In this study, composite particles of rGO/CoFe₂O₄ were synthesized using a solvothermal method to fabricate a low-density magnetorheological (MR) material with enhanced sedimentation stability. The morphology and crystallographic features of rGO/CoFe₂O₄ were characterized via SEM, TEM, and XRD, and its magnetic properties were tested using VSM. The MR fluid was formulated by blending rGO/CoFe₂O₄ particles into silicone oil. Under different magnet strengths (H), a rotational rheometer was used to test its MR properties. Typical MR properties were observed, including shear stress, viscosity, storage/loss modulus, and dynamic yield stress (${\tau }_{dy}$) following the Herschel–Bulkley model reaching 200 Pa when H is 342 kA/m. Furthermore, the yield stress of the MR fluid follows a power law relation as H increases and the index changes from 2.0 (in the low H region) to 1.5 (in the high H region). Finally, its MR efficiency was calculated to be about 10⁴% at H of 342 kA/m. Full article

In this paper, we discuss a child Kazakh speaker’s acquisition of English as her second language. In particular, we focus on this child’s development of the English segments |f, v, θ, ð, ɹ, ʃ, ʧ|, which are not part of the Kazakh phonological inventory of consonants. We begin with a longitudinal description of the patterns that the child displayed through her acquisition of each of these segments. The data reveal patterns that range from extremely rapid to rather slow and progressive acquisition. The data also reveal patterns that were unexpected at first, for example, the slow development of |ʧ| in syllable onsets, an affricate that occurs as a contextual allophone in syllable onsets in Kazakh. We analyze these patterns through the Phonological Interference hypothesis, which was recently extended into the Feature Redistribution and Recombination hypothesis. These models predict the transfer into the L2 of all of the relevant phonological features present within the learner’s first language and their recombination to represent segments present in the L2. We also discuss contexts where feature-based approaches to L2 acquisition fail to capture the full range of observations. In all such contexts, we show that the facts are modulated by phonetic characteristics of the speech sounds present in either the child’s L1 or her L2. Full article

Inactivated influenza A virus (IAV) vaccines help reduce clinical disease in suckling piglets, although endemic infections still exist. The objective of this study was to evaluate the detection of IAV in suckling and nursery piglets from IAV-vaccinated sows from farms with endemic IAV infections. Eight nasal swab collections were obtained from 135 two-week-old suckling piglets from four farms every other week from March to September 2013. Oral fluid samples were collected from the same group of nursery piglets. IAV RNA was detected in 1.64% and 31.01% of individual nasal swabs and oral fluids, respectively. H1N2 was detected most often, with sporadic detection of H1N1 and H3N2. Whole-genome sequences of IAV isolated from suckling piglets revealed an H1 hemagglutinin (HA) from the 1B.2.2.2 clade and N2 neuraminidase (NA) from the 2002A clade. The internal gene constellation of the endemic H1N2 was TTTTPT with a pandemic lineage matrix. The HA gene had 97.59% and 97.52% nucleotide and amino acid identities, respectively, to the H1 1B.2.2.2 used in the farm-specific vaccine. A similar H1 1B.2.2.2 was detected in the downstream nursery. These data demonstrate the low frequency of IAV detection in suckling piglets and downstream nurseries from farms with endemic infections in spite of using farm-specific IAV vaccines in sows. Full article

(1) Background: Performance after Cochlear Implantation (CI) can vary depending on numerous factors. This study aims to investigate how meningitis or otosclerosis can influence CI performance. (2) Methods: Retrospective analysis of CI performance in patients with etiological diagnosis of meningitis or otosclerosis, comparing the etiologies and analyzing the image findings, along with electrode array insertion status and technique. (3) Results: Speech recognition in CI patients with otosclerosis improves faster than in patients with meningitis. Other features such as radiological findings, degree of cochlear ossification, surgical technique used and total or partial insertion of electrodes do not seem to be directly related to speech recognition test performance. (4) Conclusions: Patients should be warned that their postoperative results have a strong correlation with the disease that caused their hearing loss and that, in cases of meningitis, a longer duration of speech–language training may be necessary to reach satisfactory results. Full article

Children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are now living longer as a result of advancements in pharmaceutical and medical interventions. There is a paucity of research regarding therapeutic interventions to support this population to be independent and participate in life activities that are most important to them. The aim of this case report is to explore the use of the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach to support a child with SMA type 1 to achieve their functional and participation goals. This is a retrospective case study. A 7-year-old girl with SMA type 1 received ten 1 h sessions of CO-OP, weekly in the home and community settings with a physiotherapist. Clinically meaningful improvements were found in goal performance and satisfaction on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS). Despite the progressive nature of SMA, the CO-OP approach was able to support goal attainment. Given medical advances are leading to a longer life span for children with neuromuscular conditions, further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of functional and participation-based interventions, including impact on quality of life and self-efficacy. Full article

Honey can beneficially act against different human diseases, helping our body to improve its health. The aim of the present study was first to increase knowledge of some biochemical characteristics (amount and composition of polyphenols and volatile organic compounds, vitamin C content) of five Italian legume honeys (alfalfa, astragalus, carob, indigo, and sainfoin). Furthermore, we evaluated their potential health properties by studying their antioxidant and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities and in vitro inhibitory effects on three enzymes involved in neurodegenerative diseases (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase). Alfalfa honey showed the highest total polyphenol content (TPC) (408 μg g⁻¹ of product). Indigo honey showed the lowest TPC (110 μg g⁻¹ of product). The antioxidant activity was noteworthy, especially in the case of sainfoin honey (IC₅₀ = 6.08 mg), which also exhibited excellent inhibitory action against butyrylcholinesterase (74%). Finally, the correlation between the biochemical and functional results allowed us to identify classes of molecules, or even single molecules, present in these five honeys, which are capable of influencing the properties indicated above. Full article

Despite the established safety and efficacy of midurethral slings (MUS), which are the current gold standard treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the potential for postoperative complications remains a significant concern for both healthcare professionals and patients. Meanwhile, sonography has emerged as a significant diagnostic tool in urogynecology, and one of the applications of this imaging modality may be the evaluation of complications arising from MUS procedures. This review, based on a comprehensive literature search, focuses on the use of pelvic floor ultrasound (US) in the context of MUS complications. It includes analyses of randomized controlled trials, prospective, and retrospective studies, covering preoperative and postoperative investigations, to assess complications such as persistent and recurrent SUI, urinary retention and obstructive voiding, de novo urgency/overactive bladder, vaginal exposure, sling erosion, pain, and hematoma. The review critically examines the existing literature, with a particular focus on recent publications. Despite the variability in findings, it appears that for each of the discussed complications, the application of pelvic floor US can significantly support the diagnostic and therapeutic process. The paper also identifies potential future directions for the development of US applications in diagnosing MUS complications. Full article

With the rapid development of semiconductor technology, the reduction in device operating voltage and threshold voltage has made integrated circuits more susceptible to the effects of particle radiation. Moreover, as process sizes decrease, the impact of charge sharing effects becomes increasingly severe, with soft errors caused by single event effects becoming one of the main causes of circuit failures. Therefore, the study of sensitivity evaluation methods for integrated circuits is of great significance for promoting the optimization of integrated circuit design, improving single event effect experimental methods, and enhancing the irradiation reliability of integrated circuits. In this paper, we first established a device model for the charge sharing effect and simulated it under reasonable conditions. Based on the simulation results, we then built a neural network model to predict the charge amounts in primary and secondary devices. We also propose a comprehensive automated method for calculating soft errors in unit circuits and validated it through TCAD simulations, achieving an error margin of 2.8–4.3%. This demonstrated the accuracy and effectiveness of the method we propose. Full article

Over the past decade, the treatment of rectal cancer has changed considerably. The implementation of TME surgery has, in addition to decreasing the number of local recurrences, improved surgical morbidity and mortality. At the same time, the optimisation of radiotherapy in the preoperative setting has improved oncological outcomes even further, although higher perineal infection rates have been reported. Radiotherapy regimens have evolved through the adjustment of radiotherapy techniques and fields, increased waiting intervals, and, for more advanced tumours, adding chemotherapy. Concurrently, imaging techniques have significantly improved staging accuracy, facilitating more precise selection of advanced tumours. Although chemoradiotherapy does lead to the downsizing and -staging of these tumours, a very clear effect on sphincter-preserving surgery and the negative resection margin has not been proven. Aiming to decrease distant metastasis and improve overall survival for locally advanced rectal cancer, systemic chemotherapy can be added to radiotherapy, known as total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT). High complete response rates, both pathological (pCR) and clinical (cCR), are reported after TNT. Patients who follow a Watch & Wait program after a cCR can potentially avoid surgical morbidity and colostomy. For both early and more advanced tumours, trials are now investigating optimal regimens in an attempt to offer organ preservation as much as possible. Multidisciplinary deliberation should include patient preference, treatment toxicity, and likelihood of end colostomy, but also the burden of intensive surveillance in a W&W program. Full article

Uncertainty presents unfamiliar circumstances or incomplete information that may be difficult to handle with a single model of a traditional machine learning algorithm. They are possibly limited by inadequate data, an ambiguous model, and learning performance to make a prediction. Therefore, ensemble modeling is proposed as a powerful model for enhancing predictive capabilities and robustness. This study aims to apply Bayesian prediction to ensemble modeling because it can encode conditional dependencies between variables and present the reasoning model using the BMIC model. The BMIC has clarified knowledge in the model which is ready for learning. Then, it was selected as the base model to be integrated with well-known algorithms such as logistic regression, K-nearest neighbors, decision trees, random forests, support vector machines (SVMs), neural networks, naive Bayes, and XGBoost classifiers. Also, the Bayesian neural network (BNN) and the probabilistic Bayesian neural network (PBN) were considered to compare their performance as a single model. The findings of this study indicate that the ensemble model of the BMIC with some traditional algorithms, which are SVM, random forest, neural networks, and XGBoost classifiers, returns 96.3% model accuracy in prediction. It provides a more reliable model and a versatile approach to support decision-making. Full article

In order to more accurately characterize the effects of nanoparticles on lubricant viscosity, the effects of copper dialkyl dithiophosphate (HDDP)-modified (CuDDP) nanoparticles on the dynamic viscosity of mineral oils 150N, alkylated naphthalene (AN5), diisooctyl sebacate (DIOS), and polyalphaolefins (PAO4, PAO6, PAO10, PAO40, and PAO100) were investigated at an experimental temperature of 40 °C and additive mass fraction ranging from 0.5% to 2.5%. CuDDP exhibits a viscosity-reducing effect on higher-viscosity base oils, such as PAO40 and PAO100, and a viscosity-increasing effect on lower-viscosity base oils, namely, 150N, AN5, DIOS, PAO4, PAO6, and PAO10. These effects can be attributed to the interfacial slip effect and the shear resistance of the nanoparticles. The experimental dynamic viscosity of the eight base oils containing CuDDP was compared with that calculated by the three classical formulae of nanofluid viscosity, The predicted viscosity values of the formulae deviated greatly from the experimental viscosity values, with the maximum deviation being 7.9%. On this basis, the interface slip effect was introduced into Einstein’s formula, the interface effect was quantified with the aniline point of the base oil, and a new equation was established to reflect the influence of CuDDP nanoparticles on lubricating oil viscosity. It can better reflect the influence of CuDDP on the viscosity of various base oils, and the deviation from the experimental data is less than 1.7%. Full article

Herein, the morphological characteristics of submarine archipelagic aprons were presented for five guyots, Suda, Arnold, Lamont, Niulang, and Zhinyv, which are over 80 Ma years old and are located in the Marcus–Wake seamount group, northwestern Pacific Ocean. Nearly 28 landslide deposits were recognized using the bathymetry and backscatter intensity data collected from the studied guyots. Landslides and their deposits that surround seamounts are mostly related to the morphology of debris avalanches, scarps, gullies/channels, and bedforms. The morphology of the archipelagic aprons of the studied guyots indicates mutual landslide processes, including slump and distinct debris avalanches arising from a cohesive or cohesionless landslide material flow. The superimposition of debris flows and sedimentation dominates the recent stages of the studied guyots. The archipelagic aprons corresponding to convex-arc-shaped scarps exhibit larger domains compared to the invagination-arc-shaped scarps with similar lateral lengths. The scarp morphologies of the studied guyots are predominantly of the complex-arc shape, indicating multiple landslide events. Parallel and convergent gullies and channels are mostly found on the elongated landslide deposits, whereas divergent and radial gullies and channels are mostly distributed on the fan-shaped aprons. Ubiquitous sediment waves occurred on the bedforms of the distal archipelagic apron across the studied guyots because of sediment creep. Small-scale sediment waves were only observed in the channels on the aprons of the Suda guyot. Full article

Purpose: We conducted a retrospective case series of seven male COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure and suspected OSA based on clinical features to evaluate the effects of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on COVID-19 outcomes and the response to a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. Cardiorespiratory polygraphy (CRP) and a continuous positive airway pressure treatment were used for diagnosis and management. They confirmed severe obstructive sleep apnea in all patients (apnea/hypopnea index > 30) and improved overnight oxygenation and symptoms at the 1-month follow-up. Conclusions: Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea may negatively impact COVID-19 outcomes by exacerbating respiratory failure. Recognition and treatment with continuous positive airway pressure can optimize the management of such patients. Full article

Climate change has diverse effects on the planet’s environment, including changes and shifts in the distribution and abundance of species. In this paper, we present a robust prediction ensemble algorithm for the current and future species distribution of Aegilops tauschii. Four modeling approaches were trained using various environmental variables (bioclimatic and soil variables) to accurately predict the species distribution for future scenarios. The results showed that GBM and RF demonstrated the most accurate predictions with an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC) of 0.80 and 0.83, respectively. The results of variable importance depicted that the temperature seasonality (bio4) was the most important and effective factor in determining the habitat suitability of Ae. tauschii, followed closely by the precipitation seasonality (bioclimate 15) and the mean temperature of the warmest quarter (bio10). Then, the distribution maps of Ae. tauschii were produced under climate change scenarios for 2050 and 2070. The results showed that Ae. tauschii will lose some of its suitable habitats under climate change and that this loss will be more severe in the east part of the study area. The results of the present study have important implications for ecological conservation as they can assist in identifying critical habitats and inform conservation planning efforts. Our model provides a valuable tool for understanding the potential future distribution of Ae. tauschii and highlights the need for continuous monitoring and protection of this species. Full article

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone renowned for its role in post-meal blood sugar regulation and glucose-dependent insulin secretion, has gained attention as a novel treatment for diabetes through GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RA). Despite their efficacy, concerns have been raised regarding the potential associations between GLP-1-RA and certain malignancies, including medullary thyroid cancer. However, evidence of its association with prostate cancer (PCa) remains inconclusive. This review delves into the intricate relationship between GLP-1-RA and PCa, exploring the mechanisms through which GLP-1-Rs may impact PCa cells. We discuss the potential pathways involving cAMP, ERK, AMPK, mTOR, and P27. Furthermore, we underscore the imperative for additional research to elucidate the impact of GLP-1-RA treatment on PCa progression, patient outcomes, and potential interactions with existing therapies. Translational studies and clinical trials are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the role of GLP-1-RA in PCa management. Full article

The purpose of this article is to understand administrators’ personal beliefs and experiences related to inclusive education and social justice that are critical to their commitment, the leadership provided, and types of special education services that prevail in their districts. This study is embedded within a conceptual framework centered on inclusive education, and existing theoretical framings of leadership for social justice and disability studies in education. Further, it contributes to the conversation in a recent call to reimagine educational approaches in the United States that challenge systems, focus on racial and disability justice, and serve the public good. A qualitative research methodology with in-depth interviewing as the data collection method was used to understand the lived experiences and practices of seven district-level special education leaders. It specifically looks at the leaders’ drive to carry out social justice work and their overall value-based mission of socially just, equity-oriented inclusive education at the district level. It provides a research study on (1) how leaders come to carry out social justice and disability justice work in schools, (2) poignant career events that shape their justice work, and (3) their intentions to prepare under-represented and traditionally marginalized students to engage in society. The overall premise is that since district-level leaders are vital in shaping public schooling spaces, understanding their social and disability justice grounding is critical to disrupt marginalizing practices in PreK-12. Full article

Rapid surface charge mapping of a solid surface remains a challenge. In this study, we present a novel microchip based on liquid crystals for assessing the surface charge distribution of a planar or soft surface. This chip enables rapid measurements of the local surface charge distribution of a charged surface. The chip consists of a micropillar array fabricated on a transparent indium tin oxide substrate, while the liquid crystal is used to fill in the gaps between the micropillar structures. When an object is placed on top of the chip, the local surface charge (or zeta potential) influences the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, resulting in changes in the magnitude of transmitted light. By measuring the intensity of the transmitted light, the distribution of the surface charge can be accurately quantified. We calibrated the chip in a three-electrode configuration and demonstrated the validity of the chip for rapid surface charge mapping using a borosilicate glass slide. This chip offers noninvasive, rapid mapping of surface charges on charged surfaces, with no need for physical or chemical modifications, and has broad potential applications in biomedical research and advanced material design. Full article

Background: Troponin I and T are biomarkers to diagnose myocardial infarction and damage. Studies indicate that strenuous physical activity can cause transient increases in these troponin levels, typically considered physiological. However, current data show differences in the exercise-induced increase in troponin I and T in elite athletes. Method: This prospective clinical study aimed to determine troponin I and T levels in 36 top cross-country skiers of the German national team (18 male, 18 female) after a standardized competition load over two days. All study participants underwent a comprehensive sports medical and cardiological evaluation, including ECG and echocardiography. A multivariable regression analysis was utilized to identify possible predictors of increased troponin I levels. Results: Only three male athletes (8.1%) showed an isolated increase in Troponin I (Ø 112.49 ng/L, cut off < 45.2 ng/L), while no increase in troponin T in the study population was detected. Conclusions: The analysis suggested several potential predictors for increased troponin I levels, such as height, weight, weekly training hours, and indications of an enlarged sports heart, though none achieved statistical significance. Knowing the different exercise-induced detectability of the various troponins in the clinical setting is essential. Full article