In this paper, the asymmetric breakup dynamics of an isolated water droplet through a Y-junction microchannel with non-uniform outlet flow rates are numerically investigated under a wide range of capillary number (0.01 < Ca < 0.3), outlet flow ratio (1 < λ < 11), and initial droplet volume (0.7 < V* < 4.0). Four distinct breakup regimes, namely, Obstructed-Obstructed breakup, Obstructed-Tunnel breakup, Tunnel-Tunnel breakup, and Non-breakup, were recognized. The effects of the important parameters on the breakup characteristics are quantitatively determined, and the correlations are fitted to predict the breakup threshold. As per the results, the evolution of neck thickness is significantly influenced by the outlet flow-rate ratio and capillary number but is less dependent on the initial droplet volume. A series of correlations are proposed under various Ca and V* values to describe the variation in the volume ratio of daughter droplets based on the exponential law.

The paper explores the idea of generating net coulomb force (F) in a system of two and three stationary electric charges at fixed distance from each other and applying this technique to generate motion, the magnitude of force can be changed by changing the magnitude of charge as both are directly proportional.

This paper highlights the importance of modeling correctly the operational constraints of Combined-Cycle Gas Turbines in a unit-commitment-type framework. In practise in Colombia, when given an initial dispatch by the Independent System Operator, Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine plants are operated according to the results of a heuristic simulation code. Such heuristics omit technical operating constraints such as: hot, warm or cold startup ramps; minimum hours required of gas turbine to start a steam turbine; relation between dispatched number of steam and gas turbines, load distribution between gas turbines, additional fires etc. Most unit commitment models in the literature just represent standard technical constraints like startup, shut down, up/down ramps and some of them even additional fires. However, they disregard other real-life CCGT operating constraints that are considered in this work. These constraints are important because they ensure avoiding equipment damage that can potentially put the Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine out of service, and ultimately lead to lower operating costs.

As primary determinants of microbial community dynamics, viruses play a central role in key ecological processes, including respiration, organic and inorganic nutrient cycling, and greenhouse gas production and sequestration. However, the majority of studies of viruses in natural environments are from oceans, where the size and complexity of ecological communities pose major challenges for studying detailed mechanisms and gaining a full picture of host-virus networks. We characterize viruses in 16 metagenomes from carnivorous pitcher plant natural microcosms, which are an emerging model system for studying community ecology and ecosystem function. We find that pitcher plant microcosms possess a relatively high proportion of lysogenic viruses compared to other freshwater systems. In addition, viruses from pitcher plant microcosms appear to possess auxiliary metabolic genes for chitin degradation, an important ecological function in pitcher plants where the primary energy source is the plant's insect prey. The reduced size and complexity of pitcher plant natural microcosms, as well as their well-defined ecological function, position them as an excellent model system for characterizing whole host-virus networks and understanding the mechanisms through which viruses alter microbial diversity and function.

Background: In venous malformations (VM) the altered blood flow pattern due to a dysfunctional endothelium generates a prothrombotic state that will lead to localized intravascular coagulopathy (LIC), noticed by D-dimer elevation, pain, swelling and functional limitation. Rivaroxaban treatment prevents thrombin formation, preventing the constant stimulus for angiogenesis within the VM, stabilizing its growth, avoiding pain and allowing the antiangiogenic action of rapamycin to be effective. Procedure: A retrospective chart review was performed , including pediatric patients with extensive intramuscular VM in lower limbs suffering continuous pain and functional impotence. We evaluated laboratory values of D-dimer, pre and post-combined rivaroxaban and rapamycin treatment, VM volume assessed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and clinical response defined by disappeared pain. Results: Five patients were included in the study. All of them had been multi-treated with sclerosis, endovascular laser and pressotherapy. Pain control was barely achieved by using anti-inflammatory drugs and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Rapamycin therapy slightly decreases D-dimer values, but they barely improved the symptoms. Despite all efforts, the clinical evolution was unsatisfactory worsen by limiting their normal life activity. We decided to initiate rivaroxaban therapy as a compassionate use regime with prophylactic dosage (10 mg/daily). All patients presented normal D-dimer levels after treatment, no side effects or bleeding episodes have been observed, the malformation volume was significantly reduced and patients were recovered without recurring pain episodes or functional impotence. Conclusions: This study suggests that prophylactic dosage of rivaroxaban in association with rapamycin improves coagulopathy in intramuscular venous malformations by reducing D-dimer levels, disappearing pain and reducing malformation volume.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Methods: Cochrane library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, and other databases were searched using RevMan 5.3 software for data analysis to collect randomized controlled studies comparing antiepileptics and antidepressants for neuropathic pain. Results: This study enrolled a total of 1073 participants in 16 randomized controlled trials. Antiepileptic drugs and antidepressants ought to improve neuropathic pain patients’ treatment scores [OR=1.10, 95% CI(0.64 to 1.89), P =0.74], pain relief rate [OR=1.10, 95% CI(0.64 to 1.89), P =0.74], and incidence of adverse reactions [OR=0.94, 95% CI(0.48 to 1.85), P =0.87] without showing a statistically significant difference; The results of the single-agent study revealed that only pregabalin, as opposed to venlafaxine, had a significant effect on pain scores; the subgroup analysis revealed that publication bias had no effect on the study’s findings. The heterogeneity may stem primarily from different follow-up durations and drug types. Conclusion: There is no clear distinction between adverse effects and effectiveness.

AUTHORSSean HobanJess da SilvaAlicia Mastretta-YanesCatherine GrueberMyriam HeuertzMaggie HunterJoachim MergeayIvan Paz-VinasKeiichi FukayaFumiko IshihamaRebecca JordanMaría Camilla LatorreAnna J. MacDonaldVictor Rincon-ParraPer Sjögren-GulveNaoki TaniHenrik ThurfjellLinda Laikre

Multi-center heterogeneous data is a hot issue in federated learning nowadays. The data of clients and centers do not follow the normal distribution, which brings great challenges to learning. Based on the assumption that the client data with multivariate skewed normal distribution, we improve the DP-Fed-mv-PPCA model. We use a Bayesian framework to construct prior distributions of local parameters, and use Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm and pseudo-Newton algorithm to obtain robust estimates of parameters. Then, the clipping algorithm and Differential Privacy (DP) algorithm are used to solve the problem that the model parameters do not have the display solution and achieve the privacy guarantee.

Background: Adenocarcinomas of the lung (LUAD) constitute the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is experiencing the fastest rate of growth. Unlike apoptosis, necroptosis is a new type of programmed cell death that plays a critical role in cancer biology. In this study, a necroptosis-related prognostic model was examined in relation to LUAD prognosis. Method: We downloaded lung adenocarcinoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Necroptosis-related genes were compiled from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Differentially expressed necroptosis-related genes and the prognostic value of necroptosis-related genes were identified using the “Limma” package in R and univariable Cox regression analysis. the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) COX were performed to screen the the necroptosis-related genes (NRGs) and establish the prognostic prediction model. To explore potential functions and pathways, functional enrichment, ESTIMATE algorithm, and single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) were applied. We also explored the relation between risk score and immune checkpoint. The data downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the Human Protein Atlas and Timer database were used for external validation. Result: Based on 8 genes related to necroptosis, we constructed a prognostic model. The data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was divided into high-risk group and low-risk group, respectively. The high-risk group had a significantly worse prognosis than the low-risk group. An independent factor influencing OS was the risk score. Nomograms were constructed by risk score and clinical data. These NRGs were mainly related to adaptive immune response regulation, according to the result of functional analysis. Conclusion: In conclusion, the eight-gene prognostic model could be used to predict the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We also explored the relationship between this model and tumor microenvironment.

This study evaluated the effects of production variables on the physical and mechanical properties of Wood Plastic Composites produced from the pod of Delonixregia and pure water nylon. The boards were produced at three levels of mixing ratio. (MR 1.1), (MR 1.2) and (MR 1.2.5) of wood fiber to pure water nylon and two levels of board density, BD1 (100kg/m 3) and BD2 (1100kg/m 3). The materials were fed into the Extruder machine at the required levels of production variable, the temperatures of the extruder were controlled at 170 0 C, 180 0 C, 185 0 C and 190 0 C for zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively while the temperature of the extruder die was held at 200 0 C. The screw speed was varied between 150 revolutions per minutes and the pressure from 33 to 47 bars. The extruded strand passed through a water bath and was subsequently pelletized and ran into a mold of 300mmx180mmx6.4 and hot pressed for thirty (30) minutes. The board produced was conditioned and test samples of 128mmmmX12mm x 6.4mm were cut for evaluating the water absorption, thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture. The value obtained for water absorption for 24 hours ranges from 1.22±0.241% to 2.03±0.163 % and that of Thickness Swelling ranges from 0.05±0.014 to 0.14±0.032%, Water Absorption for 48 hours ranges from 1.24±0.234 to 2.08±0.184% and that of Thickness swelling ranges from 0.05±0.017 to 0.17±0.043%. The results obtained showed that rate of water absorption of the boards produced increased from 24 hours of soaking through 48 hours. Also, an increase in mixing ratio resulted in decrease water absorption. The mean value for MOE ranges from 640.60±64.890 to 1204.63±215.847N/mm 2 while that of MOR ranges from 33.48±10.238 to 42.56±14.132N/mm 2 .This result shows that the mechanical properties increases as the plastic content in the mixture increases.

The restriction on the use of conventional wood preservative necessitated the search for eco-friendly wood preservative against biodeteriorating agents. The study was carried out to evaluate the biopreservative potential of Parquetina nigrescens against fungi attack on Triplochiton scleroxylon wood. Ethanol was used as the solvent to get the extract from P. nigrescens leaves after which five different concentration levels (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, 0%) were prepared. Phytochemical screening of the crude extract was done qualitatively. Forty-eight wood blocks, (each 20 mm x 20 mm x 60 mm) obtained from a 22-year-old Triplochiton scleroxylon were conditioned and treated with the extract using dipping method and the untreated samples served as the control. The wood blocks were inoculated with Pleurotus saju caju (brown rot fungi) and Pleurotus florida (white rot fungi) for 14weeks. Absorption of P. nigrescens leaf extract by wood blocks was determined for all the concentration levels and the resistance of the wood against fungal decay was evaluated using weight loss. Data obtained as analysed using Analysis of variance at p≤0.05. Phytochemical screening of the oil indicated the presence of alkaloids, phenols, terpenoids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. The absorption of the preservative by the wood ranged between 11.15-110.29 kgm-3 and weight loss ranged between 3.68-36.22 % and 4.31-38.26 % for white rot and brown rot respectively. The different preservative concentration levels significantly influenced the weight loss of the wood species used in this study.

Decreased serotonin (5-HT) has long been linked to increased aggressive behavior. Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is an enzyme involved in 5-HT synthesis and para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) inhibits its activity. TPH2 mRNA expression presence has been mainly described in the raphe complex rodent’s brain. 5-HT-producing neurons in the raphe project their axons to olfactory bulb, considered to be a relevant structure in rodents for establishing social interactions, including aggressive behavior. However, the relationship between olfactory bulb and aggression in a pCPA 5-HT depletion model has not been studied. Moreover, receptor subunit GABA α1 has been found in the olfactory bulb and 5-HT depletion could affect GABAA receptor expression in different brain areas. Thus, our aim was to evaluate aggressive behavior, serotonergic activity, the TPH2 and GABAA α1 mRNA expression, in the olfactory bulb, after a single pCPA (300mg/kg) or vehicle i.p. administration in male rats. Aggression was tested using a resident intruder test. Sequentially, the olfactory bulb was obtained, and neurochemical and molecular techniques were used to measure 5-HT, 5-HIAA, TPH2, and GABAA α1 mRNA expression respectively. pCPA administration increased aggressive behavior parameters, without affecting locomotion, nonsocial or social interaction. 5-HT levels were decreased after pCPA administration, as well as its turnover rate, although there were no significant changes in 5-HIAA. TPH2 mRNA expression was increased. GABAA α1 mRNA expression was increased in the olfactory bulb. Our results apport evidence to the serotonergic deficiency hypothesis of aggression and highlight olfactory bulb role as an important structure for understanding aggressive behavior neurobiological complexity.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of adult epilepsy, frequently accompanied with cognitive deficits. The present study aims to investigate functional network alterations affected by cognitive impairments in drug-resistant TLE. Patients with drug-resistant TLE were divided into normal cognition (NC) and abnormal cognition (AC) groups based on their primary medical history and completed the Wechsler intelligence scale. Thirty-one patients in the NC group and 30 in the AC group had mean intelligence quotients (IQ) of 107 (96-137) and 71 (60-85), respectively. Eighteen controls were enrolled in the study. Graph theory analysis showed decreased alpha small world index (SWI) in the AC group compared to that in the NC group and controls. Increased SWI in the fast rhythm was observed in both TLE groups compared with controls. But the gamma SWI in the AC group declined and was significantly lower than in the NC group at 50–70 Hz. A lower IQ is associated with a decreased SWI in alpha and 50-70Hz. Spectral analysis revealed reduced alpha power and increased delta power in the TLE groups compared to the controls. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed more severe amyloid-β (Aβ) and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) loads in the resected hippocampus of the AC group than that of NC group. Cognitive deficits in drug-resistant TLE are associated with general EEG activity slowing, loss of efficiency in gamma connectivity, and increased Aβ and p-Tau expression. These alterations are potential markers and intervention targets for concomitant cognitive decline in drug-resistant epilepsy.

The Ganzfeld experiment appears as a uniform and unstructured field that may measure altered states of consciousness. The experiment uses a dim light frequency projected on translucent eye covers combined with a static audio frequency emitted through a pair of headphones. Since altered states and alpha interactions appear in Ganzfeld studies, the hypothesis here states that they may be internally related. Therefore, the extraction filtered EEG data from combined stimulations of light and static sound for their implications on consciousness. The systematic search included PubMed, Scopus, Medline (OVID), and the Web of Science databases to gather data. Between January 2000 and January 2022, only four controlled trials studied the Ganzfeld-EEG stimulation. The results verify the role of alpha interactions during hallucination-like imagery. Furthermore, this review highlights a significant gap in Ganzfeld-induced altered states of consciousness research.

Biological systems across various length and time scales are noisy, including tissues. Why are biological tissues inherently chaotic? Does heterogeneity play a role in determining the physiology and pathology of tissues? How do physical and biochemical heterogeneity crosstalk to dictate tissue function? In this review, we begin with a brief primer on heterogeneity in biological tissues. Then, we take examples from recent literature indicating functional relevance of biochemical and physical heterogeneity and discuss the impact of heterogeneity on tissue function and pathology. We take specific examples from studies on epithelial tissues to discuss the potential role of inherent tissue heterogeneity in tumorigenesis.

We report the case of a patient who suffers from hypotransferrinemia due to a genetic defect, subsequently suffers organ damage due to non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) and develops a paradoxical reaction of glucose metabolism as a result of treatment with corticosteroids. To our knowledge, this is the first description of such an effect in the medical literature. The mechanism and further course of this phenomenon are currently still in the dark. Due to its peculiarity, we therefore publish only the clinical key data for the time being 

High throughput phenotyping and quantitative genetics have enabled researchers to identify genetic regions, or markers, associated with changes in phenotype. However, going from GWAS markers to candidate genes is still challenging. When selecting candidate genes for ionomic GWAS markers, we curated a collection of well-known ionomic genes (KIG) experimentally shown to alter plant elemental uptake and their orthologs in 10 crop species: 2066 genes total. Yet when compared to ionomic GWAS markers, over 90% of significant markers were not linked to a KIG - indicating the list is incomplete and many causal genes are unknown. Continuing to use only functional annotations as candidate selection criteria will keep efforts biased toward well-known genes and hinder the characterization of unknown genes. We propose an unbiased computational approach that compares analogous GWAS markers from multiple species and searches for conserved genes linked to trait markers. Like the KIG list, we expect many of these unknown candidate genes to have orthologs in other species. By leveraging the evolutionary relationship of these conserved genes, rather than prior knowledge and gene annotations, this method: 1) finds more candidate genes than we expect from random chance, 2) selects and prioritizes candidates in poorly annotated species, and 3) includes unknown genes in the results. With this approach, we now have an unbiased list of gene candidates across 19 ionomic traits in model species and crop species to verify in future experiments.

Soil microbiomes were important regulators of plant productivity. Here, we analyzed the correlations and differences in the microbiome present in the plant and soil of sugarcane cultivars exhibiting different insect resistance to investigate the role played by microbiome in crop insect resistance. We evaluated microbiome of stems, top soil, rhizosphere soil, and striped borers obtained from infested stems, as well as chemical parameters of the soil. Results showed that microbiome diversity was higher in stems of insect-resistant plants, and in contrast, lower in soil of resistant plants, with fungi being more pronounced than bacteria. The microbiome in plant stems was almost entirely derived from the soil. The microbiome of insect-susceptible plants and surrounding soil tended to change towards that of insect-resistant plants after insect damage. Insects' microbiome was mainly derived from plant stems and partly from soil. Available potassium showed extremely significant correlation with microbiome in soil. This study validated the role played by the microbiome ecology of plant-soil-insect system in insect resistance.

The use of Dynamic Movement Orthoses® is examined in a young woman with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) referred for physiotherapy with hip dysplasia, prior to a right peri-acetabular osteotomy. Dynamic Movement Orthoses® plus rigorous subjective examination, therapists’ listening skills and patient-centred goals was useful for this hEDS patient.

Schistosomus reflexus (SR) is an unusual and lethal congenital malformation rarely observed in bovine calves due to autosomal recessive disorders. We report a dead bovine calf with SR after cesarean section, which was characterized by the inversely curved and shortened spine with ankylosed limbs, exposed hemorrhagic viscera, and protruded tongue.

In this paper, Lie symmetry analysis method is applied to time fractional coupled Boussinesq-Whitham-Broer-Kaup equations, which is an important model in physics. The obtained Lie symmetries are utilized to reduce the system of fractional partial differential equations with Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative to the system of fractional ordinary differential equations with Erdélyi-Kober fractional derivative. Then the power series method is applied to derive explicit power series solutions for the reduced system. In addition, the new conservation theorem and the generalization of Noether operators are developed to construct the conservation laws for the equations studied.

Potassium ions enhances photosynthetic tolerance to salt stress. We hypothesized that potassium ions, by minimizing the trans-thylakoid proton diffusion potential difference, can alleviate an over-reduced photosynthetic electron transport chain and maintain the integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus. This study investigated the effects of exogenous potassium on the transcription level and activity of proteins related to the photosynthetic electron-transport chain of tobacco seedlings under salt stress. Salt stress retarded the growth of seedlings, and caused potassium ion outflow from the chloroplast. It also lowered qP (indicator of the oxidation state of Q A), Y PSII (average photochemical yield of PSII) while increasing Y NO+NF (non-regulatory energy dissipation), accompanied by reduced expression of most light-harvesting, energy-conversion, and electron-transport genes. Interestingly, Lincomycin (a D1 protein-synthesis inhibitor) significantly diminished the alleviation effect of exogenous potassium on salt stress. We attribute the comprehensive NaCl-induced down-regulation of transcription and photosynthetic activities to ROS-induced retrograde signalling. There probably exists at least two types of ROS-induced retrograde signalling, distinguished by their sensitivity to Lincomycin. Exogenous potassium appears to exert its primary effect by ameliorating the trans-thylakoid proton diffusion potential difference caused by salt stress, thereby alleviating over-reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain, and maintaining the integrity of photosynthetic proteins.

A document by Moez Benhamed. Click on the document to view its contents.

Equine septic fungal arthritis is poorly documented in the literature. There is absence of efficacy and safety data for anti-fungal medications, highlighting the importance of documenting this case. A 15-year-old Irish sport horse gelding presented moderately lame at the walk on the left hindlimb 13 days after intra-articular medication of the left tarso-crural joint with triamcinolone and hyaluronic acid. Radiography revealed an osteochondral fragment at the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia and shallow subchondral bone defect on the medial trochlear ridge. Synoviocentesis yielded a turbid sample with an elevated total nucleated cell count (49x109cells/L; total neutrophil count of 62.8%). Arthroscopic lavage of the tarsocrural joint (TCJ) was performed. Ceftriaxone was administered and systemic antimicrobials initiated. The fungus Wickerhamomyces anomalus was identified on culture. The horse was subsequently intensively treated with antimicrobial and anti-fungal medications, both systemically and intra-articularly over the following 60 plus days. Multiple subsequent synovial cultures revealed the persistence of the fungal organism, until a negative culture on day 55. However, on day 113, a non-weight bearing lameness at trot was present, and a further positive synovial fungal culture. Radiographs revealed a lytic lesion at the distal tibia with marked progression. The horse was euthanised on day 126.