A document by Ananda Aryal. Click on the document to view its contents.

This paper proposes a hybrid observer for state estimation over a network. The network provides delayed measurements of the output of the plant at time instants that are not necessarily periodic and are accompanied by timestamps provided by a clock that synchronizes with the clock of the observer in finite time. The proposed observer, along with the plant and communication network, are modeled by a hybrid dynamical system that has two timers, a logic variable, and two memory states to capture the mechanisms involved in the events associated with sampling and arrival of information, as well as the logic in the estimation algorithm. The hybrid model also includes a generic clock synchronization scheme to cope with a mismatch between the clocks at the plant and the observer. Convergence properties of the estimation error of the system are shown analytically and supported by numerical examples.

Characterisation of genomic variation among corals can help uncover variants underlying trait differences and contribute towards genotype prioritisation in coastal restoration projects. For example, there is growing interest in identifying resilient genotypes for transplantation, and to better understand the genetic processes that allow some individuals to survive in specific conditions better than others. The coral species Pocillopora acuta is known to survive in a wide range of habitats, from reefs to seawalls, suggesting its potential use as a starter species for ecological engineering efforts involving coral transplantation onto intertidal seawalls. However, the intertidal section of coastal armour is a challenging environment for corals, with conditions during periods of emersion being particularly stressful. Here, we scanned the entire genome of P. acuta corals for DNA polymorphisms to identify the regions harbouring SNPs and copy number variations (CNVs) that separate intertidal colonies (n=18) from those found in subtidal areas (n=21). Findings revealed 74,391 high quality SNPs distributed across 386 regions of the P. acuta genome. While the majority of the detected SNPs were in non-coding regions, 12% were identified in exons (i.e. coding regions). Functional SNPs that were significantly associated with intertidal colonies were found in overrepresented genomic regions linked to cellular homeostasis, metabolism, and signalling process, which can represent local environmental adaptation in the intertidal. Interestingly, regions that exhibited CNVs were also associated with metabolic and signalling processes, suggesting intertidal corals have a high capacity to perform biological functions critical for survival in extreme environments.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and high malignant tumor. It is a main subtype of primary liver cancer with a poor prognosis. Pseudouridine (Ψ) modification participates in the progression of various tumors, but its role in the malignant progression of HCC has not been explored. The prognostic value of pseudouridine synthases (PUSs) was investigated in 374 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We systematically assessed 13 pseudouridine modifications and comprehensively analyzed the differential expression in HCC. Cox regression analysis and a LASSO regression model were combined to build a prediction model composed of five genes (RPUSD4, PUS1, PUS7, RPUSD3, DKC1). We used the prediction model to divide the TCGA database into high-risk and low-risk subgroups in HCC. Then we identified the molecular characteristics, prognostic significance, infiltrating immune cell intensities of the identifying two high and low risk groups, predicted the clinical outcome of HCC patients and immunotherapeutic effect. At the same time, in the IMvigor 210 databas, patients with high-risk score showed better curative effect, which is consistent with the results of TIDE. Finally, we verified the expression of PUS1 and PUS7 in HCC tumors and nontumors by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, our findings showed that a novel five-gene signature related to epigenetics can accurately predict the occurrence and prognosis of HCC. The protein expression of PUS1 and PUS7 is significantly different in HCC and normal tissues, which can be used as a key research object.

Background:Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. The primary challenge is identifying patient subgroups with PTC and choosing the most effective treatment approach. Results: To explore the differently expressed proteins (DEPs) between high and low recurrent-risk PTCs, we collected 15 tissues comprising high (n=7) and low (n=8) recurrent-risk groups from PTC. The samples were detected by tandem mass tag labeling proteomics. Using TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) data on thyroid cancer, prognosis-related DEPs were identified. Furthermore, an immunohistochemistry (IHC) stain of 53 cases of PTC tumors was adopted to validate the relation of potential biomarkers with prognosis. We identified 8,958 proteins from the 15 samples, with 95 DEPs obtained by comparing high and low-recurrent-risk groups, including 38 up-regulated and 57 down-regulated proteins. Three down-regulated proteins [Protein S (PROS1), Clusterin (CLU), and Leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1)] were found to be significantly associated with poor overall survival in thyroid cancer using differential analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. IHC results showed low or moderated expressions of PROS1, CLU, and LRG1 were significantly associated with high-risk clinicopathologic characteristics of PTC. PTC patients with higher expression of PROS1, CLU, and LRG1 had better progression-free survival than those with low or moderate expression. Conclusions: Our study identified PROS1, CLU, and LRG1 as novel prognostic biomarkers in PTC.

Purpose To examine whether low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels influence the cardiovascular risk associated with non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods Using Danish health registries, we conducted a population-based cohort study of all adult patients with first-time MI during 2010–2020 with an LDL-C value before discharge. Based on the latest LDL-C value, we categorized patients into a low and a high LDL-C group (<3.0 vs. ≥3.0 mmol/L). We used time varying Cox regression to compute hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals of the association between NSAID use and a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE: recurrent MI, ischemic stroke, and all-cause death). Results We followed 50,573 patients for a median of 3.1 years. While exposed, 521 patients experienced a MACE: 312 in the low LDL-C group and 209 in the high LDL-C group. The HRs for MACE comparing NSAID use with non-use were 1.21 (1.11–1.32) overall, 1.19 (1.06–1.33) in the low LDL-C group, and 1.23 (1.07–1.41) in the high LDL-group. The HRs for recurrent MI and ischemic stroke were comparable between the LDL-C subgroups. The HRs for all-cause death were 1.22 (1.07–1.39) in the low LDL-C group and 1.54 (1.30–1.83) in the high LDL-C group. Changing the cut-off value for LDL-C to 1.8 and 1.4 mmol/L showed consistent results. Conclusion In patients with MI, LDL-C levels did not influence the increased risk of MACE associated with NSAID use, but might influence the association between NSAID use and all-cause death.

Root system architecture is limited by phylogenetic relationships and ultimately affect the biomass allocation of resource acquisition organs. However, many studies have only focused on the impact of environmental driven trait variation and biomass allocation on root system architecture, neglecting the impact of phylogenetic relationships. Therefore, biomass allocation and phylogenetic relationship affect the root system architecture and its variation patterns were investigated in annual ephemerals. We found that the interspecific variation of root tissue density (RTD) was the highest (51.63%), and the topological index (TI) was the lowest (5.92%). Moreover, the range of intraspecific variation for specific root length (SRL) and specific surface area (SRA) is high, and the TI is low. This convergence and divergence of root traits reflect the Phenotypic plasticity of roots and their adaptation to environmental filtering and interspecific competition. Maximum root depth (MRD) was detected significantly and weakly phylogenetic signal (0

This retrospective cohort study in Fujian Province aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of non-16/18 HPV infections and their correlation with cervical lesions. Data from 101,621 patients (24,924 HPV positive) over 2012-2022 were analyzed. HPV genotypes, age-specific rates, and cervical pathology were assessed in 11,666 patients undergoing pathological exams. The results revealed that non-16/18 HPV infections, particularly HPV 52, 58, 53, 51, and 81 (with prevalence rates of 5.6%, 2.6%, 2.4%, 2.3%, and 2.2%, respectively), were widespread in the region. The main infection type was single infection rather than complex infection. The age distribution of subgroups with non-16/18 HPV infections shows variations over time, with different peak infection rates across the years. The highest prevalence of non-16/18 HPV infections was observed in patients with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL). Conversely, HPV16/18 infections were more likely to cause high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and cervical cancer. Although the 9-valent HPV vaccine was found to provide broad protection against HPV infections, it did not cover certain non-16/18 HPV types, such as HPV53, HPV51, and HPV81, which remained prevalent. This study aids in optimizing cervical lesion detection and enhancing cervical cancer risk management for non-16/18 HPV infections in Fujian.

When histiocyte are ischemic for a certain time and blood supply is suddenly restored, the pathological condition of rapidly aggravated tissue damage is called ischemia reperfusion injury, which is mainly caused by a large amount of Ca2+ influx and oxygen free radicals attacking ischemic histiocyte. Ischemia reperfusion injury can increase the incidence rate and mortality of some diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, acute renal injury, intestinal obstruction, hyperkalemia and multiple organ failure, and it also brings great challenges to surgery such as organ transplantation. However, the current treatment methods for ischemia-reperfusion are still very limited. Fortunately, increasing evidence suggests that reasonable concentrations of hydrogen sulfide may play a powerful organ protective role in ischemia-reperfusion injury, mainly through mechanisms such as anti apoptotic, antioxidant, stress reduction, regulation of autophagy, and inhibition of inflammation. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide has profound clinical conversion prospects in the treatment of I/R injury. This article systematically summarizes the generation and physiological effects of endogenous hydrogen sulfide, as well as its protective mechanisms in different systems such as the heart, brain, kidney, liver, retina, and testes. In addition, the clinical transformation prospects and current challenges of hydrogen sulfide in ischemia-reperfusion injury were discussed.

A document by Hannah K Friedrich. Click on the document to view its contents.

Cola nitida, also known as Kola nut, is a tropical plant native to West Africa and has a rich history of traditional medicinal use. In this narrative review, we aim to provide an overview of the protective effects of Cola nitida in various health and disease states. Cola nitida has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, and its bioactive compounds include caffeine, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolics. These compounds contribute to its potential therapeutic effects. Here, we examine the potential benefits of Cola nitida in several areas of health, discussing its role in cognitive function, cardiovascular health, immune system function, gastrointestinal health, and metabolic and endocrine health. Evidence suggests that Cola nitida may have positive effects in these areas, with indication of adverse effects only from its chronic usage. However, more research is needed to establish its efficacy and safety. In conclusion, Cola nitida holds promise as a natural remedy for various health conditions. Understanding the benefits and limitations of Cola nitida will contribute to its effective utilization in health and disease management.

A Case of Leukemia Cutis Showing Annular Erythema during the Course of Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute B-lymphoblastic LeukemiaHizuru Tomita, MD1, Yoshimasa Nobeyama, MD1, You Sakayori, MD2, Rika Matsumoto, MD1, Satomi Chujo, MD1, Hikaru Suzuki, MD1, Akihiko Asahina, MD11. Department of Dermatology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan2. Department of Oncology/Hematology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, JapanCorresponding author:Yoshimasa Nobeyama, MDDepartment of Dermatology, The Jikei University School of Medicine,3-25-8, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, JapanE-mail: nobederm@jikei.ac.jpThe authors received no financial support for this study.The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.Key words: leukemia cutis, annular erythema, acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia

Background: The Left atrium (LA) structure and function had recently gained increased interest as it potently predicts and indicates cardiovascular (CV) risks and adverse outcomes in a range of CV diseases. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of sex group on the structural and functional variations of the left atrium in apparently healthy Iraqi people. Methods: Patients were split into two groups according to their sex. Both groups were subjected to routine history and clinical examination, a conventional 12-lead ECG focusing on P wave assessment for shape, duration, and amplitude; PR interval was measured. Also, a conventional, pulsed wave, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) assessment were performed. Results: There is a significant increase in A velocity, and a significant decrease in E/A, and e‘/a‘ ratios, in females in comparison to males no significant differences were observed in left atrial volume. Conclusion: Although there is a significant impact of sex on the left atrial contraction and diastolic function as there is a rise observed in “A velocity” and a statistically significant drop in “E/A” and “e’/a” ratios, which indicates an increase in atrial contraction during late ventricular filling in females compared to males. However, sex group has not proven to have a significant impact on LA volume. So, it must be taken in consideration other factors like age, menopause, and obesity indices together with sex which may permit the clarification of diastolic dysfunction’s underlying processes and viable therapies.

Plant fine roots C dynamics are often overlooked in terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. Fine root production (FrP) is influenced by root decompositions (Frd), necromass (FrN),root biomass (FrB), fine root turnover (FrT) and soil respiration (Rs). Indirect factors such standing litterfall (Lf) and climate (c) also influence FrP. The objectives of the study was to determine how fine root dynamics differ with time (i), the effects of litterfall and soil respirations on fine root dynamics (ii) and finally to assess the effects of climate on fine root dynamics, litterfall and soil respiration. Sequential soil core sampling and the root bag technique were used in a tropical forest at 120 days intervals for two years at Jengka, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. The continuous inflow method was used to estimate FrP, FrN, and Frd. Litterfall was estimated using litter traps and Rs using an automated soil CO2 flux system concurrently with root data collection. The litter and fine root stocks were 3.34 and 0.98 Mg C ha-1, respectively. The annual decomposition decay constant (k) was -0.6168 year-1. Fine root dynamics (Frb, Frd, FrN,) differed temporally. Lf correlated with Rs and Frb. Correlations with mean temperatures was recorded for Frd Frb, FrN, and Frd. Total FrP, FrN, Frd, and FrT ranged between 627.80 –791.05 g m-2 yr-1; 854.10 – 704.80 g m-2 yr-1; 585.22 – 511.89 g m-2 yr-1; 0.71 t year-1, respectively. Our results support that temporal estimation of Frb, Frd, Lf, FrN and Rs are needed for understanding belowground carbon allocations.

To develop low temperature catalysts for CO2 to methanol, CO2 hydrogenation to methanol on Znx@TiO2(110) (x = 0-2) was explored using density functional calculations and microkinetic simulations. The reaction mechanisms on the three model systems were determined and it is shown that Zn2@TiO2(110) is most active. The most favorable pathway on Zn2@TiO2(110) is identified and CO2 + H to HCOO is found to be the rate-controlling step. It is demonstrated that there is a linear relation (named AEB relation) between the adsorption energies of the initial states and the barriers for the controlling step on the 17 systems studied. Calculations on strained surfaces show that the AEB relation exists within ±1% strain, which is an effective way to improve catalytic activity. Sr2@TiO2(110) and -1% strained CaZn and ZnCu doped TiO2(110) are potential good low temperature catalysts and deserve experimental testing.

Trickle bed reactors (TBR) are widely used in the chemical industries. These reactors involve gas and liquid flow through a catalyst-packed bed. For optimal TBR performance, it is crucial to achieve a uniform distribution of gas and liquid among the catalyst particles. However, in multi-tubular reactors with slender tubes, flow maldistribution near the tube walls is a common issue. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of local phase and flow distribution is essential for designing and operating reactors with slender tubes. This study employs Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to characterize the three-dimensional distribution of the two-phase trickle flow within a slender tube. Three quantities are characterized: gas-liquid-solid distribution, particle wetting efficiency, and the flow field. Structure and flow MRI images are processed to calculate these quantities. Additionally, a novel post-processing technique is introduced to determine the liquid distribution over individual particle surfaces. This distribution is determined at several axial and radial positions.

In recent years, extreme weather has occurred frequently in the world, and the contradiction between medium-voltage lines and wildfires has become more and more serious. In order to study the interaction between medium-voltage lines and wildfires, this paper builds a real fault simulation platform and carries out simulation experiments. The research is carried out from two aspects: the contact discharge between trees and wires to ignite trees to induce wildfires and the impact of smoke and flames caused by wildfires below the lines on the lines. The research results show that there is a high possibility that the medium-voltage line and the tree contact discharge will induce a mountain fire, and the accident must be discovered within at least 40 seconds to effectively prevent the further occurrence of the fire, and the relevant mechanism explanation is put forward. When smoke and flames are emitted from the line, a “particle bridge” will be formed. Under the ionization of gas and inorganic salts, conductive conditions will be formed together to cause discharge or breakdown. The breakdown field strength is about 57kV/m.

Metabolic engineering is essential for the development of microbial cell factories to produce biomolecules from low-value renewable substrates. This role helps advance the development of ecologically responsible and commercially robust chemical industries, including biofuels and high-value compounds like medicines. The ability of microbial cell factories to generate a wide variety of substances sustainably, therefore satisfying modern commodity needs, has piqued the scientific community's attention. The goal of metabolic engineering is to convert different microorganisms into efficient cell factories to produce desired products, and it has been used for decades to develop novel metabolic pathways and alter pre-existing ones with the help of system biology, synthetic biology, and evolutionary engineering.

Isolation of E. faecium from honeybee gut and screening of bacteriocin production from this bacterium and assessing its effects on MexA gene expression of multidrug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa and assessing the role of bacteriocin in treating infected wound in mice by histopathological examination.The results showed a significant inhibition zone of 20mm. The optimum conditions for Bacterocin production evaluated found that yeast extract was the most suitable nitrogen source and glucose was a better carbon source. The optimal incubation period was 72 hours and pH was determined to be 5. Another aspect of the study focused on identifying MDR P. aeruginosa isolates from wound infections. The identification was carried out using VITEK 2 system, The results of antibiotics susceptibility tests revealed that the greatest resistance rates was found against Meropenem (83.3%) and Gentamicin (73.3%), followed by beta lactam antibiotics (Ticarcillin, Ticarcillin/Clavulanic Acid, Piperacillin and Aztreonam) showed resistance in about 66.6 and 36.6% of the study isolates. Followed by Imipenem 63.3%, Ceftazidime 36.6% and Cefepime 36.6%. The MexA gene was detected in all nine strains. The study also investigated the impact of the Bacterocin of the chosen strain on the expression of the MexA gene. . In vivo study revealed that wound healing was enhanced by treated infected wound with E. faecium bacteriocin. Conclusion: Down-regulation and up-regulation in the expression of the genes following exposure to Bacterocin, indicating the potential of E. faecium as an effective antimicrobial agent against MDR P. aeruginosa infections.

Declining enemy release predicts that invasive plants accumulated more soil natural enemies, and the increase in enemies may inhibit growth of invasive plants themselves. But most studies focus on historical time rather than short-term. We designed a fully crossed factorial experiment, we grew individuals of four congeneric pairs of invasive and native plant species in 2.5 L pots that contained live or sterilized field soil under two harvest time (first vs second). Results shows that soil microbes tended to have a slight positive effect on total biomass of the native plant species over time in short-term, while the effect of soil microbes on invasive plants as their total biomass tended to change from promotion to inhibition over time in short-term. Overall, these results suggest that regardless of the direction and strength of plant-soil feedback on invasive plant species, invasive plant species consistently may grow larger than co-occurring native plant species over time in short-term.

As the efficiency of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells is increasing, the upscaling for industrial production is coming into focus. Spatially resolved, quantitative, fast, and reliable contactless measurement techniques are demanded for quality assurance and to pinpoint the cause of performance losses in perovskite silicon tandem solar cells. In this publication we present a measurement method based on spectrally integrated photoluminescence (PL) imaging to extract subcell-selective implied open-circuit ( i V oc ) images from monolithic perovskite silicon tandem solar cells. We validate the approach using spectrally resolved absolute PL measurements based on an integrating sphere for the perovskite top cell and PL-calibrated carrier lifetime images for the silicon bottom cell. Additionally, V oc measurements of solar cells with low contact losses are used to validate the new measurement technique. We find a good agreement of the i V oc images with the validating measurements with a maximum deviation of well below 1 % compared to the validation measurements.

The diversity–productivity relationship in grasslands is predominantly positive but also highly variable because of its complex influencing mechanisms in natural ecosystems. In this study, we investigated plant diversity, biomass, and associated drivers (e.g., climate, soil, and plant traits) along an elevational gradient in grasslands in southwest China. Grassland biomass decreased significantly, but grassland diversity increased with increasing elevation. Consequently, a significant negative relationship between grassland biomass and diversity was detected along the elevational gradient. We also observed that the negative relationship was primarily driven by climatic factors (i.e., temperature and precipitation) and plant stoichiometric traits (i.e., phosphorus limitation) rather than by soil properties at a regional scale. This is inconsistent with previous studies on the positive diversity–productivity relationship, which might weaken the effects of climatic factors at the regional scale. Our results revealed that the negative relationship between diversity and productivity in grasslands was shaped by the combined effects (climate and plants) on productivity and diversity in grasslands.

Up-scaling of perovskite solar cells and modules requires both the development of suitable laser patterning processes for series interconnection of the cells and the quantification of the spatial distribution of solar cell parameters. Here, we investigate perovskite solar cells patterned with ns and ps laser pulses at varying laser fluences and analyze them with hyperspectral photoluminescence (PL) imaging. Based on these images, mappings of the distribution of the central PL wavelength, the quasi-Fermi-level splitting, the Urbach energy and the shunt resistance were calculated. From the behavior of these parameters, particularly in the vicinity of the laser trenches, we infer laser-material interaction processes and their influence on the electrical performance of the interconnected cells. It is shown that both ps and ns laser pulses can be used for successful series interconnection with low electrical losses in a very narrow edge regions, provided that the fluence is carefully adjusted.

A document by Eunice Turawa B. Click on the document to view its contents.