This letter presents a novel self-supervised learning strategy to improve the robustness of a monocular depth estimation (MDE) network against motion blur. Motion blur, a common problem in real-world applications such as autonomous driving and scene reconstruction, often hinders accurate depth perception. Conventional MDE methods are effective under controlled conditions but struggle to generalise their performance to blurred images. To address this problem, we generate blur-synthesized data to train a blur-robust MDE model without the need for preprocessing such as deblurring. By incorporating self-distillation techniques and using blur-synthesised data, we significantly enhance depth estimation accuracy for blurred images without any additional computational or memory overhead. Extensive experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, enhancing existing MDE models to accurately estimate depth information across various blur conditions.

Background: Legacy-oriented interventions have the potential to offer pediatric oncology patients and families comfort at end-of-life and during bereavement. Certified Child Life Specialists often provide these services, and presently little is known about whether disparities exist in the provision of legacy-oriented interventions. Methods: In this retrospective decedent cohort study, we examined demographic and clinical characteristics from a sample of 678 pediatric oncology patients who died between 2015-2019. Bivariate analysis assessed differences between patients who received any versus no legacy-oriented intervention. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations of baseline characteristics and likelihood of receiving legacy-oriented intervention. Further multivariable analysis explored joint effects of significant variables identified in the univariable analysis. Results: 52% of patients received a legacy-oriented intervention. Older adolescents (≥13 years) had lower odds (OR: 1.73, p=0.007) of receiving legacy-oriented interventions than younger ones. Patients with Home/hospice deaths showed decreased likelihood (OR: 19.98, p<0.001) compared to patients who passed away at SJCRH locations. Hispanic patients (OR: 1.53, p=0.038) and those in palliative care (OR: 10.51, p<0.001) were more likely to receive interventions. No significant race association was noted. Conclusion: All children and adolescents with cancer deserve quality care at end-of-life, including access to legacy-oriented interventions, yet nearly half of patients in this cohort did not receive these services. By identifying demographic and clinical characteristics associated with decreased odds of receiving legacy-oriented interventions, healthcare professionals can modify end-of-life care processes to improve access. Introducing legacy-oriented interventions early and increasing exposure in community spaces may enhance access to legacy-oriented interventions for pediatric oncology patients.

Flavonoids, including fisetin, have been linked to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and have potential therapeutic applications for the condition. Fisetin, a natural flavonoid found in various fruits and vegetables, has shown promise in managing CRC due to its diverse biological activities. It has been found to influence key cell signaling pathways related to inflammation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, growth factors, and transcription factors. The results of this study demonstrate that fisetin induces colon cancer cell apoptosis through multiple mechanisms. It impacts the p53 pathway, leading to increased levels of p53 and decreased levels of MDM2, contributing to apoptosis induction. Fisetin also triggers the release of important components in the apoptotic process, such as Smac/DIABLO and cytochrome c. Furthermore, fisetin inhibits the COX2 and Wnt/EGFR/NF-ĸB signaling pathways, reducing Wnt target gene expression and hindering colony formation. It achieves this by regulating the activities of CDK2 and CDK4, reducing Rb phosphorylation, decreasing cyclin E levels, and increasing p21 levels, ultimately influencing E2F-1 and CDC2 protein levels. Additionally, fisetin has various effects on CRC cells, including inhibiting the phosphorylation of YB-1 and RSK, promoting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and disrupting the repair process of DSBs. Moreover, fisetin serves as an adjunct therapy for the prevention and treatment of PIK3CA-mutant CRC, resulting in a reduction of PI3K expression, AKT phosphorylation, mTOR activity, and downstream target proteins in CRC cells with a PIK3CA mutation. These findings highlight the multifaceted potential of fisetin in managing CRC and position it as a promising candidate for future therapy development.

Photothermal energy conversion represents a cornerstone process in the renewable energy technologies domain, enabling the capture of solar irradiance and its subsequent transformation into thermal energy. This mechanism is paramount across many applications, facilitating the exploitation of solar energy for different purposes. The photothermal conversion efficiency and applications are fundamentally contingent upon the characteristics and performance of the materials employed. Consequently, deploying high-caliber materials is essential for optimizing energy capture and utilization. Within this context, photothermal nanomaterials have emerged as pivotal components in various applications, ranging from catalysis and sterilization to medical therapy, desalination, and electric power generation via the photothermal conversion effect. This review endeavors to encapsulate the current research landscape, delineating both the developmental trajectories and application horizons of photothermal conversion materials. It aims to furnish a detailed exposition of the mechanisms underlying photothermal conversion across various materials, shedding light on the principles guiding the design of photothermal nanomaterials. Furthermore, addressing the prevailing challenges and outlooks within the field elucidates potential avenues for future research and identifying priority areas. This review aspires to enrich the understanding of photothermal materials within the framework of energy conversion, offering novel insights and fostering a more profound comprehension of their role and potential in harnessing solar energy.

The integration of optogenetic techniques with traditional behavioral paradigms has provided novel insights into the neural mechanisms underlying olfactory-based fear conditioning. Olfactory cues are potent triggers for fear responses, and understanding the intricate neural dynamics involved in olfactory fear learning is crucial for unraveling the complexities of aversive memory formation. In this study, a robust method is presented that combines optogenetic stimulation of olfactory bulb glomeruli with foot shock fear conditioning to investigate olfactory-based fear learning in mice. By merging optogenetic manipulation with behavioral assays, a comprehensive framework for studying the mechanisms of olfactory fear conditioning is provided. This method offers new avenues for exploring the neural dynamics of adaptive responses to olfactory threats and may have implications for understanding fear-related disorders.

The nature of explanation is an important area of inquiry in philosophy of science. Consensus has been that explanation in the cognitive and brain sciences is typically a special case of causal explanation, specifically, mechanistic explanation (Craver 2007). But recently there has been increased attention to computational explanation in the brain sciences, and to whether that can be understood as a variety of mechanistic explanation. After laying out the stakes for a proper understanding of scientific explanation, we consider the status of computational explanation in the brain sciences by comparing the mechanistic proposal to computational accounts advanced by Piccinini (2015), Milkowski (2013)), Cao (2019), Chirimuuta (2014, 2018), and Ross (Ross 2015, 2023). We argue that many of these accounts of computational explanation in neuroscience can satisfy the same explanatory criteria as causal explanations, but not all. This has implications for interpretation of those computational explanations that satisfy different criteria.

‘Medium is the message’ – this concept of Marshall Mcluhan emphasize the importance of a medium. Without a medium, message is futile. Medium is determined according to the number of people participating in the communication process. As nation Branding means creating a positive image of a country to a vast number of people, Mass Media is a must need. Every Country should pay special attention to the ‘Media’ for their branding. So do Bangladesh. This study suggests ‘Media’ as the tool for branding Bangladesh following the Octagon model to specifies the importance of this tool.

Abnormal traffic between the left atrium and the inferior vena cava in the database is currently rare. Herein, we present a unique case of abnormal traffic between the left atrium and the inferior vena cava, which was diagnosed using transesophageal echocardiography and confirmed by computed tomography angiography (CTA). This case substantiates

Title PageArticle Title- MACROSCOPIC T WAVE ALTERNANS –UNUSUAL PRESENTATION IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTSRunning head/short title- MACROSCOPIC T WAVE ALTERNANS.

The article presents a theoretical study that highlights applicability boundaries for the contemporary AI algorithms. Past the boundaries the technology presents an existential threat to humanity. A discussion how to extend the safety margin concludes the article. In particular, the article analyzes various AI alignment classes, which are differentiated by algorithmic principles. The applicability constraints are being considered. To quantify the phenomenon, AI alignment limits are compared against cognitive task complexity and mapped onto the same scale. It reveals safe operations ranges for the algorithmic approaches. Another insight is that the AI alignment limits are forming a distinct data row. An improved alignment criterion is being proposed as a result of extrapolation. Respectively, a new class of AI alignment is being identified. It resembles being failsafe for all actual cognitive tasks. An algorithm feature to implement the alignment class is proposed.

Photothermal agents (PTAs) with ultra-high photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) activated upon near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation can heat up and destroy tumor cells under low-intensity laser excitation to allow safe and efficient tumor therapy. Herein, an organic PTA with outstanding PCE of 89.6% is developed from rationally designed perylene diimide (PDI) with electron donating cyclohexylamine moiety at the bay-positions of its skeleton and chiral phenethylamine (PEA) moiety at its N terminals, termed here as PEAPDI. The strong intermolecular interaction between the PDI skeletons induced by PEA together with the intramolecular charge transfer from cyclohexylamine to PDI skeleton severely quenches the fluorescence emission from PEAPDI and significantly enhance its NIR absorption, resulting in super NIR-photothermal conversion. PEAPDI is further encapsulated into silica nanocapsules (SNC) to produce PEAPDI@SNC. The specific features of PEAPDI@SNC, including small hydrodynamic diameter with monodispersity, high PDI encapsulation efficiency, colloidal stability and biocompatibility, effectively extend its blood circulation time and enhance its permeability and retention effect to accumulate at the tumor site. In vivo study using a 4T1-tumor-bearing mice model demonstrates highly effective tumor ablation without side effect at low dosage of PEAPDI@SNC with NIR laser irradiation (808 nm). PEAPDI@SNC shows great potential for photothermal therapy in tumor treatment.

A document by Sabthagi Sivathasan. Click on the document to view its contents.

Proficiency in psychopharmacology is indispensable for a psychologist to effectively fulfill their professional responsibilities, irrespective of their intention for prescribing licensure. This commentary makes a call for psychopharmacology training in clinical psychology and Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists in India. Without proficiency in psychopharmacology, one's capacity to collaborate with medical prescribers and provide optimal care to patients as a valued member of the healthcare team is severely constrained.

Land degradation is a global problem and effective land restoration techniques are needed. Biocrust introduction has attracted much attention because biocrust-forming organisms have a high survival rate in harsh environments and perform various ecological functions. However, physical disturbances and low nutrients impede biocrust development. In degraded areas, soil tackifiers and amendments are often applied before biocrust inoculation, but optimal methods require further investigation. This study examined whether biomineralization by ureolytic bacteria, one soil stabilization method, could facilitate the growth of biocrust-forming cyanobacteria and biocrust development. We also investigated whether biomineralization and cyanobacterial inoculation could improve soil stabilization, hydrology, and photosynthesis activity compared to the only biocrust introduction. We incubated the biocrusts on biomineralized sand or bare sand. We measured several indicators of cyanobacterial growth, biocrust structure development, and ecological functions during the incubation. The results indicate that although the biomineralized soil did not facilitate cyanobacterial growth, infiltration, or photosynthesis activity, it improved the biocrust thickness and wind erosion tolerance. Our findings indicate biocrusts with biomineralization would form a more stable soil surface in degraded land. We also show the different influences of biomineralization among the target ecological functions, which will help to develop land restoration methods utilizing biocrusts and biomineralization.

Apoptosis is a highly regulated form of cell death. Currently, the established methods for apoptosis detection include observation of cell morphology and probing of DNA fragmentation. These methods focus on the detection of changes that occur later in the apoptotic process. Nevertheless, detection of apoptosis at the early stages, prior to gross morphological changes, is critical for understanding the entire apoptotic pathway and for providing the possibility to intervene and enhance longevity and productivity of cell cultures used to produce biologicals. A group of proteases known as caspases act together in a cascade to cleave proteins at aspartic acid residues. This proteolytic cascade amplifies the apoptotic signalling pathway and thus leads to rapid cell death. In this paper, an impedance spectroscopy technique using non-Faradaic measurement of caspase-9 was combined with fluorescence-based light microscopy including an associated macro-based image analysis suite for ImageJ in a multimodal approach. Whereas the biosensor measurements provide a cell population overview, the microscopic analysis provides individual cell analysis. Combined, these approaches allowed us to detect cells in the early stages of apoptosis in the cell population. We believe these complementary methods will allow us to follow the progression of apoptosis in cells more accurately and give us a handle to intervene at early stages of apoptosis.

Perceived Social Support, General Self-Efficacy, andProfessional Identity inNursing Students’ ResilienceA short running title: Nursing Students’ ResilienceXiaoyan Zhang1,2, Yulin Long1, Jing Wang3, Tingting Yu1, Liyi Dai1

Tannery effluents (TE) are the major hazardous chemical wastes generated by the leather or tannery industries during the processing and finishing of the leather. Across the globe, India has secured second rank in leather industries, contributing to producing hazardous chemical wastes/tannery effluents that disturb the ecological balance. The conventional microbial treatment strategy is one of the options, which decreases the level of hazardous chemical wastes from tannery effluents. This study aims to evaluate TE’s chemical composition, organic texture, and metabolites using GC-MS, ICP-MS and other physiochemical analyses after the conventional microbial treatment process at a common effluent treatment plant (CETP). The results showed that most of the pollutant parameters like COD, BOD, metal ions, sulphate, chromium, and organic pollutants were significantly reduced in TE after the microbial treatment. Moreover, results also showed that chlorophenols and phthalate derivatives could not be biodegraded by the indigenous microbial population in the aeration pond/tank of CETP. Dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF) assay on cell line showed that untreated TE extract has the highest reactive oxygen species (ROS) production than other samples (all p<0.01). The genotoxicity of TE was reduced significantly in terms of Olive Tail Moment (OTM) and % tail DNA after the conventional treatment process at CETP by 58.4% and 36.45% in aerated tanks 1 and 2, respectively. However, TE samples had higher pollution parameters and toxic effluents even after conversion through microbial treatment. Therefore, results suggested that adequate treatment of TE is crucial before its final disposal/discharge into the environment.

Background: Older patients are at an increased risk of developing adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The aim of this study was to develop a risk prediction model (ADAPTiP) for ADR-related hospital admissions in older populations, based on predictors available at the time of hospital admission. Methods: We used the Adverse Drug reactions in an Ageing PopulaTion (ADAPT) cohort (N=798; 361 ADR-related admissions; 437 non-ADR-related admissions), a cross-sectional and prospective cohort study designed to examine the prevalence of and risk factors for ADR-related hospital admissions in patients aged ≥ 65 years. Twenty predictors (categorised as sociodemographic-related, functional ability-related, disease-related and medication-related) were considered in the development of the model. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed using statistically significant univariate associations and/or clinically relevant predictors to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Calibration and discriminative performance of the model was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and by calculating the area under the receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curve. Results: The multivariable model (ADAPTiP) included ten predictors. Antithrombotic agents, diuretics and RAAS drug classes and the primary presenting complaints of bleeding disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and syncope and frailty were significantly associated with an ADR-related hospital admission. Increasing age and having chronic lung disease were significantly associated with having a non-ADR-related hospital admission. The AUROC was 0.78 [95%CI:0.75;0.81] with sensitivity and specificity values of 59% and 83%, respectively. Conclusion: ADAPTiP has potential as a risk prediction model for ADR-related hospital admissions. Future research will validate this model in other settings.

Aim More women than ever before use medication during pregnancy. This use of medications is associated with maternal demographic characteristics, but the nature of the associations is not well documented, especially in relation to polypharmacy. This study describes the medication use during pregnancy in relation to maternal age, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking, parity, ethnic origin, and socioeconomic classification. Methods This was a Danish nationwide registry study comprising 698,447 clinically recognised pregnancies with gestational age ≥ 10 weeks. This study was conducted in the 2008-2018 period. Medication use was estimated based on the prescription redemption during pregnancy and stratified by maternal demographic characteristics. Results Overall, 60.3% of all pregnant women redeemed at least one prescription during pregnancy, and 28.9% redeemed multiple medications. When stratified by maternal demographic characteristics, use of medication was higher among women aged ≥35 years (65.1%), those with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (68.6%), smokers (66.0%), multipara (62.4%), Black women (64.5%), and those on early retirement (78.8%). A similar pattern was seen for polypharmacy. Anti-infectives were the most frequently used medication in all subgroups. The types of medications used in combination differed with maternal age, BMI, ethnicity, and socioeconomic classification; especially women on early retirement had a different combination pattern. Conclusion Use of one or multiple medications during pregnancy was highest among women above 35 years of age, women with obesity, smokers, Black women, and early retirees. Early retirees had a distinct prescription pattern, which potentially increased their risk of teratogenicity and maternal adverse effects.

In a fluviokarst region, three seldom used natural tracers, SiO 2, Na and Ba, were considered for tracking the allogenic, silicate-derived water contribution to cave streams and to final karst outflows. The concerned allogenic recharge originates in watersheds that consist of metamorphic formations intruded by magmatic rocks, for which available whole rock chemistry data indicate rather uniform contents of SiO 2 and Na, but contrasting (up to one order of magnitude) contents of Ba. All three considered natural tracers proved to behave, along karst flowpaths, conservatively, and indicated binary mixing between allogenic and autogenic inputs. However, only the dissolved Ba concentrations enabled chemical distinction to be made between two separate karst catchments: one having allogenic inputs presumably derived mainly from the weathering of Ba-rich rocks (essentially granites), while the other had allogenic recharge originating mostly in the weathering of Ba-poor formations. In contrast, if only the sampled waters SiO 2 and Na concentrations had been considered, it would have been virtually impossible to establish if the two karst catchments were distinct - or not - from each other. When considering each of the two karst catchments separately, the concentrations distribution of each of the three natural tracers, SiO 2, Na and Ba, consistently indicated that between a swallet and a connected cave stream, then further between cave streams and final karst outflows, the allogenic water relative contribution gradually diminished to the benefit of autogenic water. A two-component mixing model indicates that the allogenic water fraction in the major karst outflows remained, nevertheless, always important: about 70 - 80%, with a larger percentage being recorded during a low water stage.

Modern chemotherapy for pediatric acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), including a maintenance phase on the backbone of oral antimetabolite administration, has resulted in a generally excellent prognosis for newly diagnosed disease. However, therapy-related toxicities may preclude a patient’s ability to safely receive traditional chemotherapy. We report the case of a child with B-ALL unable to tolerate oral antimetabolite therapy due to recurring necrotizing pancreatitis secondary to asparaginase. She received a modified maintenance therapy with blinatumomab, a CD3- and CD19-directed bispecific T-cell engager antibody, which was well tolerated and allowed for resolution of her pancreatitis while maintaining a durable remission.

Case details: A 30-year-old man with a structurally normal heart presented with sudden-onset rapid palpitations due to wide complex tachycardia, which spontaneously reverted to sinus rhythm. He was referred to us for an electrophysiological (EP) study.

The oceanographic conditions of the Southern California Bight (SCB) dictate the distribution and abundance of prey resources and therefore the presence of mobile predators, such as Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Cuvier’s beaked whales are deep-diving odontocetes that spend a majority of their time foraging at depth. Due to their cryptic behavior, little is known about how they respond to seasonal and interannual changes in their environment. This study utilizes passive acoustic data recorded from two sites within the SCB to explore the oceanographic conditions that Cuvier’s beaked whales appear to favor. Utilizing optimum multiparameter analysis, modeled temperature and salinity data are used to identify and quantify these source waters: Pacific Subarctic Upper Water (PSUW), Pacific Equatorial Water (PEW), and Eastern North Pacific Central Water (ENPCW). The interannual and seasonal variability in Cuvier’s beaked whale presence was related to the variability in El Niño Southern Oscillation events and the fraction and vertical distribution of the three source waters. Cuvier’s beaked whale acoustic presence was highest during the winter and spring and decreased during the late summer and early fall. These seasonal increases occurred at times of increased fractions of PEW in the California Undercurrent and decreased fractions of ENPCW in surface waters. Interannual increases in Cuvier’s beaked whale presence occurred during El Niño events. These results establish a baseline understanding of the oceanographic characteristics that correlate with Cuvier’s beaked whale presence in the SCB. Furthering our knowledge of this elusive species is key to understanding how anthropogenic activities impact Cuvier’s beaked whales.

Catalytic and green strategies for the synthesis of privileged scaffolds are synthetically appealing. We now reported a radical-polar crossover (RPC)-enabled three-component cyclization of bromodifluoroalkyls with enaminones and 6-aminouraciles via a visible-light-induced dom-ino cyclization. The reaction exhibited a broad substrate scope (> 40 examples) including complex molecules, which highlighted the utility of this strategy for the construction of a library of bioactive analogs.