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The concept of a Positive Energy District (PED) has become a vital component of the efforts to accelerate the transition to zero carbon emissions and climate-neutral living environments. Research is shifting its focus from energy-efficient single buildings to districts, where the aim is to achieve a positive energy balance across a given time period. Various innovation projects, programs, and activities have produced abundant insights into how to implement and operate PEDs. However, there is still no agreed way of determining what constitutes a PED for the purpose of identifying and evaluating its various elements. This paper thus sets out to create a process for characterizing PEDs. First, nineteen different elements of a PED were identified. Then, two AI techniques, machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP), were introduced and examined to determine their potential for modeling, extracting, and mapping the elements of a PED. Lastly, state-of-the-art research papers were reviewed to identify any contribution they can make to the determination of the effectiveness of the ML and NLP models. The results suggest that both ML and NLP possess significant potential for modeling most of the identified elements in various areas, such as optimization, control, design, and stakeholder mapping. This potential is realized through the utilization of vast amounts of data, enabling these models to generate accurate and useful insights for PED planning and implementation. Several practical strategies have been identified to enhance the characterization of PEDs. These include a clear definition and quantification of the elements, the utilization of urban-scale energy modeling techniques, and the development of user-friendly interfaces capable of presenting model insights in an accessible manner. Thus, developing a holistic approach that integrates existing and novel techniques for PED characterization is essential to achieve sustainable and resilient urban environments.

Global greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment remain high, driving innovative approaches to develop and adopt building materials that can mitigate some of those emissions. However, life-cycle assessment (LCA) practices still lack standardized quantitative uncertainty assessment frameworks, which are urgently needed to robustly assess mitigation efforts. Previous works emphasize the importance of accounting for the three types of uncertainties that may exist within any quantitative assessment: parameter, scenario, and model uncertainty. Herein, we develop a quantitative uncertainty assessment framework that distinguishes between different types of uncertainties and suggest how these uncertainties could be handled systematically through a scenario-aware Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). We demonstrate the framework’s decision-informing power through a case study of two multilevel ordinary Portland cement (OPC) manufacturing scenarios. The MCS utilizes a first-principles-based OPC life-cycle inventory, which mitigates some of the model uncertainty that may exist in other empirical-based cement models. Remaining uncertainties are handled by scenario specification or sampling from developed probability distribution functions. We also suggest a standardized method for fitting distributions to parameter data by enumerating through and implementing distributions based on the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The level of detail brought by the high-resolution parameter breakdown of the model allows for developing emission distributions for each process of OPC manufacturing. This approach highlights how specific parameters, along with scenario framing, can impact overall OPC emissions. Another key takeaway includes relating the uncertainty of each process to its contributions to total OPC emissions, which can guide LCA modelers in allocating data collection and refinement efforts to processes with the highest contribution to cumulative uncertainty. Ultimately, the aim of this work is to provide a standardized framework that can provide robust estimates of building material emissions and be readily integrated within any uncertainty assessment.

This article reports an interview study focused on teacher beliefs about war, peace, and education. We use a conceptual framework that calls attention to the social and psychological factors that contribute to the meanings of war and peace. Data are presented in three composite cases to convey the range of beliefs and perspectives expressed by our participants. We also discuss themes drawn from across the cases, including the relationships of war and peace to understandings of patriotism, military service, gender, and religion. Finally, we discuss the study's implications through examples of war and peace as potential curriculum content.

Museums are used in every discipline to collect, classify, and present information for scientific purposes. They also serve as an effective educational medium. Since the establishment of a boutique anatomy museum at Bahçesehir University, lectures, conferences, and seminars have been organized there over the past four years on the history of human anatomy and the human body. In order to raise awareness about the need to make anatomy accessible to kindergarteners and school-aged children, rather than exclusively to undergraduate students, activities that are suited to a wide range of ages have been developed at the museum and at the anatomy laboratory. Four different sessions were conducted, including activities such as lectures using plastic models as props, shaping organs out of playdough, anatomy puzzles, watching cartoons, and examining specimens through a microscope. Healthy and pathologic anatomies were chosen to match daily themes. Among the kindergarteners and elementary school children, no grading was done, nor was any questionnaire administered; however, a survey was administered in the 10-12 age group (N = 64). According to the students' written feedback, 93.75% said they "are happy with microscope activities" while 84.37% said they "had so much fun" participating in the playdough activities. However, 18.75% criticized the activities, saying they "could have been longer." In conclusion, it is believed that these "getting to know our bodies" activities that were hosted in the anatomy museum, including conferences, workshops, material preparation, and instructional movies, may play an important role in the development of a healthy society.

Leishmania parasites harbor a unique network of circular DNA known as kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). The role of kDNA in leishmania infections is poorly understood. Herein, we show that kDNA delivery to the cytosol of Leishmania major infected THP-1 macrophages provoked increased parasite loads when compared to untreated cells, hinting at the involvement of cytosolic DNA sensors in facilitating parasite evasion from the immune system. Parasite proliferation was significantly hindered in cGAS- STING- and TBK-1 knockout THP-1 macrophages when compared to wild type cells. Nanostring nCounter gene expression analysis on L. major infected wild type versus knockout cells revealed that some of the most upregulated genes including, Granulysin (GNLY), Chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1), Sialomucin core protein 24 (CD164), SLAM Family Member 7 (SLAMF7), insulin-like growth factor receptor 2 (IGF2R) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) were identical in infected cGAS and TBK1 knockout cells, implying their involvement in parasite control. Amlexanox treatment (a TBK1 inhibitor) of L. major infected wild type cells inhibited both the percentage and the parasite load of infected THP-1 cells and delayed footpad swelling in parasite infected mice. Collectively, these results suggest that leishmania parasites might hijack the cGAS-STING-TBK1 signaling pathway to their own advantage and the TBK1 inhibitor amlexanox could be of interest as a candidate drug in treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The identification of the origin of biological stains at the crime scene is one of the important components of forensic science. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the specificity performance of Seratec-PMB Test, which is used to differentiate menstrual blood from peripheral blood, on blood samples collected from dead bodies. Moreover, our purpose is to investigate the relationship between D-dimer accumulation in postmortem blood and other factors using this method. In this study, Seratec-PMB test is applied to peripheral blood samples of 200 dead bodies and the test results were compared in terms of parameters including age, gender, time between being found dead and sample collection, the cause of death. In Seratec-PMB Test, 71% of postmortem blood samples were positive and 29% were negative for D-dimer presence. A significant relationship was reported in the distribution of test results by age. SERATEC®-PMB test afforded a high rate of positive results in postmortem peripheral blood. It should be remembered that the test may give false positive results for postmortem peripheral blood. Since the test is a semi-quantitative test, it was understood that it would not allow any interpretation about the cause of death. [Med-Science 2022; 11(1.000): 159-65]

Bone conduction is a promising haptic feedback modality for upper-limb prosthesis users, however, its potential and characteristics as a non-invasive feedback modality have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to establish the temporal and spatial characteristics of non-invasive bone conduction as a sensory feedback interface for upper-limb prostheses. Psychometric human-subject experiments were conducted on three bony landmarks of the elbow, with a vibrotactile transducer affixed to each to provide the stimulus. The study characterized the temporal domain by testing perception threshold and resolution in amplitude and frequency. The spatial domain was evaluated by assessing the ability of subjects to detect the number of simultaneous active stimulation sites. The experiment was conducted with ten able-bodied subjects and compared to two subjects with trans-radial amputation. The psychometric evaluation of the proposed non-invasive bone conduction feedback showed results comparable to invasive methods. The experimental results demonstrated similar amplitude and frequency resolution of the interface for all three stimulation sites for both able-bodied subjects and subjects with trans-radial amputation, highlighting its potential as a non-invasive feedback modality for upper-limb prostheses.

Aims: We aimed to show the protective effect of carnitine and melatonin (MEL) on kidney which were applied before the radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two male Wistar Albino rats were divided six equal groups as Group 1 radiotherapy, Group 2 radiotherapy and MEL, Group 3 radiotherapy and carnitine, Group 4 MEL, Group 5 carnitine, and Group 6 control. Whole abdominal radiotherapy of 10 Gy was applied to the radiotherapy groups. Renal scintigraphy was performed under anesthesia on all rats after a follow-up period of 8 weeks. Histopathologic examination was performed in kidneys. Results: Group 1 showed a statistically significant deterioration of renal scintigraphy function (P < 0.05). Group 2 and Group 3 showed a better function of scintigraphical renal function and there was no significance between the control. There was no damage seen by light microscopy in Group 1, 2, 3. When evaluated histomorphological, there was a significant increase of glomerular width in Group 1 whereas Group 2 and Group 3's glomerular width decreases to the level of control group's (P < 0.00). Conclusion: As a conclusion, we consider that adding carnitine and MEL to the radiotherapy of patients who has a long-expected survival will prevent the complications due to radiotherapy.

Purpose: Vitreomacular interface disorders have long been argued to change choroidal structure. The aim of this study was to determine the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) changes following internal limiting membrane peeling for epiretinal membrane (ERM) and full thickness macular hole (FTMH). Methods: Fifty-nine patients with unilateral ERM and 56 with unilateral FTMH were included in the study. Axial length, pre- and post-surgery intraocular pressure, baseline and post-phacovitrectomy CVI were calculated and compared with the normal fellow eyes. To compare the baseline and the final measurements, Wilcoxon test was used. Mann–Whitney U test was used for independent data comparisons. Median and standard deviations were compared. Results: Axial length, pre- and post-surgery intraocular pressure differences were insignificant between study and fellow eyes within all groups. CVI were significantly lower in post-vitrectomy study eyes of all groups compared with pre-surgery (P < 0.001). There were no significant changes before and after the surgeries in fellow eyes. Baseline CVI of ERM study eyes (median 65.90%) and FTHM study eyes (median 65.59%) did not differ significantly between groups (U = 1336, P = 0.07, r = 0.16). Conclusion: There are conflicting results of vitreoretinal interface disorders CVI in the literature. In this study, both FTMH and ERM eyes showed reduced CVI postoperatively compared with the baseline. Preoperatively, there were no difference between study eyes and the fellow eyes.

In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) printed soft robotic hand with embedded soft sensors, intended for prosthetic applications is designed and developed to efficiently operate with new-generation myoelectric control systems, e.g., pattern recognition control and simultaneous proportional control. The mechanical structure of the whole hand (‘ACES-V2’) is fabricated as a monolithic structure using a low-cost and open-source 3D printer. It minimizes the post-processing required for the addition of the embedded sensors in the hand. These are significant benefits for the robotic hand that features low cost, low weight (313 grams), and anthropomorphic appearance. With the soft position sensors added to the fingers, the fingers’ positions can be monitored to avoid self-collision of the hand. Besides, it allows a robotic prosthetic hand to eliminate the conventional way of returning to the neutral full open position when switching from one type of gesture to another. This makes the transition between the hand gestures much faster, more efficient, and more intuitive as well. Further, initial contact detection of each finger is achieved for the preshaping of multi-finger grasps, e.g., tripod grip and power grasps, to improve the stability and quality of the grasps. Combinations of different gestures allow the hand to perform multi-stage grasps to seize and carry multiple objects simultaneously. It can potentially augment the hand’s dexterity and grasping diversity. Providing direct transition between the hand gestures and improved grasping quality and diversity are the primary contributions of this study.

The benefit of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is unclear. Our study compared breast cancer patients with and without preoperative breast MRI and their long-term oncologic outcomes are reported. A total of 1378 BCS cases with early breast cancer between 1996 and 2017 were reviewed. Patients with carcinoma in situ or neoadjuvant treatment or having breast MRI after tumor excision were excluded. Of 1378 patients, 270 (19.5%) had preoperative MRI. There were no significant differences regarding T and N stage and molecular subtypes between the groups. Surgical margins were significantly wider in the breast MRI group. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 96.9% in the MRI group and 94.3% in the control group, and this difference was not significant (p=0.11). Five-year local-regional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) was not significantly different either (98.8% and 96.5%, respectively, p=0.41). When analyses were repeated only for patients with hormone receptor-negative or triple-negative breast cancer, there was still no significant difference in OS, LRFS, or disease-free survival. In conclusion, MRI does not seem necessary in all patients undergoing BCS. New prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to determine appropriate use of preoperative MRI and its effects on oncologic outcomes in early breast cancer patients.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes regulate cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and synthesis of the extracellular matrix, giving great potential for the treatment of different diseases. The ultracentrifugation method is the gold standard method for exosome isolation due to the simple protocol, and high yield, but presents low purity and requires specialized equipment. Amelioration of technical optimization is required for quick and reliable confinement of exosomes to translate them to the clinic as cell therapeutics In this study, we hypothesized that magnetically activated cell sorting may provide, an effective, reliable, and rapid tool for exosome isolation when compared to ultracentrifugation. We, therefore, aimed to compare the efficiency of magnetically activated cell sorting and ultracentrifugation for human mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome isolation from culture media by protein quantification, surface biomarker, size, number, and morphological analysis. Magnetically activated cell sorting provided a higher purity and amount of exosomes that carry visible magnetic beads when compared to ultracentrifugation. The particle number of the magnetically activated cell sorting group was higher than the ultracentrifugation. In conclusion, magnetically activated cell sorting presents a quick, and reliable method to collect and present human mesenchymal stem cell exosomes to clinics at high purity for potential cellular therapeutic approaches. The novel isolation and purification method may be extended to different clinical protocols using different autogenic or allogeneic cell sources.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is caused by Neisseria meningitidis , with the main serogroups responsible for the disease being A, B, C, W, X, and Y. To date, several vaccines targeting N. meningitidis have been developed albeit with a short-lived protection. Given that MenW and MenB are the most common causes of IMD in Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East, we aimed to develop an outer membrane vesicle (OMV) based bivalent vaccine as the heterologous antigen source. Herein, we compared the immunogenicity, and breadth of serum bactericidal activity (SBA) assay-based protective coverage of OMV vaccine to the X serotype with existing commercial meningococcal conjugate and polysaccharide (PS) vaccines in a murine model. BALB/c mice were immunized with preclinical batches of the W + B OMV vaccine, either adjuvanted with Alum, CpG ODN, or their combinations, and compared with a MenACYW conjugate vaccine (NimenrixTM, Pfizer), and a MenB OMV-based vaccine (Bexsero®, GSK), The immune responses were assessed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and SBA assay. Antibody responses and SBA titers were significantly higher in the W + B OMV vaccine when adjuvanted with Alum or CpG ODN, as compared to the control groups. Moreover, the SBA titers were not only significantly higher than those achieved with available conjugated ACYW vaccines but also on par with the 4CMenB vaccines. In conclusion, the W + B OMV vaccine demonstrated the capacity to elicit robust antibody responses, surpassing or matching the levels induced by licensed meningococcal vaccines. Consequently, the W + B OMV vaccine could potentially serve as a viable alternative or supplement to existing meningococcal vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new hybrid multi-modal sensory feedback system for prosthetic hands that can provide not only haptic and proprioceptive feedback but also facilitate object recognition without the aid of vision. Modality-matched haptic perception was provided using a mechanotactile feedback system that can proportionally apply the gripping force through the use of a force controller. A vibrotactile feedback system was also employed to distinguish four discrete grip positions of the prosthetic hand. The system performance was evaluated with a total of 32 participants in three different experiments (i) haptic feedback, (ii) proprioceptive feedback and (iii) object recognition with hybrid haptic-proprioceptive feedback. The results from the haptic feedback experiment showed that the participants’ ability to accurately perceive applied force depended on the amount of force applied. As the feedback force was increased, the participants tended to underestimate the force levels, with a decrease in the percentage of force estimation. Of the three arm locations (forearm volar, forearm ventral and bicep), and two muscle states (relaxed and tensed) tested, the highest accuracy was obtained for the bicep location in the relaxed state. The results from the proprioceptive feedback experiment showed that participants could very accurately identify four different grip positions of the hand prosthesis (i.e., open hand, wide grip, narrow grip, and closed hand) without a single case of misidentification. In experiment 3, participants could identify objects with different shapes and stiffness with an overall high success rate of 90.5% across all combinations of location and muscle state. The feedback location and muscle state did not have a significant effect on object recognition accuracy. Overall, our study results indicate that the hybrid feedback system may be a very effective way to enrich a prosthetic hand user’s experience of the stiffness and shape of commonly manipulated objects.

In this study, goat milk blends (1.5% fat) fortified with 0%, 0.25%, and 0.50% oat β-glucan were coded as YC, Y1, and Y2 and MFYC, MFY1, and MFY2. Microfluidization was applied at 103.4 MPa pressure in a 100 µm-process chamber at one stage for MFYC, MFY1, and MFY2 prior to yogurt making. Phase separation occurred due to the casein-β-glucan interaction observed at the oat β-glucan ratio (≥0.25%) but was more distinct at 0.50%. Microfluidization solved the textural instability at all ratios of β-glucan; a creamy and less cohesive structure was maintained in all yogurt samples. Among the samples, Y2 and MFY2 were the least viscous (p < 0.05), and syneresis was the highest and the lowest for Y2 and MFY1, respectively (p < 0.01). Lightness (L*) decreased, and yellowness (b*) and greenness (a*) increased with oat β-glucan concentration (p < 0.01) and MFYC. MFY1 and MFY2 were brighter and less green (p < 0.05). Microfluidization enhanced sensory attributes and oat β-glucan suppressed the goaty and salty taste, but the cereal taste became more obvious with the increase in the oat β-glucan ratio. Y1 and MFY1 were generally acceptable, and Y2 was less (p < 0.01). A liquid-like structure was observed in Y2 and this affected the sensorial perception in Y2.

CONTEXT: Influenza vaccination rates remain below Healthy People 2020 goals. This project sought to systematically review economic evaluations of healthcare-based quality improvement interventions for improving influenza vaccination uptake among general populations and healthcare workers. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The databases MEDLINE, Econlit, Centre for Reviews & Dissemination, Greylit, and Worldcat were searched in July 2016 for papers published from January 2004 to July 2016. Eligible studies evaluated efforts by bodies within the healthcare system to encourage influenza vaccination by means of an organizational or structural change. For each study, program costs per enrollee and per additional enrollee vaccinated were derived (excluding vaccine costs, standardized to 2017 U.S. dollars). Complete economic evaluations were examined when available. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Of 2,350 records, 18 articles were eligible and described 29 unique interventions. Most interventions improved vaccine uptake. Among 23 interventions in general populations, the median program cost was $3.27 (interquartile range, $0.82-$11.53) per enrollee and $50.78 (interquartile range, $27.85-$124.84) per additional enrollee vaccinated. Among ten complete economic evaluations in general populations, three studies reported net cost savings, four reported costs

The aim of this study is to examine current proof making skills of secondary school seventh graders using proof schemes. Data of the study were collected in two phases. Initially, Proof Schemes Test, which was developed by the researchers, was administrated to 250 seventh grade students from eight secondary schools, which were chosen randomly. The answers of the students were classified according to proof schemes defined by Harel and Sowder (1998). In the second phase, semi-structured interviews were made with 9 students whose answers were in different proof schemes. As a result of the study, it was seen that the proofs produced by the students were generally in external and empirical proof schemes. In parallel with this finding, it was concluded that students' proof skills were not at an adequate level.

Inadequate pathology personnel and high cost of running a Pathology facility are factors affecting access to timely and quality pathology services in resource-constrained settings. Telepathology is a novel technology that allows Pathologists to remotely assess collected samples. Though the initial cost of setting up a telepathology facility is high, its overall benefits far outweigh the cost. Its usefulness as a quality assurance measure, as a permanent image data storage system, in reducing costs associated with repeated slide preparations, reducing turn-around time of pathology reports, in collaborative research and in teaching has been well documented. This paper highlights the experiences, gains and challenges encountered in the deployment of telepathology in two resource-constrained settings in Nigeria. Overcoming the challenges associated with setting up a telepathology service in sub-Saharan Africa is important as it has the potential to improve overall health outcomes in a medically underserved region while ensuring technology and knowledge transfer are achieved.

As globalisation and competition grow rapidly, adopting a flexible manufacturing philosophy becomes more critical for manufacturers. Cellular Manufacturing System (CMS) is among one of the most favourable ones which has been deeply studied in academia since this philosophy was coined in 1925. To design the manufacturing system efficiently and effectively, the management team needs to have a comprehensive representation of the definitions, classifications, solution approach to cellular manufacturing design problems. In this study, exact methods, heuristic approaches, metaheuristic techniques, and artificial intelligence strategies for cellular manufacturing design are reviewed. A comparison of solution approaches is discussed and based on this analysis, some suggestions for future research are proposed. Moreover, we tried to highlight the importance of investigating sustainability decisions related to CMS problems, and integration of supply chain decisions with CMS decisions which have not been sufficiently studied to identify a research direction for researchers to model and analyse those issues. Finally, we briefly discuss the placement of CMS as one of the major production systems in the industry 4.0 evolution paradigm. Reviewing the adoption of industry 4.0 techniques by CMS sheds light on the contribution of methodological approaches in transition to intelligent CMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study addresses the challenge of data imbalance and class overlap in machine learning for intrusion detection, proposing that targeted algorithmic adjustments can significantly enhance model performance. Our hypothesis contends that an ensemble framework, adeptly integrating novel threshold‐adjustment algorithms, can improve classification sensitivity and specificity. To test this, we developed an ensemble model comprising Balanced Bagging (BB), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Random Forest (RF), fine‐tuned using grid search for BB and XGBoost, and augmented with the Hellinger metric for RF to tackle data imbalance. The innovation lies in our algorithms, which adeptly adjust the discrimination threshold to rectify the class overlap problem, enhancing the model's ability to discern between negative and positive classes. Utilizing the UNSW‐NB15 dataset, we conducted a comparative analysis for binary and multi‐category classification. Our ensemble model achieved a binary classification accuracy of 97.80%, with a sensitivity rate of 98.26% for detecting attacks, and a multi‐category classification accuracy and sensitivity that reached up to 99.73% and 97.24% for certain attack types. These results substantially surpass those of existing models on the same dataset, affirming our model's superiority in dealing with complex data distributions prevalent in network security domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality globally. The role of plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in pediatric COVID-19 patients remains unclear. Methods: We isolated EVs from healthy controls (n = 13) and pediatric COVID-19 patients (n = 104) with varying severity during acute and convalescent phases using serial ultracentrifugation. EV effects on healthy PBMCs, naïve CD4+ T cells, and monocytes were assessed through in vitro assays, flow cytometry, and ELISA. Results: Our findings indicate that COVID-19 severity correlates with diverse immune responses. Severe acute cases exhibited increased cytokine levels, decreased IFNγ levels, and lower CD4+ T cell and monocyte counts, suggesting immunosuppression. EVs from severe acute patients stimulated healthy cells to express higher PDL1, increased Th2 and Treg cells, reduced IFNγ secretion, and altered Th1/Th17 ratios. Patient-derived EVs significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokine production by monocytes (p <.001 for mild, p =.0025 for severe cases) and decreased CD4+ T cell (p =.043) and monocyte (p =.033) populations in stimulated healthy PBMCs. Conclusion: This study reveals the complex relationship between immunological responses and EV-mediated effects, emphasizing the impact of COVID-19 severity. We highlight the potential role of plasma-derived EVs in early-stage immunosuppression in severe COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]