Technique For Application Research Articles

IVF with frozen-thawed sperm after prolonged capacitation yields comparable results to ICSI in horses: A morphokinetics study

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the current clinical practice for the in vitro production of equine embryos. The use of conventional fertilization methods such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), has historically been associated with poor success in horses. However, recent improvements have led to better outcomes with IVF, though only when using fresh semen, which limits its use in clinical practice. IVF remains in its infancy in equine reproduction, and several unknowns remain about the technique. One significant gap in knowledge concerns the morphokinetics of IVF embryos and how they differ from their ICSI counterparts. To address this, we performed IVF using frozen-thawed sperm from five different stallions following sperm selection and a prolonged capacitation period of 10 h, on a total of 109 oocytes. We then analyzed the cleavage rate (cleaved/initial oocytes), blastocyst rate (blastocyst/initial zygotes), and blastocyst development (blastocyst/cleaved zygotes) of the IVF cycles, and compared them with those of the clinical ICSI cycles during the same period. We also evaluated time-lapse images of the developed embryos to assess developmental time points such as time to morula compaction and blastocyst expansion, as well as morula and blastocyst sizes. Overall, developmental rates were not different between IVF and ICSI cycles (blastocyst rate 41.1 % IVF and 41.8 % ICSI, p > 0.05). However, development proceeded faster in IVF cycles (blastocyst expansion IVF 155.5 ± 18.5 h; ICSI 167.2 ± 19.6 h; p < 0.05) and IVF embryos were also larger (blastocyst area IVF 22608 ± 2857 μm2; ICSI 20806 ± 1505 μm2; p < 0.05). The faster development and larger size might suggest a more advanced developmental stage. The implications of these findings need to be further evaluated to assess their association with pregnancy potential. The successful developmental rates achieved in IVF cycles demonstrate the potential of this technique for clinical application, although the amount of frozen-thawed semen required is significantly higher in IVF than in ICSI, which is an important consideration for mare and stallion owners. Nonetheless, the use of frozen-thawed semen in equine IVF, coupled with comparable blastocyst rate, presents promising potential for broader clinical adoption of the IVF technique.

Hydrothermal Growth Zinc Oxide Nanorods for pH Sensor Application

The aim of this work is to apply synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) Nanorods using hydrothermal (HTL) growth technique for pH sensor application. The highly crystallite of ZnO Nanorods was obtained by anneal the growth ZnO Nanorods in furnace at 200 °C for 2 hours. Besides that, XRD analysis shows the produced ZnO Nanorods belonged to the (002) plane. Furthermore, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images confirm that the ZnO Nanorods with hexagonal-faceted structural were successfully produced by HTL growth technique. In addition, Ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer analysis shows that the synthesized ZnO belongs to the wide band gap semiconductor material. The growing ZnO Nanorods were then subjected to electrical measurement with various pH levels. The outcome demonstrates that the current rises as the solution changes from acidic to alkaline. Overall, our study shows a relationship between the electrical as well as the structural characteristics of ZnO Nanorods at various pH levels.

To pretreat, or not to pretreat, that is the question. The value of pretreatment protocols in the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of archaeobotanical cereal grains from Croatia and Serbia

ABSTRACT Isotopic analysis of archaeological charred plant remains is a useful tool to infer past agricultural practices. However, debate continues over whether charred seeds should be untreated or pretreated before analysis, to counteract any residual contamination and retrieve the “true” isotopic signature of the seed. This paper presents a case study examining whether archaeobotanical remains from Croatia and northern Serbia should be pretreated before isotopic analysis with the aim to provide a pragmatic technique for wider application. A small subset was first examined with an ATR-FTIR and then four different protocols were examined: water rinse only, two different acid-only methods and ABA (acid–base-acid). The results were inconsistent, displaying variability in the effect each protocol had on the isotopic values. Overall, it was concluded that the slight differences between untreated and pretreated sub-samples should not impact the archaeological interpretation, removing the need for pretreatment of the remaining archaeobotanical material.

Synthesis and investigation of the optical characteristics of RE3+ activated Ca2Li2Si2O7 (Rare earth = Eu, Tb) phosphor for W-LED application

Novel Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions-doped Ca2Li2Si2O7 luminescent materials were prepared by a low-temperature solid-state reaction technique for LED application. The electronic transitions of 5D0 → 7F2 (Eu3+) and 5D4 → 7F5 (Tb3+) have caused the luminescent material to exhibit strong luminosity in 613 nm (red) and 545 nm (green), respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were applied for the identification of functional groups, and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used for structural analysis. Morphological data was gathered using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its color was also determined by calculating the CIE coordinates. The excitation, PL properties, and luminescence decay time of the emission transitions of Eu3+ (5D0 → 7F2) and Tb3+ (5D4 → 7F5) were measured in order to analyze luminosity spectra.

AIEE-Active Green Fluorescence Imaging Technique for Latent Fingerprint Application.

Latent fingerprint imaging is a crucial tool for national security and crime recognition, requiring environmentally sustainable, nontoxic materials. To address this need, we have developed a green fluorescence-emitting material, THCHO, that binds effectively to latent fingerprints, enabling clear, high-resolution visualization. The solution produces strong green fluorescence that highlights fingerprint imprints with exceptional detail and contrast. The material is applicable across various substrates, making it efficient for on-site visualization. The synthesized organic conjugated material THCHO rapidly visualizes precise fingerprint substructures within 5 s using a simple spray method. It maintains high contrast and low interference across different substrates, such as glass, aluminum foil, plastic, and ironware, even in diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the THCHO material demonstrates high stability, retaining its fluorescence imaging capabilities for up to 35 days and after water washing. This is the first report of using a conjugated organic thiophene material for latent fingerprint fluorescence imaging, suggesting potential applications in other fields.

Enhanced powder characteristics of succinic acid through crystallization techniques for food industry application

During crystallization, succinic acid, an important food additive, exhibit severe agglomeration behaviour, uneven crystal size distribution (CSD), and irregular crystal morphology, resulting in poor powder flow properties. This paper presents an innovative approach to optimize succinic acid crystallization through investigation of novel blade milling method, seeding, and inclusion of green additive, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). CTAB for crystal habit regulation and formation of desired cubic-like morphology. We employ Mask R-CNN, a deep learning-based image analysis tool to quantitatively assess crystal and powder flow properties. Results demonstrate that the inclusion of 0.5 wt% CTAB with two-stage cooling method yields uniform CSD ranging from 30 μm to 160 μm and improves powder properties, reducing the agglomeration degree by 46% and caking ratio to only 6.78%, indicating a decreased tendency for clumping. The integration of crystallization with the proposed deep learning framework not only improves succinic acid food functionality but also showcases highly efficient method for optimizing crystal properties, setting new standard for food crystallization processes. It has been adequately presented with real-time high-precision analysis of CSD, agglomeration, etc, facilitating rapid screening for optimized food quality improvements.

ZnSnS Nanoparticles Synthesized by Simple SMI Technique for Photocatalytic Application

Photocatalysis, driven by semiconductor nanoparticles under visible or ultraviolet light, has emerged as a powerful and sustainable approach for environmental remediation and clean energy production. In this study, we investigate the photocatalytic potential of tin (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) mole % alloyed with zinc sulfide (ZnSnS) nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for various environment and energy-related applications. ZnSnS nanoparticles were produced via a simple microwave irradiation technique. Comprehensive structural characterization through X-ray diffraction (XRD), FESEM, EDAX and HRTEM confirmed the successful incorporation of tin atoms into the ZnS crystal lattice. Optical study indicated significant blue shifts in the absorption edge, extending the light absorption into the visible region, a key advantage for photocatalytic applications. Photocatalytic experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of Zn-alloyed SnS nanoparticles in degrading organic pollutants and hydrogen evolution from water splitting reactions. Our results revealed remarkable enhancements in photocatalytic activity. The enhanced efficiency can be credited to the creation of fresh energy levels within the bandgap, aiding in the separation and movement of charges, and also to the heightened light absorption caused by the reduced bandgap. Furthermore, stability tests indicated the durability of (ZnSnS) nanoparticles, making them suitable candidates for long-term applications in real-world environments. The observed photocatalytic activity enhancements hold promise for addressing environmental issues, including wastewater treatment, air purification, and hydrogen production for clean energy.

Modification of Adomian decomposition technique in multiplicative calculus and application for nonlinear equations

Multiplicative calculus is a mathematical system that offers an alternative to traditional calculus. Instead of using addition and subtraction to measure change, as in traditional calculus, it uses multiplication and division. The framework of nonlinear equations is an incredibly powerful tool that has proven invaluable in advancing our understanding of various phenomena across a wide range of applied sciences. This framework has enabled researchers to gain deeper insights into a vast array of scientific problems. The physical interpretation of iterative methods for nonlinear equations using multiplicative calculus offers a unique perspective on solving such equations and opens up potential applications across various scientific disciplines. Multiplicative calculus naturally aligns with processes characterized by exponential growth or decay. In many physical, biological, and economic systems, quantities change in a manner proportional to their current state. Multiplicative calculus models these processes more accurately than traditional additive approaches. For example, population growth, radioactive decay, and compound interest are all better described multiplicatively. The primary objective of this work is to modify and implement the Adomian decomposition method within the multiplicative calculus framework and to develop an effective class of multiplicative numerical algorithms for obtaining the best approximation of the solution of nonlinear equations. We build up the convergence criteria of the multiplicative iterative methods. To demonstrate the application and effectiveness of these new recurrence relations, we consider some numerical examples. Comparison of the multiplicative iterative methods with the similar ordinary existing methods is presented. Graphical comparison is also provided by plotting log of residuals. The purpose in constructing new algorithms is to show the implementation and effectiveness of multiplicative calculus.

Engineering wafer scale single-crystalline Si growth on epitaxial Gd2O3/Si(111) substrate using radio frequency sputtering for silicon on insulator application

Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technology has been the promising solution for the On-chip low-power mixed-signal systems. However, the traditional smart-cut method for SOI wafer fabrication is costly. Hence, in this work, we present an optimized methodology to fabricate a wafer scale single-crystalline Si on epitaxial Gd2O3/Si(111) substrate (SOXI) using a low-cost, high volume manufacturable (HVM)-friendly Radio Frequency magnetron sputtering technique for SOI application. The grown Si and Gd2O3 layers are physically characterized using high-resolution X-ray Diffraction and high-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction, Pole Figure, and HRTEM imaging confirm the formation of an epitaxial Top-Si layer on the epitaxial-Gd2O3/Si(111) substrate. Hence, we demonstrate a low-cost, HVM-friendly technique for the fabrication of SOXI wafers.

The efficacy of Diamond™ nucleic acid dye-stained cell counting techniques for forensic application

Touch DNA is one of the most common types of biological material collected during criminal investigations. Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye (DD) has been shown to aid in touch sample visualisation and target sampling. It has also been used as a method of shedder categorisation that is cheaper and quicker than DNA methods. However, the DD method routinely involves manual cell counting, which can result in intra and inter-person variability similar to other manual techniques used in forensic science, for example, fingerprint identification. Additionally, DD based shedder categorisation involves counting cells in a portion of the touch deposit to extrapolate an individual’s shedder status, and the sampling effect of such estimations is currently unknown.The present study tested different data analysis aspects of the DD method, including counting variability within and between people, shedder classification differences based on different counting methods (entire thumbprint, sub-section of a print with most cells, sub-section of a print deemed most representative of the entire thumbprint, and random sections), the use of ImageJ software to semi-automate counting and the use and extension of the DD method for investigating DNA Transfer, Persistence, Prevalence and Recovery (DNA-TPPR).The results of this study show that there are meaningful differences observed during counting processes both between and within people. These differences tended to increase as the factor of time, or the duration of counting, rather than the complexity of cell deposits being assessed. Investment in cell counting software that eliminates personal factors, such as boredom fatigue, can remedy most of these issues, however, will require optimisation, such as fibre recognition. Shedder testing was shown to be affected by the choice of sampling and categorisation methods, and suggested that using an entire finger or larger section size can provide increased precision. Finally, inverted worn gloves stained with DD may provide an acceptable alternative for hands in DNA-TPPR investigations, providing an interesting alternative for future research.

Fabrication of NiO/TiO2/rGO nanocomposites as a quasi-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor: Paving the way for PhotoSupercapacitor application

In this present communication, a novel ternary nanocomposite, NiO/TiO2/rGO (NTG), was synthesised via a simple hydrothermal technique for photosupercapacitor application. The XRD pattern confirmed the crystalline nature and phase structure of the as-synthesised material. FE-SEM and HR-TEM analyses demonstrated the embellishment of NiO/TiO2 nanoparticles on the rGO sheets, which facilitates more voids and shorter diffusion paths. The electrochemical investigation of the prepared samples was assessed using 1 M Na2SO4 and Na2CO3 aqueous electrolyte solutions. Among the synthesised samples, NTG-2 carried out under 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 1285 Fg-1 at 1 Ag-1, maintaining a capacitance retention of 94 % after 5000 cycles. The NTG-2 electrode was additionally utilised in the construction of an asymmetric supercapacitor that has an impressive specific capacitance of 478 Fg-1 at 1 Ag-1. This displays an intriguing performance in terms of energy and power density of 42.2 Wh Kg−1 at 0.5 kW kg−1. In PSC, the as-fabricated TiO2/N719/I−/I3−/Pt@NTG-2//AC architecture possessed a specific capacitance of 567.5 Fg-1 at 1 Ag-1, with an energy density of 50.4 Wh Kg−1 and a power density of 0.4 kW kg−1. As a result, it has been concluded that the novel NTG-2 device opens new opportunities to develop new architectures for efficient energy storage applications.

Flying foxes optimization with reinforcement learning for vehicle detection in UAV imagery

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are globally installed in smart cities, which enable the next generation of ITS depending on the potential integration of autonomous and connected vehicles. Both technologies are being tested widely in various cities across the world. However, these two developing technologies are vital in allowing a fully automatic transportation system; it is necessary to automate other transportation and road components. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones are utilized for many surveillance applications in the ITS. Detecting on-ground vehicles in drone images is significant for disaster rescue operations, traffic and parking management, and navigating uneven territories. This study presents a flying foxes optimization with deep learning-based vehicle detection and classification model on aerial images (FFODL-VDCAI) technique for ITS application. The main objective of the FFODL-VDCAI technique is to automate and accurately classify vehicles that exist in aerial images. Three primary processes are involved in the presented FFODL-VDCAI technique. Initially, the FFODL-VDCAI approach utilizes YOLO-GD (Ghost-Net and Depthwise convolution) for vehicle detection, where the YOLO-GD uses lightweight Ghost Net in place on the backbone network of YOLO-v4 and interchanges the conventional convolutional with depthwise separable convolutional and pointwise convolutional. Next, the FFO technique is used for hyperparameter tuning the Ghost Net technique. Finally, a deep Q-network (DQN) based reinforcement learning technique is used to classify detected vehicles effectively. A comprehensive simulation analysis of the FFODL-VDCAI methodology is conducted on the UAV image dataset. The performance validation of the FFODL-VDCAI methodology exhibited superior values of 96.15% and 92.03% under PSU and Stanford datasets concerning various aspects.

Assessment of Multifidelity Surrogate Approaches for Expedient Loads Prediction in High-Speed Flows

Fast and accurate predictions about the flowfield surrounding a hypersonic flight vehicle are necessary for both early design phases and autonomous vehicle control. Data-driven model reduction presents an opportunity to harness the accuracy of high-fidelity techniques for expedient online application. Surrogate modeling is one approach that seeks to emulate the response of a system with evaluation times much faster than the data source. Multifidelity surrogate modeling seeks to reduce the amount of high-fidelity data needed for a sufficiently accurate online model. The objective of this paper is to assesses the tradeoffs between a kriging-based multifidelity model and a neural-network-based multifidelity model, applied to high-speed flow past a canonical flight geometry. All models studied in this work reproduce the results of the benchmark simulations with less than 100 training cases. The kriging models marginally outperform the neural-network-based models in accuracy, but requirements for training and storing the kriging models scale exponentially as the training data gets larger. Kriging models offer built-in uncertainty quantification and require significantly less decision making about hyperparameters and architecture choices. This study also indicates that the inclusion of data from classical engineering methods can improve the prediction accuracy of surrogate models at practically no cost.

Lesion Sterilization and Tissue Repair in Pediatric Endodontics: A Review

Dentists treating patients have long been concerned about residual infections in the root canal system. Lesion sterilization and tissue repair (LSTR) therapy is a type of endodontic treatment in which root canal systems are disinfected by placing an antibiotic mixture after minimum or no equipment is used. It is increasingly being used to treat nonvital teeth instead of extractions, root canal treatments, and conventional pulpectomies. The content of this article covers the technique's development, purpose, indications, applications, and clinical steps that are required to use it.

Investigating UV photodetector capabilities of Pd-functionalized NiO thin films with interdigitated Pt electrodes

In this study, Palladium functionalized NiO thin films (Pd/NiO) were successfully deposited using a sputtering technique for the photodetector application. FESEM and EDX analysis were performed to confirm the morphology and the presence of constituent elements in the Pd/NiO films. The defect states and surface chemistry were analyzed using XPS, and PL measurements. The Pd/NiO thin film exhibited excellent responsivity (∼ 62 mA/W) and detectivity (∼ 31.7 × 106 Jones) at a low power density of 200 µW/cm2 in the UV range (∼ 355 nm). Additionally, the low Noise Equivalent Power (NEP) of ∼ 1.78 × 10-9 WHz−1/2 at 200 μW indicates the Pd/NiO photodetector capability to effectively detect light signals even at low optical power for various applications.

Bone Transport for Large Segmental Tibial Defects Using Taylor Spatial Frame versus the Ilizarov Circular Fixator.

Bone transport has become the gold standard for treating large segmental tibial bone defects. The technique for application the Ilizarov circular fixator (ICF) has a long learning curve and is associated with many complications. There are few clinical studies on bone transport via the Taylor spatial frame (TSF). The main purpose of this study was to compare the radiological and clinical and outcomes of bone transport by using the TSF and the ICF. There were 62 patients included in this retrospective study from June 2011 to June 2021 and distributed to two groups according to the fixation method: a TSF group consisting of 30 patients and an ICF group consisting of 32 patients. Demographic information, surgical duration, external fixation times, external fixation index, final radiographic results, complications, and clinical outcomes were recorded and examined. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the ASAMI criteria during the most recent clinical visit. Then, statistical analysis such as independent-samples t tests or chi-Square test was performed. The mean surgical duration in the TSF group was 93.8 ± 7.3 min, which was shorter than that in the ICF group (109.8 ± 1.4 min) (p < 0.05). Compared to the ICF group (10.2 ± 2.0 months), the TSF group (9.7 ± 1.8 months) had a shorter average external fixation time (p > 0.05). The external fixation index was 1.4 ± 0.2 m/cm and 1.5 ± 0.1 m/cm in the two groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the two groups. At the last follow-up visit, the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA) in the TSF group were 88.1 ± 12.1° and 80.9 ± 1.3°, respectively. The MPTA and PPTA in the ICF group were 84.4 ± 2.4° and 76.2 ± 1.9°, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups (all p < 0.05). The complication rate was 50% in the TSF group and 75% in the ICF group. Moreover, the ASAMI score between the two groups was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in clinical outcomes between the use of Taylor spatial frame and Ilizarov circular fixator for treating large segmental tibial bone defects. However, TSF is a shorter and simpler procedure that causes fewer complications and improves limb alignment.

Applications of Micro-CT Imaging in Age-At-Death Estimates of Maya Dogs

ABSTRACT While there are many techniques for estimating age-at-death in archaeological dogs, the pulp cavity/tooth width ratio is considered one of the most accurate methods. This study adapts this technique for application to MicroCT imaging, a non-destructive methodology that is rapidly gaining ground in faunal analysis. Mandibular first molar and upper and lower canine teeth recovered from two Late Classic-Early Postclassic period sites in the Maya highlands, Moxviquil and Tenam Puente, were imaged using a SCANCO μCT35 MicroCT scanner. The widths of tooth roots, pulp cavities, cuspal enamel thicknesses, and enamel attrition measurements were then taken using both the scanner’s post-processing system and 3D Slicer, an open-access programme designed for imaging biomedical scans and other 3D files, and pulp cavity infilling ratios were calculated to obtain an age-at-death estimates in months for each specimen. Based on these, this study presents preliminary interpretations of canid age-at-death patterns at Moxviquil and Tenam Puente, including a range of juvenile specimens from a funerary cave context at Moxviquil.

Comparative Study of Different Classification Techniques for Pedestrian Detection Application

Comparative Study of Different Classification Techniques for Pedestrian Detection Application

Utilizing machine learning algorithms to prevent financial fraud and ensure transaction security

Financial fraud poses a significant threat to the global economy, necessitating advanced measures for detection and prevention. This paper explores the application of machine learning techniques to enhance transaction security and combat financial fraud. It provides a comprehensive overview of machine learning algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, and anomaly detection. Each technique's application in identifying and preventing fraudulent activities is discussed, along with their advantages and limitations. Challenges in implementing machine learning for fraud detection, such as data quality, scalability, real-time processing, and model interpretability, are examined. Ethical and privacy concerns associated with using machine learning in financial transactions are also addressed. By highlighting these aspects, the paper aims to contribute to developing more effective and ethical machine learning-based fraud detection systems, ensuring robust transaction security and fostering trust in financial institutions.

MALDI target functionalization with deposited thin films of lanthanum stearate – An efficient tool for in situ enrichment of human globin adducts of chlorinated organic compounds

“Lab-on-a-plate” methodology encapsulates a number of different approaches aimed to shorten extensive sample processing for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis. Lately, we have proposed two approaches to the enrichment of chlorine-containing adducts of human globin (HHb) in a “lab-on-a-plate” format based on different techniques for the sorbent application to MALDI target spots: (i) droplet-free electrospraying of metal oxide nanoparticles and (ii) deposition of lanthanum stearate thin films (FLa). The latter approach has turned out to be more time- and cost-effective and, therefore, seems to be more promising. In this work, we assessed the quantitative characteristics (sensitivity, selectivity) of the “thin-film” procedure in order to estimate its analytical potential. The FLa-modified MALDI target was used for the on-spot enrichment of HHb adducts from the tryptic digests of the protein incubated with two model mono- and dichlorine-containing alkylating agents. The sensitivity of the technique is in the range of hundreds of fmol. Furthermore, the FLa-based procedure shows high selectivity (maximum molar ratio of modified/unmodified form of LLGNVLVC112VLAHHFGK is 1:500). As a case study, on-plate extraction of HHb adducts, formed due to the interaction of the protein with in vitro generated diclofenac metabolites, was performed on FLa-functionalized spots. This resulted in specific extraction of the HHb adducts with two diclofenac oxidation products from the tryptic digest of modified HHb. The developed approach appears to be effective for in situ enrichment of chlorine-containing adducts of HHb.