Multi-Structure-Based Refractive Index Sensor and Its Application in Temperature Sensing.

In this paper, a new sensor structure is designed, which consists of a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide and a circular protrusion and a rectangular triangular cavity (CPRTC). The characterization of nanoscale sensors is considered using an approximate numerical method (finite element method). The simulation results show that the sharp asymmetric resonance generated by the interaction between the discrete narrow-band mode and the continuous wideband mode is called Fano resonance.

Analysis of the Impact of Graphite Addition on the Tribological Properties of Composites with Polyester-Glass Recyclate.

Composites are increasingly being modified with various types of fillers and nanofillers. These materials have attracted much attention due to the improvement in their properties compared to traditional composite materials. In the case of advanced technologies, adding additives to the matrix has created a number of possibilities for use in many industries, from electronics to mechanics.

Characterization and Comparison of Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Highland Barley Starch of Different Colors.

Domesticated highland barley is an important starch reserve and has differently colored grains, owing to different genotype backgrounds and cultivation environments. In this study, black, purple, blue, and yellow highland barley varieties were planted under the same cultivation conditions, and their starch distribution, structural characteristics, and physicochemical properties were analyzed. The apparent amylose content was highest in the purple variety (20.

Characteristics of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and their association with treatment outcomes: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: There are few data on the treatment of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis, especially with more recently available drugs and regimens. We aimed to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics and their associations with treatment outcomes in this susceptible population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

LiDAR point cloud denoising for individual tree extraction based on the Noise4Denoise.

The processing of LiDAR point cloud data is of critical importance in the context of forest resource surveys, as well as representing a pivotal element in the realm of forest physiological and ecological studies.Nonetheless, conventional denoising algorithms frequently exhibit deficiencies with regard to adaptability and denoising efficacy, particularly when employed in relation to disparate datasets.To address these issues, this study introduces DEN4, an unsupervised, deep learning-based point cloud denoising algorithm designed to improve the accuracy of single tree segmentation in LiDAR point clouds.

New insights into chitosan-Ag nanocomposites synthesis: Physicochemical aspects of formation, structure-bioactivity relationship and mechanism of antioxidant activity.

Herein, a novel approach to the controlled formation of chitosan-Ag nanocomposites (NCs) with different structures and tunable chemical/biological properties was proposed. The chitosan-Ag NCs were obtained using hydrothermal synthesis and varying the concentrations of components. The hypothesis of chitosan-Ag NC synthesis using polysaccharide coils as a "microreactor" system was confirmed.

Measuring high-efficiency perfect composite vortex beams with reflective metasurfaces in microwave band.

Optical vortex beams carrying orbit angular momentum have attracted significant attention recently. Perfect vortex beams, characterized by their topological charge-independent intensity profile, have important applications in enhancing communication capacity and optimizing particle manipulation. In this paper, metal-insulator-metal copper-coin type reflective metasurfaces are proposed to generate perfect composite vortex beams in X-band.

Navigating vaccine confidence: A mixed methods study investigating healthcare providers' perspectives across four non-EU European regions.

Background: Vaccine confidence remains a global public health challenge, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public trust in vaccines is crucial, with healthcare providers (HCPs) playing a pivotal role in navigating this sensitive topic. This requires an understanding of HCPs' perceptions of vaccines.

Effects of converting cropland to grassland on greenhouse gas emissions from peat and organic-rich soils in temperate and boreal climates: a systematic review.

Background: To align with climate goals, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture must be reduced significantly. Cultivated peatlands are an important source of such emissions. One proposed measure is to convert arable fields on peatlands to grassland, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) default emission factors (EF) for organic soils are lower from grasslands.

L-histidine makes Ni 'visible' for plant signalling systems: Shading the light on Ni-induced Ca and redox signalling in plants.

Nickel is both an important nutrient and an ecotoxicant for plants. Organic ligands, such as L-histidine (His), play a key role in Ni detoxification. Here, we show that His (added together with 0.

Efficient simultaneous degradation of multiple sulfonamide antibiotics in soil using biocarbon-based nanomaterials as catalysts for persulfate activation.

There is an urgent need to develop effective and sustainable methods to decrease sulfonamide (SA) contamination of soil. Herein, a non-homogeneous system of zero-valent metal-biochar-based composites was proposed and tested for persulfate (PS) activation. This system employed zero-valent iron (Fe) as an electron donor to catalyze the cleavage of the OO bond in PS, thereby generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that degrade SAs.

Fabrication of high-density vertical CNT arrays using thin porous alumina template for biosensing applications.

This paper explores the process of forming arrays of vertically oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs) localized on metal electrodes using thin porous anodic alumina (PAA) on a solid substrate. On a silicon substrate, a titanium film served as the electrode layer, and an aluminium film served as the base layer in the initial film structure. A PAA template was formed from the Al film using two-step electrochemical anodizing.

Exploring dental students' knowledge on oral cancer prevention: a cross-sectional study in Moldova, Armenia, and Belarus.

Background: Survival rate of patients with oral cancer (OC) remains to be very low despite advancements in therapy and surgical techniques. This is attributed to the fact that most OC cases are discovered at a late stage. Dentists play a vital role in early detection of OC through oral mucosal examination, and in informing the patients about avoidable risk factors of the disease, such as tobacco and excessive alcohol use.

Use of generative large language models for patient education on common surgical conditions: a comparative analysis between ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

There is a growing importance for patients to easily access information regarding their medical conditions to improve their understanding and participation in health care decisions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has proven as a fast, efficient, and effective tool in educating patients regarding their health care conditions. The aim of the study is to compare the responses provided by AI tools, ChatGPT and Google Gemini, to assess for conciseness and understandability of information provided for the medical conditions Deep vein thrombosis, decubitus ulcers, and hemorrhoids.

Deciphering key nano-bio interface descriptors to predict nanoparticle-induced lung fibrosis.

Background: The advancement of nanotechnology underscores the imperative need for establishing in silico predictive models to assess safety, particularly in the context of chronic respiratory afflictions such as lung fibrosis, a pathogenic transformation that is irreversible. While the compilation of predictive descriptors is pivotal for in silico model development, key features specifically tailored for predicting lung fibrosis remain elusive. This study aimed to uncover the essential predictive descriptors governing nanoparticle-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Occupational exposure and sarcoidosis: a case-control study in three countries.

Background: Preceding studies of environmental and occupational risk factors of sarcoidosis yielded inconsistent findings.

Aims: We aimed to ascertain the occupational risk factors for sarcoidosis in a case-control study.

Methods: A total of 237 sarcoidosis patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis were matched with 474 controls for sex and age (median 49, interquartile range 37; 60 years) recruited from the university hospitals and outpatient centres in Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.

The incidence trends of papillary thyroid carcinoma in Belarus during the post-Chernobyl epoch.

Background: The increase of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) rate among children who were exposed to post-Chernobyl 131-I release was reported only four years after the accident, first in Belarus where the heaviest fallout happened. The evolution of the occurrence of thyroid carcinoma based on the age-period-cohort analysis and the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on time trends aimed to reveal if post-Chernobyl follicular cells irradiation still has been impacting on incidence rate of papillary thyroid carcinoma nowadays.

Methods: The Belarusian Cancer Registry was used to identify patients with PTC diagnosed during the years 1980-2019.

The Potential of Using Shungite Mineral from Eastern Kazakhstan in Formulations for Rubber Technical Products.

This study examined the effect of partially replacing semi-reinforcing carbon black grade N550 (up to 10 pts. wt.) and fully replacing industrial chalk with natural shungite mineral in industrial formulations of elastomer compositions intended for manufacturing various rubber technical products.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Investigation of Corona Formation of Dipeptide-Based Nanomaterials.

Peptide-based nanomaterials can be easily functionalized due to their functional groups, as well as being biocompatible, stable under physiological conditions, and nontoxic. Here, diphenylalanineamide-based nanomaterials (FFANMs) were synthesized, decorated with Ca ions to set the surface charge, and characterized for possible use in gene delivery and drug release studies. FFANMs were characterized by SEM, TEM, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and LC-MS/MS.

Multilateral Use of Dandelion in Folk Medicine of Central-Eastern Europe.

Background: Dandelion ( sect. , also referred to as F.H.

Sr and Cs distribution in Chornobyl forests: 30 years after the nuclear accident.

The primary aim of this study was to quantify patterns in the distribution of Sr and Cs activity in pine (Pinus sylvestris L.: 18 sites) and birch (Betula pendula Roth.: 2 sites) forests within the Chornobyl exclusion zone, 30 years after the Chornobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) accident (1986).

Multiomics dissection of human RAG deficiency reveals distinctive patterns of immune dysregulation but a common inflammatory signature.

Human recombination-activating gene (RAG) deficiency can manifest with distinct clinical and immunological phenotypes. By applying a multiomics approach to a large group of -mutated patients, we aimed at characterizing the immunopathology associated with each phenotype. Although defective T and B cell development is common to all phenotypes, patients with hypomorphic variants can generate T and B cells with signatures of immune dysregulation and produce autoantibodies to a broad range of self-antigens, including type I interferons.

Impact of Adding -hexylamine to Nickel Metallophotoredox C-N Coupling to Form Diarylamines.

The mechanistic understanding of how alkylamines impact Ni-metallophotoredox C-N coupling to form diarylamines remains unclear. In this study, 12-alkylamines were evaluated as additives to determine their effects on the synthesis of diarylamines in a flow photochemical system. Notably, -hexylamine demonstrated the most significant promotional effect.