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238U and 234U concentrations, 238U/234U ratios and Na, Ca, Mg, K, Al, As, Cd concentrations were measured in selected surface waters (streams, rivers and lakes), ground waters (dug wells) and underground waters (drill wells and thermal waters) in Quang Nam and Da Nang provinces, Central Vietnam. The mineralization was < 500 mg L−1 and Al, As, Cd contents were a few tenths of µg L−1. 234U and 238U activities were between 0.47–27.6 mBq L−1 and 0.6–15.0 mBq L−1 respectively, these values are lower than WHO recommended limits. Uranium contents trended as Urivers < Ustreams < Ulakes < Udig wells < Uthermal water < Udrill wells. The 234U/238U ratio ranged from 0.69 to 2.31 with 1.26 on average. For groundwaters, the ratio scattered around one. Effects of Nong Son uranium deposit located in Quang Nam region were not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify the occurrence and characteristics of PCDD/Fs in soil and sediment samples from secondary copper and aluminum villages in northern Vietnam using the HRGC/MS system. Additionally, it assesses the impact of PCDD/Fs on human health and the potential ecological risks they pose. The residual concentrations of PCDD/Fs in soil and sediment samples collected from the secondary copper Dai Bai village and secondary aluminum Man Xa village were as follows: 0.37 ± 0.29 ng TEQ/kg d.w. (ranging from 0.06 to 0.63 ng TEQ/kg d.w.); 4.88 ± 0.51 ng TEQ/kg d.w. (ranging from 0.512 to 12.17 ng TEQ/kg d.w.); 11.2 ± 5.31 ng TEQ/kg d.w. (ranging from 5.12 to 15.2 ng TEQ/kg d.w.); and 21 ± 12.7 ng TEQ/kg d.w. (ranging from 0.37 to 31.6 ng TEQ/kg d.w.), respectively. The distribution of PCDD/Fs indicated Octa- and Hepta-CDD/Fs as the dominant congeners with high chlorine content. The TEQ levels of PCDD/Fs in all soil and sediment samples were found to be below the allowable limit according to Vietnamese regulations, with the top contributor being 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF. Samples collected near the production areas exhibited higher levels of PCDD/Fs compared to those collected farther away. The UNEP toolkit was utilized to determine the permissible dioxin TEQ concentrations suitable for livestock farming. The lifetime average daily doses (LADD) of PCDD/Fs via soil ingestion in Man Xa and Dai Bai were calculated as 0.04 × 10−3 and 1.54 × 10−3 pg TEQ/kg d.w. respectively. The relative cancer risks for humans were estimated at 0.05 × 10−12 and 2.05 × 10−12. Furthermore, the ecological risk assessment method indicates that dioxin in all soil and sediment samples near the aluminum recycling craft village had a negative impact on the ecosystem. In contrast, sediment samples taken away from the aluminum recycling craft village and all sediment soil samples in the bronze casting village did not show negative impacts on the ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An electrocatalyst based on the Pt-MoO 3 /NiMoO 4 NRs has been fabricated for industrial-grade water splitting. • The electrolyzer using Pt-MoO 3 /NiMoO 4 NRs electrodes only required 1.55 V to achieve 10 mA cm−2. • Density functional theory calculations proved that the good synergy of the MoO 3 /NiMoO 4 and Pt benefited their catalytic performance. A new catalyst has been developed that utilizes molybdenum oxide (MoO 3)/nickel molybdenum oxide (NiMoO 4) heterostructured nanorods coupled with Pt ultrafine nanoparticles for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) toward industrial-grade water splitting. This catalyst has been synthesized using a versatile approach and has shown to perform better than noble-metals catalysts, such as Pt/C and RuO 2 , at industrial-grade current level (≥1000 mA·cm−2). When used simultaneously as a cathode and anode, the proposed material yields 10 mA·cm−2 at a remarkably small cell voltage of 1.55 V and has shown extraordinary durability for over 50 h. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have proved that the combination of MoO 3 and NiMoO 4 creates a metallic heterostructure with outstanding charge transfer ability. The DFT calculations have also shown that the excellent chemical coupling effect between the MoO 3 /NiMoO 4 and Pt synergistically optimize the charge transfer capability and Gibbs free energies of intermediate species, leading to remarkably speeding up the reaction kinetics of water electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethanol is the most commonly encountered substance in forensic toxicology. Determining blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in autopsies accounts for the majority of work in forensic diagnosis. The most common method to assess BAC is the enzymatic oxidation method because of its low cost, easy operation, and high throughput. Still, the elevated lactate and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in postmortem blood may affect accuracy. This study uses headspace gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (HS-GC/FID) to assess the interference of lactate and LDH levels on BAC in 110 autopsied blood samples determined by the enzymatic oxidation method. The results showed that lactate and LDH levels in postmortem blood were higher than in normal blood. There was a weak correlation between the lactate levels and BAC difference (r = 0.23, p < 0.05) and a strong correlation between LDH levels and BAC difference (r = 0.67, p < 0.001). The differentiation of BAC between the enzymatic oxidation method and HS-GC/FID was significant (p < 0.001), confirming the interference significantly. All postmortem blood samples with lactate and LDH levels higher than regular lead to a positive error in determining BAC by enzymatic oxidation method. The study results suggest that the HS-GC/FID method should be used to determine BAC in postmortem blood samples instead of the enzymatic oxidation method to avoid mistakes in forensic diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vietnam, a nation with a rich and complex history of migration and settlement, is home to 5 fundamental language families: Austroasiatic (AA), Tai-Kadai (TK), Austronesian (AN), Sino-Tibetan (ST) and Hmong-Mien (HM). Among them is the Austronesian, a language family substantial in island Southeast Asia (ISEA) but marginal in mainland counterpart (MSEA), constituted five Vietnamese ethnolinguistic groups. Here, we analyzed the control region, and the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of 121 individuals from 3 AN-speaking populations (Churu, Ede, and Giarai). To explore the molecular diversity, the sequences were aligned against the Reconstructed Sapiens Reference Sequence (RSRS). The quantification and distribution of nucleotide variations resulted in 6,369 variants in our dataset in which the control region and coding region retained 1,707 and 4,662 variants, respectively. Churu harbored the most diversity (54.6 ± 2.8 variants/person), followed by Giarai (52.2 ± 3.3 variants/person), and Ede (51.1 ± 5.3 variants/person). Both the control region and whole mtDNA were input to Haplogrep3 to call haplogroups, resulting in 47.11% of our samples having their haplogroup changed from 17 whole mtDNA lineages to 16 different control region lineages. The haplogroup profile derived from whole mtDNA included 31 unique clades, in which only B5a1d was shared among three groups, and 23/31 lineages were present exclusively in a single population. The haplogroup component of each minority also revealed that all 3 AN groups had the majority of their samples attributed to the macrohaplogroups M, B, and F, with the disparity fixed in their underlying sublineages. This study increased the knowledge wealth of the genetic characteristics of AN speakers in the region from a different analysis approach, and highlighted the contribution of variants in different complete mtDNA, providing insight to reconstruct a comprehensive genetic architecture of Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation on optimum layer thickness and fiber orientations of laminated composite plates against buckling under complex loading conditions by using a new optimization procedure that effectively utilizes computational efforts. In this proposed procedure, a finite element model of the laminated composite plates is developed for the buckling analysis and the interior point optimization procedure is used to maximize the buckling coefficient, aiming to determine the optimum values of fiber orientation angles and thickness. In optimization scenarios, the laminated composite plates are subjected to single and complex loading conditions, including compression, shear, bending and a combination of two or more of these loading types. The computational performance of the proposed optimization procedure is evaluated to investigate and present the effect of various factors including the number of layers, length-to-thickness ratios, aspect ratios, and boundary conditions on the optimum buckling analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of longitudinal groove cavities on drag and flow behavior was investigated for the axisymmetric model acquired by different conical boattail models. The angle of the boattail was changed from 0 to 22° to understand the influence of cavities on the aerodynamic drag and flow behaviors. The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation with turbulent model k-ω SST was used for the investigation. The simulation was conducted at a velocity of 22 m/s by Ansys Fluent software. Numerical results of the boundary layer, velocity fields, pressure, and drag were first validated by experiments at the same flow conditions. Our results indicate that the grooved cavity allows a reduction of aerodynamic drag up to 24 % for the boattail model of 22°. Additionally, a 6 % drag reduction was also observed for the boattail model of around 14°, where the drag is minimal. The decreasing drag is connected to an increasing base pressure, which is from shortening wake structure and increasing boattail pressure around the shoulder. The longitudinal grooves are found an effective passive control device for narrowing flow separation on the boattail. The details of pressure distributions, flow structure at the surface, and near-wake structure were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analytical method to investigate the nonlinear forced vibration of the sandwich plate resting on Pasternak-type foundations subjected to the combination of the mechanical, thermal, electric and magnetic loadings is presented in this paper. The sandwich plate is composed of penta-graphene core with negative Poisson's ratio and two magneto-electro-elastic face sheets. The temperature-dependent elastic characteristics of penta-graphene core are determined by density functional theory. For magneto-electro-elastic material, the material properties depend on the volume fraction of piezoelectric and piezomagnetic phases which are assumed to be equal. The Hamilton's principle and Reddy's higher order shear deformation plate theory are used to derive basic equations of motion. The effects of different parameters such as magnetic and electric potentials, elastic foundations coefficients, temperature increment, initial imperfection, viscous damping and geometrical parameters on the natural frequency, nonlinear to linear frequency ratio and dynamic response of the sandwich plate are discussed in details. The numerical results of this work are also compared with the results available in the literature in order to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) has proven to be a reliable tool for quantifying the impact of financial toxicity (FT) in patients with cancer in clinical and public health settings. However, the COST has not yet been validated in Vietnam. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate its reliability and validity among Vietnamese patients with cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 300 patients with cancer aged 27–95 years (mean: 58.5±11.2) in a tertiary hospital. The COST was translated into Vietnamese and English and adjusted to suit the local culture. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. The construct and convergent validities were also assessed. Results: The COST demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.913; McDonald's omega = 0.915). The exploratory factor analysis revealed two factors that explained 64.9% of the variance. The adjusted fit indices indicated a good fit of the model (χ2 (39) = 67.78, p = 0.003; standardized root mean squared residual = 0.042; Tucker–Lewis index = 0.971; comparative fit index = 0.979; root mean square error of approximation = 0.061, 90% confidence interval = 0.035–0084). Higher COST scores were significantly correlated with higher health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L utility score: r = 0.21, p = 0.002; EQ VAS: r = 0.28, p < 0.001). Multivariate quantile regression analysis revealed that female sex, rural residence, and unstable job/unemployment were associated with lower COST scores. There was no statistically significant difference in other factors, including clinical factors (types of cancer, staging, and treatment modalities). Conclusions: The COST is reliable and valid, making it suitable for assessing FT severity in Vietnamese patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Austronesian (AN) is the second-largest language family in the world, particularly widespread in Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) and Oceania. In Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA), groups speaking these languages are concentrated in the highlands of Vietnam. However, our knowledge of the spread of AN-speaking populations in MSEA remains limited; in particular, it is not clear if AN languages were spread by demic or cultural diffusion. In this study, we present and analyze new data consisting of complete mitogenomes from 369 individuals and 847 Y-chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 170 individuals from all five Vietnamese Austronesian groups (VN-AN) and five neighboring Vietnamese Austroasiatic groups (VN-AA). We found genetic signals consistent with matrilocality in some, but not all, of the VN-AN groups. Population affinity analyses indicated connections between the AN-speaking Giarai and certain Taiwanese AN groups (Rukai, Paiwan, and Bunun). However, overall, there were closer genetic affinities between VN-AN groups and neighboring VN-AA groups, suggesting language shifts. Our study provides insights into the genetic structure of AN-speaking communities in MSEA, characterized by some contact with Taiwan and language shift in neighboring groups, indicating that the expansion of AN speakers in MSEA was a combination of cultural and demic diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is devoted to solving a backward problem for general nonlinear parabolic equations in Sobolev spaces. The problem is hardly solved by computation since it is severely ill‐posed in Hadamard's sense. Using the Fourier transform and the truncation of high‐frequency components, we construct a regularized solution for the problem from the data given inexactly. As usual for ill‐posed problems, the rate of convergence can be obtained under additional smoothness assumptions on the regularity of the exact solution, the so‐called source conditions. By using a source condition in a generalized form, we prove a convergence estimate in a Sobolev space Hq(ℝn)$$ {H}^q\left({\mathrm{\mathbb{R}}}^n\right) $$. Corresponding to different levels of the source condition, the convergence rates are improved gradually. We apply our theory to the backward problem with a convection–diffusion operator and a cubic nonlinearity. Finally, the numerical results are presented to test the validity of the proposed regularization method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid‐state infrared sources designed to emit wavelengths above 2 µm often face challenges in achieving high emission efficiency, minimizing power consumption, and reducing fabrication costs. In response, a 2.4 µm wavelength light emitting diode (LED) is developed using metamorphic In0.83Ga0.17As/InAs0.3P0.65Sb0.05 multiple quantum well (MQW) heterostructures. The substantial conduction (94 meV) and valence band offsets (300 meV) within this type‐I MQW LED architecture result in strong carrier confinement, improving electron and hole wavefunction overlap. Despite a notable lattice mismatch of 2.0% between the MQWs and InP substrate, the resulting LED wafer exhibits exceptionally low surface roughness (1.1 nm) and well‐defined, sharp interfaces within the heterostructures. Furthermore, this MQW LED exhibits favorable emission properties, including a low turn‐on field, minimal efficiency droop, and stable emission wavelength across varying injection currents. These advancements underscore the potential of such short‐wave infrared emitters for scalable applications in fields such as inspection, optical on‐chip communication, and biomedical diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating electrolyzers into power systems can significantly contribute to sustainable energy via the generation of green hydrogen while also enhancing frequency stability through effective regulation of the electrolyzers' operating power. This study gives a comprehensive analysis of large-scale electrolyzer plants when providing frequency support to power systems. First, the authors present a model predictive control (MPC)-based secondary frequency controller, combined with a droop controller as the primary frequency controller and a virtual inertia controller. Additionally, the study introduces a universal system frequency response (U-SFR) modeling approach that enables high accuracy, low computation burden, and reduced initial parameters as a testbed. Finally, an in-depth analysis is conducted, focusing on different technical aspects of large-scale electrolyzer plants when providing frequency support services. Case studies integrating PEM and Alkaline electrolyzers into the modified IEEE 39-bus system with over 50% wind power penetration are conducted. It is found that the proposed U-SFR model achieves high accuracy with lower computational time compared to detailed physical models. Additionally, model predictive controllers improve frequency quality more effectively than PID and PID-FLC methods. PEM electrolyzers are found to be more efficient in providing grid frequency support than alkaline electrolyzers due to their technical characteristics. Finally, smaller hydrogen tanks may frequently breach storage constraints, negatively impacting the system's frequency response capability. • Universal system frequency response model with high accuracy and low computation time. • Model Predictive Controller for large-scale PEM and Alkaline electrolyzer plants. • Modified IEEE-39 bus system with 50% wind energy penetration as a testbed. • Technical analysis of PEM and Alkaline electrolyzers on frequency regulation capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfated polysaccharides SpvF1, SpvF2, SpvF3, and SpvF4 from the brown alga S. vietnamense collected north of Hon Do (Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam) were isolated and studied. The structure of the obtained polysaccharide was studied using chemical methods and NMR spectroscopy. Fucoidans were low-sulfated (SpvF1, SpvF2) and medium-sulfated (SpvF3, SpvF4) heterogeneous polysaccharides. The molecular weight of the polysaccharides obtained was in the range of 16 to 44 kDa. All investigated fucoidans until 400 µg/mL were not cytotoxic for human colon carcinoma cells DLD-1, HCT-116, and HT-29 in vitro. Fucoidans SpvF1 and SpvF2 have inhibited the colony formation and growth of investigated cells from 20 to 30%. Fucoidans SpvF3 and SpvF4 have the strongest inhibitory effect for investigated cancer cells: from 40 to 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper examines the effect of intellectual capital (IC) and market capitalization (MC) on corporate investment decisions (ID) through the mediating and moderating effects of knowledge/information sharing (KS) and the Covid-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: With the use of SPSS 26 and SmartPLS version 3.0, the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique is employed with 1,036 observations to examine the effects. Findings: Our findings show that IC and social interactions (SI) have a positive effect on KS. KS affects positively both MC and ID. KS has the mediating and moderating effects while the Covid-19 has the moderating impact on ID. Practical implications: This research suggests that company leaders should understand the important role of IC and MC in enhancing ID through KS. They should pay attention to MC to enhance their investment and SI among employees, partners, consumers and authorities should be encouraged. Originality/value: This research contributes to the existing literature by employing the perceptual scale to examine the effect of IC and MC, the mediating and moderating effects of KS, and analyze the moderating role of the Covid-19 on ID. It also expands the current models by including the Covid-19 and MC to clarify the ID determinants. New measurements of MC and the Covid-19 constructed are also another contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the electromagnetic inverse scattering problem of determining the location and shape of anisotropic objects from near-field Cauchy data. We investigate both cases involving the Helmholtz equation and Maxwell's equations for this inverse problem. Our study focuses on developing efficient imaging functionals that enable a fast and stable recovery of the anisotropic object. The implementation of the imaging functionals is simple and avoids the need to solve an ill-posed problem. The resolution analysis of the imaging functionals is conducted using the Green representation formula. Furthermore, we establish stability estimates for these imaging functionals when noise is present in the data. To illustrate the effectiveness of the methods, we present numerical examples showcasing their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goals of this study were to investigate the formation of abasic sites (AP sites) induced by methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2), and to characterize specific types of these pro-mutagenic DNA lesions in calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA), and BEAS-2B human lung normal cell line. Furthermore, these profiles were compared with those observed in leukocytes derived from healthy controls (HC), breast cancer patients (BCP) before treatment, and 5-year survivors. Results indicated that both H 2 O 2 and MMS induced the concentration- and time-dependent formation of AP sites in CT-DNA. To characterize the specific types of AP sites induced by H 2 O 2 or MMS, we performed AP site cleavage assay using putrescine, T7 exonuclease (T7 Exo), and exonuclease III (Exo III). Results showed that the AP sites induced by H 2 O 2 in CT-DNA were predominantly 5'-and 3'-nicked AP sites and no intact AP sites were detected. By contrast, the majority of AP sites generated by MMS in CT-DNA are not excisable and are classified as residual and intact AP sites. Similar approaches were performed in human BEAS-2B cells and comparable observations were confirmed in the cell-based model. Further investigation indicated that the profile of the AP sites observed in Taiwanese HC is identical to that of BEAS-2B cells treated with H 2 O 2 whereas the pattern of AP sites detected in BCP is similar to that of CT-DNA exposed to H 2 O 2 , suggesting that these AP sites were produced primarily through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. More than 70 % of the AP sites in leukocytes derived from BCP were 5'-nicked and residual AP sites. Furthermore, the characteristics of the AP sites detected in 5-year survivors are comparable with the ones in HC by using putrescine cleavage assay. Overall, we speculate that deficiency in the DNA repair cascade may play a role in mediating the formation of specific types of AP sites detected in BCP. [Display omitted] • H 2 O 2 predominantly induces 5'-cleaved AP sites. • MMS predominantly induces non-excisable AP sites. • The profile of AP sites in leukocytes of healthy controls is similar to that of BEAS-2B cells treated with H 2 O 2. • The profile of AP sites in leukocytes of breast cancer patients is similar to that of CT-DNA exposed to H 2 O 2. • The predominant AP sites in human leukocytes are derived from oxidative stress primarily through the generation of ROS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the effects of a small‐molecule nicotinamide N‐methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitor, 5A1MQ, on body composition, metabolic variables, fatty liver pathologies, and circulating biomarkers in diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice, and characterize its plasma pharmacokinetics (PK) and tissue distribution in vivo. Materials and Methods: DIO mice were administered vehicle or 5A1MQ once daily for 28 days. Longitudinal measures of body composition, blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, and terminal measures of liver histopathology and serum markers, were evaluated. Plasma and tissue PK were established in age‐ and strain‐matched mice after intravenous, oral, and subcutaneous dosing of 5A1MQ. Results: 5A1MQ treatment dose‐dependently limited body weight and fat mass gains, improved oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and suppressed hyperinsulinaemia in DIO mice. Liver histology from 5A1MQ‐treated DIO mice showed attenuated hepatic steatosis and macrophage infiltration, and correspondingly reduced liver weight, size, and triglyceride levels. 5A1MQ treatment normalized circulating levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and ketone bodies, supporting an overall improvement in liver and metabolic functions. The pharmacodynamic effects of 5A1MQ were further corroborated by its high systemic exposure and effective distribution to metabolically active tissues, including adipose, muscle and liver, following subcutaneous dosing of mice. Conclusions: This work validates NNMT inhibition as a viable pharmacological approach to ameliorate metabolic imbalances and improve liver pathologies that develop with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As a first step towards developing a core outcome set (COS) for lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy, the goal of the current study was to perform a systematic review of the literature to identify outcome measures that have been previously reported in studies on lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy. Methods: A systematic review of the literature from 2000–2024 was performed utilizing PubMed and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Identified articles were screened according to study inclusion/exclusion criteria. Outcome measures reported in each included study were recorded and categorized into motor, sensory, pain, patient-reported outcomes, psychological, electrodiagnostic outcomes, imaging outcomes, and other outcomes. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results: A total of 80 articles were initially identified, and 10 articles met criteria for inclusion and underwent analysis. The most common outcome domain was patient-reported outcomes, which were reported in 7 (70%) studies. However, the specific patient-reported outcomes were very heterogeneous. A pain outcome was reported in 6 (60%) studies. Motor, psychological, imaging, and electrodiagnostic outcomes were not reported in any study. Across the included studies, 14 unique outcomes were reported. Conclusions: We have identified the outcome measures that have previously been utilized in studies on lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy. Patient-reported and pain outcomes were most commonly used across the included studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quetiapine myristate (QM), an ester‐bonded lipophilic prodrug of quetiapine (QTP), is synthesized and converted into an amphiphilic structure in acidic pH to trigger a novel self‐assembled QM nanosuspension (QMN). Following injection, this QMN rearranges within physiological pH to form nanoaggregates in structure, resulting in enhanced physicochemical properties and in vivo therapeutic performance without an initial burst release. The 200‐nm‐sized QMN exhibits less invasive injection, higher drug content, and better storage stability profile than conventional poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanosuspensions containing QTP or QM. Following a single intramuscular injection to beagle dogs (35 mg kg−1 QTP), QMN undergoes pH‐responsive nanoaggregation to form the lipophilic prodrug, providing esterase‐oriented sustained release for five weeks compared with the two‐week period of PLGA nanosuspensions. Notably, QMN exhibits improved in vivo pharmacokinetic performance with long‐acting delivery while minimizing issues associated with polymeric PLGA formulations, including the initial massive burst release, cellular toxicity, and adverse side effects. These results support the further development of QMN as a novel long‐acting injectable to improve patient compliance and dosing frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotating supermassive black holes drive Lense–Thirring (LT) effects, which induce orbit nodal and eccentricity vector precession in their vicinity. Typically, these relativistic effects are quite small, but for the case of close-in orbits that are additionally perturbed by an outer intermediate-mass companion (IMC), we show that the LT effects can lead to markedly different dynamical behaviour. Using REBOUND N -body simulations, we show that resonances occur considering both the LT effect and secular perturbations from the IMC, and it can excite the inclination of the orbits, an order of magnitude higher than that achieved solely due to secular three-body effects. We also examine the sensitivity of the inclination growth on the profile of the IMC and find that the excitation is highest for a companion to supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass ratio of 1:1000 and for companions that orbit the SMBH on closer-in orbits. In addition, we investigate how varying the spin direction of the SMBH affects the inclination of the orbits. We find no excitation in the eccentricity of the orbits since the resonance is on the nodal angle, and the fast precession suppresses Kozai cycles. Finally, we note how the LT effect reduces the stability of the three-body system, enhancing the scattering rate between the test particles and the IMC, and thus making disruption events more likely in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of industry 4.0 and the widespread use of digital devices, the number of cyber attacks poses an escalating and diverse threat, jeopardizing users' online activities. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) emerge as pivotal solutions, playing a crucial role in detecting anomalous signals within network systems. To counter novel attack patterns, IDS systems require periodic rule updates for effective identification of unusual signals. Typically, these policies are updated based on rule‐based or deep learning algorithms to enhance detection performance. However, the insufficient number of labeled samples remains a challenge for real‐world deployment. In this article, an automated labeling method is presented that has shown high effectiveness, requiring minimal hardware resources, and applicable to IDS systems. Additionally, the approach utilizes transfer learning combined with attention mechanisms to boost the efficiency of abnormal signal detection. The results from the approach are compared with those of a reference model, illustrating an overall improvement of nearly 10% in our model's performance compared to the reference model. This underscores the effectiveness of automating rule adjustments for IDS, contributing significantly to reducing associated financial costs. The research addresses the challenges in deploying IDS in real‐world scenarios and provides a valuable contribution to enhancing cyber threat detection capabilities. A preprint has previously been published [11]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pine Island, Thwaites, Smith, and Kohler glaciers in the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE) sector of West Antarctica experience rapid mass loss and grounding line retreat due to enhanced ocean thermal forcing from Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) reaching the grounding lines. We use simulated Lagrangian particles advected with a looping 1 year output from the Southern Ocean high‐resolution model to backtrack the transport and cooling of CDW to these glaciers. For the simulated year 2005–2006, we find that the median time needed to reach the grounding lines from the edge of the ASE is 3 years. In addition, the Antarctic Coastal Current contributes an equal number of particles as off‐shelf sources to the grounding lines of Pine Island and Thwaites. For CDW coming from off‐shelf, results from SOhi indicate that 25%–66% of the cooling occurs within ice shelf cavities. Plain Language Summary: The glaciers in the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE) sector of West Antarctica are contributing rapidly to sea level rise in response to enhanced melt by warm, salty Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW). We use an ocean numerical model to trace the sources, pathways, and cooling of warm waters to reach glacier grounding lines. We find that it takes multiple years for off‐shelf perturbations to reach the glaciers and that the colder Antarctic Coastal Current contributes the same amount of water to the grounding lines of Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers as off‐shelf CDW sources. The model also reveals that half of the cooling of CDW occurs under the ice shelves, which is an effect not accounted for in most models used for projecting sea level rise. Key Points: From a 2005–2006 simulation, it takes about 3 years for water to reach the grounding lines from the edge of the Amundsen Sea EmbaymentThe simulation shows the Antarctic Coastal Current contributing equal amounts of water to Pine Island and Thwaites as off‐shelf sourcesSOhi results indicate that 1/4 to 2/3 of the cooling between the shelf break and the grounding lines occurs within the cavities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study examines feasibility of incorporating waste hydrated cement paste (WHCP) and luminescent glass (LG) as sand replacements in conventional mortars. Luminescent glass aggregates (LG) were produced by initially mixing luminescent powder with adhesive resin and subsequently adding glass pellets with size smaller than 2 cm. WHCP was produced by mixing cement and water and then cured at room temperature prior to be ground into aggregate with size smaller than 2 mm. Luminescent composite mortars (WLM) were produced by replacing 50–70% of sand by WHCP and LG in which LG replaced 40% of the sand content while WHCP replaced the remaining 10–30%. The feasibility of WLM samples were assessed by their physical and luminescent properties. As results, WLM samples met requirements for constructive mortar such as flowability, drying skrinkage and porosity. At 28d, all WLM samples achieved a strength of around 45 MPa at 28 days, satisfying the strength requirements for constructive mortar. Regarding luminescence properties, all WLM samples exhibited luminescent intensity higher than the threshold of human eyes up to 8h. Luminescent decay curves followed the trend observed in luminescent powders. As such, WLM can be utilized in building projects, particularly for the auxiliary tasks related to road and bridge structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to determine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of rhizome essential oil (EO) of Meistera verrucosa growing wild in Ha Giang Province, Vietnam. The EO was isolated using hydrodistillation, then the chemical composition was analyzed by Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). In addition, the antioxidant activities were determined by the DPPH scavenging method and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The results showed that α-pinene, β-pinene, and (E)-β-ocimene were major components in the EO, accounting for 39.6%, 20.7%, and 12.2%, respectively. The EO showed antioxidant activity, the IC50 value of DPPH scavenging activity, and the EC50 value of FRAP assay were 91.01 mg/mL and 17.50 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, to evaluate the inhibitory interaction potential of Keap1, docking analysis indicated that α-pinene has the strongest affinity among the major compounds surveyed. The key interactions observed in the complexes of the major compounds with Keap1 are predominantly hydrophobic interactions (pi-sigma and pi-alkyl), which significantly contribute to their binding affinities. These results provide more information on the volatile compounds of the EO from the rhizomes of M. verrucosa and first reveal its antioxidant power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the notion of γ -dual codes over finite chain rings is introduced as an extension of dual codes over finite chain rings. Various characteristics and properties of γ -dual codes over finite chain rings are explored. We provide both necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of γ -self-dual codes over finite chain rings. Additionally, we investigate the γ -dual of skew ϕ - α -constacyclic codes over finite chain rings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To estimate the direct costs during the prenatal, delivery and postpartum periods in mothers with diabetes in pregnancy, compared to those without. Methods: This study used a population‐based dataset from 2004 to 2017, including 57,090 people with diabetes and 114,179 people without diabetes in Tasmania, Australia. Based on diagnostic codes, delivery episodes with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were identified and matched with delivery episodes without diabetes in pregnancy. A group of delivery episodes with pre‐existing diabetes was identified for comparison. Hospitalisation, emergency department and pathology costs of these groups were calculated and adjusted to 2020–2021 Australian dollars. Results: There were 2774 delivery episodes with GDM, 2774 delivery episodes without diabetes and 237 delivery episodes with pre‐existing diabetes identified. Across the 24‐month period, the pre‐existing diabetes group required the highest costs, totalling $23,536/person. This was followed by the GDM ($13,210/person), and the no diabetes group ($11,167/person). The incremental costs of GDM over the no diabetes group were $890 (95% CI 635; 1160) in the year preceding delivery; $812 (616; 1031) within the delivery period and $341 (110; 582) in the year following delivery (p < 0.05). Within the year preceding delivery, the incremental costs in the prenatal period were $803 (579; 1058) (p < 0.05). Within the year following delivery, the incremental costs in the postpartum period were $137 (55; 238) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results emphasised the importance of proper management of diabetes in pregnancy in the prenatal and postpartum periods and highlighted the significance of screening and preventative strategies for diabetes in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This first comprehensive genomic analysis of rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria (RGM) isolates from Betta splendens has led to the re-identification of certain isolates and the discovery of a potential new species, Mycobacterium mucogenicum subsp. phocaicum sp. nov. The in silico analysis is consistent with and confirms previously reported in vitro studies on virulence and antibiotic susceptibility profiles. This study emphasizes the crucial role of whole genome sequencing in the accurate identification and classification of mycobacterial species. This study aims to genomically elucidate six isolates of rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria (RGM) derived from Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). These isolates had previously undergone phenotypic and biochemical characterization, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and in vivo virulence assessment. Initial DNA barcoding using the 16S rRNA sequence assigned these six isolates to five different species, namely Mycobacterium chelonae (BN1983), M. cosmeticum (BN1984 and N041), M. farcinogenes (SNSK5), M. mucogenicum (BN1956), and M. senegalense (BN1985). However, the identification relied solely on the highest percent identity of the 16S rRNA gene, raising concerns about the taxonomic ambiguity of these species. Comprehensive whole genome sequencing (WGS) and extended genomic comparisons using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), average nucleotide identity (ANI), and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) led to the reclassification of BN1985 and SNSK5 as M. conceptionense while confirming BN1983 as M. chelonae and BN1984 and N041 as M. cosmeticum. Notably, the analysis of the BN1956 isolate revealed a potential new species that is proposed here as M. mucogenicum subsp. phocaicum sp. nov. Common genes encoding "mycobacterial" virulence proteins, such as PE and PPE family proteins, MCE, and YrbE proteins, were detected in all six isolates. Two species, namely M. chelonae and M. cosmeticum, appear to have horizontally acquired T6SS-II (clpB), catalase (katA), GroEL (groel), and capsule (rmlb) from distantly related environmental bacteria such as Klebsiella sp., Neisseria sp., Clostridium sp., and Streptococcus sp. This study provides the first draft genome sequence of RGM isolates currently circulating in B. splendens and underscores the necessity of WGS for the identification and classification of mycobacterial species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nPRACTICAL IMPLICATIONSIntegrating the Information System Success (ISS) model with the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) paradigm, this study aims to explore how blockchain-enabled stimuli (blockchain-enabled traceability and blockchain-enabled transparency) affect ISS-related organisms (perceived information quality and perceived system quality), which individually, congruently, and incongruently trigger consumers’ behavioral responses (organic food purchase intentions). Using a purposive sampling of 5326 Vietnamese consumers, multiple linear regression and polynomial regression with response surface analysis are employed to examine the hypothesized model. The research indicates that both blockchain-enabled traceability and blockchain-enabled transparency significantly and positively affect perceived information quality and perceived system quality, which both significantly mediate the impacts of blockchain-enabled traceability and blockchain-enabled transparency on organic food purchase intention. The research also finds that higher congruence between perceived information quality and perceived system quality leads to increased organic food purchase intention, while greater disparity between perceived information quality and perceived system quality results in lower organic food purchase intention. This study contributes to the extant literature by integrating the ISS model with the SOR model to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding how blockchain technology affects consumer behavior in the organic food market. It also highlights the crucial role of both information and system quality in leveraging blockchain technology to enhance consumer trust and purchase intentions.Based on the findings, several important recommendations have been offered for practitioners and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the ill-posed inverse problem of determining an unknown source term appearing in abstract fractional diffusion-wave equations from a general noise assumption. Based on a Hölder-type source condition, we give the theoretical order optimality as well as the conditional stability result. To solve the problem, we propose fractional filter regularization methods, which can be regarded as an extension of the classical Tikhonov and Landweber methods. The idea is first to transform the problem into an ill-posed operator equation, then construct the regularization methods for the operator equation by introducing a suitable fractional filter function. As a natural further step, we study the convergence of the regularization methods, for which we derive order optimal rates of convergence under both a priori and a posteriori parameter choice rules. Applications of our fractional filter functions to both the fractional Tikhonov and the fractional Landweber filters are also investigated. Finally, three numerical examples in one-dimensional and two-dimensional cases are tested to validate our theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we investigate the higher-order nonsmooth optimality conditions for vector optimization problems with inequality, equality and set constraints in terms of the higher-order Gâteaux derivatives. First, we propose various higher-order Mangasarian–Fromovitz nonsmooth constraint qualifications for such problems. Second, we formulate higher-order KKT-type necessary optimality conditions for the local weak efficient solutions of the nonsmooth vector equilibrium problem with constraints (CVEP) and its special cases. An application of the result to the resources assignment problem with set, inequality, equality constraints is derived. Under some suitable assumptions involving a set constraint, the higher-order nonsmooth necessary optimality conditions become the higher-order sufficient optimality conditions via the higher-order directional/Gâteaux derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the attempts of measuring the thickness of a steel operation pipe occurring in the salt cavern and its geometry using an ultrasonic probe in the stage of computer simulation and laboratory are presented. The pipe makes as an obstacle for ultrasonic waves. In order to resolve this task, we need to determine the thickness of the pipe and choose the appropriate resonant ultrasonic wave. Determination of the thickness of the industrial steel pipes was carried out using the resonant frequency of reflected ultrasound waves and the relationship coefficients. The thicknesses of the industrial pipes measured by the resonant ultrasound wave method are in good agreement with those measured using an electronic caliper. Measurements of the cavern geometry with presence of the operation pipe using the resonant frequency of ultrasonic wave were well verified in a physical model and will be able in application to determine the real salt caverns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen consumption (V˙O2) is an important measure for exercise test, such as walking and running, that can be measured outdoors using portable spirometers or metabolic analyzers. However, these devices are not feasible for regular use by consumers as they intervene with the user's physical integrity, and are expensive and difficult to operate. To circumvent these drawbacks, indirect estimation of V˙O2 using neural networks combined with motion features and heart rate measurements collected with consumer-grade sensors has been shown to yield reasonably accurate V˙O2 for intra-subject estimation. However, estimating V˙O2 with neural networks trained with data from other individuals than the user, known as inter-subject estimation, remains an open problem. In this paper, five types of neural network architectures were tested in various configurations for inter-subject V˙O2 estimation. To analyse predictive performance, data from 16 participants walking and running at speeds between 1.0 m/s and 3.3 m/s were used. The most promising approach was Xception network, which yielded average estimation errors as low as 2.43 ml×min−1×kg−1, suggesting that it could be used by athletes and running enthusiasts for monitoring their oxygen consumption over time to detect changes in their movement economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rare disease Background: Amyloidosis results in fibrillar sheets of beta-pleated amorphous congophilic protein deposition in the extracellular space. Breast amyloidosis is a rare entity, with the first case reported in 1973 and only 2 major case series published since. These deposits can have local or systemic manifestations and typically present unilaterally, although bilateral involvement has been described. Some reported cases of amyloidosis have been linked to breast cancer. Case Report: The patient was a 60-year-old woman who presented to the breast surgery clinic for evaluation after imageguided biopsy of a right breast lesion. Core needle biopsy under stereotactic guidance demonstrated pathology consistent with nodular deposition of amyloid, associated with calcifications. Microscopic examination revealed extracellular deposition of acellular eosinophilic material in fat, stoma, and blood vessels. Congo red special stain was positive. Amyloid with Congo red special stain showed apple green birefringence under polarized light. Surgical excision under needle localization was performed, with the final surgical pathology report confirming amyloid deposits. Conclusions: Breast amyloidosis can have calcium affinity, create a foreign body-like reaction with giant cell infiltration, and distribute through periductal, perivascular, or intralobar patterns. Some factors that can contribute to an increased risk or are associated with breast amyloidosis are predisposing clinical conditions, including autoimmune disease, various breast cancers, and B-cell lymphomas. Amyloidosis of the breast should be treated either as primary or secondary, based on etiology. Further studies need to be conducted on whether there are specific genetic markers that predispose populations to the development of amyloidosis of the breast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an uncommon neurological disorder which is characterised by variable symptoms. The transient clinical condition may be underestimated and misdiagnosed as other conditions, especially, among pregnant women with severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome in the puerperium. We hereby contribute to the literature this rare complication and hightlight the appropriate management of PRES. Presentation case: A pregnant woman (gravida 3, parity 2) had a normal antenatal course. However, she was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome at 29 weeks and 5 days of gestation. Therefore, she was indicated for a medical termination of pregnancy following a patient's consent at our tertiary referral hospital. Severely, the patient developed rapidly with altered mental health in early puerperium. In result, PRES was diagnosed based on a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence with typical findings. After a strict multidisciplinary management, the clinical condition improved after 5 days of onset and recovered completely after a 4-month follow-up without any sequelae. Conclusion: In summary, despite its rarity, clinicians ought to be knowledgeable and raise an aware of PRES during pregnancy. Importantly, a brain imaging modalities should be taken into account among pregnant women with neurological symptoms subsequent to severe preeclampsia. In addition to early diagnosis, a timely appropriate treatment with multidisciplinary team is strongly indicated. Further studies with a large case series are required for this uncommon entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenylation of peptides is widely observed in the secondary metabolites of diverse organisms, granting peptides unique chemical properties distinct from proteinogenic amino acids. Discovery of prenylated peptide agents has largely relied on isolation or genome mining of naturally occurring molecules. To devise a platform technology for de novo discovery of artificial prenylated peptides targeting a protein of choice, here we have integrated the thioether‐macrocyclic peptide (teMP) library construction/selection technology, so‐called RaPID (Random nonstandard Peptides Integrated Discovery) system, with a Trp‐C3‐prenyltransferase KgpF involved in the biosynthesis of a prenylated natural product. This unique enzyme exhibited remarkably broad substrate tolerance, capable of modifying various Trp‐containing teMPs to install a prenylated residue with tricyclic constrained structure. We constructed a vast library of prenylated teMPs and subjected it to in vitro selection against a phosphoglycerate mutase. This selection platform has led to the identification of a pseudo‐natural prenylated teMP inhibiting the target enzyme with an IC50 of 30 nM. Importantly, the prenylation was essential for the inhibitory activity, enhanced serum stability, and cellular uptake of the peptide, highlighting the benefits of peptide prenylation. This work showcases the de novo discovery platform for pseudo‐natural prenylated peptides, which is readily applicable to other drug targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenylation of peptides is widely observed in the secondary metabolites of diverse organisms, granting peptides unique chemical properties distinct from proteinogenic amino acids. Discovery of prenylated peptide agents has largely relied on isolation or genome mining of naturally occurring molecules. To devise a platform technology for de novo discovery of artificial prenylated peptides targeting a protein of choice, here we have integrated the thioether‐macrocyclic peptide (teMP) library construction/selection technology, so‐called RaPID (Random nonstandard Peptides Integrated Discovery) system, with a Trp‐C3‐prenyltransferase KgpF involved in the biosynthesis of a prenylated natural product. This unique enzyme exhibited remarkably broad substrate tolerance, capable of modifying various Trp‐containing teMPs to install a prenylated residue with tricyclic constrained structure. We constructed a vast library of prenylated teMPs and subjected it to in vitro selection against a phosphoglycerate mutase. This selection platform has led to the identification of a pseudo‐natural prenylated teMP inhibiting the target enzyme with an IC50 of 30 nM. Importantly, the prenylation was essential for the inhibitory activity, enhanced serum stability, and cellular uptake of the peptide, highlighting the benefits of peptide prenylation. This work showcases the de novo discovery platform for pseudo‐natural prenylated peptides, which is readily applicable to other drug targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of grades as an extrinsic motivator in formal schooling has been demonstrated in previous research to have negative implications for students' learning and mental health. This subject matter has been particularly absent from the research literature in Vietnam, where the obsession with grades is self-evident. The present study aims to explore Vietnamese university students' orientations toward learning and grades, learning strategy use, mental well-being, and how these variables correlate. In addition, the study examines the potential interplay between learning orientation and grade orientation to influence the latter two variables. A quantitative research design was employed to achieve these goals. Survey responses were collected from 38 second- and third-year students majoring in English Language at a large, public university during a summer semester. Specifically for learning strategy use, participants were directed to pull from their experiences in a Public Speaking course that they had completed in the previous semester. Results revealed that a learning orientation was moderately related to both adaptive learning strategy use and mental wellness, whereas a grade orientation was only negatively related to learning strategy use and unrelated to mental well-being. Moreover, a strong learning orientation alone resulted in the most positive outcomes for both learning and mental health, and higher levels of grade orientation weakened those outcomes. Limitations of the study, directions for future research in this area, and implications for students and educators are then discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a newly designed non-mechanical electro-conjugate fluid (ECF) micropump with a Venturi-shaped collector and teardrop-shaped emitter (VD-ECF micropump). The numerical model using the finite element method was thoroughly validated by comparing it with both experimental data and numerical results. Consequently, the characteristic curves of the VD-ECF micropump are significantly affected by both the emitter angle (θ1) and the collector angle (θ2). The effects of these angles on the flow behaviors in a VD-ECF micropump were first explained. Furthermore, the performance characteristic curves were elaborately constructed for various operating conditions. The operating ranges of pressure difference and flow rate of the VD-ECF micropump are extended, and they peak at θ2 approximately from 25° to 30°. Additionally, the maximum efficiency reaches up to 10%, which is the highest figure recorded to date. The obtained results for the new VD-ECF micropump would significantly contribute to the development of ECF micropumps with precise control. Our work also gives valuable guidelines for designing and manufacturing processes of this type of micropump, which has potential applications in microelectronic cooling systems, micro-actuators, and drug transport mechanisms in medical and biomedical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crisis response involves extensive planning and coordination within and across a multitude of agencies and organisations. This study explores how on‐the‐ground crisis response efforts align with crisis response guidelines. These guidelines are key to the effectiveness of crisis response. To this end, we construct, analyse and compare emergency response networks by using network analysis and natural language processing methods. Differences between plans and practice, that is, false positives (actions delivered but not prescribed) and false negatives (actions prescribed but not delivered), can impact response evaluation and policy revisions. We investigate collaboration networks at the federal, state and local level extracted from official documents (prescribed networks) and empirical data (observed networks) in the form of situational reports (n = 109) and tweets (n = 28,050) from responses to major hurricanes that made landfall in the United States. Our analyses reveal meaningful differences between prescribed and observed collaboration networks (mean node overlap ~9.94%, edge overlap ~3.94%). The observed networks most closely resemble federal‐level networks in terms of node and edge overlap, highlighting the prioritisation of federal response guidelines. We also observed a high ratio of false positives, that is, nongovernmental, nonprofit and volunteer organizations, that play a critical role in crisis response and are not mentioned in response plans. These findings enable us to evaluate the current best practices for response and inform emergency response policy planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controversy surrounds the long-term clinical benefit of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using dual arterial grafts (DAGs) compared to single arterial grafts (SAGs). We investigated outcomes of DAG, using single internal thoracic artery and radial artery (DAG-RA) or bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts (DAG-BITA), compared to SAG, using the left internal thoracic artery and saphenous vein grafts, in the U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VA). We conducted a cross-sectional study of U.S. Veterans undergoing isolated on-pump CABG between 2005 and 2015 at 44 VA medical centers. The primary composite outcome was first occurrence of a major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), comprised of death from any cause, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization. Among 25,969 Veterans undergoing isolated CABG, 1261 (4.9%) underwent DAG (66.8% DAG-RA and 33.2% DAG-BITA). Over a 5-y follow-up, DAG was associated with lower rates of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-0.85), MACCE (AHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71-0.91), and stroke (AHR 0.74, 95% CI 0.57-0.96) versus SAG. DAG-BITA was associated with lower rates of all-cause death (AHR 0.52, 95% CI 0.35-0.77) and MACCE (AHR 0.66, 95% CI 0.51-0.84) than SAG, while DAG-RA was associated with lower rates of all-cause death (AHR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.99). In the VA, DAG was associated with improved long-term MACCE outcomes compared to SAG. These results suggest that the practice of DAG in the VA benefits Veterans and should be promoted further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-use change (LUC) impacts biospheric carbon, encompassing biomass carbon and soil organic carbon (SOC). Despite the use of dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) in estimating the anthropogenic perturbation of biospheric carbon stocks, critical evaluations of model performance concerning LUC impacts are scarce. Here, we present a systematic evaluation of the performance of the DGVM Organising Carbon and Hydrology in Dynamic Ecosystems (ORCHIDEE) in reproducing observed LUC impacts on biospheric carbon stocks over Europe. First, we compare model predictions with observation-based gridded estimates of net and gross primary productivity (NPP and GPP), biomass growth patterns, and SOC stocks. Second, we evaluate the predicted response of soil carbon stocks to LUC based on data from forest inventories, paired plots, chronosequences, and repeated sampling designs. Third, we use interpretable machine learning to identify factors contributing to discrepancies between simulations and observations, including drivers and processes not resolved in ORCHIDEE (e.g. erosion, soil fertility). Results indicate agreement between the model and observed spatial patterns and temporal trends, such as the increase in biomass with age, when simulating biosphere carbon stocks. The direction of the SOC responses to LUC generally aligns between simulated and observed data. However, the model underestimates carbon gains for cropland-to-grassland conversions and carbon losses for grassland-to-cropland and forest-to-cropland conversions. These discrepancies are attributed to bias arising from soil erosion rate, which is not fully captured in ORCHIDEE. Our study provides an oriented benchmark for assessing the DGVMs against observations and explores their potential in studying the impact of LUCs on SOC stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study investigates the effect of the cutting parameters of the Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process of Ti-6Al-4V alloy material on surface roughness (Ra), cutting time (t) and Material Removal Rate (MRR) then solve the Multiple Objective Optimization Problem using separate Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods namely Entropy-Weighted TOPSIS (E-TOPSIS), MOORA, SAW, VIKOR, and WPM. Focusing on nine 3-levels variants including Operating Voltage (OV), Pulse-On Time (Ton), Pulse-Off Time (Toff), Short-Circuit Off Time (AFF), Secondary Voltage (SV), Feed Rate (WF), Tension (WT), Water Pressure (WL) and Material Cutting Speed (F). Due to the large number of variants studied, the Taguchi L27 experimental design was chosen to reduce the number of experiments while still ensuring reliability in assessing the impact of technological parameters on responses in the study. The optimization results from the different methods indicated two distinct optimal outcomes. According to the E-TOPSIS, MOORA, and SAW, the optimal result is a Ra of 3.27 μm, a t of 7.37 min, and an MRR of 7.45 mm3/min. This result suggests a balanced and harmonious optimization among all criteria. On the other hand, the figures VIKOR and WPM methods are 2.87 μm, 9.57 min, and 5.74 mm3/min, respectively. These results indicate a higher priority for certain criteria, reflected in the lower Ra, longer cutting time, and a smaller MRR in comparison to the figures for the remaining MCDM methods. The different optimal results achieved by various methods highlight that each method is suited to and excels with different sets of values. Therefore, in each specific research or production process, comparing and choosing results calculated by different methods provides a comprehensive view, aiding in making appropriate decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-Domain Path Computation under Node-Defined Domain Uniqueness Constraint (IDPC-NDU) is one of the routing cost optimization problems in multi-domain networks that has been proposed and received much attention by researchers. Because the IDPC-NDU is NP-Hard, the approaches using approximation algorithms are frequently used. These approximation algorithms often construct solutions based on connecting edges between adjacent domains, with little consideration of edges between non-adjacent domains. Furthermore, this study investigates how to combine an algorithm with the capability of exploration with another algorithm with the capability of exploiting in order to balance the ability to explore and exploit the search space. As a result, based on new encoding and decoding solution methods, this study proposes combinations of the algorithms Multi-start Method and Variable Neighbourhood Search Method. By considering the inter-domain edges connecting non-adjacent domains, the new encoding and decoding methods help to examine more possible paths between the source node and the destination node. The proposed algorithm is evaluated by comparing it to the most recent algorithms that were proposed to solve the IDPC-NDU. Analysis of experimental results on various instances shows that the proposed algorithm exceeds other algorithms in most of the experimental cases. In particular, one-fifth of the test cases on which the proposed algorithm finds the optimal solution. Besides, the study also analyses the influence of the attributes of the input data on the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: As global populations rise, the need for sustainable food security and waste reduction solutions becomes crucial. Antimicrobial food packaging presents a strategic defence against spoilage and pathogens and has the potential to minimise foodborne illnesses and global food losses. Essential oils (EOs), known for their inherent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, are utilised as natural additives in active food packaging materials. These oils, rich in terpenes and hydrocarbons, are promising for food longevity but face challenges like reduced effectiveness in packaging films, highlighting the necessity for nanoengineered solutions to improve their stability and function in polymer matrices. This article aims to review recent work on the use of EOs incorporated in active food packaging. The focus is on the use of nanotechnology to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of plant‐derived essential oils as preservatives. This article illustrates the nanoscale interactions among essential oils, polymers and food substances, aiming to elucidate how technologies such as nanoencapsulation, nanoemulsions and nanocomposites enhance antibacterial and antioxidant performance while improving packaging structural integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public–private partnership (PPP) environment in Asia is complex due to the different levels of development. Thus, investigating critical success factors (CSFs) of PPP projects plays an important role for both the public and private sectors to ensure sustainable development. The purpose of this study is: (1) to seek and evaluate CSFs of PPP infrastructure projects in Vietnam; and (2) to compare top CSFs among several countries in Asia. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey with 36 obtained responses. Collected data were analyzed using the mean score technique, factor analysis, and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method. Finally, a comparison among countries in Asia was carried out. Seventeen CSFs were identified and five main groupings were grouped, including favorable investment environment, good partnership management, sound financial package, effective contract management, and ability of the private sector. The comparative result has shown that PPP investment in middle-income countries is more complicated than the high-income countries. This finding not only helps the government and investors to be more understanding of CSFs for implementing PPP procurement in Vietnam, but also offers the overall picture of the PPP market in the Asia region. In addition, it provides practitioners with an evaluation framework regarding CSFs in decision-making for PPP implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the problem of designing event-triggered state observers for a class of nonlinear time-delay fractional-order systems. The time delay in the system is assumed to be unknown and non-differentiable but bounded within a closed interval. A novel discrete-time event-triggered fractional-order observer is first designed to provide an estimation vector for the state vector of the considered systems. It is ensured that the estimation vector robustly estimates the state vector of the nonlinear time-delay fractional-order systems. Then, a delay-dependent sufficient condition in terms of a convex optimization problem for the existence of the observer is established based on some lemmas relating to the Caputo derivative estimation of quadratic functions. Finally, three numerical examples demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: At the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, schools closed across the United States. Given the impact of virtual learning and lost access to school resources, schools eventually reopened with COVID‐19 mitigation protocols in place. This qualitative study sought to understand parental perceptions of school‐based COVID‐19 mitigation strategies. METHODS: Using a phenomenology approach, nine focus groups were completed with 40 parents of children in grades K‐8 representing eight Maryland counties. Based on acceptance of masking policies (as indicated on a survey), parents were sorted into 2 groups—lower and higher masking acceptance. A thematic analysis was conducted for each group and themes were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The main themes were related to parents' general sentiments regarding COVID‐19, compliance, pandemic‐related changes over time, changes in personal opinions, and in‐person learning. Both groups described challenges related to inconsistent COVID‐19 mitigation policies and practices, the challenges of rapid and frequent changes in guidelines during the pandemic, and the benefits of in‐person learning. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of elementary and middle school children, regardless of general acceptance of masking policies, shared concerns about implementation and guidance regarding school‐based mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]