Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease are the most commonly diagnosed neurodegenerative disorders. Though these disorders differ in terms of their underlying pathophysiology as well as in their clinical features and course, there is a certain degree of overlap between them. This overlap may be partly related to α-synuclein-mediated neuropathological changes. Recent evidence has found that depression is associated with an increased subsequent risk of both these neurological disorders, and that α-synuclein may also play a pathogenic role in depression. The current study examines epidemiological, population genetic and environmental exposure data in relation to the estimated prevalence of depressive disorders, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease using a cross-sectional, country-level analysis. The results of this study are consistent with a significant relationship between depressive disorders and neurodegenerative disorders, a possible shared genetic vulnerability related to functional polymorphisms of the α-synuclein gene SNCA, and potential gene-environment interactions involving fine particulate matter pollution. The significance of these results is discussed in the light of existing translational, clinical and epidemiological research on the links between these disorders.

The environment impacts human health in profound ways, yet few theories define the form of the relationship between human physiology and the environment. Under current epidemiological constructs of causation, it is assumed that two complex systems (environment and humans) can transfer information directly. This is the underlying structure of the relationship when studies examine, for example, air pollution and brain health. In marked contrast, we conjecture that complex systems cannot interact directly, but rather such interaction requires the formation of an “interface”. Further, we contend that this dynamic, process-based interface incorporates components from all the interacting systems but exhibits operational independence. This property has many consequences, the foremost being that characteristics of the interface cannot be fully resolved by only studying the systems involved in the interaction. The interface itself must be the subject of inquiry. Without refocusing our attention on biodynamic interfaces, we cannot discern how our environment impacts health.

Plant community assembly is the central issue in community ecology. As plant traits differ in different life history stages, the form, intensity and mechanism of interspecific interactions may change with the ontogenetic process of plants. However, our understanding of interspecific interaction mechanisms during germination is still limited. Here, we conducted a laboratory germination experiment using 5 dominant species in Chongming Dongtan (Spartina alterniflora, Scirpus mariqueter, Phragmites australis, Suaeda glauca and Tripolium vulgare) to assess their germination performance in control (monoculture), allelopathy and mixture treatments. The results indicated that seeds could affect germination performance of neighbours through both allelopathy and microenvironment modification. Salinity of the solution in petri dishes after germination decreased in all treatments, and was negatively correlated with the number of total germinated seeds. Seed leachate of invasive Spartina alterniflora inhibited the germination of native Scirpus mariqueter and Phragmites australis, but not the two halophytes Suaeda glauca and Tripolium vulgare. The salt absorption by Spartina alterniflora seeds had the opposite effects compared with that of its seed leachate. On the other hand, seed leachate of native species promoted the germination of invasive Spartina alterniflora. The effect of microenvironment modification of Scirpus mariqueter and Phragmites australis was positive, whereas that of Suaeda glauca and Tripolium vulgare was neutral or negative. Considering seed-to-seed interactions is an important perspective to understand the underlying mechanisms of community dynamics, species diversity maintenance and invasion of alien species, and can improve the effectiveness in the management of invaded coastal wetlands.

Recently, a database of human piRNAs has been created, which allows studying the binding of many piRNAs to mRNAs of genes involved in many diseases, including cancer. In the present work, we investigated what piRNAs can interact with candidate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) genes. The binding of 480 thousand piRNAs with mRNAs of 66 candidate ESCC genes was studied. Bioinformatic studies found that piRNAs bind only to the mRNAs of nine candidate genes: AURKA, BMP7, GCOM1, ERCC1, MTHFR, SASH1, SIX4, SULT1A1, and TP53. It has been shown that piRNAs can bind to mRNA by overlapping nucleotide sequences in limited 3'UTR and 5'UTR regions called clusters of binding sites (BSs). The existence of clusters of piRNA BSs significantly reduces the proportion of nucleotide sequences of these sites in the mRNA of target genes. Competition between piRNAs occurs for binding to the mRNA of target genes. Individual piRNAs and groups of piRNAs that have separate BSs and clusters of BSs in the mRNAs of two or more candidate genes have been identified in the mRNAs of these genes. This organization of piRNAs BSs indicates the interdependence of the expression of candidate genes through piRNAs. Significant differences in the ability of genes to interact with piRNAs avoid the side effects of piRNAs on genes with the lack of binding of such piRNAs. Individual piRNAs and sets of piRNAs are proposed and recommended for the diagnosis and therapy of ESCC.

The model of T4 phage, Lambda phage and Escherichia coli is often used in research on virus-host interactions. This paper reports for the first time the thermodynamic driving force of biosynthesis, catabolism and metabolism for the three organisms, on the M9 medium. Moreover, the influence of activities of nutrients and metabolic products is analyzed. All three organisms were found to have very similar Gibbs energies of metabolism. Moreover, since they share the same catabolism, their Gibbs energies of catabolism are identical. However, Gibbs energies of biosynthesis differ. The calculated thermodynamic properties have been used to explain the coexistence of both bacteria and phages in a dynamic equilibrium in natural ecosystems.

Lifestyle has been associated with breast cancer risk through different pathways, including oxidative stress. Antioxidant enzymes are endogenous defense mechanisms against oxidative stress damage, and this response might be modulated by the genetic variation in these enzyme-codifying genes. This study aimed to analyze the synergistic effect of an antioxidant Healthy Lifestyle Index (HeLiX) composed of principal components of Western dietary pattern, alcohol consumption, smoking and physical activity, and genetic polymorphisms in the first-line antioxidant response family genes SOD, GPX, and CAT on breast cancer risk. We included 176 SNPs, and only CAT rs554576 remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Breast cancer odds were reduced at the highest (T3) and medium (T2) tertiles of the HeLiX. When stratified by HeLiX, we observed a reduced risk of breast cancer with at least one T-allele, and the effect increased in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to the reference category (HeLiX T1 and AA genotype), women at the HeLiX T3 with AT and TT genotypes in postmenopausal women showed an OR = 0.15 (95% CI 0.07–0.32). For HeLiX T2 and AT genotype OR = 0.26 (95% CI 0.13–0.54); for TT genotype OR = 0.24 (95% CI 0.12–0.45). For premenopausal women, at the HeLiX T3 and AT genotype OR = 0.29 (95% CI 0.13–0.62); for the TT genotype OR = 0.21 (95% CI 0.08–0.51). We also observed an inverse association for HeLiX T2 and TT genotype (OR 0.39 95% CI 0.17–0.87). Our study shows a significant synergistic gene-environment interaction on an additive scale, contributing to understanding pathways involved in breast cancer etiology and prevention.

The current systematic review examines whether there is an association between the genetic 5-HTTPLR pol-ymorphism and parenting and the mechanisms by which this association operates. The literature was searched in various databases such as PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect. In line with our inclusion criteria, nine articles were eligible out of 22. Most of the studies, analysed in this review, found an association between 5HTTLPR and parenting. Four studies found a direct association between 5-HTTLPR and parenting with conflicting findings: two studies found that mothers carrying the short variant were more sensitive to their infants, while two studies found that parents carrying the S allele were less sensitive. In addition, several studies found strong interaction between genetic and environmental factors, such as childhood stress and disruptive child behaviour, quality of early care experiences, poor parenting environment, and quality of environment. Only one study found an association between children’s 5HTTLPR and parenting. Parenting can be described as a highly complex construct influenced by multiple factors, including environmental, parenting and child charac-teristics. According to the studies, maternal 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is most likely associated with sensitive parenting.

Throughout history, the pursuit of diagnosing and predicting crop yields has evidenced genetics, environment, and management practices' intertwined roles in achieving food security. However, the sensitivity of crop phenotypes and genetic responses to weather and climate remains unclear, hampering the identification of the underlying abilities of plants to adapt to climate change. We hypothesize that the PAWN global sensitivity analysis (GSA) coupled with a genetic by environment (GxE) model -built of environmental covariance and genetic markers structures- can evidence the contributions of climate on the predictability of maize yields in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada (US-CA). The GSA-GxE modeling framework estimates the relative contribution of climate variables such as solar radiation, temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity on improving maize yield predictions in US-CA. We use an improved version of the Genomes to Fields (G2F) initiative multi-dimensional database to build the environmental covariance matrices for the proposed GSA-GxE framework. The PAWN indices show that the aggregated GxE model’s highest sensitivity levels over US-CA were attributed to solar radiation, temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity. In one-third of the locations, rainfall was the primary climate variable responsible for maize yield predictability. Also, a consistent pattern of top sensitivity indices by location indicates that Relative Humidity, Solar Radiation, and Temperature were distributed as the main or the second most relevant drivers of maize yield predictability.

The IgM and IgT classes were previously identified and characterized in the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii, a species belonging to the Perciform suborder Notothenoidei. Herein we characterized the gene encoding the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in the same species and compared it to pIgR of multiple teleost species belonging to five perciform sub-orders, including 11 Antarctic and one non-Antarctic (Cottoperca gobio) notothenioid species, the latter living in less cold periantarctic sea. Antarctic pIgR genes displayed particularly long in-trons marked by sites of transposable elements and transcription factors. Furthermore, analysis of T. bernacchii pIgR cDNA unveiled multiple amino acid substitutions unique to Antarctic species, all introducing adaptive features, including N-glycosylation sequons. Interestingly, C. gobio shared most features with the other perciforms rather than with the cold adapted relatives. T. bernacchii pIgR transcripts were predominantly expressed in mucosal tissues, as indicated by q-PCR and in situ hybridization analysis. These results suggest that in cold adapted species pIgR preserved its fundamental role in mucosal immune defense, although remarkable gene structure modifications occurred.

Humans are evolutionary-driven to adult mating and conceive social expectations on the quality of their affiliations. The genetic susceptibility to adverse environments in critical periods can alter close relationships. The current research investigates how the promoter region of the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR) and perceived caregiving behavior in childhood could influence the social expectations on close adult relationships. For this purpose, 5-HTTLPR data was collected from the buccal mucosa of 65 Italian individuals (33 males). The participants filled a) the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) to provide the levels of care and overprotection from mother and father, and b) the Experience in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) to report the social expectations on the intimate relationship assessed in terms of anxiety and avoidance from the partner. An interaction effect between 5-HTTLPR and PBI dimensions on the ECR-R scores was hypothesized. Results confirmed that the interplay between the genetic groups and history of maternal overprotection predicted avoidance experienced in romantic relationships in adulthood. Moreover, both adult anxiety and avoidance felt in an intimate relationship were found to covary as a function of maternal overprotection. The present work proposes further evidence of the genetic and parental mechanisms regulating social expectations involved in close relationships.

The devastating growth in the worldwide frequency of neurocognitive disorders and its allied difficulties such as decline in memory, spatial competency, and ability to focus poses a significant psychological public health problem. Inhibitor of Differentiation (ID) proteins are members of a family of helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factors. ID proteins have been demonstrated to be involved in neurodevelopmental & depressive diseases and thus may influence neurocognitive deficiencies due to environmental exposure. Previously, it has been demonstrated that environmental factors such as estrogenic endocrine disruptors (EEDs) have played an essential role in the influence of various neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Based on this increasing number of reports, we consider the impact of these environmental pollutants on ID proteins. Better understanding of how these ID proteins by which EED exposure can affect neurocognitive disorders in populations will prospectively deliver valuable information in the impediment and regulation of these diseases linked with environmental factor exposure.

Open campus policies that grant access to the off-campus food environment influence U.S. high school students’ exposure to unhealthy foods, yet predictors of these policies are unknown. Policy holding and built (walkability), food (access to grocery stores), social (school-to-neighborhood demographic similarity), and organizational (policy holding of neighboring schools) environment data were collected for 200 Oregon public high schools. These existing data derived from the Oregon School Board Association, WalkScore.com, 2010 Decennial Census, 2010-2014 American Community Survey, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TDLinex, Nielson directories, U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, and Common Core of Data. Most (67%) of Oregon public high schools had open campus policies. Logistic regression analyses modeled open campus policy holding as a function of built, food, social, and organizational environment influences. With health and policy implications, results indicate that schools’ walkability, food access, and extent of neighboring open campus policy-schools are significantly associated with open campus policy holding in Oregon.

The definition of a Smart-complex of educational discipline and its technology is given. Attention is focused on the form of the Smart-complex and constructive elements: the creative educational environment, the author's environment, the non-verbal environment, the encyclopedia, the creative / self-realization environment, the monitoring / self-evaluation environment.A feature of the Smart-complex of the academic discipline is the integration into it of the structural equalization block. Constructive alignment (alignment) is based on the design of the student's own learning participation in educational projects. Alignment refers to creating an appropriate learning environment and involves selecting the most appropriate training activities and evaluating each learning outcome. If the result of the training is to develop analytical skills, then for the assessment it is necessary to build questions and scenarios for their development.Two main components of the structural alignment are considered: 1) the first component is based on cognitive psychology and constructivist theory, recognizes the importance of linking new material with the concepts and experiences of students and extrapolation to possible future scenarios in the process of mission activity - they comprehend what they are doing during training; 2) the second component is based on the declaration by the teacher of the correspondence between the planned educational activities and the results of the training of students. This makes planning of educational activities and development of self-assessment criteria for organizing feedback. It is necessary to take into account the impact of Smart-complexes of educational disciplines on three think-tank training networks: 1) effective networks (why learn) - several ways of presenting to give students different ways of obtaining information and knowledge; 2) recognition networks (learning outcomes) - several ways of expressing them to provide them with an alternative for demonstrating what they know; 3) strategic exercises (how to learn) - several ways to increase the motivation for learning to attract their attention to both their own learning project and its technical and historical decision. Smart-complexes of educational disciplines should be: 1) scientific; 2) with user-friendly interface; 3) have a connection with LMS; 4) structured; 5) with visual material; 6) working in Off-line mode; 7) used on various devices in an educational institution, as well as at home.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited monogenic disorder, amenable to gene based therapies. Because CF lung disease is currently the major cause of mortality and morbidity, and lung airway is readily accessible to gene delivery, the major CF gene therapy effort at present is directed to the lung. Although airway epithelial cells are renewed slowly, permanent gene correction through gene editing or targeting in airway stem cells is needed to perpetuate the therapeutic effect. Transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) has been utilized widely for a variety of gene editing applications. The stringent requirement for nuclease binding target sites allows for gene editing with precision. In this study, we engineered helper-dependent adenoviral (HD-Ad) vectors to deliver a pair of TALENs together with donor DNA targeting the human AAVS1 locus. With homology arms of 4 kb in length, we demonstrated precise insertion of either a LacZ reporter gene or a human CFTR minigene into the target site. Using the LacZ reporter, we determined the efficiency of gene integration to be about 5%. In the CFTR vector transduced cells, we have detected both CFTR mRNA and protein expression by qPCR and Wetern analysis, respectively. We have also confirmed CFTR function correction by flurometric Image Plate Reader (FLIPR) and iodide efflux assays. Taking together, these findings suggest a new direction for future in vitro and in vivo studies in CF gene editing.

Numerous companies frequently engage in collaborative cooperation to exchange intelligence rather than resorting to competing strategies to achieve higher levels of intelligence. \textit{Intelligence} is essential in determining \textit{collaborative intelligence} . Intelligence can be discerned by a range of behaviors and actions that go beyond the mere individual observable activity. Collaborative intelligence is often defined as the combined actions of individuals (such as humans and machines) working towards a common goal. It encompasses more than just behaviour and includes other crucial elements such as the sharing of intelligence. The ontological view concerns the system's understanding and representation of information, data, and the fundamental reality it aims to capture and manage. This paper aims to expand upon our previous research on Intelligence in decentralized environments. The methodology utilized in this paper involves employing an ontological view to derive intelligence, encompassing its various forms, such as data, information, and knowledge. The paper explores the fundamental significance of intelligence and semantic integration in supporting the collaborative intelligence framework. Semantic integration is crucial to establishing a shared understanding of individuals' data, information, and concepts. It is fundamental in facilitating effective communication, intelligence sharing, and decision-making within a collaborative environment.

The problem of increasing life expectancy is solved with the help of many medical and social areas. It has been established that piRNAs and miRNAs can significantly modify the expression of protein-coding genes by suppressing the translation process. The aim of this work was to establish the possibility of binding piRNAs and miRNAs with mRNA of the KLOTHO and FGF23 genes, which promote health and increase life expectancy through participation in key metabolic processes. We used the MirTarget program, which determines the quantitative characteristics of complementary interactions of all piRNAs and miRNAs nucleotides with mRNA of the genes. piR-44682, piR-1940042, piR-3008660, piR-3215034, piR-6885965, piR-7980636 and one miRNA (ID00756.3p-miR) binding to the mRNA of the KLOTHO gene were found in one cluster of binding sites (BSs). piRNA-6890096 interacted with the mRNA of KLOTHO gene in a fully complementary manner using only canonical nucleotides. Among 17494 human genes, target genes interacting with five piRNAs that bind to the mRNA of KLOTHO gene were identified. mRNA of the AFF2, BCL2L11, CPT1A, DAZAP1, NDRG3, SKIDA1, WBP4, ZIC5, ZSWIM6 genes interacted with piR-3215034 and piR-6885965, which formed clusters of BSs located in 5'UTR, CDS and 3'UTR. The piR-576442, piR-1501557, piR-1845735, piR-2069834, and piR-3029987 had BSs in the mRNAs of the FGF23 gene, located only in the 3'UTR. It is proposed to use piRNAs and miRNAs as regulators of the expression of KLOTHO and FGF23 anti-aging genes.

The knowledge of what separates us genetically from our less-evolved relatives is crucial for gaining new biomedical insights about the human-chimpanzee relatedness for the use of appropriate stand-in towards the development of new treatments and diagnostic aids for various ailments. Although the genomes of humans and chimpanzees share 99% similarity, significant differences exist between the two species in their non-coding intronic regions. However, no work has been carried out in the aspects of target prediction concerning the ‘predicted homology’ in their microRNA sequences. Non-coding miRNAs which are post-transcriptional regulators of development, differentiation, growth, and metabolism, harboring the intronic regions may be crucial for expanding the horizons of our understanding. In this study, we proposed to perform the target prediction for the human-chimp miRNA homologs in the PHEX gene of the human X chromosome using various computational tools and databases. We identified a total of 1296 human miRNAs, 46, 957 gene targets, and 30, 563 targets of human and homologous chimp miRNAs respectively. Furthermore, we analysed gene interacting networks to identify the top interacting targets in both the species. Finally, we interpreted the biological importance of top-interacting miRNAs and their targets. The results demonstrated varying levels of multiplicity and cooperativity between the predicted miRNAs and target genes in the two genera. Such miRNAs may be responsible for the dysregulation of gene expression in several signaling pathways.

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLC) are associated with the risk and clinical features of psoriasis. A total of 944 unrelated individuals, including 474 patients with a diagnosis of psoriasis and 470 healthy controls, were recruited for the study. Six common SNPs in the GCLC gene were genotyped using the MassArray-4 system. Polymorphisms rs648595 (OR=0.56 95%CI 0.35-0.90, Pperm=0.017) and rs2397147 (OR=0.54 95%CI 0.30-0.98, Pperm=0.05) were associated with susceptibility to psoriasis in males. In the male group, diplotype rs2397147-C/C×rs17883901-G/G was associated with decreased risk of psoriasis (FDR-adjusted P=0.014), whereas diplotype rs6933870-G/G×rs17883901-G/G (FDR-adjusted P=0.045) showed association with increased disease risk in females. Joint effects of SNPs with tobacco smoking (rs648595 and rs17883901) and alcohol abuse (rs648595 and rs542914) on the risk of psoriasis were observed (Pperm≤0.05). Furthermore, we found multiple sex-independent associations between GCLC gene polymorphisms and various clinical features such as earlier disease onset, the psoriatic triad, and specific localizations of skin lesions. The present study is the first to show that polymorphisms of the GCLC gene are significantly associated with the risk of psoriasis and related to its clinical features.

Gene or genome editing (GE) revises, removes, or replaces a mutated gene at the DNA level; it is a tool. Gene therapy (GT) offsets mutations by introducing a "normal" version of the gene into the body while the diseased gene remains in the genome; it is a medicine. So far, no GE product has been approved, as opposed to 22 GT products that cost up to millions of dollars per dose. The FDA has recently added a guideline specific to gene editing that should be understood to enable faster development of GE products; at the same time, the FDA also needs to bring more clarification and make several amendments to this guideline to make it more rational.

Transcription factors (TFs) in the homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP) family serve as essential regulators of plant development and control responses to environmental stimuli. To date, however, the HD-ZIP gene family in Prunus nana remains to be fully characterized. Accordingly, a genome-wide analysis of P. nana HD-ZIP family genes was performed using the most recent genomic data available, leading to the classification of 30 HD-ZIP TFs. These genes were annotated and subjected to systematic analyses of phylogenetic relationships, protein physicochemical properties, sequence-based structural characteristics, chromosomal distributions, and associated cis-acting regulatory elements. High levels of diversity were observed with respect to the gene structures for these PnaHD-Zip genes and the cis-regulatory elements found in the promoter regions upstream of these genes, suggesting that they play diverse roles in a range of biological contexts. These 30 PnaHD-Zip genes were further classified into four subgroups based on the results of phylogenetic, gene structure, and conserved motif analyses. Subsequent qPCR analyses indicated that PnaHD-Zip1 and PnaHD-Zip7 expression levels tended to increase was continuously inhibited in response to cold stress, suggesting that proteins in this HD-ZIP gene family may exhibit distinct responses to low-temperature stress exposure. Overall, these results offer a robust foundation for future studies seeking to explore the functional roles that HD-ZIP TFs play as regulators of cold stress tolerance in P. nana, in addition to offering more general insight regarding the regulatory functions and characteristics of these different HD-ZIP genes in P. nana.

Gene expression profiling data contains more information than is routinely extracted with standard approaches. Here we present Fold-change-Specific Enrichment Analysis (FSEA), a new method for functional annotation of differentially expressed genes from transcriptome data with respect to their fold changes. FSEA identifies GO terms, which are shared by the group of genes with a similar magnitude of response, and assesses these changes. GO terms found by FSEA are fold-change-specifically (e.g. weakly, moderately or strongly) affected by a stimulus under investigation. We demonstrate that many responses to abiotic factors, mutations, treatments and diseases occur in a fold-change-specific manner. FSEA analyses suggest that there are two prevailing responses of functionally-related gene groups, either weak or strong. Notably, some of the fold-change-specific GO terms are invisible by classical algorithms for functional gene enrichment, SEA and GSEA. These are GO terms not enriched compared to the genome background but strictly regulated by a factor within specific fold-change intervals. FSEA analysis of a cancer-related transcriptome suggested that the gene groups with a tightly coordinated response can be the valuable source to search for possible regulators, markers and therapeutic targets in oncogenic processes. Availability and Implementation: FSEA is implemented as the FoldGO Bioconductor R package and a web-server https://webfsgor.sysbio.cytogen.ru/ .

Background: While intimate feminine hygiene products are widely used by women as part of daily cleansing routines, little is known about how these products impact the vulvovaginal area and its microbiome stability. A novel gel wash containing lactic acid (pH 4.2) for external daily use was formulated to provide gentle cleansing, freshness, and antimicrobial protection to maintain a healthy balance of the vulvar skin area. This 4-week clinical study assessed tolerance of the gel wash when used on the external genital area and its effects on skin hydration, vulvar skin pH, and the vulvar microbiome. After a 7-day pre-study conditioning period, 36 healthy females in 3 balanced age groups (18-29, 30-44, and 45-55 years) used the gel wash to cleanse their external genital area (mons pubis and vulva) and entire body at least once per day for 28 days. The primary endpoint wasSkin tolerance of the gel wash was assessed by the gynecologist. Effects of the gel wash on vulvar skin microbiota were studied by performing bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS microbial richness and diversity analysis. Results: Based on gynecologic assessment after 28 days of use, the gel wash showed acceptable tolerance, with no signs of increased dryness, redness, edema, itching, stinging, or burning. Use of the gel wash was associated with a significant increase in both short-term (single application) and longer-term (daily use for 28 days) skin moisturization. There was no significant change in vulvar skin pH over time with daily product use, and the gel wash did not significantly affect the natural vulvar microbiome species richness or diversity for bacteria or fungi. Conclusions: Results of the study showed that this new gel wash is a mild, moisturizing cleanser that does not harm and instead maintains the natural pH and microbial diversity of vulvar skin. To our knowledge, this was the first study to assess the effect of an antimicrobial feminine gel wash on the natural pH and vulvar microbiome habitat of the skin using bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS genetic sequencing techniques, thereby providing a better understanding of the bacterial and fungal communities that inhabit the external vulvar area in healthy women.

The atmospheric lightning is one of the natural disasters which need to be considered in the sustainable development. The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) has installed 46 lightning detection sensors (LDS) across the country. These sensors work in radio frequencies having their detection range up to 1000 km with more than 98% detection efficiency within 300 km range. The network is put in a way that sensors have about 50% sensor-to-sensor overlap in their detection ranges to enable high geolocation accuracy and maintain redundancy. The NRSC-LDS network (LDSN) estimates the current associated with each cloud to ground (CG) lightning flash which can be utilized for the risk assessment. The current estimates from one network to the other need to be inter-calibrated and harmonized. Present study compares the LDSN current estimates with Lightning Location Network (LLN) estimates and results are discussed with their impact on the estimation of vulnerable zones. A case study of lightning-induced fire event is presented to showcase the importance of the currents associated with lightning for future planning.

The circular economy is an alternative paradigm whose purpose is the protection of the environment, the prevention of pollution and the growth of economic prosperity. This paper covers research which is qualitative in nature but has an exploratory scope through a documentary review, and includes proposals to promote sustainability. A more responsible consumption or use can be achieved by educating the user or consumer to return the product to production or repair through a collection service by way of reverse logistics (recovery of materials), followed by recycling or reuse of the product or its components to then offer these as recovered or recycled products on the market.

Objective: This paper aims to test and evaluate the Effect of Discipline And Work Environment on Employee Productivity of state-owned public bodies.Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses a quantitative approach using a survey approach. The survey is a study conducted on the employee population of state-owned public agency companies, samples taken from the employee population of state-owned public agency companies to find events related to discipline variables and work environments that can affect employee productivity variables, to analise the influence between discipline variables and the work environment on employee productivity variables using a statistic regression approach. This method is used to explain the influence of discipline variables and work environment on employee productivity variables. This approach is simply to provide a description and test the influence between discipline variables and the work environment on employee productivity variables that can be known how much the influence of discipline variables and work environment on employee productivity variables.Findings: The findings of this study explain that discipline has an influence on the productivity of employees of publicly owned companies, the work environment has an influence on the productivity of employees of publicly owned companies, while together discipline and work environment have an influence on the productivity of employees of publicly owned companies.Practical Implications: The results of the study are recommended for employees to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the performance of state-owned public bodies.Originality: Previous research conducted to test the influence of discipline and work environment on the productivity of employees of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, the findings concluded that discipline and work environment have an influence on the work productivity of employees of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. This research object of research on publicly owned companies owned by the state.

It is postulated in this research that the paradox of “advances in technology and management not keeping pace with the ever-increasing urban problems” is due to the poor understanding of person-focused governance of societal, environmental and economic entities. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to present an adaptive institutional model of person-driven effectiveness and ineffectiveness. The model proposes that human, ecologic and economic outcomes are heavily influenced by a complex system of systems, spanning from individually unique “non-physical influencers” to a broader set of social and environmental influencers that have a common impact on the larger society-environment-economy (SEE) system. At the heart of the model is an analytic formulation that explains the phenomena of non-physical blocker, enhancer and indifferent that are responsible for the adaptation and maladaptation of social agents, and accordingly for the sustainability and unsustainability of SEE systems. Examples are provided to illustrate the model applications: (a) the non-physical and maladaptive syndromes as antecedents of multi-morbidity and (b) the broadened and narrowed minds as sources of sustainability and unsustainability at the SEE system level within the context of emerging technologies such as engineered nanomaterials.

Can ‘restoration and therapy in design’ signify something more than the places like hospitals and healing gardens? Can those restorative environments be brought inside the working and living environments to mitigate the psychological problem at the source? The main objective of this paper is to look at the strategies and developments of Biophilic design with respect to therapy and restoration in order to achieve sustainability in terms of quality of life within the immediate built-environment. The paper explores the mental health issues under the domains of built-environment and indoor environment with respect to their connection with nature. Biophilic design has gained a favourable momentum within the last four decades and is now visualised as a medium that bridges the gap between humans and the nature. Out of a variety of measures of sustainable environmental design, biophilic design focuses on the end-results of naturally nurtured or inspired habitats and workplaces. It embodies strategies of Green and Intelligent buildings, works as a mitigation strategy for foul indoor environment and establishes the vision that veristic sustainability can only be achieved if there is qualitative control over human physiological prosperity and psychological health. In context of work efficiency, preference and productivity within the indoor environment, it is seen as a promoter of constructive thoughts and enhancer of creativity. The paper aims to enlist biophilic design and retrofitting strategies, which can improve cognitive function, reduce stress and provide mental peace within the built environment.

Several specialized terpenoids that are used as phytoalexins are produced in the plant of tobacco. They play a key role in plant defense against pests and pathogens. Here, we performed genome-wide identification, classification, and expression profiling of the terpene synthase (TPS) genes in the tobacco genome. A total of 186 TPS genes were identified, which is significantly higher than that in wild Nicotiana, Capsicum and Solanum species. Phylogenetic analysis of these TPS genes in tobacco and Solanaceous relatives as well as Arabidopsis showed that a few tobacco-exclusive TPS clades occurred recently through gene duplication events. These clades are likely to be responsible for a range of compounds that separate N. tabacum cultivars from its wild relatives. Transcriptome sequencing of two cultivars of N. tabacum at several developmental stages revealed that some TPS genes from the TPS-a and TPS-b lineages are constitutively expressed and a few duplicated TPS genes are only expressed post anthesis at the time of harvest. Additionally, some TPS genes underwent alternative splicing, further diversifying the gene products of the TPS genes. Our findings provide an important candidate genes for further understanding of the diversity and evolution as well as functionality of TPS genes in the plant of tobacco.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the transmission of genes between organisms by other means than parental to offspring inheritance. While it is prevalent in prokaryotes, HGT is less frequent in eukaryotes and particularly in metazoan. Here, we propose Alienness, a taxonomy-aware web application that parses BLAST results against public libraries to rapidly identify candidate HGT in any genome of interest. Alienness takes as input the result of a BLAST of a whole proteome of interest against any NCBI protein library. The user defines recipient (e.g. metazoan) and donor (e.g. bacteria, fungi) branches of interest in the NCBI taxonomy. Based on the best BLAST E-values of candidate donor and recipient taxa, Alienness calculates an Alien Index (AI) for each query protein. An AI >0 indicates a better hit to candidate donor than recipient taxa and a possible HGT. Higher AI represent higher gap of E-values between candidate donor and recipient and a more likely HGT. We confirmed the accuracy of Alienness on phylogenetically confirmed HGT of non-metazoan origin in plant-parasitic nematodes. Alienness scans whole proteomes to rapidly identify possible HGT in any species of interest and thus fosters exploration of HGT more easily and largely across the tree of life.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a kind of conserved small non-coding RNAs that participate in regulating gene expression by targeting multiple molecules. Early studies have shown that the expression of miRNAs changes significantly in different tumor tissues and cancer cell lines. It is well acknowledged that such variation is involved in almost all biological processes, including cell proliferation, mobility, survival and differentiation. Increasing experimental data indicate that miRNA dysregulation is a biomarker of several pathological conditions including cancer, and that miRNA can exert a causal role, as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, in different steps of the tumorigenic process. Anticancer therapies based on miRNAs are currently being developed with a goal to improve outcomes of cancer treatment. In our present study, we review the function of miRNAs in tumorigenesis and development, and discuss the latest clinical applications and strategies of therapy targeting miRNAs in cancer.

The widespread use of epoxy resin (ER) in industry, owing to its excellent properties, aligns with the global shift toward greener resources and energy-efficient solutions, where utilizing metal oxides in 3D printed polymer parts can offer extended functionalities across various industries. ZnO concentrations in polyurethane acrylate composites impacted adhesion and thickness of DLP samples, with 1 wt.% achieving a thickness of 3.99±0.16 mm, closest to the target thickness of 4 mm, while 0.5 wt.% ZnO samples exhibited the lowest deviation in average thickness (±0.03 mm). Tensile strength in digital light processed (DLP) composites with ZnO remained consistent, ranging from 23.29 MPa (1 wt.%) to 25.93 MPa (0.5 wt.%), with an increase in ZnO concentration causing a reduction in tensile strength to 24.04 MPa and a decrease in the elastic modulus to 2001 MPa at 2 wt.% ZnO. The produced DLP samples, with their good corrosion resistance in alkaline environments, are well-suited for applications as protective coatings on tank walls. Customized DLP techniques can enable their effective use as structural or functional elements, such as in Portland cement concrete walls, floors and ceilings for enhanced durability and performance.

Poplar is a globalized commercial tree species that supports humanity's economy, energy, and ecology. To evaluate the twelve hybrid Populus euramericana genotypes developed in China, a total of six locations were selected for the test, comprising four climatic types and three soil kinds. The objective of this study is to characterize the early stages of Populus euramericana growth and test locations; to identify good genotypes for stable and high yield that may be encouraged; and to offer practical experience and technical assistance for further breeding of Populus euramericana. Main research methods include the statistical description of tree heights and diameter at breast heights[DBH], the establishment of a mixed effect model to analyze the genotype and environmental interaction effect [G×E], the use of best linear unbiased prediction[BLUP] values as GGE biplots to achieve visual screening, and the calculation of genetic parameters. Results show that the genotype effect [G], the environmental effect [E], and the G×E is significant; the BLUP value has a strong correspondence with the observed value; the goodness of fit of all biplots can explain more than 85% of the variation; broad-sense heritability of tree height and DBH is 0.13 and 0.3, type-B correlation is 0.36 and 0.65; G5, G7, G4 and G9 are excellent genotypes with high yield and stability; using these four genotypes tree height and DBH can get 3.35% and 0.81% genetic gains.The study concludes as follows: Rank-change interaction and scale-effect interaction were distinctly occurred. The G, E, and G×E all had a significant effect on the growth of poplar trees during their early stage. G4, G5, G7, and G9 genotypes have favorable development characteristics. N146 is a great source of paternal genetics.

A community food environment plays an essential role in explaining the healthy life-style patterns of its community members. However, there is a lack of compelling quantitative approaches to evaluate these environments. This study introduces and validates a new tool named the Facility List Coder (FLC), whose purpose is to assess food environments based on data sources and classification algorithms. Using the case of Mataró (Spain), we randomly selected 301 grids areas (100 m2) where we conducted street audits in order to physically identify all the facilities by name, address and type. Then, audit-identified facilities were matched with those automatically-identified and were classified using the FLC in order to determine its quality. Our results suggest that automatically-identified and audit-identified food environments have a high level of agreement. The ICC estimates and their respective 95% confidence intervals for the overall sample, yield the result “excellent” (ICC ≥ 0.9) for the level of reliability of the FLC.

The purpose of this study is to determine the availability of "more healthful" (MH) versus "less healthful" (LH) entrée items in the campus dining and if students' purchases are reflective of what is offered. This is an observational study in which students' purchases of the available entrée items in the campus dining at a Midwestern university in one academic year were collected and categorized as either MH or LH according to the American Heart Association guidelines. Chi-square tests were used to determine the differences between the proportion of purchased MH and LH versus those available. Odds ratio estimates with 95% confidence limits were used to determine the associations between the demographics and MH and LH purchases. Of the total entrée items available, 15.0% were MH and 85.0% were LH. In the fall, 8.0% of purchases were MH and 92.0% purchases were LH as compared to 8.9% MH and 91.1% LH in the spring. Whites were less likely than non-whites to purchase a MH entrée. Females were two times more likely to choose MH entrées than males. The campus dining offerings and students' purchases of entrees were primarily LH. Work with campus dining providers to create profitable, yet healthful, dining entrees is needed to improve the healthfulness of entrée offerings.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive and potentially fatal complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) affecting 6-10% of adult SCD patients. Various mechanisms and theories have been evaluated to explain the pathophysiology of the disease. However, questions remain, particularly regarding the clinical heterogeneity of the disease in terms of symptoms, complications, and survival. Beyond the classical mechanisms that have been thoroughly investigated and include hemolysis, nitric oxide availability, endothelial disorders, thrombosis, and left heart failure, attention is focused nowadays on the potential role of the genes involved in such processes. Potential candidate genes are investigated through next-generation sequencing, with the TGF-β pathway being the initial target. This field of research may also provide novel targets for pharmacologic agents in the future as is already the case with idiopathic PH. The collection and processing of data and samples from multiple centers can yield safe results that will allow a better understanding of SCD-related PH as a part of the disease’s clinical spectrum. The following review attempts to capture the most recent findings of studies on gene polymorphisms that have been associated with PH in SCD patients.

With rapid advances in gene editing and gene therapy technologies, the development of genetic, cell, or protein-based cures to disease are no longer the realm of science fiction but that of today’s practice. The impact of these technologies are rapidly bringing them to the veterinary market as both enhanced therapeutics and towards modeling their outcomes for translational application. Simply put, gene editing enables scientists to modify an organism’s DNA a priori through the use of site-specific DNA targeting tools like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9). Gene therapy is a broader definition that encompasses the addition of exogenous genetic materials into specific cells to correct a genetic defect. More precisely, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines gene therapy as “a technique that modifies a person’s genes to treat or cure disease” by either (i) replacing a disease-causing gene with a healthy copy of the gene; (ii) inactivating a disease-causing gene that was not functioning properly; or (iii) introducing a new or modified gene into the body to help treat a disease. In some instances, this can be accomplished through direct transfer of DNA or RNA into target cells of interest or more broadly through gene editing. While gene therapy is possible through the simple addition of genetic information into cells of interest, gene editing allows the genome to be reprogrammed intentionally through the deletion of diseased alleles, reconstitution of wild type sequence, or targeted integration of exogenous DNA to impart new function. Cells can be removed from the body, altered, and reinfused, or edited in vivo. Indeed, manufacturing and production efficiencies in gene editing and gene therapy in the 21^st century has brought the therapeutic potential of in vitro and in vivo reprogrammed cells, to the front lines of therapeutic intervention (Brooks et al., 2016). For example, CAR-T cell therapy is revolutionizing hematologic cancer care in humans and is being translated to canines by us and others, and gene therapy trials are ongoing for mitral valve disease in dogs.

With the rapid progress of genetic engineering and gene therapy, World Anti-Doping Agency has alerted to gene doping and prohibited its use in sports. However, there is no standard method available yet for detection of transgenes delivered by recombinant adenoviral (rAdV) vectors. Here we aimed to develop a detection method for transgenes delivered by rAdV vectors in a mouse model that mimics gene doping. rAdV vectors containing mCherry gene was delivered in mice through intravenous injection or local muscular injection. After five days, stool and whole blood samples were collected, and total DNA was extracted. As additional experiments, whole blood was also collected from mouse tail tip until 15 days from injection of the rAdv vector. Transgene fragments from different DNA samples were analyzed using semi-quantitative PCR (sqPCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). In the results, transgene fragments could directly be detected from blood cell fraction-DNA, plasma-cell free DNA and stool-DNA by qPCR and ddPCR, depending on specimen type and injection methods. We observed that a combination of blood cell fraction-DNA and ddPCR was more sensitive than other combinations used in this model. These results could accelerate the development of detection methods for gene doping.

In the pursuit of energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact, adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces is essential. This study presents a hybrid neural network model designed for real-time monitoring and prediction of environmental variables. The system comprises two phases: An IoT hardware-software platform for data acquisition and decision-making, and a hybrid model combining short-term memory and convolutional recurrent structures. The results are promising and hold potential for integration into parallel processing AI architectures.

Background: The presence of a leadership role in the nursing manager appears to be closely related to a positive and productive work environment within health settings. In some contexts, such as Mexico, the profile of the nursing manager has not been formally defined, and, sometimes those who occupy these positions do not always have sufficient training, and therefore this vocation, which is related to the social image of the nursing profession. This study aims to understand the influence of the vocation for leadership that the nursing manager has and how it can influence the work environment, through the analysis of experiences lived by health professionals with a management profile of different health environments; Methods: Qualitative study of an approximation to grounded theory using Corbin & Strauss as reference, using semi-structured individual interviews as a technique, and with the participation of 10 Mexican nursing managers from second-level care hospitals; Results: The meaning of the vocation for the interviewed managers is based in the first instance on the love of the profession and the vocation to be a nurse, then on the development of leadership for decision-making in practice and is fed back with the positive effects that it generates in the work environment, helping them to better organize human resources and professional activities, and strengthening themselves with specific training on the subject and the experience acquired. ; Conclusions: An understanding model is provided about the phenomenon where two central categories were identified, the first central category is the "Management vocation and natural nursing leadership" which is the basis; The second central category is the "Explanation and influence of the managerial vocation, natural leadership and work environment in nursing". Two connection categories were also created; the connection category one "Motives, meaning, and practical vocation of managerial nursing" and the connection category two "Description of the managerial vocation, natural leadership, and work environment", said connection categories emanate from the central category one, to connect with the central category two, which contains the interaction of the managerial vocation, natural leadership, and work environment in nursing.

Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of vegetarianism among the general population in western societies ranges between 2% and 9%. Information regarding the prevalence of vegetarianism among exercisers is lacking. The aim of the present pilot study was to determine the prevalence of vegetarianism among regular exercisers in Greek gyms, as well as assess their dietary habits, exercise habits, and attitudes toward health and environmental issues. 291 regular gym clients completed an anonymous descriptive online questionnaire containing 65 questions divided into five sections (demographic characteristics, dietary habits, physical activity, dietary supplements, environment). Thirty responders (10.3%) identified themselves as vegetarians, spanning the entire spectrum of vegetarianism, from raw vegan to semi-vegetarian. Compared to omnivores, vegetarians had lower body weight, were more concerned about their health and convinced about the health benefits of their dietary choices, were surrounded by more vegetarians socially, consumed fast food and ate out less often, used more dietary supplements, and were better informed about what a sustainable diet is (all p < 0.05). Vegetarians did not differ significantly from omnivores in demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, prevalence of psychogenic eating disorders, or exercise practices (except for practicing more yoga/Pilates). In conclusion, we report, for the first time, a considerable prevalence of vegetarianism among regular exercisers in gyms. Our findings demonstrate important similarities and differences between exercising vegetarians and omnivores (partly at odds with those seen in the general population) and highlight nutritional and environmental issues on which both groups should be better educated.

The latest IPCC report forcefully states that immediate, decisive, and large-scale actions are needed to avert climate catastrophe. This essay presumes that democratic governments are best and most desirably positioned to take these actions. Yet in the countries most pivotal to global climate, significant voting blocs are uninterested in environmental issues. The essay urges adding bottom-up dialog between environmental and anti-environmental voters, to current and future top-down technocratic “solutions.” To make this combination result in a unified pro-environment electorate, we must understand: religious objections to environmentalism; the capital-vs.-knowledge strife that slows polluting corporations’ green transitions; and the psychological mechanisms that can make inter-group dialog fruitful.

Solid waste management is a global issue that affects every individual living in the world directly or indirectly. Failing to manage the waste properly will cause harm on public health, our natural environment, and even our happiness and prosperity. When asked about the reason behind the failure of third time plastic ban in Bhutan, one of the Bhutanese said it’s because of the lack of cooperation from public to support the move of government. Clean Bhutan, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that aims Zero Waste Bhutan by 2030, has collected around 5,900 metric tons of waste from December 2014 to February 2018. This project will create some awareness regarding the management of waste at individual level when people come in contact with the family of the researcher. It also talks abot how waste management and biodiversity conservation can go side by side.

This article analyses from a post-Marxist view, particularly, an ecological and gender-oriented perspective, the perception and attitudes of the Mexican people by gender, political affiliation and income level towards such current environmental issues as global warming, water shortage, water pollution and the influence of economic growth on the environment, among others. It highlights the influence of political ideology on the environment and of gender awareness on conservation and a more positive attitude towards ecological issues, despite women having usually been excluded from the administrative and decision-making arenas. A new theoretical model is proposed related to the Responsibility Footprints, a new concept more critical than the neoliberal Corporate Social Responsibility. The data for this study come from the 2012 International Social Survey Program. The results analysed brought to light some relevant questions for designing public policies that will greatly bolster initiatives to prompt better female professional involvement in the conservation of natural resources.

Currently, various issues on environment have been discussed, whether the importance, destruction or ways to prevent the destruction of the environment. This paper will explore the issue from the conventional viewpoint as well as from the Islamic perspective. Destruction of the environment in recent times has worsened due to the uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources by human beings in order to generate profits. In view of the increasing technological development in Malaysia presently, this matter should not have occurred because the citizens intellectual abilities can be considered advanced. In other words, these people should be able to weigh between positive and negative consequences of voraciously exploiting natural resources. However, the greed that engulfs some of these people has obscured their view from grasping the future consequences of their acts. Based on the Islamic perspective in which the Quran is the ultimate reference, destruction of the environment can actually be prevented if every individual is aware of his or her trustworthiness or responsibility as His caliphate in this universe. Nevertheless, is there any specific verse in the Quran which explains about preservation of the environment? Can lessons from the Quran provide solutions to the environmental crises in Malaysia? This study provides explanations to the questions based on literature surveys and content analyses. By interpreting some selected verses that relate to preservation of the environment, findings from the discussions have identified that the Quranic verses are valuable resources for the sustainability of the environment.

We report the first correction by Prime editing of a mutation in the RYR1 gene, paving the way to gene therapies for RYR1-related myopathies. The RYR1 gene codes for a calcium channel named Ryanodine receptor 1, which is expressed in skeletal muscle fibers. The failure of this channel causes muscle weakness in patients, which degenerates into motor disabilities. Currently, there are no effective treatments for these diseases, which are mainly caused by point mutations. Prime editing allows the modification of precise nucleotides in the DNA. Our results showed a 59% correction rate of the T4709M mutation in the RYR1 gene in human myoblasts by RNA delivery of the Prime editing components. It is to be noted that the T4709M is recessive, and thus, persons having a heterozygous mutation are healthy. These results are the first demonstration that it is possible to correct mutations in the RYR1 gene.

Phylogenomics has enriched our understanding of the Tree of Life. Non-vertical modes of evolution—such as hybridization/introgression and horizontal gene transfer—deviate from a strictly bifurcating tree model, mirroring a network-like or reticulate structure. Here, we present an overview of a phylogenomic workflow for inferring organismal histories, calibrating those histories to evolutionary time, and detecting reticulate evolution. Mitigating analytical sources of error facilitates accurate reconstructions of evolutionary history and, in turn, characterization of non-vertical modes of evolution. Workflows and methods discussed herein may aid in the rigorous inference of organismal histories in geologic time and reticulation, providing a clearer understanding of the evolutionary process.

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of an International conflict, i.e. East Pakistan Crisis, 1971, and reveals that unequal development creates conflict in society. Natural resource scarcity and environmental degradation can also become a source of conflict, so marginalised and excluded people fight for their rights through non-peaceful means. This essay supports the theoretical approaches of poverty, environment, and conflict nexus and reveals that unequal development and resource scarcity deepens the poverty and creates conflicts in the society, causing harm to the environment. The degraded environment increases the poverty as environment and poverty are interlinked, and the poor have limited choices other than to degrade the environment for their survival. This vicious downward spiral link between poverty and degradation of the environment requires working extensively for poverty alleviation to reverse the environmental decline.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most administered first-line treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, only around half of EoE patients respond histologically to PPI at double dosage. In addition, 70% of responders maintain EoE in remission after tapering the PPI dose. In order to avoid endoscopy with biopsies − the only accurate method of assessing PPI response − efforts have been made to identify PPI responder patients. Clinical or endoscopic features and biomarkers evaluated so far however, have not proved good enough in predicting PPI response. Although new approaches based on omics technologies have uncovered promising biomarkers, the specialized and complex procedures required are difficult to implement in clinical settings. Alternatively, PPI pharmacogenetics based on identifying variations in CYP2C19 and STAT6 genes have shown promising results in EoE, and could easily be performed in most laboratories. Other genetic variations have also been associated with PPI response and may explain those cases not related to CYP2C19 or STAT6. Here, we give an overview of PPI treatment in EoE and evidence of how genetic variations in CYP2C19 and other genes could affect PPI effectiveness, and also discuss studies evaluating the role of pharmacogenetics in predicting PPI response in patients with EoE.

Magnesium transporters (MGTs) play a prominent role in the absorption, transport and storage of magnesium in plant cells. In the present study, MGT gene family members were identified and characterized in two species of cucurbitaceae, including C. sativus and C. lanatus. 20, 19, and 20 MGT genes were recognized in C. lanatus, C. sativus, and C. melo, respectively. According to physicochemical properties, the members of each sub-class of MGTs in the species of cucurbitaceae showed the close relationship. Proteins from NIPA were identified as hydrophilic proteins with high stability. Based on phylogenetic analysis, MGT family members were classified into three groups, and NIPAs showed more diversity. Besides, duplication events were not identified between the MGT members in C. lanatus, and C. sativus. According to pocket analysis, residues such as L, V, S, I, and A were frequently observed in the binding sites of MGT proteins in both species. The prediction of post-translation modifications revealed that MSR2 proteins have high phosphorylation potential than other sub-classes in both studied plants. The expression profile of MGTs showed that MGTs are more expressed in root tissues. In addition, MGTs showed differential expression in response to abiotic/biotic stresses as well as hormone application and NIPAs were more induced in response to stimuli in watermelon. The results of this study, as the primary work of MGT gene family, can be used in programs related to cucurbitaceae breeding.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has prohibited gene doping in the context of progress in gene therapy. There is a risk that the artificial regulation of genes using plasmids could be applied for gene doping. However, no gold standard method to detect this has been established. Here, we aimed to develop a method to detect multiple transgene fragments as proof of gene doping. First, gene delivery model mice as a mimic of gene doping were created by injecting firefly luciferase plasmid with polyethylenimine (PEI) into the abdominal cavity. The results confirmed successful establishment of the model, with sufficient luminescence upon in vivo imaging. Next, multiple transgene fragments in the model were detected in plasma cell-free (cf)DNA, blood-cell-fraction DNA, and stool DNA using the TaqMan-qPCR assay, with the highest levels in plasma cfDNA. Using just a single drop of whole blood from the model, we also attempted long-term detection. The results showed that multiple transgene fragments were detected until 11 days. These findings indicate that the combination of plasma cfDNA or just one drop of whole blood with TaqMan-qPCR assay is feasible to detect plasmid-PEI-based gene doping. Our findings could accelerate the development of methods for detecting gene doping in humans.

Decades of research identified numerous gene biomarkers of cardiac diseases whose restored sequence or/and expression level was hoped to recover the normal cardiac function. However, each human has unique and dynamic pathophysiological characteristics resulting from the unrepeatable combination of favoring factors such are: race, sex, age, medical history, diet, stress, exposure to toxins, habits etc. As such, no treatment fits everybody and finding personalized solutions is a top priority for medicine of 21st century. The Genomic Fabric Paradigm (GFP) provides the most theoretically possible comprehensive characterization of the transcriptome, its alterations in disease and recovery following a treatment. By attaching to each gene the independent average expression level, expression variation and expression coordination with each other gene, GFP delivers thousands times more information than the traditional analysis. This report presents the theoretical bases of the GFP and some applications to our microarray data from mouse models of post ischemic, and constant and intermittent hypoxia-induced heart failure. The GFP analyses revealed novel transcriptomic aspects of the gene expression control and networking under ischemic conditions. Through all-inclusive characterization of the transcriptome and the unrepeatable gene hierarchy in each condition, GFP is an essential avenue towards development of a truly personalized cardiogenomic therapy.

The hospital indoor environment plays a significant role in shaping the microbial exposures that humans encounter. Resistance to antibiotics is one of the mechanisms employed by bacteria to develop resilience against stress in indoor environments. The extensive usage of antibiotics has been a key factor in driving changes in the ecological function of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their acquisition by pathogenic bacteria. By integrating the 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing and high throughput-qPCR approaches with water and air dust samples across seven departments at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, China, this study yielded intriguing findings regarding the department-specific variation, transmission, and correlation of bacteria, ARGs and MGEs within the hospital indoor environment. One notable observation was that the seasonal variation played a vital role in shaping the bacterial composition in the overall hospital indoor environment across seven studied departments. Nevertheless, a similar significant seasonal impact was only observed in the blood test room and emergency departments, rather than in the other five departments. Another intriguing finding was the correlation between ARGs and MGEs abundance. This correlation was evident in the overall hospital indoor environment, which was conversely not found in the emergency, pneumology and gynecology departments. Additionally, while there was no significant relationship that occurred between bacterial communities and ARGs/MGEs within the hospital, the gynecology department demonstrated a close link between bacterial communities and the presence of ARGs/MGEs. Notably, the gynecology department also stood out as an important source of bacteria and ARGs/MGEs for other departments. This study underscores the need for careful surveillance and monitoring of antibiotic resistance, particularly in Legionella spp. in man-made water systems. The findings also show the importance of monitoring and understanding the genetic elements such as Tp614 involved in gene transfer and recombination, as well as their impact on antimicrobial treatment efficacy.

Quorum sensing (QS), a well-established phenomenon in microorganisms, involves the communication between cells through chemical signals, which is dependent on cell density. Extensive research has been conducted on this microbial ability, encompassing the early stages of understanding QS to the latest advancements in the identification and characterization of its mechanisms. This minireview comprehensively examines the role of QS in various aspects, including biofilm formation, virulence in pathogenic bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori and Pseudomonas sp., as well as its influence on biogeochemical cycling in deep-sea environments. Furthermore, future progress in the field will be achieved by combining state-of-the-art methods for observing QS in the deep sea with a deeper understanding of the underlying processes, which will facilitate the engineering of microorganisms for improved degradation of persistent environmental pollutants and other biotechnological applications.

(1) Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the second largest cause of mortality in female worldwide. Besides from basic risk factors, there are several hereditary variables that contribute to BC. Breast cancer has been linked to a variety of nuclear DNA changes as well as mitochondrial DNA alterations. The aim of this study was to analysis the association of mitochondrial tRNA leucine2 gene with BC. (2) Material and methods: In the current study, 24 samples have been collected from various families in Peshawar. DNA was extracted from Blood. PCR was used to amplify the mitochondrial tRNA MT-TL2 gene, and 22 samples were sequenced. The sequence was compared with accession #NC-012920.1 of the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS). (3) Results: The results (Chromatograph, nucleotide sequence and rCRS alignment) shows mutations in mitochondrial tRNA MT-TL2 gene in our participants is not the cause of Breast cancer. (4) Conclusion: Yet, a significant number of BC patients must be studied, and their full mitochondrial DNA must be analyzed. This will provide an indication of the potential DNA marker that might be used to prevent BC deaths at the earliest stages.

The CDPK family genes play crucial roles in signal transduction pathways during plant develop-ment and stress response. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the CDPK family genes in mustard (Brassica juncea L.), resulting in the identification of 101 genes (BjuCDPK1–101) located on chromosomes AA_Chr01 to BB_Chr08. RNA-seq analysis showed that most BjuCDPK genes were predominantly expressed in the root and flower bud, suggesting their organ-specific expression patterns. Furthermore, the expression levels of most BjuCDPK genes were significantly altered by cold stress. The promoter regions of BjuCDPK genes had abundant cis-acting elements related to hormone and stress. The interaction network analysis predicted that BjuCDPK proteins respond to abiotic stress probably via interaction with ABF1, ABF4, and/or DI19. Our findings provide valu-able information for further investigation of the cold stress adaption of mustard via the CDPK signaling pathway.

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a major source of natural fiber and an important cash crop. The cotton growth habit and architecture determine its productivity and influence management strategies for commercial production. The GATA transcription factors (TFs) control various developmental processes in plants, such as flower, bract and embryo development, and petal differentiation. As stable transformation is still a bottleneck in many plant species, TRV-VIGS was used to manipulate gene expression in different plants, including Gossypium hirsutum L. In this study, we undertook the TRV-based VIGS to functionally characterize two candidate genes, Gohir.D05G103700 and Gohir.D12G153600, identified through the expression QTL analysis for five floral induction and meristem identity genes using the upland cotton mini-core collection. Virus-induced silencing of the Gohir.D05G103700 gene resulted in up to a 1.4-fold reduction in the transcript level in two inoculated plants, G3 and G4, and Gohir.D12G153600 gene resulted in up to a 2.3-fold reduction in transcript level in a single inoculated plant P05 relative to the mock-treated plant. The TRV2-Gohir.D05G103700 inoculated plants precisely G3 and G4 also exhibited loss of the supernumerary (fourth) floral bract in the squares, whereas the TRV2-Gohir.D12G153600 inoculated plants did not show any observable phenotypic change relative to the mock-treated plants.  Altogether, this study suggested that TRV-VIGS can be used to characterize genes in cotton relatively rapidly and the cotton Gohir.D05G103700 gene is a positive regulator of the indeterminate growth habit in cotton, which could be manipulated to obtain a cotton plant with architecture best suited for the cultivation area.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has prohibited gene doping in the context of progress in gene therapy. In addition, there is a risk of the EPO gene being applied in gene doping among athletes. Along with this, development of a gene-doping test has been underway in worldwide. Here, we had two purposes: to develop a robust gene doping mouse model using the human EPO gene (hEPO) transferred using recombinant adenovirus (rAdV) as a vector and to develop a detection method to prove gene doping using this model. The rAdV including the hEPO gene were injected intravenously to transfer the gene to the liver. After injection, the mice developed significantly increased red blood cell counts in whole blood and increased gene expressions of hematopoietic markers in the spleen, indicating successful development of the gene doping model. Next, we detected direct and indirect proof of gene doping in whole blood DNA and RNA using qPCR assay and RNA sequencing. Proof was detected in one drop of whole blood DNA and RNA over a long period; furthermore, the overall RNA expression profiles significantly changed. Therefore, we have advanced detection of hEPO gene doping in humans.

Weedy sunflower is an invasive plant on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, which causes high yield losses in many crops. During the harvesting of the sunflower crops the dispersal of the seeds occurs, and as a result- the volunteer plants appear next year. Weedy sunflowers originate from volunteer plants that live through a longer period in one place. Spontaneous hybridization of weedy sunflower with other sunflower forms makes them more aggressive. If the volunteer plants originate from the hybrids tolerant to ALS inhibiting herbicides, they can be the carriers of herbicide tolerance genes and thus will not be sensitive to these herbicides. The exchange of the genetic material also enables the transfer of the ALS (AHAS) gene (responsible for the tolerance to the ALS inhibiting herbicides) to the progeny. In this study we have examined the spontaneous hybridization between different sunflower forms (volunteer sunflowers, weedy sunflowers, susceptible and tolerant sunflower hybrids to ALS inhibiting herbicides) in field conditions during three years. The progeny (F1 generation), which was assumed to possess the ALS gene, was tested with the application of the recommended doses of the Express (a.i. tribenuron-methyl) and Pulsar 40 herbicides (a.i. imazamox). The significant percent of the progeny of different forms of sunflowers, survived the herbicide treatment (6-31%). Molecular analysis of the ALS gene sequence in weedy sunflower progeny confirmed gene transfer in two cases at a distance of 30 and 120 m from the gene donor, i.e. tolerant hybrid Sumo 1 PR.

Research into health, particularly social and psychological health, is crucial. Ultimately, an in-depth understanding of social and psychological health will more than promote well-being. Technology research is indispensable, particularly concerning health and the built environment, given the need to create holistic and supportive frameworks for well-being. Moreover, because literature reviews establish the foundation for academic inquiries, they provide valuable overviews for foresight into grey research areas, particularly multi-disciplinary research like health technology and the built environment. Hence, this study aims to discover the existing themes on health, technology, and built-environment nexus subjects while revealing the grey areas and suggesting proactive areas for future research. The objectives drove this aim to: 1. investigate the implications of technology for the social and psychological dimensions of health; 2. uncover the likelihood of a nexus between health, technology, and the built environment; and 3. highlight new research perspectives for the concluding seven years of the SDGs (2024–2030). The review results highlighted ten themes around which a nexus exists between health, technology, and the built environment; they also pointed out new research perspectives for the next seven years (up to 2023).

Although charcoal production is a source of income, it is often associated with deforestation due to the felling of trees in rural areas. The study quantifies the yield of carbonization in the rural area of Lubumba-shi, DRC, and identifies its determinants. By analyzing 20 kilns from professional producers in different villages, the study reveals that these charcoal producers build large kilns, containing an average of 46.9±21.5 m3 of wood from 19 species of miombo trees. The average carbonization yield is 10.2%, varying from village to village due to parameters such as kiln size, quantity of wood used, kiln coverage time, wind exposure, substrate type and tree species. It was noted that the moisture content and size of the wood did not correlate significantly with the quantity of charcoal harvested per kiln. Yield improvement should therefore take these parameters into account to enable charcoal producers to increase their income while adopting sustainable production practices.

A systematic investigation of the dynamic clustering behavior of active particles under confinement, including the effects of both particle density and active driving force is presented based on a hybrid coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation. First, a series of scaling laws were derived with power relationships for the dynamic clustering time as a function of both particle density and active driving force. Notably, the average number of clusters N ̅ assembled from active particles in the simulation system exhibits a scaling relationship with clustering time t described by N ̅∝t^(-m). Simultaneously, the scaling behavior of the average cluster size S ̅ is characterized by S ̅∝t^m. Our findings reveals the presence of up to four distinct dynamic regions concerning clustering over time, with transitions contingent upon the particle density within the system. Furthermore, as the active driving force increases, the aggregation behavior also accelerates, while an increase in density of active particles induce alterations in the dynamic procession of the system.

Resuscitation is one of the most stressful tasks in emergency medicine. The participation of medical professionals in this procedure can have specific effects on them. In the research, we wanted to find out what these effects are. A qualitative approach by conducting semi-structured interviews was used, and thematic data analysis of the recorded interviews was done. The collected data were transcribed verbatim with no corrections to the audio recordings. The computer program ATLAS.ti 22 was used for qualitative data analysis. Eleven male registered nurses were interviewed, with an average of 18.5 years of experience working in a prehospital environment (max. 32/min. 9). A total of 404 minutes of recordings were analyzed and 789 codes were found, which were combined into 36 patterns, and 11 themes. As the most stressful situa-tions, the interviewees pointed out the resuscitation of a child, familiar persons, conflicts with the environment, conflicts within the resuscitation team, non-functioning or insufficient equipment, complications during resuscitation, and resuscitating a person only for exercise. As positive effects, the interviewees cited successful resuscitations or their awareness that, despite the unsuccessful resuscitation, they did everything they could. Participation in these interven-tions has a specific positive or negative impact on the performers. The interviewees shared the opinion that they can cope effectively with resuscitation's adverse or stressful effects. Yet, de-spite everything, they allow the possibility of subconscious influences of this intervention on them.

The intricate relationship between physical and social environments within organizations plays a pivotal role in shaping sustainable innovation endeavors. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of two key dynamics that have garnered substantial scholarly attention for promoting sustainable innovation: the physical environment and the organizational climate. To elucidate the intricate interplay between these dynamics, we propose a novel three-dimensional framework that guides the modeling of the intricate processes through which the physical environment and innovation climate synergistically influence innovation outcomes. Building on this framework, we delve into an in-depth literature review concerning physical environments that exert a significant impact on innovation. Through this review, we identify and elaborate on four pivotal elements of the physical environment: communality, personalization, comfort, and healthiness. Leveraging insights gleaned from this review, we outline two promising avenues for future research in the realm of the physical environment's interaction with the innovation climate. Furthermore, we underscore the critical importance of adopting an interdisciplinary approach that seamlessly integrates insights from both the physical and social domains to comprehensively understand the sustainable innovation landscape.

Climate change refers to a wide range of changes due to unstructured economic and human activities that impact the well-being status of all living and non-living things. Many adaptation and mitigation strategies focus on climate change solutions, at the center of which is the replacement of fossil fuels or other conventional energy sources with renewables. Mainly this is a contemporary issue for economies that seek ways to grow sustainably, such as developing countries. The purpose of the present study is to review how these renewable sources might have brought benefits for environmental improvement efforts within intense economic activities. Our effort targets the case of China since its efforts for transmission to a low-carbon country attract the world's research interest, given its significance in the global economic system. Mainly, this study’s attempt is based on searching relevant literature for potential changes in limiting greenhouse and carbon dioxide emissions toward China’s economic development status. The results of this study aim to become a valuable reference for further elaboration in light of climate change strategies with measurable outcomes in the growth process.

Entrepreneurship education has become increasingly relevant. For some years now, the business environment for starting a new company in the Dominican Republic has been considered very propitious. This has generated that many universities have incorporated training in entrepreneurship in their study plans. This study aims to analyse whether the cognitive and affective components, the country's business environment, university training in entrepreneurship and attitudes towards entrepreneurship are antecedents of the entrepreneurial intention of university students. It also seeks to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behaviour of students. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from a sample of 523 students who had taken courses on entrepreneurship. The data have been analysed through the SPSS and Smart-PLS programs. The results of this research highlight the importance of the affective component and attitudes towards entrepreneurship in the formation of students' entrepreneurial intentions. This reinforces the importance of cultivating positive attitudes through educational interventions. These results contribute to the understanding of the factors that drive entrepreneurial intentions among university students and provide a foundation for future research.

This study explores the role of information technology (IT) in supporting sustainability efforts in Saudi Arabia. Through an analysis of four case studies, we examine how technology has been implemented by Saudi Arabian companies to advance sustainability goals. The findings demonstrate a notable shift towards green initiatives in the country, with the adoption of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and artificial intelligence. These technologies have been instrumental in enhancing energy efficiency and waste reduction. The study highlights the significance of policy interventions and public-private partnerships in achieving both environmental sustainability and economic growth. To ensure widespread adoption of sustainable practices, it is crucial for the government to focus on building digital capacity in companies and removing technological barriers. The case studies of four companies serve as illustrative examples of sustainable practices and the corresponding technological support in Saudi Arabia. The research underscores the importance of leveraging information technology and collaboration to accelerate progress towards the nation's sustainability goals.

The study reported the analytical approach on nine coins found in the wreck A of Fontanamare for understanding the complex corrosion processes that take place in underwater conditions. Optical microscopy (OM), combined with micro-Raman (µ-Raman) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM + EDS) were used to analyse the nature and the microstructure of the corrosion patina in comparison with the non-degraded state of coins. Three main type of corrosion patina based on copper, lead chloride and carbonate were identified: white-green, black and the obtained results for understanding the complex corrosion processes that take place in underwater conditions.

Tinnitus is a heterogeneous auditory disorder without a pharmacological cure but with several palliative treatments. One of the most applied treatments for tinnitus relief combines counselling with sound therapy. The efficiency of this sound therapy depends on the type of sound stimulus and the exposition time. The fundamentals of a customized sound therapy that stimulates the auditory system with a continuous or sequential sound which compensates for the subject hearing loss are described here. A sample of 137 tinnitus subjects are treated with this sound therapy, named Enriched Acoustic Environment. 90% of these patients achieved a clinically relevant and statistically significant tinnitus-related distress relief quantified as a mean drop of their Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score of 24.3 points. These subjects exposed with sequential stimuli (31%) achieved greater distress relief (5.1 points more in their Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score) than those stimulated with continuous sound (69%). Therefore, this sound constitutes an optimized stimulus for tinnitus treatment.

The Societal Patterns Evolution Model (SPEM) (Gakh, 2023a) has been developed to apply to socio-technical systems. It contains patterns representing stages of societal development. Mapping of these patterns to the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Information Systems was presented at FedCSIS 2022 conference (Gakh, 2022c). This paper discusses the application of SPEM to model the development of three pillars of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental (Purvis, et al., 2019; United Nations, 2023).

Aspects are presented on the interpretation of certainties by assessing risks with maximum level in order to establish reasonable limits of acceptance, tolerance or assumption of risks, supplementing environmental risk factors with external, social, financial elements and introducing a category in the work system analysis.Comparative aspects between INCDPM and MEvAR methods are presented as proposals in the associated tables.The conclusions highlight the current aspects implemented in the method and their usefulness.

The invention of nanoscience not only brings a revolutionary change in the field of science but also changed the direction of research. Today the whole world is under the trigger of nano and nanoparticles have multidimensional applications in every aspect of life including environmental point of view. Till today a plethora of nanoparticles have been synthesized and have also been applied for multiple purposes and hence grabbed the attention of researchers all over the world. Among the bunch of NPs discovered to date, we have a particular interest in silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) because of their cost-effectiveness and huge abundance in the earth’s crust. With respect to every passing day, due to various kinds of anthropological activities, the quality of the environment such as air, water and soil is depleting which ultimately hampers the human civilization. To encompass the growing environmental issues, many techniques have been adopted. Among the many strategies, tackling the current issues regarding environment through nanoscience is highly worthy as because of its cost-effectiveness, less time consuming and easy handling process. This article reviews the potential of nanoparticles, particularly silver nanoparticles, for a wide range of environmental applications, such as soil, air, and water remediation.

The period of study in the online environment can be a very demanding trial for students and masters, especially for those who are not familiar with computer technology. This is largely due to a complex of factors that come from the changes to which they are subjected, such as: leaving the parental home and settling into another living environment (living in dormitories or other forms of accommodation) but also settling with an unfamiliar and very different educational environment from what they were familiar with. Along with all the changes occurring in the family and social plan, the students had to adapt to the educational system made exclusively online. Higher educa-tion institutions in Romania use, as a method of knowledge transmission, traditional learning methods, namely they use face-to-face lecture-type courses in a lecture hall or practical and ex-planatory activities in a seminar/laboratory room. The emergence of this pandemic forced higher education institutions to switch to an online teaching mode for all types of activities included in the educational process.

The goal of our article was to systematize studies that investigated the impact of living conditions in large national regions on individual alcohol consumption. We sought publications on the research topic in PubMed, Google Scholar, OpenGrey, Crossref and eLibrary databases from the moment they were created until December 31, 2021. After removal of duplicates and unsuitable publications, and full-text review of remaining published sources, the final sample included 81 publications. The majority of ultimately selected papers were published after 2010, represented the United States of America, and considered samples of children and youths, either the younger population or the general adult population. High quality was characteristic for 19 studies, while satisfactory quality was exhibited by 46 publications. The most consistent associations with individual alcohol consumption were revealed for the legislative environment (especially for integral scales and indices), alcohol pricing policy, the prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking in the population, and unemployment rate. Among the shortcomings of the reviewed articles, we should mention the prevailing assessment of the impact of only one type of regional characteristics, as well as the lack of studies analyzing the interaction of environmental influence at the territorial level of different scales. Protocol PROSPERO CRD42021234874.

Environmental literate citizenship is a lifelong learning process that aims to develop citizens who have the knowledge, skills, and commitment to make responsible decisions that will affect the quality of the environment. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the environmental literacy levels of nursing students in terms of sustainable environmental by considering the dimensions of environmental literacy. It was also aimed at understanding the correlation among dimensions of environmental literacy and revealing the factors affecting the dimensions of environmental literacy. This research was designed as a descriptive study in the survey model. A total of 278 nursing students participated in this research. It was revealed that students obtained a high score for use and concern from the dimensions of environmental literacy, their attitudes towards the environment were moderate; however, nursing students took the lowest points for the environmental knowledge component, which indicates that students need support in environmental knowledge. It was put forward that there were statistically significant differences based on gender and taking environmental related courses with dimensions of environmental literacy. All dimensions of environmental literacy were found to be positively correlated with each other, ranging from low to moderate relations.

This study examined the last four decades of the existing academic literature related to the environmental impacts of using cover crops in agricultural production systems. Data were collected from the Web of Science database, resulting in a sample of 3,246 peer-reviewed articles published between 1980 and 2021. We combined two advanced scientometrics analysis software (i.e., CiteSpace 6.0.R1 and Gephi 0.9.2) to identify the trajectory of the literature, hotspots, and frontiers. We developed authorship-, institution-and country-levels networks to examine academic cooperation over the last forty years. Our findings revealed that the number of peer-reviewed outputs documenting the environmental effects of cover crops has consistently increased, with a notable rise in publications between 2015 and 2021. Eighteen salient research topics were identified in the literature, including winter cover crops' effects on soil health, cover crops' effects on nitrous oxide emissions, and the relationship between cover crops and nitrate leaching. Based on the citation-clustering analysis, the trajectory of the literature may be divided into three stages. Studies in Stage 1_A (1980-2000) mainly assessed the role of cover crops in nitrogen management. In Stage 1_B (2001-2010), the research evaluated the impact of using different cover crop mixtures on farming systems. In Stage 2 (2011-2021), studies primarily addressed the environmental impacts of cover crops, particularly their effects on physical and chemical soil properties. Finally, the countries with the most outputs were the United States, Brazil, and Spain. The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service was the main contributor to the literature on the environmental impacts of cover crops.

Background There is increasing awareness of problems associated with global warming but a lack of a systematic approach on how to deliver more environmentally sustainable dental care. A sustainable world aims to ensure that basic needs and quality of life of everyone are met, now and for future generations. The carbon footprint is an indicator of environmental sustainability. Aim The aim is to suggest an environmental management change for the dental practice focusing on the objective of carbon footprint reduction. Environmental management change design The management change is based on the concept of “Plan-Do-Check-Act”, as recommended by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and described through the environmental aspects of the dental practice. The approach focuses on establishing and implementing environmental objectives, followed by monitoring results and taking actions to improve continually. The environmental aspects considered for the dental practice are activities causing an impact on the carbon footprint: energy use, travel, product purchasing, waste production, emission to air, water use, and contamination of land. Conclusions The “Plan-Do-Check-Act” ISO 14100-2015 model can be effectively integrated into the dental practice setting for its environmental management. A reduction of the carbon footprint of the dental practice is achieved by applying the environmental management change described for each activity.

More than 800 million tons of fish are utilizing in a year and 25-30% become waste. The waste amount is beneficial source for extraction of collagen. But procedure of extraction is still to be optimized. The current study was designed to extract collagen from fish through fish waste fermentation under various conditions. For collagen extraction we did lactic acid fermentation in which yogurt and Dough bacteria was added with fish sample and placed it in incubator at 30ºC for one month. In yogurt and dough culture have at least 10 type of lactic acid bacterial species. After every week we check PH of each sample and take soup of that sample. After centrifugation of that sample’s TCA (Trichloroacetic acid) precipitation was done of yogurt and dough sample and kept at -20ºC. then did SDS-PAGE) using 6% resolving and 5% stacking gel of already stored sample. Then HaCaT cells (1 × 10⁴ cells/well) were cultured in 96-well flat-bottom culture plates and treated with appropriate doses of FFCP (fermented fish collagen peptide) for 24 and 48 hours.The SDS-PAGE revealed that the collagen protein of fish had doublet pattern for α1 and α2 chains at corresponding to 145 kDa and 132 kDa respectively. The density for α1 twice as compared to α2. Our result agrees that The fish collagen consists mostly of α-chain as well as little amount of inter and intra molecular cross-linked components of α-chains; b (dimmer) and c (trimer). Different biochemical tests were done for identification of lactic acid bacteria catalase positive, citrate positive, urease negative. Our fermented fish collagen and peptides mixture were test for cellular cytotoxicity and proliferative effect on HaCaT cells. Current result shows that fermented extracted collagen are nontoxic and induce the proliferation of HaCaT cells. Current study is supported by various studies that revealed the medical application of fish extracted collagen as underline.

The situation in the world of pandemics is rapidly changing, and the second wave of COVID-19 has put a lot of pressure on the government and private sector, which are primarily responsible for controlling the situation. COVID-19 positive cases have increased in recent months relative to last year, and the number of patients admitted to hospitals has also increased, despite the fact that few of them were denied admission due to shortage of beds. Normal people who experience any symptoms immediately isolate themselves and begin taking the COVID medications prescribed by medical personnel and their team. During these times, all domestic people tossed the wrappers and boxes of medicines into the regular trash can, and the waste was handed over to the waste collector, who treated it like any other domestic waste and disposed of it using open dumping or other methods. The goal of this perspective is to suggest the collections of these types of waste from domestics, and protect the natural resources like water, soil, and even living beings like animals from pollution (from the effect of SARS-CoV-2). The main challenge for environmental waste management agencies is determining who has COVID positive and which houses generate these types of waste; thus, proposed strategy may be beneficial to the long-term sustainability of natural resources and animals.

Even in the first quarter of XXI century, the presence of organic dyes in wastewaters is a normal occurrence in a series of countries, and being these compounds toxics, their removal from these waters is of a necessity. Among the separation technologies, adsorption processing appeared as one of the most widely used to reach this goal. The present work reviewed the most recent approaches (first half of 2021 year) about the use of a variety of adsorbents on the removal of, also, a variety of organic dyes of different nature.

The development of unmanned satellite space technology is increasingly willing, the emergence of medium resolution satellites with sensitivity and spectral variants such as Landsat is very effective in observing environmental changes, while the purpose of this study is to monitor the development of built-in land using image transformation techniques, estimating built-in land changes. The research method uses the NDVI image transformation technique, NDBI and Built Up Index, with Landsat satellite image data obtained from USGS. Accuracy sampling is done by purposive sampling with confusion matrix accuracy test technique. The research results were found. developed land for the period 2004 - 2010 with a percentage of 19.25%, for stages 2010 - 2018 with a percentage of 30.25%. The land development was built based on the area of ​​the highest sub-district in the Kubung area in the early period with a percentage of 7.20% then in the second period with a percentage of 32.23%. The quality of the accuracy of the results of image analysis using confusion matrix technique with an image accuracy level in a field sample of 185 with an image accuracy of 86.04%.

Over the last 15 years, the advent of high-throughput ‘omics’ techniques has revealed the multiple roles and interactions occurring among hosts, their microbial partners and their environment. This microbiome revolution has radically changed our views of biology, evolution and individuality. Sitting at the interface between a host and its environment, the microbiome is a relevant yet understudied compartment for ecotoxicology research. Various recent works confirm that the microbiome reacts to and interacts with contaminants, with consequences for hosts and ecosystems. In this paper, we thus advocate for the development of a “microbiome-aware ecotoxicology” of organisms. We emphasize its relevance and discuss important conceptual and technical pitfalls associated with study design and interpretation. We identify topics such as functionality, quantification, temporality, resilience, interactions and prediction as major challenges and promising venues for microbiome research applied to ecotoxicology.

The present work aimed to validate a low-cost passive monitoring procedure. For its validation, the monitoring of atmospheric organic pollutants - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was carried out in a capital of the central-western region of Brazil. The sensors were fixed on poles intended for electrification during the dry season. After 15 days, samples were extracted by solvent extraction and analysed by High-Resolution Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (HRGC-FID). For the validation of the procedure, PAHs monitored and standardised by the American Environmental Agency (EPA), a benchmark for environmental monitoring of air quality by several countries, were analysed. The results demonstrated that the low-cost passive monitoring method was effective in the quantification of PAH in the environment-air, capable of being used by countries that do not have many resources for monitoring air quality.

This document presents, from environmental thinking (ecosystem - culture relations), the concept of the Main Agroecological Structure of Agroecosystems (MAS, EAP, for its acronym in Spanish), considered as a dissipative cultural structure. It discusses its possible applications (resilience, production, diversity) both inside and outside the farms. The MAS can be useful in the land planning on the farms, based on the concept of potential MAS that allows the quantification of the management of internal and external corridors, including natural vegetation. At the same time, it can be useful in the context of landscape management because it shows a series of cultural relations (economic, social, symbolic and technological) hidden from the partial analysis of landscape ecology.

Abstract Background Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) are the most common type of genetic polymorphism. SNP can significantly affect the expression activity of genes and the level of protein production. Researching the role of SNP in the occurrence of diseases is an important and urgent task, as it allows to predict the risk of pathology, its severity and outcome. Purpose of the study: study of the frequency of I148M polymorphism of the PNPLA3 gene in residents of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), associated with a high risk of steatosis and liver fibrosis. Methods A total of 3132 peripheral venous blood samples were used for population studies, studies patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, studies patients with NAFLD. Genotyping of DNA samples was carried out by real time-PCR. Reagent kits were used for genotyping I148M polymorphism of the PNPLA3 gene. Results In the present study, it was found that in the Yakut population the carriage of the GG genotype (49%) of the PNPLA3 gene I148M polymorphism predominates. When conducting a comparative frequency analysis, there were no statistically significant differences between the control group and the group with NAFLD patients(p=0,82). A comparative frequency analysis of the distribution of genotypes and alleles of I148M polymorphism of the PNPLA3 gene in the control group and the group of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C showed that we did not reveal significantly significant differences (p = 0.45). Conclusions The frequency of homozygotes for the mutant G allele of the I148M polymorphism of the PNPLA3 gene in the Yakut population significantly exceeds the frequency indicator of the G allele in other world populations.

: In this study we evaluated, if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding PTH, VDR, CYP24A1 and CYP27B1 are associated with Mandibular Retrognathism (MR). Samples from biologically-unrelated patients receiving orthodontic treatment were included in this study. Pre-orthodontic lateral cephalograms were used to determine the phenotype. Patients having a retrognathic mandible (SNB<78º) were selected as cases and those with an orthognathic mandible (SNB=78º–82º) were selected as controls. Genomic DNA was used for genotyping analysis of SNPs in PTH (rs694, rs6256 and rs307247), VDR (rs7975232), CYP24A1 (rs464653) and CYP27B1 (rs927650). Chi-squared or Fisher’s tests were used to compare genotype and allele distribution among groups. Haplotype analysis was performed for the SNPs in PTH. The established alpha was p<0.05. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) was used to identify SNP-SNP interactions. A total of 48 MR and 43 controls were included. In the genotype and allele distribution analysis, the SNPs rs694, rs307247 and rs464653 in were associated with MR (p<0.05). MDR analyses predicted the best interaction model for MR was rs694-rs927650, followed by rs307247-rs464653-rs927650. Some haplotypes in the PTH gene presented statistical significance. Our results suggest that SNPs in PTH, VDR, CYP24A1 and CYP27B1 genes are associated with the presence of mandibular retrognathism.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is the main genetic cause of iron overload and is regarded as metal-related human toxicosis. HH may result from HFE and non-HFE gene mutations causing hepcidin deficiency or hepcidin resistance. The disorder has a high biochemical penetrance, but a low clinical prevalence. Unfortunately, the majority of patients with HH remain undiagnosed at their disease-curable stage. The main aim of HH therapy is to prevent iron overload in the early-phase disease and elimination of excess iron from the body by phlebotomy in its late stage. Raising global awareness of HH among health professionals, their training to pay attention to early HH signs and symptoms, and strict patient monitoring are critical management strategies for preventing treatment delays, upgrading its efficacy, and improving patient prognosis.

The largest gene families in plants were found to be Glutathione transferase (GSTs), which played significant roles in regulating plant growth, development, and stress response. Within the GSTs gene family, members were found to play a crucial role in the low-temperature response process of plants. A comprehensive study identified a total of 70 BraGSTs genes. Cluster analysis results demonstrated that the BraGSTs in Brassica rapa(B.rapa) could be categorized into eight sub-families and were unevenly distributed across ten chromosomes. The 39 BraGSTs genes were found to be organized into 15 tandem gene clusters, with the promoters containing multiple cis-elements associated with low-temperature response. Cold stress was observed to stimulate the expression of 15 genes, with the BraGSTF2 gene exhibiting the highest level of expression, sug-gesting its significant involvement in winter B.rapa's response to low-temperature stress. Sub-cellular localization analysis of the BraGSTF2 protein indicated its potential expression in both the cell membrane and nucleus. The analysis of stress resistance in BraGSTF2 transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana lines emon-strated that the over-expression of this gene resulted in significantly elevated levels of SOD, POD activity, and SP content compared to the wild type following exposure to low temperatures. These levels reached their peak after 24 hours of treatment. Conversely, the MDA content was lower in the transgenic plants compared to the wild type. Additionally, the survival rate of BraGSTF2 transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana was higher than that of the wild type, suggesting that the BraG-STF2 gene may play a crucial role in enhancing the cold stress tolerance of winter B. rapa. This study lay a foundation for further study on the role of BraGSTs gene in the molecular regulation of cold resistance in winter B.rapa.

Bacterial phylogenetics has largely been determined via 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. Observed utility of this approach has driven the popularity of the 16S rRNA gene amplicon metagenomics method for profiling and identifying diverse microbes from specific habitats. This work sought to develop universal primers for amplifying the 16S rRNA gene from a consortium of disparate microbial species. Using multiple sequence alignment of the 16S rRNA gene of a variety of microbes, the resulting highly conserved region of the consensus sequence was used for design of universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for 16S rRNA gene. Application of the universal primers in simulated PCR reveals poor amplification efficiency where only 12 species out of 31 generated an amplicon. BLAST analysis of the resulting amplicons reveals a classification error of 50%. More significantly, analysis of the amplicon length indicates variable read length ranging from 81 to 122 base pair compared to the predicted read length of 100 base pairs. This suggests that the 16S rRNA gene harbours significant hitherto underappreciated sequence diversity, and may have unknown alternative splicing and recombination mechanisms. Overall, results from this study suggests that primer design for 16S rRNA amplicon metagenomics may be application and habitat specific, where it is difficult to design universal primers for all bacterial species. Conceptually, this meant that there may be sequence co-evolution in 16S rRNA gene for microbial species in the habitat where environmental and nutritional conditions impact on 16S rRNA gene structure and sequence. In essence, 16S rRNA gene may habour epigenetics signals at the gene level.

A small phylogenetically conserved sequence of 11,231 bp termed FAM247 is repeated in human chromosome 22 by segmental duplications. This sequence forms part of diverse genes that span evolutionary time, the protein genes being the earliest as they are present in zebrafish and/or mice genomes, the long non-coding RNA genes and pseudogenes the most recent as they appear to be present only in the human genome. We propose that the conserved sequence provides a nucleation site for new gene development at evolutionary conserved chromosomal loci where the FAM247 sequences reside. The FAM247 sequence also carries information in its open reading frames that provides protein exon amino acid sequences; one exon plays an integral role in immune system regulation, specifically, the function of ubiquitin specific protease (USP18) in the regulation of interferon. An analysis of this multifaceted sequence and the genesis of genes that contain it are presented.

Molecular analysis is an easier means to identify and isolate a specific gene which has imperative function for growth, body composition , fat deposition, metabolic and skeletal traits as well as the molecular genetics selection on individual genes is a very efficient method to genetically improve economically important traits in chickens. Insulin- like growth factor 1 ( IGF-1)is a member of a heterogeneous group of peptides with important growth.Transforming growth factorβ ( TGF-β) belongs to a large family of growth and differentiation factors that play a pivotal role in a great variety of biological activities including morphogenesis, development and differentiation. DNA was extracted from 48 chickens sampled from three strains Lohman (17) , Sinai (24) and Gimmizah (7) IGF-1 gene and TGFβ2 gene were amplified using PCR protocol. Electrophoresis was carried out on the products of PCR , bands viewed on transilluminator. The size of IGF-1 gene was 675 bp while the size of TGFβ2 gene was 188bp. Sharp bands were purified and sequenced and used the dendrogram to show the relationships between other vertebrate species

While numerous studies have explored the correlation between the built environment and ride-hailing demand, few have assessed their nonlinear interplay. Utilizing ride-hailing order data and multi-source built environment data from Nanjing, China, this paper uses the machine learning method, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), combined with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Partial Dependence Plots (PDP) to investigate the impact of built environment factors on ride-hailing travel demand, including their non-linear and threshold effects. The findings reveal that dining facilities have the most significant impact, with a contribution rate of 30.75%, on predicting ride-hailing travel demand. Additionally, financial, corporate, and medical facilities also exert considerable influence. The built environment factors need to reach a certain threshold or within a certain range to maximize the impact of ride-hailing travel demand. population density, land use mix and distance to the subway station collectively influence ride-hailing demand. The results are helpful for TNCs to allocate network ride-hailing resources reasonably and effectively.

Plastics have recently become an indispensable part of everyone's daily life due to their versatility, durability, light weight and low production costs. The increasing production and use of plastics poses a great danger due to the very long period of degradation, but also the negative impact on living organisms. Decomposing plastics lead to the formation of microplastics, which accumulate in the environment and living organisms becoming part of the food chain. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contamination of soil and water seriously threatens ecosystems around the world. The durability and low weight make microplastic particles easily transported with water or air and end up in the soil. Thus, the problem of microplastic pollution affects the entire ecosystem. Since microplastics are commonly found in both drinking and bottled water, humans are also exposed to the harmful effects of microplastics. Because of the existing risks associated with PVC microplastic contamination of the ecosystem, intensive research is underway to develop methods to clean and eliminate it from the environment. Pollution of the environment with plastic, especially microplastic, results in the reduction of both water and soil resources used for agricultural and utility purposes. This review provides an overview of PVC's environmental impact and disposal options.

While studies that examined risk perceptions in various environments have been previously conducted, the relationship between risk perceptions measured in such environments had not been examined. Such a relationship, if found, may indicate that when one learns to identify risks in one environment, they may identify risks more easily and quickly in another.This study examined the relationship between measures of risk perception in several separate environments. The findings suggest that when learning to identify and assess risks in a particular environment, one may better identify and assess risks in a similar environment – for example, learning to identify and assess risks while driving makes it easier to identify and assess risks when crossing a road. Conversely, the findings also indicate that learning to identify and assess risks in one environment does not make it possible to better identify and assess risks in a disparate environment – for example, learning to identify and assess risks while driving does not make it easier to identify and assess risks in a workplace environment. This may also suggest that while disparate environments such as the road environment and the workplace environment are perceived as two separate environments, the road environment is experienced as one single environment by both drivers and pedestrians.

Abstract. The paper presents primary material on determining the presence of micro- and macroplastics in Markakol Lake, one of the high-mountainous and unique water bodies of Kazakhstan, conditionally undisturbed, but vulnerable to anthropogenic pollution. In the course of work, micro- and macroplastics were detected in all selected samples in the water area of the lake and its main tributaries, the Urunkhaika, Topolevka, Tikhushka, Matabai, Elovka rivers. When determining micro- and macroplastics, we were guided by the method of analysis in aquatic environment, NOAA research program, developed by American scientists Masura J. et al, which is used in many countries. Concentrations and sizes of MP found in the water of the main tributaries of the rivers Urunhaika in concentrations up to 211.4 µg/m3, Tikhushka – 97.9 µg/m3, Zhirelka – 67.8 µg/m3, Topolevka – 157.2 µg/m3, Matabai – 78.3 µg/m3. Concentrations of MP in the surface water layer of the lake detected during 15 minute trawling at distances from 438 m to 841 m occur in sieve mesh sizes of 1.0 mm – 316.7 µg/m3 and 0.315 mm – 520.8 µg/m3. The total concentration of detected micro- and macroplastics coming with tributaries was – 150 µg/m3, in the lake water area – 837.4 µg/m3. The sizes of plastic debris found both in river waters and along the lake water area ranged from mesoplastic debris (fishing line net fragments, foam balls, plastic bags, plastic bottles, wrappers, food labels and packaging, etc.) to microplastic particles detected using a microscope with 40X magnification in size ranges of 25 mm, 1.0 mm and 0.315 mm. Sources of MP depend on local human activities (fishing, transportation, waste disposal etc.).

Solid waste has become a tenacious issue worldwide. It has been increasing exponentially due to urbanization and the increase in the population. Since the twentieth-century technological revolution, there have been significant changes in the composition of solid waste. It poses significant challenges for waste management systems worldwide. Waste management is the process of handling waste right from its creation to its final disposal, including transport, collection, treatment, and monitoring. The present solid waste management (SWM) system is affected by unfavorable institutional, economic, technical, legislative, and operational constraints. Poor waste management is affecting ecosystems and human health, damaging our finite natural resources, impeding human economic progress, and harming people's quality of life. Now, researchers are concerned about the environment's degradation, a decline in quality of life, and risks related to waste management grow as the volume of solid waste. So, they are focusing on sustainable waste management practices which will be crucial for creating a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations. This chapter focuses on the concept of solid waste, its types, management, and its effect on the health of humans and the environment.

Students in their first year of computer science (CS1) at universities typically struggle to grasp programming concepts. This paper covers research using a Java programming language-guided visual execution environment (VEE) to teach CS1 students about programming concepts. The topics covered include input and output, conditionals, loops, functions, arrays, recursion, and files, all of which are covered in an introductory programming course. The VEE walks beginner programmers through the fundamentals of programming, utilizing visual metaphors to explain and direct interactive Java tasks. The primary goal of this study is to determine whether a cohort of 105 CS1 students from four different groups who are enrolled in two universities—one in Madrid, Spain, and the other in Galway, Ireland—can advance their programming abilities under the guidance of the VEE. Second, does the improvement vary depending on the programming concept? The findings demonstrate that students' programming knowledge has greatly increased. This improvement is significant for all programming concepts, while it is more pronounced for some topics than others, such as operators, conditionals, and loops. Additionally, it demonstrates that students had little prior understanding of files and recursion. The most well-known concept to them was the sequence concept.

Many farms utilize closed-type livestock systems to enhance productivity and facilitate effective environmental management. However, the confined nature of these closed spaces poses an increased risk of exposure to harmful gases and organic dust for both workers and livestock. Additionally, the introduction of outside air through ventilation systems can lead to temperature fluctuations within the breeding environment, resulting in potential productivity issues. This research paper employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to develop ventilation operation management plans that address both the working environment and the breeding environment simultaneously. The proposed plans are designed to be easily implemented in practical farm settings. The findings of this study, based on simulation analysis, indicate that while ventilation is effective in reducing harmful gases and improving the working environment, its efficiency decreases after the initial 3 minutes of operation. Furthermore, uncontrolled ventilation can cause sudden temperature changes, which may adversely affect the well-being of the livestock. However, when upgraded ventilation structures are implemented, significant improvements in the working environment (an average of 27.3% improvement) can be achieved while maintaining temperature stability for the livestock. These results highlight the importance of referring to the provided ventilation operation management table before commencing work, as it enables workers to improve the working environment while minimizing the potential impact of ventilation on the breeding environment.

Air pollution is a man-made environmental-related problem and has importance globally among all environmental issues. It is described as an atmospheric situation in which several components appear at high attention above their ambient level and generate a quantifiable effect on vegetation, animals, and people. Air pollution and its control are a universal problem and have become an issue of great trouble for us in current years. However, monitoring and measurement of the concentration of air pollutants are most difficult in assessment to monitoring other components in the environment. Air pollutants are transported to polar regions by different mechanisms such as long-range atmospheric transport or grasshopper effects and via anthropogenic activities. After reaching the polar regions, they settle down and remain as such for a long-time due to their persistent nature. They can distress the environment and wildlife of the polar regions. Generally, dangerous chemicals may cause a risk of well-being effects, whereas lethal pollutants focus on one physiological reaction. We reviewed the available information on air pollution (occurrence, sources, and harmful effects) in the polar regions.

Solid-state LiDAR offers multiple advantages over mechanism mechanical LiDAR, including higher durability, improved coverage ratio, and lower prices. However, solid-state LiDARs typically possess a narrow field of view, making them less suitable for odometry and mapping systems, especially for mobile autonomous systems. To address this issue, we propose a novel rotating solid-state LiDAR system that incorporates a servo motor to continuously rotate the solid-state LiDAR, expanding the horizontal field of view to 360∘. Additionally, we propose a multi-sensor fusion odometry and mapping algorithm for our developed sensory system that integrates an IMU, wheel encoder, motor encoder and the LiDAR into an iterated Kalman filter to obtain a robust odometry estimation. Through comprehensive experiments, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach in both outdoor open environments and narrow indoor environments.

Due to the inherent risks associated with tunnel construction, including potential collapse, various types of work activities, and challenging visibility and communication conditions, safety management in tunnel projects requires significant investment in terms of cost and time. In this research, we propose and demonstrate a novel smart construction system that utilizes worker location monitoring technology to enhance safety in tunnel construction. The system comprises a wearable beacon integrated into safety helmets, scanners strategically placed at regular intervals inside the tunnel, environmental sensors for monitoring temperature, pressure, and air quality, and mobile devices for collecting and analyzing data on workers and the environment. Through a field demonstration conducted in a Korean tunnel construction site, we validated the effectiveness of the proposed system, which demonstrated real-time monitoring of workers and reliable communication capabilities, leading to improved safety and cost-efficiency in tunnel construction. By implementing the proposed system, we achieved a significant reduction of 37% in monthly construction costs and 77% in annual construction costs compared to conventional methods.