Search Results (22,937)

Autoantibodies to ADAMTS13 are at the center of pathology of the immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. These autoantibodies can be either inhibitory (enzymatic function) or non-inhibitory, resulting in protein depletion. Under normal physiologic conditions, antibodies are generated in response to foreign antigens, which can include infectious agents; however, these antibodies may at times cross-react with self-epitopes. This is one of the possible mechanisms mediating formation of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. The process known as “antigenic mimicry” may be responsible for the development of these autoantibodies that recognize and bind cryptic epitopes in ADAMTS13, disrupting its enzymatic function over ultra large von Willebrand factor multimers, forming the seeds for platelet activation and microthrombi formation. In particular, specific amino acid sequences in ADAMTS13 may lead to conformational structures recognized by autoantibodies. Generation of these antibodies may occur more frequently among patients with a genetic predisposition. Conformational changes in ADAMTS13 between open and closed states can also constitute the critical change driving either interactions with autoantibodies or their generation. Nowadays, there is a growing understanding of the role that autoantibodies play in ADAMTS13 pathology. This knowledge, especially of functional qualitative differences among antibodies and the ADAMTS13 sequence specificity of such antibodies, may make possible the development of targeted therapeutic agents to treat the disease. This review aims to present what is known of autoantibodies against ADAMTS13 and how their structure and function result in disease. Full article

In recent years, the incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) has increased due to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic extends beyond mortality rates. Recent analyses suggest that the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 have significantly affected the epidemiology of other key respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus (FLUV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rhinovirus (RV). These changes raise new questions about the dynamics and incidence of post-COVID-19 respiratory infections, as well as potential alterations in symptom profiles and clinical outcomes. In this study, we analyzed data from the Epidemiological Surveillance Information System of Respiratory Viral Agents (SIVEP-Gripe), established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, to examine the profile of SARI before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Our data reveal a distinct epidemiological pattern, with a significant decrease in FLUV notifications during the pandemic, accompanied by peaks in RSV and RV cases in late 2020. Additionally, there was a shift in the age distribution of RSV and other viral infections, with individuals infected during the pandemic being older than those infected before the pandemic. Interestingly, the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Bahia State resulted in a reduction in the frequency of symptoms associated with non-SARS-CoV-2 SARI, without altering clinical outcomes. Our findings suggest that the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has contributed to a clinical and epidemiological shift, particularly for FLUV, RSV, and other viruses, marked by a reduction in symptoms such as fever, dyspnea, respiratory distress, and the need for ventilatory support. The underlying mechanisms driving these changes remain unclear. These insights are crucial for public health authorities and policymakers to refine surveillance strategies and enhance control measures for respiratory viruses, particularly those causing SARI. Full article

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic took a sledgehammer to the education sector, shattering the established structured systems, norms and rituals of practices and procedures. To ensure continuity whilst adhering to the pandemic-induced containment measures, higher education institutions adopted a remote work model to address the needs of a dispersed workforce. Amidst the uncertainty and continuous changes posed by the pandemic, remote working arrangements gradually dominated the higher education workspace, thereby increasing demands on institutions and employees. Consequently, the notion of resilience as a crucial constituent of Crisis Management has never been more salient. Yet surprisingly, there has been a paucity of literature in this domain. Whilst research on resilience is gaining interest, there is a need for a comprehensive overview of what the concept means for academics during an emergency and its application in the Crisis Management framework. This article addresses this research gap using a systematic Literature Review method to unearth the current state of scientific research regarding resilience in Crisis Management in the context of remote work during COVID-19. The findings of the study provide a research agenda that centers on understanding how resilience in Crisis Management and its strategic use in remote work can advance the research streams. Full article

The lungs play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis by facilitating gas exchange and serving as a structural and immune barrier. External factors, including nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental exposures, profoundly influence normal lung function and contribute to the development, progression, and prognosis of various respiratory diseases. Deficiencies in key micronutrients, such as vitamins A, D, and C, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, can impair the integrity of the epithelial lining, compromising the lungs’ defense mechanisms and increasing susceptibility to injury and disease. Obesity and physical inactivity further disrupt respiratory function by inducing structural changes in the chest wall and promoting a pro-inflammatory state. Environmental pollutants further worsen oxidative damage and activate inflammatory pathways. Addressing these modifiable factors through interventions such as dietary optimization, physical activity programs, and strategies to reduce environmental exposure offers promising avenues for preserving lung function and preventing disease progression. This review examines the molecular pathways through which nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental influences impact lung homeostasis. Full article

This study examines research on the impact of climate change (CC) on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) using bibliometric analysis, topic modeling, and content analysis. Articles published in the Web of Science database between 2000 and 2024 were analyzed. VOSviewer and Biblioshiny were used for bibliometric analysis and Python for topic modeling. In addition, the 50 most cited articles were content analyzed. The results show that there has been an increasing number of publications over time and that the research originates predominantly from high/very high Human Development Index (HDI) countries, especially China and the United States, rather than from low HDI countries. These countries also have strong international cooperation networks. Topic modeling shows that high/very high HDI countries work on a balanced range of topics, while low HDI countries focus primarily on environmental impacts. Thematic analysis shows that research topics are evolving, diversifying, and deepening. As a result, the literature on CC-NCDs is expanding and deepening, thus providing evidence-based information for global public health interventions. However, in countries with low HDI and the most vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, the volume of publications, thematic diversity, and international cooperation are significantly low. Unfortunately, from a public health policy perspective, global climate change is far from being a problem that any country can solve alone. Global cooperation is, therefore, essential. Full article

This essay examines relationships between adoptees and the (extended) adoptive family, focusing on the inheritance rights of adopted persons as entry points into levels and cycles of their belonging and un-belonging. The essay contextualizes a case report (or summary reports) on the kind of estrangement in the adoptee world that is fueled by inheritance disputes. It delves into postadoption perceptions and thus into the “unwritten” truths about adoption and its possible fallout. It draws from archival sources, semi-structured interviews (life-story interviewing), and life writing by adoptees, and also from a sequence of real-life exchanges dating back to 2018. All these sources focus on the contested inheritance of children, now older adults, who were adopted from Greece in the 1950s–60s and who became (or should have become) subsequent heirs to the estates of their adoptive parents and/or relatives. The Greek out-of-country adoptions of the postwar and early Cold War era involved more than 4000 children, most of whom were sent to the United States. The various testimonies and sections reflect critically on the continuing trend to infantilize the adopted persons, forever the adopted children, to push their origins back into the past and into geographical distance, to untie the family connections they have forged over the course of half a century. The examples take the reader from the adoptive family’s pre-adoption attempts at disowning the child through the postadoption stage of the end of an adopted lifetime, including cases of the extended adoptive family’s attempts at “de-adopting” the adopted person. This essay includes various sources of life-cycle documentation, among them an extensive case study and online obituaries. It adheres to truth and authenticity by incorporating fairly long original quotations, which, in the case study of the second half especially, assist the reader in comprehending much historical information in a question-and-answer format. This bolder structure offers the advantage of taking the reader step by step through the transactions of a prominent Greek adoption scheme (Rebecca and Maurice Issachar) and also through the various layers of the postadoption mindset and minefield. The material presented here is intended to raise awareness that change can and must still benefit the Greek adoptees today, whose lives may have been permeated by conditionality and nonlinearity. I conclude that, in the cases discussed here, the child’s orphanhood may well be a perpetual state, with the adoptee being orphaned of individuality and of a protective family on more than just one occasion. Full article

In the chlorination industry, the reactor is a crucial equipment in which the chlorination reaction takes place. However, when the reactor is subjected to complex conditions such as high temperatures (e.g., >200 °C) and high pressures (e.g., >10 MPa), its structural integrity is significantly compromised, leading to severe safety issues. In this study, the fatigue life of a reactor is analyzed, with particular focus on the fatigue behavior of the cyclone separator under varying working conditions, such as changes in the temperature, pressure, and chemical environment. Using finite element simulations under steady-state conditions and the S-N curve from fatigue testing, the fatigue life and potential weak points of the reactor under different amplitudes and vibration frequencies are analyzed and predicted. This analysis is conducted using a combined simulation approach with ABAQUS and Fe-Safe software, v 6.14. This work also considers the periodic vibrations at the base of the cyclone separator within the reactor. Fatigue simulations under different vibration conditions are performed to further assess the fatigue life of the reactor, providing a theoretical basis for the optimization of design and ensuring operational safety. In addition, the influence of welding zones on the fatigue life is discussed. The results indicate that the welding defects and stress concentration may cause the welded joint to become a critical weak point for fatigue failure. Therefore, the fatigue performance of the welding zone should be carefully considered during the design phase. Full article

In Manchega sheep, correlations between temperatures across various body regions, including the udder, under differing environmental conditions, stages of lactation, and states of mammary gland health have not been extensively explored. To address this, a group of 108 Manchega sheep was evaluated monthly over a period of six months. Ambient, rectal, lacrimal, perianal, and udder surface temperatures, alongside mammary gland health status indicators such as somatic cell count (SCC) and microbiological milk culture, were recorded. This study investigated the correlations between these temperature measurements and SCC levels. Mammary glands were classified based on their SCC (greater or lesser than 400,000 cells/mL) and the results of the microbiological cultures (more or less than five colonies in 20 µL of milk). This study found no correlation between body surface temperatures and rectal temperatures. SCC showed a low negative correlation with udder surface temperatures. Notably, mammary glands with SCC levels exceeding 400,000 cells/mL exhibited lower udder surface temperatures. This research underscores the Manchega breed’s ability to adapt to varying ambient temperatures and the necessity for further studies to better elucidate the relationship between inflammation and temperature changes in the udder during intramammary infections. Full article

Coastal forests are highly vulnerable to disturbances from tropical cyclones (TCs), yet the long-term impacts of storm surges on tree growth remain understudied. This study examines the relationship between TC-induced storm surges and annual tree-ring growth in Pinus elliottii at three coastal sites along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Using dendrochronological methods, we analyzed total ring width, earlywood, and latewood growth patterns to assess suppressions in response to past TC activity. Our results indicate that storm surge events consistently cause growth suppression, with recovery periods averaging two to three years. However, suppression patterns vary by site, with trees in more protected locations displaying stronger correlations with TC storm surge events, while those in chronically stressed environments exhibit frequent growth limitations independent of TCs. For example, only 38% of suppression events at the unprotected Gulf State Park correspond with TC storm surge events, and this increases to 67% at the protected Weeks Bay NERR site. Additionally, latewood ring width corresponds with TC storm surge events more than total or earlywood ring width. These findings highlight the complexity of TC impacts on coastal tree growth, emphasizing the importance of site-specific factors such as topographic position and hydrological conditions. Understanding these interactions is critical for improving paleotempestology reconstructions and informing forest management strategies in coastal environments facing increasing TC activity due to climate change. Full article

LiDAR loop closure detection is a key technology to mitigate localization drift in LiDAR SLAM, but it remains challenging in structurally similar environments and memory-constrained platforms. This paper proposes VS-SLAM, a novel and robust SLAM system that leverages virtual descriptors and selective memory storage to enhance LiDAR loop closure detection in challenging environments. Firstly, to mitigate the sensitivity of existing descriptors to translational changes, we propose a novel virtual descriptor technique that enhances translational invariance and improves loop closure detection accuracy. Then, to further improve the accuracy of loop closure detection in structurally similar environments, we propose an efficient and reliable selective memory storage technique based on scene recognition and key descriptor evaluation, which also reduces the memory consumption of the loop closure database. Next, based on the two proposed techniques, we develop a LiDAR SLAM system with loop closure detection capability, which maintains high accuracy and robustness even in challenging environments with structural similarity. Finally, extensive experiments in self-built simulation, real-world environments, and public datasets demonstrate that VS-SLAM outperforms state-of-the-art methods in terms of memory efficiency, accuracy, and robustness. Specifically, the memory consumption of the loop closure database is reduced by an average of 92.86% compared with SC-LVI-SAM and VS-SLAM-w/o-st, and the localization accuracy in structurally similar challenging environments is improved by an average of 66.41% compared with LVI-SAM. Full article

Energy resources are a material basis for regional sustainable development and ecological security. However, this issue has not been adequately studied in Northwest China. Here, we consider the five northwestern provinces of China and break down the change in energy use intensity. Results show that the total energy intensity in the five northwestern provinces decreased from 2.389 tons/10⁴ Chinese yuan (CNY) in 2000 to 0.92 tons/10⁴ CNY in 2021. The main influencing factors for the decline in energy intensity are the industrial energy intensity followed by the industrial structure and the energy structure. There are eight industrial sub-sectors that contributed to the decrease in industrial energy intensity. Conversely, there are seven sub-sectors that increased industrial energy intensity. In addition, there are six sub-sectors with an energy intensity of more than 1 ton/10⁴ CNY. The convergence parameters demonstrate that the energy intensities of the five northwestern provinces did not converge to the same steady-state level, and their gap did not narrow in the short term. While the region’s overall energy intensity has shown a consistent downward trajectory, sectors heavily reliant on traditional fossil fuels—such as coal chemical processing, petroleum refining, and coking—have experienced a paradoxical upward trend in energy consumption. To address this, governments must implement targeted sector-specific measures, including upgrading technical capabilities through advanced coal gasification technologies, optimizing heat integration systems in petroleum refining processes, and streamlining intermediate production stages to minimize energy waste. Full article

Shortages in the energy market for traditional fuels, rising prices, and the requirements placed on member states by the European Union to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are resulting in an increased interest in alternative energy sources. One such source is waste biomass. This biomass is not only ecological and publicly available, but, unlike other sources of renewable energy, it is independent of weather conditions or terrain. Unfortunately, despite the enormous potential, only a few types of biomass are currently used in the energy and heating industries. To change this, a material in the form of a walnut shell that has not been used in this field before is examined. In this work, pellets made from walnut shells were analyzed for combustion in heating boilers intended for this kind of fuel, commonly used in many households. The produced pellet was subjected to a combustion process, and the emitted flue gases were analyzed to check the suitability of the fuel for the heat-generating purpose. The exhaust gas was analyzed for the presence of compounds such as CO, NO_x, CH₄, and H₂S. In addition, a series of tests were conducted to determine how the drying process time and temperature of the biomass affect its subsequent heating value. As a result of this research, it was proven that the walnut shell is suitable for the production of pellets, thus obtaining high results for a calorific value of 16.90 MJ/kg, an ash content of 1.31%, and a moisture content of 8.25%. Thanks to the obtained results, it was concluded that the produced fuel can be compared with commercial pellets, as it does not differ from and even exceeds some of the values of fuels currently available on the market. The temperature and time during the drying of the biomass also showed correlations with the subsequent calorific value of the material, with a temperature of 110 °C and a time period of 90 min providing the best results. Full article

This paper proposes and tests a methodology for evaluating the human capital of oil and gas industry enterprises. The methodology is based on previously developed mathematical and test tools, with enhancements to support decision−making in human capital development. The proposed methodology facilitates a comprehensive mathematical analysis of assessment results and provides analytical and graphical justifications for the approaches, methods, and models used in shaping personal development trajectories. These trajectories are tailored to the needs of individuals as bearers of human capital and consider its role in achieving sustainable development goals. Given the purpose of this study—to analyze the state and development opportunities of human capital in oil and gas enterprises using the authors’ assessment methodology—the presented approach aims to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating and enhancing human capital in this key sector. This study includes a survey of employees of three groups of enterprises: NAFTOGAZ Group (Kyiv, Ukraine), Ukrainian private oil and gas companies, and enterprises of other sectors of Ukraine’s economy. A comparative analysis carried out via mathematical tools enabled a detailed evaluation of the collected data. The study conclusions highlight within−group and intergroup comparative characteristics of respondents based on calculated values and deviations in their intellectual attributes. These findings allow us to formulate a set of recommendations regarding the appropriateness of corrective actions and also validate the reliability and objectivity of the proposed human capital assessment methodology. This methodology may potentially help in strategic decision−making in the development of the gas and oil industry and allows for planning the changes in human capital necessary to ensure sustainable development. Full article

This work presents a mathematical solution to data privacy and integrity issues in Split Learning which uses Homomorphic Encryption (HE) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP). It allows calculations to be conducted on encrypted data, keeping the data private, while ZKP ensures the correctness of these calculations without revealing the underlying data. Our proposed system, HavenSL, combines HE and ZKP to provide strong protection against attacks. It uses Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) to analyze model updates in the frequency domain to detect unusual changes in parameters. HavenSL also has a rollback feature that brings the system back to a verified state if harmful changes are detected. Experiments on CIFAR-10, MNIST, and Fashion-MNIST datasets show that using Homomorphic Encryption and Zero-Knowledge Proofs during training is feasible and accuracy is maintained. This mathematical-based approach shows how crypto-graphic can protect decentralized learning systems. It also proves the practical use of HE and ZKP in secure, privacy-aware collaborative AI. Full article

Food security is one of the world’s top challenges, specifically considering global issues like climate change. Seed priming is one strategy to improve crop production, typically via increased germination, yields, and/or stress tolerance. Hydropriming, or soaking seeds in water only, is the simplest form of seed priming. However, the addition of certain seed priming agents has resulted in a variety of modified strategies, including osmopriming, halopriming, hormonal priming, PGR priming, nutripriming, and others. Most current research has focused on hormonal and nutripriming. This review will focus on the specific compounds that have been used most often over the past 3 years and the physiological effects that they have had on crops. Over half of recent research has focused on four compounds: (1) salicylic acid, (2) zinc, (3) gibberellic acid, and (4) potassium nitrate. One of the most interesting characteristics of all chemical seed priming agents is that they are exposed only to seeds yet confer benefits throughout plant development. In some cases, such benefits have been passed to subsequent generations, suggesting an epigenetic effect, which is supported by observed changes in DNA methylation and histone modification. This review will summarize the current state of knowledge on molecular changes and physiological mechanisms associated with chemical seed priming agents and discuss avenues for future research. Full article