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Despite recent advances in modern machine learning algorithms, the opaqueness of their underlying mechanisms continues to be an obstacle in adoption. To instill confidence and trust in artificial intelligence (AI) systems, explainable AI (XAI) has emerged as a response to improve modern machine learning algorithms' explainability. Inductive logic programming (ILP), a subfield of symbolic AI, plays a promising role in generating interpretable explanations because of its intuitive logic-driven framework. ILP effectively leverages abductive reasoning to generate explainable first-order clausal theories from examples and background knowledge. However, several challenges in developing methods inspired by ILP need to be addressed for their successful application in practice. For example, the existing ILP systems often have a vast solution space, and the induced solutions are very sensitive to noises and disturbances. This survey paper summarizes the recent advances in ILP and a discussion of statistical relational learning (SRL) and neural-symbolic algorithms, which offer synergistic views to ILP. Following a critical review of the recent advances, we delineate observed challenges and highlight potential avenues of further ILP-motivated research toward developing self-explanatory AI systems.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has replaced axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for assessing axillary lymph node status in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients. However, the approach to axillary surgery after neoadjuvant treatment is still controversial. In the present study, our objective was to predict the pathological nodal stage based on SLNB results and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients who initially presented with clinical N1 positivity but whose disease status was converted to clinical N0 after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)., Materials and Methods: After NAC, 150 clinically node-negative patients were included. The relationships between clinicopathologic parameters and the number of positive lymph nodes in SLNBs and ALNDs were assessed through binary/multivariate logistic regression analysis., Results: Among 150 patients, 78 patients had negative SLNBs, and 72 patients had positive SLNBs. According to the ALND data of 21 patients with SLNB1+, there was no additional node involvement (80.8%), 1-2 lymph nodes were positive in 5 patients (19.2%), and no patient had ≥ 3 lymph nodes involved. Following the detection of SLNB1 + positivity, the rate of negative non-sentinel nodes were 75% in the luminal A/B subgroup, 100% in the HER-2-positive subgroup, and 100% in the triple-negative subgroup. Patients with a lower T stage (T1-3 vs. T4), fewer than 4 clinical nodes before NAC (< 4 vs. ≥4), and a decreased postoperative Ki-67 index (< 10% vs. stable/increase) were included. According to both univariate and multivariate analyses, being in the triple-negative or HER2-positive subgroup, compared to the luminal A/B subgroup (luminal A/B vs. HER2-positive/triple-negative), was found to be predictive of complete lymph node response., Conclusion: The number of SLNB-positive nodes, tumor-related parameters, and response to treatment may predict no additional nodes to be positive at ALND., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The developmental origin of blood-forming hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is a longstanding question. Here, our non-invasive genetic lineage tracing in mouse embryos pinpoints that artery endothelial cells generate HSCs. Arteries are transiently competent to generate HSCs for 2.5 days (∼E8.5-E11) but subsequently cease, delimiting a narrow time frame for HSC formation in vivo. Guided by the arterial origins of blood, we efficiently and rapidly differentiate human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into posterior primitive streak, lateral mesoderm, artery endothelium, hemogenic endothelium, and >90% pure hematopoietic progenitors within 10 days. hPSC-derived hematopoietic progenitors generate T, B, NK, erythroid, and myeloid cells in vitro and, critically, express hallmark HSC transcription factors HLF and HOXA5-HOXA10, which were previously challenging to upregulate. We differentiated hPSCs into highly enriched HLF+ HOXA+ hematopoietic progenitors with near-stoichiometric efficiency by blocking formation of unwanted lineages at each differentiation step. hPSC-derived HLF+ HOXA+ hematopoietic progenitors could avail both basic research and cellular therapies., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests Stanford University has filed patent applications related to blood and immune cell differentiation. J.L.F. is presently at Walking Fish Therapeutics, A.C. is presently at Orca Bio, and T.N. is presently at Century Therapeutics, but J.L.F., A.C., and T.N. contributed to this work while they were at Stanford University; none of these companies were involved in the present work., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Accurate staging of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a subtype of breast cancer, is vital for effective clinical management. Although 18 F-FDG PET/CT is a commonly used tool, its efficacy varies across different histologic subtypes. To mitigate this challenge, our investigation delves into the potential utility of 68 Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT as an alternative for staging ILC, aiming to address a significant research gap using a more expansive patient cohort than the smaller samples commonly found in the existing literature. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, women diagnosed with primary ILC of the breast underwent both 18 F-FDG PET/CT and 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT. Both modalities were compared across all lesion locations with the used reference standard. The interval between scans was 1 wk, without any intervening treatments. Lesions were categorized visually, and tracer activity was analyzed using SUV max , tumor-to-background uptake ratio, and uptake ratios. Both modalities were compared across various parameters, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0. A P value of less than 0.05 was chosen to determine statistical significance. Results: The study included 23 female ILC patients (mean age, 51 y) with hormone-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2-negative tumors. Most (65%) had the luminal A subtype. 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT outperformed 18 F-FDG PET/CT, with higher tumoral activity and tumor-to-background uptake ratios ( P < 0.001). Primary tumors showed significantly increased uptake with 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT ( P < 0.001), detecting additional foci, including multicentric cancer. Axillary lymph node metastases were more frequent and had higher uptake values with 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT ( P = 0.012). Moreover, 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT identified more lesions, including bone and liver metastases. Pathologic features did not significantly correlate with imaging modalities, but a positive correlation was observed between peritumoral lymphocyte ratio and 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT-to- 18 F-FDG PET/CT uptake ratios ( P = 0.026). Conclusion: This study underscores 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT's superiority over 18 F-FDG PET/CT for ILC. 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT excels in detecting primary breast masses, axillary lymph nodes, and distant metastases; can complement 18 F-FDG PET/CT in ILC; and holds potential as an alternative imaging method in future studies., (© 2024 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.)

Background: External biliary fistula, where the residual cyst is associated with the biliary tree, is one of the most common complications after liver hydatid cyst surgery. Surgical procedures become a consideration for patients in whom the biliary fistula persists despite all endoscopic procedures. However, reoperation for biliary fistula after hydatid cyst surgery leads to additional complications and increases morbidity and mortality., Aim: This study aims to treat persistent biliary fistulas that develop after liver hydatid cyst surgery using a simple noninvasive technique., Materials and Methods: External drainage surgery was performed on 295 patients with liver hydatid cysts. Endoscopic treatment methods were used in patients who developed biliary fistula after surgery. Despite all endoscopic treatment methods, 14 patients developed persistent biliary fistulas. These patients were subsequently treated using the drain clamping technique., Findings: All persistent fistulas occluded in 11.86 days (with a range of 8-20 days). No complications were observed in the one-year follow-up visits., Conclusion: Drain clamping, a novel approach to the treatment of persistent biliary fistulas developed despite all available endoscopic methods, can be safely used. This technique resulted in a complete recovery in patients without the need for surgical procedures., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Self-assembled materials capable of modulating their assembly properties in response to specific enzymes play a pivotal role in advancing 'intelligent' encapsulation platforms for biotechnological applications. Here, we introduce a previously unreported class of synthetic nanomaterials that programmatically interact with histone deacetylase (HDAC) as the triggering stimulus for disassembly. These nanomaterials consist of co-polypeptides comprising poly(acetyl L -lysine) and poly(ethylene glycol) blocks. Under neutral pH conditions, they self-assemble into particles. The hydrodynamic diameters of particles were typically withing the range of 108–190 nm, depending on degree of acetylation of the hydrophobic block. However, their stability is compromised upon exposure to HDACs, depending on enzyme concentration and exposure time. Our investigation, utilizing HDAC8 as the model enzyme, revealed that the primary mechanism behind disassembly involves a decrease in amphiphilicity within the block copolymer due to the deacetylation of lysine residues within the particles' hydrophobic domains. To elucidate the response mechanism, we encapsulated a fluorescent dye within these nanoparticles. Upon incubation with HDAC, the nanoparticle structure collapsed, leading to controlled release of the dye over time. Notably, this release was not triggered by denatured HDAC8, other proteolytic enzymes like trypsin, or the co-presence of HDAC8 and its inhibitor. We also demonstrated the biocompatibility and cellular effects of these materials in the context of drug delivery in different types of anticancer cell lines, such as MIA PaCa-2, PANC-1, cancer like stem cells (CSCs), and non-cancerous HPNE cells. We observed that the release of a model drug (such as a STAT3 pathway inhibitor, Napabucasin) can be loaded into these nanoparticles, with >90% of the dosage can be released over 3 h under the influence of HDAC8 enzyme in a controlled fashion. Further, we conducted a comprehensive computational study to unveil the possible interaction mechanism between enzymes and particles. By drawing parallels to the mechanism of naturally occurring histone proteins, this research represents a pioneering step toward developing functional materials capable of harnessing the activity of epigenetic enzymes such as HDACs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Featured Application: Synchromodal optimisation; decision support systems; dynamical transport optimisation. Intermodal freight transport (IFT) requires a large number of optimisation measures to ensure its attractiveness. This involves numerous control decisions on different time scales, making integrated optimisation with traditional methods almost unfeasible. Recently, a new trend in optimisation science has emerged: the application of Deep Learning (DL) to combinatorial problems. Neural combinatorial optimisation (NCO) enables real-time decision-making under uncertainties by considering rich context information—a crucial factor for seamless synchronisation, optimisation, and, consequently, for the competitiveness of IFT. The objective of this study is twofold. First, we systematically analyse and identify the key actors, operations, and optimisation problems in IFT and categorise them into six major classes. Second, we collect and structure the key methodological components of the NCO framework, including DL models, training algorithms, design strategies, and review the current State of the Art with a focus on NCO and hybrid DL models. Through this synthesis, we integrate the latest research efforts from three closely related fields: optimisation, transport planning, and NCO. Finally, we critically discuss and outline methodological design patterns and derive potential opportunities and obstacles for learning-based frameworks for integrated optimisation problems. Together, these efforts aim to enable a better integration of advanced DL techniques into transport logistics. We hope that this will help researchers and practitioners in related fields to expand their intuition and foster the development of intelligent decision-making systems and algorithms for tomorrow's transport systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Herz-, Thorax- und Gefaesschirurgie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This review focuses on the pivotal role of radiotracers in breast cancer imaging, emphasizing their importance in accurate detection, staging, and treatment monitoring. Radiotracers, labeled with radioactive isotopes, are integral to various nuclear imaging techniques, including positron emission tomography (PET) and positron emission mammography (PEM). The most widely used radiotracer in breast cancer imaging is 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), which highlights areas of increased glucose metabolism, a hallmark of many cancer cells. This allows for the identification of primary tumors and metastatic sites and the assessment of tumor response to therapy. In addition to 18F-FDG, this review will explore newer radiotracers targeting specific receptors, such as estrogen receptors or HER2, which offer more personalized imaging options. These tracers provide valuable insights into the molecular characteristics of tumors, aiding in tailored treatment strategies. By integrating radiotracers into breast cancer management, clinicians can enhance early disease detection, monitor therapeutic efficacy, and guide interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Ongoing research aimed at developing more specific and sensitive tracers will also be highlighted, underscoring their potential to advance precision medicine in breast cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase inversion involves in a complex process due to numerous factors affecting the membrane formation. Among them, polymer chain entanglement from polymeric membrane materials plays a critical role in regulating membrane structure and is still worth further exploration. Herein, a series of methacrylate copolymers with different contents of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) were designed and synthesized, and ultrafiltration membranes cast from these copolymers were systematically investigated regarding structural evolution and filtration performance. Surface zeta potential of membranes gradually transformed from positive to negative with the increasing PEGMA content due to nonsolvent-induced surface migration of element oxygen, and meanwhile the transformation from finger-like pore structure to sponge-like pore structure in the support layer was observed, which could be attributed to chain entanglement of the PEGMA-rich copolymer. Filtration experiments indicated that sponge-like membranes possessed better separation effect of Victoria blue B compared with finger-like membranes, and the optimized mPP40-15 % showed a retention rate of 99.55 % and permeance of 110.26 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 and displayed good selective separation of dye/salt mixture. Besides, sponge-like membranes also exhibited easy regeneration, anti-fouling property and filtration stability. This work will provide guidance for modulating membrane structure and offer an alternative material for membrane separation in handling dye wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of axillary exclusion technique versus no axillary exclusion in Modified Radical Mastectomy in terms of mean drain output. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Setting: Department of Surgery, Allied Hospital Faisalabad Pakistan. Period: 8th August, 2018 to 8th February, 2019. Methods: A request for authorization was made to the Hospital Ethical Review Committee. The research had 60 individuals in all who were admitted. General Surgery Department from outside the Allied Hospital in Faisalabad. For the sixty patients receiving modified radical mastectomy, written informed consent was obtained. A computer-generated database of random numbers was used to split them into two equal groups of thirty patients each at random. Following a modified radical mastectomy, group A received axillary exclusion, but group B did not. Total volume of accumulated fluid) following a modified radical mastectomy. After surgery, until the drain was removed, the total quantity of fluid collection in the drainage bag was recorded and compared across groups. Data was input into a template form. Results: In our study, the mean + SD was determined as 43.73+5.64 years in Group B. Of the two groups, 63.33% (n=19) in Group A and 70% (n=21) in Group B were between 41 and 70 years old, while 36.67% (n=11) in Group A and 30% (n=9) in Group B were between 20 and 40 years old. (First Table-I). Following a modified radical mastectomy with drainage, axillary exclusion procedures were compared with no exclusion, and the results indicated that the mean total drainage output (+SD) in Group B was 642.1 ml (+117.06). (Table-II). The total volume of seroma fluid drained between the two groups was significantly lower, as indicated by the p value of ˂0.001. Conclusion: In comparison to individuals who do not undergo axillary exclusion, we find that axillary exclusion procedures considerably reduce drainage expense in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of catalytic ozonation as an effective strategy for indigo dye bleaching, particularly examining the performance of four carbon-based catalysts, activated carbon (AC), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and thermally etched nanosheets (C3N4-TE). The study investigates the efficiency of catalytic ozonation in degrading Potassium indigotrisulfonate (ITS) dye within the constraints of short contact times, aiming to simulate real-world industrial wastewater treatment conditions. The results reveal that all catalysts demonstrated remarkable decolorization efficiency, with over 99% of indigo dye removed within just 120 s of mixing time. Besides, the study delves into the mechanisms underlying catalytic ozonation reactions, elucidating the intricate interactions between the catalysts, ozone, and indigo dye molecules with the processes being influenced by factors such as PZC, pKa, and pH. Furthermore, experiments were conducted to analyze the adsorption characteristics of indigo dye on the surfaces of the materials and its impact on the catalytic ozonation process. MWCNT demonstrated the highest adsorption efficiency, effectively removing 43.4% of the indigo dye color over 60 s. Although the efficiency achieved with C3N4-TE was 21.4%, which is approximately half of that achieved with MWCNT and less than half of that with AC, it is noteworthy given the significantly lower surface area of C3N4-TE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Resistance to standard therapies represents a major challenge in melanoma treatment. This is mainly related to the high heterogeneity of this malignancy due to the presence of different types of cells in the tumor mass. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cells endowed with self-renewal and tumorigenic capacity and the ability to escape anticancer therapies. Melanoma CSCs can be identified by the expression of biomarkers and intracellular pathways deeply involved in their malignant phenotype. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying CSC biological functions might pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches. Herein, we highlight the intricate bidirectional communication between melanoma CSCs and their surrounding cells in the tumor microenvironment and discuss how this interplay might impact the processes of drug resistance and tumor relapse. We also address the potential benefits of CSC-targeted strategies, in combination with conventional drugs, for improving melanoma treatment strategies. Cutaneous melanoma still represents a significant health burden worldwide, being responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Key advances in therapeutic strategies have significantly improved patient outcomes; however, most patients experience drug resistance and tumor relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells in different tumors, including melanoma, endowed with distinctive capacities of self-renewal and differentiation into bulk tumor cells. Melanoma CSCs are characterized by the expression of specific biomarkers and intracellular pathways; moreover, they play a pivotal role in tumor onset, progression and drug resistance. In recent years, great efforts have been made to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying the protumor activities of melanoma CSCs to provide the basis for novel CSC-targeted therapies. Herein, we highlight the intricate crosstalk between melanoma CSCs and bystander cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells, endothelial cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and its role in melanoma progression. Specifically, we discuss the peculiar capacities of melanoma CSCs to escape the host immune surveillance, to recruit immunosuppressive cells and to educate immune cells toward an immunosuppressive and protumor phenotype. We also address currently investigated CSC-targeted strategies that could pave the way for new promising therapeutic approaches for melanoma care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium alginate (SA)–purple sweet potato peel extracts (PPE) from industrial waste indicator films were developed at different drying temperatures (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 °C). The effects of drying temperatures on the film's structural, physical, and sensitive properties were investigated. On the structural properties, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction indicated that compactness, intermolecular interactions, and crystallinity of indicator films were improved at a lower drying temperature. On the physical properties, with the drying temperature increasing, elongation at the break increased significantly (p < 0.05); ΔE and water-vapor permeability decreased significantly (p < 0.05); and thickness and tensile strength initially increased significantly (90.46 → 98.46, 62.99 → 95.73) and subsequently decreased significantly (98.46 → 71.93, 95.73 → 55.44) (p < 0.05), with the maximum values obtained at 30 °C. On sensitivity, the corresponding colors of the films became lighter as the drying temperature increased, and the films exhibited relatively excellent pH and NH3 sensitivity, with easily discernible color changes at lower temperatures. The results of this paper revealed that the overall film characteristics are improved at lower drying temperatures, which will provide valuable references for selecting the drying temperature for preparing indicator films as a guide for industrialized production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body dissatisfaction (BD) has been consistently linked to adverse consequences on mental health and overall well-being, and is recognized as a significant contributing factor in the initiation and persistence of eating disorders (EDs). Empirical evidence has demonstrated that an elevated body mass index (BMI) and media influence and pressure about a thin ideal heighten the risk of subsequent BD. Moreover, suggestibility, a propensity to accept and act upon messages without critical evaluation, has been shown to be positively associated with greater susceptibility to the influence of sociocultural messages that endorse the thin ideal. This study aimed to assess whether suggestibility moderates the association between BMI and BD in women. Methods: A total of 117 women completed assessments using the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) BD subscale and the Suggestibility Inventory, which encompasses a general suggestibility index and a subscale that evaluates susceptibility to influence by others. We conducted moderation analyses employing the PROCESS macro, with BMI as the central predictor, BD as the outcome variable, and suggestibility and its subscale as moderators. Results: The findings revealed statistically significant positive moderating interactions for both the general suggestibility index and susceptibility to influence by others. Specifically, women who exhibited high levels of suggestibility and susceptibility to influence by others demonstrated a more pronounced increase in BD as their BMI increased. Conclusions: These outcomes are in line with the sociocultural model of EDs, suggesting that greater susceptibility to external influences amplifies the impact of societal pressures to conform to thin ideals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A magnetic pomegranate peels activated carbon (MG-PPAC) nanocomposite (23.46–26.75 nm) was prepared as an effective adsorbent for Acid Orange 7 (AO7) dye removal from wastewater. The effects of impregnation ratio and activation temperatures (600–900 °C) on the specific surface area and pore morphology were studied. BET, SEM, EDX, FT-IR, XRD and VSM are considered the synthesized composite MG-PPAC. The prepared magnetic composite at 700 °C activation temperature and impregnation ratio 1/2 (peels/ZnCl2) exhibited 513.34 m2/g surface area, 0.4025 cm3/g volume of the total pores, and 3.1364 nm mean diameter of the pores. The magnetization saturation, remanence and coercivity of the MG-PPA composite were 14.116 emu/g, 0.50685 emu/g, and 19.705 G, respectively. Also, the composite MG-PPAC was in a super-paramagnetic state at room temperature and could be gathered within 5 S (less than 5 S) with an external magnetic field. The impact of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of adsorbate (AO7 dye), and time of contact have been studied to optimize the removal process. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were used to investigate MG-PPAC adsorption behavior for AO7 dye. Applicability of the Langmuir isotherm model demonstrates a monolayer adsorption AO7 dye removal process, and the maximum monolayer capacity (Qm) attained from linear solvation of LIM is 322.58 mg/g. Furthermore, the highest removal was 99.53% at pH 2.25. Also, the adsorption process was tested using like pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, film diffusion, and Elovich models. The pseudo-second-order model is well-fitted to the operational data of AO7 dye removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline pretreatment has great potential for the separation of biomass components. In this study, taking bamboo and cotton stalk as raw materials, two-stage alkaline pretreatment was designed for evaluating the components fractionation. The chemical structure of isolated xylan from bamboo and cotton stalk have a backbone of (1 → 4)-β-D-Xylp units attached with 4-O-Me-α-D-GlcpA and/or α-L-Araf units as the branched chain, characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Its excellent pretreatment performance was mainly due to the alkali solution weakening the hydrogen bond between cellulose and hemicellulose and saponifying the ester bond between hemicellulose and lignin, thus increasing the fiber porosity. The cellulose enzymatic hydrolysis yield of two-stage alkaline pretreatments cotton stalks and bamboo could reach to 74.2% and 82.1%. The recovery of xylan and lignin of two-stage alkaline pretreatments cotton stalks and bamboo was 85.4% and 84.5%, and 85.1% and 85.1%. This technology was a great potential to promote the efficiency of the component separation of nonwood biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation visualisation is an effective way of understanding and communicating complex systems and processes. Among other advantages, it increases model transparency and intelligibility for all categories of users including non-experts, and it can be used by modellers as a tool to debug models in development. However, simulation visualisation is often tightly coupled to specific simulators, and, therefore, there is no way to reuse visualisation tools efficiently. Here, we present a specification that can be used to decouple visualisation engines from simulators. The specification also considers storage optimisation to support web-based simulation applications. We also present an implementation that supports the web-based representation and animation of outputs issued from simulators based on the discrete event system specification (DEVS) and Petri Nets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan is a good adsorbent but has poor effectiveness against some dyes. Therefore, in this study, we synthesized composite materials of prepared crab shell chitosan with ZnO and PVA to improve adsorption efficiency. The ZnO/CTS and ZnO/PVA/CTS composites were synthesized by dissolving the components into a solution with the help of ultrasound and hydrothermally neutralizing it for 3 h. The obtained composites and crab shell chitosan were characterized by methods such as GPC, FTIR, XRD, and SEM. Adsorption experiments were conducted in batch form and only sampled once under each condition. The results showed the molecular weight of crab shell chitosan is around 105 g/mol and quite homogenous in size, and the embedded nanorod-like ZnO in the composite is around 200 nm in sizes. The adsorption of the dyes Indigo Carmine (IC), Alizarin Yellow (AY), and Thymol Blue (TB) onto the composites was highest compared to the single adsorbent and ranked in descending order: ZnO/CTS+AY > ZnO/PVA/CTS+IC > ZnO/CTS+IC > ZnO/PVA/CTS+AY > ZnO/CTS+TB > ZnO/PVA/CTS+TB, which corresponds to qmax of 285.7 mg/g, 227.3 mg/g, 208.3 mg/g, 188.7 mg/g, 60.6 mg/g, and 50.3 mg/g, respectively. In addition, the adsorption kinetics of all cases followed the pseudo-second-order adsorption model, it implies that the rate of adsorption is proportional to the square of the number of unoccupied sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is recognised as one of the most significant strategic business practices and has become an indispensable element of long-term corporate strategy worldwide to gain a competitive edge (Aspal et al., 2023; Nuredini & Matoshi, 2022). This research investigates the level of CSR disclosure (CSRD) practices of banking sector companies operating in India. The CSRD practices of banking companies are investigated by employing content analysis techniques for the most current financial year, 2021–2022. Company-specific and domain-specific scores have been calculated for ranking motives. According to our investigation results, India’s banking sector has limited involvement in CSRD. Our study further indicates that the banking sector primarily focuses its CSR efforts on ‘Education and training’, ‘Health and hygiene’, and ‘Rural development’. The study finds no difference in CSRD between public and private sector banks (PVSBs) in India during the reporting period. This study is the first investigation in India to evaluate the level of CSRD in the banking sector after adopting the Companies Act in 2013. The results can help regulators and policymakers make informed decisions and encourage banks to be more responsible by comprehensively disclosing their CSR spending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perinatal hypoxia may result in coagulation dysfunction. Diminished blood flow or oxygen to the fetus/neonate during the perinatal period can cause bone marrow and liver function impairment, leading to thrombocytopenia, impaired synthesis of clotting and fibrinolytic factors, and increased destruction of platelets in the small blood vessels. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the hemostatic status of newborns with perinatal hypoxia via the non-activated thromboelastometry (NATEM) assay in cord blood samples. Methods: 134 hypoxic neonates born in our maternity unit over a 1.5-year period were enrolled in this observational cohort study, and 189 healthy neonates served as the control group. Participation in the study was voluntary and parents signed informed consent prior to recruitment. Demographic and clinical data were recorded on admission, and the NATEM method was performed on cord blood samples. The following NATEM values were evaluated: clotting time (CT), alpha angle (α-angle), clot formation time (CFT), clot amplitude at 5 and 10 min. (A5, A10), maximum clot firmness (MCF), clot lysis index at 60 min. after CT (LI60), and maximum clot elasticity (MCE). Statistical analysis was conducted utilizing the SAS for Windows 9.4 software platform. Results: Neonates with perinatal hypoxia exhibited decreased fibrinolytic potential in comparison to healthy neonates, as indicated by increased LI60, and this difference was statistically significant (LΙ60: 94 (92–96) Vs 93 (91–95), p value = 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences noted among the remaining NATEM variables. Conclusion: Our findings indicate decreased fibrinolytic potential in hypoxic neonates in comparison to healthy neonates, suggesting that NATEM could serve as an effective tool for promptly identifying hemostasis dysfunction in this group of neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of dual modification using ultrasound (100 and 300 W for 5, 10, and 15 min) and microwave (600 W for 45 s) treatments on functional properties of wheat gluten protein (WGP) and whey protein concentrate (WPC), as two by-products of food industry with different primary functional properties, was investigated. Ultrasound treatment did not affect the solubility of both proteins significantly but the emulsion and foam properties were increased up to 10 min. Nevertheless, microwave treatment after ultrasound caused a significant decrease in the solubility of both proteins. However, the foam stability of the WPC and WGP was not significantly modified after microwave treatment. The obtained results showed a more positive effect of ultrasound at 100 W for 10 min than other ultrasound treatments on the functional and structural properties of both proteins. The zeta potential of both proteins was decreased after dual physical modifications, but thermal stability of proteins was improved after microwave treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of three dimensional (3D) printed porous metallic biomaterials and their clinical applications are currently receiving much consideration. Many research works have been focused on the shaping by 3D printing of lightweight metal implants with improved mechanical properties. In the same way, the effect of surface finishes on roughness and porosity distribution on biological properties is still debated. Therefore, several factors need to be addressed and revisited in this context. This review focuses on the importance of porous metallic implant design and its relationship with biological and mechanical properties. First, the additive manufacturing (AM) techniques for bio-inert metals and alloys will be discussed. The review will then introduce the most efficient surface treatments and coating approaches for biomedical porous metals to enhance bone tissue regeneration, prevent corrosion, reduce revision surgery and improve implant lifetime. A critical study of the various parameters impacting the biological properties will also be carried out in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While comprehensive knowledge networks can be instrumental in finding solutions to complex problems or supporting the development of detailed simulation models, their large number of nodes and edges can become a hindrance. When the representation of a network becomes opaque, they stop fulfilling their role as a shared representation of a system between participants and modelers; hence, participants are less engaged in the model-building process. Combating the information overload created by large conceptual models is not merely a matter of changing formats: shifting from an unwieldy diagram to enormous amounts of text does not promote engagement. Rather, we posit that participants need an environment that provides details on demand and where interactions with a model rely primarily on a familiar format (i.e., text). In this study, we developed a visual analytics environment where linked visualizations allow participants to interact with large conceptual models, as shown in a case study with hundreds of nodes and almost a thousand relationships. Our environment leverages several advances in generative AI to automatically transform (i) a conceptual model into detailed paragraphs, (ii) detailed text into an executive summary of a model, (iii) prompts about the model into a safe version that avoids sensitive topics, and (iv) a description of the model into a complementary illustration. By releasing our work open source along with a video of our case study, we encourage other modelers to use this approach with their participants. Their feedback and future usability studies are key to respond to the needs of participants by improving our environment given individual preferences, models, and application domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to understand the distribution of lithium and other elements in the Beauvoir granite, which is a granite enriched in lithium (Li), tin (Sn), niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta), and develop a reliable method for lithium quantification. These granite samples underwent various mineral processing techniques to produce a large dataset with different lithium concentrations and different mineral matrices. Thin sections were analysed using optical microscopy and micro X-ray fluorescence imaging to determine the distribution of potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), and cesium (Cs) in different mineral phases. Both energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurements were conducted using handheld instruments on the same samples. The different resulting spectra were used to develop a predictive model for lithium content according to the whole rock estimates. Principal component analysis (PCA) and biplot analysis were used to identify correlations between elemental composition and lithium content; multiple linear regression was employed to establish a regression model for lithium quantification. Residual analysis and various statistical metrics, including R2, root mean squared error, and mean absolute percentage error, were used to assess the accuracy and performance of the models. In summary, this study highlights that for high lithium grade samples, ED-XRF can be preferred over LIBS as it requires less time for both sample preparation and analysis. However, this lithium assay is indirect, whereas for low lithium grade samples (<0.8 wt% Li2O), LIBS should be preferred to ensure a robust lithium assay method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides its use as a powerful systems analysis tool, simulation has also been used for decades in educational settings as a teaching and learning method. Simulation can replace or augment real-world inquiry-based experiences by providing learners with a low-cost and risk-free experimentation platform to develop knowledge and skills in a simulated environment. This paper presents an overview of current applications and the ongoing transition from physical experimentation to digital simulations and immersive simulated learning environments in engineering education. The paper highlights major implementation and research gaps related to simulation-based learning and immersive simulated learning environments, namely, lack of integration with learning theories and limited formal assessments of effectiveness. Potential implementation approaches and important areas for future educational research are discussed and exemplified in response to the identified gaps. The discussions presented are intended for simulationists, educational researchers, and instructors who are interested in designing and/or utilizing engineering education interventions involving simulated learning environments and immersive technologies in their teaching and educational research. In particular, the Immersive Simulation-Based Learning (ISBL) approach discussed in the paper provides a framework for simulationists to reuse the models developed as part of their simulation projects for educational purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This position paper provides first, a literature survey of selected domains with significant contributions to simulation interoperability research, such as defense and healthcare simulation, including insights from academia and research organizations. Next, four main interoperability methods are reviewed, i.e., messages-oriented methods, use of information exchange models and common object models, and reference modeling, including ontological means. This review leads to the observation that successful approaches do not only rely on technical solutions but are also using conceptual alignment of the underlying models as well. The Levels of Conceptual Interoperability Model is revisited to consider how it contributed—and still contributes today—to reach meaningful interoperability between model-based solutions. Its descriptive and prescriptive use is discussed, and it is applied to the four methods to show its practical applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of spatial resource allocation is pervasive across various domains such as transportation, industry, and daily life. As the scale of real-world issues continues to expand and demands for real-time solutions increase, traditional algorithms face significant computational pressures, struggling to achieve optimal efficiency and real-time capabilities. In recent years, with the escalating computational power of computers, the remarkable achievements of reinforcement learning in domains like Go and robotics have demonstrated its robust learning and sequential decision-making capabilities. Given these advancements, there has been a surge in novel methods employing reinforcement learning to tackle spatial resource allocation problems. These methods exhibit advantages such as rapid solution convergence and strong model generalization abilities, offering a new perspective on resolving spatial resource allocation problems. Despite the progress, reinforcement learning still faces hurdles when it comes to spatial resource allocation. There remains a gap in its ability to fully grasp the diversity and intricacy of real-world resources. The environmental models used in reinforcement learning may not always capture the spatial dynamics accurately. Moreover, in situations laden with strict and numerous constraints, reinforcement learning can sometimes fall short in offering feasible strategies. Consequently, this paper is dedicated to summarizing and reviewing current theoretical approaches and practical research that utilize reinforcement learning to address issues pertaining to spatial resource allocation. In addition, the paper accentuates several unresolved challenges that urgently necessitate future focus and exploration within this realm and proposes viable approaches for these challenges. This research furnishes valuable insights that may assist scholars in gaining a more nuanced understanding of the problems, opportunities, and potential directions concerning the application of reinforcement learning in spatial resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing research on the exploitation of rumen microbial resources, rumen probiotics have attracted much attention for their positive contributions in promoting nutrient digestion, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria, and improving production performance. In the past two decades, macrogenomics has provided a rich source of new-generation probiotic candidates, but most of these "dark substances" have not been successfully cultured due to the restrictive growth conditions. However, fueled by high-throughput culture and sorting technologies, it is expected that the potential probiotics in the rumen can be exploited on a large scale, and their potential applications in medicine and agriculture can be explored. In this paper, we review and summarize the classical techniques for isolation and identification of rumen probiotics, introduce the development of droplet-based high-throughput cell culture and single-cell sequencing for microbial culture and identification, and finally introduce promising cultureomics techniques. The aim is to provide technical references for the development of related technologies and microbiological research to promote the further development of the field of rumen microbiology research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open, collaborative mapping initiatives such as OpenStreetMap, a wiki-style map of the world, continually face concerns about the reliability and authority of its data. Based on harnessing the power of millions of volunteers globally, the data production process is decentralized and reflects a mosaic of individual contributors' skills, motivations, and experiences. Linus' Law, a widespread assumption within open-source communities, suggests that data quality increases with the number of contributors. In this paper, we evaluate Linus' Law as applied to the co-production of volunteered geographic information using an agent-based model and examine the effects of knowledge level, variability, and prioritization on emergent production patterns and overall data quality. Our results demonstrate how diminishing returns and the experience of contributors limit Linus' Law as an intrinsic assessment of data quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study explores the potential of integrating attentional bias modification training (ABMT) with mirror exposure therapy (MET), utilizing virtual reality and eye-tracking, for a 14-year-old girl diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN). The ABMT-MET intervention was used alongside a standard treatment program called Home Treatment (HoT), which combines cognitive behavioral therapy with family-based therapy. Though the patient began HoT with a 3-week inpatient phase, the ABMT-MET intervention specifically took place during the subsequent Home Treatment sessions. The experimental treatment, comprising five consecutive weekly sessions, was bookended by pre- and post-assessment sessions and included a six-month follow-up. During the sessions, the patient engaged in systematic and hierarchical exposure to a virtual representation of her silhouette, with gradual adjustments made to the avatar's body mass index (BMI) toward a healthier range. ABMT sessions, conducted before each MET session, aimed to redistribute the patient's focus evenly across her body, successfully neutralizing her initial attentional bias toward non-weight-related body parts. The patient demonstrated consistent decreases in anxiety and fear of weight gain, effectively progressing through the BMI hierarchy in the virtual setting. Post-treatment assessments indicated significant enhancements in body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, body-checking behaviors, and body appreciation, with these gains preserved at the six-month follow-up, although the attentional bias returned to pre-treatment levels. Though the single-case design limits definitive conclusions, these findings suggest ABMT-MET may be a promising adjunct therapy for AN, requiring further research for confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothyroidism is a frequently diagnosed endocrine disorder. Common signs and symptoms include fatigue, cold intolerance, hoarseness, dry skin, constipation, a slow relaxation phase of deep tendon reflexes, and bradycardia. However, some patients may exhibit atypical signs and symptoms, which can result in diagnostic confusion. Pituitary hyperplasia resulting from longstanding primary hypothyroidism was first described by Niepce in 1851. It is usually asymptomatic, but sometimes, in addition to symptoms of overt hypothyroidism, patients may complain of headaches, hypopituitarism, visual field impairment, and hyperprolactinemia. Furthermore, on imaging, pituitary hyperplasia can be mistaken for a pituitary adenoma. Distinguishing between the two is crucial, as their management differs; the former often responds to thyroid hormone replacement therapy, while the latter might need treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Here we describe a patient who developed pituitary hyperplasia in the setting of longstanding uncompensated primary hypothyroidism due to a lack of compliance with levothyroxine replacement therapy. We also review the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings of the case reports available in the literature up to now in order to improve the knowledge and the care of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the ever-growing popularity of food deliver, more and more consumers are embracing this convenience as part of their lifestyle. However, the issue of food waste created by the food deliver industry has become a pressing concern in society. This paper aims to examine the link between food waste and food delivery services, and investigate the effects of anti-food waste regulations on the generation of food waste and the choice of logistics strategies in an Onlineto- Offline (O2O) supply chain. Using game-theoretical approach, we focus on two prominent logistics strategies--the restaurant-free self-logistics strategy (RF strategy) and the platform-charge logistics strategy (PC strategy). Our research results show that anti-food waste regulation can effectively reduce food waste in food delivery service under the PC logistics strategy. The choice of logistics strategy is constrained by the online market potential, the relative logistics costs of platform logistics, and anti-food waste regulations. If the anti-food waste regulation is strict, as long as the size of the food delivery market and the relative logistics costs of platform logistics are not simultaneously small, the RF strategy will be the equilibrium strategy, whereas the supply chain members should choose the PC strategy. The study thus offers useful inferences for theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylooligosaccharides (XOSs) are being explored as prebiotics in fish diets; however, their effects and modes of action have not been well evaluated. Reports have shown that dietary XOS has the potential to improve the proliferation of beneficial gut microbes, and their metabolites, and enhance disease resistance in several fish species. In contrast, other studies report no substantial changes in immune and growth parameters compared to control groups. Like all prebiotics, the mode of action of XOS is based on their selective stimulation of beneficial gut microbiota, which will outcompete and prevent pathogen proliferation in the gut, and produce metabolites that modulate host immune responses. The reports of improved growth performance of XOS fed fish may be due to improved intestinal microbiome, enhanced glycolysis activity and elevated gastrointestinal enzymatic activities. Dietary XOSs have different effects on fish performance depending on the fish species and the structure of XOSs (degree of XOS polymerization and substitution). Nevertheless, further research is essential to determine the optimal dosage, degree of polymerization, and substitution levels required to improve each fish species' gut health and growth performance. This review highlights the prebiotic effects of XOSs, their mechanism of action, and knowledge gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why do customers incorporate concerns about social and environmental issues into the decision-making process? How ethical are food choices in the modern world? Answers to these questions have often revolved around how informed consumers might be and whether they have the appropriate skills to act on concerns they might have. Today, ethical food consumption is a growing market where consumers' behavior shifts from the rational manner focusing on the products price and attributes to the food ethics associated with environment, social welfare, public health, and morality. Using data selected from a purposive sample of 20 consumers, this study employed a qualitative research procedure to explore the main dimensions that influence the decision-making process and eating preferences in the post-COVID 19 era and within an economically turbulent environment. The main results showed that health protection, sustainability, and social wefare constitute the main axes of ethical food consumption. Participants were found to be more individualists than altruists since the "personal health" dimension was the most prevalent. Future research should extend these findings and explore variations in the ethical consumption factors among various consumer segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Body-image disturbance is a major factor in the development of eating disorders, especially among young women. There are two main components: perceptual disturbance, characterized by a discrepancy between perceived and actual body size, and affective disturbance, characterized by a discrepancy between perceived and ideal body size. Interventions targeting body-image disturbance ask individuals to describe their own body without using negative expressions when either viewing it in a mirror or imagining it. Despite the importance of reducing body-image disturbance, its neural mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigated the changes in neural responses before and after an intervention. We hypothesized that neural responses correlated with the degree of body-image disturbance would also be related to its reduction, i.e., a reduction in perceptual and affective disturbances would be related to changes in attentional and socio-cognitive processing, respectively. Methods: Twenty-eight young adult women without known psychiatric disorders underwent a single 40-min intervention. Participants completed tasks before and after the intervention, in which they estimated their perceived and ideal body sizes using distorted silhouette images to measure body-image disturbance. We analyzed the behavioral and neural responses of participants during the tasks. Results: The intervention did not significantly reduce body-image disturbance. Analysis of individual differences showed distinct changes in neural responses for each type of disturbance. A decrease in perceptual disturbance was associated with bodily visuospatial processing: increased activation in the left superior parietal lobule, bilateral occipital gyri, and right cuneus. Reduced affective disturbance was associated with socio-cognitive processing; decreased activation in the right temporoparietal junction, and increased functional connectivity between the left extrastriate body area and the right precuneus. Discussion: We identified distinct neural mechanisms (bodily visuospatial and socio-cognitive processing) associated with the reduction in each component of body-image disturbance. Our results imply that different neural mechanisms are related to reduced perceptual disturbance and the expression thereof, whereas similar neural mechanisms are related to the reduction and expression of affective disturbance. Considering the small sample size of this study, our results should be regarded as preliminary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a widely consumed bioactive substance worldwide. Our recent study showed that a reduction in both reproduction and yolk protein production (vitellogenesis) caused by caffeine intake were improved by vitamin B12 supplementation, which is an essential co-factor in methionine metabolism. In the current study, we investigated the role of methionine in the reproduction of caffeine-ingested animals (CIAs). We assessed the effect of methionine metabolism on CIAs and found that caffeine intake decreased both methionine levels and essential enzymes related to the methionine cycle. Furthermore, we found that the caffeine-induced impairment of methionine metabolism decreased vitellogenesis and increased germ cell apoptosis in an LIN-35/RB-dependent manner. Interestingly, the increased germ cell apoptosis was restored to normal levels by methionine supplementation in CIAs. These results indicate that methionine supplementation plays a beneficial role in germ cell health and offspring development by regulating vitellogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to efficiently separate CO2 from other light gases using membrane technology has received a great deal of attention due to its importance in applications such as improving the efficiency of natural gas and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A wide range of materials has been employed for the fabrication of membranes. This paper highlights the work carried out to develop novel advanced membranes with improved separation performance. We integrated a polymerizable and amino acid ionic liquid (AAIL) with zeolite to fabricate mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The MMMs were prepared with (vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride [VBTMA][Cl] and (vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium glycine [VBTMA][Gly] as the polymeric support with 5 wt% zeolite particles, and varying concentrations of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium glycine, [BMIM][Gly] (5–20 wt%) blended together. The membranes were fabricated through photopolymerization. The extent of polymerization was confirmed using FTIR. FESEM confirmed the membranes formed are dense in structure. The thermal properties of the membranes were measured using TGA and DSC. CO2 and CH4 permeation was studied at room temperature and with a feed side pressure of 2 bar. [VBTMA][Gly]-based membranes recorded higher CO2 permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity compared to [VBTMA][Cl]-based membranes due to the facilitated transport of CO2. The best performing membrane Gly-Gly-20 recorded permeance of 4.17 GPU and ideal selectivity of 5.49. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the limitations of conventional ultrafiltration/microfiltration-based membrane bioreactors (UF/MF-MBRs) in removing trace organic compounds (TrOCs), the concept of high-retention membrane bioreactors (HR-MBRs) was introduced. Despite the benefits, HR-MBRs still suffer several drawbacks. Therefore, this paper critically reviews the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed strategies to alleviate fouling, salinity build-up and incomplete biodegradation of TrOCs during wastewater treatment by HR-MBRs. The severity of each challenge is compared amongst the various configurations together with the associated capital and operational expenditure to determine the most cost-effective set-up. Guidance is provided on strategies and/or lessons that could be adopted from well-established processes used at municipal scale. Chemical cleaning as mitigation for fouling degrades membranes leading to poor TrOCs removal, while pre-treatment and membrane surface modification increase operational expenditure (OpEX). However, there are other environmentally-friendly pretreatment and cleaning options which hold great potential for future application. These options such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are critically discussed in this work. Further, in-depth discussion is made on the pros and cons of the various approaches (such as frequent sludge withdrawal, intermittent UF/MF filtration and using organic salts) to alleviate salt build-up. Finally, incomplete biodegradation of rejected TrOCs in the bioreactor transfers problems of toxic pollutants from wastewater treatment to sludge management. Herein mitigation strategies including using stronger biological agents and coupling HR-MBRs with other techniques are debated. Despite the challenges, HR-MBRs are a promising solution for clean water production from TrOCs impaired wastewater. Therefore, more research is needed to improve the performance of HR-MBRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a fault diagnosis and prediction framework for petroleum machinery production systems, addressing the need for more efficient and reliable fault handling in the face of complex signals. Utilizing the Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (CEEMD) and permutation entropy, it extracts signal features to analyse system dynamics. An Adaptive Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) and optimized Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) simulation model enhances diagnostic accuracy through signal processing and fast learning capabilities. This approach not only elevates fault diagnosis precision but also supports the maintenance and health management of petroleum machinery systems, offering significant theoretical and practical benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, lignocellulosic biomass, namely, Opuntia ficus indica cords (OFIC), was selected as a renewable resource for the production of activated carbon. The preparation conditions of chemically activated carbon (AC) samples were the following: activation temperature -- 600 °C, heating rate -- 10 °C min-1, activation time -- 60 min, and OFIC/H3PO4 impregnation ratio -- 1/2. The properties of OFIC and activated carbon were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Boehm's method, and pHzpc. AC showed heterogeneous surface and acidic characteristics with a pHZPC of 2.61. OFIC and AC were used as adsorbents to remove the anionic dye Red Bemacid (RB) from aqueous solutions. OFIC was used as a reference for comparison with the prepared AC. The results showed that the experimental data fitted very well with the pseudo-second-order nonlinear model of both adsorbents, with 120 min as equilibrium time and the nonlinear isotherm models of three parameters (Sips and Redlich-Peterson isotherms) were selected as the best fitting ones. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic for the AC/RB dye system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]