Strong Reduction Research Articles

Application of Resonance Method in Composite Fault Diagnosis of Bearings

Poisson white noise is a more accurate representation than ideal Gaussian white noise for simulating the noise background during early bearing failures. In the context of strong Poisson white noise interference, the failure mode of rolling bearings usually remains undetermined. This paper proposes a new method for diagnosing unknown bearing faults in bearings, diagnosis is proposed, which effectively identifies unknown faults across various components. The theoretical characteristics of Poisson white noise are initially analyzed and discussed. Then, to extract potential fault characteristic information, a false characteristic frequency of bearing is constructed in the response spectrum, and the response results at this false fault characteristic are obtained. Finally, coherent resonance (CR) is introduced, and false frequencies caused by false faults are eliminated by defining a quality factor. To verify the effectiveness of the method, the experimental and simulation results were compared with the decomposition results of the SVMD algorithm. The SNR of the experimental signals for outer and inner ring faults under variable speed conditions increased to 8.62[Formula: see text]dB and 11.74[Formula: see text]dB, respectively. Results indicate show that this method not only successfully identifies fault features, but also exhibits a strong noise reduction effect.

Antioxidant Effect of a Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles’ Mix on Human Skin Fibroblasts: Induction of a Reparative Process

Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) from organic agriculture (without the use of pesticides and microbicides) contain high levels of antioxidants. Organic PDEVs have shown an increased antioxidant power compared to PDEVs from single plants, suggesting a synergistic effect of the bioactives constitutively expressed in the PDEVs from single fruits. With this study, we wanted to investigate the beneficial effects of a mix of PDEVs on human skin cells. We found detectable levels of citric acid, ascorbic acid, glutathione, catalase, and SOD in a mix of PDEVs deriving from five different fruits (grape, red orange, papaya, pomegranate, and tangerine). We then treated H2O2-conditioned fibroblasts with the mix of PDEVs. The results showed that the PDEVs’ mixture reverted the H2O2-induced redox imbalance, restoring mitochondrial homeostasis, with a strong reduction of mitochondrial anion superoxide and an increase in sirtuin levels. The antioxidant action was consistent with wound repair on a lesion produced in a fibroblast’s monolayer. This result was consistent with an increased level of vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase-9, whose expression is directly related to the efficiency of the reparative processes. These data support a beneficial role of PDEVs in both preventing and treating skin injuries through their potent antioxidant and reparative activities.

A Strong Noise Reduction Network for Seismic Records

Noise reduction is a critical step in seismic data processing. A novel strong noise reduction network is proposed in this study. The network enhances the U-Net architecture with an improved inception module and coordinate attention (CA) mechanism, suppressing noise and enhancing signal clarity. These enhancements improve the network’s capability to distinguish between signal and noise in the time–frequency domain. We trained and tested our model on the STEAD dataset, which eliminated noise across various frequency bands, improved the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of seismic records, and reduced the waveform distortion significantly. Comparative analyses against U-Net, DeepDenoiser, and DnRDB models, using signals with SNRs ranging from −14 dB to 0 dB, demonstrated our model’s superior performance. At the same time, we demonstrated that the Inception Conv Block has a significant impact on the denoising ability of the network. Furthermore, validation using the “Di Ting” dataset and real noisy signals confirmed the model’s generalizability. These results show that the proposed model significantly outperforms the comparative methods in terms of the SNR, correlation coefficient (r), and root mean square error (RMSE), delivering higher-quality seismograms. The enhanced phase-picking accuracy underscores the potential of our approach to advance in geophysics applications.

Reducibility of Topologies

The concepts of weak or strong reduction of topologies are introduced. Closely related to these, and introduced as well, are the concepts of weak and strong base reduction of topologies. We also defined extensible topologies; and defined weak and strong base extension of topologies. We proved that there exists a topology γ, weaker than a weak topology τ, on X, which has a chain of strong reductions if one of the range spaces, say (Xα, τα) of τ, has a chain of strong reductions. It is proved that the usual topology of the set R of real numbers can be reduced in the weak sense to chains of infinite families of pairwise comparable topologies; and that the usual topology of R can neither be reduced in the normal sense nor in the strong sense. We proved that a weak topology has a chain of weaker topologies if one of its range topologies is reducible to a chain of topologies

Research on Automatic Detection System of Drawing Defects based on Machine Vision

Background: For a long time, product packaging has been used as an instruction manual to connect consumers and factories. Product packaging is an important column in product image display and information presentation. However, missing prints, misprints, and surface stains during the manufacture of packaging bags will cause consumers to misunderstand product information. Based on machine vision, image processing technology, and Python language, this paper designs an automatic detection system for paper defects. Through the preprocessing of the image of the paper to be tested, after the paper area is extracted and compared with the standard template paper, the defective parts of the paper to be tested relative to the standard template paper can be quickly and accurately obtained. The system has a single drawing detection time of 2~3 seconds, and the measurement accuracy rate reaches 100%. The results show that the system has high measurement accuracy, high measurement precision, fast measurement speed, strong adaptability to the environment, and can meet the requirements of detecting defective paper. Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop an automatic detection system for packaging paper, which can detect all defective parts of defective paper compared with standard paper templates. This study aims to reduce the misprints or stains that may occur when producing high-volume bags. The system optimizes and controls the detection accuracy, detection time, detection accuracy and detection environment to ensure that the system can meet the real detection requirements. Method: First, the accompanying software of this system is used to import the standard template of the inspection paper and use the industrial camera to obtain the original image of the inspection drawing. Then, a series of necessary processing is performed on the image: grayscale, Gaussian filter, median filter, binarization, edge detection, contour detection, and the paper area covered with the image is extracted through inverse perspective transformation. Secondly, divide the picture into several blocks and measure the translation matrix of each block to achieve translation fine-tuning to achieve higher detection accuracy. Then, the defect mask is obtained by comparing it with the standard template, and the mask is fine-tuned and processed by the strong noise reduction algorithm. After median filtering, binarization, erosion, marking and other operations are performed to realize the final defect area finding and marking. Finally, all defective areas will be displayed in the designated area of the included software. Results: The detection accuracy rate of this system for the defect area reaches 100%, the minimum range of the recognition area reaches 1mm (2 pixels), the light intensity of the detection environment can adapt to 50 gray levels compared with the template, and the detection of a single drawing only takes 2 ~3 seconds, indicating the high detection efficiency of the system. A patent application for the system has already begun. Conclusion: The system has strong adaptability to the light intensity range of the testing environment, and the minimum testing area can meet the requirements of most production drawings. The accuracy of identifying the defect area of the testing drawings shows that the system can complete the testing task well when the testing environment is suitable.

Discovery of broad-spectrum high-affinity peptide ligands of spike protein for the vaccine purification of SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variants

To combat with emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), we report the identification of a set of unique HWK-motif peptide ligands for the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein from a phage-displayed peptide library. These HWK-motif peptides exhibited nanomolar affinity for RBD. Among them, the peptide, HWKAVNWLKPWT (SP-HWK), had not only the highest affinities for RBD and trimer S protein, but also broad-spectrum affinities for RBDs from VOCs. Molecular dynamics simulations and competitive ELISA revealed a conserved pocket between the cryptic and the outer faces of RBD for SP-HWK binding, distinct from the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor binding site. By coupling SP-HWK to agarose gel, the as-prepared affinity gel could efficiently capture RBD and trimer S from the ancestral strain and the Omicron variant, and the bound targets could be recovered by mild elution at pH 6.0. More importantly, the affinity gel presented excellent and stable chromatographic performance in the purification of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron vaccines, affording high yields and purities, and strong HCP reduction. The results demonstrated the potential of SP-HWK as a broad-spectrum peptide ligand for developing a universal platform for the vaccine purification of SARS-CoV-2 and VOCs.

The “Lochkovian-Pragian Event” re-assessed: New data from the low latitude shelf of peri-Gondwana

In the late Lochkovian a regression is documented in several areas of the world, followed by a transgression in the early Pragian. Connected with the eustatic variation, a minor extinction event occurred (“Lochkovian-Pragian Event”), affecting several fossil groups, a strong reduction of carbonate production and sedimentary facies changes. The Carnic Alps are a key area for studying this event, because lower Devonian rocks are widely exposed, representing diverse sedimentary environments from shallow water to relatively deep shelf. Fourteen sections were measured along the Carnic Alps across the Lochkovian-Pragian boundary. In the shallower part of the basin, both the Polinik and the Seekopf formations span the boundary, but evident erosional surfaces are observable in the field at the Lochkovian-Pragian boundary. Above the unconformity, at places the so-called megaclast horizon is present in the Seekopf Formation. In intermediate settings the Rauchkofel Fm. Is unconfomably followed by the Kellerwand Fm., and different parts of the upper Lochkovian and lower Pragian are missing in the various sections. In the deeper parts of the basin the transition from the La Valute Fm. To the Findenig Fm. Is slightly diachronous from the latest Lochkovian to the earliest Pragian; however, conodonts and tentaculitids are rare in the marly boundary beds, preventing a precise chronostratigraphic calibration of these levels. At places, evidence of subaerial exposure at the formational boundary is documented. In general, the hiatus seems to be larger in the western part of the Carnic Alps, in correspondence with the shallower parts of the succession, suggesting a sea level drop in the late Lochkovian, followed by a transgression in the Pragian. Data from the Carnic Alps are compared with those of other regions of North Gondwana to demonstrate that the sea-level variation at the Lochkovian-Pragian boundary are of global importance

Linear and nonlinear dynamics of self-consistent collisionless tearing modes in toroidal gyrokinetic simulations

We investigate tearing modes (TM) driven by current density gradient in collisionless tokamak plasmas by using the electromagnetic gyrokinetic simulation code ORB5. We elucidate the TM width by simulations for flat profiles, as the absence of background diamagnetic flows implies a small rotation speed, while finite gradients are included to investigate the TM rotation. For flat profiles, the initial saturation width of nonlinearly driven magnetic islands is related to the TM linear growth rate; however, large islands in the initial saturation phase are prone to current density redistribution that reduces the island width in the following evolution. Island-induced E×B and diamagnetic sheared flows develop at the separatrix, able to destabilize the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI). The KHI turbulence enhances a strong quadrupole vortex flow that reinforces the island decay, resulting in a strong reduction of the island width in an eventual steady state. This process is enhanced by trapped electrons. For finite gradients profile, the TM usually rotates in the electron diamagnetic direction but can change direction when the ion temperature gradient dominates the other gradients. The reduced growth of the TM by diamagnetic effects results in a moderate island size, which remains almost unchanged after the initial saturation. At steady state, strong zonal flows are nonlinearly excited and dominate the island rotation, as expected from previous theoretical and numerical studies. When β is increased, the TM mode is suppressed and a mode with the same helicity but with twisting parity, coupled with the neighboring poloidal harmonics, is destabilized, similar to the kinetic ballooning mode.

Non‐Native, Non‐Naturalised Plants Suffer Less Herbivory Than Native Plants Across European Botanical Gardens

ABSTRACTAimThe enemy release hypothesis states that the invasion success of non‐native species is partly due to their escape from natural enemies, e.g., herbivores. Large‐scale studies of herbivory using multiple species across multiple sites are needed to test the generality of herbivory release in non‐native plants.LocationEurope.MethodsWe carried out leaf‐herbivory surveys from 2007 to 2021 in 15 botanical gardens ranging in latitude from 47°N (Switzerland) to 63°N (Norway) to investigate how herbivory levels differed between (i) native and non‐native species, and (ii) native and non‐naturalised or naturalised species.ResultsOverall, we found that herbivory levels were lower on non‐native than native species. In addition, we found that non‐naturalised plants suffered less herbivory than natives and that naturalised plants showed similar levels of herbivory to native plants.Main ConclusionsWe find broad support for lower herbivory of non‐native plant species compared to natives. However, the stronger reduction in herbivory for non‐naturalised plants suggests that herbivore release may be transient and less pronounced for naturalised non‐native species that have become abundant and integrated into resident communities. This has implications for the management of naturalised non‐native plants, which are performing well in their non‐native ranges despite suffering comparable herbivory levels to native species.

AC thin-film electroluminescence: A historical overview with a look ahead

50 years ago, television screens used bulky cathode ray tubes (CRTs) with a size limited to about 70 cm in diagonal (28 in.), while flat panel displays belonged to the realm of science fiction. Although the performance of CRTs in terms of energy consumption, size, and color rendering slowly improved, there were numerous applications where flat panel displays would present a tremendous advantage, notably for confined spaces and in portable equipment. Starting from the 1970s, AC thin-film electroluminescence (ACTFEL) was investigated as a high performance alternative to the—also emerging—liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma display panels (PDPs). For a number of years, ACTFEL developed from the phase of fundamental research to commercial products (for monochrome displays) and full color prototype displays. However, due to the fast development and strong cost reduction of LCDs, ACTFEL did not remain competitive and most of the research activities were ceased. The current overview sketches a brief history of the ACTFEL technology, its merits and limitations, and the reasons why such displays still have their use in some niche applications.

P2Y12 receptor-mediated cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression enhances tumor cell progression in a mouse model of lymphoma.

The pro-inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) has been known to impart metastatic property to cancer cells. However, blocking of COX-2 with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or COX-2-specific inhibitors has failed in clinical trials due to adverse effects associated with their prolonged use. We have previously shown that extracellular ATP (eATP), a major component of the tumor microenvironment, enhances COX-2 expression several-fold, both in macrophages and in various cancer cells, by acting on purinergic (P2) receptors. In this study, we show that blocking of P2 receptors significantly reduced tumor growth in a mouse model of lymphoma. Tumors were induced in mice through subcutaneous injection of syngeneic EL4 lymphoma cells. Various P2 receptor antagonists were injected within the tumors after they were palpable. The broad-spectrum P2 receptor antagonist, suramin, P2X7 receptor-specific antagonist, oATP, P2Y6 receptor-specific antagonist, MRS 2578, and P2Y12 receptor-specific antagonist, AR-C 69931, all showed significant arrest in tumor growth. Both suramin and AR-C 69931-treated tumors showed strong reduction in COX-2 expression and modulation of various metastatic markers. Disaggregated cells from AR-C 69931-treated tumors, when injected intravenously in naïve mice, did not exhibit metastasis in various tissues which was observed in mice injected with cells from saline-treated tumors. Our results show that blocking of P2 receptors is a therapeutic alternative to inhibit COX-2 expression, and thereby, arrest tumor progression and metastasis.

MoS2/N-doped hollow carbon foam for thermal insulation and broadband electromagnetic wave absorption

In this study, we demonstrated the synthesis of MoS2/N-doped hollow carbon foam (MoS2/NCF) for high performance of electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA), through high-temperature pyrolysis melamine foam and hydrothermal reaction. By adjusting the electromagnetic parameters of N-doped hollow carbon foam (NCF) through MoS2 nanosheets, the effective absorption bandwidth of MoS2/NCF reached 9.62 GHz at the matching thickness was 2.3 mm. Radar cross section (RCS) simulation results demonstrated that MoS2/NCF exhibited a strong reduction ability of RCS. At room temperature, the composite MoS2/NCF could block radiation temperature of around 110 ℃ in the case of a thickness of only 7 mm and a heating plate at 200 ℃. Moreover MoS2/NCF exhibited thermal stability and a certain flame retardants ability. The result indicated that the composite MoS2/NCF was beneficial for its application in the fields of thermal insulation and electromagnetic wave absorption.

Examining cultural background and the protective effect of marriage on alcohol use disorder in Sweden.

Little is known about whether the protective effect of marriage on alcohol use disorder (AUD) varies by cultural background. Using Swedish national data, we examined whether marriage is associated with a stronger reduction in AUD risk among Swedes of a Swedish background (i.e. those with two Swedish-born parents) compared to Swedes with a foreign background (i.e. one or two foreign-born parents) and whether the protective effect of marriage depends on whether the spouse has a Swedish or foreign background. Among those born in Sweden 1960 to 1990 (3,093,439; 49% female), associations between cultural background and AUD registration during marriage were estimated with Cox models. Analyses of intra- and intermarriage on AUD registration were examined with Cox models and limited to groups of focal individuals for which there was sufficient statistical power, which included Swedes with two Swedish-born parents, two Finnish-born parents, or bicultural background (one Swedish and one foreign-born parent). Models were sex stratified. Marriage was associated with reductions in AUD risk among those with Swedish and with foreign backgrounds, though less protective for males of Finnish versus Swedish background as indicated by a significant interaction between marital status and parental region of birth, HR = 0.80, 95% CI [0.71, 0.90]. Marriage was also less protective for those with a bicultural versus Swedish background, HRmales = 0.87, 95% CI [0.81, 0.92] and HRfemales = 0.88, 95% CI [0.81, 0.97]. Among those of Swedish background, marriage to a spouse with a foreign versus Swedish background was associated with increased risk of AUD, HRmales = 1.26, 95% CI [1.19, 1.34] and HRfemales = 1.20, 95% CI [1.10, 1.31]. This risk was diminished when family-level confounders (genes, rearing environment) were controlled for. The protective effect of marriage depends on cultural background, with some evidence that increased risks associated with a spouse's foreign background are confounded by family-level factors.

Chemically Stable Group IV-V Transition Metal Carbide Thin Films in Hydrogen Radical Environments.

Hydrogen is a crucial element in the green energy transition. However, its tendency to react with and diffuse into surrounding materials poses a significant challenge. Therefore, developing coatings to protect system components in hydrogen environments (molecular, radicals (H*), and plasma) is essential. In this work, we report group IV-V transition metal carbide (TMC) thin films as potential candidates for protective coatings in H* environments at elevated temperatures. We expose TiC, ZrC, HfC, VC, NbC, TaC, and Co2C thin films, with native surface oxycarbides/oxides (TMO x C y /TMO x ), to H* at elevated temperatures. Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy performed on the samples before and after H*-exposure, we identify three classes of TMCs. HfC, ZrC, TiC, TaC, NbC, and VC (class A) are found to have a stable carbidic-C (TM-C) content, with a further subdivision into partial (class A1: HfC, ZrC, and TiC) and strong (class A2: TaC, NbC, and VC) surface deoxidation. In contrast to class A, a strong carbide reduction is observed in Co2C (class B), along with a strong surface deoxidation. The H* interaction with TMC/TMO x C y /TMO x is hypothesized to entail three processes: (i) hydrogenation of surface C/O atoms, (ii) formation of CH x /OH x species, and (iii) subsurface C/O atom diffusion to the surface vacancies. The number of adsorbed H atoms required to form CH x /OH x species (i) and the corresponding thermodynamic energy barriers (ii) are estimated based on the change in the Gibbs free energy (ΔG) for the reduction reactions of TMCs and TMO x . Hydrogenation of surface carbidic-C atoms is proposed to limit the reduction of TMCs, whereas the deoxidation of TMC surfaces is governed by the thermodynamic energy barrier for forming H2O.

Development of a new Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia rabbit model for the preclinical evaluation of future anti-infective strategies.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is an emerging cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Preclinical large models are warranted to predict the efficacy and the resistance profile of anti-infectives and mimic how they will be used in the human treatment of CRAB-HAP. Here we reported on the development of an Acinetobacter baumannii experimental pneumonia model in immunocompromised rabbits, receiving a 48-h human-simulated regimen. The efficacy of meropenem (2 g/q8h i.v. over prolonged 3-h perfusion), rifampin (25 mg/kg/q8h, i.v.), or the combination of meropenem and rifampin was assessed in rabbits infected with the carbapenem-susceptible ATCC 17978 reference strain or the CRAB Turc 2 clinical strain. The emergence of rifampin mutants was also investigated. Meropenem demonstrated a strong pulmonary bacterial reduction in animals infected with the ATCC 17978 strain (unlike the CRAB strain). The high rifampin dosage was associated with a 1.3 Log10 bacterial killing on average but induced the emergence of high-level resistant mutants in 80%-100% of animals, depending on the strain. The adjunction of rifampin to meropenem did not improve the bioburden in the lungs but partially reduced the number of animals exhibiting resistant mutants, whatever the tested strain. However, this adjunctive treatment was insufficient to overcome the emergence of resistance since mutation prevention concentration-related pharmacodynamic indices were unattainable at this dose. This CRAB pneumonia rabbit model represents an innovative tool to evaluate the efficacy of new or existing therapies and will provide informative data on how they can meet the resistance pharmacodynamic targets, which now need to be investigated before deciding on clinical therapeutic regimens.IMPORTANCEWithin intensive care unit settings, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has emerged as a frequent cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) with poor clinical outcomes. This multidrug-resistant pathogen remains very challenging to study in clinical trials, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration highlighted the limitations of existing small animal models for evaluating antibacterial or prophylactic strategies against such critical infections. These limitations include the difficulty in anticipating the risk of the emergence of resistance during treatment. Here we developed a new Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia rabbit model using high inoculum. We demonstrated the emergence of resistance with rifampin, an existing antibiotic debated as a rescuing option to treat CRAB infections; and even intensified rifampin doses failed to close the mutant selection window. This CRAB pneumonia rabbit model represents a valuable tool to evaluate the efficacy of new or existing therapies and provides supportive data in antimicrobial resistance pharmacodynamics.

Effectiveness of Ultrasound In Tennis Elbow Patients: Literature Review

Lateral Epicondylitis, commonly known as Tennis Elbow, is caused by tension in the common extensor tendon, particularly at the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon. This condition leads to pain and reduced hand grip strength, as well as impaired elbow function. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Ultrasound therapy in managing pain, improving grip strength, and enhancing elbow functionality in patients diagnosed with Tennis Elbow. The method employed is a systematic literature review, analyzing relevant studies from various scientific databases. The results show that ultrasound therapy, applied consistently over several weeks, significantly reduces pain levels, improves hand grip strength, and enhances the functional movement of the elbow. The effectiveness of ultrasound treatment is supported by the statistical significance of p<0.01, indicating a strong reduction in pain and improvements in physical function. The findings suggest that Ultrasound therapy is an effective, non-invasive modality for treating Tennis Elbow, offering substantial improvements in patient recovery.

A proportional fusion adaptation algorithm to reduce noise in sEMG signals of the lower limb

Abstract To address issues related to unknown noise pollution and the inadequate performance of single adaptive noise reduction algorithms in measuring lower limb surface electromyography (sEMG) signals, this paper proposes an algorithm that combines the fast convergence speed and strong noise reduction capability of recursive least-squares (RLS) with the low computational complexity of the normalized least-mean-square (NLMS) and improved proportionate NLMS (IPNLMS). Through the proportional fusion of RLS with NLMS and RLS with IPNLMS, the proposed algorithm greatly improves convergence speed, stability, and noise reduction performance while effectively reducing computational complexity. Moreover, considering the influence of the initial value of weights on the noise reduction performance during the updating process of the adaptive noise reduction algorithm, a weight initial value setting (WIS) module is proposed to optimize the initial value of the weights by the known amount of data. Based on 50 independent experiments, an adaptive noise reduction algorithm and WIS module were used to reduce the unknown noise in the lower limb sEMG signals, which was generated by white Gaussian noise, power line interference, or hybrid noise interfered by an unknown environment. The noise reduction performance was evaluated by using the average value of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the root-mean-square error, and R-square. Compared with the RLS, NLMS, and IPNLMS algorithms for noise reduction of vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris signals containing unknown noise, the SNR of RLS-NLMS, RLS-IPNLMS, WIS-RLS-NLMS, and WIS-RLS-IPNLMS is improved by an average of [7.92%, 55.54%, 55.63%], [7.45%, 54.90%, 54.99%], [19.70%, 72.38%, 72.71%], [19.32%, 71.84%, 72.19%]. The simulation results verify that the proportional fusion adaptive noise reduction algorithm and the WIS module effectively accelerate the convergence speed, enhance the noise reduction capability, and reduce the computational complexity.

Gene therapy for hemophilia

Concept Gene therapy with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors treats hemophilia A or B by delivering a functional F8 or F9 gene to hepatocytes. This single infusion enables endogenous production of FVIII or FIX protein, reducing bleeding in patients. Evolution Long-term clinical studies have provided insight into the efficacy, safety, and durability of AAV-mediated gene therapies for hemophilia A and B. Gene therapies have now been approved for hemophilia A (valoctocogene roxaparvovec) and hemophilia B (etranacogene dezaparvovec; fidanacogene elaparvovec) in select regions. Application The approved gene therapies are associated with a strong reduction in bleeding tendency and increased FVIII or FIX activity levels, without the need for additional FVIII or FIX replacement therapies, in the vast majority of patients. Future Steps Improvements in AAV technology, protein expression, and immunogenicity may render AAV-mediated gene therapies more efficient, longer lasting and safer for people with hemophilia A or B.

Synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using biometabolites: mechanisms and applications.

Bio-metabolites have played a crucial role in the recent green synthesis of nanoparticles, resulting in more versatile, safer, and effective nanoparticles. Various primary and secondary metabolites, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, enzymes, vitamins, organic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes, have demonstrated strong metal reduction and stabilization properties that can be utilized to synthesize nanomaterials and influence their characters. While physical and chemical methods were previously used to synthesize these nanomaterials, their drawbacks, including high energy consumption, elevated cost, lower yield, and the use of toxic chemicals, have led to a shift towards eco-friendly, rapid, and efficient alternatives. Biomolecules act as reducing agents through deprotonation, nucleophilic reactions, transesterification reactions, ligand binding, and chelation mechanisms, which help sequester metal ions into stable metal nanoparticles (NPs). Engineered NPs have potential applications in various fields due to their optical, electronic, and magnetic properties, offering improved performance compared to bulkier counterparts. NPs can be used in medicine, food and agriculture, chemical catalysts, energy harvesting, electronics, etc. This review provides an overview of the role of primary and secondary metabolites in creating effective nanostructures and their potential applications.

Absence of predator control increases cod extirpation risk in a Northwest Atlantic ecosystem: inference from multispecies modelling

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) declined to low abundance in the early 1990s and have since failed to recover due to high natural mortality, which has been linked to predation by grey seals Halichoerus grypus. Increased grey seal harvests have been suggested to improve cod survival; however, predicting the response of cod to changes in seal abundance in the sGSL is complicated by a hypothesized triangular food web involving seals, cod, and small pelagic fishes, wherein the pelagic fishes are prey for cod and grey seals, but may also prey on young cod. Grey seals may therefore have an indirect positive effect on pre-recruit cod survival via predation on pelagic fish. Using a multispecies model of intermediate complexity fitted to various scientific and fisheries data, we found that seal predation accounted for the majority of recent cod mortality and that cod will likely be extirpated without a strong and rapid reduction in grey seal abundance. We did not find evidence that reducing grey seal abundance will impair cod recovery by causing large increases in pelagic biomass so long as pelagic fishing mortality continues at historical levels.