Search Results (31)

Multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) is a significant area of decision-making theory that certainly warrants attention. It might be difficult to accurately convey the necessary decision facts when navigating decision-making problems since we frequently run into complicated issues and unpredictable situations. To address this, introducing the novel idea of the bipolar pqr-spherical fuzzy set (${\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{pqr}}$SFS), a hybrid structure of the bipolar fuzzy set (BFS) and the pqr-spherical fuzzy set (pqr-SFS), is the main goal of this work. The fundamental (set-theoretic and algebraic) operations on ${\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{pqr}}$SFSs are explained as well as their relations to several known models. A distance measure, such as Euclidean distance, among ${\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{pqr}}$SFNs, is provided. Afterward, we expand the fundamental aggregation operators to the pqr-spherical fuzzy (${\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{pqr}}$SF) environment by developing bipolar pqr-spherical fuzzy-weighted averaging and bipolar pqr-spherical fuzzy-weighted geometric operators for aggregating ${\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{pqr}}$SFNs. According to the aforementioned distance measure and operators, an MCDM approach is established consisting of two algorithms, namely, the TOPSIS method and the method using the proposed operators in the ${\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{pqr}}$SF context. Moreover, a numerical example is provided in order to ensure that the presented model is applicable. By using the two algorithms, a comparative analysis of the proposed method with other existing ones is given in order to verify the feasibility of the suggested decision-making procedure. Full article

Recent studies highlight artificial intelligence’s ability to identify ventricular dysfunction via electrocardiograms (ECGs); however, specific indicative waveforms remain unclear. This study analysed ECG and echocardiography data from 17,422 cases in Japan and Germany. We developed 10-layer convolutional neural networks to detect left ventricular ejection fractions below 50%, using four-fold cross-validation. Model performance, evaluated among different ECG configurations (3 s strips, single-beat, and two-beat overlay) and segments (PQRST, QRST, P, QRS, and PQRS), showed two-beat ECGs performed best, followed by single-beat models, surpassing 3 s models in both internal and external validations. Single-beat models revealed limb leads, particularly I and aVR, as most indicative of dysfunction. An analysis indicated segments from QRS to T-wave were most revealing, with P segments enhancing model performance. This study confirmed that dual-beat ECGs enabled the most precise ventricular function classification, and segments from the P- to T-wave in ECGs were more effective for assessing ventricular dysfunction, with leads I and aVR offering higher diagnostic utility. Full article

This study aims to address the persistent regional economic disparities in Romania by evaluating economic performance through Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (pARDL) and panel quantile regression (PQR) models. The analysis focuses on the impact of key economic variables, including research and development expenditures (CTCRD), IT infrastructures (IT), the number of universities (FCL), and the average number of employees (NMSP), on regional gross domestic product (GDPR). Using data from the Romanian National Institute of Statistics for the period 2003–2022, this research seeks to understand how targeted investments and policy interventions can stimulate growth and reduce inequalities across regions. The findings highlight the important role of R&D, IT infrastructures, and technological advancements in driving economic growth, especially in less developed areas. The study also emphasizes the importance of region-specific strategies in fostering sustainable growth, promoting economic resilience, and bridging the gap between more and less prosperous regions. Full article

Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (GRR), Panacis Quinquefolii Radix (PQR), Notoginseng radix et rhizoma (NRR) and Platycodonis Radix (PR) are often confused in the material market because of similar appearances and characteristics. Moreover, chemical identification methods tend to characterize the whole herb with regard to a single or a few components, which is an inaccurate representation and does not demonstrate the effective utilization of unknown components, and the result is unconvincing. In order to strengthen quality control, improve identification efficiency, and realize digital identification at the individual level of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we have put forward the “matrix characteristics” of TCM, combined with a UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis to explore and realize the digital identification of GRR, PQR, NRR, and PR. The mass spectrometry was quantized to extract common data from different batches of the same TCMs as their matrix characteristics, and the matching credibility (M) was given by matching the “matrix characteristics” with unknown Chinese medicines. The results show that within a reasonable parameter threshold range, the M of four TCMs was higher than 92.00% compared with their own “matrix characteristics”, which was significantly higher than the M ranked second. Furthermore, the digital identification of four TCMs can be successfully realized based on the UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis and “matrix characteristics”. This has important reference significance for developing the digital identification of GRR at an individual level based on UPLC-QTOF-MS and “matrix characteristics”. Full article

As the relationship between energy and information loss and reversible gates was revealed, much interest in reversible gate design arose, and as quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) gained attention as a next-generation nano circuit design technology, various reversible gates based on QCA emerged. The proposed study optimizes the performance and design costs of existing QCA-based reversible gates including TR, RUG, PQR, and URG. According to most indicators, the proposed circuits showed significant improvement rates and outperformed existing studies. In particular, the proposed optimal TR, RUG, PQR, and URG showed performance improvements of 266%, 265%, 300%, and 144% in Cost_AD, respectively, compared with the best existing circuit. This shows outstanding improvement and superiority in terms of area and delay, which are the most important factors in the performance of nano-scale circuits that are becoming extremely miniaturized. Additionally, the exceptionally high-output polarization of the proposed circuits is an important indicator of the circuit’s expansion and connection and increases the circuit’s reliability. Full article

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in various medical and surgical specialties for its regenerative properties, including aesthetics (facial rejuvenation, hair restoration, and skin tightening) and orthopedics (treatment of tendinitis and osteoarthritis). However, the inconsistent literature on PRP’s efficacy and safety leads to critical knowledge gaps. This systematic review evaluates quality control measures in PRP preparation and application and explores the regulatory environment governing its clinical use. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, for studies published from January 2020 to April 2024. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving human participants undergoing PRP treatment for aesthetic or regenerative purposes. Key parameters such as the PRP preparation methods, platelet concentration, and quality control measures were analyzed. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024557669). Results: Out of 75 RCTs involving 5726 patients, the review identified significant variability in PRP preparation methods and application techniques, including differences in centrifugation protocols and platelet concentration levels. A new evidence-based scoring system, the William–Eqram Scoring System for PRP Quality Reporting (WESS-PQR), was proposed to address these inconsistencies. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.79) between proper temperature control during preparation and PRP efficacy. Initial platelet count assessment showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.57) with efficacy. Conclusions: Standardized PRP preparation protocols and robust regulatory frameworks are urgently needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of PRP treatments. The proposed WESS-PQR scoring system can serve as a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers, promoting consistency and reliability in PRP applications. Full article

Precise control of neuronal activity is crucial for the proper functioning of neurons. How lipid homeostasis contributes to neuronal activity and how much of it is regulated by cells autonomously is unclear. In this study, we discovered that absence of the lipid regulator nhr-49, a functional ortholog of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) in Caenorhabditis elegans, resulted in defective pathogen avoidance behavior against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14). Functional NHR-49 was required in the neurons, and more specifically, in a set of oxygen-sensing body cavity neurons, URX, AQR, and PQR. We found that lowering the neuronal activity of the body cavity neurons improved avoidance in nhr-49 mutants. Calcium imaging in URX neurons showed that nhr-49 mutants displayed longer-lasting calcium transients in response to an O₂ upshift, suggesting that excess neuronal activity leads to avoidance defects. Cell-specific rescue of NHR-49 in the body cavity neurons was sufficient to improve pathogen avoidance, as well as URX neuron calcium kinetics. Supplementation with oleic acid also improved avoidance behavior and URX calcium kinetics, suggesting that the defective calcium response in the neuron is due to lipid dysfunction. These findings highlight the role of cell-autonomous lipid regulation in neuronal physiology and immune behavior. Full article

The goal of this study was to apply the principles of analytical quality by design (AQbD) to the analytical method for determining the radiochemical purity (PQR) of the radiopharmaceutical sodium iodide ¹³¹I oral solution, utilizing thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with a radio–TLC scanner, which also enables the evaluation of product quality. For AQbD, the analytical target profile (ATP), critical quality attributes (CQA), risk management, and the method operable design region (MODR) were defined through response surface methodology to optimize the method using MINITAB^® 19 software. This study encompassed the establishment of a control strategy and the validation of the method, including the assessment of selectivity, linearity, precision, robustness, detection limit, quantification limit, range, and the stability of the sample solution. Under the experimental conditions, the method parameters of the TLC scanner were experimentally demonstrated and optimized with an injection volume of 3 µL, a radioactive concentration of 10 mCi/mL, and a carrier volume of 40 µL. Statistical analysis confirmed the method’s selectivity for the ¹³¹I iodide band Rf of 0.8, a radiochemical impurity IO₃⁻ Rf of 0.6, a linearity from 6.0 to 22.0 mCi/mL, and an intermediate precision with a global relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.624%. The method also exhibited robustness, with a global RSD of 0.101%, a detection limit of 0.09 mCi/mL, and a quantification limit of 0.53 Ci/mL, meeting the prescribed range and displaying stability over time (at 0, 2, and 20 h) with a global RSD of 0.362%, resulting in consistent outcomes. The development of a method based on AQbD facilitated the creation of a design space and an operational space, with comprehensive knowledge of the method’s characteristics and limitations. Additionally, throughout all operations, compliance with the acceptance criteria was verified. The method’s validity was confirmed under the established conditions, making it suitable for use in the manufacturing process of sodium iodide ¹³¹I and application in nuclear medicine services. Full article

Children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are now living longer as a result of advancements in pharmaceutical and medical interventions. There is a paucity of research regarding therapeutic interventions to support this population to be independent and participate in life activities that are most important to them. The aim of this case report is to explore the use of the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach to support a child with SMA type 1 to achieve their functional and participation goals. This is a retrospective case study. A 7-year-old girl with SMA type 1 received ten 1 h sessions of CO-OP, weekly in the home and community settings with a physiotherapist. Clinically meaningful improvements were found in goal performance and satisfaction on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS). Despite the progressive nature of SMA, the CO-OP approach was able to support goal attainment. Given medical advances are leading to a longer life span for children with neuromuscular conditions, further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of functional and participation-based interventions, including impact on quality of life and self-efficacy. Full article

As matrix representations of magic labelings of related hypergraphs, magic squares and their various variants have been applied to many domains. Among various subclasses, trimagic squares have been investigated for over a hundred years. The existence problem of trimagic squares with singly even orders and orders 16n has been solved completely. However, very little is known about the existence of trimagic squares with other even orders, except for only three examples and three families. We constructed normal trimagic squares by using product constructions, row–square magic rectangles, and trimagic pairs of orthogonal diagonal Latin squares. We gave a new product construction: for positive integers p, q, and r having the same parity, other than 1, 2, 3, or 6, if normal p × q and r × q row–square magic rectangles exist, then a normal trimagic square with order pqr exists. As its application, we constructed normal trimagic squares of orders 8q³ and 8pqr for all odd integers q not less than 7 and p, r ∈ {7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37}. Our construction can easily be extended to construct multimagic squares. Full article

Reversible logic enables ultra-low power circuit design and quantum computation. Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) is the most promising technology considered to implement reversible circuits, mainly due to the correspondence between features of reversible and QCA circuits. This work aims to push forward the state-of-the-art of the QCA-based reversible circuits implementation by proposing a novel QCA design of a reversible full adder\full subtractor (FA\FS). At first, we consider an efficient XOR-gate, and based on this, new QCA circuit layouts of Feynman, Toffoli, Peres, PQR, TR, RUG, URG, RQCA, and RQG are proposed. The efficient XOR gate significantly reduces the required clock phases and circuit area. As a result, all the proposed reversible circuits are efficient regarding cell count, delay, and circuit area. Finally, based on the presented reversible gates, a novel QCA design of a reversible full adder\full subtractor (FA\FS) is proposed. Compared to the state-of-the-art circuits, the proposed QCA design of FA\FS reversible circuit achieved up to 57% area savings, with 46% and 29% reduction in cell number and delay, respectively. Full article

The continuously increasing GHG emissions have created environmental pollution and several challenges to ecosystems and biodiversity. The challenges of climate change are multipronged, resulting in melting glaciers, flash floods, and severe heat waves. In this regard, the adaptive and mitigation strategies to manage the consequences of climate change are highly important. The transport sector creates a quarter of carbon emissions, and this share is continuously increasing. Accordingly, this research study uses transport competitiveness to determine carbon emissions of the transport sector for 121 countries covering the time period from 2008 to 2018. The Panel Quantile Regression (PQR) technique is engaged to analyze the study results. The findings highlight that transport competitiveness tends to increase carbon emissions of the transport sector across quantile groups 1 and 3, while it reduces carbon emissions in quantile group 2. The U-shaped services’ EKC is validated in quantile groups 2 and 4. The moderation engaged, i.e., transportation competitiveness, changes the turning point of the services’ EKC across quantile groups 2 and 4. However, in the high-CO₂ quantile group, the moderation impact of transport competitiveness is strongest as it reduces the sensitivity by flattening the services’ EKC. Furthermore, the planned expansion of the population and improved institutional quality tend to mitigate carbon emissions across different quantile groups. The policy relevance/implications that are based on the study results/findings are made part of the research paper. Full article

This paper revisited the link between intra-industry trade (IIT) between Portugal and Spain and Portuguese carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. The research also considers the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on CO₂ emissions, pondering the arguments of the pollution haven hypothesis and the halo hypothesis. As an econometric strategy, this investigation has applied panel data, namely a Pooled Mean Group of an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and Panel Quantile Regression (PQR). The preliminary unit root tests indicated that IIT, Portuguese and Spanish renewable energy, and Portuguese FDI are integrated into the first differences and stationary with the second generation test (Pesaran methodology). In the next step, this study applied the multicollinearity test and cross-dependence between the variables. The variance inflation factor test demonstrated that FDI and IIT have no multicollinear problems. However, as expected, collinearity exists between Portuguese and Spanish renewable energy. Regarding the cross-sectional dependence test, this investigation concluded that the variables have a dependence between them. The cointegration test revealed that the variables are overall cointegrated. In the econometric results with the ARDL estimator, this investigation has found that IIT between Portugal and Spain is negatively correlated with Portuguese CO₂ emissions, showing that this type of trade encourages environmental improvements. However, the PQR demonstrates that there is an opposite relationship. According to this, Portuguese and Spanish renewable energy is negatively impacted by CO₂ emissions, revealing that renewable energy aims to decrease pollution. Finally, Portuguese FDI reduces CO₂ emissions, which is explained by product differentiation, innovation, and monopolistic competition. Full article

In October 2020, the FDA granted regular approval to venetoclax (ABT-199) in combination with hypomethylating agents for newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults 75 years or older, or in patients with comorbidities precluding intensive chemotherapy. The treatment response to venetoclax combination treatment, however, may be short-lived, and leukemia relapse is the major cause of treatment failure. Multiple studies have confirmed the upregulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) family and the activation of intracellular signaling pathways associated with resistance to venetoclax. To improve treatment outcome, compounds targeting anti-apoptotic proteins and signaling pathways have been evaluated in combination with venetoclax. In this study, the BCL-XL inhibitor A1331852, MCL1-inhibitor S63845, dual PI3K-mTOR inhibitor bimiralisib (PQR309), BMI-1 inhibitor unesbulin (PTC596), MEK-inhibitor trametinib (GSK1120212), and STAT3 inhibitor C-188-9 were assessed as single agents and in combination with venetoclax, for their ability to induce apoptosis and cell death in leukemic cells grown in the absence or presence of bone marrow stroma. Enhanced cytotoxic effects were present in all combination treatments with venetoclax in AML cell lines and AML patient samples. Elevated in vitro efficacies were observed for the combination treatment of venetoclax with A1331852, S63845 and bimiralisib, with differing response markers for each combination. For the venetoclax and bimiralisib combination treatment, responders were enriched for IDH2 and FLT3 mutations, whereas non-responders were associated with PTPN11 mutations. The combination of PI3K/mTOR dual pathway inhibition with bimiralisib and BCL2 inhibition with venetoclax has emerged as a candidate treatment in IDH2- and FLT3-mutated AML. Full article

An excess non-linear and unbalanced load application increases the power quality (PQ) problem by injecting harmonic current. The avoidance of neutral current control creates additional PQ problems due to excess circulating current in modern 3$\phi$4W applications. Therefore, this manuscript suggests improved $\alpha \beta$ transform-based voltage and current control approaches for both 3$\phi$3W and 3$\phi$4W shunt active filter (SAF) applications. In the proposed approach, a novel combined voltage and current (NCVC) control approach is presented for modern 3$\phi$3W systems by using voltage and closed-loop current controllers. However, due to the absence of a neutral current, the NCVC is not sufficient for 3$\phi$4W system application. Therefore, by considering the current reference parameter generated from the NCVC, a novel harmonic compensation technique (NHCT) is proposed with proper mathematical expressions for the 3$\phi$4W application. To show the importance of NHCT over traditional P-Q-R control, the developed MATLAB/Simulink model is tested by using different 1$\phi$ and 3$\phi$ nonlinear/unbalanced load conditions. The comparative results indicate that, by using NHCT, the 3$\phi$4W system contains a lesser total harmonic distortion (THD) and harmonic mitigation ratio (HMR), less ripple frequency, an improved power factor, a lesser neutral current, and a balanced active/reactive power condition. From the above comparative analysis results, it is found that the overall improvement percentage is 66.78%. The above findings justify the significance of the NCVC and NHCT approach during both unbalanced and non-linear load-based 3$\phi$4W applications. Full article