Search Results (194)

A series of dimethylpyridine-3-carboxamide derivatives was designed as potential, selective, non-zinc chelating inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and subsequently synthesized. The identity of the obtained compounds was confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H/¹³C NMR, and HR-MS methods. Fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to study the interaction of synthesized compounds with human serum albumin, providing insight into their potential transport properties in plasma. In parallel, the electronic properties and reactivity parameters relevant to enzyme binding of the designed molecules were analyzed using density functional theory. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed the compounds to interact preferentially and stably within the S₁ pocket of MMP-13 via hydrogen bonds and π-stacking interactions. The calculated binding free energy confirmed the stability and persistence of the complexes during simulation, indicating a strong and specific recognition pattern. On the other hand, their affinity towards MMP-8 was considerably weaker, which is consistent with the predicted selectivity profile. In addition, the biological evaluation confirmed MMP-13 inhibition. Finally, in vitro tests revealed their cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines. Full article

Current upper-limb rehabilitation robots primarily focus on training tasks involving free movements or static interactions with rigid objects. These paradigms lack simulation of complex object manipulation tasks encountered in daily life, thereby limiting the training of patients’ high-level sensorimotor integration capabilities. To address this gap, this study proposes an innovative robotic rehabilitation training system designed for functional occupational therapy. Specifically, the task of transporting a water cup was abstracted into a cup–ball system integrated with a robotic arm. The ball was modeled as a point mass, and kinematic and dynamic analyses of the system were conducted. A visual tracking method was employed to monitor the ball’s motion and calculate its slosh angle. Owing to the impaired fine motor control in stroke patients, a sloshing suppression control strategy integrating exponential filtering, feedforward force compensation, and impedance control was proposed to prevent the ball from spilling. Experiments validated the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results indicated that with full compensation, the oscillation rate of the ball was significantly reduced, and the smoothness of the hand force was markedly improved. This study presents an effective method for addressing dynamic uncertainty in rehabilitation robot training, thus significantly improving the functional relevance of the training. Full article

Background: Cancer patients often use natural health products (NHPs) during chemotherapy without medical supervision. We have previously described the clinical cases of two patients taking capecitabine in combination with folate supplements who suffered from severe diarrhoea and hand-foot syndrome, emphasising that the combination of NHPs with chemotherapeutic agents such as fluoropyrimidines (FPs) can lead to life-threatening events. Although the potential harmful interaction between folate supplements and capecitabine is reported in the summary of product characteristics for this FP, it remains unclear, and evidence regarding interactions with other NHPs is even more limited. Objectives/Methods: This narrative review aimed to provide an update on the literature regarding the effects of combining NHPs and FPs, describing the results of randomised clinical trials and observational studies to provide a critical analysis of the factors influencing the clinical outcomes of cancer patients following this therapeutic approach. Results: Herbal supplements belonging to traditional Chinese medicine and other NHPs, including polyunsaturated fatty acids and probiotics, may reduce the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal, haematological, and skin toxicities related to FPs. In addition to potential safety benefits, NHPs may improve the efficacy of FP-based therapy. Folate supplements appear to improve efficacy outcomes, such as disease-free survival and overall survival, but have also been associated with serious FP-related adverse events. However, the results are mixed, partly because they are influenced by the patient’s genetic background. Conclusions: Overall, the available data are inconclusive and do not support the introduction of natural products as complementary therapy in cancer patients undergoing FP-based chemotherapy, highlighting the need for further investigation. Full article

Understanding genotype × environment (G × E) interaction is essential for the improvement of aromatic crops such as basil (Ocimum basilicum), where yield is strongly influenced by environmental variability. In this study, five basil varieties (Burns Lemon, Cinnamon, Sweet, Red Rubin, and Thai) were evaluated across two years (2015–2016, 2016–2017) and three irrigation levels (40%, 70%, and 100% of the full water requirement) to assess dry biomass yield. ANOVA and mean performance plots confirmed significant varietal differences (F = 33.972, p < 0.001) and substantial Y × V interaction (F = 23.578, p < 0.001), motivating a deeper exploration of association patterns. To this end, we proposed the use of a modified version of Simple Correspondence Analysis (CA) combined with three variations of bi-plot analyses in order to explore the (G × E) interaction. In addition, another modification of CA is proposed and used, CA of raw data (CA-raw), for the same reason. For the purpose of the study, the combinations of the two cultivation periods (years) by the three irrigation levels were considered as six environments. Results showed that the proposed modification of CA of raw data serves as a faithful baseline for the study of (G × E) interaction. On the other hand, the proposed modified version of simple CA, after proper normalization (row, column, symmetrical, principal) of the factorial scores of the five basil varieties and the six environments, provide insights depending on whether the research focus lies on varieties, environments, or their joint associations (interaction). Overall, the combined use of ANOVA, mean plots, and CA under multiple normalizations and modifications demonstrated the robustness of the primary varietal–environment contrast, while also showing how methodological choices shape interpretation. The proposed methods are “model free” and can be used also with secondary published data. Full article

Background/Objectives: More than half of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home and are witnessed by family members, who must promptly call the Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The aim of this study was to assess the learning outcomes of an interactive school-based training activity focused specifically on the EMS call. Methods: A single-group, post-test-only simulation study was conducted in five Spanish schools. Participating schoolchildren received basic life support (BLS) training from their Physical Education teachers, integrated into the regular school schedule and following the Kids Save Lives recommendations. An innovative didactic resource (the “BLS Endless Book”) was used to support active learning. Children’s performance was evaluated in a simulated scenario using a standardized checklist. Results: A total of 1341 children aged 6 to 14 years participated. In the simulated scenario, more than 90% of participants were able to recognize the emergency and correctly identified and dialed the national emergency number. However, less than 50% were able to activate the hands-free function (with younger children experiencing more difficulty). During the call, 99.0% stated their full name, and 82.0% provided their complete address. Conclusions: A short, focused BLS training led at school by physical education teachers and based on an interactive, easy-to-use, didactic tool is effective in educating 6–14-year-old schoolchildren to correctly perform an immediate EMS call in case of cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, schoolchildren may require reinforcement training focused on hands-free operation and on providing the correct address. Full article

This paper introduces a gesture-controlled conversational interface driven by a local AI model, aimed at improving accessibility and facilitating hands-free interaction within digital environments. The technology utilizes real-time hand gesture recognition via a typical laptop camera and connects with a local AI engine to produce customized learning materials. Users can peruse educational documents, obtain topic summaries, and generate automated quizzes with intuitive gestures, including lateral finger movements, a two-finger gesture, or an open palm, without the need for conventional input devices. Upon selection of a file, the AI model analyzes its whole content, producing a structured summary and a multiple-choice assessment, both of which are immediately saved for subsequent inspection. A unified set of gestures facilitates seamless navigating within the user interface and the opened documents. The system underwent testing with university students and faculty (n = 31), utilizing assessment measures such as gesture detection accuracy, command-response latency, and user satisfaction. The findings demonstrate that the system offers a seamless, hands-free user experience with significant potential for usage in accessibility, human–computer interaction, and intelligent interface design. This work advances the creation of multimodal AI-driven educational aids, providing a pragmatic framework for gesture-based document navigation and intelligent content enhancement. Full article

The growing interest in pitaya has led to an increase in its cultivation worldwide. Unfortunately, the production of pitaya often depends on expensive hand-pollination. In this experiment, we compared the efficiency of different procedures in transferring pollen grains to flower stigmas and analyzed pollen–pistil interactions, fruit set, and quality in response in ‘Royal Red’, a self-compatible genotype of pitaya. The results show that pollen adhesion on the stigma achieved by transferring pollen with a paintbrush or with a duster was higher than pollen adhesion using blowers and much higher than the pollen load in the stigmas of open-pollinated or bagged flowers. However, good pollen germination and sufficient pollen tube growth in the flowers pollinated using blowers enabled high fruit and seed sets, leading to the production of fruits of commercial size in a less expensive manner. The results of free open pollinated and bagged flowers matched exactly, highlighting that the occasional insect visitors of the freely exposed flowers in the greenhouses of southeast Spain are not efficient pollinators. The high fruit set obtained in bagged flowers confirms the self-compatibility of this genotype, although the reduced pollen load and low pollen germination led to smaller fruit with fewer seeds. Full article

Background/Objectives: The synthesis of protein nanoparticles (NPs) using the coacervation method is influenced by critical parameters. The use of glutaraldehyde limits the pharmacological applications of NPs in humans due to the potential toxicity of residual aldehydes that remain after the purification of the nanoparticles. The aim was to assess heat effect as a crosslinking agent for the synthesis of bovine serum albumin (BSA)–capsaicin nanoparticles and its effect on the physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles. Results: The initial concentrations of BSA and capsaicin in the formulation were directly correlated with the amount of BSA that was transformed into nanoparticles and the loaded capsaicin (r = 0.97, p = 0.0003 and r = 0.95, p = 0.0003), respectively. Furthermore, the morphometric parameters of nanoparticles were affected by the increase in capsaicin concentration, but not by temperature. The nanoparticles increased in dimensions and showed a loss of shape due to coalescence between nanoparticles. The ζ-potential decreased with the increase in the concentration of capsaicin added. This effect compromised the stability of the nanoparticles; on the other hand, molecular interactions were observed between hydrophobic residues of phenylalanine and tyrosine in BSA and the hydrophobic moiety of capsaicin. At the same time, BSA nanoparticles showed a potential for disassembling and delivering the payload capsaicin, which caused an antisteatotic effect in the liver of a murine model. Conclusions: heat (70 °C) can replace crosslinking agents, such as glutaraldehyde. This property is particularly useful when an aldehyde-free synthesis of BSA nanoparticles is needed. Full article

Visual impairment affects millions worldwide, creating significant barriers to environmental interaction and independence. Existing assistive technologies often rely on cloud-based processing, raising privacy concerns and limiting accessibility in resource-constrained environments. This paper explores the integration and potential of open-source AI models in developing a fully offline assistive system that can be locally set up and operated to support visually impaired individuals. Built on a Raspberry Pi 5, the system combines real-time object detection (YOLOv8), optical character recognition (Tesseract), face recognition with voice-guided registration, and offline voice command control (VOSK), delivering hands-free multimodal interaction without dependence on cloud infrastructure. Audio feedback is generated using Piper for real-time environmental awareness. Designed to prioritize user privacy, low latency, and affordability, the platform demonstrates that effective assistive functionality can be achieved using only open-source tools on low-power edge hardware. Evaluation results in controlled conditions show 75–90% detection and recognition accuracies, with sub-second response times, confirming the feasibility of deploying such systems in privacy-sensitive or resource-constrained environments. Full article

Our paper introduces a novel idea of a virtual mouse character driven by gesture detection, eye-tracking, and voice monitoring. This system uses cutting-edge computer vision and machine learning technology to let users command and control the mouse pointer using eye motions, voice commands, or hand gestures. This system’s main goal is to provide users who want a more natural, hands-free approach to interacting with their computers as well as those with impairments that limit their bodily motions, such as those with paralysis—with an easy and engaging interface. The system improves accessibility and usability by combining many input modalities, therefore providing a flexible answer for numerous users. While the speech recognition function permits hands-free operation via voice instructions, the eye-tracking component detects and responds to the user’s gaze, therefore providing exact cursor control. Gesture recognition enhances these features even further by letting users use their hands simply to execute mouse operations. This technology not only enhances personal user experience for people with impairments but also marks a major development in human–computer interaction. It shows how computer vision and machine learning may be used to provide more inclusive and flexible user interfaces, therefore improving the accessibility and efficiency of computer usage for everyone. Full article

Virtual reality (VR) has become increasingly popular and has started entering homes, schools, and clinics, yet evidence on how children interact during free-form, unguided play remains limited. Understanding how interaction dynamics relate to player performance is essential for designing more accessible and engaging VR experiences, especially in educational contexts. For this reason, we developed VRBloons, a child-friendly VR game about popping balloons. The game logs real-time gameplay telemetry such as total hand movement, accuracy, throw rate, and other performance related gameplay data. By analyzing several feature-engineered metrics using unsupervised clustering and non-parametric statistical validation, we aim to identify distinct behavioral patterns. The analysis revealed several associations between input preferences, movement patterns, and performance outcomes, forming clearly distinct clusters. From the performed analysis, input preference emerged as an independent dimension of play style, supporting the inclusion of redundant input mappings to accommodate diverse motor capabilities. Additionally, the results highlight the opportunities for performance-sensitive assistance systems that adapt the difficulty of the game in real time. Overall, this study demonstrates how telemetry-based profiling can shape the design decisions in VR experiences, offering a methodological framework for assessing varied interaction styles and a diverse player population. Full article

In response to mounting regulatory and environmental pressures, the maritime sector must urgently improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, conventional operational interfaces often fail to deliver real-time, actionable insights needed for informed decision-making onboard. This work presents an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) interface integrated with an established shipboard data collection system to enhance real-time monitoring and operational decision-making on commercial vessels. The baseline data acquisition infrastructure is currently installed on over 800 vessels across various ship types, providing a robust foundation for this development. To validate the AR interface’s feasibility and performance, a field trial was conducted on a representative dry bulk carrier. Through hands-free AR smart glasses, crew members access real-time overlays of key performance indicators, such as fuel consumption, engine status, emissions levels, and energy load balancing, directly within their field of view. Field evaluations and scenario-based workshops demonstrate significant gains in energy efficiency (up to 28% faster decision-making), predictive maintenance accuracy, and emissions awareness. The system addresses human–machine interaction challenges in high-pressure maritime settings, bridging the gap between complex sensor data and crew responsiveness. By contextualizing IoT data within the physical environment, the AR-IoT platform transforms traditional workflows into proactive, data-driven practices. This study contributes to the emerging paradigm of digitally enabled sustainable operations and offers practical insights for scaling AR-IoT solutions across global fleets. Findings suggest that such convergence of AR and IoT not only enhances vessel performance but also accelerates compliance with decarbonization targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Full article

Hands-free computer interaction is a key topic in assistive technology, with camera-based and voice-based systems being the most common methods. Recent camera-based solutions leverage facial expressions or head movements to simulate mouse clicks or key presses, while voice-based systems enable control via speech commands, wake-word detection, and vocal gestures. However, existing systems often suffer from limitations in responsiveness and accuracy, especially under real-world conditions. In this paper, we present 3-Modal Human-Computer Interaction (3M-HCI), a novel interaction system that dynamically integrates facial, vocal, and eye-based inputs through a new signal processing pipeline and a cross-modal coordination mechanism. This approach not only enhances recognition accuracy but also reduces interaction latency. Experimental results demonstrate that 3M-HCI outperforms several recent hands-free interaction solutions in both speed and precision, highlighting its potential as a robust assistive interface. Full article

Collective robotics systems hold great potential for future education and public engagement; however, only a few are utilized in these contexts. One reason is the lack of accessible tools to convey their complex, embodied interactions. In this work, we introduce the Light-Augmented Reality System (LARS), an open-source, marker-free, cross-platform tool designed to support experimentation, education, and outreach in collective robotics. LARS employs Extended Reality (XR) to project dynamic visual objects into the physical environment. This enables indirect robot–robot communication through stigmergy while preserving the physical and sensing constraints of the real robots, and enhances robot–human interaction by making otherwise hidden information visible. The system is low-cost, easy to deploy, and platform-independent without requiring hardware modifications. By projecting visible information in real time, LARS facilitates reproducible experiments and bridges the gap between abstract collective dynamics and observable behavior. We demonstrate that LARS can serve both as a research tool and as a means to motivate students and the broader public to engage with collective robotics. Its accessibility and flexibility make it an effective platform for illustrating complex multi-robot interactions, promoting hands-on learning, and expanding public understanding of collective, embodied intelligence. Full article

Online laboratories have emerged as a viable alternative for providing hands-on experience to engineering students, especially in fields related to computer, software, and electrical engineering. In particular, remote laboratories enable users to interact in real time with physical hardware via the internet. However, current remote laboratory systems often restrict access to a single user per session, limiting broader participation. Embedded systems laboratory activities have traditionally relied on in-person instruction and direct interaction with hardware, requiring significant time for code development, compilation, and hardware testing. Students typically spend an important portion of each session coding and compiling programs, with the remaining time dedicated to hardware implementation, data collection, and report preparation. This paper proposes a remote laboratory implementation that optimizes remote laboratory stations’ availability, allowing users to lock the system only during the project debugging and testing phases while freeing the remote laboratory station for other users during the code development phase. The implementation presented here was developed for a microprocessor laboratory course. It enables users to code the solution in their preferred local or remote environments, then upload the resulting source code to the remote laboratory hardware for cross-compiling, execution, and testing. This approach enhances usability, scalability, and accessibility while preserving the core benefits of hands-on experimentation and collaboration in online embedded systems education. Full article