Polyurethane (PU) is a very versatile material in engineering applications, whose mechanical properties can be tailored by the introduction of active fillers. The current research aims to (i) investigate the effect of active fillers with varying filler loads on the mechanical properties of a PU system and (ii) develop a micro-mechanical model to describe the hyperelastic behavior of (un)filled PU. Three models are taken into consideration: without strain amplification, with constant strain amplification, and with a deformation-dependent strain amplification. The measured uniaxial stress–strain data of the filled PU nanocomposites reveal clear reinforcement due to the incorporation of carbon black at 5, 10 and 20 wt%. In low concentration (1 wt%), for two different grades of carbon black and a fumed silica, it results in a reduction in the mechanical properties. The micro-mechanical model without strain amplification has a good agreement with the measured stress–strain curves at low concentrations of fillers (1 wt%). For higher filled concentrations (5–15 wt%), the micro-mechanical model with constant strain amplification leads to a better prediction performance. For samples with a larger filler volume fraction (20 wt%) and for a commercial adhesive, the model with a deformation-dependent strain amplification effect leads to the best predictions, i.e., highest R² regarding curve fitting. Full article

The Hindukush and Himalaya regions of Pakistan are chronically prone to several geological hazards such as landslides. Studying landslides in these regions is crucial for risk assessment and disaster management, as well as for determining the effects of adverse climatic conditions, infrastructure management, and increasing anthropogenic activities. High-relief mountains in these regions face severe challenges because of frequently occurring landslides and other natural hazards, especially during intensive rainfall seasons and seismic activity, which destroy infrastructure and cause injuries and deaths. Landslides in the Alpuri Valley (Hindukush) and the Neelum Valley (Himalaya) have been activated through high magnitude earthquakes, intensive rainfalls, snowfall, floods, and man-made activities. Landslide susceptibility mapping in these areas is essential for sustainable development as it enables proactive risk management, up-to-date decision-making, and effective responses to landslide hazards, ultimately safeguarding human lives, property, and the environment. In this study, the relative effect method was applied for landslide susceptibility modeling in both study areas to determine the capability to reduce the effects of landslides, and to improve the prediction accuracy of the method. The relative effect is a statistical model that has only been used for very limited time for landslide susceptibility with effective results. A total of 368 (Neelum Valley) and 89 (Alpuri Valley) landslide locations were identified, which were utilized to prepare the reliable landslide inventory using GIS. In order to evaluate the areas at risk for future landslides activities and determine their spatial relationship with landslide occurrences, the landslide inventory was developed with 17 landslide causative factors. These factors include slope gradient, slope aspect, geology, plan curvature, general curvature, profile curvature, elevation, stream power index, drainage density, terrain roughness index, distance from the roads, distance from the streams, distance from fault lines, normalized difference wetness index, land-use/land-cover, rainfall, and normalized difference vegetation index. Finally, the performance of the relative effect method was validated using the success and prediction curve rate. The AUC-validated result of the success rate curve in the Alpuri Valley is 74.75%, and 82.15% in the Neelum Valley, whereas, the AUC-validated result of the prediction rate curve of the model is 87.87% in the Alpuri Valley and 82.73% in the Neelum Valley. These results indicate the reliability of the model to produce a landslide susceptibility map, and apply it to other landslide areas. The model demonstrated a more effective result in the Alpuri Valley, having a smaller area. However, the results are also desirable and favorable in Neelum Valley, with it being a large area. It will assist in general landslide hazard management and mitigation, and further research studies related to future landslide susceptibility assessments in other parts of the region. Full article

The organic component of biomass pyrolysis oils is composed of a light fraction (C2–C4 volatiles, sugar- and lignin-derived monomers) and a less polar heavy fraction (pyrolytic lignin/humins, greater than approximately 200 g/mol). Importantly, this heavy fraction can account for roughly one-third to one-half of the total pyrolysis oil. While the composition and characteristics of the light fraction are generally well understood, research is still needed for the characterization of the heavy fraction. Some important thermodynamic fuel properties of this fraction are the heat of combustion, normal boiling point, heat of vaporization, and flash point, which are (computationally) estimated in this work with regularized regression and empirical correlations. The quantification of these properties has implications on downstream utilization, particularly in the context of co-processing bio-oils with plastic and coal liquefaction products and/or crude petroleum. Finally, challenges and opportunities for (experimental) work are discussed for the advancement of sustainable valorization of biomass pyrolysis oils. Full article

Data from the Neonatal Oxygenation Prospective Meta-analysis (NeOProM) indicate that targeting a higher (91–95%) versus lower (85–89%) pulse oximeter saturation (SpO₂) range may reduce mortality and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and increase retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Aiming to re-evaluate the strength of this evidence, we conducted a Bayesian reanalysis of the NeOProM data. We used Bayes factors (BFs) to evaluate the likelihood of the data under the combination of models assuming the presence vs. absence of effect, heterogeneity, and moderation by sex. The Bayesian reanalysis showed moderate evidence in favor of no differences between SpO₂ targets (BF₁₀ = 0.30) in death or major disability, but moderate evidence (BF₁₀ = 3.60) in favor of a lower mortality in the higher SpO₂ group. Evidence in favor of differences was observed for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (BF₁₀ = 14.44, lower rate with lower SpO₂), severe NEC (BF₁₀ = 9.94), and treated ROP (BF₁₀ = 3.36). The only outcome with moderate evidence in favor of sex differences was BPD. This reanalysis of the NeOProM trials confirmed that exposure to a lower versus higher SpO₂ range is associated with a higher mortality and risk of NEC, but a lower risk of ROP and BPD. The Bayesian approach can help in assessing the strength of evidence supporting clinical decisions. Full article

Heterogeneous rock masses that include rhythmic alternations of marl, shale, marly limestone, sandstone, siltstone, and argillite, such as Flysch, are particularly prone to generating colluvial deposits on gentle slopes, which are often subject to failures triggered by heavy rainfall. Flysch-derived colluvial soils are made up of highly heterogeneous sediments ranging from clayey loam to rock fragments, and they have been studied more rarely than homogeneous soils. In this work, we present a geotechnical and hydraulic characterisation performed both in situ and in the laboratory on flysch-derived colluvial soils that were involved in a channelised landslide in the pre-alpine area of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (NE Italy). The investigated soils were characterised by the average values of the grain size composition of about 25% gravel, 20% sand, 30% silt, and 25% clay. The loamy matrix presented low-to-medium values of the liquid and plastic limits, as well as of the plasticity index (LL = 40%, PL = 23%, and PI = 17%, respectively). The values of the peak friction angle for natural intact samples were 33° < ϕ’_p < 38°, whereas the residual friction angle fell to 23–24° at great depths and high vertical stresses, for a prevailing silty–clayey matrix. Variable head permeability tests were performed both in situ and in the laboratory, showing that the values of the vertical and horizontal permeability were very close and in the range 1 × 10⁻⁴–1 × 10⁻⁶ m/s. The soil permeability measured in the field was generally higher than the hydraulic conductivity calculated on laboratory samples. The proposed geotechnical and hydrological characterisation of flysch-derived colluvial soils can be of fundamental importance before the use of more thorough analyses/models aimed at forecasting the possible occurrence of slope failures and evaluating the related landslide hazard. The reported geotechnical and hydraulic parameters of flysch-derived colluvial materials can represent a useful reference for rainfall infiltration modelling and slope stability analyses of colluvial covers that are subject to intense and/or prolonged precipitation. However, when facing engineering problems involving colluvial soils, particularly those coming from flysch rock masses, the intrinsic variability in their grain size composition, consistency, and plasticity characteristics is a key feature and attention should be paid to the proper assumption of the corresponding geotechnical and hydraulic parameters. Full article

Microtubules are an indispensable component of all eukaryotic cells due to their role in mitotic spindle formation, yet their organization and number can vary greatly in the interphase. The last common ancestor of all eukaryotes already had microtubules and microtubule motor proteins moving along them. Sponges are traditionally regarded as the oldest animal phylum. Their body does not have a clear differentiation into tissues, but it contains several distinguishable cell types. The choanocytes stand out among them and are responsible for creating a flow of water with their flagella and increasing the filtering and feeding efficiency of the sponge. Choanocyte flagella contain microtubules, but thus far, observing a developed system of cytoplasmic microtubules in non-flagellated interphase sponge cells has been mostly unsuccessful. In this work, we combine transcriptomic analysis, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy with time-lapse recording to demonstrate that microtubules appear in the cytoplasm of sponge cells only when transdifferentiation processes are activated. We conclude that dynamic cytoplasmic microtubules in the cells of sponges are not a persistent but rather a transient structure, associated with cellular plasticity. Full article

Titanium zirconium vanadium (TiZrV) is a widely used non-evaporable getter (NEG) material with the characteristics of a low activation temperature and a large gas absorption capacity. At present, the research on TiZrV getters mainly focuses on the thin-film state, with little research on the bulk state. In this paper, a TiZrV getter was optimized by adding Al, and the phase structure, activation properties, and gettering performance were studied. With the addition of Al, the α-Zr phase and Ti₂Zr phase changed into the Ti-Zr phase and Al-Zr, Al-Ti phase. The newly generated phase promoted the diffusion of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The activation temperature decreased significantly, as shown in the in situ XPS results. The H₂ and CO gettering performance of TiZrVAl samples was promoted to 2073 cm³·s⁻¹ and 1912.8 cm³·s⁻¹, increased by 40.7% and 40.3%. This paper provides valuable ideas for optimizing the properties of bulk TiZrV getters. Full article

Potential toxic elements (PTEs), including Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Cu, As, and Mo, are common pollutants in ion-adsorption rare earth mines (IAREEMs), and atmospheric deposition is an important method of PTE migration. However, the level of PTE atmospheric deposition in and around IAREEMs remains unknown. We established 25 stations at typical sites in the Ganzhou city of southeast China. An exposure assessment model was used to evaluate the health risks for adults and children. The results show that the concentration and fluxes of atmospheric deposition of PTEs follow the order of Pb > Cu > Cr > Ni > As > Mo > Cd, and most PTEs present no human health risk. However, due to the high toxicty of As, it poses both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to children as indicated by the analysis of an exposure assessment model of heavy rare earth minerals in Longnan county, Ganzhou city. The As concentration in atmospheric deposition ranged from 3.18 to 251.87 mg kg⁻¹, and the As atmospheric fluxes in atmospheric deposition ranged from 0.11 to 39.4 mg m⁻² y⁻¹. This is because As-rich materials (e.g., arsenic-adsorbing clay zones and chernovite-(Y) (Y[AsO₄])) are exposed in fully weathered layers, and the formed suspended particulate matter is transported into the atmosphere at Longnan county. Consequently, restoring vegetation to reduce particulate matter transport is an important method for controlling the spread of pollutants. These results provide significant insights into pollution characteristics and prevention in and around mining areas under the influence of atmospheric deposition. Full article

Observing customers is one of the methods to uncover their needs. By closely observing how customers use products, we can indirectly experience their interactions and gain a deep understanding of their feelings and preferences. Through this process, companies can design new products that have the potential to succeed on the market. However, traditional methods of customer observation are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, we propose a method that leverages the analysis of online customer reviews as a substitute for direct customer observations. By correlating a customer journey map (CJM) with online reviews, this research establishes a verb-centric analysis that produces a CJM based on online review data. Various text analysis techniques were utilized in this process. When applying online retail site review data, our method of customer observation required one week. This proved to be more efficient in comparison with traditional customer observation methods, which typically need at least one month to complete. Additionally, we observed that the customer behavior-based VOC (voice of customer) identified during the CJM mapping process offers broad insights that are distinct from traditional product feature-centric review analyses. This behavior VOC can be effectively utilized for product improvement, new product development, and product marketing. To verify the usefulness of the behavior VOC, we asked product development experts to evaluate the quantitative analysis results of the same reviews. The experts evaluated the CJM as useful for product conceptualization and selecting technology priorities. Full article

Heterogeneous grains in the heavy fractions of the placers of the Olkhovaya-1 river (Kamchatka Cape Peninsula, Eastern Kamchatka, Russia) containing Au-Ag, Au-Cu, and Au-Ag-Cu particles were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, electron-probe microanalysis, and X-ray powder diffractometry. The analyses showed that auricupride dominates in some grains, whereas in others, the main phases are tetra-auricupride or Ag-rich and (or) Au-rich alloys. It was revealed that in the central parts of some grains of exsolution structures, auricupride Cu_3.04–2.74Au_0.96–1.26 (Ag < 1 wt.%) occurs in intergrowths with low-fineness Ag_0.86–0.67Au_0.09–0.33Cu_<0.05 solid solutions (160‰–480‰), and tetra-auricupride Cu_1.12–0.87Au_0.88–1.11Ag_<0.02 (Ag < 2 wt.%) occurs with higher-fineness Au_0.73–0.62Ag_0.2–0.38Cu_<0.07 solid solutions (520‰–850‰). We also observed, mainly in the peripheral parts of the grains, insignificant amounts of secondary phases that were compositionally similar to Cu₂Au, Cu₃Au₂, Au₃Cu₂, Au₂Cu, Au₃Cu, high-fineness gold with impurities of Cu and occasionally Ag (>850‰), and pure gold. In intergrowths with auricupride and tetra-auricupride, we also observed earlier-formed silicates (garnet, pyroxene, chlorite, epidote, titanite), syngenetic sulfides (pyrrhotite, bornite, galena), and later minerals (chalcocite, covellite, anilite, cuprite, goethite, etc.). The XRD analysis of the peripheral parts of some grains showed the presence of auricupride (Cu₃Au), tetra-auricupride CuAu (I) and Cu(Au_0.92Ag_0.08) (II), and gold. The profiles show the absence of peaks of the Au₃Cu phase and other Au-Ag-Cu phases identified by the EMPA, which is likely due to their low concentrations in the samples or their structural similarity to gold. It is assumed that the probable source of Au-Ag-Cu mineralization in the Olkhovaya-1 river placers is located in the upper reaches of watercourses that erode the ultrabasic massif of Mounts Soldatskaya and Golaya (Kamchatka Cape Peninsula). Full article

To address the tracking control problem of the periodic motion fast tool servo system (FTS), we propose a control method that combines adaptive sliding mode control with closed-loop iterative learning control. Adaptive sliding mode control enhances the system’s robustness to external non-repetitive disturbances, and exponential gain iterative learning control compensates for the influence of periodic disturbances such as cutting force. The experimental results show that the proposed iterative learning controller based on adaptive sliding mode control can effectively eliminate the influence of various interference factors, achieve accurate tracking of the FTS system’s motion trajectory within a limited number of iterations, and ensure the stability of the system, which has the advantages of a fast convergence speed, high tracking accuracy, and strong robustness. Full article

As a stable, low-cost, environment-friendly, and gas-sensitive material, semiconductor metal oxides have been widely used for gas sensing. In the past few years, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have gained increasing attention in the field of gas sensing with the advantages of maximized atomic utilization and unique electronic and chemical properties and have successfully been applied to enhance the detection sensitivity and selectivity of metal oxide gas sensors. However, the application of SACs in gas sensors is still in its infancy. Herein, we critically review the recent advances and current status of single-atom catalysts in metal oxide gas sensors, providing some suggestions for the development of this field. The synthesis methods and characterization techniques of SAC-modified metal oxides are summarized. The interactions between SACs and metal oxides are crucial for the stable loading of single-atom catalysts and for improving gas-sensitive performance. Then, the current application progress of various SACs (Au, Pt, Cu, Ni, etc.) in metal oxide gas sensors is introduced. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of SACs in metal oxide gas sensors are presented. Full article

In this study, a new anticorrosion method combining impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) with coatings that can be applied to marine atmospheric environments is proposed. As the corrosion medium fills the cracks and pores of the coating, an electrolyte film layer is inevitably formed on the metal surface. Therefore, a graphene conductive coating with excellent chemical inertness and shielding performance is selected as the intermediate coating to form an electrolytic cell system with a metal substrate serving as the cathode and a graphene coating serving as the auxiliary anode. By studying the surface corrosion morphologies and electrochemical signals of the coating samples at different protection potentials and coating thicknesses, the optimal potential is determined to be 0.6 V, and the optimal coating thickness is determined to be 20 μm. The samples protected by the joint method have lower corrosion rates and better anticorrosion performance than those protected by the coatings alone. Full article

To reveal the characteristics and environmental indications for the combination of the grain size and magnetic susceptibility of coastal sediments, we provided a necessary basis for further study on their genetic mechanisms. Based on the data of grain size and magnetic susceptibility of the 36.10 m long core 07SR01 sediments in the Xiyang tidal channel of western South Yellow Sea, we analyzed their variations and correlations and further revealed their environmental indications and corresponding regional sedimentary evolution via the combination of the aforementioned analysis results, the reinterpretation results of the sedimentary sequence and the age of core 07SR01 and shallow seismic profiles, and the findings of climate and glacial–eustatic cycles during Late Quaternary. The three stages of the sedimentary evolution of the Xiyang tidal channel between marine isotope stage (MIS) 7 and MIS 5 were summarized as follows: First is the stage of marginal bank and riverbed developments in the tidal estuary under a relatively high sea level and strong hydrodynamic conditions during MIS 7 (core section: 36.10–26.65 m). The sediments deposited in this stage were mainly affected by the paleo-Changjiang River and characterized by a coarse grain size (mean: 4.02 Φ) and relatively high magnetic susceptibilities (mean: 27.06 × 10⁻⁸ m³·kg⁻¹), with small fluctuations which were strongly and positively correlated with the sand component. Second is the stage dominated by fluviolacustrine and littoral environments with the weak hydrodynamics during MIS 6–5, in which the climate changed from cold and dry to warm and humid as the sea level rose after a drop (core section: 26.65–15.77 m). The sediments deposited in this stage were characterized by a fine grain size (mean: 5.27 Φ) and low magnetic susceptibilities with minor variations (mean: 10.83 × 10⁻⁸ m³·kg⁻¹) which were weakly and positively correlated with the coarse silt component. Third is the stage of delta front in the tidal estuary with a relatively high sea level and strong hydrodynamics during MIS 5 (core section: 15.77–0 m). The sediments deposited in this stage were strongly influenced by the paleo-Yellow River and characterized by a relatively coarse grain size (mean: 4.86 Φ), and high magnetic susceptibilities (mean: 37.15 × 10⁻⁸ m³·kg⁻¹) with large fluctuations which were weakly and positively correlated with the sand and coarse silt components. Full article

Background and Objectives: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a recognized affordable oncological marker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, AFP’s prognostic role has been assessed mainly after specific treatments, and no unanimously recognized cut-offs have been identified. The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic role of different basal AFP cut-offs on survival and HCC course. Materials and Methods: In this single-center, retrospective study, all patients newly diagnosed with HCC between January 2009 and December 2021 were prospectively enrolled. Only patients suitable for curative HCC treatments were included in the analyses. Patients were stratified according to AFP cut-offs of 20, 200, 400, and 1000 ng/mL, which were correlated with survival outcomes and clinical parameters. Results: A total of 266 patients were analyzed, with a median follow-up time of 41.5 months. Median overall survival (OS) of all cohort was 43 months. At the multivariate Cox-regression analysis, AFP value ≥ 1000 ng/mL correlated with impaired OS (1-year OS: 67% vs. 88%, 5-year OS: 1% vs. 43%; p = 0.005); other risk factors were tumor dimension ≥ 5 cm (HR 1.73; p = 0.002), Child–Pugh class B–C (HR 1.72; p = 0.002), BCLC stage A (vs. 0) (HR 2.4; p = 0.011), and malignant portal vein thrombosis (HR 2.57; p = 0.007). AFP ≥ 1000 ng/mL was also associated with a reduced recurrence-free survival (HR 2.0; p = 0.038), while starting from AFP ≥ 20 ng/mL, a correlation with development of HCC metastases over time (HR 3.5; p = 0.002) was seen. AFP values ≥ 20 ng/mL significantly correlated with tumor size and higher histological grading; starting from AFP values ≥ 400 ng/mL, a significant correlation with Child–Pugh class B–C and female gender was also observed. Conclusions: Basal AFP correlates with relevant outcomes in patients with HCC. It could help identify patients at a higher risk of worse prognosis who might benefit from personalized surveillance and treatment programs. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results. Full article

This paper builds upon and extends Christian and legal scholarship on the civil rights movement by illuminating a climate of religious freedom that served as a catalyst for and was integral to the success of the spirited activism of the civil rights movement. To date, scholars have not extensively considered how the expansion of religious freedom in church and state jurisprudence both directly and indirectly created a climate that contributed to the success of the CRM, and how advancements in civil rights impacted the broader revolution occurring in constitutional rights. The climate of religious freedom included court support for evangelizing in residentially exclusive areas, exemptions for conscientious opposers from participating in oath swearing and other ceremonies, and exemptions from other general laws that unduly inhibited the free exercise of religious rights. Full article

Left atrial (LA) strain imaging, which measures the deformation of the LA using speckle-tracing echocardiography (STE), has emerged recently as an exciting tool to help provide diagnostic and prognostic information for patients with a broad range of cardiovascular (CV) pathologies. Perhaps due to the LA’s relatively thin-walled architecture compared with the more muscular structure of the left ventricle (LV), functional changes in the left atrium often precede changes in the LV, making LA strain (LAS) an earlier marker for underlying pathology than many conventional echocardiographic parameters. LAS imaging is typically divided into three phases according to the stage of the cardiac cycle: reservoir strain, which is characterized by LA filling during systole; conduit strain, which describes LA deformation during passive LV filling; and booster strain, which provides information on the LA atrium during LA systole in late ventricular diastole. While additional large-population studies are still needed to further solidify the role of LAS in routine clinical practice, this review will discuss the current evidence of its use in different pathologies and explore the possibilities of its applications in the future. Full article

Introduction: Pre-pregnancy obesity is a significant public health concern with profound implications for maternal and child health. The burgeoning evidence suggests that maternal obesity prior to conception is intricately linked with an increased risk of gestational complications, as well as with adverse neonatal outcomes. Furthermore, the long and short-term health of offspring, including the risk of early motor development impairment, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in childhood and adulthood, may be adversely affected as well. Addressing pre-pregnancy obesity is critical for improving overall maternal and child health outcomes, and therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the connections linking pre-pregnancy obesity with infants’ motor development within the first twelve months of infants’ lives. Material and Methods: This study included 200 mother–infant pairs divided into two groups based on their pre-pregnancy body mass index values. To assess infants’ early motor development, we used the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and evaluated the parameters of infants’ early motor development at the ages of three, six, nine, and twelve months. Results: Pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity was significantly associated with excessive gestational weight gain (p < 0.001), fetal macrosomia (p = 0.022), and a family history of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.048 and p = 0.041, respectively), as well as with all observed parameters of early motor development at the ages of three, six, nine, and twelve months: AIMS 3 months total (p < 0.001), AIMS 6 months total (p < 0.001), AIMS 9 months total (p < 0.001), and AIMS 12 months total (p < 0.001). Furthermore, pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity was a significant predictor for AIMS 6 months total (p = 0.043) and AIMS 6 months supination (p = 0.017). Conclusions: Pre-pregnancy obesity is a critical determinant of pregnancy outcomes and offspring early motor development, with possible far-reaching implications for children’s long-term well-being. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes preconception weight management, targeted interventions during the pregnancy and postpartum periods, and ongoing research to better understand the underlying mechanisms and develop effective strategies for prevention and management. Full article

The utilization of triboelectric materials has gained considerable attention in recent years, offering a sustainable approach to energy harvesting and sensing technologies. Biomass-derived materials, owing to their abundance, renewability, and biocompatibility, offer promising avenues for enhancing the performance and versatility of triboelectric devices. This paper explores the synthesis and characterization of biomass-derived materials, their integration into triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), and their applications in energy harvesting, self-powered sensors, and environmental monitoring. This review presents an overview of the emerging field of advanced triboelectric applications that utilize the unique properties of biomass-derived materials. Additionally, it addresses the challenges and opportunities in employing biomass-derived materials for triboelectric applications, emphasizing the potential for sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions. Full article

COVID-19 is characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations, where aging, underlying diseases, and genetic background are related to worse outcomes. In the present study, the differential expression of seven genes related to immunity, IRF9, CCL5, IFI6, TGFB1, IL1B, OAS1, and TFRC, was analyzed in individuals with COVID-19 diagnoses of different disease severities. Two-step RT-qPCR was performed to determine the relative gene expression in whole-blood samples from 160 individuals. The expression of OAS1 (p < 0.05) and IFI6 (p < 0.05) was higher in moderate hospitalized cases than in severe ones. Increased gene expression of OAS1 (OR = 0.64, CI = 0.52–0.79; p = 0.001), IRF9 (OR = 0.581, CI = 0.43–0.79; p = 0.001), and IFI6 (OR = 0.544, CI = 0.39–0.69; p < 0.001) was associated with a lower risk of requiring IMV. Moreover, TGFB1 (OR = 0.646, CI = 0.50–0.83; p = 0.001), CCL5 (OR = 0.57, CI = 0.39–0.83; p = 0.003), IRF9 (OR = 0.80, CI = 0.653–0.979; p = 0.03), and IFI6 (OR = 0.827, CI = 0.69–0.991; p = 0.039) expression was associated with patient survival. In conclusion, the relevance of OAS1, IRF9, and IFI6 in controlling the viral infection was confirmed. Full article

This scoping review employed the PRISMA-ScR framework to dissect the complexities of technological extension in agriculture within developing nations, where varying socio-economic, cultural, and environmental facets deeply influence extension strategies. Our study aimed to identify and expand upon the existing knowledge of critical factors—both challenges and opportunities—that affect the efficacy of agricultural extension, with a focus on contextual variations. To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive review of the relevant academic contributions from 2013 onwards. This included articles, reviews, conference proceedings, book chapters, and data papers. Our analysis focused on scrutinizing the interaction dynamics between extension personnel and farmers, the adaptation of technologies to local contexts, and the significance of cross-sector collaboration. Through bibliometric analysis, we provide a synthesis of 32 pertinent records. Our findings advocate for a paradigm shift from the traditional linear knowledge transfer to a more encompassing approach that values bidirectional communication, cultural awareness, and the active involvement of local farming communities. We argue for extension practices that are attuned to environmental dynamics, promote long-term economic sustainability, and are informed by theoretical perspectives that can refine the design of extension systems and models. Our review posits that the enhancement of sustainable agricultural technology adoption lies in a profound reform of extension systems. Such reform should focus on design and operational models that are more inclusive, adaptive, and acutely attuned to the complex realities of farmers in emerging economies. This integrative, systemic, and holistic approach proposes a framework to bolster agricultural sustainability and rural development. Full article

New suction endoscopes, ureteral access sheaths (UAS) and catheters aim to improve the efficacy of flexible ureteroscopy and optimize its safety. Suction UAS with non-flexible tips have shown promising results, especially in maintaining low intrarenal pressure, but also in removing small debris and reducing the “snow globe” effect. In addition, suctioning UAS with a flexible tip offers the advantage of being able to be navigated through the pyelocaliceal system to where the laser lithotripsy is performed. It can also remove small stone fragments when the flexible ureteroscope is retracted, using the Venturi effect. Direct in-scope suction (DISS) involves aspirating dust and small stone debris through the working channel of a flexible ureteroscope, thus regulating intrarenal pressure and improving visibility. Steerable aspiration catheters are other devices designed to increase stone clearance of the pyelocaliceal system. They are inserted under fluoroscopic guidance into every calyx after retraction of the flexible ureteroscope, alternating irrigation and aspiration to remove dust and small gravels. Combining flexible-tip suction UAS and the DISS technique may offer some advantages worth evaluating. The advantage of using these instruments to achieve a low intrarenal pressure was demonstrated. The true practical impact on the long-term stone-free status is a matter requiring further studies. Full article