The half-normal distribution is composited with the Pareto model to obtain a uni-parametric distribution with a heavy right tail, called the composite half-normal-Pareto distribution. This new distribution is useful for modeling positive data with atypical observations. We study the properties and the behavior of the right tail of this new distribution. We estimate the parameter using a method based on percentiles and the maximum likelihood method and assess the performance of the maximum likelihood estimator using Monte Carlo. We report three applications, one with simulated data and the others with income and expenditure data, in which the new distribution presents better performance than the Pareto distribution. Full article

Scene image text segmentation is an important task in computer vision, but the complexity and diversity of backgrounds make it challenging. All supervised image segmentation tasks require paired semantic label data to ensure the accuracy of segmentation, but semantic labels are often difficult to obtain. To solve this problem, we propose an unsupervised scene image text segmentation model based on the image style transfer model cyclic uniform Generation Adversarial network (CycleGAN), which is trained by partial unpaired label data. Text segmentation is achieved by converting a complex background to a simple background. Since the images generated by CycleGAN cannot retain the details of the text content, we also introduced the Atrous spatial Pyramid pool module (ASPP) to obtain the features of the text from multiple scales. The resulting image quality is improved. The proposed method is verified by experiments on a synthetic data set, the IIIT 5k word data set and the MACT data set, which effectively segments the text and preserves the details of the text content. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease commonly found in elderly people and obese patients. Currently, OA treatments are determined based on their condition severity and a medical professional’s advice. The aim of this study was to differentiate human Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hWJ-MSCs) into chondrocytes for transplantation in OA-suffering guinea pigs. hWJ-MSCs were isolated using the explant culture method, and then, their proliferation, phenotypes, and differentiation ability were evaluated. Subsequently, hWJ-MSCs-derived chondrocytes were induced and characterized based on immunofluorescent staining, qPCR, and immunoblotting techniques. Then, early-OA-suffering guinea pigs were injected with hyaluronic acid (HA) containing either MSCs or 14-day-old hWJ-MSCs-derived chondrocytes. Results showed that hWJ-MSCs-derived chondrocytes expressed specific markers of chondrocytes including Aggrecan, type II collagen, and type X collagen proteins and β-catenin, Sox9, Runx2, Col2a1, Col10a1, and ACAN gene expression markers. Administration of HA plus hWJ-MSCs-derived chondrocytes (HA-CHON) produced a better recovery rate of degenerative cartilages than HA plus MSCs or only HA. Histological assessments demonstrated no significant difference in Mankin’s scores of recovered cartilages between HA-CHON-treated guinea pigs and normal articular cartilage guinea pigs. Transplantation of hWJ-MSCs-derived chondrocytes was more effective than undifferentiated hWJ-MSCs or hyaluronic acid for OA treatment in guinea pigs. This study provides a promising treatment to be used in early OA patients to promote recovery and prevent disease progression to severe osteoarthritis. Full article

Introduction: Soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities (ESTSs) pose significant challenges in treatment and management due to their diverse nature and potential complications. This study aimed to assess complications associated with multimodal treatments involving surgery and radiotherapy (RT) and to identify potential risk factors. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed nonmetastatic ESTS patients treated with surgery and pre- or post-operative RT between 2007 and 2020 in Strasbourg, France. Complications, including wound complications (WCs), lymphedema, acute and chronic RT-related complications, and fractures, were meticulously evaluated. Results: A total of 169 patients diagnosed with localized ESTSs were included, with a median age of 64 years (range 21–94 years). ESTSs primarily occurred proximally (74.6%) and in the lower limbs (71%). The median follow-up was 5.5 years. WCs occurred in 22.5% of patients, with proximal and lower extremity tumors being significant risk factors. Acute RT-related complications included radiodermatitis, with grade ≥ 2 occurring in 43.1% of patients, which was associated with superficial tumors. Three patients had an edema grade ≥ 2. Chronic complications included telangiectasias (21.7%) and fibrosis (38.7%), with higher rates associated with larger PTVs and higher RT doses, respectively. Fractures occurred in 5 patients, mainly in the tibia (40%). Conclusions: Multimodal treatment of ESTSs demonstrated excellent tolerance, with manageable side effects. Numerous risk factors have been highlighted, providing insights for optimizing treatment strategies and enhancing patient care in this rare disease. Full article

Recent research suggests that photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) positively impacts the vascular function associated with various cerebrovascular diseases. Nevertheless, the specific mechanisms by which PBMT improves vascular function remain ambiguous. Since endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is crucial in regulating vascular function following cerebral ischemia, we investigated whether eNOS is a key element controlling cerebrovascular function and the senescence of vascular endothelial cells following PBMT treatment. Both rat photothrombotic (PT) stroke and in vitro oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced vascular endothelial injury models were utilized. We demonstrated that treatment with PBMT (808 nm, 350 mW/cm², 2 min/day) for 7 days significantly reduced PT-stroke-induced vascular permeability. Additionally, PBMT inhibited the levels of endothelial senescence markers (senescence green and p21) and antiangiogenic factor (endostatin), while increasing the phospho-eNOS (Ser1177) in the peri-infarct region following PT stroke. In vitro study further indicated that OGD increased p21, endostatin, and DNA damage (γH2AX) levels in the brain endothelial cell line, but they were reversed by PBMT. Intriguingly, the beneficial effects of PBMT were attenuated by a NOS inhibitor. In summary, these findings provide novel insights into the role of eNOS in PBMT-mediated protection against cerebrovascular senescence and endothelial dysfunction following ischemia. The use of PBMT as a therapeutic is a promising strategy to improve endothelial function in cerebrovascular disease. Full article

Since 2016, the Argo (Array for Real-Time Geostrophic Oceanography) ocean salinity data has exhibited significant drift, directly affecting the accurate quantification of the global steric sea level (SSL) rates. To further investigate how salinity drift affects the estimation of SSL rates in different depths and regions, we divide the 0–2000 m into three layers (0–300 m, 300–1000 m and 1000–2000 m) and select five open oceans (the South and North Pacific, the South and North Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean) for discussion. By comparing the SSL rates between the periods of 2005–2015 and 2005–2019, we can evaluate the impact of salinity drift. Taking the estimated results from the IPRC (provided by the International Pacific Research Center at the University of Hawaii) and BOA (provided by the Second Institute of Oceanography, China) data as examples, we find that the effect of salinity drift is the largest at the depth of 1000–2000 m, about 29% for IPRC data and about 18% for BOA data. Moreover, the South Atlantic is susceptible to the effects of salinity drift, with an approximately 13% impact for IPRC data and 21% for BOA data. Full article

A novel control technique is presented in this paper, which is based on a first-order adaptive sliding mode that ensures convergence in a finite time without any prior information on the upper limits of the parametric uncertainties and/or external disturbances. Based on an exponent reaching law, this controller uses two dynamically adaptive control gains. Once the sliding mode is reached, the dynamic gains decrease in order to loosen the system’s constraints, which guarantees minimal control effort. The proof of convergence was demonstrated according to Lyapunov’s criterion. The proposed algorithm was applied to a drill string system to evaluate its performance because such systems present variable operating conditions caused by, for example, the type of rock. The effectiveness of the proposed controller was evaluated by conducting a comparative study that involved comparing it against a commonly used sliding mode controller, as well as other recent adaptive sliding mode control techniques. The different mathematical performance measures included energy consumption. The proposed algorithm had the best performance measures with the lowest energy consumption and it was able to significantly improve the functioning of the drill string system. The results indicated that the proposed controller had 20% less chattering than the classic SM controller. Finally, the proposed controller was the most robust to uncertainties in system parameters and external disturbances, thus demonstrating the auto-adjustable features of the controller. Full article

DNA Topoisomerase IIα (Top2A) is a nuclear enzyme that is a cancer drug target, and there is interest in identifying novel sites on the enzyme to inhibit cancer cells more selectively and to reduce off-target toxicity. The C-terminal domain (CTD) is one potential target, but it is an intrinsically disordered domain, which prevents structural analysis. Therefore, we set out to analyze the sequence of Top2A from 105 species using bioinformatic analysis, including the PSICalc algorithm, Shannon entropy analysis, and other approaches. Our results demonstrate that large (10th-order) interdependent clusters are found including non-proximal positions across the major domains of Top2A. Further, CTD-specific clusters of the third, fourth, and fifth order, including positions that had been previously analyzed via mutation and biochemical assays, were identified. Some of these clusters coincided with positions that, when mutated, either increased or decreased relaxation activity. Finally, sites of low Shannon entropy (i.e., low variation in amino acids at a given site) were identified and mapped as key positions in the CTD. Included in the low-entropy sites are phosphorylation sites and charged positions. Together, these results help to build a clearer picture of the critical positions in the CTD and provide potential sites/regions for further analysis. Full article

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancer types among women. Many factors can contribute to the development of this disease, including environmental factors and, thus, eating habits. Our study aims to determine the levels of various mycotoxins and their metabolites in the blood serum and endometrial tissue samples of participants with previously proven endometrial cancer and to find possible contributions to cancer development. In the cohort clinical trial, 52 participants aged between 44 and 86 were studied. The participants were divided into two groups: patients or matched controls. All patients had previously histologically diagnosed endometrial cancer. The cancer patients were divided into low-grade endometrioid and low- plus high-grade endometrioid groups. Controls had no history of endometrial malignancy or premalignancy. Blood serum and endometrial tissue samples were obtained from all study patients. We compared the concentrations of total Aflatoxins (Afs), Deoxynivalenol (DON), Ochratoxin-A (OTA), T2-toxin and HT2 toxin (T2/HT2 toxin), Zearalenone (ZEN), alpha-Zearalenol (α-ZOL), and Fumonisin B1 (FB1) in the serum and endometrium between the different study groups. As a result, we can see a significant correlation between the higher levels of Afs and zearalenone and the presence of endometrial cancer. In the case of Afs, DON, OTA, T2/HT2 toxins, ZEN, and alpha-ZOL, we measured higher endometrial concentrations than in serum. Considering the effect of mycotoxins and eating habits on cancer development, our results might lead to further research exploring the relationship between certain mycotoxins and endometrium cancer. Full article

Drug addiction is a rising concern globally that has deeply attracted the attention of the healthcare sector. The United States is not an exception, and the drug addiction crisis there is even more serious, with 10% of adults having faced substance use disorder, while around 75% of this number has been reported as not having received any treatment. Surprisingly, there are annually over 70,000 deaths reported as being due to drug overdose. Researchers are continually searching for solutions, as the current strategies have been ineffective. Health informatics platforms like electronic health records, telemedicine, and the clinical decision support system have great potential in tracking the healthcare data of patients on an individual basis and provide precise medical support in a private space. Such technologies have been found to be useful in identifying the risk factors of drug addiction among people and mitigating them. Moreover, the platforms can be used to check prescriptions of addictive drugs such as opioids and caution healthcare providers. Programs such as the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and the Drug and Alcohol Services Information Systems (DASIS) are already in action in the US, but the situation demands more in-depth studies in order to mitigate substance use disorders. Artificial intelligence (AI), when combined with health informatics, can aid in the analysis of large amounts of patient data and aid in classifying nature of addiction to assist in the provision of personalized care. Full article

The intensification of the urban heat island effect, characterized by persistent high temperatures in Chinese cities during summer, has led to notable shifts in urban residents’ activity patterns and travel preferences. Given that street trees, as fundamental components of urban road networks, have significant interaction with residents, it is imperative to investigate their thermal comfort impact. This study aims to enhance the comfortable summer travel experience for urban dwellers. Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) was selected as the case study site, with eight street tree species identified as measurement points. The summer solstice (21 June 2023) served as the representative weather condition. Through monitoring temperature and humidity, the study explored the correlation between street tree species, their characteristic factors, and thermal comfort. Utilizing ENVI-met and ArcGIS, the thermal comfort of campus travel routes was assessed, leading to the development of a summer travel guide based on thermal comfort considerations. The research novelty lies in applying a combined ENVI-met 5.0.2 and ArcGIS 10.8 software approach for modelling and visualizing the microclimate, which enables a more precise analysis of the thermal comfort variations of different campus paths, thus improving the accuracy and applicability of the results in urban planning. The findings reveal several points. (1) Different street trees possess varying capacities to enhance human comfort, with Falcataria falcata and Mangifera indica exhibiting the strongest cooling and humidifying effects, whereas Bauhinia purpurea and Amygdalus persica perform the poorest. Additionally, the research confirms ENVI-met’s scientific accuracy and practicality for microclimate studies. (2) The contribution of street trees to the comfort of campus road travel is primarily determined by the Sky View Factor (SVF), which negatively correlates with cooling and humidifying intensity and positively with thermal comfort. (3) During midday, travel comfort conditions on campus roads are better. Based on the thermal comfort assessment, a summer roadmap was created for the campus. In this case, the campus roads indicated by road A are considered the best travel routes in summer, and the roads indicated by roads B and C are considered alternatives for travelling. This practical application demonstrates how theoretical research results can be translated into practical tools for daily commuting and urban planning. It provides data references and empirical cases for the scientific optimization and enhancement of urban roads. Full article

It has been discovered that the peel of a pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), regarded as a waste product of pumpkin processing, has significant amounts of carotenoids and other antioxidants. This study aims to identify the most effective extraction parameters for an ultrasonic-assisted extraction method to extract the total carotenoids (TCs) and assess the antioxidant activity (AA) of pumpkin peel. To determine the effects of the extraction time, temperature, and material-to-solvent ratio on the recovery of TCs and AA, a response surface methodology utilizing the central composite design (CCD) was used. The extraction temperature (6.25–98.75 °C), extraction duration (13.98–128.98 min), and solvent ratio (0.23–50.23 mL) were the variables studied in the coded form of the experimental plan. The carotenoid concentration varied from 0.53 to 1.06 mg/g DW, while the AA varied from 0.34 to 7.28 µM TE/g DW. The findings indicated that the optimal extraction parameters were an 80 °C temperature, a 10 mL solvent ratio, and a 100 min extraction time. The study confirmed that the optimum extraction conditions resulted in an experimental TC yield of 0.97 mg/g DW and an AA of 7.25 µM TE/g DW. Overall, it should be emphasized that the extraction process can be enhanced by setting the operating factors to maximize the model responses. Full article

In this paper, the notch effect in weldments has been investigated, and the optimal configuration of different types of welded joints has been analysed using the implicit gradient approach. By considering this implicit gradient method, it is possible to calculate the effective stress related to fatigue damage, with the effective stress being a continuous scalar function of the real stress tensor components, even in the presence of sharp edges. Hence, the search for the optimal configuration that maximises fatigue life can be tackled as the condition of minimum effective stress obtained by changing the weld shape and geometrical parameters. Both load-carrying cruciform joints and spot welds made of steel have been considered. The structural details have been studied by modelling actual shapes without any geometric simplification. Moreover, the same numerical procedure has been considered independently of the size, shape or load condition without imposing restrictive rules on the FE mesh. Full article

Cervical cancer (CC) remains among the most frequent cancers worldwide despite advances in screening and the development of vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV), involved in virtually all cases of CC. In mid-income countries, a substantial proportion of the cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, and around 40% of them are diagnosed in women under 49 years, just below the global median age. This suggests that members of this age group share common risk factors, such as chronic inflammation. In this work, we studied samples from 46 patients below 45 years old, searching for a miRNA profile regulating cancer pathways. We found 615 differentially expressed miRNAs between tumor samples and healthy tissues. Through bioinformatic analysis, we found that several of them targeted elements of the JAK/STAT pathway and other inflammation-related pathways. We validated the interactions of miR-30a and miR-34c with JAK1 and STAT3, respectively, through dual-luciferase and expression assays in cervical carcinoma-derived cell lines. Finally, through knockdown experiments, we observed that these miRNAs decreased viability and promoted proliferation in HeLa cells. This work contributes to understanding the mechanisms through which HPV regulates inflammation, in addition to its canonical oncogenic function, and brings attention to the JAK/STAT signaling pathway as a possible diagnostic marker for CC patients younger than 45 years. To our knowledge to date, there has been no previous description of a panel of miRNAs or even ncRNAs in young women with locally advanced cervical cancer. Full article

The management of individual weights in broiler farming is not only crucial for increasing farm income but also directly linked to the revenue growth of integrated broiler companies, necessitating prompt resolution. This paper proposes a model to estimate daily average broiler weights using time and weight data collected through scales. In the proposed model, a method of self-adjusting weights in the bandwidth calculation formula is employed, and the daily average weight representative value is estimated using KDE. The focus of this study is to contribute to the individual weight management of broilers by intensively researching daily fluctuations in average broiler weight. To address this, weight and time data are collected and preprocessed through scales. The Gaussian kernel density estimation model proposed in this paper aims to estimate the representative value of the daily average weight of a single broiler using statistical estimation methods, allowing for self-adjustment of bandwidth values. When applied to the dataset collected through scales, the proposed Gaussian kernel density estimation model with self-adjustable bandwidth values confirmed that the estimated daily weight did not deviate beyond the error range of ±50 g compared with the actual measured values. The next step of this study is to systematically understand the impact of the broiler environment on weight for sustainable management strategies for broiler demand, derive optimal rearing conditions for each farm by combining location and weight data, and develop a model for predicting daily average weight values. The ultimate goal is to develop an artificial intelligence model suitable for weight management systems by utilizing the estimated daily average weight of a single broiler even in the presence of error data collected from multiple weight measurements, enabling more efficient automatic measurement of broiler weight and supporting both farms and broiler demand. Full article

In this study, we pioneered an alternative technology for manufacturing subunit influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-based vaccines. This innovative method involves harnessing the pupae of the Lepidoptera Trichoplusia ni (T. ni) as natural biofactories in combination with baculovirus vectors (using CrisBio^® technology). We engineered recombinant baculoviruses encoding two versions of the HA protein (trimeric or monomeric) derived from a pandemic avian H7N1 virus A strain (A/chicken/Italy/5093/99). These were then used to infect T. ni pupae, resulting in the production of the desired recombinant antigens. The obtained HA proteins were purified using affinity chromatography, consistently yielding approximately 75 mg/L of insect extract. The vaccine antigen effectively immunized poultry, which were subsequently challenged with a virulent H7N1 avian influenza virus. Following infection, all vaccinated animals survived without displaying any clinical symptoms, while none of the mock-vaccinated control animals survived. The CrisBio^®-derived antigens induced high titers of HA-specific antibodies in the vaccinated poultry, demonstrating hemagglutination inhibition activity against avian H7N1 and human H7N9 viruses. These results suggest that the CrisBio^® technology platform has the potential to address major industry challenges associated with producing recombinant influenza subunit vaccines, such as enhancing production yields, scalability, and the speed of development, facilitating the global deployment of highly effective influenza vaccines. Full article

Background: The World Health Organization reports that back pain is a major cause of disorder worldwide. It is the most common musculoskeletal disorder with limited pain, muscle tension, and stiffness, and 70–80% of all individuals experience it once in their lifetime, with higher prevalence in women than in men. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gluteal muscle strengthening exercise- based core stabilization training (GSE-based CST) on pain, function, fear-avoidance patterns, and quality of life in patients with chronic back pain. Methods: This study included 34 patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Seventeen individuals each were included in GSE-based CST and control groups. The GSE-based CST group performed GSE and CST for 15 min, three times a week for four weeks, and the control group performed CST for 30 min a day, three times a week for four weeks. The numeric pain rating scale was used to evaluate pain before and after treatment, Roland–Morris disability questionnaire was used to evaluate function, fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire was used to evaluate fear-avoidance patterns, and quality of life was measured using the short form-36. Results: In this study, pain, function, and fear-avoidance pattern decreased significantly in both groups (All p < 0.05). During the evaluation of quality of life, both groups showed significant increase in physical and mental factors (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in pain and quality of life (p < 0.05) between the GSE-based CST and control groups. Conclusions: Therefore, GSE-based CST can be used as a basis for effective intervention to enhance pain, function, fear-avoidance patterns, and quality of life, emphasizing the need for gluteal muscle strengthening exercises in patients with non-specific chronic back pain in the future. Full article

The composition of grain boundaries (GBs) determines their mechanical behavior, which in turn affects the mechanical properties of nanocrystalline materials. Inspired by GB segregation and the concept of high-entropy alloys (HEAs), we investigated, respectively, the mechanical responses of nanocrystalline Cu samples with and without multi-element GBs, as well as the grain size effects, aiming to explore the effects of GB composition decoration on mechanical properties. Our results show that introducing multi-element segregation GBs can significantly improve the mechanical properties of nanocrystalline Cu by effectively inhibiting GB migration and sliding. Additionally, we proposed an improved a theoretical model that can reasonably describe the strengths of the materials with multi-element or single-element segregation GBs. Notably, the introduction of multi-element segregation GBs inhibits both migration and sliding behavior, with migration being more effectively suppressed than sliding. These results present a novel approach for designing high-performance nanometallic materials and offer valuable insights into the role of GB composition decoration in enhancing mechanical properties. Full article

The sex chromosomes of skinks are usually poorly differentiated and hardly distinguished by cytogenetic methods. Therefore, identifying sex chromosomes in species lacking easily recognizable heteromorphic sex chromosomes is necessary to fully understand sex chromosome diversity. In this paper, we employed cytogenetics, sex quantification of genes, and transcriptomic approaches to characterize the sex chromosomes in Plestiodon elegans. Cytogenetic examination of metaphases revealed a diploid number of 2n = 26, consisting of 12 macrochromosomes and 14 microchromosomes, with no significant heteromorphic chromosome pairs, speculating that the sex chromosomes may be homomorphic or poorly differentiated. The results of the sex quantification of genes showed that Calumenin (calu), COPI coat complex subunit γ 2 (copg2), and Smoothened (smo) were at half the dose in males as in females, suggesting that they are on the X chromosome. Transcriptomic data analysis from the gonads yielded the excess expression male-specific genes (n = 16), in which five PCR molecular markers were developed. Restricting the observed heterozygosity to males suggests the presence of homomorphic sex chromosomes in P. elegans, XX/XY. This is the first breakthrough in the study of the sex chromosomes of Plestiodon. Full article

Iron porphyrins are known to provide CH₄ as an eight-electron reduction product of CO₂ in a photochemical reaction. However, there are still some aspects of the reaction mechanism that remain unclear. In this study, we synthesized iron porphyrin dimers and carried out the photochemical CO₂ reduction reactions in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) containing a photosensitizer in the presence of 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (BIH) as an electron donor. We found that, despite a low catalytic turnover number, CH₄ was produced only when these porphyrins were facing each other. The close proximity of the cyclic dimers, distinguishing them from a linear Fe porphyrin dimer and monomers, induced multi-electron CO₂ reduction, emphasizing the unique role of their structural arrangement in CH₄ formation. Full article

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare syndrome caused by inactivating mutations in the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene. The three main clinical manifestations of MEN1 are primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), duodenal–pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (DP-NETs) and anterior pituitary tumors. Endocrine tumors in patients with MEN1 differ from sporadic tumors because of their younger age at onset, common multiple presentations and the different clinical course. MEN1 is characterized by a complex clinical phenotype; thus, patients should be followed by a multidisciplinary team of experts that includes an endocrinologist, a surgeon, a oncologist, a radiotherapist, and not least, a nutritionist. It is important to remember the fundamental role that diet plays as a primary prevention tool, together with a healthy and active lifestyle in preventing osteoporosis/osteopenia and reducing the risk of developing kidney stones due to hypercalciuria, two frequent clinical complications in MEN1 patients. Is very important for MEN1 patients to have an adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D, magnesium and phosphate to maintain good bone health. The intake of foods containing oxalates must also be kept under control because in combination with calcium they concur to form calcium oxalate crystals, increasing the risk of nephrolithiasis. Another aspect to consider is the management of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors undergoing major surgical resections of the pancreas that can lead to alterations in digestion and absorption mechanisms due to partial or total reduction in pancreatic enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and protease, resulting in malabsorption and malnutrition. Therefore, the nutritionist’s aim should be to devise a dietary plan that takes into consideration each single patient, educating them about a healthy and active lifestyle, and accompanying them through various life stages by implementing strategies that can enhance their quality of life. Full article

Larch is a strong timber, which grows rapidly in the UK climate, but can contain abundant resin pockets. To address the resin exudation issue, a mild thermal modification process has been developed, promoting the curing of the resin. This paper reports a series of studies which characterised the chemical profile of larch oleoresin before and after the mild thermal treatment, explaining the changes which occur when resin is dried. Further experiments were used to simulate specific points in time during the mild treatment process. The non-polar components of the fresh (untreated) and treated larch oleoresin were profiled using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fresh larch oleoresin was also subjected to isothermal experiments at different temperatures in a thermogravimetric analyser–differential scanning calorimeter (TGA/DSC), followed by re-analysing the resin composition. This demonstrated the loss of monoterpenes at temperatures of 120 °C and above, with complete loss by isothermal conditions of 150 °C and 60 min. The partial loss of sesquiterpene alkanes and alkenes were also observed at all temperatures, although completeness of this loss was achieved at isothermal temperatures of 150 °C and above. The diterpene composition was seen to change for isothermal experiments conducted at 150 °C and above, with a dehydration of terpenols to form the equivalent terpene alkenes. The observed physical changes in the TGA/DSC experiment were in good agreement with observations of the oleoresin sampled from thermally modified larch planks. Full article