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Abstract Background Elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem and interruption of transmission in selected areas are goals set by the World Health Organization for 2030. Behaviour change communication (BCC), coupled with other interventions, is considered an essential measure to reduce the transmission of Schistosoma infection. Focusing on elimination, we assessed the 1-year impact of BCC interventions on schistosomiasis-related knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of schoolchildren in hotspot schools versus low-prevalence schools that did not receive the interventions. Methods School-based cross-sectional surveys were implemented in 16 schools on Pemba Island, Tanzania, in 2020 and 2022, respectively. The schistosomiasis-related KAP were assessed in children attending grades 3–5, using pre-tested questionnaires. Between the surveys, in 2021, children from hotspot schools were exposed to BCC interventions. The difference in mean knowledge and attitude scores, respectively, between schoolchildren from hotspot and low-prevalence schools during the survey in 2022 was determined with a linear mixed-effect model. Results In the five hotspot schools that received BCC interventions, 315 children participated in the survey in 2020 and 349 in 2022. There was a 21.0% increase in children with moderate knowledge and a 13.8% decrease in no knowledge; a 8.3% increase in good attitude and a 19.2% decrease in poor attitude; 3.4% and 3.2% fewer children reported to use waterbodies for washing clothes or body, respectively. In the 11 low-prevalence schools without BCC interventions, 778 children participated in 2020 and 732 in 2022. The percentage of children with poor knowledge (56.4% and 63.1%) and poor attitude (55.3% and 53.1%) remained relatively stable from 2020 to 2022, but 4.9% and 3.0% less children reported to use waterbodies for washing clothes or their body, respectively. In 2022, the difference in mean knowledge scores was 0.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5−1.1] and the difference in mean attitude scores was 0.6 (95% CI: 0.4−0.7) between children in hotspot compared with low-prevalence schools. Conclusions After one year of implementation, the BCC interventions markedly improved the KAP of exposed children. Complemented by improved access to clean water and sanitation, BCC holds promise to contribute successfully to the achievement of schistosomiasis control and elimination targets. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN91431493. Registered 11 February. 2020, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN91431493 . Graphical Abstract

Abstract Trichuris trichiura is one of four soil-transmitted helminth species that, collectively, are responsible for a considerable public health burden. The World Health Organization recommends preventive chemotherapy as the main intervention to eliminate soil-transmitted helminthiasis as a public health problem. Clinical trials estimated the efficacy of different drugs and treatment regimen against T. trichiura and other soil-transmitted helminth species, whilst meta-analyses and modeling efforts were conducted to determine the most efficacious drugs and drug combinations. Of note, the diagnostic error was often neglected, and hence, cure rates (CRs) might be overestimated. We developed a Bayesian model, which estimates drug efficacy against T. trichiura, taking into account the transmission mechanism and the diagnostic error. The model was fitted to individual-level egg count data from an ensemble of seven trials with 29 treatments. We estimated the ‘true’ CRs, which were consistently lower than those reported in the literature. In our analysis, the treatment with the highest CR was combination therapy of albendazole plus pyrantel pamoate plus oxantel pamoate with a CR of 79% and an egg reduction rate (ERR) of 91%. Albendazole plus oxantel pamoate showed the highest ERR of 97% and a CR of 69%. Additionally, we estimated the intensity-dependent sensitivity of the Kato-Katz technique. For 24 eggs per gram of stool, the sensitivity was around 50% for a single Kato-Katz thick smear and increased to almost 70% for duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears. Combination therapies against soil-transmitted helminthiasis should be considered and the evaluation of infection intensity in low transmission settings via multiple Kato-Katz thick smears is recommended.

More collisions occur at the exit ramps of expressways due to frequent lane-changing behavior and interweaving between vehicles. Young drivers with shorter driving mileage and driving experience, radical driving styles, and worse behavior prediction are likelier to be involved in collisions at the exit ramps. This paper focuses on the correlation analysis between young drivers’ characteristics and their visual and physiological attributes at expressway exit ramps. First, the driver’s gender, driving experience, and mileage are classified. Then, seven expressway exit models are established using the UC/Win road modeling software. The driver’s driving plane vision is divided into four areas using the K-means clustering algorithm. In addition, the driver’s visual and heart rate attributes were analyzed at 500 m, 300 m, 200 m, and 100 m away from an expressway exit. The results show that the visual attributes, gender, and driving mileage of young drivers strongly correlate with the fixation times and average saccade amplitude. In contrast, the driving experience has almost no correlation with the fixation behavior of young drivers. Young drivers’ driving experience and mileage strongly correlate with cardiac physiological attributes, but there is virtually no correlation with gender. The practical implications of these results should be helpful to highway planners and designers.

Abstract Background Urogenital schistosomiasis is caused by the parasitic trematode Schistosoma haematobium. Sensitive and specific point-of-care diagnostics are needed for elimination of this disease. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assays meet these criteria, and an assay to diagnose S. haematobium has been developed (Sh-RPA). However, false-positive results can occur, and optimisation of reaction conditions to mitigate these is needed. Ease of use and compatibility of DNA extraction methods must also be considered. Methods Using synthetic DNA, S. haematobium genomic DNA (gDNA), and urine samples from clinical cases, Sh-RPA reactions incorporating different betaine concentrations (0 M, 1 M, 2.5 M, 12.5 M) and the sample-to-water ratios were tested to determine effects on assay specificity and sensitivity. In addition, five commercial DNA extraction kits suitable for use in resource-limited settings were used to obtain gDNA from single S. haematobium eggs and evaluated in terms of DNA quality, quantity, and compatibility with the Sh-RPA assay. All samples were also evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to confirm DNA acquisition. Results The analytical sensitivity of the Sh-RPA with all betaine concentrations was ≥ 10 copies of the synthetic Dra1 standard and 0.1 pg of S. haematobium gDNA. The addition of betaine improved Sh-RPA assay specificity in all reaction conditions, and the addition of 2.5 M of betaine together with the maximal possible sample volume of 12.7 µl proved to be the optimum reaction conditions. DNA was successfully isolated from a single S. haematobium egg using all five commercial DNA extraction kits, but the Sh-RPA performance of these kits varied, with one proving to be incompatible with RPA reactions. Conclusions The addition of 2.5 M of betaine to Sh-RPA reactions improved reaction specificity whilst having no detrimental effect on sensitivity. This increases the robustness of the assay, advancing the feasibility of using the Sh-RPA assay in resource-limited settings. The testing of commercial extraction kits proved that crude, rapid, and simple methods are sufficient for obtaining DNA from single S. haematobium eggs, and that these extracts can be used with Sh-RPA in most cases. However, the observed incompatibility of specific kits with Sh-RPA highlights the need for each stage of a molecular diagnostic platform to be robustly tested prior to implementation. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis is a debilitating neglected tropical disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. The role of health facilities in the prevention, diagnosis, control, and elimination of schistosomiasis is poorly documented. In a setting targeted for schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar, we assessed the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium among patients seeking care in a health facility and investigated schistosomiasis-related knowledge of staff, and health facilities’ capacities and needs for schistosomiasis diagnosis and management. Methods We conducted a health facility-based mixed-method study on Pemba Island from June to August 2023. Patients aged ≥ 4 years seeking care in four health facilities were screened for S. haematobium infection using urine filtration and reagent strips. Those patients aged ≥ 10 years were additionally interviewed about signs and symptoms. Staff from 23 health facilities responded to a questionnaire assessing knowledge and practices. Ten staff participated in a focus group discussion (FGD) about capacities and needs for schistosomiasis diagnosis and management. Results The prevalence of S. haematobium infection in patients attending the health facilities, as determined by the presence of eggs in urine, was 1.1% (8/712). Microhaematuria was detected in 13.3% (95/712) of the patients using reagent strips. Among patients responding to the questionnaire, pelvic pain, pain during sex, and painful urination were reported by 38.0% (237/623), 6.3% (39/623), and 3.2% (20/623), respectively. Among the health facility staff, 90.0% (44/49) and 87.8% (43/49) identified blood in urine and pelvic pain, respectively, as symptoms of urogenital schistosomiasis, 81.6% (40/49) and 93.9% (46/49) reported collecting a urine sample and pursuing a reagent strip test, respectively, for diagnosis, and 87.8% (43/49) administered praziquantel for treatment. The most reoccurring themes in the FGD were the need for more staff training about schistosomiasis, requests for diagnostic equipment, and the need to improve community response to schistosomiasis services in health facilities. Conclusions The prevalence of S. haematobium infection in patients seeking care in health facilities in Pemba is very low and similar to what has been reported from recent community-based cross-sectional surveys. The health facility staff had good schistosomiasis-related knowledge and practices. However, to integrate schistosomiasis patient management more durably into routine health facility activities, scalable screening pathways need to be identified and capacities need to be improved by regular staff training, and an unbroken supply of accurate point-of-care diagnostics and praziquantel for the treatment of cases. Graphical abstract

Abstract Recently, hydrogen-based distributed generators (DG) have gained significant attention for modern energy generation systems. These modem DGs are typically outfitted with power electronics converters, resulting in harmonic pollution. Furthermore, increasing the growth of modern nonlinear loads may result in exceeding the harmonic beyond the permitted level. This research proposes a framework for optimal incorporation of inverter-based distributed generation (a fuel cell connected to an AC distribution system) for minimizing power losses, enhancing the voltage profile, and limiting both total and individual harmonic distortion according to the IEEE-519 standard. In addition, for accounting system sustainability, the proposed framework considers load variation and the expected rise in demand. Therefore, the suggested framework comprises three stages, which include fundamental and harmonic power flow analysis. The first stage identifies the optimal size and location of the DG in relation to the base load operating condition. While, with the optimal DG of the first stage, the amount of harmonic pollution may violate the limits during a high level of nonlinear load penetration, as a result, the second stage resizes the DG, considering the connection bus of the first stage, to mitigate the harmonics and optimize the system at a higher level of nonlinear load penetration. Both the first and second stages are performed off-line, while the third stage optimizes the system operation during run time according to loading conditions, harmonic pollution, and the available DG capacity of the previous stages. DG’s harmonic spectrum is represented according to recently issued IEEE 1547-2018 for permissible DG’s current distortion limits. The suggested approach is applied and evaluated using an IEEE 33-bus distribution system for various combinations of linear and nonlinear loads. For run-time operation throughout the day, the presented framework reduces the energy losses from 5.281 to 2.452 MWh/day (about 53.57% energy savings). This saving is associated with voltage profile enhancement without violating the permissible standard levels of harmonics and other system constraints.

The structural, electronics, optical, and thermoelectric characteristics of BXO3(X = P, As, Sb, and Bi) perovskites are investigated within the density functional theory (DFT) framework. The full potential linearized augmented plane wave method employs various exchange–correlation potential approximations to estimate the ground state’s physical properties. The ground state stability of BXO3 perovskites was examined and all compounds have shown their cubic structure stability. The computed ground state structural parameters in the stability phase agree well with the available literature. Our results of optical properties indicated the potential use of BXO3(X = P, As, Sb, and Bi) in visible and ultraviolet zones of optoelectronic devices. The studied perovskites have indirect bandgap energy except BSbO3 has a direct bandgap. Notably, our findings show that except for BPO3 the figure of merit (ZT) values approach unity within the temperature range of 100–800 K for BSbO3 and BBiO3. In contrast, for BAsO3 the value decreases rapidly from one after 300 K. These perovskites are prospective candidates for thermoelectric applications.

Several exchange–correlation potentials within the framework of Density Functional Theory (DFT) were used to study the structural, electronic, magnetic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of cubic perovskites CsEuX3 (X=Cl, Br, and I). The exchange–correlation potentials used in this study include GGA, mBJ, and GGA+U, both with and without spin–orbit coupling (SOC). The stability of all compounds was confirmed by the obtained values of the cohesive energy, formation energy, and tolerance factor. When GGA+U with SOC is used, all compounds show direct bandgap with no effect of the spin state on the bandgap value. The bandgap varies differently for spin-up and spin-down states under pressure. Europium ions control the magnetic properties. Optical investigations indicate that CsEuBr3 and CsEuI3 exhibit identical characteristics, whereas CsEuCl3 has a similar trend but shifted to higher energy. Absorption mostly takes place in the UV region, whereas there is about 20 % reflectance in the infrared (IR) and visible regions. All compounds have low energy loss and excellent transparency. Our investigation indicates that the present compounds are good thermoelectric materials with a high figure of merit. For example, CsEuCl3 demonstrates a figure of merit (ZT) ranging from 0.82 to 0.86 for spin-up and around 1 for spin-down over the temperature range 50–800 K. Such encouraging results indicate that all compounds are potential candidates for optical applications and thermoelectric devices.

This study proposes a new method to assess the bearing capacity of similar bridges while avoiding the disadvantages of costly static loading tests. First, we present a detailed evaluation of the bearing capacity for a repaired pre-stressed concrete continuous-beam bridge following a ship collision. We have developed a finite element model, modified it, and combined with two other methods to evaluate its bearing capacity. The first method proposed is the bridge design code-based method, where the bearing capacity is assessed using specified design parameters. The second is the field test-based method, where the bearing capacity is evaluated using field tests combined with structural appearance observation. Considering the relative merits of these two methods, a new and improved method for bearing capacity evaluation is proposed and implemented by combining the design code, finite element model, and field loading tests. The innovation and contribution of this paper lie in obtaining modal parameters through a convenient dynamic load test to predict the static behaviour of the bridge structure based on the modified finite element model. Based on the dynamic test results, the static behaviour of the bridge, predicted by the modified finite element analysis, and the appearance test data of the bridge structure, the bearing capacity of the bridge structure is evaluated.

Expressway exit areas experience traffic diversion and complex road conditions, making them accident-prone areas. In this study, transverse and fishbone visual illusion deceleration markings were selected to optimize the induction facilities at expressway exits. The research aims to investigate the impact of these markings on the driving behavior, cognitive load, and physiological characteristics of drivers in various distracted scenarios at expressway exit areas. Furthermore, a comprehensive evaluation of each experimental scheme is conducted using the Matter-Element Extension Model. The study found that the implementation of deceleration markings can effectively enhance driver alertness and lane change awareness, enabling drivers to reduce their speed to near the speed limit in exit areas without compromising driving comfort. Compared to the situation without markings, drivers begin to decelerate approximately 600 m earlier and exit the ramp when markings are present. Fishbone deceleration markings, in contrast to transverse markings, result in lower vehicle speeds, smoother deceleration, and more effectively stimulate drivers' intention to change lanes, guiding them to make the final lane change earlier. Based on the comprehensive evaluation results, it is recommended that transverse or fishbone deceleration markings be considered in engineering practice. These markings have not produced significant effects on driver visual fatigue and driving load, with fishbone markings demonstrating superior comprehensive evaluation outcomes. These research findings can provide valuable insights for future expressway exit area marking design schemes, further enhancing driver safety.

Aim. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is by far the most common type of metabolic disorder in pregnant women, the consequences of which are significant for doctors of various specialties. Features of the course of GDM determine a whole range of completely new problems associated with the health of newborns. This was influenced, on the one hand, by the obesity pandemic, which provoked an exponential increase in the incidence of GDM, and insulin resistance, responsible for the earlier onset of GDM, and on the other hand, by the introduction into clinical practice of clear unified diagnostic criteria adopted by major international medical associations. As the prevalence of GDM continues to increase, the development of new prognostic and diagnostic tests for this pregnancy-associated condition is of great importance to improve outcomes for both mothers and children. Purpose. To study modern ideas about the pathogenesis of GDM. Material and methods. To write this review, a search was carried out for domestic and foreign publications in Russian and international search systems (PubMed, eLibrary, etc.) over the past 9 years. The review included articles from the peer-reviewed literature. Results. The review presents data on various mechanisms of GDM occurrence. Conclusion. Thus, GDM is a growing public health problem associated with rising obesity. To minimize complications for mother and baby, early diagnosis is essential. However, ideal screening for GDM has not yet been developed. The studies discussed in this review highlight the seriousness of GDM, including identifying and managing risk factors, accurately diagnosing and treating the disease to prevent associated complications.

Aim. The review is devoted to the causes and consequences of nutritional deficiency in the diet of a pregnant woman, as well as the possibilities of its replenishment. It has been proven that insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy is accompanied by a lack of nutrients to the fetus, which can cause obstetric and perinatal complications (such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, FGRS, etc.). In the conditions of the unfavorable demographic situation that currently exists in Russia, the birth of a healthy child is becoming one of the pressing problems. This is due to the entry into the childbearing period of a generation with low health indicators. The portrait of a modern young woman is 2 or more chronic extragenital diseases (arterial hypertension, chronic pyelonephritis, cystitis, anemia), early onset of sexual activity, frequent change of sexual partners (STI infection), refusal to use contraceptives (abortion), underweight, bad habits. The importance of the role of vitamin-mineral complex as an integral part of pre-gravid preparation becomes obvious. Material and methods. To write this review, a search was carried out for domestic and foreign publications in Russian and international search systems (PubMed, eLibrary, etc.) over the past 25 years. The review included articles from the peer-reviewed literature. Results. The review presents research data on the importance of using micronutrient support drugs before, during and after pregnancy. Conclusion. Thus, at the present stage, prenatal preparation is distinguished by an integrated approach and promotes the onset of pregnancy with optimal indicators, prevents the development of gestational complications, improves perinatal outcomes, and, accordingly, improves the health of the offspring as a whole.

Linear induction machines (LIMs) find widespread adoption in various applications, owing to their inherent advantages such as low noise, compact turning radius, and excellent climbing capability. LIMs are extensively utilized in linear metro applications. However, in practical operations, the output thrust shrinks with the increase in speed, which is attributed to end effects. This phenomenon leads to a reduction in efficiency. In addition, fluctuations in the normal force impact system stability, posing disturbances to the suspension system. To address these challenges, this paper suggests a finite-set model predictive thrust control (FS-MPTC) for a drive system employing a linear induction motor (LIM). The FS-MPTC optimizes the duty cycle for the active voltage vector and allocates the remaining period to one of the zero voltage vectors. The selected zero voltage vector reduces the switching transition between it and the active voltage vectors. The duty cycle is calculated for the six voltage vectors by incorporating the deadbeat concept and the derivative value for the electromagnetic thrust. In the prediction stage of the FS-MPTC, the computed duty cycle and the corresponding voltage vector are used simultaneously and repeated for the six voltage vectors. The cost function comprises two terms: the error between the reference thrust and predicted thrust value as the first term and the error between the rated primary flux linkage and its predicted value as the second term. The reference thrust is generated from the outer speed control loop. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach, Japanese 12000 linear induction machine parameters are employed for verification. Comparative analysis of the performance between the suggested control method with the optimal duty cycle and the same process with a fixed duty cycle demonstrates superior performance when utilizing the optimal duty cycle. Finally, the proposed FS-MPTC with the optimal duty cycle offers a promising solution to enhance the operational efficiency of the LIM-based drive systems.

Abstract This work is an attempt to develop flexible radiation shielding based on a blend of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and LaFeO3 nanoparticles (NPs). LaFeO3 and LaFeO3/PMMA/PVAc were made using simple chemical techniques. A high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that well-crystallized LaFeO3 NPs with particles 79 nm in size and an orthorhombic shape were obtained. In addition, XRD confirmed the existence of PMMA, PVAc, and LaFeO3 in the nanocomposite films. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed that the LaFeO3 NPs and the reactive functional groups in the blend interacted with each other. Field emission-scan electron microscope (FE-SEM) analysis showed that PMMA and PVAc form a homogenous blend and that the LaFeO3 NPs were spread out inside and on the blend surface. The samples showed transmittance in the range of 30–74% and a small extinction coefficient (≤ 0.08). The samples exhibited a dual-band gap structure, and the direct (indirect) band gap shrank from 5.1 to 4.7 eV (4.9 to 4.4 eV). The thermal analyses showed that the samples are thermally stable up to 260 °C. The Phy-X/PSD software was used to figure out the theoretical gamma-ray attenuation parameters, such as the mass attenuation coefficient, the mean free path, and the half-value layer, for different PMMA/PVAc + x% LaFeO3 composites. It is demonstrated that the PMMA/PVAc + 10 wt% LaFeO3 sample exhibits much better shielding effectiveness than PMMA/PVAc, and hence it is suitable for protecting against radiation.

The study aims to improve the technique of motion planning for all-wheel drive (AWD) autonomous vehicles (AVs) by including torque vectoring (TV) models and extended physical constraints. Four schemes for realizing the TV drive were considered: with braking internal wheels, using a rear-axle sport differential (SD), with braking front internal wheel and rear-axle SD, and with SDs on both axles. The mathematical model combines 2.5D vehicle dynamics model and a simplified drivetrain model with the self-locking central differential. The inverse approach implies optimizing the distribution of kinematic parameters by imposing a set of constraints. The optimization procedure uses the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) technique for the nonlinear constrained minimization. The Gaussian N-point quadrature scheme provides numerical integration. The distribution of control parameters (torque, braking moments, SDs’ friction moment) is performed by evaluating linear and nonlinear algebraic equations inside of optimization. The technique proposed demonstrates an essential difference between forecasts built with a pure kinematic model and those considering the vehicle’s drive/control features. Therefore, this approach contributes to the predictive accuracy and widening model properties by increasing the number of references, including for actuators and mechanisms.

This research aims to shed light on the effect of hotels’ employees' emotional labour with its three levels (surface acting, deep acting and genuine emotions) on interpersonal counterproductive work behaviours. To achieve this aim, a questionnaire was designed for Egyptian hotels’ employees which was structured to cover three main parts: (1) demographic characteristics of employees, (2) employees' emotional labour and (3) interpersonal counterproductive work behaviours. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used involving (smart- PLS) software, IBM, version 4. The results show that the hotels’ employees' emotional labour with its three levels (surface acting, deep acting and genuine emotions) affects interpersonal counterproductive work behaviours with its two types (task focused and person focused) as there is a positive effect of surface acting on interpersonal counterproductive work behaviour. Employees' emotional labour must be seriously handled within the hospitality industry as it is a very important element affecting task-focused or person-focused ICWBs in the hotel. As both surface acting and genuine emotions increase task-focused or person-focused ICWBs, deep acting decreases task-focused or person-focused ICWBs.

In areas with significant changes in traffic demand and high vehicle dispersion at adjacent intersections, such as the surrounding roads of large shopping malls and schools, traffic problems are prone to occur. This is due to the unequal signal cycle lengths used at upstream and downstream intersections, which lead to periodic phase offsets as the cycles progress. To address this, we propose a multi-strategy integrated vehicle–road coordinated control method to tackle traffic flow operational issues caused by the offset characteristics of unequal-cycle adjacent intersections. A multi-strategy combined algorithm and control logic is established, which includes downstream intersection coordinated phase green extension, dynamic offset adjustment, and transitional queue speed guidance. The proposed method can substantially minimize the offset from falling into an incompatible threshold, effectively reducing queuing and early arrival of vehicles in the straight-through direction. It enables arriving vehicles to pass through the intersection without or with minimal stopping. Finally, the effectiveness of the method is validated using simulation experiments. A vehicle–road coordinated simulation verification platform was established, and comparative experiments were designed. The results indicate that the multi-strategy combined vehicle–road coordinated control method proposed in this paper, while ensuring the original through capacity for straight movements, can effectively reduce queue lengths, the number of stops, average vehicle delay, and travel time for single-direction straight lanes. This improvement enhances the efficiency of coordinated movements in the unequal–cycle adjacent intersections.

Abstract This study investigates the physical and optical properties as well as the radiation shielding capacity of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) loaded with x% of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) (x = 0, 1, 3, and 6 wt%). As a non-toxic nanofiller, the designed materials are low-cost, flexible, and lightweight plastic to replace traditional lead, which is toxic and dense. XRD patterns and FTIR spectra demonstrated a successful fabrication and complexation of nanocomposite films. In addition, the particle size, morphology, and elemental composition of the BiVO4 nanofiller were demonstrated through the utilization of TEM, SEM, and EDX spectra. The MCNP5 simulation code assessed the gamma-ray shielding effectiveness of four PVC + x% BiVO4 nanocomposites. The obtained mass attenuation coefficient data of the developed nanocomposites were comparable to the theoretical calculation performed with Phy-X/PSD software. Moreover, the initial stage in the computation of various shielding parameters, such as half-value layer, tenth value layer, and mean free path, besides the simulation of linear attenuation coefficient. The transmission factor declines while radiation protection efficiency increases with an increase in the proportion of BiVO4 nanofiller. Further, the current investigation seeks to evaluate the thickness equivalent (Xeq), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron density (Neff) values as a function of the concentration of BiVO4 in a PVC matrix. The results obtained from the parameters indicate that incorporating BiVO4 into PVC can be an effective strategy for developing sustainable and lead-free polymer nanocomposites, with potential uses in radiation shielding applications.

Large intestine-dwelling helminths affect microbiome composition. In sub-Saharan Africa, where helminth infections are endemic, the use of chemotherapeutic drugs is the primary strategy for controlling soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs). However, the emergence of anthelmintic resistance necessitates the urgent exploration of alternative and complementary treatments to achieve the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating STHs. One promising avenue involves the manipulation of gut microbiota in at-risk populations. This study aimed to enhance the understanding of the interplay between Trichuris trichiura and the gut microbiome. In this study, we used the Mini-FLOTAC technique for parasitological analyses and a shotgun metagenomic sequencing approach to investigate the effect of T. trichiura on the gut microbiome by comparing infected and non-infected women of reproductive age (WRA) from Pemba. Structural and functional analyses of the gut microbiome revealed that T. trichiura infection shaped the host gut microbiome in WRA. Some taxa vary according to infection status. Prevotella genus was more abundant in healthy participants, whereas species such as Weissella cibaria, Leuconostoc citreum (new emergent probiotics), and Leuconostoc lactis (starter) decreased in infected individuals, suggesting the use of potential probiotic treatments to mitigate dysbiosis induced by STHs. Furthermore, the overall number of common fungi, irrespective of species, was significantly higher in the mycobiome of Trichuris infected participants. Functional analysis revealed significant differences in metabolic pathways (p < 0.05), with cholesterol metabolism and pathogenic infections being more abundant in the infected samples than in the non-infected samples. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate interactions between helminth infections and the gut microbiome in the WRA, particularly in STH-endemic regions. The identified associations between specific gut microbial changes and T. trichiura infection may pave the way for innovative complementary treatments to effectively combat STHs.

Adolescent girls' capacity to lead healthy lives and perform well in school has been hampered by their lack of awareness about menstruation and the requirements for its hygienic management. Lack of enabling infrastructure, improper menstrual supplies, and limited socioeconomic support for good menstrual health and cleanliness are characteristics of schools in Africa South of the Sahara. We evaluated school-age girls' knowledge of menstrual hygiene and identified bottlenecks that could affect policy and programming for menstrual health and hygiene. A school-based cross-sectional study involved 8,012 adolescent school girls in the age group of 11-18 years (mean age = 14.9 years). The study evaluated students' knowledge of menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) from the viewpoints of schools and communities using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected using self-administered surveys, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and site observations. Girls' older age (AOR = 1.62, P 0.001), having a female guardian (AOR = 1.39: P = 001), and having a parent in a formal job (AOR = 1.03: P 0.023) were positively associated with Menstrual health and Hygiene Knowledge. MHH knowledge levels varied significantly between girls attending government (53.3) and non-government schools (50.5%, P = 0.0001), although they were comparable for girls attending rural and urban schools. Only 21% of the study's schools had at least one instructor who had received training in MHH instruction for students. We have established that the majority of adolescent girls in schools have inadequate knowledge on menstrual health and hygiene, and that school teachers lack the skills to prepare and support young adolescents as they transition into puberty. Concerted actions aimed at building supportive policy are paramount, for school-aged teenagers to learn about and reap the long-term advantages of good menstrual health practices.

Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (BTB), is one of the most significant endemic diseases confronting government, veterinary professionals, and farming industry worldwide nowadays. M. bovis has not only a negative impact on bovine health and economy, but also poses a threat to public health as a zoonotic disease that could be transmitted from animal to human. Although, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine of M. bovis has been extensively used in many animals, only few studies had reported its side effects in these animals. In this study, the systemic pathological lesions and immunoglobulin levels associated with intranasal (IN) and subcutaneous (SC) injection of BCG vaccine in Swiss male mice have been evaluated. The results revealed an elevation in IgM and IgA levels in both routes (nebulization, subcutaneous injection) while there was a dramatic increase in IgG levels in subcutaneously injected mice. Aerosolization of BCG vaccine using a nebulizer resulted in severe pulmonary lesions with numerous megakaryocytes in the spleens of mice. On the other hand, SC injection had mild effect on pulmonary tissues and induced moderate extramedullary hematopoiesis in the hepatic tissues of mice. In conclusion, inadvertent vaccination of BCG in Swiss mice, triggered adverse tissue reaction and remarkable increase in Ig level. The severity of tissue lesions corresponded to the injection route in mice.

Abstract Accurate and stable short‐term passenger flow prediction is an indispensable part of current intelligent transportation systems. This paper proposes two deep learning prediction models based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) and long short‐term memory neural network (LSTM). Combining the CNN characteristics and the LSTM, the ConvXD‐LSTM extracts passenger flow features through CNN and then inputs the time series into the LSTM. The ConvLSTM converts the weight calculation of the LSTM into convolution operation to realize short‐term passenger flow prediction. Fuzhou Metro Line 1 passenger flow data was used for verification. The models were used to predict the passenger flow of subway stations and cross‐sections and compared with the traditional prediction models. In terms of prediction accuracy, ConvLSTM has the highest accuracy, followed by ConvXD‐LSTM. In terms of running time, ConvXD is the fastest and LSTM takes the longest. ConvXD‐LSTM and ConvLSTM are in the middle of the two models, achieving a good balance between accuracy and efficiency. Compared with ConvXD‐LSTM, ConvLSTM has a relatively simple network structure, which reduces the computational burden and improves the prediction accuracy.

This paper evaluates the influence of different variables on drivers’ willingness to accept and use a vehicle-mounted perfume automatic dispersal device (VP-ADD) connected to the vehicle’s electronic map. Based on the technical acceptance model, we clarify and condense the explanation of the model used to evaluate the impact of user behavior attitudes and device characteristics on six factors, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude towards use, intention to use, perceived playfulness, and perceived risk, proposing eight hypotheses. Then, we assessed the responses of 562 drivers in China using SPSS for reliability and validity and AMOS for structural equation modeling to test our hypotheses. The findings reveal that the perceived usefulness, ease of use, playfulness, and risk significantly affected the willingness to accept and use the VP-ADD. Furthermore, the perceived risk has a negative influence, while the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived playfulness, and attitude towards use have a positive influence. This research is significant for further development and application of the VP-ADD. It is essential to alleviate driver fatigue, ensure traffic safety, and provide theoretical and empirical support for designing more popular driving assistance devices. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights for developing fatigue driving warning policies, in-vehicle device guidelines, and traffic safety regulations.

Infertility is an important socio-economic problem due to the fact that planned childbearing occurs much later than three decades ago. In recent years, more attention has been paid to the role of uterine leiomyoma in the development of infertility. Uterine leiomyoma is a benign monoclonal, well-demarcated encapsulated tumor originating from the smooth muscle cells of the cervix or body of the uterus. Uterine leiomyoma is the most common uterine tumor in the reproductive age group, affecting 20-50 % of women. With conceptual changes in marriage and childbearing, the number of women over 35 with leiomyoma who want to have children has also increased significantly. The need to treat submucosal fibroids is widely recognized, but fibroids of other locations and sizes remain a clinical mystery. The purpose of the literature review was to determine the role of uterine fibroids in predicting infertility. It has been established that the incidence of uterine leiomyoma in women of reproductive age is on average about 40 %, infertility associated with this pathology occurs in 5-10 % of women. In 10 % of cases of infertility, uterine leiomyoma is the only established cause of infertility. Uterine leiomyoma is common among women of reproductive age, and as women continue to delay childbearing, an increasing number of patients will require fertility-preserving treatment options. Leiomyoma affects not only fertility but also obstetric outcomes. Women with intramural fibroids without cavity deformity have a 21 % reduction in live birth rates after in vitro fertilization compared with controls without fibroids. Despite advances in fundamental understanding of the biology of leiomyomas, the role of different fibroid variants remains a matter of discussion. The question of the negative impact of submucosal nodes on infertility today is not in doubt, and the effect of subserous and intramural nodes requires further study.

The goal of this research is to develop a pulse combustion simulation model in order to determine the parameters that influence the pulse combustor’s performance when the design geometry is optimized. The Helmholtz valveless pulse combustor type is one of the simplest pulse combustion processes. It has many advantages over conventional combustion, so it has been employed in a wide range of applications. There are many parameters that need to be studied in order to design this type of combustor to achieve optimal performance. This research presents a numerical and experimental investigation of pulse combustion. Numerical simulations of the pulse combustor’s performance and design parameters are performed using the FLUENT program. These simulations are then experimentally validated and confirmed to be accurately optimized in order to be applicable. The performance of the pulse combustor and NOx emissions were investigated for variable inlet pipe length, tailpipe length, and combustion chamber volumes. This research accurately predicts how the frequency and pressure amplitude change with the variation of the lengths of the inlet pipe and tailpipe, as well as the combustion chamber capacity. The results of this research showed that extremely low NOx emissions were produced by combustion chambers with small volumes and medium tailpipe lengths.

Perovskite solar cells could strongly compete with the silicon solar cells in the market soon as illustrated in recent studies. In this work, promising and stable metal-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been successfully fabricated using an inorganic SnO2/Quantum dot SnO2 (QD-SnO2) double layer as an efficient electron transport layer via a low-temperature solution process. The fully-air fabricated PSCs in the form of FTO/SnO2/QD-SnO2/CH3NH3PbI3/Carbon were tested at different annealed QD-SnO2 between 300 and 500 °C. The as-prepared QD-SnO2 and the fabricated devices are characterized by various techniques, including XRD, XPS, HR-TEM, FE-SEM, UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, PL, and solar simulator. The prepared QD-SnO2 at 300 °C has shown well-ordered nanoparticles of 5.6 nm in diameter with superior carrier density (1.5 × 1015 cm−3) and highest carrier mobility (64.1 cm2·V-1·s−1), accelerating the carriers separation process within the cell. The best devices demonstrated a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.7%, VOC 0.81 V, JSC 19.5 mA·cm−2, and FF 74%. The presence of an interfacial layer of QD-SnO2 over the blocking SnO2 upsurges the band gaps alignment and accelerates the carriers extraction rate affecting the performance of the fabricated perovskite devices. Moreover, the optimized fabricated devices revealed a shelf stability-life of four months in humid air (40%–50%) with >83% of its initial PCE. This simple synthetic approach can develop the opportunities to transfer the cell from the lab to the market, which will be compatible with large-scale production.

The study is dedicated to elaborating and analyzing a technique for autonomous vehicle (AV) motion planning based on sequential trajectory and kinematics optimization. The proposed approach combines the finite element method (FEM) basics and nonlinear optimization with nonlinear constraints. There were five main innovative aspects introduced in the study. First, a 7-degree polynomial was used to improve the continuity of piecewise functions representing the motion curves, providing 4 degrees of freedom (DOF) in a node. This approach allows using the irregular grid for roadway segments, increasing spans where the curvature changes slightly, and reducing steps in the vicinity of the significant inflections of motion boundaries. Therefore, the segment length depends on such factors as static and moving obstacles, average road section curvature, camera sight distance, and road conditions (adhesion). Second, since the method implies splitting the optimization stages, a strategy for bypassing the moving obstacles out of direct time dependency was developed. Thus, the permissible area for maneuvering was determined using criteria of safety distance between vehicles and physical limitation of tire–road adhesion. Third, the nodal inequality constraints were replaced by the nonlinear integral equality constraints. In contrast to the generally distributed approach of restricting the planning parameters in nodes, the technique of integral equality constraints ensures the disposition of motion parameters’ curves strictly within the preset boundaries, which is especially important for quite long segments. In this way, the reliability and stability of predicted parameters are improved. Fourth, the seamless continuity of both the sought parameters and their derivatives is ensured in transitional nodes between the planning phases and adjacent global coordinate systems. Finally, the problem of optimization rapidity to match real-time operation requirements was addressed. For this, the quadrature integration approach was implemented to represent and keep all the parameters in numerical form. The study considered cost functions, limitations stipulated by the vehicle kinematics and dynamics, as well as initial and transient conditions between the planning stages. Simulation examples of the predicted trajectories and curves of kinematic parameters are demonstrated. The advantages and limitations of the proposed approach are highlighted.

Abstract Previously, our group has demonstrated establishment of Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) models from stem cells in the presence of conditioned medium of cancer cell lines. In this study, we tried to identify the factors responsible for the induction of CSCs. Since we found the lipid composition could be traced to arachidonic acid cascade in the CSC model, we assessed prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as a candidate for the ability to induce CSCs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Mouse iPSCs acquired the characteristics of CSCs in the presence of 10 ng/mL of PGE2 after 4 weeks. Since constitutive Akt activation and pik3cg overexpression were found in the resultant CSCs, of which growth was found independent of PGE2, chronic stimulation of the receptors EP-2/4 by PGE2 was supposed to induce CSCs from iPSCs through epigenetic effect. The bioinformatics analysis of the next generation sequence data of the obtained CSCs proposed not only receptor tyrosine kinase activation by growth factors but also extracellular matrix and focal adhesion enhanced PI3K pathway. Collectively, chronic stimulation of stem cells with PGE2 was implied responsible for cancer initiation enhancing PI3K/Akt axis.

In this paper, by using density functional theory (DFT), the structural, electronic, and optical properties of cubic and orthorhombic perovskites BaZrS3−xSex are explored. The lattice parameters increase when the substitution of S/Se atoms is applied, whereas the bulk moduli decrease. The density of states curves showed a strong hybridization between Zr-d and S-p/Se-p orbitals. Furthermore, the obtained bandgaps of the orthorhombic phases are direct (Γ–Γ), whereas they are indirect (R–Γ) for the cubic phase. When substituting sulfur with selenium, the bandgap decreases from 0.963 to 0.705 eV for the orthorhombic phase and from 0.655 to 0.288 eV for the cubic phase. The dielectric function showed that the optical bandgaps are between 0.7 and 0.5 eV for orthorhombic BaZrS3–xSex, which is in the infra-red spectrum, and it was between 0.7 and 0.25 eV for the cubic phase. The reflectivity was in the range of [26%–31%] at low energies, which can be considered quite reflective. The refractive index for the orthorhombic phase increased from 3.0 to 3.5 at low energies and from 3.6 to 3.9 for the cubic phase, which indicates high absorption at those values of energy. The result obtained indicates that chalcogenide perovskites BaZrS3−xSex are good candidates for future photovoltaic applications such as tandem solar cells.

The paper presents a technique of motion planning for autonomous vehicles (AV) based on simultaneous trajectory and speed optimization. The method includes representing the trajectory by a finite element (FE), determining trajectory parameters in Frenet coordinates, composing a model of vehicle kinematics, defining optimization criteria and a cost function, forming a set of constraints, and adapting the Gaussian N-point scheme for quadrature numerical integration. The study also defines a set of minimum optimization parameters sufficient for making motion predictions with smooth functions of the trajectory and speed. For this, piecewise functions with three degrees of freedom (DOF) in FE’s nodes are implemented. Therefore, the high differentiability of the trajectory and speed functions is ensured to obtain motion criteria such as linear and angular speeds, acceleration, and jerks used in the cost function and constraints. To form the AV roadway position, the Frenet coordinate system and two variable parameters are used: the reference path length and the lateral displacement perpendicular to reference line’s tangent. The trajectory shape, then, depends only on the final position of the AV’s mass center and the final reference’s curvature. The method uses geometric, kinematic, dynamic, and physical constraints, some of which are related to hard restrictions and some to soft restrictions. The planning technique involves parallel forecasting for several variants of the AV maneuver followed by selecting the one corresponding to a specified criterion. The sequential quadratic programming (SQP) technique is used to find the optimal solution. Graphs of trajectories, speeds, accelerations, jerks, and other parameters are presented based on the simulation results. Finally, the efficiency, rapidity, and prognosis quality are evaluated.

Although sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) possesses favorable cementitious properties, previous research has primarily focused on improving the mechanical performance of conventional concrete- or cement-based composites. Limited attention has been given to ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) with SCBA, especially regarding its tensile -sensing properties. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effect of SCBA on the mechanical, electrical, and tensile self-sensing properties of UHPC. The results demonstrated that incorporating SCBA below the critical concentration of 3.0 wt% enhanced the mechanical properties of UHPC. Notably, adding 3.0 wt% SCBA remarkably improved the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of UHPC, resulting in increases of 13.1%, 17.4%, and 20.6%, respectively. However, excessive incorporation of SCBA adversely affected the mechanical properties due to reduced workability of UHPC, increased generation of harmful voids, and a lower degree of hydration caused by the excess SCBA. Furthermore, the inclusion of SCBA influenced the electrical resistivity of UHPC, and specifically, an SCBA content of 0.3 wt% yielded the maximum electrical resistivity. Moreover, incorporating SCBA in UHPC enhanced its tensile stress-sensing performance compared to SCBA-free UHPC. Among the various SCBA contents tested, UHPC with 0.3 wt% SCBA presented the best linearity, with values of 8.8% for loading and 17.0% for unloading, respectively, which were significantly lower than those for SCBA-free UHPC, which were 14.0% and 60.0%, respectively. Additionally, UHPC with 0.9 wt% SCBA gained the lowest hysteresis and repeatability, with values of 13.3% and 5.3%, respectively, which were much lower than those for SCBA-free UHPC, which were 50% and 51.6%, respectively. The tensile stress-sensing performance of UHPC is influenced by three key aspects: the gap between adjacent conductive fillers, contact resistance, and the connectivity of the electrical network, which are subject to change due to varying stress states and SCBA concentrations. This study should aid SCBA use and promote UHPC’s practical applications.

Summary: KRAS mutations are prevalent in pancreatic and lung cancers, but not all mutant (mt) KRAS tumors are addicted to mt KRAS. Here, we discovered a 30-gene transcriptome signature “KDS30” that encodes a novel EGFR/ERBB2-driven signaling network and predicts mt KRAS, but not NRAS or HRAS, oncogene addiction. High KDS30 tumors from mt KRAS lung and pancreatic cancer patients are enriched in genes upregulated by EGFR, ERBB2, mt KRAS or MEK. EGFR/ERBB2 (neratinib) and MEK (cobimetinib) inhibitor combination inhibits tumor growth and prolongs mouse survival in high, but not low, KDS30 mt KRAS lung and pancreatic xenografts, and is synergistic only in high KDS30 mt KRAS patient-derived organoids. Furthermore, mt KRAS high KDS30 lung and pancreatic cancer patients live significantly shorter lives than those with low KDS30. Thus, KDS30 can identify lung and pancreatic cancer patients whose tumors are addicted to mt KRAS, and predicts EGFR/ERBB2 and MEK inhibitor combination response.

This paper proposes an alternative model for describing the hydro-mechanical drive operation of the automatic transmissions. The study is aimed at preparing a reliable model that meets the requirements of sufficient informativeness and rapidity to, basically, be used as a model for optimized control. The study relevance is stipulated by the need for simple and precise models ensuring minimal computational costs in model predictive control (MPC) procedures. The paper proposes a method for coordinating the engine’s control and operating modes, with the torque converter (TC) operating mode, based on the criteria of angular acceleration derivative (jerk), which fosters including the angular acceleration in the state vector for using the optimal control. The latter provides stronger prediction quality than using only the crankshaft angular speed criterion. This moment comprises a study novelty. Additionally, the proposed approach can be helpful in tasks of powertrain automation, autonomous vehicles’ integrated control, elaboration of control algorithms, co-simulations, and real-time applications. The paper material is structured by the modeling stages, including mathematics and simulations, data preparation, testing and validation, virtual experiments, analysis of results, and conclusions. The essence of the problem, goals, and objectives are first presented, followed by the overview of main approaches in modeling the automatic transmission elements. The internal combustion engine (ICE), torque converter, drivetrain, tires, and translational dynamics mathematical models are determined and discussed in detail. The proposed approach convergence on decomposing the indicators of powertrain aggregates by derivatives is demonstrated. The considered method was simulated by using the data of the Audi A4 Quattro. The gear shifting control algorithm was described in detail, and a series of virtual tests for the composed model were carried out. The comparative analysis of the results for the conventional and advanced models of the automatic transmission’s hydro-mechanical drive were performed. The differences of the model outputs were discussed. The approach advantages were noted, as well as the options for extending the proposed technique.

This study presents the development and analysis of a technique for planning the autonomous vehicle (AV) motion references using sequential optimization. The method determines the trajectory plan, speed and acceleration distributions, and other AV kinematic parameters. The approach combines the basics of the finite element method (FEM) and nonlinear optimization with nonlinear constraints. First, we briefly described the generalization of representing an arbitrary function by finite elements (FE) within a road segment. We chose a one-dimensional FE with two nodes and three degrees of freedom (DOF) in a node corresponding to the 5th-degree polynomial. Next, we presented a method for defining the motion trajectory. The following are considered: the formation of a restricted space for the AV’s allowable maneuvering, the motion trajectory geometry and its relation with vehicle steerability parameters, cost functions and their influences on the desirable trajectory’s nature, and the compliance of nonlinear restrictions of the node parameters with the motion area boundaries. In the second stage, we derived a technique for optimizing the AV’s speed and acceleration redistributions. The model considers possible combinations of objective functions, limiting the kinematic parameters by the tire slip critical speed, maximum speed level, maximum longitudinal acceleration, and critical lateral acceleration. In the simulation section, we compared several variants of trajectories and versions of distributing the longitudinal speed and acceleration curves. The advantages, drawbacks, and conclusions regarding the proposed technique are presented.

Background Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the most common complications in coronavirus disease 2019 patients suffering from acute lung injury (ALI). In ARDS, marked distortion of pulmonary architecture has been reported. The pulmonary lesions in ARDS include hemodynamic derangements (such as alveolar edema and hemorrhage), vascular and bronchiolar damage, interstitial inflammatory cellular aggregations, and eventually fibrosis. Bleomycin induces ARDS-representative pulmonary damage in mice and rats; therefore, we used bleomycin model mice in our study. Recently, Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) was implicated in the development of ARDS and ALI. Methods In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of a TLR9 blocker (ODN2088) on bleomycin-induced pulmonary damage. We measured the apoptosis rate, inflammatory reaction, and fibroplasia in bleomycin- and bleomycin + ODN2088-treated mice. Results Our results showed a significant amelioration in bleomycin-induced damage to pulmonary architecture following ODN2088 treatment. A marked decrease in pulmonary epithelial and endothelial apoptosis rate as measured by cleaved caspase-3 expression, inflammatory reaction as indicated by tumor necrosis factor α expression, and pulmonary fibrosis as demonstrated by Van Gieson staining and α-smooth muscle actin immunohistochemistry were observed following ODN2088 treatment. Conclusions All these findings indicate that blocking downstream TLR9 signaling could be beneficial in prevention or mitigation of ARDS through hemodynamic derangements, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis.

The genetic prehistory of central America has not been well explored. Here, the authors find evidence from ancient DNA from twenty individuals who lived in Belize 9,600 to 3,700 years ago of a migration from the south that coincided with the first evidence for forest clearing and the spread of maize horticulture.

Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are capable of continuous proliferation, self-renewal and are proposed to play significant roles in oncogenesis, tumor growth, metastasis and cancer recurrence. We have established a model of CSCs that was originally developed from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (miPSCs) by proposing miPSCs to the conditioned medium (CM) of cancer derived cells, which is a mimic of carcinoma microenvironment. Further research found that not only PI3K-Akt but also EGFR signaling pathway was activated during converting miPSCs into CSCs. In this study, we tried to observe both of PI3Kγ inhibitor Eganelisib and EGFR inhibitor Gefitinib antitumor effects on the models of CSCs derived from miPSCs (miPS-CSC) in vitro and in vivo. As the results, targeting these two pathways exhibited significant inhibition of cell proliferation, self-renewal, migration and invasion abilities in vitro. Both Eganelisib and Gefitinib showed antitumor effects in vivo while Eganelisib displayed more significant therapeutic efficacy and less side effects than Gefitinib on all miPS-CSC models. Thus, these data suggest that the inhibitiors of PI3K and EGFR, especially PI3Kγ, might be a promising therapeutic strategy against CSCs defeating cancer in the near future.

Abstract Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are generated under irregular microenvironment in vivo, of which mimic is quite difficult due to the lack of enough information of the factors responsible for cancer initiation. Here, we demonstrated that mouse induced pluripotent cells (miPSCs) reprogrammed from normal embryonic fibroblasts were susceptible to the microenvironment affected by cancer cells to convert into CSCs in vivo. Methods Three different pancreatic cancer line cells, BxPC3, PANC1, and PK8 cells were mixed with miPSCs and subcutaneously injected into immunodeficient mice. Tumors were evaluated by histological analysis and cells derived from iPSCs were isolated and selected from tumors. The isolated cells were characterized for cancer stem cell characters in vitro and in vivo as well as their responses to anticancer drugs. The impact of co-injection of iPSCs with cancer cells on transcriptome and signaling pathways of iPSCs was investigated. Results The injection of miPSCs mixed with human pancreatic cancer cells into immunodeficient mice maintained the stemness of miPSCs and changed their phenotype. The miPSCs acquired CSC characteristics of tumorigenicity and self-renewal. The drug responses and the metastatic ability of CSCs converted from miPSCs varied depending on the microenvironment of cancer cells. Interestingly, transcriptome profiles of these cells indicated that the pathways related with aggressiveness and energy production were upregulated from the levels of miPSCs. Conclusions Our result suggests that cancer-inducing microenvironment in vivo could rewire the cell signaling and metabolic pathways to convert normal stem cells into CSCs.

Improved mathematical and simulation modes of the active differential mechanism (DM) with controllable torque redistribution would better contribute to developing intelligent vehicle transmissions. The issue is caused by actualizing the precise steerability control using advanced automated transmissions, allowing torque vectoring for all-wheel-drive vehicles and ensuring an option for correcting the vehicle trajectory. This paper presents an alternative mathematical method for obtaining differential equations for modeling vehicle transmission components and its implementation for simulating the Audi sport DM. First, the steerability issues of sport DM technology are discussed, and the sport DM design is described in detail. Then, a mathematical approach is proposed that includes three types of equation systems: generalized dynamics equations, kinematic constraint equations, and gearing condition equations. The approach also considers the flexibility of the clutch’s frictional pack, friction torque, lockup condition, and piston dynamics. Finally, a Simulink model that reflects the DM operation and calculation procedures is developed. A series of simulations of the sport DM operation with forcible torque distribution is carried out. The results show that the proposed mathematical model is universal, efficient, and accurate.

Expressway crashes in interchange areas are a critical concern in China, posing significant economic and social challenges. Utilizing three years of crash data from the Beijing–Shanghai Expressway, this study investigates the transferability and heterogeneity of crash characteristics between interchange and noninterchange areas, as well as the temporal shifts in factors influencing injury severity levels. The research employs four series of random parameters logit models to estimate three potential crash injury severity outcomes of severe injury, minor injury, and no injury (based on the most severely injured individual in each crash) and to identify key determinants, encompassing driver, vehicle, roadway, environmental, temporal, traffic, and crash attributes. Likelihood ratio tests and out-of-sample predictions are utilized to assess the temporal stability and transferability of crash area characteristics. Additionally, the marginal effects of various determinants are calculated to understand their influence across different year periods and crash types. Key variables such as overspeed, single-vehicle, AADT (annual average daily traffic volume), Lsmin, and other crash type indicators are identified as significant random parameters, demonstrating heterogeneity in means and variances. Notable distinctions are observed between interchange and noninterchange crashes, indicating nontransferability, with most significant indicators revealing temporal instabilities. Furthermore, factors such as multivehicle involvement, buses, and nighttime conditions are identified as risk indicators, notably increasing the likelihood of severe injuries. These insights are invaluable for expressway designers and decision-makers, aiding in understanding the contributing mechanisms of various elements. This study suggests that stricter enforcement measures are crucial to prevent random lane changes, particularly at interchange entrances and exits. Additionally, effective management strategies and enforcement countermeasures should be implemented to mitigate crash injury outcomes in both interchange and noninterchange areas.

Corbels are usually used in precast concrete structures for beam–column connections and are common in industrial structures to support crane girders and may be required in new alteration works. To overcome the difficulty of casting columns with corbels, especially in precast concrete industry, columns are sometimes cast without their corbels, and then corbels are cast in a following step. Sometimes, new corbels get added to existing columns to support new crane girders. Thus, two-step corbels may be installed using different techniques depending on several criteria, and several factors affect their behavior, some of which mainly the interface conditions are experimentally investigated. One control specimen with a monolithic corbel and five two-step corbel specimens were tested. The mean roughness depth of the column–corbel interface varied between 4 and 8 mm. Moreover, using adhesive components on the hardened column–corbel interface was investigated. Besides, steel reinforcement implantation was attempted and studied for corbels with or without horizontal stirrups. For the tested cases, results show that two-step corbels can be a good replacement to monolithic corbels and can achieve up to 92% of the monolithic corbels capacity. Increasing the mean roughness interface depth between corbels and column slightly increased the two-step corbel capacity and improved its behavior. Using adhesive epoxy to the column–corbel interface can achieve the behavior and ultimate load capacity of two-step corbel with mean roughness depth of 4 mm. Implanting corbels’ reinforcement is not recommended unless specific precautions and measures are assured and the embedment depth should be calculated and implemented to accommodate all expected failure mechanisms.

This study proposes random-parameters multinomial logit models, with heterogeneity in means and variances, to explore the differences in the factors influencing injury severities of drivers involved in different types of two-vehicle crashes. The models are verified using crash data from the United Kingdom (UK) over three years (2016–2018). Three types of crashes are separately identified (car-car, car-truck, and truck-truck crashes). In this study, a wide variety of potential variables, including the driver, vehicle, road, and environmental characteristics, are considered, with two possible injury-severity outcomes: severe and slight injury. The results show that unobserved heterogeneity existed for young drivers in both car-car and truck-truck crash models and the 30 mph speed limit in the three separate models. Remarkably variations are observed in crashes involving different types of vehicles. The driver’s age and gender, speeding, sideswipes, presence of junctions, weekdays, unlit, and weather conditions significantly impact driver-injury severities in various types of vehicle crashes. These findings are expected to help policymakers seek to improve highway safety and implement proper safety countermeasures.

The electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of NaS and NaSe compounds have been studied by using first-principles calculations based on density-functional theory and full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method. The Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof generalized gradient approximation (PBE-GGA) and modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ-GGA) have been used to deal with the exchange-correlation potential. The PBE-GGA and mBJ-GGA electronic calculation of the spin-up configuration shows an insulating behavior, while the spin-down shows a metallic behavior. In addition, both PBE-GGA and mBJ-GGA agree that the total magnetic moment per unit cell for these compounds is 1 μB. From optical calculations, we see that ε1(0) value in the spin-up channel is positive, which shows an insulating character, while it has a large negative value for the spin-down configuration, which shows a metallic character. The NaS and NaSe refractive index n(ω) indicates a metallic demeanor as the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant.

At present, the global tunnel construction industry is developing rapidly, but construction accidents are also common. A large number of casualties and property losses are alarming people. It is urgent to pay attention to the causes of tunnel construction accidents, ensure the safety of construction sites, and reduce tunnel construction accidents. Through literature and case analysis, we have sorted out 35 typical tunnel causative factors for research and analysis, which are divided into 7 types. Based on the variable system, we prepared a measurement questionnaire, and 536 valid questionnaires were collected. The structural equation model (SEM) was used to study the relationship between these variables. The influence mechanism and interaction relationship between the variables are analyzed in depth in terms of influence intensity and path coefficient. The results showed that the following six latent variables significantly influence tunnel construction accidents: human factors, material factors, geological exploration design, technical management, safety management, and natural conditions. Natural conditions have the most significant impact, followed by human factors and safety management. Particular attention should be paid to education, training, and safety management in construction risk control. The structural model and research results are helpful to establish the cause theory of tunnel construction accidents, and guide the formulation of safety management policies for tunnel construction projects, reduce tunnel accidents and ensure construction safety.

Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulations in the malignant tumors that show self-renewal and multilineage differentiation into tumor microenvironment components that drive tumor growth and heterogeneity. In previous studies, our group succeeded in producing a CSC model by treating mouse induced pluripotent stem cells. In the current study, we investigated the potential of CSC differentiation into blood cells under chemical hypoxic conditions using CoCl2. CSCs and miPS-LLCcm cells were cultured for 1 to 7 days in the presence of CoCl2, and the expression of VEGFR1/2, Runx1, c-kit, CD31, CD34, and TER-119 was assessed by RT-qPCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry together with Wright-Giemsa staining and immunocytochemistry. CoCl2 induced significant accumulation of HIF-1α changing the morphology of miPS-LLCcm cells while the morphological change was apparently not related to differentiation. The expression of VEGFR2 and CD31 was suppressed while Runx1 expression was upregulated. The population with hematopoietic markers CD34+ and c-kit+ was immunologically detected in the presence of CoCl2. Additionally, high expression of CD34 and, a marker for erythroblasts, TER-119, was observed. Therefore, CSCs were suggested to differentiate into erythroblasts and erythrocytes under hypoxia. This differentiation potential of CSCs could provide new insight into the tumor microenvironment elucidating tumor heterogenicity.

Sialons are the spotlight of current investigation as low-cost and outstanding alternatives to the currently used metal alloys in various applications. The excellent high-temperature properties, high mechanical properties, structural reliability, good sinterability, easy densification with its low-cost processing make them superior candidates in many applications such as automotive engines, high-performance bearings, wear components, and gas turbine blades. In addition, the existence of two interstitial crystallographic sites in their crystal structure gives the opportunity to accommodate some rare earth element activators such as Eu2+, Yb2+, Ce3+, and Pr3+. These types of sialon-based materials have recently found a new promising application as a luminescent material for white light-emitting diodes. The aim of this review is to survey and provide a comprehensive look at the most relevant and significant publications regarding the development of sialons and their processing into both structural and luminescent materials. Such information forms a database that could enable scholars and engineers to tailor a final product derived from sialons with specific characteristics for a certain application. This review article should be of concern to engineers and scientists interested in the development and utilization of sialons for structural and wLEDs applications.

The World Health Organization's revised NTD Roadmap and the newly launched Guidelines target elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem in all endemic areas by 2030. Key to meeting this goal is elucidating how selective pressures imposed by interventions shape parasite populations. Our aim was to identify any differential impact of a unique cluster-randomized tri-armed elimination intervention (biannual mass drug administration (MDA) applied alone or in association with either mollusciciding (snail control) or behavioural change interventions) across two Zanzibarian islands (Pemba and Unguja) on the population genetic composition of Schistosoma haematobium over space and time. Fifteen microsatellite loci were used to analyse individual miracidia collected from infected individuals across islands and intervention arms at the start (2012 baseline: 1,522 miracidia from 176 children; 303 from 43 adults; age-range 6-75, mean 12.7 years) and at year 5 (2016: 1,486 miracidia from 146 children; 214 from 25 adults; age-range 9-46, mean 12.4 years). Measures of genetic diversity included allelic richness (Ar), Expected (He) and Observed heterozygosity (Ho), inbreeding coefficient (FST), parentage analysis, estimated worm burden, worm fecundity, and genetic sub-structuring. There was little evidence of differential selective pressures on population genetic diversity, inbreeding or estimated worm burdens by treatment arm, with only the MDA+snail control arm within Unguja showing trends towards reduced diversity and altered inbreeding over time. The greatest differences overall, both in terms of parasite fecundity and genetic sub-structuring, were observed between the islands, consistent with Pemba's persistently higher mean infection intensities compared to neighbouring Unguja, and within islands in terms of infection hotspots (across three definitions). These findings highlight the important contribution of population genetic analyses to elucidate extensive genetic diversity and biological drivers, including potential gene-environmental factors, that may override short term selective pressures imposed by differential disease control strategies. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ISRCTN48837681.

Metastasis is one of the major causes of cancer deaths. However, the mechanisms of cancer cells acquiring aggressiveness and metastatic potential are still under investigation. Although cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been suggested as tumor initiating cells responsible for cancer metastasis, no sufficiently practical models have been found because of less availability of CSCs. We have developed novel CSC models derived from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (miPSCs) in the presence of conditioned media (CM) from different cancer cell lines. Here, we tried to establish the models of metastasis using three different CSC models, miPS-LLCev, miPS-BT549cm and miPS-Huh7cm cells. The metastatic abilities of these CSC models were evaluated by intraperitoneal injections into mice. The developed metastases were histologically analyzed and the differences in gene expression between parental and metastasized cells were assessed. The expression of CSC and stemness markers was maintained in the cells isolated from metastasis. The three types of CSCs were further analyzed by RNA-sequencing to identify the enriched cytoplasmic signaling pathways. As a result, the three CSC models exhibited different patterns of metastases while the metastasis of miPS-LLCev cells appeared the most aggressive demonstrating hepatocellular carcinoma, which developed from the inside of the liver, as well as pulmonary metastasis. Metastasis related “HIF-1 pathway” was nominated as the candidate of enriched pathway in miPS-LLCev and miPS-Huh7cm cells implying that these CSC models possessed distinguished metastatic potential. Therefore, we concluded that the CSC models developed in this study would provide good models of metastasis linked with the aggressiveness.