bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fully automated deep learning based auto-contouring of liver segments and spleen on contrast-enhanced CT images
Authors: Gupta Aashish C. , Cazoulat Guillaume , Al Taie Mais , Yedururi Sireesha , Rigaud Bastien , Castelo Austin , Wood John , Yu Cenji , O’Connor Caleb , Salem Usama , Silva Jessica Albuquerque Marques , Jones Aaron Kyle , McCulloch Molly , Odisio Bruno C. , Koay Eugene J. , Brock Kristy K.
Published: February 2024

Manual delineation of liver segments on computed tomography (CT) images for primary/secondary liver cancer (LC) patients is time-intensive and prone to inter/intra-observer variability. Therefore, we developed a deep-learning-based model to auto-contour liver segments and spleen on contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) images. We trained two models using 3d patch-based attention U-Net ($${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{paU}}-{\text{Net}}})$$

M

paU
-
Net

)

and 3d full resolution of nnU-Net ($${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{nnU}}-{\text{Net}}})$$

M

nnU
-
Net

)

to determine the best architecture ($${\text{BA}})$$

BA
)

. BA was used with vessels ($${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{Vess}}})$$

M
Vess

)

and spleen ($${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{seg}}+{\text{spleen}}})$$

M

seg
+
spleen

)

to assess the impact on segment contouring. Models were trained, validated, and tested on 160 ($${{\text{C}}}_{{\text{RTTrain}}}$$

C
RTTrain

), 40 ($${{\text{C}}}_{{\text{RTVal}}}$$

C
RTVal

), 33 ($${{\text{C}}}_{{\text{LS}}}$$

C
LS

), 25 (CCH) and 20 (CPVE) CECT of LC patients. $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{nnU}}-{\text{Net}}}$$

M

nnU
-
Net

outperformed $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{paU}}-{\text{Net}}}$$

M

paU
-
Net

across all segments with median differences in Dice similarity coefficients (DSC) ranging 0.03–0.05 (p < 0.05). $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{seg}}+{\text{spleen}}}$$

M

seg
+
spleen

, and $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{nnU}}-{\text{Net}}}$$

M

nnU
-
Net

were not statistically different (p > 0.05), however, both were slightly better than $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{Vess}}}$$

M
Vess

by DSC up to 0.02. The final model, $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{seg}}+{\text{spleen}}}$$

M

seg
+
spleen

, showed a mean DSC of 0.89, 0.82, 0.88, 0.87, 0.96, and 0.95 for segments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5–8, and spleen, respectively on entire test sets. Qualitatively, more than 85% of cases showed a Likert score $$\ge$$
≥
3 on test sets. Our final model provides clinically acceptable contours of liver segments and spleen which are usable in treatment planning.
Odor identification score as an alternative method for early identification of amyloidogenesis in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Igeta Yukifusa , Hemmi Isao , Yuyama Kohei , Ouchi Yasuyoshi
Published: February 2024

A simple screening test to identify the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is urgently needed. We investigated whether odor identification impairment can be used to differentiate between stages of the A/T/N classification (amyloid,  tau, neurodegeneration) in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or AD and in healthy controls. We collected data from 132 Japanese participants visiting the Toranomon Hospital dementia outpatient clinic. The odor identification scores correlated significantly with major neuropsychological scores, regardless of apolipoprotein E4 status, and with effective cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers [amyloid β 42 (Aβ42) and the Aβ42/40 and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau)/Aβ42 ratios] but not with ineffective biomarkers [Aβ40 and the p-Tau/total Tau ratio]. A weak positive correlation was observed between the corrected odor identification score (adjusted for age, sex, ApoE4 and MMSE), CSF Aβ42, and the Aβ42/40 ratio. The odor identification score demonstrated excellent discriminative power for the amyloidogenesis stage , according to the A/T/N classification, but was unsuitable for differentiating between the p-Tau accumulation and the neurodegeneration stages. After twelve odor species were analyzed, a version of the score comprising only four odors—India ink, wood, curry, and sweaty socks—proved highly effective in identifying AD amyloidogenesis, showing promise for the screening of preclinical AD.
Microplastic separation and enrichment in microchannels under derivative electric field gradient by bipolar electrode reactions
Authors: Sun Zhenrong , Ma Chicheng , Yu Chengjiao , Li Zirui
Published: February 2024

The decomposed plastic products in the natural environment evolve into tiny plastic particles with characteristics such as small size, lightweight, and difficulty in removal, resulting in a significant pollution issue in aquatic environments. Significant progress has been made in microplastic separation technology benefiting from microfluidic chips in recent years. Based on the mechanisms of microfluidic control technology, this study investigates the enrichment and separation mechanisms of polystyrene particles in an unbuffered solution. The Faraday reaction caused by the bipolar electrodes changes the electric field gradient and improves the separation efficiency. We also propose  an evaluation scheme to measure the separation efficiency. Finite element simulations are conducted to parametrically analyze the influence of applied voltages, channel geometry, and size of electrodes on plastic particle separation. The numerical cases indicate that the electrode-installed microfluidic channels separate microplastic particles effectively and precisely. The electrodes play an important role in local electric field distribution and trigger violent chemical reactions. By optimizing the microchannel structure, applied voltages, and separation channel angle, an optimal solution for separating microplastic particles can be found. This study could supply some references to control microplastic pollution in the future.
Combinatorial characterization of metastable luminous silver cations
Authors: Masai Hirokazu , Koshimizu Masanori , Kawamoto Hiroki , Setoyama Hiroyuki , Onodera Yohei , Ikeda Kazutaka , Maruyama Shingo , Haruta Naoki , Sato Tohru , Matsumoto Yuji , Takahashi Chika , Mizoguchi Teruyasu
Published: February 2024

Thermodynamically metastable glasses that can contain metastable species are important functional materials. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy is an effective technique for determining the valence states of cations, especially for the doping element in phosphors. Herein, we first confirm the valence change of silver cations from monovalent to trivalent in aluminophosphate glasses by X-ray irradiation using a combination of Ag L3-edge XANES, electron spin resonance, and simulated XANES spectra based on first-principles calculations. The absorption edge of the experimental and simulated XANES spectra demonstrate the spectral features of Ag(III), confirming that AgO exists as Ag(I)Ag(III)O2. A part of Ag(I) changes to Ag(III) by X-ray irradiation, and the generation of Ag(III) is saturated after high irradiation doses, in good agreement with conventional radiophotoluminescence (RPL) behaviour. The structural modelling based on a combination of quantum beam analysis suggests that the local coordination of Ag cations is similar to that of Ag(III), which is confirmed by density functional theory calculations. This demonstration of Ag(III) in glass overturns the conventional understanding of the RPL mechanism of silver cations, redefining the science of silver-related materials.
The effect of glycosylated hemoglobin levels on the response to intravitreal dexamethasone implant for treating diabetic macular edema
Authors: Lee Hyuk Jun , Bae Kunho , Yoon Chang Ki , Park Un Chul , Park Kyu Hyung , Lee Eun Kyoung
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the impact of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) on the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implants in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) over a 12-month period. We retrospectively reviewed 90 DME patients treated with DEX implants, categorizing them based on baseline HbA1c levels (≤ 7% and > 7%) and 12-month changes in HbA1c ("improved", "stable", "worsened"). At the 2-month mark, the mean central subfield thickness (CST) reduction in the HbA1c ≤ 7% group was − 147.22 ± 113.79 µm compared to -130.41 ± 124.50 µm in the > 7% group (p = 0.506). Notably, 12-month outcomes between these groups showed no significant difference. The "improved" HbA1c subgroup experienced a more pronounced CST reduction at 2 months (p = 0.042), with outcomes leveling off with other groups by 12 months. Conclusively, DEX implant outcomes in DME were not influenced by either baseline HbA1c levels or their changes over time. This suggests that local alterations in the inflammation milieu may have a potentially stronger impact on DME treatment outcomes, highlighting the importance of considering local factors in DME treatment.
Isolation and encapsulation of bacteriophage with chitosan nanoparticles for biocontrol of multidrug-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from broiler poultry farms
Authors: Elsayed Mona M. , Elkenany Rasha M. , EL-Khateeb Ayman Y. , Nabil Nehal M. , Tawakol Maram M. , Hassan Heba M.
Published: February 2024

This study was divided into two parts. The first part, the determination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence in 25 broiler chicken farms, with the detection of multidrug resistant MRSA strains. The prevalence of MRSA was 31.8% (159 out of 500 samples) at the level of birds and it was 27% (27 out of 100) in the environmental samples. The highest antimicrobial resistance of the recovered MRSA strains was recorded to streptomycin (96%). All isolates (100%) had multidrug resistance (MDR) to four or more antibiotics with 16 distinct antibiotic resistant patterns, and multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) of 0.4–1. The second part, implementing novel biocontrol method for the isolated multidrug resistant MRSA strains through the isolation of its specific phage and detection of its survival rate at different pH and temperature degrees and lytic activity with and without encapsulation by chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs). Encapsulated and non-encapsulated MRSA phages were characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM). Encapsulation of MRSA phage with CS-NPs increasing its lytic activity and its resistance to adverse conditions from pH and temperature. The findings of this study suggested that CS-NPs act as a protective barrier for MRSA phage for the control of multidrug resistant MRSA in broiler chicken farms.
Ciprofloxacin loaded PEG coated ZnO nanoparticles with enhanced antibacterial and wound healing effects
Authors: Ibne Shoukani Hussan , Nisa Sobia , Bibi Yamin , Zia Muhammad , Sajjad Anila , Ishfaq Afsheen , Ali Hussain
Published: February 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide health problem that demands alternative antibacterial strategies. Modified nano-composites can be an effective strategy as compared to traditional medicine. The current study was designed to develop a biocompatible nano-drug delivery system with increased efficacy of current therapeutics for biomedical applications. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized by chemical and green methods by mediating with Moringa olifera root extract. The ZnO–NPs were further modified by drug conjugation and coating with PEG (CIP-PEG-ZnO-NPs) to enhance their therapeutic potential. PEGylated ZnO-ciprofloxacin nano-conjugates were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. During antibacterial screenings chemically and green synthesized CIP-PEG-ZnO-NPs revealed significant activity against clinically isolated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The sustainable and prolonged release of antibiotics was noted from the CIP–PEG conjugated ZnO-NPs. The synthesized nanoparticles were found compatible with RBCs and Baby hamster kidney cell lines (BHK21) during hemolytic and MTT assays respectively. Based on initial findings a broad-spectrum nano-material was developed and tested for biomedical applications that eradicated Staphylococcus aureus from the infectious site and showed wound-healing effects during in vivo applications. ZnO-based nano-drug carrier can offer targeted drug delivery, and improved drug stability and efficacy resulting in better drug penetration.
When temporal attention interacts with expectation
Authors: Duyar Aysun , Ren Shiyang , Carrasco Marisa
Published: February 2024

Temporal attention is voluntarily deployed at specific moments, whereas temporal expectation is deployed according to timing probabilities. When the target appears at an expected moment in a sequence, temporal attention improves performance at the attended moments, but the timing and the precision of the attentional window remain unknown. Here we independently and concurrently manipulated temporal attention–via behavioral relevance–and temporal expectation–via session-wise precision and trial-wise hazard rate–to investigate whether and how these mechanisms interact to improve perception. Our results reveal that temporal attention interacts with temporal expectation–the higher the precision, the stronger the attention benefit, but surprisingly this benefit decreased with delayed onset despite the increasing probability of stimulus appearance. When attention was suboptimally deployed to earlier than expected moments, it could not be reoriented to a later time point. These findings provide evidence that temporal attention and temporal expectation are different mechanisms, and highlight their interplay in optimizing visual performance.
Integrated transcriptomics and proteomics analysis reveals muscle metabolism effects of dietary Ulva lactuca and ulvan lyase supplementation in weaned piglets
Authors: Ribeiro David Miguel , Coelho Diogo , Costa Mónica , Carvalho Daniela Filipa Pires , Leclercq Céline C. , Renaut Jenny , Freire João Pedro Bengala , Almeida André Martinho , Mestre Prates José António
Published: February 2024

Seaweeds, including the green Ulva lactuca, can potentially reduce competition between feed, food, and fuel. They can also contribute to the improved development of weaned piglets. However, their indigestible polysaccharides of the cell wall pose a challenge. This can be addressed through carbohydrase supplementation, such as the recombinant ulvan lyase. The objective of our study was to assess the muscle metabolism of weaned piglets fed with 7% U. lactuca and 0.01% ulvan lyase supplementation, using an integrated transcriptomics (RNA-seq) and proteomics (LC–MS) approach. Feeding piglets with seaweed and enzyme supplementation resulted in reduced macronutrient availability, leading to protein degradation through the proteasome (PSMD2), with resulting amino acids being utilized as an energy source (GOT2, IDH3B). Moreover, mineral element accumulation may have contributed to increased oxidative stress, evident from elevated levels of antioxidant proteins like catalase, as a response to maintaining tissue homeostasis. The upregulation of the gene AQP7, associated with the osmotic stress response, further supports these findings. Consequently, an increase in chaperone activity, including HSP90, was required to repair damaged proteins. Our results suggest that enzymatic supplementation may exacerbate the effects observed from feeding U. lactuca alone, potentially due to side effects of cell wall degradation during digestion.
Occupational stress and musculoskeletal disorders in firefighters: the mediating effect of depression and job burnout
Authors: Khoshakhlagh Amir Hossein , Al Sulaie Saleh , Mirzahosseininejad Marziyeh , Yazdanirad Saeid , Orr Robin Marc , Laal Fereydoon , Bamel Umesh
Published: February 2024

The firefighting profession carries a heightened risk of musculoskeletal disorders. A firefighter’s job is physically demanding and includes activities such as running, climbing, dragging, and lifting. Often, these tasks are unpredictable, performed in harsh environments, and have been found to cause psychological stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational stress on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) in firefighters. In addition, the mediating effects of depression and job burnout on proposed relationships were examined. Data informing this study were collected using a survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire included the Beck Depression Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Inventory (PCL), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling approach in AMOS. The results of the 2339 responding firefighters suggest that work related stress is positively related to WRMSDs in firefighters and can lead to musculoskeletal symptoms through four paths, being emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, CES-D total score, and depersonalization. Through depersonalization, job stress had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.053). Furthermore, the results showed that post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) can affect musculoskeletal symptoms through ten paths, again through depersonalization, PTSD had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.141). The results of this study suggest that organizations should design interventions and policies to prevent and manage occupational stress, depression, and job burnout to negate its undesired consequences on firefighters’ health (i.e. WRMSD).
Leveraging generative AI to prioritize drug repurposing candidates for Alzheimer’s disease with real-world clinical validation
Authors: Yan Chao , Grabowska Monika E. , Dickson Alyson L. , Li Bingshan , Wen Zhexing , Roden Dan M. , Michael Stein C. , Embí Peter J. , Peterson Josh F. , Feng QiPing , Malin Bradley A. , Wei Wei-Qi
Published: February 2024

Drug repurposing represents an attractive alternative to the costly and time-consuming process of new drug development, particularly for serious, widespread conditions with limited effective treatments, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Emerging generative artificial intelligence (GAI) technologies like ChatGPT offer the promise of expediting the review and summary of scientific knowledge. To examine the feasibility of using GAI for identifying drug repurposing candidates, we iteratively tasked ChatGPT with proposing the twenty most promising drugs for repurposing in AD, and tested the top ten for risk of incident AD in exposed and unexposed individuals over age 65 in two large clinical datasets: (1) Vanderbilt University Medical Center and (2) the All of Us Research Program. Among the candidates suggested by ChatGPT, metformin, simvastatin, and losartan were associated with lower AD risk in meta-analysis. These findings suggest GAI technologies can assimilate scientific insights from an extensive Internet-based search space, helping to prioritize drug repurposing candidates and facilitate the treatment of diseases.
Glycogen deficiency enhances carbon partitioning into glutamate for an alternative extracellular metabolic sink in cyanobacteria
Authors: Kato Yuichi , Hidese Ryota , Matsuda Mami , Ohbayashi Ryudo , Ashida Hiroki , Kondo Akihiko , Hasunuma Tomohisa
Published: February 2024

Glycogen serves as a metabolic sink in cyanobacteria. Glycogen deficiency causes the extracellular release of distinctive metabolites such as pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate upon nitrogen depletion; however, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of carbon partitioning in glycogen-deficient cyanobacteria. Extracellular and intracellular metabolites in a glycogen-deficient ΔglgC mutant of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 were comprehensively analyzed. In the presence of a nitrogen source, the ΔglgC mutant released extracellular glutamate rather than pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate, whereas its intracellular glutamate level was lower than that in the wild-type strain. The de novo synthesis of glutamate increased in the ΔglgC mutant, suggesting that glycogen deficiency enhanced carbon partitioning into glutamate and extracellular excretion through an unidentified transport system. This study proposes a model in which glutamate serves as the prime extracellular metabolic sink alternative to glycogen when nitrogen is available.
Futuristic Alzheimer's therapy: acoustic-stimulated piezoelectric nanospheres for amyloid reduction
Authors: Sharma Manju , Choudhury Samraggi , Babu Anand , Gupta Varun , Sengupta Dipanjan , Ali Syed Afroz , Dhokne Mrunali D. , Datusalia Ashok Kumar , Mandal Dipankar , Panda Jiban Jyoti
Published: February 2024

The graphical abstract portraying the utility of peizoactive polydopamine-coated PVDF nanospheres as potential therapeutic modalities for Alzheimer's disease. The nanospheres induced fibril disaggregation and neuroprotection upon acoustic activation in neural cells and animal model.
On transient absorption and dual emission of the atomically precise, DNA-stabilized silver nanocluster Ag16Cl2
Authors: Malola Sami , Häkkinen Hannu
Published: February 2024

DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters with 10 to 30 silver atoms are interesting biocompatible nanomaterials with intriguing fluorescence properties.
Silver(i)-catalyzed highly para-selective phosphonation of 2-aryloxazolines
Authors: Cui Peng-Cheng , Wang Guan-Wu
Published: February 2024

A silver-catalyzed highly para-selective phosphonation of 2-aryloxazolines has been achieved.
The influence of the molecular chain length of PVA on the toughening mechanism of calcium silicate hydrates
Authors: Cheng Luqing , Zhou Yang , Zhang Hao , Xiao Shuai , Li Weihuan , Chen Wentao
Published: February 2024

This study employs molecular dynamics techniques to examine the impact of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) chain length on the tensile performance and toughening mechanism of C–S–H.
Kinetic energy distributions of atomic ions from disintegration of argon containing nanoclusters in moderately intense nanosecond laser fields: Coulomb explosion or hydrodynamic expansion
Authors: Tran Steven , Tran Kim C. , Saenz Rodriguez Axel , Kong Wei
Published: February 2024

Derived from time-of-flight profiles, kinetic energy distributions of multiply charged atomic ions from interactions of moderately intense nanosecond laser fields with argon clusters confirm the Coulomb explosion nature of cluster disintegration.
FSL-CP: a benchmark for small molecule activity few-shot prediction using cell microscopy images
Authors: Ha Son V. , Leuschner Lucas , Czodrowski Paul
Published: February 2024

A benchmark of different methods for few-shot prediction of small molecule activity using cell painting data.
A frontier-orbital view of the initial steps of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase reactions
Authors: Wieduwilt Erna Katharina , Lo Leggio Leila , Hedegård Erik Donovan
Published: February 2024

The copper enzymes lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) oxidatively cleave strong C–H bonds in recalcitrant polysaccharide substrates. Based on crystal structures, we analyse the roles of the priming reduction, substrate and H2O2 binding.
Combined biological contact oxidation pool process to treat black-odor waterbodies
Authors: Li Xin , Huang Yongbing , Shi Yifan , Cheng Geli , Niyaziihan Zieryeke
Published: February 2024

The treatment process of black odorous water bodies.
Robust hydrogel sensor with good mechanical properties, conductivity, anti-swelling ability, water tolerance and biocompatibility
Authors: Xu Airong , Sun Tiantian , Liu Rukuan , Li Liuzemu , Gong Yiming , Xiao Zhihong
Published: February 2024

Versatile PVA/SG conductive hydrogel with robust mechanical properties, high conductivity, excellent anti-swelling ability, water tolerance, biocompatibility and sensitivity can monitor human joint motions and simulate human skin for writing text on a mobile phone screen.
Assessment of matrix effects induced by chloride, sulfate and dissolved organic carbon during Si isotope measurements by MC-ICP-MS under wet plasma conditions
Authors: López-Urzúa Sofía , Luu Tu-Han , Derry Louis
Published: February 2024

This study demonstrates that silicon isotope measurement under wet plasma shows larger tolerance to sample-based matrix effects caused by anions and dissolved organic carbon compared to dry plasma.
Application of biodegradable microsphere injections: an anticancer perspective
Authors: Cai Huanhuan , Li Aixue , Qi Fu , Liu Rongmei , Tang Xiaomeng , Li Dan , Gu Yongwei , Liu Jiyong
Published: February 2024

Carrier materials for biodegradable microsphere injections and their application in cancer.
Augmenting the performance of thermally deoxygenated graphite oxide supercapacitor electrodes using 6 M KOH electrolyte with K3Fe(CN)6 redox additive
Authors: M S Arsha , V Biju
Published: February 2024

This study focuses on enhancing the performance of thermally deoxygenated graphite oxide (TDGO) supercapacitor electrodes by incorporating a redox additive viz., 0.03 M K3Fe(CN)6 in 6 M KOH.
Bio-inspired facile strategy for programmable osmosis-driven shape-morphing elastomer composite structures
Authors: Yang Yuanhang , Wang Yueying , Lin Marcus , Liu Mingchao , Huang Changjin
Published: February 2024

A polymer composite composed of Ecoflex elastomer and salt particles exhibits extremely large swelling in aqueous solution driven by osmosis and demonstrates its application as active components for various shape-morphing structures.
Exploring co-crystallisation as a technique for taste-masking of nevirapine
Authors: Shen Yichun , Aucamp Marique , Abdelhakim Hend E. , Li Xiunan , Ghazali Yusuf , Edkins Katharina
Published: February 2024

The supramolecular aggregation of drug and co-former after co-crystal dissolution influences the taste of the material and offers a route to taste-masking of bitter drugs.
Enhanced photoelectrochemical hydrogen production via linked BiVO4 nanoparticles on anodic WO3 nanocoral structures
Authors: Park Eunoak , Yoo JeongEun , Lee Kiyoung
Published: February 2024

In this study, heterostructured BiVO4/WO3 with linked BiVO4 nanoparticles and anodic WO3 nanocorals was fabricated. This heterostructure shows enhanced photoelectrochemical performances, especially, in H2 production.
Fluorinated carbon encapsulated NiO cluster/TiO2 nanotubes as a robust photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Yuan Lihong , Wang Panpan , Niu Chunyao , Sun Chenghua , Caruso Rachel A. , Zhang Xiao Li
Published: February 2024

Theoretical predictions directed modulations on work function, kinetics of interfacial charge transfer and surface hydrogen binding from NiO cluster and highly electronegative surface encapsulation allow significant increases in HER performance.
Disentangling the molecular polarizability and first hyperpolarizability of methanol–air interfaces
Authors: Ramos Tárcius N. , Champagne Benoît
Published: February 2024

Modeling the interfacial selective first hyperpolarizability at methanol–air interfaces was successfully achieved using the sequential molecular dynamics and quantum chemistry approach.
Conditions for the efficiency of optical limiting based on experiment and quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Tolbin Alexander Yu. , Savelyev Mikhail S. , Vasilevsky Pavel N. , Gerasimenko Alexander Yu.
Published: February 2024

The advanced algorithm CORRELATO has allowed the derivation of analytical expressions characterizing the efficiency of optical limiting to protect eyes against laser radiation.
Effect off-element complexation on the radiolysis of 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (HEH[EHP])
Authors: Mezyk Stephen P. , Baxter Makayla , Celis-Barros Cristian , Grimes Travis S. , Zalupski Peter R. , Rae Cathy , Zarzana Christopher A. , Cook Andrew R. , Horne Gregory P.
Published: February 2024

Complexation off-elements by 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (HEH[EHP]) promoted significantly enhanced radiation-induced chemical reactivity resulting in accelerated HEH[EHP] degradation.
Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages
Authors: Patriarca Marina , Barlow Nicola , Cross Alan , Hill Sarah , Robson Anna , Tyson Julian
Published: February 2024

This review discusses developments in elemental mass spectrometry, atomic absorption, emission and fluorescence, XRF and LIBS, as applied to the analysis of specimens of clinical interest, foods and beverages. Sample preparation procedures and quality assurance are also included.
Rationally constructing hollow N-doped carbon supported Ru catalysts for enhanced hydrogenation catalysis
Authors: Liu Tiantian , Li Jing , Yan Xiaorui , Li Kairui , Wang Wenhua , Wei Haisheng
Published: February 2024

The Ru catalyst with an interior cavity exhibits good performance due to its unique structure, promoting the mass transport and enrichment of reactants.
Improved and ligand-free copper-catalyzed cyclization for an efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles from o-bromoarylamine and nitriles
Authors: Bonku Emmanuel Mintah , Qin Hongjian , Odilov Abdullajon , Abduahadi Safomuddin , Guma Samuel Desta , Yang Feipu , Zhu Fuqiang , Aisa Haji A. , Shen Jingshan
Published: February 2024

A ligand-free copper-catalyzed cyclization method is shown for synthesizing benzimidazoles and optimized process of benzimidazoles from cheap o-bromoarylamine and nitriles.
Developing diluted low-concentration electrolyte with a high anion-to-solvent ratio for high-voltage lithium metal batteries
Authors: Li Chengzong , Li Yan , Wang Yan , Bai Fengwei , Chen Xiang , Li Tao
Published: February 2024

The most positive surface potential (ESPmax) of a diluent can be taken as a descriptor for its anti-solvating power, which guides the rational design of diluted low-concentration electrolyte (DLCE) with a high anion-to-solvent ratio.
Ethically Responsible Participant Selection in Research: A Viewpoint
Authors: Irizarry-Pérez Carlos D. , Fabiano Leah , Martinez-Fisher Andrea
Published: February 2024

Purpose:

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the profession of speech and hearing sciences. However, there exist significant discrepancies between the demographics of our members and the populations served. These discrepancies extend to the participants included within our research publications. This article addresses participant selection when conducting research investigations. First, we draw attention to standards of conduct that are present within and outside the field. Second, we highlight inequities that exist. We explore a case study as an example. Finally, we offer suggestions to help rectify the problem.

Conclusions:

Inequities at the level of participants' selection result in discrepant access to clinical services and evidence-based research for multilingual individuals; neurodiverse individuals; and Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities. ASHA and researchers alike can show commitment to DEI by addressing this problem from multiple approaches.
A pilot protection scheme based on high‐frequency transient current waveform similarity for AC lines connected to HVDC inverter station
Authors: Duan Jiandong , Song Wenqiang , Du Xiaotong , Zhao Yuhang
Published: February 2024

Affected by inverter station commutation failure and fast control, line fault characteristics are obviously different from traditional AC transmission line fault characteristics. The existing protection methods for AC line connected to line commutated converter based high voltage DC (LCC‐HVDC) inverter station (ACLs) have the problems of complex setting, weak anti‐noise and high demand for data synchronization. This paper proposes a pilot protection scheme based on high‐frequency transient current waveform similarity. Firstly, with analyzing the fault traveling wave propagation process, the obvious differences are found in the transient current waveforms at both ends of the line when internal and external faults occur. Then the similarity of transient current waveforms is measured with the improved longest common similar subsequence (LCSS) method. And the weak high‐frequency current is extracted with the improved synchronous squeezed S‐transform (SST) method. Finally, a large number of power systems computer aided design (PSCAD) simulation results show that the proposed protection method does not require strict data synchronization, has strong anti‐noise performance, and is tolerant to the influence of abnormal point fluctuations.
Testing analytical methods to derive the cosmic-ray ionisation rate in cold regions via synthetic observations
Authors: Redaelli E. , Bovino S. , Lupi A. , Grassi T. , Gaete-Espinoza D. , Sabatini G. , Caselli P.
Published: February 2024

Context. Cosmic rays (CRs) heavily impact the chemistry and physics of cold and dense star-forming regions. However, the characterisation of their ionisation rate continues to pose a challenge from the observational point of view.

Aims. In the past, a few analytical formulas have been proposed to infer the cosmic-ray ionisation rate, ζ2, from molecular line observations. These have been derived from the chemical kinetics of the involved species, but they have not yet been validated using synthetic data processed with a standard observative pipeline. In this work, we aim to bridge this gap.

Methods. We performed a radiative transfer on a set of three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamical simulations of prestellar cores, exploring different initial ζ2, evolutionary stages, types of radiative transfer (for instance assuming local-thermodynamic-equilibrium conditions), and telescope responses. We then computed the column densities of the involved tracers to determine ζ2, employing a recently proposed method based on the detection of H2D+. We compared this approach with a previous method, based on more common tracers. Both approaches are commonly used.

Results. Our results confirm that the equation based on the detection of H2D+ accurately retrieves the actual ζ2 within a factor of two to three in the physical conditions explored in our tests. Since we have also explored a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) radiative transfer, this work indirectly offers insights into the excitation temperatures of common transitions at moderate volume densities (n ≈ 105 cm−3). We also performed a few tests using a previous methodology that is independent of H2D+, which overestimates the actual ζ2 by at least two orders of magnitude. We considered a new derivation of this method, however, we found that it still leads to high over-estimations.

Conclusions. The method based on H2D+ is further validated in this work and demonstrates a reliable method for estimating ζ2 in cold and dense gas. On the contrary, the former analytical equation, as already pointed out by its authors, has no global domain of application. Thus, we find that it ought to be employed with caution.
Les mines : enjeu de la transition écologique ? Un colloque au centre à Paris de l’Université de Chicago
Authors: Halloy José , Vidal Florian
Published: February 2024

Le colloque « Les mines : enjeu de la transition écologique ? » a été organisé par José Halloy et Florian Vidal, le 23 septembre 2021 au centre à Paris de l’Université de Chicago. L’objectif de cette demi-journée de discussions était d’initier une première rencontre interdisciplinaire sur la problématique minière à l’aune de la transition écologique et des changements globaux. Dans ce contexte, le débat autour des activités minières ouvre frontalement la question des ressources et du modèle sociotechnique de nos sociétés dans l’Anthropocène. C’est aussi le moment de réfléchir aux conditions de la recherche interdisciplinaire en France. Nous présentons dans ce compte rendu le contexte scientifique qui a stimulé ce colloque, l’apport des différentes interventions et les suites à donner à ces échanges.
Liebe Leserinnen, liebe Leser…
Authors: Heinrich Michael
Published: February 2024

Phytotherapie 2024 und die digitalisierte Globalisierung

„Die Phytotherapie in Deutschland, der Schweiz und Österreich
steht 2024 vor anhaltenden Herausforderungen wie begrenzter Integration in die
konventionelle Medizin, unzureichender wissenschaftlicher Anerkennung und
regulatorischer Komplexität. Die Standardisierung von pflanzlichen
Präparaten und die Förderung von Forschung bleiben
Schlüsselthemen. Überwindung von Akzeptanzbarrieren und
Sensibilisierung für die Vorteile pflanzlicher Heilmethoden sind
weiterhin erforderlich, um die Phytotherapie als etablierte und respektierte
Heilpraxis zu stärken“.
Atypische Schwellung des medialen Augenwinkels: Fallbericht von einem invertierten Papillom des Tränenapparats und Literaturrecherche
Authors: Molteni Gabriele , Laura Elisa , Ronzani Guglielmo , Sacchetto Andrea , Marchioni Daniele
Published: February 2024

Hintergrund Ein invertiertes Papillom (IP) des Tränenapparats ist eine seltene Erkrankung, und heutzutage gehen keine Risikofaktoren aus der Literatur hervor.

Anamnese Nach einem chemischen Trauma entwickelte sich eine schmerzlose, wachsende mediale Lidschwellung, begleitet von Epiphora.

Befund Endoskopie, Computertomografie und Magnetresonanztomografie wiesen eine definierte Läsion im linken Fossa Lacrimalis aus, die sich bis zum Tränenweg erstreckte.

Therapie Der Patient unterzog sich einem endoskopischen Eingriff mit einer Dakryozystorhinostomie.

Schlussfolgerung Der hier berichtete Fallbericht zeigt eine atypische Lokalisation eines weltbekannten Tumors mit einem verdächtigen Risikofaktor, damit jeder HNO ein IP des Tränenapparats unter irgendwelchen Anschwellungen der lateralen Nasenwand ins Auge fasst.
Retrospective evaluation of interventional radiological treatments for chronic mesenteric ischemia in Germany based on a four-year period of the DeGIR Registry: comparison of outcomes with international quality standards
Authors: Bastian Moritz B. , Wessendorf Joel , Scheschenja Michael , König Alexander Marc , Nadjiri Jonathan , Mahnken Andreas H.
Published: February 2024

Purpose Endovascular treatment has emerged as the gold standard for managing chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) resulting from arterial stenosis or occlusion. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and complication rates of continuous interventional radiology treatment for CMI in Germany between 2018 and 2021, comparing these findings with international quality standards.

Materials and Methods Data for CMI therapy with stenting and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was obtained from the quality management system of the German Interventional Radiological Society (DeGIR). A total of 3752 endovascular procedures for CMI performed from 2018 to 2021 were documented (PTA: n = 675; stenting: n = 3077). Data was analyzed for technical and clinical success rates, as well as major complication rates.

Results Overall technical and clinical success rates for PTA and stenting procedures were 92.03 %/85.9 % and 98.76 %/96.62 %, respectively. The most common major complications were: arterial occlusion (PTA: 0.73 %; stenting: 0.63), major bleeding (PTA: 1.05 %; stenting: 0.68 %), aneurysm formation (PTA: 0.29 %; stenting: 0.72 %), stent dislodgment (PTA: 0 %; stenting: 0.06 %), and organ failure (PTA: 0.43 %; stenting: 0.96 %). Technical and clinical success rates were higher, while complication rates were lower than the corresponding threshold recommended by the Society of Interventional Radiology for the percutaneous management of chronic mesenteric ischemia.

Conclusion Treatment of CMI performed by interventional radiologists in Germany is safe and effective during daily and on-call shifts with results exceeding internationally accepted standards.

Key Points 

Citation Format
Cannabinoide Arzneimittel bei Krebspatient*innen
Authors: Herdegen Thomas
Published: February 2024

Medikamente, die die therapeutisch relevanten Inhaltsstoffe des Cannabis,
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) und Cannabidiol (CBD), enthalten, kommen bei
Krebspatient*innen zum Einsatz, um zum Beispiel Krankheitssymptome wie Schmerzen
oder Nebenwirkungen der Therapien zu lindern sowie die Lebensqualität zu
verbessern. Die Studienlage rechtfertigt die Anwendung von cannabinoiden
Arzneimitteln als Add-on-Therapie bei einem Total-Pain-Syndrom sowie Übelkeit,
Appetitlosigkeit, Schlaflosigkeit, erhöhtem Muskeltonus, Stress, depressiven
Verstimmungen, Ängstlichkeit und fehlender Distanzierung zum
Krankheitsgeschehen. Erste Hinweise deuten zudem auf eine mögliche
Anti-Tumor-Wirkung dieser Arzneimittel hin.
Impact of Congenital Heart Disease on the Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Chen Xuxin , Bhombal Shazia , Kwiatkowski David M. , Ma Michael , Chock Valerie Y.
Published: February 2024

Objective This study aimed to investigate the association of congenital heart disease (CHD) with morbidity and mortality of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Study Design This matched case–control study included VLBW infants born at a single institution between 2001 and 2015. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes included necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sepsis, retinopathy of prematurity, and intraventricular hemorrhage. These outcomes were assessed by comparing VLBW-CHDs with control VLBW infants matched by gestational age within a week, birth weight within 500 g, sex, and birth date within a year using conditional logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed differences in outcomes in the VLBW-CHD group between two birth periods (2001–2008 and 2009–2015) to account for changes in practice.

Results In a cohort of 44 CHD infants matched with 88 controls, the mortality rate was 27% in infants with CHD and 1% in controls (p < 0.0001). The VLBW-CHDs had increased BPD; (odds ratio [OR]: 7.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.96–30.29) and sepsis (OR: 10.59, 95% CI: 2.99–37.57) compared with the control VLBWs. When adjusted for preoperative ventilator use, the VLBW-CHDs still had significantly higher odds of BPD (OR: 6.97, 95% CI: 1.73–28.04). VLBW-CHDs also had significantly higher odds of both presumed and culture-positive sepsis as well as late-onset sepsis than their matched controls. There were no significant differences in outcomes between the two birth periods.

Conclusion VLBW-CHDs showed higher odds of BPD, sepsis, and mortality than VLBW infants without CHD. Future research should focus on the increased mortality and specific complications encountered by VLBW infants with CHD and implement targeted strategies to address these risks.

Key Points
COBRAs and virality: viral campaign values on consumer behaviour
Authors: Dinh Thi Cam Tu , Lee Yoonjae
Published: February 2024

In the digital marketing era, a viral brand campaign is a potent marketing tool for a brand, enabling it to derive multiple benefits through rapid and widespread information diffusion. Despite the important role of brand viral campaigns, existing studies have minimally explored the effect of viral campaign values on consumer behaviours, especially on a set of consumers’ online brand-related activities (COBRAs). Therefore, this study bridges this gap by proposing a detailed framework to measure the impact of viral campaigns on COBRAs through the aspects of medium, content, and interaction. To investigate this phenomenon, a survey was conducted with 409 respondents from the US, employing partial least-squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that six values of brand viral campaigns, including ease of browsing, hedonic value, functional value, aesthetic value, social interaction, and self-identity, significantly motivate consumers to actively engage in COBRAs. By examining COBRAs’ motivations in the viral brand campaign context, this study expands the existing literature with a comprehensive model of campaign values. Furthermore, by elucidating the impact of each campaign value on COBRAs, this study offers valuable insights to marketers and suggests effective strategies to engage consumers with brands.
Global forecasts in reservoir computers
Authors: Harding S. , Leishman Q. , Lunceford W. , Passey D. J. , Pool T. , Webb B.
Published: February 2024

A reservoir computer is a machine learning model that can be used to predict the future state(s) of time-dependent processes, e.g., dynamical systems. In practice, data in the form of an input-signal are fed into the reservoir. The trained reservoir is then used to predict the future state of this signal. We develop a new method for not only predicting the future dynamics of the input-signal but also the future dynamics starting at an arbitrary initial condition of a system. The systems we consider are the Lorenz, Rossler, and Thomas systems restricted to their attractors. This method, which creates a global forecast, still uses only a single input-signal to train the reservoir but breaks the signal into many smaller windowed signals. We examine how well this windowed method is able to forecast the dynamics of a system starting at an arbitrary point on a system’s attractor and compare this to the standard method without windows. We find that the standard method has almost no ability to forecast anything but the original input-signal while the windowed method can capture the dynamics starting at most points on an attractor with significant accuracy.
Magnetic hyperthermia in tissue-like media: Finite element simulation, experimental validation, parametric variations, and calibration studies
Authors: Lahiri B. B. , Khan Fouzia , Mahendravada Srujana , Sathyanarayana A. T. , Ranoo Surojit , Nandy Manali , Philip John
Published: February 2024

We report the experimental characterization and finite element modeling of magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) in tissue-like media using tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide coated superparamagnetic iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of size ∼19.6 ± 1.2 nm, prepared using a co-precipitation technique. MFH properties are probed for the MNPs in ∼1 wt. % agar, resembling the tumor and surrounding normal tissues. The field-induced temperature rise (ΔT) is experimentally measured in real-time utilizing an infrared camera. A finite element model (FEM) is utilized to simulate the spatiotemporal variations in the thermal profiles, which are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. FEM-based parametric studies reveal that the thermal conductivity of the medium is the most significant parameter influencing the thermal profiles. The spatiotemporal variations in the thermal profiles are numerically studied for seven different tissues, and the obtained results indicate the highest ΔT for the breast tissue in the tumor and the surrounding regions, which is due to the lowest volumetric specific heat and the highest thermal conductivity of the breast tissue, respectively. Numerical studies on the thermal profiles for sub-surface tumors with parametrically varying depths indicate a strong exponential correlation between the surface and tumor temperature, where the regression coefficients are found to be correlated with the thermo-physical properties of the tissues. The obtained findings are beneficial for developing a simplistic and easily deployable framework for a priori generation of the thermal profiles for various tissues during MFH, which is useful for appropriate planning and parameter selection for MFH-based therapy.
Local temperature control of magnon frequency and direction of supercurrents in a magnon Bose–Einstein condensate
Authors: Schweizer Matthias R. , Kühn Franziska , L'vov Victor S. , Pomyalov Anna , von Freymann Georg , Hillebrands Burkard , Serga Alexander A.
Published: February 2024

The creation of temperature variations in magnetization, and hence in the frequencies of the magnon spectrum in laser-heated regions of magnetic films, is an important method for studying Bose–Einstein condensation of magnons, magnon supercurrents, Bogoliubov waves, and similar phenomena. In our study, we demonstrate analytically, numerically, and experimentally that, in addition to the magnetization variations, it is necessary to consider the connected variations of the demagnetizing field. In the case of a heat-induced local minimum of the saturation magnetization, the combination of these two effects results in a local increase in the minimum frequency value of the magnon dispersion at which the Bose–Einstein condensate emerges. As a result, a magnon supercurrent directed away from the hot region is formed.