Cobalt-doped alumina catalysts were prepared by different methods, applying either the conventional wet impregnation (WI) and/or the advanced spray impregnation (SI), and evaluated as novel oxidation catalysts for CO and MeOH oxidation. The spray impregnation technique aims towards the synthesis of core-shell catalytic nanostructures to secure chemical/thermal stability of the active sites on the catalyst carrier. The catalysts were further promoted with low Pd content (0.5 wt.%) applying either incipient wetness impregnation (DI) or spray impregnation. The results revealed the superior performance of spray impregnated catalysts (Co/γ-Al2O3-SI) for both reactions. The deposition of Co oxide on the outer surface of the alumina particle (SEM images) and the availability of the active Co phase, resulted in the enhancement of Co/γ-Al2O3 catalysts oxidation activity. Pd incorporation increased catalysts reducibility (TPR-H2) and improved the catalysts performance for both reactions. However, Pd incorporation method affected the catalytic performance; as with the SI method the active phase of Co3O4 was probably covered from PdO and was not available for the oxidation reactions. On the contrary, the incorporation of Pd with the DI method resulted in better dispersion of PdO all over the Co/Al catalyst surface, maintaining available Co active sites and better Pd-Co interaction. MeOH desorption studies revealed the methanol oxidation mechanism; Co/Al catalysts promote partial oxidation of MeOH to formaldehyde (HCHO) and dehydration to dimethyl ether (DME), while Pd-based Co/Al catalysts enhance the complete oxidation of methanol to CO2 and H2O.

Monometallic (Ni, Co, Cu) and bimetallic (Ni-Co, Ni-Cu) 10-20 wt. % metal containing catalysts supported on fly ash zeolite were prepared by post-synthesis impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, N2 physisorption, XPS and H2-TPR methods. Finely dispersed metal oxides and mixed oxides were detected after the decomposition of impregnating salt on the relevant zeolite support. By reduction intermetallic, NiCo and NiCu phases were identified in the bimetallic catalysts. Hydrogeoxygenation of lignocellulosic biomass-derived levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone (GVL) was studied. Bimetallic, 10 wt. % Ni, 10 wt. % Cu or Co containing fly ash zeolite catalyst showed higher catalytic activity than monometallic ones. Their selectivity to GVL reached 70-85 % at 100 % conversion. The reaction proceeds through formation of 4-hydroxy pentanoic acid, as the only intermediate compound.

Scenario analysis is a widely employed method for addressing uncertainties when assessing the physical and socio-economic impacts if climate change. Global scenarios have been extensively used in this context. However, these scenarios are in most cases not suitable for supporting local analyses. On the other hand, locally developed scenarios may lack the global context, thus having limited comparability with or transferability to other locations. The Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, which have been primarily developed for climate impact research, provide the possibility to extend the existing global narratives and adapt them to local characteristics in order to develop locally relevant scenarios. Here, we propose a methodological framework for producing harmonized scenarios across different case studies. This framework was developed in the EVOKED project and combines elements of top-down and bottom-up approaches to develop local scenarios for five regions in northern Europe. We employ the SSP as boundary conditions and, in cooperation with stakeholders from these five regions, develop local scenarios for a range of SSP. The developed sets of scenarios are consistently informed by global developments and are therefore comparable with other downscaled scenarios developed in different regions. At the same time, they have been based on local participatory processes, thus being locally credible and relevant to the needs of stakeholders. The local scenarios constitute a climate service per se as they can raise stakeholder awareness of the processes that will drive risk, exposure, and adaptive capacity in the future and inform discussions on mitigation strategies and adaptation pathways.

We present a summary of the main results within the Scale Invariant Vacuum (SIV) paradigm based on the Weyl Integrable Geometry (WIG) as an extension to the standard Einstein General Relativity (EGR). After a brief review of the mathematical framework, where we also highlight the connection between the weak-field SIV equations and the notion of un-proper time parametrization within the reparametrization paradigm, we continue with the main results related to early Universe; that is, applications to inflation, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, and the growth of the density fluctuations within the SIV. In the late time Universe the applications of the SIV paradigm are related to scale-invariant dynamics of galaxies, MOND, dark matter, and the dwarf spheroidals where one can find MOND to be a peculiar case of the SIV theory. Finally, within the recent time epoch, we highlight that some of the change in the length-of-the-day (LOD), about 0.92 cm/yr, can be accounted for by SIV effects in the Earth-Moon system.

Clinical and pre-clinical studies of neuropsychiatric (NP) disorders show altered astrocyte properties and synaptic networks. These are refined during early postnatal developmental (PND) stages. Thus, investigating early brain maturational trajectories is essential to understand NP disorders. However, animal experiments are highly time-/resource-consuming, thereby calling for alternative methodological approaches. The function of MEGF10 in astrocyte-mediated synapse elimination (pruning) is crucial to refine neuronal networks during development and adulthood. To investigate the impact of MEGF10 during PND in the rat prefrontal cortex (PFC) and its putative role in brain disorders, we established and validated an Organotypic Brain Slice Culture (OBSC) system.Using Western blot, we characterized the expression of MEGF10 and the synaptic markers synaptophysin and PSD95 in the cortex of developing pups. We then combined immunofluorescent-immunohistochemistry with Imaris-supported 3D-analysis to compare age- and sex-dependent astrocyte-mediated pruning within the PFC in pups and OBSCs. We thereby validated this system to investigate age-dependent astrocyte-mediated changes in pruning during PND. However, further optimizations are required to use OBSCs for revealing sex-dependent differences. In conclusion, OBSCs offer a valid alternative to study physiological astrocyte-mediated synaptic remodelling during PND and might be exploited to investigate pathomechanisms of brain disorders with aberrant synaptic development.

Contemporary diagnostic practice in psychiatry relies on the tick-box approach of diagnostic manuals. In light of the obvious limitations of diagnostic systems, narrative formulations, whether in the form of biological, psychodynamic or behavioural cognitive ones, have been proposed. Their approach, which can be caricatured as one of drawing arrows, enriches our clinical tools and practice but in their explicitly theoretical orientation, as well as expanding the field of discovery, they also constrain it. In two previous papers I summarized the resulting limitations, with specific reference to the patient’s experience and proposed further enriching clinical perspicacity by attending to images and parataxis. The specific intent of attending to the patient’s experiences through a process that explicitly eschews narrativization, but allows clinical phenomena to “hang loose”, is to facilitate a process of clinical discovery and healing through practices of co-production between patient and clinician. In the present paper, I expand the range of phenomena that may assist in this co-production through adding attention to dreams to that of images and parataxis. In particular, I turn to the work of the Italian novelist Guido Morselli. Morselli agrues that the self is created through bundling experiences together through acts of “will” in order to establish our personal narrative. In doing so, however, the “will” forbids access to phenomena that do not fit the dominant narrative. Experience is therefore impoverished. Dream consciousness is a type of consciousness not harnessed by the constraints of narrativity. It allows a slipping of the narrative vigilance which bundles phenomena together to create a coherent narrative and thus offers a richer menu of potential experiences, including “bizarre” images that can serve to challenge our usual self-narrative and offer a new perspective on ourselves.

We introduce the Transformation Flower Approach (TFA), a Theory of Change that attends to multiple value creation and institutional change as a dual design challenge. We highlight how the TFA integrates social scientific theories and models relevant for transformative change (in particular focusing on pathways, leverage points, governance, power, and values) and demonstrate its practical value by an application to the ongoing transformation of the Dutch food system. By providing a holistic, transdisciplinary and practically relevant approach that aims to support new social contract formation, the TFA goes beyond other transformative change approaches. Based on the notion of pathways, it offers a toolbox that aids in working towards desired futures, involving both incumbents and challengers in an effort to harness untapped yet proximal potentials in a forward-looking way. By embracing an innovation approach, it not only promises to circumvent resistance to change, but also serves as a step-by-step approach to identify options for multiple value creation and effective cooperation. We demonstrate the analytical and practical value of the TFA by discussing action perspectives at various levels and scales in the context of the Dutch food system transition, including (1) area-oriented approaches, (2) acceleration agendas for specific transformation pathways, and (3) actor-specific transformation flowers. In developing these, we emphasize the importance of interdependencies between leverage points. Our approach helps to identify opportunities to link transformative options (the what), actors (the who) and levers (the how) in dynamic interaction to embark on transformative pathways.

In livestock, brucellosis is mainly an asymptomatic disease except for abortion, therefore two serological tests are used for diagnosis as no single test is suitable. Abattoir samples enable a combination of culture, molecular and serological tests to detect brucellosis. This study assessed Brucella specific PCR (ITS-PCR) to detect brucellosis and to conduct molecular characterization of Brucella spp. isolated from PCR-positive livestock (n=565) slaughtered at abattoirs and the appropriate sample tissue(s). ITS-PCR detected Brucella DNA in 33.6% cattle, 14.5% sheep and 4.7% pig tissues. Impure Brucella cultures from PCR-positive tissues were 43.6% (44/94) cattle, 51.7% (15/29) sheep, and 50% (2/4) pigs with predominantly B. abortus identification with AMOS-PCR and low isolation of mixed B. abortus and B. melitensis in all species. In cattle 33% of isolates were from lymph nodes while in sheep 38.0% were from liver and kidney and only from tonsils in pigs (2/4). Brucella infections identified with AMOS-PCR were present in seropositive and mainly seronegative (75.6-100%) livestock with the potential to cause brucellosis during pregnancy or breeding. This study demonstrated the value of the polyphasic approach, especially with chronic infections and the potential risk of these asymptomatic animals.

The study was aimed at examining the status of research productivity and exploring the factors behind the identified status in Ethiopian universities from SDT and RBVT perspectives. In phase I, a null hypothesis was tested using a one-sample t-test at 0.05 alphas while in phase II one RQ was solved using qualitative analysis. The sample involved 531 academics, of whom 13 were interviewed. The mixed-methods research approach and explanatory sequential design guided this research. The status of research project production, indexed publication, and conference presentation performances in Ethiopian universities demonstrated statistically significant mean differences below the institutional, national, and world average cut-off points (performing at least one research project, one indexed journal, and one conference paper presentation per year per academic staff). Furthermore, we explored scarcity of funds, low research capacity, weak research culture, lack of productive institutional leadership, and political instability in the country as major causes of the low research productivity status. The researchers felt that the study would contribute to both promoting academic staff's research productivity and enriching the higher education research literature. MOE, university presidents, and deans should intervene in causes to improve academics’ research productivity status towards the desired local and global standards.

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.

This study investigates the effect of Re addition on the microstructure evolution and oxidation resistance of Co-Cr-Ta-Ti-C alloys. The alloys tested in this study consist of a Co-rich matrix with mixed HCP and FCC phases, together with TaTiC2 and Ti-based carbides. The addition of Re promotes the precipitation and growth of a CoCr-rich σ phase. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) showed that the melting temperatures did not change drastically up to 10 at% Re addition, whereas 15 at% Re addition significantly increased the melting temperature of the alloys. Oxidation tests in air at 1200°C showed that excessive Re content could lead to deterioration in oxidation resistance, mainly due to the accelerated formation of volatile Re oxides.

The aim of the paper is to assess the accessibility for people with disabilities of flagship cultural attractions, that is museums located in Krakow, a city with a rich historical heritage entered onto the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List and distinguished by the Access City Award. The research shows to what degree the museums have been adapted to receive visitors with disabilities. Assessment was also conducted of access to the museums’ websites, and the possibility for virtual tours of their collections. The research results indicate that Krakow museums are well-prepared for receiving people with physical disabilities and seniors, but are less well adapted to receiving visually impaired and blind people, and hearing impaired and deaf people. Analysis of the museums’ websites shows that they are well-prepared in terms of compatibility and comprehensibility, but that they received a worse assessment for their perceivability and functionality. Visitors to the museums are principally adults, adolescents and seniors. People with disabilities make up 10% of all visitors.

A bridged 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) derivative (PN-DOPO) in combination with aluminum phosphates coated sepiolite (Sep@AlPO4) was used to improve the flame retardancy, thermal stability and mechanical properties of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends. The synergistic effects of PN-DOPO and Sep@AlPO4 on the fire resistance, thermal decomposition behavior and mechanical properties of PEO/PBAT composites were investigated systematically. The results indicated that 5 wt % Sep@AlPO4 combined with 10 wt% PN-DOPO into PEO/PBAT achieved a V-1 rating in UL-94 test and the LOI value increased to 23.7%, meanwhile, the peak-heat release rate (p-HRR), av-HRR and total heat release (THR) values of PEO/PBAT/PN10%/Sep5% composites decreased by 35.6%, 11.0% and 23.0% compared with those of PEO/PBAT, respectively. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results confirmed that PN-DOPO/Sep@AlPO4 could enhance the initial thermal stability and char yield of PEO/PBAT matrix, and TGA/Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (TGA-FTIR) results revealed that the composites exhibited the absorption peaks of phosphorous-containing groups and an increase in gas-phase volatiles during the thermal decomposition process. The digital photographs and morphological structures of char residues demonstrated that PN-DOPO and Sep@AlPO4 mixtures benefited to the formation of a more continuous and dense carbon layer on the composites surface during combustion. Rheological behavior revealed that a higher storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity of PEO/PBAT/PN-DOPO/Sep@AlPO4 composites could also promote the cross-linking structure during burning. Furthermore, the PEO/PBAT/PN-DOPO/Sep@AlPO4 composites exhibited excellent mechanical properties in terms of elongation at break and flexural performance than the PEO/PBAT system. All the results demonstrated that PEO/PBAT system modified by the combination of PN-DOPO and Sep@AlPO4 not only exhibited excellent synergistic effect on the flame retardance, but also had good improvement on thermal stability and mechanical properties, indicating the potential application in areas requiring fire safety.

Alkali-activated materials, sometimes called geopolymers, can be used as alternative cementitious materials to conventional Portland cement. There is a significant current interest in these materials due to their low CO2 footprint. Typical applications of alkali-activated materials are within civil engineering, however, potential applications as well cementing material within oil & gas are also being studied with emerging interest. This paper presents a systematic study of compressive strength development from 1 to 28 days for metakaolin-based alkali-activated cement. The results show that compressive strength is highly dependent upon the initial Si/Al ratio in the mix design, as well as the concentration of the activator solution. Furthermore, due to the relatively low initial reactivity of the used metakaolin material, different types of co-binders were included in the slurry composition to improve early strength development. The two different co-binders tested were another, more reactive metakaolin material and Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS). It was found that both these co-binders performed as intended, by ensuring early strength development via precipitation of K-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gels, respectively, and also by enabling subsequent strength development due to improved dissolution of the low-reactive metakaolin.

Human keratinocytes and melanoma can stick together to form clusters after eight days in co-culture. As in dynamic system concepts, one can consider cluster formation as the system attractor, cell seeding as the initial condition, and density change over time as a path within the basin of attraction. Herein, Cellular Automata, which is a class of Agent-Based Models, and Boolean Networks are discrete modeling methods used in population dynamics such that running the dynamics of cellular automata backward reveals an underlying network in terms of basin of attraction, also known as global dynamics. Thus, we hypothesize that one can estimate the local dynamic of an agent-based model from the basin of attraction of a boolean network. Here, we propose an approach to estimating these agent-based model rules, which consists of comparing the density states within each state transition and reaching a consensus among state transitions belonging to a basin of attraction of a boolean network. The objectives of this study are: (1) to infer a boolean network from the co-culture growth curve; (2) to estimate the rules of agent-based models; and (3) to implement spatial dynamics simulations. The binarization of the growth curve shows high population density after four days; the estimated agent-based model rules were compatible with cell proliferation and migration in agreement with literature, so we had to propose individual rules for survival and death. Spatial dynamics shows that (1) keratinocytes exhibit a higher density in neighborhoods where melanoma is present; (2) the chance of keratinocyte migration increases until the fourth day, then decreases, and the probability of survival increases substantially after four days; and (3) cells with low proliferation capacity die and free space for those with high ones. Our approach suggests that the attractor state of cell co-culture is induced mainly by an increase in keratinocyte migration and survival. Our approach has the potential to offer valuable clues about microenvironmental interactions or configurations that drive population dynamics.

This paper examines the learning experience of an inter-faculty higher education course conducted in an expanded remote format, using digital space as facilitator. The study focuses on the implementation of personalized education, a pedagogical approach that emphasizes the diversification of resources, strategies, and actions to empower learners in assigning personal value and meaning to their learning journey. By presenting an action research project, this study highlights the pivotal role of personalized education in guiding the course design. To foster an engaging learning environment, the course incorporated open activities and leveraged tools and platforms of the social web. Through these means, the participants, forming a community of practice, were able to collaboratively generate knowledge before, during, and after synchronous sessions. Furthermore, the participants effectively disseminated this knowledge through networks and engaged in discussions with external stakeholders. The study underscores how personalized education facilitates situated and meaningful learning by fostering expanded, flexible, and distributed experiences. These experiences revolve around a transmedia narrative that seamlessly integrates digital culture into learning opportunities and processes, effectively naturalizing its presence. The results highlight the value of personalized education approaches in adapting to the complexities of the digital age and establishing meaningful learning experiences for students.

The devastating effects of COVID-19 permeates virtually all aspects of life across geographic boundaries. As the lockdown is eased, and reinstated, across many parts of the world, attention is now shifting towards how to navigate the ‘now normal’ rather than the ‘next normal,’ of doing business with a view to achieving sustainable development. This study highlights some of the challenges and opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in times of crisis such as COVID-19. Conceptual by orientation, the study provides a broad overview of trends in crises times, drawing upon a range of qualitative accounts. The overarching message is the current direction of travel for MSMEs in sustaining their bottom-line, not after the crisis, but at this particular moment in time. The study highlights some implications for ‘pivoting,’ in order to cushion the impact of the pandemic on efforts to capacitate MSMEs in leveraging value co-creation with the consumers. The implications of the here and now are discussed.

. Gut microbiome reflects healthy and predicts possible disease in hosts. A holistic view of this community is needed, focused on identification species, and on the dissection of how species interact with their host and with each other, regardless of whether their presence is beneficial, inconsequential, or detrimental. Distribution of gut-associated eukaryotes within and across NHPs is likely driven by host behavior and ecology. To ascertain the existence of free-living amoebae (FLA) in the gut of wild and captive non-human primates (NHPs), 01 sample stools were collected and submitted to culture-dependent and microscopy examination and DNA sequencing. FLAs were detected in 45.4% (46/101) of fecal samples analysed and their morphological characteristics matching those of Acanthamoeba spp, Vermamoeba spp, and fan-shaped amoebae of the family Vannellidae. Sequence analysis of the PCR- products revealed that the suspected amoebae are highly homologous (99% identity and 100% query coverage) with Acanthamoeba genotype T4 and Vermamoeba vermiformis amoebae. The results showed a great diversity of FLAs in the NHP microbiome, which may pose a potential risk to the health of NHPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report the presence of FLAs in NHPs naturally infected. However, it is not known whether gut-borne FLA are exploiting a viable ecological niche, or whether they are simply transient residents in the gut.

Aerococcus urinae is an aerobic Gram-positive coccus that grows as tiny alpha-hemolytic colonies. Actinotignum schaalii is a slow-growing facultative anaerobic Gram-positive rod. These bacteria are part of the urogenital microbiota of healthy patients, but can also be involved in urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly in elderly men and young children [1–3]. Because A. urinae and A. schaalii are fastidious and are difficult to identify with phenotypic methods, they are underestimated causes of UTIs. Their growth is slow and requires a blood-enriched medium and an incubation time of 48 hours under anaerobic or 5% CO2 atmosphere. Furthermore, accurate identification is only possible using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) or molecular-based methods. In rare cases, these bacteria can be responsible for invasive infections. We describe here the second case of bacteremic UTI caused by both A. schaalii and A. urinae in an 89-year-old woman who presented dyspnea and asymptomatic bacteriuria. This challenging clinical and microbiological diagnosis was made by our laboratory by Gram staining urine with a leucocyte count >50/μL and/or a bacterial count >14/μL, urinary culture on blood agar plate, and direct bacterial identification on positive blood culture bottles (BCBs) by MALDI-TOF MS. After 10 days of antimicrobial treatment consisting of 2g amoxicillin PO t.i.d the patient was discharged with complete clinical and biological recovery. A. schaalii and A. urinae are probably still underestimated causes of UTIs. Microbiologists should assess the presence of these two bacteria in urine using the appropriate culture and identification methods where direct examination is positive for small Gram-positive cocci or rods, and a urinary dipstick is negative for nitrites and associated with leukocyturia.

Background: Garlic primarily reproduces through vegetative propagation using seed cloves due to infrequent sexual reproduction by true seeds. Growers encounter challenges with pathogens due to the larger size and vegetative nature of seed cloves, as well as the storage conditions conducive to fungal growth. Some Phyto-pathogenic fungi, previously unrecognized as garlic infections, can remain latent within bulb tissues long after harvest. Although outwardly healthy, these infected bulbs may develop rot under specific conditions. Aim of Review: Planting diseased seed cloves can contaminate field soil, with some fungal and bacterial infections persisting for extended periods. The substantial size of seed cloves makes complete eradication of deeply ingrained infections difficult, despite the use of systemic fungicides during pre-planting and post-harvest phases. Additionally, viruses, resistant to fungicides, persist in vegetative material. They are prevalent in much of the garlic used for planting and their host vectors are difficult to eliminate. To address these challenges, tissue culture techniques are increasingly employed to produce disease-free planting stock. Key Scientific Concepts of Review: This review delves into crucial scientific aspects related to garlic propagation and health. Garlic primarily reproduces through vegetative propagation using seed cloves, facing challenges due to their large size and susceptibility to fungal infections. Some fungal pathogens, recently identified as garlic threats, remain dormant within bulbs long after harvest, potentially causing rot under specific conditions. Planting infected seed cloves can introduce pathogens into the soil, where they may persist. Deeply ingrained infections can be challenging to eradicate due to the size of seed cloves. Additionally, viruses persist in garlic seeds and spread through their carrier vectors, unaffected by fungicides. To address these issues, tissue culture techniques offer a promising approach to produce disease-free garlic planting material. This review explores these concepts, emphasizing the importance of producing disease-free garlic seeds and strategies for mitigation.

The (benzylthio)acetic acid (HBTA) and some aminopyrimidines, namely 2-aminopyrimidine (2-AP), 5-aminopyrimidine (5-AP), 2-amino-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (2-A-4,6-DMP) and 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (2,4,6-TAP), were successfully embodied as structural units into the construction of a total of four novel supramolecular organic frameworks. The received crystalline solids were inspected by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC XRD) in order to obtain insight into the structural and supramolecular facets. The SOFs deriving from 2-AP, 5-AP as well as 2-A-4,6-DMP crystallize in the form of true co-crystals (1-3), while the one originating from 2,4,6-TAP crystallizes as salt solvate (4). The SC XRD results indicated the different contents of structural residues present in the asymmetric units of the crystals 1-4 despite the using the same molar ratio of molecular co-formers in each case. The molecular structures of co-crystals 1-3 consist of either one neutral residue of each starting components (1 and 3) or a half nonionized residue of aminopyrimidine ingredient and one neutral residue of acidic specie (2). The asymmetric unit of salt solvate 4 is composed of two ionized residues of each co-former (two 2,4,6-TAP+ cations and two BTA- anions) and one MeOH solvent molecule. The most extensive H-bonding network is observed in the crystal structure of salt solvate 4. The relevant molecular ingredients in co-crystals 1-3 are mainly hold together by the neutral Ocarboxylic–H···Npyrimidine and Namine–H···Ocarboxylic H-bonds. In the case of aggregate 4, the corresponding ionic residues are predominantly sustained by the charged-assisted Npyrimidinium–H···Ocarboxylate and Namine–H···Ocarboxylate hydrogen interactions. The MeOH solvent incorporated into the crystal lattice of adduct 4 is also involved in H-bonding by simultaneously serving as the single donor in OMeOH–H···S and the single acceptor in Namine–H···OMeOH H-bonds afforded the structural diversity within the 2,4,6-TAP+ cations and BTA- anions. Other weaker sets of additional non-covalent contacts existing in the crystal structures of analyzed conglomerates are involved in the self-assembly, stabilization and expansion of total supramolecular organic frameworks. The fact of the formation of non-covalent bonded supramolecular organic frameworks in question is also reflected in corresponding results obtained through elemental analysis (EA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT−IR) and thermal analysis (TG/DSC).

The effects of co-addition CeO2 and SiC particles on the morphology, surface cracks, microstructure, precipitated phases and wear property of plasma beam spraying Fe55-based coatings on 1025 steel were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), ultra-deep field microscope and wet sand rubber wheel friction tester, respectively. The results showed that the dendrite exhibited a directional growth pattern perpendicular to the substrate and the transitional states of microstructure with the co-addition CeO2 and SiC particles. With addition of CeO2 or SiC affected the flowability of molten steel at macro level, leading to a reduction in the liquid phase diffusion coefficient DL of Cr and C and resulted in a decrease in the G/R ratio. The dendrites changed into equiaxed grains. The main phase composition of Fe55 welding layer is Cr7C3, γ-Fe. The grain boundaries consisted mainly of a reticular eutectic structure. The worn-out uniformly surface of the Fe55+1.5 wt% SiC+0.01wt% CeO2 with Ra was 0.28 μm was smoother than that of other samples. The sub-wear mechanisms during the friction process were microploughing and microcutting. The hardness and toughness of Fe55+1.5 wt% SiC+0.01wt% CeO2 were well-matched, avoiding excessive microcutting and microplastic deformation.

This paper constitutes a comprehensive literature review within the field of cultural tourism, with a particular focus on the concept of the cultural route as a tourist-cultural product. Within this framework, the paper offers an overview of contemporary technological challenges, concerns, and limitations. It thoroughly explores cutting-edge technologies pertaining to the promotion of cultural heritage, both in general and in the specific context of realizing the concept of the cultural route, a tourist-cultural service enriched by the utilization of new media. Additionally, it extensively references the latest techniques and models for enhancing the user experience of digital cultural tourism products. Moreover, the paper showcases existing digital platforms and tools that encapsulate and emphasize the notion of cultural tourism. It assesses the respective methodologies, technologies, and techniques employed in each case, accompanied by illustrative instances of their applications.

A very important role in determining the quality of water is the assessment of its microbiological quality. Water quality control, which could pose a direct threat to human health and life, is performed in the case of water produced at the water treatment plants, tap water or water in swimming pools. However, these traditional methods used to assess its quality are laborious and time consuming. In emergency and incidental situations, in the era of terrorist threats, the need for quick, reliable and reproducible microbiological determinations seems to be essential. In this study, an attempt was made to compare various methods of assessing the microbiological quality of water. The assessment was carried out for waters with different microbiological characteristics: surface waters, rainwater, groundwater, and water supply. The evaluation was carried out using traditional culture methods and high-speed methods: flow cytometry and luminometry. The analysis of microbiological parameters were the basis for the statistical analysis. The conducted microbiological analysis of various types of water, along with their statistical evaluation, showed different dependencies for each of the analysed waters.

The study of exogenous metabolites of algae-bacterial communities in the laboratory accumulative culture obtained from natural river water was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Exometabolites of the algae-bacterial community (including microalgae and cyanobacteria) in the culture medium were represented by saturated, unsaturated, and aromatic hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, phenolic, and terpene compounds and their derivatives. Possible biological activities of the discovered exometabolites are considered. The study has demonstrated that an increase in the number of main groups of microorganisms, along with changes in the composition of algae and cyanobacteria, are responsible for the increase in the composition and concentration of metabolites in the microecosystem's culture medium after one month of cultivation. The presence of octacosane in high concentration (0.0603 mg/l; 23.78% of the total content of low molecular weight organic compounds) by the end of exposure accumulative culture is associated with the strong development of the cyanobacterium Gloeocapsa sp. in the presence of diatom algae of the genus Navicula and green algae of the genera Chlorella and Scenedesmus. Due to the need to comprehend the ecological and biochemical mechanisms of the formation and functioning of algae-bacterial communities, as well as to predict potential paths of transformation and evolution of aquatic ecosystems, the specificity of exometabolite complexes of algae and microorganisms, as well as their allelopathic and other biochemical interactions in freshwater ecosystems, requires further serious study.

To proactively manage information security, enterprises often employ information security risk assessment techniques. Asset value - which is used to calculate the financial impact of possible threats - is one of the key parameters of information security risk. However, assets in a system are rarely independent, and their values are typically interdependent. Asset owners and IT teams may hold different views as regards these values, and there is thus the need to reduce subjectivity in a qualitative risk assessment. The research entails the development of a conceptual framework derived from the literature to minimize subjectivity, and the design of a system based on those concepts. The study uses the Unified Modeling Language as a design tool and puts forward an object-oriented model for defining asset values, in which the relationships between assets, vulnerabilities and related threats are identified. A “segregation of duties” approach is integrated into the risk management system to mitigate against subjectivity and better determine asset values. Survey responses from 16 practitioners working in the private and public sectors confirm the validity of the approach, but suggest it may be more workable in larger organisations where resources allow dedicated risk professionals to operate.

The increase in carbon dioxide emissions has a significant impact on human society and the global environment. As the most abundant and cheap C1 resource, the conversion and utilization of carbon dioxide has received extensive attention from researchers. In many methods of carbon dioxide conversion and utilization, the reverse water gas conversion reaction is considered to be one of the most effective ways. In this paper, the research progress of reverse water gas conversion reaction in recent years is introduced.

This article explores the concept of sustainable leadership in the digital era and the role of technology in promoting environmental sustainability. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected through digital advancements, leaders are facing new challenges and opportunities to address environmental concerns. This article examines the key characteristics of sustainable leadership and discusses how technology can be utilized to promote environmental sustainability. It highlights various technological innovations and strategies that leaders can employ to foster a sustainable organizational culture. Moreover, the article discusses potential barriers and limitations of technology in achieving sustainability goals. Overall, it emphasizes the significance of sustainable leadership and technology integration in addressing environmental challenges in the digital era.

As one of the important components of underwater propulsion systems, water lubricated bearings are often failure due to mechanical wearing and vibrating, especially under high loads and prolonged friction. In this paper, a dual-network co-crosslinking strategy based on HNBR is proposed, in which the epoxy network connects with the rubber network through Epoxidized Eommia ulmoides gum. The damping, tribological and mechanical properties of the prepared composite are systematically investigated. The results show that this material has excellent friction and vibration damping properties, with a water-lubricated coefficient of friction as low as 0.022 and a wear resistance as high as 3.87 × 10-6mm3/Nm. Preparing HNBR-based composite by dual network co-crosslinked is proved being a feasible solution to improve the reliability and service life of water-lubricated bearings.

Plant biotechnology is dependent today on accessing broader plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) diversity for ensuring food security for our future. Heterogenous agricultural lands are considered today as hotspot for biodiversity, and they also exist in the hilly mountain areas of Romanian’s Carpathians. The scope of this review is to describe traditional home-hardens related to the land use of households and cultivated species from Moșna commune, Sibiu County, Romania. The survey was realized with the support of authorities and local stakeholders from 2010 up to 2019. The results of this survey revealed that maintenance of crop species structure and land use of traditional households is longer than 100 years. Consequently at least 15 traditional Saxon home-gardens of 120 taken into the study may be defined. Today these home-garden covers a media of 26% of the total area of a household and should be part of a surface ranging between 5,000 and 1,500 m2. The first Local Council Decision in Romania in 2019 supporting the recognition of landraces and home-gardens as heritage values was officially adopted supporting the need to more access bottom-up approaches for supporting biodiversity conservation.

There is a growing notion that biomass are the best resource to replace the declining fossil fuels, yet both share the long lived human threat: toxic combustion emissions. Among the toxic combustion products is carbon monoxide (CO) that not only causes acute but also chronic ailments. This brief review discusses the solid fuel processing technologies from combustion, thermochemical and biochemical processing to kinetics and thermodynamics including the mechanism for release of CO. It further expounds on the burden that CO has caused England and Wales in the last 25 years. The main gist are the systems that have been developed to minimize human exposure to CO including cooking, heating, catalytic and detection systems. Finally, alternative technologies are discussed that work by changing the chemical nature of solid fuels as a way to minimize CO emissions.

The prevalent pathogens associated with bovine uterine infections are bacteria that appear to increase the host's susceptibility to secondary infections with other bacteria or viruses, among which BoHV-4 is the most frequently found. In this work, the study of the pathways of apoptosis induction was carried out on an experimental model of primary culture of endometrial cells, in order to know the implication of BoHV-4 and the presence of bacterial LPS in the pathogenesis of the bovine reproductive tract. For this, different staining techniques and molecular analysis by RT-PCR were used. The results obtained allowed us to conclude that the level of cell death observed in the proposed primary culture is directly related to the time of viral infection and the presence of LPS in BoHV-4 infection. The apoptosis indices in cells infected with BoHV-4, BoHV-4 + LPS presented a maximum that correlates with the appearance of the cytopathic effect, and the maximum viral titers in the model studied. However, morphological, biochemical and molecular changes were evident during both early and late stages of apoptosis. These findings provide information on the factors that may influence the pathogenesis of BoHV-4 and help to better understand the mechanisms involved in virus infection.

De novo regeneration of Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis) using tissue culture techniques remains unreliable and infrequent. Conventional methods for the regeneration and transformation of cannabis have not achieved the reliability and replicability needed to be integrated into research and breeding programs. Protoplast systems are effective for gene expression studies, transformation and genome editing technologies, and opens the possibility of somatic hybridization to create interspecific hybrids. To date, leaf-derived protoplast have been isolated for transient gene expression studies, but attempts at protoplast-to-plant regeneration have not been reported. The present study aims to test the efficacy of using a callus culture system, as an abundant source for protoplast isolation and lays the groundwork for a protoplast-to-plant regeneration system. Using hypocotyl-derived callus cultures, which are known to have relatively greater regenerative potential, the efficacy of protoplast isolation and initial cell division were assessed. In this study, the effect of 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid (AIP) in callus culture media and the effect of subculture frequency on protoplast yield were assessed. This study found that inclusion of AIP at 1 mM resulted in a 334% increase in protoplast yield compared with AIP-free medium, representing the first known use of AIP in cannabis tissue culture. Inclusion of AIP led to a 28% decrease in total soluble phenolics and 52% decrease in tissue browning compared to the control medium. Lastly, a two-phase culture system for protoplast regeneration was tested. At a concentration of 2.0×10^5 protoplasts per mL, division was observed, providing the first know report of cell division from cannabis protoplasts and setting the stage for future development of a protoplast-to-plant regeneration system.

A comprehensive understanding of the connotation and basic characteristics of campus culture in vocational colleges is a prerequisite for ensuring their sustainable development. Campus culture in vocational colleges is a concentrated reflection of their educational philosophy, ideal beliefs, and value pursuits. It possesses basic characteristics such as practicality, vocational orientation, ethics, contemporaneity, integration, and regionality.

Functional dependence of the axial zero-field splitting parameter D with respect to a properly chosen geometrical parameter (Dstr) in metal complexes is termed the Magnetostructural D-Correlation. In mononuclear hexacoordinate Ni(II) complexes with the ground electronic term 3B1g (3A2g in the regular octahedron) it proceeds along two intercepting straight lines allowing to predict the sign and magnitude of the D-parameter by knowing the X-ray structure alone; Dstr is constructed from the metal-ligand bond lengths. In hexacoordinate Co(II) complexes it is applicable only in the segment of the compressed bipyramid where the ground electronic term 4B1g is orbitally non-degenerate so that the spin Hamiltonian formalism holds true. The D vs Dstr correlation is strongly non-linear and it is represented by a set of decreasing exponentials. In tetracoordinate Co(II) complexes, on the contrary, the angular distortion from the regular tetrahedron is crucial so that the appropriate structural parameter Dstr is constructed of bond angles. All of these empirical correlations originate in the electronic structure of metal complexes that can be modelled by the generalized crystal-field theory. As the barrier to spin reversal in the single-molecule magnets is proportional to the D-value, for a rational tuning and/or prediction of the single-molecule magnetic behavior knowledge/prediction of the D-parameter is beneficial. In this review, we present the statistical processing of an extensive set of structural and magnetic data of Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes, which were published over the past 15 years. Magnetostructural D-correlations defined for this data set are reviewed in detail.

The objective of the present study was to develop and optimize an efficient growth media for Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, an essential dairy starter culture, uses plant-based nitrogen sources. The composition of the de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) culture medium was modified, and the nitrogen content was replaced by alternative nitrogen sources X-Seed N7 and N5 in various blends of 3% and 1.5%. Results showed that bacterial growth was higher with the N7 and N5 nitrogen source blends at 3% and 1.5%. Similarly, the optical densities of the L. bulgaricus strains were higher in the N7 and N5 blends (1.5/3%) compared to the MRS medium. Although there was no significance in bacterial counts for both the MRS and the N7 and N5 media, a significant difference between the control medium and the optimized growth media was noted. Our results thus suggest that the alternative nitrogen sources X-Seed N7 and N5 can substantially support the growth of lactic acid bacteria as shown with L. bulgaricus. Moreover, the presence of complex nitrogen sources rich in free nucleotides, amino acids, and peptides enhanced L. bulgaricus growth. Our results support the development of cost-effective and plant-based growth media for LAB cultures and potential benefits to the food and dairy industries. Additional research is warranted to improve buffering capacity for higher cell counts.

Breast cancer remains one of the most deadly non-communicable diseases in the world. The incidence of breast cancer in South Africa is increasing, with rural African women presenting with advanced stages of the disease. In this study, we aim to explore sociocultural factors influencing breast cancer screening practices among rural African women. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 22 rural African women selected by purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. In this study, four sociocultural factors were identified as influencing breast cancer screening practices among rural African women. These factors included psychological factors, habits, beliefs, and healthcare perception. Women in rural African communities have deep-rooted traditional beliefs and practices regarding breast cancer. Consequently, this influences women's preventative health behaviours regarding breast cancer screening. To increase the number of women participating in breast cancer screenings, it is vital to develop culturally sensitive health education programs. Engaging community healers will also help to increase the number of women participating in breast cancer screening.

In recent years, frequent occurrences of low temperature disasters due to global climate change have significantly impacted the normal growth of crops. Research has indicated that inorganic selenium (which is more toxic) can not only enhance the effects of low temperature stress but also increase selenium content on plants; however, there is a scarcity of studies investigating the impacts of organic selenium and nano-selenium on crops. In order to investigate whether organic selenium and nano-selenium can enhance low-temperature tolerance and increase selenium content in pak choi (Brassica chinensis var. pekinensis. cv. ‘Suzhouqing’), different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20 mg L-1) of exogenous selenium were applied in this experiment to assess their effects on plant growth, nutritional quality and antioxidant properties. RNA-Seq technology was used to sequence the transcriptome of the leaves. Based on the transcriptome data, a Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was employed to construct a network that associates with physiological traits related to stress resistance. Two highly correlated gene co-expression modules were identified, and within them, nine hub genes associated with endocytosis, antioxidant stress, absorption, transport, and metabolism of selenium were discovered. The results indicated that the beneficial effects on yield and total selenium content under low temperature were attributed to (1) protection of photosynthetic pigments for enhancing photosynthetic capacity by the up-regulation of LHca2, LHcb1, LHca1, LHcb4 in KEGG pathway: photosynthesis-antenna proteins; (2) activation of antioxidant system for efficient ROS homeostasis such as SOD, POD and CAT by the genes such as Superoxide dismutase, Monodehydroascorbate and (3) selenium absorption by endocytosis, seleninum transportation by ABC transporter gene family and selenium metabolism related genes such as Cysteine synthase, Glutaredoxin. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of organic selenium and nano-selenium on cyanochloride production at low temperatures.

Collaborative robots have experienced low acceptance in applications, especially in industry. 1 This fact has attracted the attention of researchers and practitioners, who point to different causes 2 for this low acceptance. One of the main reasons is the difficulty in converging on suitable methods 3 for modeling collaborative interactions between robots and their surrounding context during the 4 requirements phase. These interactions must be elicited and modeled during requirements modeling 5 to maximize value creation through collaboration and must be formally verified, taking into account 6 the risks of human-robot interaction. However, such modeling is often not present in collaborative 7 robot design, and the choice of an appropriate approach remains an open problem. In this paper, 8 this problem is addressed from a requirements engineering perspective, a goal-oriented model and 9 a service-based approach supported by an additional verification method based on Petri nets is 10 proposed. A case study based on collaborative robots used in a hospital environment is presented.

The effective treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has transformed a highly lethal disease into a chronic and manageable condition. However, better methods need to be developed for eliminating the virus from reservoirs, enhancing patient access and adherence to therapy, and improving treatment in the long term to reduce adverse effects. From the perspective of drug discovery, one promising strategy is the development of anti-HIV prodrugs. This approach aims to enhance the efficacy and safety of treatment, promoting the development of more appropriate and convenient systems for patients. In this review, we discussed the use of the prodrug approach for HIV antiviral agents and emphasized nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. We comprehensively described various strategies that are used to enhance factors such as water solubility, bioavailability, pharmacokinetic parameters, permeability across biological membranes, chemical stability, drug delivery to specific sites/organs, and tolerability. These strategies might help researchers conduct better studies in this field. We also reported successful examples from the primary therapeutic classes while discussing the advantages and limitations. In this review, we highlighted the key trends in the application of the prodrug approach for treating HIV/AIDS..

ABSTRACT: This paper provides an overview of the complex relationship between culture, gender, and business. It highlights the importance of understanding how these factors intersect and influence various aspects of the business world, including organizational practices, leadership styles, workplace dynamics, and economic outcomes. It also explores how cultural factors shape gender roles, expectations, and opportunities within the business context. Additionally, it discusses the implications of cultural influences on women's participation, advancement, and overall experiences in the business world. Understanding the interplay between culture, gender, and business is essential for fostering inclusive and diverse workplaces. Organizations that embrace cultural diversity and gender equality tend to exhibit greater creativity, innovation, and adaptability. They also benefit from increased employee satisfaction, improved decision-making processes, and enhanced financial performance. The work also examined how the values, beliefs, socialization, and team spirit of some distinct ethnic groups such as Japanese, Chinese, Jews, Igbo, and Indians have helped in the economic growth of not the groups alone but the countries where they reside. By examining these dynamics and cultures, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers can gain insights to develop effective strategies that promote gender equality, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive practices in the business world, ultimately leading to more equitable and prosperous societies.

Based on a literature review, a framework for digital organizational culture with a focus on innovation is proposed. This digital organizational culture becomes relevant today since digital transformation requires an appetite for risk and a willingness to undertake, aspects that are strengthened by an environment and atmosphere that motivate individuals to generate new ideas. The proposal begins with a diagnosis of the existing organizational culture, which allows identifying the differences between the components of the current organizational culture and the innovation-oriented digital organizational culture. Through this diagnosis, the gaps that need to be addressed to achieve a digital organizational culture with innovative characteristics are identified. In addition, specific recommendations are proposed to carry out this transformation. In the process, the assumptions underlying the current typology of the company's organizational culture are highlighted. The importance of integrating creativity, risk readiness, and entrepreneurial willingness into the digital organizational culture aimed at innovation is emphasized. These elements are essential to create an environment

K-Rb-83Kr based atomic co-magnetometer for measuring moving MEGs is theoretically studied in this paper. Parameters such as the spin exchange rates, the spin dephasing rates and the polarization of the nuclear spins are studied to configure the co-magnetometer. Results show that the nuclear spin could generate around 700 nT magnetic field under which the nuclear spin could compensate wide range of magnetic fields. We also showed the hybrid optical pumping vapor cell fabrication process in this paper. Alkali metals were mixed in a glove box and then was connected to the alkali vapor cell fabrication system. The vapor cell fabrication process is illustrated in this paper.

A comparative study of the physicochemical properties of natural bentonite clays of Pogodayevо (Republic of Kazakhstan, mod.1) and Dash-Salakhli (Republic of Azerbaijan, mod.2) deposits and modification of the bentonite clay with polyhydroxocations of iron (III) and aluminium (III). It-wasestablished that the modification of natural bentonitesusing polyhydroxocations of iron (III) and aluminium(III) by the method of "co-precipitation" leads to a change in their chemical composition, structural and sorption properties. The results showed that hydroxy-aluminum cations ([Al3O4(OH)24(H2O)12]7+) and poly-hydroxyl-Fe or polyoxo-Fe were intercalated into clay layers, which led to an increase in the values of d001 and specific surface areas compared to those of the original bentonite, from 37 to 120 for the Pogodaevo bentonite and from 51 to 172 respectively for bentonite from the Dash-Salakhli deposit. It is shown that modified sorbents based on natural bentonite are finely porous objects with a predominance of pores of 1.5−6.0 nm in size. As a result, there is a significant increase in the specific surface area of sorbents. Modification of bentonite with polyhydroxocations of iron (III) and aluminium (III) by the "co-precipitation" method also leads to an increase in the sorption capacity of the sorbents obtained with respect to nickel (II) cations. Modified bentonites were used for the adsorption of Ni (II) ions from the model solution. Ni (II) was absorbed in a neutral pH solution. The study of equilibrium adsorption showed that the data are in good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity of the Ni (II) monolayer obtained from the Langmuir equation was 25.0 mg/g (mod. 1_Al_5-c), 18.2 mg/g (mod. 2_Al_5-c) for Al-bentonite and 16.7 mg/g (mod. 1_Fe_5-c), 10.1 (mod. 2_Fe_5-c) for Fe-bentonite. The kinetics of adsorption is considered. The high content of Al-OH anion exchange centresin them determines the higher sorption activity of Al-modified bentonites.

Intramuscular fat content (IFC) and meat color are vital indicators affecting pork quality. A significant positive correlation between IFC and redness meat color (a* value) indicates that these two traits are likely to be regulated by shared molecular pathways. To identify candidate genes, hub genes, and signaling pathways that regulate these two traits, we measured the IFC and a* value in 147 hybrid pigs and selected individuls with extreme phenotypes for transcriptome analysis. The results revealed 485 and 394 overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using DESeq2, limma, and edgeR packages affecting IFC and a* value, respectively. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified four modules significantly correlated with IFC and a* value. Moreover, we integrated functional enrichment analysis results based on DEGs, GSEA, and WGCNA conditions to identify candidate genes, and identified 47 and 53 candidate genes affecting IFC and a* value, respectively. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of candidate genes showed that 6 and 14 hub genes affecting IFC and a* value, respectively. These genes mainly participated in various pathways related to lipid metabolism and redox reactions. Notably, four crucial hub genes (MYC, SOX9, CEBPB, and PPAGRC1A) were shared for these two traits. After functional annotation of these four hub genes, we hypothesized that the SOX9/CEBPB/PPARGC1A axis could co-regulate lipid metabolism and myoglobin redox response. Further research on these hub genes, especially the SOX9/CEBPB/PPARGC1A axis, will help to understand the molecular mechanism of the co-regulation of IFC and a* value, which will provide the theoretical basis for improving pork quality.

The possibility of deep radiochemical purification of Li2CO3 has been examined in the frame of the purification program of AMoRE collaboration. In this experiment, commercial Li2CO3 was converted into LiNO3. Co-precipitation with inorganic salt-based carriers followed by membrane filtration and sorption using MDM inorganic sorbent methods were tested for the removal of alkaline-earth and transition metals, potassium, magnesium, aluminum, uranium, thorium, and radium. The calcium molybdate-based carrier was the most efficient for removing Th, U, and K. Subsequently, the radium, calcium, and barium contaminations were removed with MDM sorbent. After the impurities’ removal, the final Li2CO3 product was synthesized with NH4HCO3 sludge. The separation factors were derived by means of ICP-MS and HPGe analyses of the initial material, intermediate and final products. The study showed the optimum conditions of co-precipitation and sorption to reach a high yield and radiopurity of lithium carbonate used for low radioactive background experiments.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to further explore how e-loyalty and E-marketing influences E-trust and satisfy the demand by offering fresh perspectives based on research as well as emphasis on the factors influencing the E-trust such as culture as a mediator. This study not only contributed theoretically but also presented practical implementations. Design/methodology/approach: Online survey was used to obtain data by focusing the Hospitality sector (Hotel Industry) and verifying the conceptual framework. Data was collected in multiple time lags. Findings: Findings showed that the E-trust influenced by E-loyalty and E-Marketing. E-trust comes from the previous experiences, e-loyalty and e-marketing. Further, some trends such as culture influenced the e-trust. Research limitation/implications: The present study is quite suitable for those Researchers interested in learning more about the effects of E-loyalty and E-marketing on user E-trust and how to mitigate cultural influences can benefit from the current study. This research also has implications for those who wish to improve market allure and survival in digital world. This study focused on the hospitality sector (Hotel Industry) in China; however, the sector and geography could be altered to suit the needs of the study's participants. Practical implications: The present study delivers the practical guidelines which are quiet suitable for understanding the formation of E-loyalty, E-marketing, and E-trust through which specific E-marketing strategy can be designed to deal with the consumer’s E-loyalty and their expectations as per their Cultural perspective. At some particular regions/countries, cultural trends are more important than practical market. This research study practically showed that how culture changed the consumer set of mind. Originality/value: The relationship between E-loyalty, E-marketing, E-trust, specifically with the cultural influence in digital market has been the subject of few research.

The inaugural AIDS Program in Brazil was established in São Paulo in 1983, with the Instituto Adolfo Lutz appointed for laboratory assistance. Subsequently, research on HIV infections and HIV/HTLV (HIV/HTLV-1 and HIV/HTLV-2) co-infections were conducted. This narrative review focuses on studies from the Immunology Department (1983–2017) that significantly influenced AIDS diagnosis or provided epidemiological data such as prevalence rates, sex, age, and risk factors. Ten studies, encompassing over 8,000 individuals, are discussed. During 1983–1985, nearly all AIDS cases were attributed to homosexual/bisexual men aged 31 years old. Subsequently, heterosexual men and women emerged as risk groups owing to intravenous drug use (IDU) and/or unprotected sexual intercourse with AIDS patients or multiple partners per year. From 1985 onwards, vertical transmission led to child infections. HIV/HTLV co-infection rates decreased over time, initially associated with male IDU, and in the 2010s, with females, IDU, and individuals aged >40 years. Trends in HIV and HIV/HTLV co-infections among younger men and women (<30 years of age) were observed from 2015–2017. The changing characteristics and risk groups for HIV and HIV/HTLV co-infections over the years underscore the necessity for ongoing public policies to prevent retrovirus transmission, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

CO2, CH4 and CO are the most critical atmospheric gases in terms of their impact on the radiative system, air quality and health. This work provides information on the direction of source areas and potential sources of emissions and shows many aspects of these gases by a statistical analysis using bivariate polar diagrams and local weather conditions (e.g., temperature, wind speed and wind direction) recorded at the Lamto station (LTO, 6°31N and 5°02W) in Côte d’Ivoire over the 2014-2018 period. The results show that the main regions contributing to the high concentrations of CH4 (> 1925 ppb) and CO2 (> 420 ppm) in the GSS, GSP, PSS and PSP seasons are the North and Northwest sectors of Lamto. In these directions, CH4 and CO2 concentrations are associated with wind speeds less than 6 m.s-1, due to the influences of local sources as emissions resulting from the degradation of organic matter submerged during the impoundment of the Taabo dam, and/nor human activities linked to the practice of intensive agriculture. In addition, the high concentrations of CO (> 350 ppb) are observed in GSS in the North, North-West, North-East and East sectors for wind speeds less than or equal to 9 m.s-1, due to the influences of both local and distant sources. The correlation coefficients between CH4 and CO, and between CH4 and CO2 are positive and significant in all sectors. However, those calculated between CO2 and CO have showed both low and high values in all seasons.

The introduction of digitization has changed all spheres of business on a global level, including geospatial data. In the Republic of Serbia, the process on this topic should begin with the introduction of the terms ePlan and eSpace. The general goal of the paper implies the construction and implementation of the ePlan as a future part of the eSpace for digital management of geospatial data, by creating co-creating value. For this purpose, the authors conducted research in which representatives of local self-governments and holders of public authority participated, by means of structured online research. The focus was on the digitization of urban and planning documents and the establishment a central database of spatial and planning documents in electronic format, and its further distribution through the one system. In that way, easy access to digital plan data expands the user community, and enables communication with different stakeholder groups. Ac-cording to the results of the research, the authors point out that it is necessary to form a new model for managing geospatial data through a eSpace system. This is achieved by shifting the focus from urban and spatial planning to other databases and their registers that are related to geospatial data. The goal of the paper indicates that it is necessary to raise the awareness of society, to introduce the concept of value co-creation, because conditions are created for the implementation of all measures aimed at digitization and management of electronic services in sustainable project society, at all countries.

A new copper(I) complex, [Cu2(L)2dppm](PF6)2 (1) [L = 3-(2-Pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine and dppm: Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane] was prepared and characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, 31P-NMR spectroscopy, elemental and thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Complex 1 is a dinuclear compound, showing that L and dppm act as tridentate and bidentate chelating ligands, respectively. The two Cu(I) atoms exhibit a distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere embedded in N3P environments. The supramolecular interactions in the solid-state structure are characterized by C−H···N, C−H···F, C-H···π and π···π intermolecular interactions that were analyzed by inspection of the Hirshfeld surface and fingerprint plots. Additionally, the complex was studied experimentally in solution by UV–Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry; also, theoretical studies with Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) were performed. Moreover, the optical and electrochemical properties have been studied, focusing on the band gap. Compound 1 has been used as a co-sensitizer in a dye-sensitized solar cell, showing good activity.

The 2022-2023 influenza season in Romania was characterized by high pediatric hospitalization rates, predominated by influenza A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2. Lowered population immunity to influenza after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and subsequent stoppage of influenza circulation, particularly in children who had limited pre-pandemic exposures, influenced hospitalization among children immunosuppressed, and patients with concurrent medical conditions who are at increased risk for developing severe forms of influenza. This study focused on the characteristics of influenza issues among paediatric patients, as well as the relationship between different influenza virus types and viral and bacterial coinfections and illness severity in the 2022-2023 season after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We conducted a retrospective clinical analysis on 301 cases of influenza in pediatric inpatients (age ≤ 18 years), hospitalized at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases "Prof. Dr. Matei Balș" IX Pediatric Infectious Diseases Clinical Section between October 2022 and February 2023. The most significant age group was 57.8% representing children between one to four years old and female. The average clinical forms were found in 61.7%, whereas severe versions represented 18.2% of cases. Most of the complications were respiratory (acute interstitial pneumonia, 76.1%), hematological (72.1%), represented by intra-infectious and deficiency anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), 33.6% were digestive, such as diarrheal disease, liver cytolysis syndrome, and the acute dehydration syndrome associated with electrolyte imbalance (71.4%). Severe complications were associated with a risk of unfavorable evolution: acute respiratory failure and neurological complications (convulsions, encephalitis). No deaths were reported. We noticed that the flu season 2022-2023 was characterized by the association of co-infections (viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic) more frequent than in previous years (26.2% vs. 16%), which evolved more severely, with prolonged hospitalization and more complications (p<0.05), and time of use of oxygen therapy was statistically significant (p > 0.05); influenza vaccination in this group was zero. In conclusion, coinfections with respiratory viruses increase the severity of the pediatric population's immunity to influenza, especially among young children who are more vulnerable to developing a serious illness. All people above the age of six months should get vaccinated against influenza to prevent the illness and its severe complications.

Background. Currently, most of the research in breast cancer has been carried out in conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture due to its practical benefits, however, the three-dimensional (3D) cell culture is becoming the model of choice in cancer research because it allows cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, mimicking the native microenvironment of tumors in vivo. Methods. in this work, we evaluated the effect of 3D cell organization on the expression pattern of miRNAs (by Small-RNAseq) and mRNAs (by microarrays) in the breast cancer SKBR3 cell line and analyzed the biological processes and signaling pathways regulated by the differ-entially expressed protein-coding genes (DE-mRNAs) and miRNAs (DE-microRNAs) found in the organoids. Results. We obtained well-defined cell-aggregated organoids with a grape cluster-like morphology with a size up to 9.2×105 μm3. The transcriptomic assays showed that cell growth in organoids significantly affected (all p < 0.01) the gene expression patterns of both, miRNAs and mRNAs, finding 20 upregulated and 19 downregulated DE-microRNAs, as well as 49 upregulated and 123 downregulated DE-mRNAs. In silico analysis showed that a subset of 11 upregulated DE-microRNAs target 70 downregulated DE-mRNAs. These genes are involved in 150 gene on-tology (GO) biological processes such as regulation of cell morphogenesis, regulation of cell shape, regulation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway, morphogenesis of epithelium, regulation of cy-toskeleton organization, as well as in the MAPK and AGE-RAGE signaling KEGG-pathways. In-terestingly, hsa-mir-122-5p (Fold Change (FC)=15.4), hsa-mir-369-3p (FC=11.4), and hsa-mir-10b-5p (FC=20.1) regulated up to the 81 % of the 70 downregulated DE-mRNAs. Conclu-sion, the organotypic 3D cell-organization architecture of breast cancer SKBR3 cells impacts the expression pattern of miRNAs-mRNAs network mainly through overexpression of hsa-mir-122-5p, hsa-mir-369-3p, and hsa-mir-10b-5p. All these findings suggest that the interaction between cell-cell and cell-ECM as well as the change in the culture architecture impacts gene ex-pression, and therefore, support the pertinence of migrating breast cancer research from conven-tional cultures to 3D models.

Recent years have seen organizations increasingly shift towards the development of a mentoring culture, as opposed to the imposition of formalized mentoring programs. This original research paper set out to explore the utility of fostering mentoring cultures within higher education settings with a particular emphasis placed on the ways in which a mentoring culture may support the nurturing of leadership potential and serve underrepresented minority faculty and staff members. Primary data was gathered using an open-ended qualitative survey, which was followed up by semi-structured interviews. One hundred faculty members in diverse academic and administrative leadership roles across the United States were sent online surveys, with 18 individuals expressing interest in participating in a semi-structured interview. Those who responded affirmatively were then contacted via telephone to follow up with further questions. Analysis of their insights, in conjunction with analysis of other literature, suggests that the cultivation of a mentoring culture offers diverse benefits for mentees advancing into leadership positions; for mentors; and for the institution as a whole. Overall, the development of a mentoring culture characterized by informal, spontaneous exchanges, and tailored to the needs of underrepresented minority faculty members, appears to be a useful tool in enhancing leadership potential in higher education contexts.

Still, the most common in vitro model for absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) purposes is the Caco-2 cell line. However, clear differences in gene- and protein expression towards the small intestine and an at best fair prediction accuracy of intestinal drug absorption restrict the usefulness as model for intestinal epithelial cells. To overcome these limitations, we evaluated a panel of low-passaged patient-derived colorectal cancer cell lines of the HROC collection concerning similarities to small intestinal epithelial cells and their potential to predict intestinal drug absorption. After initial screen of a larger panel, ten cell lines with confluent outgrowth and long-lasting barrier forming potential were further characterized in close detail. Tight junctional complexes and microvilli structures were detected in all lines, differentiated epithelial cells were abundant in 7/10. All lines expressed multiple transporter molecules, with expression levels in three lines being close to those of small intestinal epithelial cells. Compared to the Caco-2 model, three HROC lines demonstrated both higher similarity to jejunal epithelial tissue cells and higher regulatory potential of relevant drug transporters. In sum, these lines would be better suited human small intestinal epithelium models for basic and translational research; especially for ADME studies.

Primary central nervous system and brain tumors are one of the global burdens that are continuously increasing in cases and requiring more treatment options. Surgery has been the leading treatment option for tumors, however, the localization of the tumor and its infiltrating nature make this option challenging. DNA microarray expression profiles of different CNS tumors provide insight into potential biomarkers for identifying different tumor types and subtypes. Here, we utilized the differentially expressed genes common in four expression profiles, GSE66354, GSE68848, GSE74195, and GSE43290 to reconstruct the gene co-expression network. In this study, we were able to identify preserved cluster genes, hub genes, co-regulating transcription factors, miRNA families, and candidate repurposed drugs. Fourteen identified hub genes, which were, CACNA1A, DNM1, GABRA1, GRIA2, MAPT, SLC17A7, SNAP25, SNAP91, STXBP1, SYT1, COL1A1, COL6A2, FBN2, and FN1 appeared to play a role in tumor progression and may serve as drug targets. We also reported the DEGs in each tumor type, which were ATRT, EPN, PA, MED, PNET, MEN, ACM, ODG, and GBM. Five identified miRNA families, which were, let-7 family, mir-124 family, mir-1 family, mir-103 family, and mir-27 family described in the literature to have tumor-suppressing characteristics. Drug-gene and drug-transcription factor network revealed 32 candidate repurposed drugs and 13 were validated through connectivity map analysis. Here, two main repurposed drugs fit the regulatory requirement for gene interaction, these were, quercetin and vorinostat. Future validation in experimental studies may utilize the future use of the candidate repurposed drugs. Our study provides insights into drug repurposing prospects and understanding tumor expressions.

University-Business partnership for collaborative curriculum design, development and delivery is possibly the less explored dimension of University Business Collaboration (UBC). Even if some models for curricular design and development might be available, scarce information exists on how the partnership is constructed, the new curricula are designed, developed and how they are implemented. This article intends to present and discuss the experience obtained during a three-year European funded Project, namely Think4Jobs. This project exemplifies the significance and benefits of UBC in the design, development and delivery of curricula that meet the evolving demands of the labour market while promoting Critical Thinking (CT) as a foundational 21st century skill to contribute to graduates' employability. Think4Jobs project brought together a multidisciplinary team of researchers and business organisations from five European countries (Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Portugal and Romania) with interests in promoting and developing CT and mitigating eventual competence gaps. The project's success was attributed to key practices, including defining a common conceptualization of CT, employing participatory co-design, and providing common training for university and business partners. Clear objectives, explicit roles, effective communication, and ongoing evaluation further enhanced the collaboration. Experiential learning, real-work problems, and case studies reinforced the curricula, bridging the gap between academia and the labour market. By embracing these insights, future UBC initiatives can empower graduates with the necessary skills to stand out in an ever-changing labour market, contributing to enhanced education and successful careers.

In the present study, we implemented species distribution models (SDMs) to determine the potential invasive distribution range of a cichlid fish, Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, in a very sensitive inland water system in the southeastern Arabian Peninsula where it is now established and spreading. By using the “Biomod2” package, and the latest CMIP6 climate data, four single species distribution models and EM were built, and the results were evaluated by operating characteristic (ROC) and the true skill statistic (TSS). Based on the relative importance of climate factor analysis the mean diurnal range and precipitation seasonality were useful predictors of habitat suitability for O. niloticus. The response curve analysis indicated that the presence probability of O. niloticus decreased with increasing mean diurnal range and decreasing precipitation seasonality. The suitable distribution ranges for O. niloticus in the studied area were mainly distributed in the northeast of this region. The ensemble model results specified a significant impact of climate change on O. niloticus distribution, so highly suitable areas for this species will be reduced, while areas with low to moderate suitability increase slightly or remain unchanged. Based on the available data, Nile tilapia fulfills all four criteria to be considered as an invasive species: colonization in a new area, direct or indirect impacts of anthropological activity on its distribution range, geographical discontinuity between its native area (Africa) and the Arabian Peninsula (remote dispersal), and finally, its successful breeding in situ without human assistance resulting establishment of this biopollutant. Species distribution modeling provides insights into the factors that can reduce the risks and negative impacts of this biological pollutant on aquatic ecosystems of the southeastern Arabian Peninsula which harbors about 22 recognized fish species in 16 genera, 10 families, seven orders, and a class including 20 natives (seven endemic) species.

Adequate public spaces and urban green areas are key criteria for urban development and infrastructure implementation of healthy cities. Latterly, there has been an increasing number of research methods using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor, quantify, and control the state of these spaces with an aim towards pioneering research in Urban Studies. However, in informal areas, open-data access tends to lack adequate and updated information, making it difficult to use AI methods. Hence, we propose a methodology for restricted open data collection and preparation for future use in machine learning or spatial data science models for similar areas. To that extent, we examine two peripheral and low-income neighborhoods in Quito, Ecuador, La Bota and Toctiuco, to analyze their public spaces, urban green areas, points of interest, and road networks, and how they address healthy cities criteria. We develop an original methodological approach that combines an index of proximity, accessibility, quantity, and quality of these spaces with geospatial and network analysis techniques. Results indicate that the connectivity and structure of these spaces are centralized and nodal, representing exclusion and segregation. This work provides insights on potential healthy spaces, and information to urban planners and policymakers in decision-making for healthy urban infrastructure.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) is a well-established and widely used approach for defining the readiness of new technology. To this extent, it assesses technology maturity against specific benchmarks, ranging from 1 (concept) to 9 (market solution). Although this is a useful classification service, allowing us to establish a common language, there are cases where we find that this conceptual approach fails to adequately highlight the maturity of certain innovative endeavors and effectively steer their development to higher TR levels. We will present an empirical case where the TRL approach presented a critical shortcoming in highlighting the true and effective readiness of a specific technological development and could not suggest the next natural step in ascending the maturity ladder. We will seek to generalize for the case of co-creation at large, analyze why co-creation may be poorly serviced by the current TRL model and suggest an amendment that would allow the observed shortcoming of the traditional TRL approach to be overcome and its use extended also in such co-creative settings.

Bacteremia and fungemia are significant causes of morbidity and mortality which frequently occur as co-infections with viral respiratory infections including SARS-CoV-2. It was aimed to evaluate the microorganisms isolated from blood cultures of SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients and investigate their antimicrobial resistance patterns. A retrospective analysis was performed with the total number of 22,944 blood cultures sent to the laboratory between November 2020 and December 2021. Blood cultures were performed on the BD Bactec automated system. Identification was performed using conventional methods, VITEK-2 and MALDI-TOF MS. Antibacterial/antifungal susceptibility tests were performed according to EUCAST/CLSI recommendations. SARS-CoV-2 tests were performed with RT-PCR. It was detected 1,630 culture positivity belonging to 652 patients. Totally 633 of 652 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2; 118 (18.6%) were positive and 515 (81.3%) were negative. The bacteria and fungi isolated at the high-est rate in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MR-CoNS) (21.5%), Escherichia coli (12.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.4%), Candida albicans (1.65%) and Candida glabrata complex (1.65%); while in negative patients, E. coli (21.3%), MR-CoNS (13.5%), K. pneumoniae (12.05%), C. albicans (2.1%), Candida parapsilosis (1.1%) and Candida tropicalis (0.9%). The fact that the most common isolate was MR-CoNS in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (p = 0.028); the detection of Acinetobacter baumannii was more frequent (p = 0.001) and the isolation of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae was at a higher rate than in SARS-CoV-2 negative patients; also, the increase in multidrug-resistant strains indicate that healthcare-associated infec-tions should not be disregarded while focusing on the outbreak.

This paper explores the challenges of providing services of general interest in rural areas of Germany and proposes co-created mobility software solutions to address the specific needs of these regions. The research is part of the Smarte.Land.Regionen project, which aims to improve digital public services at the district level. Focusing on rural mobility, the paper introduces the concept of ride-sharing benches as a potential solution. Through workshops, surveys and market research, the study identifies barriers to the adoption of ride-sharing benches and investigates factors contributing to their success. The proposed software solution emphasizes user-centered development, geographic location of benches and prioritized matching of passengers. Findings highlight safety concerns, lack of reliability, and the importance of getting people who are theoretically interested in solutions to actively participate in them. The paper emphasizes the importance of collaborative development with county stakeholders. Future research should focus on sustaining and scaling digital solutions, measuring their impact on rural mobility, and ensuring their transferability to other regions. The ultimate goal is to contribute to inclusive and sustainable rural development by improving access to digital public services and promoting the adoption of tailored mobility solutions.

The biomethane accumulation of several combinations of whey and sugarcane molasses, inoculated with sludge from a treatment facility of one of the dairy enterprises of Imbabura, was assessed in the current experiment at a concentration of 0.5 g/l COD. The whey: molasses (W: M) ratios for each treatment were 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0, with a constant temperature of 37°C and an initial pH adjustment of 7.5. Half a litre of total mixes was used for each treatment in duplicate. Six kinetic models were evaluated to account biomethane accumulation in anaerobic co-digestion processes in batch of whey and sugarcane molasses. Five of these have been tested by other researchers, and one was developed by modifying a first-order model to consider changes in the biomethane accumulation profile. This proposed model, along with the modified two-phase Gompertz model, resulted in the ones that were best able to adjust the experimental data, obtaining in all cases an R² ≥ 0.949, indicating the accuracy of both models. In addition, the proposed here model has five parameters, one less than the modified two-phase Gompertz model, making it more straightforward and robust.

The genus Vigna is penta-tropical having more than 200 species with many desirable economically important traits. The aim of study was to validate the in-silico polymorphism of whole genome sequence developed mungbean specific SSR markers and their transferability among the different Vigna species. The present study utilized a set of 200 SSR markers developed from whole genome sequence of mungbean and validated using a diversity panel of 25 accessions which belongs to 13 Vigna species. Out of 200 SSR markers, 130 markers (65%) were polymorphic across the various Vigna species and the number of alleles amplified varied between 7 to24. The SSR markers showed more than 90 percent transferability across the different Vigna species accessions. Based on allelic data, the 25 Vigna accessions grouped into three clusters based upon the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) phylogenetic tree. The principal co-ordinates analysis (PCA) biplot graph and UPGMA based neighbor joining clustering diagram showed similar pattern of Vigna accessions distribution. The population structure assessment has grouped the cultivated and wild species accessions into two sub-population. The estimated marker parameters such as polymorphic information content (0.09 – 0.84), marker index (0.091 – 3.342) and effective multiplex ratio (1.0 – 4.0) suggested their adequacy in several genetic studies such as parental selection, hybrid testing, genetic mapping and marker aided breeding programmes for genetic enhancement of species belonging to the Vigna genus.

Drought is an important factor seriously affects agricultural production worldwide. Agricultural practices that can increase resistance to drought are gaining importance. In this study the role of nano-silicon dioxide (NaSiO2) in countering drought stress in invitro strawberry plantlets were investigated. In the experiment, the effects of PEG 6000 concentrations (0, 4, 8%) and NaSiO2 concentrations (0, 50, 100 mg L-1) on invitro strawberry plants were determined. Plantlets treated with PEG 6000 showed reduced vegetative growth parameters, but this decrease was reduced with NaSiO2 application. NaSiO2 at 50 mg L−1 induced the maximum shoot and root fresh weight (1.20 g, 1.24 g, respectively) and length (40.09 mm, 34.26 mm, respectively), leaves number (16.67 pieces/plant) and SPAD index 53.57 among 4% and 8% PEG applications. When the SOD and CAT activities were examined, the results showed that application of NaSiO2 enhancement drought stress tolerance by promoted certain antioxidant response by increasing SOD and catalase (CAT) activities under drought stress. According to the results NaSiO2, limited the devastating impact of drought stress and markedly enhanced all the examined parameters.

The framework proposed by Alison Druin about 20 years ago, which defined the roles children play in technology design, has been widely adopted by the Child-Computer Interaction (CCI) community. While some studies have adopted relevant roles as presented in the framework, others have argued for extending the framework to include newly identified roles. Still, other studies argue that Druin's framework failed to account for roles children may take up as they interact with peers or with tools. Consequently, this systematic literature review examines children’s emerging and changing roles in the codesign of new technologies. Specifically, we answered the research question: What new roles emerge in research as children co-design new technologies? Our effort aims at providing evidence of new roles children have adopted in literature, which may help researchers in the CCI community make more informed decisions about participatory design approaches with children.

Anthracnose is one of primary diseases in tea plants that affects tea yield and quality. The geographical distribution, occurrence regularity, and agronomic measures of tea plants with anthracnose have been researched for decades. However, the pathogenic cause of anthracnose in tea plants is diverse in different regions of the world. Identifying the specific pathogenic fungi causing tea anthracnose is an essential control measure to mitigate this disease. In this study, 88 Diaporthales and 45 Colletotrichum isolates were obtained from 3 different types of diseased tea leaves. Based on multilocus phylogenetic and morphological analysis, 3 known species, including Discula theae-sinensis, Diaporthe ueckerae, Diaporthe lithocarpus, and 3 indistinguishable species of Diaporthales were identified. In adddition, 8 known species of Colletotrichum, C. fructicola, C. camelliae, C. aenigma, C. siamense, C. henanense, C. karstii, C. tropicicola, C. gigasporum, were identified. This study is the first to report C. tropicicola and C. gigasporum in tea plant in China. Discula theae-sinensis was the most common species in this study and caused disease lesions around wounded areas of tea leaves. The dual trials in vitro indicated Discula theae-sinensis and Colletotrichum were slight inhibition. Co-inoculating Discula theae-sinensis and C. fructicola was superior to single inoculation at low concentration.

We are witnessing the revival of the CAM model, which was already used in the past by some authors studying angiogenesis and anti-cancer drugs, that now offers a refined model to fill, in the translational meaning, the gap between in vitro-in vivo studies. It can be used for a wide range of purposes, from testing cytotoxicity, pharmacokinetics, tumorigenesis, invasion, to action mechanisms of molecules, and validation of new materials from tissue engineering research. CAM model is easy to use with a fast outcome and makes experimental research more sustainable since allowing to replace, reduce and refine pre-clinical experimentation ("3Rs" rules [1]). This re-view aims to highlight some unique potentials that CAM-assay presents; in particular, the authors intend to use in the next future the CAM model to verify, in a microenvironment comparable to in vivo conditions, albeit simplified, the angiogenic ability of functionalized 3D constructs to be used in regenerative medicine strategies in the recovery of skeletal injuries of critical size (CSD) that do not repair spontaneously. For this purpose, organotypic cultures will be planned on sever-al CAMs set up in temporal sequence: a sort of organ model for assessing CSD conducted in the CAM bioreactor, rather than in vivo.

Antimicrobial peptides provide a powerful toolkit for combating multidrug resistance. Combatting eukaryotic pathogens is complicated by the fact, the intracellular drug targets in the eukaryotic pathogen are frequently homologs of cellular structures of vital importance in the host organism. The entomopathogenic bacteria, (symbionts of entomopathogenic nematode species), release a series of non-ribosomal templated antimicrobial peptides, some may be potential drug candidates. The ability of an entomopathogenic nematode /entomopathogenic bacterium symbiotic complex to survive in a given polyxenic milieu is a coevolutionary product, explaining that those gene complexes which are responsible for the biosynthesis of different non-ribosomal templated antimicrobial protective peptides (including those which are potently capable to inactivate the protist mammalian -pathogen Leishmania and the gallinaceous bird pathogen Histomonas) are co-regulated. Our approach is based on comparative antimicrobial bioassays of the culture media of the wild-type and regulatory mutant strains. We concluded that Xenorhabdus budapestensis and X. szentirmaii are excellent sources of non-ribosomal templated antimicrobial peptides, that are efficient antagonists of the mentioned pathogens. Data on selective cytotoxicity of different cell-free culture media encourages us to forecast that the recently discovered “easy-PACId” research strategy is suitable for constructing EPB strains producing and releasing single, harmless, non-ribosomal templated antimicrobial peptides with considerable drug, (probiotic) -candidate potential.

The two-component compound formed by codeine and cyclopentobarbital was produced by grinding techniques and by evaporation from alcoholic solutions. The cocrystal nature of this phase was established unequivocally by single crystal X-ray structure determination. The asym-metric unit contains one formula unit. In the cyclopentobarbital molecule, the cyclopentenyl ring is disordered over two positions related by a rotation of approximately 180° about its C‒C bond to the pyrimidine ring. The two NH groups of the cyclopentobarbital molecule form N—H···N and N—H···O bonds to piperidine and hydroxyl groups, respectively, belonging to different codeine molecules. In addition, the hydroxyl and methoxy groups of neighboring codeine molecules are linked by O—H···O interactions, resulting H-bonded framework structure of codeine and cyclo-pentobarbital molecules. The cocrystal was also characterized by thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy.

Transition metal alloys have emerged as promising electrocatalysts due to their ability to modulate key parameters such as d-band electron filling, Fermi level energy, and interatomic spacing, thereby influencing their affinity towards reaction intermediates. However, the structural stability of alloy electrocatalysts during alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a subject of debate. In this study, we systematically investigate the structural evolution and catalytic activity of the c-Co/Co3Mo electrocatalyst under alkaline HER conditions. We reveal that the instability of the Co3Mo alloy and H0.9MoO3 during alkaline HER leads to the destruction of the crystal structure, resulting in the formation of hexagonal cobalt (h-Co) from hexagonal Co(OH)2 as an intermediate species. Furthermore, we explore the re-adsorption and surface coordination of the Mo element, which enhances the catalytic activity for alkaline HER. This work provides valuable insights into the dynamic behavior of alloy-based electrocatalysts, shedding light on their structural stability and catalytic activity during electrochemical reduction processes

This paper aims to stress the nexus between sustainable development, economic freedom and local participatory democracy in 21 European smart cities. The development of smart cities is strongly correlated with technological advancements and improved access to pub-lic services for all residents. Furthermore, smart cities are characterized by efficient man-agement of social, economic and environmental resources and a strong partnership be-tween the public and private sectors. The paper aims to map the dynamics of local partic-ipatory democracy in European smart cities and to identify several relevant predictors of local participatory democracy. The sample is represented by 21 European capitals (20 EU countries plus UK), which are included in the Smart City Index (SCI). Using the quantita-tive design based on both statistical regressions and structural equations modelling (SEM), the paper shows positive statistical correlation between economic factors, sustainable de-velopment, political culture, education and the level of local participatory democracy. Be-sides the exogenous variables, the study emphasized the main priority areas, which might be seen as urgent issues for local governments. The conclusion of the paper underlines the fact that economic freedom, sustainable development, upper secondary education, afford-able housing and an increased level of citizens’ engagement could predict further evolu-tions of the local participatory democracy in 21 European capitals.

Prior to clinical trials, preclinical testing of oncology drug candidates is performed by evaluating drug candidates with in vitro and in vivo platforms. For in vivo testing, animal models are used to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of drug candidates. However, animal models often display poor translational results as many drugs that pass preclinical testing fail when tested in humans, with oncology drugs exhibiting especially poor acceptance rates. The FDA Modernization Act 2.0 promotes alternative preclinical testing techniques, presenting the opportunity to use higher complexity in vitro models as an alternative to in vivo testing, including 3D cell culture models. 3D tissue cultures address many of the shortcomings of 2D cultures by more closely replicating the tumour microenvironment through a combination of realistic drug diffusion, paracrine signaling, cellular phenotype, and vascularization that can better mimic native human tissue. This review will discuss the common forms of 3D cell culture, including cell spheroids, organoids, organs-on-a-chip, and 3D bioprinted tissues. Their advantages and limitations will be presented, aiming to discuss the use of these 3D models to accurately represent human tissue and as an alternative to animal testing. The use of 3D culture platforms for preclinical drug development is expected to accelerate as these platforms continue to improve in complexity, reliability, and translational predictivity.

Bifidobacterium is the most beneficial flora of the human gastrointestinal tract, but there is a concentration threshold for Bifidobacterium to exert its beneficial properties. In this work, the effect of several simple culture methods on the number of viable bifidobacteria was discussed to improve its viable concentrations, and we unexpectedly discovered that bifidobacteria have inert growth. The concentration of viable bacteria of two isolated Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BZ11 and BZ25 and Lactobacillus plantarum SQ-4 were investigated using solid-liquid-liquid circulation subculture, solid-liquid-liquid subculture and solid-liquid-liquid circulation subculture. These 3 subculture methods increase the viable cell concentration, and the best is the solid-liquid-liquid subculture. The highest concentrations of third-generation BZ11 and BZ25 were 9.62 × 109 CFU/mL and 1.21 × 1010 CFU/mL in order by solid-liquid-liquid subculture method, which was 10.38 times and 42.31 times higher (P<0.05) than those of the first generation, respectively. However, none of these three subculture methods increased the concentration of SQ-4. These results suggested that Bifidobacterium has growth inertia and Solid-liquid-liquid passage culture inhibiting the growth inertia. This finding is valuable in promoting the industrial application of probiotic bifidobacteria to potential probiotic food production.

The drug delivery systems receive more and more attention for the control and treatment of many diseases due to their increased number in recent years. The main aims of this study were to develop and to characterize a polyurethane drug delivery system that it is intended to be used for the transmembrane transport of nucleosides. Three different samples have been synthesized based on aliphatic diisocyanates (hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate and lysine diisocyanate) as organic phase, respectively a mixture of polyethylene glycol, polycaprolactone diol and low molecular weight diols as aqueous phase. The samples were characterized by pH, refractivity index and solubility measurements, drug loading efficacy and release investigations, thermal behavior, Zetasizer, cells viability and irritation tests on mice skin. The results indicate the obtaining of different populations of neutral acido-basic particles with size between 132 and 190 nm; the Zeta potential values and SEM images show a medium tendency to form clusters, while UV-Vis evaluations indicate an almost 70% encapsulation efficacy, a prolonged release (45% of encapsulated substance is released in the first 5 days) and around 70% of particles have penetrated an artificial membrane in the first 24h. The synthesized products can be tested in further clinical trials, the currently tests on cells culture and mice skin revealing no side effects.

In this paper, the performance of Cu-(In,Ga)-S2 (CIGS2) solar cells with adjusting composite CGI-ratio absorber is explored and compared through an improved three-stage co-evaporation technique. For co-evaporating CIGS2 absorber as a less toxic alternative to Cd-containing film, we analyse the effect of the CGI-ratio stoichiometry and crystallinity, and explore its opto-electric sensing characteristic of individual solar cell. The results of this research signify the potential of high-performance CIGS2-absorption solar cells for photovoltaic (PV)-module industrial applications. For the optimal CIGS2-absorption film (CGI=0.95), the Raman main-phase signal (A1) falls at 291 cm-1, which is excited by the 532-nm line of Ar+-laser. Using photo-luminescence (PL) spectroscopy, the corresponding main-peak bandgaps measured is 1.59 eV at the same CGI-ratio film. Meanwhile, the best conversion efficiency (=3.212%) and the average external quantum efficiency (EQE=51.1% in the visible-wavelength region) of photo-electric properties were achieved for the developed CIGS2-solar cells (CGI=0.95). The discoveries of this CIGS2-absorption PV research provide a new scientific understanding of solar cells. Moreover, this research undeniably contributes to a major advancement towards practical PV-module applications and can help more to build an eco-friendly community.

Scrub typhus (ST) is one of the most neglected tropical diseases, a leading cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness in areas of the ‘tsutsugamushi triangle’, diagnosed frequently in South Asian countries. The bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi is the causative agent of the disease, which enters to human body through the bite of trombiculid mite (Chigger) of the genus Leptotrombidium deliense.The diagnosis of the disease becomes challenging as its early symptoms mimic other febrile illnesses like dengue, influenza, and corona viruses. Lack of rapid, reliable, and cost-effective diagnostic methods further complicates the identification process. Northeast India, a mountainous region with a predominantly rural tribal population, has witnessed a resurgence of scrub typhus cases in recent years. Various ecological factors, including rodent population, habitat characteristics, and climatic conditions, influence its prevalence. Entomological investigations have confirmed the abundance of vector mites, highlighting the importance of understanding their distribution and the probability of transmission of scrub typhus in the region. Proper diagnosis, awareness campaigns, and behavioral interventions are essential for controlling scrub typhus outbreaks and reducing its impact on public health in Northeast India. Further research and community-based studies are necessary to accurately assess the disease burden and implement effective prevention strategies.

High-strength wastewaters from a variety of sources, including the food industry, domestic septage and landfill leachate, are often hauled to municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for co-treatment. Due to their high organic loadings, these wastewaters can cause process upsets in both the WWTP’s liquid and solids treatment trains and consume organic treatment capacity, leaving less capacity available to service customers in the catchment area. A novel pre-treatment method, the Waste Activated Sludge-High Rate (WASHR) process, is proposed to optimize the co-treatment of high-strength wastewaters. The WASHR process combines the contact stabilization and sequencing batch reactor processes. It utilizes waste activated sludge from the municipal WWTP as its biomass source, allowing rapid start-up. Bench scale treatment trials of winery wastewater confirm the WASHR process can reduce loadings on the downstream WWTP’s liquid treatment and solids treatment trains. A case study approach is used to confirm the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the WASHR process compared to direct co-treatment using life cycle cost analyses and greenhouse gas emissions estimates.

In the end, this paper analyzed the economy from the investment in plant construction, raw material collection, product production and product sales. The resulting products include pyrolytic carbon, pyrolytic oil, pyrolysis gas. The results showed that when the treatment scale was 1 ton h−1, the pyrolysis plants with three loading modes will always be in a state of loss during the 20-year running time. When the processing scale was 9 ton h−1, the pyrolysis plant can be profitable in the first year. In the sensitivity analysis, the influence of three pyrolysis products on the total return on investment was explored. The results showed that the price change of pyrolysis oil has the greatest influence on the total return on investment (Total ROI) under the three loading methods, The price change of pyrolysis gas has minimal impact on the Total ROI. This study provides basic data and basis for the commercialization of coal-biomass co-pyrolysis technology and investment in plant construction.

Background: This study aims to investigate the patient safety culture at a sports medicine hospital and explore quality of healthcare and associated factors. Methods: In a cross-sectional study design, the tool Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPC) was administered online among staff at a sports medicine hospital in Doha, Qatar. About 319 staff participated from 898 staff who received emails (35.5%). Results: The results showed that 49.2% of the staff rated the patient safety grade as excellent and 36.1% as very good, which sums up to 85.3%. Factors associated with better patient safety grade were work climate (OR 10.3 95% CI (3.2 to 33.6); teamwork OR 7.6 95% CI (2.8 to 20.9) and team communication (OR 2.9 95% CI (1.1 to 7.6). Conclusions: Addressing the work climate, enhancing communication, and cohesive work within teams facilitates a culture of trust that improves patient safety grade. Ensuring quick return to play is a team effort involving multiple disciplines, hence a high performance and safety culture can enhance teamwork. Reducing punitive response to error and encouraging staff and supervisors are key areas that can improve safety culture in sports medicine organizations, and efforts should be placed in this area.

This study, which was supported by a quantitative research paradigm with two experiment and two control groups of 4x4 quasi-experimental design, aimed to find out the impact of a sustainable progressive STEAM (SP-STEAM Model) application model on 5th grade primary school students critical thinking dispositions and mathematic achievements in Northern Cyprus. The treatment model was applied to experimental groups for 14 weeks of time. Split-plot multiple group analysis of variance (Split-plot ANOVA) statistical technique was used to calculate between and within group significances regarding exogenous variable. SPSS24 software package was used for the analysis. Pre-test and post-test results derived from experiment and control groups revealed significant effect of SP-STEAM Model on 5th grade primary school students’ critical thinking dispositions as measured with CCTDI and mathematic achievements as measured with a dedicated ex-am. The results were discussed in detail under the light of related literature and suggestions for further studies were proposed.

At Mae-Moh power plant, Thailand, superheater tubes, which are exposed in fly ash environ-ment, often degrade due to solid particle erosion. To extend the service lifetime of the superheater tubes, the high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray technique is used to deposit a protective coating on the material, SA213-T22 steel. In this work, the solid particle erosion of the Co-28Cr and WC-12Co coatings was investigated using erodent particle impingement at the angles of 30o and 90o with an average particle size of 60 μm. The erosion behavior of SA213-T22 with and without Co-28Cr and WC-12Co coatings was explained using ductile and brittle erosion modes. The erosion test resulted in the brittle mode for both Co-28Cr and WC-12Co coatings, while SA213-T22 without coating indicated the ductile mode. On the investigation of surface morphology, the Co-28Cr coating showed mostly microcracks in contrast with the WC-12Co coating, fracture, de-bonding and deep cavities were also observed. Erosion resistance of the Co-28Cr coating was significantly higher than the WC-12Co coating, due to high hardness, low porosity and high density of the coating.

During embryo development, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) acts as an important site for protein biosynthesis, however, in vitro culture (IVC) can negatively affect ER homeostasis. Thereby, the aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), an ER stress inhibitor, in the IVC of bovine embryos. Two experiments were carried out: Exp. 1: evaluation of blastocyst rate, hatching kinetics and gene expression of hatched embryos after being treated with different concentrations of TUDCA (50, 200 or 1,000 μM) in the IVC; Exp. 2: evaluation of the re-expansion, hatching, and gene expression of hatched embryos previously treated with 200 µM of TUDCA at IVC and submitted to vitrification. There was no increase in the blastocyst and hatched blastocyst rates treated with TUDCA in the IVC. However, embryos submitted to vitrification after treatment with 200 µM of TUDCA, increased hatching rate post-warming, together with a down-regulation in the expression of ER stress-related genes and the accumulation of lipids. In conclusion, this work showed that the addition of TUDCA during in vitro culture can improve the cryotolerance of the bovine blastocyst through the putative modulation of ER and oxidative stress.

Silica aerogels and their derivatives have outstanding thermal properties with exceptional values in the thermal insulation industry. However, the brittle nature restricts its large-scale commercialization. Thus, enhancing their mechanical strength without affecting their thermal insulating properties is essential. Therefore, for the first time, highly thermally stable Poly(acrylamide-Co-acrylic acid) partial sodium salt is used as a reinforcing polymer to synthesize hybrid P(AAm-CO-AAc)-silica aerogels via epoxy ring-opening polymerization in the present study. Functional groups in P(AAm-CO-AAc) partial sodium salts, such as CONH2 and COOH, acted as nucleophiles for the epoxy ring-opening reaction with (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, which resulted in a seven-fold enhancement in mechanical strength compared to that of a pristine silica aerogel while maintaining the thermal conductivity at less than 30.6 mW/mK and porosity of more than 93.68%. Moreover, the hybrid P(AAm-CO-AAc)-silica aerogel demonstrated improved thermal stability up to 343 ⁰C owing to the synergetic effect between P(AAm-CO-AAc) and the silica aerogel, corresponding to thermal stability and strong covalent bonding among them. These excellent results illustrate that this new synthetic approach for producing hybrid P(AAm-CO-AAc)-silica aerogels is useful for enhancing the mechanical strength of a pristine silica aerogel without impairing its thermal insulating property and shows potential as an industrial heat insulation material.

Abstract Congenital rubella syndrome is a constellation of birth defects that can have devastating consequences, impacting approximately 100,000 births worldwide each year. The incidence is much lower in countries that routinely vaccinate their population. In the US, postnatal immunization of susceptible women is an important epidemiological strategy for the prevention of rubella. However, concerns that co-administration of Rubella vaccine with other immunoglobins (i.e., Rhogam) could comprise vaccine efficacy has produced warnings that can delay the administration of Rubella vaccination postpartum, leaving women susceptible in a subsequent pregnancy. We aimed to address whether co-administration of Rubella vaccine and Rhogam decreased antibody responses as compared to those receiving only Rubella vaccination. This retrospective cohort study utilized clinical data from 80 subjects who received Rubella vaccine and Rhogam after delivery and 43 subjects received Rubella vaccine alone. Maternal demographics, pregnancy complications and rubella status at the start of a subsequent pregnancy were recorded for analysis. Overall, the two cohorts had similar baseline characteristics; however, lower parity was noted in the participants having both Rubella vaccination and Rhogam. Based on maternal antibody IgG index for rubella during the next pregnancy, we observed that 88% of the Rhogam + Rubella vaccine group had positive titers, which was not significantly different than the 81% in the Rubella vaccine only cohort (p=0.36). In conclusion, no differences in the rubella immunity status in a subsequent pregnancy were observed in those mothers administered both Rubella vaccine and Rhogam concurrently. Given these findings, warnings against co-administration of Rubella vaccine in combination with other immunoglobulins should be discontinued.

Salinity is the most significant abiotic stress affecting crop yield worldwide, breeders are Salinity is the most important abiotic stress limiting crop production throughout the world, and breeders are encouraged to test novel genotypes for their resistance to this selection agent. However, getting a sufficient number of plants for the evaluation can be a lengthy and time-consuming procedure that might be shortened by applying in vitro techniques. An experiment was conducted under controlled saline circumstances using a tissue culture technique to investigate the influence of salt on several physic-biochemical parameters. Micro-shoots of Volkamariana lemon, sour orange, trifoliate orange, and Cleopatra mandarin rootstocks were re-cultured on MS media supplemented with NaCl from 25, up to 150 mM. Following the experiments, all of the tested rootstocks' morphological and biochemical characteristics, stomata behavior, and element accumulation were measured. As a result, adding NaCl from 25 to 150 mM to MS media caused a reduction in all morphogenetic parameters such as shoot number, shoot length, leaves number, and survival percentage was measured compared with control. Photosynthesis pigment, RWC, K, and Ca ions were decreased by increasing NaCl from 100 to 150 mM. On the contrary, proline, Cl, and Na were increased. Cleopatra mandarin and Trifoliate orange are more tolerant to salt stress than Volkamariana lemon and sour orange citrus.

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), a process in which aggressive cancer cells form tube-like structures, plays a crucial role in providing nutrients and escape routes. Highly plastic tumor cells, such as those with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) phenotype, can develop VM. However, little is known about the interplay between cellular components of the tumor microenvironment upon TNBC cells VM-capacity. In this study, we analyzed the ability of endothelial and stromal cells to induce VM when interacting with TNBC cells, and analyzed the involvement of the FGFR/PI3K/Akt pathway in this process. VM was corroborated using fluorescently‐labeled TNBC cells. Only endothelial cells triggered VM formation, suggesting a predominant role of paracrine/ juxtacrine factors from an endothelial origin in VM development. By immunocytochemistry, qPCR and secretome analyses, we determined increased expression of proangiogenic factors as well as stemness markers in VM-forming cancer cells. Similarly, endothelial cells primed by TNBC cells showed upregulation of proangiogenic molecules, including FGF, VEGFA, and several inflammatory cytokines. The endothelium-dependent TNBC-VM formation was prevented by AZD4547 or LY294002, strongly suggesting the involvement of the FGFR/PI3K/Akt axis in this process. Given that VM is associated with poor clinical prognosis, targeting FGFR/PI3K/Akt pharmacologically may hold promise for treating and preventing VM in TNBC tumors.

The Density Wave Theory, which aims to explain the formation of spiral arms in disc galaxies, has been subject to discussion. According to this theory, at the co-rotation circle, the rotational velocity of the density waves or spiral arms matches that of the galactic matter. Consequently, this alignment should impede the formation of new stars within this co-rotation circle, leading to the presence of dark or dim gaps within the spiral arms. Additionally, the theory predicts the occurrence of the front side trail effect in the inner region of the co-rotation circle and the rear side trail effect in the outer region. However, despite these expectations, no such spiral patterns have been observed, prompting the need for revision or reconsideration of the Density Wave Theory.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a role in several inflammatory diseases and is capable of inducing the release of inflammatory mediators in several cell types. The objective was to investigate the potential of Ang II to induce mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators by cultured primary human periodontal cells. A synergistic effect of a co-treatment with Ang II and IL1β on mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators was also explored. Primary cultures of human fibroblast-like cells isolated from gingival and periodontal ligament tissues from 3 subjects were established using explant techniques. Immunophenotyping of STRO-1, Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R) was performed by flow cytometry analysis. Cell cultures were challenged with Ang II (1M) for 3, 6 and 24h with or without a co-treatment with IL1β (0.1ng/mL) for 24h. mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators was performed by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We present, for the first time, a precise quantification for AT1R and AT2R on human gingival and periodontal fibroblast-like cell types; the percentage of positive immunostaining compared to the total population of cells varied from 3.35% through 5.29% for AT1R and 2.97% through 4.57% for AT2R. Ang II slightly upregulated mRNA expression of IL6 and CCL2/MCP1 in gingival cells and IL8 and PTGS2/COX2 in periodontal ligament cells. IL1β induced upregulation of IL8, IL6 CCL2/MCP1, PTGS2/COX2 and IL1β mRNA in both cell types. Co-treatment with Ang II and IL1β did not show a synergistic effect under these experimental conditions. Ang II shows a low potential to induce mRNA upregulation of inflammatory mediators in cultured primary human gingival and periodontal ligament cells, most likely due to the low percentage of Ang II receptors in such cells, and no synergistic effect with the co-treatment with IL1β.

Two novel dsRNA mycoviruses were found in different isolates of Diplodia fraxini, NW FVA 1581 and NW FVA 1706, which were isolated from a root, associated with stem collar necrosis of Fraxinus excelsior L. Both mycelia are infected by a novel fusagravirus, which was named Diplodia fraxini fusagravirus 1 (DfFV1), and isolate NW FVA 1706 is additionally infected by a novel partitivirus, which was denominated as Diplodia fraxini partitivirus 1 (DfPV1). The one-segmented, bicistronic genome of DfFV1 is composed of about 8,500 bp. Their ORFs are connected by a 1 slippery heptamer sequence and the 3’ terminal ORF is coding for the viral RdRp. The genome of DfPV1 is composed of three, monocistronic dsRNA segments ranging from 1,755 bp (dsRNA 1) over 1,588 bp (dsRNA 2) to 1,233 bp (dsRNA 3). Based on genome organization and phylogenetic positions, DfFV1 was assigned to the proposed family of “Fusagraviridae” and DfPV1 to the genus Gammapartitivirus within the family of Partitiviridae. Ultra-structural analysis showed that polysomal structures were stabilized in the single infection and none of these structures could be isolated in the double infection. It is assumed that DfFV1 has an opportunistic lifestyle, being either protected by ribosomes or by transcapsidation from particles of DfPV1.

This research elucidates the dynamic expression of expansin genes during the wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L.) development process using comprehensive meta-analysis and experimental validation. We leveraged RNA-seq data from multiple public databases, applying stringent criteria for selection, and identified 60,852 differentially expressed genes across developmental stages. From this pool, 28,558 DEGs were found to exhibit significant temporal regulation in at least two different datasets, and were enriched for processes integral to grain development such as carbohydrate metabolism and cell wall organization. Notably, 30% of the 241 known expansin genes showed differential expression during grain growth. Hierarchical clustering and expression level analysis revealed temporal regulation and distinct contributions of expansin subfamilies during the early stages of grain development. Further analysis using co-expression networks underscored the significance of expansin genes, revealing their substantial co-expression with genes involved in cell wall modification. Finally, qPCR validation and grain morphological analysis under field conditions indicated a significant negative correlation between expression of select expansin genes and grain size and weight. This study illuminates the potential role of expansin genes in wheat grain development and provides new avenues for targeted genetic improvements in wheat.

Airway epithelial cells (AECs) play a key role in maintaining lung homeostasis, epithelium regeneration and the initiation of pulmonary immune responses. To isolate and study murine AECs investigators have classically used short and hot (1h 37°C) digestion protocols. Here, we present a workflow for efficient AECs isolation and culture, utilizing long and cold (20h 4°C) dispase II digestion of murine lungs. This protocol yields a greater number of viable AECs compared to an established 1h 37°C dispase II digestion. Using a combination of flow cytometry and immunofluorescent microscopy, we demonstrate that compared to the established method, the cold digestion allows for recovery of a 3-fold higher number of CD45-CD31-EpCAM+ cells from murine lungs. Their viability is increased compared to established protocols, they can be isolated in larger numbers by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), and they result in greater numbers of KRT5+p63+ colonies in vitro. Our findings demonstrate that temperature and duration of murine lung enzymatic digestion have a considerable impact on AEC yield, viability, and ability to form colonies in vitro. We believe this workflow will be helpful for studying lung AECs and their role in the biology of lung.

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in the phenolics of pomegranate peels because of their health-promoting effects. The incorporation of encapsulated phenolic extracts in functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements can enhance their nutritional and health benefits. This paper aims to provide an overview of the encapsulation of pomegranate peel phenolic extract by co-crystallization, focusing on the properties of the encapsulated extract. Pomegranate peel extract encapsulated in sucrose by co-crystallization at conditions determined in our previous work is characterized by evaluating its properties; moisture content, bulk density, solubility, hygroscopicity, color, degree of encapsulation by thermograms, crystallinity by X-ray scattering, microstructure by scanning electron microscope, and storage stability in terms of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The co-crystallized powder had a low moisture content (0.59%) and hygroscopicity (0.011%) and a high bulk density (0.803 g/cm3) and solubility (61 s). Its total phenolic content decreased by only 0.56% after storage at 60oC for 45 days, whereas its antioxidant activity was maintained at levels higher than 84%. The differential scanning calorimetry and the X-ray scattering techniques proved the successful encapsulation in the sucrose matrix and the fact that the extract remained liquid inside the porosity of the sucrose crystals.

(1) Background: Microalgae cultures are greatly facilitated if growers can easily and economically ascertain the quantitative and qualitative status of the culture continuously with satisfactory ac-curacy. (2) Methods: The locally isolated microalgae Dunaliella sp. and Anabaena sp. were cultured in small volumes with 2 intensities of white light (2000 and 8000 lux) and with green, blue and red light and the increase of their biomass and pigments was studied. Pigment analyses, continuous recordings of absorption spectra and calibration curves were performed. (3) Results: The intensity of 8000 lux white light yielded the highest increase in biomass, chlorophylls and carotenoids in Dunaliella sp. while 2000 lux and green light caused the greatest increase in biomass and phy-cocyanin in Anabaena sp. From the examination of the absorption spectra, the evolution of the pigment content can be estimated and both pigments and biomass are correlated very satisfactorily with the wavelength of 750 nm. (4) Conclusions: The use of absorption spectra as an easy, fast and economical method can be a useful tool for a good approximation of the state of the microalgae culture. This is clearly shown when the spectra of the culture under different lighting colors are compared which have a catalytic effect on the level of the pigments leading to the increase in carotenoids and phycocyanin of the green light.

This manuscript explores the significance of continuous improvement in software development and digital product management, highlighting its role in addressing challenges and achieving superior results in today's dynamic business landscape. Drawing on Lean Thinking and Agile principles, the paper emphasizes the importance of customer focus, multidisciplinary collaboration, respect for people, inspection and adaptation, experimentation, incremental delivery, and continuous feedback in driving continuous improvement. It identifies key problems associated with the lack of continuous improvement, including quality issues, stagnation, inefficiency, lack of learning, lack of participation and collaboration, and lack of adaptability. To overcome these challenges, the paper proposes a solution that leverages agile events and interactions, such as sprint retrospectives and daily scrum meetings, and introduces a "kaizen board" as a visual tool to manage and monitor the continuous improvement process. The manuscript highlights the benefits of continuous improvement in terms of quality enhancement, efficiency gains, improved customer satisfaction, and adaptability to change. It stresses the need for fostering a culture of learning and constant adaptation, and provides insights on applying continuous improvement across different dimensions: product, process, team, and culture. The paper concludes by emphasizing the significance of commitment and active participation from all team members for achieving sustainable progress and success in digital transformation efforts.

The anaerobic digestion (AD) of rumen residues and wheat straw in different proportions of inoculum (66.67, 50, 33.33 %V/V) to substrate and their co-digestion potential have been exhaustively studied in this research. It explores variation of feedstock characteristics such as biodegradability and methane potential during AD and anaerobic co-digestion (ACoD) of rumen residues (RR) with wheat straw (WS), under mesophilic conditions. Comparative performance was made with a organic load rate of 18 gVS/L (with 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2 g/g VS of inoculum to substrate). Among different kinetic models studied (modified Gompertz model, transfer model and logistic function), the AD and ACoD of substrates showed better fit to Gompertz model (R2: 0.977–0.997) indicating variation in lag phase and methane production rate depending on the substrate characteristics. During AD, the methane yield improved as the inoculum ratio increased, however, there was no significant difference in ACoD yield from RR to WS for the inoculum to substrate ratios studied, due to the synergistic effect as a result. of greater biodegradability and optimal conditions (such as the C/N ratio). A comparison of methane generation means indicated that maximum methane production can be achieved by mixing rumen residue (75 %) and wheat straw (25 %) with a C/N ratio of (38.15).

The requirement for integration of power plants due to the cyclical rise in electrical energy consumption is due to fluctuating load demand with the current grid systems. This integration necessitates effective allocating loads to the power plants for a minimum grid-tied transmission line cost while meeting network constraints. In this paper, we formulate an optimisation problem of minimising the total operational cost of all committed plants transmitted to the grid while meeting network constraints and ensuring economic power dispatch (EPD) and energy management system co-optimization. The developed Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method resolve the optimisation problem using piecewise quadratic function to describe the operational cost of the generation units, and the B coefficient approach is employed to estimate the transmission losses. Intelligent adjustments are made to the acceleration coefficients, and a brand-new algorithm is suggested for distributing the initial power values to the generation units. The developed economic power dispatch strategy successfully demonstrated an imperative cost reduction with connected load of 850MW, 1263MW and 2630MW power demand are contrasted with previous PSO application cost values, maximum yearly cost savings of (0.55%, 91.87), (46.55%, 3.78), (73.86%, 89.10) respectively, and significant environmental-benefit. The proposed co-optimisation approach can enhance a significant self-consumption ratio compared to the baseline method.

Background: Falls in hospitalized older patients lead to increased length of stay and poorer discharge outcomes. The Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) represents a quality improvement intervention for patient safety. Objective: To evaluate CUSP implementation for the prevention of falls at a teaching hospital. Method: An interdisciplinary CUSP team, received a four-hour online module and one-day face-to-face training. The intervention was developed using the WHO implementation science plan-do-study-act framework. Process evaluation was conducted using the UK Medical Research Council framework. The primary outcome measure of patient safety culture was determined using the Safety Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ), while annual fall rates were considered the secondary outcome measure. Results: Safety rounds were conducted during the two-year intervention period, each attended by five to eight HCPs, with nine to 29 patients reviewed each month. Risk factors, plans and actions were administered to individual patients, while local issues were identified and resolved through engagement of senior executives. SAQ domains increased from before (n=39) to after (n=30) the intervention of CUSP. Fall rates reduced from 11.18 per 1,000 bed days pre-implementation to zero falls post-implementation. Conclusion: Improvements in patient safety culture were observed after the implementation of CUSP alongside a reduction in fall rates.

The literature lacks consensus on the minimum microbial density required for diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study categorized the microbial densities of urine specimens from symptomatic presumptive UTI patients and correlated them with detected levels of immune response biomarkers NGAL, IL-8, and IL-1β. The objective was to identify changes in immune response at different microbial densities and determine an optimal threshold for diagnosing symptomatic UTIs. Midstream clean-catch urine samples were analyzed for microbial identification and quantification using SUC and M-PCR, while NGAL, IL-8, and IL-1β levels were measured with ELISA. NGAL, IL-8, and IL-1β levels were all significantly higher in symptomatic subjects with microbial densities ≥ 10,000 cells/mL by M-PCR (p < 0.0069) or equivalent CFUs/mL by SUC (p < 0.0104) compared to samples with no detectable microbes. With both PCR and SUC, a consensus of two or more elevated biomarkers correlated well with microbial densities > 10,000 cells/mL or CFU/mL, respectively. The association between ≥ 10,000 cells and CFU per mL with elevated biomarkers in symptomatic patients suggests that this lower threshold may be more suitable for diagnosing UTIs. These findings challenge the widely used threshold of 100,000 CFU per mL, which may overlook many active UTI cases.

The genus Eucalyptus is a globally captivated source of hardwood and is well known for its medicinal uses. The hybrid and wild species of Eucalyptus are widely used as exotic plantations due to their renowned potential of adapting to various systems and sites, furthermore, making the species the most extensively propagated. Despite unquestionable progression in biotechnological and tissue culture approaches, the productivity of plantations is still limited often due to the low efficiency of clonal propagation from cuttings. The obtained F1 hybrids yield high biomass and High-quality low-cost raw material for large-scale production, however, the development of hybrid, clonal multiplication, proliferation, and post-developmental studies are still major concerns. This riveting review describes the problems concerned with in-vitro and clonal propagation of Eucalypt plantation; recent advances in biotechnological and tissue culture practices for massive and rapid micro-propagation of Eucalyptus; as well, highlights the Eucalypt germplasm preservation techniques.