Deep reinforcement learning using deep-Q-network for Global Maximum Power Point tracking: Design and experiments in real photovoltaic systems.

This paper presents a methodology for integrating Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) using a Deep-Q-Network (DQN) agent into real-time experiments to achieve the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP) of Photovoltaic (PV) systems under various environmental conditions. Conventional methods, such as the Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm, often become stuck at the Local Maximum Power Point (LMPP) and fail to reach the GMPP under Partial Shading Conditions (PSC). The main contribution of this work is the experimental validation of the DQN agent's implementation in a synchronous DC-DC Buck converter (step-down converter) un-der both uniform and PSC conditions.

Intranasal Versus Oral Treatments for Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Background: Treatments for allergic rhinitis include intranasal or oral medications.

Objective: To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of intranasal corticosteroids or antihistamines versus oral antihistamines or leukotriene receptor antagonists in improving allergic rhinitis symptoms and quality of life.

Methods: We searched four bibliographic databases and three clinical trial datasets for randomized controlled trials (1) assessing patients aged 12 years and older with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, and (2) comparing intranasal corticosteroids or antihistamines versus oral antihistamines or leukotriene receptor antagonists.

Protocol for the systematic reviews on the desirable and undesirable effects of pharmacological treatments of allergic rhinitis informing the ARIA 2024 guidelines.

There is insufficient evidence regarding the comparative efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments of allergic rhinitis (AR). In the context of informing the 2024 revision of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines, we plan to perform three systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the desirable and undesirable effects (i) between intranasal and oral medications for AR; (ii) between combinations of intranasal and oral medications versus nasal or oral medications alone; and (iii) among different intranasal specific medications. We will search four electronic bibliographic databases and three clinical trials databases for RCTs examining patients ≥ 12 years old with seasonal or perennial AR.

Expression of Elafin and CD200 as Immune Checkpoint Molecules Involved in Celiac Disease.

We comprehensively evaluated the expression of therapeutically targetable immune checkpoint molecules involved in celiac disease (CD). We have focused on the alteration of the CD200/CD200R pathway and Elafin expression in celiac disease and discussed their roles in regulating the immune response. There are limited data related to the expression or function of these molecules in celiac disease.

Dialogue Management and Language Generation for a Robust Conversational Virtual Coach: Validation and User Study.

Designing human-machine interactive systems requires cooperation between different disciplines is required. In this work, we present a Dialogue Manager and a Language Generator that are the core modules of a Voice-based Spoken Dialogue System (SDS) capable of carrying out challenging, long and complex coaching conversations. We also develop an efficient integration procedure of the whole system that will act as an intelligent and robust Virtual Coach.

Significance of PD1 Alternative Splicing in Celiac Disease as a Novel Source for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Target.

Background: We have focused on the alteration of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in celiac disease and discussed the roles of the PD1 pathway in regulating the immune response. We explored the idea that the altered mRNA splicing process in key regulatory proteins could represent a novel source to identify diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets in celiac disease.

Methods: We characterized the PD1 mRNA variants' profile in CD patients and in response to gluten peptides' incubation after experiments.

Supports for Maternal Communication About Peer Pressure to Have Sex Among Puerto Rican Families.

This research tests the independent contribution of social capital and the use of the internet to obtain health information to support maternal-child communication about peer pressure to have sex among Puerto Rican families. A sample of 413 Puerto Rican households in Springfield, MA provides the data to independently test these hypotheses. The results of a logistic regression model suggest that Puerto Rican mothers with increased social capital and who accessed the internet for health information are more likely to communicate with their adolescent children about peer pressure to have sex.

Central American Immigrant Parents' Awareness, Acceptability, and Willingness to Vaccinate Their Adolescent Children Against Human Papillomavirus: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study.

Despite increasing interest in understanding the factors influencing awareness and acceptability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among Latino parents, to date limited information is available specific to Central American parents living in the United States (US). Therefore, this pilot cross-sectional study was designed to explore and assess Central American immigrant parents' awareness, acceptability, and willingness to vaccinate their children against HPV, and interest in participating in future HPV-associated cancer prevention study. Fifty-six Central American parents, majority immigrant (96.

Effect of Sex Differences on Computed Tomography Findings in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: A Multicenter Study.

Background: The survival of women with cystic fibrosis (CF) is lower than that of men by approximately 5 years. While various factors have been put forward to account for this discrepancy, no specific reasons have been established. Our hypothesis was that anatomical-structural involvement is more pronounced in women with CF than in men and that this is reflected in thoracic HRCT findings.

Complex Evolutionary History of Mboumar, a Mariner Element Widely Represented in Ant Genomes.

Mboumar-9 is an active mariner-transposable element previously isolated in the ant Messor bouvieri. In this work, a mariner-like element, Mboumar, isolated from 22 species of ants, is analyzed. These species belong to nine different subfamilies, including Leptanillinae, the most primitive ant subfamily, and Myrmicinae and Formicidae, the most derived ones.

Stimulatory Response of Celiac Disease Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Induced by RNAi Wheat Lines Differing in Grain Protein Composition.

Wheat gluten proteins are responsible for the bread-making properties of the dough but also for triggering important gastrointestinal disorders. Celiac disease (CD) affects approximately 1% of the population in Western countries. The only treatment available is the strict avoidance of gluten in the diet.

Celiac Immunogenic Potential of α-Gliadin Epitope Variants from and Species.

The high global demand of wheat and its subsequent consumption arise from the physicochemical properties of bread dough and its contribution to the protein intake in the human diet. Gluten is the main structural complex of wheat proteins and subjects affected by celiac disease (CD) cannot tolerate gluten protein. Within gluten proteins, α-gliadins constitute the most immunogenic fraction since they contain the main T-cell stimulating epitopes (DQ2.

Celiac Disease Autoimmunity.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by the ingestion of gluten, the protein fraction of wheat, barley and rye. It is not simply an intestinal disease; it is multifactorial caused by many different genetic factors acting together with non-genetic causes. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, celiac disease is a polygenic disorder for which the major histocompatibility complex locus is the most important genetic factor, and is the result of an immune response to self-antigens leading to tissue destruction and the autoantibodies production.

Enhancing capacity among faith-based organizations to implement evidence-based cancer control programs: a community-engaged approach.

Evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to promote cancer control among Latinos have proliferated in recent years, though adoption and implementation of these interventions by faith-based organizations (FBOs) is limited. Capacity building may be one strategy to promote implementation. In this qualitative study, 18 community key informants were interviewed to (a) understand existing capacity for health programming among Catholic parishes, (b) characterize parishes' resource gaps and capacity-building needs implementing cancer control EBIs, and (c) elucidate strategies for delivering capacity-building assistance to parishes to facilitate implementation of EBIs.

Influential Factors of Puerto Rican Mother-Child Communication About Sexual Health Topics.

Introduction Latina mothers play a central role in raising and socializing their children; however, few studies have examined the cultural, socio-cognitive and neighborhood-related variables influencing the level of communication between Puerto Rican mothers and their children about sexuality and sexual health. This cross-sectional study sought to examine these influences. Methods Puerto Rican mothers with children aged 10-19 years (n = 193) were selected randomly for an ethnographic interview as part of a community participatory action research project in a U.

Dissemination of evidence-based cancer control interventions among Catholic faith-based organizations: results from the CRUZA randomized trial.

Background: The CRUZA randomized trial tested the efficacy of an organizational-level intervention to increase the capacity of Catholic faith-based organizations (FBOs) serving Latinos to implement evidence-based strategies (EBS) for cancer control.

Methods: Thirty-one Catholic parishes were enrolled. Twenty were randomized to a "capacity enhancement" (CE) intervention and 11 to a "standard dissemination" (SD) condition.

Selective capture of most celiac immunogenic peptides from hydrolyzed gluten proteins.

The available immunomethods for gluten quantitation could underestimate or overestimate the net immunoactivity of foods and beverages if the chosen analytical antibody is not specific to the relevant gluten immunogenic peptides (GIP). Accurate detection of the most active GIP is desirable to assess the potential celiac toxicity of food. We evaluated the capacity of the G12 monoclonal antibody for selectively depleting GIP in samples from two different gluteomes.

Developing Research and Community Literacies to Recruit Latino Researchers and Practitioners to Address Health Disparities.

Engaging community residents and undergraduate Latino students in developing research and community literacies can expose both groups to resources needed to address health disparities. The bidirectional learning process described in this article developed these literacies through an ethnographic mapping fieldwork activity that used a learning-by-doing method in combination with reflection on the research experience. The active efforts of research team members to promote reflection on the research activities were integral for developing research and community literacies.

Evolutionary history of the Azteca-like mariner transposons and their host ants.

Three different complete mariner elements were found in the genome of the ant Tapinoma nigerrimum. One (Tnigmar-Mr) was interrupted by a 900-bp insertion that corresponded to an incomplete member of a fourth mariner element, called Azteca. In this work, we isolate and characterize full-length Tnigmar-Az elements in T.

Enhancing organizational capacity to provide cancer control programs among Latino churches: design and baseline findings of the CRUZA Study.

Background: Faith-based organizations (FBOs) have been successful in delivering health promotion programs for African Americans, though few studies have been conducted among Latinos. Even fewer have focused on organizational change, which is required to sustain community-based initiatives. We hypothesized that FBOs serving Latinos would be more likely to offer evidence-based strategies (EBS) for cancer control after receiving a capacity enhancement intervention to implement health programs, and designed the CRUZA trial to test this hypothesis.

Recruiting and Surveying Catholic Parishes for Cancer Control Initiatives: Lessons Learned From the CRUZA Implementation Study.

Background: We describe activities undertaken to conduct organizational surveys among faith-based organizations in Massachusetts as part of a larger study designed to promote parish-based cancer control programs for Latinos.

Method: Catholic parishes located in Massachusetts that provided Spanish-language mass were eligible for study participation. Parishes were identified through diocesan records and online directories.

Debunking the myth: low knowledge levels of HBV infection among Asian American college students.

Objective: To examine the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related knowledge among Asian American college students and to determine whether there are significant differences in the level of HBV knowledge among Asian American subgroups.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was self-administered to assess a sample of 258 Asian American students' knowledge about HBV at the campus of the research site.

Results: Knowledge regarding transmission and consequences of HBV infection was poor.

Religion, fatalism, and cancer control: a qualitative study among Hispanic Catholics.

Objectives: To assess cancer perceptions among churchgoers and to examine the potential influence of fatalism and religious beliefs on the use of cancer screening tests.

Methods: Eight semi-structured focus groups were conducted among 67 Hispanic Catholics in Massachusetts.

Results: In this sample, there were few references to fatalistic beliefs about cancer and nearly universal endorsement of the utility of cancer screening for cancer early detection.

Plasma renin-angiotensin system-regulating aminopeptidase activities are modified in early stage Alzheimer's disease and show gender differences but are not related to apolipoprotein E genotype.

Alterations in blood pressure and components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contribute to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), resulting in changes that can lead or contribute to cognitive decline. Aspartyl aminopeptidase (ASAP), aminopeptidase A (APA), aminopeptidase N (APN) and aminopeptidase B (APB) catabolise circulating angiotensins, whereas insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) has been described as the AT4 receptor. We have found in AD patients a significant decrease of APA activity in men but not in women, and of APN, APB and IRAP in both genders, when compared with control subjects.