Consumer preferences, safety, and sustainability aspects of conventional cosmetic ingredients have contributed to an increase in the demand for natural cosmetic ingredients and products. Naturally derived active cosmetic agents and excipients may come into contact with various naturally occurring and synthetic contaminants throughout the supply chain, and substantiating their safety is essential. This review examines the safety and legislative requirements applicable to natural cosmetic ingredients in the European Union (EU). Cosmetic safety requirements include technical data based on the ingredient profile, presence of hazards and the risks associated with the intended conditions of use. The hazard analysis includes screening for microbial contaminants such as aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans; chemical contaminants such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury; and naturally occurring toxins, such as allergens. The toxicological assessment considers both local effects (such as skin sensitisation, eye/skin irritation, and photo-induced effects) and systemic effects (including acute dermal toxicity, sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and toxicokinetics). The EU legislative requirements prohibit the use of animal-based tests for the toxicological evaluation of cosmetic ingredients, paving the way for alternatives termed as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). The validation of NAMs is critical for their wider usage, and despite advancements, few have been validated, particularly for systemic toxicity testing. The use of NAMs in evaluating the safety of complex natural cosmetic ingredients is further examined. Full article

The erosion of igneous rocks affects the structural and spontaneous combustion characteristics of coal. A series of tests were conducted, including programmed heating, thermogravimetric analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and pressed mercury experiments on samples from primary coal and coal eroded by igneous rocks from the Tashan Mine and Xiaonan Mine within the same coal seam. Based on these experiments, we analyzed various properties of coal, such as the oxidation characteristics, spontaneous combustion limit, active functional group content, chemical structure, and pore structure, from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. The results indicated significant trends after the erosion of igneous rocks: (1) there were increases in the oxygen consumption rate, as well as the CO and CO₂ release rates; (2) the upper limit of air leakage intensity increased, the minimum thickness of floating coal decreased, and the lower limit of oxygen volume fraction decreased; (3) there was a decrease in the activation energy required for coal ignition; (4) there was a decrease in the active functional group content while improving the structural stability; and (5) there were the alterations in the pore structure of coal. These promoted the oxidation reactions between oxygen and the active groups within the coal matrix, increasing the propensity for spontaneous combustion, particularly in the igneous rocks with low oxidation activity. Full article

The participation of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in the degradation of atropine has been recurrently addressed for more than 70 years. However, no conclusive answer has been provided for the human enzyme so far. In the present work, a steady-state kinetic analysis performed by spectrophotometry showed that highly purified human plasma BChE tetramer slowly hydrolyzes atropine at pH 7.0 and 25°C. The affinity of atropine for the enzyme is weak, and the observed kinetic rates versus the atropine concentration was of the first order: the maximum atropine concentration in essays was much less than K_m. Thus, the bimolecular rate constant was found to be k_cat/K_m = 7.7 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ min⁻¹. Rough estimates of catalytic parameters provided slow k_cat < 40 min⁻¹ and high K_m = 0.3–3.3 mM. Then, using a specific organophosphoryl agent, echothiophate, the time-dependent irreversible inhibition profiles of BChE for hydrolysis of atropine and the standard substrate butyrylthiocholine (BTC) were investigated. This established that both substrates are hydrolyzed at the same site, i.e., S198, as for all substrates of this enzyme. Lastly, molecular docking provided evidence that both atropine isomers bind to the active center of BChE. However, free energy perturbations yielded by the Bennett Acceptance Ratio method suggest that the L-atropine isomer is the most reactive enantiomer. In conclusion, the results provided evidence that plasma BChE slowly hydrolyzes atropine but should have no significant role in its metabolism under current conditions of medical use and even under administration of the highest possible doses of this antimuscarinic drug. Full article

To date, empirical investigations of the effects of test accommodations on the actual achievement of multilingual pupils have been inconclusive. In this present study, we investigated whether read-aloud accommodation contributes to better results in terms of science achievement for multilingual pupils. A computer-based science test, conducted with or without read-aloud accommodation, was administered to 1022 5th-grade pupils in 36 Flemish primary schools. We assessed the hypotheses that, first, pupils in a condition with accommodation perform better than their non-accommodated peers, and second, certain background characteristics are related to science achievement for different groups of pupils. The results indicate that read-aloud accommodation in language education does not significantly contribute to making assessments fairer. Overall, parental job status, grade retention, migration status, and self-reported oral proficiency significantly predicted pupils’ science achievement. For pupils taking an accommodated test, their age of arrival and the language they spoke at home did not significantly relate to their science achievement, but their self-rated literacy skills in the language of schooling did. Full article

This investigation focuses on the construction of novel dark and singular soliton solutions for the Hirota equation, which models the propagation of ultrashort light pulses in optical fibers. Initially, we employ a wave variable transformation to convert the physical model into ordinary differential equations. Utilizing extended rational sinh–cosh and sine–cosine techniques, we derive an abundant soliton solution for the transformed system. By plugging these explicit solutions back into the wave transformation, we obtain dark and singular soliton solutions for the Hirota equation. The dynamic evolution of dark soliton profiles is then demonstrated, with a focus on varying physically significant parameters such as wave frequency, strength of third-order dispersion, and wave number. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis is examined to elucidate how the dark and singular soliton profiles undergo deformation in the background influenced by these arbitrary parameters. The findings presented in this study offer valuable insights that could potentially guide experimental manipulation of dark solitons in optical fibers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Periapical lesions (PLs) are frequently detected in dental radiology. Accurate diagnosis of these lesions is essential for proper treatment planning. Imaging techniques such as orthopantomogram (OPG) and cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging are used to identify PLs. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) software Diagnocat for PL detection in OPG and CBCT images. Methods: The study included 49 patients, totaling 1223 teeth. Both OPG and CBCT images were analyzed by AI software and by three experienced clinicians. All the images were obtained in one patient cohort, and findings were compared to the consensus of human readers using CBCT. The AI’s diagnostic accuracy was compared to a reference method, calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and F1 score. Results: The AI’s sensitivity for OPG images was 33.33% with an F1 score of 32.73%. For CBCT images, the AI’s sensitivity was 77.78% with an F1 score of 84.00%. The AI’s specificity was over 98% for both OPG and CBCT images. Conclusions: The AI demonstrated high sensitivity and high specificity in detecting PLs in CBCT images but lower sensitivity in OPG images. Full article

Aquaculture is a strategic sector that aims to meet the increased demands for healthy food for current and future populations. However, this progression needs to be sustainable, which can potentially be achieved by the implementation of circular practices. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems promote the incorporation of circular principles. Nevertheless, the lack of harmonized definitions and standards impedes the quantification of these circular attributes. This study aims to explore the potential principles embedded in IMTA and the existing alternatives to quantify circularity. Two basic pillars (nutrient management and resource use efficiency) were identified as the most relevant circularity attributes for IMTA systems and were quantified through aquaculture-specific indicators. Bioremediation indicators, together with the efficiency indicators in terms of feed, water, energy, and infrastructure materials used, were selected to evaluate the circularity performance of four IMTA trials in three aquaculture facilities in Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa. Salmon, white shrimp, tilapia, abalone, and sea urchins were studied and cultivated together in various combinations with several low-trophic species in these IMTA trials to evaluate the improvement in circularity compared with corresponding monoculture conditions. The results showed an increase in circularity of up to 90% in terms of water recirculation, as well as bioremediation, which was improved by 80%–90%, providing evidence for the potential role of IMTA in the circularity transition. Full article

In this article, we introduce the multifractal conditional diffusion entropy method for analyzing the volatility of financial time series. This method utilizes a q-order diffusion entropy based on a q-weighted time lag scale. The technique of conditional diffusion entropy proves valuable for examining bull and bear behaviors in stock markets across various time scales. Empirical findings from analyzing the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) indicate that employing multi-time lag scales offers greater insight into the complex dynamics of highly fluctuating time series, often characterized by multifractal behavior. A smaller time scale like $t=2$ to $t=256$ coincides more with the state of the DJI index than larger time scales like $t=256$ to $t=1024$. We observe extreme fluctuations in the conditional diffusion entropy for DJI for a short time lag, while smoother or averaged fluctuations occur over larger time lags. Full article

As a critical technological approach, multistage fracturing is frequently used to boost gas recovery in compact hydrocarbon reservoirs. Determining an ideal cluster distance that effectively integrates pre-existing natural fractures in the deposit creates a fracture network conducive to gas movement. Fracturing fluid leak-off also impacts water resources. In our study, we use a versatile finite element–discrete element method that improves the auto-refinement of the grid and the detection of multiple fracture movements to model staged fracturing in naturally fractured reservoirs. This computational model illustrates the interaction between hydraulic fractures and pre-existing fractures and employs the nonlinear Carter leak-off criterion to portray fluid leakage and the impacts of hydromechanical coupling during multistage fracturing. Numerical results show that sequential fracturing exhibits the maximum length in unfractured and naturally fractured models, and the leak-off volume of parallel fracturing is the smallest. Our study proposes an innovative technique for identifying and optimizing the spacing of fracturing clusters in unconventional reservoirs. Full article

Inflammation serves as a pivotal defense mechanism orchestrated by the innate immune system to safeguard cellular health against adversities. Nonetheless, dysregulated inflammatory responses can precipitate chronic inflammatory ailments, notably autoimmune disorders. Central to this process are various pathways, with studies highlighting the pivotal role of transcription factors within the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in disease onset and progression. This study concentrates on the p50 homodimer protein, a key transcription factor pivotal for the expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes. To explore potential inhibitors of p50, we conducted in silico procedures to investigate fifty-eight unexplored compounds, derived from plants indigenous to the Philippines. Initial screenings for compound feasibility, through drug-likeness analyses, yielded positive outcomes for 34 compounds. Subsequent docking analyses revealed six compounds exhibiting binding energies (ranging from −3.7 to −4.2 kcal/mol) akin to or lower than the positive control, dexamethasone (−3.7 kcal/mol). These compounds include eudesm-11-en-4α-O-β-D-3-tigoyloxy-6-deoxy-glucopyranoside, wadeiol, grandiflorolide, eudesm-11-en-4α-O-β-D-3-senecioyloxy-6-deoxyglucopyranoside, α-pinene-7β-O-β-D-2- acetylglucopyranoside, and (2aβ,3α,5aβ,6β,7α,8aα)-6-[2-(3-furanyl)ethyl]-2a,3,4,5,5a,6,7,8,8a,8b- decahydro-2a,3-dihydroxy-6,7,8b-trimethyl-2H-naphtho[1-8-bc]furan-2-one. Interaction analyses revealed a common engagement of amino acid residues within the p50 DNA binding pocket, notably Arg57, Tyr60, Glu63, Lys244, Ala245, Pro246, Lys275, Arg308, Gln309, and Phe310, through hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, alkyl, and pi–alkyl interactions. Pharmacophore analysis underscored aromatic rings, hydroxyl, methyl, and methylene groups as pivotal for non-covalent interactions with p50. Additionally, root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) analysis demonstrated minimal residue fluctuations in p50 upon ligand binding compared to the ligand-free protein structure. In conclusion, the six shortlisted compounds exhibiting comparable binding affinities with dexamethasone hold promise as potential anti-inflammatory agents targeting the NF-κB p50 homodimer. Full article

The study aimed to investigate overt reading and naming processes in adult people with dyslexia (PDs) in shallow (transparent) language orthography. The results of adult PDs are compared with adult healthy controls HCs. Comparisons are made in three phases: pre-lexical (150–260 ms), lexical (280–700 ms), and post-lexical stage of processing (750–1000 ms) time window. Twelve PDs and HCs performed overt reading and naming tasks under EEG recording. The word reading and naming task consisted of sparse neighborhoods with closed phonemic onset (words/objects sharing the same onset). For the analysis of the mean ERP amplitude for pre-lexical, lexical, and post-lexical time window, a mixed design ANOVA was performed with the right (F4, FC2, FC6, C4, T8, CP2, CP6, P4) and left (F3, FC5, FC1, T7, C3, CP5, CP1, P7, P3) electrode sites, within-subject factors and group (PD vs. HC) as between-subject factor. Behavioral response latency results revealed significantly prolonged reading latency between HCs and PDs, while no difference was detected in naming response latency. ERP differences were found between PDs and HCs in the right hemisphere’s pre-lexical time window (160–200 ms) for word reading aloud. For visual object naming aloud, ERP differences were found between PDs and HCs in the right hemisphere’s post-lexical time window (900–1000 ms). The present study demonstrated different distributions of the electric field at the scalp in specific time windows between two groups in the right hemisphere in both word reading and visual object naming aloud, suggesting alternative processing strategies in adult PDs. These results indirectly support the view that adult PDs in shallow language orthography probably rely on the grapho-phonological route during overt word reading and have difficulties with phoneme and word retrieval during overt visual object naming in adulthood. Full article

The main objective of this exploratory study is to analyze the negative effects associated with the phenomenon of tokenism for Portuguese women in non-playing football roles, as well as their strategies for integration into a context where they are a minority and the social functions are dominated by men. To this end, we carried out semi-structured individual interviews with eight men and eight women, undertaking functions in the fields of coaching, psychology, medical team, planning, refereeing, and management in football organizations, and with their contents then subject to thematic analysis. Our analysis confirms how the football context strongly demarcates gender differences with women being more visible and leads to the stereotypical roles being associated with traditional femininity. The findings also observe how, in order to integrate, women align with the norms imposed by the dominant group (men) and accept being circumscribed to the spaces that hegemonic gender ideologies and practices attribute to them. Full article

The safety and immunogenicity of the two-dose Ebola vaccine regimen MVA-BN-Filo, Ad26.ZEBOV, 14 days apart, was evaluated in people without HIV (PWOH) and living with HIV (PLWH). In this observer-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial, healthy adults were randomized (4:1) to receive MVA-BN-Filo (dose 1) and Ad26.ZEBOV (dose 2), or two doses of saline/placebo, administered intramuscularly 14 days apart. The primary endpoints were safety (adverse events (AEs)) and immunogenicity (Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein-specific binding antibody responses). Among 75 participants (n = 50 PWOH; n = 25 PLWH), 37% were female, the mean age was 44 years, and 56% were Black/African American. AEs were generally mild/moderate, with no vaccine-related serious AEs. At 21 days post-dose 2, EBOV glycoprotein-specific binding antibody responder rates were 100% among PWOH and 95% among PLWH; geometric mean antibody concentrations were 6286 EU/mL (n = 36) and 2005 EU/mL (n = 19), respectively. A total of 45 neutralizing and other functional antibody responses were frequently observed. Ebola-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were polyfunctional and durable to at least 12 months post-dose 2. The regimen was well tolerated and generated robust, durable immune responses in PWOH and PLWH. Findings support continued evaluation of accelerated vaccine schedules for rapid deployment in populations at immediate risk. Trial registration: NCT02598388 (submitted 14 November 2015). Full article

Establishing plant regeneration systems and efficient genetic transformation techniques plays a crucial role in plant functional genomics research and the development of new crop varieties. The inefficient methods of transformation and regeneration of recalcitrant species and the genetic dependence of the transformation process remain major obstacles. With the advancement of plant meristematic tissues and somatic embryogenesis research, several key regulatory genes, collectively known as developmental regulators, have been identified. In the field of plant genetic transformation, the application of developmental regulators has recently garnered significant interest. These regulators play important roles in plant growth and development, and when applied in plant genetic transformation, they can effectively enhance the induction and regeneration capabilities of plant meristematic tissues, thus providing important opportunities for improving genetic transformation efficiency. This review focuses on the introduction of several commonly used developmental regulators. By gaining an in-depth understanding of and applying these developmental regulators, it is possible to further enhance the efficiency and success rate of plant genetic transformation, providing strong support for plant breeding and genetic engineering research. Full article

Generalizability theory (GT) has been used throughout the scientific literature to ensure validity, reliability, and generalizability in different sport contexts. However, there is a small number of studies examining the measurement of psychological profiles in sport from this perspective. Therefore, this study’s main goal is the sources of variability and the optimal measurement design estimation for a good assessment of the psychological profile in track and field. The sample consisted of 470 participants (age: Average= 32.1; Standar Desviation = 13.5). The analysis of variance and generalizability component analysis has been performed in order to test the reliability and generalizability of the sample. The profile included the following variables: flow, motivation (from Self-Determination Theory and Achievement Goals), self-confidence, and psychological skills. Results confirm that the sample has a high degree of reliability and generalizability in all the tested models. So, a detailed study on the validity, reliability, and generalizability of samples and measures should be an inherent element in the practice of psychological counseling in sports. Full article

Cardiovascular outcome in Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients most prominently depends on aortic aneurysm progression with subsequent aortic dissection. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) prevent aneurysm formation in MFS mouse models. In patients, ARBs only slow down aortic dilation. Downstream signalling from the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is mediated by G proteins and β-arrestin recruitment. AT1R also interacts with the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) receptor, resulting in inflammation. In this study, we explore the targeting of β-arrestin signalling in MFS mice by administering TRV027. Furthermore, because high doses of the ARB losartan, which has been proven beneficial in MFS, cannot be achieved in humans, we investigate a potential additive effect by combining lower concentrations of losartan (25 mg/kg/day and 5 mg/kg/day) with barbadin, a β-arrestin blocker, and DMX20, a C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) blocker. A high dose of losartan (50 mg/kg/day) slowed down aneurysm progression compared to untreated MFS mice (1.73 ± 0.12 vs. 1.96 ± 0.08 mm, p = 0.0033). TRV027, the combination of barbadin with losartan (25 mg/kg/day), and DMX-200 (90 mg/kg/day) with a low dose of losartan (5 mg/kg/day) did not show a significant beneficial effect. Our results confirm that while losartan effectively halts aneurysm formation in Fbn1^C1041G/+ MFS mice, neither TRV027 alone nor any of the other compounds combined with lower doses of losartan demonstrate a notable impact on aneurysm advancement. It appears that complete blockade of AT1R function, achieved by administrating a high dosage of losartan, may be necessary for inhibiting aneurysm progression in MFS. Full article

Gut bacterial alterations have been previously linked to several non-communicable diseases in adults, while the association of mycobiome is not well understood in these diseases, especially in infants and children. Few studies have been conducted on the association between gut mycobiome and non-communicable diseases in children. We investigated gut mycobiome composition using 194 faecal samples collected at birth, 6 months after birth, and 18 months after birth in relation to atopic dermatitis (AD) and overweight diagnoses at the age of 18 or 36 months. The mycobiome exhibited distinct patterns, with Truncatella prevalent in the meconium samples of both overweight and non-overweight groups. Saccharomyces took precedence in overweight cases at 6 and 18 months, while Malassezia dominated non-overweight samples at 6 months. Saccharomyces emerged as a consistent high-abundance taxon across groups that had dermatitis and were overweight. We found a weak association between gut mycobiome and AD at birth and overweight at 18 months when using machine learning (ML) analyses. In ML, unidentified fungi, Alternaria, Rhodotorula, and Saccharomyces, were important for classifying AD, while Saccharomyces, Thelebolus, and Dothideomycetes were important for classifying overweight. Gut mycobiome might be associated with the development of AD and overweight in children. Full article

This study describes a laboratory model of a battery energy storage system (BESS) designed for testing algorithms aimed at reducing peak power consumption in railway traction substations. The system comprises a DC/DC converter and battery energy storage. This article details a laboratory model of a bidirectional buck-boost DC/DC converter, which is used to transfer energy between the battery energy storage and a DC line. It presents an analysis of DC/DC converter systems along with simulation studies. Furthermore, the results of laboratory tests on the DC/DC converter model are also provided. The control algorithm of the system in the traction substation is focused on reducing peak power, offering benefits such as lower charges for the railway operator due to the possibility of reducing contracted power requirements. From the perspective of the power grid, the reduction in power fluctuations and, consequently, voltage sags, is advantageous. This paper includes a description of a hardware simulator for verifying the system’s control algorithms. The verification of the control algorithms was performed through experimental tests conducted on a laboratory model (a hardware simulator) of the system for dynamic load reduction in traction substations, on a power scale of 1:1000 (5.5 kW). The experimental tests on the laboratory model (hardware simulator) demonstrated the effectiveness of the algorithm in reducing the peak power drawn from the power source. Full article

Pope Leo XIII’s publication of Aeterni Patris (1879) was a major factor in the great revival of Thomistic thought in the late 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries. Among the authors that took up the challenge implicit in the Pope’s document of bringing Aquinas and his thought into the intellectual debates of the times we find two interesting proposals. The first is that of Juan González Arintero, a Spanish Dominican, and the second one is that of Josef Donat, a Jesuit born and raised in the Austrian Empire. Arintero is mostly known in Catholic circles for his influential works on mysticism, but in fact he devoted much of his early work to the subject of evolution, and how it could interact with the Catholic faith in general, and with Thomism in particular. Donat is the author of a Summa Philosophiae Christianae, a collection that was widely read in Catholic seminaries well into the 20th century. In this paper we will focus on the differing ways in which these authors tackled the problems and questions presented by Darwinian evolutionism to the post-Aeterni Patris Thomism. Full article

The variability and intermittency inherent in renewable energy sources poses significant challenges to balancing power supply and demand, often leading to wind and solar energy curtailment. To address these challenges, this paper focuses on enhancing Time of Use (TOU) electricity pricing strategies. We propose a novel method based on equivalent load, which leverages typical power grid load and incorporates a responsibility weight for renewable energy consumption. The responsibility weight acts as an equivalent coefficient that accurately reflects renewable energy output, which facilitates the division of time periods and the development of a demand response model. Subsequently, we formulate an optimized TOU electricity pricing model to increase the utilization rate of renewable energy and reduce the peak–valley load difference of the power grid. To solve the TOU pricing optimization model, we employ the Social Network Search (SNS) algorithm, a metaheuristic algorithm simulating users’ social network interactions to gain popularity. By incorporating the users’ mood when expressing opinions, this algorithm efficiently identifies optimal pricing solutions. Our results demonstrate that the equivalent load-based method not only encourages renewable energy consumption but also reduces power generation costs, stabilizes the power grid load, and benefits power generators, suppliers, and consumers without increasing end users’ electricity charges. Full article

This study presents the functionalization of silk fabric with SWCNT ink. The first step was the formation of a polydopamine (PDA) thin coating on the silk fabric to allow for effective bonding of SWCNTs. PDA formation was carried out directly on the fabric by means of polymerization of dopamine in alkali conditions. The Silk/PDA fabric was functionalized with SWCNT ink of different SWCNT concentrations by using the dip-coating method. IR and Raman analyses show that the dominant β-sheet structure of silk fibroin after the functionalization process remains unchanged. The heat resistance is even slightly improved. The hydrophobic silk fabric becomes hydrophilic after functionalization due to the influence of PDA and the surfactant in SWCNT ink. The ink significantly changes the electrical properties of the silk fabric, from insulating to conductive. The volume resistance changes by nine orders of magnitude, from 2.4 × 10¹² Ω to 2.3 × 10³ Ω for 0.12 wt.% of SWCNTs. The surface resistance changes by seven orders of magnitude, from 2.1 × 10¹² Ω to 2.4 × 10⁵ Ω for 0.17 wt.% of SWCNTs. The volume and surface resistance thresholds are determined to be about 0.05 wt.% and 0.06 wt.%, respectively. The low value of the percolation threshold indicates efficient functionalization, with high-quality ink facilitating the formation of percolation paths through SWCNTs and the influence of the PDA linker. Full article