Hybrid Design Research Articles

A survey of multimodal hybrid deep learning for computer vision: Architectures, applications, trends, and challenges

In recent years, deep learning algorithms have rapidly revolutionized artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning, enabling researchers and practitioners to extend previously hand-crafted feature extraction procedures. In particular, deep learning uses adaptive learning processes to learn more complex and informative patterns from datasets of varying sizes. With the increasing availability of multimodal data streams and recent advances in deep learning algorithms, multimodal deep learning is on the rise. This requires the development of complex models that can process and analyze multimodal information in a consistent manner. However, unstructured data can come in many different forms (also known as modalities). Extracting relevant features from this data remains an ambitious goal for deep learning researchers. According to the literature, most deep learning systems consist of a single architecture (i.e., standalone deep learning). When two or more deep learning architectures are combined over multiple sensory modalities, the result is called a multimodal hybrid deep learning model. Since this research direction has received much attention in the field of deep learning, the purpose of this survey is to provide a broader overview of the topic. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of recent advances in multimodal hybrid deep learning, including a thorough analysis of the most commonly developed hybrid architectures. In particular, one of the main challenges in multimodal hybrid analysis is the ability of these architectures to systematically integrate cross-modal features in hybrid designs. Therefore, we propose a generic framework for multimodal hybrid learning that focuses mainly on fusion methods. We also identify trends and challenges in multimodal hybrid learning and provide insights and directions for future research. Our findings show that multimodal hybrid learning can perform well in a variety of challenging computer vision applications and tasks.

Review of best practices of integrated care for people living with Motor Neurone Disease

Introduction: Motor neurone disease is a life limiting progressive neurological condition that requires a team-based approach to care. Person-centred care (PCC), integrated care and access to specialised motor neurone disease (MND) multidisciplinary clinics (MDC) are optimal approaches to the delivery of quality service for people living with MND (plwMND) for improved quality of life, health outcomes and care experiences. These MND MDCs models of care vary in design, implementation, and are predominantly specialist hospital based. Therefore, not all MND services are delivered consistently highlighting a need to explore the evidence on current practices that contribute to more effective, efficient person-centred integrated care practices across the continuum.
 Aim: This rapid review explores best practices of integrated care for people living with motor neurone disease, and their families and carers.
 Methods: A search was undertaken of six databases, Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL, Cochrane, Joanna Briggs Institute and Google Scholar. The 1469 retrieved abstracts were screened for eligibility against the inclusion criteria, and full text review was conducted on 149 studies. Data were extracted from 58 studies and a quality assessment conducted on final 45 included studies. The following information was gathered from the included studies to inform the review.
 1.What is ‘best practice’ in the management/care of plwMND
 2.What models of (integrated) care have been developed to support plwMND
 3.What are the common elements of integrated care approaches that have been implemented in MND?
 4.What impacts, outcomes, or effects of integrated care approaches have been reported for plwMND?
 
 Results: The initial review analysis indicated specialised MND multidisciplinary clinics (MDC) as ‘best practice’ in the optimal management of MND, but revealed no standardised approaches in design and implementation, the multidisciplinary workforce, and degree of integration and partnerships between hospitals and the community. MND MDC are predominantly hospital based, but the inclusion of either outreach community teams, hub and spoke approaches, and/or a hybrid design, (care delivered in person and /or by telehealth), improved integration, knowledge sharing and coordination across services. The timing of introduction and delivery of palliative care services differs but there is greater focus on integration into MND MDC, or earlier referrals to dedicated palliative care service and/or specific palliative care training of neurologist/multidisciplinary team, to optimise symptom management, decision-making and end of life care. Additional features that enable integration, improve care satisfaction and equity are one or a mix of 1) telehealth, 2) care coordination, 3) case management, 4) partnerships with MND associations, and/or 5) MND helpline.
 Conclusion: This review highlights a range of practices of integrated care that are not universal and predominantly practiced in high income countries. Adapting delivery of model of care to stage and duration of MND, and differing expectations, needs and priorities of plwMND and caregivers, is a common theme throughout. There has been greater uptake in telehealth and technology to support the equitable delivery of integrated approaches to care, with rapid development in this area during COVID 19 pandemic.
 

Evaluation of environmental and economic compatibility of different types of segment linings based on the structural performance with some aggravating factors

The performance of supporting systems can be significantly affected by aggravating factors that contribute to segmental tunnel lining damage. Based on previous studies and statistical data, the excessive thrust force and defect in support conditions are the crucial factors that can aggravate the damage of segmental linings during the installation stage. This study aims to evaluate the effect of influential factors, including the excessive thrust force, the incomplete contact of loading shoes, configuration of loading shoes, defect gap thickness, and segment type. In addition, a series of numerical simulation are performed to investigate the impact of the influential factors on the performance of three different segmental lining types, including conventional reinforced concrete segment, recycled steel fiber reinforced concrete segment, and new hybrid design recycled steel fiber reinforced concrete segment. The results indicated that numerical modeling can accurately simulate stress concentration and damage patterns of segmental lining in different conditions. This method can provide useful information about the performance of segmental tunnel linings, considering essential phenomena that are neglected in traditional design methods, such as the effect of incomplete contact of the support area, and the thickness of circumferential gap. Numerical analysis of segmental tunnel lining behavior by considering different conditions can help reduce undesirable consequences and construction costs. The results indicated that the increase in the thickness of the gap significantly increase in crack opening and destructive damages. While, the configuration of the loading shoes affects the amount of crack openings, the number and position of these cracks; the effect of this parameter is very lower compared to the presence of defects in the supporting area. Finally, it was concluded that the hybrid design showed high efficiency for all investigated conditions, in terms of structural performance, environmental impact and economic compatibility.

New Patterns for Low-income Families - A model for comprehensive and coordinated efforts.

Background: In Norway, more than one out of ten children grow up in poverty. Poverty and its consequences are often transferred across generations. Services to these families are seldom integrated and coordinated. We lack knowledge about the complexity they face and how measures should be organized to reach all family members. “New patterns” is a model for comprehensive and coordinated efforts for families with children who struggle with persistent low income and where the family experiences complex challenges.
 Aims: The aim was to develop a cross-sectoral service model to coordinate services for integrated health and social carefor poor families, to prevent transfer of low income and the accompanying social, economic, and health-related consequences across generations. 
 Methods: In New Patterns a multidisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners/social workers has searched for best practice and included findings from a pilot study where families expressed frustration and powerlessness because no one addressed the “whole picture” of their situation. Based on these findings the New patterns-model was developed. 
 We have employed a project design where evaluation and implementation function as simultaneous and reinforcing processes, inspired by the framework Effectiveness-implementation Hybrid Designs (1). The model has continuously been developed based on the experiences and feedbacks from participating families and practitioners. Dialogue with local and national policymakers and professionals has been an important part of the implementation process. 
 Results: In New Patterns a family coordinator is responsible for close follow-up of children and adults in 10 families over a period of 5 years. Follow-up includes services from different sectors, i.e., culture, education, health- and social services, and volunteer organizations. The family coordinator preforms a detailed mapping of the family`s needs, and together with the family develop a family plan enabling appropriate help and needed services. Through systematic mapping, close follow-up over time, practical and social support, and coordinator skills, the family coordinator develops trust-based relationships that provide new insight into the challenges and optimize the use of instruments in the traditional support system. 
 We have identified 10 effective elements in the family coordinator's follow-up of the participating families. These elements are illustrated in a Logic map, which shows the connection between follow-up and goal achievement, in short and long term, and the elements that must be present to succeed. The model enables integrated health care and social care to families with complex challenges. New Patterns is implemented in 10 municipalities in Norway, including 200 families.
 Conclusion: The family coordinator works with the family in the family’s everyday life, including home visits and accompanying the family members to meetings with relevant collaborating services. The intervention does not introduce new services but coordinates optimal use of existing municipal welfare services. The New Patterns model is relevant for other target groups with complex challenges and were the health and welfare systems struggle to provide integrated care to all family members.
 1.Curran GM,Bauer M,Mittman B,Pyne JM,Stetler C. Effectiveness-implementation Hybrid Designs: Combining Elements of Clinical Effectiveness and Implementation Research to Enhance Public Health Impact. Med Care. 2012;50(3):217-26. DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0b013e3182408812 

Structure, dynamics, and functional properties of hybrid alginate-pectin gels dually crosslinked by Ca2+ and Zn2+ ions designed as a delivery device for self-emulsifying systems for lipophilic phytotherapeutics

Alginate gels are outstanding biomaterials widely applicable in food and pharmaceutical industries. This contribution provides comprehensive insight into the design of advanced hybrid alginate/pectin co-networks double crosslinked by Ca2+/Zn2+ ions encapsulating self-emulsifying systems (SES). The tunable mucoadhesive properties, structural stability, integrity, dissolution profiles, and enhanced in-vivo bioavailability make the synthesized hybrid systems ideal vehicles for the delivery of lipophilic phytotherapeutics, allowing the long-term site-specific treatment of intestinal inflammation. This work also provides a thorough understanding of the structure-property relationships of alginate-pectin gels at the atomic resolution level. It was found out that SES molecules form well-distributed, phase-separated microparticles that interact with the polysaccharide matrix through a well-defined interface. The hybrid alginate-pectin gel is highly cross-linked, with both types of polysaccharides participating in the network formation. The observed surface interactions of SES droplets increase the intrinsic mobility of the network. The plasticizing effect can be regulated by the amount of pectin macromolecules, whose interaction with alginate chains enables a strengthening of the polysaccharide network. Overall, the domain-like architecture of hybrid alginate-pectin gels synthesized by external ionic gelation is revealed; the key structural motifs responsible for their properties are discovered; and the pathways allowing their regulation are identified. Biological in-vivo tests then confirmed positive effects of the synthesized systems in living organisms. The strategy presented thus offers a new perspective for the rational design of alginate-based materials for the microencapsulation of bioactive compounds for advanced orally administered delivery systems or controlled-release decontaminators applicable in the food and nutraceutical processing industries.

Hybrid and gradient design of ultra-thin-ply composite laminates for synergistic suppression of delamination and fiber fracture damage modes

Ply thickness hybridization is a common strategy in the layup structure of composite laminates. The rational allocation of thin-ply and thick-ply to effectively improve the performance of composite materials is a shared goal. Compared to standard laminates, ultra-thin-ply laminates have many advantages, including design flexibility, better damage tolerance, and enhanced in-situ strength. However, the risk of fiber fracture triggered by ultra-thin-ply requires cautious application. Effectively reducing the risk of fiber fracture caused by ultra-thin-ply laminates has become a challenge in the field of composite materials. Therefore, this paper proposes a thick/thin/thick gradient structure to balance delamination and fiber fracture. Short-beam bending test results demonstrate that this novel gradient structure exhibits good bending load-bearing performance and damage resistance, achieving the coexistence of multiple damage couplings and effectively enhancing damage tolerance.

A field experiment on gamification of physical activity – Effects on motivation and steps

Gamification is finding growing application in the field of physical activity, promising engaging and motivating experiences that foster behavioural change. Yet, rigorous empirical work substantiating favourable claims is limited. Our study sought to find evidence for the effects resulting from gamification of physical activity on the users’ motivation, perceived usefulness, and the behavioural change in terms of step counts. We employed a four-week randomised controlled field experiment to investigate how the choice of different gamification designs affects outcomes. Participants were provided with a wearable physical activity tracker and randomly assigned to either a: 1) competitive gamified group; 2) cooperative gamified group; 3) hybrid gamified group; or 4) control group. Data gathered includes a panel dataset of step counts and self-reported data on the users’ intrinsic motivation and perceived usefulness. We found that at the end of the intervention, gamification made no difference to self-assessed intrinsic motivation or perceived usefulness compared to a non-gamified self-tracking experience. Yet, despite the lack of psychological effects, the use of gamification did result in stronger behavioural outcomes relative to the control group - in the form of increased step counts. Indeed, all groups treated with gamification recorded an increase in step counts during the intervention period. Furthermore, amongst the gamified treatments, it was the hybrid design that generated the largest difference in step counts (relative to the control group). The finding that gamification can stimulate a stronger behavioural outcome, but does not evoke a stronger psychological outcome at the end of the intervention merits further investigation as to the mechanisms at play.

(Invited) Delivering Electrons and Protons to the Substrate in Molecularly-Based Reductive Electrocatalysis

To steer away from fossil fuels the primary sourcing for goods and chemicals, combining renewable electricity with sustainable feedstocks in an electrochemical strategy is a formidable synthetic opportunity. In that frame, we investigate how molecular electrocatalysis can foster electrosynthetic conversions, in particular for organics reductions.[1] Here, we will disclose that alkyne semihydrogenation, an important synthetic manifold, can be selectively electrocatalyzed by a simple molecular catalyst [Ni(bpy)3]2+, based on the earth-abundant metal nickel.[ 2 ] Our combined electrochemical, synthetic and computational investigations support that the catalytic cycle proceeds via the protonation of a nickelacyclopropene species and bypasses the need to generate a competent hydride.[3] As a proof-of-concept for molecular electrocatalytic alkyne semihydrogenation, this work opens a platform to develop original electrochemical routes for the hydrogenation/-functionalization of organics and small molecules.We will also discuss the use of Pickering emulsion that separates organic substrates and aqueous electrolytes in different phases for electrocatalytic hydrogenation at the interface. We developed a hybrid design based on carbon nanotube-supported Pd nanoparticles that places at the interface and acts both as emulsion stabilizer and electrocatalyst. The system electrohydrogenates styrene into ethylbenzene with high faradaic efficiency (95.0%) and Pd specific current density (–148.1 mA·cm–2). Our system combines good solubility of the substrates, high conductivity, facile product isolation and applies to the transformation of various alkenes. This strategy may thus provide original solutions to the ECH of substrates having low water-solubility.[4] References [1] N. Kaeffer, W. Leitner, JACS Au, 2022, 2, 1266.[2] M.-Y. Lee, C. Kahl, N. Kaeffer, W. Leitner, JACS Au, 2022, 2, 573.[3] G. Durin, M.-Y. Lee, T. Weyhermüller, N. Kaeffer, W. Leitner, ChemRxiv, 10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-whtfd.[4] C. Han, J. Zenner, J. Johny, N. Kaeffer, A. Bordet, W. Leitner, Nat. Catal., 2022 , 5, 1110.

A novel and Fast hybrid design of cryptosystems for Image via 5-D chaos based random keys and DNA

A novel and Fast hybrid design of cryptosystems for Image via 5-D chaos based random keys and DNA

BE EPIC-VR: TRANSLATING AN IN-PERSON, PERSON-CENTERED COMMUNICATION TRAINING PROGRAM INTO VIRTUAL REALITY

Abstract Be EPIC is a dementia-specific, person-centered communication training program for frontline healthcare workers that uses simulations with trained actors, reflection, and feedback. Scaling Be EPIC is limited by resource and methodology demands of recruiting and training actors and consistency of delivery across sites. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising solution to the problem of scaling Be EPIC because it provides interactive, realistic, and consistent simulations. However, there is limited research on implementing VR to train frontline healthcare workers. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, the current study used an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design to compare simulation experiences of Be EPIC-VR with Be EPIC-in person and real-world clinical encounters. The study also explored factors that can influence the future implementation of Be EPIC-VR in long-term care home settings during the pre-implementation period. Six frontline healthcare workers who completed the Be EPIC in-person version with trained actors also completed the same assessment simulation in VR, followed by an interview. Thematic analyses revealed two themes that contributed to the simulation’s realism: the immersive nature of the virtual environment and the accuracy of the avatar’s visual, verbal, and behavioral characteristics. Moreover, the factors influencing the successful implementation of VR simulations in long-term care home settings include sufficient technological infrastructure and workplace personnel who can assist with Be EPIC-VR implementation. The findings highlight the potential to scale Be EPIC using VR and provides insights into the iterative process involved in translating an in-person training into a VR training program.

The design, synthesis and antiplasmodial evaluation of novel sulfoximine-isoxazole hybrids as potential antimalarial agents

A library of novel sulfoximine-isoxazole hybrids was synthesized and evaluated for antimalarial activity. The subsequential synthetic pathways, which included the alkylation of thiols and simultaneous sulfide oxidation and imination, yielded a library of sulfoximine derivatives 3a-s. These were coupled with brominated-isoxazoles 6a-c, to give sulfoximine-isoxazole hybrids 7a-v and further derivatized to compounds 8 and 9. The hybrid compounds were then investigated for their antiplasmodial activity against the wild-type drug-sensitive strain (NF54) and multidrug-resistant strain (K1). Only six (6) hybrids showed minor potency against the drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains (IC50 values ranging between 4.1 and 5.8 μM). The selectivity studies indicated no significant toxicity of the hybrid compounds against mammalian cells.

A parameter design model for EPB shield soil conditioning in gravel stratum based on machine learning

The utilization of soil conditioners plays a vital role in preserving excavation safety during the construction of an earth pressure balanced (EPB) shield, as they enhance the reliability of the cutting chamber. The kinds and amounts of soil conditioner that ought to be pumped into the EPB system, however, lack theoretical direction. This study aims to develop predictive and design models to investigate the reciprocal relationship between soil conditioners and soil characteristics. The soil conditioner parameters were designed with the targeted characteristics of the soil using the intelligent hybrid design model, which combined the prediction model and the design model. The study's conclusions showed that the Gradient Boosting Regression (GBR) model, which was developed, had improved generalization and accuracy abilities when used to forecast the properties of upgraded soils. The current Artificial Neural Network (ANN) design model provided a variety of available options, but its accuracy was poor, and it could not be used directly. A hybrid GBR-ANN model created by the researchers showed a difference between the goal value and the experimental value acquired from laboratory soil testing of less than 10%. A solution that was required was the model's time-consuming explosion of the marginal value design. As a result, it is determined that using the Hybrid GBR-ANN model is adequate for figuring out the necessary amount and composition of soil conditioner, making it a workable method for soil property-oriented design.

Revolutionizing transportation composite structures: Lightweight, sustainable, and multi-scale hybrid design through waste tire-driven graphene, hemp fiber, and bio-based overmoulding

The pursuit of lightweight, environmentally friendly composite structures in transportation is crucial for minimizing ecological footprints and promoting energy-efficient manufacturing techniques. This study presents a novel approach by replacing traditional long glass fiber reinforced homopolymer polypropylene (homoPP) compounds with short hemp fiber reinforced homoPP, incorporating graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) derived from recovered carbon black via waste tire pyrolysis, resulting in a remarkable 15% weight reduction. With new compound formulation by adjusting the amounts of compatibilizer and GNP, injection moulding process was integrated with overmoulding process by using bio-based UD prepregs to enhance the adhesion of injected part and interfacial interaction by decreasing the stress concentrations in the structure. This novel hybrid composite design having 40 wt% hemp fiber, 1.0 wt% GNP and 2.7 wt% compatibilizer provided to improve flexural modulus and strength by 169% and 67.9%, respectively, compared to neat homoPP. The overmolding process employed bio-based natural fibers reinforced UD tapes as inserts, leading to an impressive enhancement of 211% in tensile modulus and 93.6% in strength, further surpassing the performance of neat homoPP. This work not only achieves the conversion of conventional composite structures into recyclable, sustainable thermoplastic composites but also introduces multi-scale reinforcements with customizable functionality, demonstrating a significant step forward in the development of environmentally conscious materials and manufacturing methods by adopting Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology regarding the sustainability of the newly developed composites.

Diaphragmatic dysfunction in hemodialysis patients: risk factors and effect of incentive spirometry training

BackgroundDiaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) in hemodialysis patients is a scarcely studied issue. Incentive spirometry (IS) is a commonly prescribed maneuver used to prevent or manage pulmonary complications. The present study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of DD in 100 HD patients. Moreover, we assessed the role of IS in management of DD in those patients.MethodsThe present study followed a hybrid design with two phases. In the first cross-sectional phase, 100 consecutive maintenance HD patients for at least 3 years were evaluated for the presence of DD using ultrasound. In the second interventional phase, patients with DD (n = 43) were randomly assigned to receive IS (n = 22) or standard care (n = 21) for management of DD.ResultsComparison between patients with DD and patients without regarding clinical and laboratory data revealed that the former group had significantly higher frequency of males [29 (67.4%)/14 (32.6%) vs. 26 (45.6%)/31 (54.4%), p = 0.03] with lower BMI [23.8 ± 3.8 vs. 26.3 ± 3.5 kg/m2, p < 0.001] and longer HD duration (82.2 ± 42.1 vs. 64.8 ± 36.9 months, p = 0.031). Moreover, it was noted that DD group had significantly higher frequency of patients with moderate/severe malnutrition (81.4% vs. 45.6%, p = 0.005), lower Hb levels (9.6 ± 1.5 vs. 10.3 ± 1.4 gm/dL, p = 0.011), lower albumin levels (3.4 ± 0.4 vs. 4.1 ± 0.5 gm/dL, p < 0.001) and higher hsCRP levels [median (IQR) 113.6 (90.9–130.4) vs. 91.1 (50.9–105.6) mg/dL, p < 0.001] as compared to patients without DD. While no significant differences were found between patients receiving study interventions at baseline, patients submitted to IS training showed significant improvement of diaphragmatic excursion measurements as compared to the standard care group.ConclusionsIn conclusion, DD is commonly encountered in HD patients. Probable risk factors include longer HD duration and low albumin levels. Use of IS can improve diaphragmatic excursion in affected patients.

L-Glutamine Coating on Antibacterial Cu Surface by Density Functional Theory

The protection of implant surfaces from biofilm and corrosion is crucial for osteogenesis and tissue engineering. To this end, an L-glutamine-based green corrosion inhibitor with recently established anticancer properties has been applied onto antibacterial Cu(111) surfaces that usually cover the Ti-based implants. Among several configurations, L-glutamine prefers the parallel to the surface orientation with the carbon chain along the [110] direction having the heteroatoms N and O atoms on top of Cu surface atoms, which is important for the creation of a planar two-dimensioned (2d) stable coating. L-glutamine forms well-localized, directional covalent-like bonded states (below −3 eV) with the Cu surface atoms, using mainly its backbone’s N1 atom that interestingly also shows electron charge occupation in the single-molecule highest occupied state, denoting its ability as an active center. The Mulliken analysis shows charge transfer from the molecule’s N, C and Cu neighboring atoms towards the O atoms revealing the strong bond tendency of L-glutamine and therefore its ability to act as a corrosion inhibitor on the Cu surface. Additional L-glutamine adsorption results in intermolecular covalent bonding between the molecules, proving the ability of this amino acid to form a stable protective 2d organic coating on Cu(111). These results could be used for the design of a multifunctional hybrid (organic–metallic) coating with anticorrosion, anticancer and antibacterial properties suitable for many technological applications.

Improving health outcomes among older adults in India: effectiveness and implementability of a novel comprehensive geriatric assessment based intervention

Background There is significant evidence on the benefits of comprehensive assessment in older adults. But this evidence is primarily from western countries and in secondary care settings. National policies in India recognize this need and envision community-based screening and facility-based assessment programs integrated into the care pathways for the elderly. However, this is yet to translate into specific interventions, primarily due to lack of complex interventions necessary and evidence of their effectiveness. This study aims to design and pilot an integrated (Community + Facility) Elderly Health Status Assessment and Screening (EHSAS) intervention to improve health outcomes of older adults and assess its feasibility for implementation in Indian rural settings. Methods We propose a hybrid design where we will build the complex intervention, develop and validate the tools needed, pilot it using an exploratory cluster randomized trial and evaluate its implementatbility using the Exploration-Preparation-Implementation-Sustainment (EPIS) framework. Conclusions This study will fill critical gaps in evidence regarding the effectiveness of geriatric screening and assessment in community and primary care settings in low-middle income countries and provide validated tools and implementation models for adoption into national programs. Registration CTRI/2023/07/055661

A Parallel Connected Hybrid Microstrip-Substrate Integrated Waveguide Bandstop Filter

This study presents an original parallel connected hybrid microstrip-substrate integrated waveguide (PCHM-SIW) bandstop filter. A low-pass filter implemented on a microstrip structure and a SIW-based high-pass filter are connected in parallel to each other. In this way, the aim is to obtain a bandstop filter in the novel hybrid design. The parallel connected hybrid microstrip-substrate integrated waveguide (PCHM-SIW) bandstop filter is synthesised, simulated, and produced. The effects of connecting filters in parallel are discussed. It is seen from the results of CST Studio Suite simulation that PCHM-SIW bandstop filter has a bandwidth of 2.85 GHz and a center frequency of 4.26 GHz. The frequency change rate of the center frequency between simulation and measurement is 7.02 % where it is just 3.76 % for the deviation in bandwidth. The results of the simulation and those of the measurement are close to each other. These results converge to ideal analytical results.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel capsaicin-tacrine hybrids as multi-target agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

A series of novel hybrid compounds were designed, synthesized, and utilized as multi-target drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) by connecting capsaicin and tacrine moieties. The biological assays indicated that most of these compounds demonstrated strong inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities with IC50 values in the nanomolar, as well as good blood–brain barrier permeability. Among the synthesized hybrids, compound 5s displayed the most balanced inhibitory effect on hAChE (IC50 = 69.8 nM) and hBuChE (IC50 = 68.0 nM), and exhibited promising inhibitory activity against β-secretase-1 (BACE-1) (IC50 = 3.6 µM). Combining inhibition kinetics and molecular model analysis, compound 5s was shown to be a mixed inhibitor affecting both the catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of hAChE. Additionally, compound 5s showed low toxicity in PC12 and BV2 cell assays. Moreover, compound 5s demonstrated good tolerance at the dose of up to 2500 mg/kg and exhibited no hepatotoxicity at the dose of 3 mg/kg in mice, and it could effectively improve memory ability in mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that compound 5s is a promising and effective multi-target agent for the potential treatment of AD.

Performance of high-concentration photovoltaic cells cooled by a hybrid microchannel heat sink

The electrical performance and equipment lifetime of high-concentration photovoltaic cells depends heavily on efficient cooling. In this paper, we applied a hybrid configuration to the cooling of a high-concentration photovoltaic cell, an innovative pattern derived from a comprehensive study on the combination of oblique microchannel and micro pin fin. Results from this study found that an elliptical pin fin pattern conforming with streamlines most effectively removed heat flux with a Nusselt number of 65.44 at a Reynolds number 1250. Then, the performance evaluation of a photovoltaic cell with a concentration ratio of 1000 was carried out on the hottest day of each season in Shiraz under actual boundary conditions. With an average flow rate of 30 ml/min in the spring, the implementation of this hybrid design resulted in the photovoltaic cell achieving an electrical efficiency of 40.16 while still maintaining a constant surface temperature of 301 K. Unlike a straight microchannel, which failed to maintain a constant cell temperature throughout summer’s hottest hours, this hybrid configuration succeeded in sustaining cooling with an average flow rate of 90 ml/min. In the winter and autumn, the pump’s average power consumption required for cooling was about 25 and 38 mW, respectively. Moreover, the maximum output electrical power in the summer was 2.8 W, with pumping power contributing to 1500 mW.

Design and synthesis of triazole-functionalized isatin hybrids with potent anti-proliferative action against triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line: a hybrid pharmacophore approach

Design and synthesis of triazole-functionalized isatin hybrids with potent anti-proliferative action against triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line: a hybrid pharmacophore approach