The stimulus-secretion coupling of glucose-induced release is generally attributed to the metabolism of the hexose in the β-cells in the glycolytic pathway and the citric acid cycle. Glucose metabolism generates an increased cytosolic concentration of ATP and of the ATP/ADP ratio that closes the ATP-dependent K+-channel at the plasma membrane by the interaction of ATP with the regulatory Kir6.2 channel subunit The resultant depolarization of the β-cells opens voltage-dependent Ca2+-channels at the plasma membrane that allow an increase of the cytosolic cation concentration that triggers the exocytosis of insulin secretory granules. The resultant secretory response evolves in time as a biphasic secretion with a first and transient peak of approximately 10 minutes duration followed by a sustained phase of secretion lasting as long as the stimulus. Whereas the first transient peak can be reproduced by a simple depolarization of β-cells with high extracellular KCl maintaining the KATP-channels open with diazoxide, the sustained phase is agreed to depend on the participation of some metabolic signal that remains to be determined Our group has been investigating for several years the participation of β-cell GABA metabolism, together with that of glucose (the β-cell “specific” nutrient secretagogue) and some other “metabolic” secretagogues (branched-chain alpha-ketoacids and a mixture of L-Leucine + L-glutamine, at supraphysiological concentrations) in their mechanism of stimulation of insulin secretion. All three types of stimuli promote the flux in the GABA shunt of rat islets by different metabolic pathways that end in the production of α-ketoglutarate. This citric acid cycle intermediary is preferentially derived to the GABA shunt instead of its continuous oxidation in the citric acid cycle. Islet content of GABA is significantly suppressed by all the stimuli and blocking the GABA shunt with gabaculine, or ϒ-vinyl-GABA (GABAT inhibitors), diminish the insulin secretory responses as well as total ATP and the ATP/ADP ratio. It is concluded that GABA metabolism is increased in parallel to glucose metabolism and is significantly contributing to the magnitude of the insulin secretory response. Its possible implication in β-cells degradation in type-2 (perhaps also in type 1) diabetes is suggested.

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare and aggressive form of uterine cancer, with a poor prognosis and high number of uterine cancer-related deaths. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an immunotherapy approach to antigen specific of cancer cell, thereby enhancing the immune system's ability to target and destroy cancer cells. This study aims to investigate the potential of targeting differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as a novel therapeutic strategy using CAR T-cell technology in LMS. Genome datasets were obtained from NCBI-GEO database, Of the five datasets, genes that experienced significant overexpression in at least three datasets were categorized as DEGs, and DEGs were evaluated for protein localization, Gene Ontology, bioactivity, interaction, and overexpression. The results identified 25 DEGs, with ten of them expressed on the plasma membrane; four of them—HMMR, KIF20A, PRC1, and ZWINT—were part of the main protein network derived from the 25 DEGs. The dominant bioactivity of these PMGs involves influencing the cell cycle, particularly processes related to chromosome segregation. In conclusion, HMMR, KIF20A, PRC1, and ZWINT are high-potential DEGs as candidates for tumor-associated antigen CAR T-cell therapy. Further research, both in vitro and in vivo, is needed to enhance the validity of these findings.

Background: many studies, on for example taste-visual dissonance, have shown that the influence of the visual cortex on taste sensation is enormous. The aim of the presented work is to investigate, using fNIRS, whether a taste stimulus, in this case the taste of bitter, also causes stimulation of the visual cortex in fNIR study. Methods: 51 participants (204 examinations, 9 996 records) were examined with fNIRS, which collects signals from whole left hemisphere. Differences between the maximum and minimum changes in oxyHb concentrations (ΔoxyHb) for the areas of the brain cortex considered responsible for recording visual and gustatory signals were analyzed. Protocol I, II, III and IV – activation with distillate water, coffee with lower concentration, reference (no stimulation) and coffee with higher concentration respectively, were used. Results: We recorded high signals for teste activation on channels covered gustatory cortex, which confirms the correctness of the choice of research method. What seems important, and somewhat surprising, is the fact that we also received high signals for the channels 45-49, which cover the visual cortex. The statistical analysis does not show any statistical differences between the protocols I, II and IV (different taste activation – water, coffee A and coffee B) for specific channels. As a results of the analysis of the correlation between the subjective bitterness assessment solutions, and the signal ΔoxyHb height, it was observed that statically important correlation, although weak, occurs only for 14 and gustatory channels, only for coffee with a higher concentration. Additionally we recorded the only statistically significant difference between women and men for protocol I (water), where the ΔoxyHb signal was twice as high for women. Conclusions: In conclusion, we can clearly state that the senses of sight and taste work closely together. Moreover, this cooperation is not one-sided - not only the visual activation affects the perception of taste, but interestingly, the taste stimulus can generate a hemodynamic response - activity in the visual cortex.

The interaction of poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) with alcohols were investigated as a model for polymer blending with polysaccharides. While 1-butanol, 2-butanol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-cyclohexanediol showed almost no detectable interaction with PTMC at both of solution state with 1H NMR and solid states of FT-IR, glucose and cellobiose suggests slight change of spectral pattern in FT-IR analysis. The thermal properties of the blending samples of PTMC and these alcohols were also investigated. Although the blend of PTMC with 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and ethylene glycol did not influence on thermal degradation behaviors due to the low boiling points to maintain the structure at blend sample preparation, however, the blend with PTMC and glucose or cellobiose tend to increase thermal resistances and increase glass transition temperature, hence, showed an existence of interaction through hydrogen bonding.

Recent discoveries of potential ice particles and ice-cemented regolith on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars have ushered in new opportunities for developing technologies to extract water, facilitating future space missions and activities on these celestial surfaces. This study delves into the potential for water extraction from regolith through an experiment designed to test water recuperation from regolith simulant under varying gravitational conditions. The resultant water vapor extracted from the regolith is re-condensed on a substrate surface and collected in liquid form. Three types of substrates, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and grooved, are explored. The system’s functionality was assessed during a parabolic flight campaign simulating three distinct gravity levels: microgravity, lunar gravity, and Martian gravity. Our findings reveal that the hydrophobic surface demonstrates the highest efficiency due to drop-wise condensation, and lower gravity levels result in increased water condensation on the substrates. This experiment aims to provide insights into in-situ water recovery, which is pivotal for establishing economically-sustainable water supplies for future missions.

Lirianthe delavayi has valuable ornamental and medicinal value, is an important economic tree, and has a long history of cultivation. As important regulatory molecules, miRNAs are involved in important physiological processes, such as the plant stress response, organ morphogenesis, hormone secretion, and signaling. In this study, based on miRNA sequencing analysis of wild and cultivated Lirianthe delavayi, we explored the differences in posttranscriptional regulation during the cultivation of Lirianthe delavayi from the aspect of miRNA molecular regulation. The results revealed the following: 1. A total of 365 miRNAs were sequenced and identified, and their first bases had obvious uracil (U) base preferences. Among them, 242 miRNAs were classified into 32 miRNA families; 2. Analysis of miRNA expression differences revealed that 39 miRNAs had significant expression differences between wild and cultivated populations; 3. Bioinformatics target gene prediction and target gene enrichment analysis of significantly differentially expressed miRNAs revealed that the target genes were significantly enriched in plant‒pathogen interactions, sphingolipid metabolism, defense responses, and ADP binding. 4. The plant‒pathogen interaction pathway involves seven differentially expressed miRNAs and 30 miRNA‒target gene regulatory pairs, which are involved mainly in pathogen signature molecule recognition and binding, signal transduction, and the regulation of disease resistance molecules or gene expression; Ath-MIR169g-p3_2ss7AG19GA, ath-MIR169g-p5_2ss7AG19GA, and ath-miR408-3p_L-3 are expressed only in wild population, and it is hypothesized that the domestication process from wild to cultivation species may be accompanied by the loss of disease resistance-related miRNAs. This study provides a reference for exploring the posttranscriptional-level regulatory mechanisms of adaptive changes in Lirianthe delavayi from wild to cultivated.

Abstract Plant uptake and assimilation of essential nitrogen compounds from the soil are mainly in the form of nitrate and ammonium ions. Plant nitrate transporters (NRTs) play a crucial role in nitrate uptake from the soil into the roots. NRT structural analysis reveals the mechanisms by which these transporters function. Similarly, plant ammonium transporters (AMTs) mediate the uptake of ammonium ions, and their structural analysis has provided valuable information on their mechanisms. After nitrogen uptake by plant roots, the nitrogen metabolism pathway involves the incorporation of nitrogen into organic compounds. Glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthase (GoGAT) are the master players in this pathway. They work together to convert ammonium ions into glutamine and glutamate, respectively. Different isoforms of GS and GoGAT exist, enabling plants to fine-tune nitrogen metabolism based on environmental cues. Under severe abiotic stress conditions, nitric oxide (NO) has been found to enhance plant survival under drought. Furthermore, the interaction between salinity stress and nitrogen availability in plants has been studied, with NO identified as a potential mediator of responses to salt stress. On the other hand, excessive use of nitrate fertilizers can lead to health and environmental issues. Therefore, alternative strategies, such as establishing nitrogen fixation in plants through diazotrophic microbiota, have been explored to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Ultimately, genomics can identify new genes related to nitrogen fixation, which could be harnessed to improve plant productivity. By deciphering the genetic basis of nitrogen-fixing traits, researchers aim to develop crops that efficiently utilize nitrogen from the environment.

The integration of Augmented Reality (AR) into Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) represents a significant advancement in collaborative technologies. This paper provides a comprehensive review of AR applications within HRI, emphasizing their role in enhancing collaboration, trust, and safety. By aggregating findings from numerous studies, this research highlights key challenges, including the need for improved situational awareness, enhanced safety, and more effective communication between humans and robots. A framework developed from the literature is presented, detailing the critical elements of AR necessary for advancing HRI. The framework outlines effective methods for continuously evaluating AR systems for HRI. This structured approach focuses on enhancing collaboration and safety, with a strong emphasis on integrating best practices from Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) centered around user experience and design.

Rapid urbanization has profoundly impacted regional ecosystem services. However, few studies have comprehensively examined the spatiotemporal relationship between multi-dimensional urbanization processes and ecosystem services. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of urbanization and ecosystem services value (ESV) in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, China, from 2010 to 2020. We measured urbanization levels from two dimensions: Urbanization I (demographic, economic, and land urbanization) and Urbanization II (social and cultural urbanization). The ESV was quantified using the equivalent factor method. The results showed that: (1) The level of Urbanization I increased steadily, while Urbanization II, despite a lower level, exhibited a faster growth rate, especially after 2017; (2) The total ESV declined, with regulating services decreasing the most. The spatial distribution of ESV showed significant heterogeneity; (3) Urbanization had a significant negative correlation with ESV, with Urbanization I exerting a greater negative impact than Urbanization II; (4) The eastern region was dominated by high urbanization-low ESV clusters, while the western region was characterized by low urbanization-high ESV clusters. The findings provide important implications for regional sustainable development and can serve as a reference for related studies in other rapidly urbanizing areas around the world.

Proteomics research has become one of the most important topics in the fields of life science and natural science. At present, research on protein–protein interaction networks (PPINs) mainly focuses on detecting protein complexes or function modules. However, existing approaches are either ineffective or incomplete. In this paper, we investigate function module detection mechanisms in PPIN, including open databases, existing detection algorithms and recent solutions. After that, we describe the proposed solution based on simplified swarm optimization (SSO) algorithm and gene ontology knowledge. The proposed solution implements SSO algorithm for clustering proteins with similar function, and imports biological gene ontology knowledge for further identifying function complexes and improving detection accuracy. Furthermore, we use four different categories of species dataset for experiment: Fruitfly, Mouse, Scere, and Human. The testing and analysis result show that the proposed solution is feasible, efficient and could achieve a higher accuracy of prediction than existing approaches.

Open-vocabulary learning has recently gained prominence as a means to enable image segmentation for arbitrary categories based on textual descriptions. This advancement has extended the applicability of segmentation systems to a broader range of generally purpose scenarios. However, current methods often revolve around specialized architectures and parameters tailored to specific segmentation tasks, resulting in a fragmented landscape of segmentation models. In response to these challenges, we introduce OVAMTSeg, a versatile framework designed for Open-Vocabulary and Multitask Image Segmentation. OVAMTSeg harnesses adaptive prompt learning to empower the model to capture category-sensitive concepts, enhancing its robustness across diverse multi-task and scenario contexts. Text prompts are employed to effectively capture semantic and contextual features of the text, while cross-attention and cross-modal interactions enable the fusion of image and text features. Furthermore, a transformer-based decoder is incorporated for dense prediction. Extensive experimental results underscore the effectiveness of OVAMTSeg, showcasing its state-of-the-art performance and superior generalization capabilities across three segmentation tasks. Notable achievements include a 47.5 mIoU in referring expression segmentation, 51.6 mIoU on Pascal-VOC with four unseen classes, 46.6 mIoU on Pascal-Context in zero-shot segmentation, 65.9 mIoU on Pascal-5i, and 35.7 mIoU on COCO-20i datasets for one-shot segmentation.

The human eye is a vital source of collecting information worldwide via daily observation. The computer science area recognizes it in research as a human-computer interaction. Human blink is an integral part of this observation as a research topic. Several studies have been conducted on eye blinking and left-right eye movements. Previous studies conducted on the eye blink consider the availability of hardware devices high in the budget, high Precision, and low light expo-sure, unlike our study, which uses low-budget devices as simple as a webcam and more versatile usable techniques, incredibly both dim and high light to name a few. This study offers the observational approach via ResNet101v2, VGG-19, and Convolution Neural Network (CNN) architectures. Outperforming both VGG-19 and CNN in this study, ResNet101v2 achieves an impressive accuracy of 98.2%. In contemporary times, deep learning in AI is taking an advanced form. This study attempts to provide a new insight into the real-world implementation of the eye blink.

Quinoa is a resilient crop known for its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. This study examined the agronomic performance and ecological adaptability of quinoa across four distinct altitudes in the northwestern regions of China. Six quinoa genotypes were assessed for agronomic traits, phenology and yield performances, and nutritional quality characteristics in Yining city, Nilka County, Tekes County and Zhaosu County under varied environmental conditions. Our findings demonstrate significant variations in all measured traits including agronomic and nutritional quality traits across the various altitudes and genotypes. In Yining City, a warmer and lower altitude area, genotypes exhibit superior traits for fodder production, including increased branches, longer panicles, robust stems, and high seed protein content. Genotypes Jinli 1 and Beijing 2 achieve yields exceeding 3 tons per hectare (T/ha), highlighting the region’s productivity. Nilka and Tekes counties boasted the shortest quinoa crop cycles, with Jinli 1 yielding 4.05 T/ha seeds in Tekes County, exhibiting high protein and fat content alongside low saponins, making it prime location for yield production. Zhaosu County, with its cooler climate and fertile chernozem soil, elicited high 1000 seed weight and more robust protein response than Nilka and Tekes counties, illustrating the impact of soil fertility on nutritional composition. Correlation analyses further elucidated that the plants characterized by shorter flowering times, crop cycles, compact inflorescence, and taller heights exhibited superior seed yields. Our study contributes significant insights into the ecological adaptability and nutritional dynamics of quinoa, with implications for sustainable crop production and food security in diverse agroecosystems.

The advancement of mechanization in forestry has increased productivity in the forestry sector, bringing positive and negative impacts that require a deeper understanding for sustainable forest management. This study aimed to apply a simplified instrument for assessing damage and environmental impacts in forest harvesting of commercial eucalyptus plantations, using a combination of methodologies. The methodology used combined interaction networks and impact assessment matrices, carrying out field surveys, transposing them to interaction networks and weighting them through assessment matrices, resulting in environmental indices (ES) for prioritizing actions. The study was conducted on a commercial eucalyptus plantation in the municipality of São Pedro, São Paulo, Brazil. The mechanized harvesting of the area consists of the structure of a module with a mobile unit consisting of a harvester and forwarder. The results indicated that wood transport presented the highest ES, both positive and negative. The most significant negative impacts (ES) were the depletion of water resources and erosion, while the positive impacts included regional development and job creation. The most notable changes, positive and negative, were observed in the physical and anthropic environment, with a lesser impact on the biotic environment.

The interaction forces and mechanical properties of the interaction between melittin (Mel) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are considered a crucial driving force for Mel in killing Gram−negative bacteria (GNB). However, how their interaction forces are performed at the single−molecule level and the dissociation kinetic characteristics of the Mel/LPS complex remain poorly understood. In this study, the single−molecule level interaction forces between Mel and LPSs from E. coil K−12, O55:B5, O111:B4, and O128:B12 were explored using atomic force microscopy (AFM) based single−molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS). Further, the AFM−based dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) and advanced analytical model were employed to investigate the kinetic characteristics of the Mel/LPSs complex dissociation. The results indicated that Mel could interact with both rough (R)−form LPS (E. coli K−12) and smooth (S)−form LPSs (E. coli O55:B5, O111:B4, O128:B12), and the S−form LPSs showed a more robust interaction with Mel than R−form LPS, and a slight difference existed in the interaction forces between Mel and diverse S−form LPSs. The Mel interacts with S−form LPSs showed greater specific and non−specific interaction forces than R−form LPS (p < 0.05), as determined by AFM−based SMFS. However, there was no significant difference in the specific and non−specific interaction forces among the three S−form LPSs (p > 0.05), indicating the variability of O−antigen could not affect the interaction between Mel and LPSs. The DFS result showed that the Mel/S−form LPSs complexes had a lower dissociation rate constant (koff), a shorter energy barrier width (xβ), a longer bond lifetime (τoff), and a higher height of the energy barrier (∆G), demonstrating that Mel could interact with S−form LPSs to form more stable complexes. In conclusion, this study promotes our knowledge of the interaction micromechanics and kinetics characteristics between Mel and LPS at the single−molecule level. Moreover, it can help us design and evaluate new anti−GNB drugs.

Since the discovery of the phenomenon of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), it has gradually become an important tool for the analysis of material compositions and structures. The applications of SERS have been expanded from the fields of environmental and materials science to biomedicine, due to the extremely high sensitivity and non-destructiveness of SERS-based analytical technology that even allows single molecule detection. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) phenomenon. The content is divided into several main sections: basic principles and the significance of Raman spectroscopy; historical advancements and technological progress in SERS, as well as various practical applications across different fields. We also discussed how electromagnetic fields contribute to the SERS effect, the role of chemical interactions in enhancing Raman signals, modeling and computational approaches to understand and predict SERS effects.

European strategic policy directions towards a sustainable blue economy have strengthened interest in maritime investments, thus increasing sectoral competition for marine space. Emerging repercussions out of such a rising interest need to be handled by Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) as a means for: properly allocating marine space to diverse uses; managing conflicts and promoting synergies among them; and pursuing a multi-use perspective of this space. A critical stage of each MSP exercise is the exploration of land-based spatial/developmental directions and their current or potential repercussions in the marine environment in order for constraints but also perspectives in policy choices/maritime uses in the MSP context to be featured; and attainment of a successful coherence or coordination between land and marine spatial/developmental policies to be ensured, by analyzing Land-Sea-Interaction (LSI) and embedding it in the MSP. The latter is the focus of this paper aiming to illuminate critical issues emerging from land-based (terrestrial) policy frameworks for feeding MSP endeavors; and is accomplished in the Northern Aegean Sea, Greece. Towards this end, a multilevel approach is adopted, delving into diverse policy contexts at the local, regional and national/European level and aiming to attain more informed MSP decisions in the specific study region.

By introducing environmental mediator, for avoiding randomness in selecting indicators and subjectivity in deciding interaction path coefficients to reveal interaction mechanism among forest industry, ecology and environmental capacity, structural Pressure–State–Impact–Response (PSIR) and quantitative Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) are utilized with data on thirty–one provinces of China. We can find that: (i) forest industry has a negative influence on ecology, whereas ecology has a positive influence on industry; (ii) the destructive influence that industry has on ecology is much greater than the positive effect ecology has on industry; and (iii) environmental capacity plays a partial mediating role between industry and ecology. According to these results we can conclude that: (i) forest industry and ecology are not in a symbiotic relationship and have not reached a level of ecological security; (ii) the interaction between industry and ecology is in a period of transition from antagonistic to beneficial; and (iii) industry dominates ecology. However, we prospect the following advice: (i) methods of forest industry should be changed; (ii) new modes of industrial integration and circular economy should be developed; and (iii) the ability of the environment to sustain itself should be enhanced. The level of forest ecological security to discuss the symbiotic mechanism of industry and ecology will propose to be measured in future.

The Active Distribution Networks (ADNs) are Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) systems with coupled dynamics which cause interactions among the control loops of the Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). This undesired effect lead to performance degradation in the voltage control. To mitigate the effects of these unavoidable coupling, the present paper proposes a systematic design procedure based on the analysis of the interaction's sources. In details, each DER is equipped with a double loop PI to control the active and reactive powers output by the Voltage Source Converter (VSC) which connects the DER to the network's node. Furthermore, to guarantee Ancillary Services (ASs), the two loops are coupled by a simple mechanism of cooperation of the active power to voltage regulation realized by a filtered droop law. To achieve voltage regulation with reduced loop interactions, the PI parameters and the filter's pulse are designed according to a two sequential steps procedure based on the (Internal Model Control) IMC technique. Simulation studies are finally presented to demonstrate that the proposed design method achieves both reduction of the loop interaction and robust voltage control in presence of model parameter uncertainty in the MIMO model.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia whose prevalence rises with age and is linked to increased morbidity and mortality due to the risk of thromboembolism. Management typically involves anticoagulation and rhythm control, but the treatment of elderly patients with multiple comorbidities requires careful consideration of drug side effects and interactions. Cibenzoline, a Vaughan-Williams class IA antiarrhythmic, is effective against AF but has risks of toxicity, especially in older people and those with renal impairment, due to its renal excretion and prolonged half-life in these populations. Discussion: This paper presents a case of an 80-year-old woman with paroxysmal AF who suffered cardiac arrest due to cibenzoline toxicity despite receiving standard adjusted dosages. The patient's cibenzoline blood concentration was significantly higher than the therapeutic range, leading to cardiotoxicity, which was exacerbated by drug interactions with bisoprolol and edoxaban, both metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) successfully managed the cardiac arrest. This case emphasizes the unpredictable pharmacokinetics of cibenzoline in elderly patients with renal impairment and the need for vigilant therapeutic drug monitoring to avoid adverse events. Conclusions: Cibenzoline can pose a significant risk of severe toxicity in elderly patients with renal impairment, and drug interactions may potentiate this risk. The paper underscores the importance of careful dose adjustment and monitoring of drug levels in this population. In cases of cibenzoline-induced cardiac arrest, V-A ECMO and IABP are effective treatment modalities. The case study serves as a critical reminder for clinicians to remain vigilant for drug-induced complications and to apply aggressive supportive treatments when necessary.

Selection is a fundamental interaction element in Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D user interfaces (UIs). Raycasting, one of the most common object selection techniques, has been known to have difficulties in selecting small or distant objects. Meanwhile, recent advancements in computer vision technology have enabled seamless vision-based hand tracking in consumer VR headsets, enhancing accessibility to freehand mid-air interaction and highlighting the need for further research in this area. This study proposed a new technique called TouchView which utilizes a virtual panel with a modern adaptation of the Through-the-lens metaphor to improve freehand selection for VR UI. TouchView enables faster and less demanding target selection by allowing direct touch interaction with the magnified object proxies reflected on the panel view. Repeated-measures ANOVA on the results of a follow-up user experiment on multitarget selection with 23 participants showed that TouchView outperformed the current market-dominating freehand raycasting technique, Hybrid Ray in terms of task performance, perceived workload, and preference. The user behavior was also analyzed to understand the underlying reasons for these improvements. The proposed technique can be used in VR UI applications to enhance the selection of distant objects, especially for cases with frequent view shifts.

With the development of educational technology, machine learning and deep learning provide technical support for traditional classroom observation assessment. However, in real classroom scenarios, the technique faces challenges such as lack of clarity of raw images, complexity of datasets, multi-target detection errors and complexity of character interactions.Based on the above problems, a student classroom behavior recognition network incorporating super-resolution and target detection is proposed. To cope with the problem of unclear original images in the classroom scenario, SRGAN (Super Resolution Generative Adversarial Network for Images) is used to improve the image resolution and thus the recognition accuracy.To address the dataset complexity and multi-targeting problems, feature extraction is optimized and multi-scale feature recognition is enhanced by introducing AKConv and LASK attention mechanisms into the Backbone module of YOLOv8s algorithm. To improve the character interaction complexity problem, the CBAM attention mechanism is integrated to enhance the recognition of important feature channels and spatial regions. Experiments show that it can detect six behaviors of students raising their hands, reading, writing, playing cell phones, looking down, and lying on the table in high-definition images. And the accuracy and robustness of this network are verified.Compared with small target detection algorithms such as Faster R-CNN, YOLOv5, and YOLOv8s, this network has better detection performance and can efficiently deal with the behavior recognition of multiple students.

Delaying the onset of laminar-turbulent transition is an attractive method in reducing skin friction drag, especially on streamlined bodies where Tollmien-Schlichting instabilities are the dominating mechanism for transition. Miniature vortex generators (MVGs) offer an effective approach to attenuate these instabilities by generating counter-rotating vortex pairs. They are placed in pairs within an array and resemble small winglet-type elements. The conventional methodology involves adjusting MVG parameters and conducting computationally expensive DNS and/or downstream stability analyses to assess their effectiveness. However, analyzing the vortex parameters of MVG-generated vortices can potentially guide a more targeted approach in modifying MVG parameters and identifying critical factors for transition delay. Therefore, this study investigates changes in three primary MVG parameters, namely inner distance, periodicity and height, and utilizes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to create a dataset that examines the characteristics of the generated counter-rotating vortex pairs and their potential in drag reduction. The objective is to establish correlations among these parameters and their influence on delaying transition.

Understanding the dynamics of teamwork and communication among healthcare professionals is crucial in the face of evolving healthcare challenges. This study assessed relational coordination among healthcare professionals in the South Tyrolean healthcare system in Italy, focusing on communication and teamwork dynamics in a cross-sectional survey. Using the validated Relational Coordination Survey (RCS) instrument and 525 completed online responses, the questionnaire aimed to understand the implications of different levels of relational coordination ratings by general practitioners, hospital physicians, nurses, and administrative personnel (response rate 26%). The demographics of the participants revealed a predominance of female professionals (64%), with an average age of 50 and 18 years of service. The resulting RCS scores varied significantly across professional groups, with nurses reporting the highest within-group scores, indicating moderate coordination, and administrators reporting the lowest scores, reflecting areas of weak coordination. Between-group relational coordination was generally perceived as weak across professional groups, with the least weakness observed between general practitioners and nurses. German or Italian language and health district affiliation emerged as significant factors influencing relational coordination ratings, highlighting the need for differentiated understanding and strategies in multilingual and diverse regional settings. Assessments of interdisciplinary feedback and referral practices highlight the variation in teamwork and communication weaknesses and underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve relational coordination. This study provides insights into the complexity of relational dynamics in health care settings. It suggests that improving relational coordination through tailored strategies could significantly improve team effectiveness, quality of patient care, and overall system efficiency.

The effect of wave forces on the structural safety of fixed oscillating water-column (OWC) devices is critical. In this study, a three-dimensional numerical model of an oscillating water column (OWC) device is constructed using the computational fluid dynamics software OpenFOAM. Subsequently, the hydrodynamic performance of the numerical model is comprehensively validated. Finally, the hydrodynamic performance data are analyzed in detail to obtain meaningful conclusions. The results indicate that the horizontal wave force on the OWC device is approximately 6.6 to 7.9 times greater than the vertical wave force, whereas the lateral wave force is relatively small. Both the horizontal and vertical wave forces decrease as the relative water depth increases under a constant wave period and height. The horizontal wave force increases linearly with the wave height, whereas the vertical wave force increases with the square of the wave height. In addition, the highest dynamic water pressure is observed at the interface between the water surface and device, both within and outside the front wall of the gas chamber. The dynamic water pressure at different locations on the front chamber increases and subsequently decreases as the wave frequency increases.

Viroids represent the simplest, but are also among the most interesting life-like forms. They represent a great problem in agriculture. Moreover, pathogens similar to viroids, such as the hepatitis Delta virus represent a risk for human health. Viroids encode no proteins, but are still able to hijack their host cells’ metabolism to perform multiplication. This paper attempts to reply three questions about viroids. First, how can viroids hijack their host cells’ metabolism, even though they encode no proteins to achieve this? Second, what advantages do viroids have from their simplicity? Third, what can viroids, as the simplest life-like forms, tell us about life as a natural phenomenon? These questions are discussed from the perspective of biothermodynamics. In order to do this, elemental composition, biosynthesis reactions and standard thermodynamic properties of viroids have been determined and analyzed.

This study examines the effectiveness of a comprehensive psychomotor development program combined with adapted football training for adolescents diagnosed with intellectual disabilities in Romania. Twelve participants, with a mean age of 17.42 years underwent a carefully designed intervention program spanning 36 weeks. The program aimed to enhance fundamental movement skills, integrate these skills into specialized football training, and culminate in a Unified 7-a-side Football Match. Results indicate significant improvements in psychomotor skills, including static and dynamic balance, pulse processing speed, and identified stimuli. Moreover, the intervention positively impacted social interaction among participants. Statistical analysis, employing Pearson Correlation Analysis and Paired Samples t-Test (One-Sample), compared assessments. Results revealed significant differences between pre- and post-intervention measurements, providing robust evidence of the program's efficacy. The positive correlations between physical parameters and social interaction highlight the interconnectedness between physical fitness and social engagement. Our findings suggest that improvements in physical abilities may contribute to increased social interaction among children with intellectual disabilities, underscoring the holistic nature of our intervention, which addresses multiple dimensions of development simultaneously. The findings underscore the holistic benefits of integrating psychomotor development and adapted football programs for adolescents with intellectual disabilities, emphasizing the importance of promoting inclusive physical activities for their overall well-being.

We examine here characteristics of electromagnetic waves that propagate through an unbounded space filled with a homogeneous isotropic chiral medium. Resulting characters are compared to those of the electromagnetic waves propagating through an achiral free space. To this goal, we form energy conservation laws for key bilinear parameters in a chiral case. Due to a nonzero medium chirality, conservation laws turn out to contain extra terms that are linked to the spin-orbit coupling, which is absent for an achiral case. As an example, we take a plane wave for achiral case to evaluate those bilinear parameters. Resultantly, the conservation laws for a chiral case are found to reveal inconsistencies among several bilinear parameters that constitute the con-servation laws , thereby prompting us to establish partial remedies for formulating proper wave-propagation problems.

Indoor environmental comfort is fundamental to human health as people spend 90% of their time indoors. This aspect is even more crucial in hospitals, where the concept of health is closely linked to well-being, ethics, and environmental aspects. Emerging methodologies and technologies such as Digital Twin, Building Information Modeling, the Internet of Things, sensing technologies, and data analytics offer new opportunities to ensure healthier environments and more efficient building management. This paper provides an assessment of how digitalization can support decision-making processes related to maintaining high levels of indoor environmental comfort in hospital settings, particularly by analyzing how real-time data processing and the application of machine learning can promote proactive interventions in these facilities. The methodological approach was based on four phases: defining the objectives of the digital twin, identifying the input data to build and feed the digital model, defining the KPIs to evaluate the system's correct functioning, and identifying the enabling technologies to be integrated into the system to achieve the set goal. The result is a digital twin for managing the operating room and its related services, with the aim of guiding decisions based on accurate data and improving operational efficiency, levels of environmental comfort, and safety regarding the diffusion of medical gases.

Sympatric mountain ungulates experience population fluctuations due to intra and inter-specific competition and climate variations. In this comprehensive three-year study (2012-2015), we investigated the population dynamics, spatial distribution, and habitat use of Tibetan Antelope (Chiru) (Panthalops hodgsonii) in relation to four other sympatric ungulates (Argali Ovis ammon, Wild Yak Bos mutus, Tibetan Wild Ass Equus kiang, and Greater Bharal Pseudois nayaur) in the cold arid Changchenmo Valley of Ladakh, India. We conducted 162 intensive surveys covering 918.60 km, we recorded 215 animal sightings, encompassing 1670 Chiru individuals, exclusively males. Chiru exhibited encounter rate of 1.19±1.17 S.D individuals/km walked and 1.53±1.37 S.D. individuals/hr and a typical group sizes of 13.69. Our findings suggest spatio-temporal resource partitioning through habitat selection which favour species coexistence under harsh climatic conditions. While resource sharing occurred during summer, competition was observed during peak winters and springs. Noteworthy in our study was the coexistence of Chiru and Tibetan Wild Ass in shared habitats, indicating facilitation rather than interspecific competition. However, significant habitat segregation was observed between Chiru and other ungulates, highlighting distinct ecological preferences. The study reports a stable Chiru population and reveals a novel phenomenon of some individuals remaining in the area during winters, a behavior not previously documented. The overlap of all species in limited winter habitats poses a potential threat to Chiru survival. Additional threats include climate change, infrastructure development, armed conflict, and livestock competition. Special management efforts, including awareness programs for armed forces and stringent development regulations, are crucial. Our findings provide critical insights into complex species interactions and habitat preferences, forming an essential foundation for the conservation and management of Chiru and other Tibetan ungulates in the Trans-Himalayan landscapes affected by climate change.

Predators are dependent on the capture of prey to meet their energetic and nutritive requirements, imposing a regime of predation risk. Consequently, prey experience both consumptive and non-consumptive effects. Non-consumptive effects may manifest through altered growth and ontogenetic trajectories of prey species, a dynamic modulated by olfactory or other sensory cues from predators. Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel represents a great invasive threat to global horticulture. While earlier research has primarily centered on the consumptive interactions between B. dorsalis and its natural enemies, the potential consequences of non-consumptive interactions on the development of B. dorsalis have been overlooked. In this study, we investigated the impact of predation risk effects, induced by both visual exposure to the predatory mantis Hierodula patellifera Serville and its associated odor, on the life history traits of B. dorsalis. Female B. dorsalis demonstrated reduced development time in the presence of isolated H. patellifera or H. patellifera odor, yet evidenced significantly increased fecundity. Conversely, males displayed no significant change in development time. Additionally, neither female nor male body weight at death was significantly influenced by predation risk from isolated predators or predator odor. These results indicated adaptive developmental strategies of B. dorsalis when faced with risks from predators and highlight the important role of predator odor, which has the potential to lay the groundwork for improving biological control efforts and innovative approaches within pest control.

Huperzine A is an herbal reversible inhibitor of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE). A molecular docking analysis on Huperzine A molecule has been carried out to understand its structure, conformational flexibility, intermolecular interaction and the binding affinity in the active site of AChE enzyme. Further, the charge density distribution of huperzine A molecule (lifted from the active site of AChE) was determined from the high level quantum chemical calculations coupled with charge density analysis. The binding affinity of Huperzine A towards AChE was calculated from the molecular docking; the lowest docked energy is -8.46 kcal/mol. In the active site, huperzine A molecule interacts with acyl binding pocket-Phe330 of AChE, that is, the bicyclo ring group of huperzine A forms an intermolecular interaction with the oxygen atom of main chain of the amino acid residue Phe330 at the distances 3.02 and 3.25 Å respectively. On the other hand, a gas phase study on huperzine A molecule also performed using HF and DFT (B3LYP) methods with the basis set 6-311G**. The molecular structure, conformation, and the charge density distribution of huperzine A molecule in the gas phase have determined using quantum chemical calculations and the charge density analysis. The comparative studies between the gas phase and the active site forms of huperzine A molecule, explicitly reveals the degree of conformational modification and the charge density redistribution of huperzine A when present in the active site. The dipole moment of the molecule in the active site is 6.85 D, which is slightly higher than its gas phase value (5.91 D). The electrostatic potential (ESP) surface of active site molecule clearly shows the strong electronegative and positive ESP regions of the molecule, which are the expected strong reactive locations of the molecule.

The effects of CO₂-water-rock interactions on the mechanical properties of shale are essential for estimating the possibility of sequestrating CO₂ in shale reservoirs. In this study, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests together with an acoustic emission (AE) system and SEM & EDS analysis were performed to investigate the mechanical properties and microstructural changes of black shales with different saturation times (10 days, 20 days and 30 days) in water dissoluted with sub-/super-critical CO₂. According to the experimental results, the values of UCS, Young’s modulus and brittleness index decrease gradually with increasing saturation time in water with sub-/super-critical CO₂. Compared to intact samples, 30-days’ saturation causes reductions of 56.43% in UCS and 54.21% in Young’s modulus for sub-critical saturated samples, and 66.05% in UCS and 56.32% in Young’s modulus for super-critical saturated samples, respectively. The brittleness index also decreases drastically from 84.3% for intact samples to 50.9% for samples saturated in water with sub-critical CO₂, to 47.9% for samples saturated in water with super-critical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂). SC-CO₂ causes a greater reduction of shale’s mechanical properties. The crack propagation results obtained from the AE system show that longer saturation time produces higher peak cumulative AE energy. SEM images show that many pores occur when shale samples are saturated in water with sub-/super-critical CO₂. The EDS results show that CO₂-water-rock interactions increase the percentages of C and Fe and decrease the percentages of Al and K on the surface of saturated samples when compared to intact samples.

Semantic segmentation of high-resolution remote sensing images provides detailed and precise feature information, playing a pivotal role in decision-making and analysis in sectors such as water management, agriculture, military, and environmental protection. However, most methods merely combine features from various branches directly, without a mechanism for spatial location feature screening, and treat all extracted features as equally important. To overcome these limitations, we introduce a novel spatially adaptive interaction network (SAINet) for dynamic interaction across different features in remote sensing semantic segmentation task. Specifically, we propose a spatial refined module that leverages local context information to filter spatial locations and extract salient regions. Following this, we introduce an innovative spatial interaction module that uses a spatial adaptive modulation mechanism to dynamically select and allocate spatial position weights. This facilitates interaction between local salient areas and global information, allowing the network to focus more on relevant regions. This flexible approach enables the network to capture more informative features, thereby enhancing segmentation accuracy. Experiments conducted on the DeepGlobe, Vaihingen, and Potsdam public datasets confirm the effectiveness and capability of SAINet. Our code and models will be publicly available

Stairs are among the key elements in architectural composition, both aesthetically and spatially. They are also one of the main innovations in architecture and building, allowing pedestrians to bridge considerable height differences with relative efficiency. It is therefore surprising that, in spite of all stair regulations in building codes, stairs are responsible for a huge number of accidents – second only to motorcars. The extent of safety failures suggests that user interaction with stairs is poorly understood by designers and policy makers. This is not unrelated to the lack of research into the design and use of stairs. Templer’s seminal work is the exception but it dates from 1992 and since then little has been done to understand the relation between architectural design and stair performance, including safety. To redress this, we can build on affordance-based analyses of stair climbability, which establish a clear connection between the form of a stair and the perception of action possibilities and dangers by all kinds of users. By doing so affordances establish a comprehensive and consistent framework for the analysis of architectural designs, which utilizes both domain and psychological knowledge, including as a foundation for computational applications.

Photonic sensors are innovative devices that leverage the principles of light-matter interaction to enable precise and efficient detection of various physical parameters. These sensors operate by exploiting the interaction between photons, the fundamental particles of light, and matter. The light propagates through an optical waveguide, and a portion of the electromagnetic field extends beyond the waveguide surface, forming the evanescent field. This evanescent field interacts with the surrounding medium, allowing for highly sensitive detection of changes in the refractive index or properties of nearby substances. The underlying concept involves the modulation of light properties, such as intensity, wavelength, or phase, when it interacts with a target substance or undergoes changes in the surrounding environment. The advancements in photonic sensor technology have paved the way for enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and miniaturization, making them invaluable tools in diverse industries. The ability to harness light-matter interactions for sensing purposes not only facilitates highly sensitive measurements but also allows for non-intrusive and remote monitoring, contributing to the evolution of smart and connected systems. In this overview, the material platforms and waveguide structures are explored that can make highly sensitive photonic devices applied to gas and biosensing applications.

Some of the barriers preventing Virtual Reality (VR) from being widely adopted are the cost and unfamiliarity of VR systems. Here we propose that in many cases the specialized controllers shipped with most VR head-mounted displays can be replaced by a regular smartphone, cutting the cost of the system, and allowing users to interact in VR using a device they are already familiar with. To achieve this, we developed SmartVR Pointer, an approach that uses smartphones as a replacement for the specialized controllers for two essential operations in VR: selection and navigation by teleporting. In SmartVR Pointer a camera mounted on the head-mounted display (HMD) is tilted downwards so that it points to where the user will naturally be holding their phone in front of them. SmartVR Pointer supports three selection modalities: tracker-based,gaze-based, and combined/hybrid. In the tracker-based SmartVR pointer selection we use image-based tracking to track a QR code displayed on the phone screen and them map the phone’s position to a pointer shown within the field of view of the camera in the Virtual Environment. In the gaze-based selection modality the user places the pointer using their gaze and taps on the phone for selection. The combined technique is a hybrid between head-gaze-based interaction in VR and smartphone-based Augmented Reality. It allows the user to control a VR pointer that behaves like a mouse pointer by moving their smartphone to select objects within the virtual environment, and to interact with the selected objects using the smartphone’s touch screen. The touchscreen is used for selection and dragging. SmartVR Pointer is simple and requires no calibration and no complex hardware assembly or disassembly. We demonstrate successful interactive applications of SmartVR Pointer in a VR environment with a demo where the user navigates in the virtual environment using teleportation points on the floor and then solves a Tetris-style key-and-lock challenge.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT), a neurotransmitter that regulates mood in the brain and signaling in the gut, has receptors throughout the body that serve various functions. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat depression, but their efficacy is uncertain. Depression is often associated with early gastrointestinal symptoms. Gut disorders such as functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are linked to elevated serotonin levels. In this review, we would like to discuss the approach of using serotonin as a biomarker for gut-brain and body-wide organ communication may lead to the development of preventive and innovative treatments for gut-brain disorders, offering improved visibility and therapeutic monitoring. It could also be used to gauge stress intensity for self-care and mental health improvement.

52 years have passed since President Nixon launched the "War on Cancer". The goals outlined by the President were not achieved because cancer treatment applied such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy have not fully met expectations. We suggest a new chemotherapeutic strategy: disrupting the communication between cancer cells and their microenvironment by chemical means. Immunological synapses that form between cancer cells and immune or other stromal cells provide an attractive target for this approach. Synapses form ligand-receptor clusters within interface of the interacting cells. Despite their differences, synapses share common properties: intercellular protein clusters; the proximity of these proteins; and their cooperative interaction making a synapse an unified functional unit. Synapses provide the limited space for the focused intercellular exchange of signaling molecules and particles. Therefore, destruction of synapses is expected to cause collapse of various tumor types. Additionally, the clustered arrangement of synapse components offers opportunities to increase treatment safety by reducing the concentration of cell impermeable agents used, to enhance its specificity applying cross-linking reagents, thus restricting modifications of surface-exposed molecules. By attaching a cleavable cell permeable toxic agent to a crosslinker should further enhance a killing potential in treating cancer. The proposed approach promises to be simple, universal, and less expensive than existing cancer therapy methods.

In this paper, a modular wire-actuated robotic arm was designed to improve the safety and adaptability of service robots during human-robot interaction. To raise the stiffness adjustment range of the robotic arm, a symmetric variable-stiffness unit was designed based on flexure, which had compact and simple structure, and lowly nonlinear stiffness-force relationship. In this paper, we focused on the research of the symmetric 1-DOF joint module. Based on the kinematics and stiffness analysis, the pose of the joint module could be adjusted by controlling the length of the wires, and the stiffness of the joint module could be adjusted by controlling the tension of the wires. Because of the actuation redundancy, the pose and stiffness of the joint module could be controlled synchronously. Furthermore, a directly method was proposed for the stiffness-oriented wire tension distribution problem of the 1-DOF joint module. A simulation was carried out to verify the proposed method.

A review is here provided on the thermal effects on the optical chirality. To this goal, chiral objects dispersed in an embedding fluid are examined for their magnetoelectric coupling. Archetypal twisted-Omega particles are examined with respect to electron transport, phonon dynamics, and temperature effects. Continuum-mechanical aspect of thermo-elasticity is reviewed along with transverse deformations. A transition temperature delineating a sign flip in the chirality parameter is identified as well.

{This study investigates the coordinated behaviors and the underlying collective intelligence in biological groups, particularly those led by informed leaders. By establishing new convergence criteria based on real biological group experiments, this research introduces the concept of a volitional term and heterogeneous networks, constructing a coupled force Cucker-Smale model with informed leaders. The inclusion of the informed leader aspect distinctively characterizes the dynamics of leaders and followers, enabling a more accurate representation of biological group behavior. The paper then proposes the Flock Leadership Hierarchy Network (FLH), a model reflecting real biological interactions. By employing time slicing and rolling time windows, the study methodically analyses group behavior stages, using volatility and convergence time as metrics to examine the relationship between group consistency and interactions. Comparative experiments show the FLH network's superior performance. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test indicates that the FLH network follows a power-law distribution, highlighting the evolutionary intelligence of biological groups. This research offers new perspectives on the evolution of biological groups, contributing to our understanding of both natural and artificial systems, such as animal migration and autonomous drone operations.

A review is here provided about the thermal effects on the optical chirality. To this goal, chiral objects dispersed in an embedding fluid are examined for their magnetoelectric coupling. Thermal effects on several chiral meta-atoms and their ensembles are examined. To this goal, DNA-like helical structures are examined in detail. Mechanical aspect of thermo-elasticity is reviewed along with transverse deformations, while drawing analogies from condensed-matter physics. In this respect, chirality-induced spin selection is reviewed along with the temperature-mediated elec-tron-phonon interactions. A wide range of materials such as polymers and biological cells are also examined for temperature effects. A transition temperature delineating a sign flip in the chirality parameter is identified as well. Chirality-associated functionalities such as ratchet motions, switching, and modulations are investigated for their respective thermal effects. Issues of fabri-cating chiral meta-atoms are also discussed.

Silencing of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene and consequently lack of synthesis of FMR protein (FMRP) are associated with fragile X syndrome, which is one of the most prevalent inherited intellectual disabilities. FMRP is a multifunctional protein involved in many cellular functions in nearly all subcellular compartments under normal conditions and under conditions of cellular stress in both neuronal and non-neuronal cell types. This is achieved through its trafficking signals, nuclear localization signal (NLS), nuclear export signal (NES), and nucleolar localization signal (NoLS), as well as its RNA and protein binding domains, and is modulated by various post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, and methylation. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the interaction networks of FMRP with a special focus on FMRP stress-related functions, including stress granule formation, mitochondrion and endoplasmic reticulum plasticity, ribosome biogenesis, cell cycle control, and DNA damage response.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common monogenic cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, is caused by a full mutation (>200 CGG repeats) in the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene. Individuals with FXS experience a wide range of challenges related to social interaction (SI). Animal models, such as Drosophila melanogaster model for FXS where the only ortholog of human FMR1 (dFMR1) is mutated, have played a crucial role in understanding of FXS. The aim of this study was to investigate SI in the dFMR1B55 mutants using the novel Drosophila Shallow Chamber and a Python data processing pipeline based on social network analysis (SNA). In comparison with wild-type flies (w1118), SNA analysis in dFMR1B55 mutants revealed hypoactivity, fewer connections in their networks, a lower ability to efficiently transmit information, fewer alternative pathways for information transmission, a higher variability in the number of interactions they achieved, and tended to stay near the boundaries of the testing chamber. These observed alterations indicate the presence of characteristic strain-dependent social networks in dFMR1B55 flies, commonly referred to as the group phenotype. Finally, a combination of novel research tools is a valuable method for SI research in fruit flies.

The emergence of prosumers, who actively participate in designing and producing goods, has generated interest in domestically manufactured products. Factors such as innovation, design methods, component reuse, prototyping, and digital fabrication empower prosumer designers to realize their ideas and enhance products to meet their specific design requirements. This article presents a case that combines bioinspired design methods with prosumer characteristics from the perspective of a designer who uses biological research results acting as a prosumer. By analyzing prosumer needs, bioinspired design, and domestic fabrication requirements, designers define the methods that best suit their possibilities. As a result of using biological information, the geometry of Samara seeds, propeller sizing, wind tunnel tests, and subsequent improvements, the custom design of a bioinspired microgenerator has been refined to the final design of a bicycle flashlight. The aim is to popularize a working approach that facilitates the interaction of design methods and reinforces domestic manufacturing processes. Implementing bioinspired design methods within the prosumer context offers a methodological alternative to transform the current economic model, promoting systemic sustainability and the development of proprietary technologies.

As screen sizes are becoming larger and larger, which are beyond human’s physical limitation for direct touching interaction, remote controls are inevitable. However, as techniques applied so far, inertial gyroscopes are susceptible to position inaccuracies, and gesture recognition is limited by cameras’ focus depth and viewing angle. Grating antenna light trapping technology will be an ideal candidate providing the ghost point problem for multipoint inputs can be solved. Therefore, we propose a differential amplitude modulation scheme for grating antenna based multi beam optical touch, which can recognize different incidence points. Where, the amplitude of the incident beams was coded with different pulse width at first. Then, after been trapped by the grating antenna and been transferred into currents by the lined detector arrays, the incident points of the individual beams were recognized and differentiated. The scheme was successfully verified on an 18-inch screen, where two-point optical touch with position accuracy error under 3mm and response time less than 7ms under modulation frequency of 10kHz on both incident beams are obtained. This work paves a practical way for remote multi-point touch, which can make digital mouse in consistent to the users pointing direction obeying natural three-point one ling aiming rule instantaneously.

The purpose of this review is to elucidate the actual threat of the most prevalent mycotoxins in agricultural commodities and human/animal food/feed for appearance of foodborne ailments and diseases. The underestimated hazard of joint mycotoxin uptake of animals or humans is critically discussed with regards to synergistic or additive interaction between some target mycotoxins. The real toxicity of target mycotoxin combinations as it happens in practice is evaluated and possible lower limit values or control measures are suggested in such cases. Some critical points in adequate risk assessment, hygiene control and regulation of mycotoxns are discussed. The efficiency of current mycotoxin regulations and control measures is evaluated in regards to human/animal health hazard. The risk assessment in the case of multiple mycotoxin exposure of humans/animals via the food/feed or agricultural commodities is evaluated and some suggestions are proposed in such cases. Appropriate control measures and food safety issues throughout the food supply chain are proposed in order to prevent target foodborne diseases. Some preventive measures and possible veterinary hygiene control or risk assessment are proposed in some practical cases of foodborne diseases for preventing mycotoxin contamination of animal products designed for human consumption and to avoid possible public health issues.

The rapid technological progress has ushered in a new era of human-computer interaction, where the distinction between the physical and virtual realms is becoming increasingly blurred. This research paper explores the profound and multifaceted intersection of Human-Data Interaction (HDI) and Data Virtualization (DV), examining how emerging technologies can significantly enhance the exploration, comprehension, and utilization of complex, multidimensional data sets. Informed by the insights gleaned from prior research in this domain , the present study delves into the potential of DV techniques to improve HDI, with a particular focus on three experimental investigations conducted within the realms of education, healthcare, and retail. The findings reveal the benefits and potential challenges associated with the implementation of DV in these diverse contexts, offering valuable guidance for the design and development of future HDI systems. Drawing upon a diverse array of authoritative sources, this paper presents a holistic, forward-looking perspective on the future of HDI, underscoring the critical role that DV will play in shaping the next generation of human-computer interfaces and facilitating a deeper, more intuitive understanding of the digital world. Furthermore, the paper presents a preliminary framework for integrating HDI principles into standard design practices. This framework outlines key considerations and guidelines to help designers and developers incorporate HDI techniques more effectively into the development of data-driven applications and interfaces.The proposed framework outlines key considerations for enhancing data accessibility and comprehension, empowering users to exercise greater control over their data, and cultivating transparent dialogues between data providers and end-users. By establishing this conceptual foundation, the paper aims to facilitate the seamless integration of HDI principles into standard design practices, ultimately leading to more intuitive, user-centric, and ethically-grounded approaches to data interaction and utilization.

Collaborative robotics is a major topic in current robotics research posing new challenges, especially in Human-Robot Interaction. The crucial aspect in this area of research focuses on understanding the behavior of robots when engaging with humans, where reinforcement learning is a key discipline that allows us to explore sophisticated emerging reactions. This review aims to delve into the relevance of different sensors and techniques, with special attention to EEG (electroencephalography data on brain activity) and its influence on the behavior of robots interacting with humans. In addition, mechanisms available to mitigate potential risks during the experimentation process such as virtual reality will also be addressed. In the final part of the paper, future lines of research combining the areas of collaborative robotics, reinforcement learning, virtual reality and human factors will be explored, as this last aspect is vital to ensure safe and effective Human-Robot Interactions.

Receptor–ligand interactions at cell interfaces initiate signaling cascades essential for cellular communication and effector functions. Specifically, T cell receptor (TCR) interactions with pathogen-derived peptides presented by the major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells are crucial for T cell activation. The binding duration, or dwell time, of TCR–pMHC interactions correlates with downstream signaling efficacy, with strong agonists exhibiting longer lifetimes compared to weak agonists. Traditional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) methods quantify 3D affinity but lack cellular context and fail to account for factors like membrane fluctuations. In the recent years, single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) has been applied to measure 2D binding kinetics of TCR–pMHC interactions in a cellular context. Here, we introduce a rigorous mathematical model based on survival analysis to determine exponentially distributed receptor–ligand interaction lifetimes, verified through simulated data. Additionally, we developed a comprehensive analysis pipeline to extract interaction lifetimes from raw microscopy images, demonstrating the model’s accuracy and robustness across multiple TCR–pMHC pairs. Our new software suite automates data processing to enhance throughput and reduce bias. This methodology provides a refined tool for investigating T cell activation mechanisms, offering insights into immune response modulation.

In a constantly changing environment brought about by the climate crisis and escalated anthropogenic perturbations driven by the growing population, harmful algal bloom dynamics and their impacts are expected to shift, necessitating adaptive management strategies and comprehensive research efforts. Similar to primary productivity, HABs have been thought to be driven primarily by major nutrients such as N, P, and Si. However, recent investigations on the role and importance of micronutrients as limiting factors in aquatic environments have been highlighted. This paper provides a review of metal and phytoplankton interactions, with a specific emphasis on pertinent information on the influence of trace nutrients on growth, toxin production, and other underlying mechanisms related to the dynamics of HABs. Low to near-depleted levels of essential nutrients including Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Co, and Mo, negatively impact cell growth and proliferation of various marine and freshwater HAB species. However, evidence shows that at elevated levels, these trace elements along with other non-essential ones, could still cause toxic effects to certain HAB species manifested by decreased photosynthetic activities, oxidative stress, ultrastructure damage, and cyst formation. Interestingly, while elevated levels of these metals mostly result in increased toxin production, Co (i.e., yessotoxins, gymnodimine, and palytoxins) and Mn (i.e., isodomoic acid, okadaic and diol esters) enrichments revealed otherwise. In addition to toxin production, releasing dissolved organic matter (DOM) including dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and humic substances was observed as an adaptation strategy, since these organic compounds have been proven to chelate metals in the water column, thereby reducing metal-induced toxicity. Whilst current research center on free metal toxicity of specific essential elements such as in Cu and Zn, a comprehensive account of how trace metals contribute to the growth, toxin production, and other metabolic processes under conditions reflective of in-situ scenarios of HAB-prone areas, would yield new perspectives on the roles of trace metals in HABs. With the growing demands of the global population for food security and sustainability, substantial pressure is exerted on the agriculture and aquaculture sector, highlighting the need for effective communication of information regarding the interactions of macro- and micronutrients with HABs to improve existing policies and practices.

The emergence of the coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) has posed a major challenge to healthcare systems worldwide, especially as COVID-19 mutations complicate the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs. Therefore, the search for natural products with broad anti-COVID-19 capabilities is an important option for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Lectins, which are widely recognized as antiviral agents, could contribute to the development of anti-COVID-19 drugs. In this study, we evaluated the binding ability of a total of six lectins, including MVL from Microcystis viridis NIES-102, to the spike protein RBD of the original (wild) COVID-19 and it’s three mutants: alpha, delta, and omicron. As a result, two lectins, MVL from Microcystis viridis NIES-102 and jacalin from Artocarpus altilis, showed distinct binding ability to the RBDs of the four COVID-19 strains. The other lectins (DB1, ConA, PHA-M and CSL3) did not show any binding ability. Although the glycan specificities of the two lectins, MVL and Jacalin, were different, they showed the same affinity for the RBDs of the four COVID-19 strains, i.e., alpha > delta > original > omicron. The verification of glycan-specific inhibition revealed that jacalin binds to RBDs by glycan-specific recognition, whereas MVL binds to RBDs by protein-protein interactions in addition to glycan-specific recognition.

This paper discusses the application and advantages of artificial intelligence technology in digital media interactive product design. Firstly, the development background of artificial intelligence technology and its promoting effect on design innovation is introduced, and the application of new technologies, such as generative adversarial networks in art creation and design personalization, is definitely analyzed. It then explores in detail the ability of AI to break traditional constraints in interactive design, innovate design, and optimize user experience, especially in digital media. Finally, the case study of Microsoft Cortana shows the method of classifying and processing user queries by machine learning system and its experimental results. The research of this paper provides the theoretical basis and empirical support for the application of artificial intelligence technology in the future interactive design of digital media and has important academic and practical significance.

While the underwater submersible encounters internal solitary wave (ISW), its loadings and motions would be seriously disturbed. To investigate the interaction effect between the suspended submersible and ISW, a three dimensional ISW-submersible interaction numerical model was established based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. The generation and propagation of ISW was simulated in a two-layer fluid numerical wave tank according to the eKdV theory. The standard operation equation of submersible was introduced to simulate the six degree of freedom (6DoF) motions of submersible combined with the overset dynamic mesh method. The motion simulation method of submersible was effectively validated by comparing with published experimental results on the motion responses of the slender body under the ISW. Based on the constructed numerical model, the dynamic mechanism between the suspended submersible and ISW were studied, and the effects of the initial submerged depths and the ISW amplitudes on the dynamic responses of the submersible were revealed. According to the numerical results, the motions of the submersible have been significantly determined by its initial submerged depths. The submersible located above the ISW interface has a significant motion along the propagation direction of ISW and its motion trajectory resembles a counterclockwise semi ellipse. The motions of the submersible located below the ISW interface follows with the trace of the lower layer fluid which presented as an unclosed clockwise ellipse. The corresponding motions of the submersible would be increased as the increase of the ISW amplitudes.

The information about the BCoV receptors, co/receptors that might be involved in the BCoV entry to the host cells is inconceivable. In addition to that, the roles of other host cell proteases, such as Furin and TMPRSS2, have not yet been well studied during BCoV replication. The current study’s main objectives are to identify some novel BCoV receptors and host cell proteases that might fine-tune the BCoV replication, tissue tropism, and molecular pathogenesis. We used a combination of some in silico prediction, molecular docking, and gene expression profile tools to predict some new BCoV receptors out of some known other coronavirus receptors and some host cell enzymes that are potentially involved in BCoV replication. To achieve these goals, we applied the in-silico prediction tools to check the potential interactions between eh BCoV/S glycoprotein and some known coronaviruses receptors (ACE2, APN1, NPR1, CECAM-1, AXL, and DPP4). We also established some potential models for the interaction between the BCoV/S and some common host cell proteases proved to play important roles in other coronavirus replication cycle (Furin, TMPRRS2, and Cathepsin-L). To confirm our prediction models, we assessed the gene expression profiles of these potential receptors and proteases in some bovine cell lines infected with BCoV using the next generation sequencing and the qRT-PCR assay. Our results show that the NPR1, AXL1 and the ACE2 have the strongest and firm binding affinities to the BCoV-S protein. Our prediction models and gene expression profiles show the potential bindings of the Furin and TMPRSS2 to the BCoV-S polybasic cleavage site (RRSRR|A). Notably, high expression of the host cell Furin was observed in response to both BCoV/Ent and BCoV/Resp infection, whereas TMPRSS2 expression was upregulated in the case of the BCoV/Ent infection, positioning Furin as a common receptor for different BCoV isolates. Further research is needed to study the roles of these top-ranked receptors and host cell proteases in molecular pathogenesis, and tissue tropism.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), whose main function is tissue repair, use collagen to restore the structural integrity of damaged tissue, maintaining its organization through concomitant remodelling. The non-enzymatic glycation of collagen is likely to compromise its communication with MSC, which indeed underlies various pathological conditions such as late complications of diabetes and aging. However, data on the effect of more early stages of collagen glycation on the MSC interaction are lacking. This study focused on the fate of in vitro glycated rat tail collagen (RTC) in contact with MSCs after its pre-exposure to glucose for 1 or 5 days. Using human adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ADMSCs), we showed that their interaction with glycated collagen is significantly altered, manifested morphologically by reduced cell spreading, less formation of focal adhesions, and weaker development of the actin cytoskeleton, further confirmed by ImageJ morphometric analysis. This suggests a poorer recognition of early glycated collagen by integrin receptors, possibly due to steric hindrance of their binding sites. These morphological events were also accompanied by greatly reduced fibril-like reorganization of adsorbed FITC-collagen (a sign of impaired remodeling), complemented by reduced sensitivity to proteases. The latter was confirmed in two ways: measuring directly FITC-collagen degradation by the attached cells and quantifying the proteolysis reduction upon exogenous addition of collagenase in a cell-free system. The mechanism of the observed effects is unclear, although differential scanning calorimetry confirmed the presence of weak structural changes in glycated collagen. All this led us to conclude that the reason for the morphological changes of ADMSCs is the impaired interaction with early-glycated collagen due to the hindrance of complementary sequences for integrins, which certainly also affects the mechanical remodeling of collagen. However, the impaired collagenolytic activity, together with the observed small changes in the thermal transition profile, undoubtedly indicate some internal changes in the structural organization of the collagen molecule occurring even at this early stage of glycation, which in turn contributes further to the impaired MSC remodeling activity.

Flapping wing aircraft represents a new frontier in biomimetic aviation. Researchers have developed various flapping wing aircraft intending to harness their high aerodynamic efficiency to enhance flight performance. However, current flapping wing designs still have differences in morphology and structure forms compared to real bird wings. These differences may contribute to the key problem of low lift generation in flapping wing aircraft while hovering. Hence, this paper aims to find the influence of morphology and to overcome the aerodynamic efficiency problems. By using fluid-structure interaction analysis, this study investigates the influence of variation in wing area, and aspect ratio. The results show that increasing the wing area will promote the flexible deformation and passive twist of the flapping wing, resulting in a 173.7% increase in lift coefficient. However, this also leads to increased structural stress that must be taken into consideration. Additionally, as the aspect ratio increases, total deformation and tip deformation also increase; lower aspect ratios result in a more pronounced passive twist on the wing surface (84.4% higher). Moreover, this study has designed different wing structure layouts. With different rib distributions, the passive twist, stress concentration between ribs and at rib joints, maximum stress values at the root of the wing spar, and fluctuations in stress curves are influenced. Based on the result of wing parameters and structure layout, this study proposed a flapping wing structure design with efficient aerodynamic performance. The results highlight the influence of the key parameters of wing design and lay the theoretical groundwork for future research endeavors.

One important goal of research on heterogeneous catalysis for Fischer Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is to understand the connection linking catalyst morphology and its activity. Development of these effective catalysts highlights the potential for understanding the effectiveness of promoted supported catalysts and revealing their complex and dynamic effects in FTS. The metal-support interaction (MSI) is influenced by the physicochemical and textural features provided by the modified support and can directly influence the sizes of active metal crystallites, reactants and/or products mass transfer, dispersion, mechanical strength, stability and consequently the adsorption-desorption characteristics of the catalyst. Herein, this article explores the general strategies for modifying silica supports (achieved through doping, coating, or promoting the support or support precursor) and how these strategies can be manipulated to further alter catalyst performance and product selectivity by enhancing the amount of active metal species and improving the intrinsic turnover frequency (TOF). Furthermore, the review emphasises a new strategy (the inverse model of the silica support modification) aiming at overcoming the challenges posed by active metal coating or coverage, as well as pore blockages by promoters that occur during conventional preparation of promoted silica supported FT catalysts.

This study investigates the impact of rotor spacing on the aerodynamic performance of a coaxialcopter. It has been observed that a small distance between two rotors can result in significant interaction between the propellers, consequently affecting the rotor's aerodynamic efficiency. Exploiting this characteristic, the present research introduces a coaxialcopter with variable rotor spacing. Employing finite element numerical simulations, we assess the aerodynamic behavior of this novel configuration. Through comprehensive measurements and analysis of its aerodynamic performance across varying rotor spacings from 0.1R to 1R, we validate the effectiveness of a rotor spacing control strategy for enhancing takeoff maneuvers. Our numerical simulation results reveal that the performance characteristics of both upper and lower rotor converges toward that of a single rotor as pitch ratio increases, along with the reduce of their thrust fluctuations and aerodynamic performance periodicity. Considering stable power consumption patterns and endurance performance, we analysis the interrelations binding of pitch distance of the rotors, rotational speed, and pitch angle, vis-à-vis the thrust coefficient and power coefficient. Through parameter optimization method, we demonstrate that adjusting rotor spacing offers a practical means to enhance payload capacity without increasing power input, thereby improving the efficiency, which validates the practicality and efficacy of the parameter optimization approach. Furthermore, optimizing rotor spacing for specific operational scenarios enhances overall aerodynamic performance, suggesting a viable flight control strategy for takeoff and landing conditions.

Hyperuricemia is mainly caused by the overproduction of uric acid (UA) catalyzed from xanthine by xanthine oxidase (XO) in abnormal purine metabolism in human body. There is an increasing demand for developing novel XO inhibitors of plant origins. The inhibition kinetics and type as well as actions of hesperetin against XO were investigated in vitro using multi-spectroscopic methods including UV-Vis absorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking simulation. Results indicated that hesperetin reversibly inhibited XO in a competitive manner with an inhibition constant (Ki) value of (2.15 ± 0.05) × 10-6 mol/L. Hesperetin had a higher scavenging rate against O2- radical generated by the XO reaction system. The binding of hesperetin to the active site of XO altered the protein’s secondary structure as demonstrated by FT-IR and fluorescence spectra. Molecular docking study revealed that hesperetin had highly affinity to XO and the bonding of hesperetin to the molybdopterin (Mo-pt) active center inhibited not only substrate entry, but also prevented oxygen binding to flavin adenine dinucleotide (another active center in XO). Additionally, hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds contributed to the stabilization of the hesperetin-XO complex. The results suggested that hesperetin be a promising natural XO inhibitor to alleviate hyperuricemia and gout.

This paper shows the usage of a numerical analysis model which enables the calculation of the life of a railway wheels used for low-floor freight wagons as a function of its primary operating factors, which allows carrying out sensitivity analyses. Low-floor wagons are being increasingly used for combined transport applications and many types of bogies have been proposed in order to constitute the wagons. Due to the uniqueness of this type of wagons, the bogie configurations in terms of wheelbase and axle load have hardly been analyzed so far. The numerical analysis model used addresses the primary challenges that arise in the vehicle – track interaction and establish the relations among them. The main aspects of this model have been described in the paper, which has been later used to calculate the life of an ordinary-diameter wheel for several wheelbase and axle load values. This study has been replicated with reduced-diameter wheels, which are commonly used for low-floor wagons. In this way, it is possible to know the evolution of the life depending on the wheelbase and the axle load. The root causes underlying the observed behaviors can be explained by the entire understanding of the rolling phenomenon provided by the full analytical work.

WHO reported an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths in 85 countries in 2022. A total of 94% of malaria deaths occurred in Africa, 80 % of which were children under 5. In other words, one child dies every minute from malaria. The RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine, that uses the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) to target sporozoite infection of the liver, achieved modest efficacy. The Malaria Vaccine Implementation Program (MVIP), coordinated by the WHO and completed at the end of 2023, found that immunization reduced mortality by only 13%. To further reduce malaria death, development of a more effective malaria vaccine is a high priority. Three major malaria vaccine targets being considered are the level of sporozoite liver infection, merozoite red blood cell (RBC) infection, and mosquito midgut infection. These targets involve specific ligand-receptor interactions. However, current malaria vaccine candidates that target two major parasite population bottlenecks, liver infection and mosquito midgut infection, do not focus on such parasite ligands. Here we evaluate the potential of newly identified parasite ligands as novel malaria vaccine antigens.

In this study, we utilized the UniProt database to extract breast cancer genes Total 2658 genes in Homo sapiens are obtain. Then 166 genes are taken and after delating duplicates 158 genes were remains. These genes were then analyzed for their biological pathways using Gene Ontology enrichment analysis through the Genecodis platform, resulting in the identification of 12 unique genes involved in disease pathways. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was conducted using the STRING database and Cytoscape software, identifying ANLN,TREM1,LZTFL1,OXSM,PLA2G3,TAS2R13,ABCB10,ECT2,TRPC,BCAS3,PLA2G3,ZDHHC7 and ERBB2 as potential gene targets for breast cancer.

A 24 week-controlled trial was conducted in menopausal women (mean age:61.5) to assess serum 25-hydroyvitaminD (s25OHD) evolution in relation to three interdependent determinants: doses of supplemented (Suppl.) vitamin D₃ (VitD₃); baseline status; seasonality. Participants were randomized into 3 groups (Gr): Gr.Suppl.0, time-controls maintaining dietary habits; Gr.Suppl.5 and Gr.Suppl.10 consuming one and two 125 g servings of VitD₃-fortified yogurts with 5 and 10 µg daily doses, respectively. The 16 intervention-weeks lasted from early-January to mid-August, the 8 follow-up-weeks from late-August to mid-October. Before enrollment, subjects were randomized into two s25OHD strata: “Low stratum (LoStr)“: 25-50 nmol/L; “High stratum (HiStr)“: >50-75 nmol/L. All enrolled participants remained compliant until study end: Gr.Suppl.0 (n=45), Gr.Suppl.5 (n=44) Gr.Suppl.10 (n=44). Over the 16 intervention and 8 follow-up weeks, s25OHD increased in both supplemented groups, more in Gr.Suppl.10 than Gr.Suppl.5. The constant rate of s25OHD per supplemental VitD₃ microgram was greater in LoStr than HiStr. s25OHD increase was greater with late (mid-March) than early (mid-January) inclusion. In conclusion, this randomized trial demonstrates: -a dose-dependent s25OHD improvement related to fortified yogurt consumption; -an inversely baseline-dependent increase in s25OHD; -a seasonal effect that highlights the importance of vitamin D₃ supplementation during winter, even at 5µg/d, in healthy menopausal women.

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the agronomic performance and yield stability of elite white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) genotypes across diverse Nigerian environments. Twenty-five genotypes were evaluated at three locations in two consecutive growing seasons, 2022 and 2023. The genotypes were assessed for their agronomic performance, tuber yield and related traits using various analytical tools such as AMMI (Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction) and MTSI (Multi-trait stability index). The AMMI analysis revealed significant differences among the genotypes and across the environ-ments for all traits (p

This paper presents machine learning methods for approximate solutions of reaction-diffusion equations with multivalued interaction functions. This approach addresses the challenge of finding all possible solutions for such equations, which often lack uniqueness. The proposed method utilizes physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to approximate generalized solutions.

The drought response index (DRI) is an indicator of drought tolerance after adjustment for variation in flowering date and potential yield under well-watered conditions. Using a temperate japonica mapping population of 97 recombinant inbred lines from a cross between Otomemochi (OTM) and Yumenohatamochi (YHM), we evaluated DRI during the reproductive stage under very severe drought in one year and under severe drought in the next year. DRI under very severe drought (−6.4 to 15.9) and severe drought (−3.9 to 8.3) positively correlated with grain dry weight under drought. Three QTLs for DRI were identified: RM3703–RM6911–RM6379 and RM6733–RM3850 both on chromosome 2 in both years combined;. and RM8120–RM2615–RM7023 on chromosome 6 in the second year. The latter collocated with putative genes for signaling and defense mechanisms (e.g., PIN1B, BZIP46) revealed by database analysis. Top-DRI lines retained root dry weight and had bigger steles. QTL-by-environment interaction had a greater relative contribution than the main effects of QTLs. Comparison with three previous studies revealed that the QTLs for DRI were unique to each experiment and/or population; most of them closely colocalized with reported drought-yield QTLs.

The linear diblock copolymer polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-P4VP) is an important copolymer recently used in many applications such as optoelectronics, sensors, catalysis, membranes, energy conversion, energy storage devices, photolithography, and biomedical applications. (1) Background: The surface thermodynamic properties of PS-P4VP copolymer are of great importance in many chemical and industrial processes. (2) Methods: The inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution was used for the experimental determination of the retention volumes of organic solvents adsorbed on copolymer surfaces as a function of temperature. This led to the variations of the free energy of interaction necessary to the evaluation of the London dispersive and polar acid-base surface energies, the polar enthalpy and entropy, the Lewis acid-base constants, and the transition temperatures of PS-P4VP copolymer. (3) Results: The application of the thermal Hamieh model led to accurate determination of the London dispersive surface energy of the copolymer that showed non-linear variations versus the temperature highlighting the presence of two transition temperatures. It was observed that the Lewis’s acid-base parameters of the copolymer strongly depend on the temperature and the Lewis base constant of the solid surface was showed to be higher than the its acid constant. (4) Conclusions: Un important effect of the temperature on the surface thermodynamic properties of PS-P4VP was proved and new surface correlations were determined.

The research of tangible creativity support tools (T-CSTs) has been increasing in recent years. However, there is a lack of review that interprets what T-CSTs trends must be considered and how challenging opinions should be broken. Hence, a focused and critical review of existing studies is necessary. This paper analyzed 86 studies related to T-CSTs following the PRISMA protocol. First, the research tendencies were extracted and provided a basic knowledge construction. Then, we extracted primary research questions, categorized the adopted design and technological solutions, and identified the researchers’ hypotheses-validation. Last, we proposed research gap, challenge and potential opportunities for future researchers and designers. This review will benefit people in the fields of tangible interaction, design studies and education.

This study explores the impact of multi-user interaction, group work, and simulations within virtual worlds on language learning and the development of intergroup empathy. Two distinct research projects were conducted, involving a total of 241 participants aged 19-45. The language learning study engaged 116 participants in diverse interactive experiences, while the intercultural study had 125 participants collaborating in multicultural groups and participating in perspective-taking simulations. Both studies employed qualitative data collection methods, including surveys, interviews, and observations. The findings suggest that the combination of networking strategies, collaborative learning, and simulations within virtual worlds contributes to improvements in learners' language proficiency, confidence, and empathy towards diverse social groups. Participants reported increased motivation and engagement, attributed to the immersive and interactive nature of the virtual environments. The studies highlight the importance of collaboration and reflection in facilitating language acquisition and intercultural understanding. Technical challenges were identified as potential barriers to implementation. The results demonstrate the potential of virtual worlds to enhance language education and foster empathy in diverse societies, offering valuable insights for educators and researchers. However, the findings may be limited by the specific contexts and sample sizes of the studies, warranting further research to explore the generalizability and long-term impact of virtual world interventions. not exaggerate the main conclusions.

Multimodal user interfaces promise a natural and intuitive human machine interactions. But is the extra effort for the development of a complex multi-sensor system justified, or can users also be satisfied with one input modality already? This study investigates interactions in an industrial weld inspection workstation. Three unimodal interfaces, including spatial interaction with buttons augmented on a workpiece or a worktable, and speech commands, were tested individually and in a multimodal combination. Within the unimodal conditions, users preferred the augmented worktable, but overall, the interindividual usage of all input technologies in the multimodal condition was ranked best. Our findings indicate that the implementation and use of multiple input modalities is valuable, and that it is difficult to predict the usability of individual input modalities for complex systems.

Artificial enteral nutrition (AEN) is defined as the delivery of nutrients through feeding tubes for special medical purposes. Patients usually suffer from chronic or critical illnesses and are generally polymedicated, which represents a high probability of interactions and incompati-bilities with the AEN that can cause adverse events and loss of effectiveness of pharmacological treatment. This study aimed to determine the potential incompatibilities and drug-enteral nu-trition interactions in patients hospitalized in a clinic in the city of Cartagena. A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used, in a sample of 218 patients with a stay of at least three days, who were prescribed at least five medications and AEN. The data was collected from medical records. The information was screened with the CheckTheMeds software, using the APPs: drug-interactionchecker and https://www.rccc.eu/ppc/Drogas/DrogasxSNG.htm. A prevalence of pharmaceutical type incompatibilities of 50% and physicochemical type of 31.65%, interactions of pharmacokinetic type 10.55% and physiological type of 6.42% was re-vealed. The adverse events identified were tube obstruction 54.78% (n=126), mobility disorders and/or gastric emptying disorders 22.61% (n=52), diarrhea 12.51% (n=29), mesenteric ischemia with 0.87% (n=2) and seizures 6.96% (n=16). The p and OR values were variable according to the interaction and/or incompatibility vs. adverse events. Drugs-AEN incompatibilities and inter-actions were frequent, which is why active pharmacovigilance is necessary to intervene in the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of the care provided in the different care services.

Aimed to obtain purple garlic varieties, 360 bolting bulbs from the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) “Las Pedroñeras” were selected for their size, and the presence of abundant external scales. After a further selection, 243 out of the 360 bulbs were discarded due to undesired characteristics, as light purple color, high number of small cloves, cloves affected by Fusarium spp. and mites, among other. It was stablished that each bulb would give rise to a family. Thus, 117 families were planted under a random design during season 2021-2022. Either physiological, morphological and phenological traits were assessed for each family, and the affectations by pest and pathogens were also controlled. After the assessment of this trial, 103 out 117 families remained in the program, and were used for the establishment of a second trial the next season. Unlike the first trial, after the evaluations only 23 families remained in the program. There was observed a high variability for most of traits, with a great influence of families. The phenotypic behavior of families was significative influenced by environment, highlighting the need of their assessment under different environmental conditions. The high variability registered for the target sample, opens the possibility to select new garlic varieties from this PGI.

In this work, we propose a generalized partially functional linear regression model with an interaction term between functional predictors. The estimators of the regression coefficient of scalar predictors and regression coefficient functions of functional predictors and their interactions are obtained. The asymptotic property of the estimators is established. Extensive simulation studies illustrate the asymptotic results. Finally, the proposed model was applied to investigate the influence of air qualities, climate factors, medical and social indicators and the interactions on cancer incidence which is a binary response.

Among nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and celecoxib have been frequently used in multimodal analgesia. Recent studies challenge the conventional theory that they exhibit activity and toxicity by acting on cyclooxygenase selectively. We compared their membrane interactions that may be associated with analgesic and gastrointestinal toxic effects. Biomimetic membranes suspended in buffers of different pH were prepared with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and cholesterol to mimic neuronal membranes and with 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine to mimic gastrointestinal mucosae. The membrane interactivity was determined by measuring fluorescence polarization. At pH 7.4, the drugs interacted with neuro-mimetic membranes to decrease membrane fluidity at pharmacokinetically-relevant 0.5–100 μM. Celecoxib was most potent, followed by ibuprofen and diclofenac. At pH 4.0 and 2.5, however, the drugs increased the fluidity of 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine membranes at 0.1–1 mM corresponding to gastroduodenal lumen concentrations after administration. Their membrane fluidization was greater at gastric pH 2.5 than at duodenal pH 4.0. Low-micromolar ibuprofen, diclofenac, and celecoxib structure-specifically decrease neuronal membrane fluidity, which hypothetically could affect signal transmission of nociceptive sensory neurons. Under gastroduodenal acidic conditions, high-micromolar ibuprofen, diclofenac, and celecoxib induce fluidity increases of membranous phosphatidylcholines that are hypothetically associated with gastrointestinal toxic effects, which would enhance acid permeability of protective mucosal membranes.

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, his note as regards descent with modification, added greatly to the knowledge that we already possess of how species have survived down the ages. It is evident that this does not provide the necessary knowledge about the origin of the life on earth. However, it provides remarkable evidence about how life has survived. Looking fundamentally at the cellular construct of organisms, we arrive at the fact that cells, both unicellular and multicellular, have organelles that enable them communicate with one another. This ability for living organisms, down to the lowest - cellular life - to communicate is what I refer to as Biological interaction. It is necessary that we articulate more about this concept and see how this all comes to bear as regards Homeostasis. In reference to the latter, it is to be made known that every living organism is also intrinsically aimed towards a projected linear motion in its time riddled existence. This is to say that every living organism operates on an foundational process, amongst others, known as Homeostasis. We understand this term to mean balance that the living system strives to maintain. However etymologically speaking it means staying the same. How has this homeostatic process added to the fostering of life via biological interaction? How is biological interaction fundamental to the theory of evolution?

Interactions between mobile robots and human operators in common areas require a high safety especially in terms of trajectory planning, obstacle avoidance and mutual cooperation. In this connection the crossings of planned trajectories, their uncertainty based on model fluctuations, system noise and sensor noise,play an outstanding role. This paper discusses the calculation of expected areas of interactions du ring human-robot navigation with respect to fuzzy and noisy information. Expected crossing points of possible trajectories are nonlinearily associated with positions and orientations of robot and human. The nonlinear transformation of a noisy system input, such as directions of motion of human and robot, to a system output, the expected area of intersection of their trajectories, is done by two methods: statistical linearization and the sigma-point-transformation. For both approaches fuzzy approximations are presented and the inverse problem is discussed where the input distribution parameters are computed from given output distribution parameters.

Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly used in neuropsychological assessments due to its ability to simulate real-world environments. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the Trail Making Test in VR (TMT-VR) and investigate the effects of different interaction modes and gaming skills on cognitive performance. A total of 71 young female and male adults (aged 18-35) with high and low gaming skills participated in this study. Participants completed the TMT-VR using three interaction modes: eye-tracking, head movement, and controller. Performance metrics included task completion time and accuracy. User experience, usability, and acceptability of TMT-VR were also examined. Results showed that both eye-tracking and head movement modes significantly outperformed the controller in terms of task completion time and accuracy. No significant differences were found between eye-tracking and head movement modes. Gaming skills did not significantly influence task performance using any interaction mode. Participants reported high usability, acceptability, and user experience for the TMT-VR. Eye-tracking facilitated higher accuracy, while head movement higher speed. The TMT-VR offers high usability and user experience and is well accepted by the participants. The findings suggest that VR-based assessments can effectively measure cognitive performance without being influenced by prior gaming skills, indicating potential applicability for diverse populations.

This paper shows the development of a numerical analysis model which enables the calculation of the life of a reduced-diameter wheel used for freight wagons as a function of its operating factors. Reduced-diameter wheels are being increasingly used for combined transport applications and they can be arranged in a wide range of bogies and operated very differently. Due to the uniqueness of this type of wheels, their life has hardly been analyzed so far. To properly construct the numerical analysis model, it has been necessary to study the rolling phenomenon in-depth, tackle the main problems arising in the vehicle – track interaction and set the relations amongst them. Once the rail-wheel interaction model was built, it was used to calculate the life of an ordinary-diameter wheel, a medium-diameter wheel and a reduced-diameter wheels under the same conditions and compare them. In this way, it is possible to know how long the life of a reduced-diameter wheel is compared to that of an ordinary-diameter one and also the evolution of the life depending on the diameter. The root causes responsible for this evolution can be explained thanks to the comprehension of the rolling phenomenon provided by the full analytical work.

The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology has emerged as a groundbreaking innovation with profound implications across diverse domains, particularly in healthcare. By establishing a direct communication pathway between the human brain and external devices, BCI systems offer unprecedented opportunities for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, thereby reshaping the landscape of medical practice. However, despite its immense potential, the widespread adoption of BCI technology in clinical settings faces several challenges. These include the need for robust signal acquisition and processing techniques, ensuring user safety and privacy, addressing ethical considerations, and optimizing user training and adaptation. Overcoming these challenges is crucial to unleashing the complete potential of BCI technology in healthcare and realizing its promise of personalized, patient-centric care. This review work underscores the transformative potential of BCI technology in revolutionizing medical practice. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of medical-oriented BCI applications by exploring the various uses of BCI technology and its potential to transform patient care.

An imbalance between production and excretion of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) in the brain tissues of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients leads to Aβ accumulation and formation of noxious Aβ oligomers/plaques. A promising approach to AD prevention is reduction of free Aβ level by directed enhancement of Aβ binding to its natural depot, human serum albumin (HSA). We previously demonstrated the ability of specific low-molecular-weight ligands (LMWLs) of HSA to improve its affinity for Aβ. Here we develop this approach by bioinformatic search for the clinically approved AD-related LMWLs of HSA, followed by classification of the candidates according to the predicted location of their binding sites on HSA surface, ranking of the candidates, and selective experimental validation of their impact on HSA affinity for Aβ. The top 100 candidate LMWLs were classified into the five clusters. The specific representatives of the different clusters exhibit dramatically different behavior, with 3- to 13-fold changes in equilibrium dissociation constants for the HSA-Aβ40 interaction: prednisone favors HSA-Aβ interaction, mefenamic acid shows the opposite effect, while levothyroxine exhibits the bidirectional effects. Overall, the LMWLs of HSA chosen here provide a basis for drug repurposing for AD prevention, and for search for the medications promoting AD progression.

Myelin ensheathes selected axonal segments within the nervous system, resulting primarily in nerve impulse acceleration, as well as mechanical and trophic support for neurons. In the central and peripheral nervous systems, various proteins that contribute to the formation and stability of myelin are present, which also harbour pathophysiological roles in myelin disease. Many myelin proteins share common attributes, including small size, high hydrophobicity, multifunctionality, longevity, and intrinsic disorder. With recent advances in protein biophysical characterization and bioinformatics, it has become evident that intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are abundant in myelin, and their flexible nature enables multifunctionality. Here, we review known myelin IDPs, their conservation, molecular characteristics and functions, and their disease relevance, along with open questions and speculations. We place emphasis on classifying the molecular details of IDPs in myelin and correlate these with their various functions, including susceptibility to post-translational modifications, function in protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions, as well as their role as extended entropic chains. We discuss how myelin pathology can relate to IDPs and which molecular factors are potentially involved.

The term ‘photocatalysis’ has recently gained high popularity, and various products using photocatalytic functions have been commercialized. Of all the materials that may be used as photocatalysts, TiO₂ is virtually the only one that is now and most likely will remain appropriate for industrial application. Water and air purification systems, sterilization, hydrogen evolution, self-cleaning surfaces, and photoelectrochemical conversion are just a few of the products and applications in the environmental and energy domains that make extensive use of TiO₂ photocatalysis. This is due to the fact that TiO₂ has the lowest cost, most stability, and most effective photoactivity. Furthermore, history attests to its safety for both people and the environment because it has been used as a white pigment since antiquity. This review discusses some important aspects and issues concerning different synthesis methods and their influence on the structure and properties of TiO₂, as well as the concept of photocatalysis based on it as a promising biocompatible functional material that has been widely used in recent years. The advantages of TiO₂ applications in various fields of science and technology are discussed, including environmental protection, photocatalysis including self-cleaning surfaces, water and air purification systems, hydrogen liberation, photovoltaic energy, cancer diagnosis and therapy, coatings and dental products, etc. Information on the structure and properties of TiO₂ phases, as well as modern methods of synthesis of functional materials based on them are presented. This is followed by a detailed review of the basic principles of TiO₂ photocatalysis with a brief introduction to the modern concept of TiO₂ photocatalysis. Finally, the challenges and prospects of TiO₂ photocatalysis for various applications are briefly discussed. Recent advances in the fundamental understanding of TiO₂ photocatalysis at the atomic-molecular level are highlighted, and important recent advances in TiO₂ photocatalysis are summarized in terms of the design and engineering of new materials.

Transient flows result in unbalanced forces and high pressure in pipelines. Under these conditions, the combined effects of flow-induced forces along with sudden pipe displacements can create cracks in the pipeline, especially at the junctions. This situation consequently results in water leakage and reduced operational efficiency of the pipeline. In this study, displacements and stresses in a buried pressurized water transmission pipe installed by pipe jacking method are investigated using numerical modeling and considering interactions between fluid, pipe, and soil. The analyses were performed consecutively under no-flow, steady flow, and transient flow conditions, in order to investigate the effects of flow conditions on displacements and stresses in the system. Analyses of the results show that displacements and stresses in the jointed concrete pipes are significant under transient flow conditions. Moreover, because of pressure transient effects, maximum tensile stresses exceed the tensile strength of concrete at the junctions, leading to cracks and consequent water leakage.

To understand the possibility of interaction between scientific experimenting and artistic drawing in the form of drawings made in notebooks, assumed is a common element, a spiritual property, and transference as a mechanism for causality. Scientists, scientific experiments and artistic drawings all have different merits. Here the concept ‘speaking out’ in its meaning of expressiveness is proposed to bridge these differences. Scientific action and artistic action cannot be compared directly. However, a common spiritual element will make the investigated object, experimental set-up and notebook drawings comparable in the sense of translations authorized by the physicist. They all then speak out from the same source. In this paper considered are recent drawings made by physicists during experimentation, in notebooks and diaries. Discussed is transferal causality between the physicist, the artistic drawing and all the relevant objects belonging to the experiment. Spiritual properties are introduced for the physicist being a person, and for the investigated object, the experimental set-up and the drawings as objects.

Soil-structure interaction (SSI) could affect the seismic response of structures. Since liquid storage tanks are vital structures and must continue their operation under severe earthquakes, their seismic behavior should be studied. Accordingly, the seismic response of liquid storage tanks founded on half space soil is scrutinized under different earthquake ground motions. To better comparison, the six considered ground motions are classified based on their pulse like characteristics, into two groups, named far and near fault ground motions. To model the liquid storage tanks, the simplified mass-spring model is used and the liquid is modeled as two lumped masses known as sloshing and impulsive, and the interaction of fluid and structure is considered using two coupled springs and dashpots. The SSI effect, also, is considered using a coupled spring and dashpot. Besides, four types of soils are used to consider wide variety of soil properties. To this end, after deriving the equations of motion, the MATLAB programming is employed to obtain the time history responses. Results show that although the SSI effect leads to decrease the impulsive displacement, overturning moment and normalized base shear, the sloshing (or convective) displacement is not affected by such effects due to its long period.

Lung cancer predominates in cancer-related deaths worldwide, with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) being a common histological subtype of lung cancer. The aim at this study was to search for biomarkers associated with the progression and prognosis of LUAD. We have integrated the expression profiles of 1174 lung cancer patients from five GEO datasets (GSE18842, GSE19804, GSE30219, GSE40791 and GSE68465) and identified a set of differentially expressed genes. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes are closely related to the progression of LUAD, such as cell cycle, mitosis and adhesion. Cytoscape software was used to establish a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to analyze important modules using Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), and finally CCNB1, BUB1B and TTK were selected for further study. The study found that compared with non-tumor lung tissue, CCNB1, BUB1B and TTK are highly expressed in LUAD. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that CCNB1, BUB1B and TTK were negatively correlated with the overall survival and disease-free survival of patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) demonstrated that for the samples of any hub gene highly expressed, most of the functional gene sets enriched in cell cycle. In summary, CCNB1, BUB1B and TTK can be used as biomarkers of poor prognosis of LUAD. The high expression of CCNB1, BUB1B and TTK can accelerate the progression of LUAD and lead to shorter survival, suggesting that they may be potential targets for treatment in LUAD.

Conventional biochemical methods for studying cellular signaling cascades have relied on destructive cell disruption. In contrast, live cell imaging of fluorescent-tagged transfected proteins offers a non-invasive approach to understanding signal transduction events. One strategy involves monitoring the phosphorylation-dependent shuttling of a fluorescent-labeled kinase between the nucleus and cytoplasm using nuclear localization, export signals, or both. This paper introduces a simple method to visualize intracellular signal transduction in live cells by exploring the translocation properties of PKC from the cytoplasm to the membrane. We fused bait protein to PKC, allowing the bait (RFP-labeled) and target (GFP-labeled) proteins to co-translocate from the cytoplasm to the membrane. However, in non-interacting protein pairs, only the bait protein was translocated to the plasma membrane. To verify our approach, we examined the Raf–MEK–ERK signaling cascade (ERK pathway) and directly observed the Raf1/MEK2 interaction. We also identified ternary complexes containing the KSR1 scaffold protein. Additionally, the MEK/ERK interaction was dependent on the exogenous expression of KSR1.

Depictions of robots as romantic partners for humans are frequent in popular culture. As robots are becoming part of human society, they gradually assume the role of partners for humans wherever necessary: as assistants, collaborators, or companions. Companion robots are sup-posed to provide social contact to those humans who could not have it otherwise. These com-panion robots are usually not designed to fulfill one of the most important human needs: the one for romantic and intimate contact. Human-robot intimacy remains a vastly unexplored ter-ritory. In this article, we review the state-of-the-art research in intimate robotics. We discuss major issues limiting acceptance of robots as intimate partners, public perception of robots in in-timate roles, and the possible influence of cross-cultural differences in these domains. We also discuss possible negative effects human-robot intimacy may have on human-human contact. Most importantly, we propose a new term “Intimate companion robots” to reduce the negative connotations of other terms used so far and improve the social perception of research in the domain. With this article, we provide an outlook on prospects for the development of intimate companion robots, considering the specific context of their use.

The capability of in-house transient wave-multibody computational tool of ITU-WAVE are extended to predict the wave power absorption with Wave Energy Converters (WECs) arrays placed in front of a vertical breakwater. The analyses of hydrodynamic exciting and radiation forces are approximated solving boundary integral equation at each time interval. The reflection of incoming waves due to a vertical wall is predicted with method of images. The constructive or destructive performance of WECs arrays with different array configurations is measured with mean interaction factor. The behaviour of the exciting and radiation hydrodynamic forces of each WEC due to a vertical wall effect shows considerable differences than those of WECs arrays without a vertical wall influence. When the wave power absorption with WECs arrays with and without a vertical wall effect are compared, it is shown with numerical experiences that WECs placed in front of a vertical wall have much greater effects on wave power absorption. This can be attribute to the hydrodynamic interaction, standing waves, and nearly trapped waves in the gap between a vertical wall and WECs arrays. The analytical and other numerical results are used to for the validation of the numerical results of the present ITU-WAVE computational tool for exciting and radiation forces, and mean interaction factor of WECs arrays which show satisfactory agreements.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by urinary urgency and increased urinary frequency, and can impact quality of life significantly. Tamsulosin and mirabegron combination therapy has been studied as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with OAB. This study evaluated the effects of combining these two drugs on their pharmacokinetics and safety profiles in healthy Korean males. In this open-label, fixed-sequence, 3-period, drug-drug interaction phase 1 study, a total of 36 male participants were administered multiple doses of tamsulosin alone (0.2 mg once daily), mirabegron alone (50 mg once daily), and a combination of both drugs. The results showed that the combination of tamsulosin and mirabegron increased tamsulosin exposure in the plasma by approximately 40%. In contrast, the maximum plasma concentration of mirabegron reduced by approximately 17%, when administered along with tamsulosin. No clinically significant changes in safety profiles, vital signs, or clinical laboratory test results were observed in this study. In conclusion, there were no clinically relevant drug-drug interactions between tamsulosin and mirabegron in terms of pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability, suggesting that their combination therapy could be a promising treatment option for patients with OAB.

As a result of extensive research in the field of mobile robots (rovers) and swarms, a number of algorithms exist to assist them for executing a mission in the three levels of software architecture: strategic (interaction loop level), tactic (planning) and operational (sensing, control and actuation). They allow them to achieve their goals while adapting to their environment through a multitude of methods designed for each situation. For this reason, a literature review of the latest research conducted in previous years is required to identify new research trends in human-swarm interaction applied to help humans in hazardous environment such as militarized zone. In this paper, we will present some interesting algorithms for interactive and autonomous mobile robots acting in swarms in an open and crowded environment. A discussion will focus on comparing different algorithms and their advantages and disadvantages.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a genetic syndrome characterized by the growth of benign tumors in the nervous system, particularly bilateral vestibular schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas. This review consolidates the current knowledge on NF2 syndrome, emphasizing the molecular pathology associated with the mutations in the gene of the same name, the NF2 gene, and the subsequent dysfunction of its product, the Merlin protein. Merlin, a tumor suppressor, integrates multiple signaling pathways that regulate cell contact, proliferation, and motility, thereby influencing tumor growth. The loss of Merlin disrupts these pathways, leading to tumorigenesis. We discuss the roles of another two proteins potentially associated with NF2-deficiency as well as Merlin: Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP), which may promote tumor growth, and Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP), which appears to suppress tumor development. Additionally, this review discusses the efficacy of various treatments, such as molecular therapies that target specific pathways or inhibit neomorphic protein-protein interaction caused by NF2-deficiency. This overview not only expands on the fundamental understanding of NF2 pathophysiology but also explores the potential of novel therapeutic targets that affect the clinical approach to NF2 syndrome.

An approach to estimate the dynamic characteristic of multilayered three-dimensional cubic quasicrystal cylindrical shells, annular plates, and truncated conical shells with different boundary conditions is presented. These investigated structures can be in a vacuum, totally filled with quiescent fluid, and subjected to internal flowing fluid, in which the fluid is incompressible and inviscid. The velocity potential, Bernoulli’s equation, and impermeability condition have been applied to the shell-fluid interface to obtain an explicit expression, from which the fluid pressure can be converted into the coupled differential equations in terms of displacement functions. The state-space method is formulated to quasicrystal linear elastic theory to derive the state equations for three structures along the radial direction. The mixed supported boundary conditions are represented by means of the differential quadrature technique and Fourier series expansions, respectively. A global propagator matrix, which connects the field variables at the internal interface to those at the external interface for the whole structure, is further completed by joint coupling matrices to overcome the numerical instabilities. Numerical examples show the correctness of the proposed method and the influence of the semi-vertical angle, different boundary conditions, and the fluid debit on the natural frequencies and mode shapes for various geometries and boundary conditions.

Mind and brain/matter interaction is one of the important and controversial issues in Islamic philosophy. In fact, in the resources of Islamic philosophy, one of the basic parts of philosophical discussions is related to mind’s nature and its interaction with the brain. Especially, in Avicenna’s philosophy, there are many articles and books which have addressed the topic of mind and brain and the relation between them. Avicenna was a profound philosopher, an expert physicist and a proficient physician of his time. Because of his experimental proficiency in medicine and surgery and his deep philosophical analysis, his discussion about mind and brain is very interesting for our time, due to recent advances in neuroscience. In this article, we have explained one of Avicenna’s arguments (in his famous opus “al-Isharat”) about the incorporeity of mind (self), which is very close to modern neuroscience and physics literature. In addition, we explain his model of mind and brain interaction. Avicenna described the mechanism of the causal effect of mind on the brain via a third identity, which works as an interface between them (in his main book “al-Shifa”). We try to illustrate his model by the use of some examples, inspired from modern physics. Also, we explore the philosophical constraints which must be considered in any model of mind-matter interaction, within the Islamic philosophy framework. In fact, we propose a new understanding of Avicenna’s philosophy which is in agreement with modern physics and neuroscience.

The genus Clostridium is an important group of pathogenic and nonpathogenic Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria with sporulation capacity and wide distribution in different environments, including the gastrointestinal tract of healthy and diseased animals and humans. Among the pathogenic species of the genus, Clostridium chauvoei stands out as a histotoxic agent. It causes important myonecroses such as blackleg, a disease with high lethality and mortality, especially in young cattle, and is responsible for significant losses to livestock worldwide. The pathogenic-ity of the disease is complex and has not yet been fully elucidated. The hypotheses cover pro-cesses from the initial absorption to the transport and deposition of the agent in the affected tis-sues. The virulence factors of C. chauvoei were divided into somatic and flagellar antigens and soluble antigens/toxins, which are the main antigens involved in vaccines against blackleg in Brazil and worldwide. This review provides important information on the first and current ap-proaches to the agent C. chauvoei and its virulence factors, as well as provides a compilation of data on Brazilian studies related to blackleg.

The key factor that enables pathogenic bacteria to establish successful infections lies largely in their ability to escape the host's immune response and adhere to host surfaces. Vitronectin (Vn) is a multi-domain glycoprotein ubiquitously present in blood and extracellular matrix of several tissues, where it plays important roles as regulator of membrane attack complex (MAC) formation and as mediator of cell adhesion. Vn has emerged as intriguing target for several microorganisms. Vn-binding by bacterial receptors confers protection from lysis resulting from MAC deposition. Furthermore, through its Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif, Vn can bind several host cell integrins. Therefore, Vn recruited to the bacterial cell functions as a molecular bridge between bacteria and host surfaces, where it triggers several host signalling events that could promote bacterial internalisation. Each bacterium uses different receptors that recognise specific Vn-domains. In this review, we update the current knowledge of Vn receptors of major bacterial pathogens, emphasising the role they may play in the host upon Vn-binding. Focusing on the structural properties of bacterial proteins, we provide details on the residues involved in their interaction with Vn. Furthermore, we discuss the possible involvement of Vn adsorption on biomaterials in promoting bacterial adhesion on abiotic surfaces.

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by an expansion of a CAG repeat in the gene that encodes the huntingtin protein (HTT). The exact function of HTT is still not fully understood, and previous studies have mainly focused on identifying proteins that interact with HTT to gain insights into its function. Numerous HTT-interacting proteins have been discovered, shedding light on the functions and structure of HTT. Most of these proteins interact with the N-terminal region of HTT. Among the various HTT-interacting proteins, huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1) and HTT-interacting protein 1 (HIP1) have been extensively studied. Recent research has uncovered differences in the distribution of HAP1 in monkey and human brains compared to mice. This finding suggests that there may be species-specific variations in the regulation and function of HTT-interacting proteins. Understanding these differences could provide crucial insights into the development of HD. In this review, we will focus on the recent advancements in the study of HTT-interacting proteins, with particular attention to the differential distributions of HTT and HAP1 in larger animal models.

The synthesis and crystal structure of pyrazine-2,5-diyldimethanol (pzydmH2, C8H8N2O2) a new symmetric water-soluble N,O-chelating tetra-dentate organic ligand is reported and an environmentally friendly method was used to synthesize coordination compounds in water under ambient conditions from the reaction of pzydmH2 with the halide salts of Cu(II), Zn(II), Hg(II) and Cd(II): {[Cu(pzydmH2)0.5(µ-Br)(Br)(H2O)]·H2O}n 1, {[Zn2(pzydmH2)(µ-Cl)(Cl)3(H2O)]·H2O}n 2, [Hg2(pzydmH2)0.5(µ-Cl)2(Cl)2]n 3, {[Cd2(pzydmH2)(µ-Cl)4]·H2O}n 4, and {[Cd2(pzydmH2)(µ-Br)4]·H2O}n 5. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that 1-3 are 1D coordination polymers and 4 and 5 are 3D coordination networks, all constructed by bridging pyrazine-2,5-diyldimethanol and halogen ions. The hydroxyl groups in the organic linker extend the 1D chains to non-covalent 3D networks. In all non-covalent and covalent 3D networks water molecules were trapped by strong hydrogen bond interactions. Supramolecular analysis revealed strong O-H···O, O-H···N, O-H···X and week of C-H···O, C-H···X (X = Cl, Br) hydrogen bonds, as well as π-π(pyrazine ring), metal-halogen···π(pyrazine ring) and O-H···ring(5-membered chelate ring) interactions. Also X···O weak halogen bonds are present in 1-5 (X = Cl and Br).