This paper presents a new multiple-input single-output voltage-mode universal filter employing four multiple-input operational transconductance amplifiers (MI-OTAs) and three grounded capacitors suitable for low-voltage low-frequency applications. The quality factor (Q) of the filter functions can be tuned by both the capacitance ratio and the transconductance ratio. The multiple inputs of the OTA are realized using the bulk-driven multiple-input MOS transistor technique. The MI-OTA-based filter can also offer many filtering functions without additional circuitry requirements, such as an inverting amplifier to generate an inverted input signal. The proposed filter can simultaneously realize low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band-stop, and all-pass responses, covering both non-inverting and inverting transfer functions in a single topology. The natural frequency and the quality factors of all the filtering functions can be controlled independently. The natural frequency can also be electronically controlled by tuning the transconductances of the OTAs. The proposed filter uses a 1 V supply voltage, consumes 120 μW of power for a 5 μA setting current, offers 40 dB of dynamic range and has a third intermodulation distortion of −43.6 dB. The performances of the proposed circuit were simulated using a 0.18 μm TSMC CMOS process in the Cadence Virtuoso System Design Platform to confirm the performance of the topology. Full article

The reprogramming of somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells has immense potential for use in regenerating or redeveloping tissues for transplantation, and the future application of this method is one of the most important research topics in regenerative medicine. These cells are generated from normal cells, adult stem cells, or neoplastic cancer cells. They express embryonic stem cell markers, such as OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG, and can differentiate into all tissue types in adults, both in vitro and in vivo. However, tumorigenicity, immunogenicity, and heterogeneity of cell populations may hamper the use of this method in medical therapeutics. The risk of cancer formation is dependent on mutations of these stemness genes during the transformation of pluripotent stem cells to cancer cells and on the alteration of the microenvironments of stem cell niches at genetic and epigenetic levels. Recent reports have shown that the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from human fibroblasts could be induced using chemicals, which is a safe, easy, and clinical-grade manufacturing strategy for modifying the cell fate of human cells required for regeneration therapies. This strategy is one of the future routes for the clinical application of reprogramming therapy. Therefore, this review highlights the recent progress in research focused on decreasing the tumorigenic risk of iPSCs or iPSC-derived organoids and increasing the safety of iPSC cell preparation and their application for therapeutic benefits. Full article

The thermal expansion behavior of Cu plays a critical role in the bonding mechanism of Cu/SiO₂ hybrid joints. In this study, artificial voids, which were observed to evolve using a focused ion beam, were introduced at the bonded interfaces to investigate the influence of compressive stress on bonding quality and mechanisms at elevated temperatures of 250 °C and 300 °C. The evolution of interfacial voids serves as a key indicator for assessing bonding quality. We quantified the bonding fraction and void fraction to characterize the bonding interface and found a notable increase in the bonding fraction and a corresponding decrease in the void fraction with increasing compressive stress levels. This is primarily attributed to the Cu film exhibiting greater creep/elastic deformation under higher compressive stress conditions. Furthermore, these experimental findings are supported by the surface diffusion creep model. Therefore, our study confirms that compressive stress affects the Cu–Cu bonding interface, emphasizing the need to consider the depth of Cu joints during process design. Full article

Electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) via the 2e⁻ pathway in an acidic media shows great techno-economic potential for the production of hydrogen peroxide. Currently, carbon-based single-atom catalysts (C-SACs) have attracted extensive attention due to their tunable electronic structures, low cost, and sufficient stability in acidic media. This review summarizes recent advances in metal centers and their coordination environment in C-SACs for 2e⁻-ORR. Firstly, the reaction mechanism of 2e⁻-ORR on the active sites of C-SACs is systematically presented. Secondly, the structural regulation strategies for the active sites of 2e⁻-ORR are further summarized, including the metal active center, its species and configurations of nitrogen coordination or heteroatom coordination, and their near functional groups or substitute groups, which would provide available and proper ideas for developing superior acidic 2e⁻-ORR electrocatalysts of C-SACs. Finally, we propose the current challenges and future opportunities regarding the acidic 2e⁻-ORR pathway on C-SACs, which will eventually accelerate the development of the distributed H₂O₂ electrosynthesis process. Full article

1-(3-aryl)-3-(dimethylamino)prop-2-en-1-one (enaminones) derivatives and the diazonium salt of para-chloroaniline were used to synthesize several novel disperse azo dyes with high yield and the use of an environmentally friendly approach. At 100 and 130 °C, we dyed polyester fabrics using the new synthesized disperse dyes. At various temperatures, the dyed fabrics’ color intensity was assessed. The results we obtained showed that dyeing utilizing a high temperature method at 130 °C was enhanced than dyeing utilizing a low temperature method at 100 °C. Reusing dye baths once or twice was a way to achieve two goals at the same time. The first was obtaining a dyed product at no cost, and the second was a way to treat the wastewater of dyeing bath effluents and reuse it again. Good results were obtained for the fastness characteristics of polyester dyed with disperse dyes. When the disperse dyes were tested against certain types of microbes and cancer cells, they demonstrated good and encouraging findings for the potential to be used as antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. Full article

Accurate measurement of steroid hormones is crucial to elucidate new mechanisms of action and diagnose steroid metabolism-related diseases. This study presents a simple, sensitive, and automated analytical method for nine representative steroid hormones. The method involves on-line coupling of in-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME) with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The steroid hormones were extracted and enriched on a Supel-Q PLOT capillary column using IT-SPME. Subsequently, they were separated and detected within 6 min using a Discovery HS F5-3 column and positive ion mode multiple reaction monitoring system via LC–MS/MS. Calibration curves of these compounds using each stable isotope-labeled internal standard (IS) showed linearity with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9990 in the range of 0.01–40 ng/mL, with limits of detection (S/N = 3) of 0.7–21 pg/mL. Moreover, intra- and inter-day variations were lower than 8.1 and 15% (n = 6), respectively. The recoveries of these compounds from saliva samples were in the range of 82–114%. The developed IT-SPME/LC–MS/MS method of steroid hormones is a highly sensitive, specific, and non-invasive analytical method that allows extraction and enrichment with no organic solvents, and enables direct automated online analysis by simply ultrafiltrating a small sample of saliva. Full article

This study aims to evaluate the process of neonatal phenylketonuria (PKU) screening from birth to admission to the pediatric metabolism polyclinic, determining delays in the screening program and the factors influencing them. This study was conducted during 2021–2023. Blood collection dates, results, and probable parameters causing delays in the screening program were recorded. This study included 118 infants. Admission time to the polyclinic was (mean ± SD) 25.2 ± 12.6 days (min–max: 3.4–78.9 days). Admission time was significantly high for refugees, those whose parents were consanguineous, and those who had more heel-prick blood samples taken (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, and p < 0.001, respectively). The first heel-prick blood phenylalanine (phe) level was significantly negatively correlated with the admission time (p < 0.001). Patients’ admission time whose first blood phe level < 240 μmol/L was statistically significantly higher than in those with ≥240 μmol/L (p < 0.001). We determined that there were delays in PKU screening from birth to admission to the polyclinic. Being a refugee, the presence of consanguineous marriages, the increase in the number of heel-prick tests, and blood phe levels at a range of 120–240 μmol/L were the factors that played a role in this delay. Taking steps to reduce the impact of these parameters can prevent delays in newborn PKU screening and increase the success of the screening program. Full article

The value of two-dimensional (2D) materials in printed electronics has been gradually explored, and the rheological properties of 2D material dispersions are very different for various printing technologies. Understanding the rheological properties of 2D material dispersions plays a vital role in selecting the optimal manufacturing technology. Inkjet printing is suitable for small nanosheet sizes and low solution viscosity, and it has a significant advantage in developing nanosheet inks because of its masklessness, high efficiency, and high precision. In this work, we selected 2D Ti_0.8Co_0.2O₂ nanosheets, which can be synthesized in large quantities by the liquid phase exfoliation technique; investigated the effects of nanosheet particle size, solution concentration on the rheological properties of the dispersion; and obtained the optimal printing processing method of the dispersion as inkjet printing. The ultrathin Ti_0.8Co_0.2O₂ nanosheet films were prepared by inkjet printing, and their magnetic characteristics were compared with those of Ti_0.8Co_0.2O₂ powder. The films prepared by inkjet printing exhibited long-range ordering, maintaining the nanosheet powders’ paramagnetic characteristics. Our work underscored the potential of inkjet printing as a promising method for fabricating precisely controlled thin films using 2D materials, with applications spanning electronics, sensors, and catalysis. Full article

We consider testing for error persistence in spatial panels with (potentially correlated) individual heterogeneity. We propose two variants of an ad hoc testing procedure based on first transforming out the individual effects, either by time-demeaning or by taking forward orthogonal deviations, then estimating an encompassing spatio-temporal model. The procedure can also be employed under the random effects assumption, in which case, although suboptimal, it can be computationally cheaper and safer than existing tests. We report Monte Carlo simulations demonstrating satisfactory empirical properties. Full article

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), one of the most promising biosurfactants (BS), are glycolipids produced by yeasts or fungi, which have great environmental performance and high compatibility with the human body. MELs, besides working as typical surfactants, can form diverse structures when at or above the critical aggregation concentration (CAC), reduce the surface tension of water and other solutions, and be stable over a wide range of conditions. Among others, MELs present antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and skin and hair repair capacity, which opens possibilities for their use in applications from cosmetics and pharmaceutics to bioremediation and agriculture. However, their market share is still low when compared to other glycolipids, due to their less developed production process and higher production cost. This review gathers information on the potential applications of MELs mentioned in the literature since 1993. Furthermore, it also explores the current strategies being developed to enhance the market presence of MELs, in parallel with the ones developed for rhamnolipids and sophorolipids. Full article

Transient left ventricular dysfunction (TLVD), a temporary condition marked by reversible impairment of ventricular function, remains an underdiagnosed yet significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in clinical practice. Unlike the well-explored atherosclerotic disease of the epicardial coronary arteries, the diverse etiologies of TLVD require greater attention for proper diagnosis and management. The spectrum of disorders associated with TLVD includes stress-induced cardiomyopathy, central nervous system injuries, histaminergic syndromes, various inflammatory diseases, pregnancy-related conditions, and genetically determined syndromes. Furthermore, myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) origins such as coronary artery spasm, coronary thromboembolism, and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) may also manifest as TLVD, eventually showing recovery. This review highlights the range of ischemic and non-ischemic clinical situations that lead to TLVD, gathering conditions like Tako-Tsubo Syndrome (TTS), Kounis syndrome (KS), Myocarditis, Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), and Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC). Differentiation amongst these causes is crucial, as they involve distinct clinical, instrumental, and genetic predictors that bode different outcomes and recovery potential for left ventricular function. The purpose of this review is to improve everyday clinical approaches to treating these diseases by providing an extensive survey of conditions linked with TLVD and the elements impacting prognosis and outcomes. Full article

Plastic film mulching (PM) is a useful agronomic means to adapt to the environmental conditions of dryland agriculture and improve crop production. To improve the theoretical framework of PM technology, this study focuses on the interaction between the soil temperature change caused by PM and crop growth. The definition, action mechanism, and simulation of the compensatory effect of PM on growing degree days are introduced to reveal the effect of soil temperature under PM on crop development and growth. Our summary shows that the strength of the warming effect changes with the growth and development of crops, strengthening during the early stage of crop growth and gradually weakening as a crop canopy develops. Generally, the warming effect has a good promotion effect on crop growth, but the crop growth is hampered even with a yield reduction when the increased soil temperature caused by PM exceeds the tolerant temperature for plant growth. Moreover, the compensatory effect of PM could be used to quantify the growth and development of crops under PM and has been widely applied to cotton, corn, winter wheat, and rice. The compensation coefficient is larger in the early stage of crop growth than in the later stage. The compensation coefficient has certain differences for the same crop because of the influence of climate factors, soil moisture content, and soil microtopography. In future research, the theoretical integration of the safety period of PM and the time threshold of the compensatory effect could be theoretically interpreted, and the construction of the compensatory effect module in the crop models will also be an important issue. Full article

Unipolar (UD) and bipolar depression (BDD) show a high degree of similarity in clinical presentations, which complicates the differential diagnosis of these disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin (Alb), and zinc (Zn) in patients with UD, BDD, and healthy controls (HC). A total of 211 samples were collected: 131 patient samples (65 UD and 68 BDD) and 80 HC. The Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), along with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), were administered to patient groups to evaluate symptoms. A cross-sectional study was performed to analyse the serum levels of IL-6, CRP, albumin, and zinc. The concentration of CRP was determined using the immunoturbidimetry method, zinc using the colorimetric method, and albumin using the colorimetric method with bromocresol green on the Alinity c device. IL-6 cytokine concentration in serum samples was ascertained using a commercial enzyme immunoassay, ELISA. We found no significant differences in serum concentrations of zinc, albumin, CRP, and IL-6 between the groups of patients with unipolar and bipolar depression. There was a significant statistical difference (p < 0.001) between serum levels of all investigated parameters in both groups of depressed patients in comparison with HC. Furthermore, correlations with specific items on HAMD-17; (namely, hypochondrias, work and activities, somatic symptoms-general, and weight loss) and on MADRS (concentration difficulties, lassitude) were observed in both patient groups. These findings confirm the presence of low-grade inflammation in depression, thus adding better insight into the inflammation hypothesis directed to explain the aetiology of depressive disorders. Our results do not indicate potential biomarkers for distinguishing between unipolar and bipolar depression. Full article

Effective management of lactating sows significantly influences various aspects of swine production. This study compared the impact of an hourly feeding regime and a five-times-daily feeding regime on the productive performance, body condition, and welfare of lactating sows, as well as on the growth performance of their offspring. Twenty-eight lactating sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were divided into two groups: Group 1 was fed five times a day, and Group 2 was fed according to an hourly regime. The data were analyzed using independent-samples T-tests and the Mann–Whitney U test using Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2011, Version 9.3) software. An hourly feeding regime positively affected (p < 0.05) sows’ feed intake and body condition, significantly reducing the days from the weaning-to-estrus interval. Group 1 exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) reductions in backfat thickness (BFT) and body condition score (BCS) during the weaning period compared to Group 2. Additionally, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in regard to sow body weight loss, feed intake, piglet livability and mortality rate at weaning, sow index, and calculated milk yield. Feeding sows according to an hourly regime positively impacted their productive performance compared to those fed five times daily. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were recorded in regard to the total number of piglets born, live births, mummified piglets, stillbirths, piglet mortality, litter size at weaning, and sow feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, the number of piglets weaned per sow per year (PSY) was numerically higher in Group 2 (p > 0.05). The piglets from Group 2 had significantly higher (p < 0.05) weaning weights and exhibited lower feed intake, greater weight gain, improved average daily gain, and greater litter size weight gain than those from Group 1. Statistically, sows from Group 2 exhibited a higher frequency of standing (p < 0.05), which potentially contributed to the reduction in shoulder skin lesions in sows (p > 0.05). In conclusion, an hourly feeding regime could optimize sow productive performance, body condition, milk yield, welfare, and piglet growth in swine production. Full article

A virtual reality-based lumbar rehabilitation training system is designed to address the increasing number of patients with low back pain (LBP) year by year. Attitude sensors are used to track lower back movement. In order to improve the effect of rehabilitation training, several virtual rehabilitation training games and assessment scenes are designed based on the Unity3D engine to complete different tasks from simple to complex. The goal is to increase patients’ interest in rehabilitation training. The experimental results verify the accuracy of rehabilitation data acquisition, real-time interactive communication, and the smooth operation of rehabilitation scenes. Full article

In this paper, experimental and numerical studies were conducted to differentiate solvent exsolution and liberation processes from different heavy oil–solvent systems in bulk phases and porous media. Experimentally, two series of constant-composition-expansion (CCE) tests in a PVT cell and differential fluid production (DFP) tests in a sandpacked model were performed and compared in the heavy oil–CO₂, heavy oil–CH₄, and heavy oil–C₃H₈ systems. The experimental results showed that the solvent exsolution from each heavy oil–solvent system in the porous media occurred at a higher pressure. The measured bubble-nucleation pressures (P_n) of the heavy oil–CO₂ system, heavy oil–CH₄ system, and heavy oil–C₃H₈ system in the porous media were 0.24 MPa, 0.90 MPa, and 0.02 MPa higher than those in the bulk phases, respectively. In addition, the nucleation of CH₄ bubbles was found to be more instantaneous than that of CO₂ or C₃H₈ bubbles. Numerically, a robust kinetic reaction model in the commercial CMG-STARS module was utilized to simulate the gas exsolution and liberation processes of the CCE and DFP tests. The respective reaction frequency factors for gas exsolution (rff_e) and liberation (rff_l) were obtained in the numerical simulations. Higher values of rff_e were found for the tests in the porous media in comparison with those in the bulk phases, suggesting that the presence of the porous media facilitated the gas exsolution. The magnitudes of rff_e for the three different heavy oil–solvent systems followed the order of CO₂ > CH₄ > C₃H₈ in the bulk phases and CH₄ > CO₂ > C₃H₈ in the porous media. Hence, CO₂ was exsolved from the heavy oil most readily in the bulk phases, whereas CH₄ was exsolved from the heavy oil most easily in the porous media. Among the three solvents, CH₄ was also found most difficult to be liberated from the heavy oil in the DFP test with the lowest rff_l of 0.00019 min⁻¹. This study indicates that foamy-oil evolution processes in the heavy oil reservoirs are rather different from those observed from the bulk-phase tests, such as the PVT tests. Full article

Objective: Labor induction is one of the leading causes of obstetric admission. This study aimed to create a simple model for predicting failure to progress after labor induction using pelvic ultrasound and clinical data. Material and Methods: A group of 387 singleton pregnant women at term with unruptured amniotic membranes admitted for labor induction were included in an observational prospective study. Clinical and ultrasonographic variables were collected at admission prior to the onset of contractions, and labor data were collected after delivery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to create several models to predict cesarean section due to failure to progress. Afterward, the most accurate and reproducible model was selected according to the lowest Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) with a high area under the curve (AUC). Results: Plausible parameters for explaining failure to progress were initially obtained from univariable analysis. With them, several multivariable analyses were evaluated. Those parameters with the highest reproducibility included maternal age (p < 0.05), parity (p < 0.0001), fetal gender (p < 0.05), EFW centile (p < 0.01), cervical length (p < 0.01), and posterior occiput position (p < 0.001), but the angle of descent was disregarded. This model obtained an AIC of 318.3 and an AUC of 0.81 (95% CI 0.76–0.86, p < 0.0001) with detection rates of 24% and 37% for FPRs of 5% and 10%. Conclusions: A simplified clinical and sonographic model may guide the management of pregnancies undergoing labor induction, favoring individualized patient management. Full article

Ensuring a consistently reliable power supply is paramount in power systems. Researchers are engaged in the pursuit of categorizing transmission line failures to design countermeasures for mitigating the associated financial losses. Our study employs a machine learning-based methodology, specifically the Conformer Convolution-Augmented Transformer model, to classify transmission line fault types. This model processes time series input data directly, eliminating the need for expert feature extraction. The training and validation datasets are generated through simulations conducted on a two-terminal transmission line, while testing is conducted on historical data consisting of 108 events that occurred in the Taiwan power system. Due to the limited availability of historical data, they are utilized solely for inference purposes. Our simulations are meticulously designed to encompass potential faults based on an analysis of historical data. A significant aspect of our investigation focuses on the impact of the sampling rate on input data, establishing that a rate of four samples per cycle is sufficient. This suggests that, for our specific classification tasks, relying on lower frequency data might be adequate, thereby challenging the conventional emphasis on high-frequency analysis. Eventually, our methodology achieves a validation accuracy of 100%, although the testing accuracy is lower at 88.88%. The discrepancy in testing accuracy can be attributed to the limited information and the small number of historical events, which pose challenges in bridging the gap between simulated data and real-world measurements. Furthermore, we benchmarked our method against the ELM model proposed in 2023, demonstrating significant improvements in testing accuracy. Full article

Interleukin receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) proteins are pivotal in interleukin-1 and Toll-like receptor-mediated signaling pathways. They play essential roles in innate immunity and inflammation. This review analyzes and discusses the physiological functions of IRAK1 and its associated diseases. IRAK1 is involved in a wide range of diseases such as dry eye, which highlights its potential as a therapeutic target under various conditions. Various IRAK1 inhibitors, including Pacritinib and Rosoxacin, show therapeutic potential against malignancies and inflammatory diseases. The covalent IRAK1 inhibitor JH-X-119-01 shows promise in B-cell lymphomas, emphasizing the significance of covalent bonds in its activity. Additionally, the emergence of selective IRAK1 degraders, such as JNJ-101, provides a novel strategy by targeting the scaffolding function of IRAK1. Thus, the evolving landscape of IRAK1-targeted approaches provides promising avenues for increasingly safe and effective therapeutic interventions for various diseases. Full article

The reconstruction of bone deficiencies remains a challenge due to the limitations of autologous bone grafting. The objective of this study is to evaluate the bone regeneration efficacy of additive manufacturing of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) implants using lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM). LCM uses LithaBone TCP 300 slurry for 3D printing, producing cylindrical scaffolds. Four models of internal scaffold geometry were developed and compared. The in vitro studies included cell culture, differentiation, seeding, morphological studies and detection of early osteogenesis. The in vivo studies involved 42 Wistar rats divided into four groups (control, membrane, scaffold (TCP) and membrane with TCP). In each animal, unilateral right mandibular defects with a total thickness of 5 mm were surgically performed. The animals were sacrificed 3 and 6 months after surgery. Bone neoformation was evaluated by conventional histology, radiology, and micro-CT. Model A (spheres with intersecting and aligned arrays) showed higher penetration and interconnection. Histological and radiological analysis by micro-CT revealed increased bone formation in the grafted groups, especially when combined with a membrane. Our innovative 3D printing technology, combined with precise scaffold design and efficient cleaning, shows potential for bone regeneration. However, further refinement of the technique and long-term clinical studies are crucial to establish the safety and efficacy of these advanced 3D printed scaffolds in human patients. Full article

In recent decades, fuzzy logic and fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making systems have been applied in several fields. This paper aims to determine the optimal wind farm siting solution in a fuzzy environment. Therefore, the main research question of the present paper is whether and to what extent the uncertainty in the researcher’s judgments affects the ranking of wind farm siting solutions. The fuzzy analytical hierarchy method is applied to an existing case study of wind farm siting on the island of Andros, examining the stability of the final priorities of the alternatives under a regime of gradual increases in ambiguity, as well as whether the introduced ambiguity in the model corresponds to any uncertainty the researcher has during the process of scoring the criteria and alternatives. Five assessment criteria (wind potential, ground slope, distance from road network, distance from high-voltage network, and social acceptance of local population) and eight eligible suitable alternatives (A1–A8) for wind farm siting are considered in the computations. The methodology includes the fuzzification of initial decision-maker judgments, the calculation of fuzzy intermediate priorities (weights), the defuzzification of fuzzy intermediate priorities (weights), and the synthesis of intermediate priorities into final priorities of alternatives, according to the procedures of the crisp AHP (CAHP). Under the assumptions of the initial case study, the results show that the final priorities are quite robust when faced with increased ambiguity. In almost all the examined cases, the alternative initially chosen as the best, A1, is dominant, followed by A3. In addition, in all cases, social acceptance favors alternative A1, and wind velocity favors alternative A8. Therefore, fuzzy multi-criteria methods can be applied to determine an optimal wind farm siting solution when criteria with qualitative characteristics are used and the manifestation of preferences involves strong elements of subjectivity. Full article