Automated tight Lyapunov analysis for first-order methods.

We present a methodology for establishing the existence of quadratic Lyapunov inequalities for a wide range of first-order methods used to solve convex optimization problems. In particular, we consider (i) classes of optimization problems of finite-sum form with (possibly strongly) convex and possibly smooth functional components, (ii) first-order methods that can be written as a linear system on state-space form in feedback interconnection with the subdifferentials of the functional components of the objective function, and (iii) quadratic Lyapunov inequalities that can be used to draw convergence conclusions. We present a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a quadratic Lyapunov inequality within a predefined class of Lyapunov inequalities, which amounts to solving a small-sized semidefinite program.

Multiplex immunochromatographic assay using a universal labeling reactant for determining antibiotic residues in milk.

Background And Aim: In animal husbandry, antibiotics are frequently used as growth promoters, as well as for illness prevention and treatment. They are considered important toxic and allergenic contaminants of food and a serious risk factor for the spread of antibiotic resistance. National and international regulatory authorities have established limits on the permissible residue of antibiotics in food.

Dynamics of Persistent Submicroscopic and Microscopic in Pregnant Women Under Intermittent Preventive Treatment: A Study Cohort in Benin.

Background: Malaria infections in pregnancy are a major cause of maternal morbidity and neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. A high proportion of these infections are submicroscopic, which are usually asymptomatic and therefore untreated during pregnancy. Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) aims to prevent and treat all potential infections whether submicroscopic or not.

Transcriptomic analysis reinforces the implication of spatacsin in neuroinflammation and neurodevelopment.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) encompasses a group of rare genetic diseases primarily affecting motor neurons. Among these, spastic paraplegia type 11 (SPG11) represents a complex form of HSP caused by deleterious variants in the SPG11 gene, which encodes the spatacsin protein. Previous studies have described several potential roles for spatacsin, including its involvement in lysosome and autophagy mechanisms, neuronal and neurites development or mitochondria function.

Frequency-specific changes in prefrontal activity associated with maladaptive belief updating in volatile environments in euthymic bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) involves altered reward processing and decision-making, with inconsistencies across studies. Here, we integrated hierarchical Bayesian modelling with magnetoencephalography (MEG) to characterise maladaptive belief updating in this condition. First, we determined if previously reported increased learning rates in BD stem from a heightened expectation of environmental changes.

Comparison of sample characteristics of Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center participants with the Wisconsin state population-An evaluation of the recruitment effort.

Introduction: Understanding how a research sample compares to the population from which it is drawn can help inform future recruitment planning. We compared the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (WADRC) participant sample to the Wisconsin state population (WI-pop) on key demographic, social exposome, and vascular risk measures.

Methods: The WADRC sample included 930 participants.

Unveiling the physicochemical, photocatalytic, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of MWCNT-modified AgO/CuO/ZnO nanocomposites.

Water pollution, oxidative stress and the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains are significant global threats that require urgent attention to protect human health. Nanocomposites that combine multiple metal oxides with carbon-based materials have garnered significant attention due to their synergistic physicochemical properties and versatile applications in both environmental and biomedical fields. In this context, the present study was aimed at synthesizing a ternary metal-oxide nanocomposite consisting of silver oxide, copper oxide, and zinc oxide (ACZ-NC), along with a multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified ternary metal-oxide nanocomposite (MWCNTs@ACZ-NC).

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.

Rationally designed universal passivator for high-performance single-junction and tandem perovskite solar cells.

Interfacial trap-assisted nonradiative recombination hampers the development of metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we report a rationally designed universal passivator to realize highly efficient and stable single junction and tandem PSCs. Multiple defects are simultaneously passivated by the synergistic effect of anion and cation.

Enhancing single-cell transcriptomics using interposed anchor oligonucleotide sequences.

Single-cell transcriptomics, which utilises barcodes and unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) for polyA+ mRNA capture, is compromised by oligonucleotide synthesis errors. To address this, we modified the oligonucleotide capture design and integrated an interposed anchor between the barcode and the UMI. This design significantly reduces the need to discard reads due to synthesis inaccuracies.

Selection Criteria for Oils, Surfactants, and Co-Surfactants in Ocular Nanoemulsion Formulation: A Mini Review.

The ocular nanoemulsions (NE) are biphasic systems mainly composed of oil and water emulsified by surfactants/cosurfactants. The extensive surface area of ocular NE enhances corneal contact, leading to improved drug penetration and making it a preferable delivery system. They can also increase the solubility of drugs across the ocular barrier with improved residence time.

Pogo transposons provide tools to restrict cancer growth.

Transposable elements provide material for novel gene formation. In particular, DNA transposons have contributed several essential genes involved in various physiological or pathological conditions. Here, we discuss recent findings by Tu et al.

Identification and management of Bipolaris sorokiniana in wheat and barley in Southeast Kazakhstan.

Wheat and barley serve as significant nutrient-rich staples that are extensively grown on a global scale, spanning over 219 million hectares. The annual combined global yield is 760.9 million tons, with Kazakhstan contributing 14.

The Impact of Ligand Structure and Reaction Temperature on Ethenolysis of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters Catalyzed by Spirocyclic Alkyl Amino Carbene Ru Complexes.

Spirocyclic alkyl amino carbene (SCAAC) Ru complexes demonstrate outstanding activity and selectivity in ethenolysis of methyl oleate (MO) or fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and 5,6-dimethoxyindane derivative was the most active catalyst to date. For the further catalyst design, we proposed modifying the spirocyclic fragment by fusion of saturated carbo- or heterocycle, linked to the 5,6-positions of indane or 6,7- positions of tetralin. Another suggested way of the modification of SCAAC complex was the insertion of chromane fragment to the carbene ligand.

Foreign Contaminants Target Brain Health.

Neurodisease, caused by undesired substances, can lead to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and neurocognitive problems like dementia. These substances can be referred to as contaminants that can cause damage, corruption, and infection or reduce brain functionality. Contaminants, whether conceptual or physical, have the ability to disrupt many processes.

Global regulators enable bacterial adaptation to a phenotypic trade-off.

Cellular fitness depends on multiple phenotypes that must be balanced during evolutionary adaptation. For instance, coordinating growth and motility is critical for microbial colonization and cancer invasiveness. In bacteria, these phenotypes are controlled by local regulators that target single operons, as well as by global regulators that impact hundreds of genes.

Disparities in Clinical Outcomes Observed Within Electronic Health Record Data From a Statewide Cohort of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients.

Health disparities in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have not been extensively reported in the United States. The aim of this project was to characterize the extent of demographic and socioeconomic disparities in clinical outcomes within a large, diverse PAH patient population. A retrospective, population-based study of electronic health record data from the OneFlorida Data Trust was completed.

Green hydrothermal synthesis of nickel and zinc-doped nickel ferrite nanoparticles using extracts and their biological studies.

Convectional drugs have failed to tackle the increasing public health challenge of Cancer and diabetes. Phytochemical conjugated nanoparticles are providing safer therapeutic alternatives to address this global challenge. Nanoparticles of nickel, iron and zinc are especially useful because of their magnetic properties, abilities to prevent the onset or slow the progression of these diseases.

Importance of Computer-Aided Drug Design in Modern Pharmaceutical Research.

Background: Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) approaches are essential in the drug discovery and development process. Both academic institutions and pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporations utilize them to enhance the efficacy of bioactive compounds.

Objective: This study aims to entice researchers by investigating the benefits of Computer-Aided Drug and Design (CADD) and its fundamental principles.

Mixed effect model confirms increased risk of image changes with increasing linear energy transfer in proton therapy of gliomas.

Background And Purpose: Radiation induced image changes (IC) on MRI have been observed after proton therapy for brain tumours. This study aims to create predictive models, with and without taking into account patient variation, based on dose, linear energy transfer (LET) and periventricular zone (PVZ) in a national cohort of patients with glioma treated with pencil beam scanning (PBS).

Materials And Methods: A cohort of 87 consecutive patients with oligodendroglioma or astrocytoma (WHO grade 2-4) treated with PBS from January 2019 to December 2021 was included.

Predictive modelling of acute Promyelocytic leukaemia resistance to retinoic acid therapy.

Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APL) arises from an aberrant chromosomal translocation involving the Retinoic Acid Receptor Alpha (RARA) gene, predominantly with the Promyelocytic Leukaemia (PML) or Promyelocytic Leukaemia Zinc Finger (PLZF) genes. The resulting oncoproteins block the haematopoietic differentiation program promoting aberrant proliferative promyelocytes. Retinoic Acid (RA) therapy is successful in most of the PML::RARA patients, while PLZF::RARA patients frequently become resistant and relapse.