Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is the development of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix, caused by an infection with human papillomavirus. Although in most cases it is resolved by the immune system, a small percentage of people may develop to more severe CIN, which, if left untreated, can progress to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. This work intends to develop a nonlinear mathematical model that describes the dynamics at the microscopic level of the epithelial cells (healthy, dysplastic, cancer and immune), and the viral particles, while accounting for a dual immunotherapy. Using the two-scale convergence method, we derive the effective macroscopic model, thus highlighting the influence of the microscopic properties of the tumor on the overall dynamics of CIN. The resulting model is new in the literature and is simpler to handle as far as the computational aspects are concerned.
The Ngwi area, along the central Cameroon shear zone (CCSZ), features two-mica granite and hornblende-biotite granite intrusive into paragneisses and amphibolites. This work provides insights into the kinematic evolution and emplacement mechanism of the Ngwi pluton, highlighting the complex tectonic history of the region, with implications for understanding the Pan-African tectonics. Structural data analysis reveals: (i) D1 flattening (similar to 622-613 Ma) defined by NW- to WNW-striking S1 foliation in paragneisses; (ii) D2 sinistral shearing (similar to 613-590 Ma) with NE-SW to NNE-SSW and NW-SE rotational evolution, developed S2 foliation in host-rocks and Sm2 magmatic fabric in pluton; (iii) D3 dextral shearing (similar to 585-540 Ma) with NE-SW to ENE-WSW and NW-SE rotational evolution, induced a mylonitic fabric towards the pluton margins. Microstructural and kinematic data analysis suggest the Ngwi pluton emplaced into a high-strain sheared crustal domain during the D2-D3 phases, with a continuous evolution from magmatic to solid-state deformation (i.e., 700 degrees C <= T <= 300 degrees C) under high-grade amphibolite to low-grade greenschist conditions. The pluton's emplacement likely occurred within tension gashes opened in the paragneiss host rocks under a sinistral transpressive tectonics along the CCSZ, consistent with similar shear zones in Chad, Central African Republic and northeastern Brazil.
The 2023 European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) is a transnational regulation aimed at addressing forest loss along the value chains of forest-risk commodities. Grounding our analysis in new institutional theory with distinct behavioral drivers explaining actor behavior, and using qualitative methods, we draw on the cases of Brazil, the Congo Basin, and the EU to understand the behavior of forestry and agricultural sector businesses in response to the EUDR. We find their stated behavior in all cases to be driven by market (dis)incentives and, especially for EU businesses, by the regulatory threat of penalties. Overall, the influence of behavioral drivers varies contextually. Businesses' frequently expected behavioral responses, like segregation of EUDR-conforming from non-conforming supply sources, could hamper the EUDR's regulatory effectiveness in mitigating forest loss globally. We show how the design and implementation of regulation should consider and leverage different institutional elements in creating robust frameworks that effectively influence actors' behavior.
A common way to improve a beam-steering system based on a coupled oscillator array is to increase the number of oscillators to boost power, improve focus and resolution, and enhance steering precision. This study deals with the numerical analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of a network of N > 4 coupled triode-based van der Pol oscillator arrays for beam steering application, extending from a previous study in which the dynamics of N <= 4 coupled oscillators were successfully evaluated as phase shifters for electronic beam steering, achieving significant phase shifts and high-power outputs at ultrasonic frequencies. We create a comprehensive map of the different collective dynamic behaviors across different oscillating units in terms of the coupling strength and edge oscillator frequency. In addition to full synchronization, traveling waves, and oscillations death reported in the previous study, simulations reveal new patterns such as cluster traveling wave and 'imperfect' intermittent traveling wave as transitions between traveling waves and cluster state. Furthermore, the findings reveal that in addition to the emergence of new spatiotemporal patterns, the maximal phase shift decreases as the number of oscillators increases. For parameter settings in the beam steering region, the output waveform is applied as the input signal for linear phased array transducers. The results of the variation of the array aperture width show that the sound pressure peaks in the steered direction, while beam directivity improves with wider apertures. These results are in agreement with LTSPICE simulations and provide an alternative way to design high-power coupled oscillator arrays for beam steering applications.
ObjectivesInfections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a significant public health concern. Imperata cylindrica is a dietary plant used in traditional medicine to treat many health conditions, including microbial infections. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-pseudomonal activity, antibiotic resistance modulation potential, and the effect of dichloromethane/methanol extract of I. cylindrica rhizomes on the antioxidant system of MDR P. aeruginosa.MethodsThe microdilution method was used to assess the anti-pseudomonal and antibiotic resistance modulation activities of the extract. The effect of the extract on catalase activity and lipid peroxidation was evaluated by measuring the height of the foam and spectrophotometric quantification of malondialdehyde, respectively.ResultsThe tested extract displayed variable antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 32 to 2048 & micro;g/mL. Higher anti-pseudomonal activity was observed against P. aeruginosa D130 (MIC = 32 & micro;g/mL) and K290 (MIC = 64 & micro;g/mL). At its sub-inhibitory concentration (MIC/8), I. cylindrica extract enhanced the activity of the tested antibiotics, mainly aminoglycosides (streptomycin, amikacin, and gentamycin), by 2 to 258-fold. The extract also affected the antioxidant system of P. aeruginosa D130, by inhibiting catalase activity, as confirmed by lipid peroxidation.ConclusionThese findings indicate that the dichloromethane/methanol extract of Imperata cylindrica rhizomes can serve as a potential candidate for the discovery of new antibiotics or antibiotic-resistant modulators to efficiently treat infections involving MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
