bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacognostic analysis and antimalarial evaluation of quercetin in Ilex umbellulata bark using HPTLC, in vitro screening, molecular docking, and network pharmacology
Authors: Zothantluanga James H. , Chetia Dipak , Umbon Yasangam , Lalhriatpuii T. C. , Roy Dhritiman , Lamare Nidahun , Lalvenhimi Salem
Published: February 2025

Background

The bark of Ilex umbellulata is traditionally used for the treatment of many diseases such as malaria. Despite its traditional relevance, the pharmacognostic parameters and pharmacological properties remained unexplored. In this study, we aim to develop the missing pharmacognostic parameters with modern analytical techniques and carry out multi-step computational studies to study the antimalarial potential of I. umbellulata.

Results

The bark was 2–6 mm thick, composed of different colored layers, and was bitter-sweet in taste. Powdered microscopy revealed the presence of starch granules, calcium oxalate crystals, cork cells, trichomes, and fibers. Physicochemical properties such as ash values (total, acid-insoluble, and water-soluble), extractive values (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, aqueous, 80% MeOH), moisture content, swelling index, fluorescence, and pH of the bark were determined. FT-IR fingerprint profiling of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, aqueous, and 80% MeOH extracts revealed characteristic bands at different wavelengths that are indicative of the presence of certain functional groups. HPTLC fingerprint profiling with a mobile phase of hexane: ethyl acetate: formic acid (4.5:5.5:0.5 v/v) revealed 9 characteristic peaks. With a mobile phase of toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (5:4:0.2 v/v), the validated TLC densitometric studies revealed the presence of 2.07 mg of quercetin (R
f = 0.477 ± 0.005) in 100 mg of 80% MeOH bark extract of I. umbellulata. JazQSAR web tool previously developed by us predicts the IC50 of quercetin against Plasmodium falciparum as 3.88 ± 0.35 µM, which was not far from the practically observed value for quercetin. Multi-target molecular docking with a validated docking protocol revealed that quercetin could potentially interact with 20 proteins of P. falciparum that are highly expressed during the schizont and trophozoite stages. Network pharmacology studies revealed that quercetin could potentially alleviate malaria mainly by inhibiting pro-inflammatory response through the action of IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 and by triggering the immune system.

Conclusions

The pharmacognostic parameters of I. umbellulata bark may be used as quality control parameters to aid in identification and authentication and to prevent adulteration. The results obtained from the multi-target molecular docking and network pharmacology studies support the use of I. umbellulata as a traditional herbal remedy against malaria.
Comparative analysis of generative LLMs for labeling entities in clinical notes
Authors: del Moral-González Rodrigo , Gómez-Adorno Helena , Ramos-Flores Orlando
Published: February 2025

This paper evaluates and compares different fine-tuned variations of generative large language models (LLM) in the zero-shot named entity recognition (NER) task for the clinical domain. As part of the 8th Biomedical Linked Annotation Hackathon, we examined and models, including base versions and those that have been fine-tuned for code, chat, and instruction-following tasks. We assess both the number of correctly identified entities and the models’ ability to retrieve entities in structured formats. We used a publicly available set of clinical cases labeled with mentions of diseases, symptoms, and medical procedures for the evaluation. Results show that instruction fine-tuned models perform better than chat fine-tuned and base models in recognizing entities. It is also shown that models perform better when simple output structures are requested.
The future of diagnosis in mental health: Promises and challenges of biomarkers to identify reliable and highly predictive biosignatures of affective disorders
Authors: Berry Alessandra , Luciano Mario , Cirulli Francesca , Fiorillo Andrea
Published: February 2025

Current evidence points to a research-practice gap in mental health. There is a specific unmet need to identify novel strategies to improve diagnostic criteria, especially when clinical manifestations overlap as in the case of bipolar (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Based on the rapidly evolving notion that affective disorders are characterized by disrupted brain-body communication, current efforts of neuropsychiatric research are converging towards the identification of specific clusters of peripheral interconnected biomarkers. We argue that these can capture the complexity of the disease as they are linked to the fundamental pathophysiological mechanisms underlying BD or MDD, and can thus deliver an unbiased biosignature. Here we provide a critical viewpoint on the promises and challenges of biomarkers to identify reliable biosignatures of affective disorders. Novel methodological insight and relevant biomarkers are discussed with a main focus on immunometabolic derangements and disrupted redox balance. Major advancements are reviewed taking into consideration that an unbiased diagnosis can only derive from a deep understanding of how biological, psychological, and social factors interact ultimately affecting the clinical manifestation of affective disorders.
A Simple Modification of the Endoscopic Ultrasonic Aspirator to Allow Increased Versatility and Use Down Multiple Endoscopes in the Largest Reported Case Series
Authors: Zebian Bassel , Greuter Ladina , Vasilica Anca-Mihaela , Vitulli Francesca , Wang Difei , Abdelfattah Islam , Seetahal-Maraj Panduranga , Dacdac Marivic , Rowland David , Bleil Cristina
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Despite growing interest in neuroendoscopy, endoscopic resection of intraventricular and paraventricular brain tumors is still hindered by a lack of appropriate instrumentation. The Söring ultrasonic aspirator holds significant promise but is limited because of its original design allowing sole use with the GAAB® endoscope.

METHODS:

A simple modification of the ultrasonic aspirator which allows use down multiple endoscopes is described along with surgical outcomes in the context of the largest reported case series of 58 procedures in 52 patients, thus further expanding its applications and versatility.

RESULTS:

Our modification enabled the use of the Söring ultrasonic aspirator with the MINOP® InVent neuroendoscope, facilitating tumor resection in 58 procedures of 52 patients between July 2015 and June 2022. Near-total to gross-total resection was achieved in 30.8% of cases, with no permanent neurological deficits observed. The modified aspirator proved effective and safe, with no adverse events related to its use.

CONCLUSION:

The Söring ultrasonic aspirator represents a significant landmark in neuroendoscopic surgery. Our modification allowed greater versatility and compatibility with multiple endoscopes. This safe and effective modification will broaden its use and with time will have a considerable impact in the field of minimally invasive neurosurgery.
The use of medicinal marijuana for treating Cerebral Palsy: a literature review
Authors: McDonough Daniel , Charles James , Shaw Trent
Published: February 2025

Background Recent studies have established that Medicinal Marijuana (MM) is beneficial in the treatment of spasms, sleep, and pain in adult patients with varying medical diagnoses and symptoms. However, MM has rarely been used for the treatment of Cerebral Palsy (CP) complications in adults. The aim of this literature review was to explore MM interventions globally, with a focus on identifying the best practice with MM for the treatment of complications of CP. Methods A literature search was performed using keywords and synonyms related to MM treatment and CP complications. Inclusions and exclusions were scoped to scholarly peer reviewed academic literature published 2019 to 2021 located in the Deakin Library collection. A screening process confirmed criteria adherence and identified additional papers in referencing. The papers were appraised and evaluated to ensure selections do not have perceived or actual bias. Results From 409 publications, 27 papers were selected for review because they investigated the benefits of MM treatment for patients with sleep, pain, and spasm complications. There was no literature found on the use of MM for adults with CP. Discussion Recent research has demonstrated that with an informed understanding of MM treatment adult patients with varying medical diagnoses and symptoms can use MM to manage sleep disruption and improve relaxation. Therefore, there are potential benefits for the use of MM in treating spasticity, pain, sleep and improvement of quality of life, and social and emotional wellbeing in adult patients with CP. No funding was sort or provided for this review and the results are specific to adults with CP, so they are not to be generalized to other populations.
“Unmasking the Uncommon”: A case series of multi-drug resistant Elizabethkingia meningoseptica causing late-onset sepsis and meningitis in preterm neonates
Authors: U.P. Prajnha , Fernandes Anisha Maria , Shenoy M. Suchitra , Bhat Sinchana
Published: February 2025

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is an uncommon nosocomial pathogen that causes meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis in neonates and in immunocompromised individuals. It exhibits resistance to many commonly employed first-line antibiotics used to treat gram-negative pathogens. Herein, we present three cases of late-onset sepsis with multi-drug resistant (MDR) Elizabethkingia meningoseptica in high-risk neonates. Case 1 was a one-day-old preterm low-birth-weight infant who presented with respiratory distress syndrome and septic shock. The patient was intubated and administered empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungal agents. Blood culture grew Candida krusei, hence Amphotericin B was initiated. Repeat blood culture on day 27 showed gram-negative bacilli, identified as Elizabethkingia meningoseptica by MALDI-TOF . Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) revealed resistance to Piperacillin/Tazobactam, but sensitivity to Vancomycin, Levofloxacin, and Minocycline. IV Vancomycin was administered, which resulted in clinical improvement and negative blood culture results. Case 2 was an eleven-day-old preterm, low-birth-weight baby who presented with fever. Initial investigations revealed normal complete blood counts (CBC) parameters and elevated CRP levels. Blood and CSF cultures isolated Elizabethkingia meningoseptica with a similar AST pattern. Intravenous Ciprofloxacin was initiated with clinical improvement and negative follow-up blood cultures. Case 3 was a one-day-old preterm baby, appropriate-to-gestational age, presenting with respiratory distress syndrome. The infant was intubated and started on inotropic support and intravenous antibiotics. Blood cultures on day 4 showed Elizabethkingia meningoseptica and Vancomycin was started. Follow-up cultures on days 6 and 14 grew Acinetobacter baumannii. A combination of Levofloxacin and Colistin was added, and blood cultures were negative after seven days, with clinical improvement. Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections, especially in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), leading to outbreaks. Clinicians must have a high degree of suspicion of E. meningoseptica for gram-negative bacilli causing sepsis and meningitis in high-risk patients. Recent technological advances have enabled accurate speciation to guide therapy and reduce morbidity and mortality rates.
The gap is still here: Access to physical and mental health care for children and adolescents 15 years after the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Manning Amy
Published: February 2025

In 2009 a review of the state of child and adolescent physical and mental health care in the United States, appeared hopeful with the possibility of addressing the unmet health needs of our nation’s children in schools (Manning, 2009). Major legislation and sweeping strides for addressing the affordability of health care in the United States with The Affordable Care Act (ACA) which was codified into law and signed by President Obama, opening the possibility that the unmet physical and mental health needs of America’s youth may be reduced through the availability and affordability of health insurance for everyone (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 2010). Over the past 15 years, the health and mental health of children and adolescents in the United States have undergone notable changes, reflecting both progress and persistent challenges. While public health initiatives and policy advancements have improved access to care and contributed to reductions in asthma prevalence and teen pregnancy rates, other areas continue to demonstrate systemic challenges. The rising incidence of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, depression, suicidality and ADHD highlight the ongoing need for comprehensive health interventions at the public health level. Additionally, disparities in healthcare access, particularly among rural and low-income populations, remain significant barriers to the overall well-being of children and youth. The shortage of primary care providers, gaps in insurance coverage and the increasing burden on school-based health clinics further complicate care accessibility. This paper examines the evolving trends in child and adolescent health, emphasizing the critical role of policy, environmental changes and healthcare innovations in shaping outcomes. After almost 15 years of this call to action and implementation of the ACA we have made strides towards healthy outcomes for children and youth, evidencing that transformative, systemic change is not only possible, but necessary to ensure the well-being of future generations.
Mapping data on access to and use of medicines among migrants in Flanders
Authors: Meukens Loes , Aljadeeah Saleh
Published: February 2025

Background Migration is a social determinant of health, and migrants often face health inequalities compared to host populations. Migrants are underrepresented in health research in many European countries, including Belgium, which is concerning. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed a comprehensive framework aimed at guiding research on migration and health within the WHO European Region. This initiative supports evidence-based policymaking among European member states by providing a foundational structure for examining various strategies and methodologies. The framework serves as a catalyst for discussion and critical analysis, contributing to the formulation of a global research agenda on migration and health under WHO’s leadership. Additionally, it outlines key research priorities and offers strategic recommendations to enhance the understanding and response to health issues related to migration. One of these recommendations calls on researchers to “maximise the use of existing data from research and routinely collected data in health information systems”. Objective The overarching aim of our Datahub initiative is to map available sources of datasets about access to and use of medicines among migrant populations, and test if and under which conditions they can be used in research, by taking the case of Flanders, Belgium. Methods This initiative will involve conducting a focused review to map datasets used for reporting access to and use of medicines among migrants, followed by a qualitative study with key informants; a structured analysis of ethical and legal challenges to be addressed when using the datasets we identified for research; and content description and evaluation of the different identified datasets. Results We assert that the results of our initiative will help presenting the diverse sources of data about medicines access or use among migrant populations. They will be also used to provide recommendations about enhancing the possibilities of retrieving, and using data, including recommendations for (legal, ethical, methodological) risk mitigation for retrieving and using these data.
Impact of recyclability on the tensile and Impact properties of coated plastic materials for the automotive and electronic sectors
Authors: Ventosinos Louzao Vanessa , García Murias Denise , De Dios Álvarez Miguel Ángel , Acuña Domínguez Pablo Alberto , Paredes Barros Esteban , Ledo Bañobre Raquel
Published: February 2025

This research focuses on the study of the tensile modulus and impact resistance) of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and its blends with polycarbonate (ABS/PC) including recycled and painted material. A comprehensive assessment was done to determine the impact of reprocessing cycles, remaining coating and their combined effect in the final properties of the recycled polymer. Post-consumer materials are in an already-aged state, lowering their initial properties. Mechanical recycling methods showed that the reprocessing cycles have a higher impact on the mechanical performance than the amount of recycling material content. Also, the material is often coated when they are about to be recycled. The remaining coating impurities play a major role in the recycling process, losing up to 42% of the impact resistance for ABS and 28% for ABS/PC. It was demonstrated that below a 10% of remaining paint, both materials retained is performance as a neat product. Impurities was declared to be the most pernicious element on the recycling process and their elimination must be a priority regarding this objective. These results provide a better knowledge of the recycling effect and can be used to decide the potential recyclability of plastic. The ascribed project of this study (DECOAT) aims to develop efficient systems to remove coatings at the end-of-life of the part, to reduce the damage and promote the use of recycled material in high-tech applications.
A Hospital-Based Survey Assessing Facility-Level Factors Contributing to Late-Stage Cervical Cancer Diagnosis: A Mixed-Methods Approach.
Authors: Zammit Marthaclaire , Nyaberi Jackline , Mambo Susan , Otieno Careena
Published: February 2025

Background In Kenya, cervical cancer is the 2nd commonly diagnosed type of cancer and the top cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Over 50% of cervical cancer cases worldwide are diagnosed at a late stage, with this percentage rising to 80% in developing countries. Poor Health systems are major causes of late-stage diagnosis, leading to low survival rates and increased mortalities among cervical cancer patients. This study focused on determining the facility-level factors that contribute to late-stage diagnosis among cervical cancer patients. Methods An analytical cross-sectional mixed method study was conducted to collect data on hospital and referral systems experiences from 139 cervical cancer patients systematically sampled at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), using a semi structured questionnaire. In-depth interviews were conducted on 8 Key Informants. Associations between stage at diagnosis (dependent variable) and independent variables were tested using logistic regression at 95% Confidence Interval. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis method. Results Participants mean age was 51 years. 86 (61.9%) were diagnosed at advanced stages III and IV. A higher number of hospital referral instances, facing challenges during the referral process, and prolonged waiting times for diagnostic results were identified as key contributors to late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis. Conclusion Delays in diagnosis for most patients is due to poor health and referral systems. The study recommends improving referral systems and encouraging partnerships to decentralize cancer diagnostic.
The fundamental human right to social security in the Portuguese Constitution and how needs of funding are pursued
Authors: Cabeçais de Carvalho Marco António
Published: February 2025

The right to social security has been a theme of attention and debate, not only regarding its nature, but also how it is to be accomplished and ensured. This article intends to contribute to this discussion by stating, in the Author’s opinion, what is the nature of the right to social security and how the Portuguese State has created its system to accomplish the duty that is set upon on it. This system is thrice divided and subsequently composed of subsystems and different regimes. Furthermore, the Author also analyses the established forms and sources of financing needs of social security, and verifies how these are allocated to the different systems, without disregarding the needs that they could have in acquiring a balance between them. Lastly, it is discussed how the public capitalization system with Social Security Financial Stabilization Fund was created to act as a reserve fund and as a safety net of the contributory system of the social security system.
Gains from Product Variety: Evidence from a Large Digital Platform
Authors: Brynjolfsson Erik , Chen Long , Gao Xijie
Published: February 2025

Digital platforms can increase product variety and consumer choice by facilitating the discovery and availability of new products. In this paper, we document the massive growth of new products on the largest digital platform in China and quantify the welfare implications for consumers. Using sales data on three categories of books from 2015 and 2019, we find that the number of product titles almost doubles, whereas prices fall somewhat. Most of the new products are niche offerings that exhibit less elastic demand. Accounting for the niche nature of new products generates welfare gains 40 times larger than those from lower prices and 30% higher than existing estimates that do not distinguish between mass and niche products. We also examine the geographic variation in these gains and find that consumers in rural and low-income regions enjoy greater benefits from increased variety. The findings emphasize that expanding niche product offerings may outperform price reductions in generating consumer benefits. Policymakers are encouraged to support e-commerce development in underserved regions to harness the inclusive growth enabled by digital platforms.
Four-Time Failed Subtrochanter Femur Fracture Fixation in Elderly: What’s Next – A Case Report
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indus International Hospital, Derrabassi, Panjab, India,, Harna Bushu , Kapoor Anil ,   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ivy Hospital, Mohali, Panjab, India,, Sandal Dinesh ,   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Neelam Hospital, Rajpura, Panjab, India,, Arya Shivali ,   Department of Radiology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Subtrochanteric fractures are difficult fractures to manage, and a failed fixation in these fractures is a complex and challenging entities. Re-osteosynthesis and prosthesis replacement are two viable options. We present a case of four failed subtrochanter fracture fixations, managed with cementless long stem total hip replacement and augmented plate.

Case Report: A 68-year-old lady presented with pain and difficulty in walking for 12 years with four failed surgeries. The initial diagnosis was a subtrochanteric fracture managed with a proximal femur nail. The construct failed and was revised with a proximal femur plate. After a few years, the plate was broken and revised with the proximal femur nail again. Subsequently, the nail also failed after 3 years for which re-osteosynthesis with proximal femur nail was performed. The fixation again failed after 3 years leading to the inability to bear weight on the limb and pain. Cementless long stem total hip replacement with augmented plate along with bone grafting was performed as a one-time solution to the complexities in the management of 4 time-failed subtrochanter femur fractures. At 1 year of follow-up, the patient was walking pain-free and independently without any aid.

Conclusion: Failed subtrochanter femur fracture fixation is a complex situation to manage. Re-osteosynthesis is the favored modality of treatment but prosthesis replacement is a feasible option in elderly patients. Total hip replacement provides a single solution to all the intricate problems in the management of failed subtrochanter femur fractures in the elderly.

Keywords: Long stem, salvage, failed fracture fixation, total hip replacement, subtrochanter fracture.
Novel Use of Tricortical Iliac Crest Bone Allograft to Reconstruct the Lateral Tibia Plateau Articular Surface: A Case Series
Authors:   [1] Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY, USA, [2] Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens, NY, USA., Schwartz Luke Benjamin , Kingery Matthew ,   [1] Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY, USA, [2] Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens, NY, USA., Ganta Abhishek ,   [1] Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY, USA, [2] Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens, NY, USA., Egol Kenneth ,   [1] Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY, USA, [2] Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens, NY, USA., Konda Sanjit ,   [1] Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY, USA, [2] Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens, NY, USA.
Published: February 2025

Introduction: A tricortical iliac crest graft can be used to reconstruct the lateral proximal tibial articular surface.

Methods/Surgical Technique: Anterior tricortical iliac crest autograft from the ipsilateral pelvis is harvested to approximate the contour of the native tibial plateau. A lateral proximal tibial locking plate is used to fix the bony construct to the surrounding native bone.

Case Report: Functionally, patients have been able to return to ambulation with and without an assistive device.

Conclusion: Reconstruction of the joint surface with a tricortical iliac crest graft represents a novel surgical technique that may delay the need for arthroplasty and preserve bone stock for eventual knee replacement.

Keywords: Iliac crest bone graft, tibial plateau, reconstruction
Novel Case of Ipsilateral Supracondylar Fracture with Distal Radio-Ulna Fracture with Acute Compartment Syndrome: A Rare Case Report
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Chaudhary Sumedh D , Phupate Akshay ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Sakharkar Nilesh S ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Lakhani Karan R ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Fractures involving the supracondylar or distal end radius are the most common fracture in pediatric population. Although they have similar mechanisms of injury, i.e., hyperextension, they occur in isolation and combined supracondylar and distal end radius injuries in the same limb are extremely uncommon. We are reporting an extremely rare clinical presentation of a child with ipsilateral supracondylar fracture with fracture of distal end radius and ulna associated with acute compartment syndrome (ACS).

Case Report: A 13-year-old male had sustained trauma to left upper limb due to fall from tree. He was initially treated elsewhere with suturing of wound over his forearm and was brought to our emergency room after 12 h with complaints of swelling and severe pain in left arm, forearm, and hand. On clinical examination, there was tense swelling over the left arm, forearm, and hand. Passive stretch pain was present. Limb was warm, there were multiple blisters present over the flexor aspect over anti-cubital fossa of the left limb. On vascular and neurological evaluation, sensation was decreased compared to other limb over the volar aspect of the hand and forearm, also the pulses were feeble. The patient was immediately sent for Doppler of the left upper limb which showed biphasic flow. X-rays revealed ipsilateral left supracondylar humerus fracture (Type 4 according to Gartland Classification) with distal end radius and distal ulna fracture. As the patient had developed ACS which was evident from the tense swelling and passive stretch pain, we decided to urgently operate the patient with fasciotomy followed by fracture fixation. Wound was closed by shoelace suturing technique, and then, split-thickness skin grafting was done. K-wires were after a period of 6 weeks and gradual range of motion exercises was started.

Conclusion: Ipsilateral supracondylar with distal end radius with ACS is a rare entity. ACS should be given priority and fasciotomy must be done properly so as to ensure adequate decompression of intercompartmental pressure. This should be followed by fixation of the fractures. If appropriate intervention is done urgently, good results can be achieved even in such challenging injuries.

Keywords: Supracondylar fracture, acute compartment syndrome, fasciotomy, distal end radius, pediatrics.
Enhanced aberration correction in minimalist optical systems with the deep attention Wiener network
Authors: Wang Ziyang , Shi Runzhou , Zhou Yan , Bai Jian
Published: February 2025

Aberrations in minimalist optical imaging systems present significant challenges for achieving high-quality imaging. Traditional methods often rely on precise aberration models, while deep learning approaches typically do not incorporate prior knowledge and lack interpretability. To address these limitations, we introduce the deep attention Wiener network (DAWNet), a differentiable framework that combines deep learning with Wiener deconvolution. DAWNet begins by extracting deep features using a convolutional neural network (CNN). These features are segmented by the field of view (FOV) based on spatial degradation and processed through a Wiener deconvolution module. To minimize distinct boundaries between adjacent segments, we employ innovative sliding sampling and a weighting matrix, facilitating efficient and accurate aberration correction closely aligned with physical models. The processed image blocks then pass through a post-processing attention module for further aberration correction and feature fusion, ultimately reconstructing high-quality images. We validate the efficacy of DAWNet by designing and implementing a minimalist optical system with two lenses. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that DAWNet significantly improves aberration correction compared to other techniques.
Light scattering of non-diffracting Tricomi beams by a homogeneous spherical particle
Authors: Shi Yiyu , Cui Zhiwei , He Junting , Deng Mingkai , Wu Fuping
Published: February 2025

Non-diffracting beams have attracted enormous research interest for their unique properties and potential applications. As a type of non-diffracting beam described by the Tricomi functions and characterized by multiple parameters, the Tricomi beam exhibits good versatility and adjustability, which may be used as an advantage to enhance or suppress the scattering of particles. In this work, within the framework of the generalized Lorenz–Mie theory, the light scattering of non-diffracting Tricomi beams by spherical particles is investigated. The so-called beam shape coefficients of non-diffracting Tricomi beams are derived by using the angular spectrum decomposition method. The scattering characteristics of non-diffracting Tricomi beams by a homogeneous spherical particle are numerically simulated and analyzed, with special attention paid to the scattering intensity, scattering efficiency, and Stokes parameters in the far-field region. The results show that the scattering characteristics are strongly affected by the asymmetric constant, topological charge, and half-cone angle of the non-diffracting Tricomi beams. This research could provide useful insights into the scattering mechanisms of Tricomi beams and find potential applications in atmosphere remote sensing, particle measurement, and optical manipulation.
Fabrication and performance of high refractive index achromatic gradient index chalcogenide glass
Authors: Chen Xiaodong , Yan Senlin , Wu Yan , Jia Guang , Xia Kelun , Guan Yongnian , Shen Xuni , Wang Xunsi , Dai Shixun , Shen Xiang , Liu Zijun
Published: February 2025

Gradient index (GRIN) glasses utilize a specially tailored internal refractive index combined with the designed surface curvature of the optical element to enhance the correction of chromatic and spherical aberration. Additionally, GRIN technology can significantly improve imaging quality and better match high-performance detectors. In this study, we used an evaluation function model to determine the required properties of the base materials and fabricated a series of Ge25Se75-xTex glasses, identifying the optimal combination for chromatic aberration correction. A novel GRIN glass was fabricated using the hot-press diffusion method, and its internal refractive index was shaped into a curvature profile through molding. We analyzed the refractive index distribution of the GRIN lens and evaluated its imaging performance. Additionally, by comparing the imaging performance of the GRIN lens with that of a homogeneous lens, we demonstrated the chromatic aberration correction capabilities of the GRIN lens.
Low-temperature vanadium dioxide for CMOS integration and flexible polyimide applications
Authors: Du Yuxin , Wheeler Callum , de Groot Cornelis H. (Kees) , Muskens Otto L. , Fang Xu , Sun Kai
Published: February 2025

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a popular phase-transition material with broad applications ranging from thermal management in smart windows to neuromorphic computing. Currently, VO2 thin films are usually fabricated at high temperatures, making them incompatible in forming on top of CMOS and flexible polyimide substrates. This study explores a low-temperature VO2 thin film formation approach that combines atomic layer deposition (ALD) with a post-deposition anneal. With systematic material characterizations, we clearly demonstrate high-quality VO2 film formation on Si substrates at a significantly reduced annealing temperature of 300 °C. Further reducing the annealing temperature to 250 oC is shown to lead to insufficient VO2 crystallization whilst elevating the temperature to 400 oC results in overoxidation into V2O5. We implement our method on polyimide substrates and demonstrate that the high-quality phase transition is indeed preserved. This work demonstrates the ability of low-temperature formation of VO2 thin films, and it will accelerate the adoption of VO2 in emerging electronic devices as well as photonic applications.
Boosting bacterial detection with hyperspectral mining
Authors: Peng Lintao , Li Chang , Liu Wenhui , Xie Siyu , Chen Xue , Xiao Fei , Bian Liheng
Published: February 2025

Automatically detecting bacteria from pathological sections is of great
significance in clinical practice, providing precious information for
accurate decision-making in disease diagnosis and treatment. However,
traditional bacterial identification methods require professional
medical equipment and operations, making them costly and
time-consuming. Learning-based methods can detect bacteria through
spatial features, but their accuracy is unsatisfactory due to the
limited modeling capabilities of existing deep-learning models.
Considering that RGB images contain both spatial and spectral target
information, here we propose to investigate the latent spectral
features to enhance accurate and efficient bacterial detection.
Specifically, we first performed hyperspectral image (HSI)
reconstruction from RGB bacterial images, which can investigate
underlying spectral features without additional cumbersome and
expensive spectral imaging systems. The HSI reconstruction network
builds on the spatial-frequency block (SF-block) under the U-shaped
architecture. The SF-block combines frequency-wise self-attention
(FWSA) and spatial-wise local-window self-attention (LWSA) modules in
a parallel design. Such a framework can effectively model the spatial
sparsity of bacteria and the interspectral similarity of HSI. It also
enables the complementary fusion of spatial and spectral features,
establishes cross-window connections, and expands the receptive field
while maintaining linear complexity. Then, by stacking SF-blocks at
multiple scales, we can effectively detect bacteria from the
reconstructed HSIs by integrating both spectral and spatial features,
and output each bacterium’s location, size, and category. We
constructed a large-scale bacterial detection data set for network
training and testing that contains 2910 labeled images over four
common bacterial categories. Extensive experiments show that our
method achieved state-of-the-art bacterial detection accuracy of 92.4%
at a speed of 11 FPS, which is 3 orders of magnitude faster than
traditional methods.
Shaker/Kv1 potassium channel SHK-1 protects against pathogen infection and oxidative stress in C. elegans
Authors: Pu Longjun , Wang Jing , Nilsson Lars , Zhao Lina , Williams Chloe , Chi Guanqiao , Gilthorpe Jonathan D , Tuck Simon , Henriksson Johan , Tang Yi-Quan , Nyunt Wai Sun , Chen Changchun
Published: February 2025

The Shaker/Kv1 subfamily of voltage-gated potassium (K+) channels is essential for modulating membrane excitability. Their loss results in prolonged depolarization and excessive calcium influx. These channels have also been implicated in a variety of other cellular processes, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Through comprehensive screening of K+ channel mutants in C. elegans, we discovered that shk-1 mutants are highly susceptible to bacterial pathogen infection and oxidative stress. This vulnerability is associated with reduced glycogen levels and substantial mitochondrial dysfunction, including decreased ATP production and dysregulated mitochondrial membrane potential under stress conditions. SHK-1 is predominantly expressed and functions in body wall muscle to maintain glycogen storage and mitochondrial homeostasis. RNA-sequencing data reveal that shk-1 mutants have decreased expression of a set of cation-transporting ATPases (CATP), which are crucial for maintaining electrochemical gradients. Intriguingly, overexpressing catp-3, but not other catp genes, restores the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential under stress and enhances stress tolerance in shk-1 mutants. This finding suggests that increased catp-3 levels may help restore electrochemical gradients disrupted by shk-1 deficiency, thereby rescuing the phenotypes observed in shk-1 mutants. Overall, our findings highlight a critical role for SHK-1 in maintaining stress tolerance by regulating glycogen storage, mitochondrial homeostasis, and gene expression. They also provide insights into how Shaker/Kv1 channels participate in a broad range of cellular processes.
Applying a quantitative fire risk assessment method in hospital settings: Case study
Authors: Beljikangarlou Marzieh , Ghazvinloo Ali , Dehdashti Alireza , MirLavasani Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2025

Understanding and mitigating fire risks in healthcare settings are crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals, especially during the current pandemic, which has increased the use of oxygen-supply equipment and potentially raised fire hazards. This case study, conducted in two university hospitals in Semnan, Iran, examined fire risk factors in healthcare facilities using a developed fire risk assessment method. A total of 28 wards and 74 compartments were assessed. Data collection included topographical structure analysis, building usage evaluation, and process documentation review. The FRAME method, validated in previous studies, was used to calculate fire risk levels for buildings, contents, occupants, and activities. The fire risk assessment revealed varying risk levels across different wards and compartments in the two hospitals. Hospital A exhibited higher fire risk levels compared to Hospital B, with several wards in Hospital A classified as "High" or "Very High" risk. Factors contributing to higher risk levels included building design, occupancy density, and the presence of flammable materials. Occupants in certain wards, particularly those with high occupancy rates and limited evacuation routes, were identified as being at increased risk. Activities such as the storage and handling of flammable materials were also found to contribute to elevated risk levels in specific areas. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing targeted fire safety measures, especially regarding oxygen-supplying equipment, high-density ventilators, and limited escape routes, to mitigate risks effectively in healthcare settings. This comprehensive assessment can guide best practices in fire safety management in hospitals.
Over-the-counter carrageenan-based sprays may interfere with PCR testing of nasopharyngeal swabs to detect SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Corocher Taylor , Edwards Kira , Hersusianto Yvonne , Campbell Donald , Lim Hui Yin , Monagle Paul , Ho Prahlad
Published: February 2025

Carrageenan-containing nasal sprays, available over-the-counter (OTC), are often marketed as having anti-viral effects. Carrageenan belongs to the glycosaminoglycan family alongside heparin, and heparin is known to inhibit real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in nasopharyngeal swabs used to detect SARS-CoV-2. As heparin and carrageenan share structural similarities, this work aimed to investigate the interferent effect of carrageenan on RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 detection across 4 different diagnostic platforms. This work demonstrated that in the presence of carrageenan samples return inaccurate and invalid results on the Seegene STARlet, while qualitative accuracy was maintained on the Cepheid GeneXpert, Roche Cobas LIAT, and Hologic Panther Aptima. Evidence of carrageenan interference on SARS-CoV-2 testing was consistent across two OTC brands and research-grade reconstituted iota-carrageenan, with 80% of results returning invalid regardless of the carrageenan formulation added to the samples. Further, a preliminary in vivo interference study demonstrated an increased Ct value within 15 minutes of carrageenan dosage, with Ct values restored 60 minutes post-application. A direct comparison of carrageenan- and heparin-mediated PCR interference demonstrated that carrageenan PCR interference occurs to a lesser degree, but is not reversible by the addition of heparinase I. As carrageenan is available OTC, interference with PCR testing that causes an increase in false negative results could lead to accidental spread of disease and could therefore have significant public health impacts on community testing of respiratory infectious diseases via PCR.
Mechanical behavior of synthetic fiber ropes for mooring floating offshore wind turbines
Authors: Zeng Ji , Zhang He , Jin Bowen , Dong Hailei , Chou Chiate , Li Hangyu
Published: February 2025

The continuous development of floating wind turbine technology is pushing platforms further offshore into deeper seas. Consequently, the water depth required for mooring is increasing, demanding higher standards for the mooring system. This study explores the mechanical properties, including wear resistance and quasi-static stiffness, of nylon, polyester, and high-strength polyethylene mooring ropes through experimental design, aiming to address the challenges faced by floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT) in mooring line safety. In conducting yarn-on-yarn abrasion tests, materials, twist, marine lubricants, and dry and wet environments were chosen as research variables to analyse and compare the wear and tear frequency of sample ropes. The study found that the degree of wear on ropes composed of different materials is affected differently by twist and dry and wet environments, and the application of marine lubricants can significantly extend the friction fracture cycle of yarns. To study the tensile properties and static stiffness characteristics of polyester and nylon ropes, the cables were divided into three stages: preloading, initial installation, and ageing. The strain and reversible elongation of the cables at each stage were analysed, and an empirical formula for quasi-static stiffness considering the creep coefficient of the ropes was established. The study found that the ropes had reversible elongation after being left stationary, the more thorough the running-in, the smaller the inherent deformation, and the more stable the structure. The static stiffness of the cables increased with the loading time and force; however, it eventually approached a constant value, and the stiffness of polyester cables was found to be greater than that of nylon ropes. These results provide a solid theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the material selection of FOWT cables, which contributes to advancing the application and development of FOWT in renewable energy.
Online selfie behavior and consideration of cosmetic surgery in teenage girls: The mediating roles of appearance comparisons and body dissatisfaction
Authors: Li Yunduan , Chen Hong , Zou Yan , Guo Yanshuo , Gao Liying , Xu Xinyu
Published: February 2025

Although cosmetic surgery can repair functional impairments caused by deformities, improve appearance, and enhance self-esteem, it also carries certain risks, complications, and even death. To reduce the risks to life and property caused by repetitive or inappropriate procedures, it is important to identify the prerequisites that lead individuals to pursue cosmetic surgery. Some studies have shown a significant association between selfies and cosmetic surgery consideration, with prior research focusing on offline selfie behaviors rather than the relationship between online selfies (including posting and viewing selfies) and consideration of cosmetic surgery. From the perspective of online selfie behaviors, this study explores the relationship between online selfie behaviors and consideration of cosmetic surgery, as well as its internal mechanisms. The study included 762 teenage girls with an average age of 16.85 years who completed the Online Selfie Behavior, Appearance Comparison, Body Dissatisfaction, and Consideration of Cosmetic Surgery scales. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the direct and indirect relationships between posting or viewing selfies and willingness to undergo cosmetic surgery. The results of the current study indicate that viewing selfies on social media, rather than posting them, is a key factor affecting consideration of cosmetic surgery, and this influence occurs directly or indirectly through appearance comparison and body dissatisfaction. This suggests that in the current era of frequent social media activities, a more relaxed social and cultural environment and diverse aesthetic standards are necessary. Parents and educational psychologists should focus on guiding girls to develop positive body image, carefully considering the impact of selfie images on body dissatisfaction in teenage girls on social media, and the resulting demand for beauty products and cosmetic surgery.