Volatilome of chill-stored European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fillets and Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) slices under modified atmosphere packaging

Fish spoilage occurs due to production of metabolites during storage, from bacterial action and chemical reactions, which leads to sensory rejection. Investigating the volatilome profile can reveal the potential spoilage markers. The evolution of volatile organic molecules during storage of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fillets and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) slices under modified atmosphere packaging at 2 °C was recorded by solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), microbiological, and sensory changes were also monitored. The shelf life of seabass fillets and salmon slices was 10.5 days. Pseudomonas and H2S-producing bacteria were the dominant microorganisms in both fish. TVB-N increased from the middle of storage, but never reached concentrations higher than the regulatory limit of 30–35 mg N/100 g. The volatilome consisted of a number of aldehydes, ketones, alcohols and esters, common to both fish species. However, different evolution patterns were observed, indicating the effect of fish substrate on microbial growth and eventually the generation of volatiles. The compounds 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 2,3-butanediol, 2,3-butanedione and acetic acid could be proposed as potential spoilage markers. The identification and quantification of the volatilities of specific fish species via the development of a database with the fingerprint of fish species stored under certain storage conditions can help towards rapid spoilage assessment

Mechanosensitive ACKR4 scavenges CCR7 chemokines to facilitate T cell de-adhesion and passive transport by flow in inflamed afferent lymphatics.

T cell migration via afferent lymphatics to draining lymph nodes (dLNs) depends on expression of CCR7 in T cells and CCL21 in the lymphatic vasculature. Once T cells have entered lymphatic capillaries, they slowly migrate into contracting collecting vessels. Here, lymph flow picks up, inducing T cell detachment and rapid transport to the dLNs. We find that the atypical chemokine receptor 4 (ACKR4), which binds and internalizes CCL19 and CCL21, is induced by lymph flow in endothelial cells lining lymphatic collectors, enabling them to scavenge these chemokines. In the absence of ACKR4, migration of T cells to dLNs in TPA-induced inflammation is significantly reduced. While entry into capillaries is not impaired, T cells accumulate in the ACKR4-deficient dermal collecting vessel segments. Overall, our findings identify an ACKR4-mediated mechanism by which lymphatic collectors facilitate the detachment of lymph-borne T cells in inflammation and their transition from crawling to free-flow toward the dLNs

Gene Network Analysis of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells Reveals Activation of Multiple Kinase Pathways in Human Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Gene profiling studies provide important information for key molecules relevant to a disease but are less informative of protein-protein interactions, post-translational modifications and regulation by targeted subcellular localization. Integration of genomic data and construction of functional gene networks may provide additional insights into complex diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methodology/Principal Findings: We analyzed gene expression microarray data of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) from 20 SLE patients (11 with active disease) and 10 controls. Gene networks were constructed using the bioinformatic tool Ingenuity Gene Network Analysis. In SLE patients, comparative analysis of BMMCs genes revealed a network with 19 central nodes as major gene regulators including ERK, JNK, and p38 MAP kinases, insulin, Ca2+ and STAT3. Comparison between active versus inactive SLE identified 30 central nodes associated with immune response, protein synthesis, and post-transcriptional modification. A high degree of identity between networks in active SLE and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients was found, with overlapping central nodes including kinases (MAPK, ERK, JNK, PKC), transcription factors (NF-kappaB, STAT3), and insulin. In validation studies, western blot analysis in splenic B cells from 5-month-old NZB/NZW F1 lupus mice showed activation of STAT3, ITGB2, HSPB1, ERK, JNK, p38, and p32 kinases, and downregulation of FOXO3 and VDR compared to normal C57Bl/6 mice. Conclusions/Significance: Gene network analysis of lupus BMMCs identified central gene regulators implicated in disease pathogenesis which could represent targets of novel therapies in human SLE. The high similarity between active SLE and NHL networks provides a molecular basis for the reported association of the former with lymphoid malignancies

Source-o-grapher: A tool towards the investigation of software resilience in Open Source Software projects

This work presents Source-o-grapher, a tool built with the aim to investigate software resilience aspects of Open Source Software (OSS) projects. The tool uses several metrics from the literature to evaluate an OSS project on four major dimensions: structural (source code), business and legal, integration and social (community of the project). Many of these metrics are automatically acquired by the tool using the Github repository of the project whereas some others are manually input by the expert who performs the analysis

Διαδραστικό ντοκιμαντέρ σε εικονική πραγματικότητα

Summarization: VR technologies have introduced new forms of entertainment. This thesis presents an Interactive VR Documentary developed with the use of the latest VR Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) in the Unity game engine, representing a historical event, e.g., the Revolution of 1897 in Crete. It was created in collaboration with the Eleftherios Venizelos Foundation, who provided the historical guidance and the archived material. The thesis is focused on the technical implementation of the interactive VR application itself as well as the creation of a viewers' - friendly experience. The technical implementation corresponds to interactive 3D programming, shading and rendering in order for the VR HMD to display the experience while reducing the motion sickness effect through geometric and rendering optimisation. Additionally, it includes the scripted mechanics for multiple interconnected triggering events and the optimized scene transitions while the whole experience is displayed, in stereo, on a cutting edge HMD. Historical narrations and subtitles mechanics have been created. In collaboration with the Eleftherios Venizelos Foundation, we have created the screenplay of the Interactive Documentary and the historical narrations based on journals of the era, resulting to an aesthetic result of high educational value. The narrations were recorded with trained actors and implemented in the thesis for a natural flow of the story. The purpose of the thesis is to transform the viewers from passive spectators to active ones, with the use of the Virtual Reality technology.Περίληψη: Με την πρόοδο της επιστήμης και τη δημιουργία γυαλιών εικονικής πραγματικότητας (Head Mounted Displays - HMDs) για το ευρύ κοινό, η Εικονική Πραγματικότητα έφερε σταδιακά νέες δημιουργικές μορφές ψυχαγωγίας. Η διπλωματική παρουσιάζει ένα Ντοκιμαντέρ Διαδραστικής Εικονικής Πραγματικότητας που αναπτύχθηκε με τη χρήση της τελευταίας τεχνολογίας VR HMDs στο περιβάλλον της Unity, αναπαραστώντας την Επανάσταση του 1897 στην Κρήτη. Δημιουργήθηκε σε συνεργασία με το "Ίδρυμα Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος", το οποίο παρείχε την ιστορική καθοδήγηση και το αρχειακό υλικό. Η πρόκληση της διπλωματικής ήταν η τεχνική υλοποίηση εμβυθισμένης εμπειρίας Εικονικής Πραγματικότητας καθώς και η δημιουργία μιας φιλικής προς τους θεατές εμπειρίας με εκπαιδευτική αξία. Η τεχνική υλοποίηση αντιστοιχεί στο προγραμματισμό εφαρμογής τρισδιάστατων υπολογιστικών γραφικών προκειμένου το VR HMD να εμφανίσει την εμπειρία, μειώνοντας παράλληλα το φαινόμενο της ναυτίας μέσω βελτιστοποίησης γεωμετρίας και σχεδιασμού. Επιπλέον, περιλαμβάνει το προγραμματισμό μηχανισμών για πολλαπλά διασυνδεδεμένα γεγονότα και τις βελτιστοποιημένες μεταβάσεις σκηνών. Δημιουργήθηκαν ιστορικές αφηγήσεις και μηχανισμοί υπότιτλων. Σε συνεργασία με το "Ίδρυμα Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος", δημιουργήσαμε το σενάριο του Διαδραστικού Ντοκιμαντέρ και τις ιστορικές αφηγήσεις με βάση μαρτυρίες της εποχής, με αποτέλεσμα ένα αισθητικό αποτέλεσμα υψηλής αισθητικής και σκηνοθεσίας. Οι αφηγήσεις ηχογραφήθηκαν με ηθοποιούς για τη φυσική ροή της ιστορίας. O στόχος της διπλωματικής είναι να μετατρέψει τους θεατές από παθητικούς θεατές σε ενεργούς συμμετέχοντες, με τη χρήση της τεχνολογίας Εικονικής Πραγματικότητας

Διαδραστική επαυξημένη πραγματικότητα σε εξωτερικούς χώρους βασισμένη σε γεωαναφορά οπτικών και ακουστικών στοιχείων

Summarization: This research MSc thesis introduces a pioneering exploration of augmented reality (AR) combined with audio elements, which represents a relatively unexplored field within AR technology. This research focuses on the augmentation of reality by incorporating both visual and auditory content. The challenges encountered in this domain revolve around AR's interaction capabilities and the accurate registration of visual and sound elements within noisy, bright, and busy outdoor environments. To address these challenges, this thesis presents a novel and mobile AR experience deployed in the city of Chania, located in Crete, Greece. This AR experience is designed to enhance the exploration of six archaeological excavation sites while walking through the city. The proposed approach employs cutting-edge gamification techniques, non-linear storytelling, precise AR visualization, and spatial audio to provide players with an innovative and engaging AR interaction while discovering the city's rich archaeological sites and history in an outdoor setting. Additionally, we implemented a dynamic lighting technique to match the 3D content's illumination as viewed on the screen (central vision) to the day-time lighting of the real-world (peripheral vision) based on real-time weather information.Περίληψη: Η παρούσα μεταπτυχιακή έρευνα εισάγει μια πρωτοποριακή εξερεύνηση της επαυξημένης πραγματικότητας (AR) σε συνδυασμό με στοιχεία ήχου, η οποία αντιπροσωπεύει ένα σχετικά ανεξερεύνητο πεδίο στην τεχνολογία Επαυξημένης Πραγματικότητας. Αυτή η έρευνα εστιάζει στην επαύξηση της πραγματικότητας ενσωματώνοντας τόσο οπτικό όσο και ακουστικό περιεχόμενο. Οι προκλήσεις που αντιμετωπίζονται σε αυτόν τον τομέα περιστρέφονται γύρω από τις δυνατότητες αλληλεπίδρασης του AR και την ακριβή καταχώρηση οπτικών και ηχητικών στοιχείων σε θορυβώδη, φωτεινά και πολυάσχολα εξωτερικά περιβάλλοντα. Για την αντιμετώπιση αυτών των προκλήσεων, αυτή η έρευνα παρουσιάζει μια νέα εμπειρία AR για κινητές συσκευές που αναπτύχθηκε στην πόλη των Χανίων, Κρήτη, Ελλάδα. Αυτή η εμπειρία AR έχει σχεδιαστεί για να ενισχύσει την εξερεύνηση έξι αρχαιολογικών χώρων ανασκαφής ενώ οι επισκέπτες περπατάνε στην πόλη. Η προτεινόμενη προσέγγιση χρησιμοποιεί πρωτοποριακές τεχνικές παιχνιδοποίησης, μη γραμμική αφήγηση, ακριβή οπτικοποίηση AR και χωρικό ήχο για να παρέχει στους παίκτες μια καινοτόμο και συναρπαστική αλληλεπίδραση AR ενώ ανακαλύπτουν τους πλούσιους αρχαιολογικούς χώρους και την ιστορία της πόλης σε ένα υπαίθριο περιβάλλον. Επιπρόσθετα, εφαρμόσαμε μια τεχνική δυναμικού φωτισμού για να ταιριάξουμε τον φωτισμό του τρισδιάστατου περιεχομένου όπως φαίνεται στην οθόνη (κεντρική όραση) με τον φωτισμό της ημέρας του πραγματικού κόσμου (περιφερική όραση) με βάση τις πληροφορίες καιρού σε πραγματικό χρόνο

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Highly Confined Glassy Ionic Liquids

We present a molecular dynamics simulation study of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide ([Omim⁺]­[TCM^–]) ionic liquid capped by two silica planar surfaces. The study extends over a wide temperature range and various interwall distances. Our results indicate that the structure and dynamics of the confined system is significantly affected by the width of the film. At the shortest interwall distance of 25 Å, which is comparable to the ion pair dimensions, the bulk structure is breached. The dynamics of the cation in the adsorbed layer is accelerated for the time scale of 1 ns and decelerates for longer time scales. In the most confined film, we observe a suppression of the cooperative characteristics in the diffusion. The whole phenomenon seems to be related to an Arrhenius behavior. Our proposed model suggests a stable, static liquid path in the center of the pore that facilitates the diffusion. The simulations results are consistent with a recent experimental study on the same confined system

Suitability of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Fetal Umbilical Cord (Wharton’s Jelly) as an Alternative In Vitro Model for Acute Drug Toxicity Screening

Preclinical toxicity screening is the first and most crucial test that assesses the safety of new candidate drugs before their consideration for further evaluation in clinical trials. In vitro drug screening using stem cells has lately arisen as a promising alternative to the “gold standard” of animal testing, but their suitability and performance characteristics in toxicological studies have so far not been comprehensively investigated. In this study, we focused on the evaluation of human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the matrix (Wharton’s jelly) of fetal umbilical cord (WJSCs), which bear enhanced in vitro applicability due to their unique biological characteristics. In order to determine their suitability for drug-related cytotoxicity assessment, we adopted a high-throughput methodology that evaluated their sensitivity to a selected panel of chemicals in different culture environments. Cytotoxicity was measured within 48 h by means of MTS and/or NRU viability assays, and was compared directly (in vitro) or indirectly (in silico) to adult human mesenchymal stem cells and to reference cell lines of human and murine origin. Our data clearly suggest that human WJSCs can serve as a robust in vitro alternative for acute drug toxicity screening by uniquely combining rapid and versatile assay setup with high-throughput analysis, good representation of human toxicology, high reproducibility, and low cost