125878 research outputs found
Sort by
Quantum Frontiers in the Battle for Information Integrity
No full textIn an era of rapid digital communication, the proliferation of manipulated information has emerged as a critical global challenge that undermines the integrity of information. Misinformation, often spread unintentionally, and disinformation, deliberately crafted to deceive, have far-reaching consequences, including eroding public trust, disrupting democratic processes, and endangering public health. Various forms, such as fake news, manipulated media, fake reviews, spam, and phishing, exploit social media and communication platforms to mislead users. Numerous techniques have been developed to detect false content, as discussed in several review articles devoted to the topic, but without mentioning quantum computing approaches. Notably, recent quantum computing reviews have not addressed misinformation or disinformation-related applications, despite growing interest in quantum methods across domains such as medicine, finance, and cybersecurity. This gap and the presence of relevant literature, especially over the last 2 years, highlight a pressing need for surveying research works into the intersection of quantum computing and misinformation or disinformation detection, which this work aims to address. This article is categorized under: Technologies > Machine Learning Application Areas > Science and Technology Technologies > Classification
Fuel cells in aviation: challenges to power the future of flight
No full textThe aviation sector is currently transitioning towards hybrid electric aircraft, driven by sustainability imperatives and technological progress. This article examines fuel cells' potential to meet aeronautical power demands, analyzing the state of the art to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and research challenges in advancing hydrogen-based aviation. Several technologies, including proton exchange membrane and solid oxide fuel cells, are evaluated as candidates for on-board installation. Then, the following research areas are identified and discussed: design, control, thermal management, and degradation. These interconnected tasks are essential for advancing the state of the art, a goal achievable through effective modeling approaches at the individual component and system levels. One of the KPIs requiring substantial improvement is the system's mass-to-power ratio. This metric largely relies on the integration of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques at the stack level, aimed at reducing the bipolar plates mass and optimizing membrane electrode assembly performance to increase the operating temperature, thus leading to lighter and more compact thermal management systems. At system level, enhancing the hydrogen storage tank's gravimetric capacity is a priority in keeping the aircraft's maximal take-off mass (MTOM) within acceptable limits. Moreover, the integrated sizing of the fuel cell system alongside energy storage (e.g., batteries) and the development of multi-level control strategies can help mitigate MTOM increase, optimize performance, and enhance the durability of hydrogen-based devices. Finally, the original equipment manufacturers of fuel cell systems for the transportation sector, particularly aviation, are identified to offer insights into ongoing efforts towards achieving net-zero aviation
Endoscopic Laser Excision of Internal Pyolaryngocele: A Rare Airway Emergency Case Report With Review of the Literature
No full text: A pyolaryngocele is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication of laryngocele, resulting from secondary infection and obstruction of the saccular neck. Clinical severity ranges from mild dysphonia to acute airway compromise. We report a 51-year-old man with a sore throat, dysphagia, and dyspnea. Flexible laryngoscopy and contrast-enhanced CT revealed an internal pyolaryngocele. After emergency tracheostomy and intravenous antibiotics, the patient underwent CO2 laser microlaryngoscopic excision and marsupialization. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with complete healing and no recurrence at follow-up. This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and highlights CO2 laser surgery as an effective, minimally invasive option. Internal pyolaryngocele is a rare airway emergency that requires prompt management. CO2 laser excision appears to be a safe and effective first-line approach in selected internal cases
A novel model based on asperities contact for the assessment of tribocorrosive wear in marine applications
No full textTribocorrosion refers to a degradation mechanism resulting from the synergistic interaction between mechanical wear and corrosion, acting positively or negatively (antagonism). It is a widespread phenomenon across several sectors—such as marine, automotive, nuclear and biomedical—due to its substantial impact on equipment in terms of failures, downtime, and maintenance costs. To date, common methods to investigate tribocorrosive phenomena include experimental techniques (e.g., voltammetry, spectroscopy) and analytical models. However, most of them consider the macroscopic scale and do not include the kinetics of repassivation. This study proposes a novel approach based on Greenwood–Williamson (GW) theory to estimate tribocorrosive material loss, by considering surface asperities and a dynamic changes of the surface topography after each sliding cycle. For validation, experiments were conducted using AISI 316L stainless steel–alumina tribosystem immersed in a 3.8% NaCl artificial seawater solution (pH 8.2), tested under three different sliding frequencies. The experimental setup involved an in-situ reciprocating tribometer coupled with a potentiostat and an optical confocal/interferometric microscope. Results indicate that sliding speed significantly influenced the tribocorrosive response, and the proposed model demonstrated a good agreement with experimental findings
Evaluating Biparametric Versus Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Diagnosing Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer: An International, Paired, Noninferiority, Confirmatory Observer Study
No full textBackground and objective: Biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI), excluding dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is a potential replacement for multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) in diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). An extensive international multireader multicase observer study was conducted to assess the noninferiority of bpMRI to mpMRI in csPCa diagnosis. Methods: An observer study was conducted with 400 mpMRI examinations from four European centers, excluding examinations with prior prostate treatment or csPCa (Gleason grade [GG] ≥2) findings. Readers assessed bpMRI and mpMRI sequentially, assigning lesion-specific Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores (3–5) and a patient-level suspicion score (0–100). The noninferiority of patient-level bpMRI versus mpMRI csPCa diagnosis was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) alongside the sensitivity and specificity at PI-RADS ≥3 with a 5% margin. The secondary outcomes included insignificant prostate cancer (GG1) diagnosis, diagnostic evaluations at alternative risk thresholds, decision curve analyses (DCAs), and subgroup analyses considering reader expertise. Histopathology and ≥3 yr of follow-up were used for the reference standard. Key findings and limitations: Sixty-two readers (45 centers and 20 countries) participated. The prevalence of csPCa was 33% (133/400); bpMRI and mpMRI showed similar AUROC values of 0.853 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.819–0.887) and 0.859 (95% CI, 0.826–0.893), respectively, with a noninferior difference of –0.6% (95% CI, –1.2% to 0.1%, p < 0.001). At PI-RADS ≥3, bpMRI and mpMRI had sensitivities of 88.6% (95% CI, 84.8–92.3%) and 89.4% (95% CI, 85.8–93.1%), respectively, with a noninferior difference of –0.9% (95% CI, –1.7% to 0.0%, p < 0.001), and specificities of 58.6% (95% CI, 52.3–63.1%) and 57.7% (95% CI, 52.3–63.1%), respectively, with a noninferior difference of 0.9% (95% CI, 0.0–1.8%, p < 0.001). At alternative risk thresholds, mpMRI increased sensitivity at the expense of reduced specificity. DCA demonstrated the highest net benefit for an mpMRI pathway in cancer-averse scenarios, whereas a bpMRI pathway showed greater benefit for biopsy-averse scenarios. A subgroup analysis indicated limited additional benefit of DCE MRI for nonexperts. Limitations included that biopsies were conducted based on mpMRI imaging, and reading was performed in a sequential order. Conclusions and clinical implications: It has been found that bpMRI is noninferior to mpMRI in csPCa diagnosis at AUROC, along with the sensitivity and specificity at PI-RADS ≥3, showing its value in individuals without prior csPCa findings and prostate treatment. Additional randomized prospective studies are required to investigate the generalizability of outcomes
Il Tribunale Civile di Salerno «funzionando da quello di commercio» (1819-1824): itinerari socioeconomici e giurisprudenziali
No full textThe article analyzes the activity of the Civil Court of Salerno in order to study some features of the commercial jurisdiction of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The Kingdom law prescribed a hybrid jurisdictional system: while in the majority of provinces trade disputes were assigned to the civil courts, only in a few cities merchant-composed Commercial Courts were established. The paper examines in particular the decisions produced from September 1819 to December 1824 by the Civil Court of Salerno «funzionando da quello di commercio» (i.e. ‘acting as the Commercial Court’); decisions thanks to which it’s also possible to delve into interesting economic and social aspects of one of the most industrious provinces in Southern Italy
Immobilization of solar light-active photocatalyst Cr-TiO2 into the polyurethane/polycaprolactone electrospun membrane for the photocatalytic oxidation of Acid Orange 7
No full textThe considerable presence of organic pollutants, such as Acid Orange 7 (AO7) dye, in wastewater poses significant environmental challenges, necessitating the development of efficient and sustainable purification methods. In this study, we investigated the use of photocatalytic polymeric membranes (PPMs) based on the use of polyurethane (PU)/polycaprolactone (PCL) for the oxidation of AO7 under solar light irradiation on a sol-gel chromium-doped TiO2 visible active photocatalyst. Our objective was to realize a directly separable and easily recyclable photocatalyst. The photocatalyst was embedded into PU/PCL fibres via electrospinning, with catalyst loadings of 5 %, 10 %, and 20 % (w/w). The good dispersion of the photocatalyst within the fibrous membrane was evidenced by SEM-EDX, Raman, UV–Vis DRS, TGA-DTG and SSA measurements. The effect of catalyst load, pH of the solution, and initial concentration of dye was examined in AO7 photooxidation. Photocatalytic efficiency markedly increases up to 20 % w/w. The greater photocatalytic activity was recorded by treating the solution with 5 ppm of dye and pH = 2, leading to a conversion of 99 % after 3 h. A statistical approach was used to model the AO7 photodegradation by adopting a polynomial equation while scavenger studies suggested a photocatalytic mechanism primarily driven by hydroxyl, hydroperoxyl and superoxide radicals. Additionally, a comparison of the electrical energy consumption (EE/O) under the optimal operating demonstrates a substantial reduction in EE/O with the application of electrospun composite. This result highlights the superior energy efficiency of the easily recoverable photocatalytic system implemented in this work. These findings underscore the potential of PPMs as a sustainable technology for self-cleaning applications within hybrid wastewater treatment systems and underline the valuable role of electrospinning in the development of efficient, solar-active photocatalytic processes
Does inefficiency of judicial system matter on financial development-entrepreneurship nexus? New evidence on the worldwide level
No full textThis study seeks to answer three critical research questions: Does financial development aid in the establishment of new businesses? Is diversity in banking crucial for financial development and entrepreneurship? Does the link between financial development and entrepreneurship suffer from inefficiency of judicial system? We employ a worldwide heterogeneous unbalanced sample consisting of 60 countries (developed and developing) from 2006 to 2021, considering information about two key types of financial intermediaries: commercial and cooperative. Based on two distinct estimators (FEGLS and FEIVH), the empirical evidence confirms the critical role of financial intermediaries in fostering entrepreneurship, with commercial bank branches having a higher intensity. Furthermore, the inefficiency of the judicial system is found to be a crucial factor in mitigating the link under scrutiny. In other words, in a country with a dysfunctional judicial system, the financial system limits loan grants for general investments, resulting in a decrease in entrepreneurship. To put it another way, financial development helps to foster the establishment of new businesses in countries with more efficient judicial systems. A battery of sensitivity analyses back up our empirical predictions, shedding light on the importance of policy implications that may be implemented to ensure the evolution of the entrepreneurial fabric while also fueling a heated debate over the vital role of both financial and judicial systems
ColMA‐based bioprinted 3D scaffold allowed to study tenogenic events in human tendon stem cells
No full textThe advent of bioprinting has enabled the creation of precise three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures suitable for biomimetic in vitro models. In this study, we developed a novel protocol for 3D printing methacrylated collagen (ColMa, or PhotoCol (R)) combined with tendon stem/progenitor cells (hTSPCs) derived from human tendon explants. Although pure ColMa has not previously been proposed as a printable hydrogel, this paper outlines a robust and highly reproducible pipeline for bioprinting this material. Indeed, we successfully fabricated a 3D bioengineered scaffold and cultured it for 21 days under perfusion conditions with medium supplemented with growth/differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5). This bioprinting pipeline and the culture conditions created an exceptionally favorable 3D environment, enabling the cells to proliferate, exhibit tenogenic behaviors, and produce a new collagen type I matrix, thereby remodeling the surrounding environment. Indeed, over the 21-day culture period under perfusion condition, tenomodulin expression showed a significant upregulation on day 7, with a 2.3-fold increase, compared to days 14 and 21. Collagen type I gene expression was upregulated nearly 10-fold by day 14. This trend was further confirmed by western blot analysis, which revealed a statistically significant difference in tenomodulin expression between day 21 and both day 7 and day 14. For type I collagen, significant differences were observed between day 0 and day 21, as well as between day 0 and day 14, with a p-value of 0.01. These results indicate a progressive over-expression of type I collagen, reflecting cell differentiation towards a proper tenogenic phenotype. Cytokines, such as IL-8 and IL-6, levels peaked at 8566 and 7636 pg/mL, respectively, on day 7, before decreasing to 54 and 46 pg/mL by day 21. Overall, the data suggest that the novel ColMa bioprinting protocol effectively provided a conducive environment for the growth and proper differentiation of hTSPCs, showcasing its potential for studying cell behavior and tenogenic differentiation
A Multi-task learning U-Net model for end-to-end HEp-2 cell image analysis
No full textAntinuclear Antibody (ANA) testing is pivotal to help diagnose patients with a suspected autoimmune disease. The Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF) microscopy performed with human epithelial type 2 (HEp-2) cells as the substrate is the reference method for ANA screening. It allows for the detection of antibodies binding to specific intracellular targets, resulting in various staining patterns that should be identified for diagnosis purposes. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in devising deep learning methods for automated cell segmentation and classification of staining patterns, as well as for other tasks related to this diagnostic technique (such as intensity classification). However, little attention has been devoted to architectures aimed at simultaneously managing multiple interrelated tasks, via a shared representation. In this paper, we propose a deep neural network model that extends U-Net in a Multi-Task Learning (MTL) fashion, thus offering an end-to-end approach to tackle three fundamental tasks of the diagnostic procedure, i.e., HEp-2 cell specimen intensity classification, specimen segmentation, and pattern classification. The experiments were conducted on one of the largest publicly available datasets of HEp-2 images. The results showed that the proposed approach significantly outperformed the competing state-of-the-art methods for all the considered tasks