sion dataset. Results: By amalgamating features extracted from all three CNNs and utilizing the medium Gaussian kernel of the SVM classifier, our proposed system achieves an outstanding av- erage classification accuracy of 90.4%. Conclusions: Our developed MPXCN-Net is suitable for test- ing with a large diversified dataset before being used in clin- ical settings.

Insect immune response plays a crucial role in how external threats influence overall fitness through life history traits. An understudied question is how the use of different host plants might affect the ability of herbivorous insects to resist viral pathogens. The Melissa blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa) has colonized the exotic legume Medicago sativa as a larval host within the past 200 years. Here we investigate how novel host plant use affects the immune response of L. melissa when infected with the lepidopteran virus, Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDV). We measured immune strength in response to JcDV in two ways: 1) direct measurement of phenoloxidase activity and melanization, and 2) transcriptional sequencing of individuals exposed to different viral and host plant treatments. Viral infection caused total phenoloxidase (total PO) to increase. We detected an interaction between viral infection and host plant for total PO: for control larvae, host plant use had no effect on total PO, whereas for infected larvae, total PO was significantly higher for larvae consuming the native host. Within the exotic host plant treatment, few genes were differentially regulated due to viral infection. Approximately two times more genes were differentially regulated in response to infection for larvae eating the native or exotic host, with differential expression of few putative immune genes. These results demonstrate that consumption of a novel host plant can alter both physiological and transcriptional responses to infection, emphasizing the importance of understanding diet when studying the molecular basis of immune function.

Background: We aimed to compare the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) with those in the general population. Methods: This nationwide descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in South Korea between January 2020 and February 2022. The National Health Insurance claims data covering the whole nation were collected through the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Results: Among 3,653,808 individuals who were diagnosed with COVID-19, 1,311 (0.04%) were PLWH. All the PLWH received antiretroviral therapy, and 26.47% had more than one underlying disease other than HIV infection. The overall in-hospital mortality rates of PLWH and the general population were 0.76% and 0.25%, respectively (P=0.002). According to the Cox proportional hazard model, no significant difference was observed in the in-hospital mortality rate [hazard ratio (HR): 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70–4.67] between PLWH and the general population. However, progression to severe or critical COVID-19 was more common in PLWH (HR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.37–5.33). In PLWH diagnosed with COVID-19, a multivariable Cox regression analysis found old age (≥60 years old) (HR: 6.9; 95% CI 2.57–18.56) and diabetes mellitus (HR: 5.13; 95% CI: 2.02–13.00) as the independent risk factors for severe or critical COVID-19. Conclusions: PLWH had a significantly higher risk of severe or critical COVID-19 than that of the general population. Our findings suggest the need for applying differentiated strategies to decrease the impact of COVID-19 on PLWH.

This paper presents a new approach to nanoparticle detection using an active micro-resonator operating in the transparency regime. Simulations demonstrate that when nanoparticles interact with the micro-resonator surface, they induce optical losses. To compensate for these losses, the optical gain is amplified to restore the transparency regime. Simulation results show a linear relationship between nanoparticle concentration and the pump power required to compensate for optical losses. By the use of micro-resonator with a very high quality factor, this approach offers an accurate and sensitive method for detecting nanoparticles, without the need for complex equipment.

ABSTRACT Statins and bempedoic acid (BA) additively and independently lower CRP. Recent secondary analyses of the CLEAR trials found CRP lowering more effective than LDL lowering at reducing MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) thereby suggesting an advantage from targeting CRP over LDL. Statins lower CRP by via targeting eNOS, whereas BA lowers CRP via targeting ATP citrate lyase. The rationale for combining atorvastatin 80 with BA 180 is to simultaneously target two independent mechanisms for lowering CRP in patients with high risk of MACE from vascular inflammation.

Background: Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) occurs in sarcomas and ALT cancers share common mechanisms of therapy resistance or sensitivity. Telomeric DNA C-circles are self-primed circular telomeric repeats detected with a PCR assay that provide a sensitive and specific biomarker exclusive to ALT cancers. We have previously shown that 23% of high-risk neuroblastomas are of the ALT phenotype. Here, we investigate the frequency of ALT in Ewing’s family sarcoma (EFS), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and osteosarcoma (OS) by analyzing DNA from fresh frozen primary tumor samples utilizing the real-time PCR C-circle Assay (CCA). Methods: We reviewed prior publications on ALT in pediatric sarcomas. DNA was extracted from fresh frozen primary tumors, fluorometrically quantified, C-circles were selectively enriched by isothermal rolling cycle amplification and detected by real-time PCR. Results: The sample cohort consisted of DNA from 95 EFS, 191 RMS, and 87 OS primary tumors. One EFS and 4 RMS samples were inevaluable. Using C-circle positive (CC+) cutoffs previously defined for high-risk neuroblastoma, we observed 0 of 94 EFS, 5 of 187 RMS, and 62 of 87 OS CC+ tumors. Conclusions: Utilizing the ALT-specific CCA we observed ALT in 0% of EFS, 2.7% of RMS, and 71% of OS. These data are comparable to prior studies in EFS and OS using less specific ALT markers. The CCA can provide a robust and sensitive means of identifying ALT in sarcomas and has potential as a companion diagnostic for ALT targeted therapeutics.

Background: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) is an allergic upper respiratory tract disease characterized by sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and ocular and nasal itching due to inflammation of the nasal and conjunctival mucosa. There are no studies evaluating both the choroidal and retinal areas in ARC patients. Our objective was to evaluate patients with ARC at the time of diagnosis and before initiating treatment using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 30 patients with ARC who presented to the Pediatric Allergy & Immunology Outpatient Clinic and 30 healthy control individuals. OCT scans were captured with Cirrus HD OCT-5000 (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany) in the enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode. Results: Of the study population, 66.7% (n=20) of patient group and 56.6% (n=17) of control group were female. The mean age was 13±2.3 and 13.9±1.8 years in the patient and control groups, respectively. The temporal subfoveal choroidal thickness was statistically significantly thinner in ARC patients with asthma (p=0.032). A robust negative correlation was found between minimum ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness and allergic eosinophil count (AEC) in patients with ARC (r: -0.551, p<0.0001). Conclusion: In our study, the GCIPL thickness was lower in ARC patients. Similarly, although it did not reach statistical significance, the minimum GCIPL thickness was lower in our patient group with asthma compared to those without asthma. Our results suggest that multiple allergen sensitization and elevated eosinophils may influence GCIP thickness. However, both choroidal and retinal tissue might be impacted during chronic follow-up. Further studies are needed to support these findings. Keymessage: Multiple allergen sensitization and elevated eosinophil levels contribute to GCIPL thickness in ARC patients.

In the ongoing pursuit of innovative therapeutic solutions of cancers, we proposed a novel strategy of “nano-bombs”, which combines the character of real explosive hexogen (RDX) and the superior photothermal conversion efficiency of gold nanorods (GNRs), for achieving cellular-level destruction. The electrospray technique was used to fabricate nanoscale RDX/GNRs bombs, yielding quasi-spherical 200-500 nm particles with optical absorbance at 835 nm. A near-infrared femto-second laser with a lower fluence activated nano-bombs and destroyed the cell-simulating microcapsules, without significant temperature rise. The underlying mechanism in-volves that GNRs localize the laser energy to form the hotspot necessary for RDX thermal explosion, leading to the microbubble formation of gas products and subsequently collapse that yield mechanical damage. This approach is distinct from conventional photo-thermal and photoacoustic methods, and might possess additional therapeutic benefits from the gaseous products. This work not only illuminates fresh insights on photoacoustic therapy, but also broadens the application scope of energetic materials.

Recreational boats are common in many coastal waters, yet their effects on cetaceans and other sensitive marine species remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we used drone videos to quantify how harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) responded to a small motorboat approaching at different speeds (10 or 20 knots). The experiment was carried out in shallow waters near Funen, Denmark (55.51° N, 10.79° E) between July and September 2022. Porpoises moved further away from the boat path during approaches at both boat speeds. In addition, porpoises swam faster when approached at 20 knots but not when approached at 10 knots, and they had a higher likelihood of moving away from the boat path when approached at 10 knots but not at 20 knots. Importantly, the received sound level did not depend on how fast the boat approached, suggesting that differences in porpoise responses were related to the speed of the boat’s approach rather than to sound itself. The porpoises’ behaviour during the minute where the boat was closest did not differ from their behaviour before boat exposure, indicating that the direct impact of small vessels on porpoise behaviour was most likely small. Nevertheless, repeated exposure to noise from small vessels could influence porpoises’ foraging efforts and cause them to relocate from disturbed areas. The approach used in this study increases our understanding of recreational boats’ impact on harbour porpoises and can be used to inform efficient mitigation measures to help conservation efforts.

A document by Aasir Suliman. Click on the document to view its contents.

DELAYED SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS AFTER ORIF FOR SUBTROCHANTERIC FEMUR FRACTURE

Modern technologies of computing cloud are showing great promise, but at the same time create new security challenges that hinder full acceptance. Given that most of these services often use cloud networks as channels for communication, securing data transmission is crucial. This paper proposes a hybrid encryption algorithm, the proposed two-layered PRC6 cipher, developed to achieve high security in cloud computing environments with minimal resource constraints. The PRC6 cipher incorporates enhancements from Cha-cha into an extension of the RC6 cipher. PRC6 implements double encryption. At the first level, the plain text is divided into four equal parts, each encrypted by processes derived from RC6, which include shifting, summation, modulo arithmetic, and XOR with a generated key. The second level incorporates a Quarter round function, among others, to further obscure the encoded message. PRC6 is implemented in a parallel computing model to significantly reduce overall computation time, especially important for lightweight applications. Experimental results show that the algorithm can achieve a high level of security for cloud workloads in only a few encryption rounds. Performance evaluations against popular encryption standards also indicate that PRC6 offers promising security benefits when computational resources are limited. This hybrid approach presents a viable solution for strengthening data protection in modern cloud systems.

A Rare Case of Giant Mediastinal Thymolipoma in an 18-Year ManHourieh Soleimani1

External Jugular Venous Aneurysm – A Case Report

Research suggests a potential of gamma oscillation entrainment for enhancing memory in Alzheimer’s disease and healthy subjects. Gamma entrainment can be accomplished with oscillatory electrical, but also sensory stimulation. However, comparative studies between sensory stimulation and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) effects on memory processes are lacking. This study examined the effects of rhythmic gamma auditory stimulation (rAS) and temporal gamma-tACS on verbal long-term memory (LTM) and working memory (WM) in 74 healthy individuals. Participants were assigned to two groups according to the stimulation techniques (rAS or tACS). Memory was assessed in three experimental blocks, in which each participant was administered with control, 40 Hz, and 60 Hz stimulation in counterbalanced order. All interventions were well-tolerated, and participants reported mostly comparable side effects between real stimulation (40 Hz and 60 Hz) and the control condition. LTM immediate and delayed recall remained unaffected by stimulations, while immediate recall intrusions decreased during 60 Hz stimulation. Notably, 40 Hz interventions improved WM compared to control stimulations. These results highlight the potential of 60 Hz and 40 Hz temporal cortex stimulation for reducing immediate LTM recall intrusions and improving WM performance, respectively, probably due to the entrainment of specific gamma oscillations in the auditory cortex. The results also shed light on the comparative effects of these neuromodulation tools on memory functions, and their potential applications for cognitive enhancement and in clinical trials.

Introduction Cocoa bean is obtained from the Theobroma cacao tree fruit and is the source of the edible cocoa (fermented and roasted) used to prepare chocolate and other manufactured products as cocoa powder, shakes, etc.1 Food allergy to cocoa is a rare condition and very few cases have been reported with an allergy study.2 The risk of suffering an allergic reaction after cocoa consumption in patients with food allergy, especially to tree nuts, is not recognized.

A comprehensive understanding of the hydrochemical evolution and spatial patterns of shallow groundwater systems is essential for water resource management and wetland ecological restoration. The Baiyangdian Wetland is one of the most concerning areas because of the development of the Xiong’an New Area. The spatial characteristics of groundwater hydrochemistry and potential controlling factors associated with hydrochemical evolution remain unclear. In this study, hydrogeochemistry together with the hierarchical cluster analysis were used to elucidate the hydrochemical processes and hydrological zoning patterns of shallow groundwater systems in the Baiyangdian Wetland, North China Plain. The results showed that hydrochemical compositions of shallow groundwater had considerable spatial variations, which was closely related to the inflow rivers hydrochemistry and the dynamics of groundwater–surface water interactions. A significant increase in SO 4 2- concentration occurring at the cone of the depression was related to extensive pumping caused by anthropogenic activities. Anthropogenic activities were also a major factor controlling the spatial distribution patterns of shallow groundwater hydrochemistry. Ca 2+, Mg 2+, and SO 4 2- in the wetland and shallow groundwater were primarily derived from carbonate and gypsum dissolution, while Na + and Cl - originated from halite and silicate dissolution. Rock weathering predominated the geochemical evolution of shallow groundwater in conjunction with carbonate precipitation and cation exchange. The hydrochemistry of the shallow groundwater system presented distinct spatial zonation patterns that were classified into four clusters corresponding to seven subzones. In Zones Ⅰ–Ⅳ, water-rock interaction was the dominant factor controlling shallow groundwater chemistry, which was driven by the positive groundwater–surface water exchange. The coupled effects of anthropogenic activities and river infiltration and mixing caused the high levels of dissolved components in Zones Ⅴ–Ⅶ. This study provides deeper insight into the water cycle and hydraulic connections among different bodies, and will benefit the rational evaluation of hydrochemical evolution and wetland ecological restoration in the Baiyangdian Wetland.

Climate change in the Amazon includes the intensification of the hydrological cycle in association with the increase of extreme events. This study aims to identify the impacts on groundwater (GW) within a pristine micro-scale catchment in the Central Amazon related to the observed alterations on hydrological cycle. Precipitation and GW levels from seven piezometers distributed along a hydrological transect covering three zones (lowland, slope and plateau) were collected for the period 2001-2021. External (evapotranspiration, GW storage and climate patterns) and computed (annual recharge) data were used to strengthen the analyses. We identified a generalized growth trend in all compartments (rainfall, evaporation and water table). There was a heterogeneity in water table fluctuations and annual recharge, depending on distance from creek channel and water depth. Surface processes influenced shallows piezometers associated with rapid overflow and low recharge. Conversely, deep piezometers involved slower processes related to water movement, and were more representative of regional GW. Those presented larger seasonal and inter-annual fluctuations, annual recharge and positive trend than shallow piezometers. Besides, all piezometers showed large inter-annual variations in recharge. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influenced GW level, recharge and storage: positive phase contributed to lower all variables, with recovery in during neutral and negative phase. The larger positive trends in the deeper piezometers are a sign of the resilience of the Alter do Chão aquifer, subject to anthropogenic pressure. As water table play a key-role in shaping the structure and productivity of Amazon forests, further hydro-ecological studies should be conducted to gather information about the fate of GW-dependent Amazonian ecosystems.

CO2 as a greenhouse gas causes a series of issues, and catalytic utilization of CO2 to fuels is a favorable strategy. Herein, we report the discovery in CO2 hydrogenation reaction where C5+ yield can be evidently improved by encapsulating ZnFe2O4 inside ZSM-5, in which the micro-environments of core-shell components can be tuned. For the ZnFe2O4, the K promoter makes the Fe-C structure more electron deficient than the Na, which contributes to the formation of long-chain olefins. ZSM-5 with K or Ce modification presents enhanced adsorption ability of alkene, then promoting aromatization and isomerization reactions of alkenes. Compared with Ce, K-ZSM-5 contributes to isomerization rather than aromatization, forming more isoparaffins. In this work, regulating the microenvironment of capsule catalysts provides a new idea for the design of efficient tandem catalysts, and expands the ability of hybrid catalysts against other catalysts, thus presenting an excellent catalytic efficiency for CO2 upgrading.

NETmix is a network of mixing chambers interconnected by channels, in which the most efficient mixing occurs under chaotic flow regimes. Chaos is highly influenced by the topology, particularly by the ratio chamber diameter/channel width, D/d. In this work, micromixing in NETmix is characterized through Lagrangian Mixing Simulation (LMS), which enables to establish the relation between the degree of mixing and the topology, D/d. The degree of mixing is then related with the Eulerian chaoticity from hydrodynamics and spectral analysis. The best mixing is obtained at D/d = 6.65 and is associated to a thin 8 shaped strange attractor. The spectral analysis shows a principal oscillation frequency at St = 0.13. Since the quasi-periodic regime is alternated with chaotic behaviour, NETmix has an intermittent bifurcation. For the NETmix system, orderly flows in the quasi-periodic regime have higher mixing intensity than less orderly flows in the weak or strong chaotic regimes.

Structured catalysts coatings exhibit excellent performance on non-adiabatic gas-solid process, deriving from their enhanced heat and mass transfer properties. However, the coating catalysts prepared by traditional hydrothermal method of zeolite encapsulating noble metal are prone to spalling, especially under conditions of large flow rate and high temperature. Herein, we prepared PtZn clusters encapsulated in silicalite-1 zeolite coating on stainless steel with high bonding strength by an improved in-situ growth method. The optimized catalyst exhibited ultra-thin, uniform, continuous, and high degree of crosslinking, thereby enhancing mass transfer and thermal stability. In propane dehydrogenation reaction (PDH), the optimized PtZn@S-1-R showed a high specific activity of 14.7 molC3H6·molPt-1·s-1 and a propylene selectivity above 99% at 600 °C with a high weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 120 h-1. The metal-encapsulated zeolite coating catalysts open up a new avenue for heterogeneous catalysis with great application prospects.

Illuminated leaves assimilate CO 2 via gross photosynthesis and liberate CO 2 via photorespiration and ‘day respiration’, often denoted as R d. Day respiration is a minor CO 2-exchange component of net photosynthesis but is important for carbon use efficiency, computations of internal conductance, or the interpretation of net photosynthetic 12C/ 13C fractionation. Unfortunately, there is no simple method to measure R d and tracing the origin of C-atoms found in day-respired CO 2 is difficult. As a result, a common misconception is that day respiration is simply a catabolic, CO 2-producing flux through ordinary catabolism (glycolysis and Krebs ‘cycle’). In the past few years, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of day respiration. It appears that R d is a net flux resulting from several CO 2-generating and CO 2-fixing reactions, not only related to catabolism but also to anabolism (biosyntheses). In addition, there is now direct evidence that decarboxylating reactions are partly fed by carbon sources disconnected from current photosynthesis and this effect has consequences for isotopic mass-balance. Therefore, leaf day ‘respiration’ is much more than just CO 2 production by respiratory catabolism. Rather, it reflects whole metabolic orchestration of leaves from N fixation to secondary metabolism and it perhaps deserves another name, such as “day decarboxylations”.

In this paper, we consider the existence results for nonlinear Hilfer fractional differential equations with integral initial value conditions on finite interval [0 ,T]. Sufficient conditions for the existence of solution for the initial value problem are obtained by Schaefer’s fixed point theorem in constructed Banach Space.

Here, we describe for the first time the sperm morphology of Tingidae (Heteroptera). They are small insects presenting lacy patterns on their pronotum and hemielytra and are exclusively phytophagous, with many economically important species. We studied five species of the tribe Tingini (Tinginae): Teleonemia scrupulosa, Vatiga illudens, Gargaphia lunulata, Leptopharsa sp., and Corythucha arcuata. Their spermiogenesis process is similar to other Heteroptera, with some differences in the formation of the centriole adjunct. This structure extends in the anteroposterior spermatid axis, flanking the nucleus, possibly contributing to nucleus remodelling and sperm elongation. The mature sperm of Tingidae is also similar to that of other Heteroptera, with features that corroborate the group’s monophyly. Our data support previous results for their sister family, Miridae, which exhibits some characteristics exclusive to this taxon, not present in Tingidae or other Heteroptera. They also support the sister relationship of the genera Gargaphia and Leptopharsa and suggest closer relationship between Vatiga and Corythucha. Overall, this study sheds light on the sperm ultrastructure of Tingidae and provides information for understanding the evolution and diversity of Heteroptera.