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Go Away Whispy!
No full textThe purpose behind this book is to raise awareness, through Adam’s experience on one of the draining psychological situations many kids may be passing through silently. This book encourages them to talk about it and to seek support to deal with their intrusive thoughts that Whispy represents in this book
Enhancing Avocado Production through Optimized In Vitro Propagation Techniques
No full textAdvancements in plant tissue culture have significantly enhanced the production of many plant species. However, avocados (Persea americana Mill.), classified as woody plants, have been shown to be highly recalcitrant to in vitro conditions. They possess several challenges, especially contamination and oxidation, which make successful propagation difficult. While some studies have successfully improved protocols for specific avocado cultivars, many others still need further optimization. Through in vitro propagation techniques, this study aims to optimize superficial sterilization techniques and best media formulations to produce true-to-type and virus-free avocado plantlets. Therefore, a total of 2,508 meristems and 1,701 axillary buds from three avocado cultivars: Hass, Lamb Hass, and Ettinger, were collected from an orchard in Lebanon and cultured on 24 different media. Initial trials showed high levels of contamination and oxidation. To address this problem, different sterilization protocols were tested on a selected Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/L benzyl aminopurine (BAP) on both orchard-derived explants and greenhouse-derived explants. Results show that greenhouse-derived explants performed better after sterilization, especially with 40% Clorox. At the same time, none of the sterilization protocols reduced contamination in the orchard-derived axillary buds, while some effectively eliminated contamination in orchard-derived meristems. Among the 24 tested media, Woody Plant medium (WPM) with 0.5 mg/L BAP provided the best result, with improved survival and reduced oxidation. Antioxidant treatments (ascorbic acid + PVP and PVP alone) showed a limited effect. Although complete regeneration was not achieved, early callus formation and slight shoot elongation were observed in some treatments. Though oxidation remained an issue for other media, further refinement is needed to overcome this challenge and improve the efficiency of tissue culture techniques for avocado propagation
Income Inequality, Trade, and Environmental Externalities
No full textThis paper investigates the intersection of income inequality, international trade,
and environmental externalities, with a focus on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Drawing on a panel dataset of 160 countries from 1980 to 2019, the study combines a theoretical framework grounded in welfare economics with empirical analysis using fixed-effects panel regressions. The results reveal that income concentration, particularly among the top 9% and top 1%—is a strong predictor of higher
CO2 emissions. This relationship is intensified in countries that are more open
to trade, suggesting that trade may facilitate the offshoring of pollution-intensive
production.
We distinguished between production-based and consumption-based emissions and
shows that elite income groups not only emit more domestically, but also import
significant carbon-intensive goods, effectively externalizing environmental costs to
other countries. These dynamics are especially pronounced in advanced economies
and high-income countries, while emerging and low-income economies exhibit more
localized effects.
By incorporating trade interactions and disaggregated income shares, the analysis
offers new evidence on the spatial and social distribution of emissions. The findings
underscore the need for climate policies that recognize and address both inter- and
intra-national inequalities in emissions responsibility. Redistribution, progressive
carbon taxation, and trade reforms may be key levers in achieving both climate and social justice
One Query is All You Need: A Dynamic Approach to Jailbreaking LLMs
No full textThe rapid advancement of Large Language Models (LLMs) has introduced signif-
icant challenges in ensuring model safety, particularly in the face of adversarial
attacks such as jailbreaks and prompt injections. While prior research has investi-
gated jailbreak prompts to uncover vulnerabilities, most existing approaches depend
on manually crafted inputs, limiting both scalability and adaptability. Moreover,
these methods typically require an extensive number of queries to achieve a success-
ful jailbreak, reducing their overall efficiency. In this paper, we propose a Dynamic
Adversarial Prompting (DAP) method, inspired by Retrieval-Augmented Genera-
tion (RAG), to generate jailbreak prompts capable of exposing vulnerabilities in
LLMs. DAP leverages a curated dataset from WildJailbreak, comprising both suc-
cessful and failed jailbreak attempts, to construct a single adversarial query em-
bedded with multiple illustrative examples substantially increasing the likelihood of
bypassing safety mechanisms. Our results demonstrate that DAP achieves an At-
tack Success Rate (ASR) of 91% on models like GPT-4o, with an overall efficiency
of 99.97%, and remains effective even on models such as Gemini and Llama, out-
performing state-of-the-art methods. This work contributes a scalable and effective
method for probing LLM robustness, advancing efforts to understand and mitigate
model vulnerabilities
The Association Between Sexual and Physical Adverse Childhood Experiences and Cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) Multimorbidity
No full textBackground: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are known risk factors for adverse mental and physical health outcomes. However, limited research has explored the association specifically between childhood physical and sexual abuse and cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) multimorbidity.
Aim: This study aimed to examine this association, while accounting for sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors.
Methods: Based on BRFSS 2023, a large dataset collected in the US, unadjusted and adjusted weighted logistic regression models were employed to estimate the adjusted odds of CRM multimorbidity associated with childhood physical and sexual abuse.
Results: Individuals with a history of childhood physical abuse had 21% higher odds of experiencing CRM multimorbidity compared to those without such exposure (Adjusted OR = 1.21; 95% CI OR: 1.09–1.34; p-value < 0.001). Similarly, individuals who reported childhood sexual abuse had a 25% increased likelihood of CRM multimorbidity compared to those without such histories (Adjusted OR = 1.25; 95% CI OR: 1.07–1.45; p-value = 0.004). Childhood physical and sexual abuse contribute to the development of CRM multimorbidity through interconnected sociodemographic, behavioral and biological pathways.
Conclusion: The findings emphasize the long-term health consequences of childhood physical and sexual abuse and support the need for early intervention, trauma-informed care, and prevention policies. They underscore the value of adopting a ‘whole person health’ approach in clinical practice and the incorporation of routine screening for ACEs during primary care visits, especially for adolescents and young adults to identify individuals with high risk of adulthood CRM multimorbidity
Integrating Microplastic and Marine Litter into Sustainable Construction Materials
No full textDue to the alarming increase of plastics, especially marine litter, global concern is raised, and attempts are made to repurpose the wastes collected to improve the waste management system. This is because unlike organic waste, plastic wastes need more time to decompose and can harm marine life if washed into the sea. While global attempts are made when it comes to plastic recycling, the percentage of plastics that are eligible for reusing does not cover all. Therefore, it is necessary to include different sectors, and specially the construction sector that is continuously growing, in the attempt of plastic repurposing without the need of further processing.
Incorporating plastic waste and marine litter in concrete can be an effective approach to reuse plastics, avoiding unnecessary processing. This in return creates a construction material that is viable for structural use and may provide an improvement on traditional concrete. More importantly, plastic wastes have shown a potential of being used as a partial replacement for both fine and coarse aggregates in cement and concrete, which can contribute to the preservation of both sand and gravel sources as they are both depletable natural materials. Further, the plastics replacement will lead to the production of a lightweight concrete that would help in the alleviation of the total cost for materials and handling, and with the reduction of the total self-weight of the building.
This research will investigate the effects of different replacement percentages and sizes of plastics in concrete mixes. Replacement percentages adopted in this research are 10 and 15% for both coarse and fine aggregates, then, based on results, optimal replacement percentage is chosen. Then the effects of different plastic particle sizes, raw and shredded, will be investigated. The physical properties of concrete such as density and weight are observed, as well as the mechanical properties such as compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths, and ductility.
After conducting the experimental program proposed for this research, which evaluated mechanical and physical properties of plastics incorporated in concrete, it was concluded that 10% replacement of natural aggregates is the optimal percentage compared to 15% replacement. Then it was found that 10% replacement of sand with shredded plastics results in better concrete qualities in comparison with 10% replacement of coarse aggregates with raw plastics, and this was attributed to the even distribution of shredded plastic particles
Structure-Function Interplay in Metal Organic Framework Systems for the Catalytic CO2 Photoreduction
No full textAs the quest for sustainable energy resources remains a global challenge, it becomes crucial to design potent materials that would concurrently mitigate the excessive CO2 emissions while producing value-added feedstocks. Within this context, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) emerged as a diverse class of porous crystalline materials that deemed to efficiently contribute to various stages of the CO2 cycle, from its capture to its conversion. More specifically, the rational choice of MOFs building blocks, along with the deep investment in their structural properties, can potentially enhance their optical and catalytic activities. In order to develop novel photocatalytic MOF systems, we systematically investigate the catalytic performance of a series of previously reported, yet unexplored MOF structures on one hand and a finely tuned MOF series on the other hand, both operating under light irradiation. In the former approach, three isostructural MOFs namely NbOFFIVE-1-Ni, AlFFIVE-1-Ni and FeFFIVE-1-Ni, known for their exceptional CO2 capture abilities from thin air, are tested as CO2 photo-reduction catalysts. The in-depth characterization of the studied MOFs before and after catalysis demonstrates the occurrence of in-situ structural changes yielding remarkable conversion rates. As for the second photocatalytic system, mixed-linker derivatives of UiO-66, a remarkably robust and extensively studied MOF topology, are synthesized by varying the amount of -COOH functionalities within the framework. These multivariate MOF samples are fully characterized in order to establish structural, morphological and physical trends. Post-synthetic metalation is also performed to incorporate potential active sites into this series of MTV-MOFs which are subsequently tested as potent photocatalysts. These separate, yet parallel studies highlight the role of structure-function interplay in MOF systems, thus widening the scope of MOF engineering strategies for a sustainable future
Physics of Simple and Higher-Order Networks of Musical Spaces: From Laplace Operator to Dirac’s
No full textMusic is inherently complex, with structures and interactions that unfold across multiple layers. The quantitative analysis of a diverse collection of digitized Western classical music scores and their corresponding networks has recently revealed patterns of harmonic complexity. Although notable works have used these approaches to study music, dyadic representations of interactions fall short in conveying the underlying complexity and depth. In this thesis, we present a multiscale approach to analyzing J. S. Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, and supplement the conventional topological analysis of these networks with music-theoretical interpretations. We begin with simple networks by constructing duration-weighted transition matrices to model melody and harmony networks and complement these with metrics from statistical physics, such as the partition function and communicability, originally employed in the context of socio-economic networks. We perform intra- and inter-network analyses to classify musical movements based on their structural connectivity and similarity metrics. Building upon these notions, we extend our analysis to capture higher-order interactions by introducing a higher-order network model, particularly a simplicial complex representation. Our analysis pertains to the study of the temporal evolution of these complexes and is centered around constructing the higher-order Hodge Laplacian and examining trends in the way the topological invariants and geometrical features evolve over time. We further extend our analysis to include musical pieces of similar genres by different composers in order to generalize our findings. Additionally, we incorporate AI-generated music to support and expand the scope of our analysis and assess the extent to which such music adheres to the structural principles of classical tonal composition from the perspective of topological and geometrical measures
Eldrin and the Golden Key
Full text linkThis book is a fiction book full of magical elements with a strong moral.Three kids find a magical hot air balloon which takes them to The Enchanted Valley. The children learn about the golden key, a magical artifact that protects the magic of the valley. But the key was stolen long ago by Eldrin, a powerful guardian. The kids work together to save the valley and learn the importance of forgiveness
Characteristics and Prognosis of Patients with Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features (IPAF) Compared to Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia (IIP) and Connective Tissue Diseases Associated Interstitial Lung Diseases (CTD-ILD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textBackground: Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) is a term used to classify patients presenting with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) alongside features suggestive of an underlying connective tissue disease (CTD), yet insufficient to establish a definitive CTD diagnosis. Since its introduction, the clinical significance of IPAF has remained uncertain, particularly whether it constitutes a distinct clinical entity with distinct clinical course and prognosis from those of IIP or CTD-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD). Prior to IPAF classification criteria, such patients were labelled with various nomenclatures such as undifferentiated CTD-ILD (UCTD-ILD), lung dominant CTD, or autoimmune featured ILD using overlapping classification criteria.
Aims: This systematic review aims to evaluate whether the baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with IPAF differ from those with IIP, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and CTD-ILD. Additionally, it seeks to identify prognostic factors associated with the outcomes of IPAF.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search using four electronic databases—Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science— in addition to the citations of the 2015 IPAF statement using Scopus. We included cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies that compared the baseline characteristics and outcomes of IPAF patients with those of IIP, IPF, or CTD-ILD patients, or that reported prognostic factors associated with IPAF. We also included studies that compared pre-IPAF entities (e.g., UCTD-ILD and related conditions) to other ILD groups. Primary outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality, disease progression, acute ILD exacerbation, and development of definitive CTD. Two independent reviewers conducted abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction in duplicate using predefined forms for each step. We assessed the risk of bias in each study using the Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool and rated the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach, adapted for prognosis and prognostic factor studies. When possible, we conducted meta-analyses using a random-effects model to compare outcomes between IPAF and other ILD subtypes and to evaluate the effect of specific prognostic factors on IPAF outcomes.
Results: We included 43 studies derived from 41 distinct cohorts. Of these, 36 were retrospective, six were prospective, and one employed a mixed (retrospective and prospective) design. Thirty-two studies focused on IPAF, while 11 examined UCTD-ILD and related entities. According to the QUIPS tool, the majority of included studies were judged to carry a high risk of bias in one or more domains. Compared to CTD-ILD, IPAF patients were generally older, with a pooled median difference of 4.9 years. Conversely, they were younger than patients with IIP and IPF, with median differences of 4.5 and 5.6 years, respectively. Unlike IIP and IPF, most IPAF patients were female, reflecting a demographic profile more similar to that of CTD-ILD. IPAF patients were more likely to be current or former smokers than CTD-ILD patients, but less likely than those with IIP/IPF. However, baseline lung function did not consistently differ between IPAF and other ILD groups. IPAF was associated with significantly higher mortality compared to CTD-ILD (adjusted HR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.33–2.27; I² = 0%; low certainty), and lower mortality compared to IIP (unadjusted HR 0.53; 95% CI: 0.32–0.88; I² = 41%; very low certainty). There was no significant difference in mortality between IPAF and IPF (adjusted HR 0.85; 95% CI: 0.42–1.71; I² = 75%; very low certainty). Rates of disease progression were comparable between IPAF and CTD-ILD (RR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.44–1.43; I² = 44%; very low certainty), with a trend toward lower progression compared to IIP (RR 0.45; 95% CI: 0.20–1.00; I² = 34%; very low certainty). Similarly, rates of acute exacerbation did not differ significantly between IPAF and CTD-ILD (RR 0.92; 95% CI: 0.54–1.57; I² = 66%; very low certainty), or between IPAF and IIP (RR 0.83; 95% CI: 0.41–1.67; I² = 79%; very low certainty). Ten cohorts reported the incidence of definitive CTD among IPAF patients. The pooled incidence of de-novo CTD was 14% (95% CI: 11–18%; I² = 55%). Compared to IIP, IPAF was associated with a six-fold increased risk of developing CTD during follow-up (RR 6.00; 95% CI: 3.72–9.68; I² = 0%; low certainty). In contrast, UCTD-ILD and related entities did not consistently demonstrate differences in baseline characteristics or outcomes when compared to other ILD subtypes. In the multivariate analysis, independent predictors of all-cause mortality in IPAF were age (HR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.05, I2=27%, low certainty), male sex (HR 2.75, 95% CI: 1.34-5.63, I2=48%, low certainty), baseline ppDLCO (HR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57-0.80, I² = 28%; very low certainty), and pathological or radiological UIP (HR 2.78, 95% CI: 1.59-4.85, I2=45%, very low certainty). Ever-smoking and baseline ppFVC were significant predictors of mortality only in the univariate analysis with unadjusted HR of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.04-1.67, I2=0%) and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87-0.95, I2=0%) respectively. Similarly, longer six-minute walking distance and fulfillment of the clinical IPAF domain were also associated with reduced mortality in univariate analyses. Steroid therapy showed no significant association with mortality in either multivariate or univariate analyses.
Conclusion: Our systematic review supports the classification of IPAF as an intermediate phenotype within the ILD spectrum, exhibiting clinical features and outcomes that lie between those of CTD-ILD and IIP/IPF. It also underscores the need for well-designed prospective studies to refine IPAF classification criteria, delineate its clinical trajectories and phenotypes, and validate prognostic predictors that can more effectively guide future research and inform clinical decision-making