrastructure (BGI) to bolster resilience against environmental challenges. Beyond its well-acknowledged environmental benefits, the role of BGI in enhancing social resilience is becoming an equally important area of focus. However, the integration of BGI to foster social resilience presents complexities, stemming from the evolving and occasionally ambiguous definition of social resilience. Given its broad application across diverse disciplines, understanding and measuring social resilience proves difficult, posing challenges to understanding it within a BGI context. However, integrating BGI to support social resilience is complicated by the evolving and sometimes ambiguous definition of social resilience. This concept's broad applicability across various disciplines makes its understanding and measurement challenging, especially within the BGI context. Consequently, a clear need for a framework to effectively understand and measure social resilience in BGI settings exists. This paper synthesizes existing social resilience frameworks, particularly leveraging the comprehensive 5S framework by Saja et al. (2018), to create a new conceptual framework that addresses the unique social dimensions and benefits of BGI, incorporating insights from a broad literature review on social resilience. The framework is structured as a three-tier model centered around four key subdimensions of social resilience: social values, social capital, social structure, and social equity and their interrelationships. Characteristics and indicators are customized to support the BGI context integrating both physical and human dimensions within a mixed methods approach to measurement. Specifically, this research develops a conceptual BGI framework to probe into BGI practices and perspectives that enhance social resilience and considers demographic diversity and the spatial attributes of urban environments to understand how to foster more inclusive and socially resilient BGI spaces.

In this paper, we consider particles together with the surrounding space as an indivisible system, and then investigate the maximum symmetry of the system at the quantum level. We introduce a new quantity to describe the evolution of this system before and after measurement. The effective mass of gravity is estimated. We also show that a free quantum particle as the source of energy and momentum do not produce gravity.

Background: Thyroid nodules are common, affecting nearly 65% of the general population. While they are widespread, it's crucial to recognize that the majority of these nodules are not cancerous and can be effectively managed through careful monitoring. Thyroid ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate thyroid nodules owing to its low cost, wide availability and technical ease of application. In sonography, it's crucial to assess characteristics and vascular flow. Yet, conventional color and power Doppler ultrasound may not always effectively capture small vessels and low velocities due to their limitations. Superior Microvascular Imaging can display the blood flow of small vessels and low-velocity blood flow, which is difficult to visualize with conventional Doppler ultrasound. Meanwhile other thyroid scans, that utilize either [99mTc] pertechnetate or (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose, can categorize nodules as hyperactive ('hot'), exhibiting normal activity ('warm'), or having reduced/no activity ('cold'). Thus, the main goal of screening and tracking thyroid nodules is to improve the management of potentially worrisome thyroid malignancies. Methodology: The study was conducted within the structural framework of a network meta-analysis, with the index tests being - SMI, Radionuclide Scanning and Color Doppler, and the general link between them being the reference gold standard. The data collection involved searching for all pertinent literature using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library databases. The essential data was extracted following the application of specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.This meta-analysis included 7 RCTs with 1,152 patients for Radionuclide Scanning, 10 RCTs with 1,847 patients for SMI and 8 RCTs with 4,480 patients for Color Doppler. They were analyzed using the QualSyst tool and the risk of bias was evaluated by using QUADAS-2 analysis.The statistical software packages MetaDiSc 1.4, RevMan (Review Manager, version 5.3), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20) and Excel in Stata 14 were used to perform the statistical analyses. Result: According to the findings, the sensitivity for Radionuclide Scanning is calculated as 0.79 (range: 0.76 to 0.81) and specificity as 0.55 (range: 0.50 to 0.60) with a 95% confidence interval. The overall diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for Radionuclide Scanning Is 10.54.Additionally, with a 95% confidence interval, SMI exhibits a sensitivity of 0.82 (with a range of 0.79 to 0.84) and a specificity of 0.86 (with a range of 0.84 to 0.88), while the overall DOR is approximately 25.73. Color Doppler demonstrates a calculated sensitivity of 0.71 (ranging from 0.69 to 0.74) and specificity of 0.81 (ranging from 0.79 to 0.83) with a 95% confidence interval, while its DOR is 13.48.Conclusion: As evidenced by this meta-analysis, blood flow dependent imaging techniques are superior in their abilities to be used as diagnostic tests, especially in conjunction with their use in detecting thyroid nodules. This study offers a starting point for delving deeper into the utilization of Radionuclide Imaging, Superior Microvascular Imaging and Color Doppler in diagnosing thyroid nodules in a clinical setting. Key Words: - Thyroid Nodule, Radionuclide Scanning, Superior Microvascular Imaging, Color Doppler Diagnosis, Sensitivity, Specificity, Diagnostic imaging

Several strategies promote phyllosphere colonization by soil-born Trichoderma plant-beneficial strains. One of these is foliar spraying with suspensions containing large amounts of chlamydospores – spores with a thick cell wall structure that makes them highly resistant to harsh environmental conditions. Trichoderma biomass was produced by cultivation on cornmeal medium and compared by microscopic and thermogravimetric analysis with the biomass produced in potato dextrose broth. Both analyses revealed higher chlamydospores content and thicker mycelium in the fungal biomass produced on cornmeal medium. The Trichoderma suspension rich in chlamydospores was sprayed on bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) leaves at two concentration levels, 106 and 108 ufc/ml. The effect of these treatments on plant physiological parameters, leaf photosynthetic pigments, polyphenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity of leaves and fruits and yield was compared to the control (plants sprayed with water) and to the experimental treatment sprayed with 108 ufc propagules produced in potato dextrose broth. The effect of chlamydospore-rich suspensions on plant physiological parameters was more pronounced and long-lasting compared with the other treatments. The treatment with chlamydospore-rich suspension enhanced the accumulation of polyphenols and flavonoids in the leaves and fruits and increased the antioxidant activity. The application of the foliar treatment with Trichoderma suspensions did not modify the cytocompatibility of the extracts from fruits determined on L929 cells.

Abstract: this study aimed to evaluate the benefits of applying 5 cmH2O of CPAP using a pediatric helmet during the recovery phase from general anesthesia in brachycephalic dogs. Brachycephalic dogs undergoing various surgical procedures were included in the study, and a total of 64 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either standard oxygen supplementation (NO-CPAP group) or oxygen supplementation combined with CPAP (CPAP group). The study evaluated arterial blood pH, blood gas partial pressures of O2 and CO2, arterial blood O2 saturation, and related parameters during recovery. The dogs were monitored, and helmet tolerance was assessed using predefined criteria. Of the initially assessed 69 dogs, 64 were enrolled, 32 in the CPAP group and 32 in the NO-CPAP group. Fifteen dogs in the NO-CPAP group were excluded based on predetermined criteria. The CPAP group showed significant improvements in PaO2, PaO2/FiO2, P(A-a)O2, F-Shunt, and respiratory rate compared to the NO-CPAP group (p < 0.001). The incidence of reintubation and helmet intolerance was higher in the NO-CPAP group (18% and 15.6%, respectively) than in the CPAP group (0%). This study highlights the potential benefits of incorporating CPAP, delivered through a pediatric helmet, in the perioperative management of brachycephalic dogs. Keywords: Brachycephalic; dog; CPAP; oxygenation; anesthesia

Recently, Gohar et al. introduced a novel, local, and well-behaved fractional calculus. It possesses all the classical properties, and Its locality imposes simplicity and accuracy in modeling fractional order systems. In this article, we further develop the definitions and extend the classical properties of Gohar fractional calculus to address some of the open problems in Calculus. The fractional Gronwall's integral inequality, Taylor power series expansion, and Laplace transform are defined and applied to overcome some of the limitations in the classical integer-order calculus. The fractional Laplace transform is applied to solve Bernoulli-type logistic and Bertalanffy nonlinear fractional differential equations, and the criteria under which it can be applied to solve linear differential equations are investigated.

Brain-stimulation reward, also known as intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), is a commonly used procedure for studying brain reward function and drug reward. In electrical ICSS, an electrode is surgically implanted into the medial forebrain bundle in the lateral hypothalamus or the ventral tegmental area in the midbrain. Operant lever responding leads to the delivery of electrical pulse stimulation. The alteration in the stimulation frequency-lever response curve is used to evaluate the impact of pharmacological agents on brain reward function. If a test drug induces a leftward or upward shift in the ICSS response curve, it implies a reward-enhancing or abuse-like effect. Conversely, if a drug causes a rightward or downward shift in the functional response curve, it suggests a reward-attenuating or aversive effect. A significant drawback of electrical ICSS is the lack of cellular selectivity in understanding the neural substrates underlying drug reward versus aversion. Excitingly, recent advancements in optical ICSS (oICSS) have facilitated the development of at least three cell type-specific oICSS models – dopamine-, glutamate-, and GABA-dependent oICSS. In these new models, a comparable frequency-rate response curve has been established and employed to study the substrate-specific mechanisms underlying brain reward function and a drug's rewarding versus aversive effects. In this review article, we summarize recent progress in this exciting research area. The findings in these new behavioral models have not only increased our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying drug reward and addiction but have also introduced a novel experimental approach in preclinical medication development for treating substance use disorders.

Abstract: Women bear the biological responsibilities of reproduction to ensure human population sustainability, yet women continue to face discriminatory treatments when they become either pregnant or nursing mothers. The question is, how do we legally reconcile women’s natural child-bearing roles and support their professional endeavors? Against this backdrop, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) were passed by the US government to address workplace biases and discrimination against women and help women during pregnancy and after childbirth. The paper is a commentary highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of these laws. We submit that while these laws mean a breakthrough for women in these categories, there are inherent flaws and areas for improvement. A limitation of the act is that the PWFA and PUMP laws do not protect pregnant women in an all-encompassing manner, with some pregnant women excluded. Pregnant and Nursing mothers should be protected by their employers regardless of the size of the organizations. We conclude that the PUMP and PWFA laws are not enough and there is a critical need for the government to address some of the critical barriers to the laws and provide an encompassing support for women.

A facile and environmentally benign method for a single-phase barium titanate synthesis in water vapor medium was studied to reveal the mechanism of phase transformation of the initial simple oxides mixture and estimate the capability of the product to be used as a raw material for low-frequency dielectric ceramics. The composition and structure of the reaction mixture treated in vapor at 130…150 °C as well as 230 °C for various time were investigated by means of XRD, SEM, HRTEM, EDX, and FTIR methods. The kinetics of the occurring phase transformation was described by Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Erofeev equation. The reaction between the initial oxides was considered as a topochemical process with an apparent activation energy of 74…80 kJ mol^-1. A crucial role in this process belonged to the water vapor medium, which facilitated the generation of the reaction zone and its spreading inward the solid particles. The synthesized tetragonal barium titanate powder (mean particle size of 135 ± 24 nm) was sintered by a conventional technique at 1250 °C to obtain ceramics with grains of about 2 μm. Capacitance measurements performed a dielectric constant and loss tangent of ceramics, which reached 3879 and 6.7 10^-3, respectively, at 1 kHz and room temperature.

Cadmium Sulfide nanoparticle (CdS-LA hybrid nanoparticles) was synthesized here by a green approach using the precursor cadmium acetate and sodium sulphide along with the extract of a plant Lathyrus aphaca L. containing the phytochemicals which were responsible for surface modification of nanoparticles. The nanoparticle was used to evaluate their inhibition potential against species of bacteria and fungi. The nanoparticles were characterized by XRD which demonstrates the hexagonal crystal structure. SEM confirms the homogenous surface appearance of the CdS-LA hybrid crystalline structure. EDX analysis confirms surface modification of nanoparticles by phytochemicals. FTIR confirmed the Cd-S linkage laterally with the related functional groups and the presence of metabolites on the surface of nanoparticles. The UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the peak at the characteristic wavelength range but a slight shift occurred in the peak of the CdS nanoparticles due to the presence of the phytochemicals. This study particularly provides an environment-friendly strategy to synthesize the CdS nanoparticles capped by Lathyrus Aphaca L. extract that are biologically active due to the mediation of the plant extract. CdS-LA hybrid nanoparticles have shown inhibition potential against various species of bacteria and fungi and realize the biological importance of the green synthesis of nanoparticles especially mediated with the plant extract.

Individuals with BPD grapple with unstable relationships, marked by extreme emotional swings and interpersonal conflicts. Emotional instability, a distorted self-image, and impulsivity further complicate matters, often leading to self-harm and suicide attempts as desperate coping mechanisms. Genetics and adverse childhood experiences contribute to BPD's development, shaping brain function and emotional regulation. Diagnosis involves meticulous assessments, paving the way for personalized treatments like dialectical behavior therapy and, in severe cases, hospitalization. Early intervention, professional support, and societal understanding are pivotal for positive outcomes, and challenging mental health stigma.

Prospecting for a future breeding site is an essential component of informed dispersal. It allows individuals to reduce the uncertainty of their environment by gathering personal and social information about the local quality of alternative breeding areas, and to make informed emigration and settlement decisions. Although this process has been studied in territorial and social animal species for decades, it is still not well-understood and spatial patterns of prospecting movements are hard to generalize over taxa or even species due to substantial intra and inter-specific variability. Using 124 empirical studies which have explicitly described prospecting in a context of breeding habitat selection in birds, mammals, fish and invertebrates, I review why, how, when and which individuals prospect depending on their life history traits and sociality. From this synthesis, I identify persisting knowledge gaps which explain why prospecting is still understudied and sometimes overlooked. I finally propose key objectives and research directions, to shed light on prospecting movements and their consequences on informed dispersal strategies, individual fitness and population dynamics, both empirically and theoretically. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying prospecting, their causes and their consequences will fully reveal how prospecting could constitute a powerful adaptive response to environmental changes for many social and territorial species which will help them persist on the long-term. It will also significantly enhance our ability to predict species responses to environmental changes and thus, inform more effective management plans for threatened species

Background: Hepatic erythrophagocytosis is augmented in NASH and amplifies inflammation and fibrosis. Although various pro-phagocytic signals have been identified on erythrocytes of NASH patients, the role of bound thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), which acts as an “eat-me” signal, arginase-1, which regulates the levels of nitric oxide in erythrocytes, and phosphatidylethano-lamine (PE) which can amplify erythrophagocytosis and hepatic inflammation have not been explored. Hence, we sought to investigate the levels of arginase-1 and TSP-1 in erythrocyte lysate and PE in erythrocyte membranes of NASH patients. Methods: Twenty-four patients and 14 healthy controls participated in our study. The levels of TSP-1 and arginase were quantified by ELISA in erythrocyte lysates, and the levels of PE in erythrocyte membranes by thin layer chro-matography. Results: Erythrocytes of NAFLD patients exhibit lower levels of arginase-1 and TSP-1 (p<0.01). Erythrocyte-bound TSP-1 levels correlated with the levels of erythrocyte surface CD47. Phosphatidylethanolamine was increased in erythrocytes of NASH patients and was accompanied by increased release, indicating exposure. Conclusion: Our results imply reduced TSP-1 binding by erythrocytes which could allow free TSP-1 molecules to act on macrophages, enhancing erythrophagocytosis. Increased PE which could amplify inflammation after efferocytosis, while downregulation of arginase-1 could lead to defective efferocytosis.

The detection and analysis of small molecules, typically defined as molecules under 1000 Da, is of growing interest ranging from the development of small molecule drugs and inhibitors to the sensing of toxins and biomarkers. However, due to challenges such as their small size and low mass, many biosensing technologies struggle to have the sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of small molecules. Notably, their small size limits the usage of labeled techniques that can change the properties of small molecule analytes. Furthermore, the capability of real-time detection is highly desired for small molecule biosensors’ application in diagnostics or screening. This review highlights recent advances in label-free real-time biosensing technologies utilizing different types of transducers to meet the growing demand for small molecule detection.

New biomedical technologies are examined in depth and the legal and ethical challenges they pose. Key issues such as gene editing, the application of artificial intelligence in the medical field, and the protection of biological information data are analyzed. At the same time, we also found that technological advances in the development of the enormous potential of biomedicine, but also raises a series of ethical and legal issues. To this end, the paper proposes a series of effective response strategies aimed at providing guidance to policy makers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to ensure the rational and safe application of new technologies. Solutions to these challenges are elaborated. When it comes to gene editing, the article stresses the responsibility of scientists not only to push the boundaries of technology, but also to ensure that edited genes are in the public interest and respect individual rights. To this end, strict regulatory mechanisms should be put in place to ensure that gene editing is carried out only in certain and ethical circumstances. Although AI technology has brought many conveniences to the medical field, it also involves data privacy protection, the transparency of the AI decision-making process, and the impact of AI on traditional medical models. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate corresponding regulations to regulate its application, ensure the fairness and transparency of AI decision-making, and promote its integration and development with traditional medicine. The importance of the protection of biometric data was also emphasized. In biomedical research, a large number of personal biological information data, such as genome and proteome, are often involved. This data should be effectively protected to prevent data leakage and misuse. To this end, it is necessary to strengthen data security measures and establish standards and norms for data sharing and utilization to ensure the rational use and protection of data.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by thrombosis and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL): lupus anticoagulant and/or IgG/IgM anti-β2-glycoprotein I and anticardiolipin antibodies. APS carries significant morbidity for a relatively young patient population from recurrent thrombosis in any vascular bed (arterial, venous or microvascular), often despite current standard of care, which is anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Platelets have established roles in thrombosis at any site, and platelet hyperreactivity is clearly demonstrated in the pathophysiology of APS. Together with excess thrombin generation, platelet activation and aggregation are the common end result of all the pathophysiological pathways leading to thrombosis in APS. However, antiplatelet therapies play little role in APS, reserved as a possible option of low dose aspirin in addition to VKA in arterial or refractory thrombosis. This review outlines the current evidence and mechanisms for excessive platelet activation in APS, how it plays a central role in APS-related thrombosis, what evidence for antiplatelets is available in clinical outcomes studies and potential future avenues to define how to target platelet hyperreactivity better with minimal impact on haemostasis.