bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Near Infrared Light‐Powered Copper Phyllosilicate Nanomotors for Cuproptosis‐Based Synergistic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Song Yibo , Zhan Guowu , Zhou Shu‐Feng
Published: January 2024

Cuproptosis, a newly discovered cell death pathway, has shown great potential in cancer treatment. Herein, near‐infrared (NIR) light‐driven nanomotors (CuSiO3@Au‐Pd NMs) are designed for cuproptosis‐assisted synergistic therapy with autonomous mobility and improved cellular uptake and tumor penetration. Specifically, the released Cu2+ ions from CuSiO3@Au‐Pd NMs can induce the Fenton‐like reaction, leading to the generation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH), accompanied by the depletion of glutathione within the MCF‐7 cells. Additionally, the designed CuSiO3@Au‐Pd NMs also exhibit excellent photothermal effects, which can further promote the production of ·OH, resulting in intensified oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis. Moreover, the enhanced tumor permeation efficiency and cellular uptake of CuSiO3@Au‐Pd NMs via autonomous movement under self‐thermophoretic forces are proved using 2D cellular experiments and 3D multicellular tumor spheroids. The resultant intracellular accumulation of Cu2+ can induce the oligomerization of lipoylated proteins, leading to cuproptosis, along with the mitochondrial dysfunction pathway. More importantly, both in vitro and in vivo experiments show that CuSiO3@Au‐Pd NMs could penetrate deeply into tumors and exhibit great anticancer efficacy through multimodal therapeutic methods. These findings manifest promising potentials of NIR‐powered Cu‐based NMs with high maneuverability for future smart and synergistic cancer therapy.
Injectable Mesocellular Foam Silica Microparticles with a Dual Role of Cell‐Recruiting Scaffolds and Intracellular Delivery Vehicles for Enhanced Cancer Vaccine
Authors: Im Jihye , Choi Youngjin , Nguyen Thanh Loc , Kim Min Kyung , Kim Jaeyun
Published: January 2024

The cancer vaccine is one of the potent cancer immunotherapies based on provoking antigen‐specific adaptive immune responses in patients. Activating host antigen‐presenting cells by delivering antigens and adjuvants is one of the most important requirements to enhance cancer vaccine efficacy. This study proposes an effective cancer vaccine platform based on injectable mesocellular foam (MCF) silica microparticles with a dual role capable of in situ recruitment of host dendritic cells (DCs) and intracellular delivery of antigens to the recruited DCs. Subcutaneously administrated MCF microparticles loaded with chemoattractant to DCs (GM‐CSF), antigenic protein (OVA), and TLR9 agonist (CpG‐ODN) lead to robust DC maturation and high antigen‐specific T cell responses. The cell recruitment, DC activation, and T cell responses of MCF‐based cancer vaccine are significantly higher than injectable mesoporous silica scaffold, of which role is mostly limited to the cell recruiting scaffold. These features of MCF lead to effective inhibition of tumor growth in prophylactic vaccine setting and lung metastatic cancer model, representing MCF enabling cell‐recruiting scaffold formation and intracellular delivery of antigen can be a promising material platform for an enhanced cancer vaccine.
Cu Nanoclusters Accelerate the Rate‐Determining Step of Oxygen Reduction on Fe─N─C in All pH Range
Authors: Liang Chen , Han Xu , Zhang Tianyu , Dong Bo , Li Yaping , Zhuang Zhongbin , Han Aijuan , Liu Junfeng
Published: January 2024

Incorporating atom‐nanocluster interactions into Fe─N─C single‐atom catalysts (Fe‐SACs) represents a viable strategy for enhancing their oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, however, further investigation is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Herein, Cu nanoclusters are incorporated into Fe‐SACs to realize markedly enhanced pH‐universal ORR performance and investigate the underlying mechanism. The rate‐determining step (RDS) investigation reveals that the existence of Cu nanoclusters does not alter the RDS of Fe─N─C despite their differences in acidic, neutral, or alkaline media but instead optimizes the electronic configuration of Fe─N─C and significantly promotes the RDS. The synergistic effect between the Fe single atoms and Cu nanoclusters significantly enhances the half‐wave potential by 45, 90, and 18 mV in the HClO4, PBS, and KOH electrolytes, respectively. The catalysts further demonstrate remarkable maximum power densities of 971.4, 94.9, and 234.7 mW cm−2 in H2/O2 fuel cells, neutral Zn‐air batteries, and alkaline Zn‐air batteries, respectively.
The use of neurobiological evidence in sentencing mitigation
Authors: Khalid Zain , Lee Ruby , Wall Barry W.
Published: January 2024

Neurobiological evidence has grown increasingly relevant in U.S. criminal proceedings, particularly during sentencing. Neuroimaging, such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography scans, may be introduced by defense counsel to demonstrate brain abnormalities to argue for more lenient sentencing. This practice is common for penalty mitigation in cases eligible for capital punishment. This article reviews the history of the use of neuroscience in criminal cases from the early 20th Century to present, noting pertinent legal and ethical considerations for the use of such evidence. The authors review important empirical research conducted in recent years regarding the use of neurobiological evidence in legal proceedings (such as mock‐juror studies) and guidance from the federal sentencing guidelines and the American Bar Association. The discussion also notes relevant case law in which neuroimaging, behavioral genetics, or other neurobiological data were introduced in criminal proceedings, particularly precedent‐setting U.S. Supreme Court cases.
Micropillar‐based channel patterning in high‐loading graphite anodes for superior Li‐ion batteries
Authors: Kim Doyoub , Magasinski Alexandre , Lee Seung‐Hun , Yoo Hana , Song Ah‐Young , Yushin Gleb
Published: January 2024

This study presents a low‐cost, one‐step electrode patterning method that uses a template with micropillars to indent a hexagonal array of channels in high‐loading graphite anodes for faster electrolyte infiltration and Li‐ion transport. In contrast to prior studies on using laser micro‐machining, active material losses could be completely avoided by the proposed methodology. The process can also be made roll‐to‐roll and continuous. Furthermore, the very small volume fraction of the introduced channels (<1 wt.%) has little impact on practically attainable energy density or specific energy. Yet, thus introducing pore channels significantly reduces electrolyte infiltration time and improves rate performance.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Evaluation of Novel Psoralen Derivatives against Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Authors: Yang Hang , Yao Zheng , Yang Keli , Wang Chuanhao , Li Mochenxuan , Zhang Yanming , Yan Jianyu , Lv Rongxue , Wang Yongchuang , Huang Anhua , Zhang Daozuan , Li Wei , Wu Yuelin , Miao Zhenyuan
Published: January 2024

Today, the bacterial infections caused by multidrug‐resistant pathogens seriously threaten human health. Thereby, there is an urgent need to discover antibacterial drugs with novel mechanism. Here, novel psoralen derivatives had been designed and synthesized by a scaffold hopping strategy. Among these targeted twenty‐five compounds, compound ZM631 showed the best antibacterial activity against methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with the low MIC of 1 μg/mL which is 2‐fold more active than that of the positive drug gepotidacin. Molecular docking study revealed that compound ZM631 fitted well in the active pockets of bacterial S. aureus DNA gyrase and formed a key hydrogen bond binding with the residue ASP‐1083. These findings demonstrated that the psoralen scaffold could serve as an antibacterial lead compound for further drug development against multidrug‐resistant bacterial infections.
Purification and partial characterization of a sperm motility‐inhibitory protein of ram cauda epididymal plasma
Authors: Lal Pyare , Jorasia Kalpana , Rathore Narendra Singh , Kumar Vijay , Singh Raghvendar , Moolchandrani Anil , Paul Rajani Kr.
Published: January 2024

Mammalian sperm remain quiescent but fertile for several weeks in cauda epididymis. Although several sperm quiescent factors of epididymal plasma have been identified in goat, pig and cattle; however, little is known in sheep. In the present study, purification and characterization of a novel sperm quiescent protein of ovine cauda epididymal plasma (CEP) was carried out. The sperm quiescent protein was partially purified by hydroxyapatite gel adsorption chromatography followed by DEAE‐sepharose® anion exchange chromatography. In the latter, the sperm quiescent activity was eluted both in 0.05 and 0.2 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) fractions having a predominant protein of about 80 and 70 kDa with 87% and 63% homogeneity, respectively. The proteins were designated as motility‐inhibitory factor of sheep I and II (MIFS‐I and II), respectively. Significant (about 60%) inhibition of sperm motility was observed following treatment of cauda epididymal sperm with 6 and 12 µg/mL of partially purified MIFS‐I and II, respectively. Specific activities of the partially purified MIFS‐I and II were 563 and 261 U/mg of protein, while the fold‐purification of the activity were 5119 and 2373, respectively. Both the proteins were heat‐labile and the activity was completely lost following incubation at 100°C for 5 min. Further, the partially purified MIFS‐I (5 µg/mL) caused significant reduction in in vitro sperm capacitation and slight decline in tyrosine phosphorylated p72 and p52 proteins; however the protein was nontoxic to sperm. Mass spectrometric analysis of MIFS‐I revealed significant identity with human semaphorin 3D. Both dot blot and western blot analysis demonstrated cross‐reactivity of MIFS‐I with polyclonal anti‐human SEMA3D antibody. It was concluded that the MIFS‐I of ovine CEP was putative ovine semaphorin 3D protein having potent sperm quiescent and decapacitating activities and it possibly acts through inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphorylation.
Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,2,3,4‐Tetrasubstituted 1,3‐Dienes from Propargylic Esters
Authors: Dai Mengfu , Kabandula Lucy Felicity , Tai Lanzhu , Wu Boxue , Song Liangliang , Chen Liang‐An
Published: January 2024

Transition metal‐catalyzed synthesis of propargylic esters has been widely investigated, offering distinctive opportunities to build 1,3‐diene skeletons. Access to 1,2,3,4‐tetrasubstituted 1,3‐dienes has been a longstanding challenge in organic synthesis due to a great diversity of stereoisomers from four substituents and unpredictable regioselectivity. Given the synthetic challenges and the importance, inventing methods for the generation of this valuable architecture has gathered much more attention. Recently, several intriguing works concerning this topic have been achieved towards the high regio‐ and stereoselective elaborate 1,2,3,4‐tetrasubstituted 1,3‐dienes. Herein, this concept summarizes recent advances in transition metal‐catalyzed construction of 1,2,3,4‐tetrasubstituted 1,3‐dienes from propargylic esters and discusses the mechanism as well as their applications.
Organic Donor‐Acceptor Complexes As Potential Semiconducting Materials
Authors: Mathur Chandani , Gupta Raakhi , Bansal Raj K.
Published: January 2024

In this review article, the synthesis, characterization and physico‐chemical properties of the organic donor‐acceptor complexes are highlighted and a special emphasis has been placed on developing them as semiconducting materials. The electron‐rich molecules, i. e., donors have been broadly grouped in three categories, namely polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrogen heterocycles and sulphur containing aromatic donors. The reactions of these classes of the donors with the acceptors, namely tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), tetracyanobenzene (TCNB), benzoquinone, pyromellitic dianhydride and pyromellitic diimides, fullerenes, phenazine, benzothiadiazole, naphthalimide, DMAD, maleic anhydride, viologens and naphthalene diimide are described. The potential applications of the resulting DA complexes for physico‐electronic purposes are also included. The theoretical investigation of many of these products with a view to rationalise their observed physico‐chemical properties is also discussed.
Fusing Bismuth and Mercaptocarboranes: Design and Biological Evaluation of Low‐Toxicity Antimicrobial Thiolato Complexes
Authors: Selg Christoph , Grell Toni , Brakel Alexandra , Andrews Philip C. , Hoffmann Ralf , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie
Published: January 2024

This study proposes an innovative strategy to enhance the pharmacophore model of antimicrobial bismuth thiolato complex drugs by substituting hydrocarbon ligand structures with boron clusters, particularly icosahedral closo‐dicarbadodecaborane (C2B10H12, carboranes). The hetero‐ and homoleptic mercaptocarborane complexes BiPh2L (1) and BiL3 (2) (L=9‐S‐1,2‐C2B10H11) were prepared from 9‐mercaptocarborane (HL) and triphenylbismuth. Comprehensive characterization using NMR, IR, MS, and XRD techniques confirmed their successful synthesis. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity in a liquid broth microdilution assay demonstrated micromolar to submicromolar minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) suggesting high effectiveness against S. aureus and limited efficacy against E. coli. This study highlights the potential of boron‐containing bismuth complexes as promising antimicrobial agents, especially targeting Gram‐positive bacteria, thus contributing to the advancement of novel therapeutic approaches.
Label‐Retention Expansion Microscopy (LR‐ExM) for Enhanced Fluorescent Signals using Trifunctional Probes
Authors: Zhuang Yinyin , Shi Xiaoyu
Published: January 2024

Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a super‐resolution imaging technique that bypasses the diffraction limit of conventional optical microscopy (∼250 nm) by enlarging samples with a swellable hydrogel. Combined with various light microscopes, ExM enables an effective resolution ranging from 5 to 70 nm. ExM has now been successfully applied to cell, tissue, and whole‐organism samples, providing biologists with a low‐cost strategy to visualize samples at the molecular level. However, fluorescence signal loss easily happens for beginners and with early versions of ExM protocols. Here, we describe a protocol called label‐retention expansion microscopy (LR‐ExM), which can preserve and enhance the signal of ExM imaging via a series of trifunctional probes. These trifunctional probes are antibody‐based and easy to prepare, and thus suit the needs of most laboratories. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: LR‐ExM using trifunctional probes for enhanced fluorescent signals
Achieving High Initial Coulombic Efficiency and Capacity in a Surface Chemical Grafting Layer of Plateau‐type Sodium Titanate
Authors: Zhang Yanlei , Li Linwei , Wang Feng , Wang Huicai , Jiang Zhenming , Lin Zhimin , Bai Zhengshuai , Jiang Yinzhu , Zhang Yanyan , Chen Binmeng , Tang Yuxin
Published: January 2024

The plateau‐type sodium titanate with suitable sodiation potential is a promising anode candidate for high safe and high energy density of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, the poor initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and cyclic instability of sodium titanate are attributed to the unstable interfacial structure along with the decomposition of electrolytes, resulting in the continuous formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film. To address this issue, a chemical grafting method is developed to fabricate a highly stable interface layer of inert Al2O3 on the sodium titanate anode, rendering the high ICE and excellent cycling stability. Based on theoretical calculations, NaPF6 are more likely adsorption on the Al2O3 surface and produce sodium fluoride. The formation of a thin and dense SEI film with rich sodium fluoride achieves the low interfacial resistances and charge‐transfer resistances. Benefitting from our design, the obtained sodium titanate exhibits a high ICE from 67.7 % to 79.4 % and an enhanced reversible capacity from 151 mAh g−1 to 181 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1, along with an increase in capacity retention from 56.5 % to 80.6 % after 500 cycles. This work heralds a promising paradigm for rational regulation of interfacial stability to achieve high‐performance anodes for SIBs.
Poison in the water: Arsenic's silent assault on fish health
Authors: Chandel Meenakshi , Sharma Amit Kumar , Thakur Kushal , Sharma Dixit , Brar Bhavna , Mahajan Danish , Kumari Hishani , Pankaj Pranay Punj , Kumar Rakesh
Published: January 2024

Arsenic occurs across the world in freshwater and marine environments, menacing the survival of aquatic organisms. Organic and inorganic forms of this substance can be found, in which the inorganic form is more hazardous than the organic form. Most aquatic bodies contain inorganic arsenic species, but organic species are believed to be the dominant form of arsenic in the majority of fish. Natural and anthropogenic both are the sources of water contamination with arsenic. Its bioaccumulation and transfer from one trophic level to another in the aquatic food chain make arsenic a vital environmental issue. Continuous exposure to low concentrations of arsenic in aquatic organisms including fish leads to its bioaccumulation, which may affect organisms of higher trophic levels including large fishes or humans. Humans can be exposed to arsenic through the consumption of fish contaminated with arsenic. Hence, the present review facilitates our understanding about sources of arsenic, its bioaccumulation, food chain transfer, and its effect on the fish health. Also, “Poison in the Water: Arsenic's Silent Assault on Fish Health” serves as a wake‐up call to recognize the pressing need to address arsenic contamination in water bodies. By understanding its devastating impact on fish health, we can strive to implement sustainable practices and policies that safeguard our precious aquatic environments and ensure the well‐being of both wildlife and human communities that depend on them.
Fragility or habitualized corporate behavior? Corporate and macroeconomic determinants of debt dollarization: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Doruk Ömer Tuğsal
Published: January 2024

This study examines the firm‐level and macroeconomic‐level determinants of debt dollarization, which is a critical vulnerability for a key emerging market: Turkey. The study examines the firm‐level and macroeconomic determinants of debt dollarization between 2005 and 2017 using the generalized method of moments and the panel vector autoregressive method, both of which are highly innovative. The results show that manufacturing firms tend to dollarize debt, while macroeconomic variables such as the real exchange rate, inflation, and credit expansion significantly affect debt dollarization. Moreover, debt dollarization was found to be a habit of manufacturing firms in the Turkish economy.
Using Bayesian optimization for warpage compensation in injection molding
Authors: Tillmann S. , Behr M. , Elgeti S.
Published: January 2024

In injection molding, shrinkage and warpage lead to a deformation of the produced parts with respect to the cavity shape. One method to mitigate this effect is to adapt the cavity shape to the expected deformation. This deformation can be determined using appropriate simulation models, which then also serve as a basis for determining the optimal cavity shape. Shape optimization usually requires a sequence of forward simulations, which can be computationally expensive. To reduce this computational cost, we use Bayesian optimization which uses Gaussian process regression as a reduced order model. Additionally, Gaussian process regression has the benefit that it allows to account for uncertainty in the model parameters and thus provides a means to investigate their influence on the optimization result. We present a Gaussian process regression trained with samples from a finite‐element solid‐body model. It predicts the deformation of the product after solidification and, together with Bayesian optimization, allows for efficient cavity optimization.
Influence of cooling path on solidification morphology and hot tearing susceptibility of an Al−Cu−Fe−Mg−Si alloy
Authors: Zhou B. , Apel M. , Eiken J. , Berger R. , Gor S. , Wolff N.
Published: January 2024

In this work, a numerical approach is applied to study the impact of local cooling conditions on the hot tearing in an aluminium‐copper alloy with iron, magnesium and silicon as impurities. At first, CALPHAD‐coupled multicomponent and multiphase‐field simulations were performed to elucidate the effect of cooling conditions on solidification morphology in the final, critical stage of solidification. Then, the evolution of the melt flow permeability is derived from the simulated three‐dimensional microstructures and discussed in the context of the Rappaz‐Drezet‐Gremaud criterion for hot tearing susceptibility. With increasing cooling rates, the microstructure becomes finer and the resulting permeability first increases and then saturates within the investigated range. It is shown that the Rappaz‐Drezet‐Gremaud hot‐tearing criterion in combination with microstructure simulations responds to different cooling conditions in contrast to a Scheil‐Gulliver based model or an evaluation of the average Kou‐index.
First‐principle screening of corrosion resistant solutes (Al, Zn, Y, Ce, and Mn) in Mg alloys for Integrated Computational Materials Engineering guided stainless Mg design
Authors: Yang Zhihao , Wang Junsheng , Zhang Chi , Wang Shuo , Xue Chengpeng , Tian Guangyuan , Su Hui , Yan Chengming , Yan Zhifei , Tian Yingchun
Published: January 2024

Mg alloy suffers from its poor corrosion resistance as a result of anodic dissolution of Mg and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in humid environments. In this study, the effects of alloying elements (Al, Zn, Y, Ce, and Mn) on both processes in Mg alloys have been quantitatively predicted. Using first‐principle calculations, we first obtained the substitution energies of alloying elements to compare their segregation preference, and then analyzed the influence of solutes at different layers on the stability and hydrogen adsorption properties of Mg(0001) surface by calculating the formation enthalpy, surface energy, vacancy formation energy, work function, Bader charge, deformation charge density, and adsorption free energy of H atom. It has been found that, on the one hand, the interior Mn solute atoms reduce the dissolution of Mg atoms and the transfer of electrons, consequently slowing down the anodic dissolution process. On another hand, the Mn, Y, and Ce elements on the surface inhibit the cathodic HER process by elevating the absolute value of hydrogen adsorption free energy, as a result of those solutes effectively controlling H adsorption behavior on Mg(0001) surface. In contrast, all five elements dissolved inside the Mg grain do not show significant effects on the H adsorption behavior.
Functional activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in human brain using hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate
Authors: Zaidi Maheen , Ma Junjie , Thomas Binu P. , Peña Salvador , Harrison Crystal E. , Chen Jun , Lin Sung‐Han , Derner Kelley A. , Baxter Jeannie D. , Liticker Jeff , Malloy Craig R. , Bartnik‐Olson Brenda , Park Jae Mo
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Pyruvate, produced from either glucose, glycogen, or lactate, is the dominant precursor of cerebral oxidative metabolism. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) flux is a direct measure of cerebral mitochondrial function and metabolism. Detection of [13C]bicarbonate in the brain from hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate using carbon‐13 (13C) MRI provides a unique opportunity for assessing PDH flux in vivo. This study is to assess changes in cerebral PDH flux in response to visual stimuli using in vivo 13C MRS with hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate.

Methods

From seven sedentary adults in good general health, time‐resolved [13C]bicarbonate production was measured in the brain using 90° flip angles with minimal perturbation of its precursors, [1‐13C]pyruvate and [1‐13C]lactate, to test the hypothesis that the appearance of [13C]bicarbonate signals in the brain reflects the metabolic changes associated with neuronal activation. With a separate group of healthy participants (n = 3), the likelihood of the bolus‐injected [1‐13C]pyruvate being converted to [1‐13C]lactate prior to decarboxylation was investigated by measuring [13C]bicarbonate production with and without [1‐13C]lactate saturation.

Results

In the course of visual stimulation, the measured [13C]bicarbonate signal normalized to the total 13C signal in the visual cortex increased by 17.1% ± 15.9% (p = 0.017), whereas no significant change was detected in [1‐13C]lactate. Proton BOLD fMRI confirmed the regional activation in the visual cortex with the stimuli. Lactate saturation decreased bicarbonate‐to‐pyruvate ratio by 44.4% ± 9.3% (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

We demonstrated the utility of 13C MRS with hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate for assessing the activation of cerebral PDH flux via the detection of [13C]bicarbonate production.
Matching it up: Non‐standard work and job satisfaction
Authors: Bech‐Wysocka Katarzyna , Smyk Magdalena , Tyrowicz Joanna , van der Velde Lucas
Published: January 2024

We study the link between working arrangements and job satisfaction and provide novel insights on the (mis)match between preferred and actual working arrangements. We propose an empirical strategy to identify this mismatch at an individual level and apply this approach to data from the European Working Conditions Survey. We demonstrate that the extent of mismatch differs across European countries, and reducing the mismatch between working arrangements and workers could substantially boost overall job satisfaction. We find that the non‐standard working arrangements are less frequently mismatched among women and parents. Overall, one‐size‐fits‐all policies to deregulate or curb non‐standard working arrangements are not likely to maximize job satisfaction across Europe.
Semi‐supervised learning methods for weed detection in turf
Authors: Liu Teng , Zhai Danlan , He Feiyu , Yu Jialin
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Accurate weed detection is a prerequisite for precise automatic precision herbicide application. Previous research has adopted the laborious and time‐consuming approach of manually labeling and processing large image data sets to develop deep neural networks for weed detection. This research introduces a novel semi‐supervised learning (SSL) approach for detecting weeds in turf. The performance of SSL was compared with that of ResNet50, a fully supervised learning (FSL) method, in detecting and differentiating sub‐images containing weeds from those containing only turfgrass.

RESULTS

Compared with ResNet50, the evaluated SSL methods, Π‐model, Mean Teacher, and FixMatch, increased the classification accuracy by 2.8%, 0.7%, and 3.9%, respectively, when only 100 labeled images per class were utilized. FixMatch was the most efficient and reliable model, as it exhibited higher accuracy (≥0.9530) and F1 scores (≥0.951) with fewer labeled data (50 per class) in the validation and testing data sets than the other neural networks evaluated.

CONCLUSION

These results reveal that the SSL deep neural networks are capable of being highly accurate while requiring fewer labeled training images, thus being more time‐ and labor‐efficient than the FSL method. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
On Hurwitz stability for families of polynomials
Authors: Oaxaca‐Adams Guillermo , Villafuerte‐Segura Raúl , Aguirre‐Hernández Baltazar
Published: January 2024

The robustness of a linear system in the view of parametric variations requires a stability analysis of a family of polynomials. If the parameters vary in a compact set , then obtaining necessary and sufficient conditions to determine stability of the family is one of the most important tasks in the field of robust control. Three interesting classes of families arise when is a diamond, a box or a ball of dimension . These families will be denoted by , , and , respectively. In this article, a study is presented to contribute to the understanding of Hurwitz stability of families of polynomials . As a result of this study and the use of classical results found in the literature, it is shown the existence of an extremal polynomial whose stability determines the stability of the entire family . In this case comes from minimizing determinants and in some cases coincides with a Kharitonov's polynomial. Thus another extremal property of Kharitonov's polynomials has been found. To illustrate our approach, it is applied to families such as , , and with . The study is also used to obtain the maximum robustness of the parameters of a polynomial. To exemplify the proposed results, first, a family is taken from the literature to compare and corroborate the effectiveness and the advantage of our perspective. Followed by two examples where the maximum robustness of the parameters of polynomials of degree 3 and 4 are obtained. Lastly, a family is proposed whose extreme polynomial is not necessarily a Kharitonov's polynomial. Finally, a family is used to exemplify that if the boundary of is given by a polynomial equation in several variables, the number of candidates to be an extremal polynomial is finite.
Mortality on the tracks: spatiotemporal patterns to rail‐kill in the Balule Nature Reserve, South Africa
Authors: Bhardwaj Manisha , Collinson‐Jonker Wendy J. , Thela Siboniso K. , Swanepoel Lourens H. , Allin Paul
Published: January 2024

The global dependency on railways as an economical and environmentally‐friendly option for transportation is steadily increasing. Despite their numerous benefits, railways and train traffic can have negative impacts on wildlife, particularly through the risk of mortality due to collisions with trains, entrapment in rails, or electrocution at overhead powerlines. In most cases, these impacts are under‐investigated, thus remain unmitigated. In this study, we describe patterns of rail‐mortality of the local fauna in Balule Nature Reserve, South Africa. In addition to exploring which species are most vulnerable to rail‐mortality, we explore the role that seasonal variation, the daily activity patterns of the species, and the surrounding habitat type have on the occurrence of wildlife‐rail‐mortality. From 25 May 2020–29 March 2021, we conducted carcass surveys over three 5 km railway segments, corresponding to the three dominant habitat types in the nature reserve: open grassland, open woodland and mixed shrubland. Each 5 km segment of railway was surveyed during the wet season (November–March) and the dry season (May–September) to account for seasonal variation. We recorded 99 rail‐kills, of which 29% were mammals, 26% were birds, 26% were reptiles, and 18% were amphibians. Mammal carcasses were found most frequently in the dry season, while amphibians were only detected in the wet season. Amphibian carcasses were all nocturnal species, while diurnal species dominated the bird carcasses found. Finally, most rail‐kill carcasses were found in mixed shrublands, while open woodlands had the lowest frequency of rail‐kill. The detrimental impacts of railway‐mortality on wildlife may be more pronounced in areas of high conservation value, such as nature reserves, and it is essential to study and mitigate these impacts, in order to foster successful co‐existence of wildlife and humans in the landscape.
Assembling the Geographic Information Market in the United States
Authors: Alvarez León Luis F.
Published: January 2024

This chapter examines the construction of the geographic information market in the United States. The focus is on two key building blocks in this process: (1) the development of (legal and technical) interoperability in the collection and dissemination of geographic information, and (2) the construction of Intellectual Property (IP) regimes. These elements are explored in the context of the institutional configuration between government, the private sector, and the public. This configuration, which in the United States bounds the role of government as a producer of geographic information and limits its actions in the market, creates suitable conditions for the continued production of geographic information as input to a growing market, as well as its consumption, circulation, transformation, and use by government agencies, private firms, and the broader public. Lastly, the chapter characterizes the geographic information market in the United States as relying on the legally delimitated role of the Federal Government as a de jure producer of informational inputs that foster the development of secondary applications in addition to fulfilling its primary mission of public information. Understanding the institutional, legal, and technical dimensions of the geographic information market will enable a clearer analysis of the linkages, transactions, and logics between government agencies, private firms, and civil society groups in the production of value through geographic information and other informational resources. More generally, the author argues that identifying the interplay between specific institutional environments, governing legal frameworks, and processes of technological innovation and knowledge generation is essential to studying, governing, and regulating informational markets in the digital economy.
Vergleich von Patientenbewertungen auf Online-Portalen untereinander und mit Qualitätsberichten der Krankenhäuser und der Qualitätssicherung mit Routinedaten
Authors: Leitsmann Conrad , Kahlmeier Loraine , Lampe Paul-Oliver , Groeben Christer , Baunacke Martin , Huber Johannes , Trojan Lutz , Uhlig Johannes , Leitsmann Marianne , Uhlig Annemarie ,   Arbeitsgruppe „Versorgungsforschung & Digital health“ der GeSRU Academics,   Arbeitskreis „Versorgungsforschung, Qualität und Ökonomie“ der DGU e. V.
Published: January 2024

Hintergrund

Die Patientenperspektive gewinnt neben objektivierbarer Behandlungsqualität zunehmend an Relevanz.

Ziel der Arbeit

Darstellung verfügbarer Krankenhausportale im Hinblick auf Patientenbewertungen (PaBew) und deren Vergleich mit Daten der Qualitätsberichte der Krankenhäuser und der Qualitätssicherung mit Routinedaten (QSR) für urologische Fachabteilungen.

Methoden

Nach einer strukturierten Online-Recherche nach Bewertungsportalen wurden eingeschlossene Portale untereinander verglichen: PaBew der 10 urologischen Fachabteilungen mit den höchsten Eingriffszahlen im Jahr 2021 wurden mittels „generalized estimated equations“ verglichen. Für die radikale Prostatektomie (RPE) wurde ein quantitativer Vergleich von PaBew („klinikbewertungen.de“) und Bewertungen anhand von QSR-Daten durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Die Online-Recherche ergab 1845 Treffer, 25 Portale wurden analysiert. Der Vergleich ergab je nach Portal signifikant unterschiedliche PaBew derselben Fachabteilung (jeweils p < 0,001). PaBew und QSR-Daten des „AOK-Gesundheitsnavigators“ zeigten keine signifikante Korrelation. Ein interner Vergleich von QSR-Daten und PaBew aus dem AOK-Gesundheitsnavigator zur RPE zeigte eine signifikante negative Korrelation zwischen Gesamtbewertung und ungeplanten Folgeoperationen (r = −0,81) bzw. sonstigen Komplikationen (r = −0,91). Keine signifikante Korrelation zeigte sich mit der Weiterempfehlungsrate durch Patienten.

Schlussfolgerung

Auf Online-Bewertungsportalen von Krankenhäusern besteht erhebliche Heterogenität bezüglich Patientenbewertungen derselben Fachabteilung je nach verwendetem Portal. Zudem scheint anhand der ausgewählten Beispiele weder eine Korrelation von subjektiven und objektiven Bewertungen zwischen verschiedenen Portalen noch innerhalb eines Portals vorzuliegen.
Genetik und genetische Diagnostik fokaler Epilepsien des Kindesalters – Was? Wann? Warum?
Authors: Krey Ilona , Lemke Johannes R. , von Spiczak Sarah
Published: January 2024

Selbstlimitierende fokale Epilepsien gehören zu den häufigsten Epilepsieformen im Kindesalter. Basierend auf Familienstudien für die Epilepsie wie auch das typische Elektroenzephalogramm (EEG-)Merkmal der „centrotemporal spikes“ wird eine genetische Grundlage angenommen, wobei von einer komplexen Vererbung sowie möglicherweise zusätzlichen Einflussfaktoren ausgegangen werden muss. Varianten inGRIN2A, kodierend für die GluN2A-Untereinheit des NMDA-Glutamat-Rezeptors (N-Methyl-D-Aspartat), stellen den bisher wichtigsten genetischen Risikofaktor da. Mit Memantin für Varianten mit Gain-of-function-Effekt und L‑Serin für Loss-of-function-Varianten stehen potenziell zwei personalisierte Therapieansätze zur Verfügung, deren Wirksamkeit und Bedeutung in weiteren Untersuchungen und Therapiestudien zu klären ist.
Formation of magnetic nanoclusters in Fe implanted amorphous and crystalline SiO2
Authors: Bharuth-Ram K. , Ronning C. , Hofsäss H.
Published: January 2024

Conversion electron Mössbauer Spectroscopy (CEMS) studies have been conducted on Fe implanted amorphous and crystalline SiO2 which were annealed in air up to a temperature of 1000oC. For both samples, dramatic changes set in after the 1000oC anneal and the CEM spectra are dominated by strong ferromagnetic sextets. In the amorphous sample, the sextet is characterized by magnetic hyperfine fields of 33T, 31T and 29 T, consistent with the formation α-Fe nanoclusters. In the crystalline sample the ferromagnetic sextet has spectral parameters of δ = 0.38(3) mm/s and Bhf = 52.3T, consistent with formation of α-Fe2O3 clusters, reflecting the precipitation of the implanted Fe into such clusters. The line ratios of lines 1, 2 and 3 (and 6, 5 and 4) of the sextet are 3:4:1, reflecting alignment of the magnetic moment of the precipitates normal to the c-axis of the sample surface.
Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Experience with a Medical Device Made of Natural Substances
Authors: Corazziari Enrico Stefano , Ribichini Emanuela
Published: January 2024

Purpose of review

Medical devices made of substances are widely used in clinical practice, but they are considered to have less therapeutic efficacy than pharmacological agents. In this narrative review, we report a recent RCT experience of a medical device made of natural substances (Poliprotect) that proved as effective as the standard reference treatment.

The RCT addressed three questions: (1) Is Poliprotect useful in the initial treatment of heartburn and epigastric pain/burning as an alternative to the reference standard therapy with PPI, (2) is Poliprotect useful in the medium-term treatment of heartburn and epigastric pain/burning, and (3) is Poliprotect useful in the deprescribing phase of PPI?

Recent findings

Firstly, Poliprotect proved non-inferior to omeprazole for symptom relief in confirmed upper endoscopic negativity; secondly, the benefit remained unaltered after shifting to on-demand intake, with no gut microbiota variation; and thirdly, Poliprotect can be used to deprescribe the PPI treatment, avoiding the symptomatic worsening that accompanies the hyper secretive gastric acid rebound effect.

A medical device made of natural substances can be as effective as a pharmacological agent in the therapy of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in endoscopy-negative patients. Poliprotect effect started from the first day of treatment to improve in the following 2 weeks and to be maintained unaltered in the following 4 weeks with on-demand regimen. Finally, this medical device of natural substances showed high safety without affecting the gut microbiota.
Invasive weed disrupts facilitation of nutrient uptake in grass-clover assemblage
Authors: Zhang Wei , Muir Rick , Dickinson Nicholas
Published: January 2024

Nutrient constraints in low-fertility soil were modified by different species combinations.

Grass-clover assemblages benefited both species in terms of nutrient procurement.

Interplay of competition and facilitation is demonstrated.

An invasive weed removed essential nutrients from the grazing cycle.

To investigate the interplay of competition and facilitation between plants in low-fertility pasture grasslands of New Zealand, we compared nutrient uptake and acquisition of key nutrients of three species from different functional groups. Combinations of Pilosella officinarum (mouse-eared hawk-weed, an invasive weed), Trifolium repens (white clover, a nitrogen fixer) and Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot, a pasture grass) were planted into a soil with low-to-deficient concentrations of key nutrients. Highest yields were achieved by the grass growing alone but, when the clover and grass had grown together, there were complementary benefits in terms of procurement of a wide range of nutrients from soil despite lower root biomass. The invasive weed negated these benefits, and soil nutrients were exploited less efficiently when Pilosella had grown alone or in a mixture with the other species. Competition from the weed removed the benefits of grass-legume coexistence. These findings are interpreted to suggest that requirements for legumes to be the main source of nitrogen in pasture grasslands may be compromised unless competitive weeds are controlled to avoid disrupted procurement of key nutrients. It is likely these constraints to nutrient procurement would similarly impact conservation grasslands.
Lymph node evaluation and surgical procedure selection for non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhaoming Gao , Zhenfa Zhang
Published: January 2024

Lymph node metastasis is a common mode of metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Correct lymph node staging is crucial to the selection of treatment and the assessment of the prognosis of patients, and the selection of appropriate lymph node resection can prolong the survival of patients and reduce surgical trauma.In this review, the preoperative lymph node evaluation methods and the common intraoperative lymph node resection methods of NSCLC are reviewed, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are compared. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest research progress in the evaluation and resection of NSCLC lymph nodes, so as to select appropriate evaluation and resection methods in clinical work.
Resident dictation of operative notes: a reimbursement comparison and mixed-methods analysis
Authors: Wang Theresa N. , Chen J. C. , Weirich David E. , Kalady Matthew F. , Pawlik Timothy M. , Huang Emily
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Surgical documentation is crucial to ensure quality patient care and accurate coding and billing. Operative dictation also serves as a valuable educational opportunity for surgical trainees. However, resident dictations may not fully capture procedural details and complexities, resulting in missed revenue opportunities. On July 1, 2021, our university-based surgery department implemented a policy requiring attendings to dictate all operative reports. The purpose of this mixed-method study was to investigate the financial impact of this policy and explore differences in resident and attending dictations.

Methods

Core general surgery operations performed by the Department of Surgery between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022 were identified from billing data. The surgeon, current procedural terminology (CPT) and modifier codes, and relative value units (RVUs) for each case were acquired. Surgeons not present for the entire study period or cases requiring multiple surgeons were excluded. Descriptive statistics and Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) non-parametric tests compared pre- and post-policy RVU distributions on overall charges and 18 key general surgery operations. Targeted thematic analysis was performed on operative reports pre- and post-policy to explore resident and attending differences.

Results

A total of 42 attendings performed 16,233 cases, billing 28,560 CPT codes (50.3% pre- vs. 49.7% post-policy). There was a small but statistically significant increase in RVU distribution post-policy, mean 20.2 pre- vs. 20.3 RVUs post-, $4372 pre- vs. $4418 per case post-, KS = 0.02 (p = 0.009). Specifically, higher RVU distributions were seen among attending-dictated cases for melanoma (p = 0.009), minimally invasive ventral hernia repair (VHR, p = 0.008), parathyroidectomy (p < 0.001), anorectal incision and drainage (p = 0.003) and anorectal exam under anesthesia (p = 0.029). Higher RVU distributions were noted among resident-dictated, attending-edited cases for partial colectomy (p = 0.043), and open VHR (p = 0.004). No differences were noted among the remaining operations (p > 0.05). Three major themes were noted from focused sampling of 112 operative reports: billable items, clinical/surgical reasoning, and technical details. Differences in billable items and clinical and surgical reasoning were the most influential on modifying clinical implications of operative notes. Themes and differences were consistent regardless of surgeon or specialty.

Conclusion

Adopting an attending-only operative dictation policy yielded a small increase in billable RVUs, predominantly from select operations. Gaps in coding-directed language and depth of clinical reasoning were noted in resident dictations. These findings reveal an educational opportunity that concomitantly optimizes patient care, resident education, and procedural revenue.
Self-Adaptive Forensic-Based Investigation Algorithm with Dynamic Population for Solving Constraint Optimization Problems
Authors: Cai Pengxing , Zhang Yu , Jin Ting , Todo Yuki , Gao Shangce
Published: January 2024

The Forensic-Based Investigation (FBI) algorithm is a novel metaheuristic algorithm. Many researches have shown that FBI is a promising algorithm due to two specific population types. However, there is no sufficient information exchange between these two population types in the original FBI algorithm. Therefore, FBI suffers from many problems. This paper incorporates a novel self-adaptive population control strategy into FBI algorithm to adjust parameters based on the fitness transformation from the previous iteration, named SaFBI. In addition to the self-adaptive mechanism, our proposed SaFBI refers to a novel updating operator to further improve the robustness and effectiveness of the algorithm. To prove the availability of the proposed algorithm, we select 51 CEC benchmark functions and two well-known engineering problems to verify the performance of SaFBI. Experimental and statistical results manifest that the proposed SaFBI algorithm performs superiorly compared to some state-of-the-art algorithms.