To date, general-purpose object-detection methods have achieved a great deal. However, challenges such as degraded image quality, complex backgrounds, and the detection of marine organisms at ...different scales arise when identifying underwater organisms. To solve such problems and further improve the accuracy of relevant models, this study proposes a marine biological object-detection architecture based on an improved YOLOv5 framework. First, the backbone framework of Real-Time Models for object Detection (RTMDet) is introduced. The core module, Cross-Stage Partial Layer (CSPLayer), includes a large convolution kernel, which allows the detection network to precisely capture contextual information more comprehensively. Furthermore, a common convolution layer is added to the stem layer, to extract more valuable information from the images efficiently. Then, the BoT3 module with the multi-head self-attention (MHSA) mechanism is added into the neck module of YOLOv5, such that the detection network has a better effect in scenes with dense targets and the detection accuracy is further improved. The introduction of the BoT3 module represents a key innovation of this paper. Finally, union dataset augmentation (UDA) is performed on the training set using the Minimal Color Loss and Locally Adaptive Contrast Enhancement (MLLE) image augmentation method, and the result is used as the input to the improved YOLOv5 framework. Experiments on the underwater datasets URPC2019 and URPC2020 show that the proposed framework not only alleviates the interference of underwater image degradation, but also makes the mAP@0.5 reach 79.8% and 79.4% and improves the mAP@0.5 by 3.8% and 1.1%, respectively, when compared with the original YOLOv8 on URPC2019 and URPC2020, demonstrating that the proposed framework presents superior performance for the high-precision detection of marine organisms.
Detecting biomarkers is an efficient method to diagnose and monitor patients' stages. For more accurate diagnoses, continuously detecting and monitoring multiple biomarkers are needed. To achieve ...point-of-care testing (POCT) of multiple biomarkers, a smartphone biosensor system with the multi-testing-unit (SBSM) based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) integrated multi-channel microfluidics was presented. The SBSM could simultaneously record nine sensor units to achieve the detection of multiple biomarkers. Additional 72 sensor units were fabricated for further verification. Well-designed modularized attachments consist of a light source, lenses, a grating, a case, and a smartphone shell. The attachments can be well assembled and attached to a smartphone. The sensitivity of the SBSM was 161.0 nm/RIU, and the limit of detection (LoD) reached 4.2 U/mL for CA125 and 0.87 U/mL for CA15-3 through several clinical serum specimens testing on the SBSM. The testing results indicated that the SBSM was a useful tool for detecting multi-biomarkers. Comparing with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) results, the results from the SBSM were correlated and reliable. Meanwhile, the SBSM was convenient to operate without much professional skill. Therefore, the SBSM could become useful equipment for point-of-care testing due to its small size, multi-testing unit, usability, and customizable design.
Helicobacter pylori infection, a worldwide health issue, is typically treated with standard antibiotic therapies. However, these treatments often face resistance and non-compliance due to side ...effects. In this umbrella review, we aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of probiotics supplementation in different preparations on Helicobacter pylori standard treatment. We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library from inception to June 1, 2023, to identify systematic reviews with meta-analyses that focused on eradication rates, total side effects and other outcomes of interest. The most comprehensive meta-analysis was selected for data extraction. AMSTAR 2 was used to assess quality of meta-analyses. Overall, 28 unique meta-analyses based on 534 RCTs were included. The results suggests that probiotics supplementation with pooled probiotic strains was significantly associated with improved eradication rates (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06-1.14) and reduced risk of total side effects (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.42-0.70) compared with standard therapy alone. Single-strained or multi-strained preparation of probiotics supplementation showed similar results. Despite Bifidobacterium spp. showing the highest potential for eradication, the study quality was critically low for most meta-analyses, necessitating further high-quality research to explore the optimal probiotic strains or their combinations for Helicobacter pylori treatment.aq_start?>Kindly check and confirm the edit made in article title.
Superhydrophobic nanostructured coatings are a promising technology in construction engineering. This study developed a hydrophobic film through a simple mixing method, utilizing kaolin and ...polytetrafluoroethylene as additive particles, 1
,1
,2
,2
-perfluoro-decyl triethoxysilane as a modifier, and epoxide resi
and polyamide curing agent as adhesives. By controlling variables, it was determined that the C
EP coating immersed in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution for 1, 3, and 7 days exhibited the maximum impedance radii of 47,373, 20,334, and 1,982 Ω·cm
, respectively. It also demonstrated the highest Bode modulus values, the largest
, and the smallest
. Furthermore, after 300 h in a salt spray chamber with a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, the C
EP coating showed no rust spots or bubbles, demonstrating its excellent corrosion resistance. Moreover, wear resistance tests and self-cleaning experiments were conducted on the C
EP coating. The results showed that after 100 friction cycles, the surface exhibited no visible scratches, and the contact angle of the coating decreased by only 4°. Additionally, neither soil particles nor dirty water adhered to the coating, indicating that the C
EP hydrophobic coating possesses not only excellent corrosion resistance but also superior wear resistance and self-cleaning capabilities.
Numerous studies have found the presence of viral DNA in colorectal tumor tissues. However, whether viral infections contribute to the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is still under debate. We aimed ...to provide an overview of published epidemiological studies on the association between viral infections and CRC. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed to find relevant studies published until 8 May 2014. Information collected included study population, sample type, laboratory method and prevalence of viral infection in cancer or precancer patients and controls. We found 41 studies that fulfilled the selection criteria, all of which had cross‐sectional or case‐control designs, and most of which were of small to moderate size. Viral infections included human papillomaviruses (HPV), human polyomaviruses, human herpesviruses, human bocavirus and Inoue‐Melnick virus. Inconsistent results were observed across studies. Many studies reported higher viral DNA prevalence in tumor tissues than in normal noncancerous tissues either in the same patients or in CRC‐free controls. However, potential contamination or temporal sequence of the infection and cancer development were often unclear. Seroprevalence studies assessing antibody titers indicative of viral infections did not find statistically significant differences between CRC cases and healthy controls. Overall published evidence on the role of viral infections in CRC etiology remains limited. Given the potential importance of viral infections and their implication for prevention, there is a strong need for large, methodologically rigorous epidemiological studies.
Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has been studied as a resistive ammonia gas sensor at room temperature. The sensitive hybrid material composed of rGO and nano-silver ink (Ag-ink) was loaded on a ...microstrip patch antenna to realize high-performance wireless ammonia sensors. The material was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Firstly, interdigital electrodes (IDEs) printed on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by direct printing were employed to measure the variation of resistance of the sensitive material with the ammonia concentration. The results indicated the response of sensor varied from 4.25% to 14.7% under 15-200 ppm ammonia concentrations. Furthermore, the hybrid material was loaded on a microstrip patch antenna fabricated by a conventional printed circuit board (PCB) process, and a 10 MHz frequency shift of the sensor antenna could be observed for 200 ppm ammonia gas. Finally, the wireless sensing property of the sensor antenna was successfully tested using the same emitted antenna outside the gas chamber with a high gain of 5.48 dBi, and an increased reflection magnitude of the emitted antenna due to the frequency mismatch of the sensor antenna was observed. Therefore, wireless ammonia gas sensors loaded on a patch antenna have significant application prospects in the field of Internet of Things (IoTs).
Abstract Multiple studies have shown that cancer patients produce detectable autoantibodies against certain tumor-associated antigens, which might be promising blood biomarkers for early detection of ...colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to provide an overview of published studies on blood autoantibody markers for early detection of CRC and to summarize their diagnostic performance. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and EMBASE to find relevant studies published until 23 July 2013. Relevant information, such as study population characteristics, autoantibodies studied, analytical methods and diagnostic performance characteristics was independently extracted by two reviewers. Overall, 67 studies evaluating 109 autoantibody markers were included. Most individual markers showed low sensitivity (below 25%) for detecting CRC, along with high specificity close to 100%. Occasionally reported higher sensitivities for specific antibodies are yet to be replicated in independent studies. Generally, more promising results were seen for combinations of multiple autoantibody markers. But again, these promising results are yet to be replicated in other samples. In conclusion, autoantibody signatures may become a promising approach to noninvasive CRC screening. Optimized marker panels are yet to be developed, and promising results require validation in large screening populations.
This article describes an analog modulator that contains modulation, a MOSFET drive, and pre-emphasis circuits for a high-speed VLC application system based on a commercial phosphorescent white LED. ...We propose a small signal modulation model that is implemented by an AC-coupled N-channel MOSFET circuit and present a pre-emphasis circuit to enhance the 3 dB bandwidth of a VLC link. Utilizing our proposed analog modulator combined with blue filtering, the 3 dB bandwidth of a VLC system could be extended from 3 to 175 MHz, which allows OOK-NRZ data transmission up to 460 Mb/s with BER below 10-9 under a 1 m radial distance. With a simple analog modulator based on the simplest OOK-NRZ modulation scheme, a high-speed VLC system could be realized. The VLC link with the proposed analog modulator is a good solution for a high-speed low-complexity and low-cost practical VLC application system.
In this work, a novel phosphorous-nitrogen based charring agent named poly(1,3-diaminopropane-1,3,5-triazine-o-bicyclic pentaerythritol phosphate) (PDTBP) was synthesized and used to improve the ...flame retardancy of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) together with ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and
C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) showed that PDTBP was successfully synthesized. Compared with the traditional intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system contained APP and pentaerythritol (PER), the novel IFR system (APP/PDTBP, weight ratio of 2:1) could significantly promote the flame retardancy, water resistance, and thermal stability of HDPE. The HDPE/APP/PDTBP composites (PE3) could achieve a UL-94 V-0 rating with LOI value of 30.8%, and had a lower migration percentage (2.2%). However, the HDPE/APP/PER composites (PE5) had the highest migration percentage (4.7%), lower LOI value of 23.9%, and could only achieve a UL-94 V-1 rating. Besides, the peak of heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), and fire hazard value of PE3 were markedly decreased compared to PE5. PE3 had higher tensile strength and flexural strength of 16.27 ± 0.42 MPa and 32.03 ± 0.59 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the possible flame-retardant mechanism of the APP/PDTBP IFR system indicated that compact and continuous intumescent char layer would be formed during burning, thus inhibiting the degradation of substrate material and improving the thermal stability of HDPE.
Female breast cancer (FBC) has become the most prevalent malignancy worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the global and regional burden in epidemiological trends and factors associated with the incidence ...and mortality of FBC.
FBC incidence and mortality in 60 selected countries by cancer registry data integrity in 2020 were estimated from the GLOBOCAN database, and their association with the human development index (HDI) was further evaluated. Trends of age-standardized rates of incidence and mortality in 60 countries from 2000 through 2019 were evaluated by joinpoint regression analysis using data of Global Burden of Disease 2019. The association between potential behavioral, metabolic, and socioeconomic risk factor exposure at the nation level retrieved from the World Bank and Global Health Observatory and the incidence and mortality of FBC were evaluated by multivariate linear regression.
FBC incidence and mortality varied greatly in the 60 included countries. Higher incidence and mortality rates were typically observed in countries with higher HDIs and vice versa. During 2000 to 2019, significantly increasing trends in incidence and mortality were observed in 26 (average annual percent changes AAPCs, 0.35-2.96) and nine countries (AAPC, 0.30-1.65), respectively, while significantly decreasing trends in both incidence and mortality were observed in 22 countries, most of which were high-HDI countries. Among the population aged ≥40 years, there were 26 and 11 countries showing significantly increased trends in incidence and mortality, respectively. Ecological analysis showed that countries with higher prevalence rates of high cholesterol and higher health expenditures were more likely to have higher FBC incidence, and countries with higher rates of obesity and poorer universal health coverage were more likely to have higher FBC mortality.
Despite decreased or stabilized FBC incidence and mortality rates were observed in some countries with high HDI over the past decades, disease burden became even severer in developing countries, especially for the population aged ≥40 years. Effective targeted preventive programs are strongly encouraged to reduce the FBC disease burden worldwide.
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