Search Results (150)

We studied Galápagos barn owls on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos Archipelago. We collected and analyzed pellets to determine diet composition. Barn-owl diet consisted—in terms of biomass—of ~89% rodents and ~10% insects. Bird remains occurred in 1% of the pellets. Foraging was studied with data loggers, a method not previously applied to the study of Galápagos barn owls. Owls rested during the day in natural and human-built roosts such as lava holes, trees, or huts. Night-time foraging was characterized by periods during which the bird moved and periods during which the bird stayed within one place, with the latter amounting to ~56% of the time away from the day roost. Birds began foraging shortly after sunset and returned to their day roost before sunrise. The duration of foraging was approximately 11 h per night. Foraging areas were small (median value: 0.28 km²). Although our data demonstrate a continued presence of the subspecies, we regard the situation for this subspecies as labile, as multiple threats, such as road kills, poisoning, and intentional killing by farmers, have increased recently, and suggest the development of a management plan to improve its conservation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune peripheral neuropathy that affects both the myelin sheaths and axons of the peripheral nervous system. It is the leading cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis worldwide, with an annual incidence of less than two cases per 100,000 people. Although most patients recover, a small proportion do not regain mobility and even remain dependent on mechanical ventilation. In this study, we refer to the analysis of samples collected from GBS patients at different defined time points during hospital recovery and performed by a medical or research group. Methods: The conditions for whole blood collection, peripheral blood mononuclear cell isolation, and serum collection from GBS patients and volunteer donors are explained. Aliquots of these human samples have been used for red blood cell phenotyping, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, and serum biochemical parameter studies. Results: The initial sporadic preservation of human samples from GBS patients and control volunteers enabled the creation of a biobank collection for current and future studies related to the diagnosis and treatment of GBS. Conclusions: In this article, we describe the laboratory procedures and the integration of a GBS biobank collection, local medical services, and academic institutions collaborating in its respective field. The report establishes the intra-disciplinary and inter-institutional network to conduct long-term longitudinal studies on GBS. Full article

Power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) creates a safe test environment to connect simulations with real hardware under test (HuT). Therefore, an interface algorithm (IA) must be chosen. The ideal transformer method (ITM) and the partial circuit duplication (PCD) are popular IAs, where a distinction is made between voltage- (V-) and current-type (C-) IAs. Depending on the sample time of the simulator and further delays, simulation accuracy is reduced and instability can occur due to negative feedback in the V-ITM and C-ITM control loops, which makes PHIL operation impossible. In the case of positive feedback, such as with the V-PCD and C-PCD, the delay causes destructive interference, which results in a phase shift and attenuation of the output signal. In this article, a novel damped Smith predictor (SP) for positive feedback PHIL IAs is presented, which significantly reduces destructive interference while allowing stable operation at low linking impedances at V-PCD and high linking impedances at C-PCD, thus reducing losses in the system. Experimental results show a reduction in phase shift by 21.17° and attenuation improvement of 24.3% for V-PCD at a sample time of 100 µs. The SP transfer functions are also derived and integrated into the listed negative feedback IAs, resulting in an increase in the gain margin (GM) from approximately one to three, which significantly enhances system stability. The proposed methods can improve stability and accuracy, which can be further improved by calculating the HuT impedance in real-time and dynamically adapting the SP model. Stable PHIL operation with SP is also possible with SP model errors or sudden HuT impedance changes, as long as deviations stay within the presented limits. Full article

Urban surface temperatures are increasing because of climate change and rapid urbanisation, contributing to the urban heat island (UHI) effect and significantly influencing local climates. Satellite-derived land surface temperature (LST) plays a vital role in analysing urban thermal patterns. However, current satellite thermal infrared (TIR) sensors have a low spatial resolution, making it difficult to accurately capture the complex thermal variations within urban areas. This limitation affects the assessments of UHI effects and hinders effective mitigation strategies. We proposed a hybrid model named “geospatial machine learning” (GeoML) to address these challenges, combining random forest and kriging downscaling techniques. This method utilises high spatial resolution data from Sentinel-2 to enhance the LST derived from Landsat 8/9 data. Tested in Perth, Australia, GeoML generated an enhanced LST with good agreement with ground-based measurements, with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.85, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.7 °C, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of less than 2.2 °C. Validation with LST derived from another TIR sensor also provided promising outputs. The results were compared with the high-resolution urban thermal sharpener (HUTS) downscaling methods, which GeoML outperformed, demonstrating its effectiveness as a valuable tool for urban thermal studies involving high-resolution LST data. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although psychoeducation for relatives of individuals with a first episode psychosis is important for increasing understanding of psychosis, reducing relapse rates, decreasing hospitalization duration, and improving patient functionality, there is limited research on the specific experiences and needs of relatives of patients with a first episode psychosis. This study aims to explore the experiences and needs of relatives of young adults with first-episode psychosis regarding psychoeducation, with the goal of developing tailored psychoeducation (PE) that can be delivered by nurses. Methods: This qualitative study employed a descriptive, interpretative approach with a total sample of 23 participants, including semi-structured interviews (N = 16), two dyadic interviews (N = 4) and one triadic interview (N = 3). The dyadic interviews included two relatives and two patients, while the triadic interview involved two relatives and one patient. A topic list was utilized to guide the interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data, supported by the use of ATLAS.ti. Results: During data analysis, five key themes were identified as relevant for the development of a psychoeducational program: experiences with first-episode psychosis and psychoeducation, the content of PE (what), timing (when), exchanging experiences (how) and joint PE versus separate groups (which format). Conclusions: This study highlights valuable insights and key components for an integrated psychoeducation program, focussing on the needs and experiences of relatives, for the development of the PE program. To optimize the benefits for both parties, future research should explore the potential of offering PE sessions that accommodate both individual and combined participant formats, allowing for a design tailored to the specific needs of the participants. Full article

The Kponan yam (Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata) is a culturally and economically important crop in Côte d’Ivoire but faces significant post-harvest losses, reducing farmers’ and traders’ incomes. This study aimed to identify strategies to minimize these losses during storage. To this end, Kponan yams from Bondoukou, Bouna, and Kouassi-Kouassikro, key production areas, were grown in experimental plots and monitored over three months in both field and warehouse storage. The results showed that yams harvested in Kouassi-Kouassikro (2.53 ± 0.06 kg) and Bondoukou (2.37 ± 0.09 kg) were heavier than those from Bouna (2.01 ± 0.11 kg). Storage conditions influenced spoilage: yams stored in pits had lower alteration rates (40.00% to 48.57%) compared to those stored under straw huts or trees (100%). In warehouses, alteration rates ranged from 72.29% (Bondoukou) to 100% (Kouassi-Kouassikro), with rot rates varying from 47.05% to 70.00%, respectively. Weight losses varied from 15.15% to 36.67% in warehouses versus 8.47% to 42.86% in field storage. These results underline the importance of storage methods, with pit storage significantly reducing deterioration. Full article

T-cell malignancies represent a group of complex cancers arising from T cells and include aggressive subtypes such as Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL) and T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL). Patients with these aggressive subtypes still represent an unmet medical condition. The synthetic adamantyl retinoid ST1926, a potent DNA polymerase-α inhibitor, proved a promising potency in preclinical models of ATL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Using advanced liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) techniques, we explored the effects of ST1926 on global protein expression in ATL (HuT-102) and T-ALL (MOLT-4) cells. We demonstrate that ST1926 triggers differentiation and apoptosis in malignant T-cells while halting tumor progression. Evidence at the proteomics level reveals the impact of ST1926 on crucial DNA replication enzymes and cell cycle regulation, highlighting its potential to reduce leukemogenesis and promote apoptosis. Our findings underscore the potential of ST1926 as an innovative therapeutic approach to address these aggressive T-cell malignancies, providing valuable insights into developing new targeted therapies and improving the outcomes and prognosis of patients with these challenging diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Laryngeal cancer (LC), predominantly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), represents a considerable health burden worldwide. Tumour subsite heterogeneity (supraglottic, glottic, subglottic) influences clinical behavior and outcomes. This review synthesizes current knowledge on epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostics, histological variants, biomarkers, treatment modalities, and survival. Results: This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, histological variants, biomarkers, and prognosis of LC. The review highlights the critical influence of tumour sites (supraglottic, glottic, subglottic) on metastatic patterns and survival. Key risk factors of LC include tobacco and alcohol use, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and occupational exposures. The diagnostic process encompasses clinical examination, endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging. Several biomarkers that aid in diagnosis, treatment plan determination, and prognosis prediction have been established. These biomarkers include long noncoding RNAs, cell cycle regulators, apoptosis regulators, oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, growth factor pathway components, angiogenic factors, structural proteins, sex hormone receptors, and immunological markers. Current treatment modalities range from organ-preserving surgery and radiotherapy to combined chemoradiotherapy and total laryngectomy. Finally, survival data are presented and stratified by stage and subsite. Conclusions: The review underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to LC management, integrating clinical, pathological, and molecular information to optimize patient outcomes. Full article

The architectural artefacts, materials, and techniques used for constructing shelters may share some common properties derived from the architectural culture that has evolved within the human species. This article examines the material features and settlement organisations employed in the nest-building activities of early human species and the shelter forms of indigenous peoples residing in sub-Saharan Africa. It questions whether early modern human notions of architectural heritage, which lack substantiation, might have influenced nest construction, typological differentiation, material utilisation, and the transmission of practices to subsequent generations and habitats. The focus is on home-based spatial organisation and the construction of structures. We recognise the need to clarify some fundamental misunderstandings regarding the nature of cultural and archaeological taxonomies, as well as the misuse of analogical reasoning when comparing contemporary hunter–gatherer populations with certain hominin groups. The paper aims to explore whether the early ‘Homo architecture’ in Africa bears any resemblance to that of modern Africans. The central inquiry of this study is whether indigenous architectural artefacts, materials, and techniques have been passed down throughout the evolution of architectural culture. The discussion suggests that the architectural products found in the settlement remains of early Homo species may exhibit characteristics similar to the huts of the indigenous people, who live as hunter–gatherers in sub-Saharan Africa. Discussing the architectural activities of different human species proves fruitful, as early architectural understanding and principles can be adapted to contemporary placemaking scenarios, urban design approaches, and housing models. We believe that, with further evidence, this foundational idea has the potential to be developed further. Full article

In the spirit of global governance, Karl Christian Friedrich Krause saw the Masonic Brotherhood as the first historical seed for the realization of a global, participatory, Human League; to establish and maintain a state of true humanity. And he saw the most excellent sign of this connection between Freemasonry and cosmopolitan civil society in the allegory of the “Great General Lodge”. However, in order to be able to do justice to its historical task of establishing the Human League, according to Krause, Freemasonry needs to reform itself according to its original ideal, overcome its pupal stage caused by the caterpillar status of medieval construction huts, and grow into a butterfly. Full article

Microbial contamination challenges have led to the development of active edible coatings for fruit preservation. Herein, a Konjac glucomannan (KGM) coating loaded with Ocimum gratissimum (OG) essential oil stabilized by pectin with superior resistance to air permeability, oxidation, and fungal, was prepared in situ on the surface of Mandarin oranges to enhance postharvest fruit quality. The results demonstrated that the KGM-pectin-OG (K-P-OG) 1.5 wt% coating exhibited good performance in terms of stability, adhesion, and wetting. Meanwhile, the coating had an ideal air permeability due to its compact and dense structure based on the good compatibility and interactions between the components. The oxygen permeability of the K-P-OG coating was 7.9 × (10⁻¹⁶ g·cm)/(cm²·s·Pa), which was six orders of magnitude lower than that of the KGM coating. The antioxidant, in vitro, and in vivo antifungal activities against Penicillium italicum of the coating were strengthened by the OG emulsion and mainly depended on its concentration. The storage results showed that the K-P-OG 1.5% coating extended the shelf life of Mandarin oranges by 8 days, reduced the weight loss rate by 13%, and increased the firmness and POD during storage by 24.14% and 100%, respectively, compared with the control group. These results demonstrate that K-P-OG can effectively maintain nutrient content and extend the storage time of Mandarin oranges by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting fruit respiration and microorganism growth. This study presents a strategy for developing edible coatings for postharvest fruit preservation. Full article

Introduction: Vasovagal syncope is a prevalent condition marked by transient loss of consciousness due to abrupt decreases in systemic blood pressure and/or heart rate. Despite its clinical impact, the underlying haemodynamic mechanisms remain poorly defined, and data on age-related differences are limited and sometimes contradictory. Objectives: This study aimed to characterise haemodynamic adaptation patterns during a head-up tilt (HUT) test in adult (≥18 years) and paediatric (<18 years) patients with recurrent reflex syncope, compared with healthy adult controls. We sought to identify distinct temporal haemodynamic signatures and clarify potential age-related differences in syncope mechanisms. Methods: In this prospective observational study, participants underwent continuous beat-to-beat monitoring of cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) during HUT. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine time-by-group interactions, and post-hoc analyses were adjusted for multiple comparisons. Effect sizes and confidence intervals (CIs) were reported to quantify the magnitude of differences. Results: A total of 187 fainters (paediatric n = 81, adult n = 106) and 108 non-fainters (including 30 healthy controls) were studied. Compared to adult fainters, paediatric fainters showed a 24% larger decline in CO from baseline (mean difference of 1.1 L/min [95% CI: 0.5–1.7], p = 0.003) and a 15–20 bpm higher peak HR (p = 0.001) during presyncope. Both subgroups experienced significant drops in TPR, which were more pronounced in paediatric fainters (effect size = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12–0.42). Non-fainters (including controls) maintained relatively stable haemodynamics, with no significant decrease in CO or TPR (p > 0.05). Age-related comparisons indicated a heavier reliance on HR modulation in paediatric fainters, leading to an earlier transition from compensated to pre-syncopal states. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that paediatric fainters exhibit more abrupt decreases in CO and TPR than adults, alongside higher HR responses during orthostatic stress. Targeted interventions that address this heightened chronotropic dependency—such as tilt-training protocols or strategies to improve venous return—may be particularly beneficial in younger patients. An age-specific approach to diagnosis and management could improve risk stratification, minimise recurrent episodes, and enhance patient outcomes. Full article

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive neoplasm with a complex carcinogenesis process that must be understood through the interactions between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment cells. Methods: This study was retrospective with a chronological extension period of 16 years and included 56 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This study identified, quantified, and correlated the cells of the tumor immune microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with major prognostic factors as well as overall survival, using an extensive panel of immunohistochemical markers. Results: Three tumor immunotypes were identified: subtype A (hot immunotype), subtype B (intermediate immunotype), and subtype C (cold immunotype). Patients with immunotype C exhibit considerably higher rates of both pancreatic fistulas and acute pancreatitis. Immunotypes B and C significantly increased the risk of this complication by factors of 3.68 (p = 0.002) and 3.94 (p = 0.001), respectively. The estimated probabilities of fistula formation for each immunotype are as follows: 2.5% for immunotype A, 25% for immunotype B, and 28% for immunotype C. There was a statistically significant difference in median survival times according to tumor immunotype (p < 0.001). Specifically, patients with immunotype C tumors had a median survival time of only 120.5 days, compared to 553.5 days for those with immunotype A and 331.5 for immunotype B tumors. Conclusions: The identification of the immunotype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma can be a predictive factor for the occurrence of complications such as pancreatic fistula as well as for overall survival. Full article

Background and Objectives: Preoperative biliary stenting (PBS) is commonly used to manage obstructive jaundice in patients undergoing pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD). However, the impact of PBS on intestinal barrier function and perioperative complications remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the effect of PBS on intestinal dysfunction and surgical outcomes, focusing on the influence of the stent duration. Materials and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 235 patients undergoing PPPD for resectable pancreatic neoplasms at Timișoara Municipal Emergency Clinical Hospital (2016–2024) were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: those with PBS (n = 98) and without PBS (n = 137). Intestinal barrier function was assessed pre- and postoperatively using biomarkers such as zonulin, fecal calprotectin, and serum lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Perioperative outcomes, including pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying (DGE), infections, and hospital stay, were compared. Additionally, outcomes were stratified based on stent duration (2–3 weeks vs. 3–4 weeks). Results: PBS was associated with significantly higher levels of zonulin, fecal calprotectin, and serum LPS postoperatively, indicating compromised intestinal barrier function. The stented group had a higher incidence of pancreatic fistulas (Grade B/C: 27.5% vs. 13.1%, p < 0.01), DGE (25.5% vs. 13.1%, p = 0.008), postoperative infections (34.7% vs. 17.5%, p = 0.002), and prolonged hospital stay (16.9 ± 4.2 days vs. 14.5 ± 3.7 days, p = 0.019). Prolonged stenting (3–4 weeks) was associated with worse outcomes compared to shorter stenting durations (2–3 weeks), including increased rates of infections, sepsis, and ICU stay (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusions: Preoperative biliary stenting is associated with increased intestinal barrier dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and higher rates of perioperative complications following PPPD. Prolonged stenting durations (>3 weeks) further exacerbate these risks. Limiting the PBS duration to 2–3 weeks, alongside optimized perioperative management, may help reduce postoperative morbidity and improve surgical outcomes. Full article

Computing interactions among cells is computationally complex in multicellular molecular communication simulations, making the design of efficient algorithms crucial. We review simulation algorithms for computing interactions among cells in multicellular molecular communication simulations. The naïve algorithm, the Cell List algorithm, the Barnes–Hut algorithm, and a hybrid of the Cell List and Barnes–Hut algorithms are explored. Full article