Background The enteric methane inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol(3-NOP)inhibits the key enzyme in ruminal methanogenesis,but whether short-term(ST)and long-term(LT)dietary supplementation has similar effects on rumen micro...Background The enteric methane inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol(3-NOP)inhibits the key enzyme in ruminal methanogenesis,but whether short-term(ST)and long-term(LT)dietary supplementation has similar effects on rumen microbiota in beef cattle and how microbes change after 3-NOP withdrawal have not been studied.This study investigated changes in rumen bacteria,archaea,and protozoa after ST and LT dietary supplementation and removal of 3-NOP using metataxonomic analysis.Results A total of 143 rumen samples were collected from two beef cattle studies with 3-NOP supplementation.The ST study(95 samples)used eight ruminally cannulated beef cattle in a 4×4 Latin square design with four 28-d of 3-NOP treatments[mg/kg of dry matter(DM)]:control:0,low:53,med:161,and high:345.The LT study(48 samples)was a completely randomized design with two 3-NOP treatments[control:0,and high:280 mg/kg of DM)fed for 112-d followed by a 16-d withdrawal(without 3-NOP).Bacterial and archaeal communities were significantly affected by 3-NOP supplementation but limited effects on protozoal communities were observed.Under ST supplementation,the relative abundances of Prevotella,Methanobrevibacter(Mbb.)ruminantium,Methanosphaera sp.ISO3-F5,and Entodinium were increased(Q<0.05),whereas those of Mbb.gottschalkii and Epidinium were decreased(Q<0.05)with 3-NOP supplementation.In LT study,relative abundances of Mbb.ruminantium,and Methanosphaera sp.Group5 were increased(Q<0.05),while those of Saccharofermentans and Mbb.gottschalkii were decreased(Q<0.05)with 3-NOP supplementation.Comparison between 3-NOP supplementation and the withdrawal revealed increased relative abundances of Clostridia UCG-014 and Oscillospiraceae NK4A214 group and decreased those of Eubacterium nodatum group and Methanosphaera sp.Group5(P<0.05)after 3-NOP withdrawal.Further comparison of rumen microbiota between control and 3-NOP withdrawal showed significantly higher(P=0.029)relative abundances of Eggerthellaceae DNF00809,p-1088-a5 gut group,and Family XII UCG-001 in control group while no significant differences were detected for archaea and protozoa.Microbial network analysis revealed that microbial interactions differed by both 3-NOP dose and durations.Conclusions Both ST and LT supplementation affected overall rumen microbial profile,with individual microbial groups responded to 3-NOP supplementation differently.After 3-NOP withdrawal,not all microbes showed recovery,indicating that the 3-NOP driven shifts were only partially reversible.These findings provide an understanding of the effects of 3-NOP on rumen microbial communities and their adaptability to methane mitigation strategies.展开更多
The Shenshan Group provides important geological information which is vital in unraveling the amalgamation and subsequent rifting processes of South China.While conventional studies have asserted its formation in a su...The Shenshan Group provides important geological information which is vital in unraveling the amalgamation and subsequent rifting processes of South China.While conventional studies have asserted its formation in a subduction setting,the distinct investigation reveals the necessity for reassessment.To address this,the authors employ integrated methods encompassing petrological,zircon U-Pb geochronological,Lu-Hf isotopic and geochemical methods for sedimentary rocks from the upper Shenshan subgroup and Banxi Group.The geochemical results indicate that they were formed through the recycling deposition of intermediate-acidic igneous source material and experienced moderate chemical weathering.Additionally,both sedimentary sequences exhibit characteristics consistent with those formed in an intracontinental extensional rift setting since ca.810 Ma.The provenance analysis indicates that the upper Shenshan subgroup primarily originates from the Yangtze Domain,while the Banxi Group from both the Yangtze and Cathaysia domains.Synthesizing with previous studies,the Shenshan Group should be subdivided into the lower and upper subgroups which represent distinct tectonic backgrounds.The lower subgroup is inferred to have formed in an Early Neoproterozoic fore-arc setting,akin to the Zhoutan group.The upper subgroup corresponds to the Banxi Group,representing the Middle Neoproterozoic postorogenic rift setting,responding to the breakup of Rodinia.展开更多
Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic condition consisting of two main types:Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Conventional treatments for these diseases include aminosalicylates,corticosteroids,immunomodu...Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic condition consisting of two main types:Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Conventional treatments for these diseases include aminosalicylates,corticosteroids,immunomodulators,and biologics.However,these treatments have several drawbacks,including high costs for patients and numerous side effects.Recently,advanced treatments have been developed,such as small-molecule therapies,targeted biologics,innovative drug delivery systems,and microbiome-based interventions.Emerging therapies like anti-interleukin-23 monoclonal antibody inhibitors,sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators,and Janus kinase inhibitors are more specialized in reducing immune activity.They enhance bioavailability,reduce side effects,and specifically target the gastrointestinal tract without affecting other systems.Innovative drug delivery systems for IBD,such as nanoparticles,hydrogels,and microgrippers,improve bioavailability and prolong drug release.The combination of conventional and advanced therapies may benefit from the synergistic effects of both.Furthermore,fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotics can help restore the balance of gastrointestinal microbiota,reducing disease flare-ups.Advances in artificial intelligence,endoscopic techniques,and stem cell therapies have shown great potential in treating IBD,although several significant challenges remain.Treating this disease requires multidisciplinary integration and the application of technology and telemedicine.展开更多
Background:This study focused on developing and optimizing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system(SMEDDS)to improve Lafutidine’s solubility and bioavailability,thereby enhancing its effectiveness in treating ga...Background:This study focused on developing and optimizing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system(SMEDDS)to improve Lafutidine’s solubility and bioavailability,thereby enhancing its effectiveness in treating gastric ulcers.Traditional formulations are less effective due to their limited water solubility and bioavailability.Methods:The study used solubility tests,pseudo-ternary phase diagrams,and central composite design(CCD)to optimize.The formulation was optimized by varying the oil concentration(10–40%)and surfactant/cosurfactant ratio(0.33–3.00),and then tested for droplet size,drug content,emulsification,phase stability,and in vitro dissolution.Results:The study found that the optimized formulation contained 14%Capmul PG 8NF oil,62%Labrasol surfactant,and 24%Tween 80 cosurfactant.This combination generated an average droplet size of 111.02 nm and improved drug release properties.Furthermore,the formulation was stable without phase separation,with a drug content of 88.2–99.8%.Conclusion:SMEDDS significantly improves lafutidine delivery by increasing solubility and absorption,thereby overcoming oral administration challenges.The system quickly formed small droplets in water and released the drug in 15 min.Enhancing lafutidine’s bioavailability may improve its efficacy in treating gastric ulcers,resulting in better patient outcomes and potentially lower dosing frequency.展开更多
This study explores the thin-layer convective solar drying of Marrubium vulgare L.leaves under conditions typical of sun-rich semi-arid climates.Drying experiments were conducted at three inlet-air temperatures(40℃,5...This study explores the thin-layer convective solar drying of Marrubium vulgare L.leaves under conditions typical of sun-rich semi-arid climates.Drying experiments were conducted at three inlet-air temperatures(40℃,50℃,60℃)and two air velocities(1.5 and 2.5 m·s^(-1))using an indirect solar dryer with auxiliary temperature control.Moisture-ratio data were fitted with eight widely used thin-layer models and evaluated using correlation coefficient(r),root-mean-square error(RMSE),and Akaike information criterion(AIC).A complementary heattransfer analysis based on Reynolds and Prandtl numbers with appropriate Nusselt correlations was used to relate flow regime to drying performance,and an energy balance quantified the relative contributions of solar and auxiliary heat.The logarithmic model consistently achieved the lowest RMSE/AIC with r>0.99 across all conditions.Higher temperature and air velocity significantly reduced drying time during the decreasing-rate period,with no constantrate stage observed.On average,solar input supplied the large majority of the thermal demand,while the auxiliary heater compensated short irradiance drops to maintain setpoints.These findings provide a reproducible dataset and a modelling benchmark for M.vulgare leaves,and they support energy-aware design of hybrid solar dryers formedicinal plants in sun-rich regions.展开更多
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have emerged as a promising form of regenerative and immunomodulatory therapy;indeed,micro(mi)RNAs contained within mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesi...Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have emerged as a promising form of regenerative and immunomodulatory therapy;indeed,micro(mi)RNAs contained within mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles modulate target gene expression and impact disease-associated pathways.Chronic alcohol consumption leads to neuroinflammation,brain damage,and impaired cognition.Evidence indicates that females are more vulnerable to alcohol-induced damage than males.While mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have been studied in various neuroinflammatory conditions,their potential to counteract alcohol-induced brain damage remains unclear.In this study,we investigated whether repeated intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles could ameliorate neuroinflammation and behavioral impairment induced by chronic alcohol consumption in female mice.Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles diminished the increased binding of a micro-positron emission tomography tracer(^(18)F-FDG)when analyzing whole-brain 3D images and brain coronal sections of ethanol-treated mice.Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle administration protected against ethanol-induced proinflammatory gene upregulation,cognitive dysfunction,and the conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine.MiRNA sequencing data from mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles revealed the elevated expression of extracellular vesicle-derived miR-483-5p and miR-140-3p in the brains of ethanol-treated female mice following mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle administration.In addition,mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles modulated the expression of pro-inflammatory-related miRNA target genes(e.g.,Socs3,Tnf,Mtor,and Atf6)in the brains of ethanol-treated female mice.These results suggest that mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles could function as a neuroprotective therapy to ameliorate the neuroinflammation,cognitive dysfunction,and conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine associated with chronic alcohol consumption.展开更多
To address the problems with catalytic degradation,such as poisoning and inactivation,a simple and efficient gas purging regeneration technique was developed for iron-based catalyst in-situ regeneration.Specifically,t...To address the problems with catalytic degradation,such as poisoning and inactivation,a simple and efficient gas purging regeneration technique was developed for iron-based catalyst in-situ regeneration.Specifically,the effects of carrier gas types,regeneration temperatures,and granular activated carbon(GAC)addition on iron-based catalyst regeneration were investigated.The Fe_(3)O_(4)/𝛾-Al_(2)O_(3) regenerated at 550°C with additional GAC and 15%water vapor exhibited the optimal degradation efficiency towards polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs),with an increase from 41.2%to 93.5%,compared with non-regenerated Fe_(3)O_(4)/𝛾-Al_(2)O_(3).In addition,the 60-hour stability test revealed a well-recovered catalytic activity.During the Fe_(3)O_(4)/𝛾-Al_(2)O_(3) regeneration,the coke on the catalyst surface was oxidized and removed in the form of CO_(2),and meanwhile the oxidized Fe(III)was reduced into Fe(II)in the catalyst.This study provides a safe and efficient iron-based catalyst regeneration technology for PCB off-gas degradation and reveals the catalytic activity recovery mechanism during catalyst regeneration.展开更多
BACKGROUND Barrett esophagus(BE),a metaplastic adaptive process to gastrointestinal reflux,is associated with a higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.However,the factors and mechanism that drive the mali...BACKGROUND Barrett esophagus(BE),a metaplastic adaptive process to gastrointestinal reflux,is associated with a higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.However,the factors and mechanism that drive the malignant progression of BE is not well understood.AIM To investigate the role of bile acids,a component of the reflux fluid,in the malignant progression of BE.METHODS Using engineered green fluorescent protein-labeled adult tissue-resident stem cells isolated from BE clinical biopsies(BE-ASCs)as the target,we studied the effect of hydrophobic deoxycholic acid(DCA)and hydrophilic tetrahydroxylated bile acids(THBA)on cell viability by fluorescence intensity analysis,mucin production by dark density measurement,tissue structure by pathology analysis,expression of different pro-inflammatory factors gene by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and proteins by Western blot.RESULTS We found that hydrophobic DCA has cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects through activation of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)-nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)inflammatory pathway on BE-ASCs.This action results in impaired cell viability,tissue intactness,reduced mucin production,and increased transition to disorganized atypical cells without intestinal features.In contrast,co-culture with hydrophilic THBA inhibited the IL-1β-NF-κB inflammatory pathway with maintenance of mature intestinal type cellular and histomorphology.CONCLUSION Our data indicates that the hydrophilic bile acid THBA can counteract the cytotoxic and proinflammatory effect of hydrophobic DCA and prevent the malignant progression of BE by inhibiting the IL-1β-NF-κB pathway.展开更多
A novel siphon-based divide-and-conquer(SbDaC)policy is presented in this paper for the synthesis of Petri net(PN)based liveness-enforcing supervisors(LES)for flexible manufacturing systems(FMS)prone to deadlocks or l...A novel siphon-based divide-and-conquer(SbDaC)policy is presented in this paper for the synthesis of Petri net(PN)based liveness-enforcing supervisors(LES)for flexible manufacturing systems(FMS)prone to deadlocks or livelocks.The proposed method takes an uncontrolled and bounded PN model(UPNM)of the FMS.Firstly,the reduced PNM(RPNM)is obtained from the UPNM by using PN reduction rules to reduce the computation burden.Then,the set of strict minimal siphons(SMSs)of the RPNM is computed.Next,the complementary set of SMSs is computed from the set of SMSs.By the union of these two sets,the superset of SMSs is computed.Finally,the set of subnets of the RPNM is obtained by applying the PN reduction rules to the superset of SMSs.All these subnets suffer from deadlocks.These subnets are then ordered from the smallest one to the largest one based on a criterion.To enforce liveness on these subnets,a set of control places(CPs)is computed starting from the smallest subnet to the largest one.Once all subnets are live,this process provides the LES,consisting of a set of CPs to be used for the UPNM.The live controlled PN model(CPNM)is constructed by merging the LES with the UPNM.The SbDaC policy is applicable to all classes of PNs related to FMS prone to deadlocks or livelocks.Several FMS examples are considered from the literature to highlight the applicability of the SbDaC policy.In particular,three examples are utilized to emphasize the importance,applicability and effectiveness of the SbDaC policy to realistic FMS with very large state spaces.展开更多
Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the viable solutions to alleviate the global warming. However, the limited utilization of biomass majorly focused on cellulose and hemicellulose restricts the economic and environment...Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the viable solutions to alleviate the global warming. However, the limited utilization of biomass majorly focused on cellulose and hemicellulose restricts the economic and environmental feasibilities. To cope with this issue, we proposed an integrated process of co-producing 1,6-hexanediol(1,6-HDO) with tetrahydrofuran and adipic acid from biomass, referred to as Strategy A. To compare the impacts of lignin upgrading and feedstock, Strategy B, which co-produces tetrahydrofuran alone, and Strategy C, which is the traditional route to produce 1,6-HDO from fossil fuels, were used. Heat networks are also designed to reduce operating costs and indirect carbon emissions due to energy consumption, saving 87% and 83% of the heat and cooling requirements, respectively, in Strategy A. The market competitiveness of Strategy A was evaluated by determining the minimum selling price through techno-economic analysis, and sustainability was thoroughly investigated by quantifying the environmental impacts through both midpoint and endpoint life-cycle assessments(LCAs).Strategy A was found to be the most favorable both economically(USRDSCHARDOLLAR3,402/ton) and environmentally(-26.9 kg CO_(2)eq.). This indicates that lignin valorization is not only economically but also environmentally preferred. Finally, changes in economic and environmental feasibilities depending on economic, process, and environmental parameters were investigated using sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. The results of these analyses provide valuable insight into bio-based chemical production.展开更多
Objective:To isolate and identify active constituents from Gracilaria chorda extract prepared under subcritical water conditions at 210℃(GCSW210)and evaluate their anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects in 3T3-L1 adi...Objective:To isolate and identify active constituents from Gracilaria chorda extract prepared under subcritical water conditions at 210℃(GCSW210)and evaluate their anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obese zebrafish larvae.Methods:GCSW210 was fractionated through solvent partitioning,ion-exchange chromatography,and silica gel medium-pressure liquid chromatography,followed by preparative high performance liquid chromatography.At each step,bioactivities were assessed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by Oil Red O staining and 2-NBDG uptake assays.The most active fractions were further purified,and isolated compounds were tested in HFD-induced obese zebrafish larvae.Results:Liquid chromatography-hyphenated analysis with reference standards identified two major compounds in GCSW210:5-hydroxymethylfurfural and bis(5-formylfurfuryl)ether.Both compounds significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and modulated gene expression associated with adipogenesis,glucose metabolism,and inflammation in zebrafish.They also enhanced glucose uptake,reduced circulating glucose levels,and improved insulin sensitivity.Notably,the effects were comparable to those of the crude GCSW210 extract.In silico docking studies confirmed stable interactions of both compounds with key metabolic and inflammatory targets,with bis(5-formylfurfuryl)ether showing stronger binding affinities.Conclusions:These findings suggest that 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and bis(5-formylfurfuryl)ether are key contributors to the therapeutic activity of Gracilaria chorda,highlighting its potential as a functional food ingredient for the prevention or management of metabolic disorders.展开更多
The advent of precision medicine has underscored the importance of biomarkers in predicting therapy response for bladder cancer,a malignancy marked by considerable heterogeneity.This review critically examines the cur...The advent of precision medicine has underscored the importance of biomarkers in predicting therapy response for bladder cancer,a malignancy marked by considerable heterogeneity.This review critically examines the current landscape of biomarkers to forecast treatment outcomes in bladder cancer patients.We explore a range of biomarkers,including genetic,epigenetic,proteomic,and transcriptomic indicators,from multiple sample sources,including urine,tumor tissue and blood,assessing their efficacy in predicting responses to chemotherapy,immunotherapy,and targeted therapies.Despite promising developments,the translation of these biomarkers into clinical practice faces significant challenges,such as variability in biomarker performance,the necessity for large-scale validation studies,and the integration of biomarker testing into routine clinical workflows.We also highlight the need for standardized methodologies and robust assays to ensure consistency and reliability.Future directions point towards longitudinal studies and the development of combination biomarker panels to enhance predictive accuracy.This review emphasizes the transformative potential of predictive biomarkers in improving patient outcomes and advocates for continued collaborative efforts to overcome existing barriers in this rapidly evolving field.展开更多
Effect of perturbations in Coriolis and centrifugal forces on the non-linear stability of the libration point L4 in the restricted three body problem is studied when both the primaries are axis symmetric bodies (triax...Effect of perturbations in Coriolis and centrifugal forces on the non-linear stability of the libration point L4 in the restricted three body problem is studied when both the primaries are axis symmetric bodies (triaxial rigid bodies) and the bigger primary is a source of radiation. Moser’s conditions are utilized in this study by employing the iterative scheme of Henrard for transforming the Hamiltonian to the Birkhoff’s normal form with the help of double D’Alembert’s series. It is found that L4 is stable for all mass ratios in the range of linear stability except for the three mass ratios μc1, μc2 and μc3, which depend upon the perturbations ε1 and ε1 in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces respectively and the parameters A1,A2,A3 and A4 which depend upon the semi-axes a1,b1,c1;a2,b2,c2 of the triaxial rigid bodies and p, the radiation parameter.展开更多
This study investigated the hydrocarbon source rock potential of the Late Cretaceous Mamu and Nkporo formations in the Asaga-Ohafia Axis,Afikpo Basin,southeastern Nigeria,using integrated facies analysis,organic geoch...This study investigated the hydrocarbon source rock potential of the Late Cretaceous Mamu and Nkporo formations in the Asaga-Ohafia Axis,Afikpo Basin,southeastern Nigeria,using integrated facies analysis,organic geochemical and palynofacies data.Five lithofacies were identified:dark grey shale,oolitic limestone,heterolithic mudstone/sandstone,laminated bioturbated sandstone,and calcareous mudstone,indicating estuarine,deltaic,and shallow marine depositional environments.Total organic carbon(TOC) contents range from 1.47 to 2.40 wt%,which reflects moderate to good organic richness.For the Mamu Formation,kerogen composition is dominated by Type Ⅱ/Ⅲ,composed of 30 %-50 %amorphous organic matter(AOM),5 %-10 % liptinite,30 %-50 % vitrinite,and 10 %-20 % inertinite.Spore coloration and Thermal Alteration Index(TAI:3-3+) suggest thermal maturity within the oil window(Ro:0.80 %-1.50 %).In contrast,the Nkporo Formation shows comparable kerogen composition(20 %-45 % AOM,0-20 % liptinite,and 40 %-65 % vitrinite) but lower maturity(TAI:2-2+;Ro:0.45 %-0.80 %).Rock-Eval pyrolysis further supports these findings.The Mamu Formation displays higher Hydrogen Index,favorable Tmax,and Production Index values,confirming its maturity and oil and gas-prone potential.Palynological assemblages,including marine dinoflagellate cysts(Mamu Formation) and freshwater algae/fungal spores(Nkporo Formation),align with the inferred depositional settings.Thus,the Mamu Formation is the more prolific source rock,characterized by superior organic quality and thermal maturity.展开更多
As environmental concerns from fossil fuel consumption intensify,large-scale energy storage becomes imperative for the integration of renewable sources like wind,hydro,and solar with the electrical grid.Redox flow bat...As environmental concerns from fossil fuel consumption intensify,large-scale energy storage becomes imperative for the integration of renewable sources like wind,hydro,and solar with the electrical grid.Redox flow batteries,particularly those employing organic molecules,are positioned as a key technology for this purpose.This review explores the growing field of symmetric organic redox flow batteries(ORFBs)within this context.Unlike traditional asymmetric designs based on unique active materials for each electrode,symmetric ORFBs involve a single bipolar species for both electrodes.This review highlights the benefits of a symmetric design,and categorizes five distinct classes of organic bipolar molecules used in both aqueous and non-aqueous solvents.By providing a comprehensive overview of their cell cycling and performance characteristics,the strengths and weaknesses of the diverse categories of bipolar molecules are highlighted for both solvent systems,as are opportunities for future development.This should guide new research directions and advance the development of practical symmetric ORFBs.展开更多
A series of laboratory pull-out tests was conducted to study the effects of temperature on the performance and behaviours of fully grouted rock bolt specimens cured within a specific temperature range,as well as for d...A series of laboratory pull-out tests was conducted to study the effects of temperature on the performance and behaviours of fully grouted rock bolt specimens cured within a specific temperature range,as well as for different durations.Each specimen consisted of a 20M rebar bolt at 1300 mm embedment length grouted inside a Schedule 80 steel pipe using Portland cement grout at a 0.4 water-to-cement ratio.Two temperatures(20℃and 45℃)were explored to investigate the effects of geothermally active temperature conditions on fully grouted rock bolts.Distributed fiber optic sensors were employed to provide continuous strain profiles along the entire embedment length to observe micro-mechanisms and monitor internal specimen temperature change during testing.The specimens cured at 45℃generally resulted in higher grout UCS(in certain cases 25%e50%higher)compared to those at 20℃;the ultimate capacity was not significantly impacted as the specimens'embedment length allowed full development of the rock bolt's capacity.The resulting strain profile trends showed generally higher strains experienced by the shorter(i.e.3-d)curing duration specimens under both curing temperatures compared to long-term curing.The 45℃specimens generally experienced lower strains and faster strain profile attenuation compared to specimens cured at 20℃.Understanding these effects and further analysis of FGRB specimen behaviours over time provide insights for mobilized and critical embedment lengths,capacity development,and support system stabilization.This paper highlights the results of this study and aims to bridge selected gaps in existing literature with a view to aid practitioners.展开更多
BACKGROUND Current antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B can suppress viral replication and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.It requires lifelong daily medication,and long-term adherence is often ci...BACKGROUND Current antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B can suppress viral replication and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.It requires lifelong daily medication,and long-term adherence is often cited as a concern when initiating treatment.Hepatitis B treatment adherence in the context of the patient’s medical and life experiences remains underexplored.AIM To evaluate factors associated with adherence to hepatitis B oral antiviral treatment.METHODS A global online survey was administered anonymously to adults(aged 18 years or older)living with chronic hepatitis B.A subsample of 614 individuals who reported being on hepatitis B treatment was included in the analysis.Indices for treatment affordability,healthcare service acceptability,and individual physical,psychological,and emotional functioning were constructed(Cronbach’s alpha=0.71-0.83).Data analysis was conducted using Stata/BE 17.0.RESULTS Overall,81%of respondents reported high adherence to hepatitis B treatment.Lower adherence was observed among individuals who identified as African or African American(P=0.008).Among participants with low adherence,60%cited affordability as a challenge(P=0.068),53%identified healthcare service acceptability as a challenge(P=0.04),79%described physical functioning as a challenge(P=0.002),and 40.5%reported difficulties with psychological functioning(P=0.55).CONCLUSION Findings demonstrate high treatment adherence,although access to and acceptability of healthcare services,as well as an individual’s physical functioning challenges,appear to be related to low adherence.展开更多
This study investigates the complex heat transfer dynamics inmultilayer bifacial photovoltaic(bPV)solar modules under spectrally resolved solar irradiation.A novel numericalmodel is developed to incorporate internal h...This study investigates the complex heat transfer dynamics inmultilayer bifacial photovoltaic(bPV)solar modules under spectrally resolved solar irradiation.A novel numericalmodel is developed to incorporate internal heat generation resulting from optical absorption,grounded in the physical equations governing light-matter interactions within the module’smultilayer structure.The model accounts for reflection and transmission at each interface between adjacent layers,as well as absorption within individual layers,using the wavelength-dependent dielectric properties of constituent materials.These properties are used to calculate the spectral reflectance,transmittance,and absorption coefficients,enabling precise quantification of internal heat sources from irradiance incidents on both the front and rear surfaces of the module.The study further examines the influence of irradiance reflection on thermal behavior,evaluates the thermal impact of various supporting materials placed beneath the module,and analyzes the role of albedo in modifying heat distribution.By incorporating spectrally resolved heat generation across each layer often simplified or omitted in conventional models,the proposed approach enhances physical accuracy.The transient heat equation is solved using a one-dimensional finite difference(FD)method to produce detailed temperature profiles under multiple operating scenarios,including Standard Test Conditions(STC),Bifacial Standard Test Conditions(BSTC),Normal Operating Cell Temperature(NOCT),and Bifacial NOCT(BNOCT).The results offer valuable insights into the interplay between optical and thermal phenomena in bifacial systems,informing the design and optimization of more efficient photovoltaic technologies.展开更多
The impact of spinal cord injury(SCI)on the immune system is increasingly recognized in a field traditionally focused on motor impairments.SCI can seriously affect the immune system by progressively disrupting the reg...The impact of spinal cord injury(SCI)on the immune system is increasingly recognized in a field traditionally focused on motor impairments.SCI can seriously affect the immune system by progressively disrupting the regulatory mechanisms that control immune responses.This dysregulation varies widely among patients and can evolve over time,ranging from systemic inflammatory responses to immunosuppression,greatly contributing to the morbidity and mortality of individuals with SCI(Bao et al.,2011;Brennan et al.,2024).展开更多
Background:Investigators from low-,middle-,and high-income countries representing 6 continents contributed to the development of the Global Adolescent and Child Physical Activity Questionnaire(GAC-PAQ).The GAC-PAQ is ...Background:Investigators from low-,middle-,and high-income countries representing 6 continents contributed to the development of the Global Adolescent and Child Physical Activity Questionnaire(GAC-PAQ).The GAC-PAQ is designed to assess physical activity(PA)across all key domains(i.e.,school,chores,work/volunteering,transport,free time,outdoor time).It aimed to address multiple gaps in global PA surveillance(e.g.,omission of important PA domains,insufficient cultural adaptation,underrepresentation of rural areas in questionnaire validation studies).The purpose of this study was to assess the content validity of the GAC-PAQ among PA experts,8-to 17-year-olds,and one of their parents/guardians,and to discuss changes made to the questionnaire based on participants'feedback.Methods:Sixty-two experts in PA measurement and/or surveillance from 24 countries completed an online survey that included both closed-and open-ended questions about the content validity of the GAC-PAQ.The proportion of experts who agreed or strongly agreed with the items was calculated.Child-parent/guardian dyads from 15 countries(n=250;10-40 per country)participated in a structured cognitive interview to assess the clarity of the questions and response options,and they were encouraged to provide suggestions to improve clarity and facilitate completion of the questionnaire.Participating countries are:Aotearoa New Zealand,Brazil,Canada,China,Colombia,Czech Republic,India,Malawi,Mexico,Nepal,Nigeria,Spain,Sweden,Thailand,and the United Arab Emirates.Interviews were conducted in 13 different languages and structured by PA domain.Generic images were included to help participants in answering questions about PA intensity.Results:Expert agreement with the items for each domain exceeded 75%,and their qualitative feedback was used to revise the questionnaire before cognitive interviews.In general,participants found the questionnaire to be comprehensive.Adolescents(12-17 years)found it easier than children(8-11 years)to answer the questions.Several children struggled to answer questions about the duration and intensity of activities and/or concepts related to travel modes,active trips,and organized activities.Many parents/guardians were unsure about the frequency,duration,and intensity of their children's or adolescents'PA at school and/or recommended using more culturally relevant and appropriate images.Some participants misunderstood the concept of activities that“make you stronger”(intended to assess resistance activities)and/or struggled to differentiate between work,volunteering,and chores.Conclusion:Participants'feedback was used to develop a revised,simplified,and culturally adapted GAC-PAQ,which will be pilot-tested in all15 countries in an App that will include country-specific images and narration in local languages.Further research is needed to assess the reliability and validity of the revised GAC-PAQ.展开更多
基金funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council Cluster(FDE.18.21C)Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC)Discovery,NSERC Canadian Research Chair(Tier 1)program+2 种基金NSERC Alliance program(ALLRP 588541‐23)Foundation for Food&Agriculture Research Greener Cattle Initiative(Award ID 22‐000373)DSM Nutritional Products,Kaiseraugst,Switzerland。
文摘Background The enteric methane inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol(3-NOP)inhibits the key enzyme in ruminal methanogenesis,but whether short-term(ST)and long-term(LT)dietary supplementation has similar effects on rumen microbiota in beef cattle and how microbes change after 3-NOP withdrawal have not been studied.This study investigated changes in rumen bacteria,archaea,and protozoa after ST and LT dietary supplementation and removal of 3-NOP using metataxonomic analysis.Results A total of 143 rumen samples were collected from two beef cattle studies with 3-NOP supplementation.The ST study(95 samples)used eight ruminally cannulated beef cattle in a 4×4 Latin square design with four 28-d of 3-NOP treatments[mg/kg of dry matter(DM)]:control:0,low:53,med:161,and high:345.The LT study(48 samples)was a completely randomized design with two 3-NOP treatments[control:0,and high:280 mg/kg of DM)fed for 112-d followed by a 16-d withdrawal(without 3-NOP).Bacterial and archaeal communities were significantly affected by 3-NOP supplementation but limited effects on protozoal communities were observed.Under ST supplementation,the relative abundances of Prevotella,Methanobrevibacter(Mbb.)ruminantium,Methanosphaera sp.ISO3-F5,and Entodinium were increased(Q<0.05),whereas those of Mbb.gottschalkii and Epidinium were decreased(Q<0.05)with 3-NOP supplementation.In LT study,relative abundances of Mbb.ruminantium,and Methanosphaera sp.Group5 were increased(Q<0.05),while those of Saccharofermentans and Mbb.gottschalkii were decreased(Q<0.05)with 3-NOP supplementation.Comparison between 3-NOP supplementation and the withdrawal revealed increased relative abundances of Clostridia UCG-014 and Oscillospiraceae NK4A214 group and decreased those of Eubacterium nodatum group and Methanosphaera sp.Group5(P<0.05)after 3-NOP withdrawal.Further comparison of rumen microbiota between control and 3-NOP withdrawal showed significantly higher(P=0.029)relative abundances of Eggerthellaceae DNF00809,p-1088-a5 gut group,and Family XII UCG-001 in control group while no significant differences were detected for archaea and protozoa.Microbial network analysis revealed that microbial interactions differed by both 3-NOP dose and durations.Conclusions Both ST and LT supplementation affected overall rumen microbial profile,with individual microbial groups responded to 3-NOP supplementation differently.After 3-NOP withdrawal,not all microbes showed recovery,indicating that the 3-NOP driven shifts were only partially reversible.These findings provide an understanding of the effects of 3-NOP on rumen microbial communities and their adaptability to methane mitigation strategies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42372250,42102262 and 41972235)National Key Research and Development Program Project(2023YFF0803701)+1 种基金Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory(Zhuhai)(SML2023SP206)the program of China Scholarship Council。
文摘The Shenshan Group provides important geological information which is vital in unraveling the amalgamation and subsequent rifting processes of South China.While conventional studies have asserted its formation in a subduction setting,the distinct investigation reveals the necessity for reassessment.To address this,the authors employ integrated methods encompassing petrological,zircon U-Pb geochronological,Lu-Hf isotopic and geochemical methods for sedimentary rocks from the upper Shenshan subgroup and Banxi Group.The geochemical results indicate that they were formed through the recycling deposition of intermediate-acidic igneous source material and experienced moderate chemical weathering.Additionally,both sedimentary sequences exhibit characteristics consistent with those formed in an intracontinental extensional rift setting since ca.810 Ma.The provenance analysis indicates that the upper Shenshan subgroup primarily originates from the Yangtze Domain,while the Banxi Group from both the Yangtze and Cathaysia domains.Synthesizing with previous studies,the Shenshan Group should be subdivided into the lower and upper subgroups which represent distinct tectonic backgrounds.The lower subgroup is inferred to have formed in an Early Neoproterozoic fore-arc setting,akin to the Zhoutan group.The upper subgroup corresponds to the Banxi Group,representing the Middle Neoproterozoic postorogenic rift setting,responding to the breakup of Rodinia.
文摘Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic condition consisting of two main types:Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Conventional treatments for these diseases include aminosalicylates,corticosteroids,immunomodulators,and biologics.However,these treatments have several drawbacks,including high costs for patients and numerous side effects.Recently,advanced treatments have been developed,such as small-molecule therapies,targeted biologics,innovative drug delivery systems,and microbiome-based interventions.Emerging therapies like anti-interleukin-23 monoclonal antibody inhibitors,sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators,and Janus kinase inhibitors are more specialized in reducing immune activity.They enhance bioavailability,reduce side effects,and specifically target the gastrointestinal tract without affecting other systems.Innovative drug delivery systems for IBD,such as nanoparticles,hydrogels,and microgrippers,improve bioavailability and prolong drug release.The combination of conventional and advanced therapies may benefit from the synergistic effects of both.Furthermore,fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotics can help restore the balance of gastrointestinal microbiota,reducing disease flare-ups.Advances in artificial intelligence,endoscopic techniques,and stem cell therapies have shown great potential in treating IBD,although several significant challenges remain.Treating this disease requires multidisciplinary integration and the application of technology and telemedicine.
文摘Background:This study focused on developing and optimizing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system(SMEDDS)to improve Lafutidine’s solubility and bioavailability,thereby enhancing its effectiveness in treating gastric ulcers.Traditional formulations are less effective due to their limited water solubility and bioavailability.Methods:The study used solubility tests,pseudo-ternary phase diagrams,and central composite design(CCD)to optimize.The formulation was optimized by varying the oil concentration(10–40%)and surfactant/cosurfactant ratio(0.33–3.00),and then tested for droplet size,drug content,emulsification,phase stability,and in vitro dissolution.Results:The study found that the optimized formulation contained 14%Capmul PG 8NF oil,62%Labrasol surfactant,and 24%Tween 80 cosurfactant.This combination generated an average droplet size of 111.02 nm and improved drug release properties.Furthermore,the formulation was stable without phase separation,with a drug content of 88.2–99.8%.Conclusion:SMEDDS significantly improves lafutidine delivery by increasing solubility and absorption,thereby overcoming oral administration challenges.The system quickly formed small droplets in water and released the drug in 15 min.Enhancing lafutidine’s bioavailability may improve its efficacy in treating gastric ulcers,resulting in better patient outcomes and potentially lower dosing frequency.
文摘This study explores the thin-layer convective solar drying of Marrubium vulgare L.leaves under conditions typical of sun-rich semi-arid climates.Drying experiments were conducted at three inlet-air temperatures(40℃,50℃,60℃)and two air velocities(1.5 and 2.5 m·s^(-1))using an indirect solar dryer with auxiliary temperature control.Moisture-ratio data were fitted with eight widely used thin-layer models and evaluated using correlation coefficient(r),root-mean-square error(RMSE),and Akaike information criterion(AIC).A complementary heattransfer analysis based on Reynolds and Prandtl numbers with appropriate Nusselt correlations was used to relate flow regime to drying performance,and an energy balance quantified the relative contributions of solar and auxiliary heat.The logarithmic model consistently achieved the lowest RMSE/AIC with r>0.99 across all conditions.Higher temperature and air velocity significantly reduced drying time during the decreasing-rate period,with no constantrate stage observed.On average,solar input supplied the large majority of the thermal demand,while the auxiliary heater compensated short irradiance drops to maintain setpoints.These findings provide a reproducible dataset and a modelling benchmark for M.vulgare leaves,and they support energy-aware design of hybrid solar dryers formedicinal plants in sun-rich regions.
基金supported by the Spanish Ministry of Health‐Plan Nacional sobre Drogas(2023‐I024)the the Ministry of Science,Innovation and Universities/State ResearchAgency/10.13039/501100011033(PID2023-146865OB-I00)+2 种基金Generalitat Valenciana(CIAICO/2021/203)the Primary Addiction Care Research Network(RD21/0009/0005)FEDER Funds,GVA.
文摘Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have emerged as a promising form of regenerative and immunomodulatory therapy;indeed,micro(mi)RNAs contained within mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles modulate target gene expression and impact disease-associated pathways.Chronic alcohol consumption leads to neuroinflammation,brain damage,and impaired cognition.Evidence indicates that females are more vulnerable to alcohol-induced damage than males.While mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have been studied in various neuroinflammatory conditions,their potential to counteract alcohol-induced brain damage remains unclear.In this study,we investigated whether repeated intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles could ameliorate neuroinflammation and behavioral impairment induced by chronic alcohol consumption in female mice.Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles diminished the increased binding of a micro-positron emission tomography tracer(^(18)F-FDG)when analyzing whole-brain 3D images and brain coronal sections of ethanol-treated mice.Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle administration protected against ethanol-induced proinflammatory gene upregulation,cognitive dysfunction,and the conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine.MiRNA sequencing data from mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles revealed the elevated expression of extracellular vesicle-derived miR-483-5p and miR-140-3p in the brains of ethanol-treated female mice following mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle administration.In addition,mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles modulated the expression of pro-inflammatory-related miRNA target genes(e.g.,Socs3,Tnf,Mtor,and Atf6)in the brains of ethanol-treated female mice.These results suggest that mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles could function as a neuroprotective therapy to ameliorate the neuroinflammation,cognitive dysfunction,and conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine associated with chronic alcohol consumption.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Publicinterest Scientific Institution(No.2024YSKY-44)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2023YFC3708003).
文摘To address the problems with catalytic degradation,such as poisoning and inactivation,a simple and efficient gas purging regeneration technique was developed for iron-based catalyst in-situ regeneration.Specifically,the effects of carrier gas types,regeneration temperatures,and granular activated carbon(GAC)addition on iron-based catalyst regeneration were investigated.The Fe_(3)O_(4)/𝛾-Al_(2)O_(3) regenerated at 550°C with additional GAC and 15%water vapor exhibited the optimal degradation efficiency towards polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs),with an increase from 41.2%to 93.5%,compared with non-regenerated Fe_(3)O_(4)/𝛾-Al_(2)O_(3).In addition,the 60-hour stability test revealed a well-recovered catalytic activity.During the Fe_(3)O_(4)/𝛾-Al_(2)O_(3) regeneration,the coke on the catalyst surface was oxidized and removed in the form of CO_(2),and meanwhile the oxidized Fe(III)was reduced into Fe(II)in the catalyst.This study provides a safe and efficient iron-based catalyst regeneration technology for PCB off-gas degradation and reveals the catalytic activity recovery mechanism during catalyst regeneration.
文摘BACKGROUND Barrett esophagus(BE),a metaplastic adaptive process to gastrointestinal reflux,is associated with a higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.However,the factors and mechanism that drive the malignant progression of BE is not well understood.AIM To investigate the role of bile acids,a component of the reflux fluid,in the malignant progression of BE.METHODS Using engineered green fluorescent protein-labeled adult tissue-resident stem cells isolated from BE clinical biopsies(BE-ASCs)as the target,we studied the effect of hydrophobic deoxycholic acid(DCA)and hydrophilic tetrahydroxylated bile acids(THBA)on cell viability by fluorescence intensity analysis,mucin production by dark density measurement,tissue structure by pathology analysis,expression of different pro-inflammatory factors gene by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and proteins by Western blot.RESULTS We found that hydrophobic DCA has cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects through activation of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)-nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)inflammatory pathway on BE-ASCs.This action results in impaired cell viability,tissue intactness,reduced mucin production,and increased transition to disorganized atypical cells without intestinal features.In contrast,co-culture with hydrophilic THBA inhibited the IL-1β-NF-κB inflammatory pathway with maintenance of mature intestinal type cellular and histomorphology.CONCLUSION Our data indicates that the hydrophilic bile acid THBA can counteract the cytotoxic and proinflammatory effect of hydrophobic DCA and prevent the malignant progression of BE by inhibiting the IL-1β-NF-κB pathway.
基金The authors extend their appreciation to King Saud University,Saudi Arabia for funding this work through the Ongoing Research Funding Program(ORF-2025-704),King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
文摘A novel siphon-based divide-and-conquer(SbDaC)policy is presented in this paper for the synthesis of Petri net(PN)based liveness-enforcing supervisors(LES)for flexible manufacturing systems(FMS)prone to deadlocks or livelocks.The proposed method takes an uncontrolled and bounded PN model(UPNM)of the FMS.Firstly,the reduced PNM(RPNM)is obtained from the UPNM by using PN reduction rules to reduce the computation burden.Then,the set of strict minimal siphons(SMSs)of the RPNM is computed.Next,the complementary set of SMSs is computed from the set of SMSs.By the union of these two sets,the superset of SMSs is computed.Finally,the set of subnets of the RPNM is obtained by applying the PN reduction rules to the superset of SMSs.All these subnets suffer from deadlocks.These subnets are then ordered from the smallest one to the largest one based on a criterion.To enforce liveness on these subnets,a set of control places(CPs)is computed starting from the smallest subnet to the largest one.Once all subnets are live,this process provides the LES,consisting of a set of CPs to be used for the UPNM.The live controlled PN model(CPNM)is constructed by merging the LES with the UPNM.The SbDaC policy is applicable to all classes of PNs related to FMS prone to deadlocks or livelocks.Several FMS examples are considered from the literature to highlight the applicability of the SbDaC policy.In particular,three examples are utilized to emphasize the importance,applicability and effectiveness of the SbDaC policy to realistic FMS with very large state spaces.
基金Material Parts Technology Development Program (20017461, Development and Performance Improvement of Air Operated Valve for 105 MPa Hydrogen Charging Station) funded by the Ministry of Trade,Industry and Energy(MOTIE, Republic of Korea)Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT, Republic of Korea)+1 种基金financial support from the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP)Ministry of Trade,Industry&Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea(RS-2024-00419764)。
文摘Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the viable solutions to alleviate the global warming. However, the limited utilization of biomass majorly focused on cellulose and hemicellulose restricts the economic and environmental feasibilities. To cope with this issue, we proposed an integrated process of co-producing 1,6-hexanediol(1,6-HDO) with tetrahydrofuran and adipic acid from biomass, referred to as Strategy A. To compare the impacts of lignin upgrading and feedstock, Strategy B, which co-produces tetrahydrofuran alone, and Strategy C, which is the traditional route to produce 1,6-HDO from fossil fuels, were used. Heat networks are also designed to reduce operating costs and indirect carbon emissions due to energy consumption, saving 87% and 83% of the heat and cooling requirements, respectively, in Strategy A. The market competitiveness of Strategy A was evaluated by determining the minimum selling price through techno-economic analysis, and sustainability was thoroughly investigated by quantifying the environmental impacts through both midpoint and endpoint life-cycle assessments(LCAs).Strategy A was found to be the most favorable both economically(USRDSCHARDOLLAR3,402/ton) and environmentally(-26.9 kg CO_(2)eq.). This indicates that lignin valorization is not only economically but also environmentally preferred. Finally, changes in economic and environmental feasibilities depending on economic, process, and environmental parameters were investigated using sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. The results of these analyses provide valuable insight into bio-based chemical production.
文摘Objective:To isolate and identify active constituents from Gracilaria chorda extract prepared under subcritical water conditions at 210℃(GCSW210)and evaluate their anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obese zebrafish larvae.Methods:GCSW210 was fractionated through solvent partitioning,ion-exchange chromatography,and silica gel medium-pressure liquid chromatography,followed by preparative high performance liquid chromatography.At each step,bioactivities were assessed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by Oil Red O staining and 2-NBDG uptake assays.The most active fractions were further purified,and isolated compounds were tested in HFD-induced obese zebrafish larvae.Results:Liquid chromatography-hyphenated analysis with reference standards identified two major compounds in GCSW210:5-hydroxymethylfurfural and bis(5-formylfurfuryl)ether.Both compounds significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and modulated gene expression associated with adipogenesis,glucose metabolism,and inflammation in zebrafish.They also enhanced glucose uptake,reduced circulating glucose levels,and improved insulin sensitivity.Notably,the effects were comparable to those of the crude GCSW210 extract.In silico docking studies confirmed stable interactions of both compounds with key metabolic and inflammatory targets,with bis(5-formylfurfuryl)ether showing stronger binding affinities.Conclusions:These findings suggest that 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and bis(5-formylfurfuryl)ether are key contributors to the therapeutic activity of Gracilaria chorda,highlighting its potential as a functional food ingredient for the prevention or management of metabolic disorders.
文摘The advent of precision medicine has underscored the importance of biomarkers in predicting therapy response for bladder cancer,a malignancy marked by considerable heterogeneity.This review critically examines the current landscape of biomarkers to forecast treatment outcomes in bladder cancer patients.We explore a range of biomarkers,including genetic,epigenetic,proteomic,and transcriptomic indicators,from multiple sample sources,including urine,tumor tissue and blood,assessing their efficacy in predicting responses to chemotherapy,immunotherapy,and targeted therapies.Despite promising developments,the translation of these biomarkers into clinical practice faces significant challenges,such as variability in biomarker performance,the necessity for large-scale validation studies,and the integration of biomarker testing into routine clinical workflows.We also highlight the need for standardized methodologies and robust assays to ensure consistency and reliability.Future directions point towards longitudinal studies and the development of combination biomarker panels to enhance predictive accuracy.This review emphasizes the transformative potential of predictive biomarkers in improving patient outcomes and advocates for continued collaborative efforts to overcome existing barriers in this rapidly evolving field.
文摘Effect of perturbations in Coriolis and centrifugal forces on the non-linear stability of the libration point L4 in the restricted three body problem is studied when both the primaries are axis symmetric bodies (triaxial rigid bodies) and the bigger primary is a source of radiation. Moser’s conditions are utilized in this study by employing the iterative scheme of Henrard for transforming the Hamiltonian to the Birkhoff’s normal form with the help of double D’Alembert’s series. It is found that L4 is stable for all mass ratios in the range of linear stability except for the three mass ratios μc1, μc2 and μc3, which depend upon the perturbations ε1 and ε1 in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces respectively and the parameters A1,A2,A3 and A4 which depend upon the semi-axes a1,b1,c1;a2,b2,c2 of the triaxial rigid bodies and p, the radiation parameter.
文摘This study investigated the hydrocarbon source rock potential of the Late Cretaceous Mamu and Nkporo formations in the Asaga-Ohafia Axis,Afikpo Basin,southeastern Nigeria,using integrated facies analysis,organic geochemical and palynofacies data.Five lithofacies were identified:dark grey shale,oolitic limestone,heterolithic mudstone/sandstone,laminated bioturbated sandstone,and calcareous mudstone,indicating estuarine,deltaic,and shallow marine depositional environments.Total organic carbon(TOC) contents range from 1.47 to 2.40 wt%,which reflects moderate to good organic richness.For the Mamu Formation,kerogen composition is dominated by Type Ⅱ/Ⅲ,composed of 30 %-50 %amorphous organic matter(AOM),5 %-10 % liptinite,30 %-50 % vitrinite,and 10 %-20 % inertinite.Spore coloration and Thermal Alteration Index(TAI:3-3+) suggest thermal maturity within the oil window(Ro:0.80 %-1.50 %).In contrast,the Nkporo Formation shows comparable kerogen composition(20 %-45 % AOM,0-20 % liptinite,and 40 %-65 % vitrinite) but lower maturity(TAI:2-2+;Ro:0.45 %-0.80 %).Rock-Eval pyrolysis further supports these findings.The Mamu Formation displays higher Hydrogen Index,favorable Tmax,and Production Index values,confirming its maturity and oil and gas-prone potential.Palynological assemblages,including marine dinoflagellate cysts(Mamu Formation) and freshwater algae/fungal spores(Nkporo Formation),align with the inferred depositional settings.Thus,the Mamu Formation is the more prolific source rock,characterized by superior organic quality and thermal maturity.
基金Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council(NSERC)of Canada(RGPIN-2022-03488)New Brunswick Innovation Foundation(NBIF)。
文摘As environmental concerns from fossil fuel consumption intensify,large-scale energy storage becomes imperative for the integration of renewable sources like wind,hydro,and solar with the electrical grid.Redox flow batteries,particularly those employing organic molecules,are positioned as a key technology for this purpose.This review explores the growing field of symmetric organic redox flow batteries(ORFBs)within this context.Unlike traditional asymmetric designs based on unique active materials for each electrode,symmetric ORFBs involve a single bipolar species for both electrodes.This review highlights the benefits of a symmetric design,and categorizes five distinct classes of organic bipolar molecules used in both aqueous and non-aqueous solvents.By providing a comprehensive overview of their cell cycling and performance characteristics,the strengths and weaknesses of the diverse categories of bipolar molecules are highlighted for both solvent systems,as are opportunities for future development.This should guide new research directions and advance the development of practical symmetric ORFBs.
基金funded by the Canadian Department of National Defence(DND),the RMC Green Team Military GeoWorks Lab,and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council(NSERC)of Canada.
文摘A series of laboratory pull-out tests was conducted to study the effects of temperature on the performance and behaviours of fully grouted rock bolt specimens cured within a specific temperature range,as well as for different durations.Each specimen consisted of a 20M rebar bolt at 1300 mm embedment length grouted inside a Schedule 80 steel pipe using Portland cement grout at a 0.4 water-to-cement ratio.Two temperatures(20℃and 45℃)were explored to investigate the effects of geothermally active temperature conditions on fully grouted rock bolts.Distributed fiber optic sensors were employed to provide continuous strain profiles along the entire embedment length to observe micro-mechanisms and monitor internal specimen temperature change during testing.The specimens cured at 45℃generally resulted in higher grout UCS(in certain cases 25%e50%higher)compared to those at 20℃;the ultimate capacity was not significantly impacted as the specimens'embedment length allowed full development of the rock bolt's capacity.The resulting strain profile trends showed generally higher strains experienced by the shorter(i.e.3-d)curing duration specimens under both curing temperatures compared to long-term curing.The 45℃specimens generally experienced lower strains and faster strain profile attenuation compared to specimens cured at 20℃.Understanding these effects and further analysis of FGRB specimen behaviours over time provide insights for mobilized and critical embedment lengths,capacity development,and support system stabilization.This paper highlights the results of this study and aims to bridge selected gaps in existing literature with a view to aid practitioners.
文摘BACKGROUND Current antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B can suppress viral replication and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.It requires lifelong daily medication,and long-term adherence is often cited as a concern when initiating treatment.Hepatitis B treatment adherence in the context of the patient’s medical and life experiences remains underexplored.AIM To evaluate factors associated with adherence to hepatitis B oral antiviral treatment.METHODS A global online survey was administered anonymously to adults(aged 18 years or older)living with chronic hepatitis B.A subsample of 614 individuals who reported being on hepatitis B treatment was included in the analysis.Indices for treatment affordability,healthcare service acceptability,and individual physical,psychological,and emotional functioning were constructed(Cronbach’s alpha=0.71-0.83).Data analysis was conducted using Stata/BE 17.0.RESULTS Overall,81%of respondents reported high adherence to hepatitis B treatment.Lower adherence was observed among individuals who identified as African or African American(P=0.008).Among participants with low adherence,60%cited affordability as a challenge(P=0.068),53%identified healthcare service acceptability as a challenge(P=0.04),79%described physical functioning as a challenge(P=0.002),and 40.5%reported difficulties with psychological functioning(P=0.55).CONCLUSION Findings demonstrate high treatment adherence,although access to and acceptability of healthcare services,as well as an individual’s physical functioning challenges,appear to be related to low adherence.
文摘This study investigates the complex heat transfer dynamics inmultilayer bifacial photovoltaic(bPV)solar modules under spectrally resolved solar irradiation.A novel numericalmodel is developed to incorporate internal heat generation resulting from optical absorption,grounded in the physical equations governing light-matter interactions within the module’smultilayer structure.The model accounts for reflection and transmission at each interface between adjacent layers,as well as absorption within individual layers,using the wavelength-dependent dielectric properties of constituent materials.These properties are used to calculate the spectral reflectance,transmittance,and absorption coefficients,enabling precise quantification of internal heat sources from irradiance incidents on both the front and rear surfaces of the module.The study further examines the influence of irradiance reflection on thermal behavior,evaluates the thermal impact of various supporting materials placed beneath the module,and analyzes the role of albedo in modifying heat distribution.By incorporating spectrally resolved heat generation across each layer often simplified or omitted in conventional models,the proposed approach enhances physical accuracy.The transient heat equation is solved using a one-dimensional finite difference(FD)method to produce detailed temperature profiles under multiple operating scenarios,including Standard Test Conditions(STC),Bifacial Standard Test Conditions(BSTC),Normal Operating Cell Temperature(NOCT),and Bifacial NOCT(BNOCT).The results offer valuable insights into the interplay between optical and thermal phenomena in bifacial systems,informing the design and optimization of more efficient photovoltaic technologies.
基金funded by the Santa Casa Neuroscience Awards—Prize Melo e Castro for Spinal Cord Injury Research(MC-18-2021)(to AJS and NAS)by the Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation(WFL-PT-14/23)(to NAS)+2 种基金funded by national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT)—projects UIDB/50026/2020,UIDP/50026/2020,and EXPL/MED-PAT/0931/2021-http://doi.org/10.54499/EXPL/MED PAT/0931/2021supported by the Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme(NORTE 2020)under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund(ERDF)(to SM)the support given by the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology to SM(CEECIND/01902/2017-Doi:10.54499/CEECIND/01902/2017/CP1458/CT0024),and NAS(CEECIND/04794/2007)。
文摘The impact of spinal cord injury(SCI)on the immune system is increasingly recognized in a field traditionally focused on motor impairments.SCI can seriously affect the immune system by progressively disrupting the regulatory mechanisms that control immune responses.This dysregulation varies widely among patients and can evolve over time,ranging from systemic inflammatory responses to immunosuppression,greatly contributing to the morbidity and mortality of individuals with SCI(Bao et al.,2011;Brennan et al.,2024).
基金supported by a Project Grant(Grant No.PJT183705)an Early Career Investigator Prize(Grant No.ECP 184184)from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research+7 种基金a Prentice Institute Research Affiliate Fund Grant from the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy(Grant No.G00004116)a Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington Division of Science Health Engineering Architecture and Design Innovation Faculty Strategic Research Grant(Grant No.FSRG-SHEADI-10724)The Thailand Physical Activity Knowledge Development Centre(TPAK)/Thai Health Promotion Foundation provided funding for the cognitive interviews and pilot study in Thailand(Grant No.66-P1-0473)The University Pablo de Olavide provided a scholarship for 2 undergraduate students working on the project(codes PPI2207 and PPI2308)In the Czech Republicthe study was supported by Palacky University IGA(Grant No.IGA_FTK_2023_017)supported by the Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Healthsupported by the Key Project of the National Philosophy and Social Science Foundation of China(23&ZD197)。
文摘Background:Investigators from low-,middle-,and high-income countries representing 6 continents contributed to the development of the Global Adolescent and Child Physical Activity Questionnaire(GAC-PAQ).The GAC-PAQ is designed to assess physical activity(PA)across all key domains(i.e.,school,chores,work/volunteering,transport,free time,outdoor time).It aimed to address multiple gaps in global PA surveillance(e.g.,omission of important PA domains,insufficient cultural adaptation,underrepresentation of rural areas in questionnaire validation studies).The purpose of this study was to assess the content validity of the GAC-PAQ among PA experts,8-to 17-year-olds,and one of their parents/guardians,and to discuss changes made to the questionnaire based on participants'feedback.Methods:Sixty-two experts in PA measurement and/or surveillance from 24 countries completed an online survey that included both closed-and open-ended questions about the content validity of the GAC-PAQ.The proportion of experts who agreed or strongly agreed with the items was calculated.Child-parent/guardian dyads from 15 countries(n=250;10-40 per country)participated in a structured cognitive interview to assess the clarity of the questions and response options,and they were encouraged to provide suggestions to improve clarity and facilitate completion of the questionnaire.Participating countries are:Aotearoa New Zealand,Brazil,Canada,China,Colombia,Czech Republic,India,Malawi,Mexico,Nepal,Nigeria,Spain,Sweden,Thailand,and the United Arab Emirates.Interviews were conducted in 13 different languages and structured by PA domain.Generic images were included to help participants in answering questions about PA intensity.Results:Expert agreement with the items for each domain exceeded 75%,and their qualitative feedback was used to revise the questionnaire before cognitive interviews.In general,participants found the questionnaire to be comprehensive.Adolescents(12-17 years)found it easier than children(8-11 years)to answer the questions.Several children struggled to answer questions about the duration and intensity of activities and/or concepts related to travel modes,active trips,and organized activities.Many parents/guardians were unsure about the frequency,duration,and intensity of their children's or adolescents'PA at school and/or recommended using more culturally relevant and appropriate images.Some participants misunderstood the concept of activities that“make you stronger”(intended to assess resistance activities)and/or struggled to differentiate between work,volunteering,and chores.Conclusion:Participants'feedback was used to develop a revised,simplified,and culturally adapted GAC-PAQ,which will be pilot-tested in all15 countries in an App that will include country-specific images and narration in local languages.Further research is needed to assess the reliability and validity of the revised GAC-PAQ.
