This paper explores the implications of the Aho-Corasick algorithm in enhancing text analysis in the Sapphire algorithm. The Aho-Corasick algorithm is pivotal in Sapphire's functionality, facilitating the assignment of tokens to their respective values on the frequency distribution and extracting their corresponding TF-IDF scores. This integration significantly improves the efficiency of text evaluation, underscoring the essential role of the Aho-Corasick algorithm.

An improved understanding of the molecular actions underpinning bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) differentiation could highlight new therapeutics for osteoporosis (OP). Current evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) exert critical roles in many biological systems, including osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we examined miR-468-3p effects on osteogenic differentiation (OD). Distinct miR-468-3p reductions were identified during OD. MiR-468-3p also suppressed BMSC OD in gain- and loss-of-function assays, while it negatively regulated Runx2 as shown by molecular, protein, and bioinformatics approaches. When Runx2 was inhibited by small-interfering RNA (siRNA), the inhibitory effects of miR-468-3p toward BMSC osteogenesis were considerably reversed. Also, silenced miR-468-3p in ovariectomized (OVX) and sham mice augmented bone mass (BM) and bone formation (BF) and improved trabecular (Tb) microarchitecture. Therefore, miR-468-3p is a novel Runx2 regulator with key physiological action in BF and OD.

The research in this article explores global robust adaptive motion control for a cable-driven aerial manipulator in the presence of input saturation. The investigation begins by considering the physical attributes of the aerial manipulator and establishing a kinematic and dynamic model of the system with lumped disturbances. Following this, a new control law is formulated using the adaptive vector-backstepping technique, where the adaptive law offers continuous estimation of the virtual parameters. Moreover, a Gaussian error function is utilized to tackle the challenge of input saturation. The stability of the controller proposed is confirmed using Lyapunov theory. Ultimately, numerical simulations and experimental comparisons are conducted to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.

In recent times, e-commerce has become a vital component of our purchasing habits. Central to this evolution is the recommendation system, an advanced algorithm designed to personalize the shopping experience and significantly boost consumer demand. The fashion industry, with its diverse and ever-changing inventory, benefits immensely from these algorithms, making it a fascinating case study for understanding the broader impacts of technology on consumerism. Traditional fashion recommendation systems are fundamentally based on item compatibility, but keeping up with trends is also essential. To address this, we propose a two-stage system: first, fashion detection, then outfit suggestions based on the identified items. Users receive images of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) or influencers wearing similar outfits. These recommendations ensure item compatibility, offer diverse styles, and remain fashionable. At the outset, we experimented with YOLOv8 to select the best version. Next, we implemented fashion image retrieval based on feature extraction using two pre-trained network. To enhance reliability, we developed a voting and ranking algorithm. Our experiments, conducted on a self-collected dataset, evaluated the system’s effectiveness in detecting fashion objects and the efficiency of content-based image retrieval.

Herbivorous insects tolerate chemical variation in their host plant diet by modulating several traits. Insect immune response is one trait that plays a crucial role in maintaining fitness but can be heavily influenced by variation in host plant quality. An important question is how the use of different host plants affects the ability of herbivorous insects to resist viral pathogens. Furthermore, the transcriptional changes associated with this interaction of diet and viral pathogens remain understudied. The Melissa blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa) has colonized the exotic legume Medicago sativa as a larval host within the past 200 years. Here we study the interplay between the effects of host plant variation and viral infection on larval immune responses and global gene expression. We measured immune strength in response to infection by the Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDV) and performed transcriptional sequencing of L. melissa larvae exposed to different viral and host plant treatments. Our results demonstrate that viral infection caused total phenoloxidase (total PO) to increase and viral infection and host plant interactively affected total PO such that for infected larvae, total PO was significantly higher for larvae consuming the native host plant. Additionally, larvae differentially expressed hundredgenes in response to host plant treatment, but with minimal changes in gene expression in response to viral infection. These results demonstrate that in herbivorous insects, diet can alter both physiological and transcriptional responses relevant to viral infection, emphasizing the importance of considering immune and detoxification mechanisms into models of evolution of host range in insects.

A document by Hugo Gagnon. Click on the document to view its contents.

Metabolic engineering in plants represents a potent approach to tackling global challenges in agriculture, nutrition, and sustainability. This comprehensive review explores state-of-the-art strategies for manipulating primary and secondary metabolic pathways in plants. Utilizing advanced genetic modification tools, these methods aim to enhance crop yield, improve nutritional quality, bolster stress tolerance, and increase the production of valuable metabolites. Recent achievements in optimizing photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient utilization, and resilience to environmental stresses through targeted metabolic interventions are examined. The review also explores emerging trends such as synthetic biology approaches and multi-gene trait stacking, which are revolutionizing the field. By integrating omics technologies-genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics-with advanced computational modeling, researchers are refining metabolic engineering designs with unprecedented precision. The study discusses the application of CRISPR/Cas9 and other gene editing techniques in refining plant metabolism, alongside exploring plants' potential as biofactories for pharmaceutical and industrial compounds. As the field rapidly evolves, regulatory and biosafety considerations related to genetically modified crops are addressed, offering insights into the future of sustainable agriculture and crop improvement. This review underscores the transformative potential of plant metabolic engineering in addressing food security, adapting to climate change, and sustainably producing valuable compounds. It also examines the challenges and future perspectives of this dynamic and evolving field.

Accurately representing the relationships between nitrogen supply and photosynthesis is crucial for reliably predicting carbon-nitrogen cycle coupling in Earth System Models (ESMs). Most ESMs assume positive correlations among soil nitrogen supply, leaf nitrogen content, and photosynthetic capacity. However, leaf photosynthetic nitrogen demand may influence the leaf nitrogen response to soil nitrogen supply, thus responses to nitrogen supply are expected to be largest in environments where demand is greatest. Using a nutrient addition experiment replicated at 26 sites spanning four continents, we demonstrated that climate variables were stronger predictors of leaf nitrogen content than soil nutrient supply. Leaf nitrogen increased more strongly with soil nitrogen supply in regions with highest theoretical leaf nitrogen demand, increasing more in colder and drier environments than warmer and wetter ones. Thus, leaf nitrogen responses to nitrogen supply are primarily influenced by climatic gradients in photosynthetic nitrogen demand, an insight that will improve ESM predictions.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious infectious disease with a high mortality rate and a global presence. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a primary etiologic agent of this disease and survivors have different degrees of neurological sequelae as a consequence of the host response to the infection. Progranulin (PGRN) is a multifunctional autocrine growth factor that is also a major immunoregulator. We investigated a role for PGRN in bacterial meningitis in vivo with PGRN -/- mice and in vitro with the mouse microglioma cell line BV-2. Pyroptosis resulted from exposure of BV-2 cells to the bacterium and this was confirmed in the in vivo model. Administration of the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MCC950 to mice prior to infection inhibited pyroptosis and protected PGRN -/- mice and BV-2 cell model from meningitis. This study implicates a protective role for PGRN in pneumococcal meningitis by inhibiting pyroptosis.

Baicalein (BA), a plant-derived active flavonoid in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, has been widely used to treat stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression- and anxiety-like behavior. The neurochemical and molecular biological basis of BA on depression-like behavior remains unclear. In the present study, mice received 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg BA (i.p.) 30 min prior to daily exposure to repeated unpredictable stress for 20 days. The tail suspension and forced swimming tests (TST and FST),novelty suppressed feeding and sucrose preference tests (NSFT and SPT) were used for examining the effects of BA on chronic stress-induced depression- and anxiety-like behavior. The results suggested that BA significantly decreased the duration of immobility in both the FST and TST, increased sucrose consumption and decreased latency to feed, which reflect its antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects. Furthermore, BA increased the serotonin and dopamine concentrations, and inhibited MAO activity in the hippocampus and cortex of stressed mice. The subsequent cAMP levels and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression were also increased in these brain regions after treatment with BA. These findings indicate that BA protects mice against chronic stress-induced depression- and anxiety-like behavior possibly by increasing monoamines levels via inhibition of MAO activity, stimulation of cAMP and BDNF expression in the brain regions that are related to emotional disorders. BA may be a valuable agent for treating or alleviating the complex symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.

C-terminal binding protein (CtBP), a transcriptional co-repressor, significantly influences cellular signaling, impacting various biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune responses. The CtBP family comprises two highly conserved proteins, CtBP1 and CtBP2, which have been shown to play critical roles in both tumorigenesis and the regulation of viral infections. Elevated CtBP expression is noted in various tumor tissues, promoting tumorigenesis, invasiveness, and metastasis through multiple pathways. Additionally, CtBP’s role in viral infections varies, exhibiting differing or even opposing effects depending on the virus. This review synthesizes the advances in CtBP’s function research in viral infections and virus-associated tumorigenesis, offering new insights into potential antiviral and anticancer strategies.

Background Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an excessive immune activation syndrome. The genetic studies on every patient diagnosed with HLH recently became a standard of care. The likelihood of identifying a gene mutation is highest in the youngest patients. Results [Four HLH patients had changes in the following five genes](mailto:peter.fritsch@medunigraz.at): [NLRP1 (c.923G>A)](mailto:peter.fritsch@medunigraz.at), [DOCK 8 (Dedicator of Cytokinesis 8) (c.3067A>G)](mailto:peter.fritsch@medunigraz.at), [AIRE gene (c.10G>A) and one in the RNASEH2B (c.649T>C)](mailto:peter.fritsch@medunigraz.at), [PSTPIP1 (c.1213C>T)](mailto:peter.fritsch@medunigraz.at). No mutations in genes previously associated with HLH syndrome were found. Conclusions [The described cases show that genetic analysis is helpful for the diagnosis of HLH in pediatric patients. The functional analysis of a putative mutation is essential for understanding the pathological mechanism; while not every change in DNA might be responsible for the disease. Each patient might have different mutations; however, they all develop the same clinical outcome. Disruption at different levels can result in a similar picture.](mailto:peter.fritsch@medunigraz.at)

In order to reduce the impact of distributed power grid integration on the grid and improve the stability of the grid, a virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control strategy combining sliding mode-prediction is proposed. The method adjusts the angular frequency of the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) based on the sliding mode control (SMC) in the outer loop, and introduces the model predictive control (MPC) in the inner loop to control the output current reference value to follow the grid frequency. A simulation model is built on MATLAB/Simulink and compared with the other two control methods, and the simulation results show that the strategy can be used to improve the inertia and stability of the grid and improve the system performance when there is a sudden change in the active load

With the development of virtual reality (VR) applications, omnidirectional image quality assessment (OIQA) has become an increasingly vital problem. In this paper, a multi-task guided blind omnidirectional image quality assessment with local and global feature interaction and fusion is proposed. Specifically, a bidirectional pseudo-reference (BPR) module capturing the error maps on viewports using the two opposite pseudo-reference information is first constructed, which is followed by a multi-scale feature extraction module to obtain multi-scale local degradation features. Moreover, to well complement the local features on viewports, a Mamba module is adopted to extract the multiscale global features. Then the features from the local and global branches are deeply fused based on a multi-level aggregation module. Finally, motivated by the multi-task managing mechanism of human brain, a multi-task learning module is introduced to assist the main quality assessment task. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method achieves the state-of-the-art performance on the blind OIQA task compared to other models.

One well-known method of artificial intelligence for removing problematic aspects from unprocessed plain text data is natural language processing (NLP). It can be used to process the initial software requirements in order to accomplish objectives such as functional and non-functional requirement classification and prioritizing. To the best of our knowledge, there hasn’t yet been any research done to look into and compile how NLP is used in the field of Software Requirements Engineering (SRE). Thus, we explored the role of NLP in the context of SRE in this study. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted on 41 papers that were published between 2002 and 2023. As a result, 17 current tools and 6 NLP techniques were recognized. In addition, the researchers recommended two algorithms and 11 tools. It has been determined that NLP methods and resources greatly aid in quickening the SRE procedure. Nonetheless, before implementing the intended NLP techniques, some manual tasks are still necessary for the basic plain text program.

Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) is a set of tools and algorithms that applied or embedded to machine learning models to understand and interpret the models. They are recommended especially for complex or advanced models including deep neural network because they are not interpretable from human point of view. On the other hand, simple models including linear regression are easy to implement, has less computational complexity and easy to visualize the output. The common notion in the literature that simple models including linear regression are considered as "white box" because they are more interpretable and easier to understand. This is based on the idea that linear regression models have several favorable outcomes including the effect of the features in the model and whether they affect positively or negatively toward model output. Moreover, uncertainty of the model can be measured or estimated using the confidence interval. However, we argue that this perception is not accurate and linear regression models are not easy to interpret neither easy to understand considering common XAI metrics and possible challenges might face. This includes linearity, local explanation, multicollinearity, covariates, normalization, uncertainty, features contribution and fairness. Consequently, we recommend the so-called simple models should be treated equally to complex models when it comes to explainability and interpretability.

Heart failure (HF) is a common severe non-malignant complication in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). We performed a systematic review to identify, critically appraise and synthesize population-based studies reporting on the incidence and/or prevalence of HF in 5-year CCS (age <18 years). A comprehensive literature search was carried out until March 14 th, 2023, yielding 3883 records, of which four were found eligible. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. A meta-analysis of three similar studies found a cumulative incidence of 0.99% (95% CI 0.57–1.42) over 5.0-72.5 years (I-squared=94.4%, p<0.001). Existing population-based studies reporting on HF in 5-year CCS are few and heterogeneous. Further studies are required to enable the development of effective surveillance strategies.

Primary diffuse leptomeningeal melanomatosis Leading to raised intracranial pressure in pediatric patientShiva Sareh1,Zohre Habibi2,Mohammad Vasei3,Moeindin Safavi4,Alieh Safari Sharari5 Neda Pak6, \RL Golazin shahbodagh khan7 , Mahmoudreza Ashrafi8 ,Morteza Heidari9 *

Spent mushroom compost (SMC) has highly rich lignocellulosic contents like paddy straw, bagasse, chicken manure, etc.; hence, it is a natural source of lignocellulolytic enzymes (LCE) secreted by its microflora and microbiota. An effective procedure was optimised in the present investigation to recover LCE from SMC. Maximum yield of the recovered enzymes was attained with extraction in distilled water at 4 ○C±2 ○C with uniform agitation for 60 minutes. Enzymes extracted were subjected to concentrating by tangential flow filtration quantified as 1022.2±4.9IU carboxymethylcellulase and 17.5±0.09IU laccase activity. pH stability study of lyophilised extracted enzyme powder at 30 ○C showed that extract reconstituted in sterile distilled water has a constant and stable activity for up to 24 hrs. The study also confirmed that pH 6.0-8.0 is optimum for cellulase and pH 4.0 for laccase activity. Further, heterogeneous cultures isolated from SMC were subjected to understanding the diversity and phylogenetic relationship of microbes in SMC, which was carried out by internal transcribed spacer identification. Filtrate culture (FC) was found to be closely related to Suhomyces xylopsoci. The most abundant strains detected based on percent identity were S. xylopsoci, Candida xylopsoci, and Pichia kudriavzevii, with 99.2% in FC. Similarly, residue culture (RC) was closely related to Wickerhamomyces sydowiorum. P. myanmarensis, and W. edaphicus with 82.9% identity in RC. These mixed cultures are primarily responsible for extracellular cellulase and laccase production, which belongs to the lignocellulolytic group of enzymes. This optimised protocol provides optimal conditions for extracting stable active enzymes with few novel insights on LCE-secreting organisms like S. xylopsoci and W. sydowiorum.

Four studies tested the hypothesis that psychological essentialism underlies political conservatism. Study 1 (n = 263) finds correlational evidence that essentialist thinking about the U.S. is correlated with support for three conservative ideologies (RWA, SDO, nationalism) and conservative policies regarding religion, taxes, the environment and immigration. Experiments show that prompting participants to think about the essence of the U.S. increases support for RWA and nationalism, but not SDO. Study 2 (n = 164) compares an essential to a non-essential framing of the U.S., while Study 3 (n = 150) compares essential framings of the U.S. to another concept (music). Parallel mediation analyses show that support for RWA and nationalism mediates the relationship between essentialism and support for conservative policy positions. Study 4 (n = 174) directly replicates Study 2 and goes further to test mediators, showing that perceptions of intergroup threat mediate the effect of an essential U.S. framing on RWA, while national identification mediates the effect on nationalism. We discuss how the different ways liberals and conservative Americans conceive their nation impacts political polarization. Data and materials are publicly available at (https://osf.io/srvxk/?view_only=3222ba5c750d4362b68b25ea80195d67)

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of auditory and visual distraction interventions on patient discomfort, pain and anxiety during office-based Otolaryngologic upper airway procedures. Data Sources: Literature searches were done through Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Lilacs, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Review Methods: The protocol was registered in PROSPERO on August 17 th 2022, under Registration number CRD42020204354. Results: We identified 138 records; two randomized controlled trials using virtual reality as a distraction technique in adults and one in children were included. All studies had some concerns regarding risk of bias. In adults, anxiety was lower in the virtual reality group than in the standard of care, (mean difference -16.72, 95% CI -27.19 to -6.24, p=0.002, I 2=0%). There was no difference in procedure related pain between groups, (mean difference -0.28, 95% CI -1.24 to 0.68, p=0.57, I 2=10%). There was no difference in satisfaction between groups (Standardized mean difference 0.18, 95% CI -0.22 to 0.58, p = 0.37, I 2=0%). Only one Pediatric study was included hence no meta-analysis was done. Anxiety and pain were lower and satisfaction was higher in the group using virtual reality. Conclusions: The use of virtual reality distraction in addition to standard analgesia during office-based Otolaryngology upper airway procedures reduced anxiety in adults. It did not decrease pain or increase the level of patient satisfaction. In the paediatric population, there is a reported benefit for procedural anxiety, pain and satisfaction.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of abnormal intrapartum CTG patterns in women infected with SARS-CoV-2. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary hospital center. Population or sample: The exposed group consisted of woman who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections were included. The control group consisted of randomly selected SARS-CoV-2 negative women. Method: CTG anomalies were blindly identified according to the physiological interpretation of cardiotocography traces, RCOG-classification and 3-tier system. We compared the frequency of CTG anomalies between SARS-CoV-2 positive women and controls, and between symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. Main outcome measures: Frequency of CTG abnormalities, according to the used CTG-classification systems. Results: We included 119 women in the case group, of whom 31 were symptomatic (26%), and 116 women in the control group. We found no significant differences in maternal and labor characteristics between groups. Perinatal outcomes were similar in the two groups. Major CTG abnormalities were present in 27% of cases versus 27% of controls. No significant differences between cases and controls were found using the RCOG-classification or three-tier fetal heart rate system. Abnormal patterns 1h before delivery were present during <10min (29 vs 31%), 10-30min (24 vs 20%) and >30min (47 vs 49%) in cases and controls, respectively. CTG characteristics were similar between SARS-CoV-2 positive asymptomatic and symptomatic women, with no significant differences in the rate of abnormalities. Conclusion: Unlike suggested in earlier case-series, CTG abnormalities do not seem more frequent in maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. No specific pattern was found in these fetuses.

Objectives: Do fetal-maternal complications in the first viable pregnancy after hysteroscopic treatment of Asherman’s syndrome (AS) differ from that of women without AS. Design: We conducted a prospective cohort study utilizing data from patients who underwent AS treatment, enrolled between January 2011 and December 2022 and who consequently conceived and progressed to at least 22 weeks of gestational age. Perinatal outcomes were compared to matched controls without an AS history. Setting: Study was conducted in in a single University-affiliated hospital specialized in AS treatment. This Asherman’s Expertise Center is a tertiary referral center for women with AS. Population: 428 women with the first viable pregnancy after surgical treatment for AS. Out of over 38000 pregnant women, we matched on a 1:5 ratio on age, calendar-year, parity, and gravidity using propensity scores, resulting in a control group of 2120 women. Methods: Chi-square test was used to compare perinatal outcomes between the pairs. The odds ratio (OR) for the associations was calculated by logistic regression including 95% confidence intervals. We performed subgroups analyses to identify whether specific group were at higher risk as compared with others. Mean Outcome Measures: Fetal-Maternal outcome in women who are treated for AS are 1.5 times greater including perinatal death premature delivery, lower average birthweight, breach position and postpartum problems. Results: Women with AS have a fetal-maternal morbidity rate that is one and a half times higher, including more perinatal deaths (2.8% vs 0.7%; P <0.001), premature delivery (20% vs 8%; P<0.001), lower average birthweight 3137gram versus 3361gram (P<0.001), more often a baby in breach position (15.7 vs 5.2%; P<0,001, retained placenta requiring manual or surgical removal (24% vs 4%; P<0.001). Furthermore, significantly greater average total blood loss during delivery (971 ml vs. 622 ml, P<0.001) and a higher incidence of peripartum hemorrhage diagnosis (30% vs. 12%, P<0.001) were observed. Women who undergo a procedure during the postpartum period that leads to AS, exhibit the highest incidence of all perinatal complications. Conclusions : Women diagnosed with AS show a fetal-maternal morbidity rate that is 1.5 times greater, with a higher incidence of perinatal deaths. Women with AS, pregnancy should be considered at high risk for fetal-maternal complications, especially among women who had a postpartum procedure in their medical history.

A document by Mshanga Mjemmas. Click on the document to view its contents.