Background: The aim was to analyze the current state of deep learning (DL)-based prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis with a focus on magnetic resonance (MR) prostate reconstruction; PCa detection/stratification/reconstruction; positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT); androgen deprivation therapy (ADT); prostate biopsy; associated challenges and their clinical implications. Methods: A search of the PubMed database was conducted based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the use of DL methods within the abovementioned areas. Results: A total of 784 articles were found, of which, 64 were included. Reconstruction of the prostate, the detection and stratification of prostate cancer, the reconstruction of prostate cancer, and diagnosis on PET/CT, ADT, and biopsy were analyzed in 21, 22, 6, 7, 2, and 6 studies, respectively. Among studies describing DL use for MR-based purposes, datasets with magnetic field power of 3 T, 1.5 T, and 3/1.5 T were used in 18/19/5, 0/1/0, and 3/2/1 studies, respectively, of 6/7 studies analyzing DL for PET/CT diagnosis which used data from a single institution. Among the radiotracers, [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA-11, [¹⁸F]DCFPyl, and [¹⁸F]PSMA-1007 were used in 5, 1, and 1 study, respectively. Only two studies that analyzed DL in the context of DT met the inclusion criteria. Both were performed with a single-institution dataset with only manual labeling of training data. Three studies, each analyzing DL for prostate biopsy, were performed with single- and multi-institutional datasets. TeUS, TRUS, and MRI were used as input modalities in two, three, and one study, respectively. Conclusion: DL models in prostate cancer diagnosis show promise but are not yet ready for clinical use due to variability in methods, labels, and evaluation criteria. Conducting additional research while acknowledging all the limitations outlined is crucial for reinforcing the utility and effectiveness of DL-based models in clinical settings. Full article

Cannabidiol (CBD) appears to possess some neuroprotective properties, but experimental data are still inconsistent. Therefore, this in vitro study aimed to compare the effects of CBD in a wide range of concentrations on oxidative stress and excitotoxic-related cell damage. Results showed that low concentrations of CBD ameliorated the H₂O₂-evoked cell damage of primary cortical neuronal cell culture. However, higher concentrations of CBD alone (5–25 μM) decreased the viability of cortical neurons in a concentration-dependent manner and aggravated the toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Neuroprotection mediated by CBD in primary neurons against H₂O₂ was not associated with a direct influence on ROS production nor inhibition of caspase-3, but we found protective effects of CBD at the level of mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation. However, CBD had no protective effect on the glutamate-induced cell damage of cortical neurons, and in higher concentrations, it enhanced the toxic effects of this cell-damaging factor. Likewise, CBD, depending on its concentration, at least did not affect or even enhance cortical cellular damage exposed to oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD). Finally, we showed that CBD in submicromolar or low micromolar concentrations significantly protected human neuronal-like SH-SY5Y cells against H₂O₂- and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cell damage. Our data indicate that CBD has a dual effect on oxidative stress-induced neuronal death-in low concentrations, it is neuroprotective, but in higher ones, it may display neurotoxic activity. On the other hand, in excitotoxic-related models, CBD was ineffective or enhanced cell damage. Our data support the notion that the neuroprotective effects of CBD strongly depend on its concentration and experimental model of neuronal death. Full article

The recent availability of commercial platforms for behavioral analyses in zebrafish larvae based on video-tracking technologies has exponentially increased the number of studies analyzing different behaviors in this model organism to assess neurotoxicity. Among the most commonly used assays in zebrafish larvae are basal locomotor activity (BLA) and visual motor responses (VMRs). However, the effect of different intrinsic and extrinsic factors that can significantly alter the outcome of these assays is still not well understood. In this work, we have analyzed the influence of age (5–8 days post-fertilization), time of day (8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00; 16:00, 18:00, and 20:00 h), and experiment (three experiments performed at different days) on BLA and VMR results (4004 analyses for each behavior) in 143 larvae. The results from both behaviors were adjusted to a random-effects linear regression model using generalized least squares (GLSs), including in the model the effect of the three variables, the second-way interactions between them, and the three-way interaction. The results presented in this manuscript show a specific effect of all three intrinsic factors and their interactions on both behaviors, supporting the view that the most stable time period for performing these behavioral assays is from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm, with some differences depending on the age of the larva and the behavioral test. Full article

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is more prevalent in post- compared to pre-menopausal women. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Data in humans is confounded by age and co-morbidities. We investigated the effects of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement on the left ventricular (LV) gene expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic factors involved in HFpEF and putative regulating miRNAs. Nine-week-old C57BL/6 female mice were subjected to ovariectomy (OVX) or SHAM operation. OVX and SHAM groups were sacrificed 1-, 6-, and 12-weeks post-surgery (T1/SHAM; T1/OVX; T6/SHAM; T6/OVX, T12/SHAM). 17β-estradiol (E₂) or vehicle (VEH) was then administered to the OVX groups for 6 weeks (T12/OVX/E2; T12/OVX/VEH). Another SHAM group was sacrificed 12-weeks post-surgery. RNA and miRNAs were extracted from the LV apex. An early 3-fold increase in the gene expression of IL-1α, IL-6, Mmp9, Mmp12, Col1α1, and Col3α1 was observed one-week post-surgery in T1/OVX vs. T1/SHAM, but not at later time points. miRNA-26a was lower in T1/OVX vs. T1/SHAM and was inversely correlated with Col1α1 and Col3α1 expression 1-week post-surgery (r = −0.79 p < 0.001; r = −0.6 p = 0.007). miRNAs-26a, 29b, and 133a were significantly higher, while Col1α1, Col3α1, IL-1α, IL-6, Tnfα, Mmp12, and FasL gene expression was significantly lower in E₂- compared to vehicle-treated OVX mice. miRNA-26a was inversely correlated with Col3α1 in T12/OVX/ E₂ (r = −0.56 p = 0.02). OVX triggered an early increase in the gene expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic factors, highlighting the importance of the early phase post-cessation of ovarian function. E₂ replacement therapy, even if it was not immediately initiated after OVX, reversed these unfavorable changes and upregulated cardiac miRNA-26a, previously unknown to be affected by menopausal status. Full article

A rapid development of marine infrastructures can be observed along the global coasts. Offshore wind farms, oil and gas platforms, artificial islands, aquaculture, and more, are being constructed without a proper quantification of these human activities. Therefore, effective monitoring is required to maintain transparency towards environmental standards, marine resource management, inventorying objects, and global security. This study reviews remote sensing-based approaches to offshore infrastructure detection over the past 12 years. We analyzed 89 studies from over 30 scientific journals, highlighting spatial and temporal trends, methodological approaches, and regional and thematic research foci. Our results show a significant increase in research interest, especially since 2019. Asia, and especially China, is the predominant focus region in terms of first authorship, funding, and areas of investigation. Aquaculture is the most studied infrastructure, followed by platforms, offshore wind farms, and artificial islands. Gaofen, Sentinel, and Landsat are the most used satellite sensors for detection. The apparent shift towards automated detection methods, especially Deep Learning algorithms, reflects advances in computer vision. This study highlights the key role of earth observation in the field of off-shore infrastructure detection, which can contribute towards outlining effective monitoring practices for marine activities, as well as highlighting important knowledge gaps. Full article

Aiming at the disrupted flight recovery problem, this paper established a mixed-integer programming model based on the resource assignment model to minimize the recovery cost. To deal with the large-scale examples, the Logic-Based Benders decomposition algorithm is designed to divide the problem into a master problem and sub-problems. The algorithm uses MIP in the master problem to determine flight cancellations and aircraft replacements. In the sub-problems, MIP or CP is used to determine the departure time of delayed flights. Later, incorporating sectional constraints into the main problem and iterating until an optimal solution is obtained. Furthermore, the added cutting plane constraint in the iterations of the Benders decomposition algorithm are strengthened to eliminate more inferior solutions. By comparing the results of CPLEX, the Logic-Based Benders decomposition algorithm, and the enhanced Benders decomposition algorithm, it is verified that the improved Benders decomposition algorithm can solve large-scale examples more efficiently with a faster time and fewer iterations. Full article

Carbon sequestration through CO₂ injection into a formation is an effective strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, a one-dimensional long reactor was constructed to simulate the CO₂ injection process under various sediment temperatures, pressures, and flow rates. The formation of CO₂ hydrate and the resulting blockages were investigated in detail through a series of indoor experiments. Due to the increasing driving force for CO₂ hydrate formation, reducing sediment temperature and increasing sediment pressure can cause hydrate blockage to form near the injection end, leading to an increase in CO₂ injection pressure and a reduction in the storage range. Furthermore, CO₂ injection rate has a substantial impact on the pattern of hydrate blockage. A lower injection rate facilitates full contact between CO₂ gas and pore water, which helps to increase the formation and blockage degree of CO₂ hydrates, thereby decreasing the amount of CO₂ injection. The experimental investigation presented in this paper examines the laws of CO₂ injection and clogging under various sediment conditions and injection processes on a one-dimensional scale, which can provide valuable insights for the design of CO₂ sequestration processes. Full article

The surge in opioid use disorder (OUD) over the past decade escalated opioid overdoses to a leading cause of death in the United States. With adverse effects on cognition, risk-taking, and decision-making, OUD may negatively influence financial well-being. This study examined the financial health of individuals diagnosed with OUD by reviewing financial beliefs and financial behaviors. We evaluated quality of life, perceptions of financial condition during active use and recovery, and total debt. We distributed a 20-item survey to 150 individuals in an outpatient treatment program for OUD in a large metropolitan area, yielding a 56% response rate. The results revealed low overall financial health, with a median debt of USD 12,961 and a quality-of-life score of 72.80, 9.4% lower than the U.S. average (82.10). Most participants (65.75%) reported improved financial health during recovery, while a higher majority (79.45%) worsened during active use. Unemployment affected 42% of respondents, and 9.52% were employed only part-time. Regression analysis highlighted a strong association between lack of full-time employment and a lack of financial advising with total debt. High financial anxiety and active use were associated with lower quality of life. Individuals with OUD may benefit from financial interventions, resources, and counseling to improve their financial health. Full article

The biologger is a widely used tool in biotelemetry for investigating marine fish. However, studies reported that the attachment of biologgers has a negative effect on the target organisms. We assessed the health status of spotted sea bass with attached biologgers by analyzing changes in their serum biochemistry and biomarker gene expression at varying biologger/fish body weight ratios. Especially, the assessment of the health status using biomarker genes offers the rapid evaluation of the condition of an individual. The genes bax, hsp70-2, and Cx32.7, associated with apoptosis, stress, and immunity, were selected as biomarker genes to assess the fish stress levels and overall health. The experimental groups included a control group without the biologger (C) and biologger-equipped groups, each carrying a biologger whose weight was 2.0–3.0% (W2), 5.0–6.0% (W5), and 10.0–12.0% (W10) of the fish body weight. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 post-attachment. The expression of bax, hsp70-2, and Cx32.7 was analyzed in the liver and muscle on day 21. The W10 group showed significantly higher levels of superoxide dismutase on day 1 and of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase on day 7 than the other groups. On day 21 post-attachment, regardless of the biologger/fish body weight ratio, the liver and muscle tissues from groups W2, W5, and W10 showed significantly higher expression of bax, hsp70-2, and Cx32.7 than those from group C, respectively. However, there was no significant change in blood parameters depending on the weight of the attached biologger on day 21 post-attachment. These results indicate that the spotted sea bass gradually adapted to the attached biologgers of weights up to 10–12% of their body weight under our experimental conditions, providing clues to determine the timing of biologger release for biotelemetry studies. Full article

This study explores the innovative use of CO2 laser technology in frenuloplasty, a significant shift from classic methods like scalpel surgery or electrocautery towards a minimally invasive approach. The research involved 15 patients aged 25 to 50, undergoing frenuloplasty with a CO2 laser system equipped with a 7-inch defocused handpiece, set at 20 Hz and 0.3 W. This method diverges from conventional laser techniques, focusing on controlled laser passes combined with manual traction to elongate the fibrous tissue of the frenulum. The results demonstrated that the CO2 laser technique allowed for a precise and progressive modification of the frenulum, significantly reducing the risks of hemorrhage and secondary intention fibrosis. The healing process was notably expedited, with patients reporting satisfactory outcomes within a two-week period. Statistically significant improvements were observed in patient-reported outcomes, as evidenced by the increases in the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) scores, with the mean Physical Component Summary (PCS) score rising from 32.5 to 47.5 and the mean Mental Component Summary (MCS) score from 39.3 to 52.3 (p < 0.001 for both). The study concludes that CO2 laser frenuloplasty is an effective and safe technique, offering substantial benefits in terms of reduced healing time and enhanced patient satisfaction. The significant improvements in SF-12 scores underscore the positive impact on patient quality of life, advocating for the broader application of this technique in clinical practice. Further research is warranted to explore its potential in a wider clinical context. Full article

Background and Objectives: Despite the promise of phage therapy (PT), its efficacy in prosthetic joint infection (PJI) management is unknown. Much of the current literature is largely limited to case reports and series. Materials and Methods: In order to help inform power calculations for future clinical trials and comparative analyses, we performed a systematic review and proportional meta-analysis of early PT outcomes to provide a preliminary assessment of early phage therapy treatment outcomes for cases of PJI. Results: In a search of available literature across MEDLINE (Ovid, Wolters Kluwer, Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands), Embase (Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands), the Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate, London, UK), and Cochrane Central (Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, USA) up to 23 September 2023, we identified 37 patients with PJIs receiving adjunctive PT. Patients most frequently reported Staphylococcal species infection (95%) and intraarticular phage delivery (73%). Phage cocktail (65%) and antibiotic co-administration (97%) were common. A random-effects proportional meta-analysis suggested infection remission in 78% of patients (95% CI: 39%, 95%) (I² = 55%, p = 0.08) and 83% with a minimum 12-month follow-up (95% CI: 53%, 95%) (I² = 26%, p = 0.26). Conclusions: Our study provides a preliminary estimate of PT’s efficacy in PJIs and informs future comparative studies. Full article

This study employs a meshless computational model to investigate the impacts of compression and traction on angiogenesis, exploring their effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) diffusion and subsequent capillary network formation. Three distinct initial domain geometries were defined to simulate variations in endothelial cell sprouting and VEGF release. Compression and traction were applied, and the ensuing effects on VEGF diffusion coefficients were analysed. Compression promoted angiogenesis, increasing capillary network density. The reduction in the VEGF diffusion coefficient under compression altered VEGF concentration, impacting endothelial cell migration patterns. The findings were consistent across diverse simulation scenarios, demonstrating the robust influence of compression on angiogenesis. This computational study enhances our understanding of the intricate interplay between mechanical forces and angiogenesis. Compression emerges as an effective mediator of angiogenesis, influencing VEGF diffusion and vascular pattern. These insights may contribute to innovative therapeutic strategies for angiogenesis-related disorders, fostering tissue regeneration and addressing diseases where angiogenesis is crucial. Full article

The study of lubricating oil is paramount for the optimal functioning of modern engines, and it has generated intensive research in the automotive industry. The aim is to improve the tribological properties of lubricants by including nanomaterials as additives in base oils. This article presents an exhaustive bibliographic review of the experiments carried out to optimize the tribological properties of nano-lubricants in order to identify the nanoparticles and experimental processes used and analyze the results obtained. The methodology adopted combines inductive and deductive elements. It begins with the formulation of a general theory on the application of nanoparticles in lubricants, followed by the collection of specific data on the conceptualization and preparation of nano-lubricants. A total of 176 articles focused on the application of nanoparticles in lubricants, especially to reduce the coefficient of friction, are reviewed. These works, with impact levels Q1 and Q2, delve into the application and are analyzed to review the obtained results. Most researchers worked with a nanoparticle concentration range of 0% to 1% by volume. Full article

Electric vehicle charging stations are essential to enable broad reception due to the rise in electric vehicles in the transportation industry because they will lessen range anxiety concerns about distance. The primary objective of this work is to design a microgrid that is effective and affordable for an electric vehicle charging station that combines a photovoltaic, wind, and utility grid energy system (optional) as a principal source of energy. The proposed study employs a four-phase inductor coupled interleaved boost converter which is compact and effective with high power output which results in charging a vehicle within 33 min. A perturb and observe MPPT approach based on DC converters is used along with the digital 2PI controller to increase the effectiveness and performance of distributed energy systems. To make the converter a hassle-free operation, an interleaving technique is applied to the developed converter which results in ripple reduction, which results in an increase in the output current and voltage gain, with high power density and efficiency. For better understanding, real-time data for 2W/3W/4W are acquired and tested for various conditions and the maximum state of charge for the battery is gained within one-third of the usual time. At present, the interleaved converter’s operation is theoretically examined, and the behavior of the converter and the charging conditions of several electric vehicle systems are compared and shown in the simulation analysis. Full article

Extracting relation quintuple and feature words from unstructured text is a prelude to the construction of the scientific knowledge base. At present, the prior works use explicit clues between entities to study this task but ignore the use and the association of the feature words. In this work, we propose a new method to generate self-adaptive feature words from the original text for every single sample. These words can add additional correlation information to the knowledge graph. We allow the model to generate a new word representation and apply it to the original sentence to judge the relation type and locate the head and tail of the relation quintuple. Compared with the previous works, the feature words increase the flexibility of relying on information and improve the explanatory ability. Extensive experiments on scientific field datasets illustrate that the self-adaptive feature words method (SAFW) is good at ferreting out the unique feature words and obtaining the core part for the quintuple. It achieves good performance on four public datasets and obtains a markable performance improvement compared with other baselines. Full article

In stealth applications, there is a growing emphasis on the development of radar-absorbing structures that are efficient, flexible, and optically transparent. This study proposes a screen-printed metamaterial absorber (MMA) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using indium tin oxide (ITO) as the grounding layer, which achieves both optical transparency and flexibility. These materials and methods enhance the overall flexibility and transparency of MMA. To address the limited transparency caused by the silver nanoparticle ink for the top pattern, a metal mesh was incorporated to reduce the area ratio of the printed patterns, thereby enhancing transparency. By incrementing the fractal order of the structure, we optimized the operating frequency to target the X-band, which is most commonly used in radar detection. The proposed MMA demonstrates remarkable performance, with a measured absorption of 91.99% at 8.85 GHz and an average optical transmittance of 46.70% across the visible light spectrum (450 to 700 nm), indicating its potential for applications in transparent windows or drone stealth. Full article

In our previous studies, a novel cryothermal therapy (CTT) was developed to induce systemic long-term anti-tumor immunity. Natural killer (NK) cells were found to play an important role in CTT-induced long-term immune-mediated tumor control at the late stage after CTT, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid cells that have potent immunosuppressive effects on T cells and weaken the long-term benefits of immunotherapy. Consequently, overcoming MDSC immunosuppression is essential for maintaining the long-term efficacy of immunotherapy. In this study, we revealed that NK cells considerably diminish MDSC accumulation at the late stage after CTT, boost T cell production, increase T cell activation, and promote MDSC maturation, culminating in Th1-dominant CD4⁺ T cell differentiation and enhancing NK and CD8⁺ T cell cytotoxicity. Additionally, NK cells activate ERK signaling in MDSCs through NKG2D-ligand interaction to increase the activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α converting enzyme (TACE)-cleaved membrane TNF-α. Furthermore, Increased TACE activity releases more soluble TNF-α from MDSCs to promote MDSC maturation. In our studies, we propose a novel mechanism by which NK cells can overcome MDSC-induced immunosuppression and maintain CTT-induced persistent anti-tumor immunity, providing a prospective therapeutic option to improve the performance of cancer immunotherapy. Full article

Post-agrogenic transformation of fallow soils leads to changes in soil carbon content, the molecular composition of humic substances, and rates of organic matter stabilization, which can affect climate change on the planet. In this regard, we analyzed the molecular composition of humic acids isolated from natural and fallow soils in the southern Taiga zone of northwest Russia. Different-aged soils on fallow lands represent a model of soil transformation in time, and data on the transformation of soil humic acid molecular composition make a significant contribution to the understanding of soil organic matter stabilization aspect issues. In this case, the molecular structure of humic acids isolated from natural and fallow soils in northwest Russia was analyzed. To study the molecular composition of HAs, the elemental composition was analyzed, and ¹³C (CP/MAS) NMR spectroscopy of HAs isolated from different aged abandoned soils and soils of different types of use was carried out. The obtained data showed that with the increasing age of soils in the fallow state, there is an increase in the carbon content of humic acids as well as a decrease in nitrogen content. As a result of the increasing age of soils in the fallow state, there are dynamics in the content of aromatic structural fragments in humic acids: 34% for 40 years old, 28% for 80 years old, and 31% for 120 years old. This is due to changes in the precursors of humification and the further transformation of plant residues in the soil. Re-involved fallow land soils lead to an increase in the content of aromatic structural fragments in the composition of HA in relation to HA extracted from mature soils. The lowest content of aromatic structural fragments was observed in the humic acids of 130-year-old agricultural soil, which is associated with the long-term application of organic fertilizers. Full article

Tumor cells in hypoxic conditions control cancer metabolism and angiogenesis by expressing HIF-1α. Tanshinone is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been shown to possess antitumor properties and exerts a therapeutic impact on angiogenesis. However, the precise molecular mechanism responsible for the antitumor activity of 3-Hydroxytanshinone (3-HT), a type of tanshinone, has not been fully understood. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which 3-HT regulates the expression of HIF-1α. Our findings demonstrate that 3-HT inhibits HIF-1α activity and expression under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, 3-HT inhibits hypoxia-induced angiogenesis by suppressing the expression of VEGF. Moreover, 3-HT was found to directly bind to α-enolase, an enzyme associated with glycolysis, resulting in the suppression of its activity. This inhibition of α-enolase activity by 3-HT leads to the blockade of the glycolytic pathway and a decrease in glycolysis products, ultimately altering HIF1-α expression. Furthermore, 3-HT negatively regulates the expression of HIF-1α by altering the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our study’s findings elucidate the mechanism by which 3-HT regulates HIF-1α through the inhibition of the glycolytic enzyme α-enolase and the phosphorylation of AMPK. These results suggest that 3-HT holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for hypoxia-related angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Full article

Mushroom cultivation presents a viable solution for utilizing agro-industrial byproducts as substrates for growth. This process enables the transformation of low-economic-value waste into nutritional foods. Enhancing the yield and quality of preharvest edible mushrooms, along with effectively preserving postharvest mushrooms, stands as a significant challenge in advancing the industry. Implementing pre- and postharvest strategies for Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm (oyster mushroom) within a circular economy framework involves optimizing resource use, minimizing waste, and creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly production system. This review aimed to analyze the development and innovation of the different themes and trends by bibliometric analysis with a critical literature review. Furthermore, this review outlines the cultivation techniques for Pleurotus ostreatus, encompassing preharvest steps such as spawn production, substrate preparation, and the entire mushroom growth process, which includes substrate colonization, fruiting, harvesting, and, finally, the postharvest. While novel methodologies are being explored for maintaining quality and extending shelf-life, the evaluation of the environmental impact of the entire mushroom production to identify areas for improvement is needed. By integrating this knowledge, strategies can be developed for a more sustainable and circular approach to Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom cultivation, promoting environmental stewardship and long-term viability in this industry. Full article

Bacterial infections and resistance to antibiotic drugs represent the highest challenges to public health. The search for new and promising compounds with anti-bacterial activity is a very urgent matter. To promote the development of platforms enabling the discovery of compounds with anti-bacterial activity, Fourier-Transform Mid-Infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy coupled with machine learning algorithms was used to predict the impact of compounds extracted from Cynara cardunculus against Escherichia coli. According to the plant tissues (seeds, dry and fresh leaves, and flowers) and the solvents used (ethanol, methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and water), compounds with different compositions concerning the phenol content and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were obtained. A principal component analysis of the spectra allowed us to discriminate compounds that inhibited E. coli growth according to the conventional assay. The supervised classification models enabled the prediction of the compounds’ impact on E. coli growth, showing the following values for accuracy: 94% for partial least squares-discriminant analysis; 89% for support vector machine; 72% for k-nearest neighbors; and 100% for a backpropagation network. According to the results, the integration of FT-MIR spectroscopy with machine learning presents a high potential to promote the discovery of new compounds with antibacterial activity, thereby streamlining the drug exploratory process. Full article

Recently, there has been interest in determining the viscoelastic properties of polymeric liquids and other complex fluids by means of Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy (DWS). In this technique, light-scattering spectroscopy is applied to highly turbid fluids containing optical probe particles. The DWS spectrum is used to infer the time-dependent mean-square displacement and time-dependent diffusion coefficient D of the probes. From D, values for the storage modulus $G^{\prime }\left(\omega \right)$ and the loss modulus $G^{\prime \prime }\left(\omega \right)$ are obtained. This paper is primarily concerned with the inference of the mean-square displacement from a DWS spectrum. However, in much of the literature, central to the inference that is said to yield D is an invocation $g^{\left(1\right)}\left(t\right)=exp(-2q^2\overline{X{\left(t\right)}^2})$ of the Gaussian Approximation for the field correlation function $g^{\left(1\right)}\left(t\right)$ of the scattered light in terms of the mean-square displacement $\overline{X{\left(t\right)}^2}$ of a probe particle during time t. Experiment and simulation both show that the Gaussian approximation is invalid for probes in polymeric liquids and other complex fluids. In this paper, we obtain corrections to the Gaussian approximation that will assist in interpreting DWS spectra of probes in polymeric liquids. The corrections reveal that these DWS spectra receive contributions from higher moments $\overline{X{\left(t\right)}^{2n}}$, $n>1$, of the probe displacement distribution function. Full article