Search Results (78)

Opto-electronic plethysmography (OEP) is used to measure chest wall compartment volumes and their synchronisation. Breathing pattern disorder (BPD) can be distinguished using the phase angles between these chest wall compartments during exercise. However, the time taken to manually place the standard OEP model involving 89 reflective markers is high during clinical application. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a pre-markered T-shirt instead of markers applied directly to the skin at rest, during different exercise intensities and recovery. Thirty-nine healthy participants (24 male, 15 female) aged 18–40 years performed an incremental cycling test with the skin-mounted OEP marker set. Participants then repeated the same cycling test with a pre-markered T-shirt. Across all test conditions, the T-shirt showed a strong level of agreement (Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ≥ 0.9) with the standard breath-by-breath (BbB) gas analyser. Moreover, ICC values exceeded 0.8 for compartment contributions across all test conditions, indicating excellent agreement with the skin-mounted markers. The phase angles between compartments showed the best agreement during the moderate exercise level (0.6 < ICC < 0.8). In conclusion, the pre-markered T-shirt presents a viable solution for the quick monitoring of breathing patterns, as well as an effective tool in diagnosing BPD during exercise. Full article

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) contamination in corn silage poses significant risks to livestock and human health. This study developed a non-destructive detection method for AFB₁ using color-sensitive arrays (CSAs). Twenty self-developed CSAs were employed to react with samples, with reflectance spectra collected using a portable spectrometer. Spectral data were optimized through seven preprocessing methods, including Standard Normal Variate (SNV), Multiplicative Scatter Correction (MSC), first-order derivative (1st D), second-order derivative (2nd D), wavelet denoising, and their combinations. Key variables were selected using five feature selection algorithms: Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Random Forest (RF), Uninformative Variable Elimination (UVE), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). Five machine learning models were constructed: Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), XGBoost, Support Vector Regression (SVR), RF, and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN). The results demonstrated significant AFB₁-responsive characteristics in three dyes: (2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphynato)chloromanganese(III) (Mn(OEP)Cl), Bromocresol Green, and Cresol Red. The combined 1st D-PCA-KNN model showed optimal prediction performance, with determination coefficient ($R_p^2$ = 0.87), root mean square error (RMSEP = 0.057), and relative prediction deviation (RPD = 2.773). This method provides an efficient solution for silage AFB₁ monitoring. Full article

Optical oxygen sensors have attracted considerable attention owing to their high sensitivity, rapid response, and broad applicability. However, their test results may be affected by fluctuations in the pump light source and instability of the detection equipment. In this study, the intrinsic luminescence of pine wood was utilized as the reference signal, and the luminescence of platinum(II) octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) was employed as the oxygen indication signal, to fabricate a dual-signal ratiometric oxygen sensor PtOEP/PDMS@Pine. The ratio of the luminescence of pine wood to that of PtOEP was defined as the optical parameter (OP). OP increased linearly with oxygen concentration ([O₂]) in the range of 10–100 kPa, and a calibration curve was obtained. The sensor exhibits excellent anti-interference capabilities, effectively resisting fluctuations from laser sources and detection equipment. It also displays stable hydrophobicity with a contact angle of 118.3° and maintains excellent photostability under continuous illumination. The sensor exhibited long-term stability within 90 days and robust recovery performance during cyclic tests, wherein the response time and recovery time were determined to be 1.4 s and 1.7 s, respectively. Finally, the effects of temperature fluctuations and photobleaching on the sensor’s performance have been effectively corrected, enabling accurate oxygen concentration measurements in complex environments. Full article

Cognitive–motor integration is the coordination of cognitive and motor processes; it is commonly impaired among people living with dementia (PWD) and may be improved through exercise. This pilot randomized controlled trial (1:1) aimed to determine the effect of 6 months of exercise on cognitive–motor integration compared to usual care in n = 42 PWD at two residential care facilities. Participants completed single- and dual-task standing (30 s of standing while counting backward by 1 s), walking (4 m walk while naming words), and timed-up-and-go (TUG) tests (TUG with a category task), measured using APDM inertial sensors at baseline and 6 months (age = 82 years, 35% female, Montreal Cognitive Assessment = 10.2 ± 5.9, NCT05488951). The adapted Otago Exercise Program involved 60 min of lower-body strength and balance exercises and walking 3x/week for 6 months. Usual care involved regular social activities and healthcare appointments. Exercise provoked increased single-task stride length and increased dual-task TUG turn velocity compared to usual care (p < 0.05). Usual care may reduce the ability to appropriately select cautious gait, as the usual care group exhibited faster dual-task gait speed at 6 months compared to the OEP plus usual care (p < 0.05), which was faster than their single-task gait speed. Our results support implementing the OEP to improve cognitive–motor integration in PWD. Full article

This study utilized tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) as a substitute for traditional catalysts and successfully incorporated platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) into SiO₂ nanoparticles (PtOEP@SiO₂) via the Stöber method. Methyl silicone resin was employed as the matrix material, and a drop-coating technique was applied to fabricate thin films of PtOEP@SiO₂ particles for dissolved oxygen (DO) sensing in seawater. By optimizing the concentrations of TMAH and PtOEP, a highly sensitive oxygen-sensing film with a quenching ratio (I₀/I₁₀₀) of 28 was ultimately developed, with a wide linear detection range (0~20 mg/L, R² = 0.994). Stability tests revealed no significant performance degradation during five oxygen–nitrogen cycle tests. After 30 days of immersion in East China Sea seawater, the quenching ratio decreased by only 6%, confirming its long-term stability and excellent resistance to ion interference. This research provides a novel strategy for developing highly reliable in situ marine DO sensors. Full article

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis offers a sustainable route for hydrogen production, yet the reliance on costly noble metal-based anodes hinders scalability. Tin dioxide (SnO₂) emerges as a promising alternative due to its acid stability, but its high oxygen evolution potential (OEP) limits practical application in hydrogen production via water electrolysis. Here, we address this challenge by incorporating cobalt (Co) into SnO₂ to create a heterojunction electrocatalyst. The optimized Co₃O₄-SnO₂ heterojunction catalyst with a tin-to-cobalt mass ratio of 3:1 exhibits a significantly reduced OEP (1.6 V vs. RHE) and an overpotential of 186 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² in acidic media, outperforming undoped SnO₂. Stability tests reveal a lifespan exceeding 24 h at 100 mA cm⁻², a threefold improvement over pure SnO₂. This work underscores the potential of the Co₃O₄-SnO₂ heterojunction electrocatalyst as a cost-effective, durable anode catalyst for PEM electrolyzers. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as signaling molecules, play a crucial role in the plant immune response. However, the mechanism(s) by which viruses affect ROS metabolism remain largely unexplored. Here, we found that wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV)-encoded P1 is a pathogenic protein. Transcriptomic and proteomic integrative analyses were performed on WYMV-infected overexpressing-P1 wheat and wild-type plants. A total of 9245 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1383 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the transcriptome and proteome, respectively. At their intersection, 373 DEGs/Ps were identified. Enrichment analysis revealed that the expression of genes related to the ROS metabolism pathway in overexpressed P1 transgenic wheat (OE-P1) plants significantly increased during WYMV infection. We screened peroxidase (TaPOD) and thioredoxin reductase (TaTrxR) as they showed the most significant differences in expression. The silencing of TaPOD and TaTrxR revealed that they positively regulate WYMV infection by reducing ROS accumulation. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide treatment induced WYMV resistance in wild-type wheat plants and OE-P1 transgenic plants. This study provides a theoretical basis for the role of P1 in plant viral infection. Full article

In order to study the geochemical characteristics of coal in the Ningwu Coalfield of Shanxi Province and the coal-forming environments reflected by it, a detailed geochemical study was carried out on the No. 5 coal of the Zhaokai Mine. The results show that the content of major-element oxides SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ is high. The trace elements Ni, Nb, Mo, Cd, Sn, Hf, Ta, W, Th, and U are slightly enriched, while the elements Li and Zr are enriched, indicating an overall LREY enrichment type in the samples. Elemental parameters suggest that the sedimentary environment in the study area is continental sedimentary, and the whole environment is reductive. The macerals in the coal samples are mainly vitrinite, with an average vitrinite reflectance (R_o) of 0.744%. The distribution range of n-alkanes in the coal samples is from n-C₁₄~n-C₃₂, with the main peak carbons being n-C₂₄ and n-C₂₅, showing the post-single-peak type distribution pattern. The average odd–even predominance index (OEP) is 0.40, the average of the light and heavy hydrocarbons ratio (${\displaystyle \sum {\mathrm{C}}_{21}^{-}}/{\displaystyle \sum {\mathrm{C}}_{22}^{+}}$) is 0.42, and the average of Pr/n-C₁₇ and Ph/n-C₁₈ are 1.08 and 0.23, respectively. The coal samples also contain various aromatic hydrocarbons, mainly from the naphthalene- and phenanthrene-series compounds. Biomarker parameters indicate that the parent material of the coal samples in the study area is mainly continental higher plants. The maturity is low, and the coal-forming environment is a reduction environment. This study of the No. 5 coal’s geochemical characteristics has laid a foundation for the efficient, green, and comprehensive exploitation of coal resources in this region, and has also provided an important basis for the sustainable development of coal resources. Full article

In this study, an approach has been proposed in response to the urgent need for a sensitive and stable method for glucose detection at low concentrations. Platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) was chosen as the probe and embedded into the matrix material to yield a glucose-sensing film, i.e., Pt/TE-MTS, through a sol–gel process. The optical parameter (OP) was defined as the ratio of phosphorescence in the absence and presence of glucose, and the relationship between OP and glucose concentration (GC) was established in a theoretical way based on the Stern–Volmer equation and further obtained by photoluminescence measurement. OP exhibited a linear relationship with GC in a range of 0–720 μM. The time required by the photoluminescence of the film to reach equilibrium was measured to ensure the completion of the reaction, and it was found that the equilibrium time decreased as the GC increased. The photobleaching behavior and stabilization of the film were monitored, and the result showed that the film exhibited excellent resistance to photobleaching and was quite stable in an aqueous solution. Additionally, a LabVIEW-based GC-detection system was developed to achieve the practical application of the sensing film. In summary, the Pt/TE-MTS film exhibited high sensitivity in detecting the GC with excellent reproducibility, which is of high value in applications. Full article

Earthquake prediction is the holy grail of seismology and one of humanity’s greatest dreams. The Earth’s magnetic field appears to be one of the best possible precursors of earthquakes, although the topic is controversial. Recent advancements have made it possible to observe magnetic fields from satellites with great accuracy. We utilize magnetic measurements from Swarm satellites to explore the potential identification of anomalous magnetic signals preceding earthquakes. Focusing on 1077 major earthquakes that occurred in 2014–2023 in the Alpine–Himalayan belt, we apply an automatic algorithm to data recorded 10 days before each earthquake. This analysis reveals clear pre-earthquake anomalies in the magnetic field components. Notably, a robust correlation is established between the duration of these anomalies and the earthquake magnitude, indicating that as the earthquake magnitude increases, so does the duration of the anomaly. Here we show that this method has a great ability to make predictions (high accuracy 79%, precision 88%, F1-score and hit rate 84%), thus becoming the basis for an Operational Earthquake Prediction System (OEPS). Full article

The increasing demand for energy and industrial development necessitates the construction of large-scale structures, often in previously undeveloped areas. Pile foundations, particularly open-ended piles (OEPs), are extensively used in such projects due to their drivability and structural integrity. This research focuses on the unique plugging effect in OEPs, where soil enters the pile during installation, forming a soil plug that significantly contributes to the pile’s static resistance. A significant challenge in OEP applications is the uncertainty in internal stress states and bearing capacity due to the dynamic nature of impact driving in sands. Current standards assume that the inner skin friction equals the outer skin friction along the entire soil plug length, a conservative approach lacking in consideration of the actual stress states. Utilizing the Particle Flow Code (PFC) software, this research aims to analyze the internal stress conditions within the soil plug during impact driving, providing a more accurate prediction of OEP behavior under various conditions. The study’s findings, validated against experimental results, enhance the understanding of soil–pile interactions, contributing to the development of improved design methodologies for open-ended piles. Full article

The InterCriteria decision-making approach, known as InterCriteria analysis (ICrA), was applied here to optimize the experimental protocol when the surface electromyography (EMG) signals of upper arm human muscles are recorded. Ten healthy subjects performed cycling movements in the sagittal plane with and without added weight for ten, six, two, and one second, respectively, for each active phase. The EMG signals from six muscles or parts of muscles, namely m. deltoideus pars clavicularis and pars spinata, m. brachialis, m. anconeus, m. biceps brachii, and m. triceps brachii caput longum, were recorded. ICrA was used on the obtained data to find correlations between the sixteen different phases, eight for elbow flexion and eight for elbow extension. Based on the obtained results, we proposed an optimized experimental protocol (OEP) that omits slower and more difficult tasks while saving crucial data. The optimized protocol consists of seven, instead of ten, tasks and takes three minutes less than the time taken for the full experimental protocol (FEP). The lower number of movements in the OEP could prevent physical and psychical fatigue, discomfort, or even pain in the investigated subjects. In addition, the time to train subjects, as well as the time to process the surface EMG data, can be significantly reduced. Full article

Original Entry Point (OEP) and API obfuscation techniques greatly hinder the analysis of malware. Contemporary packers, employing these sophisticated obfuscation strategies, continue to pose unresolved challenges, despite extensive research efforts. Recent studies, like API-Xray, have mainly concentrated on rebuilding obfuscated import tables in malware, but research into OEP obfuscation is still limited. As a solution, we present Pinicorn, an automated dynamic de-obfuscation system designed to tackle these complexities. Pinicorn bypasses packers’ anti-analysis techniques and retrieves the original program from memory. It is specifically designed to detect and analyze trampoline codes within both OEP and the import table. Our evaluation shows that Pinicorn successfully deobfuscates programs hidden by three different packers, confirming its effectiveness through a comparative analysis with their original versions. Furthermore, we conducted experiments on malware obfuscated by Themida and VMProtect, analyzing the obfuscation techniques and successfully de-obfuscating them to validate the effectiveness of our approach. Full article

Background. Accurate measurements of limb volumes are important for clinical reasons. We aimed to assess the reliability and validity of two centimetric and two optoelectronic techniques for limb volume measurements against water volumetry, defined as the gold standard. Methods. Five different measurement methods were executed on the same day for each participant, namely water displacement, fixed-height (circumferences measured every 5 (10) cm for the upper (lower limb) centimetric technique, segmental centimetric technique (circumferences measured according to proportional height), optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP, based on a motion analysis system), and IGOODI Gate body scanner technology (which creates an accurate 3D avatar). Results. A population of 22 (15 lower limbs, 11 upper limbs, 8 unilateral upper limb lymphoedema, and 6 unilateral lower limb lymphoedema) participants was selected. Compared to water displacement, the fixed-height centimetric method, the segmental centimetric method, the OEP, and the IGOODI technique resulted in mean errors of 1.2, 0.86, −16.0, and 0.71%, respectively. The corresponding slopes (and regression coefficients) of the linear regression lines were 1.0002 (0.98), 1.0047 (0.99), 0.874 (0.94) and 0.9966 (0.99). Conclusion. The centimetric methods and the IGOODI system are accurate in measuring limb volume with an error of <2%. It is important to evaluate new objective and reliable techniques to improve diagnostic and follow-up possibilities. Full article

Open education, Open Educational Practices (OEPs), and Open Educational Resources (OERs) have emerged as significant opportunities for enhancing global sustainability information sharing. However, the creation and sharing of OERs, as well as the usage of OEPs in Higher Education for Sustainable Development (HESD), remain limited. This study explores the implementation of OEPs in HESD, aiming to empower students to co-produce OERs on sustainable development (SD). This study, drawing on the theoretical approach of the principle of constructive alignment, proposes the development of students’ digital competence in OER production. A two-group pretest–posttest analysis of 409 students (Psychology, Economics, Education, Geography) reveals a significant increase in digital competence over time among students who produced OERs on SD, compared to their peers enrolled in courses unrelated to OER content development. We delve into the practical implications of designing OEPs in HESD and strategize to support students in their OER production processes. Full article