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In this paper, a forced vibration caused by drag and lift forces with time-varying mass is studied. The construction of the model is conducted by adding impact force to the previous model. The periodicity of the solution is yet known. Hence, the model is seen as a perturbation problem. Since the unperturbed problem has a periodic solution, we applied the averaging method to determine the sufficient condition such that the limit cycle exists.

Currently, light-emitting diode (LED) technology has produced a more energy-efficient and versatile technology as an artificial lighting system that can be applied in the agricultural sector. Artificial lighting technology has been proven to be effective in increasing the production of agricultural products, especially horticultural commodities. As one of the primary horticulture commodities, tomatoes are the most common crop produced in controlled environments with LED artificial lighting. The focus of this study is to describe the application of LED lights in tomato cultivation and postharvest. We provide an amalgamation of the recent research achievements on the impact of LED lighting on photosynthesis, vegetative growth, flowering, production, and postharvest of tomatoes. Red-blue (RB) lighting induces photosynthesis; increases the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids in tomato leaves; regulates vegetative growth in tomatoes; and increases the production of tomatoes. In postharvest tomatoes, blue LED lighting treatment can slowly change the color of the tomato skin to red, maintain hardness, and increase shelf life. Future research may be carried out on the effect of LED artificial lighting on tomatoes’ phytochemical, antioxidant and other crucial nutritional content. Different LED wavelengths can be explored to enhance various bioactive compounds and health-promoting components.

Meat content and physically hazardous contaminants in the internal section of meatballs cannot be detected by the naked eye or surface detectors. This study is aimed at analyzing the meat content of cattle meatballs and detecting foreign objects using ultrasonography (USG), digital radiography (DR), and electrical impedance tomography (EIT). Meatballs were produced using four different meat formulations (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% meat) and three treatments (no preservative (control), borax, and formalin preservatives). Cast iron and plastic beads were used as models of foreign objects embedded in the samples. The echogenicity, opacity, and resistivity values of each sample were evaluated and compared across groups. The results showed that the shelf life of the control meatballs was shorter than that of meatballs with preservatives. The echogenicity and opacity values for the different meat formulations were hypoechoic in USG and grey in DR. USG was able to distinguish between control and preservative-treated meatballs but could not differentiate meat content and detect foreign objects. Conversely, DR effectively assessed meat content and detected iron-based foreign objects, while EIT showed higher resistivity values for iron and plastic beads compared to the meatball bodies.

Video watermarking is a technique used to embed a visible or invisible mark onto a video file in order to claim ownership, protect intellectual property rights, and detect unauthorized users. The issue of video piracy arises due to the advancement of Internet services and the utilization of various storage technologies. This problem becomes particularly significant with the widespread propagation of media through online channels. The constant progress in sharing of data, videos, images, and applications necessitates the implementation of measures focused on security and the protection of intellectual ownership rights. To address this issue, we proposed a novel Bitstream video watermarking technique that integrates cutting-edge methodologies to seamlessly embed image data within digital videos. This technique stands apart from less sophisticated watermarking methods by capitalizing on spatial and temporal domain concepts in video processing. An experiment is conducted to analyze the time required for the insertion and extraction processes to gain insights into the performance of bitstream watermarking in the video. While enhancing the existing approach, we systematically explored diverse strategies aimed at augmenting watermark capacity, bolstering robustness, and heightening visual imperceptibility. These strategies encompassed the intricate infusion of watermark fragments into the frame area through chaotic mechanisms, the integration of error-correcting codes to ensure data fidelity, and the selective omission of dynamic video segments during information extraction processes. Rigorous experimentations are undertaken by the constraints of lossy compression scenarios, maintaining equivalent or reduced bitrate parameters. The findings substantiate the favorable outcomes stemming from the implemented enhancement, affirming the tangible suitability of the phase watermarking technique for the protection of video copyrights. In order to assess the quality of the bitstream video watermarking technique, the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), and normalized correlation coefficient (NCC) are computed and examined by the testing data. The suggested model achieved a PSNR value up to 32.52 dB, SSIM value up to 0.97, and NCC value is 1. The dynamic range (DR) and spatial resolution (SR) are measured in the evaluation process. Security is enhanced significantly after implementing the multifaceted approach. The watermarking scheme is more robust and can effectively resist the potential attacks. In summary, this study advances the field of video watermarking by proposing a sophisticated bitstream technique and rigorously evaluating its performance. The outcomes underscore its practical viability for copyright protection, contributing to a more secure digital media landscape.

Background. System pharmacological approaches play important roles in drug discovery and development and in biomolecular exploration to investigate the multitarget therapeutic effects of phytochemicals for the treatment of acute and chronic ailments. Objectives. The aim of the study was to apply a system pharmacological approach to investigate the multitarget therapeutic effects of furocoumarins of Apium graveolens L. for the treatment of kidney disease. Methods. Several furocoumarins of Apium graveolens were screened from online databases. Network biology and poly-pharmacology analyses were performed to investigate the multitarget therapeutic effect of furocoumarins. The potential metabolites that showed significant interactions with various genes were selected for in silico docking analysis with CASP-3 and SOD proteins. In silico ADME analysis was also performed to investigate the pharmacokinetic behavior of targeted furocoumarins. Results. Out of thirteen furocoumarins selected for analysis, six showed partial or significant interaction with SOD and CASP-3 proteins. These metabolites may alleviate kidney dysfunction by reducing oxidative and inflammatory stress, regulating apoptosis, slowing down the progression of diabetic nephropathy, and reducing hypertension and glomerular vascular rigidity. In silico docking analysis revealed bergapten as a potential therapeutic agent for kidney disease treatment. In silico docking analysis showed anglicine, imperatorin, and sphondin exhibited strong interaction with CASP-3 and SOD with binding energy −6.5, −7.2, −6.5 and −6.8, −6.2 −5.7 kcal/mol, respectively. These components exhibited greater conventional hydrogen bonding with CASP-3 and SOD than other furocoumarins. Furthermore, in silico ADME analysis of metabolites showed that all furocoumarins have a highly lipophilic nature, good skin permeability, and GI absorption, as well as good blood-brain permeability (BBB). Conclusion. Furocoumarins reduce kidney dysfunction and associated pathophysiological complications via the reduction of glomerular vascular rigidity, diabetic nephropathy, and oxidative and inflammatory stress. However, further biomolecular and clinical examinations are necessary to validate and enhance the credibility of present findings.

Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb, Phyllanthus niruri L., and Morinda citrifolia L. are Indonesian medicinal herbs used empirically as traditional therapeutics for maintaining health. The cocktail extract of these three plants (CECPM) had been developed and demonstrated immunostimulant activity in rats. This study aimed to evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicity of CECPM in vivo. The acute toxicity assay was conducted by orally administering a range dose of CECPM (313, 625, 1250, 2500, or 5000 mg/kg body weight (bw) on female mice once and then evaluating the toxic symptom every day for 14 days later. The chronic toxicity test was carried out by giving various doses of CECPM (600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg·bw) to female and male rats orally continuously for 90 consecutive days. The signs of toxicities were evaluated at the 90- and 28 days postadministration. The acute oral toxicity assays showed that there was no toxic syndrome and mortality found during the period of the experiment. The lethal dose level (LD50) of CECPM was more than 5000 g/kg, which was categorized as practically non-toxic. Meanwhile, in the sub-chronic toxicity study, some parameters tested at 90 days postadministration and after 28 days of withdrawal, such as the body weight, relative organ weight, food intake, hematological and biochemical blood parameters, and also histopathological examination of five primary tissues (heart, liver, kidney, spleen, and lung) revealed no abnormalities. There was no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for the present study of CECPM 1000 mg/kg·bw of the rat. Therefore, it is concluded that the orally administered CECPM was relatively nontoxic during acute and subchronic toxicology studies.

Chocolate products on the market are generally in the form of chocolate bars as snacks made from cocoa powder. Fat and powder are separated first through a pressing process to obtain the cocoa powder. Cocoa powder loses most of its fat content during processing. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the effect of steaming time on the cocoa bean content of fatty acids, free fatty acids, proximate levels, and antioxidant activity of snack bar products made from steamed cocoa beans. Seven steaming time intervals for cocoa beans were studied. The results showed that a longer steaming time affects the fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and proximate in cocoa beans. Steaming time treatment at 45 minutes increased oleic acid, palmitic acid, and antioxidant activity. In addition, reducing free fatty acids represents a quality improvement that meets international Codex Alimentarius standards, offering a competitive advantage in the market. The food industry can adopt this steaming technique to develop snack bars and new products that are healthier and more sustainable by using steaming as an effective processing method in maintaining and increasing the nutritional value of products.

Indonesia is an important essential oil-exporting country globally, where 40 types of essential oils have been traded on the international market and are products of Indonesia. However, the quality and quantity of patchouli oil produced in Indonesia are still low. Most essential oil processing units use simple or traditional technology and generally have limited production capacity. This study aimed to obtain the optimum water flow rate in a condenser system for patchouli oil production in Maluku, Indonesia. Patchouli oil extraction from fresh patchouli leaves and twigs was carried out by increasing the condenser water discharge rate. Patchouli oil extraction with a condenser cooling water discharge treatment of 1.74 L/min and drying time for 5 days produced the highest patchouli oil yield of 1.4%. The greater the condenser water discharge rate, the better the yield and accumulation of patchouli oil recovery obtained. In addition, based on the results of the analysis of the composition of patchouli oil compounds with GCMS, it can be seen that 13 compounds can be detected in patchouli oil. The three main components of patchouli oil in all condenser cooling water treatments were alpha-guaiene, delta-guaiene, and patchouli alcohol. Considering the results of all parameters mentioned above, the treatment of the condenser cooling water discharge of 1.74 L/min and drying time for 5 days increases the quality and quantity of patchouli oil.

An operability certificate is required before using a building. The building operability certificate concerns occupants’ safety before the building is used and is directed by Law Government Regulation 16 of 2021 for building security. This article discusses implementing a building operability certificate underperforming and the strategy for implementing the building operability certificate (SLF) policy. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method. First, qualitative data analysis utilizing SWOT determined the building operability certificate implementation strategy. Second, ranking strategies are analyzed to identify (QSPM’s) priorities. According to the regulation that every building must have SLF, the building operability certificate was not appropriately implemented. With the current building information system legislation, each region can issue Building Approval (PBG) and building operability certificate (SLF). Research findings based on SWOT and QSPM are used to generate seven strategies: Regional Apparatus Work Units (SKPD) commitment, increased socialization, regulation implementation, capacity building, optimal communication, SIMBG implementation, and increasing resources.

This study was conducted in the Mandara Mountains in Cameroon and aimed to assess the effects of human activities on woody vegetation in gallery forests, based on floristic inventories and observations made by the government. Firstly, the inventories were carried out in 150 plots of 1000 m2 each, installed on the banks of watercourses following the band of plant formations. In each plot, woody species were counted and those showing at least one sign of degradation were noted. Secondly, the survey was conducted in 18 administrative structures made up of delegations (MINFOF, MINADER, MINEPDED, and MINEPIA) and town halls. One hundred woody species, grouped into 63 genera and 30 families, have been inventoried, in which 45 species showed at least one sign of damage caused by human being. The species most affected are Anogeissus leiocarpus (67 stems), Azadirachta indica (46 stems), Diospyros mespiliformis (43 stems), Acacia albida (42 stems), Andira inermis (30 stems), Acacia sieberiana (23 stems), Khaya senegalensis (19 stems), Ficus sycomorus (13 stems), and Acacia polyacantha (10 stems). The most recurrent activity in the gallery forests is pruning (212 stems), followed by cutting (93 stumps), then picking (71 individuals). However, there are fewer debarked trees (11) and trees with fire trail (6). According to the responses provided, logging (77.78%), agriculture (72.22%), population growth (44.44%), grazing (33.33%), and bush fires (33.33%) are the main causes of the degradation of plant formations in the Mandara Mountains. These main factors could have a negative impact on biodiversity if appropriate integrated management measures are not taken. To maintain these vital ecosystems, an integrated management plan must be put in place, limiting human activities to a minimum.

Quercetin, a major representative of the flavonol subclass found abundantly in almost all edible vegetables and fruits, showed remarkable therapeutic properties and was beneficial in numerous degenerative diseases by preventing lipid peroxidation. Quercetin is beneficial in different diseases, such as atherosclerosis and chronic inflammation. This study aims to find out the anticancer activities of quercetin and to determine different mechanisms and pathways which are responsible for the anticancer effect. It also revealed the biopharmaceutical, toxicological characteristics, and clinical utilization of quercetin to evaluate its suitability for further investigations as a reliable anticancer drug. All of the relevant data concerning this compound with cancer was collected using different scientific search engines, including PubMed, Springer Link, Wiley Online, Web of Science, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. This review demonstrated that quercetin showed strong anticancer properties, including apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, autophagy, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis, and inhibition of invasion and migration against various types of cancer. Findings also revealed that quercetin could significantly moderate and regulate different pathways, including PI3K/AKT-mTORC1 pathway, JAK/STAT signaling system, MAPK signaling pathway, MMP signaling pathway, NF-κB pathway, and p-Camk2/p-DRP1 pathway. However, this study found that quercetin showed poor oral bioavailability due to reduced absorption; this limitation is overcome by applying nanotechnology (nanoformulation of quercetin). Moreover, different investigations revealed that quercetin expressed no toxic effect in the investigated subjects. Based on the view of these findings, it is demonstrated that quercetin might be considered a reliable chemotherapeutic drug candidate in the treatment of different cancers. However, more clinical studies are suggested to establish the proper therapeutic efficacy, safety, and human dose.

Subchondral defects are often caused by trauma involving cartilage damage, leading to subsequent damage to the underlying bone, specifically the subchondral region. Bilayer scaffolds made from biomaterials, such as bovine hydroxyapatite, possess biocompatible and biodegradable properties that mimic the natural environmental conditions of target tissues so that they can support the formation of new tissues. On the other side, diclofenac as an anti-inflammatory drug potentiates to inhibit the inflammatory excess regarding the damage. This study aims to study the effectiveness of diclofenac scaffold to rabbit joint defect model. The scaffold was implanted in the rabbit femoral trochlear bone hole, which had a diameter of 5 mm and a depth of 4 mm. After 28 days of intervention, the animals were examined using macroscopic evaluation, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for type I collagen and type II collagen. Subsequently, the cartilage was evaluated using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) scoring system. The macroscopic ICRS scores were significantly higher (p

The present microstructural evaluation was carried out on the woods of three ethnobotanically important local fruit trees, namely, Ziziphus mauritiana Lam., Z. spina-christi (L.) Willd., and Z. nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight and Arn., of family Rhamnaceae from Cholistan Desert of Pakistan. Wood samples were sectioned with sliding sledge microtome to make permanent slides for observing different anatomical parameters under the light microscope. All selected species were observed to have diffuse-porous wood with indistinct growth rings. The vessels were rounded in outline in all the species studied and found mostly solitary or in radial multiples of 2 in Ziziphus mauritiana and Z. nummularia, while in radial multiples of 2 to 5 in Z. spina-christi. The intervessel pits were scalariform to opposite. The rays were uniseriate in Ziziphus mauritiana, while mostly were biseriate in Ziziphus spina-christi. Simple perforation plates and diffuse, confluent, and vasicentric types of axial parenchyma were present in all the selected species. The fibers were thin-walled and nonseptate. One-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test was conducted to observe different anatomical variations within selected species. Principal component analysis revealed correlations among studied anatomical parameters. The number of rays per mm was comparatively larger in Ziziphus nummularia, showing its greater susceptibility to wood-deteriorating agents than in other selected species. The Runkel ratio indicated the selected species suitable for making paper.

Forecasting the flow of rivers is an essential task in water management resources. However, the flow changes significantly at the seasonal variation of the year, so it is difficult to predict the flow because of its complex nature. The study aims to find a predictive model for forecasting the inflow of the Indus River. Two multivariate models, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and vector error correction model (VECM), are compared to examine whether there is any long- or short-run association between variables. It is observed that the ARDL model shows long- and short-run associations between inflow, outflow, and levels. In contrast, VECM shows only a long-run association between the variables. It is concluded that the ARDL model performs better in predicting the future inflow of the Indus River than VECM based on the stability test or accuracy of the models.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic monogenic disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, marked by persistent airway infections in the endobronchial region. This condition leads to the gradual development of bronchiectasis and, ultimately, respiratory failure, emerging as the primary cause of mortality in individuals diagnosed with CF. Diagnosis is done depending on the patient’s symptoms and lung radiological findings like chest X-rays and CTs. In younger patients and children, diagnosis becomes difficult due to overlapping symptoms with other diseases such as CF which is a rare genetic disease in our population. Diagnosis of CF usually relies on characteristic symptoms, a family history of CF, and an abnormal sweat chloride test, but in children, low sweat production during testing leads to false negative results. In this case report, a suspected patient with ambiguous respiratory symptoms underwent a comprehensive investigation revealing elevated CRP levels, TLC, and characteristic pulmonary manifestations on chest X-ray, suggesting cystic fibrosis. Despite negative sweat chloride tests, the patient was analysed for potential candidate SNPs and was also tested for potential CFTR mutations to rule out CF, genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis. Genetic testing plays a crucial role in diagnosing cystic fibrosis, even when traditional tests are inconclusive. Specific mutations like Δ508 deletion and rs213950 guide personalized treatment. Consanguinity and family history highlight genetic predisposition, while environmental factors may influence symptom onset. Further research is needed to understand these complexities and improve diagnostic and treatment approaches.

The disposal of banana pseudostem waste creates substantial environmental concerns. To address this issue, it is crucial to explore the potential of converting this abundant waste into valuable industrial products. Therefore, this research was designed to explore the utilization of banana pseudostem fiber waste (BPW) in the development of a textile binder. Solvothermal digestion of pseudostem fibers into ammonia followed by neutralization with sulfuric acid resulted in viscous gel which was tested as a binder (BPW-binder) for the pigment dying process. Various parameters, including curing, washing fastness, tensile strength, stiffness, and light fastness, were examined to compare the performance of the two binders. The results showed that the BPW-binder performed similarly to the commercial Halzarin binder in terms of washing fastness and did not leave any stains on the multifibre strip. Both binders demonstrated excellent light fastness, with a rating of 8 on the blue wool scale for both cotton and cotton-polyester fabrics. However, there were slight variations in elongation and stiffness between the two binders with values ranging from 9.41 to 28.26% and 1.5 to 1.9 CMS across different fabric types, which were dependent on the fabric. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed lignin amine salt peaks in the banana pseudostem-based BPW-binder, while scanning electron microscope images of BPW-binder treated fabrics confirmed suitable binder properties with a rough and ordered lamellar surface. This study demonstrates the potential of transforming banana pseudostem fiber waste into a sustainable textile binder through an efficient and straightforward process. The BPW-binder showed comparable performance to the synthetic commercial binder, indicating its potential as a sustainable replacement in the industry.

The growing demand for energy storage has drawn considerable attention to devices such as supercapacitors, which currently lack high energy density but depict high power density and long cycle life. In this work, we have synthesized La0.3Sr0.7Ti0.5Fe0.5O3 (LSTF) nanoparticles and Ti3C2-MXene-modified LSTF nanoparticle hybrid to study the effect of MXene on electrochemical properties of the nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy analysis showed that the hybrid structure retained all the major peaks of the nanoparticles and the MXene, which showed its successful synthesis. The morphological analysis was done utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which verified that the nanoparticles had been adsorbed and/or agglomerated onto the MXene sheets. The electrochemical analysis showed that with the addition of MXene into the nanoparticles, the specific capacitance tested via cyclic voltammetry increased from 225.6 Fg‒1 to 419.5 Fg‒1 at the scan rate of 2 mVs-1, which makes the hybrid a suitable electrode material for supercapacitors. The value of specific capacitance for the hybrid tested via galvanostatic charge-discharge showed an increased value of 23 Fg‒1 at the current density of 1 Ag-1. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that the hybrid contains –O functional groups coming from MXene, which causes an increase in electrochemical activity at the electrode surface, resulting in enhanced capacitance.

Background. Dance as therapy is gaining attention as an adjuvant option for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Assessing culturally popular dance forms is crucial for promoting the acceptance of dance therapy in a culturally sensitive context. Objectives. The pilot study evaluated the efficacy of Garba dance for alleviating motor symptoms, nonmotor symptoms, cognitive functions, and mood. Furthermore, this pilot study also assessed the tolerability and safety of this dance form using fatigue severity scale and assessing falls, respectively. Methods. Eligible participants with mild-to-moderate PD (H&Y stage 1 to 2.5) were sequentially randomized into the dance therapy, physical therapy, or control groups. Motor symptoms, nonmotor symptoms, cognitive functions, and mood were assessed using standard scales at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Tolerability was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale, and safety was assessed by monitoring falls. Results. In the Garba dance group, significant improvements in UPDRS scores were observed at week 6 (p=0.002) and week 12 (p

Background. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy rate of foramen magnum dimensions in determining sex among the South Indian population using discriminant functional analysis. Methods. An observational study in which CBCT images from 200 full field of view (FOV) scans were analysed. The dimensions of the foramen magnum were measured. Intra- and interobserver reliability were calculated. Independent t-tests were used to compare the various parameters between sexes. Stepwise discriminant function analysis was used to determine sex. Results. A total of 200 CBCT scans were included in the study. The mean age (±SD) was 25.66 (±7.11) years among males and 24.64 (±5.12) years among females. The measurements and the circumference of the foramen magnum were significantly (p

The combination of clinical characteristics and diagnostic exams including imaging, laboratory, and molecular tests help in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal lesions. We report a 41-year-old male with a metastatic retroperitoneal lesion with atypical characteristics, displaying pathological findings consistent with both nonsecretory pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas and adrenal cortex carcinoma. The patient was examined for abdominal pain, weight loss, and hypertension. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 21 × 8 × 10-cm right retroperitoneal mass. He was initially diagnosed as pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PHEO/PGL). However, the diagnosis was later changed to adrenocortical carcinoma based on histopathological features of the metastatic lesions and the findings of normal urinary levels of catecholamines/metanephrines. Systemic chemotherapy and abdominal radiotherapy were performed, in addition to multiple surgical resections, with no satisfactory response. The indolent course of the disease and minimal impact on the patient’s performance status led to a genetic evaluation which resulted in the identification of a germline mutation in the succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit B (SDHB). An immunohistology review of previous slides was consistent with the hypothesis of a neuroendocrine tumor. Forty percent of the patients with PHEO/PGL have an underlying germline mutation. SDHB mutation is frequently associated with metastatic disease and dominant secretion of noradrenaline and/or dopamine. In addition to the metastatic disease, few cases with the mutations can be a biochemically silent PHEO/PGL. We concluded that the patient presented a metastatic abdominal paraganglioma associated with an SDHB mutation and we reinforced the need to perform genetic screening for all adrenal/extra-adrenal lesions characteristic of PHEO/PGL.

Liver impairment caused by VCM has been linked to irreversible damage such as fibrosis, necrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver angiosarcoma. However, the ability to detect abnormalities during initial phase have not been achieved so far. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and C-X-C chemokines 2 (CXCR2) on screening for a VCM-exposed group (n = 227) from a PVC manufacturing factory compared to a control group (n = 110) in Tianjin City in 2020 with influence factors evaluation. Ambient concentrations of VCM and health archives from 2012 to 2018 were collected for establishing the dose-effect trend. A cross-sectional survey in 2020 was performed to measure TDGA, IL-8, CXCR2, 8-OHdG, SOD, GPX, CAT, MDA, and ROS levels. Results indicated a continuous increased incidence on liver abnormalities despite a fluctuated downward trend in cumulative time-weighted average (CTWA) VCM concentrations over the years. ALT, AST, and AST/ALT ratio all contributed to liver abnormalities that contained fatty liver, liver calcification, and liver cysts, IL-8 and CXCR2 correlated with each other strongly and showed significant associations with oxidative stress markers, even AST/ALT ratio. IL-8 (>1547 µg/m3) or CXCR2 (222 µg/m3), working years of 21 to 30 (a) and 11 to 20 (a), TDGA (>1.52 mg/L), alcohol consumption, smoking habit, and a less sleeping duration of

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive and complex pulmonary vascular disease with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to provide a new understanding of the lung pathology of disease and a noninvasive method in monitoring the establishment of animal models for basic and clinical studies of PH, indeed to explore clinical application value of lung ultrasound for patients with PH. Totally 32 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, MCT (monocrotaline) group, PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) group, and NS (normal saline) group. Rats in the MCT group, PDTC group, and NS group received single intraperitoneal injection of MCT, while the control group received the same dose of NS. Then, PDTC group and NS group received PDTC and NS daily for treatment at the end of the model. Each group received lung ultrasound examination and measurement of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). Then, the rats were sacrificed to take the lung specimens to being observed. The ultrasound and pathological results were analyzed with a semiquantitative score. With the pulmonary artery pressure increases, the MCT group had a higher pulmonary ultrasound score and pathological score compared with the control group (p 0.8, p 0.8, p

Introduction. Periodontitis therapy employing nanomaterials with submicron sizes holds promise for enhancing osteogenesis and facilitating periodontal cell proliferation. This study aims to assess the potential of nanoparticle-based rice husk liquid smoke (n-RHLS) in an animal model of periodontitis by evaluating the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kβ (RANK), and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kβ ligand (RANKL). Methods. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were inoculated with 109 CFU/ml of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the sulcus mandibular incisor region to create periodontitis and subsequently treated with n-RHLS while the control with saline. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on the mandibular incisor to assess OPG, RANK, and RANKL expression 2 and 7 days after treatment. Results. OPG expression exhibited a significant increase at both 2 and 7 days, while RANKL expression decreased notably after 7 days of treatment using n-RHLS (p0.05). Conclusion. Nanostructured liquid smoke derived from rice husk nanoparticles (n-RHLS) demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for periodontitis, especially on OPG/RANK/RANKL expression, by modulating OPG and RANKL expression to support periodontal tissue health.

Fresh ginger can spoil quickly owing to a variety of factors, including inappropriate postharvest handling, microbial and enzymatic activities, and chemical reactions during storage. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of ginger coated with chitosan and beeswax during storage for 6 months at different temperatures (18°C and 25°C). Fresh ginger was treated with chitosan coating (1.5 and 3.5%), followed by beeswax coating (3 and 6%). The coated ginger was wrapped in a plastic net and stored at ambient (25°C) and low temperatures (18°C) for six months. The results confirmed that coating treatment slowed down the changes in physicochemical properties (moisture, phenolic content, and so on) of ginger during storage. Ginger stored at 25°C showed shorter shelf lives than those stored at 18°C. Coating ginger with 3% chitosan followed by 6% beeswax exhibited the best results in maintaining the moisture and phenolic content, reducing weight loss, and increasing total soluble solid (TSS) and cell compartment size for six months of storage. This study provides a promising approach to delaying the spoilage of fresh ginger by applying coating treatments useful for developing handling protocols for fresh ginger during storage and distribution.

Background. Liver biopsy as the gold standard for assessing the degree and diagnosis of fibrosis still has significant drawbacks, which make the emergence of a much less invasive diagnostic marker possible. M2BPGi levels and the AGAP score, the two newest serological markers, are known to have good sensitivity for detecting liver fibrosis. This study is aimed at determining the validity of examining M2BPGi levels and AGAP scores on the Fibroscan examination as markers of noninvasive test for liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients. Methods. This is an observational, descriptive study with a retrospective design. This study used secondary data taken from medical records and blood specimen research materials of outpatients at the Hepatology Gastroenterology Polyclinic at a tertiary general hospital in West Java, Indonesia, with a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B. Results. There were 109 research subjects included. There were 73 (66.9%) subjects with no- or low-grade fibrosis and 36 (33.1%) with advanced fibrosis. The sensitivity and specificity of the M2BPGi were 88.9% and 61.6% (PPV 55.3%; NPV 91.8%; AUC 0.753), while the AGAP score was 47.2% and 100% (PPV 100%; NPV 79.3%; AUC 0.736). The combined M2BPGi level and the AGAP score showed a sensitivity of 80.9% and a specificity of 100% (PPV 100%; NPV 91.8%; AUC 0.905). Conclusion. The AGAP score and M2BPGi levels together are a better way to measure the degree of liver fibrosis in people with chronic hepatitis B than either M2BPGi or the AGAP score alone.

There is a continued need for the advancement of natural emulsifiers to replace synthetic emulsifiers, driven by human health concerns. This study is aimed at producing protein-polysaccharide conjugates through the Maillard reaction and at evaluating its ability as an emulsifier based on its emulsifying properties. The proteins used in this study were bovine milk whey protein and soy protein isolates, while the polysaccharides were maltodextrin and pectin. The protein-polysaccharide conjugation used a Maillard reaction under dry heating conditions. The protein and polysaccharide mass ratios were 1 : 2 and 1 : 3. The results showed that the types of proteins and polysaccharides and their mass affect the surface tension of the conjugate products. Whey protein-pectin conjugates with a mass ratio of 1 : 2 and a concentration of 1% had the lowest surface tension at 43.77 dyne/cm2. This conjugate sample also showed the highest emulsifying index at 27.20 m2/g. The conjugate powder containing pectin as a polysaccharide showed better emulsifying activity than that of those containing maltodextrin. However, the smallest droplet size of the emulsion (256.5 nm) resulted from the emulsification process using whey protein-maltodextrin conjugates as an emulsifier. The FTIR and gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis confirmed the conjugation formation. In general, protein-polysaccharide conjugates containing whey protein could potentially act as a natural emulsifier for food.

The advancement of nanotechnology has had an impact on the use of heat exchangers. Nanocoolants, which offer higher thermal efficiency than traditional coolants, have paid significant attention. These innovative fluids, which contain nanomaterials, not only have better heat efficiency but also improve energy efficiency compared to regular coolants. However, the presence of solid nanoparticles in the coolant may cause corrosion and erosion of tubes, leading to massive degradation of those parts. To evaluate the effectiveness of nanocoolant particles, this research was conducted by studying the impact of using nanocoolant on erosion-corrosion occurring on metal surfaces. The study focused on the erosion-corrosion of stainless steel (AISI 316) in coolant solutions containing nanoparticles. The experiments utilized a rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) with rotational speeds ranging from 0 to 1800 rpm and a temperature range of 30°C-70°C. The corrosion rate was determined using the linear polarization resistance (LPR) method, while the erosion was measured by calculating the average surface roughness of the samples. The design of the experiment (DOE) was utilized to find the mathematical expressions of the effects of the nanocoolant on erosion and corrosion. The findings revealed that the corrosion rate and surface roughness of the samples increased with an increase in temperature and rotation speed. Furthermore, the erosion-corrosion effects of the nanocoolant were less significant in stagnant conditions than in flow conditions, and significant differences were observed when compared with conventional coolant. Additionally, synergistic erosion and corrosion processes were detected at higher temperatures and higher rotation speeds for both types of coolants.

Communication through speech can be hindered by environmental noise, prompting the need for alternative methods such as lip reading, which bypasses auditory challenges. However, the accurate interpretation of lip movements is impeded by the uniqueness of individual lip shapes, necessitating detailed analysis. In addition, the development of an Indonesian dataset addresses the lack of diversity in existing datasets, predominantly in English, fostering more inclusive research. This study proposes an enhanced lip-reading system trained using the long-term recurrent convolutional network (LRCN) considering eight different types of lip shapes. MediaPipe Face Mesh precisely detects lip landmarks, enabling the LRCN model to recognize Indonesian utterances. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach, with the LRCN model with three convolutional layers (LRCN-3Conv) achieving 95.42% accuracy for word test data and 95.63% for phrases, outperforming the convolutional long short-term memory (Conv-LSTM) method. The proposed approach outperforms Conv-LSTM in terms of accuracy. Furthermore, the evaluation of the original MIRACL-VC1 dataset also produced a best accuracy of 90.67% on LRCN-3Conv compared to previous studies in the word-labeled class. The success is attributed to MediaPipe Face Mesh detection, which facilitates the accurate detection of the lip region. Leveraging advanced deep learning techniques and precise landmark detection, these findings promise improved communication accessibility for individuals facing auditory challenges.

Meat is a widely consumed food globally; however, variations in storage conditions along its supply chain can pose a potential food safety risk for consumers. Addressing this concern, we have developed freshness indicators designed to monitor the condition of packaged chicken. In this study, anthocyanins were infused with cellulose paper measuring 2 × 2 cm, and subsequent analysis focused on examining color changes concerning deteriorating chicken stored at 30°C for 48 h, with varying sample sizes being considered. The rise in total volatile nitrogen (TVB-N) compounds from an initial value of 3.64 ± 0.39 mg/100 g to 28.17 ± 1.46 mg/100 g acted as the stimulus for the color change in the indicator, simultaneously influencing the pH from the initial 7.03 ± 0.16 to 8.12 ± 0.39. The microbial load (aerobic plate count) of the chicken samples was also significantly increased. This collective shift in various parameters strongly suggests the occurrence of spoilage in chicken meat. The pH indicators exhibited a dark pink to red color for fresh chicken. As the chicken meat turned towards spoilage, the indicators changed to a dark blue and then a pale green color. FTIR spectroscopy results confirmed the presence of cellulose and anthocyanins. The FTIR analysis also validated the immobilization of plum anthocyanins within the cellulose paper and assessed their stability after 8 months of storage. Notably, the indicators demonstrated rapid sensitivity, showing a 20.5% response within one minute of ammonia exposure, which further increased to 29.5% after 3 min of exposure. The total color difference (ΔE) steadily rose in all the examined samples and also under various storage conditions. Overall, the indicators developed in this study exhibited a highly pronounced color transition, capable of distinguishing between fresh and spoiled chicken samples depending on the extent of spoilage and the specific day of observation.

Transmission of COVID-19 occurs either through living media, such as interaction with a sufferer, or nonliving objects contaminated with the virus. Recovering sufferers and disinfectant spraying prevent interaction between people and virus become the treatment to overcome it. In this research, we formulate a new mathematical model as a three-dimensional ordinary differential equation system representing an interaction between viruses attached in nonliving media, susceptible, and infected subpopulations, including the treatment to investigate its effect. Disease-free, sterile-media endemic, and two nonsterile media endemic equilibriums exist in the model. The nonexistence of sterile-media equilibria interpreting the nonendemic condition is achieved by crossing the branch point bifurcation of the equilibria point as the infected subpopulation recovery rate increases. Continuation of the limit cycle generated at a Hopf bifurcation point as susceptible-coronavirus interaction prevention rate and period increase trigger two saddle-node bifurcations and a branch point bifurcation of cycle. Stable symmetric cycles with decreasing amplitude that make the dynamic of subpopulation easier to control start to be gained at the branch point bifurcation of cycle between the two saddle-node bifurcation points as the prevention rate increases. Some chaotic attractors which describe a complex and unpredictable pattern of the dynamic in the population are also found at inclination flip bifurcation by a continuation of a homoclinic orbit generated near the Bogdanov-Takens bifurcation point as the prevention rate increases while the recovery rate decreases. Increasing the recovery and prevention rate along with avoiding an increase of the prevention rate while the recovery rate decreases becomes the treatment to optimize the effort in overcoming COVID-19 transmission.

The lipid-based drug delivery system (LBDDS) is a well-established technique that is anticipated to bring about comprehensive transformations in the pharmaceutical field, impacting the management and administration of drugs, as well as treatment and diagnosis. Various LBDDSs verified to be an efficacious mechanism for monitoring hypertension systems are SEDDS (self-nano emulsifying drug delivery), nanoemulsion, microemulsions, vesicular systems (transferosomes and liposomes), and solid lipid nanoparticles. LBDDSs overcome the shortcomings that are associated with antihypertensive agents because around fifty percent of the antihypertensive agents experience a few drawbacks including short half-life because of hepatic first-pass metabolism, poor aqueous solubility, low permeation rate, and undesirable side effects. This review emphasizes antihypertensive agents that were encapsulated into the lipid carrier to improve their poor oral bioavailability. Incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery, LBDDS holds promise in addressing the multifactorial nature of hypertension. By fine-tuning drug release profiles and enhancing drug uptake at specific sites, LBDDS can potentially target renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system components, sympathetic nervous system pathways, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which play crucial roles in hypertension pathophysiology. The future of hypertension management using LBDDS is promising, with ongoing reviews focusing on precision medicine approaches, improved biocompatibility, and reduced toxicity. As we delve deeper into understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying hypertension, LBDDS offers a pathway to develop next-generation antihypertensive therapies that are safer, more effective, and tailored to individual patient needs.

Blockchain is a very secure, authentic, and distributed technology and is very prominent in areas such as edge computation, cloud computation, and Internet-of-things. Artificial intelligence assists in the completion of activities efficiently and effectively by providing intelligence, analytics, and predicting capabilities. There is an obvious convergence between the two technologies. Artificial intelligence systems can utilize blockchain to establish trust in communication channels, ensuring that messages are securely transmitted and received without the need for a centralized intermediary. By leveraging blockchain, artificial intelligence systems can maintain an immutable record of communications, ensuring transparency and preventing unauthorized modifications. The integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies can enhance the security, transparency, and privacy of communication systems. By leveraging blockchain’s decentralized nature and artificial intelligence’s analytical capabilities, secure and trustworthy communication channels can be established, benefiting various domains such as finance, healthcare, and supply chain. Overall, the integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence has the potential to offer several benefits, and as these technologies continue to evolve, new and innovative applications will continue to emerge.

Brain tumor detection and segmentation are the main issues in biomedical engineering research fields, and it is always challenging due to its heterogeneous shape and location in MRI. The quality of the MR images also plays an important role in providing a clear sight of the shape and boundary of the tumor. The clear shape and boundary of the tumor will increase the probability of safe medical surgery. Analysis of this different scope of image types requires refined computerized quantification and visualization tools. This paper employed deep learning to detect and segment brain tumor MRI images by combining the convolutional neural network (CNN) and fully convolutional network (FCN) methodology in serial. The fundamental finding is to detect and localize the tumor area with YOLO-CNN and segment it with the FCN-UNet architecture. This analysis provided automatic detection and segmentation as well as the location of the tumor. The segmentation using the UNet is run under four scenarios, and the best one is chosen by the minimum loss and maximum accuracy value. In this research, we used 277 images for training, 69 images for validation, and 14 images for testing. The validation is carried out by comparing the segmentation results with the medical ground truth to provide the correct classification ratio (CCR). This study succeeded in the detection of brain tumors and provided a clear area of the brain tumor with a high CCR of about 97%.

Background. There is a lack of health care facilities and poor oral health awareness among the rural adult population of Jharkhand which may significantly influence oral health status and lifestyle scores. Aim. To assess the oral hygiene status, lifestyle factors, and various risk factors associated with poor lifestyle scores in the rural adult population of Jharkhand. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study included 400 rural adults (35–44 years) populations. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect sociodemographic data and data on oral hygiene practices. Lifestyle factors were assessed using Health Practice Index (HPI). Oral health status was assessed using the oral health assessment proforma provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). Results. A significantly higher (p value

The process of decellularization is crucial for producing a substitute for the absent tracheal segment, and the choice of agents and methods significantly influences the outcomes. This paper aims to systematically review the efficacy of diverse tracheal decellularization agents and methods using the PRISMA flowchart. Inclusion criteria encompassed experimental studies published between 2018 and 2023, written in English, and detailing outcomes related to histopathological anatomy, DNA quantification, ECM evaluation, and biomechanical characteristics. Exclusion criteria involved studies related to 3D printing, biomaterials, and partial decellularization. A comprehensive search on PubMed, NCBI, and ScienceDirect yielded 17 relevant literatures. The integration of various agents and methods has proven effective in the process of tracheal decellularization, highlighting the distinct advantages and drawbacks associated with each agent and method.

Occupational therapists have long been involved in assistive technology (AT) provision worldwide. AT is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance functioning, independence, and autonomy and ultimately promote well-being for people living with disabilities. With the digitalisation of societies, the everyday lives and occupations of individuals are changing, becoming more reliant on digital solutions. The development of digital assistive technology (DAT) also offers opportunities for people with disabilities to access, interact, and pilot the digital world. However, we do not know how occupational therapists are involved in DAT provision worldwide. A survey was conducted in the global occupational therapist’s community in June 2022 to describe DAT provision and the factors influencing it. Occupational therapy practitioners were included (n=660) in the analysis. In DAT provision, occupational therapists mostly provide advice to people, assess their needs, provide instruction or training, prescribe DAT, and fit DAT to people and their environment. The clients served through DAT provision are most frequently people with neurological impairments, chronic illnesses, sensory impairments, and older people. The reasons for providing DAT focus on education, work, school, and leisure. It is expected that DAT provision will enhance independence, self-esteem, occupational participation, and social relationships. Issues faced by occupational therapists when providing DAT are costs of product and funding schemes, sufficient knowledge, and access to knowledge sources. Survey respondents are mostly from Western countries with access to the Internet and the digital world, including having digital literacy, highlighting the digital divide that exists between world regions and countries, but also within countries worldwide. There is a need to continue research to better understand the issues related to digitalisation and the digital participation of people living with disabilities.