Search Results (8)

With applications in computer networks, robotics, genetics, data center network optimization, cryptocurrency exchange, transportation and logistics, cloud computing, and social network analysis, the problem of sorting permutations on transposition trees under various operations is highly relevant. The goal of the problem is to sort or rearrange the markers in a predetermined order by swapping them out at the vertices of a tree in the fewest possible swaps. Only certain classes of transposition trees, like path, star, and broom, have computationally efficient algorithms for sorting permutations. In this paper, we examine the so-called $n-broom$ transposition trees. A single broom or simply a $broom$ is a spanning tree formed by joining the center of the star graph with one end of the path graph. A generalized version of a broom known as an $n-broom$ is created by joining the ends of n brooms to one vertex, known as the $n-broom$ center. By using the idea of clear path markers, we present a novel algorithm for sorting permutations on an $n-broom$ for $n>2$ that reduces to a novel $2-broom$ algorithm and that further reduces to two instances of a $1-broom$ algorithm. Our single-broom algorithm is similar to that of Kawahara et al.; however, our proof of optimality for the same is simpler. Full article

Utilizing agro-industrial waste and herbal products to create a circular bioeconomy is becoming increasingly popular. Terminalia arjuna is a significant ethnomedicinal plant that has not yet been exploited in animal feed. In the present study, nutritional Terminalia arjuna bark powder-based fish feed was created and supplied to a candidate fish species Labeo rohita at varied levels: 0% (0 g/kg), 0.5% (5 g/kg), 1% (10 g/kg), and 1.5% (15 g/kg). These treatment groups are denoted as CT, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Utilizing a contemporary comprehensive biomarker response strategy, the study clarified the genomic influence of dietary herb inclusion. In response to bacterial infection, the immunogenic genes, STAT 1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1), ISG 15 (interferon stimulating gene), and Mx “myxovirus resistance gene”, were shown to be elevated. The results of densitometry demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in STAT 1 and ISG 15, with Mx exhibiting maximal values at 1 g/kg TABP (Terminalia arjuna bark powder-based feed). This is the first study to identify TABP as an immunomodulator in fish and established the IBR (Integrated Bio-marker Response) as a reliable marker in evaluating the impact of multiple drivers in a holistic manner. Thus, the present study cleared the path for TABP to be utilized as an effective feed additive which enhances the specific adaptive immune system of the fish for the production of the Green fish product for a sustainable circular bioeconomy. Full article

Autophagy is a cellular process that contributes to the maintenance of cell homeostasis through the activation of a specific path, by providing the necessary factors in stressful and physiological situations. Autophagy plays a specific role in chondrocyte differentiation; therefore, we aimed to analyze this process in adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) laden in three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel. We analyzed chondrogenic and autophagic markers using molecular biology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. We demonstrated that ASCs embedded in 3D hydrogel showed an increase expression of typical autophagic markers Beclin 1, LC3, and p62, associated with clear evidence of autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm. During ASCs chondrogenic differentiation, we showed that autophagic markers declined their expression and autophagic vesicles were rare, while typical chondrogenic markers collagen type 2, and aggrecan were significantly increased. In line with developmental animal models of cartilage, our data showed that in a 3D hydrogel, ASCs increased their autophagic features. This path is the fundamental prerequisite for the initial phase of differentiation that contributes to fueling the cells with energy and factors necessary for chondrogenic differentiation. Full article

Background and Aims. Most research on Parkinson’s disease (PD) focuses on describing symptoms and movement characteristics. Studies rarely focus on the early detection of PD and the search for suitable markers of a prodromal stage. Early detection is important, so treatments that may potentially change the course of the disease can be attempted early on. While gait disturbances are less pronounced in the early stages of the disease, the prevalence, and severity increase with disease progression. Therefore, postural instability and gait difficulties could be identified as sensitive biomarkers. The aim was to evaluate the discriminatory power of the Trail-Walking Test (TWT; Schott, 2015) as a potential diagnostic instrument to improve the predictive power of the clinical evaluation concerning the severity of the disease and record the different aspects of walking. Methods. A total of 20 older healthy (M = 72.4 years, SD = 5.53) adults and 43 older adults with PD and the motor phenotypes postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD; M = 69.7 years, SD = 8.68) and tremor dominant (TD; M = 68.2 years, SD = 8.94) participated in the study. The participants performed a motor-cognitive dual task (DT) of increasing cognitive difficulty in which they had to walk a given path (condition 1), walk to numbers in ascending order (condition 2), and walk to numbers and letters alternately and in ascending order (condition 3). Results. With an increase in the cognitive load, the time to complete the tasks (seconds) became longer in all groups, F(1.23, 73.5) = 121, p < 0.001, ɳ²_p = 0.670. PIGD showed the longest times in all conditions of the TWT, F(2, 60) = 8.15, p < 0.001, ɳ²_p = 0.214. Mutual interferences in the cognitive and motor domain can be observed. However, clear group-specific patterns cannot be identified. A differentiation between the motor phenotypes of PD is especially feasible with the purely motor condition (TWT-M; AUC = 0.685, p = 0.44). Conclusions. PD patients with PIGD must be identified by valid, well-evaluated clinical tests that allow for a precise assessment of the disease’s individual fall risk, the severity of the disease, and the prognosis of progression. The TWT covers various aspects of mobility, examines the relationship between cognitive functions and walking, and enables differentiation of the motor phenotypes of PD. Full article

The complex interaction between glioblastoma and its microenvironment has been recognized for decades. Among various immune profiles, the major population is tumor-associated macrophage, with microglia as its localized homolog. The present definition of such myeloid cells is based on a series of cell markers. These good sentinel cells experience significant changes, facilitating glioblastoma development and protecting it from therapeutic treatments. Huge, complicated mechanisms are involved during the overall processes. A lot of effort has been dedicated to crack the mysterious codes in macrophage/microglia recruiting, activating, reprogramming, and functioning. We have made our path. With more and more key factors identified, a lot of new therapeutic methods could be explored to break the ominous loop, to enhance tumor sensitivity to treatments, and to improve the prognosis of glioblastoma patients. However, it might be a synergistic system rather than a series of clear, stepwise events. There are still significant challenges before the light of truth can shine onto the field. Here, we summarize recent advances in this field, reviewing the path we have been on and where we are now. Full article

Three promising directions for improving care for osteoarthritis (OA) include novel education strategies to target unhelpful illness and treatment beliefs; methods to enhance the efficacy of exercise interventions; and innovative, brain-directed treatments. Here we explain that each of those three promising directions can be combined through a paradigm-shift from disease-based treatments to personalized activity self-management for patients with OA. Behavioral graded activity (BGA) accounts for the current understanding of OA and OA pain and allows a paradigm shift from a disease-based treatment to personalized activity self-management for patients with OA. To account for the implementation barriers of BGA, we propose adding pain neuroscience education to BGA (referred to as BGA⁺). Rather than focusing on the biomedical (and biomechanical) disease characteristics of OA, pain neuroscience education implies teaching people about the underlying biopsychosocial mechanisms of pain. To account for the lack of studies showing that BGA is “safe” with respect to disease activity and the inflammatory nature of OA patients, a trial exploring the effects of BGA⁺ on the markers of inflammation is needed. Such a trial could clear the path for the required paradigm shift in the management of OA (pain) and would allow workforce capacity building that de-emphasizes biomedical management for OA. Full article

In this communication, we describe microfluidic paper analytical devices (μPADs) easily fabricated from commercially available Sharpie ink permanent markers on chromatography paper to colorimetrically detect glucose using glucose oxidase (GOx). Here, solutions of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), GOx, and potassium iodide (KI)were directly spotted onto the center of the μPAD and flowed into samples of glucose that were separately spotted on the μPAD. Using an XY plotter (Roland DGA Corporation, Irvine, CA USA), several ink marks drawn in the paper act as the hydrophobic barriers, thereby, defining the hydrophilic fluid flow paths of the solutions. Two paper devices are described that act as independent assay zones. The glucose assay is based on the enzymatic oxidation of iodide to iodine whereby a color change from clear to brownish-yellow is associated with the presence of glucose. In these experiments, two designs are highlighted that consist of circular paper test regions fabricated for colorimetric and subsequent quantification detection of glucose. The use of permanent markers for paper patterning is inexpensive and rapid and does not require special laboratory equipment or technical skill. Full article

This paper reports on a navigation method for the snow-removal robot called SnowEater. The robot is designed to work autonomously within small areas (around 30 m² or less) following line segment paths. The line segment paths are laid out so as much snow as possible can be cleared from an area. Navigation is accomplished by using an onboard low-resolution USB camera and a small marker located in the area to be cleared. Low-resolution cameras allow only limited localization and present significant errors. However, these errors can be overcome by using an efficient navigation algorithm to exploit the merits of these cameras. For stable robust autonomous snow removal using this limited information, the most reliable data are selected and the travel paths are controlled. The navigation paths are a set of radially arranged line segments emanating from a marker placed in the environment area to be cleared, in a place where it is not covered by snow. With this method, by using a low-resolution camera (640 × 480 pixels) and a small marker (100 × 100 mm), the robot covered the testing area following line segments. For a reference angle of 4.5° between line paths, the average results are: 4° for motion on hard floor and 4.8° for motion on compacted snow. The main contribution of this study is the design of a path-following control algorithm capable of absorbing the errors generated by a low-cost camera. Full article