Characterization of blueberry exosome-like nanoparticles and miRNAs with potential cross-kingdom human gene targets

Edible plant derived exosome-like nanoparticles(ELNs)have been shown to have multiple nutraceutical functions.However,the diversity of plant materials makes the plant derived ELN study challenging.More efforts are still needed to explore the feasible isolation methods of edible plant derived ELNs and the possible roles of food-derived ELNs in improving human health.In this study,a size exclusion chromatography based method was compared with the traditional ultracentrifugation method to isolate blueberry derived ELNs(B-ELNs),and the miRNA profile of B-ELNs was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing.A total of 36 miRNAs were found to be enriched in B-ELNs compared with berry tissue,and their potential cross-kingdom human gene targets were further predicted.Results showed that size exclusion chromatography was effective for B-ELN isolation.The most abundant miRNAs in B-ELNs mainly belonged to the miR166 family and miR396 family.Target gene prediction indicated that B-ELNs could potentially regulate pathways related to the human digestive system,immune system and infectious diseases.

Outage Probability Analysis for D2D-Enabled Heterogeneous Cellular Networks with Exclusion Zone:A Stochastic Geometry Approach

Interference management is one of the most important issues in the device-to-device(D2D)-enabled heterogeneous cellular networks(HetCNets)due to the coexistence of massive cellular and D2D devices in which D2D devices reuse the cellular spectrum.To alleviate the interference,an efficient interference management way is to set exclusion zones around the cellular receivers.In this paper,we adopt a stochastic geometry approach to analyze the outage probabilities of cellular and D2D users in the D2D-enabled HetCNets.The main difficulties contain three aspects:1)how to model the location randomness of base stations,cellular and D2D users in practical networks;2)how to capture the randomness and interrelation of cellular and D2D transmissions due to the existence of random exclusion zones;3)how to characterize the different types of interference and their impacts on the outage probabilities of cellular and D2D users.We then run extensive Monte-Carlo simulations which manifest that our theoretical model is very accurate.

The Effects of Different Feeding Practices on the Nutritional Status of Infants below 12 Months Old in the Kumba 1 Sub-Division

Appropriate feeding practices are important during infancy for good health, growth and development of infants and children. WHO revised its earlier recommendation of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) of infants from 4 to 6 months of age to EBF until about 6 months of age, with the addition of complementary foods thereafter. This recommendation confirms that breast milk alone is sufficient to meet infants’ nutritional requirements for the first 6 months of life. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of various feeding practices on the Nutritional status of infants 0 - 12-month-old in the Kumba 1 Sub-Division. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to August 2020. A total of 341 nursing mothers and their infants 0 - 12 months of age were recruited. Socio-demographic factors and the different feeding habits of the children were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements. The overall proportion of infants who exclusively breastfed for 6 months was 69.2% and those who were mix-fed were 30.8% in the study area. The overall prevalence of malnutrition in the population was 61.0%. Among the malnourished children, 53.1% were underweight, 19.6% were wasted and 10.0% were stunted. Though not significant, the prevalence of wasting (21.0%) and underweight (58.3%) was higher among Mix-Fed (MF) children when compared to their EBF counterparts. Feeding practices affected the nutritional status of the infants. Underweight and wasting were observed among infants on Complementary Feeding (CF), although some exclusively breast-fed infants were stunted. Hence, nursing mothers should try as much as possible to practice EBF as recommended by WHO and can practice CF when the child is above six months.

Oketani massage with jasmine oil improves breast milk production on postpartum days 1-3

Objective:This study aimed to determine the effect of Oketani massage with jasmine oil on improving breast milk production on days 1-3.Materials and Methods:This preexperimental one-group pretest-posttest design was conducted with 44 eligible respondents,selected using an incidental sampling technique.Oketani massage with jasmine oil was conducted once a day for 3 consecutive days.A total of 44 respondents were selected with incidental sampling.Sufficient breast milk production was observed through the frequency of baby urination in 24 h,the frequency of baby defecation in 24 h,the baby’s weight,and the length of time the baby slept or remained calm after breastfeeding.Results:Results showed that Oketani massage using jasmine oil impacted on increasing breast milk production in postpartum on days 1-3(Z=6.633,P=0.000).The baby’s weight in 3 days was increased after intervention compared with intervention before(2858.25±180.62 g vs.2881.66±180.96 g,t=55.33,P=0.000),the baby’s urination frequency was increased after intervention(4.55±0.50 vs.7.20±0.70,t=17.87,P=0.000),the breastfeeding frequency has decreased(10.27±1.42 vs.8.82±0.82,t=6.94,P=0.000),and the time of baby’s sleeping or calming state has increased(5.14±6.46 h vs.8.48±10.24 h,t=2.11,P=0.041).Conclusion:Oketani massage combined with jasmine oil has been shown to be effective on improving breast milk production on days 1-3.

Inclusive Education in the Context of Ethnocultural Diversity: Understanding the Process of Exclusion to Act in the School - A Secondary Publication

This paper reveals that the implementation of inclusive education is an unfinished challenge,both within the system and for individual self-improvement.This process of changing practices,by continually questioning the school’s responsibility for the(re)production of inequalities,exclusion,and unequal social relations,is riddled with obstacles,unpredictable situations,and strong emotions.In particular,the researchers point out that many systemic mechanisms of school culture contribute to replicating and reifying hierarchical school experiences and exacerbating processes of institutional discrimination against immigrant backgrounds and/or racialized students.The empirical research presented also highlights the school staff’s deficit thinking toward immigrant students and their parents.The results show that staff tend to use linguistic and cultural gaps between students and the school system to explain academic failure.Be that as it may,the researchers as well as the school actors and students interviewed in this paper suggest multiple ways to improve inclusion in the school context,stressing the importance of giving voice to the various actors in order to move toward institutional transformation.

The Commitment to Promoting a Culture of Equity in Quebec Secondary Schools: Insights from School Stakeholders - A Secondary Publication

This paper presents the results of a research project on the intercultural climate in schools and the academic success of immigrant students in Quebec.The intercultural climate in eight secondary public schools is documented from the standpoint of various school and community stakeholders,students,and parents.More specifically,the paper focuses on the commitment to promoting cultural equity,which is identified through interviews with the targeted stakeholders on exclusionary practices and processes and the practices implemented to counter them.The results identify five areas of vulnerability among certain minoritized groups of students:the transition from welcoming to regular classes for those students learning French,evaluation and support for those experiencing learning or behavioral difficulties,the referral of these students to adult education programs or work-oriented training programs,their participation in extracurricular activities,and their access to special school projects.Nonetheless,some schools do report the introduction of many equity practices in response to the exclusionary ones.However,these initiatives are mostly occasional and voluntary and pertain to interactions between individuals.These findings call for a discussion on the importance of systemic and concerted initiatives towards achieving equity.

Metamorphoses of the University and the Pathways of Indigenous Students in Quebec:Issues of Accessibility to Studies and Academic Persistence from a Perspective of the Decolonization of Education-A Secondary Publication

In connection with the historical context of social segregation and the assimilative aim of formal education imposed on them,the Indigenous Peoples of Québec have long been excluded from higher education.Today,even if their graduation rates are increasing,a persistent gap with the non-Indigenous population is maintained.The data in this article are drawn from 23 interviews with students and university graduates of the First Nations of Québec,as part of a thesis in educational sciences.Our paper analyzes how these students manage to combine the contributions of Indigenous education with those of Western education by developing paths that are part of the decolonization movement of education.Their relationship to Indigenous identity and cultures clearly influences their educational background and is analyzed taking into account power relations with the dominant culture.Our paper emphasizes more particularly the relationship to studies,the adaptation to the student profession,and the balance between studies,work,and family among Indigenous students,in a context of transition from university to multiversity which contributed to the increase of Indigenous university attendance.

The Barrier of the Child and Parent Expected Models for Entering the School System-A Secondary Publication

The recognition of the positive value of student diversity and their right to full participation are key aspects of inclusion as a means of managing heterogeneity of the school population from an equality perspective.As the school cannot welcome the diversity of children without including their families,the same logic needs to apply to the relationship between the school and parents,particularly in the current environment where the school-family partnership appears as a privileged institutional leverage in the fight against inequalities at school.Based on an ethnographical study exploring how the relationship between the school and the families builds up in a Swiss school located in a context of strong cultural diversity,this paper interrogates how the school norm can be the main limitation to the inclusion of students and parents who are unfamiliar with the school.Derived from field observations and interviews,our results show how the teachers tend to approach their relationship with new students and their parents from the standpoint of narrowly defined expected models,leading them to engage in a vain attempt to conform the students and parents when they deviate from these models.The possibility of entering the school system for students and parents unfamiliar with school is hindered by the exclusive and excluding normativity on which the models of the child and the parent expected by the teachers are grounded.Based on these observations,we discuss how an inclusive approach seems to us to require in the first place a necessary process of decentering from the school and teachers,as a condition for recognition of the actual child and parent.

Ableism and (Neo)Racism in School Placement Processes in Quebec: School Personnel Interpretations of Immigrant Student Difficulties - A Secondary Publication

The school placement processes of students from immigrant backgrounds considered to be in“difficulty”is an international concern at the intersection of works relating to special education and those concerning the school experiences of students from immigrant backgrounds or racialized groups.The research problem of this article concerns the identification of these students as disabled or as having adjustment or learning difficulties.From a perspective anchored in Disability Critical Race Studies,this ethnographic study documents different interpretations of perceived difficulties made by school actors with regard to seven primary school students from immigrant backgrounds.Five interpretation types are presented:(1)medicalization by dismissal of cultural markers,(2)medicalization by professional constraint,(3)medicalization by cultural deficit,(4)precautionary wait,and(5)cultural differentialism.Our results help to shed light on the special education overrepresentation phenomenon regarding these students and to understand how ableism and(neo)racism contribute to it.

Relations Between School and Immigrant Families in Albertan Francophone School: Perspectives of Settlement Workers in Schools - A Secondary Publication

In recent years,Francophone schools in Alberta,a province in western Canada,have seen significant ethnocultural diversification of their school population,thus reflecting recent migratory changes in Canada.The population of a Francophone school board located in an agglomeration of Alberta reflects these new migratory trends.A partial ethnodemographic portrait carried out in 2003 in six of its schools indicates that 50%of the pupils come from an immigrant background and come from 23 different countries;mostly from sub-Saharan African countries.This demographic reality,confirmed more than a decade later,represents a major structural change for Francophone schools.In Alberta,as in other Canadian provinces,inclusion is at the heart of discourse and educational practices.With a transformative aim,it intends to promote ethnocultural diversity in the classroom and equal opportunities through school equity practices.This article focuses on the settlement workers in schools responsible for bridging family,community,and school cultures.The analysis of the interviews of the four workers sheds light on and questions both the institutional practices and the personal strategies put in place to face the challenges encountered in this tripartite collaboration.

Effects of long-term grazing exclusion on vegetation structure,soil water holding capacity,carbon and nitrogen sequestration capacity in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau

Grazing exclusion is one of the primary management practices used to restore degraded grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau.However,to date,the effects of long-term grazing exclusion measures on the process of restoring degraded alpine meadows have not been evaluated.In this study,moderately degraded plots,in which the vegetation coverage was approximately 65%and the dominant plant species was Potentilla anserina L,with grazing exclusion for 2 to 23 years,were selected in alpine meadows of Haibei in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Plant coverage,plant height,biomass,soil bulk density,saturated water content,soil organic carbon(SOC)and total nitrogen(TN)were evaluated.The results were as follows:(1)With aboveground biomass and total saturated water content at 0-40 cm depth,the average SOC and TN contents in moderately degraded alpine meadows increased as a power function,and the plant height increased as a log function.(2)The average soil bulk density at 0-40 cm depth first decreased and then increased with increasing grazing exclusion duration,and the minimum value of 0.90 g·cm^(-3) was reached at 15.23 years.The plant coverage,total belowground biomass at 0-40 cm depth,total aboveground and belowground biomass first increased and then decreased,their maximum values(80.49%,2452.92g·m^(-2),2891.06 g·m^(-2))were reached at 9.41,9.46 and 10.25 years,respectively.Long-term grazing exclusion is apparently harmful for the sustainable restoration of degraded alpine meadows.The optimal duration of grazing exclusion for the restoration of moderately degraded alpine meadows was 10 years.This research suggests that moderate disturbance should be allowed in moderately degraded alpine meadows after 10years of grazing exclusion.

基于魔方旋转方法的量子彩色图像加密方案

为实现彩色图像安全高效加密,基于魔方旋转方法构建了一种量子图像置乱方案,并且设计出了对应的量子线路.结合量子异或(exclusive OR,XOR)操作和量子交换操作,实现了一种以量子魔方旋转图像置乱为基础的量子彩色图像加密方案,并对该加密方案进行了全部量子线路设计与仿真实验,取得了良好的加密结果.该加密方案的算法复杂度相对于其经典算法有指数级加速.

Invariant measures for the strong-facilitated exclusion process

Consider a generalized model of the facilitated exclusion process, which is a onedimensional exclusion process with a dynamical constraint that prevents the particle at site x from jumping to x+1 (or x-1) if the sites x-1, x-2 (or x+1, x+2) are empty. It is nongradient and lacks invariant measures of product form. The purpose of this paper is to identify the invariant measures and to show that they satisfy both exponential decay of correlations and equivalence of ensembles. These properties will play a pivotal role in deriving the hydrodynamic limit.

Automatic Aggregation Enhanced Affinity Propagation Clustering Based on Mutually Exclusive Exemplar Processing

Affinity propagation(AP)is a widely used exemplar-based clustering approach with superior efficiency and clustering quality.Nevertheless,a common issue with AP clustering is the presence of excessive exemplars,which limits its ability to perform effective aggregation.This research aims to enable AP to automatically aggregate to produce fewer and more compact clusters,without changing the similarity matrix or customizing preference parameters,as done in existing enhanced approaches.An automatic aggregation enhanced affinity propagation(AAEAP)clustering algorithm is proposed,which combines a dependable partitioning clustering approach with AP to achieve this purpose.The partitioning clustering approach generates an additional set of findings with an equivalent number of clusters whenever the clustering stabilizes and the exemplars emerge.Based on these findings,mutually exclusive exemplar detection was conducted on the current AP exemplars,and a pair of unsuitable exemplars for coexistence is recommended.The recommendation is then mapped as a novel constraint,designated mutual exclusion and aggregation.To address this limitation,a modified AP clustering model is derived and the clustering is restarted,which can result in exemplar number reduction,exemplar selection adjustment,and other data point redistribution.The clustering is ultimately completed and a smaller number of clusters are obtained by repeatedly performing automatic detection and clustering until no mutually exclusive exemplars are detected.Some standard classification data sets are adopted for experiments on AAEAP and other clustering algorithms for comparison,and many internal and external clustering evaluation indexes are used to measure the clustering performance.The findings demonstrate that the AAEAP clustering algorithm demonstrates a substantial automatic aggregation impact while maintaining good clustering quality.

Quantum correlation enhanced bound of the information exclusion principle

We investigate the information exclusion principle for multiple measurements with assistance of multiple quantum memories that are well bounded by the upper and lower bounds.The lower bound depends on the observables'complementarity and the complementarity of uncertainty whilst the upper bound includes the complementarity of the observables,quantum discord,and quantum condition entropy.In quantum measurement processing,there exists a relationship between the complementarity of uncertainty and the complementarity of information.In addition,based on the information exclusion principle the complementarity of uncertainty and the shareability of quantum discord can exist as an essential factor to enhance the bounds of each other in the presence of quantum memory.

Symmetry phases of asymmetric simple exclusion processes on two lanes with an intersection

This paper studies two-lane asymmetric simple exclusion processes(ASEPs)with an intersection.In the upstream segments of the intersection,one particle can move to the next site with rate 1 if the site is empty,and the other particle can move forward with rate p in the sites of downstream segments.The parameter p can represent the rate of slowing of motion,and the parameter is introduced to investigate spontaneous symmetry breaking(SSB)phenomenon.Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are carried out.It is shown that three symmetric phases exist and the SSB does not exist in the system.Simple mean field approach in which correlation of sites is ignored is firstly adopted to analyze the system,and the system is divided into four independent segments.It is found that the analytical results deviate from the simulation ones,especially when p is small.In addition,the inexsitence of SSB can only be explained qualitatively.Motivated by this,we carry out the cluster mean field analysis in which correlation of five sites is considered.It is shown that densities of the two upstream segments are equal,which demonstrates that the SSB does not exist.It is also shown that,as expected,the cluster mean field analysis performs much better than the simple mean field analysis.

Reasons and effects of the decline of willing related potential living kidney donors

BACKGROUND Although the availability of related living donors(LDs)provides a better chance for receiving kidney transplantation(KT),the evaluation protocols for LD selection remain a safeguard for the LD’s safety.These protocols are variable from one center to another,resulting in variable rates of decline of the potential LDs(PLDs).The decline of willing PLDs may occur at any stage of evaluation,starting from the initial contact and counseling to the day of operation.AIM To identify the causes of the decline of PLDs,the predictors of PLD candidacy,and the effect on achieving LDKT.METHODS A retrospective study was performed on the willing PLDs who attended our outpatient clinic for kidney donation to their related potential recipients between October 2015 and December 2022.The variables influencing their candidacy rate and the fate of their potential recipients were studied.Two groups of PLDs were compared:Candidate PLDs after a completed evaluation vs non-candidate PLDs with a complete or incomplete evaluation.A multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the factors contributing to the achievement of PLD candidacy.RESULTS Of 321 willing PLDs,257 PLDs(80.1%)accessed the evaluation to variable extents for 212 potential recipients,with a mean age(range)of 40.5±10.4(18-65)years,including 169 females(65.8%).The remaining 64 PLDs(19.9%)did not access the evaluation.Only 58 PLDs(18.1%)succeeded in donating,but 199 PDLs(62.0%)were declined;exclusion occurred in 144 PLDs(56.0%)for immunological causes(37.5%),medical causes(54.9%),combined causes(9.7%),and financial causes(2.1%).Regression and release occurred in 55 PLDs(17.1%).The potential recipients with candidate PLDs were not significantly different from those with non-candidate PLDs,except in age(P=0.041),rates of completed evaluation,and exclusion of PLDs(P<0.001).There were no factors that independently influenced the rate of PLD candidacy.Most patients who failed to have KT after the decline of their PLDs remained on hemodialysis for 6 mo to 6 years.CONCLUSION The rate of decline of willing related PLDs was high due to medical or immunological contraindications,release,or regression of PLDs.It reduced the chances of high percentages of potential recipients in LDKT.

Determinants of Breastfeeding Practices among Working Mothers in Solwezi District of Zambia

Background: As one of the strategies to reduce infant morbidity and mortality, the World Health Organization recommends early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding and timely introduction of complementary feeding with continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond. Although breastfeeding is a natural process, it is influenced by different socio-cultural factors, habits, standards, and behaviours. Rapid industrialization and changes in lifestyle have seen increasing numbers of women in the labour force, and associated poor Exclusive Breastfeeding practices among working mothers. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of breastfeeding practices among working mothers in Solwezi District of Zambia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative survey comparing determinants of breastfeeding practices among working mothers aged 15 - 49 years in urban and rural areas of Solwezi District. The study was carried out in the Under-five Clinics at Solwezi, Kimasala and Mushitala Urban Clinics, as well as St. Francis, Kapijimpanga and Kisalala Rural Health Centers. Eighty-seven participants were successfully recruited using convenience sampling. A researcher-assisted questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistical analysis was done using numerical measures such as measures of central tendency and dispersion. The Pearson Chi Square test, correlation and linear regression analysis were performed to test association between the variables at the 0.05 level of significance. Are you assessing exclusive breastfeeding alone or what? Results: The mean age of respondents was 27.44 years (SD = 6.042 years) and the majority of the respondents were married (71.3%, n = 62). Forty-three percent of the respondents were self-employed while the rest were in formal government or private sector employment. Overall, 97.7% of the respondents had heard of exclusive breastfeeding, with health facilities being the most frequent source of information (64.4%). Attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding was generally positive. Fifty-eight percent of respondents exclusively breastfed while the rest were on mixed feeding. Seventy-one percent of respondents reported that their workplaces did not have breastfeeding facilities at work. Only 11.5% of the respondents reported having cultural beliefs restricting breastfeeding. Statistically significant associations were obtained from cross-tabulation analysis between respondent’s occupation and baby feeding type (p 0.001);workload and feeding type (0.024);as well as knowledge of EBF and feeding type (p 0.001). Conclusion: Majority of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. This study recommends sensitization campaigns in communities to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding, and foster behaviour change that promotes breastfeeding.

Exclusive Fibula Osteosynthesis for Treating Open Fractures Gustillo I-III B of the Distal Half of the Leg Bones in a Resources-Limited Setting

Introduction: Management of open leg bones fractures is a challenging health issue for the surgeon, particularly true in resource-limited settings. In this study, we evaluate exclusive fibular osteosynthesis in the treatment of open fractures of the distal half of the leg bones as a therapeutic option in our context. Methods: This is a prospective, experimental, multicenter study of 30 open fractures of the distal half of the leg bones treated with exclusive fibula osteosynthesis, conducted in 3 hospitals in the DRC from January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2016. Results: The age range of 20 to 40 years grouped 22 (73.4%) patients, the sex ratio was 1:1 and the unemployed were the most involved with 16 (53.3%) cases. The Gustilo II, I, III B and III A types represented 40%, 33.3%, 20% and 6.7%, respectively. The fractures were located in the distal third in 12 (40%) cases, in the middle third in 11 (36.7%) cases, and in both malleoli in 7 cases (23.3%). Osteosynthesis of the fibula by screw plate was applied in 22 (73.3%) patients and pinning in 8 (26.7%). Satisfactory reduction of the tibial fracture site was achieved in 29 (96.7%) cases and 100% bone healing was achieved within an average of 10 weeks. Four (13.3%) loss of alignment, 1 (3.3%) infection, 1 (3.3%) skin necrosis and 2 (6.7%) ankle stiffness complicated our fractures. Conclusion: Exclusive osteosynthesis of the fibula as a common technique for fractures of the distal half of the leg bones allowed us to reduce, immobilize and consolidate the tibial fracture in the required time and to preserve the mobility of the ankle.

Meissner Exclusion of Gravito-Magnetic Energy from a Momentum-Space Crystal

A primordial field theory of Quantum Gravity resolves a number of century-old paradoxes associated with general relativity and quantum mechanics. It allows re-interpretation of major experiments such as Michelson-Gale (1925) and Q-bounce (1999). I address herein an unexplained anomalous experiment by Martin Tajmar (2006), in terms of a gravitomagnetic-based Meissner effect.