Effective Mitigation Research Articles

Temporal Trends of Dry Spells in Indian Meteorological Subdivisions During Southwest Monsoon 1951–2023

ABSTRACTAmidst the backdrop of climate change, the monsoon rainfall pattern is experiencing alterations over time. A precise evaluation of monsoon rainfall distribution throughout the season is crucial for effective water management in agriculture, conducting drought assessments, and evaluating associated risks. Our study focused on analysing dry and wet spells within the Indian meteorological subdivisions over the past 73 years (1951–2023). It examines the spatial distribution of southwest monsoon rainfall and dry days, revealing a correlation between limited rainfall and extended dry periods, especially noticeable in regions like Western Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir. Vulnerability to drought is evident in regions with moderate monsoon rainfall and a high frequency of dry days. The study reveals that 65% of meteorological subdivisions experience over 60 dry days during the monsoon season, underscoring the need for a detailed analysis of dry day patterns. July and August are vital for Indian agriculture, as crop growth relies on consistent monsoonal rainfall; extended dry spells during this period cause moisture stress, affecting key stages like flowering and grain filling. The study reveals an alarming trend, with 44% of meteorological subdivisions showing an increase in dry days during August, and 29% exhibiting a similar trend for the overall monsoon season. The study also investigated the relationship between dry days and ENSO events, finding that Central and Northwest India are predominantly affected by moderate to strong events, resulting in a high probability of increased dry days. This increase in dry spells, driven by shifts in monsoon variability and intensity, reduces water availability during the growing season and raises the risk of crop failure. These findings emphasise the importance of implementing effective mitigation strategies to address the challenges posed by prolonged dry spells and their detrimental impact on crop yields.

A Framework for the Unsupervised Modeling and Extraction of Polarization Knowledge from News Media

Polarization poses global concerns for social cohesion and stability, making its understanding crucial for effective mitigation measures. In this paper, we introduce an unsupervised, domain-agnostic framework for computationally modeling, extracting, and measuring polarization in digital media. By leveraging Natural Language Processing and Graph Analysis techniques, the proposed framework creates a Polarization Data Model (PDM) that encompasses key elements of Polarization Knowledge (PK), such as entities, fellowships, dipoles, and discussion topics. To evaluate the effectiveness of the framework, we propose a multi-level PK evaluation methodology that assesses its ability to: i) capture entities’ attitudes toward various topics, ii) align politically cohesive fellowships with their respective party manifestos, and iii) identify domain-specific topics along with their degree of polarization. We applied this evaluation methodology to the use cases of Abortion, Immigration, and Gun Control. The results demonstrate our framework’s robust performance across these case studies, yielding promising outcomes compared to state-of-the-art and baseline methods.

Pesticide contamination and associated ecological risks in estuarine waters of Brazil's Legal Amazon.

Pesticide contamination remains a significant environmental concern globally, with important implications for aquatic ecosystems. Despite being one of the world's largest pesticide consumers, monitoring and assessment of pesticide pollution are limited in Brazil, especially in sensitive regions like the Amazon. In this study, the occurrence and environmental risks of 8 pesticides of different classes, namely alachlor, atrazine, chlorfenvinphos, isoproturon, irgarol, simazine, diuron, and its transformation product DCPMU (1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-methyl urea) were analysed in surface water of the São Marcos Estuarine Complex (SMEC) in two consecutive years. The quantification of the target compounds was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). Suspected and untargeted screening analyses with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) was also conducted to identify transformation products (TPs) and additional pesticides in water samples. All target pesticides, except for alachlor, were found in at least one sampling campaign. The antifouling biocides irgarol and diuron were ubiquitous in 2018 and 2019, with detection frequencies varying between 81 and 100% and maximum concentrations of 13.6ng L-1 and 17.1ng L-1, respectively. In 2019, the detection frequencies of the target pesticides were considerably higher than in 2018, with atrazine, isoproturon, and DCPMU being found in 100% of the samples. In 2019, chlorfenvinphos and isoproturon were the pesticides with the highest levels, reaching 48.6ng L-1 and 44.6ng L-1, respectively. The UHPLC-HRMS analysis showed the presence of the pesticides DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), octhilinone (2-Octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one), and cyprodinil (4-cyclopropyl-6-methyl-N-phenylpyrimidin-2-amine) in water samples. Additionally, the TPs 2-hydroxy-atrazine, didemethylisoproturon (1-(4-isopropylphenyl)urea) and M1 (2-methylthio-4-tert-butylamino-6-amino-s-triazine) were found. The environmental risk assessment showed that irgarol was the primary contributor to the global risk quotient in the SMEC region. Similarly, chlorfenvinphos also showed a high risk to the local aquatic biota, especially in 2019. This research not only highlights the urgent need for improved pesticide monitoring in Brazil but also establishes a baseline for future studies and environmental management efforts in SMEC. We emphasize the importance of prioritising pollutants and implementing effective mitigation strategies to protect the fragile aquatic ecosystems of the Brazilian Amazon.

Cybersecurity in the Petroleum Industry: A Comprehensive Review of Threats and Mitigation Strategies

The reliance of the petroleum industry on digital technologies is on the increase. This increase has introduced significant cyber security risks, threatening operations, safety, and the environment. This review examines the current state of cyber security in the petroleum industry, highlighting the range of threats, including phishing, ransom ware, OT-specific risks, like attacks on SCADA and ICS systems, and industrial control system attacks. It also assesses the effectiveness of countermeasures, such as risk assessment, incident response planning, employee training, and advanced security measures like AI and machine learning. The study emphasizes the importance of compliance with industry-specific standards and certification, continuous monitoring, and adaptation to emerging technologies and evolving threats. Some of the cyber security standards and protocols include NIST, ISO/IEC 27001 and CIS. Their duties include provide guidelines to assist organizations in conducting appropriate and effective management and mitigation of risks, establishing a sound information security management system that focuses on safeguarding sensitive data and outline a prioritized method by which one could guard against common cyber threats, putting an emphasis on key areas of security, access control, and response to incidents respectively. This review aims to inform and guide the petroleum industry in strengthening its cyber security posture and ensuring the resilience of its operations as well as this review serves as a guide for leadership on resilience and proactive threat management, addressing critical vulnerabilities.

Disentangling the Role of Composition Factors in Fertility Responses to Unemployment

Using a macro-panel data set from 20 Italian regions, this study explores the relationship between unemployment and fertility in Italy between 2006 and 2018. It contributes to recent literature on this subject by considering gender-specific unemployment measures and examining the influence of two important compositional factors on fertility responses, namely the presence of foreign women and daily childcare coverage, and the influence of both of these on the link between unemployment and fertility. The study reveals a procyclical relationship between unemployment rates, used as a proxy of variations in business cycles, and fertility. Positive influences of foreign women’s contribution and daily childcare coverage on fertility are uncovered, suggesting a potential mitigation effect on declining fertility trends during the period under observation.

Arsenic Contamination in Sludge and Sediment and Relationship with Microbial Resistance Genes: Interactions and Remediation

Arsenic contamination in sludge and sediment has emerged as a pressing environmental issue with far-reaching implications. This review delves into the multifaceted problem of arsenic contamination, focusing on its complex interactions with microbial resistance genes (MRGs). It explores the key role of microorganisms in the biogeochemical cycling of arsenic, including processes such as reduction, oxidation, methylation, and volatilization. It describes how microorganisms resist arsenic through resistance genes that encode proteins such as efflux pumps, enzymatic detoxification, and intracellular sequestration. Arsenic, a naturally occurring element, can enter sludge and sediment through various natural and anthropogenic pathways, leading to detrimental effects on environmental quality. Understanding the role of microorganisms in arsenic mobilization, transformation, and their ability to resist arsenic toxicity through MRGs is essential for effective mitigation and remediation strategies. This review discusses the sources and distribution of arsenic in sludge and sediment, the intricate mechanisms of microbial arsenic resistance, and the potential implications for environmental management and human health. It also examines current research trends and identifies areas requiring further investigation. By unraveling the interplay between arsenic contamination, microorganisms, and MRGs, this review aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the issue and guide future research and environmental protection efforts.

Introduced paeoniflorin reduces the main toxicity induced by diosbulbin B, the major toxic compound of Dioscorea bulbifera L.: involved inhibiting inflammation and ferroptosis

Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae (HYZ) is a widely utilized herb in clinical practice, known for its significant biological activities. However, the associated hepatotoxicity poses limitations to its application. Our previous research indicated that the effective mitigation of HYZ-induced hepatotoxicity through the concoction with Radix Paeoniae Alba medicinal juice involves the incorporation of paeoniflorin (Pae) and a reduction in diosbulbin B (DB), the primary toxic compound in HYZ. This finding suggests that the introduced Pae may exert a direct attenuating effect on DB. In light of this, this study represents the first investigation into Pae’s detoxification effect against DB-induced hepatotoxicity after administration for 2 months in mice vivo while also exploring underlying mechanisms related to inflammation and ferroptosis based on network pharmacology results. Our findings demonstrate that Pae significantly alleviates DB-induced hepatotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting and ELISA analyses revealed that Pae effectively reversed elevated levels of hepatic inflammation-related markers—such as NF-κB, p38 MAPK, NLRP3, TNF-α, and IL-1β—as well as excessively high concentrations of ferroptosis-related MDA and Fe2+. Furthermore, it restored low levels of GSH, SOD, GPX4, and FTH1. In summary, introduced Pae substantially mitigated DB-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting both hepatocyte inflammation and ferroptosis.

Heat wave: a new characterization in terms of energy

Heat waves (HW) are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather that can cause severe socioeconomic and environmental impacts. This study aims to evaluate the differences in stored heat and turbulent flux partitioning during a heat wave event in Mexico City, using observations from an eddy covariance tower during the period from 14 June to 21 June 2023. During this period, net radiation (Rn) and sensible heat flux (H) increased significantly, particularly from noon to evening, reflecting stable atmospheric conditions. The air temperature showed a noticeable increase in the afternoon and evening, whereas absolute humidity decreased. We found that during the heat wave, the Bowen ratio (β) increased by 80% during daylight hours and 65% over a full 24-hour period compared to the pre-heat wave period. This heat release at night prolonged warm conditions, intensifying heat stress. The partitioning of net radiation for latent heat (LE), sensible heat (H), and heat storage (ΔQs) showed significant changes; during the heat wave, 51% of Rn was allocated to H and 34% to ΔQs, compared to pre-heat wave values of 49% and 27%, respectively. This study introduces a new characterization of heat waves in terms of energy, emphasizing the significant shifts in energy flux partitioning and storage. The new characterization highlights the critical role of urban heat storage and its release in exacerbating heat stress during and after heat wave events. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the energy dynamics during heat waves, which is essential for developing effective mitigation strategies to combat the adverse effects of extreme heat in urban environments.

Stable Isotope and Multiomics Reveal Uptake, Translocation, and Transformation Mechanisms of Tris(2-chloroethyl) Phosphate in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Uptake, translocation, and transformation mechanisms of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) in hydroponic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were systematically investigated using compound-specific stable isotope and multiomics analyses in this study. Results showed that TCEP was quickly adsorbed on root epidermis and then absorbed in roots via water and anion channels as well as an active process dependent on energy. Active process and anion channel preferentially translocated TCEP-containing light carbon isotopes and dominated the transmembrane transport of TCEP to enter vascular bundle. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses indicated gene-encoding ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) involved in TCEP transport and transformation, respectively. Molecular docking simulations showed that TCEP bound to the hydrophilic cavity of ABC transporter/PAP and hydrophobic cavity of GST, and hydrogen bonding was the important driving force. The results of this study offered insights for future effective mitigation of TCEP risk in edible plants.

Global impact of seawater intrusion on coastal agriculture

Abstract Coastal agriculture faces escalating threats from seawater intrusion (SWI), jeopardizing global food security through freshwater scarcity, soil salinization and crop damage. However, research on SWI often fails to consider its impact on coastal agriculture. Linking georeferenced SWI data with cropland presence, this review examines SWI's global distribution and primary drivers. Major attested hotspots include the Mediterranean, South and South-East Asia, and the Bohai Sea region in China. Approximately 87 Mha of cropland globally are vulnerable due to low elevation and coastal proximity, including regions where little to no literature has documented SWI. Main drivers include sea-level rise, drought, groundwater depletion, river modifications, tidal flooding and subsidence. Projections of sea-level rise indicate cropland of North America, the Indian Subcontinent, and South-East Asia as high-risk for SWI. Additionally, regions like South-East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent are expected to experience significant demographic growth in coastal areas. Understanding present and future SWI dynamics is crucial for designing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies in coastal agriculture to support food supply.

Eutrophication-Driven Changes in Plankton Trophic Interactions: Insights from Trade-Offs in Functional Traits.

Understanding how plankton trophic interactions, particularly phytoplankton nutrient uptake and zooplankton grazing, respond to eutrophication is important for maintaining aquatic ecosystem functions and developing effective mitigation strategies. Phytoplankton exhibit trade-offs in functional traits between growth rate and antipredation defense, thereby regulating these trophic interactions. However, the combined effects of eutrophication and such trait-based regulation on plankton communities and interactions remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated these effects by integrating trait-based mechanistic modeling and field observations in China's eutrophic Pearl River Estuary. Our model predicted that the species with the weakest defensive capacities dominated under nutrient-poor conditions. As eutrophication increased, a concave growth-defense trade-off favored species with high growth rates and strong defense capacities, whereas a convex trade-off curve favored species that were either the least or the most well-defended. High grazing pressure accelerated these shifts. In the estuary, similar patterns emerged in the relative abundance of different phytoplankton species along a gradient of the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio (N:P), indicating changes from high nutrient uptake and low grazing under oligotrophic conditions to eutrophic conditions, in which some phytoplankton face considerable grazing pressure despite high nutrient uptake, whereas others grow slowly with less grazing pressure. These results enhance our understanding of trait-based plankton interactions in eutrophic bodies of water and provide support for more effective conservation and management strategies.

Evaluating sorbents for reducing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance mobility in biosolids-amended soil columns.

Sustainable reuse of biosolids as fertilizers is being threatened by the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in our waste stream warranting research on strategies that will minimize PFAS mobility from land-applied biosolids. Here, we evaluated the ability of waste-derived sorbents aluminum chlorohydrate water treatment residuals (ACH-WTRs, 1wt%) and biosolids-based biochar (1.5wt%) to reduce mobility of PFAS in columns with 3wt% biosolids-amended soils with and without sorbent layered on top of soil only and operated under transient unsaturated conditions. Cycles of simulated rain events of approximately three pore volumes distributed over a 4-day period followed by 3 days of drying were imposed for 6 months. Total PFAS concentrations in collected leachates were lower in the sorbent-treated columns compared to the control columns. Biochar outperformed the ACH-WTR with 41% versus 32% lower total PFAS in leachate, respectively, compared to the control. The most significant mitigation effect was observed with PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) with 68% and 62% less PFOS in the leachates from the columns treated with ACH-WTR or biochar compared to the control, respectively. These results provide a first-of-its-kind assessment of the potential benefit of co-applying WTRs or biochar with biosolids to reduce PFAS mobility in biosolids-amended soils.

Economic policy uncertainty and bank stability: the role of digitalization level

ABSTRACT This paper employs quarterly data from 102 Chinese commercial banks spanning from 2017Q1 to 2021Q3. Utilizing a panel fixed-effects model, we scrutinize the impact of digitization on the relationship between economic policy uncertainty and the stability of commercial banks. The main research conclusion is that a higher level of digitization can alleviate the negative effects of economic policy uncertainty on the stability of commercial banks. Further research indicates that digitization achieves this effect by improving borrower selection, reducing the cost of risk management, and enhancing profitability. The mitigating effect of digitization varies across different types of commercial banks, different time periods, and different external environments, with a stronger impact observed on state-owned banks, banks in the post-pandemic period, and banks operating in high external pressure environments. Our research results demonstrate for the first time how digitization enhances banks’ resilience to the impact of economic policy uncertainty, providing insights for financial stability and development.

Seed priming with ascorbic acid and spermidine regulated auxin biosynthesis to promote root growth of rice under drought stress

IntroductionDrought stress severely hampers seedling growth and root architecture, resulting in yield penalties. Seed priming is a promising approach to tolerate drought stress for stand establishment and root development.MethodsHere, various seed priming treatments, viz., hydro priming, ascorbic acid priming (AsA), and spermidine priming (Spd), were adopted concerning root morphological, physiological, microstructural, and molecular studies under drought stress on rice variety Hanyou 73.Results and discussionResults demonstrated that drought severely suppressed seedling establishment, while AsA or Spd priming effectively alleviated the inhibitory effects of drought stress, and significantly increased shoot length (24.5-27.9%), root length (34.6-38.8%), shoot dry weight (56.1-97.1%), root dry weight (39.6-40.6%), total root length (47.0-57.8%), surface area (77.0-84.9%), root volume (106.5-109.8%), average diameter (16.4-19.7%), and root tips (46.8-61.1%); meanwhile, priming with AsA or Spd alleviated microscopic and ultrastructural damage from root cell, and improved root activity (183.8-192.0%). The mitigating effects of AsA or Spd priming on drought stress were primarily responsible for decreasing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species by increasing antioxidants activities and osmoprotectants contents, which reduced oxidative stress and osmotic cell potential and facilitated improved water and nutrients absorption in roots. Additionally, seed priming with AsA or Spd substantially improved auxin synthesis by upregulating of OsYUC7, OsYUC11 and, OsCOW1 expression. However, there were certain differences in the defense responses of plants and mechanisms of reducing the damage of drought stress after seed treatment with AsA or Spd. Under stress conditions, AsA had a greater impact on improving the fresh and dry weight of aboveground parts, while Spd affected the concentration of total sugar and total protein in plants. Likewise, the degree of oxidative damage was lowered, and POD and CAT activities were elevated due to Spd priming under water-deficient conditions.

Air pollution forecasting: Application of machine learning models to estimate PM2.5 index

In the context of ongoing industrialization, air pollution has become an urgent global problem, particularly severe in large cities such as Hanoi (Vietnam), Beijing (China), and others. Air pollution, especially the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is not only harmful to human health but also has significant negative impacts on the environment, economy, and quality of life. This study aims to enhance the ability to predict air pollution levels more accurately. By using machine learning models, meteorologists can better predict air pollution levels and propose more effective mitigation solutions. The article utilizes a multivariate time series dataset, including meteorological and air pollution indices from Beijing, China, from 2010 to 2014. Machine learning models such as Lasso Regression, Support Vector Regression, Random Forest, XGBoost, and, notably, a Stack Model combining the four aforementioned models, are evaluated. The performance of these models is measured using statistical indicators such as Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Coefficient of Determination (R²). Among these models, the Stack model provides the most accurate predictions for the PM2.5 index.

Price Volatility Mitigation and the Securities Market Financial Performance of Listed Insurance Firms at Nairobi Securities Exchange.

The performance of securities market globally plays an important role in both local and international markets. The high rise of such markets has given an increase in the number or risks associated with firms registered at the stock market. This study therefore sought to examine the effect of price volatility mitigation on the securities market financial performance of listed insurance firms in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design and a quantitative research approach. The target population was 548 staff working in finance, investment, risk, actuarial and operations departments in the six insurance firms listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange. The sample size was determined using Yamane's Formula and stratified random sampling was used in the selection of the sample size. The study made use of both primary and secondary data. The study used a data extraction tool to collect secondary data from the annual reports and financial statements of the insurance companies. The study made use of structured questionnaires to collect primary data. The questionnaires generated quantitative data. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used in analyzing quantitative data with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24) statistical software. Descriptive statistics included frequency distribution, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Inferential data analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. The study found that price volatility mitigation has a positive and significant effect on securities market financial performance of listed insurance firms in Kenya. The study recommends that insurance firms should focus on implementing strategies to effectively manage supply and demand dynamics within the securities market. This includes closely monitoring market trends, analyzing supply-demand imbalances, and adjusting pricing and stock clearance strategies accordingly. By actively managing supply-demand dynamics, firms can mitigate price volatility risks and enhance securities market financial performance

Dietary Antrodia cinnamomea Polysaccharide Intervention Modulates Clinical Symptoms by Regulating Ovarian Metabolites and Restructuring the Intestinal Microbiota in Rats with Letrozole-Induced PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder. This study investigated the mitigating effects of the Antrodia cinnamomea polysaccharide (ACP) on a letrozole-induced PCOS rat model. Results demonstrated that ACP reduced obesity and ameliorated dyslipidemia in PCOS rats. Moreover, ACP restored estrous cycle regularity, suppressed polycystic ovarian changes, and regulated serum levels of sex hormones, SOD, and MDA. Furthermore, ACP increased the α-diversity and modulated the abundance of phyla (Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobia) and genera (Lactobacillus, Helicobacter, Akkermansia, Oscillospira, Coprococcus, Roseburia, Blautia, and Allobaculum) in the gut microbiota. ACP also restored compromised intestinal barriers by upregulating the expression of ZO1, Occludin, Claudin1, and Claudin7 in the colon. ACP mitigated ovarian fibrosis by preventing activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, decreasing the expression of fibrotic markers (TGF-β1, collagen-I, α-SMA, and CTGF), and regulating four ovarian fibrosis-associated metabolomics pathways. Generally, dietary ACP effectively ameliorated clinical symptoms and inhibited ovarian fibrosis in PCOS rats.

Empathetic solicitude attenuates the affective and sensory dimensions of CO2-induced dyspnea: A randomized parallel arm experimental trial in healthy humans.

Dyspnea testifies to profound suffering in patients and its relief is a priority for caregivers. This can be achieved by correcting causative disorders ("etiopathogenic" approach) or targeting the dyspnea itself ("symptomatic" approach), as is done for pain. Empathetic solicitude from caregivers has an intrinsic analgesic effect, but its effects on dyspnea have not been formally documented. This study tests the hypothesis that the empathetic solicitude behavior of a caregiver during experimental induction of acute and intense dyspnea would have a mitigating effect. In a double-blind, randomized, controlled experimental trial, 80 healthy participants were assigned to a neutral behavior arm or a solicitude behavior arm. During two successive visits (V1 and V2), dyspnea was induced through CO2-rebreathing and (i) assessed in an immediate manner using 10 cm affective and sensory visual analog scales (A-VAS and S-VAS) and (ii) post hoc using the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile (MDP). A-VAS ratings at the end of the dyspnea challenge were significantly lower at V2 in the "solicitude behavior" arm than in the "neutral behavior" arm (6.69 [3.825-9.67] vs. 8.05 [6.43-10], p = 0.039). There were no significant differences between arms regarding S-VAS. MDP analysis showed that CO2-rebreathing induced dyspnea of the air hunger type, with statistically significant reductions in its intensity and both the sensory and affective dimensions of dyspnea. This study shows that empathetic solicitude can reduce the affective and sensory dimensions of experimentally induced dyspnea in healthy volunteers. Future studies should evaluate the impact of empathetic solicitude on clinical dyspnea.

Interference Mitigation in B5G Network Architecture for MIMO and CDMA: State of the Art, Issues, and Future Research Directions

The emergence of Beyond 5G (B5G) networks introduces novel challenges related to interference management, particularly within the context of Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technologies. In this comprehensive review paper, we delve into the intricacies of interference mitigation techniques within the B5G framework, with a specific focus on MIMO and CDMA systems. Firstly, we provide a brief overview of MIMO and CDMA principles, emphasizing their significance in B5G networks. MIMO leverages spatial diversity by employing multiple antennas in both the transmitter and the receiver, thereby enhancing capacity and reliability. CDMA, on the other hand, enables multiple users to share the same frequency band by assigning unique codes to each user. Next, we categorize the various types of interference encountered in MIMO and CDMA systems. These include co-channel interference, adjacent-channel interference, and multiuser interference. Understanding these interference sources is crucial for designing effective mitigation strategies. Our exploration of interference mitigation techniques covers state-of-the-art approaches tailored for MIMO and CDMA scenarios. Lastly, we discuss future research directions in interference mitigation for B5G networks. This review paper provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and network designers seeking to enhance the robustness and efficiency of B5G communication systems by effectively mitigating interference in MIMO and CDMA contexts.

Combinatorial Treatment with Praziquantel and Curcumin Reduces Clonorchis sinensis Parasite Burden and Clonorchiasis-Associated Pathologies in Rats

Background/Objectives: Clonorchiasis is a foodborne parasitic disease that can lead to severe biliary fibrosis and cholangiocarcinoma. While praziquantel (PZQ) is available for clonorchiasis treatment, it cannot revert the histopathological damage incurred through parasite-induced fibrosis. Curcumin (CUR) is an emerging experimental drug possessing anti-inflammatory and fibrosis-alleviating effects, thus signifying its potential as an anthelmintic drug. Here, we evaluated the effect of CUR+PZQ combinatorial drug treatment on C. sinensis infection as well as its effect on ameliorating fibrotic tissue damage in rats. Methods: Worm viabilities following CUR and PZQ treatments were confirmed through microscopy and tetrazolium salt absorption. Anthelminthic effect and hepatobiliary damage mitigation in rats were determined by quantifying worm recovery, histopathological staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: CUR+PZQ at LD50 doses demonstrated a time- and dose-dependent antiparasitic effect in vitro, which was markedly greater than either drug alone. Rats were infected with C. sinensis, and drugs were administered at 1 and 4 weeks post-infection (wpi) to assess drug-induced changes in worm burden. Significant reductions in worm burden recoveries were observed following CUR+PZQ treatment at both time points, accompanied by markedly reduced serum and mucosal IgG responses. ALT and AST levels were also substantially lower in combinatorial drug treatment groups than controls. Histopathological examinations confirmed that parasite-induced bile duct lumen widening and liver fibrosis were suppressed at 1 wpi, implying that CUR+PZQ co-treatment can alleviate clonorchiasis-associated pathologies. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that CUR+PZQ co-treatment improved parasite clearance and promoted the resolution of hepatobiliary tissue damage resulting from chronic clonorchiasis.