There is a dearth of public literature on reliable, evidence-based modeling representation of global crude oil refineries, this has led to the lack of transparency and consistency on how business and government policy processes are informed in many energy systems and energy transitions modeling scenarios. This paper uses actual field data to identify that 40 unique refining configurations account for the global refinery landscape. A machine learning algorithm training extremely randomized trees predictors is applied to develop a non-parametric production model of the refineries. To facilitate computational convenience and suitable deployments in diverse use cases, a multivariate linear regression model of the refineries is also presented. For all refined products captured, the machine learning model demonstrate superior predictive performance with coefficients of determination of over 90%, even though both models are useful. Other performance metrics are also assessed for both models.

To address the issue of the disconnection between planning and operation of transmission and distribution networks in the process of distribution network planning (DNP), a DNP method is proposed based on integrated planning and operation with the transmission network. The method aims to minimize the sum of investment and operation costs for both the distribution and transmission networks, while considering local units, distributed renewable energy, and network constraints. The optimization model is solved using a heterogeneous decomposition algorithm(HGD), which alternates between the optimization of the transmission and distribution regions, and an auxiliary function is introduced to ensure the optimality of the whole network by injecting power and other parameters. The topology information of the planning solution is extracted, and a convolutional neural network is used to build a surrogate model for the complex coordination between transmission and distribution operations, enabling a fast and accurate search for the optimal DNP solution. The proposed algorithm has been tested with numerical examples, demonstrating high accuracy, good convergence, and practical value for engineering applications.

Background: Caesarean delivery is a procedure used to save the lives of a mother and fetus when the labour situation becomes complicated. However, a wrong decision can substantially increase the rates morbidity and mortality of the woman and the fetus. Aim: the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of cesarean delivery and associated factors. Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional study has been conducted. A simple random sampling technique was used. A face-to-face interview was employed to collect data through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were counted on. A binary logistic regression was employed to assess factors associated cesarean delivery. factors associated with cesarean delivery. The odds ratio and corresponding 95% confidence interval 95% confidence intervals were used. Results: The prevalence of cesarean delivery in this study is 27.4% (95% CI 23.3, 31.8%). monthly income 3,000-6,000 birr [AOR = 3.91 (95% CI: 1.50, 10.17)], previous cesarean delivery [AOR = 15.86 (95% CI: 8.01, 31.40)] and mother not directed counselling [AOR = 2.87 (95% CI: 1.46, 5.68)] are factors significantly associated. Conclusion: The prevalence of cesarean delivery uses is high. The obstetric factors occurring around delivery are the master ground leading cesarean delivery rather than the background characteristics. There is a low rate of pregnant mother counselling. We recommend interventions for the prevention of unnecessary primary cesarean delivery, counselling for pregnant mothers, particular emphasis on training all health care providers, and further investigation.

Background Up to 25% of patients with HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which is mainly comprised of oropharyngeal SCC (OPSCC), will experience disease recurrence, which is often considered incurable when manifested at a metastatic and/or recurrent stage. Objectives To provide an overview of the molecular landscape of recurrent/metastatic HPV-positive HNSCC, novel molecular biomarkers and current trends in treatment options. Type of review A critical qualitative systematic review. Design A literature review was conducted to identify studies reporting on the molecular characteristics of recurrent/metastatic HPV-positive HNSCC, novel molecular biomarkers and treatment options. The reviews of abstracts, full articles, and revision of the included studies, followed by data extraction and quality assessment were performed by three independent assessors. Results The literature search resulted in the identification of 1995 articles. Sixty-six articles were selected for inclusion in the systematic review. Several studies reported that recurrent/metastatic HPV-positive HNSCC had higher rates of TP53 mutation and were genomically similar to HPV-negative HNSCC. The detection of circulating tumour tissue-modified HPV DNA (ctHPVDNA) as a specific biomarker has shown promising results for monitoring treatment response and recurrence in the subset of HPV-positive HNSCC. Conclusions Our review outlines the latest evidence on the distinct molecular profiles of recurrent/metastatic HPV-positive HNSCC as well as the clinical potential of ctHPVDNA testing in routine practice. More controlled and longitudinal studies are needed to identify additional molecular targets and to assess the performance and benefits of novel molecular biomarkers in clinical practice.

Intro: Aim of this study is to determine whether Thrombin Time (TT) could be used as diagnostic biomarkers and predict the prognosis for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Methods: 61 diagnosed SSNHL patients and 65 persons undergoing physical examination were recruited. Data of patients’ background, clinical course, laboratory findings were collected. SSNHL patients were divided into the effectual and ineffectual group according to the hearing recovery of the treatment and assessed by binary logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used for the best discriminating cut-off value of the biomarker with the corresponding sensitivity and specificity was calculated. Results: The SSNHL group exhibited prolonged TT (19.11±1.12s) compared with control group (17.58±2.18s, p<0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis found a significant positive association between TT and SSNHL with an odds ratio (OR) 1.769 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.344-2.330, p<0.001] in the unadjusted model. Even after adjustment using variables included in the multivariate models, TT was significantly predictive of SSNHL.A TT cutoff value of 17.65s provides optimal separation between SSNHL patients and controls in ROC analysis (AUC 0.773, 95% CI 0.689-0.856; sensitivity, 0.918; and specificity, 0.569). TT in effective group of the SSNHL patients was shorter (18.76±1.06s) than that in ineffective group (19.43±1.09s, p=0.018). The cutoff value of TT as progress predictors is 19.85s. The TT <19.85s showed higher effective rate 59.09% (26/44) than that 17.65% (3/17) of TT≥19.85s. Conclusion: TT is a potential biomarker of SSNHL and independently associated with the prognosis of SSNHL patients.

Analytical solution to diode-containing circuits has been investigated for a long time, and many researchers have offered approximations using the Lambert-W function and numerical/iterative methods. However, a simple method without complex calculations and iterations has not been proposed in the literature. This paper proposes a two-step method to model a diode with the Schottky equation and solve the diode circuit with the transcendental equations. The proposed method depends on extracting two fitting coefficients using the LMS algorithm and utilizing them in a logarithm-based hand solution. The proposed solution method is applied to several multi-diode circuits and compared with the SPICE simulations. Diode currents in case studies are calculated by hand with no error by considering three digits after the comma. The proposed method is also compared with the state of art studies and tested with commercially available 40XX series diodes and 1N4532 high-speed diode. The method not only solves the transcendental diode equation but also characterizes the commercially available actual diodes. Case study results and comparisons with the studies in the literature prove the efficiency of the proposed hand solution method for the transcendental diode equation. Besides, the method brings a new approach to the straightforward solution of multi-diode circuits.

In somatic cells, microRNAs (miRNAs) bind to the genomes of RNA viruses and influence their translation and replication. Here we demonstrate that a significant number of miRNA binding sites locate in the NSP4 region of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and the intestinal human miRNAs exert evolutionary pressure on this region. Notably, in infected cells, NSP4 promotes the formation of double-membrane vesicles, which serve as the scaffolds for replication-transcriptional complexes and protect viral RNA from intracellular destruction. In three years of selection, the loss of many miRNA binding sites, in particular, those within the NSP4, has shaped the SARS-CoV-2 genomes to promote the descendants of the BA.2 variants as the dominant strains that define current momentum of the pandemics. Findings highlight the possibility that intestinal tissue may significantly impact evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and may play a pivotal role in the long COVID.

This research is one of the most relevant research carried out to solve the problems of natural gas transportation through pipeline networks. The increased demand for natural gas in Kazakhstan is associated with a greater level of environmental friendliness, as a result of which many power-generating stations use natural gas as the main source of energy. Modernization of existing thermal power plants is necessary to improve the environmental situation in the country. There are three main groups of gas pipeline systems in the literature, namely collection, transmission and distribution systems. In this article, we aim to present a detailed study and research of this process undertaken to optimize natural gas transmission lines and build new approaches to address such challenges. Of course, over the past few years, a huge amount of research has been conducted on many problems of decision-making in the gas industry and, in particular, on optimizing the pipeline network. In this paper we consider dynamical optimization models, highlighting aspects of modelling and the most relevant approaches to solving known as of the current date. Consequently, this research can serve as a useful tool for understanding the evolution of many real-world applications and the most recent advances in solution methodologies emerging in this exciting and complex field of research-decision problems. Gas pipelines are often operated in transient modes due to the time-varying needs of consumers for natural gas and gas supplies. For a certain period of operation of the gas pipeline with the specified gas parameters, depending on time, at the input and output points, pipeline dispatchers are faced with the task of optimizing the transition process in order to minimize fuel consumption at compressor stations in real-time. The results of the research can be used to develop technologies for automating calculations, planning and optimizing natural gas transportation.

Falls mainly occurs among elderly and physically challenged people which results in severe wounds and even cause deaths. The main aim of this research is to create and apply a novel approach to aid in predicting the risk of falls. In order to protect a person from injuries without relying on others, this study suggests a machine learning-based fall prevention and detection system, which will improve their quality of life. Our system prototype contains a smart phone and a smart shoe with four pressure sensors and Wi-Fi communication module and detects a fall using decision tree making algorithm because decision tree making algorithm is best among all machine learning algorithms. It detects normal and cautious values and segregates these values at different points. This alerts user to be more careful whenever cautious gait occurs by sending message, email or call. With the help of all these the chances of falling of elderly people will get reduce.

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common global health burdens caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.1 Almost half of the TB cases remain unreported, contributing to the underdiagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.2 The worldwide incidence of disseminated TB is also in increasing trend. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is one of the most devastating complications of tuberculosis and is seen in 10% of all disseminated TB cases, accounting for 1% of all TB cases.3 CNS involvement may present as meningitis, cerebral tuberculoma, tuberculoma abscess, and thoracic transverse myelopathy.1,4The predominant symptoms of disseminated TB are fever, cough, malaise, loss of appetite, weakness, and weight loss. In addition, symptoms according to system involvement are often seen, like a headache in the case of meningeal tuberculosis and abdominal pain in peritoneal or intestinal tuberculosis.5Although the treatment of disseminated and pulmonary TB are considered the same, CNS involvement warrants a longer duration of treatment. The four-drug regimen of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol is administered daily for two months, followed by rifampicin and isoniazid for two months. In disseminated cases, these two drug regimens can be extended. There is no clear evidence of the effectiveness of corticosteroids in disseminated TB cases. However, steroids are often used in disseminated cases. 6 Early identification and prompt management are the cornerstones for optimal patient management in disseminated TB with CNS involvement.We reported this case following the updated consensus-based Surgical Case Report (SCARE) Guidelines. 7

COVID-19 infection and Leser-Trelat sign: is there an association?Farhad Handjaniab, Roya Radanfarab, Mozhdeh Sepaskhahab*, Niloofar Dehdari EbrahimicaMolecular Dermatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranbDepartment of Dermatology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IrancStudent Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran*corresponding author

A document by Roberto Villa. Click on the document to view its contents.

In the last two decades, there have been significant advancements in the development of more physiologically relevant organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems that can mimic the tissue microenvironment. Despite the advantages of these microphysiological systems, such as portability, the ability to mimic physiological flow conditions, and the reduction of reagents required for preparation and detection, they lack real-time detection of analytes with high accuracy. To address this, biosensor technologies have been integrated with OOC systems to enable simultaneous analysis of different analytes in a single device. However, integrating biosensors with OOC systems is challenging due to the competing demands for low-cost, simple fabrication processes, and speed. This study presents the fabrication of a glucose sensing device integrated with a liver-on-a-chip (LOC) platform. The conductive PLA-based three-electrode system was printed using FDM 3D printing technology to simplify the fabrication process. The sensitivity of the glucose biosensing device was enhanced by adding multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the electrodes. The biosensing integration study using a perfusion-based LOC showed the stability, biocompatibility, and sensitivity of the glucose sensing devices. Furthermore, drug toxicity studies on the LOC platform demonstrated the device’s ability to detect a broad range of glucose concentrations and its enhanced sensitivity.

Metagenomics is a tool of novel genomic methods to accurately study the composition of microbial communities in their ecological environment and is used in many fields, including mass transport systems. However, the pathogenic microbiomes found in these built environments have not been studied, although these areas represent a potentially important point of exposure. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to identify microbiota sampled from the Metropolitan Transport of Shanghai (MTS) in spring and summer. The metagenomic approach and analysis of influencing factors were used to capture a broad spectrum of microbiota, particularly pathogens, and models for mapping diversity and environmental factors. The results illustrate that among all 108 aerosol samples in spring and summer sequenced, bacteria accounted for 95.26% of the classified genes, while the remaining 4.73% were from eukaryotes, viruses, and archaea. We uncovered 86 pathogens matched with the List of Pathogenic Microorganisms of Human Transmission. Temperature, humidity, season and times of day do have significant effects on microbiota distribution and diversity. The results of this research provide a comprehensive and unbiased perspective on the characteristics of microbial communities and pathogens in urban metros, establishing a framework for exploring and assessing potential public health risks and providing early warning of biosecurity associated with these built environments. This study of pathogenic microbiomes in aerosol samples will be of interest to environmental and public health researchers.

The clinical guidelines for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in HIV-infected Koreans recommend routine HIV drug resistance testing for patients undergoing their first highly active antiretroviral therapy or considering a change in medication after 2018. Herein, the trends in HIV-1 subtypes and drug resistance were assessed from 2017 to 2022 by retrospectively analyzing 2,107 HIV-1-infected patients’ data. The Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database was used to analyze each patient’s HIV-1 polymerase ( pol) gene sequences. Subtype B infections were predominant in the study population (75.7%). Meanwhile, CRF01_AE was the most prevalent non-B subtype and increased from 58.4% to 73.7% during the study period. Overall, all types of drug resistance mutations (DRM) were detected in 34.7% of the HIV-1 pol sequences. The prevalence of DRMs and high-level resistance mutations decreased from 39.4% to 31.6% and 16.7% to 7.7%, respectively. The prevalence of DRM was higher in patients treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). These findings indicate that the prevalence of non-B subtype HIV infection has increased rapidly in South Korea, and the overall prevalence of DRMs decreased between 2017 and 2022. Additionally, since DRM is high in ART-treated patients, routine standard genotypic resistance testing surveillance is important before and after the treatment.

At present, the horse or human rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) used for post-exposure prevention of human rabies (PEP) has high cost and limited availability. It is strongly encouraged to replace RIG with equivalent or more effective and safer products. Mouse and human monoclonal antibodies have been shown to protect rodents from lethal rabies virus (RABV) attacks. In this study, we reported a human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody, 12-2A12, which showed a strong neutralization potency and a wide breadth against multiple street viruses of RABV in vitro. The antibody binds the viral glycoprotein (G) with nanomolar affinity. The complex structure of 12-2A12 bound to RABV G reveals that the antibody recognizes an epitope that partially overlaps with the recognition region for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). The antibody therefore would interfere with the nAChR/G interaction to block the viral receptor binding. In addition, comparison of our complex structure with the G structure in the acidic state reveals a clear steric clash, highlighting that the antibody would further prevent the conformational changes of the viral glycoprotein that are essential for membrane fusion. In light of these functional and structural data, we believe that 12-2A12 might be developed to be included in an antibody cocktail for potential use in human rabies PEP.

A document by Saima Imtiaz. Click on the document to view its contents.

Background: Methotrexate is widely recommended as a first-line treatment for the intensive systemic and consolidation phases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity is a severe adverse reaction, of which the mechanism remains unclear. Methods: An untargeted metabolomics analysis of serum from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with delayed methotrexate excretion with or without acute kidney injury was performed to identify altered metabolites and metabolic pathways. An independent external validation cohort and in vitro assays further confirmed the candidate metabolites and the mechanisms underlying the nephrotoxicity of methotrexate. Results: Four metabolites showed significant differences between normal excretion and delayed excretion, seven metabolites reflected the differences between groups with or without acute kidney injury, and six pathways were finally enriched. In particular, oxidized glutathione is confirmed as an candidate metabolite involved in the toxicity of methotrexate. Based on the depletion of glutathione mediated cell death, it was found that methotrexate overload significantly reduced cell viability, triggered reactive oxygen species and intracellular Fe 2+ accumulation, and altered the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins in HK-2 cells. These methotrexate-induced changes were alleviated or reversed by the administration of a ferroptosis inhibitor, further suggesting that ferroptosis promoted methotrexate-induced cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells. Conclusions: Our findings revealed complex metabolomic profiles and provided novel insights into the mechanism by which ferroptosis contributes to the nephrotoxic effects of methotrexate.

Bird diversity has declined as native birds have avoided using the green desert after the Smooth Cordgrass Spartina alterniflora invaded coastal China. After many years of coexistence, a few passerine birds began to enter and use Smooth Cordgrass, but only birds of nonspecialised habitat. In this study, we first found that a native reed-specific bird, the Parrotbill Calamornis heudei, flocked and sang in a Smooth Cordgrass habitat in the whole overwintering period near Sheyang Port in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. This phenomenon indicates that native obligate birds may be forced to adapt to exotic Smooth Cordgrass habitats after long-term coexistence; obviously, the distribution, feeding and reproduction of birds would be affected. Is this an ecological trap? Which may lead to unknown ecological consequences. We suggest that more research attention should be given to this process occurring along the Chinese coast.

In this paper, we propose a dynamical model of AIDS which considers consciousness classification effect on vertical transmission. We separate the adult HIV infectives into two subclasses: ‘the unconscious class’ and ‘the conscious class’. We divide children into susceptible persons and AIDS patients. Furthermore, we consider the influence of susceptible persons and different infected persons on vertical transmission from mother to child. We calculate the basic reproduction number of the mathematical model. We explore the existence and local stability of all equilibria. The analysis further indicates that enhancing the HIV infectives’ awareness of disease and improving the proportion of conscious infectives could effectively control AIDS. Consequently, strengthening the publicity and education is of vital importance. We should improve the mass awareness and capability of disease prevention, thereby effectively reducing the contact rate. Moreover, we are supposed to enhance the HIV infectives’ consciousness of disease and improve the proportion of conscious infectives. Finally, a detailed conclusion ends the paper.

Although Pangasiidae (four genera: Pangasius, Pangasianodon, Helicophagus, and Pseudolais) is known to be a monophyletic family, the generic and phylogenetic relationships, as well as inter- and intrafamilial relationships of the catfish families in Siluroidei, are poorly resolved. In this study, we obtained complete mitogenomes from three catfish species of the Mekong River in Vietnam: Pangasius mekongensis (16,462 bp), Pangasius krempfi (16,475 bp), and Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (16,523 bp) and reconstructed a comprehensive phylogeny with 117 mitogenomes of 32 recognized siluriform families. The genomic features of the three mitogenomes were similar to those of previously reported pangasiids, including all regulatory elements, extended terminal associated sequences (ETAS), and conserved sequence blocks (CSBs) (CSB-1, CSB-2, CSB-3, and CSBs, A to F) in the control region. The phylogeny established Pangasiidae as monophyletic and a sister group of Austroglanididae. The [Pangasiidae + Austroglanididae] + (Ictaluridae + Cranoglanididae) + Ariidae] clade is a sister group to the “Big Africa” major clade of Siluriformes. Furthermore, both phylogenies constructed from the single barcodes (83 partial cox1 and 80 partial cytB, respectively) clearly resolved the Pangasiidae’s intrafamilial and intergeneric relationships. Pangasianodon was monophyletic and conclusively as a sister to the (Pangasius + Helicophagus + Pseudolais) group. Pangasius. mekongensis was placed as a sister taxon to P. pangasius within the genus Pangasius, while Pangasius sanitwongsei was found to be related to and grouped with Pangasianodon. However, in the single-gene phylogenies, this species was assigned to the [Pangasius + Helicophagus + Pseudolais] group. The datasets in this study are useful for reappraising pangasiid taxonomy, as well as for siluriform catfish identification, DNA barcoding, systematics, phylogenetics, population genetics, and timeline and mode of diversification studies.

Tidal flats can be found on most of the world's coastlines and are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances. They are important transient ecosystems between terrestrial and marine ecosystems and their biodiversity provides important ecosystem services. Owed to their unique position between the terrestrial and the marine realm, strong environmental gradients of elevation, sediment composition but also food availability are prevailing. Here we investigate which environmental factors drive the spatial and temporal patterns in macrozoobenthos abundance, biomass, richness, diversity and species composition on back barrier tidal flats in the East-Frisian Wadden Sea. We found that with increasing mud content the total abundance of organisms in the sediment significantly increased, while biodiversity and biomass were not changing significantly with increasing mud content. Biomass of macrozoobenthos decreased with higher elevation towards the salt marsh. In contrast to expectations, increasing Chl a availability as a measure of primary productivity did not enhance biomass or abundance, but was associated with significantly reduced species richness. Species composition varied significantly among and within islands due to variation in sediment composition, resource availability and human-induced disturbance. In conclusion, macrozoobenthos biomass, abundance and biodiversity is interrelated in a complex way with the physical, abiotic and biotic processes in and above the sediment. Negative impacts of primary production on macrozoobenthos species richness demonstrate possible negative effects of nutrient inputs in tidal flat areas and the need for cross-boundary protection.

An increasing body of research implicates inflammatory processes, including alterations in the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), in the pathophysiology of psychiatric illness. The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) is commonly studied for its naturalistic expression of compulsive-like behaviour. Towards future efforts to gain an understanding of how innate and adaptive immune processes might be involved this model, we set out to study the effects of pegfilgrastim, a pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (g-CSF) analogue, on the NLR of both male and female deer mice. Briefly, 54 deer mice (equally distributed between sexes) were exposed to a single injection with either control or pegfilgrastim (0.1 or 1 mg/kg) ( n = 18 per group). Six mice of each group were euthanized on days two, four and seven post-administration, blood collected and the NLR calculated. Our results showed that irrespective of dose, pegfilgrastim resulted in higher NLR values in mice of both sexes at days four and seven of testing, but that female mice exposed to the higher dose, presented with significantly higher NLR values irrespective of time, compared to male mice exposed to the same. These data highlight important dose and sex-specific areas for consideration and provide a useful basis for further study of both immunological and brain-immune crosstalk processes in deer mice.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is caused by either inadequate or dysfunctional insulin. It is one leading causes of Diabetic retinopathy (DR). Many synthetic medications have serious adverse effects that exacerbate the diabetic patient’s condition. The discovery of phytochemicals from medicinal plants offers a promising possibility for the creation of novel therapies for diabetes and its complications including DR. This review highlighted pathological mechanism of DR and also describe numerous plant-derived small compounds (phytochemicals) that have been studied in pre-clinical and clinical settings for their potential to have retinal cytoprotective effects. This also emphasise the mechanism retinal cryoprotection of phytochemicals. The sources were retrieved from various database such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline etc. In various studies, phytochemicals reduced inflammation, apoptosis pathways and oxidative stress, which inhibited the development of DR. Numerous phytochemicals, including flavonoids, lignan, glycosides, phytoestrogen etc., inhibited the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and downregulation the inflammatory markers such as Interleukin-6(IL-6), Interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Overall most of the phytochemicals shows retinal cryoprotection by reducing generation of free radicals and inflammatory mediators.