Browse Articles

Optimized user-guided motion control of modular robots

Histologic evaluation of furcation perforation treated using bioceramic putty with and without platelet rich fibrin or chitosan hydrogel as an internal matrix

Abstract The present study investigated the tissue reaction of platelet rich fibrin and chitosan hydrogel as internal matrices in repairing furcal perforations in mature dogs’ teeth. Seventy-two teeth in six mongrel dogs were experimented in this study. After access opening, root canal preparation was completed and obturation was done using gutta percha/resin sealer. Furcation perforations were done, and the experimental teeth were classified according to the perforation repair protocol to three experimental groups and a positive control group (18 teeth each). Group 1: Platelet-rich fibrin matrix with premixed calcium silicate-based bioceramic putty (BC putty), Group 2: Chitosan hydrogel matrix with BC putty, Group 3: BC putty alone and Group 4: a positive control group where no repair material was utilized. Access openings were restored with composite filling. The experimented teeth and the supporting bone were sectioned into blocks and histologically examined for tissue reaction at one and three months. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test, where the significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. BC putty and BC putty with PRF matrix exhibited less bone loss, epithelial proliferation and inflammatory reaction compared to chitosan hydrogel at one and three months intervals, also they showed more hard tissue deposition compared to chitosan hydrogel at 3-month interval. Although BC putty presented higher sealing ability with great area of newly formed hard tissue compared to chitosan hydrogel, BC putty with PRF can be considered as a successful management option for furcal perforation repair. Management of perforation is considered a challenging procedure especially when located in the furcation area, however histological evaluation of the tissue reaction to different internal matrices materials could provide favorable clinical outcomes concerning the perforation repair procedures.

Gaze and movement adaptation in response to delayed robotic movement during turn-taking

Abstract While delays in human-robot encounters can harm perceptions of competence, they can also enhance engagement and relatability, making timing a crucial factor in the design of robot behaviors for effective human-robot interaction. Previous research has primarily focused on how robots’ pauses or errors impact perceptions of competence, but it has not adequately addressed the complexity of timing in shaping social interactions. This study explored the effects of different delay conditions (no delay, short delay (4s), long delay (10s)) on human gaze behaviors and movements during a Tic-Tac-Toe game interactions with an Epi humanoid robot. We hypothesized that shorter delays would be interpreted as thinking pauses, increasing engagement, operationalized as directing gaze to the robot’s hand or face, while longer delays would lead to distractions, i.e. gazing away from the robot and perhaps searching for cues in other places. Gaze indicates attentional focus, a common proxy for engagement in HRI. The results, however, indicated that the no delay condition prompted the highest levels of participants gazing at the robot’s hand (’gaze to hand behavior’), with significantly more frequent gaze to hand behavior compared to both delay conditions. The duration of participants gazing at the robot’s face (’face gaze’) showed no significant differences, though trends suggested participants engaged more in face gaze in the no delay condition. Interestingly, during delay periods, participants spent significantly more time gazing at the robot’s face and hands, suggesting a monitoring response to unexpected pauses. Additionally, positive pre-interaction impressions of the robot were linked to higher gaze to hand behavior, while increased face gaze was associated with lower fluency ratings, indicating compensatory behavior during perceived interaction difficulties. These findings suggest that delays reduce overall engagement regardless of duration, while they might increase engagement temporally while the delays take place. The results also highlight the complexity of gaze behaviors in human-robot interaction and suggest that gaze patterns can indicate participants’ perceptions of the robot’s performance.

Escherichia coli phylogeny drives co-amoxiclav resistance through variable expression of TEM-1 beta-lactamase

Abstract Co-amoxiclav (amoxicillin and clavulanate) is a commonly used combination antibiotic, with resistance in Escherichia coli associated with increased mortality. The class A beta-lactamase bla TEM-1 is often carried by resistant E. coli but exhibits high phenotypic heterogeneity, complicating genotype-phenotype predictions. We curated a dataset of n = 377 diverse E. coli isolates where the only acquired beta-lactamase was bla TEM-1. We generated hybrid assemblies and co-amoxiclav minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and bla TEM-1 qPCR expression data for a subset (n = 67/377). We first tested whether intrinsic expression of bla TEM-1 varied between E. coli lineages, for example, from regulatory system differences, which are challenging to genomically quantify. Using genotypic features, we built a hierarchical Bayesian model for bla TEM-1 expression, controlling for phylogeny. Expression varied across the phylogeny, with some lineages (phylogroups B1 and C, ST12) expressing bla TEM-1 more than others (phylogroups E and F, ST372). Next, we built a second model to predict isolate MIC from genotypic features, again controlling for phylogeny. Phylogeny alone shifted MIC past the clinical breakpoint in 19% (55/292) of isolates with greater-than-chance probability, mostly representing ST12, ST69 and ST127. A third causal model confirmed that phylogenetic influence on bla TEM-1 expression drove variation in MIC. We speculate that intergenic variation underlies this effect.

Asynchronous federated learning with GNN for enhancing data security in internet of vehicles

Ab initio analysis of the structural, hydrogen storage, mechanical, electronic, and optical characteristics of Cs2XAlH6 (X = K, Na, Rb) double perovskite hydrides

Aberrant intermediate alveolar epithelial cells promote pathogenic activation of lung fibroblasts in preclinical fibrosis models

Integrated proteome, phospho-proteome and malonyl-proteome revealed a molecular alteration of breast cancer

Blockchain consensus algorithm for supply chain information security sharing based on convolutional neural networks

Full-cycle device-scale simulations of memory materials with a tailored atomic-cluster-expansion potential

Abstract Computer simulations have long been key to understanding and designing phase-change materials (PCMs) for memory technologies. Machine learning is now increasingly being used to accelerate the modelling of PCMs, and yet it remains challenging to simultaneously reach the length and time scales required to simulate the operation of real-world PCM devices. Here, we show how ultra-fast machine-learned interatomic potentials, based on the atomic cluster expansion (ACE) framework, enable simulations of PCMs reflecting applications in devices with excellent scalability on high-performance computing platforms. We report full-cycle simulations—including the time-consuming crystallisation process (from digital “zeroes” to “ones”)—thus representing the entire programming cycle for cross-point memory devices. We also showcase a simulation of full-cycle operations, relevant to neuromorphic computing, in a mushroom-type device geometry.

Medication reconciliation and drug interactions in adult cystic fibrosis patients attending an outpatient clinic: A Cross-sectional study

GLRX2 polymorphism and oxidative stress levels impact urothelial bladder cancer outcomes

Interface engineering of single-molecular heterojunction catalysts for CO2 electroreduction in strong acid medium

Optimizing furrow irrigation performance with WinSRFR software through field experiments and simulations in sunflower cultivation

DEM simulation of earth pressure mobilisation with active retaining wall movements

Orbital electron coupling of Ga-Cd dual-atom sites catalyzes sulfur redox in potassium-sulfur battery

Evolutionary salp swarm algorithm with multi-search strategies and advanced memory mechanism for solving global optimization and complex engineering problems

REG3A and IL22 have opposite effects on fat accumulation in the liver in a high-fat diet

Abstract IL22 is a cytokine with many immunoregulatory effects. It also promotes mucus production, cell proliferation and wound healing, making it a key component of intestinal health. An increasing body of studies highlight the potential of IL22 as a therapeutic drug against NAFLD through the induction of antimicrobial peptides, especially of the Reg3 lectins family, and the regulation of gut microbiota. However, adverse reactions to this molecule in long term administration are little-studied. In this study, we gave daily doses of recombinant L. lactis delivering DNA vaccine for REG3A and IL-22 production to mice fed with a butter-based high fat diet (milk-fat diet or MFD). We aim to compare the effects of REG3A and IL-22 expression by the epithelial cells on the development of obesity-related conditions and the composition of the microbiota. We show that they have opposite effects on fat accumulation in the liver and insulin resistance development despite inducing a similar shift in fecal microbiota composition. Here, we provide evidence that daily long term administration of IL22 can aggravate NAFLD by mechanisms independent from gut microbiota.

Engineered exosomes with KrasG12D specific siRNA in pancreatic cancer: a phase I study with immunological correlates

Influence of deposition technique on the structural and optical properties of CuS thin films for hole transport layers

Abstract This study presents a direct comparison of copper (II) sulfide (CuS) thin films fabricated by spin coating and doctor blade coating as hole transport layers (HTLs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Both sets of films were fully characterized using Xray diffraction (XRD) to determine crystallinity and grain size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphology, energydispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDAX) for composition, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy for optical bandgap, Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for surface chemistry, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) for energy-level alignment and found to be crystalline and phase‐pure. Doctor bladecoated films exhibited larger crystallite sizes (≈ 44.9 nm vs. 37.45 nm), slightly lower band gaps (3.15 eV vs. 3.23 eV), and despite higher microstrain and dislocation density, a closer valence band maximum (VBM = − 5.44 eV vs. − 5.99 eV) and conduction band minimum (CBM = − 2.29 eV vs. − 2.76 eV) to the MAPbBr₃ perovskite absorber. When these experimental parameters were incorporated into three‐dimensional drift–diffusion simulations under AM1.5G illumination, the doctor blade HTL yielded a projected power conversion efficiency of 41.7% driven by high charge density (> 10²⁴ cm⁻³) and low recombination rates (~ 1 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹) compared to 39.5% for the spincoated film. These results demonstrate that, while both deposition methods produce viable CuS HTLs, the doctor blade technique offers superior energylevel compatibility, scalable processing, and costeffectiveness for highefficiency, largearea PSC manufacturing.