bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reversal in Output Current Direction of 4H‐SiC/Cu Tribovoltaic Nanogenerator as Controlled by Relative Humidity
Authors: Xia Jinchao , Berbille Andy , Luo Xiongxin , Li Jiayu , Wang Ziming , Zhu Laipan , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: September 2023

Tribovoltaic nanogenerators (TVNG) represent a fantastic opportunity for developing low‐frequency energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing, by exploiting their real‐time direct‐current (DC) output. Here, a thorough study of the effect of relative humidity (RH) on a TVNG consisting of 4H‐SiC (n‐type) and metallic copper foil (SM‐TVNG) is presented. The SM‐TVNG shows a remarkable sensitivity to RH and an abnormal RH dependence. When RH increases from ambient humidity up to 80%, an increasing electrical output is observed. However, when RH rises from 80% to 98%, the signal output not only decreases, but its direction reverses as it crosses 90% RH. This behavior differs greatly from that of a Si‐based TVNG, whose output constantly increases with RH. The behavior of the SM‐TVNG might result from the competition between the built‐in electric field induced by metal‐semiconductor contact and a strong triboelectric electric field induced by solid‐liquid triboelectrification under high RH. The authors also demonstrated that both SM‐TVNG and Si‐based TVNG can work effectively as‐is even fully submerged in deionized water. This mechanism can affect other devices and be applied to design self‐powered sensors working under high RH or underwater.
Fluoride‐Free Synthesis of 2D Titanium Carbide (MXenes) Assisted by scCO2‐Based Ternary Solution
Authors: Liu Hao , Chen Biao‐Qi , Li Chang‐Yong , Fang Cun‐Jiong , Kankala Ranjith Kumar , Wang Shi‐Bin , Chen Ai‐Zheng
Published: September 2023

2D MXene‐Ti3C2Tx holds great promise in various electronic applications, especially for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding devices and supercapacitors. Ti3C2Tx synthesis typically involves the use of hazardous fluorine‐containing chemicals that can result in the formation of inert fluoride functional groups on the surface of Ti3C2Tx, severely degrading its properties and posing a threat to the performance of electron transfer among electrical devices. Herein, a supercritical carbon dioxide‐based ternary solution (scCO2/DMSO/HCl) to produce fluoride‐free Ti3C2Tx in mild conditions (via 0.5 m HCl, 20 MPa, 32 °C) is reported. The fluorine‐free Ti3C2Tx films electrode presents an excellent gravimetric capacitance of 320 F g−1 at 2 mV s−1 in 1 m H2SO4. Besides, it is demonstrated that fluorine‐free Ti3C2Tx films exhibit outstanding EMI shielding efficiency of 53.12 dB at 2.5 µm thickness. The findings offer a mild and practical approach to producing fluoride‐free Ti3C2Tx and open opportunities for exploring MXenes’ potential applications in various fields.
Tuning the Cathode‐Electrolyte Interphase Chemistry with Multifunctional Additive for High‐Voltage Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lv Ling , Zhang Haikuo , Wang Jinze , Lu Di , Zhang Shuoqing , Li Ruhong , Deng Tao , Chen Lixin , Fan Xiulin
Published: September 2023

The utilization of layered oxides as cathode materials has significantly contributed to the advancement of the lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with high energy density and reliability. However, the structural and interfacial instability triggered by side reactions when charged to high voltage has plagued their practical applications. Here, this work reports a novel multifunctional additive, id est, 7‐Anilino‐3‐diethylamino‐6‐methyl fluoran (ADMF), which exhibits unique characteristics such as preferential adsorption, oxygen scavenging, and electropolymerization protection for high‐voltage cathodes. The ADMF demonstrates the capability to ameliorate the growth of cathode‐electrolyte interphase (CEI), effectively diminishing the dissolution of transition metal (TM) ions, reducing the interface impedance, and facilitating the Li+ transport. As a result, ADMF additive with side reaction‐blocking ability significantly enhances the cycling stability of MCMB||NCM811 full‐cells at 4.4 V and MCMB||LCO full‐cells at 4.55 V, as evidenced by the 80% retention over 600 cycles and 87% retention after 750 cycles, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the additive design strategy to modulate the CEI chemistry, representing a new paradigm with profound implications for the development of next‐generation high‐voltage LIBs.
An Ultra‐Low‐Temperature Alternating Current Filter
Authors: Zhang Chenguang , Jiao Xin , Wang Yingyu , Ma Ke , Zhou Yunlong , Ma Yongchang , Wang Hua
Published: September 2023

Traditional alternating current filter based on aluminum electrolytic capacitors (AECs) suffer from abrupt drop of filtering capability at ultra‐low temperatures (≤−30 °C), which greatly hinders the reliable working of electronics at extremely cold conditions. Herein, an ultra‐low‐temperature alternating current (AC) filter for the first time enabled by high‐frequency supercapacitor based on covalently bonded hollow carbon onion‐graphene hybrid structure is reported. It is found that the covalent bonding junctions enable high electronic conductivity and efficient ion adsorption/desorption behavior in the hybrid structure. Moreover, the hybrid structure owns positive curvature and shallows pores for fast ion diffusion kinetics. Consequently, the supercapacitor exhibits a record short resistor‐capacitor time constant (τRC) of 0.098 ms at 120 Hz at room temperature. Combining with low‐melting‐point electrolyte, the supercapacitor possesses excellent filtering capability and can output stable direct current signal with low fluctuation coefficients in a temperature range of −50 to 0 °C. More interestingly, the filter presents high negative phase angle, low dissipation factor, short τRC, and high capacitance retention below −30 °C, whereas AEC cannot work properly owing to its phase angle<45°. This work realizes the fabrication of an ultra‐low‐temperature AC filter, which presents a critical step forward for promoting the development of ultra‐low‐temperature electronics.
Interphase Stabilization of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode for 5 V‐Class All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Lee Dongsoo , Cui Zehao , Goodenough John B. , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: September 2023

Employing high voltage cobalt‐free spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) as a cathode is promising for high energy density and cost‐effectiveness, but it has challenges in all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs). Here, it is revealed that the limitation of lithium argyrodite sulfide solid electrolyte (Li6PS5Cl) with the LNMO cathode is due to the intrinsic chemical incompatibility and poor oxidative stability. Through a careful analysis of the interphase of LNMO, it is elucidated that even the halide solid electrolyte (Li3InCl6) with high oxidative stability can be decomposed to form resistive interphase layers with LNMO in ASSBs. Interestingly, with Fe‐doping and a Li3PO4 protective layer coating, LNMO with Li3InCl6 displays stable cycle performance with a stabilized interphase at a high voltage (≈4.7 V) in ASSBs. The enhanced interfacial stability with the extended electrochemical stability window through doping and coating enables high electrochemical stability with LNMO in ASSBs. This work provides guidance for employing high‐voltage cathodes in ASSBs and highlights the importance of stable interphases to enable stable cycling in ASSBs.
Iron 3D‐Orbital Configuration Dependent Electron Transfer for Efficient Fenton‐Like Catalysis
Authors: Wu Yijie , Wang Xin , She Tiantian , Li Taozhu , Wang Yunheng , Xu Zhe , Jin Xin , Song Haiou , Yang Shaogui , Li Shiyin , Yan Shicheng , He Huan , Zhang Limin , Zou Zhigang
Published: September 2023

Transition metals are excellent active sites to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for water treatment, but the favorable electronic structures governing  reaction mechanism still remain elusive. Herein, the authors construct typical d‐orbital configurations on iron octahedral (FeOh) and tetrahedral (FeTd) sites in spinel ZnFe2O4 and FeAl2O4, respectively. ZnFe2O4 (136.58 min−1 F−1 cm2) presented higher specific activity than FeAl2O4 (97.47 min−1 F−1 cm2) for tetracycline removal by PMS activation. Considering orbital features of charge amount, spin state, and orbital arrangement by magnetic spectroscopic analysis, ZnFe2O4 has a larger bond order to decompose PMS. Using this descriptor, high‐spin FeOh is assumed to activate PMS mainly to produce nonradical reactive oxygen species (ROS) while high‐spin FeTd prefers to induce radical species. This hypothesis is confirmed by the selective predominant ROS of 1O2 on ZnFe2O4 and O2•− on FeAl2O4 via quenching experiments. Electrochemical determinations reveal that FeOh has superior capability than FeTd for feasible valence transformation of iron cations and fast interfacial electron transfer. DFT calculations further suggest octahedral d‐orbital configuration of ZnFe2O4 is beneficial to enhancing Fe‐O covalence for electron exchange. This work attempts to understand the d‐orbital configuration‐dependent PMS activation to design efficient catalysts.
Chaperone Mimetic Strategy for Achieving Organic Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence based on Confined Supramolecular Assembly
Authors: Zuo Minzan , Li Tinghan , Feng Haohui , Wang Kaiya , Zhao Yue , Wang Leyong , Hu Xiao‐Yu
Published: September 2023

The development of organic materials that deliver room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is highly interesting for potential applications such as anticounterfeiting, optoelectronic devices, and bioimaging. Herein, a molecular chaperone strategy for controlling isolated chromophores to achieve high‐performance RTP is demonstrated. Systematic experiments coupled with theoretical evidence reveal that the host plays a similar role as a molecular chaperone that anchors the chromophores for limited nonradiative decay and directs the proper conformation of guests for enhanced intersystem crossing through noncovalent interactions. For deduction of structure–property relationships, various structure‐related descriptors that correlate with the RTP performance are identified, thus offering the possibility to quantitatively design and predict the phosphorescent behaviors of these systems. Furthermore, application in thermal printing is well realized for these RTP materials. The present work discloses an effective strategy for efficient construction of organic RTP materials, delivering a modular model which is expected to help expand the diversity of desirable RTP systems.
Understanding the prototype catalyst TiO2 surface with the help of density functional theory calculation
Authors: Wang Ruimin , Wang Binli , Abdullahi Abubakar Sadiq , Fan Hongjun
Published: September 2023

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most technologically promising oxides with a broad range of catalytic and photocatalytic activities. Theoretical modeling, especially density functional theory calculations, has been extensively carried out to understand the geometric structure, electronic structure, reactivity, and reaction mechanisms of TiO2 systems, as well as to develop new catalysts with improved performances. This review summarizes the recent theoretical progress on the well‐defined surfaces of TiO2 crystalline, and focuses on the structures, adsorptions, and reactions on the surface and at the interface. The theoretical methods and models, surface defects, surface doping, water splitting and H2 evolution, methanol conversion, CO2 reduction and CO oxidation, SOx and NOx degradation, CH4 conversion, organic pollutant degradation, CH bond activation and CC bond formation, dye sensitization, as well as the applications of TiO2 in some other fields, have been discussed in detail.

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Reaction Mechanisms and Catalysis

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Matmandatory approximaterials Science

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory
Introduction—How Swiss Foreign Aid for International Development Benefits Agricultural Development Across Asia
Authors: Wehmeyer Helena , Singleton Grant Robert , Connor Melanie
Published: September 2023

In most of South and South East Asia and the Pacific, (For geographical descriptions, CGIAR regions are used. https://www.cgiar.org/research/cgiar-regions/) rice is the staple food crop. It is predominantly cultivated by smallholder farmers. Although the Green Revolution has modernized rice agriculture considerably, farmers today face the consequences of decades-long unsustainable natural resource use. Environmental degradation has become prevalent and climate change is exacerbating the current challenges. In this context, the diffusion of agricultural best management practices and technologies is crucial for ensuring rural livelihoods and global food security. The ‘Closing Rice Yield Gaps in Asia with Reduced Environmental Footprint’ (CORIGAP) project (2013–2023) funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) aimed to improve rice farmers’ productivity and profitability in five South East Asian countries and one South Asian country by disseminating sustainable agriculture practices and technologies. The Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (1997–2012), also funded by the SDC, provided a strong platform for the CORIGAP project with national partners already in place in five of the six countries. As of 2022, more than 780,000 farmers were reached through CORIGAP. Mean rice yield and mean income increased by more than 10% for smallholder families. Through CORIGAP, SDC provided a strong platform for farmers to adopt best management practices for producing lowland irrigated rice. These practices, in turn, significantly reduced the use of pesticides, increased the efficiency of nutrient and water use, and decreased postharvest losses.
Carbon Footprint Reduction from Closing Rice Yield Gaps
Authors: Nguyen-Van-Hung  , Ha-An Nguyen Thi , Singleton Grant Robert , Connor Melanie
Published: September 2023

Rice production significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), especially methane (CH4) emissions at various cropping stages. A major source of methane emissions is the decomposition of fertilizers and organic residues in flooded fields during the irrigation cycle. CORIGAP technologies and practices are mainly associated with closing yield gaps by increasing productivity and profitability but have been co-designed to address climatic challenges and to minimize negative environmental impacts. Therefore, over the last decade, the CORIGAP interventions not only helped to reduce yield gaps substantially but also resulted in a significant reduction of the carbon footprint (CF) in rice production. This chapter starts with an in-depth synthesis of scientific-based evidence and knowledge on challenges and constraints to reducing rice CF in CORIGAP countries. The chapter introduces solutions that have been proven to reduce GHGE, in particular, Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), rice-straw management, mechanization, and postharvest management. The latter two approaches include laser land leveling, mechanized direct seeding and transplanting, and paddy grain drying will be described in more detail. In addition, life cycle assessments will outline the quantification of the carbon footprint in rice production, for these specific technologies. The chapter presents three country case studies (Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam) from data collected through CORIGAP activities to estimate GHGE reductions associated with implementation of best practices for lowland irrigated rice production. Lastly, this chapter provides the outcomes related to GHGE reduction and offers specific recommendations that can be easily implemented in other countries.
The celestial chiral algebra of self-dual gravity on Eguchi-Hanson space
Authors: Bittleston Roland , Heuveline Simon , Skinner David
Published: September 2023

Abstract

We consider the twistor description of classical self-dual Einstein gravity in the presence of a defect operator wrapping a certain ℂℙ1. The backreaction of this defect deforms the flat twistor space to that of Eguchi-Hanson space. We show that the celestial chiral algebra of self-dual gravity on the Eguchi-Hanson background is likewise deformed to become the loop algebra of a certain scaling limit of the family of W(μ)-algebras, where the scaling limit is controlled by the radius of the Eguchi-Hanson core. We construct this algebra by computing the Poisson algebra of holomorphic functions on the deformed twistor space, and check this result with a space-time calculation of the leading contribution to the gravitational splitting function. The loop algebra of a general W(μ)-algebra (away from the scaling limit) similarly arises as the celestial chiral algebra of Moyal-deformed self-dual gravity on Eguchi-Hanson space. We also obtain corresponding results for self-dual Yang-Mills.
Chronic inflammatory effects of in vivo irradiation of the murine heart on endothelial cells mimic mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis
Authors: Wittmann Andrea , Bartels Anna , Alkotub Bayan , Bauer Lisa , Kafshgari Morteza Hasanzadeh , Multhoff Gabriele
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Radiotherapy is a major pillar in the treatment of solid tumors including breast cancer. However, epidemiological studies have revealed an increase in cardiac diseases approximately a decade after exposure of the thorax to ionizing irradiation, which might be related to vascular inflammation. Therefore, chronic inflammatory effects were examined in primary heart and lung endothelial cells (ECs) of mice after local heart irradiation.

Methods

Long-lasting effects on primary ECs of the heart and lung were studied 20–50 weeks after local irradiation of the heart of mice (8 and 16 Gy) in vivo by multiparameter flow cytometry using antibodies directed against cell surface markers related to proliferation, stemness, lipid metabolism, and inflammation, and compared to those induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Results

In vivo irradiation of the complete heart caused long-lasting persistent upregulation of inflammatory (HCAM, ICAM‑1, VCAM-1), proliferation (CD105), and lipid (CD36) markers on primary heart ECs and an upregulation of ICAM‑1 and VCAM‑1 on primary ECs of the partially irradiated lung lobe. An artificially induced heart infarction induces similar effects with respect to inflammatory markers, albeit in a shorter time period.

Conclusion

The long-lasting upregulation of prominent inflammatory markers on primary heart and lung ECs suggests that local heart irradiation induces chronic inflammation in the microvasculature of the heart and partially irradiated lung that leads to cardiac injury which might be related to altered lipid metabolism in the heart.
Microbiome of Zoophytophagous Biological Control Agent Nesidiocoris tenuis
Authors: Owashi Yuta , Minami Toma , Kikuchi Taisei , Yoshida Akemi , Nakano Ryohei , Kageyama Daisuke , Adachi-Hagimori Tetsuya
Published: September 2023

Many insects are associated with endosymbionts that influence the feeding, reproduction, and distribution of their hosts. Although the small green mirid, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae), a zoophytophagous predator that feeds on plants as well as arthropods, is a globally important biological control agent, its microbiome has not been sufficiently studied. In the present study, we assessed the microbiome variation in 96 N. tenuis individuals from 14 locations throughout Japan, based on amplicon sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Nine major bacteria associated with N. tenuis were identified: Rickettsia, two strains of Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Providencia, Serratia, Pseudochrobactrum, Lactococcus, and Stenotrophomonas. Additionally, a diagnostic PCR analysis for three typical insect reproductive manipulators, Rickettsia, Wolbachia, and Spiroplasma, was performed on a larger sample size (n = 360) of N. tenuis individuals; the most prevalent symbiont was Rickettsia (69.7%), followed by Wolbachia (39.2%) and Spiroplasma (6.1%). Although some symbionts were co-infected, their prevalence did not exhibit any specific tendency, such as a high frequency in specific infection combinations. The infection frequency of Rickettsia was significantly correlated with latitude and temperature, while that of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma was significantly correlated with host plants. The predominance of these bacteria and the absence of obligate symbionts suggested that the N. tenuis microbiome is typical for predatory arthropods rather than sap-feeding insects. Rickettsia and Wolbachia were vertically transmitted rather than horizontally transmitted from the prey. The functional validation of each symbiont would be warranted to develop N. tenuis as a biological control agent.
Deep learning-based detection and quantification of brain metastases on black-blood imaging can provide treatment suggestions: a clinical cohort study
Authors: Jeong Hana , Park Ji Eun , Kim NakYoung , Yoon Shin-Kyo , Kim Ho Sung
Published: September 2023

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate whether deep learning–based detection and quantification of brain metastasis (BM) may suggest treatment options for patients with BMs.

Methods

The deep learning system (DLS) for detection and quantification of BM was developed in 193 patients and applied to 112 patients that were newly detected on black-blood contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. Patients were assigned to one of 3 treatment suggestion groups according to the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO)-European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recommendations using number and volume of the BMs detected by the DLS: short-term imaging follow-up without treatment (group A), surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery (limited BM, group B), or whole-brain radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy (extensive BM, group C). The concordance between the DLS-based groups and clinical decisions was analyzed with or without consideration of targeted agents. The performance of distinguishing high-risk (B + C) was calculated.

Results

Among 112 patients (mean age 64.3 years, 63 men), group C had the largest number and volume of BM, followed by group B (4.4 and 851.6 mm3) and A (1.5 and 15.5 mm3). The DLS-based groups were concordant with the actual clinical decisions, with an accuracy of 76.8% (86 of 112). Modified accuracy considering targeted agents was 81.3% (91 of 112). The DLS showed 95% (82/86) sensitivity and 81% (21/26) specificity for distinguishing the high risk.

Conclusion

DLS-based detection and quantification of BM have the potential to be helpful in the determination of treatment options for both low- and high-risk groups of limited and extensive BMs.

Clinical relevance statement

For patients with newly diagnosed brain metastasis, deep learning–based detection and quantification may be used in clinical settings where prompt and accurate treatment decisions are required, which can lead to better patient outcomes.

Key Points

• Deep learning–based brain metastasis detection and quantification showed excellent agreement with ground-truth classifications.

• By setting an algorithm to suggest treatment based on the number and volume of brain metastases detected by the deep learning system, the concordance was 81.3%.

• When dividing patients into low- and high-risk groups, the sensitivity for detecting the latter was 95%.
Preoperative vascular heterogeneity based on dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI in predicting spatial pattern of locally recurrent high-grade gliomas
Authors: Wang Hanwei , Zeng Linlan , Wu Hao , Tian Jing , Xie Huan , Zhang Letian , Ran Qisheng , Zhong Peng , Chen Lizhao , Yi Liang , Wang Shunan
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To investigate if spatial recurrence pattern is associated with patient prognosis, and whether MRI vascular habitats can predict spatial pattern.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 69 patients with locally recurrent high-grade gliomas (HGGs) were included. The cohort was divided into intra-resection cavity recurrence (ICR) and extra-resection cavity recurrence (ECR) patterns, according to the distance between the location of the recurrent tumor and the resection cavity or surgical region. Four vascular habitats, high angiogenic tumor, low angiogenic tumor, infiltrated peripheral edema, and vasogenic peripheral edema, were segmented and vascular heterogeneity parameters were analyzed. The survival and diagnostic performance under different spatial recurrence patterns were analyzed by Kaplan–Meier and ROC. A nomogram model was constructed by regression analysis and validated by bootstrapping technique.

Results

Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were longer for ICR (n = 32) than those for ECR (n = 37) (median PFS: 8 vs. 5 months, median OS: 17 vs. 13 months, p < 0.05). MRI vascular habitat analyses showed ECR had higher median relative cerebral blood volume (rCBVmedian) at each habitat than ICR (all p < 0.01). The rCBVmedian at IPE had good diagnostic performance (AUC: 0.727, 95%CI: 0.607, 0.828). The AUC of the nomogram based on MRI vascular habitats and clinical factors was 0.834 (95%CI: 0.726, 0.913) and was confirmed as 0.833 (95%CI: 0.830, 0.836) by bootstrapping validation.

Conclusions

The spatial pattern of locally recurrent HGGs is associated with prognosis. MRI vascular heterogeneity parameter could be used as a non-invasive imaging marker to predict spatial recurrence pattern.

Clinical relevance statement

Vascular heterogeneity parameters based on MRI vascular habitat analyses can non-invasively predict the spatial patterns of locally recurrent high-grade gliomas, providing a new diagnostic basis for clinicians to develop the extent of surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy planning.

Key Points

• Intra-resection cavity pattern was associated with longer progression-free survival and overall survival in locally recurrent high-grade gliomas.

• Higher vascular heterogeneities in extra-resection cavity recurrence than in intra-resection cavity recurrence and the vascular heterogeneity parameters had good diagnostic performance in discriminating spatial recurrence pattern.

• A nomogram model based on MRI vascular habitats and clinical factors had good performance in predicting spatial recurrence pattern.
Barriers and facilitators of artificial intelligence conception and implementation for breast imaging diagnosis in clinical practice: a scoping review
Authors: Lokaj Belinda , Pugliese Marie-Thérèse , Kinkel Karen , Lovis Christian , Schmid Jérôme
Published: September 2023

Objective

Although artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated promise in enhancing breast cancer diagnosis, the implementation of AI algorithms in clinical practice encounters various barriers. This scoping review aims to identify these barriers and facilitators to highlight key considerations for developing and implementing AI solutions in breast cancer imaging.

Method

A literature search was conducted from 2012 to 2022 in six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINHAL, Embase, IEEE, and ArXiv). The articles were included if some barriers and/or facilitators in the conception or implementation of AI in breast clinical imaging were described. We excluded research only focusing on performance, or with data not acquired in a clinical radiology setup and not involving real patients.

Results

A total of 107 articles were included. We identified six major barriers related to data (B1), black box and trust (B2), algorithms and conception (B3), evaluation and validation (B4), legal, ethical, and economic issues (B5), and education (B6), and five major facilitators covering data (F1), clinical impact (F2), algorithms and conception (F3), evaluation and validation (F4), and education (F5).

Conclusion

This scoping review highlighted the need to carefully design, deploy, and evaluate AI solutions in clinical practice, involving all stakeholders to yield improvement in healthcare.

Clinical relevance statement

The identification of barriers and facilitators with suggested solutions can guide and inform future research, and stakeholders to improve the design and implementation of AI for breast cancer detection in clinical practice.

Key Points

• Six major identified barriers were related to data; black-box and trust; algorithms and conception; evaluation and validation; legal, ethical, and economic issues; and education.

• Five major identified facilitators were related to data, clinical impact, algorithms and conception, evaluation and validation, and education.

• Coordinated implication of all stakeholders is required to improve breast cancer diagnosis with AI.
A radiomics-based interpretable model to predict the pathological grade of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Ye Jing-Yuan , Fang Peng , Peng Zhen-Peng , Huang Xi-Tai , Xie Jin-Zhao , Yin Xiao-Yu
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To develop a computed tomography (CT) radiomics-based interpretable machine learning (ML) model to predict the pathological grade of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) in a non-invasive manner.

Methods

Patients with pNETs who underwent contrast-enhanced abdominal CT between 2010 and 2022 were included in this retrospective study. Radiomics features were extracted, and five radiomics-based ML models, namely logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), XGBoost, and GaussianNB, were developed. The performance of these models was evaluated using a time-independent testing set, and metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. The accuracy of the radiomics model was compared to that of needle biopsy. The Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) tool and the correlation between radiomics and biological features were employed to explore the interpretability of the model.

Results

A total of 122 patients (mean age: 50 ± 14 years; 53 male) were included in the training set, whereas 100 patients (mean age: 48 ± 13 years; 50 male) were included in the testing set. The AUCs for LR, SVM, RF, XGBoost, and GaussianNB were 0.758, 0.742, 0.779, 0.744, and 0.745, respectively, with corresponding accuracies of 73.0%, 70.0%, 77.0%, 71.9%, and 72.9%. The SHAP tool identified two features of the venous phase as the most significant, which showed significant differences among the Ki-67 index or mitotic count subgroups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

An interpretable radiomics-based RF model can effectively differentiate between G1 and G2/3 of pNETs, demonstrating favorable interpretability.

Clinical relevance statement

The radiomics-based interpretable model developed in this study has significant clinical relevance as it offers a non-invasive method for assessing the pathological grade of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and holds promise as an important complementary tool to traditional tissue biopsy.

Key Points

• A radiomics-based interpretable model was developed to predict the pathological grade of pNETs and compared with preoperative needle biopsy in terms of accuracy.

• The model, based on CT radiomics, demonstrated favorable interpretability.

• The radiomics model holds potential as a valuable complementary technique to preoperative needle biopsy; however, it should not be considered a replacement for biopsy.
Tomato lipidic extract plus selenium decrease prostatic hyperplasia, dihydrotestosterone and androgen receptor expression versus finasteride in rats
Authors: Arias-Chávez David Julian , Mailloux-Salinas Patrick , Ledesma-Aparicio Jessica , Campos-Pérez Elihu , Medina-Campos Omar Noel , Pedraza-Chaverri José , Bravo Guadalupe
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Evaluate the therapeutic effect of a tomato lipidic extract (STE) in combination with selenium (Se) on rats with prostatic hyperplasia (PH) and to observe its possible mechanisms of action and synergism versus finasteride.

Materials and methods

54 male Wistar rats of nine weeks old were divided in Control (C), PH, Finasteride (F), STE, Se, F + STE, F + Se, STE + Se and F + STE + Se with testosterone enanthate (except C). After 4 weeks of treatment administration, prostate weight, bladder weight, diuresis, prooxidant and antioxidant activity, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androgen receptor (AR) expression and anatomopathological analysis were determined.

Results

STE + Se decreased prostate weight 53.8% versus 28% in F group, also STE + Se decreased significatively glandular hyperplasia, prooxidant activity, DHT and AR expression and increased diuresis and antioxidant activity versus finasteride which increased MDA in prostate.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate a greater therapeutic and beneficial effect of tomato lipidic extract in combination with Se in young rats with PH with respect to finasteride without increase prooxidant activity.
The seasons within: a theoretical perspective on photoperiodic entrainment and encoding
Authors: Schmal Christoph
Published: September 2023

Circadian clocks are internal timing devices that have evolved as an adaption to the omnipresent natural 24 h rhythmicity of daylight intensity. Properties of the circadian system are photoperiod dependent. The phase of entrainment varies systematically with season. Plastic photoperiod-dependent re-arrangements in the mammalian circadian core pacemaker yield an internal representation of season. Output pathways of the circadian clock regulate photoperiodic responses such as flowering time in plants or hibernation in mammals. Here, we review the concepts of seasonal entrainment and photoperiodic encoding. We introduce conceptual phase oscillator models as their high level of abstraction, but, yet, intuitive interpretation of underlying parameters allows for a straightforward analysis of principles that determine entrainment characteristics. Results from this class of models are related and discussed in the context of more complex conceptual amplitude–phase oscillators as well as contextual molecular models that take into account organism, tissue, and cell-type-specific details.
The 2021 Atlantic Niño and Benguela Niño Events: external forcings and air–sea interactions
Authors: Illig Serena , Bachèlery Marie-Lou
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the extreme Atlantic and Benguela Niño events that occurred during the boreal spring–summer of 2021. We conducted sensitivity experiments with a regional ocean–atmosphere coupled model of the tropical Atlantic to investigate the phenology of these interannual events, unravel their triggering mechanisms, and quantify the contributions of local and remote processes. The results revealed that both the 2021 Atlantic and Benguela Niños were triggered by anomalous atmospheric fluxes at the model southern boundary (32° S), leading to a significant and persistent weakening of the South Atlantic Anticyclone. The associated poleward anomalous coastal wind off Africa reduced coastal upwelling and evaporation south of 15° S, initiating the Benguela Niño. Then, the relaxation of the equatorial trade winds forced a downwelling equatorial Kelvin wave, which warmed the eastern equatorial region, marking the onset of the Atlantic Niño. The equatorial event reached full maturity in July 2021 through ENSO-like air-sea interactions in the equatorial basin, enhanced by the atmospheric connection associated with low-level winds converging toward the distant coastal warming. While air–sea interactions in the tropical Atlantic acted as a negative feedback for the coastal warming, the ocean connection with the equatorial variability through the propagation of equatorially-forced downwelling coastal waves intensified the coastal warming, peaking end of May 2021. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of Atlantic and Benguela Niños, emphasizing the interconnectedness between these two systems. This has important implications for improving Earth system models which currently struggle to simulate these extreme events.
Availability and accessibility of services to address financial toxicity described by Australian lung cancer patients and healthcare professionals
Authors: Chung Holly , Hyatt Amelia , Kosmider Suzanne , Webber Kate , Krishnasamy Meinir
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Although the financial burden and impact of a cancer diagnosis has been widely described in international literature, less understood is the availability and accessibility of services to ameliorate this need. This study reports the experiences of Australian lung cancer patients and health professionals delivering care, regarding factors that exacerbate and mitigate financial stress, and availability and accessibility of services to support people following a cancer diagnosis.

Methods

Qualitative semi-structured interviews with twenty-three lung cancer patients attending two metropolitan tertiary health services and eleven health professionals delivering care were undertaken during July–August 2021.

Results

Neither health service systematically screened for financial toxicity nor routinely provided information regarding potential financial impacts during consultations. Patients experienced lengthy delays in accessing welfare supports, provoking financial stress and worry. Health professionals reported limited resources and referral services to support patients with financial need; this was especially problematic for patients with lung cancer. They described its psychological impact on patients and their family members or carers and warned of its impact on ability to adhere to treatment.

Conclusion

Available and accessibility of services addressing financial toxicity in Australian lung cancer patients is inadequate. Although financial stress is a common, distressing problem, health professionals feel hampered in their ability to help due to limited service availability. Left unaddressed, financial toxicity can impact treatment adherence, directly influencing health outcomes, and increase risk of poverty, amplifying social inequities. Findings highlight opportunity for actionable interventions like financial consent and routine screening and discussion of financial toxicity across care pathways.
Quality of referrals to specialist palliative care and remote patient triage — a cross-sectional study
Authors: Grądalski Tomasz , Kochan Krystyna
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Choosing the optimal moment for admission to palliative care remains a serious challenge, as it requires a systematic identification of persons with supportive care needs. Despite the screening tools available for referring physicians, revealing the essential information for preliminary admission triage is crucial for an undisturbed qualification process. The study was aimed at analysing the eligibility criteria for specialist palliative care disclosed within provided referrals, expanded when necessary by documentation and/or interview.

Methods

Referral forms with the documentation of 300 patients consecutively referred to the non-profit in-patient ward and home-care team in Poland were analysed in light of prognosis, phase of the disease and supportive needs.

Results

Half of the referrals had the sufficient information to make a justified preliminary qualification based solely on the delivered documentation. The majority lacked performance status or expected prognosis. Where some information was revealed, two-thirds were in a progressing phase of the disease, with a within-weeks life prognosis. In 53.7%, no particular reason for admission was given. Social problems were signalled as the only reason for the admission in 7.7%. Twenty-eight percent were labelled as “urgent”; however, 52.4% of them were triaged as “stable” or disqualified. Patients referred to a hospice ward received complete referral forms more often, containing all necessary information.

Conclusions

General physicians need practical tips to facilitate timely referrals and unburden the overloaded specialist palliative care. Dedicated referral forms extended by a checklist of typical patients’ concerns should be disseminated for better use of these resources.
Eco-friendly voltammetric platform for trace metal determination using a conductive polymer sensor modified with bismuth nanoparticles generated by spark discharge
Authors: Karapa Alexandra , Kokkinos Christos , Fielden Peter R. , Baldock Sara J. , Goddard Nickolas J. , Economou Anastasios , Prodromidis Mamas I.
Published: September 2023

The fabrication of a low-cost eco-friendly sensor platform for the voltammetric determination of trace metals by electrochemical stripping analysis is reported. Plastic conductive electrodes were manufactured via injection moulding from polysterene reinforced with carbon fibres. The platform comprises a carbon counter electrode, a working electrode modified with bismuth nanoparticles generated by spark discharge and a reference electrode coated with AgCl. The sensor fabrication and modification procedures are simple, cost-effective and fast while the materials used are environment-friendly. The utility of the voltammetric platform is demonstrated for stripping analysis of Cd(II) and Pb(II); the limits of detection are 0.7 μg L−1 and 0.6 μg L−1, respectively (with a deposition time of 240 s) which are comparable to conventional Bi-modified sensors and are sufficient to determine the target metals in water and food samples. The scope of the analytical platform for multi-element assays and for the determination of other trace metals is discussed with representative examples. Therefore, this sustainable and economical platform holds great potential for electrochemical sensing of trace metals.

Graphical abstract
Iterative geostatistical electrical resistivity tomography inversion
Authors: Pereira João Lino , Gómez-Hernández J. Jaime , Zanini Andrea , Varouchakis Emmanouil A. , Azevedo Leonardo
Published: September 2023

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a geophysical method used to create an image of the subsurface due to its sensitivity to porosity, water saturation, and pore fluid salinity. This geophysical method has been widely applied in the investigation of mineral and groundwater resources, as well as in archaeological, environmental, and engineering studies. The prediction of subsurface properties, such as electrical conductivity, from measured ERT data requires solving a challenging geophysical inversion problem. This work proposes an iterative geostatistical resistivity inversion method using stochastic sequential simulation and co-simulation as stochastic model perturbation and update techniques. Electrical resistivity models are generated conditioned to a target histogram, often retrieved from available resistivity borehole data, and assuming a spatial continuity pattern described by a variogram model. From the electrical resistivity models, a finite-volume approximation of Poisson’s equation is used to compute synthetic ERT data. The misfit between predicted and observed data drives the convergence of an iterative procedure and conditions the co-simulation of new models in the subsequent iterations. This methodology is applied to a two-dimensional synthetic case, and a set of two-dimensional profiles obtained from an ERT survey carried out in southern Portugal. In both application examples, the final models predict ERT data that match the observed ones while reproducing borehole data and imposed variogram models. The results obtained in both data sets are compared against a commercial deterministic ERT inversion methodology, showing the ability of the proposed method to model small-scale variability and assess spatial uncertainty.
Overground walking while using a virtual reality head mounted display increases variability in trunk kinematics and reduces dynamic balance in young adults
Authors: Horsak Brian , Simonlehner Mark , Dumphart Bernhard , Siragy Tarique
Published: September 2023

This study analyzed the effects of walking freely in virtual reality (VR) compared to walking in the real-world on dynamic balance and postural control. For this purpose, nine male and twelve female healthy participants underwent standard 3D gait analysis while walking randomly in a real laboratory and in a room-scale overground VR environment resembling the real laboratory. The VR was delivered to participants by a head-mounted-display which was operated wirelessly and calibrated to the real-world. Dynamic balance and postural control were assessed with (1) the margin of stability (MOS) in the anteroposterior (AP-MOS) and mediolateral (ML-MOS) directions at initial-contact, (2) the relationship between the mediolateral center of mass (COM) position and acceleration at mid-stance with subsequent step width, (3) and trunk kinematics during the entire gait cycle. We observed increased mediolateral (ML) trunk linear velocity variability, an increased coupling of the COM position and acceleration with subsequent step width, and a decrease in AP-MOS while walking in VR but no change in ML-MOS when walking in VR. Our findings suggest that walking in VR may result in a less reliable optical flow, indicated by increased mediolateral trunk kinematic variability, which seems to be compensated by the participants by slightly reweighing sensorimotor input and thereby consciously tightening the coupling between the COM and foot placement to avoid a loss of balance. Our results are particularly valuable for future developers who want to use VR to support gait analysis and rehabilitation.
A prospective longitudinal cohort study on risk factors for COVID-19 vaccination failure (RisCoin): methods, procedures and characterization of the cohort
Authors: Koletzko Sibylle , Le Thi Thu Giang , Zhelyazkova Ana , Osterman Andreas , Wichert Sven P. , Breiteneicher Simone , Koletzko Leandra , Schwerd Tobias , Völk Stefanie , Jebrini Tarek , Horak Jeannie , Tuschen Marina , Choukér Alexander , Hornung Veit , Keppler Oliver T. , Koletzko Berthold , Török Helga P. , Adorjan Kristina ,   Members of Riscoin Study Group, Keppler O. , Osterman A. , Garcia I. Badell , Huber M. , Wratil P. R. , Adorjan K. , Gryaznova A. , Jebrini T. , Kohl P. , De Jonge S. , Neumeier K. , Koletzko S. , Koletzko B. , Kim-Helmuth S. , Hao Y. , Horak J. , Le Thi T. G. , Puzek B. , Schwerd T. , Török H. P. , Koletzko L. , Breiteneicher S. , Csollarova K. , Choukér A. , Tuschen M. , Biere K. , Wöhrle T. , Matzel S. , Hörl M. , Moser M. , Hornung V. , Rech J. , Ludwig C. , Hansbauer L. , Zhelyazkova A. , Klein M. , Völk S. , Kim-Helmuth S. , Puzek B. , Kastenmüller G.
Published: September 2023

The primary objective of the RisCoin study was to investigate the interplay of genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors as well as stress levels on influencing the humoral immune response after at least two COVID-19 vaccinations, primarily with mRNAs, and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections during follow-up. Here, we describe the study design, procedures, and study population. RisCoin is a prospective, monocentric, longitudinal, observational cohort study. Between October and December 2021, 4515 participants with at least two COVID-19 vaccinations, primarily BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, were enrolled at the LMU University Hospital of Munich, thereof > 4000 healthcare workers (HCW), 180 patients with inflammatory bowel disease under immunosuppression, and 119 patients with mental disorders. At enrollment, blood and saliva samples were collected to measure anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, their neutralizing capacity against Omicron-BA.1, stress markers, metabolomics, and genetics. To ensure the confidential handling of sensitive data of study participants, we developed a data protection concept and a mobile application for two-way communication. The application allowed continuous data reporting, including breakthrough infections by the participants, despite irreversible anonymization. Up to 1500 participants attended follow-up visits every two to six months after enrollment. The study gathered comprehensive data and bio-samples of a large representative HCW cohort and two patient groups allowing analyses of complex interactions. Our data protection concept combined with the mobile application proves the feasibility of longitudinal assessment of anonymized participants. Our concept may serve as a blueprint for other studies handling sensitive data on HCW.