Complex Set Research Articles

Molluscicidal effect of spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones against Oncomelania hupensis in hilly regions

To establish a snail control approach for spraying chemicals with drones against Oncomelania hupensis in complex snail habitats in hilly regions, and to evaluate its molluscicidal effect. The protocol for evaluating the activity of spraying chemical molluscicides with drones against O. hupensis snails was formulated based on expert consultation and literature review. In August 2022, a pretest was conducted in a hillside field environment (12 000 m2) north of Dafengji Village, Dacang Township, Weishan County, Yunnan Province, which was assigned into four groups, of no less than 3 000 m2 in each group. In Group A, environmental cleaning was not conducted and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with drones at a dose of 40 g/m2, and in Group B, environmental cleaning was performed, followed by 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules sprayed with drones at a dose of 40 g/m2, while in Group C, environmental cleaning was not conducted and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m2, and in Group D, environmental cleaning was performed, followed by 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules sprayed with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m2. Then, each group was equally divided into six sections according to land area, with Section 1 for baseline surveys and sections 2 to 6 for snail surveys after chemical treatment. Snail surveys were conducted prior to chemical treatment and 1, 3, 5, 7 days post-treatment, and the mortality and corrected mortality of snails, density of living snails and costs of molluscicidal treatment were calculated in each group. The mortality and corrected mortality of snails were 69.49%, 69.09%, 53.57% and 83.48%, and 68.58%, 68.17%, 52.19% and 82.99% in groups A, B, C and D 14 days post-treatment, and the density of living snails reduced by 58.40%, 63.94%, 68.91% and 83.25% 14 days post-treatment relative to pre-treatment in four groups, respectively. The median concentrations of chemical molluscicides were 37.08, 35.42, 42.50 g/m2 and 56.25 g/m2 in groups A, B, C and D, and the gross costs of chemical treatment were 0.93, 1.50, 0.46 Yuan per m2 and 1.03 Yuan per m2 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively. The molluscicidal effect of spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones against O. hupensis snails is superior to manual chemical treatment without environmental cleaning, and chemical treatment with drones and manual chemical treatment show comparable molluscicidal effects following environmental cleaning in hilly regions. The cost of chemical treatment with drones is slightly higher than manual chemical treatment regardless of environmental cleaning. Spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones is recommended in complex settings with difficulty in environmental cleaning to improve the molluscicidal activity and efficiency against O. hupensis snails.

Structural trends in antibody-antigen binding interfaces: a computational analysis of 1833 experimentally determined 3D structures

Antibodies are attractive therapeutic candidates due to their ability to bind cognate antigens with high affinity and specificity. Still, the underlying molecular rules governing the antibody-antigen interface remain poorly understood, making in silico antibody design inherently difficult and keeping the discovery and design of novel antibodies a costly and laborious process. This study investigates the characteristics of antibody-antigen binding interfaces through a computational analysis of more than 850,000 atom-atom contacts from the largest reported set of antibody-antigen complexes with 1833 nonredundant, experimentally determined structures. The analysis compares binding characteristics of conventional antibodies and single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) targeting both protein- and peptide antigens. We find clear patterns in the number antibody-antigen contacts and amino acid frequencies in the paratope. The direct comparison of sdAbs and conventional antibodies helps elucidate the mechanisms employed by sdAbs to compensate for their smaller size and the fact that they harbor only half the number of complementarity-determining regions compared to conventional antibodies. Furthermore, we pinpoint antibody interface hotspot residues that are often found at the binding interface and the amino acid frequencies at these positions. These findings have direct potential applications in antibody engineering and the design of improved antibody libraries.

Understanding the behavior of a potential anticancer lamotrigine in explicit solvent (water and DMSO) using quantum mechanical tools and abinitio molecular dynamics

Lamotrigine is a medication used to treat epilepsy and help stabilize mood in individuals with bipolar disorder. Epilepsy includes different types of seizures, such as focal seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Lamotrigine is specifically designed to manage this condition. The effectiveness of the drug relies on how it interacts with different liquid environments. In our study, we employed two methods, namely PBE0-D3/def2-TZVP, for optimizations and various calculations. We utilized this approach for NBO, NCI, and wavefunction assay. Additionally, we used PBE0-D3/def2-TZVP and DLPNO-CCSD(T) for analyzing LED, MD, and the bond energy of Lamotrigine in both a vacuum and a complex setting (with water and DMSO). Our findings revealed that Lamotrigine can break down into four fragments: triazine, dichlorophenyl-, 10 amine at the second position in triazine, and 10 amines at the fourth position in triazine. The bond energy for these fragments is measured at 351.84 kcal/mol. NBO provided insights into the electronic transition energies of Lamotrigine in different environments, including a vacuum and with solvents. NCI helped us understand the non-covalent interactions of Lamotrigine in both a vacuum and with water and DMSO (complex) molecules through their two pores: inter and intra interactions. We further explored binding energies and total binding energies of Lamotrigine with water and DMSO. Simulations indicated that Lamotrigine with DMSO pore1 exhibited the highest energy changes over time with a positive sign, while Lamotrigine with water pore2 showed the lowest energy changes over time with a negative sign. In our implicit solvation assay using the SMD model and the CPCM method, we found that Lamotrigine with water had a lower free energy compared to the Lamotrigine-DMSO system.

Integrated seismic inversion for clastic reservoir characterization: Case of the upper Silurian reservoir, Tunisian Ghadames Basin

Deltaic petroleum systems are often complex and heterogeneous. Delineation of sandstone bodies in such complex depositional settings constitutes a crucial challenge in reservoir exploration. However, reservoir characterization based on conventional well-logs and stratigraphic interpretation in complex settings often leads to uncertainties. In this work, we present an integrated quantitative interpretation to reveal heterogeneity and the reservoir properties in a complex deltaic environment. The study benefits from integrating borehole lithology logs, electrical well logging, and a 3D post-stack seismic cube. To demonstrate the practical application and effectiveness of our proposed approach, seismic inversion has been applied to the Acacus Formation in the Ghadames Basin of southern Tunisia. We estimate the acoustic impedance volume from 3D seismic data using a stochastic inversion algorithm. This algorithm enables the generation of multiple realizations, accounting for uncertainties and providing a more comprehensive understanding of subsurface impedance. Then, the porosity model is computed by establishing a functional relationship between acoustic impedance and porosity. The analysis of the relationship between acoustic impedance and different rock properties helped to differentiate lithological units of sandstone and claystone. This lithology classification is used to estimate the lithofacies model. Finally, the obtained porosity and lithofacies models are validated with well data. The crucial correlation between facies distribution and porosity allows for accurate mapping of individual thin sandstone bodies and their property distribution beyond well control. The lithofacies model shows significant sandstone bodies in the Acacus A and C units that constitute good reservoirs. The porosity model confirms this, as these sandstone facies exhibit high porosity (20%). The proposed approach has proven to be powerful in reservoir delineation, characterization, and exploration, and can be applied in similar geological setting basins, and frameworks.

The Predictive Power of Macroeconomic Variables on the Indian Stock Market Utilizing an Ann Model Approach: An Empirical Investigation Based on BSE Sensex

Abstract Research background The paper focuses on the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for forecasting time series data of the stock market since ANNs are dynamic and are more capable of handling complex data sets in comparison to conventional forecasting techniques such as regression, Logistic regression, and have massive potential for the prediction of stock market prices. Purpose Artificial neural networks are an effective method for forecasting time series. Therefore, this study aims to forecast the closing price of the BSE Sensex using artificial neural networks (ANNs). Research methodology The study uses nine input variables, including macroeconomic and global stock market factors, to estimate the BSE Sensex using scaled conjugate gradient algorithm artificial neural networks (SCGANNs) and Bayesian regularized artificial neural networks (BRANN). Results As per the empirical results of the study, the ANN model can forecast the closing values of the BSE Sensex with a Bayesian Regularization (BR) method with an accuracy of over 99 percent, thus leading to significant implications for domestic institutional investors (DIIs), foreign institutional investors (FIIs), investment houses, and so on. This study adds more value to the existing literature by proving that the BRANN models outperform SCGANN in stock market forecasting. Novelty This is the first study to employ macroeconomic variables as input variables for predicting the Indian stock market using ANN. The study highlights the ANN model’s forecasting potential, giving investors robust and accurate stock value prediction capabilities.

Predicting early Alzheimer’s disease from diffusion tensor imaging using machine learning techniques

AbstractBackgroundThe major current challenge in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the identification of individuals likely to develop dementia. Non‐invasive imaging techniques that reflect the integrity of the brain’s white matter are potential parameters to study the pathogenesis of AD. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides tools to analyze AD‐related brain changes despite the large amount of data generated. To process large amounts of data, computational methods capable of finding relationships among large and complex data sets are needed. In this context, machine learning (ML) techniques have been extended to address this issue. This study aimed to evaluate whether DTI features could predict future AD in non‐AD patients using ML techniques.MethodSixty‐two subjects, with mild cognitive impairment and healthy controls, were enrolled and followed for approximately eleven months. At the first assessment, MRI, neuropsychological tests, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were performed. At the second assessment, ten had progressed to Alzheimer’s dementia. The clinical diagnosis was used to train the ML classification models. Five data sets were generated with different missing data strategies. Feature selection strategies measured by information gain were implemented and compared. Twenty ML algorithms distributed over several mathematical approaches were used in model training. A deep learning model was also implemented for comparison with ML results.ResultThe best model for predicting AD by DTI was Random Forest with kNN missing data imputation and features selected by information gain. This model achieved a test accuracy of 88.72%. The most relevant DTI tract that contributed to the prediction of the model was the fractional anisotropy (FA) of the cingulum ‐ hippocampus . When other categories of data, such as neuropsychological tests, were included in the model, the accuracy hardly changed (90.26%), suggesting that DTI alone is a good predictor of Alzheimer’s disease. When the deep learning model was run, the constructed neural network achieved 92.31% accuracy.ConclusionOur results suggest that DTI measures analyzed by ML models, such as Random Forest, may predict AD in non‐AD patients. Furthermore, DTI measure of cingulum ‐ hippocampus tract may be a sensitive marker of early AD pathology.

Invited Session III: Diversity in chromatic processing across the animal kingdom: Color vision in stomatopod crustaceans.

Stomatopod crustaceans, commonly known as mantis shrimp, have perhaps the most unusual color-vision systems of any animals. The uniqueness is possible because stomatopods have compound eyes. Here, each unit, or ommatidium, acts as an independent visual detector, with its own corneal lens, internal optics, and set of photoreceptors. Ommatidia tuned to different wavelengths can be individually placed in the eye to build unusual color systems. In mantis shrimps, the receptors responsible for color vision are limited to six parallel rows of ommatidia that together form an equatorial belt, called the midband. Various receptors in these ommatidia are tuned to eight narrow-band spectral channels in the visible spectrum plus up to four additional ultraviolet channels. Thus, there is a total of twelve different color receptors for color vision. How these color channels are analyzed in the complex set of optic lobes existing behind the retina is only partly understood. It appears that stomatopods use both opponent and labelled-line color channels. Oddly, these animals appear to have limited ability to discriminate between spectral lights, but they have outstanding color constancy. Color vision, and color processing, in stomatopods is probably unlike that of any other animal group.

States, observables and symmetries in p-adic quantum mechanics

In the framework of quantum mechanics constructed over a quadratic extension of the field of p-adic numbers, we consider an algebraic definition of physical states. Next, the corresponding observables, whose definition completes the statistical interpretation of the theory, are introduced as SOVMs, a p-adic counterpart of the POVMs associated with a quantum system over the complex numbers. Differently from the standard complex setting, the space of all states of a p-adic quantum system has an affine — rather than convex — structure. Thus, a symmetry transformation may be defined, in a natural way, as a map preserving this affine structure. We argue that the group of all symmetry transformations of a p-adic quantum system has a richer structure wrt the case of standard quantum mechanics over the complex numbers.

Conceptual Architectural Response to Radiation on Mars

Abstract The climatic conditions on Mars are significantly different from those on Earth, which is the main factor affecting the potential architectural solutions on this planet. Above all, high levels of cosmic radiation of solar and extragalactic origin require specific architectural solutions, such as a safe location and sufficient protection, which are determined by a complex set of factors. These factors include the accessibility of building materials on site, the range and predictability of changes in climatic conditions, and human needs. In this article, the significant influence of radiation on architecture, which should be addressed when planning temporary or permanent resilient settlements on Mars, is examined in the case of manned missions to the planet. For this purpose, a comprehensive literature review is conducted, focused on the latest radiation-related discoveries. As the main outcome, two main schematic architectural solutions are proposed as a step toward more advanced projects. In addition, the gaps that need to be filled in the current approach to the design process, related to the insufficiently strong focus on multidisciplinary site analysis with radiation as its main factor (as is necessary for erecting an inhabitable base) are addressed.

Please Don’t Touch the Artwork

Choreographer and performance-maker Faye Driscoll’s performance installation Come On In (2020) offered spectators an aesthetic experience that included very little physical contact—yet investigated deeply the nature of physical touch. The sensation, artistic implications, and sociopolitical valences of touch provoke a rich and complex set of questions for considering artistic, physical, and gendered forms of control across performance and visual art, including abstract sculpture, a history into which Driscoll’s installation intervenes.

Improved sequence mapping using a complete reference genome and lift-over.

Complete, telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome assemblies promise improved analyses and the discovery of new variants, but many essential genomic resources remain associated with older reference genomes. Thus, there is a need to translate genomic features and read alignments between references. Here we describe a method called levioSAM2 that performs fast and accurate lift-over between assemblies using a whole-genome map. In addition to enabling the use of several references, we demonstrate that aligning reads to a high-quality reference (for example, T2T-CHM13) and lifting to an older reference (for example, Genome reference Consortium (GRC)h38) improves the accuracy of the resulting variant calls on the old reference. By leveraging the quality improvements of T2T-CHM13, levioSAM2 reduces small and structural variant calling errors compared with GRC-based mapping using real short- and long-read datasets. Performance is especially improved for a set of complex medically relevant genes, where the GRC references are lower quality.

Career Socialisation and Professional Identity

In society and the labour market, we have different positions and statuses, and we have to perform the tasks that go with those roles. According to traditional role theory in social psychology, "a role is a specific mode of response, an indoctrinated, habitual, automatic and mostly unconscious chain of behaviour that takes place in the context of typical social attitudes, emotions and self-identifications." (Buda, 1965 quoted in Csepeli, 2001, 102-103) The elements of behaviour required to occupy a status or position are determined by the roles that the occupant of the status must perform. These roles are associated with attitudes, values and behavioural patterns (Hidy, 2001). In the case of occupations and professions where the roles and tasks can be clearly described (doctor, teacher, architect), the set of roles required can be more easily formulated. In many cases, however, the positions (occupations) on the labour market today require a more varied set of roles from the individual, and it is more difficult to clarify the roles, since these occupations do not have rigid position descriptions, but are rather loosely defined and highly variable (Goffman, 1978). One such occupation is that of community organiser, where it is possible to function successfully in a wide range of fields, even with different attitudes and strengths. Identity formation in careers with such a complex set of roles is therefore difficult, even though a strong professional identity is an important prerequisite for success in any profession.

Thematic mapping for sediment cascade analysis in small mountain catchments – The case of the Buscagna valley (Lepontine Alps)

The multi-scalarity of mountain systems primarily relates to their complex structural settings, which lead to the fragmentation of geological and geomorphological units. This may have strong implications for the hydrogeomorphological evolution of watersheds and the related sediment cascades. In the framework of this research, we selected the small Buscagna mountain catchment in the Lepontine Alps (Northwestern Italy), where the northern slope comprises very resistant gneissic rocks, while soluble rocks (i.e., marble) – in some case intensely foliated (i.e., calcschist) –crop out along the southern slope. The diversification of geomorphological processes and landforms (i.e., geomorphodiversity) is highly evident, and various techniques are applied to create thematic maps of geomorphological features (landforms; processes; erosion/deposition/deformation), sediment connectivity, and source/store/sink distribution in the Buscagna catchment. The obtained thematic maps were integrated and compared to depict the influence of bedrock features on geomorphological evolution. The geomorphological maps focussed on landforms and processes reveal that glacial and gravity-related processes and permafrost distribution are deeply influenced by the topographic and lithological dichotomy of the catchment. Permafrost distribution is again uneven in the basin, and its degradation allows relevant sediment sources to be delivered downstream. Lastly, debris flows represent the primary connectivity triggers between areas such as the hanging glacial basin slopes and the valley bottom (i.e., erosion/deposition/deformation and index of connectivity maps). What emerges is the importance of integrating and comparing different thematic maps for a correct interpretation of the past and present dynamics influencing the evolution of complex, albeit small, mountain catchments.

2682. Opt-Out Syphilis Screening in an Urgent Care Center Increases Recognition and Treatment of Asymptomatic Syphilis Infection and Uptake of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background Atlanta, Georgia has an extremely high burden of both HIV and early syphilis. This syndemic is driven by a complex set of structural factors that result in striking healthcare inequities, further burdening communities with low access to primary care. These populations may instead utilize emergency departments and urgent care centers (UC) for medical care. UC visits represent a crucial opportunity for recognition and treatment of syphilis as well as connection to HIV prevention services. We describe a novel pilot of a universal, opt-out syphilis screening program offered to all adults in the Grady Urgent Care Center in Atlanta. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients 18 years and older who had a rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test collected from 9/1/21 to 12/31/21. Demographic data, syphilis diagnosis, syphilis treatment, and HIV testing and serostatus were abstracted from the electronic health record. Patients with reactive RPRs were contacted by a physician for diagnosis and potential syphilis treatment, sexual health counseling, and referral for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or HIV care. Results From 9/1/21 to 12/31/21, 5794 patients were triaged and 1381 underwent RPR screening (23.8%). Eighty (5.8%) had reactive RPRs, and 42 (52.5%) had active syphilis infection. Of those with active syphilis, 39 (92.9%) received treatment, and 35 (83.3%) completed treatment. Among all undergoing RPR screening, 37 (2.7%) were living with HIV. Of those who were not previously diagnosed with HIV, 1279 (93.9%) underwent concurrent HIV testing. Among all undergoing RPR screening, 41 expressed interest in PrEP, and 7 completed PrEP clinic intake. Of those with reactive RPRs, 16 expressed interest in PrEP, and 6 completed PrEP clinic intake. Syphilis Testing and Treatment Among Patients 18 Years of Age and Older Who Had an RPR Collected in the Grady Urgent Care Center, 9/1/2021-12/31/2021 HIV Testing and PrEP Among Patients 18 Years of Age and Older Who Had an RPR Collected in the Grady Urgent Care Center, 9/1/2021-12/31/2021 Conclusion Routine, opt-out syphilis testing was used to identify a substantial number of patients with active syphilis and connect a majority to treatment, underscoring the need for universal syphilis screening in this setting. It also provided an opportunity to deliver sexual health counseling and offer PrEP, although few patients completed PrEP clinic intake, suggesting that a more targeted approach to PrEP referral may be more effective. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

A multi-sensor fusion framework with tight coupling for precise positioning and optimization

In the dynamic landscape of artificial intelligence and robotics, the pursuit of accurate positioning in mobile robots has intensified. This research addresses the limitations of single-sensor SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) techniques in complex settings by harnessing the collective strengths of LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), Camera, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) sensors. The proposed multi-sensor tightly-coupled SLAM framework is an integration of point-line feature-based laser–visual–inertial odometry, visual–laser fusion loop closure detection, and factor graph-based back-end optimization. Within the visual–inertial subsystem, an advanced LSD (Line Segment Detector) feature extraction strategy is introduced, incorporating point-line fusion to enhance visual line features. Additionally, the laser point cloud is projected onto the camera coordinate system, establishing depth associations with visual attributes. Strengthening the robustness of the visual–inertial subsystem in low-texture environments, camera poses undergo optimization through a sliding-window bundle adjustment method. In the laser-inertial subsystem, IMU preintegration mitigates laser point cloud distortion. Extracting edge and plane features, coupled with frame-to-local-map matching, enhances matching efficiency while streamlining computational intricacies. This amalgamation forms the basis of the laser–visual–inertial odometry fusion system. To overcome the limitations of standalone visual and laser-based loop closure detection, a dual-loop closure method utilizing visual–laser fusion is proposed. Leveraging the DBoW2 bag-of-words model, complemented by temporal–spatial consistency checks, enhances detection efficiency and accuracy. The integration of GNSS factors imparts global constraints for expansive outdoor scenarios. Employing factor graph-based back-end optimization, the refinement of laser–visual–inertial odometry factors, visual–inertial odometry factors, IMU preintegration factors, loop closure factors, and GNSS factors culminates in precise global pose estimation and high-fidelity point cloud maps. Through rigorous evaluation of the M2DGR dataset and a mobile robot platform, the proposed methodology emerges as an exemplar of performance, showcasing superiority over the state-of-the-art LIO-SAM technique. Achieving a reduction of 2.86m and 3.23m in the root mean square error of absolute pose estimation across divergent environments, this approach exhibits remarkable efficacy in outdoor scenarios, thereby elevating the precision and resilience of SLAM algorithms for mobile robots.

Muslim women’s views and experiences of family planning in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study

BackgroundIslamic beliefs are associated with decreased contraceptive use compared to other religions, and Muslim women’s contraceptive needs are often unmet. Research is needed to provide an in-depth understanding of the complex set of barriers to Muslim women’s contraceptive use. Therefore, we aimed to explore Muslim women’s awareness and experiences with family planning in Saudi Arabia and investigate barriers to contraceptive use and access to family planning.MethodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with women in a public hospital, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January and June 2019. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsTwenty-eight women participated in the study. Women’s contraceptive awareness was limited to two methods. Women expressed positive attitudes towards family planning and did not believe it is forbidden in Islam. Barriers to contraception use included lack of knowledge, misconceptions, fear of side effects, family and community and social norms. Many women expressed that they have the right to use contraception, even if their husbands disapprove. Our findings show that healthcare providers rarely offered contraceptive advice, even when requested. Healthcare providers often prescribe oral contraceptives without offering information on other methods available.ConclusionOur findings suggest that education plays a fundamental role in reproductive autonomy. Men’s role in family planning should be encouraged through sharing reproductive responsibility and supporting women’s contraceptive choices. Efforts should be directed towards improving women’s awareness of different methods of contraception.

Revisiting the geodynamics of the Middle East region from an integrated geophysical perspective

A long-standing question in geodynamics is whether mantle flow is driven by the plate motion alone, or mantle upwelling makes a significant contribution to it. Subducting slabs and lateral variations of the continental lithosphere can further influence the asthenospheric flow and control its direction. The Middle East region (MER) is a complex continental setting where different processes such as rifting, break-up, plate collision, and tectonic escape kinematically interact with each other. In this context, the role that lithospheric structure, mantle flow, and active upwellings may play is debated. Tomographic images provide a snapshot of the current thermal conditions of a region and seismic anisotropy can also help resolve mantle convection. Here, we synthesize shear-wave splitting observations together with up-to-date tomography models of the mantle structure beneath the MER and other geophysical data. Low-velocity anomalies are seen at asthenospheric depths beneath W Arabia, NW Iran, and Anatolia, suggesting a spreading zone of warm mantle. Two deep low-velocity bodies in Afar and Levant –interpreted as hot mantle plumes– are the sources of this shallower mantle flow. Where low velocities are imaged, we observe predominantly NE–SW oriented anisotropy, anomalously high topography, and abundant basaltic volcanism. The integrated analysis suggests that a horizontal component associated with active upwelling is present in the upper-mantle flow field. The large-scale circulation flow fed by the Afar and Levant Plumes, aided by the subduction-induced forces, facilitates the lateral motion of the Anatolian microplate and affects the dynamic evolution of the Zagros orogen. The proposed scenario demonstrates that the interplay between plate-tectonic events and mantle dynamics controls the kinematics of the region and can explain the general patterns of deformation observed at the surface.

Assessment of health literacy in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and its relationship with health behaviours: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveHealthy behaviours are important for people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, adopting and maintaining lifestyle changes involves a complex set of behavioural changes, which most patients fail to adhere...

Mixture of Peanut Skin Extract, Geniposide, and Isoquercitrin Improves the Hepatic Lipid Accumulation of Mice via Modification of Gut Microbiota Homeostasis and the TLR4 and AMPK Signaling Pathways.

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly known as NAFLD) is a global chronic liver disease, and no licensed drugs are currently available for its treatment. The incidence of MASLD is increasing, which could lead to a huge clinical and economic burden. As a multifactorial disease, MASLD involves a complex set of metabolic changes, and many monotherapies for it are not clinically effective. Therefore, combination therapies using multiple drugs are emerging, with the advantages of improving drug efficacy and reducing side effects. Peanut skin extract (PSE), geniposide (GEN), and isoquercitrin (IQ) are three natural antiaging components or compounds. In this study, the preventive effects of individual PSE, GEN, and IQ in comparison with the effects of their mixture (MPGI) were examined in a mouse model of high-fat-feed-induced MASLD. The results showed that MPGI could significantly reduce the body and liver weights of mice and improve hepatic steatosis and liver function indicators. Further mechanistic studies showed that PSE, GEN, and IQ worked together by reducing inflammation, modulating the intestinal flora, and regulating the TLR4/NF-κB, AMPK/ACC/CPT1, and AMPK/UKL1/LC3B signaling pathways. It is a promising therapeutic method for preventing MASLD.

The fuzzy human-robot collaboration assembly line balancing problem

Consideration is given to the assembly line balancing problem (ALBP) in production lines employed collaborative robots. Human–robot collaboration promises high advantages in manufacturing regarding automation, productivity, accuracy as well as flexibility in production. This technology is really challenging but requires redesigning of assembly lines to effectively involve the available human- and robot-resources. As robots can collaborate with humans sharing the assembly tasks in the same workstation, production managers experience an increasingly complex ALBP setting. Moreover, a crucial issue raised within this context is the variance and uncertainty in processing times for manual (human) work. Processing times for human work are subject to the nature and skills of the human worker. We explore the heuristic solution of this NP-hard problem using a problem-specific metaheuristic. Our aim is to investigate the effects of utilizing collaborate robots in manual assembly lines with respect to both production rate and workload smoothing. Simulation experiments on a real-life case study borrowed from the literature show how to tackle the problem under uncertainty (fuzziness) in task processing times.