Search Results (61)

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common inflammatory disorder with an unclear role of lytic cell death (LCD). This study aimed to identify LCD-associated genes associated with AR and investigate their underlying regulatory pathways. Methods: Transcriptomic data from AR patients (GSE19187, GSE206149) were retrieved from public repositories, and LCD-associated genes were collected from the literature. A combination of differential expression analysis, machine learning techniques, validation of expression levels, and ROC curve analysis was employed to screen for biomarkers. These biomarkers were then subjected to comprehensive functional characterization via GSEA, subcellular localization prediction, immune infiltration profiling, construction of molecular regulatory networks, and drug prediction. Finally, clinical relevance was confirmed through expression levels in patient specimens. Results: Two key indicators, ALOX15 and TIMP1, were successfully pinpointed. GSEA revealed significant enrichment of ALOX15 and TIMP1 in several biological processes, specifically chromatin organization, immune system response, and extracellular substance transport. Subcellular distribution studies showed that ALOX15 predominantly localized in the cytosol and plasma membrane, while TIMP1 was mainly detected extracellularly. Immune infiltration studies demonstrated notable modifications in seven immune cell populations, with significant associations with megakaryocyte–erythroid progenitors and conventional dendritic cells. Based on these findings, a regulatory network composed of transcription factors and microRNAs was established, and several potential therapeutic candidates (e.g., quercetin) were identified through prediction. Consistent with predictions, mRNA expression levels of both genes were significantly upregulated in the AR group compared to controls (p < 0.01), confirming reliability. Conclusions: In summary, ALOX15 and TIMP1 were identified as exploratory biomarkers associated with AR, providing preliminary insights into its molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic implications. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in paddy soils threatens food security by accumulating in rice grains. This study aimed to elucidate Cd-accumulation mechanisms using major japonica cultivars from Liaoning Province, a key northern Chinese rice-producing region where systematic comparisons remain limited. Four Liaoning japonica varieties (low-Cd: YF47, SN9903; high-Cd: QTXT, TJ) were analyzed for Cd accumulation, physiological responses, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and expression of Cd-related transporter genes under Cd stress. Cd distribution in rice plants followed the following order: root > stems and leaves > grain. Varietal differences were attributed to root-to-shoot transport rather than root uptake, as low-Cd varieties exhibited lower transport coefficients and higher root Cd retention. Low-Cd varieties showed smaller MDA increases and significantly higher SOD and CAT activities under Cd stress. Notably, OsLCD was significantly down-regulated in low-Cd varieties but up-regulated in high-Cd varieties, an opposite regulation pattern that clearly distinguishes the two groups. The root-to-shoot translocation process and the OsLCD expression pattern are key determinants differentiating low- from high-Cd japonica varieties. These findings provide region-specific mechanistic insights and screening indicators for breeding low-Cd rice in northern China. Full article

The detection of plastic explosives in vapor form is extremely challenging due to the very low volatility of their primary components, such as RDX and PETN. To overcome this limitation, volatile chemical markers like 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB) are added to explosive formulations to enable indirect vapor detection. This study presents a rapid method for detecting and quantifying DMNB vapors using a handheld ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) operating near ambient temperature, ammonia-doped and equipped with a non-radioactive corona discharge ionization source. The instrument, model LCD-3.2E (Smiths Detection Ltd.), is based on a twin drift–cell time-of-flight configuration and simultaneously records ion mobility spectra in both positive and negative modes. DMNB generated distinct product ion peaks in both modes, with reduced mobility values (K₀) of 1.42 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ (positive) and 1.37 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ (negative). The method demonstrated high sensitivity, with limits of detection calculated at 1.4 ppb_v (10.2 × 10⁻³ mg m⁻³) in positive mode and 3.1 ppb_v (22.7 × 10⁻³ mg m⁻³) in negative mode. The IMS system provided rapid responses within seconds and covered a quantifiable concentration range of 5–3000 ppb_v, with saturation estimated to appear above approximately 5 ppm_v (36.6 mg m⁻³). The simultaneous dual-polarity response of the DT IMS enhances both the selectivity and reliability of identification. These findings confirm the capability of portable IMSs for fast trace vapor detection in DMNB, supporting its application in field-based screening scenarios such as luggage inspection or container interrogation, where indirect detection of plastic explosives is required. Full article

The escalation of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries presents severe safety hazards that necessitate advanced monitoring protocols to ensure early warning of potential failures. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is released during preliminary decomposition well before catastrophic failure occurs, thereby providing a strategic advantage for early-stage warning. Consequently, identifying materials with high-selective CO₂ recognition is an essential prerequisite for developing reliable sensing platforms. This study integrates Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations with Random Forest (RF) models to systematically screen 1470 MOFs from the CoRE-MOF 2019 database. The screening process evaluates selective CO₂ recognition under multicomponent competitive adsorption conditions involving CO₂, C₂H₄, and O₂. The performance evaluation is based on working capacity, selectivity, and the trade-off between working capacity and selectivity (TSN). The RF model achieves high predictive accuracy, with tested R² exceeding 0.92 on the test samples. Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) interpretability analysis identifies Q⁰_st(CO₂), Q⁰_st(C₂H₄), WEPA, K_H(C₂H₄), and ETR as key performance drivers. The results indicate that CO₂ selectivity is constrained by the binding strength of competing C₂H₄. Optimal materials tend to have hard Lewis acid centers and polar inorganic clusters to minimize non-specific π-interactions with interfering species. Top-performing MOFs require balanced structural features, concentrating in moderate surface areas (965–1975 m²/g), narrow pore windows (PLD ≈ 4–7 Å, LCD ≈ 5.5–9.6 Å), high void fractions above 0.6, and low densities below 1.3 g/cm³. AJOTEY emerges as the optimal candidate with a TSN of 6.43 mol/kg, combining substantial working capacity (4.57 mol/kg) with strong selectivity (25.52). These results will accelerate the discovery of sensing materials and provide a practical pathway for MOF-based CO₂ sensor development to enhance lithium-ion battery safety. Full article

This study emphasizes the role of magnetic separation as a novel pretreatment strategy for the recovery of indium from ITO coatings in LCD screen glass. Previous studies have primarily focused on the magnetic separation of leaching residues. In this work, a reverse approach is proposed, and for the first time, magnetic separation was systematically applied prior to leaching. Our results demonstrate that indium accumulates in the ferromagnetic fraction, indicating its association with Fe-rich phases. In addition to Fe, the behavior of Sr and Si was also evaluated, providing a broader understanding of elemental distribution within LCD glass. This finding offers new insights into the distribution and mobility of indium during hydrometallurgical processing and highlights magnetic separation as a valuable step for improving recovery efficiency. To establish optimal leaching conditions, preliminary experiments were performed on ground LCD glass using sulfuric acid at three concentrations (0.1, 1, and 5 M) and two temperatures (21 °C and 65 °C) for both coarse (>1 mm) and fine (<1 mm) particle fractions. All residues and solid-state analyses were performed using the XRF method. Acid molarity was found to be the dominant factor controlling indium dissolution, with 5 M H₂SO₄ selected as the most effective leaching medium. Statistical evaluation further clarified the dissolution trends of these elements and confirmed the significance of magnetic separation in enhancing the efficiency of indium recovery. Full article

This study explores the bioleaching potential of indium from Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens originating from end-of-life mobile phones using Acidithiobacillus spp. The LCD panels were mechanically processed, including dismantling, crushing, and milling, and separated into four size fractions: <1 mm, 1–1.5 mm, 1.5–2 mm and >2 mm. These fractions were leached for a period of four weeks. During the experiment, changes in pH value were monitored, and the concentrations of indium in the solutions were measured by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results showed that the highest indium was detected after 4 weeks of leaching for fraction FG <1 mm (146.47 mg/L). The study confirms that bioleaching is an effective and environmentally friendly method for the recovery of critical raw materials such as indium from electronic waste, offering a promising alternative to conventional chemical and pyrometallurgical techniques. Full article

Previous anatomic and physiologic studies of the peripheral and central auditory system, with rare exceptions, have relied on the use of tonal stimuli. Here, we test the hypothesis that zebrafish, Danio rerio, can detect and discriminate between two 6 s long complex sounds—a sequence of five multi-harmonic, noise-embedded constant frequency (NCF) tone pips and a chirp sequence consisting of six rapid downward frequency-modulated (DFM) sweeps. To test our hypothesis, we develop an associative conditioning assay, requiring prediction of an unconditioned stimulus (US). A video clip of a shoal of free-swimming zebrafish presented on an LCD screen serves as a desirable or rewarding US and a bullfrog with inflating and deflating vocal sacs serves as an aversive or fearful US. Within our novel “Go-to/Go-away” (or Go/Go) assay, sound discrimination allows an animal to decide to go/swim towards the desirable US and away from the undesirable US within a short time window preceding each US. We use markerless tracking of fish locations following twelve training runs and six test runs to determine if zebrafish can discriminate between the two sounds. We discovered that on average, fish move closer to the LCD screen in response to the sound paired to the rewarding CS and farther away from the screen in response to the sound paired with the aversive US. Differences in locations and longest swim trajectories occur in the 3 s time window between the CS and the US. These differences are largely retained on the second day of testing, suggesting overnight memory consolidation. We conclude that adult zebrafish can both perceive and rapidly learn to discriminate between complex sounds and that our novel assay can be implemented for high throughput screening of drugs targeted for alleviating memory and attention deficits as well as other neurodegenerative disorders. Full article

By increasing the number of vehicles, an intelligent parking system can help drivers in finding parking slots by providing real-time information. To address this issue, this study developed an Arduino-based automated parking system integrating sensors to assist drivers in quickly discovering available parking slots with real-time space detection and dynamic access control. This system consists of ultrasonic sensors, NodeMCU, an LCD screen, a servo motor, and an Arduino Uno. Each ultrasonic sensor is assigned a specific number corresponding to its slot number, which helps to identify the locations. These sensors were connected to the NodeMCU to collect, process, and transfer data to the Arduino board. If the ultrasonic sensor cannot detect the vehicle in the parking space, the LCD screen will show the number of specific slots. The Arduino will use the servo motor to open the entrance gate if a vehicle is detected by another ultrasonic sensor next to it. Otherwise, the system prevents any vehicle from entering the parking area when all of the available spaces are occupied. The system prototype is constructed and empirically evaluated to verify its performance and efficiency. The results indicate that the system successfully monitors parking spot occupancy and validates its capacity for real-time information updates. Full article

Background: There is a worldwide increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, and strategies for managing this condition include dietary interventions. These interventions include the use of a low-glycaemic index diet, high-fibre and prebiotic diets, and low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs), which improve glycaemic control, reduce the risk of diabetic complications, and promote health. However, the definition of LCDs varies across the literature, and the use of LCDs in managing people with diabetes is often seen as controversial. Therefore, the aim of this review is to examine current advances and future prospects in the use of LCDs in managing people with type 2 diabetes. Method: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials, which applied both the PRISMA and PICOS frameworks. Databases including MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, APA PsycArticles, and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection were searched through EBSCOHost. The EMBASE database and reference list of articles were also searched for articles of interest. Two researchers conducted the searches independently from database inception to 28 August 2025. However, based on the inclusion criteria, the year of publication of studies was restricted to articles published from 2021. The search terms were combined using Boolean operators (AND/OR), and duplicates were removed in EndNote. The articles were screened for eligibility based on inclusion and exclusion criteria by two researchers. Results: The findings identified that an LCD is significantly (p < 0.05) more effective in reducing glycaemic parameters compared to a usual diet, standard care, or a control diet in people with type 2 diabetes. Similarly, the effect of LCD was significant (p < 0.05) in reducing BMI in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with the control diet. However, an LCD did not appear to have a significant (p > 0.05) effect on lipid parameters compared to a control diet. Conclusion: This systematic review found that LCDs are significantly (p < 0.05) more effective in promoting glycaemic control than a usual diet, standard care, or a control diet in people with type 2 diabetes. In addition, LCDs can be an effective strategy for reducing BMI in individuals with type 2 diabetes, particularly when implemented as part of a structured, sustained dietary intervention. However, there was variability in the findings of the studies included with respect to glycaemic control and BMI. Furthermore, the impact of LCD on glycaemic control did not appear sustainable in the long term. LCDs did not have a significant (p > 0.05) effect on lipid parameters compared to a control diet. Full article

The absence of parental presence has a direct impact on the emotional stability and social routines of children, especially during extended periods of separation from their family environment, as in the case of daycare centers, hospitals, or when they remain alone at home. At the same time, the technology currently available to provide emotional support in these contexts remains limited. In response to the growing need for emotional support and companionship in child care, this project proposes the development of a multi-platform software architecture based on artificial intelligence (AI), designed to be integrated into humanoid robots that assist children between the ages of 6 and 14. The system enables daily verbal and non-verbal interactions intended to foster a sense of presence and personalized connection through conversations, games, and empathetic gestures. Built on the Robot Operating System (ROS), the software incorporates modular components for voice command processing, real-time facial expression generation, and joint movement control. These modules allow the robot to hold natural conversations, display dynamic facial expressions on its LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen, and synchronize gestures with spoken responses. Additionally, a graphical interface enhances the coherence between dialogue and movement, thereby improving the quality of human–robot interaction. Initial evaluations conducted in controlled environments assessed the system’s fluency, responsiveness, and expressive behavior. Subsequently, it was implemented in a pediatric hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where it accompanied children during their recovery. It was observed that this type of artificial intelligence-based software, can significantly enhance the experience of children, opening promising opportunities for its application in clinical, educational, recreational, and other child-centered settings. Full article

With the rise of smart manufacturing, defect detection in small-size liquid crystal display (LCD) screens has become essential for ensuring product quality. Traditional manual inspection is inefficient and labor-intensive, making it unsuitable for modern automated production. Although machine vision techniques offer improved efficiency, the lack of high-quality defect datasets limits their performance. To overcome this, we propose a symmetry-aware generative framework, the Squeeze-and-Excitation Wasserstein GAN with Gradient Penalty and Visual Geometry Group(VGG)-based perceptual loss (SWG-VGG), for realistic defect image synthesis.By leveraging the symmetry of feature channels through attention mechanisms and perceptual consistency, the model generates high-fidelity defect images that align with real-world structural patterns. Evaluation using the You Only Look Once version 8(YOLOv8) detection model shows that the synthetic dataset improves mAP@0.5 to 0.976—an increase of 10.5% over real-data-only training. Further assessment using Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Content Similarity (CS) confirms the visual and structural quality of the generated images.This symmetry-guided method provides an effective solution for defect data augmentation and aligns closely with Symmetry’s emphasis on structured pattern generation in intelligent vision systems. Full article

Cassava, a vital crop in the Philippines and other tropical regions, is highly susceptible to various diseases that drastically reduce its yield. Traditional inspection methods for detecting these diseases are manual, time-consuming, expensive, and prone to inaccuracies. While recent advances enable improved detection, many approaches focus primarily on leaves and stems, overlooking tubers—one of the most critical parts of the plant. Since tubers are the harvested portion of the cassava and a direct source of food and income, early disease detection in this part is crucial for preventing severe yield losses. Furthermore, symptoms often manifest in the tubers before becoming visible in other parts, making their monitoring essential for timely intervention. To address these challenges and improve accuracy, we employed EfficientNetB0 and data augmentation techniques to enhance disease detection across multiple parts of the cassava plant. The developed system integrates a Raspberry Pi 4B with a camera module LCD screen enclosed in a 3D-printed casing for ease of use by farmers, and this showed detection accuracies of 94% for leaves, 90% for stems, and 92% for tubers. The system’s reliability was validated with p-values at a 0.05 significance level. By reducing the need for expensive manual inspections, the system offers a robust solution for early disease detection, particularly in the tubers, to mitigate yield losses. Its proven accuracy and practical design support better disease management practices, thereby improving crop health while enhancing food security and supporting the livelihoods of cassava farmers. Full article

Microwave wireless power transmission (MWPT) applications have attracted worldwide interest and attention in recent years. Rectennas are a crucial component of a MWPT system. The rectenna’s power capacity and output DC power have great significance with regard to the MWPT system’s performance. In this article, a compact 4 × 4 S-band rectangular patch rectenna array for MWPT is proposed and experimentally verified. Firstly, an S-band rectifier with better consistency and lower cost than a traditional output design using parallel capacitors as a filter is achieved. Then, a rectenna array based on the proposed rectifier and a novel design idea is proposed. The rectenna can achieve an output DC power of 117.6 mW/cm³ and an efficiency of 47.6%. Finally, a MWPT verification experiment is conducted. A 12-inch LCD screen powered by the rectenna with a rated power of 12 W successfully works without any other power supply. This article provides a new design of a rectenna for MWPT, and the proposed rectenna array demonstrates its good engineering significance and application prospects. Full article

This proposal outlines the development of a comprehensive solution to address hydration challenges through the creation of a Smart Water ATM with Arduino integration, RFID authentication, and dynamic dispensing capabilities. Traditional water dispensers often fall short in monitoring water intake and promoting optimal hydration practices. In response, our project aims to revolutionize hydration practices by integrating Arduino Mega and Uno boards into a Smart Water ATM with a Bottle Dispenser. This innovative system is designed to dispense specific water quantities based on user preferences, encourage the use of personal water bottles, display water temperature, and operate independently without the need for a water line connection. Prior to prototype fabrication, an extensive literature review and survey were conducted to understand existing water dispenser shortcomings and gather public perspectives in Singapore. The Smart Water ATM addresses identified issues by incorporating sensors to monitor water levels, dispense specific quantities, and measure water temperatures. The prototype fabrication involves designing a stainless-steel housing, 3D printing the Smart Water dispenser unit, and installing tanks, tubing, and electronic components. To enhance user interaction, the Smart Water ATM requires RFID authentication through Identity Cards, tracking daily water consumption. An LCD screen displays the dispensed water volume over the ATM’s lifespan, motivating users to be mindful of their water consumption and minimize wastage. Adjustments will be made for deployment in public spaces, such as train stations, where access to permanent water dispensers is limited. This proposal presents an innovative solution to promote enhanced hydration practices, encouraging users to adopt mindful water consumption habits. Full article

Introduction: Metabolic-dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease. This review assessed the efficacy of a Low-Calorie Diet (LCD) on liver health and body weight in people living with MASLD and obesity. Methods: The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021296501), and a literature search was conducted using multiple databases. The key inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials or cohort studies, obesity/overweight and MASLD. Two authors screened abstracts, reviewed full texts and performed data extraction and quality assessment. The primary outcome was the change in the serum ALT, and secondary outcomes included the changes in the serum AST, intrahepatic lipid content (IHL), quantified non-invasively via MRI/MRS, and body weight. Results: Fifteen studies were included. The LCD reduced body weight by 9.1 kg versus the control (95%CI: −12.4, −5.8) but not serum ALT (−5.9 IU/L, −13.9, 2.0). Total Dietary Replacement (TDR) reduced IHL by −9.1% vs. the control (−15.6%, −2.6%). The Mediterranean-LCD for ≥12 months reduced ALT (−4.1 IU/L, −7.6, −0.5) and for 24 months reduced liver stiffness versus other LCDs. The Green-Mediterranean-LCD reduced IHL, independent of body weight. Limited studies assessed those of Black or Asian ethnicity, and there was heterogeneity in the methods assessing the liver fat content and fibrosis. Conclusions: In people with MASLD and obesity, an LCD intervention reduces IHL and body weight. Trials should focus on the recruitment of Black and Asian ethnicity participants. Full article