bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reading between the lines: A study of Harris lines in Middle Holocene foragers of the Cis‐Baikal
Authors: Michelman Lauren M. , Bazaliiskii Vladimir I. , Weber Andrzej W. , Lieverse Angela R.
Published: September 2024

Harris lines (HLs) are radiographically visible transverse lines of thickened bone that develop from temporary growth cessation during early life. Often attributed to physiological stress during development, HLs are frequently observed in the long bones of adolescents and become less visible over time due to bone remodeling. In recent years, the validity of HL as a sign of stress has been called into question and the methods used in studying HL through X‐ray analysis scrutinized. In this study, 80 individuals from the Middle Holocene Cis‐Baikal region of Siberia, from the Early Neolithic (EN; 7560–6660 HPD cal. BP) and Late Neolithic (LN; 6060–4970 HPD cal. BP), were studied for the presence and severity of HL. Radiographic analysis employed both the traditional clinical anteroposterior (A–P) orientation and a potentially improved mediolateral (M–L) orientation. EN groups in the Cis‐Baikal are known to have experienced higher levels than their LN counterparts; thus, if HL reflect stress experiences, we expected to see more HL in the EN population compared with the LN population. We also expected more visible HL in the M–L orientation due to the suggested improvement in capturing more lines compared with the A–P orientation. While the results support the use of M–L orientation during X‐ray capture of HL, there was not a higher number of HL in the EN population as expected. Instead, no significant differences were found in HL severity between the EN and LN populations, and age‐at‐death resulted in a greater effect on HL counts regardless of mortuary site. The results from this study align not with known stress data from the Middle Holocene Cis‐Baikal populations but rather with data pertaining to known growth patterns. We therefore advocate against the use of HL as a sign of physiological stress and instead suggest HL as a reflection of bone growth trajectory.
Top‐down mass spectrometry analysis of capsid proteins of recombinant adeno‐associated virus using multiple ion activations and proton transfer charge reduction
Authors: Kline Jake T. , Huang Jingjing , Lieu Linda B. , Srzentić Kristina , Bergen David , Mullen Christopher , McAlister Graeme C. , Durbin Kenneth R. , Melani Rafael D. , Fornelli Luca
Published: September 2024

Adeno‐associated viruses (AAVs) are common vectors for emerging gene therapies due to their lack of pathogenicity in humans. Here, we present our investigation of the viral proteins (i.e., VP1, VP2, and VP3) of the capsid of AAVs via top‐down mass spectrometry (MS). These proteins, ranging from 59 to 81 kDa, were chromatographically separated using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and characterized in the gas‐phase by high‐resolution Orbitrap Fourier transform MS. Complementary ion dissociation methods were utilized to improve the overall sequence coverage. By reducing the overlap of product ion signals via proton transfer charge reduction on the Orbitrap Ascend BioPharma Tribrid mass spectrometer, the sequence coverage of each VP was significantly increased, reaching up to ∼40% in the case of VP3. These results showcase the improvements in the sequencing of proteins >30 kDa that can be achieved by manipulating product ions via gas‐phase reactions to obtain easy‐to‐interpret fragmentation mass spectra.
TADF‐Guiding Modification of Endoplasmic Reticulum‐Targeted Photosensitizers for Efficient Photodynamic Immunotherapy
Authors: Song Jiaxuan , Fang Hao , Wang Xudong , Zhong Wenda
Published: September 2024

Pharmacological activation of the immunogenic cell death (ICD) pathway by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) targeted photosensitizer (PS) has become a promising strategy for tumor immunotherapy. Despite a clear demand for ER‐targeted PS, the sluggish intersystem crossing (ISC) process, unstable excited state, insufficient ROS production, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME) combined to cause the high‐efficiency agents are still limited. Herein, three groups commonly used in thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecular design are used to modify the excited state characteristics of xanthene‐based cyanine PS (obtained the XCy‐based PS). The electronic and geometric modulation effectively optimize the excited state characteristics, facilitating the ISC process and prolonging the excited state life for boosting ROS generation. Among them, car‐XCy showed 100 times longer excited state life and 225% higher ROS yield than that of original XCy. The satisfactory ROS production and ER‐targeted ability of car‐XCy arouse intense ER stress to activate the ICD. Adequate antigen presentation promotes the dendritic cell maturation and infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), ultimately reversing the ITME to realize efficient immunotherapy. As a result, significant inhibition is observed in both primary and distant tumors, underscoring the efficacy of this TADF‐guiding excited state characteristics modulation strategy for developing photodynamic immunotherapy drugs.
Recent Progress of 2D Materials‐Based Photodetectors from UV to THz Waves: Principles, Materials, and Applications
Authors: Abdullah Muhammad , Younis Muhammad , Sohail Muhammad Tahir , Wu Shifang , Zhang Xiong , Khan Karim , Asif Muhammad , Yan Peiguang
Published: September 2024

Photodetectors are one of the most critical components for future optoelectronic systems and it undergoes significant advancements to meet the growing demands of diverse applications spanning the spectrum from ultraviolet (UV) to terahertz (THz). 2D materials are very attractive for photodetector applications because of their distinct optical and electrical properties. The atomic‐thin structure, high carrier mobility, low van der Waals (vdWs) interaction between layers, relatively narrower bandgap engineered through engineering, and significant absorption coefficient significantly benefit the chip‐scale production and integration of 2D materials‐based photodetectors. The extremely sensitive detection at ambient temperature with ultra‐fast capabilities is made possible with the adaptability of 2D materials. Here, the recent progress of photodetectors based on 2D materials, covering the spectrum from UV to THz is reported. In this report, the interaction of light with 2D materials is first deliberated on in terms of optical physics. Then, various mechanisms on which detectors work, important performance parameters, important and fruitful fabrication methods, fundamental optical properties of 2D materials, various types of 2D materials‐based detectors, different strategies to improve performance, and important applications of photodetectors are discussed.
Synergetic Effect of Mo‐Doped and Oxygen Vacancies Endows Vanadium Oxide with High‐Rate and Long‐Life for Aqueous Zinc Ion Battery
Authors: Chen Daming , Yang Ming , Ming Yang , Cai Wei , Shi Shuo , Pan Yicai , Hu Xin , Yu Rujun , Wang Ziqi , Fei Bin
Published: September 2024

Vanadium (V)‐based oxides have garnered significant attention as cathode materials for aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) due to their multiple valences and high theoretical capacity. However, their sluggish kinetics and low conductivity remain major obstacles to practical applications. In this study, Mo‐doped V2O3 with oxygen vacancies (OVs, Mo‐V2O3‐x@NC) is prepared from a Mo‐doped V‐metal organic framework. Ex situ characterizations reveal that the cathode undergoes an irreversible phase transformation from Mo‐V2O3‐x to Mo‐V2O5‐x·nH2O and serves as an active material exhibiting excellent Zn2+ storage in subsequent charge‐discharge cycles. Mo‐doped helps to further improve cycling stability and increases with increasing content. More importantly, the synergistic effect of Mo‐doped and OVs not only effectively reduces the Zn2+ migration energy barrier, but also enhances reaction kinetics, and electrochemical performance. Consequently, the cathode demonstrates ultrafast electrochemical kinetics, showing a superior rate performance (190.9 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1) and excellent long‐term cycling stability (147.9 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1 after 10000 cycles). Furthermore, the assembled pouch cell exhibits excellent cycling stability (313.6 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles), indicating promising application prospects. This work presents an effective strategy for designing and fabricating metal and OVs co‐doped cathodes for high‐performance AZIBs.
Heterostructure Engineering for Aluminum‐Ion Batteries: Mechanism, Challenge, and Perspective
Authors: Yang Cheng , Liang Zixin , Dong Bo , Guo Yaokun , Xie Weibin , Chen Mingzhe , Zhang Kai , Zhou Limin
Published: September 2024

Benefiting from high volumetric capacity, environmental friendliness, and high safety, aluminum‐ion batteries (AIBs) are considered to be promising battery system among emerging electrochemical energy storage technologies. As an important component of AIBs, the cathode material is crucial to decide the energy density and cycle life of AIBs. However, single‐component cathode materials are unable to achieve a balance between cycling stability and rate performance. In recent years, research on heterostructure cathode materials has gained significant attention in AIBs. By harnessing the synergistic effects of heterostructure, the shortcomings of individual materials can be overcome, contributing to improved conductivity and structural stability. This review offers a detailed insight into the Al‐storage mechanism of heterostructure cathodes, and provides an overview of the current research progresses on heterostructure cathode materials for AIBs. Starting from the relationship between the microstructure and electrochemical performance of heterostructure materials, the different structure design strategies are elaborated. Besides, the challenges faced by heterostructure are summarized, and their potential impact on the future of the energy storage industry is anticipated. This review provides the guidelines for the future research of heterostructure as cathode materials for AIBs.
Generation of Tailored Multi‐Material Microstructures Through One‐Step Direct Laser Writing
Authors: Song Dan , Liu Yizheng , Husari Ayman , Kotz‐Helmer Frederik , Tomakidi Pascal , Rapp Bastian E. , Rühe Jürgen
Published: September 2024

Direct laser writing has gained remarkable popularity by offering architectural control of 3D objects at submicron scales. However, it faces limitations when the fabrication of microstructures comprising multiple materials is desired. The generation processes of multi‐material microstructures are often very complex, requiring meticulous alignment, as well as a series of step‐and‐repeat writing and development of the materials. Here, a novel material system based on multilayers of chemically tailored polymers containing anthraquinone crosslinker units is demonstrated. Upon two‐photon excitation, the crosslinkers only require nearby aliphatic C,H units as reaction partners to form a crosslinked network. The desired structure can be written into a solid multi‐layered material system, wherein the properties of each material can be designed at the molecular level. In this way, C,H insertion crosslinking (CHic) of the polymers within each layer, along with simultaneous reaction at their interfaces, is performed, leading to the one‐step fabrication of multi‐material microstructures. A multi‐material 3D scaffold with a sixfold symmetry is produced to precisely control the adhesion of cells both concerning surface chemistry and topology. The demonstrated material system shows great promise for the fabrication of 3D microstructures with high precision, intricate geometries and customized functionalities.
Stretchable Ag2Se Thermoelectric Fabric with Simple and Nonthermal Fabrication for Wearable Electronics
Authors: Kwon Chaebeen , Lee Sanghyeon , Won Chihyeong , Lee Kyu Hyoung , Kim Byeonggwan , Cho Sungjoon , Lee Taeyoon
Published: September 2024

As the field of wearable electronics continues to expand, the integration of inorganic thermoelectric (TE) materials into fabrics has emerged as a promising development due to their excellent TE properties. However, conventional thermal methods for fabricating TE fabrics are unsuitable for wearable applications because of their high temperatures, resulting in rigid TE materials. Herein, a nonthermally fabricated silver selenide (Ag2Se) TE fabric is developed that can be effectively integrated into wearable applications. Ag2Se nanoparticles are densely formed within the fabric through a simple in situ chemical reduction process, resulting in remarkable electrical stability even after 10 000 cycles of mechanical deformation, such as stretching and compression. Notably, the fabricated Ag2Se TE fabric exhibits superior stretchability, stretching ≈1.36 times more than the thermally treated Ag2Se TE fabrics, while retaining its excellent electrical conductivity. Moreover, the TE unit exhibits 9.80 μW m−1 K−2 power factor, 134.45 S cm−1 electrical conductivity, and −26.98 μV K−1 Seebeck coefficient at 370 K. A haptic sensing glove based on the Ag2Se TE fabric as a sensor for detecting potential hazards is demonstrated. The glove effectively distinguishes between simple touch, physical pain, and high‐temperature hazards, ensuring user safety and prompt response.
Wet Mechanochemical Synthesis of BH4‐Substituted Lithium Argyrodites
Authors: Han Ji‐Hoon , Shin Yoonju , Lee Young Joo , Ahn Sangdoo , Lee Young‐Su , Yi Kyung‐Woo , Cho Young Whan
Published: September 2024

In all‐solid‐state batteries, a solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity is required for fast charging, uniform lithium deposition, and increased cathode capacity. Lithium argyrodite with BH4− substitution has promising potential due to its higher ionic conductivity compared to argyrodites substituted with halides. In this study, Li5.25PS4.25(BH4)1.75, characterized by a high ionic conductivity of 13.8 mS cm−1 at 25 °C, is synthesized via wet ball‐milling employing o‐xylene. The investigation focused on optimizing wet ball‐milling parameters such as ball size, xylene content, drying temperature, as well as the amount of BH4− substitution in argyrodite. An all‐solid‐state battery prepared using Li5.25PS4.25(BH4)1.75 as the electrolyte and LiNbO3 coated NCM811 as the cathode exhibits an initial coulombic efficiency of 90.2% and maintains 93.9% of its initial capacity after 100 cycles at fast charging rate (5C). It is anticipated that the application of this wet mechanochemical synthesis will contribute further to the commercialization of all‐solid‐state batteries using BH4‐substituted argyrodites.
Research on seismic suppression performance of vertical circulation stereo garage based on friction damper and steel pipe
Authors: Guo Yang‐yang , Tian Zu‐zhi , Wu Xiang‐fan , Tan Li‐yuan , Li Hao‐peng
Published: September 2024

The conventional vertical circulation stereo garage is susceptible to deformation and instability when subjected to extreme seismic loads and complex working conditions. The present study introduces the combination arrangement of steel pipe and friction damper to optimize vertical circulation stereo garage while also investigating their seismic suppression performance under three representative seismic waves (EL‐CNENTRO, TH1TG025(TH), and RH1TG025(RH)). The results showed that the garage structure hasbetter seismic suppression performance when the combination of steel pipes and friction dampers is applied in Scheme 4 compared to relying solely on diagonal tie rod, steel pipe or friction damper. And Scheme 4 achieves inhibition rates of up to 61.27%, 22.12%, 56.07%, and 12.84% for overall maximum deformation response, maximum Y‐direction deformation response, vertex acceleration response, and bottom shear response, respectively. This enhancement significantly improves the garage's seismic stability, providing valuable theoretical references for advancing the development and market promotion of vertical circulation stereo garages.
Exosomes in esophageal cancer: Promising nanocarriers in cancer progression, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy
Authors: Yuan Ligong , Ji Haoran , Cao Yang , Yi Hang , Leng Qihao , Zhou Jie , Mei Xinyu
Published: September 2024

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most fatal cancers all over the world. Sensitive detection modalities for early‐stage EC and efficient treatment methods are urgently needed for the improvement of the prognosis of EC. Exosomes are small vesicles for intercellular communication, mediating many biological responses including cancer progression, which are not only promising biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis but also therapeutic tools for EC. This review provides an overview of the relationships between exosomes and EC progression, as well as the application of exosomes in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of EC.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Expanding the boundaries of leadership development: Propositions for leadership educators
Authors: Rocco Melissa L. , Davis Kristen Rupert
Published: September 2024

This article delves into the intricacies of leadership development through the lens of the leadership learning framework (LLF); challenging conventional notions by emphasizing self‐awareness, relational dynamics, and values as key elements of the leadership development process. We first explore how the LLF reshapes traditional paradigms, redirecting focus from skills acquisition to personal growth rooted in self‐awareness, relational dynamics, and values acquisition. Through recommendations and examples, the discussion seeks to clarify the implications of this perspective for leadership educators, advocating for programs that foster not only task proficiency but also critical reflection and a deep sense of interdependency in relationships with others in the leadership process. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of integrating self‐reflection, social awareness, and value‐centered approaches into leadership development programming to cultivate leaders capable of navigating the complexities of modern society.
Bathymetry Estimation from ICESat-2 in a Region Swamped by Mud: A Case Story from Moreton Bay
Authors: Hallström Elisabet Anne Marie , Andersen Ole B. , Deng Xiaoli , Coleman Richard
Published: September 2024

The bathymetry of coastal bay environments, such as Moreton Bay near Brisbane in eastern Australia, is constantly reworked because of changes in energy dispersal and related sediment transport pathways. Updated and accurate bathymetric models are a crucial component for scientific, environmental, and ship safety studies.

NASA’s Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) is equipped with a laser detecting system (green light) that penetrates the air-water interface. Under optimal conditions, it can provide shallow water bathymetry (depths <40 m). We attempted to use ICESat-2 measurements to study bathymetry and possible bathymetry changes from repeated tracks across Moreton Bay. We found that the water turbidity in Moreton Bay varies with time. More than half of the water area is affected by suspended sediment, which makes ICESat-2 difficult to obtain bathymetric measurements. In other areas, repeated ICESat-2 tracks performed consistently on the 1-meter level. This means that ICESat-2 can be used to update existing bathymetry in the region. We also devised a method to determine bathymetry in the shallower parts of the zone affected by mud.
Exploring the Lived Experiences of Medication for Opioid use Disorder Treatment: A Qualitative Study among a Crowdsourced Convenience Sample
Authors: Victor Grant , Kheibari A. , Strickland J. C.
Published: September 2024

Given the effectiveness of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and low engagement of treatment among people who use drugs (PWUD), it is important to better understand how to engage treatment clients with MOUD care. The current study aimed to achieve this goal by using qualitative methodology to characterize the MOUD treatment experiences. Participants (N = 52) were recruited for an online semi-structured interview. Qualitative analysis revealed varied treatment experiences, with the majority expressing irregular and intermittent MOUD treatment engagement. The therapeutic effects of MOUD in curbing withdrawal symptoms in conjunction with counseling services was frequently mentioned, as well as a preference for methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) to buprenorphine or naltrexone. Many participants described barriers to treatment and continuation of care, including failed drug screens for non-opioid drugs, perceived stigma, and physician-initiated discontinuation of treatment. The current study revealed that patients had favorable experiences with MOUD treatment, particularly when supplemented with counseling services.
Clinician Experiences of and Responses to the Challenges of Working with Patients in the Australian Compensation Setting
Authors: Sim Alison , McNeilage Amy G. , Rebbeck Trudy , Ashton-James Claire E.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Previous research indicates that the compensation process is stressful for people with a compensable injury, contributing to poorer recovery. However, little is known about the challenges faced by clinicians who work in this setting. This study aims to qualitatively explore the experiences of clinicians delivering care to patients with compensable injuries in Australia.

Materials and Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 experienced clinicians providing care to compensable patients in Australia. The interviews were transcribed, and data were analysed using reflective thematic analysis.

Results

Participants described their work as challenging due to factors such as high patient distress, poor clinical outcomes, and high administrative load. However, they responded to these challenges in varying ways. While some reported feelings of vicarious injustice, emotional exhaustion, and self-doubt, others derived a sense of meaning, purpose, and mastery from these challenges. Clinician responses to the challenge of working with people with a compensation claim were associated with access to mentoring, continuous education and training, and a supportive workplace culture.

Conclusion

Clinicians reported both positive and negative responses to the challenges of working with people with a compensable injury. Coping strategies that were associated with more positive reactions included seeking further education, mentoring, peer support. Prioritising these support systems is important for clinician wellbeing and patient outcomes.
Investigating the influence of the school climate of church-based schools on students’ moral identity development and hope for the future
Authors: Aldridge Jill M. , McLure Felicity
Published: September 2024

Hope for the future provides a protective factor against mental health disorders and contributes to students’ academic success and wellbeing. We investigated whether a school’s climate influenced students’ prosocial moral identity and hope for the future to understand better how church-based schools might improve these important outcomes. Data were collected from 1080 students in two church-based schools (672 enrolled in one school and 408 in the other) using two instruments: one to assess students’ perceptions of school climate features unique to church-based schools and another to assess students’ self-reports of their moral identity and hope for the future. The results generated using structural equation modelling suggest direct positive and significant relationships between school climate factors, moral identity and hope for the future. However, there were differences between school climate factors that influenced these outcomes for the two schools, suggesting that the context of the school needs to be considered. The findings also suggest that moral identity is a positive predictor of and mediates the influence of the school climate on hope for the future. This study is significant as it adds to the understanding of how malleable features of school climates unique to church-based schools can be leveraged to promote the development of students’ moral identity and hope for the future.
Plastic pellet pollution in the Aeolian Islands UNESCO site (Italy, Western Mediterranean Sea): results of a comprehensive characterization and monitoring study
Authors: Sabatino Giuseppe , De Rosa Giuseppe , D’Alessandro Michela , De Vittor Cinzia , Esposito Valentina , Graziano Marco , Tripodo Alessandro , Volpi Valentina , Di Bella Marcella
Published: September 2024

The archipelago of the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea is a globally important natural laboratory. The archipelago, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique geology and biodiversity, offers a unique opportunity to study plastic pollution. This study presents an initiative to assess the occurrence of plastic pellets on the beaches of five Aeolian Islands. It provides an insight into the polymer composition and the effects of degradation. Collected pellets were analyzed using stereomicroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) based on the results of the FTIR data has proved to be an effective statistical method in identifying different clusters corresponding to different degradation phases of the collected pellets. The infrared analysis identified polyethylene (80%) as the main polymer, with a small amount of polypropylene (20%). It was found that the surfaces of some pellets undergo changes during weathering that alter the polymer surfaces. By combining data on plastic pellets from the Aeolian Islands and surrounding coastal areas, we are gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the distribution patterns of microplastics. The results of the monitoring and characterization are expected to support the developing of waste management and remediation strategies for this environmentally sensitive region.
Vitamin D Alleviates Heavy Metal-Induced Cytotoxic Effects on Human Bone Osteoblasts Via the Induction of Bioenergetic Disruption, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis
Authors: Elmorsy Ekramy M. , Al-Ghafari Ayat B. , Al Doghaither Huda A. , Alrowaili Majed Gorayan , Khired Zenat Ahmed , Toraih Eman A. , Fawzy Manal S. , Shehata Shaimaa A.
Published: September 2024

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are heavy metals (HMs) that persistently contaminate the ecosystem, and bioaccumulation in bones is a health concern. We used biochemical and molecular assays to assess the cytoprotective effect of vitamin D (VD) on Cd- and Pd-induced chemical toxicity of human bone osteoblasts in vitro. Exposing Cd and Pb to human osteoblast cultures at concentrations of 0.1–1000 µM for 24–72 h significantly reduced osteoblast viability in an exposure time- and concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effect of Cd on osteoblasts was more severe than Pb’s, with 72-h exposure estimated half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 8 and 12 µM, respectively, and VD (1 and 10 nM) alleviated cytotoxicity. Bioenergetics assays of ATP, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial complex I and III activity showed that both Cd and Pb (1 and 10 µM) inhibited cellular bioenergetics after 72-h exposure. Cd and Pb increased lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species with reduced catalase/superoxide dismutase antioxidant activities and increased activity of caspases -3, -8, and -9. Co-treatment with VD (1 and 10 nM) counteracted bioenergetic disruption, oxidative damage, and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings suggest that VD is effective in managing the toxic effects of environmental pollutants and in treating bone diseases characterized by oxidative stress, apoptosis, and bioenergetic disruption.

Graphical Abstract
Changing focus: making sustainability a major theme in existing university modules
Authors: O’Neill Ian , Gui Meei Mei
Published: September 2024

In this article we report some practical experiences of integrating education for sustainable development into established university teaching modules. The 2021 guidance on Education for Sustainable Development from the UK’s standards bodies QAA and Advance HE is an important and urgent motivation for introducing sustainability into university courses. We take as our context a first-year introductory module in Chemical Products and Process in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and a second-year module in Software Engineering and Systems Development in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, both at Queen’s University Belfast. We outline some of the challenges of adding new themes to existing courses. We comment on ways of presenting themes of sustainable development alongside existing module content, and we indicate the type of work students produced. We identify approaches that resulted in good outcomes, and outline changes we have made with a view to improved future outcomes.
Various computational methods for highway health monitoring in terms of detection of black ice: a sustainable approach in Indian context
Authors: Kumar Vishant , Singh Rajesh , Gehlot Anita , Akram Shaik Vaseem , Thakur Amit Kumar , Aseer Ronald , Priyadarshi Neeraj , Twala Bhekisipho
Published: September 2024

Black ice is responsible for dangerous road-related incidents that can cause collisions and harm vehicle drivers and pedestrians. Visual examination and weather forecasts are two standard traditional methods for detecting black ice on roads, but they are often inaccurate and may not deliver the vehicle driver with up-to-date information on road conditions. The evolution of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies such as wireless sensor network (WSN), Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and machine learning (ML) has been capable of detecting events in real time. This study aims to analyse the integration of the WSN, IoT, ML, and image processing for black ice detection. The qualitative research method is followed in this study, where the problems of black ice detection are studied. Following this, the role of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies is analyzed in detail for black ice detection. According to the study, we can detect black ice using different methods, but some methods need to be refined if we talk about the prediction. By merging different technologies, we can improve the overall architecture and create an algorithm that works with images and physical variables like temperature, humidity, due point, and road temperature, which were responsible for black ice formation, and predict the chances of black ice formation by training the system.
Dynamic Pricing Framework for Water Demand Management Using Advanced Metering Infrastructure Data
Authors: Alghamdi Faisal M. , Edwards Eric C. , Berglund Emily Z.
Published: September 2024

This research investigates dynamic pricing as a demand management tool to reduce cost and increase the lifespan of water distribution systems by reducing peak hour demand. Individual consumer responses to changes in hourly water price are simulated using advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data. Demand profiles are used as input to a hydraulic simulation model to evaluate the effects of changing demands on flows and in‐network metrics. The framework is applied to Lakewood City, California, using a model of the pipe network and AMI data collected at nearly 20,000 accounts. Four dynamic pricing policies are applied to the model to show that reductions in morning peak demand ranging from 6% to 25% reduce peak energy demands up to 14%. These small changes in overall energy demand, up to a 1.7% reduction, lead to relatively larger overall reductions in energy cost, up to 5.5%. The results demonstrate the importance of dynamic pricing as a demand‐side strategy for infrastructure management and highlight the potential to accommodate demand growth without additional infrastructure investments.
Diffuse Auroral Emissions Driven by Electron Cyclotron Harmonic Waves at Jupiter
Authors: Tripathi Arvind K. , Singhal Rajendra P. , Mishra Ashish K.
Published: September 2024

In the present work we have modeled diffuse auroral emissions in Jupiter using the recent observations received by JUNO orbiter. Resonant wave‐particle interaction by electron‐cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves has been invoked as the mechanism for production of diffuse aurora. Energetic electrons trapped on closed field lines are diffused into the loss‐cone via pitch‐angle diffusion. Electron precipitation fluxes have been calculated. Electrons entering into the atmosphere undergo collisions with atmospheric constituents atomic H and molecular H2 producing electromagnetic emissions. Four excitations have been considered. These excitations are: HLy‐α from excitation of atomic H, HLy‐α from dissociative excitation of molecular H2, Lyman and Werner bands of H2. Volume excitation rates have been calculated for these excitations. Height integrated volume excitation rates have been obtained to give auroral intensities. Numerical calculations have been performed at five L‐shells; L = 10, 12, 15, 18 and 20. Maximum auroral intensities is obtained at shell L = 10. At higher shell L = 20 the intensity value reduces to a minimum. The intensities in Rayleigh (R) for HLy‐α from H, HLy‐α from H2, Lyman and Werner bands of H2 are calculated. Comparing these intensities with the diffuse auroral intensities observed at Saturn, it is found that the intensities at Jupiter are higher than the values predicted for Saturn. We have also calculated volume ionization rates for atomic H producing H+, dissociative ionization of H2 producing H+, and ionization of H2 producing H2+. The continuity equation is solved to obtain the electron density Outcomes are discussed.
Robust identification of perturbed cell types in single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Nicol Phillip B. , Paulson Danielle , Qian Gege , Liu X. Shirley , Irizarry Rafael , Sahu Avinash D.
Published: September 2024

Single-cell transcriptomics has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding how different cells contribute to disease progression by identifying cell types that change across diseases or conditions. However, detecting changing cell types is challenging due to individual-to-individual and cohort-to-cohort variability and naive approaches based on current computational tools lead to false positive findings. To address this, we propose a computational tool, scDist, based on a mixed-effects model that provides a statistically rigorous and computationally efficient approach for detecting transcriptomic differences. By accurately recapitulating known immune cell relationships and mitigating false positives induced by individual and cohort variation, we demonstrate that scDist outperforms current methods in both simulated and real datasets, even with limited sample sizes. Through the analysis of COVID-19 and immunotherapy datasets, scDist uncovers transcriptomic perturbations in dendritic cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and FCER1G+NK cells, that provide new insights into disease mechanisms and treatment responses. As single-cell datasets continue to expand, our faster and statistically rigorous method offers a robust and versatile tool for a wide range of research and clinical applications, enabling the investigation of cellular perturbations with implications for human health and disease.
Advancing thermoelectric potential: strontium telluride under compression strain analyzed with HSE hybrid functional and Wannier interpolation
Authors: Patel Hiren S. , Dabhi Vishnu A. , Vora Aditya M.
Published: September 2024

In the present era, the energy sector is undergoing an intense transformation, which encourages numerous research efforts aimed at reducing and reusing energy waste. One of the main areas of focus is thermoelectric energy, where telluride compounds have attracted researchers due to their remarkable ability to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. We focused this study on finding out how well strontium telluride (SrTe) can be used to generate thermoelectric power by testing it under up to 10% compression strain. We have used advanced computational approaches to increase the accuracy of our results, specifically the HSE hybrid functional with the Wannier interpolation method. This method is primarily employed to analyze electronic properties; however, our research extends its utility to investigate thermoelectric characteristics. Our findings provide accurate predictions for both electronic and thermoelectric properties. The above method has successfully achieved a significant improvement of 58% in the electronic band gap value, resulting in a value of 2.83 eV, which closely matches the experimental results. Furthermore, the Figure of Merit 0.95 is obtained, which is close to the ideal range. Both the band gap value and the thermoelectric figure of merit decrease when the compression strain is increased. These findings emphasize the importance of using SrTe under specific conditions. The findings of this work provide motivation for future researchers to investigate the environmental changes in the thermoelectric potential of SrTe.
Trust, trustworthiness and AI governance
Authors: Lahusen Christian , Maggetti Martino , Slavkovik Marija
Published: September 2024

An emerging issue in AI alignment is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by public authorities, and specifically the integration of algorithmic decision-making (ADM) into core state functions. In this context, the alignment of AI with the values related to the notions of trust and trustworthiness constitutes a particularly sensitive problem from a theoretical, empirical, and normative perspective. In this paper, we offer an interdisciplinary overview of the scholarship on trust in sociology, political science, and computer science anchored in artificial intelligence. On this basis, we argue that only a coherent and comprehensive interdisciplinary approach making sense of the different properties attributed to trust and trustworthiness can convey a proper understanding of complex watchful trust dynamics in a socio-technical context. Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI-Governance ultimately requires an understanding of how to combine trust-related values while addressing machines, humans and institutions at the same time. We offer a road-map of the steps that could be taken to address the challenges identified.
Histopathologische Befundung von Keimzelltumoren – worauf ist zu achten?
Authors: Fichtner Alexander , Nettersheim Daniel , Bremmer Felix
Published: September 2024

Die Keimzelltumoren machen den Großteil der Hodentumoren aus und bilden eine heterogene Gruppe an Tumoren, die sich biologisch unterschiedlich verhalten. Aufgrund des Auftretens in unterschiedlichen Altersgruppen, ihrer morphologischen Charakteristika und der molekularen Veränderungen werden sie in 3 verschiedene Gruppen (Typ I–III) unterteilt. Die genaue histopathologische Analyse eines Orchiektomieresektats, die Zuordnung in die genannten 3 Gruppen und die genaue Benennung aller Subtypen mit prozentualer Verteilung ist für die Therapie und Prognose eines Patienten mit Keimzelltumor sehr wichtig. In diesem Artikel wird die Vorgehensweise bei der Aufarbeitung eines Orchiektomieresektats und die histopathologische Analyse des Hodentumorgewebes geschildert und dargestellt, in welchen Situationen Hilfsmittel wie immunhistochemische oder molekularpathologische Untersuchungen notwendig sind. Ferner wird die aktuelle Einteilung der Keimzelltumoren des Hodens anhand der gültigen WHO-Klassifikation geschildert und diskutiert.
Enhancing Prostate Cancer Detection in PI-RADS 3 Cases: An In-depth Analysis of Radiological Indicators from Multiparametric MRI
Authors: Mersinlioğlu İlker , Keven Ayse , Tezel Zülbiye Eda , Gürbüz Ahmet Faruk , Çubuk Metin
Published: September 2024

Prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) remains challenging, especially in Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System 3 (PI-RADS 3) lesions, which present an intermediate risk of malignancy. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of various radiological parameters in PI-RADS 3 lesions to improve the decision-making process for prostate biopsies.

This retrospective study included 76 patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions who underwent mpMRI and transrectal prostate biopsy at a tertiary university hospital between 2015 and 2022. Radiological parameters such as signal intensity, lesion size, border definition, morphological features, lesion location, and prostate volume were analyzed. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the patients’ clinical data including age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and histopathological findings were also evaluated. Results: Among the 76 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, prostate cancer was detected in 17, with only one case being clinically significant (csPCa). Factors increasing malignancy risk in PI-RADS 3 lesions included poorly defined lesion borders, ADC values below 1180 μm²/sec, and prostate volume below 50.5 cc. The study highlighted the need for additional radiological and clinical parameters in the risk classification of
PI-RADS 3 cases.

This retrospective study included 76 patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions who underwent mpMRI and transrectal prostate biopsy at a tertiary university hospital between 2015 and 2022. Radiological parameters such as signal intensity, lesion size, border definition, morphological features, lesion location, and prostate volume were analyzed. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the patients’ clinical data including age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and histopathological findings were also evaluated.

Among the 76 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, prostate cancer was detected in 17, with only one case being clinically significant (csPCa). Factors increasing malignancy risk in PI-RADS 3 lesions included poorly defined lesion borders, ADC values below 1180 μm²/sec, and prostate volume below 50.5 cc. The study highlighted the need for additional radiological and clinical parameters in the risk classification of
PI-RADS 3 cases.

The findings suggest that incorporating additional radiological parameters into the evaluation of PI-RADS 3 lesions can enhance the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis. This approach could minimize unnecessary biopsies and ensure that significant malignancies are not overlooked. Future multicenter, large-scale studies are recommended to establish more definitive risk stratification criteria.
Self-reported Costs of Endometriosis Patients in Germany
Authors: Heinze Nicole Rebecca , Götz Teresa , Rohloff Nadine , Schaller Lisa , Spelsberg Roman , Schäfer Sebastian Daniel
Published: September 2024

Endometriosis patients face a significant economic burden. In addition to the directly attributable costs of the diagnosis and therapy of endometriosis, such as drug treatment and multimodal pain therapy, various indirect follow-up costs can be expected, e.g., due to incapacity for work and reduced work performance. As already reported in previous publications, endometriosis is associated with considerable costs for the health care system and society as well as for the affected women and their families.

In order to measure the extent of the costs associated with endometriosis patients, 250 patients with an average age of 32.80 years were recruited via social media and interviewed about their self-financed costs as part of an online survey. The assessed direct costs comprise inpatient treatments, outpatient or pain therapy, fertility treatments, hormone therapies, prescribed and privately paid medications and aids, other therapeutic procedures, and directly attributable travel costs for endometriosis treatments.

This resulted in an average cost of € 2059.55 per year. Indirect costs were calculated based on loss of income, day-to-day support, care costs, costs due to follow-up illnesses and other costs. On average, the indirect costs were € 2174.25. The average costs resulting from the survey totalled € 4233.81 per year with a standard deviation of € 8240.31.

An increase of out-of-pocket costs can be assumed. This may result from an improved range of services for alternative treatment methods and an increased awareness of the need for personal investment in health. However, further health economic studies are needed to validate the results.
Flow analysis in a 37-pin wire-wrapped rod bundle for sodium-cooled fast reactor using magnetic resonance velocimetry. I. Validation and gross behavior
Authors: Im Chaehyuk , Seo Kyongwon , Cho Jee-Hyun , Jang Ilhoon , Song Simon
Published: September 2024

The sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), a fourth-generation nuclear reactor, utilizes liquid sodium as a coolant and offers advantages like operation at atmospheric pressure and the use of spent nuclear fuel. Understanding flow characteristics around fuel rod bundle is crucial for securing cooling performance and safety. This study investigates the flow characteristics in a 37-pin wire-wrapped fuel rod bundle of SFR from three-dimensional flow fields measured by magnetic resonance velocimetry. Aimed at enhancing the understanding of coolant flow dynamics crucial for reactor safety and efficiency, the study successfully captures and validates three-dimensional, three components of mean velocities. Key discoveries include phase differences between wire position and high velocity regions, evidence of upstream flow influence by wire structures, and secondary flows such as edge swirling induced by wire blockage. The research offers detailed insights into subchannel velocities and flow split factors, contributing to improved SFR design and safety.
Physics-informed neural networks for dense reconstruction of vortex rings from particle tracking velocimetry
Authors: Steinfurth B. , Hassanein A. , Doan N. A. K. , Scarano F.
Published: September 2024

Phase-resolved volumetric velocity measurements of a pulsed jet are conducted by means of three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). The resulting scattered and relatively sparse data are densely reconstructed by adopting physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), here regularized by the Navier–Stokes equations. It is shown that the assimilation remains robust even at low particle densities (ppp<10−3) where the mean particle distance is larger than 10% of the outlet diameter. This is achieved by enforcing compliance with the governing equations, thereby leveraging the spatiotemporal evolution of the measured flow field. Thus, the PINN reconstructs unambiguously velocity, vorticity, and pressure fields, enabling a robust identification of vortex structures with a level of detail not attainable with conventional methods (binning) or more advanced data assimilation techniques (vortex-in-cell). The results of this article suggest that the PINN methodology is inherently suited to the assimilation of PTV data, in particular under conditions of severe data sparsity encountered in experiments with limited control of the seeding concentration and/or distribution.
Limits of high-frequency polarization switching in BaTiO3
Authors: Tamim Hasin , Khadka Rajan , Keblinski Pawel
Published: September 2024

In this work, we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the switching behavior of BaTiO3 ferroelectric under the application of a high-amplitude high-frequency oscillatory electric field. While at lower frequencies, we observe a standard square-shaped hysteresis loop behavior, at frequencies approaching 1 THz, the hysteresis loop has an ellipsoidal shape. As the frequency increases, the average polarization oscillates without switching direction. To elucidate the origin of the ∼1 THz limit for the polarization switching, we analyzed unit-cell-level polarization vector maps. In this context, the analysis of the low-frequency switching events revealed that in addition to the majority of the polarization vectors exhibiting rapid switching, some “metastable” aligned polarization vectors persist longer with an average lifetime of ∼1 ps. As the frequency increases to the THz range, several polarization vector lines remain unswitched, thus preventing the polarization switching at the simulation domain level. Furthermore, we observe that with the increase in the amplitude of the applied electric field, one can increase the frequency at which switching is observed.