Quantitative Analysis Research Articles

PENGETAHUAN PETANI DALAM BUDIDAYA CABAI RAWIT DI DESA LAPANDEWA MAKMUR KECAMATAN LAPANDEWA KABUPATEN BUTON SELATAN

Cayenne pepper cultivation represents one of the most promising agricultural enterprises in the region, offering significant potential for growth and development. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and expertise among farmers engaged in the cultivation of cayenne pepper plants in Lapandewa Makmur Village, Lapandewa District, South Buton Regency. The population of interest in this study was the total number of cayenne pepper farmers in Lapandewa Makmur Village, which was 22 farmers. The sample was determined using the census method, whereby the total population was used as a sample in the study, namely 22 respondents. Data collection techniques employed observation, interview, and documentation methods using media in the form of questionnaires. This research is quantitative in nature. Data were processed using quantitative descriptive analysis using the class interval formula. The results indicated that the level of knowledge of farmers in cayenne pepper cultivation activities in Lapandewa Makmur Village was at a high level of knowledge category. This level of knowledge encompasses the following areas: seed procurement, land processing, planting, maintenance, pest control, harvest, and post-harvest. The farmers demonstrated an adequate level of knowledge regarding the processes of seed procurement, land processing, planting, pest control, harvesting, and post-harvesting. However, they exhibited an insufficient level of knowledge regarding the maintenance of cayenne pepper plants.

Is EU democracy promotion aligned with local media perception in Central Asia? Findings from content analysis

ABSTRACT In the 2019 European Union (EU) renewed Strategy for Central Asia, the promotion of democracy in the post-soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is singled out as one of the key priorities. This article aims to examine whether there is an alignment between the EU self-perception on democracy promotion and its external perception in local media. The question is addressed through quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the EU key documents for Central Asia and local media outlets from 2019 to 2022, using the Nvivo software. The research findings indicate that both self- and external perceptions align in the context of the EU human rights promotion for Central Asia. Drawing upon these findings, this article argues that the EU democracy promotion endeavours are predominantly grasped in Central Asia within the sphere of human rights, while comprehension of other facets of the EU democracy promotion agenda remains intricate. Consequently, as the EU normative agenda faces ongoing scrutiny within Central Asia, it is advocated that the EU undertake a thorough reassessment of its approach in the region, aiming to foster deeper understanding and alignment with local perceptions.

Artificial Neural Network Application in Construction and the Built Environment: A Bibliometric Analysis

Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of various technologies in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction sector. Artificial intelligence has played a significant role throughout the different phases of the design and construction process. A growing body of literature recognizes the importance of artificial neural network applications in numerous areas of the construction industry and the built environment, presenting a need to explore the main research themes, attributes, benefits, and challenges. A three-step extensive research method was utilized by conducting a bibliometric search of English language articles and conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses. The bibliometric analysis aimed to identify the current research directions and gaps forming future research areas. The scientometric analysis of keywords revealed diverse areas within the construction industry linked to ANNs. The qualitative analysis of the selected literature revealed that energy management in buildings and construction cost predictions were the leading research topics in the study area. These findings recommend directions for further research in the field, for example, broadening the application ranges of ANNs in the current Construction 4.0 technologies, such as robotics, 3D printing, digital twins, and VR applications.

Assessment of conceptual understanding in student learning of evaporation

Developing a deeper understanding of scientific concepts is one of the primary goals of science education. To improve students’ conceptual understanding, it is necessary to explore the major characteristics of their learning process. Informed by previous work on conceptual understanding, this study focuses on the concept of evaporation, exploring the level division of students’ conceptual understanding of evaporation and the development of corresponding test questions. The level-based conceptual understanding assessment was tested on 721 seventh-grade Chinese students before and after the evaporation lesson. The results of quantitative and qualitative analyses indicated that the students’ conceptual understanding of evaporation could be divided into three progression levels. Students with a low level of understanding only mechanically remembered the definition of evaporation and could identify evaporation phenomena in their daily lives based on memorized examples. Students with an intermediate level of understanding grasped not only the definition of evaporation but also the factors affecting the evaporation rate. Students with a high level of understanding understood the microscopic nature of evaporation and could explain how these three factors affect the evaporation rate from a microscopic perspective. This study also provides further evidence of the value of grasping the nature of concepts in conceptual understanding. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Optimization of Gene Selection for Cancer Classification in High-Dimensional Data Using an Improved African Vultures Algorithm

This study presents a novel method, termed RBAVO-DE (Relief Binary African Vultures Optimization based on Differential Evolution), aimed at addressing the Gene Selection (GS) challenge in high-dimensional RNA-Seq data, specifically the rnaseqv2 lluminaHiSeq rnaseqv2 un edu Level 3 RSEM genes normalized dataset, which contains over 20,000 genes. RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq) is a transformative approach that enables the comprehensive quantification and characterization of gene expressions, surpassing the capabilities of micro-array technologies by offering a more detailed view of RNA-Seq gene expression data. Quantitative gene expression analysis can be pivotal in identifying genes that differentiate normal from malignant tissues. However, managing these high-dimensional dense matrix data presents significant challenges. The RBAVO-DE algorithm is designed to meticulously select the most informative genes from a dataset comprising more than 20,000 genes and assess their relevance across twenty-two cancer datasets. To determine the effectiveness of the selected genes, this study employs the Support Vector Machine (SVM) and k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) classifiers. Compared to binary versions of widely recognized meta-heuristic algorithms, RBAVO-DE demonstrates superior performance. According to Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test, with a 5% significance level, RBAVO-DE achieves up to 100% classification accuracy and reduces the feature size by up to 98% in most of the twenty-two cancer datasets examined. This advancement underscores the potential of RBAVO-DE to enhance the precision of gene selection for cancer research, thereby facilitating more accurate and efficient identification of key genetic markers.

PERAN KOMUNIKASI KELOMPOK TANI PADI SAWAH DALAM PENINGKATAN KAPASITAS ANGGOTA DI KELURAHAN BARGUGA KECAMATAN BARUGA KOTA KENDARI

The objective of this study is to examine the role of farmer group communication on the capacity of members of the paddy rice group in Baruga Village, Baruga District, Kendari City. The population under investigation consisted of all members of the paddy rice farmer group, which numbered 16 groups with a total membership of 160 farmers. The research sample was determined using the Slovin formula, with a confidence level of 90% or 10% of the total population sampled. This resulted in a sample size of 54 respondents. Data collection techniques employed survey methods, interviews, and documentation using research instruments in the form of questionnaires. The research employed a quantitative approach, utilizing quantitative descriptive analysis through the application of the class interval formula and the Spearman rank correlation formula, with the assistance of the SPSS software version 26. The findings indicated that the communication role within the rice paddy farmer group in Baruga Village, Baruga District, Kendari City, with respect to the information aspect, was categorized as "available," the learning aspect was categorized as "active," and the intensity of discussion was categorized as "frequent." The capacity of paddy rice farmer group members for the knowledge aspect is in the knowing category, the attitude aspect is in the adequate category, and the skill aspect is in the skillful category. The relationship between the role of farmer group communication in increasing the capacity of members of the paddy rice farmer group is evident when examining the role of information access to attitudes, the role of learning classes to knowledge, attitudes, and skills, and the role of discussion intensity to knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Each of these relationships is significant, while the role of information access to knowledge and skills does not demonstrate a significant relationship.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) contributes to senescence and phenotypic changes in brain pericytes in diabetes-mimicking conditions.

Diabetes mediates endothelial dysfunction and increases the risk of Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias. Diabetes also dysregulates the ET system. ET-1-mediated constriction of brain microvascular pericytes (BMVPCs) has been shown to contribute to brain hypoperfusion. Cellular senescence, a process that arrests the proliferation of harmful cells, instigates phenotypical changes and proinflammatory responses in endothelial cells that impact their survival and function. Thus, we hypothesized that ET-1 mediates BMVPC senescence and phenotypical changes in diabetes-like conditions. Human BMVPCs were incubated in diabetes-like conditions with or without ET-1 (1 µmol/L) for 3 and 7 days. Hydrogen peroxide (100 µmol/L H2O2) was used as a positive control for senescence and to mimic ischemic conditions. Cells were stained for senescence-associated β-galactosidase or processed for immunoblotting and quantitative real-time PCR analyses. In additional experiments, cells were stimulated with ET-1 in the presence or absence of ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123 (20 μmol/L) or ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788 (20 μmol/L). ET-1 stimulation increased β-galactosidase accumulation which was prevented by BQ-123. ET-1 also increased traditional senescence marker p16 protein and pericyte-specific senescence markers, TGFB1i1, PP1CA, and IGFBP7. Furthermore, ET-1 stimulated contractile protein α-SMA and microglial marker ostepontin in high glucose suggesting a shift toward an ensheathing or microglia-like phenotype. In conclusion, ET-1 triggers senescence, alters ETA and ETB receptors, and causes phenotypical changes in BMVPCs under diabetes-like conditions. These in vitro findings need to be further studied in vivo to establish the role of ETA receptors in the progression of pericyte senescence and phenotypical changes in VCID.

Detection of Pharmaceutical Contamination in Amphipods of Lake Baikal by the HPLC-MS Method

Pollution by active ingredients is one of the most significant and widespread forms of pollution on Earth. Medicines can have a negative impact on ecosystems, and contamination can have unpredictable consequences. An urgent and unexplored task is to study the Lake Baikal ecosystem and its organisms for the presence of trace concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Our study aimed to conduct a qualitative analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and quantitative analysis of ibuprofen in endemic amphipods of Lake Baikal, using methods of high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), ibuprofen, acetaminophen, azithromycin, dimetridazole, metronidazole, amikacin, spiramycin, and some tetracycline antibiotics were detected in the studied littoral amphipods. We also detected different annual loads of active pharmaceutical ingredients on amphipods. Using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode mentioned in GOST International Technical Standards, we detected molecules, fragmented as amikacin, chlortetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, dimetridazole, metronidazole and spiramycin. Thus, we first revealed that invertebrates of Lake Baikal can uptake pharmaceutical contaminants in the environment.

KEPERCAYAAN (TRUST) PADA ANGGOTA KOMUNITAS PEREMPUAN NELAYAN DI DESA LAMBANGI KECAMATAN KOLONO TIMUR KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN

One element of social capital that plays an important role in community resilience is trust. When community members trust each other, they are better able to weather crises and adapt to unexpected changes. Therefore, trust within a community must be maintained in order to overcome various challenges that may arise, including economic vulnerability. This study aims to assess the level of trust in members of the fisherwomen community in Lambangi Village, East Kolono Sub-district, South Konawe Regency. The study population consisted of all female fish processors of anchovies, with a total of 32 individuals. The sample determination employed the saturated sampling technique or census, whereby the entire population was taken as a sample, namely 32 people. Data were collected through interviews, surveys, and documentation, with the assistance of questionnaires. This study employed a quantitative approach in its completion. Data were processed using descriptive quantitative analysis through the use of the class interval formula. The findings indicated that the level of trust among the fisherwomen community members in Lambangi Village was high. This suggests that the fisherwomen have effectively implemented every aspect of trust, namely aspects of openness, sharing, acceptance, support, and cooperation within the community of fisherwomen in Lambangi Village.

Quantitative analysis of mixed lipid nanostructures in rat skin by HPLC-MS

Abstract Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a very sensitive technique for determining small concentrations of drugs in fixed dose combinations or even those deposited in skin layers. Therefore, an LC-MS method was applied for determining the drugs under investigation, namely, clioquinol (CLIO), tolnaftate (TOL), and betamethasone (BETA) in Quadriderm® cream and mixed lipid nanostructures (MLNs) prepared in laboratory in the presence of potential interferents, and was applied as a dermato-kinetic study in rat’s skin. The separation was achieved within 4.5 min by using C18 column as a stationary phase and the mobile phase used were 20% phase A composed of 0.1% formic acid (v/v) and 80% phase B composed of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (v/v), coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. MLNs were prepared and characterized to be compared with the conventional commercially available Quadriderm® cream. The proposed method was accurate and precise with a linearity range of 0.2–20.0 µg·mL−1 for BETA, and 0.5–400.0 µg·mL−1 for CLIO and TOL and a better bioavailability of the new formulation was obtained ensuring the capability of the nanoparticles to accumulate the drugs within the skin layers. In conclusion, the LC-MS method was accurate and precise for the determination of the three drugs under investigation in cream dosage form and skin tissues.

Narrow-band imaging to enhance intraneural dissection in head and neck schwannoma surgery: a quantitative evaluation

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the utility of narrow-band imaging (NBI) for improving intraneural dissection during gross total resection of head and neck schwannoma. Specifically, we aimed to quantitatively evaluate whether NBI can enhance the identification of pseudocapsule and true capsule within the tumor. MethodsNine schwannoma surgery cases conducted between February 2018 and October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical procedures followed established principles with a specific focus on utilizing NBI to distinguish between the pseudocapsule and true capsule. Intraneural dissection was performed by searching for a tumor surface with a fascicle-free window, followed by longitudinal incision of the pseudocapsule. NBI was used to distinguish between the pseudocapsule and true capsule. Surgical views were captured under both white light (WL) illumination and NBI for further analysis. The brightness and contrast of the pseudocapsule and true capsule were quantitatively measured using ImageJ and were compared. ResultsUnder NBI, the pseudocapsule consistently appeared greenish-gray, whereas the true capsule exhibited a white appearance. Quantitative analysis revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) in brightness between the pseudocapsule (mean grayscale value 52.1, 95%CI; 46.4–75.3) and true tumor capsule (mean grayscale value 120.8, 95%CI; 155.7–109.0) under NBI. Conversely, there was no statistically significant difference in the brightness of these structures under WL (p = 0.2067). NBI also showed significantly higher contrast between the two structures than did WL (contrast 73.6, 95%CI; 53.1–89.5 vs. 30.9, 95%CI; 1.0–47.5, p = 0.0034). Further spectral analysis revealed that the most substantial difference in brightness between the pseudocapsule and the true tumor capsule was observed in the red spectrum, with a difference in brightness of −0.6 (95%CI; −16.8–14.8) under WL and 83.5 (95%CI; 50.3–100.0) under NBI (p < 0.0001). ConclusionNBI proved to be a valuable tool for enhancing the identification of pseudocapsule and true capsule during intraneural dissection in head and neck schwannoma surgery. The improved contrast and membrane visibility offered by NBI might have the potential to reduce postoperative neurological deficits and improve surgical outcomes. Further research is warranted to validate our findings and explore the broader applications of NBI in schwannoma surgery.

Salivary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels in patients with oral cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundDNA is an important target for oxidative attack and its modification may increase the risk of mutagenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare salivary levels of the oxidative stress biomarker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in patients with oral cancer (OC) compared to the control group by a comprehensive search of the available literature.MethodsThe present systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered in Open Science Framework (OSF): https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/X3YMR. Four electronic databases were used to identify studies for this systematic review: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science from January 15, 2005, to April 15, 2021. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was used to assess article quality.ResultsOf the 166 articles identified, 130 articles were excluded on the basis of title and abstract screening (duplicates, reviews, etc.). Thirty-six articles were evaluated at full text and 7 articles met the inclusion criteria. Of these, only 5 studies had compatible data for quantitative analysis. An increase in salivary 8-OHdG levels was found in patients with OC compared to healthy subjects, but without statistical significance. 8-OHdG: SMD = 2,72 (95%CI= -0.25–5.70); *p = 0.07.ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis suggests a clear trend of increased 8-OHdG levels in saliva of OC patients compared to the control group. However, further studies are required to clarify and understand the altered levels of this oxidative stress marker.

Reimagining entrepreneurship by utilizing venture dynamics in sharing economy: Evaluating the symbiosis of macro and micro factors for sustainable capital flows in developing markets

AbstractVenture capital (VC) plays a vital role in fostering revolution and entrepreneurship in emerging economies. However, attracting VC investments remains a significant challenge for startups in these markets. This study investigates the macro and micro factors influencing VC attraction in the Bangladeshi startup ecosystem, employing a mixed‐methods approach. A systematic literature review was performed to recognize the key factors influencing VC attraction in emerging markets. Qualitative interviews with 20 stakeholders, including startup founders, investors, and policymakers, were undertaken to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities for VC attraction in Bangladesh. Quantitative analysis of secondary data on VC investments and startup characteristics was executed to examine the associations connecting the identified factors and VC investment amount. The findings reveal that government policies, human capital availability, and informal institutions are critical macro factors influencing VC attraction, while founder and team characteristics, business model and scalability, and traction and validation are key micro factors. The study contributes to the literature on VC in developing economies by providing a comprehensive examination of the interplay of institutional, human capital, cultural, and startup‐specific factors shaping VC investment decisions. The findings have important implications for policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking to foster a more vibrant and sustainable startup ecosystem in Bangladesh and beyond. The research underlines the need for a holistic approach to addressing the challenges and leveraging the opportunities for VC attraction in emerging markets.

Real-time motion artifact suppression using convolution neural networks with penalty in fNIRS

IntroductionRemoving motion artifacts (MAs) from functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signals is crucial in practical applications, but a standard procedure is not available yet. Artificial neural networks have found applications in diverse domains, such as voice and image processing, while their utility in signal processing remains limited.MethodIn this work, we introduce an innovative neural network-based approach for online fNIRS signals processing, tailored to individual subjects and requiring minimal prior experimental data. Specifically, this approach employs one-dimensional convolutional neural networks with a penalty network (1DCNNwP), incorporating a moving window and an input data augmentation procedure. In the training process, the neural network is fed with simulated data derived from the balloon model for simulation validation and semi-simulated data for experimental validation, respectively.ResultsVisual validation underscores 1DCNNwP’s capacity to effectively suppress MAs. Quantitative analysis reveals a remarkable improvement in signal-to-noise ratio by over 11.08 dB, surpassing the existing methods, including the spline-interpolation, wavelet-based, temporal derivative distribution repair with a 1 s moving window, and spline Savitzky-Goaly methods. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) analysis further demonstrated 1DCNNwP’s ability to restore or enhance CNRs for motionless signals. In the experiments of eight subjects, our method significantly outperformed the other approaches (except offline TDDR, t &amp;lt; −3.82, p &amp;lt; 0.01). With an average signal processing time of 0.53 ms per sample, 1DCNNwP exhibited strong potential for real-time fNIRS data processing.DiscussionThis novel univariate approach for fNIRS signal processing presents a promising avenue that requires minimal prior experimental data and adapts seamlessly to varying experimental paradigms.

Selection of disassembly schemes for multiple types of waste mobile phones based on knowledge reuse and disassembly line balancing

The growing number of waste mobile phones (WMPs) have made recycling an urgent issue. Different disassembly schemes demonstrate varying effectiveness in the large-scale disassembly of WMPs. It is necessary to consider both economic benefits and efficiency improvement comprehensively. This paper applies knowledge reuse and disassembly line balancing to the automated disassembly of multiple types of WMPs. In this regard, descriptive standards for mobile phone disassembly knowledge at different workstations are established based on the theory of knowledge reuse. In light of mobile phone disassembly characteristics, workstation thresholds, threshold intervals, and excessively small thresholds are introduced to improve the selection of disassembly line schemes. Based on a quantitative analysis of disassembly line balancing, the selection schemes for disassembling different batches of phones have been optimized. Case studies are conducted on Android and iOS system smartphones to verify the proposed method. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method, which incorporates disassembly knowledge, judgment thresholds, and selection schemes, substantially enhances the accuracy of disassembly line selection. For iOS system phones, designing two lines can disassemble all models of WMPs. For Android system phones, the retirement time of mobile phones influences the selection of lines in the disassembly process. Phones with earlier retirement times are more likely to be selected for simpler disassembly lines. Based on disassembly line balancing, two proposed cases for disassembling different batches of phones increase the overall disassembly efficiency by 48.4 % and 46.7 %, respectively.

Research on the distribution of educational resources from the perspective of public service equalization in China—Based on government responsibility and fiscal input

This paper explores the distribution of educational resources from the perspective of public service equalization in China, with a particular focus on government responsibility and fiscal input. Initially, the paper reviews the theoretical foundations and empirical studies concerning the distribution of educational resources, analyzing the role of government in educational equity and the impact of fiscal expenditure. By employing quantitative analysis methods, this study utilizes data on provincial education expenditures over several years to examine the relationship between government fiscal input and the equalization of educational resources. Empirical results indicate that increasing educational fiscal input and optimizing the allocation mechanism significantly enhance the level of equalization in educational resources. Furthermore, through case analyses of several local governments, effective policy recommendations are proposed to promote the fair distribution and optimization of educational resources. Lastly, the paper discusses potential obstacles in policy implementation and suggests corresponding strategies.

Gender differences in school principals’ ethical decision-making processes

PurposeThis study will examine the school principals’ ethical decision-making processes and to explore gender-related differences.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a mixed-method research design, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with a sample of 10 male and 10 female principals, who were presented with ethical dilemma scenarios. The qualitative component utilized a phenomenological analysis, while additional quantitative analyses were performed on the same dataset to explore gender-related differences.FindingsOur analysis of principals' ethical evaluations identified three key areas where gender-related differences were evident: decision-making approaches, leadership styles, and philosophy/value orientations. The analysis revealed that women more frequently employed personal approaches, while men favored institutional approaches in their ethical evaluations. Secondly, men tended to adopt a democratic style, while women leaned towards an autocratic style. Finally, men exhibited a relativist orientation, while women displayed an idealist orientation in their ethical decision-making processes.Originality/valueGender-based analysis of school principals’ ethical decision-making process has remained an under-researched area. This study contributes to the understanding of gender-related differences in principals’ ethical decision-making processes.

Research on the static and dynamic tensile damage mechanism of concrete based on fuzzy sets

The quantitative analysis of microscopic damage mechanisms in concrete and the formulation of damage evolution equations using mathematical theory and computerized tomography (CT) imaging are still emerging fields. The test data from CT scans have yet to be fully exploited. This study proposes a method for quantitatively characterizing mesoscale damage evolution in concrete. By segmenting CT images from static and dynamic tensile tests, we define metrics such as the aggregate rate, mortar rate, and porosity to examine the damage progression under both stress conditions. We then establish a damage evolution model based on porosity changes. Our findings reveal that crack growth in concrete is slower under static tension, with cracks navigating around aggregates towards weaker regions. Conversely, under dynamic loads, cracks propagate more rapidly and directly through aggregates, following paths of quicker energy dispersion. Static loading results in less aggregate damage than does dynamic loading, with a notable increase in porosity and a more varied change in the mortar rate. The damage to the finer components of concrete increases as the crack-adjacent region diminishes. Damage is generally more extensive under static loading than under dynamic loading. The proposed porosity-based damage evolution model effectively describes concrete damage under static tension, leveraging CT technology to enhance the universality of the research and offering a microscopic-level theoretical foundation for studying concrete mechanical properties.

3D live imaging and phenotyping of CAR-T cell mediated-cytotoxicity using high-throughput Bessel oblique plane microscopy

Clarification of the cytotoxic function of T cells is crucial for understanding human immune responses and immunotherapy procedures. Here, we report a high-throughput Bessel oblique plane microscopy (HBOPM) platform capable of 3D live imaging and phenotyping of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T-cell cytotoxicity against cancer cells. The HBOPM platform has the following characteristics: an isotropic subcellular resolution of 320 nm, large-scale scouting over 400 interacting cell pairs, long-term observation across 5 hours, and quantitative analysis of the Terabyte-scale 3D, multichannel, time-lapse image datasets. Using this advanced microscopy platform, several key subcellular events in CAR-T cells are captured and comprehensively analyzed; these events include the instantaneous formation of immune synapses and the sustained changes in the microtubing morphology. Furthermore, we identify the actin retrograde flow speed, the actin depletion coefficient, the microtubule polarization and the contact area of the CAR-T/target cell conjugates as essential parameters strongly correlated with CAR-T-cell cytotoxic function. Our approach will be useful for establishing criteria for quantifying T-cell function in individual patients for all T-cell-based immunotherapies.

Quantitative analysis of energy transfer and separation in vortex tubes: Factors and empirical insights

As a device with a simple structure for energy separation, the low efficiency of the vortex tube is the primary obstacle hindering its widespread application. No existing energy separation theory has gained wide acceptance due to inconsistencies with actual processes. Therefore, drawing on prior studies concerning the flow field, the formation process of flow distribution is presented. Then a quantitative analysis of the energy transfer and separation processes in vortex tubes driven by velocity gradient, temperature gradient, and pressure gradient is proposed. The viscous shear work, heat transfer, and turbulent heat transfer processes were analyzed separately. It was found that the main factors of vortex tube energy separation originated from the expansion of the inlet nozzle and the turbulent heat transfer process. At the same time, the viscous shear work and heat transfer processes also have a specific effect on the energy separation, in which the heat transfer process suppressed the energy separation effect of the vortex tube. In addition, its empirical results indicate that interactions among the turbulent heat transfer process, frictional dissipation, angular momentum conservation, and heat transfer should be considered in further studies.