Background: Although xenografts have shown successful results in GBR procedures due to their osteoconductive properties, many authors have opted to add co-adjuvant drugs to favor osteogenesis and differentiate cells into an osteoblastic lineage. Metformin has been shown to have bone-protective properties, regulating osteoclast differentiation, as well as the ability to promote osteoblast mineralization and differentiation. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the local application of a 1% metformin solution on bone neoformation in the treatment of an experimental bone defect in a guided bone regeneration animal model with a particulated bovine hydroxyapatite xenograft with hyaluronate. Methods: With this purpose in mind, two critical defects with 8 mm diameter and 0.5 mm depth were created in eight male New Zealand rabbit calvarias. Titanium cylinders were fixed in each defect and filled with particulate hydroxyapatite of bovine origin and sodium hyaluronate, with sterile injectable saline added to the control group and sterile 1% metformin solution added to the test group. At 6 weeks, the animals were euthanized, and samples were obtained and prepared for histomorphometric analysis. Results: A higher percentage of new bone formation was observed in the metformin samples than in the control samples, both in the region closest to the animal’s calvaria and in the most distal region analyzed. A higher average bone–biomaterial contact percentage was observed in the samples, with metformin in both the proximal and distal regions. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean value in either region in both parameters. Conclusion: The local application of a 1% metformin solution in an animal model of guided bone regeneration with particulate bovine hydroxyapatite and hyaluronate resulted in greater bone neoformation and xenograft osseointegration than in the control group. Full article

This study is concerned with the nonlinear free vibration of a cracked functionally graded porous cylindrical panel reinforced with graphene platelets by introducing a phase-field crack model. Conventional crack modeling by separating the grid nodes lying on the crack line is not only painstaking but also suffers from numerical instability. To overcome this problem, the internal crack is modeled by adopting the phase-field formulation and a virtual geometry rotation. The nonlinear numerical method is developed based on the first-order shear deformation theory incorporated with the von Kármán geometry nonlinearity in the framework of the 2-D extended natural element method, a recently introduced mesh-free method. The crack-induced singular field is represented by adopting the crack-tip singular functions, and the troublesome numerical locking is restrained by combining the MITC3+ shell concept and the shear stabilization factor. The curved shell surface is mapped to a 2-D rectangular NEM grid to avoid difficulty in defining the interpolation functions. The developed numerical method is verified through a comparison with the reference solutions, and the large-amplitude free vibration of porous cracked functionally graded grapheme platelet-reinforced cylindrical panels is profoundly examined by changing the major parameters. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest global health problem in the last hundred years. The efficacy of the vaccine to protect against severe disease is estimated to be 70–95% according to the studies carried out, although there are aspects of the immune response to the vaccine that remain unclear. Methods: Humoral and cellular immunity after the administration of three doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech and Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 over one year and the appearance of post-vaccination COVID-19 were studied. SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA antibodies, αβ and γδ T-cell subsets, and their differentiation stages and apoptosis were analyzed. Results: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA antibodies showed a progressive increase throughout the duration of the study. This increase was the greatest after the third dose. The highest levels were observed in subjects who had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies prior to vaccination. There was an increase in CD4+ αβ, CD8+ γδ and TEM CD8+ γδ T cells, and a decrease in apoptosis in CD4+ CD8+ and CD56+ αβ and γδ T cells. Post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection was greater than 60%. The symptoms of COVID-19 were very mild and were related to a γδ T cell deficit, specifically CD8+ TEMRA and CD56+ γδ TEM, as well as lower pre-vaccine apoptosis levels. Conclusions: The results unveil the important role of γδ T cells in SARS-CoV-2-vaccine-mediated protection from the disease. Full article

Post-fermentation wastes are rich sources of various biologically active compounds with antimicrobial activity, whose potential is not being fully exploited. One of the possible applications of post-fermentation waste may be its use as a natural preservative that effectively combats pathogens found in formulations. The study aims included the following: (1) compare the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of fermented vegetable extracts (FVEs), (2) examine the inhibition of cosmetic-borne pathogens by FVEs, and (3) estimate the preservative effectiveness of FVEs in o/w emulsions. It was found that fermented white cabbage, cucumber, celery, and the mixture of fermented white cabbage, cucumber, and celery (1:1:1) showed antibacterial and antifungal activity against all the tested reference microbial strains. The addition of fermented cucumber, celery, and the mixture of fermented white cabbage, cucumber, and celery (1:1:1) to the o/w emulsion fulfilled criterion A of the preservative effectiveness test for S. aureus, E. coli, and A. brasiliensis, but did not fulfill the criterion for P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. The tested FVEs have comparable activity to inhibit pathogens in o/w emulsion as sodium benzoate. The results of our study prove that FVEs can be valuable raw materials supporting the preservative system, which, in turn, can significantly reduce the concentration of preservatives used in o/w emulsion. Full article

In this study, alumina ceramics with hierarchical pores were successfully fabricated using freeze casting. Experimental studies show that both the solid loading of the slurry and the thermal insulation layer at the interface of the slurry and cooling plate can influence the pore characteristics of cast samples. In order to examine the pore characteristics and evaluate the permeability of the freeze-cast samples fabricated under different conditions, a generative adversarial network (GAN) method was employed to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) microstructure from two-dimensional (2D) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the samples. Furthermore, GAN 3D reconstruction was validated against X-ray tomography 3D reconstruction results. Based on the GAN reconstructed microstructures, the permeability and pore distribution of the various samples were analyzed. The sample cast with 35 wt.% solid loading shows an optimal permeability. Full article

The emergence of additive manufacturing technologies for fiber-reinforced thermoset composites has greatly bolstered their utilization, particularly within the aerospace industry. However, the ability to precisely measure the interface strength between the fiber and thermoset matrix in additively manufactured composites has been constrained by the cumbersome nature of single-fiber pull-out experiments and the need for costly instrumentation. This study aims to introduce a novel methodology for conducting single-fiber pull-out tests aimed at quantifying interface shear strength in additively manufactured thermoset composites. Our findings substantiate the viability of this approach, showcasing successful fiber embedding within composite test specimens and precise characterization of fiber pull-out strength using a conventional mechanical testing system. The test outcome revealed an average interfacial strength value of 2.4 MPa between carbon fiber and the thermoset epoxy matrix, aligning with similar studies in the existing literature. The outcome of this study offers an affordable and versatile test methodology to revolutionize composite material fabrication for superior mechanical performance. Full article

Mainstream research on information theory within the field of living systems involves the application of analytical tools to understand a broad range of life processes. This paper is dedicated to an opposite problem: it explores the information theory and communication engineering methods that have counterparts in the data transmission process by way of DNA structures and neural fibers. Considering the requirements of modern multimedia, transmission methods chosen by nature may be different, suboptimal, or even far from optimal. However, nature is known for rational resource usage, so its methods have a significant advantage: they are proven to be sustainable. Perhaps understanding the engineering aspects of methods of nature can inspire a design of alternative green, stable, and low-cost transmission. Full article

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in the construction industry could revolutionise workplace safety and efficiency. However, this integration also carries complex socio-legal implications that require further investigation. Presently, there is a research gap in the socio-legal dimensions of AI use to enhance health and safety regulations and protocols for the construction sector in the United Kingdom, particularly in understanding how the existing legal frameworks can adapt to AI integration effectively. Comprehensive research is indispensable to identify where the existing regulations may fall short or require more specificity in addressing the unique implications introduced by AI technologies. This article aims to address the pressing socio-legal challenges surrounding the integration of AI in the UK construction industry, specifically in enhancing health and safety protocols on construction sites, through a systematic review encompassing the PRISMA protocol. The review has identified that the existing legal and regulatory framework provides a strong foundation for risk management. Still, it needs to sufficiently account for the socio-legal dimensions introduced by AI deployment and how AI may evolve in the future. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will require standardised authorities to effectively oversee the use of AI in the UK construction industry. This will enable the HSE to collect data related to AI processes and carry out technical, empirical, and governance audits. The provision of sufficient resources and the empowerment of the HSE within the context of the construction industry are critical factors that must be taken into consideration to ensure effective oversight of AI implementation. Full article

(1) Background: Independently owned restaurants (IORs) are prevalent in under-resourced racial and ethnic minority communities in the US and present a unique setting for public health nutrition interventions. (2) Methods: We conducted 14 in-depth interviews with IOR owners in Baltimore about their perceptions of healthy food, and customers’ acceptance of healthier menus and cooking methods and concurrent observations of the availability of healthy options on their menus. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed using ATLAS.ti. Observations were analyzed with statistical analysis performed in R. (3) Results: Owners perceived non-fried options, lean proteins, and plant-based meals as healthy. While open to using healthier cooking fats, they had mixed feelings about reducing salt, adopting non-frying methods for cooking, and adding vegetables and whole grains to the menu, and were reluctant to reduce sugar in recipes and beverages. Only 17.5% of 1019 foods and 27.6% of 174 beverages in these IORs were healthy, with no significant differences in the healthfulness of restaurant offerings within low-healthy-food-access/low-income neighborhoods and those outside. (4) Conclusion: Healthy options are generally scarce in Baltimore’s IORs. Insights from owners inform future interventions to tailor healthy menu offerings that are well-received by customers and feasible for implementation. Full article

This paper analyzes the effect of crosslinking reactions on a thermoset polymer’s viscoelastic properties. In particular, a numerical model to predict the evolution of epoxy’s mechanical properties during the curing process is proposed and implemented in an Ansys APDL environment. A linear viscoelastic behavior is assumed, and the scaling of viscoelastic properties in terms of the temperature and degree of conversion is modeled using a modified version of the TNM (Tool–Narayanaswamy–Mohynian) model. The effects of the degree of conversion and structural relaxation on epoxy’s relaxation times are simultaneously examined for the first time. This formulation is based on the thermo-rheological and chemo-rheological simplicities hypothesis and can predict the evolution of epoxy’s relaxation phenomena. The thermal–kinetic reactions of curing are implemented in a homemade routine written in APDL language, and the structural module of Ansys is used to predict the polymer’s creep and stress relaxation curves at different temperatures and degrees of conversion. Full article

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) significantly contributes to cancer-related mortality, necessitating the exploration of prognostic factors beyond TNM staging. This study investigates the composition of the gut microbiome and microbial DNA fragments in stage II/III CRC. Methods: A cohort of 142 patients with stage II/III CRC and 91 healthy controls underwent comprehensive microbiome analysis. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing, and blood samples were tested for the presence of microbial DNA fragments. De novo clustering analysis categorized individuals based on their microbial profiles. Alpha and beta diversity metrics were calculated, and taxonomic profiling was conducted. Results: Patients with CRC exhibited distinct microbial composition compared to controls. Beta diversity analysis confirmed CRC-specific microbial profiles. Taxonomic profiling revealed unique taxonomies in the patient cohort. De novo clustering separated individuals into distinct groups, with specific microbial DNA fragment detection associated with certain patient clusters. Conclusions: The gut microbiota can differentiate patients with CRC from healthy individuals. Detecting microbial DNA fragments in the bloodstream may be linked to CRC prognosis. These findings suggest that the gut microbiome could serve as a prognostic factor in stage II/III CRC. Identifying specific microbial markers associated with CRC prognosis has potential clinical implications, including personalized treatment strategies and reduced healthcare costs. Further research is needed to validate these findings and uncover underlying mechanisms. Full article

Drainage pipes are often positioned downstream of embankments to mitigate pore pressure, thereby reducing the risk of dam failure. Considering that the size of drainage pipes is much smaller than that of embankment dams, directly discretizing the drainage pipes will generate a huge number of elements. Therefore, this paper proposes a seepage element containing drainage pipes. In this element, the permeability of the drainage pipe is taken as the third type of permeable conductivity condition, and it is considered in the energy functional. The governing equations for the steady-state and the transient seepage element containing drainage pipe are derived using the variational principle, and the infiltration matrix, equivalent nodal seepage array, and water storage matrix of the seepage element containing drainage pipe are obtained. In conjunction with the user-defined element module UEL of ABAQUS 2016 software, the established seepage element containing drainage pipe is programmed. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed seepage element containing drainage pipe are verified through seepage field simulations of three examples. Finally, the influence of the permeable conductivity of drainage pipes on the pressure reduction effect is investigated, providing a reference for the layout of drainage pipes in embankment defense systems. Full article

This study investigated the reliability of Zener diodes subjected to a gradually increasing DC switching surge amplitude with delay internals between surges to avoid thermal degradation from different manufacturers with similar specifications. The analysis involved applying occasional 3 ms direct current (DC) switching surges with a gradual increasing surge voltage, followed by a constant current test to verify device functionality for three different selected manufacturer 5.1 V Zener diodes. This experimental approach was used to identify the maximum surge current that each Zener diode could handle before failing to clamp the surge voltage at the specified Zener reference voltage. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the maximum average surge current between different manufacturers. The maximum average surge current findings just before failure were 1.98 A, 3.18 A, and 3.33 A, respectively, and associated 95% confidence interval ranges can be used as a reliable metric to compare Zener diode population reliability against occasional DC switching surges. The findings revealed variations in the DC switching surge current handling capabilities between Zener diodes from different manufacturers with similar electrical specifications. The statistically measured maximum average surge current just before device failure can be considered an effective metric to compare the reliability of Zener diodes against DC switching surge degradation. Full article

One of the most challenging problems when diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the need for long sets of data. Collecting data during such long periods is challenging, particularly when dealing with children. This challenge motivates the investigation of possible classifiers of ASD that do not need such long data sets. In this paper, we use eye-tracking data sets covering only 5 s and introduce one metric able to distinguish between ASD and typically developed (TD) gaze patterns based on such short time-series and compare it with two benchmarks, one using the traditional eye-tracking metrics and one state-of-the-art AI classifier. Although the data can only track possible disorders in visual attention and our approach is not a substitute to medical diagnosis, we find that our newly introduced metric can achieve an accuracy of $93\%$ in classifying eye gaze trajectories from children with ASD surpassing both benchmarks while needing fewer data. The classification accuracy of our method, using a 5 s data series, performs better than the standard metrics in eye-tracking and is at the level of the best AI benchmarks, even when these are trained with longer time series. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of our method in comparison with the state of the art: besides needing a low amount of data, this method is a simple, understandable, and straightforward criterion to apply, which often contrasts with “black box” AI methods. Full article

Attapulgite-hydroxyethyl cellulose-poly (acrylic acid-co-2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) (ATP-HEC-P(AA-co-AMPS)) in-concrete curing material was synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization using attapulgite (ATP) as an inorganic filler and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) as a backbone. The effects of relevant factors such as ATP dosage, HEC dosage, degree of neutralization, initiator quality, and cross-linking agent quality on the water absorption characteristics of ATP-HEC-P (AA-co-AMPS) were investigated through expansion tests. The micro-morphology of ATP-HEC-P (AA-co-AMPS) was also comprehensively characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, a thermal analysis, and other applicable means. The results showed that the prepared ATP-HEC-P (AA-co-AMPS) had a strong water absorption and water retention capacity, with a water absorption multiplicity of 382 g/g in deionized water and 21.55% water retention capacity after being placed at room temperature for 7 d in a bare environment. Additionally, ATP-HEC-P (AA-co-AMPS) showed good performance for absorbing liquids within the pH range of 7–12. The material’s thermal stability and mechanical properties were also significantly improved after the addition of ATP. The preparation cost is low, the process is simple, and the material meets the requirements for concrete curing materials. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has made assessing vaccine efficacy more challenging. Besides neutralizing antibody assays, systems vaccinology studies use omics technology to reveal immune response mechanisms and identify gene signatures in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). However, due to their low proportion in PBMCs, profiling the immune response signatures of dendritic cells (DCs) is difficult. Here, we develop a predictive model for evaluating early immune responses in dendritic cells. We establish a THP-1-derived dendritic cell (TDDC) model and stimulate their maturation in vitro with an optimal dose of attenuated yellow fever 17D (YF-17D). Transcriptomic analysis reveals that type I interferon (IFN-I)-induced immunity plays a key role in dendritic cells. IFN-I regulatory biomarkers (IRF7, SIGLEC1) and IFN-I-inducible biomarkers (IFI27, IFI44, IFIT1, IFIT3, ISG15, MX1, OAS2, OAS3) are identified and validated in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we apply this TDDC approach to various types of vaccines, providing novel insights into their early immune response signatures and their heterogeneity in vaccine recipients. Our findings suggest that a standardizable TDDC model is a promising predictive approach to assessing early immunity in DCs. Further research into vaccine efficacy assessment approaches on various types of immune cells could lead to a systemic regimen for vaccine development in the future. Full article

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) type 3 (LPA₃) receptor mutants were generated in which the sites detected phosphorylated were substituted by non-phosphorylatable amino acids. Substitutions were made in the intracellular loop 3 (IL3 mutant), the carboxyl terminus (Ctail), and both domains (IL3/Ctail). The wild-type (WT) receptor and the mutants were expressed in T-REx HEK293 cells, and the consequences of the substitutions were analyzed employing different functional parameters. Agonist- and LPA-mediated receptor phosphorylation was diminished in the IL3 and Ctail mutants and essentially abolished in the IL3/Ctail mutant, confirming that the main phosphorylation sites are present in both domains and their role in receptor phosphorylation eliminated by substitution and distributed in both domains. The WT and mutant receptors increased intracellular calcium and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in response to LPA and PMA. The agonist, Ki16425, diminished baseline intracellular calcium, which suggests some receptor endogenous activity. Similarly, baseline ERK1/2 phosphorylation was diminished by Ki16425. An increase in baseline ERK phosphorylation was detected in the IL3/Ctail mutant. LPA and PMA-induced receptor interaction with β-arrestin 2 and LPA₃ internalization were severely diminished in cells expressing the mutants. Mutant-expressing cells also exhibit increased baseline proliferation and response to different stimuli, which were inhibited by the antagonist Ki16425, suggesting a role of LPA receptors in this process. Migration in response to different attractants was markedly increased in the Ctail mutant, which the Ki16425 antagonist also attenuated. Our data experimentally show that receptor phosphorylation in the distinct domains is relevant for LPA₃ receptor function Full article

The high-temperature stability of RuAl-based electrodes for application in microelectronic devices is analyzed for long-term duration. The electrodes are prepared on Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ (CTGS) substrates using SiO₂ and Al-N-O cover and barrier layers as oxidation protection. The samples are annealed at 600, 700, or 800 °C in air for 192 h. Minor degradation is observed after thermal loading at 700 °C. The annealing at 800 °C for 192 h leads to a partial oxidation of the Al in the extended contact pad and to a complete oxidation of the Al within the structured interconnect electrodes. The different degradation of the interconnect electrodes and the contact pads is caused by their different lateral dimensions. In summary, long-term high-temperature stability is demonstrated up to at least 700 °C in air. Less oxidizing atmospheres should allow the application at higher temperatures and for a significantly longer duration. Full article

Seventy-one healthy subjects with sleep disturbances participated in a randomized, double-blind controlled trial in which dietary supplementation with an extract of Aloysia citrodora (lemon verbena) (n = 33) or placebo (n = 38) was administered for 90 days. There were between-group differences in favor of the experimental group in the visual analogue scale (VAS) for sleep quality (6.5 ± 1.6 vs. 5.5 ± 2.1, p = 0.021) as well as in the overall score (5.8 ± 2.4, p = 0.008) and scores for sleep latency (1.6 ± 1.0 vs. 1.9 ± 0.7, p = 0.027) and sleep efficiency (84.5 ± 12.8 vs. 79.8 ± 13.6, p = 0.023) in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Sleep-related variables (latency, efficiency, wakefulness after sleep onset, awakenings) assessed by actigraphy also showed better scores in the experimental group (p = 0.001). Plasma nocturnal melatonin levels also increased significantly in the experimental group (199.7 ± 135.3 vs. 174.7 ± 115.4 pg/mL, p = 0.048). Changes in anthropometric parameters and physical activity levels were not found. In summary, a dietary supplement of lemon verbena administered for 3 months was associated with a significant improvement in sleep quality as compared with placebo in a population of healthy subjects with sleep problems. Full article

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are key regulators of cellular cholesterol homeostasis but are functionally altered in many chronic diseases. The factors that cause HDL functional loss in chronic disease are not fully understood. It is also unknown what roles antioxidant carotenoids play in protecting HDL against functional loss. The aim of this study was to measure how various disease-associated chemical factors including exposure to (1) Cu²⁺ ions, (2) hypochlorous acid (HOCL), (3) hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), (4) sialidase, (5) glycosidase, (6) high glucose, (7) high fructose, and (8) acidic pH, and the carotenoid antioxidants (9) lutein and (10) zeaxanthin affect HDL functionality. We hypothesized that some of the modifications would have stronger impacts on HDL particle structure and function than others and that lutein and zeaxanthin would improve HDL function. HDL samples were isolated from generally healthy human plasma and incubated with the corresponding treatments listed above. Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), lecithin–cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activity, and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity were measured in order to determine changes in HDL functionality. Median HDL particle diameter was increased by acidic pH treatment and reduced by HOCl, high glucose, high fructose, N-glycosidase, and lutein treatments. Acidic pH, oxidation, and fructosylation all reduced HDL CEC, whereas lutein, zeaxanthin, and sialidase treatment improved HDL CEC. LCAT activity was reduced by acidic pH, oxidation, high fructose treatments, and lutein. PON1 activity was reduced by sialidase, glycosidase, H₂O₂, and fructose and improved by zeaxanthin and lutein treatment. These results show that exposure to oxidizing agents, high fructose, and low pH directly impairs HDL functionality related to cholesterol efflux and particle maturation, whereas deglycosylation impairs HDL antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin improve or preserve both HDL cholesterol efflux and antioxidant activity but have no effect on particle maturation. Full article

Continuous non-invasive blood pressure (CNBP) monitoring is of the utmost importance in detecting and managing hypertension, a leading cause of death in the United States. Extensive research has delved into pioneering methods for predicting systolic and diastolic blood pressure values by leveraging pulse arrival time (PAT), the time difference between the proximal and distal signal peaks. The most widely employed pairing involves electrocardiography (ECG) and photoplethysmography (PPG). Possessing similar characteristics in terms of measuring blood flow changes, a recently investigated optical signal known as speckleplethysmography (SPG) showed its stability and high signal-to-noise ratio compared with PPG. Thus, SPG is a potential surrogate to pair with ECG for CNBP estimation. The present study aims to unlock the untapped potential of SPG as a signal for non-invasive blood pressure monitoring based on PAT. To ascertain SPG’s capabilities, eight subjects were enrolled in multiple recording sessions. A third-party device was employed for ECG and PPG measurements, while a commercial device served as the reference for arterial blood pressure (ABP). SPG measurements were obtained using a prototype smartphone-based system. Following the completion of three scenarios—sitting, walking, and running—the subjects’ signals and ABP were recorded to investigate the predictive capacity of systolic blood pressure. The collected data were processed and prepared for machine learning models, including support vector regression and decision tree regression. The models’ effectiveness was evaluated using root-mean-square error and mean absolute percentage error. In most instances, predictions utilizing ${PAT}_{SPG}$ exhibited comparable or superior performance to ${PAT}_{PPG}$ (i.e., SPG Rest ± 12.4 mmHg vs. PPG Rest ± 13.7 mmHg for RSME, and SPG 8% vs. PPG 9% for MAPE). Furthermore, incorporating an additional feature, namely the previous SBP value, resulted in reduced prediction errors for both signals in multiple model configurations (i.e., SPG Rest ± 12.4 mmHg to ±3.7 mmHg for RSME, and SPG Rest 8% to 3% for MAPE). These preliminary tests of SPG underscore the remarkable potential of this novel signal in PAT-based blood pressure predictions. Subsequent studies involving a larger cohort of test subjects and advancements in the SPG acquisition system hold promise for further improving the effectiveness of this newly explored signal in blood pressure monitoring. Full article

Detecting objects, particularly naval mines, on the seafloor is a complex task. In naval mine countermeasures (MCM) operations, sidescan or synthetic aperture sonars have been used to search large areas. However, a single sensor cannot meet the requirements of high-precision autonomous navigation. Based on the ORB-SLAM3-VI framework, we propose ORB-SLAM3-VIP, which integrates a depth sensor, an IMU sensor and an optical sensor. This method integrates the measurements of depth sensors and an IMU sensor into the visual SLAM algorithm through tight coupling, and establishes a multi-sensor fusion SLAM model. Depth constraints are introduced into the process of initialization, scale fine-tuning, tracking and mapping to constrain the position of the sensor in the z-axis and improve the accuracy of pose estimation and map scale estimate. The test on seven sets of underwater multi-sensor sequence data in the AQUALOC dataset shows that, compared with ORB-SLAM3-VI, the ORB-SLAM3-VIP system proposed in this paper reduces the scale error in all sequences by up to 41.2%, and reduces the trajectory error by up to 41.2%. The square root has also been reduced by up to 41.6%. Full article