bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated cardiac coverage assessment in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging using an explainable recurrent 3D dual‐domain convolutional network
Authors: Nabavi Shahabedin , Hashemi Mohammad , Ebrahimi Moghaddam Mohsen , Abin Ahmad Ali , Frangi Alejandro F.
Published: September 2024

Background

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has become a modality with superior power for the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. One of the essential quality controls of CMR images is to investigate the complete cardiac coverage, which is necessary for the volumetric and functional assessment.

Purpose

This study examines the full cardiac coverage using a 3D dual‐domain convolutional model and then improves this model using an innovative explainable salient region detection model and a recurrent architecture.

Methods

Salient regions are extracted from the short‐axis cine CMR stacks using a three‐step proposed algorithm. Changing the architecture of the 3D dual‐domain convolutional model to a recurrent one and taking advantage of the salient region detection model creates a kind of attention mechanism that leads to improved results.

Results

The results obtained from the images of over 6200 participants of the UK Biobank population cohort study show the superiority of the proposed model over the previous studies. The dataset is the largest regarding the number of participants to control the cardiac coverage. The accuracies of the proposed model in identifying the presence/absence of basal/apical slices are 96.22% and 95.42%, respectively.

Conclusion

The proposed recurrent architecture of the 3D dual‐domain convolutional model can force the model to focus on the most informative areas of the images using the extracted salient regions, which can help the model improve accuracy. The performance of the proposed fully automated model indicates that it can be used for image quality control in population cohort datasets and real‐time post‐imaging quality assessments. Codes are available at https://github.com/mohammadhashemii/CMR_Cardiac_Coverage_Control
Detecting bias in abundance estimates of spawning fish from closed-capture models using remote and physical capture data
Authors: Conner Mary M. , Landom Kevin , Walsworth Timothy E. , Wilkison Richard A. , Fonken Dale , Thompson Paul , Keleher Christopher , Franklin Russ
Published: September 2024

Objective

Mixed-data models incorporating remote antenna detections from PIT-tagged fish together with physical capture data (mixed data) can improve precision of mark–recapture abundance estimates, particularly for spawning fish. However, if the entire population is not available for physical capture during the mark–recapture sampling period, abundance estimates will be biased low. Our objectives were to examine bias and precision of two modeling approaches and develop a simple diagnostic to determine whether the entire population was sampled.

Methods

We use a simulation modeling approach to compare specified abundances with abundance estimates from closed-capture models using mixed data (the mixed-data approach) and using only marked (e.g., PIT-tagged) individuals divided by the proportion of individuals that are marked (proportional approach). We use the difference in bias between the two models as our diagnostic of whether a population was randomly sampled. We then applied our diagnostic to two case studies: a spawning population of adfluvial June Sucker Chasmistes liorus in Utah Lake, Utah, 2008–2020, and a spawning population of Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus in the Imnaha River, a tributary of the Snake River, Oregon, 2013–2020.

Result

Simulation experiments revealed that the mixed-data approach became increasingly negatively biased as the proportion of the population that was unavailable for physical capture increased, yet the proportional approach remained unbiased. Abundance estimates from the proportional approach averaged approximately 6× greater for June Sucker and 2× greater for Bull Trout compared to the mixed-data approach, suggesting a proportion of the population was not available for physical capture in both case studies.

Conclusion

Understanding the magnitude of bias in abundance estimates is particularly important for the management of imperiled species that are subject to recovery plans. Comparing estimates using the unbiased proportional approach that we described here with those from a mixed-data approach when PIT tag detection data are used to estimate abundance is a straightforward method to evaluate bias in these estimates.
Indications, Surgical Strategies And Hearing Outcomes of Revision Stapes Surgery for Otosclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis on 2602 Patients
Authors: Tomasoni Michele , Borsetto Daniele , Canzi Pietro , Vural Alperen , Testa Gabriele , Piazza Cesare , Pinelli Lorenzo , Redaelli de Zinis Luca Oscar
Published: September 2024

Objective

To summarize current knowledge on the indications, surgical strategies, and auditory outcomes of revision stapes surgery (RSS) for otosclerosis.

Data Sources

The search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science online databases, including papers published since 2000.

Review Methods

The study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines. We considered original series describing RSS for otosclerosis, reporting postoperative hearing outcomes according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery guidelines for conductive hearing loss (CHL) for at least 30 consecutive cases. The quality of included studies was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Pooled proportion and odds ratio (OR) meta‐analysis were conducted using random effect models.

Results

Nineteen studies were included, for a total of 2602 patients (2735 ears) and 2359 postoperative hearing results. RSS was mostly performed for recurrent CHL with air‐bone gap (ABG)>20 dB. Multiple concomitant causes were often present, with prosthesis placement defect and incus necrosis as the most common causes. The pooled proportion of postoperative ABG<10 dB and ABG<20 dB was 57.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.8%‐61.4%) and 79% (95% CI: 76.0%‐81.8%), respectively. Dead ears were 1.2% (95% CI: 0.7%‐2.1%). Compared to primary surgery, RSS had a significantly lower rate of ABG<10 dB (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.24%‐0.54%; P < .001). Both revision incudostapedotomy with/without incus reconstruction and malleovestibulopexy are viable options with nonsignificant differences in ABG closure rates (P = .182).

Conclusion

RSS is challenging and requires the surgeon to carefully evaluate all potential causes of previous failure and tailor the intervention according to intraoperative findings. In most cases, ABG closure within 20 dB can be achieved with a relatively low risk of dead ears.
A Novel Endoscopic Anterior Cricoid Rib Grafting: A Feasibility Study in An Animal Model
Authors: Aldriweesh Bshair , Almutairi Nasser , Alshareef Waleed , Sindi Abdullah , Alammar Ahmed
Published: September 2024

Objective

The objective of our study was to document the feasibility of a novel endoscopic anterior cricoid split and rib grafting technique in a goat airway model.

Study Design

Feasibility pilot animal study.

Setting

Animal surgical laboratory at a tertiary hospital and research center.

Methods

Three Ardhi goats were utilized. After harvesting and shaping the rib graft, 2 sutures were inserted transversely into the graft. An endoscopic midline anterior cricoid split was performed and extended down through the first tracheal ring, followed by a balloon dilation of the site. Next, the 2 lower and upper graft suture ends were sequentially passed as endo‐extra laryngeal sutures and tied on the anterior neck skin. Laryngeal stent was utilized in 1 goat following graft placement.

Results

The surgery was successful in all included animals and bronchoscopy performed 7 days after surgery, revealed that the anterior graft was in good position. One goat developed surgical site infection leading to partial graft resorption.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the feasibility of this novel procedure which is potentially useful for patients who are candidates for a single‐stage reconstruction. Future studies should investigate the safety and validity of this technique in a model with subglottic stenosis.

Level of Evidence

NA
Tailoring the size and shape of PbWO4 particles in highly filled polymer fibers for γ‐rays shielding
Authors: Hu Deng‐Chao , Zhang Quan‐Ping , Liu Shi‐Hao , Meng Ling‐Cheng , Li Gui‐Lin , Jiang Yong , Guo Lei , Liang Qian‐Qian , Sun Nan , Liu Peng‐Qing , Zhou Yuan‐Lin
Published: September 2024

Highly filled polymer fibers offer huge promise for radiation protection safety and wear comfort of personal protective equipment (PPE) in radiation environments. However, it usually sacrifices mechanical properties that directly related to practical usability. Here, as high as 75 wt% PbWO4 (PWO) particles have been filled in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber via tailoring their size and shape for enhanced γ‐rays shielding and good mechanical properties. Clearly shown that 0 dimensional (0‐D) PWO exhibits better dispersion and compatibility between the interfaces than 1‐D PWO in highly filled PVA fibers. In addition, 70 wt% 0‐D PWO/PVA fibers display better mechanical properties than 70 wt% 1‐D PWO/PVA fibers. Note that 75 wt% 0‐D PWO/PVA fibers show 1.02 cN/dtex of tensile strength. However, 75 wt% 1‐D PWO/PVA fibers fail to be fabricated smoothly. Importantly, the overlapped fabrics with 75 wt% 0‐D PWO/PVA fibers display 43.05% of γ‐ray shielding (105 keV) meanwhile it offers good air and water vapor permeability for wear comfort. The superior γ‐ray shielding ascribes the polymer fibers with the higher filling in comparison with its counterpart, which provides a practical means to design radiation protection safety and wear comfort of articles.

Highlights

This work breaks the upper limit of filling in polymer fibers

Filler structure can weigh the integrated properties of polymer fibers.

0‐D PWO particles promote interfacial compatibility in highly filled fibers.

Radiation protection safety and wear comfort of articles tend to be designed.
Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of the sandwich structure with orthogonal corrugated core reinforced by polyurethane foam
Authors: Deng Yunfei , Yu Haoyun , Li Jiangtao , Zheng Yimei , Wei Gang
Published: September 2024

The aim of this paper is to explore the effect of polyurethane foam filler on the out‐of‐plane compressive property and low‐velocity impact resistance of the orthogonal corrugated sandwich panel by experimental method. The results show that foam filling increases the energy absorption and specific energy absorption of the orthogonal corrugated sandwich panel by 64.75% and 38.22% under compressive load, respectively. Furthermore, during compression, the filled foam causes the core strut undergo pure buckling failure and gradually folds rather than brittle fracture. Under low‐velocity impact, the strengthening effect of foam filling on the first peak load of the load–displacement of the orthogonal corrugated sandwich panel decreases with the increase of impact energy, while the inhibition effect on the impactor drop increases with the increase of impact energy. The results can provide a reference for the design and optimization of foam‐filled hybrid sandwich structures.

Highlights

The compressive property and low‐velocity impact resistance of the foam‐filled orthogonal corrugated sandwich panel are tested.

The effect of foam filling on the mechanical properties of the orthogonal corrugated sandwich panel is obtained by comparing the out‐of‐plane compressive response and low‐velocity impact response of the empty and foam‐filled orthogonal corrugated sandwich panel and foam sandwich panel.

Foam filling can improve the load‐bearing property and energy‐absorbing capacity of the orthogonal corrugated sandwich panel and make it more stable progressive damage.
Second‐Trimester Ultrasound Receipt Mediates the Relationship Between Public Insurance and Prenatal Diagnosis of a Congenital Heart Defect
Authors: Woo Joyce L. , Gandhi Rupali , Laternser Christina , Iyengar Tara , Yee Lynn M. , Grobman William A. , Davis Matthew M. , Patel Angira , Johnson Joyce T.
Published: September 2024

Objective

To delineate the mechanism behind insurance‐related disparities in the prenatal diagnosis of a congenital heart defect (CHD).

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of electronic health records of pregnant individuals whose infants received CHD surgery between 2019 and 2020 in the third‐largest United States metropolitan area. The outcome was whether a prenatal diagnosis was received. The exposure was the pregnant individual's insurance status. The mediator was second‐trimester ultrasound receipt. Control variables included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the pregnant individual and infant. The relationships between exposure, mediator, and outcome were quantified using mediation analysis with multivariable fixed‐effects regression.

Results

In total, 496 pregnant individuals met inclusion criteria; 215 (43.3%) were publicly insured and 305 (61.5%) had prenatal diagnosis. In bivariate regressions, public insurance was associated with a 12.6% lower probability (CI 3%–21%) of prenatal diagnosis. In multivariable models, public insurance was associated with 13.2% lower probability (CI 2%–25%) of second‐trimester ultrasound receipt but was no longer associated with prenatal diagnosis after adjusting for second‐trimester ultrasound receipt, suggesting a possible mediation effect. Mediation analysis confirmed that second‐trimester ultrasound receipt mediated 39% of the relationship between public insurance and prenatal diagnosis.

Conclusion

An appreciable portion of insurance‐related differences in prenatal CHD diagnosis is due to the lower frequency of second‐trimester ultrasound receipt among those with public insurance.
Optimizing the synthesis conditions of CaAl‐layered double hydroxide and poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate)/CaAl‐LDH nanocomposite for potential use in antibacterial drug delivery
Authors: Singh Rinki , Kumari Satti Venu Gopala , Pakshirajan Kannan , Pugazhenthi G.
Published: September 2024

Calcium aluminum layered double hydroxide (CaAl‐LDH) has gained significance for drug delivery applications due to its multiple advantages, including high drug‐loading capacity, pH sensitivity, biocompatibility, high acceptable intake values of metal ions, and its ability to provide sustained release of the intercalated drug. In this study, pristine CaAl‐LDH was synthesized by co‐precipitation method at different pH values (9 and 10) and aging times (16 and 24 h) to obtain LDH with higher d‐spacing, which is beneficial for achieving a high drug loading efficiency. Ofloxacin (OFX), an antibiotic drug, was loaded into CaAl‐LDH via regeneration (CaAl‐LDH‐OFX(RG)) and co‐precipitation (CaAl‐LDH‐OFX(CPT)) methods, and achieved drug loading of 28.3% and 36.5%, respectively. The release behavior of OFX from CaAl‐LDH‐OFX(RG) and CaAl‐LDH‐OFX(CPT) formulations was examined in simulated conditions representing the gastrointestinal tract. CaAl‐LDH‐OFX(RG) showed less initial burst release of OFX compared to CaAl‐LDH‐OFX(CPT) in acidic as well as neutral pH conditions. In order to overcome the degradation of the drug before reaching the target site, CaAl‐LDH‐OFX(RG) was reinforced at 1, 3, and 5 wt% in poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) matrix by sonication‐assisted solution casting method. The PHB‐based nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TGA, and FTIR analyses. FESEM characterization of PHB‐based films loaded with 3 wt% of CaAl‐LDH‐OFX(RG) revealed compact morphology without any aggregate formation. Moreover, PHB/3CaAl‐LDH‐OFX(RG) films demonstrated sustained release of OFX at pH 1.2 (95.60% in 96 h), pH 6.8 (78% in 113 h), and pH 7.4 (40.90% in 107 h). The promising potential of PHB‐based formulations for antibacterial drug delivery systems was confirmed by their significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Highlights

pH and aging time influence the structural characteristics of pristine CaAl‐LDH.

Ofloxacin loaded CaAl‐LDH prepared by co‐precipitation and regeneration methods.

Sustained release of ofloxacin from poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐based formulation.

Poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐based formulations exhibit excellent antibacterial activity.
Enhanced Electroacoustic Tomography with Supervised Learning for Real‐time Electroporation Monitoring
Authors: Jiang Zhuoran , Xu Yifei , Sun Leshan , Srinivasan Shreyas , Wu Q. Jackie , Xiang Liangzhong , Ren Lei
Published: September 2024

Background

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF)‐based electroporation is a new therapy modality potentially synergized with radiation therapy to improve treatment outcomes. To verify its treatment accuracy intraoperatively, electroacoustic tomography (EAT) has been developed to monitor in‐vivo electric energy deposition by detecting ultrasound signals generated by nsPEFs in real‐time. However, utility of EAT is limited by image distortions due to the limited‐angle view of ultrasound transducers.

Methods

This study proposed a supervised learning‐based workflow to address the ill‐conditioning in EAT reconstruction. Electroacoustic signals were detected by a linear array and initially reconstructed into EAT images, which were then fed into a deep learning model for distortion correction. In this study, 56 distinct electroacoustic data sets from nsPEFs of different intensities and geometries were collected experimentally, avoiding simulation‐to‐real‐world variations. Forty‐six data were used for model training and 10 for testing. The model was trained using supervised learning, enabled by a custom rotating platform to acquire paired full‐view and single‐view signals for the same electric field.

Results

The proposed method considerably improved the image quality of linear array‐based EAT, generating pressure maps with accurate and clear structures. Quantitatively, the enhanced single‐view images achieved a low‐intensity error (RMSE: 0.018), high signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR: 35.15), and high structural similarity (SSIM: 0.942) compared to the reference full‐view images.

Conclusions

This study represented a pioneering stride in achieving high‐quality EAT using a single linear array in an experimental environment, which improves EAT's utility in real‐time monitoring for nsPEF‐based electroporation therapy.
Transnational lives interrupted: The Canadian state and Indian international student experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Judge Neil Amber , Walton‐Roberts Margaret
Published: September 2024

Canada has emerged as a major education destination for international students from across the world. International students are understood to significantly contribute towards the labour market and economic growth of Canada including the higher education sector that has come to financially rely on international students. India has emerged as the largest source of international students to Canada in recent years making them a significant category of migrants impacted by the covid‐19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown measures implemented by the Canadian state. This paper looks at the experiences of Indian international students already in Canada and prospective students in India planning to pursue their studies in Canada. The pandemic delayed international education plans for many students in India while causing significant disruption to the studies, employment, and living arrangements of international students in Canada. Such disruptions created considerable uncertainty over their financial situation including meeting various eligibility requirements for work permit after graduation. This paper reveals the deeply embodied and personalised consequences for students in the face of state responses to balancing pandemic control and retaining financial and economic contribution during the pandemic.
Towards a safe haven: Students from post‐Soviet countries pursuing education in Sweden during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Ginnerskov‐Dahlberg Mette
Published: September 2024

This article delves into the motivations and aspirations of students from post‐Soviet countries who opted for education in Sweden amid the COVID‐19 pandemic. In stark contrast to most nations which enforced stringent lockdown measures to curb the transmission of the coronavirus, Sweden adopted a relatively laissez‐faire approach, keeping significant sectors of society operational. While Sweden's strategy garnered considerable global scrutiny and critique, the students in this study exhibited a notable lack of apprehension regarding the global health crisis or Sweden's controversial approach to the pandemic. For these students, the COVID‐19 pandemic primarily manifested as a practical impediment to their forthcoming academic endeavours. Conversely, they perceived various enduring societal challenges in their countries of origin–such as unemployment, anxiety and distrust towards governmental authorities, and even armed conflict–as possessing a more entrenched and formidable nature, posing a greater threat to their overall well‐being. Against this backdrop, Sweden emerged as a perceived sanctuary capable of reinstating a state of ontological security, especially for the students identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community and with political convictions frowned upon by the government of their home country. By focusing on the narratives of these individuals and adopting a conceptual framework that views ‘crisis’ as a relational construct, this study sheds light on the divergent experiences and perceptions of the COVID‐19 pandemic among international student cohorts. This approach underscores the nuanced and context‐dependent nature of their responses to the pandemic, emphasising the imperative of empirically accounting for these variations.
Transnational and localised constructions of wellbeing and health: International students’ anxious embodiments
Authors: Waters Johanna L. , Lee Jihyun
Published: September 2024

The global health crisis initiated by the COVID‐19 pandemic (2020–2021) brought to the fore issues around bodily health and safety within the internationalisation of higher education. Rarely have these concerns been discussed in relation to international students, despite them being a central issue for students themselves and their family members ‘back home’. In this paper, we draw upon in‐depth interviews with UK‐based international postgraduate students to discuss how concepts of safety and bodily health are constructed geographically and transnationally, in conversation with family members ‘back home’ and, conversely, in their embedded and emplaced experiences as international students. The COVID‐19 pandemic provides a useful lens for considering these issues as it brought them into sharp relief as never before.
Device Simulation of CsPbBr3 Solar Cells for High‐Efficiency Blue Light Photovoltaic Power Converters
Authors: Tan Yuejie , Miyajima Shinsuke
Published: September 2024

The performance of CsPbBr3 solar cells is investigated using device simulation to clarify the criteria for obtaining high‐efficiency blue light photovoltaic power converters. The results show that the conduction band offset between the electron transport layer (ETL) and CsPbBr3 layer significantly impacts conversion efficiency. The best device performance is obtained when the conduction band of the ETL is 0.4 eV higher than that of the CsPbBr3 layer. Simulations also revealed that gallium nitride is preferred to conventional titanium oxide (TiO2) as the ETL material. The analysis indicates that the carrier diffusion length of the CsPbBr3 layer significantly affects the short‐circuit current density and fill factor of devices and that a carrier diffusion length of at least 0.5 μm is required to realize high‐efficiency devices. The use of a transparent conductive oxide layer with a work function smaller than 4.0 eV or the insertion of a buffer layer with electron affinity less than 4.1 eV can effectively improve the open‐circuit voltage of devices.
Ab Initio Phonon Transport Based on Nonequilibrium Green's Function Formalism: A Practical Approach
Authors: Tran Van‐Truong , D’Agosta Roberto , Bescond Marc , Volz Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Herein, a highly practical first‐principles approach for studying phonon transport across various materials, ranging from low‐dimensional systems to three‐dimensional bulk structures, as well as nanostructures, is presented. This method integrates the nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism with ab initio calculations of dynamical matrices generated by Quantum Espresso. A detailed technical approach for extracting atomistic force constants and forming dynamical matrices that adhere to the tri‐diagonal technique within the NEGF framework is provided. Additionally, an efficient method for constructing dynamical matrices of conventional cells from those of primary cells is introduced, remarkably reducing the computational costs associated with density‐functional theory calculations. The robustness and applicability of this methodology are validated through several case studies.
Epitaxial Growth of Cs3Cu2I5 Single‐Crystal Arrays for UV‐Responsive Neuromorphic Devices
Authors: Yu Yang , Zhang Zhonglong , Lu Qiuchun , Tang Jiaqi , Wu Wenqiang , Han Xun
Published: September 2024

Copper‐based halides, a type of perovskite derivative, inherit their excellent optoelectronic properties and solution processability and also have the advantages of being nontoxic and stable. Despite the tremendous achievements of microfabrication in conventional halide perovskites, reports on copper‐based halide array devices are rare due to their difficult high‐quality crystallization. Here, by introducing single‐crystal thin films grown by space confinement method as substrates, reliable photolithography based on their single crystals is successfully achieved and controllable homoepitaxial single‐crystal arrays is demonstrated. By adjusting the substrate, angle, and growth time, the orientation, arrangement, and size of arrays could be controlled. Temperature and time are used to regulate the growth stage to obtain clean and appropriately sized arrays. ITO/Cs3Cu2I5/ITO neuromorphic device based on homoepitaxial arrays is developed. The variation of synaptic plasticity could be controlled by the number and frequency of light pulses. The device successfully simulated the process of “learning, forgetting, and relearning” in the human brain, demonstrating the potential of application in sensing‐storage‐computing‐integrated devices.
Eleutheroside B Pretreatment Attenuates Hypobaric Hypoxia‐Induced High‐Altitude Pulmonary Edema by Regulating Autophagic Flux via the AMPK/mTOR Pathway
Authors: Pei Caixia , Shen Zherui , Wu Yongcan , Zhao Sijing , Wang Yilan , Shi Shihua , Huang Demei , Jia Nan , Liu Junling , Wang Xiaomin , He Yacong , Wang Zhenxing
Published: September 2024

High‐altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a life‐threatening disease, and autophagy deficiency is implicated in the pathogenesis of HAPE. Eleutheroside B (EB), which is the main bioactive component of Acanthopanax senticosus, exhibits various pharmacological activities. Our previous research demonstrated that autophagic structures were widely found in the ultrastructure of lung tissue in HAPE rats. However, whether EB regulates autophagy deficiency in HAPE remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of EB on hypobaric hypoxia‐induced HAPE and explore the underlying molecular mechanism of regulating autophagy. The rat model of high‐altitude pulmonary edema was replicated using a hypobaric hypoxic chamber. Rats were pretreated with EB or in combination with chloroquine or compound C. The pulmonary edema was assessed by the lung wet/dry ratio, total protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and histological analysis. Inflammation and oxidative stress were measured using commercial biochemical kits. Autophagy and autophagic flux were evaluated by western blotting, transmission electron microscopy, and adeno‐associated virus‐mRFP‐GFP‐labeled tandem fluorescence LC3. The AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway was detected by western blotting. EB alleviated hypobaric hypoxia‐induced pulmonary edema, hypoxemia, acid–base imbalance in the blood, inflammation, and oxidative stress in a dose‐dependent manner. EB restored impaired autophagic flux by activating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. However, chloroquine or compound C abolished eleutheroside B‐mediated autophagy flux restoration. EB has the potential to restore impaired autophagic flux in the lung of hypobaric hypoxia‐induced HAPE rats, which could be attributed to the activation of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
Silybin: A Review of Its Targeted and Novel Agents for Treating Liver Diseases Based on Pathogenesis
Authors: Wu Jijiao , Wen Lin , Liu Xiaolian , Li Qiuxia , Sun Zihao , Liang Chuipeng , Xie Fan , Li Xiaofang
Published: September 2024

Liver disease represents a significant global public health concern. Silybin, derived from Silybum marianum, has been demonstrated to exhibit a range of beneficial properties, including anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, antifibrotic, antiviral, and cytoprotective effects. These attributes render it a promising candidate for the treatment of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, viral hepatitis, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, and other liver conditions. Nevertheless, its low solubility and low bioavailability have emerged as significant limitations in its clinical application. To address these limitations, researchers have developed a number of silybin formulations. This study presents a comprehensive review of the results of research on silybin for the treatment of liver diseases in recent decades, with a particular focus on novel formulations based on the pathogenesis of the disease. These include approaches targeting the liver via the CD44 receptor, folic acid, vitamin A, and others. Furthermore, the study presents the findings of studies that have employed nanotechnology to enhance the low bioavailability and low solubility of silybin. This includes the use of nanoparticles, liposomes, and nanosuspensions. This study reviews the application of silybin preparations in the treatment of global liver diseases. However, further high‐quality and more complete experimental studies are still required to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the efficacy and safety of these preparations. Finally, the study considers the issues that arise during the research of silybin formulations.
First Principle Investigations of Cesium Based Cubic CsSiX3 (X = Cl and F) Perovskites for Solar Conversion Applications: A DFT Study
Authors: Shahzad Muhammad Khuram , Hussain Shoukat , Ashraf Ghulam Abbas , Azeem Waqar , Tirth Vineet , Alqahtani Hassan , Algahtani Ali , Al‐Mughanam Tawfiq
Published: September 2024

The use of solar water‐splitting technology is anticipated to reduce the disparity between demand and consumption of energy. Herein, CASTEP software is used to investigate the perovskite CsSiX3 (X = Cl and F) materials by applying GGA‐PBE exchange–correlation functional. According to structure properties, compounds possess a cubic structure of “pm3m” by using space group 221. The direct band gaps in the CsSiX3 (X = Cl and F) compounds are 1.04 and 1.07 eV, respectively. Measures of the density of states and the partial density of states (PDOS) are being utilized to determine the degree of electron localization in several bands. The compounds' optical characteristics are examined by altering their relation between the dielectric function (DF) scales and the pertinent peak. According to our results, the mechanical properties show that CsSiCl3 is brittle (0.13, 045) and CsSiF3 is ductile (0.32, 2.52) and stable with covalent bonds. Compounds CsSiCl3 and CsSiF3 modulus and elastic constants are {B (8.259, 52.375), E (8.110, 55.082), and G (18.331, 20.790)} and {C11 (13.766, 73.566), C12 (5.506, 41.780), and C44 (10.763, 24.052)} are found, according to mechanical properties. Therefore, such materials can be used for photovoltaic light absorption in the visible spectrum. These materials offer a wide range of possible uses in sensing and solar conversion because compounds combine effectively.
Quantum Tunneling: From Theory to Error‐Mitigated Quantum Simulation
Authors: Catrina Sorana , Băicoianu Alexandra
Published: September 2024

Ever since the discussions about a possible quantum computer arised, quantum simulations have been at the forefront of possible utilities, with the task of quantum simulations being one that promises quantum advantage. Recently, advancements have made it feasible to simulate complex molecules using Variational Quantum Eigensolvers or study the dynamics of many‐body spin Hamiltonians. These simulations have the potential to yield valuable outcomes through the application of error mitigation techniques. Simulating smaller models carries a great amount of importance as well and currently, in the Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum era, is more feasible since it is less prone to errors. The objective of this work is to examine the theoretical background and the circuit implementation of a quantum tunneling simulation, with an emphasis on hardware considerations. This study presents the theoretical background required for such implementation and highlights the main stages of its development. By building on classic approaches of quantum tunneling simulations, this study aims at improving the result of such simulations by employing error mitigation techniques, Zero Noise Extrapolation, and Readout Error Mitigation and uses them in conjunction with multiprogramming of the quantum chip, a technique used for solving the hardware under‐utilization problem that arises in such contexts.
Quantum Transfer Learning with Adversarial Robustness for Classification of High‐Resolution Image Datasets
Authors: Khatun Amena , Usman Muhammad
Published: September 2024

The application of quantum machine learning to large‐scale high‐resolution image datasets is not yet possible due to the limited number of qubits and relatively high level of noise in the current generation of quantum devices. In this work, this challenge is addressed by proposing a quantum transfer learning (QTL) architecture that integrates quantum variational circuits with a classical machine learning network pre‐trained on ImageNet dataset. Through a systematic set of simulations over a variety of image datasets such as Ants & Bees, CIFAR‐10, and Road Sign Detection, the superior performance of the QTL approach over classical and quantum machine learning without involving transfer learning is demonstrated. Furthermore, the adversarial robustness of QTL architecture with and without adversarial training is evaluated, confirming that our QTL method is adversarially robust against data manipulation attacks and outperforms classical methods.
Securitization of local adaptation: Signs of riskification in a Dutch region
Authors: Jochemsen Nenya , Mees Heleen
Published: September 2024

Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events and sea level rise, causing scholars to argue that it has become a security issue and that extraordinary measures are being legitimized by its perceived threat, referred to as securitization. Securitization of climate change has so far been studied predominantly in an international and occasionally national context. Little is known on how security dynamics play out on the local, subnational level. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated if and how adaptation to climate change (CCA) has been securitized for the water domain in a region in the Netherlands that is a CCA frontrunner: Dordrecht. Our case study comprised a detailed document analysis complemented with eight policymaker/expert interviews. In the discourses, actors and tools employed in the governance of CCA in Dordrecht we found signs of securitization in the form of riskification: risk terminology being used in CCA governance; greater involvement of risk and safety actors; and the development of new risk tools like risk and vulnerability analyses. However, securitization remains largely absent: CCA continues to be dealt with as a shared responsibility and as a cross‐sectoral policy issue to be integrated and mainstreamed to become the “new normal.”
The SG‐Climbot: An Adaptable, Efficient, Inspection and Repair Robot for Steam Generator Heat Transfer Tube Sheet
Authors: Liu Zhaojin , Li Jiawei , Chen Jian , Li Sicen , Gu Xin , Jiang Jikai , Li Yuxiao , Yao Shaoming , Wang Gang
Published: September 2024

The steam generator plays a crucial role as a safety component and protective barrier in nuclear power plants. Regular inspection and repair of heat transfer tubes, which operate in high‐temperature, high‐pressure, corrosive, and abrasive environments for extended periods, are essential. Inspection and repair robots move inside the steam generator to conduct comprehensive inspections and evaluations of the heat transfer tubes. However, existing robots have relatively simple execution devices and fixed movement methods, resulting in poor adaptability to different specifications of tube sheets and limited flexibility in handling maintenance tasks. In response to these limitations, the SG‐Climbot, a quadruped crawling tube sheet inspection and repair robot, has been proposed. This robot is designed to adapt to full‐specification tube sheets and operate efficiently by conducting inspections while moving. By comparing different motion modes, a robot configuration with a quadruped parallel structure was suggested. Kinematic and static analyses were conducted, resulting in the development of both forward and inverse kinematic models, along with the identification of conditions leading to tipping. Using parametric modeling and optimization design, optimized design parameters were obtained. Finite element simulation analysis was performed on the overall structure and main components, leading to an optimized structural model. Finally, based on the design model and computational analysis, a prototype was developed and tested. The experimental results indicate that the robot has achieved the expected functionality and performance targets. Its efficient maintenance operation mode of conducting inspections while moving provides a basis for the autonomous and intelligent development of steam generators.
Biodegradable plastic film mulch increases the mineralisation of organic amendments and prevents nitrate leaching during the growing season in organic vegetable production
Authors: Samphire Martin , Chadwick David R. , Jones Davey L.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Organic vegetable production relies on inputs of organic forms of nitrogen (N). This presents a challenge as it needs to be mineralised by the soil microbial community. Difficulties matching the timing and rate of organic N amendments to crop demand could potentially lead to high rates of nitrate leaching. The use of plastic film mulch (PFM) has the potential to increase crop yield, accelerate N mineralisation, reduce rainfall infiltration and therefore N leaching. Biodegradable PFM reduces the risk of contaminating soil with plastics. Although these positive effects have been proven in major conventionally grown commodity crops, the effects of PFMs are poorly understood in organic vegetable crops, particularly in moist temperate climates prone to N losses via winter leaching.

Materials & Methods

Our plot‐scale field experiment attempted to quantify the effect of biodegradable PFM on N leaching and N mineralisation in organic lettuce production in the presence and absence of biodegradable PFM. It took place in one season within a longer‐term experimental organic vegetable rotation.

Results

We used two methods to measure the rate of carbon and N mineralisation: the buried bag method showed biodegradable PFM resulted in no additional N mineralisation; however, the ion exchange membrane method indicated an increase in N mineralisation of 30%. During heavy rainfall at the end of the growing season, nitrate leaching was observed only in the non‐PFM plots, leading to N losses equivalent to 6.3 g N m−2. This led to surplus mineral N at harvest of 18.1 g N m−2 in the PFM treatment and 8.6 g N m−2 in the corresponding unmulched plots. This did not lead to more leaching in the mulched plots in the following 6 months.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our evidence supports the use of biodegradable PFMs to enhance the sustainability of organic vegetable production systems in temperate climates.
Discovery of Natural Multi‐Target Neuraminidase Inhibitors Anti‐Influenza Virus from Chinese Medicinal Herbs Containing Coumarin: In Silico and In Vitro Experiments
Authors: Wu Yidi , Hu Jiamin , Ma Bei , Nie Xiaoning , Sun Jiaying
Published: September 2024

During in silico research, based on molecular docking, dynamics simulation, network pharmacology and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) property, 31 potential compounds are obtained from seven Chinese medicinal herbs containing coumarins. Moreover, mechanism researches discover these compounds treat influenza A virus through key targets TLR4, MMP9, and IL6 (high fever, acute respiratory distress syndrome), MAPK1 and MAPK3 (MAPK signaling pathway, viral RNP export and viral protein expression), CASP3 (apoptosis), EP300 and CREBBP (viral myocarditis, chemoattraction of monocytes and macrophages, T cell activation antibody response). Further experimental verification finds that 22 of 31 compounds have various degrees of anti‐influenza virus activities. Moreover, 12 of 22 compounds have better biological activities (IC50=0.1609–54.95 μM) than oseltamivir (IC50=114.3 μM). 3 of 12 compounds have better antioxidant activities (IC50=2.087–3.796 μM) than vitamin C (IC50=5.004 μM). Therefore, ellagic acid, hyperoside, and fraxetin are promising multi‐target lead compounds for influenza virus therapy. Meanwhile, the present study offers compelling evidence for the development of novel antiviral medications.
Chemometrics Evaluation of Lemongrass Essential Oils: Authenticity, Quality and Selection Of Bioactives against t. cruzi.
Authors: de Melo Dênis G. , Gramosa Nilce V. , de G. A. Filho Elenilson , M. A. Silva Lorena , Canuto Kirley M. , Ribeiro Lyanna R. , de Menezes Ramon R. P. P. B. , Martins Alice M. C. , Ricardo Nágila M. P. S. , Ribeiro Maria E. N. P.
Published: September 2024

The effectiveness of treatments against the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, is limited in the chronic phase of the disease. The essential oils of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon flexuosus) have shown activity against this parasite. This study aimed to use principal component analysis (PCA) to analyze the data of lemongrass essential oils submitted to gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC‐FID) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) as well as partial least squares (PLS) regressions to correlate chemical variability with the results of biological assays. The PLS models highlighted geraniol, caryophyllene, and limonene as the main compounds responsible for antioxidant activity. Regarding cytotoxicity, the PLS models indicated that this activity is a cumulative effect of multiple compounds. For the trypanocidal effect, median lethal concentration (CL50) values ranged from 15.12 ± 3.96 to 110.10 ± 11.22 μg mL−1, resulting in selectivity index (SI) values of 2.99 to 22.55 times more selective for T. cruzi compared to host cells. PLS indicated that geraniol, neral and geranial were the main contributors to the trypanocidal effect, suggesting the potential for somatic or synergistic effects against trypomastigote forms.
Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Water Extracts of Artemisia annua and Their Antibacterial Activity Against Aquatic Pathogens
Authors: Wang Zhaofeng , Xu Hui , Wang Yifeng , Wang Lei , Zhang Bing , Wang Kun , Meng Jiafeng , Tong Yanwei , Wang Hua
Published: September 2024

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by biological synthesis have many advantages. Among them, herbs attract wide attention due to their unique medicinal effects. In this paper, the water/alcohol/ether extracts of dried or fresh Artemisia annua were used as reducing agents and stabilizers to synthesize AgNPs. Water is a highly polar solvent that can effectively extract polar compounds such as phenolic profile, which possesses strong reducing properties and enables the reduction of Ag+ to AgNPs. The prepared AgNPs were characterized using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and zeta potential analysis. The AgNPs prepared from the water extracts of dried Artemisia annua have obvious bacteriostatic effects on six common aquatic pathogens and have a wide application prospect in aquaculture. The inhibition zone against Vibrio anguillarum is up to 16.88 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Vibrio anguillarum are 1.09 µg/mL and 2.17 µg/mL, respectively, which is lower than most published reports.
Enhanced Oxidation‐Resistant and Conductivity in MXene Films with Seamless Heterostructure
Authors: Qian Wei , Si Yunfa , Chen Pengfei , Tian Chao , Wang Zhe , Li Peng , Li Shuxin , He Daping
Published: September 2024

MXene‐based films have garnered significant attention for their remarkable electrical and mechanical properties. Nevertheless, the practical application of MXene is impeded by its intrinsic instability caused by spontaneous oxidation. The traditional anti‐oxidative strategies frequently lead to a compromise in stability, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties. In this study, a novel approach is proposed involving metal nano‐armoring, wherein a copper layer with nano thickness is deposited onto MXene film surfaces to establish a uniform and seamless heterogeneous interface (MXene@Cu). The precise tunability and uniformity of this heterostructure are consistently demonstrated through both theoretical calculations and experimental results. The MXene@Cu films exhibit exceptional electrical conductivity of 1.17 × 106 S m−1, electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of 77.1 dB, and tensile strength of 43.4 MPa. More importantly, this heterostructure significantly improves MXene's stability against oxidation. After exposure to air for 30 days, the resultant MXene@Cu films exhibit a remarkable conductivity retention of 72.0%, significantly exceeding that of pristine MXene films (44.3%). This scalable synthesis approach holds significant promise for electronic device applications, particularly in electromagnetic shielding and thermal management.