Polarization-Singular Approach to Imaging Mueller-Matrix Polarimetry in the Differential Diagnosis of Histological Sections of Biopsy of Tumors of the Uterus and Prostate

The possibilities of the diagnostic use of the singular approach of the distributions of the number of characteristic values of the MMI is effective for differentiating the polarization properties of histological biopsy sections of benign and malignant tumours of the uterus and prostate. Within the framework of evidence-based medicine, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the azimuthal-invariant express (∼15 min) method of Mueller-matrix mapping of polarization-singular states in the differential diagnosis of uterine myoma and adenocarcinoma, as well as adenocarcinoma of the prostate with varying degrees of differentiation have been determined.

Time since hemorrhages of traumatic and non-traumatic genesis into the substance of the human brain formation using distribution of linear dichroism fluctuations reconstruction

For a forensic expert-practitioner, it is especially important to objectively diagnose and time since the formation of hemorrhage (TSFH) in the substance of the human brain (SHB) of traumatic and non-traumatic origin, as there are cases when the external examination of the corpse at the scene are absent, and at internal research find hemorrhages in a brain. In forensic practice, to verify the cause of death, physical-optical methods are successfully used, which are based on laser irradiation of biological tissues with subsequent mathematical and statistical processing of the obtained data. Previous studies on the possibility of differentiating the cause of death by traditional polarization methods have yielded positive results, which suggests the possibility of their suitability for verification of the genesis of hemorrhage into the brain. For a forensic expert-practitioner, the main thing is objectivity, accuracy and speed of obtaining the result, which could fully satisfy the methods of laser polarimetry in the case of determining the TSFH of traumatic and non-traumatic origin in SHB. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the development and research of these methods for this purpose. Aim of the work. To substantiate the possibility of using the method of differential Mueller-matrix mapping of phase anisotropy to determine the temporal dynamics of maps of linear birefringence of histological sections of human brain in determining the age of hemorrhage in human brain substance and to develop forensic criteria for determining the age. death due to cerebral infarction of ischemic and hemorrhagic origin. Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, we studied native histological preparations SHB from 130 corpses with a known time of death. The cause of death was TBI (group II (n=35)), cerebral infarction of ischemic origin (group III (n=32)), hemorrhagic stroke (group IV (n=33)), acute coronary insufficiency (group I – comparison group (n=30)). The values of the distribution of the coordinates of the polarization parameters at the points of the microscopic images at the location of the standard Stokes polarimeter were measured. Experimental measurements of Stokes-parametric images of biological layers were performed according to the method presented in the sources. Subsequently, the obtained data were subjected to statistical processing and evaluation of the obtained results. Statistical moments (SM) of the 1st-4th orders (mean (SM1), variance (SM2), asymmetry (SM3) and excess (SM4)) of each map were determined. Results and discussion. Comparative analysis of polarization Mueller-matrix mapping images of SHB sections from all groups revealed the destruction of the polycrystalline structure formed by optically active protein complexes of the brain substance, which indicates a decrease in absolute values and range of their scatter with increasing hemorrhage time. This is indicated by the coordinate inhomogeneity of the Mueller-matrix invariant maps of histological sections of SHB of all groups. For histograms that characterize the distributions of the Mueller-matrix invariant samples from all (comparison groups 1 and experimental 2-4) groups, are characterized by individual and significant variations in the values of statistical moments. Due to this, with increasing hemorrhage time, the value of the mean (SM1) and variance (SM2) decreases. Asymmetry (SM3) and excess (SM4), on the contrary, increase. The analysis of the results of statistical processing of the topographic structure of LD tomograms of fibrillar networks of histological sections of SHB dead from all groups shows a greater temporal dynamics of necrotic destruction of nervous tissue. Accordingly, there is a faster time decrease in the absolute values and the range of scatter of the LD value with increasing TSFH. That is, the diagnostic sensitivity of the statistical moments of the 3rd and 4th orders for azimuthal-invariant Mueller-matrix differentiation of nerve tissue samples of the brain of the deceased of control group 1 and all experimental groups 2-4 (p<0,05) was revealed. Conclusions. A series of studies of the effectiveness of a new in forensic practice method of differential Mueller-matrix mapping of partially depolarizing histological sections of SHB and tomographic reproduction of optical anisotropy parameters of their polycrystalline structure revealed a high level of accuracy of differentiation and formation of genesis, even under conditions of small geometric thickness of experimental samples. The range of linear change of values of statistical moments of the 1st - 4th orders which characterize distributions of size of LD of fibrillar networks of histologic sections of SHB of the dead from all groups, makes 24 h. In the range of 6-24 hours, the accuracy of determining the TSFH using statistical processing of the topographic structure of LD tomograms of fibrillar networks of histological sections of TSFH is (30±5) minutes.

INSTITUTIONAL MODEL OF COCOA PRODUCTION AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Since the last 20 years, discussions about Indonesia's position and role in the International cocoa trade have attracted the interest of experts and scientists, not only those in the field of agribusiness and economics, but also able to attract the interest of scientists in the institutional field. This study analyzes how the institutional role in the development of cocoa production through interpretative structural modeling (ISM) analysis approach, with the research location of North Luwu Regency of South Sulawesi. The results of the ISM analysis showed that out of the 13 institutions analyzed, there were nine institutions as priority actors in the development of cocoa production, namely: ((1) Joined Farmer group, (2) Local office for extension services (BP4K), and (3) Extension Officer (4) Private companies, (5) Center for Research/Universities, (6) Local Office for Agriculture and Plantation services, (7) Cocoa Development Center/CDC, (8) Local office for Trade, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, and (9) Cocoa Marketing Institute. Furthermore, based on the results of the power-dependent driver matrix mapping, there are three institutions in independent positions, and six other institutions in the linkage position. The six institutions in this linkage position, must be coordinated through effective management, because in addition to affecting the success of the program, feedback can also hinder the development of cocoa production. One of the institutions in the linkage position, namely private companies occupies a key priority position in the development of cocoa production.

3D Mueller matrix mapping of layered distributions of depolarisation degree for analysis of prostate adenoma and carcinoma diffuse tissues

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer globally in men, and in some countries is now the most diagnosed form of cancer. It is necessary to differentiate between benign and malignant prostate conditions to give accurate diagnoses. We aim to demonstrate the use of a 3D Mueller matrix method to allow quick and easy clinical differentiation between prostate adenoma and carcinoma tissues with different grades and Gleason scores. Histological sections of benign and malignant prostate tumours, obtained by radical prostatectomy, were investigated. We map the degree of depolarisation in the different prostate tumour tissues using a Mueller matrix polarimeter set-up, based on the superposition of a reference laser beam with the interference pattern of the sample in the image plane. The depolarisation distributions can be directly related to the morphology of the biological tissues. The dependences of the magnitude of the 1st to 4th order statistical moments of the depolarisation distribution are determined, which characterise the distributions of the depolarisation values. To determine the diagnostic potential of the method three groups of histological sections of prostate tumour biopsies were formed. The first group contained 36 adenoma tissue samples, while the second contained 36 carcinoma tissue samples of a high grade (grade 4: poorly differentiated—4 + 4 Gleason score), and the third group contained 36 carcinoma tissue samples of a low grade (grade 1: moderately differentiated—3 + 3 Gleason score). Using the calculated values of the statistical moments, tumour tissues are categorised as either adenoma or carcinoma. A high level (> 90%) accuracy of differentiation between adenoma and carcinoma samples was achieved for each group. Differentiation between the high-grade and low-grade carcinoma samples was achieved with an accuracy of 87.5%. The results demonstrate that Mueller matrix mapping of the depolarisation distribution of prostate tumour tissues can accurately differentiate between adenoma and carcinoma, and between different grades of carcinoma. This represents a first step towards the implementation of 3D Mueller matrix mapping for clinical analysis and diagnosis of prostate tumours.

Inclusive Disruption

This chapter discusses the important socioeconomic role of financial technologies in the emerging market which is Russia today. While the issues of financial inclusion are of recognized importance for the developing markets, until recently they were seen largely as areas of affirmative regulatory action, not of competitive play by private market actors. However, the advent of fintech companies changes the paradigm. Many fintech companies in Russia view the gaps in financial inclusion as attractive market niches and formulate relevant consumer offers. This chapter reviews their strategic approaches based on the study of five business cases, and introduces an analytical matrix mapping the approaches to existing inclusivity gaps. The model strengthens the existing policy aimed at developing financial inclusion as it allows a targeted cost-benefit analysis of market players' actions. As Russia demonstrates many of the financial inclusivity challenges seen in other countries, the findings of this chapter have certain applicability in the context of both emerging and advanced economies.

miR-144-3p and miR-425-5p are Negatively Associated With Atrial Fibrosis and Promote Atrial Remodeling by Targeting CREB1 in Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Progression of atrial fibrosis is vital for atrial remodeling in atrial fibrillation (AF). The main objective of this study was to explore the association between miR-144-3p and miR-425-5p, and atrial fibrosis as well as the resultant impact on atrial remodeling in AF.Methods and Results: Through miRNAs sequencing and qRT-PCR, we demonstrated that miR-144-3p and miR-425-5p were downregulated in plasma and atrial tissue among the patients who suffered from AF. We confirmed that the plasma’s miRNAs level was negatively correlated with left atrial fibrosis, which was evaluated with the left low voltage area using left atrial voltage matrix mapping. Catheter ablation restored decreased plasma miR-144-3p and miR-425-5p. Besides, ROC curve analysis revealed that the miRNAs not only differentiated AF from healthy control of AUC 0.928 and 0.921, respectively, but also discriminated persistent AF from paroxysmal AF of AUC 0.906 and 0.888, respectively. Furthermore, the downregulated miR-144-3p and miR-425-5p promoted atrial fibroblast proliferation by CCK-8. CREB1 was realized to be a common direct target for miR-144-3p and miR-425-5p by western blot and luciferase assay.Conclusions: Our findings suggested that miR-144-3p and miR-425-5p could serve as novel atrial fibrosis biomarkers and hence contribute to atrial remodeling in AF.

POLARIZATION TOMOGRAPHY METHODS TO DIFFERENTIATE ASEPTIC AND SEPTIC LOOSENING AFTER TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT

This article contains: • Structural-logical scheme and analytical description of the differential diagnosis for aseptic and septic loosening after total hip replacement using the methods of differential Mueller-matrix mapping of circular birefringence (CB) distributions of polycrystalline synovial fluid (SF) films. • Statistical analysis of the distributions of CB in polycrystalline SF films obtained from patients in the control group and groups with different hip joint pathology. • Results of establishing the strength of the differential Mueller-matrix mapping method of the distributions of CB polycrystalline films of SF by means of information analysis based on sensitivity determination, specificity and accuracy of the polarization tomography technique. • Clinical example of using polarization tomography methods to differentiate aseptic and septic cup loosening after total hip replacement

On M-unambiguity of Parikh matrices

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>The Parikh matrix mapping was introduced by Mateescu <em>et al</em>. in 2001 as a canonical generalization of the classical Parikh mapping. The injectivity problem of Parikh matrices, even for ternary case, has withstanded numerous attempts over a decade by various researchers, among whom is Serbanuta. Certain </span><em>M</em><span>-ambiguous words are crucial in Serbanuta's findings about the number of </span><em>M</em><span>-unambiguous prints. We will show that these words are in fact strongly </span><em>M</em><span>-ambiguous, thus suggesting a possible extension of Serbanuta’s work to the context of strong </span><span>M</span><span>-equivalence. In addition, initial results pertaining to a related conjecture by Serbanuta will be presented.</span></p></div></div></div>