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Gelatin is a multifunctional protein with numerous applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The increased global demand for gelatin and issues regarding mammalian collagen have prompted an imperative urge for alternative sources. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of ultrasound-assisted extraction on the physicochemical, functional, and bioactive attributes of gelatin obtained from Tenualosa ilisha scales. Ultrasound-assisted gelatin (UAG) extraction substantially increased the yield (34.49%), reducing fat and moisture content compared to water bath gelatin (WBG) extraction (20.06%). Sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed α1, α2, and β chains, corroborating a triple helical conformation with UAG displaying shorter peptide composition. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showcased distinct peaks for amide- I, II, III, and A with decreased molecular order owing to ultrasound treatment. The WBG exhibited a lower UV-transmittance and a higher gel melting temperature, whereby, UAG displayed an excellent foaming capacity and stability with improved performance at higher concentrations. The WBG demonstrated superior emulsion activity and stability index, however, the emulsion activity of both gelatins declined with increasing concentrations. The gelatins showed a similar water-holding capacity, although WBG possessed a greater fat-binding capacity compared to UAG. However, UAG demonstrated enhanced antioxidant effects, revealing an IC50 of 121.17 ± 2.38 for scavenging free radicals and an EC50 of 184.48 ± 3.16 for reducing Fe3+, thus, minimizing oxidative stress. The findings will offer novel insights into the influence of ultrasound treatment on the properties of fish scale gelatin and developing methods for tailoring scale gelatin for food and pharmaceutical interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on using various machine learning (ML) models to evaluate the shear behaviors of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) beams reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. The main objective of the study is to predict the shear strength of UHPC beams reinforced with GFRP bars using ML models. We use four different ML models: support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), random forest (R.F.), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). The experimental database used in the study is acquired from various literature sources and comprises 54 test observations with 11 input features. These input features are likely parameters related to the composition, geometry, and properties of the UHPC beams and GFRP bars. To ensure the ML models' generalizability and scalability, random search methods are utilized to tune the hyperparameters of the algorithms. This tuning process helps improve the performance of the models when predicting the shear strength. The study uses the ACI318M-14 and Eurocode 2 standard building codes to predict the shear capacity behavior of GFRP bars-reinforced UHPC I-shaped beams. The ML models' predictions are compared to the results obtained from these building code standards. According to the findings, the XGBoost model demonstrates the highest predictive test performance among the investigated ML models. The study employs the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis to assess the significance of each input parameter in the ML models' predictive capabilities. A Taylor diagram is used to statistically compare the accuracy of the ML models. This study concludes that ML models, particularly XGBoost, can effectively predict the shear capacity behavior of GFRP bars-reinforced UHPC I-shaped beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown tremendous success in the detection of objects and vehicles in recent years. However, when using CNNs to identify real-time vehicle detection in a moving context remains difficult. Many obscured and truncated cars, as well as huge vehicle scale fluctuations in traffic photos, provide these issues. To improve the performance of detection findings, we used multiscale feature maps from CNN or input pictures with numerous resolutions to adapt the base network to match different scales. This research presents an enhanced framework depending on Faster R-CNN for rapid vehicle recognition which presents better accuracy and fast processing time. Research results on our custom dataset indicate that our recommended methodology performed better in terms of detection efficiency and processing time, especially in comparison to the earlier age of Faster R-CNN models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional convolutional neural networks (CNNs) present a high computational workload and memory access cost (CMC). Spectral domain CNNs (SpCNNs) offer a computationally efficient approach to compute CNN training and inference. This paper investigates CMC of SpCNNs and its contributing components analytically and then proposes a methodology to optimize CMC, under three strategies, to enhance inference performance. In this methodology, output feature map (OFM) size, OFM depth or both are progressively reduced under an accuracy constraint to compute performance-optimized CNN inference. Before conducting training or testing, it can provide designers guidelines and preliminary insights regarding techniques for optimum performance, least degradation in accuracy and a balanced performance–accuracy trade-off. This methodology was evaluated on MNIST and Fashion MNIST datasets using LeNet-5 and AlexNet architectures. When compared to state-of-the-art SpCNN models, LeNet-5 achieves up to 4.2× (batch inference) and 4.1× (single-image inference) higher throughputs and 10.5× (batch inference) and 4.2× (single-image inference) greater energy efficiency at a maximum loss of 3% in test accuracy. When compared to the baseline model used in this study, AlexNet delivers 11.6× (batch inference) and 5× (single-image inference) increased throughput and 25× (batch inference) and 8.8× (single-image inference) more energy-efficient inference with just 4.4% reduction in accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The penetration of microwave power inside a human head model is improved by employing a dielectric loaded rectangular waveguide as the transmission source. A multi-layer reflection model is investigated to evaluate the combined material characteristics of different lossy human head tissues at 2.45 GHz. A waveguide loaded with a calculated permittivity of 3.62 is shown to maximise the microwave power penetration at the desired frequency. A Quartz (SiO2) loaded rectangular waveguide fed by a microstrip antenna is designed to validate the power penetration improvement inside an inhomogeneous human head phantom. A measured 1.33 dB power penetration increment is observed for the dielectric loaded waveguide over a standard rectangular waveguide at 50 mm inside the head, with an 81.9% reduction in the size of the transmission source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is a pro-inflammatory angiogenic mediator that promotes many pathologies including diabetic complications and atherosclerosis. Widespread endothelial dysfunction precedes the onset of these conditions. As very little is known of the mechanism(s) controlling PlGF expression in pathology we investigated the role of hyperglycaemia in the regulation of PlGF production in endothelial cells. Hyperglycaemia stimulated PlGF secretion in cultured primary endothelial cells, which was suppressed by IGF-1-mediated PI3K/Akt activation. Inhibition of PI3K activity resulted in significant PlGF mRNA up-regulation and protein secretion. Similarly, loss or inhibition of Akt activity significantly increased basal PlGF expression and prevented any further PlGF secretion in hyperglycaemia. Conversely, constitutive Akt activation blocked PlGF secretion irrespective of upstream PI3K activity demonstrating that Akt is a central regulator of PlGF expression. Knock-down of the Forkhead box O-1 (FOXO1) transcription factor, which is negatively regulated by Akt, suppressed both basal and hyperglycaemia-induced PlGF secretion, whilst FOXO1 gain-of-function up-regulated PlGF in vitro and in vivo. FOXO1 association to a FOXO binding sequence identified in the PlGF promoter also increased in hyperglycaemia. This study identifies the PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 signalling axis as a key regulator of PlGF expression and unifying pathway by which PlGF may contribute to common disorders characterised by endothelial dysfunction, providing a target for therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a 3-year study on cycling infrastructure, a smartphone app was developed to passively collect location information from about 500 participants resulting in 96 million observations. By using WiFi and network location rather than the Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver in the smartphones, the app is able to collect frequent and good quality location data for long periods of time without limiting the use of the smartphones for other purposes. Tests of the data collected using the smartphone app compared to a standalone GPS devices carried by the same participants are presented to provide evidence of the relative differences between the methods presented here with those traditionally used with GPS travel surveys. The data are then used to identify trip stops using a new method that employs a moving average position and incorporates mechanisms that are used to detect relatively short stops including stops involving a transfer of transport mode. In total 86,407 stops are identified with a median time of 1 h and a spatial distribution consistent with the travel diary data collected as part of the same study. The duration of the detected stops are also reasonably consistent with those from the travel diary for stops detected at activity locations such as workplaces. This paper provides evidence of the feasibility of using smartphone WiFi and network location sensors to collect and process data that can be used for analysis of travel behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the electrical and electronic products are a crucial commodity for different purposes of daily life and they are multiplying five times faster than human like mobile phones, which has reached zero to 7.2 billion in only three decades. A 5-10% yearly increase in the amount of used electrical and electronic equipment that are disposed of prudently can cause environmental hazards that have an aversive effect on human health, marine life, contamination of groundwater, and reduces soil's fertility. Management of this enormous influx of electrical and electronic waste is a challenge for developing countries like Bangladesh with barebones solid waste management infrastructure. Inadequacy of public awareness, policies and poor budget in the field of waste management are few of the key factors behind this delineating scenario. In this study, the picture electrical and electronic waste productions in Bangladesh along with the recent E-waste management systems have been presented comprehensively. Based on the study, it was concluded that most of the adapted E-waste management methods are conversational and detached from current technological capability. A set of sustainable E-waste management system has been suggested along with the challenges, which might appear during the implementation of these strategies. Successful implementation of these suggested systems would advance the quality of E-waste management in Bangladesh increasing the current 35% overall E-waste recycling rate and offer enormous energy from the waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium alginate (CA) wafer dressings were prepared by lyophilization of hydrogels to deliver ciprofloxacin (CIP) directly to the wound site of infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The dressings were physically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), texture analysis (for mechanical and in vitro adhesion properties), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further, functional properties essential for wound healing, i.e., porosity, in vitro swelling index, water absorption (Aw), equilibrium water content (EWC), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), evaporative water loss (EWL), moisture content, in vitro drug release and kinetics, antimicrobial activity, and cell viability (MTT assay) were investigated. The wafers were soft, of uniform texture and thickness, and pliable in nature. Wafers showed ideal wound dressing characteristics in terms of fluid handling properties due to high porosity (SEM). XRD confirmed crystalline nature of the dressings and FTIR showed hydrogen bond formation between CA and CIP. The dressings showed initial fast release followed by sustained drug release which can inhibit and prevent re-infection caused by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The dressings also showed biocompatibility (> 85% cell viability over 72 h) with human adult keratinocytes. Therefore, it will be a potential medicated dressing for patients with DFUs infected with drug-resistant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of stable personal travel-time expenditure has been debated for more than 40 years. Aggregate research has supported this notion, while disaggregate research has largely failed to find evidence. In this paper, a unique data set containing multi-day GPS measurements of travel time expenditures over a period from 5 to 8 years is used to examine the evidence for stable daily personal travel-time expenditures. The evidence from this study adds further support to the notion that people expend a stable amount of travel time over a period as long as 8 years, and the average level of such expenditure accords almost exactly with that claimed over the years from aggregate studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe preeclampsia is associated with increased neutrophil activation and elevated serum soluble endoglin (sEng) and soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) in the maternal circulation. To dissect the contribution of systemic inflammation and anti-angiogenic factors in preeclampsia, we investigated the relationships between the circulating markers of neutrophil activation and anti-angiogenic factors in severe preeclampsia or systemic inflammatory state during pregnancy. Methods and results: Serum sEng, sFlt-1, placenta growth factor, interleukin-6 (IL-6), calprotectin, and plasma α-defensins concentrations were measured by ELISA in 88 women of similar gestational age stratified as: severe preeclampsia (sPE, n = 45), maternal systemic inflammatory response (SIR, n = 16) secondary to chorioamnionitis, pyelonephritis or appendicitis; and normotensive controls (CRL, n = 27). Neutrophil activation occurred in sPE and SIR, as α-defensins and calprotectin concentrations were two-fold higher in both groups compared to CRL ( P < 0.05 for each). IL-6 concentrations were highest in SIR ( P < 0.001), but were higher in sPE than in CRL ( P < 0.01). sFlt-1 ( P < 0.001) and sEng ( P < 0.001) were ≈20-fold higher in sPE compared to CRL, but were not elevated in SIR. In women with sPE, anti-angiogenic factors were not correlated with markers of neutrophil activation (α-defensins, calprotectin) or inflammation (IL-6). Conclusions: Increased systemic inflammation in sPE and SIR does not correlate with increased anti-angiogenic factors, which were specifically elevated in sPE indicating that excessive systemic inflammation is unlikely to be the main contributor to severe preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe preeclampsia is associated with increased neutrophil activation and elevated serum soluble endoglin (sEng) and soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) in the maternal circulation. To dissect the contribution of systemic inflammation and anti-angiogenic factors in preeclampsia, we investigated the relationships between the circulating markers of neutrophil activation and anti-angiogenic factors in severe preeclampsia or systemic inflammatory state during pregnancy. Methods and results: Serum sEng, sFlt-1, placenta growth factor (PlGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), calprotectin, and plasma α-defensins were measured by ELISA in 88 women of similar gestational age stratified as: severe preeclampsia (sPE, n = 45), maternal systemic inflammatory response (SIR, n = 16) secondary to chorioamnionitis, pyelonephritis or appendicitis, and normotensive controls (CRL, n = 27). Neutrophil activation occurred in sPE and SIR, as α-defensins and calprotectin concentrations were two-fold higher in both groups compared to CRL ( P < 0.05 for each). IL-6 concentrations were highest in SIR ( P < 0.001) but were higher in sPE than in CRL ( P < 0.01). sFlt-1 ( P < 0.001) and sEng ( P < 0.001) were ≈20-fold higher in sPE compared to CRL, but were not elevated in SIR. In women with sPE, anti-angiogenic factors were not correlated with markers of neutrophil activation (α-defensins and calprotectin) or inflammation (IL-6). Conclusions: Increased systemic inflammation in sPE and SIR does not correlate with increased anti-angiogenic factors, which were specifically elevated in sPE indicating that excessive systemic inflammation is unlikely to be the main contributor to severe preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibitor kappaB kinase β (IKK β) is a serine-threonine protein kinase that is critically involved in the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in response to various inflammatory stimuli. IKK β-selective inhibitors could prove useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In the absence of structural information, a ligand-based approach can serve as an alternative to the virtual screening of large databases. We have developed a 3D QSAR pharmacophore model based on 23 IKK β inhibitors with 3 nM ≤ IC ≤ 50000 nM. A four-feature pharmacophore containing a hydrophobic (Hy) feature, two ring aromatic (RA) features, and a hydrogen bond donor (D) feature was constructed. It yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.93 with experimentally determined activity data, and a correlation coefficient of 0.77 with training set activity data. The best hypothesis, Hypo 1, was validated by estimating the activities of 136 compounds in a test set. As well as the correlation analysis and test set activity estimation, a Fisher's validation test was conducted at the 95% confidence level. The pharmacophore model's specificity and selectivity were determined in an exhaustive enrichment study. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test whether blood pressure-to-height ratio (BPHR) can be used to screen for hypertension in children. Methods: Data regarding blood pressure and other variables was recorded for 2702 school children between the ages of 10-16 years as a part of a nutritional survey. Results: The optimal thresholds for defining hypertension in boys were 0.76 for systolic BPHR and 0.50 for diastolic BPHR; the respective threshold in girls were 0.80 and 0.52. Conclusion: BPHR can be used as an effective screening test for diagnosing both hypertension and prehypertension in children aged 10-16 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the relation between maternal overt hypothyroidism and neurodevelopmental outcome of neonates in iodine-deficient region of Northern India (Kashmir Valley). Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Endocrinology department of a tertiary-care hospital. Participants: 82 hypothyroid pregnant women were enrolled and followed up till delivery. The neonates born to this group represented the case neonates. 51 euthyroid healthy pregnant women were selected as control group. The neonates born to these mothers served as controls. Main outcome measures: Early neonatal behavioral assessment at 3-4 weeks of age. Results: The mean TSH and free T4 in neonates of mothers with well controlled hypothyroidism was significantly different from those born to mothers with poorly controlled hypothyroidism and controls in 1st trimester, but the difference was statistically insignificant for 2nd and 3rd trimester values. Conclusion: Overt maternal hypothyroidism in iodine-deficient area constitutes a risk factor for an abnormal neurobehavioral development of affected child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of preeclampsia, a life-threatening complication of pregnancy characterised by hypertension and elevated soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1 (sFlt-1). Dysregulation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by inhibition of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) increases sFlt-1 and soluble endoglin (sEng) release. We explored whether compromise in CSE/H2S pathway is linked to dysregulation of the mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative status. We investigated whether these effects were linked to CSE-induced sFlt-1 and sEng production in endothelial cells. Here, we demonstrate that CSE/H2S pathway sustain endothelial mitochondrial bioenergetics and loss of CSE increases the production of mitochondrial-specific superoxide. As a compensatory effect, low CSE environment enhances the reliance on glycolysis. The mitochondrial-targeted H2S donor, AP39, suppressed the antiangiogenic response and restored the mitochondrial bioenergetics in endothelial cells. AP39 revealed that upregulation of sFlt-1, but not sEng, is independent of the mitochondrial H2S metabolising enzyme, SQR. These data provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms for antiangiogenic upregulation in a mitochondrial-driven environment. Targeting H2S to the mitochondria may be of therapeutic benefit in the prevention of endothelial dysfunction associated with preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has been shown to be essential in lots of physiological and pathological processes. It is well known that 5-HT and 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) play important roles in the pulmonary artery in pulmonary hypertension. However, little is known about the function of 5-HTT in other arteries. In this study we found that the expression of 5-HTT was elevated in injured carotid arteries and over-expression of 5-HTT induced proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs); however, this phenotype could be reversed by knocking-down of 5-HTT or endothelial cells conditional medium (EC-CM). A 5-HTT inhibitor, fluoxetine, treated animals also exhibited reduced restenosis after injury. We identified that miR-195 was packaged in the extracellular vesicles from EC-CM. We further confirmed that extracellular vesicles could transfer miR-195 from ECs to SMCs to inhibit the expression of 5-HTT in SMCs and the proliferation of SMCs. These results provide the first evidence that ECs communicate with SMCs via micro-RNA195 in the regulation of the proliferation of SMCs through 5-HTT, which will contribute to a better understanding of communications between ECs and SMCs via micro-RNA. Our findings suggest a potential target for the control of vessel restenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]