7,665 research outputs found

    Computational methods for biofabrication in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine - a literature review

    Get PDF
    This literature review rigorously examines the growing scientific interest in computational methods for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine biofabrication, a leading-edge area in biomedical innovation, emphasizing the need for accurate, multi-stage, and multi-component biofabrication process models. The paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric and contextual analysis, followed by a literature review, to shed light on the vast potential of computational methods in this domain. It reveals that most existing methods focus on single biofabrication process stages and components, and there is a significant gap in approaches that utilize accurate models encompassing both biological and technological aspects. This analysis underscores the indispensable role of these methods in understanding and effectively manipulating complex biological systems and the necessity for developing computational methods that span multiple stages and components. The review concludes that such comprehensive computational methods are essential for developing innovative and efficient Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine biofabrication solutions, driving forward advancements in this dynamic and evolving field

    Research progress of CTC, ctDNA, and EVs in cancer liquid biopsy

    Get PDF
    Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and extracellular vehicles (EVs) have received significant attention in recent times as emerging biomarkers and subjects of transformational studies. The three main branches of liquid biopsy have evolved from the three primary tumor liquid biopsy detection targets—CTC, ctDNA, and EVs—each with distinct benefits. CTCs are derived from circulating cancer cells from the original tumor or metastases and may display global features of the tumor. ctDNA has been extensively analyzed and has been used to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of neoplastic diseases. EVs contain tumor-derived material such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, sugar structures, and metabolites. The three provide different detection contents but have strong complementarity to a certain extent. Even though they have already been employed in several clinical trials, the clinical utility of three biomarkers is still being studied, with promising initial findings. This review thoroughly overviews established and emerging technologies for the isolation, characterization, and content detection of CTC, ctDNA, and EVs. Also discussed were the most recent developments in the study of potential liquid biopsy biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and prognosis prediction. These included CTC, ctDNA, and EVs. Finally, the potential and challenges of employing liquid biopsy based on CTC, ctDNA, and EVs for precision medicine were evaluated

    Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Applications in Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Systems:A Study of Blockchain-Based Payment Barriers and Potential Solutions, and DLT Application in Central Bank Payment System Functions

    Get PDF
    Payment, clearing, and settlement systems are essential components of the financial markets and exert considerable influence on the overall economy. While there have been considerable technological advancements in payment systems, the conventional systems still depend on centralized architecture, with inherent limitations and risks. The emergence of Distributed ledger technology (DLT) is being regarded as a potential solution to transform payment and settlement processes and address certain challenges posed by the centralized architecture of traditional payment systems (Bank for International Settlements, 2017). While proof-of-concept projects have demonstrated the technical feasibility of DLT, significant barriers still hinder its adoption and implementation. The overarching objective of this thesis is to contribute to the developing area of DLT application in payment, clearing and settlement systems, which is still in its initial stages of applications development and lacks a substantial body of scholarly literature and empirical research. This is achieved by identifying the socio-technical barriers to adoption and diffusion of blockchain-based payment systems and the solutions proposed to address them. Furthermore, the thesis examines and classifies various applications of DLT in central bank payment system functions, offering valuable insights into the motivations, DLT platforms used, and consensus algorithms for applicable use cases. To achieve these objectives, the methodology employed involved a systematic literature review (SLR) of academic literature on blockchain-based payment systems. Furthermore, we utilized a thematic analysis approach to examine data collected from various sources regarding the use of DLT applications in central bank payment system functions, such as central bank white papers, industry reports, and policy documents. The study's findings on blockchain-based payment systems barriers and proposed solutions; challenge the prevailing emphasis on technological and regulatory barriers in the literature and industry discourse regarding the adoption and implementation of blockchain-based payment systems. It highlights the importance of considering the broader socio-technical context and identifying barriers across all five dimensions of the social technical framework, including technological, infrastructural, user practices/market, regulatory, and cultural dimensions. Furthermore, the research identified seven DLT applications in central bank payment system functions. These are grouped into three overarching themes: central banks' operational responsibilities in payment and settlement systems, issuance of central bank digital money, and regulatory oversight/supervisory functions, along with other ancillary functions. Each of these applications has unique motivations or value proposition, which is the underlying reason for utilizing in that particular use case

    Automation for network security configuration: state of the art and research trends

    Get PDF
    The size and complexity of modern computer networks are progressively increasing, as a consequence of novel architectural paradigms such as the Internet of Things and network virtualization. Consequently, a manual orchestration and configuration of network security functions is no more feasible, in an environment where cyber attacks can dramatically exploit breaches related to any minimum configuration error. A new frontier is then the introduction of automation in network security configuration, i.e., automatically designing the architecture of security services and the configurations of network security functions, such as firewalls, VPN gateways, etc. This opportunity has been enabled by modern computer networks technologies, such as virtualization. In view of these considerations, the motivations for the introduction of automation in network security configuration are first introduced, alongside with the key automation enablers. Then, the current state of the art in this context is surveyed, focusing on both the achieved improvements and the current limitations. Finally, possible future trends in the field are illustrated

    Assessing the Role and Regulatory Impact of Digital Assets in Decentralizing Finance

    Get PDF
    This project will explore the development of decentralized financial (DeFi) markets since the first introduction of digital assets created through the application of a form of distributed ledger technology (DLT), known as blockchain, in 2008. More specifically, a qualitative inquiry of the role of digital assets in relation to traditional financial markets infrastructure will be conducted in order to answer the following questions: (i) can the digital asset and decentralized financial markets examined in this thesis co-exist with traditional assets and financial markets, and, if so, (ii) are traditional or novel forms of regulation (whether financial or otherwise) needed or desirable for the digital asset and decentralized financial markets examined herein? The aim of this project will be to challenge a preliminary hypothesis that traditional and decentralized finance can be compatible; provided, that governments and other centralized authorities approach market innovations as an opportunity to improve existing monetary infrastructure and delivery of financial services (both in the public and private sector), rather than as an existential threat. Thus, this thesis seeks to establish that, through collaborating with private markets to identify the public good to which DeFi markets contribute, the public sector can foster an appropriate environment which is both promotive and protective of the public interest without unduly stifling innovation and progress

    UMSL Bulletin 2023-2024

    Get PDF
    The 2023-2024 Bulletin and Course Catalog for the University of Missouri St. Louis.https://irl.umsl.edu/bulletin/1088/thumbnail.jp

    The role of the oral microbiome in the immunobullous diseases pemphigus vulgaris and mucous membrane pemphigoid and oral lichen planus

    Get PDF
    Saliva is formed from contributions of salivary glands and the serum exudates principally from gingival margins or damaged mucosa combined with components derived from the environment, including a community of microorganisms - the microbiome. I postulate that changes in microbial diversity and population structure play key roles in the modulation of host- microbial interactions which influence both the hypersensitive autoimmune responses and inflammation seen in these inflammatory mucocutaneous disorders. For my research, a total of 186 participants were recruited: 48 mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), 48 pemphigus vulgaris (PV), 50 oral lichen planus (OLP) patients, and 40 healthy controls. Unstimulated whole saliva, subgingival plaque, serum, and plasma samples were collected from 186 participants. In addition, metadata were collected on the following covariates: age, gender, ethnicity, type of the diet, disease history and therapeutic intervention in the preceding six months. Oral disease severity scores (ODSS) were assessed, and periodontal status was examined using a periodontal six pocket chart. To characterise microbiome profiles, saliva and subgingival plaque were processed for sequencing genomic DNA using the NGS Shotgun metagenomics sequencing technique. Inflammatory cytokines and proteases were investigated in saliva and serum using Human Magnetic Luminex Screening Assay (R&D Systems). Selected cytokines were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique (R&D Systems) to determine host inflammatory responses in saliva and serum samples. Additionally, saliva and plasma samples were analysed for metabolites by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Significant increases in periodontal score (PISA) in all three groups of disease were identified compared to healthy control group with significant positive correlation between oral disease severity (ODSS) and PISA in OLP and PV groups. All three groups of diseases had significantly higher levels of inflammatory Th2/Th17 cytokines (IL-6, IL-13 and IL-17 in saliva samples), as well as higher levels of MMP-3 matrixins in saliva. In addition, there were positive correlations between ODSS and salivary IL-6, IL-13 and MMP-3 in saliva of OLP, salivary and serum levels of IL-6 and MMP-3 in MMP group, and significant association of salivary IL-6, IL-1β and MMP-3 in PV group. Metabolomic data showed that saliva is a better biofluid for correlation of the metabolomic profile with oral disease severity than plasma. Salivary ethanol was corelated with disease severity in the OLP group, whereas in PV was a strong correlation of ODSS with choline. Finally, a unique microbial community was found in each group of diseases. In the MMP group, ODSS was significantly correlated with L. hofstadii, C. sputigena, N. meningitidis, N. cinerea and P. sacchar0lytica. In PV, a positive correlation was found with F. nucleatum, G. morbillorum, and E. corrodens, G. elegans, H. sapiens and T. vincentii. In OLP, the disease tends to worsen when there was reduced abundance of X. cellulosilytica, Actinomyces ICM 47, S. parasanguinis, S. salivarius, L. mirabilis and O. sinus. Lower microbial diversity was correlated with ODSS in saliva and plaque of the OLP group. In conclusion, this study provides strong evidence of the complex interplay between the oral microbiome, immunological factors, and metabolites in the context of immunobullous diseases and OLP. The findings highlight the integral role of oral bacteria in disease progression, the significance of immune dysregulation, and the potential impact of specific microbial species and metabolic pathways. These insights give the way for further research and clinical applications, offering the promise of personalized approaches for diagnosis, and management of OLP, MMP and PV. Future investigations should focus on discovering the mechanistic details underlying these associations and validating the identified biomarkers in larger patient cohorts, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of these conditions

    Elemental analysis of particulate matter by X-ray fluorescence methods: A green approach to air quality monitoring

    Get PDF
    This review explores X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry for elemental analysis of particulate matter (PM) for air quality monitoring. The introduction presents PM classification based on size and composition, covering various elemental analysis methods while highlighting the increasing interest in XRF due to its non-destructive, rapid, and green features. The fundamental concepts of XRF and the experimental configurations commonly used are discussed, focusing on Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF). PM sampling devices and substrate are described, with a specific emphasis on filtering membranes for EDXRF and reflecting substrates for TXRF. Sample preparation strategies and procedures are presented. Qualitative and quantitative analysis is described, with a particular focus on the calibration approaches implemented for PM. Finally, the challenges faced by XRF in becoming a recognized reliable analytical technique for PM analysis, comparable to other standardized techniques for PM filters analysis, while capitalizing on its green advantages

    Climate Change and Critical Agrarian Studies

    Full text link
    Climate change is perhaps the greatest threat to humanity today and plays out as a cruel engine of myriad forms of injustice, violence and destruction. The effects of climate change from human-made emissions of greenhouse gases are devastating and accelerating; yet are uncertain and uneven both in terms of geography and socio-economic impacts. Emerging from the dynamics of capitalism since the industrial revolution — as well as industrialisation under state-led socialism — the consequences of climate change are especially profound for the countryside and its inhabitants. The book interrogates the narratives and strategies that frame climate change and examines the institutionalised responses in agrarian settings, highlighting what exclusions and inclusions result. It explores how different people — in relation to class and other co-constituted axes of social difference such as gender, race, ethnicity, age and occupation — are affected by climate change, as well as the climate adaptation and mitigation responses being implemented in rural areas. The book in turn explores how climate change – and the responses to it - affect processes of social differentiation, trajectories of accumulation and in turn agrarian politics. Finally, the book examines what strategies are required to confront climate change, and the underlying political-economic dynamics that cause it, reflecting on what this means for agrarian struggles across the world. The 26 chapters in this volume explore how the relationship between capitalism and climate change plays out in the rural world and, in particular, the way agrarian struggles connect with the huge challenge of climate change. Through a huge variety of case studies alongside more conceptual chapters, the book makes the often-missing connection between climate change and critical agrarian studies. The book argues that making the connection between climate and agrarian justice is crucial
    • …
    corecore