Normal Cycle Research Articles

Research on the Optimization of the Heating Effect of Lithium-Ion Batteries at a Low Temperature Based on an Electromagnetic Induction Heating System

Based on an electromagnetic induction heating system that was recently developed in a previous work, an orthogonal test with three elements and nine levels was carried out to improve the heating effect of the system. This was intended to achieve a balance between the heating rate and temperature uniformity, where the electrochemical and thermal behaviors of the heated lithium-ion battery could be characterized by a high-accuracy electrochemical–thermal coupling model. This was validated against constant-current discharge and HPPC test data at room temperature and different low temperatures. Under the optimal parameter combination that was found in the orthogonal test, the battery temperature could rise to 293.15 K from 243.15 K in 494 s, with a maximum temperature rise rate of 0.133 K·s−1. The temperature difference after heating reached 4.21 K, which resulted from the heat conductivity of the battery material due to the skin depth of the battery shell and the material properties inside the battery. Due to the internal resistance, which decreased to no more than a quarter of the low-temperature level, both the usable energy and pulse power were increased more than 2.5 and 3 times, respectively. The enhancement of the energy output ability could provide a greater cruise range and improved dynamics for electric vehicles. The capacity calibration results obtained during the heating cycles indicated that there was only a 3.61% reduction in capacity retention after 120 repetitive heating cycles, which was 0.008 Ah below the normal cycle at 293.15 K, even compared with room-temperature capacity calibration, thus reducing the effect on the battery’s lifetime. Therefore, the electromagnetic induction heating system with a heating strategy could achieve a beneficial compromise between the temperature rise behavior, cycle lifetime, and working ability, indicating considerable potential for the optimization of the heating effect.

Propensity of 21700 cylindrical cells to thermal runaway under slight overcharging cycling – A numerical study

Slight overcharge of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) could occur due to inadequate design of battery management system or unexpected malfunction of charger. In comparison with other abuse conditions, the evolution of thermal runaway (TR) under slight overcharging often requires a lengthy incubation period, necessitating relatively long periods for experiments. Numerical simulations with validated models offer a viable alternative to evaluate such risks in modules/packs and associated mitigation measures. Since a current-cutting device is usually installed inside the LIB module/packs, the current will be cut off once the overcharge reaches a certain level, therefore, slight overcharging is of more potential relevance. However, previous simulations mainly focused on TR process induced by continuous overcharging, the conditions associated with slight overcharging have been overlooked. As slight overcharging is difficult to detect, the generated heat could easily accumulate as the cycle process prevails, result in unwanted cell temperature increases with increasing propensity for TR. A three-dimensional (3-D) predictive tool for the transition of cylindrical 21700 cell from slight overcharging cycle to TR has been developed by implementing the published models for heat generation from various thermal decomposition reactions and ISC into in-house version of the opensource computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code OpenFOAM. The code is validated with newly conducted experiments involving both normal and slight overcharging cycles. The validated model has then been used to conduct further parametric studies to investigate the effects of the overcharge voltage, current-rates and convective cooling on the propensity and run up time to TR as well as the maximum cell temperature during TR for cells with different cathode materials under different ambient temperatures. This work forms a sound basis for evaluating TR propagation in modules/packs under slight overcharging/discharging cycles to aid the development of mitigative measures to improve LIB process safety in practical applications.

Surgical outcomes and complications associated with ovariectomy in the southern stingray Hypanus americanus.

Southern stingrays (Hypanus americanus) are relatively large rays that are common and popular in public aquariums because of their size and gentle nature. In aquariums, as well as in the wild, female southern stingrays are fecund. They have a short gestation cycle and can sustain multiple pregnancies each year, each culminating with 2-10 young. This reproductive rate could quickly outpace capacity in managed care and result in a ray surplus. To prevent overpopulation, many aquaria have resorted to single sex groups with a preference for female-only populations. This is an effective way to control population growth, but forces the maintenance of two separated populations of rays; for females this interrupts normal reproductive cycling and replaces it with a protracted non-pregnant condition. An additional consideration is development of reproductive disease in females which is recognized by an enlarged, misshapen, and congested ovary with an abundance of cystic structures and an enlarged uterus with a thickened wall that is often filled with histotroph despite a non-pregnant status. There are no effective long-lasting medical treatments for this type of reproductive disease and mortality is often the result. This report describes a surgical technique for ovariectomy in southern stingrays including outcomes and complications. Ovariectomy as a surgical method prevents unwanted reproduction and has the benefit of reducing reproductive pathologies commonly observed in southern stingrays as they age. Seven stingrays 1-5.2 years old and 42-83.5 cm disc width underwent ovariectomy. After anesthesia, the ovary and a small amount of epigonal was excised via a left para-lumbar incision. Four of the seven rays survived five or more years post-procedure. Two rays died acutely of coelomitis and one ray died of complications unrelated to the procedure. This report details a surgical procedure for ovariectomy in southern stingrays including outcomes, complications, and recommendations.

P-572 Circadian serum progesterone variations on the day of frozen embryo transfer in a modified natural cycle protocol

Abstract Study question Does a circadian variation of serum progesterone (P) on the frozen embryo transfer (FET) day in a modified natural cycle (mNC) exist? Summary answer A statistically significant diurnal variation of serum P on the day of a FET in a mNC protocol exists. What is known already In recent years, the proportion of FET cycles has increased dramatically. To further optimize pregnancy outcomes after FET, recent studies have focused on serum luteal P levels in both natural and artificially prepared FET cycles. Despite the different cut-off values proposed to define low serum P in the natural cycle, it is generally accepted that lower serum P values (<10ng/ml) around the day of FET are associated with negative reproductive outcomes. However, a single serum P measurement on the day of FET is not reliable given that P levels are prone to diurnal fluctuations and are impacted by patients’ characteristics. Study design, size, duration A prospective cohort study was conducted in a single fertility center including 22 patients performing a single blastocyst mNC-FET from August 2022 to August 2023.Serum P levels were measured on the day of transfer at 08:00h,12:00h,16:00h and 20:00h.Differences between P levels were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.The sample size was calculated to detect a difference of 15% between the first and last P measurements with a 5% false-positive rate and a 95% confidence interval. Participants/materials, setting, methods Patients with a normal BMI, between 18 and 40 years old, without uterine diseases were eligible. Patients utilizing donated oocytes were excluded. The mNC-FET protocol implied monitoring the normal ovarian cycle and triggering ovulation with an injection of 250 mcg of choriogonadotropin alfa when a pre-ovulatory follicle (16-20 mm diameter)was visualized. The blastocyst was transferred seven days later. The patients were not supplemented with exogenous P at any moment before the day of the FET. Main results and the role of chance The mean age and BMI of the study population were 33.6 ± 3.8 years and 22.7 ± 1.8 kg/m2, respectively. Mean P values at 08:00h,12:00h,16:00h, and 20:00h were 14.6 ± 4.5ng/ml, 14.7 ± 4.1ng/ml, 12.9 ± 3.5ng/ml, and 14.6 ± 4.3ng/ml, respectively. The mean P levels at 16:00h were statistically significantly lower compared to all other time points (p < 0.05:p= 0.007 between P at 8:00h and 16:00h;p = 0.003 between P at 12:00h and 16:00h;p=0.007 between P at 16:00h and 20:00h). Absence of a statistically significant fluctuation was observed between P values at the other time points (p = 0.88 between P at 8:00h and 12:00h;p=0.96 between P at 8:00h and 20:00h;p=0.83 between P at 12:00h and 20:00h). This study confirms the existence of an intra-day variation of serum P on the day of mNC-FET, with lower values at 16:00h. This highlights the importance of standardizing P measurement on the day of FET; we propose this should always be assessed in the morning to be more reliable and to allow the time to prescribe additional exogenous progesterone if lower P values (<10ng/ml) are detected. This standardization would allow fertility clinics around the world to compare their results and develop internationally recognized treatment protocols. Limitations, reasons for caution The study’s main limitation include the small sample size that may cause a bias when results are extrapolated to a larger subfertile population undergoing mNC-FET. Ideally, larger prospective trials including a more heterogeneous patient population would be necessary to validate our findings. Wider implications of the findings This study demonstrates the existence of a diurnal fluctuation of serum P on the mNC-FET day highlighting the importance of a standardized time point for its measurement.This is important when clinical actions, like additional exogenous P supplementation, are considered when encountering P values lower than 10ng/ml on the FET day. Trial registration number NCT05511272

Exploring KRas Protein Dynamics: An Integrated Molecular Dynamics Analysis of KRas Wild and Mutant Variants.

This study employs a comprehensive approach combining protein retrieval, sequence alignment, and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structural dynamics and stability of wild-type KRas and its mutated variants (G12C, G12D, G12V, and G13D). The selected protein structures were retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and prepared by using visual molecular dynamics (VMD) software. Sequence alignment using Clustal Omega provided a detailed comparison of the amino acid sequences, focusing on key mutation sites. Molecular dynamics simulations, performed with Gromacs, revealed distinct conformational changes and stability patterns in the wild-type and mutated KRas proteins over 100 ns. Clustering analysis identified higher conformational changes in the second α-helix of the mutated variants. The root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) distribution analysis showed variant-specific conformational dynamics, with G12V and G12D exhibiting slightly higher average RMSD values. Furthermore, clustering and RMSD analyses of specific amino acid residues (12, 13, 51, and 118) highlighted their roles in maintaining overall stability and influencing structural dynamics. The results indicate that mutations at positions 12 and 13 disrupt normal cycling between wild and mutated variants, leading to the persistent activation of KRas. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) elucidated unique conformational dynamics in mutated variants. Free energy landscape (FEL) analysis revealed alterations in the thermodynamic stability of mutated variants compared with the wild type. Overall, this study provides a detailed understanding of the structural changes associated with oncogenic mutations in KRas, offering insights crucial for targeted therapeutic strategies in KRas-driven cancers.

Unveiling of the anti-tumor activity of green synthesized zinc nanoparticles against Ehrlich solid tumors in mice

Cancer as a threat to human life disease is considered by the disturbance of the normal cell cycle, which results in the spontaneous growth of cell growth, the lack of differentiation, and consequently malignant growths. Nowadays, various synthetic agents are applied for cancer therapy; nevertheless, the reports confirmed that these chemical agents are related to various adverse complications. This experimental study was designed to assess the anti-tumor activities of zinc nanoparticles (ZnNP) green synthesized by the Astragalus maximus against the Ehrlich solid tumors (EST) in mice. To induce the EST model, 0.2 ml of cell suspension was intramuscularly injected into the right thigh of the mice. Five-day post-injection, the mice were allocated into five groups (containing 8 mice/each group) including EST mice treated with normal saline, EST mice orally treated ZnNP 10 mg/kg/day, EST mice orally treated ZnNP 25 mg/kg/day, and EST mice orally treated ZnNP 50 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Then, the volume of the tumor, tumor growth inhibition, body weight, the tumor markers, oxidant/antioxidant markers, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha level (TNF-α), were assessed in tested mice. Our results showed that after the treatment of EST mice with CYC and ZnNPs at 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg, the volume of tumor and serum amount of tumor markers of AFP and CEA were significantly reduced (p<0.001). We found that ZnNPs at 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg markedly declined the oxidative markers and increased the level of antioxidant enzyme of SOD and GPx in comparison with the control group received normal saline (p<0.001). To conclude, we reported the unveiling of the anti-tumor activity of ZnNPs green synthesized by A. maximus extract mainly at the doses 50 mg/kg against Ehrlich solid tumors (EST) in mice; however, further supplementary studies are required to clear all anti-tumor aspects of these nanoparticles.

How the War between Russia and Ukraine Caused a Multi-Cycle in the Polish Housing Market

We examine the effects of the war between Russia and Ukraine on the housing market in the six largest cities in Poland and explain how these effects emerged. Since Poland’s transition to a market economy and its accession to the EU, Poland has experienced normal cycles in house prices, i.e. relatively long periods of increases in house prices followed by similarly long periods of decreases in house prices. However, the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine created a situation that can be described as a multi-cycle. The pandemic initially halted nearly all transactions on the market, but after a few quarters of fiscal and monetary intervention aimed at saving the economy we observed a housing boom. Just a few quarters later, the Russian aggression in Ukraine caused significant inflation, which required a sharp increase in interest rates, and once again demand slowed down. This was followed just a few quarters later by a resurgence in house purchases in order to escape inflation, with many people using cash for these purchases. This situation has shaken the housing market, while the war has also generated a demographic shock. Construction and transportation workers began returning to Ukraine to help in its reconstruction, while women with children came to Poland from Ukraine seeking safety and creating a demand for rental housing.

Biological basis of the aesthetic and rejuvenating effects in the skin after the application of the compressive microvibration Endospheres.

Compressive microvibration is a type of stimulation patented as Endospheres therapy. The stimulation, through Endospheres, applied externally to the skin surface, causes changes in the physiological and functional structure of tissues underneath the epidermis, including adipose tissue. Cyclic mechanical stress, induced by this therapy with its particular compressive microvibration, modifies the normal cell cycle of adipose tissue and promotes tissue remodelling due to the activation of the abundantly present mesenchymal-derived stem cells. In this study, a literature revision was performed to elucidate the mechanisms through which the repetitive, cyclic or modulated/ordered mechanical input of Endospheres, which results in harmonic compressive microvibrations, can have beneficial effects on the skin and all subcutaneous tissues up to the muscles, improving rejuvenation, tissue repair, vascularization and macro-organization. It was possible to formulate the hypothesis that the ordered frequency and oscillatory dynamics can completely change the chaotic and oscillatory patterns of mitochondria alongside the endoplasmic reticulum membrane in a recently discovered complex known as mitochondria-associated endoplasmatic reticulum membrane complex or mitochondria-associated endoplasmatic reticulum membrane. Analyzing the biochemical and physical characteristics of these structures, it was assessed that the nature of the benefits of the Endospheres stimulation of tissues could include three different origins: mechanical, linked to the transfer of mechanical inputs; biophysical, related to the chaotic biology of mitochondria, the generation of sinusoidal waves and the generation of piezoelectric forces; and biochemical, linked to the sensory function of adipose tissue. All these forces are discussed in detail.

Deoxynivalenol triggers mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis in C2C12 myoblasts

Deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly known as vomitoxin, is a mycotoxin produced by fungi and is frequently found as a contaminant in various cereal-based food worldwide. While the harmful effects of DON have been extensively studied in different tissues, its specific impact on the proliferation of skeletal muscle cells remains unclear. In this study, we utilized murine C2C12 myoblasts as a model to explore the influence of DON on their proliferation. Our observations indicated that DON exhibits dose-dependent toxicity, significantly inhibiting the proliferation of C2C12 cells. Through the application of RNA-seq analysis combined with gene set enrichment analysis, we identified a noteworthy downregulation of genes linked to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and condensed chromosome. Concurrently with the reduced expression of ECM genes, immunostaining analysis revealed notable changes in the distribution of fibronectin, a vital ECM component, condensing into clusters and punctate formations. Remarkably, the exposure to DON induced the formation of multipolar spindles, leading to the disruption of the normal cell cycle. This, in turn, activated the p53-p21 signaling pathway and ultimately resulted in apoptosis. These findings contribute significant insights into the mechanisms through which DON induces toxicity within skeletal muscle cells.

Screening and Mechanism Study of Three Antagonistic Drugs, Oxysophoridine, Rutin, and Phellodendrine, against Zearalenone-Induced Reproductive Toxicity in Ovine Oocytes.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a common fungal toxin with reproductive toxicity in various grains. It poses a serious threat to ovine and other animal husbandry industries, as well as human reproductive health. Therefore, investigating the mechanism of toxicity and screening antagonistic drugs are of great importance. In this study, based on the natural compound library and previous Smart-seq2 results, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic drugs were selected for screening as potential antagonistic drugs. Three natural plant compounds (oxysophoridine, rutin, and phellodendrine) were screened for their ability to counteract the reproductive toxicity of ZEN on ovine oocytes in vitro using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and reactive oxygen species detection. The compounds exhibited varying pharmacological effects, notably impacting the expression of antioxidant (GPX, SOD1, and SOD2), autophagic (ATG3, ULK2, and LC3), and apoptotic (CAS3, CAS8, and CAS9) genes. Oxysophoridine promoted GPX, SOD1, ULK2, and LC3 expression, while inhibiting CAS3 and CAS8 expression. Rutin promoted SOD2 and ATG3 expression, and inhibited CAS3 and CAS9 expression. Phellodendrine promoted SOD2 and ATG3 expression, and inhibited CAS9 expression. However, all compounds promoted the expression of genes related to cell cycle, spindle checkpoint, oocyte maturation, and cumulus expansion factors. Although the three drugs had different regulatory mechanisms in enhancing antioxidant capacity, enhancing autophagy, and inhibiting cell apoptosis, they all maintained a stable intracellular environment and a normal cell cycle, promoted oocyte maturation and release of cumulus expansion factors, and, ultimately, counteracted ZEN reproductive toxicity to promote the in vitro maturation of ovine oocytes. This study identified three drugs that antagonize the reproductive toxicity of ZEN on ovine oocytes, and compared their mechanisms of action, providing data support and a theoretical basis for their subsequent application in the ovine breeding industry, reducing losses in the breeding industry, screening of ZEN reproductive toxicity antagonists and various toxin antagonists, improving the study of ZEN reproductive toxicity mechanisms, and even protection of human reproductive health.

Greenhouse gas emissions related to fires in photovoltaic installations

Life cycle assessments, LCA, can be made on all types of materials and products where the total environmental impact of the production, use and end-of-life is quantified. By including fire as one potential end-of-life scenario, the emissions related to these, and potential benefits from reducing the risk of fire can be quantified. The question addressed in this article is how fires in photovoltaic (PV) installations affect the environmental impact in a life cycle perspective. This will be evaluated by using a methodology called Fire-LCA that is based on standard LCA according to ISO 14040. The total emissions from PV-related fires in buildings and the emissions related to rebuilding and replacing the damaged materials normalised over the amounts of produced electric energy are calculated to 0.3 g CO2eq/kWh. This is two orders of magnitude lower than the typical 43.6 g CO2eq/kWh for the normal life cycle of PV installations. This comparison puts the environmental impact of PV-related fires in perspective and underlines that PV installations still make a large positive impact on the reduction of CO2eq-emissions from electricity production even though they represent a certain fire hazard.

Experimental and DEM analysis for the shear characteristics of interface between sand and irregular concrete under dynamic normal loading

To explore the dynamic shear property of sand–irregular concrete interface, a series of direct shear tests were conducted under dynamic normal loading. These tests were designed with various joint roughness coefficients (JRC), amplitudes and frequencies of dynamic normal loading. DEM models were established to analyze the microscopic mechanical behavior. The research results indicate that a larger amplitude and frequency of the dynamic normal loading would lead to a decrease in the interface shear stress and dilation. As the JRC increased, the interface shear strength first increased and then decreased, and the dilation increased. A rougher surface would reduce the phase shift between peak shear and normal stress. The phase shift between normal stress and friction coefficient was always half a normal loading cycle. A greater JRC would activate a more violent particle motion and a thicker shear band. The increase in effective roughness would lead to an increase in the deviation angle of the anisotropic direction. The evolution of force chains was observed in three-dimensional space. Weak force chains were screened out during the shearing process. As the shearing developed, the number of force chains decreased, the average length and strength of force chains continued to increase.

Comparison of Carbon Storage in Forested and Non-Forested Soils in Tropical Wetlands of Caimanera, Colombia, and Llano, Mexico

Mangrove forests are considered to be the most productive ecosystems on the planet due to the multiple ecosystem services they offer, both environmental economic, and social; however, their area in recent years has been decreasing due to anthropogenic activities such as urbanization and deforestation. These activities alter the normal cycle of carbon stored in sediments, which is considered their main function to counteract climate change. Therefore, the objective of this research was to compare the carbon storage capacity and coverage in forested and non-forested sites of two tropical wetlands located in Colombia (the Caimanera) and Mexico (the Llano). Methodologically, we began by identifying the coverages and determining the area in the wetlands with Sentinel-2A satellite images and a supervised classification; subsequently, soil cores were extracted in all the coverages to a depth of 70 cm and the apparent density (AD), the percentage of organic carbon (OC), and the density of carbon in the soil were determined. For analysis of the variables, a trend graph was constructed between carbon density and depth with descriptive statistics, using one-way ANOVA to establish which coverage and wetland were the most significant concerning carbon storage. The results of the supervised classification showed that Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans are the dominant species, also finding deforested areas in both wetlands. The one-way ANOVA statistical test indicated that the Caimanera, with the percentage of organic carbon (18.4 ± 1.19%), is 1.57 times greater than of the Llano mangrove swamp with (11.7 ± 0.748 MgC/ha). Through the trend graph, it was observed that the carbon density of the forested area of the Caimanera ranged from 120 to 140 MgC/ha, which is higher than in the deforested areas of the same wetland between 40 and 60 MgC/ha, and the homologous areas of the Llano wetland. The results suggest that deforested areas are sources of greenhouse gas emissions because they contain less carbon than forested areas. Therefore, it is concluded that the Caimanera and the Llano wetlands have the same mangrove species and that the average organic carbon stored in their soil is below the average of other mangrove forest soils in the American continent; it is recommended that the findings of this work be considered for the carbon balances by continent and the characterization of mangrove species according to their carbon storage capacity.

Estrous cycle and uterine weight of ovariectomized menopause female rat models after treatment with Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit leaf extract

Highlights:1. This study found that Leucaena leucocephala leaf ethanol extract has the ability to stimulate the growth of vaginal epithelial cells in ovariectomised rats.2. Leucaena leucocephala leaf extract can be developed as a safe and cost-effective natural alternative for hormone replacement therapy in premenopausal women and livestock. Highlights:1. This study found that Leucaena leucocephala leaf ethanol extract has the ability to stimulate the growth of vaginal epithelial cells in ovariectomised rats.2. Leucaena leucocephala leaf extract can be developed as a safe and cost-effective natural alternative for hormone replacement therapy in premenopausal women and livestock. Abstract Hormone replacement therapy has adverse effects that may cause additional health problems, such as hot flashes, cancer, ischemic stroke, and death. Phytoestrogen is an alternative ingredient used for hormone replacement therapy with less risk. The Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit plant is widely used as a medicinal ingredient and animal feed. This study aimed to determine the effect of Leucaena leucocephala leaf extract on the uterine weight and estrous cycle of ovariectomized rats. This research used a completely randomized control design, which included two treatment groups (P1 and P2) and two control groups (negative (K-) and positive (K+)) with six replications in each group (n=24). The negative control (K-) was given 2 mL of corn oil, while K+ received 0.1 mg/kg bw of 17β-estradiol. P1 and P2 were administered 250 and 300 mg/kg bw of Leucaena leucocephala leaf extract, respectively. The extract was administered daily by gavage for 30 days. Estrous cycle data were obtained on day 31 by previously collecting vaginal swabs twice a day for 15 days. After the rats were sacrificed under anesthesia using chloroform, they underwent surgery to remove the uterine organs for weight measurement. The data were analyzed for normality and homogeneity using the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests. The data distribution were not normal, so the Kruskal Wallis test was used to test the hypothesis. If there was a difference between controls and treatments, the analysis continued with the Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05). The controls and treatments exhibited a significant difference in the length of each phase and overall estrous cycle. The post hoc Duncan test revealed that the highest uterine weight was found in 17β-estradiol treated rat. It was significantly different with both extracts treated rats. Both extract effect on uterine weight were not significantly difference. In conclusion, administering Leucaena leucocephala leaf extract results in an increased uterine weight and a normal estrous cycle in ovariectomized rats.

DNA repair-retarded isothermal CRISPR amplification for rapid, sensitive base excision repair enzyme assay

BackgroundAs a core enzyme in the base excision repair system, uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) is indispensable in maintaining genomic integrity and normal cell cycles. Its abnormal activity intervenes in cancers and neurodegerative diseases. Previous UDG assays based on isothermal amplification and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas (CRISPR/Cas) system were fine in sensitivity, but exposed to complications in assay flow, time, and probe design. After isothermal amplification, a CRISPR/Cas reagent should be separately added with extra manual steps and its guide RNA (gRNA) should be designed, considering the presence of protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) site. ResultsWe herein describe a UDG-REtarded CRISPR Amplification assay, termed ‘URECA’. In URECA, isothermal nucleic acid (NA) amplification and CRISPR/Cas12a system were tightly combined to constitute a one-pot, isothermal CRISPR amplification system. Isothermal NA amplification for a UDG substrate (US) with uracil (U) bases was designed to activate and boost CRISPR/Cas12a reaction. Such scheme enabled us to envision that UDG would halt the isothermal CRISPR amplification reaction by excising U bases and messing up the US. Based on this principle, the assay detected the UDG activity down to 9.17 x 10−4 U/mL in 50 min. With URECA, we fulfilled the recovery test of UDG activities in plasma and urine with high precision and reproducibility and reliably determined UDG activities in cell extracts. Also, we verified its capability to screen candidate UDG inhibitors, showing its potentials in practical application as well as drug discovery. SignificanceURECA offers further merits: i) the assay is seamless. Following target recognition, the reactions proceed in one-step without any intervening steps, ii) probe design is simple. Unlike the conventional CRISPR/Cas12a-based assays, URECA does not consider the PAM site in probe design as Cas12a activation relies on instantaneous gRNA binding to single-stranded DNA strands. By rationally designing an enzyme substrate probe to be specific to other enzymes, while keeping a role as a template for isothermal CRISPR amplification, the detection principle of URECA will be expanded to devise biosensors for various enzymes of biological, clinical significance.

Osteoporosis induced by cellular senescence: A mathematical model.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by loss of bone mass, where bones become fragile and more likely to fracture. Bone density begins to decrease at age 50, and a state of osteoporosis is defined by loss of more than 25%. Cellular senescence is a permanent arrest of normal cell cycle, while maintaining cell viability. The number of senescent cells increase with age. Since osteoporosis is an aging disease, it is natural to consider the question to what extend senescent cells induce bone density loss and osteoporosis. In this paper we use a mathematical model to address this question. We determine the percent of bone loss for men and women during age 50 to 100 years, and the results depend on the rate η of net formation of senescent cell, with η = 1 being the average rate. In the case η = 1, the model simulations are in agreement with empirical data. We also consider senolytic drugs, like fisetin and quercetin, that selectively eliminate senescent cells, and assess their efficacy in terms of reducing bone loss. For example, at η = 1, with estrogen hormonal therapy and early treatment with fisetin, bone density loss for women by age 75 is 23.4% (below osteoporosis), while with no treatment with fisetin it is 25.8% (osteoporosis); without even a treatment with estrogen hormonal therapy, bone loss of 25.3% occurs already at age 65.

WOMEN VIOLENCE DEPICTION IN DYSTOPIAN FICTION: AN ECOFEMINIST EXPLORATION OF THE PATRIARCHAL PATTERNS IN BINA SHAH’S BEFORE SHE SLEEPS

The current research explores Bina Shah's (2018) dystopian novel Before She Sleeps, which depicts violence against the women destroying nature's biodiversity. The worst effects on nature and women are examined using the ecofeminism framework by Vandana Shiva and Maria Mies (2014). Males use science to fulfil their goals under pretext of strengthening society. Both women & nature are cruelly disrupted by science, firming totalitarian state. Patriarchy, science, and technology all play interconnected role in shaping the world. Science, which is considered as a blessing, brutally disrupts both the normal cycles of women and of nature. Also, totalitarian regime benefits from it. The study reveals that development is a patriarchal project. Using the descriptive textual analysis method, the study's findings indicate that the scientific advancements, sexism, and innovation harm women and the environment. This study paves the way for studying the materialism from an ecofeminist perspective to provide new insights & add significant research to the literature.

Circadian serum progesterone variations on the day of frozen embryo transfer in a modified natural cycle protocol.

Is there a circadian variation of serum progesterone (P) on the day of frozen embryo transfer (FET) in a modified natural cycle (mNC)? There is a statistically significant diurnal variation of serum P on the day of a FET in an mNC protocol. In recent years, the proportion of FET cycles has increased dramatically. To further optimize pregnancy outcomes after FET, recent studies have focused on serum luteal P levels in both natural and artificially prepared FET cycles. Despite the different cut-off values proposed to define low serum P in the NC, it is generally accepted that lower serum P values (<10 ng/ml) around the day of FET are associated with negative reproductive outcomes. However, a single serum P measurement is not reliable given that P levels are prone to diurnal fluctuations and are impacted by patients' characteristics. A prospective cohort study was conducted in a single university-affiliated fertility center, including 22 patients performing a single blastocyst mNC-FET from August 2022 to August 2023. Serum P levels were measured on the day of transfer at 08:00h, 12:00h, 16:00h, and 20:00h. Differences between P levels were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The sample size was calculated to detect a difference of 15% between the first and last P measurements with a 5% false-positive rate and a 95% CI. Patients with a normal BMI, between 18 and 40 years old, without uterine diseases were eligible. Patients utilizing donated oocytes were excluded. The mNC-FET protocol involved monitoring the normal ovarian cycle and triggering ovulation with an injection of 250 μg of choriogonadotropin alfa when a pre-ovulatory follicle (16-20 mm diameter) was visualized. The blastocyst was transferred seven days later. The patients were not supplemented with exogenous P at any time before the day of the FET. The mean age and BMI of the study population were 33.6 ± 3.8 years and 22.7 ± 1.8 kg/m2, respectively. Mean P values at 08:00h, 12:00h, 16:00h, and 20:00h were 14.6 ± 4.5, 14.7 ± 4.1, 12.9 ± 3.5, and 14.6 ± 4.3 ng/ml, respectively. The mean P levels at 16:00h were significantly lower compared to all other time points (P < 0.05: P = 0.007 between P at 8:00h and 16:00h; P = 0.003 between P at 12:00h and 16:00h; P = 0.007 between P at 16:00h and 20:00h). No statistically significant difference was observed between P values at the other time points (P > 0.05: P = 0.88 between P at 8:00h and 12:00h; P = 0.96 between P at 8:00h and 20:00h; P = 0.83 between P at 12:00h and 20:00h). The study's limitations include the small sample size that may cause a bias when the results are extrapolated to a larger subfertile population undergoing mNC-FET. Ideally, larger prospective trials including a more heterogeneous patient population would be necessary to validate our findings. The current study demonstrates the existence of a diurnal fluctuation of serum P on the day of mNC-FET highlighting the importance of a standardized time point for its measurement. This is especially important for considering clinical actions, such as additional exogenous P supplementation, when encountering P values lower than 10 ng/ml on the day of FET. No funding was obtained for the study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare regarding the content of the study. NCT05511272.

Nutrition's Limited Impact on Adolescent Menstrual Regularity

This study investigated the relationship between nutritional status and menstrual cycle regularity in female adolescents at SMAN 4 Blitar. Using a cross-sectional analytic survey with 47 randomly selected respondents, data were collected through observation and interviews in January 2023. The Chi-Square test results showed no significant relationship (p = 0.16) between nutritional status and menstrual cycle regularity. The findings suggest that while most adolescents had regular cycles and normal nutrition, factors like stress, activity, and diet may also play a role. Educators should continue menstrual health education, and students should maintain balanced nutrition and healthy habits. Highlight: No significant link between nutrition and menstrual regularity (p = 0.16). Most teens had normal cycles and nutrition. Stress, activity, diet affect menstrual regularity. Keyword: Menstrual cycle, Nutritional status, Adolescents, Irregular periods, SMAN 4 Blitar

Human Aging and Entropy

In this paper I argue that the contemporary pathologizing of old age is directly tied to the notion of uselessness, understood entropically as that which cannot contribute energy for useful work. The elderly are configured as socially useless and thus threaten the health of the body politic. As a result, they are marginalized, ignored, and treated as waste to be jettisoned from the system. Because understanding bodies as machines able or unable to perform work accords with the second law of thermodynamics, the first half of this paper discusses entropy as both scientific law and philosophical concept. The second section explores the lived experience of aging and the pathologized position of social uselessness through Simone Beauvoir’s analysis of old age. As she herself ages, the place of senescence comes to play a more pronounced role in her philosophical inquiry. Writing about the lived experience of aging adds a vital dimension to the scientific and philosophical perspectives, insofar as it foregrounds the various ways that entropy is felt: slowing, dissipating, and ultimately dying. While these should be viewed as part of the normal life cycle, they become markers of abjection which are judged harshly against the standard of social utility.