bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of intravitreal faricimab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yen Wei-Ting , Wu Chen-Shu , Yang Chang-Hao , Chen Yi-Hao , Lee Cho-Hao , Hsu Cherng-Ru
Published: January 2024

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the visual, anatomical, and safety outcomes of the intravitreal faricimab, a novel vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) bispecific agent, in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients. The follow-up times in the included studies ranged from a minimum of 36 weeks to a maximum of 52 weeks. EMBASE, Ovid-Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, Scopus, the WHO ICTRP, ClinicalTrial.gov, the EU Clinical Trials Register, and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) were searched (The last literature search was performed on August 17, 2023) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing faricimab with control groups for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The risk of bias for eligible RCTs was independently assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool by two authors (W.-T.Y. and C.-S.W.). The meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4 software. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), total choroidal neovascularization (CNV) area, and total lesion leakage were analyzed as continuous variables and the outcome measurements were reported as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The ocular adverse events and ocular serious adverse events were analyzed as dichotomous variables and the outcome measurements were analyzed as the odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% CI. Random-effects model was used in our study for all outcome synthesizing due to different clinical characteristics. Four RCTs with 1,486 patients were eligible for quantitative analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between intravitreal faricimab and anti-VEGF in BCVA [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 0.47; 95% CI: (− 0.17, 1.11)]. The intravitreal faricimab group showed numerically lower CST [WMD =  − 5.96; 95% CI = (− 7.11, − 4.82)], total CNV area [WMD =  − 0.49; 95% CI = (− 0.68, − 0.30)], and total lesion leakage [WMD =  − 0.88; 95% CI = (− 1.08, − 0.69)] after intravitreal therapy compared with the intravitreal anti-VEGF group. There were no statistically significant differences between intravitreal faricimab and anti-VEGF in ocular adverse events (AEs) [pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.10; 95% CI = (0.81, 1.49)] and serious adverse events (SAEs) [pooled OR = 0.84; 95% CI = (0.37, 1.90)]. The intravitreal bispecific anti-VEGF/angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) antibody faricimab with a extended injection interval was non-inferior to first-line anti-VEGF agents in BCVA. It was safe and had better anatomical recovery. Large, well-designed RCTs are needed to explore the potential benefit of extended faricimab for nAMD. This systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (CRD42022327450).
Physics and semantic informed multi-sensor calibration via optimization theory and self-supervised learning
Authors: Hayoun Shmuel Y. , Halachmi Meir , Serebro Doron , Twizer Kfir , Medezinski Elinor , Korkidi Liron , Cohen Moshik , Orr Itai
Published: January 2024

Widespread adaptation of autonomous, robotic systems relies greatly on safe and reliable operation, which in many cases is derived from the ability to maintain accurate and robust perception capabilities. Environmental and operational conditions as well as improper maintenance can produce calibration errors inhibiting sensor fusion and, consequently, degrading the perception performance and overall system usability. Traditionally, sensor calibration is performed in a controlled environment with one or more known targets. Such a procedure can only be carried out in between operations and is done manually; a tedious task if it must be conducted on a regular basis. This creates an acute need for online targetless methods, capable of yielding a set of geometric transformations based on perceived environmental features. However, the often-required redundancy in sensing modalities poses further challenges, as the features captured by each sensor and their distinctiveness may vary. We present a holistic approach to performing joint calibration of a camera–lidar–radar trio in a representative autonomous driving application. Leveraging prior knowledge and physical properties of these sensing modalities together with semantic information, we propose two targetless calibration methods within a cost minimization framework: the first via direct online optimization, and the second through self-supervised learning (SSL).
Establishment of a synchronized tyrosinase transport system revealed a role of Tyrp1 in efficient melanogenesis by promoting tyrosinase targeting to melanosomes
Authors: Nakamura Hikari , Fukuda Mitsunori
Published: January 2024

Tyrosinase (Tyr) is a key enzyme in the process of melanin synthesis that occurs exclusively within specialized organelles called melanosomes in melanocytes. Tyr is synthesized and post-translationally modified independently of the formation of melanosome precursors and then transported to immature melanosomes by a series of membrane trafficking events that includes endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi transport, post-Golgi trafficking, and endosomal transport. Although several important regulators of Tyr transport have been identified, their precise role in each Tyr transport event is not fully understood, because Tyr is present in several melanocyte organelles under steady-state conditions, thereby precluding the possibility of determining where Tyr is being transported at any given moment. In this study, we established a novel synchronized Tyr transport system in Tyr-knockout B16-F1 cells by using Tyr tagged with an artificial oligomerization domain FM4 (named Tyr-EGFP-FM4). Tyr-EGFP-FM4 was initially trapped at the ER under oligomerized conditions, but at 30 min after chemical dissociation into monomers, it was transported to the Golgi and at 9 h reached immature melanosomes. Melanin was then detected at 12 h after the ER exit of Tyr-EGFP-FM4. By using this synchronized Tyr transport system, we were able to demonstrate that Tyr-related protein 1 (Tyrp1), another melanogenic enzyme, is a positive regulator of efficient Tyr targeting to immature melanosomes. Thus, the synchronized Tyr transport system should serve as a useful tool for analyzing the molecular mechanism of each Tyr transport event in melanocytes as well as in the search for new drugs or cosmetics that artificially regulate Tyr transport.
Long term studying of uranium and radium-226 activity in drinking water in some regions of Ukraine and assessment of corresponding hypotetical irradiation doses
Authors: Buzynnyi Mykhailo , Mykhailova Liubov
Published: January 2024

The article summarizes the activity concentrations data of 226Ra and the sum of uranium isotopes (∑U) in samples of drinking underground water for different regions of Ukraine studied during 1998–2023 in the radiation monitoring laboratory of the State Institution "O.M. Marzieiev Institute of Public Health National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. Arithmetic mean and standard deviations, minimum and maximum values for 226Ra and ∑U activity concentrations are presented for the entire 1240 sample set and for each region separately. Collected data show that the established state permissible level for drinking water of 1.0 Bq/l is exceeded for 226Ra in 1.1% of the studied samples, and for ∑U—in 3.9% correspondingly. The detected high levels of 226Ra and ∑U activity concentrations correspond to certain regions belonging to the Ukrainian crystalline shield territory. A comparison of the current data with the data of previous studies held during of 1989–1991 indicates a significant difference: for the previous studies the average and standard deviations are much higher. We attribute this to the fact that the centralized sampling of previous studies was random, and it was related exclusively to communal water supply systems. At the same time, the current sample set covers a much larger number of regions, different water consumers; the data set includes the results of repeated studies for a large number of sources, in particular, sources with purified water. Hypothetical exposure doses caused by consumption of 226Ra and ∑U in water for the current sample set were estimated for different age groups for each sample studied, as is, without taking into account the pattern of water consumption. The corresponding dose exceeds the WHO recommended value of 0.1 mSv per year for children under the age of one year for 220 cases (17.7%). This dose limit excess for other age groups corresponds—for children: aged 12–17 years—13.1%, aged 1–2 years—7.4%, 7–12 years old—5.6%, 2–7 years old—3.9% and for adults—4.1%.
Using Spirulina platensis as a natural biocoagulant for polystyrene removal from aqueous medium: performance, optimization, and modeling
Authors: Eydi Gabrabad Mohaddeseh , Yari Mohammadreza , Bonyadi Ziaeddin
Published: January 2024

Microplastics (MPs) are newly recognized contaminants that result from the breakdown of plastics released into aquatic environments. This study focuses on the elimination of polystyrene (PS) using S. platensis, a natural biocoagulant, from aqueous solutions. The research investigated several crucial variables, including the initial level of PS ranging from 100 to 900 mg L−1, pH levels from 4 to 10, the contact time of 20–40 min, and doses of S. platensis ranging from 50 to 250 mg L−1. The analysis of the data revealed that the quadratic model offered the best fit for the experimental results. In the present study, we utilized S. platensis as a novel natural biocoagulant to effectively eliminate PS from aqueous solutions. Process optimization was performed using a Box–Behnken design (BBD). The best-fitting model for the data was the quadratic model. The results displayed that the highest elimination of PS (81%) was occurred at a pH of 4, with a contact time of 30 min, a dose of S. platensis at 250 mg L−1, and a PS concentration of 500 mg L−1. These findings show that S. platensis has a significant effect on removing PS from the aquatic environment. Algae can serve as a convenient and eco-friendly method, replacing chemical coagulants, to effectively remove MPs from the aquatic environment.
A lncRNA Dleu2-encoded peptide relieves autoimmunity by facilitating Smad3-mediated Treg induction
Authors: Tang Sibei , Zhang Junxun , Lou Fangzhou , Zhou Hong , Cai Xiaojie , Wang Zhikai , Sun Libo , Sun Yang , Li Xiangxiao , Fan Li , Li Yan , Jin Xinping , Deng Siyu , Yin Qianqian , Bai Jing , Wang Hong , Wang Honglin
Published: January 2024

Micropeptides encoded by short open reading frames (sORFs) within long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are beginning to be discovered and characterized as regulators of biological and pathological processes. Here, we find that lncRNA Dleu2 encodes a 17-amino-acid micropeptide, which we name Dleu2-17aa, that is abundantly expressed in T cells. Dleu2-17aa promotes inducible regulatory T (iTreg) cell generation by interacting with SMAD Family Member 3 (Smad3) and enhancing its binding to the Foxp3 conserved non-coding DNA sequence 1 (CNS1) region. Importantly, the genetic deletion of Dleu2-17aa in mice by start codon mutation impairs iTreg generation and worsens experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Conversely, the exogenous supplementation of Dleu2-17aa relieves EAE. Our findings demonstrate an indispensable role of Dleu2-17aa in maintaining immune homeostasis and suggest therapeutic applications for this peptide in treating autoimmune diseases.
Correction: Low-cost electronic-nose (LC-e-nose) systems for the evaluation of plantation and fruit crops: recent advances and future trends
Authors: Da Silva Ferreira Marcus Vinicius , Barbosa Jose Lucena , Kamruzzaman Mohammed , Barbin Douglas Fernandes
Published: January 2024

Correction for ‘Low-cost electronic-nose (LC-e-nose) systems for the evaluation of plantation and fruit crops: recent advances and future trends’ by Marcus Vinicius da Silva Ferreira et al., Anal. Methods, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3AY01192E.
Liberation of photogenerated radicals from a nano-titania surface at the solid–air interface
Authors: Manuda K. R. Jaliya , Fernando Nimshi L. , Nissanka Buddini , Tillekaratne Aashani , Jayasundara Dilushan R.
Published: January 2024

Photocatalytic activity at solid–air interface measured in situ and in real time using nanogravimetry, providing an insight into humidity dependent surface vicinity photocatalysis and a method to validate its efficacy in surface coatings.
Unprecedented Mo3S4 cluster-catalyzed radical C–C cross-coupling reactions of aryl alkynes and acrylates
Authors: Mateu-Campos Juanjo , Guillamón Eva , Safont Vicent S. , Junge Kathrin , Junge Henrik , Beller Matthias , Llusar Rosa
Published: January 2024

A simple and green protocol for benzyl radicals’ generation and their regioselective cross coupling reaction with acrylate derivatives has been developed using molybdenum sulfide clusters as catalysts.
Atmospheric mercury uptake and accumulation in forests dependent on climatic factors
Authors: Yang Yo Han , Kim Min-Seob , Park Jaeseon , Kwon Sae Yun
Published: January 2024

The uptake of total gaseous mercury (TGM) by Korean forest foliage is mainly affected by local wind speed, boosting its passage and absorption. Mercury levels and isotopic signatures in litter and topsoil fluctuate, particularly in areas with high wind speed, temperature, and low elevation.
Disposable paper-based screen-printed electrochemical immunoplatform for dual detection of esophageal cancer biomarkers in patients' serum samples
Authors: Verma Damini , Dubey Neha , Yadav Amit K. , Saraya Anoop , Sharma Rinu , Solanki Pratima R.
Published: January 2024

A schematic illustration of the fabrication of disposable paper-based screen-printed electrochemical immunoplatforms for dual detection of esophageal cancer biomarkers in patient serum samples.
Indole-containing pharmaceuticals: targets, pharmacological activities, and SAR studies
Authors: Zeng Wei , Han Chi , Mohammed Sarah , Li Shanshan , Song Yixuan , Sun Fengxia , Du Yunfei
Published: January 2024

Over the past few decades indole derived drugs has gained great attention from medicinal chemists. This review provides an overview of all marked drugs containing the indole scaffold and their targets, pharmacological activities and SAR studies.
Kirigami-enabled stretchable laser-induced graphene heaters for wearable thermotherapy
Authors: Chen Junyu , Shi Yichao , Ying Binbin , Hu Yajie , Gao Yan , Luo Sida , Liu Xinyu
Published: January 2024

Stretchable later-induced graphene (LIG) heaters with kirigami structures are produced via laser engraving/cutting for wearable thermotherapy. Such a heater has a rapid electrothermal response and robust performance for on-body use.
Sugar alcohol-modified polyester nanoparticles for gene delivery via selective caveolae-mediated endocytosis
Authors: Reshma G Betsy , Miglani Chirag , Pal Asish , Ganguli Munia
Published: January 2024

Sugar alcohol-modified poly(β-amino esters) enables selective caveolae-mediated endocytosis.
Surface plasmon enhancement in silver nanowires and bilayer two-dimensional materials
Authors: Zhang Weibin , Kong Cunwei , Zhang Xinfeng , Wang Quan , Xue Wei
Published: January 2024

A significant intensity enhancement of the photoluminescence has been achieved in the Ag/MoS2 composite structure with interlayer twist. Upon excitation with a 520 nm laser, a plasmonic hot spot is formed at the junction of Ag NWs and MoS2.
Silylacetate-promoted addition reaction of isocyanides to nitrones: effective synthesis of C(1)-carboxamide derivatives
Authors: Soeta Takahiro , Yao Siming , Sugiyama Hirokazu , Ukaji Yutaka
Published: January 2024

We report an efficient method for the synthesis of C(1)-carboxamide derivatives by adding isocyanides to 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline N-oxides and 3,4-dihydro-β-carboline 2-oxide in the presence of TMSOAc.
Novel A-seco-nortriterpenoids from Ganoderma cochlear inhibiting Tau pathology by activating AMPK-ULK1-mediated autophagy
Authors: Luo Rong-Can , Luo Yi , Fang Da-Shuang , Yao Yong-Gang , Qiu Ming-Hua , Peng Xing-Rong
Published: January 2024

Ten structurally diverse A-seco-nortriterpenoids were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma cochlear. Compounds 1–4 significantly inhibited tau pathology by inducing autophagy mediated by AMPK-ULK1 pathway.
Exploring the mechanical, vibrational optoelectronic, and thermoelectric properties of novel half-Heusler FeTaX (X = P, As): a first-principles study
Authors: Geleta Tesfaye Abebe , Behera D. , Sharma Ramesh , Al-Anazy Murefah mana , Yousef El Sayed , Srivastava Vipul , Moayad A. J. A.
Published: January 2024

The structural, electronic, optical, and thermoelectric characteristics of half-Heusler (HH) FeTaX (X = P, As) are predicted by the FP-LAPW method. The findings demonstrate both materials have dynamic stability and high power factors, reflecting their potential usage in thermoelectric devices.
Self-assembled emissive probe for efficient sensing of Fe(iii) and cysteine in a physiological medium: application in real water and food samples
Authors: Pandit Sulekha Kumari , Das Sanjana , Das Gopal
Published: January 2024

A fluorescent naphthalimide-based self-assembled sensor (PAD) efficiently detects Fe(iii) ions in the HEPES buffer, natural water samples, and food samples. The PAD⊂Fe complex can detect cysteine (Cys) exclusively from a wide range of amino acids.
Foam film stratification, viscosity, and small-angle X-ray scattering of micellar SDS solutions over an extended concentration range (1< c/CMC < 75)
Authors: Ochoa Chrystian , Gao Shang , Xu Chenxian , Srivastava Samanvaya , Sharma Vivek
Published: January 2024

Coexisting thick-thin flat regions in stratifying micellar SDS films are visualized. Their thickness differs by a step size set by intermicellar interactions, quantified using X-ray scattering.
Adhesion performance of magnetically responsive surfaces under wet conditions
Authors: Qin Hao , Peng Xianyu , Sui Tonghang , Yi Peng , Li Jing
Published: January 2024

Two kinds of magnetic responsive micropillar arrays with different terminals are developed using a spray self-assembly method. The coupling effect of geometric structure and external stimuli on the wet adhesion performance between a solid substrate and the developed surface is discussed.
Sublimation of isolated toric focal conic domains on micro-patterned surfaces
Authors: Kim Wantae , Vitral Eduardo , Leo Perry H. , Viñals Jorge , Kim Dae Seok , Yoon Dong Ki
Published: January 2024

Toric focal conic domains (TFCDs) in smectic liquid crystals exhibit distinct topological characteristics, featuring torus-shaped molecular alignment patterns with rotational symmetry around a central core.
Context‐aware relation enhancement and similarity reasoning for image‐text retrieval
Authors: Cui Zheng , Hu Yongli , Sun Yanfeng , Yin Baocai
Published: January 2024

Image‐text retrieval is a fundamental yet challenging task, which aims to bridge a semantic gap between heterogeneous data to achieve precise measurements of semantic similarity. The technique of fine‐grained alignment between cross‐modal features plays a key role in various successful methods that have been proposed. Nevertheless, existing methods cannot effectively utilise intra‐modal information to enhance feature representation and lack powerful similarity reasoning to get a precise similarity score. Intending to tackle these issues, a context‐aware Relation Enhancement and Similarity Reasoning model, called RESR, is proposed, which conducts both intra‐modal relation enhancement and inter‐modal similarity reasoning while considering the global‐context information. For intra‐modal relation enhancement, a novel context‐aware graph convolutional network is introduced to enhance local feature representations by utilising relation and global‐context information. For inter‐modal similarity reasoning, local and global similarity features are exploited by the bidirectional alignment of image and text, and the similarity reasoning is implemented among multi‐granularity similarity features. Finally, refined local and global similarity features are adaptively fused to get a precise similarity score. The experimental results show that our effective model outperforms some state‐of‐the‐art approaches, achieving average improvements of 2.5% and 6.3% in R@sum on the Flickr30K and MS‐COCO dataset.
Intrusion detection and defence for CAN bus through frequency anomaly analysis and arbitration mechanism
Authors: Dong Qiang , Song Zenglu , Shao Haoshu
Published: January 2024

As automobile intelligence continues to develop, the electronic control units connected to the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus within vehicles face an increasing number of threats from potential attacks originating from the internet. To address this issue, an intrusion detection and defence method is proposed that is capable of detecting illegal messages through the use of frequency anomaly detection, and subsequently disrupting them through utilization of the CAN bus arbitration mechanism. This proposed method offers a simple implementation compared to traditional approaches, while being able to identify suspicious units and neutralize threats in real‐time. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Optimization of transmission lines congestion management in integrated electricity and natural gas multi‐carrier energy systems
Authors: Khoshbouy Morteza , Kazemzadeh Rasool
Published: January 2024

The increasing interactivity between energy carrier networks such as electrical, natural gas (NG), and heating can be appropriately used for improving the operation optimality along with overcoming some challenges of those systems. With such a view, this paper studies the practical issue of power transmission lines congestion management in integrated multicarrier energy systems (MCESs) and makes a comparison with the only electrical operation mode. The MCES consisting of electrical and NG network infrastructures with exchanged energy between them is modelled by considering the several local energy hubs and their electrical and heat loads. Rescheduling of energy sources (power plants and gas wells) and demand side management in both electrical and NG networks have been utilized as the two important tools in the developed congestion alleviation framework. The proposed method confirms that the provided flexibility in the integrated operation of the MCESs can lead to a remarkable reduction in the congestion management cost index. Implementing the proposed congestion management framework on an assumed test MCES with a combined 39‐bus New England power system and 20‐node Belgium NG system demonstrates its effectiveness and applicability for the system operators.
SOC estimation and fault identification strategy of energy storage battery PACK: Based on adaptive sliding mode observer
Authors: Xueyi Huang , Tinglong Pan
Published: January 2024

Accurate state of charge (SOC) estimation and fault identification and localization are crucial in the field of battery system management. This article proposes an innovative method based on sliding mode observation theory for SOC estimation and short‐circuit fault location. The core of this new method is the design of an adaptive sliding mode observer, which reduces jitter by introducing adaptive switching gain, establishes an internal loop of gain and error, and improves the performance of SOC estimation. In addition, recursive least squares method was used to identify the key parameters of the model. Secondly, based on obtaining the SOC of each battery cell in series with the energy storage PACK, the specificity of the faulty battery cell in SOC change trend is utilized to identify and locate the short‐circuit fault of the energy storage PACK. The simulation and test results show that the designed adaptive sliding mode observer can significantly improve the estimation accuracy of SOC and has better stability. Compared to the commonly used Kalman estimation and BP neural network estimation methods, the designed method has improved accuracy by 5.53% and 3.42%, respectively. In addition, based on the accurate identification of SOC, the short‐circuit fault diagnosis results of the battery PACK have a high accuracy, confirming the feasibility and effectiveness of the designed strategy that includes SOC estimation and short‐circuit fault identification and positioning, and has broad application prospects.
Spectrum and energy levels of the low-lying configurations of Nd III
Authors: Ding M. , Ryabtsev A. N. , Kononov E. Y. , Ryabchikova T. , Clear C. P. , Concepcion F. , Pickering J. C.
Published: January 2024

Aims. Our goal is to accurately determine bound-to-bound transition wavelengths and energy levels of the low-lying open-shell configurations 4f4, 4f3 5d, 4f36s, and 4f3 6p of doubly ionised neodymium (Nd III) through high-resolution spectroscopy and semi-empirical calculations.

Methods. The emission spectra of neodymium (Nd, Z = 60) were recorded using Penning and hollow cathode discharge lamps in the region 11 500-54000 cm−1 (8695–1852 Å) by Fourier transform spectroscopy at resolving powers up to 106. Wavenumber measurements were accurate to a few 10−3 cm−1. Grating spectroscopy of Nd vacuum sliding sparks and stellar spectra were used to aid line and energy level identification. For the analysis, new Nd III atomic structure and transition probability calculations were carried out using the Cowan code parameterised by newly established levels.

Results. The classification of 432 transitions of Nd III from the Penning lamp spectra resulted in the determination of 144 energy levels of the 4f4, 4f3 5d, 4f3 6s, and 4f3 6p configurations of Nd III, 105 of which were experimentally established for the first time. Of the 40 previously published Nd III levels, one was revised and 39 were confirmed.

Conclusions. The results will not only benchmark and improve future semi-empirical atomic structure calculations of Nd III, but also enable more reliable astrophysical applications of Nd III, such as abundance analyses of kilonovae and chemically peculiar stars, and studies of pulsational wave propagation in these stars.
Making the unmodulated Pyramid wavefront sensor smart
Authors: Landman R. , Haffert S. Y. , Males J. R. , Close L. M. , Foster W. B. , Van Gorkom K. , Guyon O. , Hedglen A. , Kautz M. , Kueny J. K. , Long J. D. , Lumbres J. , McEwen E. A. , McLeod A. , Schatz L.
Published: January 2024

Almost all current and future high-contrast imaging instruments will use a Pyramid wavefront sensor (PWFS) as a primary or secondary wavefront sensor. The main issue with the PWFS is its nonlinear response to large phase aberrations, especially under strong atmospheric turbulence. Most instruments try to increase its linearity range by using dynamic modulation, but this leads to decreased sensitivity, most prominently for low-order modes, and makes it blind to petal-piston modes. In the push toward high-contrast imaging of fainter stars and deeper contrasts, there is a strong interest in using the PWFS in its unmodulated form. Here, we present closed-loop lab results of a nonlinear reconstructor for the unmodulated PWFS of the Magellan Adaptive Optics extreme (MagAO-X) system based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We show that our nonlinear reconstructor has a dynamic range of >600 nm root-mean-square (RMS), significantly outperforming the linear reconstructor that only has a 50 nm RMS dynamic range. The reconstructor behaves well in closed loop and can obtain >80% Strehl at 875 nm under a large variety of conditions and reaches higher Strehl ratios than the linear reconstructor under all simulated conditions. The CNN reconstructor also achieves the theoretical sensitivity limit of a PWFS, showing that it does not lose its sensitivity in exchange for dynamic range. The current CNN’s computational time is 690 µs, which enables loop speeds of >1 kHz. On-sky tests are foreseen soon and will be important for pushing future high-contrast imaging instruments toward their limits.
Nouveaux réacteurs : la course aux prototypes et aux combustibles
Authors: Boutin Hippolyte , Le Gros Gaïc
Published: January 2024

L’émergence de nouvelles filières de réacteurs nucléaires dans les années 2030 servirait l’indispensable décarbonation de l’économie. Mais cela demande dès aujourd’hui une réflexion sur les besoins en combustible de ces réacteurs, pour l’amont et l’aval du cycle.
Significance of Physical Exercise in Pregnancy: Comparison of Short
and Long Exercise Programs
Authors: Uzelpasacı Esra , Ozcakar Levent , Özgül Serap , Özyüncü Özgür , Beksac Mehmet Sinan , Akbayrak Türkan
Published: January 2024

Background Several musculoskeletal changes occur in pregnancy,
particularly in the abdominal region. The aim of this study was to search and
compare the effects of long (LEP) and short exercise programs (SEP) in terms of
the satisfaction of the needs of pregnant women.

Methods This study consisted of 2 groups: LEP (n=16) and SEP
(n=16). Muscle thickness measurements determined by ultrasound, the
6 minute walk test, Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, Visual
Analogue Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and Short Form-36 Quality of Life
Questionnaire were the study variables. Evaluations were done at the 16th
(baseline), 24th, and 32nd gestational weeks. The LEP consisted of 20 and the
SEP consisted of 9 exercises, which were applied for 16 weeks until the 32nd
gestational week.

Results Emotional role limitation and pain scores of quality of life,
6 minute walk test, and occupational physical activity were found to be
better in the LEP group at the 24th gestational week (p=0.043,
p=0.049, p=0.049, p=0.026). At the 32nd gestational
week, the 6 minute walk test and occupational physical activity were
found to be higher in the LEP group (p=0.006, p=0.017).
Additionally, rectus abdominis and bilateral diaphragm muscle thicknesses,
“moderate intensity and sports physical activity” and
“vitality and emotional well-being” were increased over time
with the LEP (p+<+0.05 for all). On the other hand,
unilateral diaphragm muscle thickness, sports physical activity level, and
vitality were improved with the SEP (p+<+0.05 for
all).

Conclusions The SEP and LEP both have beneficial effects in pregnant
women. However, the LEP increases physical activity level, functional capacity,
and quality of life more than the SEP during the later stages of pregnancy.
Potential Role of Bone Scintigraphy in the Diagnosis of Calciphylaxis
Authors: Gupta Khushboo , Suthar Pokhraj Prakashchandra , Bhave Neetal , Singh Jagadeesh S. , Venkatraman Sindhuja M. K. , Jadhav Rahul B.
Published: January 2024

Nonosseous abnormalities are often seen on bone scans and can be related to a wide variety of pathology ranging across vascular, infection, and inflammatory etiology. Diffuse soft tissue radiotracer uptake on bone scans is typically attributed to renal or metabolic derangements. Calciphylaxis is the deposition of calcium in small blood vessels, skin, and other organs leading to vascular obstruction and skin necrosis. It is a rare disorder with unknown pathophysiology. Diagnosis of calciphylaxis is challenging and requires an interdisciplinary approach including clinical findings, laboratory results, medical imaging, and skin biopsy. An early diagnosis is important as the disease is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this review article is to highlight the role of bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of calciphylaxis and to correlate the findings with other imaging modalities and histopathology.
Atualização sobre osteossarcoma convencional
Authors: Teixeira Luiz Eduardo Moreira , Guedes Alex , Nakagawa Suely Akiko , Fonseca Karine Corrêa , Lima Eduardo Ribeiro
Published: January 2024

O osteossarcoma convencional é um tumor de alto grau de malignidade caracterizado pela produção de matriz osteóide pelos osteoblastos malignos. Tipicamente acomete ossos longos de crianças e adolescentes e o tratamento inclui abordagem sistêmica com quimioterapia e abordagem cirúrgica local com ressecção ampla. Avanços recentes nos conceitos oncológicos, de imagem, planejamento cirúrgico e protocolos de tratamento oncológico permitem uma melhora na sobrevida e maior taxa de preservação de membros. Este artigo aborda o estado atual relativo a incidência, patologia, tratamento e prognóstico do osteossarcoma convencional de alto grau.
The Three Powerful Traditions of Thinking that Constitute Homeopathy
Authors: Schmidt Josef M.
Published: January 2024

By means of a historical, classical philological and philosophical approach, this paper attempts to demonstrate that homeopathy is based on three powerful traditions of thinking, which can be traced back to Ancient Greece's pre-Socratic era. Actually, it seems to be constituted by what may be termed lógos-, hómoion- and iásthai-thinking: that is, thinking in terms of rationality, similarity and healing. By contrast, modern medicine tends to be aligned with just one of these traditions, at the expense of the others, this being not without risk and adverse effects. It is mainly determined by the first type of rationality that genealogically derives from, and is therefore compatible with, the logic of economics whose predominance in the health care systems of modern societies is progressively rising. Homeopathy, however, may not be sufficiently and fairly understood without taking into account the complementary forms of thinking on which it also rests, such as the principle of similarity in an all-encompassing sense, and ancient healing knowledge in the tradition of catharsis. As a corollary of being essentially constituted by the three, homeopathy may persistently be in need of a dynamic equilibrium of its three constituent bases. Attempts to approach homeopathy from only one of the indicated modes of thinking fail to grasp its essence and result in figments or caricatures of what homeopathy was originally meant to be.
SFM Fetal Therapy Practice Guidelines: Fetoscopic Laser Photocoagulation in Monochorionic Twins
Authors: Dadhwal Vatsla , Manikandan Krishnan , Rana Anubhuti
Published: January 2024

Fetoscopic laser coagulation is offered as a method of treatment for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome or twin anemia polycythemia sequence. It involves laser ablation of intercommunicating superficial blood vessels on the surface of the placenta, under sono-endoscopic control. Preterm labor and preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes are known complications. The results depend on the expertise of the surgeon, location of the placenta, indication for treatment, severity of disease, and growth of babies. The chances of both babies surviving are around 65% and one baby surviving is 85%.
Self-reported attention and hyperactivity symptoms among adults with epilepsy
Authors: Bergamaschi Eduardo de Novaes Costa , Machado Gabriela , Rodrigues Gabriel Martins , Lin Katia
Published: January 2024

Background Patients with epilepsy (PWE) frequently have comorbid psychiatric disorders, the most common of which are depression and anxiety. Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) is also more frequent among PWE, though that condition has been scarcely studied among the adult PWE population.

Objective This study aimed to compare the presence of ADHD symptoms between adult PWE and the general population.

Methods This was an observational case-control study. Ninety-five adult PWE from a tertiary center in southern Brazil were compared with 100 healthy controls. All subjects were submitted to three structured scales: 1) the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale version 1.1 (ASRS); 2) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); and 3) the Adverse Events Profile (AEP). Dichotomic variables were analyzed through chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, as appropriate, and non-parametric variables were analyzed through the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results Medians and interquartile ranges (IR) were: 1) ASRS: 26.00 (IR: 18 to 38) among PWE versus 17.00 (IR: 11 to 24) among controls, p < 0.001; 2) HADS: 14.00 (IR: 8 to 21) among PWE versus 11.00 (IR: 8 to 16) among controls, p = 0.007; 3) AEP: 3800 (IR: 31 to 49) among PWE versus 33.00 (IR: 23 to 43) among controls, p = 0.001.

Conclusion PWE showed a higher burden of symptoms of ADHD, depression, and anxiety when compared with controls, which replicates in the Brazilian population the findings of current literature that point toward a higher prevalence of such disorders among PWE.
‘A Grand Strategic Error’: the British military elite’s role in the invasion of Iraq
Authors: Dixon Paul
Published: January 2024

President George W. Bush required only symbolic British participation in the invasion of Iraq, so why did the Labour government deploy their maximum military effort when this was unnecessary and considerably increased the political risk to Prime Minister Tony Blair?The Chilcot Report(2016) provides considerable evidence of the military elite’s role, in pursuit of their perceived organisational interests, not only lobbying but also manipulating the Labour government into a maximum military role. Shortly after the invasion, the military elite began to pursue their next war, again pressuring and manipulating the government into Britain’s deployment to Helmand, Afghanistan, in 2006. While fighting wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the military elite were overstretched and in crisis, yet they successfully empowered themselves by deflecting responsibility onto the Labour government. Consequently, it is argued that the lack of democratic control over the military makes Britain particularly disposed to belligerence and fighting further unnecessary wars.
Trade liberalization, city size, and urban wage premium: evidence from China’s city and individual micro-data
Authors: Zhang Wenwu , Wang Jiayin , Ou Xi
Published: January 2024

In the context of trade liberalization and new urbanization, it is important to study how urban openness leads to wage premiums and improvements in income distribution. This paper utilizes micro-data from the Chinese Household Income Project and matching data from 144 cities to investigate the relationship between trade liberalization, urban scale, and urban wage premiums. The results indicate that trade liberalization significantly increases urban wage premiums, which is particularly evident during the early stages of China’s accession to the WTO. However, this effect may fluctuate over time. Surprisingly, in China, the urban scale can increase labor wage income, but it does not magnify the wage premium effect of trade liberalization. Heterogeneity tests based on regions, firms, and income groups suggest that the wage premium effect of trade liberalization is higher in eastern and central region cities than in western region cities, labor wage growth in the service sector is more pronounced than in the industrial sector, and the impact of trade liberalization on wage growth for the middle and lower-income groups is greater than for the high-income group, which helps to narrow income disparities among different groups. These findings are of great policy significance for improving income distribution through labor market liberalization. In this context, they highlight the importance of comprehensive openness and new urbanization in China.
Strain-induced self-rolled-up microtubes for multifunctional on-chip microfluidic applications
Authors: Khandelwal Apratim , Li Xiuling
Published: January 2024

On-chip microfluidics are characterized as miniaturized devices that can be either integrated with other components on-chip or can individually serve as a standalone lab-on-a-chip system for a variety of applications ranging from biochemical sensing to macromolecular manipulation. Heterogenous integration with various materials and form factors is, therefore, key to enhancing the performance of such microfluidic systems. The fabrication of complex three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic components that can be easily integrated with other material systems and existing state-of-the-art microfluidics is of rising importance. Research on producing self-assembled 3D architectures by the emerging self-rolled-up membrane (S-RuM) technology may hold the key to such integration. S-RuM technology relies on a strain-induced deformation mechanism to spontaneously transform stacked thin-film materials into 3D cylindrical hollow structures virtually on any kind of substrate. Besides serving as a compact microfluidic chamber, the S-RuM-based on-chip microtubular architecture exhibits several other advantages for microfluidic applications including customizable geometry, biocompatibility, chemical stability, ease of integration, uniform field distributions, and increased surface area to volume ratio. In this Review, we will highlight some of the applications related to molecule/particle sensing, particle delivery, and manipulation that utilized S-RuM technology to their advantage.
Research on two-dimensional imaging method of tunnel water hazard hidden danger based on magnetic resonance rotation detection
Authors: Diao Shu , Shi Bori , Liu Xia
Published: January 2024

In light of the non-layered and non-uniform distribution of water hazards in tunnel spaces, existing imaging methods are challenged in accurately reflecting the spatial distribution of these hazards. Through an analysis of the magnetic resonance imaging resolution in tunnel rotation detection, we have developed different models for water-bearing channels as well as complex fault and cave models for water hazards. Subsequently, complex envelope inversion formulas and a two-dimensional complex envelope inversion expression for tunnel spaces have been derived based on the envelope data from tunnel magnetic resonance detection. The optimal solution is obtained through Tikhonov regularization, the Gaussian Newtonian iterative method, and smoothing constraints. This approach allows for the determination of water content and relaxation time parameters. Ultimately, the complex envelope inversion method facilitates the realization of high-precision, two-dimensional imaging of tunnel water hazards. This pioneering method introduces a novel approach to address the challenges associated with quantitatively detecting and providing early warnings for tunnel water hazards.
The damage level assessment of equipment function based on Bayesian networks and transfer learning
Authors: Song Mingchang , Lv Xuxu , Tan Shihan , Dong Enzhi , Shi Quan
Published: January 2024

The damage level assessment of equipment function is an important part of equipment battle damage assessment. In practice, it is often difficult to obtain accurate damage level assessment results due to a lack of damage test data and insufficient modeling. Aiming at this problem, a functional damage assessment method based on Bayesian networks and transfer learning is proposed in the case of small sample test data. First, a Bayesian network model considering the correlation of component damage is constructed, which can more accurately reflect the damage results of equipment when incomplete damage information is obtained. Then, an improved TrAdaboost transfer learning method is proposed for the Bayesian network model, which overcomes the disadvantage that the traditional TrAdaboost method is unable to transfer the results with randomization. Finally, the method proposed in this paper is applied to the Asia network and a certain type of radar vehicle functional damage level assessment process, and the results prove the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
Chapter 8. Symbolic distancing in three-year-old children’s object-use pantomime
Authors: Marentette Paula , Inaba Chelsea , Petrie Rebecca
Published: January 2024

Children’s early pantomime of how to use objects is thought to demonstrate “symbolic distancing,” ostensibly providing an opportunity to observe the development of symbolic reference between the ages of three- and six-years. This chapter argues, in contrast, that the modes of representation used by three-year-olds may be better explained by item, task, and communicative factors revealing children’s functional knowledge of objects and social knowledge of communicative conventions rather than symbolic development. Detailed analysis of the children’s manual mode of representation in conjunction with their speech challenges assumptions about which forms are viewed as more or less pantomimic. Interpretation of iconicity may be a function of human adult convention; we discuss the implications for our understanding of the role of iconic gestures depicting object-use in communicative situations.
Origin of primeval seed magnetism in rotating astrophysical bodies
Authors: Hossain Golam Mortuza , Mandal Susobhan
Published: January 2024

We show that a primeval seed magnetic field arises due to spin-degeneracy
breaking of fermions caused by the dragging of inertial frames in the curved
spacetime of rotating astrophysical bodies. This seed magnetic field would arise
even due to electrically neutral fermions such as neutrons. As examples, firstly
we show that an ideal neutron star rotating at 500 revolutions per second,
having mass 0.83 M⊙ and described by an ensemble of degenerate
neutrons, would have 0.12 Gauss seed magnetic field at its center arising
through the breaking of spin-degeneracy. Secondly, similar seed field at a
proto-galactic stage for the Milky Way galaxy as implied by its observed
rotation curve is estimated to be between 10-19–10-24 Gauss, a field
strength which is known to be sufficient to produce presently observed
microgauss magnetic field.
Organic frame metal structure materials UIO-66 for picosecond ultrafast pulsed fiber lasers
Authors: Ding Guanyun , Zhang Yichao , Wang Linshi , Zhang Yuxian , Huang Jianqi , Liu Kaiqi , Gu Yuyue , Nie Zhaogang , Liu Guanyu
Published: January 2024

The UIO-66 studied in this paper exhibits unprecedented thermal stability with a very high surface area and mechanical strength. This unique combination of properties opens up a wide range of promising applications. Here, we investigate the saturable absorption effects and ultrafast photonic applications of UIO-66. It shows that UIO-66 could emerge as a novel nonlinear material for ultrafast optics. By fabricating a real saturable absorber and incorporating it into a passively mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser, traditional solitons with a pulse duration of 0.96 ps at a repetition rate of 4.12 MHz have been obtained. The mode-locked spectrum centered at 1562.4 nm features a full width at half maximum of 3.5 nm. Our results may trigger follow-up investigations on the optical properties of UIO-66 and pave potential avenues for photonic and optoelectronic applications.
Localization effect in single crystal of RuAs2
Authors: Yi 易 Zhe-Kai 哲铠 , Liu 刘 Qi 琪 , Guang 光 Shuang-Kui 双魁 , Xu 徐 Sheng 升 , Yue 岳 Xiao-Yu 小宇 , Liang 梁 Hui 慧 , Li 李 Na 娜 , Zhou 周 Ying 颖 , Wu 吴 Dan-Dan 丹丹 , Sun 孙 Yan 燕 , Li 李 Qiu-Ju 秋菊 , Cheng 程 Peng 鹏 , Xia 夏 Tian-Long 天龙 , Sun 孙 Xue-Feng 学峰 , Wang 王 Yi-Yan 义炎
Published: January 2024

We report the magnetotransport and thermal properties of RuAs2 single crystal. RuAs2 exhibits semiconductor behavior and localization effect. The crossover from normal state to diffusive transport in the weak localization (WL) state and then to variable range hopping (VRH) transport in the strong localization state has been observed. The transitions can be reflected in the measurement of resistivity and Seebeck coefficient. Negative magnetoresistance (NMR) emerges with the appearance of localization effect and is gradually suppressed in high magnetic field. The temperature dependent phase coherence length extracted from the fittings of NMR also indicates the transition from WL to VRH. The measurement of Hall effect reveals an anomaly of temperature dependent carrier concentration caused by localization effect. Our findings show that RuAs2 is a suitable platform to study the localized state.