Maize is an important staple food crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the average grain yield on farmers’ fields falls considerably short of the demand of the region’s population. In addition, the normal endosperm maize widely consumed in SSA is deficient in vitamin A. Drought, a consequence of climate change, is a major constraint to maize production, resulting in seasonal low grain yield in farmers’ fields. The objectives of this study were to assess the performance of newly developed extra-early maturing provitamin A hybrids under managed drought and well-watered conditions, compare the outcomes of multiple trait base-index and multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index selection procedures, and identify drought-tolerant hybrids with stable performance across contrasting environments for commercialization in SSA. One hundred and ninety provitamin A hybrids and six checks were evaluated under managed drought and well-watered conditions at Ikenne for two seasons between 2021 and 2023. A 14*14-lattice design was used for the field evaluations under both research conditions. Drought stress was achieved by the complete withdrawal of irrigation water 25 days after planting. Results revealed significant differences among the hybrids under drought and well-watered conditions. Grain yield, ears per plant, and plant aspect under managed drought were correlated to the same traits under well-watered conditions suggesting that the expression of these traits is governed by common genetic factors. Twenty-nine hybrids were identified as top-performing drought-tolerant hybrids by the multiple trait base index and multiple-trait genotype–ideotype distance index. Of the selected outstanding 29 hybrids, 34% were derived from crosses involving the tester TZEEIOR 197, demonstrating the outstanding genetic potential of this inbred line. Further analysis of the 29 selected hybrids revealed TZEEIOR 509 × TZEEIOR 197 as the hybrid that combined the most drought-tolerant adaptive traits. However, the hybrids TZEEIOR 526 × TZEEIOR 97, TZEEIOR 384 × TZEEIOR 30, TZEEIOR 515 × TZEEIOR 249, TZEEIOR 510 × TZEEIOR 197, TZEEIOR 479 × TZEEIOR 197, and TZEEIOR 458 × TZEEIOR 197 were identified as the most stable hybrids across drought and well-watered conditions. These hybrids should be extensively tested in multi-location trials for deployment and commercialization in SSA.

The climate covers a series of events that deeply affect human life. It is possible to understand these events through spatial and statistical analyzes. Today, climate change, which is one of the most important of these events and the impact factors of consequences of this change, become a current issue. Drought is cited as one of the consequences of climate change and it is important to examine it with various methods as it can give negative results to both the economy and the nature. In this study, the drought status of the regions where these stations are located and the effects of drought on climate change were statistically calculated and evaluated using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Percentage of Normal Index (PNI), Aridity Index (AI) and Standardized Precipitation -Evopotranspiration Index (SPEI). The precipitation data from 1981 to 2010 were obtained from Cihanbeyli, Karapınar, Çumra, Seydişehir, Kulu, Ereğli, Niğde, Karaman, Beyşehir and Aksaray meteorology stations affiliated to Turkish State Meteorological Service. At the same time, factor analysis and validity-reliability analysis were conducted to test the computability of the indices used in the study as a single index and to determine the reliability of the operations. While using exploratory factor analysis, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test and Barlett test for factor analysis; Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used for reliability analysis. In our study, K-Means Cluster Analysis method was performed to determine the cutoff values of indices. According to the result of cluster analysis for the new (common) index, new clusters were created and ANOVA test was conducted to determine whether there was a difference between clusters.

Geometallurgy has become an important toll to predict the process behavior of the ores, and to decrease the production risks cause by variability of geological settings. In this paper geometallurgical index for grinding properties of the ore has investigated. In a comprehensive research at Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper mine, geological features, what were supposed to affect the main process responses including product’s grade-recovery, and plant’s throughput, were subjected to investigate as the possible geometallurgical indexes. The rock breakage variability, in terms of a ball mill grinding circuit and its effects on the plant throughput and energy consumption are presented. Ninety samples were collected based on geological features including lithology, hydrothermal alteration, and geological structures. The samples were characterized using XRD, XRF, and electron and optical microscopy. A simulated test method for Bond ball mill work index (BWI) was used to perform the comminution test. The results showed BWI values vary from 5.67 kWh/t to 20.21 kWh/t. Examination of the possible correlations between BWI and the geological features showed that the key geological feature related to comminution variability is lithology. In addition, the hydrothermal alteration would be an effective parameter in the period that the plant is fed with a single lithology

According to the characteristics of the sustainable development of subway traffic, the establishment process of an evaluation index system is determined, and the evaluation method and basis are defined. The evaluation index system is established from the aspects of subway traffic sustainability, economic sustainability and urban coordination sustainability. The comprehensive evaluation method of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model is used to calculate the weights of comprehensive evaluation indexes at each level. Finally, the sustainable development model of Shijiazhuang subway traffic is evaluated. The results show that the proposed evaluation system and model reflect the degree of sustainable development of subway traffic and can be used for reference in the evaluation of regional subway traffic sustainable development.

Perilla frutescens leaves are expected to exhibit antioxidant activity and amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation inhibitory activity due to the presence of polyphenol-type compounds, etc. These activities fluctuate daily; however, measuring the contents of constituents and functionalities is cumbersome and unsuitable for instantaneous measurements in the field. In this study, we developed a facile method to analyze the activity and content of the components in leaves on-site based on the fluorescence spectra obtained by irradiating the perilla leaves with excitation light. The constituent contents (Chlorophyl (Chl), Total polyphenol content (TPC), Total flavonoid content (TFC), rosmarinic acid (RA) and functional properties DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), Aβ aggregation inhibitory activity) were evaluated using established analytical techniques. The correlation between the fluorescence spectrum and the contents and activities was calculated using normalized difference spectral index (NDSI), ratio spectral index (RSI), and difference spectral index (DSI) analyses. We identified a predictive model with a high coefficient of determination R² ≥ 0.57 for content of the constituents, and R² ≥ 0.49 for functional properties. This allows convenient, simultaneous, and non-destructive monitoring of the constituent contents and the functionalities of perilla leave and a simple harvest-time diagnosis. The model established using this method is simple and suggesting that it can simultaneously infer the constituents and functionalities of perilla leaves.

The ASCE-EWRI reference evapotranspiration (ETo) equation is recommended as a standardized method for reference crop ETo estimation. However, various climate data as input variables to the standardized ETo method are considered limiting factors in most cases and restrict the ETo estimation. This paper assessed the potential of different machine learning (ML) models for ETo estimation using limited meteorological data. The ML models used to estimate daily ETo included Gene Expression Programming (GEP), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multiple Linear Regression (LR), and Random Forest (RF). Three input combinations of daily maximum and minimum temperature (Tmax and Tmin), wind speed (W) with Tmax and Tmin, and solar radiation (Rs) with Tmax and Tmin were considered using meteorological data during 2003–2016 from six weather stations in the Red River Valley. To understand the performance of the applied models with the various combinations, station, and yearly based tests were assessed with local and spatial approaches. Considering the local and spatial approaches analysis, the LR and RF models illustrated the lowest rate of improvement compared to GEP and SVM. The spatial RF and SVM approaches showed the lowest and highest values of the scatter index as 0.333 and 0.457, respectively. As a result, the radiation-based combination and the RF model showed the best performance with higher accuracy for all stations either locally or spatially, and the spatial SVM and GEP illustrated the lowest performance among models and approaches.

As required by the EU legislation and the national risk management duties, the pesticide residues were determined by four specialized laboratories in 9,924 samples taken from 119 crops of economic importance and imported foodstuffs during 2017-2021 in Hungary. The screening method applied covered 622 pesticide residues as defined for enforcement purposes. The limit of detection ranged between 0.002-0.008 mg/kg. The 1.0% violation rate was lower than in the European Union for all commodities. No residue was detectable in 45.9% of the samples. For detailed analyses of the results, eight commodities (apple, cherry, grape, nectarine/peach, sweet peppers, and strawberry) were selected as they were analyzed over 195 samples and contained most frequently residues. Besides testing their conformity with national MRLs, applying 0.3MRL action limits for pre-export control, we found that 73% of the sampled lots would be compliant with ≥90% probability based on second independent sampling. Multiple residues (2-23) in one sample were detected in 36-50% of the tested lots. Noting the provisions of integrated pest management and the major pests and diseases of selected crops, normally 3-4, exceptionally 7-9 active ingredients of different mode of actions should be sufficient for their effective and economic protection.

This article focuses on the issue of urban development of cities and their residential development from the perspective of spatial planning. Spatial planning fundamentally determines, what kind of construction is feasible in cities. However, spatial plans often do not consider spatial limits, which often go against the proposed ways of using of the given sites, or make their use fundamentally difficult, for example by disproportionately increasing of the costs of residential construction, when it is necessary to remediate old burdens in the defined locality. The subject of the presented research was to examine the possibility of establishing an Index of Residential Development (IoRD), which evaluates the possibilities of residential development in the territory of urban agglomerations. The aim of the research, in the form of establishing of an Index of Residential Development (IoRD), was to assess, how it is possible to consider spatial limits associated with residential construction in urban intravilanes in order to identify the objectives of further spatial development planned by cities. Subsequently, the partial aim of the research was also to create a usable tool for support in the decision making of development organizations on the location of their project in a given space. Based on the results of the research, it was deduced that the limits associated with the residential development in intravilanes based on the IoRD could be considered. Clear links were also shown between the limits in the territory and the impaired possibility of construction in cities with zoning plans, which did not respond to the limits in the territory by adding other design zones, or completely ignored them. Although the methodology for determining of the Index of Residential Development (IoRD) was verified due to the availability of data in the case study carried out in the Czech Republic – the city of Brno, the methodology is applicable to any urban agglomeration even outside the Czech Republic when fulfilling the conditions defined in the article.

To supply stable and high-quality power according to the advancement of industrial growth, electric power companies have performed maintenance of power facilities using various meth-ods. In the case of domestic power distribution facilities, there are limitations in performing di-agnostic management on all facilities owing to the large number of facilities; therefore, old fa-cilities are managed by the health index assessment method. The health index assessment com-prises only facility operation data and external environmental data and is managed only for four types of distribution facilities, including overhead/underground transformers and switchgear. In the case of extra high–voltage overhead wires, there is no standard for old replacement, despite the large number of wires, such as transformers and switchgear, and the large ripple effect of power failure in the event of a power outage. Therefore, in this paper, a health index assessment methodology for extra-high voltage overhead cables was developed. In this paper, we devel-oped an economic health index assessment methodology that additionally considers risk cost, which is different from the existing health index assessment method that uses only operational data and external environmental data to determine facility performance evaluation and aging replacement criteria. Using the health index assessment methodology developed in this paper, it is possible to expect a reduction in facility operating costs and investment costs from the per-spective of electric power companies through the replacement of old extra-high voltage over-head cables. In addition, from the perspective of consumers, it is expected to increase power re-liability and reduce the ripple effect of failure by preferentially replacing equipment with a high probability of failure.

In recent years, there have been concerns raised about construction industrialization in China, which have initiated a wave of policy change in both governmental and industrial organizations in order to change the mode of conventional construction. However, the current development level of regional construction industrialization (RCI) in China has not been well-characterized. This study screened preliminary index systems in five dimensions: technical, economic, sustainable, enterprise development and development environment. Based on the data gathered from the questionnaire surveys and subsequently analyzed, twenty-two critical evaluation indicators were identified. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was then employed to determine the weighting of each indicator. The evaluation method of the development level was formulated on the basis of the evaluation criteria. Jiangsu Province was used as an example in this study, with the development level of this province being comprehensively examined using a combination of the index system and evaluation method. The results show that Jiangsu has a relatively high RCI development level. The data from analysis scores of five dimensions and twenty-two indicators show that the index system is feasible, with evaluation results being consistent with actual practice. These findings provide a good practical reference for making decisions about how best to guide the development of RCI.

We are concerned with the use of some classical spectral collocation methods as well as with the new software system Chebfun in order to compute high order (index) eigenpairs of singular as well as regular Schrodinger eigenproblems. We want to highlight both the qualities as well as the shortcomings of these methods and evaluate them vis-a-vis the usual ones. In order to resolve a boundary singularity we use Chebfun with the simple domain truncation technique. Although this method is equally easy to apply with spectral collocation, things are more nuanced in the case of these methods. A special technique to introduce boundary conditions as well as a coordinate transform which maps an unbounded domain to a nite one are the ingredients. A challenging set of "hard" benchmark problems, for which usual numerical methods (f. d., f. e. m., shooting etc.) fail, are analysed. In order to separate "good"and "bad"eigenvalues we estimate the drift of the set of eigenvalues of interest with respect to the order of approximation and/or scaling of domain parameter. It automatically provides us with a measure of the error within which the eigenvalues are computed and a hint on numerical stability. We pay a particular attention to problems with almost multiple eigenvalues as well as for problems with a mixed (continuous) spectrum. In the latter case we try to numerically highlight its existence. Special attention will be paid to the higher eigenpairs (the pair of eigenvalue and the corresponding eigenfunction approximated by an eigenvector spanning its nodal values).

Soil quality assessment based on crop yields and identification of key indicators of it can be used for better management of agricultural production. In the current research, the weighted additive soil quality index (SQIw), factor analysis (FA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) method are used to assess the soil quality of rainfed winter wheat fields with two soil orders on 53.20 km2 of agricultural land in western Iran. A total of 18 soil quality indicators were determined for 100 soil samples (0-20 cm depth) from two soil orders (Inceptisols and Entisols). The soil properties measured were: pH, soil texture, organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), soil microbial respiration (SMR), carbonate calcium equivalent (CCE), soil porosity (SP), bulk density (BD), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), mean weight diameter (MWD), available potassium (AK), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), available Fe (AFe), available Zn (AZn), available Mn (AMn), and available Cu (ACu). Mean wheat grain yield for the two years for all of the 100 sampling sites was also gathered. The SQIw was calculated using two weighting methods (FA and MLR) and maps were created using a digital soil mapping framework. The soil indicators taken in the minimum data set (MDS) were AK, clay, CEC, AP, SMR, and sand. The correlation between the MLR weighting technique (SQI-M) and the rainfed wheat yield (r=0.62) was slightly larger than that the correlation of yield with the FA weighted technique (SQI-F) (r=0.58). Results showed that the means of both SQI-M and SQI-F and rainfed wheat yield for Inceptisols were higher than for Entisols although these differences were not statistically significant. Both SQI-M and SQI-F showed that areas with Entisols had lower proportions of good soil quality grades (Grade I and II), and higher proportions of poor soil quality grades (Grade IV and V) compared to Inceptisols. Based on these results, soil type must be considered for soil quality assessment in future studies to maintain and enhance soil quality and sustainable production. The overall soil quality of the study region was of poor and moderate grades. To improve soil quality, it is therefore recommended that effective practices such as the implementation of scientific integrated nutrient management involving the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in rainfed wheat fields be promoted.

Insurance serves as a mechanism to effectively manage and transfer revenue-related risks. We conducted a study to explore the potential financial advantages of index insurance, which protects agricultural producers, specifically sugarcane, against excessive rainfall. Creation of the index involved utilizing generalized additive regression models, allowing for consideration of non-linear effects and quantile generalized additive regression to evaluate relationships with lower quantiles, such as low yield events. To quantify the financial benefits for farmers, should they opt for excessive rainfall index insurance, we employed efficiency analysis based on metrics such as Conditional Tail Expectation, Certainty Equivalence of Revenue, and Mean Root Square Loss. The results of the regression model demonstrate its accuracy in predicting sugar cane yields, with a split testing R2 of 0.691. Additionally, our study suggests that this type of insurance could also apply to sugarcane farmers and other crop producers in regions where extreme rainfall threatens the financial sustainability of agricultural production.

The short-term intake (ESTI) of Hungarian consumers to pesticide residues was assessed based on 2331 test results obtained during 2017-2021 monitoring program in the frequently analyzed apples, sour cherries, table grapes, peaches, nectarines, peppers and strawberries (23.5% of all samples taken from 119 crops). The age-specific consumption data were obtained from two representative national food consumption surveys (2009 and 2018-2020). The exposure was characterized with Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index considering the acute reference doses of pesticide residues detected in the samples. When ESTI was calculated with all detected “single“ residues and variability factor of 3.6, recommended for evaluation of monitoring results, the HI only exceeded 1 for children <3 years old eating grape (1.50-1.81). HI was <1 when any of the 6 foods were eaten together within one day. Between forty and fifty percent of samples contained 2-23 residues. Though, the individual residue concentrations were below the corresponding MRLs, multiple residues being present in one sample resulted in maximum HI values in apples (1.14); grapes (6.57); peaches and nectarines (2.57); strawberries (2.74); peppers (10.44). Residues with low ARfD values contributed most. Applying HI is simple, but provides only point estimates; therefore, it should only be used in first-tier risk assessment.

Automatic recognition methods for non-stationary EEG data collected from EEG sensors play an essential role in neurological detection. The integrative approaches proposed in this study consists of Symlet wavelet processing, a gradient boosting machine, and a grid search optimizer for a three-level classification scheme for normal subjects, intermittent epilepsy, and continuous epilepsy. Fourth-order Symlet wavelets were adopted to decompose the EEG data into five time-frequency sub-bands, whose statistical features were computed and used as classification features. The grid search optimizer was used to automatically find the optimal parameters for training the classifier. The classification accuracy of the gradient boosting machine was compared with that of a support vector machine and a random forest classifier constructed according to previous descriptions. Multiple-index were used to evaluate the Symlet wavelet transform-gradient boosting machine-grid search optimizer classification scheme, which provided better classification accuracy and detection effectiveness than has recently reported in other work on three-level classification of EEG data.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of converting potato peel waste into bio ethanol using an in-house produced multi-enzyme preparation. To achieve this, a variety of pre-treatment strategies, including thermal, chemical, and thermo-chemical methods, were applied to the potato peels. These included boiling for 30 and 60 min, steam at varying pressures and times, and different concentrations of chemicals such as H2SO4, HNO3, CH3COOH, HCl, NaOH, Ca(OH)2, KOH, NH3, and H2O2, either alone or in combination with steam. The pre-treated potato peels were then enzymatically hydrolyzed using a crude multi-enzyme cocktail derived from solid-state fermentation of wheat bran by a natural variety of Aspergillus niger P-19, containing cellulases, hemicellulases, pectinase, and amylases. The most effective pre-treatment combination was found to be 3% H2SO4 followed by steam under pressure and enzymatic hydrolysis using the crude multi-enzyme preparation. This combination resulted in the highest yield of reducing sugars (141.04 ±12.31 g/l) with a 98.49% carbohydrate conversion at a 20% substrate loading, giving an ethanol yield of 43.2 g/l. Furthermore, supplementing the medium with peptone, (NH4)(H2PO4), and ZnSO4 at 0.1%w/v each with 22% and 24% solid, respectively, resulted in appreciable yields of 51.67 and 54.75 g/l, further enhancing the ethanol yield.

Large-scale farms are pivotal sites for the development of the agricultural industry, and the quality of the ecological environment is a significant factor affecting the growth of cereal crops. Consequently, assessing the ecological quality of large-scale farms is of great importance. This paper leverages the advantages of remote sensing imagery for long-term, quantitative, and dynamic monitoring of ecological quality over extensive areas. It develops an ecological assessment procedure suitable for agricultural regions based on an Improved Remote Sensing Ecological Index (IRSEI), which considers the coupling of ecosystem component elements. This procedure introduces a Pan-Salinity Index (PSI) tailored to the characteristics of soil salinization in farming areas and incorporates an ecological greenness index based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), an ecological humidity index derived from the K-T transform (WET), an ecological dryness index synthesized from the bare soil index and the built-up index (NDBSI), and an ecological heat index represented by the Land Surface Temperature (LST) calculated from atmospheric parameter models. These five indices are integrated into the ecological assessment system. The experimental results visually demonstrate the development and changes of ecological impact factors in the farm research area over the past decade, as well as the spatiotemporal variations in the quality of the farm's ecological environment. The findings indicate that between 2010 and 2019, the overall trend of IRSEI first declined, then rose, and subsequently experienced a slight decrease. Through differential analysis, regions and areas with declining ecological quality were identified, providing a data reference for the formulation and implementation of future ecological protection and management measures for the farm. The proposed IRSEI method offers a rapid and effective new monitoring approach for agricultural planting areas with a tendency towards soil salinization.

We introduce a total energy and environmental evaluation method in the manufacturing industry. The method gives us a series of descriptive indexes to assess the overall environmental effect level on materials, energy, wastes and products in the life cycle process. Meanwhile, the method uses partial indexes, environmental effect factors, and correction offsets into the quantitative model to analyze the learning process and rebound effect on the energy and environment at each procedure. In this work, we choose S-shaped learning curves to describe how to decrease energy consumption and improve the technical learning by doing for recent 30 years. Also, we draw the different rebound effect curves of the total energy-environmental evaluation with technical learning method, which use the annual industrial production growth rate to show that it's significant to estimate its effect on technology changes. The ideas about the interaction of energy and production environment from material flows to energy consumption, direct us to build an example to estimate quantitatively the results with different condition factors, and realize the process improvement and develop new products.

Biodiversity plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the earth. The study of traditional knowledge related to biological resources is a hot issue in the field of international biodiversity conservation. Xishuangbanna is a key area of biodiversity and a cultural hotspot of international significance. According to the Technical Regulation for Classification, Investigation, and Inventory of Traditional Knowledge Relating to Biological Diversity issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, we investigated and catalogued the traditional knowledge related to biodiversity of the Jino people who have lived in Xishuangbanna for generations, and collected 490 entries of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity of the Jino people. Drawing on the traditional knowledge diversity index calculation method proposed by Wang Guoping, the overall traditional knowledge α-diversity index of the Jino people is 0.63, indicating that the richness of the traditional knowledge of the Jinuo people is relatively high. The traditional culture related to biodiversity, the traditional knowledge related to agricultural genetic resources, and the traditional technology related to the sustainable utilization of biological resources are relatively rich and diverse. The diversity index is 0.86, 0.82 and 0.79 respectively. In addition, Xishuangbanna has invested a lot of energy in biodiversity protection, including the establishment of nature reserves, botanical gardens, zoos, ecological tea gardens and other species reserves, the promulgation of laws and policies related to biodiversity protection, and has achieved remarkable results in in-situ protection and ex-situ protection. On the basis of analyzing the progress and achievements of biodiversity conservation in Xishuangbanna, this study points out that Xishuangbanna faces challenges such as the loss of traditional knowledge, insufficient conservation efforts, and great changes in land use, and puts forward corresponding suggestions.

When drilling oil and gas wells, hole cleaning efficiency is crucial, particularly in the curved or severely deviated sections. Although many hole-cleaning procedures and models have been developed, most of them have substantial limitations or are difficult to apply in real time. This study aimed to develop a model for the hole cleaning index (HCI) that could be integrated into the drilling operations to provide an automated and real-time evaluation of deviated drilling hole cleaning. The new model herein was developed based on the mechanical drilling parameters, enhanced estimated drilling fluid properties, and cuttings characteristics. This HCI model was validated and tested in the field, as it was applied when drilling 12.25”-intermediate directional sections in two wells with a total length of approximately 2000 ft each. The integration of the HCI helped to attain a much better well drilling performance (50% enhancement) and mitigation of potential problems like pipe sticking and the slower rate of penetration. Since the developed index incorporates the changes in wellbore geometry and other spontaneous field data, the new model could be utilized for real-time optimization and intermediate interventions by drilling teams, unlike commercial software tools which are only useful during the planning phase. For this reason, the HCI can be linked to the driller's control panel to provide timely evaluation and corrective measures related to hole cleaning.

Soil quality is related to food security and human survival and development. In recent years, due to the acceleration of urbanization and the increase of abandoned land, land degradation occurs, poor topsoil quality. In this study, the minimum data set (MDS) was constructed through principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the indicator data set for evaluating topsoil quality in Tieling County, China. In addition, the soil quality index (SQI) was calculated to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing reasons of topsoil quality in Tieling County. The re-sults showed that MDS included total potassium (TK), Clay, zinc (Zn), soil organic matter (SOM), soil water content (SWC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, and copper (Cu). The MDS indicators can well replace all indicators to evaluate the topsoil quality in the study area. The overall soil quality of Tieling County showed a trend of low in the east and high in the west, and gradually increased from the hilly area to the plain area. The evaluation results are consistent with field research, which can provide reference for other topsoil quality evaluation, and it also provide a basis for the formulation of soil quality improvement measures.

Background: Several studies recently confirmed the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs in sub-Saharan Africa. Multiple first-line treatment (MFT) is one of the measures envisaged to respond to the emergence and spread of this resistance. The aim of this study was to identify perceived advantages and disadvantages of several MFT deployment strategies and to better understand potential implementation drivers and barriers. Methods: A qualitative survey was conducted in seven sub-Saharan countries amongst key opinion-leaders, national decision-makers, and end users. A total of 200 individual interviews were conducted and findings were analyzed following a thematic inductive approach. Results: From a policy perspective, the new MFT intervention would require endorsement at the global, national, and regional levels to ensure its inclusion in guidelines. Funding of the MFT intervention could be a bottleneck due to costs associated with additional training of healthcare workers, adaptation of drug delivery mechanisms, and higher costs of drugs. Concerning the MFT deployment strategies, a slight preference for the segmentation strategy was expressed over the rotation and geographic approaches, due to the perception that a segmentation approach is already in place at country level. Conclusions: The findings highlighted the need for a collective approach to MFT deployment through the engagement of stakeholders at all levels of malaria management.

Recently, the relationship between emotional arousal and depression has been studied. Focusing on this relationship, we first developed an arousal level voice index (ALVI) to measure arousal levels using the Interactive Emotional Dyadic Motion Capture database. Then, we calculated ALVI from the voices of depressed patients from two hospitals (Ginza Taimei Clinic [GTC] and National Defense Medical College hospital [NDMC]) and compared them with the severity of depression as measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Depending on the HAM-D score, the datasets were classified into a no depression (HAM-D<8) and a depression group (HAM-D≥8) for each hospital. A comparison of the mean ALVI between the groups was performed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and a significant difference at the level of 10% (p = 0.094) at GTC and 1% (p = 0.0038) at NDMC was determined. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic was 0.66 when categorizing between the two groups for GTC, and the AUC for NDMC was 0.70. The relationship between arousal level and depression severity was indirectly suggested via ALVI.

Objectives To examine the comorbidity burden in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using a nationwide population-based cohort by assessing the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), Multimorbidity Index (MMI), and Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index (RDCI) scores and to investigate their predictive ability for all-cause mortality. Methods We identified 24,767 RA patients diagnosed between 1998–2008 in Taiwan and followed up until December 31, 2013. The incidence of comorbidities was estimated in three periods (before, during, and after the diagnostic period). The incidence rate ratios were calculated by comparing during vs. before and after vs. before the diagnostic period. One- and 5-year mortality rates were calculated and discriminated by low and high-score groups and modified models for each index. Results The mean score at diagnosis is 0.8 in CCI, 2.8 in ECI, 0.7 in MMI, and 1.3 in RDCI, and annual percentage changes are 11.0%, 11.3%, 9.7%, and 6.8%, respectively. The incidence of any increase in the comorbidity index is significantly higher in the periods of ‘during’ and ‘after’ the RA diagnosis (incidence rate ratios for different indexes: 1.33-2.77). The mortality rate significantly differs between the high and low-score groups measured by each index (adjusted hazard ratios: 2.5-4.3 for different indexes). CCI is slightly better in the prediction of 1- and 5-year mortality rates. Conclusion Comorbidities are common before and after RA diagnosis, and the rate of accumulation accelerates after RA diagnosis. All four comorbidity indexes are useful to measure the temporal changes and to predict mortality.

We evaluated the usefulness of the novel cholesterol-triglyceride subgroup (CTS) indices that potentially reflect the metabolic status regarding risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) using a retrospective longitudinal study of the Japanese general population. We recruited 12,373 individuals from the annual users of our healthcare center. Among them, the first onset of CHD was recorded in 131 individuals between April, 2014 and March, 2020. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses for all normalized lipid indices revealed that the CTSqnt index showed a comparable hazard ratio for the CHD outcome to non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (nonHDL-c) and triglycerides. The HR of the CTSqlt index was significantly lower than for CTSqnt, but still comparable to that for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). In comparison with the other indices, CTSqlt is more sensitive to risk increment while the index value increases. Linear regression analyses for the CTS indices and previously known lipid indices suggest that the CTSqnt and CTSqlt indices reflect the quantity of atherogenic lipoproteins and size of smaller and denser LDLs, respectively. Furthermore, the CTSqnt/HDL-c index can be used as a comprehensive risk indicator that may represent the status of lipid metabolism determined by the CTSqlt and CTSqnt indices and thus may be useful for screening. The CTS indices can be used to evaluate the metabolic status of individuals, which may increase the risk of future CHD.

Regional Climatic Comfort Index (CCI) deteriorated significantly due to the climate change and anthropogenic interference. Knowledge regarding the long-term temporal dynamics of CCI in typical regions should be strengthened. In this study, we analyze the temporal and spatial evolution of CCI from 1969 to 2018 in Guangdong Province, based on meteorological indicators, including heat, humidity, wind and cloth loading etc.. Additionally, the population exposure to climate unconformity was examined since 1990 with the help of population data. Our study found that: (1) the warming and humidifying of the summer climate served as the main driving force for the continuous deterioration of CCI, with the comfortable days decreased by 1.06d/10a and the extremely muggy days increased by 2.83d/10a; (2) spatially, the lowest climate comfortability concentrated in southwestern Guangdong with more than 50 uncomfortable days each year, while the climate comfortability in northeastern Guangdong tends to deteriorated whit higher rate, which can reach as high as 6d/10a; (3) in summer, the population exposure to uncomfortable climate highly centralized in the Pearl River Delta, Shantou, Jieyang, and the surrounding areas, and both area and population exposure showed increasing trends. Particularly, Shenzhen held the highest growth rate of population exposure with an increase rate of 2.94 million/10a; (4) although the discomfort distribution and deterioration rate vary across the province, the spatial heterogeneity of comfortability is diminishing in Guangdong Province. This study will provide scientific reference for regional urban planning, thermal environment improvement, local resident health risk analysis, and key strategy implementation, etc.

Increased mitotic activity is associated with the genesis and aggressiveness of many cancers. To assess the clinical value of mitotic activity as prognostic biomarker, we performed a pan-cancer study on the mitotic network activity index (MNAI) constructed based on 54-gene mitotic apparatus network. Our pan-cancer assessment on TCGA (33 tumor types, 10,061 patients) and validation on other publicly available cohorts (23 tumor types, 9,209 patients) confirmed the significant association of MNAI with overall survival, progression-free survival and other prognostic endpoints in multiple cancer types, including Lower-Grade Gliomas (LGG), Breast Invasive Carcinoma (BRCA) and many others. We also showed significant association of MNAI with genetic instability, which provides a biological explanation of its prognostic impact at pan-cancer landscape. Futhermore, we found that patients with high MNAI benefit more from anti-PD-1 and Anti-CTLA-4 treatment. In addition, we demonstrated on LGG and BRCA that the multimodal integration of MNAI and the AI-empowerd Cellular Morphometric Subtypes (CMS) significantly improved the predictive power of prognosis compared to MNAI and CMS alone. Our results suggest that MNAI can be used as a potential prognostic biomarker for different tumor types toward different clinical endpoints, and multimodal integration of MNAI and CMS exceeds individual biomarker for precision prognosis.

Most people living in Europe's cities are still exposed to levels of air pollution deemed harmful by the World Health Organization. In the modern world, air pollution is the foremost concern because of its impact in human health and economy. This strong connection appears gaining a lot of concern, driven by new installed low-cost electrochemical sensors monitoring systems. Highly accuracy, real-time monitoring, daily and yearly statistics, data access from experts or simple users, low-cost equipment and forecasting needs, enforce the market to develop new air quality monitoring systems using advanced technologies and protocols. In this study, a comparison via low-cost electrochemical sensors and of static, fixed site measurement monitoring station, is taking place in Athens, Greece, along with the data quality and Air Quality Index (AQI) including data accuracy and quality of data concerning adverse health effects due to air pollution. The findings presented in this work, relate to different flexible and affordable alternatives adopted during the evaluation and calibration of low-cost gas sensors for the monitoring. The significance of the positive results is particularly useful, especially considering the founding for interference, environmental conditions affections and air quality information including indexes and health recommendations for a specific location.

While the importance of corporate governance has been broadly acknowledged in global financial markets and academic research, how to devise a practical evaluation system is relatively unexplored. This paper attempts to refine the Corporate Governance Evaluation System (CGES), constructed by the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) since 2014. The current CGES has several debatable issues in its complicated design (e.g., it comprises over 80 indicators in different types). To resolve those issues, this study invited ten senior domain experts (including several CEOs of financial holding companies) to retrieve 13 essential criteria from the CGES in four dimensions. And this study integrates several multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods (i.e., Decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), modified VIKOR, DEMATEL-based analytical network process (DANP)) and the fuzzy evaluation technique to rank the exemplary companies. The obtained ranking is consistent with the one released from the CGES in 2017. This study conducted additional experiments to ensure the robustness of the findings. The newly devised model not only supports the ranking decisions but also provides a managerial guidance for companies to pursue systematic improvements. These findings enrich the understanding of corporate governance and contribute to gaining business sustainability for financial holding companies.

Based on 541 Landsat images between 1988 and 2016, the normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVIs) of the wetland vegetation at Xitugou (XTG) and Wowachi (WWC) inside the Dunhuang Yangguan National Nature Reserve (YNNR) in northwest China were calculated for assessing impacts of climate change on wetland vegetation in the YNNR. It was found that the wetland vegetation at the XTG and WWC both had shown a significant increasing trend in the past 30 years, and the increase in both annual mean temperature and peak snow depth over the Altun Mountains led to the increase of wetland vegetation. The influence of local precipitation on the XTG wetland vegetation was greater than on the WWC wetland vegetation, which demonstrates that in extremely arid regions, the major constrain to the wetland vegetation is water availability in soils which is greatly related to the surface water detention and discharge of groundwater. At both XTG and WWC, snowmelt from the Altun Mountains is the main contributor to the groundwater discharge, while local precipitation plays a less role in influencing the wetland vegetation at the WWC than at the XTG, because the wetland vegetation grows on a relatively flat terrain at the WWC, while in a stream channel at the XTG.

Ethiopian agriculture is not only affected by precipitation declines (meteorological droughts) but also soil dryness caused by temperature increases and associated long-term hydrological changes. Meteorological drought indicators (e.g., SPI), do not fully capture the water deficits in agricultural systems (i.e., agricultural droughts). An Ethiopia-wide assessment of meteorological and agricultural drought trends was carried out to characterize century-scale (1902 – 2016) changes in droughts. SPI and SPEI calculated using two-month accumulation and the Palmer Z-index were used for assessing intra-season drought trends. SPI and SPEI at six-month accumulations and PDSI were used to define full season droughts. Detrended variance corrected Mann-Kendall test was used for trend analysis during Bega (dry), Belg (short-rainy) and Meher (long-rainy) seasons. The SPEI-2 and PDSI were most aggressive in characterizing intra-season and seasonal-drought trends. There is on average 1% - 6% annual increase in dryness with the lower estimate based on precipitation declines and the upper end accounting for seasonal soil moisture dynamics. The area between 37.5° E – 42.5° E denotes a climate hot-spot. Precipitation declines in Belg along the Ethiopia-South-Sudan/Sudan border during Belg and along Eretria-Ethiopia border during Meher have the potential to exacerbate transboundary water conflicts and further threaten the food security of the region.

In recent years, there has been a wave of research on complex networks. The purpose of this paper is to study the graph theoretic mathematical properties of random cyclooctatetraene chain. We obtain the explicit analytical expressions for the variances of the Gutman index, Schultz index, multiplicative degree-Kirchhoff index and additive degree-Kirchhoff index of a random cyclooctatetraene chain with $n$ octagons, which plays a crucial role in the research and application of topological indices.

Glucocorticoid administration is a common clinical practice in attempt to decrease inflammation associated with, and improve resectability of, canine mast cell tumors (MCTs). However, the impact of neoadjuvant glucocorticoids on histological features and proliferation indices of canine MCTs is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in tumor grade, mitotic count, Ki67, AgNOR, and AgNORxKi67 scores following short-course, anti-inflammatory neoadjuvant prednisone in canine patients with MCTs. This was a prospective, single-arm pilot study. Client-owned dogs with treatment-naïve, cytologically-confirmed MCTs were enrolled. Patients underwent an initial incisional biopsy followed by a 10-14 day course of anti-inflammatory prednisone, and surgical resection. All histological samples were randomized, masked, and evaluated by a single pathologist. Unstained paired pre- and post-treatment samples were submitted to a commercial laboratory for Ki67 and AgNOR immunohistochemical analysis. There were 11 dogs enrolled with 11 tumors. There were no statistical differences between the pre- and post-treatment histological parameters of mitotic index, Ki67, AgNOR, or Ki67xAgNOR. There were no clinically-significant alterations between pre-treatment and post-treatment in the assignment of tumor grades. A short-course of anti-inflammatory prednisone does not appear to alter the histological parameters that affect grade-determination, nor significantly alter the proliferation indices in canine MCTs.

Background We aimed to compare the retinal, optic disc vascular density (ODVD) values, and acircularity index (AI) of patients with idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2 (IMT) and healthy individuals using the optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA) device. Methods The study included 39 patients with IMT and 37 healthy controls. The OCTA findings of the patients and controls were examined. Results The total, parafoveal and perifoveal vascular density of the superficial capillary plexus, choriocapillaris blood flow, inside-disc ODVD, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and retinal thicknesses were found to be statistically significantly lower and the foveal avascular zone value was statistically significantly higher in the IMT group compared to the control group (p=0.001, p=0.01, p=0.02, p=0.01, p=0.009, p=0.002, p=0.02, respectively).There was a statistically significant negative correlation between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and AI (p=0.02), a statistically significant positive correlation between peripapillary vascular density and BCVA(p=0.04). Conclusion We consider that the lower retinal, choriocapillaris, and ODVD values, retinal and RNFL thicknesses in the patients with IMT compared to the controls were due to vascular damage, remodeling, fibrosis, proliferation, and Müller cell damage. Ellipsoid zone defect, AI, and peripapillary vascular density are important indicators in the evaluation of visual acuity in these patients.

We characterize the form of the order divisor graph of cyclic groups based on the group order. Furthermore, we describe some topological indices of the order divisor graph of cyclic groups, including the Wiener index, Harary index, first Zagreb index, and second Zagreb index.

Chinese investors are easily affected by hot topics on the media and Internet and likely take irrational behavior. They tend to consume rationally and invest emotionally. This research aims to analyze the Baidu index’s effect on share price of solar power industry in China. Three main models are established to identify the correlation between Baidu index and stock price of solar industry. The media index and searching index of Baidu are chosen as an independent variable to measure the influence from media and Internet, and stock price as the dependent variable. To improve and complete the analysis, Hexun index is taken into consideration as mediator variable. This study applied Multiple Linear Regression Model and VAR (Vector auto-regression) Model. The research mainly uses the tools of SPSS, Eviews and Excel to conduct data analysis. The test is based on the theories of Granger Causality, unit root test, F-test, and t-test. The research proves the relationship between the close price of stock and Baidu index, and it also created a model for further forecasting.

Topological indices are numerical parameters of a graph which characterize its topology and are usually graph invariant. In this paper, bounds for the Randić, general Randić, sum-connectivity, the general sum-connectivity and harmonic indices for tensor product of graphs are determined by using the combinatorial inequalities and combinatorial computing.

Management practices must be developed to improve yam production sustainability. Image-based phenotyping techniques could help developing such practices based on non-destructive analyses of important plant traits. Our objective was to determine the potential of image-based phenotyping methods to assess traits relevant for tuber yield formation in yam grown in glasshouse and field. We took plant and leaf pictures with consumer cameras. We used the numbers of image pixels to derive the shoot biomass and the total leaf surface and calculated the ‘triangular greenness index’ (TGI) which is an indicator of the plant nitrogen (N) nutritional status. Under glasshouse conditions, the number of pixels obtained from nadir view (image taken top down) was positively correlated to the shoot biomass, and the total leaf surface, while the TGI was negatively correlated to the N content of diagnostic leaves. Under field conditions, pictures taken from the nadir view showed an increase in soil surface cover and a decrease in TGI with time. TGI was negatively correlated to SPAD measured on specific leaves but was not correlated to the N content of these leaves. In conclusion, these phenotyping techniques deliver relevant results but need to be further developed and validated for application in yam.

Titania is one of the most comprehensively studied nanostructures due to its widespread applications in production of catalytic, gas- sensing and corrosion- resistance materials [1]. M-polynomial of nanotubes has been vastly investigated as it produces many degree-based topological indices which are numerical parameters capturing structural and chemical properties. These indices are used in the development of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) in which the biological activity and other properties of molecules are correlated with their structure like boiling point, stability, strain energy etc of chemical compounds. In this paper, we determine M-polynomials of single-walled titanium (SW TiO2) nanotubes and recover important topological degree based indices of them to theoretically judge these nanotubes. We also use Maple to plot surfaces associated to different types of single-walled titanium (SW TiO2) nanotubes.

Background: Physical activity has been considered as a promising approach to slow down the disease process in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. While the functional impairments of MS have been studied in detail, but there is limited evidence of the efficacy of exercise interventions on the Multiple Sclerosis functional composite (MSFC) score in these patients. The study aim was to in-vestigate the improvement in MSFC score by multi-function swing suspension training (MFSST) in the women with MS. Methods: The patients were divided into the intervention and control groups. A total of 47 MS patients completed the MSFC components at baseline and after the intervention. Z scores were created for each test based on control means. Results: The MSFC components showed a significant increment in comparison with the baseline levels in the four, six, and eight weeks following the first exercise session (all p<0.05). These dif-ferences in the control group were not significant. The improvement in the MSFC score and the component Z-scores in the intervention groups was found from the fourth week onwards. Conclusions: The study findings highlight that MFSST can be used as an effective treatment method in MS patients due to its positive effects on physical parameters, such as muscles strength, functional impairments, and cognitive problems.

The topological index is a numerical quantity based on the characteristics of various invariants or molecular graph. For ease of discussion, these indices are classified according to their logical derivation from topological invariants rather than their temporal development. Degree based topological indices depends upon the degree of vertices. This paper computes Zagreb polynomials and redefined first, second and third Zagrebindices of Bismuth Tri-Iodide chains and sheets.

The topological index is a numerical quantity based on the characteristics of various invariants or molecular graph. For ease of discussion, these indices are classified according to their logical derivation from topological invariants rather than their temporal development. Degree based topological indices depends upon the degree of vertices. This paper computes degree based topological indices of Bismuth Tri-Iodide chains and sheets with the help of M-polynomial.

Forest fires though part of a natural forest renewal process, when frequent and assuming large-scale proportions have detrimental impacts on biodiversity, agroforestry systems, soil erosion, air and water quality, infrastructures, and economy. Portugal (PT) endures extreme forest fires, with a record of burned area in 2017. These extreme wildfire events (EWE) concentrated in few days but with high burned areas, are among other factors, linked to severe fire weather conditions. In this study a comparison between several fire danger indices is performed for a reference period 2001‒2021 and 2017 (May‒October) for the Fire Weather Index (FWI), Continuous Haines Index (CHI), Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI), Burning Index (BI) and Fire Danger index (FDI). A daily analysis for the so-called Pedrogão Grande wildfire (June 17th) and the October major fires (October 15th) included the Spread Component (SP) and Ignition Component (IC). Results revealed high above average values for all indices for 2017 in comparison with 2001‒2021 particularly, for October. High statistically significant monthly correlations between FWI, FDI and BI were found, along with lower between FWI and CHI. These correlations are depicted in the spatial patterns between FWI and FDI for the two EWE. The spatial distribution of FDI, SC and IC had the best performance in capturing the locations of the occurrence of the two EWEs’. The outcomes allowed to conclude, that since fire danger depends on several factors a multi-index’s diagnosis is highly relevant, though calibration and scale adjustment are needed for PT. The implementation of a Multi-index’s Prediction System should be able to further enhance the ability of tracking and forecast unique EWE, since the shortcomings of some indices are compensated by the information retrieved by others as shown in this study. Overall, a new forecast system can help ensuring the development of appropriate spatial preparedness plans, proactive responses by the civil protection regarding firefighter’s management, suppression efforts to minimize the detrimental impacts of wildfires in Portugal.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and necrotizing periodontitis (NP) are two diseases whose aetiology and pathophysiology do not seem to have a common link; however, the treatment of MS with monoclonal antibodies and the decrease in humoral immunity that this entails can be a trigger or an aggravation in patients who present NP. We present a clinical case of NP in which its clinical manifestations, treatment and evolution during therapy with ocrelizumab are reflected. During the evolution of the case, a rapid progression of NP was evidenced. During her evolution, the patient suffered bilateral pneumonia due to COVID requiring treatment with corticosteroids and antibiotics, which led to clinical relief of her NP. Given this important clinical finding, we consider of great interest the regulated dental monitoring of those patients with MS before, during and after the administration of monoclonal antibodies to prevent periodontal deterioration.

Hyperlipidemia is an identified risk factor for metabolic syndrome, obesity and cardiovascular complications characterized by elevated levels of lipids in blood. The present study aimed to inhibit HMG-CoA reductase with 15-oxoursolic acid through in-vivo and in-silico assessments. HFD-induced hyperlipidemia in rats was developed with a marked increase in total cholesterol (58.34 ± 0.21 mg/dl), triglycerides (45.45 ± 0.39 mg/dl), LDL-c (66.12 ± 0.10 mg/dl), VLDL-c (19.34 ± 0.16 mg/dl), and a decrease in HDL-c (10.34 ± 0.18 mg/dl). The oral administration of 15-oxoursolic acid at a concentration of 30 mg/Kg b.w significantly reduced the serum concentration of total cholesterol (42.65 ± 0.54 mg/dl), triglycerides (32.33 ± 0.16 mg/dl), LDL-c (50.34 ± 0.15 mg/dl) and VLDL-c (13.15 ± 0.45 mg/dl) respectively and an increased in the serum HDL-c (18.56 ± 0.34 mg/dl). 15-oxo ursolic acid also caused a decrease in the coronary risk index and atherogenic risk index. In-silico studies of 15-oxoursolic acid with HMG-CoA reductase showed significant interaction capability with binding energy (-9.26805 Kcal/mol). It is concluded that 15-oxoursolic acid could significantly reduce the total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels in HFD-induced hyperlipidemia rats which might lead to new medication with significant hypolipidemic potential.

Introduction: The viral respiratory disorder known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by the SARS-associated coronavirus. End of May 2021, there have been over 170 million reported cases and more than 3.53 million deaths worldwide. In the field of cardiovascular performance, the shock index (SI) is a simple and widely used formula that measures the physiological response prior to systemic hypotension. It is obtained by dividing the heart rate by the systolic blood pressure. Another parameter, the modified shock index (MSI), is defined as the ratio of heart rate to mean arterial pressure (MAP). Methods: In this retrospective study, we examined the data of COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the ICU between June 1st, 2020, and January 31st, 2021. The patient details were collected from the Medical Records Department (MRD) in a tertiary care center. A case-recorded proforma was used to record the patient information, which was then analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The mean age of the patients was 67 years, consisting of 64 males (68.9%) and 29 females (31.1%). The standard deviation was calculated as 13.557. Among the patients, the minimum age recorded was 28, while the maximum age was 97. Patients with known CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) had a higher mortality rate among comorbidities. The p-value for Shock Index and Mortality Status was 0.205 (with an alpha value greater than 0.05), indicating no significant association. However, the modified shock index (MSI) showed a significant association with mortality status. The Pearson chi-square value for MSI and Mortality Status was 4.19, with a p-value of 0.041 (with an alpha value less than 0.05). These results suggest that there is a higher risk of mortality for patients with a Modified Shock Index of less than 0.7 or greater than 1.3. The MSI Odds ratio was found to be 4.500, indicating that such patients have a 4.5 times higher risk of mortality compared to others. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study found that there is no significant association between the Shock Index (SI) and mortality, as the p-value was greater than 0.05. However, the Modified Shock Index (MSI) showed a significant association with mortality status, with a p-value less than 0.05. This suggests that patients with a Modified Shock Index less than 0.7 or greater than 1.3 are at a higher risk of mortality. It is important to consider these findings when assessing the prognosis and potential interventions for COVID-19 patients.

Bioelectric effect is known as combinatorial biofilm treatment with low dose of antibiotics with small electricity. When external electric field or current are applied, biofilms can be affected by the electrostatic force, non-uniform distribution of essential electrolytes, induction of low activity of enzyme, and increase of permeability of biofilms. In this work, we have focused on the reduction of applied electric power consumption that could avoid water electrolysis which was one of major challenges for biomedical applications. We have developed a new type of electrical signal that enhances the efficacy of biofilm removal. The results show combination of alternating and direct current remove biofilm effectively without causing electrolysis. We further developed an oral healthcare device as a bioelectric toothbrush and tested in dental clinic. The results demonstrated 75% reduction of gingivitis. In addition, we have tested a mimicked air conditioner biofilms that are root causes of aerobic hygiene infection. The result demonstrates 81.8% increased biofilm removal. In conclusion, a new bioelectric technology has been developed and demonstrated the biofilm removal efficacy without the electrolysis.

Digitalisation is one of the European Union's priorities. The European Parliament is shaping and helping to shape new legislation in this area. Digitisation should also help in the transition to a greener economy and in achieving climate neutrality. E-government is one area of digitisation that has been under way for several years in European countries. In this paper, we have focused on identifying different indices that are aimed at measuring digitalization or e-Government. The results of the analysis showed that there are several indices that focus on this area within the EU, such as EGDI, EPI, LOSI, DGI, e-Government benchmark, Eurostat - internet use, GII, DSGI, Going Digital toolkit and DESI. Subsequently, the index areas to be used in the DEA method to measure the effectiveness of e-Government related inputs and outputs within the EU were identified. As can be seen from the analysis, the DEA method has various uses. In order to be able to use the method properly it was necessary to select the most appropriate parameter and to verify their suitability by means of correlation analysis. Among the input and output indices were chosen Internet usage, DSGI, GII, e-Government benchmark, Interaction with public administration online. From the analysis 3 inputs and 3 outputs were used. After implementing the correlation, it can be said that the values between the selected sub-variables are suitable for DEA analysis. Two models were chosen for the calculation, namely CCR and BCC model. CCR model evaluated 10 states as efficient and BCC model evaluated 13 states as efficient. In addition, in the close analysis, we have taken a closer look at the CCR model's inference. Countries such as Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Malta, Portugal, etc. were efficient outliers. When comparing the regions within the EU, we can conclude that the countries of Northern Europe are the most efficient in the field of digitalization (e-Government). As many as 4 countries out of 7 are efficient. In a future study it would be useful to use the SBM model and try to measure the impact of digitalization on selected areas such as economy, society, environment, etc.

Digital technologies play a key role in reviving the world economy. The EU has pledged to combine recovery support with resilient digital transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the lack of digitization in Slovakia and the shortcomings of digital skills in citizens and communication with institutions. Digital skills are important and should form part of educational policy. ICT skills can help people succeed in the labour market and improve communication with public administration. Digitization and globalization increase the importance to communicate through the Internet, applications and other e-based gadgets. Digital skills are one of the essential parts of e-Government, so people can use e-Government services in communication with public administration. The current crisis citizens' use of online services. In-dices concerning the digital economy are analysed, such as the digital economy and society index DESI and e-government digital skills (EGDI) from 2018 to 2021 revealed a stagnant state in 2018 and 2019 and 2020, there was a decrease in basic digital skills". The next index is E-Government Digital Index It focuses on human capital and digital skills in these indices. The paper analyses and identifies the digital skills of citizens in the context of e-Government development and describes the use of e-Government services by EU citizens with a focus on the Slovak republic. The data were collected through a questionnaire survey with citizens in Slovak republic's digital skills according to selected categories, the use of e-Government services as well as awareness of e-Government services. Solutions that improve e-government in the Slovak Republic are gradually being implemented. Improving digital skills according to National Coalition for Digital Skills and professions in the Slovak republic and is one of the priorities of The Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic which has adopted an action plan for 2019 – 2022 to improve the results in the DESI index by 2025 and focus on the digital skills required by employers. The survey revealed that in Slovakia, the majority of schools offer only weak support for digital education (about the EU-27 average of 68% and 45%, respectively). The research revealed also decreased level of digital literacy among young people. These competencies are very important to gain a position in the labour market in the digital society. The projects aim to support the development of digital skills of primary and secondary school students, and the integration of new technologies into teaching.

This paper initiates the study of the mathematical aspects of the ad-hoc Lanzhou index. If G is a graph with the vertex set {x1,⋯,xn}, then the ad-hoc Lanzhou index of G is defined by Lz¯(G)=∑i=1ndi(n−1−di)2, where di represents the degree of the vertex xi. Several identities for the ad-hoc Lanzhou index, involving some existing topological indices are established. The problems of finding graphs with the extremum values of the ad-hoc Lanzhou index from the following sets of graphs are also attacked: (i) set of all connected ξ-cyclic graphs of a fixed order, (ii) set of all connected molecular ξ-cyclic graphs of a fixed order, (iii) set of all graphs of a fixed order, (iv) set of all connected molecular graphs of a fixed order.

To explore more effective and safer mobilization strategies for multiple myeloma (MM) patients, we conducted a prospective trial comparing single-dose etoposide (375 mg/m2 for one day) plus G-CSF versus G-CSF alone followed by risk-adapted plerixafor. After randomization, 27 patients in the etoposide group and 29 patients in the G-CSF alone group received mobilization regimens. Six (22.2%) patients in the etoposide group and 15 (51.7%) patients in the G-CSF alone group received a risk-adapted plerixafor based on a peripheral blood CD34+ cell count of less than 15/mm3 (P = 0.045). The median total count of CD34+ stem cells collected was significantly higher in the etoposide group (9.5 × 106/kg vs. 7.9 × 106/kg; P = 0.018), but the optimal collection (CD34+ cell count ≥ 6 × 106/kg) rates were not significantly different between the etoposide group and the G-CSF alone groups (96.3% vs. 82.8%; P = 0.195). The rate of collected CD34+ stem cells of 8.0 × 106/kg or grater was significantly higher in the etoposide group (77.8% vs 44.8%; P = 0.025). Meanwhile, the rates of adverse events of were relatively low, with no neutropenic fever or septic shock observed in either group. After transplantation, the median days to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were not significantly different between the two groups (P =1.000 in both). Thus, both single-dose etoposide plus G-CSF and G-CSF alone with risk-adapted plerixafor were effective and safe, but the former may be the better option for patients who are expected to receive two or more transplantations.

Background: Neurosarcoidosis is a great mimic, and its distinction from multiple sclerosis and other disorders can be particularly troublesome. We investigated whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination could help distinguish these two conditions and propose new diagnostic criteria. Methods: Stringent hierarchical diagnostic criteria were formulated. These were then applied prospectively to 531 neurological patients in whom neurosarcoidosis entered the differential diagnosis. The CSF total protein (TP), white cell count (WCC) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels were measured. The CSF and serum IgG patterns after isoelectric focusing were compared. Not all CSF parameters were measured in every patient. Results: 85/531 (16%) cases examined were diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis. Only 22 of these 85 (26%) met stringent diagnostic criteria. Intrathecal synthesis of oligoclonal IgG was evident in only 1/19 (5%) who fulfilled these criteria compared to 19/59 (32%) cases who did not (p = 0.03). CSF TP levels > 1g/L were more common in patients meeting the stringent criteria compared to the remainder of the patients, i.e. 11/22 (50%) vs 14/58 (24%) (p<0.05). Eleven out of 20 cases (55%) fulfilling stringent criteria had elevated CSF WCCs, and 6/12 cases (50%) had raised CSF ACE, neither significantly different from the remaining cases. Mean CSF TP, WCC, and ACE levels did not differ significantly between any groups of patients. Interpretation: Large elevations in CSF total protein, white cell count, and ACE occur in neurosarcoidosis but are rare in multiple sclerosis. However, the diagnostic use of these tests is limited since minimal changes may occur in both conditions. In contrast, intrathecal synthesis of oligoclonal IgG is a powerful discriminator because it is very uncommon in neurosarcoidosis whilst occurring in 95-98% of cases of multiple sclerosis. This observation implies that the immunopathogenesis of the two disorders is quite different. We suggest caution in diagnosing neurosarcoidosis when intrathecal oligoclonal IgG synthesis is detected. We propose new diagnostic criteria for neurosarcoidosis for future research.

Banana (Musa spp.) is an important crop to the economies of many developing countries. In the north of Argentina, a sub-tropical region, banana plants grow in a suboptimal environment that limits yield because only one harvest per year is achieved. The objective of this work was to characterize the agroecological aptitude of Formosa, Argentina, for banana production, through the behavior of three varieties of international use: Willians, Jafa and Gran Enano, evaluated during five consecutive campaigns. The three-way data analysis technique called Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA) was used for evaluating varieties’ performances across cycles of production. The results allowed inferring the existence of genotype x environment (GEI) interaction, corroborated by two-way factorial ANOVA. In order to determine how this suboptimal environment affects the development of each genotype of this perennial crop, Dual Multiple Factor Analysis (DMFA) was applied to jointly analyze the correlation structure among traits contributing to the performance of each variety at each campaign. The correlation structures between variables were different in each population and varied among campaigns. All traits showed a great variation across years and genotypes, the fruit peel thickness being the most discrepant throughout the campaigns. However, Formosa appeared as a promising subtropical agroecological environment to produce banana because varieties’ performances were acceptable for large scale production systems. In addition to evaluating the adequate aptitude for cultivating banana in Formosa considering the significant effect of GEI, this research makes a methodological contribution by proposing the use of three-way data analysis MFA and DMFA in Agronomy Science.

In order to realize rapid and nondestructive monitoring of wheat biomass in field, field experiments based on different densities, nitrogen fertilizer and variety treatments were studied. RGB images of wheat in the main growth stage were obtained by UAV, and wheat color and texture feature indices were obtained by image processing, and wheat biomass was obtained by field sampling in the same period. Then the relationship between different color and texture feature indices and wheat biomass was analyzed to select the color and texture feature index suitable for wheat biomass estimation. The results showed that there was a high correlation between image color index and wheat biomass in different stages, and most of them reached a very significant correlation level. However, the correlation between image texture feature index and wheat biomass was poor, only a few indexes reached significant or extremely significant correlation level. Based on the above results, the color indices with the highest correlation to wheat biomass or the combining indices of color and texture feature in different growth stage were used to construct estimation model of wheat biomass. The models were validated using independently measured biomass data, and the correlation between simulated and measured values reached the significant level, RMSE were smaller. This indicated that the estimated results by the models were reliable and accurate. It also showed that the estimation models of wheat biomass combined with color and texture feature indices of UAV image were better than the single color index models. The results would provide a new method for real-time monitoring of wheat field growth and biomass estimation.

The complex adaptive systems (CAS) research study investigates into the theoretical link of a sustained economic growth as a critical pathway to lift people out of poverty and improve their quality of life. The results show a left-skewed global behavior of an economy-driven human development of 189 countries with 20% or 27 countries obtaining low human development; 80% or 162 countries obtaining medium to very high human development of which 21.16% or 39 countries with medium HDI, 53 or 28.04% or 53 countries with high HDI, and 31.22% or 59 countries with very high HDI. Using the Log (GDP) for visual transformation, closer investigation into the scatterplot diagram reveals that there are also bimodal patterns where countries in the high amplitude and low amplitude groups obtained different human development outcomes despite less or more on economic growth variances mirror on the government policy priorities resulting in four differentiating conditions. Very few countries experience virtuous cycles where both growth and human development are successful; few countries with vicious cycles where both are weak; and many countries with lopsided conditions where the economy is strong but human development is weak, or conversely ones where human development is strong but the economy is weak. The global pattern of economy and human development illustrated by an upward sinusoid or sine wave refutes the conventional linear approach. Uniquely and most importantly, the sinusoidal wave illustrates a decreasing amplitude and decreasing periods as countries manifest apparently complex behaviors that emerge as a result of often nonlinear spatio-temporal interactions among a large number of component systems at different levels of organizations and governments leading to an emergence of a behavior characterizing of a complex adaptive system.

Euler sums are alternating (or level two) extension of multiple zeta values (MZVs). Kaneko and Tsumura initiated the study of multiple T-values (MTVs), another level two generalization, by restricting the summation indices in the definition of MZVs to a fixed parity pattern. In this paper, we shall study finite MTVs and their alternating versions which are level two and level four variations of finite MZVs, respectively. We conjecture that all finite MZVs are in the Q-span of finite MTVs which in turn apparently lie in the span of finite Euler sums, and the inclusions are both proper. We shall first provide some structural results for Euler sums of small weights, guided by the author's previous conjecture that the finite Euler sum space of weight w is isomorphic to a quotient Euler sum space of weight w. Then, by utilizing some well-known properties of the classical alternating MTVs, we shall derive a few important Q-linear relations among the finite alternating MTVs, including the reversal, linear shuffle and sum relations. We then compute the upper bound for the dimension of the Q-span of weight w finite (alternating) MTVs for w<9, both rigorously using the newly discovered relations and numerically aided by computers.

Seaweeds are regarded as one of the valuable coastal resources because of their usage in human food, cosmetics, and other industrial items. They also play a significant role in providing nourishment, shelter, and breeding grounds for fish and many other sea species. This study introduces a newly developed seaweed enhancing index (SEI) using spectral bands of near-infrared (NIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) of Landsat 8 satellite data. The seaweed patches in the coastal waters of Karachi, Pakistan were mapped using SEI, and its performance was compared with other commonly used indices - Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Floating Algae Index (FAI). The accuracy of the mapping results obtained from SEI, NDVI, and FAI was checked with field verified seaweed locations. The purpose of the field surveys was to validate the results of this study and to evaluate the performance of SEI with NDVI and FAI. The performance of SEI was found better than NDVI and FAI in enhancing submerged patches of the seaweed pixels what other indices failed to do.

To address the issue of traditional static evaluation models being unable to comprehensively analyse the performance of ultra-supercritical coal-fired units under varying loads, we propose a dynamic comprehensive evaluation model based on the improved Criteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC) method and Entropy Weight Method (EWM). The comprehensive performance evaluation index system of ultra-supercritical coal fired units is constructed by examining the boiler performance, turbine performance, plant power performance, environmental performance, and flexible performance of coal powered units. The CRITIC and EWM methods are used to calculate the weights of the indicators, which are then combined with the static evaluation results. Using a dynamic comprehensive evaluation model, we analysed ultra-supercritical coal-fired units, taking into account time weight. This allowed us to obtain the comprehensive dynamic real-time evaluation value of the units under different loads. The research indicates that the dynamic comprehensive evaluation model, which uses an improved CRITIC and EWM, has significant advantages in improving evaluation accuracy, weight-balanced distribution, and generality. Provides more accurate, reasonable, and reliable evaluation results for practical decision making.

Recently a measure termed F* was described, as an interpretable transformation of the F measure, also known as the Dice coefficient. Using elementary mathematical methods, it is shown that F* is in fact identical to a previously described measure, monotonically related to the F measure, and variously termed in previous publications, dating from the late 19^th to the late 20^th century, as the ratio of verification, the Jaccard similarity measure or index, the threat score, the Tanimoto index, and the critical success index. The origins of these different terms in different disciplines (weather forecasting, ecology, machine learning) may explain the repeated independent redescription of this measure.

To contain and mitigate the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, African governments have implemented non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs), such as imposing travel bans, confining people to their homes and closing schools, shops and workplaces. These NPIs are likely to be less effective in circumstances where people need to leave their homes to work, collect food, water and cooking fuel or where people cannot maintain distancing due to overcrowded living environments. Using data from the nationally representative South African General Household Survey 2019, we examined individuals’ vulnerability to the risk of COVID-19 infection due to their health, socioeconomic and living circumstances. We explored socioeconomic-related inequalities in COVID-19 using concentration curve and concentration index methods. Our results showed that vulnerability to COVID-19 was disproportionately concentrated among those with low socioeconomic status. Using the Recentered Influence Function decomposition approach, we found that higher income and education had a significant and positive impact on reducing socioeconomic-related COVID-19 vulnerability. Conversely, people with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to live in circumstances that made compliance with NPI requirements almost impossible, and they were also more likely to have pre-existing health conditions that made them more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Chemotherapy is a standard therapeutic option for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC); however, its effectiveness is often compromised by drug-related toxicity and resistance development. Herein, we aimed to evaluate whether an improved antineoplastic effect could be achieved in vitro and in vivo in TNBC by combining dovitinib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, with calcitriol, a natural anti-cancer hormone. In vitro, cell proliferation and cell-cycle distribution were studied by sulforhodamine B-assays and flow cytometry. In vivo, dovitinib/calcitriol effects on tumor growth, angiogenesis and endothelium activation were evaluated in xenografted mice by caliper measures, Itgb3-immunohistochemistry and 99mTc-RGD2-tumor uptake. The drug combination elicited a synergistically improved antiproliferative effect in TNBC-derived cells, which allowed a 7-fold dovitinib dose-reduction. Mechanistically, the co-treatment induced cell death and accumulation in S and G2/M phases, while inhibited tumor growth to a greater extent than each compound alone. Tumor uptake of 99mTc-RGD2 was reduced by dovitinib, suggesting angiogenesis inhibition, which was corroborated by decreased endothelial cell growth and tumor vessel density. In summary, calcitriol synergized dovitinib anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo, allowing for a significant dose-reduction of dovitinib, while maintaining its antiproliferative potency. Our results suggest the beneficial convergence of independent antitumor mechanisms of dovitinib and calcitriol to inhibit TNBC-tumor growth.

Let G be a graph with n vertices and let 1; 2; : : : ; n be the eigenvalues of Randic matrix. The Randic Estrada index of G is REE(G) = Ón i=1 ei . In this paper, we establish lower and upper bounds for Randic index in terms of graph invariants such as the number of vertices and eigenvalues of graphs and improve some previously published lower bounds.

Fexuprazan is a potassium-competitive acid blocker approved for treating gastric acid-related diseases. Herein, we evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of single-dose and multiple-dose oral administration of fexuprazan 10 mg tablets in healthy subjects (Part 1) and investigated the bioequivalence between fexuprazan 10 mg and 40 mg tablets (Part 2). Part 1 comprised a single- and multiple-dose, 1-sequence, and 2-period design, and Part 2 comprised a single-dose, 2×2 crossover design. Eight and 23 subjects completed Parts 1 and 2, respectively. In Part 1, multiple doses accumulated twice as much as single doses. In Part 2, the geometric mean ratios [90% confidence intervals] for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve from zero to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUClast) of four fexuprazan 10 mg tablets to those of one fexuprazan 40 mg tablet were 1.0290 (0.9352–1.1321) and 1.0290 (0.9476–1.1174), respectively, which met bioequivalence criteria. Overall, favorable PK was observed after single and multiple administrations of one fexuprazan 10 mg tablet, and four fexuprazan 10 mg tablets were pharmacokinetically equivalent to one fexuprazan 40 mg tablet.

In this paper, bikeshare data in Chicago on weather-friendly days in 2019 and 2020 were analyzed to investigate the variation in bikeshare travel before and during the pandemic. Our results show that bikeshare trips during the pandemic were much longer than prior to the pandemic. The increased rate of bikeshare usage was unbalanced spatially and varied significantly for different user types. Specifically, bikeshare was used significantly more by casual users than by subscribers, and the increase occurred much more in the outskirts of the city. The increase in bikeshare travel was associated with a reduction in travel by ride-hailing and public transit, especially in the urban periphery. The correlation of bikeshare use with the bus system was much less significant than with the rail system. Bike lanes/facilities had a mixed effect on bikeshare travel. Weekend bike trips increased in areas where there was no bike lane. Weekday trips, on the contrary, increased in the vicinity of bike greenways.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects more than 2 million people worldwide. Increasing knowledge about MS in different populations has advanced our understanding of disease epidemiology and variation in the natural history of MS among White and minority populations. In addition to differences in incidence, African American (AA) and Hispanic patients have greater disease burden and disability in earlier stages of disease compared to White patients. To further characterize MS in AA and Hispanic populations, we conducted a retrospective chart analysis of 112 patients treated at an MS center in Houston, Texas. Here, we describe differences in clinical presentation, MRI findings, treatment regimens, disability progression, and relapse rate. We found that patients who were evaluated by a neurologist at symptom onset had significantly decreased odds of greater disability [defined as Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) &gt; 4.5] at last presentation compared to patients who were not evaluated by a neurologist (OR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.16-0.9). We also found that active smokers had significantly increased odds of greater disability both at diagnosis and at last clinical encounter compared to nonsmokers (OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.10-7.10, OR= 2.44, 95% CI: 1.35-6.12, p= 0.01, respectively). Assessment of the degree of brain atrophy and progression over time along with enumeration of T1, T2, and gadolinium-enhancing brain lesions did not reveal differences across groups.

While there are many models of epidemic evolution perhaps the basis for such models finds itself in the lumped behavior expressed through the so-called SIR model (Susceptible, Infectious, Recovered) from which spring many related models. This paper discusses multiple analytic solutions to that equation including those that are available in closed analytic form and those for which at least one final integral has to be done numerically, so-called quasi-analytic solutions. The solutions are intrinsically time-dependent of course. The hope is that such an investigation will lead to a better understanding of when and how models can be of use in studying the dynamical evolution of diseases including, perhaps, the great influenza pandemic of 1918 together with later pandemics and epidemics not excluding the Covid-19 pandemic of the present day.

Dengue is one of the life-threatening common neglected tropical diseases of the world, yet to develop any therapeutic for its treatment and prevention. Although there is a licensed vaccine reported, but becomes less efficacious due to the presence of multiple serovars of the dengue virus (DENV). Thus, an efficacious dengue vaccine potent to work against all the serovars is very crucial and time-demanding. Here we used a comprehensive hierarchical reverse vaccinology approach to design an epitope-based vaccine, targeted against multiple serovars of the DENV. Conservancy and population coverage analysis of the promiscuous epitopes revealed the robust immune response against multiple serovars of the DENV and various ethnicities. Final vaccine constructs comprising of B and T-cell epitopes, Universal pan-HLA DR or PADRE (AKFVAAWTLKAAA) sequence, and an adjuvant (β-defensin) at N-terminal of the construct with suitable linkers. Physiochemical properties and secondary structure profiling of the vaccine protein secured its hydrophilic, thermostable, and other structural nature. Molecular docking analysis indicates the deep binding of the proposed vaccine in the binding groove of the human immune TLR4 receptor present on the dendritic cell. In addition, disulfide engineering was coped to extend its stability. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation of the modeled vaccine-TLR8 complex showed minimum deformability. Finally, in silico cloning approach of the vaccine construct within an expression vector (pET28a+) assure good expression. Proposed vaccine may give novel insights for treatment of dengue patients.

In recent decades, power consumption has become an essential factor in attracting the attention of integrated circuit (IC) designers. Multiple-valued logic (MVL) and approximate computing are some techniques that could be applied to integrated circuits to make power-efficient systems. By utilizing MVL-based circuits instead of binary logic, the information conveyed by digital signals increases, and this reduces the required interconnections and power consumption. On the other hand, approximate computing is a class of arithmetic computing used in systems where the accuracy of the computation can be traded-off for lower energy consumption. In this paper, we propose novel designs for exact and inexact ternary multipliers based on carbon-nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs). The unique characteristics of CNFETs make them a desirable alternative to MOSFETs. The simulations are conducted using Synopsys HSPICE. The proposed design is compared against existing ternary multipliers. The results show that the proposed exact multiplier reduces energy consumption by up to 6X. At the same time, the best inexact design improves energy efficiency by up to 35X compared to the latest state-of-the-art methods. Using the imprecise multipliers for image processing provides evidence that these proposed designs are a low-power system with an acceptable error.

In this paper, a technique of image watermarking using multiple images as watermarks is presented. The technique is based on transform domain functions including discrete wavelet transform (DWT), discrete cosine transform (DCT) and singular value decomposition (SVD) with an image as the host signal i.e. the watermarks will be used as proofs of the authenticity of the host image. The technique is executed by performing multilevel DWT followed by applying DCT and SVD to both the host and watermark. Multiple watermarks are used for the insurance of better security level. The scheme is immune to common image processing operations & some attacks and exhibits PSNR of 108.3781dB, normalized cross correlation (NCC) over 0.99 and normalized correlation (NC) over 0.99.

Assuming the Multiple Point Principle (MPP) as a new law of Nature, we considered the existence of the two degenerate vacua of the Universe: a) the first Electroweak (EW) vacuum at $v_1\approx 246$ GeV—“true vacuum”, and b) the second Planck scale “false vacuum” at $v_2 \sim 10^{18}$ GeV. In these vacua, we investigated different topological defects. The main aim of the paper is an investigation of the black-hole-hedgehogs configurations as defects of the false vacuum. In the framework of the $f(R)$ gravity, described by the Gravi-Weak unification model, we considered a black-hole solution, which corresponds to a “hedgehog”—global monopole, that has been “swallowed” by the black-hole with mass core $M_{BH}\sim 10^{18}$ GeV and radius $\delta\sim 10^{-21}$ GeV$^{-1}$. Considering the results of the hedgehog lattice theory in the framework of the $SU(2)$ Yang-Mills gauge-invariant theory with hedgehogs in the Wilson loops, we have used the critical value of temperature for the hedgehogs’ confinement phase ($T_c\sim 10^{18}$ GeV). This result gave us the possibility to conclude that the SM shows a new physics (with contributions of the $SU(2)$-triplet Higgs bosons) at the scale $\sim 10$ TeV. This theory predicts the stability of the EW-vacuum and the accuracy of the MPP.

We previously reported that in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a progressive form of the disease, spinal cord periplaques extend distance away from plaque borders and are characterized by the co-occurrence of partial demyelination, astrocytosis and low-grade inflammation. However, transcriptomic analyses comparing periplaques to adjacent normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) areas did not allow providing a comprehensive view of molecular events in astrocytes vs oligodendrocytes. Here, we re-assessed our transcriptomic data with the aim of identifying functionally-relevant co-expression networks that would reflect astrocyte vs oligodendrocyte molecular signatures in periplaques. We identified an astrocytosis-related gene module comprising GFAP, the hub gene CX43/GJA1 and a set of transcripts forming a TGFB/SMAD1/SMAD2 genomic signature. Partial demyelination was characterized by a co-expression network which, besides myelin genes, comprised a highly significant number of translation/elongation-related genes. Interestingly, the main oligodendrocyte-related hub we identified was NDRG1, a gene previously shown to be specifically silenced in the NAWM of MS patients. This result indicated that NDRG1 down-regulation could be an important event in the process of periplaque partial demyelination. To establish a putative link between NDRG1 down-regulation and a cytokine/chemokine signature, we then sought to identify cytokine/chemokine genes whose mRNA levels inversely correlated with those of NDRG1. Following this approach we found 5 candidate immune-related genes whose up-regulation associated with NDRG1 down-regulation: TGFB1, PDGFC, IL-17D, IL-33, and IL-12A. From these results we propose that in the spinal cord of MS patients with progressive forms of the disease, TGFB1 may limit acute inflammation but concurrently induce astrocytosis and an alteration of oligodendrocytes terminal differentiation.

2,5-Dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) is an active compound obtained from Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, which is widely used as a herbal medicine in many Asian countries. DHAP has been found to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and neuroprotective qualities. For the present study, we evaluated the anti-cancer effects of DHAP on multiple myeloma cells. It was discovered that DHAP downregulated the expression of oncogenic gene products like Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Survivin, Cyclin D1, IAP-1, Cyclin E, COX-2, and MMP-9, and upregulated the expression of Bax and p21 proteins, consistent with the induction of G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in U266 cells. DHAP inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, as characterized by the cleavage of PARP and the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways have been linked to the modulation of the angiogenesis, proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of tumors. We therefore attempted to determine the effect of DHAP on MAPK signaling pathways, and discovered that DHAP treatment induced a sustained activation of JNK, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPKs. DHAP also potentiated the pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of bortezomib in U266 cells. Our results suggest that DHAP can be an effective therapeutic agent to target multiple myeloma.

This paper investigates the reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided uplink multicell massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) communication system with transceiver hardware impairments (THWIs), and the practical and feasible two-timescale scheme is used to design the phase shifts of RIS. We consider the Rician channel model and use maximal-ratio combining (MRC) technology to process the received signal at BS. The expression of the uplink achievable rate is derived and analyzed. Besides, genetic algorithm (GA) is used to optimize the phase shifts of RIS to maximize the data rate. Finally, the accuracy of the derived results is verified. The simulation results show that appropriately increasing the number of RIS’s reflecting elements can compensate for the performance loss caused by inter-cell interference and THWIs, and reduce the demand for the number of BS antennas, which can significantly reduce the hardware costs at the BS.

Background: In recent years, whole blood parameters and derivatives have been used as prognostic criteria in the course of the disease in various diseases. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been adapted as an indicator of inflammation and have been widely studied to define the severity of inflammation in some diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between parameters such as NLR, SII, PNI, controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, nutritional risk index (NRI) and with immunonutrition status and disease activity in patients with ischemic stroke of small vessel, large vessel and other etiologies. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the records of 1454 consecutive ischemic stroke patients hospitalized in the emergency department of Gaziosmanpasa Education and Research Hospital from 2019 to 2023. Results: Of the 1350 SVO patients included in the study, 58.8% had small vessel, 29.3% had large vessel and 11.9% had other etiologies. There was a significant difference between the 3 etiology groups for PNI and CONUT. The median PNI was 47.03 (41.33-52.85) in the other etiology group, 35.29 (33.69-37.25) in the small vessel group, and 34.11 (30.23-36.87) in the large vessel group. The CONUT median was 5(5-6) in the small vessel group, 5(4-6) in the large vessel group and 4(4-4) in the other etiology group. In addition, CONUT and PNI were also found to be independent risk factors for death. A negative significant correlation was observed between PNI and NLR (r:-0.692), SII (r:-0.591), CONUT (r:-0.685). Significant correlations were observed between CONUT and NLR (r:0.402), SII (r:0.312). Conclusion: PNI and SII were significantly associated with disease activity. PNI, CONUT and NRI as a more accurate prognostic indicator of nutritional status in patients with ischemic stroke of small vessel, large vessel and other etiologies. NLR and SII may be important predictive markers in the course and prognosis of stroke.

A study of the water quality of the Adolfo López Mateos Reservoir (ALMD) was developed through different indicators from a spatial and seasonal perspective. Variables related to the general characteristics of water quality, trophic level and ecological risk were assessed through the water Quality Index (WQI_NSF-BROWN), Trophic State Index (TSI_CARLSON) and the Ecological Risk Index (RI_HAKANSON). Using data from physical, chemical and biological parameters obtained from four sampling points in the ALMD, the water quality was assessed in each model used. The results indicated that the reservoir presents a water quality classified as “medium” (WQI_NSF-BROWN = 70), where significant variations in the concentrations of some parameters are observed. The reservoir showed a general trophic state classified as “Mesotrophic” (TSI_{GENERAL-AVERAGE} = 43.04). The ecological risk analysis achieved the best classification of the methodology, discarding contamination by heavy metals in surface waters. Through this type of applied methodologies will help as decision making tools in the dam, as well as for application in other dams in the region.

The study examines the return performance and resilience to market volatility of the recently introduced Environment, Social/Sustainable, and Governance (ESG) weight-tilted Hang Seng Index (HSIESG) compared to its parent, the Hang Seng Index (HSI). The ESG-infused index has a higher mean return and lower return volatility than the parent index, although the differences are statistically and economically insignificant, a result consistent with the high correlation between the two index returns. Most important, the ESG weighted-tilted index is more resilient to volatility spikes than the parent index and therefore has lower downside risks. The overall results show that stocks with high ESG ratings are less susceptible to trading pressures triggered by volatility-induced turnovers. The paper contributes to the literature by providing significant incremental information on the emerging market for ESG-related equity products in Hong Kong.

The research is a deep study of the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), which represent the market sentiments of the S & P 500 Index (SPX) over a period of 33 years. It evaluates how the two indexes perform in the stock market crash and how reliable VIX is in predicting market sentiments. The research distributes the market rally in two forms, and one is a trust rally, when investors are happy to see the market in a stable form, and investors' sentiments are positive towards the stock market. Second is a fear rally, where investors' sentiments are negative, and their outlook is bearish for various reasons. It observes the pattern of rallies, like the longest trust or fear rally, in which year and its duration. The research analyzes data to reach a meaningful conclusion and various inferences that can be drawn from the study of historical data.

COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world. Globally, due to continued exposure to COPD risk factors and an aging population, the burden of COPD is expected to increase in the coming decades. The BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity) index is a practical and multidimensional predictor for prognosis of COPD, and better than FEV1.We used the database of Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital medical center, Taiwan to analyze the correlation between BODE index, healthcare resource utilization, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). This retrospective study to collect COPD patients with complete BODE index data who had undergone a 6-minute walk examination in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2016. The medical cost and comorbidities database were analyzed from January 1, 2015, to August 31, 2017. Of 396 patients, 382 (96.5%) were male, with an average age of 71.3 ± 8.4 years. There was a significant association between the BODE index and the CCI of COPD patients (p < 0.001). Healthcare resource utilization was positively correlated with the BODE index during the 32 months of retrospective clinical outcomes: positively correlated with the number of hospitalizations (p<0.001), hospitalization days (p<0.001), hospitalization expenses (p=0.005), and total medical expenses (p=0.024), respectively. Our findings provide the crucial information for clinician to predict medical burden and comorbidities in patients with COPD by using BODE index.

In this article, the quality of water in the reservoirs of Lake Arpi, Lake Yerevan, Akhuryan, Azat, Aparan and Kechut was estimated with usage of the Armenian Water Quality Index. It was established that in the waters of reservoirs the the maximum permissible concentration of copper, vanadium, aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, NH4+ and NO2- regularly increases. The following computational algorithm was used for determination of the Armenian Water Quality Index values: to determine the number of cases of MPC excess of i-substance or indicator of water –n; to estimate the total amount of cases of the maximum permissible concentration (N) – N = ∑n; to computes log2N, nlog2n and ∑nlog2n; to determine geoecological syntropy (I) and entropy (H): I = ∑ nlog2n/N and H = log2N – I. Then, Geo-Ecological Evolving Organized index index was determined: G = H/I. Further, the total amount multiplicity of MAC exceedances was estimated: (M) - M=∑m and log2M was computed. Finally, Armenian Water Quality Index was obtained: AWQI = G + 0.1log2M. It was established that the Armenian Water Qquality Index showed a linear dependence on the Water Contamination Index, the Specific Combinatory Water Quality Index, the Geo-Ecological Evolving Organized index and an inverse dependence on the Canadian Water Quality Index.

Graph theory plays a crucial role in modeling and designing of chemical structure or chemical network. Chemical Graph theory helps to understand the molecular structure of molecular graph. The molecular graph consists of atoms as vertices and bonds as edges. Topological indices capture symmetry of molecular structures and give it a mathematical language to predict properties such as boiling points, viscosity, the radius of gyrations etc. In this article, we study the chemical graph of carbon Crystal structure of graphite and cubic carbon and compute several degree-based topological indices. Firstly we compute M-Polynomials of these structures and then from these M-polynomials we recover nine degree-based topological indices.

Many metrics exist for the evaluation of binary classifiers, all with their particular advantages and shortcomings. Recently an “Efficiency Index” for the evaluation of classifiers has been proposed, based on the consistency, or matching, and contradiction, or mismatching, of outcomes. This metric and its confidence intervals are easy to calculate from base data in a 2x2 contingency table, and values can be qualitatively and semi-quantitatively categorised. For medical tests, in which context the Efficiency Index was originally proposed, it facilitates communication of risk (of correct diagnosis versus misdiagnosis) to both clinicians and patients. Variants of the efficiency index (balanced, unbiased) which take into account disease prevalence and test cut-offs have also been described. The objectives of the current paper were firstly to extend the EI construct to other formulations (balanced level, quality) and secondly to explore the utility of EI and all four of its variants when applied to the dataset of a large prospective test accuracy study of a cognitive screening instrument. This showed that the balanced level, quality, and unbiased formulations of EI are more stringent measures.

In this paper, we give some upper and lower bounds for the multiplicative Randic index, reduced reciprocal Randic index, Narumi-Katayama index and symmetric division index a graph using solely the vertex degrees. Then we obtain upper and lower bounds for these indices for the complete graphs, path graphs and Fibonacci-sum graphs. Finally, we compared the bounds of these indices for a general graph and some special graphs.

: Controlling the distribution of water and wastewater between industrial processes is very vital in rationalizing water and preserving the environment. In this paper, a mathematical technique is proposed to optimize water-wastewater networks; a nonlinear program is introduced to minimize the consumption of freshwater, and consequently, the flowrate of the wastewater dis-charge will be also minimized. A general mathematical model, able to handle industrial plants containing up to eight sources and eight sinks, is developed using LINGO optimization software to facilitate dealing with complex case studies. The introduced model can handle single contam-inant networks as well as multiple contaminants cases. The optimal water network is synthe-sized through two steps; the first step is to introduce the case study data to the developed mathematical model. The second step considers using the optimal solution produced after run-ning the developed LINGO model as feed data for a pre-designed Excel sheet able to deal with these results and simultaneously draw the optimal water-wastewater network. The proposed mathematical model is applied to two case studies; The first case study includes actual data from four fertilizer plants located in Egypt; the water resources and requirements are simultaneously integrated to obtain a sensible cutting in both freshwater consumption (lowered by 52.2%) and wastewater discharge (zero wastewater discharge). The second case study is for a Brazilian pet-rochemical plant; the obtained results showed noticeable reductions in freshwater consumption for the second case study by 12.3 % while the reduction percentage of wastewater discharge is 4.5%.

Cognitive impairment affects 34-65% of People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS), significantly impacting their quality of life. Clinicians routinely address cognitive deficits with in-clinic neuro-behavioural interventions, but accessibility issues exist. Telerehabilitation is a promising solution that utilises digital tools for home-based cognitive remediation. This narrative review assessed the feasibility and efficacy of cognitive telerehabilitation in PwMS, identifying 13 relevant studies. Regarding the feasibility of cognitive telerehabilitation, evidence shows adherence rates are generally good, although, surprisingly, not all studies reported a measure of compliance with the cognitive training explored. Considering the efficacy of different rehabilitative techniques on cognitive performance of PwMS, findings are generally inconsistent, with only one study reporting consistently positive results. A range of methodological limitations are reported as potential factors contributing to the variability of results. Overcoming some of these issues will be key. Upcoming research is necessary to determine optimal intervention approaches, long-term effects of rehabilitation, and how to best integrate the use of telerehabilitation into routine clinical practice. By exploiting digital tools in the best way and addressing methodological concerns, home-based rehabilitation holds the potential for improving cognitive functions and enhancing the quality of life in PwMS.

In the discussion on environmental policies, the notion of eco-efficiency is often used. Eco-efficiency is defined as the delivery of products and services with competitive values, while reducing the ecological impacts and satisfying human needs. In an environment of great competitiveness in which the companies operate, the improvements in the productive process is one of the differentiating factors for guaranteeing a strong competition. Also it is essential rationalizing energy consumption and natural resources. For this it is necessary to understand the main operations and dynamics of the company. This work presents an empirical study of a Portuguese company in the industrial sector. The problematic here presented is based on the company’s growing concern to reduce the amount of scrap produced. From the literature research that was performed, a strong dependence relation between the different variables in the extrusion process was found. The main objective of this work is to model the aluminium extrusion process, with the aim of minimizing the production of scrap. For this several variables involved in the process are taking into account. Using statistical techniques, in particular multiple linear regressions, it was possible to identify the importance of the variables under study for the scrap production.

Multiple imputation with chained equations (MICE) is a widespread approach to account for missing data in empirical research. Combining MICE with bootstrapping, that is, repeatedly resampling with replacement from the data to estimate variances and confidence intervals of statistics of interest, is not straightforward. The current document provides an overview of how to use bootstrapping with imputed data in Stata. Two main approaches (impute first and then bootstrap or vice-versa) are discussed and shortly compared. Code is provided for Stata.

Telemonitoring and telerehabilitation have shown promise in delivering individualized healthcare remotely. We introduce STASISM, a Sensor-Based Telerehabilitation and Telemonitoring System, in this work. This platform has been created to facilitate individualized telerehabilitation and telemonitoring for those who need rehabilitation or ongoing monitoring. To gather and analyze pertinent and validated physiological, kinematic, and environmental data, the system combines a variety of sensors and data analytic methodologies. The platform facilitates customized rehabilitation activities based on individual needs, allows for remote monitoring of patients' progress, and offers real-time feedback. To protect the security of patient data and to safeguard patient privacy, STASISM also provides secure data transmission and storage. The platform has the potential to significantly improve the accessibility and efficacy of telerehabilitation and telemonitoring programs, enhancing patients' quality of life and allowing healthcare professionals to provide individualized care outside of traditional clinical settings/

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and demyelinating disease with an autoimmune origin, in which inflammation and demyelination lead to neurodegeneration and progressive disability. The treatment target is slowing down the disease course and mitigating the symptoms. Approximately 30 to 50% of patients do not respond optimally to Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs), in which therapeutic response may be influenced by genetic factors such as genetic variants. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the association of HLA DRB1*0403 genetic variant and therapeutic response to DMTs in MS. We included 105 patients with MS diagnosis. No evidence of disease activity based on the absence of clinical relapse, disability progression or radiological activity (NEDA-3), was used to classify therapeutic response. Patients were classified as follows: a) control: patients who achieved NEDA-3 b) case: patients who did not achieve NEDA-3. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. HLA DRB1*0403 genetic variant was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using TaqMan probes. NEDA-3 was achieved in 86.7% of MS patients treated with DMTs. Genotype frequencies were: GG 50.5%, GA 34.3% and AA 15.2%. No differences were observed in the genetic variant AA between patients who achieved NEDA-3 versus patients who did not achieve NEDA-3 (48.7% vs. 43.1%, p=0.6). We concluded that in Mexican patients with MS, HLA DRB1*0403 was not associated with therapeutic response to DMTs.

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites, which can cause acute and chronic toxic effects in animals and humans. The present study aimed to determine multi-mycotoxin levels in Algerian workers using urine as target. A method based on a QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) extraction procedure followed by LC-MS/MS (liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) was optimized and validated for determination of 11 mycotoxins in 96 urine samples. Different sorbents were tested to be used in the dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) cleanup step of QuEChERS. The final method was fit-for-purpose and showed good analytical performance in terms of specificity, linearity and precision. All samples contained at least 2 mycotoxins, being toxin-2 (T-2) the most common, which was found in 92.7% of the samples, followed by zearalenone (ZEN) with 90.6% of positive samples, and ochratoxin A (OTA) with 86.4%. T-2 levels ranged from 0.3 μg/L to 36.3 μg/L, while OTA ranged from 0.3 μg/L to 3.5 μg/L and ZEN ranged from 7.6 μg/L to 126.8 μg/L. This was the first mycotoxin biomonitoring study carried out in the Algerian population. The findings highlight the need of accurate data for better risk assessment and the development of better regulation to manage mycotoxin contamination in this country.

Despite the recent approval of novel immunotherapies, as immunomodulatory drug, proteasome inhibitors and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, Multiple Myeloma (MM) remains incurable and the acquisition of triple-refractoriness leads to really dismal outcomes, in even earlier lines of therapy. More recently, innovative therapeutic strategies targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), highly expressed on the plasma cell surface, are drawing different future landscapes in terms of effectiveness and outcomes. Belantamab Mafodotin, a first-in-class anti-BCMA antibody drug conjugates, demonstrated good efficacy and safety profile in triple-refractory patients in the phase 2 DREAMM-2 trial and it was approved for the treatment of MM triple-exposed patients with >4 prior lines of therapy. Here, starting from Belantamab Mafodotin clinical trials also exploring combination studies and different schedules in order to improve its efficacy and toxicity, we focused on real life experiences all over the world, which have confirmed clinical trial data and encourage further Belantamab Mafodotin investigations

A progressive and chronic neurological condition called MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) is characterized clinically by varying degrees of dysautonomia, cerebellar ataxia, and parkinsonism. The concept of mitochondrial dysregulation in MSA is one perspective in handling this neurodegenerative disease. Damage to functional mitochondria is driven by the presence of ɑ-Synuclein-induced mitochondrial localization. The goal of MSA treatment up until now has been to reduce symptoms. One of the innovations in the treatment of MSA could be the novel idea based on mitochondrial reprogramming pathways. Mitochondrial reprogramming can be done in various ways in which the use of hydrogen, magnesium and low-dose hydrogen peroxide.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Crocin on brain neuroterophins, cognition, sensory and motor dysfunction and compare to fingolimod effects in experimental model of demyelination with Ethidium Bromide EB in female Wistar rats. Methods: Animals were assigned in to 8 groups; Sham, Sham operated (ShOp), EAE, crocin treated (Cr5,10,20 mg/kg), Vehicle, Fingolompd (Fing) and fingolimod + crocin (Cr+Fing). Demyelination was induced by single dose injection of 10 μl of EB 0.1% into the fourth ventricle of the brain. Crocin and fingolimod were applied for 21 days, daily, oral gavage. BDNF, NGF1, nerve conduction velocities, tail flake latency, balance and behavioral variables were sampled and analyzed by paired t-test and ANOVA test with repeated post hoc measurements. Results: The results showed that crocin improves all studied factors, but remarkable imrovments were observed in dosage of 10 mg/kg. Crocin (10mg/kg) and fingolimod (1mg/kg) significantly improved cognition variables in open field test, sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity, tail flick latency and clinical signs (p<005). In addition, applying of crocin co-administered with fingolimod led to significant increases in all assessed factors, greater than crocin or fingolimod intervention alone (α≤0.001). Conclusion: Based on the current findings, crocin can improve the level of brain neurotrophins, exploratory behavior and nerve conduction after demyelination as close as fingolimod results. So, crocins can be considered as a neuro supportive agent in the management of degenerative diseases maybe similar to fingolimod mechanism.

Introduction: This study aimed to validate the psychometric properties of the German eHealth Impact Questionnaire (eHIQ-G), which is divided into two independently administered and scored parts. Methods: 162 people with MS browsed one of two possible websites containing information on MS and completed an online survey. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha and structural validity by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Construct validity was examined by assessing correlations with the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Moreover, the mean difference of the eHIQ-G score between the two websites was investigated. Results: Cronbach’s alpha for the eHIQ-G subscales ranged from .833 to .885. The eHIQ-G part 1 achieved acceptable levels of goodness-of-fit indices, whereas the fit for the eHIQ-G part 2 was poor and likewise for the alternative modified models. The correlations with the reference instruments were 0.08 – 0.62 and as expected. Older age was related with lower eHIQ-G part 1 score, whereas no significant effect was found for education. Although not significant, the website ‘AMSEL’ reached higher mean scores on eHIQ part 2. Conclusion: The eHIQ-G has good internal consistency, and sufficient structural and construct validity. It will facilitate the measurement of the impact of websites providing health information.

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

Background: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody widely used in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Despite reports of its effectiveness in the treatment of demyelinating diseases of central nervous system (DDCNS), it is not yet approved for use in these disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of low dose rituximab in three different subgroups of DDCNS including relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) and neuromyelitis-optica-spectrum disorders (NMOSD).Methods: In a prospective cohort study, we monitored expanded-disability-status-scale (EDSS), relapses (new attacks) and serum-IgG levels to assess effectiveness and drug-adverse-events for safety in patients with RRMS, SPMS and NMOSD. These patients were candidates to receive rituximab according to our common practice protocol. We switched patients to rituximab if there was poor response to first line therapies. We follow a low dose protocol in our center (500 mg twice, two weeks apart, repeating every six months) and these patients treated in a 4-year period were assessed retrospectively for evaluation of our protocol’s safety and effectiveness. Results: 99 patients (42 RRMS, 43 SPMS and 14 NMOSD) received rituximab for a range of 12 to 40 months period. New attacks occurred in 8 RRMS (19%), 10 SPMS (23%) and 1 NMOSD (7%) patients. EDSS decreased in RRMS and NMOSD cases. Serum-IgG levels decremented in SPMS and NMOSD patients. Drug-adverse-events happened in two cases.Conclusion: In this study, low dose rituximab showed substantial effectiveness in preventing disease progression with a considerably good safety profile.

According to the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, electromagnetic hypersensitivity affects more than 3 million people in France, and headaches are a very frequent cause of complaint in electrohypersensitive patients, to the point of dominating the clinical picture. These headaches share characteristics with migraine pathology, and clinical improvement with anti-migraine therapy has led us to consider that the headache in the electrohypersensitive patient may be a variant of the migraine disease mediated by the TRPA1 receptor, which if confirmed, would offer effective therapeutic possibilities to relieve the electrohypersensitive patient.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has a well established link with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and a growing association with human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). In this review, we described how these two pieces may interact in MS pathogenesis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious-contagious disease caused by M. tuberculosis (Koch’s bacillus). About one-quarter of the world’s population is infected with that bacillus and at risk of developing TB disease. Latent tuberculosis corresponds to people who have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill. The most vulnerable population to TB activation includes HIV infected, drug abuse and autoimmune disease patients. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and autoimmune neurological disease caused by lymphocytic infiltration. Its prevalence worldwide is 22.2 million cases of MS. There is a relation between TB and MS: due to immunomodulation or immunosuppression treatment of MS (reactivation of latent infection), or due to the intense inflammatory response before the infection of the bacillus (increased susceptibility to the development of autoimmune diseases). Screening for TB includes complete patient history, physical exam, chest radiography, and Tuberculin Skin Test or IGRA (Interferon Gamma Release Assay). This investigation is suggested when MS drugs (immunomodulatory and immunosuppressant medications) are prescribed. If a patient has positive results, the treatment for MS should not be delayed for the finishing TB treatment. In this paper, considering the high prevalence of tuberculosis, we recommend that TB screening should be also done at the moment of Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.

STAT3 is an oncoprotein which has been shown to contribute to drug resistance in multiple myeloma (MM). Nonetheless, the clinical utility of STAT3 inhibitors in treating MM has been limited, partly related to some of their pharmacologic properties. To overcome these challenges, our group had previously packaged STAT3 inhibitors using a novel formulation of nanoparticles (NP) and found encouraging results. In this study, we aimed to further improve the pharmacologic properties of these NP by decorating them with monoclonal anti-CD38 antibodies. NP loaded with S3I-1757 (a STAT3 inhibitor), labeled as S3I-NP, were generated. S3I-NP decorated with anti-CD38 (labeled as CD38-S3I-NP) were found to have a similar nanoparticular size, drug encapsulation and loading as S3I-NP. The release of S3I-1757 at 24 hours was also similar between the two formulations. Using Cy5.5 labeling of the NP, we found that the decoration of anti-CD38 on these NP significantly increased the cellular uptake by two MM cell lines (p<0.001). Accordingly, CD38-S3I-NP showed a significantly lower inhibitory concentration at 50% (IC50) compared to S3I-NP in two IL6-stimulated MM cell lines (p<0.001). In a xenograft mouse model, CD38-S3I-NP significantly reduced the tumor size by 4 folds compared to S3I-NP on day 12 after drug administration (p=0.006). The efficacy of CD38-S3I-NP in suppressing STAT3 phosphorylation in the xenografts was confirmed by using immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis. In conclusion, our study suggests that the decoration of anti-CD38 on NP loaded with STAT3 inhibitors can further improve their therapeutic effects against MM.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder where both T cells and B cells are implicated in pathology. However, it remains unclear how these two distinct populations cooperate to drive disease. There is ample evidence from studies in both MS patients and mouse models that Th17, B cells, and follicular T helper (TFH) cells contribute to disease. This review article describes the literature that identifies mechanisms by which Th17, TFH, and B cells cooperatively drive disease activity in MS and EAE. The curation of this literature has identified that CNS-infiltrating TFH cells act with TH17 cell to contribute to an inflammatory B cell response in neuroinflammation. This demonstrates that TFH cells and their products are promising targets for therapies in MS.