Multi-Sensor-Based Blind-Spot Reduction Technology and a Data-Logging Method Using a Gesture Recognition Algorithm Based on Micro E-Mobility in an IoT Environment.

Autonomous driving is evolving through the convergence of object recognition using multiple sensors in the fourth industrial revolution. In this paper, we propose a system that utilizes data logging to control the functions of micro e-mobility vehicles (MEVs) and to build a database for autonomous driving with a gesture recognition algorithm for use in an IoT environment. The proposed system uses multiple sensors installed in an MEV to log driving data as the vehicle operates and to recognize objects surrounding the MEV to remove blind spots. In addition, the proposed system is capable of multi-sensor control and data logging for the MEV based on a gesture recognition algorithm, and it can provide safety information to allow the system to address blind spots or unexpected situations by recognizing the appearances or gestures of pedestrians around the MEV. The proposed system can be applied and extended in various fields, such as 5G communication, autonomous driving, and AI, which are the core technologies of the fourth industrial revolution.

Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by charged particles for Future Vaccine Production Applications: A Monte Carlo study.

The world is still suffering from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and the number of infected people is still growing in many countries in 2022. Although great strides have been made to produce effective vaccines, efforts in this field should be accelerated, particularly due to the emergence of new variants. Using inactivated viruses is a conventional method of vaccine production. High levels of ionizing radiation can effectively inactivate viruses. Recently, studies on SARS-CoV-2 irradiation using low-LET radiations (e.g., gamma rays) have been performed. However, there are insufficient studies on the impact of charged particles on the inactivation of this virus. In this study, a realistic structure of SARS-CoV-2 is simulated by using Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit, and the effect of electrons, protons, alphas, C-12, and Fe-56 ions on the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 is investigated. The simulation results indicated that densely ionizing (high-LET) particles have the advantage of minimum number of damaged spike proteins per single RNA break. The RNA breaks induced by hydroxyl radicals produced in the surrounding water medium were significant only for electron beam radiation. Hence, indirect RNA breaks induced by densely ionizing particles is negligible. From a simulation standpoint, alpha particles (with energies up to 30 MeV) as well as C-12 ions (with energies up to 80 MeV/n), and Fe-56 ions (with any energy) can be introduced as particles of choice for effective SARS-CoV-2 inactivation.

Performance of Four IgM Antibody Assays in the Diagnosis of Measles Virus Primary Infection and Cases with a Serological Profile Indicating Reinfection.

The object of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of four commercially available IgM tests in the diagnosis of measles virus (MeV) primary infection and cases with a serological profile indicating reinfection. Sera from 187 patients with MeV primary infection, 30 patients with suspected reinfection (after vaccine failure), and 153 patients with rash-like symptoms after exclusion of MeV infection were retested with four IgM tests. MeV infection was verified by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), and primary and suspected reinfections were differentiated by IgG avidity and neutralization assays. All IgM assays displayed significant agreement (Cohen's κ, ≥0.604; all P < 0.001) and a higher diagnostic accuracy in primary infection than in suspected reinfection (indicated by high IgG avidity and significantly higher anti-MeV-IgG and neutralizing titers). In the overall cohort, the areas under the curve (AUC) were comparable among all tests, ranging from 0.875 to 0.931, with ranges increasing to 0.911 to 0.930 in the primary infection and decreasing to 0.765 to 0.940 in the setting of high anti-MeV-IgG avidity, and all tests displayed high specificity (81.1 to 92.2%). Of note, IgM tests with the highest diagnostic accuracy had discriminatory abilities not significantly different than PCR from serum. Although reinfections pose a challenge for IgM testing, IgM assays remain a cornerstone in the diagnosis of MeV infections. Especially in samples with a serological profile indicating reinfections, IgM tests displayed an equal or even superior diagnostic ability compared to PCR from serum.

Electrochemical investigations for COVID-19 detection-A comparison with other viral detection methods.

Virus-induced infection such as SARS-CoV-2 is a serious threat to human health and the economic setback of the world. Continued advances in the development of technologies are required before the viruses undergo mutation. The low concentration of viruses in environmental samples makes the detection extremely challenging; simple, accurate and rapid detection methods are in urgent need. Of all the analytical techniques, electrochemical methods have the established capabilities to address the issues. Particularly, the integration of nanotechnology would allow miniature devices to be made available at the point-of-care. This review outlines the capabilities of electrochemical methods in conjunction with nanotechnology for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Future directions and challenges of the electrochemical biosensors for pathogen detection are covered including wearable and conformal biosensors, detection of plant pathogens, multiplexed detection, and reusable biosensors for on-site monitoring, thereby providing low-cost and disposable biosensors.

Elevated CXCL10 Serum Levels in Measles Virus Primary Infection and Reinfection Correlate With the Serological Stage and Hospitalization Status.

We quantified serum concentrations of chemokine CXCL10 in 288 patients with measles virus (MeV) primary infection and 16 patients with reinfection (vaccine failure). CXCL10 peaked with emergence of IgM antibodies and was elevated in hospitalized patients (3233 vs 1930 pg/mL, P < .0001). CXCL10 differed between primary and reinfection (1958 vs 932 pg/mL, P = .0402). In comparison to other viral infections with rash-like symptoms, CXCL10 was highly elevated in MeV infection (area under the curve = 0.935; 95% confidence interval, .905-.965; P < .0001). CXCL10 is a potential marker for diagnosis, stage, and severity of MeV infection.

Antiviral potential of garlic (Allium sativum) and its organosulfur compounds: A systematic update of pre-clinical and clinical data.

BACKGROUND: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a common herb consumed worldwide as functional food and traditional remedy for the prevention of infectious diseases since ancient time. Garlic and its active organosulfur compounds (OSCs) have been reported to alleviate a number of viral infections in pre-clinical and clinical investigations. However, so far no systematic review on its antiviral effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms exists. SCOPE AND APPROACH: The aim of this review is to systematically summarize pre-clinical and clinical investigations on antiviral effects of garlic and its OSCs as well as to further analyse recent findings on the mechanisms that underpin these antiviral actions. PubMed, Cochrane library, Google Scholar and Science Direct databases were searched and articles up to June 2020 were included in this review. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Pre-clinical data demonstrated that garlic and its OSCs have potential antiviral activity against different human, animal and plant pathogenic viruses through blocking viral entry into host cells, inhibiting viral RNA polymerase, reverse transcriptase, DNA synthesis and immediate-early gene 1(IEG1) transcription, as well as through downregulating the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. The alleviation of viral infection was also shown to link with immunomodulatory effects of garlic and its OSCs. Clinical studies further demonstrated a prophylactic effect of garlic in the prevention of widespread viral infections in humans through enhancing the immune response. This review highlights that garlic possesses significant antiviral activity and can be used prophylactically in the prevention of viral infections.

Valine Radiolysis by H+, He+, N+, and S15+ MeV Ions.

Radiolysis of biomolecules by fast ions has interest in medical applications and astrobiology. The radiolysis of solid D-valine (0.2-2 µm thick) was performed at room temperature by 1.5 MeV H+, He+, N+, and 230 MeV S15+ ion beams. The samples were prepared by spraying/dropping valine-water-ethanol solution on ZnSe substrate. Radiolysis was monitored by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) through the evolution of the intensity of the valine infrared 2900, 1329, 1271, 948, and 716 cm-1 bands as a function of projectile fluence. At the end of sample irradiation, residues (tholins) presenting a brownish color are observed. The dependence of the apparent (sputtering + radiolysis) destruction cross section, σd, on the beam stopping power in valine is found to follow the power law σd = aSen, with n close to 1. Thus, σd is approximately proportional to the absorbed dose. Destruction rates due to the main galactic cosmic ray species are calculated, yielding a million year half-life for solid valine in space. Data obtained in this work aim a better understanding on the radioresistance of complex organic molecules and formation of radioproducts.

Gliadin intake induces oxidative-stress responses in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Clinical attention to gluten-related disorders, such as celiac disease and nonceliac gluten sensitivity, is on the rise. However, identifying the pathophysiological mechanisms of gluten-related disorders remains elusive. Gliadin, a component of gluten, is known to play a major role in gluten toxicity. Caenorhabditis elegans has been widely used as the predominant experimental animal model to study toxicity and stress response in biomedical research. We investigated the stress response induced by gliadin intake in C. elegans to evaluate its toxicity and found brood size, body bending, and pumping rates to be significantly altered in response to gliadin. Notably, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and Pgst-4::GFP transgene expression, an indicator of the oxidative-stress response, were significantly increased after gliadin intake. Reduced pumping rates were most likely caused by gliadin-induced oxidative stress, since pumping rates in oxidative stress-sensitive mev-1 mutants were more severely reduced than in oxidative stress-resistant daf-2 mutants following gliadin intake. Our results indicated that gluten/gliadin intake in C. elegans triggered ROS production and induced an oxidative stress response that reduced pumping rates and decreased brood size. We suggest C. elegans to be a useful model system for studying gluten/gliadin toxicity.

Identification of a previously undetected metabolic defect in the Complex II Caenorhabditis elegans mev-1 mutant strain using respiratory control analysis.

Hypometabolism may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ageing and ageing-related diseases. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offers the opportunity to study "living mitochondria" in a small (~1 mm) animal replete with a highly stereotypical, yet complex, anatomy and physiology. Basal oxygen consumption rate is often employed as a proxy for energy metabolism in this context. This parameter is traditionally measured using single-chamber Clark electrodes without the addition of metabolic modulators. Recently, multi-well oxygen electrodes, facilitating addition of metabolic modulators and hence study of respiratory control during different mitochondrial respiration states, have been developed. However, only limited official protocols exist for C. elegans, and key limitations of these techniques are therefore unclear. Following modification and testing of some of the existing protocols, we used these methods to explore mitochondrial bioenergetics in live nematodes of an electron transfer chain Complex II mutant strain, mev-1, and identified a previously undetected metabolic defect. We find that mev-1 mutants cannot respond adequately to increased energy demands, suggesting that oxidative phosphorylation is more severely impaired in these animals than has previously been appreciated.

Do You Want to Hear the Bad News? The Value of Diagnostic Tests for Alzheimer's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains difficult. Lack of diagnostic certainty or possible distress related to a positive result from diagnostic testing could limit the application of new testing technologies. The objective of this paper is to quantify respondents' preferences for obtaining AD diagnostic tests and to estimate the perceived value of AD test information. METHODS: Discrete-choice experiment and contingent-valuation questions were administered to respondents in Germany and the United Kingdom. Choice data were analyzed by using random-parameters logit. A probit model characterized respondents who were not willing to take a test. RESULTS: Most respondents indicated a positive value for AD diagnostic test information. Respondents who indicated an interest in testing preferred brain imaging without the use of radioactive markers. German respondents had relatively lower money-equivalent values for test features compared with respondents in the United Kingdom. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents preferred less invasive diagnostic procedures and tests with higher accuracy and expressed a willingness to pay up to €700 to receive a less invasive test with the highest accuracy.

Molecular mechanisms of resistance to human pathogenic bacteria in Caenorhabditis elegans by MEV-1 mediated oxidative stress.

Both mutation and knockdown in mev-1 gene render Caenorhabditis elegans susceptibility to Enterococcus faecalis infection. However, the mechanisms by which of MEV-1 defects pathogen resistance remain unclear. Here we show that mev-1RNAi causes a dramatic decrease in oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme expressions, thereby leading to increased E. faecalis accumulation in nematode intestine. Mitochondrial superoxide change after infection induced these oxidative responses through DAF-16 activity. All together, this highlights MEV-1 as a key regulatory component for determining genetic responsiveness to oxidant/antioxidant imbalance that is associated with innate immunity.

Development and psychometric validation of a brief scale to measure environmental perception based on the 2-major environmental values model in adolescents and adults.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide ecological crisis, including global climate change, is leading to increased awareness and attitudes towards environmental problems. To address these problems, studies of human attitudes are needed. This study is based on the 2-Major Environmental Values (2-MEV) model, which measures two components of environmental attitudes: Preservation and Utilization. The model has been applied to both, adolescents and adults. After decades of use, it is necessary to review the psychometric scale and update the wording. Developing short or even super-short scales to measure well-established constructs is necessary due to time constraints, compliance or fatigue due to language issues. METHODS: We applied an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to a dataset containing 20 items from the 2-MEV model to reduce the scale to 6 items, 3 per dimension using parallel analysis, scree plot examination and eigen-value greater than 0 as criteria. The scale was then applied to adults and the sample was split for EFA and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was then used to assess invariance across age and gender. Finally, regression and linear models were used to examine the effects of age and gender in both, adults and adolescents. RESULTS: The 2-MEV model was replicated in the EFA and CFA and the correlated two-factor model showed the best fit. The scale showed configural and metric invariance across age and gender, and scale invariance across gender. Gender and age effects were replicated in relation to previous studies. DISCUSSION: The brief scale showed good model indices and convergent validity. IMPLICATIONS: The brief scale of the 2-MEV model can be applied in situations where environmental attitudes are important, but time constraints (internet surveys), compliance, or language problems may hinder the use of longer scales.

Production of 117mSn and 119mSn by photonuclear reactions on natural antimony.

Natural antimony targets were irradiated in a 60 MeV bremsstrahlung beam and gamma spectrometric measurements were performed. The goal was to establish the yield of 117mSn, a radionuclide with great potential for application in medicine. Considering that 117mSn is predominantly produced through a photonuclear reaction in which an charged particle is emitted (121Sb(γ,p3n)), the yield of this tin isotope is much lower than the yields of several antimony isotopes produced in (γ,xn) reactions. It has been estimated that photonuclear reactions on natural antimony could produce 117mSn activities needed for therapeutic applications, with accelerators having electron currents of the order of mA. For the used bremsstrahlung energy of 60 MeV, it was estimated how much 119mSn activity can be expected when exposing the antimony target.

Production of pharmaceutical grade [201Tl]Thallous chloride using 30 MeV cyclotron.

Multiple patient doses of [201Tl]TlCl has been produced using electrodeposited enriched 203Tl in 30 MeV cyclotron (Cyclone-30) with 28 MeV proton energy at 50 µA beam current for 8 h. Ion Exchange Column Chromatography (IECC) and liquid-liquid extraction has been employed for semi-automated radiochemical separation and purification of produced [201Tl]TlCl. The produced [201Tl]TlCl was used in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Proteomic profiling of membrane vesicles from Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis: Navigating towards an insilico design of a multi-epitope vaccine targeting membrane vesicle proteins.

Bacteria typically produce membrane vesicles (MVs) at varying levels depending on the surrounding environments. Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have been extensively studied for over 30 years, but MVs from Gram-positive bacteria only recently have been a focus of research. In the present study, we isolated MVs from Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and analyzed their protein composition using LC-MS/MS. A total of 316 overlapping proteins from two independent preparations were identified in our study, and topology prediction showed these cargo proteins have different subcellular localization patterns. When MVs were administered to bovine-derived macrophages, significant up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines was observed via qRT-PCR. Proteome functional annotation revealed that many of these proteins are involved in the cellular protein metabolic process, tRNA aminoacylation, and ATP synthesis. Secretory proteins with high antigenicity and adhesion capability were mapped for B-cell and T-cell epitopes. Antigenic, Immunogenic and IFN-γ inducing B-cell, MHC-I, and MHC-II epitopes were stitched together through linkers to form multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) construct against MAP. Strong binding energy was observed during the docking of the 3D structure of the MEV with the bovine TLR2, suggesting that the putative MEV may be a promising vaccine candidate against MAP. However, in vitro and in vivo analysis is required to prove the immunogenic concept of the MEV which we will follow in our future studies. SIGNIFICANCE: Johne's disease is a chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis that has a potential link to Crohn's disease in humans. The disease is characterized by persistent diarrhea and enteritis, resulting in significant economic losses due to reduced milk yield and premature culling of infected animals. The dairy industry in the United States alone experiences losses of approximately USD 250 million due to Johne's disease. The current vaccine against Johne's disease is limited by several factors, including variable efficacy, limited duration of protection, interference with diagnostic tests, inability to prevent infection, and logistical and cost-related challenges. Nevertheless, a multiepitope vaccine design approach targeting M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis has the potential to overcome these challenges and offer improved protection against Johne's disease.

Optimize Electron Beam Energy toward In Situ Imaging of Thick Frozen Bio-Samples with Nanometer Resolution Using MeV-STEM.

To optimize electron energy for in situ imaging of large biological samples up to 10 µm in thickness with nanoscale resolutions, we implemented an analytical model based on elastic and inelastic characteristic angles. This model has been benchmarked by Monte Carlo simulations and can be used to predict the transverse beam size broadening as a function of electron energy while the probe beam traverses through the sample. As a result, the optimal choice of the electron beam energy can be realized. In addition, the impact of the dose-limited resolution was analysed. While the sample thickness is less than 10 µm, there exists an optimal electron beam energy below 10 MeV regarding a specific sample thickness. However, for samples thicker than 10 µm, the optimal beam energy is 10 MeV or higher depending on the sample thickness, and the ultimate resolution could become worse with the increase in the sample thickness. Moreover, a MeV-STEM column based on a two-stage lens system can be applied to reduce the beam size from one micron at aperture to one nanometre at the sample with the energy tuning range from 3 to 10 MeV. In conjunction with the state-of-the-art ultralow emittance electron source that we recently implemented, the maximum size of an electron beam when it traverses through an up to 10 µm thick bio-sample can be kept less than 10 nm. This is a critical step toward the in situ imaging of large, thick biological samples with nanometer resolution.

Oocyte mitochondria link maternal environment to offspring phenotype.

During maturation oocytes undergo a recently discovered mitochondrial proteome remodeling event in flies1, frogs1, and humans2. This oocyte mitochondrial remodeling, which includes substantial changes in electron transport chain (ETC) subunit abundance1,2, is regulated by maternal insulin signaling1. Why oocytes undergo mitochondrial remodeling is unknown, with some speculating that it might be an evolutionarily conserved mechanism to protect oocytes from genotoxic damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS)2. In Caenorhabditis elegans, we previously found that maternal exposure to osmotic stress drives a 50-fold increase in offspring survival in response to future osmotic stress3. Like mitochondrial remodeling, we found that this intergenerational adaptation is also regulated by insulin signaling to oocytes3. Here, we used proteomics and genetic manipulations to show that insulin signaling to oocytes regulates offspring's ability to adapt to future stress via a mechanism that depends on ETC composition in maternal oocytes. Specifically, we found that maternally expressed mutant alleles of nduf-7 (complex I subunit) or isp-1 (complex III subunit) altered offspring's response to osmotic stress at hatching independently of offspring genotype. Furthermore, we found that expressing wild-type isp-1 in germ cells (oocytes) was sufficient to restore offspring's normal response to osmotic stress. Chemical mutagenesis screens revealed that maternal ETC composition regulates offspring's response to stress by altering AMP kinase function in offspring which in turn regulates both ATP and glycerol metabolism in response to continued osmotic stress. To our knowledge, these data are the first to show that proper oocyte ETC composition is required to link a mother's environment to adaptive changes in offspring metabolism. The data also raise the possibility that the reason diverse animals exhibit insulin regulated remodeling of oocyte mitochondria is to tailor offspring metabolism to best match the environment of their mother.

Charge distribution studies in the epi-cadmium neutron induced fission of 238Pu.

Studies on charge distribution have been carried out in the epi-cadmium neutron induced fission of 238Pu for the first time. Experimentally fractional cumulative yields (FCY) and independent yields (IY) of various fission products have been measured by using an off-line γ-ray spectrometric technique. From the FCY values, the charge distribution parameters such as the isobaric width parameter (σZ), most probable charge (ZP) and the charge polarization (ΔΖEXPT) as a function of fragment mass were obtained. On the other hand, from the measured IY values, isotopic width parameter (σA), the most probable mass (AP) and the elemental yields (YZ) of Sn, Sb, Te, I, Xe, Cs, Ba, La, Ce and Pr were determined by using a non-linear fit. From the YZ values, the proton even-odd effect (δp) was obtained for the first time. The isobaric and isotopic charge distribution parameters in the 238Pu(nf, f) reaction were compared with the similar data in the thermal neutron induced fission of 238Pu and other actinides to examine the role of excitation energy.

Charge distribution studies in the epi-cadmium neutron induced fission of 235U.

For the first time, charge distribution studies have been carried out in the epi-cadmium neutron induced fission of 235U by measuring the fractional cumulative yields (FCY) and independent yields (IY) of various fission products. An off-line γ-ray spectrometric technique was used for the measurements. The average energy of the epi-cadmium neutron spectrum is 1.9 MeV. From the FCY values, the isobaric width parameter (σZ), most probable charge (ZP) and the charge polarization (ΔΖEXPT) as a function of fragment mass were obtained. Similarly, from the IY values, isotopic width parameter (σA), the most probable mass (AP) and the elemental yields (YZ) of Sn, Sb, Te, I, Xe, Cs, Ba, La, Ce and Pr were determined by using a non-linear fit. From the YZ values, the proton even-odd effect (δp) was obtained for the first time. The present data in the 235U(n, f) reaction were compared with the similar data in the 235U(nth, f) and 238U(n, f) reactions as well as of other actinides to examine the role of excitation energy and pairing effect.

Independent isomeric yield ratios of fission products in the epi-cadmium neutron induced fission of 239Pu.

Measurement of independent isomeric yield ratios (IR) of 128,130,132Sb, 131,133Te, 132.134,136I, 135Xe and 138Cs have been carried out for the first time in the epi-cadmium neutron induced fission of 239Pu by using an off-line gamma-ray spectrometric technique. The average neutron energy () of the epi-cadmium reactor neutron spectrum is 1.9 MeV. From the IR values, root mean square fragment angular momenta (JRMS) were deduced by using spin dependent statistical model analysis. Effect of nuclear structure on JRMS values was examined. The present data in the epi-cadmium neutron induced fission of 239Pu were compared with the similar data in the thermal neutron induced fission of 239Pu to examine the role of excitation energy on JRMS values.