Search Results (31)

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, requires accurate assessment over time. Imaging techniques play a crucial role in diagnosis, monitoring disease activity, and guiding therapeutic response. This review summarizes the current evidence on radiologic imaging techniques in IBD, focusing on intestinal ultrasound (IUS), computed tomography enterography (CTE), magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), and other emerging technologies. Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, encompassing publications up to 31 October 2024. Results: IUS offers a non-invasive tool for assessing bowel wall thickness, vascularity, and complications. CTE and MRE provide detailed visualization of luminal and extraluminal disease, with MRE preferred for routine monitoring due to the absence of ionizing radiation. Standardized indices and scoring systems aid in objective disease activity assessment. Emerging technologies like Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/MRI and radiomics show promise in combining metabolic and morphological information for complex cases. Conclusions: Imaging has a central role in IBD management, with IUS, CTE, and MRE demonstrating high diagnostic accuracy. Radiomics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are paving the way for precision imaging. Integrating advanced imaging techniques, scoring systems, and AI-driven analytics represents a transformative step toward more effective and individualized care for patients with IBD. Full article

Aerial object detection plays a critical role in numerous fields, utilizing the flexibility of airborne platforms to achieve real-time tasks. Combining visible and infrared sensors can overcome limitations under low-light conditions, enabling full-time tasks. While feature-level fusion methods exhibit comparable performances in visible–infrared multispectral object detection, they suffer from heavy model size, inadequate inference speed and visible light preferences caused by inherent modality imbalance, limiting their applications in airborne platform deployment. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a YOLO-based real-time multispectral fusion framework combining pixel-level fusion with dynamic modality-balanced augmentation called Full-time Multispectral Pixel-wise Fusion Network (FMPFNet). Firstly, we introduce the Multispectral Luminance Weighted Fusion (MLWF) module consisting of attention-based modality reconstruction and feature fusion. By leveraging YUV color space transformation, this module efficiently fuses RGB and IR modalities while minimizing computational overhead. We also propose the Dynamic Modality Dropout and Threshold Masking (DMDTM) strategy, which balances modality attention and improves detection performance in low-light scenarios. Additionally, we refine our model to enhance the detection of small rotated objects, a requirement commonly encountered in aerial detection applications. Experimental results on the DroneVehicle dataset demonstrate that our FMPFNet achieves 76.80% mAP50 and 132 FPS, outperforming state-of-the-art feature-level fusion methods in both accuracy and inference speed. Full article

Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology is preferred in modern display applications due to its superior efficiency, color quality, and flexibility. It also carries a high potential of applicability in military displays where emission color tuning is required for MIL-STD-3009 Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVISs), as compatibility is critical. Herein, we report the effects of different OLED device layer materials and thicknesses such as the hole injection layer (HIL), hole transport layer (HTL), and electron transport layer (ETL) on the color coordinates, luminance, and efficiency of OLED devices designed for night vision (NVIS) compatibility. In this study, simulation tools like SETFOS^® (Semi-conducting Emissive Thin Film Optics Simulator), MATLAB^®, and LightTools^® (Illumination Design Software) were used to verify and validate the luminance, luminance efficiency, and chromaticity coordinates of the proposed NVIS-OLED devices. We modeled the OLED device using SETFOS^®, then the selection of materials for each layer for an optimal electron–hole balance was performed in the same tool. The effective reflectivity of multiple OLED layers was determined in MATLAB^® in addition to an optimal device efficiency calculation in SETFOS^®. The optical validation of output luminance and luminous efficiency was performed in LightTools^®. Through a series of simulations for a green-emitting OLED device, we observed significant shifts in color coordinates, particularly towards the yellow spectrum, when the ETL materials and their thicknesses varied between 1 nm and 200 nm, whereas a change in the thickness of the HIL and HTL materials had a negligible impact on the color coordinates. While the critical role of ETL in color tuning and the emission characteristics of OLEDs is highlighted, our results also suggested a degree of flexibility in material selection for the HIL and HTL, as they minimally affected the color coordinates of emission. We validated via a combination of SETFOS^®, MATLAB^®, and LightTools^® that when the ETL (3TPYMB) material thickness is optimized to 51 nm, the cathode reflectivity via the ETL-EIL stack became the minimum enabling output luminance of 3470 cd/m2 through our emissive layer within the Glass/ITO/MoO₃/TAPC/(CBP:Ir(ppy)₃)/3TPYMB/LiF/Aluminum OLED stack architecture, also yielding 34.73 cd/A of current efficiency under 10 mA/cm² of current density. We infer that when stack layer thicknesses are optimized with respect to their reflectivity properties, better performances are achieved. Full article

The use of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) has become increasingly important in the treatment of breast cancer because of its various advantages. These include the ability to downstage tumors without compromising locoregional control and the potential to obtain valuable information about clinical and biological response to therapy with implications for individual prognoses. Surgical response assessment paves the way for response-adapted therapy, and pathological complete response (pCR; defined as ypT0/is ypN0) serves as an additional endpoint for drug development trials. Recommended NST regimens commonly consist of anthracyclines and taxane, with dose-dense anthracyclines and weekly paclitaxel often preferred, whenever feasible. For patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive tumors, dual anti-HER2 therapy (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) is indicated together with NST in case of elevated risk of recurrence. For patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), adding carboplatin to NST correlates with improved pCR and survival rates, as does the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors. For hormone receptor (HR)-positive/HER2-negative cancers, emerging data on NST including immune checkpoint inhibitors may elevate the significance of NST in high-risk luminal breast cancer. Here, we present a synthesis of the results from neoadjuvant clinical trials that aim at optimizing treatment options for patients with high-risk breast cancer. Full article

GIM 13-AMBRA is a longitudinal cohort study aimed at describing therapeutic strategies and the relative outcome parameters in 939 HER2-ve MBC patients. Taxanes–based regimens, or taxanes + targeted agents, mainly Bevacizumab, were the preferred first choice in both Luminal (30.2%) and TNBC (33.3%) patients. The median PFS1 was 12.5 months (95% CI 16.79–19.64), without any significant difference according to subtypes, while the median Time to first Treatment Change (TTC1) was significantly lower in TNBC patients (7.7 months—95% CI 5.7–9.2) in comparison to Luminal A (13.2 months, 95% CI 11.7–15.1) and Luminal B patients (11.8 months, 95% CI 10.3–12.8). PFS2 was significantly shorter in TNBC patients (5.5 months, 95% CI 4.3–6.5 vs. Luminal A—9.4, 95% CI 8.1–10.7, and Luminal B—7.7 95% CI 6.8–8.2, F-Ratio 4.30, p = 0.014). TTC2 was significantly lower in patients with TNBC than in those with the other two subtypes. The median OS1 was 35.2 months (95% CI 30.8–37.4) for Luminal A patients, which was significantly higher than that for both Luminal B (28.9 months, 95% CI 26.2–31.2) and TNBC (18.5 months, 95% CI 16–20.1, F-ratio 7.44, p = 0.0006). The GIM 13—AMBRA study is one of the largest collections ever published in Italy and provides useful results in terms of time outcomes for first, second, and further lines of treatment in HER2- MBC patients. Full article

The first cave-monitoring studies to be carried out on the southwest (SW) coast of Türkiye on endangered Mediterranean monk seals using camera traps occurred between 2017 and 2021 in five marine caves within Gökova Bay. The visual data obtained from the monitoring studies were evaluated to reveal the Mediterranean monk seals’ seasonal and diel cave use and identify the individual seals who were using the caves. Moreover, the necessary features and measurements of the identified caves were recorded to determine whether there were any correlations between the determined variables and monthly cave use by the monk seals. The results showed that cave use occurred mainly nocturnally, with the seals showing a diurnal activity pattern in the area. We evaluated 108,280 images/videos in total and identified 18 individuals using five caves in Gökova Bay. Three of these caves provided suitable characteristics for pupping, and two of them were used for pupping. A beta regression model revealed that the monthly cave use ratios varied seasonally, with more use in the fall season. Furthermore, the trends in annual cave use ratios, seasonality, wind speed, size of the wet area, luminance, number of cave-entry paths, and human activity were the best variables with which we could forecast the cave preferences of the seals. Full article

Stygobiont species show common, typical traits derived from their adaptation to subterranean life. Due to the general absence of light in cave environments, the majority of them are eyeless. Although the absence of eyes generally does not allow them to perceive luminous stimuli, some stygobionts still present phototaxis. Previous studies determined that different species of the eyeless amphipod crustaceans of the genus Niphargus are able to react to light; this has been interpreted as an adaptation to avoid dangerous surface habitats, even if recent studies suggest that this could also be an adaptation to exploit them when a situation is less dangerous (i.e., during the night). Niphargus thuringius is a stygobiont amphipod that can also be observed in spring environments despite possessing all the main morphological features of subterranean organisms, such as depigmentation and a lack of eyes. In the present study, we test how the species respond to light stimuli according to the light cycle and predation risk experienced during a conditioning period. We assessed the reactions to light stimuli of adult individuals of N. thuringius after 30 days of rearing in microcosms with different conditions of light occurrence (total darkness or a light/darkness daily cycle) and predation risk (without predators, with one predator, and with two predators). Both light stimuli during the test and rearing conditions affected the behavior of Niphargus thuringius. With light stimuli, individuals presented a strong photophobic response. Moreover, individuals reared in conditions of high predation risk preferred a more sheltered environment during behavioral tests than individuals reared in safe conditions. Our results add a new species to those of stygobiont amphipods known to display negative phototaxis, confirming that this pattern is widespread and conserved in the field. N. thuringius could be a good candidate model to perform further studies aiming to assess if differences occur between spring populations and populations present in deeper groundwater. Full article

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs), also known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), are cancer cells that can initiate a tumor, possess self-renewal capacity, and can contribute to tumor heterogeneity. TICs/CSCs are developed from their cells-of-origin. In breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers, progenitor cells for mammary alveolar cells, prostate luminal (secretory) cells, and fallopian tube secretory cells are the preferred cellular origins for their corresponding cancer types. These luminal progenitors (LPs) express common innate immune program (e.g., Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling)-related genes. Microbes such as bacteria are now found in breast, prostate, and fallopian tube tissues and their corresponding cancer types, raising the possibility that their LPs may sense the presence of microbes and trigger their innate immune/TLR pathways, leading to an inflammatory microenvironment. Crosstalk between immune cells (e.g., macrophages) and affected epithelial cells (e.g., LPs) may eventually contribute to formation of TICs/CSCs from their corresponding LPs, in part via STAT3 and/or NFκB pathways. As such, TICs/CSCs can inherit expression of innate-immunity/TLR-pathway-related genes from their cells-of-origin; the innate immune program may also represent their unique vulnerability, which can be explored therapeutically (e.g., by enhancing immunotherapy via augmenting TLR signaling). Full article

Adaptive lighting systems can be designed to detect the spatial characteristics of the visual environment and adjust the light output to increase visual comfort and performance. Such systems would require computational metrics to estimate occupants’ visual perception of indoor environments. This paper describes an experimental study to investigate the relationship between the perceived quality of indoor environments, personality, and computational image quality metrics. Forty participants evaluated the visual preference, clarity, complexity, and colorfulness of 50 images of indoor environments. Twelve image quality metrics (maximum local variation (MLV), spatial frequency slope (α), BRISQUE, entropy (S), ITU spatial information (SI), visual complexity (R_spt), colorfulness (M), root mean square (RMS) contrast, Euler, energy (E), contour, and fractal dimension) were used to estimate participants’ subjective evaluations. While visual clarity, visual complexity, and colorfulness could be estimated using at least one metric, none of the metrics could estimate visual preference. The results indicate that perceived colorfulness is highly correlated with perceived clarity and complexity. Personality traits tested by the 10-item personality inventory (TIPI) did not impact the subjective evaluations of the indoor environmental images. Future studies will explore the impact of target and background luminance on the perceived quality of indoor images. Full article

We investigate the ionized gas kinematics relationship with X-ray, radio and accreting properties using a sample of 348 nearby ($z<0.4$) SDSS-FIRST-X-ray detected AGNs. X-ray properties of our sample are obtained from XMM-Newton, Swift and Chandra observations. We unveil the ionized gas outflows in our sample manifested by the non-gravitational broad component in [O iii]λ5007Å emission line profiles. From the comparison of the correlation of non-parametric outflow velocities (i.e., the velocity width, the maximal velocity of outflow and line dispersion) with X-ray luminosity and radio luminosity, we find that outflow velocities have similarly positive correlations with both X-ray and radio luminosity. After correcting for the gravitational component, we find that the [O iii] velocity dispersion normalized by stellar mass also increases with both X-ray luminosity and radio luminosity. We also find that, for a given X-ray (radio) luminosity, radio (X-ray) luminous AGNs have higher outflow velocities than non-radio (non-X-ray) luminous AGNs. Therefore, we find no clear preference between X-ray luminosity and radio luminosity in driving high-velocity ionized outflows and conclude that both AGN activity and small-scale jets contribute comparably. Moreover, there is no evidence that our obscured AGNs are preferentially associated with higher velocity outflows. Finally, we find a turning point around log$\left({\mathsf{\lambda }}_{Edd}\right)\simeq -1.3$ when we explore the dependency of outflow velocity on Eddington ratio. It can be interpreted considering the role of high radiation pressure (log$\left({\mathsf{\lambda }}_{Edd}\right)\gtrsim -1.3$) in causing drastic reduction in the covering factor of the circumnuclear materials. Full article

The Unified Glare Rating (UGR) and the modified version (UGR’) have been developed and widely accepted in multiple standards for measuring the discomfort glare of a luminaire in typical indoor environments; however, a standardized glare metric for non-uniform outdoor luminaires is still missing. In this paper, the possibility to apply UGR and UGR’ to an outdoor residential luminaire with a non-uniform spatial luminance distribution is explored. The luminaire was characterized in a large near-field goniophotometer (NFG) and luminance images were captured at four angles specified in the CIE 232:2019 document. Some practical issues of applying the UGR’ for a non-uniform residential luminaire are discussed, such as selecting the luminous area, the blurring parameter, the viewing angles, and the background luminance. In addition to these practical issues, possible solutions and suggestions are explored, such as a different blurring parameter, viewing angle, and background luminance. In the end, employing a human visual system to evaluate the amount of discomfort glare for both indoor and outdoor applications might be preferred. Full article

Globally, point-of-care testing (POCT) is the most preferable on-site technique for disease detection and includes a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and fluorescent immunochromatographic strip test (FICT). The testing kits are generally insufficient in terms of signal enhancement, which is a major drawback of this approach. Sensitive and timely on-site POCT methods with high signal enhancement are therefore essential for the accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases. Herein, we prepare cysteamine-gold coated carboxylated europium chelated nanoparticle (Cys Au-EuNPs)-mediated POCT for the detection of the H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV). Commercial nanoparticles were used for comparison. The spectral characteristics, surface morphologies, functional groups, surface charge and stability of the Cys AuNPs, EuNPs, and Cys Au-EuNPs were confirmed by UV-visible spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectrometry, transmission electron microscope with Selected area electron diffraction (TEM-SAED), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and zeta potential analysis. The particle size distribution revealed an average size of ~130 ± 0.66 nm for the Cys Au-EuNPs. The Cys Au-EuNP-mediated RDT (colorimetric analysis) and FICT kit revealed a limit of detection (LOD) of 10 HAU/mL and 2.5 HAU/mL, respectively, for H5N1 under different titer conditions. The obtained LOD is eight-fold that of commercial nanoparticle conjugates. The photo luminance (PL) stability of ~3% the Cys Au-EuNPs conjugates that was obtained under UV light irradiation differs considerably from that of the commercial nanoparticle conjugates. Overall, the developed Cys Au-EuNPs-mediated dual-mode POCT kit can be used as an effective nanocomposite for the development of on-site monitoring systems for infectious disease surveillance. Full article

Background: Approximately 75% of breast cancer (BC) is associated with luminal differentiation expressing endocrine receptors (ER). For ER+ HER2− tumors, adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) is the cornerstone treatment. Although relapse events steadily continue, the ET benefits translate to dramatically lengthen life expectancy with bearable side-effects. This review of ER+ HER2− female BC outlines suitable adjuvant treatment strategies to help guide clinical decision making around appropriate therapy. Methods: A literature search was conducted in Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Libraries, using ER+ HER−, ET BC keywords. Results: In low-risk patients: five years of ET is the standard option. While Tamoxifen remains the preferred selection for premenopausal women, AI is the choice for postmenopausal patients. In the high-risk category: ET plus/minus OFS with two years of Abemaciclib is recommended. Although extended ET for a total of ten years is an alternative, the optimal AI duration is undetermined; nevertheless an additional two to three years beyond the initial five years may be sufficient. In this postmenopausal group, bisphosphonate is endorsed. Conclusions: Classifying the risk category assists in deciding the treatment route and its optimal duration. Tailoring the breadth of ET hinges on a wide array of factors to be appraised for each individualized case, including weighing its benefits and harms. Full article

External human-machine interaction (eHMI) road projections are a new feature for automotive lighting to improve vehicle communication with other road users. These modalities are used to draw users’ attention and awareness to specific situations. However, such advanced capabilities are still being debated to be used on the road in the context of whether or not such road projections can provide a clear and understandable message to road users in a specific scenario or lead to anticipation and change in the driving behavior. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate human factors aspects, such as the feeling of safety, useability, understanding, acceptability, and driver behavior. This study investigates the change in distance and luminance contrast and its effect on human driving behavior and acceptability in blind spot detection scenarios on the highway. A lab experiment with 12 participants is performed to analyze: understanding, satisfaction, usability, visibility, safety, workload, and driving behavior towards eHMI projection while varying projecting distance and luminance contrast. Video recordings and a designed questionnaire were used during the whole process. Results show that ego vehicle drivers prefer a projection distance between 5 to 10 m. However, a distance of 5 m is preferred by overtaking vehicle drivers in terms of visibility and safety. Luminance contrasts have no significant effect on the symbol’s visibility in 5 m and 10 m projection distances. In contrast, participants in overtaking vehicles feel difficult to understand the situation for 15 m condition, which increases their overall workload significantly (p < 0.019). No significant effect is recorded in terms of change in driving behavior. Full article

Two pore channels (TPCs) are implicated in vesicle trafficking, virus infection, and autophagy regulation. As Na⁺- or Ca²⁺-permeable channels, TPCs have been reported to be activated by NAADP, PI(3,5)P₂, and/or high voltage. However, a comparative study on the function and regulation of the three mammalian TPC subtypes is currently lacking. Here, we used the electrophysiological recording of enlarged endolysosome vacuoles, inside-out and outside-out membrane patches to examine the three TPCs of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus, or Oc) heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells. While PI(3,5)P₂ evoked Na⁺ currents with a potency order of OcTPC1 > OcTPC3 > OcTPC2, only OcTPC2 displayed a strict dependence on PI(3,5)P₂. Both OcTPC1 and OcTPC3 were activatable by PI3P and OcTPC3 was also activated by additional phosphoinositide species. While OcTPC2 was voltage-independent, OcTPC1 and OcTPC3 showed voltage dependence with OcTPC3 depending on high positive voltages. Finally, while OcTPC2 preferred a luminal pH of 4.6–6.0 in endolysosomes, OcTPC1 was strongly inhibited by extracytosolic pH 5.0 in both voltage-dependent and -independent manners, and OcTPC3 was inhibited by pH 6.0 but potentiated by pH 8.0. Thus, the three OcTPCs form phosphoinositide-activated Na⁺ channels with different ligand selectivity, voltage dependence, and extracytosolic pH sensitivity, which likely are optimally tuned for function in specific endolysosomal populations. Full article