Fully automated sinogram-based deep learning model for detection and classification of intracranial hemorrhage

PURPOSE

To propose an automated approach for detecting and classifying Intracranial Hemorrhages (ICH) directly from sinograms using a deep learning framework. This method is proposed to overcome the limitations of the conventional diagnosis by eliminating the time-consuming reconstruction step and minimizing the potential noise and artifacts that can occur during the Computed Tomography (CT) reconstruction process.

METHODS

This study proposes a two-stage automated approach for detecting and classifying ICH from sinograms using a deep learning framework. The first stage of the framework is Intensity Transformed Sinogram Sythesizer, which synthesizes sinograms that are equivalent to the intensity-transformed CT images. The second stage comprises of a cascaded Convolutional Neural Network-Recurrent Neural Network (CNN-RNN) model that detects and classifies hemorrhages from the synthesized sinograms. The CNN module extracts high-level features from each input sinogram, while the RNN module provides spatial correlation of the neighborhood regions in the sinograms. The proposed method was evaluated on a publicly available RSNA dataset consisting of a large sample size of 8652 patients.

RESULTS

The results showed that the proposed method had a notable improvement as high as 27% in patient-wise accuracies when compared to state-of-the-art methods like ResNext-101, Inception-v3 and Vision Transformer. Furthermore, the sinogram-based approach was found to be more robust to noise and offset errors in comparison to CT image-based approaches. The proposed model was also subjected to a multi-label classification analysis to determine the hemorrhage type from a given sinogram. The learning patterns of the proposed model were also examined for explainability using the activation maps.

CONCLUSION

The proposed sinogram-based approach can provide an accurate and efficient diagnosis of ICH without the need for the time-consuming reconstruction step and can potentially overcome the limitations of CT image-based approaches. The results show promising outcomes for the use of sinogram-based approaches in detecting hemorrhages, and further research can explore the potential of this approach in clinical settings.

B7-H3 at the crossroads between tumor plasticity and colorectal cancer progression: a potential target for therapeutic intervention

B7-H3 (B7 homology 3 protein) is an important transmembrane immunoregulatory protein expressed in immune cells, antigen-presenting cells, and tumor cells. Studies reveal a multifaceted role of B7-H3 in tumor progression by modulating various cancer hallmarks involving angiogenesis, immune evasion, and tumor microenvironment, and it is also a promising candidate for cancer immunotherapy. In colorectal cancer (CRC), B7-H3 has been associated with various aspects of disease progression, such as evasion of tumor immune surveillance, tumor-node metastasis, and poor prognosis. Strategies to block or interfere with B7-H3 in its immunological and non-immunological functions are under investigation. In this study, we explore the role of B7-H3 in tumor plasticity, emphasizing tumor glucose metabolism, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, apoptosis, and changing immune signatures in the tumor immune landscape. We discuss how B7-H3-induced tumor plasticity contributes to immune evasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Furthermore, we delve into the most recent advancements in targeting B7-H3-based tumor immunotherapy as a potential approach to CRC treatment.

Polyolefin-Based Smart Self-Healing Composite Coatings Modified with Calcium Carbonate and Sodium Alginate

Corrosion-related damage incurs significant capital costs in many industries. In this study, an anti-corrosive pigment was synthesized by modifying calcium carbonate with sodium alginate (SA), and smart self-healing coatings were synthesized by reinforcing the anti-corrosive pigments into a polyolefin matrix. Structural changes during the synthesis of the anti-corrosive pigment were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Moreover, thermal gravimetric analysis confirmed the loading of the corrosion inhibitor, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis revealed a stable impedance value, confirming the improved corrosion resistance of the modified polyolefin coatings. The incorporation of the anticorrosive pigment into a polyolefin matrix resulted in improved pore resistance properties and capacitive behavior, indicating a good barrier property of the modified coatings. The formation of a protective film on the steel substrate reflected the adsorption of the corrosion inhibitor (SA) on the steel substrate, which further contributed to enhancing the corrosion resistance of the modified coatings. Moreover, the formation of the protective film was also analyzed by profilometry and elemental mapping analysis.

Piezo inkjet formation of Ag nanoparticles from microdots arrays for surface plasmonic resonance

The study aims to explore a novel approach for fabricating plasmonic nanostructures to enhance the optical properties and performance of various optoelectronic devices. The research begins by employing a piezo-inkjet printing technique to deposit drops containing Ag nanoparticles (NPs) onto a glass substrate at a predefined equidistance, with the goal of obtaining arrays of Ag microdots (Ag-µdots) on the glass substrate. This process is followed by a thermal annealing treatment. The printing parameters are first optimized to achieve uniform deposition of different sizes of Ag-µdots arrays by controlling the number of Ag ink drops. Subsequently, the printed arrays undergo thermal annealing at various temperatures in air for 60 min, enabling precise and uniform control over nanoparticle formation. The printed Ag nanoparticles are characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy to analyze their morphological features, ensuring their suitability for plasmonic applications. UV-Vis spectrophotometry is employed to investigate the enhanced surface-plasmonic-resonance properties of the printed AgNPs. Measurements confirm that the equidistant arrays of AgNPs obtained from annealing Ag microdots exhibit enhanced light-matter interaction, leading to a surface plasmon resonance response dependent on the Ag NPs' specific surface area. These enhanced surface plasmonic resonances open avenues for developing cutting-edge optoelectronic devices that leverage the benefits of plasmonic nanostructures, thereby enabling new opportunities for future technological developments across various fields.

Genetic Susceptibility to Arrhythmia Phenotypes in a Middle Eastern Cohort of 14,259 Whole-Genome Sequenced Individuals

Background: The current study explores the genetic underpinnings of cardiac arrhythmia phenotypes within Middle Eastern populations, which are under-represented in genomic medicine research. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing data from 14,259 individuals from the Qatar Biobank were used and contained 47.8% of Arab ancestry, 18.4% of South Asian ancestry, and 4.6% of African ancestry. The frequency of rare functional variants within a set of 410 candidate genes for cardiac arrhythmias was assessed. Polygenic risk score (PRS) performance for atrial fibrillation (AF) prediction was evaluated. Results: This study identified 1196 rare functional variants, including 162 previously linked to arrhythmia phenotypes, with varying frequencies across Arab, South Asian, and African ancestries. Of these, 137 variants met the pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) criteria according to ACMG guidelines. Of these, 91 were in ACMG actionable genes and were present in 1030 individuals (~7%). Ten P/LP variants showed significant associations with atrial fibrillation p < 2.4 × 10-10. Five out of ten existing PRSs were significantly associated with AF (e.g., PGS000727, p = 0.03, OR = 1.43 [1.03, 1.97]). Conclusions: Our study is the largest to study the genetic predisposition to arrhythmia phenotypes in the Middle East using whole-genome sequence data. It underscores the importance of including diverse populations in genomic investigations to elucidate the genetic landscape of cardiac arrhythmias and mitigate health disparities in genomic medicine.

Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes using reduced graphene oxide (rGO)

Photocatalysts have developed into a successful strategy for degrading synthetic and organic toxins, such as chemicals and dyes, in wastewater. In this study, graphene oxide was reduced at different temperatures and used for degrading indigo carmine and neutral red dyes. The wide surface areas, strong adsorption sites, and oxygen functionalities of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at 250 °C (rGO-250) produced more photocatalytic degradation efficiency and adsorption percentage. The catalyst dosage, initial dye concentration, solution pH and recyclability were all used to optimize the photocatalytic activity of rGO-250. This research presents a capable nano-adsorbent photocatalyst for the efficient degradation of organic dyes. GO and rGOs were also investigated for carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption properties. Results showed that rGO-250 has better CO2 adsorption properties than other rGOs. Overall, it was observed that rGO-250 has better photocatalytic and CO2 adsorption capabilities compared to graphene oxide reduced at different temperatures.

Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Differentially Expressed Serum Metabolites and Pathways in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with and without Cognitive Decline: A Cross-Sectional Study

Diabetes is recognized as a risk factor for cognitive decline, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We aimed to identify the metabolic pathways altered in diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) using untargeted metabolomics. We conducted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics to profile serum metabolite levels in 100 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) (54 without and 46 with DACD). Multivariate statistical tools were used to identify the differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), and enrichment and pathways analyses were used to identify the signaling pathways associated with the DEMs. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a set of metabolites. We identified twenty DEMs, seven up- and thirteen downregulated in the DACD vs. DM group. Chemometric analysis revealed distinct clustering between the two groups. Metabolite set enrichment analysis found significant enrichment in various metabolite sets, including galactose metabolism, arginine and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, citrate cycle, fructose and mannose, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. Pathway analysis identified six significantly altered pathways, including arginine and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and the metabolism of the citrate cycle, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, a-linolenic acid, and glycerophospholipids. Classifier models with AUC-ROC > 90% were developed using individual metabolites or a combination of individual metabolites and metabolite ratios. Our study provides evidence of perturbations in multiple metabolic pathways in patients with DACD. The distinct DEMs identified in this study hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers for DACD patients.

A generic scope actuation system for flexible endoscopes

BACKGROUND

A scope actuation system assists a surgeon in steering a scope for navigating an operative field during an interventional or diagnostic procedure. Each system is tailored for a specific surgical procedure. The development of a generic scope actuation system could assist various laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. This has the potential to reduce the deployment and maintenance costs for a hospital, making it more accessible for clinical usage.

METHODS

A modular actuation system (for maneuvering rigid laparoscopes) was adapted to enable incorporation of flexible endoscopes. The design simplifies the installation and disassembly processes. User studies were conducted to assess the ability of the system to focus onto a diagnostic area, and to navigate during a simulated esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedure. During the studies, the endoscope was maneuvered with (robotic mode) and without (manual mode) the actuation system to navigate the endoscope's focus on a predefined track.

RESULTS

Results show that the robotic mode performed better than the manual mode on all the measured performance parameters including (a) the total duration to traverse a track, (b) the percentage of time spent outside a track while traversing, and (c) the number of times the scope focus shifts outside the track. Additionally, robotic mode also reduced the perceived workload based on the NASA-TLX scale.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed scope actuation system enhances the maneuverability of flexible endoscopes. It also lays the groundwork for future development of modular and generic scope assistant systems that can be used in both laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures.

Optimization of the Consolidation Parameters for Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of Gr-Bi2Te2.55Se0.45 Nanocomposites

Hot pressing represents a promising consolidation technique for ball-milled bismuth telluride alloys, yet deep investigations are needed to understand its effect on the thermoelectric properties. This paper studies the effect of hot-pressing parameters (temperature and pressure) on the thermoelectric properties of the n-type Gr-Bi2Te2.55Se0.45 nanocomposite. Ultra-high pressure, up to 1.5 GPa, is considered for the first time for consolidating Bi2(Te,Se)3 alloys. Results from this study show that increasing the temperature leads to changes in chemical composition and causes noticeable grain growth. On the contrary, increasing pressure mainly causes improvements in densification. Overall, increments in these two parameters improve the ZT values, with the temperature parameter having a higher influence. The highest ZT of 0.69 at 160 °C was obtained for the sample hot-pressed at 350 °C and 1 GPa for 5 min, which is indeed an excellent and competitive value when compared with results reported for this n-type Bi2Te2.55Se0.45 composition.

Unveiling the Protective Role of Melatonin in Osteosarcoma: Current Knowledge and Limitations

Melatonin, an endogenous neurohormone produced by the pineal gland, has received increased interest due to its potential anti-cancer properties. Apart from its well-known role in the sleep-wake cycle, extensive scientific evidence has shown its role in various physiological and pathological processes, such as inflammation. Additionally, melatonin has demonstrated promising potential as an anti-cancer agent as its function includes inhibition of tumorigenesis, induction of apoptosis, and regulation of anti-tumor immune response. Although a precise pathophysiological mechanism is yet to be established, several pathways related to the regulation of cell cycle progression, DNA repair mechanisms, and antioxidant activity have been implicated in the anti-neoplastic potential of melatonin. In the current manuscript, we focus on the potential anti-cancer properties of melatonin and its use in treating and managing pediatric osteosarcoma. This aggressive bone tumor primarily affects children and adolescents and is treated mainly by surgical and radio-oncological interventions, which has improved survival rates among affected individuals. Significant disadvantages to these interventions include disease recurrence, therapy-related toxicity, and severe/debilitating side effects that the patients have to endure, significantly affecting their quality of life. Melatonin has therapeutic effects when used for treating osteosarcoma, attributed to its ability to halt cancer cell proliferation and trigger apoptotic cell death, thereby enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, the antioxidative function of melatonin alleviates harmful side effects of chemotherapy-induced oxidative damage, aiding in decreasing therapeutic toxicities. The review concisely explains the many mechanisms by which melatonin targets osteosarcoma, as evidenced by significant results from several in vitro and animal models. Nevertheless, if further explored, human trials remain a challenge that could shed light and support its utility as an adjunctive therapeutic modality for treating osteosarcoma.

PVA-TiO2 Nanocomposite Hydrogel as Immobilization Carrier for Gas-to-Liquid Wastewater Treatment

This study investigates the development of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel matrices for biomass immobilization in wastewater treatment. The PVA hydrogels were prepared through a freezing-thawing (F-T) cross-linking process and reinforced with high surface area nanoparticles to improve their mechanical stability and porosity. The PVA/nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared using two different nanoparticle materials: iron oxide (Fe3O2) and titanium oxide (TiO2). The effects of the metal oxide nanoparticle type and content on the pore structure, hydrogel bonding, and mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the cross-linked hydrogel composites were investigated. The most durable PVA/nanoparticles matrix was then tested in the bioreactor for the biological treatment of wastewater. Morphological analysis showed that the reinforcement of PVA gel with Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in a compact nanocomposite hydrogel with regular pore distribution. The FTIR analysis highlighted the formation of bonds between nanoparticles and hydrogel, which caused more interaction within the polymeric matrix. Furthermore, the mechanical strength and Young's modulus of the hydrogel composites were found to depend on the type and content of the nanoparticles. The most remarkable improvement in the mechanical strength of the PVA/nanoparticles composites was obtained by incorporating 0.1 wt% TiO2 and 1.0 wt% Fe2O3 nanoparticles. However, TiO2 showed more influence on the mechanical strength, with more than 900% improvement in Young's modulus for TiO2-reinforced PVA hydrogel. Furthermore, incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles enhanced hydrogel stability but did not affect the biodegradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. These results suggest that the PVA-TiO2 hydrogel has the potential to be used as an effective carrier for biomass immobilization and wastewater treatment.

Stability of Viscoelastic Solutions: BrijL4 and Sodium Cholate Mixtures with Metal Ions Across a Broad pH and Temperature Range

The impact of pH, temperature, and metal ions on the rheological and interfacial properties of aqueous mixed surfactant solutions composed of anionic NaC (sodium cholate) and nonionic BrijL4 [polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether] surfactants has been investigated. The various compound systems were analyzed, considering variations in each selected factor. The results highlight the unique characteristics of the BrijL4/NaC mixture, suggesting its potential as a viable alternative to other existing surfactants. The synergistic effect between BrijL4 and NaC significantly reduces the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and improves the wetting properties on hydrophobic surfaces, surpassing those of single-component solutions. Additionally, sodium, calcium, and magnesium ions enhance surface wetting and decrease the CMC. Besides, the BrijL4/NaC solutions exhibit viscoelastic fluid behavior at higher surfactant concentrations. These viscoelastic BrijL4/NaC solutions demonstrate stability over various pH and temperature variations, exhibiting lower flow activation and scission energy values than those of other viscoelastic surfactant solutions. Notably, the BrijL4/NaC mixture has potential applications in gel-based foliar fertilizers and drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the rheological studies examine the impact of humic acid on the rheological properties of BrijL4/NaC mixture solutions, revealing that incorporating additional humic acids can achieve stable rheological properties.

A Path towards Timely VAP Diagnosis: Proof-of-Concept Study on Pyocyanin Sensing with Cu-Mg Doped Graphene Oxide

In response to the urgent requirement for rapid, precise, and cost-effective detection in intensive care units (ICUs) for ventilated patients, as well as the need to overcome the limitations of traditional detection methods, researchers have turned their attention towards advancing novel technologies. Among these, biosensors have emerged as a reliable platform for achieving accurate and early diagnoses. In this study, we explore the possibility of using Pyocyanin analysis for early detection of pathogens in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and lower respiratory tract infections in ventilated patients. To achieve this, we developed an electrochemical sensor utilizing a graphene oxide-copper oxide-doped MgO (GO - Cu - Mgo) (GCM) catalyst for Pyocyanin detection. Pyocyanin is a virulence factor in the phenazine group that is produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, leading to infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and cystic fibrosis. We additionally investigated the use of DNA aptamers for detecting Pyocyanin as a biomarker of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common causative agent of VAP. The results of this study indicated that electrochemical detection of Pyocyanin using a GCM catalyst shows promising potential for various applications, including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Rapid Visual Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Human Clinical Samples via Closed LAMP Assay Targeting mecA and spa Genes

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), poses a significant global health threat as these bacteria increasingly become resistant to the most available therapeutic options. Thus, developing an efficient approach to rapidly screen MRSA directly from clinical specimens has become vital. In this study, we establish a closed-tube loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method incorporating hydroxy-naphthol blue (HNB) colorimetric dye assay to directly detect MRSA from clinical samples based on the presence of mecA and spa genes. In total, 125 preidentified S. aureus isolates and 93 clinical samples containing S. aureus were sourced from the microbiology laboratory at Hamad General Hospital (HGH). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were computed based on conventional PCR. The assay demonstrated 100% specificity, 91.23% sensitivity, 0.90 Cohen Kappa (CK), 100% PPV, and 87.8% NPV for the clinical samples, while clinical isolates exhibited 100% specificity, 97% sensitivity, 0.926 CK, 100% PPV, and 88.89% NPV. Compared to cefoxitin disk diffusion, LAMP provided 100% specificity and sensitivity, 1.00 CK, and 100% for PPV and NPV. The study revealed that the closed-tube LAMP incorporating (HNB) dye is a rapid technique with a turnaround time of less than 1 h and high specificity and sensitivity.

Correlations between Resting Electrocardiogram Findings and Disease Profiles: Insights from the Qatar Biobank Cohort

BACKGROUND

Resting electrocardiogram (ECG) is a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool used in clinical medicine to assess the electrical activity of the heart while the patient is resting. Abnormalities in ECG may be associated with clinical biomarkers and can predict early stages of diseases. In this study, we evaluated the association between ECG traits, clinical biomarkers, and diseases and developed risk scores to predict the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Qatar Biobank.

METHODS

This study used 12-lead ECG data from 13,827 participants. The ECG traits used for association analysis were RR, PR, QRS, QTc, PW, and JT. Association analysis using regression models was conducted between ECG variables and serum electrolytes, sugars, lipids, blood pressure (BP), blood and inflammatory biomarkers, and diseases (e.g., type 2 diabetes, CAD, and stroke). ECG-based and clinical risk scores were developed, and their performance was assessed to predict CAD. Classical regression and machine-learning models were used for risk score development.

RESULTS

Significant associations were observed with ECG traits. RR showed the largest number of associations: e.g., positive associations with bicarbonate, chloride, HDL-C, and monocytes, and negative associations with glucose, insulin, neutrophil, calcium, and risk of T2D. QRS was positively associated with phosphorus, bicarbonate, and risk of CAD. Elevated QTc was observed in CAD patients, whereas decreased QTc was correlated with decreased levels of calcium and potassium. Risk scores developed using regression models were outperformed by machine-learning models. The area under the receiver operating curve reached 0.84 using a machine-learning model that contains ECG traits, sugars, lipids, serum electrolytes, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The odds ratio for the top decile of CAD risk score compared to the remaining deciles was 13.99.

CONCLUSIONS

ECG abnormalities were associated with serum electrolytes, sugars, lipids, and blood and inflammatory biomarkers. These abnormalities were also observed in T2D and CAD patients. Risk scores showed great predictive performance in predicting CAD.

A variant in sperm-specific glycolytic enzyme enolase 4 (ENO4) causes human male infertility

BACKGROUND

Although defects in sperm morphology and physiology lead to male infertility, in many instances, the exact disruption of molecular pathways in a given patient is often unknown. The glycolytic pathway is an essential process to supply energy in sperm cell motility. Enolase 4 (ENO4) is crucial for the glycolytic process, which provides the energy for sperm cells in motility. ENO4 is located in the sperm principal piece and is essential for the motility and organization of the sperm flagellum. In the present study, we characterized a family with asthenozoospermia and abnormal sperm morphology as a result of a variant in the enolase 4 (ENO4) gene.

METHODS

Computer-assisted semen analysis, papanicolaou smear staining and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine sperm motility and morphology for semen analysis in patients. For genetic analysis, whole-exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing was performed.

RESULTS

Two brothers in a consanguineous family were being clinically investigated for sperm motility and morphology issues. Genetic analysis by whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous variant [c.293A>G, p.(Lys98Arg)] in the ENO4 gene that segregated with infertility in the family, shared by affected but not controls.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the association of asthenozoospermia and abnormal sperm morphology in Eno4 knockout mice, we consider this to be the first report describing the involvement of ENO4 gene in human male infertility. We also explore the possible involvement of another variant in explaining other phenotypic features in this family.

Investigating the Cell Entry Mechanism, Disassembly, and Toxicity of the Nanocage PCC-1: Insights into Its Potential as a Drug Delivery Vehicle

The porous coordination cage PCC-1 represents a new platform potentially useful for the cellular delivery of drugs with poor cell permeability and solubility. PCC-1 is a metal-organic polyhedron constructed from zinc metal ions and organic ligands through coordination bonds. PCC-1 possesses an internal cavity that is suitable for drug encapsulation. To better understand the biocompatibility of PCC-1 with human cells, the cell entry mechanism, disassembly, and toxicity of the nanocage were investigated. PCC-1 localizes in the nuclei and cytoplasm within minutes upon incubation with cells, independent of endocytosis and cargo, suggesting direct plasma membrane translocation of the nanocage carrying its guest in its internal cavity. Furthermore, the rates of cell entry correlate to extracellular concentrations, indicating that PCC-1 is likely diffusing passively through the membrane despite its relatively large size. Once inside cells, PCC-1 disintegrates into zinc metal ions and ligands over a period of several hours, each component being cleared from cells within 1 day. PCC-1 is relatively safe for cells at low micromolar concentrations but becomes inhibitory to cell proliferation and toxic above a concentration or incubation time threshold. However, cells surviving these conditions can return to homeostasis 3-5 days after exposure. Overall, these findings demonstrate that PCC-1 enters live cells by crossing biological membranes spontaneously. This should prove useful to deliver drugs that lack this capacity on their own, provided that the dosage and exposure time are controlled to avoid toxicity.

CFD estimation of gas production in tight carbonates using single and dual-porosity models

Tight Carbonate reservoirs are regarded as one of the most complex reservoir formations due to the heterogeneity and complexity of their mineral composition, pore structure, and storage model. It is uncommon to study the implementation of a transport model appropriate for such formation. Recent studies focused on tight reservoirs and developed models for shale or coal bed methane reservoirs. This study proposes a single and dual-porosity transport model that solely considers the tight matrix and acidized region to shed light on the transport models for tight carbonates. The numerical model included the effect of transport mechanisms such as Knudsen diffusion, desorption, and viscous flow. The proposed transport model includes the apparent permeability model defining these transport mechanisms. Finite element method analysis was conducted on the numerical model using COMSOL Multiphysics. Due to the presence of nanopores in both shale and tight Carbonate, transport models proposed for the former can be utilized to determine the fluid flow behavior in the latter. The adsorption isotherm, rock density, pore structure, porosity, and permeability of the tight carbonate reservoir, which contrasted with the shale results, were the defining features of the reservoir used in the transport model. The dual-porosity model yielded a peak production of 104,000 m3/day, whereas the proposed model represents a shallow production rate from the single-porosity reservoir. The results were validated with an analytical solution proposed in the literature. Based on the literature findings and the production profile, the desorption did not play a significant role in the total production due to calcite's low affinity towards CH4.

Effects of probiotic supplementation in adult with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin diseases. The effect of probiotic administration on the severity of AD in adults has shown inconsistent results.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation as a therapeutic tool for adult AD.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus and Embase were systematically searched to collect data from studies in which probiotics were administered to treat adult AD.

RESULTS

Out of 413 publications, 9 papers were included in the meta-analysis. Significant differences in the ScORing Atopic Dermatitis tool favouring probiotics were observed [relative risk (RR) -5.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.43 to -3.43]. Lactobacillus salivarius presented with largest effect size (RR -9.79, 95% CI -13.04 to -6.54), followed by L. acidophilus (RR -5.77, 95% CI -10.82 to -0.72) and L. plantarum (RR -3.76, 95% CI -6.36 to -1.16). No benefit was observed with L. fermentum. Based on the severity of AD, probiotics showed better results in people with moderate-to-severe AD (RR -9.12, 95% CI -12.17 to -6.08) than in individuals with mild disease (RR -2.67, 95% CI -4.67 to -0.66). Serum levels of IgE and eosinophil count remained significantly unchanged after the probiotic intervention (RR 0.25, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.60; RR -0.27, 95% CI -0.68 to 0.13, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence supports a role for some probiotics as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of adult AD, particularly in patients with severe AD. The efficacy of probiotics is strain specific, with L. salivarius and L. acidophilus having the largest clinical benefit. Such benefit is apparently independent of IgE levels and eosinophil count. Despite these encouraging results, the decrease in AD severity did not translate into a clinically meaningful better quality of life as assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index. There currently is not enough reliable data to reach conclusions about the optimal dose and duration for probiotic treatment.

Influence of an Organic Salt-Based Stabilizing Additive on Charge Carrier Dynamics in Triple Cation Perovskite Solar Cells

Besides further improvement in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSC), their long-term stability must also be ensured. Additives such as organic cations with halide counter anions are considered promising candidates to address this challenge, conferring both higher performance and increased stability to perovskite-based devices. Here, a stabilizing additive (N,N-dimethylmethyleneiminium chloride, [Dmmim]Cl) is identified, and its effect on charge carrier mobility and lifetime under thermal stress in triple cation perovskite (Cs0.05 MA0.05 FA0.90 PbI3 ) thin films is investigated. To explore the fundamental mechanisms limiting charge carrier mobility, temperature-dependent microwave conductivity measurements are performed. Different mobility behaviors across two temperature regions are revealed, following the power law Tm , indicating two different dominant scattering mechanisms. The low-temperature region is assigned to charge carrier scattering with polar optical phonons, while a strong decrease in mobility at high temperatures is due to dynamic disorder. The results obtained rationalize the improved stability of the [Dmmim]Cl-doped films and devices compared to the undoped reference samples, by limiting temperature-activated mobile ions and retarding degradation of the perovskite film.

Automatic detection of ictal activity in EEG using synchronization and chaos-based attributes

Automatic seizure onset detectors (SODs) have been proposed to alert epileptic patients when a seizure is about to happen and in turn improve their quality of life. Yet, the detectors proposed in literature are complex and difficult to implement in real-time as they utilize large feature sets with redundant and irrelevant features. Hence, the aim of this work is to propose a simple and lightweight SOD that exploits two characteristics that reflect the neuronal behavior during a seizure. Namely, the synchronization between EEG channels and the chaoticity of the EEG; synchronization was measured by the condition number while the recurrence period density entropy estimated the chaoticity of an EEG signal. A support vector machine was trained and tested on 10 patients from a scalp EEG dataset and was able to detect the considered seizures with a sensitivity of 100% and a false positives rate of 0.5 per hour. The results indicate that synchronization and chaos attributes can reflect the manifestation of seizures in EEG data and can be used to develop SODs. This work emphasizes that even a single relevant feature can produce an SOD with comparable performance to SODs that use many features.

Genome-wide association of dry (Tamar) date palm fruit color

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fruit (dates) are an economically and culturally significant crop in the Middle East and North Africa. There are hundreds of different commercial cultivars producing dates with distinctive shapes, colors, and sizes. Genetic studies of some date palm traits have been performed, including sex determination, sugar content, and fresh fruit color. In this study, we used genome sequences and image data of 199 dry dates (Tamar) collected from 14 countries to identify genetic loci associated with the color of this fruit stage. Here, we find loci across multiple linkage groups (LG) associated with dry fruit color phenotype. We recover both the previously identified VIRESCENS (VIR) genotype associated with fresh fruit yellow or red color and new associations with the lightness and darkness of dry fruit. This study will add resolution to our understanding of date color phenotype, especially at the most commercially important Tamar stage.