Particle trapping and enrichment into confined volumes can be useful in particle processing and analysis. This review is an evaluation of the methods used to trap and enrich particles into constrained volumes in microfluidic and nanofluidic systems. These methods include physical, optical, electrical, magnetic, acoustic, and some hybrid techniques, all capable of locally enhancing nano- and microparticle concentrations on a microscale. Some key qualitative and quantitative comparison points are also explored, illustrating the specific applicability and challenges of each method. A few applications of these types of particle trapping are also discussed, including enhancing biological and chemical sensors, particle washing techniques, and fluid medium exchange systems. Full article

We propose a framework that integrates norm entrepreneurship from human society into the dynamics of an agent society. Most work in agent coordination in a distributed environment studies norms that are provided to agents as part of their specification or distributed from centralised agents. Exploring an alternate perspective, we focus on peer-to-peer interaction by providing the agents with the freedom to initiate norm creation in demanding situations like a potential interference. This paper explores the concept of norm entrepreneurship through proactive establishment and emergence of norms by agents. A common approach in prior work focuses on coordination problems that are reduced to simple game theory models involving the simultaneous performance of a single action by each agent. Instead, we define the concept of a local coordination plan (LCP), which is a sequence of actions from each agent to cope with an interference in their normal course of action. We identify LCPs across various scenarios and abstract these plans using coordination state machines (CSMs). A coordination state machine contains a separate state machine for each agent where the states encapsulate the potentially constrained and suboptimal movement options agents have at a given time. We also explore how multiple LCPs lead to a coordination state machine of the same format and how a coordination state machine can abstract across multiple scenarios. Full article

Jiangsu High-Tech Fluorochemical Industrial Park in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province, is the largest fluorochemical industrial park in Asia. The occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in surface water and widespread local plants was investigated in Jiangsu High-Tech Fluorochemical Industrial Park. Thirty-two target PFASs were detected in dissolved-phase, particle-phase and plant samples. The concentrations of total PFASs ranged from 1650 to 8250 ng/L in the dissolved-phase samples, 132 to 6810 ng/g dw in the particle-phase samples and 25.8 to 9460 ng/g dw in different plant tissues. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), Perfluorooctanoate acid (PFOA) and 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (6:2 FTCA) were predominant PFASs and contributed 80−91% to ΣPFAS in water samples. A total of 67 emerging PFAS were identified in all samples using nontargeted analysis. Typha orientalis showed better accumulation ability, with an average ΣPFAS concentration of 3450 ng/g dw and the highest root concentration factor (RCF) of 171. Typha orientalis, Eichhornia crassipes and Alternanthera sessilis have potential for use in PFAS phytostabilization. Full article

The supraspinatus tendon is one of the most involved tendons in the development of shoulder pain. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been recognized as a valid and safe treatment. Sometimes the symptoms cannot be relieved, or a relapse develops, affecting the patient’s quality of life. Therefore, a prediction protocol could be a powerful tool aiding our clinical decisions. An artificial neural network was run, in particular a multilayer perceptron model incorporating input information such as the VAS and Constant–Murley score, administered at T0 and at T1 after six months. It showed a model sensitivity of 80.7%, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.701, which demonstrates good discrimination. The aim of our study was to identify predictive factors for minimal clinically successful therapy (MCST), defined as a reduction of ≥40% in VAS score at T1 following ESWT for chronic non-calcific supraspinatus tendinopathy (SNCCT). From the male gender, we expect greater and more frequent clinical success. The more severe the patient’s initial condition, the greater the possibility that clinical success will decrease. The Constant and Murley score, Roles and Maudsley score, and VAS are not just evaluation tools to verify an improvement; they are also prognostic factors to be taken into consideration in the assessment of achieving clinical success. Due to the lower clinical improvement observed in older patients and those with worse clinical and functional scales, it would be preferable to also provide these patients with the possibility of combined treatments. The ANN predictive model is reasonable and accurate in studying the influence of prognostic factors and achieving clinical success in patients with chronic non-calcific tendinopathy of the supraspinatus treated with ESWT. Full article

Global positioning systems often fall short in dense forest environments, leading to increasing demand for innovative localization methods. Notably, existing methods suffer from the following limitations: (1) traditional localization frameworks necessitate several fixed anchors to estimate the locations of targets, which is difficult to satisfy in complex and uncertain forestry environments; (2) the uncertain environment severely decreases the quality of signal measurements and thus the localization accuracy. To cope with these limitations, this paper proposes a new method of trajectory localization for forestry environments with the assistance of UAVs. Based on the multi-agent DRL technique, the topology of UAVs is optimized in real-time to cater for high-accuracy target localization. Then, with the aid of RSS measurements from UAVs to the target, the least squares algorithm is used to estimate the location, which is more flexible and reliable than existing localization systems. Furthermore, a shared replay memory is incorporated into the proposed multi-agent DRL system, which can effectively enhance learning performance and efficiency. Simulation results show that the proposed method can obtain a flexible and high-accuracy localization system with the aid of UAVs, which exhibits better robustness against high-dimensional heterogeneous data and is suitable for forestry environments. Full article

The off-season for natural bodybuilders (BB) is characterized by increased training loads and fluctuations in caloric intake, which may lead to insufficient recovery. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a pivotal role in recovery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate resting ANS activity and recovery following a maximal exercise bout in off-season BB and compare them to those of recreationally active individuals. Fifteen males participated; 7 recreationally active (RA) (24.6 ± 2.1 years, 81.1 ± 10.8 kg) and 8 BB (21.8 ± 2.9 years, 89.3 ± 13.0 kg). Each performed a graded exercise test. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured at rest and during a 45 min recovery period. HRV was analyzed as: root mean square of successive differences (lnRMSSD), standard deviation of normal-to-normal sinus beats (lnSDNN), high frequency (lnHF), low frequency (lnLF), and the ratio of low frequency to high frequency (lnLF/lnHF). A one-way ANOVA showed no differences for any resting marker of HRV, HR, and HR recovery. A significant depression in all markers of HRV was observed in the BB group at the 15 min point, and no recovery was observed before 45 min when compared to RA. The results of this study demonstrated depressed HRV recovery following the graded exercise test in BB when compared to the RA group. Full article

Toxoplasmosis is a significant global zoonosis with devastating impacts, and an effective vaccine against toxoplasmosis for humans has not yet been developed. In this study, we designed and formulated a novel DNA vaccine encoding the inhibitor of STAT1 transcriptional activity (IST) of T. gondii utilizing the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N1 for the first time, with CL264 being a molecular adjuvant. Following intramuscular injection of the vaccine into mice, the levels of antibodies and cytokines were assessed to evaluate the immune response. Additionally, mice were challenged with highly virulent RH-strain tachyzoites of T. gondii, and their survival time was observed. The results show that the levels of IgG in serum, the ratio of IgG2a/IgG1 and the levels of IFN-γ in splenocytes of mice were significantly higher in the pEGFP-TgIST group and the pEGFP-TgIST + CL264 group than in the control group. In addition, the proportion of CD4+/CD8+ T cells was higher in mice immunized with either the pEGFP-TgIST group (p < 0.001) or the pEGFP-TgIST + CL264 group (p < 0.05) compared to the three control groups. Notably, TgIST-immunized mice exhibited prolonged survival times after T. gondii RH strain infection (p < 0.05). Our findings collectively demonstrate that the TgIST DNA vaccine elicits a significant humoral and cellular immune response and offers partial protection against acute T. gondii infection in the immunized mice, which suggests that TgIST holds potential as a candidate for further development as a DNA vaccine. Full article

Enteral zinc supplementation in preterm infants has been reported to improve short-term weight and height gain. This study aims to evaluate whether early enteral zinc supplementation in preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) affects their physical measurements at discharge, and to periodically test serum copper levels. Of the 221 patients admitted to the NICU, 102 were in the zinc group and 119 were in the no-zinc group. The zinc group was administered 3 mg/kg/day of zinc. Body weight, height, and head circumference at discharge (or on the expected delivery date) were evaluated, and the factors affecting these parameters were examined. Serum zinc and copper levels were also evaluated on admission and monthly thereafter. Multivariate analysis was performed and showed that the weeks of gestational age and small for gestational age (SGA) status affected the height and weight at discharge. SGA also affected the head circumference. Serum copper levels were within the reference range for all patients at 3 months of age. Enteral zinc supplementation of 3 mg/kg/day in preterm infants did not affect the weight, height, or head circumference at discharge, but was shown to be relatively safe. Full article

The acquisition of digital images is susceptible to haze, and images captured under such adverse conditions may impact high-level applications designed for clean input data. Image dehazing emerges as a practical solution to this problem, as it can be employed to pre-process images immediately after acquisition. This paper presents a concise review of impactful algorithms, including those based on deep learning models, to identify the existing gap in real-time processing capabilities. Subsequently, a real-time dehazing system on a multiprocessor system-on-a-chip (MPSoC) platform is introduced to bridge this gap. The proposed system balances the trade-off between dehazing performance and computational complexity; hence, the name “Symmetric” is coined. Additionally, the entire system is implemented in programmable logic and wrapped by an interface circuit supporting double-buffering, rendering it highly suitable for seamless integration into existing camera systems. Implementation results on a Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC ZCU106 Evaluation Kit demonstrate a maximum operating frequency of 356.51 MHz, equivalent to a maximum processing speed of 40.27 frames per second for DCI 4K resolution. Full article

Background: Chest pain is a prevalent reason for emergency room referrals and presents diagnostic challenges. The physician must carefully differentiate between cardiac and noncardiac causes, including various vascular and extracardiovascular conditions. However, it is crucial not to overlook serious conditions such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and early discharge management become difficult when traditional clinical criteria, ECG, and troponin values are insufficient. Recently, the focus has shifted to a “multi-marker” approach to improve diagnostic accuracy and prognosis in patients with chest pain. Methods: This observational, prospective, single-center study involved, with informed consent, 360 patients presenting to the emergency department with typical chest pain and included a control group of 120 healthy subjects. In addition to routine examinations, including tests for hsTnI (Siemens TNIH kit), according to the 0–1 h algorithm, biochemical markers sST2 (tumorigenicity suppression-2) and suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) were also evaluated for each patient. A 12-month follow-up was conducted to monitor outcomes and adverse events. Results: We identified two groups of patients: a positive one (112 patients) with high levels of hsTnI, sST2 > 24.19 ng/mL, and suPAR > 2.9 ng/mL, diagnosed with ACS; and a negative one (136 patients) with low levels of hsTnI, suPAR < 2.9 ng/mL, and sST2 < 24.19 ng/mL. During the 12-month follow-up, no adverse events were observed in the negative group. In the intermediate group, patients with hsTnI between 6 ng/L and the ischemic limit, sST2 > 29.1 ng/mL and suPAR > 2.9 ng/mL, showed the highest probability of adverse events during follow-up, while those with sST2 < 24.19 ng/mL and suPAR < 2.9 ng/mL had a better outcome with no adverse events at 12 months. Conclusion: Our data suggest that sST2 and suPAR, together with hsTnI, may be useful in the prognosis of cardiovascular patients with ACS, providing additional information on endothelial damage. These biomarkers could guide the clinical decision on further diagnostic investigations. In addition, suPAR and sST2 emerge as promising for event prediction in patients with chest pain. Their integration into the standard approach in PS could facilitate more efficient patient management, allowing safe release or timely admission based on individual risk. Full article

Quasi-continuous-phase metasurfaces overcome the side effects imposed by high-order diffraction on imaging and can impart optical parameters such as amplitude, phase, polarization, and frequency to incident light at sub-wavelength scales with high efficiency. Structured-light three-dimensional (3D) imaging is a hot topic in the field of 3D imaging because of its advantages of low computation cost, high imaging accuracy, fast imaging speed, and cost-effectiveness. Structured-light 3D imaging requires uniform diffractive optical elements (DOEs), which could be realized by quasi-continuous-phase metasurfaces. In this paper, we design a quasi-continuous-phase metasurface beam splitter through a vector iterative Fourier transform algorithm and utilize this device to realize structured-light 3D imaging of a target object with subsequent target reconstruction. A structured-light 3D imaging system is then experimentally implemented by combining the fabricated quasi-continuous-phase metasurface illuminated by the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser and a binocular recognition system, which eventually provides a new technological path for the 3D imaging field. Full article

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) should not only survive, but also perform under increased osmotic pressure in the process of ensiling, which results from the best practice of wilting forage. Simple laboratory protocols are needed to select suitable LAB strains as inoculants for high dry matter (DM) conditions. The aim of this study was to simulate conditions of high osmolality without inducing salt stress and to select a suitable indicator of LAB performance. For that, an MRS medium was enriched with increasing concentrations of glucose and fructose plus a maximum of 28 g KCl/L until achieving an osmolality of 2.4 osmol/kg. Both, growth in the inoculated medium and pH decline, were then compared to the LAB performance in the basic medium. The latter was clearly delayed in the new medium. Finally, the method was validated by comparing the pH of small-scale grass silages of 30–35 and 45–49% target DM after 3–5 days of ensiling to the pH values of the microbiological growth medium. The pH levels of treatments with the homofermentative LAB were clearly attributable to the dry matter or the sugar concentration, respectively. The developed liquid growth medium sufficiently approximates high DM conditions to select for the osmotolerant homofermentative LAB. Full article

Increased intake of dietary antioxidants such as anthocyanins, which are enriched in colourful fruits, is a promising alternative to reduce the risk of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Since Amyloid β (Aβ) is one of the key components contributing to AD pathology, probably by reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, this study investigated the preventive effect of anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract (BE) and its anthocyanin fraction (ACN) on ROS generation and cell toxicity. The results showed a significant and concentration-dependent decrease in neuroblastoma cell (SH-SY5Y) viability by BE or ACN, whereas no cell toxicity was observed in HeLa cells. Incubation with BE and ACN for 24 h diminished the generation of induced ROS levels in SH-SY5Y and HeLa cells. In addition, low concentrations of BE (1–5 µg/mL) showed protective effects against Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, our results suggest antioxidant and protective effects of BE and ACN, which could potentially be used to delay the course of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. Further studies are needed to clarify the high potential of anthocyanins and their in vivo metabolites on neuronal function. Full article

Surveillance data from the Netherlands show that STI/HIV testing decreased at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting barriers to access to STI/HIV care. However, the impact of the pandemic on STI/HIV care may be more complex, and key populations could be differentially affected. The aim of this study was to gain more insight into the impact of COVID-19 on STI/HIV care in the Netherlands from the perspective of STI/HIV care providers. We investigated whether professionals in STI/HIV care experienced changes compared to pre-COVID in access to STI/HIV care for priority populations, demand and provision of STI/HIV care, shifts to online STI/HIV counseling and care, and the quality assurance of STI/HIV care. An online survey was completed by 192 STI/HIV care professionals. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were held with 23 STI/HIV care professionals. According to participants, people in vulnerable circumstances, such as recent migrants and people with low health or digital literacy, may have had difficulties accessing STI/HIV care during the pandemic, especially during lockdowns and at public sexual health services. Hence, these may not have received the care they needed. Participants thought that COVID-19 measures may have compounded existing disparities. Furthermore, participants found that online care provision was not up to standard and were concerned about follow-up care for patients using private online providers of remote tests. It is important to explore how STI/HIV care for people in vulnerable circumstances can be ensured in future public health crises. Full article

BAX plays an essential role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death induced by optic nerve injury. Recently, we developed M109S, an orally bioactive and cytoprotective small compound (CPSC) that inhibits BAX-mediated cell death. We examined whether M109S can protect RGC from optic nerve crush (ONC)-induced apoptosis. M109S was administered starting 5 h after ONC for 7 days. M109S was orally administered in two groups (5 mg/kg twice a day or 7.5 mg/kg once a day). The retina was stained with anti-BRN3A and cleaved Caspase-3 (active Caspase-3) that are the markers of RGC and apoptotic cells, respectively. ONC decreased the number of BRN3A-positive RGC and increased the number of active Caspase-3-expressing apoptotic cells. In ONC-treated retina, there were cells that were double stained with anti-BRN3A and ant-cleaved Caspase-3, indicating that apoptosis in BRN3A-positive RGCs occurred. M109S inhibited the decrease of BRN3A-positive cells whereas it inhibited the increase of active Caspase-3-positive cells in the retina of ONC-treated mice, suggesting that M109S inhibited apoptosis in RGCs. M109S did not induce detectable histological damage to the lungs or kidneys in mice, suggesting that M109S did not show toxicities in the lung or kidneys when the therapeutic dose was used. The present study suggests that M109S is effective in rescuing damaged RGCs. Since M109S is an orally bioactive small compound, M109S may become the basis for a portable patient-friendly medicine that can be used to prevent blindness by rescuing damaged optic nerve cells from death. Full article

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing the dose of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant expressed in Trichoderma reesei (PhyG) in broilers fed complex diets highly deficient in minerals, dig AA, and energy. Diets were a nutrient-adequate control (PC); a nutrient-reduced control (NC) formulated with a reduction in available P (avP) by 0.199%, Ca by 0.21%, crude protein by 0.72–1.03%, dig Lys by 0.064–0.084%, Na by 0.047%, and ME by 87.8 kcal/kg, respectively; and NC supplemented with PhyG at 500, 1000, and 2000 FTU/kg feed. BW was decreased and FCR increased in the NC vs. PC, while the PhyG treatments were similar to the PC. Carcass yield and bone ash were also maintained with PhyG supplementation. Phytase provided economic benefit on a feed cost per kg of weight basis for 1 to 35 d; the cost reductions equated to USD 0.006, 0.016, and 0.02/kg BWG at 500, 1000, and 2000 FTU/kg. In conclusion, this trial demonstrated that supplementation with a novel consensus phytase variant in diets highly deficient in minerals, dig AA, and energy maintained growth performance and provided economic benefit, with production benefits being maximized at inclusion levels of 2000 FTU/kg. Full article

Background and Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with obesity and ranges from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Accumulating evidence in animal models suggests that loss of interleukin-10 (IL-10) anti-inflammatory actions might contribute to lobular inflammation, considered one of the first steps toward NASH development. However, the role of IL-10 in lobular inflammation remains poorly explored in humans. We examined mRNA and protein levels of IL-10 in liver biopsies and serum samples from morbidly obese patients, investigating the relationship between IL-10 and lobular inflammation degree. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled morbidly obese patients of both sexes, assessing the lobular inflammation grade by the Brunt scoring system to categorize participants into mild (n = 7), moderate (n = 19), or severe (n = 13) lobular inflammation groups. We quantified the hepatic mRNA expression of IL-10 by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and protein IL-10 levels in liver and serum samples by Luminex Assay. We estimated statistical differences by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Results: The hepatic expression of IL-10 significantly diminished in patients with severe lobular inflammation compared with the moderate lobular inflammation group (p = 0.01). The hepatic IL-10 protein levels decreased in patients with moderate or severe lobular inflammation compared with the mild lobular inflammation group (p = 0.008 and p = 0.0008, respectively). In circulation, IL-10 also significantly decreased in subjects with moderate or severe lobular inflammation compared with the mild lobular inflammation group (p = 0.005 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: In liver biopsies and serum samples of morbidly obese patients, the protein levels of IL-10 progressively decrease as lobular inflammation increases, supporting the hypothesis that lobular inflammation develops because of the loss of the IL-10-mediated anti-inflammatory counterbalance. Full article

Background: Accidents involving the maxillofacial area are sudden and unforeseen, such as traffic accidents and physical altercations. The COVID-19 pandemic was a critical threat to the public in aspects not only involving physical health but also those affecting psychological health due to isolation, leading to a higher incidence of stress and depression among the general population and specifically in patients with OMF trauma. This study assessed the relationship between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the quantity and severity of maxillofacial injuries. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Clinical Centre in Gdansk from March 2019 to August 2023. Results: There was an increased risk of injury occurrence to the condylar process of the mandible, especially the left side, Le Fort type II/III fractures, injuries of the maxillary alveolar process, and displacement of the upper facial mass. Simultaneously, a decreased occurrence of certain injuries i.e., Le Fort type III fractures and Le Fort type I/II fractures, was recorded. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increased occurrence of high-energy injuries, including displacement of the upper facial mass (p = 0.010). Full article

With the widespread use of the 13-valent pneumonia vaccine (PCV13) in China, monitoring adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) is critical. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the AEFI occurrences reported within Hangzhou between the years 2020 and 2023, including the temporal trend of case reports and variables such as sex, age, type of PCV13, dose number, type of reporter, cause-specific classification, severity, and onset from vaccination. Vaccine safety signals were analyzed using reporting odds ratios (RORs). Over the 4 years analyzed in the study, 2564 AEFI cases were reported, including seven severe cases. Most AEFIs occurred within 0–1 days after vaccination (2398, 93.53%), with over half affecting infants aged 1.5–6 months of age. No statistically significant difference was observed between PCV13-TT and PCV-CRM197. Seasonal differences in AEFI reports were noted. Positive signals were detected for fever (ROR-1.96SE: 1.64) and persistent crying (ROR-1.96SE: 1.61). Four serious AEFI cases were coincidental events, while three others were considered vaccine-related cases (including one case each of allergic reaction, febrile seizure, and thrombocytopenia). The safety and tolerability of PCV13 are good, and attention should be paid to severe AEFIs, as well as long-term safety disparities between different types of PCV13. Full article

Background: Despite preventability, 20–50% of patients with acute spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) develop hospital-acquired pressure injuries (PIs). The Spinal Cord Injury Implementation and Evaluation Quality Care Consortium (SCI IEQCC) aimed to mitigate PI risk through patient-reported daily skin checks alongside usual care. Methods: This quality improvement initiative utilized an interrupted time series design, encompassing adults ≥ 18 years admitted for inpatient rehabilitation across five Ontario sites from 2020 to 2023. Patient demographics, etiology, and impairment data were obtained from a national registry, while participating sites gathered data on PI onset, location, and severity. Run charts depicted temporal trends, and statistical analyses, including chi-square and logistic regression, compared patients with and without PIs. Results: Data from 1767 discharged SCI/D patients revealed that 26% had ≥1 PI, with 59% being prevalent and 41% incident. Most severe PIs (stages III and IV and unstageable) were acquired prior to admission. Process indicator fidelity was reasonable at 68%. Patients with PIs experienced longer hospital stays, lower Functional Independence Measure (FIM) changes, and FIM efficiency during rehabilitation. Conclusions: PI prevalence is increasing, particularly sacral injuries at admission, while incident cases have decreased since 2021 due to regular skin checks. This trend calls for proactive health system interventions to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. Full article