bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fashion leaders’ and followers’ attitudes towards exotic leather apparel products
Authors: Belleau Bonnie D. , Nowlin Kelly
Published: November 2002

The domestic exotic leather industry (for the purposes of this study exotic leather was defined as ostrich, emu and American alligator) has been in existence for many years, but much of the raw leather is exported, resulting in a loss of value added for America. The purpose of this study was to explore fashion leaders’ and followers’ attitudes towards exotic leather apparel products. The theoretical framework used for this study was Sproles’ model of fashion adoption (Sproles 1979). This study was part of a larger research project which was designed to segment the market, profile consumers of exotic leather apparel products and develop promotional strategies. A questionnaire, mailed to 800 fashion professionals in eight regional fashion centres across the country, yielded a 50 per cent return rate. Results indicated that the Sproles model was effective in describing and characterising fashion leaders (adopters) and followers (Sproles 1979). Fashion leaders had a more favourable attitude towards exotic leather apparel products, had a greater purchase intention of such products, had higher cognitive motivations, and had a different shopping orientation from followers. Leaders enjoyed shopping more and were not as cost‐conscious, traditional, or conservative as followers. Understanding the differences between fashion leaders and followers will only serve to enhance and contribute to the economic development of the domestic exotic leather industry.
Alternative approaches to supply chain compliance monitoring
Authors: Bremer Jenifer , Udovich John
Published: November 2002

Manufacturers of labour‐intensive, branded consumer goods – particularly apparel and footwear – are facing increasing pressure from consumer groups, non‐government organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders, to provide assurances that contracted suppliers in developing countries are complying with global labour and environmental standards. Companies have adopted a variety of strategies to strengthen and monitor compliance by their suppliers, including codes of conduct, direct monitoring by their own personnel, more stringent contract conditions, and reduction in the number of contractors. Increasingly, companies are turning to what are termed here “monitoring coalitions”, membership organisations that undertake to organise the monitoring of labour or other standards in overseas factories. To be effective, these emerging systems must address a range of issues, including how to manage the monitoring process, what standard to set, how to finance monitoring, how to disseminate the information collected, and, most difficult, how to accomplish costeffective monitoring in tens of thousands of production facilities in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Cognitive mapping: a tool to support strategic management
Authors: Tyler David
Published: November 2002

Posits that radical changes are required in attitudes of managers, supervisors and operators in the small business area of the textile business, also in clothing assembly, knitwear assembly, knitted fabric manufacture, spinning and carding. Considers the use of cognitive mapping to give support to strategy development involving managers of small businesses. Portrays two Figures with cognitive mapping highlighted. Concludes cognitive maps are a good foundation on which to build.
Identification and Characterization of Two Temperature-Induced Surface-Associated Proteins of
Streptococcus suis
with High Homologies to Members of the Arginine Deiminase System of
Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Winterhoff Nora , Goethe Ralph , Gruening Petra , Rohde Manfred , Kalisz Henryk , Smith Hilde E. , Valentin-Weigand Peter
Published: November 2002

The present study was performed to identify stress-induced putative virulence proteins of
Streptococcus suis
. For this, protein expression patterns of streptococci grown at 32, 37, and 42°C were compared by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Temperature shifts from 32 and 37 to 42°C induced expression of two cell wall-associated proteins with apparent molecular masses of approximately 47 and 53 kDa. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of the two proteins indicated homologies of the 47-kDa protein with an ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) from
Streptococcus pyogenes
and of the 53-kDa protein with the streptococcal acid glycoprotein (SAGP) from
S. pyogenes
, an arginine deiminase (AD) recently proposed as a putative virulence factor. Cloning and sequencing the genes encoding the putative OCT and AD of
S. suis
,
octS
and
adiS
, respectively, revealed that they had 81.2 (
octS
) and 80.2% (
adiS
) identity with the respective genes of
S. pyogenes
. Both genes belong to the AD system, also found in other bacteria. Southern hybridization analysis demonstrated the presence of the
adiS
gene in all 42 serotype 2 and 9
S. suis
strains tested. In 9 of these 42 strains, selected randomly, we confirmed expression of the AdiS protein, homologous to SAGP, by immunoblot analysis using a specific antiserum against the SAGP of
S. pyogenes
. In all strains AD activity was detected. Furthermore, by immunoelectron microscopy using the anti-
S. pyogenes
SAGP antiserum we were able to demonstrate that the AdiS protein is expressed on the streptococcal surface in association with the capsular polysaccharides but is not coexpressed with them.
Mutant Forms of theAzotobacter vinelandiiTranscriptional Activator NifA Resistant to Inhibition by the NifL Regulatory Protein
Authors: Reyes-Ramirez Francisca , Little Richard , Dixon Ray
Published: November 2002

TheAzotobacter vinelandiiσ54-dependent transcriptional activator protein NifA is regulated by the NifL protein in response to redox, carbon, and nitrogen status. Under conditions inappropriate for nitrogen fixation, NifL inhibits transcription activation by NifA through the formation of the NifL-NifA protein complex. NifL inhibits the ATPase activity of the central AAA+ domain of NifA required to drive open complex formation by σ54-RNA polymerase and may also inhibit the activator-polymerase interaction. To analyze the mechanism of inhibition in greater detail, we isolated NifA mutants which are resistant to the inhibitory action of NifL. Mutations in both the amino-terminal GAF domain and the catalytic AAA+ domain of NifA were isolated. Several mutants blocked inhibition by NifL in response to both nitrogen and redox status, whereas some of the mutant NifA proteins were apparently able to discriminate between the forms of NifL present under different environmental conditions. One mutant protein, NifA-Y254N, was resistant to NifL under conditions of anaerobic nitrogen excess but was relatively sensitive to NifL under aerobic growth conditions. The properties of the purified mutant protein in vitro were consistent with the in vivo phenotype and indicate that NifA-Y254N is not responsive to the nitrogen signal conveyed by the interaction of NifL withA. vinelandiiGlnK but is responsive to the oxidized form of NifL when ADP is present. Our observations suggest that different conformers of NifL may be generated in response to discrete signal transduction events and that both the GAF and AAA+ domains of NifA are involved in the response to NifL.
Isolation of Three New Surface Layer Protein Genes (
slp
) from
Lactobacillus brevis
ATCC 14869 and Characterization of the Change in Their Expression under Aerated and Anaerobic Conditions
Authors: Jakava-Viljanen Miia , Åvall-Jääskeläinen Silja , Messner Paul , Sleytr Uwe B. , Palva Airi
Published: November 2002

Two new surface layer (S-layer) proteins (SlpB and SlpD) were characterized, and three
slp
genes (
slpB
,
slpC
, and
slpD)
were isolated, sequenced, and studied for their expression in
Lactobacillus brevis
neotype strain ATCC 14869. Under different growth conditions,
L. brevis
strain 14869 was found to form two colony types, smooth (S) and rough (R), and to express the S-layer proteins differently. Under aerobic conditions R-colony type cells produced SlpB and SlpD proteins, whereas under anaerobic conditions S-colony type cells synthesized essentially only SlpB. Anaerobic and aerated cultivations of ATCC 14869 cells in rich medium also resulted in S-layer protein patterns similar to those of the S- and R-colony type cells, respectively. Electron microscopy suggested the presence of only a single S-layer with an oblique structure on the cells of both colony forms. The
slpB
and
slpC
genes were located adjacent to each other, whereas the
slpD
gene was not closely linked to the
slpB
-
slpC
gene region. Northern analyses confirmed that both
slpB
and
slpD
formed a monocistronic transcription unit and were effectively expressed, but
slpD
expression was induced under aerated conditions.
slpC
was a silent gene under the growth conditions tested. The amino acid contents of all the
L. brevis
ATCC 14869 S-layer proteins were typical of S-layer proteins, whereas their sequence similarities with other S-layer proteins were negligible. The interspecies identity of the
L. brevis
S-layer proteins was mainly restricted to the N-terminal regions of those proteins. Furthermore, Northern analyses, expression of a PepI reporter protein under the control of the
slpD
promoter, and quantitative real-time PCR analysis of
slpD
expression under aerated and anaerobic conditions suggested that, in
L. brevis
ATCC 14869, the variation of S-layer protein content involves activation of transcription by a soluble factor rather than DNA rearrangements that are typical for most of the S-layer phase variation mechanisms known.
Regulation of Expression of
mas
and
fadD28
, Two Genes Involved in Production of Dimycocerosyl Phthiocerol, a Virulence Factor of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Sirakova Tatiana D. , Fitzmaurice Ann Marie , Kolattukudy Pappachan
Published: November 2002

Transcriptional regulation of genes involved in the biosynthesis of cell wall lipids of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is poorly understood. The gene encoding mycocerosic acid synthase (
mas
) and
fadD28
, an adjoining acyl coenzyme A synthase gene, involved in the production of a virulence factor, dimycocerosyl phthiocerol, were cloned from
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG, and their promoters were analyzed. The putative promoters were fused to the
xylE
reporter gene, and its expression was measured in
Escherichia coli
,
Mycobacterium smegmatis
, and
M. bovis
BCG. In
E. coli
, the
fadD28
promoter was not functional but the
mas
promoter was functional. Both
fadD28
and
mas
promoters were functional in
M. smegmatis
, at approximately two- and sixfold-higher levels, respectively, than the BCG
hsp60
promoter. In
M. bovis
BCG, the
fadD28
and
mas
promoters were functional at three- and fivefold-higher levels, respectively, than the
hsp60
promoter. Primer extension analyses identified transcriptional start points 60 and 182 bp upstream of the translational start codons of
fadD28
and
mas
, respectively. Both promoters contain sequences similar to the canonical −10 and −35 hexamers recognized by the σ
70
subunit of RNA polymerase. Deletions of the upstream regions of both genes indicated that 324 bp of the
fadD28
and 228 bp of the
mas
were essential for promoter activity. Further analysis of the
mas
promoter showed that a 213-bp region 581 bp upstream of the
mas
promoter acted as a putative transcriptional enhancer, promoting high-level expression of the
mas
gene when present in either direction. This represents the identification of a rare example of an enhancer-like element in mycobacteria.
Analysis of
dofA
, a
fruA
-Dependent Developmental Gene, and Its Homologue,
dofB
, in
Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Horiuchi Takayuki , Akiyama Takuya , Inouye Sumiko , Komano Teruya
Published: November 2002

The developmentally regulated gene
dofA
, identified from pulse-labeling experiments by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and its homologue,
dofB
, were cloned and characterized in
Myxococcus xanthus
. Deletion of
dofA
and
dofB
did not affect the vegetative growth and development of
M. xanthus. dofA
was specifically expressed during development, while
dofB
expression was observed during vegetative growth and development. The
dofA-lacZ
fusion was introduced into a
fruA
mutant and A, B, C, D, and E extracellular signal mutants. The pattern of
dofA
expression in the C signal mutant was similar to that of the wild-type strain, while
dofA
expression was not detected in the
fruA
mutant. These results are consistent with those of the pulse-labeling experiments.
dofA
expression was reduced in A and E signal mutants, whereas
dofA
expression was delayed in B and D signal mutants. The patterns of expression of the
dofA
gene in the
fruA
mutant and the five signal mutants are strikingly similar to that of the
tps
gene, which encodes protein S, a major component of the outer surface of the myxospore; this result suggests that the
dofA
and
tps
genes are similarly regulated. The involvement of a highly GC-rich inverted repeat sequence (underlined),
CGGCCCCCGA
TTCG
TCGGGGGCCG
, in developmentally regulated
dofA
expression is suggested.
Global Gene Expression Profiles of the Cyanobacterium
Synechocystis
sp. Strain PCC 6803 in Response to Irradiation with UV-B and White Light
Authors: Huang Lixuan , McCluskey Michael P. , Ni Hao , LaRossa Robert A.
Published: November 2002

We developed a transcript profiling methodology to elucidate expression patterns of the cyanobacterium
Synechocystis
sp. strain PCC 6803 and used the technology to investigate changes in gene expression caused by irradiation with either intermediate-wavelength UV light (UV-B) or high-intensity white light. Several families of transcripts were altered by UV-B treatment, including mRNAs specifying proteins involved in light harvesting, photosynthesis, photoprotection, and the heat shock response. In addition, UV-B light induced the stringent response in
Synechocystis
, as indicated by the repression of ribosomal protein transcripts and other mRNAs involved in translation. High-intensity white light- and UV-B-mediated expression profiles overlapped in the down-regulation of photosynthesis genes and induction of heat shock response but differed in several other transcriptional processes including those specifying carbon dioxide uptake and fixation, the stringent response, and the induction profile of the high-light-inducible proteins. These two profile comparisons not only corroborated known physiological changes but also suggested coordinated regulation of many pathways, including synchronized induction of D1 protein recycling and a coupling between decreased phycobilisome biosynthesis and increased phycobilisome degradation. Overall, the gene expression profile analysis generated new insights into the integrated network of genes that adapts rapidly to different wavelengths and intensities of light.
Analysis of a DtxR-Like Metalloregulatory Protein, MntR, fromCorynebacterium diphtheriaeThat Controls Expression of an ABC Metal Transporter by an Mn2+-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Schmitt Michael P.
Published: November 2002

The DtxR protein is a global iron-dependent repressor inCorynebacterium diphtheriaethat regulates transcription from multiple promoters. A search of the partially completedC. diphtheriaegenome identified a gene,mntR, whose predicted product has significant homology with the DtxR repressor protein. ThemntRgene is the terminal gene in a five-gene operon that also carries themntABCDgenes, whose predicted products are homologous to ABC metal transporters. Transcription of this genetic system, as measured by expression of anmntA-lacZreporter fusion, is strongly repressed by Mn2+. The divalent metals Fe2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+did not repress expression of themntA-lacZconstruct. A mutation in themntRgene abolished Mn2+-dependent repression of themntA-lacZfusion, demonstrating that MntR is essential for the Mn2+-dependent regulation of this promoter. Footprinting experiments showed that MntR protects from DNase I digestion an approximately 73-bp AT-rich region that includes the entiremntApromoter. This large region protected from DNase I suggests that as many as three MntR dimer pairs may bind to this region. Binding studies also revealed that DtxR failed to bind to the MntR binding site and that MntR exhibited weak and diffuse binding at the DtxR binding site at thetoxpromoter. AC. diphtheriae mntAmutant grew as well as the wild type in a low-Mn2+medium, which suggests that themntABCDmetal transporter is not required for growth in a low-Mn2+medium and that additional Mn2+transport systems may be present inC. diphtheriae. This study reports the characterization of MntR, a Mn2+-dependent repressor, and the second member of the family of DtxR-like metalloregulatory proteins to be identified inC. diphtheriae.
Ultrastructural Analysis of Differentiation in
Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Faulkner Gary , Garduño Rafael A.
Published: November 2002

Legionella pneumophila
is an adaptive pathogen that replicates in the intracellular environment of fundamentally divergent hosts (freshwater protozoa and mammalian cells) and is capable of surviving long periods of starvation in water when between hosts. Physiological adaptation to these quite diverse environments seems to be accompanied by morphological changes (Garduño et al., p. 82-85,
in
Marre et al., ed.,
Legionella
, 2001) and conceivably involves developmental differentiation. In following the fine-structural pathway of
L. pneumophila
through both in vitro and in vivo growth cycles, we have now discovered that this bacterium displays an unprecedented number of morphological forms, as revealed in ultrathin sections and freeze-fracture replicas for transmission electron microscopy. Many of the forms were identified by the obvious ultrastructural properties of their cell envelope, which included changes in the relative opaqueness of membrane leaflets, vesiculation, and/or profuse invagination of the inner membrane. These changes were best documented with image analysis software to obtain intensity tracings of the envelope in cross sections. Also prominent were changes in the distribution of intramembranous particles (clearly revealed in replicas of freeze-fractured specimens) and the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions. Our results confirm that
L. pneumophila
is a highly pleomorphic bacterium and clarify some early observations suggesting sporogenic differentiation in
L. pneumophila
. Since morphological changes occurred in a conserved sequence within the growth cycle, our results also provide strong evidence for the existence of a developmental cycle in
L. pneumophila
that is likely accompanied by profound physiological alterations and stage-specific patterns of gene expression.
Developmental immunotoxicology: emerging issues
Authors: Dietert R R , Lee J-E , Bunn T L
Published: November 2002

While the history of immunotoxicology research involving experimental animals of immature ages dates back over several decades, there exist remarkably little data, to date, directly comparing the impact of developmental status on immunotoxicological risk. Given the size of the nonadult human population and the potential for differential vulnerability among the various ages, this represents a serious gap of knowledge in efforts to minimize environ-mentally linked health risks. This article frames the issues surrounding developmental immunotoxicological evaluations. In particular, the issues introduced include those of potential animal models, strain/genotype selection, gender, age of exposure, and age of assessment. Recent research results involving early exposure to lead (Pb) and other chemicals are discussed to highlight the nature of the decisions that are available and the potential cost–benefit associated with various approaches to evaluation.
The use of the rat in developmental immunotoxicology studies
Authors: Chapin R E
Published: November 2002

The benefits and costs are discussed for the possibility of using pups generated in breeding studies for additional assessments, such as evaluating immunotoxicity. Such an approach is logistically challenging, but not overwhel ming.
Revision Carpal Tunnel Release Following Endoscopic Compared With Open Decompression
Authors: Ferrin Peter C. , Sather Bergen K. , Krakauer Kelsi , Schweitzer Timothy P. , Lipira Angelo B. , Sood Ravi F.
Published: January 2024

Importance

Carpal tunnel release (CTR) technique may influence the likelihood of revision surgery. Prior studies of revision CTR following endoscopic CTR (ECTR) compared with open CTR (OCTR) have been limited by sample size and duration of follow-up.

Objective

To estimate the incidence of revision CTR following ECTR compared with OCTR in a national cohort.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used data from the US Veterans Health Administration. Participants included all adults (age ≥18 years) undergoing at least 1 outpatient CTR from October 1, 1999, to May 20, 2021. Data were analyzed from May 21, 2021, to November 27, 2023.

Exposure

Index CTR technique.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was time to revision CTR, defined as repeat ipsilateral CTR during the study period. Secondary outcomes were indications for revision, findings during revision, and additional procedures performed during revision.

Results

Among 134 851 wrists from 103 455 patients (92 510 [89.4%] male; median [IQR] age, 62 [53-70] years) undergoing at least 1 CTR, 1809 wrists underwent at least 1 revision at a median (IQR) of 2.5 (1.0-3.8) years. In competing-risks analysis, the cumulative incidence of revision was 1.06% (95% CI, 0.99%-1.12%) at 5 years and 1.59% (95% CI, 1.51%-1.67%) at 10 years. ECTR was associated with increased hazard of revision CTR compared with OCTR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.34-1.81; P < .001). The risk difference for revision CTR associated with ECTR compared with OCTR was 0.57% (95% CI, 0.31%-0.84%) at 5 years (number needed to harm, 176) and 0.72% (95% CI, 0.36%-1.07%) at 10 years (number needed to harm, 139). Regardless of index CTR technique, the most common indication for revision was symptom recurrence (1062 wrists [58.7%]). A reconstituted transverse carpal ligament (TCL) was more common after ECTR compared with OCTR, whereas scarring of the overlying tissues and of the median nerve itself were more common following OCTR. Incomplete transverse-carpal-ligament release was observed in 251 of the wrists undergoing revision CTR (13.94%) and was more common among revisions following ECTR (odds ratio, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.11-2.37; P = .01).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of revision CTR in the Veterans Health Administration, ECTR was associated with increased risk of revision compared with OCTR, but the absolute risk was low regardless of technique. Intraoperative findings at revision varied significantly according to index CTR technique.
Memes that Meme Idiomatics: Cultivating Critical Memetic Literacy and Authentic Communication
Authors: Liontas John I. , Raafat Fatima
Published: January 2024

Memes—a captioned picture or video that is being imitated—are an integral part of Internet culture, rapidly spreading through social media and evolving across different cultures. They serve as a means of communication, reflecting society's evolving sense of humor and current comedic or anxiety‐filled zeitgeist that rips through the public consciousness. Memes are created in a social context and shared to facilitate knowledge creation, word‐of‐mouth transmission, and instant communication, especially when found funny and easily relatable. This entry explores the use of digital memes in English language learning, highlighting their motivational benefits and relevance to acquiring English idiomatics. Related research is reviewed and knowledge constructs relevant to building critical memetic literacy and authentic communication are highlighted. The pedagogical implications of memes for cultural meaning creation and cultural conversations are also discussed to underpin the dialogic framework of memes that meme idiomatics.
Artificial Intelligence Tools for Question Generation
Authors: Kiliçkaya Ferit , Liontas John I.
Published: January 2024

Preparing for classroom learning is a concern for teachers since it may affect learner participation and achievement. To address this concern, teachers are advised to use mini‐quizzes featuring open‐ended or multiple‐choice questions before class or during class. However, preparing these questions and sharing them with learners may require that teachers devote a considerable amount of time and effort, as such questions need to be aligned with the curriculum and course objectives. Recent advances in technology, especially in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), have introduced new possibilities to teaching and learning practices, including creating questions for a given topic or text. First, this entry reviews several studies on the use of AI in creating questions for pre‐class learning. It then provides a list of AI Web sites that can be used to create questions for assessment purposes. Finally, the benefits and challenges of using AI‐generated questions are discussed and implications are noted.
The Social Dimension of Language Testing
Authors: Cervatiuc Andreea
Published: January 2024

Language tests have high social power because they are used to inform important decisions that impact test takers' lives, related to education, employment, or citizenship. Unlike the traditional approaches of language testing that focus on psychometrics, critical language testing (CLT) focuses on the social dimension and the impact of language tests on test takers, education, and society. CLT proposes various effective language assessment approaches and strategies, such as
dynamic assessment
,
literacy assessment
,
test accommodations
and
differential item functioning
(DIF),
alternative assessment
, and
multilingual assessments,
which can reduce the power of language tests. The goal of CLT is not to eliminate language tests, but to uncover the hidden agendas behind them and to make them fair and inclusive. CLT aims to prevent test takers' discrimination and marginalization and to transform language tests into ethical educational tools that acknowledge the importance of multilingualism and diversity.
Teaching Listening Using a Five‐Stage Task‐Based Metacognitive Instruction for Listening Framework
Authors: Madarbakus‐Ring Naheen
Published: January 2024

Listening instruction remains problematic for learners seeking to improve their comprehension and for teachers seeking to address learners' listening difficulties. However, prior evidence suggests task‐based metacognitive approaches in L2 listening help provide pedagogic guidance for learners to employ listening skills in EAP (English for academic purposes) courses (Goh, 2018). This entry explores how to “teach” L2 listening using Goh's (2018) task‐based metacognitive instruction for listening (TBMIL) framework. First, the lesson instruction framework introduces a pre‐listening metacognitive frame so learners can engage in top‐down and bottom‐up approaches to plan their listening. Next,
before‐/while‐/after‐listening
stages give learners the opportunity to use learning strategies as they listen. Finally, metacognitive listening journals help learners reflect on their metacognitive knowledge to plan and carry out more effective listening and evaluate their interpretations. The entry demonstrates how these metacognitive components improve five‐stage L2 listening lessons using process‐based approaches that educators can implement in their own classrooms.
Creative Pass to Language Acquisition: From Drawing to Speaking Image
Authors: Wang Chuqi , Park Jennifer C.
Published: January 2024

Oftentimes, innovative activities play an essential role in students' higher‐order thinking contributing to greater levels of meaning‐making. This entry explores the connection between creativity and language based on one fifth‐grade classroom where students were engaged in structured innovative activities to cultivate creativity and practice creative uses of language. By illustrating drawings, students had opportunities to explain their imaginative stories fostering their language development in two ways: (a) imaginative contexts for oral production and (b) linguistic creativity in symbolic expressions. Their learning and building of linguistic creativity were not from the analysis of existing literature, but from their own imagination‐based language production. Students using drawings to illustrate their imagination and rich imaginative contexts effectively scaffold the construction of their speech, providing an entrance to autonomously discovering linguistic creativity.
Impact of deep learning‐based multiorgan segmentation methods on patient‐specific internal dosimetry in PET/CT imaging: A comparative study
Authors: Karimipourfard Mehrnoosh , Sina Sedigheh , Mahani Hojjat , Alavi Mehrosadat , Yazdi Mehran
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Accurate and fast multiorgan segmentation is essential in image‐based internal dosimetry in nuclear medicine. While conventional manual PET image segmentation is widely used, it suffers from both being time‐consuming as well as subject to human error. This study exploited 2D and 3D deep learning (DL) models. Key organs in the trunk of the body were segmented and then used as a reference for networks.

Methods

The pre‐trained p2p‐U‐Net‐GAN and HighRes3D architectures were fine‐tuned with PET‐only images as inputs. Additionally, the HighRes3D model was alternatively trained with PET/CT images. Evaluation metrics such as sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPC), intersection over union (IoU), and Dice scores were considered to assess the performance of the networks. The impact of DL‐assisted PET image segmentation methods was further assessed using the Monte Carlo (MC)‐derived S‐values to be used for internal dosimetry.

Results

A fair comparison with manual low‐dose CT‐aided segmentation of the PET images was also conducted. Although both 2D and 3D models performed well, the HighRes3D offers superior performance with Dice scores higher than 0.90. Key evaluation metrics such as SEN, SPC, and IoU vary between 0.89–0.93, 0.98–0.99, and 0.87–0.89 intervals, respectively, indicating the encouraging performance of the models. The percentage differences between the manual and DL segmentation methods in the calculated S‐values varied between 0.1% and 6% with a maximum attributed to the stomach.

Conclusion

The findings prove while the incorporation of anatomical information provided by the CT data offers superior performance in terms of Dice score, the performance of HighRes3D remains comparable without the extra CT channel. It is concluded that both proposed DL‐based methods provide automated and fast segmentation of whole‐body PET/CT images with promising evaluation metrics. Between them, the HighRes3D is more pronounced by providing better performance and can therefore be the method of choice for 18F‐FDG‐PET image segmentation.
More‐Than‐Post: A Five‐Step Recipe for Decentring Design
Authors: Leveratto Jacopo
Published: January 2024

The importance of a ‘more‐than‐human’ approach to architectural design is becoming ever clearer. While partly a response to global ecological disaster, this shift also reflects a recognition that design should not seek solely to solve human problems, but to create environments that facilitate emergent opportunities for a wide range of nonhuman occupants and processes. Jacopo Leveratto is based at the Politecnico di Milano, where he researches on radical forms of habitability and posthuman architecture. Here he describes five steps to achieving these aspirations.
A Posthuman Architectural Artificial Intelligence Speculum? Text and Images in Future Spaces
Authors: González Alberto Fernández , Garcia Mark
Published: January 2024

The long‐term research project Posthuman AIchitectural Speculations is a collaboration between Alberto Fernández González and Mark Garcia, both of whom are lecturers at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, and PhD candidates on the Architecture and Digital Theory programme there. Here they investigate how well artificial intelligence can help develop posthuman architectures and the symbiotic relationship between language and AI as a way of speculating about spatial futures.
On the Posthuman Charm of Slime and Mould
Authors: Carpo Mario
Published: January 2024

Slime moulds have no central nervous system and are single‐ cell organisms, yet they can build communities of themselves to create complex, food‐foraging cooperative networks. They are even known to solve mazes in search of something to eat. Mario Carpo, Reyner Banham Professor of Architectural History and Theory at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, explains the unique position of slime moulds in recent complexity and emergence studies.
Alternative Domiciles for the Domestic Posthuman
Authors: Reid Colbey , Weiss Dennis
Published: January 2024

What are the most appropriate domestic notions, designs and surroundings for posthumans to flourish throughout the different phases of their life? Colbey Reid, Professor and Chair of Fashion Studies at Columbia College Chicago, and Dennis Weiss, Professor of Philosophy at York College of Pennsylvania, explore these terrains and posit some speculative futures that steer away from the sterile Modernist minimalism often portrayed as the contemporary aesthetics of the smart home, towards a more diverse, expressive and expansive collective of visual and haptic interfaces and social interactions – between posthumans, their contextual machinic ecologies and their communities.
Beyond Domesticities: Posthuman Architectures for Animals We Farm
Authors: Dobraszczyk Paul
Published: January 2024

Ever more astounding numbers of animals are being farmed for human consumption. Paul Dobraszczyk, a lecturer at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, argues that humanity does not see or bother to comprehend the cruelty these animals are subjected to within industrialised farming processes and slaughterhouses. This, he says, is a design issue, requiring more effort to be made to give these animals a dignified life.
Flying Feral: Posthuman Architectures, Enclosures and Open‐Loop Interface Designs
Authors: Hutt Steven
Published: January 2024

Architect and advocate of speculative posthuman ecological design Steven Hutt offers new thoughts on the integration of wildlife into our architectures and cities. Awareness of the ‘feral’ as a design tool, the push and pull between indigenous and non‐indigenous species, and even old ideas of colonialism are all agents in this new posthuman landscape. There are many aspects of this often anti‐ anthropocentric worldview across a variety of scales. Might zoo animals one day be able to decide how we look at them and observe their habits?
Posthuman Space Architecture: Machine Worlds to Seed Space
Authors: Sherwood Brent
Published: January 2024

Human beings are adapted to dry land and standard atmosphere, and to investigate other areas of the globe such as the sea and the air, let alone Space, we need the multivalent support of numerous machine interventions. Space architect Brent Sherwood explains the huge problems that must be overcome to satisfy our longing to explore extraterrestrial worlds and become truly posthuman as we travel and live beyond the confines of our planet.
Charge Shielding Effect of Sodium Ions in Improving The Hydrophobicity and Performance of Co/Na‐SSZ‐13 Zeolite for Passive NOx Adsorber
Authors: Chen Zhen , Tao Qian , Yang Li , Qin Yuanhang , Wang Cunwen , Guo Yanbing
Published: January 2024

With increasingly stringent regulations, the reduction of NOx emissions during vehicle cold start is a major challenge. Pd‐modified zeolites are considered as the most promising passive NOx adsorber (PNA) for cold start NOx control. Nevertheless, the scarcity and the high cost of Pd limit its practical application. Herein, a non‐precious metal modified Co/Na‐SSZ‐13 zeolite for low‐temperature NOx adsorption is reported. This one‐pot synthesized Co/Na‐SSZ‐13 exhibits an extraordinary NOx storage capacity (212 µmol gcat−1) under humid conditions (3% H2O v/v), which is more than double that of conventional Co or Pd‐modified SSZ‐13. This is attributed to the absence of the inert cobalt phyllosilicate commonly found in conventional Co‐SSZ‐13, as well as the highly dispersed Co and Na ions as the effective NOx adsorption sites in Co/Na‐SSZ‐13. Moreover, the presence of Na ions shields the negative charge generated by the Al center and weakens the local electric field strength of the Al and Co centers. This lowers the H2O adsorption energy and improves the zeolite hydrophobicity, which enhances the NO storage capacity of the Co/Na‐SSZ‐13 under humid conditions. This work highlights the Co/Na‐SSZ‐13, synthesize via a simple and high‐efficiency method, as a promising substitute for noble metal PNA materials.
Deep‐Learning‐Assisted Thermogalvanic Hydrogel E‐Skin for Self‐Powered Signature Recognition and Biometric Authentication
Authors: Li Ning , Wang Zhaosu , Yang Xinru , Zhang Zhiyi , Zhang Wengdong , Sang Shengbo , Zhang Hulin
Published: January 2024

Self‐powered electronic skins (e‐skins), as on‐skin human‐machine interfaces, play a significant role in cyber security and personal electronics. However, current self‐powered e‐skins are primarily constrained by complex fabricating process, intrinsic stiffness, signal distortion under deformation, and inadequate comprehensive performance, thereby hindering their practical applications. Herein, a novel highly stretchable (534.5%), ionic conductive (4.54 S m−1), thermogalvanic (1.82 mV K−1) hydrogel (TGH) is facilely fabricated by a one‐pot method. Owing to the formation of Li+(H2O)n hydration structure, the TGH presents excellent anti‐freezing and non‐drying performance. It remains flexible and conductive (3.86 S m−1) at −20 °C and shows no obvious degradation in the thermoelectrical performance over 10 days. Besides, acting as a self‐powered e‐skin, the TGH combined with deep learning technology for signature recognition and biometric authentication is successfully demonstrated, achieving an accuracy of 92.97%. This work exhibits the TGH‐based e‐skin's tremendous potential in the new generation of human‐computer interaction and information security.
Self‐Assembled Oligopeptoplex‐Loaded Dissolving Microneedles for Adipocyte‐Targeted Anti‐Obesity Gene Therapy
Authors: Choi Heekyung , Hong Juhyeong , Seo Yuha , Joo Seung‐Hwan , Lim Hanseok , Lahiji Shayan Fakhraei , Kim Yong‐Hee
Published: January 2024

Advancements in gene delivery systems are pivotal for gene‐based therapeutics in oncological, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. This study delineates the design of a self‐assembled oligopeptoplex (SA‐OP) optimized for shRNA delivery to adipocytes, targeting obesity and associated metabolic syndromes. Conventional systems face challenges, including instability due to electrostatic interactions between genetic materials and cationic oligopeptides. Additionally, repeated injections induce discomfort and compromise patient well‐being. To circumvent these issues, a dissolvable hyaluronic acid‐based, self‐locking microneedle (LMN) patch is developed, with improved micro‐dose efficiency, for precise SA‐OP delivery. This platform offers pain‐free administration and improved SA‐OP storage stability. In vitro studies in 3T3‐L1 cells demonstrated improvements in SA‐OP preservation and gene silencing efficacy. In vivo evaluation in a mice model of diet‐induced type 2 diabetes yielded significant gene silencing in adipose tissue and a 21.92 ± 2.51% reduction in body weight with minimum relapse risk at 6‐weeks post‐treatment, representing a superior therapeutic efficacy in a truncated timeframe relative to the GLP‐1 analogues currently available on the market. Additionally, SA‐OP (LMN) mitigated insulin resistance, inflammation, and hepatic steatosis. These findings establish SA‐OP (LMN) as a robust, minimally invasive transdermal gene delivery platform with prolonged storage stability for treating obesity and its metabolic comorbidities.
Elastic Organic Crystals Exhibiting Amplified Spontaneous Emission Waveguides with Standard Red Chromaticity of the Rec.2020 Gamut
Authors: Chen Quanliang , Tang Baolei , Ye Kaiqi , Zhang Hongyu
Published: January 2024

The use of mechanically flexible molecular crystals as optical transuding media is demonstrated for a plethora of applications; however, the spectral peaks of optical outputs located mainly in the range of 400–600 nm are insufficient for practical telecommunication and full‐color display applications. Herein, two elastically bendable organic crystals are reported that show red emission of the rec.709 gamut under 365 nm UV light irradiation yet generate rec.2020 gamut red optical waveguides and amplified spontaneous emissions when irradiated by a 355 nm laser. Capitalizing on the extended π‐conjugation and donor–acceptor character, as well as mechanical elasticity, these organic crystals exhibit flexible optical waveguides with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.70, 0.29), nearly identical to the red chromaticity of the rec.2020 gamut required for ultrahigh‐definition (UHD) displays. Notably, one of the elastic crystals functions as a soft resonance cavity, resulting in amplified spontaneous emission waveguides with CIE coordinates of (0.71, 0.29) and the standard red chromaticity of the rec.2020 gamut, both in straight and bent states. This study presents a new avenue for the development of high‐purity red‐emissive crystalline materials to create all‐organic, lightweight, and mechanically compliant optical telecommunication and UHD display devices.
Three‐Dimensional Ordered Macroporous Amorphous WO3 Arrays for Zinc‐Based Electrochromic Device with Large Light Modulation and Fast Switching
Authors: Li Aoshuang , Tan Yan , Wang Yijie , Cheng Chuanwei
Published: January 2024

Electrochromic devices have important applications in building energy conservation, next‐generation displaying, and security encryption, while durable and high‐performance electrochromic materials are highly desirable. Herein, a Zn‐based electrochromic smart window by using 3D ordered macroporous amorphous WO3 (a‐WO3) arrays as cathode is reported. Benefiting from a 3D ordered macroporous structure with a high specific surface area that accelerates the ion diffusion and migration, and the oxygen vacancy modulated a‐WO3 providing abundant zinc ion insertion channels, the as‐fabricated zinc‐based a‐WO3 inverse opal (a‐WO3‐IO) device exhibits excellent electrochromic properties, including large light modulation (83% optical contrast at 700 nm), fast response time (5.3 s for coloring and 3.2 s for bleaching), and robust cycling stability. Moreover, a solid‐state a‐WO3‐IO prototype electrochromic smart window is demonstrated for light modulation, electronic display, and power supply. Furthermore, experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that 3D macroporous amorphous WO3 with rich oxygen vacancies can enhance the zinc ion absorption and diffusion, leading to the enhancement of electrochromic performance.
Indolyl‐Ynones: Building Blocks for Molecular Diversity
Authors: Behera Ahalya
Published: January 2024

This review centers on the synthetic strategies employed with indolyl‐ynones. Indolyl‐ynone, owing to its highly reactive ynone moiety, frequently partakes in dearomatizing spirocyclization reactions and subsequent rearrangement reactions when subjected to various reaction conditions. Hence, various heterocycles such as densely functionalized spiroindolenines, carbazoles, quinolines and carbo‐and hetero‐cycle substituted indoles are synthesized from indolyl‐ynones. In addition to this, the versatile spirocyclic indole scaffold exhibits the capability to produce tetracyclic and polyclic structures through intricate skeletal rearrangement processes. Moreover, the total synthesis of natural products using the indolyl‐ynone moiety was also compiled in this review.
Observation of a Higher‐Order End Topological Insulator in a Real Projective Lattice
Authors: Shang Ce , Liu Shuo , Jiang Caigui , Shao Ruiwen , Zang Xiaoning , Lee Ching Hua , Thomale Ronny , Manchon Aurélien , Cui Tie Jun , Schwingenschlögl Udo
Published: January 2024

The modern theory of quantized polarization has recently extended from 1D dipole moment to multipole moment, leading to the development from conventional topological insulators (TIs) to higher‐order TIs, i.e., from the bulk polarization as primary topological index, to the fractional corner charge as secondary topological index. The authors here extend this development by theoretically discovering a higher‐order end TI (HOETI) in a real projective lattice and experimentally verifying the prediction using topolectric circuits. A HOETI realizes a dipole‐symmetry‐protected phase in a higher‐dimensional space (conventionally in one dimension), which manifests as 0D topologically protected end states and a fractional end charge. The discovered bulk‐end correspondence reveals that the fractional end charge, which is proportional to the bulk topological invariant, can serve as a generic bulk probe of higher‐order topology. The authors identify the HOETI experimentally by the presence of localized end states and a fractional end charge. The results demonstrate the existence of fractional charges in non‐Euclidean manifolds and open new avenues for understanding the interplay between topological obstructions in real and momentum space.
Oxide‐Based Electrolyte‐Gated Transistors with Stable and Tunable Relaxation Responses for Deep Time‐Delayed Reservoir Computing
Authors: Fang Renrui , Wang Shaocong , Zhang Woyu , Ren Kuan , Sun Wenxuan , Wang Fei , Lai Jinru , Zhang Peiwen , Xu Xiaoxin , Luo Qing , Li Ling , Wang Zhongrui , Shang Dashan
Published: January 2024

Time‐delayed reservoir computing with marked strengths of friendly hardware implementation and low training cost is regarded as a promising solution to realize time and energy‐efficient time series information processing and thus receives growing attention. However, achieving a sufficient number of reproducible reservoir states remains a significant challenge, which severely limits its computing performance. Here, an electric‐double‐layer‐coupled oxide‐based electrolyte‐gated transistor with a shared gate and varying channel lengths is developed to construct a deep time‐delayed reservoir computing system. A variety of short‐term synaptic responses related to inherent ion‐electron‐coupled dynamics at the electrolyte/channel interface are demonstrated, reflecting a flexibly regulable channel current. Different stable and tunable relaxation responses corresponding to varying channel lengths are obtained to enrich reservoir states combined with virtual nodes ways. The spoken‐digit classification and Hénon map prediction tasks are implemented with high accuracy (≈92.2%) and ultralow normalized root mean square error (≈0.013), respectively, validating the significant improvement of the computing performance by introducing additional relaxation responses. This work opens a promising pathway in exploiting oxide‐based electrolyte‐gated transistors for realizing temporal information processing hardware systems.